Experts hail China experience, discuss paths towards modernization at BRICS forum Xinhua) 13:16, June 08, 2024 ST. PETERSBURG, June 7(Xinhua) -- While highlighting the China's experience, experts from various think tanks discussed ways to promote the modernization of BRICS countries at the BRICS Expert Forum, which was held in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Thursday. Chinese modernization has already demonstrated remarkable results, and more than a billion people have significantly improved their lives. China's successful experience deserve attention and must be studied, said Ivan Timofeev, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council The advantages of BRICS countries in such areas as their population, their domestic markets, technology, and other fields, will facilitate their development, noted the expert. Najla Abdelwahid Alzarooni, a senior researcher at Trends Research and Advisory, UAE, believed that the pursuit of modernization is a common desire shared among all countries of the world. The Chinese path towards modernization is rooted in China's national characteristics and its wonderful traditional culture, he said, adding that China's success inspires confidence among developing countries, and further encourages them to independently pursue their own paths to modernization, based on their own history, culture, and traditions. Abas Aslani, senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, said that the Chinese path to modernization has allowed other countries to break free from the mindset that modernization equals Westernization, and further re-evaluate the foreignness of Western modernization theory. BRICS countries support each other and have become a key force in promoting a positive transformation of the global world order, noted Aslani. BRICS countries are able to independently choose their development paths, while collectively safeguarding their right to development and advancing towards modernization, according to the experts. They hold a progressive stance, are an important force to shape the global architecture, and will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the process of world development, they added. The BRICS Expert Forum was held within the framework of the 2024 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, and co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Rossiya Segodnya. Government officials from BRICS countries, heads of major international media, and scholars attended the forum. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie) 29:11 Worship - "Joy Of The Lord" | DREAM Label Group Los Angeles, CA (June 7th, 2024) Arizona worship group 29:11 Worship release their new song Joy Of The Lord today via DREAM Worship on all digital retail and streaming service providers. The song was produced live by Avery Chisenski at 29:11 Church in Mesa, Arizona. We are so excited about Joy of the Lord! We know we cant sing it without smiling and pray it blesses the listener in the same way! - Avery Chisenski, 29:11Worship Listen Joy Of The Lord here 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 At 8.41am on Monday, online bookseller Booktopias board of directors released an update to the stock exchange that gave away just how acutely the business was struggling. Its new boss, barely one year into the job, had suddenly and inexplicably resigned; 50 jobs were on the line (adding to the 40 already cut last January); and it had scrambled together emergency funding of $1 million. The raft of changes announced by Australias biggest online bookstore are the latest of many as it battles three straight years of unprofitability, a rock-bottom share price that has plummeted 98 per cent to 4.5, and a haemorrhaging of key senior executives including their most recent chief executive, chief financial officer, and last year chief marketing officer. Booktopias former CEO Tony Nash has been brought back into the business to keep it ticking while it contends with problems from every direction. Credit: Julian Andrews Tony Nash, the co-founder who was ousted from the business he helmed for 18 years, has been brought back temporarily as an executive director and sales director. Booktopias woes have left many in the industry asking questions about whether it has a future. But Booktopias struggle for survival is not reflective of other parts of the book-selling industry, with many sellers continuing to trade steadily and optimistically. Were always portrayed as almost redundant and going out of business and bookshops are closing. Its always a very negative approach. But the numbers dont say that, said Australian booksellers association BookPeople CEO Robbie Egan. Its not that bookshops arent viable businesses, its that Booktopia appears not to be. Advertisement The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, catastrophic for many parts of the retail industry, were a major boost for Booktopia. Reading surged and so did the companys sales, turning over $223.9 million in the 2021 financial year and $240.8 million in the 2022 financial year. Loading Despite the revenue surge, Booktopia recorded losses, not profits, of $18.1 million and $15.1 million for those respective years. Emboldened by the demand for books, Booktopia poured $12 million into a new highly automated warehouse, a move that has turned out to be miscalculated as people bought fewer books amid cost of living pressures. If you cant take [nearly $250 million in annual sales] and set yourself up, somethings not quite right, said Egan. Booktopia is a business that hasnt been run properly. Booktopia declined requests to be interviewed. The local bookstore is not dead Booktopia and its much larger US competitor Amazon, arguably the worlds most successful online bookstore have been a threat to bricks-and-mortar bookshops. Advertisement But they also forced the traditional bookshops to adapt and sharpen their point of difference as a physical space. Those that have deeply embedded themselves in their communities, in literary circles and writer groups, host regular events and workshops and have relationships with nearby schools are those that have found success. Readings, Victorias biggest independent bookstore chain, holds more than 400 events a year across its eight stores, partners with the Melbourne Writers Festival, and donates 10 per cent of its profits to non-profits that support literacy and the arts. In 2016, Readings was named international bookshop of the year by the London Book Fair. Readings managing director Joe Rubbo (son of former Readings boss Mark Rubbo). Credit: Joe Armao We try to make sure that all of our stores are sort of a hub for the local community, said Readings managing director Joe Rubbo, who took the reins of the bookstore chain from his father in August last year. We have a lot of launches in store, book readings. Our priority is on really good customer service. To encourage foot traffic and create a welcoming space, interior design and the in-store experience have been carefully considered. Readings flagship Carlton store was redesigned by Nest Architects, while its Hawthorn and Emporium stores were crafted by Kerstin Thompson Architects. The way that you can come in look and browse and find something that you didnt expect to find an algorithm cant compete with that experience. Advertisement Nest Architects designed the renovated Readings Carlton store. Credit: Nest Architects The reality of running a small business is that its tough, said Egan, so if the bookstore around the corner has been a fixture for some time, its probably doing better than just staying afloat. An independent brick-and-mortar bookshop on a high street in Australia could be turning over anything from $500,000 to $20 million, he said. Weve always been here, were not going to go broke. The business of books While there are success stories to be found, the size of the book store industry has shrunk from $5 billion in 2011 to $1.6 billion in 2024, according to IBISWorld figures. Advertisement Some 1670 book stores currently are in operation, a number that 13 years ago was nearly double at around 3000. The collapse of Borders and Angus & Robertson in early 2011 also wiped out about 181 physical bookstores that year. E-readers such as Kindle and the growing popularity of audiobooks have also broadened the ways people consume books and are capturing more sale dollars, making up 11 per cent, or $173.8 million, of industry revenue. Like every other business, bookshop operators are watching their rent, electricity and insurance bills go up, while the price of books has stayed fairly stable over the years. At the same time, pricing competition is coming from not only online players, but a surprising retail segment: discount department stores. Our members are saying, Were sick of seeing Big W selling books for half price, said Egan. It undermines and undervalues what is a really important cultural product. The last thing we want is a landscape where you can only buy a book at a discount department store or an online giant. That would be unhealthy, I think, and terrible for new Australian writing and small publishers. Advertisement The federal police declined to say why the officers home was raided, stressing that the AFP does not comment on internal processes relating to individual members. Official sources, speaking anonymously to discuss confidential information, said the raid was prompted by allegations linked to a conflict of interest involving procurement decisions. The respected federal police veteran was suspended on Thursday after internal affairs officers searched his Canberra home. Natural justice applies to AFP members. No further comment will be made at this time, an AFP spokesperson said. Loading Word of the search of the officers home and his standing down spread rapidly across the Canberra law enforcement and national security community on Friday, but the AFPs professional standards division also refused to divulge details of the allegations. Since its inception last July, the National Anti-Corruption Commission has prioritised investigations targeting conflicts of interest involving government procurement. There is no indication the NACC is involved directly in the raids, suggesting that the alleged misconduct of the commander does not rise to the level of serious corruption. I dont at all mean to minimise the challenges experienced by First Australians and people from other ethnic minorities. According to the Scanlon Foundations 2023 Mapping Social Cohesion survey, one in three respondents of non-English background reported personal experiences of discrimination based on skin colour, ethnicity or religion. Loading But its one thing to acknowledge racist elements within our society, and quite another to cast us as a racist country. Tingle is one of the finest political journalists in the country and doesnt deserve the vitriol shes endured for her off-the-cuff remark. But the accusation that were a racist country is levelled too often by too many, when there is little evidence to support such an absolute claim. Eighty-four per cent of respondents to a 2021 Amnesty International survey said they believed in the importance of freedom from discrimination. The Scanlon survey also found the proportion of people who agreed that multiculturalism has been good for Australia increased from 77 per cent in 2018 to 86 per cent in 2023. And 85 per cent agreed that it is important for Indigenous histories and cultures to be included in the school curriculum. Racism is embedded in our history, with the Indigenous massacres and the White Australia Policy two particularly egregious stains. Yet, one struggles to think of many countries that arent without similar shame in their past. While progress towards greater racial harmony hasnt been as rapid as we would like, theres little doubt this multicultural nation has been on a positive trajectory for the best part of a century. Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of Australias Racial Discrimination Act and its inconceivable that we would repeal it. Australians did not vote in support of the Voice. Credit: AFR When the Voice to parliament was voted down last year, I encountered many people who described it as evidence of our countrys racist character. Such claims gloss over the fact that aggregated polling showed we overwhelmingly supported the Voice shortly after the referendum was announced. Our instinct was to say Yes. The referendums ultimate failure wasnt caused by our inherent racism. The No campaign was devastatingly effective at seeding doubt and fear within the community. Politicians are good at that. In my experience, the far right doesnt have a monopoly on racial insensitivity. The relative darkness of ones skin can be used as a justification for shutting down opinion, sometimes by people with no real experience of racism. At a Christmas Party last year, I had the temerity to suggest Australia may not be as racist as some think it is. My words were overheard by a Caucasian who rose from their seat to take issue, implying that my skin was too pale for me to take this view with any credibility. This hurt infinitely more than being called a golliwog or a black gimp. Of course, its important to note that Tingle made her comments about Australia in the context of the recent proposal by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to dramatically reduce immigration. He has used broad brush comments to suggest that the number of foreigners arriving here is to blame for pretty much everything. On face value, Duttons proposal to curb migration until housing, infrastructure and services catch up is all too simple and convenient. It may appeal to racists. But it isnt inherently racist. Loading Its true that many politicians will seek to appeal to our worst tendencies in times of economic hardship. This populist tactic is, sadly, effective in Australia and elsewhere around the world. The current discontent around housing and the cost of living is a gift to politicians who want to offer simple solutions to complicated problems. Throughout its history, rhetoric that plays on fears about immigration has been politically successful in Australia. While it may be tempting to conclude that this means the electorate is racist, its far more complex than that because humans are complex creatures. 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 Geoffrey Ferguson doesnt know Robert Farquharson. They never met in the Victorian prison system. Nor does Ferguson, a former truck driver, have a firm view of the guilt or innocence of Farquharson, the man convicted for triple murder after driving his three sons into a dam on Fathers Day in 2005. He does, however, identify with key aspects of Farquharsons case that many people cant get over his claim to have had a coughing fit and his strange, self-centred behaviour immediately after his three sons, Jai, 10, Tyler, 7, and Bailey, 2, had died. In October 2015, Ferguson himself had an episode of cough syncope a rare condition thats well known in the medical literature which caused him to pass out while driving his truck in northern Victoria. As he was unconscious, his semi-trailer veered to the wrong side of the road and killed a man in an oncoming car. Its the same condition that Robert Farquharson said caused him to run off the road into the dam. The crash scene where a man died after Ferguson, the truck driver, coughed, passed out and ran into an oncoming car in a case of cough syncope. In both cases, juries rejected their stories and found them guilty. Ferguson was sentenced to seven years and nine months in jail for culpable driving causing death and a range of lesser charges. Advertisement In episode two of investigative podcast, Trial By Water, released to this mastheads subscribers today, Ferguson tells his full story. Listen to episode two here, right now. He relates how his brother witnessed his coughing fit during a phone call on a bluetooth headset, and how he woke up in time to see an oncoming vehicle but too late to avoid it. He tells how police disbelieved the coughing story from the beginning and how his stint in prison changed his life forever. In both the truck drivers case, and that of Farquharson 10 years earlier, police and prosecutors discounted the cough syncope story and used their apparently odd and cold behaviour in the immediate aftermath of the crash to suggest in court that they were guilty. Neither man dialled triple zero. Ferguson instead called a lawyer after being advised by a truck driving friend that when someone dies, someones going to jail. This was held against him in court. I had already accepted that he was dead and my mind analytically moved on to what happens next. Geoffrey Ferguson on his behaviour at the scene of the fatal crash In Farquharsons case, in an interview at the Geelong hospital hours after the crash, police became suspicious when he shed no tears for the deaths of his children, but did inquire whats the scenario for me? and whats going to happen to me? A day after he had asked those questions of senior sergeant Jeffery Smith, Farquharsons case was in the hands of the homicide squad. Advertisement His behaviour also counted against him in the public mind, where people could not understand the way he stood by at the side of the dam on the night of the crash and smoked cigarettes while others dived in to search for his children. Ferguson told this masthead that, having lived through a similar incident, he could understand Farquharsons demeanour. Although most people wouldnt understand it because they havent been in that situation, I concur that Roberts calm demeanour at the scene and asking the police about what would happen to him were not necessarily signs of guilt, Ferguson says. In my case I can say that at the time, I felt more than a little detached from the situation it felt totally surreal. Even though I didnt feel guilty and somehow knew that I hadnt done anything wrong, I also couldnt explain what had happened either. I remember wondering in a clinical kind of way, what would happen to me moving forward. This was not that he was insensitive to the fact that the other man was dead. Advertisement But because I had already accepted that he was dead and my mind analytically moved on to what happens next. Its hard to explain it properly to anyone who hasnt been in a similar situation Maybe its a survival mechanism. I dont know. Loading It also struck the truck driver that Farquharson had not asked for a lawyer or declined to talk to the police. A guy whos never been in trouble before probably wouldnt be aware that he shouldve done both, Ferguson said. Fergusons lawyer recommended he co-operate with police so he did his first interview without a lawyer present something he described as the worst advice I ever got. Records from Farquharsons court cases suggest that, in the days after the crash that killed his children, he was offered the opportunity to speak to a lawyer, but declined to do so, saying he had nothing to hide. There are other similarities between the two cases. The prosecution expert who downplayed the likelihood that each man could have suffered cough syncope was the same Monash University adjunct professor Matthew Naughton. A storied respiratory physician, who openly admitted he had little experience with or knowledge of cough syncope, gave evidence that apparently helped convince the juries in both cases that it was a vanishingly rare condition that was unlikely to have explained either crash. Advertisement The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald are not suggesting Naughton in any way acted inappropriately. He was honest with the court about his areas of expertise and experience. The global expert in cough syncope, Dr Peter Dicpinigaitis, a professor of medicine at New Yorks Albert Einstein College of Medicine, told the podcast that the archetype of the person who suffers from cough syncope over the past 150 years fitted Farquharsons description: a short and stocky man with lung disease. And your first episode can happen ... while youre driving a car, it can happen while youre waiting for the train sitting next to the tracks. Or hopefully youd have it at home where theres a sofa nearby, Dicpinigaitis said. Police traffic reconstruction experts also argued in both the Ferguson and Farquharson cases that their vehicles had been directed by steering inputs which proved the driver had been conscious. Ferguson said in his case police had not taken account of a stiff cross-wind that had been pushing his truck to the right all day. In Farquharsons case the police had argued three distinct steering inputs to get his old Commodore from the road to the dam proved he was conscious at the time. But as revealed in Trial By Water, engineer Dr Shane Richardson, who has been doing forensic crash investigations for more than 20 years, surveyed the scene of Farquharsons crash and scrutinised the police evidence and found it wanting. Advertisement 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 Over the past decade, Daniel Coleman tried to address what he and other members of the Greens had identified as a growing problem: antisemitism within the party. He helped found the Jewish Greens Working Group in Victoria and along with the late David Zyngier, a local government councillor and respected party figure, worked to develop policies and educate party members about the ancient hatred. In the days and weeks after Hamas atrocities in southern Israel, the muted response from the partys elected officials convinced him the project had failed. The Greens had not adopted a policy on antisemitism proposed by the working group and, more distressingly, he says the party appeared to give little thought to the Jews murdered, raped and taken hostage by terrorists. It was brought home to me after October 7 that Jewish lives were just not a concern to the Australian Greens party, Coleman says from his Melbourne home. It really became untenable for me to continue as a member. I believe that had it been any community other than a Jewish community subject to that sort of attack, the Greens would have spoken out. Daniel Coleman, a founder for the Jewish Greens Working Group, has cancelled his party membership. Credit: Wayne Taylor In November last year, Zyngier died of cancer. Coleman mourned his friend. Then he cancelled his membership with the Greens, ending a 40-year association which began before he immigrated to this country from the United States. When Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton rose this week in federal parliament, one after the other, to condemn the Greens for seeking to exploit for political ends social divisions created by the war in Gaza, there were party politics in play. But what Albanese and Dutton said went beyond electoral calculus. The raw anger in the PMs voice sliced through the usual cant and theatrics of question time. Advertisement Greens leader Adam Bandt described the politicians attacks as outrageous, saying his party had drawn a clear line between peaceful protests and any actions which escalate into violence or destruction of property. He reiterated what has become his partys three-point mantra. The Greens condemn antisemitism. The Greens condemn Islamophobia. And the Greens condemn the invasion of Gaza. A moment: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton this week turned on the Greens over Gaza. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Coleman believes it is an empty slogan. The Greens abhorrence of the catastrophic loss of life in Gaza, eight months into a conflict that continues to frustrate the diplomatic efforts of neighbouring Arab states and the Biden administration to broker a ceasefire, is genuine and heartfelt. So far, more than 36,000 Palestinians are estimated to have been killed in Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accused of using starvation as a war tactic. Less than a month after October 7, Coleman was dismayed when Bandt posted promotional material for a stand with Gaza rally in Melbourne. In the accompanying image, Israel is wiped from the map and replaced by a Free Palestine taking in all of Gaza, Israel and the West Bank. A graphic rendering of what a free Palestine would look like, posted by Greens leader Adam Bandt. Coleman says this is contrary to Greens policy, which supports a two-state solution. Advertisement They have done nothing to combat antisemitism or to acknowledge it within the party or to call out and oppose the terrorism of Hamas, Coleman says. It is really all about winning elections. They are looking for votes and they want to shore up the far left as their base. If you like Hamas, your party of choice is going to be the Greens. Greens members are precluded from publicly discussing internal party matters. Bandt and former Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam did not respond to interview requests. Melbourne Universitys Baillieu Library was closed after the windows were sprayed with red paint in a pro-Palestine rally on Friday. Credit: Penny Stephens How did the Greens arrive at such a juncture? To understand the transformation going on inside the party, the best place to look is the Australian Greens Victoria. The Victorian Greens is administratively controlled by a 15-person state council. A month ago, elections were held to decide half the positions. Shortly before nominations were opened, the constitution was changed to remove a requirement to be a party member for at least two years before serving on state council, and a further requirement to be a member for a year to vote in state council elections. The change removed a perceived anomaly within the constitution. The result was the elevation of a group of predominantly young, inexperienced political activists into positions of responsibility within the party. One has just started work as a school teacher. In a campaign statement, she said she wanted to convince the public that its possible to live in a socialist utopia. Another is a young ACTU campaigner who said the party needed to do more to provide a home for politically active socialists. Advertisement Greens leader Adam Bandt cuts a lonely figure in parliament this week. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Another is a university student who described themselves in their campaign statement as a secular Jewish person and is now in charge of the Jewish Greens in the state party. Last month, the student formally endorsed the regular pro-Palestine protests outside the State Library of Victoria. There is also a new state councillor, AJ Judd, who tweets under the handle Non-binary terrorist. Two years ago, Judd advocated wreaking some destruction within the party to reconstruct it in a new, hard left image. Judds first attempt was directed against one of the Greens own candidates. In a letter to all state councillors on 20 May, Judd accused the partys candidate for the federal seat of Higgins, Angelica Di Camillo, of indirectly profiting from Israels genocide of Palestinians because her partner, an aerospace engineer, works for BAE Systems, a multinational defence company that has contracts with the Australian, US and Israeli armed forces. Greens candidate Angelica Di Camillo. Credit: Elke Meitzel Di Camillos candidacy is unclear, as the AEC has announced its intention to abolish the seat of Higgins. She said that when the election is held, all Greens would be united in favour of peaceful protests for Palestine. The next federal election represents a historic opportunity to elect more Greens who will advocate to end the invasion of Palestine, and for real action on the cost of living, housing and climate crises, she said. Judd did not respond to questions. Advertisement At the time of the state council elections, there were 125 active misconduct complaints by Greens party members against each other. This is not healthy, and as a result many members have quit, another newly elected state councillor warned. The elected state councillors will take their seats on July 1. When they do, the party will see an exodus from the council of long-serving Greens members, each with decades of organisational and life experience. The new guard doesnt have any experience or wisdom, they dont understand the importance of playing the longer game, a Greens member lamented. Another Greens member said the changing face of the partys organisation was crushing internal debate. In the Greens, as in society more broadly, there is a strong element of young radicals who are quite absolutist in their view of the world, they said. There has always been radical young people but that tendency has seized dominance in the Greens. The influence of this shift in the Greens is evidenced by the partys embrace of a pro-Palestinian protest movement that, in the eight months since October 7, has progressively adopted slogans, chants, dress and symbols favoured by Hamas and other militant Palestinian organisations. A graphic example was left outside the electoral office of Labor MP and former ACTU president Ged Kearney last Friday by keffiyeh-wrapped members of Darebin4Palestine, a protest group centred in Melbournes deep-Green local government area. Amid Palestinian flags, an invitation for Kearney to resign, genocide and F--- the ALP graffiti on the walls of her office, a placard made a play on the well-known Palestinian liberation chant: From the River to the Sea, Death to the ALP. The placard also carried an upside down red triangle; iconography used by the Al-Qassam Brigades, the militant wing of Hamas which carried out the 7 October attacks. The vandalism outside Kearneys office was part of a Day of Action Against the ALP co-ordinated between pro-Palestinian groups and promoted by one of the Greens Victorian State MPs, Gabrielle de Vietri, to her Instagram followers. On the same day, Labor MP for Wills Peter Khalil needed a police escort for staff to safely exit through protesters who had blockaded the front and rear entry to his electoral office in Coburg. Advertisement Tony Abbott once observed that the the point of being prime minister is that youve got to be a national leader, not just a tribal chief. Abbott himself never quite made the transition. Loading But Albanese is trying hard. He likes to boast that he runs an orderly, methodical government. He models his cabinet on Bob Hawkes style, presiding as chairman of the board and delegating to his ministers, rather than Paul Keatings emperor system or Kevin Rudds command-and-control method. He stays calm, speaks carefully and suppresses public outbursts. Hes succeeded on the hate index. No one hates Albanese. Hes not well defined in the public mind. Most people cant say what he represents and few can name an achievement of his. But they dont hate him. This is a valuable accomplishment for a leader heading towards an election; just ask Scott Morrison. But sometimes the fierce competitor surfaces, as he did this week. On Wednesday, asked about the governments view on the Gaza war, Albanese took the opportunity to tear into the Greens, a party he loathes at least as much as he loathes the Liberals, and possibly even more. Remember that, in his inner-west Sydney seat of Grayndler, the longstanding threat to Labor is the Greens, not the Liberals. Albanese has been fighting the Greens for his seat for 28 years. Loading Our social cohesion is a national asset that all of us have built and all of us have a responsibility to uphold and defend, Albanese told the House. Right now, our communities are distressed ... We have a responsibility to not add to that distress through misinformation. Before turning his ire on the Greens: It is unacceptable that misinformation is being consciously and deliberately spread by some Greens senators and MPs, who have engaged in this in demonstrations outside offices and online. That includes knowingly misrepresenting motions that are moved in this parliament. Protesters have camped outside Albaneses electoral office in Marrickville for months. Two weeks ago they became so unpleasant that he closed the office. So it can no longer service the needs of local people who want his help. Our staff do work to provide assistance to people dealing with Medicare, social security, migration and other issues, Albanese pointed out. They deserve respect, not abuse, not assault, not attacks on the office. Loading Its the same or worse outside another half-dozen Labor MPs offices. Harassment, abuse, vandalism. One MP, Daniel Mulino, was jostled by abusive protesters. Bricks through windows, graffiti accusing MPs of supporting genocide, the symbol for Hamas painted on offices. The protesters claim to be pro-Palestinian but often cross the line into antisemitism. Greens leader Adam Bandt says the party has nothing to do with any of the violence or antisemitism. But heres how one Labor MP, former doctor Michelle Ananda-Rajah, representing the Melbourne seat of Higgins, drew the connection this week: I sat in this chamber when the leader of the Greens political party ... accused Labor MPs of being complicit in genocide. Within hours, an online campaign was launched calling for a national day of action against Labor MPs complicit in genocide. Those were the exact words. The next day, offices were vandalised and rendered unusable. Staff were scared. Scarce resources like police, the AFP, cleaners and tradies were diverted. The words spoken in this chamber ricochet around this country, tearing at our social fabric, and the gun gets fired here. Albanese holds the Greens responsible for dog-whistling, cheerleading the antisemitic agitation that has been whipped up in Australia. Many other Labor, Coalition and independent MPs share his anger. So when the prime minister deplored the Greens in the House, he was roundly supported on all sides. Cries of shame rang out, aimed at the Greens. Loading Peter Dutton got to his feet to add his own spirited denunciation of the Greens for antisemitism, concluding with: The Greens political party today is properly and rightly condemned. This was a threshold moment in Australian politics. It was a bipartisan branding of an important minor party as an illegitimate force, for violating the foundational tenet of liberal democracy to uphold equality, freedom and human dignity, to advance no ones rights to the point where they diminish anothers. The major parties put the Greens in the same category as Pauline Hansons One Nation. Where One Nation has a history of discriminating against Indigenous people and Asians, the Greens now are condemned as antisemitic. The Greens reject the accusation. The Greens under Bandt had made serious progress in the transition from being a party of protest to a party of problem-solving; the rabidity of their campaigning on this matter has set them back enormously in mainstream Australia. Loading Dutton has gone the logical next step hes calling on Albanese to refuse to accept Greens preferences at the next election. The Liberals, of course, get none. But the prime ministers distaste for the Greens doesnt extend to self-harming Labors share of the two-party preferred vote. He sidestepped, saying it was a matter for the partys organisational wing. In this, his principles extend only so far as his politics will allow. Albaneses competitive mongrel has asserted itself in two other forms in recent weeks. Immigration Minister Andrew Giles has fumbled the detainees question for half a year, and only on Friday sought to bring it decisively to an end with a new ruling on visa cancellations. But Albanese has defended Giles with a fierce determination against pressure from outside and inside the government. Yes, hes the same Giles who allied with Albanese in purging the Kim Carr faction. And the prime minister is showing defiant tribal loyalty to him, protecting a minister who would have been sacked months ago on any reasonable assessment of competence and skill in crisis management. An employee at Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation warned board members last July over defects and disconnects in a monitoring program key to the bid for world heritage listing for the worlds largest and oldest rock art gallery. The dire warnings were contained in letter authored by an employee involved in the Murujuga rock art monitoring program to the corporations board. A whistleblower leaked the letter, and Canberra Senator David Pocock then tabled it during an estimates committee session recently. Aboriginal rock art, or petroglyph of a sea turtle on the Burrup Peninsula. The WA government started monitoring emissions from nearby industrial plants, and their potential impact on the Murujuga rock art, in 2022 after years of disagreement in the scientific community. The Aboriginal corporations employee said the project was not being carried out with sufficient integrity, diligence or governance and that the traditional owners were being frozen out by having no input in things like audits and heritage surveys. London: Bob Hawkes legendary claim to fame skolling a yard of ale in world-record time has been commemorated by an Oxford pub and an iconic glass has been returned to the front bar 70 years after the famed event. A group of Australian students at the University of Oxford banded together to install a brass plaque commemorating Hawkes boozy exploits and replace a stolen yard glass that had for years adorned the walls of Turf Tavern. The glass went missing from the pub shortly after Hawkes death in May 2019, aged 89. Australian students at Oxford gathered at the Turf Tavern this week to mark 70 years since Bob Hawkes world-record skol. Hawke the longest-serving Australian Labor prime minister, who led the nation from 1983 to 1991 was a Rhodes scholar at Oxford from 1953 to 1956. In 1954, he drank a yard of ale 2 pints, or 1.4 litres in 11 seconds, which was recognised by The Guinness Book of Records. The Turf Tavern ever since has been hallowed ground for a lot of Australians who come here, said Nick Fabbri, who is a Bob Hawke-John Monash scholar undertaking a masters degree in public policy. There is a lot of mythology around this place about Hawkies effort here. And I thought it was really important to make sure there was some sort of proper public commemoration and history of Australians at Oxford. Friday Harbour, Washington: Retired Major General William Anders, the former Apollo 8 astronaut who took the iconic Earthrise photo showing the planet as a shadowed blue marble from space in 1968, was killed when the plane he was piloting plummeted into the waters off the San Juan Islands in Washington state. He was 90. His son, Greg Anders, confirmed the death to the Associated Press. Apollo 8 crew, from left, James Lovell Jr, William Anders and Frank Borman in their space suits in 1968. Credit: Getty The family is devastated, Greg Anders said. He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly. Anders said the photo was his most significant contribution to the space program, given the ecological philosophical impact it had, along with making sure the Apollo 8 command module and service module worked. Earlier, a report came in that an older-model plane had crashed into the water and sank near the north end of Jones Island, San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter said. Meghan Markle tops the poll for having the most outfit searches online. (Photo: Toby Melville/REUTERS/File Photo) During her recent mini-tour of Nigeria with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle has been receiving criticism for her "nakedness" that has been deemed to be culturally insensitive. Within a few days of returning to their $14 million estate in Montecito, the renegades of the palace made a commitment to visit the African nation, which is the homeland of Meghan's ancestors, on multiple occasions. The first lady of Nigeria, however, may be slow to roll out the red carpet after she took issue with Meghans scant wardrobe choices and her attempt to serve as a role model for young Nigerian women, sources told The National Enquirer. We don't accept nakedness in our culture. This is not the Met Gala. The nakedness [for women] is everywhere while the men are well-clothed. That is not beautiful. So we have to do something, Senator Oluremi Remi Tinubu said in urging her nation's teenagers and young people to reject risque Hollywood fashion trends. During their three-day tour, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were welcomed like true royals and showcased causes that are important to them, as per CNN. One of these causes was Prince Harry's cherished Invictus Games, which are held for wounded veterans. According to the results of a DNA test, Meghan is 43 percent Nigerian. She wrote a guest book in which she expressed her gratitude to the authorities for "welcoming me home." However, Bola Tinubu, the wife of Nigeria's president, is allegedly upset and is suggesting to the young women of her country that they should not model their behavior after that of American celebrities such as Meghan. They do not need to mimic film stars from America. They don't know where they come from. Why did Meghan come here looking for Africa? We know who we are. Don't lose who you are, Senator Oluremi said. Reaction was swift online. Meghan managed to create an international incident! said a royal observer on X. We warned her about the clothes. Another blasted, It was disgraceful to dress that way, especially in the presence of children. It is a pattern of behavior for Meghan and Harry. They need to stop using Nigeria and Africa as a PR prop. The chorus of jeers is being joined by those who are inside the royal household. Meghan should be humiliated,. Every true royal knows the number one rule when visiting another country is to learn and respect the culture. Nigeria isn't Hollywood, and Meghan's all-out look at me' fashion choices were frankly wrong and inappropriate, a high-level palace courtier told The National Enquirer. It was Meghan's decision to parade about the country in sleeveless gowns that sparked the controversy, considering that her husband was reportedly dressed in three-piece suits. Nigeria's first lady made it clear women like the Duchess of Sussex are not good role models for Nigerian girls. I have to admit there were snickers in the palace when Meghan was called out. It certainly took the luster off their visit and dented their apparent intent to bill themselves as parallel royals. Meghan wants to be a superstar on the international stage, but this basic error makes her a laughingstock, the royal courtier added. Business Times has reached out to Meghan Markle for comments. on the Guided by our profound commitment to environmental stewardship and holistic wellbeing, our vision is to create an environment where you can open up a space within yourself to inquire, learn, practice, and contemplate our very existence and our place in it. DHARANA AT SHILLIM DHARANA AT SHILLIMS APPROACH TO WELLBEING Dharana at Shillim, embraces the role of guiding one towards a state of 'Dharana' (deep concentration and awareness) cultivated through inner strength, peace, enthusiasm, love, and knowledge. The research-led, personalised care programmes empower to transcend boundaries and embark on a journey towards optimal health, vitality, purpose, and meaning, ultimately experiencing the profound 'Journey to Conscious Being'. SHILLIM, THE DESTINATION The Magic of Shillim DHARANAS FIVE PATHWAYS TO CONSCIOUS BEING the five Panchamahabhutas, the wellbeing philosophy DHARANA AT SHILLIMS PROGRAMMES Detox and Cleanse: A few things are certain about the passage of days and nights: now we face the light, now we hide from it, moving in perfect circles around the axis of the earth. We plunge into darkness and out again through fixed turnstiles of twilight and dawn. To use the modular language of linear time while spinning on a globe is to risk entanglement with some spurious concept ... nothing but the ghost of space haunting the reflective consciousness.[1] For instance, at each moment there are two calendar days afoot, occasionally three.[2] Each day lasts a day at any fixed location but has a life span of exactly forty-eight hours on the globe: the first twenty-four as it pushes the previous day out of existence ahead of it and another twenty-four as it is squeezed into oblivion by its successor.[3] Another example: after 1750, sailors on long ocean journeys measured physical progress east or west in degrees, minutes, and seconds of longitude when they measured the hours, minutes, and seconds of discrepant time between an untouched home port chronometer and another adjusted optically each noon, with a ritual observed by Melville in his 1850 novel White Jacket: Twelve oclock reported, sir, says the middy. Make it so, replies the captain. And the bell is struck eight by the messenger-boy, and twelve oclock it is. A minor wrinkle in trans-Pacific shipboard timekeeping had emerged in 1522 when Antonio Pigafetta, a survivor of Magellans voyage, verified Ismail Abu al-Fidas 1323 hypothesis regarding a circumnavigators paradox, which held that exactly one day would be inevitably lost by long-distance travelers bearing the Sun company. Prior to 1884, sailors resolved the paradox by making routine adjustments of plus-or-minus twenty-four hours in their ships log somewhere in the far west Pacific. These de facto date lines, determined by nationality, customary prime meridian, or cartographer, served well enough while traffic across the lines was light. Restored Huey chopper prepares for journey to Soddy Daisy Vietnam vets thank Komatsu employees for a job well done Special thanks to father and son, Billy and Heath Sneed Preparation for display almost complete Chapter 203 President Charlie Hobbs and his family Retired Judges Clarence Shattuck and Russell Bean thanked Vietnam vets Huey chopper Previous Next The Huey Helicopter that has been on display at the Soddy Daisy Veterans Memorial Park since 2001 has been painted and restored, thanks to Komatsu on Signal Mountain Road. The historic chopper was returned to its display perch on Thursday. Click here for video by Ben Cagle. Vietnam Veterans of America 203 president Charlie Hobbs said in early 2,000 the chapter completed application with the U.S. Army and was given the historic medevac helicopter. Mr. Hobbs said, The chapter had to agree to maintain the bird, made in 1952. Mr. Hobbs and several chapter members went to Fort Rucker, Ala., and brought helicopter number 13786 back to Chattanooga. Mr. Hobbs said, We stopped at the Welcome Center on Interstate 24 in Lookout Valley and the media came and made pictures." Mr. Hobbs said pilot Tom Borloglou was watching the news and recognized the chopper as the one he flew while serving in Vietnam in 1967. Mr. Borloglou, a New Jersey native, now lives in East Tennessee and is a member of chapter 203. Mr. Hobbs said, Soddy Daisy officials allowed us to display the medical evacuations chopper at the Veterans Memorial Park on Dayton Boulevard and over the years it became much worn. Komatsu officials agreed to restore and re-letter the bird which was returned to Soddy Daisy Thursday for display. Mr. Hobbs said the 5,000-pound chopper was removed from its perch in late January and taken to Komatsu for restoration. Vice President Walter Nichols oversaw the project, which included re-painting and installation of new windows. Mr. Hobbs said Billy Goat Sneed helped mount the Huey originally on June 30, 2001. His son Heath was in the bucket truck on Thursday re-fastening the chopper to the display mount. Mr. Hobbs thanked both father and son, who were present for the re-mounting. He said, Komatsu has been very kind to our chapter and we are so grateful the company is helping preserve a piece of history. We were glad to put the bird back up on its perch on this very important day in history, the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 203 meets the third Monday of the month at the MAC building, McCallie and Holtzclaw Avenues. Any Vietnam veteran or Vietnam era veteran is welcome. Thanks to the City of Chattanooga and a Presenting Sponsorship from Warren & Griffin, Chattanoogas traditional Pops on the River Independence Day celebration will return to Coolidge Park on Wednesday, July 3. Last year this popular community event was suspended due to lack of funding, and was replaced with Fun on the Fourth, held in Miller Park. However, continued support the City of Chattanooga and new major support from Warren & Griffin have enabled planning to resume for this beloved celebration. Other support comes from Hamilton County Government, Integrity Automotive Group, Miller Lite, and Trucks N Trailers USA, and The Stadium Corporation Pops on the River features a free outdoor performance by the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera (CSO) at 7:30 p.m., an opening performance by Chattanoogas favorite party band Love, Peace & Happiness at 4:30 p.m., and local food trucks and artisan vendors activating the park beginning at 3 p.m. A fireworks finale will be launched from the neighboring Renaissance Park upon the conclusion of the Symphonys performance at approximately 9:30 p.m. The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will present a patriotic program, led by Assistant Conductor of the CSO and the Music Director of the Chattanooga Youth Symphony, Ismael Sandoval, the CSOs program is set to feature favorites such as the Armed Forces Salute, Stars and Stripes Forever, 1812 Overture, and more! The CSO is comprised of over 50 world-class musicians and its comprehensive educational programs reach well over 20,000 students throughout the Greater Chattanooga Area and North Georgia annually. The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the Pops on the River program, although outside alcohol will not be allowed to be brought into the park (but will be available for purchase on site). River Street will be closing to vehicular traffic at 3:30 p.m. on the day of the show. Pops on the River is produced by Chattanooga Presents, and media support is generously provided by Sunny 92.3 and the Chattanooga Times Free Press. For more information, visit www.chattanoogapops.com. Find out what an insider close to the Duchess of Sussex says she is plotting now and doesn't care what King Charles and Prince William think about it. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle traveled to Nigeria in May to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games the duke founded. But their visit to the country had all the makings of a royal tour, which reportedly angered King Charles. However, a source close to Meghan and Harry says that the duchess is unbothered by what anyone in her husbands family thinks and has a plan in motion to become bigger and better than the royals at doing what they do. Meghans new plan to become better than the royal family after Nigeria trip Meghan Markle visits the Lagos State Governors Office in Nigeria | Ibrahim Mansur/Anadolu via Getty Images As many royal watchers have pointed out, the Duchess of Sussex has been struggling to find her footing and long-term success in Hollywood since stepping down from royal duties in 2020. But the Sussexes trip to Nigeria was widely viewed as a success, and an insider says Meghan now has members of her team working on booking more visits for her and Harry to other countries. The insider told Closer: As far as [the Sussexes] are concerned, things in Nigeria couldnt have gone better and its really got them excited about all the possibilities. Meghans now drawing up a new plan of attack, basically a blueprint of how to put together more tours in the most streamlined and effective way possible. They added that the duchess has tasked members of her team with submitting ideas on the best places to visit, who they need to reach out to as far as dignitaries and charities as well as what media to recruit for the visits. Moreover, the duke and duchess dont plan to limit themselves to the Commonwealth, they want to make this bigger and better than what the royals have done in the past. Meghan doesnt care what issues King Charles and Prince William have with her plan Prince William, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and King Charles attend a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey | RICHARD POHLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Related Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Had Awkward Moment in Nigeria for What They Refused to Do Amid Feud With Royals Its not just King Charles, Prince William is also said to have been angered by the Sussexes trip to Nigeria. A Palace source explained that the monarch and his oldest son do not have any issue with the Sussexes charity work, they have a problem with how their trip resembled a royal tour even though Meghan and Harry are no longer working royals. The source added that the trip was a carbon copy of what the royals do with the perception that theyre brazenly trading on the family name after they were specifically told not to and they always seem to time their trips to coincide with one of the senior royals engagements. Its so obvious that theyre trying to capitalize on that for publicity. The insider close to Meghan fired back, saying that she is not going to be told what she can and cant do, especially in regards to charity Meghan and Harry arent surprised that the royals have found fault with their tour of Nigeria. Theyre disappointed for sure, but not surprised. And theyre certainly not going to let their negativity stop them from arranging more tours. Their conscience is completely clear on this plan because they intend to do good wherever they go. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close With so much discourse about beauty standards on social media, it might be easy to assume that most women care more about their looks than their health. However, a recent poll of 2,000 American women conducted by Talker Research for Doctors Best suggests otherwise. The results found that eight in 10 women actually prioritize feeling healthy over appearing beautiful. In fact, only 22% of women reported that improving their physical appearance made them feel more beautiful. Conversely, 33% of women reported that both improving their mental and emotional health, as well as their physical health, makes them feel more attractive than just working on their physical appearance. An overwhelming 79% of survey respondents even agreed that feeling healthy on the inside can lead people to feel more beautiful in terms of outside appearance. The survey also delved deeper into sentiments on the relationship between age and beauty. First, the research revealed that, on average, women feel about eight years younger than their true age. Furthermore, the findings suggest that women do feel pressured to look younger, with this feeling beginning at an average age of 39 years old. Despite this, four in 10 women or 40% claimed that they dont feel any pressure to look younger right now. Perhaps shockingly, given the popular discussions of cosmetic procedures online, 78% of women also reported never even considering getting fillers or Botox. Moreover, 28% admitted to not even having a beauty routine that they follow daily. Still, its no secret that women are bombarded with messages about maintaining physical beauty in all sorts of media and even daily discussions with friends. Approximately 59% of women claimed they see these messages on social media; meanwhile, 55% receive these messages on TV advertisements, and 33% right in their own friend groups. As for how often women are exposed to these messages, American women reported seeing them about four times each day on average. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Three years ago, a male ocelot was found dead in Hidalgo County, Texas. After conducting DNA tests on the deceased cat, wildlife officials discovered that the spotted felines might be expanding their range in southern Texas. Ocelots once inhabited regions in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Arizona. But now, Texas has become the only place where ocelots are found. Over the last couple of centuries, their numbers have dwindled due to habitat loss, trapping, and poisoning. Since 1972, ocelots have been listed as federally endangered in the United States. There are about 100 wild cats remaining in a small coastal region of southern Texas. However, new DNA evidence has indicated that ocelots might be expanding their territory. In 2021, an ocelot was hit and killed by a vehicle on a highway in Hidalgo County, which was about 50 miles from their known range. This year, DNA samples from the cat were finally tested, revealing that it was related to the wild ocelots native to the U.S.-Mexico borderlands region. According to Dr. Tom deMaar, a wildlife veterinarian and board member for the Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, it is the first time that an ocelot has been found outside its range. Until now, researchers thought that ocelot populations were restricted to two areas in Texasthe Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in Cameron County and private land in Willacy County. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Home News Americans' support for Israel-Palestinian Authority peace deal wanes if Hamas is involved: poll Americans' support for Israel brokering a peace deal with the Palestinian Authority plunges when participants are told Hamas could be part of the government, according to a recent poll conducted amid calls from the Biden administration to revitalize the West Bank-based PA as part of its post-Gaza war plans. The public affairs agency Gideon300 released the poll last week in partnership with RMG Research headed by longtime pollster Scott Rasmussen. The survey, a copy of which was shared with The Christian Post, sampled 1,000 registered voters online from March 11 to March 12. The sample has an error margin +/- 3.1 percentage points. Likely voters were determined through a screening process in the survey. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe According to the results, 55% of American voters initially supported a peace deal between Israel and the PA, a Fatah-controlled government agency that controls parts of the West Bank and previously controlled the Gaza Strip before Hamas took control in 2007. Later in the survey, respondents were asked what their opinion of a peace deal would be if they knew that the PA wants "to form a unity government with Hamas including cabinet positions for Hamas terrorists, wants to pay Hamas terrorists, and 82% of PA supporters approve of the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas." In response to the question, less than a third of American voters (30%) say they supported the idea of a peace deal. The survey comes amid calls for ceasefire and peace agreements between Israel and Hamas, who have been at war in Gaza since October. The Israeli military launched an offensive in Gaza to eradicate Hamas after its militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7. The onslaught resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and the abduction of over 240 individuals. Last month, talks were held in Moscow between Palestinian political factions, including Hamas and Fatah, to discuss establishing political unity. A statement released by the Palestinian factions at the time pledged that there would be an "upcoming dialogue" to bring them under the banner of the Palestine Liberation Organization, according to The Times of Israel. In an interview with The Christian Post, Gideon300 President Matthew Faraci said that the most notable shift was among Democratic voters who participated in the poll. The percentage of Democratic voters who supported a peace deal between Israel and the PA went from 73% to 43% after being informed about the potential Hamas representation in a unity government. "I've participated in putting together more polls than I can count," said Faraci, who is Jewish. "And in all the polling that I've participated in during my career, I've never seen a poll with a 30-point swing ever on any topic ever." Among Republican voters, 38% of participants initially supported the peace deal, but by the end of the survey, only 19% still supported the idea. For independent voters, 47% initially supported a peace deal between Israel and the PA, but that percentage dropped to 28% after learning about the PA's ties to Hamas. Faraci said that the sample for the survey was 47% men and 53% women. Regarding the age demographic of the sample, 25% were within the 18 to 25 age range, and 16% were around the ages of 35 to 44. Another 15% were within the 45 to 54 age demographic, while 19% were around 55 to 64. An additional 25% percent of participants included in the sample were in the 65 and older age category. The survey comes as the Biden administration discusses the possibility of a "revitalized" PA in the hopes that this will create stability in the region after the war between Israel and Hamas ends. "A revitalized PA is essential to delivering results for the Palestinian people in both the West Bank and Gaza and establishing the conditions for stability in the broader region," U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller asserted in a statement last week. "There is no peace deal with terrorists or those who support terror," Faraci told CP. "A peace deal cannot be made with such an entity." A separate survey released by Gallup last month found that 55% of respondents disapproved of the Israeli military's actions in the Gaza Strip, an increase from 45% in November. Seventy-five percent of Democrats who participated in the survey said that they disapproved of Israel's actions. Sixty percent of independents sided with Democrats in disapproving of Israel's actions, while most Republicans maintained support for Israel. According to Gallup, the number of Republicans who approve of Israel's actions has declined slightly, with 64% instead of 71% now saying that they approve. Home News Catholic schools can't be blocked from public preschool program for favoring Catholic applicants: judge A judge has ruled that Colorado cannot force two Catholic schools to serve all students regardless of their religious affiliation as a condition of participation in the states Universal Preschool program. In a ruling released Tuesday, Judge John Kane of the United States District Court for the District of Colorado sided with St. Bernadettes Catholic Parish in Lakewood and St. Marys Catholic Parish in Littleton by determining that the preschools they operate should not be excluded from the states Universal Preschool program because they favor admission for Catholic students. The Universal Preschool program, designed to provide affordable early childhood education to students in the year before they enter kindergarten, requires providers to provide eligible children an equal opportunity to enroll and receive preschool services regardless of race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, lack of housing, income level, or disability, as such characteristics and circumstances apply to the child or the childs family. 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 Additionally, organizations seeking to participate in the program must agree to not discriminate on the basis of identity, including religious affiliation. The provider agreement conflicts with the Statement of Community Beliefs that parents applying to enroll their children in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Denver must sign, which states that all Catholic school families must understand and display a positive and supportive attitude toward the Catholic Church, her teachings, her work, and the mission of the Catholic school. As a result, the Archdiocese declined to have its schools participate in the Universal Preschool program until the state assured them that it would grant religious exemptions to the provider agreement. Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, Lisa Roy, and Colorados Universal Preschool Program Director, Dawn Odean, are named as defendants in the lawsuit. The plaintiffs wanted to have the equal-opportunity portion of the provider agreement ruled unconstitutional and requested a declaratory judgment asserting that the exclusion of the preschools based on their sincere religious exercise violated the First Amendment. They sought a ruling protecting their policies (i) prioritizing Catholic students and families in admissions decisions; (ii) requiring employees to adhere to and support the schools religious beliefs, including on marriage and sexuality; (iii) considering for purposes of student admission or retention whether a family or child adheres to and supports the schools religious beliefs, including on marriage and sexuality; and (iv) operating their schools in accordance with their religious beliefs. While Kane declined to provide such a sweeping order, he issued a ruled that the defendants could not require the plaintiffs to agree to provide eligible children an equal opportunity to enroll and receive preschool services regardless of religious affiliation as a condition for participation in the program. He also granted the plaintiffs $1 in damages. The religious liberty law firm Becket, which represented the plaintiffs, predicted in a statement Tuesday that due to the multiple issues addressed in the courts ruling, the decision may be appealed by any party. Tuesdays ruling is not the first time a Colorado judge has issued a ruling in favor of a religiously-affiliated preschool challenging the regulations of the Colorado Universal Preschool program. Last year, U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico ruled in favor of Darren Patterson Christian Academy by determining that Requiring the school to hire its teachers or other ministers without discriminating on the basis of religion as a condition for participation in the program would violate the First Amendment. Home News Christian mocked and abused for his faith sues Liberal Democrats A former BBC journalist and deselected Liberal Democrat candidate, David Campanale, has filed a lawsuit against his party, alleging discrimination due to his Christian faith, sparking significant controversy within the political sphere in the United Kingdom. Campanale claims he was prevented from contesting as a member of parliament in Sutton and Cheam, a significant electoral battleground, because of deep-seated hostility from party members toward his religious views. The legal battle and public outcry have raised questions about religious freedom and discrimination within political parties in the U.K. Campanales civil claim includes serious allegations against the current Liberal Democrat candidate, Luke Taylor, accusing him of leading a campaign that marginalized Campanale for his Christian beliefs, The Telegraph reported. 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 Campanale, who quit the BBC World Service to enter politics about two years ago, asserts that Taylor explicitly told him his conscience, informed by his faith, had no place in policy discussions within the party. Taylors remarks reportedly reflect a broader shift within the party, moving away from its historical inclusivity of Christian members toward a more secular identity. The legal dispute has its roots in a prolonged campaign by local party members and activists, which Campanale describes as being motivated primarily by animosity towards his Christian stance on various social issues, including abortion and gay marriage. He links his treatment to broader societal issues where people of faith face discrimination, suggesting a hypocrisy in how different beliefs are handled within the public sphere. I have been subjected to hostile, degrading and harassing conduct for holding Christian views. They are acting in defiance of our liberal values. This is not the party we are. Some people are Christian get over it, The Mail quoted Campanale as saying. Bishop Andrew Watson of Guildford and Bishop Philip Mounstephen of Winchester have both publicly supported Campanale, underlining the importance of allowing individuals of faith to participate in public life without discrimination. Statements issued by the bishops raise the concern that Christians are unfairly targeted for their views, a sentiment that has resonated with many, as evidenced by a petition calling for Campanales reinstatement which has garnered over 20,000 signatures. The Liberal Democrats, however, maintain that their decision was procedural, with a spokesperson highlighting the presence of practicing Christians within party leadership and asserting that the deselection process was driven by legitimate concerns over Campanales alignment with the partys values rather than his faith per se. The Liberal Democrat leader and all of our London MPs are churchgoing 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, a Lib Dem spokesman was quoted as saying. The case has been taken up by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which is assessing multiple complaints regarding the treatment Campanale received, with potential implications for how political parties in the U.K. navigate the complex terrain of religious expression and party politics. Campanales legal challenges continue as he seeks a formal declaration that his deselection was unlawful and discriminatory, alongside compensation for the alleged harm suffered. Home News Church preschool won't be barred from gov't food program over LGBT stance after lawsuit A California church and its preschool program will be included in a federal program that helps to feed the poor after initially being barred because of the church's theologically conservative stance on LGBT issues. Church of Compassion and its Dayspring Christian Learning Center reached a settlement with government officials on Tuesday, which will allow the ministry to continue participating in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program. According to the settlement, the El Cajon-based preschool "will be removed from the CACFP National Disqualified List," and the California Department of Social Services will "reimburse Dayspring for its program costs for administration of the CACFP for additional months in the event the Department has not received notification from USDA of Dayspring's removal from the National Disqualified List within fourteen (14) days after the Effective Date of this agreement." 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 "Dayspring agrees that it will not seek further reimbursement from the CACFP or the Department for any expenses it incurred between January 1, 2023, and the date that Dayspring is reinstated into the CACFP," the settlement continued. "Within fifteen (15) days of the Effective Date, the Department agrees to issue guidance to CACFP participants regarding the availability of a religious exemption from the requirements of Title IX Within fifteen (15) days of Dayspring being reinstated into the CACFP, Dayspring shall voluntarily dismiss the Action." Church of Compassion is represented by attorneys with the Alliance Defending Freedom, the National Center for Law and Policy and the Advocates for Faith and Freedom. ADF Senior Counsel Jeremiah Galus said in a statement that the state "can't withhold food from families in need simply because their children attend a Christian preschool." "In the name of combatting discrimination, government officials excluded the church and preschool from serving the El Cajon community based solely on their religious beliefs and exercise," stated Galus. "While it shouldn't have taken a lawsuit to resolve this, at least now Church of Compassion can continue its vital outreach to needy children and families." In May 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it would interpret the federal Title IX prohibition on sex discrimination to include discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This was in keeping with the Biden administration's overall interpretation of Title IX policy. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said at the time that "USDA is committed to administering all its programs with equity and fairness, and serving those in need with the highest dignity." "A key step in advancing these principles is rooting out discrimination in any form including discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity," stated Vilsack. "At the same time, we must recognize the vulnerability of the LGBTQI+ communities and provide them with an avenue to grieve any discrimination they face. We hope that by standing firm against these inequities, we will help bring about much-needed change." In March 2023, the Church of Compassion sued after the state of California cut its food program funding over the ministry's stance on LGBT issues, which included having sex-segregated bathrooms and hiring individuals who share their beliefs. An amended complaint from June named as defendants Kim Johnson, director of the California DSS; Jessie Rosales, chief of the CACFP at the DSS; Sean Hardin, acting chief of the CACFP at the DSS; Vilsack and the USDA. According to the complaint, the defendants barred the church and its daycare center from the CACFP after the ministry had been involved in the federal food program for around 20 years. "Dayspring serves all families and children, including several LGBTQ+ families who understand and appreciate the religious instruction their children receive at the Preschool and have no desire to force the Church to change its religious beliefs," read the amended complaint. "But while the Church and Preschool serve all families, they will not teach or promote all messages." Home News South Korean rights groups demand China apologize for forced repatriations of defectors The "National Alliance against Forced Repatriation of North Korean Defectors," in which organizations such as the "Movement for Investigating Truth about Forced Repatriation of North Korean Defectors" and "Esther Prayer Movement" participate, held a press conference opposing the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors by the Chinese government on Monday in front of the Seoul Central Post Office near the Chinese Embassy in Myeongdong, Seoul. The alliance urged the Chinese government to apologize to the world for the regime's inhumane crime of forced repatriation. It demanded that China stop forced repatriation and allow North Korean defectors to go to the countries they want, respect the human rights of North Korean defectors in China, guarantee their U.N. refugee status, and exercise influence as a member of the U.N. Human Rights Council to improve human rights issues in North Korea. In a statement released on June 3, they stated, "In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and North Korea, which was marked as the 'Year of Friendly Relations between North Korea and China,' Zhao Leji, the third-ranking official of the Chinese Communist Party, visited North Korea to discuss the development of friendly cooperation relations with Kim Jong-un on April 13." 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 "Shortly after the talks between the two countries, the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors detained in China resumed in earnest. On April 26, news spread through various channels that more than 200 defectors were forcibly repatriated from Baiyin Detention Center in China, and 50 to 60 from Tumen and Hunchun, and a small number from Dandong," they continued. The alliance stated that "this incident occurred just six months after more than 600 people were forcibly repatriated following the Asian Games in Hangzhou last October," and expressed concerns that "experts fear that China may be offering North Korean defectors as a 'gift' to Kim Jong-un in light of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between North Korea and China, and that the remaining defectors may be repatriated sequentially." "Human Rights Watch (HRW) also strongly criticized the Chinese government, stating that this recent forced repatriation incident occurred shortly after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese official Zhao Leji sought to strengthen relations between the two countries in North Korea," they added. "HRW also urged the Chinese government to allow defectors to seek asylum or transit to South Korea or another safe third country." The alliance continued, "The European Union (EU) evaluated in its annual report on human rights and democracy released on April 29 that the human rights and democracy situation in North Korea remained very serious last year," and "the EU also expressed concerns about the recent large-scale forced repatriation of North Korean defectors by the Chinese government and raised the issue with the Chinese government." "Many human rights organizations, including the United Nations, have repeatedly reported that those forcibly repatriated to North Korea are subject to torture, sexual violence, forced labor, and even execution," they emphasized. "Forcibly repatriating those who crossed into China to survive is a barbaric act. The entire world is watching whether China will remain a barbaric nation or move towards a civilized nation that respects life and human rights." They concluded by stating, "If the Chinese government does not accept these human rights improvements, it should resign from the U.N. Human Rights Council and the U.N. Security Council." Originally published at Christian Daily Korea. Translated and edited by Christian Daily International. Home News Man who killed beloved Michigan pastor takes plea deal Marcel Demontae McMillan, a 30-year-old from Grand Rapids, Michigan, has entered a plea deal after causing a fatal wrong-way crash that resulted in the death of a beloved West Michigan pastor, Dean Elliott. The crash occurred on the morning of April 2, 2023, when McMillan drove southbound in the northbound lanes. McMillan pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, or OWI, causing death and a habitual offender charge, 13 ON YOUR SIDE reported, citing Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker. In exchange, charges of reckless driving and another habitual offender charge were dropped. McMillan, who has a previous conviction for driving without a valid license in 2021, is set to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. on July 24. 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 Pastor Elliott, 63, from Byron Center, was killed when McMillans vehicle collided head-on with Elliotts Lexus SUV on U.S. 131, near Burton Street. Elliott, who served as the pastor of Abounding Hope at the time and was on his way to a congregation in Manistee for Palm Sunday services, died from his injuries sustained in the crash. He had served various parishes throughout West Michigan, including Living Hope Assembly of God and Fennville Assembly of God Church. Friends and community members remember Elliott as a selfless individual who had a profound impact on many. Wayne Benson, a close friend, described him as having very big, long arms of love, touching the lives of thousands. Our hearts are grieving the sudden loss of our former Pastor Dean Elliott, who was killed in a car accident this morning while on his way to a preaching assignment, Fennville Assembly of God wrote in a Facebook post following the accident. At Abounding Hope, services involve drama presentations where Elliott acted, portraying different characters as part of scripture-based skits or presentations, according to MLive. Investigations revealed that McMillan had alcohol and marijuana in his system at the time of the crash. Michigan State Police reported a blood-alcohol content of 0.116, well above the legal limit of 0.08, and the presence of THC, the active component of marijuana. This was confirmed by the odor of burnt marijuana noticed by officers at the crash scene and subsequent blood tests. A witness reported seeing McMillans GMC SUV entering the freeway at Hall Street, traveling south in the northbound lanes, before the catastrophic collision. McMillan was also seriously injured in the incident and was taken to a hospital for treatment. McMillan is currently free on bond. Home News Okla. gov. signs bill allowing students to leave school for religious instruction A newly approved law will enable Oklahoma public school students to receive off-campus religious instruction during the school day if they choose to. Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 1425 into law Wednesday. The bill was passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature last month, with the Senate voting 38-7 and the House of Representatives voting 51-40. The law authorizes school districts boards of education to adopt a policy that excuses a student from school to attend a released time course for no more than three class periods per week or a maximum of one hundred twenty-five class periods per year. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The legislation defines a released time course as a period of time during which a student is excused from school to attend a course in religious or moral instruction taught by an independent entity off school property. The measure came with stipulations declaring that a students parent or legal guardian must provide written consent prior to the students participation in the released time course and prohibiting the use of school district funds or staff to provide the instruction. Additionally, independent entities where students go during released time must keep attendance records and make them available to school districts and hold districts harmless with regard to any liability arising from conduct that does not occur on school property under the control or supervision of the school district. Parents are responsible for providing transportation for released time courses and students are responsible for any school work they miss when they leave campus. The bill gives school and district administrators reasonable discretion over the scheduling and timing of released time courses. It also allows boards of education to provide students with credit for work completed as part of released time courses based on the amount of classroom instruction time, the course requirements and any material used in the course, methods of assessment used in the course and the qualifications of the course instructor. While one Democrat joined all Republicans in supporting the measure in the state Senate, the opposite kind of defection occurred in the House, where 25 Republicans sided with Democrats in opposing it. Greg Chafuen, legal counsel with the religious liberty legal nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom, released a statement in support of the bill on Thursday. Parents have the right and responsibility to guide the upbringing and education of their children, he said. And many parents consider religious instruction an important part of their childs education. While public schools can teach about the Bible from a neutral, secular perspective, release-time programs offer religious courses taught by third-party charitable organizations off school grounds during school hours. Chafuen added that the new law "ensures that every Oklahoman knows that the law respects their right to seek religious education for their children through these time-tested programs. Oklahoma is not the first state to enable students to receive off-campus religious instruction during school hours. Ohio has a similar law, and the widespread embrace of students attending Bible classes by the ministry LifeWise Academy, which resulted from it, drew backlash from the atheist legal advocacy organization Freedom From Religion Foundation. If parents want their children to learn about the [B]ible, there are so many ways to do it without cutting into valuable school hours, FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor asserted in a statement coinciding with the organizations distribution of a letter to school districts throughout the state. Participating students are being punished by losing hundreds of hours of academic instruction to LifeWises released time [B]ible study classes. The letter submitted to the states school districts explained that FFRF has received several complaints from families in different school districts alleging that non-attending students were given busy work, or no work at all, as a consequence of staying behind during released time classes while the organization received at least one complaint reporting that a school assigned non-attending students additional homework seemingly as punishment for refusing to participate in a released time program. The United States Supreme Court ruled in the 1952 case Zorach v. Clauson that released-time programs did not violate the U.S. Constitution, finding no constitutional requirement which makes it necessary for government to be hostile to religion and to throw its weight against efforts to widen the effective scope of religious influence. When the state encourages religious instruction or cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events to sectarian needs, it follows the best of our traditions, stated the majority opinion. To hold that it may not would be to find in the Constitution a requirement that the government show a callous indifference to religious groups. That would be preferring those who believe in no religion over those who do believe." Home Opinion Is America on the verge of another 2020 'Summer of Love'? Theres a question that many Americans are asking: Could we be on the brink of another social upheaval reminiscent of the 2020 Summer of Love? The hostility and political division we are witnessing today reminds us of the turbulence of four years ago, which featured numerous protests, violent clashes, and a nation that appeared to be on the verge of collapse. With tensions simmering across the nation, one cant help but sense a foreboding deja vu. Recent days have proven that college campuses are the frontlines of this ideological divide. While protests and free speech are fundamental to our democracy, the recent Trump verdict and other seemingly weaponized arrests and sentences urge us to consider how conservatives, especially Christians, should respond to unfavorable activities and outcomes without succumbing to violence. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The critical importance of protests and free speech Protests and free speech are the bedrock of American democracy, a principle deeply embedded in the fabric of our nations history. The Boston Tea Party of 1773 is a prime example of this spirit. Faced with oppressive taxation without representation, American colonists boldly protested by dumping British tea into Boston Harbor. This act of defiance catalyzed the American Revolution and underscored the power of protest to effect change. In their ideal form, protests constitute a peaceful assembly of individuals united by a shared cause to initiate dialogue and facilitate meaningful change. This core principle is enshrined in the First Amendment, safeguarding our rights to free speech and peaceful assembly. The key to success lies in maintaining the peace of the assembly. However, when protests turn violent, their integrity is compromised. This trend not only undermines the legitimacy of the grievances being aired but also erodes public trust in the process of peaceful protest. Historical context: A stark contrast The 1960s were marked by significant civil rights demonstrations, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the lunch counter sit-ins, along with nationwide protests following Martin Luther King Jr.s assassination in 1968. These protests challenged the entrenched racial injustices of the Jim Crow era, which enforced segregation in public services and facilities. Protestors championed equality and opposed laws that enforced racial segregation and inequality, revealing the pervasive discrimination embedded in daily life. Despite its occasional descent into chaos, the Civil Rights Movement largely adhered to nonviolent resistance principles. Dr. King emphasized the power of peaceful protest, a legacy that todays movements would do well to remember. As he famously said, Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon it is a weapon unique in history which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. During the Vietnam War, the anti-war movement saw massive protests, notably in 1968 at the Democratic National Convention and in 1970 with the tragic Kent State shootings. These demonstrations highlighted the intense opposition to the war and the governments policies. The images of National Guardsmen firing on students at Kent State are still deeply ingrained in the collective memory of those who witnessed them, serving as a somber reminder of the negative effects of escalating protests. A new era of intolerance, stridency, and violence In more recent years, campus and mass protests have changed in focus, reflecting the emerging landscape of social and political concerns. The nature and intensity of these protests vary, but a troubling pattern of violence in left-leaning demonstrations persists. In 2017, we witnessed pivotal incidents pertaining to free speech on university campuses such as UC Berkeley and Middlebury College, where protests against controversial speakers often escalated into violence. These events, marked by the presence of masked agitators and confrontations with law enforcement, underscored a reluctance to engage with diverse viewpoints among certain student factions. From 2014 to 2020, Black Lives Matter protests catalyzed by the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and George Floyd called for justice and police reform. Though a number of these protests were conducted peacefully, most devolved into riots, looting, and violent clashes with police. The resort to violence has resulted in the death of dozens of people and caused an estimated $1 to $2 billion in property damage. Recent protests for the Free Palestine movement on college campuses have also erupted into violence, contributing to the ongoing discourse on the limits and responsibilities associated with free speech and assembly. These incidents have erupted into physical confrontations, vandalism, blockades, and clashes with security forces, showcasing how leftist-led protests often stray from their supposedly nonviolent roots. Such violent outbursts muddle the movements message and deepen polarization, making constructive dialogue and peaceful resolution seem like distant fantasies. A conservative Christian response As conservatives and, more importantly, as Christians, our response to unfavorable outcomes must be grounded in our faith. Violence is unequivocally off the table. Christianity teaches us love, joy, and forgiveness even in the face of adversity. Here are some practical ways we can respond: Prayer and reflection In times of trial, turning to prayer and reflecting on biblical teachings provides comfort and guidance. We must seek Gods wisdom in how we respond. The Bible teaches us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19). This principle is especially relevant in todays climate of heightened emotions and knee-jerk reactions. Peaceful protests We can organize peaceful demonstrations focusing on constructive dialogue and positive change. Our actions should reflect the love and joy that Christ exemplified. One powerful example of this is the March for Life, an annual peaceful protest against abortion that has taken place in Washington, D.C., since 1974. Despite deeply held beliefs and the strong emotions surrounding the issue, participants consistently demonstrate their convictions peacefully, reflecting the love and dignity they believe every human life deserves. Community engagement Engaging with our communities through service, advocacy, and support can address issues more effectively than violence ever could. Volunteering at local shelters, participating in community clean-ups, and supporting local businesses are just a few ways to make a tangible difference. Building strong, resilient communities creates a foundation for lasting change. Political action Participating in the political process through voting, campaigning, and communicating with our elected officials allows us to advocate for change within the framework of our democracy. Its essential to be informed and engaged citizens, using our voices and our votes to influence policy in a positive direction. By adhering to these principles, we demonstrate a powerful, peaceful response to perceived injustices, setting an example for others to follow. Our faith calls us to be peacemakers, not agitators. We must embody the teachings of Christ, showing love and grace even to those with whom we disagree. Final thoughts The difference between left-leaning and conservative protests is stark, especially in the propensity for violence. In response to the recent Trump verdict and other events, we, as conservatives and Christians, must embrace peaceful and constructive methods. We navigate these challenging times with grace and integrity by drawing on our faith and focusing on positive engagement. Our actions must reflect the peace and joy that Christ taught us, showing the world that we can stand firm in our convictions without resorting to violence. This path honors God and upholds the true spirit of American democracy. As the Apostle Paul wrote, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). This is our mandate as Christians, and it is the only path that will lead to true and lasting change. In these turbulent times, let us remember that our ultimate allegiance is not to a political party or an earthly leader but to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Let our actions, words, and lives reflect His glory and love. By doing so, we can be a light in the darkness and a beacon of hope in a world desperately in need of it. Originally published at the Standing for Freedom Center. Home News Biden wants to bar migrants who enter US illegally from receiving asylum President Joe Biden is utilizing executive actions to prohibit migrants who illegally enter the United States from receiving asylum when the border enforcement agencies are overwhelmed. In a fact sheet Tuesday, the White House said the president approved executive actions to bar migrants who cross our Southern border unlawfully from receiving asylum. These actions will be in effect when high levels of encounters at the Southern Border exceed our ability to deliver timely consequences, as is the case today, stated the fact sheet. They will make it easier for immigration officers to remove those without a lawful basis to remain and reduce the burden on our Border Patrol agents. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe According to the White House, Biden is suspending entry of noncitizens who cross the Southern border into the United States unlawfully, noting that the actions will be discontinued when the number of migrants who cross the border between ports of entry is low enough for Americas system to safely and effectively manage border operations. These actions also include similar humanitarian exceptions to those included in the bipartisan border agreement announced in the Senate, including those for unaccompanied children and victims of trafficking, added the administration. Former President Donald Trump issued a similar proclomation in 2018, which was blocked by an Obama-appointed federal judge who ruled the president doesn't have the power to "impose a condition that Congress has expressly forbidden." Trump Campaign National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denounced the executive actions in a statement on behalf of the Republican presidential candidate, claiming they will lead to amnesty, not border security. If Joe Biden truly wanted to shut down the border, he could do so with a swipe of the same pen, but he never will because he is controlled by radical left Democrats who seek to destroy America, stated Leavitt. Biden's illegal migrants are ravaging our Nation and have caused a crime wave in every state, as proven this week by the Venezuelan illegal criminal who gunned down two brave NYPD officers. The border invasion and migrant crime will not stop until Crooked Joe Biden is deported from the White House. Global Refuge, a nonprofit refugee resettlement agency formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, released a statement expressing concern. We are deeply concerned about the legality of this interim final rule and the moral implications of turning away asylum-seeking families desperate for and deserving of protection, stated Global Refuge President Krish OMara Vignarajah. Our fear is that such restrictions would ultimately deny protection to persecuted individuals and families based on increasingly arbitrary factors, and not on the actual merits of their claim. This represents a troubling departure from an approach that balances the carrot and stick in favor of hardline restrictions that have historically failed to bring order or fairness to our border. Vignarajah blamed Congress for failing to pass immigration reform legislation. She believes Bidens plans are wholly unsustainable dynamic. Instead of focusing solely on administrative actions that curtail asylum rights, the Biden administration should look to implement a holistic policy to manage our southern border, she added. Viable options include increasing legal pathways, such as guest worker and family reunification programs, encouraging more protection partnership work in the region, such as its Safe Mobility Offices, and cracking down on trafficking operations. According to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, there have been record numbers of encounters between migrants seeking entry into the U.S. and border enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border, with more than 301,000 incidents in December alone. In March, the Pew Research Center released a report finding that 45% of respondents believed that the situation at the border was a "crisis," while 32% considered it a "major problem," 17% said it was "a minor problem" and 4% thought that it was "not a problem." House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said in a statement that the executive actions are "unserious and will do nothing to secure Americas borders." "In fact, it sanctions up to 2,499 illegal aliens per day meaning nearly 1 million per year crossing the border between ports of entry," Jordan said in a statement. "That number does not even include all of the illegal aliens who are subject to the rules myriad exceptions. In addition, it continues the wholesale abuses of law that Joe Biden uses to let millions more illegal aliens in through our ports of entry." Jordan said he is not surprised to see Biden take this step given the unpopularity of his administration's handling of the border influx. The Real Clear Politics average of polling measuring public approval of Biden's handling of immigration shows that the president is 29.4% below water. "For three-and-a-half years, Americans have watched Joe Biden and his DHS Secretary allow millions of unvetted illegal aliens into our country and into our communities. In fact, hes on track to allow nearly 12 million illegal aliens into the U.S. by the end of his term," Jordan said. "The Presidents poll numbers are in the tank especially on immigration and later this month he is scheduled to debate President Trump the strongest border security President in the history of the United States. So, its no surprise that Joe Biden is trying to fool the American public into thinking he cares about the countrys borders." Home News Candace Owens describes history as perpetual 'holy war being waged against goodness' A prominent political commentator is characterizing history as an ongoing holy war that is being waged against goodness as she continues to adjust to her newfound Catholic faith. Candace Owens, a conservative political commentator who used to work for The Daily Wire until her dismissal earlier this year, addressed the advocacy group Catholics for Catholics in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday. Owens converted to Catholicism earlier this year and began her speech by referring to her address as her first Catholic event. In her remarks, she elaborated on how her journey to Catholicism began with just a curiosity of the Catholic faith, seeing what it had done in my husbands life. 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 Owens described herself as overwhelmed but interested in why this had done so much good in my husbands life. She noted that he attends Mass every day and goes to confession weekly, expressing her excitement at seeing somebody have that sort of a commitment and everything in their life become better. In addition to curiosity stemming from her husbands embrace of and conversion to Catholicism, Owens cited things that were happening politically and the belief that Evangelicalism was starting to feel like a political party rather than a philosophy based on adherence to truths that are incontrovertible as other factors that pulled her toward the religion. My husband used to say to me to become a student of history is to become a Catholic, she said. I never knew what he meant until I started getting interested in what was motivating people, what was driving people. After researching certain topics as she engaged in debates with Protestants, Owens recalled, "I would find myself discovering things that I thought, wow, thats weird, seems like this was an intentional time in history that was an attack on the Catholic faith.'" Owens detailed how she began to re-examine those history books that she read from in school and questioned why she had a weird thing about Catholics, specifically seeking to find out who was putting that in my mind that Catholics have been a negative force in history and where is this brainwash coming from? She credited her change in feelings about the Catholic faith to her examination of true history, which she contrasted with the stuff that you learn in public school. Identifying history as a continuous story of good versus evil, Owens determined that it has forever been a holy war that is being waged against goodness. While she recalled hearing a voice in her head telling her, you could just say nothing and just keep on going and saying the thing about the left versus the right, and you could live a really nice life doing that as opposed to focusing her commentary on the topic of faith, she concluded that taking that course of action didnt sit right with her. Suddenly, I understood that my entire career, which I felt like I was going into this nice easy spot in, was going to be upended because everything else that we were talking about was nonsense, she asserted. I understood the attacks that I was going to endure for my faith. Owens ultimately decided to press on, sharing her belief that persecution is the beginning of the Christian faith. She added, I have never endured more attacks than when I tweeted last November that Christ is King. Never in my life have I seen anything like it. The political commentator pushed back on the claim that her post was an expression of antisemitism as opposed to a statement of faith. She condemned the amount of lies told about something that was so simple and so true. One of the most beautiful things about coming into the Catholic Church is that I didnt come here to be a celebrity, she added. For the first time, my celebrity made sense to me because it was a gift. Owens continued, There is only one that we should be celebrating ever: thats it. She explained that she came to understand that this platform was given to me because the platforms not mine, it isnt mine, but rather, a megaphone for me to do the real work. Reflecting on the success she's achieved as a political commentator, she stressed that she no longer had this panic about money because I had decided that it didnt mean anything if it came at the expense of truth. After she concluded her speech, Owens sat down for a question-and-answer session where she revealed feeling pressure not to let Catholics down because of how much she had to learn about the faith. Home News Blind woman denied entry into church because of guide dog A blind Texas woman who says she was unable to attend a church because officials wouldn't allow her guide dog inside their sanctuary, learned Sunday that she couldn't force them to accommodate her service animal because religious entities, including churches, are completely exempt from Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The woman, Mari Ramos, explained in an interview with KBTX3, that she needs to have her service dog with her everywhere she goes because they are a cohesive unit. She said that the church, which the news outlet did not identify because they did not break any laws, denied her the opportunity to worship by not accommodating her dog. I had somebody say to me on Sunday, 'Well, Im not denying you. Im denying your service animal.' Well, by extension you are denying me because Betty and I are a cohesive unit, Ramos said. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Title III of the ADA addresses disability-based discrimination. Under this law, private businesses that own, lease, lease to, or operate any of twelve types of places of public accommodation must ensure access to goods and services by making reasonable policy modifications, and communicating effectively with individuals who have vision, hearing, or speech disabilities, according to the ADA National Network. Religious entities, such as churches, are completely exempt from Title III of the ADA. All of their facilities, programs, and activities, whether they are religious or secular in nature, are exempt, the ADA National Network explains. Ramos says she was embarrassed to learn that service animals were barred from some religious entities and certain areas of hospitals. Her dog Betty was denied entry into the church because of a band and flashing lights which officials deemed to be inappropriate for a service animal. She argued, however, that it is the service animals handler who should decide whats appropriate. There was just this feeling of being turned away, this feeling of embarrassment, this feeling of being excluded from something, she said, noting that she wants other disabled individuals to learn more about handling their service animals. Terry Cadle, the owner of Rivers Edge Dog Academy in College Station, told KBTX3 that each time they train a service animal, they try to ensure their handlers are educated on the rules that govern them. You dont want to feel discriminated against, you dont want to feel different. You already feel different having the dog with you, and so on. Now theyre making a big deal out of it it can be very belittling and very hard on people, Cadle said. He believes that better public education can also help people understand how vital service animals are to the people they serve. They become their right-hand man, Cadle said. Take them everywhere, do everything with them. Home News Episcopal Church dioceses in Michigan are a step closer to merger Two Episcopal Church dioceses in Michigan are considering merging into one regional body. The final decision is pending approval by the denominational leadership later this month. At a special convention held in March, the Diocese of Eastern Michigan and the Diocese of Western Michigan voted to approve a merger to become the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes. The decision to combine the dioceses received 85% approval from Eastern Michigan delegates and 82% from Western Michigan delegates. It will next go before the 81st General Convention as resolution C025, which was recommended for approval by the General Conventions committees on Governance & Structure in late May. 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 Katie Forsyth, communications officer for both dioceses, told The Christian Post that the decision to merge followed five years of discernment. As a result of this long-term discernment, the facilitating committee came back with a recommendation that juncture would make the new diocese a better steward of resources (finances, people, and more), give us more tools and routes for the formation of disciples, and would better equip us to lead in the changing church more adaptive and attuned to the realities of modern life, she said. According to Forsyth, the Primary Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes is already scheduled for Oct. 18-19 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. At this convention, the new regional body will consider adopting a new Constitution and Canons. For the last several years, the dioceses have been aligned in operations and programming as much as possible except for areas required to remain separate (financials, legal status, etc.), Forsyth told CP. This intentional practice has given us some experience already with operating as one on the ground and with near total bi-diocesan staffing. As part of the unification efforts, the Joint Standing Committees of the regional bodies created several working groups focused on handling areas like staff organization, finalizing a constitution and canons, and episcopate ministry. A formal bishop search is expected to commence sometime following the Primary Convention of the new diocese in October, Forsyth added, noting that both dioceses are being overseen by a parttime assisting bishop, the Rt. Rev. Gladstone Adams, III, while the Joint Standing Committees hold the ecclesiastical authority. The Michigan dioceses are not the only local bodies of the Episcopal Church that are considering merging, with final approval expected at the General Convention. Last month, the Episcopal dioceses of Eau Claire, Fond du Lac and Milwaukee voted to become the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin, with the Rev. Matthew Gunter expected to lead the new body. Known as the Episcopal Wisconsin Trialogue, the merger process has often been identified as a reunification since the three dioceses were initially founded as one body in 1847. For his part, Gunter stated in an April 2022 video that the world is changing and the Church, as we are right now, is not ready to engage with the realities and the people shaped by them. We need to adapt, he said. With two of the bishops of the dioceses in Wisconsin retiring at the end of 2020, we have an opportunity to take a fresh look at how we are organized. To become one diocese, not just to create a bigger version of what we have been, but to look at what it might mean to reconfigure ourselves and organize ourselves as a diocese, so that we can be about mission. Home News Ex-Latin Kings gang member says prison, drug overdose led him to Jesus A former Latin Kings gang member-turned-pastor said he came to faith in Jesus Christ only after he did time behind bars and nearly died from a heroin overdose. Andy "Rebirth" Pellerano, a pastor at One Accord Ministries in Avondale, Louisiana, told Fox News opinion host Jesse Waters that he was once an active participant in drug trafficking, robbery, and other crimes before he found Christ. "It was just the wrong influences, listening to the wrong voices, just gravitating to the wrong things and being out there," Pellerano told Watters. 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 was around 14, 15 years old, and I let five grown men jump me so I could be their friend, as I like to put it," Pellerano said. "So what would I have to do to keep that friendship? And it led to [charges of] first-degree attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault, one count of aggravated criminal damage. It was gang-related. I was 16, I made 17. I was charged as an adult." After he went to prison, Pellerano helped start a gang called "King Blood Nation," which was a fusion of the Latin Kings and the Bloods, with him as the leader. Pellerano said he started to feel remorse for his actions when his daughter, who was 5 or 6 years old, visited him while he was behind bars, and he had to explain why he was in prison. "Watching my kids grow up in pictures; watching my kids, you know, not being able to come visit me because I'm going to maximum security," Pellerano said. "It killed me because my daughter didn't know her identity because her father wasn't in her life. And that's what I look at going on in society today. People do not know their identity because they're not in their father's life." Pellerano said after he suffered a near-fatal overdose, he decided that church needed to be part of his life because it was God that brought me back. "The Bible says, In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God,'" Pellerano added, quoting John 1:1. "This is my life, my story, so I have to tell it. I have to share it. And if God could do this in my life, what could He do in your life?" According to the website the Gang Enforcement Company, the Latin Kings are "one of the most violent gangs in the United States today, with leaders unafraid to order 'hits' on law enforcement and correctional officers with followers unashamed to obey their orders." "Founded in the 1940s by a small group of Hispanics in the Chicago, Illinois area, the purpose of the organization was to help the Hispanic community achieve a better way of life by preserving the Hispanic culture and promoting education," explained GEC. "However, the Latin Kings have evolved into a nationwide criminal organization with chapters in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Florida, California and Illinois." Earlier this year, Latin Kings member Jason Wagner, aka King Ace, was sentenced to 31 years in prison after being found guilty by a grand jury in Miami, Florida, of sex-trafficking two women. According to authorities, the sex-trafficking was not apparently tied to his gang affiliation. Home News Families sue Vermont for denying foster care licenses over opposition to trans ideology Two Christian couples are suing Vermont over state officials reportedly refusing to renew their foster care licenses because they oppose transgender ideology on religious grounds. The Wuotis and the Gantts, both of Windham County, filed a complaint against state officials on Tuesday in the United States District Court for the District of Vermont, Windham Division. The named defendants include Christopher Winters, commissioner of the Vermont Department for Children and Families; Aryka Radke, deputy commissioner of the Family Services Division; and Stacey Edmunds, director of Residential Licensing & Special Investigations. 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 Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse, who is helping to represent the families, told The Christian Post that he believes Vermont's policy violates constitutional rights. The Supreme Court has said for decades that states can't force citizens to say something that they don't believe as a condition of receiving a license or any kind of government benefit, he said. And here, Vermont is telling the parents that they have to violate their sincerely-held religious beliefs just to serve alongside others and to help vulnerable children. Widmalm-Delphonse also told CP that he believes the policy hurts the children in need the most, adding that Vermont has a duty to help children find a loving home, but instead its taking away loving families and reducing the eligible pool of families who can care for these children who may have nowhere else to go." A VDCF spokesperson forwarded CP a statement from Radke, in which she said the department does not comment on the specifics of pending lawsuits. That said, generally speaking, DCF takes the care and support of youth in our custody seriously, and we work to ensure that youth in foster care are placed in homes that support all aspects of what makes them who they are. This includes their sexual orientation and gender identity, stated Radke. It bears mentioning that this suit was filed at the start of pride month a time when we reflect on the achievements and continued struggles of the LGBTQI+ movement. The department stands in partnership with the community, and continually works to be a better partner, ally, and support system rather than a barrier to the children and youth who identify as part of this community. Radke added that she believes the requirement of foster parents to be affirming of LGBT identity can improve outcomes for this group of kids, to be on par with their heterosexual and cis-gendered peers. It is a human right for all to be valued and supported, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, she continued. The Family Services Division is here to serve all, and upholds that expectation for both its staff, as well as the foster parents who agree to take on the care of the youth in our custody. Radke further claimed, Providing safe, affirming, accepting and welcoming homes benefits all youth and it has the power to save lives. This is true year-round, and bears underscoring for these youth especially during pride. Regarding the concern over providing safe homes for LGBT youth, Widmalm-Delphonse told CP that if anything, it is the state's policies that are actually harmful. I would point people to the Cass review that came out of England showing that pharmacological and surgical intervention likely caused more harm than any good and that the evidence is incredibly weak in this area, he responded. Children just need a loving place, someone to care for them while they work out these types of issues. They don't need the state pushing its gender ideology on them. In 2021, the United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia that a local Catholic charity could not be prohibited from participating in the citys foster program because the organization refused to place children with same-sex couples. Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the court opinion, writing that the city has burdened the religious exercise of [Catholic Social Services] through policies that do not meet the requirement of being neutral and generally applicable. Government fails to act neutrally when it proceeds in a manner intolerant of religious beliefs or restricts practices because of their religious nature, wrote Roberts. The refusal of Philadelphia to contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents cannot survive strict scrutiny, and violates the First Amendment. Home News Jurgen Moltmann remembered as among most significant Protestant theologians of 20th century Renowned German theologian and professor, Jurgen Moltmann, celebrated for his profound impact on Protestant theology, died on Monday. He was 98. Moltmann was born on April 8, 1926, in Hamburg, Germany, into a non-religious family, Church Times reported. His works transformed modern Christian thought, particularly through his approaches to the doctrine of the Trinity and political theology. Moltmann's theological journey began under dire circumstances that shaped his influential career. Captured during World War II, Moltmann found his faith while confined in a British prisoner-of-war camp, as noted by The Telegraph. 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 This transformative period led him to pursue a theological education at the University of Gottingen, eventually guiding him toward an academic and pastoral vocation that challenged and invigorated Protestant thought globally. His academic tenure at the University of Tubingen, where he served as professor of systematic theology from 1963 to 1994, was marked by the publication of seminal works that resonated beyond the confines of theological academia. His writings, including Theology of Hope and The Crucified God, are celebrated for their insightful integration of Christian doctrine with pressing social issues, thus bridging the gap between sacred theology and secular concerns. A member of the Evangelical Church in Germany, Moltmanns theology was heavily influenced by his early experiences in the war and his subsequent capture, which brought him face-to-face with human suffering and the need for a hopeful vision of the future. His work consistently emphasized hope as a dynamic, living force within Christian eschatology, arguing that Gods promise of salvation is an active and present reality in the world. This perspective gained substantial traction among theologians globally, reshaping Protestant theologys engagement with contemporary social issues. Throughout his career, Moltmann maintained a focus on the practical implications of theology. His commitment to social justice was evident in his involvement with peace movements and his advocacy for human rights, particularly during the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. His theological insights were instrumental in the development of Liberation Theology in Latin America and significantly influenced discussions on civil rights and social equity across continents. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Moltmann continued to publish influential works such as God in Creation and The Way of Jesus Christ, which addressed issues of ecology, feminism and antisemitism, reflecting his broad thematic engagement and interdisciplinary approach. His retirement in 1994 did not end his active participation in theological debates; he continued to write and lecture, contributing to theological education globally until his final book, The Living God and the Fullness of Life, in 2014. Moltmanns contributions were not limited to his writings and public speeches; his personal experiences and the relationships he forged reflected his theological principles. His marriage to Elisabeth Moltmann-Wendel, a noted feminist theologian, also highlighted his progressive stance on gender equality in theological discourse. Moltmanns role in the global theological community involved extensive lecturing and participation in interfaith dialogues, where he emphasized the need for a theology that was responsive to the sufferings of humanity while being hopeful about the future. His dialogues often touched on controversial issues, challenging both theological and secular assumptions, wrote an author at Gospel Coalitions blog, Themelios. Home News LA County Fire Dept. allows partial exemption to Christian lifeguard who sued over LGBT pride flag 'No employee should be expected to abandon their faith' The Los Angeles County Fire Department has reportedly agreed to offer a partial exemption to a Christian lifeguard captain who sued for religious discrimination after claiming he was punished for not raising a pride flag last summer. Following his lawsuit, LACoFD agreed to allow Jeffrey Little, who has served Los Angeles County for 22 years, the option of not raising the Progress Pride flag during June as part of his job, according to a Wednesday press release from the nonprofit law firm Thomas More Society, which represented Little. "The Fire Department has made assurances that Little would not be personally responsible for the raising or lowering of the Progress Pride Flag, because he either will be assigned to stations that are unable to fly the Progress Pride Flag throughout June, or he will be able to trade shifts to such stations," the press release said. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The complaint against LACoFD and various officials that Little's attorneys filed on May 24 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ultimately stemmed from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors' March 2023 resolution mandating Progress Pride flags be flown at all county-owned facilities. Because lifeguard facilities are under LACoFD jurisdiction, Little's beachside lifeguard facility at Will Rogers Beach in Pacific Palisades was mandated to unfurl the flag, though he first obtained an exemption last year that was later rescinded, according to the lawsuit. Little was also subsequently subjected to retaliation and harassment when his supervising officers demanded that he raise the Progress Pride flag despite his Christian convictions, he alleged. "You are an LA County employee, that's the only thing that matters," Division Chief Fernando Boiteux allegedly told him. "Your religious beliefs do not matter." Little was also allegedly removed from the department's background investigation unit, and news of his accommodation request leaked to unauthorized people, which led to a death threat against his family. The Thomas More Society noted that despite the partial accommodation, the county is continuing to refuse to give Little the "full and complete religious accommodation" he requested in his lawsuit, which the nonprofit said would include "a standing religious accommodation to permanently and comprehensively protect Littles religious liberty rights." Little is still reportedly being expected to ensure that his subordinates comply with the Progress Pride flag mandate to which he objects, and he is also going to be expected to file for a religious accommodation request every pride month. His attorneys plan to file for preliminary and permanent injunctive relief. The Christian Post has reached out to the LACoFD for comment and will update this story if a response is received. "My hope is that this lawsuit encourages productive dialogue between employees of faith and their employers," Little said in a statement. "No employee should be expected to abandon their faith when entering the workplace and unfortunately, I felt backed into a corner where my faith was incompatible with the requirements of my job." "My prayer is that people of faith will flourish in the workplace and not feel as if they need to hide that part of themselves in order to be successful in their jobs," he added. Attorney Paul Jonna, who represents Little, told The Christian Post last week that he hopes Little's case will set a precedent by which any Christian who objects to such displays can be protected. "I think we're seeing employers across the country but especially here in southern California with Los Angeles County's directives that are not only having the government promote the pride flag, have the pride flag flown, but now they're forcing certain employees to handle the flag and raise the flag," Jonna said. "For a devout Christian to ask for an accommodation not to have to personally raise the flag is such an easy accommodation, such a simple solution," he said. "Just have someone else raise the flag. Devout Christians need to have protections in place. There needs to be strong precedent in place protecting them, and the law already provides for that protection." Home News La. gov. signs bill mandating students use bathrooms based on their sex, not gender identity Louisiana has become the latest state to require students and inmates to use facilities that align with their sex instead of their self-declared gender identity as pushback to LGBT ideology continues at the state level. Louisianas Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed HB 608, known as the Womens Safety and Protection Act, into law Monday. The measure, approved by the Republican-controlled Louisiana House of Representatives in an 80-17 vote and passed by the Republican-controlled Senate in a 29-10 vote, received bipartisan support. Ten House Democrats joined all House Republicans in backing the measure, while one Senate Democrat joined all Senate Republicans in voting for it. The legislation recognizes the biological differences between men and women and establishes definitions for the terms boy, father, female, girl, male, man and mother. It explicitly identifies sex as an individuals biological sex, either male or female, as observed or clinically verified at birth, stressing that gender identity and other subjective terms shall not apply to this Part and shall not be used as synonyms or substitutes for sex. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The law requires domestic violence shelters, public schools, correctional facilities and juvenile detention centers to designate multi-occupancy restrooms, changing rooms and sleeping quarters for exclusive use by either males or females and ensure that only members of each sex use the appropriately designated areas. The measure provides a right to action, enabling anyone alleging a violation of the law to seek judicial relief and/or damages. The measure received praise from the religious freedom legal nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom, which said: States have a duty to protect the privacy, safety, and dignity of women and young girls. Yet certain advocacy organizations and even the Biden administration through its recent Title IX Rule are demanding states to tear down the long-standing tradition of having distinct facilities for men and women, said ADF Senior Counsel Matt Sharp in a statement shared with The Christian Post on Wednesday. This radical social experiment, which especially harms children and women fleeing abusive situations, flies in the face of common sense and even the plain language of Title IX and other federal laws, added Sharp, maintained that letting men into womens spaces whether at public schools, correctional facilities, or domestic violence shelters is an invasion of privacy and a threat to their safety. Sharp asserted that protecting women from inappropriate exposure to men is not only legal, but also an important duty of the officials in charge of watching over their safety. The passage of the Womens Safety and Protection Act comes as policies allowing trans-identified individuals to enter opposite-sex facilities have led to safety concerns for women. In 2021, Loudoun County, Virginia, made national news after it became public that a male student who identifies as gender-fluid sexually assaulted a female student in the girls bathroom at one of the high schools in its school district. The school district faced allegations of a cover-up as the assault happened as the district was considering the formal implementation of a policy to allow trans-identified students to enter opposite-sex bathrooms and the public didn't find out about it until after the school board had already voted and passed the policy. The exposure of young girls to male genitalia in intimate spaces is also a concern, as LGBT nondiscrimination laws in California led to a Korean spa allowing a trans-identified man to be naked in the womens locker room and spa area where naked girls were present. Similarly, corrections facilities allowing trans-identified men to be housed in womens prisons has also led to female inmates being subject to sexual assaults. According to the LGBT Movement Advancement Project, which opposes legislation like HB 608, Louisiana is one of 12 states that ban transgender people from using bathrooms and facilities consistent with their gender identity. Louisiana joins Alabama, Mississippi and North Dakota as states where people are required to use facilities that align with their sex in K-12 schools and at least some government-owned facilities. Meanwhile, laws in Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Tennessee only apply to public schools. Florida and Utah require individuals to use facilities that correspond with their biological sex in all government-owned buildings and spaces, including K-12 schools, colleges, and more. Home News Most Protestant pastors oppose gay marriage, mainline support stalling: survey Most Protestant pastors in the United States continue to oppose same-sex marriage, and the previously growing trend of support among mainline clergy is stalling, according to a recent report by Lifeway Research. In a report released Tuesday, Lifeway found that, in 2023, 21% of surveyed Protestant pastors said they saw nothing wrong with same-sex marriage, which was a slight decrease compared to the 24% of pastors who said the same in 2019. Even among pastors belonging to theologically progressive mainline denominations, Lifeway found that less than half (46%) support same-sex marriage, which was virtually the same (47%) in 2019, though still well above the 32% reported in 2010. 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 Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, stated in Lifeway that the previous growth was seen most clearly among mainline pastors, and that level did not rise in our latest survey. Debates continue within denominations at national and judicatory levels on the morality of same-sex marriage, yet the overall number of Protestant pastors who support same-sex marriage is not growing, said McConnell. The report drew from a survey of 1,004 Protestant pastors conducted Aug. 29, 2023, through Sept. 20, 2023, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2% at the 95% confidence level. Additionally, the report found that only 7% of Evangelical pastors supported gay marriage, that pastors aged 18 to 44 were more likely to support same-sex marriage than pastors over the age of 65 (27% vs. 15%), and that only 8% of pastors of churches with over 250 regular attendees saw nothing wrong with gay marriage. In March, the Public Religion Research Institute released its 2023 American Values Atlas, which also found a slight decrease in support for same-sex marriage and LGBT nondiscrimination protections among the general population. Specifically, the PRRI report found that support for "laws that would protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people against discrimination in jobs, public accommodations, and housing" went from 80% in 2022 to 76% in 2023. Additionally, support for same-sex marriage dipped from 69% in 2022 to 67% in 2023. "Our survey shows that support for LGBTQ rights has dipped slightly from 2022 to 2023, although the vast majority of Americans continue to endorse anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans and the right of same-sex couples to marry," stated PRRI CEO Melissa Deckman. The growing partisan divide on these issues show the effect of the continuous use of LGBTQ identity and LGBTQ rights as a wedge issue in our nation's culture wars. Home News Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to address Congress for a record 4th time Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to address a joint session of U.S. Congress and will become the world leader who has done so most in United States history. Netanyahu's office confirmed his plans to address Congress in a statement, though a specific date has yet to be decided. This will mark the fourth time that Netanyahu will address Congress, the most of any world leader in United States history. Netanyahu is tied with former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill at three times. 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 very moved to have the privilege of representing Israel before both Houses of Congress and to present the truth about our just war against those who seek to destroy us to the representatives of the American people and the entire world," stated Netanyahu. The invitation to speak came courtesy a bipartisan letter sent last week and signed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. The speech comes as Israeli forces continue their offensive in the Gaza Strip, seeking to eradicate Hamas, a terror group that has controlled Gaza since 2007, and free the surviving hostages taken by the Palestinian extremist group in its Oct. 7 attack that killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators across the globe, including on several U.S. college campuses, have launched protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry has claimed that over 35,000 people have died since the war began but doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants. "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 security," stated the letter. "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." The congressional leaders encouraged Netanyahu to "share the Israeli government's vision for defending democracy, combatting terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region." In March, Schumer, a Jewish American, made international headlines when he called for Israel to hold new elections, accusing Netanyahu of losing "his way amid the war with Hamas. Netanyahu last spoke before Congress in 2015 at the invitation of then-Republican House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio. He discussed concerns about Iran reaching a nuclear deal with the U.S. "We have been told that no deal is better than a bad deal. Well, this is a bad deal. It is a very bad deal. We are better off without it," Netanyahu told Congress during his 2015 remarks. "We are being told that the only alternative to this bad deal is war. That is just not true. The alternative to this bad deal is a much better deal," Netanyahu added. Republicans organized the 2015 speech without the prior knowledge of then-President Barack Obama, leading many Democratic members of Congress to boycott the speech in protest. Home News Pakistani Christian woman jailed on blasphemy charges of hurting Muslims sentiments Family facing pressure not to pursue defense against false charges LAHORE, Pakistan A Christian woman in Pakistan remains in jail on baseless charges of blasphemy after a judge rejected her bail application on Monday, sources said. Stella Khawar, 28, was arrested on May 12 in Kharota Syedan, in the Kotli Loharan area of Sialkot District, Punjab Province, and was charged with hurting religious sentiments of Muslims, said her husband, Khawar Shahzad. The lawyer says he will now file for bail in the sessions court, Khawar Shahzad said. I dont know what will be the outcome due to the pressure being exerted by religious groups, but my priority right now is to keep my child safe from any harm. 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 With rights advocates suspecting an organized campaign against Christians following tensions in Jaranwala on Aug. 16, the charges against Stella Khawar go back to alleged incidents in August and January. After the Aug. 16, 2023, attacks on churches and homes of Christians in Jaranwala, there have been three or four incidents in our village in which blasphemous content was found written on currency notes and other material, including shopping bags, Khawar Shahzad told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. This caused a lot of tension in our locality, but no one knew who was behind these actions. There are about 300 to 350 Christian families settled in Kotli Loharan. A member of a Pentecostal church, Khawar Shahzad said that the latest incident occurred in the village on May 10, when someone found blasphemous content written on a paper. Instead of registering a new First Information Report (FIR), police named Stella Khawar in the August and January FIRs that were previously registered against unknown persons, he said. We were at my in-laws house on May 12 when police came and took Stella into custody, Khawar Shahzad said. They claimed that they had concrete evidence that she was responsible for the incidents of alleged blasphemy. We were dumbfounded by the allegation, but there was nothing we could do to stop the police from taking Stella with them. The couple has a 4-year-old son. Khawar Shahzad said he hasn't been able to meet with his wife since she was arrested. My wife is a devout Christian, and like other members of the community, she, too, was very upset after the attacks in Jaranwala, he said. However, she never said or did anything in front of me or other family members which showed that she could be involved in any such activity. The complainant in the cases against his wife and other Muslims are applying strong pressure on him to refrain from pursuing a defense for his wife, he said. The situation is such that to date, I havent even been able to meet Stella and ask her about the veracity of the allegation, he said. A Christian aid organization engaged a lawyer to file a bail petition last week, but the magistrate rejected it on Monday. Kotli Loharan police arrested Stella Khawar under blasphemy charges in one case on Aug. 27 and another on Jan. 7. Both FIRs were registered by a local Muslim prayer leader, Syed Jawad Ali, alleging unidentified individuals had thrown blasphemous content at different places in the village with an intent to stoke religious tension between the Muslim and Christian communities, Khawar Shahzad said. The charges were registered under Section 295-A of the blasphemy statutes, which calls for 10 years of prison for those convicted of intentionally outraging religious sentiments, and Section 505, which relates to intentionally causing fear in the public and harming public tranquility. It is punishable by imprisonment of up to seven years. Christians targeted Rights activists said recent incidents in Kotli Loharan were a cause of serious concern and indicate a larger campaign against area Christians. At least 300-350 Christian families are settled in Kotli Loharan, and there have been repeated attempts to stir religious tension in that area since the Aug. 16 Jaranwala incident, rights activist Shahzad Imran told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. It seems an organized campaign has been launched against the Christians, a majority of whom are poor working-class people. Imran recalled that earlier this year, a Muslim gang in Kotli Loharan tortured two Christian brothers into reciting the Islamic conversion creed. Azam Masih, 28, and his brother, Nadeem Masih, were abducted, beaten with iron rods and pressured to convert to Islam on Jan. 22. The suspects Naseem Shah and Sunny Shah also recorded a video statement of the two brothers in which they were forced to say that they were converting to Islam of their own free will. The brothers and their impoverished Christian family chose to keep silent about the ordeal, as the suspects had warned them against contacting police. With the support of Christian activists, however, the brothers registered an FIR against the Muslims, resulting in their arrest. Imran said the situation in the area was tense after the arrest of Stella Khawar, and he and others were in contact with Muslim leaders to defuse the situation. I feel theres a more sinister plot behind these cases against Christians, he said. I appeal to the government to conduct a high-level inquiry into the allegations against Stella. Its quite possible that she has been targeted by the same people who want to disrupt peace and instill fear in the Christians there. Rights activist Napolean Qayyum said recent incident in Sargodha, in which a Muslim mob lynched an elderly Christian on false blasphemy charges and burned his shoe factory, showed how the controversial laws were being misused to settle personal rivalries. False allegations of blasphemy have become a norm in Pakistan, Qayyum said. No one is safe now, not even Muslims. The recent acts of violence show that Christians are particularly vulnerable in Punjab Province. The government needs to take every incident involving blasphemy accusations very seriously and should ensure the protection of the minorities from mob attacks. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year. Originally published at Christian Daily International and Morning Star News Home News NYC pastor compares Alvin Bragg to Thurgood Marshall for prosecuting Trump A Harlem pastor is likening the district attorney behind the indictment of former President and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to civil rights leader Thurgood Marshall in the latest example of the church honoring Democrats. A video clip shared by Spectrum NY1 political reporter Ayana Harry Dudley and the X account Woke Preacher Clips on Sunday show Abyssinian Baptist Church Executive Minister Raschaad Hoggard praising Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg from the pulpit earlier in the day. Bragg has been in the news over the past year because the Democrat-elected official spearheaded the prosecution against Trump for allegedly paying hush money to a porn star ahead of the 2016 presidential election, which culminated with a conviction last week. At the beginning of the clip, Hoggard said the name Alvin Bragg, which prompted the crowd to stand and erupt into thunderous applause as organ music played in the background. Lets give it up for our brother, he added. The camera focused on Bragg, who was seated in the audience there as a member of the church. 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 Alvin Bragg is a righteous and humble brother, Hoggard proclaimed. One of the things Brother Alvin said was ... the most heartfelt and compelling aspect of the work that he does was this week to receive text messages from his students, his Sunday School students, who were so inspired and enriched by him. While he never directly addressed Trumps prosecution, Hoggard compared Bragg to Thurgood Marshall, the African American lawyer who argued the case Brown v. Board of Education before the United States Supreme Court. The 1954 Brown decision ruled segregated schools, a staple of the American South at the time, unconstitutional. For many years, Thurgood Marshall was a member and steward of the St. Philips Episcopal Church right on 134th Street, Hoggard explained. Interestingly enough, he would work with young people while he was a member of St. Philips. Hoggard recalled how Marshall was quick to leave a big party that took place after the Brown decision, with the lawyer insisting that we won this, but the real work just begins. The only thing I can liken this moment to now is some 50 years from now, these young people who have been taught and inspired and loved by Alvin Bragg will have that unique opportunity to say with conviction that I was inspired by one of the Thurgood Marshalls of my day. Hoggard concluded his recognition of Bragg by declaring, Brother Alvin, we salute you, we love you, and we know that God will be with you and your family. He assured him that we pray always for your protection and for your peace, and we know from wherever those great ancestors rest, Thurgood Marshall, Constance Baker Motley, they all are singing your praises, dear brother, and cheering you on: you and your wife and family. We love you. Lets celebrate him again, he said. While Bragg is popular within his congregation, he has received blowback from Trump and his supporters who have characterized his prosecution of the former president as politically motivated. Bragg has also faced criticism for the way he's dealt with violent crime since taking office in 2021. A mother whose son was murdered at the hands of four individuals who kicked, punched, stomped and stabbed him nine times told the U.S. House Judiciary Committee last year that while all four of these individuals were apprehended and all four charged with first-degree gang assault and second-degree murder, Bragg dismissed gang assault and murder indictments against two of the defendants. The mother detailed how Bragg charged one of the defendants caught on video murdering her son with assault with a shoe and sentenced her to one year time served. She also maintained that her family was treated like garbage by Bragg and his office. Sundays service was not the first example of Abyssinian Baptist Church plugging Democrats from the pulpit. Woke Preacher Clips shared video footage from 2022 featuring Hoggard expressing gratitude for the confirmation of now-Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson during a Palm Sunday service. Can we thank God for the triumphal entry of Ketanji Brown Jackson? he asked at the time. The congregation erupted into applause, but Hoggard insisted that we can do a little bit better than that, suggesting that his congregations reception was lackluster. Jackson, nominated for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court by President Joe Biden, became the first African American female to serve as one of its Associate Justices later that year. She is one of three justices appointed by Democrats sitting on the bench, the others are Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor. Home News Pope Francis pens preface to liberal Jesuit priest James Martin's book on Lazarus Pope Francis penned the preface to the newly released Italian version of a book about the resurrection of Lazarus by controversial American Jesuit priest James Martin, who has drawn scrutiny for his views about gender and sexuality. "Jesus isnt scared of coming close to sinners to any sinner, even the most brazen and undaunted," Francis wrote regarding Martin's book Come Forth: The Raising of Lazarus and the Promise of Jesuss Greatest Miracle, according to a copy of the preface that was written in March and published Monday by Vatican News. The pope went on to say that Jesus "has one single preoccupation: that no one goes missing, that none are deprived of the possibility of feeling the loving embrace of his Father." 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 Martin's book, which was published in the U.S. last September, explores the story of Christ's resurrection of Lazarus as recounted in John 11, which was one of His last miracles before He was crucified. As I read the careful arguments and exegeses of the biblical scholars he cites, it made me wonder how often we manage to approach Scripture with the 'hunger' of a person who knows that that word really is the Word of God," Francis wrote. "The fact that God 'speaks' should give us a little jolt each and every day. The Bible truly is the nourishment we need to handle our lives. Its the 'love letter' that God has sent since long ago to men and women living in every time and place." Francis went on to write that all Christians are Lazarus, and that Martin roots himself "firmly in the Ignatian tradition," referring to Ignatius of Loyola, who founded the Jesuit order that led the charge against the Protestant Reformation within the Catholic Church in the 16th century. "Were his friends, too 'dead' as we sometimes are on account of our sins, our failings and infidelities, the despondency that discourages us and crushes our spirits. Jesus is hardly afraid to get close to us even when we 'reek' like a dead body thats been buried for three days," Francis wrote. Martin has faced accusations of opposing Catholic teachings regarding sexuality, though he has repudiated them, as noted by the Catholic News Agency. In 2021, he faced rebuke for retweeting a post referring to God as "Her" and suggesting that using female imagery as a representation of God is "theologically correct." Pope Francis has also recently been in the crosshairs of criticism regarding comments he recently made suggesting that Roman Catholic seminaries have enough "frociaggine," an Italian slur that can be loosely translated as "faggotry." Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, released a statement last week explaining that the pontiff is sorry for using the word. "The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he apologizes to those who felt offended by the use of a term, as reported by others," stated Bruni. "As he has stated on many occasions, 'There is room for everyone in the Church, for everyone! No one is useless; no one is superfluous; there is room for everyone. Just as we are, everyone.'" Francis also recently drew criticism for comments he made in an interview with "60 Minutes," during which he suggested that mankind is basically good, prompting accusations of heresy. He also raised eyebrows for accusing conservative U.S. bishops of exhibiting "a suicidal attitude" by opposing his "efforts to revisit teachings and traditions." Home News Religious freedom advocates demand Egypt release Christians jailed for using Facebook Advocates for religious freedom are urging the Egyptian government to release two Christian men, Nour Girgis and Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo, who have been detained without trial since 2021 for their association with a Facebook page that supports individuals converting from Islam to Christianity. Authorities linked their involvement with terrorism activities. In November 2021, Girgis, an employee at a pharmaceutical company, was summoned to a police station under the pretense of routine questioning, said legal advocacy group ADF International, in a statement. This led to an incommunicado detention for 40 days, added the group, which is backing international legal efforts for the mens release. Subsequently, Girgis was transferred to a Terrorism Unit where he was informally accused of leading a Facebook group named Al Abareen, meaning to cross over in Arabic, and committing blasphemy against Islam. 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 Girgis has endured repeated interrogations, humiliation and physical torture without a formal trial date, preventing adequate legal defense preparation, said Elizabeth Francis, legal counsel for ADF Internationals Global Religious Freedom team. Saeed, originally from Yemen, faced arrest in December 2021 for his activities related to the same Facebook group and public evangelism. Saeed has been subjected to transfers across various detention facilities, suffering from severe medical issues worsened by the poor conditions of confinement. His family, including a son born during his detention, has been allowed only sporadic visits. Both mens legal plight has been marred by continuous delays and postponements of their trials, leading ADF International to take their cases to the international stage. The group says it has reported the situation to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, arguing that the Egyptian authorities have violated international law standards for religious freedom and fair trial rights. Kelsey Zorzi, ADF Internationals director of advocacy for Global Religious Freedom, stressed the Egyptian governments responsibility to adhere to its international human rights obligations. The rights to religious freedom, free expression, and a fair trial are all enshrined in international law, and Egyptian authorities have blatantly violated these basic rights by detaining these men and prolonging their imprisonment. It is past time for these men to be released, she said. Former U.S. Senator and Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Samuel Brownback, also commented on the implications of the case. The freedom of religion and belief is an unalienable human right, worthy of the highest protection. What has happened to these two men in Egypt is unacceptable, and an undeniable violation of their right to worship freely, said Brownback, referring to the growing global hostility toward religion and stressing the need for continued advocacy to protect religious minorities worldwide. Incidents of Christian persecution in Egypt vary from Christian women being harassed while walking in the street to Christian communities being driven out of their homes by extremist mobs. Christians are typically treated as second-class citizens. Egypts government speaks positively about the Egyptian Christian community, but the lack of serious law enforcement and the unwillingness of local authorities to protect Christians leave them vulnerable to all kinds of attacks. Churches and Christian nongovernmental organizations are restricted in their ability to build new churches or run social services. Home News 'Star Wars' spinoff 'The Acolyte' pushes LGBT ideology: 'Get ready for pronouns in Star Wars' A Star Wars spinoff is receiving negative attention from fans for pushing LGBT ideology in what has become a trend in recent adaptations of legendary franchises. While The Acolyte premiered Tuesday, it has been clear since long before the series officially became available to the subscribers of Disney+ that the program was designed to appeal to a progressive audience. In an X post last year, the Star Wars fan account The Direct announced that THE ACOLYTE has cast Abigail Thorn as Ensign Eurus, making her the first transgender actor to appear in a #StarWars series. Earlier this year, series creator Leslye Headland openly admitted to the goal behind the show in an interview that surfaced on X. When I saw Frozen as a grown-a-- woman, I cried through the entire movie, she recalled. There was just something about the relationship between the sisters, the devillainization of the classic kind of fairytale bad guy, you know, the concept of true love being between two sisters and not a heterosexual relationship ... it just destroyed me completely. 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 At that point, Headland said her desire was to make something like this that is, you know, for lack of a better term, Disney, meaning something that like my parents would have allowed me to see when I was younger as a queer person, that I would have been able to understand a queer person. She asserted that had such a program existed, she would have had a completely different life. I really was inspired by it and I was like God, I would love to make a story like this, she added. When I was developing this original idea to pitch to [production company Lucasfilms] Kathleen [Kennedy], I thought ... you know it cant just be that, you know, when youre pitching 'Star Wars' you have to pull from what you know [Star Wars creator] George [Lucas] was also interested in. Headland saw an opportunity to create her own new characters who lived during a period of time in the Star Wars universe known as the High Republic or the end of High Republic into prequels that preceded the Skywalker saga that is at the center of the Star Wars franchise. In a text message to The New York Times published last week, Headland proclaimed, Anyone who engages in bigotry, racism or hate speech I dont consider a fan. A review of the first few episodes of The Acolyte posted to YouTube Tuesday night warned that the third episode of the series works to completely redefine what The Force is and highlighted how two mothers conceive twins as part of the plot line. The video, posted by the account Geeks + Gamers, featured one fan of the franchise telling the others on the panel to get ready for pronouns in Star Wars. A summary of The Acolyte created by the Internet Movie Database describes the show as a Star Wars series that takes viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era. The Acolyte is not the first example of a new installment of a long-running franchise embracing LGBT ideology. In 2021, DC Comics announced on National Coming Out Day that the life of Jon Kent, the Superman of Earth and son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane would take a bold new direction in a then-unpublished version of the comic book series Superman: Son of Kal-El. The plot twist hyped by the comic book company involved the revelation of the main character as bisexual. Earlier in the year, DC Comics published Batman: Urban Legends # 6, which features Batmans sidekick Robin pursuing a romantic relationship with a male friend. Home News Street preacher shot in Arkansas for allegedly refusing to give up his microphone A beloved street preacher in North Little Rock, Arkansas, shot after he refused to give up his microphone to a young man who tried to take it as he preached on Sunday, is now recovering and offered forgiveness to his attacker. "It doesn't make no difference how bad you've been. This young boy shot me to death, and I'm going out there and I'm going to embrace him and give him $5 if he let me do it and a nice hot meal," Reverend Larry O'neal Walker told THV11 in an interview Tuesday. Police confirmed that Rev. Walker, who has preached at the intersection of JFK Boulevard and McCain Boulevard for nearly 15 years, was shot by Latarryes Bush, 20, of North Little Rock, as he preached to passing motorists on Sunday. Walker calls the intersection the "Red Light Green Light Church." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The preacher said Bush approached him and tried to take his microphone. When he refused, Walker said Bush shot him and seemed almost sorry immediately for what he did. The pastor said he was shot in the abdomen. "He [the suspect] had a look on his face that he was sorry. Like he was sorry, he was embarrassed, he hated that he did that to me?" Walker said of Bush. Police earlier told THV11 that Bush was taken into custody and admitted his involvement in the shooting to detectives at the North Little Rock Justice Center. He is being held at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility without bond on charges of criminal attempt to commit murder, aggravated robbery, first-degree battery, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance schedule VI with purpose to deliver. Reacting to Walker's shooting, Pastor Carlos Wallace of Word of Truth Christian Fellowship in North Little Rock told TVH11 that he was worried about what happened to the preacher because he was attacked for simply doing what God called him to do. "I've never seen him in conflict with anybody; he's just always preaching the Word of God, you know, whether it be cold outside, he would have his white robe on preaching the good news of Jesus Christ and telling people to be saved," Wallace said. "You would never think that someone would take it that far to shoot someone. I think that was the disturbing part when he really didn't bother anybody, you know, all he does is use his megaphone, telling people to get saved and things [of] that nature," he added. Walker appeared unfazed by the shooting, however, telling the news outlet that the altercation was in alignment with his mission to draw people close to God. "That's the main objective all the time. Every day, every night, every minute, every second, the objective is to win a soul for the almighty God," he said. And Walker intends to keep preaching the Gospel. "The almighty said He so loved the world that He gave His son. God almighty gave His Son to die because of people on the planet so that's my that's my main object[ive]," Walker said. Though local police say Walker's shooting is isolated for the area, several pastors in other regions of the country have been shot in various criminal attacks in recent years. R'Shunio Greer, 18, was recently charged with aggravated robbery and theft of property in connection to the February shooting of Pastor Clemmie Livingston Jr. of Zionfield Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Last November, a street preacher in Arizona was mysteriously shot while preaching at a busy intersection before a Wednesday night service. Home News Truck driver thankful after crash sent her dangling off bridge: 'God has me here for a reason' A truck driver is praising God for sparing her life after the tractor-trailer she was driving dangled from a bridge following a multi-car collision. Viral dashcam footage of the accident shows the four-vehicle crash, which took place on March 1 on the Clark Memorial Bridge in Louisville, Kentucky. The incident began when Trevor W. Branham, 33, lost control of his vehicle, crossing into the opposite lanes and initiating a chain-reaction crash. His vehicle collided with another car, which subsequently struck Sydney Thomas' semi-truck, local station WDRB reported. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The impact sent Thomas and the cab of her truck careening off the bridge, dangling over the Ohio River. Trapped inside, the 26-year-old driver remained remarkably uninjured. Reflecting on her ordeal, Thomas shared in an interview with WHAS-TV her belief that divine intervention played a role in her rescue. "Sometimes you pray, and I'm guilty of this: I pray, and I don't think God is listening," she said. "But He was that day." Marc Thomas, Sydney's father, also said he believes in the miraculous nature of her survival. He recounted the moment he saw his daughter's truck hanging off the bridge, realizing the gravity of the situation. "It didn't really hit me until I looked over to my right [while crossing the Kennedy Bridge] and I'd seen that equipment hanging into the air," he told WHAS-TV. "That [rescue] was nothing but God displaying himself to me." As the truck dangled 100 feet above the Ohio River, Thomas said she remained motionless, fearing any movement might cause the vehicle to plunge into the water below. "I sat there and I just started praying," she said. For 40 minutes, firefighters worked tirelessly to reach Thomas. Bryce Carden, a Louisville firefighter, eventually descended from a crane, harnessed, to reach Thomas. In a poignant moment, he asked if he could pray with her, and together they sought divine intervention, she said. "She was praying a lot," Carden told WHAS-TV. "And I prayed with her." Their prayers were answered when Thomas was safely lifted from the truck. Thomas said she has no intention of crossing the Clark Memorial Bridge again but remains deeply thankful for her survival. She vowed to live without fear, embracing her belief that God has a purpose for her. "God has me here for a reason and I have to fulfill my purpose in life," she said. "And I can't let something like that stop me from doing what I'm supposed to do for Him, because He brought me out of it." "He doesn't want me to live in fear the rest of my life," she added. In the aftermath of the crash, Branham was arrested and charged with four counts of wanton endangerment and one count of operating on a suspended license. He is reportedly scheduled to appear in court in June. Home News 'We grieve': UMC responds to 1 million member conference leaving denomination The United Methodist Church Council of Bishops has issued an official response to the news that a regional body with over 1 million members had voted to leave the denomination. The Cote d'Ivoire Conference, based in West Africa, voted last month to leave the UMC over the denomination removing rules that prohibited the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of people in same-sex relationships from its Book of Discipline. UMC Council of Bishops President Tracy Malone said in a statement issued Wednesday that she acknowledged the vote and the bishops were working with the conference as it becomes an autonomous church body. 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 While we grieve Cote d'Ivoire Conferences decision to separate from The United Methodist Church, we commit to work with them through the process of becoming an Autonomous Methodist Church, stated Malone. While we are not all of one mind in all things, the strength of our connection is love, respect, compassion and a shared commitment to faith in Jesus Christ. Malone added that the UMC is a worldwide denomination that shares the same Constitution, Doctrinal Standards, Theological Task, Social Principles and embraces the cultural, contextual and theological differences across the connection. The General Conference decisions that removed the restrictive language in the Book of Discipline related to LGBTQIA persons do not force pastors or churches to act contrary to their conscience and can make decisions in their missional contexts, she continued. The Cote d'Ivoire Conference was one of the largest regional bodies in the UMC, having previously been independent from the mainline Protestant denomination before joining it in 2004. The conferences approved decision states that the UMC has preferred to sacrifice its honorability and integrity to honor the LGBT" and that "the new United Methodist Church is now based on sociocultural and contextual values which have consumed its doctrinal and disciplinary integrity." At the UMC General Conference in late April to early May, delegates voted overwhelmingly to remove from the Book of Discipline a host of rules like the ban on blessing same-sex unions, the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals, and the funding of LGBT advocacy groups. These changes were aided by the departure of approximately 7,500 mostly conservative congregations from the UMC over the past few years due to the ongoing debate over LGBT issues and the refusal of many progressive leaders to enforce the rules. Additionally, delegates at the General Conference voted to approve the departure of the UMC Eurasian Episcopal Area, which has four annual conferences in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. 10 years after Mosul's capture by ISIS, Christians still need support Christians in Mosul are marking 10 years since ISIS seized control of the city and surrounding Nineveh Plains, causing thousands to flee in fear. Over 13,000 Christian families fled to Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region rather than stay and face the brutality of ISIS, says Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil. Mosul was finally liberated in 2017 after a fierce battle which left much of the city in ruins. In the 10 years since ISIS swept in, around 9,000 families have now returned to the Nineveh Plains thanks to international aid that has made the reconstruction of their homes possible, the Archbishop told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). "Churches are being filled again," he said, and "so many children" are preparing for their first Holy Communion. "All those sad and terrifying memories are still there, but at least [the Christian families] could start building and showing that the future is in [their] hands," he said. Despite this progress, "the pressure of being a minority is real" and many Christians have either left Iraq or are planning to leave. The young especially need help to find work. They "ask for jobs, not just to receive donations," he said. "I ask my people just to be patient and persevere," he said, adding that he would like to see the UK government remind Iraqi politicians that they "care about the minorities Christians, Yazidis and the rest". International Christian Concern (ICC) said that there are only around 50 Christian families living in the city of Mosul today. An ICC staffer said that Christians had an important role to play in re-building Mosul. "The city is in great need of Christians to come and help rebuild the city and seek the peace of the broader Nineveh region," they said. "The city is ready for new beginnings, and Christians have an opportunity to do that with a greater sense of freedom and security than has been possible for more than two decades." Islamic State executes three Christians in Nigeria Images are circulating on social media showing the execution of three Christian men in Nigeria. International Christian Concern (ICC) reports that the images were shared by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). ICC said that one photo showed the men kneeling with their arms tied behind their backs in front of machine-gun wielding executioners while another showed them being shot dead. It is believed the men were abducted from a vehicle travelling along a highway in Borno state on 3 June. It is reported that Muslim passengers were allowed to leave. The welfare of a fourth abducted passenger is unknown. The deaths were confirmed by Rev Ibrahim Abako, secretary of the Yobe State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria. "On behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Yobe State chapter, we condemn in totality the killing of three Christian youth along Damaturu-Biu Road Federal Highway," he told the Nigerian news outlet, Leadership Media Group. There has been a spate of Christian killings by ISWAP this year after ISIS issued a call to its affiliates in January to kill Christians "where you find them". That same month, 12 Christians were killed when ISWAP carried out a string of attacks on rural Christian communities. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio -- Hundreds if not thousands of people, wearing green and many carrying toy dinosaurs, lined the funeral procession route Saturday to show their love and support for the family of Julian Wood, the North Olmsted 3-year-old stabbed to death in the citys Giant Eagle parking lot. Many signs for Julian read JuJu, referring to his nickname. Dinosaurs, balloons and a sea of green lined many streets as the procession made its way to Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted, Julians final resting place. The GoFundMe page set up in support of the family had requested, If you would like to show your support we are asking you to participate in what we are calling a Memory Line. Two of JuJus favorite things were the color green and dinosaurs. Please LINE THE STREET ROUTE from St. Charles Borromeo (in Parma) to Sunset Memorial Park (in North Olmsted) on Saturday. The procession stretched for miles, passing one area of Brookpark Road not far from Birch Elementary School where Julian had just completed his first year of preschool. Many people stood silent, some holding green balloons, as they watched the procession pass them. Dinosaurs were a sign of support Saturday as the funeral procession for 3-year-old Julian Wood traveled from Parma to North Olmsted. This display was along Brookpark Road in North Olmsted.Rich Exner, cleveland.com Julian and his mother were stabbed on Monday in what police determined was a random act in the parking lot outside the North Olmsted Giant Eagle store at Lorain and Dover Center roads. Julian died from his injuries. His mother suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Officers quickly arrested Bionca Ellis, who was on the ground, kitchen knife she used nearby. Ellis has since been in the Cuyahoga County Jail on aggravated murder charges. Police have reported that the incident was a random act of violence. Video shows Ellis walking by the Wood and her son in the Giant Eagle and then turning around to follow them to the parking lot, where the stabbing occurred moments later. The GoFundMe page has raised more than $230,000 as of Saturday afternoon. Crowds dressed in green, the favorite color of 3-year-old Julian Wood, lined the funeral procession route here along Brookpark Road in North Olmsted and elsewhere to show support for Wood and his family on Saturday.Rich Exner, cleveland.com Kaylee Remington is the shopping and entertainment commerce reporter and metro reporter for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Read her work online. COLUMBUS, Ohio Republican state lawmakers had the November election and a specific major funder of liberal politics nationwide in mind when they passed a new law earlier this month expanding the states existing ban on political contributions by foreigners. But it remains to be seen whether the law will have its intended effect stopping the liberal dark money group, the Sixteen Thirty Fund, from writing more multi-million dollar checks to state ballot campaigns here or whether it may even have unintended ones, such as broadly discouraging any form of anonymous political spending in Ohio, as is possible under the way the law is written. In many ways, money is like water. It will find its way around any barrier that you erect, said state Rep. Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican who helped write the law. But you can make it more difficult for the water to get around the barrier. And that is probably what we have done. Statehouse Republicans passed the law after suffering a string of rare statewide defeats last year going against ballot campaigns backed by the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which gets funding from a Swiss billionaire who lives in Wyoming. After supporting the successful abortion-rights measure last November, the group is supporting another ballot campaign this year: a state constitutional amendment that would change how Ohio draws state legislative and congressional lines, potentially jeopardizing the grip the GOP has held on the state legislature for more than a decade. In-state and out-of-state groups alike are assessing the new law to see how it applies to them. It wont go into effect for 90 days unless Republicans can scrounge up a few more votes when lawmakers meet this week that are needed to make the bill take effect immediately. Regardless of when the law takes effect, its likely to attract a lawsuit that will seek to block it. Im sure a lot of people are talking with their legal counsels to determine what their best course of action is, said Collin Marozzi, a deputy policy director with the ACLU of Ohio, an organization thats been allied with the Sixteen Thirty Fund on Ohio ballot issues, and which also may end up suing to try to block the law. Are they going to have to completely restructure their organization? Thats a question thats going to be answered on a case-by-case basis. All of this probably means there are ways for current ballot-issue campaigns to circumvent any of the new restrictions before the November election, when voters also could vote on a separate measure that would hike the states minimum wage to $15 an hour. I think the big question will be around implementation, said Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, a liberal organization in Washington, D.C. that helped pass the abortion-rights measure in Ohio last year. What I know about groups in state is that they are very, very committed to making sure that direct democracy and ballot measures are a part of Ohio. What the new law says and why Republicans passed it Existing state law bans foreign nationals from directly or indirectly funding candidate campaigns. The new law expands the ban so it explicitly applies to statewide ballot issues, too. It also expands the states definition of foreign national to include permanent lawful residents, known as green card holders, and not just people who live in other countries. Breaking the current ban is a civil offense that carries a fine. The new law makes it a crime, including a felony for repeat offenders. The new ban also explicitly applies to people who knowingly accept or facilitate political contributions from non-U.S. citizens, and not just the contributors themselves. Republican lawmakers took up the issue after the Sixteen Thirty Fund spent $12 million last year to help pass an abortion rights amendment to the Ohio Constitution and to defeat an August measure from state Republicans that would have blocked it. Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has given $208 million to the group since 2016 via a pair of foundations, according to the Associated Press. The Sixteen Thirty Fund has given another $500,000 to a redistricting reform measure that would replace the Ohio Redistricting Commission, a panel of seven elected officials thats currently controlled by Republicans, with a 15-member citizens panel made up of equal parts Republicans, Democrats and political independents. The Sixteen Thirty Fund did not respond to messages for this story. But in January, the group called an earlier version of the legislation a stunt from conservatives that does not address the real issues plaguing our campaign finance system. Citizens Not Politicians, the group backing the redistricting measure, hasnt said how it thinks the change will affect its work. They would like to talk about anything but the real issue, which is gerrymandering, Maureen OConnor, a Republican former chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court who is a leader with the redistricting campaign, said in a statement. Democrats have said Republicans are changing the rules of the game because they didnt like losing last year, and know they face more ballot issues in the future. If nothing else, the new law gives Republicans a chance to say the redistricting measure which stands a good chance of passing based on how similar proposals have fared in other states is akin to foreign election interference. But GOP lawmakers also say they think it will prevent groups like the Sixteen Thirty Fund from contributing to ballot measures in general. I think all of the campaign-finance laws that we have have a chilling effect on donations, said Senate President Matt Huffman, a Lima Republican. Conservative groups drop concerns When the law was first introduced, an informal coalition of conservative-leaning groups based in Ohio led by the Buckeye Institute, a Columbus-based think tank thats received funding in the past from the Koch Brothers became concerned that it might inadvertently open nonprofits to potential investigation or being forced to reveal their donors. Rob Sexton, a lobbyist for the Buckeye Firearms Association, a leading state gun-rights group, said the initial version of the bill would have required organizations like his to prove they didnt accept any money from non-U.S. citizens. I understand the intent, but I dont know who buys a raffle ticket who might be a dual citizen with Canada, for example, Sexton said. I cant assure that beyond a reasonable doubt, and some of the early discussions revolved around the idea that if you didnt, youd have to talk about your donors which, of course, right-wing or left-wing, nobody in the 501(c)4 world wants to do that. Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right To Life, said his group while it officially remained neutral on the bill also initially expressed similar concerns. We just wanted to make sure that we didnt get caught up in the wash (if) an 85-year-old Polish grandmother donated to us, he said. However, lawmakers changed the bill so that a group would only violate the law if they knowingly accepted a donation from a foreign national. Sexton and Gonidakis, as well as Greg Lawson of the Buckeye Institute, said that addressed their concerns. If the new ban is successfully applied to the Sixteen Thirty Fund, it could have spillover effects for other organizations in Ohio. Thats because the group also funds left-leaning advocacy organizations here, giving $500,000 to five Ohio groups in 2022, the most recent year tax filings are publicly available. That included $22,000 to an affiliate of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, which is helping organize the $15 minimum wage ballot measure, and $100,000 to Red Wine & Blue, a Democratic advocacy group targeted at suburban women. Wyss also gave to the New Venture Fund, according to the Associated Press, which tax filings show gave $2.2 million to Ohio organizations in 2022. Recipients included nonpolitical groups, such as Case Western Reserve University and Ohio State University, as well as politically oriented groups like the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Ohio Voice and the Ohio Environmental Council. Although the Wyss-linked groups are potentially a clearer example, its likely that any nonprofit that dabbles in political advocacy could have non-U.S. citizens among its contributors. Thats because Republicans included green-card holders in the ban, even though federal law permits permanent lawful residents to contribute to political campaigns. That likely means any organization that plans to engage politically in Ohio will need to review their internal processes to make sure they dont run afoul of the law. Other groups with potential concerns include labor unions, which have international affiliates including the Service Employees International Union, a key backer of a potential minimum wage ballot campaign and even the Catholic Church, which through local dioceses spent at least $900,000 trying to defeat the abortion-rights measure here last year. Their chief operating officer is a foreign national, so to speak, said Marozzi, the official with the Ohio ACLU, referencing the Catholic Church. Does that taint off their spending? I dont think they are, but thats something all of us in this political space are trying to think through. A de facto dark money ban? Theres another way through which the new law might have a broad, chilling effect on anonymous political spending. It could cause political nonprofits to consider whether their donor lists, which typically are private under federal tax law, might go public if they spend on political campaigns. In addition, the new law puts Republican Attorney General Dave Yost in charge of enforcing any violations, not the bipartisan Ohio Elections Commission, like under current law. Opponents raised concerns about giving that power to a political office. The law specifically says any voter can file a complaint, and that the attorney generals office must investigate all complaints it receives. A primary way the state could investigate any organizations funding would be to subpoena its list of contributors. Any records the state would obtain eventually would become a public record, available upon request, once the case is closed, regardless of whether an investigation leads to charges, according to Mark Weaver, a lawyer who is an expert in state public records law. Whether a group thats the subject of a complaint ends up seeing their donors go public depends on whether Yosts office takes the step of subpoenaing their records. A spokesperson for Yosts office said it would handle any such decision like any other criminal investigation. Seitz, the Republican lawmaker who helped write the bill, said the attorney generals office still will have to clear legal thresholds needed to obtain a subpoena. Yost could look at the allegation and decide its meritless and not pursue it, Seitz said. Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer CONNEAUT, Ohio - Recovery efforts resumed Saturday for a 10-year-old boy reported missing in Lake Erie. The Coast Guard said it received a report at 1:31 p.m. Friday of a child in the water at Conneaut Township Park. Local police and fire departments, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Coast Guard searched through the evening. Search operations, the Coast Guard said late Friday night, have shifted to recovery and have paused for the evening. Conneaut police said recovery efforts resumed at about 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Boeing 's Starliner is a human-grade space capsule designed to take astronauts to and from the International Space Station. Boeing began work on the capsule in 2014, when it signed a $4.2 billion contract with NASA under the agency's Commercial Crew Program. NASA also selected SpaceX for the job, giving Elon Musk's company $2.6 billion to develop its Crew Dragon capsule. "The entirety of the Commercial Crew Program was very much a new venture," said Caleb Henry, director of research at Quilty Space. "Prior to that, NASA relied on a lot of its own engineering talent to get humans to the space station." Henry said the program allowed NASA to offload "some of those responsibilities to the private sector." "There was some reticence in Congress towards this type of approach," he said. "It was only because Boeing threw its hat in the ring that Congress and by extension, NASA, were confident enough to actually go forward with this program." In the decade since, Boeing has struggled to deliver on the six missions it's contracted to fly with NASA. Of the nearly $5 billion Boeing has received to develop Starliner to date, the company has spent $1.5 billion to cover delay overruns. Boeing recently launched its last test, a milestone crewed mission, which it needs to complete before NASA can certify Starliner to begin operational missions. SpaceX, meanwhile, has completed over a dozen crewed missions to space, launching both NASA astronauts and private citizens since 2020. Watch the video to learn more about the obstacles that Boeing has faced with its Starliner project and what the future may hold for its long-awaited capsule. Cruise operators have been enjoying strong demand since climbing out of the Covid pandemic, which may have some investors wondering if the good times will last. UBS believes they will. For one, the gap between cruise prices and land-based hotel prices is still "meaningfully wider" than it was in 2019, UBS analyst Robin Farley wrote in a note Monday. "While the cruise lines will always have a gap to hotel pricing, because there is no business travel in the cruise sector to support pricing, there is no fundamental reason why that gap should be significantly wider in 2024 than it was in 2019, especially because the growth in US hotel rate has been driven by leisure demand," she said. Through the first quarter of this year, the U.S. hotel rate was up over 20% compared with 2019, Farley noted. While cruise lines have seen strong year-over-year demand, per diems which is how cruises measure the berth pricing per day, including onboard revenue lag that of hotel rates. Royal Caribbean saw a 16% per diem increase in 2023 from 2019, Norwegian Cruise Line was up 6%, Carnival rose 6% and Viking 's per diems gained 17%, she said. Viking just went public on May 1. On top of that, cruises are benefiting from retiring baby boomers who are looking to spend more time traveling and millennials who are starting to hit cruising age, Farley said. The trend began before the pandemic, accelerating ticket prices, and still continues, she added. "Cruise demand is also tied to a broader consumer desire for accumulating experiences rather than objects," Farley wrote. "We believe that same dynamic will continue to benefit cruise demand, as hotels have already seen leisure travel grow past pre-pandemic levels." In fact, the industry is attracting new passengers in addition to benefiting from repeat customers, she said. For instance, Carnival's new-to-cruise passengers jumped more than 20% in the first quarter, he pointed out. "We can see that 2024 is not just benefiting from pent up demand, because that is completely new demand," Farley said. Melius Research is also bullish on the industry's future and believes cruise lines are set for continued margin expansion over the next several years. "Demand for cruise has roared back since early '23 and pricing has followed. There has been concern around the sustainability of the pricing gains, but every quarter demand / pricing accelerates," analyst Conor Cunningham wrote in a note May 28. "Cruise lines are now just catching hotels on price growth vs. '19 and have further upside as they look to close the gap to land-based vacations (historically 15% discount vs. 30% today)." Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley's channel checks show bookings continue to normalize partly due to low remaining inventory and "belt tightening" by consumers. However, cruise pricing is holding up, analyst Jamie Rollo said in a note Friday. The firm met with management of Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian recently and the feedback was "positive across the board," he said. Who will benefit Royal Caribbean is the top pick of UBS' Farley, who has a buy rating on the stock. Her $168 price target on the stock suggests about 9% upside from Friday's close. "RCL's Wave season has been the strongest on company record from a volume and price perspective," she wrote. "RCL is in a record booked position with 2024 rates further ahead of 2023 than they were at the start of the year." In April, the cruise operator posted an earnings beat for its first quarter and raised its full-year earnings-per-share guidance. "The consumer is doing exceptionally well. Demand is very strong, and it's accelerating," CEO Jason Liberty told CNBC in April after the earnings report. The company's management told Morgan Stanley during their recent meeting that the strong demand is driven by structural growth in travel, as well as spending from its higher-income passengers and the cruise's value gap to land, which is at about 25% to 30% compared with the 15% gap pre-Covid. "Demographics are encouraging, with half of the company's guests now millennials, its new-to-cruise share ahead of pre-Covid levels, and repeat rebooking rates twice what they were in the past," Rollo wrote. "The growth of its private island destination capacity and technology improvements look set to add incremental benefits over multiple years, which the company sees as structural advantages." Rollo has an equal-weight rating on the stock, although it is his relative preference in the industry. Meanwhile, Farley also has a buy rating on Carnival. Her $21 price target implies about 26% upside from Friday's close. She believes the stock will benefit from Celebration Cay, a private island that is set to open in summer 2025. The cruise line's management told Morgan Stanley it sees ongoing demand from the 20% to 45% value gap versus land-based vacations. Its private islands currently receive as many guests as all of its competitors combined and it expects another 4 million when Celebration Cay becomes fully operational, said Rollo, who is underweight Carnival. "CCL's brands are seeing customers travel less frequently, but spending more when they do (for example, taking one cruise and travelling in a suite, rather than two trips in balcony cabins)," he wrote. Another name on Farley's buy list is Viking. She believes it should benefit from travel demand from the higher-end consumer. Her price target of $35 suggests 11% upside from Friday's close. Lastly, Farley is neutral on Norwegian. She expects the cruise line should benefit from a strong demand environment but said it still has balance sheet and execution challenges. Earlier this month, the cruise operator lifted its full-year earnings forecast, citing strong demand and an improved outlook for the year. In the meeting with Morgan Stanley, executives expressed confidence that Norwegian can achieve $300 million in savings. People wait in in a queue to enter CityMD, a health clinic that offers coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing, on the Upper West Side as the Omicron coronavirus variant continues to spread in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., December 19, 2021. Walgreens -backed CityMD will pay $12.04 million to settle Covid fraud allegations brought by the Department of Justice, the department announced on Friday. From February 2020 to April 2022, CityMD, which operates over 100 walk-in urgent care practices in New York and New Jersey, allegedly obtained fraudulent government reimbursements for Covid tests by submitting false claims to a Covid program specifically designated for uninsured patients, even when their patients had health insurance. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey brought the allegations under the False Claims Act, a law that incentivizes whistleblowers to file lawsuits related to potential fraud by providing them a portion of the government's winnings in successful cases. "Uninsured Americans who were at risk from COVID-19 were covered by emergency funding programs that made available to them the testing, vaccines and treatments that they needed," U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said in a Friday statement. "The alleged misuse of these funds is something we cannot and will not tolerate." Stephen Kitzinger, a CityMD patient, initially alleged the fraud in 2020. As a reward for bringing the case to the government's attention, Kitzinger will receive over $2 million of the settlement. "There was no reason to bill the government's uninsured program for people like me, who are fully insured," Kitzinger said in a Friday press release. "It angered me and clearly demonstrated what is wrong with the for-profit healthcare system." CityMD cooperated with the government's investigation and hired a third-party firm to help the government determine how much was lost in connection as a result of the alleged fraud, according to the DOJ. CityMD said it denies the allegations but has decided to settle in order to to avoid the costs of dragged-out litigation. "The recent settlement is neither a finding of liability nor an admission of wrongdoing, and CityMD denies the allegations. However, we settled this matter to avoid the cost and burden of prolonged litigation," a CityMD spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC on Saturday. "CityMD is proud of the health care services we provided to patients throughout the pandemic." Noa Argamani, who was kidnapped in the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and is one of four hostages who has been rescued by Israeli forces alive, is pictured in this undated handout photo. Courtesy Of Bring Them Home Now | Via Reuters A man holds an Israeli flag as people gather inside Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre where four Israeli hostages were transfered there after their rescue from captivity in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 attacks, in Ramat Gan on June 8, 2024 amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Jack Guez | Afp | Getty Images A video circulating on social media showed Argamani as she reunited with her father. She also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone conversation following her rescue. "I'm very excited," she said. "I haven't spoken Hebrew in such a long time." Yan Gorjaltsan, a friend of Argamani's from their hometown of Be'er Sheva told NBC News he and a group of friends were on their way to Tel Aviv to see her. "This is the happiest days of our lives," he said. "You can't believe how we're feeling." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre, in Ramat Gan on June 8, 2024 amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Jack Guez | Afp | Getty Images The rescue came as pressure was building for Netanyahu to strike a deal for the release of the hostages, with thousands of people protesting regularly in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, which advocates for the release of the hostages, called the rescue a "miraculous" triumph, adding that the government should "bring back all 120 hostages still held by Hamas," and called on Hamas to accept the cease-fire deal proposed by President Joe Biden. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called the rescue "A great light in a terrible darkness" and welcomed the hostages back. 08 June 2024, Israel, Ramat Gan: Andrey Kozlov (2nd L), 27, and Almog Meir (C), 21, two of the four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrive by a helicopter at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. Ilia Yefimovich | Picture Alliance | Getty Images Argamani, a data science engineering student, was captured screaming as she was carried away on the back of a motorcycle, in a roughly 10-second clip that became a symbol of Israel's hostage crisis. For her loved ones, efforts to free her felt like a race against time, as her mother, Liora, has terminal brain cancer. Argamani turned 26 while in captivity. Her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, is believed to remain in Gaza. Almog Meir Jan was released from military service months before the attack, according to the Times of Israel. He tried to flee the festival with a friend, but only made it a short distance before he was captured. Shlomi Ziv was working as a security guard at Nova and had called his sisters while attempting to flee. Andrey Kozlov recently moved to Israel from Russia, and had also been working as a security guard at the festival. Israeli hostage Andrei Kozlov, 27, disembarks with soldiers from an air force CH-53 Sea Stallion military helicopter which landed in the grounds of the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre, after his rescue by the Israeli army from captivity in the Gaza Strip, in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv on June 8, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Gideon Markowicz | Afp | Getty Images As youve probably heard, Pat Sajak is leaving TVs Wheel of Fortune this week after more than 40 years of hosting the show/randomly being a dick to contestants for no reason. While Sajak is going on to bigger and better things (and by that, we mean a community theater production of a Columbo play), he leaves behind a legacy that doesnt just include Wheel of Fortune, but also a short-lived late-night talk show: the aptly-titled The Pat Sajak Show. Don't Miss Back in 1989, years before David Letterman joined the network, CBS decided to take on The Tonight Show, following rumors that Johnny Carson was about to retire. So they approached Sajak to host a competing late-night show, which even he admitted was just a clone of The Tonight Show. Sajaks very first guest, Chevy Chase, mocked the conspicuous similarities between the two shows, referring to Sajaks sidekick as Ed. Carson didnt leave The Tonight Show until 1992, and Sajaks upstart alternative only lasted for about 18 months. But in that short window, The Pat Sajak Show still managed to give us one of the most truly bonkers moments in late-night TV history. Advertisement Shortly after a strong debut, The Pat Sajak Show struggled in the ratings, despite promos marketing it to couples as an alternative to joyless sex. So CBS changed up the format, scrapping the opening monologue and bringing in guest hosts every Friday. As Sajak later claimed, CBS actually auditioned replacements for me on the air. One of those potential replacements was noted laugh riot Rush Limbaugh. The late right-wing radio host took the reins of The Pat Sajak Show on March 30, 1990. And it did not go well. Advertisement The racist, sexist, homophobic blowhard promised the network that he would stay away from controversy while hosting. But during the show, after bragging that he was easily able to relate to the masses, he waded out into the studio audience with a microphone. Advertisement This segment came immediately after Limbaugh bemoaned that the Governor of Idaho had vetoed a bill that would have ushered in the most restrictive state abortion law in the nation, following threats of a national boycott of Idaho potatoes. The first woman Limbaugh spoke to got right in his face, stating, Womens lives are more important than any potatoes, you understand that? When he asked her why she was so mad, she responded, Women are dying every day all over the world because of people like you. Advertisement Limbaugh tried to silence her, claiming that she wasnt being proper, so other audience members began shouting. You should be ashamed of yourself, one person yelled. Its all over for you, Rush! another chimed in. Youve got blood on your hands, an unseen audience member called out. And just think for a moment how wild it must have been to tune into The Pat Sajak Show, arguably the most milquetoast late-night comedy show in TV history, and hear someone passionately screaming, Youve got blood on your hands! Keep in mind, this was shortly after Limbaugh stated that AIDS was a modern day plague on homosexuals. At one point, someone shouted, Youre a Nazi! while someone else bellowed, If CBS wants to make money off of you, well boycott them as well. In retrospect, its kind of amazing that all of this made it to the air. Even when Limbaugh retreated to his desk, the audience continued to heckle him, leading to chants of Bring Pat Sajak back and We want Pat. Advertisement Play Toward the end of the taping, security got nervous and removed the entire audience, forcing Limbaugh to sign off in an empty soundstage. The debacle totally torpedoed his chances of landing his own show at CBS. Advertisement Limbaugh later alleged, during an interview with Sajak on CNN, that the producers purposefully filled the audience with people who hated him. (The) studio audience was entirely stacked against me, Limbaugh claimed. I dont know if it was done on purpose, with the intent to sabotage my effort, or if it was done on purpose as a result of a misunderstanding during production meetings. He also complained that one woman actually hit me, presumably referring to the moment where the first speaker lightly touched him on the shoulder. All of which is to say, replacing Pat Sajak is a cursed gig, and Ryan Seacrest should be nervous as hell. You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this). Michael Richards is currently making the media rounds to promote his new memoir, which has led to a lot of discussion of his notorious 2006 racist outburst. Hardly any interviewers have asked about UHF, or his work on Fridays. While appearing on The View earlier this week, Richards explained that the horrific Laugh Factory meltdown was due to the fact that hes not a normal man. He also stated, I went into character. And I work in a comedy club environment where the N-word is used a lot, and I decided I would let it loose. Don't Miss After Joy Behar took issue with that particular claim, Richards went on to lay part of the blame on his Italian heritage? As some have noted, it didnt exactly seem like a sincere apology. Still, Richards attempt at a redemption tour is clearly winning back some fans. After all, he has been largely out of the public spotlight for the past 16 years, but is now being warmly welcomed onto talk shows to hype his book. And some fans have even come around to the concept of forgiving Richards that is, until his latest promotional stop: Fox News Jesse Watters Primetime. While appearing on the show, Richards had some truly bizarre exchanges with Tucker Carlsons replacement. After Richards confessed that he never actually watched all of Seinfeld until recently with his son, Watters mused, I dont watch myself either afterwards. Im too critical; Im too much of a craftsman. Maybe one day when my careers over, Ill watch every single Jesse Watters Primetime episode with my son and just be inspired by the brilliance like you were. Advertisement Instead of throwing up in his mouth a little bit, which would have been the appropriate response, Richards replied, Yeah, Jesse. You will be. Im sure you will be. Advertisement Going on Fox News to publicly compliment Watters arguably shows that Richards hasnt really evolved in the way that he wants us to think he has, considering that the network has a long history of peddling racist propaganda. I mean, this is the channel that gleefully aired a hate crime on live TV just a few months ago. Advertisement Richards is supposedly trying to make amends for an incident in which he repeatedly screamed racial epithets at Black people by cozying up to a guy with a long history of racist statements? Remember when Watters suggested that absent fathers and education issues were a bigger threat to Black Americans than white supremacy? Or how about his wildly offensive 2016 Chinatown segment for The OReilly Factor? Watters later expressed regret over the piece, but not enough to ask Fox News take it off of YouTube, I guess. Advertisement Advertisement And thats just the tip of an iceberg made of Rockstar Energy cans and soiled copies of Maxim. Whether its attacking trans children or raging against migrants, Watters has made bigotry his brand. By appearing on his show, Richards has just invalidated all of his previous apologies confusing pseudo-apologies. Advertisement Man, this press tour is even worse than the one for Kramers coffee-table book. You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this). Zambia holds Chinese language competition Xinhua) 13:19, June 08, 2024 LUSAKA, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Zambia on Friday held the "Chinese Bridge" competition for foreign college and secondary school students, where participants showcased their proficiency in the Chinese language and culture. Co-hosted by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) and the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, and organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia, the event featured two categories: the 23rd "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign college students, with seven university participants, and the 17th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign secondary school students, with nine participants. Students demonstrated their language skills and cultural understanding through a variety of performances, including answering questions from a panel of judges and performing dances or songs in Chinese. The event was attended by officials from the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, led by Charge d'Affaires Wang Sheng, and officials from the University of Zambia, led by Vice Chancellor Mundia Muya, as well as representatives from the Confucius Institute, Chinese language teachers and students. In his remarks, Wang emphasized the competition's role in fostering cultural exchange and mutual learning, saying that the event offers students an opportunity to showcase their language proficiency and personal talents. He said that China has provided significant opportunities for young people in both countries, encouraging Zambian students to continue learning the Chinese language. Wang expressed satisfaction with the growing interest in Chinese language studies in Zambia, with over 10,000 people having learned the language at the Confucius Institute. Muya celebrated the timing of the competition, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Zambia and China and the 20th anniversary of the Confucius Institute's establishment, and commended the dedication of the teachers and encouraged students to view learning Chinese as a gateway to technological and economic progress. Natasha Mfula, the university competition winner, expressed her excitement about winning and her motivation to continue studying Chinese, especially as she prepares for the finals in China. As a first-year student at the Confucius Institute of the University of Zambia, Mfula began her Chinese studies in 2019 while in high school. Cecilia Mwewa, the secondary school category winner, also shared her happiness at winning. As a student at Crescent Crane Academy, she developed an interest in Chinese language and culture during her eight years in China, where her father worked at the Zambian embassy. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie) If Gov. Kathy Hochul signs the bill into law it would require property owners to register their short-term rental with the Department of State every two years and there will be a fee associated with registering rentals. It is unclear what the fee will be at this time. 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. Ian, who runs the local butcher's shop, is not without compassion. 'I've got no problem with people who want to come here and work,' he tells me, 'and people who really need our help, then we help them, no question.' But his empathy only stretches so far. 'The issue I have is these guys who are turning up, and they have their 100 mobiles, their 200 tracksuits. You look at the boats, it's all men. If there's danger [in their home country], they should be staying and fighting to protect their families.' Does he have a preferred solution, I ask. 'I think we should send the Navy out.' I've arrived in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, the former Nottinghamshire pit town, three days after Nigel Farage's dramatic announcement that he's returning as leader of Reform UK, and standing for Parliament, in what he claims has become 'the immigration election'. According to the polls, this is just Farage's normal bombast, with the NHS, cost-of-living and the wider economy easily topping voters' concerns. Then I get talking to Julie, a retired machinist. A group of migrants are pictured approaching Calais after making the perilous journey by boat as police officers watch on Britain's political class doesn't want to hear it. But Farage is right. A broken promise to 'take back control' of migration, writes Dan Hodges 'I don't mind if people are here to work,' she insists, 'but all these men in dinghies? We don't need them. But we're paying for them.' We're speaking outside a cafe on the sparsely populated main shopping arcade. She gestures around. 'There's no money for the English, though. Look here. It's empty. Send them back.' Her friend Sandra, a printer, nods. 'We're right, aren't we? You must agree?' she says, almost imploringly. Ashfield has some of the hallmarks of post-industrial Red Wall Britain, with its share of Turkish barbers, nail bars and vaping shops. But it's not an area scarred with obvious depravation. Driving into town along Victoria Road, some of the spacious, detached homes wouldn't be out of place in the southern stockbroker belt. Yet beneath the surface, something is stirring. In the hardware store, I meet Cath. Neatly dressed and softly spoken, she tells me she isn't really into politics. 'I'd normally vote Tory, but not this time. I've got some issues with the Government.' Anything in particular, I enquire. She smiles apologetically. 'Immigration. It's a big problem round here. A lot of families used to go to Skegness for their holidays or the weekend. It's only a couple of hours' drive. But then they started housing the asylum seekers there. A lot of young men just hanging around. My customers have told me they're too scared to go any more.' I've covered a lot of political campaigns, and immigration has frequently been raised. But in the past, people did so a little reluctantly. They would glance over their shoulder and lower their voices for fear of being branded racist. Not any more. In the Nag's Head, Ralph, a former miner, is struggling to fully articulate his frustration. 'I'm sorry, I'm not getting the words right,' he tells me. 'But you have to understand why people are angry. We were told they'd stop the boats, but they haven't.' Clive, a construction worker and old schoolmate of Ralph's, is drinking separately from him. 'The politicians are useless,' he says. 'They've lost control. I was listening on the radio. Starmer and Khan were just shouting at each other, calling each other liars over tax. How's that going to solve anything?' He has inadvertently confused London mayor Sadiq Khan with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Clive's friend Peter concurs. 'Look, let's be honest. We all know there's no chance of this Government doing anything on immigration. We've got a Prime Minister who's Asian. He isn't British.' In fact, Sunak was born in Southampton. Many people will find such views shocking. But they are not being expressed in isolation. Every election has a drumbeat. Last week, I was out with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in his leafy Surrey constituency. And the same sound is reverberating. From quaint village halls to grimy working men's pubs. The boats. The boats. The boats Lee Anderson hears it too. When the election was called, the ex-pit deputy was Reform's sole MP, following his resignation from the Tory Party after claiming Sadiq Khan was being manipulated by 'Islamists'. And one of the reasons for that defection was, he claims, because of the Tories and other established parties' failure to recognise his constituents' immigration concerns. 'The problem is people in Westminster don't come to places like this. I live here. They just think we're a bunch of thick, racist bigots who can hardly string a sentence together, drink bitter, race whippets and have got pigeons in 'us loft,' he says. I'm out with him as he's leafletting on the Mill Lane estate. His mother and father still live here, and he used to watch the men walking up the dirt path to the nearby colliery from his bedroom. The residents of the neat new builds come out and greet him warmly. 'Yep, I'll be voting for you, duck,' says one. I explain to Anderson what I've been hearing around the town. I know his robust views on migration, but is he entirely happy with some of the rhetoric? 'Parliament has let that happen,' he insists. 'We've got to a situation now where people are that p****d off that they're not being listened to, they're using language they wouldn't normally use. They're angry. They're frustrated.' Not that he's averse to some blunt speaking himself. 'A lot of the people you've been talking to round here are struggling to pay their rent and their mortgage. They're having to watch every single penny. Then they switch their TV on at night and they watch 500 illegals coming over, stopping in a four-star hotel. And then these f***s are moaning in these army camps about their conditions.' Britain's political class doesn't want to hear it. But Farage is right. A broken promise to 'take back control' of migration. An undelivered Government pledge to 'stop the boats'. A Government in waiting without a coherent plan to do either. This is the backdrop to what has indeed become The Immigration Election. As I'm driving back to London, Anderson calls. The story of Sunak's D-Day snub is dominating the airwaves. 'Some people don't realise how important this day is,' he says. 'I have grandparents who served. Rishi doesn't. He doesn't have that link.' The drumbeat is getting louder. And if Sunak and Starmer don't respond, on polling day, it will deafen them. Labour have a murky record of post-election bombshells which are not mentioned in any manifesto. They made ferocious efforts to keep secret the plan to raid private pensions, a devastating move which would have cost them many votes in 1997 had it become public. So it is no surprise to find that Sir Keir Starmer's party is covertly working to reverse Brexit, as revealed in The Mail on Sunday today. The disclosure comes thanks to Fiona Urquhart, chair of Labour International, the group tasked with rallying expatriate British citizens to vote for Labour in next month's Election. Perhaps thinking nobody in Britain would notice, she told a Majorca newspaper that Labour is now planning to re-establish free movement for Britons in the EU. Free movement for UK citizens will, of course, not be granted by the EU unless it gets free movement for EU citizens in return. This would leave a giant hole in the fabric of Brexit. Keir Starmer pictured with supporters at Worcester City FC in Worcester on May 29 It is quite reasonable to suggest that this is evidence of plans for a stealthy, piecemeal unofficial return of Britain to the Brussels fold. The revelation will damage Labour's Election chances, which is why the plan has never been openly acknowledged. This is part of a pattern. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has a striking record of wild flip-flopping and zig-zagging on controversial policies, so making it impossible to pin his real opinions down. He has publicly held directly opposite positions on major issues. In his days as a loyal lieutenant of Jeremy Corbyn (whom he has since driven from the party), he was once all in favour of a second referendum on UK membership of the EU. But now he insists he is against it. He said he was for free movement in January 2020 but then pronounced himself against it in November 2022. The late Tony Benn once said there were two kinds of politicians the signposts, who held to their aims and never shifted, and the weathercocks who swung with the prevailing wind. Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair pictured in 1977 Sir Keir seems to be more of a whirligig, whizzing this way and that so bewilderingly that he is never in one place for long. In which case, can the electorate trust either his positive promises, that he will do some things, or his negative ones, that he will not do them? The free movement revelation is a warning that voters still have very little idea of what they will actually get if they put Sir Keir into Downing Street. A similar cloudy veil hangs over the vital issue of tax. Someone is going to have to meet the bill for what will undoubtedly be a higher-spending government than we have now. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves is not going to find the necessary money behind her sofa cushions, or from VAT on private schools. It is time for some real old-fashioned rough and tumble in this campaign, in which these and other issues are publicly pursued until we get the truth. A woman whose mother married a fundamentalist Muslim when she was just six years old has candidly revealed how her childhood was destroyed by the heinous sexual abuse she endured at his hands - all while her mom turned a blind eye. When she was 13, Yasmine Mohammed told Canadian authorities that she was being abused by her fundamentalist Muslim stepfather - only to be told that how he chose to punish her was his decision to make. 'That's your culture, that's how your family chooses to discipline you,' Yasmine said the judge told her some time after a teacher had discovered visible welts across her arms, instigating an investigation. 'So had I been in court, sitting there, blond-haired, blue-eyed girl with family from like you know Denmark or Sweden or something, then he would have protected me. But because my family came from Egypt, it's like, "Well, that's your culture. That's just how they are,"' Yasmine explained on the podcast Cults To Consciousness. Up until age six, Yasmine had had a relatively fun and peaceful childhood growing up in Vancouver despite her biological father leaving her mother when she was just two. Yasmine Mohammed went on podcast Cults To Consciousness to discuss her fundamentalist Islamic upbringing, which culminated with her marriage to an Al Qaeda operative at age 20 Yasmine eventually left her marriage, and her religion - but is still scarred from her early experiences Yasmine's mother, pictured center, grew depressed after Yasmine's biological father left - and eventually turned to a local mosque for a sense of community But she'd been able to play with the neighbor's kids and mess around at the pool at their apartment complex, and was looking forward to getting her own two-wheel bike. That is, until her mother, severely depressed after Yasmine's father took off, joined a local mosque. Yasmine's mother was born to an elite political family in Egypt, and enjoyed a lavish upbringing. Her family had been Muslim, but didn't rigorously follow the religion's every rule. In adulthood, newly single and feeling lost, her mother turned to the mosque for a sense of community and stability. It was there that she would meet her second husband - and become his second simultaneous wife. For a then six-year-old Yasmine, 'everything changed' practically overnight as her stepfather forced her mom, her two siblings and her to adhere to fundamentalist Islamic principles, which included eliminating everything 'haram' - i.e., sinful. Any 'non-Muslim' friends of Yasmine's were now off-limits, including her down-the-hall neighbors, with whom she used to play Barbies with everyday after school. 'Now, it's like, you cannot see your best friends anymore,' she said. Also banned: bicycles, birthday parties, swimming and music. 'Everything. Haram, haram, haram,' Yasmine said. 'You're not allowed to have anything of these fun things that you had in your life before. I hated everything about him.' Any transgressions would warrant violent beating at her stepdad's hands. 'I was so incensed about that. So infuriated. Because I felt like I had all these things on the horizon. 'I was just about to ride a two-wheeler; I was going to go to a sleepover. I didn't get to go to a sleepover yet, I didn't get to do this, I didn't get to do that. All of these things that I watched my sister do, and that I was hoping that I was going to get to do, and then he came along and he was like, "None of these things are going to happen,"' she said. Yasmine also described how he took away her mom's records. Yasmine, pictured at left with her two older siblings, had a relatively normal childhood up until she turned six Beginning at age nine, Yasmine was forced to wear the hijab in public. While she was forbidden to have non-Muslim friends, she made them at school anyway 'My mom had always been a fan of country music. We always had like Dolly Parton or Hank Williams or Kenny Rogers playing in the house. He came, grabbed her records, started breaking them. Sat us down on the carpet in front of him. And my mom stood right next to him, handed shards of records to us, and said, "Break these because this is from the devil,"' she recalled. From there on out, Yasmine's childhood became one of regular beatings and, eventually, sexual abuse at the hands of her mom's new husband. The family had to start praying five times daily - 'and if you miss a prayer, you're going to get beaten,' she said. To top it all off, he moved the family into the basement of his house and started going to Islamic schools. 'It just kept getting worse, and worse, and worse, and worse. So... that was my childhood,' Yasmine said. Behind the scenes, her stepfather was physically and sexually abusive. In her book, Unveiled: How Western Liberals Empower Radical Islam, Yasmine described how her own mother would brush off her accounts of how he'd sexually abuse her. As for physical abuse, in one of the more egregious incidences, Yasmine was once hung upside down on a hook his garage, and beaten by him until she lost consciousness, all because she'd written her named in the Westernized spelling of 'Jasmine.' If you missed a prayer, you were going to get beaten... it just kept getting worse, and worse, and worse, and worse At age nine, she was forced to start wearing the hijab, leaving only her hands and face exposed. She found similarly dissatisfied girls when she began attending an all-Muslim school, with her peers, for a brief time, becoming a respite from her family life. By the time Yasmine was 18, her mom was pressuring her to marry her cousin in Egypt. Shortly after Yasmine completed high school, she, her mom and siblings went on a vacation to visit family in Egypt. To Yasmine's horror, her mom ended up leaving her behind in the country for a whole two years, 'hoping that I would give up on this idea of being a full independent human being and that I would just give in,' she explained. But it didn't work. Instead, Yasmine thrived on her own, before managing to talk her mom into buying her a ticket back to Vancouver. 'She tried everything to try and control me. And I just kept on being annoyingly critical,' she said. Still, back in Vancouver. the pressure was on Yasmine to marry a devout Muslim man. When the ultra-orthodox Essam Marzouk came into the picture, Yasmine's mother was smitten. Yasmine wasn't exactly aware of his extremist affiliations, but she'd ascertained that her mother was. 'To her, a member of Al-Qaeda was like the ultimate purist example of a Muslim man. Because he wasn't just like talking the talk, like the Muslim Brotherhood, or any of the other Islamists. He was walking the walk. Like he was in Afghanistan with Bin Laden, do you know what I mean? Like he was actually involved in terrorism. 'So she thought, "Wow, what a wonderful human being,"' Yasmine said. 'And also, she thought, "Finally someone who is strong enough to control her."' In order to push her daughter into the arrangement, Yasmine's mother invoked an religious rule that decrees access to heaven is only possible with one's mother's permission. 'If your mother does not agree for you to go to heaven, you will never even smell a whiff of the air of Heaven,' Yasmine paraphrased. 'When I say she forced me, that was one of the coercive methods that she used: was telling me that I would never go to heaven. And obviously that means I'm going to burn in hell. Because there's no purgatory in Islam, it's one or the other.' Yasmine added that her mom had 'hated' her since the incident from when she was 13 that resulted in the authorities scrutinizing the family, investigating her allegations of abuse at the hands of her stepfather. At the time, Yasmine had been ecstatic at the possibility of getting into foster care, but saw her hopes crushed when the judge deemed her abuse a matter of her family's cultural norms. 'She felt like I had shamed her when I did that. It was just like this constant, you know your mom doesn't love you. And so you're trying to do anything you possibly can to get her to finally love you back,' she said. Yasmine's mother insisted that she marry the ultra-fundamentalist Essam Marzouk, who turned out to be affiliated with Al Qaeda Essam, who would wind up in an Egyptian prison by the end of the 1990s, would regularly beat Yasmine during their brief marriage In the bigger pictured, being a devout Muslim, Yasmine described, meant living in 'panic mode.' 'I was controlled by fear. I was afraid of Allah, I was afraid of displeasing him, and doing the wrong thing, and ending up in hell. That's what it comes down to.' The image often invoked is a Muslim walking on a tight rope, 'and below the tight rope are the fires of hell.' 'And so as a Muslim you are genuinely walking so carefully, one foot in front of the other, trying your best not to misstep or you will fall down to the depths of hell. So that's the visualization that they show you,' she explained. It was in this mindset of fear, she continued, that led her to finally agreed to the marriage. 'I cried, I begged, I pleaded: "Please don't make me marry this man." I felt something so sinister about him, there was something so dark about him. His energy. I didn't like him. I certainly didn't want to be married to this person. My voice was not relevant in the conversation.' In an Islamic marriage, she didn't even have to be present to say 'I do,' she went on. The marriage was made official in a mosque, with the man and Yasmine's guardian present in front of the Iman - but not her. 'That's how irrelevant my voice is to the conversation,' she emphasized. She was hopeful that 'all this fear, and all this panic, and all this anxiety that I've had all these years, maybe it's because I've been fighting against all of these edicts that have been forced upon me since I was six years old.' 'Maybe if I just let go and I just do everything that is demanded of me, and follow his religion to the end, and listen to everything that my mom demands of me, maybe then I'll find peace,' she recalled reasoning at the time. In her book, Yasmine described bursting into tears at her own wedding ceremony, only to watch all the guests turn their backs on her. At the time, she'd believed Essam was just five years older than her; years later, she learned he was in fact 34 to her then 20 years old. In any case, Yasmine's unsettling gut instinct about her husband turned out to be right on the money. The first week of her marriage, she'd been walking through her 17th-floor apartment with the curtains open, sans a hair covering. 'He started calling me "whore" for walking around the house without covering my hair, and saying "Everybody can see you." 'And so, I talked back. I said, "Who's everybody? People in helicopters? Seagulls? Who are you afraid of?" 'So that was the first time that he beat me up.' Her mother's answer after Yasmine told her what had happened: 'Are you stupid? Do you not know your religion?' Her mom then defended her new husband's actions by citing a Qu'ran passage commonly interpreted as instructing men to beat their wives in response to 'disobedience' or 'arrogance.' '"You are his property. You were being arrogant when you talked back to him. He had every right to beat you up,"' Yasmine said her mom told her. Yasmine's mother also lamented the embarrassing optics of a divorce so soon into the marriage. Her fear: that '"everybody"' would believe the divorced happened because Yasmine hadn't been a virgin, and '"and that's just going to dishonor me too much,"' Yasmine recounted her mom arguing. After re-converting to Islam, her mom had become a teacher of Arab and Islamic studies, thus putting the stakes of her reputation on her children's' continued obedience within the religion. 'You can't say no to him,' her mom reminded her of her role as a wife: namely, as a 'thing that he owns.' 'So basically, she's telling me, "You have to allow this man to beat you, and you have to allow this man to rape you,"' Yasmine summarized of the conversation with her mother about her still week-old, but already physically abusive, marriage to the Al Qaeda member. As for the local authorities in Vancouver, Yasmine already had good reason not to trust given her experience in the Canadian court system at age 13. As a young adult in an arranged, abusive marriage, she was barely allowed outside her home, and forced to wear the full-coverage niqab when she was. Essam would also regularly beat her over minor things, such as his meals being prepared incorrectly. Falling pregnant, Yasmine was only taken to see female doctors. Eventually, she welcomed a daughter of her own with her Al Qaeda husband. 'I was overcome with love for my little baby, but in almost equal amount I was overcome with this heavy sense of responsibility,' Yasmine wrote in her book. To her horror, with her daughter barely out of diapers, Yasmine's mom and the husband already were discussing taking her to Egypt to undergo female genital mutilation. 'In my head, I was like, "I need to get my daughter out of this house before that can happen." I thought that was my timeline to save my daughter,' Yasmine said. She ultimately spent five years in the marriage before getting away, which, a friend later pointed out, was 'really quickly' in the 'grand scheme of things.' 'The catalyst was wanting to get my daughter out of that house, and hoping that she might know freedom, hoping that she wouldn't have the same childhood that I had, or even worse,' Yasmine said. As she pursued a higher education after divorcing Essam, Yasmine began to wear the hijab less and less, shedding it, for instance, during nights out with her friends 'Long story short, I get away from him first, and then I get away from my mom.' In her book, she described sneaking out of the house around 1998 while he was away to file for a legal divorce, which she did, successfully. He would not grant her a religious divorce, however. Under Islam, a divorce can only be initiated by the man, who must say 'I divorce you' to his wife three times. He refused to do this, and reminded her that, after death, he would force her to remain by his side in heaven for eternity. Essam was ultimately arrested in 1999 by authorities and deported to Egypt, where he was tortured and eventually sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. It's unclear what has since become of him. Yasmine, meanwhile, was still tethered to her mother thanks to financial constraints, but was hopeful as she pursed a higher education. At one point, she enrolled in a History of Religions course, which, she admitted, shook up her whole world view as never before. 'In that course, I was able to critically examine Islam for the first time in my life,' she said. 'Everything I knew about everything slowly unraveled. I had never looked at Islam from an objective perspective before. I could now see the absurdities in it just as clearly as I could see the absurdities in other religions,' Yasmine reflected in her book. She began to wear the hijab less and less, including on nightlife outings with her friends. As she was attending college, 9/11 happened, and she was outed in the media as the ex-wife of Essam. By the end of the year, disgusted at seeing the 'jubilation at was happening in the Islamic community and within my family over 9/11,' Yasmine decided that she was done with the religion for good - for her daughter's sake, as well. In her words, she became 'determined that my daughter was never going to be part of a group that took joy in the lives of innocent people being exterminated.' From there, she went about extricating herself from the religion, despite it being her entire identity, she described. 'There's not just all the emotional and psychological layers, but there was like physical layers,' Yasmine said, further referring to how she'd grown accustomed to wearing head-to-toe coverings. One day, she wrote in her book, she showed up to her mother's place to take her to a doctor's appointment - having made the conscious choice to not wear her hijab. Her mother hurled abuse at her, but Yasmine stayed strong. Eventually, the two all but completely cut contact with one another. Around 2007, Yasmine would finally tie the knot with the love of her life Yasmine would go on to remarry around 2007 as well, to a man she truly loved. Still, she admits, giving up a set of strict rules dictating how life should be lived was daunting. 'It takes a lot of courage to say, "I don't know,"' Yasmine admitted of religion's existential assurances. 'Because you go from order to chaos We had all the answers in the one book, right? Now I go to say, "I don't know." And it's terrifying.' As host Shelise, who left her family religion of Mormonism, chimed in: 'Just being able to have choices is terrifying. When you have someone telling you, "This is your checklist, and this is how you get to heaven," it's comforting to not have to guess, or figure anything out. 'And then when that checklist goes away, you're left with all of the options. It's like, "Where do I go? What's my baseline? What's normal? What do other people do? What do I want to believe? Who am I? What are my morals? Where is my moral compass?"' Shelise described of the questions she grappled with on leaving Mormonism. And sometimes, Shalise continued, 'Saying "I don't know" is the most empowered place to be, because it leaves you open to options. It leaves your mind open to possibilities. It leaves you open to accepting new information that otherwise you would have shut down immediately and said, "No, that's not how it is, because this is how it is." 'And so it allows you to grow and learn and become more empathetic to other people and more compassionate and wanting to genuinely know about someone else's beliefs and thoughts and opinions and perspectives.' As Yasmine navigated her world upon leaving Islam, her toddler-aged daughter, she said, became her 'north star.' 'Because I rebuilt [my world view] with the image that I wanted her to see. So I thought: "What kind of mom do I want her to have? What kind of person will be her mentor? What kind of person do I want her to look up to?"' Yasmine went on to describe that her feeling for her daughter were her first experience of 'unconditional love.' Her daughter being born a girl plus Yasmine's fraught relationship with her own mother, were two factors that 'really helped to have that ability in the middle of all of this to think, "I need to get my daughter out of here." Since the release of her first book, Unveiled: How Western Liberals Empower Radical Islam - a half-memoir, half socio-political analysis - in 2019, Yasmine has been ramping up her activism. Since leaving Islam, Yasmine launched the nonprofit Free Hearts, Free Minds, meant to help people navigate leaving the religion She's co-founded an organization called the Clarity Coalition, a multi-denominational group 'who stand for peace, democracy, liberty, and secular governance and who are deeply concerned by the continuing threat posed to these values by the actions and demands of Islamists in various places around the world,' per its website. She's also launched Free Hearts, Free Minds, a nonprofit meant to help ex-Muslims navigate the world outside the religion. 'When people have come out of a high control group, and they have renounced what they've been indoctrinated in, and they're finally able to be their true authentic selves, then those people deserve to be celebrated for what they have overcome regardless of the group that they have escaped from,' Yasmine said. As a final note, she encouraged viewers to support ex-Muslims in the same way they would throw their support behind someone who's renounced, say, Scientology, or the Westboro Baptist Church. 'We're demonized for telling our stories. Nobody wants to hear it. We feel incredibly betrayed,' she said. 'I cannot express to you how painful that it. So listen, remember we're all human beings and we're all deserving of the same empathy and love.' An Australian mother who was told by a solicitor that she was entitled to a 'significant share' of assets from failed marriage disappeared just five weeks later - and her case remains unsolved. Mother-of-two Bronwyn Winfield, 31, was last seen at her home in Lennox Head, a coastal town just south of Byron Bay, on 16 May, 1993. She was reported missing to the police 11 days later on 27 May. Her story has been garnering attention recently, after news outlet The Australian launched an investigative podcast called Bronwyn. Fronted by journalist Hedley Thomas, who spent eight years collating information about the case, it tells the troubling story of Bronwyn's mysterious disappearance while she was in the midst of a painful separation from her husband Jon Winfield. According to the podcast, Bronwyn saw three different solicitors after separating from her husband on March 21, 1993. After initially moving out of the family home, Bronwyn was told by another lawyer that she could return to the house, where her husband had changed the locks. One lawyer Bronwyn spoke to, Tony Mannering, wrote her a letter stating: 'You can be assured that you are entitled to a significant percentage of the assets'. Just five weeks later, Bronwyn had disappeared. Mother-of-two Bronwyn Winfield, 31, (pictured) was told by a solicitor she was entitled to a 'significant share' of assets from her failed marriage. Five weeks later, she disappeared A coronial inquiry into her disappearance in 2002 found she most likely died at the time she disappeared. The coroner recommended that a 'known person', Jon Winfield - Bronwyn's husband - be charged with her murder. However, the police did not have enough evidence for charges to be laid. During his investigation, Hedley discovered startling similarities between the stories of Bronwyn and Lynette, the subject of another podcast he created called The Teachers Pet. Lynette vanished without a trace at the age of 34, while her schoolteacher husband was having an illicit affair with the family's 16-year-old babysitter. In both cases, coroner Carl Milanovich recommended their husbands be charged with murder, and in both case, the director of public prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery declined to recommend a charge. Explaining his decision in a report, Nicholas Cowdery wrote: 'While Jonathan Winfield is the last known person to have seen her alive there is no evidence that he killed her or had any role in her disappearance. Suspicion cannot be substitution for evidence.' In 2009, police re-opened their investigation into Bronwyn's death, offering a $100,000 reward for anyone with information that led to a conviction. New South Wales Police Minister, Michael Daley, held a press conference to announce the reward. According to the podcast, Bronwyn (pictured) saw three different solicitors after separating from her husband on March 21, 1993. After initially moving out of the family home, Bronwyn was told by another lawyer that she could return to the house, where her husband had changed the locks He said: 'Bronwyn Winfield was a lovely lady and a good mum, she left behind two young children, aged five and 10 at the time, making the attack all the more heinous. 'Mrs Winfield's family, particularly her children, deserve to know what happened - and her murderer deserves to be behind bars. 'I hope that the lure of a cash reward may encourage those with information, who may have been reluctant to come forward at the time, to help police bring those responsible to justice.' Bronwyn had a daughter from a previous relationship, Chrystal, then 10, and a daughter with Jon, Lauren, then five. Jon also had an older daughter, Jodie, who had moved to Sydney. Jon has never been charged with any offence in connection to Bronwyn's disappearance, and he has always denied any involvement. Bronwyn's lawyer, Tony Mannering, made detailed notes of the couple's possessions in his letter to her. According to the podcast: 'Bronwyn owned furniture and a car worth about $5000 when they got together, while Mr Winfield had a car worth $1000 and "some $50,000 being his share of the proceeds of the sale of a former home owned by him (with) a previous wife". 'Assets at the time of separation included the former matrimonial home at Sandstone Crescent, which she valued at between $250,000 and $300,000.' The third solicitor Bronwyn spoke to, Chris McDevitt, told her she had every right to move back into the family home, the podcast revealed. Mr McDevitt sent a formal legal letter to Jon dated May 14, two days before Bronwyn vanished. News outlet The Australian has launched an investigative podcast called Bronwyn, fronted by journalist Hedley Thomas (pictured), who spent eight years collating information about the case The letter stated: 'Bronwyn is hopeful that you will both be able to reach an agreement in relation to financial matters and we will be writing to you further with a proposal in this regard in the near future. 'We are instructed by Bronwyn that in her view, your marriage is at an end and that there is no prospect of a reconciliation. 'In the meantime, we require your immediate agreement for Bronwyn to retain the use and possession of the Ford motor vehicle pending finalisation of your financial matters.' However, the letter was sent to the address of Jon's brother Peter Winfield in Sydney, where Jon was living while working there at the time, and it's unlikely he saw the letter before Bronwyn disappeared. On May 16, Jon flew from Sydney to Ballina, returning to Sandstone Crescent on the night Bronwyn disappeared. That same night, Jon woke the two young girls and left the home at around 10.40pm, driving through the night to his brother's house in Sydney. The following day, Jon told Andy Read, Bronwyn's brother, that she had left the house at around 9.30pm the previous night in an unknown person's car. He said she was taking a 'break' for a few days. Andy said on the podcast that he regretted telling his sister to move back into the family home, and it is something he is 'always going to live with'. He said: 'In that week when she found out that Jon had actually left Lennox, and the house was vacant, and...she [was] on absolute struggle street, I said, ''well Bron, possession is nine-tenths of the law''. 'She's struggling for money, not getting any support from him really. I said ''go and get back in the house. Get back in the house. And then it's gonna force the issue. It's gonna force everything to be resolved".' Bronwyn kept a journal which was discovered after her disappearance. In it, she wrote about Jon's obsession with the house, and how he always wanted her to keep it spotless. She wrote: 'I drifted away from Jon as he became more and more depressed about the house being less than immaculate, and the death of his mother, the only woman he thought was perfect. 'I couldn't leave him at the time as he was so unhappy and depressed, and hated life, and probably me. I tried to plead and talk to him to open up and get things off his chest, but nothing would help him. The house that we built became Jon's castle and my prison.' Jon, now 69, ended up keeping the home on Sandstone Crescent for many years, but in 1999, a year after police started seriously investigating Bronwyn's disappearance, he sold it. He still lives in Lennox Head, in a newer house closer to his favourite surfing beach, Boulders. Gary Jackson, who was a friend of Bronwyn, said she told him that Jon was allegedly stalking and harassing her. In a police statement he said: 'Bronwyn commenced to tell me that Jon had been constantly harassing her on the phone and wanted her to go back to the house. 'She said he would ring up and when she terminated the call, he wouldn't hang his phone up and this would leave the line open. She told me he did this on purpose so that she could not use her phone. 'She also told me he would often sit out the front of her house in his car and sit there for lengthy periods, watching the flat. 'She also said that whenever she walked down the street to go to the shops, he would follow her and was generally stalking her.' Jon was apparently upset by Bronwyn's friendship with Gary at this time, he even called her brother Andy to say she was 'gallivanting around town' with him. Andy said: ''Because he'd given her a lift home on a motorbike, all of a sudden Jon's ringing me, "Oh, she's gallivanting around town, she's in another relationship with some bloke". He was very flustered about that, didn't handle it well.' However Bronwyn's cousin, Megan Read, said she believed Gary was 'just a mate' and someone for her to confide in. She said: 'You hear Jon talking about how she was seen riding around Lennox Head on the back of a motorbike, and he claimed it was probably him that she went off with. Well, no.' Gary gave his police statement in August 1998, more than five years after Bronwyn went missing, and police ruled him out as a person of interest. Through the podcast, Hedley Thomas is hoping more people will come forward with information, so that Bronwyn's case can finally be solved. Speaking to Sky News Australia, he said: 'I just think the family deserves answers we need to put some of these cases finally to rest and give these women the respect and dignity they've always deserved.' For skydiver Victoria Cilliers, it has taken almost a decade to be able to say, without shame or doubt, that she knows her husband tried to kill her by sabotaging her parachute. The fact that Army Sergeant Emile Cilliers tried to murder his wife, the mother of his toddler daughter and newborn son, in search of hot sex and hard cash, seemed clear to detectives, a jury, and a fascinated public. He had entangled the lines of her main chute and removed critical fastening links from her emergency reserve. When an unsuspecting Victoria leapt out of the plane both parachutes failed and she plunged 4,000ft, her survival a testament to her brilliance as a skydiver, her bird-like frame and the good luck of landing on soft, newly ploughed soil. Besides, it was only a week since hed tried to blow her up by staging a gas leak. But accepting shed married a man willing to watch her freefall to a certain death was much harder for Victoria herself. Now a three-part Channel 4 documentary goes beyond her plunge to examine what led up to it and what happened after. Victoria Cilliers (pictured) in 2018, fresh from her first parachute jump after the murder attempt The result is a devastating account of coercion and control that extended even beyond Cillierss conviction in 2018. It depicts the lying, the cheating, the gaslighting, the undermining, the manipulation of one human being by another, and the evil that can exist in a four-bedroom executive home when your spouse is a narcissistic psychopath. Victoria, who gives her first in-depth TV interview in the programme alongside reconstructions of the events, appears on our screens in a red shirt and a bold lipstick, warmer, more glamorous and more relaxed than weve seen her. Its clear shes a different person to the woman who was so in thrall to Cilliers that Wiltshire police feared she might wait while he served his life sentence. I didnt know truth, reality, from what was false, she says. Everything I thought was the truth they were starting to blow apart. I felt like a prisoner in my own home and in my own head. Shed seen Cilliers as the perfect husband. I thought I had my fairytale ending. He seemed to be everything I wanted. He almost morphed himself into my perfect man, everything that Id lost. Its why, even as he stood in the dock of Winchester Crown Court accused of two counts of attempted murder, she struggled to accept it. I was always very aware every answer I gave, the impact that, potentially, it could have on my future. I dont think I lied a lot. I think I kept a lot of secrets, I kept a lot to myself, she says, an admission of deep loneliness and mental dislocation as much as toxic loyalty. In The Fall: Skydive Murder Plot, actors play Victoria, Cilliers and investigating officers Detective Inspector Paul Franklin and Detective Constable Maddy Hennah of Wiltshire Police, whose work would bring military PT instructor Cilliers to justice. Using police transcripts, they re-create key scenes from the couples marriage, the horror jump at Netheravon Airfield in Wiltshire, and the two court cases that followed. Victoria believed she'd found the perfect husband in Emile Cilliers (pictured) and the couple had two children together The real officers speak on camera too, and we also see the actual moment when investigators at the skydiving club, filming themselves as they examine Victorias parachute, realise they might have a would-be murderer in their midst. Victoria, now recovered from a shattered pelvis, broken spine and internal injuries, appears alongside two other women with illuminating experiences of Cilliers. One is DC Hennah and the other his previous partner, the mother of his two oldest children, Nicolene Shepherd. They make a fascinating sorority: the woman he dumped, the woman he tried to kill, and the one he expected to hoodwink. DC Hennah reveals Cilliers tried to flirt with her during a police interview, and was considered so dangerously manipulative she was not allowed to be alone with him from that point. He clearly was trying to win me over and use his charms on me. He did not come across as your typical chap who is going to chase you down the road with a machete but he was very subtly sinister. As for Nicolene, she became his girlfriend when she was 13 and he was 16, in their native South Africa. She gave birth to his first child aged 16 and he left for the UK when she was expecting their second. His mother later told her hed settled here, and married another woman. Everything I thought was the truth started to blow apart. I felt like a prisoner in my own home, my own head Years later, when Nicolene moved to the UK herself, Cilliers came after her like a heat-seeking missile. It felt like wed never been apart, like I was a kid again, says Nicolene, now a married mother of five. I thought it may have come full circle; weve had ups and downs and then ended up together! Except that Cilliers was still with his first wife, the woman for whom hed abandoned Nicolene. He builds you up, breaks you down, builds you up, breaks you down, you dont recognise it as control because hes not saying, Youre not doing that, says Nicolene. You just know youre not doing that because there are consequences. She agrees with the polices description of Cilliers as a psychopath. Id use that word freely. And a sociopath. Anything that ends with the word path, Id associate with that man. His name should be Emile Path. Hearing the detail of how he behaved towards Victoria, his second wife, its hard not to concur. While she jumped to what he planned to be her death on Easter Sunday 2015, he was texting his mistress, an Austrian blonde. While she lay unconscious in intensive care he was Googling for prostitutes. And since he wasnt going to get the 120,000 insurance payout hed banked on, he went through her wallet for her credit card to resume the spending sprees that had blighted their marriage. By now you have a sense of the monster Victoria had married. The documentary also gently probes what made this Sandhurst graduate and military physiotherapist so vulnerable to him. Her mother died of cancer when she was just 15. An early first marriage was detonated by her husbands infidelity. Divorced in her 30s, she was anxious she might not meet someone in time to have children. Its why she went all in with Cilliers, and its why she could not believe shed got it so wrong. Her uncertain testimony in court resulted in a hung jury in 2017. On the stand she said, I cannot categorically say the main parachute was malfunctioning. At a retrial the following year, a barrister spent three days reading out 200 A4 pages of text messages, WhatsApps and online searches that incriminated Cilliers. They even included an internet hunt for a wet nurse to breastfeed his newborn son made before his wife was due to jump. This was the only way DI Franklin could convey to a jury that Victoria was a victim of coercive control. The police detail in the documentary how Cilliers, banned from contacting his wife, posted YouTube videos of himself singing love songs to influence her. Channel 4's The Fall: Skydive Murder Plot, which features Victoria's first in-depth TV interview alongside reconstructions of the events, airs on Tuesday at 9pm He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 18 years. Yet even then he was promising Victoria the future shed always longed for and she nearly fell for it. He knew how to manipulate me right to the core, it felt like I was being sucked back in, she admits. But she fought back. He asked me, What do you want? And I said, I dont want to be with you. I dont want this marriage any more. What the documentary doesnt say is that shes now in a new relationship with an old friend whom she will marry this year. She yearns for privacy for them both but first she must deal with her ex-husbands attempts to control her from behind bars, whether thats in relation to their childrens futures, or their shared finances. Its freeing, she says of opening up on screen and returning for the first time to the field where she landed. A happy place, she calls it, because she survived. And her opinion of her ex-husband? A sad, sick individual. How does she feel about him hearing her say so? The truth hurts, she shrugs, and you know that she knows, at last, that hes guilty. The highly-anticipated 'society wedding of the year' took place yesterday, with Hugh Grosvenor and Olivia Henson tying the knot. As with any wedding, many spectators were most interested in seeing what the bride, 31, would be wearing. And Olivia - who holds the title of Duchess of Westminster following the nuptials to Hugh, the 7th Duke of Westminster - did not disappoint with her choice. The bride looked ethereal in a bespoke gown by London-based designer Emma Victoria Payne. She paired it with a bespoke veil from the same designer, and the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara, made for Grosvenor brides to wear on their wedding day. Emma Victoria Payne, who has been described as the 'go to' designer for the society set, revealed in a post on Instagram that she was 'thrilled to be commissioned to make this special bespoke bridal gown for Olivia'. Olivia Henson (pictured, right) donned a bespoke gown and veil created by designer Emma Victoria Payne for her wedding to Hugh Grosvenor (pictured, left) yesterday She told Tatler: 'From the initial appointments to the final fitting, it has been an absolute pleasure and we have loved every moment of collaborating with her. Olivia had a clear vision for certain elements of her dress and we worked closely together to bring the design to life.' The gown, which boasted a slimline silhouette, three-quarter length sleeves, and a bateau neckline, was crafted from ivory silk crepe satin and ivory silk organza. Additional details, like the lace trim on the neckline and cuffs, added a personal touch to the simple and elegant design. Gathering at the waistline created some volume at the bottom of the bias-cut skirt, and the keyhole back - meant the dress, while conservative, was not stuffy. Finally, the gown featured a detachable two metre silk crepe satin train with a panelled construction. Describing the dress in a post on Instagram, the designer said it was: 'A sleek silhouette with a bias cut skirt, pleated waistband, gathered sleeves, wide embroidered silk organza cuffs with a scalloped edge repeat motif and button detailing. 'The back of the bridal gown features a dropped waist, keyhole back and scalloped edging embroidery embellishments fastening with rouleau loops. It features a detachable 2m silk crepe satin train with a panelled construction.' Olivia's long veil incorporated floral motifs and edgings from her great-great-grandmothers veil (which dates back to around 1880). Wedding dress designer Emma Victoria Payne was on hand on the big day, where she was seen holding the veil amid blustery winds Completing the veil design, were personalised initials and the wedding date, embroidered in the centre back. The designer described the piece as a 'bespoke waterfall veil featuring intricate bespoke and personalised embroidery'. As she made her way into the cathedral, the bride's veil blew in the wind, prompting gasps from the crowd. Luckily, the designer was on hand to help hold the train and veil in place, against the blustery winds. While she may be one of Emma Victoria Payne's most recognisable customers, the new Duchess is not her only high profile commission. Among the brides who have sported her designs are India Clevely, the owner of London Velvet, who wed Charlie Agar in 2022. In 2021, Lady Jemima Herbert married Hugo Davies at the family pile, Wilton House in Wiltshire, wearing a gown she designed and Emma Victoria Payne brought to life. She also designed the wedding dress worn by Sophie Carter, who is reportedly a close friend of the Princess of Wales, and a godmother to Princess Charlotte. In addition to creating bridal gowns and bridesmaid frocks, Emma also designed a collection of dresses for the annual British debutante ball, Queen Charlotte's Ball - one of the highlights of the social calendar. According to her website, the designer had 'a clear passion for design from an early age'. At just eight, Emma, who hails from Chorleywood in Hertfordshire, was given her first sewing machine, and 'adored making things'. The bride's bespoke lace veil, and two metre-long detachable train, prompted gasps from the assembled crowds as they blew in the wind (pictured L-R: Olivia Henson; Emma Victoria Payne) After completing an art foundation course, she studied at the famous Central St Martins College of Art and Design, completing a degree in Fashion Print. Following this, she went to design for John Galliano in Paris and Levi Strauss in Brussels. Emma, who was honoured with the prestigious Elle Style Award for Levi Denim Designer of the Year in 2006, revealed that it was while working in Paris that she realised she wanted to design bridal gowns. This was after she 'fell in love with the elegance of vintage silhouettes and bias cut styles', and wanted to 'create gowns that captured a feminine romantic feel'. Emma opened her boutique on Beauchamp Place in Knightsbridge in 2010, doubling the size of the premises in 2011. In 2017, the store moved to Chelsea, to a new address on Park Walk. An Australian mum was only 35 when a series of 'strange' symptoms landed her in the hospital. It took several visits before a doctor finally took her seriously. Gemma Farquhar, from Sydney, suffered through months of unexplained bowel movements and vomiting - with four different doctors misdiagnosing her with stomach bugs, parasites, gluten-intolerance, and irritable bowel syndrome. It was only after she advocated for herself and pushed to have a CT scan that she was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer and given 12 months to live. Now five years on and two weeks away from turning 40, Gemma has sharing the glaring signs doctors missed and how she's managed to survive against all odds. The mum-of-two was enjoying a pizza on a Friday night in January 2020 when she noticed something was awry. Gemma Farquhar, who lives in Sydney with her family, was just 35 when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2020 It was only after she advocated for herself and pushed to have a CT scan that she was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer and given 12 months to live 'A few hours after eating, my tummy was rumbling out of control. I had to rush to the bathroom at 2am and violently started vomiting at the same time,' she told FEMAIL. The same thing happened again in March. Gemma felt 'perfectly normal' after the ordeal, but her gut told her something was amiss. 'I contacted the local doctor but he simply said it's nothing to worry about as it's just a stomach bug,' she explained. On April 23, Gemma went for a walk with a friend when her stomach began cramping 'I wasn't satisfied and asked for a blood test and referrals for a gastroenterologist and an allergy specialist. 'The allergy specialist confirmed I didn't have an allergy and the gastroenterologist said I most likely had some digestion issues, so they put me on herbal medication.' The specialist also sent Gemma for more blood tests and requested a stool sample, which came back inconclusive. 'A few weeks after I did the tests, my stomach was making very loud gurgling sounds and felt a bit crampy at times. I also felt bloated. This went on for about two weeks,' she said. 'I called my GP about my results but he said they all looked fine; a couple of things were elevated, but just told me to speak to the gastroenterologist. She thought it could be constipation so put me on medication for that.' On April 23, Gemma went for a walk with a friend when her stomach began cramping. By nightfall the cramps were more intense, her appetite was gone, and she began to violently throw up. 'First thing the following morning I called my gastroenterologist,' she said. 'After speaking to her she immediately asked me to go for more bloods, have a CT scan, and take some antibiotics if I had a parasite.' Gemma revealed that her doctors weren't looking for bowel cancer because she was only 35-years-old and had no history of the illness in her family Gemma was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer after emergency surgery Within an hour, a doctor called Gemma explaining she needed to go to hospital immediately, as they had detected colorectal cancer and an obstruction in her bowel. She revealed that her doctors weren't looking for bowel cancer because she was only 35-years-old and had no history of the illness in her family. 'I went into shock and disbelief. After a restless evening and the inability to eat or drink anything due to the pending surgery, I woke on April 25 where I got wheeled away to the operating theatre. I was in tears and terrified,' she recalled. Gemma was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer after emergency surgery, but doctors noticed the cancer spread to her ovaries during chemotherapy, immediately moving her to a stage four. 'They found a 13cm tumour on my ovary. We then changed the treatment plan to be more aggressive - I had intensive chemotherapy and was scheduled to have a peritonectomy plus HIPEC in September,' she said. A peritonectomy is sometimes referred to as 'the mother of all surgeries' because doctors cut a patient down the middle, take out certain cancer-riddled organs, and pour 'hot chemotherapy' over their abdomen. 'The surgery I had removed my peritoneum, omentum, appendix, 20cm of my bowel, and I had a full radical hysterectomy - so my uterus, tubes, cervices, and both my ovaries were also removed,' she said. Gemma was unable to walk until day three when she took 'just one step' and was unable to eat or drink on her own. After 'the mother of all surgeries' and chemotherapy to kill the cancer it has now spread to her lungs, leaving the young mum with a 14 per cent chance of survival According to Bowel Cancer Australia, there is a 14 per cent survival rate for those diagnosed with stage four. 'I try not to look at the statistics and have a great team of medical professionals around me that I trust to keep on going on,' Gemma said. But the nightmare wasn't over - in December 2021, the doctors found three dangerous tumours on Gemma's right lung. 'My doctors thought the tumours were in my lungs the whole time but they didn't catch it on the scans because they're so tiny,' she said. 'It was difficult - all the trauma came rushing back.' Gemma was shell-shocked because she had done everything right - gone through chemotherapy, surgery, taken all her medication - but it still wasn't enough. 'I had to build myself up from nothing. I had to re-learn how to do exercise, how to walk down the street. And then just finding out that it was back... it takes you to a dark place,' she said. Despite that, Gemma felt like she was better equipped to deal with the cancer this time around because she'd already been through it once. In December 2021, the doctors found three dangerous tumours on Gemma's right lung Gemma is on treatment which consists of an infusion every fortnight and four tablets a day What are the symptoms of bowel cancer? - Change in bowel habits with diarrhoea, constipation or the feeling of incomplete emptying - Thin or loose bowel movements - Blood or mucous in stools - Abdominal pain, bloating and cramping - Anal or rectal pain - Lump in the anus or rectum - Unexplained weight loss - Fatigue - Unexplained anaemia Source: Bowel Cancer Australia Advertisement The drug Gemma is currently taking was not on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) when she was first prescribed it, and she had to pay $6,472 out of pocket for the first month, after which it was subsidised. She's on treatment which consists of an infusion every fortnight and four tablets a day. 'When I started treatment two years ago, doctors told me I'd become resistant to the drugs within four months - which turned out to be false,' she said. 'I've been on them for two years now and I'm still going strong. There are no other treatment options at this point in time, so I'm grateful the medication has continued to work for me.' The mum shared that she was grateful for having access to life-saving medication and a team of dedicated doctors. 'My children were four and five when I was first diagnosed and I didn't think I'd make it to the next milestone for them,' she said. 'It's really important to advocate for yourself, to question the doctors, to read as much as you can.' In addition to the fortnightly infusions and daily tablets, Gemma also has scans every three months of her chest, abdomen, and pelvis. 'I feel grateful to have seen my daughters grow up. When I was first diagnosed, I never thought I'd get to see my daughter's tenth birthday - and I just celebrated it with her,' she said. Gemma uses her online journal @havingthegutstodealwithbadsh*t to help others diagnosed with cancer maintain positivity and perspective. Rachel Somerstein had been in labor for nearly 24 hours when someone held a piece of paper up for her to sign. It was after midnight, in a small hospital in upstate New York, and as her first birth was headed towards an unplanned Cesarean section, she was in no state to read fine print. Her labor had already gotten off to a complicated start - the anesthesiologist had had to redo her epidural three times. Now, as her daughter's heart rate was dropping, she believed her worst fears were about to be realized. In her book, Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section, she recalls: 'I was certain that this left turn into unknown territory meant that... I would die, that my baby would die.' The C-section is the worlds most common surgery. In the US it makes up one-in-three births Her husband later told her the general feeling in the operating room was that she was hysterical. The C-section is, after all, the worlds most common surgery. In the US they make up one-in-three births. What did she have to worry about? Rachel remembers being rolled on a gurney to the operating room, where she braced herself against the doula as an anesthesiologist attempted to administer anesthesia. Just as with the epidural, they struggled to place the needle correctly, and while others in the room attempted to hold her back, the physician made the first cut. I felt that, Rachel recalls telling the doctor. Youll feel pressure, he said. But Rachel felt everything, every cut. The separation of her abdominal muscles. The scissors used to move her bladder. The scalpel with which the doctor incised her uterus. The obstetrician later noted that she had been screaming from the pain. 'My legs, as I remember, and as the doctor wrote, "were moving quite a bit." 'They were kicking high enough for me to see them above the drape, rigged so I wouldnt be able to see what was going on. Later, she discovered scratches on her hips, which she presumed were from the nurses nails as they tried to hold her down. Afterward, as she recovered, her daughter was brought to her to feed, but Rachel was still in shock - and excruciating pain - and couldn't bear to see her. In the immediate aftermath, Rachel felt guilty for rejecting her child in that first moment of need, but later realized it was one of her purest acts as a mother: 'I didnt want to associate her with any more of my pain. She was already so bound up with it.' Two months later, at her final postpartum checkup, she was told she was looking great, but she didn't feel great. She couldn't feel her core muscles. Her vulva was numb but sex hurt. 'A midwife suggested lube, which didnt work: "It still hurts," I told her. "More lube," she said.' Her own research revealed pelvic floor physical therapy might have helped, but it was never suggested to her. The belief at the time was a C-section spares the perineum so pelvic floor PT is unnecessary. Yet it wasn't until nearly two years later that one of the most unexpected - and most difficult - parts of her recovery emerged. Her daughter was brought to her to feed, but Rachel was still in shock - and excruciating pain 'I was awaiting a colonoscopy, the first time Id been in a hospital setting since the birth,' she writes. 'I lay on a gurney in a surgical bay. I started to shake and cry but couldnt explain to the nurse what was happening because I didnt understand it, either. I was having a panic attack, something that had never happened to me before.' For the first time, Rachel told a stranger she had felt her C-section and recognized her own post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result: 'Something that isnt routinely screened for postpartum, though nearly one-of-five mothers who are "high risk" develop PTSD after birth,' she says. 'High-risk mothers are those who have had a traumatic birth, like I did; a severe obstetric complication; "a history of sexual or physical violence or childhood abuse;" or who birth babies that are premature, a very low birth weight, or have "fetal [anomalies]."' She was encouraged by friends and family to sue for malpractice, but no local attorneys would take the case. One even asked what she was making such a fuss about. 'How long did it really take?' he asked. 'Five minutes?' Another suggested she must suddenly need the money, which was why she'd waited so long to file. Rachel added: 'The most empathetic one explained that payouts for pain and suffering are capped. Because my daughter and I hadnt been permanently physically injured, it didnt make financial sense to represent me.' As she attempted to make sense of what had happened to her, she found she was far from alone: 'I felt nauseated to learn how many people are hurt, damaged, or killed during or after pregnancy or birth harms born disproportionately by mothers of color.' While maternal mortality rates dipped slightly in 2022, they have doubled since 1999, according to a recent study published in JAMA. Rachel cites another survey, writing: 'Maternal mortality in 48 US states increased by an estimated 27 percent from 2000 to 2014, reaching 23.8 of every 100,000 live births, among the highest rates of all wealthy countries.' According to a 2007 review by the US Department of Health and Human Services, the increasing number of C-sections is partly to blame for this worrying statistic. The number of operations more than doubled between 1996 and 2007, when it reached 32 percent of all births - where it has more or less stayed ever since. Birth has come up a lot in conversations with other parents - a secret club who suffer in silence Rachel writes: 'And while Id thought that what Id experienced was highly unusual, I found that breakthrough pain during C-sections isnt that rare, though researchers have only begun to investigate it. 'Nor was my trauma unique; a large proportion of mothers as many as 45 percent, per one study feel traumatized by birth.' And, anecdotally, she's learned there's a 'secret club' of moms who suffer in silence, writing: 'As Ive raised my children over the past seven years, birth has come up a lot in conversations with other parents, often in snatches between dispensing snacks or pushing a swing at the park. 'When they heard about my experience, many mothers confessed to me about their own C-sections: "Physically, I was fine, but emotionally, it was rough." Or: "I had postpartum depression, but was never diagnosed." Rachel even encountered women working in medicine who told her similar stories, including one who relayed losing an extensive amount of blood, even her uterus. 'There are just so many of us,' writes Rachel, 'throughout every echelon of society, looking like normal, well-adjusted people doing our thing, belying the traumatizing or otherwise unresolved C-section at the center.' Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section by Rachel Somerstein is published by Ecco. Dr Philippa Kaye, GP with a particular interest in women's and sexual health Pornography is everywhere. Thanks to the internet, and the advent of smartphones, porn is constantly at our fingertips and almost inescapable. It's a far cry from just a few decades ago when porn was banished to the top shelf magazines at newsagents, hastily shoved under the bed, or limited to a copy of The Joy of Sex or a nondescript video tape. But its new ubiquitous nature is having a real impact on our lives, with people of both genders being exposed to porn at an ever early ages. By the age of 18, about 93 per cent of boys and 63 per cent of girls have seen porn, according to the Institute for Family Studies. But the average age of first viewing porn was found to be even younger, just 12-years-old. While there are differences between genders with regards to watching porn, it is clear that both men and women are being frequently exposed to explicit content. By the end of 2019, approximately a third (33 per cent) of uses of PornHub, the UKs most commonly used adult content website, were female. While many people report pleasure from viewing adult content, for some it can become an issue. Aa US study in 2019 found that 11 per cent of men and 3 per cent of women reported porn addiction. There is still, unfortunately, many taboos and stigmas in society and in health and sex is definitely still one of them, in particular female sexual pleasure. And there are still lots of feelings of shame and embarrassment around masturbation and porn use, particularly in females. By the end of 2019, approximately a third (33 per cent) of uses of PornHub, the UKs most commonly used adult content website, were female Take Elise*, 19, who muttered under her breath that there was something wrong down there and didnt want to make eye contact. She was extremely anxious about the appearance of her vulva, the external genitals, and was asking for a referral to see a plastic surgeon to get her labia adjusted surgically so they were equal in length and didnt stick out. Her partner had mentioned it and she had accessed porn because she thought she would be able to see a variety of bodies. In fact, what she saw was a consistent body type, completely hairless and all looking a certain way, without the natural variation which occurs. She thought she was abnormal, and this worry had become an intrusive obsession. The more she worried, the more she searched, which made her more worried. Or Rachel*, 27, who came with skin damage from trying to lighten the appearance of her vulva and anus after watching more and more porn. Body image issues aside there is also a risk of addiction to porn itself, which can have an impact on your mental health. Caryn* had started to watch porn as a partner said she was vanilla if she didnt, and the more she watched with her partner the more she was made to feel that she had to try increasingly extreme sexual acts. She didnt want to, she didnt get pleasure from them and yet she found herself unable to refuse initially for fear of what her partner might say. Porn is now considered mainstream, but the content may not be, with aggressive, violent, or degrading acts being portrayed as the norm. The women I see in my surgery seem to feel, or perhaps are made to feel, that if they dont enjoy these acts then the fault lies within themselves, that something is wrong with them. Patience, 31, told me that she wanted to feel confident and empowered, that as a sexually liberated woman she could enjoy porn, but actually it made her feel low and anxious about her body and sexual preferences. Instead of empowering her, it actually made her so anxious about sex she mostly stopped having it, and when she did, she didnt enjoy it, didnt become aroused and it was even painful. Research conducted in 2021 suggests 58 per cent of women say they have been choked during sex, an increase from 21 per cent recorded in a 2020 survey. Violent acts such as choking, or strangulation have become normalised despite the very real health risks they involve. Choking quite literally cuts the flow of blood, and therefore oxygen to the brain, leading to light-headedness with the aim of intensifying pleasure, but it has inherent risks. There is no safe way to perform this act. Could you be one of the one-in-20 Brits caught in the grips of a porn addiction? Physical risks aside there is a power dynamic to choking, and it has become so normalised that people may not realise that specific consent should be asked for. Even if it is asked for, how many women are consenting because they think they should, or because they think their partner will get pleasure from it, as opposed to themselves getting pleasure from it. Is it even true consent at all? Much of the porn available is made for the male gaze and focuses on the pleasure of men. Anecdotally, I have seen that many heterosexual women prefer to watch female pornography, perhaps because it focuses on the pleasure of the women involved. PornHub has a category entitled popular with women, which states it includes everything from story driven, passionate soft-core porn to hardcore gangbangs. Data from 2015 from PornHub showed that female viewers are more likely to search hardcore, or rough content than men, 100 times more, which seems counterintuitive. But porn addiction is the same as many other addictions, in terms of the response in the brain. Watching porn affects the reward and pleasure centres in the brain, releasing feel good chemicals such as dopamine. Over time, more and more explicit videos need to be watched to create the same effect, just like someone with a drug addiction needing ever increasing doses to get high. This means that viewers may then struggle to become aroused and reach orgasm with a real partner, who responds differently to the image on a screen, after all porn is not real life. But it can impact real life relationships. I have a patient who feels such shame about her relationship with pornography she feels she cannot enter a relationship. Other signs that you may have a porn addiction include watching ever increasing amounts of porn, neglecting other activities such as work, eating or sleeping to watch porn, being unable to enjoy sex without porn and feeling unable to stop even though you may be aware of the harm it is causing. We cannot know the true numbers of women suffering with porn addiction, due to stigma and cultural pressures they may simply not be coming forward or may present with other mental health issues. Porn addiction is a very real, and likely increasing problem, which can impact on mental health leading to depression, anxiety and body image issues as well as affecting relationships and even impacting work, perhaps due to difficulties with concentration or mental health issues. Simply replace the word porn in that sentence with alcohol, drug or sex and it is clear that it is an addiction like any other. Addiction needs treatment, and it is often not as simple as simply stopping looking at porn, which in itself is not simple. The underlying reasons why the addiction developed may need to be addressed such as anxiety, and it is incredibly difficult to stop being exposed to explicit videos when they are easily accessible anywhere and everywhere. A US study in 2019 finding that 11 per cent of men and 3 per cent of women reported porn addiction In the same way that someone suffering with alcohol addiction may remove all sources of alcohol in their home, getting rid of hard copies of porn, deleting saved tabs or subscriptions to websites may be helpful, as may installing anti-pornography software on your devices (ask someone else to have the password). Talking therapies can be helpful, as can medication for example if there is an underlying mental health condition. Psychosexual counselling can also be used to help treat porn addiction, though access to this can be difficult and waits can be long. Society and the internet have normalised the use of pornography. Now we need to normalise talking about the problems it can cause and encouraging people to come forward for help so that they can have a healthy sex life, after all, sex and orgasms are good for your health! *Patient names have been changed. Acquitted: Founder of Autonomy Mike Lynch Mike Lynch plans to convince ministers to reform Britain's extradition treaty with the US after he was cleared of fraud. The founder of software firm Autonomy was acquitted this week of charges related to the 9billion sale of his company to US giant Hewlett Packard in 2011. Tory former shadow home secretary David Davis wants to team up with Lynch to call for changes to the system. The politician has previously lambasted what he says is a one-sided treaty with the US, agreed by Tony Blair's Labour government in 2003. Under the rules, it is far easier for the US to extradite British citizens than it is for Britain to extradite Americans. Critics of the extradition treaty, signed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks with the apparent intention of snaring terrorists and other serious criminals, say it has instead disproportionately affected British white collar suspects. Davis, who spoke with Lynch after his acquittal on Thursday night, told The Telegraph: 'He said: 'David, we've got work to do to put this extradition treaty right'. It highlights a massively dysfunctional arrangement we have with this extradition treaty.' A jury in San Francisco acquitted Lynch, 58, on all 15 charges one count of conspiracy, and 14 counts of wire fraud, each connected to specific transactions or communications. He had been facing up to 25 years in prison. Lynch said he was 'elated' with the verdict. Speaking out: Stock Exchange boss Julia Hoggett has described the tax as 'pernicious' An influential City group has called on the next government to review stamp duty on shares within 100 days of taking power. TheCityUK said the tax 'places the UK at a competitive disadvantage' as it listed its demands ahead of next month's election. Reform of the duty could boost investment in London-listed stocks at a crucial time for the exchange, the financial services body said. The group joins a chorus of City heavyweights who have called for the levy to be ditched. The tax charges investors 0.5 per cent when buying British shares but nothing if they put money into foreign firms. Earlier this week, the head of the Investment Association said scrapping stamp duty on shares was an 'obvious' way to boost UK equities. 'It's one of the highest in the world and reform would bring greater market attractiveness,' Chris Cummings, chief executive of the management trade body, said. Meanwhile, London Stock Exchange boss Julia Hoggett has described the tax as 'pernicious' and former Abrdn chief Stephen Bird has said it is 'as unpatriotic as it is economically destructive'. The tax has been blamed for contributing to the decline of London's ailing stock market, which has suffered a flurry of takeover offers and firms leaving to list in the US. A TheCityUK spokesman said the next government should 'review the future of stamp duty on trading to incentivise greater UK institutional and retail investment into UK equities'. The spokesman said: 'As a direct tax on liquidity, it places the UK at a competitive disadvantage.' Other recommendations for the first 100 days include incentivising greater UK investment in shares in UK companies and developing a strategic plan to drive economic growth. TheCityUK chief executive Miles Celic said: 'Financial and related professional services are the pulse of the UK economy. 'The industry is a major national employer, supports people at every stage of their life, and is an enabler of cross-economy growth. 'We want to see a new era of policy certainty and collaboration between government and industry to ensure it can make an even greater contribution to driving investment, innovation and growth across the country.' Early summer is normally when cider sales start to spike as drinkers try to quench their thirsts. But for the seller of Bulmers and Magners this season could be one to forget. C&C Group's shares plunged after its chief executive quit following the revelations of a string of accounting errors. Bad taste: For the seller of Bulmers and Magners this season could be one to forget Dublin-based FTSE 250-listed drinks company C&C, which also makes Scottish lager Tennent's, revealed it had recorded a 14.5million charge on its balance sheet linked to 'discrepancies' over the past three years. Chief executive Patrick McMahon was finance boss at the time of the 'discrepancies', before stepping up to become chief executive in May last year. McMahon has accepted responsibility for what the firm described as 'accounting mistakes and errors of judgement'. Shares sank 7.6 per cent, or 12.8p, to 156.4p. The update came alongside the group publishing its unaudited annual results that showed revenues fell 2 per cent to 1.4billion. The company also swung to a loss of 94million, having made a 44million profit the year before. The FTSE 100 fell 0.5 per cent, or 39.97 points, to 8245.37 and the FTSE 250 lost 0.8 per cent, or 160.51, points, to 20,555.37. London's blue-chip index clocked a fourth straight week of losses for the first time since the end of 2020. In the Middle East oil giant Saudi Aramco sold shares at the lower end of its expectations. The state-owned firm offloaded 8.8billion worth of stock at 570p. Such funds will help Saudi Arabia which remains Aramco's largest shareholder with over 90 per cent of the stock in its quest to transform its economy. Back in London computer maker Raspberry Pi is to float its shares at the top end of its price range when it lists next week. Shares are expected to be priced between 260p and 280p that would see it valued at 540million. Housebuilder Bellway is optimistic over Britain's housing market after it reported stronger trading during spring. The firm's private reservation rate rose 6.9 per cent between February 1 and June 2 due to customers benefiting from improved affordability as mortgage rates ease and wages rise. Bellway added it is 'on track' to build 7,500 homes across its financial year. Bellway shares edged down 0.7 per cent, or 18p, to 2764p. Time is running out for the bidders hoping to buy two London-listed firms. Ad agency Brave Bison has until Monday to announce whether it wants to make a firm offer to buy its rival The Mission Group or walk away. The suitor saw its sweetened offer rejected earlier this week, leaving the deal hanging in the balance. Shares in The Mission Group slid 3.6 per cent, or 1p, to 27p. Brave Bison shares were unmoved at 2.45p. IT services provider Redcentric is to stay listed in London for now at least after its Italian rival Wiit walked away from making an offer on Thursday. Shares fell 2.6 per cent, or 3.75p, to 142p. How much do you need in Premium Bonds to win the jackpot? And if you havent maxed them out to the full 50,000, is it even worth bothering? This is Money ran some in-depth analysis on all the 1million Premium Bond prizes over the past four years and this week revealed how much those lucky people held. On this weeks podcast episode, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at what it takes to win the Premium Bonds. Your browser does not support iframes. Simon gives us his tax manifesto to get us out of the mess Britains tax system is in. Plus, one of our readers is in their mid-40s, would like to work on their own terms, travel and enjoy life in a decade, and wants to know can my 180,000 investments can grow enough to semi-retire? What does someone with those ambitions need to consider? The team take a look. Should you consider buying a cheap electric car? Prospective buyers are worried about batteries but get over that and Simon says running an EV could prove even than you think. And finally, the new King Charles bank notes are out but what are the serial numbers to check your wallet for that could make them worth big money? Premium Bonds Winners Prize Area Value of bond 1,000,000 Derbyshire 40,000 1,000,000 Gloucestershire 25,000 100,000 Oxfordshire 25 100,000 Outer London 500 100,000 Buckinghamshire 20,000 100,000 York 44,000 100,000 Surrey 5,000 100,000 North Yorkshire 35,975 More October 2024 winners View list of October 2024 winners Tesco shares have climbed over the past year Tesco will be in the spotlight next week and there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. The supermarket giant's performance means Tesco shares have jumped 18 per cent over the past year, although they remain well below their mid 2000s highs. Britain's biggest grocer increased its market share to 27.6 per cent last month up from 27.1 per cent a year ago while its nearest rival Sainsbury's trails behind on 15 per cent. So investors will be hoping Tesco's first quarter update on Friday puts even more clear water between it and the rest of the chasing pack. Analysts at Jefferies expect the supermarket's UK and Ireland retail business to grow by 4.3 per cent in the three months to May. That would reflect a slightly weaker performance, having reported an 8.8 per cent rise the year before. Last time round, Tesco's overall sales hit 14.8billion in the first quarter a year ago. Tesco shares have jumped but remain well below their mid 2000s highs Analysts said another key number to note is whether Tesco still thinks it will have 2billion of free cash flow pumping around the business this year. They wonder whether some of this cash pile could be handed back to investors in the shape of a special dividend. Tesco recently revealed that boss Ken Murphy took home record-breaking pay of nearly 10million in 2023 more than double the 4.4million he collected the year before. A positive update on Friday could provide a much-needed boost to Tesco's share price which has gained 6 per cent so far this year. I hold shares in a company that has become the target of a takeover bid. The shares have since jumped as the bid was at a premium. What happens next and how can I have my say on whether the takeover should go ahead? Buyout bonanza: London's stock market is in the grip of a takeover 'feeding frenzy' with new bids coming thick and fast Jessica Clark, of the Daily Mail City and Finance team, says: London's stock market is in the grip of a takeover 'feeding frenzy' with new bids coming thick and fast. As City experts predict that the buyout bonanza will continue, it is important to know what to do if a business you own shares in becomes a takeover target. What to shares when there's a takeover offer? The share price of a target company usually spikes on news of a takeover bid. If the stock reaches the offer price, it is a good sign that investors are keen on the deal. But if the target firm's shares exceed that amount it indicates that the market expects a higher offer and even a bidding war. And if the price languishes below the offer value, shareholders are likely unimpressed by the bid or believe it will fail. What should I do next? Shareholders have several options following a takeover bid. You could sell your shares at a premium following an offer. For example, shares in Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services were worth 214p each before a bid by the Czech Sphinx, Daniel Kretinsky. After the board agreed a deal with the billionaire last week, the price rose to 335p. An IDS investor with 1,000 shares would get 3,350 at that price some 1,210 more than they were worth before the bid. If you do nothing and the deal goes ahead, your shares will be replaced by cash or stock in the new company depending on the terms of the offer. But bear in mind that if a deal collapses, the value of the company's stock could plummet. How can I have my say? All takeover deals must be voted on by shareholders so investors can have their say. You will typically get one vote per common share held. Many retail investors buy stocks through an investment platform such as AJ Bell, Hargreaves Lansdown and Interactive Investor. You will have to contact the platform that you used to buy your shares to find out how to vote. Investors who indirectly hold shares through funds or pensions do not get a vote. It was an age of exploration. In the early 20th century, the great minds of the world transformed the lives of millions with advances in emerging new fields. Science fiction dreamed up brave new worlds and the utopian forms they could take, and ambitious powers with newfound wealth offered the means to realise them. At the Pasteur Institute in Paris, one rising scientist saw the opportunity to push the frontiers of modern science by taking mankind itself to the next evolutionary level. Ilya Ivanov, having made a name for himself breeding horses, sought to usher in a new age by breeding human beings with other primates. As his native Russia embraced revolution and promised a modern, atheistic vision for the future, Ivanov found financial backing for his twisted theories and was sent around the world to conduct horrifying experiments on local populations, offering the fledgling USSR the chance to dictate the path of human evolution. At the height of unbridled scientific fervour, Ivanov's untamed ambition to create a new hybrid race saw some of the most flagrant breaches of modern ethics, funded and enabled by blinkered ideological ambition. Ilya Ivanov took his idea of a hybrid 'humanzee' to Russia, where he won financial backing A still from 2024 film Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, a - fictional - story of intelligent apes becoming the dominant species on earth A 1984 computer-generated rendering by Nancy Burson: Evolution II. Ivanov sought to create a hybrid of man and ape, believing the offspring would be smarter and stronger than either In August 1910, Ilya Ivanov travelled to Austria to give a presentation to the World Congress of Zoologists in Graz about his radical vision for a vibrant new world. Ilyanov had until then enjoyed a modestly successful career, leading experiments into artificial selection and breeding stronger horses for Russia's agricultural needs. Through his research, he had succeeded in breeding a number of hybrids or 'chimeras', including a zeedonk (zebra/donkey chimera) and a zubron (bison/cow). But having recently turned 40, he arrived in Graz eager to move his ideas forward. With Europe enjoying unprecedented wealth and scientific curiosity, Ilyanov pitched an interested audience his idea of creating a new hybrid race of human beings - to outdo their parents on brain and brawn. Only forty years had now passed since Charles Darwin famously discovered that humans share a common ancestor with other primates. The theory of evolution threatened to shake up long-held religious beliefs about the special nature of mankind apart from the animals. Ivanov judged that if animals could be successfully bred with their evolutionary cousins, so could humans. It was controversial, and outright offensive to believers, but was offered as a question science could now attempt to answer. It was therefore after the Russian Revolution of 1917 that Ivanov found backing for his idea. Lenin and Trotsky's vision for the future accommodated Ivanov's plan as he presented it as triumph for humanism in their fight against the Church. As the USSR sought to build a new utopia in its own ideological vision, Ivanov offered its leaders control over evolution itself. Human-ape hybrids would be more resilient than either human or ape. The possibilities for progress were limitless. But funding would not come within Lenin's lifetime. The USSR's first Chairman died in 1924 and in his place stepped the merciless tyrant Josef Stalin. According to veteran Scottish writer John Grant, Stalin was more 'entranced by the idea that hybridisation between apes and humans held the potential for breeding a new race of uncomplaining super-warriors for the Red Army, unafraid of death and untempered by compassion'. This is hard to verify. The - quite absurd - idea of an ape-led army of super-soldiers has since been framed as an 'urban myth' in recent years. Though we do know that it was under Stalin that the first known experiments took place. Undermining the church may have been interesting to an early Soviet Russia. But the new practical applications of rebuilding Russia's demographics gave the plan legs. 'For Ivanov, the very idea of a superman was just a marketing ploy in order to get money to carry out his experiments, since initially his scientific experiments could not interest the state,' FSB officer Alexander Maksimov told the Russian state-owned TV channel, Moscow 24. 'The idea of a superman was invented as a large and free labor force, a universal soldier, since at that time there was quite extensive communication with the Germans in scientific circles,' he said. 'This was later picked up by Nazi Germany, which allocated crazy amounts of money for such experiments.' With help from Lenin's former secretary Nikolai Gurbunov, Ivanov was initially granted $10,000 in 1925 to travel to French Guinea, find some apes and pay local women to take part in his experiments. He took a break in Paris, briefly visited the West African nation, and then returned to Moscow to ask for more money before heading out in 1926. With the support of the French governor, Ivanov and his team caught several live chimps and began looking for local women to artificially inseminate. Ivanov had no luck. Locals warned him of stories of women being carried away by apes and raped, left 'forever ostracised' by their communities. There was no way anybody would willingly agree to such a plan. Instead, he explored other avenues. Ivanov inseminated female chimps with human sperm, which may have been donated by his son, according to 2008 research paper published by the University of Cambridge. He also planned to 'inseminate black females with ape sperm without their consent, under the pretext of medical examination in the local hospital', rightly offending the local administrators and forcing him back to Moscow. Ivanov was unrepentant. He whined to his sponsors in Russia about the 'primitive fears of the blacks and the bourgeois prejudices of the French'. Soon enough, his plans caught the attention of the global press, sparking both outrage and curiosity. Scientists in the United States began to plan outrageous experiments, conflated with backwards notions about race. Howell S. England, a lawyer, brought together Ivanov's work with the theories of German anthropologist Hermann Klaatsch, guessing that human races derived from different species of apes. England claimed the breeding of different species of primate with different human races could produce fertile chimeras. Early anthropology and its blinkered affixation with race contributed to enduring ideas of racial hierarchy with no basis in science - and devastating consequences. In this milieu, a stain on history of modern scientific inquiry, demagogues won cheap support for slavery, apartheid and eugenics, perhaps most famously harnessed by the Nazi party. File photo. Ivanov received large amounts of funding to travel to French Guinea and explore the possibilities of breeding chimpanzees (pictured) with human beings Josef Stalin rose to the top role in 1924, ousting his opponents to replace Vladimir Lenin Early anthropology, building on theories of racial differences between peoples, was used to justify views on racial superiority, later used by the Nazis. Pictured: Auschwitz camp, 1945 Ivanov returned to Russia in 'terrible condition', Moscow 24 reported. 'Friends and students barely recognise the professor... he looks sloppy, his nose is swollen, his eyes are red, as if he had just cried. 'There was no trace left of the triumphant man he had been when he set off for Guinea.' His funding was significantly withheld, and he appealed to Soviet women with a new argument: instead of receiving money, their selfless volunteering would help further the noble aims of science. Five women took part in the experiments in artificial insemination, with one letter from an apparent volunteer surviving into the present. The woman's comments paint a bleak picture of the life of one citizen in Stalin's USSR. 'Dear Professor With my private life in ruins, I don't see any sense in my further existence But when I think that I could do a service for science, I feel enough courage to contact you. 'I beg you, don't refuse me I ask you to accept me for the experiment.' It is not clear what happened to the women, or what led them to volunteer themselves for his experiments, with the press now aware of his work. Perhaps needless to say, the experiment did not work. Only one adult ape managed to survive in the conditions of the nursery. But Ivanov set about bringing together a new plan for insemination with gorillas. Before he could restart his projects, Ivanov was arrested in December 1930 - on charges unrelated to his work. He was exiled to Kazakhstan and died two years later. His nursery, according to researcher Alexander Etkind, continued to house an array of species - including some used in the Soviet space missions of the Cold War - until its closure after the collapse of the USSR, in 1992. While Stalin's personal interest in creating an army of super-soldier monkey-humans has been called into question, presented as a creationist attack on the theory of evolution, there is no doubting the reach and impact of Ivanov's work. In the ashes of the Second World War, two emerging superpowers saw the opportunity to realise their utopian ideals through the funding of radical scientific experiments. As the United States performed unethical experiments on enslaved African women without anaesthesia, infected patients with dangerous illnesses and conducted drug trials on unconsenting subjects, the USSR also began a programme of horrifying trials lifted from the pages of science fiction. Among them, one Alexander Bogdanov - inspired by the fiction writing of Mikhail Bulgakov - sought to achieve immortality through experiments in blood transfusions. A popular story about a scientist discovering a Martian utopia propelled to health and prosperity by regular blood exchanges saw Bogdanov carry out experiments of his own, eventually catching the eye of Stalin. According to The Nation: 'Bogdanov's hope was not merely to prolong the lives of individuals; he envisioned a sanguine communism in which all were granted an equal share of society's collective health through blood exchanges.' Bogdanov died after exchanging blood with a patient in 1928, known to have malaria and TB. Miraculously, she was reported to have made a full recovery. A 1937 report in Nature also cites a Soviet-era experiment by a Dr Segei Briukhonenko, who 'removed the head of a dog' and attached it to a machine circulating blood, which he apparently used to keep the severed head alive for six months. Shocking video of the 'Experiments in the Revival of Organisms' shows quite harrowing footage of what appears to be a dog's head severed from its body with eyes open and still responding to stimuli. Years later, the report continues, Briukhonenko managed to resuscitate a 'whole animal' after stopping a dog's heart. Soviet biologist Ivan Ivanovich Ivanov was convinced he could make a hybrid work, remained undeterred by setbacks throughout his career In 2023, scientists reported the first live birth of a 'chimeric' monkey with stem cells taken from two embryos. The embryos come from genetically distinct macaques File photo. Limbani the chimp paints a picture using a paintbrush in January 2023 Scientific discovery in the 20th century changed life on earth as never seen before. The flight of the Zeppelin and the Wright brothers' engine-powered plane saw humans transcend the earth. The radio, television and the internet helped spread information around the world at unprecedented speeds. Penicillin, ultrasound technology and vaccines helped save millions of lives. Advances also came at great cost, often motivated by prevailing ideologies at the expense of patients and subjects. Today, agreed ethical guidelines are in place to temper the pursuit of knowledge at all costs. But human curiosity continues to inspire inquiry into the weird and wacky. In 1993, Richard Dawkins maintained that even today 'if somebody succeeded in breeding a chimpanzee / human hybrid the news would be earth-shattering'. 'Bishops would bleat, lawyers would gloat in anticipation, conservative politicians would thunder, socialists wouldnt know where to put their barricades... 'Politics would never be the same again, nor would theology, sociology, psychology or most branches of philosophy.' But in 2021, a team of scientists from the US, China and Spain claimed that they had created the first embryos 'that were part human and part monkeys', keeping them alive 'for up to 20 days in laboratory dishes'. While the embryos were never implanted into the uterus of any animal, experts warned of the future ethical implications of taking the research any further. 'It's a first-in-kind experiment,' Nita Farahany, professor of law and philosophy at the Duke School of Law, told STAT. 'Whenever you cross a major technological or biological hurdle like this one, it's a good moment to stop and reflect.' The Trump campaign is tapping Congress' few black Republicans to capitalize on a growing shift in polling with African American voters away from Democrats. While Joe Biden still has a commanding lead with black voters, Trump has nearly doubled his black support from 2020 to 2024, according to a recent CNN poll. Trump's support among black voters surged to 22 percent compared to 2020, when the 45th president only had the support of 9 percent of the demographic. Biden, on the other hand, saw his 81 percent of black voter support in 2020 dip to 69 percent. Black Republicans, particularly those who seem to be auditioning for a potential VP spot on the ticket with Trump, are heading on the campaign trail to raise funds and court support for the former president. As part of a 'Black Americans for Trump' initiative, the campaign opened an office in Philadelphia on Tuesday and brought in Reps. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, and Byron Donalds, R-Pa., to court black voters over cigars and cognac. The duo is eyeing up Atlanta, Ga. for their next black voter outreach event, a spokesperson for Hunt told DailyMail.com. 'To win a fight you have to go where the fish are,' Hunt said outside the northeast Philadelphia office opening. 'We're going bravely where no Republicans have gone in decades, and we're going directly to the community.' 'The reason why the Democrats have a hold on the Black community is because our parents' parents' parents keep telling us, 'You gotta vote Democrat,' Hunt said. 'It is up to us in this generation to say, 'Well, why?' But the Philadelphia Inquirer said the office had been placed in a 65-percent white ward that voted for Donald Trump in 2020. In a message of optimism Donalds said he is starting to see a 'reinvigoration of black family,' claiming more young black people were forming nuclear family units which is is 'helping to breathe the revival of a Black middle class in America.' 'Black issues are American issues,' Hunt said in another moment. 'We hate what's happening at the border. We don't like being unsafe and the person who's going to save the country from being on the brink is Donald John Trump.' National polling suggests there could be a realignment among nonwhite working-class voters without a college degree, and nonwhite conservatives have been shifting their support to Trump come November. Republicans argue that even small increases can lead to big shifts in the election results. Hunt, Donalds and Senator Tim Scott make up three of Congress' five black Republicans. Scott claimed this week the shift is 'becoming just so blatantly obvious that it's now undeniable.' 'You see a lot of black folks and minorities moving toward the GOP because of the issues of jobs and justice,' Scott said. The argument is that if Trump increases his margins by another two points among non-college educated voters and his margins among nonwhite voters by three points in 2024, he would win another five additional states and the Electoral College. The conservative Great Opportunity PAC is seizing on what it sees as an opportunity. It has a $14 million initial budget for the election with the expectation to raise more. The budget includes more than $9 million for voter contact and more than $4.7 million for earned and paid media. The plan is to fun a full scale campaign in black communities and communicate directly with black voters to help Trump and Republicans in the House and Senate. Scott said he also believes the conviction of Trump on 34 felony counts in New York last month will actually be helpful with driving more African Americans to the Republican party. 'There's just so much corrosion in that courtroom and that in my opinion associated with the verdicts that black guys I'm talking to around South Carolina, specifically African American men, are fed up with this tow tiered justice system, so much so that I would suggest that the number today is closer to 50 percent, 45 to 50 percent of African American men who are open,' Scott claimed. Donalds, meanwhile, went on to say that Black voters had become loyal to Democrats due to their leadership in civil rights movement but Democratic policies went on to erode their family values. 'You see, during Jim Crow, the Black family was together. During Jim Crow, more Black people were not just conservative Black people have always been conservative-minded but more Black people voted conservatively,' Donalds, R-Fla., had said during an event to reach out to black voters on Tuesday. Donalds garnered backlash from Democrats for suggesting there was an upside to the Jim Crow era of legal segregation. He shot back in a clip on X: '[Democrats] are trying to say that I said 'black people were doing better under Jim Crow.' I never said that, they are lying. But why would you be surprised? Because they always lie. This is the same Joe Biden that said, if you don't vote for him, then you ain't black. The man is a liar. Sorry, just call it what it is. What I said was, is that you have more black families under Jim Crow, and it was the policies under H. E. W. under the welfare state, that did help to destroy the black family. That's what I said', he said, referring to the expansion of the welfare system under President Lyndon Johnson. Donalds, Hunt and Scott are rumored to be eyeing a spot on the Trump ticket as vice president. 'And then H.E.W., Lyndon Johnson you go down that road, and now we are where we are,' Donalds said, referring to the expansion of the welfare state and the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. At one point during the event, Donalds and Tafoya discussed the differences between black men and black women's politics, as polls have shown much of Trump's uptick in polling among black voters comes from men. 'First of all, there's a difference between men and women anyway,' Donalds said. 'Men have been created by god to be conquerors, to be hunters. That's who they are. And so a Black man in today's America is looking around and saying, 'How can I go hunt for my people and hunt for my family?' They're looking at what Joe Biden has done and saying, 'I can't hunt! You took my spear. You took my bow.' The Republican nominee for governor in North Carolina Mark Robinson once insinuated the United States government was involved in both the attack on Pearl Harbor and the death of U.S. General George Patton as part of a conspiracy to help Joseph Stalin. Robinson, who currently serves as the states lieutenant governor is now running in what is considered one of the most competitive governor races in the country in a state that is also a battleground in the presidential election come November. In a 2018 radio interview, the host argued Japan is the one who bombed us, but the most of our material, and effort went to Europe. Right. It really calls to question the motives and the suspicion around our entire introduction into the war, it really does, Robsinson responded. It raises serious questions. Its one in a long series of conspiracy theories Robinson indulged before getting into politics. He has also been accused over the years of a number of anti-semitic, homophobic and sexist comments. Mark Robinson speaking at the NC GOP Convention in Greensboro, NC on May 25, 2024. He is in a tight race for governor against NC Attorney General Josh Stein DailyMail.com listened to the newly unearthed audio from an episode of Politics and Prophecy with Chris Levels. There has been vast reporting on Robinson entertaining conspiracy theories but this is believed to be the first audio of him discussing conspiracies about Pearl Harbor and Patton. Robinson can be heard saying you know, Im not prepared to say our government intentionally set Pearl Harbor up. I know theres a lot of conspiracy theories that say that At that moment the host interrupted with I will! Theres too much proof behind the theory that the US was behind the attack. Definitely,' Robinson responds. 'Theres definitely questions that are out there, serious questions that have been raised.' The attack in Hawaii by Japan on December 7, 1941 killed 2,403 Americans. Robinson went on to argue that President Franklin Roosevelts decision to enter the war was part of a communist conspiracy to help Stalin. When you take in look at the totality of it, and look at the way FDR completely disregarded the fight in Japan and focused all of his energy, all of his energy was focused on a way for us to get to Europe, and not just to get to Europe, but to get over there to help the guy he called Uncle Joe, Robinson said. So wait a minute, we went to the Europe, and we quote freed Europe from the Nazis, but then we turned right around and turned over even more property to the communists. That doesnt make any sense, he went on. In a radio interview from 2018, Mark Robinson said 'serious questions' have been raised and responds 'definitely' when the program host argued the U.S. government was behind the attack on Pearl Harbor The attack in Hawaii by Japan on December 7, 1941 killed 2,403 Americans. Robinson called the circumstances around General George Patton's death in 1945 'just too fishy to me.' He said 'I certainly don't believe it' that one of the greatest U.S. commanders died due to a car accident Later in the same interview, the host claimed the U.S. government killed General Patton. Im not ready to say it for sure, but it sure looks like it because Patton was a rabid dog when it came to that communism thing, Robinson responded. Patton was paralyzed in a car accident in December 1945. He passed away less than two weeks later. How this guy ended up getting killed in a quote car wreck, Ill never know, Robinson said. I certainly dont believe it. Its just too fishy to me, Robinson said of his death being the result of the accident. Robinson also called FDR a quasi-socialist or a complete socialist that was surrounded by communists who went to Europe with the intent of saving Joseph Stalin, saving communism and saving marxism. 'Just like when the Democrats tried to smear him for calling for more education about the evils of totalitarian dictators like Hitler, Stalin and Mao, these are just more twisted word-game pretzels made up by Democrats and their allies in the press to falsely attack Mark Robinson,' campaign communications director Mike Lonergan responded. Lonergan pointed to Robinson's comments in the interview where he said he was 'not prepared' to support them while entertaining the theories. The comment about dictators is in regards to an unrelated clip posted online last summer where Robinson's comments about dictators were edited to be misleading. 'North Carolina voters know better and theyll see right through it when they elect Mark Robinson governor in November,' Lonergan said. Lt. Governor Robinson speaking at a Trump rally on March 2 , 2024. The ex-president endorsed Robinson in the governor's race and called him MLK 'on steroids' at the rally Robinsons past referencing conspiracy theories is well documented. He previously claimed in a post that he was skeptical of everything he has seen on TV including 9/11, and the JFK assassination and the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. Robinson also posted he doesn't believe the moon landing was faked or that 9/11 was an 'inside job' but wrote if he found out it was true he would not be surprised. The right-wing conservative firebrand has also been a polarizing figure who has come under fire for his past comments on women, Jews, Muslims and members of the LGBTQ community. Before running for lieutenant governor in 2020, Robinson once wrote that the Black Panther movie was 'created by an agnostic Jew and put to film by satanic Marxists.' In another post, Robinson wrote 'this foolishness about Hitler disarming MILLIONS of Jews and then marching them off to concentration camps is a bunch of hogwash.' While it has been raised by critics, in this case Robinson appears to be making a point about gun control and restrictions before the Nazis. His campaign said he has never denied the Holocaust. After the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Florida in which 49 people were killed in 2016, he wrote that homosexuality is 'STILL an abominable sin' and he would 'NOT join in "celebrating gay pride."' He also suggested Ellen DeGeneres, who is openly gay, was a 'top ranking demon.' In posts after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018, Robinson called the survivors 'spoiled, angry, know it all CHILDREN' and 'media prosti-tots.' Robinson is a conservative firebrand has come under fire for past antisemitic, anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ, sexist and other controversial remarks and posts online Robinson clinched the Republican nomination for governor in North Carolina on Super Tuesday in March. Hes backed by Donald Trump who described Robinson as Martin Luther King on steroids when endorsing him at a rally in Greensboro before the primary. Robinson called the civil rights leader a communist in a 2018 podcast. He has also blasted the Civil Rights Movement as a communist plot to subvert capitalism. Correction: This article has been updated to reflect in Robinson's post on the Holocaust, he wrote that it was 'hogwash' that it happened because of disarming Jewish people, not a denial of the Holocaust. Washington DC's wealthy remote workers are ditching the nation's capital for the country roads of West Virginia - pushing up rent costs in the poverty-stricken state and pricing out locals. A shift to remote working during the pandemic has enabled DC's top earners to relocate to rural areas and swap cramped apartments in the bustling city for large homes set among mountains and forests. Migration trends have historically seen people leave the metro area for wealthy counties in Virginia and North Carolina. But demographers have identified a new trend of movement to West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. Community groups in these new hotspots say lifelong residents living on the poverty line now face higher rent costs which have left some sleeping in their cars or living in motels. Maggie Garrido-Cortes, a housing program coordinator for community support organization Telamon, said Berkeley County and its county seat, Martinsburg, have become a 'bedroom community for the D.C. metro area'. Berkeley County, West Virginia, has become a hotspot for wealthy workers leaving Washington, DC Martinsburg, in Berkeley County, West Virginia, has had an influx of remote workers from DC The city is 77 miles from the center of DC, around a one-and-a-half hour drive. 'We've got a lot of folks [moving in] who are OK with paying $1,200-$1,400 for a one-bedroom apartment,' she told the Register Herald. 'But for your local folks, they aren't able to do that, even with the jobs that are available here.' She encounters resident 'sleeping in their vehicles' because they can't afford proper accommodation and said there is also a shortage of affordable housing. 'The motels around town are full of families,' said Garrido-Cortes. 'You go in the morning and you'll see the school bus pulling up to pick up children living there. It's almost at crisis level.' The population of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, which includes Berkeley County and Jefferson and Morgan counties, has risen by nearly a fifth since 2014 and average incomes have also increased, thanks in part to the salaries of new arrivals. But there are many who have lived in the region all their lives and haven't kept pace with the rising costs. Around 1,400 new affordable rental units are needed, according to the Register Heralds' report. Maggie Garrido-Cortes, a housing program coordinator, said Berkeley County and its county seat, Martinsburg, have become a 'bedroom community for the D.C. metro area'. Rents in Berkeley County have increased by a quarter since 2018 to $1,122 for a two-bedroom apartment. Jamila Jones, the president of Innovative Community Solutions, said: 'I understand from an economic development side that we want to be able to attract people to live here. 'But from a community development side, we also need to be creating places where people are able to afford it.' As community leaders struggle to find solutions - and cash - to solve the housing issues, wealthy builders have also moved in to create expensive developments to cater for the new influx. About $80 million has been spend to convert a former mill and garment factory into 387 apartments where the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom will be up to $1,650 - far beyond what many struggling families can afford. The trends beckon the slow gentrification of these areas which are conveniently close to DC for hybrid workers. The rise in migration from DC to West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle is not something that's happened in other parts of the state, where population has stagnated or fallen and poverty rates and incomes have struggled to improve. The state's economy is dominated by coal, the most polluting fossil fuel. But the industry has been in decline as the world looks to cleaner energy. That means that outside of the new Eastern Panhandle hotspots for those who move from DC, much of the state feels left behind entirely as America's economy has ballooned in recent decades. The shift to remote work during the pandemic has enabled wealthy workers in DC and other metro areas to relocate to remote towns but keep their high-paid jobs Aerial view of Shenandoah Valley in West Virginia, a state which has one of the highest rates of poverty in the country but has recently drawn wealthy workers from Washington, DC In those areas, they also face a brain-drain of academically successful young people who leave to find better-paid jobs and opportunities. William Franko, a political scientist at West Virginia University, told the New York Times that he's taught many students who leave despite their desire to stay. 'Most West Virginians love the state. But I think they look at the economic landscape, and they say, 'I don't see how I can make it work,' he said. West Virginia was the only US state where the child poverty rate increased between 2021 and 2022, from 20.7 percent to 25 percent, according to the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. The state's overall official poverty rate, including adults and children was 17.9 percent, or nearly 309,000 people, the third highest in the country. In 2022, the average household income was $52,560 compared to a national average of $74,580. For Washington D.C., the average household income was $101,722. Academics have noted that at the outset of the pandemic in 2020, affluent DC residents were moving to wealthier Virginia counties like Loudoun and Culpeper, which are both a couple of hours from the capital, they're now choosing areas in West Virginia. Loudoun is one of the wealthiest counties in the country and Culpeper also has above-average household incomes. 'After COVID, we've seen relatively little migration to places like Loudoun, it's going much further out,' VA demographer Hamilton Lombard told WTOP. He singled out Berkeley County, adding: 'The median home price is half to a third that of Fairfax [County in Virginia], and they're building more new homes right now than Fairfax is. 'That's been one of the big destinations, places like that really on the outer periphery of the D.C. metro area and beyond, that have often been some of the biggest gainers.' He said 'a lot of people who might accept a job with the federal government don't need to move to D.C.' because of the shift towards remote work. 'How far out you see people moving from the D.C. area is really striking,' he added. Analysis of the Census Bureau's 2023 population estimates found people are leaving large metro areas for rural communities in large numbers nationwide, continuing a trend which took hold during the pandemic. The analysis, by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, found 'migration out of counties with more than one million residents in 2023 remained nearly twice as high as before the pandemic'. 'Migration into the country's smallest metro areas and rural counties rose in 2023 from already near record levels in 2022,' it added. The report added that populations of major metro areas actually began to stall in the 2010s as the cost of living grew, pricing out many would-be city dwellers. The recent acceleration of migration from built-up areas was fueled by the rise in work from home, especially in high-paid sector like tech. 'With a third of workdays being done remotely in 2023, Americans have more geographic flexibility and have been increasingly willing to move far from large population centers if their destination offers a good quality of life,' said the report. 'Communities that have easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities have seen a spike in the number of people moving to them.' Jill Biden traveled 3,500 miles overnight to join President Joe Biden for a state visit in Paris but refused to talk about the Hunter Biden trial she had just left. The first lady didn't comment when asked how she was feeling after undertaking three transatlantic flights in the past three days. She has been boomeranging between France and Wilmington, Del., where her son Hunter Biden is on trial for federal gun charges. She and French first lady Brigitte Macron toured an art exhibit at the Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris, going from the courtroom to couture. As they posed for a photo, Biden commented that the room was 'so quiet' but then refused to answer any questions. The first lady had arrived in Paris around 6 am on Saturday morning, after watching her eldest granddaughter, Naomi Biden, get ambushed on the witness stand as she testified about her dad Hunter. Biden, wearing a pink dress with a black belt, was energic and asked several questions about the art during the tour. At one point she and Macron laughed and held hands as they chatted about the art. The first lady has undertaken the 3,741 miles flight three times in three days changing time zones too in order to balance her family needs with being First Lady. Jill Biden and Brigette Macron toured the Foundation Louis Vuitton President Emmanuel Macron greets President Joe Biden for his state visit in Paris on Saturday, with first ladies Brigitte Macron and Jill Biden Biden has been steadfast in her support of Hunter, spending four days at the courthouse this week, including her birthday on Monday. The only thing that her kept her away was her official first lady duties in France. She and Macron spent had lunch and then spent about 30 minutes touring the art museum and cultural center on the outskirts of Paris that is sponsored by the group LVMH, which owns Louis Vuitton. The French first lady often wears their clothing. While not 'super close,' as one source close to them said, the two first ladies have a lot in common: they are both teachers, they both love literature and words. And they both enjoy a nice glass of wine. 'They are not super close - they met only two or three times but it always went well,' a source said. They bonded in Italy over a glass of wine and then during a visit to the Planet Word Museum in Washington D.C. when the Macrons made a state visit in December 2022. President Biden will clock five days in France once the visit ends on Sunday, spending two days on the beaches at Normandy and the rest of his time in Paris. Jill Biden spent Thursday in France with her husband to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. She and Brigitte were together there when the Macrons joined the Bidens at the American Cemetery to honor the D-Day veterans. Her schedule this week has been a whirl wind. She flew to France on Wednesday night to be with be husband (the president flew over on Air Force One on Tuesday) and left after Thursday's festivities concluded so she could spend Friday in the courtroom. She boarded her flight to Paris on Friday night, arriving early Saturday. She flies via a government jet. Saturday marks the official state portion of President Biden's visit to France. First ladies are essential parts of these visits, which are highly ceremonial and symbolic. The women are dissected for the clothes they wear and the event they choose to do and how they act together. Jill Biden and Brigitte Macron had lunch at the museum before their tour Jill Biden has been boomeranging back and forth between Wilmington, Del., and France Naomi Biden testified on her father's behalf on Friday Despite the language barrier neither woman speaks the other's Jill, 73, and Brigitte, 71, have forged a bond. 'We instantly, you know, knew that we liked each other,' Biden said of Macron in December 2022 during the French couple's state visit. In addition to be language teachers - Biden teaches English and Macron taught French - both women have emphasized they have lives outside their political marriage. 'We're women, we had a life before [becoming] first lady, and we stay what we are,' Macron said at that time as Jill Biden nodded in agreement. And they have paved the way for their husbands to bond when the U.S. and France had a diplomatic dispute. In 2021, President Macron was outraged when Australia decided to buy nuclear subs from the United States, reneging on a deal with the French. Macron was blindsided by Australia's decision, which it made to join a U.S. and UK security pact. He recalled his ambassador from Washington D.C. back to Paris. The two heads of states eventually managed to patch up their differences, holding a one-on-one meeting at the G20 in Italy in October 2021. The two first ladies laughed and held hands during the tour Jill Biden had a glass of wine with Brigitte Macron at Il Marchese bar at the G20 in 2021 Jill Biden and Brigitte Macron hold hands during a visit to the Planet Word Museum in Washington DC in December 2022 Jill and Brigitte did their part to help repair relations. They went out together for a glass of wine at Il Marchese, a restaurant in Rome, ahead of their husbands' sit down. The two women sipped Chardonnay and ate small bites. Afterward, Biden said the time spent together was 'wonderful.' 'It's nice, two friends together, just like sisters,' she said. The Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia provides gender reassignment treatment to minors and has sponsored multiple events for transgender youth - and Democrat Senator Bob Casey just secured them a massive allotment of cash. The senior senator from Pennsylvania secured $400,000 in taxpayer funds for the Mazzoni center in the fiscal year 2024 spending package. The nonprofit also hosts the annual Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference, which has hosted panels on 'Bigger D*** Energy: Life After Masculinizing,' 'The Ins and Outs of Masturbation Sleeves,' and 'The Adolescent Pathway: Preparing Young People for Gender-Affirming Care.' 'Today, Senator Bob Casey announced with Mazzoni Center leadership a $400K congressional appropriation for building upgrades, including a building generator to protect refrigerated pharmaceuticals and vaccines,' the group posted on social media Thursday. On Thursday, Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., visited the Mazzoni Center to celebrate his securing of $400,000 for the nonprofit 'We thank the Senator for supporting LGBTQ+ health and wellness,' the post continued. The center is known to provide puberty blockers and hormone therapy for patients, including kids. It also provides testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI's), counseling and health education. In addition to providing treatment at the center, the group also connects patients to surgeons who can perform sex-change procedures. In Pennsylvania, these surgeries on minors are legal. The annual Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference hosted by the group has sparked controversy in the past and in 2017 canceled an events on de-transitioning. The 'Alternate ways of working with gender dysphoria' and 'Detransition: A panel discussion' were both canceled because, the group wrote at the time, 'when a topic becomes controversial, such as this one has turned on social media, there is a duty to make sure that the debate does not get out of control at the conference itself.' 'This was detracting from our overall mission of the conference, to provide an accessible and respectful environment that centers the experiences of the transgender and gender non-conforming/non-binary (GNC/NB) community,' the post continued. The center held a fundraising event titled 'Kinky Cupcakes' It has also sponsored transgender youth events with minors The Mazzoni Center also hosts 'Femme University,' a meeting to teach the 'younger generation' of transgender people how to express and explore their feminine side. The Mazzoni Center also supports a 'Pride Prom' for LGBT youth aged 14-18 In March, Casey withdrew his request for a $1 million allocation for another Pennsylvania-based LGTB group - the William Way LGBT Community Center - over its controversial ties to kink and BDSM parties. 'Senator Casey has been a leader and ally in the fight to protect LGBTQ rights in the U.S. Senate and will continue to support the LGBTQ community in the Commonwealth,' a spokesperson for the Democrat said at the time following the request withdrawal. 'He believes that consenting adults have the right to do whatever they want in their free time, but these types of appropriations projects warrant the highest level of scrutiny on behalf of taxpayers.' Senator Casey withdrew his request for federal funding when new information about the third-party use of the facility emerged.' Casey's office and the Mazzoni Center did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com for comment. A supposedly reformed teenage terror who was handed his first ASBO at just twelve years old assaulted a police officer despite previously vowing to live a crime-free life. Danny Oakley, now 30, claimed to have turned over a new leaf since racking up 70 offences with his younger brother Ricky. The pair - dubbed the 'Asbros' - terrorised neighbours across their Park Village estate in Wolverhampton for years, with dad Martin growing so frustrated with their antics that he hauled them onto the Jeremy Kyle show. Danny seemed to have left his loutish past behind him when he came out as gay and promised to devote his life to helping LGBT kids from tough backgrounds after being elected Equalities Officer at college. Danny Oakley (pictured), now 30, claimed to have turned over a new leaf since racking up 70 offences with his younger brother Ricky At just 12-years-old Danny (pictured with his brother Ricky) was handed his first ASBO for assaulting a police officer The pair - dubbed the 'Asbros' - terrorised neighbours across their Park Village estate in Wolverhampton for years, with dad Martin growing so frustrated with their antics that he hauled them onto the Jeremy Kyle show But in April last year he pleaded guilty at Dudley Magistrates' Court to assaulting a police officer after a boozy night out. 'I'm not proud of myself, it was stupid', he told MailOnline this week. 'I made a mistake. I hate myself for being back in trouble again. 'I have a real problem with authority. But now I'm trying to be on my best behaviour!' I'm really trying to live an honest and peaceful life but it's not that easy. I'm not nearly as bad as I was!' Jobless and single Danny admits to smoking cannabis for 'medicinal purposes' and is 'better off living on benefits' than working. Danny claims a spell behind bars changed his way of thinking - not being handed 'ineffective court orders.' He told how he had desperately tried to change his life for the better but his brother, two years younger, never bothered and he is now estranged from him. He claims a spell behind bars changed his way of thinking - not being handed 'ineffective court orders.' His latest shame came during an incident in his home city on April 09, 2022 - eight years after he walked free from jail and when he was aged 28. Danny, who in his youth had gone on a spree of burglaries and robberies, as well as causing havoc by hurling knives, setting off fire and slashing tyres, insisted that whilst out clubbing for the night he had his drinks spiked which led to a scuffle with police officers and a trip to hospital. He was spared jail and ordered to pay compensation to his victim of 75, and costs of 135, totally 210. 'What happened was down to my drink being spiked, my behaviour that night was out of character, and I apologised profusely to the court and the officer', he said. 'I suffer from anxiety and depression, I have a personality disorder, I am very complex, and at times I hate the world. 'At those times I have a real problem with authority but I am trying to be a good person, and I am a much better than the terrible kid I once was.' Danny spoke out after ASBOs are back in the spotlight with Labour planning to re-introduce them as part of their General Election bid to tackle street crime and crack down on repeat offenders. He stated: 'ASBOs didn't help me or my brother because they allowed us to carry on doing what we were doing out on the streets. They only gave us notoriety. 'Twenty-four-seven we were still doing whatever we wanted!' Danny, who is also estranged from his separated parents Martin and Marie, claimed 28 days in jail up in 2014, aged 20, was the turning point. He recalled: 'I was locked away and isolated and I had no visitors. Danny seemed to have left his loutish past behind him when he came out as gay and promised to devote his life to helping LGBT kids from tough backgrounds. But in April last year he pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer after a boozy night out Danny spoke out after ASBOs are back in the spotlight with Labour planning to re-introduce them as part of their General Election. He stated: 'ASBOs didn't help me or my brother because they allowed us to carry on doing what we were doing out on the streets. They only gave us notoriety' 'I felt suicidal and had no purpose in life and it showed me that I needed to change because if I didn't, I'd be right back there. It taught me the lesson I needed.' He told how he suddenly 'grew up' inside and, once free, he tried his best to stop being a trouble-maker, and for nearly a decade he lived a crime-free existence. He got jobs - most recently working as a kitchen assistant with the hope of becoming a chef at a Wetherspoons restaurant but he blew that chance when he got nicked, again, for the first time in nearly 10 years. Today, he claims to be trying hard to be a better citizen and slates the Labour Party for wanting to re-introduce a the 'ineffective' anti social behavioural orders. He said: 'They are not a deterrent. If you do a crime, you should do the time. 'Politicians who want ASBOs back or something similar are being too lackadaisical. It's time to scape those orders indefinitely and send offenders to prison instead. 'ASBOs didn't help me or my brother.' He urged: 'Don't think about bringing then back, scrap them for good, and send offenders to prison instead!' The How I Met Your Mother actor caught trying to flee to Mexico after allegedly stabbing his makeup artist girlfriend more than 20 times is banged up in a small-town Texas jail and is still awaiting extradition back to California, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. Nick Pasqual, 34, was charged with attempted murder, burglary and domestic violence in connection with the horror attack on Allie Shehorn, 35, in the early hours of May 23. Although LA District Attorney George Gascon has vowed the actor will be brought back to the Golden State to face the music, DailyMail.com can reveal that he is still in the Hudspeth County Jail in remote Sierra Blanca, Texas, and no date for transfer proceedings has been set. A source said: Hes still here and no extradition date has been set yet. Hell be here until he goes back to LA but we havent heard anything yet. On Tuesday, a spokeswoman for Gascons office said: The defendant has not been extradited to LA County from Texas. There is no arraignment date scheduled as of today. Los Angeles actor, Nick Pasqual, who was caught trying to flee to Mexico after allegedly stabbing his makeup artist girlfriend more than 20 times is banged up in a small-town Texas jail and is still awaiting extradition back to California , DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal Although LA District Attorney George Gascon has vowed the actor will be brought back to the Golden State to face the music, DailyMail.com can reveal that he is still in the Hudspeth County Jail in remote Sierra Blanca, Texas (pictured) and no date for transfer proceedings has been set Allie Shehorn, 35, a Hollywood makeup artist, was stabbed, allegedly by Pasqual who was later arrested in Texas trying to cross the Mexican border Sierra Blanca is a tiny city of just 315 people according to the 2020 census and is located 16 miles from the Mexican border. Pasqual was apprehended approximately 35 miles from the Hudspeth County seat while trying to flee into Chihuahua across the Fort Hancock International Bridge. Last week, Gascon described the brutal attack as heinous and said he would make the actor pay for his alleged crimes. He said: This heinous incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic violence. We will ensure that the individual responsible for this egregious act is held accountable for their actions. Shehorn, a successful makeup artist, is still recovering from the attack in hospital but is making progress and has been moved out of the ICU. According to the most recent update on the GoFundMe page set up to support her through her recovery, friends said she is making positive steps towards healing. Close friend Jed Dornoff added: Its still a very long road but she is facing it with courage and determination. Donations for Shehorn have been flooding in since news of the horror attack broke last week with more than $110,000 raised towards her care. Pascal allegedly stabbed his girlfriend Allie Shehorn 20 times before fleeing to Texas. He was charged with attempted murder, burglary and domestic violence. They are pictured at an ax throwing club where they went to celebrate her birthday last October Allie Shehorn Allie Shehorn, 35, a Hollywood makeup artist, in the hospital making steps to recovery after being stabbed up to 20 times by her Nicholas Pasqual, 34, in the early hours of May 23 The LA make-up artist was granted a temporary restraining order from her ex-boyfriend three days before the attack DailyMail.com previously revealed that Shehorn had suffered months of abuse at Pasquals hands and took out a restraining order against him on May 18 after an incident that saw him allegedly bash her head against the floor and attempt to break down a door in their Sunland home. On that occasion, according to the make-up artist, Pasqual became angry at around 3am and started yelling and screaming at me, which happens when hes under the influence'. She went on: He slapped me across the face and as I was trying to get away down the hallway, he grabbed my hair and pulled me back and I slammed into the floor hitting the back of my head on the ground. Shehorn says she attempted to hide in the bedroom of surrogate mother Christine White, 62, who shared the former couples home and was the one to find Shehorn bleeding out after the stabbing attack. Pasqual who appeared on How I Met Your Mother in 2005 and starred in the movie Poor Paul in 2023 then allegedly tried to batter the door down and when she unlocked it, shoved it against her causing her to fall to the ground and hit her head again. According to Shehorn, the incident left her with concussion while Pasqual went on to threaten White as she dialed 911. Pasqual starred in the 2023 movie Poor Paul alongside Adam Carbone and Abhi Sinha Although the brute was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence according to LAPD booking records, he was able to bond out of jail the same day leaving him free to attack Shehorn again three days later. According to Shehorns application for a restraining order, Pasqual also allegedly attacked her on a number of other occasions: hitting her with a belt on January 29, breaking down several doors in their home on March 6 and raping and choking her on April 14. Shehorn added: He has been violent in the past but never physically with me apart from two nights where he ripped clothes off of me [sic]. In the application, the special effects make-up artist also asked for protection for White and also for the couples white husky-mix dog Riley. A hearing over whether to make the temporary restraining order permanent had been scheduled on June 11 in Pasadena while Pasqual was due to appear in court on a felony charge in San Fernando on June 12. A little girl's fight for life has ended in a Maine hospital four days after a horrific accident while playing badminton with her 10-year-old brother during an idyllic lakeside family vacation. Lucy Morgan, six, was hit in the head by part of her brother's racket when it disintegrated as he played a shot on the last full day of their vacation in Limerick. The girl was airlifted to the Maine Medical Center in Portland where her family was told she had suffered a catastrophic brain injury in the freak accident on June 1. With no hope of recovery, her three young siblings joined their parents at her bed to sing her favorite hymn for the last time before their little 'Miss Independent' died in the early hours of Wednesday. 'This is such a sad, tragic situation,' Maine State Police said. 'Our hearts break for the family.' Six-year-old Lucy Morgan died after after a freak accident in which she was struck in the head by her young brother's badminton racket when it disintegrated during a game The young family were preparing to return to their home in Stockholm, New Jersey , after enjoying a week of kayaking and outdoor activities The young family were preparing to return to their home in Stockholm, New Jersey, after enjoying a week of kayaking and outdoor activities. They had just finished lunch by the lake when the four children aged from four to 10 went to the front yard to play badminton, dad Jesse Morgan, who is a pastor, said. 'Bethany and I were relaxing in the back when we heard screaming,' he added. 'Due to a freak accident with a racquet that broke on a downward swing, a sharp piece had entered Lucy's skull while she was sitting on the sideline and caused catastrophic injury.' The aluminum shaft had broken away from the wooden handle and hit Lucy in the head leaving her unconscious and unresponsive. She was taken by EMS to a local hospital and then on by helicopter to Portland where surgeons removed part of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain. She was resuscitated after suffering a cardiac arrest on the operating table but doctors informed the family that she had a negligible chance of recovery. Morgan, a pastor with the Green Pond Bible Chapel in Rockaway Township, began documenting his daughter's struggle for life over the next four days on his church blog. The young family were enjoying an idyllic lakeside vacation in Maine when the tragedy occurred Lucy was airlifted by helicopter to Portland where she suffered a cardiac arrest as surgeons removed part of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain And the following day the devastated parents had to tell Lucy's siblings that their sister was unlikely to recover. 'Walking into the hospital room that the staff generously gave us were three little humans sleeping soundly,' their father wrote. 'It hit us so hard at that moment that there were only three not four. We broke the news as gently as we could, but that is a conversation you never want to have with a 4- year-old, 8-year-old, and 10-year-old. 'Shiloh broke down immediately. She and Lucy are best friends being the middle girls. 'She couldn't imagine sleeping alone in her room. AJ was slow to comprehend and just wanted to be held, then got into his typical 4-year-old machine gun questioning style. 'Silas tried to hold it in as the tough guy, but then burst out crying 'I don't want to be a family of five'.' The family began to receive hundreds of messages from well-wishers as news of Lucy's condition spread 'Thank you all for helping us hope,' Jesse wrote. 'Ninety percent of the messages I get I have no idea who they are from. You are amazing people used by God to bring comfort.' But by the Monday it was becoming clear that the end was near, writing that there was a 'significant lack of brain function' that left them facing a reality that was 'utterly devastating'. 'If there is any good news in this, it's that she hasn't felt any pain over the past few days', the pastor added. The four children had enjoyed a week of kayaking and outdoor activities before the accident Father Jesse Morgan said the family 'can't imagine life without Lucy-goose' The day passed in a 'blur' as a series of neurologists confirmed the prognosis and the family prepared to say their last goodbye. As part of their final goodbye, Jesse said that the family sang three verses of 'He Will Hold Me Fast' in what he described as 'one of the most beautiful, sacred things I've ever been a part of'. Brain death was declared 1.32am on June 5, and her heart stopped beating around 4am that morning. 'I just taught on processing grief in the last Adult Bible Class I taught before sabbatical,' Jesse wrote. 'Am I willing to submit to my own advice? Right now holding her hand I'm not sure, but I want to. 'We are hanging on but can't imagine life without Lucy-goose.' A GoFundMe.com fund to support the family has raised more than $93,000 from more than 850 donors. Lucy's funeral will take place at 11am ET on Saturday and will be live-streamed at www.greenpondbible.org. Social media users have given Penny Mordaunt's hair the meme treatment following the BBC election debate with viewers comparing her to Margaret Thatcher. Voters took to Twitter to draw comparisons between her bob-cut hair and the distinctive hairstyle of the legendary Conservative leader. Others joked that the Tory Cabinet Minister's bob-cut hair appeared inauthentically large and unmoving. While some of the tech-savvy debate watchers used their photoshop skills to edit the Leader of the House of Common's hair to become comically large. However some social media users argued Ms Mordaunt's hairstyle choice was a deliberate attempt to appear more like ex-Tory leader Margaret Thatcher. Tory MP Penny Mordaunt's large mound of blonde hair became the subject of dozens of memes Some of the tech-savvy debate watchers used their photoshop skills to edit the Leader of the House of Common's hair to become comically large Columnist Ian Dunt wrote on Twitter/X: 'She looks like she's purposefully done a Thatcher to her hair.' A journalism professor Eamonn O'Neill commented: 'Margaret Thatcher called and would like her hair back. #pennymourdant.' Commentator Darren Grimes posted: 'Pennys hair is very 1970s Lady Thatcher!'. Meanwhile other social media users used their photoshop skills to create hilarious memes about the Tory MP's bold hairstyle in tonight's debate. While others drew comparisons to bizarre hairstyles from film and TV. One social media user wrote: 'Penny Mordaunt is frightening, it's growing as I watch. I'm not going to sleep tonight.' One Twitter user posted: 'Let's be honest the only part of Penny Mordaunt that is 'standing up and fighting' is her bloody hair.' Despite the fierce exchanges throughout the debate, Angela Rayner (left) and Penny Mordaunt shook hands at the end Another said: 'Cant bear Penny Mordor but her Raine Spencer coiffure is pretty epic.' While another posted a meme from 1987 Star Wars spoof Spaceballs with star Rick Moranis in his comically oversized helmet, with the comment: 'Penny Mordaunt slightly overdoing the hairspray tonight.' During the debate Ms Mordaunt repeatedly locked horns with her main political rival, and neighbour on the stage Angela Rayner. The two women clashed over the Conservatives' controversial claim that a Labour government would add 2,000 to a family's annual tax bill. Ms Rayner, who was dressed in Labour Party red, slammed her Tory counterpart, saying the claims were 'lies' as Ms Mordaunt ploughed on, before they had to be stopped by presenter Mishal Husain. But despite the fierce exchanges throughout the debate, Ms Rayner Ms Mordaunt shook hands at the end. Elsewhere in the debate Nigel Farage was filmed appearing to stretch his knees to warm up. Meanwhile social media users also took the opportunity labelled the BBC general election debate the 'worst episode of the Weakest Link ever'. Voters took to Twitter to joke that the BBC's studio in London left all seven political leaders standing next to plinths which bear eerily similarities to the hit BBC quiz show. Voters took to Twitter to joke that the BBC's studio in London left all seven political leaders standing next to plinths which bear eerily similarities to the hit BBC quiz show The showbiz setting was the backdrop for the broadcasters flagship political debate less than a month before voters go to the polls on July 4 Social media users labelled the BBC general election debate the 'worst episode of the Weakest Link ever' The showbiz setting is the backdrop for the broadcaster's flagship political debate which has seen Tory Penny Mordaunt, Labour's deputy Angela Rayner and Reform leader Nigel Farage debate leading figures from the Liberal Democrats, SNP, Green Party and Plaid Cymru. It is the first multi-party debate comes less than a month before voters go to the polls on July 4. BBC journalist Mishal Husain has been moderating the debate and has been seen as playing the role of feisty Weakest Link host Anne Robinson. The lights and backdrop surrounding the contestants also appeared to give the debate a quiz show feel. One social media user commented 'Conservatives, you are the Weakest Link goodbye'. Another wrote: 'So who is the weakest link?'. While another said: 'This episode of the weakest link is just awful.' The original format features nine contestants, who take turns answering general knowledge questions The Weakest Link ran from 2000 to 2011 with its host Anne Robinson The quiz show was rebooted starring Romesh Ranganathan in 2022 Another commented: 'Is this the weakest link's new studio?' Meanwhile another said: 'Not sure about this reboot of The Weakest Link.' The Weakest Link ran from 2000 to 2011 with its host Anne Robinson, before it was rebooted starring Romesh Ranganathan in 2022. The original format features nine contestants, who take turns answering general knowledge questions. Each round a contestant would be voted off, with the iconic last line delivered by the host as 'You are the Weakest Link goodbye'. Earlier this week, viewing figures showed millions of Britons snubbed Tuesday night's first showdown between the PM and Sir Keir on primetime ITV. The programme was watched by an average of just 4.8million viewers, with a peak of 5.2million viewers. This was down from the average audience of 6.7million for the ITV debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn during the 2019 general election. A YouGov snap poll revealed nearly two-thirds who did watch the clash between Mr Sunak and Sir Keir branded it 'frustrating'. The debate saw both party leaders repeatedly speak over each other during tetchy exchanges, as ITV host Julie Etchingham struggled to rein them in. Etiquette experts have revealed the five cases that you should never tip, as consumers continue to express their frustration over digital check-out screens. According to a recent survey by Bankrate, about six in ten adults see tipping in a negative light, and 35 percent say things have 'gotten out of control'. Just 67 percent of respondents in the survey said that they always tip in sit-down restaurant, a drop of eight percent in three years. Speaking with NBC, etiquette experts have broken down when is the right time to tip and when it is not appropriate so you don't fall victim to being guilt-tripped. According to the three experts who spoke to the outlet, these include cases like if a repair person comes by, when service is poor and when buying at a counter. Experts say there are five interactions in particular that do not require a customer to tip, even if they feel pressured to by swiveling tablets Thomas Farley, an etiquette expert and keynote speaker known as Mister Manners, contests that you do not have to tip workers that are salaried. According to Farley, such a practice can even be considered inappropriate at certain times. 'Not only would it not be expected, it would be highly unorthodox and very awkward,' Farley told the outlet. 'You could be seen as attempting to curry some sort of favor or that it might be some sort of a bribe.' Farley also said anytime you buy at a counter, it is not a requirement to tip as far as etiquette is concerned. Consumers have expressed their frustration over how much the tablets at restaurants are asking for, with one TikTok user claiming a tablet asked her for an almost 50% tip for a coffee. 'When they turn that device around, it's this glaring thing, and, but you don't have to,' Elaine Swann, a lifestyle and etiquette expert, told CNBC. Swan is not saying you should avoid tipping service-industry workers such as baristas but that gratuity should be given at the discretion of the customer. American customers have expressed their frustration over how much the tablets at restaurants are asking for, with one TikTok user (pictured) claiming a tablet asked her for an almost 50% tip for a coffee Swann adds that events at open bars do not require you to tip. Oftentimes, the bar staff may put out a tip jar, but there is no obligation to tip. 'Keep in mind that the host of that event has likely already taken care of the tip,' said Swann. 'That tip would be included in what they've had to pay for the venue or to the bartending service.' While tipping isn't necessary in this instance but very much appreciated, Farley adds that tipping may help you get better service throughout the night. 'If there is a busy bar, and there are multiple people to take orders from, the fact that you acknowledged them may get you a heavier pour', he added. Another instance in which experts say you don't need to tip is when it seems like double-tipping or fees are built in. Swann said she recently heard from a woman who tipped a nail technician after a manicure, and then was asked to tip again when paying at the counter. In some instances, tipping can be inappropriate, such as giving salaried workers extra cash, said experts In this case, Swann said it is appropriate to ask the server who the included fee goes to. While the service charge might cover the house, Farley, who recently tipped an extra 20% on top of a 20% service fee in Denver, recommends leaving an additional gratuity for your server. 'From an etiquette standpoint, we still tip the servers who are bringing us our food,' he says. 'But I did leave that restaurant feeling like this was not a tenable situation.' And lastly, and this goes without saying, if the service is bad, Swann said you are not obligated to tip. If the issue is with the server themselves, Swann said it is appropriate to reduce their tip amount, but only if you bring it up to management as well. It comes after a report last year that detailed how tipping screens are to blame for what is being branded 'tipflation'. An exclusive poll by DailyMail.com revealed how 38 percent of the 2,000 shoppers surveyed said they disliked digital check-outs and one in five felt the machines had caused them to accidentally tip too much. Such systems boomed in popularity during the pandemic when retailers stopped accepting cash due to fears notes could spread Covid-19 germs. Across the board, consumers seemed most frustrated by prompts to tip at self-checkout kiosks - a phenomenon which has been criticized widely on social media. After Nigel Farages bombshell announcement on Monday that he was seizing control of Reform UK and running for Parliament for the eighth time, there was a palpable air of excitement when his partys senior figures convened for their shadow cabinet meeting on Zoom two days later. The movements A-team including Richard Tice, brusquely demoted from leader to chairman; ex-Tory Cabinet minister Ann Widdecombe; businessman and former MEP Rupert Lowe and broadcaster Dr David Bull had planned to toast their hero. But when they assembled in their online video-conference on Wednesday, there was one conspicuous absentee: Farage. Astonishingly rude, spat one veteran supporter last night. Already there had been troubling signs that Farage had no intention of treating his colleagues as a Cabinet of equals. In an interview on Tuesdays Today programme on BBC Radio 4, Farage had appeared to rewrite a key Reform policy on immigration live on air. When asked about Reforms flagship proposal to process asylum seekers in British overseas territories, he declared: I dont think it is terribly practical. Presenter Mishal Husain said: The policy youve put forward is not practical? Farage replied: I think it is a very difficult policy... I took over yesterday, so give me more than 12 hours and I will sort a few things out. Farages veteran supporter tells me: I couldnt believe Nigel ditched a settled policy in a radio interview. We are a team not a sole trader. Newly appointed Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has turned this election upside down, with opinion polls show Reform on 17 per cent - within a whisker of the Tories But whatever misgivings there may be over his leadership style, there is no doubt that Farages return has turned this general election campaign upside down. The latest opinion polls show Reform on 17 per cent, within a whisker of the Tories. And with several weeks remaining, it could still push Rishi Sunak into a humiliating third place in the opinion polls. Now some observers fear the movement could up-end British politics for a generation and fatally weaken the Tory Party. So what exactly is Reform, what does it stand for, and who beyond Farage and Tice is involved in it? Strictly speaking, Reform is not really a political party at all. It is, in fact, a limited company that makes annual returns to Companies House. Farage owns 53 per cent of the stock and Tice 33 per cent: which means Farage owns Reform. Mr Farage announces his intention to stand during the upcoming general election during a press conference on June 3 Its submissions to Companies House are revealing. Under occupation, Farage is described as Leader of a political party. Tice? Director. Another shareholder is Paul Oakden, Reforms chief executive and shadow cabinet member, as well as a former chairman of Ukip which preceded the Brexit Party. Never far from controversy, Oakden once masqueraded as an airline pilot on dating website MingleVille, on which he also posed with a 150,000 Aston Martin, implying it was his own it really belonged to his boss, the then Tory MP Andrew Bridgen. Reform has boasted that it will field candidates in all 650 constituencies but the snap election has left them scrambling to fill more than 100 vacancies. This could mean they will have to cut corners when it comes to vetting, which could be disastrous. In April it was revealed that at least 12 of the partys candidates had been ditched or suspended over offensive social media posts. There have also been pressing financial issues. Since 2021, Tice, a millionaire property developer, has been responsible for around 80 per cent of its declared funding in the form of loans and donations. At the end of 2022, Mehrtash AZami, a director of Reform, said that the party had net liabilities of more than 1 million, a significant percentage of which comes from directors loans. Tice alone has loaned Reform 1.1 million. Nick Candy and Holly Valance at the Reform UK press conference in London, where it was announced Nigel Farage will become the new leader of the party But the return of Farage should ease the funding crisis. Little noticed at Mondays press conference was the presence of billionaire property developer Nick Candy and his blonde-bombshell wife, the actress Holly Valance. Candy, who has given 270,000 to the Tories, is an interesting political beast. In 1997, he voted for Tony Blair but has since backed Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Candy can spot a winner, said one astute associate. Its fair to speculate he will financially back Farage, who is a proven winner. Christopher Harborne boss of Sherriff Global Group, which trades in private planes gave 13.7 million to the Brexit party, making him one of the biggest donors in British political history. He is also expected to start giving to Reform now Farage is at the helm. Farage's Reform Party could split the Tory vote and unintentionally hand the keys to No 10 to Keir Starmer and Labour When it comes to policy, Reform has some attractive ideas that undoubtedly appeal to lifelong Tories. The 40 per cent income tax threshold, currently 50,270 would be raised to 70,000. By contrast, Chancellor Jeremy Hunts decision to freeze the thresholds until 2028 will be the single biggest tax-raising measure since the 1970s. Reform will also abolish inheritance tax on estates under 1 million. Currently it kicks in for the portion of any estate worth more than 325,000. For estates over 2 million, Reform would halve the levy from 40 per cent to 20 per cent or nothing if you make an equivalent donation to charity. But why are Reform pledging to up the threshold for paying income tax from 12,500 to 20,000 a year? Not only is this wildly unaffordable, it would reinforce the pernicious idea that only richer people should pay tax and fund public services, cementing the something-for-nothing culture that has grown since the pandemic. Reform is on stronger ground when it argues that consumers have been ripped off and failed by weak regulators. But their answer is to take 50 per cent of the main utilities back into public ownership, with the other half taken over by pension funds. The price tag will be ruinous. The Centre for Policy Studies, a Thatcherite think-tank, estimated in 2019 that full nationalisation of energy transmission, water, the Royal Mail and rail would cost 196 billion. Reform has also proposed an employer immigration tax to encourage companies to hire British workers rather than cheaper immigrants. This would raise employer National Insurance contributions from 13.8 per cent to 20 per cent of the salary of every non-British citizen they employ (health and social care sectors and companies with fewer than five staff would be exempt). The tax would affect around 3.5 million foreign workers and Farage admitted this week that some small businesses might go bust as a result. So much for being on the side of workers. All eyes will be on Reforms plan to stop the boats. The policy document promises that Reform would pick up migrants out of boats and take [them] back to France, insisting that we are legally allowed to do this thanks to unnamed but highly convenient international treaties. If thats true, why has no one thought of it before? Laughably, when it comes to the crisis in social care, Reform states: To be decided. Not very encouraging with an election 26 days away. Could they win any seats? Farage stands a good chance of taking Clacton in Essex, while Tice hopes the party can win another five or so across the country. They are unconcerned that their tactics will split the Tory vote and hand Starmer a landslide victory. Indeed, they relish the prospect, which is strange, as a big majority will enable him to unpick Brexit, Farages political raison detre. Farage stands a good chance of taking Clacton in Essex, while Tice hopes the party can win around five across the country, argues Andrew Pierce One seasoned Reform campaigner mutters: With Nigel, its like riding a tiger. A tiger is unpredictable. I thought we were going to talk about running Britain properly but we have turned the clock back to Ukip and immigration and will be accused of xenophobia all over again. Under Richard Tice we were building a strong movement, but Farage has thrown a rock into the pool. Im delighted were surging in the polls but strong leadership is not about strong egos. I am worried because we need teamwork, cooperation and compromise. Events of the last week dont make that seem likely. A woman was shocked to discover her home had been targeted with sickening Islamophobic graffiti. Rita Manessis, 53, discovered the graffiti on the driveway of her home in Manningham in north-east Melbourne on Thursday night. As the mother-of-four was putting her bins out, she smelt paint and saw the disgusting messages, 'get out Muslim c*** and 'death to Palestine' sprayed on her driveway. Several hand-drawn swastikas were next to the slogans. The mother-of-four believes she could have been targeted because she displays 'Free Palestine' stickers and posters on the front of her home and on her car. Mrs Manessis, who is not Muslim, called the police straight away. She told the ABC she was shocked, but 'kind of numb to it at the moment'. Local Manningham community group Menzies for Palestine believes Mrs Manessis' property was targeted between 10.30pm and 11.30pm on Thursday night. Rita Manessis discovered the graffiti on the driveway of her home in Manningham in north-east Melbourne on Thursday night Mrs Manessis believes she could have been targeted because she displays 'Free Palestine' stickers and posters on the front of her home and on her car Federal Member for Menzies, Keith Wolahan MP (pictured), called the graffiti attack 'reprehensible' The group stated in a social media post: 'Menzies for Palestine condemns in the strongest terms the reprehensible act of hate speech and vandalism perpetrated against a resident in Manningham.' 'It is crucial to note that the resident is not of Palestinian, Muslim, or Arab descent, yet they have been subjected to intimidation and harassment solely due to their support of the Palestinian cause.' Federal Member for Menzies, Keith Wolahan MP called the graffiti attack 'reprehensible'. 'I have reached out to local police, who are investigating. 'The line between the legitimate expression of highly charged emotions and ugly hate looks like this. That line applies to all faiths.' The Islamaphobia Register Australia, an organisation 'dedicated to monitoring and combating Islamophobia in Australia', said in a statement that it has 'continued to see a concerning increase in Islamophobic incidents when compared to pre-October 7 levels in 2023'. 'The Register previously reported on 23 October 2023 that reports of Islamophobia had increased ten-fold, followed by a thirteen-fold increase a month later. 'Unfortunately, since then, the number of incidents reported to the Register has continued to spike at an alarming rate. 'In the same time period post-October 7, we have observed an alarming 39-fold increase in reported incidents on university campuses across the country.' Victoria Police are investigating the Manningham Islamophobic graffiti incident. 'There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based symbols and behaviour,' a police spokesman said. Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au READ MORE: Customers unleash on Brosa as they lose hope of ever getting a refund Hundreds of unhappy customers have been left without both their money and their orders after a national furniture chain announced it had gone into administration. Johnny's Furniture, which had 15 stores scattered across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, entered voluntary administration on Tuesday. Many customers have been left in the lurch with no guarantee they will get their money back. The news caused some customers to turn up at stores to collect their orders, leading to a dispute at one Gold Coast outlet. Administrator Shumit Banerjee of Westburn Advisory issued a statement on the company's collapse which was seen in the window of some stores. 'Whilst my appointment is in its infancy, my preliminary investigations indicate that the company had a significant decline in revenue during the 2024 financial year, which likely contributed to the Director's decision to appointment me as voluntary administrator,' it read. National furniture store Johnny's Furniture, which had 15 stores scattered across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, entered voluntary administration on Tuesday Creditors of the company included lenders, staff, customers, the ATO, related parties and other government revenue offices. Those turning up to stores to demand furniture or a refund were instead handed a letter confirming an urgent assessment of the business was underway. 'The Director of the Company has indicated his desire to honour store credits and lay-bys, and we are currently working with the Director regarding same,' the letter read. 'I am currently continuing to trade the business in a limited capacity. 'We sympathise with customers with unfulfilled orders and ask for patience while we undertake our urgent assessment,' it continued. 'We anticipate a further update will be communicated to customers within the next 2-3 weeks.' Those turning up to stores to demand furniture or a refund were instead handed a letter confirming an urgent assessment of the business was underway Many customers are infuriated, having not received their items or a guarantee of their money back The letter added all available options were being considered, including sale of the business as a going concern or recapitalisation through a Deed of Company Arrangement. Customers took to social media to share their gripes, with many posting the same experiences of lengthy delays and faulty products. 'I am currently going through the hell of trying to get a refund from them,' one shared on Reddit. 'Bought a lounge suite in November that was to be delivered in January. February rolls around and I have to call them.' They added: 'It's been delayed. Same thing month after month.' Johnny's website confirms the news, advertising a 'stock liquidation sale' with 60 to 70 per cent off storewide 'They don't call me to tell me, I have to call them when the delivery doesn't arrive.' The customers claims they were told refunds couldn't be processed in store and were put in touch with Johnny's customer service team. 'Two weeks later they say the customer service team can't do refunds, head office can.' The infuriated customer said they are still waiting as of May 21 and have started the process with their bank to take the money back. Another said they had ordered a lounge in October 2023 and are still waiting for it to be delivered seven months later. 'Was originally told a 3 month wait, latest eta end of June,' they shared. 'I recently went into the Bundall store, sat on the display couch that I had ordered, said that I like it and asked how long the wait time is for one of these.' They continued: '[Staff] obviously didn't recognise me as it has been so long since I placed an order for the exact same lounge. 'The staff member proceeded to tell me a 3 month wait - I handed her my receipt from 7 months ago and asked her to look into this one for me.' A Queensland Police spokesperson confirmed it was called to a dispute at a store in Bundall on Saturday morning but did not attend 'She apologised, handed the receipt back to me and said she doesn't know what to do.' A Queensland Police spokesperson confirmed it was called to a dispute at a store in Bundall on Saturday morning but did not attend. One customer, there to collect a table, described the situation as 'crazy'. 'There were people everywhere and security was bought in as people were coming in asking questions,' they told the Gold Coast Bulletin. 'People are hurt financially. It is a mess.' The newspaper reported another furniture chain owner has registered a swag of new companies under the Johnnys Furniture name, including locations for stores at Bundall, Helensvale, Kawana and Virginia. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Johnny's Furniture for comment. A World War Two veteran from Kansas took some of Hitler's personal letterhead back to the U.S. after spending the night in the fuhrer's private office. It was April 1945 when Charles Staubus found himself in Germany after senior Nazi party officials had begun to flee and Hitler had just committed suicide. As the German war effort was fast-crumbling, Staubus found himself in Berchtesgaden, Germany, the home of Adolf Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Nearby was Hitler's other office known as the Little Reich Chancellery, with Hans Lammers at the helm. The officer was essentially the second seat of government of Nazi Germany. Charles Staubus arrived in France with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division In April 1945 he spent a night in an office used by top Nazi Party officials and found some of Hitler's personal letterhead which he used to write a letter to his father Staubus had earlier arrived in Europe with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division along with 160,000 Allied troops in June 1944 After Hitler's demise and with German soldiers rushing to escape, it was then Staubus found himself staying in Lammers' office overnight after the complex was heavily bombed by the Allies and was captured by American forces. 'I picked the lock on his desk. The one thing he had left on his desk was this, a seating diagram for all the top Nazis,' Staubus explained to KDAF. Aside from the seating plan, Staubus also uncovered a stash of Hitler's personal stationery with 'Der Fuhrer' inked on. 'I lifted this lid. It was like a hope chest. There it was half-full. There were only two sheets of that. 'One of them, I kept for my copies, and the other one I wrote my dad a letter on and told them the war was over.' In a letter, dated May 8, 1945, Staubus wrote to his father using Hitler's letterhead. 'Dear Dad, Well this is it, V.E. Day,' the first words read. Staubus, who will be 100 this September, has kept the letterhead and the 1938 seating plan ever since. He never told the U.S. Army about what he took home as a souvenir, or as he liked to describe it, 'liberated'. 'They didn't know a thing about it,' he said with a cheeky smile. The town of Berchtesgaden, Germany was the home of Adolf Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Nearby was Hitler's other office known as the Little Reich Chancellery, with Hans Lammers at the helm Staubus, who will be 100 in September, has kept the letterhead and the 1938 seating plan ever since and still has it at his assisted living facility in Lenexa, Kansas There were only two sheets of letterhead remaining. Staubus kept one blank and used the other to write a letter to his dad The notepaper is in remarkably good condition consider it is more than 80 years old A seating diagram for all the top Nazi Party officials was also in the desk and Staubus took that as well He had earlier arrived in Europe with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division along with 160,000 Allied troops in June 1944. 'When I first got to France, they took me to a large tent full of uniforms and said the people who had these are all dead. Any that you, like you, can have it,' Staubus said to KDAF as he recalled the D-Day invasion on its 80th anniversary. D-Day commemorates the day Allied forces launched a massive invasion of Nazi-occupied Normandy, France, as part of Operation Overlord which took place on June 6, 1944. Thousands of US and Allied paratroopers landed around Normandy Beach ahead of the largest armada of thousands of ships ever assembled carrying enormous numbers of Allied troops across the English Channel to fight Nazi control. It would become the largest air, land and sea assault in history, the beginning of the end of Hitler's seize of Europe. Thousands of Americans and Allied troops died on D-Day and in the fighting that followed. The successful invasion marked a major turning point in the war as it was the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control. War veterans, military chiefs and critics from across the political spectrum queued up yesterday to condemn Rishi Sunak for skipping a major D-Day ceremony. The Prime Minister apologised for his 'mistake' but was accused of letting the country down, with some even branding his actions as 'stupid'. On a calamitous day, Tory sources questioned whether it was possible to change leaders during a General Election campaign and candidates lined up to criticise Mr Sunak. It has emerged that after attending British/French commemorations on Thursday alongside the King and president Emmanuel Macron, Mr Sunak left Normandy for an interview with ITV, due to be broadcast next week. It meant that he missed the international ceremony, which was attended by 25 world leaders and heads of state, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings. Rishi Sunak, pictured with his wife Akshata Murty, apologised for leaving D-Day events early to take part in a TV interview The PM has faced fury after it emerged he travelled back from Normandy in order to continue his general election campaign with an interview in front of ITV cameras Veterans and world leaders gathered in France to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day World leaders, including US President Joe Biden, gathered to mark the sacrifice made by troops arriving on the Normandy beaches in 1944. But the UK was represented by the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also rubbed shoulders with international politicians. Yesterday, Mr Sunak issued an apology over social media and repeated it in an awkward exchange with broadcasters during an election campaign event in Wiltshire. He suggested it had always been his intention to leave before the international ceremony on Omaha Beach, even before he called the General Election. 'I'm someone who will always admit when I've made a mistake,' Mr Sunak said. 'I stuck to the itinerary that had been set for me as Prime Minister weeks ago before the election.' Mr Sunak said that having participated in 'all the British events with British veterans, I returned home before the international leaders' event later in the day. 'On reflection, that was a mistake. And I apologise. I think it's important, though, given the enormity of the sacrifice made, the focus should rightly be on the veterans who gave so much.' Mr Sunak is pictured here next to the King and Queen as well as French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer stayed for the international ceremony, during which he met Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky In a social media post this morning, Mr Sunak admitted 'it was a mistake not to stay in France longer - and I apologise' At a seven-party debate hosted by the BBC, Common leader Penny Mordant admitted that the Prime Minister had made a mistake in leaving early Even the PM's own veterans minister Johnny Mercer admitted Mr Sunak had made a 'significant mistake' by leaving D-Day memorial events early to carry out a TV interview When challenged on what it said about him that his election rival stayed in France while he did not, Mr Sunak said it was not 'right to be political'. He also said that rumours that he had considered missing the Normandy elements of the D-Day anniversary commemorations entirely were 'simply not right'. ITV said the timing of the interview had been suggested by the Conservative Party. But following Mr Sunak's actions, a Tory source said: 'Is it possible to change leaders mid-campaign? It's becoming a cliche but it does feel existential for the party.' Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, said the incident was Mr Sunak's 'Gillian Duffy moment' a reference to Gordon Brown's infamous microphone moment where he called Ms Duffy a 'bigoted woman'. Mr Farage told ITV: 'It was a catastrophe for Gordon Brown and I think the one thing people have always associated the Conservative Party with is being basically patriotic. It is led by a man who very clearly isn't.' A former Conservative cabinet minister added: 'It was completely stupid and quite unnecessary. I don't think [Mr Sunak] has a strong political gut and he has a record of being stubborn.' Normandy veteran Ken Hay, 98, who was captured as a prisoner of war just weeks after D-Day, said Mr Sunak had let the country down. 'It's not the representation of how we're trying to weld things together to keep the peace,' he said. Mr Hay added that Mr Sunak had decided to 'bail out, let them get on with it because 'I want to stand in the election, I want my seat back'. The Prime Minister also faced fury from senior military figures, including Lord West, the former head of the Royal Navy, who said: 'I would have thought he'd have been desperate to be involved in such a major, major event of such significance to so many millions of people across the United Kingdom, let alone around the world. The PM visited a school on a road called Veterans Way for another election campaign visit and the irony was not lost on people A squirming Rishi Sunak issued a grovelling apology in front of TV cameras for leaving D-Day commemoration events early 'I find it very strange that he should do such an own goal.' Lord West said that Mr Sunak's advisers 'should have told him to stay', adding: 'It makes you wonder, 'Well, if they can't run an election campaign, how the hell can they run the country?' Sir Craig Oliver, who was Lord Cameron's No 10 communications chief, told BBC Radio 4 Today's programme that Mr Sunak stood accused of 'not getting what it is to be Prime Minister'. Of the D-Day events, he said: 'I think if you're planning these things, you've got to say, 'Look, that's going to block the Prime Minister out'. It's a very important moment for the country. But it's also a very important moment to show that you're being prime ministerial.' Meanwhile, Ian Acheson, an aide who advised Michael Gove on extremism, quit the Tories over Mr Sunak's decision to leave the commemorations early. In his resignation letter, seen by The Telegraph, Mr Acheson said: 'It was an act of either colossal stupidity or cynical calculation. Either way, it revealed to me that while I still embrace a conservative philosophy, I am no longer willing to have it outsourced to a bunch of mendacious, incompetent and disreputable clowns.' Labour leader Sir Keir said Mr Sunak 'will have to answer for his own actions' in leaving Normandy ahead of the international D-Day event but 'for me there was nowhere else I was going to be'. He said: 'It was my duty to be there, it was my privilege to be there.' He said: 'It was my duty to be there, it was my privilege to be there.' While Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said Mr Sunak's actions had brought 'shame' to the office of Prime Minister 'and let down our country'. Last night, a poll by YouGov found that nearly two thirds of Britons thought Mr Sunak's decision was unacceptable. Of 5,778 adults questioned, only eight per cent thought skipping the international ceremony was 'completely acceptable', while 65 per cent thought it was 'unacceptable'. But Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch accused opposition figures of trying to politicise the row. She said: 'He met the British D-Day veterans which I think is very special I think that was extremely important. 'And the rest of it is just noise which people like Mr Farage, who went there with the personal photographer, are trying to capitalise on.' During last night's BBC election debate, Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt said: 'What happened was completely wrong, and the PM has rightly apologised for that, apologised to veterans but also to all of us, because he was representing all of us.' Retired American astronaut William Anders, who was part of the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, has died after his small plane crashed into Puget Sound in Washington State. The 90-year-old died after the small aircraft he was piloting crashed near Orcas Island on Friday, resulting in a fireball as the plane hit the water. Officials with the United States Coast Guard Pacific Northwest said the crash happened just before 11:45am on Friday. Video footage shot on the Sound shows the plane flying high in the sky before it plummets as it begins a dive. Just before the plane began to level off, the aircraft hits the water at speed with not enough altitude for Anders to pull up safely, resulting in a huge splash and fireball. His son Greg Anders, confirmed his death saying: 'The family is devastated. He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly.' Former astronaut, William Anders, 90, who had been part of the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968, has been killed after crashing his small plane into Puget Sound near Orcas Island in Washington State on Friday Portrait of the crew of NASA's Apollo 8, Florida, December 1968. Pictured are, from left, command module pilot James Lovell, lunar module pilot William Anders, and Commander Frank Borman Apollo 8 astronauts, from left, William Anders, James Lovell, Frank Borman pictured in 2018 The San Juan County Sheriff's Office detailed how the aircraft was an old model that had been flying from north to south when it crashed down into the water and sunk. The plane that crashed was a vintage Air Force Beech T-34A Mentor that belonged to Anders who was a resident of San Juan County. Station Bellingham, Air Station Port Angeles, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Coast Guard are responding with search and rescue efforts. Anders' mission fifty six years ago on Christmas Eve 1968, came after a tumultuous year of assassinations, riots and war drew to a close in heroic and hopeful fashion with the three Apollo 8 astronauts reading from the Book of Genesis on live TV as they orbited the moon. The 1968 mission that Anders flew is considered to be NASA's boldest and perhaps most dangerous undertaking To this day, the mission is still considered to be NASA's boldest and perhaps most dangerous undertaking. That first voyage by humans to another world set the stage for the still grander Apollo 11 moon landing seven months later. There was unprecedented and unfathomable risk to putting three men atop a monstrous new rocket for the first time and sending them all the way to the moon. The mission was whipped together in just four months in order to reach the moon by year's end, before the Soviet Union. There was the Old Testament reading by commander Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders. Lastly, there was the photo named 'Earthrise,' showing our blue and white ball - humanity's home - rising above the bleak, gray lunar landscape and 240,000 miles in the distance. Humans had never set eyes on the far side of the moon, or on our planet as a cosmic oasis, surrounded completely by the black void of space. A half-century later, only 24 U.S. astronauts who flew to the moon have witnessed these wondrous sights in person. On Christmas Eve 1968, the spaceship successfully slipped into orbit around the moon. Anders' plane could be seen seconds from disaster as he plummeted into the Sound Anders famously took a picture of Earth and part of the moon's surface, named Earthrise, during the Apollo 8 mission Son, Greg Anders sprays his father, Major General Retired Bill Anders with the fire hose after completing his last flying mission in a P-51 Mustang in March 2008 The plane that crashed was a Beech T-34A Mentor Pilot Bill Anders is seen at the 2008 'Living Legends of Aviation' awards ceremony It was December 21, 1968 when the Apollo 8 crew lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center The Saturn V rocket carrying the Apollo 8 crew is prepared for launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida in December 1968 The Saturn V rocket carrying the Apollo 8 crew launches from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida with 7.5 million pounds of thrust. The vehicle cleared the tower at Launch Complex 39A Before bedtime, the first envoys to another world took turns reading the first 10 verses from Genesis. It had been left to Frank Borman, before the flight, to find 'something appropriate' to say for what was expected to be the biggest broadcast audience to date. 'We all tried for quite a while to figure out something, and it all came up trite or foolish,' Borman recalled. Finally, the wife of a friend of a friend came up with the idea of Genesis. 'In the beginning,' Anders read, 'God created the heaven and the Earth ...' Borman ended the broadcast with, 'And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you - all of you on the good Earth.' On Christmas morning, their spacecraft went around the moon for the final time. The engine firing needed to shoot them back to Earth occurred while the capsule was out of communication with Mission Control in Houston. Lovell broke the nervous silence as the ship reappeared: 'Please be informed there is a Santa Claus.' Astronaut Bill Anders during the Apollo 8 mission, in a shuttle simulator Lt. Col. William A. Anders, Apollo 8 lunar module pilot, looks out of a window during the spaceflight A television screen with a view of the moon transmitted by the Apollo 8 astronauts as it orbited Splashdown occurred in the pre-dawn darkness on December 27, bringing the incredible six-day journey to a close. Time magazine named the three astronauts 'Men of the Year.' It wasn't until after the astronauts were back that the significance of their Earth pictures sank in. Anders snapped the iconic Earthrise photo during the crew's fourth orbit of the moon, frantically switching from black-and-white to color film to capture the planet's exquisite, fragile beauty. Before the flight, no one had thought about photographing Earth, according to Anders. Anders has said the photo was his most significant contribution to the space program, given the ecological philosophical impact it had. The photograph, the first color image of Earth from space, is one of the most important photos in modern history for the way it changed how humans viewed the planet. The photo is credited with sparking the global environmental movement for showing how delicate and isolated Earth appeared from space. The astronauts were under orders to get pictures for potential lunar landing sites while orbiting 70 miles above the moon. 'We came to explore the moon and what we discovered was the Earth,' Anders is fond of saying. By July 1969, Apollo 8 was overshadowed by Apollo 11's Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin moon landing. Borman and Anders never flew in space again, and Soviet cosmonauts never made it to the moon. The large moon crater Goclenius, approximately 40 statute miles in diameter taken during the Apollo 8 mission Divers help recover the Apollo 8 crew from their capsule after splashdown in the Pacific Ocean Spotlights illuminate the 363-foot-tall Saturn V booster rocket on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying the Apollo 8 spacecraft and its crew of three Anders recalled in a 1997 NASA oral history interview that he didn't think the Apollo 8 mission was risk-free but there were important national, patriotic and exploration reasons for going ahead. He estimated there was about one in three chance that the crew wouldn't make it back and the same chance the mission would be a success and the same chance that the mission wouldn't start to begin with. He said he suspected Christopher Columbus sailed with worse odds and recounted how earth looked fragile and seemingly physically insignificant, yet was home. Anders said: 'We'd been going backwards and upside down, didn't really see the Earth or the Sun, and when we rolled around and came around and saw the first Earthrise. 'That certainly was, by far, the most impressive thing. To see this very delicate, colorful orb which to me looked like a Christmas tree ornament coming up over this very stark, ugly lunar landscape really contrasted.' The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating the crash. Six British airports will temporarily reintroduce a ban on carrying liquids over 100ml as the rollout of 3D scanning technology hits another snag. The change will come into effect from midnight on Sunday, and will affect passengers travelling from London City, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, Southend and Teesside airports. All of the airports have Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) in operation, which had allowed them to scrap the 100ml rule. The high-tech CT scanners create a 3D image of what is inside passengers' bags and are being introduced in a number of airports across the UK with the aim of speeding up security checks. It comes just days after chaos ensued at Birmingham Airport, as holidaymakers were made to continue to queue for hours outside the terminal amid confusion over the new 100ml liquid rules. Six British airports will temporarily reintroduce a ban on carrying liquids over 100ml as the rollout of 3D scanning technology hits another snag. Pictured is one of the new high tech security scanners that are being rolled out in airports across the UK Chaos ensued at Birmingham Airport, as holidaymakers were made to continue to queue for hours outside the terminal amid confusion over the new 100ml liquid rules Huge queues formed outside the terminal and snaked around the side of the building Frustrated passengers have faced hours-long queues on Thursday as they made their way through airport security in Birmingham. How 3D scanners are to spell the end for 100ml liquid limits The current rules on liquids states that flyers are only allowed to carry containers of 100ml in hand luggage. This year, however, passengers at select airports will be able to carry 330ml containers (2L) through security. Similar to those used in hospitals, new CT scanners take high-resolution 3D images allowing luggage to be checked precisely without the need to remove items, thus speeding up the security process. It means travellers will be able to leave liquids, laptops and electronics inside their baggage when they walk through security. Baggage rules will still vary between different airlines, so passengers are urged to check before travelling. Advertisement Photographs showed families lining up outside the terminal entrance, wheeling their suitcases and holding their hand luggage, as queues snaked around the side of the building. Delays were put down to ongoing building works at the airport, as well as the introduction of the new NGSC technology. Birmingham Airport met the deadline at the start of this month to install the new 3D scanners, but officials at the West Midlands hub decided to combine both the old and the new rules for carrying liquids 'until further notice'. The airport said the former 100ml limits still apply, but passengers will be allowed to carry them inside their hand luggage instead of being separately screened, which sparked confusion amongst passengers. The 100ml rule was introduced in 2006 following a foiled terror plot to blow up planes flying from London to the US with home-made liquid bombs. Sharon Martin spent just under two hours in the queue and said it 'has to be a record for me'. Another woman on social media said she went to 'bag drop' after queuing and was 'directed back out of the airport to queue to get back in. Carnage'. Mark Toone, from Derby, added: 'Just spent 1 hour 35 minutes in the queue, absolute chaos. 'Our 3-year-old had a hysterical meltdown at an hour in and we managed to get into the fast-track lane. 'I believe that saved us another 30 minutes of queuing. Staff standing around looking bemused and laughing to each other in the actual security area. No urgency to their work. No apologies, nothing.' One holidaymaker revealed on social media earlier today that he made his gate 'with minutes to spare' only because he 'pleaded' to skip the security queue. One customer posted: '@bhx_official embarassing state of affairs at #BHX. 2 hours start to finish. People collapsing all around the place Inside Birmingham Airport where people eagerly await going through security to the department lounge People queue for hours at Birmingham Airport to get through security Furious passengers have faced hours-long queues at Birmingham Airport on Thursday amid confusion over new 100ml liquid rules Several images were posted online showing long queues snaking round outside the airport's front doors 'Travelling from Birmingham Airport is an absolute shambles. It has the longest queue for security that I've ever seen in my 49 years,' he said. The airports rolling out 3D scanners Airports due to introduce 3D technology this year: Aberdeen (already in place) London City (already in place) Newcastle (already in place) Teesside (already in place) Birmingham airport Bristol (June 14) Southend Iverness Stornoway Liverpool (Autumn at earliest) Luton (Roll-out in final phase) Airports who will introduce the technology in 2025: Gatwick Stansted Heathrow Southampton Cardiff Edinburgh Glasgow East Midlands Manchester Advertisement 'And check in desks open 2 hours before, despite tickets recommending 3 hours. If you're booking holiday now avoid it like the plague. 'Got to the gate with minutes to spare. And only because I jumped out of the line and pleaded my case. Hundreds will have missed flights. This was at 4am.' Birmingham Airport said in a statement that alongside the security delays with the new technology, 'on-going building works on-site' have added to the 'usual busy morning' as customers have waited in 'long and skinny queues'. Birmingham was one of the very few UK airports to meet the government deadline for installing the new scanners by June 1. Four main UK airports revealed earlier this week they won't be able to scrap the strict 100ml liquid rules until next year in a fresh blow for holidaymakers. London Gatwick, London Stansted, East Midlands and Manchester Airport are among those to admit they have missed the deadline, revealing the scanners will not be in place until 2025. Birmingham and Bristol Airport both announced they would install the machines along with Teesside, Southend, Inverness, Stornoway and Aberdeen Airport. The airport finished its 60million 'state-of-the-art' security hall upgrade in May after months of construction work. The new fast-track 3D scanners which have been rolled in will produce more detailed images, meaning passengers can pass through airport security with containers holding up to two litres of liquid in their hand luggage. The new technology is said to slash waiting times by allowing passengers to leave laptops and liquids in their carry-on baggage. But, despite this addition, with the old rules in place massive delays have been reported at Birmingham in recent weeks with some revealing they have missed flights. Some passengers reported how they missed their flights while others made it to their gates with minutes to spare after pleading to be let through The delays came amid confusion over new 3D security scanners at Birmingham airport Holidaymakers described the queues, which are pictured here going around the corner, as a 'disgrace' It is the latest example of chaos at a British airport following the e-gate mayhem last month, which saw families waiting hours with no 'food or water' after the passport IT system collapsed 'nationwide'. The fault with the e-gates left stranding passengers in ever lengthening queues in arrivals halls and in some cases trapping them on planes. The 'major, major incident' was caused by a Wi-Fi outage which in turn stopped a Border Force's security database called 'Border Crossing' from being able to update. The system was introduced three years ago, costing taxpayers 372million. The fallout from the disruption continues with many passengers expressing their disbelief at the lack of an adequate back up plan in place that resulted in some queuing for longer at the border than they spent on their flight from Lisbon. Fears have been raised of a post-election 'House of Cronies' after both main parties put forward allies of their leaders and children of former MPs as candidates. As selections for all parties closed last night, the links of those chosen to fight for seats have come under scrutiny. Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of parachuting in his supporters, while many of Rishi Sunak's advisers have been given safe seats. While many Labour candidates were selected before the election by local branches from centrally-approved longlists, the snap election gives the party's ruling council - dominated by supporters of the leader - the power to impose nominations. The Tories have in some cases put one-person shortlists to local associations to ensure their preferred candidate is chosen. Last week, Sir Keir's close ally Georgia Gould, the leader of the London borough of Camden where he lives, was selected for Queen's Park and Maida Vale Liam Conlon, the son of Sir Keir's chief of staff, Sue Gray, has been selected to stand as a Labour candidate in Beckenham and Penge Among those picked to be Labour candidates include people close to Sir Keir and those who are linked to other Labour figures. Last week, Sir Keir's close ally Georgia Gould, the leader of the London borough of Camden where he lives, was selected for Queen's Park and Maida Vale. She is the daughter of the former strategist Philip Gould, who modernised the party's image under Tony Blair, and Gail Rebuck, the chair of Penguin Random House and a Labour peer. Hamish Falconer, the son of former Labour cabinet minister Charlie Falconer, is the candidate for Lincoln. Many of those chosen also have close personal links or are related to key members of Sir Keir's team. Liam Conlon, the son of Sir Keir's chief of staff, Sue Gray, has been selected to stand as a Labour candidate in Beckenham and Penge. Joe Dancey, the partner of shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, has been selected for the Stockton West seat despite claims by another candidate that it had been rigged. Imogen Walker, the wife of Sir Keir's election supremo Morgan McSweeney is the Labour candidate for Lanark and Hamilton East. Meanwhile Blair spin doctor Alastair Campbell has seen his nephew, James Naish, selected as Labour candidate for Rushcliffe. Many of Rishi Sunak 's advisers have been given safe seats Many of those who worked for Sir Keir have also been given plum seats - sometimes in the place of candidates on the Left of the party, which he has been accused of trying to purge. Chris Ward, the leader's former deputy chief of staff, was picked for Brighton Kemptown, the seat which was held by Corbynite Lloyd Russell-Moyle who was suspended by the party after a complaint about his behaviour. Left-winger Dave Jones in Newcastle-Under-Lyme lost out to former Mayor of Haringey and a North London councillor Adam Jogee, whose wedding was attended by the Labour leader. Sir Keir's former Head of Domestic Policy Olivia Bailey was selected in Reading West and Mid Berkshire, while Laura Kyrke-Smith, a senior executive at Labour grandee David Miliband's aid charity was on a one-person shortlist in Aylesbury. Alex Barros-Curtis, who, as Labour's head of legal, oversaw the handling of Jeremy Corbyn's suspension in 2020, was picked for Cardiff West. There are also plenty of candidates from the policy world who are seen as helping to forge Sir Keir's thinking. Josh Simons, head of the Starmerite think tank Labour Together, has been picked in the Makerfield constituency. A row was sparked with the local Tory association of Basildon and Billericay after party chairman Richard Holden was imposed on a one-person shortlist Will Tanner, Rishi Sunak's deputy chief of staff and former head on Onward, a think tank aligned with Mr Sunak, has been selected for Bury St Edmunds Luke Akehurst, a member of the executive committee, is the candidate for North Durham. And Torsten Bell, of the Resolution Foundation think tank, will stand in Swansea West. Meanwhile, the Tories have faced rows over attempts to parachute former Red Wall Tories into safe southern seats. A row was sparked with the local Tory association of Basildon and Billericay after party chairman Richard Holden was imposed on a one-person shortlist. There was also speculation that Emily Sheffield, David Cameron's sister-in-law who has been working in CCHQ, could be given a seat. The finalised candidate lists are not expected to be published until Monday. Will Tanner, Rishi Sunak's deputy chief of staff and former head on Onward, a think tank aligned with Mr Sunak, has been selected for Bury St Edmunds. Meanwhile, Seb Payne, the current head of Onward, was still looking for a seat at the last minute. Maureen Levy, candidate for Blyth and Ashington, is the wife of Ian Levy, sitting MP for Blyth Valley. Aphra Brandreth, candidate for Chester South and Eddisbury, is Gyles Brandreth's daughter. Poppy Simister-Thomas, candidate for South Norfolk, is the wife of David Thomas - Tory candidate for Norwich South. A man who allegedly drugged and kidnapped a woman before photographing himself sexually assaulting her and attempting to extort a $300,000 ransom for the images, has been extradited from Victoria to NSW. Yanyu Mu, 29, is due to face Parramatta Bail Court in Sydney on Saturday after being arrested at Oakleigh East in Victoria on Thursday. Police will allege he directed a group of unknown men who forced a 36-year-old woman into a Toyota Camry at Epping in Sydney's north-west on Saturday, April 20 about 6.45pm, before the vehicle left the scene. Detectives attached to State Crime Commands Robbery & Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Held to investigate the incident. Police found the woman at 1pm the following day at another location. She was immediately taken to hospital for treatment after telling police investigating her kidnapping she had been drugged and sexually assaulted. The 29-year-old is due to face court in Sydney on Saturday after being arrested at Oakleigh East in Victoria on Thursday The man was extradited from Victoria on Friday and taken to Mascot police station Detectives executed a search warrant at a home in Eastwood on April 22. They found the woman's clothing, as well as prohibited drugs and bindings believed to have been used in the alleged sexual assault in a bin at the home Detectives executed a search warrant at a home in Eastwood on April 22. They found the woman's clothing, as well as prohibited drugs and bindings believed to have been used in the alleged sexual assault in a bin at the home, not far from where the woman was abducted. The items were taken for forensic examination. The 29-year-old man was extradited from Victoria on Friday and taken to Mascot police station. He has been charged with take/detain in company with intent to ransom, occasion actual bodily harm, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, aggravated sexual assault in company and deprive liberty, intentionally record intimate images without consent, threaten to distribute intimate images without consent and use intoxicating substance to commit indictable offence. Police will allege in court the man kidnapped and drugged the woman before photographing her during the sexual assault and threatening to release the images unless the woman paid him $300,000 Police will allege in court the man kidnapped and drugged the woman before photographing her during the sexual assault and threatening to release the images unless the woman paid him $300,000. The man was refused bail and is due to face Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday. Investigations under Strike Force Held continue. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Cambridge Student Union's post-graduate President was stretchered into an ambulance by paramedics 24 days after he started a hunger strike to protest university 'corruption'. Vareesh Pratap was seen semi-conscious surrounded by four paramedics as he lay barely responsive in a deck chair in front of a 'Stop Killing Democracy' poster just outside of Senate House. Paramedics took his temperature and blood pressure before carrying him into an ambulance and rushing him to hospital, according to a student witness on the scene. It comes 24 days after Pratap began dry fasting to protest alleged 'corruption' and 'nepotism' within the University of Cambridge Student Union. In a scathing letter titled 'Stop Killing Democracy' and published online on May 14, Pratap claimed that the Student Union had become a 'quasi-family business' characterised by nepotism. Cambridge Student Union's post-graduate President Vareesh Pratap has been rushed to hospital more than three weeks after starting his hunger strike in protest against 'corruption' and 'nepotism' at the university Addressed to the University of Cambridge Vice Chancellor Deborah Prentice the letter lists five demands including to 'declare the recently held Student Trustees' election null and void.' His demands also include annulling appointments of staff who have been hired to jobs without proper advertisement, hold by-elections to replace the sabbatical officer roles which have been recently vacated, and to increase transparency of SU finances. In the letter Pratap also accused the University and Student Union of racist bullying claiming that there had been 'incidents of targeted harassment against sabbatical officers - especially those of colour'. Pratap's hunger strike came just a week after the resignation of Harvey Brown the SU's Welfare and Community Officer, who quit over the University's stance on the Israel/ Gaza war. In a statement Brown said he could not work for an organisation that does not 'express public opposition to Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza.' Brown was the fourth sabbatical officer to resign this year. In his open letter - which currently has 279 signatures - Pratap claims that there are other officers who are also seriously thinking about leaving their jobs too. Speaking to MailOnline exclusively last month Pratap described the hunger strike as a 'test of my own patience' and claimed he was determined to continue until all his 'demands are met'. In a scathing letter titled 'Stop Killing Democracy' and published online on May 14, Pratap claimed that the Student Union had become a 'quasi-family business' characterised by nepotism On June 1 Cambridge SU called a Student Members Meeting scheduled for June 10 to discuss Pratap's demands after his petition received the necessary 200 signature threshold required to trigger a meeting. An email sent round to all students acknowledged that the SU was aware of 'issues and concerns regarding the SU's effectiveness (...) as well as concerns regarding students' overall welfare.' Cambridge SU had recently launched a democracy review form on its website after the annual Student Members Meeting was postponed due to a low turnout. This row comes amidst a new wave of hunger strikes across British and American University campuses, to protest Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. An unknown number of students at the University of Edinburgh have claimed that they are on hunger strike. Meanwhile in America, more than a dozen Princeton University students began hunger strikes in May to express solidarity with Palestinains in Gaza. The Cambridge Student Union and the University of Cambridge have been contacted for comment. A young woman has shared the frustrating moment she realised she had been scammed by a taxi driver travelling from one of the country's biggest airports. Brooke Marsh is warning others to stay vigilant after she said she was ushered into an unmarked vehicle after landing at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport from the Sunshine Coast on May 29. The 22-year-old, admittedly sleep deprived, said she was coming down the escalators when she was called over by a 'nice looking man'. Brooke Marsh, 22, claims she was ushered into an unmarked vehicle after landing at Melbourne 's Tullamarine Airport from the Sunshine Coast on May 29 'I was coming down the escalator and was sort of just looking around, I probably would have looked a bit lost. And then this nice man approached me saying, 'Oh, do you need a taxi?'' she recalled. Approaching the Mercedes, which was not parked at the taxi rank, Ms Marsh noted the passenger side door and boot were already open - a detail she later suspected was perhaps an intentional move to prevent her from seeing the number plate. 'As soon as I got to his car I asked the fare costing [and] he explained it would be $2.80p/km - completely fine I was only going 21km,' she wrote on Reddit. That rate would see the fare come in around $60. 'He mentioned he owned the company and had a private fleet of 10 cars.' Intending to travel only 21 kilometres at a rate of $2.80p/km, Ms Marsh was happy her fare would be under $60. But on arrival at her destination, the man held up a terminal flashing $108 Ms Marsh admitted she was worried something sinister would happen if she refused the 'overcharged' payment 'On the way to the destination he asked if needed a lift back when my trip ended so I agreed and he texted me a confirmation which is how I got his number,' she added. At the destination, the driver - who had introduced himself as 'Eddie' - pulled out the payment terminal with $108 flashing on the screen. 'I didn't want to say anything because it was just me in the car... I was annoyed at myself, we learn growing up don't get into a car with a stranger,' she told Yahoo News. 'But in that moment I just wanted to get out of the situation.' She paid and took the receipt, which had 'GM Taxipay' at the top of it - a mobile payment terminal designed specifically for taxi drivers - and jumped out of the car. Ms Marsh admitted she was worried something sinister would happen if she refused payment. The traveller later messaged 'Eddie' to query the cost of the ride, who justified the fare by claiming he worked for Silver Services - a premium taxi service offered by 13Cabs. Ms Marsh was told the driver identification number of the man did not exist after contacting 13Cabs for help This contradicts earlier claims he owned his own taxi service business. According to 13Cabs, Silver Service fares are exactly the same as regular services with a variation in booking fees per state. After contacting 13Cabs for help, Ms Marsh was told the driver identification number of the man did not exist. She believes he works for GM Cabs, which charges $2.19 per kilometre, and 'severely overcharged' her. Daily Mail Australia has contacted GM Cabs for comment. The traveller later messaged 'Eddie' to query the cost of the ride, who justified the high cost by claiming he worked for Silver Services - a premium taxi service offered by 13Cabs The man declined to disclose the name of the company he works for and said he has no recollection of the interaction with Ms Marsh Yahoo spoke to the man who claims GM Cabs is not the name of his business but the name of the pay terminal in his vehicle. He declined to disclose the name of the company he works for and told Yahoo he has no recollection of the interaction with Ms Marsh. The driver's ABN number was also invalid. Ms Marsh has since contacted Safe Transport Victoria. Of all the British troops who performed acts of exemplary heroism on D-Day, only one won the Victoria Cross. With near-suicidal courage, Company Sergeant-Major Stan Hollis single-handedly stormed three German machine-gun posts, killing or capturing dozens of enemy soldiers. He also rescued two wounded comrades. 'Wherever the fighting was heaviest, Hollis displayed daring and gallantry,' declared the citation for his VC. Hollis, who survived, served with the Green Howards, a historic regiment based in Richmond, North Yorkshire. The town still proudly houses the regimental museum. The Richmond constituency is also home to Catterick Garrison, the UK's largest Army base. Military families and veterans make up a large proportion of the electorate. Rishi Sunak has apologised for his 'mistake' returning early from D-Day commemorations As local MP, Rishi Sunak should know this better than anyone. Which is why his early exit from the D-Day commemorations in Normandy was so unfathomably bad. True, the Prime Minister accompanied the King to a British ceremony in the morning. But his decision to miss the international event on Omaha Beach that world leaders including President Biden attended was staggeringly disrespectful and foolish. When our island story is written, June 6, 1944, will be its greatest chapter. The heroes who took part helped topple Hitler and saved the world from tyranny. This date is meaningful to millions across the country. So what possessed Mr Sunak to prioritise pre-recording a TV election interview (and with a Left-leaning broadcaster that disdains the Tories)? And why couldn't his advisers see this was so obviously wrong? His national duty was to stay to pay proper tribute to the fallen and the old soldiers who survived the bullets and shells. The Tory leader has faced accusations that he is out of touch with ordinary people. This now risks entrenching that feeling. The Prime Minister's trip back to Britain for an ITV interview left Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron (left) at an international ceremony with (left to right) French president Emmanuel Macron, German chancellor Olaf Scholz and US president Joe Biden Mr Sunak had earlier laid a wreath during the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion's commemorative ceremony in Normandy to mark D-Day's 80th anniversary But spare us, please, the faux-outrage of Sir Keir Starmer. Labour's leader insulted veterans himself when a Remembrance poppy he was wearing last November curiously disappeared before he filmed a video aimed at a Muslim audience. Mr Sunak has rightly apologised for his woeful lapse of judgement. All he can do now is focus, positively and constructively, on selling the Tories' campaign message. The D-Day blunder is hopefully a blip. Next week the main parties will unveil their manifestos, to shape the country's future. While the Tories have outlined some eye-catching ideas, from a pensions tax guarantee to protecting motorists from cash grabs, Labour's policy pitch is likely to be anodyne and uninformative. Missing will be details of how it funds its redistributive schemes. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves says she would not increase income tax or National Insurance. But tax raids on pension funds, investments and businesses have not been ruled out. The public deserves more than just flannel. Rishi Sunak (right), seen here with France's president Emmanuel Macron on Thursday in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, has been accused of being 'out of touch with ordinary people' Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (left), seen talking at the UK national commemorative event on Thursday with Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, has criticised Mr Sunak for his early return One of the worst consequences of Mr Sunak's gaffe is that it lets Nigel Farage paint him as unpatriotic and possibly persuade more Tories to vote Reform UK. Polls may show Reform almost level with the Conservatives, but under our 'first-past- the-post' system, the party can't win more than a tiny number of seats. If that. All Mr Farage will do is split the anti-Starmer vote and leave Labour with an even bigger majority and more scope to blight the nation. Until Thursday's mistake, Mr Sunak had enjoyed two good days, rattling Labour over their tax plans. Now he must dust himself down and, like the heroes of the Longest Day, fight on. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson managed to burn through $30,000 on personal grooming in one year, with most of the money being spent on makeup. To pay for makeup and hair appointments, Johnson used the money his supporters contributed to his Friends of Brandon Johnson campaign fund. Most of the $30,000 went to Denise Milloy, a makeup artist and self-professed 'skincare enthusiast' who operates on the south side of the city. The rest of the sum- $4,000- was spent on hair appointments at a beauty salon. Johnson, a progressive Democrat, was elected mayor in 2023 after defeating Paul Vallas in a runoff election. In one year, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson burned through $30,000 on personal grooming, with most of the money being spent on makeup Between 2023 and 2024, Johnson made more than 30 payments to Denise Milloy's Makeup Majic Most of the $30,000 went to Denise Milloy, a makeup artist and self-professed 'skincare enthusiast' who operates on the south side Between 2023 and 2024, Johnson made more than 30 payments to Milloy's 'Makeup Majic'. The payments that preceded the mayor's election are listed under headings like: 'Candidate makeup for TV,' 'Makeup retainer,' 'Candidate makeup,' and 'Candidate makeup for debate.' However, after Johnson was elected, his payments to 'Makeup Majic' have fallen under the vague and generic title of 'campaign expenses.' When pressed by the Chicago Sun Times on the matter, Denise Milloy refused to make a comment, saying that she is 'not at liberty' to discuss her work. Campaign records reveal that the mayor has used financial contributions from his supporters to foot the bill. A spokesperson for Johnson had previously remarked on how proud the mayor was that many of these campaign contributions came from 'working-class people.' Bill Neidhardt, a campaign advisor for Johnson, tried to put a positive spin on the story by praising the mayor for not using taxpayer money to pay for his hair and makeup appointments. In a written statement to the Chicago Sun Times, Neidhart said: 'The mayor does not spend taxpayer dollars in preparation for the many public appearances and events he attends every day.' Neidhardt did not answer questions about whether or not the payments were for anyone else besides the mayor. He also didn't comment on the choice to have a makeup artist on a retainer. The campaign advisor instead focused on how Johnson's expenditures benefited black- and women-owned businesses. Neidhardt wrote: 'He is using his own campaign funds to pay Black- and women-owned businesses a fair wage in compensation for their work in preparing the mayor and individuals associated with the campaign for public appearances, events, media segments, and other availabilities.' After Johnson was elected, his payments to Makeup Majic have fallen under the vague and generic title of 'campaign expenses' A spokesperson for Johnson had previously remarked on how proud the mayor was that many of these campaign contributions came from 'working-class people' Johnson's campaign advisor aimed to put a positive slant on the story by praising the mayor for not using tax-payer dollars to pay for hair and makeup services The advisor dismissed concern about the expenses by saying that 'hair and makeup services are commonplace among high-ranking public officials.' Although this is true, it looks like Mayor Johnson has far outspent other elected officials in this area. Last year, Johnson's predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, spent roughly $2,000 total for 'event-makeup services.' In 2019, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle paid a south side woman $217 for makeup services. And between 2018 and 2022, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who sponsors much of his campaign fund through his own wealth, paid a south side beauty salon $6,000 for 'hair and makeup.' Johnson has spent far more than other elected officials on hair and makeup services; pictured: Mayor Johnson and his wife, Stacie, at a White House state dinner Neidhardt further defended Johnson by saying it was important for the mayor to look the part. 'He's mayor 24-7,' the advisor said. 'Appearances matter.' In January of this year, it was revealed that Johnson was struggling with his approval ratings after just eight months into the job. Only about one-fifth of voters in the Windy City said they approve of the freshman mayor in a new poll conducted by Democratic pollster Tulchin Research. When asked how they felt Johnson was performing, just 21 percent replied that they approved of his performance as mayor. Seven percent of survey responders rated Johnson's performance as 'excellent,' while another 14 percent answered it was 'good.' Meanwhile as many as 69 percent disapprove of the mayor's performance, with 27 percent rating it as 'only fair' and 43 percent as 'bad.' A golden dachshund puppy tragically died on her first day at a California obedience school, after she was left unsupervised with a much larger dog. Olive was just a four pound 9-week-old puppy when she started her first day at Prime Paw in San Francisco. Owner Chloe Skelly said she had chosen the school in the Mission District due to 'rave reviews', and employees reassuring her beloved pet was in good hands. After dropping the pup off at the school on May, she was called less than three hours later and told to immediately go to a pet hospital. Speaking to KRON4, Skelly said: 'They wouldn't tell me what happened. When I arrived at the SPCA, an employee told me Olive had been playing with a nearly 25 pound bernedoodle puppy, unsupervised.' Olive was just a four pound 9-week-old puppy when she started her first day at Prime Paw in San Francisco After dropping the pup off at the school on May, Skelly was called less than three hours later and told to immediately go to a pet hospital Skelly said the employee told her that staff didn't know what had happened, and that nobody had seen it. It wasn't until Olive yelped out in pain and crawled into a corner did they notice her 'immediate lethargy'. She added: 'When they went over to check on Olive they said she was not breathing and had no heartbeat or pulse. 'Following that, the employee immediately rushed Olive to a veterinarian, but she had already passed away.' An autopsy confirmed that Olive died from pneumothorax, or a collapsed lung resulting from blunt force trauma. Skelly said this was 'presumably direct correlation to being hit by this other, much larger dog'. She said the vet also found signs of internal bleeding. Owner Chloe Skelly (pictured) said she had chosen the school in the Mission District due to 'rave reviews', and employees reassuring her beloved pet was in good hands According to Skelly, the school shared a video on their social media of Olive with a cut on her back, which she claims wasn't there when she left her. While heartbroken and holding Prime Paw fully responsible for Olive's death, the owner explored legal options with lawyers. However, Skelly told DailyMail.com she ultimately accepted an offer from the owner of Prime Paw. This offer covered the basic costs associated with Olive, such as the breeder fee, vet bills, toys, and cremation. 'She was my first puppy who should have had more years with me,' said Skelly. 'I only had 10 days. We were both robbed of our life together way too soon.' 'I am heartbroken her little life was cut so short, and so negligently. It's unfair.' In a statement to KRON4, James Baybayan, owner of Prime Paw, expressed his condolences for Olive's sudden passing. Baybayan said: 'We are heartbroken by the tragic death of a puppy named Olive. Veterinarians found that Olive had a pneumothorax a collapsed lung but that there were no signs of any trauma. The bereft owner fully blames Prime Paw for Olive's death and shared a lengthy statement about her experience on Instagram 'Based on the determination by the veterinarians who received Olive, there is no identifiable reason for her death.' The company website describes them as a San Francisco dog training center with a positive, science-based approach. According to Prime Paw, they've cared for thousands of dogs safely over their nine years of operation. This is the first reported fatality at their facility. Speaking to DailyMail.com, Skelly said: 'I would like it known I don't want to ruin this man's life by the story being shared, all I wanted was for him to take accountability so we can move on. 'The story was shared to hopefully save other puppies from the same fate & other pup parents from the same heartache I've felt all week.' Frequent fliers across America's three biggest airlines have taken to social media to boast about upgrades, endless glasses of champagne and even a private car service across the tarmac, right to the foot of plane. A battle for overhead bin space is a thing of the past, as those with such elusive status are the very first on the plane. Upgrades are common, with economy tickets transformed into first five days before the flight - before anyone else. Those whose plans are disrupted by bad weather or cancelled needn't worry with re-bookings made without a single call being made. For those that want to speak to a human, a 24/7 dedicated phone line is also available. It might sound like the life of a VIP or celebrity, but such perks can be earned, but only by invitation to semi-secret airlines statuses, that sit even above the highest tiers of the airline's own loyalty program. American Airlines has Concierge Key, United Airlines offers Global Services while Delta's invitation-only status is known as Delta 360. There is an elusive level of frequent flier status but you'll have to spend at least $50,000 a year Tarmac transfers can be yours if you have a tight connection and have been invited to become Concierge Key Just what the requirements are to attain such levels of airline passenger superiority are a closely guarded secret with variables and metrics that shift from year to year. Similarly, just how many members exist with such coveted status has also never been revealed by any of the 'big three' carriers in the United States - but it's believed to number around 10,000. American Airlines' invitation-only elite status level Concierge Key has no set published criteria in order to earn it - but it's believed spending $50,000 on airline flights is one of the key metrics used to secure an invite. Concierge Key can also be earned if you have influence over how other's travel such as part of a big corporate contract, or are a travel planner. The airline has been known to give away Concierge Key to some 'influencers' - but it is renewed on a yearly basis. Don't fly enough, and you don't get it the following year. The benefits allow for the highest level of upgrade above all other frequent fliers from five days before the flight takes place. Access to the Admirals Club and exclusive Flagship Lounges are a given - even when traveling domestically within the United States. Perhaps best of all, there's no waiting around for customer service with a dedicated phone line and email address for 24/7 support. Those who join the semi-secret level are given a flash metal bag tag to make others envious Flagship lounge access with a premium drinks selection is a given for those who are members The airline does it's best to make sure those with the Concierge Key level make their flights It's a side to the airlines many regular fliers neither get to see nor experience Although unpublished, it's widely believed that those who are invited to the exclusive status spent at least $50,000 with the airline And travelers will never have to worry about a lack of overhead bin space with another perk being allowed to board the aircraft before everyone else. On a day when flights are being canceled and delayed left, right and center, those with Concierge Key may be rebooked proactively without having to make a single call. The airline also has a fleet of waiting cars for transfers on the tarmac for those with tight connections. It's quite possible you might be collected from the plane and whisked to your next flight in an airline-branded car. 'That's the stuff that makes the difference,' one frequent traveler with the elusive status explained. 'That's the s*** that gets you home. They don't hold the plane, but if they know you're coming, they might not shut the door as quickly.' Scott Chandler of American said that in order to be in with a chance of scoring an invite, fliers might be spending on flights, shopping portals and airline-branded credit cards. 'They're basically interacting with American on a daily basis, not just when they're flying,' Chandler explained. United Global Services have a special check-in area for such travelers A special reception area awaits those who manage to attain the sought-after status The benefits are also conferred on those traveling on the same booking as the member @mod.wife Idk why Craig gets to be the star of this tiktok when Im the one that has global services @united airlines Ooh Ahh (My Life Be Like) [feat. Tobymac] - Grits Global Services is United Airlines' invitation-only elite status. But unlike Concierge Key, the one direct way to earn it is to have flown 4 million miles on United. This is likely decades of flying, so for those looking for something sooner, fliers have to be able to tick the boxes of the secret criteria. Again, what these are is known only to those who work for the airline at the highest echelons, but for those who do earn it, they experience a service that goes above and beyond. United Airlines' biggest spenders are often invited to Global Services with a spend of at least $50,000 a year. The status can also be handed out by the airline to travel influences including those in the corporate world. Celebrities and VIPs have been known to receive it to ensure they receive the very best service when traveling with the airline. The perks include the highest upgrade priority for United flights five days before departure. Members are also given the highest priority for standby and sold out flights. 'I mean I fly first class 95% of the time - I am proud to be one of the Elite United Global Services Members - there is only 2000 of us in the world out of 100 million + I LOVE UNITED! Its invitation only', wrote one TikToker. United has a snazzy SUV to shuttle passengers with tight connections between flights You'll get to board before everyone else meaning there'll never be a battle for the overhead bin There are special Global Services check-in facilities at United's main hubs such as Denver, Newark, Houston and San Francisco. For those tight on time, a Mercedes will take travelers from one gate to another - across the tarmac. While a dedicated 24/7 hotline and email address exists for those looking for personal assistance. Bonnie Crawford is the chief customer officer for a software company in Portland, Oregon and after her United flight was cancelled, because she was a Global Services member she was rebooked on an Air Canada flight for free. Crawford first received the status in 2017. 'It was the first taste of this magic, elusive, absolutely incredible status,' she told WSJ.com. Passengers that need to make a connecting flight will be met personally by airline staff Delta has a Porsche to transfer passengers across the tarmac when they have a flight to catch Delta also offers a private check-in area for those who attain this elusive status Delta Airlines describes the status on it's own website but the perks and requirements for membership are particularly vague. It reads: 'Delta 360 is an annual, invitation-only membership for our most loyal SkyMiles Members. 'A Delta 360 Membership offers Delta's most premium suite of benefits and services exclusive to our top SkyMiles Members.' Those being awarded the status are generally those who already book full fare tickets including those in first and business class. Those who are able to influence the travel of others are also believed to have a good chance of securing the status such as being in charge of major corporate travel contracts for a company. Specially designed Delta 360 bag tags which can sell on eBay for hundreds of dollars Some have suggested travelers would have to spend $100,000 per year on Delta flights to be invited as a Delta 360 member. The benefits include a dedicated 24/7 phone line with immediate assistance. Access to the Delta Sky Club for family members which would normally cost $1,500 a year. Delta also offers its members transfers across the tarmac in a Porsche SUV during short connection times. And of course, specially designed Delta 360 bag tags which can sell on eBay for hundreds of dollars. A Massachusetts high school is in turmoil after a student went missing days after receiving a savage beating from another girl who made her lick the bathroom floor. A gloating friend of the bully filmed the attack on Aliyah Konton at Mashpee High School before ensuring that the humiliating footage went viral on Snapchat. The 15-year-old had only recently moved to the school in Cape Cod and was trying to 'fit in' according to a classmate. A school resource officer alerted police after discovering the video on May 25, but parents were kept in the dark about the attack until Aliyah disappeared eight days later. 'The lack of communication and the complete lack of accountability and consequences of perpetrators in the school system are beyond disgraceful,' wrote a mother of three children at the school. Aliyah Konton, 15, disappeared days after receiving a savage beating from another girl at Mashpee High School in Massachusetts A gloating accomplice filmed as Aliyah's tormentor made her lick the bathroom floor 'I hope to God she's found safe and alive and those kids on that video face the consequences of their horrific actions.' The video opens with Aliyah standing alone in a school corridor as her attacker squares up to her and an audience of students watches in the background. They gasp in shock as the bully casually slaps her victim in the face before sauntering away. It then cuts to the school bathroom where the accomplice has stationed themself to catch the moment the bully strides through the door dragging a screaming Aliyah by her hair. The 15-year-old starts sobbing as she is thrown by her hair towards the cubicles at the end of the room and punched again in the face by her circling attacker Aliyah puts out an arm to fend off the girl but it offers no defense against her agile attacker who lands a flurry of blows on her head. A moment later the young bully suddenly points a finger at the floor by the garbage can. 'Lick the ground,' she demands. Aliyah hesitates and is slapped in the head again before being dragged by her hair to the ground and forced to put her face to the floor. Eight days later an 'intense search using multiple local, state and federal resources' was underway after Aliyah disappeared from her Mashpee home, news of the attack was released, and parents reacted with fury to what they had just discovered. But it was only after Aliyah disappeared that parents found out about the attack Classmates, Leah Holtz, said that Aliyah had only recently joined the school. 'She just seems like she was trying to fit in and just trying to make friends with everybody,' she told WCVB. Eight days later an 'intense search using multiple local, state and federal resources' was underway after Aliyah disappeared from her Mashpee home 'It's awful to find out about this horrific incident on Facebook a week later, and not from the school itself,' wrote Jessica Valois. 'Why has the Mashpee school system not informed us of this situation?' demanded Corinne Shea. 'Mashpee has always been one to turn their heads when something is going on, if it looks bad on them then they don't wanna talk about it,' added Courtney Negron. Residents of the small town began to discuss organizing search parties and, as footage of the incident spread many began appealing to Aliyah herself. Residents of the small town began to discuss organizing search parties and, as footage of the incident spread 'Aliyah you are loved and cared about by people who have never met you,' wrote Heather Morel. 'Please go somewhere safe, message anyone on this thread, we will help you. Our world needs you in it.' 'My first thought was please let this girl know that life gets better after high school,' Corine Shea added. 'What happened to her is messed up and absolutely NO ONE is laughing with those mean girls.' One of her classmates, Leah Holtz, said that Aliyah had only recently joined the school. 'She just seems like she was trying to fit in and just trying to make friends with everybody,' she told WCVB. 'No student, no person, should ever be harmed in that way,' she added. 'I just feel very sick to my stomach because I just want her to be found.' 'Still not a peep from the school,' wrote Michael DiMaggio on Tuesday 'They are promoting Spirit Day? We, as parents of a 6-year-old in this school system are seriously contemplating whether we should keep our child in a school system that lets this happen.' But a day later two boys visiting Planet Fitness in nearby Barnstable saw a girl they thought they recognized from police missing posters and told the manager. A 13-year-old girl, who has not been named, is now facing seven counts of assault and battery He rang police and the missing girl was finally rescued. 'The town of Mashpee came together for one of its own and again I am happy to report she has been found safe,' police said. They also announced that a 13-year-old girl, who they did not identify, is now facing seven counts of assault and battery in Falmouth District Court's juvenile division. Mashpee schools superintendent Patricia DeBoer refused to speak to reporters at a school committee meeting that evening. But news of Aliyah's rescue has not assuaged the anger of people in the Massachusetts town. 'What are the consequences for the ones who in video dragged her by hair into school bathroom and hit her and made her lick the floor?' asked Selma Parker. 'May us parents get some answers?' 'The schools need to do a better job,' wrote Matt Bollinder. 'They are all talk with this stuff and when it comes time to actually protect kids from bullies they turn the other way.' Newly released court documents reveal images of the estranged husband of a missing South Florida woman in Spain on the last day she was seen alive. Footage shows David Knezevic at a Madrid hardware store back in February purchasing duct tape and spray paint. Hours later, he was caught spray-painting the surveillance camera at Ana Maria Knezevich Henao's apartment building on February . Ana, a 40-year-old Florida resident originally from Colombia, was declared missing in February after she failed to meet a friend to travel from Madrid to Barcelona for a conference. She was last seen walking into her Madrid apartment on February second. Per court documents, her husband showed up and left with a suitcase that same night. David was taken into custody in May as he returned from his home country of Serbia, where he had been for months. He has been charged with kidnapping. Newly released court documents reveal images of the estranged husband of a missing South Florida woman in Spain on the last day she was seen alive The footage shows David Knezevic at a Madrid hardware store back in February purchasing duct tape and spray tape Knezevic is seen in surveillance footage the day his wife disappeared on Feb. 2, 2024 The state of Florida requested that the judge deny David's bond this past week. 'He is a law-abiding citizen and we hope and pray Ana walks through the door and shows up somewhere so he can be free,' said his attorney, Jayne Weintraub. The FBI and officials from the Spanish National Police conducted his arrest in May, as reported by EFE. The Belgrade Interior Attache Office and Colombian Police were also reportedly involved in the arrest. The couple had been going through a difficult separation when she went missing, according to her friends and family. Ana had reportedly moved to Madrid at the end of 2023 partly to get away from her husband. Investigators recovered surveillance footage of a man in a motorcycle helmet hanging around Ana's Madrid apartment on February 2, the day before friends lost contact with her. He was spotted waiting for people to exit the building before slipping inside at around 9:30pm. Ana, a 40-year-old Florida resident originally from Colombia, was declared missing on February 5 after she failed to meet a friend to travel from Madrid to Barcelona for a conference. David Knezevich was taken into custody in May as he returned from his home country of Serbia, where he had been for months Knezevich disappeared amid an ongoing separation from husband David, 35, a Serbian-American businessman. The pair had yet to officially file for divorce The same man is believed to have spray-painted the lens of two security cameras of the apartment building in Madrids upscale Salamanca neighborhood. Ana's friend, Sanna Rameau, told DailyMail.com she last exchanged messages with her on February 2. The last message from Ana's WhatsApp account, sent the following day, said she had 'met someone wonderful.' 'He has a summer house about 2h from Madrid. We are going there now and I will spend a few days there. Signal is Spotty. I'll call you when I get back,' it read. Another message detailed the circumstances of their first encounter, claiming they met on the street. 'Amazing connection. Like I never had before,' it read. Her family became concerned after they started receiving text messages in Spanish from Ana's phone that did not sound like they were written by the Colombia native. 'That message in Spanish, it is like its translated from Google . It's not her. She doesn't say those things. Like nobody in Spanish will say it like that,' her brother said. Ana and her husband had yet to formally file for divorce at the time of her disappearance. A March 12 report from Spanish publication El Cierre Digital cited 'sources close to the case' who claimed the Scientific Police found biological remains in the missing woman's living accommodations. But her brother, Felipe Henao, recently appeared on NewsNation's 'Cuomo' with a desperate plea to the public and denied the report about the remains, saying the family is still desperate for answers. 'We want to know the truth. We want to know where my sister is,' Henao said. 'If anybody has any information, any tips please reach out to the FBI or the Spanish authorities.' Ana Knezevich had been going through a 'tough' divorce from husband David when she went missing in Madrid on February 2 The couple got married in 2011 and moved to the south Florida city of Fort Lauderdale When asked about the supposed discovery of biological remains in her apartment, Henao said he asked the FBI if the report was true and 'they told me it isn't.' There was no further details on the specifics of the remains found. Investigators 'dont want to share any information, because it could jeopardize the case. I understand. Justice moves slow,' Henao added. He said her case was being treated as matter of domestic violence as it moved through the court system, and a case of forced disappearance rather than voluntary. The couple ran a successful computer support and repair business from their home in Fort Lauderdale. Ana and Sanna had traveled extensively on holidays together and were in daily communication as Ana hunted for a new apartment in the Spanish capital. READ MORE: Tragedy as police call off search for missing surfer who was attacked by a shark in WA Man in his 40s missing off WA coast A desperate search is underway for a surfer who disappeared in the water after getting into difficulty. The man went missing at Surfers Point at Prevelley, about three hours south of Perth, at 4.35pm on Friday. Another surfer spotted the man, believed to be in his 40s, and noticed he needed assistance but was unable to reach him due to rough conditions. 'A number of police and emergency services were deployed to the area and a preliminary search of the water and beach area was undertaken,' a police spokesperson said. The man went missing at Surfers Point in Prevelley, about three hours south of Perth, at 4.35pm on Friday 'At this time the surfer has not been located.' On Saturday, local marine rescue and jet skis joined the search before it was halted around midday due to rough conditions. The location is known internationally as one of the locations for the Margaret River Pro, which was held across 10 days in April. It's not the first time a surfing incident has been reported in the area. WA surfing stalwart Frank Hayter died following a fatal surfing incident at Surfers Point on August 21, 2021. Other surfers helped to release the 65-year-old's body from his leg rope which had been caught in the reef, ABC News reported at the time. On Saturday, local marine rescue and jet skis joined the search before it was halted around midday due to rough conditions Mr Hayter was a much-loved figure in the Margaret River surfing community, having started the Scarborough Boardriders Club over 30 years ago. He won several national and state titles over his career. Surfer's Point remains closed with members of the public advised to avoid the area. Police have charged two men over a frightening alleged road rage attack. The incident occurred in Lakemba in Sydneys south-west earlier this year when a group of NRL fans were on their way to a game. Around 5.15pm on Friday 5 April a 25-year-old man was driving a black LDV along Yerrick Road, Lakemba, when a Toyota Corolla reversed from a driveway, cutting him off. The Toyota drove into oncoming traffic on Juno Parade and cut the LDV off again, stopping directly in front of his vehicle. The male driver got out of the Toyota, allegedly brandishing a knife. As he approached the LDV, the driver accelerated, hitting the Toyota before he was followed through nearby streets. Earlier this week a listener contacted 2GB's Ben Fordham revealing her grandson was the victim of the alleged attack. She told Fordham her grandson Brad, her 22-year granddaughter and a friend were on their way to an NRL game on April 5 when a man stopped a white hatchback in front of them. 'My grandson had a man jump out of his car in a state of utter rage holding a knife,' the listener said. The occupants of the black car could be heard repeatedly saying, 'Don't get out of the car', before the hooded man emerged from his vehicle in the rain, allegedly brandishing a knife Brad's sister said they needed to 'call the cops' before realising their frightening encounter was not yet over - because the man was now following them A white Toyota hatchback was seen overtaking the vehicle with the dashcam and stopping in the road The terrifying incident was reported to the police the same day and Campsie Police Area Command officers started an investigation. On Thursday night the registered owner of the Toyota, a 32-year-old man, was arrested after attending Campsie Police Station. The man was charged with carry on business of motor dealer when unlicensed, and owner not disclose identity of driver/passenger. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court on July 16. After further enquiries police arrested the alleged driver of the Toyota, a 27-year-old man, at Blaxcell Street in Granville about 10.30am on Saturday. He was taken to Granville Police Station and charged with knowingly drive vehicle in manner menaces other, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, use offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence, and destroy or damage property. He was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Local Court on Sunday. The terrifying encounter left the black LDV vehicle damaged (pictured) Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the 32-year-old owner of the Toyota was not in the vehicle at the time of the alleged road rage attack. They also confirmed the driver of the Toyota and the LDV are not known to each other. In frightening footage recorded from inside the car, Brad and the two passengers could be heard repeatedly saying, 'Don't get out of the car,' before the man emerged from his vehicle in the rain, wearing a black hoodie and black shorts, and brandishing a knife. The man then ran towards the LDV and hit the side of it. Brad slammed his foot on the accelerator to avoid the knife-wielding man. A crash was then heard, and it appeared Brad's vehicle clipped the stationary white car while trying to get away. Brad, his sister and her friend could be heard asking each other why the man reacted the way he did. 'Did you not see what he was doing?' Brad asked. 'He had a knife in his hands,' the friend replied. Brad's sister said they needed to 'call the cops' before realising their frightening encounter was not yet over - because the man was now following them. 'Oh, my god, he's coming after you, call the police,' a passenger could be heard saying. One then said: 'I'm scared, I'm scared, I'm scared, I'm scared.' The trio eventually made it to safety, and shared photos of the damaged vehicle including the front passenger side, and scratch marks from the man's knife. 'They are very frightened about what happened. He had to go up the footpath at certain points to get out of the path... because the guy was chasing him.' One woman is sharing the ingenuity behind her plan to afford a trip to Europe - and it's all because of the points she's racking up on her cancer-related costs. When Jane* discovered a blind pimple on her body, the last thing she expected was to be diagnosed with genetic melanoma. The 35-year-old was quickly inundated with expensive specialist appointments, surgeries, supplements and remedies that, despite private health insurance and Medicare support, added up quickly. She now plans to use those expenses to fund a business class flight to Europe in 2025. When 35-year-old Jane discovered a blind pimple on her body, the last thing expected was to be diagnosed with genetic melanoma Originally from New South Wales, Jane's diagnosis meant she was unable to attend two weddings overseas. She was scrolling on Instagram feeling sorry for herself when she came across someone who had paid for a free 'babymoon' by putting all their pregnancy-related costs on a points-earning credit card. 'I had the idea to see how many points I could get using my credit card to pay for everything cancer-related,' Jane told Yahoo News. 'I pay for things .. including everyday essentials ... on my credit card and then immediately transfer [the] money.' 'My short and mid-term savings have taken a massive hit in terms of paying the cancer-related expenses.' Jane's diagnosis means she has to see a dermatologist every three months for immunotherapy, who strongly recommended her to freeze her eggs. Jane had the idea to see how many points she could acquire using her credit card to pay for everything cancer-related Her plan to travel to Europe will be funded by Qantas Frequent Flyer points - with Jane's Visa and Amex cards both linked to her account This was the biggest hit to her savings, leaving a dent of $4,000 in her pocket. 'There are lots of little things,' Jane continued. 'Vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter medication to ensure that I stay comfortable and healthy enough to continue on the immunotherapy schedule. 'There's also the management of side effects, such as remedial massage to help manage the muscle and joint aches and pains, prescription ointments for rashes, and inhalers when I'm short of breath,' she said. Other costs, such as petrol, have also increased because of her need to drive more. Her plan to travel to Europe will be funded by Qantas Frequent Flyer points - with Jane's Visa and Amex cards both linked to her account. Accruing points wherever possible, her goal is to exceed 100,000 points. She warns others who are looking to take advantage of the points system to be mindful not to end up in debt A business-class flight to London next May could cost in excess of $11,000. But with points, she'd be able to fly for around $600 with 300,000 points. She could fly economy for around 66,000, plus a $166 payment or premium economy for 152,400 points and a contribution of $341. 'I'm halfway through the immunotherapy schedule and have just under 50,000 points [so] I'm pretty confident in reaching the 100,000 points,' Jane added, with only six months of immunotherapy and two facial surgeries to go. 'I wouldn't recommend what I'm doing to people who don't have a good relationship with credit cards.' 'I can see how the appeal of points for something bigger could see people end up in debt if they don't have the funds to be able to stay on top of the debt.' *name changed for privacy Donald Trump was greeted by some of his adoring fans as he departed a fundraising dinner in Beverly Hills on Friday night. Supporters could be seen gathered outside one of the areas mansions as they enthusiastically waved Trump 2024 flags as his motorcade passed by. At one point Trump blew a kiss from the window of his SUV as his faithful followers cheered from the roadside. Trump was in Phoenix on Thursday before heading to San Francisco where he held a fundraiser in Silicon Valley in another California stop on the campaign trail. A supporter carrying a flag watches as the motorcade carrying former Donald Trump departs a fundraising dinner in Beverly Hills Donald Trump is seen through the window of a car blowing a kiss as he leaves the fundraiser In terms of polling, Trump continues to have an edge over President Joe Biden in two key swing states - Nevada and Arizona The state is an unusual choice for Trump to campaign with California being a reliable state for Democratic presidential candidates since 1992. Although Silicon Valley and Beverley Hills which is Hollywood adjacent are both something of a liberal haven, Republicans on a national level are looking for opportunities to make incursions with wealthy entrepreneurs and others who have leaned right since the last election in 2020. Trump's campaign had been hampered by his New York hush-money although he was able to made daily speeches to the waiting cameras with highly politicized statements each day he was in court. In terms of polling, Trump continues to have an edge over President Joe Biden in two key swing states - Nevada and Arizona - but a national poll conducted after the Republican's conviction shows the presidential race tightening. Fox News put out new poll numbers on Thursday that showed Trump up 5 points in Arizona among registered voters - 51 percent to Biden's 46 percent. In nearby Nevada, Trump was also leading Biden by 5 points - 50 percent to the Democrat's 45 percent. Polling has shown Trump ahead of Biden in Arizona for more than a year, while Trump has been out in front of Biden in Nevada since November, according to Real Clear Politics' polling averages - and the verdict didn't seem to move the numbers. In the two swing states, voters' views on the hush money verdict were nearly identical. Pollsters asked just two questions on the trial - whether voters thought it was fair and how much it mattered to them - the latter to signal whether it would change people's votes. Trump could be seen waving at his supporters gathered on the sides of the road Trump was in Phoenix on Thursday before heading to San Francisco where he held a fundraiser in Silicon Valley in another California stop on the campaign trail The state is an unusual choice for Trump to campaign with California being a reliable state for Democratic presidential candidates since 1992 A supporter lies in the grass as former US President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attends a fundraising dinner in Beverly Hills In Arizona, 63 percent said the hush money trial did not matter, while only about a third, 36 percent, said it did. Additionally, only 25 percent expressed that it mattered to them 'a lot.' While this could be enough to swing things back to Biden, the overall numbers don't reflect that yet. In Nevada, 65 percent said the hush money trial did not matter, while 35 percent said it did. In both states, 51 percent said they believed Trump received a fair trial, while 46 percent said the Manhattan-based trial was unfair. The New York Times on Wednesday had a clearer picture of whether any damage was done to Trump by the guilty verdict, when 2,000 voters were recontacted after being surveyed in April and May. The verdict did change some of these people's minds. Originally, the New York Times/Siena College surveys found that 48 percent of these voters supported Trump while 45 percent backed Biden. But after Trump was found guilty on all 34 courts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, pollsters found that 47 percent supported Trump, while 46 percent backed Biden. In Nevada, 65 percent said the hush money trial did not matter, while 35 percent said it did When The New York Times and Siena College recontacted 2000 voters from their spring survey, pollsters found that former President Donald Trump's 3-point national lead shrunk to just 1 percent post-guilty verdict About a quarter of Biden's 2020 voters who told the Times' pollsters they were going to back Trump this time around and have now come back into the fold Trump's 3-point lead nationally shrunk to just 1 percent. The Times/Siena College polling found that Trump retained 93 percent of those who said they'd back him in the previous survey. But shedding 7 percent of your voters could make a difference in a tight race. Of those 7 percent, 3 percent said they would now be backing Biden, while the other 4 percent say they're undecided on who they'll vote for in the fall. Those shifting away from Trump were young, nonwhite, disengaged and Democratic-leaning - in essence non-traditional Republican voters who are now having second thoughts. About a quarter of Biden's 2020 voters who told the Times' pollsters they were going to back Trump this time around and have now come back into the fold, the new survey showed. Additionally, so-called 'double haters' - voters who dislike both the Republican and the Democratic candidate - were more likely to bail. Since last week's verdict, Trump lost about one-fifth of the 'double haters' who previously said they would hold their nose and support him in the fall. Harvey Weinstein's lawyers have argued in an appeal that he did not get a fair trial when he was convicted of rape and sexual assault in Los Angeles in 2022 and sentenced to 16 years in prison. The brief filed on Friday in California comes six weeks after his similar conviction and 23-year sentence in New York was overturned by the state's highest court. The California appeal argued the trial judge wrongly excluded evidence that the Italian model and actor he was convicted of raping had a sexual relationship with the director of a film festival that had brought both Weinstein and the woman to Los Angeles at the time of the alleged attack. Weinstein's lawyers argued that the judge deprived him of 'his constitutional rights to present a defense and led to a miscarriage of justice.' The attorneys said the judge was wrong to allow jurors to know about Weinstein's previous, now-vacated conviction in New York, and that the jury was unfairly prejudiced by testimony from women about alleged assaults Weinstein was not charged with. Harvey Weinsteins lawyers argued in an appeal that he did not get a fair trial when he was convicted of rape and sexual assault in Los Angeles in 2022 and sentenced to 16 years in prison. The California appeal argued the trial judge wrongly excluded evidence that the Italian model and actor he was convicted of raping had a sexual relationship with the director of a film festival Similar testimony led to his overturned conviction in New York, where the 72-year-old is now being held as Manhattan prosecutors plan to retry him. 'The introduction of this excessive, cumulative, and remote evidence of prior `sexual assaults simply signaled to the jury that the Defendant was a bad man who should be convicted of something irrespective of whether the prosecution proved its case,' the filing said. At his California trial, Weinstein was charged with sexually assaulting four women, but a jury convicted him of an attack on just one, Evgeniya Chernyshova. Chernyshova testified that Weinstein appeared uninvited at her hotel room during the LA Italia Film Festival in 2013. Weinstein's lawyers argue that Superior Court Judge Lisa B. Lench was wrong to prevent his defense from showing the jury Facebook messages that showed Chernyshova and the festival's founder, Pascal Vicedomini, had a sexual relationship. The messages would have shown that both were perjuring themselves when they testified that they were only friends and colleagues, the brief contended. And it would have bolstered defense arguments that the woman was not even in her hotel room but was with Vicedomini at the time of the alleged attack. The arguments were similar to those made by Weinsteins attorneys in a motion for a new trial that Lench rejected before his sentencing. Chernyshova, seen here in 2013, testified that Weinstein appeared uninvited at her hotel room during the LA Italia Film Festival in 2013 Harvey Weinstein appears in Manhattan Criminal Court for a hearing on May 29, 2024 in New York City The defense appeals brief said three of the jurors signed affidavits saying they now regretted signing on to a unanimous guilty verdict Weinstein has since hired appellate attorneys including Jennifer Bonjean, a Chicago-based lawyer whose appeal in Bill Cosbys sexual assault case got his conviction in Pennsylvania permanently thrown out. Chernyshova went only by Jane Doe 1 during the trial. She has since come forward publicly. 'Weinstein's appeal makes the same tired arguments that he previously made multiple times, without success, to the trial court,' Chernyshova's attorney, David Ring, said in an email Friday. 'We are of the strong opinion that the trial court vetted the evidence appropriately and made all the correct decisions in its evidentiary rulings. We are confident that Weinsteins appeal will be denied and he will spend many years in prison.' The defense appeals brief said three of the jurors signed affidavits saying they now regretted signing on to a unanimous guilty verdict. The filing says the 'jurors confirmed that they did not believe the pair were romantically linked and explained that if they had access to such evidence it would have changed their calculus of whether any rape occurred.' And Weinstein's attorneys argued that a lawsuit filed by Chernyshova shortly after the verdict demonstrates that they should have been allowed to question whether she had financial motives in the state's outcome. Weinstein's defense lawyers first filed a notice of appeal in April 2023 and asked for several extensions before filing Friday's brief. The prosecution has until Aug. 6 to file its response. (L-R) David Parfitt, Dianna Gigliotti, Harvey Weinstein, Edward Zwick, and Marc Morman celebrate their Oscar win for Shakespeare in Love Weinstein (L) and actress Meryl Streep attend the Australian Academy Of Cinema And Television Arts International Awards Ceremony at Soho House on January 27, 2012 in West Hollywood On May 29, the disgraced film producer appeared in New York Supreme Criminal Court, where he was brought out in a wheelchair and without handcuffs On the east coast, Weinstein is facing the possibility of a new indictment after the Manhattan's District Attorney's Office received complaints from women who were not ready to speak out in 2020. On May 29, the disgraced film producer appeared in New York Supreme Criminal Court, where he was brought out in a wheelchair and without handcuffs. Prosecutors told the court he could face a new indictment as it is actively investigating more claims of sexual assault against Weinstein and will be in a position to clarify at the end of June. Some people who were not ready to speak out in 2020 now appear to do so in 2024, Assistant District Attorney Nicole Blumberg told the court. Well speak to advisors as to what falls within the statute of limitations and we will do everything in our power to make sure every survivor's identity is protected. Judge Curtis Farber ordered him to return to court on July 9 and remanded him in jail without bail. Prosecutor Blumberg also accused Weinsteins lawyers of intending to intimidate witnesses in the upcoming trial by making public statements which attack their credibility and character. The Manhattan District Attorneys Office filed a letter on May 30 which asked the judge to urge the defense attorneys to stop. It's the people's position that it is especially critical now that your honor address this as in recent years survivors have disclosed being sexually assaulted by the defendant. But Weinsteins lawyer Arthur Aidala disputed the claims and said: Survivors, thats already a conclusive term. Not a witness, a survivor. He then accused the prosecution of doing exactly what they claim he did. Prosecutor Blumberg also accused Weinsteins lawyers (pictured) of intending to intimidate witnesses in the upcoming trial by making public statements which attack their credibility and character On the east coast, Weinstein is facing the possibility of a new indictment after the Manhattan's District Attorney's Office received complaints from women who were not ready to speak out in 2020 That means somebody has already endured some sort of pain. In 32 years, no one has ever had to remind me of my ethical obligations. However, I am in a very unique position. Unlike the other trial going on in this courthouse where half is for one person and half is against, there arent too many fans of Mr. Weinstein. I made some statements about a witness who testified in the last case. It is our position that lies were told in the last trial. I didnt say anything to intimidate anyone. I just said heres the truth, witnesses who testified the first time and lied on the stand will be re-examined on the stand. Aidala added: The other thing I am up against is the prosecution has their own media machine. Your honor I am aware of my ethical obligations and my rights and Mr. Weinsteins rights to have someone zealously defending him. I cant sit by and have mouthpieces for the DAs office, take the microphone and beat him up when no one is there to defend him. He said he is innocent from day one and he is saying he is innocent today. He turned into the poster boy for an international movement. Prosecutor Blumberg responded and said: My objection is not what he says in the courtroom, it is leaving and making public statements outside in a press conference specifically designed to intimidate witnesses. Judge Farber said: Both sides are entitled to a fair trial. This can only be attained if the pool of jurors is free of taint. Both sides are directed to refrain from pandering to the press. It will be a court of law alone when justice is to be served and not a court of opinion. More than 80 women came forward to accuse the Oscar-winning producer of sexual assault and harassment. The allegations first surfaced publicly in a New York Times story in 2017 detailing decades of alleged abuse. Actresses Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd were among those who were named in the piece as accusers. The allegations sparked a sea change in attitudes towards sexual misconduct in the workplace. A glamorous former Sunrise reporter who former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk once called 'rude' has sensationally quit TV to run as an LNP candidate. Bianca Stone has won the Liberal National Party's preselection ballot for the seat of Gaven on the Gold Coast and will run in this year's Queensland state election. Stone already has a history of antagonism with Labor, which has been in power in Queensland for all bar six years of the past 35 since 1989. On July 1, 2021, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Stone tried to ask Ms Palaszczuk a question about a request to get more Pfizer vaccines for the state. Stone accused the Queensland government of engaging in a 'public relations stunt', which saw a fired-up Ms Palaszczuk retort: 'I'm not going to answer people being rude, so anyone else have a question? You are being very rude.' Glamorous former Sunrise reporter Bianca Stone (pictured), who former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk once called 'rude', has sensationally quit TV to run as an LNP candidate Ms Palaszczuk told Stone 'you are being very rude' after she asked a question about vaccines After the announcement was made on Saturday, Queensland's Deputy Premier Cameron Dick said Labor isn't too bothered about Stone's preselection. 'We don't care who the LNP select because lazy LNP MPs on the Gold Coast with fat margins have never delivered anything for that community,' Mr Dick said. Stone will be up against incumbent Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon at the October 26 election. Mr Dick said Ms Scanlon had worked hard for her constituents and community since becoming the youngest woman elected in Queensland at the age of 24 in 2017. 'Our government has been the transformative government for the Gold Coast. All the major investments on the Gold Coast, heavy rail, light rail, hospitals, stadiums, all of that has been delivered by Labor governments,' he said. 'Someone like Meaghan Scanlon has been absolutely central to the delivery of those projects, cost of living relief, more homes. 'All of those have been delivered by someone like Meaghan Scanlon, and she's absolutely the best choice for Gaven and the Gold Coast.' In announcing her plans, Stone said it was obvious people felt both physically and economically vulnerable under a Labor government. She also flagged gang violence as one of her top concerns. 'Community safety should be the top priority of any government and we shouldn't feel anything other than completely secure in our homes,' she said. In April, Stone resigned from her job on Sunrise after six years on morning TV. She had worked for Channel Seven for 18 years. Bianca Stone (pictured) has won the Liberal National Party's preselection ballot for the seat of Gaven on the Gold Coast and will run in this year's Queensland state election Stone will be up against incumbent Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon (pictured) at the October 26 election 'This has been a difficult decision,' she posted to Instagram at the time. 'Sunrise is like a family (albeit a little dysfunctional at times) and I have experienced some incredible career highlights over the past six years. 'I've travelled across the country and around the world, covering terror attacks, royal visits, the death of the Queen, two Commonwealth Games, floods, fires, cyclones and too many tragedies.' Stone said that while Sunrise had been her 'dream job' she had decided to step down to consider the next step in her career. 'It came as a shock (to Channel Seven). But I have been toying with the idea for some time,' she told the Courier Mail in February, 2023. 'Sunrise is a dream job breakfast TV is addictive and compelling but it also comes with an alarm every single day and that becomes hard. 'In the beginning if I'm honest the thrill of Sunrise outweighed the alarm. But the older I get and my little girl is older, that's switched for me.' The mother-of-three is married to Gold Coast police detective Mark Mooney. Man was hit by train while on phone to ex-partner A heartbroken woman has recalled the final conversation she had with her ex-partner just seconds before he was hit by a freight train. Brian Garven, 40, was hit and killed by the train as he crossed the tracks near the Salisbury intersection in Adelaide's north at about 6.30pm on May 29. The father-of-five had been on the phone to his ex-partner Kellie Trinidad at the time of the crash and had been on his way to her home to drop off painkillers. Father-of-five Brian Garven, 40, was hit and killed by the train as he crossed the tracks near the Salisbury intersection in Adelaide's north at about 6.30pm on May 29 Pictured is the intersection at Salisbury in Adelaide's north Ms Trinidad said the phone suddenly cut out during their final conversation. 'He said I'm 15 minutes in Salisbury, I'll be home soon, then the phone cut out. A couple of seconds later, I could hear the freight train horn,' she told 7News. 'I tried to call him back, but the phone wouldn't answer, kept going to message bank.' Two hours later, police officers knocked on her door and informed her Mr Garven had died. Ms Trinidad wants her ex-partner, who she separated from in 2017, to be remembered as a 'kind and loving father' to his five kids. He had been experiencing homelessness since the split. Ms Trinidad has started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for the costs of Mr Garven's funeral, explaining times are tough during the cost-of-living crisis. Mr Garven (pictured) is being remembered as a 'kind and loving father' to his five kids It has so far received $790 of its $5,000 goal. The Department for Infrastructure and Transport said the crossing infrastructure was operational on the day of the incident. 'We always remind pedestrians to observe safety precautions at all times around rail lines and to ensure they cross tracks at the designated crossing areas,' a department spokesperson told 7News. Claude the koala made headlines around the world last September when he was caught red handed munching his way through $6,000 worth of seedlings. But there has been a happy outcome from the very hungry marsupial's thefts at the Eastern Forest Nursery near Lismore, in northern NSW, with new trees being planted after his rampage. Nursery manager Humphrey Herington, who named the koala Claude due to his large claws, said he had munched through thousands of seedlings. 'He's tucked into every type of koala food tree we grow here,' he said in September. 'Clearly Claude thinks this is a restaurant but if that was the case his bill would be about $6,000 by now.' Mr Herington said Claude was 'pretty stroppy' when he moved him a few hundred metres down the road to his neighbour's property. But the cheeky koala returned just two days later in hopes of satisfying his appetite. The publicity generated by Claude's cheeky cravings led to the nursery receiving a large donation to cover the cost of the stolen saplings. They have donated the seedlings back to WWF to use in community projects. Claude the koala (pictured) made headlines around the world last September when he was caught red handed munching his way through $6,000 worth of seedlings Pictured L-R: Nursery manager Humphrey Herington, Greens MP Sue Higginson and WWF's Maria Borges are seen helping plant the new trees So far, around 500 seedlings have since been planted in a field near the nursery. WWF-Australia Koalas Forever project officer Maria Borges said Claude's criminality showed there was a desperate need for food trees. 'This area in the Northern Rivers, especially around Lismore, is heavily cleared and it's really missing good quality habitat for them,' she said. 'We need to plant more trees and urgently stop tree clearing especially around the Northern Rivers which is a stronghold for koala populations in New South Wales. 'Through our Koalas Forever program, WWF is working with about 10 local communities, including traditional owners and Indigenous Rangers, to deliver habitat restoration and revegetation projects in the area. 'We've funded the planting of about 400,000 trees so far and we're aiming for 500,000 by the end of the year.' Greens MP Sue Higginson, whose farm the seedlings were planted on, was delighted to be able to help. 'We're in one of the most biodiverse, rich areas on this continent, but historical clearing has seriously degraded the area,' she said. 'Living with koalas is an incredibly special, exciting, and fun thing. The seedlings planted today are in addition to the 10,000 trees we have put in the ground here over the last couple of years. 'We're doing this because we have an incredible koala population hanging on for dear survival right here.' Claude the koala is pictured with his eye on some seedlings that he took without permission Ms Higginson said she was sure the newly planted trees would make a difference for koalas and the landscape. Having been burned before, though, Mr Herington has asked Claude to show some restraint in future. 'Claude if you're watching this, please come back when they've grown into trees, not when they're in our nursery as seedlings,' he said. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Claude for comment. Toddler sustained serious head injuries in the crash Boy, three, hit by a car in Blacktown in Sydney's west A three-year-old boy has been rushed to hospital with serious head injuries after he was struck by a car in Sydney's west. Emergency crews were called to Greenbank Drive in Blacktown after reports a young boy had been hit by a car at about midday on Saturday. The toddler was treated for serious head injuries before he was rushed to The Children's Hospital in Westmead in a serious but stable condition. The three-year-old boy was taken by ambulance to The Children's Hospital at Westmead in a serious but stable condition (pictured, paramedics at the scene on Saturday) The Mounties Care CareFlight Helicopter with a specialist doctor onboard was dispatched to the scene and arrived within five minutes of the call (pictured) The Mounties Care CareFlight Helicopter with a specialist doctor onboard was dispatched to the scene and arrived within five minutes of the callout. A CareFlight spokesperson said the quick intervention and the specialist doctor 'may well have saved the child's life'. The three-year-old boy is understood to be in a serious condition with non-life threatening injuries. A Honda Accord has been seized for forensic testing with the 22-year-old male driver taken to hospital for mandatory testing. NSW Police said investigations into the incident are ongoing. Advertisement Kate Middleton has apologised for missing out on a key rehearsal for Trooping The Colour. The Princess of Wales has written a letter to the Irish Guards, who are presenting their colours to the King this year, saying: 'I hope I am able to represent you all very soon'. Insiders have long emphasised that every cancer 'journey' is individual and believe speculation over whether Kate will attend key events such a trooping create unnecessary pressure at a time when she has asked for space and privacy. It means the Princess of Wales will miss what would have been her first Colonel's Review, which had been due to take place today. The event is a dress rehearsal for Trooping The Colour and would have seen her take the salute as the new Colonel-in-Chief of the Irish Guards. The Princess of Wales has wrote a letter to the Irish Guards, saying: 'I hope I am able to represent you all very soon' Kate has said 'please pass my apologies to the whole regiment' for missing the Colonel's Review The Royal Family takes part in the Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023 The Irish Guards (pictured) have responded to the Princess's letter on Twitter saying they were 'deeply touched' to receive it and 'wish her well in her recovery and send her our very best wishes' An Irish Wolfhound, the regimental mascot of the Irish Guards, takes part in the Colonel's Review Guards line up in front of the Buckingham Palace Gates as part of today's ceremony for the King's official birthday A guard is pictured saluting at the Colonel's Review parade on June 8 which is part of the Trooping the Colour ceremony A wide view of The Mall during today's event which saw guards play instruments and Union Jacks line the streets Two guards watch on as today's rehearsal for Trooping the Colour unfolded in London The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment proceed up the mall on horseback as thousands watch on today The Mall looked resplendent as The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery were next to make their way along Band of the Household Cavalry seen up close as they take part in the Colonel's Review on June 8 Participants on horseback pictured in front of Buckingham Palace on a cloudy June day for the rehearsal One guard fixes another's bearskin during today's Colonel's Review in London Well-drilled guards take part in the Colonel's Review at Horseguards Parade in central London as spectators watch on Participants in the ceremonial event pictured up close The event took place at Horseguards Parade today, a week before the Trooping the Colour ceremony Participants in the Colonel's Review on June 8 lined up in a uniform row The Colonel's Review comes before the King's official birthday celebrations on Saturday June 15, including their traditional Buckingham Palace balcony appearance. Kate's letter in full I wanted to write and let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonel's Review and Trooping the Colour. I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practising for months and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate. Being your Colonel remains a great honour and I am very sorry that I'm unable to take the salute at this year's Colonel's Review. Please pass my apologies to the whole regiment, however, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved. Advertisement The Colonel's Review is identical to The King's Birthday Parade, with the exception that some additional mounted officers ride on the latter. Taking part will be over 1400 soldiers of the Household Division and The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, including 400 musicians from the Massed Bands, all of whom will parade on Horse Guards for the second of two formal Reviews. The Colonel's Review also includes 250 soldiers from the Foot Guards who will line the processional route along The Mall. The Irish Guards have responded to the Princess's letter on Twitter, writing: 'The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales this morning. 'We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send her our very best wishes.' Meanwhile Buckingham Palace did confirm last week the Daily Mail's exclusive story in March that King Charles planned to attend Trooping and review the soldiers from a carriage, on doctor's advice, with Queen Camilla. He has previously taken part on horseback but it has been deemed prudent, given the length of the ceremony and the unpredictable weather, for him to be seated in an Ascot landau. His Majesty is still undergoing treatment for his own unspecified cancer diagnosis. He has now been given permission by his doctors to undertake more forward-facing public duties, although officials have stressed they need to carefully review each potential engagement, with adaptations made where necessary to prioritise his recovery. A British military guard wearing a leather purse takes part in the Colonel's Review at Horseguards Parade A member of the Household Cavalry on a white horse is pictured watching the march at Horseguards on Saturday British military regiments prepare their roles ahead of next week's Trooping the Colour ceremony Each year the event acts as a dress rehearsal for the main Trooping the Colour event, which will take place next Saturday The King's carriage takes part in the Colonel's Review at Horseguards Parade in central London as a guard salutes The King's carriage passes the Guards Memorial at Horseguards Parade today as a dress rehearsal for Trooping the Colour Members of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery follow artillery weapons along Horseguards Parade today The participants turn their heads to the right in time as part of the ceremony in London Hundreds of members of British military regiments pictured practicing their roles for next week's event in today's rehearsal A guard holds a staff in front of rows of fellow participants as they march down The Mall for the Colonel's Review on June 8 Union flags line the mall as participants prepare their roles for next week's Trooping the Colour The Irish Wolfhound pictured being led around Horseguards as part of today's ceremony Spectators bathe in the London sunlight today as well-drilled military personnel put on the show One guard leads the rest in the Colonel's Review in London this afternoon Members of the event play the bagpipes while others play the drums on Saturday Trombone players at Horseguards perform in the dress rehearsal for Trooping the Colour British honour guards perform during the The Colonel's Review parade in London today A wide shot of the Mall as the weather brightened up in central London this afternoon Crowds of military personnel on horseback cram in front of the Buckingham Palace gates today The event was a dress rehearsal for next week's Trooping the Colour ceremony The carriage makes its way back down the Mall during the event Members of the Household Cavalry ride on horses as they take part in the Colonel's review rehearsal for Trooping the Colour, in honour of the official birthday of Britain's King Charles, in London today Members of the Grenadier Guards take part in the Colonel's review rehearsal for Trooping the Colour today Irish Guards mascot Turlough Mor (Seamus) takes part in the Colonel's review rehearsal for Trooping the Colour The band of the Irish Guards play during the Colonel's Review today The band of the Grenadier Guards play during the Colonel's Review on Horse Guards Parade Members of the Grenadier Guards take part in the parade Members of the Household Cavalry ride on horses during the parade today The Colonel's Review comes before the King's official birthday celebrations on Saturday June 15, including their traditional Buckingham Palace balcony appearance Members of the Household Cavalry, with Irish Guards mascot Turlough Mor (Seamus) in front, take part in the parade Taking part will be over 1400 soldiers of the Household Division and The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, including 400 musicians from the Massed Bands, all of whom will parade on Horse Guards Members of the Grenadier Guards (top) take part in the Colonel's Review on Horse Guards Parade Members of the Household Cavalry ride on horses during the Colonel's review today While palace officials have been forced to cancel a number of public engagements in light of the General Election, key national and ceremonial events such as Trooping are not affected While palace officials have been forced to cancel a number of public engagements in light of the General Election, key national and ceremonial events such as Trooping are not affected. Earlier this year on March 5, the Ministry of Defence removed a claim made on its website that Kate would attend events to mark Trooping the Colour. Details of her cancer have not been disclosed but she has said that she was having 'preventative chemotherapy'. Kensington Palace said it is confident the princess will make a full recovery. Trooping the Colour traditionally involves the royal family gathering on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after a display of pomp and military pageantry. Usually the monarch rides down from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade via The Mall to inspect the troops. He then rides back to the palace for the traditional balcony appearance with the wider Royal Family and flypast by the RAF. 2023 -- Glorious scenes down the Mall during Trooping the Colour in London on June 17, 2023 2022 -- William, Kate and their children attend Trooping the Colour in London on June 2, 2022 2021 -- Trooping the Colour was held at Windsor Castle in front of the Queen on June 12, 2021 2019 -- William and Kate at Trooping the Colour with their children in London on June 8, 2019 2017 -- Philip speaks to William and Kate at Trooping The Colour in London on June 17, 2017 Earlier this year on March 5, the Ministry of Defence removed a claim made on its website that Kate would attend events to mark Trooping the Colour. Tickets had gone on sale via the Army website in March advertising Kate reviewing a 'practice' parade for the first time on June 8 in her role as honorary colonel of the Irish Guards But within minutes of the tickets going on sale, there were warnings that the MoD may have 'jumped the gun' on Kate's attendance Earlier this year on March 5, the Ministry of Defence removed a claim made on its website that Kate would attend events to mark Trooping the Colour. Tickets had gone on sale via the Army website advertising Kate reviewing a 'practice' parade for the first time on June 8 in her role as honorary colonel of the Irish Guards. It also announced that Charles would be reviewing his own official birthday parade on June 15 at Horse Guards. But within minutes of the tickets going on sale, there were warnings that the MoD may have 'jumped the gun'. Kensington Palace sources made clear that they were 'not consulted' on the MoD announcement and said that any confirmed attendance by the Princess would be made 'only' by themselves. Buckingham Palace also confirmed at the time that planning for future engagements was continuing despite the King's cancer treatment, yet stressed that changes could be made nearer the time depending on his health. The confusion added to a sense of unease around the Royal Family at that point, over fears that two of its most senior members would be largely out of action for substantial periods. Horses drag artillery with the Mall pictured in the background at today's event London Eye pictured in the background as participants in today's Colonel's Review march in time Guards check their instrument-playing is in time ahead of next week's celebration of The King's official birthday Guards march in time with union flags in the background Rows of honour guards pictured at the Colonel's Review with the palace gates seen in the background Participants march in front of Buckingham Palace in today's dress rehearsal for next week An Irish Wolfhound is led in front of the rest of the party at Horseguards this afternoon A glimpse of Big Ben can be seen in the background as spectators cheer on today's participants A guard barks orders at some colleagues at this afternoon's event at Horseguards Guards play their instruments to practice for next weekend's big event where Charles is expected to observe in a carriage Princess Kate apologised in writing for being unable to attend today's ceremony in London amid her recovery from cancer One royal fan held up a lifesize cutout of Kate on the sidelines of the big ceremony at Horseguards today Spectators crammed the streets to get a glimpse of the well-drilled military personnel at the event this afternoon The sun started breaking through in London today as Household Cavalry and other guards led the dress rehearsal Police officers watch over Buckingham Palace on the day of the Colonel's Review ceremony Flags of other nations are raised as guards blow trombones in the complex military drill Spectators are instructed to be seated to watch the soldiers on parade this afternoon The King's Cipher is pictured on a saddlecloth during the Colonel's Review on Horse Guards Parade in London The guards look to their right as they march on Horseguards for the big dress rehearsal for the King's official birthday Household Cavalry ride in unison as part of today's ceremony in London The carefully choreographed event wowed spectators at Horseguards this afternoon Royal fans will be hoping the drill goes as smoothly for the official celebration next Saturday One member of the royal military personnel looks on as the ceremony unfolds in London Today's events were witnessed by thousands of royal fans in central London The King will watch on next week in the royal carriage - a departure from his decision last year to ride horseback The band of the Household Cavalry take part in the Colonel's Review on Horse Guards Parade The Colonel's Review ceremony today acted as a dress rehearsal for Trooping the Colour next week Flags were held out as part of the military event which took place in London this afternoon Members of the Household Division take part in the Colonel's Review on Horse Guards Parade in London on June 8 The band of the Scots Guards play during the Colonel's Review on Horse Guards Parade in London today Guards line up for the Colonel's Review in London on June 8 A wide view of the various participants in today's event at Horseguards Drum players and other guards pictured in front of the Guards Memorial during the Colonel's Review this afternoon Guards practice their instruments in anticipation of next week's proper celebration of Charles's official birthday The event went smoothly which will hopefully prove a good sign for next Saturday's show Guards carefully rehearsed their instrument playing to the delight of royal fans The ceremony comes amid a gradual return to royal duties on the King's part Kate was not at today's event but expressed her desire to 'represent' royal fans in the future Horses and carriage gallop out of Buckingham Palace this afternoon during the Colonel's Review A member of the Household Cavalry stands during the Colonel's review rehearsal show on June 8 Household Cavalry members ride on horseback past the iconic Buckingham Palace today The stand-ins for the royal members during the Colonel's Review, the final dress rehearsal ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony The ceremony went as planned and impressed thousands of spectators in London today A lone member of the Household Cavalry arrives at Buckingham Palace during the Colonel's review rehearsal for Trooping the Colour Shoulder badge detail on the uniform of a participant in today's event in London The Irish Wolfhound wowed royal fans along with plenty of human participants at today's dress rehearsal Pictured: Kate on her last public appearance with her family on Christmas day 2023 at church in Sandringham In March, Kensington Palace released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery The London clinic, where Catherine had treatment after her diagnosis earlier this year Kate with Louis and Charlotte in May 2023 as they helped renovate and improve the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough The mother-of-three (pictured in June 2023) has apologised for not attending the Colonel's Review today which is the traditional rehearsal for Trooping the Colour, held on June 15 This also came before Kate revealed in an emotional video on March 23 that she was undergoing treatment for cancer. At that point, Kate was recuperating from what was described as 'planned abdominal surgery' and it was seen as unlikely that she would return to duties until after Easter. Until her cancer announcement, her absence from public events and the scant detail given about her condition and recuperation had led to wild social media conspiracy theories about what might be wrong with her. She made clear that she needed to focus on both her recovery but also supporting her young children at a difficult time, asking for her family to be given time and space while she completed her treatment. Although there has been no official update on her health since, The Mail understands that the princess has been seen out and about more with her family in recent weeks, which will be taken as a positive sign by many. However earlier this week Kensington Palace stressed that she very much still needs time and space to recover. The regiment previously said it was is 'so proud' to have the Princess of Wales (pictured visiting the 1st Battalion Irish Guards on March 2023) as Colonel of the Irish Guards and sent their 'best wishes' to Kate Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw (pictured), Brigade Major of the Household Division, designed this year's Trooping spectacle Troops of the Household Division take part in the Brigade Major's Review in London on May 30 Queen Elizabeth II attended Trooping the Colour in a carriage after 1987. The Royal Family postponed engagements 'which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign' after Rishi Sunak last week called a surprise summer General Election for July 4. Trooping the Colour: 1,400 soldiers and 200 horses at parade for Sovereign's birthday Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years. The parade sees more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians join each June in a display of military precision and fanfare. Crowds line the streets with flags as the parade travels from Buckingham Palace down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, with Royal Family members on horseback and in carriages. A royal salute greets the Sovereign as they arrive at Horse Guards Parade before they inspect the troops, wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats. The escorted Regimental Colour, or flag, then travels down the ranks of soldiers, with the commanding officer directing the soldiers with more than 100 words of command The Foot Guards march past the Sovereign before heading back to the Palace at the head of the soldiers. The display finishes with a flypast by the Royal Air Force which is watched by royals from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. There is also a 41-gun salute fired from Green Park. Advertisement But they have continued with garden parties at Buckingham Palace and the King and Queen's D-Day 80th anniversary appearances in Portsmouth and Normandy in June are expected to go ahead as scheduled. The Army said the Number 9 Company, Irish Guards, has been chosen to troop their colour, which means the regiment will march its ceremonial flag through the ranks at the King's official birthday event. The Band of the Irish Guards with the Pipes and Drums will march the troops onto the parade ground, led by regimental mascot Turlough Mor, an Irish Wolfhound also known as Seamus. The music is set to have a 'distinctly Irish theme', including Celtic folk tunes and new music composed for the parade. The annual Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British sovereign for more than 260 years. Charles marked his first Trooping as King last year, riding onto Horse Guards in Whitehall as the nation's head of state six weeks after his coronation. During the celebrations, Charles and Camilla waved from the Buckingham Palace balcony as thousands of well-wishers in The Mall sang the National Anthem and gave three cheers. The King and Queen were surrounded in 2023 by the family's core group of working royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children. Also on the balcony were the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent. Trooping changed when the Covid pandemic hit in the spring of 2020. National lockdowns were enforced, and Queen Elizabeth took part in drastically scaled-down ceremonies, alone. Trooping was temporarily moved from Horse Guards Parade to Windsor Castle. When Trooping the Colour returned in 2022, it was a double celebration as the nation also marked the Queen's Platinum Jubilee 70 years of her record-breaking reign. Although all members of her family were invited to join the party, including Prince Harry and Meghan, as well as Prince Andrew, only 'working royals' were invited to appear on the balcony. This meant that the Queen avoided offending either the Sussexes, who had quit royal duties, or Andrew, who had been stripped of them. But some argued it also ended decades of tradition, with the minor royals now banished from view. A man will be jailed for almost four years after he tried to claim almost $400,000 of his late girlfriend's superannuation just days after she died in surgery. Travis Paul Barnard, 32, was sentenced in the Perth District Court on Friday after being found guilty by a jury in March of logging into Kim Heptinstall's super account on her mobile phone and changing the beneficiary nomination to his details. He tried to access up to $400,000 in superannuation and life insurance benefits. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) charged Barnard in July 2020 after investigating claims the superannuation account had been accessed in the hours after Ms Heptinstall, 32, died during gastric sleeve surgery in 2019. Barnard was sentenced to three years and 10 months in jail which was backdated to March 25, 2024, with a non-parole period of one year and 11 months. Travis Barnard (pictured) has been sentenced to almost four years in jail for fraudulently trying to claim almost $400,000 of his dead girlfriend's superannuation after her sudden death The AFP charged Barnard in July 2020 after investigating claims the superannuation account had been accessed in the hours after Ms Heptinstall, 32, died during gastric sleeve surgery in 2019 (his arrest is pictured) Barnard tried to conceal the offences by deleting Ms Heptinstall's banking and superannuation apps and signing out of her email address, the court heard. He then handed the phone over to her family. Ms Heptinstall's family reported concerns about her financial affairs after Barnard tried to get a copy of her death certificate. Barnard, who was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) in 2015, initially denied committing the offences. He later claimed the offending had been the work of 'the other Travis'. District Court Judge David MacLean refused to accept his 'baseless' claim, saying it was like trying to hold a 'phantom' responsible. Kim Heptinstall (pictured) died suddenly from complications during surgery in 2019 Outside court, Ms Heptinstall's brother Ben (pictured) said his family had been through 'hell' Judge MacLean said Barnard had failed to show any remorse for his crimes or take responsibility for the 'cold-hearted' breach of trust. He said there was a high risk Barnard would offend again and that the only appropriate punishment was jail time, effective immediately. Outside court, Ms Heptinstall's brother Ben said his family had been through 'hell'. 'It's a relief that it's finally come to light, because we've had to live with the lies for the last five years,' he said. 'For the judge to finally acknowledge and accept what really happened in those hours and days after my sister's passing is a massive relief for basically what we've been fighting for, for the last five years.' Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer are ramping up the campaign with little more than a week to go before we know who will be in No.10 ahead - but what would you do if made Prime Minister for a day? All the major parties competing in the general election on Thursday week have laid out their plans in manifestos of varying lengths - ranging from Labour's document of 131 pages to Reform UK's 28. Mr Sunak's party has vowed to pledged to stop the boats crossing the English Channel by deporting migrants to Rwanda in a 'regular rhythm' every month from July and introduce a new National Service for 18-year-olds. Labour pledges to raise 7billion from VAT on private school fees and abolishing non-doms, cut NHS waiting lists and set up 'Great British Energy' to create green power. But what would be the priority for the people of Britain if put in the hotseat? MailOnline took to the streets of London, Birmingham and Sunderland to hear your Prime Ministerial plans. Kevin Maclevoy would 'reduce the price in pubs' if he became Prime Minister for the day One man (above) would give everyone 'two months holiday' In London, pals Charlie and Milly immediately focused on the younger generation, and making it easier for people in schools. '[We would] close all the schools, give everyone a day off. And loosen the rules [around] A-Levels and GCSE , they are a lot of pressure and make it an easier and fairer system to get into University.' Whereas a lot of others focused on rebuilding trust and responsibility, which they thought had been damaged by the last government. Mary Beale's plan for this would be to 'bring all the people responsible for the NHS, the police, the army, to Number 10 Downing Street and I would introduce them to the general public. 'And say well you can't get your appointment, that is the guy to see. So they have to take responsibility for what they do. 'The PM is overall the head of it but I hate when they say Rishi Sunak hasn't done this. No, it is the people who run these services. We empower them to do it and they are not doing it.' Nicky Pinnar added that as our head of state she would just 'tell the truth', whereas Vittoiro thought there was no hope for any of the MPs and his first move would be 'to change 'all the MPs, get rid of all of them.' Carmen Donatantonio also focused on 'honesty' and 'sticking to what you believe in', whereas her husband Alfonso would 'take the money from the rich and give it to the poor'. Another key point for Londoners was the 'shambolic' state of our health services and how we can improve them. Joannah Lennox wanted to 'give healthcare workers better pay and look after the elderly and the special needs. I have a special needs son so it is really important to me that we look after those who are more vulnerable.' Similarly Mary Gilford wants to 'sort the NHS out because it is shambles.' Shaquille Melbourne, 27, would make martial arts compulsory in all schools, in a bid to boost mental health and wipe out bullying Jamie, 24 and Ellie, 22 who would give everyone free happy meals with the mission to just make politics 'more fun' Some however had different priorities that seemed to focus more on having a bit of fun. Kevin Maclevoy would 'reduce the price in pubs' and another man would give everyone 'two months holiday'. Meanwhile in Birmingham some of the best answers came from Jamie, 24 and Ellie, 22 who would give everyone free happy meals with the mission to just make politics 'more fun'. They said: 'We would make university free and free gym memberships and free happy meals. '[We] would just make it more fun, it wouldn't be so strict, you don't need to go in in suits. [We] would have a milkshake throwing competition.' Shaquille Melbourne, 27, would make martial arts compulsory in all schools, in a bid to boost mental health and wipe out bullying. 'If I was Prime Minister I would make marital arts compulsory in every school. I think it would improve mental health in schools. Kids would be so discipline. Bullying would not be a thing. '[We would have] the most elite nation in terms of martial arts the world has ever seen.' On more serious topics, Stephen Harding and Rita Harrison would improve the UKs relationship with the EU. Stephen Harding, 68 said: 'I would make plans to join the European economic area, to get us back into Europe without bringing back Brexit. I would also raise taxes to support better public services.' While Rita Harrison wanted to 'look at safe routes for asylum seekers and immigrants.' Adding: 'I would definitely be wanting to increase our work with the European Europe. I would look at funding the NHS. ' Scott Houghton thought the solution was to 'ban the Tories. As you can see round here they have screwed everything up' Whereas Aisha Walker (left), 20 would 'stop letting people out of prison and make everything free, all the pools and playareas because people can't afford to take their kids swimming.' Perhaps most concerning Martim Martins (right), 18, wants to have an annual 'purge' Michael Godwin, 32, would fix the trains: 'I would sort out the state of the railways, they are always going on strike and they are expensive. I would be happy to go on the train more if it wasn't so expensive.' In Sunderland Eilleen Weatherall, 89 would 'appoint all women MPs and sack all the others. MPs right now are only thinking about themselves.' 77-year-old Michael Riley wanted to 'get rid of the class system. I would stop fools going to college who are unworthy, they should go to apprentices.' Ruth Eker thought that the issues at the moment were in the housing market, and she would improve this sector. 'Life could be made easier for younger people and families getting on the housing ladder. Generally I wish society was kinder.' Scott Houghton thought the solution was to 'ban the Tories. As you can see round here they have screwed everything up.' Whereas Aisha Walker, 20 would 'stop letting people out of prison and make everything free, all the pools and playareas because people can't afford to take their kids swimming.' Perhaps most concerning Martim Martins, 18, wants to have an annual 'purge'. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed President Joe Biden in Paris Saturday, with a pomp and flag-fuelled ceremony beneath the Arc de Triomphe. There will be awkward moments in the state visit for two presidents divided on trade and how to handle the war in Ukraine. But they and their first ladies greeted each other warmly, sharing a joke, before standing shoulder to shoulder beneath a fluttering French tricolor to honor the nation's war dead. 'Proud to be here,' said Biden. 'A great honor.' It is a chance for France to return the favor after Biden hosted Macron for a state visit at the White House in 2022. And the French media have made much of the fact that their guest is in the country for five days, taking in the D-Day anniversary. President Emmanuel Macron greets President Joe Biden for his state visit in Paris on Saturday, with first ladies Brigitte Macron and Jill Biden 'France is ... our oldest and one of our deepest allies. And this will be an important moment to affirm that alliance and also look to the future and what we have to accomplish together,' U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters. They will discuss Russia's war with Ukraine, the crisis in Gaza, as well as climate change, artificial intelligence and supply chains, he said. They are also expected to announce plans to work together in the Indo-Pacific on port security and on maritime law enforcement. Biden and his officials have repeatedly pointed out that France is the oldest ally of the U.S., sending troops to fight in the Revolutionary War against Britain. 'It's probably a good thing for us to remember that we didn't win our independence either without some foreign help or foreign assistance, specifically from France,' is how White House national security spokesman John Kirby put it on Friday. Yet that relationship comes with strains. Macron has repeatedly pushed Biden to go further in his support for Ukraine, even suggesting that he would send French forces to train Ukrainian troops in a move the American president fears would only escalate Russian aggression. And, in line with other European leaders, Macron has been far more critical of Israel in its waging of war in Gaza than Biden. That all comes with a big dose of Gallic indignation at any hint of American cultural imperialism, coupled with U.S. exasperation at French sensitivities. And then there is potentially the thorniest issue of all: Trade. The two presidents laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a ceremony at the Arc du Triumphe to mark the start of the state visit The Bidens arrive in the Beast. Jill Biden flew back into Paris to be at her husband's side French Republican Guards stand in front of the Arc de Triomphe before a welcoming ceremony with France's president and US president, in Paris Biden arrived in France on Wednesday ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. On Friday, he delivered a speech at World War II Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument Officials throughout Europe are infuriated by Biden's 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. They see its subsidies for American-made products as an unfair, protectionist move that makes it harder for European companies to compete. The issue threatened to overshadow Macron's 2022 state visit to Washington and embarrass his hosts. In a meeting with American lawmakers, Marcon reportedly described it as a 'super aggressive' move against E.U. competitors. There was no time for any of that during the official welcome ceremony. There was a military parade, a fly-over by French fighter jet and anthems. First lady Jill Biden was at the president's side after flying back to the U.S. in a whirlwind visit to make sure she was with stepson Hunter as his trial on gun charges continues. While she was away, Biden spent Friday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris, where he apologized for a months-long delay by Congress in approving tens of billions of dollars of military aid. Biden met French military veterans during the ceremony just after midday on Saturday Later Biden and Macron are expected to discuss conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine And then he flew to Normandy for a much-trailed speech, connecting the spirit of the U.S. heroes of D-day with the contemporary fight for democracy. 'Does anyone doubt they would want America to stand up against Putin's aggression here in Europe today,' he said. 'They stormed the beaches alongside our allies. Does anyone believe Rangers want America to go it alone today.' It was the second visit to the landing beaches in as many days. On Thursday, he led tributes at the American cemetery before joining other world leaders at an international ceremony. An RAF veteran has been left devastated after losing his service medals at this week's D-Day celebrations and has asked for help to get them back. Tom Weatherall, 90, is searching for the missing honours, which include the British Empire medal, the Queen's 1953 Coronation Medal and the RAF Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, after they went missing at the 80th anniversary event, which saw veterans gather in France. The ex-miner was called up for national service in 1953 and was asked to be an RAF right marker, typically the tallest member of a parade, at Queen Elizabeth II's coronation thanks to his six-foot-two-inch stature. He later rejoined as a caterer in the forces but his career was cut short after he received a wound to his arm caused by a shard of glass. He previously told Forces News he lost four-and-a-half pints of blood in a four-and-a-half hour stint in hospital after the incident. Tom Weatherall, 90, pictured at Ranville earlier this week. The RAF veteran has been left devastated after losing his service medals at this week's D-Day celebrations and has asked for help to get them back Mr Weatherall, 90, is searching for the missing honours, which include the British Empire medal (pictured) The veteran said: said: 'I'm just upset. Everyone else is marching with their medals, without them I feel naked without them' Mr Weatherall, who racked up more than 30 years' service for the air force, told LBC that he was heartbroken to lose the medals which are thought to have gone missing at a church service in Ranville on Thursday. He said: 'I'm just upset. Everyone else is marching with their medals, without them I feel naked without them. 'If anyone can help I'd be really grateful.' LBC presenter Nick Ferrari revealed on air that he is offering a reward of 500 for the safe return of the honours. Mr Weatherall previously described the memorable day of the late Queen's coronation more than 70 years ago. The veteran, who was stationed outside Westminster Abbey with the RAF, said: 'As an ex-pit lad, it was a real privilege to be part of the Coronation Squad. 'On the day I was outside Westminster Abbey, and we saluted and presented arms as the Queen got out of her carriage. 'As soon as the Queen was inside, we marched off and enjoyed the party atmosphere with a few pints in the Elephant and Castle.' Tom Weatherall pictured on June 3 watching a bagpiper at a service at Southwick House near Portsmouth. The RAF veteran has been left devastated after losing his service medals at this week's D-Day celebrations and has asked for help to get them back Mr Weatherall pictured watching drummers at the service on Monday It comes after headlines surrounding this week's celebrations were dominated by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's decision to skip a major ceremony in France. War veterans, military chiefs and critics from across the political spectrum have since queued up to condemn Mr Sunak's blunder. The Prime Minister apologised for the 'mistake' but was accused of letting the country down, with some even branding his actions as 'stupid'. It has emerged that after attending British/French commemorations on Thursday alongside the King and president Emmanuel Macron, Mr Sunak left Normandy for an interview with ITV, due to be broadcast next week. It meant that he missed the international ceremony, which was attended by 25 world leaders and heads of state, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings. World leaders, including US President Joe Biden, gathered to mark the sacrifice made by troops arriving on the Normandy beaches in 1944. But the UK was represented by the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also rubbed shoulders with international politicians. Yesterday, Mr Sunak issued an apology over social media and repeated it in an awkward exchange with broadcasters during an election campaign event in Wiltshire. Rishi Sunak, pictured with his wife Akshata Murty, apologised for leaving D-Day events early to take part in a TV interview Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer stayed for the international ceremony, during which he met Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky He suggested it had always been his intention to leave before the international ceremony on Omaha Beach, even before he called the General Election. 'I'm someone who will always admit when I've made a mistake,' Mr Sunak said. 'I stuck to the itinerary that had been set for me as Prime Minister weeks ago before the election.' This is the moment Noa Argamani who was kidnapped by Hamas motorbikers on October 7 was reunited with her father. An emotional video of Noa, 26, being reunited with her father Yakov has been released on social media, with the pair being filmed hugging and kissing. The reunion comes after Noa endured a gruelling time in captivity since she was snatched at the Nova musical festival. Israel was able to reunite them after it rescued Noa in a 'complex mission', along with three other hostages, alive from Gaza after they were captured by Hamas at Nova music festival. The hostages are in a good medical condition, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said. This is the moment Noa Argamani who was kidnapped by Hamas motorbikers on October 7 was reunited with her father Noa smiles while having a drink of coke with her father Yakov after being reunited today Noa Argamani, then 25, was seen kidnapped on the back of motorbike during the horrifying terrorist attacks Noa, who is 26, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7 and taken into Gaza Noa was one of just 19 women that are still being held by the terror group Hamas later appeared in a chilling hostage video in January Noa's mother Liora Argamani has stage 4 brain cancer and has repeatedly expressed her desire to see her daughter again The other rescued hostages, who were captured by Hamas from the Nova music festival in October, were named as Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40. The images of Noa, a Chinese-born Israeli citizen, being kidnapped on the back of a motorcycle became symbolic of the horrors faced by civilians at the festival and across southern Israel when the violence erupted. A video of Noa receiving a telephone call from Israeli President Isaac Herzog was distributed by his office. 'I am so happy to be here. Thank you for everything, thank you for this moment,' said a smiling Argamani, sitting with her father in a hospital room. In another video, speaking on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Noa said, 'I am very moved. I haven't heard Hebrew for so long.' She was kidnapped along with her boyfriend Avinatan Or from the Supernova festival on the morning of October 7. Her boyfriend is still believed to remain in captivity. In a statement, the IDF said: 'The hostages were rescued by the IDF, ISA and 'Yamam' forces from two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat. 'They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre for further medical examinations. 'The security forces will continue to make every effort to bring the hostages home.' The Mail On Sunday front page after the October 7 attacks - featuring Noa's plea 'Don't kill me' Noa was filmed hugging her father today in emotional scenes after her long stint in captivity In a video, speaking on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Noa said, 'I am very moved. I haven't heard Hebrew for so long' Noa's father (pictured in November), Yakov, said doctors have told the family his wife, Liora, does not have long to live in November Yakov sits with Noa's friends in November, who arranged for a song to be performed in honour of Noa and her boyfriend Avi Natan, who was also abducted from the Nova festival A video circulated on social media which allegedly showed Noa in captivity in Gaza Her boyfriend, Avi Nathan, distraught and helpless, was also seen on video being kidnapped on October 7. Her boyfriend is still believed to remain in captivity A photograph taken in 2023 of Avi Natan, who was also abducted from the Nova festival Released hostage Almog Meir Jan reacts after emerging alive from the central Gaza Strip on Saturday, in Ramat Gan, Israel, today Andrey Kozlov, a released hostage reacts, after the military freed him Andrey Kozlov, an Israeli hostage who was kidnapped in the deadly October attacks, has been found Shlomi Ziv has also been found. He was also captured at the Nova music festival Almog Meir has also been found. He was also captured at the Nova music festival Family members of hostages react as they walk towards a medical center after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip today Supporters and family members of hostages walk react to the news of the rescue Supporters of hostages nervously await news of the hostage rescue operation In another video, speaking on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Noa said, 'I am very moved. I haven't heard Hebrew for so long' Israel army spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the operation took place in two separate buildings 'in the heart of a civilian neighbourhood'. 'While under fire inside the buildings, under fire on the way out from Gaza, our forces rescued our hostages,' Hagari said in a televised statement. An Israeli soldier was 'critically wounded' in the operation, which took place around 11:00 am (0800 GMT), he added. Noa's conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Noa: Hello? Netanyahu: Hello Noa, welcome home. Noa: Thank you very much. Netanyahu: How are you feeling, Noa? Noa: I'm very excited. I haven't spoken Hebrew for such a long time. Netanyahu: Now, both Hebrew, and at home, and that's important. We have not given up on you for one minute. I don't know if you believed it, but we believed it, and it has materialized. Noa: Thank a lot. Netanyahu: Be blessed with you family, and hug your mother for me and for my wife. Noa: Thanks a lot. Advertisement 'The message this morning to Hamas is clear: we are determined to bring back home all the hostages.' Special forces had simultaneously raided two Hamas sites in central Gazas Nuseirat. At one location, Argamani was rescued, while Meir Jan, Kozlov, and Ziv were at the second location. Amid the operation, heavy airstrikes were carried out in the area against Hamas sites. Hamas said 55 Palestinians were killed during it. The freed Israelis were sent to the Tel Hashomer Sheba Medical Center for further medical examination, where families of the hostages celebrated their arrival. The rare rescue comes eight months into war with Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on X: 'Noa, Almog, Andrey and Shlomi - we are overjoyed to have you home.' The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters - a volunteer-based organisation set up to help bring hostages home - called the recovery of the four hostages 'a miraculous triumph', and called on Israel's government to bring home those still being held. They said in a statement: 'The heroic operation by the IDF that freed and brought home Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir Jan is a miraculous triumph. Now, with the joy that is washing over Israel, the Israeli government must remember its commitment to bring back all 120 hostages still held by Hamas - the living for rehabilitation, the murdered for burial. 'We continue to call upon the international community to apply the necessary pressure on Hamas to accept the proposed deal and release the other 120 hostages held in captivity; every day there is a day too far.' A Hamas official said Israel's freeing of four hostages after nine months was 'a sign of failure not an achievement', according to Reuters. The terrorist organisation said dozens of people, including children, have been killed and injured in the operation. Around 1,200 people were killed in Israeli during the Hamas attack and around 250 people were taken hostage. More than 100 hostages were released during a ceasefire in November in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Relatives of rescued Israeli hostages that were freed pose with an Israeli flag outs Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre in Ramat Gan on June 8, 2024 People react after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages All smiles outside the medical center in Israel after four hostages were recued alive from the central Gaza Strip on Saturday Supporters of the hostages waved Israeli flags and filmed themselves today Sickening footage showed the moment Israeli hostage Noa was seized by Hamas and driven to Gaza on the back of a motorbike (pictured) on October 7 The chilling video showed Noa surrounded by at least ten gun-toting terrorists (pictured) who can be heard jeering and shouting at her In the footage published in April, the woman can be heard wailing as she is manhandled by a Palestinian fighter, who holds her head down as he places a black bag over her face (pictured) This picture of Noa - her arms outstretched toward her boyfriend as she screams for help - became one of the most recognisable images of the atrocities after it was published by The Mail on Sunday on October 8 The other rescued hostages included Mr Kozlov, a Russian who moved to Israel in 2022. He had been working as a security guard at the Nova festival when he was kidnapped. Mr Jan tried to flee the festival, but he and a friend only managed to drive a short distance in the friend's car before being forced to stop. Mr Ziv was part of the security detail at the festival and managed to call his sisters as the attack unfolded, according to an interview with The Times of Israel. After Noa was captured in October, she later appeared in a chilling hostage video in January, speaking to camera alongside fellow captives Yossi Sharabi, 53, and Itai Svirsky, 38. The two men were later reported to have been killed, with Noa forced to announce their deaths. Hamas also published a 'psychological terror' video of what was believed to be the voice of Noa Argamani on May 31. It sparked outcry from her family and campaigners who have called for the government to bring her and the other hostages in Gaza home. The voice identified as Noa can be heard saying: 'I am imprisoned with Al-Qassam Brigades [the armed wing of Hamas]. 'I have been in captivity for more than 237 days and do not know till when. 'I say to the people of Israel: Have you become government partners with Netanyahu, Gallant and Gantz? Will my fate together with my colleagues be like Ron Arad's fate?' Ron Arad was an Israeli airman who bailed out of his plane during a mission over southern Lebanon in 1986 and was taken hostage. Israel has tried to locate him for decades but he is now presumed dead. A poster of Noa is seen in the Florentin neighborhood of Tel Aviv, Israel, May 11, 2024 Noa's voice was heard on May 31, accompanied with drawings which her family believe were done by the young woman Israeli civilians were taken off the street and driven back into Gaza on October 7 Footage showed hostages being taken by Hamas militants into Gaza on October 7 The Argamani Family initially released a statement via the Hostages & Missing Families Forum shortly after the video began circulating asking that it not be broadcast. But soon after, the forum provided the following statement, allowing the publication of the video with the family's approval. 'After assessing the situation and receiving additional information, the Argamani family has approved the use of a video in which Noa Argamani was heard while being held hostage by Hamas,' it said. 'Alongside Noa's voice, drawings are shown, which the family believes to be scribbles that Noa has drawn.' The forum statement continued, saying, '125 men and women have been held hostage by Hamas for 238 days. The Israeli government must hear the call and act decisively, without the need for any propaganda video from Hamas, to swiftly reach a deal to bring the hostages home!' Noa's mother Liora Argamani has stage 4 brain cancer and has repeatedly expressed her desire to see her daughter again. Late last year, the 61-year-old made a last ditch plea to US President Joe Biden begging him for the opportunity to 'hug' her daughter 'one last time' before she dies. She said: 'I am terminally ill with Stage 4 brain cancer. 'All that's running through my mind before I part ways with my family forever is the chance to hug my daughter, my only child, one last time 'My daughter Noa is a contagiously happy and resilient young woman. 'She loves to dance, loves music, loves being with her friends and family.' In March, she made another please to the President, saying in a video message: 'My heart really hurts. On one hand it's physical, it's not working the way it should. One the other hand, because my daughter is a hostage. 'Since the kidnapping, when I see her look in this picture, it chokes me up. 'How beautiful she is, how amazing she is. I want to see [my daughter] one more time. Talk to her one more time,' she pleaded. 'I am asking you President Joe Biden, I don't have a lot of time left in this world. It may be my last wish, I am really begging you.' The young woman was among more than 100 people who are believed to still be being held hostage in Gaza. She is one of just 19 women that are still being held by the terror group. Some of the survivors who have been released from Gaza during the hostage exchange and ceasefire deal in November have described being tortured, sexually assaulted and starved in captivity. Meanwhile earlier today the military said in a separate statement that forces were 'targeting terrorist infrastructure in the area of Nuseirat'. A Gaza hospital said Israeli strikes in central areas of the territory, including in Nuseirat camp, killed at least 15 people on Saturday. 'Intense Israeli air strikes in central governorate left at least 15 martyrs and tens wounded who have been brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital,' the spokesman for the facility, doctor Khalil al-Dakran, told AFP. Palestinians evacuate dead and wounded in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Deir al Balah today A Palestinian man carries a casualty in the aftermath of an Israeli strike today Palestinians evacuate dead and wounded in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip today Palestinians evacuate dead and wounded in Deir al Balah today Palestinians evacuate dead and wounded in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Deir al Balah on Saturday Dakran said the casualties had come from in and around Nuseirat camp as well as Deir al-Balah, where the hospital is located. Hamas said in a separate statement: 'There are dozens of bodies of martyrs and wounded lying on the ground, in the streets, and in safe rooms.' The group added that Israeli forces were engaged in a 'brutal and savage aggression on Nuseirat camp'. AFPTV video showed thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky from several buildings in Nuseirat. Other footage posted online showed Kozlov and Meir Jan arriving in Israel and beachgoers erupting into cheers in Tel Aviv after a lifeguard announced the four had been rescued. In recent weeks the military has carried out intense air and ground assaults in and around Nuseirat. On Thursday, the military struck a school turned shelter run by the UN agency for supporting Palestinian refugees, also known as UNRWA, which the Al-Aqsa hospital said had killed 37 people. The Israeli military acknowledged it conducted the strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp that targeted the UN school, saying it killed 17 'terrorists' there. In February, another rescue mission freed two hostages, but the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza said heavy air strikes that accompanied that mission killed around 100 people in Rafah, southern Gaza. A Turkish shipyard successfully launched a SECOND Scottish ferry yesterday - on time and on budget! The MV Loch Indaal - which will serve the island communities of Islay and Jura - broke water for the first time in the sunny Sea of Marmara, three months after the launch of sister ship the MV Isle of Islay at the Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard in Yalova. Both vessels came in on time and within their combined budget of 91 million. By contrast, two ferries awarded to Fergusons Marine Yard in Port Glasgow - MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa - have yet to see service, eight years after they were begun and more than a quarter of a billion pounds over budget. The MV Glen Sannox was launched in 2017 but delays meant its sea trials only began in February of this year. Turkish-built MV Loch Indaal is launched into the Sea of Marmara Construction of the MV Glen Sannox is years behind schedule She also requires endurance tests before entering service on the busy Arran route. Also due to serve Arran, the MV Glen Rosa was launched in April but has still to be fitted out before it can take passengers. Yesterdays launch of MV Loch Indaal was the second of four ordered from the Turkish yard. A further 115 million contract for two more ferries of the same design as Islay and Indaal - this time for CalMacs Skye, Harris and North Uist routes - was awarded to Cemre early last year. Scheduled for delivery to Scotlands west coast in February next year, Indaal will significantly boost capacity on the Islay routes, with the ability to accommodate up to 450 passengers and 100 cars, or 14 commercial vehicles. Cal Mac say this will increase vehicle and freight capacity by 40 per cent on the Islay routes, strengthening the overall fleets resilience. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop has presided over the ferries scandal Representatives of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and key project stakeholders were present yesterday to witness Elaine Anderson, wife of CMALs Director of Vessels, Jim Anderson, officially launch the ferry. Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said: This is another important milestone in the Scottish Governments commitment to delivering six new major vessels into service by 2026. 'I have no doubt the communities and businesses on Islay and Jura are looking forward to a more resilient and modern ferry service, with further vessels set to bring similar improvements to other parts of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services network.' Duncan Mackison, interim Chief Executive of CalMac, said: 'We welcome the launch of MV Loch Indaal and are looking forward to the vessel joining the CalMac fleet. 'Her addition will increase resilience and will also significantly increase the number of passengers and vehicles we can carry on the Islay route. 'With six new major vessels due to join the fleet by 2026 and significant infrastructure upgrades at numerous ports and harbours underway or planned, we are confident that lifeline ferry services for Islay and across the network will continue to improve.' The first Turkish-built vessel for Islay and Jura, MV Isle of Islay, is due to arrive in Scotland at the end of this year. Two elderly women killed in collision in WA on Friday A former Collingwood player has been charged over a crash that left two elderly women dead and injured a 12-year-old girl in Western Australia. Emergency services were called after reports of a crash between two cars and a road train towing two trailers on the Brand Highway in Cooljarloo, about 170km north of Perth, at about 9am on Friday. WA Police will allege Shannon John Cox, 38, was behind the wheel of a Toyota Prado travelling southbound when it collided with a Suzuki Ignis travelling north. A white Volvo road train was also travelling northbound on the same road. On Saturday Cox was charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on June 18. Former Collingwood player Shannon John Cox (pictured) has appeared in court after two women in their 80s were killed and a 12-year-old girl was injured in a crash Emergency services were called after reports of a crash between two cars and a road train towing two trailers on the Brand Highway in Cooljarloo, about 170km north of Perth at 9am on Friday. The crash scene is pictured Two women the 82-year-old driver and her 83-year-old passenger travelling in the hatchback died at the scene. A 12-year-old girl was also injured. Neither Cox nor the 31-year-old male driver of the Volvo truck were injured. Five St John ambulances and two RAC Rescue helicopters were deployed to the scene, but the helicopters were later stood down and not required to attend. Cox, who lives in the Geraldton suburb of Spalding, appeared before Northbridge Magistrates Court in Perth on Saturday. Major Crash investigators are seeking information from anyone who might have witnessed the crash. Cox played 25 games for the Magpies before retiring in 2009. The suicide note of Maine's deadliest mass shooter has been revealed as part of the release of 3,000 files which lay bare horrifying details of the attack. Robert Card killed 18 and left 13 injured during the rampage at a Lewiston bowling alley and bar in October last year. The spree sparked a huge manhunt for Card, 40, who was found dead in a trailer two days after the carnage. Now his handwritten final words have been released, showing his anguished state of mind. 'Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story,' Card wrote. 'I guess I just wanted to play cornhole with my hot girlfriend and be left the (expletive) alone.' The suicide note of Maine 's deadliest mass shooter has been revealed as part of the release of 3,000 files which lay bare horrifying details of the attack Robert Card killed 18 and left 13 injured during the rampage at a Lewiston bowling alley and bar in October last year Card had recently been dumped by his partner who was supposed to be playing in a bowling league at the same alley he opened fire on, according to an FBI profile included in the tranche, the Boston Globe reports. The profile states she was not there at the time of the attack, 'but easily could have been'. The documents also revealed harrowing information about the immediate aftermath of the attack as officers in hot pursuit of the suspect described having to walk past dying victims as they begged for help. 'They grab at our legs and try to stop us and we can not help them,' wrote Lewiston Officer Keith Caouette. 'We have to walk by and continue to search and hope they are alive when we come back around.' He told one man lying on the floor to 'hang in there,' but by the time he returned to him, the man had died. Another police officer's first instinct was that an act of domestic terrorism had been committed, underscored by the heavy police presence and flashing blue lights. 'I truly felt like we were at war,' Auburn Lt. Steven Gosselin wrote. Others described the horrific scenes inside the bowling alley and bar and grill. Card killed 18 people in the massacre (pictured), in what has become Maine's deadliest mass shooting One police officer's first instinct was that an act of domestic terrorism had been committed Cellphones rang on bloodied tabletops as tablecloths and a pool table cover turned into makeshift stretchers. 'A quick scan of the building revealed blood and flesh scattered throughout the business,' Lewiston Detective Zachary Provost wrote of the bowling alley. 'I also could smell the heavy odor of gunpowder mixed with burning flesh.' At the peak, the law enforcement presence was immense with 16 SWAT team and officers from 14 different agencies, along with eight helicopters and additional airplanes, and an underwater recovery team, wrote state police Lt. Tyler Stevenson. 'I have experienced several large-scale manhunts in my career, but this was, by far, the largest manhunt I have been a part of,' he wrote. Officers used lasers to map the shooting scenes, searched Tracfone purchases at a Walmart in the event Card had a burner phone and even retrieved data from the infotainment system of Card's Subaru. Someone who played cornhole with the shooter spoke with police about Card, describing him as 'in his own little world, but not in a bad or awkward way.' Card was an Army reservist who had been acting increasingly erratically in the months leading up to the shooting. A law enforcement official mans a checkpoint next to the Sparetime Recreation, one of two locations the mass shooter targeted On September 16, police tried to speak to Card at home but got no answer. They failed to enact the state's 'yellow flag' laws which enable officers to remove guns from vulnerable individuals. In March a state commission found this to be a clear failure, although Sagadahoc Sheriff Joel Merry insists his team acted appropriately based on the information they had. By October 19, Card had started hearing voices, according to one report from a person working at a store he delivered bread to. The report said Card knew the voices were talking about him and 'maybe you will be the ones I snap on'. In addition to the chaotic scene in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, police also had to contend with pranksters hindering their investigation. This included false tips and one person claiming to be Card by speaking through an audio filter on TikTok. The trove of documents were published on Friday before the website crashed. Officials in Maine said they should be available again by 5pm Monday. Floridians living around Walton Beach have been advised to stay away from the water after three people were attacked by sharks one right after another. According to the Walton County Sheriff's Office, a 45-year-old woman was bit by the marine animal in the water near Watersound Way and Coopersmith Lane at around 1.15pm yesterday. She sustained 'significant trauma to the midsection and pelvic area and amputation of her left lower arm,' according to South Walton Fire District Fire Chief Ryan Crawford. The victim immediately flown to a nearby trauma hospital by a helicopter in critical condition. A 45-year-old woman was bit by the marine animal in the water near Watersound Way and Coopersmith Lane at around 1.15pm yesterday At around 3pm, officials responded to calls of another shark attack on two female teenagers, 15 and 17 years old that occurred four miles away from the first attack. All three of the victims, who were visiting the area, were attacked while they were swimming near the sandbar. 'Victim one received significant injuries to one lower and one upper extremity. Both [bites] required the application of tourniquets,' Crawford said. He further confirmed that the second teen victim suffered flesh wounds on a foot. While the first teen victim was airlifted to a trauma center in Pensacola in critical condition, the other was taken by ambulance in stable condition. The attacks took place within four miles of each other All three of the victims, who were visiting the area, were attacked while they were swimming near the sandbar Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson later confirmed that both teens had a 'fighting chance' due to the 'continuity of care' they were receiving by first responders. In a press conference held later in the evening, he said: 'One of the important things to realize in these types of situations is the continuity of care. 'This seamless operation between the folks at South Walton Fire District and the deputies at Walton County Sheriffs Office and Walton Air Rescue. 'I think these two ladies have a fighting chance because of that professionalism," he added.' After the attacks, Walton County closed several miles of the Gulf of Mexico waters and began waving double red flags to warn other beachgoers. While the first teen victim was airlifted to a trauma center in Pensacola in critical condition, the other was taken by ambulance in stable condition After the attacks, Walton County closed several miles of Gulf of Mexico waters and began waving double red flags. On the same day, there were reports of another 25-year-old female being bitten by a shark near the Haleiwa Boat Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. The victim was taken to a trauma hospital by paramedics in serious condition. A popular destination for shark tours, the harbor is located on the north shore of O'ahu, on Waialua Bay at the mouth of Anahulu Stream. These attacks come weeks after officials named Florida as the shark bite capital of the world. Daytona Beach in Volusia County, Florida, has had the highest concentration of unprovoked attacks globally with 351 since 1837, according to Florida University's International Shark Attack File. Daytona Beach in Florida has had the highest concentration of attacks anywhere according Florida University's International Shark Attack File Florida as a whole has had 928 since records began, followed by Hawaii with 195 and California with 138. In 2023, there were 16 attacks - more than anywhere else in the world. On the country-wide level, the US tops the list with 1,640 attacks, followed by Australia with 706. There was a slight uptick in the number of attacks last year, but they remain extremely rare and fatal or life-threatening attacks are even less common. There were 69 unprovoked bites in 2023 globally, according to the report, compared to the previous five-year average of 63 attacks - meaning you are more likely to win the lottery than to get bitten by a shark. The majority of the attacks happened between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the temperature rises and more people are in the ocean. Surfers made up 42 percent of the global victims, with swimmers and waders making up another 39 percent. Noa Argamani returned to the arms of her father today after 245 days spent in dire captivity in the beleaguered Gaza Strip. Noa, who was taken hostage by Hamas on the back of a motorcycle on October 7, was among four hostages rescued in a dramatic firefight with IDF forces earlier today. Emotional scenes showed Noa, 26, reunited with her father on his birthday - the first time in more than half a year that they had seen each other since her capture from the Supernova Music Festival. Video showed Noa reintegrating back into civilian life, pictured hugging her father Yakov - and calling with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express her relief. Noa will now hope to be able to see her mother, Liora Argamani, who has repeatedly shared her prayers to see her daughter again since her diagnosis with stage 4 cancer. Noa smiles while having a drink of coke with her father Yakov after being reunited today Noa Argamani, kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, is reunited with her father Noa Argamani, 25, was seen kidnapped on the back of motorbike during the horrifying terrorist attacks Noa, who is 26, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7 and taken into Gaza Noa was one of just 19 women that are still being held by the terror group Hamas later appeared in a chilling hostage video in January Noa's mother Liora Argamani has stage 4 brain cancer and has repeatedly expressed her desire to see her daughter again Noa Argamani made front pages around the world when she was dragged into Gaza by Hamas on October 7. Images of her being kidnapped on the back of a motorcycle with her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, horrified onlookers and saw international condemnation land with Hamas. In January, Hamas released a chilling video of Noa from captivity and apparently under duress, calling on Netanyahu to 'please stop the war' and 'bring us home'. The Israeli prime minister vowed to vanquish Hamas and release all the hostages in spite of calls from allies and critics for a ceasefire. The operation to rescue Noa was the largest and most successful of the war so far. Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40, were also recovered in a daytime operation in two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat. Israel says more than 130 hostages remain, with about a quarter of those believed dead, and divisions are deepening in the country over how to bring them home. Following her release, Noa was pictured enjoying a Coca Cola with her father, and filmed receiving phone calls from President Isaac Herzog and Netanyahu. 'I am so happy to be here,' she said in her call with Herzog in a video distributed by his office. 'Thank you for everything, thank you for this moment,' she said, sitting with her father in a hospital room. In another video, speaking on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Noa said, 'I am very moved. I haven't heard Hebrew for so long.' She was kidnapped along with her boyfriend Avinatan Or from the Supernova festival on the morning of October 7. Her boyfriend is still believed to remain in captivity. In a statement, the IDF said: 'The hostages were rescued by the IDF, ISA and 'Yamam' forces from two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat. 'They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre for further medical examinations. 'The security forces will continue to make every effort to bring the hostages home.' The Mail On Sunday front page after the October 7 attacks - featuring Noa's plea 'Don't kill me' People wave to IDF forces taking off in a helicopter after bringing hostages to Tel HaShomer hospital on June 8, 2024 in Ramat Gan, Israel A helicopter and Isaeli Special Forces stand outside Tel HaShomer Hospital in Tel Aviv today 21-year-old Almog Meir, one of the four Israeli hostages rescued, leaves a vehicle to be taken to the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv earlier today Noa was filmed hugging her father today in emotional scenes after her long stint in captivity In another video, speaking on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Noa said, 'I am very moved. I haven't heard Hebrew for so long' Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant approving the operation to rescue the hostages together with IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Head of the IDF's Intelligence Directorate Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva and Maj. Gen. (Res.) Nitsan Alon Israel army spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the operation took place in two separate buildings 'in the heart of a civilian neighbourhood'. 'While under fire inside the buildings, under fire on the way out from Gaza, our forces rescued our hostages,' Hagari said in a televised statement. Noa's conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Noa: Hello? Netanyahu: Hello Noa, welcome home. Noa: Thank you very much. Netanyahu: How are you feeling, Noa? Noa: I'm very excited. I haven't spoken Hebrew for such a long time. Netanyahu: Now, both Hebrew, and at home, and that's important. We have not given up on you for one minute. I don't know if you believed it, but we believed it, and it has materialized. Noa: Thank a lot. Netanyahu: Be blessed with you family, and hug your mother for me and for my wife. Noa: Thanks a lot. Advertisement An Israeli soldier was 'critically wounded' in the operation, which took place around 11:00 am (0800 GMT), he added. 'The message this morning to Hamas is clear: we are determined to bring back home all the hostages.' 'This is one of the most heroic and extraordinary operations I have witnessed over the course of 47 years serving in Israel's defense establishment,' he later added. 'IDF, ISA and Special Forces, as well as the forces who supported [those in the field] have conducted an unprecedented operation - daring in nature, planned brilliantly and executed in an extraordinary fashion.' 'Our troops showed so much courage - operating under heavy fire in the most complex [urban environment in Gaza],' he continued. 'I do not remember having completed operations of this kind - at this intensity and with this level of cooperation and success.' A military spokesperson said this afternoon that the rescue was weeks in planning. Black and white video showed three hostages taking of in an Israeli helicopter after their rescue earlier today. The operation, the most successful by the IDF in eight months of war, was met with jubilation from groups working on behalf of hostages still in Gaza. The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters - a volunteer-based organisation set up to help bring hostages home - called the recovery of the four hostages 'a miraculous triumph', and called on Israel's government to bring home those still being held. They said in a statement: 'The heroic operation by the IDF that freed and brought home Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir Jan is a miraculous triumph. 'Now, with the joy that is washing over Israel, the Israeli government must remember its commitment to bring back all 120 hostages still held by Hamas - the living for rehabilitation, the murdered for burial. 'We continue to call upon the international community to apply the necessary pressure on Hamas to accept the proposed deal and release the other 120 hostages held in captivity; every day there is a day too far.' Noa's father (pictured in November), Yakov, said doctors have told the family his wife, Liora, does not have long to live in November Yakov sits with Noa's friends in November, who arranged for a song to be performed in honour of Noa and her boyfriend Avi Natan, who was also abducted from the Nova festival A video circulated on social media which allegedly showed Noa in captivity in Gaza Her boyfriend, Avi Nathan, distraught and helpless, was also seen on video being kidnapped on October 7. Her boyfriend is still believed to remain in captivity A photograph taken in 2023 of Avi Natan, who was also abducted from the Nova festival Released hostage Almog Meir Jan reacts after emerging alive from the central Gaza Strip on Saturday, in Ramat Gan, Israel, today Andrey Kozlov, a released hostage reacts, after the military said that Israeli forces Andrey Kozlov, an Israeli hostage who was kidnapped in the deadly October attacks, undated Shlomi Ziv has also been rescued. He was also captured at the Nova music festival Almog Meir has also been found. He was also captured at the Nova music festival Family members of hostages react as they walk towards a medical center after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip today A Hamas official said Israel's freeing of four hostages after nine months was 'a sign of failure not an achievement'. A spokesperson said dozens of people, including children, have been killed and injured in the operation. Indeed, Saturday's operation is the largest recovery of living hostages since the war erupted, bringing the total of rescued captives to seven of some 250 taken in October. Two men were rescued in February when troops stormed a heavily guarded apartment in a densely packed town, and a woman was rescued in the aftermath of October's attack. Israeli troops have also so far recovered at least 16 bodies of hostages from Gaza, according to the government. Netanyahu is facing growing pressure to end the fighting in Gaza, with many Israelis urging him to embrace a deal announced last month by US President Joe Biden, but far-right allies are threatening to collapse his government if he does. Families of hostages and their supporters in Israel continue to mount large protests in Tel Aviv calling for an end to the hostilities and the drawing up of a deal to return those still in Gaza. Israel's allies abroad, as well as her critics and aid groups working in the Gaza Strip, have also urged the administration to do all it can to carve out peace terms with Hamas after eight months of bloodshed. In London today, protesters marched for a 15th in a coordinated effort between groups from across the country to call for a ceasefire. Israel's offensive has killed at least 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its figures. The rescue operation comes at a sensitive time with Israel facing mounting pressure over the reports of civilian casualties in Gaza, and the worsening humanitarian crisis. The world watched in horror as reports emerged claiming 39 people had been killed in a UN school in central Gaza earlier this week. The IDF claimed the compound was being used as a Hamas command post. Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz was widely expected to announce his resignation from the emergency government today - but cancelled a statement planned for this afternoon after Israel announced the hostage releases. With Gantz gone, Netanyahu would lose the backing of a centrist bloc that has helped broaden support for the government in Israel and abroad, at a time of increasing diplomatic and domestic pressure. Instead, Netanyahu would have to rely more heavily on the political backing of ultra-nationalist parties, whose leaders angered Washington even before the war and who have since called for a return to a complete Israeli occupation of Gaza. Analysts expect this would likely increase strains already apparent in relations with the United States and intensify public pressure at home, with the months-long military campaign still not achieving its stated goals - the destruction of Hamas and the return of 120 remaining hostages held in Gaza. Supporters and family members of hostages walk react to the news of the rescue Supporters of hostages nervously await news of the hostage rescue operation In another video, speaking on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Noa said, 'I am very moved. I haven't heard Hebrew for so long' Relatives of rescued Israeli hostages that were freed pose with an Israeli flag outs Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre in Ramat Gan on June 8, 2024 People react after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages Sickening footage showed the moment Israeli hostage Noa was seized by Hamas and driven to Gaza on the back of a motorbike (pictured) on October 7 This picture of Noa - her arms outstretched toward her boyfriend as she screams for help - became one of the most recognisable images of the atrocities after it was published by The Mail on Sunday on October 8 But the release of four hostages today marks a significant milestone for the administration as it looks to keep support for its operations in Gaza. The story of Noa Argamani, taken hostage from a peace festival in southern Israel on October 7, shocked the world as Israel took the fight into Gaza. After Noa was captured, she appeared in a chilling hostage video in January, speaking to camera alongside fellow captives Yossi Sharabi, 53, and Itai Svirsky, 38. The two men were later reported to have been killed, with Noa forced to announce their deaths. Hamas also published a 'psychological terror' video of what was believed to be the voice of Noa Argamani on May 31. It sparked outcry from her family and campaigners who have called for the government to bring her and the other hostages in Gaza home. The voice identified as Noa can be heard saying: 'I am imprisoned with Al-Qassam Brigades [the armed wing of Hamas]. 'I have been in captivity for more than 237 days and do not know till when. 'I say to the people of Israel: Have you become government partners with Netanyahu, Gallant and Gantz? Will my fate together with my colleagues be like Ron Arad's fate?' Ron Arad was an Israeli airman who bailed out of his plane during a mission over southern Lebanon in 1986 and was taken hostage. Israel has tried to locate him for decades but he is now presumed dead. The Argamani Family initially released a statement via the Hostages & Missing Families Forum shortly after the video began circulating asking that it not be broadcast. But soon after, the forum provided the following statement, allowing the publication of the video with the family's approval. 'After assessing the situation and receiving additional information, the Argamani family has approved the use of a video in which Noa Argamani was heard while being held hostage by Hamas,' it said. 'Alongside Noa's voice, drawings are shown, which the family believes to be scribbles that Noa has drawn.' A poster of Noa is seen in the Florentin neighborhood of Tel Aviv, Israel, May 11, 2024 Noa's voice was heard on May 31, accompanied with drawings which her family believe were done by the young woman Israeli civilians were taken off the street and driven back into Gaza on October 7 Footage showed hostages being taken by Hamas militants into Gaza on October 7 Onlookers were also captured by the desperate situation of Noa's mother, currently in China with stage 4 brain cancer. Liora Argamani has repeatedly expressed her desire to see her daughter again and late last year made a last ditch plea to US President Joe Biden begging him for the opportunity to 'hug' her daughter 'one last time' before she dies. She said: 'I am terminally ill with Stage 4 brain cancer. 'All that's running through my mind before I part ways with my family forever is the chance to hug my daughter, my only child, one last time 'My daughter Noa is a contagiously happy and resilient young woman. 'She loves to dance, loves music, loves being with her friends and family.' In March, she made another please to the President, saying in a video message: 'My heart really hurts. On one hand it's physical, it's not working the way it should. One the other hand, because my daughter is a hostage. 'Since the kidnapping, when I see her look in this picture, it chokes me up. 'How beautiful she is, how amazing she is. I want to see [my daughter] one more time. Talk to her one more time,' she pleaded. 'I am asking you President Joe Biden, I don't have a lot of time left in this world. It may be my last wish, I am really begging you.' U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday welcomed the return of Noa Argamani and the other three Israeli hostages. Speaking at a news conference with French President Emmanuel Macon, Biden said he joined his host in welcoming the return of the hostages and vowed, 'We won't stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached.' Palestinians evacuate dead and wounded in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Deir al Balah today A Palestinian man carries a casualty in the aftermath of an Israeli strike today Palestinians evacuate dead and wounded in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip today Palestinians evacuate dead and wounded in Deir al Balah today Smoke billows in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza strip amid Israeli bombardment on June 6 The Gaza Strip continues to endure heavy bombardment, sparking outcry from aid groups A Palestinian girl watches as others check a UN-school housing displaced people hit during Israeli bombardment in Nuseirat, on June 6 A Palestinian boy looks at a pool of blood at the UN school after Israeli strikes, on June 6 The Israeli military said in a separate statement today that forces were 'targeting terrorist infrastructure in the area of Nuseirat'. A Gaza hospital reported that Israeli strikes in central areas of the territory, including in Nuseirat camp, killed at least 15 people on Saturday. 'Intense Israeli air strikes in central governorate left at least 15 martyrs and tens wounded who have been brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital,' the spokesman for the facility, doctor Khalil al-Dakran, told AFP. Dakran said the casualties had come from in and around Nuseirat camp as well as Deir al-Balah, where the hospital is located. Hamas said in a separate statement: 'There are dozens of bodies of martyrs and wounded lying on the ground, in the streets, and in safe rooms.' The group added that Israeli forces were engaged in a 'brutal and savage aggression on Nuseirat camp'. AFPTV video showed thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky from several buildings in Nuseirat. Hamas's government media office said at least 210 people were killed on Saturday in Israeli attacks on a central Gaza camp from which four hostages were rescued. 'The number of victims from the Israeli occupation's massacre in the Nuseirat camp has risen to 210 martyrs and more than 400 wounded,' the office said in a statement later in the afternoon. In recent weeks the military has carried out intense air and ground assaults in and around Nuseirat. On Thursday, the military struck a school turned shelter run by the UN agency for supporting Palestinian refugees, also known as UNRWA, which the Al-Aqsa hospital said had killed 37 people. The Israeli military acknowledged it conducted the strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp that targeted the UN school, saying it killed 17 'terrorists' there. In February, another rescue mission freed two hostages, but the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza said heavy air strikes that accompanied that mission killed around 100 people in Rafah, southern Gaza. Israel conducted a fearless raid of two Hamas buildings in Gaza to rescue four hostages kidnapped by terrorists on October 7 - extracting them via helicopter whilst taking fire from militants. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40, were rescued following the daring operation, the largest of its kind since the war with Hamas began, earlier today. Argamani became known across the world when she was taken hostage by Hamas on the back of a motorcycle at the Supernova music festival on October 7. IDF operatives were able to secure her and her three fellow festival attendees in what military chiefs branded a 'complex daytime operation' at 11am (8am GMT) in Nuseirat. Aerial footage released by the IDF showed a group of around 11 people running along the ground in Gaza and into the awaiting helicopter to escape. It later released footage showing Argamani, in a flak jacket and helmet, being rushed into a helicopter before it takes to the sky. But the mission left one officer, father-of-two Arnon Zmora, 36, dead - 'mortally wounded' during the firefight with Hamas terrorists. Gazan hospitals claim scores of Palestinians have been killed in related operations in Nuseirat. Images from the scene showed a group of around 11 running along the ground in Gaza and into the waiting helicopter to escape after the daring raid Noa Argamani (in pink top, jeans and helmet) is seen being helped into an IDF helicopter to escape Hamas after being rescued This is the moment Noa Argamani, who was kidnapped by Hamas motorbikers on October 7, was reunited with her father Noa smiles while having a drink of Coca Cola with her father Yakov after being reunited today Noa Argamani, then 25, was seen kidnapped on the back of motorbike during the horrifying terrorist attacks Noa, who is 26, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7 and taken into Gaza A video circulated on social media which allegedly showed Noa in captivity in Gaza Noa Argamani, a rescued hostage embraces her father, Yakov Argamani Released hostage Almog Meir Jan reacts after emerging alive from the central Gaza Strip after he was rescued by soldiers in the mission today Among the hostages was Andrey Kozlov (pictured), 27, a Russian who moved to Israel in 2022. He had been working as a security guard at the Nova festival when he was kidnapped The mission left one officer Arnon Zmora (pictured) dead after the rescue operation The IDF has released images of the Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant approving the operation to rescue the hostages together together with IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Head of the IDF's Intelligence Directorate Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva and Maj. Gen. Nitsan Alon Hostage Shlomi Ziv reunited with family after eight months in captivity Noa Argamani returned to the arms of her father today after 245 days spent in dire captivity in the beleaguered Gaza Strip. Noa, who was taken hostage by Hamas on the back of a motorcycle on October 7, was among four hostages rescued in a dramatic firefight with IDF forces earlier today. Emotional scenes showed Noa, 26, reunited with her father on his birthday - the first time in more than half a year that they had seen each other since her capture from the Supernova Music Festival. Video showed Noa reintegrating back into civilian life, pictured hugging her father Yakov - and calling with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express her relief. Noa will now hope to be able to see her mother, Liora Argamani, who has repeatedly shared her prayers to see her daughter again since her diagnosis with stage 4 cancer. Special forces simultaneously raided two Hamas sites in central Gaza's Nuseirat area with one helicopter attending each site. At one location, Noa Argamani was rescued, while Meir Jan, Kozlov, and Ziv were at the second location. The helicopter mission to rescue Noa went quickly and easily, but the squad set to retrieve the other three met stiff resistance and descended into a firefight with Hamas terrorists. It was during the latter rescue mission that officer Arnon Zmora was fatally injured. The IDF later said the married father of two, 36, had led a battle against Hamas gunmen on October 7 at the Yad Mordechai kibbutz. He was part of the squad that broke into one of the Hamas buildings where the hostages were being kept and was fatally injured, it said. The Israel police force said in a statement: 'The Israel Police and the Border Police announce with great sorrow and grief the death of the late officer Arnon Zmora... who was mortally wounded in the operation to return the hostages this morning in Gaza'. The IDF said: 'Arnon is an Israeli hero, who loved and protected his country. He led the force that rescued the four hostages from the central Gaza Strip and returned them to Israel. The IDF salutes his memory.' It later said the rescue operation would be retrospectively named 'Operation Arnon' in his honour. An injured person is evacuated from an Israeli air force helicopter landing in the grounds of Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre in Ramat Gan today The injured soldier came home after the daring raid in Gaza today A view of Israeli helicopter, carrying four Israeli hostages that were retrieved after a military operation in the area The rescued prisoners were photographed disembarking with soldiers from an air force CH-53 Sea Stallion military helicopter which landed in the grounds of the Sheba Medical Center Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage embraces his mother, Orit Meir Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage reacts with his mother, Orit Meir, after the rescue Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage embraces loved ones Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage embraces a loved one Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage is greeted by a loved one The father of released hostage Shlomi Ziv, stands at a medical center after the military carried out the daring rescue Almog Meir has also been found. He was also captured at the Nova music festival Shlomi Ziv has also been found. He was also captured at the Nova music festival on October 7 Hostage Shlomi Ziv smiles with medical staff after his safe return to Israel Freed hostage Almog Meir Jan smiles with family after a gruelling eight months in captivity Family members of hostages react as they walk towards a medical center after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip today Supporters and family members of hostages walk react to the news of the rescue Andrey Kozlov, an Israeli hostage who was kidnapped in the deadly October attacks, has been found Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference at the Sheba Tel HaShomer Hospital in Ramat Gan, Israel, today Netanyahu said the 'entire nation salutes you' to his defence chiefs at a press conference after the successful mission Among the hostages freed during today's operation was Andrey Kozlov, 27, a Russian who moved to Israel in 2022. He had been working as a security guard at the Nova festival when he was kidnapped. Almog Meir, 21, tried to flee the festival, but he and a friend only managed to drive a short distance in the friend's car before being forced to stop. He phoned his mother during the attack. Shlomi Ziv, 40, was part of the security detail at the festival and managed to call his sisters as the attack unfolded, according to an interview with The Times of Israel. He phoned his sisters during the attack, telling them he did not want them to worry. The operation is understood to have been planned for months. The Israeli forces practiced for the operation using models of the two houses where the hostages, referred to as 'diamonds' were being held, according to The Telegraph. The two houses, which were 200m apart, were raided simultaneously 'like a surgical operation' to reduce the risk of the hostages being killed in either one, the IDF said. It is understood they were being held in locked rooms in apartments containing both families and armed guards. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 'entire nation salutes you' to his defence chiefs at a press conference after the successful mission. During the operation, heavy airstrikes were carried out in the area against Hamas sites. After the operation, the freed Israelis were sent to the Tel Hashomer Sheba Medical Center for further medical examination, where families of the hostages celebrated their arrival. Mr Netanyahu spoke at a news conference at the Sheba Tel HaShomer Hospital in Ramat Gan following the successful mission. He thanked his defence chiefs and said: 'The entire nation salutes you and the courageous fighters who today risked their lives in order to save lives. 'Yet again you have proven that Israel does not surrender to terrorism and acts with boundless valor and resourcefulness to return home our hostages. 'We are obligated to do the same in the future. We will not relent until we complete the mission and return all our hostages home, both the living and the deceased.' Almog Meir Jan, 21, rejoices after his safe return home People wave Israeli flags as they celebrate after hostages who were kidnapped in a Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7. were rescued from Gaza Strip Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage walks through Sheba Medical Center People wave flags towards Israeli special forces outside Tel HaShomer Hospital in Tel Aviv Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said: 'It was one of the most heroic and extraordinary operations I have witnessed over the course of 47 years serving in Israeli defence' IDF Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari (pictured last month) spoke to reporters about the operation The IDF has released images of the Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant approving the operation together with IDF Chief of the General Staff and other generals. He said it was 'one of the most heroic and extraordinary operations' he has witnessed in over the course of 47 years serving in Israeli defence. IDF Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said: 'We are talking about Al-Nuseirat, in the centre of Gaza, where Hamas in a very cruel and cynical way is holding hostages inside civilian buildings, in apartments in buildings of three to four floors. 'Holding them the way that it will be impossible to reach to without going through civilians of Gaza. 'There are three hostages in one apartment, three male ones, and Noah Algamani in the second apartment. 'There are only around 200 meters between those two buildings. We decided to do the operation on both of them because if we would have chose one only, the risk that in the other one they would kill our hostages is a huge risk. 'They might have been thinking that we are preparing for another raid. 'You have to understand that they're moving the hostages from flat to flat, it happens from week to week. 'We need to be very, very accurate. We gather the intelligence in multiple ways in order to make sure that we are ready for this operation. 'It has a lot of details, like in a puzzle, and we never have all the links, but we need to make sure that we have enough links. 'We were building models of those houses in order to practice. It needs to be like a surgical operation, like a brain operation. Because if one little bit happens before another, you might kill the hostages. 'Why did we choose daylight? Because we understood that in those apartments with those guards, daytime will be the ultimate surprise. 'The tension in the command room was very, very high. General Levi said the approval word, "Go," and the forces start going out at 11am. The raid was at around 11.25am. 'The raid started simultaneously in both buildings. It was very, very complex, very, very intense. 'In one building, Noa Argamani's building we surprised them completely, but it was still hard. 'In the other building, where the three male hostages were, we had to fire and crossfire with the guards. 'In the crossfire, the warrior of the squad, the squad commander was facing the terrorists and he died. 'He was injured in the beginning, and he was brought in a severe injury to the hospital, and he died in the hospital. He has a wife and two children, 36 years old, a brave warrior who gave his life bringing home four hostages alive. 'There was a lot of fire. A lot of fire was around us, running terrorists in the street with RPGs. Freed hostage Almog Meir Jan reunites with family after eight months in captivity Shlomi Ziv kisses his tearful family after the successful rescue operation 'They were using the civilians to fire on the Israeli forces when they go out from the operation. So much fire was on our forces, and we needed to fire from the air and on the street. 'We had to put the heli down next to the beach and take out the forces because of the warrior that was wounded. 'We took out the hostages in two helis, the first took Nao Argamani and the second one took the three hostages and the wounded warrior that lost his life in the in the hospital. Very heroic operation. 'We don't forget that we have now 120 hostages. We don't forget that need to do everything. 'We know that we cannot do operations to rescue all of them, because they won't have the conditions that will allow it. 'We used the operational division in the Southern Command that was in this area in order to conduct this operation. They gave a shield to the Special Forces in this operation. 'I saw the picture, the father of Noah Argamani raising up his hands coming to the hospital to take his wife to see her daughter before she dies. 'He's saying: "The IDF, the IDF brought my daughter back." When you see the warriors going out with the hostages from the helis to the hospital it gives us a lot of a lot of power, and we are very, very determined. 'We need to bring the hostages back home.' Hagari said there were 'under 100' Palestinian casualties. He also revealed revealed that previously special units have been ready to raid apartments with other hostages in them 'three or four times' but 'did not execute'. Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said: 'This is one of the most heroic and extraordinary operations I have witnessed over the course of 47 years serving in Israel's defense establishment. 'IDF, ISA and Special Forces, as well as the forces who supported [those in the field] have conducted an unprecedented operation - daring in nature, planned brilliantly and executed in an extraordinary fashion. 'The various security agencies cooperated closely - acting as one single unit. 'Our troops showed so much courage - operating under heavy fire in the most complex (urban environment in Gaza). 'I do not remember having completed operations of this kind - at this intensity and with this level of cooperation and success. 'I would like to commend and thank those leading the IDF, ISA and Yamam (Special Forces). We will do everything possible to return all the hostages home.' U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday welcomed the return of four Israeli hostages rescued alive in Gaza Speaking at a news conference with French President Emmanuel Macon, Biden said he joined his host in welcoming the return of the hostages and vowed, 'We won't stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached' Hostage Andrey Kozlov shakes the hand of medics after he is checked over Shlomi Ziv hugs his family tightly following the successful mission An emotional Mr Ziv almost breaks down after seeing his family for the first time in eight months A Hamas official said Israel's freeing of four hostages after nine months was 'a sign of failure not an achievement', according to Reuters. The terrorist organisation said dozens of people, including children, were killed and injured in the operation. The Hamas-run health ministry claimed the bodies of 94 Palestinians arrived at Al-Aqsa Hospital following heavy fighting. The Hamas government media office later said 210 people were killed in strikes on the Nuseirat area but its figures are not considered as reliable as those of the health ministry. U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday welcomed the return of the four Israeli hostages rescued alive in Gaza. Speaking at a news conference with French President Emmanuel Macon, Biden said he joined his host in welcoming the return of the hostages and vowed, 'We won't stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached'. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said on X, formerly Twitter, that he had sent messages to the families of Noa Argamani and Shlomi Ziv. He added: 'I renew my appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and for an end to this war.' Israelis have reacted with a mixture of joy and anger following the news - happy that some hostages have been freed, but angry at prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ongoing refusal to agree a ceasefire deal that could see the others returned before it is too late. In Tel Aviv, Israelis hailed Saturday as a 'very emotional day'. Uriya Bekenstein, 42,told the AFP news agency: 'We have had these hostages in our thoughts for every day for the better part of a year now - to have even a few of them rescued against all odds, it means the world.' But scores of Israelis also gathered in the city to call for Netanyahu to resign, waving signs that also urged him to agree a ceasefire deal with Hamas. The images of Noa, a Chinese-born Israeli citizen, being kidnapped on the back of a motorcycle became symbolic of the horrors faced by civilians at the festival and across southern Israel when the violence erupted. A video of Noa receiving a telephone call from Israeli President Isaac Herzog was distributed by his office. 'I am so happy to be here. Thank you for everything, thank you for this moment,' said a smiling Argamani, sitting with her father in a hospital room. In another video, speaking on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Noa said, 'I am very moved. I haven't heard Hebrew for so long.' She was kidnapped along with her boyfriend Avinatan Or from the Supernova festival on the morning of October 7. Her boyfriend is still believed to remain in captivity. Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to celebrate the rescue of hostages - but to also call for Israel to agree a ceasefire deal with Hamas to secure the release of others still held captive Some held up banners protesting against Benjamin Netanyahu, who has repeatedly refused to agree ceasefire deals with the terror group Protesters with fake blood on their hands and clothes wave banners calling for an end to the war in Gaza Noa was one of just 19 women that are still being held by the terror group She later appeared in a chilling hostage video in January Noa's mother Liora Argamani has stage four brain cancer and has repeatedly expressed her desire to see her daughter again In a statement, the IDF said: 'The hostages were rescued by the IDF, ISA and 'Yamam' forces from two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat. 'They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre for further medical examinations. 'The security forces will continue to make every effort to bring the hostages home.' The rare rescue comes eight months into war with Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on X: 'Noa, Almog, Andrey and Shlomi - we are overjoyed to have you home.' The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters - a volunteer-based organisation set up to help bring hostages home - called the recovery of the four hostages 'a miraculous triumph', and called on Israel's government to bring home those still being held. They said in a statement: 'The heroic operation by the IDF that freed and brought home Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir Jan is a miraculous triumph. 'Now, with the joy that is washing over Israel, the Israeli government must remember its commitment to bring back all 120 hostages still held by Hamas - the living for rehabilitation, the murdered for burial. 'We continue to call upon the international community to apply the necessary pressure on Hamas to accept the proposed deal and release the other 120 hostages held in captivity; every day there is a day too far.' After Noa was captured in October, she later appeared in a chilling hostage video in January, speaking to camera alongside fellow captives Yossi Sharabi, 53, and Itai Svirsky, 38. The two men were later reported to have been killed, with Noa forced to announce their deaths. Hamas also published a 'psychological terror' video of what was believed to be the voice of Noa Argamani on May 31. The Mail On Sunday front page after the October 7 attacks - featuring Noa's plea 'Don't kill me' Noa was filmed hugging her father today in emotional scenes after her long stint in captivity In a video, speaking on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Noa said, 'I am very moved. I haven't heard Hebrew for so long' Noa's father (pictured in November), Yakov, said doctors have told the family his wife, Liora, does not have long to live in November Yakov sits with Noa's friends in November, who arranged for a song to be performed in honour of Noa and her boyfriend Avi Natan, who was also abducted from the Nova festival Her boyfriend, Avi Nathan, distraught and helpless, was also seen on video being kidnapped on October 7. Her boyfriend is still believed to remain in captivity A photograph taken in 2023 of Avi Natan, who was also abducted from the Nova festival In another video, speaking on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Noa said, 'I am very moved. I haven't heard Hebrew for so long' It sparked outcry from her family and campaigners who have called for the government to bring her and the other hostages in Gaza home. The voice identified as Noa can be heard saying: 'I am imprisoned with Al-Qassam Brigades [the armed wing of Hamas]. 'I have been in captivity for more than 237 days and do not know till when. Noa's conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Noa: Hello? Netanyahu: Hello Noa, welcome home. Noa: Thank you very much. Netanyahu: How are you feeling, Noa? Noa: I'm very excited. I haven't spoken Hebrew for such a long time. Netanyahu: Now, both Hebrew, and at home, and that's important. We have not given up on you for one minute. I don't know if you believed it, but we believed it, and it has materialized. Noa: Thanks a lot. Netanyahu: Be blessed with your family, and hug your mother for me and for my wife. Noa: Thanks a lot. Advertisement 'I say to the people of Israel: Have you become government partners with Netanyahu, Gallant and Gantz? Will my fate together with my colleagues be like Ron Arad's fate?' Ron Arad was an Israeli airman who bailed out of his plane during a mission over southern Lebanon in 1986 and was taken hostage. Israel has tried to locate him for decades but he is now presumed dead. The Argamani Family initially released a statement via the Hostages & Missing Families Forum shortly after the video began circulating asking that it not be broadcast. But soon after, the forum provided the following statement, allowing the publication of the video with the family's approval. 'After assessing the situation and receiving additional information, the Argamani family has approved the use of a video in which Noa Argamani was heard while being held hostage by Hamas,' it said. 'Alongside Noa's voice, drawings are shown, which the family believes to be scribbles that Noa has drawn.' The forum statement continued, saying, '125 men and women have been held hostage by Hamas for 238 days. The Israeli government must hear the call and act decisively, without the need for any propaganda video from Hamas, to swiftly reach a deal to bring the hostages home!' Noa's mother Liora Argamani has stage 4 brain cancer and has repeatedly expressed her desire to see her daughter again. Late last year, the 61-year-old made a last ditch plea to US President Joe Biden begging him for the opportunity to 'hug' her daughter 'one last time' before she dies. Relatives of rescued Israeli hostages that were freed pose with an Israeli flag outs Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre in Ramat Gan on June 8, 2024 People react after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages All smiles outside the medical center in Israel after four hostages were recued alive from the central Gaza Strip on Saturday Supporters of the hostages waved Israeli flags and filmed themselves today Sickening footage showed the moment Israeli hostage Noa was seized by Hamas and driven to Gaza on the back of a motorbike (pictured) on October 7 The chilling video showed Noa surrounded by at least ten gun-toting terrorists (pictured) who can be heard jeering and shouting at her In the footage published in April, the woman can be heard wailing as she is manhandled by a Palestinian fighter, who holds her head down as he places a black bag over her face (pictured) This picture of Noa - her arms outstretched toward her boyfriend as she screams for help - became one of the most recognisable images of the atrocities after it was published by The Mail on Sunday on October 8 She said: 'I am terminally ill with Stage 4 brain cancer. All that's running through my mind before I part ways with my family forever is the chance to hug my daughter, my only child, one last time 'My daughter Noa is a contagiously happy and resilient young woman. 'She loves to dance, loves music, loves being with her friends and family.' In March, she made another please to the President, saying in a video message: 'My heart really hurts. On one hand it's physical, it's not working the way it should. One the other hand, because my daughter is a hostage. 'Since the kidnapping, when I see her look in this picture, it chokes me up. 'How beautiful she is, how amazing she is. I want to see [my daughter] one more time. Talk to her one more time,' she pleaded. 'I am asking you President Joe Biden, I don't have a lot of time left in this world. It may be my last wish, I am really begging you.' The young woman was among more than 100 people who are believed to still be being held hostage in Gaza. She is one of just 19 women that are still being held by the terror group. Some of the survivors who have been released from Gaza during the hostage exchange and ceasefire deal in November have described being tortured, sexually assaulted and starved in captivity. A poster of Noa is seen in the Florentin neighborhood of Tel Aviv, Israel, May 11, 2024 Noa's voice was heard on May 31, accompanied with drawings which her family believe were done by the young woman Israeli civilians were taken off the street and driven back into Gaza on October 7 Footage showed hostages being taken by Hamas militants into Gaza on October 7 Hamas and independent observers have accused Israel of breaching international law with its bombing and other operations in Nuseirat, which have flattened buildings and reportedly killed scores of Palestinians. The area is home to a refugee camp north-east of the city of Deir al-Balah Hamas said in a separate statement: 'There are dozens of bodies of martyrs and wounded lying on the ground, in the streets, and in safe rooms.' The group added that Israeli forces were engaged in a 'brutal and savage aggression on Nuseirat camp'. It has claimed the IDF has also killed some hostages during the operation in messages shared on Telegram. Its claims could not be confirmed. Spokesperson Abu Obaida said: 'The enemy was able, by committing horrific massacres, to free some of his captives, but at the same time he killed some of them during the operation. 'The operation will pose a great danger to the enemy prisoners and will have a devastating impact on their conditions and lives. 'What the Zionist enemy carried out in the Nuseirat area in the middle of the Gaza Strip is a complex war crime, and the first to be harmed by it were its prisoners.' Iran's foreign ministry said the raid was a 'horrific and shocking crime'. The country is supportive of and has funded Hamas. The Jordanian foreign ministry also labelled the military operation a 'violation of international law'. Graphic images filed by press photographers and videos shared on social media showed casualties from Israeli attacks on the refugee camp. Children were clearly among the injured and dead being carried away. Palestinians evacuate dead and wounded in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Deir al Balah today A Palestinian man carries a casualty in the aftermath of an Israeli strike today Palestinians evacuate dead and wounded in Deir al Balah today Palestinians evacuate dead and wounded in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Deir al Balah on Saturday Injured Palestinians at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al Balah, Gaza following Israeli strikes A Palestinian civil defense firefighter inspects the smoking ruins of a building hit by Israeli shelling at Nuseirat refugee camp AFPTV video showed thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky from several buildings in Nuseirat. Other footage posted online showed Kozlov and Meir Jan arriving in Israel and beachgoers erupting into cheers in Tel Aviv after a lifeguard announced the four had been rescued. In recent weeks the military has carried out intense air and ground assaults in and around Nuseirat. On Thursday, the military struck a school turned shelter run by the UN agency for supporting Palestinian refugees, also known as UNRWA, which the Al-Aqsa hospital said had killed 37 people. The Israeli military acknowledged it conducted the strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp that targeted the UN school, saying it killed 17 'terrorists' there. In February, another rescue mission freed two hostages, but the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza said heavy air strikes that accompanied that mission killed around 100 people in Rafah, southern Gaza. Around 1,200 people were killed in Israel during the October 7 attacks and around 250 people were taken hostage. More than 100 hostages were released during a ceasefire in November in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel. There are now 116 hostages remaining in Gaza, including 41 the army says are dead. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 36,731 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. Of those, some 15,000 were said to be children. The young African mothers last moments must have been terrifying. With her tiny daughter Beatrice tied in a shawl on her back, Masiya Banda was chased across a field by a rampaging elephant which then trampled her to death, tossing the child like a rag doll on to the sun-baked ground. The charging beast had arrived at Masiyas Malawi farm in a herd from a nearby national park where 263 elephants were sent to live less than a year earlier. Playing a key role in the relocation were two charities, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), which helped finance the move, and African Parks which helped execute it and where Prince Harry is on the board of directors and is a former president. Masiyas distraught father, 55-year-old Ngoma Banda, blames both the organisations for her death near the park last June. This dangerous animal, with lots of others, was brought here and killed my daughter, he says. We did not see elephants until charities put them next to our homes. Then, with a pointed question for Harry, he adds: How could the grandson of your Queen Elizabeth have done this to us? Prince Harry watching an anti-poaching exercise on a trip to Malawi in 2019 Harry marks a tranquilised elephant in 2016 as part of an initiative to move 500 elephants over 350km across Malawi. The spray paint makes it easily identifiable when released A tranquilised elephant loaded on to a lorry bed for relocation Prince Harry was not involved with the 2022 mass elephant transfer that is now provoking such controversy, but Masiyas death at 31 shines a spotlight on an unfolding tragedy in this part of south-east Africa. In the past eight years hundreds of elephants have been relocated within Malawi from areas where there are too many to places where there were only a few. Back in July 2016, Prince Harry spent three weeks working with African Parks in the landlocked country on what was then a pioneering elephant relocation programme helping to move 500 of the animals 220 miles to a new wildlife reserve. The charity boasted to the BBC that it was one of the largest elephant translocations in human history. In a promotional film, Harry said: In a weird way, the elephants know we are here to help. They are so calm and relaxed. They need to be moved to another place so this is the least invasive way to do it. There is zero stress on them. Whatever the truth of this the elephants were darted with tranquilisers, tethered by their hind legs and lifted by cranes on to massive trucks for their journey the film is still up on the charitys glossy website, helping to raise funds from British, European and American donors for its wildlife conservation work across Africa. Yet the consequences of the mass transfers of elephants are devastating for the lives of local Africans, says a new and deeply disturbing report. It claims that, since those 263 elephants were moved to Kasungu national park in the summer of 2022, at least nine people, including Masiya, have been killed by the animals. The report has been produced by Warm Heart, a Zambia-based campaign group raising awareness over rising human and elephant conflicts. Beatrice with a broken leg after the elephant attack that killed mother Masiya A deeply disturbing report claims at least nine people have been killed since the elephants were relocated in 2022 It has compiled stark statistics showing that over the last two years, 41 children have been orphaned as a result of elephant attacks near the parks borders, both inside Malawi and neighbouring Zambia. More than 4,000 people have been injured, some so seriously they will never work on their farms again. Warm Heart adds that the elephants have routinely walked into villages and broken into houses, sometimes demolishing them, to break open bags of maize that are stored to feed families in winter months or for sale at the market. The result is that locals, who survive on hand-to-mouth subsistence farming, are living in fear, even frightened of letting their children walk to school, of going out to visit neighbours in the village at night, or even using the outside lavatory after dark for fear of meeting an elephant. The damning dossier was written by Warm Heart founder and respected conservationist Mike Labuschagne who says the 2022 transfer was a rushed operation which smacks of buffoonery by charities guilty of an imperial model of conservation. Around 7,500 people have been affected in some way by deaths, injuries, crop and food destruction and loss of income following the elephants arrival, he insists. They brought 263 elephants and just dumped them in the park and the elephants started attacking peoples crops and killing them, he says. If an African charity released 263 hyenas in the suburbs of London and 18 months later nine people had been killed by those hyenas, what do you think the reaction would be? The charities are wholly ignorant of African realities, have no interest in the outcomes, and make shockingly ridiculous decisions, he tells us as we visit Malawi and Zambia to talk to distressed families living next to the park elephants. The former soldier, who used to work for IFAW, adds: All these victims are in areas which never experienced human-elephant conflicts before the two charities brought them to the national park. They have been criminally negligent. It is not only human lives turned upside down. The elephants have suffered after finding themselves in a park they dont know and struggling to find new sources of food and water. Warm Heart says that on the Zambian side of the park, four baby elephants have been abandoned by their stressed mothers, maternal neglect which is almost unknown. Shockingly, locals have taken matters into their own hands and, in exasperation, shot the beasts invading their farms to eat crops, drink at their wells and threaten families. The African savannah elephant is the hungriest and thirstiest land-dwelling animal on Earth. A bull can reach nearly ten feet in height and weigh seven tons. It needs 40 gallons of water a day to survive. A fully grown male can swallow that amount nearly a bathful in five minutes. The locals stories of living alongside these huge wild beasts are harrowing. We spoke to more than 70 people living near the national park. Some walked miles to the centre of villages to meet us, so keen are they to vent their anger over the elephants. Amon Kamanga, a 71-year-old farmer, is still grieving the death of his older brother of 83 after an elephant charged at him last year as he checked the familys maize store in their Zambian village. My brother fell and broke his arm as he ran from the creature. It was such a shock, he died of a heart attack, he says. I am sad your Prince Harrys charity is involved in this. It is not the elephants fault. They dont know where a park begins and ends. It is the charities that are doing things wrong. Then in perfect English he was taught at a missionary school, he adds sagely: Prince Harry and others in charge at African Parks may think they know best, but a white man, even a Royal Queens grandson, doesnt know how we Africans think. They are living in the past. There is no soil in London or the cities they come from. One of the most piteous stories is of Lazarous Phiri, 52, who was returning from the fields to his Zambian village, Munye, a stones throw from the park, when an elephant struck. It was nine in the morning and I heard villagers shouting elephants so I ran to see about the fuss. I pulled on a white T-shirt as I was moving, he says. That was a fatal mistake. The sight of the T-shirt alerted one of the invading elephants. It rushed towards him, pushed him to the ground and stamped on his body. In the attack last year, Lazarouss rib cage was cracked, his spleen shattered, his kidneys damaged and his right arm broken in three places. It took him 11 hours to reach a hospital on an ox cart driven by relatives. Today he is a broken man physically and mentally. While he lay in hospital for months with his injuries, his wife and four children left him. They thought I was going to die and was no longer any use to them, he says tearfully. I can never work again in the fields or earn money. I have nothing and beg from my uncle who has taken me in. Sheila Phiri, 37, says that before the elephants were moved to the park she had only seen them in picture books or on TV Elephant prints can be seen through a field. Farmers have taken to carrying out night watches so they can scare off any herds that pass through to protect their crops Sheila Phiri, 37, a married woman of the same surname in the Zambian village of Chikazingwa, says that before the elephants were moved to the park there were none in the area. I had only seen one in picture books or on TV, she says. The charities say they are protecting wild animals but they are not protecting us humans. We think they care about animals more than people. If I had a gun, it would shoot the elephants. Her brother Mackdoinad, headman in the village of 50 people, adds: This year they came in March for the first time. Four of them arrived at night and ate our maize in the fields. Then they gorged on our bananas because it is a favourite of theirs. We made fires and banged pots. That didnt frighten them away. Now we are tempted to poison them so that they cant harm us again. Not far away is the office of Chief Chanje, a smartly uniformed man responsible for an area of 500 villages and 1,340 small farms. The elephant invasion started two years ago after the relocation, he says. There is no fence along the Zambian side of the Malawi national park to stop them coming to us. Elephants dont know about borders. Once a herd finds an area growing food they like, such as tomatoes, they will always return as they never forget. They are so confused in the park because it is new to them. They are even abandoning babies. This week IFAW denied the elephants were dumped in the park. It says it was primarily the Malawi governments decision to relocate them there. It was determined by scientific reasoning. Our role was to support with financial means and expertise from a conservation perspective, it says. African Parks says: Contrary to claims of rushing the relocation, plans to move the elephants commenced over three years ago and were delayed by Covid-19. Human-wildlife conflict, it concedes, is a growing problem, though it tries to protect people: Fences, despite being electrified, are not a foolproof deterrent and animal breakouts occur. This is learnt behaviour whereby one elephant with the knowledge of fence-breaking passes it on to others. The charity reveals that some elephants moved to another Malawi wildlife reserve called Nkhotakata in 2016 (where Prince Harry was filmed helping the operation) had become a threat to neighbouring human communities and had to be put down. Police reports show that these relocated elephants have also killed or injured local people. But, the charity says: In our view, the narrative that African Parks cares more about animals than people ignores the facts. The Banda family, on the Malawi side of the national park, are looking after little Beatrice, now two, as best as they can without her mother. She is being raised as an orphan because Masiyas husband deserted the family after his wife was killed. Masiyas grandmother Dolisi, now Beatrices main carer, cuddles her as she tells us: We were told by phone my daughter had died at her village. The baby had a broken leg because she was thrown to the hard ground by the elephant. We love this child dearly but she needs her own mother. Also victims of the elephant attack are Beatrices siblings, aged 14 to seven. They are being raised in another village by members of this close-knit family. When I ask the clan if either of the two charities or the Malawi government had offered condolences or monetary compensation after Masiyas death, they shake their heads. The IFAW sent us a coffin for her. We have heard nothing else from them, Prince Harrys charity, or anyone connected with bringing the elephants here, says Dolisi as she rocks Beatrice to sleep in her arms. 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The annual festival in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, is billed as the largest gathering of travellers in Europe and is expected to attract around 40,000 visitors from across the UK over the weekend. Visitors, often with booze flowing freely, gather along the banks of the River Eden horses are taken into the water in order to be washed. The young and old revellers watching the spectacle are all usually dressed to impress. Women don head-to-toe designer gear from fashion houses including Gucci and Louis Vuitton, often paired with heavy makeup and false eyelashes. While the men wore their best tracksuits from sporty brands ranging from Adidas to Under Armour. Travellers attending the Appleby Horse Fair have been warned 'no BB guns or catapults.' The annual festival in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, is billed as the largest gathering of travellers in Europe and is expected to attract around 40,000 visitors from across the UK Visitors, often with booze free flowing, gather along the banks of the River Eden which runs through the village where horses are taken into the water in order to be washed A young lady takes her horse into the river. People from across the UK visit the fair Rosina Phillips, 71, of south Wales who was visiting the fair with her border collie Bronwen said: 'It is a magical atmosphere. It is so beautiful seeing the horses' One woman is determined to continue rocking her flawless outfit as she takes her horse for a dip in the river An array of Gucci designer items and fur coats on display at the Cumbrian fair The young and old revellers watching the spectacle are all usually dressed to impress. Women don head-to-toe designer gear from fashion houses including Gucci and Louis Vuitton often paired with heavy makeup and false eyelashes While the men wore their best tracksuits from sporty brands ranging from Adidas to Under Armour Horseback riders wade through the River Eden. The Appleby Horse Fair has a long history dating as far back as the 17th century However, this years fair has already been marred in controversy after it was revealed on Wednesday that a three-year-old stallion was 'worked to death' in an 'inexcusable act of cruelty' after it was found 'covered in rub sores' with a very high temperature. Cumbria Police have since made two arrests in relation with the incident. The force said they were called to assist the RSPCA who had 'difficulty' being allowed access to horses by 'obstructive owners'. The Cumberland and Westmorland Herald reported today that the investigation into the death is moving forward. RSPCA chief inspector Rob Melloy said: 'The horse's temperature was very high, and he was covered in rubs. He had been worked until he dropped. This was an inexcusable act of cruelty. This person has let themselves, their family and of course this poor horse down, who undoubtedly suffered before he died.' Despite the incidents revellers were determined to have a good time. Laura Cassidy, 23, said: 'Appleby is always a big event in the calendar for travellers, and of course everyone wants to dress up and look their best. 'You might be trudging around in a field or riding a horse, but that doesn't mean you can't look the part. Travellers have always been concerned about how they look. Who doesn't want to look good.' Travellers wash and ride their horses in the River Eden during the Appleby Horse Fair today. However, this years fair has already been marred in controversy after it was revealed on Wednesday that a three-year-old stallion was 'worked to death' in an 'inexcusable act of cruelty' Two women who came prepared for the wet weather carry umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain Two style-conscious members of the travelling community parade along the streets on what has become known locally as the Appleby catwalk The beer flows freely in Appleby-in-Westmorland. Local residents in the town which normally has 3,000 people have mixed feelings about the event which effectively takes over their town with streets being blocked off and one way systems set up Another traveller who asked not to be named said: 'This is an annual event and it is chance to get together with old friends. There is lots to see and do. It is not just looking at horses. 'Of course girls want to dress up. If they are single, it is a chance to impress the boys. Appleby is a great place for families, but it is also a great place to find a new boyfriend if you want one.' Local residents in the town which normally has 3,000 people have mixed feelings about the event which effectively takes over their town with streets being blocked off and one way systems set up. While some profit from turning their fields into 10-a-day car parks, others have become fed up with the disruption, and many leave the town for the duration of the fair. Rows of shops and three of the town's four pubs have closed along with the local library. But the Co-op, a greengrocers, the town's two butchers, two cafes and even a traditional sweet shop have remained open to cater for the influx of visitors. Shops that have closed include a carpet store, a gift shop, travel agents and a clothing shop which also does dry cleaning. Thousands of people will flock to Cumbria for the annual Appleby Horse Fair Two girls appear to be less than impressed with their horse's attempt at walking down some stairs Event attracrs thousands of visitors every year but divides the village's 2,000 residents. Chris Wilson who runs the Sugar and Spice sweet shop said: 'We love the fair and I have no problems staying open. Of course there are some little idiots' Chris Wilson who runs the Sugar and Spice sweet shop said: 'We love the fair and I have no problems staying open. 'Of course there are some little idiots, but you get one per cent who are troublemakers everywhere. There are lads in this town who I wouldn't let in. I don't take much more than normal, although tomorrow I will probably do double my usual business.' Michael Dowding who runs N & J Dowding Family Butchers, said: 'We are working our normal hours. We don't see many locals for the week because so many people leave town, but plenty of travellers come in. 'They like stuff that they can cook on barbecues like steaks, lamb, burgers and sausages. They appreciate getting quality for their money. We don't have any problems with them.' Davina Osman, 78, who runs the Collectable bric-a-brac shop in the town, said: 'I personally have a good time with the fair here. There are older members of the travelling community who enjoy old things and like to come in.' Meanwhile, the Public Hall has opened its doors for travellers to set up stalls selling Romani memorabilia Scores of women wore skimpy outfits and showed off designer labels while enjoying the spectacles Alcoholic drinks abound as members of the travellers community enjoy the festivities of Appleby Horse Fair Alongside the traditional washing of the horses in the river, on a nearby campsite revellers can buy clothes and good, listen to buskers and even visit a fortune teller The market stall area features stalls selling baby glamour wear, alongside household items like water pales, as well as designer sunglasses and faux designer goods Food stalls flogging burgers, chips, hot dogs, curries, doughnuts, giros and other fast food have lined the streets. Meanwhile the market stall area features stalls selling baby glamour wear, alongside household items like water pails, as well as designer sunglasses and faux designer goods. Rosina Phillips, 71, of south Wales who was visiting the fair with her border collie Bronwen said: 'It is a magical atmosphere. It is so beautiful seeing the horses, and listening to all the sounds of people laughing and being happy.' The Appleby Horse Fair has a long history dating as far back as the 17th century. However, the modern version of the annual fair began in the early 1900s when it evolved into a major event for the travellers community. Alongside the traditional washing of the horses in the river, on a nearby campsite revellers can buy clothes and good, listen to buskers and even visit a fortune teller. The fair continues until Wednesday. Tragedy struck an Arizona family when their four-year-old girl was killed in a horrific crash on her way home from a swim lesson after a speeding drunk driver slammed into her family's car. Lily Moster died on June 6, the day after the devastating collision in Queen Creek, Arizona. She was in her family's minivan at a stop sign when it was rear ended by another driver doing almost 60mph, police said. The crash left her dad Daniel and brother Luke, six, with minor injuries. Lily was air evacuated to Phoenix Children's Hospital where she tragically passed away in her parents' arms. 'It was the sweetest thing, you know, they removed all the equipment so mom and dad can really hold her like a baby and they wept and hugged her when she passed,' her grandfather, Dan Smith, told AZ Family. Lily Moster was killed in a horror crash on her way home from a swim lesson after a speeding drunk driver slammed into her family's car She was in her family's minivan at a stop sign when it was rear ended by another driver doing almost 60mph, police said. Pictured with brother Luke and parents Daniel and Lauryn Moster 'She's a treasure to the family. She's just a sweet little spitfire.' Jason Sanchez, 33, has since been arrested and charged with DUI and second-degree murder. Police said his black Jeep Wrangler failed to brake prior to the collision. His blood alcohol level was 0.111 percent, well above the state's 0.08 limit. Sanchez admitted to having three or four beers at a casino before driving home, according to court documents. He has been booked into Pinal County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Lily's devastated family are now being left to pick up the pieces of their lives following the loss. 'Dad feels guilt for no reason at all. It's not his blame, but they're struggling,' said Smith. 'Just slowly settling in when momma comes home from the hospital the first time and Lily's not there, that was a heartbreaking moment.' Jason Sanchez, 33, has since been arrested and charged with DUI and second-degree murder Police said his black Jeep Wrangler failed to brake prior to the collision. His blood alcohol level was 0.111 percent, well above the state's 0.08 limit He paid tribute to the 'perfect, loving and kind little girl' and spoke of the bond she shared with her brother. 'They were very close. She idolized her brother,' Smith said. 'When her brother's favorite color became red, suddenly her favorite color was red.' The kids were both in the back seat when the driver slammed into the back of their minivan. Moster immediately ran to them after the crash and found Lily unconscious, according to Smith. 'She's going to be sorely missed, but she'll live with us in our hearts. 'They're really clinging to Luke because he's what they have left.' A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family manage medical expenses and funeral costs. An Australian woman left paralysed from the chest down after a Singapore Airlines flight struck wild turbulence has recalled the horror moment she realised she couldn't move her legs. Kerry Jordan, 52, and her husband Keith Davis, 59, were on their way home from a holiday in Europe when the plane plunged 54metres in just 4.6seconds. The Boeing 777-300ER plane carrying 211 passengers, including 56 Australians and 18 crew, was travelling from London to Singapore on May 23 when it struck an air pocket. A 73-year-old British man died from a suspected heart attack. Speaking from Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH), Ms Jordan, who is unlikely to ever walk again, said she was trying to put on her seatbelt after a trip to the bathroom when the turbulence suddenly hit. 'Literally everything just started shaking so much... all I remember was being up in the air and everything was absolutely silent and then I was on the floor,' she told The Advertiser. Adelaide woman Kerry Jordan has left paralysed from the chest down after Singapore Airlines flight 321 struck turbulence. She is pictured in hospital with her husband Keith Davis Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 (pictured) suddenly plunged 54metres in just 4.6 seconds after encountering severe turbulence over Myanmar on a flight from London to Singapore Ms Jordan, a dance teacher at Mitcham Girls High School, said the turbulence was 'absolutely violent'. 'I think that the shock for me as well was when it all happened - within 10 seconds of me trying to get my seatbelt back on,' she recalled. Mr Davis did not have his seatbelt on when the aircraft plummeted. He suffered a shoulder injury and blurred vision. He didn't know if his wife was still alive when she fell to the floor. 'She never moved and that was so unnatural, and I was just horrified,' he said. Another passenger asked Ms Jordan if she could move her legs, but she couldn't. She remembers the man then saying she may have a potential spinal injury. She remained on the floor for the rest of the flight and was taken to intensive care at a Bangkok hospital after the plane landed. Ms Jordan was medically evacuated from Bangkok to Adelaide on May 29 and is now in the RAH spinal unit in Daw Park where she faces months of rehabilitation. The break in her spine is at the C7-T1 segment connecting the neck to the upper back and Ms Jordan can feel 'nothing from basically the chest down'. Though she can move her arms, she is not able to use her hands. She said she can no longer do basic tasks including feeding herself while brushing her teeth or using her mobile phone is out of the question. 'I think that's the hardest, not being able to feel most of my body,' she said. Speaking from Royal Adelaide Hospital, Ms Jordan (pictured) said she had been trying to put her seatbelt bac on after a trip to the bathroom when the turbulence suddenly hit Keith Davis (pictured left), 59, from Adelaide and his wife Kerry Jordan (pictured right) were on their way home from a holiday in Europe when disaster struck The couple are now considering their legal options over the injuries they sustained on the Singapore Airlines flight. Former politician Nick Xenophon is part of an international legal team working with victims who were onboard Singapore Airlines flight SQ321. Mr Xenophon said 'no stone will be left unturned to get to the truth of what actually happened... this incident will have widespread ramifications in terms of airlines doing everything possible to avoid death and serious injury.' Demonstrators marched through the streets of central London today to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and protest the sale of weapons to Israel as the war in the Middle East entered its ninth month. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign joined peace groups and students from across the country in a march from Russell Square to Parliament Square early this afternoon. Saturday marked the 18th time thousands turned out to march for Gaza, blighted by Israeli bombing since Hamas' brutal incursion into southern Israel late last year. Banners called for the end to hostilities, listing the names of children killed in the conflict and urging an end to arms sales to Israel. Controversial chants of 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' were heard from the crowd. 'Enough is Enough' counter protesters standing in solidarity with Israel joined at the Strand in London around 12:30pm. They were to remain in the area as PSC demonstrators passed by another route. Israeli demonstrators called for the return of the remaining hostages brutally captured by Hamas last year, as Israel welcomed the release of four brought back into Israel by military helicopter earlier today. Groups from around the country turned out to call for an end to the hostilities A Pro-Palestinian protester holds a megaphone ahead of a march for Palestine on Saturday Pro-Israel protesters stage a counter demonstration from the Strand in Central London today Pro-Israel supporters hold placards and wave Israeli flags as they march in central London, on June 8 Protesters hold placards and wave Palestinian flags as they take part in a 'National March for Gaza' A protester with a placard listing the name of children killed in the violence joins the Palestinian march through central London on June 8 Protesters hold placards and carry flags as they take part in a 'National March for Gaza' today The Met Police said conditions had been agreed with both the pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian contingents with regard to where and when the protests would take place. The PSC march formed at 1:30pm, following a route down Southampton Row, Kingsway, Aldwych, Arundel Street, Temple Place, Victoria Embankment, Horse Guards Avenue, Whitehall, to end in Parliament Square. The Enough is Enough counter-protest formed on the Strand on the junction of Milford Lane after 1230 hours. A sea of Israeli flags were seen waving alongside Union Flags, LGBT flags and banners on the Strand today in support of Israel. Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Andy Valentine, who is leading this weekend's policing operation, said: 'Everyone in London has a right to protest, and we continue to balance that with every Londoner's right to go about their lives without fear or serious disruption. 'We have been in discussions with the PSC, Enough is Enough, religious leaders from both the Jewish and Muslim communities, community groups and businesses. 'The conditions put in place on the PSC march and the Enough is Enough counter-protest consider and balance the impact these events have on London and the right to protest, and seek to minimise disruption. 'We recognise the strong views of those participating in both protests. We urge everyone to exercise their right to protest calmly and within the law to avoid any unnecessary conflict. 'We have faced unprecedented public order demand since October and continue to take rapid enforcement action against anyone who crosses the line during events.' At the pro-Palestine march, demonstrators held signs and mannequins, including one branding Angela Rayner the 'Angel of Death'. The image was placed on a cardboard cutout covered in red paint to signify blood. One woman carried a headless mannequin in a bloodstained baby row. Some of the crowd chanted 'Keir Starmer you can't hide we charge you with genocide' and 'Rishi Rishi, you're a liar, we demand a ceasefire'. Others included 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.' Referring to the space between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, some consider this a call for Israel not to exist. Organisers played music, banged drums and led popular chants including 'Free free Palestine' Protests have continued around the world for the last eight months, with Israel and Hamas unable to carve out a permanent peace deal. A week-long truce was agreed in November, with Israeli hostages returned to Israel in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. But delegations have since been unable to make significant progress in talks, despite mediation from Qatar, Egypt and the United States. Israel today celebrated the rare success of the IDF in returning four hostages alive after an operation in Gaza they said took weeks of planning. Noa Argamani, who was famously seen being driven into Gaza on the back of a motorbike on October 7, was joined by Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40, as the IDF returned by helicopter from Nuseirat. A man with a mask of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a doll covered in red paint, with a bandolier, during a 'National March for Gaza' in central London today Protesters were seen carrying mock body parts and effigies of children wrapped in blankets, representing the young killed in the hostilities between Israel and Hamas A protester holds a placard reading 'Stop bombing children' during today's demonstration Pro-Israel protesters hold flags and banners during a protest in London on June 8 People wave to IDF forces taking off in a helicopter after bringing hostages to Tel HaShomer hospital on June 8, 2024 in Ramat Gan, Israel A helicopter and Isaeli Special Forces stand outside Tel HaShomer Hospital in Tel Aviv today Noa Argamani, kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, is reunited with her father Noa Argamani was seen kidnapped on the back of motorbike during the horrifying terrorist attacks Noa was one of just 19 women that are still being held by the terror group Israel says more than 130 hostages remain, with about a quarter of those believed dead, and divisions are deepening in the country over how to bring them home. In a statement, the IDF said: 'The hostages were rescued by the IDF, ISA and 'Yamam' forces from two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat. 'They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre for further medical examinations. 'The security forces will continue to make every effort to bring the hostages home.' Benjamin Netanyahu praised the military in a statement, translated from Hebrew: 'The entire nation salutes you and the courageous fighters who today risked their lives in order to save lives. 'Yet again you have proven that Israel does not surrender to terrorism and acts with boundless valor and resourcefulness to return home our hostages.' The rescue operation comes at a sensitive time with Israel facing mounting pressure over the reports of civilian casualties in Gaza, and the worsening humanitarian crisis. Israel's offensive has killed at least 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its figures. The world watched in horror as reports emerged claiming 39 people had been killed in a UN school in central Gaza earlier this week. The IDF claimed the compound was being used as a Hamas command post. Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz was widely expected to announce his resignation from the emergency government today - but cancelled a statement planned for this afternoon after Israel announced the hostage releases. With Gantz gone, Netanyahu would lose the backing of a centrist bloc that has helped broaden support for the government in Israel and abroad, at a time of increasing diplomatic and domestic pressure. Instead, Netanyahu would have to rely more heavily on the political backing of ultra-nationalist parties, whose leaders angered Washington even before the war and who have since called for a return to a complete Israeli occupation of Gaza. Analysts expect this would likely increase strains already apparent in relations with the United States and intensify public pressure at home, with the months-long military campaign still not achieving its stated goals - the destruction of Hamas and the return of 120 remaining hostages held in Gaza. Smoke billows in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza strip amid Israeli bombardment on June 6 The Gaza Strip continues to endure heavy bombardment, sparking outcry from aid groups Palestinians evacuate dead and wounded in Deir al Balah today following Israeli strikes A Palestinian girl watches as others check a UN-school housing displaced people hit during Israeli bombardment in Nuseirat, on June 6 Israel began its land invasion and sustained aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip in October after Hamas gunmen stormed into southern Israel and started shooting indiscriminately. Around 1,200 people were killed in Israeli during the Hamas attack and around 250 people were taken hostage. Horrifying scenes showed Hamas and other factions wielding Kalashnikov-style assault rifles as they stormed into towns and a music festival in Israel. In the months since, Israel has pounded the dense Gaza Strip with aerial attacks, displacing the vast majority of the population. Around 80 per cent of Gaza's 2.3 million people have fled their homes, severe hunger is widespread and UN officials say parts of the territory are experiencing famine. Israel has stated its war objectives to be returning the hostages and definitively vanquishing Hamas, the de facto governing authority in Gaza. Hamas, rejecting Israel's right to exist and committed to its destruction, has justified the October 7 attack as a response to what it called Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people. It was the moment that D-Day turned into Dunkirk for Rishi Sunak. At the early morning meeting held by the Prime Minister's election strategists on Thursday, the fact that he would be missing the ceremony with Presidents Biden and Macron is said to have been dismissed by one of Sunak's longest-serving aides. 'It's not important. It's just a chance to pose together,' they are claimed to have said. Within 24 hours, Sunak had beat a humiliating retreat by issuing an apology for returning from France early to record a TV interview. But while many critics have singled out 'those around' Sunak for the misstep, others point the finger directly at the Prime Minister. One said: 'Can you imagine Boris being told he should leave early to do a TV interview? He would just say: 'Sod off, I'm staying.' Rishi Sunak greets a D-Day veteran during the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion's commemorative ceremony on Thursday The Prime Minister prepares to lay a wreath flanked by the King and Queen and President of France Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte 'Even if it was advisers saying he didn't need to stay, he as the principal could have ignored them,' another source said. 'Spads advise. Prime Ministers decide.' It was nearly even worse; the original plan was for Defence Secretary Grant Shapps to go in Sunak's place - until aides realised how odd it will have looked to have him standing next to world leaders. So Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron was sent instead, on the grounds that at least Cameron had led his country at one stage. Fatefully, they did not realise it was a job for Sunak. The decision to send Cameron is indicative for a Prime Minister accused of 'not giving a toss about defence and foreign affairs', a source familiar with the conversations said. 'The one time they can counter that perception, they fail so spectacularly. It's astonishing.' A Conservative source said: 'Rishi was the first PM to commit to 2.5 per cent spending on defence, a massive investment in our national security and defence industry. He was the first of Ukraine's allies to visit them this year. 'Before he went into politics, he and his wife have given a lot of support veterans' charities and as Prime Minister he has prioritised making the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran with a dedicated minister and multiple programmes to make their lives better.' But the D-Day fiasco has widened the schisms in the Tory party which run from No.10 down to the party grassroots. The aftermath of D-Day saw briefings singling out two female aides to Sunak, which have piled pressure on an already strained working environment in Number 10. 'A lot of tension has been bubbling for months between the political and the press sides,' an insider said, raising concerns that the 'boys' allies of Sunak including his chief-of-staff Liam Booth Smith and political secretary James Forsyth have been blaming female staff for campaign errors, which they deny. Counter-briefings then followed, with sources saying there were several meetings in which Sunak's attendance was described as 'optional'. Concerns were raised that, with Sunak due to fly to Italy for the G7 this week, the PM's diary was too full of government duties. It was also initially thought Sir Keir Starmer would not attend the International leader's D -Day event. 'It's all just a shambles,' an insider said of the Number 10 operation. Lord Cameron poses with Emmanuel Macron, German chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden in Normandy after Rishi Sunak flew back to the UK, missing the international commemorations - and the big photo op After the Prime Minister arrived back in Britain he conducted an interview with ITV denying that he was lying over his claim that a Labour government will cost individuals 2,000 in tax To add to the tensions, insiders say the French have been stoking the D-Day row - including the heavily denied claim that Sunak nearly boycotted the event entirely. The insiders claim this was pay-back for briefings about President Macron deliberately missing the leaders' bus at the Queen's funeral so that he could ride in a limo instead. Cabinet ministers complain they are being kept out of the loop by the inner circle, with only Oliver Dowden believed to have the Prime Minister's ear. Even senior ministers say they have been told what will be in the manifesto for their departments, after it is all decided by Downing Street, and not consulted in the process. Party sources denied this. One minister said the D Day decision was 'catastrophic' and that the way people closest to Sunak are being parachuted into safe Tory seats has only poured gasoline onto the fire. Tories are furious that Will Tanner, Sunak's deputy chief of staff who had played a key role in the manifesto process, spent the days before its crucial launch campaigning in Bury St Edmunds & Stowmarket. He is one of a list of Sunak allies and aides who have been parachuted into safe seats mostly using the rules that allowed the party to present Conservative associations with one-person or three-person shortlists as Friday's deadline for selections approached. 'We've seen that all over the country. It is very, very undemocratic. Good local candidates have been blocked from being considered, and the centre has presented associations with their crony candidate alongside two weak candidate. 'It's a stitch up - and it's demoralising to candidates, demoralising to members.' Last night a senior Tory on the right of the party called for a 'reckoning' after the election. 'Whoever is the next leader should de-select these tossers. 'They are responsible for tanking the party and all they care about is getting their own safe seats.' The source said there needs to be a 'clear-out' of the party while another Tory candidate said that, if after the election the Sunak centrists take over, he will quit it altogether. Multiple candidates pointed the blame on Forsyth, Sunak's old school friend. 'His fingerprints are all over this. He has probably never knocked on a door in his entire life, he has no understanding of the Conservative Party he's just sitting in a dark room, carving up all these safe seats for his mates.' And party chairman Richard Holden is facing calls to quit after claims of a 'stitch up' over how he was awarded a safe seat of Basildon and Billericay. 'I've never witnessed so much opprobrium and hatred towards a Cabinet minister,' a Tory elected alongside Holden in 2019 said. 'He is a man devoid of morals. We are determined to get rid of him.' Holden has denied the claims. 'I hope Reform wins in Basildon and Billericay,' one long-term Tory activist told the MoS. Others blame Sunak's leadership style. A source said: 'He runs his diary like a CEO, When I have had meetings with him, it's two minutes here, five minutes there. Everything is back to back. It is like he is running a big business without the flexibility that you normally require in politics.' The criticism is echoed by Conservative donors. Last week a donor who has been giving '25,000 a year for ages' to the party switched to funding Reform. With four weeks left to go before polling day, Tory candidates are trying to make the best out of a grim set of cards. After the D-Day debacle several Tory Red Wallers have told CCHQ to cancel deliveries of leaflets because they have the Prime Minister's picture on them. One told the MoS: 'I am running a hyper-local campaign. 'I haven't got Rishi in any of my leaflets. I haven't even got the word Conservatives. I'm hoping to get a written endorsement from Boris.' Sunak loyalists hope the row will 'blow over'. But a senior Tory adviser said the D-Day gaffe has cut through: 'All our candidates are reporting it coming back on the doorsteps. The day after the election people will still be talking about it.' This is the crazy moment a suspected porch pirate swoops in as a deliveryman drops off a parcel and snatches it before fleeing. A homeowner in Columbus, Ohio, turned to social media for help after a small package containing an Apple Watch was snatched from the delivery driver who was dropping it off. Doorbell footage captured the moment a porch pirate appeared to run past the driver and steal the box just seconds after it was dropped off. The brazen thief allegedly snagged the package, belonging to homeowner Kyle Dorsch of Northwest Ohio, on Monday afternoon. 'I saw the guy running off. I am still trying to process what happened,' said Dorsch. Doorbell footage captured the moment a porch pirate appeared to run past the driver and steal the box just seconds after it was dropped off 'While we are home in the middle of the day -- they didn't wait for the delivery driver to leave the porch, they swooped in real quick and went off,' he told WSYX. Columbus police reported that package thieves are increasingly becoming a problem for residents. 'Package thefts are everywhere,' said Columbus Police Sgt. James Fuqua. Thieves are now opting for small packages, he told ABC. 'Cell phone or smart watch; smaller technology that people can sell after-market for lots of money,' said Fuqua. 'We do believe in some of those cases; somehow, some of these suspects are getting access to tracking numbers to pinpoint when and where you are recovering a package,' said Fuqua. #CaughtOnCamera Suspected thief startles delivery driver to steal package seconds after order was delivered to Northwest Columbus Home. Anyone with info call @ColumbusPolice 614-645-4545 Tonight ONLY ON @wsyx6 what was in the stolen package! pic.twitter.com/aL3LjyQsdZ STEVE LEVINE (@stevewsyx6) June 6, 2024 The brazen thief allegedly snagged the package, belonging to homeowner Kyle Dorsch (pictured right) of Northwest Ohio, on Monday afternoon Other homeowners in Ohio neighborhoods are experiencing similar crimes. 'We have a ring camera and it doesn't deter - they still take packages,' said Short North resident Jessica Alvarado. 'It's pretty violating, someone is like almost inside our house, taking stuff. It's an unsettling feeling,' she said. A paedophile who started abusing his victim when she was just eight-years-old has been jailed for 14 years following a four-year police sting into the child abuser. Muhammad Talukdar began sexually abusing his victim in 1998 in Tower Hamlets, east London. However, an inquiry into the 51-year-olds heinous crimes did not start until over 20 years later. The Metropolitan Police began investigating Talukdar in 2020. It took time for the force to build a case against him as they had no DNA evidence or recent witness accounts to help strengthen the investigation. Nevertheless, the determined coppers worked tirelessly to build a case against Talukdar. They carried out extensive interviews with friends and family of the victim and gathered detailed medical records to show the extent of the abuse. Talukdar's victim also gave permission for the police to read notes from her counselling sessions. Muhammad Talukdar began sexually abusing his victim in 1998 in Tower Hamlets, east London. He has now been jailed for 14 years following a four year police investigation Snaresbrook Crown Court where Talukdar was sentenced on Friday May 31 (file image) The Met's hard work paid off and Talukdar, of Ballance Street in Bath, was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday May 31. Detective Constable Paul Hawthorn, who led the investigation, said 'I'd like to commend the bravery of the victim for her strength throughout this investigation. I hope this case serves as inspiration to others who may understandably fear speaking out against this kind of abhorrent abuse. 'Officers showed true determination in securing justice on behalf of the victim and I'd like to thank them for their dedication - they are a credit to the Met. 'We will continue to build cases against dangerous predators like Talukdar as part of our commitment to protecting women and girls and eradicating sexual violence. 'We would urge anyone who has been a victim of abuse no matter how long ago to please come forward to police and get the support you so rightly deserve.' Talukdar was previously found guilty of three counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault at Snaresbrook Crown Court in March 2024. The father of a six-year-old girl killed in a freak badminton accident has shared heartbreaking details about the day she died, including her poignant final journal entries. Lucy Morgan passed away on June 5, just days after sustaining the traumatic brain injury during a family vacation in Maine. Her pastor father Jesse Morgan had been documenting her battle ever since she was airlifted to the Maine Medical Center in Portland. Tragically, she slipped away surrounded by her family shortly afterwards, who gathered at her bedside to sing her favorite hymn. Now the distraught dad has revealed he and his wife Bethany and their three other children were so overcome by grief they could not go back into their own home. The father of Lucy Morgan, 6, who was killed in a freak badminton accident has shared more heartbreaking details about the day she died, including her poignant final journal entries Father Jesse Morgan revealed he and his wife Bethany and their three other children were so overcome by grief they could not go back into their own home 'When we got home we arrived to flowers lining our steps and a fridge stocked with food. But entering was the hardest thing,' he wrote on his blog. 'We just sat on the front steps for a while crying until I finally mustered up the courage to open the door. 'We again collapsed in a pile on the kitchen floor crying harder as a family than we ever have.' The deeply religious family have been comforted in their loss by their faith and Morgan shared that his daughter had asked her mom how to be 'saved' just weeks before her death. 'Despite my conviction that she is still young and possibly cant understand, and that she had the faith of a mustard seed, Bethany still couldnt shake the fear and doubt,' he explained. 'It was then when we opened her backpack and found her prayer journal that Bethany had given her a month ago to the day of her passing.' The pages contain affirmations of Lucy's faith, pictures and a heartbreaking final drawing which her sister Shiloh believes shows Mary and Martha weeping over the body of Lazarus. In the bible story, Lazarus of Bethany is resurrected by Jesus four days after his death. But they took comfort in their faith and that of their daughter's which was evidenced in final journal entries. They believe this picture depicts the resurrection of Lazarus Lucy had asked her mom for help being 'saved' weeks before her death The young family were enjoying an idyllic lakeside vacation in Maine when the tragedy occurred 'This last picture takes the cake. The significance of it being the very last thing she drew in the journal cannot be understated,' Morgan said. 'Its hard to put into words how deeply I feel about it.' But he was unflinching in his honesty about the brutality of the situation, as he described his wife's anguish on the day Lucy passed. 'On June 4, the morning of the day Lucy was predicted to pass, it was very hard to distinguish the groans and cries I heard from Bethany at 3am that morning from the ones I heard on the morning of September 4 2017 when Bethany birthed Lucy,' he wrote. 'The pain of a mother in this situation is so incredibly unique, heavy, and frankly awe inspiring to witness.' He described the agony of attempting to explain the situation to Lucy's three young siblings. But also their attempts to find light amongst the darkness by doing some of her favorite things including playing games together. The family was enjoying an idyllic vacation when tragedy struck, he explained on his blog. 'Bethany and I were relaxing in the back when we heard screaming,' he said. Lucy was airlifted by helicopter to Portland where she suffered a cardiac arrest as surgeons removed part of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain The four children had enjoyed a week of kayaking and outdoor activities before the accident 'Due to a freak accident with a racquet that broke on a downward swing, a sharp piece had entered Lucys skull while she was sitting on the sideline and caused catastrophic injury.' Lucy immediately became unresponsive and was whisked to the hospital where she later died. Her funeral will take place at 11am ET on Saturday and will be live-streamed at www.greenpondbible.org. A GoFundMe has been set up to help support the family. A New Jersey children's magician was arrested on porn charges and angry parents have demanded that his politician ex-wife step down for allegedly knowing about it. Scott Morley was the owner of Morley's Magic Theater in Butler, New Jersey, before being arrested on May 15. The former magician was charged with having pictures of child sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. Police found the disturbing images on his computer and discovered a pair of girls' underwear inside his house. Morley's estranged ex-wife, Britni Morley, is now facing demands from seven local parents who want her to step down from her positions on Butler's borough council. Scott Morley performed at Morley's Magic Theater in Butler, New Jersey, before he was arrested on May 15 She is being accused by the parents of knowing about her husband's alleged crimes, according to the New York Post. Morley, 48, was known as 'Morley the Magician.' He worked at children's parties all over the tri-state area. They also owned a magic shop, Morley's Magic Shop, from 2014 onwards - which offered after-school programs and workshops for magic and puppet-making. The Morleys performed alongside their two young daughters as an 'act' until late last year. Morley's estranged ex-wife, Britni Morley, is now facing demands from seven local parents who want her to step from her positions on Butler's borough council The Morleys performed alongside their two young daughters as an 'act' until late last year An arrest affidavit claims that Morley told cops he had 'approximately 50 questionable images' on his phone, but several' more on other devices. He disturbingly told cops he 'preferred the young ones.' The affidavit also claims he allegedly admitted to using the underwear, which were first found by the witness and later seized during a search warrant at Morley's home, and the explicit images for self-gratification. Morley also allegedly confessed to investigators that he had been gathering child pornography since 1996. Scott and Britni separated in February and filed for divorce in March - just one month before an alleged witness came forward in April. The witness, who was hired to paint the theater inside Morley's Magic Shop, completed the job in 2022. However, at some point during the project - the worker found a bag containing the girls' underwear and several USB flash drives, according to an arrest affidavit. The witness said Morley grabbed a hammer and destroyed the USB drives at the time - which Morley later admitted to during police questioning. It is unclear why the witness took so long to come forward with the accusations. Butler parents have accused Britni of knowing about her husband's alleged disturbing behavior. The furious parents plan to speak out against Britni on June 18, Butler's next council meeting, and demand her resignation. 'My children attended the drop-off programs and we were deceived by Britni, who served our children up on a platter for Scott's fantasies,' another mom told The Post. 'I am disgusted, appalled, saddened, and angry. Only because of his wife did I trust them with my daughter and son. Another parent expressed concern that Morley could even have pictures of her own children and others in the community. 'She is still sitting on the council, and she still has access to children,' the mom said. 'I am not sure why she hasn't been charged.' Morley, 48, was known as 'Morley the Magician'. He worked at children's parties all over the tri-state area They also owned a magic shop, Morley's Magic Shop, from 2014 onwards - which offered after-school programs and workshops for magic and puppet-making 'To find out about Scott and his sick secrets was gut wrenching,' mom Candida Santee said. 'I think many of us are just so distraught over Britni and Scott's actions and lack of empathy towards the families.' Britni's divorce lawyer, Andrew DeLaney, said his client cooperated fully throughout the investigation. 'Any suggestions of wrongdoing on her part are baseless, disgusting, and ultimately destructive to the criminal justice process,' he said. 'We look to conclude the divorce so that my client can focus on raising her two children and providing for them financially and emotionally.' Butler parents have accused Britni of knowing about her husband's alleged disturbing behavior Morley was released from custody without bail. He's prohibited from using the internet and is not allowed to have any contact with minors. His attorney, Robert Bianchi, said his 'client maintains his innocence, and we're satisfied that the court saw fit to release him over the objections of the prosecutor.' A mother who was found dead next to the body of her disabled daughter after they had both lain undiscovered for months had asked shops for frozen pizzas on credit and had no heating, according to locals. Alphonsine Djiako Leuga, in her 40s, and her teenage daughter, were found by police in May after 'concerns were raised' about their wellbeing. Nottinghamshire Police previously said the bodies had been left 'undiscovered for quite some time' and do not believe the deaths were suspicious. One local, Babatunde, recalled how he had first become worried about Alphonsine in December, The Guardian reported. Alphonsine Djiako Leuga (pictured), in her 40s, and her teenage daughter, were found by police in May after 'concerns were raised' about their wellbeing Nottinghamshire Police previously said the bodies had been left 'undiscovered for quite some time' and do not believe the deaths were suspicious He works at an African butcher and grocery shop and said her face was 'swollen' and she had complained about the temperature and condition of her house. The shop worker told The Guardian: ''I said: 'Why don't you heat up the house?' and she said she couldn't pay the bill.' He had last seen the mother, who is originally from the coastal city of Doula in Cameroon, in February. Another local, Jeya Bavanantharajah, who works at Jays Food and Wine, recalled how Alphonsine had told him they didn't have any food. Mr Bavanantharajah said: 'She asked me if she could have a couple of frozen pizzas on credit. She brought the money back two weeks later, it was 2 or 3.' The interaction happened around three months ago and the mother had told the shop worker how they had no heating. The pair lived together in a council house and Nottingham City council has now launched a review and inquest into the involvement of agencies with the family. A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: 'This is a tragic situation and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the mother and daughter who died. The full circumstances will be the subject of an inquest and a full review will be carried out to look at the involvement that all local agencies had with the family. 'Ahead of the inquest and review, we are unable to discuss the detail of this case, however we can confirm that the council had provided support to the family through its care and housing services.' Deborah Williams, 48, a neighbour, previously said social services had visited her home on a number of occasions in recent months because they were unable to get hold of Alphonsine. Ms Williams added: 'The social workers would ask if I had seen them recently. But I would only really notice them when they left the house to go out shopping. 'I never heard the girl speak. I don't know how severe her disability was, but I think she was non-verbal. 'It is very sad. I think social services have probably finally triggered the police to break in.' Mrs Williams believed she last saw the pair in February but thought little of it, because they often went away for 'months at a time'. Neighbours have also previously claimed that Alphonsine had fled an abusive relationship in Italy before settling in the UK. The pair lived together in a council house and Nottingham City council has now launched a review and inquest into the involvement of agencies with the family The mother was taken in by a Good Samaritan who found her on a city centre street with her two daughters around seven years ago. Tatiane Nulah told how she housed the trio after finding them sat on the pavement with their luggage outside Nottingham's Victoria Centre mall. The family then reportedly stayed with Ms Nulah for around a fortnight before they suddenly 'just disappeared'. Someone who knew Alphonsine previously told the Mail that after leaving Ms Nulah's house, they rented a run-down property, 'but they had to leave because it was leaking'. They were put up by the council in a budget hotel, before in 2019, the authority eventually found them the property in Radford where the bodies were discovered. A spokesman for Nottingham City Council previously said: 'We were deeply saddened to hear the news and our thoughts are with the friends, family and neighbours of the two residents at this time. 'We are currently liaising closely with the police to understand the circumstances around this tragic incident.' MailOnline has contacted Nottingham City council for a comment. Scotland's cash-strapped National Health Service has pledged to pay private companies 850 million to carry out NHS work in a desperate bid to ease pressure on its struggling staff, this newspaper can reveal. A Mail on Sunday investigation today lays bare the enormous scale of NHS privatisation under the SNP government, as the beleaguered health service increasingly attempts to outsource its core day-to-day functions. Since January 2023, contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds have been awarded to private firms many of which are based in England, with some as far afield as Denmark and the Netherlands to help with diagnostics, testing, X-ray assessments and treatments. It means that, as the taxpayer-funded health service battles record waiting times and stretched resources, thousands of Scottish NHS patients and their records have been diverted to the private sector. Core NHS Scotland work is being outsourced Hospitals and GPs are increasingly relying on a cadre of privately employed staff to bolster their dwindling ranks. Health Secretary Neil Gray and NHS Scotland last night confirmed the NHS records private healthcare spend only if it relates to a patient being sent to a private company to have a clinical procedure performed. They admitted their statistics do not include contracts for private agency staff, privately managed services for the collection and movement of products and other private services that support day-to-day activity, such as privately owned digital platforms despite all those duties being a core part of the NHSs remit. Now, with the true extent of NHS Scotlands privatisation revealed today by The MoS, First Minister John Swinneys claims that he would keep the NHS in public hands and protect it from the threat of Westminster privatisation have been drawn into sharp focus. Last night critics slammed the SNP for its blatant hypocrisy and for failing to get to grips with the crisis enveloping Scotlands NHS. Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: This lays bare how staggeringly hypocritical it is for the SNP to criticise Labour for considering outsourcing and private contracts as a temporary measure to help with NHS capacity and drive down waiting lists. The SNP have the cheek to call themselves protectors of the NHS when it has been their failure to adequately strengthen the workforce and fund vital services over the last 17 years that has led our NHS to be in a permanent crisis. Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: Scots will be shocked to learn that the SNP have spent a whopping 850m on the privatisation of our NHS in the last 18 months alone something which my party has always opposed. This paper trawled through all the public contracts awarded by the main NHS procurement team, National Services Scotland, since January 2023. Not including the buying-in of vital medicines, the NHS in Scotland spent 850 million on outsourcing day-to-day activities. Some of the contracts are for services which will be provided over a number of years. Our research shows that, since the start of last year, 665,000 has been put aside to pay Cambridge medics to collect and test Scottish patients oesophageal cells to help the NHS diagnose for certain cancers. And German firm Fresenius Medical Care has been awarded a 7 million contract to provide at-home dialysis for patients. A 30 million contract was awarded to firms to assess X-rays and other scans on behalf of Scotlands NHS, with one in Norresundby, Denmark, given access to NHS patient records. Another address listed on the procurement portal was for Medispace, based in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands. One company in Harlow, Essex, was awarded a 1.9 million contract to dispense blood coagulants to homes across Scotland and deal with associated waste. Money is also set to be spent in the private sector on genetic testing of embryos before their implantation during the IVF process. A firm in Cambridge was handed a 3.5 million contract to give Scots access to online therapy, with another company specialising in psychiatry allocated 13.6 million for similar work. Meanwhile triaging for dermatological complaints will now be done online, with screenings to be carried out by Oxford clinicians for 561,000. A further 930,000 has been put aside for dermatology work, in part to reduce the number of face-to-face secondary care appointments, according to documents uploaded by the NHS. Video-consulting services used to reduce face-to-face appointments are set to cost the health service 5.8 million. Money has also been spent on the provision of a range of inpatient procedures, clinics and outpatient services to support the NHS in Scotland in delivering comprehensive and effective healthcare services, likely to include procedures such as hip and knee surgery, cataract operations and vasectomies. But of particular concern to industry bodies such as the British Medical Association is that the NHS has set aside an enormous 750 million reserve to be spent on agency staff, with many companies supplying the workers being based south of the Border too. Other firms were awarded a further 33 million contract to provide workers. BMA Scotland chairman Dr Iain Kennedy said: The money being spent on locums should instead be put towards staffing the service properly. Permanent staff are not only by far the more cost-effective option, they also provide the stability and continuity of service that best serves patients. Alan Taman, of campaign group Doctors for the NHS, lamented an increasing reliance by the NHS on private providers to carry out basic services. To concerned taxpayers and experts, however, the need to outsource key activities may be a symptom of a service under extreme and ever-growing pressure. The NHS in Scotland is battling waiting lists that are at a record high, despite SNP pledges to eradicate long delays. Mr Gray said: The use of the independent sector to provide additional capacity is not a new development. As is the case across the UK, in certain circumstances limited use of alternative providers, within or without the local area, including independent sector providers, may be required in response to capacity constraints. The figures quoted relate to a range of contracts including the provision of agency staff, digital platforms and other services. The SNPs Amy Callaghan said: The SNP will always protect our NHS and keep our health service in public hands. Scotland's under-pressure police force has spent almost half a million pounds implementing the SNPs shambolic hate crime laws. Cash-strapped police chiefs have forked out hundreds of thousands of pounds to upgrade computer systems and pay for staff overtime because of the legislation. About 40 control room officers were enlisted to do extra work as the Hate Crime Acts introduction on April 1 led to a deluge of complaints from offended Scots. The laws created an offence of stirring up hatred relating to age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or being intersex. New figures show Police Scotland spent 180,000 upgrading systems to cope with the influx of allegations, 240,000 on staff associated with the upgrades and 70,000 on overtime. Officers have had to do extra shifts to deal with Hate Crime law Murdo Fraser slammed the waste of cash Last night David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation which represents rank-and-file officers said: That 500,000 could have gone towards officers who are struggling. It is the cops on the ground that suffer with this legislation. Because the rate of complaints coming in is slowing, they say it is business as usual, but we have still lost that half a million to this law. It is a total waste of money and it is a farce. It should be repealed. Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: It is hardly surprising Police Scotland have racked up such an eye-watering bill to implement the hate crime law given that they have accepted every complaint, vexatious or otherwise. The public will rightfully be appalled at this shocking amount of taxpayers money being squandered on this unworkable legislation, which threatens free speech. SNP Ministers were guilty of mass misinformation about what the legislation would mean in practice, which has resulted in the inevitable deluge of complaints being made to our police. He added: Rather than continuing to waste essential funds, John Swinney should finally admit how disastrous this legislation is and do us all a favour by scrapping it. Latest police figures show that, up to May 19, 10,029 complaints relating to hate crime were made since the Act became law. Yet only about 15 per cent of them 1,537 were regarded as crimes by police, confirming fears many claims would be vexatious. Under freedom of information, the Tories asked Police Scotland what the total spend was on technological resources purchased to deal with the Hate Crime Act. The force said the technology spend was 181,692 for upgrades and 239,427 in staff costs to implement the system updates. The Tories also asked how much had been spent on overtime to deal with incidents reported under the Act. Police chiefs revealed the overtime bill was 71,493, taking the total to 492,612. The Scottish Government said the volume of reports had now reduced significantly. It said the Act contained provisions in relation to data capture and requirements with which the chief constable must comply. Police Scotland were provided with an extra 300,000 in 2023-24 to support those requirements. Police Scotland did not offer a comment but referred The MoS to a speech by Chief Constable Jo Farrell in which she said the number of online reports had now fallen significantly. Thousands of people will be forced to make a 150-MILE round trip for a dental check-up after it emerged a clinic in the Highlands is to close. Patients face chaos after the Old Sick Bay surgery in Kyle of Lochalsh, Ross-shire, shuts in August. The practice said it had been forced to make the difficult decision after failing to recruit a new dentist. The villages only other clinic offering an NHS service shut last year. Patients will soon have to seek treatment at dentists as far away as Inverness or Dingwall if they have space to take them on as NHS patients. The Old Sick Bay Dental Practice, Kyle of Lochalsh, which is set to close Patients in the Kyle of Lochalsh area will face a daunting journey to see an NHS dentist Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said rural communities are being left behind, with many local health services downgraded or lost entirely. He added: This forces rural Scots to travel hundreds of miles to attend appointments and for many this is made harder because of the dire state of local roads and lack of public transport. This will lead to many rural Scots missing key appointments and needing emergency dental treatment at A&E, which will only add to the mountain of pressure our NHS is under. Kyle and Lochalsh Community Trust chairman Maggie Cunningham told the BBC: The whole thing is so senseless and people here are frustrated. The closure of the Old Sick Bay practice, an independent clinic which had a nationally agreed NHS contract, will lead to its 4,000-odd patients having to seek a new dentist. According to NHS Highlands website, the closest practice accepting NHS patients is 73 miles away in Fort William, which would mean a three-hour round trip. With only a handful of spaces available, other patients will be forced to travel as far as Kingussie. In a letter seen by this newspaper, patients are being told the practice will close on August 31. It said: This difficult decision has been taken following many months of unprecedented uncertainty for our patients and the compounding factor of exceptional staff shortages following the pandemic which has resulted in a national shortage of dentists and we have been unable to recruit a replacement dentist. NHS Highland said emergency care for unregistered patients with urgent needs can be arranged through its public dental service. The problems facing patients in Kyle come amid a wider crisis in Scotlands dental services. Reports have stated almost 82 per cent of NHS dentists in Scotland are no longer taking on new patients. The problems in the Highlands come amid a wider recruitment crisis in Scotlands dental services The British Dental Association (BDA) in Scotland, a trade union, has said the system has been in crisis for a generation and wants a shift towards a patient-centred, prevention-focused model. Dentistry in Scotland is facing a recruitment crisis as young practitioners are lured into cosmetic work instead of taking on the demands of an NHS clinic. Recruits are said to be put off by the treadmill style of NHS work and five-day weeks, and are instead going private or overseas. Last month, David McColl, chair of the BDAs Scottish dental practice committee, said: Trying to recruit dentists to the NHS is probably the worst its ever been and Ive been working as an NHS dentist for 37 years. The Scottish Government said it had made grants and allowances available to support NHS Highland in recruiting dentists. It said it was working with the health board to improve access for affected patients. A lawyer is being investigated over his involvement in the shocking case of three elderly brothers who were defrauded out of more than 1.2 million. Alasdair Fraser, a solicitor in Inverness, was referred to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) over what a sheriff called irregular activity which saw the brothers lose their home, their land and their life savings. Last week the Scottish Mail on Sunday revealed that a social care watchdog had condemned police and social workers for failing to protect Hugh, Roddy and David McCulloch from financial harm. The OAPs were befriended by church minister Reverend Ivan Warwick and his businessman friend Douglas Stewart, who systematically looted everything the brothers owned, including the farmhouse they had lived in together and 800,000 in cash. A damning report by the Highland Adult Protection Committee watchdog prompted an apology from Police Scotland and a vow to re-examine the evidence to decide whether to bring a prosecution. Lawyer Alasdair Fraser is being investigated in the case of three elderly brothers who were defrauded out of more than 1.2 million Rev Ivan Warwick with Prince Charles on their way into Canisbay Church on Wick in 2012 However, the report also disclosed that a lawyer involved in the case is currently the subject of an official complaint. Warwick and Stewart were able to profit from the scam because they were given power of attorney (POA) over the brothers, meaning they had control of the victims finances. The report said: At the time of writing, there is an outstanding complaint with the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission in relation to Alasdair Fraser, a solicitor who represented both the POAs and the brothers. Last night Mr Fraser denied any wrongdoing. At the centre of the case are the three brothers who lived at Logie Farm, near Muir of Ord in Ross-shire. In 2013, by then in their late seventies and eighties, they were befriended by Warwick the minister of nearby Fodderty and Strathpeffer Parish Church who had previously preached to Prince Charles and Stewart. By gaining power of attorney, they were able to persuade the brothers to sign over their farmhouse and land for free. Having sold the farm, the pair drained the brothers bank accounts of the money they had saved up during a lifetime farming sheep and cattle. Shockingly, the pair also separated the brothers against their will and forced them to live apart. Although one of the brothers went to the police to complain they were being ripped off, officers did not consider that any crime had been committed. In 2018, middle brother Roddy instructed solicitors to revoke Stewart and Warwicks power of attorney, prompting Highland Council to appoint an independent financial guardian for the brothers. The guardian then launched a civil case on their behalf after she discovered the fraud. Brothers David, Hugh and Roddy McCulloch, who were defrauded out of their home, their land and their life savings The case at Inverness Sheriff Court saw Warwick and Stewart ordered to repay 390,000 they gained from the sale of the farm. In her written judgment in 2022, Sheriff Sara Matheson concluded Warwick and Stewart took advantage of the brothers, who are all now dead, and gained control of their farm by fraud or circumvention. She slated Warwick for using his position as a minister to add a veneer of respectability to the scam. But she also criticised Mr Fraser, pointing out he drew up the document in which the McCullochs signed over their farm to Warwick and Stewart even though, in her words, the brothers did not understand the nature of the document which they signed. The sheriff said it was irregular that Mr Fraser who also acted for Warwick and Stewart when they sold the farm took instruction from the pair, and concluded that Mr Frasers independence and the quality of his advice are seriously called into question. Yesterday Mr Fraser said: My position is that my actings were above board. The SLCC said it could not comment on ongoing complaints. Labour is heading for a majority of 416 in an election result which would prove cataclysmic for the Tory Party, according to a new Mail on Sunday poll. The Deltapoll survey gives Sir Keir Starmer's party a 25-point lead, which would reduce the Conservatives to a Liberal Democrat-sized rump of 37 seats. Even Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would lose his Yorkshire seat, despite defending a majority of more than 27,000. The polling company carefully caveats that the projection is based on a crude uniform swing, and should be treated with caution. Nonetheless, the poll, which was partly conducted in the aftermath of the furore over Rishi Sunak's early return from the D-Day commemorations, highlights the scale of Sunak's task in the run up to the July 4th vote. The Deltapoll survey gives Sir Keir Starmer's party a 25-point lead, which would reduce the Conservatives to a Liberal Democrat-sized rump of 37 seats Even Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would lose his Yorkshire seat, despite defending a majority of more than 27,000 Mr Sunak pictured talking at with volunteers during a visit today at a community garden project in Bishop Aukland Nonetheless, the poll, which was partly conducted in the aftermath of the furore over Rishi Sunak's early return from the D-Day commemorations, highlights the scale of Sunak's task in the run up to the July 4th vote The poll puts Labour on 46 per cent and the Conservatives on 21 per cent, their lowest rating in this Parliament. Nigel Farage's Reform is on 12 per cent. Despite the colossal Labour lead, it reveals some scepticism about Starmer. Asked about the Labour leader's insistence, during last Tuesday's leaders' debate, that he would not support the use of private healthcare for family members who need it, only 13 per cent of respondents agreed. And a total of 59 per cent say they are 'worried' by the prospect of the Labour Party raising taxes by 2,000 per household - a controversial claim made by Sunak during the debate. In addition, 41 per cent believe that Labour will work to reverse Brexit if they win power - 25 per cent disagree. But only one in five - 22 per cent - think that Sunak should do a deal with Nigel Farage to save the Conservatives. Joe Twyman, Co-founder and Director of Deltapoll, said: 'After a difficult few days for Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party, Deltapoll's results for today's Mail on Sunday will make for grim reading as party support hits an all-time low for this Parliament. Mr Sunak pictured shaking hands with a boy today at a Conservative general election campaign event in Great Ayton The Prime Minister pictured at a village fete in Great Ayton, Yorkshire today on the General Election campaign trail Mr Sunak pictured talking to Hilary Bellwood during a visit to Bishop Aukland today Today, Mr Sunak apologised to 'disgusted' veterans in his constituency which contains Britain's biggest army garrison for leaving the D-Day anniversary early The launch of the party manifestos next week will be a crucial moment. If that launch does not bring about a swift and sustained turnaround in the for-tunes of Rishi Sunak specifically and the Conservatives in general, it is difficult to see what can.' Deltapoll interviewed 2,010 British adults online between 6th 8th June 2024. The data have been weighted to be representative of the British adult population as a whole. Today, Mr Sunak apologised to 'disgusted' veterans in his constituency which contains Britain's biggest army garrison for leaving the D-Day anniversary early. The under-fire Tory leader refused to meet with the national media today but spoke to regional newspaper The Northern Echo saying he was 'deeply sorry' for the hurt he had caused. His constituents living in Catterick Garrison previously said his decision to ditch the commemoration on June 6 was 'disgusting'. Mr Sunak, who is the Member of Parliament for Richmond, Yorkshire, told the Echo: 'The itinerary had been set a while ago, but it was a mistake not to stay after the British events and after the engagement with British veterans, and for that, I am deeply sorry.' He added that he had been 'privileged to attend' a number of events in Portsmouth and France. Catterick Garrison is Britain's biggest army garrison and had a population of around 13,000 in 2017. It has a number of barracks named after historical British Army battles, many of which took place during the First World War. The Prime Minister battled it out with Sir Keir Starmer in a crunch TV debate on ITV last week Mr Sunak tried to stave off a landslide that is currently projected to be even bigger than achieved by Tony Blair in 1997 The Prime Minister was also blasted by fellow Tories and military veterans for snubbing the final D-Day event in Normandy by flying back to London to conduct a pre-recorded interview with ITV. Today a possible 'huddle' with journalists was called off as the D-Day row continued, and after his awkward exchange with broadcasters on Friday. It came after another Cabinet minister said Mr Sunak had made a 'mistake' by skipping a major D-Day event amid Tory anger over the move. Mark Harper said he agreed 'with what the Prime Minister himself said - it was a mistake for him to leave early', but did not go as far as fellow senior Conservative Penny Mordaunt in branding the decision 'completely wrong'. Mr Sunak was forced to apologise for leaving France before an international ceremony attended by world leaders including US President Joe Biden to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings. I do not need to tell you how incredible the people who work for the NHS are. We saw their commitment during the pandemic; their staggering bravery in the face of a deadly virus which gripped the globe, their resilience, their care, their humanity. Having worked in the health service for almost a decade, I know my colleagues and friends are, without doubt, the best of us. So, when First Minister John Swinney said that Scotlands National Health Service should be protected at all costs at the end of last month, he was right. Yet his apparently noble statement has today been laid bare as one of intense hypocrisy, piled on top of inexcusable incompetence. As the Mail on Sundays research shows, far from eschewing privatisation, the SNP has embraced it committing an extraordinary 850million of public money to try to patch up the damage they have inflicted on our treasured National Health Service. Dr Sandesh Gulhane has hit out at hypocrisy of the SNP over the NHS The double whammy of the SNPs dire workforce planning and the failure of Humza Yousafs flimsy recovery plan has left our NHS in permanent crisis mode. With the peak winter period behind us, we should be seeing significant improvements. But due to the SNPs mismanagement were not. More than 840,000 Scots are languishing on an NHS waiting list. Cancer targets have not been met for more than 12 years. Scotland has, by far, the worst drug death figures in Europe. Its life expectancy is the lowest of any region or nation in the UK, lower than it was 10 years ago. Waits for adolescent mental health services have increased. Even blue light services have worsened, with longer ambulance response times, while patients are routinely backed up and treated in corridors, or even car parks, putting them and staff at risk. Patients have been recorded waiting for more than 2,100 days for reconstructive surgery, more than 1,500 days for restorative dentistry and more than 1,450 days for orthopaedic surgery. Those figures can only be described as a national scandal and have led to another instance of creeping privatisation, entirely down to the SNPs mismanagement and misplaced priorities. It is no wonder, then, so many Scots now feel they have no option but to pay out of their hard-earned savings for private healthcare. Between 2019 and last year, the number turning to private providers almost doubled, to 19,000. And, as such, we are in very real danger of creating a two-tiered health system, where those who can pay are increasingly turning to private healthcare to access treatment. Those who cannot are left waiting on a deteriorating NHS, hoping they might get the same care. Is that the NHS Mr Swinney wants to protect? Because thats a direct result of the SNPs decisions. Many Scots who cannot find an NHS dentist, obtain a GP appointment or, most terrifying of all, know that the delay they might face for cancer treatment could be life-threatening, now feel they have to pay to receive treatment they deserve and should expect as a matter of course. This is a consequence of the SNPs failure to plan ahead, particularly when it comes to staffing. Cuts to the number of medical and dental students have led to the shortage of doctors, nurses and dentists. The SNPs imposition of taxes higher than any other part of the UK compound the problem by making it difficult to recruit and retain senior staff in Scotland a point the British Medical Association and the British Dental Association are increasingly raising. This abysmal workforce planning has led to another privatisation element in the SNPs management of our NHS the number of agency workers and temporary contractors now required to plug the gaps in provision. The Scottish Government is now spending well over half a billion pounds a year on agency staff alone. Meanwhile, there are nursing vacancies in the majority of care homes, and a recent Royal College of Nursing survey suggested that 60 per cent of nurses were considering, or actively planning, to leave their roles. Thats an alarming, but understandable, response to the pressure under which dedicated frontline NHS staff have to work. Conservative governments have increased UK NHS spending every single year, and we have never argued for privatisation. But the UK Governments position is irrelevant when it comes to Scotlands NHS, which is entirely devolved and has been the sole responsibility of the SNP for the past 17 years. Problems and shortcomings in its management and operation are a result of decisions made by successive SNP health secretaries, and have nothing to do with Westminster. Sadly, the SNPs stewardship of our NHS has been abysmal. Despite their rhetoric, since 2007 they have failed to match increases in spending in line with the other parts of the UK despite having been given the funds to do so. As a result, Scotlands NHS is relatively underfunded compared with the rest of the UK, as the Nationalists diverted money to other policy areas. Yet the SNP, for all their griping, grievance-mongering and invective, have nothing to offer as a solution to the crisis they have manufactured. Instead of practical measures to tackle what is now a national emergency, they are producing nothing but alarmism and rhetoric. Scotlands NHS, and patients, deserve better. Thats why the Scottish Conservatives this year laid out a series of proposals for a modern, efficient, local NHS. We set out detailed plans to increase capacity, reduce inefficiency, improve accessibility, and catch disease at an earlier stage. Our plans include the provision of 1,000 additional GPs, and a national guarantee that patients could get a doctors appointment within a week. Standardising best practice to increase the numbers of procedures that can be undertaken in the same day, bringing down waiting times. A 24/7 digital health service that would give patients easier access to their own records. Better conditions for staff and a proper workforce plan that would reduce the risk of burnout and support dedicated NHS workers. And a new personal contract with the NHS that would encourage healthier choices and tackle threats before they become a burden on the healthcare system. Unlike the SNP, we plan to do all of that within the existing NHS budget, while sticking to its founding principles, ensuring it will always remain free at the point of use, and provide the treatment Scots should expect as their right. The SNPs record in government is one of failure in almost every department. But nowhere has it been more obvious or impactful than in our NHS at tremendous cost to those who work in it, and those who rely on its services. Yet John Swinneys government has produced not a single constructive proposal for recovery. Instead, without any foundation at all, SNP ministers have accused their opponents of the very thing that they have covertly relied on to mask their failures. The Scottish Conservatives have genuine solutions. And in key seats across the country, only a vote for us can dislodge the SNP, and begin the journey to recovery. The University of Cambridge has told students to stop flirting with staff under a new policy banning sexual relationships with professors. The new rules which come into force on July 1 include a warning against behaviour 'that could be interpreted as flirtatious'. University staff have been told they must report any behaviour that could constitute a student 'making advances towards a personal, particularly intimate relationship' with them. Students have even been warned that records of 'flirtatious behaviour' could be kept if considered appropriate by the university, the Telegraph has reported. Employees have been told that they must admit any current or past relationships or friendships with students by August 1 or they could be sacked. The rules, which fall under Cambridge's updated relationships policy, form part of a complete ban on sexual relationships between professors and students from July. The University of Cambridge has told students to stop flirting with staff under a new policy banning sexual relationships with professors (file picture) The new rules which come into force on July 1 include a warning against behaviour 'that could be interpreted as flirtatious' (stock photo) The old policy only strongly dissuaded such relationships, rather than banned them completely. Lecturers are also being dissuaded from building close friendships with students that they teach. Cambridge has defended the policy, saying it has been updated to protect staff and students from potential conflicts of interest and to prevent sexual misconduct. The new code brings Cambridge in line with the University of Oxford that introduced a similar policy last year. Cambridge's rules, however, go one step further by saying that records of flirtatious 'messages or other behaviours' should be kept. A spokesman for the University of Cambridge said: 'The new policy on staff and student relationships follows an extensive consultation across the University involving staff and student representatives, Departments and Colleges. 'It also takes into consideration the views of the regulator, the Office for Students, and Universities UK. 'The policy significantly strengthens the existing approach. 'From July 1, intimate relationships will be prohibited between staff and students where the staff member has any professional responsibility for that student, as defined in the policy.' A huge pro-Palestine protest at the White House has descended into chaos with smoke bombs let off and attendees claiming they were maced. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington on Saturday calling for a ceasefire on Gaza. Video shows smoke billowing in front of the White House as a speaker delivers a speech to a crowd calling Israel a 'butcher of Gaza'. Independent journalist Ford Fischer shared a photo of his bloodshot face claiming that mace had been deployed on the crowds during an attempted arrest. In another clip cops can be seen making their way through the throngs to shouts of 'Free Palestine' and 'f*** the police.' A huge pro-Palestine protest outside the White House has descended into chaos with smoke bombs let off and attendees claiming they were maced Video shows smoke billowing in front of the White House as a speaker delivers a speech to a crowd calling Israel a 'butcher of Gaza' Cops were seen making their way through the throngs to shouts of 'Free Palestine' and 'f*** the police' Activists were bussed across state lines to attend the huge rally, which marks eight months since the war began. More than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel's strikes on Gaza, which began in the wake of the Hamas attack of October 7 which killed 1,200 Israelis. The chaos unfolded as Biden was out of the country on an official visit to France. Protesters unfurled a giant red banner bearing victims' names which they used to surround the White House as part of the demonstration. The Secret Service said it had enacted safety measures including erecting anti-scale fencing ahead of the demonstration. Due to crowds gathering at Lafayette Square Park, several roads have been shutdown. The 1600 Block of H Street NW from 17th St NW is blocked off until further notice. The White House previously stated it supports peaceful protest only. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington on Saturday calling for a ceasefire on Gaza and criticizing Biden's handling of the situation Activists were bussed across state lines to attend the huge rally, which marks eight months since the war began The US State Parks Department said it was not aware of any arrests yet. The US, Israel's key ally, has seen months of pro-Palestinian protests ranging from marches and vigils to the blocking of bridges and roads near train stations and airports in multiple cities and encampments on many college campuses. At least eight officials have quit the administration of President Joe Biden citing their opposition to his policy. Protesters have also disrupted some of Biden's reelection campaign events. Melania Trump has visited arguably New York's most exclusive apartment building a day after her husband admitted his 'hush money' trial affected her. The former first lady left Trump Tower alone on Saturday morning and traveled to 15 Central Park West in Manhattan with Secret Service agents in tow. Melania stayed in the luxury building for about two-and-a-half hours, then returned in a motorcade of at least three black SUVs. The 54-year-old wore a black blouse teamed with flared cream trousers and flat shoes, and carried a black Chanel clutch bag. Melania Trump has visited arguably New York's most exclusive apartment building The 54-year-old wore a black blouse teamed with flared cream trousers and flat shoes, and carried a black Chanel clutch bag Melania beamed below her designer sunglasses as she left the building after her visit, and was assisted by agents Melania beamed below her designer sunglasses as she left the building after her visit, and was assisted by agents who at one point carried her bag. Fifteen Central Park West holds some of the most expensive homes in New York City with the main penthouse selling for $59 million in 2017. That four-bedroom, five-bathroom 'jewel of the crown' has a dramatic 34-foot entry gallery with the living room, library, and master bedroom all facing Central Park. Few are available to rent - as Donald Trump's arch-nemesis Robert De Niro once did - but even the cheapest one on the market is $16,000 a month for a two-bedroom. The whole building is worth well over $1 billion and even a wine cellar cost about $80,000 a decade ago. Celebrities, mega-rich hedge fund managers, models, and New York Yankee great Alex Rodriguez have all called the building home. Melania stayed in the luxury building for about two-and-a-half hours The former first lady left Trump Tower alone on Saturday morning and traveled to 15 Central Park West in Manhattan with Secret Service agents in tow Agents at one point carried her black Chanel clutch bag Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up 'hush money' payments to pornstar Stormy Daniels about their extramarital affair to prevent news of it derailing his election campaign. But his convictions could be in doubt after a Facebook post claimed jurors were discussing plans to find him guilty before delivering their verdict. Judge Juan Merchan sparked speculation of potential mistrial when he sent a letter to the prosecution and defense attorneys about the post. 'My cousin is a juror and says Trump is getting convicted [heart emoji] Thank you folks for all your had work!!!!' it read. Trump's convictions seem to have only boosted his fundraising as a sellout campaign event in San Francisco raised $12 million on Thursday night. Top tickets cost for $300 a head and $500 per couple, and VIP tickets went for $50,000, to be a member of the host committee. Trump hosted another Californian event on Friday night, this time in Beverley Hills. Supporters gathered outside one of the areas mansions as they enthusiastically waved Trump 2024 flags as his motorcade passed by. He returned the favor by waving back at those he could see from the entrance. Melania then returned in a motorcade of at least three black SUVs Melania was barely seen outside Trump Tower during her husband's trial, as details of his affair with pornstar Stormy Daniels were aired in court The motorcade taking Melania to 15 Central Park West from Trump Tower on Saturday Melania was barely seen outside Trump Tower during her husband's trial, as details of his affair with pornstar Stormy Daniels were aired in court. She reportedly didn't even leave the building for almost two weeks before breaking cover on Tuesday evening for the first time since May 23. Trump in an interview with Dr Phil McGraw said the trial took a toll on on his wife and admitted it impacted his son Barron as well. He speculated each of them likely wanted to speak to him about the difficulties, but chose not to. 'I have a wonderful wife. I mean, it's not easy for her to read this kind of stuff, that's fake. That's totally that's fake stuff,' he told the TV host in their hour-long sit down interview from Mar-a-Lago. Trump hosted another Californian event on Friday night this time in Beverley Hills. Supporters gathered outside one of the areas mansions as they enthusiastically waved Trump 2024 flags as his motorcade passed by 'But that's the way it is. It certainly is not a good thing. And it affects me more than it would if it were just about me. I wish it could be just about me.' Trump also hinted at the impact the trial and the constant political and legal combat had on her revealing that it 'wasn't easy.' It was his first extended interview since a Manhattan jury found him guilty on 34 counts of falsifying financial records related to the hush money payments. When Dr Phil asked how the former first lady was holding up, Trump responded: 'I think good,' stretching out the word during his answer in a way that made the answer less than certain. 'But I don't think it's an easy thing for her,' he then allowed. 'And I think if it wasn't good, she wouldn't want to tell me about it, to be honest with you. Because, you know, she sees that I'm fighting like hell.' Trump told Dr Phil McGraw the trial took a toll on on his wife and admitted it impacted his son Barron as well. The former first lady notably did not attend Trump's five week trial in Manhattan, instead keeping a low profile in Florida, even as a parade of supporters including family members, House members, and senators joined Trump in the courtroom. Trump also suggested the public attention is difficult for his son Barron, 18. As is his practice, he declined to reveal too much about his youngest child, and his only child with Melania, although he did give a hint about his college plans. 'He's a good boy. He's a tall boy very tall. He's very tall. And he's a great kid. He's good looking kid. And he's going to be going to college.' 'He doesn't say because he doesn't want to hurt me,' Trump said. 'And he thinks it's a possibly a hurtful conversation. But it has to affect my family,' he lamented. Charles Spencer and his third wife are divorcing, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. The Earl's relationship with the Countess of Spencer broke down amid the strain of writing his harrowing memoir detailing the physical and sexual abuse he suffered at boarding school, it is understood. The couple announced their pending divorce to staff at Althorp, the Spencer family estate in Northamptonshire, in April. 'It is immensely sad,' Earl Spencer told the MoS last night. 'I just want to devote myself to all my children, and to my grandchildren, and I wish Karen every happiness in the future.' Earl Spencer and Karen Gordon, a Canadian philanthropist, married in June 2011 within the grounds of Althorp, where the Earl's older sister Princess Diana is buried. The couple had met the previous year on a blind date at a restaurant in Los Angeles. Earl Spencer and Karen Gordon, a Canadian philanthropist, married in June 2011 within the grounds of Althorp Speaking to The Sunday Times in 2020, the Earl said: 'Karen and I both appreciate what the other does and look after what we have. Neither of us has found happiness like this before.' His wife was notable by her absence at events held at Althorp and Spencer House in London in mid-March to launch the Earl's book, A Very Private School. Charles Spencer told the MoS that the five years of work on his memoir has deeply affected him and led to him undergoing residential treatment for trauma late last year. He is understood to have been particularly traumatised by his discovery of his 1976 schoolboy diary, in which the assistant matron, who he alleges sexually abused him, had written a long-forgotten message. The diary was discovered on the high shelf of a room at Althorp that was being refurbished after he completed the main body of his book. Earl Spencer wrote he was 'rocked' by the discovery and described how the woman, who The Mail on Sunday is today identifying as 67-year-old grandmother Sally Jane Carr, has simply written 'Me' along with her address and telephone number. 'There is something about the word, 'Me', that strikes me now as not only wildly inappropriate, but intensely intimate and, of course, slyly anonymous.' The Earl's memoir also revealed the trauma of his mother leaving him and Diana when he was three-years-old and how being brought up by a succession of nannies also impacted him. Charles married his second wife Caroline Freud in 2001 but the pair got a divorce in 2009 Charles and his first wife Victoria Lockwood got married in 1989 and then divorced in 1997 During an interview with the Therapy Works podcast in March, Earl Spencer said that being abused as a child had a profound impact on his choice of romantic partners in adulthood. He said he was left susceptible to women who were incapable of loving him. 'I think I went for good-looking people who weren't really into love,' he said. 'I'm having a good look at myself and everything around me and I think I would be a lot easier to live with now than I ever have been in the past.' Earl Spencer, meanwhile, has recently become close to Norwegian archaeologist Cat Jarman. The pair, along with the Rev Richard Coles, host The Rabbit Hole Detectives, a history podcast. Dr Jarman, who is separated from her husband, has appeared on BBC Two's Digging for Britain and was last month awarded 'Nordic Person of the Year' by the Confederation of Scandinavian Societies. She has also been helping Earl Spencer unearth a Roman villa in the grounds of Althorp. Friends say they look very happy together but that it is early days. Karen's first husband was millionaire Hollywood producer Mark Gordon, known for his work on Saving Private Ryan and The Day After Tomorrow, who she met while working on the front desk of the Four Seasons in Toronto in 1994. The couple married three years later but split in 2003 and Karen reportedly received a $1.3 million settlement. She was later linked to billionaire George Soros. Chinese EV battery giants reject U.S. "forced labor" allegations Xinhua) 13:20, June 08, 2024 BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Major electric vehicle (EV) battery makers CATL and Gotion High-Tech have rejected U.S. lawmakers' allegations of connections to "forced labor." A group of U.S. Republican lawmakers has said that the two firms should be added immediately to an import ban list known as the "entity list" under the so-called Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), alleging that the companies' supply chains use "forced labor," the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. In a statement posted online on Friday, CATL said it is in strict compliance with all applicable laws and regulations with respect to its operations and business activities in the United States. "A June 5 letter by U.S. Members of Congress, accusing CATL of having connections to forced labor, is groundless and completely false," the battery maker said, noting that its business relations with some suppliers quoted in the letter had ceased long ago. Gotion High-Tech said that any allegations suggesting it engages in forced labor or is related to forced labor are completely unfounded and absolutely false. "Gotion High-Tech has consistently upheld the values of respecting human rights and protecting employee rights," the company said in a statement. "Our selection of partners is also based on a rigorous audit mechanism and evaluation standards." China has made clear time and again that the allegation of "forced labor" in Xinjiang is nothing but a monumental lie propagated to smear the country's image, as it goes against the fact that the rights and interests of people of all ethnic backgrounds in Xinjiang are effectively protected. Since the U.S. signed the UFLPA into law in December 2021, 65 Chinese companies have been listed for sanctions, covering industries such as textiles, apparel, agriculture, polysilicon, plastics, chemicals, batteries, household appliances, electronics and food additives. A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said the UFLPA "might as well be called the most notorious and egregious law against human rights in the 21st century." The act not only imposes illegal sanctions on Chinese companies, but also forces companies around the world to join the U.S. attempt to contain and suppress China, and tries to create a coalition for economic coercion, the spokesperson told a press conference on May 21. According to new data from SNE Research, CATL accounted for 37.7 percent of the market during the January-April period this year, remaining the world's largest battery manufacturer, while Gotion, which is partially owned by Volkswagen, ranked ninth globally. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie) A Reform candidate who defected from the Tories has claimed that Rishi Sunak made an error of judgment over the D-Day commemorations because his grandparents did not serve in the war. Lee Anderson, the former Conservative MP for Ashfield who is standing in the Nottinghamshire constituency for Nigel Farage's party, also described Channel boat migrants as 'f*****s'. Anderson's comments come as The Mail on Sunday has established that Reform candidates who were suspended or removed from the candidates list following allegations over their behaviour have been quietly reinstated. They include Guy Lachlan, 58, who was removed from the list for the St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire seat for sharing offensive material, including liking a tweet by the far-Right Britain First party against Muslims and a tweet saying that the anti-Islam campaigner Tommy Robinson 'isn't entirely wrong'. In one bizarre post, the car lubricant company owner claimed that there were 'too many people' on the planet, described humanity as 'bacteria' and said that 'policies would have to include one-child limits, sterilisation and euthanasia'. Lee Anderson who is standing in the Nottinghamshire constituency for Nigel Farage's party, has described Channel boat migrants as 'f*****s' Rishi Sunak pictured campaigning in Redcar in north east England on June 1 Now, according to Reform's website, he is back as the candidate for the seat. Anderson, a former deputy chairman of the Tory party, had the Conservative whip suspended in February after refusing to apologise for stating that 'Islamists' had 'got control' of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Sir Keir Starmer. He defected to Reform in March. The blunt-speaking Anderson told The MoS: 'A lot of the people you've been talking to round here are struggling to pay their rent and their mortgage. 'They're having to watch every single penny. Then they switch their TV on at night and they watch 500 illegals come over, stopping in a four star hotel. And then these f*****s are moaning in these army camps about their conditions.' And responding to the row over Rishi Sunak's early return from the D-Day celebrations, Anderson controversially raised the fact that Sunak's parents, who are of Indian descent, emigrated from East Africa to Britain in the 1960s. Anderson said: 'Some people don't realise how important this day is. I have grandparents who served. Rishi doesn't. He doesn't have that link.' The former miner and ex-Labour supporter he was suspended by the party in 2018 for using boulders to block members of the Traveller community from setting up camp in the area is defending a majority of 5,700 in Ashfield. Jimmy Carter's grandson has shared an update on the former president's health 15 months after he entered hospice care. Jason Carter, the grandson of the 39th president, said that there 'really is no change' in his grandfather's condition. The most recent update was shared with Southern Living Magazine. According to Jason, the 99-year-old is 'experiencing the world as best he can as he continues through this process.' Carter has been in hospice care since February 2023, while the average hospice stay is just 70 days. Rosalynn Carter tragically passed away last November after she and Carter had been married for 77 years. Jason Carter, the grandson of Jimmy Carter(pictured), said that there 'really is no change' in his grandfather's condition 'God had other plans,' Jason Carter said about his grandfather unexpectedly hanging on for so long after his beloved wife's death. 'After 77 years of marriage I just think none of us really understand what it's like for him right now,' Jason Carter said. Jason shared that Carter isn't awake every day, but he still talks to relatives and visitors when he is awake. The former president is receiving care at his home in his tiny hometown of Plains, Georgia. Upon a recent visit, Jason said he and his grandfather watched an Atlanta Braves game and talked about The Carter Center - the family's nonprofit organization. According to Jason Carter (pictured), the 99-year-old is 'experiencing the world as best he can as he continues through this process.' Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married for 77 years, and lived in the same modest home in Plains, Georgia, for decades In May, the CEO of the nonprofit, Paige Alexander, shared that Carter was 'at home, enjoying peanut butter ice cream.' Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander said on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast Wednesday that 'there really hasn't been a significant change' in the ex-president's health. The Georgia peanut farmer and oldest living president has been in hospice care for more than a year after deciding to forego any further medical treatment. 'I mean, he will always be one bad cold away from the end,' Alexander told the podcast. 'He is in hospice care, and there are palliative measures if he's in pain, but nothing else.' 'He is just the same remarkable man. He has always been outliving and surprising us all,' Alexander added. In another update shared last month, Jason said his grandfather's time was 'coming to an end.' Jason Carter said at a mental health forum: '(My grandfather) is doing OK. In another update shared last month , Jason said his grandfather's time was 'coming to an end' 'He has been in hospice, as you know, for almost a year and a half now, and he really is, I think, coming to the end that, as Ive said before, theres a part of this faith journey that is so important to him, and theres a part of that faith journey that you only can live at the very end and I think he has been there in that space.' Back in November, Carter attended the private funeral of his wife in a wheelchair - wearing a red lei around his neck to honor Rosalynn's love of Hawaii, which is where the Carters lived when Jimmy was in the Navy. Her children paid tribute to her and, in one of the service's sweetest moments, her great-grandchild Charlie Carter read one line from Ephesians 4:32: 'Be kind to one another.' And her great-grandchild Adeline Kane Chuldenko read 1 Corinthians 13:13: 'So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.' In the private funeral service, Maranatha Pastor Tony Lowden paid tribute to 'the life and legacy of the greatest first lady.' Rosalynn Carter wasn't 'just the first lady of the White House,' he said. 'She served every nation around the world.' After the service, Rosalynn was buried at the modest Plains, Georgia, home she shared with husband Jimmy Carter, in view of the front porch where the two often sat. Rishi Sunak is pledging to cut 12 billion from the welfare bill by limiting the ability of claimants to cite mental health conditions such as anxiety as a disability. In an interview with The Mail on Sunday, the Prime Minister said that he was determined to end the 'lifestyle choice' of not working. Spending on benefits for people of working age with a disability or health condition is projected to rise from 69 billion to 90 billion by the end of the next Parliament. Mr Sunak said: 'Our welfare bill has massively increased since the pandemic. We need to make sure that we're supporting people into work because, fundamentally, it's good for them. 'We've got to get the right support to the people in the right way, such as providing people with mental health treatment support.' He added: 'We need to make sure that the welfare system is a safety net and not a lifestyle choice... we need to be careful about over-medicalising the challenges of everyday life, and recognise that work can be incredibly positive for people's mental health'. Rishi Sunak is pledging to cut 12 billion from the welfare bill by limiting the ability of claimants to cite mental health conditions such as anxiety as a disability In other developments: A senior Labour figure has said the party will renegotiate Brexit to bring back Freedom of Movement. Fiona Urquhart, chair of Labour International, the group tasked with rallying expat Brits to vote for Labour in next month's Election, has also pledged to give EU-based Britons their own MP in Westminster; A Mail on Sunday poll put Labour on course for a majority of 416; Mr Sunak said he had 'been in touch' with Boris Johnson over the former PM's role in the campaign; A Reform party candidate who defected from the Tories has claimed that Mr Sunak made an error of judgment over the D-Day commemorations because his grandparents did not serve in the war; The treasurer of Michael Gove's former Surrey Heath seat resigned with a letter accusing the Cabinet minister of 'plotting, scheming and disloyalty' and 'catastrophic errors of judgment'. Since the pandemic, the number of people inactive for health reasons has increased by 40 per cent from two million to 2.8 million. People are now three times more likely to be assessed as not fit for any work than they were a decade ago, with more than half of those being signed off with a mental health problem such as anxiety or depression. In an interview with The Mail on Sunday, the Prime Minister said that he was determined to end the 'lifestyle choice' of not working The Tories would introduce a 700 million 'step-change in NHS mental health treatment', with more than 500,000 more people a year able to access talking therapies by 2030, and say they would 'tighten up' how the benefits system assesses someone's capability for work. This would include overhauling the 'fit note' process by moving the responsibility for issuing the notes away from GPs towards 'specialist work and health professionals'. The party would also introduce tougher sanctions on people who are able to work but refuse to take up suitable jobs after a year on benefits, including removing their benefits entirely. Mr Sunak said: 'Work is a source of dignity, purpose and hope and I want everyone to be able to overcome whatever barriers they might face to living independent, fulfilling lives. That's why we have announced a significant increase in mental health provision, as well as changes to ensure those who can work, do work.' Rescue teams desperately hunting for missing Mail columnist Dr Michael Mosley are focusing their search on a dangerous cave complex known as The Abyss. Their efforts in the network of caverns and 'endless' underwater tunnels, yesterday found no trace of the TV medic, but his wife has vowed the family will 'not lose hope' of finding him. Speaking yesterday for the first time since her husband's mysterious disappearance, Clare Bailey spoke powerfully of the 'longest and most unbearable days for myself and my children'. Greek police yesterday released new CCTV footage of Dr Mosley taken on Wednesday afternoon, the day he vanished on the island of Symi. He was carrying an umbrella to protect himself from the 35C (95F) heat and walking purposefully towards a mountain trail. New CCTV appears to show Mail columnist Michael Mosley walking towards rocky hills from the town of Pedi on Wednesday The health expert, pictured with his wife Clare Bailey, has not been seen since he went for a walk on the Green island of Symi Volunteers walk mountain paths on Symi where Michael Mosley may have gone after disappearing on Wednesday A rescue helicopter joined the search yesterday, seen here hovering over Pedi In a statement yesterday Dr Bailey, 62, said: 'It has been three days since Michael left the beach to go for a walk. The longest and most unbearable days for myself and my children. 'The search is ongoing and our family are so incredibly grateful to the people of Symi, the Greek authorities and the British Consulate who are working tirelessly to help find Michael. We will not lose hope.' Dr Bailey last saw her 67-year-old husband on the secluded St Nicholas beach on Wednesday, when he set off to walk to the town of Pedi from where he was expected to catch a bus back to his villa in the port of Symi. However the CCTV footage taken in Pedi at about 2pm shows him heading for the mountains instead. Since then and despite a massive search operation involving dogs, drones, helicopters and divers there has been no sighting of the writer and broadcaster. Last night, sources told The Mail on Sunday Dr Bailey had been called in again to give rescuers further details about what her husband had with him when he disappeared. An official said: 'It's been four days and no trace has been found of him so it was just to go over things again. 'She explained he was wearing a khaki backpack and had his wallet, bottle of water and a watch, which was not a smart watch.' On Friday, the couple's four grown-up children travelled to Symi to join their mother. They were understood to be part of the search party yesterday scouring the two-mile path from Pedi to Agia Marina, as small beach near The Abyss, where rescue efforts will continue today. To enter those treacherous caves, Dr Mosley would have to have swum from the Agia Marina beach the same way the coastguard and divers accessed them yesterday. This is the picture of Dr Mosley posted with an appeal after he went missing while walking on holiday in Greece on Wednesday A cafe on the island of Symi where Dr Mosley was seen passing on CCTV footage Reporter Nick Pisa on the pathway that Michael Mosely used to return to Pedi Beach Rescuers have also been searching around a separate rocky path close to Agia Marina, which rises across jagged limestone terrain and leads by a longer route back to Symi. But it is not marked and guidebooks warn it is a 'technically difficult' trail. The Mail on Sunday walked a section of this path yesterday and, although manageable, it would certainly be hard work under a fierce sun. One member of the search team who we encountered said: 'We have footage of him going this way from the last house in Pedi. 'This is a difficult walk at the best of times and should not be done between 11am and 5pm. We think he was here during the hottest part of the day, at 2pm.' Rescuers are concerned for Dr Mosley's welfare because of the dangerous heat and described the hunt as a 'race against time' with every minute invaluable. All boats have been asked to keep an eye out for him in the water and in a sign of how urgently they were treating the situation, firefighters who had been tackling blazes on the nearby island of Kos were transferred to Symi after bringing the flames under control. At the purpose-built Agia Marina, beach, staff told The Mail on Sunday police had asked to check their CCTV. One employee said: 'I'm pretty certain I would have remembered a man with an umbrella but no one came this way dressed like that. 'It's a climb to the top of the mountain, then you walk down and it climbs again before you meet a road taking you into the town. It would take about an hour, hour and a half maximum. 'There is nothing between here and Symi apart from stones, more stones and sheep and goats. It's all exposed and I wouldn't try and walk it in this heat.' Search teams have been fanning out across the Greek island of Symi, an unspoilt paradise in the Dodecanese islands off the coast of Rhodes Rescuers continue the search as Michael's wife Dr Clare Bailey declared 'we will not lose hope' There are fears Michael Mosley may have become disoriented in the heat and wandered off the trail, although this seems unlikely as it is clearly marked. Pictured: Rescuers on the trail The unforgiving limestone terrain is described in guidebooks as a 'desert mountains scape with much of the path 'stony to very stony underfoot' Symi's mayor Lefteris Papakalodoukas said: 'We know he came through Pedi and then walked onwards towards Agia Marina, it is about two miles and a harder walk than from St Nicholas. 'But then we don't know if he reached Agia Marina or if he decided to climb over the mountain... but that path is difficult. 'Only a few locals know it and although it is marked you can easily get lost and it's not wise do walk it in the middle of the afternoon in temperatures approaching 40C. If he did try and walk that way to Symi then that is a big mistake. 'There are also many troubling questions here. Why did he leave the beach and his wife and friends? Why did he not take his telephone? 'From the CCTV footage it's also clear he didn't stop for a drink in Pedi or take a rest. He seemed to be walking very determinedly. Surely it would have been better for him to stop and have a coffee or some water but, no, he decided to carry on.' A local restaurant owner, who asked to be named only as Nikos said: 'It's very strange what has happened, where has he gone to? 'It's only a small island and he was wearing bright clothes. The fire brigade, police and coastguard have been searching for three days and found nothing. 'They have had a drone up and seen nothing and they have used thermal images as well.' Yesterday, for the first time in 36 hours, a fire brigade helicopter joined the search as it flew over the mountain track where Dr Mosley was thought to have headed. Swooping low above the terrain it criss-crossed several times before heading back to its base on the nearby island of Rhodes. Dr Mosley well known for BBC programmes including Trust Me, I'm A Doctor and The One Show as well as a Radio 4's Just One Thing. was last thought to have visited Symi eight years ago and was staying with friends in a villa in the centre of Symi port. The case of a British property tycoon found dead at home in Kenya amid claims of poisoning could be dramatically reopened after an inquest ruling was declared 'irregular'. It was at first assumed Harry Roy Veevers's death in 2013 was the result of a heart attack. But after his body was exhumed and later tests showed traces of a pesticide, his wife Azra Parvin Din, 75, and daughters Helen, 36, and Alexandra, 34, from Manchester, were accused by the Kenyan authorities of killing him for his 7million fortune. The story of feuding and allegations murder among wealthy Kenyan expats has drawn inevitable comparisons with the infamous White Mischief case of 1941, dramatised in a novel and Hollywood movie starring Greta Scacchi and Charles Dance. For years the three women lived with the terrifying prospect of a jail sentence, but in January an inquest concluded Mr Veevers's death was not suspicious after all. Helen Veevers (right), 36, and her sister Alexandra, 34, pictured in January earlier this year British property tycoon Harry Roy Veevers's death was first assumed to be a heart attack but now it is believed his wife and daughters may have poisoned him Mr Veever pictured with his wife Azra Parvin Din, 75. She is now accused by Kenyan authorities of poising him for his fortune Alexandra (left) and Helen (right) leaving the Mombasa Law Courts in 2018 during a trial to decide whether their father's death was suspicious Roy Veevers pictured with his two daughters when they were much younger The finding, however, was challenged by lawyers for Richard and Phillip, Mr Veevers's sons from his first marriage and now a court in Kenya has found in their favour. It means the brothers will be able to make written submissions that Richard hopes will reignite a criminal investigation. 'Hopefully it will lead to some form of justice,' Richard, 47, told The Mail on Sunday. 'Crimes have been committed that need to be answered for.' The verdict in January caught both sides' legal teams by surprise they were expecting a routine hearing. But the magistrate began reading from a sheet of paper containing his entire assessment of the case, and ruled the case be closed. Alexandra Veevers gestures during her testimony during the inquest into her father's death in 2018 Helen Veevers gestures during her testimony during the inquest into her father's death in 2018 Now the High Court in Mombasa has decided that the magistrate's ruling was irregular because he did not allow lawyers to file a number of written submissions. The feud erupted in court in 2016 as the siblings battled over responsibility for their father's death. Richard and Phillip, 45, claimed that Azra, Helen and Alexandra murdered Mr Veevers after he said he was leaving Azra for another woman. The women have always denied the allegations, claiming the brothers spun the story to deny them their right to an inheritance. When Mr Veevers died his body was buried without a post-mortem. At the 2016 inquest a pathologist said he had detected cyhalothrin, commonly used to kill mosquitoes. But in 2018 a forensic scientist said he could find no trace of it. A senior Labour figure has said the party will bring back freedom of movement in bombshell comments seen by The Mail on Sunday. They reveal plans for a Labour government to reopen Brexit talks and claim that 'restoring freedom of movement is paramount'. Last night senior Conservatives accused Sir Keir Starmer of 'lying' to the British public about his plans. Former Tory party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: 'This is stage one, two and three of re-entering the European Union.' Fiona Urquhart, chairman of Labour International, the group tasked with rallying expats to vote for Labour in next month's election, has also pledged to give EU-based Britons their own MP in Westminster. She also appeared to admit Labour is not being upfront with its plans ahead of the election, saying: 'The party is being cautious, it's not making too many bold announcements because, should it come to power, it does not know what it's going to be faced with. Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer helps to serve drinks during a visit to 3 Lock's Brewery in Camden in north London Former Tory party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith (pictured) said: 'This is stage one, two and three of re-entering the European Union' Last night senior Conservatives accused Sir Keir Starmer of 'lying' to the British public about his plans 'But I can't stress enough that it is well aware of many of the problems facing Britons overseas, especially in the EU.' In the interview with a Mallorca local newspaper she said: 'Should Labour win the next election, it is prepared to revisit some of the Brexit agreements, such as the Windsor Agreement and make it easier for Britons to come and go in Europe. 'Restoring that freedom of movement is paramount and a meeting to discuss the Trade and Cooperation agreement has already been agreed on for 2026.' She also said: 'The Labour Party has made it clear that it wants to see a greater level of freedom of movement within the EU for Britons, in particular for professionals and trade.' This could include scrapping the 90-day rule [the cumulative duration of any stay in the EU within a 180-day period] and boosting EU-living Britons' pensions. Ms Urquhart added: 'It would have to be part of a bigger deal.' A Labour source last night insisted this was not official party policy. But Sir Iain said: 'The EU has made its absolutely clear it is not prepared to allow freedom of movement solely for British citizens, and that this would have to be a new negotiation. 'What Labour are running is a subterranean pro-EU campaign which will surface the day after election day. 'Most Labour MPs will vote for it and it will be re-entry through the back door.' He added Ms Urquhart's interview has 'blown the gaff on their real plans'. 'Former Brexit Secretary David Davis said: 'You won't get free movement solely for Brits. This is a lie, a nonsense. The trade-off will be going back to full free movement. 'If this is Labour policy they should say so loud and clear, not to sneak it in a Mallorca newspaper.' It comes after former prime minister Boris Johnson warned Sir Keir would drag the UK back into the EU in all but name if he becomes PM. Writing in yesterday's Daily Mail Mr Johnson said there was a 'gigantic Labour conspiracy of silence' over its Brexit plans. In the interview, aimed at Britons living in the EU, Ms Urquhart said Labour is the only party willing to 'resolve' Brexit, while admitting it is 'too late' to reverse it. Former prime minister Boris Johnson has warned Sir Keir would drag the UK back into the EU in all but name if he becomes PM A person wearing an EU flag as a cape gestures during the annual Rainbow Parade on June 8 It comes after former prime minister Boris Johnson warned Sir Keir would drag the UK back into the EU in all but name if he becomes PM. Pictured: A beach in Palma de Mallorca 'Closer working relations have to be struck and the only party which has made it clear it is prepared to go down that route is Labour.' On giving EU Britons their own representation in Westminster she said: 'MPs for Britons overseas could eventually become a reality under a Labour government. 'While the UK does not have MPs representing Britons abroad like France or Italy, as a result of Brexit Britons no longer have an MEP to refer to when they have problems. Yes, there is the Foreign Office but it is more concerned about trade than it is with the problems individual Britons face.' Labour International is a Constituency Labour Party and therefore represented on the National Policy Forum. It has been liaising with Ellie Reeves, Labour's deputy national campaign coordinator, about its campaign to rally expats to vote Labour, which has also been discussed in recent National Executive Committee meetings. Overseas voters are a significant constituency in this election for the first time. Rules that came in this year mean 3.5million adults are now eligible to vote. Several of Labour International's senior members, including Ms Urquhart, are founders of the Labour Campaign for Free Movement. Ms Urquhart also told the Mallorca newspaper in March that Brexit was not 'thought through properly'. A Labour spokesman said: 'None of this is our policy. We've left the EU and Labour is clear we're not going back. That means no return to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement.' A Labour International spokesman said: 'Keir Starmer has made it clear that we should make a serious attempt to get an improved post-Brexit deal for the UK. 'Our chair is clear that she is referring to freedom of movement within the EU for British citizens. This is a different issue to movement between the EU and the UK.' A woman who had planned to murder her five-month-old baby boy left a chilling note in her truck moments before she took the infant's life. 'I'm sorry for what I'm about to do,' Maria Rodriguez-Barnes wrote, in a message left on the truck's console while also calling her husband and saying something similar. The 30-year-old then proceeded to kill her son Jaxxon by shooting him once in the chest, before she also shot herself. The March 2020 killing came after he had asked for a divorce and shot herself in an attempt to take her own life, Florida prosecutors said. Earlier this week, Rodriguez-Barnes was found guilty of premeditated murder and will spend the rest of her life in prison for the killing. Rodriguez-Barnes, 30, killed her five-month-old infant son at the same spot where her husband, Richard Barnes, had proposed to her years earlier 'I'm sorry for what I'm about to do,' Maria Rodriguez-Barnes wrote, in a message left on her truck's console while also calling her husband and saying something similar Rodriguez-Barnes had killed the youngster at the same spot where her husband, Richard Barnes, had proposed to her years earlier. The court heard how Rodriguez-Barnes had placed her son in her Nissan truck and drove to The Boardwalk, a beachside area with restaurants and shops in Fort Walton Beach on the Florida panhandle. While in the parking lot, she shot Jaxxon before turning the 9 mm handgun on herself. Police later found shell casings inside the vehicle. Witnesses in the area recalled how they had seen Barnes rolling on the ground from side to side in her own blood before 911 was called. When a deputy asked her what had happened, she only said that she had difficulty breathing and said nothing about her son. It wasn't until a deputy searching for the weapon found her son's body the floor of the truck, slumped over a pillow. It was also later revealed that she had sent her plans to family members via text and email. A jury convicted the now 35-year-old Rodriguez-Barnes of murder earlier this week. She was sentenced to life in prison and will spend the rest of her life behind bars Addressing the court room, Assistant State Attorney Michelle Sandler said: ' She took the only thing from their relationship that was precious, that was the physical representation of their relationship. 'And because it was actually over he said, 'I'm done' she decided to kill her son.' 'There is not statement that show's premeditation more and shows planning more than that,' prosecutor Sandler said. All 12 jurors unanimously agreed to the guilty verdict, with Circuit Judge John T. Brown imprisoning her for life. Billionaire bride Katherine Asplundh has returned to Instagram for the first time since she was shamed for attempting to 'buying' a woman with the same name into handing over her handle. On Saturday, Asplundh, whose maiden name is Driscoll, attended her brother-in-law Carl's wedding, where he married his longtime partner of five years, Savanna Smith. 'Special day celebrating Carl and Savanna,' her Instagram story caption read, with a picture of the happy couple kissing during their marriage ceremony. She followed up with another Instagram story of her and her husband, Cabot Asplundh, 27 of the Pennsylvania billionaire tree trimming family, whom she married in May of this year, as well as a solo shot of her in a pastel striped summer dress. She shut down all her social media in May after messages of her aggressively messaging a stranger with the same name and demanding she give her the handle @katherineasplundh went viral. Asplundh posed up (above) in a series of snaps that appeared on her Instagram on Saturday as she attended a friend's wedding The want-to-be influencer has gone viral after she aggressively messaged a stranger who shares her married name and demanded she hand over her Instagram handle - @katherineasplundh After the happy couple exchanged vows, the new Asplundh reached out another to woman of the same name in hopes of purchasing a new Instagram account name The exchange prompted netizens to take the other Katherine's side, creating dozens of fake accounts with various spellings of the billionaire's wife's name, claiming every possible username option that includes either her maiden or married name. After her threatening DM conversation was leaked, Katherine deactivated her Instagram amid the backlash. Now, the want-to-be influencer is back on Instagram after shutting down her account when she was put on blast for attempting to bully another user into giving up her username. Unfortunately for the newlyweds, Asplundh's quest to acquire the Instagram handle has seemingly failed as her maiden name, @katherinedrisc, remains as her username. Despite the negative attention, Katherine has continued to post on her TikTok account @lostetiquette. Internet users dug up an old TikTok posted by Katherine, mocking new wives who can't wait to update their name on social media. 'Something that low key bothers me is when girls get married and it's not even like 10 minutes after they do their vows and they're like 'Oh! going on my Instagram! Let me change my last name already,' Katherine said in a now-deleted TikTok. She then says she's 'probably going to wait a couple of months' to change her name.' 'I just think it's a little bit a lot when I see girls change it before I even knew they were f***ing married, like chill,' Katherine ironically explained.' Unfortunately for the newlyweds, Asplundh's quest to acquire the Instagram handle has seemingly failed as her maiden name, @katherineasplundh, remains as her username The exchange has prompted netizens to take the other Katherine's side, creating dozens of fake accounts with various spellings of the billionaire's wife's name, ultimately taking away every possible username option that includes either her maiden or married name Despite her rant about new wives, Katherine contacted Kate, owner of her desired IG handle asking if she could buy it, which is actually a violation of the platform's terms of service. Kate refused and explained how she feared selling the username would get her 'banned from Instagram'. This prompted Katherine to launch a tirade against her. Kate claims she was initially open to changing her username but decided against doing so after Katherine 'came off snarky,' later shared the exchange online. In the now-viral exchange, Katherine starts by asking if she can buy the Instagram handle. 'Hi I was wondering if I could purchase your username from you,' she wrote. 'Just got married and this in my new name!' Kate replied: 'That's my name too. I just googled and it said selling my username would get me banned from Instagram.' In reaching out to the woman known only as Kate, who has since shared the messages on social media, the newlywed has unintentionally gone viral In reaching out to the woman known only as Kate, who has since shared the messages on social media, the newlywed has unintentionally gone viral Asplundh then continues to question the legitimacy of her name, who confirms she is not American Katherine Asplundh, formerly Driscoll, married Cabot Asplundh, 27, at a reception in Palm Beach, Florida weeks ago But Katherine pushed back, saying: 'I purchased my username in the past actually that's not true. Celebrities do it all the time that's how they all have their handles as their full names. 'So weird, I didn't know there was another Asplundh's family out there. There [are] no Katherine Asplundh in our family.' She then adds: 'I see that you're not that active on here but started Instagram in 2018 but changed your username three times? Is there anyway I can get you to change your username one more time?' Kate responds, explaining that the @katherineasplundh account is her so-called 'finsta', a term that refers to a 'fake' or secondary account that users create to share content just with close friends and family. The conversation turns sour, with Katherine seemingly questioning Kate's identity. 'I actually don't believe that your name is Katherine Asplundh who would make their finsta their actual name?' Katherine wrote. 'I reported you to Instagram and they're actually able to tell me your real name I really hope I don't know you because that's gonna be really embarrassing for you.' Kate asked the influencer to report her, but Katherine confirmed that she and her new husband have already done so. Katherine then continued to question the legitimacy of Kate's name, alleging that her husband's family are the only Asplundhs in the US. Kate confirmed she is not American, to which Katherine replies: 'Do you have proof that this is your name? Would love to see that.' Kate then told Katherine that if she had been nice about it, she would have considered giving her the account name for free. She hit back at the influencer, saying: 'But you weren't. I reported you for asking me to sell my account and another for harassing me. Have a good day.' Speaking to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Kate told the outlet: 'I was open to giving her my username. 'I just didn't want to sell it because that would get me banned. After I replied to her, her messages came off snarky so I told myself, 'OK, this isn't worth it'.' Kate eventually tells Asplundh that if she had been nice about it, she would have considered giving her the account name for free Katherine is seen with her wedding party at her recent nuptials in Florida According to her social media pages, Katherine is originally from New Vernon, New Jersey, having studied at College of Charleston. Her TikTok page, named Lost Etiquette, boasts over 88,000 followers with over 6.2 million likes on her profile. The family that she married into founded Asplundh Tree Expert, which in 2021 reported revenue of over $5.4 billion dollars. The tree trimming company was founded by three brothers from Sweden - Lester, Griffith and Cabot's great grandfather Carl Asplundh. Cabot's father Chris Asplundh is currently the company's CEO. Katherine and Cabot met in Prague while Katherine was studying aboard and connected over growing up at the Jersey Shore, according to their wedding website. Two years later, Cabot proposed to her in Mantoloking, New Jersey. Their extravagant wedding registry included a $600 blender and cash donations for their St Bart's honeymoon, as well as for furnishing their home. Former Senate candidate and celebrity surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz is part of the family by marriage, with his wife Lisa's grandfather cofounding the family business in 1928 with his two brothers. Cabot proposed to her in Mantoloking, New Jersey two years after they met The family that she married into founded Asplundh Tree Expert, which in 2021 reported revenue of over $5.4 billion dollars Celebrity fitness expert Tracy Anderson is also married into the family after she wed Chris Asplundh in 2015. The company, which maintains trees for electric utilities, municipalities and others, is run by the third generation of Asplundhs and owned by nearly 200 family members, who are collectively worth at least $3 billion, according to Forbes. Kate, who only told The Inquirer that her name was Katherine J. Asplundh, shared the exchange onto Reddit, telling the outlet: 'The whole thing just seemed silly and ridiculous to me. I thought they'd have a laugh and that would be it.' One user commented: 'Legitimately insane behavior 'I don't believe that's your name' HUH?!?!.' Another posted: 'The pivot from hey girly to let me see your birth certificate gave me whiplash.' While another said: 'Omg this is crazy- she married into a billionaire family and is acting like they're the only ones allowed to have that last name wtf.' Since then, Katherine's social media pages have been filled with comments and she reportedly had to privatize her page, before making it public again. Former Senate candidate and celebrity Dr Mehmet Oz is part of the family by marriage, with his wife Lisa's grandfather co-founding the family business in 1928 According to Instagram, users are forbidden from buying, selling, or transferring 'any aspect of your account'. Despite this, an investigation by Vox shone the light on an entire economy of people selling and buying names on dedicated online marketplaces. Social media handles are supposed to be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis but in some cases celebs have used their influence to pass these rules. In 2019, Kevin Keiley of West Sussex claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took his @sussexroyal handle. Instagram said that the account name being reassigned was due to Keiley's being inactive. Making students sit traditional exams is racist and exposes 'colonial biases', a senior academic at a top university has claimed. In an extraordinary article, scientist Dr Pranjol deputy head of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex also said students should not be forced to use 'proper English' in exams. This, he says, is because it is an attempt to mould diverse students to conform to a 'Eurocentric standard'. Critics last night warned the article was the latest sign of 'dumbing down' of university degrees. UK students are increasingly gaining top degrees without sitting any traditional exams. Instead, forms of coursework are becoming the norm, despite concerns they make cheating more likely particularly with the advent of artificial intelligence software. Dr Pranjol deputy head of the School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex also said students should not be forced to use 'proper English' in exams Attempts by some universities to return to in-person exams after the pandemic have been opposed by students. At Glasgow University, undergraduates said the move is making students anxious. At Oxford, students complained of feeling 'underprepared' for traditional law exams returning. In his article, published in the Trends In Higher Education journal, Dr Pranjol argues that traditional closed-book, time-limited assessments give an unfair advantage to students who can 'recall information quickly under pressure and those who can concentrate immediately, maintain focus, perform the task quickly, and perform well under stress'. Despite these being skills that are prized by most employers, the paper says that universities should 'decolonise assessment' and use methods that 'undo colonial practice and influences'. Last night, other academics attacked Dr Pranjol's stance. Dr Stuart Waiton, senior lecturer in sociology and criminology at Abertay University, said: 'This approach is itself racist, and assumes a skin colour or different culture means you can't do exams. Critics last night warned the article was the latest sign of 'dumbing down' of university degrees 'Unless we get back to actual, real exams, British educational standards will plummet.' Frank Furedi, emeritus professor of sociology at Kent University, added: 'The project of subsuming examinations to an anti-racist agenda serves as an apology for lowering standards and expectations. Instead of academic education, it offers students second-rate banalities.' Last night, Dr Pranjol said: 'Exams are an effective way to assess students under pressure and this paper does not suggest that changes. 'However, in order to have a fairer learning experience, we believe there needs to be additional ways to assess students, in order to take into account factors such as neurodiversity.' He added: 'This will ensure that young people get the most out of their education and are better employees as a result.' Labour's mission to hit net zero carbon emissions in Britain's energy supply by 2030 is 'unrealistic' and risks plunging the country into darkness, the Energy Secretary has claimed. Claire Coutinho says Sir Keir Starmer's pledge to fast-track wind and solar power projects in order to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels within six years did not account for Britain's readiness to make the switch. She said the plan to aim for net zero energy emissions - putting out no more carbon than is being captured - five years ahead of the Tories was too fast, without the capacity to cope with days where 'the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine'. Technologies are in development to capture the surplus energy generated through renewables such as wind turbines and solar panels - but Ms Coutinho says such tech isn't ready and without it, Labour risks unleashing 'wide public unrest'. Labour has pledged 'clean power by 2030', quadrupling offshore wind capacity by then and boosting onshore wind and solar power projects, as well as getting nuclear power projects over the line. Energy secretary Claire Coutinho claims Labour's goal of net-zero energy production in Britain by 2030 is unrealistic Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (pictured on Friday) has admitted the goal of net zero energy by 2030 - five years earlier than the Tories - is 'difficult' Britain's energy needs are still largely meet using fossil fuels, with solar power contributing to 4.9 per cent of our electricity generation (pictured: a solar farm in south-east England) Sir Keir has admitted that the goal is 'difficult' but claims it is 'doable'. It has also vowed to halt the issuing of new licenses for North Sea exploration and drilling to reduce the country's reliance on oil. But its pledge comes after the Scottish Government dropped its target to cut Scotland's carbon emissions by 75 per cent by 2030 after UK climate watchdog thje Climate Change Committee (CCC) warned it could not be done. How much of Britain's electricity is generated by renewables? In 2023, zero-carbon power sources accounted for 51 per cent of all electricity used in Britain. The National Grid has broken down some of the sources of power for last year as below: Coal: one per cent Gas: 32 per cent Biomass: 5 per cent Wind: 29.4 per cent Nuclear: 14.2 per cent Solar: 4.9 per cent Hydro: 1.8 per cent Advertisement The SNP's dropped target ultimately cost first minister Humza Yousaf his job after the party's coalition with the Scottish Greens crumbled. Ms Coutinho said Sir Keir's 'ideological', single-minded approach to the 2030 target would have a similarly dismal outcome. She told The Telegraph: 'They (Labour) are pretending that they can decarbonise the grid by 2030 a target which no other major economy has. 'And if they were to achieve it, it would either be through enormous costs, or it would risk blackouts in this country.' She added: 'Going forward, we will have things like batteries and other technologies, but theyre not ready yet. 'So my concern is that we dont have the right things in place to make sure that we can keep the lights on in Britain.' Labour's intention aligns with goals set by the CCC, which is pushing for more radical net zero targets than those set by ministers. But Ms Coutinho said the plan was 'ideological' rather than practical. She also claimed renewables would not guarantee a consistent energy supply, making the UK potentially reliant on expensive imports of energy from other countries where they have a surplus of renewable electricity. The UK has also been able to export energy in recent years amid falling power use. But much of the UK's electricity, around 40 per cent, is still generated using fossil fuels as of 2022. The Tories say they will aim for net zero energy generation by 2035 rather than 2030. The Telegraph reports that the CCC - the official climate watchdog - will be forced to take account of energy security and the cost to households when advising ministers on carbon emissions. Rishi Sunak is facing a difficult election with the Tories trailing in the polls to Labour - and facing challenges from Nigel Farage's Reform UK Other countries outside the UK have revisited their net zero plans in recent years. New Zealand, which had a moratorium on drilling for oil and gas, has since revoked its ban amid fears of blackouts. The exploration policy was reintroduced by the centre-right National government elected last year. Ms Coutinho's comments comes as the Tories continue to slump in the polls as Rishi Sunak seeks to bat off ongoing ire at his decision to leave a D-Day commemoration ceremony early to film a TV interview. Mr Sunak has apologised - but has nevertheless continued to invoke the wrath of D-Day veterans and some within his own party, including Penny Mordaunt, who called his decision to leave early 'very wrong'. As well as its fight with Labour, the Conservative Party is also batting off the threat of Reform UK - headed up by newly returned leader Nigel Farage, who will be standing in the Essex seat of Clacton. Labour was contacted for comment. Michael Gove was last night accused of paving the way for a historic Tory election defeat by 'betraying' Boris Johnson, as well as 'plotting and scheming'. He also faced claims that he had committed 'catastrophic errors of judgment' and had had a 'dreadful socialist vision' about how the country should be run. Uncomfortably for the Levelling Up Secretary, these withering verdicts came not from his enemies in the other parties but from a former senior Tory in his own constituency. Moreover, his accuser David Jay, until recently treasurer of Surrey Heath Conservative Association emailed his damning summary to Mr Gove directly. Despite being considered one of the Tories' top performers in government over the past 14 years, Mr Gove who has now stood down as Surrey Heath MP has divided opinion among party members over his fraught relationship with Mr Johnson. Pictured: David Jay, former treasurer of Surrey Heath Conservative Association In dramatic circumstances, he effectively torpedoed Mr Johnson's first bid for the Tory leadership in 2016 by withdrawing his support at the last minute. In 2022, he was sacked from the Cabinet by Mr Johnson after allegedly telling the then Prime Minister that he had to resign. In his letter, Mr Jay tore into Mr Gove's treatment of the former PM: 'Plotting, scheming and disloyalty twice you betrayed Boris Johnson, a PM who, despite your best efforts, led us to the best General Election result for our Party since the time of Thatcher. 'The first of your betrayals, in 2016, directly led us into a disastrous Theresa May premiership setting back the Brexit the people voted for and risked derailing it altogether. 'The second betrayal, in 2022, delivered us the chaos and 20 per cent-plus polling deficits we are suffering from today and is now likely to lead us to a historic defeat at the forthcoming General Election.' Mr Jay claimed that also in 2022, 'the ink had barely dried on Liz [Truss]'s nomination paper before you were briefing and lobbying against her in order to install your preferred candidate as PM'. Michael Gove was last night accused of paving the way for a historic Tory election defeat by 'betraying' Boris Johnson, as well as 'plotting and scheming' That was seen last night as a thinly veiled reference to Mr Gove's well-known championing of Kemi Badenoch. Mr Jay further listed what he called 'catastrophic errors of judgment', criticising Mr Gove for being a 'lockdown zealot' during the Covid pandemic, and adding: 'We are still dealing with the impact of these measures on people's lives, health and education.' He went on: 'You have prioritised power over Conservatism at every stage of your parliamentary career. You once famously said 'We've had enough of experts'. And yet you've constantly sought to impose yourself on all aspects of people's lives, and along with it a dreadful socialist vision as to how a country and party should be run.' Last night, allies of the Cabinet Minister denied he had plotted against Mr Johnson or acted to bring him down while he was PM. A spokesman for Mr Gove said only: 'David has been a great local activist and treasurer. Michael wishes him all the very best in the future.' A man has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a four-year-old child. The child died at Smithton, in north-west Tasmania, at 10.15pm on May 31. A 35-year-old man, who was 'well-known' to the child, was arrested and charged overnight. 'He has been held in custody to appear in an out-of-hours court session at the Burnie Magistrates Court on Sunday morning,' a Tasmania Police spokesman said. A 30-year-old woman, who was also 'well-known to the child, was charged with ill-treating a child. A man has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a four-year-old child (stock image) She was granted bail and will appear at court at a later date. Held in honour of the reigning sovereign's birthday, the annual Trooping the Colour event has seen many colourful moments, particularly the fashion choices of Kate and Camilla. Over the years, these two royal icons have repeatedly chosen to wear outfits in strikingly similar colours and styles. The fashion twinning hasn't stopped at their clothes, with accessories including hats and jewellery also showing a remarkable alignment. It was only last year, when the pair stepped into their respective roles of Queen Consort and the Princess of Wales after the death of Queen Elizabeth, that their outfits were contrasting. But read on to see how, since Kate's debut Trooping the Colour in 2011, she and Camilla have regularly been on the same fashion page. 2011 For Kate's debut Trooping the Colour in 2011, she coordinated her outfit with Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall For her debut Trooping the Colour in 2011, the newlywed Duchess of Cambridge dressed in a cream double-breasted coat by Alexander McQueen. She paired the outfit with a contrasting black Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co hat. Camilla opted for a similarly structured cream outfit, complemented by the Philip Treacy wide-brimmed hat which she wore to her civil wedding ceremony in 2005. Their coordinated appearance was subtle yet significant, marking the start of their fashion alignment. 2012 Another Trooping the Colour and another chance to coordinate. This time the royal pair opted for a light blue colour palette. Kate matched her Jane Corbett millinery with a floral embroidered bespoke Erdem dress. Camilla chose a slightly darker blue ensemble by Anna Valentine, which was printed in a similar silver floral pattern. Another Trooping the Colour and another chance to coordinate. This time, in 2012, the royal pair opted for a light blue colour palette 2016 In 2016, Camilla and Kate were back to their most matchy matchy, with each selecting a cream coat to wear on the occasion. Kate wore a recycled coat dress by Alexander McQueen that she previously wore at Princess Charlotte's christening. Camilla's coat was layered over a cream dress. Both royals wore similar hats with delicate floral accents which completed their individual yet harmonious styles. In 2016, Camilla and Kate were back to their most matchy matchy, with each selecting a cream coat to wear on the occasion. Kate wore a recycled coat dress by Alexander McQueen that she previously wore at Princess Charlotte's christening Camilla's coat was layered over a cream dress. Both royals wore similar hats with delicate floral accents which completed their individual yet harmonious styles 2018 It was muted ice blue tones in 2018, with the Duchess of Cambridge dressed in a light blue, square-necked dress by Alexander McQueen, one of her go-to designers. She paired the dress with a hat by Juliette Botterill. Camilla matched in a powder blue Fiona Clare coat and dress accessorised with classic yet statement pearl jewellery (in contrast to Kate's diamonds). It was muted ice blue tones in 2018, with the Duchess of Cambridge dressed in a light blue, square-necked dress by Alexander McQueen, one of her go-to designers. She paired the dress with a hat by Juliette Botterill Camilla matched in a powder blue Fiona Clare coat and dress accessorised with classic yet statement pearl jewellery (in contrast to Kate's diamonds) 2019 The complementing tradition continued in 2019 with Kate in a pale yellow Alexander McQueen dress and the Duchess of Cornwall in a pastel green ensemble with matching detail. Sticking with a muted colour palette, both royals wore oversized headpieces topped with large floral adornments. Both of their hats were by Philip Treacy. The complementing tradition continued in 2019 with Kate in a pale yellow Alexander McQueen dress and the Duchess of Cornwall in a pastel green ensemble with matching detail 2022 In 2022, the two future queens rode side-by-side in blue and white stripes and hats from the same designer. Kate opted for a white blazer-style dress with sharp lapels and a flared skirt by Alexander McQueen which was previously worn in 2017, with a white-and-blue Philip Treacy hat. Camilla also recycled a previously worn outfit, choosing a blue striped dress by Bruce Oldfield with a hat also by Philip Treacy. In 2022, Kate opted for a white blazer-style dress with sharp lapels and a flared skirt by Alexander McQueen which was previously worn in 2017, with a white-and-blue Philip Treacy hat. Camilla also recycled a previously worn outfit, choosing a blue striped dress by Bruce Oldfield with a hat also by Philip Treacy 2023 Last year marked a historic moment for Kate and Camilla as they assumed their new roles as Princess of Wales and Queen Consort, respectively. Their Trooping the Colour outfits were a poignant nod to the past while embracing their future responsibilities. Camilla paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II by wearing a military-inspired ensemble reminiscent of the late Queen's iconic look in 1964. Last year, Camilla paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II by wearing a military-inspired ensemble reminiscent of the late Queen's iconic look in 1964. Her outfit featured a Fiona Clare coat dress with epaulettes to reflect her military rank and a Philip Treacy hat that was a sophisticated take on the iconic bearskin hats worn by the Grenadier Guards Kate, in a touching homage to Diana, wore a striking green Andrew Gn dress, echoing the late Princess's memorable outfit from 1988. Worn with a matching wide-brimmed hat by Philip Treacy, she completed the look with sapphire and diamond earrings that previously belonged to Diana Her outfit featured a Fiona Clare coat dress with epaulettes to reflect her military rank and a Philip Treacy hat that was a sophisticated take on the iconic bearskin hats worn by the Grenadier Guards. Kate, in a touching homage to Diana, wore a striking green Andrew Gn dress, echoing the late Princess's memorable outfit from 1988. Worn with a matching wide-brimmed hat by Philip Treacy, she completed the look with sapphire and diamond earrings that previously belonged to Diana, as well as the Irish Guards' special gold shamrock brooch. From Peugeot to Marlboro, brands across the world are struggling with an unusual challenge: getting people to say their names correctly. Whether it's high fashion handbags or high-powered cars, international customers often find it difficult to pronounce many of the world's most popular brands. Analysts at Business Financing looked at data from Forvo, an online pronunciation dictionary, to see which brands had the most listens. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is French brands which claim the top spot as the world's least pronounceable companies. The French Societe Generale is the most mispronounced brand in the world, having been listened to 2.1 million times. Analysts at Business Financing looked at data from Forvo, an online pronunciation dictionary, to see which brands had the most listens From Peugeot (pictured) to Marlboro, brands across the world are struggling with an unusual challenge: getting people to say their names correctly The 10 most mispronounced brands around the world Societe Generale Peugeot Porsche Tommy Hilfiger IKEA BMW Citroen Marlboro Mercedes-Benz Louis Vuitton Advertisement France has the dubious honour of being home to four of the world's top 10 least pronounceable brands. Peugeot came in second place with 1.7 million listens on Forvo, more than twice as many as Porsche in third place. Citroen meanwhile came in at seventh with 443,000 listens, while Louis Vuitton was the tenth least pronounceable brand name, with 412,000 listens. In the UK, the least pronounceable brand (at least among English speakers) was Burberry. The clothing brand was listened to 141,000 times by those looking to get the perfect British pronunciation. Elsewhere in Europe, Sweden's Ikea also ranked very highlighly as one of the least pronounceable brands with 561,000 listens. In fact there is quite a good chance you have been pronouncing this one wrong as well. While most Britons would pronounce the furniture store with some variation of 'Eye-key-ah', the real Swedish pronunciation sounds more like 'Ee-kay-uh'. In the world of food and drink, alchohol brands prove the hardest to say even before you've sampled some of their products Sweden's Ikea also ranked very highlighly as one of the least pronounceable brands with 561,000 listens Germany's least pronounceable brand might be something of a surprise since BMW claims the top spot. Despite only having three letters, the car brand's name was listened to 467,000 times. Outside of Europe, the US's most mispronounced brand was Tommy Hilfiger which received nearly 600,000 listens. The name is so often confused that Tommy Hilfiger himself reportedly considered naming the brand Tommy Hill to make it easier for customers. Over in Asia, the continent's least pronounceable brand was Hitachi which was listened to 303,000 times. France has the dubious honour of being home to four of the world's top 10 least pronounceable brands Over in Asia, the continent's least pronounceable brand was Hitachi which was listened to 303,000 times To get this one right, it's worth remembering that Hitachi is actually made of two distinct Japanese Kanji characters: 'hi' meaning sun and 'tachi' meaning rise. The name should sound more like 'Hit Archie' with an extra emphasis on the first syllable. Elsewhere in Asia, the South Korean brand Samsung also generated its fair share of confusion with people checking the pronunciation 302,000 times. In the world of food and drink, alchohol brands prove the hardest to say even before you've sampled some of their products. Germany's Jagermeister was the most difficult with 256,000 listens. Budweiser was the hardest American brand to pronounce, with 128,000 listens while in the UK, Chivas Regal proved the most difficult with 56,000 listens. And in fashion, while Tommy Hilfiger claims the top spot, French brands once again prove particularly difficult. Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Givenchy, Balenciaga, and Chloe all made it into the top 10 least pronounceable fashion brands. As you approach the small town of Green Bank in West Virginia, signs warn that you are entering the Quiet Zone - an area where cellphones and Wi-Fi are banned. Its one of the few places on Earth where people are not connected 24 hours a day, and has become a Mecca for people tired of the modern world and electrosensitive folks who believe they suffer symptoms caused by Wi-Fi and cellphones. The reason for the 'silence', electronically speaking, is the enormous satellite dishes at Green Bank, West Virginia, which include the largest steerable radio telescope in the world, the Robert C Byrd Green Bank Telescope. `Anything which might interfere with the radio telescope is banned. A new documentary, Small Town Universe, which premiered in New York this week, and a recent book The Quiet Zone explore the town and its mysteries - including local rumors about secrets buried under the mountain . Its one of the few places on Earth where people are not connected 24 hours a day, and has become a Mecca for people tired of the modern world and electrosensitive folks who believe they suffer symptoms caused by Wi-Fi and cellphones The town's radio telescopes mean that Wi-Fi is banned The film's director, Katie Dellamaggiore, said she was inspired to make it after the birth of her second child, feeling that she was relying too much on her cellphone to stay in touch with friends. She asked her husband if a town without cellphones existed. She said: 'I did what we all do and Googled it, "Is there a town without cell phones?, and that's how I discovered Green Bank, West Virginia. 'The town's unique, unplugged lifestyle immediately caught my attention. 'It was even more intriguing that scientists use the Green Bank Telescope to explore some of science's biggest mysteries, like how the universe began and whether there's intelligent life beyond Earth. The reason for the 'silence', electronically speaking, is the enormous satellite dishes at Green Bank, West Virginia Locals have adapted to the lack of Wi-Fi and cellphones Wi-Fi and cellphones are banned in the small town 'The residents of this tiny Appalachian town aren't connected in most modern ways, but over time, I observed a more profound connection they shared, bonded by the pursuit of scientific knowledge.' She said that while making the film she learned to rely less on her cellphone - and now relishes boredom as 'me time'. The telescopes sit in a four-mile valley surrounded by 4,800-foot mountains which create a natural barrier and shut out the noise of the world. Operating any electrical equipment which causes interference to the telescopes is illegal, punishable by a state fine usually of around $50 per violation. The area near the telescope (including the 250-inhabitant town of Green Bank) is the most strictly regulated area of the Quiet Zone. Stores coat their exterior in conductive lead paint in order to be allowed to use wireless inventory scanners. The telescopes, at the Green Bank Observatory, founded in 1956, pioneered the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Dr Frank Drake, the founder of SETI, first began looking for aliens with the Green Bank telescope In 1959, the Observatorys Ozma project began to search for radio emissions created by intelligent beings on other planets. There are other radio quiet zones around the world, but Green Bank is a living community of 250 people - locals refer to themselves as mountain people while outsiders are flatlanders or come-heres. Going to Walmart is a 100-mile round trip over some of the areas tallest peaks. Within the wider Quiet Zone (a 13,000 square mile area surrounding Green Bank), some electronics are tolerated, but within Green Bank itself Wi-Fi and cellphones are forbidden, and air-conditioning units and microwave ovens have to be shielded. One employees Tesla had to have its autonomous driving disabled, and a plan to install automatic toilet flushers was banned by local authorities. A local enforcer looks for households that are violating the rules The Sugar Grove site near Green Bank Initially enforced by local man Wesley Sizemore, the job of enforcing the quiet now falls on several employees - with Sizemore having previously homed in on problem items like malfunctioning electric blankets, often offering free repairs or a replacement. But there is a secret in the Quiet Zone - and rumors of other, even more deeply buried secrets. In a nearby mountain hollow, the U.S. military planned to build its own radio antenna - a dish 600 feet wide and 66 stories high, built to listen to Soviet radio signals that bounced off the moon. Work on the initial project was halted in 1962, but the Sugar Grove site reopened in 1969 as a worldwide hub for navy radio communications. Stephen Kurczy, author of The Quiet Zone, told DailyMail.com: 'The public-facing reason for the 13,000-square-mile National Radio Quiet Zone around Green Bank is that this town is home to the country's very first federal radio astronomy observatory. 'But there's also a less public reason for a Quiet Zone, which I was surprised to learn about. 'Not far from Green Bank, in the West Virginian town of Sugar Grove, there's a top-secret National Security Agency (NSA) listening post with its own collection of about a dozen radio antennas.' Kurczy believes the hub is used to actively monitor millions of private telephone calls and emails. 'The Quiet Zone protects both Green Bank and Sugar Grove. Just as Green Bank requires radio quiet for its telescopes to "hear" the sounds deep space, so does Sugar Grove need quiet to be able to eavesdrop on the outside worlds communications,' said Kurczy. Local rumors have suggested that there is a secret network of nuclear bunkers underneath the telescope. Kurczy with son Manny inside the Quiet Zone (Image: Stephen Kurczy) The Quiet Zone also hosts the once-secret Greenbrier bunker, built to house Congress in the event of a nuclear war. Locals speak about rumors about something buried in the mountain - ranging from missile silos to CIA sites to captured extraterrestrials. Kurczy said: 'In the 1970s, hippies and back-to-the-landers also "discovered" the area, and hundreds of them flowed in. 'Among them was the hippie clown doctor Patch Adams (he's a certified medical doctor who literally dresses like a clown all the time), who was portrayed by Robin Williams in the blockbuster movie "Patch Adams." 'Adams's organization is still there, alongside many of the hippies who made this area their home. Seedier groups were also attracted to the remote, isolated, mountainous, and largely unspoiled, environment where large tracts of land could still be found cheap. One was an anti-capitalist sex cult known as the Zendik Arts Farm. Another was an infamous white supremacist group called the National Alliance.' But over the decades, the area has become a refuge for people who believe they are affected by electromagnetic radiation, Kurczy said. Sue Howard lives in the area due to her debilitating symptoms In Dellamaggiore's film, she interviews 'electrosensitive' Sue Howard, a 56-year-old woman. Dellamaggiore said: 'After years of enduring undiagnosed pain, headaches, and heart palpitations, she began to notice a correlation between her symptoms and the wireless technology in her home. 'Sue suffers from Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS), a syndrome that, despite lacking enough scientific data to be recognized by the medical field, causes enough pain for Sue to spend most of her time isolated in a radio frequency-shielded room. 'She had all but given up hope when she read about Green Bank and the other electro-sensitive people moving there. 'Ironically, Green Bank's hi-tech telescope offers Sue the opportunity to escape modern technology and discover a new way to feel in community with her neighbors.' But Green Bank's peace and serenity might be under threat - as locals demand access to more technology, while outsider 'electrosensitives' strive to limit it. Kurczy said: 'The people who have EHS say they're harmed by WiFi, microwaves, lights, smartphones... most modern tech. But many locals would love to have a bit more modern tech. 'Should the Quiet Zone become less quiet for the sake of modern conveniences? Or should it stay super quiet for the sake of the electrosensitives and astronomers? 'That tension has at times bubbled over into hostilities. One electrosensitive once found a dead groundhog stuffed in her mailbox, a not-so-subtle cue that she was rubbing locals the wrong way.' Dellamaggiore said that in the eight years it took to make the film, it has become increasingly difficult to enforce the rules - particularly around Wi-fi in homes. She said: 'While I understand the desire for access to common-place technology, it's disheartening to think that one of the last intentional quiet zones may soon become a thing of the past. We should strive to preserve this unique place on Earth.' A man who left the UK to live in an East African island nation has revealed why he's glad to have made the move. Kris Lutchmayah, who was 'born and raised' in Birmingham, says expats in Mauritius benefit from 'cheaper property and cost of living' as well as more 'opportunities and adventures'. The tropical climate also wins over Britain's 'gloomy skies', as does the feeling of safety. Discussing his emigration, the businessman told MailOnline Travel: 'The cost of living in Mauritius is generally much lower than the UK, especially for housing, utilities and groceries, which has allowed me to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. 'Property is quite affordable here as well compared to Britain. Admittedly, some imported goods are pricier, but the overall savings more than make up for it.' Kris Lutchmayah, above, who was 'born and raised' in Birmingham, says expats benefit from 'cheaper property and cost of living' when living in Mauritius, East Africa Kris says there are more 'opportunities and adventures' on Mauritius. Above - the island's Le Morne Brabant mountain The weather, meanwhile, is 'glorious'. Kris - a property manager, digital marketer, actor and model - continued: 'Mauritius enjoys a glorious tropical climate with warm, sunny weather year-round. 'And let me tell you, after enduring the UK's unpredictable cold, rain and gloomy skies for years, this consistent warm sunshine is an absolute dream! 'It makes it so effortless to take full advantage of the incredible outdoor activities and natural beauty this island has to offer every single day.' The 40-year-old chose to permanently move to the islands a decade ago after falling in love with Mauritius during family visits as a child. He posts about his lifestyle on the island - and his experience as an expat - on Instagram with the username @just.krisx, where he has over 10,000 followers. When he got the chance to open his own business in the country he decided to 'take the leap'. Kris says it is 'effortless to take full advantage of the incredible outdoor activities and natural beauty' of Mauritius. Above, the island's Flic en Flac beach LEFT: Kris claims 'the biggest "dangers" are probably the temptation to overindulge in the delicious local food and drinks'. RIGHT: The 40-year-old chose to permanently move to Mauritius a decade ago after falling in love with it during family visits as a child Kris explained: 'As someone born and raised in Birmingham to a family with Mauritian roots, I always felt a deep connection to the island nation of Mauritius. 'The vibrant culture, warm people, and stunning natural landscapes captured my heart. 'The opportunity to reconnect with my cultural roots while pursuing entrepreneurial dreams made Mauritius the perfect new home for me.' While the island nation has its many benefits, Kris claims the move wasn't always easy. He explained: 'The transition certainly came with its challenges - adjusting to new customs, picking up the local languages, and finding my footing in Mauritian society.' Thankfully, he claims that the 'warmth and hospitality of the local Mauritian community' instantly made him 'feel welcome'. Kris said he loved the 'vibrant culture, warm people, and stunning natural landscapes' in Mauritius where he has now lived for 10 years Pictured left is Kris by the ocean on the Mauritian coastline. Having spent a decade in Mauritius, he said that he doesn't plan to return to the UK for now While the expat notes that some 'petty crimes' do happen in Mauritius, he noted that the island is generally 'an extremely safe and secure place to live without any major dangers'. Kris noted: 'Mauritius is an extremely safe place to live overall. 'Of course, as with anywhere, basic precautions are wise to avoid petty crimes like theft. But there are no major dangers or security concerns that would make me feel unsafe calling this island home. 'The biggest "dangers" are probably the temptation to overindulge in the delicious local food and drinks!' Having spent years in East Africa, Kris said that he doesn't plan to return to the UK for now. He said: 'While I do miss my loved ones back in Birmingham, the opportunities and adventures Mauritius has blessed me with make it worth the distance. 'I do remain open to whatever the future may hold and where life's journey may lead me next. 'A return to the UK isn't off the table, but for now, Mauritius is where I'm meant to be. 'This island has truly become my home.' Kris can be found on TikTok here - www.tiktok.com/@justkrisx. Dating a friend's former partner, or hooking up with the ex of your spouse's new love interest might read like the plot to a Hollywood film. But it's part and parcel of dating for celebrities who appear to have no qualms - or shame - when it comes to obliterating friendships in favor of swapping partners. From Tom Cruise's ex-wife Katie Holmes dating his pal Jamie Foxx, to Drake's ex-girlfriend Rihanna having children with his collaborator A$AP Rocky, when it comes to love, nothing is off limits for celebrities. Canadian superstar Shania Twain found herself at the center of a heartbreaking 'spouse swap' when her then-husband Robert 'Mutt' Lange had an affair with her former best friend, Marie-Anne, with the pair going on to say 'I do.' But in a twist more familiar in fiction, Shania fell in love with Frederic Thiebaud- Marie-Anne's ex husband. Shania Twain famously found love with Frederic (pictured 2019) - whose wife stole her husband - proving that celebs don't play by the rules when it comes to dating a friend's ex It was a similar affair for former GMA presenters TJ Holmes and Amy Robach, who made headlines when their scandalous affair was exposed in November 2022. A year after it was revealed that the anchors had started dating while both still legally married, it came to light that their respective exes Marilee Fiebig and Andrew Shue had struck up their own relationship. Here, DailyMail.com looks back at the celebrities who have watched their former partners go on to begin a romance with one of their friends. Shania Twain, 58: Her ex-husband, Robert 'Mutt' Lange, cheated with and went on to marry her former best friend, Marie-Anne Shania Twain, 58, wed music producer Robert 'Mutt' Lange, 75, back in 1993 - after he heard her original songs from her debut album. He offered to work with her and the pair cultivated a relationship on the phone for months before their fateful first meeting in June 1993 at Nashville's Fan Fair. They went on to welcome son Eja, in 2001. However, cracks started to appear in the marriage. They moved to Switzerland for a simpler life away from the limelight after her career sky-rocketed and she became a best selling cross-over artist. Shania and Marie-Anne met when the latter was employed as Robert's assistant and interpreter, and they soon became close friends. Shania wed music producer Robert 'Mutt' Lange back in 1993 - pictured together in 2003 Shania and Marie-Anne met when the latter was employed as Robert's assistant and interpreter, and they soon became close friends Shania found out about their affair the day after he asked her for a divorce. 'I was ready to die', she wrote in her memoir From This Moment On, admitting she barely ate or slept. Shania ended up marrying Marie-Anne's ex-husband Frederic (pictured together in 2018) She revealed she even wrote an email to Marie-Anne to beg for her husband back writing: 'I am dying, and I can't take it any more. This is killing me. Have mercy'. But although she pleaded - she never got an explanation or any details about the relationship from either party. What had made the pain worse is that she had confided in Marie-Anne about their marital troubles and her fears that she thought Robert was having an affair. But Marie-Anne dismissed Shania's concerns and told her she had nothing to worry about, making her feel 'foolish' for even suggesting it. Marie-Anne's husband Frederic Thiebaud was the one to finally tell Shania the truth. He informed her that he had found phone bills, hotel information and receipts and had remembered seeing a garter belt and lingerie in luggage for a trip she was taking to be 'alone.' But in what has turned out to be a 'twisted' piece of irony, Shania and Marie-Anne's ex-husband turned to each other during their time of need, finding friendship which turned into love. The couple eventually married in January 2011 in an intimate beach ceremony in Puerto Rico - six months after Shania's divorce was finalized. Tom Cruise, 61: His ex-wife, Katie Holmes, went on to date his former costar Jamie Foxx Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes had been one of Hollywood's biggest couples before they divorced in 2012 after five years of marriage (pictured in 2006) Just one year later, rumors of a romance between Katie and Tom's Collateral co-star Jamie Foxx started to swirl. The pair dated on-and-off until 2019 (pictured together in May 2019) Tom Cruise, 61, and Katie Holmes, 45, were one of Hollywood's biggest couples, tying the knot in a 2006 Scientologist ceremony in Italy, just months after welcoming their daughter Suri. On June 29, 2012, the pair announced they were going to divorce after five years of marriage - with sources at the time claiming Katie felt intimidated by the Church and its influence. Just one year later, rumors of a romance between Katie and actor Jamie Foxx started to circulate. It came as a surprise to some as Jamie, 56, and Tom had starred together in the 2004 thriller, Collateral, and were believed to have remained good friends afterwards. Another two years went by before sources claimed the pair had been seeing each other for that whole time - reportedly even using disguises to keep the romance private. It was then reported that they spent birthdays together, with Jamie meeting Katie's mother Kathleen while Katie hung out with his daughter Corinne. In January 2018, the pair finally made a public appearance together at Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Gala in NYC. Though they didn't walk the red carpet together, Jamie and Katie sat together inside. That August, wedding rumors ran wild when Katie was seen wearing a diamond ring on her engagement finger. A rep later explained that the jewelry was simply for a film. In May 2019, the pair attended the Met Gala together and seemed ready to show more of the relationship to the public. But by August 2019, pictures of Jamie with another woman confirmed their romance was over. The actress reportedly initiated the split and was said to have been heard telling a friend: 'What Jamie does is his business we havent been together for months.' Reba McEntire, 69: Her ex-husband, Narvel Blackstock, went on to marry her former close friend, Laura Stroud Country star Reba McEntire was devastated when her husband of 26 years, Narvel Blackstock, revealed he wanted a divorce in 2015 (pictured in April 2015) Narvel began dating real estate agent, Laura Stroud - who had been one of the couple's good friends - and the pair are now married (pictured in 2023) Country star Reba McEntire, 69, was devastated when her husband of 26 years, Narvel Blackstock, 67, revealed he wanted a divorce back in 2015. 'The divorce was not my idea,' she later admitted in an interview with iHeartRadio station CMT Radio Live. 'I didn't want it in any shape, form or fashion. So it was really hard to make the adjustment.' The knocks kept coming after it was then revealed that Narvel had started dating real estate agent, Laura Stroud - who had been one of their friends, frequently appearing on Reba's social media accounts when the trio spent time together. The women attended a Katy Perry concert together, and Reba shared a happy photo of them wearing colorful wigs to the show on Instagram. After the discovery of the pair's relationship made headlines in 2016, Narvel and Laura continued dating and tied the knot in April 2024. The wedding reportedly took place at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee. Reba and Narvel's son, Shelby, 34, was in attendance as well as Blake Shelton who did the honors of marrying Narvel and Laura while his wife Gwen Stefani watched on. After Reba's split from Narvel, she found love again with current boyfriend, Rex Linn, whom she has been dating since 2020. T.J. Holmes, 46, and Amy Robach, 51: Their former spouses Andrew and Marilee found love with each other after 'affair scandal' T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach made international headlines after their relationship was exposed by DailyMail.com in 2022, while they were both still married (pictured in 2024) In December 2023, it was revealed that Amy's ex-husband Andrew Shue was dating T.J's ex-wife Marilee Fiebig Former Good Morning America co-hosts Amy Robach, 51, and T.J. Holmes, 46, made international headlines after their relationship was exposed by DailyMail.com in 2022. The news that the then-GMA3 anchors had fallen for each other after years of friendship came as a shock to viewers, especially since the pair were still legally married to their partners Andrew Shue and Marilee Fiebig at the time that the news was revealed. The two couples had hung out as friends - T.J. seen with his arm on Andrew's shoulder One year later, it was revealed that their former spouses had struck up an unlikely romance after bonding over the 'traumatic experience' of their very public - and messy - breakups. Marilee's divorce with T.J. was reportedly settled in October, while Andrew and Amy finalized their split in March. Marilee, an attorney, and Andrew, best known for his role as Billy Campbell in 90s soap opera Melrose Place, have been enjoying a romance since summer 2023. According to those close to them, the couple have seamlessly become, 'bigger than the affair' and feel completely 'connected on their values.' Sources claim that Amy and T.J. were 'furious' when news of their exes' relationship broke on the day that The Amy and T.J. Podcast launched on iHeart last year. Months later, sources say that Marilee and T.J. are 'fully committed' to each other, while T.J. and Amy are allegedly still tiptoeing around where their relationship is headed. Blac Chyna, 36: Her former fiancee, Tyga, went on to date her friend Kim Kardashian's younger sister, Kylie Jenner Blac Chyna surprised the world when she went public with Kylie Jenner's half-brother, Rob Kardashian, in January 2016. The pair eventually called it quits in 2017 It came after Tyga and Kylie (pictured in 2016), who was 17 years old at the time, went official with their relationship in March 2015 - shortly after his split from Chyna Blac Chyna, 36, first found international fame during her relationship with rapper Tyga, 34, between 2011 and 2014. However the reality star, who is now using her birth name Angela White, became a hot topic of conversation when her romance with the hitmaker came to a surprise end. Around the time the former couple - who share son King Cairo, 11 - called it quits, speculation started swirling that the Rack City hitmaker left her for teenage reality star Kylie Jenner, 26. Tyga and Kylie - who was 17 years old at the time - soon became an official couple and went public with their romance less than a year later in March 2015. But far from having little to no interactions with the Kardashian-Jenner family, she surprised the world - by dating Kylie's brother Rob Kardashian. The former stripper made headlines after she went public with Rob, 37, in January 2016. Ultimately, the relationship came to an end later that year after the birth of their daughter, Dream, seven. Heather Locklear, 62: Her ex-husband, Richie Sambora, went on to date her former friend, Denise Richards Heather Locklear split from her rocker husband Richie Sambora after 11 years of marriage in 2006 Denise Richards and Richie were spotted holding hands at an airport shortly after the divorce and they went on to date for a year Heather Locklear, 62, and Denise Richards, 53, became friends after meeting through Denise's then-husband Charlie Sheen while he was filming hit sitcom, Spin City, with Heather. Ultimately, Denise and Charlie's relationship came to an end in 2005. Just one year later, Heather also split from her rocker husband Richie Sambora after 11 years of marriage. The pair share daughter Ava Sambora, 26. Things took a turn when Denise and Richie were spotted holding hands at an airport shortly after he had divorced Heather. Denise was still going through her divorce from Charlie, 58, and the pair became close while navigating their public splits at the same time. The actress has since added that she and Richie started bonding in the wake of Richie's father's cancer diagnosis while Denise's mom was also going through the same. She told People in 2007: 'My mother has cancer and Richies father has cancer. Its hard. Thank God Richie and I have each other not only to go through divorce, but to go through both our parents being ill.' Denise also addressed speculation that she caused the rift between Richie and Heather and insisted that she did not 'steal' him from her former friend. 'It's been tough having people think that Im such a crappy friend,' she added: 'I did not steal someones husband.' The actor continued: 'Did I date a former friends ex-husband? Yes. Did I break up a marriage? No.' Denise and Richie split up a year later and her friendship with Heather never fully recovered. Drake, 37: His ex-girlfriend, Rihanna, has welcomed children with his collaborator, A$AP Rocky Rap superstar Drake made no secret of his love for Rihanna when the pair started dating in 2016 Years later in February 2020, Rihanna moved on to another longtime friend, A$AP Rocky. The happy couple now share sons, RZA and Riot Rap superstar Drake, 37, made no secret of his love for Rihanna, 36, when the pair started dating in 2016. Though the duo had enjoyed a brief fling in May 2009, they remained friends before giving romance another go in early 2016. Drake went on to confirm his feelings at the MTV Video Music Awards in August that year as he said in a speech: 'Shes someone Ive been in love with since I was 22 years old. Shes one of my best friends in the world. 'All my adult life, Ive looked up to her even though shes younger than me. Shes a living breathing legend in our industry.' His words failed to have the desired effect and the pair split just two months later. Rihanna later moved on to another longtime friend, A$AP Rocky, 35, in February 2020. A$AP - real name Rakim Athelaston Mayers - first worked with Rihanna in 2011, while he collaborated with Drake on the hit track, F**kin' Problems, in 2021. Having displayed great chemistry through collaborations for over a decade prior to their relationship, fans were thrilled to see the duo go public with the romance in November that year. They have since welcomed sons RZA, in May 2022, and Riot, in August 2023. Nina Dobrev, 35: Her ex-boyfriend and former co-star, Ian Somerhalder, went on to marry her friend, Nikki Reed Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder first met on the set of The Vampire Diaries, before going on to date from 2010 to 2013 Some fans were shocked to see Nina's friend Nikki and Ian start a relationship in 2014 - just one year after the actor's split from his costar. The pair have since married and have two children Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder first met on the set of The Vampire Diaries in 2009, before going on to date from 2010 to 2013. In that time, Nina, 35, became friends with Twilight actress Nikki Reed leaving fans shocked when Nikki, 36, and Ian, 35, struck up a relationship in 2014. Their romance blossomed just a few months after Nikki had filed for divorce from American Idol alum Paul McDonald - raising further eyebrows. By 2015, the pair had tied the knot and in 2017 they welcomed their daughter. Their second child was born in 2023. In 2019, Nina revealed that she was still friends with the couple and didn't find it 'weird' to hang out with their family. She rubbished claims of a fallout with Nikki and explained her true feelings on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen when someone phoned in and asked: 'Nina, you used to date Ian [Somerhalder], and now that he's married, is it weird that you're friends with both him and his wife [Nikki Reed]?' She replied: 'I don't think that's weird at all. That's great. Why can't everyone be friends?' I think that they have a beautiful baby. They are happy - and so am I. What's bad about that? I don't see any problem with that.' Natalie Portman is coming out on the other side of her divorce with a new outlook on life according to sources close to the star - after being linked to British hunk Paul Mescal. The Black Swan actress, 42, finalized her divorce from Benjamin Millepied, 46, in March after 11 years of marriage and two children. 'Natalie is her confident self [again],' a source told Us Weekly, adding that Portman seems to have a 'lighter step' and 'more joy' in her eyes since her single status was reinstated. The Beautiful Girls star who shares son Aelph, 12, and daughter Amalia, seven with her ex is now prioritizing her own needs. 'It took her a while to get her smile back after the divorce, but she has turned a corner,' the source said. Natalie Portman is coming out on the other side of her divorce with a new outlook on life and a younger man on her arm On May 28, the May December actress was spotted with actor Paul Mescal, 28, outside of a bar in London On May 28, the May December actress was spotted with actor Paul Mescal, 28, outside of a bar in London. 'She's really coming into her own self-happiness,' the insider told the outlet, emphasizing that despite spending time with Mescal, Portman isn't currently dating. The Star Wars: The Force Awakens actress is 'focused on her kids and work for now,' and has 'started going out with friends and living her best life.' Portman and Millepied's marriage ended after 11 years when rumors surfaced that he'd had an affair with climate activist Camille Etienne, 25. After the claims of his infidelity went public, a source told People Benjamin had a 'short-lived' fling with Camille, but that the dalliance was 'over.' Natalie and Paul met last year when they interviewed each other for Variety and looked to be in high spirits when they were spotted outside of a bar in Islington last week. During the chat, Paul described Natalie as 'brilliant' and admitted: 'If my drama school self knew that I would be talking to you, I would pinch myself many, many times!' He also complimented her performance in May December, in which she shares a steamy sex scene with younger co-star Charles Melton, 33. The Black Swan actress, 42, finalized her divorce from Benjamin Millepied in March after 11 years of marriage and two children Portman and Millepied's marriage ended after 11 years when rumors surfaced that he'd had an affair with climate activist Camille Etienne, 25 After the claims of his infidelity went public, a source told People Benjamin had a 'short-lived' fling with Camille, but that the dalliance was 'over' 'Shes really coming into her own self-happiness,' the insider told the outlet, emphasizing that despite spending time with Mescal, Portman isnt currently dating The closest she came to addressing her divorce in public was in Vanity Fair this February. She was asked how it felt to have her marriage written about and she replied: 'Its terrible, and I have no desire to contribute to it.' A friend revealed the collapse of Natalie's marriage was 'was initially really tough for her, but her friends rallied around her and helped get her through the worst of it.' The source noted: 'Her biggest priority has been ensuring a smooth transition for her children. She and Ben really love their kids and are equally focused on being the best co-parents they can be. Nothing is more important.' Hollywood's newest A-list trio has made their way to TV, as Ivanka Trump and Lauren Sanchez were seen celebrating their close pal Kim Kardashian's birthday in the latest episode of her reality show, The Kardashians. Both Ivanka, the 42-year-old daughter of former President Donald Trump, and Lauren, the 54-year-old fiancee of billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, were among the first celebs seen arriving at the party thrown for Kim by her sister Khloe Kardashian at Funke in Beverly Hills. The beauties proved to be at the top of the TV star's inner circle during the soiree, as Ivanka sat on Kim's right while Lauren was two seats down. In addition, during a heartfelt speech to her pals, the SKIMS founder described everyone in attendance as her 'ride-or-dies', adding, 'I trust all of you.' Given their VIP placement on the seating chart and Kim's gushing description, it's clear that Ivanka and Lauren have quickly made their way to the top of her friendship group. Ivanka Trump, Lauren Sanchez, and Kim Kardashian are Hollywood's newest besties, and FEMAIL broke down everything there is to know about the glamorous trio This week's latest episode of the reality show The Kardashians contained footage of Kim's star-studded birthday party, which took place in October 2023. Both Ivanka and Lauren dressed to impress at the bash, with the 42-year-old ex-White House advisor donning a two-piece sequined set with a high slit, which put her toned and bronzed legs on full display. Meanwhile, the former journalist showed off her toned physique in a skin-tight black gown, which perfectly complimented her tresses. The birthday girl was certainly the center of attention during her celebration, as she sported a racy red dress that accentuated her ample assets. Kim posed up a storm alongside her close friends, which she praised for sticking with her through every step of her life. The other women in the reality icon's posse include Allison Statter and Zoe Winkler (daughter of Henry Winkler), plus Simone Harouche, Lindsay May, Sarah Meyer Michaelson and Ashley Kraines. As Ivanka and Lauren showcase their strong bond with Kim in her reality show, FEMAIL has broken down everything there is to know about the glamorous trio - from how their friendship formed to what they like to do together. Presidential pals! Kim and Ivanka's friendship began a decade ago, and strengthened after they began working on prison reforms together at the White House Kim and Ivanka's friendship traces back several years, and it only strengthened after the pair began working on prison reforms together The duo first crossed paths in 2014 at the Meta Gala, and since their initial meeting a decade ago, the women (seen in 2019) have been spotted together on numerous occasions Kim and Ivanka's friendship traces back several years, and it only strengthened after the pair began working on prison reforms together. The duo first crossed paths in 2014 at the Meta Gala, where it was said that they bonded over motherhood. A source told Us Weekly in 2023, 'Kim and Ivanka have been friends for years and have hung out on a number of occasions. 'They initially bonded nearly a decade ago at the Met Gala over motherhood and being new moms. But they continued to connect numerous times over the years.' Since their initial meeting a decade ago, the women have been spotted together on numerous occasions. Over the years, they grew closer together and even began posing for a slew of snaps together (Ivanka is seen at Kim's birthday party in October 2023) The duo worked closely together to reduce and clear prison sentences - with Kim often confiding in Ivanka while attending dinner parties at her house (Ivanka is seen at Kim's party) In 2018, the pair was seen posing side by side at the White House, where Kim was petitioning Ivanka's father, then-President Trump, to commute the life sentence of drug offender Alice Marie Johnson. The duo worked closely together to reduce and clear prison sentences - with Kim often confiding in Ivanka while attending dinner parties at her house. And by 2020, the reality star was gushing about Ivanka's dad online. 'President Trump commuted the sentences of three really deserving women. I didn't hear much about it in the news, so I wanted to share with you their stories. 'I have the pleasure of spending the day with these women today along with Alice Marie Johnson, who helped to pick these women,' she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, at the time. After her party, Kim revealed that she had hit the 'jackpot' when it came to her friends, as she shared snaps from the star-studded birthday bash on Instagram In 2022, the women seemed to be closer than ever before as Ivanka enjoyed a three-hour dinner with the SKIMS founder at an upscale eatery. The meetup came two weeks after Kim's ex Kanye West, 46, came under fire for stating that he was going to go 'death con three on Jewish people,' seemingly referring to the US military's defense system known as DEFCON. Then, in October 2023, Ivanka - who converted to converted to Orthodox Judaism in 2009 before marrying Jared Kushner - joined Kim to celebrate her birthday party, which was aired on The Kardashians this week. Afterwards, Kim revealed that she had hit the 'jackpot' when it came to her friends, as she shared snaps from the star-studded birthday bash on Instagram. The two stars also attended the opening of Fontainebleau in Las Vegas together in December 2023. Fashion friends: Kim and Lauren grew close after they both bid on the same Balenciaga gown and the ladies often hype up each other's looks It's no surprise that dark-haired beauties Kim and Lauren became best friends as they both often boast stunning looks and seem to share the same love of chic clothing Their friendship formed in a rather unconventional way, after they had a bidding war over a Balenciaga gown It's no surprise that two dark-haired beauties Kim and Lauren became best friends - as they both often boast stunning looks and seem to share the same love of chic clothing. Their friendship formed in a rather unconventional way, after they had a bidding war over a Balenciaga gown. Years ago, during New York Fashion Week, the two stunners realized they were both bidding on the same clothing article at the Kering Foundation's Caring for Women dinner. However, instead of continuing to desperately try to outbid each other, the pals decided they would share the gown. 'We'll share it!' Kim called out, according to Vogue. Luckily, however, the two didn't have to swap the dress back and forth as they were both offered a dress in the end. The duo jumped on the opportunity and forked over $200,000 each and then jetted off to France together to get fitted. It was there that their bond really kicked off. At the time, Kim gushed about the fiancee of Amazon mogul Jeff - who she branded a 'girl's girl' while speaking to Vogue. The next few months saw the duo forming an even stronger bond - with Lauren even becoming close pals with Kim's mom, Kris Jenner She told the outlet: 'Lauren and I are always sending DMs building each other up. Every time there's a look that we like, she'll say, "WOW," or, "OMG you look amazing."' The next few months saw the duo forming an even stronger bond - with Lauren even becoming close pals with Kim's mom, Kris Jenner. Kim and Lauren let their hair down while at Beyonce's Renaissance show in September. Kris also joined the duo as they partied the night away, and afterwards, the Kardashian momager gushed about Lauren and her soon-to-be spouse Jeff while speaking to Vogue. She told the outlet: 'We know they will be in our lives forever.' The pair have also stepped out multiple times to enjoy dinner together. And when Lauren rang in her birthday in December 2022, Kim was right there to celebrate. The former news anchor celebrated her 53 birthday at a Malibu beach house and Kim was sure to not miss it. The two posed for a selfie together as they showed off their stunning looks. And when it came time for Lauren's lover to celebrate his special day in January 2024, Kim once again showed her love and support. Kris previously said to Vogue of Lauren and her fiance Jeff Bezos: 'We know they will be in our lives forever' Kim and Lauren let their hair down while at Beyonce's Renaissance show in September with their loved ones And it wasn't just Kim who showed her support, as Ivanka also celebrated the Amazon CEO by attending the bash. Ivanka and Lauren seem to have connected through Kim, who clearly keeps her friends close and loves to mix and mingle with various parties. After Kim's birthday party in October 2023, Lauren branded the event as 'an absolute blast' and raved about Kim. She wrote: 'Your kind heart shines equally as bright as your beauty, and it's a constant reminder of the incredible person you are, both inside and out. Wishing you endless happiness in the year ahead! Happy Birthday!' Kristen Stewart will make her TV series debut as astronaut Sally Ride in The Challenger. The actress, 34, who lashed out against Hollywood for what she called its 'phony' support of women directors, will take on the role of Ride, the first American woman to travel to space, per Deadline. Ride, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2012, joined NASA in 1978 as part of a diverse class of astronauts, including the first Black and Asian-American astronauts and a married couple. The Los Angeles native conducted her space shuttle first mission in 1983 aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Three years later, Challenger exploded shortly after takeoff on a cold morning at Cape Canaveral, Florida on January 28, 1986. Kristen Stewart will make her TV series debut as astronaut Sally Ride in The Challenger(Pictured in New York in March) Ride became the first American woman to travel to space in 1983 The diverse crew included Ride's classmates Ronald McNair, Judith Resnik and Ellison Onizuka, along with Michael J. Smith, Gregory Jarvis, Francis R. 'Dick' Scobee and school teacher Christa McAuliffe. Ride was the only astronaut to take part in the Rogers Commission. The plot of the series not only looks at the groundbreaking class of 1978, but the investigation into the 1986 Challenger tragedy as well. The show is based on the book The New Guys, by Meredith E Bagby. Bagby, along with with Kyra Sedgwick and Valerie Stadler created their company, Big Swing Productions in order to create the series. In an interview with Deadline, Sedgewick said the project was one she had been working on for years. 'This is something weve worked on at Big Swing since 2017, me, Meredith and Valerie, about this new class of astronaut recruited by NASA in the early 1970s,' she told the outlet. Part of the series will focus on the 1986 Challenger disaster which claimed the lives of school teacher Christa McAuliffe and astronauts Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik, Francis R. 'Dick' Scobee Ronald McNair, Michael J. Smith and Ellison Onizuka 'Sally Ride was among them, and the focus is this newly recruited wild, feral group of astronauts who were all very diverse, the Emmy winner explained. 'And then on an Oppenheimer track, it also tells the story of the Rogers Commission that investigated the Challenger disaster that Ride took part in.' Bagby who was obsessed with space and the shuttle program during her childhood in Florida saw the Challenger explode on that fateful day. 'Meredith got hundreds of hours of interviews with the members of that class, and we have relationships with all those living astronauts and they will be part of our brain trust on the show,' she said. The Closer star disclosed that it was Stadler's 'dream of having Kristen Stewart,' in the role of Ride. 'After more than a year of trying to get Kristen this book through back channeling, she read it and she fell in love,' Sedgwick said. Kyra Sedgwick developed the series for years with The New Guys author Meredith E Bagby and writer and producer Valerie Stadler through their Big Swing production company (Pictured in New York in May) Stewart, who has been open about her sexuality since coming out publicly as a lesbian when she hosted Saturday Night Live in 2017, may have to put in a closeted performance. Ride was also gay, making her the first member of the LGBTQ+ community to travel to space, but her sexuality was never publicly acknowledged until after her death. The obituary written Ride and her longtime companion Tam O'Shaughnessy and release by Sally Ride Science referred to O'Shaughnessy as Ride's 'partner of 27 years.' Sedgwick, who is producing the series with Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners and with Stewart's Nevermind production label, hopes to have the show ready in time to mark the 50th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy. The Curve, 1/feb: Did you know how many zeros there are in a billion? Of course, you didnt. I doubt if those billionaires knew, either, wh... Pedro Pascal received a sweet kiss on the cheek from Dakota Johnson after wrapping their upcoming romantic comedy Materialists. The 49-year-old actor took to Instagram on Friday to share snaps of him celebrating alongside his co-stars Johnson and Chris Evans as well as writer-director Celine Song. As part of his triptych, he shared a photo of the night sky over the New York City skyline as he wrote in his caption: 'Moon me. #Materialists #NewYorkCity #CelineSong That's a wrap.' The Last of Us star also shared photos of them at a dimly-lit restaurant together for a post-filming, celebratory dinner. In the snap, which comes shortly after they were spotted making out on set of the movie last month, the Madame Web actress, 34, wrapped her arms around Pascal, who was grinning from ear to ear. Pedro Pascal, 49, received a sweet kiss on the cheek from Dakota Johnson, 34, after wrapping their upcoming romantic comedy Materialists In addition to the photo of Johnson planting a kiss on his cheek, he also snapped a photo of Evans, 42, sweetly leaning his head against the Oscar-nominated filmmaker's. The upcoming A24 feature film is set in New York City. The story a high-end matchmaker who gets involved with a wealthy man and gets caught up in a love triangle with him and her former lover. Further details on the plotline and the roles of Johnson, Evans and Pascal are being kept under wraps. Late last month, however, Johnson was spotted locking lips with Evans and then Pascal in separate scenes. Based on their attire, Johnson may be starring as the matchmaker while Evans plays her ex and Pascal plays her wealthy, new love interest. The star-studded cast also includes Zoe Winters and Dasha Nekrasova from Succession as well as The Gilded Age's Louisa Jacobson and Eileen's Marin Ireland. Song is the writer, director and producer behind Materialists. Pascal took to Instagram on Friday to share snaps of him celebrating alongside his co-stars Johnson and Chris Evans, 42, as well as writer-director Celine Song, 36 As part of his triptych, he shared a photo of the night sky over the New York City skyline as he wrote in his caption: 'Moon me. #Materialists #NewYorkCity #CelineSong That's a wrap' She previously made her directorial debut with Past Lives, which premiered at Sundance in 2023 and went on to earn two Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nods and three from the BAFTA Film Awards. A release date for Materialists has not yet been announced but is expected sometime in 2025. His post celebrating wrapping up production on Materialists comes shortly after the upcoming season of his HBO series The Last of Us' final episode count was revealed by co-creators and showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. They explained that season two, which is reportedly still in production and will premiere sometime in 2025, will consist of only seven episodes. For reference and to the disappointment of fans, the follow-up season to the hit video game adaptation series will have two less episodes. However, the co-creators explained the reduction is because they wanted to 'take more time' to create episodes 'quite big' in length. His post celebrating wrapping up production on Materialists comes shortly after the upcoming season of his HBO series The Last of Us' final episode count was revealed The co-creators explained that season two, which is reportedly still in production and will premiere sometime in 2025, will consist of only seven episodes. Last month, the network shared a first look at the second season following the Emmy-nominated debut After the record-breaking debut of the first season, The Last of Us was immediately renewed; however, a release date has not yet been announced as production is still reportedly ongoing Mazin and Druckmann also shared that they plan to continue the story of the same-name video game adaptation with third and fourth seasons if they get renewed by HBO. Last month, the network shared a first look at the second season following the Emmy-nominated debut. The Last of Us stars Pascal as Joel, a hardened smuggler tasked with safely transporting 14-year-old Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across a dangerous country, 20 years into a zombie apocalypse caused by a fungal outbreak. After the record-breaking debut of the first season, The Last of Us was immediately renewed; however, a release date has not yet been announced as production is still reportedly ongoing. Glen Powell may one of the most desirable stars in Hollywood, but the actor isn't actively looking for love. During an interview on CBS Mornings, the hunk, 35, revealed he isn't currently 'chasing love' - but is definitely open to it entering his life. 'Im not chasing love,' he said. 'If love comes and hits me in the face and knocks me over, I welcome it with open arms because thats something I really want.' However, the in-demand actor admitted it would be difficult to date someone given his busy schedule. Glen starred in one of the most highly-anticipated films of 2023, Anyone But You, and has another comedy out now, Hit Man. Glen Powell may one of the most desirable stars in Hollywood, but the actor isn't actively looking for love So the actor is aware there are obstacles preventing him from effortlessly fitting someone into his life. 'This is a time where life is moving so fast that I dont even know if I could bring someone into it in a healthy way, even if I tried,' he said. But he conceded, he could for 'the right person.' Powell also said he was hoping to become a father one day. 'Even just being with my niece and nephew today, it's like, I really want kids, I really want that phase of life. It's not far away,' he said. Glen knows 'it's going to take a very specific type of person' for him to be with given the nature of his job. 'It's a lot,' he admitted. 'I realize is there's new aspects and new complexities to this life and this job that I didn't even understand. However, the in-demand actor admitted it would be difficult to date someone given his busy schedule He stars in the new Netflix comedy, Hit Man 'So to bring someone into that and to make them feel comfortable, to make them feel seen, to make them feel loved, when a lot of the elements around that can really eat at someones self confidence or worth or any of that stuff. Im not willing to have someone sign up for that if theyre not ready for it,' he said. Glen most recently dated model Gigi Paris for three years, before calling it quits in April 2023 while filming his latest movie Anyone But You. He also landed at the center of dating rumors with his Anyone But You co-star Sydney Sweeney last year, but they denied they being romantically involved and Glen admitted they had in fact played up the rumors to promote their film. Powell previously credited Sweeney as the mastermind behind playing up the dating rumors between them to promote their film. When asked about their decision to lean into their characters, Ben and Bea, the actor star opened up about utilizing their 'authentic chemistry' to entice viewers to watch their rom-com. 'I don't have the mental capacity to pull anything like this off, but she's very smart. She's very smart,' the actor told Business Insider. 'I had such a wonderful journey with her on this thing. But in terms of actual dating and actually being together? [Laughs.]' Glen most recently dated model Gigi Paris for three years, before calling it quits in April 2023 while filming his latest movie Anyone But You; pictured last year As for how their chemistry on-screen and natural rapport at press events may have created a 'lot of headaches for' him, the performer acknowledged his split from Paris. 'Well, look, the only reason it made things harder for me to lean into that stuff was that I was going through a very real breakup amidst a promotional tour,' he explained. Powell continued: 'I was with someone that I really loved and cared about and was trying to kind of make sense of a lot of stuff.' Meanwhile, the Scream Queens alum pointed out that 'it was a lot easier for Sydney to lean into something like that because she's in a very committed and wonderful relationship and she's very happy.' He also landed at the center of dating rumors with his Anyone But You co-star Sydney Sweeney, but they denied they were romantically involved 'So it was a little harder for me,' he admitted. Rumors about Glen and Sydney's relationship began to stir at the beginning of 2023 during filming, and quickly gained traction after Glen quietly split with his Paris in the spring. Sydney, who is engaged to Jonathan Davino, 40, shot down the rumors during a tell-all interview with Variety in August. 'It's a rom-com. That's what people want,' she said. 'Glen and I don't really care. We have so much fun together, and we respect each other so much; he's such a hard worker, and I'm a hard worker. 'We're excited for the press tour, and I literally just left ADR with him. We talk all the time like.' Sofia Vergara was every bit the busty bombshell in her latest social media posts. The 51-year-old actress - shared a few photos from her recent appearance at a SAG-AFTRA Foundation panel event she attended that was moderated by Jenelle Riley. For the event, the always fashionable star stunned in a white and black jumpsuit with an animal print design featuring a low-cut neckline. While the youthful number had a slightly loose feel nearly from top to bottom, it was cinched in at the waist to help showcase her enviable curves. The put on her best sultry pose as she snapped up a selfie seemingly taken in the backstage area. Sofia Vergara was every bit the busty bombshell in her latest social media posts as she shared a few photos from her recent appearance at a SAG-AFTRA Foundation panel event she attended that was moderated by Jenelle Riley Feeling a bit flirty, the former Modern Family star left the top portion unbuttoned to help showcase her ample cleavage. She also accessorized with an assortment of necklaces, bracelets and rings, while styling her lightened locks long, straight and flowing over her chest and down well past her shoulders with a center part. More than four months after the biographical crime drama miniseries Griselda dropped on the Netflix streaming platform, Sofia has continued to promote the project as she is both leading lady and executive producer of the project On Thursday, the Variety editor and host of the publication's Actors On Actors program sat with Vergara on stage and dished about her acclaimed performance in her portrayal as Griselda Blanco. The Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia native, 51, would also take another selfie in front of a mirror in that backstage area, only this time she focused more on her upper body. She matched that picture with a wide shot of the stage where she and Riley sat in front of guests that included both journalists and fans. They proceeded to chat about the miniseries in which Vergara portrays Griselda Blanco, a prominent Colombian drug lord in the cocaine-based drug trade and underworld of Miami, Florida, in the 1980s, who was also known as the 'Godmother of Cocaine.' Created by Doug Miro, Eric Newman, Carlo Bernard and Ingrid Escajeda and directed by Andres Baiz, the story follows Griselda during her pursuit of power and wealth amid her rise in the Miami scene. The former Modern Family star would showcase her long locks and plunging jumpsuit with a more close up photo of the star backstage during the promo panel event Vergara's performance in Griselda is among the Set in 1970s-80s Miami, Blanco's lethal blend of unsuspected savagery and charm helps her expertly navigate between business and family, leading her to become widely known as 'the Godmother.' The show serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive pursuit of power. 'Thank u for having me! Sag panel. #griselda,' Vergara wrote in the caption of her Instagram post that included a couple of red heart emojis. Along with Vergara, the main cast also consists of Alberto Guerra, Martin Rodriguez, Juliana Aiden Martinez, Vanessa Ferlito and Christian Tappan. The recurring cast includes the likes of Jose Zuniga, Jose Velazquez, Orlando Pineda, Martin Fajardo, Fredy Yate, Camilo Jimenez, Diego Trujillo, Maximiliano Hernandez, Michael Reilly Burke, Carolina Giraldo, Paulina Davila, Alejandro Barrios, Gabriel Sloyer, and Julieth Restrepo. For the most part Griselda received generally positive reviews from critics, with exceptional praise going towards Vergara's performance In the first week after its release, it debuted at number one in 90 countries and topped Netflix's Global Weekly Top 10 TV (English) There are also a number of actors serving the guest role capacity such as Alberto Ammann, Ernesto Alterio, Wilmer Calderon, Alberto Mateo, Kayla Eva, Julian Obradors and Taylor Handly, among many others. The miniseries premiered on Netflix on January 25, 2024, and consists of six hour-long episodes. For the most part Griselda received generally positive reviews from critics, with exceptional praise going towards Vergara's performance. In the first week after its release, it debuted at number one in 90 countries and topped Netflix's Global Weekly Top 10 TV (English). She recently quit the ITV soap after successfully playing her character Gail Platt for 50 years from 1974. And now, Helen Worth, 73, may have to put on her dancing shoes as Strictly bosses are reportedly keen to sign the actress up for the new series. The Coronation Street star devastated fans across the UK when she announced she is quitting the cobbles after 50 years - with her final scenes set to air at the end of this year. However, insiders have claimed Helen taking up Strictly's offer 'would be a disaster' for the soap as it means the actress's exit scenes could be screening around the same time she gets glammed up to hit the dance floor. A TV insider told The Sun: 'This really would be a disaster for the show because they want the focus to be on Gails big exit, the details of which are being kept under wraps.' Helen Worth is reportedly being eyed by Strictly bosses as sources claim they are keen to sign her up after she quit the cobbles earlier this week The Coronation Street star devastated fans across the UK when she announced she is quitting the cobbles after 50 years - with her final scenes set to air at the end of this year However, insiders have claimed that Helen taking up Strictly's offer 'would be a disaster' for the soap 'But it raises the prospect of her potentially featuring in a storyline where she is seen dying of a terminal illness during the week, then popping up on a Saturday night, potentially dancing as a zombie on Strictlys Halloween special. Not a good look.' If Helen were to take Strictly up on their offer, she wouldn't be the only Coronation Street star to make an appearance as her screen daughter Tina OBrien, Georgia May Foote, and last years winner, Ellie Leach all previously signed up. MailOnline have contacted Helen representatives and Strictly for comment. Blind comedian Chris McCausland and Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts are amongst the names rumoured to be joining the show. It comes after Coronation Street fans were convinced Helen's character will be killed off from the show after spotting a clue in a statement released by the ITV soap. Helen - who portrays Gail Platt a fan favourite in the hit soap - quit her role on Wednesday and ITV released a statement filled with teasers. Fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to speculate how her character's storyline will end. One fan pleaded: 'Oh please let her go to Thailand. Don't kill her off please.'; 'How are they gonna wrap the Gail character up will they kill her off, will they leave it open for her to make appearances here n there, where does this leave Audrey. So many questions.'; 'Oh gosh going to miss her. Another wonderful actress departing. Please give her a happy ending.' It comes after ITV devastated fans across the UK when they announced she is quitting the cobbles after 50 years Helen - who portrays Gail Platt a fan favourite in the hit soap - quit her role after successfully playing the character for 50 years from 1974 (pictured with Christopher Quinten in 1979) Nicola Roberts is also reportedly being 'eyed' by Strictly bosses after her appearance on the Christmas special in 2022 (pictured with Giovanni Pernice) Blind comedian Chris McCausland is also amongst the names rumoured to be joining the show 'Better not be killing that character off. That would be a shoddy way for such a long standing character.'; 'PLEASE let her have a happy ending! A nice husband who's not a serial killer she can move away with. I'd return to watching Corrie for that.' It's not yet been revealed how Helen's character Gail will leave the show, however, ITV confirmed that she will start filming her exit story next month and the 'emotional' scenes will be on screen at the end of the year. Sharing the news of her exit, Helen said: 'This year felt like the perfect time to leave the show after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world.' 'I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding.' 'I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew.' 'The past 50 years have flown by and I don't think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.' Thankfully, Helen hasn't had quite a dramatic life as her character, and once admitted she would 'be in a mental institution' if her life was like Gail's. She added: 'I come home and see friends and go to the theatre. Luckily I find it quite easy to switch off I'd be a nervous wreck if I didn't.' Helen grew up in Morecambe, Lancashire, but now lives in London and commutes to the set in Manchester each week. She has been married twice, unlike Gail who has had five husbands - four of whom have died, and one was a notorious serial killer. Helen's first husband was actor Michael Angelis, who is best known for narrating the Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends children's series. They met during the 70s and finally tied the knot in 1991. Michael admitted that he had cheated on Helen in 1995, but the British star forgave him. However, their marriage came to an end 21 years later after Michael had a second affair with Welsh model Jennifer Khalastchi. Vince Vaughn jetted out of Brisbane Airport on Friday night after spending one week in Australia to headline a business conference. The Hollywood star, 54, rocked a laidback look in an unzipped leather jacket, a black T-shirt and matching coloured jeans for his flight. The Swingers actor was also spotted carrying a tote bag as he walked to the terminal with airport staff. Before his flight back to Los Angeles, Vince was seen doing some souvenir shopping at the airport. He then paid for his new items at the register while the staff member stood nearby. Vince Vaughn jetted out of Brisbane Airport on Friday after spending one week in Australia to headline a business conference The Hollywood star, 54, rocked a laidback look in an unzipped leather jacket, a black T-shirt and matching coloured jeans for his flight Vince was spotted arriving in Australia last week ahead of his hosting role at three 'Power of Success' conferences across the country alongside other big names. The event recently faced backlash after fans complained it was too expensive. It was described as the 'in demand business, branding, marketing & personal development conference of Australia'. Vince took to the stage for the conference in Melbourne last week, Sydney on Wednesday and in Brisbane on Thursday. Before his flight back to Los Angeles, Vince was seen doing some souvenir shopping at the airport The Swingers actor was also spotted carrying a tote bag as he walked to the terminal with airport staff Fans flocked to the Instagram of the event host Ethan Donati to praise the event, with one person writing: 'Wonderful day, brilliant.' 'Congratulations my love on an amazing event today. Next up, Sydney and Brisbane,' another said. Someone else added: 'Thats brilliant! All the best with the rest of the tour.' 'Loved the event mate! All the best with the rest of the tour,' yet another commented. He then paid for his new items at the register while the staff member stood nearby Vince was spotted arriving in Australia last week ahead of his hosting role at three 'Power of Success' conferences across the country alongside other big names Vince joined by likes of the Real Housewives of Dubai star Caroline Stanbury and her husband Sergio Carrallo. Since tickets went on sale, the conference has dealt with price complaints. Tickets for the full-day conference initially started at $156.96 for general admission, with a 'platinum' option offering a meet and greet with The Wedding Crashers star starting at $527.56. Last month, one of the event's hosts, digital marketing expert Ethan Donati, took to Instagram with a sponsored post offering free tickets to the June 5 session of the conference. Vince took to the stage for the conference in Melbourne last week, Sydney on Wednesday and in Brisbane on Thursday Last month, one of the event's hosts, digital marketing expert Ethan Donati, took to Instagram with a sponsored post offering free tickets to the June 5 session of the conference 'We decided to offer a couple hundred free as we had lots of messages from people saying they want to come but couldn't afford it,' he told Daily Mail Australia. The Hollywood funnyman, who was once romantically involved with Jennifer Aniston, appears to be too expensive for some businesspeople. As a result, the initial ticketholders had their tickets upgraded and general admission to the Dodgeball star's event was made free. Jessica Alba took to Instagram to wish her firstborn, Honor Marie Warren, a happy 16th birthday on Friday. The 43-year-old actress who recently celebrated her 16th wedding anniversary posted a sweet carousel of photos and a lengthy tribute to her daughter. Some of the adorable photos even include throwback snaps of a young Alba the day the teenager was born. 'My sweet 16 year old Honor,' she penned in the caption. 'I'm crying writing this -it's the most tender feeling in the world being your mom. 'Your sweet but wise disposition from day one -only allowing those who you trust closest to you - is inspiring. Those who will treat challenges between you with softness, can be silly and most importantly who are authentic to their core.' Jessica Alba took to Instagram to wish her firstborn, Honor Marie Warren, a happy 16th birthday on Friday The 43-year-old actress who recently celebrated her 16th wedding anniversary posted a sweet carousel of photos and a lengthy tribute to her daughter 'You sniff out fake people like no other. You are effortless in standing in your truth, you are considerate and kind and you care deeply about everyone around you,' the Sin City starlet continued. 'You have developed this incredible ability to help others without getting sucked into drama you are the shoulder that so many count on. 'I along with daddy have grown tremendously alongside you as you have this beautiful quiet, healing energy that elevates us all,' she added. The Honey actress then went on to thank Honor for making her a mother and teaching her the meaning of parenthood. 'I'm so so proud of you for choosing what feels right vs what's cool -for consistently choosing your mental wellness above all else and for unapologetically pursuing your dreams. 'You are a powerhouse of a human and you are only 16! We are all so blessed my baby and I feel tremendously grateful for our relationship -for our bond,' the Pomona native wrote. 'You chose me to be your mama baby girl - it has been the greatest gift my angel. I love you more than words could ever express. 'You are growing up way too fast for me but I couldn't be more proud,' she finished. Some of the adorable photos even include throwback snaps of a young Alba the day the teenager was born 'My sweet 16 year old Honor,' she penned in the caption. 'I'm crying writing this -it's the most tender feeling in the world being your mom' Jessica is married to Cash Warren, and in addition to their two daughters Honor and Haven, 12, they share a seven-year-old son named Hayes 'Your sweet but wise disposition from day one -only allowing those who you trust closest to you - is inspiring,' the proud mom gushed 'You sniff out fake people like no other. You are effortless in standing in your truth, you are considerate and kind and you care deeply about everyone around you,' the Sin City starlet continued 'You chose me to be your mama baby girl - it has been the greatest gift my angel. I love you more than words could ever express. You are growing up way too fast for me but I couldn't be more proud,' she finished Jessica is married to Cash Warren, and in addition to their two daughters Honor and Haven, 12, they share a seven-year-old son named Hayes. Cash, who is the son of Hill Street Blues actor Michael Warren, met Jessica while working as an assistant director on her critically savaged 2005 film Fantastic Four. They spontaneously decided to get married at a Beverly Hills courthouse in 2008 while Jessica was nearing her due date with Honor. In March, the big screen icon shared what its like to age in the industry and what she does to maintain a positive and assertive attitude. 'There's this confidence, a sort of swagger that happens when you are in your late 30s and into your 40s and 50s, it's just undeniable,' she said. 'You can really feel the energy And it's so cool because it's very much the opposite of what we have been taught as women. 'Much like how we have been conditioned to think that when you become a mother you are no longer desirable. But the truth is, my friends actually discovered their best selves after they became mothers,' she explained. The stars were out in full force to celebrate the first birthday of Zaffi Sydney, with MAFS brides Lauren Dunn and Sara Mesa leading the pack at the glamorous event. Sydney bride Sara turned heads in a striking red and orange ensemble as she arrived to the Lebanese restaurant and bar. The stunning nutritionist wore a plunging crop top with bell sleeves, paired with a matching high-waisted skirt that featured an abstract flame print. Her dark hair cascaded in soft waves over her shoulders, adding a touch of elegance to her bold look. She completed her outfit with strappy black heels and held a chic black handbag. Married At First Sight's Sara Mesa turned up the heat in a striking red and orange ensemble as she attended Zaffi Sydney's 1st birthday celebrations Sara posed alongside her co-star bestie Lauren Dunn, who looked equally stunning in a form-fitting taupe dress Sara posed alongside her bestie Lauren at the event, who looked equally stunning in a form-fitting taupe dress. Lauren's off-the-shoulder gown hugged her curves perfectly, and she kept her accessories minimal, letting her outfit speak for itself. Her long, light brown hair was styled in loose waves, giving her a timeless, classic appearance. Also making a statement was Imogen Anthony, who opted for a daring look in a black corset dress adorned with delicate pink lace trim Imogen's outfit showcased her edgy style, complete with a pair of fashionable glasses and her blonde curls tied back with a white ribbon MAFS alum Carolina Santos was also in attendance and turned heads in an all-black ensemble, featuring a daring cut-out top The pair were seen enjoying the festivities, with glasses of champagne in hand, as they celebrated Zaffi Sydney's milestone. Also making a statement at he party was Imogen Anthony, who opted for a daring look in a black corset dress adorned with delicate pink lace trim. Imogen's outfit showcased her edgy style, complete with a pair of fashionable glasses and her blonde curls tied back with a white ribbon. She was spotted mingling with other guests as she enjoyed a delicious range of food during the night. Joining her was Bachelor star Wesley Senna Cortes and former MAFS groom Duncan James, who appeared to be having a great time Former Love Island-turned-The Block star Josh Packham opted for a casual look in a button-up shirt Meanwhile, MAFS alum Carolina Santos was also in attendance. The bombshell bride turned heads in an all-black ensemble, featuring a daring cut-out top that revealed a glimpse of her midriff. She completed her look with wide-leg trousers and held a designer handbag. Carolina was also joined by MAFS groom Duncan James and Bachelor star Wesley Senna Cortes. Also in attendance was celebrity architect Valentino Gareri (left) and model Oliver Hughes Molly-Mae Hague showed off her toned figure while posing for a photo during short trip to Marrakesh, Morocco. The former Love Island star, 25, slipped into a black, strapless bikini top that she teamed with a stylish coordinate set. In the update shared to Instagram on Friday, she looked effortlessly chic in an oversized white shirt, with black palm embroidery and wide leg trousers. Molly-Mae accessorised with a woven straw handbag and wore a pair of white leather flip flops. Pulling her blonde hair back into a sleek low bun, she opted for a glamorous palette of makeup to compete her look. Molly-Mae Hague, 25, showed off her toned figure while posing for a photo during short trip to Marrakesh, Morocco The former Love Island star slipped into a black, strapless bikini top that she teamed with a stylish coordinate set The trip comes after the influencer quashed mounting speculation that she has split from her fiance Tommy Fury. Celebrating her birthday last month, Molly-Mae pointedly took to her Instagram to share a loved-up photo with the boxer, 25. The snap saw the couple kissing on the sofa, while their daughter Bambi, 16 months, was snuggled up between them. Captioning the shot, Molly-Mae wrote: 'The most chilled birthday ever at home with the people I love.' While Tommy marked her big day by sharing a throwback snap of them taken moments after he proposed last year. He notably captioned it: 'Happy 25th birthday to my world, my rock, my everything. Me and you forever'. But in an interview with Closer magazine last week, Tommy revealed that the pair are in no hurry to tie the knot and have not planned their nuptials. He said: 'We're not putting pressure on it. We're enjoying being engaged and enjoying that period of our life, so we're in no rush.' The trip comes after the influencer quashed mounting speculation that she has split from her fiance Tommy Fury (pictured together) Celebrating her birthday last month, Molly-Mae pointedly took to her Instagram to share a loved-up photo kissing the boxer, 25, with their daughter Bambi, 16 months He continued: 'I don't know. You can't plan things like that. It just happens, doesn't it?' It comes after many fans began to suspect that the couple - who met on Love Island in 2019 - had called it a day. The rumours had intensified last month, after Molly-Mae failed to mark Tommy's own 25th birthday on social media. Tommy, who has Traveller heritage, is also apparently acting in ways which confuse his middle-class girlfriend. Molly-Mae - who was raised in Hertfordshire and is the daughter of two police officers - reportedly dislikes Tommy's habit of going away with friends and complains that she 'doesn't know where he is going'. He also enjoys drinking alcohol, which Molly-Mae avoids, and it was claimed that they had been spending a considerable amount of time away from each other. A friend told the Mail's Alison Boshoff: 'They are spending time apart quite a bit. They are leading quite separate lives.' While Molly-Mae admitted in January that she and Tommy had not been intimate since the birth of baby daughter Bambi, a year before. While Tommy marked her big day by sharing a throwback snap of them taken moments after he proposed last year, captioned: 'Happy 25th birthday to my world, my rock, my everything. Me and you forever' But in an interview with Closer magazine last week, Tommy revealed that the pair are in no hurry to tie the knot and have not planned their nuptials It comes after many fans began to suspect that the couple - who met on Love Island in 2019 - had called it a day (pictured on the show together) The couple also sparked relationship concerns last year when she was seen without her engagement ring on multiple times. Their 'rocky patch' came after Tommy's wild nights out in Dubai with Chris Brown left Molly-Mae 'mortified' by his partying behaviour. However, in February she seemingly suggested that Tommy's secret hand injury is what 'caused so many problems' within their family. She told her fans: 'He didn't share it with anyone and even with training through the Jake Paul stuff, I wrote a caption on Instagram saying like: "We went through some really hard times as a family" and I feel like the injury was just always causing us so many problems and was always there, but we never spoke about it.' While Molly-Mae continued to make a string of perplexing appearances minus her massive engagement ring, which first went missing in December after Tommy had been pictured partying with women during the Dubai trip. Celebrity chef Curtis Stone has shared a sweet tribute to his wife Lindsay Price on the day of their 11th wedding anniversary. The MasterChef judge, 48, took to Instagram on Saturday to celebrate their shared milestone and included throwback photos from the day they tied the knot. Curtis also joked in the caption about the couple renewing their vows to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary last year. 'I love this woman so much I married her more than once,' Curtis told followers in the post. He added: 'Cheers to 11 years and a lifetime more. I love you so much baby!' Celebrity chef Curtis Stone has shared a beautiful tribute to his wife Lindsay Price, on the day of their 11th wedding anniversary 'Love you hot lunch. Happy Anniversary,' Lindsay posted in reply to her husband's tribute. Curtis included pictures of the pair's glamorous wedding in Mallorca, Spain. Lindsay, 47, looked radiant in the snaps which showed off her beautiful classic white gown. The couple met each other on a blind date in 2009 after they were set up by a mutual friend Curtis also looked smart in a black wedding tux as he posed alongside his new wife. The cooking guru also shared pictures of the couple's second 'wedding' which took place in the same location they said 'I do'. The Beverly Hills 90210 star stunned in a slinky white gown, while Curtis wore a grey linen suit and white sneakers as they posed in front of the wedding chapel where they exchanged vows a decade earlier. He also included as picture of the couple kissing on the day they renewed their vows. Curtis also joked in the caption aboutt how the couple renewed their vows to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary last year telling fans he loved his wife so much he married her twice Curtis and Lindsay share two sons, Hudson, 12, and Emerson, nine, who joined them for their anniversary last year. Fans were quick to offer their congratulations to the happy couple. 'That's true love,' on follower shared, while another added: 'Happy anniversary you two dreamboats. Love you all.'' Gorgeous couple ! Stay blessed always,' said another. Curtis and Lindsay married in 2013 and share two sons, Hudson, 12, and Emerson, nine, who joined them for their anniversary last year The couple met each other on a blind date in 2009 after they were set up by a mutual friend. Following that fateful night, the pair exchanged emails for several months. 'I can be quite verbose,' Lindsay told The Daily Telegraph. 'I'd write paragraphs, and then get two words, these Aussie-isms, back.' 'I was worried he didn't like me! Little did I know he was trying to type with his giant thumbs,' she added. True to form, Curtis sealed the deal by making Lindsay a chilli crab on one of their first dates. The rest they say is history, and the pair married in 2013, their children arriving soon after. Lindsay played Janet Sosna on Beverley Hills, 90210 for two seasons, and has since had a long career working in television while Curtis has become a household name in both Australia and the United States, cashing in as a best-selling cookbook author and celebrity chef. Advertisement Charlize Theron is kicking off Pride Month in style by attending the Critics' Choice Association's inaugural Celebration of LGBTQ Cinema & Television in Los Angeles on Friday night. The Academy Award winner, 48, put on a leggy display as she hit the red carpet with the likes of Quinta Brunson and Michaela Jae Rodriguez before the honors were handed out. She donned a black suit jacket with a matching black leather mini skirt that showed off her legs. Theron also teased a black lace bra as she went topless under the chic jacket. The Fast X star finished the look with a pair of black leather heels featuring ballet flat style straps and some dangling jewel earrings. Charlize Theron put on a leggy display Friday as she attended the Critics' Choice Association's inaugural Celebration of LGBTQ Cinema & Television in Los Angeles Quinta Brunson also showed some leg in a bright yellow dress. Michaela Jae Rodriguez looked statuesque as she walked the red carpet in a floor-length black gown Quinta Brunson also showed some leg in a bright yellow dress with a beaded spaghetti-strap neckline and a thigh-high leg slit. The Abbott Elementary star, 34, finished the look with a pair of gold studded platform stilettos and some matching jewelry. She wore her hair in an old Hollywood glam style with long waves over one shoulder. Michaela Jae Rodriguez looked statuesque as she walked the red carpet in a floor-length black gown. The Pose alum, 33, emulated Cher with a long, straight hairstyle to match her 'Dark Lady' style aesthetic. Her dress featured a cable neckline that was wrapped in a black and gold print fabric. Ricky Martin hit the red carpet in an oversized grey suit, which he wore with a white striped dress shirt. Brunson was joined by a few of her Abbott Elementary co-stars at the event following last month's season three finale. Sheryl Lee Ralph stunned in a white off-the-shoulder, floor-length dress with long sleeves that hugged her curves. Theron teased a black lace bra as she went topless under a black suit jacket She wore the jacket with a matching black leather mini skirt that showed off her legs. The Fast X star finished the look with a pair of black leather heels featuring ballet flat style straps and some dangling jewel earrings Brunson's dress featured a beaded spaghetti-strap neckline and a thigh-high leg slit She wore her hair in an old Hollywood glam style with long waves over one shoulder The Abbott Elementary star finished the look with a pair of gold studded platform stilettos and some matching jewelry. Brunson was joined by a few of her Abbott Elementary co-stars at the event following last month's season three finale Rodriguez emulated Cher with a long, straight hairstyle to match her 'Dark Lady' style aesthetic Her dress featured a cable neckline that was wrapped in a black and gold print fabric Ricky Martin hit the red carpet in an oversized grey suit, which he wore with a white striped dress shirt The Emmy Award winner, 67, wore her hair in a wavy style, framing a pair of pearl earrings and a matching necklace. She posed on the red carpet with Lisa Ann Walter, who plays her best friend on Abbott. Walter, 60, turned heads in a bright fuchsia dress that featured short sleeves draped off one shoulder with a star brooch. The Parent Trap star completed the ensemble with a pair of matching open-toe platform stilettos and some star earrings. Rodriguez's Loot co-star Ron Funches was also in attendance, posing together inside the event. Funches, 41, sported a bold look in a double-breasted orange trench coat with a tied belt and a black diagonal stripe down the leg. Sheryl Lee Ralph stunned in a white off-the-shoulder, floor-length dress with long sleeves that hugged her curves The Emmy Award winner, 67, wore her hair in a wavy style, framing a pair of pearl earrings and a matching necklace. Lisa Ann Walter turned heads in a bright fuchsia dress that featured short sleeves draped off one shoulder with a star brooch Ralph posed on the red carpet with Walter, who plays her best friend on Abbott Ron Funches sported a bold look in a double-breasted orange trench coat with a tied belt and a black diagonal stripe down the leg He posed on the red carpet with Rodriguez, with whom he stars on the Apple TV+ show Loot Sherry Cola donned a pink crop top with a floor-length cape and a matching pair of pants with thigh-high leg slits, adding some bling in the form of a dazzling Simon G ring. RuPaul's Drag Race winner Sasha Velour served a lethal look in a sparkling silver body suit covered in long silver and green spikes. Fellow RPDR alums Plane Jane, Dawn, Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige, Morphine Love Dion and Nymphia Wand were also in attendance. Kristen Kish cut a cool look in a black lace sequined pantsuit with matching heels. Karamo Brown sported a black unbottoned shirt with a beige Stetson and black sunglasses. George Takei looked sharp in a blue collarless suit featuring a gold print and a matching gold vest. The Star Trek legend, 87, was accompanied by his husband Brad Takei, who matched in a silver vest with a black and silver checkered shirt. Mindy Cohn looked chic in a floor-length sheer cheetah-print dress with long sleeves. Sherry Cola donned a pink crop top with a floor-length cape and a matching pair of pants with thigh-high leg slits RuPaul's Drag Race winner Sasha Velour served a lethal look in a sparkling silver body suit covered in long silver and green spikes Fellow RPDR alums Plane Jane, Dawn, Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige, Morphine Love Dion and Nymphia Wand were also in attendance Kristen Kish cut a cool look in a black lace sequined pantsuit with matching heels. Karamo Brown sported a black unbottoned shirt with a beige Stetson and black sunglasses Mindy Cohn looked chic in a floor-length sheer cheetah-print dress with long sleeves. George Takei looked sharp in a blue collarless suit featuring a gold print and a matching gold vest The Star Trek legend, 87, was accompanied by his husband Brad Takei, who matched in a silver vest with a black and silver checkered shirt Nathan Lane put on a dapper display in a black velvet suit jacket with a matching shirt and pants. Mindy Cohn looked chic in a floor-length sheer cheetah-print dress with long sleeves Eve Lindley dazzled in a strapless black floor-length dress with a multi-colored dragon print as she walked the carpet with National Anthem co-star Charlie Plummer and director Luke Gilford Co-star Mason Alexander Park was also in attendance, sporting a black pinstripe double-breasted jacket and matching floor-length skirt. Mark Indelicato donned a black suit with a wide pinstripe and deconstructed green stripes on the sleeves Theron showed off her look onstage as she gave a speech at the inaugural event The actress is mother to a 12-year-old transgender daughter. Ralph also spoke onstage at the event Rodriguez clapped for speakers as they took the stage Cola changed into another look as she took the stage, donning a cropped black jacket draped in chains. Hacks star Carl Clemons-Hopkins also took the stage to accept an award Theron and Ralph posed on the red carpet with Ralph's Abbott co-star Jacob Perfetti and Queer Eye star Karamo Brown Theron posed with the stars and producers of We're Here, winners of the Reality TV Award: Stephen Warren, Johnnie Ingram, Sasha Velour, Jaida Essence Hall, Priyanka, Latrice Royale and Peter LoGreco Charlize and Stephen made an adorable pair as they posed together Ronan Farrow rocked a salmon pink suit for the gala Robbie Rogers and Greg Berlanti took over the red carpet together Sean Hayes and Nathan Lane posed together after sharing the stage Michaela Jae Rodriguez captured the audience's attention The stunning beauty showed off her Vanguard Award Nathan Lane (R) accepts the Career Achievement Award from Sean Hayes onstage Kristen Kish looked sensational in her sheer black ensemble Ron Nyswaner, Matt Bomer, Robbie Rogers and Daniel Minahan accept the Producer Award onstage Ricky Martin flashed his megawatt smile as he took the stage Charlize looked every inch the glamorous movie star while presenting an award Ronan showed off his colorful ensemble while taking over the stage at the event George Takei was the moment in his chic jacket Abe Sylvia accepts the Showrunner Award Nathan Lane put on a dapper display in a black velvet suit jacket with a matching shirt and pants. Eve Lindley dazzled in a strapless black floor-length dress with a multi-colored dragon print as she walked the carpet with National Anthem co-star Charlie Plummer and director Luke Gilford. Co-star Mason Alexander Park was also in attendance, sporting a black pinstripe double-breasted jacket and matching floor-length skirt. Mark Indelicato donned a black suit with a wide pinstripe and deconstructed green stripes on the sleeves. TMCs actor-turned-MLA accused of beating up restaurant owner Actor-turned-politician and Trinamool Congress celebrity legislator from Chandipur Assembly constituency in East Midnapore, Soham Chakraborty, has been accused of beating up a restaurant owner in New Town of Kolkata. According to the restaurant owner Anisul Alam, the incident took place late on Friday evening when he asked the driver and the bodyguards of Chakraborty to remove the actors car illegally parked in his parking spot. When I asked them to remove the car, one of them tried to intimidate me by saying that Chakraborty was a close friend of Trinamool Congress General Secretary and party MP Abhishek Banerjee. I told them that whoever he might be, he does not have the authority to illegally park his vehicle in anyone elses parking place. First his bodyguard tried to attack me. Soon after that the actor-turned-MLA joined them and beat me up, Alam told newspersons on Saturday. Chakraborty, while admitting to hitting the restaurant owner, argued that he lost his temper after Alam used abusive words against Abhishek Banerjee. I could not accept him abusing Abhishek Banerjee. I too have human sentiments so I lost my temper. The police are looking into the matter, said Chakraborty. However, the restaurant owner denied allegations of abusing Abhishek Banerjee. I have immense respect for Banerjee. The actor is using him as a shield to hide his own fault, he said. Sofia Vergara, 51, glowed with maternal pride as she and her son Manolo, 32, posed at an event for their upcoming restaurant TOMA in West Hollywood. The new eatery, which is slated to open sometime this summer, is billed on its website as being 'made by Manolo, eaten by Sofia.' Manolo, whom Sofia welcomed with her first husband and high school sweetheart Joe Gonzalez, is the chef behind the new enterprise. At the swank new event for TOMA, Sofia, who has described the restaurant as 'our love letter to Latin food,' exuded her typical megawatt glamour. The Modern Family superstar slid into a slinky sheer black ensemble that featured lace accents and emphasized her hourglass figure to full advantage. Sofia Vergara , 51, glowed with maternal pride as she and her son Manolo, 32, posed at an event for their upcoming restaurant TOMA in West Hollywood Serving up a generous helping of cleavage via her plunging neckline, Sofia accented the look with an elaborate pair of earrings. Manolo, meanwhile, cut a dapper figure in a blue suit teamed with a white shirt, leaving a couple of top buttons beguilingly undone. As she continues her recovery from a recent knee surgery, Sofia could be seen holding onto one of her legs while walking across the black carpet. Although she has not disclosed the reason for the surgery, she did divulge that the procedure was 'major' and proved it with a picture of her long post-op scar. Sofia, who split from her second husband Joe Manganiello last year, is currently romantically involved with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Justin Saliman. In a recent Insta Story about her surgical recovery, she joked about having a surgeon on hand with her at home amid her medical issues. 'If u ever get a mayor [sic] knee surgery make sure u Get a handsome doctor who will sleep with u that night!!!!' she wrote alongside a picture of Justin standing near her bed. 'Luv u Dr @jdsaliman,' she added with a heart emoji. In addition to TOMA, Sofia and Manolo have also been promoting the new cookery competition program Celebrity Family Food Battle. The new eatery, which is slated to open sometime this summer, is billed on its website as being 'made by Manolo, eaten by Sofia' Manolo, whom Sofia welcomed with her first husband and high school sweetheart Joe Gonzalez, is the chef behind the new enterprise As she continues her recovery from a recent knee surgery, Sofia could be seen holding onto one of her legs while walking across the black carpet Manolo is the host of the program, and on each episode he judges two different teams, each comprised of a celebrity and his or her family member. Sofia and her niece Claudia were one of the duos competing to demonstrate their skills in the kitchen on the premiere episode. Other competitors on various other episodes include Ashlee Simpson and her sister-in-law Chudney Ross, as well as the TikTok sister act Charli and Dixie D'Amelio. Sofia's latest outing comes shortly after she revealed the real reason that she and Joe decided to bring the curtain down on their marriage. 'My marriage broke up because my husband was younger; he wanted to have kids and I didn't want to be an old mom,' she said. 'I feel it's not fair to the baby. I respect whoever does it, but that's not for me anymore,' she explained to the Madrid newspaper El Pais. Beyonce posted a heartwarming Instagram montage Friday of herself wearing a t-shirt promoting her late duet partner Prince - on what would have been his 66th birthday. Prince and Beyonce famously joined forces onstage at the 2004 Grammy Awards, performing a medley that included his iconic 1984 single Purple Rain. Now, two decades later, Beyonce has let her fans in on her enduring nostalgia for Prince, who died of an accidental overdose in 2016 at the age of just 57. She struck pose after pose in her Prince t-shirt, which she teamed with a set of fashionably baggy acid wash jeans and a pair of cat-eye shades. Sweeping her platinum blonde hairdo back, she accentuated the look with a sumptuous coat made of what may have been faux fur. Beyonce posted a heartwarming Instagram montage Friday of herself wearing a t-shirt promoting her late duet partner Prince - on what would have been his 66th birthday Prince and Beyonce famously joined forces onstage at the 2004 Grammy Awards, performing a medley that included his iconic 1984 single Purple Rain Beyonce and Prince's Grammy duet included her fan favorite number Crazy In Love, which saw him accompany her on the electric guitar. Afterwards, Prince gave an interview in which he shared his appraisal of Beyonce's musical abilities when they worked together. 'I was really curious as to how much she knew musically, and I was really pleased to find out that she knew a lot about scales - Mixolydian scales and Egyptian styles and different things like that,' he said. 'And I was just trying to show her some chords on the piano and help her to respect the fact that if she learns piano a la Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles and things like that, the sky's the limit as to what she could do, 'cause she's so very talented.' Her new Prince posts come one day after Beyonce returned to Instagram amid speculation that her weeks-long absence from the publicity circuit is somehow connected to Diddy. The 32-time Grammy Award-winner, 42, offloaded a slew of glamour shots that show her rocking a beige cowboy hat and a busty suede frock. Beyonce has seemingly 'disappeared' after releasing her new album Cowboy Carter this past March and she hasn't attended a single red carpet event since the iHeart Radio Music Awards on April 1. A wild conspiracy theory is suggesting that both Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z, 54, are 'laying low' amid their disgraced pal Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sexual abuse scandal, as per Page Six. An insider further speculates that the couple are so 'nervous' about drawing attention to their Diddy ties that Beyonce is purposely neglecting Cowboy Carter promo. DailyMail.com has reached out to reps for Beyonce and Jay-Z for comment. Beyonce and Prince's Grammy duet included her fan favorite number Crazy In Love, which saw him accompany her on the electric guitar Now, two decades later, Beyonce has let her fans in on her enduring nostalgia for Prince, who died of an accidental overdose in 2016 at the age of just 57 She struck pose after pose in her Prince t-shirt, which she teamed with a set of fashionably baggy acid wash jeans and a pair of cat-eye shades Sweeping her platinum blonde hairdo back, she accentuated the look with a sumptuous coat made of what may have been faux fur After their Grammy duet, Prince gave an interview in which he shared his appraisal of Beyonce's musical abilities when they worked together 'I was really curious as to how much she knew musically, and I was really pleased to find out that she knew a lot about scales,' Prince said of Beyonce Beyonce made a bold return to Instagram on Thursday night amid speculation that her weeks-long absence from the publicity circuit is somehow connected to Diddy The 32-time Grammy Award-winner, 42, offloaded a slew of glamour shots that show her rocking a beige cowboy hat and a busty suede frock Combs, 54, is currently facing eight lawsuits relating to allegations of rape, physical abuse, sex trafficking, racketeering and other serious crimes that span across 30 years. The music mogul's Los Angeles and Miami mansions were raided by Homeland Security agents in March as part of a sex-trafficking probe that may lead to a grand jury indictment. In May, a horrifying video was released showing Combs violently assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016. Cassie, who was in a relationship with Combs for 10 years, accused him of rape and physical abuse in a bombshell November 2023 lawsuit that was settled one day later for $30million. Beyonce's Cowboy Carter was released on March 29 three days after the Diddy raids and it spent two consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 album chart. With songs featuring Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, Beyonce also made history as the first Black woman to top the country album charts. 'This was supposed to be Beyonce's time, with her much-anticipated country album out [just] two months ago,' Page Six's source said. 'And yet, she is nowhere to be seen. The album is slipping and Jay and B aren't reveling in the spotlight.' Beyonce has seemingly 'disappeared' after releasing her new album Cowboy Carter this past March and she hasn't attended a red carpet event since the iHeart Radio Music Awards on April 1 (pictured) A wild conspiracy theory is suggesting that both Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z, 54, are 'laying low' amid their disgraced pal Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sexual abuse scandal, as per Page Six As the speculation around her public absence continues, Beyonce appeared unbothered in Thursday's Instagram snaps She looked like a busty bombshell as she twirled around in beige suede frock with vibrant floral decals The Halo hitmaker first uploaded a photo slideshow set to the tune of the Cowboy Carter track SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN' featuring Shaboozey Beyonce cinched in her already tiny waist with a thin brown leather belt and she paraded around in brown steel-toed booties She looked ethereal with shimmering eyeshadow and a glossy lip The insider then brought up Jay-Z's controversial 2024 Grammys speech, where he called out the Recording Academy for never awarding his wife Album Of The Year despite her being the most decorated female artist. 'About a month before the [March 29] release, Jay-Z got up at the Grammys and whined that Beyonce had never won Album of the Year,' they said. 'But now what? Does he think she will win . . . for Cowboy Carter with no promotion . . . no appearances and no wooing of the academy?' They noted that although Cowboy Carter had a successful release, the album is 'definitely not the juggernaut everyone thought it would be.' The insider believes that Beyonce has seemingly abandoned ship because 'something is going on' behind-the-scenes. 'Something is going on. It came out with a bang. No. 1 everywhere. [Now] it and she have disappeared,' the insider concluded. Jay-Z's friendship with Combs dates back to the early 1990s as they both navigated their early rap careers in New York. They've collaborated on a number of songs, including a track on Combs' debut 1997 studio album No Way Out. She looked over her shoulder while walking down a hallway She had a shiny choker around her neck as she smoldered for the camera Her bouncy blonde curls tumbled out from under a felt cowboy hat The mother-of-three modeled high-waisted Daisy Duke shorts that showed off her killer legs The inside of the low-cut number was lined with pink and leopard-print fabric She posed for the photos inside of an empty building as she scurried through the hallways and leaned up against blank walls She rocked gold-framed aviator shades in several shots. Beyonce's Cowboy Carter was released on March 29 three days after the Diddy raids and it spent two consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 album chart With songs featuring Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, Beyonce also made history as the first Black woman to top the country album charts 'This was supposed to be Beyonce's time, with her much-anticipated country album out [just] two months ago,' Page Six's source said. 'And yet, she is nowhere to be seen. The album is slipping and Jay and B aren't reveling in the spotlight' The insider believes that Beyonce has seemingly abandoned ship because 'something is going on' behind-the-scenes Beyonce began dating Jay-Z in 2000 and she soon found the Bad Boy Records exec in her orbit. As the speculation around her public absence continues, Beyonce appeared unbothered in Thursday's Instagram snaps. The Halo hitmaker first uploaded a photo slideshow set to the tune of the Cowboy Carter track SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN' featuring Shaboozey. She looked like a busty bombshell as she twirled around in beige suede frock with vibrant floral decals. The inside of the low-cut number was lined with pink and leopard-print fabric. Beyonce cinched in her already tiny waist with a thin brown leather belt and she paraded around in brown steel-toed booties. The mother-of-three modeled high-waisted Daisy Duke shorts that showed off her killer legs. Combs, 54, is currently facing eight lawsuits relating to allegations of rape, physical abuse, sex trafficking, racketeering and other serious crimes that span across 30 years. The music mogul's Los Angeles and Miami mansions were raided by Homeland Security agents in March as part of a sex-trafficking probe that may lead to a grand jury indictment; seen in 2016 Jay-Z's friendship with Combs dates back to the early 1990s as they both navigated their early rap careers in New York; Beyonce, Jay-Z and Diddy seen in 2005 Her bouncy blonde curls tumbled out from under a felt cowboy hat and she rocked gold-framed aviator shades in several shots. Beyonce last posted on Instagram seven days ago to show off the Cowboy Carter vinyl that's available to buy on her official website. Other than using songs off the album in her IG posts, Beyonce hasn't outright promoted Cowboy Carter since May 7. Christine Quinn made a statement as she attended the star-studded, White Fox Hot Summer Nights Party in Hollywood on Friday. The Selling Sunset alum, 35 - who recently accused ex Christian Dumontet of hiring a spy to snoop around her property - was reunited with her co-stars from the Netflix show, two years after leaving the series amid a string of on-screen feuds. The TV personality showed off her toned figure wearing a figure-hugging, strapless gray dress that clung to her frame and fell down towards her ankles. According to the clothing brand's official website, the piece is currently priced at $59.99. She additionally slipped into a pair of open-toed, black platform heels and allowed her blonde locks to effortlessly flow down past her shoulders in elegant curls. Quinn opted for minimal accessories to allow her outfit to be the main focal point, and added a flashy, gold watch on her right wrist. Christine Quinn, 35, made a statement as she attended the star-studded, White Fox Hot Summer Nights Party in Hollywood on Friday The reality star was reunited with some of her co-stars from the Netlix show, including Mary Fitzgerald (far left), Nicole Young and Jason Oppenheim The TV personality showed off her toned figure wearing a figure-hugging, strapless gray dress that clung to her frame and fell down towards her ankles Christine's makeup was glammed up for the event, and comprised of voluminous lashes as well as a light shadow around her eyes. A warm blush was added to her cheekbones for a radiant glow, while a glossy nude-colored tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch. Upon arriving to the venue, the media personality paused for a brief photo session on the red carpet to better show off her ensemble for the big night. At one point, the mother-of-one turned slightly away from the camera to reveal a slit on the back hem that offered a sultry flare to the look. While on the red carpet, Christine got in a bit of mingling with her former Selling Sunset co-star Davina Potratz, who was wearing the same dress as she. A number of names from the show could be spotted at the fete, including Jason Oppenheim, founder of the brokerage that employs the Selling Sunset stars. Selling Sunset blonde Mary Fitzgerald, 43, was also on hand for the festivities, which she attended on the arm of her sizzling husband Romain Bonnet, 30. Nicole Young, another Selling Sunset name, flashed the flesh in a see-through black lace mini that allowed her to serve up a generous helping of cleavage. Desperate Housewives heartthrob Jesse Metcalfe exuded showbiz magnetism in a tan shirt that fell open enough to betray a hint of his undershirt. She additionally slipped into a pair of open-toed, black platform heels and allowed her blonde locks to effortlessly flow down past her shoulders in elegant curls Quinn opted for minimal accessories to allow her outfit to be the main focal point, and added a flashy, gold watch on her right wrist Christine reuniting with some of her former co-stars may come as a surprise to some given she left Selling Sunset following a string of feuds. She made herself an unmissable character on the showwith her reliably venomous comments about the rest of the cast. Some of her sharpest barbs were reserved for Chrishell Stause, who at one point was dating Jason Oppenheim, the president of their brokerage. Christine at various stages described Chrishell as having a 'victim mentality,' being a 'kiss-a**,' acting 'fake' and acquiring listings by 'f***ing' their boss. 'Seriously, that b**** should f***ing own a Sunglass Hut, 'cause she's so f***ing shady,' Christine fumed during one tirade about her nemesis. Meanwhile, Chrishell accused Christine in Vulture of attempting 'to plant a false story when I was going through my divorce, and I had to have both sides confirm that it wasn't true, and then threaten legal action.' Before her relationship with Jason, Chrishell was married to This Is Us heartthrob Justin Hartley - and the emotional rollercoaster she went through when their relationship fell apart was captured on camera for Selling Sunset. Christine has also locked swords with her co-star Emma Hernan, who has accused her of bribing one of Emma's clients to leave her - a claim Christine denies. Mary Fitzgerald, who was personally close to Christine before Selling Sunset, saw their bond fray during their time on the series. Even Heather Rae Young, whom Christine was largely friendly with, got it in the jugular for 'the lack of wheels turning up there.' Christine regarded her acid tongue as a sign that she was honest, saying: 'Only my t***s are fake. Like, I'm not fake.' While on the red carpet, Christine got in a bit of mingling with her former Selling Sunset co-star Davina Potratz, who was wearing the same dress as she A number of names from the show could be spotted at the fete, including Jason Oppenheim, founder of the brokerage that employs the Selling Sunset stars Quinn's latest outing on Friday comes shortly after she accused her estranged husband, Christian Dumontet, of 'willfully' violating her temporary domestic violence restraining order against him. In a court filing, obtained by People on Wednesday, the reality star alleged that her ex enlisted an 'an unknown man' to snoop around the home they once shared. Her attorney provided the publication doorbell footage of Dumontet's acquaintance at the Hollywood home, which the former couple purchased for $5 million in January 2019. In the legal documents, it was noted that 'the same individual' outside Quinn's home on May 27 'was observed leaving with Dumontet from a court appearance on Tuesday, June 4.' Dumontet was previously directed 'to stay at least 100 yards away' from the home, where 18 emergency calls were made to the Los Angeles Police Department over the last five years, according to Us Weekly. Quinn is accusing Dumontet of sending 'an agent on his behalf to the property to effectively spy on Mrs. Quinn.' The TV personality was alerted to the man's presence at her property after getting 'an alert on her cell phone that a person was on her property.' While she was not home at the time, the man's presence was captured by video surveillance, which she installed to 'ensure that Mr. Dumontet and his agents abided by the terms of the DVRO - to stay 100 yards away.' Selling Sunset blonde Mary Fitzgerald, 43, was also on hand for the festivities, which she attended on the arm of her sizzling husband Romain Bonnet, 30 Nicole Young, another Selling Sunset name, flashed the flesh in a see-through black lace mini that allowed her to serve up a generous helping of cleavage Desperate Housewives heartthrob Jesse Metcalfe exuded showbiz magnetism in a tan shirt that fell open enough to betray a hint of his undershirt 'She watched an unknown man live from her phone application snooping around her garage and in front of her pool. He was located in an area of the property that was not available to the public. Mrs. Quinn did not recognize the person to be associated with Mr. Dumontet; he was a complete stranger,' the document claims. Quinn was reportedly left 'terrified' by the alleged intrusion, although she did not file a file police report. Quinn ultimately identified the trespasser in a photo, featured in an Us Weekly article, next to her estranged husband. 'Upon review of the US Weekly article, Mrs. Quinn immediately recognized the May 27, 2024, trespasser in the photographs. The trespasser was photographed next to Mr. Dumontet, wearing the EXACT SAME outfit that he was wearing when he trespassed,' the legal documents stated. Quinn's latest outing on Friday comes shortly after she accused her estranged husband, Christian Dumontet, of 'willfully' violating her temporary domestic violence restraining order against him; seen in 2021 in L.A. In a court filing, obtained by People on Wednesday, the reality star alleged that her ex enlisted an 'an unknown man' to snoop around the home they once shared; seen with her son in 2021 Her attorney added: 'There is no dispute that this trespasser is an agent and/or associate of Mr. Dumontet.' Quinn claimed that the 'trespassing is a clear violation of the DVRO by Mr. Dumontet and constitutes contempt of court' as Dumontet 'knew he was not permitted to be at the property, and sent his agent there to spy on Mrs. Quinn nonetheless.' In a statement to People, Dumontet's lawyer stated: 'This pattern of wild, seemingly paranoid allegations against Mr. Dumontet evidences an obsession that is highlighted by Ms. Quinn's multiple filings alleging that she has been unable to locate him and has not heard from him since March.' Meanwhile, Quinns attorney told the outlet: 'The only "pattern" here is Mr. Dumontet repeatedly sending men to the house on his behalf. It needs to stop.' The pair share a three-year-old son, named Christian Georges. Last month, the Los Angeles City Attorney's office confirmed to DailyMail.com that Richard has been charged with three misdemeanors over the domestic violence incidents that took place in March. MasterChef Australia judge Andy Allen has revealed that the death of his close friend and co-star Jock Zonfrillo was the 'hardest time' of his life. Beloved celebrity chef Jock was tragically found dead in a hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne's CBD, on April 30, 2023 - which was also Andy's 35th birthday. Andy, 36, has now opened up about losing Jock, who was also a judge on MasterChef Australia, and told how it was 'really difficult' grieving in the public eye. The TV personality candidly described it as the 'hardest time' of his life and revealed it was the first time he had dealt with such a personal tragedy. 'It was the hardest time of my life, I had never had tragedy like that hit me so close, it was very uncharted waters and multiply that by it being in the public eye; it was really difficult,' he told the Herald Sun. MasterChef Australia judge Andy Allen has revealed that losing Jock Zonfrillo was the 'hardest time' of his life Andy, 36, (pictured with Jock) has opened up about his close friend and co-star's devastating death and told how it was 'really difficult' grieving in the public eye Andy said he didn't give himself a chance to grieve because he wanted to be there for Jock's family - his wife Lauren Fried and their kids Alfie, seven, and Isla, three, as well as his adult daughters Ava and Sophia from past relationships. He detailed his heavy emotional toll and told how he spent a 'full day crying' after travelling to Sicily to mark Jock's birthday in August last year. 'I spent a full day just crying, a full day, in a couple of hour increments, just having a good old cry, then I would be quiet and then I would go again,' he shared. Andy said his grief only really hit him twice while shooting the latest series of MasterChef, which was also his first without his close friend Jock. The TV personality (pictured with Jock on MasterChef) candidly described it as the 'hardest time' of his life and revealed it was the first time he had dealt with such a personal tragedy Andy said he didn't give himself a chance to grieve because he wanted to be there for Jock's family - his wife Lauren Fried and their kids Alfie, seven, and Isla, three (all pictured together) Andy previously admitted that he almost didn't appear on the 2024 season of the cooking contest, but is 'so glad' he decided to push through the grief. 'It was tough. I didn't know if I was going to do it. I'm so glad that I did, I really am, but it was hard,' he told The Project earlier this year. Jock was found dead at the Zagame's House hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne's CBD, at around 2am on April 30 last year. His death came just one day before the 2023 season of MasterChef was due to premiere, and it was delayed in arriving on air for a week 'out of respect'. Network 10 dedicated the fifteenth season to Jock and his family as they aired his scenes posthumously, acknowledging his 'sudden and tragic passing'. Andy previously admitted that he almost didn't appear on the 2024 season of the cooking contest, but is 'so glad' he decided to push through the grief Jock was tragically was found dead in a hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne's CBD, on April 30, 2023 - just one day before the 2023 series of MasterChef was set to air At the time, his wife Lauren was in Italy with their two children and had phoned Victoria Police to request a welfare check because he stopped answering her calls. His sudden death was still being investigated in March almost a year after his tragic passing, the Coroner's Court of Victoria confirmed at the time. Jock's death came just one day before the 2023 season of MasterChef was due to premiere, and it was delayed in arriving on air for a week 'out of respect'. Network 10 dedicated the fifteenth season to Jock and his family as they aired his scenes posthumously, acknowledging his 'sudden and tragic passing'. Emma Harvie has revealed how her role on Colin From Accounts completely changed her life. The actress portrays Megan, or 'Meggles', on the smash hit comedy series, but admitted she didn't used to think she would be able to launch a career in TV. Emma, who is of Sri Lankan heritage, said she never saw anyone who looked like herself on TV when she was growing up and didn't think she would 'fit' into the industry. 'I didn't really think I could be an actor and make money from it especially in Australia,' she told the Daily Telegraph. 'There was no one on TV that looked like me, I didn't think that was a place I would fit into, but it kind of worked out.' Emma Harvie has revealed how her role on globally successful comedy Colin From Accounts completely changed her life The actress portrays Megan, or 'Meggles', on the popular series, but admitted she didn't always think she would be able to launch a career in TV Emma told how representation still makes an impact on her as she praised the casting of Ambika Mod as lead Emma Morley in Netflix's hit series One Day. Emma said it was the first time she had seen a South Asian actress as a romantic lead where her ethnicity was irrelevant to the story as she detailed its huge impact on her. 'It meant something to me to see someone that looks like me doing that,' she candidly shared. 'It's so vital that you can actually physically see someone that looks like you doing that otherwise, you just don't know that it's an option.' Emma, who is of Sri Lankan heritage, said she never saw anyone who looked like herself on TV when she was growing up and didn't think she would 'fit' into the industry Emma told how representation still makes an impact on her as she praised the casting of Ambika Mod (pictured with Leo Woodall) as lead Emma Morley in Netflix's hit series One Day Emma also hinted at what fans can expect for Meggles in the second season of Colin From Accounts, which debuted in Australia on May 30, with the UK and US release date yet to be confirmed. She teased that the new series becomes a 'real dating show' for her character and said her heart starts to be pulled in different directions. Harriet Dyer, 35, and her husband Patrick Brammall, 48, co-created the Binge comedy-drama, while they also take on the leading roles of Ashley and Gordon. The first eight-part series saw their complex characters brought together following a fateful car accident and an injured dog, and it quickly rose to global acclaim. Harriet Dyer, 35, and her husband Patrick Brammall, 48, co-created the Binge comedy-drama, while they also take on the leading roles of Ashley and Gordon The second season continues to follow the misadventures of Gordon and Ashley, as they navigate life and love in modern day Sydney. Colin From Accounts has become a huge hit in over 100 countries since its first season premiered back in 2022. Harriet and Patrick took home an AACTA award for Best Narrative Comedy Series and two Logies for Most Outstanding Actor and Most Outstanding Actress. The series also cleaned up at the Venice TV Awards, the European Broadcasting Unions Rose d'Or awards, and London's C21 International Awards. Nicole Kidman's niece Lucia Hawley has revealed her boyfriend Henry Poole's reaction to her 'flirty' interview with Austin Butler. The 7Bravo reporter, 25, became very flustered while interviewing the Hollywood star, 32, at the State Theatre during the Sydney Film Festival on Thursday night. She attempted to chat to Austin, who is dating Kaia Gerber, about his new movie The Bikeriders, but quickly became red-faced when he turned the tables on her. Rather than talking about his film, he started asking Lucia questions about herself instead, prompting her fans to joke that Austin was 'flirting' with her. The interview quickly went viral and Lucia has now shared her longtime boyfriend Henry's reaction to the 'flirty' interview. Nicole Kidman 's niece Lucia Hawley has revealed her boyfriend Henry Poole's reaction to her 'flirty' interview with Austin Butler Taking to her Instagram Stories, she joked that Henry was 'not happy' as she shared a screenshot of the comment he left underneath footage of the friendly interview. Henry hilariously penned: 'Eyes where I can see em @austinbutler,' as he poked fun at the 'flirty' chat. Reposting his comment, Lucia quipped of Henry's response: '@henrypoole_ has weighed in guys... (he's not happy).' Lucia has been dating Henry for more than three years but only spoke publicly about their relationship for the first time last year, sharing their plans to move in together in 2024. The 7Bravo reporter, 25, became very flustered while interviewing the Hollywood star (pictured), 32, at the State Theatre during the Sydney Film Festival on Thursday night Taking to her Instagram Stories, Lucia joked that Henry was 'not happy' with the 'flirty' interview as she shared a picture of his comment underneath footage of the chat Footage of her talked-about interview with Austin showed Lucia introducing herself to the Elvis star, before he began 'interviewing' her a surprise turn of events. 'I don't like talking about myself. Are you from Sydney?' Austin asked her, and she said yes, joking that she was supposed to be the one asking the questions. 'What else can you tell me, how old are you and what are you interested in?' he eagerly enquired. Lucia responded that she was interested in art and Austin then asked her where she finds 'cool' artworks, prompting an embarrassed Lucia to burst into laughter. Lucia has been dating Henry for more than three years but only spoke publicly about their relationship for the first time last year, sharing their plans to move in together in 2024 During the interview, Lucia attempted to chat to Austin about his new movie The Bikeriders, but quickly became red-faced when he began asking questions about her life 'I should probably jump into questions because this is my job. If I don't, I will get into trouble,' she joked. Followers quickly took to the comments section to express their amusement over the hilarious clip, and joked that Austin was flirting with her. 'This is brilliant!' one fan wrote and a second person added: 'This is incredible.' 'This made me really like him! I loved that he was curious and interested in someone else,' a third person chipped in. Followers quickly took to the comment section to express their amusement over the hilarious clip, and joked that Austin was flirting with her Austin has been dating American model Kaia Gerber since December 2021. The high-profile couple tend to keep their romance out of the spotlight While another added: 'This is brilliant! Totally into you Lu!' For the event, Lucia donned a stunning all-black look for the exclusive event as she showed off her sense of style. Rocking a smoky eye, the TV presenter slipped into a form-fitting maxi dress which featured a racy cut out across her mid-section. She accessorised with a gold watch and stacks of rings on her wedding and middle finger, which are heirlooms passed down from her mother. Lucia has a close connection with her famous aunt Nicole Kidman and the pair have often been spotted together at red carpet events Lucia is the daughter of veteran Australian TV presenter Antonia Kidman - the younger sister of actress Nicole - and her late ex-husband Angus Hawley. Last year, Lucia said she shouldn't be labelled a 'nepo baby', after landing a coveted new gig hosting red carpet events for Live From E! on Seven Network's new channel 7Bravo. 'I've been working towards this,' she told The Sunday Telegraph at the time. 'Having a mum who had been in the industry, through osmosis you gain that perspective and understanding and I think that's been one of the biggest things that has helped in preparing me for this role, just having watched her and how she has carried herself through everything.' Miranda Otto was all smiles as she stepped out with her family to attend the Sydney Film Festival premiere of a documentary about her father Barry Otto on Saturday. Miranda, 56, cut a stylish figure as she posed alongside her sister Gracie, 37, her husband Peter O'Brien and their daughter Darcey, 19, for the premiere. The family stepped out together to celebrate the release of filmmaker Gracie's new documentary, Revealed: Otto by Otto, about veteran Australian actor Barry, 83. The feature sees Heartbreak High director Gracie attempt to capture memories with her and Miranda's father Barry amid his battle with Alzheimer's disease. Stepping out to support her sister, Miranda showed off her style in a shimmering snake-print overcoat, which she styled with a navy blouse and black trousers. Miranda Otto (right) was all smiles as she stepped out with her sister Gracie (left) to attend the Sydney Film Festival premiere of Revealed: Otto by Otto on Saturday night Miranda, 56, put on a stylish display as she posed alongside her sister Gracie, 37, her husband Peter O'Brien and their daughter Darcey, 19, for the premiere Miranda swept a leopard print scarf over her shoulders to complete the look and gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of heeled black boots. Her sister Gracie made sure to turn heads in a vibrant yellow floral patterned suit with embroidered lapels and black cuffs. She completed her fashionable ensemble with a pair of chunky black boots and was all smiles as she posed arm in arm with Miranda. The red carpet continued to be a family affair as Miranda's husband Peter O'Brien and their daughter Darcey also joined them on the night. The family stepped out to celebrate the release of filmmaker Gracie's new documentary, Revealed: Otto by Otto, about veteran Australian actor Barry Otto, 83 Gracie's film has been described as 'absorbing' but not a traditional biopic. Rather, it is 'a deeply personal reflection on her relationship with her father shot over five years, in the twilight of his career and as his health deteriorates' Actor Peter, 61, who met Miranda in 2003 while they were in a theatre production of A Doll's House together, wore all black ensemble for the occasion. He added a touch of colour to his outfit with a bright red scarf as he smiled for the cameras. Meanwhile, their daughter Darcey kept it simple as she wore a long black coat over a white dress. Miranda is the daughter of legendary actor and artist Barry and his first wife Lindsay Otto, while Gracie's parents are Barry and his second wife Susan Hill. For the premiere, Miranda showed off her style in a shimmering snake-print overcoat, which she styled with a navy blouse and black trousers The documentary sees Heartbreak High director Gracie attempt to capture memories with her and Miranda's father Barry amid his battle with Alzheimer's disease Gracie was supported by comedian Tim Minchin on her big night and he cut a suave figure in a black shirt and grey trousers for the event Heartbreak High actor Bryn Chapman Parish, who portrays Spider, alos attended the premiere and showed off his signature style in an edgy ensemble Gracie's documentary Revealed: Otto by Otto has been described as 'absorbing' but not a traditional biopic of her father and Aussie icon Barry. Rather, it is 'a deeply personal reflection on her relationship with her father shot over five years, in the twilight of his career and as his health deteriorates'. The film sees Gracie take her father to Brisbane to relive his childhood, his poor upbringing, and his first foray into theatre in touching scenes. The documentary also reveals Barry's health struggles after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Barry (pictured in 2015) has enjoyed an impressive film and theatre career spanning more than 50 years and is well-known for his roles in the likes of Bliss, Cosi and Strictly Ballroom The family kept Barry's diagnosis quiet for a while, partly so he could keep working, but he felt that the film might help others dealing with the disease. 'Obviously, every family goes through it in a different way and there are tough times and angry times and frustrating times,' Otto told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'But you can go through it and also see the comedy.' Barry has enjoyed an impressive film and theatre career spanning more than 50 years and is well-known for his roles in the likes of Bliss, Cosi and Strictly Ballroom. Revealed: Otto by Otto premiered at the Sydney Film Festival and will stream in Australia on Stan from June 16. Sacha Baron Cohen looked downcast as he stepped out without his wedding ring in London on Friday amid his split from Isla Fisher. The comedian, 52, is back in the UK after he and his wife Isla, 48, who had been living together in her native Australia, quietly separated after 14 years of marriage. Borat star Sacha, who is thought to be house hunting in London, cut a casual figure for the day out. He sported a white and blue striped shirt along with a pair of navy jeand and a matching cap. Isla, who is currently in London filming the new Bridget Jones sequel, is also looking for a new home in the UK. Sacha Baron Cohen looked downcast as he stepped out without his wedding ring in London on Friday amid his split from Isla Fisher The comedian, 52, is back in the UK after he and his wife Isla, 48, who had been living together in her native Australia, quietly separated after 14 years of marriage Sources told The Daily Mail's Alison Boshoff that she has a budget of 13 million, give or take, and is searching for a forever family home for her and their three children. The planned move is an indication that the couple's split is being handled with an exemplary lack of animosity. Sacha is believed to be in the process of buying a London house of his own. A friend said: 'It's all about the kids and what is best for them; there seems to be no drama at all. Judging by the size of the budget, the family will now be based in London. But Isla is going to keep her place in Australia.' Isla and Sacha, 52, announced in April that they had quietly separated last year. The couple first met in 2001 and tied the knot in 2010. They are parents to three children. Insiders claim the marriage had been shaky for years, with Sacha reportedly struggling after making the sacrifice to relocate their family to Australia in 2020. Sacha cut a casual figure for the day out in a striped top and dark jeans Sacha is believed to be in the process of buying a London house of his own and a friend said: Its all about the kids and what is best for them' (pictured with Sacha) They moved from Los Angeles to Sydney, then on to Perth where Islas family live in September 2021, to escape Sydneys strict Covid lockdown rules. It is thought Sacha will keep a house in Los Angeles for work. The split announcement came shortly after actress Rebel Wilson made claims about Sacha in her memoir, Rebel Rising, which he has denied. Rebel hit the headlines after she made several claims against her former Grimsby co-star Sacha, accusing him of inappropriate on set behaviour. In the book Rebel Rising, the actress wrote she 'rues the day' she met the actor, who she had described as her 'idol', first meeting at a dinner party hosted by Little Britain star Matt Lucas. A year later Sacha offered her a role in 2016 film Grimsby as Dawn, the wife of his character Nobby. Ahead of her memoir's release, Rebel named Sacha as the celebrity responsible for making threats over the book after which his representatives hit back. Taking to Instagram to confirm the identity, she wrote: 'I will not be silenced by high priced lawyers or PR crisis managers. The a****** I am talking about in ONE CHAPTER of my book is: Sacha Baron Cohen.' In the wake of her statement, Sacha spoke out to TMZ via representatives, saying: 'While we appreciate the importance of speaking out, these demonstrably false claims are directly contradicted by extensive detailed evidence... '[With] contemporaneous documents, film footage, and eyewitness accounts from those present before, during and after the production of The Brothers Grimsby.' The book was published in the US last month, and featured a chapter titled Sacha Baron Cohen And Other A**holes, where Rebel makes the claims about his alleged behaviour during the filming of Grimsby. However the UK copies feature the wording crudely blacked out due to what Rebel branded 'peculiarities' of English law. Isla has refused to comment on Rebel's claims against her estranged husband. Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori bragged about having a five-person orgy in one of many sexually explicit phone calls, the rapper's ex-assistant claims. Influencer and former OnlyFans star Lauren Pisciotta is suing West for allegedly sexually harassing and stalking her while she worked for him in 2021-22. She also claimed West promised to pay her a $4 million a year salary, then wrongfully fired her and reneged on a $3 million severance payout. West denied her claims, calling them 'baseless' and accused her of 'blackmail and extortion'. He declared he would file a countersuit but is yet to do so. Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori (pictured together) bragged about having a five-person orgy in one of many sexually explicit phone calls, the rapper's ex-assistant claims Influencer and former OnlyFans star Lauren Pisciotta (pictured) is suing West for allegedly sexually harassing and stalking her while she worked for him in 2021-22 Pisciotta claimed in the complaint filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court that West frequently sent her explicit text messages and images. These included video of himself having sex, and extreme oversharing about his sex life in what she claimed was an effort to get her to join in, it said. The lawsuit explained that part of her duties - which involved being at West's beck and call 24 hours a day - was to organize transport for women to meet him. 'On one such occasion, in August 2022, after [Pisciotta] had arranged an Uber ride, Kanye West a.k.a. Ye and Bianca Censori called [her] wanting to discuss the orgy (five-some) they had participated in the day before,' the lawsuit claimed. Pisciotta claimed the same month, West required her to take off her cardigan while she was in the Yeezy/Gap office 'because he said 'it was covering too much'.' 'Later that evening at the office, Kanye West a.k.a. Ye asked Bianca Censori and other female guests to perform oral sex on him and his male guests in the office changing room,' the lawsuit claimed. 'During this same time period, Kanye West a.k.a. Ye asked design assistants at the Yeezy/Gap office why [Pisciotta] would not want to have sex with him. '[West] was extremely upset and angry that [Pisciotta] would date or have sex with someone else, but not him.' Pisciotta also claimed West promised to pay her a $4 million a year salary, then wrongfully fired her and reneged on a $3 million severance payout Pisciotta in a selfie taken at the Yeezy/Gap office in 2022 when she worked there Pisciotta claimed West told her he was turned on by the sound of her voice and often pleasured himself while on the phone to her, asking her if she could 'hear or guess what he was doing'. Her lawsuit claimed her also did this in person one time on a flight to the Yeezy Fashion Show Paris on a private jet with other employees. She claimed he texted her asking for a 'hug' but she declined. West, she claimed, previously sent her a photo of a couple embracing during sex, writing 'when I say I need a hug this is what I mean'. The photo and alleged text message were attached to the lawsuit. Pisciotta claimed after she refused the 'hug' on the plane, West came out of his room and said he needed to talk to her inside. They went into his room, and he closed the door - trapping them inside together as the door couldn't be opened from the inside, she claimed. West then lay down on the bed and masturbated under the covers until he fell asleep as she sat across from him in a chair, the lawsuit claimed. The lawsuit claimed West 'asked Bianca Censori and other female guests to perform oral sex on him and his male guests in the office changing room' Kanye West and Erykah Badu pose backstage at the Burberry Spring/Summer 2023 runway show in Bermondsey on September 26, 2022, in London, while the events described in the lawsuit were going on Pisciotta in the lawsuit claimed West 'constantly asked about her current and past sex life' and insist on knowing intimate details. '[West] would would frequently demand to hear details and was particularly fixated on the penis size of, among others, [Pisciotta]'s boyfriends,' she claimed. '[West] would often tell [Pisciotta] that he always wanted to have sex with her, and that he held these feelings for a very long time. '[West] also falsely boated that he had sex with [Pisciotta] or would insinuate to his friends, business partners, and music and fashion collaborators that he was having sex with [her].' Pisciotta claimed that on another occasion at the Soho Warehouse in Los Angeles in early 2022, West asked a male guest if he could have sex with the woman who arrived with him. 'West told the male guest that in exchange for allowing him to have sex with the woman, the male guest could have sex with [Pisciotta],' the lawsuit read. 'In an effort to to persuade his male guest, West stated that '[Pisciotta] has great p***y'. 'Again, [West] was insinuating that he had previously had sexual intercourse with [Pisciotta].' Pisciotta in the lawsuit claimed West 'constantly asked about her current and past sex life' and insist on knowing intimate details Pisciotta claimed West told her he was turned on by the sound of her voice and often pleasured himself while on the phone to her, asking her if she could 'hear or guess what he was doing' Pisciotta claimed that other times West asked to have sex with her included when he followed her to the restroom at a work dinner and asked her to have a threesome with him, and when he FaceTimed her at home with a friend and asked to have phone sex with the friend. 'West asked [Pisciotta] to come to his hotel (Nobu in Malibu, California) because [he] said he needed [her] to fix his Netflix account,' the lawsuit claimed of another occasion. 'Once [Pisciotta] arrived, [West] admitted that [he] had [her] come to his hotel because he wanted a hug for his birthday.' Pisciotta claimed West sent her many graphic text messages and videos about sex, and incorporating scenarios involving raceplay and cuckoldry. 'See my problem is I be wanting to f**k but then after I f**k I want a girl to tell me how hard they been f**ked while I'm f**king them. Then I want her to cheat on me,' one allegedly read, Another text allegedly read: 'Is my d**k racist? It is. This f**king racist d**k of mine. I going to beat this f**king racist d**k for being f**king racist.' 'I'm going to stare at pictures of white woman with Black a**es and beat the s**t out of my racist d**k... beating the s**t out of his big Black c**k.' Pisciotta claimed West sent her many graphic text messages and videos about sex, and incorporating scenarios involving raceplay and cuckoldry Pisciotta said she maintained a lucrative OnlyFans account until the summer of 2022, when West requested she get rid of it as he wanted her to have a 'God Like' image Pisciotta insisted in the lawsuit that she didn't 'welcome or encourage these offensive acts, texts, videos, and statements', nor did she condone his 'offensive, demeaning, embarrassing and abusive' behavior. West and Pisciotta met when she collaborated with him on a trio of songs from his album Donda, which was released in August 2021. Pisciotta said she maintained a lucrative OnlyFans account until the summer of 2022, when West requested she get rid of it as he wanted her to have a 'God Like' image. She claimed West offered her a $1 million annual incentive to abandon the profitable account, which she agreed to do. The lawsuit claimed she was pulling in about $1 million a year from her Instagram and OnlyFans accounts before she starting working for the rapper. Pisciotta detailed how she was promoted to chief of staff of West's group of companies on September 13, 2022,, and claimed that included a raise to $4 million a year. However, she claimed West never paid her salary or considerable expenses for phone calls, meals, and purchases she made on his behalf. Pisciotta was sacked on October 21, 2022, and she claimed she was offered a severance of $3 million, which she accepted. She claimed West accused her of 'extortion', but on October 28 he and others at the company asked her in a group chat to 'perform some additional services' for them, and promised to pay the severance. Pisciotta said she did as they asked, but claimed she was still never paid. West denied Pisciotta's claims, calling them 'baseless' and accusing her of 'blackmail and extortion', and declared he would file a countersuit - but is yet to do so West in response to the lawsuit claimed she was fired due to poor performance and not being qualified for the position. The rapper, through his representatives, also accused her of 'lascivious, unhinged conduct'. Along with her large salary demands, West claimed she requested expensive and extravagant items, such as a Birkin bag and a Lamborghini. The unnamed 'legal representative' also claimed Pisciotta sent West unsolicited nude photos of herself and offered to have sex with him on his birthday - which he declined. 'In response to these baseless allegations, Ye will be filing a lawsuit against Ms. Pisciotta, who actively pursued him sexually to coerce employment and other material benefits, then engaged in blackmail and extortion when her advances were rejected,' his representatives claimed. 'It is evident that Ms. Pisciotta leveraged her association with Ye and his company and her proximity to him, to seek material gains, clout, and employment through inappropriate means.' Johnny Wactor was included in the In Memorium segment of the Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday night. The broadcast aired just eight days after the 37-year-old actor was shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles. He played Brando Corbin on the long-running soap opera and lost his life when he interrupted a thief trying to steal the catalytic converter off of his car. Following his tragic death, Wactor's agent, David Shaul, told People that the Charleston native was 'a talented actor who was committed to his craft' and 'a real moral example to everyone who knew him.' Shaul praised Wactor for always 'standing for hard work, tenacity' and having a 'never give up attitude.' Johnny Wactor was included in the In Memorium segment of the Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday night The broadcast aired just eight days after the 37-year-old actor was shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles 'In the highs and lows of a challenging profession he always kept his chin up and kept striving for the best he could be,' Shaul recalled. 'Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on everyone. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever,' Shaul continued. Wactor, who appeared in 164 episodes of the soap opera from 2020 to 2022, was leaving his side job at a rooftop bar with a female colleague at around 3:25am Saturday May 25 in the area of West Pico Boulevard and South Hope Street, when he saw the three men, believing he was being towed. Police said that one of the three men, all of whom were wearing masks, shot Wactor before fleeing in a separate vehicle. In the death certificate obtained by TMZ on Thursday, the medical examiner cited that the star tragically passed away at the age of 37 due to a 'gunshot wound to the chest' with no other contributing factors. His remains were cremated and returned to his mother Scarlett in his home state of South Carolina. At the time of his death, he was walking a female co-worker named Anita to her car. Johnny's younger brother Grant confirmed to DailyMail.com that Johnny was shot in the chest as he came upon the suspects who were trying to steal the catalytic converter from his truck. He said his brother and his co-worker Anita had to park about two blocks from the restaurant, so they were walking to their cars after they finished their shift. Grant said they were brought up as 'Southern gentlemen,' so he was not surprised his older brother was walking his female co-worker to her car. 'We're Southern, born and raised, and we would never let a female walk to their car by herself.' He played Brando Corbin on the long-running soap opera and lost his life when he interrupted a thief trying to steal the catalytic converter off of his car Following his tragic death, Wactor's agent, David Shaul, told People that the Charleston native was 'a talented actor who was committed to his craft' and 'a real moral example to everyone who knew him' Saul praised Wactor for always 'standing for hard work, tenacity' and having a 'never give up attitude.' 'In the highs and lows of a challenging profession he always kept his chin up and kept striving for the best he could be,' Saul recalled Johnny's younger brother Grant confirmed to DailyMail.com that Johnny was shot in the chest as he came upon the suspects who were trying to steal the catalytic converter from his truck Anita shared a lengthy tribute to her friend of eight years on Instagram: 'Johnny had this incredible ability that was truly just his genuine nature - to make anyone and everyone feel so special in his eyes. 'No matter how well you knew him, he treated everyone like he truly cared about you. He lit up any room - you couldnt not smile around him. His energy was magnetic and pulled you in so effortlessly - you were safe with him,' she continued. 'Johnny made you love him instantly. Absolutely one of the best men Ive ever known. Im so grateful to have been a part of his world and him, mine. 'My heart is shattered with his loss but I believe l have gained the best guardian Angel out there. I love you Johnny Wacky.' CBI to send senior officials from Delhi to review progress of graft probes in Bengal A couple of senior officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from New Delhi will reach Kolkata next week to review the progress of the investigations into various cases of corruption and post-poll violence in West Bengal, sources said on Saturday. They added that these officers of the rank of Deputy Inspector General will hold meetings with Investigating Officers of various cases at the two offices of the CBI in Kolkata in Nizam Palace and at the CGO complex in Salt Lake. It is learnt that recently a preliminary report on the progress of investigation was sent from Kolkata to the agencys headquarter at New Delhi and after reviewing it the CBI top brass decided to send some senior officers to take stock of the situation and review the progress of cases. Sources said that based on the review, the senior officers from New Delhi are expected to draw the blueprint for the next phase of investigation in the cases. The renewed activity of the CBI is crucial since the case related to cancellation of around 26,000 school appointments in West Bengal is scheduled for hearing in the Supreme Court on July 16. Hence, sources added, a thorough review of the probes progress has been necessitated for the agencys counsels to argue the matter in the apex court more forcefully. Jennifer Lopez revealed how she elevates the movie-watching experience at home. After landing her fourth top-streaming film on Netflix in the past two years, with her newly-released action film, Atlas, the 54-year-old superstar recommended pairing the sci-fi flick, which surpassed 60 million views globally, with a beverage from her cocktail brand, Delola. 'I'm so happy, my new movie, Atlas, is out! And, it's got action... and AI... speaking of AI, wait until you see this,' she teased, before showing a device tucked behind her ear. 'I stole it from the set.' She proceeded to ask, Smith [played by Gregory James Cohan in her latest film], are you still there? You wont get rid of me so easily, a robotic voice responded. Would this be an appropriate time for humor? Jennifer Lopez shared a suggestion to improve her fans' movie watching experience While sitting on her couch, she looked cheerful as she sat with a bowl of popcorn on her lap and chatted with the device. Okay, then, maybe you could use your AI genius to tell me the perfect drink to enjoy while watching Atlas, she replied. The voice answered: Thats easy, you already have your Delola Light cocktail. Its the perfect balance of celebration and sophistication. The voice answered: Thats easy, you already have your Delola cocktails ready to drink. Its the perfect balance of celebration and sophistication, just like you, Atlas. Lopez corrects Smith by reminding him that her name is Jennifer, not Atlas, the character she played in the newly-released action film. Atlas was the most streamed film for the week of May 2430 in Luminate's streaming rankings, according to Variety. And it wasn't just the number one film it clobbered the other streaming films in the top 10, with the second-place entry being watched approximately one billion minutes fewer than Atlas was. According to Luminate's ratings, Atlas logged 1.3 billion minutes watched over the week. After landing her fourth top-streaming film on Netflix in the past two years, with her newly-released action film, Atlas, the 54-year-old superstar recommended pairing the sci-fi flick with a beverage from her cocktail brand, Delola Atlas was the most streamed film for the week of May 2430 in Luminate's streaming rankings, according to Variety Atlas' number of minutes viewed made it the biggest film of the week among major streaming services and it was watched more than any series over that time period, with the most-viewed show, Bridgerton, only scoring 766.8 million estimated minutes watched That amounted to close to 11 million views, according to the analytics firm. However, that appears to be a simplistic and somewhat abstract figure, as it was simply arrived by dividing the total number of minutes by the film's runtime, 120 minutes. However, many viewers likely only sampled the film and watched a few minutes, so the true number of times Atlas was viewed aren't clear from the latest rankings. Netflix is famously opaque with its viewership data, releasing it when it sees fit, but the streaming service counts only two minutes watched as a 'view.' Still, Atlas' number of minutes viewed made it the biggest film of the week among major streaming services. And it wasn't just the number one film it clobbered the other streaming films in the top 10, with the second-place entry being watched approximately one billion minutes fewer than Atlas was; seen in 2023 In fact, it was also watched more than any series over that time period, with the most-viewed show, Bridgerton, only scoring 766.8 million estimated minutes watched. The second most-viewed film was Netflix's Mother Of The Bride with 223 million estimated minutes watched, while Prime Video's The Blue Angels was viewed for 181.4 million minutes. Rounding out the top 10 were Netflix's Thelma The Unicorn, Prime Video's The Idea Of You, Unfrosted (Netflix), The Beach Boys (Disney+), In Good Hands 2 (Neflix), Golden Kamuy (Netflix) and Road House (Prime Video). Although it's unclear how many people actually watched Atlas in full, the incredible ranking the film received suggests that there is significant interest in her and the film. Zendaya was spotted picking up Tom Holland at the Duke of York Theatre in London's West End on Thursday. Fan-taken footage showed the adorable moment the actress, 27, was excitedly sitting in a sprinter van as she waited for her boyfriend, 28, after his performance in Romeo and Juliet. She was seen smiling widely and leaning out to look for him while sitting in the car beside one of his three brothers. Holland had just finished another performance in the new production of the Shakespearean tragedy, which opened on the West End on May 23. In the play, he stars as Romeo to Francesca Amewudah-Rivers' Juliet. Zendaya was spotted picking up Tom Holland at the Duke of York Theatre in London's West End on Thursday; seen in June 2019 Zendaya came to meet Tom after his performance in Romeo and Juliet tonight #tomholland #zendaya pic.twitter.com/vYmQMa2PSj James Delamare (@JamesDelamare) June 6, 2024 His latest show comes after Holland was reportedly being told he must leave the theatre swiftly after finishing his performances. He had so many fans clamoring to catch a glimpse of him at the stage door after the show that officials have had to step in. It was no different on Thursday evening as a large crowd of fans were seen waiting for Holland. When he exited the stage door, he stopped to wave to his supporters and thank them for coming to see his show before he got into the car with Zendaya. Similar to the other looks he has been wearing at his stage door exit lately, he stepped out wearing a gray sweater layered over a white shirt. He wore black jeans and white sneakers as he carried a black crossbody satchel bag. Zendaya was previously seen showing her support for her man on May 24 when the couple were seen walking hand-in-hand while leaving his Romeo and Juliet press night performance. Holland started out in the West End and starred in Billy Elliot the Musical as a child actor. Fan-taken footage showed the adorable moment the actress, 27, was excitedly sitting in a sprinter van as she waited for her boyfriend, 28, after his performance in Romeo and Juliet; seen in May 2023 She was also seen publicly showing her support on May 24 when the couple were seen walking hand-in-hand while leaving his Romeo and Juliet press night performance; seen in December 2021 About his return to his theater roots, Zendaya previously gushed to Vogue about him. In April, prior to the opening night, she said she 'could not be more proud' of Holland for the hard work he put in for Romeo and Juliet. 'I'm going to try to see as many shows as I possibly can,' she added. In her May cover story, she also spoke about becoming famous at a young age, which is something they both share in common. Following the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017, she said her 'career was already kind of going,' but Holland's life 'changed overnight.' 'One day you're a kid and you're at the pub with your friends, and then the next day you're Spider-Man,' she said. In April, prior to the opening night, she said she 'could not be more proud' of Holland for the hard work he put in for Romeo and Juliet. 'I'm going to try to see as many shows as I possibly can,' she added; seen in December 2021 The Spider-Man: Homecoming co-stars were rumored to be dating for years after being casted opposite each other. It wasn't until five years later that they confirmed their relationship in 2021; seen in June 2017 'I definitely watched his life kind of change in front of him,' she said. 'But he handled it really beautifully.' The Spider-Man: Homecoming co-stars were rumored to be dating for years after being casted opposite each other. It wasn't until five years later that they confirmed their relationship. In July 2021, the pair were spotted kissing in their car and have been dating ever since. Amber Stevens West revealed she and her husband Andrew West are expecting their third baby child together. The actors who have been married since December 2014 are already parents to daughters Ava, five, and Winnie, two. 'Winnie and Ava are fully ready to take on their roles of 'big sister' and 'double big sister,'' the expectant mom told People. 'Family of 5 debuts this summer! Anxious to meet the person doing somersaults inside me all night. We need to have a talk!' The Los Angeles native, 37, and her spouse, 40, met when they played love interests on the college dramedy Greek which ran on ABC Family from 2007 until 2011. Amber Stevens West and Andrew West are welcoming baby number three to their young and growing family The actors who have been married since December 2014 are already parents to daughters Ava, five, and Winnie, two 'It was the most magical night of my life,' Stevens West told People following her wedding. 'I wish I could rewind and play it again, but I'm so looking forward to our future together.' Nearly four years later, in October 2018, they welcomed their first child, Ava Laverne, on Amber's own 32nd birthday. 'We feel like weve been waiting our entire lives to meet Ava,' the couple said at the time. 'Now that shes here, were completely obsessed. Shes already introduced a new and unique type of love into our lives and were so excited to see what else she will show us and teach us in the years to come.' Three years later, in August 2021, the family of three welcomed their newest member, Winona 'Winne' Marie. Big sister Ava was excited too. '[She] talks about it every day, this person coming and what she's going to do with them. 'She kisses my belly, gives me hugs,' Amber said in an interview with People at the time. 'Winnie and Ava are fully ready to take on their roles of 'big sister' and 'double big sister,'' the expectant mom told People 'Family of 5 debuts this summer! Anxious to meet the person doing somersaults inside me all night. We need to have a talk!' Mom, 37, and dad, 40, met when they played love interests on the college dramedy Greek which ran on ABC Family from 2007 until 2011 'It was the most magical night of my life,' Stevens West told People following her wedding. 'I wish I could rewind and play it again, but I'm so looking forward to our future together' 'Introducing Winona Marie West! (flower emoji) & (camera emoji) by @nuleafdesign (baby emoji) by me and @andrewjwest but mostly me,' Amber wrote on Instagram. And now Winnie gets her chance to be a big sister too although the couple is keeping the sex of the baby a secret for now. The parents will be officially outnumbered when their new baby arrives but they have plenty of nearby help. Both Amber and Andrew's families are in Los Angeles and a frequent part of their grandchildren's lives. Betty Anne Rees, a 1970s starlet and journeyman actress, has passed away at the age of 81. According to her niece, Kathleen Loucks, the performer, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the early 1990s, died on June 3 at her home in Hemet, California. She told The Hollywood Reporter that her aunt suffered 'after a series of falls and a possible stroke.' The Ohio native began her prime time career in Hollywood with an appearance on the TV series Shane in 1966, and went on to make guest appearances in a variety of popular television shows, including Mannix, Medical Center and Barnaby Jones. She is perhaps best known for her role in The Unholy Rollers as a skater unhappy about a beautiful new athlete joining the team. Betty Anne Rees, a B-movie starlet and journeyman actress from the 1970s who starred in The Unholy Rollers and Sugar Hill has passed away. She was 81 Rees starred as the antagonist opposite the 1970 Playboy Playmate of the Year's Claudia Jennings. The Roger Corman produced movie was co-written and directed by the late Vernon Zimmerman and edited by upcoming filmmaker Martin Scorsese. The film was hastily put together after the success of the Raquel Welch lead roller derby project Kansas City Bomber, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Rees also got notice for her work in Sugar Hill, starring as the girlfriend of a racist mobster. The mobster and Rees' Celeste get their just desserts when after the title character Diana 'Sugar' Hill, played by Marki Bey, uses voodoo to raise her enslaved ancestors from the dead to avenge her boyfriend's murder. Other film included the spooky Deathmaster and the equally frightening The Photographer. Rees starred as the secretary to Fred MacMurray's Steve Douglas on three episodes of My Three Sons during its final season in 1971-72. The actress' last credit on IMDB is for an guest spot on The Incredible Hulk in 1978. In 1972's The Unholy Roller, Rees starred as a roller derby skater unhappy about about a beautiful new athlete played by the 1970 Playboy Playmate of the Year's Claudia Jennings, joining the team In 1974's Sugar Hill, Rees starred as the girlfriend of a racist gangster, who gets what's coming to her after the title character uses voodoo to call forth her enslaved ancestors to avenge the murder of her boyfriend Rees graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1961 and attended the University of Miami, before moving to California and studying at the Pasadena Playhouse. She made appearances on daytime dramas, including General Hospital and The Doctors. After leaving the profession Rees used her creative skills to manage Gloria Marshall Figure Salons and design kitchens. She was said to have invented a goofy 1980s gift for bosses called the Executive Teething Ring, according to the outlet. She is survived by Loucks, her sister, Barbara, nephew, Brian, and her cats, Honey Bear and Lovey. Both animals need to be rehomed. Anyone interested should contact Loucks at kloucks620@gmail.com. Amy Dowden took to her Instagram on Friday to share with her followers a huge health update one year after her breast cancer diagnosis. The Strictly Come Dancing professional, 33, - who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year - shared with her followers a throwback snap of herself laying in a hospital bed. The snap was taken on the same day of her first surgery following her cancer diagnosis and Amy bravely gave a thumbs-up to the camera. The dancer shared the huge milestone with her fans by saying,: 'Can't believe it's a year since surgery! Happy 1st birthday to my new cancer-free boobie!!!' While her original post was captioned with: 'Step one to beating cancer! Rrrrrrready for this fight and more determined than ever to get back on the dance floor' (sic). Amy Dowden took to her Instagram on Friday to share with her followers a huge health update one year after her devastating cancer diagnosis The Strictly star, 33, - who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer last year - shared: 'Can't believe it's a year since surgery! Happy 1st birthday to my new cancer-free boobie!!!' She shared the image with her fans to mark one year since her diagnosis and how far she has come in her cancer journey. It comes after the star revealed in March she became 'unresponsive' and developed sepsis shortly after receiving her cancer diagnosis. Amy from Caerphilly, has previously spoken about developing the infection after she began chemotherapy for stage 3 breast cancer in May 2023. However, speaking on Andy Coulson's Crisis What Crisis? podcast, the dancer revealed doctors had told her parents Gillian and Richard and her husband Ben Jones she was 'unresponsive' after going into septic shock. Things were so bad, Amy's mother was warned at the time her daughter would not be able to function for more than 16 hours before her organs would begin to fail. Thankfully, Amy shared some brilliant news in March claiming her latest scan has revealed no sign of cancer in her body. However, as she discussed the details of her health battle she revealed just how serious her condition had become at the start of her treatment. The dancer revealed her battle with sepsis came shortly after her first round of chemotherapy after she collapsed at home on a Saturday afternoon. It comes after the dancer announced in May last year that she had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer Within her very honest post, Amy urged her fans to check their breasts as she claimed at the time she is determined to get back on the Strictly dance floor 'There was a lot to get my head around,' she said, discussing how the diagnosis and the treatment had affected her mental health as she grappled with losing her hair and the seriousness of her illness. As she was put in the ambulance to go to A&E, Amy recalled feeling 'scared' because she'd been injected with bone marrow that morning and had 'no white blood cells', meaning there was a risk of picking up an infection if she went into hospital. Amy revealed she was reluctant to go to the hospital but had been 'encouraged' by paramedics to get in the ambulance - and shortly afterwards, she took 'a turn'. The dancer was admitted immediately with an infection with her family around her, but later in the evening doctors assured them Amy was ok and they could go home. However, the following morning when Amy's husband called the hospital to see how his wife was doing, he was told: 'The doctor wants to speak to you.' Ben, who was with Amy's parents at the time, put the phone on loudspeaker to hear the doctor's update - but the news was devastating for the family. Upon being told their daughter had sepsis, Amy's parents 'broke to the floor' - because Amy's aunt had died of the blood infection just a year earlier. The doctor also revealed she had a blood clot on her lung and was 'unresponsive' to treatment. Amy said: 'My parents went into meltdown mode, Ben went into protection mode of them, and when they got to the hospital I wasnt in the room. 'I was having an emergency CT scan and the doctor had just said to me - my mum had to walk away. 'My husband said that hed said my heart rate and my blood pressure was so low that I probably wouldnt function more than sixteen hours, my organs would go into failure. They felt Id gone into septic shock.' Amy explained the intensive care team had been drafted in to look after her, however thankfully, she began to respond to new antibiotics. She recalled the moment she woke up with her family around her, saying: 'I saw the pain in my parents eyes, and I dont think theyve been the same since. 'It was so tough for them to have watched that, especially after what wed been through with my auntie. And yes, I dont think theyve been the same or never will be the same again.' It comes after the dancer announced in May last year that she had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and was unable to compete in the most recent series of Strictly Come Dancing. The diagnosis came a month after Amy found a lump in her breast the day before she was set to jet off to the Maldives on her honeymoon with her husband Ben. The star later underwent a mastectomy and has since completed her chemotherapy treatments. Jon Cryer recently shared that he was 'unaware' of Demi Moore's addiction struggles when they dated briefly in the 1980s. The Two And A Half Men vet, 59, and the Ghost actress, 61, began a romantic relationship while co-starring in the 1984 comedy No Small Affair. 'We dated for a short time while we were working on No Small Affair, but I guess our particular affair was, in fact, pretty small,' the actor told People on Saturday. 'She was already struggling with a drug problem. One that I was blissfully unaware of until a couple of weeks before the movie ended,' he added. Demi would enter rehab during the filming of 1985's St. Elmo's Fire at the request of the movie's director, Joel Schumacher, according to her 2019 memoir Inside Out. Jon Cryer recently shared that he was 'unaware' of Demi Moore 's addiction struggles when they dated briefly in the 1980s; (pictured June) The Two And A Half Men vet , 59, and the Ghost actress, 61, began a romantic relationship while co-starring in the 1984 comedy No Small Affair; (Moore in May) She relapsed and sought treatment again in 2012 for issues related to trauma, codependency, and substance abuse. In her memoir, Demi also reflected on her relationship with Jon, mentioning she thought she was his first sexual partner a claim Jon later disputed. 'Well, the good thing about this is she doesnt have to feel bad about it anymore, because while Im sure she was totally justified making that assumption based on my my skill level (and the stunned look on my face at the time), I had actually lost my virginity in high school,' he tweeted. 'But shes right [about] the other part, I was over the moon for her during a very troubled time in her life. I have nothing but affection for her and not a regret in the world,' Jon added. He echoed the sentiment during his People interview, saying, 'She was incredibly charismatic and had a much better grasp of the business than I did.' He added: She knew everyone in town, but we were both really nervous about being leads in a movie for the first time. 'What would always be great about her was already evident; that incredible combination of vulnerability, toughness and beauty.' Demi's battles with addiction during St. Elmo's Fire are also discussed in her former co-star Andrew McCarthy's forthcoming Hulu documentary, Brats, shedding light on the experiences of the Brat Pack actors. 'We dated for a short time while we were working on No Small Affair, but I guess our particular affair was, in fact, pretty small,' the actor told People on Saturday 'She was already struggling with a drug problem. One that I was blissfully unaware of until a couple of weeks before the movie ended,' he added Demi would enter rehab during the filming of 1985's St. Elmo's Fire at the request of the movie's director, Joel Schumacher, according to her 2019 memoir Inside Out The Brat Pack, a group of young actors prominent in the 1980s including Demi, Andrew, Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Rob Lowe became cultural icons known for their roles in coming-of-age films that captured the essence of youth and rebellion. Demi revealed the St. Elmo's Fire production 'paid to have a sober companion with me 24/7, during the whole shooting.' She also commended Schumacher, expressing gratitude for his support and acknowledging that he took a risk to stand by her. 'They could have just found someone else,' she said. 'Because its not like I had any box-office draw. You know, we were all just beginning. 'I didnt have anything to really warrant him sticking by me.' Jon also commented on the Brat documentary, telling People: 'I didnt perceive myself as part of the 'Brat Pack' because I didnt think I was one of the cool kids. 'And they were definitely the cool kids. I thought the two films that defined the group were The Breakfast Club and St. Elmos Fire, neither of which was I in.' Following her role in St. Elmo's Fire, Demi continued to build her career with notable films like Ghost (1990), A Few Good Men (1992), and Indecent Proposal (1993), among others. Cryer gained recognition for his portrayal of Duckie in Pretty in Pink (1986) alongside Ringwald. She relapsed and sought treatment again in 2012 for issues related to trauma, codependency, and substance abuse Cryer gained recognition for his portrayal of Duckie in Pretty in Pink (1986) alongside Andrew McCarthy and Molly Ringwald Demi's battles with addiction during St. Elmo's Fire are also discussed in her former co-star Andrew McCarthy's forthcoming Hulu documentary, Brats , shedding light on the experiences of the Brat Pack actors Meanwhile, Demi is in the midst of another Hollywood renaissance. In May, she made her comeback at the Cannes Film Festival 2024 in her first appearance on the red carpet of the famed event since 1997. The actress made her unexpected return in the slasher-horror The Substance', which competed for the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or. She will also be seen in the upcoming TV series Landman. Kallie Wright, the wife of rodeo star Spencer Wright, shared a heartbreaking obituary dedicated to their son Levi Wright. On Friday, she shared the link to the Mortuary.org obituary on Facebook in memory of their three-year-old son, who tragically passed away on June 2 at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. 'Our sweet boy, Levi Spencer Wright, affectionately known as "Beans," was born on March 24, 2021, in Cedar City, Utah, to Spencer and Kallie Wright of Beaver, Utah,' the obituary read. 'He passed away June 2, 2024, after a two-week stay at Primary Children's Hospital following an accident May 21st doing what he loved most, riding his electric toy tractor.' This comes shortly after Kallie shared her harrowing recollection of how the toddler was critically injured after driving his toy tractor into a raging creek near their family home in Beaver County, Utah on May 21. Kallie Wright, the wife of rodeo star Spencer Wright, shared a heartbreaking obituary dedicated to their son Levi Wright In memory of their beloved son, the obituary read: 'Levi was exceptionally thoughtful and considerate for his age, he was constantly thinking of others.' 'His heart was pure, tender and oversized,' the note continued. 'Levi loved his big sister, Steeley, and playing with her was one of his greatest joys. They were instant best friends. 'The verdict was still partially out on his baby brother, Brae, but Levi often asked to "hold baby." The obituary continued: 'Levi was a die-hard Grandma's boy, always asking to go to Gamma's house. 'He enjoyed going to church with Grandma and was a Sunbeam for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 'Levi had mastered his colors, counting to 7 and early heavy equipment operation as Dad's right hand man. 'His Dad was who he looked up to most; he wanted to be just like him and was well on his way. On Friday, she shared the link to the Mortuary.org obituary on Facebook in memory of their three-year-old son, who tragically passed away on June 2 at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City This comes shortly after Kallie shared her harrowing recollection of how the toddler was critically injured after driving his toy tractor into a raging creek near their family home in Beaver County, Utah on May 21 'He had a passion for tractors, excavators, skid steers and all heavy equipment, even his music choice followed suit-he was always asking to play Big Green Tractor and The Excavator Song.' At the end of the message in remembrance of Levi, the obituary read: 'Levi's family would like to extend a warm thank you to the volunteers and first responders that participated in his search and rescue as well as the attentive and compassionate staff at Primary Children's Hospital.' Levi is survived by parents Spencer and Kallie, sister Steeley, five, and nine-month old brother Brae as well as his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Just days earlier, his mother shared a post on Facebook detailing how she dived into the creek to rescue Levi after he disappeared beneath the fast-flowing waters. He was driving his toy tractor on their land and crossed the creek, which divided the property between theirs and Levi's grandparents'. Kallie previously explained that the water in the creek 'only runs through for a short time during the year and can change overnight.' In her previous post, she said: 'Levi did not do anything he hasn't done before, but this time the water was at its peak and strong enough to push his tractor off the road into the creek as he drove through.' According to a statement from the Beaver County Sheriff's Office, Levi was 'quickly located' and received 'life-saving measures.' Levi is survived by parents Spencer and Kallie, sister Steeley, five, and nine-month old brother Brae as well as his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins He survived 12 days in the hospital with flickers of hope that he could regain brain function before his devastated parents shared they had to say goodbye and turn off his life support this past Sunday He was taken to the hospital by ambulance before being airlifted to the children's hospital in Salt Lake City. The initial prognosis was devastating as doctors concluded he suffered brain death due to oxygen deprivation while underwater. But his heart was beating on its own and Levi's dad said the family 'received multiple small miracles' and doctors were 'surprised by the strides he has made'. He survived 12 days in the hospital with flickers of hope that he could regain brain function before his devastated parents shared they had to say goodbye and turn off his life support this past Sunday. No wonder millions of customers have ditched Starbucks after complaining of painfully long waits for a coffee. Now, the true extent of the collapse in service speed has emerged. One in 12 customers now waits between 15 and 30 minutes. Before the pandemic, almost no one waited that long, new figures from industry data experts show. Incredibly, during the first three months of this year, one in every 50 orders took more than half an hour. And there is a very simple reason for all this, we can reveal - and it is not lazy or slow staff. It is because Starbucks bosses, in a bid to cut costs, are slashing staffing numbers, while at the same time rolling out an ever more complicated drinks menu. Your browser does not support iframes. Where there might have been five people making frappucinos a few years ago, there are now just three or four now. In fact, Starbucks employs fewer people in the US than it did in 2020, yet has opened a 1,000 more outlets since then. The understaffing is blamed partly on a secret computer program used by bosses. The software guesses how many staff will be needed for each shift for each store. It looks at weather, local events, history on busy and quiet times in the past. Workers and their managers say it woefully underestimates how long it takes to make drinks. Each expresso shot takes 26 seconds, staff say. It is not the only technology that is upsetting staff. Another is a quite sinister NBA-style shot clock placed near the drive-thru windows. It flashes red if the staff member talks to a customer for more than 30 seconds Starbucks said the clock is for supervisors to see if they need to direct more workers to the drive-thrus. One Starbucks regular, Chris Mills, told Bloomberg how he waited 40 minutes for a latte he was picking up on Mother's Day for his wife. He said six baristas were rushed off their feet He said he loves the 'friendly little handwritten smiley face and a note sometimes on the cup' at his local cafe at the Shelton, Connecticut. But that day, the consumer products executive said: 'Nobody involved, in my observation, including me, the other customers, and even the staff seemed to be happy.' Techomic, a data company, looked at the wait times after Starbucks own CEO admitted long waits were a major reason it was losing customers. As well as the figures above, they found that those waiting between five and 15 minutes is up too - from 20 per cent to 31 percent. Three in five do get their coffee int less than five minutes now - which seems OK. But before the pandemic it was four in five served in that time. Incredibly, one in every 50 customers waits more than half an hour. ONe in a 100 more than an hour. Starbucks has had a disastrous start to the year - with tens of millions of customers heading instead to rivals or staying at home. Starbucks coffee shops have a clock that tracks how long staff talk to customers Starbucks baristas say cafes are understaffed A key factor in this - which the company's CEO Laxman Narasimhan even admits - is the painfully slow service. At the start of May, Starbucks reported a shock fall in sales for the first time in nearly three years - and that was at the height of the pandemic. It was only in November it reported record takings. Multiple factors are to blame - including high prices, customers cutting spending and bad weather - but slow service was highighted by the Starbucks CEO. Starbucks' growth has come on the back of complicated and customisable drinks like Frappuccinos in the summer or pumpkin spice lattes in the fall - but each can take baristas several minutes to make. Businesses in the state have raised prices and laid off workers to cut costs Fast food chains in California are slashing jobs - as a way to cut costs after the minimum wage in the state was hiked to $20-an-hour. Almost 10,000 positions across chains from Pizza Hut to Burger King have been cut since the law came into effect on April 1, according to a report from a trade group in the state. On top of that, chains have been shuttering restaurants - including beloved Mexican chain Rubio's Coastal Grill, which this week filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed 48 locations in the state. The California Business and Industrial Alliance (CABIA) slammed Governor Gavin Newsom for pushing the law through, which has also meant businesses in the state have had to raise prices. To highlight the impact of the law, the trade group created out an advert in Thursday's edition of USA Today with mock 'obituaries' of popular brands. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the fast-food bill surrounded by workers at the SEIU Local 721 in Los Angeles on September 28, 2023 The tongue-in-cheek advert, titled 'In Memoriam: Victims of Newsom's minimum wage', highlighted the issues faced by smaller brands including Rubio's, and fast food giants including Pizza Hut, Burger King, Subway and McDonald's. It features news clips documenting the changes made by companies in response to the wage increase. This includes raising prices, letting go of workers to cut labor costs - and in some cases shutting down locations. One says: 'A McDonald's franchisee who owns 18 outposts in California is considering reducing store hours, hiking menu prices and delaying renovations to offset the impact of the state's $20 hourly minimum wage for fast-food workers.' Even before the law was made official earlier this year, chains including Pizza Hut and Round Table let go of more than a thousands delivery workers to brace for the financial ramifications of the change. The law signed by Newsom in September last year increases fast-food workers' minimum wages to $20-an-hour at chains with more than 60 locations in the US. That is 25 percent more than the standard minimum wage of $16-an-hour in California, which itself came into effect in January. On a national level, Congress has not touched the minimum wage in decades - it is still $7.25-an-hour. Instead, so-called 'wage wars' play out on a state level. 'California businesses have been under total attack and total assault for years,' CABIA president and founder Tom Manzo told Fox Business. 'It's just another law that puts businesses in further jeopardy.' He said that officials were living in a 'fantasyland' if they think drastic wage increases will actually help workers or businesses. 'You can only raise prices so much,' Manzo told the outlet. 'And you're seeing it. People are not going to pay $20 for a Big Mac. It's not going to happen.' To highlight the impact of the law, the trade group took out a fake ad in Thursday's edition of USA Today with mock 'obituaries' of popular brands Rubio's Coastal Grill announced it would shut 48 restaurants in the state this week (Pictured: The grand opening of the third Rubio's location in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego, California in 1986) Critics warned that businesses would turn to digital ordering kiosks as a way to cut down on wage costs for staff When the Democrat governor signed the law in 2023, Newsom said the state was getting 'one step closer to fairer wages, safer and healthier working conditions, and better training by giving hardworking fast food workers a stronger voice and seat at the table.' But Republican critics claimed the wage hike would simply mean workers are replaced with self-checkouts and 'robot cooks.' Harsh Ghai, a Burger King franchisee with 140 restaurants on the West Coast announced in April how he planned to have digital kiosks installed in all his locations in two months. Until the wage hike, he planned to roll them out over the next five to ten years. 'We have kiosks in probably about 25 percent of our restaurants today,' Ghai told Business Insider at the time. 'However, the other 75 percent are going to have kiosks in the next probably 30 to 60 days.' American tech billionaire Elon Musk has said he is looking forward to his companies doing "exciting work" in India, as he congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his historic election victory. Modi will be administered the oath of office on June 9, his third consecutive term as Prime Minister. Congratulations @narendramodi on your victory in the world's largest democratic elections! Looking forward to my companies doing exciting work in India, Musk, 52, said in a post on X on Friday. Responding to Musk's post, Prime Minister Modi said: "Appreciate your greetings @elonmusk." Modi said the talented Indian youth, the country's demography, predictable policies and stable democratic polity would continue to provide the business environment for all its partners. The congratulatory message came two months after the CEO of the electric carmaker Tesla and microblogging platform X in April postponed his proposed visit to India due to "very heavy Tesla obligations". Musk -- who was expected to be in India on April 21 and 22 and scheduled to meet Prime Minister Modi -- later wrote on X that he is looking forward to coming to India later this year. In June last year, Musk met with Modi during the latter's US visit and stated that he planned to visit India in 2024 while expressing confidence that Tesla would enter the Indian market soon. His proposed visit had raised expectations that he would announce plans for electric car maker Tesla to set up shop in the country, along with his satcom venture Starlink. It was also expected that Musk would announce plans for Tesla to set up its manufacturing unit in India and investments could be to the tune of billions of dollars and the way forward for selling Tesla electric cars in India at the earliest. Not just electric cars, he is also eyeing the Indian market for his satellite internet business Starlink, for which regulatory approvals are awaited. Musk had in the past sought import duty reduction in India for it to be able to sell Tesla cars in the country. Musk's plan to visit India in April came on the heels of the government announcing a new electric vehicle policy, under which import duty concessions will be given to companies setting up manufacturing units in the country with a minimum investment of USD 500 million, a move aimed at attracting major global players like Tesla. Pakistan has said it is premature for the country to congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for securing third consecutive term since the formation of Government was going on in India. These remarks by Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch came on Friday two days ahead of Modi's swearing-in ceremony. We do not have any comments on their electoral process, Baloch said, adding that since the formation of Government was going on in India, it is premature to talk about congratulating the Indian Prime Minister. Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi for the third consecutive term, a high level meeting of BJP top brass held at the residence of Amit Shah to finalise the composition of new Cabinet in the Modi 3.0. BJP national president JP Nadda and national general secretary BL Santosh attended the meeting. Sources said the BJP is likely to keep Home, Finance, External Affairs, Railways, Road and Transport, Law and Justice, Information Technology, and Education Ministries. The alliance partners are likely to get 12 to 15 Ministries. The NDA partners might not have some of their big demands met, despite speculations to the contrary. The JD (U) has asked for Railways and is persistently pressing on it. The TDP has asked for Information Technology, which it is likely to not get. Telangana BJP may get four Ministries and JD (United) three seats each. Three of the four TDP leaders who may find a place in PM Modis new Cabinet are - Ram Mohan Naidu, Harish Balayogi and Daggumalla Prasad. JD (U) has proposed the name of two senior leaders - Lalan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur. Lalan Singh was elected to the Lok Sabha from Bihars Munger, while Ram Nath Thakur is a Rajya Sabha MP. Thakur is the son of Bharat Ratna receipient Karpoori Thakur. The JD (U) and TDP both are interested in funds for the development of Bihar and Andhra Pradesh respectively. The Tribal Affairs Ministry is likely to go with an NDA ally while the Ministry of Power may go with TDP or JD (U). From Shiv Sena Prataprao Jadhav name is being discussed. There is no indication yet on how many Ministers will be sworn in, though it is expected to be at least a 30-member strong Cabinet. It is also being considered that in first round of Cabinet formation there would be one MP from major allies to be given Cabinet berth. As per sources, JD (S), LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM, Shiv Sena, NCP, RLD and Apna Dal (S) could have one Minister each. From JD(S) HD Kumaraswamy, Jayant Chaudhary of RLD, Chirag Paswan of LJP (Ram Vilas) and Anupriya Patel of Apnal Dal (S) may become Ministers. JD(S) is eyeing Agriculture Ministry. Bihar BJP and JD (United) will get equal number of ministries in view of next year Assembly polls in the State. Telangana BJP may get four ministries and Odisha can get lion share of six to seven Ministries. Shah and Singh are seen within the party as a certainty in the new Cabinet, former Chief Ministers who have won the Lok Sabha polls like Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Basavaraj Bommai, Manohar Lal Khattar and Sarbananda Sonowal are strong contenders for joining the Government. BJP leadership had earlier met their National Democratic Alliance partners discuss their cabinet berths on Friday. Nadda, Shah held discussion with JD(U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu and Shiv Sena president and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. After discussing with allies, Nadda and Shah held discussions with senior BJP leader and outgoing Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. According to sources, impending changes within the BJPs organisation will also be on the mind of its brain trust in finalising the names of ministers from the party. Naddas term was extended due to the Lok Sabha polls, and organisational imperatives will be an important consideration for the party as the poll results have sent signals that all may not be well within its vast machinery. This opens the possibility of some seasoned hand being sent to the party and Nadda being given a berth in the Government, the sources said. The BJP is keen to send out a message of continuity and ward off any impression of political vulnerability following its surprising below-par show in the Lok Sabha polls as its seat tally fell to 240 from 303, considerably short of the majority mark of 272. The BJP won 240 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, but fell 32 short of the majority mark. The four allies whose support is critical for the BJP to reach the majority are Naidus TDP, which has won 16 seats, Kumars JDU (12), Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena (7) and Paswans Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (5). Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister on the evening of June 9. India on Friday formally announced that the leaders of seven countries from the neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region will attend the ceremony. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, his Maldivian counterpart Mohamed Muizzu, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda will attend the ceremony, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Modi is expected to hold separate meetings with the visiting leaders, it was learnt. Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay and Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif have also accepted Indias invitation to grace the swearing-in ceremony, it said. Hasina arrived in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon. Afif is scheduled to reach the national Capital on Saturday. The other leaders will arrive on Sunday. The invitation to Muizzu assumes significance as it comes amid frosty ties between India and the Maldives. The ties between India and the Maldives ties came under severe strain since November last year when Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge as Maldivian president. Within hours of his oath, Muizzu had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. The Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians earlier this month. According to PTI from Male, Muizzu said on Saturday he would be honoured to attend Prime Minister Modis swearing-in ceremony and his first visit to India for the historic event would demonstrate that bilateral ties are heading in a positive direction. This will mark the pro-China presidents first official visit to India since assuming office on November 17 last year. Unlike his predecessors, who made the first port of call to New Delhi after assuming office, Muizzu had travelled to Turkiye first and to China for his first State visit in January. Munu Mahawar, Indias Higher Commissioner to the Maldives, presented the letter of invitation to the President during a courtesy call at the Presidents Office. At the call, the High Commissioner extended greetings from Prime Minister Modi, stating that the Prime Minister is looking forward to having the President attend this momentous ceremony marking his third swearing-in as Prime Minister of India, the statement said. The President expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the invitation, adding that he would be honoured to attend this historic event. He also stated that he looks forward to working with the Prime Minister to further strengthen the close relations with India, noting that the Maldives-India relationship is heading in a positive direction, as would be demonstrated by this visit. Earlier on Wednesday, Muizzu had congratulated Modi and voiced his desire to work with the Indian prime minister to advance the bilateral ties. Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term. I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries, Muizzu posted on X. Meanwhile, the swearing-in ceremony is expected to witness the presence of top leaders from neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, and Seychelles, in addition to the Maldives, as part of Indias Neighbourhood First policy. The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers following the General Elections 2024 is scheduled on June 9 2024. On the occasion, leaders from Indias neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have been cordially invited as distinguished guests, the MEA said. In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, it said. The swearing-in ceremony is slated to take place at 7:15 PM on Sunday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision, MEA also said. India has been cooperating with the countries of the Indian Ocean region under the broader policy framework of SAGAR or Security and Growth for all in the Region. Night owls, take note: Grandma was right all along about the benefits of an early bedtime, irrespective of your chronotype (the natural inclination of your body to sleep at a certain time). A new study has upended the traditional belief that aligning sleep schedules with one's natural sleep preference, or chronotype, is the best approach for mental well-being. The research shows that staying up late is linked to higher rates of mental health disorders, regardless of whether individuals are morning people or night owls. To safeguard mental health, researchers recommend turning off the lights by 1 a.m. Conducted by Stanford Medicine, the study analysed nearly 74,000 adults and found that the timing of sleep itself plays a critical role in mental health. Surprisingly, the findings highlight that early bedtimes offer significant benefits for everyone, across all chronotypes. Published in Psychiatry Research, the study's senior author, Jamie Zeitzer, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, remarked, "We found that alignment with your chronotype is not crucial here, and that really it's being up late that is not good for your mental health. The big unknown is why." Renske Lok, a postdoctoral scholar in psychiatry and behavioural health, led the study, which presented unexpected results. Previous research by Zeitzer's team suggested that women with cancer who did not align their sleep with their chronotype had shorter lifespans. This led to an expectation that aligning sleep schedules with chronotype would be beneficial. However, the new findings challenge this assumption. The researchers examined middle-aged and older adults in the United Kingdom, gathering data on their sleep habits, including their morning or evening preferences. Participants wore wearable accelerometers for a week to track their sleep patterns, and their mental health status was assessed through health records, covering any mental or behavioural disorder listed in the International Classification of Diseases. Among the 73,880 participants, 19,065 identified as morning types, 6,844 as evening types, and 47,979 fell somewhere in between. The results were revealing: both morning and evening types who stayed up late exhibited higher rates of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. The study showed that night owls who adhered to their natural late schedules were 20 per cent to 40 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder compared to those who adopted an early or intermediate sleep schedule. Likewise, evening types who went to bed earlier fared better in terms of mental health, while morning types who went to bed later suffered less severely. The study also explored whether poor mental health led people to stay up late but found that late-night wakefulness itself was a significant risk factor for developing mental health issues. Harmful behaviours, such as suicidal thoughts, violent crimes, alcohol and drug use, and overeating, are more common at night, further exacerbating mental health risks. Strategies like getting morning sunlight and maintaining a consistent early routine could help shift sleep patterns, though changing one's chronotype remains difficult. "Biologically speaking, it's very much like a rubber band-you take a day off and you snap back to where your body wants to be," Zeitzer explained. The national Capital has been grappling with a water shortage, with Delhi Water Minister Atishi blaming Haryana for not releasing Yamuna water to the city. Atishi on Saturday alleged that Haryana is not releasing to Delhi its share of 1,050 cusecs of water through the Munak canal. Addressing a press conference, Atishi said during the summer, when Haryana releases 1,050 cusecs of water, Delhi receives about 995 cusecs. Meanwhile, the Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva pinned the responsibility for the ongoing water crisis in the city on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal led AAP government due to its negligent attitude. He remarked that Kejriwal Government quickly calls assembly sessions to shine its political agenda on minor issues, but while the people of Delhi have been facing a water crisis for several days, the Kejriwal Government is merely playing a blame game. Several parts of the national capital are facing acute shortage of water this summer. The situation has worsen in unauthorized colonies and slum areas. "However, in the past one week, Delhi has been getting less water. It received 924 cusecs on June 1, 884 cusecs on June 4, 856 cusecs on June 6, and 840 cusecs on June 7. During every summer, there is a loss of around 59 to 60 cusecs of water due to evaporation. If 840 cusecs of water is reaching Delhi, it means Haryana is not releasing water in the Munak canal," Atishi said.The national capital has been grappling with a water shortage, with Atishi blaming Haryana for not releasing Yamuna water to the city. The problem has become acute in some areas such as Chanakyapuri, where residents were seen climbing on top of a tanker with pipes to get their share of water. The acute shortage has become an "existential problem" in Delhi, the Supreme Court observed on Thursday and directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of surplus water to the national capital and Haryana to facilitate its flow. The top court also said there should be no politics over water. Atishi said if water at the carrier-lined channel and the Delhi sub-branch -- two sub-branches of the Munank canal -- stay at this level, then all of Delhi will face a shortage in the coming two days. On Friday, visiting Wazirabad barrage to take stock of the situation, she said the shortage would not be solved even if Himachal Pradesh released water as Haryana had "reduced" the city's share. "Haryana is conspiring against the people of Delhi behind the back of the Supreme Court," she had alleged. "The water level of the Yamuna at Wazirabad has come down from 671 feet on June 2 to 669.7 feet on Friday. If the water level falls so low, how will the water treatment plants supply water to the people of Delhi?" she had said. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP challenged Atishi for an open debate with Haryana government and Delhi BJP or to call an all-party meeting regarding the water supply from Haryana. Sachdeva said, Water Minister Atishi inspected the Wazirabad barrage on Friday and the Munak-Bawana canal today, where she falsely claimed that the Haryana government is not sending enough water. However, she did not mention that silt has not been removed from the Wazirabad barrage for the past ten years, which has reduced its storage capacity. The Delhi BJP President stated that disproportionate water distribution in many areas of Delhi has led to people fighting over water. Today, people are falling victim to the arbitrary behaviour of tanker mafias, and a game of extorting money under the patronage of Kejriwal's MLAs and municipal councilors is ongoing in exchange for water. He stated that the Kejriwal government must answer all these questions from the public. On Thursday, the Supreme Court observed that the acute shortage had become an "existential problem" in Delhi and directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of surplus water to the national capital and Haryana to facilitate its flow. The top court also emphasised that there should be no politics over water. As the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi for the historic third consecutive term will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7.15 pm on Sunday, unprecedented security has been beefed up in the national capital and special measures have also been arranged for leaders from the neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region attending the high-profile event. Artificial Intelligence technology and intrusion warning systems will be used for scanning and facial recognition, while snipers will be deployed at strategic locations and high-rise buildings. The Rashtrapati Bhawan will have a three-layered security both inside and outside the premises. Delhi Police personnel will remain deployed at the outer ring, followed by paramilitary personnel and internal security of the President's house at the inner ring. The swearing-in ceremony will be attended by over 8,000-9000 guests, including various professionals and cultural performers. Enhanced security measures are in place for foreign dignitaries, including special protocols at their hotels. Security measures include designated routes for dignitaries from their hotels to the venue, with top hotels like Leela, Taj, ITC Maurya, Claridges, and Oberoi under special security cover. A host of heads of government from neighbouring countries will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Modi. An official statement said Sri Lanka's president Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives' Mohamed Muizzu, Bangladesh's prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Bhutan's Tshering Tobgay, Nepal's Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', and Mauritius' Pravind Kumar Jugnauth have accepted the invitation to attend the event. Seychelles' Vice President Ahmed Afif will also be attending the ceremony. "In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will attend a Banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the same evening," the statement said.It added that the visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision. According to officials with the Delhi Police, a multi-layered security with five companies of paramilitary personnel, NSG commandos, drones and snipers will blanket the Rashtrapati Bhawan for the event. Visuals from the Kartavya Path police station showed the officials keeping a watch on the areas through CCTV cameras. According to the police, the area around the Rashtrapati Bhavan has been made a 'controlled' area. In areas including, Sansad Marg, Rafi Marg, Raisina Road, Rajendra Prasad Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, and Sardar Patel Marg, vehicles having passes of the event will be allowed for the movement.A public advisory declared a No-Fly Zone over Delhi, prohibiting the use of various aerial platforms to prevent threats from criminal or terrorist activities during the ceremony. This restriction will be in effect from June 9 to June 10, with violators facing penalties under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. Police officials also said that the dignitaries attending the swearing-in will be given designated routes from their hotels to the venue and back. Snipers and armed police personnel will remain deployed on the routes of the dignitaries and drones, while drones will be deployed at strategic locations in the national capital. As the event is scheduled to be held inside the Rashtrapati Bhawan, it will have a three-layered security both inside and outside the premises. Commandoes from Delhi Police's SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) and NSG will remain deployed around the President's house and various strategic locations on the event day. "Around 2500 police personnel, including five companies of paramilitary and Delhi Armed Police (DAP) jawans, have been planned to be deployed around the venue," an official said. The change of guard ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan has been suspended on June 8, 15, and 22 due to preparations for the swearing-in ceremony of Modi and his council of ministers and President Droupadi Murmu's address to both Houses of Parliament. The change of guard ceremony is a military tradition that is held every week to enable a fresh group of the President's Bodyguards to take charge. Reflecting their growing awareness and interest in exercising their democratic rights, third gender voters are increasingly making their presence felt as has been revealed by the data released by the Election Commission (EC) which said, the voter turnout in 2024 from this marginalised community stood at 25 per cent, a notable increase from the 14.58 per cent recorded in the previous Lok Sabha polls. The EC's phase-wise data shows that while the first phase saw a turnout of 31.32 per cent, subsequent phases also witnessed considerable participation, ranging from 18.67 per cent to 34.23 per cent. This indicates a consistent engagement of the third-gender community throughout the electoral process, reflecting their growing awareness and interest in exercising their democratic rights. The increased voter turnout underscores the importance of addressing the needs and concerns of our community within the electoral framework. The trend also highlights the need for continued efforts to enhance accessibility, eliminate discrimination, and promote inclusivity in the electoral process, said Rajan Singh , who identifies as a transwoman and was the national capital's first transgender candidate. With the slogan, Sauchalay se, Sansad tak' , Singh contested from the South Delhi constituency and received 325 votes, according to theEC data. Though Singh's electoral journey may not have resulted in victory, he said, his candidacy signifies a voice in the democratic process, advocating for meaningful change and representing the aspirations of their constituency. He said he was happy to have participated in the polls. "I knew from the beginning that I wouldn't win. But I filed my nomination, participated and raised our issues. This is how anyone starts their journey, and it's just the beginning," she said. Narela-resident Pooja, also a transgender, who was in the fray from North-West Delhi and got 509 votes said the participation was an experience for me, and my area residents did support me. I got enough votes to motivate me to continue my fight here. "We will be elected in the near future. If not as an MP then as an MLA," they said. As per the 2011 census, there are nearly 4,87,803 transgenders in the country. The national Capital on Saturday reported three fire incidents in which three workers were killed and six injured. In the first incident that took place at a food processing unit in the Narela Industrial Area in the early hours of Saturday in which three workers were killed and six injured while no casuality reported in the other two fire incidents. The second fire incident has been reported in east Krishna Nagar while the third incident report in Shaheen Bagh area. The police received a distress call at 3:35 am about the fire at the factory of Shayam Kripa Foods Private Limited, which processes dry moong dal, the police said.The fire engulfed the factory, trapping some workers inside, a police officer said.Fourteen fire tenders were pressed into service and the blaze was doused by noon, a Delhi Fire Services official said.He said nine people were rescued from the building and admitted to Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital in Narela. The police officer said three of them -- Shyam (24), Ram Singh (30) and Beerpal (42) -- were declared dead while the others are undergoing treatment.The injured -- Pushpender (26), Akash (19), Mohit Kumar (21), Ravi Kumar (19), Monu (25) and Lalu (32) are undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital for burn injuries, he added. Preliminary investigations suggest that the blaze started after a gas leak from one of the pipelines. The pipelines supplied gas to burners used for roasting the moong dal, the officer said.As the fire spread, it caused the compressor to overheat, resulting in a blast, he said. The factory owners have been identified as Rohini residents Ankit Gupta and Vinay Gupta.A case is being registered under appropriate sections and investigation taken up, the officer said. In another incident, a fire broke out at a house in East Delhi's Krishna Nagar Area on Saturday afternoon. They said no one was injured in the incident. The Mumbai police have registered a case against more than 200 persons and apprehended 57 of them in connection with the incident of stone-pelting that occurred during the civic body's anti-encroachment drive in the city's Powai area two days ago, an official said. At least 15 police personnel, five civic engineers and an equal number of labourers were injured in the stone-pelting during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's drive in Jai Bhim Nagar slum on Thursday. "The police have filed a case against 200 persons and apprehended 57 of them on the charge of obstructing public servants from discharging their duty and rioting in connection with the stone-pelting at police and BMC officials. They were remanded in judicial custody," the official said on Friday. The BMC earlier said temporary huts had come up on a plot in Powaigaon and Mauje Tirandaj village and the State Human Right Commission had directed the civic body to take action against these structures. According to an official, the civic anti-encroachment team had gone there to clear allegedly illegal structures, which number around 400 on an open plot, along with a posse of police personnel for security, but residents started protesting claiming they had been living there for the past 25 years. A video of the stone-pelting incident went viral on social media. It showed men and women throwing stones and police and civic staff running for cover. India on Saturday announced that leaders of seven countries from its neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region including Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on June 9. Hasina and Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif have already arrived in Delhi. Besides Hasina and Afif, the other leaders attending the ceremony are Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). "The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision," it said. India has been cooperating with the countries of the Indian Ocean region under the broader policy framework of SAGAR or Security and Growth for all in the Region. "The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers following the General Elections 2024 is scheduled on June 9 2024. On the occasion, leaders from India's neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have been cordially invited as distinguished guests," the MEA said. In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, it said. The swearing-in ceremony is slated to take place at 7:15 PM on Sunday at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Shortly after Hasina arrived in Delhi on Saturday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X: "This visit of one of our most valued partners will further strengthen India-Bangladesh close and deep-rooted bonds of friendship." Jaiswal also welcomed the visit of Afif to India. "The visit will impart further momentum to India-Seychelles bilateral ties," he said. The invitation by New Delhi to Muizzu to attend the swearing-in ceremony assumed significance as it came amid frosty ties between India and the Maldives. The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since November last year when Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge as Maldivian president. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. The Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians earlier this month. The leaders of regional grouping SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries attended Modi's first swearing ceremony when he took the reins as the prime minister after a massive electoral victory for BJP. Leaders of the BIMSTEC countries attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony, in 2019 when he became prime minister for the second consecutive term. Though the BJP could not get a majority on its own in the recent Lok Sabha polls, the party-led alliance secured 293 seats out of 543. The majority mark in the lower house is 272. An Orange County Superior Court judge has handed UC its first victory since thousands of student workers began walking off the job in May at six campuses ahead of finals. Mario Tama/Getty Images Thousands of student workers who walked off the job at six University of California campuses must halt their strike, a judge ruled Friday. The workers teaching assistants, researchers, graders and other essential campus employees have been striking at increasing numbers of UC campuses since May 20: in Santa Cruz, Davis, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Irvine, ahead of finals next week. By depriving the campuses of the people who administer exams and grade papers, the strikers want to compel UC to drop disciplinary measures against student workers who participated in pro-Palestinian protests in May. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The temporary injunction imposed by an Orange County Superior Court judge is a victory for UC, which sued the United Auto Workers Local 4811, the union representing the students, on Tuesday. Judge Randall Sherman cited the no-strike clause in the contract between the union and UC as the reason for ordering an end to the walkout. We are extremely grateful for a pause in this strike so our students can complete their academic studies. The strike would have caused irreversible setbacks to students academic achievements and may have stalled critical research projects in the final quarter, said Melissa Matella, associate vice president for Systemwide Labor Relations. Union officials immediately shot back, saying the order is merely temporary and does not mean their strike isnt legal or justified. The temporary restraining order does not mean that the strike has been ruled illegal, union President Rafael Jaime said in a statement. Decades of labor law establishing the right of unions to strike over serious unfair labor practices is on our side. The UAW, as the union is known, represents a powerful legion of 48,000 student-workers across all UC campuses. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its walkout echoed a massive strike by the same workers in 2022 that brought UC campuses largely to a halt ahead of midterms. That strike resulted in a new labor agreement between UC and the UAW that for the first time included a no-strike clause. Yet, the states Public Employee Relations Board has twice denied UCs request to halt the current strike, prompting the university to turn to the court. On Friday, UC officials said they will continue their efforts to persuade the Public Employee Relations Board to rule in their favor, and will continue with their lawsuit in pursuit of a permanent injunction to end the strike. Union officials also accuse the university of violating the labor contract and have filed their own unfair labor practice charges with the Public Employment Relations Board. They say UC created unsafe working conditions last month by permitting protests to turn violent last month at three campuses, UCLA, UC Irvine and UC San Diego. Police arrested hundreds of student protesters. On May 1, UCLA officials also waited hours to intervene after a separate group attacked an encampment with heavy objects and fireworks in an incident being investigated by UCs Office of the President. Advertisement Article continues below this ad California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, seen in 2023, said during a podcast that the insurance crisis was having a devastating effect on the states real estate market. Adam Beam/Associated Press Californias insurance crisis is having a devastating effect on its real estate market, particularly affordable housing, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said in a recent interview. The situation is really creating a domino effect, Lara said in an appearance on the Table Talk podcast of state Sen. Steve Glazer, a Democrat representing hard-hit Orinda. If you cant find insurance for your home, you cant sell your home, which means local governments are not going to have the resources as you know to actually hire the firefighters to protect those homes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lara suggested keeping insurance agents involved in the entire buying and selling process and advised that Californians looking to sell their homes should address issues such as old wiring or brush clearance that could make it difficult for buyers to find insurance. He also urged consumers to explore getting insurance with companies outside the top 10. Companies with fewer policies in California therefore are more open to taking on additional business, he said. Lara acknowledged the particular challenge insurance unavailability poses to affordable housing development. Over the past two years, several companies have stopped offering the coverage necessary to create large housing developments. In March, State Farm Californias largest insurer announced it would no longer renew or write commercial policies for apartment owners. That decision alone is set to affect 42,000 owners statewide. In the past, housing developers have only begun searching for insurance once the development is already finished. But at that point, it might be too late, Lara said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That area might be deemed not safe for the communities as they expand. Insurance can no longer be an afterthought in affordable housing development, he said. As part of the wide-ranging insurance discussion, Lara also weighed in on State Farms decision to offer difference in conditions policies to the approximately 30,000 California property owners otherwise set to lose their coverage with the company. State Farms new policy type, first reported by the Chronicle, will offer coverage for water damage, liability claims and theft, among others, but homeowners will be required to seek fire coverage from the California FAIR Plan. State Farm did not comment on the exact pricing, but some homeowners have expressed frustration at the idea of paying for two policies where one used to be sufficient.Lara acknowledged getting one comprehensive policy is always the best option, but still applauded State Farms decision which he said the department helped work on. While many impacted State Farm policyholders may choose to look for another traditional coverage with another insurance company, offering a difference in condition policy at least gives consumers an additional option to consider as were finishing these regulations, Lara said. Lara added that the department was speaking with other carriers about developing similar options for customers whose policies are not renewed, but hoped that recent rate increase approvals would prevent companies from resorting to mass nonrenewals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Californias already seen some progress, Lara said, adding, Were already seeing insurance companies react to this. As proof, Lara pointed to Farmers Insurance Groups recent decision to begin writing commercial insurance policies for apartment and condo landlords which it stopped offering last year and Mercury Insurances deal to take on some of the customers who would have otherwise lost coverage as Tokio Marine leaves the state. He also touched on Gov. Gavin Newsoms recently released trailer bill, which would speed up the process at which insurance companies adjust their prices. As part of that bill, the Department of Insurance would be required to create a new data reconciliation tool. Under current California law, insurance companies must submit data to the state to justify the change in their prices before they implement it. Were doing all this manually, Lara said. The insurance company submits a data set, we have our own data set, it doesnt mesh, and so were manually trying to consolidate this data. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With money passed in the last budget, Lara said the department was working on technology to allow insurance companies and the department to reconcile differences in their data and work with the same information, allowing the rate approval process to happen faster. A former Sonoma County law enforcement officer was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for raping a woman in 2007, the district attorneys office announced Wednesday. Jacom Stephens/Getty Images A former Sonoma County law enforcement officer was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for raping a woman in 2007, the district attorneys office announced Wednesday. Ricky Marion Bostic, 55, was sentenced after previously pleading no contest to charges of felony assault with intent to rape and rape of an intoxicated person. He was also sentenced to 50 years to life for separate rape convictions in Maryland, according to the Sonoma County district attorney. In 2007, Bostic watched as people left Club Seven in downtown Santa Rosa and followed the victim to her home in Juilliard Park, where he eventually broke in and raped her, prosecutors said. When she woke up the next morning, she quickly realized she had been sexually assaulted and reported it to law enforcement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Though DNA was collected right away, it wasnt until 2021 that Santa Rosa police were notified of a match. At the time of the 2007 attack, Bostic served as a deputy with the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office from April 2001 to May 2009. He previously worked as an officer with the Petaluma Police Department from May 1998 to April 2001, Santa Rosa police said in a 2021 announcement of Bostics charges. Bostic was convicted of a DUI in 2009 and sentenced to three years probation, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. He then moved to Maryland, where he faces a 50-year-to-life sentence after a 2013 conviction on similar assault charges. Baltimore County prosecutors said Bostic, then employed as a security guard, broke into a Towson home in 2012 and sexually assaulted two women in separate rooms. Police recovered fingerprints, DNA and a camera with pictures of one of the victims before she woke up, the Baltimore Sun reported at the time. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ida Mojadad is a San Francisco journalist who has reported enterprise, investigative and daily news coverage focused on schools, youth and families. She previously covered housing, health care and city politics, among other topics, for SF Weekly and the San Francisco Examiner. While at the San Francisco Standard, she published a series of revelations about hidden school sexual misconduct. 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West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Executive Chef Srijith Gopinathan finishes a fried chicken dish at Copra in San Francisco in 2023. He and owner Ayesha Thapar are opening a new Indian restaurant in Menlo Park this summer. Adam Pardee/Special to The Chronicle Dazzling pastries and doughnuts from chefs with Michelin-star cred, modern Indian food and a restaurant all about oysters await Bay Area diners this summer. Numerous exciting projects are set to debut in the coming months, including a new restaurant from a team known for boundary-pushing Indian food, and an enormous brewery from one of the Bay Areas top craft beer-makers. A boom in openings in San Franciscos long-sleepy West Portal neighborhood will continue with the arrival of a doughnut cafe and a wine bar from the original owners of beloved San Francisco Italian restaurant La Ciccia. Other spots that have been delayed are gearing up to open this summer, which starts June 20. San Francisco is getting a second outpost of the iconic Golden Boy Pizza, while ice cream from pandemic pop-up Bad Walters will descend on Oakland. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Here are nine of the Bay Areas most anticipated restaurants slated to open this summer, listed in alphabetical order. Elena Kadvany Almanac Beer Co. at Prescott Market A rendering of the interior of Prescott Market in West Oakland, where Almanac Beer Co. is opening its newest taproom and kitchen. Provided by Emunah Hauser Popular craft brewery Almanac Beer Co. will anchor the long-in-the-works Prescott Market food hall in West Oakland. The 1,800-square-foot taproom and kitchen will pour popular brews, like its Love Hazy IPA and fruited sours, from a 20-tap system. Unlike its flagship location in Alameda, this taproom will have its own kitchen program, currently in development. Almanacs arrival will set the pace for the food hall, which is currently slated for a full opening by the end of the year. Mario Cortez Projected opening: August Advertisement Article continues below this ad Amara Rendering of a dining space at Amara, a Mediterranean restaurant slated to open this summer. Provided by Kristine Keefer Amaras owners want the restaurant to feel like a trip through the Mediterranean, with the design of indoor and outdoor areas inspired by Tunisian markets and sunny Greek streets. The restaurant is the newest project from Reena Miglani and Ajay Walia, the restaurateur couple behind Burlingame Indian restaurant Saffron and the former operators of Rasa in Burlingame. The duos travels inform the menu, with dishes like lamb cooked in a tagine with apricots, grilled whole fish and roasted cauliflower with dates in a preserved lemon puree. Chef Bret Tullis, who has worked at San Franciscos Campton Place and Michael Minas eponymous restaurant in Las Vegas, is in charge of bringing the kitchen to life. M.C. Projected opening: August Advertisement Article continues below this ad 1015 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont. amararestaurants.com Eos & Nyx A rendering of the dining room at Eos & Nyx, opening this summer in San Jose. Courtesy Basile Studios The team behind some of San Joses most popular bars is opening an over-the-top Mediterranean restaurant, complete with a rotating booze conveyor belt. Eos & Nyx, from the owners of Paper Plane, MiniBoss and Still O.G./Alter Ego, will arrive this summer in downtown San Jose. The menu will span France, Spain, Italy, Greece and North Africa. Renderings of the 4,000-square-foot space, a former movie theater, show an expansive dining room filled with trees, a mezzanine connected to the first floor by a dazzling open staircase and that rotating alcohol carousel behind a long bar. E.K. Projected opening: summer Advertisement Article continues below this ad 201 South Second St., #120, San Jose. instagram.com/eosnyxsj Eylan Srijith Gopinathan, known for his Cal-Indian cooking at Ettan and Copra, is opening Eylan in Menlo Park. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle After opening two hit Indian restaurants the highly acclaimed Copra in San Francisco and the stunning Ettan in Palo Alto the owners are bringing a third to the Bay Area. Called Eylan, its set to debut at a new Menlo Park development this summer. No menu details were immediately available. Chef Srijith Gopinathan, who teamed up with owner Ayesha Thapar after working at the once-Michelin-starred Cal-Indian restaurant Campton Place in San Francisco, is known for delivering flavor-packed, modern Indian cuisine. E.K. Projected opening: late summer Advertisement Article continues below this ad 400a El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Georges Donuts & Merriment Vanilla-glazed crullers from George's Donuts and Merriment, opening this summer in San Francisco. Courtesy George's Donuts and Merriment Its all about doughnuts at Georges Donuts & Merriment, coming to San Franciscos West Portal neighborhood this summer. Expect brioche, raised, cake, crullers and fried-to-order doughnut holes, plus savory creations courtesy of Janina OLeary, who previously oversaw pastry for Bacchus Management Groups Bay Area restaurants (Spruce, Selbys, the Village Pub and others) and is a partner at Georges with co-owners Lea and Andrew Dudum. Georges will be open all day and also serve sandwiches, salads, coffee and wine. E.K. Projected opening: August 163 West Portal Ave., San Francisco. georgescafesf.com Le Parc Bistrobar Chef Bruno Chemel, pictured at his Palo Alto restaurant Baume in 2018, will open a new restaurant in San Francisco this summer. Stephen Lam/Special to The Chronicle Famed chef Bruno Chemel might be best known for his restaurant Baume, which held two Michelin stars at the height of its influence. Now he is planning a more laid back restaurant in San Francisco. Named Le Parc Bistrobar, the restaurant will feature French dishes like coq au vin and flank steaks, along with lighter takes on bistro fare using seasonal ingredients. There will be an emphasis on affordability, like at bistros in France, Chemel previously told the Chronicle. Set inside a handsome, two-level space with pressed tin ceilings, the restaurant marks Chemels first ever restaurant in the city. M.C. Projected opening: July 185 Sutter St. San Francisco. leparcbistrobar.com Prelude A rendering of the dining room at Prelude, slated to open this summer in San Francisco. Provided by Olga Katsnelson San Francisco diners will soon be able to enjoy tasting menus inspired by southern cooking. Prelude is slated to open in August under the direction of chef Celtin Hendrickson-Jones, whose resume lists fine dining restaurants like San Francisco steakhouse Niku, Oaklands Commis and Napa Valleys Morimoto. The dining room is set in a modern space tapping into rustic motifs like wood surfaces and padded banquettes. Expect prix fixe offerings, which can include hominy grits and cornbread financiers with hokkaido uni butter. M.C. Projected opening: August 433 Clay St. San Francisco. preludesf.com Small Change Oyster Bar Fresh oysters and lobster rolls will be available at Small Change Oyster Bar, slated to open in Oakland this summer. Provided by Small Change Oyster Bar A long-awaited raw bar and restaurant in Oaklands Temescal is ready to open this summer. Small Change Oyster Bar will be serving freshly shucked oysters on the half shell from Northern California and Washington producers with pours of low-intervention wines from small-scale growers. Chef Lauryn Dakotas menu will include nostalgic seafood dishes like clam chowder, shrimp Louie salad and plates of hot fish and chips. Seating will include a bar with low seats, where customers will have close-up views of oyster shucking, as well as a breezy patio that will entice many during the warmer months of the year. M.C. Projected opening: June 5000 Telegraph Ave. Oakland. smallchangeoyster.com Tarts de Feybesse An apple tart from Tarts de Feybesse, pictured in 2016, which is opening an Oakland bakery. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle One of the Bay Areas most popular pastry pop-ups is finally graduating to a permanent home. Tarts de Feybesse, known for stunning French pastries like tiramisu eclairs and apple tarts, will open soon in Oakland. Owners Monique (a former Top Chef contestant) and Paul Feybesse previously worked in fine-dining restaurants, and met at the three-Michelin-star Geranium in Copenhagen. What started as the couple baking sourdough for neighbors during the pandemic quickly snowballed into a full-fledged baking business. E.K. Projected opening: late July The San Francisco Department of Public Health runs a managed alcohol program at a former hotel in the Tenderloin neighborhood. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle For 45 years, Bruce nearly stopped eating entirely. Instead, he drank his breakfast, lunch and dinner. Severe alcohol use damaged his brain, doctors said. His balance was off, and he regularly lost the ability to stand up. He cycled in and out of hospitals. They told me, If you keep drinking like you are, youre going to be in a wheelchair. But Ill be damned if I didnt listen. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One night, Bruce, who requested I only use his first name, spent hours on the floor of his permanent supportive housing unit after his legs gave out. I hit the bottom like you wouldnt believe. When he was discovered in the morning, he was shaking so badly that the paramedics couldnt take his blood pressure. At the hospital, it took two IVs administering drugs to stop the shaking. A nurse told him he had nearly died. Several months later, his life is now radically different. With the help of a social worker assigned to him through San Franciscos Department of Public Health, Bruce obtained a referral to the citys 20-bed managed alcohol program, which serves those with severe health issues caused by alcoholism. Hes now under intensive treatment for his alcohol use and the serious medical issues it has caused. He lives at the facility, where he has his own bedroom and bathroom and goes on daily, supervised walks with other residents. Several times a day, on a strict and consistent schedule, a nurse dispenses small doses of alcohol to keep his body from suffering dangerous, alcohol-related withdrawal symptoms. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As we talked, he patted his belly, telling me proudly that hes put on 30 pounds. Launched during the pandemic, the managed alcohol program has served its vulnerable population quietly, staying under the radar of the citys increasingly heated, vitriolic arguments about the benefits or downsides of harm reduction. Until last month. Spurred by a tweet from a Salvation Army board member, outrage over the program erupted as did misinformation. Some alleged that the city was essentially running a frat house for homeless people, using the buildings old beer tap system to provide residents with alcohol and enabling people with alcohol use disorder by providing them with vodka and beer. Fox News ate the story up. Residents say that in the aftermath, photographers and videographers swarmed the place, trying to get photos. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Like much of the debate surrounding harm reduction in San Francisco, the coverage was sensationalized and short-sighted. Managed alcohol isnt a bar; the environment is clinical. And if the city did what opponents wanted it to do, and forced this population to stop drinking immediately, many would die. Detoxing from other drugs is very uncomfortable, but its not fatal, Shannon Smith-Bernardin, a UCSF nursing professor, told me. For those with severe alcohol dependence, however, stopping suddenly can kill you. Smith-Bernardin, who helped launch the citys managed alcohol program, said that stopping cold turkey can lead to tremors, agitation, hallucinations or seizures. In extreme cases, someone can develop delirium tremens, commonly known as DTs, during which the body stops regulating temperature and ends up basically cooking from the inside. You get hyperthermia, and the body cant come down, Smith-Bernardin told me. Treating these alcohol-related health problems costs the city millions of dollars each year. The Department of Public Health conducted a 2022 analysis of medical services provided to clients during the six months before they entered the program and compared it to six months after, and it showed the city saved $1.7 million. Thats an astonishing impact for a program that, at the time, had only 10 beds. And it challenges the narrative that San Francisco is misspending tax dollars on this effort and others like it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lisa, who, like Bruce, didnt want her last name used for fear of being targeted, has been with the program since it began. She started drinking at 11. For years she lived on and off the streets, drinking alcohol and using methamphetamine in the citys alleyways. Before she entered the managed alcohol program, she consumed more than a fifth of alcohol a day the equivalent of around 17 shots. If I didnt have enough alcohol, or if I had too much alcohol, I would drink myself into a seizure, she told me. Her seizures are now under control, and her drinking has slowly and safely reduced to less than a pint a day (around six shots). She uses a walker to get around, but it doesnt stop her from supervised daily walks around the neighborhood. Since Lisa joined the program, she says shes lost more than 100 pounds. Last month, staff and residents threw her a birthday party. The program, she told me, has saved her life. I would have been dead if Id stayed out there. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lisa is now thinking about the future. Caseworkers helped her secure a spot in a senior housing facility, once shes well enough to move on. Im done with young people running around, she told me, laughing. I just turned 62, so Im ready to be a senior now. Managed alcohol is intended to be temporary, even if people stay for years. The goal is to transition people into environments where theyre cared for and safe. Bruce is still figuring out his next steps. Hes five months into the program and still receiving a few doses of alcohol six times a day. Already, hes cut out two doses and aims to get to zero. His health problems have yet to stabilize. Sometimes my head feels like its got a lot of pressure in it, and I get these dizzy spells, he told me. I have to sit down real quick because Ill black out. Yet the program is working. Ive got my sleep pattern back, he said. Im taking my tuberculosis medicine right now. I finally got my Social Security income. They say I dont drink enough water, so every time I take a dose I have two big cups of water. Bruce doesnt want to stay in the program forever. He wants a life of his own. Im tired of doing stupid stuff. I told myself, Bruce, for once in your life, dont blow this. I dont want to let myself down. Managed alcohol is succeeding in stabilizing people with serious alcohol-related medical issues. And it saves the city money. About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies Widely circulated misconceptions of harm reduction that it enables people to stay in their patterns of problematic substance use without providing options to move through it are doing this programs residents, science and taxpayers a disservice. Pupils and staff at Oakgrove Integrated Primary School celebrated receiving the highly prestigious Schools of Sanctuary award on Wednesday afternoon last in recognition of the schools safe and welcoming environment for all children and families. The Schools of Sanctuary programme is an award-winning scheme developed in the Urban Villages areas of Belfast and Derry with support from the Northern Ireland Executives Urban Villages Initiative, the Belfast City of Sanctuary group, and the Intercultural Education Service of the Education Authority. IN PICTURES: Oakgrove IPSN becomes School of Sanctuary A School of Sanctuary is a school committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all, especially those seeking sanctuary. This could be those whose lives were in danger in their own country, who have troubles at home or are just looking for a safe space of safety. It has never been so apt in the current pandemic crisis of Covid19. Wednesdays event, held in the Limavady Road school, saw Oakgrove commended for the wide range of opportunities within the whole school community to learn about and understand different cultures. Oakgrove Integrated Primary School started their journey towards achieving this award in September, 2023 under the leadership of their Mrs. Ashley Donaghey, Principal and Ms. Edel Sweeney, Integration Co-Ordinator. Delighted and very proud to receive the award, Mrs. Donaghey said: Were very fortunate at Oakgrove IPSN to have such great support within the school community. Indeed, our staff work diligently to promote equality, inclusion and social responsibility. We couldnt do it without the support of our pupils and their families who provide a safe and happy place for our children to learn together. We are all delighted to receive this award and it makes it all the effort worthwhile. Adding the Principals sentiments, co-ordinator, Ms. Sweeney said the school community all come together and celebrate diversity and this was the cornerstone for the School of Sanctuary success. As an integrated primary school, Oakgroves ethos is celebrating diversity by learning together for life. The aims of the School of Sanctuary align so clearly with our school values and vision. Well done to all involved in making this the success it has become. Earlier this year, the school received the Carson Prize for Promoting Religious and Cultural Understanding and in March, Ms. Sweeney was awarded the Anti-Racism Teacher of the Year award by the North West Migrants Forum. The school also received a special commendation for Anti Racism School of the year at the same awards. California Gov. Gavin Newsom joins Assembly Member Evan Low, right, and other local officials for a rally in support of a ballot measure to remove Proposition 8 from state Constitution, at Mannys in San Francisco on Friday. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle State Sen. Scott Wiener speaks alongside California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other officials at a rally in support of a ballot measure to remove Proposition 8 from state Constitution, at Mannys in San Francisco on Friday. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle San Francisco Mayor London Breed, center, and state Sen. Toni Atkins, left, join other elected officials for a rally in support of Freedom to Marry, a ballot measure to remove Proposition 8 from the state Constitution, at Mannys in San Francisco on Friday. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle There is little doubt that a measure on the November ballot that would remove language banning same-sex marriage that remains in the state Constitution will pass. Even Republicans arent trying to block it. The potential political value of ACA5, dubbed the Freedom to Marry initiative, could be to get younger Californians who are turned off by this election to vote. Only 16% of voters under 35 cast ballots in Californias March 5 primary. Boosting that turnout will be key to helping Democratic House candidates flip four toss-up seats held by Republicans in the Central Valley and Southern California. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im hopeful that this can be a key component to drive out greater voter turnout on issues, on candidates, on the president, Assembly Member Evan Low, an author of the initiative, said Friday. How do we help ensure that we are inspiring and giving a reason for a younger, more diverse electorate to get out and vote? Low was part of a group of top Democrats who convened Friday at Mannys, a Mission District political gathering spot, to flash a statewide show of strength behind the initiative during LGBTQ Pride month. Joining Low were Gov. Gavin Newsom; Mayor London Breed; state Sens. Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Toni Atkins of San Diego; and Jodi Hicks, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. Low and others hope the campaign will educate younger voters who may take the right to same-sex marriage for granted. In 2008, 52% of California voters approved Proposition 8, a ban on same-sex marriage. Even though federal courts overturned the ban five years later and the Supreme Court declared a constitutional right to same-sex marriage in 2015, Prop. 8s language remains in the state Constitution. Same-sex marriage advocates fear it could become law again if the conservative U.S. Supreme Court decides to reconsider the issue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They point to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas aside in the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision that overturned the constitutional right to obtain an abortion where he argued many of the same legal foundations that upheld abortion should be re-examined, too. The Legislature unanimously approved putting the initiative on the ballot albeit with some Republicans not voting in case some future court takes Thomas up on his suggestion and invalidates more rights. (Last month, the California Republican Party voted to remain neutral on the initiative.) If weve learned anything since the Dobbs decision, its that basic rights, those rights that many of us hold so dear and even take for granted, that they can be taken away at any point, Hicks said. Newsom occupies a special place in the history of same-sex marriage. He allowed San Francisco to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples as one of his first major acts as mayor of San Francisco in 2004. He said he plans to campaign for the initiative to get this stain off our Constitution and said advocating for same-sex marriage has been a big part of my journey, and the journey of millions and millions of others and we want to see this to completion. Newsom said the measure represents a recognition of the urgency of the moment, the moment we are living in, states are on the front lines of those rights. And thats why its imperative that states like California step up and assert themselves at this critical time. Mayor London Breeds office announced that Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, who is challenging the mayors reelection bid, has become a co-sponsor of a $390 million bond proposal. Left: Scott Strazzante; Right: Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Mayor London Breeds effort to put a $390 million bond on San Franciscos November ballot cleared a key hurdle Friday when one of her political rivals agreed to support the proposal. Breeds office announced that Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, who is challenging the mayors reelection bid, had become a co-sponsor of the bond after the two of them struck a deal to allocate tens of millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements at San Francisco General Hospital and the Laguna Honda public nursing home. Under Breed and Peskins agreement, another $10 million of the bond would be spent on needed repairs at the two city-run health care facilities, bringing the bonds total funding for critical infrastructure repairs at the hospitals to $66 million. Breed will also allocate an extra $38.56 million to S.F. General and Laguna Honda as part of her two-year budget plan thats currently being reviewed by city supervisors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Additional funding in the bond would pay for shelter and housing for homeless families, road repairs and public space improvements at Harvey Milk and Hallidie plazas. The deal makes it likelier that voters will consider the bond in November. A supermajority of eight supervisors need to vote to put the bond on the ballot; including Peskin, Breed now has seven co-sponsors. Supervisors have until late July to submit the measure to the elections department. This is a difficult budget cycle we are again facing, so it is critical that we utilize every resource available to us to invest in the necessary healthcare infrastructure improvements to protect our public health safety net thousands of patients rely on it for top-tier care, Breed said in a statement. Breeds office said the bond and budget funds would pay for nearly $105 million in crucial facility upgrades that would help S.F. General and Laguna Honda maintain their licensing, certification and regulatory compliance while improving their quality of care. At S.F. General, the money would add 65,000 square feet of seismically safe space to the hospital, upgrade the hospitals clinical lab that doesnt have a proper cooling system, and replace aging windows with poor insulation. The hospital would be able to double the number of daily patients it could serve in psychiatric emergency services, according to Breeds office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At Laguna Honda, the money would fund HVAC system replacements, a new industrial kitchen and a stationary X-ray thats necessary to maintain the hospitals status as a skilled nursing facility, Breeds office said. This is the second big change Breed has made to the proposed bond since she introduced it in April. Previously she amended her plan to add money to finance a new home for the San Francisco City Clinic, which provides care and preventative services for people with sexually transmitted infections and people with HIV. But Peskin had continued to hold out his support, saying when Breed secured funding for the City Clinic that the bond proposal still needed to fund critically needed improvements for S.F. General. He said in a statement Friday that the latest version of the bond plan was a testament to what the City can accomplish when we work collaboratively to creatively solve funding problems. Im proud to move this package forward to the voters for consideration, Peskin said. In addition to the funds for S.F. General and Laguna Honda, the bond would also pay for a renovation and expansion of the Chinatown Public Health Center. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Anti-war protesters rally outside the office of Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in San Francisco, Friday, June 7, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Counterprotesters in support of Israel rally as anti-war demonstrators gather outside the Israeli consulate, amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, in San Francisco, Friday, June 7, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle An anti-war protester holds a photograph of U.S. President Joe Biden during a rally outside the office of Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA), amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in San Francisco, Friday, June 7, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Anti-war protesters march towards the Israeli consulate amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in San Francisco, Friday, June 7, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Chris Nelson, of Chico, holds up her hand painted in red during an anti-war rally outside the Israeli consulate amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, in San Francisco, Friday, June 7, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Anti-war protesters rally outside the Israeli consulate amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, in San Francisco, Friday, June 7, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle A group of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside U.S. Sen. Alex Padillas office in San Francisco. Danielle Echeverria/The Chronicle Around 30 pro-Palestinian protesters set up a makeshift memorial for children who have been killed in the war in Gaza in front of California Sen. Alex Padillas office in downtown San Francisco on Friday before marching to demonstrate in front of the Israeli consulate. The roughly three dozen demonstrators, who were with the group CodePink, which has also demonstrated several times outside of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosis San Francisco home, decried the U.S. governments support for Israel. The group has called on Congress and President Biden to stop sending military funding and weapons to the country. The protest was centered on Bidens red line. Biden said last month that he would not supply Israel with offensive weapons it could use in an all-out assault on Rafah, where more than 1 million civilians have sheltered. But since then, Israel has launched an offensive on Rafah, and Israeli strikes have killed civilians seeking refuge there. The Biden administration has said that the offensive is only an uptick in military activity and not a major military operation, according to the Associated Press. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He said his red line was Rafah. But was it? CodePink organizer Cynthia Papermaster said at the rally. So we say, Joseph R. Biden, you are wanted for genocide. You are not just complicit; you are financing it. Susan Witka, right, paints a redline on the sidewalk during a protest outside the office of Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in San Francisco, Friday, June 7, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Then, in a prepared skit, a few of the demonstrators played Biden, Pelosi and Padilla, saying their support for Israel was about making money and winning reelection. A few others holding a large red scarf the red line then acted out arresting Biden, Pelosi and Padilla for genocide, as the rest waved Palestinian flags and chanted the whole world is watching. After the skit, the protesters gathered their memorial for the children, which included childrens shoes, backpacks, and items the size of toddlers wrapped up as if they were dead bodies, and proceeded to the Israeli consulate, singing hymns and calling for a cease-fire. At the consulate, roughly the same number of pro-Israel demonstrators were gathering in front of the building, dressed in blue and waving Israeli flags. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Protesters in support of Israel rally in counterprotest as anti-war demonstrators gather outside the Israeli consulate amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in San Francisco, Friday, June 7, 2024. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Separated by barricades and a dozen police officers, the pro-Israel demonstrators danced traditional Jewish dances as well as to Jewish pop music behind a sign that said San Francisco supports Israel. They also chanted for freedom from Hamas. Meanwhile, the pro-Palestinian protesters remade their childrens memorial in front of the Israeli consulate, their hymns drowned out by the speakers from the pro-Israel contingent. A 21-YEAR-OLD mans offences around Cork city were described as messy by a sentencing judge, who has adjourned finalisation of the matters until July 2. Judge Mary Dorgan put the cases against Ryan Kennefick, of St Vincents Hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, back until that date at Cork District Court. Messy offending is what I would describe this as, Judge Dorgan said. His behaviour with the guards was inappropriate in the extreme. Sergeant John Kelleher said gardai were called to St Vincents hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, on March 12, where two men were causing a disturbance one of whom was identified as Kennefick. Mr Kennefick shouted: Get the f*** away from me and he called the gardai c***s and rat bastards, said Sgt Kelleher. In an earlier incident, on October 6, 2023, the same defendant went to Topaz on Monahan Road and stole Lucozade, chocolate-flavoured Yazoo drink, and tea bags, Sgt Kelleher said. The accused had 23 convictions. Daithi O Donnabhain, defence solicitor, said the accused had an amount of alcohol consumed at the time of the offences. In respect of the row at the hostel, the solicitor said: There was bad blood between himself and another resident of St Vincents. Mr O Donnabhain said of the young man: He is at a crossroads in his life. Judge Dorgan agreed to adjourn sentencing for a month. Mr Kennefick is also charged with a count related to March 29, 2024, where it is alleged that he trespassed at the Salt restaurant on Victoria Rd, Cork, where, the prosecution said, nothing was taken. INVESTMENT in improving Corks piers, slipways, harbours and pontoons could have huge benefits for the fishing industry, tourism and people who live close to coasts, a Cork TD has said. Fianna Fail TD for Cork South West Christopher OSullivan was appointed as the party spokesperson on Coastal Communities in January of this year, and told The Echo what this role entails. Mr OSullivan explained, the main role is advocating for coastal communities, there is a ministry for agriculture and the marine is tied up in that too, but within the party we had no dedicated spokesperson for all things maritime and coastal. As it stands, Ireland has a big deficit costal infrastructure, we are an island nation surrounded by water, and history, but our piers and harbours are ancient, theyre falling apart and badly need investment. A big advantage of this investment would be much greater access to the water which would have many benefits the fishing sector has been facing many challenges so we need to do everything possible to facilitate indigenous fishing boats. TOURISM Another potential benefit from investment is a big growth in marine ecotourism, such as boat tours to see whales, dolphins, porpoises and sharks, he said. There is a huge amount of basking sharks and wildlife turning up off the south west coast, and lots of people are taking a keen interest in marine wildlife. Cork has the longest coast in Ireland, but there are very few places in the county that a whale watching boat can safely launch at the moment, so a network of piers and slipways could also see an increase in more leisure boating and sailing the economic impact would be huge, he said. EROSION Coastal erosion is one of the biggest challenges facing communities at the moment, he said. Peoples houses are at risk, and one of my first asks pre-budget is for a fund to be established, a coastal infrastructure fund of about 50m to start with, even that doesnt go near what it should be. He explained that there was a Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund, which helped Ireland readjust from things like losses of mackerel quota as a result of the quota transfers to the EU under Brexit. A substantial amount of this funding was directed to coastal communities to improve piers and harbours, including in Courtmacsherry and Ballycotton. There was great work done, but now we revert back to the old national fund of five million, he said, explaining we need a substantial coastal fund to refurbish places like Union Hall, Glengarriff, Ring and so many more. A polls close around Cork, TDs were proud of their party's campaigns and largely optimistic on polling day about their candidates in the local elections. Election day always brings with it a range of emotions relief that the weeks and months of campaigning is finally over, but also excitement and cautious optimism for what the next few days might bring," Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns told The Echo. Krish Vadivel helps his mother Ramyaa from Passage West cast her vote. Picture Chani Anderson I am so proud of the 12 exceptional candidates who put themselves forward for the Social Democrats in the local elections in Cork city and county, as well as Susan Doyle, our European Election candidate in Ireland South, who ran an outstanding campaign despite being unfairly excluded from RTEs election debates. Grace Leonard casts her vote in Fridays elections while her son Darragh Kenny (9) offers moral support. Picture Chani Anderson She added: Elections present parties with a valuable opportunity to outline their core principles, values and policies - I am glad to say that all our Cork candidates reported positive, respectful engagement with the majority of people they met on the doorsteps. Solidarity-People Before Profit TD Mick Barry said: For us an election campaign is like a mass dialogue with working class people and it's been great for our team to have thousands of conversations over the last month. Tanaiste and Uactarain Fhianna Fail Micheal Martin pictured with his son Micheal, casts his vote in the local and European elections. Picture Chani Anderson Anyone who says they know how this vote is going to turn out is a bluffer in my book but I think Brian McCarthy has high recognition for his work on the discoloured water issue, Edith Busteed for her campaigning work on Palestine and both of them on housing so we're hopeful of good results tomorrow. Fianna Fail TD and Minister for Finance Michael McGrath said the party "did quite well overall in Cork in the local elections in 2019" and said they have identified some "potential gains" in Cork this time around. Noreen Peate, Pole Clerk and Stephanie Connolly, presiding officer pictured at the polling centre in St Anthonys boys National School, Ballinlough. Picture Chani Anderson We had a good balance of youth, experience and gender in this elections. All of our candidates and their campaign teams given it their all, we couldnt have asked any more of them. Its in the hands of the people now, he said. Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney explained: Its a strange feeling on election day, youve been flat out campaigning and suddenly there is nothing more to do other than calling round to the polling station. David and Mary Murphy pictured casting their votes in St Anthonys boys National School, Ballinlough. Picture Chani Anderson I think its been a good campaign for us, the reception on doors has been reasonably positive - there are a small number of people who are angry about various things, but most of our candidates would say canvassing was enjoyable. Our target in the local elections is to hold what we have or to be as close as we can - six months ago, people wouldve said there was no chance that could happen, because when a party been in government for some time they can get a hard time in the locals. Cork City Hall is setup and ready for use as a count centre for the local elections. Ballot Boxes will be opened at Nemo Rangers and local and European ballot papers will be separated. Papers for counting at City Hall will be transferred under Garda escort. Pic: Larry Cummins But when you look at the quality of our candidates and our new candidates, I think were in good shape to keep the numbers we have Cork city and county, Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould said. We ran a really positive, solution-focused campaign, and weve seen great engagement. Outgoing independent city councillor Mick Finn who is not contesting this election, voted with his mum Marie, who is 86 years old this month, at Bunscoil Chriost Ri, Turner's Cross , Cork. Pic: Larry Cummins Unlike before, you have to be strong on the doors and also strong on social media, but were really happy from both perspectives. Everyone worked together, theres a lot of organising when running multiple candidates, so our strategy was dividing the constituencies so people werent running against each other but working together. Cllr Kieran McCarthy placing his ballot papers in the ballot box at Our Lady of Lourdes N.S. Ballinlough Cork as Ireland votes in the local and European elections. Pic: Larry Cummins Its still too early to call, but were watching the turnout which will be key, he said, wishing all his partys candidates the best of luck. 6.40pm I think that people do want to see Labour as a more powerful force in Cork. That was the sentiment from first time candidate in the citys South West ward, Laura Harmon speaking to The Echo ahead of the announcement of the first count in City Hall. Early indications suggest Ms Harmon could secure a seat in the seven seater ward after she placed fourth in the tallies. It looks like weve polled in fourth place overall [in the ward] with first preferences so well have to see how the count plays out, but just really grateful for the fantastic campaign team that we had, she said. We really worked hard to get the vote that we got today, and its just been a real pleasure meeting people from all walks of life all across the Cork City South West Ward. Ms Harmon said she is hopeful the party could increase its presence on Cork City Council for the next term. I think that people do want to see Labour as a more powerful force in Cork. Of course, John Maher has been carrying that flag so well on his own on the council for the last five years and it would be great to have a stronger Labour team [on council], she said. In the tallies from Nemo Rangers earlier, John Maher, who is hoping to be reelected in the citys North East ward, placed second in the tallies at 14.32%. 5.50pm Finance Minister and Cork South Central TD Michael McGrath is optimistic that Fianna Fail could gain seats in Cork in the local elections, but admitted that there could well be twists and turns as counting continues. Speaking to The Echo in City Hall, the Minister said: We are encouraged by the tallies so far. Im not surprised because of the work our candidates and councillors have been doing for a long period of time and I think it does again demonstrate the value of work on the ground, of being involved in your own community and being in touch with the people you represent and we are hoping for a good result across the city and county. Finance Minister Michael McGrath (left) and his brother Councillor Seamus McGrath (right) at Cork City Hall. Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire I think well certainly hold our own and hopefully can make some possible gains. There is a lot yet to be decided- there will surprises and twists and turns with the nature of the PR system but certainly the tallies are encouraging for the party. 5pm Honore Kamegni, Green Party local election candidate in Cork City South East, said he had put down a sleepless night after polls closed on Friday. Its very, very stressful. Its been a very hardworking 14 months, and I hope its going to pay off, he said. Its been a fantastic experience, Ive had a fantastic reaction from people. Very supportive, very encouraging, all different from what is going on online. A lot of people hide behind keyboards and say what they want to say, but Ive knocked on, I would say, 15,000 doors and most of the residents I have spoken with have been very, very supportive. Speaking to The Echo in City Hall on Saturday afternoon, Mr Kamegni said he felt a lot more at ease after the tally, which had taken place earlier in the day at Nemo. I am much better compared to this morning, I was very nervous this morning. I am standing at the moment at 7.5% [in the tallies], Im fifth out of sixth in the ward, and hopefully there is going to be no change, Mr Kamegni said. 3.50pm Speaking to The Echo, Cork North West candidate Kenneth Collins said that the party will be in a dog fight to secure a third seat in the constituency. The tallies are the tallies. They are nearly 100 per cent accurate to be fair to them. Look we ran three. There are definitely two seats there in the North West for us. Again, depending on the mathematics we could get a third. We are in a fight for it. We are in a dog fight for the third seat. Across the five electoral areas - South Central, South West, South East, North East and North West - 31 members are set to be elected to Cork City Council. He said that he believed low voter turnout in the area went against the party. People didnt come out to vote. Low turnout. That wouldnt favour us. We just have to see where things go now. We put a fantastic effort in. We had a vote management, but obviously, we just couldn't get our vote out. 3:45pm The members elected onto the new city council will need to seize the opportunities and face the challenges the city is experiencing with the commitment that our great city deserves, returning officer, Paul Moynihan, said as the count got underway in City Hall. In a brief speech addressing those assembled in the Concert Hall before the ballot boxes were opened, Mr Moynihan said Cork has been designated by Government as the fastest growing urban centre in Ireland supported by a multi-billion euro investment by Government. Our city is changing, Mr Moynihan said, adding that opportunities and challenges need to be met with vigor. Counting staff at Cork City Hall sort ballots during local elections in Cork. Pic: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire The returning officer said there are positive indications in relation to turnout, saying that the numbers voting have been maintained to the levels of last year. And equally important in my view is the fact that theres been a huge increase in the number of people registering to vote and exercise their franchise in local elections 2024, he added. He thanked council staff for their dedication, resilience and efficiency in the lead up to the count today. Planning began many months ago and involved a huge amount of people and functions across the length and breadth of the organisation, he said. Counting at the Concert Hall, which Mr Moynihan dubbed the most special and elegant count centre in the country, is set to run until 10pm, with the first count currently expected at around 6/7pm. Counting will likely recommence at 10am tomorrow. 3pm The ballot boxes containing the fate of 76 election hopefuls have arrived in Cork City Hall, with the count getting underway for the 2024 locals. Over the coming days the shape of the new council will be revealed as the results of yesterdays voting are determined. Across the five electoral areas - South Central, South West, South East, North East and North West - 31 members are set to be elected to Cork City Council. All but four of the incumbent councillors have sought reelection. The overall number of candidates running for election marks a 7% decrease on the number who ran in the 2019 locals. Counting staff at Cork City Hall sort ballots during local elections. Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein are the parties with the joint highest number of candidates at 12 each followed by Fine Gael with 10 candidates. Additionally, 12 Independent candidates, five Green party candidates, five Labour candidates and five Social Democrats candidates are contesting this year's local elections in the city along with three People Before Profit-Solidarity candidates, three from The Irish People, three from Aontu, two under the banner of Independent Ireland, two from the Workers' Party and one each from Ireland First and Rabharta. Looking at the wards south of the river, there are 48 candidates in total seeking election. Ballot boxes arriving for the count #LocalElections2024 pic.twitter.com/2ItAh9dT1q Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) June 8, 2024 In the South Central ward there are 15 candidates running three Independents (Paudie Dineen, William OBrien and Joel Rajesh), two Fianna Fail candidates (Sean Martin and David Boyle), two from Sinn Fein (Fiona Kerins and Luke McGrath) and one each from Fine Gael (Shane OCallaghan), the Green Party (Dan Boyle), the Social Democrats (Padraig Rice), Ireland First (Tommy Murphy), the Labour Party (Dr Lekha Menon Margassery), People Before Profit-Solidarity (Shane Laird), Independent Ireland (Joe Harris) and Aontu (Anna Daly). The only thing that can be said for certain at this stage is that the ward will have at least one new face, filling the seat of veteran Independent councillor Mick Finn, who opted against running in this years elections following a 15 year term on council. Another ward which is guaranteed to look different coming out of this weekend is the citys South West ward with two non-incumbents to win the seats of Fine Gaels Derry Canty and Thomas Moloney (Independent) who both did not seek reelection. Cork City Count officially opened #localelections2024 pic.twitter.com/0qHJNtvJgl Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) June 8, 2024 The South West ward, the ward with the highest number of seats, also has the most amount of candidates at 17. Fianna Fail make up the highest number with four candidates (Colm Kelleher, Fergal Dennehy, Terry Coleman and Olga Shevchenko), followed by Fine Gael (Garret Kelleher, Gary OBrien, and Andrea Christopher-Rea), Sinn Fein (Orla OLeary, Trevor McCarthy and Joe Lynch) and Independents (Albert Deasy, Aran MacDonnchadha and Thomas Kiely) with three candidates each. There is also one Green Party candidate (Colette Finn), one Social Democrats candidate (Ciaran McCarthy), one Labour Party candidate (Laura Harmon) and one Aontu candidate (Joanne Murphy) running. Meanwhile the South East ward is likely to be a particularly competitive ward, will all seven incumbent councillors seeking to renew their term on council. The ward, which takes in areas such as Ballinlough, Mahon and part of Douglas, has three Fine Gael candidates (Des Cahill, Deirdre Forde and Barry OBrien), two Fianna Failers (Mary Rose Desmond and Terry Shannon), two Sinn Fein candidates (Chris OLeary and Michelle Cowhey Shahid), and one each from the Green Party (Honore Kamegni), the Social Democrats (Susan Doyle), the Labour Party (Peter Horgan), The Irish People (Michael O'Riordan), Workers Party (Rachel Hurley Roche) and Rabharta (Lorna Bogue) all seeking election. SPEAKING to The Echo Cork North Central TD Colm Burke said they are pleased with Fine Gaels performance in the results of the early tallies. Were very happy with North Central and with the North West ward which was always a challenge for us. Our candidate there Damien Boylan is doing very well. On the basis of tallies, he is going to be elected on the first count with a surplus. "This is a suberb recognition that he deserves for the work that he does for Blarney and into the whole North West ward. I think his hard work is rewarded. "In the North East ward, Joe Kavanagh is going to get elected there. Were going to hold our two seats. Sixty per cent of the Mallow area, for instance, my area, two of our candidates are going to get elected there on the first count. Likewise in Cobh and Carrigtwohill area, our two candidates there Anthony Barry and Sinead Shepperd are doing very well and are going to be elected. However, he admitted there are challenges. We have a challenge in the Macroom area. We have three candidates there and we had three outgoing councillors. It is always a challenge [to get] three out of six and we may have a challenge there "Overall, Im happy with the results coming out of the constituency, he said. Asked if the results of the tallies of the local elections gave him a degree of confidence ahead of the general elections in the coming months, Deputy Burke said absolutely. If you look at the voting. The North East ward and the North West ward, the voting is higher than it was in the general election. It is a good result from our point of view. Again, its down to the hard work of the people who work as councillors and the people who work in my constituency office. I think I need to give recognition to them- they work hard. We have a very good electorate in north central they know what the issues are and they very much able to come to us with a particular issue and we do our very best to get the solution to those issues. FINANCE Minister Michael McGrath has said the tallies appear to show Fianna Fail has defied expectations in the local elections, while there has been no tide of support for the far right. Speaking to The Echo in City Hall, he said that polls, particularly the online polls, seemed to consistently underestimate his party, but he cautioned that there hadnt yet been a count. I am conscious that we havent had official results here yet, and there will be twists and turns, many of the last seats will be determined by transfers, but over-all, Im satisfied that the early signs are that we would have a reasonably good out-turn here in Cork city, Mr McGrath said. He said it was too early to say whether Fianna Fail would retain its position as the largest party in local government, but he felt it would be reasonably close. I think we will be able to return many councillors who were predicted not to [be able to] hold on, or candidates not predicted to come through, but theres a lot of counting to do, but who knows yet what the final out-turn will be. Were encouraged by what we have seen so far, he said. Mr McGrath said the tallies so far suggested that there had been no breakthrough for the far right in these elections, something he said could only be a good thing. Immigration did come up on a lot of doors, and a lot of people do have genuine concerns and legitimate concerns, which we are seeking to address, but the far right do not represent the Irish people, I think that is clear from the tallies we have seen so far. Im encouraged by that, Im not surprised by that, because Irish people are very decent and very open-minded and recognise the value of diversity, Mr McGrath said. They do want to have an immigration system that is fair but also is rules-based, and they want to see the rules implemented and enforced consistently and fairly and that is a message I got consistently on the doors. Theres no breakthrough here, theres no tide of support for the far right in these elections and that pleases me. He added that he felt the tallies suggested this government had a reasonable chance of being re-elected. Asked when the next general election will be, Mr McGrath said he believed this government would run its course and the election would be in the first quarter of 2025. I think we should do a budget in the autumn, and then legislate for that budget and implement it, and then go to the people in the early part of next year, thats certainly my preference, Ive said that from the very beginning, I think governments should serve their full term, Mr McGrath said. Paul Madonna, 52, in his Dogpatch studio, where hes working on Sutro Tower images from varying points in San Francisco. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Copies of Paul Madonnas books All Over Coffee and Everything Is Its Own Reward are displayed with a Sutro Tower postcard. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle A Sutro Tower sketch made by Paul Madonna, an artist who spent 12 years crafting the cartoon All Over Coffee for the Chronicle. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Paul Madonna saw his artistic career stalled after a hit-and-run accident forced him to stop working. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Paul Madonnas All Over Coffee comic strip ran in the Chronicle for 12 years. Paul Madonnas All Over Coffee comic strip, which ran in the Chronicle, offered various perspectives of San Francisco. An All Over Coffee by Paul Madonna for the Chronicle offered his view of a Victorian next to Buena Vista Park. Sutro Tower has been many things in its 51-year life: an object of scorn, a structure likened to alien creatures and, more recently, a cult icon with devotees who tattoo it into their flesh. Now, add another attribute to the list: The skeletal apparition has relit the creative spark of one of San Franciscos most acclaimed artists, Paul Madonna, 18 months after he nearly died in a hit-and-run accident. The appeal isnt the debatable beauty of the 977-foot transmission tower atop Mount Sutro. Rather, Sutro Tower casts its spell by serving to define our landscape without demanding our attention. It is a landmark both insidious and reassuring, a signal that you are here but also a visual anchor when you feel unmoored. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thats the case with Madonna, who last month embarked on a new series of monochromatic but richly layered drawings of Sutro Tower from different vantage points that will be offered to buyers at the rate of roughly one per week. Various Sutro Tower illustrations inside Paul Madonnas studio in San Francisco. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Im not special for choosing Sutro its as ubiquitous as the Golden Gate Bridge but its helping me find my rhythm again, said Madonna, 51, sitting in his Dogpatch studio with a window view of an industrial shed shell rather than the second-tallest structure in San Francisco. Madonna first gained wide Bay Area notice in 2004 with his stripped-down All Over Coffee panels in the Chronicle, each installment pairing an evocative shaded drawing of a streetscape or scene with a few lines of text that might obviously relate to the image or might not. Advertisement Article continues below this ad All the things you understood / but could not share, is the caption framing a Brannan Street manufacturing block in a strip from 2006. After 700-plus strips and several collections two published by City Lights Books Madonna ended All Over Coffee in 2015 and took his work in manifold directions. An illustration of the Golden Gate Bridge in Paul Madonnas book The Commissions. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle There were private commissions but also murals in spots ranging from Tacolicious branches to a Google cafe in Mountain View; labels for a limited edition release of Anchor Steam Beer; and three illustrated mystery novels centered on artist Emit Hopper. Spirits of San Francisco, an illustrated collaboration with author Gary Kamiya, was a local bestseller in 2020. Most ambitious of all, at least in a technical sense: A layered glass panorama of the citys topography as seen from the Excelsior neighborhood, 40 feet long and 5 feet high, that glimmers above a pedestrian passageway between Terminals 2 and 3 at San Francisco International Airport. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The common thread was the evocative ambience of Madonnas love of a terrain that is both familiar and slightly surreal. The other bond, less obvious, was the hard-driving work habits of an artist raised by blue-collar parents in the Rust Belt and after being drawn west partly by San Franciscos legacy of underground cartooning has been able to support himself as a freelancer from 2004 on. This intense focus on artwork was Madonnas norm until November 2022 when, while driving home from his studio through McLaren Park, he was slammed into at full speed by a hit-and-run driver. The driver escaped; Madonna was left with injuries including a shattered right heel, severe nerve damage in his left leg, internal organs shoved out of place and a torn carotid artery. Artist Paul Madonna works on an illustration of a scene showing Sutro Tower. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle With arduous determination and the support of his wife, Artspan executive director Joen Madonna, he began returning to his studio after six months, more to be there than anything else. Mentally, in a way, thats when the real work began. I used to be good at spinning 20 plates at once, Madonna said. Now it was hard to even spin one plate. Going back to the studio, everything felt like too much. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There were the physical realities of recovery, such as lacking the strength to maneuver his favorite drawing table (he purchased one with buttons that control its height and angle). More than that was the lost discipline that came from months of rehabilitation in the aftermath of COVID-induced isolation that he and so many other people already had endured. There were a handful of pre-accident commissions to start with, such as a mural for Precita Park Cafe on the north flank of Bernal Heights, but in Madonnas words, everything was taking four times as long as it should. Paintbrushes rest on a paper towel in Paul Madonnas San Francisco studio. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Then fate intervened. As Madonna wrote in a letter shared via email and social media outposts, a patron happened to stop by his new studio as the artist was sketching the portion of the Precita Park Cafe mural that included Sutro Tower. When Madonna told his guest the piece wasnt for sale, the response was a disappointed verbal shrug: Well, if they change their mind, I want it. I love anything with Sutro. The comment struck a chord with Madonna, who in the past had thought about making Sutro Tower the subject of concentrated study along the lines of 19th century artist Katsushika Hokusais numerous prints of Mount Fuji. But there had never been time. Now there was. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Other icons demand attention, like Coit Tower or the Golden Gate Bridge, Madonna explained. Sutro, its like your North Star how you get across the city. He left the studio and went scouting. A cane to help him stay balanced, a sketchbook to record impressions and perspectives. Paul Madonna, 52, works on an illustration in his Dogpatch studio, where hes working on Sutro Tower images from varying points in San Francisco. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Back in the studio, he transferred his impressions into artistry, layer upon layer of India ink whether the drawing highlighted the tower behind Twin Peaks as seen from Noe Valley, or tucked it behind a row of mundane houses in the Inner Richmond. Nothing large, nothing elaborate: I had to simplify, and this got me excited. I understand why. Sutro Tower is a strange architectural icon partly because of how it rises above such staid traditional neighborhoods like Forest Hill, but also for the combination of futuristic look and diffident air. Its a gaunt infrastructural giant without any hint of ornamentation. Its just there. Incongruous and out of scale? Absolutely. Thats why neighbors fought the project for years before construction began in 1971, and why one still described it to me in 2013 as a praying mantis. But the incongruity, with time, has settled into something authentic and unaffected. The oddness fades. Youre glad to see it pop up, wherever it might be. An india ink drawing by Paul Madonna one of his new Anything With Sutro series of Sutro Tower as seen from Laidley Street in San Franciscos Glen Park neighborhood. @ Paul Madonna Last month, with five drawings finished, Madonna put three originals for sale on his e-commerce site to coincide with his email blast. By the time I had dinner, they were all sold, Madonna smiled, leaning back in his most comfortable studio chair. I was like Ahh, Im not over. As for what comes next, Madonna plans to release one take on Sutro Tower per week as long as the exercise feels fresh. Long-term plans are still far off. FINANCE Minister Michael McGrath has said there are currently no plans to revisit the issue of a directly elected mayor for Cork. Speaking to The Echo at the local election count at City Hall on Saturday afternoon, Mr McGrath said Limericks direct election of a mayor was not likely to influence a rethink of the issue in Cork. We already had a vote on the issue, just a few years ago, and it was narrow but there was a rejection of the proposal of a directly elected mayor, there are no plans now to re-hold that plebiscite again, but I think everybody will be watching what happens in Limerick very closely and see how it works out, he said. We congratulate the people of Limerick for turning out in such number and they will now have ownership as such of the office of mayor and I really hope it works out well, and I think it will. CORKS first transgender candidate has said that although the tallies suggest she will not be elected, she is very happy that so many people have given her their first preference. Saoirse Mackin, who is standing for the Social Democrats in Cork City North West, told The Echo that while she felt a seat was beyond her grasp this time out, she was glad she had run in the election. Im very happy with the campaign we ran, we never had a candidate in my ward before, and Im happy enough with how that went, and very pleased that nearly 400 people put their faith in me for their first preference, Ms Mackin said. Its really, really nice to see, and very much appreciated, and yeah, onwards from here. She added that while she was looking forward to seeing some transfers, she was not expecting to be elected. A seat looks out of the question at this point, but it would be great to get a few transfers and see from there, and very happy to have got nearly 400 first preferences, Ms Mackin said. 12.35am -East Cork first count Independent Mary Linehan Foley topped the polls on 2,962 and was elected on the first count alongside Michael Hegarty of Fine Gael with 2,116. Edith Adams, Sinn Fein - 715, Ann Marie Ahern, Fianna Fail 1,053, John Buckley, Independent -8,62, Sean Buckley, Independent 654, Paddy Bullman, Ireland First - 368, Rory Cocking, Fine Gael 1,400, Alison Curtin, Fine Gael 803, Clodagh Harrington, Green Party 387, Eileen Kelly McCarthy, Independent Ireland, Patrick Mulcahy, Fianna Fail 1,629, Michelle Neville, Independent 147, James Peter OSullivan, The Irish People 211, Liam Quaide, Social Democrats 1,606 and Mona Stromsoe Aontu, 692. 12.23am - Fermoy first count The first count for the Fermoy local electoral area (LEA), was announced at midnight, which saw sitting Independent councillor William OLeary re-elected on 2,920 first preference votes, 562 votes above the quota of 2,358. This was accompanied by the re-election of sitting Fine Gael councillor Noel McCarthy, who came in on 2,624 first preference votes, 266 votes above quota. Fermoy Counts Electorate: 31,544 Votes Cast: 16,655 Spoiled Votes: 154 Valid Poll: 16,501 Quota: 2,358 Derek Blighe (|IF) - 899 Ken Brennan (Ind IE) - 162 Neilus Cotter: (FF) 1,239 Kay Dawson (FG) 1,059 Diarmuid Hanley (Lab) - 915 Thomas Horgan (Ind) - 61 Noel McCarthy (FG) 2,624 Deirdre OBrien (FF) 1,891 Joe OBrien (SF) - 725 Peter ODonoghue (Ind) - 937 Frank OFlynn (FF) 2,150 William OLeary (Ind) 2,920 Frank Roche (Ind) - 628 Mary Ryder (Green Party) - 189 Joe Tobin (Ind) - 102 As sitting councillors William OLeary and Noel McCarthy both exceeded the quota they have been deemed to be elected. William OLearys surplus of 562 votes now being distributed. 11.55pm - Macroom vote delayed The announcement of the First Count results for the Macroom Municipal District elections was delayed for almost half an hour. However, it didnt dampen the enthusiasm of the supporters of the two candidates elected on the First Count when the result was finally announce at 11.30pm. Outgoing councillors, Gobnait Moynihan of Fianna Fail and Michael Creed of Fine Gael, were returned with first preference totals of 2794 and 2593 respectively, both exceeding the quota of 2,542 votes. FIRST COUNT: MACROOM Michael Creed (Fine Gael) and Gobnait Moynihan (Fianna Fail) are elected in the first count in the Macroom Electoral Area. 4 seats remain to be filled.#CorkCountyLE24 #LE2024 #LE24 pic.twitter.com/6ep9Wx378c Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) June 8, 2024 It wasnt a tough campaign at all, said Michael Creed. Im absolutely thrilled to get over the line myself but Im more than thrilled that the other two Fine Gael councillors will also get elected and its a pleasure and a privilege to serve alongside them. Astute vote management enabled Fine Gael to garner enough votes to get Michael Creed over the line and pave the way for his two running mates, Eileen Lynch and Ted Lucey, to follow him back to the Council. We divided the area into three patches, everyone kept to the divide and our aim from the start was to get three Fine Gael councillors elected and we went out with that intention so Im absolutely delighted that it worked. The intention of the count officials is to distribute the surpluses of both the elected councillors. 11.47pm Macroom Electorate 32,318 Total poll 17,927 Spoiled votes 140 Total valid poll 17,788 Quota 2,542 Cllr. Michael Creed, Fine Gael who was elected on the firlst count at the County Hall, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Gobnait Moynihan and Michael Creed have been elected on the first count. Harriet Burgess, Green Party 939, Martin Coughlan, Independent - 1,478, Michael Creed, Fine Gael 2,593, Dermot Kelleher, Independent Ireland 1,337, Michael Looney Fianna Fail 2,508, Ted Lucey Fine Gael - 2058 Eileen Lynch, Fine Gael - 2,376, Gobnait Moynihan - 2,794, Rosarie OLeary, Aountu 588, John OSullivan, Sinn Fein 1,117. 11.35pm -Two elected in Cobh Municipal District Cobh 28,604 electorate 13,021 poll 106 invalid 12,915 valid poll 1,846 quota Billy Kelleher, MEP with his sister Cobh candidate Sheila O'Callaghan, Fianna Fail who was elected on the first count at the County Hall, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Sitting councillor Fianna Fails Sheila OCallaghan was elected on the first count with 2,202 votes, as was councillor Fine Gaels Anthony Barry with 1,935. People Before Profits Rola Abu Zeid-ONeill, 492, Independent Irelands Ger Curley 1,293, Fianna Fails Dominic Finn, 940, Independent Peter Kidney 357, Sinn Feins Medhi Ozcinar 620, Glor Voice of the Peoples Diarmuid O Cadhla, 559, Green Partys Cliona OHalloran, 834, Labours Cathal Rasmussen, 1,541 and Fine Gaels Sinead Sheppard 1,497. 11.15pm - John Paul O'Shea, Fine Gael, elected in Kanturk It was a family affair for the OShea brothers, John Paul and Tony, who have both retained their council seats for Fine Gael in the Kanturk and Mallow electoral areas respectively. Speaking to The Echo, John Paul OShea said he was proud to be able to once again represent the people in the towns and villages across the wider Kanturk area after being reelected on the second count. I have worked really hard together for the past five years and its great to see they have put their faith in me for another five years, said Mr OShea. Looking ahead to the next five years, Mr OShea said it was vitally important that the towns of Kanturk, Newmarket and Charleville continue to thrive and that all the other villages across the area feed off that. I will continue to do my best to ensure that happens, he pledged. Mr OShea said one of his key priorities is tackling dereliction, which he said was a key issue in our towns and villages. As a council, this is one of the things that we need to get a grip on and make sure we deliver on. Government has put in place a lot of policies and initiatives in place to make sure we address this issue and bring people back into our towns and villages, he said. Mr OShea said that on the back on his strong showing in the local elections, he will be seeking a Dail seat in the Cork North West constituency in the forthcoming general election. Absolutely. Deputy Michael Creed is retiring so it will be interesting to see what happens. I ran the last time with Deputy Creed and we had a good day at the office, polling more than 7,000 votes, said Mr OShea. A convention will probably take place over the summertime and I will be putting my name forward, he added. Meanwhile, Tony OShea admitted he was presently surprised with his impressive poll topping tally of 2,615 first preference votes, 657 above the quota, in the Mallow electoral area. I have worked hard for the past five years so I was hopeful of being in the running for one of the five seats. That said, I was pleasantly surprised at the strength of my vote, said Mr OShea. He said that working closely with constituents has been key to his reelection. Ive worked closely with people, whether I had good or bad news, I thought it was important to go back to people and stay in touch with them right throughout their queries. I believe people have recognised that, something I think that has been reflected today, said Mr OShea. Im pleased that people have put so much trust in me by giving me their number one vote. To reach more than 2,600 first preference votes is very good, Im delighted with that. Looking ahead to the next five years, Mr OShea said it was vitally important that the council work towards getting the long-awaited Mallow Relief Road over the line. We need to get the proper funding to bring the project to planning stage by the end of the year. Like his brother, Mr OShea said dereliction was also an issue that needed to be urgently addressed. That is one of my key priorities. We have a lot of dereliction, not just in Mallow town but across the area, said Mr OShea. There are good grants available to do these properties up, so there is no excuse in my eyes to have these properties idle today when we have such a big housing crisis. Kanturk second count: Distribution of Bernard Moynihans 746 surplus votes. Brothers John Paul O'Shea (left) after his election in the Fermoy local electoral area and his brother Tony, elected in the Mallow Local electoral area in Mallow Youth centre. Picture: Eddie O'Hare Ted Bradley (Green Party): + 4. Total 158 Finnbarr Cronin (Ind): +72. - Total 581 Ian Doyle (FF): + 196. Total 1,396. Becky Kealy (Aontu): + 81. Total 1,034 Trish Murphy (FG): + 195. Total 2,232 Brendan OConnor (Ind Ire): + 6. Total - 404 Evelyn OKeeffe (SF): + 14. Total - 550 John Paul OShea (FG) + 171. Total 2,356 Andrew Ring (Soc Dems) + 7. Total 423 Having passed the quota of 2,284 sitting councillor John Paul OShea is deemed to be elected. 11.10pm - Seamus McGrath 'genuinely humbled' After what seemed the longest wait, the re-election of Seamus McGrath, brother of Finance Minister Michael, with the highest first preference vote in the country, 5,191 votes, was greeted with a tired round of applause. The Fianna Fail candidate in the Carrigaline Municipal District was joined in the winners enclosure by fellow councillor, Ben Dalton OSullivan whose no poster campaign netted him 2,315 first preferences. The quota for Carrigaline was 2057. Cllr Seamus McGrath elected on the first count at the County Hall, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Both were delighted to retain their seats on Cork County Council. Mr. McGrath, who was leader of the Fianna Fail contingent on the outgoing council, made no mention of his 3,000 vote surplus as he thanked the voters of Carrigaline for returning him to the Council chamber. Its been a long day, he said. Im genuinely humbled by the support Ive received and I obviously want to thank whoever supported me for putting their trust in me once again. For Ben Dalton OSullivan, it was no less of a triumph. I ran a no-poster campaign and Im really delighted with the result - I didnt expect it but Im really delighted to be returning to Cork County Council to work for the people of Carrigaline once again. The next operation will be the distribution of the surplus of Seamus McGrath. 11.05PM - Fianna Fail's Seamus McGrath elected in Carrigaline Carrigaline 30,679 electorate 14,495 poll 100 invalid 14,395 valid poll 2,057 quota Fianna Fails Audrey Buckley 967, Independent Ben Dalton OSullivan 2,315, Sinn Feins Eoghan Fahy 1,535, Fine Gaels Una McCarthy 1,092, Fianna Fails Seamus McGrath 5,191, Independent Chris OBrien 541, Labours John ORegan 361, Sinn Feins Monica Oikeh 550, Social Democrats Richard Terry 455, Fine Gaels Jack White 1570 10.30PM - Three elected in Mallow THE first count for the Mallow local electoral area (LEA) saw sitting Fine Gael councillor Tony OShea re-elected to Cork County Council on 2,615 first preference votes, 657 votes above the quota of 1,958. This was followed by the re-election of sitting Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden, who was elected on 2,571 votes, 613 votes above quota, and the Labour Partys first-time candidate Eoghan Kenny, who was elected on 2,239 first preference votes, 281 votes above quota. Speaking to The Echo following the announcement, Mr OShea said: Im feeling wonderful, absolutely delighted. Five years ago I got the last seat here, and I am thrilled to bits to be getting the first seat this year. To get over two and a half thousand first preference votes is an achievement in my eyes, he added. Mallow Counts Electorate: 23,585 Votes Cast: 11,852 Spoiled Votes: 105 Valid Poll: 11,747 Quota: 1,958 FIRST COUNT Ross Cannon (TIP) - 322 David Curry (Soc Dems) - 233 Pat Hayes (FF) 1,076 Eoghan Kenny (Lab) - 2,239 Liam Madden (FG) 2,571 Paul McNally (Green Party) - 134 Gearoid Murphy (FF) 1,329 Melissa OBrien (SF) 866 Tony OShea (FG) 2,615 Paddy Scully (Aontu) 362 As Tony OShea, Liam Madden (both sitting councillors) and Eoghan Kenny exceeded the quota they have been deemed to be elected. Tony OSheas surplus of 657 votes are now being distributed. 9.12PM Kanturk LEA: Electorate: 21,479 Votes Cast: 11,522 Spoiled Votes: 104 Valid Poll: 11,418 Quota: 2,284 Ted Bradley (Green Party) - 154 Finnbarr Cronin (Ind) - 509 Ian Doyle (FF) 1,200 Becky Kealy (Aontu) - 953 Bernard Moynihan (FF) 3,030 As Bernard Moynihan exceeded the quota he is elected and retains his seat. His surplus of 746 votes are now being distributed. Trish Murphy (FG) - 2,037 Brendan OConnor (Ind Ire) - 398 Evelyn OKeeffe (SF) - 536 John Paul OShea (FG) - 2,185 Andrew Ring (Soc Dems) 416 As Bernard Moynihan exceeded the quota he is elected and retains his seat. His surplus of 746 votes are now being distributed. 9.10PM - John O'Sullivan, Sinn Fein, Macroom 8.45PM - ADJUDICATION UNDERWAY IN MALLOW THE adjudication process has begun at the Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services (CDYS) Centre in Mallow sorting spoiled ballot papers for the Cork County Council local elections. Candidates were called on stage to contest any contentious votes, with the first count expected shortly after this process has been completed. 8.22PM - COUNTY HALL TALLIES THE votes cast in the Macroom Municipal District had just begun to be counted around 7.10pm but the comprehensive tallies early in the day meant that the tension youd expect at a count centre was absent even before the results of the first count would be declared. Its been far from a relaxing campaign, however, for the candidates and Municipal District Council chairman, Ted Lucey of Fine Gael, admitted that the canvass hadnt all been smooth sailing. The reception was good we didnt seem to meet the anger there we had five years ago, people seemed to be much happier, he said. No doubt we got a bit of a scolding on the doors but, overall, it was very acceptable. Fifty papers for Cllr. Seamus McGrath at the count centre County Hall, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan The councillor identified the N22 between Macroom and Cork and the back road between Crookstown and Killumney as the main issues raised with him on the doors where he was canvassing, mainly east of the town. He also said he and the other Fine Gael candidates, Michael Creed and Eileen Lynch, had reason to be thankful that the area had been the beneficiary of major investment during the last term due, he pointed out, the presence of a Minister, Michael Creed TD in the constituency and the investment that came to the area during his time at the Cabinet table. The Fianna Fail councillor, Michael Looney, who also had an impressive showing in the tally, was delighted with his showing. Its a great day for me and its a great day for Fianna Fail in Macroom because it looks like Gobnait Moynihan will top the poll and Michael Creed will be second and I will come in third, he said. A lot of work has been put in and it looks like its all paying off now. Five of the six sitting councillors seemed assured of retaining their seats, based on the early tally. These are Michael Creed (2555), Ted Lucey (2025) and Eileen Lynch (2330) of Fine Gael as well as Michael Looney (2484) and Gobnait Moynihan (2746) of Fianna Fail. There looks like there will be a battle for the sixth seat as Martin Coughlan, the incumbent independent councillor, faces off with Dermot Kelleher, the first time Independent Ireland candidate. According to the tally Martin Coughlan has an edge, 1445 votes, against Dermot Kellehers total of 1300 votes. Looking at the canvass and who might be eliminated, it might come in my favour, said Martin Coughlan, who admitted that his vote was down on his showing in 2019. For Dermot Kelleher, who decided to stand for Independent Ireland because of a long standing friendship with that partys leader, Michael Collins, was widowed last year and was happy with his showing first time out. The canvass had gone well but, as he said himself, half those he had canvassed hadnt voted. This was a reference to the turnout of little more than more 50%. He was in good form after the canvass. I remember an old man telling me one time that one half of the people may be lying to you while the other half may not be telling you the truth. Regarding the battle between himself and Martin Coughlan for the last seat: Its all up in the air, he said. June 7, 2024: This is an update on the many ways UAVs (Unmanned aerial Vehicles) and USVs (Unmanned Surface Vessels) have unexpectedly revolutionized warfare. These systems are evidence that Combat robots have sneaked into the military, without many people in, or out of, uniform paying a lot of attention. That's still the case, especially because the media and even many senior military and political leaders dont fully understand the technology nor how it is implemented. One example of this confusion can be seen with the constant reference to UAVs as drones or robots. They are neither, they are simply remotely controlled aircraft, something thats been around for over half a century. But these UAVs are being given more and more robotic (operating autonomously) capabilities. This isnt new either, as torpedoes have had this ability for over 60 years and missiles for over 50 years. Swarms of FPV (First Person View) UAVs are revolutionizing how wars are fought. There are few methods to defeat UAV attacks. The primary defensive measure is electronic jamming of the control signal between the UAV operator and the UAV. Jamming is of limited effectiveness because active jammers are easy targets for UAVs programmed to detect, home in on and destroy jammers. Depending on how they are programmed, UAVs will either land if jammed or return to where they were launched. Despite those defensive measures, and the small explosive payload UAVs carry, about half the armored vehicles damaged or destroyed in Ukraine were done in by armed UAVs. Training of UAV operators is critical as it takes over a hundred hours of operating UAVs to gain a minimal skill level. Female soldiers can excel as UAV operators while mostly avoiding the battlefield risk of death or injury. Unlike pilots of combat aircraft, UAV operators are much less likely to be put out of action by death, injury, or capture. UAV operators are relatively close to the front lines and exposed to some risk, but not nearly as much as pilots. Such reduced casualties shorten the learning curve for UAV operators and make them more dangerous faster compared to infantry whose effective combat lifetime is much shorter. UAV warfare is increasingly common and dominating some combat zones. Tactics and techniques are also evolving as Ukraine and Russia both experiment with new tactics, techniques, and UAV designs. Both nations are also increasing production of UAVs and the number of trained operators. Both Russia and Ukraine realize that UAVs provide unprecedented surveillance of the battlefield, but not all of it. That requires more UAVs and operators. One solution for this shortcoming is operator software that enables one operator to control several UAVs. The number one operator can handle simultaneously depends on operator experience. That cannot be manufactured but must be developed. Whoever can obtain the most trained operators has an advantage. All these UAV developments make combat more dangerous for the troops on the ground. UAVs not only keep an eye on enemy troops but are always ready to go in and put them out of action, as in dead or wounded. Troops are still fighting each other on the ground, but now they have to worry about constant surveillance and attacks from the growing number of UAVs hovering over the battlefield. In addition to operators there are the UAV maintainers, who repair damaged or otherwise disabled UAVs and service those needing a battery recharge or simply a fresh battery. Ukraines military has established a UAV Academy to train UAV operators in basic and advanced skills. There are courses for commanders on how best to manage and use UAVs. This is essential because now Ukrainian infantry battalions have nearly as many UAVs as troops. The American military likes to call this a force multiplier. This means a battalion with lots of UAVs is more effective, and lethal, than a battalion without so many UAVs. The Ukrainian military is the first to go so far in this direction and appear to be benefitting from the massive use of UAVs. Other nations are closely following this development and preparing to adopt what works for Ukraine. Russia is more conservative in how they deal with this, even though they are also using massive numbers of UAVs. There are already dozens of Ukrainian companies offering training for UAV operators and the Ukrainian military uses the services of these firms. In 2023 Ukraine sought to have more than 10,000 trained operators as quickly as possible. UAV operators specialize. Most learn to operate quadcopters while a large minority learn how to operate FPV UAVs, and a smaller number learn how to operate fixed wing UAVs. Ukraine has found that the most difficult operators to recruit and train are those for FPV UAVs. The Ukrainian military considers UAV operators as a separate military specialty like infantryman, artillerymen, or radar operator. In early 2024 Ukraine created a new branch of their military, the UAV Force. This is in addition to the Ukrainian Air Force and its manned aircraft. The UAV Force does not control the UAVs Ukrainian forces use regularly but will contribute to developing new UAV models and organizing mass production for those new models that are successful. UAVs have been an unexpected development that had a huge impact on how battles in Ukraine's current war are fought. UAVs were successful because they were cheap, easily modified, and expendable. Early on both Russian and Ukrainian forces were using cheap, at about $500 each, quadcopter UAVs controlled by soldiers a kilometer or more away using FPV goggles to see what the day/night video camera on the UAV can see. Adding night vision at least doubles the cost for each UAV, so not all of them have that capability. Each of these UAVs carries half a kilogram of explosives, so it can instantly turn the UAV into a flying bomb that can fly into a target and detonate. This was an awesome and debilitating weapon when used in large numbers over the combat zone. If a target isnt moving or requires more explosive power that the UAVs can supply, one of the UAV operators can call in artillery, rocket, or missile fire, or even an airstrike. Larger, fixed wing UAVs are used for long range, often over a thousand kilometers, operations against targets deep inside Russia. Since 2022 the use of UAVs by both sides has escalated and so far, several hundred thousand UAVs have been put to work providing surveillance and attack services for both sides. Ukraine plans to produce over a million UAVs in 2024. The Ukrainians consider drones another form of ammunition that is cheaper, smarter and far more effective and lethal than guided missiles or GPS guided artillery shells. A major limitation to the expansion of UAV operations was the need for trained UAV operators. These operators need over a hundred hours of training before they are able to start operating these UAVs, and another hundred hours of actual use before they are able to make the most out of the system. These small UAVs are difficult to shoot down until they get close to the ground and the shooter is close enough, as in less than a few hundred meters, away to successfully target a UAV with a bullet or two and bring it down. Troops are rarely in position to do this, so most of these UAVs are able to complete their mission, whether it is a one-way attack or a reconnaissance and surveillance mission. The recon missions are usually survivable and enable the UAV to be reused. All these UAVs are constantly performing surveillance, which means that both sides commit enough UAVs to maintain constant surveillance over a portion of the front line, to a depth, into enemy territory, of at least a few kilometers. This massive use of FPV-armed UAVs has revolutionized warfare in Ukraine and both sides are producing as many as they can. Military observers from other countries are reporting that warfare has undergone a fundamental change because of the widespread use of UAVs in Ukraine. Many armed forces at peace are reluctant to change, despite the evidence from Ukraine that any future war will provide the more prolific user of UAVs with a significant edge in combat. These drone have also revolutionized naval warfare. In early 2024 Ukraine built 35 Sea Baby USVs. These are made of a material that is nearly invisible to radar. Each can carry up to 850 kg of explosives. Less explosives can be carried if you want the Sea Baby to travel farther. With a full load of explosives, it can reach targets up to 1,000 kilometers distant. Top speed is 90 kilometers an hour but more economical, in terms of fuel use, cruise speed is about half the top speed. That means it would take the Sea Baby about twenty hours to travel a thousand kilometers. That is a one way trip to a target, like a naval base or any ships docked at the base which is then attacked. Sea Baby navigates using several devices including GPS, INS, and short range sensors to detect and avoid obstacles. These sensors can also be programmed to identify and attack a specific target like a ship or other naval base facility. Sea Baby can also be equipped with short range weapons like explosive rockets that can hit targets a thousand meters distant with thermobaric/fuel air warheads. When used to launch rocket attacks, the Sea Baby can escape and return to a Ukrainian base for reuse. Some Sea Babys are equipped with video cameras to carry out reconnaissance and surveillance missions. In this case, communications equipment must be carried to transmit video or individual digital photos back to the Ukrainian base. The Ukrainians have been very imaginative and flexible in their use of these unmanned seagoing vessels. Ukrainian USVs have been quite successful in attacking and sinking or disabling Russian navy ships. So far there have been over a dozen attacks which resulted in damage to 12 ships and the sinking of a cruiser, two small landing ships and one missile corvette. The longest range raids have been against targets in Kerch Strait and the more distant Russian naval base at Novorossiysk. Ukrainian USV operations in the Black Sea forced the Russian Black Sea Fleet to withdraw to the eastern shore of the Black Sea. Sevastopol was no longer a safe place to be, and Russian ships could no longer launch their Kalibr cruise missiles without moving closer to Ukrainian territory and risking attack by Ukrainian USVs. The presence and aggressive use of the USVs means that Ukraines grain corridor has been kept open despite Russias threats to interfere. Beyond symbolic significance, the corridor holds critical economic importance for Ukraine and is expected to contribute 5-7 percent to GDP growth in 2024 because of the grain shipments. The aggressive and successful use of Ukrainian USVs against the Russian Black Sea fleet was unprecedented in the history of naval warfare. Not only were these USVs tactically successful but financially as well. For example, new frigates cost about $1.5 billion each. That much money can also pay for 5,000 such USVs. Destroyers cost twice as much. The frigates and destroyers are high seas ships and can travel all over the world. The USVs operate in coastal waters although some of the larger USVs can operate up to a thousand kilometers from where they were launched. These USVs carry video cameras and satellite-based communications systems to collect information and, in peacetime, do so without fear of attack. Severe storms are another matter, but any storm damage will be broadcast as it is happening, at least until the video cameras or communications equipment is disabled. Commercial cargo ships can carry hundreds of armed UAVs equipped with satellite communications so operators anywhere in the world can control them. These USVs can be unloaded at sea and sent to carry out attacks on targets in the area or move to a nearby harbor and remain tied to a dock until needed. The only maintenance is keeping the USV batteries charged. These USVs are a radical new weapon for naval warfare and the war at sea will never be the same because of the success of Ukrainian USVs in their victorious war against the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Nations with major warship fleets, like the U.S. and China, have much to fear from this new development of weaponized seagoing USVs. These USVs are difficult to spot visually, especially at night. Sonar can detect them, and autocannon equipped ship systems, like Phalanx, can be adapted to accurately target and destroy USVs. Since the United States provides most of the military aid to Ukraine, they can get some cooperation from the Ukrainians that will help American warships and those of other NATO nations develop weapons and tactics to deal with USVs. The Russians were taken by surprise when their Black Sea Fleet was attacked by USVs. In less than a year, most of the Black Sea Fleet warships were destroyed or severely damaged by USVs. Because of the USVs, Ukraine, which does not have a conventional navy, now controls most of the Black Sea. Your browser does not support the audio element. T he zenith of 19th-century American horology marked a transformative period, reshaping the very gears of Swiss watchmaking. Its pioneering adoption of interchangeable parts and streamlined processes spurred the transition from artisanal to industrial practices in Europe. Amidst this fervour, a lesser-known tale unfolded, one that left an indelible mark on an unexpected frontier: Japan. John Warren, a practicing lawyer, and avid collector of pocket watches, has peeled back the layers of history, unearthing forgotten chapters of Americas innovation and influence. He points to Japans first domestically produced pocket watch, developed using American technology and manufacturing equipment, as evidence of Cornell Watch Companys unsung contribution. The 31-year old Chicagoan has been deeply drawn by the companys footprint. His findings, published by the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute (AWCI), highlight the crucial role of Cornells intellectual capital embodied in its former key employee who arrived in Osaka at the dawn of a new century in establishing mechanised watch production beyond American shores. The American horological lineage This revelation not only reignites the glory of the American industrial system, which advanced precision timekeeping worldwide, but also firmly places Cornell among the pioneers of this legacy. Fuelled by a profound appreciation for this heritage, Warren has reincorporated Cornell Watch Company at its birthplace, with a mission to revitalise American watchmaking. John Warren, CEO and Head of Design of Cornell Watch Company To achieve this ambitious goal, the company has enlisted the expertise of none other than revered horologist Roland G. Murphy and his eponymous atelier for private-label production. This collaboration marks a first for RGM in over three decades (read our article on the RGM brand here), thanks to a perfect synergy of ethos. As Murphy puts it, I like the original companys history, I like the classic style and all that [Warren envisions for the product and the brand]. Were reviving it. The 1870 CE employs the same timeless techniques as the original Cornell Watch Company railroad pocket watches of the 1870s while offering the modern precision of an automatic movement. Alexander Chen Tracing back to 1870, Cornell Watch Company was founded by real estate developer Paul Cornell and watchmaker J.C. Adams (the latter of whom was also involved in starting what would become the renowned Elgin company). Though its initial operation in Chicago, Illinois, was short-lived, shuttering in 1873, the company was credited for its contributions to railroad watches and upgrading American-made stem-winding timepieces. Warren underscores Cornells visionary pursuit of a personal tool watch boasting railroad accuracy standards: Paul Cornell was critical in connecting a lot of the lines that went through the entire country and he saw a great investment opportunity to create a really precise pocket watch. He adds, The company was started during an interesting time which I liken to the dotcom bubble with this cutting-edge technology [that revolutionised timekeeping] when there was no standardised time in the U.S., and time zones didnt exist. The 33-jewel Schwarz Etienne ASE 200 automatic movement features a micro-rotor and boasts an 86-hour power reserve. Atom Moore The 21st-century reincarnation To say that Warren is obsessed with Cornell wouldnt be an understatement. I have been collecting pocket watches for over 15 years now. We may have the worlds largest collection of Cornell pocket watches, he proudly shares. Transforming his passion into a family endeavour, Warren works alongside his wife, an investment banker who manages finances, and his father, who acts as an advisor, while he spearheads the companys direction and creative efforts. Part of Warrens collection of Cornell pocket watches. Yet, this modern-day owner remains mindful not to dwell too much on Cornells distant past, despite the brands website meticulously chronicling 19th-century horological milestones. It is not our history, he asserts, reiterating that the brand is on its own journey with a new narrative. Although we use the influence of the pocket watch in our design, its important to remember that the Cornell Watch Company never made a wristwatch. Cornell partners with Velle Alexander for leather straps, entirely handcrafted in their Minneapolis studio using American alligator from premier tanneries. Alexander Chen Thus, the artistic legacy that originated on the American railroad tracks now finds expression in the 1870 CE (Classic Enamel), a 39mm time-only automatic watch. Each piece, in a nod to traditional watchmaking, showcases RGMs hallmark quality and signature artistry, from the grand feu enamel dial and flame-blued hands to the hand-finishing on the case and the Schwarz Etienne ASE 200 calibre with a micro-rotor. The inaugural run of 10 pieces, priced at $10,750 to reflect its craftsmanship and artisanal scale, lays the foundation for future dial variants, new colours and case materials. Given the design cues similar to those of pocket watches, precious metal suits them very well, so we plan to introduce versions in yellow gold and rose gold, Warren reveals, signalling entry into higher price points. By setting up for organic growth, the business ensures that each timepiece bears the fruit of its commitment to excellence. The development of the 1870 CE took over two years, entailed five prototypes, and required a $200,000 investment before the brand even took its first breath. Warren emphasises that the value delivered transcends the costs of perfectionism, which are not passed to the customer: Its never been about margins or cutting costs; its always about creating an uncompromising product. The rear view reveals RGMs in-house hand decoration, including the brushed solid gold plaque on the micro-rotor, radial brushing on the bridges, and perlage on the mainplate. Alexander Chen Fostering a new future It is an enthusiast watch through and through, Warren remarks, recognising the limitations imposed by RGMs production capacity. Weve had offers to produce in Switzerland, but thats not what we want to do. We intend to stay working with RGM. We think Rolands one of the best in the business, he says, highlighting RGMs fully integrated manufacturing capabilities in contrast to the disjointed supply chains facing most American watch companies. Warren: For our next variant, were still using grand feu enamel, but we will go in a different direction with the colour. Alexander Chen For Warren, the revival of Cornell Watch Company is a purpose-driven venture, playing its part to reignite the flame of American horology. The company has pledged to donate a portion of sales proceeds to student scholarships provided by the Horological Society of New York. Moreover, it is compiling a free, open-access directory of American watchmakers, technicians, and component manufacturers to bolster the domestic network. These ambitious initiatives signify the companys optimism about the potential to help rebuild the industry. Its going to take decades. But I think its possible and its about creating small steps in making progress, Warren asserts with conviction. Reflecting on their dedication while balancing demanding day jobs, he muses, Were doing it because we love American watchmaking. Itd be a dream to do this full-time it means Id never work a day in my life. Itd be wonderful. Glen Powell is "not chasing love". Glen Powell isn't desperate to find love The 35-year-old actor has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years, and Glen insists he's currently too focused on his career to find love. He told 'CBS Mornings': "This is a time where life is moving so fast that I dont even know if I could bring someone into it in a healthy way, even if I tried." Despite this, Glen acknowledged that his attitude could change if he manages to find the "right person". The Hollywood star explained: "For the right person, I think thats right." Glen would ultimately love to find his dream girl and start a family one day. He shared: "If love comes and hits me in the face and knocks me over, I welcome it with open arms because thats something I really want. You know, its like - even just being with my niece and nephew today, its like, I really want kids. "I really want that phase of life. Its not far away. And at the same time, I realise [that] its going to take a very specific type of person to navigate this [lifestyle]. Its a lot." Glen previously suggested that fame has complicated his love life. The actor - who split from Gigi Paris in 2023 - told Bustle magazine: "I've been talking to some people in my life and they're like, 'Glen, you're a single guy. I know you're trying to do all the right things in all the right ways, but you just have to embrace that those failures will be a little more public, a little more hurtful than maybe most people, maybe a little more embarrassing, but it's okay. But when you're going to fall, and you will inevitably fall in love, it'll work.'" Taylor Swift hired Greggs to provide the catering for the first UK gig of her 'Eras' tour. Taylor Swift hired Greggs to provide the catering for the first UK gig of her Eras tour The 34-year-old pop superstar performed at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Friday (07.06.24) and ordered in hundreds of sausage rolls, steak bakes and sweet items from the nation's most popular bakery chain for herself and the crew. A stadium insider told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column: I couldnt believe it when I saw the Greggs van rolling up to feed Taylor and her crew. Youd expect a billionaire to be ordering champagne and caviar but the fact shes got sausage rolls and steak bakes is amazing, shes gone right up in my estimation. Who doesnt love a Greggs sausage roll? The van was painted in the company's signature navy blue colour with an orange squared logo but was emblazoned with satirical bakery themed takes on her lyrics such as 'this is our place, we make the rolls' and Flake It Off' on the rear. Before it arrived at the stadium to feed the crew, the van did the rounds of the Scottish city and gave fans the chance to purchase a baked good from the one-of-a-kind van. One visitor leaving Edinburgh Castle said: I had to do a double take there. You dont expect to see that in the middle of the street. Another said: Made my day, my two favourite things this weekend, Greggs and Taylor Swift - see you Saturday in Edinburgh Swifties, with a sausage roll in my hand." Greggs - which is headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne -has a history of supplying A-Listers with catering when they arrive for a tour, and have previously fed stars such as Ed Sheeran and Stormzy. To ring in World Ocean Day on June 8th, Mirchi Mumbai, renowned for its innovative projects, is teaming up with the Indian Navy to present Mirchi on the Ocean. This groundbreaking initiative follows the trail of Mirchis recent successes, such as the Mirchi Metro and the engaging Mirchi Voting Signal campaign, both aimed at involving the community and addressing pertinent societal issues.Mirchi on the Ocean promises an unparalleled experience as Mirchi broadcasts live from a Navy warship, offering listeners an exclusive peek into the heart of the ocean. A temporary studio will be set up aboard the warship, where hosts will conduct live shows throughout the day, engaging in conversations with Navy officers.While conventional activities often focus on marine conservation and beach clean-ups, Mirchi on the Ocean endeavours to recognize the ocean from the vantage point of the Indian Navy. Distinguished participants in this event include the Commanding Officer of the ship, who will share insights gleaned from years of leadership at sea, and officers with extensive service tenure who will discuss their career trajectories and the unique challenges theyve encountered. The event will also feature female Agniveers, providing perspectives on the evolving role of women in the Navy.We are thrilled and honoured to collaborate with the Indian Navy for this exceptional initiative, remarked Akshay Oberoi, Business Director of Mirchi Mumbai. This initiative goes beyond mere broadcast; its an endeavour to pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of our Navy officers. By sharing their stories, we aspire to inspire many to contemplate a life of service and adventure on the ocean.Dont forget to tune in and be inspired! Chhaya Kadam is currently basking in the success of her film All We Imagine As Light which won the Grand Prix Internationale award making the country immensely proud of the gigantic victory. Directed by Payal Kapadia, the film got applauded for its subject internationally. The actress in an exclusive chat with Filmfare shared her experience of working with Amitabh Bachchan, who she acted alongside in Jhund. Chhaya said, It was so amazing working with Amit ji. He is so punctual. If the shoot was to start at 5 am he would be on set 15 minutes before only. However, I didn't get much of a chance to interact with him because of the respect I have for him in my heart. Once we spoke briefly when I told him about my mother who is suffering from dementia and does not recognise anything including me. I told him she just remembers three people, Sai Baba, Balasaheb Thackeray and Amitabh Bachchan. The actress narrated a cute incident from the film's set and said, I did get one opportunity to interact with him on the sets when we were shooting for a scene and we had to sit on a bullock cart. I was very happy that I got a seat next to him but soon disappointed because someone called him to the front of the cart. After the shoot was over, I was trying to get off the cart and saw a hand appear to help me get down. It was Amit ji. For us hes still the macho man he was in Don, we dont realize that he is aging too, which is sad. Aditya Kashyap - Jab We Met Abhimanyu Singh - Student of the Year Rohit Patel - Kal Ho Naa Ho Sunny Gill from Dil Dhadakne Do Surinder Sahni in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Syed Iqbal from Raazi Dr. Jehangir Khan - Dear Zindagi Raj Malhotra in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge Siddharth Sinha in Dil Chahta Hai Varun Srivastava in Lootera If he wanted to, he would, dont we all believe in this? A philosophy which makes us want to tick the checklist before saying yes to the one is one to be believed in. Someone waiting patiently to say yes, crossing seven seas just to catch a glimpse of you, standing in the middle of mustard fields playing the guitar, if only that we wish could be real. Everyone craves true love but one of the most difficult things in the digital age is finding one, something that we all want to experience at least once in a lifetime.The current age has seen the development of terms such as situationship, benching, ghosting and gaslighting all of which make it difficult to believe in relationships. However, there are several men who appear to be like men written by women, it's just that you have to be lucky to find one. The reason why we believe in all this is because of the beautiful portrayal of male characters in Bollywood films who are true soft boys, the ones who tick all the boxes of the checklist effortlessly. Whether it was Abhi stealing our hearts with his values and good looks to Aditya Kashyap exuding the qualities a woman wants in a man, these characters, through their values, emotional availability, chivalry and respectful demeanour made us believe that true love does exist.From airport chases to alter egos, these men are proof of if he wanted to, he would.Aditya Kashyap, the protagonist in Jab We Met, played by Shahid Kapoor is the perfect example of this. An Imtiaz Ali directorial, the film witnesses Adityas transformation from a near-suicidal businessman with major personal issues to a softer, gentler and kinder man in love with a bubbly girl named Geet, portrayed by Kareena Kapoor Khan and in the process fall in love with the rest of the world.Unlike the typical macho men that Bollywood portrays, Aditya does not dramatically confess his feelings for Geet or ask for her hand in marriage. Instead, he helps her run away from home to be with the man she truly loves and eventually picks up the pieces when she falls apart, expecting nothing in return. When Geet finally asks him if he likes her or not, he replies with, A lot, but thats my own problem. To be very honest, I would also risk it all if a man told me all this.A film proving that playing the long game and being over 6 feet tall guarantees you will get the girl which definitely holds true for someone like me is the jaw-droppingly handsome character of Abhimanya Singh lovingly called Abhi, portrayed by Sidharth Malhotra from Karan Johars. Abhi exploded into our lives and we had only one thing playing on our minds that was Munda Kukkad Kamal Tha. Abhi finds himself caught in the web of politics as he falls in love with his best friends girlfriend Shanaya, played by Alia Bhatt. Keeping all this aside, his floppy hair, sportsmanship, charisma and overall gentlemanliness make him forfeit a victory to his passionate best friend and the girl he loves.We can never forget the iconic scene from Kal Ho Naa Ho showcasing Aman, played by Shah Rukh Khans poignant 3-minute monologue reading a love note from Rohit, played by Saif Ali Khans diary, there is much to be said about Rohit himself. An overconfident MBA graduate from New York, he is in reality a hopeless romantic at heart. All that he wants is to get Naina, portrayed by Preity Zinta, to fall deeply in love with him. The end of the film sees the soft, dependable Rohit getting the girl he loves. Lets pray that we all get a partner who skips down the street while daydreaming about us.The one who truly loves you will wait for you till eternity. This is proved through the character of Sunny Gill, played by Farhan Akhtar from the film Dil Dhadakne Do. A man who doesn't want to live his life depending on other peoples finances, he is independent and self-made, who set out to make a life for himself before asking his lady love for marriage. Sunny waits for Ayesha Mehra, played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas only to find her unhappily married to someone else, eventually leading to a divorce, reuniting the childhood lovers yet again.We all believe in the philosophy that If he wanted to, he would. A testament to how no one is exempt from the transformative powers of a wardrobe renovation is the musical romance Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. The character of Surinder Sahni, played by Shah Rukh Khan transforms from a handlebar-moustache, shirt-and-pant businessman with glasses to a spiky-haired, Oakley sunglasses cool dude, changing his entire personality just to make his wife Taani Gupta, played by Anushka Sharma) happy and attracted to him. He dances his way into Taanis heart, turning their forced arranged marriage disaster into a very sweet love story.The fearless and soft character of Syed Iqbal, essayed by Vicky Kaushal from Meghna Gulzars filmmakes us believe that men in uniform are truly the best. A selflessly loving Syed falls deeply in love with Sehmat Syed, played by Alia Bhatt who in reality is an undercover RAW agent who marries him to extract information about the enemy. A man full of principles, kindness and love, he is the epitome of being a true gentleman, a man any girl would wish to be in her life.A man who is emotionally available is the one who will keep you happy through all phases of life. The simplicity and depth of the character of Dr. Jehangir Khan, played by Shah Rukh Khan from the film Dear Zindagi is a psychologist who uses unconventional methods to heal his patients. He treats Kaira, played by Alia Bhatt, a working professional who is suffering from insomnia. In the process of the treatment, he gives her unforgettable and valuable life lessons which make her fall in love with him.When we think of a soft boy to fall in love with, we think of chocolate looks, brown eyes and a guitar riff for a good reason. The iconic character from the film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Raj Malhotra, played by Shah Rukh Khan changed history in the most unforgettable way possible when he fell in love with Simran, Kajol character, through the pristine mountains of Switzerland and the blooming mustard fields of Haryana. Setting the bar very high for every Indian man, Raj turned from a mean, bickering flirt to a poetic soft boy within months of finding his lady love.Marking the directorial debut of Farhan Akhtar, Dil Chahta Hai is a film that depicts three friends with completely different ideas of love. Akash, played by Aamir Khan, does not believe in love at all. Sameer, played by Saif Ali Khan is a hopeless romantic and Siddharth Sinha, portrayed by Akshaye Khanna is the most mature of the three and the official soft boy of the film. Siddharth possesses a youthful smile and artistic prowess in the film where we, the audience, get to witness his romantic, sensitive side when he falls for his older neighbour Tara, played by Dimple Kapadia while he helps her move into her new abode. Who knew that not all soft, artsy boys are gaslighters?We know that soft boys might break your heart, but they will paint your masterpiecesat least thats what we got from the thought-provoking film Lootera. No one wants to witness a tragic love story but we cant unsee the character of Varun Srivastava, played by Ranveer Singh from the film Lootera. Dressed in soft cashmere sweaters and slicked-back hair, the film showcases his infatuation with Pakhi, Sonakshi Sinhas character. She lives in a sprawling estate belonging to her father where the two exchange coy looks and bond greatly over art and literature. The films second half unveils that Varun is a thief and betrays Pakhi who is now suffering from tuberculosis. Despite all this, his softness and regret reunite the two for whatever little time Pakhi has left. A soft boy will return to you no matter what happens.The emergence of the soft boy archetype represents a significant shift in societal expectations of masculinity. By embracing and possessing traits such as being emotionally available, respect, gentleness and open-mindedness, soft boys offer a more evolved and balanced approach to relationships. Their wider appeal lies in their ability to foster emotional safety, deeper connections and mutual respect, making them ideal partners for many modern women. Through the characters of Aditya Kashyap, Dr. Jehangir Khan, Surinder Sahni and Syed Iqbal Bollywood made us feel that these men are written by women. June 7, 2024: Russia and Ukraine both use the same heavy artillery weapon, the 2S7 Pions 203mm (eight inch) self-propelled howitzer, which weighs 51 tons and does not have a turret, but an open deck for the twelve meter long 203mm gun barrel. This cannon fires 103 or 110 kg shells 37.5 kilometers, or 55.5 kilometers using a rocket assisted shell. The longer the range, the less accuracy you get. If you have to hit a small target, like a reinforced concrete fortification, you have to move the tracked S7S tracked vehicle closer to the target. The tracked vehicle has a top speed of 50 kilometers an hour but can move 650 kilometers on roads at a cruising speed of about 40 kilometers an hour. Each 2S7 is accompanied by a support truck which carries four shells and seven of the gun crew. The vehicle carries four shells and it takes minutes for the fourteen man crew to emplace the gun, which includes backing up to plunge steel spikes into the ground to stabilize the 2S7. Additional shells are moved forward on heavy trucks. Russia still, as of 2024, does not use forklifts to load and unload trucks. Russian gun crews have to manually heave these 110 kg shells around. The 2S7 battery (of four guns) has a command vehicle equipped with GLONASS/GPS (satellite navigation) equipment to determine the precise location of 2S7 firing positions. The GPS location of stationary targets is known but that of mobile military units is constantly changing. The 2S7 shells are designed to destroy fortifications, especially those constructed of reinforced concrete. Military maps are designed so users can easily determine the GPS location of any buildings or stationary military units. The Pions 203mm ammunition is only produced in Russia but the United States still produces ammunition for its M110 203mm gun. While the U.S. stropped using the M110 in 1994, there are still ten other countries, mainly in the Middle East, that still use the M110. These users include Iran, Israel and Turkey. So when Ukraine needed additional ammunition for their 2S7, the Americans sent them M110 shells, which worked in the 2S7. In Ukraine both sides use the 2S7 and these 2S7s are prime targets for counterbattery fire by artillery, rockets, or air strikes. Russia has several hundred 2S7 in storage. The 2S7 was produced between 1970 and 1990. Russia wont reveal how many were produced but it could have been as many as a thousand. Russia only has a few hundred left and most of those are still in storage, awaiting refurbishment before being sent to Ukraine. The United States does not have any retired M110 guns to send to Ukraine. Instead the United States sends HIMARS vehicles armed with GLMRS or ATACMS guided missiles. The longer range, more accurate GLMRS missile replaced the M110 203mm cannon. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 7, 2024) - Numinus Wellness Inc. (TSX: NUMI) (OTCQX: NUMIF) ("Numinus" or the "Company"), a mental health care company advancing traditional and innovative behavioral health treatments with a focus on safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies, wishes to clarify two news releases disseminated on May 30, 2024, titled "Numinus and Cybin Embark on a Groundbreaking Journey: Pioneering Phase 3 Trials for Major Depressive Disorder" ("Release 1") and "Numinus Wellness Charts Path To Profitability While Strengthening Community Ties" ("Release 2" and, together with Release 1, collectively, the "Releases"). The Releases were inadvertently disseminated by a public relations firm contracted by the Company and represent information that was previously disseminated by the Company. The Company apologizes for any confusion. Release 1 The Company confirms that Cedar Clinical Research ("CCR"), has been engaged by Cybin Inc. ("Cybin") to provide clinical research services and that its Murray, Utah, location will be one of 15 U.S. research sites for Cybin's Phase 3 multinational clinical trial of CYB003. However, Dr. Paul Thielking is the Site Principal Investigator for the CCR site, and he is not the trial's Principal Investigator. Numinus has no direct or indirect ownership interest in CYB003. As such, results of any CYB003 research are the property of its sponsor, Cybin, and findings would be shared by Cybin if, as and when Cybin deems appropriate. Please refer to the Company's news release dated April 17, 2024, and titled "Cedar Clinical Research selected as clinical research site for Cybin's Phase 3 Study of CYB003" for details regarding the Company's role in CYB003 (the "CYB003 Release"). Release 2 The Company confirms that it plans to launch a Numinus Network community pilot, which will be made available to its current therapists and other practitioners, alumni of its training program, and former therapists and other practitioners, including those who join the Canadian Centre for Psychedelic Healing ("CCPH") when it is launched. In addition to training, the Numinus Network provides access to Numinus treatment protocols, promotional support, and access to Numinus' extensive network of experienced health care professionals. However, the planned community pilot program and Numinus Network do not provide access to medical infrastructure for the therapeutic administration of ketamine and other psychedelic drugs within Canada's regulatory framework, which may be through a program such as CCPH's co-op program. Further, there can be no assurance that a subscription-based model of the Numinus Network will be rolled out in Canada and/or the U.S. The Company further confirms that it and CCPH have agreed in principle to collaborate on the development of training content for the Numinus learning platform. However, the terms of this collaboration shall be mutually agreed in a subsequent agreement. Please refer to the Company's news release dated April 15, 2024, and titled "Numinus Wellness Provides Corporate Update" for further details (the "Update Release"). Important Information regarding the Releases The Releases included statements that are future oriented information concerning our plans, intentions, and expectations, which are not historical in nature. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and there can be no assurance that those plans, intentions, and/or expectations will occur. Please refer to the CYB003 Release for disclosures concerning forward-looking statements in Release 1 and refer to the statement below under the heading "Forward-looking statements" as well as Update Release for disclosures concerning forward-looking statements in Release 2. About Numinus Numinus Wellness Inc. (TSX: NUMI) helps people to heal and be well through the development and delivery of innovative mental health care and access to safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies. The Numinus model - including psychedelic research, clinic care and practitioner training - is at the forefront of a transformation aimed at healing rather than managing symptoms for depression, anxiety, trauma, pain, and substance use. At Numinus, we are leading the integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies into mainstream clinical practice and building the foundation for a healthier society. Learn more at www.numinus.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. SOURCE Numinus Wellness Inc. Forward-looking statements Statements and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including the successful launch and commercialization of the Numinus Network, uptake of the Numinus Network offering by practitioners, commercial viability of any or all of the Numinus Network members, availability or continued availability of the services to be delivered to Numinus Network members, client uptake of services from members of the Numinus Network; disclosures concerning forward-looking statements in the Releases; and other risks that are set forth in our annual information form dated November 29, 2023 and available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Numinus does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements even if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For more information: Numinus Investor Contact: Craig MacPhail invest@numinus.com -30- To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/212078 SOURCE: Numinus Wellness Inc. Burmuda, Bermuda, June 8th, 2024, Chainwire HashKey Global will launch the second phase of the Launchpool project, Aethir (ATH), on June 11, 2024. Users can lock ATH or USDT to share a pool of 5,870,000 ATH. The locking period is 3 days, starting on June 11 at 02:00 (UTC), with rewards beginning to accrue on June 12 at 10:00 (UTC). Spot trading for ATH/USDT will commence on June 12 at 10:00 (UTC), and ATH withdrawals will be available starting June 13 at 10:00 (UTC). Participation requires KYC verification, and both deposits and withdrawals will be conducted via the ERC20 network. The Launchpool offers two supported pools: ATH Pool and USDT Pool. The ATH Pool provides 1,837,000 ATH in rewards with a minimum locking amount of 100 ATH and a maximum of 260,000 ATH. The USDT Pool offers 4,033,000 ATH in rewards, requiring a minimum of 10 USDT and a maximum of 5,000 USDT. The Launchpool period runs from June 12, 2024, to June 15, 2024. Subject to terms and conditions. For details, users can visit here. About HashKey Global HashKey Global is the flagship global digital asset exchange under HashKey Group, offering licensed digital asset trading services to users worldwide. HashKey Global has obtained a license from the Bermuda Monetary Authority with the potential to provide mainstream trading and service products such as LaunchPad, contracts, leverage, and staking. For more details, please visit global.hashkey.com Follow us on TwitterDiscord and Instagram. Disclaimer: The information provided in this material is for general information purposes only and may be modified or changed at our sole discretion. The information does not constitute any solicitation or investment advice. Please be aware that digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, are highly volatile and subject to market risks. Participation in this event does not guarantee eligibility, acceptance, or receipt of anyrewards, benefits, or incentives. HashKey Global may impose certain criteria, requirements, or limitations for participation, and it reserves the right to deny or disqualify individuals or entities from participating in the event. Hashkey Global reserves the right to make changes, modify, or cancel the event or the eligibility of any participant at any time at its sole discretion, including due to internal control, system issues or other circumstances, without any prior notice or liability. To the fullest extent permitted by law, HashKey Global, its affiliates, partners, and employees shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from participants participation in the event, including but not limited to any loss of funds, profits, business, potential profits, data, or reputation. HashKey Global reserves the ultimate discretion regarding the rules and rewards of the event. HashKey Global is a digital asset trading platform operated by HashKey Bermuda Limited under a Type F license granted by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. This program does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation for any investment product. Investing and trading virtual assets involve risks. HashKey Global does not service users from Hong Kong, United States, Mainland China and certain other jurisdictions in compliance with laws and regulations. Certain services, features, and campaigns may not be available in your jurisdiction. Contact Senior PR Manager Luna HashKey Global [email protected] In one of the largest democratic events, nearly 400 million citizens of the European Union are casting votes this week to elect MEPs (members of the European Parliament). Whether European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will continue to lead the EU as its public face is one of the biggest questions read more In one of the largest democratic events, nearly 400 million citizens of the European Union are casting votes this week to elect MEPs, or members of the European Parliament. Voters are still thinking about the battles in Gaza and Ukraine, and far-right groups are trying to expand their influence in the face of rising living expenses and farmer displeasure. Whether European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will continue to lead the EU as its public face is one of the biggest questions. Advertisement Here is a look at the election and the biggest issues at stake: EU Elections Elections are held in each of the 27 EU member states in every five years. This year marks the 10th parliamentary election since the first polls in 1979, and the first after Brexit. The 2024 elections began on Thursday, 6 June, in the Netherlands and will go on till 9 June, Sunday, when most countries will hold their election. Initial results will be revealed in the evening once the polling stations are closed in all member states. The process Direct universal suffrage is used to cast a single ballot for voting. The size of the population determines how many representatives are elected in each nation. Malta, Luxembourg, and Cyprus have six, whereas Germany has 96. In 2019, 751 lawmakers were elected around Europe. European Parliament members attend the last session before the upcoming European elections, on 25 April 2024 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France. AP The number of MEPs decreased to 705 after the United Kingdom left the EU in 2020. Some of the 73 seats that were held by British MEPs previously, were redistributed to other member states. After the election, there will be 15 additional members of the European Parliament, bringing the tally to 720 members. A total of 12 countries will get extra MEPs. National political parties contest elections, but once they are elected, most of the lawmakers then join transnational political groups. The voters Most member states have set the minimum voting age at 18. Advertisement In 2022, Belgium passed a law lowering it to 16. Voting by 16-year-olds is also permitted in Germany, Austria, and Malta. The youngest age to vote in Greece is 17. A minimum age is also required for candidates to stand for election from 18 in most countries to 25 in Italy and Greece. Voters in the European Union are set elect lawmakers for the blocs parliament, in a major democratic exercise thats also likely to be overshadowed by online disinformation. AP File Voter turnout Elections for the European Union often dont draw a lot of voters, but in 2019, there was an evident rise in interest. The turnout, which had been continuously declining since 1979, when it reached 62 per cent, was eight points higher at 50.7 per cent than in 2014. The most recent Eurobarometer report from the European Parliament indicated in April that there was a spike in interest in the impending election. Advertisement Approximately 71 per cent of Europeans said they are likely to cast a ballot. The main issues Concerns about defence and security are central to the interests of the public as a result of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At the national level, the EUs defence and security were mentioned first in nine countries. Issues pertaining to the public health system, the economy, employment, poverty, climate change, social exclusion, and Europes future are also heavily discussed. What EU lawmakers do The European Parliament is the only EU body to be elected by Europeans. Its a real counterpower to the powerful EUs executive arm, the European Commission. Although it lacks the initiative to propose laws, the parliaments authority is growing. It is now competent on a wide range of topics, voting on laws relating to climate, banking rules, agriculture, fisheries, security or justice. Advertisement The legislature also votes on the EU budget, which is crucial to the implementation of European policies, including, for instance, aid delivered to Ukraine. Lawmakers are also a key element of the check and balances system since they need to approve the nomination of all EU commissioners, who are the equivalent of ministers. It can also force the whole commission to resign with a vote of a two-third majority. The current makeup of the EU Parliament The centre-right European Peoples Party is the largest political group in the European Parliament, holding 176 seats out of 705 as of the end of the most recent plenary session in April. Advertisement EPP member Von der Leyen intends to continue leading the EUs executive arm after the election. The second-largest group is the S&D, the political group of the centre-left Party of European Socialists, which currently holds 139 seats. The pro-business liberal and pro-European Renew group holds 102 seats ahead of an alliance made up of green and regionalist political parties that holds 72 seats. Far-right might gain The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and Identity and Democracy (ID), two far-right political groups, may soon rise to the third and fourth ranks of the European Parliaments political groups. The two groups have many divergences and its unclear to what extent they could team up to affect the EUs agenda, especially the EUs efforts to support Ukraine against Russia in the war. The EPP and S&D are expected to remain stable. Pro-business liberals and greens could both take a hit after they made big gains at the previous election. Post-election work Once the weight of each political force is determined, MEPs will elect their president at the first plenary session, from July 16-19. Then, most likely in September after weeks of negotiations, they will nominate the president of the European Commission, following a proposal made by the member states. In 2019, von der Leyen won a narrow majority (383 votes in favour, 327 against, 22 abstentions) to become the first woman to head the institution. Parliamentarians will also hear from the European commissioners before approving them in a single vote. Von der Leyen has a good chances to be appointed for another term, but she needs to secure the support of enough leaders. She has also antagonized many lawmakers by suggesting she could work with the hard right depending on the outcome of the elections. With inputs from The Associated Press India launched its SAGAR vision in 2015 during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the Indian Ocean island states of Seychelles, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. The idea behind it is to fortify Indias economic and security connections with its maritime neighbours as well as counter China, which has been attempting to increase its sway in the Indian Ocean Region over the past few years through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid out the vision for the initiative during a keynote speech to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Several heads of state from neighbouring countries will be present at Prime Minister Narendra Modis swearing-in ceremony tomorrow. The Ministry of External Affairs has said leaders from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Nepal and Bhutan have been invited in keeping with Indias steadfast commitment to its Neighbourhood First policy and the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision. s Neighbourhood First & SAGAR vision in action! The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister & Council of Ministers is scheduled tomorrow. Know the esteemed guests from s neighbourhood & Indian Ocean region participating in the ceremony. pic.twitter.com/jpj65A9ddY Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 8, 2024 Advertisement The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official statement on Saturday said, President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe; President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu; Vice-President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif; Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina; Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth; Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda; and Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, have accepted the invitation to attend. But what do we know about it? Lets take a closer look What is it? India launched its SAGAR vision in 2015. As per The Hindu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the term during his visit to the Indian Ocean island states of Seychelles, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. Modi laid out the vision for the initiative during a keynote speech to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Our vision for the Indian Ocean Region is rooted in advancing cooperation in our region and to use our capabilities for the benefit of all in our common maritime home, Modi said as per Byjus. ORF describes the SAGAR vision as proposing security as a collective pursuit based on shared interest. Advertisement It said the plan is a framework of morality that respects the legitimate strategic imperative of all civilised nations. The idea behind SAGAR is to fortify Indias economic and security connections with its maritime neighbours, as per News18. The plan is also aimed at helping them advance of their maritime security capabilities. New Delhi has said it will cooperate with its neighbours under the scheme when it comes to sharing information, coastline surveillance, infrastructure development, and capability enhancement. India under SAGAR initiative carries out patrols and naval exercises with Japan, Australia, the US, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Thailand. ANI External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the fourth Indian Ocean Conference said the SAGAR vision is meant to be consultative, democratic and equitable, as per News18. Objectives According to DrishtiIAS, the scheme is meant to protect Indias national interest. It also looks to guarantee that the Indian Ocean region becomes inclusive and collaborative and that nations respect international law. Advertisement India is also looking to explore the benefits of the Blue economy under the SAGAR initiative. This includes creating jobs, achieving energy independence, creating ecological resilience and strengthening connectivity with neighbours. According to Byjus, the vision initiative can be defined as the following: Security: Enhancement of coastal security so that land and maritime territories can be safeguarded with relative ease. Capacity Building: Deepening economic and security cooperation for smooth facilitation of economic trade and maritime security. Collective Action: Promoting collective action to deal with natural disasters and maritime threats like piracy, terrorism and emergent non-state actors. Sustainable Development: Working towards sustainable regional development through enhanced collaboration Maritime Engagement: Engaging with countries beyond our shores with the aim of building greater trust and promoting respect for maritime rules, norms and peaceful resolution of disputes. The scheme also gains significance as it is meant to counter China. Beijing through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been attempting to increase its sway in the Indian Ocean Region over the past few years. This is part of its larger string of pearls theory. Initiatives According to ORF, India under SAGAR initiative carries out patrols and naval exercises with Japan, Australia, the US, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Thailand. These exercises aim to enhance cooperation between the nations and target illegal activities such as maritime terrorism, IUU fishing, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and armed robbery. Advertisement India also launched Mission Sagar on 10 May, 2020, as part of its plan to deliver aid to its neighbours during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this Mission, INS Kesari visited Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles to deliver assistance to our maritime neighbours. Kesari returned to India on 28 June, 2020, after travelling 7,500 nautical miles over 55 days. Advertisement Indias humanitarian assistance included supplies of essential food items, medicines, Ayurvedic medicines and deployment of Medical Assistance Teams (MAT) to Mauritius and Comoros. PM Modi swearing in The swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi and the Council of Ministers is slated for Sunday evening. The seating arrangement has been done for over 8,000 guests who will be attending the ceremony. The list has been prepared and invitation cards have been sent. The guest list includes labourers, lawyers, doctors, artists, cultural performers, and influencers. There were speculations that the oath ceremony might be held at Kartavya Path but because of ongoing weather conditions, it was confined to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Modis leadership of the NDA was formally endorsed, with crucial support from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal (United). The NDA commands a strong position in the Lok Sabha with 293 MPs out of 543. Among these, the BJP holds the largest share with 240 seats. In the 2019 elections, the BJP secured a total of 303 seats. With inputs from agencies The Big Apple braces for an unusual invasion of giant, venomous Joro spiders. While these flying spiders have made an appearance in many southern US states, there is a likelihood of them swarming to New York City this summer, say experts. Are New Yorkers in danger? read more Joro spiders are spreading around the United States and may turn up in New York soon. AP US bustling metropolitan city of New York is no stranger to challenges, but the latest threat looming over the Big Apple is sending shivers down the spines of its residents: giant, venomous flying spiders. Andy Davis, a University of Georgia researcher, earlier warned in The New York Times report that these eight-legged creatures, known as Joro spiders, who are migrating from southern regions, will potentially descend upon New York City and neighbouring states somewhere around this summer, in short, any day now. But why have these airborne arachnids set their sights on New York and exactly how dangerous will their arrival be? We explain What are Joro spiders? Joro spiders, scientifically known as Trichonephila clavata, are a species of orb-weaving spiders that are indigenous to Asia. Advertisement Identified by their distinctive bright yellow and black markings, the female spiders can grow up to eight inches long, while the males, brown and smaller, are roughly half that size. Jose R. Ramirez-Garofalo, an ecologist at Rutgers University told The New York Times, that the spiders are about the size of a post-it note or a stretched-out human hand. What makes them different that other spider species, is their remarkable ability to glide through the air using silk threads, earning them the moniker flying spiders. Joro Spiders use a technique called ballooning to travel to newer areas. AP As per New Jersey Pest Control, the spiders use a technique called ballooning, which involves them releasing silk threads into the air, allowing them to be carried by the wind and move to new areas. Using the method they can surprisingly travel more than 160 km. How did they come to the US? According to New Jersey Pest Control, Joro spiders, originating from Asian countries of Japan, China, Taiwan, and South Korea, made their unexpected appearance in the United States after they likely hitched a ride via cargo shipments and found their way to north Georgia around 2010. Since then, they have rapidly adapted to diverse environments, establishing themselves as a notable presence in the Southeast. As reported by the nonprofit group INaturalis, Joro spiders have popped up in various southern states, including Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and even Oklahoma. In a study published in November, researchers from Clemson University warned of the spiders potential spread, forecasting their movement towards the Great Lakes region of the US and Canada, extending throughout the midwestern and northeastern US, as well as eastern Canada. Furthermore, parts of the Northwest regions of US and Mexico may also become suitable habitats for these venomous arachnids, according to the scientists projections. Advertisement But why New York? According to Davis, New York happens to be right in the middle of where they like to be. The Mid-Atlantic regions latitude aligns closely with that of East Asian countries where Joro spiders are widespread, offering them a similar climate. Davis pointed out that the spiders dont face any significant challenges adapting to life in New York. He even spotted a few on-street lamps and telephone poles. They seem to be OK with living in a city, he said, indicating their ability to thrive in urban environments. As per Davis, New York happens to be right in the middle of where they (spiders) like to be.. Reuters Davis and his colleagues found in a research in 2022, that Joro spiders have a high metabolism and heart rate, which allows them to survive in colder climates. Advertisement Earlier this year, Ecologist Jose emphasised to the Staten Island Advance that it is a matter of when, (and) not if the spiders make their way to New York and New Jersey. **Are they dangerous? ** Keeping their creepiness aside, Davis found in their study that Joro spiders are not harmful to people or pets. In fact, that study found that Joro spiders may be the shyest spider ever documented. They are venomous, but it is reserved for the critters that get caught up in their webs, including butterflies, wasps, and cockroaches. Their bite, similar to a bee sting, is not lethal to humans, as their fangs are too small to penetrate human skin. As with any invasive species, scientists are concerned about the potential impact of Joro spiders on local crops and trees. However, their behavior and effects on agricultural environments remain a subject of study. Advertisement With input from agencies Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, dubbed Britains most eligible bachelor, tied the knot with Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral on Friday. Little is known about the new Duchess of Westminster. However, royal analysts say the 31-year-old is quite similar to Kate Middleton because of her elegant yet relaxed demeanour read more Olivia Henson and Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster leave Chester Cathedral after their wedding, Friday, 7 June 2024. AP The biggest royal wedding of the year in the UK took place on Friday. On 7 June, Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster and the most eligible bachelor in Britain, tied the knot with Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral. With an estimated net worth of 10.1 billion, the 33-year-old Duke is ranked 14th on the 2024 Sunday Times Rich List, making him one of the wealthiest landowners in the UK. Heres all we know about Olivia Henson, the new Royal member. Advertisement Who is Olivia Henson? The new Duchess of Westminster, Olivia Henson, went to Marlborough College the same institution as Princess Kate and Pippa Middleton after attending the Dragon School in Oxford. According to Glamour magazine, after that, she moved to Dublin, Ireland, to attend Trinity College, where she earned a 2:1 credit in Italian and Hispanic Studies. Henson has connections to the aristocracy and comes from an aristocratic family, according to The Dailymail. The Telegraph claims that she is the elder daughter of Rupert Henson and his wife Caroline, a scion of the Marquess of Bristol and the Hoare banking family. Additionally, Henson is descended from John Manners, the Fifth Duke of Rutland. Olivia Henson and Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster leave Chester Cathedral after their wedding. AP According to reports, Henson has a sister, 26, who works in brand relationships, and a brother, 29, who works in asset management. The 31-year-old has worked at Daily Dose LDN and No1 Rosemary Water before landing a role at Belazu, a B-corp committed to environmental consciousness, according to Dailymail. She currently works as a senior account manager, importing high-end items from across Europe, like preserved lemons and rose harissa. Henson and Grosvenor were met by mutual connections and went on to become friends. After dating for two years, the duke asked her to marry him at Eaton Hall, which lies west of Chester and has been the Grosvenor familys residence since the 1400s. Advertisement How is she similar to Kate Middleton? The two royal ladies are described as willowy brunettes with an elegant but relaxed demeanour by royal analysts and supporters, as per Hindustan Times. Besides having similar chestnut hair and facial features, Henson also looks remarkably similar to her, thanks to her classy yet savvy outfits. Middleton and Henson had similar childhoods, growing up in the Home Counties alongside their sister and brother. Henson grew up in Longworth, whereas Middleton was raised in Bucklebury, Berkshire. AP/File Photo Henson grew up in Longworth, whereas Middleton was raised in Bucklebury, Berkshire. Before becoming the Duchess of Wales, Middleton also had her own career path and worked at Jigsaw and her parents company. As a couple, Grosvenor and Henson resemble Middleton and Prince William quite a bit as they are often spotted smiling and engaging in lively discussion with guests. Advertisement What we know about Hugh Grosvenor The Duke, who his friends called Hughie, has a reputation for requiring very little upkeep. Hugh is quite low-key. He takes his roles very seriously but when hes not working, hes relaxed, one of his friends was quoted as saying by The Times. The Grosvenor family has a rich history with the Royal family. King Charles is Hugh Grosvenors godfather, while the groom is a godfather to Prince Williams son Prince George and Prince Harrys son Archie. Grosvenor inherited both his title and the immense family riches at the age of 25 when his father passed away in 2016. The 33-year-old has also represented the United Kingdom in both national and international Olympic Skeet Shooting tournaments. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Rahul Gandhi, who contested from both Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad in Kerala in the recent Lok Sabha polls, won both seats by massive margins. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a candidate can contest from a maximum of two constituencies, but can keep only one read more Rae Bareli or Wayanad? Rahul Gandhi needs to choose and fairly soon. The Congress leader, who contested from both Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad in Kerala in the recent Lok Sabha polls, won both seats by massive margins. But why does Rahul have to choose? And which seat will it be? Lets take a closer look: First, lets take a look at both seats. Rahul won the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh by a record margin. Advertisement He got 6,87,649 votes against the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Dinesh Pratap Singh who received 2,97,619 votes a difference of 3,90,030 votes. Sonia Gandhi in 2019 defeated Dinesh Pratap Singh by 1,67,178 votes. Rahul also won the Wayanad set in Kerala by a margin of over 3.5 lakh votes. Rahul, who got 6,47,445 votes, defeated the CPIs Annie Raja who received 2,83,023 votes. The margin between them is 3,64,422 votes However, Rahuls tally in Wayanad was lower than the 7,06,367 votes he got in 2019. Why must Rahul choose? Which one will it be? Though he won Lok Sabha seats in both Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, Rahul must now select one. As per India Today, under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a candidate can contest a poll from maximum of two constituencies. However, a candidate who wins both seats can keep only one. A candidate must resign from one seat within two weeks of the result. If he or she fails to do so, the candidate can lose both constituencies. As per News18, once a candidate resigns from the seat a bypoll will be held in the constituency. News18 quoted sources as saying that Rahul Gandhi will likely visit both seats next week before choosing which one to keep. Advertisement It said the final decision would likely come before 17 June. Sources told the outlet Rahul could keep Rae Bareli to focus on Uttar Pradesh and take advantage of good results. It is important to note that the Rae Bareli seat holds special significance for Rahul as it is a Gandhi bastion. Sonia Gandhi represented Rae Bareli for two decades. File Picture The Congress has held the seat since 1952 barring three terms. Rahuls mother Sonia represented Rae Bareli for two decades. India Today also quoted sources as saying that Rahul is likely to keep the Rae Bareli seat and resign from Wayanad. The outlet reported that leaders at the Congress Working Committee on Saturday which saw Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi in attendance debate which seat Rahul should keep. Advertisement While MPs like Kodikkunnil Suresh advocated for the Wayanad seat to be retained, far more people were in favour of Rae Bareli. Aradhana Mishra, the Congress Legislative Party leader from Uttar Pradesh, argued that Rae Bareli is the Gandhi familys traditional seat and has been passed down from generation to generation. Leaders also argued that Rahul winning Rae Bareli is central to reviving the Congress in the politically important state of Uttar Pradesh. Economic Times quoted Congress general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP KC Venugopal as saying that Rahul would decide in the next few days This decision has to be taken before the 17th and it will come in 3-4 days, Venugopal said. Advertisement Make Rahul Leader of Opposition This comes in the backdrop of the Congress Working Committee passing a resolution demanding that Rahul be made Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The Congress in the recent polls emerged as the second-largest party in the Lok Sabha. The party, which won 99 seats, nearly doubled its tally of 52 seats in the 2019 elections. Rahul ji is the best person to lead this campaign inside the Parliament. He heard the sentiments of CWC and he will take a decision very soon, Venugopal was quoted as saying by News18. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala told ANI, All members have demanded Rahul Gandhi become the LoP Which seat out of Rae Bareli or Wayanad should he give up, that will be solely for Rahul Gandhi to decide. Advertisement Economic Times quoted Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari as saying, Definitely he (Rahul Gandhi) should become (LoP in Lok Sabha). This was the request of our working committee. He is fearless and courageous. Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy said that this is the demand of 140 crore Indians. Our demand is the same as that of 140 crore Indians. Rahul Gandhi has to take the position as the leader of the Opposition. Rahul Gandhi has been fighting for women and the unemployed, he said. We will play the role of a strong Opposition in the Parliament. Yes, we want the country to get such a face who can reply to the Prime Minister. I think the entire country wants this, Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa added. With inputs from agencies June 8, 2024: The Ukraine War is very much an American war because Russia and the United States have been the major military powers, and opponents, since the end of World War II. In that time these two nuclear superpowers never fought each other. Instead, Russia and the United States supported smaller allies in a series of wars where the Americans were usually victorious, more, or less. This includes Korea (1950-53), Vietnam (1964-73), Kosovo War (1989-96), Gulf (Iraq) War (1990-91), Afghanistan War (2001-2021), Iraq/Islamic terrorists (2003-2011), Iraq Intervention (2014-2021), Syrian Civil War (ongoing since 2014). In addition to these wars that involved American forces, often mainly airpower, there were dozens of smaller interventions which also involved few American troops other than airpower or warships offshore. The United States has also been involved in wars where no American troops were directly involved. This includes the Ukraine War (ongoing since 2022) that began when Russia invaded Ukraine. Once more the Americans were heavily involved, but only via over many billion dollars worth of military and economic aid from NATO countries. Most of the NATO aid was supplied by the United States. This aid enabled Ukrainian forces to halt the Russian invasion and continue fighting. Meanwhile American armed forces have struggled to maintain their combat capabilities. For most of American history the military depended on volunteers. Conscription was used during the Civil War (1861-65), World War I (1914-18) where American involvement was primarily economic and military aid until 1917 when American troops were sent and fought until the Germans were defeated in 1918. This enormous conflict was supposed to be the war to end all wars. That didnt happen and in 1939 World War II began with the Americans getting involved in 1941, though conscription began in 1940. Most of the U.S. effort was against Germany, which surrendered 0n May 8, 1945. The Japanese fought on until September 1945, when the American use of two nuclear bombs on Japanese cities compelled the Japanese to forget about fighting to the end and instead did the unthinkable, from the Japanese perspective, they surrendered. Since World War II, Germany and Japan have prospered and become American allies. In Europe the United States was one of the twelve founding members of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Along with the Americans, Britain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal were the original members. American conscription ended in 1975 and its armed forces have since been all-volunteer. NATO has since expanded to 32 members, with Ukraine planning to join once the 2022 Russian invasion has been defeated. Currently the Russians are seeking a negotiated end to the war. Russian troops losses have been heavy, with over a million casualties and an economy wrecked by economic sanctions. The victory in Ukraine was unique for the United States because no American troops were involved. The United States is still a major military power, with the most powerful land, naval and air forces on the planet. Despite that the United States is having a difficult time maintaining its military forces. This is because American voters have to support American participation in a war. This support is often provided by the enemy attacking Americans troops or ships. This has been the case since victory in the Spanish American War that lasted from April to December 1898. The U.S. mobilized 307,000 troops for this conflict and suffered 4,300 dead. Only 385 U.S. troops died in combat, the rest of the losses were mainly due to disease. This was typical of all wars until World War I when, for the last time, combat losses of 53,000 were outnumbered by 117,000 non-combat losses. In World War II it was, for the first time, different. The United States lost 292,000 troops (including the Army Air Forces) in combat compared to 114,000 dead from non-combat causes. The U.S. Navy lost 30,831 men in combat with another 26,000 dead from other causes. Another interesting development was that U.S. Marine Corps personnel were less likely to die in combat during World War II than army troops. That was because marines were not constantly involved in combat as the army soldiers were. The marines were trained to take part in amphibious operations, which they did successfully throughout the Americans war in the Pacific. Because the Pacific War was mainly one of capturing enemy held islands, ground combat was intermittent and the various island battles did not last long because of the enormous fire power supplied by warships and combat aircraft. The Ukraine War has been unique in terms of casualties. By the third year of the war most casualties were caused by armed UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or Ukrainian USVs (Unmanned Surface Vessels.) The American military is trying to adapt to these new realities. The U.S. Army and Navy are having a difficult time doing that because both the army and navy have been undergoing one crisis after another. The United States is having a difficult time building new warships and maintaining the ones it has. This is mainly because China now controls most of the commercial shipping market and has substantially more shipyards and trained shipyard workers than the United States. The Chinese fleet now has more ships than the U.S. Navy. The Americans still have the edge with the combined displacement of all its ships standing at 138,000 tons. This is more than all of the next 13 largest foreign navies combined. The U.S. Navy advantage here is due to eleven large aircraft carriers and their escorts plus over 60 nuclear submarines. The primary American problem is the increasing difficulty in recruiting enough soldiers and sailors. Fewer military age American men are willing to join. When conscription ended in the early 197os and was replaced by volunteers the military was able to maintain a force of 2.1 million active duty and reserve troops until the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. That ended the Cold War between the Russians and NATO that lasted 42 years. All NATO countries ended conscription and relied on volunteers. In the United States that meant military personnel declined to 1.4 million by 2024. With no credible military threat and lots of good jobs available outside the military, recruiters are having a difficult time. Extended periods of peace tend to do this. If there is a war, the situation turns around quickly but starting a war or joining one that is already underway, like in Ukraine, is political suicide and impossible. American voters support defense and the people in the military. The voters do not back looking for a war to get involved in. The American military also has problems with recruiting, training, and retaining competent officers. This is nothing new because the United States traditionally had a small armed force and many of the officers were supplied the army (West Point) and navy (Annapolis) military academies supplemented by officer training programs at colleges. The quality of these new officers has declined since the Cold War ended. With no real threat, like the defunct Soviet Union, it has proved difficult to get officer candidates to take their training and performance seriously. The military has become another civil service job. European militaries had this problem before the Cold War ended. For Europeans, the end of World War II marked the end of more than thirty years of horrendous combat and losses. In Ukraine the Russians have found that their military age men and those of European nations have similar attitudes and are now eager to get into another war. The Russians still have conscription but since the end of the Soviet Union Russian voters have demanded an end to conscription and Russia was in the midst of doing that when they invaded Ukraine. The hostility to military service, especially when Russian troops are ordered to invade a neighbor rather than defend Russia, has weakened the ability of the Russian army to prevail in Ukraine. Morale matters and the Ukrainians have better morale because they are defending their country from foreign invasion. Russian leader Vladimir Putin ordered his forces to invade Ukraine because he believed the Ukrainians would not or could not resist. Putin misjudged the situation and is now threatened with losing his job as the number of Russian troops killed in Ukraine keeps growing and the Russian people fail to see any justification for these personnel or economic losses. Most of Russias trading partners consist of Europe and the United States. That trade stopped when Russia invaded Ukraine and morale among the Russian population is low and getting worse as long as the war lasts and the economic sanctions remain in place. In our weekly wrap, we analyse the Lok Sabha election results. Why did Narendra Modis BJP not perform as well as expected? What does a coalition government mean for India? read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi will i to form the Union government for the third consecutive time. The BJP-led NDA has won the 2024 Lok Sabha election after securing 292 seats in a 543-member Lok Sabha. File photo/AP What a week it has been for India. One full of surprises. The results for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 were declared and they defied exit poll predictions . The Narendra Modi-led NDA emerged victorious but not with the margin they hoped for. The Opposition INDIA bloc performed far better than expected. With Modis Bharatiya Janata Party winning 240 seats, it is far from the majority mark of 272 to stake claim to form the government alone. The party is now dependent on its alliance partners, the Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United), giving them bargaining power . Advertisement Hectic parleys are on in New Delhi over government formation, as both Kumar and Naidu seek plum posts. Our weekly roundup is an election results special. We take a deep dive into all that has happened since counting day, 4 June. What went wrong for the BJP-led NDA, what worked in favour of them? We decode the performance of the INDIA bloc and what the changing political landscape means for the country. 1. 400 paar. That was the target the Modi-led NDA had in mind for this election. However, it was nowhere close. The alliance failed to reach even the 300 mark, having secured 292 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha. The BJP alone was reduced to 240 seats, a sharp drop from 303 it bagged in 2019. So what went wrong for the saffron party? There were many factors at play. We explain . 2. As far as politics goes, reaching New Delhi means you have to surpass Uttar Pradesh. With 80 seats in the Lok Sabha, the state has dictated many an election outcome. This time BJPs performance has a lot to do with the state. This year, the BJP won 33 seats in the state, losing to the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance which bagged 43 seats. The biggest shocker came from Ayodhya, where it lost five out of the nine seats. The Faizabad constituency in which the grand Ram Mandir was inaugurated early this year was won by the SP. Advertisement The BJPs temple plank did not win any brownie points. Heres why . Illuminated premises of the Ram Mandir after its consecration ceremony, in Ayodhya on 22 January. The BJP lost the Faizabad constituency, which is in the Ayodhya region. File photo/PTI 3. Uttar Pradesh decided to ditch the BJP. But that was not the only state which threw up surprising results. Maharashtra, Haryana and Rajasthan also did not stick to their usual voting patterns. So which way did your state vote? Find out here . 4. You win some, you lose some. This election saw some unexpected victors. It was not surprising that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah won from their respective constituencies, Varanasi and Gandhinagar. For the BJP, a loss that hurt them was that of Smriti Irani from Amethi. While actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut won, National Conferences Omar Abdullah lost. In this report, we track the performances of some of the political bigwigs. Advertisement BJP leader Jairam Thakur with party candidate Kangana Ranaut during celebrations as the latter won in Lok Sabha elections, in Mandi. PTI 5. Heres some election trivia. The BJP got 69 lakh more votes as compared to 2019. How then did it win 63 fewer seats? We explain the math . 6. A day after the results were out, there was buzz that the INDI Alliance would stake claim to forming the government. But later Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the bloc would present a united Opposition in Parliament against the NDA. What made the grouping change its mind? Read to find out more . A Samajwadi Party supporter carries portraits of party leader Akhilesh Yadav, and Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, as he celebrates his partys performance in the national election in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. AP 7. While NDA will form the government, its third term in power will be different. The spotlight is on coalition politics. With no absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, the BJP will need the constant backing of its alliance partners to introduce reforms. But each has an ideology of its own. Advertisement Will the saffron party put on hold some of its pet projects like One Nation, One Poll and the Uniform Civil Code ? We take a look. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar during NDA meeting at PMs residence, in New Delhi. PTI 8. There will be several new faces in the Cabinet. The kingmakers Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar have their eyes on some key portfolios. So what will the BJP keep? Will it give Nitish Railways? Nothing is set in stone but here is what one can expect . Happy reading! These explainers will help you understand the election results. And if we have piqued your interest, you can find some more here . Its D-day. Narendra Modi is set to take oath as Indias prime minister for a third term. All eyes are on his Union Council of Ministers. Who is likely to be included? Heres a list read more Rajnath Singh is expected to be a part of Modi 3.0. PTI Who will be in Prime Minister Narendra Modis Cabinet? Thats what everyone is wondering ahead of the Modis swearing-in ceremony at 7.15 pm today. With the BJP depending on its NDA allies to form the government, negotiations for the plum Cabinet posts have been on for days. The BJP won 240 seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, while the TDP won 16 and the JD (U) won 12. Parliament has 534 seats with 272 needed to form the government. Advertisement Modi will take oath for the third time today. The strength of the full council of ministers is expected to be between 78 and 81, reports NDTV. However, close to 30 will be sworn in today. On Sunday morning, those who will be part of the Cabinet started receiving calls. All MPs, who will take the oath of office along with Modi were invited to his residence for tea at 11:30 am. Lets take a closer look: BJP According to several media reports, the BJP is keen on keeping several high-profile ministries including railways, home, finance and defence. According to News18, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari are confirmed to get positions in the Cabinet. Singh is expected to retain the defence ministry and Gadkari will continue as the Minister for Road Transport & Highways. Reports say Dr S Jaishankar is confirmed to return as External Affairs minister (EAM). Other MP-elects who got a call include Arjun Ram Meghwal, Jitin Prasada, Sarbananda Sonowal, Pralhad Joshi, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Jyotiradtiya Scindia, G Kishan Reddy and ML Khattar, reports News18. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Kiren Rijiju, and Rao Inderjit Singh will also have tea with PM Modi and will be part of the new Cabinet. Senior ministers in the Modi 2.0 government like Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal will also be retained in the third government. BJP leaders Jitendra Singh, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Hardeep Singh Puri, K Annamalai, Giriraj Singh, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Suresh Gopi, Dharmendra Pradhan, Harsh Malhotra, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Shobha Karandlaje, Ajay Tamta, Raksha Khadse, Annapurna Devi, BL Verma, CR Patil, Pankaj Chaudhary and Ravneet Singh Bittu also received a call. Advertisement JDU The JD(U) is expected to receive two portfolios in the new Cabinet, one Cabinet seat and one Minister Of State (MoS) post. Lalan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur both senior leaders were invited to the meeting at PMs residence in Delhi. Singh was elected from Bihars Munger Lok Sabha seat. The 69-year-old four-term MP, is a former JD(U) national president and Bihar minister. He has been one of Nitish Kumars closest allies for many years. Thakur, the son of Bharat Ratna recipient Karpoori Thakur, is a Rajya Sabha MP. He is likely to get the MoS position. However, Mint reported earlier that JDU chief Nitish Kumar was asking for five Cabinet posts. Advertisement We are hoping to get at least four Cabinet berths. One more MoS post could be asked for," a JD(U) leader had said earlier. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is likely to ask for five cabinet berths. PTI TDP The TDPs Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu will likely join the Modi 3.0 Cabinet. Naidu is a three-time MP from Srikakulam Lok Sabha constituency. At 36, he is expected to be the youngest Union Cabinet minister after he takes oath. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, the TDP candidate from Andhra Pradeshs Guntur constituency, is confirmed as a Minister of State in Modi Cabinet 3.0. Pemmasani is the wealthiest MP in the Lok Sabha with assets valued at Rs 5,705 crore. Congratulations to Dr. @PemmasaniOnX on being confirmed as a Minister of State. Such an honour to serve the nation at the central level during your very first political stint. The people of Guntur and entire AP are proud of you. All the best for your new role. May you bring pic.twitter.com/NAvPMViMLc Jay Galla (@JayGalla) June 9, 2024 Advertisement The party is also eyeing the prestigious post of Speaker of the House. Shiv Sena The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is expected to get one berth in the Modi Cabinet 3.0, sources told News18. Pratap Rao Jadhav has been picked from the party. The Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena won seven seats in the Lok Sabha polls. Advertisement NCP The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is expected to get one berth in the Cabinet. The Ajit Pawar-led party has one MP in Lok Sabha. The ministership could go to its Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel, according to a report in The Times of India (ToI). Hindustani Awam Morcha Hindustani Awam Morcha leader and former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi is likely to be a part of the Modi 3.0 Cabinet. He won from the Gaya Lok Sabha seat in these elections. JD(S) HD Kumaraswamy has reportedly received a call to meet Modi and is expected to be part of the Cabinet. Mint reported that the JD(S) is keen on the agriculture portfolio in the Cabinet. The JD(S) got two seats in the recent Lok Sabha polls. LJP Hindustan Times reported that the LJP led by Chirag Paswan will likely get one seat in the Cabinet. Paswan has reportedly received a call for a meeting with the PM-elect. LJP leader Chirag Paswan. File/PTI We are assured of one berth. A minister of state would be a huge bonus," a party member told the newspaper on condition of anonymity. The LJP won five seats in the recent Lok Sabha polls. RLD RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary might get a Cabinet berth, as per News18. He has received a call to meet the PM. Adding spice to the matter, a row erupted over Chaudhary not getting a seat on the dais at the NDA meet. RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary might get a Cabinet berth. RLD party chief Jayant Chaudhary was not given a place on the stage despite having two seats, whereas leaders of parties with only one seat each were seated on the stage, the Samajwadi Party posted on X. The party won two seats in Uttar Pradesh. Others Anupriya Patel, Apna Dal Party chief from Mirzapur, might also get a berth as per News18. The Apna Dal won one seat in the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh. Ramdas Athawale of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) and AJSU MP Chandrashekhar Choudhary also got a call to attend the tea meeting at Modis residence. With inputs from agencies Narendra Modi will take oath as the Prime Minister of India along with the Union Council of Ministers tomorrow at the Rashtrapati Bhavan read more The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to keep the Big 4 portfolios with itself as deliberations take the final shape for the government formation. Narendra Modi will take oath as the Prime Minister of India along with the Union Council of Ministers on Sunday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. As it is the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and not just of the BJP, the number of the non-BJP ministers is expected to shoot. Advertisement The CNN-News 18 has, however, reported that the Modi will keep the Big 4 portfolios of Home, Defence, Finance, and External Affairs with the BJP. In the 2nd Modi Ministry (2010-24), the portfolios were held by Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, and S Jaishankar. Among the non-BJP members of the NDA, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) are expected to get the lions share of ministerial berths. There is understood to be intense jostling for the Railways portfolio between the JD (U) and Lok Janshakti Party-Ramvilas (LJP-R) of Chirag Paswan. #CoalitionPolitics: Intense jostling on for Railways portfolio, special economic packages, although BJP reportedly asserted control over crucial portfolios like Defence, Finance, Home, and Foreign Affairs @payalmehta100 shares more | @akankshaswarups #SuperSaturdayDebate pic.twitter.com/DI5wCabY4A News18 (@CNNnews18) June 8, 2024 Both the Bihar-based parties, the JD (U) and LJP (R), are eyeing the Railways portfolio as it holds a lot of significance in their region. As Bihar has a high number of people working in other states for whom the railways are crucial medium of commute for work and festivals like Chhat alike, both the Bihar-based parties are eyeing it. Previously, two Chief Ministers of Bihar Nitish Kumar of JD (U) and Lalu Prasad Yadav of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have been Railways Minister. Among the non-BJP members of the NDA, the TDP has demanded up to eight ministerial berths, the JD (U) three, and Shiv Sena five. Previously, there were also reports that the TDP has also demanded the post of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The JD (U) was also reported to have asked for the coalition government to have a common minimum programme. The TDP was also reported to have demanded a special economic package for Andhra Pradesh and funds for the development of Amravati as the states capital. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is set to be the next CM of Andhra Pradesh. The move, if successful, Indias management of the Mongla Port will secure its influence over key maritime locations on both the western and eastern fronts of the Indian Ocean, reinforcing its position as a dominant player in the regions security architecture. read more India has shown a keen interest in managing operations at Bangladeshs Mongla Port and in constructing a new terminal at the site. This comes amid Chinas attempts to gain control over the strategically important port. Indias interest in Mongla aligns with its broader strategy to counter Chinas expanding influence in the region. Currently, India already holds operational rights at the Chabahar Port in Iran and the Sittwe Port in Myanmar. The potential addition of Mongla Port would further enhance Indias strategic presence across the Indian Ocean. Advertisement According to sources close to the development, this move, if successful, Indias management of the Mongla Port will secure its influence over key maritime locations on both the western and eastern fronts of the Indian Ocean, reinforcing its position as a dominant player in the regions security architecture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to discuss this matter with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during their upcoming meetings, the ET reported. India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) has visited Mongla Port to study its operations, and negotiations are underway. If successful, Mongla will be Indias third international port operation after Chabahar and Sittwe. Mongla Port Authority will evaluate the proposal, considering its profitability. The port currently operates container and bulk carrier vessels and plans to construct two more jetties to handle increased cargo volume from transshipment. In his opening remarks at the Congress Working Committee meeting here, Kharge also asserted that while celebrating its revival, the party should pause a little as it did not perform to its abilities and expectations in some states read more Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Saturday said the Lok Sabha poll mandate is a decisive rejection of the politics of divisiveness and hate, and stressed that the INDIA bloc must continue functioning cohesively both inside and outside Parliament. In his opening remarks at the Congress Working Committee meeting here, Kharge also asserted that while celebrating its revival, the party should pause a little as it did not perform to its abilities and expectations in some states. Advertisement Further, we could not repeat our performance in states where we had previously done well in Vidhan Sabha elections and formed the government, he said. Separate discussions on each such state will be held soon, he said. We have to take urgent remedial measures. These are states which have traditionally favoured the Congress, where we have opportunities which we have to harness not for our own advantage but for the benefit of our people. This exercise I propose to hold very soon, the Congress chief said. Kharge further said whether the party is in power or not, its work continues amongst people 24 hours, 365 days, and raise their issues. The Congress Working Committee congratulated leaders and workers for their determination, will power and resolve. People have spoken against the dictatorial and anti-democratic ways of the ruling party. It is a decisive rejection of the politics of the last 10 years. It is rejection of the politics of divisiveness, hate and polarisation, Kharge said. I want to draw your attention to the fact that wherever Bharat Jodo Yatra went we saw an increase in the vote percentage and number of seats for the Congress party, he said. Noting that the Congress won both the seats of Manipur, Kharge said the party also won seats in Nagaland, Assam, and Meghalaya. Advertisement In Maharashtra, we emerged as the single-largest party. People from all walks of life supported the Congress party to save the countrys democracy and constitution, he said. Other than this, Kharge said the party also saw an increase in seats dominated by SC, ST, OBC, and minority voters, as well as seats in rural areas. Going forward, the Congress has to make its presence felt in urban areas as well, he added. Kharge also hailed INDIA bloc partners, saying each party played its designated role in different states, and each party contributed to the other. Our determination is that the INDIA group must continue. We must function cohesively and collectively both in Parliament and outside, he said. Advertisement The issues that we raised in the election campaign are issues that are bothering the people of India. We have to continue to raise them both in Parliament and outside, Kharge said. We must be disciplined, must be united. The People have reposed their faith back in us in substantial measures and we must build on it. We accept this verdict with genuine humility. Whether we are in power or not, Congress partys work continues. We have to work amongst our people 24 hours, 365 days and raise their issues, Kharge said. He also thanked farmers, organisations working for backward classes, civil society groups, NGOs, small groups of traders, lawyers, intellectuals, independent media and others. Advertisement He also cautioned leaders that the discussions in the CWC should remain within the party forum and there should not be a running commentary on what is being deliberated on at the meeting. The extended meeting of the partys top decision-making body - the Congress Working Committee (CWC) - started at Hotel Ashok here. Senior party leaders and members of the CWC, along with Congress Legislature Party leaders and Pradesh Congress Committee presidents from various states, will analyse the partys performance and suggest measures to strengthen the organisation. The Congresss top brass, including party chief Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh, besides other leaders, were participating in the deliberations. Advertisement Kharge, who has convened the meeting, will also host a dinner for all the extended CWC members and party MPs at the hotel. A meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party comprising all newly-elected MPs of the Lok Sabha and those of the Rajya Sabha will be held in the Central Hall of Parliament at 5.30 pm. The EC notice, issued on Friday, said that it would accept applications seeking allotment of Common Symbol under Para 10B of the Election Symbols (Reservation &Allotment) Order, 1968 with immediate effect read more The Election Commission has called for applications seeking allotment of common symbol from registered unrecognised political parties in Jammu and Kashmir. The notification comes days after the poll body lauded the successful conduction of Lok Sabha elections in the region, the first after Article 370 was revoked. The EC notice, issued on Friday, said that it would accept applications seeking allotment of Common Symbol under Para 10B of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968 with immediate effect. Advertisement Under this, unrecognised parties can apply for a common symbol up to six months before the end of the current House. Although a date for conducting Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir has not been announced yet, the recent announcement by the poll body hints that they will be held soon. Generally recognised parties have their reserved symbols while registered unrecognised parties have to apply to field candidates. The Supreme Court in a 2023 verdict directed the EC to hold assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir by September 2024. While announcing the general election dates in April, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that the poll body would not be able to hold J&K assembly elections simultaneously with Lok Sabha elections due to logistical and security reasons. Anticipation is high for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a supportive statement regarding Amaravati during N. Chandrababu Naidus swearing-in ceremony as Chief Minister, scheduled for June 12 near the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the capital region. read more The real estate market in Amaravati has experienced a dramatic surge in prices, ranging from 50% to 100% in just three days following the election results. The overwhelming victory of the alliance comprising the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Jana Sena, and the BJP has dispelled uncertainties about Amaravatis future as the state capital, reigniting buyer interest in the area. Despite this renewed interest, actual transactions are minimal because there are very few sellers in the market. Anticipation is high for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a supportive statement regarding Amaravati during N. Chandrababu Naidus swearing-in ceremony as Chief Minister, scheduled for June 12 near the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the capital region. Advertisement Real estate values in Amaravati had plummeted by 60% to 75% after the outgoing Chief Minister, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy proposed a plan for three separate capitals in 2019. This proposal dampened the enthusiasm and halted the momentum of what was once touted as a futuristic capital city. However, with the recent change in government, the realty sector in Amaravati is witnessing a rapid V-shaped recovery in terms of prices. Currently, land prices in Amaravati have surged to Rs 40,000-50,000 per square yard, up from Rs 10,000-15,000 per square yard just before the elections, according to reports. Chandrababu Naidu, during his previous tenure as Chief Minister, envisioned Amaravati as a greenfield capital, with plans for an investment exceeding Rs 50,000 crore. His vision included developing nine theme cities and 27 townships, which had sparked a significant construction boom. The Master Plan for Amaravati attracted pledges of $300 million from the World Bank and $200 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. However, these plans stalled after the TDP lost the 2019 assembly elections, and the YSRCP came to power under Jagan Mohan Reddy. This shift in leadership brought development in Amaravati to a halt, effectively turning the area into a ghost town. Now, with Naidu is set to take the reins as Chief Minister again, there is renewed optimism and a sharp uptick in real estate activity and prices in Amaravati. The BJP's largest alliance partners include the TDP and JD (U), with 16 and 12 seats respectively. Both of them are regional parties, with their leaders focusing more on their respective states. Image: PTI The longest day in the recent history of India has to be June 4, 2024, when the results of the Lok Sabha elections were declared. The counting seemed very slow, with even at 4 PM, people on both sides of the political spectrum hoping for a turn-aroundNDA hoping to cross 300 and the INDI alliance hoping to touch 272. But, alas, none of their hopes came true. This was so much different from the 2014 and 2019 elections, when by noon, everything became crystal clear, with the only thing awaited being Narendra Modis victory address to the nation. In comparison to the previous two times, the terms set by the public for the renewal of Modis mandate are indeed sobering, but the crucial fact is that Modi 3.0 is back. After a gap of more than 60 years since 1962, an Indian Prime Minister has been chosen to rule the country consecutively for the third time, helping Modi make history of sorts. But wait, there is more silver lining to the dark cloud of not crossing 400 paar. Advertisement The BJP has emerged as the single largest political party despite ten years of incumbency behind it with 240 seats, whereas its nearest competitor, Congress, is still stuck at double digits with 99 seats. The BJPs total seat count is also higher than all the INDI alliance parties combined, meaning the largest party is larger than everyone else in opposition put together. As of the litmus test of Modis personal leadership through the recently concluded general elections, it seems besides Uttar Pradesh there is no major dent to brand Modi. Otherwise, at least 14 states voted overwhelmingly for Modi. To put this in perspective, Brand Modi has emerged as strong as ever by passing the tough test of the 2024 elections. This definitely will have implications for his own conduct in matters of national interest and foreign policy because leaders often rely on personal equity to make decisions in these realms. Although this time, the BJPs falling short of the magical mark of 272 means the preferences of the alliance partners must also be taken into account. The BJPs largest alliance partners include the TDP and JD (U), with 16 and 12 seats respectively. Both of them are regional parties, with their leaders focusing more on their respective states. This has also started to reflect in their post-poll negotiations to seek a share of the power pie. Chandrababu Naidu, who leads the Telugu Desham Party in the South, is more likely to seek out special status for Andhra, more preferential treatment for his state, and definitely more funds for the development of Amravati as the new capital. According to the whispers, in terms of ministries, he may settle for steel and aviation rather than making a serious attempt to get the Big 4Home, Defence, Finance, and External Affairs. The BJP has also drawn a hard line over these ministries by reserving cabinet ranks for itself, with only Minister of State rank kept open for its allies in the NDA. Similarly, Nitish Kumar, who leads JD (U), would be offered the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development ministries, which also align well with his voter base. Kumar, anyway, has his eyes set on the 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar, meaning he has little time on his hands to focus on other questions such as foreign policy. Advertisement Interestingly, JD(U) had opposed the Indo-US nuclear deal in 2007, with their leader, late Sharad Yadav, calling it against Indias national interests and its non-aligned foreign policy. But in the last ten years, it has shown no such ideological hang-ups, meaning Modis decks to pursue his India First foreign policy with a thrust on multi-alignment are all clear. Importantly, I see the other alliance partner, Chandrababu Naidu, as more of an enabler for the same than an obstruction. Naidu has been a shining example of neoliberal politics in India with his championing of economic liberalisation. He reflected the same during his previous days as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, where he played a key role in developing Hyderabad as the other IT capital in the South. With him on board, Indias pursuit of technological cooperation with the US will get bottom-up support, as he would be willing to back more cooperation with them in order to develop Amravati as a tech city on the lines of Hyderabad. Advertisement Meanwhile, the BJPs own manifestoes since 2014 have consecutively spoken about the need for India to take its place in the community of nations. Modis Viksit Bharat pitch is also a more politically palatable euphemism for building Indias comprehensive national power (CNP). Despite the jolt in Uttar Pradesh, Modis model of development and governance has received a big thumbs-up from the country. Even in UP, the post-result analysis shows that local factors such as the use of casteist planks by the opposition played a greater role than a rejection of Modis policies. This means that even with comparatively weaker numbers, his political acceptance is large and wide. In the absence of problematic allies such as left parties who have a history of walking out on matters of foreign policy, Modi will get a free hand to take his ideas further. This means nothing but stability and continuity for the last ten years for Indias international relations. Advertisement In the case of the United States, a much more worrying prospect of going back to UPA-era hesitancy in deepening ties has been avoided. Congresss manifesto had promised to restore the Nehruvian non-alignment in foreign policy, which meant a return to the anti-West tirade. But with Modis return, US-India cooperation, especially in high technology and the Indo-Pacific, can continue unabated, with the Biden administration already dispatching National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to New Delhi in the next few days. A similar back-gear on China has also been averted with Modis policy to balance the dragon looking to remain intact. Modi 2.0 had initiated the Atmanirbhar initiative to restrict China from Indias economy for strategic reasons, a stand that will continue in Modi 3.0 as well. Interestingly, Modi has already started showing signs of the same with his official X handle, thanking Taiwans President Lai Ching-te for his wishes on re-election, a first-of-its-kind exchange between an Indian Prime Minister and a Taiwanese President. Advertisement Modi quickly drew the ire of China over this, which registered its protest, but no one can deny that Modi 3.0 may take an even more aggressive stand for Taiwan in order to receive a quid pro quo from it in building up the manufacturing prowess of India, especially in semiconductors. A similar continuity will also be seen in Modis outreach towards Russia. Despite a section in India peddling the Western narrative on Russia by calling it a spent force or an aggressor, Modi thanked President Vladimir Putin profusely and expressed determination to deepen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Besides the continuity in Indias engagement with great powers, a similar thrust on the neighbourhood will also persist. However, Modi 3.0 seems more ambitious than the previous versions. In the first and second editions of his swearing-in ceremonies, Modi invited leaders from the Indian subcontinent and the Bay of Bengal region; this time he also included Mauritius, which is an important island country in the Indian Ocean region. This is a not-so-subtle message that a rising India under Modi is going to expand the definition of neighbourhood much beyond the subcontinent and its immediate vicinity. One may clearly say at the end of a long-drawn electoral exercise that Indias commitment to democracy has once again shined brighter than any of its peers. In the neighbourhood, an election was stolen in the dead of the night while in the US, the transfer of power led to something that can only be compared to tribal warfare. Thankfully, Modi is back, and so is the continuity of a foreign policy that has paid rich dividends in the last decade by placing the country firmly on the worlds great powers map. India has finally dodged the bullet, which could have led to a reversal of its rise. So thanks to each of the voters who showed up and voted. 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. The Red Flag 24 exercise showcases the IAFs capability to be deployed thousands of kilometres away on the other side of the globe read more The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent has just reached Alaska for the US Air Forces (USAF)-led two-week advanced combat training, multi-nation military exercise, Red Flag 24. It aims to offer realistic air-combat training for military pilots and other flight crew from the United States and allied countries. The exercise also serves as a platform for building stronger partnerships and increasing interoperability between participating air forces. The professional interactions between planning teams, aircrew, and support staff foster mutual understanding and respect. Some of these relationships get carried forward into the senior ranks. Advertisement Eight IAF Rafale fighters were supported by IL-78 flight refuelling aircraft (FRA) and the C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft. The transatlantic flight from India was staged through Greece and Portugal. Overview The origin of Red Flag was the unacceptable performance of USAF fighter pilots and weapon systems officers (WSO) in air-to-air combat during the Vietnam War in comparison to previous wars. A USAF analysis known as Project Red Baron II showed that a pilots chances of survival in combat dramatically increased after he had completed ten combat missions. As a result, Red Flag was created in 1975 to offer USAF pilots and WSOs the opportunity to fly ten realistically simulated combat missions in a safe training environment with measurable results. An aggressor squadron is created with some of the best USAF pilots, who fly as opponents to those undergoing training. These pilots are trained to operate according to the tactical doctrines of likely adversaries at the time. Suitably painted F-5 Tiger II would simulate the Soviet MiG 21, the F-16 Fighting Falcon as MiG-29, and the F-15 Eagle as the Russian Su-27/30 variants. Since the first time in November 1975, each year, three to six Red Flag exercises are held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, while up to four more, dubbed Red Flag Alaska, are held at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. These exercises bring together aircrew from the USAF, United States Navy (USN), United States Marine Corps (USMC), United States Army (USA), and numerous NATO and some other friendly nations air forces. Advertisement The exercise area has now increased to close to 93,000 sq. km of airspace in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, which is the largest combat training range in the world. A larger area is required to cater for training with fifth-generation fighter aircraft, which use longer-range manoeuvres and weapons than previous fighters. Beyond-Visual Range (BVR) combat is simulated, and also factored in is the Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) threat. Also involved are space-based sensors and electronic attack aircraft. India pilots and controllers had been going as observers for some earlier years. Physical aircraft participation took place in 2008, 2016, and now in May 2024. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) participated in 2010 and 2016, not at the same time as the IAF. Advertisement Exercise Cope Thunder was a Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)-sponsored exercise initiated at Clark Air Base, the Philippines. Cope Thunder was moved to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, in 1992. Cope Thunder was re-designated as Red Flag-Alaska in 2006. By providing generic scenarios using common worldwide threats and simulated combat conditions, Red Flag-Alaska gives everyone an opportunity to make the tough calls combat often requires. 2018 marked the first time a RQ-4 Global Hawk had been integrated into a Red Flag-Alaska exercise. June 2019 saw the exercise debut of a MQ-9 Reaper. This exercise should not be confused with the Cope India exercise, which is a series of international Air Force exercises between the IAF and the USAF conducted on and over Indian soil. Advertisement The USN Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Programme (SFTI Programme), more popularly known as Top Gun teaches air combat manoeuvring tactics and techniques to selected naval aviators and naval flight officers, who return to their operating units as surrogate instructors. Red Flag 24 The IAFs participation in the 16-day multi-nation Red Flag 24 exercise from May 30 to June 14 reinforces the growing defence cooperation between India and the United States. It reflects the shared commitment of both nations to maintaining regional stability and security. Approximately 3,100 service members are expected to fly, maintain, and support more than 100 aircraft from different nations during the exercise. The Rafale is a top-end aircraft in the IAF fighter fleet. It is of Western origin and shares some systems and procedures with NATO counterparts. Advertisement The Red Flag 24 exercise showcases the IAFs capability to be deployed thousands of kilometres away on the other side of the globe. Long-range air- transport is supported by its own FRA (IL-78 MKI) and large cargo (C-17) aircraft. The exercise will provide IAF crews with realistic simulations of air combat in large-force, complex, and dynamic combat scenarios. Over the course of two weeks, participants will engage in a series of challenging missions designed to test their skills, coordination, and adaptability. There will be air-to-air combat, air-to-surface strikes, and offensive and defensive counter-air operations. The exercise will have combinations of day and night missions, with scenarios that simulate high-threat environments. IAF aircrew will get to operate and engage with the F-35, the USAFs latest and most advanced fifth-generation fighter. IAF personnel will gain invaluable exposure to and experience from engagements with different operational tactics and strategies. It will enhance their ability to operate effectively in multinational coalitions. IAF combat controllers and other support personnel will also be exposed and will work seamlessly as part of a larger team. It will also allow IAF crews to validate or appraise their own tactics, techniques, and procedures in a realistic combat environment. It will also help refine the IAFs operational doctrines and combat readiness. IAFs Other Major Exercises IAF and USAF participate in the bilateral US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)-sponsored Field Training Exercise (FTX) Cope India series, conducted in India. The first such exercise was conducted at the air force station in Gwalior in February 2004. The exercise was repeated in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2018, and 2023 (Kaliakunda). The IAF and French Air and Space Force (FASF) have been holding a series of Garuda air exercises since the first in 2003 at Air Force Station Jodhpur, India. Subsequently, they were held in 2005, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2019, and 2022. Other locations for the exercise have included Istres and Mont-de-Marson in France and Kalaikunda in India. France is one of Indias strongest partners, with their relationship encompassing a number of critical sectors, including nuclear, defence, and space cooperation. The 17-nation Multilateral Exercise Pitch Black 2022 was held in Darwin, Australia, in AugustSeptember 2022. Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which has been held every alternate year since 2006, except for 2020 due to Covid-19. India began participating in 2018. Exercise traditionally consists of a red team and a blue team based at separate locations, with one attacking the other. As inferred from the name of the exercise, it takes place in low-light conditions. All Quad members and many from the Indo-Pacific were part of the exercise, which had over 100 aircraft and 2500 military personnel participating. It gives exposure to a very large cross-section of aircraft, including the F-35s. Exercise Indradhanush is a joint exercise conducted between the IAF and the Royal Air Force (RAF). The exercise started in 2006 and has held four editions so far, in 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2015. These were held in both India and the UK. Desert Eagle is a bilateral exercise between the IAF and the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAE AF). The first was held in 2008 at Al-Dhafra Airbase, UAE, and again in 2016. IAF also participated in the multilateral Exercise Desert Flag VI in the UAE in March 2021 and in 2023. Participants included Gulf nations, the USA, France, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, while Jordan, Greece, Qatar, Egypt, and South Korea participated as observer forces. IAF has also been participating in Exercise Eastern Bridge since 2009 with Oman. Eastern Bridge IV was held in 2022 in Jodhpur, India. Blue Flag is a military aviation exercise held by the Israeli Air Force at Ovda Air Force Base in Israel. In 2017, the exercise hosted the air forces of the USA, Poland, Italy, and Greece, and for the first time, India, France, and Germany participated as well. In July 2022, the IAF carried out a one-month-long engagement with the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) at the Egyptian Fighter Weapon School, located in Cairo West Air Force Base. This was a first-of-its kind interaction for both the air forces, as it was conducted between their respective Fighter Weapon Schools. On behalf of the IAF, Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) participated. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the IAF have been carrying out bilateral exercises, codenamed SINDEX. Beginning in 2004 at Gwalior, subsequent editions were held at Kalaikunda in West Bengal and also at Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore. The Japanese Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) and IAF participated in bilateral air exercise SHINYUU Maitri-18 in 2018 at the IAF airbase in Agra. In March 2023, IAF participated in a similar exercise in Komatsu, Japan. IAF and JASDF also participated in joint air exercise Veer Guardian-2023 at Hyakuri Air Base in January 2023 that involved fighter aircraft engagements between Su-30 MKI and F-15s, among others. IAF participated in Exercise Orion at the Mont-de-Marsan airbase in France and Exercise INIOCHOS at Andravida base in Greece, hosted by the Hellenic Air Force, both held in AprilMay 2023. Pakistan-China Shaheen Exercise Series Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Chinas PLA Air Force (PLAAF) have participated in a series of exercises called Shaheen since 2011 to improve interoperability to respond to mutual threats. The missions have included simulated air combat, surface attack missions, air-refuelling missions, and logistic support missions. Shaheen-I was held in Pakistan. Shaheen II was held in September 2013 in Hotan, Western China. Subsequent exercises have been held at different airbases in the two countries. The JF-17, J-10, and Sukhoi Su-27/Su-30MKK have participated. The USA has not allowed the PAF to field F-16s. The exercises gave both the Air Forces an opportunity to improve specific skills and to practice Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT). It also allowed for training in different threat environments. It provided an opportunity to further enhance the interoperability of both air forces, improve the actual level of combat training, and strengthen practical cooperation between the two air forces. These exercises were of special importance to PAF as they gave them exposure to fly against Chinese Sukhoi Su-27/Su-30MKK aircraft, which are similar to the IAF frontline SU-30 MKI aircraft, and helped them validate their tactics. The most recent Shaheen-X was held in August 2023 in Jiuquan, in Chinas Gansu Province, and Yinchuan, in Chinas Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Pakistan also gets to participate in the Anatolian Eagle exercise hosted by the Turkish Air Force. They also take part in other exercises in the Middle East. Complex Exercise Planning and Learning The large-force bilateral and multilateral air exercises between major professional air forces require months of planning and coordination. The planning has to factor in multiple aircraft flying in confined spaces at very high speeds and engaging in combat manoeuvring. The pace for the exercise is set by initially doing smaller packages and increasing the degree of difficulty in a graduated manner. There is a need to de-conflict flight paths. The air engagements have to be closely controlled by ground-based and airborne radars. The radio procedures have to be coordinated. The mission commanders have to be designated. Flight safety and operational issues have to be managed. Each mission must have a clearly spelled-out aim and a detailed briefing. Air effort must draw lessons for all air and ground crews. In addition to enhancing combat knowledge by imbibing the best practices of other air forces, it also improves interoperability. Young aircrew get exposure from flying aircraft of other air forces. Social and casual interactions help exchange ideas and imbibe knowledge. Special lectures are organised to educate the participants. These exercises are also a part of defence diplomacy. There are cultural events and exchanges. Exercise Tarang Shakti IAFs mega-multilateral multi-nation exercise Tarang Shakti is planned later this year. The air forces of nearly a dozen nations are likely to participate. It will be the biggest air exercise to be conducted in India. Invited air forces will participate with fighter and transport aircraft and other force multipliers. Initial indications are that the FASF, RAAF, USAF, and RAF are likely to participate. The location has not been announced, but it is likely to be in central India. There are likely to be large force engagements, long-range missions, and maybe joint exercises with elements of the Special Forces and maritime strikes. Also, they will look at No War, No Peace scenarios. Many air forces will send observers. The IAF is fast transforming from a continental air force to one with global reach. It now has trans-domain operations capability, and prides itself on its reach, flexibility, versatility, responsiveness, and offensive lethality. In keeping with the evolutionary nature of air power and the need to stay relevant across the spectrum of conflict in an interconnected environment, there is a need for exercises and doctrinal reviews. Exercise Tarang Shakti will help understand the nuances of the capabilities and application of air power. Exercise Exposure Advantage Unlike PLAAF, which exercises primarily with PAF and very few other major air forces, IAF benefits from exposure to air exercises with all the major air forces in the world. The frequency and number of air exercises have gone up in recent years. The saying, More you sweat in peace, less you bleed in war, is best exemplified by these air exercises. India must be proud that all Western air forces have rated IAF aircrew as great professionals and very superior in their air combat capabilities. Conclusion The role of the armed forces in supporting Indias foreign policy has been very clear. A stronger military gives the political leadership greater options. Countries with a more powerful military get to sit on the global high table, such as the UN Security Council. The US, and now, to some extent, China, have been able to call the shots globally because of their military presence and power. While India believes in strategic autonomy, global partnerships are important. India has a powerful military. It is a nuclear weapons power with credible missile and space programs. A key element of being a net security provider is the ability to launch Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in the region. Indian armed forces played a globally acclaimed role during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2015 Nepal earthquake, the 2020 floods in Madagascar, the Covid-19 pandemic medical-relief operations, and the earthquake in Turkey. The military-to-military contacts are at various levels, including senior-level visit exchanges, arms sales and purchases, military equipment training, joint military exercises, training staff courses, and the exchange of strategic and tactical appreciation literature. India has a significant presence in the UN peacekeeping missions. Defence wings in embassies play a huge role in facilitating all these activities. Also, military exercises are used for political-diplomatic messaging and muscle-flexing. These exercises also help integrate militaries and build relationships at the working level. All this is part of defence diplomacy. The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The Chinese strategic worldview is most receptive to how the US thinks and acts. Thus, it has also seen India in the same light in the last three decades read more On May 27, 2024, Global Times published an article on India-China cultural exchanges written by Liu Zongyi, a senior scholar on the Indian subcontinent at the Shanghai Institute of International Studies. Liu Laoshi (teacher in Chinese) argues that people-to-people exchanges between India and China have suffered due to the deteriorating state of bilateral ties. He also believes that India sees US-China rivalry as a strategic opportunity to rise as a great power and seeks to please the US at the expense of China-India relations. Advertisement According to him, the regrettable situation in [bilateral ties], especially in terms of cultural and humanistic exchanges, is closely related to changes in Indias domestic politics [and] the rise of Hindu nationalism. He goes one step further to criticise Indias civilisational worldview as a vishwaguru and accuses it of lacking a tradition of real historical research and serious historical records. Indias critique, as per Liu Laoshis analysis, lies at three levels. Geopolitically, he dismisses India as a strategic appendage of the United States, unable to act in its own national interest. In domestic politics, he attributes right-wing populism and PM Modis Hindu nationalism to the pursuit of aggressive foreign policy. Civilisationally, he narrowly interprets the concept of vishwaguru as world teacher and falls into the trap of buying Western narratives of Indian civilisation. Though he calls China open and inclusive and good at learning from other civilisations, he forgets that India has been a shruti-smriti (listening-remembering) civilisation. His accusation of Indias lack of written historical research is surprising and reflects Chinas civilisational closeness to seeing others in the image of self. However, he is not alone. Many Chinese academics in the last five years have taken similar lines in their analysis of India-China relations, especially since the border standoff in April 2020. Instead of blanket labelling them as propagandists of the CCP, it is important to point out that they risk groupthink in their own strategic analysis of India. They must realise that it is detrimental to India-China ties and the interests of both countries. Advertisement Watching India with American Lens After the Cold War, the dominance of the US was the single most significant factor in shaping Chinas foreign policy. Strategists like Michael Pillsbury and Rush Doshi have provided detailed insights based on personal experiences and primary sources to show how China, after the 1990s, has sought to replace the US as the leading player in Asia. The Chinese strategic worldview is most receptive to how the US thinks and acts. Thus, it has also seen India in the same light in the last three decades. Despite PM Vajpayee naming China as the reason behind Indias nuclearisation in 1998, China did not destabilise the Himalayan borders because it was still recovering from the Third Taiwan Straits Crisis and preparing the ground for the US-China Relations Act of 2000. Advertisement There were no strong objections from China to the India-US Civil Nuclear Deal (2008) because it could not risk antagonising the US amidst President Hu Jintaos Peaceful Rise narrative. Today, their Foreign Ministry Spokesperson reacts adversely to the smallest developments in the India-US relationship. Chinas aggressive inroads in the Indian subcontinent and the Belt and Road Initiative came only in the mid-2010s, when the Obama Administration had already decided to Pivot to Asia . Significant border transgressions, such as Doklam (2017), coincide with President Trumps disruptive approach to China, and the recent border standoffs occurred when US-China relations were in their worst phase. Contrary to the conventional logic of accommodating one adversary when competing with the other, China becomes hostile to the US and India simultaneously. It is a strong indication that China wears an American lens when dealing with India and sees it as a colluder with the US. Advertisement Chinas Civilisational Myopia China is most hypocritical in its perceptions of Indias domestic policy and civilisational worldview. Responding to the Wests allegation of authoritarianism and human rights, Chinese leaders have echoed many times that countries have a right to decide their form of governance as per the needs of the people. Chinas socialist system is a punching bag for the West and is often called oppressive and totalitarian. Until PM Modi suffered a setback in the 2024 general elections, Indias legitimate and democratically-elected government was also being undermined every other day by the Western media. It is duplicitous to see China extend similar treatment to India, a fellow non-Western country. Advertisement Under the Modi government, the Vishwaguru jibe is often used as a sarcastic dismissal of Indias global aspirations and quest for status. How can a mere $2,500 per capita GDP have anything to teach and offer the world? Irrespective of Indias capacity to be a vishwaguru, the Chinese would find that one need not be a teacher in the orthodox sense to guide and learn only if they could remember their own heritage. Confucius once said, If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. Like Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara delayed his own nirvana to help the other earthbound fellows attain the knowledge, India supplied COVID-19 vaccines to 101 countries at the cost of delaying the inoculation of its own masses. This vishwa bandhu zeal is not new. China should remember how even a colonised India sent a medical unit under Dwarkanath Kotnis to help the Peoples Liberation Army in the Second Sino-Japanese War of 1938. However, the Chinese civilisation is still traumatised by the Century of Humiliation and seeks retribution from the West, particularly the US. The Three Shoulds and One Must Indias global aspirations are the international manifestation of Swami Vivekanandas words, Strength is goodness, weakness is sin, because, in world politics, only material strength and diplomatic boldness are respected. No one should understand this better than China. China should know that it has to live and co-exist with India, even if it drives the US away from Asia. Ancient civilisations thought not in years but in decades and centuries, so the following Three Shoulds would help China stabilise its relationship with India and attain a peaceful co-existence. First, China should see its ties with India and the US separately. India is an autonomous power that does not subscribe to the ally-adversary dichotomy. It should also have the same regard for Indias strategic space in the subcontinent as it expects the West to do so in Taiwan and East Asia. Second, China should realise that, like all rising powers, Indias recourse to nationalism reflects its global aspirations, fuelled by its economic prospects and aspirational youth. As it adopted Soviet-style Communism with Chinese characteristics, India would also infuse liberal democracy with its millennia-old values. Third, as one of the two surviving ancient civilisations, China should see the Indian worldview to ensure its knowledge vacuum is not filled by superficial narratives advanced by vested interests in the West. It would only lead to strategic miscalculations and push India further away from China. Before these Three Shoulds, there is One Must that China needs to acknowledge if it genuinely seeks a rapprochement with India. China must realise that cultural and economic exchanges can only take place when countries do not threaten each others security and political stability. Therefore, maintaining peace and tranquillity at the borders is fundamental for any normalisation of India-China relations. The author is pursuing PhD at Indiana University Bloomington and is currently a Summer Visiting Scholar at the Vivekananda International Foundation. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Situated in southwest Cambodia's Sihanoukville, the Chinese-invested coal power plant has not only supplied reliable electricity to the national grid, but also provided technical skills to local talents. Put into operation in December 2022, the 2350 MW coal power plant, a subsidiary of the Huadian Overseas Investment Company, is the largest power generation project in the Southeast Asian country, with the highest level of environmental protection. Hiy Phearey, a 23-year-old technical controller at the Huadian Sihanoukville Power Generation Co., Ltd., said he had been well-trained in technical skills and Chinese proficiency before starting his job. "The company has provided us with training in Chinese proficiency for three months and technical skills for one month before offering us the jobs," he told Xinhua on Thursday. "The benefits I've got from this job are knowledge in Chinese language and specific technical skills as well as subsequent training on new techniques," he added. This undated aerial drone photo shows the Huadian Sihanoukville Power Generation Co., Ltd. in Sihanoukville, southwest Cambodia.(Huadian Sihanoukville Power Generation Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua) Phearey said prior to working in the plant, he worked as an electrician in the capital Phnom Penh, with a small salary. "Working at this plant, we get decent salaries, and we don't spend any money on accommodation and meals because the company has provided us with these for free," he said. He said his current salary is more than enough for monthly expenses, so he can send a portion of his salary to his parents in his hometown in northwest Pursat province. "For my salary, I can save between 400 U.S. dollars and 500 U.S. dollars per month," he said. Phin Engsiv, a 21-year-old laboratory technician at the Huadian Sihanoukville Power Generation Co., Ltd., said she is in charge of testing the quality of fuel, coal and water. She said that prior to her job, the firm had sent her to learn Chinese language for three months, covering all her expenses on tuition fees, accommodation and meals. "The company has also trained me on some technical skills, work safety, and control system in the power plant," she told Xinhua. "I am very happy to work here because the job is very stable, all colleagues are good, and the superiors have also treated me as a valuable asset," Engsiv said. Ho Chhunlim, a 25-year-old Khmer-Chinese translator at the Huadian Sihanoukville Power Generation Co., Ltd., said the plant is the largest power generation project in Cambodia, with high technologies in producing and supplying electricity. This undated aerial drone photo shows the Huadian Sihanoukville Power Generation Co., Ltd. in Sihanoukville, southwest Cambodia. (Huadian Sihanoukville Power Generation Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua) "The plant has not only contributed to Cambodia's socio-economic development, but also promoted friendship between Cambodian and Chinese people," he told Xinhua. "Working here, I have learned a lot about electrical engineering skills and communication skills with state institutions," Chhunlim said. He suggests that the Chinese government encourage more Chinese enterprises to come and invest in Cambodia, saying that the kingdom has full peace, security, and stability. The power plant is one of many Chinese-invested mega-projects in Cambodia under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Ky Sereyvath, director-general of the Institute of China Studies at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said under the BRI, China has carried out many mega-projects such as roads, bridges, ports, airports, power plants, and economic zones in Cambodia. "These projects have provided and will continue to provide great benefits for Cambodia," he told Xinhua. Sereyvath said Chinese assistance and investment have played a crucial role in supporting Cambodia's socio-economic development and poverty reduction through generating hundreds of thousands of jobs for local people. June 8, 2024: The IEA (Islamic Emirate Afghanistan) government praised neighboring Kazakhstan for accepting the current Afghan government rather than considering it a terrorist organization. At the same time the IEA continues its policy of limiting education for women. Currently girls must leave school when they reach 12 years of age. For the third year in a row, women were not allowed to take university entrance examinations. Women continue to be banned from working outside their homes. Over the last few decades many Afghan women have been educated and found jobs in the economy. Banning women from these jobs disrupted the efficient operation of the economy. IEA leaders refuse to recognize this problem, much less fix it. Pakistan continues complaining to the Afghanistan government about tolerating TTP (Pakistani Taliban) forces operating against Pakistan from bases across the border inside Afghanistan. The TTP not only attacks Pakistani soldiers and border guards, but also Chinese technicians supervising the construction of the Desu Dam as a major source of hydroelectric power. A recent TTP attack used a suicide car bomb, driven by an Afghan to kill five Chinese engineers and their Pakistani driver. Soldiers and police arrested eleven people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where the attack took place. This sort of violence has become more common since August 2021 when the elected IRA (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) collapsed and was replaced by the Pakistani-backed IEA. It was the Pakistani military that backed the Taliban and the Afghan heroin cartels. Over the last few years, Pakistans military has found a way to run Pakistans government without a coup and all the resulting criticism and foreign sanctions. The defeat of the IRA was accomplished via corruption, intimidation, disruption of the economy and a bungled U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The original withdrawal plan was for a thousand or more U.S. and NATO troops to remain to advise and train IRA security forces and monitor the corruption. The IRA wanted to survive but to do that they had to keep receiving billions a year from foreign donors, mainly the United States. Refusal to cooperate meant termination of aid and nearly all the foreigners would leave. The Americans got a new government in early 2021 and that led to fatal changes to the withdrawal plan. Everyone was ordered out but were given three additional months to do it. That gave Pakistan and the Taliban an opportunity to increase their pressure on the IRA, which now rightly believed the Americans were going to abandon them. The new IEA declared a great victory but found that few people, not even most Afghans, saw this as a win. Foreign aid ceased. Nearly $10 billion of IRA cash held in foreign banks, in an effort to reduce corruption, was frozen and no one would recognize the IEA as the successor to the IRA. By 2024 was clear that the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan government was as corrupt as its predecessor. Foreign aid was stolen and sold in markets rather than delivered to Afghans in remote areas who were starving because of poor harvests and bandits operating freely on most roads in rural Afghanistan. Since 2021 few rural areas in Afghanistan were receiving enough food aid to feed a population that was increasingly unemployed because of IEA mismanagement of the economy. IEA leaders attributed the problems to bandits or inept locals. Since the IEA took power, Afghanistans banks suffered a panic among their depositors, who rushed to withdraw their money before the new government imposed restrictions. The Afghan banks handled the distribution of foreign aid, which before 2021 accounted for 40 percent of the GDP. Countries in the region expected the IEA to collapse in a few years and leave the country a narco-state without any effective central government. Drug production in Afghanistan depends on the Pakistan military for support. The drugs are winning as they usually do wherever they get established. There are not too many narco-states because they all follow the same script. Eventually locals get fed up with the local violence and the growing number of addicts. That leads to more violence and the drug gangs are crushed although usually not completely eliminated. Eventually can take a long time and such is the case with Afghanistan. Compare that to how it worked in Colombia after 2000, and Burma after World War II and Iran in the 1950s. The only thing that nearly everyone in Afghanistan can agree on is that opium and heroin are bad. Nearly ten percent of the population is addicted to opiates and another ten percent profits from or even become very wealthy by managing the drug trade. Most Afghans consider drug gangs the biggest threat and these are largely run and staffed, like the IEA, by Pushtun tribesmen from four southern provinces. The Pakistani-backed Afghan Taliban want to create a heroin-producing Islamic terrorist and gangster sanctuary in Afghanistan. If you want to know how that works, look at Chechnya in the late 1990s and Somalia or Yemen in the early 21st century. No one has come up with any cheap, fast, or easy solution for that. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's core problem is that there is no longer a united Afghanistan, merely a collection of tribes more concerned with tribal issues than anything else. The IEA runs Kabul, the largest city in Afghanistan, but not much outside Kabul besides some major cities in other provinces. Since 2021 new resistance groups have formed and made it increasingly difficult for IEA forces to operate outside major cities, especially the capital Kabul. Those are the NRF National Resistance Front), the AFF (Afghanistan Freedom Front) and the ALM (Afghanistan Liberation Movement). The only organized opposition to IEA rule is a successor to the 1990s Northern Alliance. This new anti-Taliban group reassembled in 2022 as the NRF (National Resistance Front), and initially appeared to be a major threat to IEA rule. NRF leaders blame the United States and the former IRA government. Both misjudged and mishandled efforts to deal with the ISIL and TTP (Pakistani Taliban) presence inside Afghanistan. Now the resistance to the revived Taliban rule in Afghanistan is opposed by an updated version of the pre-September 11, 2001, Afghan resistance. This time the United States was not interested in trying to remove a pro-Islamic terrorist government in Afghanistan. Some of the NRF leaders are sons of successful Northern Alliance commanders. Iran threatened to provide more support to the NRF than they gave the Northern Alliance. By late 2022 the NRF dominated Panjshir province (northeast of Kabul) and believed they could resist any IEA attack. That was optimistic because IEA forces suffered some losses initially but soon turned that around and inflicted heavy losses on NRF in terms of gunmen, territory, and local support. Now the NRF is based in northern neighbor Tajikistan and only conducts raids into Afghanistan. This was not a repeat of the 1990s when the Northern Alliance dominated the Panjshir Valley (a 90-minute drive from Kabul) right up to the defeat of the Taliban government after September 2001. Northern Front leaders became members of the IRA government and now their sons reassembled as the NRF, which had some initial success but no staying power. Not enough Panjshir Valley residents are willing to die opposing the ruthless IEA government. The remaining resistance fighters have moved north to Tajikistan. As in the Trump trial and verdict (and possibly even sentencing), the unexpected should be expected even in the Biden case read more There must have been a feeling of schadenfreude in the Trump camp as the Hunter Biden case began in Delaware this week. The troubled son of US President Joe Biden is on trial for three felonies arising from a 2018 gun purchase while he was still a drug addict. He is accused of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on an application by saying he was not a drug addict at the time and therefore illegally keeping that gun for 11 days. Advertisement And so, its the turn of the Bidens to come to court, a week after Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts in a case that many legal commentators had said was weak. Even though the Manhattan District Attorney, an elected Democrat, could not prove what specific additional crime was facilitated by the payment of hush money to Stormy Daniels by Trumps former lawyer which was allegedly paid back as legal fees, the jury found him guilty. In both trials, several points are intriguingly similar. In the spotlight are the privileged families of the two contenders for the White House in November 2024, although the accused are, in one case the candidate himself and in the other, his only surviving son. Moreover, the judges presiding over these trials supposedly belong to political camps opposite to the defendants, as indeed do the prosecutors. Indians like to believe judges do not have political views! The judge in the Biden case, Juan Merchan was elevated to the bench first by New Yorks mayor and then further up by the state governor, both Democrats. It was also found that he had contributed, albeit laughably paltry, sums to the 2020 Biden campaign and to an outfit called Stop Republicans. New York follows the guidelines of the American Bar Association barring judges from donating to political parties or candidates, but he was never censured. So, Merchan was not asked to recuse himself from the case either, despite Trump being the lightning rod for anti-Republican sentiment. And no matter how much Trump tried to protest a bias, it fell on deaf ears both in judicial circles and the media. Now the shoe is on the other foot as both federal judges in the Hunter Biden casesone in Delaware and the other in Californiaare Trump appointees and cannot now be shoved aside on the same argument. Advertisement Federal judges Maryellen Noreika of Wilmington, Delaware, and Mark Scarsi of Los Angeles, California are both former patent lawyers and are therefore presumed to be sticklers for detail and fine print. Noreika is the judge for the gun trial while Scarsi will preside over the trial in which Biden junior stands accused of failing to pay taxes between 2016 and 2019, which begins in September. Both come at a crucial time in Bidens re-election campaign. But as Indians well know, there are other ways to manage a trial. And more so in the US where 12 ordinary peoplea jury comprising the accuseds supposed peersdecide the verdict. The Biden clan is arguably the most prominent political family in the small state of Delaware, like the Lalu Prasad Yadav parivar in Bihar. And they turned up in force for the first day of Hunter Bidens trial, complete with the intimidating Secret Service bandobast. Advertisement The Trump family had paced their appearances in court during the seven-week trial of the former President, but those gathered there were less than awestruck, unlike Delawareans. After all, New York and New Yorkers are a different ballgame. Besides, the Bidens aura in Delaware is unlike the Trumps standing in New York. So, the Trump lineup in a Manhattan court could not have had the same impact as the strong Biden turnout in Wilmington. Although Stormy Daniels provided the court plenty of titillating testimony about her alleged steamy encounters with Trump (which he still denies) the Biden trial seems more like an American afternoon TV soap opera in the genre of Dynasty or Bold and the Beautiful. But the Trump family and Republican supporters will note that the Biden saga has not attracted the kind of adverse comments that the Trump familys complicated family tree invariably does. Advertisement US First Lady Jill Biden was there on the first day in an eye-catching purple trouser suit with daughter Ashley (Hunters half-sister), current daughter-in-law Melissa Cohen Biden and other family members including Hunters own son-in-law. And when the trial began the next day, Hunter Bidens ex-wife Kathleen Buhle arrived as a prosecution witness, as did his brother Beaus widow Hallie who was also his lover at the time he was a drug addict. There was also the wealthy Hollywood lawyer Kevin Morris whose constant presence in Biden Juniors life since 2019 has popularized a rather uncommon descriptorsugar brother. Morris has been bankrolling the First Sons lavish lifestyle, to the extent of even paying his taxes and buying the paintings he made. One of the many other ways he has helped Hunter is by providing him a private jet to fly to Arkansas to appear in a child support case. Advertisement A former girlfriend had a daughter there, now five years old, whose paternity Hunter denied until DNA proved it. The matter has now been privately settled with him agreeing on an undisclosed sum of money and some of his paintings but also a proviso that the girl will never use the Biden surname. The senior Bidens reportedly do not regard her as a grand-daughter. But Trumps alleged paternity accusations have not been so soft-pedalled by the media! Indians will understand the pressure on the jurors in Wilmington which the US media repeatedly describes as a small town. Even the Yadavs standing in Patna may not be comparable to the Biden heft in a town with a population of less than 75,000. Can a jury of Wilmingtonians remain immune to that while deciding if a Biden lied when he ticked no on a query in a gun application form asking if he was a drug user, which three exes have testified he was? Both the Biden and Trump trials concern felonies that when committed by ordinary people usually do not come to trial or lead to jail terms in case of a guilty verdict. But in both cases, the accused are not ordinary, the situation is not ordinary either, given that the presidential elections are round the corner. So as in the Trump trial and verdict (and possibly even sentencing) the unexpected should be expected even in the Biden case. Schadenfreude all round. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The group suspected to have carried out the attack, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), has links with the global terrorist organisation ISIS read more Congo has had troubles from attacks by the ISIS-linked (Representative Photo of Congo security personnel deployed against ADF, Credit: Reuters) Suspected Islamist rebels killed at least 10 people in an overnight attack on a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a local official and a civil society leader said on Saturday. Armed men attacked the village of Masala in Beni territory, which lies in North Kivu province, overnight on Friday, military administrator Charles Euta Omeonga told Reuters by phone. Civil society leader Justin Kavalami said the attack was carried out by members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the same group that a local official accused of being behind another village assault that killed at least 16 people earlier this week. Advertisement Kavalami said more than 13 people were killed in the Masala attack. The ADF originates from neighbouring Uganda. Now based in eastern Congo, it has pledged allegiance to Islamic State and mounts frequent attacks, further destabilising a region where many militant groups are active. It was not possible to reach the ADF for comment. Cameron is not the first British foreign minister to be caught out by a hoax. In 2018 then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson discussed international relations and rude poetry with a hoax caller who pretended to be the Armenian prime minister. In 2022, Britain blamed Russia for hoax calls to two ministers and an attempted call to a third. read more Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron fell victim to a hoax involving a fake video call and text messages from someone impersonating Petro Poroshenko, the former president of Ukraine, according to reports. In a move to prevent any potential misuse or manipulation of the footage from the hoax, the Foreign Office issued a statement detailing the incident. The statement explained that some text messages were exchanged, followed by a brief video call between the Foreign Secretary and an individual falsely claiming to be Petro Poroshenko. Advertisement A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said that the call took place in recent days and was brief but did not elaborate on the party behind the impersonation or how they had Camerons contact details, the news service reported. Whilst regretting his mistake, the Foreign Secretary thinks it important to call out this behaviour and increase efforts to counter the use of misinformation, the foreign office said. The statement gave no details of what was discussed during the exchanges, other than to say that the caller asked Cameron for others contact details. The foreign office said Cameron was making the hoax public in case the video of the Foreign Secretary is manipulated and subsequently used, and to ensure that others are aware of this risk. Cameron is not the first British foreign minister to be caught out by a hoax. In 2018 then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson discussed international relations and rude poetry with a hoax caller who pretended to be the Armenian prime minister. In 2022, Britain blamed Russia for hoax calls to two ministers and an attempted call to a third. With inputs from agencies. The European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR), led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is expected to win 76 of 720 seats in the European Parliaments elections, as per a poll of polls read more Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni could emerge as kingmaker in the ongoing European Parliaments elections. Even though the right-wing parties are not projected to win a majority in the European Parliament, they are projected to make substantial gains. The European Parliament is the top lawmaking body of the 27-member bloc European Union (EU). As Italy has 76 of the 720 seats, Meloni could have a substantial role in propping the majority and deciding whether current EU President Ursula von der Leyen will get another term. Advertisement While Von der Leyen has expressed her disdain for pro-Russia far-right parties of Europe in Germany, France, and Hungary, she has been vocal in working with Meloni whom she has described as clearly pro-European. Von der Leyens party, the European Peoples Party (EPP), is expected to emerge as the largest party. Whether it wins a majority and whether Meloni supporters it in case there is no majority remains to be seen. As per the latest poll of the polls by Politico, the Meloni led EU bloc European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR) is projected to win 76 seats. Giorgia Meloni projects herself as Europes conservative leader In the European Parliaments elections, Meloni is also on the ballot. Her run, however, is symbolic as she will be required to resign immediately as the Member of European Parliament (MEP) in case she is elected as the rules do not allow a sitting European minister to be an MEP. Melonis run is being as an attempt to boost her party, Brothers of Italy (FdL), in Italy and in Europe. Lately, Meloni has projected herself as the conservative leader of Europe. She has said that she seeks to replicate the Italian policies across the continent. Previously, Meloni has said that she was contesting the European Parliamentary elections as she saw herself as the leader of European conservatives and wanted to have a decisive role in changing the course of European politics. Advertisement Im doing it because I want to ask Italians if they are satisfied with the work we are doing in Italy and that were doing in EuropeIm doing it because in addition to being president of Brothers of Italy Im also the leader of the European conservatives who want to have a decisive role in changing the course of European politics, said Meloni at a party conference in April, according to the AFP. Meloni further said that she wants to do in Europe exactly what we did in Italy. We want to do in Europe exactly what we did in Italy on September 25, 2022 creating a majority that brings together the forces of the right to finally send the left into opposition, even in Europe, said Meloni. Advertisement Meloni a pro-Europeamn leader EU President Von der Leyen has described Meloni as a pro-European leader. Von der Leyens comments carry weight at a time when several right-wing parties and leaders, some of them on the far-right of the spectrum, have been openly supportive of Russia even as Europe faces its most serious security threat from the country since the World War II. Von der Leyen has labelled such parties as puppets of Putins. She has said she will not cooperate with French far-right leader Marine Le Pen of National Rally (RN) party and Germanys AfD. Regarding Meloni, however, she has said, She is clearly pro-European, against Putin, shes been very clear on that one, and pro-rule of law, if this holds, and then we offer to work together. Advertisement Even as Meloni is often described as a far-right leader in the press, her foreign policy is in line with the mainstream European policy. She has been supportive of the aid of Ukraine and is in sync with the situation in the Middle East crisis as well. That makes her much more acceptable for moderates than the likes of AfD, RN, or Fidesz party or Hungarys leader Viktor Orban. Colombia, the worlds fifth largest coal producer, sent 56.7 million metric tons of coal abroad last year, including 3 million tons to Israel, about 5.4% of total exports, according to government data. read more In a bid to pressure the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the conflict in Gaza, Colombia is set to impose a ban on coal exports to Israel. The ministers of foreign affairs, finance, energy and trade decided to halt sales of the fuel to the Jewish state, according to a draft decree published Friday on Colombias trade minis. President Gustavo Petro, who has already severed diplomatic ties with Israel in May over the Gaza conflict, is now considering this additional economic measure. Advertisement However, this proposed ban has sparked controversy within Colombia. The countrys private mining association voiced strong opposition late Thursday, arguing that such a ban would violate international trade agreements and undermine market confidence and foreign investment. They stressed that disrupting coal exports could have serious repercussions for the economy and Colombias standing in global markets. Bloomberg reported that this potential prohibition follows a series of diplomatic tensions between Colombia and Israel, initiated by President Petros administration, which has adopted a critical stance towards Israels actions in Gaza. The proposed ban on coal, a significant export commodity, is seen as a further step in Colombias effort to exert international pressure. The unfolding situation highlights the complex interplay between diplomatic policy and economic interests, with Colombia weighing its moral and political positions against the potential economic fallout from disrupting its coal exports. A source at the commerce ministry told Reuters there currently exists no order, resolution or decree which would prohibit or restrict coal exports to Israel. Petro has strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Colombia has requested to join South Africas genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Colombia, the worlds fifth largest coal producer, sent 56.7 million metric tons of coal abroad last year, including 3 million tons to Israel, about 5.4% of total exports, according to government data. Advertisement This decision would not comply with international commitments by Colombia that should be respected and puts at risk the confidence of markets and foreign investment, the Colombian Mining Association (ACM) said in a statement. Israel is a key destination for Colombian coal and shipments there generate about $165 million a year in taxes, royalties and other contributions. A free trade agreement between Israel and Colombia has been in force since 2020 and the ACM said that deal prevents imports and export restrictions between the two countries. With inputs from Reuters. Singh, who was in Punjab for two weeks during the general elections, said that the allegations appearing in the west of a compromised Election Commission and malfunctioning voting machines have been proven baseless, underscoring the legitimacy and fairness of the elections in the country read more Prominent Indian-American leader Jasdeep Singh Jassee said the recently concluded polls in India have not only highlighted the robust electoral process in the country but also sent a powerful message to the world about the resilience and vibrancy of its democracy. Despite a wave of scepticism from the Western media regarding the integrity of Indias democratic processes, the results have decisively dispelled such doubts, Sikhs for America leader Jasdeep Singh Jassee told PTI in an interview. Advertisement Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to take oath for a third consecutive term, a first in over 60 years. Singh, who was in Punjab for two weeks during the general elections, said that the allegations appearing in the west of a compromised Election Commission and malfunctioning voting machines have been proven baseless, underscoring the legitimacy and fairness of the elections in the country. The people of India, through their votes, have demonstrated that they prioritise the nations overall development. Indian democracy has emerged more mature and it has strengthened as a result of the latest elections, Singh said. Responding to a question on Punjab, Singh said the elections have further debunked allegations of human rights violations and curbs on freedom. Showing the inclusiveness of Indias democratic framework, he said that Amritpal Singh, a radical pro-Khalistan separatist, participated and won the poll from jail. Additionally, the son of Beant Singh, who assassinated Indira Gandhi, also contested and won, Singh said. Batting for the prime ministers leadership for its fast-track development in India, Singh said, There is optimism that Modis third term will bring stability and further economic development. The relationship between the United States and India would continue to improve. He added that although the BJP did not win any seat in Punjab, the party saw a significant increase in its vote share, which is about 23 per cent, more than that of the Shiromani Akali Dal. This surge in support is a testament to the partys growing influence and sets a strong foundation for future electoral contests in the state, he said. In a new truce bid, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Israel and key regional partners Egypt, Jordan and Qatar from Monday on his eighth Middle East trip since the war began, the State Department said. read more FILE - The image provided by U.S, Central Command, shows U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), U.S. Navy sailors assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion 1, and Israel Defense Forces placing the Trident Pier on the coast of Gaza Strip on May 16, 2024. - AP Israeli forces bombarded a Gaza refugee camp Friday after a deadly strike on a UN-school there, as the war sparked by Hamass unprecedented attack on Israel entered its ninth month. Efforts to mediate the first ceasefire in the bloody conflict since a week-long pause in November appear to have stalled, only a week after US President Joe Biden offered a new roadmap. Hamas has yet to respond to Bidens proposal, while Israel has expressed openness to discussions but remains committed to destroying the Palestinian Islamist group. In a new truce bid, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Israel and key regional partners Egypt, Jordan and Qatar from Monday on his eighth Middle East trip since the war began, the State Department said. Advertisement As Gaza faced Israeli attacks from land, sea, and air on Friday, witnesses said the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza was hit again, a day after the Israeli strike on the UN-run school. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in nearby Deir al-Balah said at least 37 people were killed in Thursdays air strike, which the Israeli military said targeted terrorists hiding in three classrooms. On Friday the military as well as the Hamas-run government media office reported another Israeli strike on a school run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, in Al-Shati refugee camp. The army said the strike targeted Hamas militants operating from a container on the northern Gaza school grounds. An AFP photographer saw Palestinians inspecting the remains of the charred container after the strike that the media office said killed three people. - Strikes across Gaza - UNRWA said hundreds of displaced Gazans were sheltering at the Nuseirat school targeted Thursday, which was hit without prior warning. Presumed relatively safe from Israeli bombardment, many UNRWA facilities across Gaza have become shelters for civilians. But the agencys spokeswoman Juliette Touma told AFP Friday that over 180 UNRWA facilities have been hit since the war began. Israel accuses Hamas and its allies in Gaza of using schools, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure, including UN-run facilities, as operational centres charges the militants deny. Advertisement A separate Israeli strike late Thursday killed Nuseirat mayor Iyad al-Mughari as he visited a water pumping station, a municipality spokesman said Friday. Israels military said it would publish a statement about the strike. Witnesses also reported Israeli strikes east of Deir al-Balah and intensive fire near the Bureij camp. Israels military said it eliminated dozens of terrorists in eastern Bureij and Deir al-Balah, where a hospital source said a strike on the Wafati home in nearby Maghazi camp killed six people. The military also released footage of soldiers in the southern city of Rafah. Fighter jets targeted Al-Sultan neighbourhood, said sources in the city bordering Egypt. Advertisement Gaza also came under fire from the sea, with warships bombarding areas west of Gaza City, an AFP correspondent said. Osama al-Kahlut of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said occupation forces and snipers east of Deir al-Balah were firing on people along Gazas main thoroughfare. Gunfire on Salaheddin Street has severely restricted peoples movement, and several wounded people have been evacuated from the area, he told AFP. - Israeli isolation - The war was sparked by Hamass October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Militants also took 251 hostages, 120 of whom remain in Gaza, including 41 the army says are dead. Advertisement Israels retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 36,731 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry. Israel has faced growing diplomatic isolation, with international court cases accusing it of war crimes and several European countries recognising a Palestinian state. Israels UN envoy, Gilad Erdan, said Friday he was disgusted that the Israeli military will be on an upcoming United Nations list of countries and armed forces that fail to protect children during war. The annual UN report, which highlights human rights violations against children in conflict zones, is expected to be published by the end of June. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has meanwhile accepted an invitation from US lawmakers to address Congress on July 24, a congressional source said. Advertisement A week ago, Biden outlined what he labelled an Israeli plan to halt the fighting for six weeks while hostages are exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and the delivery of aid into besieged Gaza is stepped up. G7 powers and Arab states have backed the proposal, with 16 world leaders joining Bidens call for Hamas to accept the deal. There is no time to lose. We call on Hamas to close this agreement, the joint statement said. - Aid pier reestablished - Egypts state-linked Al-Qahera news quoted a high-level source Thursday saying Cairo had received positive signs from the Palestinian movement signalling its aspiration for a ceasefire. But Beirut-based senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan cast doubt on Bidens proposal, calling it just words. Qatar said Thursday Hamas has not yet given its response to the truce plan. Major sticking points include Hamas insisting on a permanent truce and full Israeli withdrawal demands Israel has rejected. On his visit, Blinken will emphasise the importance of Hamas accepting the proposal on the table which would benefit both Israelis and Palestinians, said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. The conflict has laid waste much of the Gaza Strip, uprooted most of its 2.4 million people and put them at risk of starvation. The UNs labour agency said Friday the war had caused loss of jobs and livelihoods on a massive scale, with nearly 80 percent of Gazans now unemployed. As aid entering Gaza has slowed to a trickle, a temporary pier meant to boost humanitarian shipments by sea has been successfully reestablished after suffering storm damage, the US military said Friday. Israel says more than 130 hostages remain, with about a quarter of those believed dead, and divisions are deepening in the country over the best way to bring them home. read more Israeli forces have successfully rescued four hostages from the central Gaza Strip, the military announced on Saturday. The operation resulted in the safe retrieval of three men and one woman who had been abducted during the Nova music festival on October 7. Following their rescue, the hostages were immediately transported to a hospital for thorough medical examinations. The army said it rescued Noa Argamani,25, Almog Meir Jan 21, Andrey Kozlov 27, and Shlomi Ziv (40), in a complex special daytime operation in Nuseirat. Advertisement The hostages were rescued in two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat, it said. Hamas kidnapped some 250 hostages during its attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. About half were released in a weeklong cease-fire in November. These rescued ones were among those taken captive during a series of violent incidents at the Nova festival, which marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The festival, intended to be a peaceful gathering, became a tragic event when armed militants stormed the venue, leading to the kidnapping of several attendees. The rescue operation is part of Israels broader efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by militants. The retrieval of these four individuals represents a critical success amidst the larger, complex conflict and humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. Israeli military operations have been intensified in Gaza to locate and free the remaining hostages while aiming to curb militant activities. Israel says more than 130 hostages remain, with about a quarter of those believed dead, and divisions are deepening in the country over the best way to bring them home. The ongoing captivity and the complex nature of the hostages situation continue to deeply impact Israeli society and influence the broader dynamics of the conflict with Hamas. Israel has rescued four hostages taken by Hamas at a music festival in southern Israel during the October 7 terrorist attack last year read more Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh has lived in Qatar for the past many years (Photo: Reuters) The terrorist group Hamas has vowed to keep fighting after Israel rescued four hostages. Earlier in the day, Israel announced that it has rescued four hostages from two locations in Nuseirat in Central Gaza. They were among more than 250 people abducted by Hamas during its October 7 attack and taken to Gaza as hostages. After the Israeli military announced the rescue on Saturday, Qatar-based Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said the group will never surrender. Advertisement Our people will not surrender, and the resistance will continue to defend our rights in the face of this criminal enemy and if the occupation believes that it can impose its choices on us by force, it is delusional, and the movement will not agree to any agreement that does not achieve security for our people first and foremost, said Haniyeh in a statement, according to The Jerusalem Post. Haniyeh went on to claim that the Israeli military was carrying out massacres in Gaza, including in Nuseirat from where the four hostages were rescued. [Israel] continues the massacres against our people, children and women, the chapters of which are now taking place in Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah, said Haniyeh, as per The Post. Rare moment of unity as 4 hostages return home The day marked a rare moment of unity in Israel as the nation largely welcomed the return of four hostages. For several months, Israel has been weighed down by the failure of the war, deep domestic divisions, and ever-increasing international isolation where it is losing allies and is being indicted by every institution from the United Nations (UN) to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). At such a time, the news of the rescue of four hostages has served as a rare moment of unity. Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40) were rescued in a special operation by the IDF, ISA and Israel Police from 2 separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat after being kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival. They are in good pic.twitter.com/PnkjL4GRQz Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024 Advertisement Previously, War Cabinet Minister Banny Gantz was to announce his resignation from the government in a speech in the evening, but he postponed the resignation in the wake of the new of the rescue of the hostages. Among the hostages rescued is 25-year-old Noa Argamani who was abducted from the Supernova music festival near Reim in southern Israel. The music festival was the sight of the worst massacre of Hamas where hundreds were killed and abducted. Her video from the time of her abduction was also shared widely around the time of the Hamas attack. A Hamas terrorist was seen forcefully taking her away on a motorcycle. Advertisement ISRAELIS ABDUCTED FROM NOVA FESTIVAL Video taken by Hamas terrorists showing Noa Argamani and her boyfriend taken hostage from Nova Festival Streamed by Hamas on October 7th 2023 #HamasAtrocities #HamasislSIS #HamasMassacre pic.twitter.com/3MfKtgwHbV Hamas Atrocities (@HamasAtrocities) October 31, 2023 Other rescued hostages have been identified as Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40). They were also abducted at the music festiaval. An officer of the Israeli polices counter-terrorism force was killed in the rescue operation. The ground operation to rescue the hostages was accompanied by an aerial bombardment campaign in the area. Advertisement This is only the third instance where Israeli forces have managed to rescue hostages, according to The Times of Israel. The paper said that Ori Megidish, a soldier, was rescued in December. Then, two hostages identified as 61-year-old Fernando Marman and 70-year-old Louis Har were rescued in February. The Israeli militarys failure to rescue hostages so far has greatly scarred its reputation. The failure to defeat Hamas so far and check the policing the failure to check the resurgence of Hamas in areas previously cleared of the terrorist groups control also continue to plague the Israeli military operations in Gaza. Sabahs minister of tourism, culture and environment Christina Liew said authorities were empowered to act against illegal activities, such as fishing, building structures and farming without permission, in protected areas controlled by Sabah Parks, a state conservation agency read more Smoke rises as a house is demolished in Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Sabah, Malaysia, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video, released on June 4, 2024. Video obtained by Reuters Malaysian authorities defended their decision to evict hundreds of sea nomads from their homes off the coast of Sabah state this week, saying it was aimed at boosting security and combating cross-border crime. More than 500 people from the Bajau Laut, a mostly stateless sea-faring community who live on rickety houseboats or coastal huts built on stilts, saw their homes demolished or burned by enforcement officials this week, local activists have said. Advertisement The operation in Sabahs Semporna district was criticised by rights groups, which called on the government to halt the evictions and ensure the safety and protection of the Bajau Laut. Sabahs minister of tourism, culture and environment Christina Liew said authorities were empowered to act against illegal activities, such as fishing, building structures and farming without permission, in protected areas controlled by Sabah Parks, a state conservation agency. The sovereignty of the countrys laws in this issue must be upheld, she said in a statement on Friday. Liew said evacuation notices were sent to 273 unauthorised settlements last month, with 138 structures demolished between Tuesday and Thursday in hot spots around the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, a tourism attraction known for its diving spots. Citing police sources, Liew alleged that some homeowners had burned their own houses to gain sympathy and go viral on social media. The operation was carried out taking into account security factors, including cross-border crime, she said. Semporna lies on the north-eastern tip of Borneo, bordering the southern Philippines. The Bajau Laut have been recorded living in the area for centuries, but many are born without nationality documents and are regarded by authorities as migrants. Rights group Pusat Komas called on the state to provide alternative homes and address documentation issues to ensure the Bajau Laut received fair treatment and access to essential services. Advertisement Their forced removal raises serious questions about the equitable treatment of ethnic minorities in Malaysia, the group said. As of April, Australia ranked as the Philippines fourth-largest source of imported chicken meat, accounting for 4% of its total volume of chicken imports. The World Health Organization on Friday said the child with H5N1 bird flu reported by Australia last month had traveled to Kolkata. read more The Philippines has banned imports of birds and poultry products from Australia following recent cases of bird flu in the country. Manilas Department of Agriculture said on Saturday that imports from Australia of wild and domestic birds, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen will be immediately stopped, the ministry said on Saturday. As of April, Australia ranked as the Philippines fourth-largest source of imported chicken meat, accounting for 4% of its total volume of chicken imports. The World Health Organization on Friday said the child with H5N1 bird flu reported by Australia last month had traveled to Kolkata. Advertisement H7 bird flu hits another Australian poultry farm A fifth poultry farm near Melbourne has been infected with a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, the government of Australias Victoria state announced on Friday. This farm is situated close to three other farms where the H7N3 strain of avian flu had previously been detected. Authorities noted that this new case was anticipated due to the proximity of the affected farms. In addition to the H7N3 outbreaks, another farm in Victoria has reported an outbreak of a different strain, H7N9. It is important to note that neither the H7N3 nor H7N9 strains are the same as the H5N1 strain, which has caused widespread concern due to its global transmission through bird and mammal populations and its potential to infect humans. Victorias agriculture department is actively managing the situation, implementing measures to contain the spread of these avian flu strains. The focus remains on preventing further outbreaks and protecting both poultry and public health from these highly infectious strains. Does bird flu outbreak pose a risk to humans? Scientists are increasingly vigilant for any signs that the H5N1 bird flu virus, notorious for causing severe and often fatal infections in humans, might be adapting to spread more easily among people. The virus has long been recognized for its pandemic potential due to its high lethality and ability to infect multiple species. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the expanding reach of H5N1 across various species and geographic regions heightens the risk of human infection. Advertisement Though human cases of H5N1 are rare, they are highly concerning due to their severity. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that from 2003 to 2024, there have been 889 confirmed human infections with H5N1, resulting in 463 deaths, a staggering 52% mortality rate. Recent findings show the viruss ability to infect mammals is growing. Evidence indicates that H5N1 can jump between wild birds and cattle, from cow to cow, and from cattle to poultry. Alarmingly, there has also been one documented case of cow-to-human transmission. However, there is no confirmed human-to-human transmission of the virus at this time. Of particular concern is the detection of H5N1 particles in cattle, especially in the context of dairy farming. Scientists suspect that the virus can spread between cattle during the milking process. This could occur through contact with contaminated equipment or aerosolized virus particles during cleaning procedures. The presence of the virus in milk samples has been confirmed by a nationwide survey conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which found H5N1 particles in one out of every five commercial milk samples tested. Advertisement Despite these findings, the FDA assures that there is no evidence suggesting the virus in milk poses a risk to human health, as pasteurization effectively neutralizes the virus. The situation underscores the need for continued monitoring and preventive measures to control the spread of H5N1 and mitigate its risks to public health. France has trained about 10,000 Ukrainian troops since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but has done so within the EU. The new mission would not be under EU or NATO auspices. read more Russia has reopened a major front for months in its war with Ukraine in a move that will stretch Kyivs already undermanned and outgunned forces as they wait for Western weapons. Moscow has reopened a major front for months in its war with Kyiv, launching a massive offensive in north-eastern areas, bordering Russia. The continuous strike intensifies the pressure on Ukraines already stretched forces, which are currently waiting for additional Western military support. Advertisement Concerned over the situation, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that a coalition of countries has agreed to send military trainers to Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Macron hinted that detailed plans for the deployment could materialize in the coming days, although he provided no specific details. This development signals a potential shift among France and its allies toward more direct involvement in supporting Ukraine, including the possibility of placing NATO troops on Ukrainian soila step previously considered too provocative by some, including the United States. Macron described Ukraines request for in-country training as legitimate and said that several countries have already consented to the initiative. Initially, France will send a small contingent to evaluate the missions logistics before deploying several hundred trainers. According to two diplomats, the training will focus on demining operations, maintaining equipment, and providing technical expertise for the Western-supplied aircraft. Additionally, France plans to finance, arm, and train a Ukrainian motorized brigade as part of this effort. These actions underscore a growing commitment from France and other international partners to support Ukraine amid escalating tensions and military engagements in the region. The arrangements are very advanced and we could expect something next week, said one of the sources. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is due in France on June 6, the 80th anniversary of D-day, when Allied soldiers landed in Normandy to drive out Nazi German forces during World War Two. He will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris the next day. Ukraines top commander said on Monday he had signed paperwork allowing French military instructors to visit Ukrainian training centres soon. Advertisement TALK OF A COALITION France has trained about 10,000 Ukrainian troops since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but has done so within the EU. The new mission would not be under EU or NATO auspices, the diplomats said. Speaking after a Franco-German cabinet meeting this week, Macron did not deny the possibility of sending instructors following the Ukrainian comments, saying that he did not comment on rumours or decisions that could come. Frances defence ministry said training on Ukrainian soil was among subjects that had been discussed since February. Like all the projects discussed at that time, this track continues to be the subject of work with the Ukrainians, in particular to understand their exact needs, it said. Advertisement Baltic states have in the past indicated they could join France in such a project. Lithuania is ready to join a coalition led by France for example which would train soldiers in Ukraine, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told Frances LCI television on May 20. EU defence ministers on Tuesday debated the idea of training Ukrainian forces in Ukraine but did not reach a common position, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. With inputs from agencies. Dale Shrull/The Daily Sentinel Zebulon Miracle, pictured to the far right, was the executive director of United Way of Mesa County when he took part on the ribbon cutting of the HomewardBound Resource Center at 216 Ute Ave. He was named the new CEO of Roice-Hurst Human Society on Friday. Also in the photo were, from right, Chris Masters and Bill Wade of HomewardBound, and then-Grand Junction mayor Anna Stout, who stepped down from Roice-Hurst on May 31. June 6 Red Sea Update U.S. Central Command Press Release | June 6, 2024 USCENTCOM June 6, 2024 Release Number 20240606-01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TAMPA, Fla. -- In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed eight Houthi uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen over the Red Sea. Additionally, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed two Houthi uncrewed surface vessels (USV) in the Red Sea. Separately, a coalition ship successfully engaged one UAS launched from a Houthi controlled area of Yemen over the Red Sea. Also, Iranian-backed Houthis launched one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) from a Houthi controlled area of Yemen over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships. It was determined these systems presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. This action was taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vietnam's National Assembly appoints new public security minister Luong Tam Quang was the only person put forward by the prime minister By RFA Vietnamese 2024.06.06 -- Vietnam's National Assembly has approved a resolution to appoint Senior Lt. Gen. Luong Tam Quang as Minister of Public Security for the 2021-2026 tenure. Quang's was the only name put forward by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Thursday ahead of a closed vote later that day. Quang, 58, is a member of the Communist Party Central Committee and was serving as deputy minister of public security. On May 21, the National Assembly relieved then-public security minister To Lam from the position after his election as state president. Hanoi-based political observer Dr. Nguyen Quang A told Radio Free Asia Quang's appointment puts To Lam in a very strong position and it had clearly been the new president's plan all along. "There was unofficial information about a meeting on 'strengthening key leadership positions at the Ministry of Public Security'," he said. "The information, which went viral on social media, originated from a photo of the meeting panel in which participants were said to be the ministry's key personnel and police heads from cities and provinces. "If the MPS Party Committee held such a meeting, To Lam must have been the mastermind because he's still the committee's secretary, although he's no longer the MPS minister." The minister of public security is in charge of police and security forces. They are responsible for the internal security of Vietnam, law enforcement, managing immigration and protecting citizens against external threats. Quang was born in the northern province of Hung Yen. He is a graduate of Vietnam's Public Security Academy. He served as assistant to the deputy minister of public security, then chief of staff and spokesperson of the ministry. In 2019, he became deputy minister of public security and also headed up its Security Investigation Agency. Carl Thayer, emeritus professor at the Australian Defence Force Academy, advised against reading too much into To Lam's choice of successor. "It is normal procedure to include someone from the public security bloc on the Central Committee to fill the vacancy of Minister of Public Security," he said. "As the head of the Ministry's Investigative Security Agency Quang is expected to maintain continuity in the anti-corruption campaign pursued by his former boss. "Minister Quang has wide recent experience in dealing with counterparts in ASEAN." Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Mike Firn. Updated with comments by Carl Thayer. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address African Lion 24 concludes with strategic success across four nations By Capt. Billy Lacroix June 7, 2024 VICENZA, Italy -- African Lion 24, the premier, annual combined joint exercise conducted by U.S. Africa Command, concluded on May 31, 2024, in Morocco. AL24 is U.S. Africa Command's premier joint exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with over 8,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. In Morocco, the exercise took place at various sites, including the Southern Zone Headquarters in Agadir. The Moroccan Royal Armed Forces and U.S. troops engaged in live-fire exercises, combined arms training, and complex tactical operations, fostering a robust military cooperation at every level. The Moroccan landscape provided a versatile training ground, simulating real-world scenarios and testing the capabilities of all participating forces. "This exercise has grown over the years since 2004, not only in the number of multinational service members we train with but also in the scope of the training, which has expanded beyond just security," said Gen. Michael Langley, commander of United States Africa Command. Training and cooperation occurred across the country, and in all military domains linking the full U.S. joint/total force. It included a command post exercise with delegates from 17 participating nations; special operations exercise, air and maritime exercises, a unique HIMARS rapid insertion from a U.S. Marine unit and a humanitarian civic assistance exercise that directly provided medial aid to nearly 10,000 civilians. In Tunisia, infantrymen from 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland National Guard; artillery forces from 2nd Battalion, 258th Field Artillery, New York National Guard; and Marines from 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Marine Corps Forces Reserve, worked alongside Tunisian forces, demonstrating enhanced interoperability. High mobility artillery rocket systems, or HIMARS, provided by 4th Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment, Texas National Guard, repeatedly fired upon high-value targets. "This marks the first time in African Lion's history that HIMARS was used in Tunisia," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kendra Tippett, chief of plans and exercises, SETAF-AF. "It's a major testament to our partnership with the Tunisians and demonstrates our combined commitment to regional security." In Ghana, key activities included a multinational field training exercise, again led by the Maryland Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment; a joint combined staff training on civil affairs and information operations co-led by SETAF-AF and the U.S. Marines 4th Civil Affairs Group; and a complex staff exercise directed by the 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade. "Participating in African Lion 2024 has been an extraordinary experience," said Alex Navarette, SETAF-AF lead exercise planner for the Ghana portion of AL24. "The collaboration and shared commitment between our U.S. and Ghanaian forces have not only enhanced our operational capabilities but also strengthened the bonds of partnership and mutual respect." In Senegal, numerous activities took place during the two-week exercise, including combined infantry tactics also led by Maryland's 1-175th Infantry; a comprehensive staff exercise orchestrated by the 2nd SFAB; and a medical exchange led by U.S. Marine Forces Reserve. The exercise also provided an opportunity for local communities to engage with the visiting forces, helping strengthen civil-military relations. The involvement of the Royal Netherlands Army added another dimension to the training, enhancing the multinational participation in the exercise. "African Lion 2024 offers an excellent training opportunity due to its diverse terrain, challenging climate, and continued potential for international collaboration," noted Capt. Luc Laudy, commander, Delta Company, 44th Armored Infantry Battalion, Royal Netherlands Army. "The lessons learned and relationships forged here will undoubtedly contribute to regional stability and strengthen our preparedness for future challenges." African Lion 24 underscored the strategic importance of multinational exercises in building stronger defense partnerships and enhancing regional security. The diverse training environments and collaborative efforts across four nations provided invaluable experience for all participants, paving the way for future cooperation and joint operations. "The exercise was a resounding success," said Armed Forces of Senegal Col. Theodore Adrien Sarr, battalion commander, 3rd Infantry Battalion. "We've enhanced interoperability and cemented our role as leaders of strategic importance in the region." As the exercise concluded, participants reflected on the significant progress made and the lessons learned. The experience reinforced the importance of interoperability, mutual trust, and shared commitment to security and stability. The closing ceremony, held at the Southern Zone Headquarters in Agadir, Morocco, celebrated the achievements of African Lion 24 and reaffirmed the commitment to ongoing cooperation and readiness. About African Lion 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of AFRICOM's premier and largest annual, combined, joint exercise African Lion. This year's exercise will take place April 19 through May 31 and is hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia with more than 8,100 participants from over 27 nations and contingents from NATO. African Lion 24 focuses on enhancing readiness between the U.S. and partner nation forces. This joint all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants and set the theater for strategic access. About SETAF-AF SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 7, 2024 By C. Todd Lopez, DOD News President Recalls U.S. Military Heroism During WWII at French Ceremony With the English Channel as a backdrop, President Joe Biden today addressed an international audience at Pointe du Hoc in Normandy, France, as part of a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in 1944. On the morning of June 6, Biden said, 225 U.S. Army Rangers arrived by ship at Pointe du Hoc, jumped into the water and took to the beach, scaled the cliff, and against gunfire and grenades, eventually overcame German forces there. "They turned, in that one effort, the tide of the war and began to save the world," Biden said. Today, Biden said, those veterans are gone. But their voices still speak to those who remain behind and who benefit from their sacrifice eight decades later. "I'm here to tell you, with them gone, the wind we hear coming off this ocean will not fade, but will grow louder," he said. "As we gather here today, it's not just to honor those who showed such remarkable bravery on that day, June 6, 1944. It's to listen to the echoes of their voices, to hear them, because they are summoning us, and they are summoning us now. They ask us, what will we do?" Veterans don't ask Americans to do what they did, Biden said, but to do what's right. "They're not asking us to scale these cliffs, but they're asking us to stay true to what America stands for," he said. "They're not asking us to give or risk our lives, but they are asking us to care for others in our country more than ourselves. They're not asking us to do their job, they're asking us to do our job to protect freedom in our time, to defend democracy, to stand up to aggression abroad and at home, to be part of something bigger than ourselves." The United States and its warfighters gave a lot in World War II, Biden said. And the United States today still has a lot to give, he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denmark - AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov Transmittal No: 24-40 WASHINGTON, June 7, 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Denmark of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $215.5 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Denmark has requested to buy eighty-four (84) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and three (3) AIM-120 AMRAAM guidance sections. Also included is the following non-MDE: spare AMRAAM control sections; containers and support equipment; munitions support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables, accessories, and repair and return support; weapons software and support equipment; classified software delivery and support; transportation support; classified publications and technical documentation; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $215.5 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. The proposed sale will improve Denmark's capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring it has modern, capable air-to-air munitions. The sale will further advance the already high level of Danish Air Force interoperability with U.S. Joint Forces and other regional and NATO forces. Denmark already has AMRAAM in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, located in Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Denmark. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military-Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan: Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell on the massacre of Wad al-Noura European External Action Service (EEAS) 07.06.2024 EEAS Press Team The European Union is appalled by credible reports of yet another senseless massacre of over 100 defenceless villagers committed by the Rapid Support Forces in Wad al-Noura, in Al-Jazira State, Sudan. The EU is investing substantially, together with the OHCHR and the UN Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Sudan, in the monitoring and documentation of human rights violations committed by the belligerents since the beginning of the over one-year conflict to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are held fully accountable. Once again, the EU demands an immediate cessation of hostilities and unhindered access for humanitarians. The respect of international law and the protection of civilians must be upheld. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Statement under Any Other Business on the Situation in the Middle East, IAEA Board of Governors, 7 June 2024 European External Action Service (EEAS) 07.06.2024 Vienna Press and information team of the Delegation to UN and OSCE in Vienna Chair, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The EU recalls its Council Conclusions of March 2024 in all their elements, and reiterates its commitment to work with partners to end the crisis in Gaza without delay and implement UN Security Council Resolution 2728, including through reaching an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages, as well as providing full, rapid, safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid at scale for Palestinians in need. The EU remains firmly committed to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution and to reviving a political process, including through the Peace Day initiative and a Peace Conference to be convened as soon as possible. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU and (Ministers of Foreign Affairs of) several Arab States discussed the way ahead at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 27 May. The EU calls on regional actors to refrain from any action that can further aggravate the situation. We recall our condemnation of Hamas in the strongest possible terms for its brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks across Israel on 7 October 2023, and recognise Israel's right to defend itself in line with international law and international humanitarian law. The EU further stresses the importance of respecting and implementing the 26 January 2024 order of the International Court of Justice, which is legally binding. We commend the strong efforts of the UN and all humanitarian actors to deliver lifesaving aid in extremely dire conditions. In response to the humanitarian crisis, the EU has mobilised all its crisis response tools to channel aid to Gaza, and has significantly increased its funding to humanitarian partners. The EU will continue supporting those civilians most in need. Thank you, Chair. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Statement under Any Other Business on Safeguards in the Middle East, IAEA Board of Governors, 7 June 2024 European External Action Service (EEAS) 07.06.2024 Vienna Press and information team of the Delegation to UN and OSCE in Vienna Chair, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina[1] and Georgia, the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement. The EU reaffirms its full support for the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. We consider the 1995 Resolution valid until its goals and objectives are achieved and strongly support the outcome of the 2010 NPT Review Conference on the Middle East. The EU notes the four UN Conferences on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction and their outcomes. As stated before, the EU is of the view that such zones can only be established on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at, and taking into account the security interests of all the States of the region concerned. Especially in the current context, we strongly encourage all stakeholders, and especially the States of the region, to engage in meaningful consultations in order to build an inclusive and consensus-based process towards the implementation of the 1995 NPT Resolution. The EU continues to stand ready to assist in the process and help produce a conducive atmosphere. In this regard, the EU provides significant funding to the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) on a process of confidence-building. The EU reiterates its firm support for the full, complete, and effective implementation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its three pillars, and for its universalisation. We continue to call on all States in the region, which have not yet done so, to accede to and abide by the NPT and all WMD related Treaties. We call on all States to bring into force Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements and the Additional Protocols and, as applicable, to rescind or modify the Small Quantities Protocol. Universal subscription to The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation would also contribute to regional confidence building, which is necessary for progress towards a Middle East WMD free zone. Thank you, Chair. [1] North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process. Back to top NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence Minister of Estonia: in next four years well focus on weapons and ammunition procurement Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence 7. June 2024 The Ministry of Defence's new development plan for 2025-2028 focuses on the procurement of weapons and ammunition. The new development plan envisages spending 5.3 billion euros, at least 1.55 billion of which will be invested in ammunition procurement - about half a billion more than stipulated in the previous development plan. "Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine coupled with its ability to replenish lost materiel shows that we need to focus even more on the resilience of our troops and replenish both our weapons and ammunition stockpiles, as well as continue to support Ukraine. Ammunition stocks need to be replenished on a continuous basis, and although we have channelled funds for internal restructuring into ammunition procurement, we must continue to look for ways to procure also additional ammunition," said Minister of Defence of Estonia Hanno Pevkur, adding that Estonia is ready to provide long-term military aid to Ukraine, with a planned allocation of 0.25% of our GDP per year. In the process of compiling the new Ministry of Defence's development plan, the choices made in the ten-year national defence development plan were reviewed and it was decided to focus primarily on weapons, ammunition and the accompanying infrastructure in the coming years. "We have drawn the necessary conclusions from the war in Ukraine and we see that we need to supplement the ammunition stockpiles, especially for tank and anti-aircraft weapons," Pevkur added. During the development plan implementation period, the indirect fire capability will be increased, and a third mobile artillery battalion will be created in direct subordination to the Division. For improved mobility, the artillery guns will be mounted on wheeled platforms. An ISTAR reconnaissance battalion will also be created within the Division, bringing together intelligence assets operating throughout Estonia into a single system to ensure better situational awareness. This, in turn, will allow manoeuvre and support units to be deployed more sparingly and efficiently, maintaining battlefield initiative. Implementation of the major capability improvements decided in the previous development plan, such as HIMARS missile launchers, medium-range air defence systems, aerial offensive weapons and mechanised manoeuvre units, will continue. The Baltic Defence Line is being established to defend Estonia from the first inch. In the current war, defensive lines have proven to be particularly effective in stopping aggressor attacks. An Allied brigade exercise will be organised in 2025 to test our Allies' ability to deploy additional units to Estonia and Estonia`s ability to receive them. An aerial support operations centre will be established at the divisional headquarters to coordinate air asset support for ground units, and conditions will be created to ensure prompt relocation of the Defence Forces' stationary command posts. Funds will be allocated to purchase vehicles and IT equipment. The total earmarked support for the Defence League for the 2025-2028 period amounts to 239 million euros, plus 109 million euros for purchases aimed at equipping ground defence units. Unmanned aerial vehicles will be procured for the Defence League to support ground defence training, and the construction of infrastructure installations for the Defence League will continue at a cost of 2 million euros. The manning of ground defence units and the formation of units during training exercises, as well as the preparation and support of comprehensive national defence efforts, will continue. Further exercises will be organised to keep as many reservists as possible trained to a high level. The new Ministry of Defence's development plan describes the development objectives of military defence of the state and the resources required to achieve them, which are determined on the basis of the national defence development plan, military advice of the Commander of the Defence Forces and NATO force objectives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Exclusive: On-site pics disprove Philippine claims of 'evacuating sick military member' Global Times By GT staff reporters Published: Jun 07, 2024 08:50 PM The exclusive on-site photos obtained by the Global Times on Friday disprove the latest claims by the Philippine Coast Guard that they were "evacuating a sick military member." Reuters and other foreign media outlets reported on Friday that the Philippine Coast Guard had accused the China Coast Guard (CCG) of blocking efforts to evacuate a sick member of its armed forces stationed at the Ren'ai Jiao and called the CCG's actions "barbaric and inhumane." However, exclusive on-site photos obtained by the Global Times on Friday show that the Philippine side dispatched the high-speed assault boats to participate in the illegal transport and repair. The boats all belonged to the Philippine military, and carried a large number of suspicious materials. Observers said that the fastest speed of the military storm boats dispatched by the Philippine side can reach 40-50 knots, and the Philippine side's use of such "small, fast and sensitive" equipment to participate in illegal transportation activities has highlighted its intent to resist and evade the CCG's legal rights and law enforcement. Live footage also showed that the Philippine military's high-speed assault boats used for resupply were carrying a large number of suspicious square barrel-like objects and boxed items. Some of these boxes were wrapped in plastic bags to prevent them from getting wet due to the spray generated by the boats' high speeds. According to a source close to the matter, the illegal supplies transported by the Philippine side likely included fresh water, food, and other essential items, as well as fuel and construction materials used to reinforce the Philippine's illegally grounded ship. They might even include spare parts for the maintenance and repair of military equipment. However, regardless of the nature of the supplies, the Philippine resupply activities were not reported to China in advance, as per the previously reached agreement between China and the Philippines. The on-site images also completely disprove the Philippines' claim of "evacuating a sick military officer." The footage shows that all the personnel on the Philippine military's high-speed assault boats were in good condition. To carry more illegal supplies, some military personnel even chose to stand on the bumpy boats, vacating seats to load more materials. In response to the Philippines' malicious accusations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a regular press conference Friday that China's position on the issue of Ren'ai Jiao is clear. If the Philippines notifies the Chinese side in advance, China would potentially allow delivery of essential supplies to the grounded warship or evacuation of personnel concerned. However, the Philippines should not use this as an excuse for delivering construction materials in an attempt to permanently occupy Ren'ai Jiao, Mao said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, UK launch fresh strikes on Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 7, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The US and the UK carried out a fresh round of attacks against targets on Yemeni soil. American-British warplanes launched 4 airstrikes on Hodeidah Airport in western Yemen and an airstrike on the Al-Jad pier in the port of Al-Salif, targeting fishermen's boats, reported by IRNA, citing Al Jazeera on Friday. Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian Resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity. Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won't stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza, which have killed at least 36,654 people and wounded another 83,309 individuals, come to an end. The US and Britain in December announced a military coalition to target Yemen in support of the Zionist regime. 3266**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ambrey reports new maritime incidents in western Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 7, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- British security firm Ambrey has reported new maritime incidents in western Yemen. An explosion took place near a vessel in the Red Sea about 19 nautical miles west of the Yemeni port city of Mokha, reported by Al Jazeera, citing British security firm Ambrey. Additionally, there were reports of two explosions near a vessel 27 miles south of Mokha. Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian Resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity. Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won't stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza, which have killed at least 36,654 people and wounded another 83,309 individuals, come to an end. The US and Britain in December announced a military coalition to target Yemen in support of the Zionist regime. 3266**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah hits Zionists' position in northern occupied Palestine IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 7, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese Hezbollah has reported that it targeted the Zionist regime's army positions in northern occupied Palestine. According to Al-Manar, Hezbollah fighters targeted the positions of the Israeli enemy soldiers around the Zarit barracks with artillery shells. Following the Zionist regime's terrible crimes in the Gaza Strip and the bloodshed of a large number of Palestinians, the Lebanese Hezbollah has targeted the Zionist military positions in the north of the occupied territories over the last few months. Tens of thousands of Zionists have so far left the Lebanese border towns in fear of resistance attacks. 3266**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baiba Braze: Canada's military presence in Latvia is a strong statement of solidarity Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 07.06.2024 On 7 June 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze, met with the Ambassador of Canada to NATO, David Angell, and military officials in Riga to discuss bilateral security cooperation, preparations for the NATO Summit in Washington on 9-11 July, as well as the situation in Ukraine and support for Ukraine, the strengthening of sanctions against Russia and Belarus, and Russia's regular acts of hybrid threats. The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of Canada to Latvia, Brian Szwarc, the Military Representative of Canada to NATO, Vice-Admiral Scott Bishop, representative of the Canadian Joint Delegation to NATO, Lieutenant Colonel Philipp Breton, and the Military Attache of Canada to Latvia, Colonel Robert Foster. The Minister noted that Latvia and Canada share a close and friendly relationship and are like-minded partners. Since 2017, Canada has been the lead country for NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia. In-depth security and defence cooperation has been established. Baiba Braze expressed her appreciation and gratitude for Canada's contribution to strengthening the security of Latvia, the Baltic region and the entire NATO Eastern flank and for leading the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia and its progress towards establishing a combat-capable brigade. Baiba Braze: "Canada's presence in Latvia is a strong political statement of the solidarity of the Allies and a clear demonstration of NATO's unity and commitment to protect every member of the Alliance." The Minister gave assurance of Latvia's commitment to continue to support the increased allied presence in Latvia. Minister Baiba Braze and the Ambassador of Canada to NATO, David Angell, discussed priorities in preparation for the NATO 75th Anniversary Summit in Washington, where the central issues will be the strengthening of NATO's defence capabilities and long-term support to Ukraine. They discussed the situation in Ukraine and stressed the need for continuous comprehensive support to Ukraine to defeat Russia in the war, including by strengthening sanctions against Russia. The Minister stressed that without Ukraine's victory, there would be no long-term guarantee of peace and security in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary General at Berga Naval Base: Sweden's membership makes NATO stronger and safer NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 07 Jun. 2024 Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited the Swedish Armed Forces at Berga Naval Base on Friday (7 June 2024), in his first visit to Sweden since the country joined NATO in March. After a meeting with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Mr Stoltenberg underlined that Sweden's membership has made NATO stronger and Sweden safer. The Secretary General highlighted Sweden's many contributions to the Alliance, including highly capable forces and advanced capabilities. Sweden also spends more than 2% of GDP on defence and strengthens "our presence not least in the High North and the Baltic region," he said. Mr Stoltenberg also welcomed the announcement that Sweden will contribute to NATO's Air Policing. "This demonstrates how Sweden is making major contributions to our Alliance, just three months after you joined," said the Secretary General. On support to Ukraine, Mr Stoltenberg praised Sweden for leading by example and providing billions of euros, making it one of the top supporters. He further welcomed Sweden's decision to deliver two state-of-the-art radar surveillance aircraft to Ukraine as part of Stockholm's largest assistance package to date. At the Washington Summit in July, Allied leaders will discuss a bigger NATO role in coordinating and supplying security assistance and training for Ukraine. The Secretary General has also proposed a multi-year financial pledge to ensure more accountability and predictability. These efforts "will send a clear message to Moscow that Moscow cannot wait us out in Ukraine. The paradox is that the stronger our commitment is for Ukraine for long haul, the sooner this war can end," said Mr Stoltenberg. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Warship Approached by Chinese Helicopter and Fighter Jets Netherlands Ministry of Defence News item | 07-06-2024 In the East China Sea earlier today, two Chinese fighter jets circled the naval ship HNLMS Tromp several times. Additionally, the ship's NH90 maritime combat helicopter was approached by two Chinese fighter jets and a Chinese helicopter during a patrol. This created a potentially unsafe situation. The incident took place in international airspace. HNLMS Tromp was conducting patrols in the East China Sea in support of a multinational UN coalition that oversees the enforcement of maritime sanctions against North Korea as defined in UN Security Council resolutions. HNLMS Tromp continues its journey as part of 'Pacific Archer '24' as planned and is now on its way to Japan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran: Palestine tragedy will not end unless US, Europe halt support for Israel Iran Press TV Friday, 07 June 2024 11:14 AM Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani has deplored the unwavering support of the United States and Europe for Israel, saying a complete end to such an approach is the sole way to stop the ongoing horrific tragedy in the occupied Palestinian territories. "Reports coming from #Gaza time and again show that violence and suffering are still the only reality for hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. This appalling news must be independently investigated, in line with the last International Court of Justice order," Kan'ani wrote in a post published on the social platform X on Friday. He added that the crimes of the apartheid Israeli regime against Palestinian civilians, particularly women and children, are "clear to everyone in the world, and of course, they are harrowing and deadly." "Not mere words, but only a complete and practical halt to US and European support to the racist Israeli regime can put an end to the painful tragedy and reckless and brutal violence against the people in #Palestine," he concluded. According to Palestinian sources, at least 15 people have been killed in Israeli bombing targeting several areas in central Gaza since early hours of Friday. Also on Thursday, at least 40 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded when the Israeli military bombed a school of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in Nuseirat refugee camp. The UN says 6,000 displaced people were sheltering inside the building when it was hit without warning. "I woke up to the screams of women and saw torn body parts. One woman lost two or three children," Om Mohammed Wasi, a displaced Palestinian, said. The vast majority of casualties and victims are reportedly children, women and elderly people. "This is state terrorism," Naiem Khalil, another displaced Palestinian, said. "Israel is targeting UN institutions. Israel violated all international laws, crossed all the red lines. For 76 years, the Palestinians have been appealing to the whole world with no response. UN resolutions are implemented on all other countries, except Israel. This is hypocrisy." Israel waged the atrocious onslaught against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship after Palestinian resistance movements launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the usurping regime on October 7. At least 36,654 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 83,309 individuals have sustained injuries. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's interim FM in Istanbul to attend D-8 meeting on Israeli war on Gaza Iran Press TV Friday, 07 June 2024 10:58 AM Iran's interim foreign minister has left Tehran for Istanbul to attend an extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation on Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. According to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry, Ali Bagheri Kani is scheduled to attend and address the Saturday meeting, which is "an opportunity to continue the active diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in support of the Palestinian cause and the resistance of the Palestinian people against the Zionist regime." The top Iranian diplomat will also meet with the foreign ministers participating in the Istanbul meeting on the need for coherent and coordinated action on the part of Islamic countries to stop the crimes of the Zionist regime and also to send urgent aid to the people under siege in Palestine, the statement added. In addition to Bagheri Kani, Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, and Bangladeshi Social Welfare Minister Dipu Moni along with high-level officials from Egypt and Nigeria are expected to attend the extraordinary meeting. The D-8 member countries are expected to adopt a firm joint declaration regarding the Tel Aviv regime's devastating war on Gaza. At least 36,654 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip over the past eight months. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah strikes Israeli military outposts in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza Iran Press TV Friday, 07 June 2024 6:17 AM In a show of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip, fighters from Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement have launched a series of attacks on Israeli military positions in the northern part of the 1948-occupied territories. Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television news network, citing a Hezbollah statement, reported that the group struck the headquarters of the Israeli military's 91st Division at the Biranit barracks with a salvo of surface-to-surface Falaq-1 (Dusk-1) missiles, causing partial destruction and casualties in the targeted site. The Lebanese resistance movement announced that the operation came in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and in retaliation for Israeli assaults on the southern towns and villages of Lebanon. Hezbollah members also attacked and destroyed Israeli spying devices at the al-Raheb outpost with appropriate weapons. Additionally, the Lebanese resistance fighters fired surface-to-air missiles at Israeli military aircraft as they were hovering over southern Lebanon and breaking the sound barrier. The warplanes had to retreat and leave the area as a result. Later on Thursday, Hezbollah resistance fighters targeted and destroyed newly-installed spying devices in a missile attack on the Metula outpost which caused a fire in the site. Hezbollah also launched a number of heavy-caliber Burkan (Volcano) missiles at the Israeli al-Baghdadi outpost, striking the designated target precisely and causing casualties there. Moreover, a barrage of rockets was fired at the Zebdine site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms. At around 11:15 p.m. local time (2015 GMT), Hezbollah fighters also shelled a gathering of Israeli soldiers near the Zarit barracks with a salvo of artillery shells. The Israeli regime has repeatedly attacked southern Lebanon since October 7, when it launched a genocidal war on Gaza that has killed at least 36,654 Palestinians, most of them women and children. In retaliation, Hezbollah has launched near-daily rocket attacks on Israeli positions. At least 455 people have been killed on the Lebanese border, including 88 civilians, according to an AFP tally. Hezbollah has already fought off two Israeli wars against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006. The resistance forced the regime to retreat in both conflicts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Biden's ceasefire deal just words,' Hamas says Iran Press TV Friday, 07 June 2024 3:11 AM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says a so-called ceasefire deal that has been prosposed by US President Joe Biden consisted of "just words," which have not been backed by any written commitment on the part of Washington. Osama Hamdan, the movement's senior representative in Lebanon, made the remarks in the country's capital Beirut on Thursday. Earlier this week, Biden laid out the three-phase "ceasefire proposal" that was supposedly meant to bring about cessation of a genocidal war that the Israeli regime has been waging against the Gaza Strip. The regime launched the war on October 7 when Gaza's resistance groups launched Al-Aqsa Storm, a retaliatory operation against the occupied territories, during which hundreds were taken captive. At least 36,654 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 82,959 individuals have sustained injuries in the war. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the brutal military onslaught as well. Biden's "proposal" included an exchange of Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners, evacuation of Israeli forces from Gaza, and rebuilding of the devastated coastal territory. Hamdan, however, said, "There is no proposal -- they are just words said by Biden in a speech." "So far, the Americans have not presented anything documented or written that commits them to what Biden said in his speech," the Hamas' official added. Egypt and Qatar have been mediating negotiations aimed at conclusion of a ceasefire agreement following one in November, during which Hamas released 105 of the captives. The countries proposed another proposal last month enabling cessation of the Israeli aggression and release of the rest of the captives. Hamas agreed to the proposal, which was spurned by the Israeli regime. Hamdan also said Biden "tried to cover up the Israeli rejection" of the deal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vietnam decries China's 'illegal' activities in Tonkin Gulf A spokesperson said a Chinese naval survey ship has been operating without permission in Vietnam's waters. By RFA Staff 2024.06.07 -- Vietnam has expressed concern and demanded that China end "illegal" survey activities in Vietnam's waters in the Gulf of Tonkin, a Vietnamese foreign ministry spokeswoman said. A Chinese navy Type 636A hydrographic survey vessel, the Hai Yang 26, has been operating in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, said the spokeswoman, Pham Thu Hang, on Thursday without giving details. Hang told reporters in Hanoi that the Vietnamese government "has engaged in multiple diplomatic exchanges" with the Chinese to demand the ending of the Hai Yang 26's "illegal activities." Radio Free Asia is not able to verify whether the vessel is still inside Vietnam's waters as it has not turned on its AIS (automatic identification system) for tracking. In 2000, Vietnam and China signed an agreement on the demarcation of the Gulf of Tonkin, which is shared by both countries. An exclusive economic zone gives a coastal country exclusive access to natural resources in the waters and seabed so the Chinese vessel's activities are deemed unlawful, according to Vietnam's foreign ministry. "Vietnam also demands that China not repeat such illegal activities, fully respect Vietnam's sovereign rights and jurisdiction, respect international law," the spokeswoman said. In March, China released a new "excessive" baseline for its claims of sovereignty in the Gulf of Tonkin, known in China as Beibu Gulf. Vietnam responded with a request that China "respect international law and bilateral agreements." Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cambodian canal project to kick off on Hun Sen's birthday The construction of Funan Techo canal is set to start on Aug. 5 but questions remain over its feasibility. By RFA Staff 2024.06.07 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced that work on the Funan Techo canal project will begin on Aug. 5, his father Hun Sen's birthday, with an official breaking of ground for the project, media reported. The canal, proposed and approved when Hun Sen was head of the government, is increasingly portrayed in Cambodia as one of the veteran leader's great legacies. Hun Manet was quoted by the pro-government Fresh News as saying that the canal was no longer a foreign invested project but was now primarily owned by Cambodian companies, with a 51% stake. The main stakeholders are the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port and the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port, he said at an event at the Kampot port, adding that the canal would still be developed as a build-operate-transfer (BOT) project. The prime minister did not mention China or a Chinese company in his speech, though the Cambodian government last October signed an agreement with the China Bridge and Road Corporation (CBRC) allowing it to develop the canal. The 180-km (112 mile) canal, officially known as the Tonle Bassac Navigation Road and Logistics System Project, will connect the Cambodian coastal province of Kep on the Gulf of Thailand with the inland provinces of Kandal and Takeo and the capital Phnom Penh via a tributary of the Mekong River. It has caused a rift with neighboring Vietnam, which is worried about the ecological impact on its rice-growing Mekong delta, as well as the overall influence of China in the region. The delta is already at risk of encroaching seawater, partly due to lower flows of fresh water down the Mekong. Questionable viability? Hun Manet was quoted as saying that the canal would benefit the Cambodian people and not foreign interests. He called for unity and support for the project that would take four to six years to complete at a cost of US$1.7 billion. An analyst told RFA that the project "appears to be on shaky financial grounds." "The ownership and financing details change on this project from month to month it seems," said Brian Eyler, Southeast Asia program director at the Washington-based Stimson Center. "First the project was to be financed by a Chinese entity and then built and owned for 40-50 years by CBRC. Now Khmer investors will pay for 51% and no construction company has been named by the prime minister," Eyler said. "It's common though for projects to have a groundbreaking ceremony and then there is no further progress on the project for a long period," the analyst said. "I'm willing to bet the Funan Techo canal will be one of them." Experts also question the timing of the launch of construction as the project area sits in an active floodplain that is inundated during the monsoon season which generally runs from June to October, making it expensive and risky to dig a canal. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Azadi Briefing: Blacklisted Taliban Minister's Foreign Visit Triggers Outrage By Abubakar Siddique June 07, 2024 The Key Issue Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, a U.S.-designated terrorist who has a $10 million bounty on his head, visited the United Arab Emirates on June 4. Haqqani, accompanied by the Taliban's intelligence chief, met the U.A.E. president in Abu Dhabi. The foreign visit, Haqqani's first since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, sparked widespread outrage among Afghans. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that "hosting UN-sanctioned Taliban members must seek permission for travel through an exemption process as outlined by the UN 1988 sanctions committee, and it's important that member states follow these procedures." "We understand the complex relationship countries have with the Taliban, particularly those in the region," said a State Department statement later sent to the Associated Press. It is unclear whether Haqqani or the U.A.E. government had obtained such permission. But on June 5, the UN Security Council allowed Haqqani and several other Taliban officials to travel to Saudi Arabia later this month to perform the Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage. Why It's Important: Haqqani's trip is a public relations win for the Taliban, whose government is not recognized by any country. Despite its lack of international recognition and limited engagement with the West, the Taliban has established diplomatic ties with around a dozen countries in the region. Ishaq Atmar, an Afghan political analyst, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi that Haqqani's trip can "open a new door" for greater international engagement with the Taliban. Ghous Janbaz, an Afghan political analyst, told Radio Azadi that Haqqani's trip came weeks before a key UN meeting on Afghanistan in Qatar during which the group will look to allay international fears over the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan. But Haqqani's trip has triggered online condemnation, with some Afghans asking how one of the FBI's most-wanted men was able to visit the U.A.E., a U.S. ally. What's Next: International engagement with the Taliban has not moderated its extremist policies. The militant group has refused to budge on key issues, including establishing an inclusive government, ensuring women's rights, and breaking ties with extremist groups. The Taliban is likely to use its engagement with the international community to win concessions and present itself as the legitimate ruler of Afghanistan. What To Keep An Eye On A new surveyby the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has identified "widespread shocks" in Afghanistan, where many live in severe food poverty. "Much higher food prices and drought are affecting 60 and 58 percent of Afghan households, respectively," the organization said in a briefing on June 3. The survey found that despite the decrease in the prices of some food items, poor "households remained vulnerable to intrahousehold and economic shocks," which reflected "broader macroeconomic vulnerabilities in Afghanistan." More than two-thirds of households reported a decrease in their primary source of income, the survey said, while another 10 percent lived on savings and debt. Why It's Important: The survey highlights the effects of the devastating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the world's largest. Shortfalls in international funding, the Taliban's inability to address the crisis, and a series of deadly natural disasters have exacerbated the humanitarian situation. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban- haqqani-united-arab-emirates/32983396.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Smear Campaign On Social Media Aims To Discredit Georgian Protests By Tony Wesolowsky June 07, 2024 When a fringe Georgian politician with pro-Russia leanings opined in an interview that Washington was pulling the strings of a recent wave of protests in Tbilisi, the spreaders of disinformation sprang into action. The video comments by Solidarity for Peace Party head Mikhail Zhgenti on May 15 were packaged by them as an article and posted to a website, earlier versions of which have churned out pro-Kremlin disinformation ever since Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. (Some of those spreading the comments have been sanctioned by the EU.) From there, freshly created X accounts bearing all the signs of bots began feverishly reposting the material, especially on U.S.-based accounts. That included the accounts of some well-known figures -- such as U.S. House of Representatives member Matt Gaetz (Republican-Florida) -- and even some legitimate U.S.-based news websites. It was all part of a smear campaign targeting U.S. audiences with "content discrediting protests in Georgia," said the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), a disinformation analytical unit of the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank, in a new report. Georgia has been rocked by weeks of protests over a controversial "foreign agent" law that requires organizations and groups to register as "agents of foreign influence" if they receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad. Critics say it mirrors legislation in Russia, where it has been used to crack down on dissent. The United States has been one of the most vocal critics of the legislation and, on June 6, Washington announced it was sanctioning Georgian officials and others because of the legislation. The move to impose travel bans on the officials, members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, law enforcement officers, lawmakers, private citizens, and some family members of those people came three days after Georgia's parliament speaker signed the measure into law following lawmakers' override of a presidential veto. "There is widespread support in the U.S. for the Georgian protests and civil society and their struggle for democracy, and there is widespread criticism of the ruling party and its decision to pass this law. Also U.S. representatives call it the Kremlin-backed law," explained Eto Buziashvili, author of the DFRLab report. "So, it's more than hinting that this law leads back to the Kremlin and it is not only Georgian Dream, but it's the Kremlin supporting Georgian Dream with this law. So, given there is this strong support from the U.S. as well as strong messaging, this Russia-linked operation tries to at least divide society and decrease support for the protests," she told RFE/RL. The smear campaign comes amid fresh warnings of the increased risk of the growing threat of disinformation and worrying signs that such efforts are becoming more sophisticated, largely thanks to artificial intelligence. In Poland, a fake news report that Poland was preparing a mass military mobilization appeared on May 31 on PAP, Poland's national news agency. Authorities blamed Russia-sponsored hackers aiming to influence the upcoming European Parliament elections. In the United States, one day after Washington said Kyiv could use U.S. weapons in limited strikes inside Russia, a deepfake video of a U.S. spokesman discussing the policy appeared online. The fake quote was reported as factual news by Russia's state-run TASS news agency on May 30 with reaction from a Russian official. Microsoft warned on June 2 that "Russia is ramping up malign disinformation campaigns against France" ahead of this summer's Olympic Games in Paris. France, Germany, and Poland have become "permanent" targets for Russian disinformation ahead of the European Parliament elections, European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova warned on June 4, in just one of the latest warnings from Western leaders about the rising threat of fake news. Much of that disinformation has been pushed by a Russia-led campaign dubbed Doppelganger, which largely relies on spreading disinformation on websites designed to resemble legitimate news portals. It was first uncovered in 2022, when such sites churned out pro-Russia disinformation in relation to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Individuals and companies linked to Doppelganger were later sanctioned by the EU, but it continues to target Europeans online and was exposed by French and German authorities in recent months. One of these faux news portals is Real Reliable News (RRN), which has operated under different home domains and also figures in the Georgian protest social media smear campaign, DFRLab found. Under the headline Video: Georgia Refuses To Become Another Ukraine -- a nod to another Kremlin-friendly narrative that Washington was behind the 2014 Euromaidan protests that led to the ousting of a Moscow-friendly president in Ukraine -- the interview with Gzhenti was posted to RRN on May 15. Gzhenti is head of the Solidarity for Peace Party, which was recently formed and according to Georgian media is financially backed by Otar Partskhaladze, a former prosecutor-general closely connected to Georgian Dream. Partskhaladze was sanctioned by Washington for his ties with Russia's Federal Security Service and efforts to sway events in Georgia in favor of Russia. Gzhenti was also the source of a RRN post on X on May 24 spinning a claim by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze that he was the target of a threat by an EU commissioner over the foreign agent law. The EU official denied the charge. His earlier comments from the interview published by RRN were snatched up by 39 X accounts (all since shut down), which began rapidly reposting it, said Buziashvili, adding it was just one link in a "larger network." "Actually, the 39 accounts were part of two sister networks. The first one, an originator network, which were generating [the X posts], not the copy-paste one, but similar ones that were pushing this interview, as well as claiming that the U.S. was behind the Georgian protests," Buziashvili said. "Then there were the amplifiers, which I worked on. They [copied and pasted] this link to the U.S.-based users in the reply sections exclusively [on X]," Buziashvili added. Whether the smear campaign had any impact is hard to say, cautioned Buziashvili, noting the following months ahead of Georgia's October parliamentary elections will be key. "It is hard to judge at this stage how successful this campaign was or is first because the protests are still continuing in Georgia and, second, the law was just passed and the main processes will basically be beginning now in the coming days." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/fake-news-x- georgian-protests/32983387.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Uzbekistan Outlaws Karakalpak Group Amid Crackdown By RFE/RL's Uzbek Service June 07, 2024 Uzbek authorities labeled a Karakalpak group as extremist and banned it in February, the Turkmen Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights said citing Moscow-based human rights defender Vitaly Ponomaryov. According to a statement from Ponomaryov, the Alga Qaraqalpaqstan (Forward Karakalpakstan) group was banned on February 22. The group is an unregistered political party with thousands of members that promotes the independence of Karakalpakstan from Uzbekistan. Karakalpaks are a Central Asian Turkic-speaking people. Their region used to be an autonomous area within Kazakhstan before becoming autonomous within the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic in 1930 and then part of Uzbekistan in 1936. The fact that the group was banned became known during the trial of Karakalpak activist Parahat Musapbarov, who was sentenced to 6 years in prison in late May on a number of charges, including taking part in the activities of the banned group. Karakalpak activists have been under pressure in Uzbekistan since mass rallies in Karakalpakstan's capital, Nukus, in July 2022. Thousands of people protested Tashkent's plans to change the constitution in a way that would have undermined the republic's right to self-determination. The protests were violently dispersed. Uzbek authorities said at the time that 21 people died during the protests, but the Austrian-based Freedom for Eurasia human rights group said at least 70 people were killed during the unrest. In January last year, an Uzbek court sentenced 22 Karakalpak activists to prison terms on charges that included undermining the constitutional order for taking part in the protests. In March 2023, another 39 Karakalpak activists accused of taking part in the protests in Nukus were convicted, with 28 of them sentenced to prison terms of between 5 and 11 years. Eleven defendants were handed parole-like sentences. The violence forced Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev to make a rare about-face and scrap the proposal to change the constitution. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-outlaws- karakalpak-group-crackdown/32983274.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Slaps Visa Sanctions On Georgian Officials Over 'Foreign Agent' Law; Opposition Hails Move By RFE/RL's Georgian Service and RFE/RL's Echo of the Caucasus June 07, 2024 The United States has imposed visa restrictions against dozens of Georgian officials over the adoption of a "foreign agent law," which sparked weeks of mass protests and criticism that it mirrors similar repressive legislation used by the Kremlin to stifle dissent and derails Georgia's Euro-Atlantic path. The move, announced by State Department spokesman Matthew Miller on June 6, comes following the promulgation of the bill by Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on June 3 after lawmakers from the ruling Georgian Dream party had overridden a veto of the legislation by President Salome Zurabishvili. Hundreds of people have been arrested during weeks of protests against the piece of legislation. Some of the protesters who were detained during demonstrations, which were met with tear gas, water cannons, and allegedly rubber bullets that injured opponents and journalists, could face years in prison on criminal charges. "This first tranche of visa restrictions comprises members of the Georgian Dream party, members of parliament, law enforcement, and private citizens," Miller told journalists. "This includes individuals responsible for or complicit in, and immediate family members of those responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Georgia, such as by undermining freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, violently attacking peaceful protesters, intimidating civil society representatives, and deliberately spreading disinformation at the direction of the Georgian government," Miller said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken first warned that sanctions would be imposed after the lawmakers' initial approval of the bill last month, and announced a review of all U.S. assistance to Georgia. Washington, which has been one of the main backers of Georgia's integration into Western institutions, gave Tbilisi $390 million in aid over the past several years. "These actions risk derailing Georgia's European future and run counter to the Georgian Constitution and the wishes of its people," said Miller, without identifying those targeted, due to visa confidentiality laws. He said "a few dozen" people were sanctioned for their role in the pushing the law and the crackdown on protesters. "It remains our hope that Georgia's leaders will reconsider their actions and take steps to move forward with their nation's long-stated democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations," Miller told reporters. "But if they do not, the United States is prepared to take additional actions." Opposition lawmaker Levan Khabeishvili, the head of the leading opposition United National Movement (UNM) party, hailed the U.S. move and said the adoption of the law will also be followed by economic repercussions. "Lawmakers who voted for the 'Russian Law' and police officers who dispersed peaceful demonstrators came under sanctions, and this is just the beginning. What kind of investor will enter or stay in such a country?! Under [Georgian Dream founder Bidzina] Ivanishvili, economic collapse is inevitable! The destructiveness of Ivanishvili's team is hitting the pockets of Georgian citizens. Thank you to the United States of America for supporting the Georgian people!" Politician and entrepreneur Mamuka Khazaradze, the leader of Lelo for Georgia, a centrist political party, said that, by sanctioning the "treacherous" Georgian Dream politicians, the United States was backing the Georgians' Western aspirations. "America has once again reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Georgian people," Khakaradze wrote on social media, urging his compatriots to use their vote at upcoming parliamentary elections in October to bring in change. "The United States of America has taken action. The first wave of sanctions against the treacherous government is approaching. However, we must remember that the more the [Georgian] Dream government moves away from democracy and closer to Russia, the more it will damage the country and our international interests. This is not allowed! This is a betrayal of the future! So now it's our turn again -- we need to put in even more effort to finally secure the victory in October!" In a first government reaction to the sanctions, Culture Minister Thea Tsulukiani called Washington's move a "mistake" and called for it to rescind it. "We can say with confidence that this is another mistake that, unfortunately for them and for us, the United States is making in relations with its strategic partner...the U.S. desperately needs to reset this relationship," Tsulukiani said. Papuashvili said on June 3 that the Justice Ministry will work out the tools for the implementation of the law in 60 days after which all NGOs and media groups that receive financial support from abroad will be obliged to register and report their finances for 2023. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/foreign-agent-miller- sanctions-blinken/32982873.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Polish Troops to Get Legal Right to Use Weapons on Border - Prime Minister Sputnik News 20240607 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Polish soldiers will be given the legal right to use weapons at the border after a recent scandal when they were arrested for firing shots, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Friday. A recent scandal was caused in Poland when photos were published by local media of handcuffed servicemen who were arrested for shooting at people trying to cross the Polish-Belarusian border illegally. "The possibility of using force and weapons in a threatening situation should be something obvious to the Polish soldier when defending the border," Tusk told reporters, adding that Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz was tasked with preparing proposals for relevant changes to Polish legislation. The defense minister is expected to present these proposals at a government meeting on June 10, Tusk added. On Wednesday, Polish news website Onet reported that the notorious firing incident took place in late March, but was carefully concealed. The Polish Defense Ministry confirmed that the servicemen who shot at the migrants were charged with endangering the life and health of people and abuse of power. They could face up to three years in prison. Polish border guards fired about 700 warning shots in May alone, which they are allowed to do under existing rules, the defense minister said on Thursday, adding that "the rules, nevertheless, need to be changed." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Condemnation of the June 5 Attacks on Wad al-Noura, Sudan, by the Rapid Support Forces US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson June 7, 2024 The United States condemns the horrific attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on unarmed civilians in Wad al-Noura in Sudan's Gezira state, which included the murder of over 100 people and the injury of many more, according to credible reports. It is imperative that the RSF take immediate action to stop these attacks and demonstrate swift accountability for those responsible for the murder of civilians. Both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces must ensure the protection of civilians and hold accountable anyone within their ranks who is responsible for war crimes or violations of the Jeddah Declaration. Attacks on civilians throughout Sudan must stop now. There can be no military victory in this war, whose toll is being measured in the tragic loss of civilian lives, displacement of millions from their homes, acute malnourishment, rape and torture, and ethnic cleansing. The United States calls for the resumption of ceasefire negotiations, an immediate end to obstructions of humanitarian aid deliveries, and a return to civilian governance that the Sudanese people have long demanded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 7 June 2024 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** Secretary-General's Travel I will start with a trip announcement. The Secretary-General of the United Nations will be traveling for the next week. First, on Monday, he is expected to be in Jordan, where he will attend a high-level conference on Gaza that will take place on Tuesday. The conference is called "Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Aid for Gaza". It will be held at the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II, as well as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, as well as the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The conference seeks a collective coordinated response to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Heads of State and Government and heads of international humanitarian and relief agencies are also expected to participate, and while at the conference, the Secretary-General is expected at least to hold a number of bilateral meetings with other leaders. He will then go on to Geneva on Wednesday, where he will join an event to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of UN [Conference on] Trade and Development otherwise known as UNCTAD. After six decades, the Secretary-General will commend UNCTAD's work as it continues to be "an inspiration for today's debates and decisions". Later in the day, he's also scheduled to address the Council of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in Geneva. Reminding the audience that the digital divide is depriving billions of people of opportunities, the Secretary-General will underscore that technology should be put in the service of advancing the greater good. On Wednesday, the Secretary-General will travel to Southern Italy to attend the Group of Seven (G7) leaders' summit that will take place in Apulia. The discussions will be an opportunity to address topics like the reform of global governance, artificial intelligence, climate and energy, as well as international peace and security, notably in view of the ongoing preparations for the Summit of the Future that will take place here in September. The Secretary-General will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders there on the margins of the summit. Just prior to the G7 summit, he will be in Brindisi, which as you all know is also in southern Italy, to take part in a ceremony to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Global Service Centre, which is our logistics base in Brindisi, which plays a vital role to support our peacekeeping operations and other UN activities around the world. The Secretary-General will be back in the office in New York on Tuesday, 18 June, given that Monday, 17 June, is an official UN holiday. ** Yemen I have been getting a number of questions from you regarding Yemen, and more precisely the detention of UN personnel in Yemen by the Houthis over the past few days. I can confirm to you that the Houthi de facto authorities have detained 11 United Nations national personnel working in Yemen. We are very concerned about these developments, and we are actively seeking clarification from the Houthi de facto authorities regarding the circumstances of these detentions and most importantly to ensure the immediate access to those UN personnel. I can further tell you that we are pursuing all available channels to secure the safe and unconditional release of all of them, as rapidly as possible. ** Children and Armed Conflict I've also been getting quite a few questions from a number of you this morning on the issue regarding the children and armed conflict report, and all the news that's been broken out in the last hours especially. The annual report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict is due to go to the Security Council on 14 June, which is next Friday; that is the day that is scheduled and asked for by the Security Council. As per usual practice, an advance copy will be delivered to Security Council members on that date. The report will be officially published on 18 June, with a press conference by Virginia Gamba, the Secretary-General's Special Representative on the issue. The report will then be discussed in an open debate that will take place on 26 June. And just to remind you about the context of the report, this is an initiative of Member States more specifically of Security Council Members who have tasked Secretaries-General to report annually on this, based on a well-established methodology. Coming back to this morning's events, earlier today, our chief of staff, Courtenay Rattray, called the Permanent Representative of Israel, Gilad Erdan. The call was a courtesy afforded to countries that are newly listed on the annex of the report. It is done to give those countries a heads-up and avoid leaks. Ambassador Erdan's video recording of that phone call and the partial release of that recording on twitter, is shocking and unacceptable and, frankly, something that I've never seen in my 24 years serving this Organization. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Turning to the situation in Gaza, our colleagues from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report that escalating hostilities are crippling the provision of health care across Gaza, with supply shortages and reduced bed capacity reported widely. Partners working on the health response warn that the few hospitals that are still partially functioning in Deir al Balah area, in the central Gaza, are increasingly overwhelmed by the influx of casualties from ongoing air strikes. The situation is especially severe at Al Aqsa hospital, with one of the facility's two generators now out of service. According to our colleagues at the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1,200 patients that's an average of 50 each day have been unable to leave Gaza to receive treatment abroad, as of 30 May. WHO estimates that at least 14,000 patients need medical evacuation to medical facilities outside of the Gaza Strip, with this number expected to increase due to shrinking hospital bed capacity. Meanwhile, UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) reports that the ongoing conflict and restrictions in Gaza are preventing families from meeting their children's food needs. Nine of every ten children in Gaza are experiencing [severe] food poverty, surviving on two or fewer food groups per day. That's according to data that UNICEF collected between December and April. As we told you yesterday, the Secretary-General condemned the Israeli air strike on an UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) school in Nuseirat Refugee Camp, sheltering some 6,000 IDPs (internally displaced people), in which more than 30 people were reportedly killed, that includes 14 children. We reiterate again that UN premises are inviolable, including during armed conflict, and they must be protected by all parties to the conflict and not used for military operations. And also, in a social media post yesterday, our Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, stressed that the rules of war must be respected, and civilians must be protected. That full post is available online. ** Lebanon And in a statement we issued late last night, the Secretary-General renewed his calls to the parties to urgently cease fire along the Blue Line. He remains gravely concerned that the exchanges of fire have not only ravaged communities close to the Blue Line but have also impacted deeper into the territories of both Lebanon and Israel, with the use of increasingly destructive weapons. The Secretary-General urges the parties to recommit to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and immediately return to a cessation of hostilities. ** Sudan We were busy yesterday evening; also, we issued a statement on Sudan in which the Secretary-General strongly condemned the attack reportedly carried out on 5 June by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Wad Al-Noora village, in Al-Jazira state, which is said to have killed over 100 people. The Secretary-General urges all parties to refrain from any attacks that could harm civilians or damage civilian infrastructure. And in a separate statement, High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called on the RSF and all relevant parties to carry out a prompt independent investigation in line with their obligations under international law. Those responsible for unlawful killings must be held to account. Also on Sudan, while the reactions to the horrifying events in that country continue, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned that the number of people displaced by conflict inside Sudan could top 10 million in the coming days. IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix, which issues weekly statistics, recorded 9.9 million people internally displaced across all of Sudan's 18 states this week alone. Just to give you an idea, that is basically the population of the city of London. "That's what it's like, but it's happening with the constant threat of crossfire, with famine, disease and brutal ethnic and gender-based violence" this was a statement from Amy Pope, the Director General of the International Organization for Migration. ** Sahel Turning to the Sahel, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that nearly 33 million men, women and children in the region need life-saving assistance and protection. In its new report on humanitarian needs and requirements there, OCHA highlights some key areas of concern, including the Liptako Gourma region (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger) and the Lake Chad basin (Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria and Niger), with spillover effects increasingly felt in the Gulf of Guinea's coastal countries and Mauritania. Across the Sahel, growing violence and conflict threaten lives and livelihoods, forcing families to flee their homes and preventing access to basic social services 2.2 million children are deprived of their right to education due to school closures, and close to 1,300 health centres are closed. The region hosts 2 million refugees and asylum-seekers and 5.6 million internally displaced persons, many of whom have faced multiple displacements. In the June to August lean season, 16.7 million people will struggle to feed themselves. We and our humanitarian partners need $4.7 billion this year to support 21 million people in Burkina Faso, Cameroon's Far North Region, Chad, Mali, Niger and Nigeria's Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. As of today, just 16 per cent of the funding or $761 million has been received out of the $4.7 billion. ** Haiti Another humanitarian situation, and not a good one to highlight, and that is close to these shores in Haiti. Our humanitarian colleagues continue to sound the alarm on the dire food security in the country. You heard from Jean-Martin Bauer, the Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Haiti, who said the country is considered a hunger hotspot, with populations already in acute food insecurity and requiring urgent humanitarian action. Amid this difficult context, our humanitarian colleagues continue to support the people in the capital and across the region. From 1 to 6 June, as part of its emergency response, WFP distributed more than 38,000 hot meals to over 8,700 internally displaced persons in eight sites in Port-au-Prince metropolitan zone. Also, in the past week and across the country, it also distributed cash assistance to some 27,000 people. ** Ukraine And back here, this morning, Joyce Msuya, the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefed the Security Council on behalf of Martin Griffiths, [the Emergency Relief Coordinator] and that's on Ukraine. She said that the civilian toll of attacks on Ukraine has continued to mount. Few parts of the country have been spared from hostilities, she said, with the Kharkiv region experiencing the heaviest escalation of violence over the past month. Ms. Msuya said that with support from around 50 humanitarian organizations, more than 12,000 people are receiving assistance at a transit centre in Kharkiv region. This includes food and water, clothes, bedding, household items, cash, psychosocial support and legal assistance. Meanwhile, civilians who remain in border and front-line areas in Kharkiv face dire conditions. Many are cut off from access to food, medical care, electricity and gas. She also said it is deeply concerning that systematic attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are continuing, impacting health care and other social, payment and transportation services, and disrupting gas, water, electricity supplies for millions of households across Ukraine. ** Lao People's Democratic Republic And our friend Volker Turk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, completed today his official visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the first ever by a High Commissioner for Human Rights. He met with a number of senior Government officials, including the Prime Minister. He said he hoped his visit would herald a deepening collaboration on the promotion and protection of human rights for all the people in the country, as well as in the region. His full remarks are shared with you. ** Food Price Index The benchmark for world food commodity prices have increased for the third consecutive month according to the May figures, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported today, adding that higher prices of cereals and dairy products outweighed decreases in quotations for sugar and vegetable oils. The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally traded food commodities, averaged 120.4 points in May, up 0.9 per cent from April. ** International Days Speaking of food, today is World Food Safety Day. Food safety has a critical role in assuring that food stays safe from production to harvest, to processing, storage, distribution, all the way to eating. Tomorrow is World Oceans Day. It is a reminder that oceans produce at least 50 per cent of the world's oxygen and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. The Secretary-General's message has been shared with you. ** Financial Contribution I'm going to end with a happy note, at least for us; we got some money today 113 countries have now paid to the regular budget. It comes from a country that boasts the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site called the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and one of the world's few remaining virgin rainforests, making it a biodiversity hotspot. It's also a great place to have black, green, or white tea... Sri Lanka. We thank our friends in Colombo. I was hoping a little better from you all. ** Questions and Answers Spokesman : Gabriel? Question : Thank you, Stephane. What... from the Secretary-General's standpoint, what are the ramifications on a country being included on this list of violations of the rights of children in armed conflict? Spokesman : Look, the Security Council created this mechanism with a purpose. This is not the first report, right. We've had reports since, I think, 1998. We've had reports, if I'm not mistaken, that focused on killing and maiming since 2009. It will be up to Member States to read, digest, report and act accordingly. Question : And it's not the first time this report has certainly come out, but it's the first time Israel's been included on it. Why now? Spokesman : I'm not going to go any further into the report. I would say our... we have been, up until this year, very good about ensuring that it follows a process. I think our hand was forced today. As we always say, we would encourage everyone to read the whole report and draw the conclusions. Question : You might not want to comment on it more now, which is understandable. But Israel is, including the Prime Minister. He has said, "The UN has put itself today on the blacklist of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers. The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) is the world's most moral army, and no preposterous UN decision can change that." Those are the words this morning from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. What is the Secretary-General's response? Spokesman : This report comes every year at the request of the Security Council. The Security Council created this mechanism. Every year, it is based on a very well-established, transparent methodology which is explained on the children and armed conflict website. Taking a step back, I think the Secretary-General has been very clear in speaking out since 7 October on issues of violations of international law, on issues of violation of human rights, which includes the condemning of the terror attacks by Hamas. Madame, and then you. Question : Steph, you spoke about two minutes ago about the Sahel region. There is a special envoy there, right? What is his job? Does he go there? What he's doing, because the situation is not getting better? Spokesman : Well, our efforts on the Sahel are continuing to try to bring a holistic approach, which includes not only security, but development and humanitarian [aid]. I think a lot of the factors that are driving the situation into a more negative... that are driving the situation on kind of a more negative path are out of the control of the United Nations. It has to do with the continuing insecurity, climate change, desertification, the coups that we've seen and the governance issues; we're trying to tackle all of those. Amelie and then Dezhi. Question : Thanks. I have several questions as well on the children and armed conflicts. In the interest of a balanced coverage from our part, can you tell us if Hamas is put on the list, as well? Spokesman : I have nothing else to share with you. We would not have gone public with this had a video of a phone call not been released. The Ambassador was briefed on everything having to do with the situation that is ongoing in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinians. Question : And another one, sorry, because there were so many things at the same time at the beginning of your briefing. I'm not sure I got everything correctly. On the list of his trips next week, do I understand from that that he's not going to the Peace Summit on Ukraine? Spokesman : He will not go, and I think we've said that the UN will be represented at an appropriate level. And I think all the parties that are organizing the Summit have been informed. Question : And in, sorry, last one on Yemen, there have been lists of different agencies, I mean, of personnel working from different agencies. Can you give us any more details on who has been kidnapped? Spokesman : I will share that with you after the briefing. [He later shared a list of the agency affiliations of the detainees.] Dezhi? Question : Yes, quick follow-up. You might have already said this. I'm sorry if I missed it. What is the consequence or what is the meaning of being listed into the countries that commits violations against children? Spokesman : I really don't want to go more into this report at this point. All of the information is on the children and armed conflict website. The consequences for people who are mentioned or listed in this report since the inception of this report will be for Member States and others to draw. We've been asked to produce a report. We produce the report; the consequences will be for others to take. Question : Yesterday, the IDF released nine names they called Hamas terrorists in their attack in that UNRWA school. Can you confirm that? Do you have any information on that? Spokesman : I can't confirm. We can't confirm. The UNRWA and the humanitarian workers that are in these shelters are focused on humanitarian work. I think Philippe Lazzarini was very clear in his statement that he can't confirm it one way or another. Question : So, there might be the possibility that there are militants in that...? Spokesman : As I said, he was very clear in saying that he can't confirm it one way or another. Question : Okay, one last question. It's been reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu would visit the US in July. Will the Secretary-General seek any opportunities to meet with him? Spokesman : The Secretary-General's doors are always open to any Head of Government, Head of State, foreign minister, official who wants to come to New York and meet him. Anade? Question : Just a quick follow-up on Dezhi's second question about the UNRWA staff members. Is there any update on the OIOS (Office of Internal Oversight Services) report? I know that you said that the team had gone back to Israel to get more information. There were some cases suspended due to a lack of information. Have you received any more information? Spokesman : I have an update. I will send it around. But basically, I think the work of OIOS is continuing. They remain in touch with Israeli officials, and I think we could probably expect the work of the reporting is continuing. And I should have a bit more detail with you later. Question : Do you think you'd have an expected date of when it will conclude? Spokesman : No. I never want to give a hard date to an investigation, because the investigation will end when the investigators feel that it has ended. Okay, let's say... Were you just saying yes to okay, or did you want to ask a question? You may. Question : Thank you. Stephane, going back to the report, you said it was shocking and unacceptable that the Israeli Permanent Representative released the video of his conversation with the Secretary-General's chief of staff. You've said you never saw anything like that. And I think you mentioned decades, many years. What are the ramifications of something like that being released in that form? Spokesman : I mean, the ramifications is more work for you. It's a bigger story. I don't think it's particularly helpful to our process. Member States will do what they do. Question : I mean, I guess, I mean, it's no secret Israel has a very contentious relationship... I think you've used that word. Spokesman : I think the Ambassador. Question : The Ambassador has, yeah. I mean, was there any thought about... I mean, you had to know that this was going to be leaked, or no? Or is it just normal protocol, this much in advance? Spokesman : As I said, it's normal protocol. I mean, the fact that conversations between senior UN officials and diplomats and others leak, that is not new at all. That I've seen in my 24 years here. I think it's the format. Correspondent : Thank you. Spokesman : Enjoy the rest of your day. We shall see you Monday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNHCR urges global response to neglected humanitarian crisis in the Sahel UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 7 June 2024 GENEVA -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply concerned about the fast-growing humanitarian crisis in the Sahel Region. In the Central Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, over 3.3 million people are forcibly displaced due to relentless conflict, exacerbated by the worsening effects of the climate crisis, according to April 2024 data. This staggering forced displacement of civilians demands immediate international action to prevent it worsening. The security situation in the Central Sahel is volatile, forcing people to flee their homes in search of safety and protection. Protection risks are widespread. Survey data from the first quarter of 2024 shows that forcibly displaced and host communities perceive thefts, attacks on civilians and gender-based violence as the key risks. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and trafficking. Furthermore, the lack of adequate shelter, clean water and sanitation exacerbates the dire conditions faced by the displaced while the persistent insecurity prevents many from returning home, often leading to repeated displacement within countries and, increasingly, across borders. While 2.8 million people have been internally displaced within Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in the last four years, the number of refugees from these three countries has soared to 550,000 during the same period. In Burkina Faso, the dual threat of violence and inadequate living conditions is perpetuating a cycle of fragility. Over the past year, the outflow of Burkinabe refugees has been significant, with an estimated 117,600 arrivals in nearby coastal countries as of April 2024. There are currently over 200,000 Malian refugees in Mauritania, 130,000 in Niger, and nearly 40,000 in Burkina Faso, as well as 50,000 who fled to Algeria but have no access to asylum procedures. At the same time, Mali hosts around 94,000 refugees, mainly from Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mauritania, while grappling with more than 354,000 internally displaced people. Despite the insecurity and increasing pressures on local communities, neighbouring countries within the Sahel region should be commended for keeping their borders open to refugees. The increase in cross-border movement underscores the deepening of the crisis and the continued necessity to respond to needs in the Sahel by investing in protection, assistance and durable solutions. Tremendous efforts are being undertaken, yet a lot more needs to be done. UNHCR is advocating with the international community to: Maintain aid during political instability in the Sahel region to prevent exacerbating the existing problems and increasing the likelihood of future crises. UNHCR calls for investment in essential protection and social systems, as well as supporting communities before they are forced to move. Envisage a joint approach between humanitarian, development and peace actors, while redirecting funds to local organizations actively working on the ground, for a more effective response to needs. Plan long-term solutions to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance while building the resilience of displaced people and host communities. UNHCR requires $443.5 million to cover urgent humanitarian needs in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, and the Gulf of Guinea countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EZULWINI NGOs and churches found to be breaking the law will be de-registered. This is according to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is currently piloting the Non Profit Organisations (NPOs) Bill meant to put in place legislation to regulate Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as well as religious denominations in the country. The ministry has raised a concern over the mushrooming of NGOs in the country, which are allegedly involved in money laundering and financing of terrorism. The ministry says in the absence of legislation in place to ensure accountability for funds received by NGOs and churches, there is a high possibility of money laundering and financing of terrorism. This was during the Ministry of Home Affairs, Parliament portfolio committees workshop organised for both houses of Parliament. The workshop was held at the Sibane Sami Hotel yesterday. The statement on de-registration of NGOs and churches breaking the law was made by the ministrys Principal Secretary (PS), Nhlanhla Nxumalo in response to questions posed by Senate president Lindiwe Dlamini. While making her submissions during the question and answer session, the senate president noted that currently, there were churches that were non-aligned and said this should be put in order. I have noted that during your presentation, you have stated that there are some churches that are not aligned to any of the recognised church governing bodies. This should be put in order, we cannot afford a situation where there are people labafuna kuphatsa bantfu, kepha bona bangafuni kuphatwa, she said. The president went on to state that pertaining to the issue of NGOs, she was of the idea that they were regulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, however, she was surprised that they were registered under the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade. Corncern Explaining her concern about then current situation, the senate president said the role or mandate of NGOs was to drive social change. Let us not sugar coat this, it is clear that their mandate is to drive social change. I agree that it is true they also provide humanitarian aid and develop communities and advocate for human rights. However, I have to insist that their core mandate is to advance or drive social change, she said. The senate president said the NGOs mandate emanated from their funders who are mainly other nations and if they were not regulated and were not accountable, it would cause problems for the country moving forward. Certain nations, through NGOs, are pushing a mandate to democratise other countries, said the Senate president. She, however, pointed out that the democracy that was being pursued by these nations was different to the democracy practiced in Eswatini. One of their foreign policy is to finance NGOs to advance for democratic change in all their facets through funding. This does not put the country in good stand if we are going to have people busy driving social change according to their own perceptions. Tsine emaSwati ngalana sikhuluma Tinkhundla basibuka bulima because they want to impose their own democratic systems, stated the Senate president. She highlighted the importance of ensuring that legislation was put in place to regulate NGOs in the country. In response, PS Nxumalo acknowledged the concerns raised by the senate president. He assured that the main aim of the Bill was to ensure there was, indeed, proper legislation in place to regulate both NGOs and churches in the country. Pertaining to the NGOs, Nxumalo said the lack of a legislation governing NGOs, was an anomaly. He said the ministry was in the process of establishing a unit to monitor registration and governing NGOs. He also stated that the legislation would also provide for de-registration of churches and NGOs that contravened the laws of the country. The legislation will also authorise the ministry to monitor the operations and de-register churches and organisations that were pushing mandates that were not in line with the laws of the country, he said. While making her presentation on the proposed Bill, Under Secretary (US) Nompumelelo Dlamini said as mandated by Legal Notice No. 25 of 2009 and Legal Notice No. 185 of 2015, the ministry was granted authority to regulate and oversee religious affairs and NGOs in the country. Funding Nomphumelelo said previously, the ministry had an NGO Policy of 2005, however, at the time, government was considering assisting NGOs with funding but over time, government changed its priorities due to fiscal constraints. She mentioned that currently, there was no legislation regulating NGOs or NPOs. She said there was also no clear registration policy for the voluntary organisations. Those that do register, do so voluntarily and it is done at the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade, under the Registrar of Companies department, she said. The US said for them, as a ministry mandated to regulate NGOs and churches; this was an embarrassment because they did not even have the statistics on how many voluntary organisations were registered as well as how they executed their mandates. Adding, she noted a concern of mushrooming of NGOs in the country which was of concern to government, as some of the organisations did not conduct themselves well while some were pushing negative mandates. We can all recall that during the unprecedented civil unrest, there were allegations made that some of the NGOs were being used to finance violence and terrorism in the country, said the US. She however acknowledged that there was in place, a governing body in the form of the Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO), however, CANGO has been regulating NGOs in the country without a proper policy in place. She said those that were regulated by CANGO voluntarily affiliated with the organisation, while many others were not under them and not regulated. The US said as a ministry, they have noted a recent increase in money laundering and financing of terrorism and this was happening through some of the unregulated NGOs. She said despite the efforts put in place by the Ministry of Finance pertaining to preventing money laundering as the Ministry of Home Affairs, they were not privy to how many NGOs were there in the country or where the funding came from. This promotes money laundering and financing of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction in the country as well as outside the country, she said. The US further mentioned that there was no effective cooperation and coordination between NGOs and government as some NGOs had access to information that government did not have access to, which could be a threat to national security. She emphasised on the importance of ensuring proper coordination in order to have access to and share information between government and NGOs. Prioritised She said in an attempt to curb the challenges stated above, government through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has prioritised the enactment of the Non-Profit Organisations (NPO) Bill. She said the decision to change from NGO to NPO was because NPO was all encompassing and included all organisations receiving and dispersing funds from various sources and donors. She said NPOs included all voluntary associations, charity organisations and foundations providing assistance to the nation on various levels. She said among the objectives of the Bill, was creating a conducive environment to assist NPOs as well as eradicating duplication of efforts where a majority of the NPOs were focusing on similar mandates such as HIV/AIDS yet there were other gaps that needed to be bridged. Continuing, Dlamini said another objective of the Bill was to establish an independent and responsible monitoring system for NPOs so there was effective regulation and accountability. It is important to ensure that all NPOs are accountable for the funds they receive from donors and where these funds are utilised. Currently, we have a huge gap as NPOs are not accountable for the funds utilised, she said. The US also stated that another objective for the Bill was to put in place appropriate internal controls, including appropriate systems to identify conduct which may involve money laundering and financing of terrorism to further ensure accountability from NPOs. Objective Further, another objective of the Bill is to promote donor and public confidence on NPOs and to encourage development of NPO conduct to ensure integrity and accountability as they execute their mandate. The Bill also seeks to facilitate a relationship between government and NPOs to ensure cooperation and a good working relationship for the benefit of the country and emaSwati, which is in line with the Constitution. The Bill will also establish a code of conduct for NPOs so that they could improve their self-governing. Currently, there is no code of conduct in place for NPOs. The Home Affairs US said the ministry has conducted consultations with relevant stakeholders on the Bill who also made their contributions. The Bill was submitted to the office of the Attorney General at the end of January 2024. The next step would be presenting it in Cabinet followed by the tabling of the Bill in Parliament for debate and enactment into law. Pertaining to churches, she said currently, there were three recognised churches governing bodies being the Conference of Churches, Council of Churches as well as the League of African Churches. However there was no legislation in place governing churches. We are all aware of the conflicts within and among the churches because they are registered under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade forcing the ministry to intervene yet there is no legislation in place, she said. The US said there were other religions that were not affiliated to the recognised governing bodies and in the absence of the legislation, the ministry had begun putting in place a policy to govern religion in the country. She said the initiative would include a benchmarking exercise which would be conducted by members of the policy development task team as well as stakeholder consultations. Amid Gaza war, children now work so families can survive: ILO 7 June 2024 - Eight months to the day since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in Gaza, the UN labour agency, ILO, warned on Friday that families there now send their children to work just to survive, as unemployment nears a staggering 80 per cent. Details of that development and the "unprecedented devastation" to the Palestinian jobs market and the wider economy beyond Gaza and the West Bank are outlined in a new report from the ILO. Ahead of its publication, the UN agency's Director-General Gilbert Houngbo told the 112th International Labour Conference in Geneva on Thursday that the labour market in Gaza had "literally collapsed" since "horrific" Hamas-led terror attacks against Israel last October, that sparked Israel's "relentless war". "Today Gaza is in ruins. Livelihoods are shattered and work is scarce. Labour rights have been decimated," he said. "This has been the hardest year for Palestinian workers since 1967. Never before has the situation been this bleak." Hard data According to data crunched by the ILO and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, unemployment in the Gaza Strip has reached 79.1 per cent. Although not directly impacted by the war, the occupied West Bank has also been severely impacted by the crisis, with almost one in three unemployed. "These figures bring the average rate of unemployment to 50.8 per cent across the two areas of the OPT," said the authors of The situation of Workers in the Occupied Arab Territories, before noting the true figure was likely even higher as it did not include individuals who had left the labour force altogether because of a lack of opportunities. Unsurprisingly, overall economic output in Gaza has contracted by 83.5 per cent and by 22.7 in the West Bank over the past eight months, while the entire OPT economy has shrunk by nearly 33 per cent. Health relief breakthrough In related developments in Gaza on Friday, the UN health agency announced despite "significant constraints", one fully-laden truck and a partially stacked trailer carrying medical relief had reached Gaza via the southern crossing of Kerem Shalom. "The supplies will be distributed to health facilities to support the treatment of up to 44,000 people," the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a post on X. The assistance comprises treatments for noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension and cardiac conditions, type 2 diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases but much more relief is needed urgently via the still-closed Rafah crossing, the UN health agency insisted. In a separate update, the WHO reported that 464 attacks on healthcare in the Gaza Strip have been documented since 7 October. "Attacks have resulted in 727 fatalities, 933 injuries, affected 101 health facilities and 113 ambulances," the World Health Organization (WHO) said in another post on X. "Two-fifths (37 per cent) of attacks were in Gaza City, nearly a quarter (23 per cent) in north Gaza, and over a quarter (28 per cent) in Khan Younis. WHO calls for the respect of international law and active protection of civilians and health care," the UN agency insisted. Rafah In Rafah, fewer than 100,000 people now remain across the southern governorate, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported late Thursday. This follows the forced evacuation "of about a million people - who were again on the run" and moving toward Khan Younis and Deir al Balah, OCHA said, adding that the ongoing hostilities had massively disrupted the delivery of lifesaving relief. The halt to fuel deliveries via Rafah crossing from Egypt had multiple negative ramifications, the UN aid office explained, as it affected "trucks, hospitals, sewage systems, desalination operations and bakeries". "As things stand, aid convoys still need to navigate active hostilities, barely passable roads, unexploded ordnance, and recurrent delays," OCHA said. Israel-Lebanon border clashes a grave concern: Guterres The continuing exchange of fire between Israeli forces and militants in southern Lebanon along the UN-patrolled Blue Line frontier are a source of grave concern, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday. In a statement issued in the evening from his Spokesperson's Office in New York, the UN chief called for an urgent ceasefire. He remains gravely concerned that the exchanges of fire have not only ravaged communities close to the Blue Line but have also impacted deeper into the territories of both Lebanon and Israel, with the use of increasingly destructive weapons", the statement continued. "These exchanges of fire could trigger a broader conflict with devastating consequences for the region." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Unimaginable trauma' haunts Sudan's displaced while violence, famine threaten millions 7 June 2024 - Horrific violence and the risk of famine continue to stalk the people of Sudan, UN humanitarians warned on Friday, as they echoed condemnation by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of an attack on a village south of Khartoum two days ago that is now believed to have left more than 100 dead. "The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack reportedly carried out on 5 June by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Wad Al-Noura village, Jazira state, which is said to have killed over 100 people," his Spokesperson said in a statement overnight, which also underscored "the immense suffering of the Sudanese population as a result of the continued hostilities". "It is high time for all parties to silence their guns across Sudan and commit to a path towards sustainable peace for the Sudanese people." Briefing journalists in Geneva from Port Sudan, Mohamed Refaat, the UN migration agency (IOM)'s chief of mission in the country, highlighted "truly horrifying reports of violent attacks and casualties" in the village of Wad Al-Noura in Aj Jazirah state on Wednesday. His comments came as unconfirmed video images showed dozens of bodies laid out for burial in the village following a reported assault by heavily armed RSF fighters, some 112 kilometres (70 miles) from the capital. At least 35 children were believed to be among the dead, drawing strong condemnation from UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell. "This is yet another grim reminder of how the children of Sudan are paying the price for the brutal violence," she said in a statement late Thursday. "Over the past year, thousands of children have been killed and injured. Children have been recruited, abducted and subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence. Over five million children have been forced from their homes. Concerns mounting: Rights chief The UN's top human rights official also expressed his shock upon learning of the killings in Wad Al-Noura, maintaining that the RSF had "used weapons with wide-area effects, including artillery shells, during the attack". "These killings add to my existing, serious concerns about the adherence to the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution under international humanitarian law by those involved in the fighting," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. "Those responsible for unlawful killings must be held accountable. How many more Sudanese civilians must die before the parties to the conflict stop the fighting?" Darfurs flashpoint At another flashpoint of the conflict, in North Darfur's capital El Fasher in Sudan's west, some 800,000 civilians are still in danger, amid intensified fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the rival RSF. The location remains "inaccessible" to the UN either cross-line or cross-border, Mr. Refaat said. He called for all parties to facilitate unimpeded aid access to the area "through all available routes" and stressed that the prices of water and fuel there have "skyrocketed", making essentials unaffordable. Internal displacement in Sudan since the start of the conflict on 15 April last year has almost reached the 10 million mark, IOM's Mr. Refaat noted, with food insecurity an increasing factor in people's decision to flee. Some 18 million people in the country are acutely hungry while 3.6 million children are acutely malnourished. Refugees stranded In addition to the internally displaced, over two million people have fled across Sudan's borders into neighbouring countries, mainly Chad, South Sudan and Egypt, "often arriving in extremely vulnerable conditions and highly traumatized", Mr. Refaat stressed. The IOM spokesperson also warned of a threefold increase recorded by IOM last year in Sudanese "taking dangerous, irregular migration corridors into Libya, Tunisia, onward to Europe". He quoted "unconfirmed reports" of some 2,000 families currently "stranded in hard conditions, including migrants between the borders between Egypt, Libya and Sudan". Chadian solidarity for most traumatized Echoing his comments, Alpha Seydi Ba, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)'s regional spokesperson for West and Central Africa, spoke of the devastating situation in Chad, where over 600,000 Sudanese have arrived since the start of the crisis. "You've seen people coming on a daily basis by dozens in a very, very bad shape, and most of them are women, children who have experienced an unimaginable, unimaginable trauma," he said. Chad already hosted more than 400,000 Sudanese refugees before this crisis, Mr. Ba explained, before expressing the UN agency's appreciation that the authorities "have kept their borders open". But responding to refugees' basic needs such as shelter, food, access to education for children and psychological support has become increasingly challenging due to funding shortfalls. UNHCR said that the response plan for five neighbouring countries hosting those who have fled Sudan, for a total of $1.4 billion, is only nine per cent funded. The humanitarian response inside Sudan remains only 16 per cent funded. Healthcare collapse Meanwhile, the UN health agency WHO sounded the alarm over the dire healthcare situation in the country, warning that it was "collapsing". WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier told journalists in Geneva that some 65 per cent of the population now lack access to care. "Healthcare in Sudan typically relied heavily on Khartoum, where the health care system was decimated," he explained. "Only about 25 per cent of the medical supplies needed are available in the country. In hard-to-reach areas, only 20 to 30 per cent of health facilities remain functional, and even so, at a minimal level." Measles threat The WHO spokesperson warned of a record number of measles cases in 2023 as vaccination rates declined due to the conflict. "Unfortunately, we expect 2024 to be worse," he added. WHO said that cholera, malaria and dengue are also on the rise and expressed concern over the lack of treatment for people suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases and kidney failure. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Terrorism, humanitarian crises threaten stability of West Africa: UN deputy chief 7 June 2024 - Rapidly evolving global political, social, environmental and security challenges risk undermining peace and economic development across West Africa, the UN deputy chief said on Friday, reiterating the importance of a multilateral and inclusive response. At an event commemorating the 49th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed noted progress made, alongside immediate challenges. "Over the last decade, the region has seen an exponential rise in terrorism that has reversed its development gains. This has been further exacerbated by the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government posing a significant threat to regional stability," she said. Humanitarian needs are rising amid the web of crises, "creating new dynamics, bringing new risks of conflicts, beyond the region". "ECOWAS at 49 serves as a reminder that the road ahead is challenging, but it is also filled with potential. This requires both a multilateral and regional response to the complexities each country faces," Ms. Mohammed added. Collective solutions The Deputy Secretary-General underscored the need to use "all existing tools", while also designing new solutions collectively to meet the expectations of the people. Peace and security must underpin the 'Vision for Africa' in the African Union's Agenda 2063 socio-economic development framework, with a strong emphasis on strong democratic institutions, she said. "The values of democracy and good governance still hold true for our region. But recent developments tell us that populations are putting in question our models of democracy and the need to be made fit for purpose in line with local realities," she added, also urging root causes of conflicts in the region to be addressed. Rescue SDGs The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - woefully off track - must be rescued, the deputy UN chief said. Efforts must be stepped up to achieve the development targets by the 2030 deadline, with "bold and transformative" actions, Ms. Mohammed said. She emphasized the need for investments in just energy transitions, food systems, digital connectivity, education and skills, as well as in climate action and social protection. Once-in-a-generation opportunity Mr. Mohammed also underscored that September's Summit of the Future provides a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to address gaps in global governance, including for peace and security as part of the Secretary-General's New Agenda for Peace. In that context, Africa will be a vital player in finding ways to end existing conflicts and prevent new ones - with women playing a central role. "As negotiations for a new Pact for the Future (the outcome of the Summit of the Future) intensify, I encourage all of you to engage in all aspects," she said. Silence guns in Gaza, Sudan In conclusion, the Deputy Secretary-General drew attention to the conflicts in Sudan and in Gaza, "which continue to cause unimaginable suffering, particularly for women and children". She reiterated the necessity for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages and a pathway to a lasting two-State solution. "We are united in our call for peace, for silencing the guns across Africa, and for working to end all conflicts around the world," she concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No shelter from war: the bombing of block 2 at the UNRWA Nuseirat school UNRWA 7 Jun 2024 In yet another strike on a UN installation in the Gaza Strip, this time on the UNRWA Nuseirat Boys' Preparatory School, a bombardment by Israeli forces early on 6 June killed at least 35 people and injured dozens more. The UNRWA school-turned-shelter at Nuseirat refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip, housed some 6,000 internally displaced people. Many hailed from Al-Bureij and Al-Maghazi refugee camps, which they were forced to flee because of the war. The testimonies of the people at the shelter are horrifying, with the airstrike coming on top of what has already been an eight-month onslaught of displacement, death, and dispossession. Many have lost their relatives and friends, and have fear and anxiety etched deep in their faces. One person said, "We are in an UNRWA school, and we are being targeted! Where can we go when we have lost everything?" Musab, photographed below, was hit by shrapnel and sustained injuries all over his body. His father was killed in the strike on the school that he and his family sought shelter in. "We have been displaced six times to save ourselves, seeking refuge in UNRWA schools, but this is the hardest situation I've ever experienced. Yesterday, we lost our father. Concrete slabs fell on us, and suddenly, we found ourselves surrounded by the dead and injured. All of my family members were either injured or killed," said Musab, 17. "I don't know what happened. We were sleeping, and at two in the morning, missiles rained down on us. They pulled us from under the rubble, and all we saw were shrapnel, debris, and dust. I am in shock and can't comprehend that my father is dead! How will we live? All my siblings are so young! Our support and backbone has been broken," Musab lamented "We call on the world and the United Nations to provide us with protection." Since the war began last October, UNRWA's schools and other facilities in Gaza have been transformed into emergency shelters for internally displaced people. Some 1.7 million people have been displaced by the war, many of them multiple times, and the shelters are massively overcrowded. The UNRWA Nuseirat School and Emergency Shelter is one of more than 180 United Nations installations damaged since the start of the war, in over 435 separate incidents. At least 450 people sheltering in UNRWA facilities have been killed and over 1,470 injured. UNRWA installations, like all United Nations facilities, are inviolable. UNRWA shares the coordinates of all its installations with the Israeli authorities and other parties to the conflict. UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, has underscored that, "Targeting UN premises or using them for military purposes cannot become the new norm." The Agency has called for an independent international investigation into the disregard for UN facilities and said that all those responsible must be held accountable. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Navy to Christen Future USNS Cherokee Nation US Navy 07 June 2024 The Navy will christen the Navajo-class towing, salvage, and rescue ship, the future USNS Cherokee Nation (T-ATS 7), during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, June 8, in Houma, Louisiana. The Honorable Chuck Hoskin, Jr., Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, will deliver the principal address. Remarks will also be provided by the Honorable Franklin Parker, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander, Navy Installation Command; and Mr. Ben Bordelon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bollinger Shipyards. In a time-honored Navy tradition, the ship's sponsor, the Honorable Victoria Vazquez, Deputy Speaker of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council, will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow. The future USNS Cherokee Nation is the second ship in its class and will be operated by the Navy's Military Sealift Command. The vessels will replace the existing Powhatan-class T-ATF fleet ocean tugs and Safeguard-class T-ARS rescue and salvage ships in service with the U.S. Military Sealift Command. The Navajo-class is a new series of towing, salvage, diving, and rescue ships (T-ATS) being constructed for the U.S. Navy. The Navajo-class is a multi-mission common hull platform that will be deployed to support a range of missions such as towing, rescue, salvage, diving, humanitarian assistance, oil spill response and wide-area search and surveillance operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US says pier in Gaza reconnected, aid delivery to resume soon By Carla Babb June 07, 2024 The U.S. military says a temporary pier to deliver aid into the Gaza Strip by sea has been reconnected to the beach after it broke apart in a storm in late May. Food and other supplies will begin to flow into Gaza "as soon as possible ... in the coming days," U.S. Central Command's deputy chief, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, told reporters on Friday. "Earlier this morning in Gaza, U.S. forces successfully attached the temporary pier to the Gaza beach," he said, adding that the military continued its "no U.S. boots on the ground' policy through support from Israel Defense Force engineers. In response to a question from VOA, Cooper said that the aid was already "on scene," but that security measures were still being checked before the flow of aid could restart. "There's a whole series of measures on force protection that we want to validate to make sure we have all the communications in place so that we can move successfully. We're validating all those with a strong sense of urgency," he said. Cooper said operations at the reconnected pier will ramp up with a goal to get about 227,000 kilograms (500,000 pounds) of food and other supplies into Gaza via the pier each day. The U.S. military also intends to simultaneously deliver aid into Gaza via air drops, according to CENTCOM's deputy chief. A large section of the causeway was broken by heavy winds and rough seas on May 25, which Cooper said was "unanticipated." Four U.S. military vessels helping with the mission went aground, injuring three service members, including one who remains in critical condition. Large sections of the pier were disconnected and moved to an Israeli port for repairs. U.S. Senator Richard Wicker, the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, "It is astonishing that President [Joe] Biden is doubling down on this bad idea. It continues to put U.S. troops in harm's way without any plan for ensuring that aid is delivered successfully to Gazans in need. This needs to end immediately." The United Nations oversees receiving shipments and coordinating distribution on the ground. The arrangement is part of an effort to boost what humanitarian organizations say is a vastly insufficient amount of aid for Palestinian civilians. Aid has been slow to get into Gaza due to long backups of vehicles at Israeli inspection points and ongoing Israeli military operations against Hamas. The United States and other nations have air dropped food into Gaza dozens of times in recent months, but air drops are much less efficient and provide vastly smaller quantities of aid than distribution via sea or land. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blinken to head back to Middle East on Sunday By VOA News June 07, 2024 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading back to the Middle East on Sunday in hopes of persuading Israel and Hamas militants to accept a cease-fire agreement designed to halt the fighting, release hostages and get more humanitarian aid into the war-torn Gaza Strip. A State Department release on Friday said the top U.S. diplomat would emphasize the importance of Hamas' acceptance of the cease-fire proposal on the table one outlined in a speech by President Joe Biden a week ago that is nearly identical to one Hamas endorsed last month. Blinken's three-day trip will include stops in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Qatar. Blinken's latest visit to the region comes as Israel's offensive in Gaza continues at full speed. Israeli tanks and warplanes blasted central and southern areas of the enclave overnight and into Friday. Reuters, citing local medical officials, reported at least 28 Palestinians were killed. In northern Gaza, Palestinian emergency workers said three people were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit a U.N.-run school. The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas gunmen operating from inside the school. Israel used the same explanation Thursday after an airstrike on a school operated by the U.N. relief agency UNRWA in the central Gaza Nuseirat refugee camp. The Gaza Ministry of Health said the strike killed 40 people. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that he found the claim that Hamas was operating out of the school shocking and that his agency was unable to verify it. In a report issued Friday, the U.N. Human Rights Office said the airstrike on the Nuseirat camp school suggested a failure of the Israeli military to ensure strict compliance with international humanitarian law. Tensions between the U.N. and Israel escalated further Friday when Israeli U.N. envoy Gilad Erdan said he had been notified that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was adding Israel's military to a global list of offenders who have committed violations against children. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a post on his X social media account, fired back, writing, "Today, the U.N. added itself to the blacklist of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers. The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] is the most moral army in the world; no delusional U.N. decision will change that." The report is compiled annually by the secretary-general, documenting the killing, maiming, sexual abuse, abduction or recruitment of children, denial of aid access, and targeting of schools and hospitals. It will formally be published and presented to the 15-member Security Council on June 18. Meanwhile, the U.S. military said a temporary pier for delivering aid into Gaza by sea, which broke apart in stormy weather in late May, has been reconnected to the beach. Food and other supplies will begin to flow into Gaza "as soon as possible ... in the coming days," U.S. Central Command's deputy chief, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, told reporters Friday. Hamas on October 7 launched a terror attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and capturing about 250 hostages. Hamas is holding about 120 of the hostages in Gaza, although the Israeli military says at least 37 of them are dead. Israel's retaliatory bombardments and ground offensive have killed at least 36,600 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN discusses 'Doha III' meeting agenda, coordination with Taliban By Ayaz Gul June 07, 2024 The United Nations informed Taliban leaders Friday that it is working to finalize the agenda for a crucial two-day international conference on Afghanistan, and it is aiming for it to be accepted by all sides. Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul and discussed the matter, Muttaqi's office said in a post-meeting statement. The two sides "exchanged views on the detailed outlook and necessary coordination" for the June 30 U.N.-convened conference, which Doha, Qatar, will host. The gathering, referred to as "Doha III," will be the third in Qatar's capital on the subject since U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres initiated the process with special envoys on Afghanistan to promote an effective world approach to the Taliban-governed country, which is facing dire humanitarian, economic, and human rights crises. "At the outset, Mrs. Roza Otunbayeva said that her team is working on the agenda of the 3rd Doha meeting and trying to arrange an agenda that could be recognized by all sides," the Taliban foreign ministry stated. While emphasizing the importance of a conference agenda "that may be acceptable to all sides," Muttaqi was quoted as pledging "to work closely with the concerned sides regarding the matter." The U.N. did not immediately comment on its envoy's meeting with the chief Taliban diplomat. Otunbayeva's contact with de facto authorities came amid growing calls for the U.N. to ensure Afghan women's representation at the table in the Doha meeting, with the rights of women and girls at the center of discussions. Rights activists have criticized the U.N. for inviting the Taliban to the Doha meeting and allegedly working hard to persuade them to attend the event. De facto Afghan authorities did not participate in the first two Doha gatherings, saying the U.N. had failed to meet their conditions for doing so. The Taliban informally stated late last month their intention to join the June 30 discussions in Doha, however, promising to make a formal announcement after receiving from the U.N. the final agenda of the event. On Thursday, about a dozen rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, jointly sent a letter to the U.N., the Security Council and member states, sharing concerns the Taliban's participation in Doha is being sought at the cost of the rights of Afghan women and girls. "While members of the international community are moving perilously close to accepting the legitimacy of Taliban rule, Afghanistan's women, who are bravely fighting back and paying a devastating price as a result, are not," the letter reads. Heather Barr, women's rights associate director at Human Rights Watch, told VOA the letter highlighted several concerns, including reports that women's rights would neither be on the agenda nor fully represented at the conference. "The situation in Afghanistan right now is already the most serious women's rights crisis on the planet, and it is steadily worsening," Barr stated. She criticized stepped-up U.N. contacts with the Taliban ahead of the Doha meeting. "The context for this seems to be the U.N. twisting themselves into a pretzel to try to placate the Taliban and convince them to attend. That effort is in direct conflict with the U.N.'s core obligation to uphold human rights, including the rights of Afghan women and girls." U.N. officials have defended their invitation and engagement with the Taliban, saying that "they are the de facto authorities in Afghanistan" and underscoring that the world body is persistently urging Kabul to uphold the rights of women and girls. The Taliban had asked the U.N. in the run-up to the second Doha meeting, in February, that their delegates would be accepted as the sole official representatives of the country, meaning that Afghan civil society representatives, women's rights activists and members of opposition groups would not be present. De facto Afghan authorities also sought a meeting between their delegation and the U.N. at "a very senior level," saying it "would be beneficial" for both sides. The Taliban also opposed the planned appointment of a U.N. special envoy to coordinate international engagement with Kabul in line with the latest U.N. Security Council resolution on Afghanistan. However, Guterres rejected the Taliban conditions, saying they would have "denied us the right to talk to other representatives of the Afghan society and demanded a treatment that would to a large extent be similar to recognition." No foreign country has recognized the Taliban as legitimate rulers of Afghanistan since they stormed back to power in August 2021 as all the U.S.-led NATO troops withdrew from the country after their two-decade-long presence. The Taliban have imposed sweeping curbs on women's right to education and public life at large in line with their strict interpretation of Islam. Afghan girls ages 12 and older are banned from attending secondary school, while women are prohibited from public and private workplaces, barring health care and a few other sectors. Women are not allowed to undertake road trips unless accompanied by a close male relative and are banned from visiting parks, gyms and other public places. The elusive Taliban supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, insists he is governing the country in line with local culture and Islamic teachings, rejecting international criticism of his policies as an interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs. The Taliban, who are ethnically Pashtun, have also dismissed international calls for giving representation to other Afghan ethnicities in the government, saying all groups are represented in it. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthi rebels detain UN, other international aid workers in Yemen By VOA News June 07, 2024 As many as 18 international aid workers, including 11 Yemeni employees of the United Nations, were taken into custody in a series of raids late Thursday, according to Yemen government officials and an aid group. In a report on its website, the Mayyun Organization for Human Rights, citing its own sources, reported armed Houthi security and intelligence officers carried out simultaneous armed raids in the Yemen capital, Sanaa, as well as the cities of Hodeida, Saada and Amran. The group said the raids targeted Yemeni employees working for the United Nations and other international aid organizations. The armed officers raided their homes, interrogated them and confiscated mobile phones and computers before taking them away in military vehicles. The group said the detained workers included Yemen employees of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, the U.N. Development Program, the World Food Program and the office of the Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen. Workers also were detained from the aid groups Save the Children, the Yemeni civil society organization Relief and Development Response, Oxfam, CARE America and the Yemeni governmental institution, the Social Fund for Development. Government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the group's report to news organizations. During a briefing Friday at U.N. headquarters in New York, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed the number of U.N. personnel working in Yemen who were taken and said the U.N. was seeking clarification from de facto Houthi authorities about circumstances of the detentions. "I can further tell you that we are pursuing all available channels to secure the safe and unconditional release of all of them, as rapidly as possible," he said. The advocacy group Human Rights Watch also issued a statement calling on the Houthis to "immediately release any U.N. employees and workers for other independent groups they have detained because of their human rights and humanitarian work and stop arbitrarily detaining and forcibly disappearing people." The Mayyun organization condemned "in the strongest terms" the raids and detentions, calling the actions a "dangerous escalation" that violates the privileges and immunities aid workers are granted under international law. The group demanded the Houthis reveal the fate of the abductees and called for their immediate release. Yemen's Houthi rebels and their affiliated media organizations did not immediately acknowledge the detentions. The Iranian-supported Houthis have attacked shipping in the Red Sea, drawing air strikes from the United States and Britain, and they have held about 20 Yemeni employees of the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa for the past three years. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Crisis unfolding in Sudan as internally displaced nears 10 million By Lisa Schlein June 07, 2024 The International Organization for Migration warns that the number of internally displaced people in Sudan soon will top 10 million, as conflict and acute hunger spread throughout the country. Mohammed Refaat, the IOM's chief of mission in Sudan, calls the crisis unfolding in Sudan a "catastrophic human tragedy." He told journalists in Geneva on Friday that he was speaking from Port Sudan "with a heavy heart and a profound sense of urgency." "Today, I am not just a representative of a U.N. agency, I am a voice for millions of Sudanese whose lives have been forever altered by the ongoing crisis. Families have been torn apart, communities devastated, and the future put on hold. The human toll of this crisis is huge," he said. The IOM says that more than half of the 9.9 million people displaced inside Sudan are women and more than a quarter are children. Additionally, it says more than 2 million people have fled as refugees into neighboring countries, mainly to Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt. Refaat observed that before rival generals of the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces went to war in mid-April 2023, displacement was largely concentrated within Darfur and Kordofan states. Since then, he said displacement has spread widely across all 18 states, with the majority, 36 percent, from the capital, Khartoum. He said that 70 percent of people uprooted from their homes are trying to survive "in areas at risk of famine," noting that most of those places are in the Darfur region, "which is currently the most difficult for humanitarians to reach." "The humanitarian situation has entered a new and alarming chapter, the outbreak of fighting in Al Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, putting over 800,000 civilians at risk," he said. "Movement restrictions are choking the lifelines of those in the state, with crucial roads out of Al Fasher blocked and preventing civilians from reaching safer areas and limiting the amount of food and humanitarian aid coming into the city," The Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Program issued a joint report on 18 world "hunger hotspots" Thursday in which they cite Sudan, along with Mali, Palestine, and South Sudan, as countries that "remain at the highest alert, and require the most urgent attention" to prevent famine. According to the report, "18 million people are acutely food insecure, including 3.6 million children acutely malnourished, and famine is rapidly closing in on millions of people in Darfur, Kordofan, Al Jazirah, and Khartoum." "Conflict and displacement also continue at an alarming pace and magnitude in Sudan, where time is running out to save lives and the lean season looms," the report warns. Sudan historically has been a major transit and destination country for migrants. It traditionally has been a haven for many fleeing war, hunger and hardship from neighboring countries. The IOM's Refaat notes that the recent war has exacerbated the situation, however, "leaving many migrants and refugees stranded with limited access to support and services." Meanwhile, the World Health Organization warns that the health system in Sudan is collapsing. It notes about 65 percent of the Sudanese population lacks access to health care, just 25 percent of needed medical supplies are available and "only 20 to 30 percent of health facilities remain functional, at minimal levels" in hard-to-reach areas. "At least two-thirds of the states are experiencing simultaneous outbreaks," said WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier, noting that vaccination for measles has declined "due to the conflict." "Over 11,000 cases of cholera have been reported from 12 states and this is likely to be an underestimate, and there are also outbreaks of malaria and dengue," he said, adding that many people are suffering from mental health, non-communicable and chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and kidney failure for lack of treatment. The IOM says that the prices of food, water and fuel are skyrocketing, making those essential goods unaffordable. This, at a time when "the world's worst internal displacement crisis continues to escalate, with looming famine and disease adding to the havoc wrought by conflict," it said in a statement Thursday. Refaat said, "Aid agencies have struggled to keep pace with the growing needs. Funding shortfalls are impeding efforts to provide adequate shelter, food, and medical assistance." "Serious concerns are mounting about the long-term impact of the displacement on Sudan's social and economic fabric," he said, emphasizing that the IOM's $312.5 million appeal to provide aid for 1.7 million people this year is only 19 percent funded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 MBABANE An adult male of Sidwashini in Mbabane is on the polices wanted list after being accused of not only pouring hot water all over his girlfriend, but also attempting to allegedly cut off her head open with a grinder following a misunderstanding. The accused, whose name is known to this publication, is currently on the run after allegedly committing this shocking act on the woman who works for one of the broadcasting stations in the country. She has opened a case of assault against him with the Mbabane Police Station . Apparently, the accused has been in hiding for close to one month now and his whereabouts are unknown. Independent investigations by this publication revealed that the woman had to be admitted in hospital for two weeks to receive medical attention. She is currently recuperating at home, which is also in Sidwashini, a popular location situated on the outskirts of the capital city. According to one of the residents who rescued and assisted the woman, when she was taken to hospital, the alleged incident happened inside the accuseds room. From what we heard, they had a misunderstanding inside the accuseds room. This led to physical assault by the boyfriend on the woman to an extent that he poured hot water all over her body and attempted to cut off her head with a grinder. Fortunately, neighbours heard the womans screams for help and intervened, the resident said. It has further been established that upon realising that an alarm had been raised, the accused is said to have immediately disappeared from the room and has not been seen around the area or his home since then. She is lucky to be alive because no one knows what would have happened to her had we not heard her cries for help. She was in a bad state and severely injured as there was blood all over her, especially on the head where the grinder was used. The hot water left serious scars on her body, but she is a strong woman as she managed to survive through all that pain, the resident further said. Another resident described the accused as a rowdy person in the area, revealing that he is associated with a group of bad boys that is known for causing terror among the people. Bad A woman resident called upon the police to bring the accused to book, stating that if such a case was left to hang, it would set a bad precedence. Cases of domestic violence are rife in the country and the culprit must be made to face the law. This is a young woman whose life was nearly ended in a very brutal way. She must thank God for sparring her life, the woman, who has been a resident at Sidwashini for over 30 years, said. She however requested her identity to be concealed for security reasons. This incident is being discussed in hush tones by residents, with a number of those interviewed calling for the arrest of the accused in this matter to send a strong message to other would-be women abusers. Approached for comment, the woman politely requested not to say anything on the matter for personal reasons. A relative, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, pointed out that the complainant needed counselling to overcome the trauma of what happened. Worth noting is that she had visible scars on her head that were covered with bandages. Efforts were made to get a comment from the family of the accused, but to no avail at the time of compiling this report last night. On-the-Record Press Gaggle by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby on President Biden's Travel to France June 07, 2024 2:12 P.M. EDT MODERATOR: Hey, everyone. Thanks for bearing with us as we moved it up and then running a little late. Kirby has a few words here at the top, and then we'll try to get through a few questions. Thanks. MR. KIRBY: Hey, everybody. Thanks again for your flexibility at the end of another long day here in France. I won't rehash everything today. I'm sure you all saw the President's speech at Pointe du Hoc, really making clear how much we all should appreciate the sacrifices of the Rangers who scaled those cliffs and took and held Pointe du Hoc for several days, because it made a huge difference in our ability to push in from the beach. And of course, he also linked that gift that they gave us all the vets of World War Two, and D-Day in particular this gift of the strength of our democracy and why it's important to be worthy of that sacrifice. But again, I'm sure you all saw the speech. You also know that he met today with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. You saw the comments they both made at the top of the meeting and the readout. I won't rehash all that. I do just want to talk a little bit about tomorrow. The President and the First Lady will participate in a welcome ceremony with President and Mrs. Macron at the Arc de Triomphe. This is a particular honor, reflecting our close and very long relationship. I'm sure I need not remind anybody that France is our oldest ally. And when we're talking about the importance of democracy here, in Paris and at Normandy, it's probably a good thing for us to remember that we didn't win our independence either without some foreign help and foreign assistance, specifically from France. But as they have this honor ceremony at the Arc, they will then proceed in a parade down the Champs-Elysees, which is already decked out, if you haven't seen it already, with flags from the United States and from France. The presidents will then hold a bilateral meeting in which they will discuss a range of pressing issues and topics of strategic importance. Now, obviously, earlier this week, we said that we're going to underscore the value of the Transatlantic Alliance throughout this trip. And we've done that, and we will do it tomorrow. I expect that both President Biden and President Macron will discuss ways that we can continue to strengthen the NATO Alliance as we approach the 75th anniversary and the NATO Summit later this summer. And we're also going to talk about broader NATO-EU cooperation and how the transatlantic defense capabilities contribute to, quite honestly, a shared and global security apparatus. On the Indo-Pacific, the two presidents plan to talk about how we can deepen our maritime cooperation. Specifically, we expect an announcement that we will work together to build law enforcement capacity maritime law enforcement capacity particularly and to increase U.S.-France technical cooperation on port security in the Indo-Pacific. Our respective development agencies will also work to expand humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and we plan to share best practices and work to improve coordination on development priorities in the Indo-Pacific. Finally, the U.S. Coast Guard and French Navy intend to participate in active discussions about increasing their cooperation and defining the full scope of what this could actually look like. So, a lot more work to be done in that regard in terms of getting the French Navy and the Coast Guard together. They're already having these discussions, but they'll engage in more intense and active discussions going forward to put some meat on that bone. As you know, both the President and President Macron have placed a high priority and an emphasis on addressing the urgent climate crisis, and both have been major proponents of clean energy solutions. So, together, we've been exploring new areas of partnership, and we'll continue to explore those in the discussions tomorrow for example, through the U.S.-France Bilateral Clean Energy Partnership, which was established back in 2021, via our efforts to mobilize funding streams to also support nuclear energy solutions and to do our parts individually and collectively to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals. We'll also plan on collaborating on ways to protect our oceans ahead of the U.N. Ocean Conference in Nice, which will occur next year. So that's just to lay down a little bit of what tomorrow is going to look like. Again, lots on the agenda. And certainly, first and foremost among that will be, again, the issues right in front of the Transatlantic Alliance to include the war in Ukraine and how we can continue to support Ukraine. And with that, let me take some questions. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our first question will go to Jeff Mason with Reuters. Q Hi. Thanks very much. John, to what extent will Israel be on the agenda tomorrow? And will both leaders express concern over the peace plan perhaps not getting to the point where you wanted it? And just one follow-up on what you were just talking about, in terms of maritime cooperation. Is that a signal that the U.S. plans to help more with migrant issues off the coast of France? MR. KIRBY: I lost you on the you were breaking up. Off the coast of Japan? Is that what you said? Q Coast of France. Migrant issues on the coast of France. MR. KIRBY: So the maritime cooperation was really more focused on the Indo-Pacific, Jeff. And as for your first question, I fully expect that both presidents will have an opportunity to talk about what's going on in the Middle East. Obviously, the conflict in Gaza. And the President looks forward, as he always does, to hearing President Macron's perspectives and his views on how things are going. And I absolutely expect that the President will spend some time with President Macron talking about the way we have been pushing hard for this new proposal to get the hostages out and to get a ceasefire started. I will just answer the question now in advance of what I'm sure I'm going to get, which is that we are still waiting for an official response from Hamas. We've seen some public comments, but we don't take those as official or in any way confirmatory one way or the other. We still have not received an official response from them. But the President will update President Macron on all that and, again, eagerly await his perspectives and his views, as well, on what's going on in Gaza. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Seung Min with AP. Q Hey, guys. Thanks for holding the call. I just wanted to follow up on comments that President Zelenskyy made this morning during the bilat. He told the President that "There are details on the battlefield...you need to hear from us." Can you elaborate on what to the extent that you can what President Zelenskyy told President Biden and particularly about progress or changes on the battlefield, especially since the additional U.S. aid started arriving in recent weeks? MR. KIRBY: Yeah, I won't go into too much detail here. I hope you can understand that, because I don't want to talk about things that might make it harder for Ukraine to defend itself on the battlefield. I mean, he shared a very frank assessment with President Biden about what's going on and the pressure that they remain under, particularly in the east, in the Donbas. But I think it's safe to say that while they are still under pressure from the Russians, particularly in the east, that because they have now been able to receive the benefits of five security packages and now a sixth coming, as the President announced today, that they have been able to thwart Russian advances, particularly around Kharkiv. The Russians really have kind of stalled out up there; it's basically their advance on Kharkiv is all but over because they ran into the first line of defenses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and basically stopped, if not pulled back, some units. Now, I say that with a dose of humility, because, you know, the enemy gets a vote. And right now, it certainly appears that they've stalled out. But we can't, nor will the Ukrainians, you know, take anything for granted. They want to be able to not just stop the Russians but push the Russians back. And so, he did share with the President, again, his frank assessment, as he has always shared his frank assessment, of how things are going on the battlefield and what they need. And the President, as you heard publicly, and he certainly did this privately, assured President Zelenskyy that they'll continue to have our support. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Michelle with Bloomberg. Michelle, if you're talking, we are unable to hear you. Okay, we're going to go on to our next question, and we'll try to get back to you, Michelle. We'll go to Aurelia with AFP. Q Yeah, hi. Bonsoir. I would like to go back to the Biden-Macron relationship. And I was wondering whether you could talk to this, like, relationship on a personal level. There have been some bumps, like the submarines, and they don't always, you know, see eye to eye on all issues. And of course, there is an age gap here. So, yeah, can you describe what's going on there, the level of trust, et cetera, et cetera? MR. KIRBY: I mean, with all due respect, they have a warm and close relationship. And it seems like people and I'm not suggesting you are, Aurelia; that's not what I'm trying to do but it seems like some people are more focused on areas where they may not agree on everything rather than focusing on the strength of this relationship. We are NATO Allies. And the fundamental agreement between our two nations on all the major issues you talked about the age difference; that's never been an issue between these two leaders. And one of the things the President respects and admires so much about President Macron is that he's as honest and as forthright as Joe Biden is. That's what he wants to see in a friend and an ally you know, an ability to shoot straight, say what's on your mind. That's exactly the way he likes to lead and he likes to conduct his foreign policy. So these are not two men that are strangers to one another. And they're not two men that are afraid to speak their minds. But that they may not see every issue perfectly the same way doesn't mean that the relationship is weaker or hindered or in any way set back. I think you'll see tomorrow, from the walk down the Champs-Elysees all the way through, when they have a chance to come on out after the meeting and talk to one another, I think you'll see that we are as close as we have ever been with our French allies. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Ket with France 24. Q Hey, guys. I hope you can hear me okay. Some of us are still on the bus back from Normandy. Just wanted to follow up on Aurelia's question about one of the things that they don't really see eye to eye for example, the idea by Emmanuel Macron of possibly sending troops or possibly sending instructors. I know President Biden has many times in the past said no boots on the ground, all of that. I just want to know what the President thinks about Macron's broader strategy, which is: Let's not tell Vladimir Putin where our limits are, what we're willing to do, what we're not willing to do the sort of strategic ambiguity that he says should be put against Vladimir Putin. MR. KIRBY: Well, first of all, God love you for making that drive. I know that's a long bus ride. But, look, to your question, he certainly, as I said in my earlier answer, fully respects President Macron's prerogatives and his ability to express his views about what's going on in Ukraine and how and why and to what degree the French people are going to respond to support Ukraine. And they have responded to support Ukraine with both lethal and non-lethal capabilities, and we're grateful for that. They are a key member of the 50-nation coalition that is supporting Ukraine. At the same time, as President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief, he's made his own view well known: that there's not going to be U.S. boots on the ground in combat in Ukraine. That has been the case, and that will remain the case going forward. And he believes that that's an important distinction to make. As for what is or is not transmitted publicly: Again, the President will leave it to President Macron to decide for himself how much information he's willing to provide or how much clarity he's willing to abide by. For our sake, President Biden has been very clear about a couple of things, and I'm happy to rehash them right now. Number one, we're going to do what we have to do to make sure NATO is bolstered and strengthened to defend itself. That's why he added 20,000 troops to the European continent and made arrangements for them to stay there so that NATO's eastern flank was well defended. And he's made that clear not only to our Allies, but certainly it's been made clear by deed to the Russians. Number two, that we're going to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself. And we're going to do that transparently. I mean, just today he announced another $225 million in a drawdown package, taking stuff off our own shelves to give to Ukraine. And we laid out for you all publicly what's in that package. So that's number two. And number three, the President has from the beginning made it clear that we aren't looking for World War Three here, and we're not looking for a war with Russia. And he knows and he has said, again, time and time again, that an escalation of this conflict to that degree is not only going to be horrible for the Ukrainian people; it's going to have disastrous consequences, potentially, across the European continent. Not good for our interests in the United States either. The President, he's made no bones about that, and he'll continue to make no bones about that. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question will go to Tamara Keith with NPR. Tam, we can't hear you. Q Here I am. I'm here. Thank you. My question is that the schedule indicates that the leaders are the presidents are going to deliver statements tomorrow to the press. When President Macron visited the United States for a state dinner, there was a two-plus-two press conference, which is pretty standard. Why is that not happening in this case with, you know, two democracies? MR. KIRBY: This was the arrangement that was made, that they would come out after their meetings and issue statements to you all. And as you know, with any bilateral meeting or, in this case, a state visit, all of that is hashed out between the two sides. And it was decided in our discussions and our planning for this visit that that's what they would do that they would come out and make statements to the press. MODERATOR: Thank you. Our next question, we'll try to go back to you, Michelle, with Bloomberg, if you want to try again. Michelle, we still can't hear you. And, unfortunately, we don't have much more time. So as always, if you have any questions that we weren't able to get to, please reach out to the NSC distro, and we'll try to get back to you as soon as we can. Oh, Kirby just stopped me. I think he has one more. MR. KIRBY: No, nothing newsy. I just wanted to thank you all for your flexibility tonight. I know we advertised this for 30 minutes later, and we started a little bit early. But I do appreciate your flexibility. And as Sam said, if we didn't get to somebody or you got something hot and burning that you need to ask, you just go ahead and send that question along, and we'll do our best to answer it. Thanks again. 2:30 P.M. EDT NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 07 June 2024 - Day 835 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 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that so far, 85 combat clashes have taken place today. The Ukrainian military continues to decisively block the Russian occupiers' attempts to penetrate deep into Ukrainian territory, giving them an effective fire effect, exhaustion across the frontline of the battle confrontation. The defense forces have hit 14 areas of concentration of Russian personnel, one point of control, ammunition warehouse and radio-electronic combat station since the beginning of this day. During the day Russian zagarbniki launched on the territory of Ukraine two missiles with the use of six missiles and 39 aviation strikes with the use of 52 cabiv, assigned 461 kamikadze drones. Russian forces also launched more than 2,450 shelling on positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements using artillery, mortars, firearms and armaments of fighting vehicles. In the Kharkiv direction, there were two unsuccessful Russian attacks in the area of vovcans ka. The Defense Forces continue to take measures to strengthen defense positions and borders. The previous Russian losses in this direction for today were 101 Russian occupants dead and injured. Destroyed five artillery systems, 41 bpla, seven cars and a launching device for bpla. In addition, 31 blinds and ammunition storage were affected. Eight combat clashes have taken place in the Kupians komu direction since the beginning of the day. The Defense Forces successfully repelled seven Russian attacks in the areas of the settlements of Sinkivka, Pishnetia, Druzhelyubivka and Grekivka. The fight is ongoing in the Andriyivka area. The situation is under control. In the Lyman direction, the number of battles increased to nine. Russian occupiers tried to advance in the areas of Terniv, Novosadov, Torsky and Serebryansky Forest. All attacks were repelled by Ukrainian defenders. A loss of positions is not allowed. Throughout the day in the Sivers komu direction, Russian forces carried out two unsuccessful assault actions in the area of Bilogorivka. The situation is under control of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. In the Kramatorsky direction, the Russian aggressor tried seven times to attack Ukrainian defenders in the areas of Kalinivka, Ivanivsky, Klishchievka, and Andriyivka. All attempts have been defeated. The hottest situation remains in the Pokrovsky direction. Russia does not give up trying to find the weak points in Ukrainian defense, with continuous assault attempts to infiltrate Ukrainian troops' combat. Fights continue in the areas of novooleksandrivka, evgenivka and sokola. The Defense Forces are taking measures to stabilize the situation and prevent Russian forces from advancing. Previously, the Russian aggressor's losses in this direction were almost 200 invaders killed and injured. Destroyed three combat armored cars, three cars and a special equipment unit. In the Kurakhiv direction at this time of the day the number of combat clashes increased to 16. Zagarbniki are trying to move near the settlements of Nevelske, Karlivka, Krasnogorivka, Georgiyivka and Paraskoviyvka. 13 Russian attacks were successfully repelled by the Defense Forces. Fights are ongoing in the areas of Krasnogorivka and Paraskoviivka. The situation is intense. Measures are being taken to prevent Russian advancement. In the Vremivs komu direction, Russian forces tried to tie battles near Urozaynogo and Staromayors kogo. The assault actions of the Russian occupiers have failed. Defense forces are under control. In the Orihiv direction, the Russian aggressor four times attacked Ukrainian units near the settlements of Kopani and Mala Tokmachka. Never been successful. In other directions, the situation has not changed significantly. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that from 1 to 7 June 2024, in response to the Kiev regime's attempts to hit Russian power facilities, the Russian Armed Forces carried out 27 group strikes by ground-, air-, and sea-based precision weapons, as well as strike drones, during which the Russian Armed Forces engaged power facilities that supported the work of enterprises of the Ukrainian military industrial enterprises. In addition, the strikes hit depots of Western weapons and ammunition, missile and artillery equipment, uncrewed vessels, temporary deployment areas of AFU troops and mercenaries. The goal of the strikes have been achieved. All the assigned targets have been engaged. The Sever Group of Forces continued advancing to the depths of the enemy's defence and inflicted damage on manpower and hardware of seven formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as on one marine brigade, as well as on the two territorial defence brigades. Thirty-six counter-attacks of AFU assault groups were repelled during the week. The enemy losses were up to 1,400 troops, five tanks, 11 armoured fighting vehicles, including one Stryker armoured personnel carrier, and two U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, 32 motor vehicles, as well as 26 field artillery guns. The Zapad Group of Forces has taken more advantageous lines over the past week. Strikes were delivered at units of the four mechanised, one tank, and one airmobile brigades of the AFU, two territorial defence brigades, and two Ukrainian National Guard brigades. Eleven counter-attacks launched by AFU units were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 2,850 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, 19 armoured fighting vehicles, 34 motor vehicles, and 25 field artillery guns. Over the past week, the Yug Group of Forces has improved the situation along the front line, liberated Paraskoviyevka (Donetsk People's Republic), and hit manpower and hardware of 14 AFU formations. The enemy suffered losses of up to 2,835 Ukrainian troops, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, 29 motor vehicles, 35 field artillery guns, including 13 Western-made guns, as well as one Gepard anti-aircraft self-propelled artillery system. Seven AFU ammunition depots have been eliminated. During the week, the Tsentr Group of Forces carried on advancing into the depths of the enemy's defence and liberated Umanskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Strikes were delivered at nine AFU and Ukrainian National Guard units, and 39 counter-attacks of the enemy were repelled. Over the past week, the enemy has suffered losses of up to 2,690 troops, two U.S.-made Abrams tanks, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, to include two U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, 21 motor vehicles, 62 field artillery guns, as well as one HIMARS MLRS combat vehicle. The Vostok Group of Forces has improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on the manpower and hardware of the two brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the two territorial defence brigades. The AFU losses amounted to up to 935 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, seven armoured fighting vehicles, 37 motor vehicles, and ten field artillery guns. The Dnepr Group of Forces has inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of three marine brigades, one mechanised, one infantry, and one mountain assault brigades, one territorial defence brigade, and formations of the Ukrainian National Guard over the past week. The AFU losses amounted to up to 430 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, 32 motor vehicles, and 24 field artillery guns. Air defence systems have shot down two MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force, two Tochka-U operational-tactical missiles, two converted surface-to-surface guided missiles of the S-200 system, 17 French-made Hammer guided bombs, three U.S.-made Patriot missiles, three Neptune anti-ship missiles, 93 U.S.-made HIMARS, Czech-made Vampire, and Olkha projectiles, as well as 424 unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, one Su-25 ground-attack aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force was hit by a Lancet loitering munition. Over the past week, 27 Ukrainian servicemen surrendered. In total, 610 airplanes and 274 helicopters, 25,326 unmanned aerial vehicles, 528 air defence missile systems, 16,287 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,330 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 10,188 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 22,336 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 WHO: First confirmed human bird flu case did not die from it By VOA News June 07, 2024 The World Health Organization said Friday the first confirmed human infection with H5N2 bird flu, a man who died in April, suffered from multiple ailments and his death was not directly attributable to bird flu. At a Geneva news conference Friday, WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters an investigation is ongoing, including blood testing of the man's contacts to determine if there was any possible earlier infection. But he confirmed, "The death is a multi-factorial death, not a death attributable to H5N2." The WHO announced Wednesday the 59-year-old Mexican man was the first laboratory-confirmed human case of infection with H5N2 avian influenza virus. In a statement, the agency said Mexican health officials first reported the case to the WHO May 23 when it was detected in the man after he was hospitalized in Mexico City. He had multiple underlying medical conditions and his relatives reported that the man had already been bedridden for three weeks for other reasons, and had no history of exposure to poultry or other animals. On April 24, the man was once again hospitalized with multiple symptoms and died the same day due to complications of his condition. Tests confirmed the man had contracted H5N2 influenza, the WHO said in May, stating that the risk to people in Mexico is low, and that no further human cases have been discovered. Of the man's 17 contacts identified and monitored at the hospital where he died, none contracted the illness. Scientists said the case is unrelated to the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in the United States that has infected three dairy farm workers. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HMAS Huon sails into history By Lieutenant Madelyn Hanna 7 June 2024 After a quarter-century of distinguished service, HMAS Huon has been decommissioned in a poignant ceremony at HMAS Waterhen, Sydney. Hailing from the Huon Valley after which the ship is named, Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Rodney Weeks said it was a privilege to represent a long line of men and women who served in the warship. "The dedication and professionalism of these officers and sailors exhibited over 25 years of service has meant that every mission was successful, and every challenge surmountable," he said. Commissioned in May 1999, Huon, the first of six Huon-class minehunter coastal vessels, has been a critical asset to the Navy, renowned for its advanced mine warfare capabilities. Shortly after commissioning, Huon embarked on its first fleet exercise, Crocodile 99, heralding the start of a diverse operational history. The ship's versatility was demonstrated throughout its participation in multinational activities such as Operation Tandem Thrust and Exercises Dugong, Ocean Protector, Mulgogger and Talisman Sabre. "These operations underscored the ship's expertise in mine countermeasures and general fleet support roles," Lieutenant Commander Weeks said. Huon's service was not limited to military operations. In early 2004, the ship deployed at short notice on Operation Anode to the Solomon Islands, helping to restore law and order during a period of civil unrest. In 2011, it played a vital role in Operation Queensland Flood Assist, surveying the waters around Brisbane following devastating floods. "These humanitarian missions highlighted the ship's agility and responsiveness in providing aid to those in need," Lieutenant Commander Weeks said. Throughout its tenure, Huon received several commendations, including the prestigious Gloucester Cup in 2014. This accolade, awarded for excellence in operations, safety, seamanship, reliability and training, was a testament to the ship's operational effectiveness and the crew's unwavering dedication. In its final years, Huon continued to support significant naval operations. Most notably, in recovery efforts following the MRH-90 Taipan helicopter crash during Exercise Talisman Sabre in 2023. This mission underscored the ship's ongoing importance in both peacetime and operational scenarios. Lieutenant Commander Weeks said as Huon is decommissioned, the warship leaves behind a legacy of bravery and excellence. "Huon's contributions to naval operations, disaster relief and international exercises should not be forgotten and have cemented its place in the Royal Australian Navy's history," he said. "Huon's decommissioning is aligned with the introduction of new innovations and capabilities which will be crucial to the protection and prosperity of the nation in the years to come." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australia's naval nuclear propulsion: AUKUS update to IAEA Board of Governors, June 2024 Statement by Australia, the UK and the USA (AUKUS) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors on naval nuclear propulsion 7 June 2024 Thank you, Chair. I have the honour of speaking on behalf of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to provide an update to the Board of Governors on Australia's naval nuclear propulsion program. Chair, Australia and the IAEA are continuing to hold bilateral technical consultations on a robust safeguards and verification approach for Australia's acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. These consultations include negotiations relating to the development of an arrangement under Article 14 of Australia's Comprehensive Safeguards Arrangement. The most recent round of formal consultations between Australia and the Agency took place in May. These discussions encompassed legal and technical aspects of an Article 14 arrangement for Australia. Discussions are continuing. We thank the Director General and the Secretariat for the Agency's productive engagement with Australia in these ongoing consultations, in exercising its technical mandate to engage with Member States on the implementation of their safeguards agreements. Bilateral, in-confidence engagement between the Secretariat and Member States is fundamental to the non-proliferation regime. We are confident that Member States will see through the attempts we observed earlier at the current Board meeting, and indeed ever since AUKUS was announced, to sow doubts about the Secretariat's engagement with Australia on naval nuclear propulsion. We thank the many Board members who earlier in this meeting noted with appreciation the Secretariat's engagement with the relevant States on naval nuclear propulsion, as accurately reflected in the 2023 Safeguards Implementation Report. I refer Member States to my recent, publicly available remarks delivered at the workshop organised and hosted by the Permanent Mission of China, outlining the well-established legal and policy framework through which Australia is engaging the IAEA. As I made clear at the workshop, it struck me as highly unusual for one country to organise an event targeted at another country's sovereign endeavour and bilateral engagement. I decided to speak at the event in the interest of transparency, but fully aware the forum was not one designed to facilitate impartial discussion. The IAEA's technical role is an integral part of the non-proliferation system. It is crucial that all Member States respect the independence, mandate and technical authority of the IAEA. This is why Australia has expressed serious concern about references to 'an intergovernmental process'. Such a process could subject the IAEA's technical work to the political deliberations of Member States. All Member States share an interest in protecting the IAEA's technical mandate - as we all rely on its ability to carry out its mandate independently and impartially in these challenging times. Chair, The AUKUS partners recognise that the acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines by Australia carries with it a responsibility to ensure the highest standard of non-proliferation is upheld. Under Australia's Article 14 arrangement, the IAEA will maintain oversight of nuclear material. We reiterate our commitment that Australia will not enrich uranium or reprocess spent fuel as part of this program and to ensuring that the non-proliferation approach for Australia's naval nuclear propulsion program will enable the IAEA to fulfil its technical objectives for Australia at all stages of the submarines' lifecycle. The Agency will continue to verify that there has been no diversion of nuclear material; no misuse of nuclear facilities; and no undeclared nuclear material or activities in Australia. The Director General has confirmed that, once Australia's Article 14 arrangement has been developed, he will transmit it to the Board for appropriate action. As we have stated before, we fully support this approach. Chair, We remain committed to keeping the Board updated on relevant developments concerning our three countries' cooperation on naval nuclear propulsion. Since we met in March, Australia has announced the selection of industry partners for the build and sustainment of Australia's future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. In April, our defence ministers released a joint statement which, in addition to providing an update on a number of initiatives, outlined readiness to begin engaging additional countries on specific advanced capability projects under AUKUS Pillar Two. AUKUS Pillar Two does not involve nuclear cooperation or capability. It is separate from the initiative under AUKUS Pillar One to support Australia's acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, which will remain exclusively trilateral between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Together, our defence ministers demonstrated our united approach, and reiterated our commitment to setting the highest non-proliferation standard. They also referred to AUKUS partners' initiatives to build Australia's capability to safely and securely maintain its future submarines. These include initiatives to support workforce skills and development, including a maintenance activity to be conducted on a US nuclear-powered submarine in Australia, which is scheduled to occur in the second half of 2024. As the Director General has said in recent statements, Australia and the Agency are engaging to ensure that relevant technical measures are in place ahead of any such activity, under Australia's safeguards agreements with the Agency. Such engagement on safeguards implementation is entirely consistent with the Agency's mandate and with longstanding practice. Chair, The Director General has confirmed he will continue to provide reports on naval nuclear propulsion programs to the Board as the need arises. We fully support his prerogative to decide the appropriate time for this matter to be placed on the Board's agenda. The AUKUS partners will continue to update the Board on developments relating to Australia's naval nuclear propulsion program, and to engage the international community, including at the upcoming NPT Prep Com. We welcome the opportunity to address questions from interested delegations regarding our non-proliferation approach, at future Board meetings and in other fora, as appropriate. Thank you, Chair. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Belarus Convictions Continue As Lukashenka's Crackdown Nears 4-Year Mark By RFE/RL's Russian Service and RFE/RL's Belarus Service June 07, 2024 Three members of a family were convicted in Belarus for participating in protests following an August 2020 presidential election that saw authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka handed victory despite opposition claims the vote was rigged. Brothers Paval and Uladzimer Dzhezhora and Alena Nyadbalskaya were sentenced on May 17 to three years of what is known as "chemistry," under which a person is required to work at an assigned job in "open-type" correctional facilities, the rights group Vyasna said on June 7 when the news was made public. Separately, Vyasna said on June 7 that Hrazhyna Hetka, an independent election observer from 2020, was detained for a second time this year. No details were given. The cases are emblematic of the fundamental changes that have been under way in Belarus since Lukashenka claimed a landslide victory and a sixth term in an August 2020 election that millions of Belarusians say he stole. The harsh crackdown against pro-democracy protesters that began on election day has been institutionalized into a regime of constant intimidation and fear. Vyasna has documented some 55,000 cases of repression since the start of the presidential election campaign in 2020. At least 4,500 people have received criminal convictions, and Vyasna has designated about 1,500 of them as political prisoners. In January 2023, the Parliamentary Assembly of Europe estimated that between 200,000 and 500,000 Belarusians have fled the country of 9.5 million since the election. Lukashenka's regime appears to be reaching outside the country as well. Belarusian rights defender Andrey Stryzhak wrote on Facebook on June 6 that an opposition activist, whose identity was not disclosed, said they have been stripped of their Belarusian citizenship for criticizing the government. Stryzhak, the head of the Belarus Solidarity Foundation (BYSPOL), a group that aids victims of repression in Belarus, said it is the first case of citizenship being revoked since the beginning of the 2020 protests that he knows of. He did not give the name of the person, but he told the Novaya Gazeta.Evropa newspaper that the activist is currently in "a safe place." The person, he said, received their Belarusian citizenship after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 and that authorities had used technicalities to revoke it. RFE/RL has not verified Stryzhak's account of the person losing their citizenship. Belarus recently adopted a law allowing for the annulment of the citizenship of those convicted of extremist charges or residing abroad. The announcement of the contested results of the August 2020 election sparked more than three months of nationwide pro-democracy protests, with hundreds of thousands of people demanding Lukashenka's resignation and a new election. Many contended that opposition candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya was the actual winner. The government responded with an often brutal crackdown. Several people were killed and by September 1, 2020, the United Nations had recorded 450 cases of "torture and ill-treatment," as well as reports of "sexual abuse and rape with rubber batons," as at least 6,700 people were detained. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-critic- belarusian-citizenship-stripped-revoked/32983043.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former Japanese rear admiral cautions against China's 'gray zone' activities ROC Central News Agency 06/07/2024 10:29 PM Taipei, June 7 (CNA) The international community should be mindful of China's "gray zone" activities carried out by its maritime militia and coast guard west of the First Island Chain, an area where Beijing seeks to establish full control, a former Japanese Navy rear admiral said on Friday at a maritime security forum in Taipei. Katsuya Yamamoto, a retired rear admiral in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, said China has been exploiting freedom of navigation by deploying its maritime militia to international waters in an attempt to escalate its "gray zone" activities. He was speaking at the 2024 International Conference on Sea Lane Security held by Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council and National Sun Yat-sen University. Gray zone activities refer to actions that fall between traditional notions of war and peace. These activities typically involve ambiguous or non-traditional methods that aim to achieve strategic objectives without overtly crossing the threshold into open conflict. In terms of activities China carries out that are considered gray zone, its PLA aircraft have been crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait regularly. In recent months, it has also used its coast guard and maritime militia to intimidate Philippine vessels operating near the Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed Spratly Islands by ramming them and deploying military-grade lasers and water cannons against them. China has also been preventing Filipino fishermen from accessing traditional fishing sites within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, negatively impacting local economies, according to foreign media reports. Criticized for such moves, China, in turn, has repeatedly accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan of incrementally pushing for independence, with the moves seen as arising from tensions between the two sides. Beijing has also warned the Philippines against ramming its vessels and insisted that it has the right to legally patrol the disputed waters off the Spratly Islands. Yamamoto, who now heads the Security Studies Program at Japan-based Sasakawa Peace Foundation, said China's maritime militia is part of the People's Liberation Army and has engaged in war -- for example, the Sino-Vietnamese War. Under international humanitarian law, the Chinese maritime militia is defined as a regular part of a country's armed forces and a combatant, he added. He said China inculcates the notion in its soldiers and sailors that whatever happens in the waters west of the First Island Chain -- a string of islands that run from the Japanese archipelago, through Taiwan, the Philippines and on to Borneo, Indonesia -- is a "domestic matter." Based on that premise, all hostile elements west of the Chain must be eliminated -- a task with which the China Coast Guard is charged, he said. Yamamoto noted that China's Coast Guard is different from its foreign counterparts as it functions as a "complete Naval force" that can operate independently even if China decides to escalate its gray zone activities, while the coast guards of Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines would need the support of their Navy in that scenario. Yamamoto warned that if democratic countries ignore the gray zone situation that China seeks to perpetuate with its maritime militia, before long, the current international order will transform into a "Chinese-style international order" as envisioned by Beijing. He said it was important that the international community increase the visibility and transparency of what is happening on the sea, share such intelligence, and jointly condemn and push back against challenges to the status quo. (By Sean Lin) Enditem/cs NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Resignations of two UK judges from HK's top court 'could be linked' to UK's increasingly negative stance Global Times By Chen Qingqing Published: Jun 07, 2024 01:33 PM Some officials and legal representatives in Hong Kong expressed regret on Friday at the resignations of the two non-permanent judges (NPJ) of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and some believed that some individuals are attempting to use the participation of British judges in "political resistance" to pressure the Chinese government while some said the resignations were linked to the fact that the UK has become increasingly negative toward Hong Kong. Lawrence Collins and Jonathan Sumption, two NPJs from other common law jurisdictions of the CFA, announced their resignations on Thursday, local outlet The Standard reported. They were appointed as the NPJs of the city's top court in 2019 and 2011 respectively. The Hong Kong CFA Ordinance provides for a list of non-permanent Hong Kong judges and a list of judges from other common law jurisdictions. The term of appointment of such judges is three years, according to the media report. HKSAR's Chief Executive John Lee expressed on Friday regret at the resignations, and Lee noted that Collins had stated that he continued to "have the fullest confidence in the Court and the total independence of its members." In response to Collins' statement that "he had resigned from the Court because of the political situation in Hong Kong," Lee said the provisions of the Basic Law, the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance all explicitly stipulate that the rights and freedoms under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, including the freedom of speech, of the press, of publication, of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, are to be protected in accordance with the law." The Law Society of Hong Kong said in a statement sent to the Global Times on Friday that the participation of all current and former NPJs in the work of CFA has made a significant contribution and it strongly supports the continuation of the role of overseas NPJs in the administration of justice in Hong Kong as provided for in the Basic Law. The Law Society has full confidence in Hong Kong's judicial independence and integrity, Law Society President Chan Chak-ming was quoted as saying in the statement. The resignations reduced the number of overseas judges in the CFA from 10 to eight, local media platform Ming Pao said. Some current overseas judges, when asked, said they would continue to serve. The most senior British judge, Leonard Hubert Hoffmann, stated that he plans to come to Hong Kong for hearings later this year, but noted that he is already 90 years old and has served as a non-permanent judge for 26 years, the media report said. Australian judge Justice French expressed his intention to continue serving as a non-permanent judge, "supporting the judges of the Court," he was quoted as saying in the media report. Executive Council member and senior barrister Ronny Tong Ka-wah also expressed regret over the resignations of the two judges when contacted by the Global Times on Friday. Tong believes that the UK has become increasingly negative toward Hong Kong and speculated that the two judges might have faced considerable political pressure from their home country. The timing of their resignation inevitably leads to associations with the Article 23 legislation and the latest verdict of dozens of defendants related to the case of illegal primaries, which negatively impacts perceptions of Hong Kong's rule of law. "I hope that other British judges can fill the vacancies," he said, stressing that the confidence in Hong Kong's rule of law should not rely solely on the judges but also on the court's decisions. Willy Fu, a law professor who is also the director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, said he believes that some individuals are attempting to use the participation of British judges in "political resistance" to pressure the Chinese government. Foreign forces are using political stances to force British judges to resign from their positions as NPJs of Hong Kong's CFA to pressure China, Fu told the Global Times on Friday. "Such political manipulation and clownish tricks will not succeed." Robert Reed and Patrick Stewart Hodge, who also sit on the UK's Supreme Court, resigned from Hong Kong's CFA in a move backed by then British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab in 2022, Nikkei reported at the time. The rule of law, human rights, freedom, and judicial independence are core values of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong's rule of law index ranks higher globally than that of the US, Fu noted. Since the return to the motherland, Hong Kong has retained its original legal system and final adjudication power, and the successful implementation of One Country, Two Systems principle is widely recognized globally, the legal expert continued. Fu also said he is confident that the CFA will be able to find suitable foreign common law judges to fill the NPJ vacancies and firmly uphold the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on June 7, 2024 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2024-06-07 18:14 Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will attend the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting upon invitation in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia from June 10 to 11. CCTV: To follow up on your announcement that Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting, can you give us more details about the arrangement and China's expectation? Mao Ning: The upcoming BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting is to be held in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia from June 10 to 11. The BRICS Dialogue with Developing Countries will be held on the sidelines of the meeting. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi together with foreign ministers of other BRICS member states and countries invited to the dialogue will exchange views on BRICS cooperation, the current international and regional landscape, and other issues of mutual interest, and prepare the ground for the 16th BRICS Summit. As an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, BRICS is committed to upholding multilateralism, taking an active part in global economic governance, and working for a more just and equitable international order. Last year, BRICS achieved a historic expansion, which was a milestone in the development of the mechanism. This is the first BRICS foreign ministers' meeting after the expansion. China stands ready to work with BRICS partners to consolidate the BRICS strategic partnership, deepen practical cooperation in various areas, join hands with the rest of the Global South to achieve common development and seek strength through unity, and set greater BRICS cooperation off to a good start. Shenzhen TV: We noted that US President Joe Biden in an interview this week said that the Belt and Road Initiative has become a "nuisance" initiative and "look what's happening in Africa." What's China's comment? Mao Ning: I believe the people of BRI partner countries have the best say in what the Belt and Road Initiative really is. Over the past decade since China presented the BRI, more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations have signed over 200 Belt and Road cooperation documents with us. Belt and Road has become the world's largest international cooperation platform that covers the widest range of cooperation. It has brought tangible benefits to the people of BRI partner countries and is widely welcomed by the international community. Africa is one of the most active regions in Belt and Road cooperation. Thanks to the BRI, many African countries have built their first motorway, first cross-sea bridge and first industrial park. The African continent now has its first well-equipped pan-African center for disease control and prevention. Africa today has taken on a fresh look thanks to the BRI. It is easier to criticize than to do better. We hope the US will actually step up as well, deliver on its funding commitments, and do something real and concrete for Africa's development and revitalization. CCTV: We noted that China's Permanent Mission to the UN Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland held an event on the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) in the Palace of Nations of the UN yesterday. This is the first official event of the Group of Friends of the GDI in Geneva. Can you share more information about the event? Mao Ning: Yesterday, an event on the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) was held in Geneva. Discussions focused on enhancing international cooperation on development and promoting global sustainable growth. President Xi Jinping put forward the GDI in September 2021 to promote stronger, greener and healthier global development. The Group of Friends of the GDI was established in New York in January 2022. Over the past two years and more, cooperation on the GDI has achieved fruitful results. Over 100 countries and many international organizations, including the UN, have expressed support for the GDI, and over 80 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. China has also set up the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund to support the implementation of relevant cooperation under the GDI. China stands ready to work with the rest of the international community to advance the steady and sustained growth of practical cooperation under the GDI, and make positive contribution to accelerating the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We welcome more like-minded countries to join the Group of Friends of the GDI and work together to forge a global partnership for development. China News Service: We noted that the signing ceremony of the trilateral agreement on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project was held in Beijing yesterday. Do you have any comment? Mao Ning: In 1996, Uzbekistan first proposed the idea of a China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. In the following three decades, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan have had many rounds of consultation and negotiation, through which ideas concerning the implementation were fully exchanged. In May last year, the feasibility study of the project was generally completed which put the implementation of the project on a fast track. In just one year, the three countries have worked closely together to press ahead with consultation on the details and managed to narrow the gaps on major issues and accumulate common understandings. As a result, the trilateral agreement was finally signed yesterday. This important milestone was achieved thanks to the tremendous efforts of different departments and experts, as well as the personal attention and support from the leaders of the three countries. The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project demonstrated the common aspiration for cooperation and development shared by the three countries. It will be a strong boost to the economic and social development of the three countries, as well as the Central Asian region. It is another testament to the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative and demonstrates the popularity of the vision for a community with a shared future for mankind in Central Asia. China looks forward to working closely with all parties for the early completion of this railway of development, friendship, and happiness which is in the common interest of the people in the region, and turbocharges the China-Central Asia cooperation. Reuters: The Philippine coast guard has accused Chinese coast guard of blocking efforts to evacuate a sick member of its armed forces stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines said Chinese coast guard made dangerous maneuvers and intentionally rammed its navy boat while the sick personnel was being transported. The Philippines has also called the Chinese coast guard's actions "barbaric and inhumane." How does the Ministry respond to this? Mao Ning: China's position on the issue of Ren'ai Jiao is clear. If the Philippines notifies the Chinese side in advance, we can allow delivery of living necessities to the grounded warship or evacuation of personnel concerned. However, the Philippines should not use this as an excuse for delivering construction materials in an attempt to permanently occupy Ren'ai Jiao. Beijing Youth Daily: It was reported that when meeting with the Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh a few days ago, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that although Western countries always talk about human rights for all, "but, they don't bother about the human rights violation of Palestinians, and killing of innocent people there, rather they keep mum here." She said the people of Bangladesh could realize the pain and suffering of the Palestinians and that in every international forum across the globe, she always expressed her concern and voice for the Palestinian people. What is China's comment? Mao Ning: China noted the reports. Over the years, the US has wantonly interfered in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of "human rights," but said nothing about what is happening to the Palestinian people, and even poured fuel to the fire. This lays bare the US's long-standing double standards and selfish and hegemonic nature. "US-style human rights" is just a tool serving the US's hegemony and selfish interests. China supports full UN membership for Palestine and hopes that there can be a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine at an early date. China is ready to work tirelessly with all countries including Bangladesh for a ceasefire in Gaza and lasting peace and stability in the Middle East, and to jointly uphold peace and stability across the region.a Al Jazeera: According to US government press release, the State Department has approved the sales of F-16 spare parts and relevant services worth US$80 million to Taiwan. What is the Ministry's comment? Mao Ning: The US arms sales to China's Taiwan region seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiquAs, especially the August 17 CommuniquA of 1982. Such sales gravely undermine China's sovereignty and security interests, harm China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and send a gravely wrong message to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this.aa What happened shows once again that the biggest threat to cross-Strait peace and stability and the biggest source of damage to the cross-Strait status quo are the separatist moves for "Taiwan independence" and connivance and support for such moves from US-led external forces. "Taiwan independence" is as incompatible with cross-Strait peace as fire with water. The DPP authorities attempt to seek independence through the use of force and the US is hellbent on helping advance that agenda by arming Taiwan. This is against the trend of the times, which will only escalate cross-Strait tensions and lead nowhere. The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests, and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations. China urges the US to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiquAs, stop selling arms to Taiwan and having military contact with Taiwan, stop creating factors that fuel tensions in the Taiwan Strait, stop endangering cross-Strait peace and stability, and stop going further down this wrong and dangerous path. We will take strong and resolute measures to defend our national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Bloomberg: We are wondering why Chinese leader has not yet sent a congratulatory message to India's Prime Minister Modi after his reelection? Mao Ning: China has extended congratulations on the victory of the BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance in India's general election. India expressed appreciation for that.a ************************************** For the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, there will be no regular press conference on Monday, June 10. The press conference will resume on Tuesday, June 11. During the holiday, questions can be submitted to the Spokesperson's Office via fax, email or WeChat. Happy weekend and may the Dragon Boat Festival bring you good health. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 2 more British judges resign from Hong Kong final appeals court Jonathan Sumption, Lawrence Collins quit in the wake of a second security law extending a political crackdown. By Ka Ming Lee and Kwong Wing for RFA Cantonese, Chen Zifei for RFA Mandarin 2024.06.07 -- Two senior British judges have resigned from Hong Kong's highest court, with one citing the "political situation" in the city weeks after the authorities passed a second security law adopting China's vague and sweeping definition of a 'state secret.' Jonathan Sumption and Lawrence Collins, who had both been serving as non-permanent overseas judges in Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal -- a post that is often seen as a bellwether of confidence in post-handover judicial independence -- tendered their resignations, the Hong Kong government said in a statement on Thursday. The announcement has sparked fresh concerns over Hong Kong's ability to maintain itself as a separate, common law jurisdiction in the face of huge political pressure from the ruling Chinese Communist Party to implement a similar "national security" regime to that already under way in the rest of China. The resignations come just a few weeks after Hong Kong passed a second security law, known as Article 23, that analysts say effectively imports the mainland Chinese concept of "national security," which includes cracking down on political dissent and criticism of the authorities, into the city's judicial system, which was once famed for its impartiality. The recent conviction of 14 former democratic lawmakers and pro-democracy activists for "subversion" for organizing a democratic primary in a bid to secure a majority in the Legislative Council has also highlighted how definitions of "national security" offenses have largely shifted to Beijing's interpretation. Collins told The Associated Press that his resignation was "because of the political situation in Hong Kong," adding that he continues "to have the fullest confidence in the court and the total independence of its members," while Sumption said he would make a statement next week. Court of Final Appeal There are currently eight judges from the U.K., Australia and Canada still sitting on the Court of Final Appeal, which replaced Britain's Privy Council as the city's highest judicial authority after the 1997 handover to Chinese rule. Usually, an appeal panel would include the chief justice, three Hong Kong judges and a non-permanent judge who could be a foreign national. Sumption and Collins aren't the first overseas judges to step down following the imposition of the National Security Law by Beijing in 2020. Non-permanent Court of Final Appeal judges Robert Reed and Patrick Hodge stepped down in March 2022 citing the crackdown on dissent under that law. Australia-based lawyer and rights activist Kevin Yam said the resignations show that the judges "have lost confidence in the city's executive and legislative arms. He said the city's judicial independence has been undermined by "bad lawmaking." "It doesn't matter how independent a judge is; they must ultimately judge cases according to the law," Yam said. "If the laws are very bad, then [independence] is of no use." Exiled former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui, also a lawyer, said he believes the conviction of the 14 pro-democracy activists was a turning point for confidence in Hong Kong's judiciary. "The case of the 47 activists was a key turning point, because ... international criticism was unprecedented, and the verdict was highly political," Hui said. "I also think the two judges would have faced great criticism if they had stayed on at the Court of Final Appeal." "They may have said that they have faith in the independence of Hong Kong judiciary to be polite, but if they really had that confidence, they wouldn't be leaving," he said. "This is a vote of no confidence, but with their feet." Regrets Hong Kong's Department of Justice expressed "regret" at the resignations, but said it was grateful for the judges' contribution. "This incident will not shake or impair DoJ's determination and confidence in upholding the rule of law, including the independent judicial power exercised by the courts," the department said in a statement. The city's Chief Executive John Lee also expressed "regret" about the resignations on Friday, but repeated government assurances that Hong Kong's promised rights and freedoms had been unaffected by the crackdown launched in the wake of the 2019 pro-democracy movement. "Hong Kong has transitioned from chaos to order," Lee said in a reference to the 2019 pro-democracy protests. "The only difference is that national security is now better safeguarded, [while] the safety and stability of Hong Kong is now better upheld." Chief Justice Andrew Cheung said the judiciary would continue to uphold the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong. "Suitable candidates from overseas common law jurisdictions will continue to be appointed to the Court as Non-Permanent Judges," Cheung said in a statement on Friday. "All judges and judicial officers will continue to abide by the Judicial Oath and administer justice in full accordance with the law, without fear or favor, self-interest or deceit," he said. Both Sumption and Collins were listed as former judges on the top court's website on Friday. Their resignation came as legal experts warned that the Article 23 legislation has brought with it a "multitude" of business and legal risks, including to political activists, international NGOs and lawyers. 'Remain a fantasy' The London-based rights group Hong Kong Watch quoted legal experts as saying that the principle of national security is now "supreme" in Hong Kong's legal and political systems. "Any notion that Hong Kong can simply switch its focus from security to the economy...will remain a fantasy as the world loses confidence in Hong Kong's ability to serve as Asia Pacific's top financial center," the group said in a 40-page report on the impact of the new law published on June 6. "As with the People's Republic of China, national security will take precedence over everything else," the report said. This is in line with similar moves in China, where foreign businesses are now limiting their exposure to such risks, it said. It warned that "a wide barrage of new offenses ... have unreasonably low bars for conviction," and that many offenses don't require even incitement of violence to achieve a conviction. "In some cases, mere recklessness suffices to complete the offense, lowering the bar of conviction to dangerously low levels," the report said. It warned that the Article 23 legislation makes ample provision for authorities in Hong Kong to pursue their opponents in exile, as well as for the targeting of normal advocacy, lobbying, academic research and reporting activities by businesses or NGOs under clauses relating to "foreign collusion" and "foreign interference." "Institutional convergence between Hong Kong and mainland China will continue to erode Hong Kong's strength and attractiveness as a vibrant business hub as we once knew it," the report concluded. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US warns North Korea against providing Putin platform for war aims By Christy Lee June 07, 2024 The Biden administration this week warned North Korea against providing Russian President Vladimir Putin "a platform to promote his war of aggression" against Ukraine ahead of his possible trip to Pyongyang. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un invited Putin to Pyongyang when he visited Russia in September, and preparations are being made for his trip, the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry said without providing a specific date, Russian news agency Tass reported May 30. Tass quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko as saying preparations for Putin's visit to North Korea as well as to Vietnam are at "an advanced stage." VOA contacted the Russian Embassy in Seoul, asking if dates are set for Putin's visit to Pyongyang, but did not receive a reply. There was speculation that Putin would visit North Korea after he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May. In response to Rudenko's remarks about Putin's trip to Pyongyang, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said in an email to VOA's Korean Service Tuesday, "As Russia continues to seek international support to sustain its illegal and brutal war against Ukraine, we reiterate that no country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and otherwise allow him to normalize his atrocities." The spokesperson continued, using the abbreviation for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, that "deepening cooperation between Russia and the DPRK should be of great concern to anyone interested in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula." The spokesperson added, "The DPRK has and continues to provide material support to the Russian Federation for their aggression in Ukraine." Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's powerful sister, denied on May 17 that North Korea was engaged in arms dealings with Russia. North Korean missiles have been turning up in Ukraine, indicating growing cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, according to a report released by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency on May 29. The report shows the pictures of what it says is debris from a North Korean short-range ballistic missile found in Kharkiv in January that Russia used against Ukraine. Pyongyang has been providing ballistic missiles to Moscow since November in addition to shipping hundreds of containers full of ammunition to Russia in August, the report said. About seven months after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia sought to purchase millions of artillery shells and rockets from North Korea, the report said. Experts said Putin's trip to Pyongyang will allow him to boost military cooperation with North Korea that began when Kim visited Russia in September. "Putin, who in the past has openly broached the prospect of bolstering military collaboration with Pyongyang, could use his time in the North to move a or at least discuss moving a arms and military technology agreements toward the finish line," Daniel DePetris, a fellow at Washington-based think tank Defense Priorities, said in an email. "North Korean munitions have given him critical time to reconstitute Russia's own domestic military production so Putin will attempt to keep the North Korean arms spigot flowing," he continued. Putin reportedly said Russia will continue to "develop" its relations with North Korea regardless of what others think when he met with the heads of international news agencies on the sidelines of theInternational Economic Forum held in St. Petersburg on Wednesday. He also said North Korea's nuclear issue will "gradually be resolved" if Pyongyang does not feel threatened and thanked South Korea for not directly providing weapons to Ukraine, according to Tass. The same day, Putin warned that Moscow could provide long-range weapons to the West's adversaries so they could strike Western countries in response to NATO allies, including the United States, allowing Ukraine to use their arms to attack inside Russia. David Maxwell, vice president of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy, said during a phone interview that Pyongyang is more likely to "act on its own interest" than to heed Moscow if asked to cause provocations on the Korean Peninsula or elsewhere. Maxwell also said Putin's possible visit to North Korea could be used as "a propaganda vehicle" for Moscow and Pyongyang. They will try to "reinforce the reputation of both, especially in terms of alliances" and portray their causes a Russia's war in Ukraine and North Korea's threats against South Korea a as somewhat "legitimate" despite causing massive human rights abuses, Maxwell said. Pyongyang described Putin's war in Ukraine as "the sacred war of justice" by "the valiant Russian army" engaged in "the special military operation to annihilate neo-Nazis" in a statement released on May 16 by its state-run KCNA. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 7, 2024 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Meeting With French Minister of the Armed Forces SAbastien Lecornu Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and the French Minister of the Armed Forces SAbastien Lecornu met in Paris today on the heels of the 80th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Both sides reflected on the values that bind the United States, France, and its Allies together at a critical juncture in European security. Secretary Austin thanked Minister Lecornu for France's continued commitment to Ukraine's defense through its leadership role within the Ukraine Defense Contact Group's capability coalitions. He also reiterated the United States' unwavering support for Ukraine. The Secretary further welcomed France's close collaboration and synchronization with the United States on various initiatives to meet Ukraine's air defense and artillery needs, including on future security assistance to Ukraine. In their meeting, the two principals also discussed the upcoming NATO Defense Ministerial and the roadmap to the NATO Summit in July. Both also emphasized mutual efforts to advance security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Secretary Austin looks forward to welcoming Minister Lecornu in Washington, D.C. for the 75th NATO Summit in July. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3800343/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address First Command and Control Compatibility Board meeting for 2024 between India & U.S. held in New Delhi India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 07 JUN 2024 7:28PM by PIB Delhi The first Command and Control Compatibility Board (CCCB) meeting for 2024 between India and the U.S. was held at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi from 04-07 June 2024. The meeting had participation of a 29 member United States delegation led by Mr Paul Nicholson, Executive Director, US INDOPACOM and a 38 member Indian delegation led by Brigadier Rahul Anand of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff. The CCCB is the Technical Expert Group formed under Article XI of the Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) between India and USA, and is held twice a year. After signing of the historic agreement in September 2018, this is the seventh such meeting between both nations to calibrate, reinforce and achieve steady progress in the bilateral Defence partnership. During this four day interaction, the Subject Matter Experts from both sides had several rounds of extensive discussions to understand interoperability scenarios and operational communications needs. Focused discussions with the US delegation were helpful in working out mutually agreed solutions for the current communications interoperability needs of the Indian Tri-Services. The successful outcome of this meeting is a true reflection of the strengthening relationship between the militaries of India and US. ABB/Anand (Release ID: 2023502) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address E3, US, IAEA 'ineffectual' on Iran's nuclear case, will remain so: Shamkhani Iran Press TV Friday, 07 June 2024 2:03 PM A political advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United States and the European troika a also known as the E3 a will never achieve any success in their moves against Iran. In a post on his official X account, Ali Shamkhani said the US and the Europeans a Britain, Germany and France a have been playing a good and bad cop game with the Iranian from negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal to the recent meeting of the IAEA's Board of Governors. The US and its European allies sought to manage Iran's reactions to their misbehavior by creating false hope in Iran, he wrote. They have never been successful and been ineffectual, and will never achieve success in the face of the Islamic Republic, Shamkhani emphasized. The post by the Leader's advisor come after the 35-member IAEA's Board of Governors passed a resolution on Wednesday accusing Iran of withholding sufficient cooperation with the agency. Ratified by 20 votes in favor, two against with 12 abstentions, the resolution proposed by the European demands that the Islamic Republic step up its cooperation with the IAEA and provide "technically credible explanations which satisfy the Agency's questions." The resolution also supports the IAEA to pursue its dialogue with Iran to clarify all outstanding safeguards issues. Iran has strongly condemned the United Nations nuclear agency's passage of the resolution, insisting that such moves would not serve to undermine the country's nuclear development plans. Iran's Interim Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani also warned that any non-constructive measure by certain IAEA member states will certainly harm the agency's identity and role. Over the past years, Iran has made great strides in its peaceful nuclear energy program in defiance of illegal sanctions and other hurdles created by the Western governments. The country, which is among the original signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), has also been closely cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The country showed to the world the peaceful nature of its nuclear program by signing the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with six world powers. But, Washington's unilateral withdrawal in May 2018 and its subsequent re-imposition of sanctions against Tehran left the future of the deal in limbo. Tehran started to suspend some of its obligations under the agreement in 2019 in full accordance with its inherent right under paragraphs 26 and 36 of the JCPOA, in reaction to the United States' unlawful unilateral withdrawal from the agreement on 8 May 2018, and the subsequent failure of the E3 to uphold their commitments. Tehran then agreed to some additional IAEA inspections and resolved issues related to one of the three sites and the alleged presence of uranium particles there. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Sets Restrictive Media Conditions In Run-Up To Presidential Election By RFE/RL's Radio Farda June 07, 2024 The Iranian government has issued strict guidelines for media conduct in the run-up to Iran's presidential election, which was called after the recent death of former President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. According to the newly published regulations, any content deemed to be aimed at discouraging voter turnout or promoting election boycotts, as well as organizing any form of unlicensed protest gatherings, strikes, or sit-ins, is now classified as "criminal." The rules mimic previous mandates and carry severe punishments, including the potential for as many as 74 lashes, for those found in violation. The initiative is part of the intense effort by the Iranian government to control the political narrative and suppress dissent amid historically low election enthusiasm due to the widespread disqualifications of candidates and aggressive suppression by authorities of any opposition. Under Clause 74 of Iran's presidential election law, all media outlets --including print, broadcast, and online platforms -- are prohibited from publishing anything deemed to be negative content about election candidates or suggesting that any group or individual withdraw from the race. Violations can lead to severe repercussions, including the temporary shutdown of the offender's media operations and physical punishment for its managers and possibly the authors of such articles. The guidelines also extend to social media, where the publication of any content deemed as insulting or slanderous against the regime, or that which stirs public discord or spreads false information, is forbidden. The law specifies that no private complainant is required for the prosecution of these offenses, suggesting a proactive approach by the state in monitoring and regulating election-related discourse. These developments occur amid a backdrop of increasing control over media and public opinion by the Iranian authorities, who have long used broad and vaguely defined charges to crack down on political activists and civil society. The recent guidelines also underscore the government's intent to tighten its grip on all forms of expression and ensure a controlled electoral environment, sparking concerns among international observers about the state of freedom of speech and fair electoral practices in Iran. In recent elections, the authorities severely limited the playing field by disqualifying most moderate and reformist candidates, which may have contributed to the low voter participation seen in recent balloting. Rights groups have complained of an intensified clampdown on public expressions of discontent since Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and several others died in the helicopter crash in a mountainous region of northwestern Iran in mid-May while returning from an official visit to Azerbaijan. Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-media-conditions- presidential-election-raisi/32983290.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar junta halfway to recapturing Kayah state capital Some 500 junta troops are now stationed in 3 of the city's wards and ethnic rebels are digging in. By RFA Burmese 2024.06.07 -- Myanmar's military is halfway to recapturing the Kayah state capital Loikaw since launching an offensive against the city at the end of May, residents said Friday. Since November, the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, or KNDF, and its ethnic allies have seized 65 junta bases and eight towns, including 12 outposts, from the military in Kayah and, as recently as the end of April, had claimed to control 80% of Loikaw. But in March, the military began an offensive along the highway to Loikaw from Hsihseng township about 65 kilometers (40 miles) to the north and, by the end of last month, some 500 junta troops had regained positions in the city's Shan Pine, Mingalar and Dawtama Gyi wards, a resident told RFA Burmese. "The junta forces have regained control of about 50% of the city, but not the entire area," said the resident who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. "They have retaken their positions at their former regional command headquarters and No. 55 Division [outpost] ... Their drones use advanced technology, and rebel forces could not defend against them effectively." RFA reported in May that the military is adding advanced Chinese drones to its arsenal and using them to attack its enemies with increasingly devastating effect. Rebel forces retain control of southern Loikaw's Mong Lon ward, residents said, and battles are occurring there frequently. Some residents who returned to Loikaw after seeking shelter during the heaviest fighting told RFA that their shops and homes had been burglarized, although it was not immediately clear by whom. Preparing to defend Loikaw Banya, a secretary of the anti-junta Karenni State Interim Executive Council, said that the military has been attacking Loikaw "with excessive force." "Fighting is taking place almost every day," he said. "They [junta troops] seem to be trying to regain control of Loikaw city." According to the KNDF, military columns headed to Loikaw from southern Shan State include junta forces who surrendered the No. 55 Division outpost and new soldiers recruited as part of the People's Military Service Law - a conscription drive enacted by the junta in February that has driven thousands of draft-dodgers into rebel-controlled territory and abroad. KNDF Vice-Commander Marwi told RFA his forces are digging in and preparing to defend the city. "If they enter our control area, we will launch an all-out attack," he said. Attempts by RFA to contact Zarni Maung, the junta's spokesperson for Kayah state, for comment on the military's push into Loikaw went unanswered Friday. City of strategic importance A former military officer, who now works as a political commentator, said the junta wants to retake Loikaw due to its strategic importance. "The population density is the highest in Loikaw, so controlling Loikaw means controlling Kayah state," he said the former officer, who also declined to be named. The former officer said that the assistance of the pro-junta Pa-O militia had proved "very effective for the military" in its Kayah state offensive. According to the anti-junta Progressive Karenni People Force, nearly 200 battles occurred between junta forces and the KNDF in Kayah state and neighboring Shan state during the five months from Jan. 1 to June 1. During the battles, the junta deployed airstrikes and heavy artillery, killing at least 51 people displaced by conflict, it said. Karenni joint forces claim to have lost 139 soldiers and killed 562 junta troops in the fighting. Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar's junta halts passport conversion as Thailand mulls worker amnesty The new restrictions are part of the military's conscription drive. By RFA Burmese 2024.06.07 -- The junta has halted applications for passport conversions, part of its effort to keep people from fleeing the draft in Myanmar, according to a passport broker. The move comes as neighboring Thailand considers reforms that could allow millions of Myanmar migrant workers to remain legally employed in the country - and out of reach of the conscription drive. Many Myanmar nationals have been scrambling to leave the country since February, when the military announced it would begin enacting a conscription law following months of battlefield defeats. And since early May, men between 23 and 31 have been banned from working abroad - reportedly another way to make men available for the draft. The Myanmar government currently issues several types of passports, including one for overseas workers, known as a PJ, and one for tourists, known as PV. Previously, holders of one type of passport could convert it to the other, but with a ban on men working overseas, those seeking to have their job passport converted to a visitor's passport have been rebuffed. "With the age limit imposed on the PJ passport for working abroad, those who still want to go can no longer do so. Therefore, they have turned to PV passports," an unofficial passport broker who asked not to be named for security reasons told Radio Free Asia. "It appears that the military council suspected they are working abroad with PV passports, which is why the transfer process has been halted," the person said. The law requires men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 to serve in the armed forces for two years. Since it was enacted, more than 100,000 people have fled abroad to avoid war, according to the Burmese Affairs and Conflict Study. Thailand mulls a response An unknown number have illegally crossed into Thailand, where they have joined a vast workforce of Myanmar migrants. According to the UNDP, there are an estimated 2 million registered Myanmar migrants, with perhaps as many undocumented workers. Immigration advocates as well as Thai labor officials have raised concern that the law could lead to a labor shortage, with would-be workers banned and those whose permits are set to expire facing legal limbo. On Thursday, Thailand's Department of Employment announced a proposed slate of new immigration rules that would allow undocumented workers to stay and extend work permits for those set to expire. If approved by the cabinet, the rules would mean millions of unregistered but working migrants from Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos could qualify for so-called pink cards, or legal working papers. An estimated 2 million registered workers whose permits will soon expire would also see them extended. The announcement specified that applicants must already be in Thailand and employed by an employer, but it did not detail what the registration would entail or what the next steps would be. Pho Thingyan, from the Mae Sot-based Overseas Irrawaddy Association, a small nonprofit organization assisting migrant workers, said legal registration would help on several fronts. "Many people have migrated due to the country's situation. Issuing pink cards is helpful for them in matters of security. Additionally, having a certificate in hand opens up many job opportunities for them." Over the past three months, about 3,600 undocumented Myanmar nationals who have arrived in Thailand have been arrested, according to migrant workers. Translated by Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Abby Seiff and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar rebels claim junta outpost on Bangladesh border Only five junta-occupied border posts remain in the township, residents said. By RFA Burmese 2024.06.07 -- An ethnic minority insurgent group has captured a junta base on Myanmar's border with Bangladesh, sources close to the rebel group told Radio Free Asia on Friday. The Arakan Army, or AA, which resumed its battle against the junta for territory in Myanmar's west in November, controls nine townships in Rakhine state and one in Chin state. In January, the AA turned its focus to Maungdaw, a strategic township for border relations with Bangladesh. On Thursday, AA troops captured junta Border Guard Station No. 6 in Inn Din village. Nearly 600 soldiers were stationed at the guard post, said one resident who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons. "The border guards, combined with forces from other outposts, were stationed in that camp," he said. "A junta division commander was also posted there. There are many casualties from the junta side and some soldiers ran away." In late May, junta airstrikes killed one civilian and wounded nearly a dozen in Maungdaw township. The AA launched an unsuccessful offensive against the same border post on Jan. 5, but were held back by the junta's combined navy, air force and army. RFA tried to contact AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha and Rakhine state's junta spokesperson Hla Thein, but neither responded by the time of publication. Junta troops built the post in 2017 after destroying a predominantly ethnic minority Rohingya village that was located there, residents told RFA. The AA is also attacking Maungdaw's Myin Hlut-based Border Guard Station No. 9. The insurgent group captured Maungdaw's Border Police Command Office No. 1, which is the largest junta camp in Maungdaw township, residents said, adding that only five junta-occupied border guard posts remain in the township. Rebels are maintaining attacks on Ann, Thandwe and Maungdaw townships, where the junta's Western Regional Military Headquarters for Rakhine state is based. A ceasefire between the AA and the military broke down in November, at the same time that other ethnic minority and pro-democracy insurgents launched attacks that have put forces of the junta that seized power in 2021 under unprecedented pressure. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transcript of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson on Friday, 07 June 2024 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Assalam-o-Alaikum, Thanks for joining us for the Weekly Briefing. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is in China for an official visit. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar is accompanying the Prime Minister. This morning, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held delegation-level talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The two leaders reaffirmed that Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership was characterized by mutual trust, shared principles and strategic convergence. They also expressed the unwavering support to each other on core issues. The two leaders expressed continued commitment and support for the high-quality development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and timely completion of all ongoing projects. The two sides also expressed their firm commitment to protect CPEC from its detractors and adversaries. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's unflinching resolve to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan. The two sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, including strengthening institutional linkages at all tiers and in all spheres of bilateral cooperation. Pakistan and China will also continue to consult closely on issues of regional and global significance and multilateral fora, especially during the two-year tenure of Pakistan as non-permanent member of UN Security Council. The delegation level talks were followed by an MoU signing ceremony, where 23 MoUs and agreements were signed on deepening cooperation in transport infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture, media, health, water, socio-economic development and others of mutual interest. Since his arrival in China, the Prime Minister has held several meetings with Chinese investors and businesspersons to discuss and explore investment opportunities in Pakistan. In these meetings and events, including the Business Conference in Shenzhen, the Prime Minister has encouraged Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan and develop joint ventures. A number of MoUs have been signed with Chinese businesses in economy, green energy, textiles and manufacturing. The Prime Minister will later travel to the city of Xi'an where he will hold meetings with the provincial leadership and business leaders in agricultural and green energy sectors. Pakistan was elected yesterday as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2025-2026, receiving an overwhelming support of 182 members of the UN General Assembly. We are grateful to all members of the UN General Assembly for their confidence in Pakistan and electing it as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. We are also grateful to the members of the Asia-Pacific Group for endorsing Pakistan's candidature for the Council. Pakistan's priorities at the Council would include: Just and peaceful resolution of outstanding and ongoing disputes; Opposing the resort to unilateral and illegal use or threat of use of force; Combatting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations; Support for effective UN peacekeeping, peace enforcement and peace building efforts; Resolution of regional and international crises; and lastly, Democracy, transparency and accountability in the decisions and deliberations of the UN Security Council. Pakistan looks forward to working closely with the other members of the UN Security Council and with the broader UN Membership for upholding the UN Charter and pursuing the vision of preventing war and promoting peace, fostering global prosperity and promoting universal respect for human rights. Pakistan strongly condemns the horrific bombing of Israeli forces on the UNRWA run Al-Sardi School in Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza that led to multiple deaths of mostly women and children. This attack is another crime in a series of attacks against civilians including an IDP camp last week that resulted in deaths of 45 Palestinians. The deliberate targeting of civilian population and facilities is a grave violation of international law and constitutes war crimes. Pakistan also strongly condemns the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by hundreds of Israeli extremists under the protection of Israeli police forces. The reprehensible act violates decades-long international agreements and international norms on respect for religious sites. Under international law, it is the responsibility of the occupation authorities to respect religious sites. Israeli occupation forces should therefore ensure the security of Al-Quds. We reiterate our call for an urgent and unconditional ceasefire, for an immediate end to the massacre of the civilians and to hold Israel accountable for its crimes. The human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continue unabated. There are reports that a Kashmiri civilian, Mr. Imtiaz Ahmed Pallah, was tortured to death this week at a police station in the Pulwama district of IIOJK. This is not the first incident of its kind. Over the last three decades, the number of custodial deaths in IIOJK has exceeded seven thousand. The perpetrators of these crimes should be held accountable. Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions. We express our deepest condolences and sympathies with the government of Tunisia and the family and friends of Tunisia's Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Borhene El Kamel on his sad demise. He lost his battle with cancer yesterday; Ambassador Borhene El Kamel was a sincere friend of Pakistan who made important contributions in promoting Pakistan-Tunisia relations. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi have expressed their condolences on the sad demise of Ambassador Kamel. An upcoming visit announcement. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will undertake a one-day visit to Istanbul, TArkiye to attend the Extraordinary Meeting of the D-8 Council of Foreign Ministers. The meeting is being held to discuss the "Situation in Gaza" at the initiative of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of TArkiye Hakan Fidan. The D-8 Foreign Ministers will deliberate upon the shared responsibility of the international community to bring an urgent and unconditional ceasefire and an end to the inhumane and unjustified war on the people of Gaza. The Deputy Prime Minister will present Pakistan's stance on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the urgency of an unconditional ceasefire, lifting of the siege and humanitarian relief for the Palestinian people. He will also call for unified international efforts to bring an end to the war being waged against the people of Gaza and the war crimes being perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces. On the sidelines, the Deputy Prime Minister is also expected to meet the Foreign Ministers in attendance. Thank you! 1. (Rizwan Abbasi, Daily Ausaf): Ma'am, an international conference regarding Gaza is going to be held in Jordan. Will Pakistani delegation participate in this conference? Spokesperson: We have received an invitation for the conference. Decisions regarding Pakistan's participation are under consideration and will be announced soon. 2. (Adeel Bashir, Roze News): My question is regarding Pakistan-India relations in the background of the latest Indian elections. National Democratic (Alliance) government is going to be formed soon. So, what are the expectations of Pakistan with the new government which is going to be formed? And secondly, any invitation, any high-profile invitation, for Pakistan for the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Modi? Spokesperson: I think this question is premature, as we understand the process of formation of government is ongoing. So, I am not in a position to comment on your question. 3. (Anas Mallick, Capital TV): You said that the Prime Minister has shown unflinching resolve on safety and security of Chinese nationals in the meeting with the Chinese Premier. With regards to the Besham incident, was that taken up during these recent meetings, and has the Chinese side agreed to what the Pakistani side has said on their part of findings? Spokesperson: As I said, this meeting between the two leaders took place early this morning and I have shared with you the broad contours of the discussion that took place today. I do not have a complete readout of the meeting. However, I can confirm that Pakistan and China have been engaged with each other on all aspects of investigation into the Besham incident and Pakistan's strong commitment to hold the perpetrators to account. 4. (Anas Mallick, Capital TV): Saudi Arabia has arrested two Pakistani nationals yesterday on charges of committing Hajj fraud and issuing fraudulent permits. Any comments that Pakistan might have to offer? Spokesperson: I do not have this information with me. Perhaps the Hajj directorate or the relevant ministries would have more information. 5. (Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): If you kindly allow me two questions at the same time. In India, around nine hundred million people voted. Whatever the government is formed, that's the decision of the Indian people. What are expectations in Pakistan, being an immediate neighbour, from this new government, whosoever comes into power? My second question is the Prime Minister was received in the Great Hall of the People. The important meeting with President Xi Jinping will also take place. What's new that the two countries will start from now onward as in the last briefing you said that there will be a new trajectory in the strategic partnership between the two countries? What should we expect? Phase-two CPEC is being talked about, ML-I is being talked about, so many industrial relocation projects are being discussed. What is so important that I can say as a citizen of this country that Pakistan-China friendship has delivered this after this visit of the Prime Minister? Spokesperson: I would first like to perhaps comment on the premise of your question. Pakistan-China relations are time-tested and this relationship has served both countries well over the last several decades. It is a mutually beneficial partnership and every time our leaders meet, we reaffirm this friendship and partnership. We recommit to going forward in a positive direction in building on the momentum of our relationship and to ensure that no adversary of Pakistan or China can create trouble for this relationship. This visit is therefore important to further reaffirm the all-weather strategic partnership and to set a robust agenda for the future. As far as the details of the meetings, which have been held or are being held, we will be able to give you more details once all the official meetings have been held. As I said just now, the meeting with Premier Li Qiang just took place this morning. And later today, the Prime Minister will meet with President Xi Jinping and the Chairman of the National People's Congress, Chairman Zhao Leji. We will be able to share more details of our understandings by the end of the visit. Regarding your first question, Pakistan has always desired cooperative relations with all its neighbours including India. We have consistently advocated constructive dialogue and engagement to resolve all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. However, India's actions of 5th of August 2019 in IIOJK have vitiated the bilateral environment. We have also observed an increase in vitriolic rhetoric against Pakistan, especially during the recent electoral campaign in India. In any case, Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence. We want peace and stability in the region and Pakistan has been acting in a responsible manner, notwithstanding the difficulties and rhetoric coming from India. We hope that India will take steps to create a conducive environment for advancement of peace and dialogue and resolution of long-standing dispute for the mutual benefit of the peoples of Pakistan and India. 6. (Afzal Reza, IRNA): The meeting of the regional contact group for Afghanistan will be held in Tehran tomorrow. Special Envoys of Iran, China, Russia, are participating in the meeting. Can you confirm that Ambassador Durrani will also be in Tehran tomorrow as the head of delegation of Pakistan? If yes, ma'am, what's Islamabad's position regarding the importance and the constructive engagement by the regional contact group for Afghanistan? Spokesperson: Yes, I can confirm that Pakistan's Special Representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Asif Durrani, will attend the quadrilateral meeting being held in Iran. This we believe is an important forum. It is important for the regional countries, especially the neighbours of Afghanistan, to consult and work together for ensuring peace, stability and security in Afghanistan, to ensure that Afghanistan is not a source of terrorism in the region and to support Afghanistan's efforts for the economic well-being of its people. 7. (Raziq Mehmood Bhatti, Daily Kashmir Express): Azad Kashmir's people were invited to participate on 12 seats in the electoral process of India. Similarly, Muslims who are in IIOJK have been threatened that if they won't cast their vote according to the will of the Indian government, they would not be awarded government jobs. Your comments please. Spokesperson: I would like to reiterate that any facade of electoral exercises in IIOJK cannot override the reality of international law, under which the decision of the future of the Kashmir is to be determined by the people of Kashmir, according to the United Nations Security Council resolutions. We, therefore, urge India to faithfully implement the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and to stop intimidating the Kashmiri people. 8. (Aijaz Ahmed, GNN): When I was coming here, there was a news that 40 Palestinians were martyred in an attack on UN refugees camp and there was another news that Israel have used Indian missiles. Your comments please. Spokesperson: We have expressed our condemnation of the Israeli attack on the camp in Gaza in my opening statement of today. Regarding your second question, we have seen some media reports. Pakistan has always said that it is important that indiscriminate attacks against the people of Palestine and people of Gaza should end. Our position in that respect is very clear and has been consistently articulated. 9. (Ali Hussain, Business Recorder): Have we officially congratulated Mr. Modi on his elections as Prime Minister for the third term? And what is our official take on the election that has been held in India? Spokesperson: First, as I said last time, it is the right of the people of India to decide about their own leadership. We do not have any comments on their electoral process. Regarding your first question, I think this question is premature. As far as I understand, the process of formation of government is ongoing. 11. (Anas Mallick, Capital TV): Sarim Burney, a prominent rights activist was arrested upon arrival from the US and the State Department has said that they continue to work with the Pakistani authorities with regards to human trafficking. Can you enlighten with regard to the nature of complaint? How was it received? When was it received? And last week you said that Pakistan has received the invite for the Ukraine peace conference, and deliberations are still ongoing with the level of participation. We're a week away from that conference. If there is a decision, can you let us know that? Spokesperson: On your second question, I do not have any update for now. On your first question, this case is under investigation by FIA and our law enforcement authorities. They are in a better position to share with you all the details about this case. 12. (Anwar Abbas, 24 News): I just want to know your comments regarding the recent European Union report on human rights that has criticized Pakistan and levelled many allegations against Pakistan. Spokesperson: Pakistan is a country with its laws and Constitution. The Constitution guarantees human rights protections and our courts underwrite the fundamental freedoms and human rights of individuals in light of Pakistani laws and Pakistani Constitution. In all cases, Pakistani law will take precedence irrespective of any biased and irrelevant commentary from foreign governments or entities. Pakistan undertakes its constitutional obligations seriously which guarantee human rights and we do not need advice from others to fulfil our constitutional obligations. 13. (Naveed Siddique, Daily Dateline): Violent protest erupted in Chaman for the opening of border crossing points, especially Badini, and there are reports that Pakistan Embassy in Kabul and other consulates are denying or discouraging visa applications from Afghans. What are your comments please? Spokesperson: I will, first of all, refute your second question. Our missions process all applications, which are submitted, according to set procedures and decisions are taken with regards to issuance of visas according to Pakistani laws and regulations. And that is the case with our embassy in Afghanistan as well. So, they process any applications that come according to Pakistani laws and grant visas in light of the available guidelines. With regards to the Chaman situation, I would like to refer you to the Home Department in Balochistan who would be in a better position to share with you the situation there. However, Pakistan has said repeatedly that the movement of individuals across the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan should take place on the basis of valid visa and valid passport. That is the case of Pakistan's visa arrangements with our other neighbours, and we believe that time has come for Pakistan and Afghanistan to have a similar arrangement. Any individual who wishes to travel to Pakistan should come here on valid visa and a genuine, valid Afghan passport. 15. (Mariam Elahi, Dunya News): Madam Spokesperson, I would want to question something regarding a flight that took place from Islamabad to Jeddah yesterday. The flight actually made an emergency landing in Muscat and as per the reports, the passengers are complaining that the authorities there, the Omani authorities as well as our Embassy in Muscat are not facilitating. The flight has been there for like 20-plus hours now. Do you have any update on that Madam? Spokesperson: I do not have the update on that case. I would not like to comment on an ongoing situation which pertains to a foreign commercial airline. I can reassure you that Pakistan's Embassy in Oman remains in contact with the relevant authorities to facilitate Pakistanis whenever in distress. Thank You! *** NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia-Zimbabwe talks Vladimir Putin held talks with President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa at the Constantine Palace. June 6, 2024 23:55 St Petersburg The two leaders' conversation was followed by expanded talks during a working lunch. * * * The beginning of RussiaaZimbabwe talks in the restricted format President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, I am delighted to welcome you to Russia. Our previous meeting also took place here in St Petersburg, at the RussiaaAfrica Summit, and we truly appreciate your personal involvement in developing our interstate ties. RussiaaZimbabwe relations were established a long time ago when your nation was struggling for independence, and they continue to advance extensively. I was pleased to note that our mutual trade increased severalfold over the past year. However, it is clear that we still have much work to do in diversifying our ties. We have very good relations in the humanitarian and educational sectors. Currently, 400 young people from your country are studying in Russia, and we increase this quota on a regular basis. I appreciate your involvement in our joint persistent efforts in the international arena. Our stances on the core issues on the international agenda are quite similar and even coinciding. I am glad to have this opportunity to meet with you on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. I am confident that your presence here will serve as a testimony to the African continent's interest in developing relations with Russia, which is among our priorities. We have agreed to make efforts to enhance our cooperation, and have also created new interaction formats, such as meetings and consultations between our foreign ministers. We hope that your representative will attend such a meeting that will take place in Sochi this autumn. Welcome, Mr President. President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa: Thank you very much, Your Excellency President Putin. May I, on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe, the government, and indeed on my own behalf, extend my warmest regards to you. I am so happy that you were able to invite me to come here to meet you. This is an opportunity, Your Excellency, that I have been looking forward to, because Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation have excellent relations, and it is critically important that we make them more comprehensive and share the challenges that we are facing. Commonly, the challenges that you face are the same challenges that we face in Southern Africa, because we are one of the few countries in Southern Africa that is regarded as anti-West, and I feel so humbled that you have extended an invitation for me to come over here. This is an opportunity where we can share the challenges that we face both at the national level and at the international level, because we have relations with Western countries. But most importantly, it is an opportunity to consolidate them, to identify areas where we can pursue cooperation between our two countries and consolidate, and make them more comprehensive between ourselves. There is no need to shy away from each other. I think our pursuit in terms of international relations is the same. We were disregarded as an isolated island in Southern Africa, but I am anxious that we develop comprehensive relations with the Russian Federation, and I can assure you that I have that determination on my part. And much more so, you yourself, as the President, as well as the Russian Federation, have support in Zimbabwe. You see, we have received support, we received food allocations from yourselves last year, and we have received cooperation in the military and security sector. That alone, as you continue to do so, we continuously become isolated in our region. But we are determined to be ourselves, we are determined to be independent. We don't care what other countries say about us, you know, under President Mugabe. And there was this Prime Minister in Britain, and the relations just ended there. And thereafter, most of the British and Americans, they have not looked upon us; they think that we are too inclined to the East. But we have no apologies at all. We feel we have better relations with the people who also respect us, not the persons who look down upon us. So we are very happy to be here. We are anxious to have more comprehensive and concentrated relations between ourselves. Yes, we are a very advanced country; but there is a lot that we can learn from you and there is a lot that will benefit from that relationship. And there is a lot that we can open for the Russian Federation to participate in our economy, especially in the mining sector and agriculture. There is a lot that we can afford for you to participate. And in that process, the West will run away. You see, the West has just begun consolidating its power in Zambia, our next neighbour. You know, there was a time when Zambia and Zimbabwe were one; it was called Northern and Southern Rhodesia. It was made one by the British, but they are now separate. And the Americans are consolidating their power in that country, both in terms of security and in terms of financial support to Zambia to make sure that we feel lonely. But that will not change us, because we have taken a course as a people that we feel we want to be independent and we will choose our friends ourselves. And besides, we are independent today because most of us in the leadership trained here during our war of liberation. We got our independence because we are supported by yourselves here, and we don't forget that history, and you don't forget about us. So, Mr President, I am happy to be here. If an opportunity avails later on - I mean, we will find time to chat and go into more detail as to which areas we must focus on in terms of supporting each other and in terms of where we feel we need external support, especially in the area of difference in security as well as food security. Those areas we need to be supported in - the mechanisation of agriculture and so on. We cannot go to the West; we have to come here because the West would want to see us down. They support our neighbours, Zambia and Malawi, very heavily. But in spite of that, Zimbabwe's economic growth is the fastest growing economy in the region, in spite of us being isolated by the Americans. So, Your Excellency, I am very happy to be here. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian-Bolivian talks Vladimir Putin held talks with President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia Luis Alberto Arce Catacora, who came to Russia on an official visit, in the Constantine Palace. June 6, 2024 18:00 St Petersburg The talks began one-on-one, following which international consultations continued in an expanded format with the members of the two countries' delegations. * * * Beginning of the Russian-Bolivian talks in the restricted format President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the International Economic Forum in St Petersburg, Russia. This is your first visit to Russia as the head of state, and we are delighted to have you here. I have no doubt that you will make a substantial contribution to the work of our forum, considering that you have a degree in economics and previously held the posts of minister of the economy and minister of finance. I hope you will find the discussions that are being held at the forum today and those that are scheduled for tomorrow interesting. Turning to the bilateral relations between Russia and Bolivia, they are built on a solid foundation of respect for each other's interests. Although our mutual trade is relatively small in monetary terms, there has been positive growth: last year, it increased by over 2 percent, or 2.5 percent, if I am not mistaken. There are several interesting spheres of cooperation, including high technology. Rosatom is implementing a good programme and is building a nuclear research and technology centre in El Alto. One of the completed projects is a radiopharmacology complex, the largest in Latin America, which is already supplying medicines to Bolivian clinics. There are also other interesting ideas and goals which we coordinated with the previous Bolivian authorities as our key priorities. I understand that you are continuing with these priorities, and we are pleased about it. So, Mr President, welcome to Russia. President of Bolivia Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (retranslated): Thank you very much. Mr President, Thank you for inviting us to this important forum. We are grateful for this opportunity and will actively contribute to its work. We will share information about the Bolivian experience. We have a unique economic model, which we have been implementing since 2006, and we will share this experience at the forum. We are also ready to provide assistance to all participants and share our country's experience. We appreciate the support provided by the friendly Russian Government, which has implemented several projects such as the Nuclear Research and Technology Centre, which you mentioned. We are looking forward to working jointly with a Russian company on a lithium project in Bolivia. We will also work in other areas of cooperation between Russia and Bolivia. We have a busy agenda, which we will discuss. Thank you for inviting us. I express my gratitude on behalf of the Bolivian people, who are closely following these developments. We are happy to be here, in your hometown, and glad to be able to visit it, to share our experience, to talk about our projects and dreams, and explore the possibilities of implementing them together with you. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answers to questions from the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin programme, St Petersburg, June 6, 2024 6 June 2024 22:51 1067-06-06-2024 Question: US President Joe Biden said in an interview that US weapons would not be used to strike Moscow or the Kremlin. Still, is this not a step towards a major escalation? Sergey Lavrov: I feel awkward and uncomfortable every time I have to comment on Joe Biden's behaviour. I feel sorry for the man, purely for humanitarian reasons. It is really difficult to fathom how his mind or body works. Everyone was truly bewildered in France a few days ago. Question: Joe Biden also said that he has known President of Russia Vladimir Putin for 40 years. Where did they meet? Sergey Lavrov: Today, a Republican congressman listed some of Joe Biden's statements regarding where he is from, where he grew up, and who raised him. This one can be added to the list. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dual U.S.-Russian Citizen Pleads Guilty to Sending Weapon Components to Russia Friday, June 7, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A dual U.S.-Russian citizen pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act by exporting firearm parts, components, and ammunition to Russia without the required authorization. According to court documents, from at least July 2020 to 2023, Dimitry Timashev, 58, coordinated with an associate in Russia to send weapon parts from the United States to Russia. In exchange, the associate paid tuition for Timashev's daughter and rent for an apartment in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Timashev's associate provided him with the names and addresses to which the firearm components and ammunition were sent. Before July 6, 2022, all the packages were shipped to Russia. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022, Timashev could no longer create a U.S. Postal Service label to send packages of firearm components to Russia. Instead, Timashev's associate directed him to send the components to his relative's apartment in Kazakhstan, from where the goods would be sent to Russia. Timashev sent multiple packages of components to Kazakhstan, knowing they were ultimately bound for Russia. He also knew exporting the parts through Kazakhstan to Russia required a license from the Department of Commerce that he did not have. Timashev concealed the illegal exports by misrepresenting the contents of the shipments on the accompanying manifests. Timashev pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act by exporting firearm parts, components, and ammunition to Russia without the required authorization. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 8 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia and Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement. Homeland Security Investigations; ATF; Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement; U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are investigating the case. Trial Attorney Tracy Varghese of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Walutes for the Eastern District of Virgina are prosecuting the case. Topics: Export Control National Security Components: National Security Division (NSD) USAO - Virginia, Eastern Press Release Number: 24-714 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's nuclear-powered submarine en route to Cuba amid growing tensions with US Iran Press TV Friday, 07 June 2024 10:56 AM Russian naval ships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, will arrive in Cuba next week, amid growing tensions with the US over the war in Ukraine. Cuba's Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces said the nuclear submarine Kazan and three other Russian naval vessels, including the missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov, an oil tanker and a salvage tug, will dock in the Cuban capital, Havana, between June 12 and June 17. "None of the vessels is carrying nuclear weapons, so their stopover in our country does not represent a threat to the region," the ministry said in a statement on Thursday. The announcement came a day after US officials said Washington had been tracking Russian warships and aircraft that were expected to arrive in the Caribbean for military drills, which they described as part of a broader Russian response to the US support for Kiev. The officials said the Russian military presence was notable, but not concerning. The deployment of the Russian military so close to the US comes as Russia's President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow could take "asymmetrical steps" elsewhere in the world and supply arms to other countries to hit Western targets in response to President Joe Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to use American munitions to strike inside Russian territory. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has also urged member states of the US-led alliance to reconsider restrictions attached to Ukraine's use of Western arms to strike targets in Russia. Stoltenberg said on Friday that Ukraine has the right according to international law to attack legitimate military targets in Russia to defend itself. "Ukraine has the right to self-defense," Stoltenberg told a news conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at a military base near Stockholm on Friday. "The right to self-defense also includes the right to hit legitimate, military targets on the territory of the attacking party, the aggressor, in this case Russia," he added. Putin has said his forces launched a major operation against the Kharkiv region, which sits across the border from Belgorod, earlier last month in order to create a buffer zone to protect Russian frontier villages from Ukraine's fatal attacks. In February 2022, Russia launched what it called a special military operation in Ukraine partly to prevent NATO's eastward expansion after warning that the military alliance was following an "aggressive line" against Moscow. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address French Citizen Arrested In Moscow On Charge Of Violating 'Foreign Agent' Law By RFE/RL June 07, 2024 A court in Moscow has sent French citizen Laurent Vinatier to pretrial detention until at least August 5 on a charge of violating Russia's "foreign agent" law. The Zamoskvorechye district court announced its decision on June 7, a day after the 48-year-old expert on Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, who works for a Geneva-based conflict mediation organization, was detained by Investigative Committee officers in a restaurant in the Russian capital. The Investigative Committee said then that a French citizen was detained on suspicion of gathering information about the military and failing to register as a foreign agent. The committee released a video showing a man with a blurred face being approached by masked officers in a Moscow restaurant and led to a police vehicle. According to the Investigative Committee, the man had allegedly "collected data related to military and military-technical activities of the Russian Federation." French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed in a televised interview late on June 6 that Vinatier was detained in Russia, stressing that he had never worked for French government structures. The French Embassy has yet to comment on the arrest. The arrest of Vinatier came as Macron hosted ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion on the beaches of Normandy during World War II. Earlier on June 6, French media reports said a 26-year-old native of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region with dual Russian-Ukrainian citizenship was detained in France after a handmade explosive device detonated in his hotel room. The man sustained burns and is currently being treated in a hospital. He is suspected of planning a terrorist attack in France that would have targeted military aid that Paris has been sending to Ukraine. Relations between Russia and France have sunk to their the lowest point in history over Moscow's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022. With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, TASS, Interfax, and Le Journal du Dimanche Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/french-citizen-arrested- russia-foreign-agent-law/32983592.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereign Council Malik Agar 7 June 2024 12:59 1069-07-06-2024 On June 7, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Deputy Chairman of the Transitional Sovereign Council of the Republic of the Sudan Malik Agar on the sidelines of the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum. The conversation focused on the developments in Sudan with an emphasis on the tasks to settle the ongoing military and political crisis in the country as soon as possible. Sergey Lavrov stressed the urgent need to take immediate steps to end hostilities and intensify political and diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace in Sudan. Russia's principled position in support of the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of the Sudan was reaffirmed. Some practical issues of further strengthening the traditionally friendly Russian-Sudanese relations were also discussed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Vice President of El Salvador Felix Ulloa Garay 7 June 2024 15:11 1075-07-06-2024 On June 7, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Vice President of El Salvador Felix Ulloa Garay on the sidelines of the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum. Various aspects of bilateral relations were discussed, with an emphasis on promoting political dialogue and cooperation in international affairs. Further steps to develop cooperation in the trade, economic, scientific, technological, cultural and humanitarian spheres were discussed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Second planning conference on Selenga 2024 international exercise is concluded in Mongolia 07.06.2024 In order to develop the Russian-Mongolian partnership, representatives of the Eastern Military District and the Armed Forces of Mongolia held a second round of talks on the preparation and organisation of the Selenga 2024 joint Russian-Mongolian military exercise. The Russian military delegation was headed by Lieutenant General Mikhail Nosulev, acting commander of the Eastern Military District. During the visit, talks were held with the Armed Forces of Mongolia Chief of General Staff Major General S. Ganbyamba, Commander of Ground Troops Brigadier General C.Tsogtzhargal, Chief of Staff of the Land Troops Colonel T. Buyandargal. During the planning conference, the sides set the dates for the exercise, agreed on issues of crossing the State Border by a contingent of Russian troops, as well as transporting and stationing units of the Eastern Military District, providing logistical support, and conducting cultural, recreational and sporting events. In addition, as part of the celebration of the 85th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet-Mongolian troops on the Khalkhin-Gol River, it is planned that the creative groups of the Republic of Buryatiya will perform at the stage of the State Academic Drama Theatre, as well as at the training ground in the field camp for participants of the exercise. The Selenga 2024 exercise is scheduled to be held in the second half of this year. Press Service of the Eastern Military District NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Frenchman Vinatier Pleads Guilty to Collecting Information on Russian Military Sputnik News 20240607 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - French citizen Laurent Vinatier has pleaded guilty to collecting information on Russian military activities, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Friday from a Moscow court. "I accepted I was guilty of it," Vinatier said. This week, a French citizen had been detained in Moscow on charges of collecting information on Russia's military activities, said Yulia Ivanova, a spokeswoman for the Moscow branch of the Russian Investigative Committee. The detainee is known as Laurent Vinatier, an adviser to Swiss NGO Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, media reported on Thursday. Moscow Court Arrests Vinatier on Spying Charges Until August 5 A Moscow court has ordered two month of detention for the French citizen. "To select a preventive measure against Vinatier in the form of detention until August 5, 2024," the judge said announcing the verdict. The prosecutor and the investigator insisted on pre-trial detention, arguing that the accused could flee or put pressure on witnesses, while Vinatier's lawyer asked for house arrest in his wife's home. The accused, who comes from the French city of Nantes and has four children, including two minors, pleaded guilty and vowed to cooperate with the investigation. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia, China to Open Border Crossing on Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island in 3 Years Sputnik News 20240607 ST. PETERSBURG (Sputnik) - A new border crossing between Russia and China on Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island in Russia's Khabarovsk Territory should be put into operation in the next three years, Russian Far East and Arctic Development Minister Alexei Chekunkov told Sputnik in an interview. On May 16, Russia and China signed a unified concept for the development of Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island. "Under the agreement, a border crossing, transport and logistic, recreational and tourist facilities will be established there. Now we are preparing a road map with concrete dates, it will be finalized and adopted by the end of the year. And in the next three years the border crossing should be built, it will be put into operation," the minister said. The May agreement on the joint development of the island is a great achievement and the result of 20 years of work, Chekunkov added. "For 20 years we could not find a joint view on how to develop Bolshoy Ussuriysky, [but] finally we found it. This is an opportunity for China's residents to easily come to Khabarovsk, and for Khabarovsk residents to easily come to China, buy duty-free goods, enjoy business opportunities. Another border crossing between Russia and China is an important issue," the minister told the agency. A Chinese company is starting to build an educational center in a prospective satellite city of Russia's Vladivostok that will prepare Chinese applicants for admission to Russian universities, Chekunkov added. "It's a pretty big project with an investment of 5 million rubles [$56,070]. Two thousand people will study there permanently, it is valuable for us as it is an export of educational services," the minister said. The Russian city of St. Petersburg is hosting the 27th edition of SPIEF from June 5-8. Last year, the forum drew 17,000 participants from 130 countries and saw the signing of more than 900 agreements. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Investigators Charge Frenchman With Gathering Data on Russia's Military Activities Sputnik News 20240607 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The French citizen detained earlier in Moscow has been charged with collecting information on Russia's military activities, Yulia Ivanova, a spokeswoman for the Moscow branch of the Russian Investigative Committee, said on Friday. On Thursday, the committee said a French citizen had been detained in Russia on suspicion of collecting data on Russian military activities. The detainee is known as Laurent Vinatier, an adviser to Swiss NGO Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, media reported on Thursday. "The citizen of the French Republic was charged with collecting information in the field of Russia's military activity in Moscow," the spokeswoman said, adding that he was charged with committing a crime, provided for in part three of Article 330.1 of the Russian Criminal Code. The investigation will ask the court to choose a preventive measure for the suspect, Ivanova added. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan-U.S. defense forum focuses on international tech collaboration ROC Central News Agency 06/07/2024 03:37 PM Taipei, June 7 (CNA) Taiwan is seeking to strengthen its national defense autonomy by collaborating internationally on key technologies, participants at a Taiwan-U.S. symposium said Thursday. While Taiwan possesses substantial hardware capabilities and an abundance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), further collaboration with allied nations is essential to overcome the current bottlenecks, several sources told CNA. The technologies of particular interest are materials, cybersecurity, propulsion, and artificial intelligence, they said after the annual Taiwan-U.S. Defense Industry Forum, which representatives from 27 American defense contractors attended. During the closed-door event, the U.S. delegation, which included former U.S. Marine Corps officer Steven Rudder, showed particular interest in Taiwanese indigenous defense projects, sources told CNA. Rudder is currently a nonresident senior fellow in the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. He retired as the commanding general of Marine Forces Pacific in September 2022 after leading an organization of 80,000 people responsible for all Marine operations in the Asia Pacific, according to his Atlantic Council biography. While the forum aimed to facilitate networking between the local industry and its American counterparts, some participants expressed dissatisfaction with the limited opportunity for smaller Taiwanese companies to introduce themselves, sources said. Instead, larger manufacturers such as Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. and CSBC Corp., Taiwan enjoyed the spotlight, sources added. Organized by the Taipei-based Taiwan Defense Industry Development Association and Arlington-based US-Taiwan Business Council, the forum also saw the participation of U.S. contractors such as Lockheed Martin Corp, Raytheon Co, and BAE Systems PLC. Su Tzu-yun (ece), a research fellow at Taiwan's state-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research who attended the forum, said Taiwanese firms must do more to enhance corporate management. Taiwan's hardware manufacturing industry is already well-established, but to boost its capabilities in mass production it needs to align with international regulatory frameworks such as the Wassenaar Arrangement. This would mean implementing stronger confidentiality protections and process security and technology control measures, Su said. (By Matt Yu and Lee Hsin-Yin) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Consider travel to China carefully, be vigilant of personal safety: MAC ROC Central News Agency 06/07/2024 03:06 PM Taipei, June 7 (CNA) Chiu Chui-cheng (), head of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), on Friday warned Taiwanese people to exercise careful deliberation before deciding to travel to China and to be vigilant of their personal safety when there. Chiu made the comment while speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting of the full Legislature after the MAC, Taiwan's top government agency handling cross-strait affairs, confirmed a day earlier that a member of a Taiwanese tour group traveling in China had been detained for several days. The individual has been released and is now back in Taiwan, the MAC said, adding that it is investigating the details of what happened. The MAC has also posted on platforms including Facebook to warn people to be vigilant of their personal safety. It also asks that those choosing to travel to China register on the online MAC platform. According to the MAC deputy head and spokesperson, Liang Wen-chieh (), this was the first time a tour group member had been detained. The individual was on a five-day trip when they were taken away by Chinese authorities. They were released several days after the tour group had already returned to Taiwan, Liang said. He added that tour guides or tour leaders should immediately notify the Tourism Administration within 24 hours should this happen to anyone in their group, citing regulations governing travel agencies. According to the administration, it was notified about this incident. The individual could have been detained possibly because they worked a "sensitive" profession before retirement, a source familiar with the matter said. In a separate case, a user posted on the social media platform "Threads" on Wednesday, saying he traveled to Nanjing for an arts and books exhibition but was taken away by Chinese police for interrogation, during which he was forced to remove all his clothing for checks. He was released a few days later, according to the post. Responding to this incident while speaking to reporters before the Friday's legislative meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai () warned Taiwanese to be wary of their safety when traveling to China as its legal system is unclear and legal procedures are deficient. He added that the ban on tour travel to China starting June 1 will be reviewed on a rolling basis with changes dependent on important factors including safety and the quality of the travel experience. The government originally decided to only allow tour groups scheduled to leave for China before May 31 to go ahead. However, Cho said on May 30 that Taiwanese group tours organized before June 1 could proceed as planned. In addition, Chiu said the MAC was not pleased to see the magistrates of Yunlin and Kinmen counties applying to attend the 16th Straits Forum in China slated for June 15. He said the forum promotes united front work by the Chinese Communist Party disguised as an "exchange." He warned the magistrates to be aware of their personal safety and urged them to comply with Taiwan's regulations on cross-strait exchanges. (By Chen Chun-hua, Wu Po-wei, Wang Yang-yu, Yu Hsiao-han and Bernadette Hsiao) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rudd says China using 'gray zone' tactics against Taiwan The Australian diplomat said Beijing wants Taipei to capitulate to a 'One Country, Two Systems' deal. By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2024.06.07 -- Taiwan and the United States must counter China's growing use of "gray zone" tactics meant to force the island to give-in to a takeover, Australia's ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd, said Thursday. Speaking at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii, Rudd called the current era "the decade of living dangerously" and said Chinese President Xi Jinping was tiring of what he saw as Taiwan's incrementally "growing autonomy." In reaction to the Taiwanese government's claims the democratic island is already independent from China, he said, there is dwindling support in Beijing for the U.S.-backed "status quo" in the Taiwan Strait and a renewed urgency about resolving "the Taiwan problem." "Beijing is signaling loud and clear that its political objective remains to force Taiwan into negotiations on its preferred 'One Country, Two Systems' formula," Rudd said, referring to the split system that was applied in Hong Kong after the British handover in July 1997. But with little appetite among Taiwan's people for unification, according to opinion polls, Beijing is employing "gray zone" tactics aimed at chipping away at the public's willingness to resist, he said. 'Gray zone' tactics Rudd described China's "gray zone" tactics as hyper-aggressive statecraft that is "short of war" and therefore difficult to respond to, and said they have included military intrusions on Taiwan's outlying maritime territory to "incrementally" assert its sovereignty claims. Coupled with threats of a blockade of the island, he said, the tactics aim to "demonstrate that the Taiwanese administration, in the eyes of its people, is increasingly incapable of sustaining and managing Taiwan's claim to sovereignty" and that giving up may be easier. To avoid Taiwan's capitulation amid intensifying "gray zone" bullying, Rudd said, Taiwan and the United States must develop "calibrated policy responses," instead of continuing to offer "no responses at all, which presumably is Beijing's current expectation." Even then, he said, Beijing may resort to force, with the 70-year-old Xi likely mulling his "personal and political mortality" and seeking control of Taiwan "before he finds himself in his 80s." Any war over Taiwan, he added, could be as globally transformative as World War II and lead to "unknowable geostrategic consequences." A two-time former prime minister of Australia and a fluent Mandarin speaker who was appointed ambassador last year, Rudd told the audience that he was speaking "in my capacity as a China scholar, and not as an official representative of the Australian Government." Arms sale Rudd's speech came as Washington and Beijing sparred over U.S. military support for Taiwan amid China's recent maritime intrusions. The U.S. State Department on Thursday approved the sale to Taiwan of US$80 million in spare parts for American-made F-16 fighter jets, according to a press release from the Pentagon, which said it was meant to help Taiwan "maintain a credible defensive capability." The Pentagon said the sale "will not alter the basic military balance in the region" but will "improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability [and] military balance." At a daily press briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said it was clear Taiwan's government was seeking formal independence and added that "the U.S. is hellbent on helping advance that agenda by arming Taiwan." Mao said Washington should "stop selling arms to Taiwan and having military contact with Taiwan, stop creating factors that fuel tensions in the Taiwan Strait, stop endangering cross-strait peace and stability and stop going further down this wrong and dangerous path." Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken thanked Minister AernochovA for aid the Czech Republic provides to Ukraine Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces of the Czech Republic Author: by David PolAk, editorial staff 7.6.2024 Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic Jana AernochovA welcomed the Secretary of State of the United Stated of America Antony Blinken at the Prague-Kbely Air Force Base. Secretary Blinken thanked the Czech Republic for providing aid to Ukraine to repel the Russian attack. Secretary Blinken was also shown examples of armaments and equipment delivered to the country to fight Russian aggression. "It is the responsibility of the democratic world to provide Armed Forces of Ukraine with everything they need to defend themselves. The Czech Republic has supported Ukraine since the very beginning of the conflict and has provided tanks and combat vehicles, as well as attack helicopters. We are now working to provide hundreds of thousands pieces of vital artillery ammunition. The support of the United States and our close cooperation are of critical importance," said the Minister and thanked Secretary Blinken. The United States largely compensated the Czech Republic for its deliveries to Ukraine. "The compensation includes eight H-1 helicopters and over US$ 300 million in funding. This means U.S. support enables us not only to help Ukraine but also to implement the largest modernisation of the Czech Armed Forces in modern history," Minister AernochovA emphasized. An overview of the equipment delivered to Ukraine was presented to Secretary Blinken at the Kbely Air Base, including the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle, BRDM-rch armoured vehicle, DANA self-propelled howitzer and other materiel and equipment. "The Czech Republic shows what true alliance means through the extraordinary work in support of Ukraine in a moment of great need, as it faces the ongoing Russian aggression. This effort materializes in the form of training Ukrainian forces and provision of military equipment. We're also gratified by the relationship between the United States and Czechia when it comes to defence, including the acquisition of twenty-four F-35 planes and of course the Defence Cooperation Agreement that we signed just a few months ago. All of that is a powerful demonstration of our partnership and our alliance in action," Secretary Blinken underlined. Apart from the provision of military materiel, the Czech Republic also focuses on the training of Ukrainian service members. Last year, over 4,300 were trained in the Czech Republic and the plan for this year is to train over 4,000. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 7, 2024 By David Vergun, DOD News Austin: U.S., Allies, Partners United in Ukraine's Defense From Expansionist Russia Europe now faces new dangers from an aggressive and expansionist Russia, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III today during a meeting with French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu in Paris. France, the United States and other nations of goodwill have come together to defend Ukraine's right to self-defense, Austin said. "I'm deeply grateful for France's contributions to Ukraine's fight for freedom, and I know that we'll continue to work together to provide security assistance to our Ukrainian partners," the secretary said. "We've also worked together to strengthen NATO." Austin also remarked on yesterday's D-Day ceremony, where he met some of the veterans who landed in Normandy 80 years ago. "It was very moving to have the chance to again thank the U.S., French, and other Allied veterans of World War II and to reaffirm the principles that they fought for. Their service and sacrifice laid the foundation for the rules-based international order that we built together after World War II," Austin said. Separately, Austin and President Joe Biden met today with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the International Hotel in Paris. The three leaders discussed U.S. support for Ukraine in its efforts to defend against Russian aggression. The leaders discussed the state of the war and Ukraine's urgent assistance needs. The president announced a new package of security assistance for Ukraine, which is valued at $225 million and includes air defense interceptors, artillery ammunition and other critical capabilities. This is the sixth security assistance package announced by the United States since Biden signed the national security supplemental, demonstrating the rapid pace of U.S. assistance for Ukraine. The leaders also discussed the upcoming Peace Summit on Ukraine in Switzerland, where Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will represent the United States in support of Ukraine's pursuit of a just and lasting peace in line with the United Nations Charter, including the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The president emphasized that U.S. support for Ukraine is unwavering. The leaders committed to meet again at the upcoming G7 Summit in Italy to continue their discussions. Later today, Biden, Austin, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., traveled to Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument in Normandy, France. "When we talk about democracy a American democracy a we often talk big ideas like life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. What we don't talk about enough is how hard it is," Biden said. "American democracy asks the hardest of things: to believe that we're a part of something bigger than ourselves. So, democracy begins with each of us," the president said. "As we gather here today, it's not just to honor those who showed such remarkable bravery that day, June 6, 1944. It's to listen to the echo of their voices, to hear them. Because they are summoning us. They're asking us what will we do. They're not asking us to scale these cliffs. They're asking us to stay true to what America stands for," Biden said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Tsahkna at a video meeting with Kuleba: we must think outside the box to help Ukraine to victory Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 07.06.2024 Today 7 June, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna attended a video meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and the foreign ministers of Nordic countries and Baltic States. The video meeting covered the further cooperation of the Nordics and the Baltics with Ukraine in order to achieve Ukraine's victory and the ministers spoke about preparations for the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland. "Ukraine's victory is our clear goal," Tsahkna underlined. "Today's video meeting was important for coordinating steps that would help us to achieve this." The foreign minister said we must continue developing new approaches to helping Ukraine. "We must be bold and think outside the box," Tsahkna said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO and Ukraine deepen innovation cooperation at the NATO-Ukraine Defence Innovators Forum NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 04 Jun. 2024 - 06 Jun. 2024 Last updated: 07 Jun. 2024 On 4-6 June, NATO and Ukraine took further steps to enhance cooperation to address most pressing technological challenges in the defence and security. More than 400 innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, academics, researchers and operational end users from 17 countries, including more than 100 startups, took part in the three-day NATO-Ukraine Defence Innovators Forum at AGH University of Krakow, Poland. The event was organized in partnership with Ukraine government defence innovation platform BRAVE1, the U.S. Defence Innovation Unit (DIU), and the Polish Ministry of National Defence. Discussions notably focused on the challenges that Ukraine faces with the rapid development, production and use of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS systems. The Forum also included a hackathon with live flight testing for drone software, investor pitching sessions, and interactive panel sessions. With generous support from the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit and National Security Innovation Network, the hackathons winners received prize totalling USD 100,000. For the first time, Ukrainian innovators were also able to access some of the accelerator work developed for the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and get real-time feedback from NATO Innovation Fund. The aim is to bring NATO and Ukrainian innovation ecosystems closer together to keep pace with fast-evolving dual-use technologies. In May 2023, NATO and Ukraine had held their first High-Level Innovation Dialogue at NATO Headquarters. "The energy for more collaboration between Ukrainian and Allied innovation ecosystems was contagious, and is exactly why Allies and Ukraine are working together on a new innovation agreement in the NATO-Ukraine Council," said David van Weel, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber. Nataliia Kushnerska, Chief Operating Officer of BRAVE1, praised the benefit of such two-way innovation. "We believe that Ukraine is a central hub for defence technology innovation. Ukrainian experience in technology and warfare, combined with Allied expertise, has potential to be the technological foundation for a safer and more secure Europe", she said. Major General Edward Vaughan, Executive Director of the U.S. Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment underscored the life-engaging importance of innovation as war rages in Ukraine for the third consecutive year. "Ukraine's brave men and women are fighting to defend themselves and our shared values" he said. "Their people's innovative spirit drives rapid technology adoption, proving why collaboration is essential." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia blasts Ukraine's use of US missiles to target civilians in Luhansk Iran Press TV Friday, 07 June 2024 2:56 PM Russia has slammed Kiev after Ukrainian forces caused dozens of casualties in a "massive" attack using US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) long-range missiles, targeting civilian buildings in the Russian-controlled city of Luhansk. The Russian Defense Ministry on Friday announced Ukrainian forces had "deliberately fired five US-made ATACMS missiles at residential districts" of the city that killed three people and wounded 35 more, including children, in the city of Luhansk. The ministry said in a statement that four of the five missiles fired by Kiev forces had been shot down by the Russians air defense systems, but one of the missiles, which had been aimed at a civilian target, passed through, and damaged two residential apartment blocks. Russia's Ministry of Emergencies released video footage showing rescue workers racing to save victims buried under the debris of the damaged apartments that were hit by the Kiev forces. It said rescuers had managed to pull seven survivors from under the rubble. According to the Luhansk region's governor, Leonid Pasechnik, thirty-five people were injured including three children aged 8 to 16, citing the regional health ministry. "Ukrainian nationalists in the daytime launched a massive attack on the civilian infrastructure of Luhansk," Pasechnik wrote in news posted on social media, adding that, "In one multi-story block, a section has entirely collapsed. There are people under the ruins. Rescuers are working to free them." According to the regional health minister, Nataliya Pashchenko, "five people are in a serious state." The Luhansk region, which separated from Ukraine and joined the Russian Federation in 2022, is almost entirely under Russian control. On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow could supply arms to other countries to hit Western targets after the West allowed Ukraine to strike inside the Russian Federation using US-made arms and munitions. Speaking at a press conference with editors from international news agencies on the sidelines of the annual economic forum in St. Petersburg, Putin said, "If someone thinks it is possible to supply such weapons to a warzone to attack our territory and create problems for us, why don't we have the right to supply our weapons," Putin asked reporters why should Moscow "not have the right to supply our weapons of the same class to those regions of the world where there will be strikes on the sensitive facilities of those countries that are doing this against Russia?" The Russian leader said the West's go-ahead to a country neighboring with Russian to use Western-supplied weapons to strike us was a "very serious and dangerous step." "Supplying weapons to a conflict zone is always a bad thing, especially if this is linked to the fact that those who supply them are not only delivering weapons but managing them," he explained. US President Joe Biden said the Kiev forces had permission to strike targets inside Russia using arms and ammo supplied by Americans. The Germans instantly followed suite, giving Kiev a green light to use German-supplied long-range missiles against Russian targets. The UK and France had already given Kiev this permission. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden Ties Sacrifices Made By WWII Heroes To Defense Of Democracy Today By RFE/RL June 07, 2024 U.S. President Joe Biden drew on the heroism of U.S. soldiers who scaled the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc in the D-Day invasion 80 years ago to rally for the defense of democracy at home and abroad and "stay true to what America stands for." Biden spoke on June 7 at a monument honoring the U.S. Army Rangers who scaled the cliffs using ropes, ladders, and their bare hands while under fire after coming ashore in the invasion that began on June 6, 1944, and ultimately freed Europe from Nazi Germany's subjugation in World War II. "As we gather here today, it's not just to honor those who showed such remarkable bravery that day June 6, 1944," Biden said. "It's to listen to the echo of their voices. To hear them. Because they are summoning us. They're asking us what will we do. They're not asking us to scale these cliffs. They're asking us to stay true to what America stands for." Earlier on June 7, Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Paris, where he stressed the U.S. commitment to Ukraine in the face of Russia's invasion. He also announced a new $225 million package of ammunition shipments, including rockets, mortars, artillery rounds, and air-defense missiles. It was their first meeting since Biden signed legislation authorizing $61 billion in military aid for Ukraine after months of delay prompted by Republican infighting. Biden publicly apologized to the Ukrainian people for the delay in American military assistance. "I apologize for...those weeks of not knowing what's going to happen in terms of funding," Biden said, but insisted that the American people were standing by Ukraine for the long haul. "I assure you the United States is going to stand with you," Biden said. "You are the bulwark against the aggression that's taken place. We have an obligation to be there. We're still in. Completely. Thoroughly." Zelenskiy said he and Biden discussed Ukraine's defense capabilities, the situation on the battlefield, and preparations for signing a bilateral security agreement. He said Ukraine must gain the ability to strike military targets on Russian territory to effectively defend itself. "It is also important to strengthen the defense of our Kharkiv region and speed up the delivery of American weapons," he said on Telegram. The White House said Zelenskiy and Biden discussed the state of the war, Ukraine's urgent need for aid, and the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland. Zelenskiy, speaking earlier to the French parliament, said the peace Europe has enjoyed since the end of World War II has been erased by the aggression of Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022, and is a threat to the entire continent. "We live in times when Europe again stopped being a continent of peace," Zelenskiy said. "We live in times when Nazism is returning again, unfortunately. Now in Europe again cities are being destroyed and villages are being burned to ashes. In Europe again we have filtration camps, deportations, and hatred that became a new cult in Russia." Neither Russian President Vladimir Putin nor any other officials from Russia were invited to the commemoration. While Biden and other Western leaders were in France, Putin spoke at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, telling business leaders that Russia "remains one of the key participants in world trade" despite sweeping sanctions imposed for sending its troops into Ukraine. Putin said that he did not see that conditions for the use of nuclear weapons as set out in Russia's nuclear doctrine had been met, but he added that he could not rule out a change to the doctrine. "We have a nuclear doctrine, which states that the use of nuclear arms is possible in an exceptional case: when the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country is threatened," he said. "But the doctrine can be changed. The same applies to nuclear tests. We will carry out tests if needed, but so far there is no such need." He reiterated that Russia is ready for peace talks but only on the same conditions discussed first in Minsk and then in Istanbul. But he said the basis for any talks "must take into account the realities of today." He also again warned that Russia could provide long-range weapons to others to strike Western targets in response to NATO allies allowing Ukraine to use their arms to attack Russian territory. Following pleas from Ukraine to allow its forces to defend itself against attacks originating from Russian territory, and after pressure from some European leaders, Biden last week reversed Washington's position and gave Ukraine the go-ahead to use U.S. weapons to strike inside Russia for the limited purpose of defending the eastern city of Kharkiv. Germany, where Zelenskiy is scheduled to address lawmakers next week, announced a similar change in policy shortly afterward. Ahead of Biden's meeting with Zelenskiy, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated NATO's position that Ukraine has the right to strike inside Russia in self-defense. "This is a war of attack that Russia has begun against a peaceful, democratic neighboring country, Ukraine, that at no point has been a threat to Russia," Stoltenberg said after a meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm on June 7. "There is no question that Ukraine has the right to hit targets on Russian territory," Stoltenberg said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-aggression-europe- zelenskiy-french-parliament/32983140.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vipers Over Ukraine: What Impact Will F-16s Have In War With Russia? By Amos Chapple June 07, 2024 As observers await the appearance of F-16s in the skies over Ukraine, Keith Rosenkranz, a pilot who flew 30 missions in the jet during the Gulf War, sounds a note of caution to the Ukrainian airmen who will fly them. "It's one thing to go out on a training mission to drop bombs on a dummy target or engage dissimilar aircraft in an air-to-air scenario," he told RFE/RL. "It's another thing to do either of these when an enemy is trying to kill you." After years of requests from Kyiv, Ukraine is due to receive its first F-16s from western allies in June or July, according to recent reports. The F-16 was created in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. In the dogfights of that conflict, bulky, slow-turning American jets were picked off in alarming numbers by more nimble Soviet-supplied aircraft. To create the F-16, a team of designers who became known as the "fighter mafia" upended the philosophy of the time that was resulting in large and complex American jets. Instead of making a bigger engine to increase power, the designers of what would become the F-16 slashed the weight of the airframe. Rather than fitting the aircraft prototype with bigger fuel tanks to increase range, the design team shrunk the jet and cut down on drag. Worried that the avionics department would stuff their jet with heavy, complex equipment, one member of the design team later recalled, "We made the airplane so dense there wasn't room for all that crap." The result has been called the most successful fighter jet ever made. Since its prototype's first shaky flight 50 years ago, more than 4,600 F-16s have been built for the militaries of dozens of countries around the world. Ukraine will be the latest country to field the jet that is officially called the Fighting Falcon, but generally referred to by its snappier nickname "viper." Rosenkranz, who wrote a book about his combat experience as a pilot of the F-16, says Ukrainian airmen will, at least initially, be at a disadvantage over their Russian counterparts flying advanced fighters. As his country was being pushed to provide F-16s to Ukraine, Rosenkranz says he felt "it would be extremely difficult for Ukrainian pilots to fly combat missions in defense of their nation without a long work up in the jet." The American pilot's own combat sorties came only after he underwent more than 1,200 hours of flight time in a training aircraft then more than a year of noncombat service flying in the F-16. Even with this lengthy lead time, his first warfighting missions were "terrifying," he says. "Russia has capable air-defense systems, such as the [S-400 anti-aircraft missile]. Their experienced fighter pilots would have an advantage over [Ukrainian] F-16 pilots with little time in their jets. As I said, there's a stark difference between training missions and actual combat missions." Rosenkranz says it would take around a year of flying the F-16s before Ukrainian pilots would feel comfortable in the jet. "Even with that, I wouldn't necessarily believe they would dominate the Russian military," he says. The F-16 was initially designed to outmaneuver and shoot down other jets, including with a rotary cannon capable of firing 100 20mm rounds per second. But with the powerful radars and missile systems in use by fourth-generation fighter aircraft today it is unlikely the Ukrainian-piloted F-16s will face the kinds of nose-to-tail dogfights seen in previous conflicts. David Kern is a former F-16 pilot with thousands of hours of experience flying all fourth-generation fighter jets operated by the U.S. Air Force. Kern told RFE/RL he believes the role for the F-16s in Ukraine will be as a kind of "very flexible and long-range artillery system." Kern, who today trains pilots in the same "fly-by-wire" flight control system used in the F-16, says the American jets will likely be used to strike airborne targets such as large Russian drones and cruise missiles as well as ground targets such as "supply routes, logistics staging, and any Russian concentrations of force." The pilot adds, "I would not be surprised if the Ukrainians use the F-16 to bring the fight to Russia, by making some very deep strikes into Russia to attack strategic targets." After the first batch of F-16 fighters and their contingents of pilots and ground crew arrive in the coming days or weeks, Ukraine reportedly expects a total of around 20 pilots to be trained and ready for combat missions by the end of 2024. That is far fewer than Kyiv had hoped due to a reported difficulty in finding space in training courses. A total of 85 of the jets have been promised to Ukraine by NATO members Denmark, Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-f-16-jets-vipers- russia-invasion/32983470.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address European Commission Recommends Opening Accession Talks With Ukraine, Moldova By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and RFE/RL's Moldovan Service June 07, 2024 The European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, recommended opening accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, saying they are sufficiently prepared for the formal opening of the process, which would eventually lead to their becoming members of the European Union. The commission told EU ambassadors that both Kyiv and Chisinau have fully fulfilled the outstanding reform steps needed to start official talks. "We consider that all the steps have been met by the two countries," a commission spokeswoman told reporters on June 7. "Now the decision is in the hands of the member states." In Ukraine's case, the reform steps included the fight against corruption, de-oligarchization, and the protection of national minorities, officials told RFE/RL. Moldova meanwhile has fulfilled criteria on judicial reform, de-oligarchization, and the fight against corruption, the officials added. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal hailed the commission's move. "Thank you for the positive assessment of our European integration progress. The announced conclusion of the EC states that Ukraine continues systematic efforts to join the EU and has completed all additional reform steps," Shmyhal said. He added that Kyiv is now waiting for the next step from its European partners -- the actual start of membership negotiations this month. "The Ukrainian people are choosing every day the right to be part of the European family in the war against the Russian aggressor," he added. Brussels appears to be encouraging the two countries to continue on their path to Europe ahead of a transition period in the bloc, which will acquire a new European Parliament in voting this weekend. The 27-nation bloc will also have a new commission, and will be led from next month for the rest of 2024 by Hungary, whose Prime Minister Viktor Orban is on friendly terms with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has systematically opposed or undermined the EU's moves to sanction Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine and Moldova submitted their candidacies shortly after the start of the invasion and obtained candidate status in June 2022, gaining the conditional green-light for the start of negotiations in December. With reporting by RFE/RL's Rikard Jozwiak Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-moldova- ukraine-accession/32983404.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia-Installed Governor Claims 22 Killed In 'Double Tap' Attack In Kherson Region By RFE/RL's Russian Service and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service June 07, 2024 The Russia-installed governor of the Kherson region in southern Ukraine said 22 people were killed and 15 were injured in the town of Sadove in shelling by Ukrainian forces. The claim by Vladimir Saldo, which could not be independently verified, came after the Ukrainian military said that Russian forces had fired five missiles and dozens of drones over nine regions of Ukraine in an overnight attack. All the missiles and nearly all the drones were shot down, the Ukrainian military said on June 7. Saldo said a shop packed with customers and employees was hit in Sadove, a town south of the city of Kherson. Residents of nearby houses ran to help the injured and within a short time a missile fired from a high-mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) supplied by the United States struck, TASS quoted Saldo as saying. Two children were among the dead, according to Saldo. He said Ukrainian forces had "deliberately made a repeat strike to create greater numbers of casualties." The same so-called "double tap" tactic has been used by Russian forces against Ukraine, including in April in Kharkiv, killing three rescue workers who responded to the first attack. The Russian Defense Ministry on June 7 also accused Ukrainian forces of firing five missiles from a U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, at the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk, which is under Russian control. The ministry said 20 people were wounded, including children. This claim also could not be independently verified. Russian media reports citing Russian-installed officials said earlier that 22 people, including an 8-year-old child, were injured, while an unknown number of people were trapped under the rubble of a building. Leonid Pasechnik, the Russia-installed governor of Luhansk, said late on June 7 that the number of casualties had risen to 57, and four of the wounded had died. Pasechnik said 33 buildings had been damaged, including two schools, three kindergartens, and the Luhansk College of Information Technologies and Entrepreneurship. The Defense Ministry said in a statement that four of five missiles fired had been shot down. The missile that got through damaged two residential apartment blocks, the statement said, adding that there were still people under the rubble of a five-story building. There has been no comment from Ukraine on the claims made by the Russian side. Its military said earlier that its forces shot down all five missiles and 48 out of 53 drones over nine regions during Russia's overnight attack. Drones and missiles were destroyed over the regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, Kirovohrad, Mykolayiv, Kherson, Odesa, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Khmelnytskiy, Air Force Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk said in a statment. In the Kyiv region, the attack caused a fire at an industrial facility, regional Governor Ruslan Kravchenko said, adding that there had been no casualties. Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synyehubov said the attack on the city of Kharkiv caused damage to at least three residential buildings, a store, a post office, and local infrastructure. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-explosions- luhansk-russian-occupied/32983208.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO's Bauer Says There Should Be No Limits on Ukraine's Ability to Strike Inside Russia Sputnik News 20240607 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - NATO's top military officer Rob Bauer said on Friday there should be no limits on Ukraine's ability to strike military targets deeper inside Russian territory. "In the law of armed conflicts, there's no limits in terms of the range," Bauer said during a Washington Post interview. "So militarily, again, if the target is deeper into Russia, then militarily you want to strike that target." Bauer said deeper strikes into Russian territory would disrupt critical military logistics operations. However, he noted that Ukraine would be wise to follow restrictions placed on its use of Western weapons if it wants to continue to receive support from allies. President Joe Biden recently gave Ukraine permission to use US-supplied weapons to strike military targets just across Russia's border, but the use of ATACMS or strikes deeper into Russian territory are prohibited. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned NATO nations that they should realize "what they are playing with" when they allow Ukraine to use Western weapons to strike Russian territory. He also underscored that Russia will use all means at its disposal if the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened. Russia also asked for a meeting of the UN Security Council to be held on June 14 to discuss the West's approval for Kiev to use its weapons on Russian territory. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Official Says Alliance Must Review French Plan to Send Trainers to Ukraine Sputnik News 20240607 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - NATO's top military officer Adm. Rob Bauer said on Friday regarding France's proposal to send military trainers to Ukraine that the NATO alliance must first have discussions on this matter before any planning moves forward. "If it comes to it, it is most likely something that NATO is going to get involved in," Bauer said during a Washington Post interview. "So, in that sense, I think it is extremely important before anything like that would happen, is that there is a discussion among political leaders in the [NATO] alliance." Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron told a French TV channel that Paris will transfer Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Kiev and train Ukrainian pilots. Macron also said that France plans to train 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers, but does not consider this decision to be an "escalation." Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky said that he had signed a permit for French instructors to visit training centers in Ukraine, welcoming "France's initiative to send instructors to Ukraine to train Ukrainian servicemen." Following a Paris-hosted conference on Ukraine held on February 26, French President Emmanuel Macron said Western leaders had discussed the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine and, although no consensus had been reached in this regard, nothing could be ruled out. Some EU countries hastened to dismiss such plans. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Total of 50 People Injured After Lugansk Missile Attack - LPR Health Minister Sputnik News 20240607 LUGANSK (Sputnik) - The total of 50 people suffered injuries after Ukraine attacked residential areas of Lugansk on Friday, and 10 of them are in serious condition, Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) Health Minister Natalia Pashchenko said. Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Ukraine attacked residential areas of Lugansk with five US-made ATACMS missiles, adding that four missiles were shot down but the last one hit two apartment buildings. "According to the latest information, as a result of a missile strike on Lugansk, 50 people were injured, and four of them were killed," Pashchenko said in a message, posted by the LPR government's Telegram channel. 10 people are in serious condition after the attack, the minister added. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Aviation Destroys 2 Unmanned Ukrainian Boats Heading Towards Crimea Sputnik News 20240607 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian aviation has destroyed two unmanned boats of the Ukrainian navy in the Black Sea, which were heading towards Crimea, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. "At about 3 p.m. [12:00 GMT], unmanned boats of the Ukrainian navy heading towards Crimea were detected in the southwestern part of the Black Sea. The two targets were destroyed by the defense systems of the naval and army aviation on duty," the ministry said in a statement. Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into Russia almost daily since it launched its counteroffensive in early June 2023. The United Nations said in August last year, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses Up to 2,850 Soldiers in Fights With Russia's Battlegroup Zapad - MoD Sputnik News 20240607 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Battlegroup Zapad took better positions in the past week, while the Ukrainian military lost up to 2,850 soldiers in clashes, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Friday. "Battlegroup Zapad improved the situation along the front line [...] while repelling 11 counterattacks ... The armed forces of Ukraine lost up to 2,850 military personnel, two tanks, 19 armored combat vehicles," the MoD said in a statement. Ukraine also lost up to 2,835 soldiers in battles with Battlegroup Yug, while Battlegroup Tsentr repelled 39 counterattacks and Kiev lost up to 2,690 soldiers, the ministry said, adding that Kiev lost 935 soldiers in battles with Battlegroup Vostok. Battlegroup Sever repelled 36 counterattacks and Kiev lost up to 1,400 soldiers, the ministry said, adding that the Russian forces also took control of the settlement of Paraskovyevka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). Additionally, the the Russian armed forces carried out 27 massive strikes in the past week, hitting Ukraine's energy facilities, weapons storage arsenals and unmanned boats. All targets were hit. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden Announces $225Mln Aid Package for Ukraine Sputnik News 20240607 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Joe Biden on Friday announced an additional $225 million to help Ukraine rebuild its electric grid. "Today I'm also signing an additional package for $225 million to help you reconstruct your electric grid," Biden said during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in France. He also reiterated that the US would "not walk away" from Ukraine and apologized for a monthslong holdup in US military assistance. The White House press pool later said that it was told the $225 million in new support was for air defenses that could, among other things, defend the electric grid. Western countries have provided hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia's special military operation in February 2022. Military aid shipments began in 2022 with artillery munitions and training and have escalated to include tanks, advanced air-defense systems, missiles and cluster munitions. The Kremlin has consistently warned against the West's continued arms deliveries to Ukraine, saying that they only prolong the conflict. Russian military strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure began on October 10, 2022 - two days after the terrorist attack on the Crimean bridge, which Russian authorities claim was supported by Ukrainian special services. Strikes are being carried out on energy, defense industry, military administration and communications facilities throughout the country. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian troops would not target residential buildings or social infrastructure. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lugansk Residential Areas Deliberately Struck by Five US-Made ATACMS Missiles - Russian MoD Sputnik News 20240607 Ukrainian forces targeted residential areas of Lugansk with five US ATACMS missiles, four of which were intercepted by Russian air defenses while one hit two apartment buildings, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated on Friday. Ukraine has hit an apartment building Lugansk with US-supplied missiles a killing three civilians and injuring at least 35 more. "At 11:00 Moscow time (8 am GMT) today, the Kiev regime committed a crime against the civilian population of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) using weapons supplied by the West," a Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) statement said. "Five US-made ATACMS missiles were deliberately launched at residential areas of the city of Lugansk." The MoD noted that four of the American missiles were downed by Russian air defense systems. One missile struck two apartment buildings, the statement added. An entire entranceway of the building collapsed, trapping people under the rubble, Head of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) Leonid Pasechnik said, adding that rescue teams working on-site. Earlier, LPR Health Minister Natalia Pashchenko reported that the number of people injured in the missile attack on Lugansk by the Ukrainian Armed Forces had risen to 35, including three children, with five individuals in critical condition. "According to the latest data, the number of casualties from the Ukrainian Armed Forces' shelling of the republic's capital has risen to 35 people. Three of them are children (boys aged 16, 15, and 8 years)" stated the minister in a message published on the LPR government's Telegram channel. She reported that five individuals are in a critical condition, but the children's lives are not in danger a their injuries are considered moderate. At least three people were killed. Ivan Kusov, the LPR Minister of Education and Science, reported that two schools, three kindergartens, a college and one of the buildings of Dalevsky University were damaged in the shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He noted that the blast wave shattered windows at educational institutions. There were no casualties or injuries among the staff and students. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Delhi, June 8 (UNI) A meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) will be held in the Central Hall of the Parliament House here on Saturday, to which all the newly elected Lok Sabha MPs have been invited. According to the Congress, all the newly elected members of the Lok Sabha and also the party's Rajya Sabha MPs will be attending the Parliamentary Party meeting that will take place at 5:30 PM. Earlier in the day, a meeting of the extended Congress working committee will be held at the Hotel Ashok at 11 a.m. The meeting will be attended by senior party leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Chairperson of the of the Congress Parliamentary Party Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi. UNI RBE GNK Zaporozhye Plant's Relaunch Possible Only After Ukraine Conflict Settled - Governor Sputnik News 20240607 ST. PETERSBURG (Sputnik) - The Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (NPP) can only be put into operation after the end of the special military operation in Ukraine, as there are no guarantees that the nuclear facility will not be targeted by the Ukrainian armed forces until then, Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky told Sputnik. "The work of such facilities, in my opinion, is possible only after the peace agreement is signed. Because if we launch the plant now, given their [Kiev's] stance, they will continue to hit it both at a distance of 300 kilometers [186 miles] or 500 kilometers. It is not a problem for them," Balitsky said on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The Ukrainian forces are currently shelling the area around the plant, targeting transformer substations and high-voltage power lines in the region, the official said. Earlier in June, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said the situation at the Zaporozhye nuclear facility remained unstable and that all seven pillars of nuclear safety had been fully or partially compromised. Located on the left bank of the Dnipro River, the Zaporozhye nuclear station is the largest nuclear facility in Europe. It came under Russia's control in early 2022 and has since been repeatedly shelled, raising safety concerns. IAEA experts have been monitoring the situation on site since the fall of 2022. The Russian city of St. Petersburg is hosting the 27th edition of SPIEF from June 5-8. Last year, the forum drew 17,000 participants from 130 countries and saw the signing of more than 900 agreements. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Views Macron's Remarks Very Provocative, Escalating Tensions on Continent - Kremlin Sputnik News 20240607 ST. PETERSBURG (Sputnik) - Russia considers the recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron on assistance to Kiev to be very provocative and escalating tensions on the continent, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. Macron told a French TV channel that Paris will transfer Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets to Kiev and train Ukrainian pilots. Macron also said that France plans to train 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers, but does not consider this decision to be an "escalation." "We consider these actions a given that France is a member of NATO, a member of the European Union, a large European state a we consider these statements to be very, very provocative, increasing tension on the continent and not conducive to anything positive," Peskov told reporters. Macron demonstrates absolute support for Kiev and declares France's readiness for a direct participation in the military conflict, the official added. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Used Phosphorus Munitions Near Energodar This Spring - Russian Military Sputnik News 20240607 MELITOPOL (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian armed forces used a drone carrying white phosphorus munitions against a town near the city of Energodar in the Zaporozhye region this March during the presidential election in Russia, a commander of one of the units of the 1197th regiment of the Russian armed forces told Sputnik. The operations units of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant have more than once said that Ukraine's drones have been attacking both the city of Energodar and the territory of the plant. "A drone with a phosphorus munition was used in one of the settlements [near Energodar] during the election. About three pieces fell. There were no casualties," the commander said. White phosphorus is an incendiary weapon that ignites on contact with air and is very difficult to extinguish. The toxic chemical sticks to the flesh and can burn it to the bone, causing severe injuries and lifelong suffering. The United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons bans the use of air-delivered incendiary weapons in populated areas over health and environmental risks. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Security Council should reject categorically Russia's illegal assault on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. 7 June 2024 We cannot say it enough times. Russia, who use their seat on this Council to opine on and to sit in judgement on other countries on this Council's agenda, are, as we speak, bombing Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, with no regard for civilian life, in an illegal war of aggression and in defiance of the UN charter. Let me make three specific points. First, we should all look at the facts. The Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant, the largest in Ukraine, was severely damaged in a targeted attack by Russia, and can no longer produce electricity. A breach of the dam would have had even more severe humanitarian consequences. This Council should reject, categorically, Russia's deliberate and illegal assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Second, Russia's opening of a new front in the Northeastern region of Ukraine has exacerbated an already desperate humanitarian situation. Over the 10 - 28 May, the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine verified that 45 civilians were killed and 189 injured in the Kharkiv region and city. This includes the devastating attack on a civilian shopping centre on 25 May. Many thousands of people have been evacuated, and IOM estimates the total number of internally displaced to be around 3.5 million. The UK echoes the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine Denise Brown, who has condemned the repeated attacks in Kharkiv and Kharkivska Oblast. As she said, those fleeing their homes have suffered a new trauma in Kharkiv, having arrived in search of safety. And as ASG Msuya reminded us, this has an especially damaging impact on children in those areas; we should not tolerate children having to grow up under constant bombardment from Russian missiles, drones and shells. Third, we commend the bravery of humanitarian partners on the ground who are responding to intensification of attacks in the North by supporting evacuations from villages, responding to emergency needs, and improving preparedness measures for future strikes. The UK has committed over $456 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and the region and we urge other Member States to continue their support to an appeal that remains only 28% funded according to OCHA's latest assessment. Colleagues, only Russia has the ability to address this suffering. So we echo the calls that we have heard from every member of this Council: for Russia to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law; to cease targeting infrastructure that provides the essential needs for Ukraine's population; and we call on Russia to withdraw from the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine. Thank you, President. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine: UK national statement to IAEA Board, June 2024 UK Ambassador to the IAEA Corinne Kitsell's statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors meeting on Ukraine 7 June 2024 Thank you, Chair. The Director General's thorough report, which is the only source of objective information about the nuclear safety situation at Ukraine's Zaporizhizhia Nuclear Power Plant, provides another stark reminder of the severe implications of Russia's war against Ukraine. We are concerned that since the March Board of Governors, the IAEA now assesses that at ZNPP, all of the DG's "Seven Pillars" for ensuring nuclear safety and security in armed conflict are compromised fully or partially. Each time this Board meets, we see an erosion of safety at the plant and without ZNPP being returned to its rightful owner - Ukraine - we can only expect this trend to continue. We note all reactor units at ZNPP are now in cold-shut down, finally complying with the regulatory order issued a year ago by the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine. However, as the DG recognises in his update of 30 May, even in this scenario, the situation remains extremely fragile. We agree with his assessment that all six reactors should remain in cold shutdown. The DG's report again highlights multiple concerns at ZNPP, including: Challenges around ensuring adequate staffing and routine inspection and maintenance; Fragile logistical supply chains; and "Major shortcomings" in emergency arrangements in terms of ensuring an effective response. As discussed at the Extraordinary Board meeting in April and at the UN Security Council, we are extremely concerned by reports of drone strikes hitting the site of ZNPP, as well as of rounds of outgoing artillery fire from near the plant in April. Reports of increased military activity, including gun fire and explosions at the site and in its vicinity, are extremely worrying. We echo the DG's appeal to abstain from actions which could violate his five concrete principles for upholding safety and security at ZNPP. We also call on Russia to allow IAEA experts full and complete access to all areas of the plant they request. Chair, The vulnerability of the power supply to Ukraine's nuclear sites presents serious challenge to safety. This is power vital for essential functions required to prevent a nuclear accident. During this reporting period: The 330 kilovolt back-up power line to ZNPP was disconnected on 20 February for 23 days. This line was also disconnected on 4 April for two days; On 23 March, the 750 kilovolt line at ZNPP was disconnected for several hours due to military activity. This line was temporarily disconnected again on 23 May; Two of South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant's power lines were disconnected for a few hours due to military activity; Rivne Nuclear Power Plant reported on 8 May fluctuations in power supply due to attacks on energy infrastructure elsewhere in Ukraine; The subcritical Neutron Source installation in Kharkiv lost its external power supply on two occasions; and The Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology lost external power due to shelling on two occasions. None of these events gave rise to any radiological consequences, but they highlight the grave risks facing nuclear facilities across Ukraine. Risks that would not exist were it not for Russia's illegal invasion. Chair, Once again, we pay tribute to IAEA teams and Ukrainian operating personnel, who continue to work in increasingly challenging circumstances. We are pleased to be providing support to the IAEA's Medical Assistance programme to help those nuclear professionals in need of additional resilience. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Supply of Aircraft, Training for Pilots and Engineers, and Joint Production of Ammunition: Results of the Meeting between the Presidents of Ukraine and France President of Ukraine 7 June 2024 - 23:41 Ukraine is grateful to France and the French people for their courage and leadership. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a joint press conference with President of France Emmanuel Macron. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that France supports our defenders on the front line, the protection of Ukrainian cities from Russian attacks, and the global pressure on Russia for this unjust war. In particular, the President praised the agreement on opening an office of the French company KNDS in Ukraine, with which 155-caliber artillery ammunition will be produced in Ukraine. The leaders discussed the situation on the battlefield, Russian attempts to expand the war and the possibility of countering them. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked France for a new powerful defense package and a significant step towards the ability to destroy weapons and positions of the Russians which they use to target Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv. "These are the bold anti-terrorist steps that are needed in the future - it is Putin who must feel that his capabilities are limited, not those who are defending their lives from his attacks," the President said. The two leaders also discussed preparations for the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, which will be attended by Emmanuel Macron, and France's participation in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, in particular, the point on radiation and nuclear safety. President of France Emmanuel Macron announced the supply of the first series of Mirage 2000 aircraft to Ukraine and the start of pilot and engineer training for the fighter jets. "We cannot allow Russia to impose its own limits, its own red lines on our military cooperation, because Ukraine has a legitimate right for defense. That is why our support will continue in all areas and sectors," he stressed. In addition, Emmanuel Macron assured that France will support Ukraine at the EU level, so that our country can receive a decision on the start of negotiations by the end of the month, and at the NATO level during the summit in Washington. "Russia has deliberately redrawn its borders, intensified its hybrid war against our European continent, against security, against our democracies, so when it comes to Ukraine's security, it is about our own security. And I want to assure you that France will be a reliable partner. Ukrainians can count on our support in the long term," he summarized. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defense Cooperation, Restoration of Critical Infrastructure, and Use of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes: Ukraine and France Have Signed Four Documents President of Ukraine 7 June 2024 - 23:28 Following the meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of France Emmanuel Macron in Paris, representatives of the two Governments signed four documents. In particular, Ukraine and France signed a Grant Agreement on assistance in restoring and maintaining critical infrastructure and priority sectors of our country's economy. The document was signed by Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine, and StAphane SAjournA, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France. The document provides for the allocation of grant funds from the French government worth EUR 200 million for the reconstruction and restoration of Ukraine's critical infrastructure, including EUR 60 million for the support of the energy sector. Yuliia Svyrydenko and StAphane SAjournA have also signed the Agreement on the Establishment and Operation of the AFD Group Representative Office in Ukraine, including the operation of the French Development Agency, the Society for Promotion and Participation for Economic Cooperation (PROPARCO) and Expertise France. The Agency will provide financial and technical assistance to Ukrainian enterprises. This will include loans, grants, and guarantees. President Emmanuel Macron also announced that France will send 20 technical experts to Ukraine to work in key ministries. In addition, the countries exchanged letters on the renewal of the Agreement between the Governments of France and Ukraine for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. This document expired four years ago, so it was extended for another 20 years. The Agreement creates a legal basis for cooperation in the field of nuclear facilities maintenance. France provides comprehensive support to the energy system of Ukraine. Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine Oleksandr Kamyshin and Minister of the Armed Forces of the Republic of France SAbastien Lecornu signed a Statement of Intent on Cooperation in the Defense Industry. The statement aims to identify opportunities for cooperation between the defense industries of Ukraine and France in the field of armaments, military equipment, and ammunition, as well as to develop capabilities for the production, maintenance, and repair of military equipment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy Met with Delegations of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives President of Ukraine 7 June 2024 - 20:41 In Paris, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with bipartisan delegations from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The Head of State thanked the President of the United States, Joseph Biden, both chambers and both parties of Congress for their support of Ukraine and for the important military assistance. He also expressed gratitude for the leadership in the adoption of the law on the provision of assistance to Ukraine this April. "The approval of this assistance by Congress has become an important signal that Ukraine is not alone," the President noted. Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed the meeting participants in detail about the frontline situation, including the constant massive Russian attacks with guided aerial bombs, drones, and missiles, as well as the situation in the Kharkiv region. The President focused on specific efforts that will help protect the region from air and ground attacks by the Russian occupiers. The Head of State emphasized the importance of the U.S. authorization for limited use of American weapons on the battlefield and spoke about measures to limit Russia's ability to target civilian infrastructure. During the meeting, the parties discussed the needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces that could be met by military assistance from the United States. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke about the preparations for the Global Peace Summit and praised the cooperation of the United States in advancing the Summit and encouraging a wide range of states - the regional leaders - to participate. He called for continued work on the allocation of frozen assets of the aggressor state, the Russian Federation, to support Ukraine. The President and the members of Congress exchanged views on the support of our country on its path to NATO and the elaboration of the security agreement between Ukraine and the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Head of State Met with the Heads of Leading French Companies President of Ukraine 7 June 2024 - 17:52 During his official visit to France, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the heads of leading French companies in the energy, machine building and electrical equipment, telecommunications, construction, and financial and banking sectors. "Even in the challenging conditions of war, the Ukrainian economy finds ways to develop and grow, adapting to new circumstances. Ukraine is a favorable market for French investments, and new projects can be launched right now," the Head of State noted. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked those French companies that not only continue to operate in Ukraine, but also develop their business and make new investments right now. The President also confirmed the readiness of our country, together with the French government, to create favorable conditions for investors, in particular through a system of state guarantees, as well as loan and investment insurance mechanisms. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's Defense Needs and Increase in Production: President Met with Representatives of the French Defense and Industrial Complex in Paris President of Ukraine 7 June 2024 - 17:31 In Paris, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Ministry of Armed Forces of France. The Minister of the Armed Forces of France, SAbastien Lecornu, presented to the Head of State the products of the companies of the French defense and industrial complex, which are planned to be supplied to Ukraine. The President also spoke with representatives of the French defense and industrial complex. They discussed Ukraine's defense needs and the increase in the production of SPH Caesar, artillery shells, including long-range ones, electronic warfare and armored vehicles. The Head of State emphasized the importance of expanding joint arms production on the territory of our country. "Thank you for supplying Caesar. This is a very good 155-caliber artillery. From the very beginning of the war, we have been using various 155-caliber artillery systems. The quality was important. I would like to thank you for one of the highest quality systems we have ever had a the Caesar," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Representatives of Ukrainian and French companies signed a license agreement to create ammunition production capacities under the KNDS France/Nexter license. They also signed statements of intent to establish a service and repair hub for KNDS France/Nexter equipment in Ukraine, as well as to manufacture the company's components using 3D printing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Delhi, June 8 (UNI) In observance of World Food Safety Day, the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K), under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), hosted a webinar titled Protective Efforts and Rapid Food Emergency Control and Testing (PERFECT). During the inaugural address, Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director of NIFTEM-K, provided insights into the latest food safety concerns in India. Dr. Oberoi highlighted that the theme of World Food Safety Day, Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected, aptly complements the focus of the PERFECT webinar. He emphasised that while consumers might tolerate food that is not palatable or nutritious, they cannot risk their lives with unsafe food. Citing the increasing cases of foodborne illnesses and fatalities reported by the WHO, he stressed the urgent need for rapid detection methods for foodborne pathogens and contaminants such as pesticides, mycotoxins, heavy metals, bacterial toxins, and acrylamides. Dr. Oberoi underscored the importance of integrating good agricultural and post-harvest practices to mitigate foodborne risks and ensure food safety. In his keynote speech, Dr. Iddya Karunasagar, an International Food Safety Consultant for FAO, WHO, and ADB, and Senior Director (International Relations) at NITTE University, Mangalore, discussed the challenges and actions necessary for managing foodborne outbreaks. He called for preparedness and mock exercises to sensitise agencies at all levels for effective outbreak mitigation strategies. Dr. Amit Sharma, Director of Food Safety at FSSAI, highlighted the importance of government-academia collaboration, such as between NIFTEM, ICMR, and ICAR, to detect and prevent foodborne outbreaks. He also mentioned various FSSAI initiatives aimed at strengthening the country's food emergency response system. Naresh Kumar, Application Specialist at Biomerieux, pointed out that cumbersome and time-consuming microbiological testing procedures are significant obstacles to ensuring food safety. He showcased rapid diagnostic tools and technologies developed by Biomerieux to enhance food safety. Dr. Kathiravan Krishnamuthy, Associate Teaching Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, USA, advocated for the use of novel non-thermal techniques to combat spoilage while retaining the nutritive value and sensory properties of treated food. He recommended non-thermal processes like Pulsed Light and Cold Plasma for the food industry to preserve nutrients and extend the shelf life of food products. Dr. Neetu Taneja, Assistant Professor at NIFTEM-K, presented her team's research on biofilm formation by microorganisms like E. coli and Salmonella, which enhances their long-term survival. She discussed the prevalence of food-borne pathogenic strains in Indian dairy and meat products, urging improved food hygiene practices and the use of phytochemicals to mitigate foodborne pathogens. Dr. P. Murali Krishna, Professor at NIFTEM-K, discussed the development of nanosensors for on-site food safety detection and the role of IoT and electronics in food safety. Dr. Sarvanan Chakravarthi, Assistant Professor at NIFTEM-K, shared his group's work on mitigating food contamination, particularly acrylamide detection in fried and baked foods, and methods to reduce and eliminate them. The webinar concluded with a statement emphasising that food safety is a shared responsibility, urging all stakeholders to work together to ensure safe food for all. UNI XC GNK New Military Assistance Package and Further Support: the President of Ukraine met with the President of the USA President of Ukraine 7 June 2024 - 17:09 In Paris, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Joseph Biden. The Ukrainian leader noted the symbolism of this meeting in France on the sidelines of the 80th anniversary of the Allied Landings in Normandy. "We count on your continued support and standing shoulder to shoulder with us. It is so necessary for our people to feel that we are not alone, that we are with you - our strategic partner," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. During the meeting, the parties discussed our country's defense capabilities. The President of Ukraine emphasized the importance of strengthening the defense of the Kharkiv region and accelerating deliveries within the framework of new military assistance packages from the United States. The Head of State spoke in detail about the situation on the battlefield. He noted that in order to effectively defend itself against daily Russian terror, Ukraine needs the ability to strike military targets in Russia. The President expressed gratitude to Joseph Biden for the leadership of the United States of America in supporting the Ukrainian Peace Formula and noted the importance of the participation of the USA in the Global Peace Summit at the level of Vice President. "I hope that this will be the first step on the way to peace. We need peace in Ukraine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The leaders discussed preparations for the signing of a bilateral security agreement. The U.S. President assured of further support for Ukraine and pointed out that six funding packages, including the new one, have already been announced since the U.S. Congress passed the resolution. "Today I'm also signing an additional package for $225 million to help you reconstruct the electric grid. And I continue to say that the United States is standing with you. You are the bulwark against aggression. We have an obligation to be there. And so, I'm looking forward to having a detailed discussion with you about where to go from here," the U.S. President said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Met with the President of the National Assembly of France President of Ukraine 7 June 2024 - 14:33 In Paris, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the French National Assembly YaAl Braun-Pivet and chairs of committees. The Head of State expressed gratitude to the French Parliament and the whole of France for supporting Ukraine and emphasized the importance of the bilateral security agreement signed in February this year. The President emphasized the importance of implementing the French initiative on the introduction of a new EU sanctions regime to combat Russian disinformation and destabilization of Europe. The parties also discussed preparations for the Global Peace Summit. Particular attention was paid to Ukraine's European integration priorities, including the anticipated adoption of a negotiating framework for the actual start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address This Russian Regime Does Not Recognize Borders, Even Europe Is Not Enough for It - President's Address to the National Assembly of France President of Ukraine 7 June 2024 - 12:30 Dear Madam President of the Assembly! Dear attendees! Ladies and gentlemen of the Assembly! I am grateful for the invitation to the National Assembly of France and the opportunity to address you today on behalf of our entire country. I greatly appreciate the respect for Ukraine and Ukrainians with which you welcome us. Thank you for that. Dear France! These days we honor the bravery of the people and the mutual support of the nations that won the Battle of Normandy. The ones who won. And it is the victory that is still being felt on Omaha Beach, where we were yesterday with the President, with Emmanuel, and other leaders. It is the victorious battle that people remember there and take pride in being able to follow in the footsteps of its participants. The warriors who were very different, from different countries, but equally eager for freedom to prevail. It was precisely such won battles - here in Normandy, and in Eastern Europe, in the northern seas of our continent, and in the skies of Britain, in Southern Europe, and in the underground resistance movements in the countries occupied by the Nazis - that returned Europe to humanity. Without those battles won, there would be nothing, there would be no one, there would be no us - Ukraine, France, all free nations. There would be no free individual in Europe either as a concept or as a possibility of real freedom. We all remember what Nazism means. If there had been no victory over Nazism, our entire continent would have remained a truly dark stain in history. A source of death for others in the world as well. It was out of those victories - the victories of free nations 80 years ago - that our Europe was born, a continent capable of being a source of hope. Our Europe is the result of the courage of the men and women of that time, all those who, despite fear, did not submit to evil, who resisted and fought. Our Europe is the unity that worked then and always works - it always gives strength. Our Europe is the choice of people at that time to fight the way they needed to win - to prevent evil from taking over your home. There was no other motivation for the Allies back then, except to defend their home and the right of people to be human. Human in the fullest sense of the word - endowed with freedom, dignity, and rights from birth - equally, so that no one would consider themselves a master over others and so that everyone could choose their own path in life. This is our Europe. This is what was secured by victories 80 years ago. We are grateful for that. And this is something that will not last forever by itself. Dear Europeans! The day before, on the shores of Normandy, where we all remembered World War II and thanked its victors, there were two simultaneous feelings - the feeling of joy that the victory was achieved, and the feeling of duty - the duty to achieve victory. We live in a time when Europe has once again ceased to be a continent of peace. Unfortunately. And in a time when Nazism is making a comeback. Unfortunately. When in Europe once again, cities are being completely destroyed and villages burned. When Europe is once again facing filtration camps, deportations, and hatred that has become the new Russian cult. When there are once again attempts to reshape Europe by force and claims that certain peoples supposedly do not deserve to exist independently. All of this is now aimed against Ukraine. But it is also for the purpose of being aimed against others tomorrow. We can even see the order in which the aggression may go - the Baltic States, Poland, the Balkans, and beyond. This Russian regime does not recognize borders. Even Europe is not enough for it. It has already devastated Syria and is causing chaos in the Sahel. It invests in terror and undermines life wherever it can reach and where it encounters no resistance. It uses everything to make countries weaker - from energy resources to food. In the XXI century, it has brought back the entire arsenal of the past centuries - from naval blockades to the mass abduction of our people's children from the occupied territory of Ukraine in order to "re-educate" them into something entirely different, fostering hatred for their homeland. And it blackmails the whole world, so that the world is afraid to oppose it in full. It will find a way to destabilize everyone, destabilize Europe, destabilize you. This is what tomorrow may be like. Tomorrow - if Ukraine does not win. This battle against the Russian invaders is taking place on the land of our Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, on the border with Russia and on the outskirts of Kherson, in the underground in Berdyansk, Melitopol and Crimea, in the skies of Ukraine, in our Black Sea. This battle for Ukraine is as existentially important for Europe as the battles won by previous generations of Europeans. This battle is a crossroads. The moment when we can all write history together now - the way we need it, or we can become victims of history as our enemy wants. I emphasize: a common enemy. We must remember that there is an enemy outside that leaves neither nations nor literally people in the places it invades. It leaves neither the right to speak, nor the opportunity for people to choose how to live. It leaves no life. Look at what Russian control is. These are the scorched, deserted ruins of our cities and villages. This is a fact. Look at what Putin is turning his own country and people into. This is the territory of devalued life. It is literally the opposite side of everything that is valuable to us. The opposite of freedom. The opposite of equality. The opposite of fraternity. And therefore, the opposite of Europe. This is anti-Europe. This is what Putin is. Dear France! Can Putin win this battle? No, because we have no right to lose. Can this war die down along the current lines? No, because there are no lines for evil - either 80 years ago or now. And if someone tries to draw temporary lines, it will only give a pause before a new war. It is the same now as it was when evil was unleashing its aggression against its neighbors in the 1930s. Hitler crossed line after line. Putin is doing the same. And if someone tries to draw temporary lines, it will only give a pause before a new war. Now, it is the same as when evil was expanding its aggression against neighbors in the 1930s. Hitler crossed line after line. Putin is doing the same. And when yesterday direct threats against France were voiced from Russia, it became just another argument in favor of our courage - so that no evil in the world has the audacity to oppose France and declare the French as military targets. Can we win this battle? Undoubtedly, yes. We can! Ukraine, and therefore Europe. Europe, and therefore France. I am as sure of this as France believed in freedom even before D-Day. But that D-Day, like the day of the European victory, was inevitable. The first time I had the honor of addressing you was at a moment that was extremely difficult, deadly difficult for us. It's true. It was the first month after the Russian invasion began. The occupiers had not yet been driven out from the outskirts of our capital, Kyiv, and battles were raging near it. At that time, the first operations to reclaim the land occupied by Russia, to reclaim our homes, to bring back our people, our children, had not yet taken place - we had not yet planned the liberation of Zmiinyi Island in the Black Sea and the victory in the battle for the sea, the liberation of the Kharkiv region and the city of Kherson. At that moment, the world had not yet seen Bucha and did not yet fully understand what Russian occupation meant. And no one believed how effective Ukrainians could become. But even then, we knew, and we knew for sure, that we would overcome any difficulties of the war, and the only thing that was necessary for that was that the Ukrainians were not left on their own. We needed to have effective support - constant, timely, long-range enough, and leader-led support - and then we would be guaranteed to do our job, and that would be the proof - the proof that Europe would not go back to the days when it was impossible to end the war in Europe in a way that met the interests of Europe and the world, and therefore of every human being on earth, without landing Allies on the continent and without involving almost the entire world. Je vous remercie d'Atre A nos cAtAs pour dAfendre la vie. Merci. I would like to thank you all that France did not hesitate and chose the side of humanity in this war. The side of culture. The side of international law. Since the first hours, not even days, but hours of this attack, with which Russia tried to wipe out 80 years of Europe, I have known that I can rely on you, on France - on your hearts and your principled position. Thank you. The feeling that Ukraine is standing up to evil united many people, many people in France. Families from France helped families from Ukraine who were saving themselves from the war. Hearts in France wished us strength. I am grateful for that. Thank you to your people, your families. We can rely on your support. On your weapons, on your training and diplomacy, on France's political and economic power. French air defense systems and armored vehicles, missiles and artillery, experience and expertise are already helping us save lives and deter Russia, thanks to you. I am sure that the day will come when Ukraine will be able to see in its skies the same planes that we saw yesterday in the skies of Normandy. French combat aircraft - brilliant fighter jets that, under the control of Ukrainian pilots, will prove that Europe is stronger. Stronger than the evil that dared to threaten Europe. Now, just as 80 years ago, we can prove it - the power of our unity, the power of the alliance, the power of our shared ideals. Emmanuel, Mr. President, thank you for not leaving Europe without leadership and Ukraine without France at the most crucial moments. We are doing our best to ensure that in 80 years our cooperation will be remembered as a victorious battle. This is so important. Thank you, Emmanuel! Now I would like to give special recognition to each of you, dear members of the National Assembly. You have recently endorsed our security agreement between Ukraine and France. You were followed by the French Senate, which has also endorsed the agreement. This is a special document - it is the root of the alliance between our countries. Thank you for this, for your historic support, thank you for your foresight! Thank you for supporting our movement towards EU membership and for understanding that NATO's eastern border cannot have a gap of a gray zone of Ukraine left outside the Alliance. Ukraine is the key to the security of the entire Europe. Without control of Ukraine, Russia will have to become a normal nation-state. And not a colonial empire constantly seeking new prey - whether in Europe, Asia, or Africa. Dear friends! Practically in one week, we will have our new D-Day - Diplomacy Day. The inaugural Peace Summit, which may become the format that will bring a just end to this war closer. We have never relied on the power of arms alone. We were always focused on diplomacy. Putin rejected a diplomatic solution by launching a full-scale war and choosing an attempted genocide of Ukrainians over dialogue with Ukraine. That is his choice. And we need the unity of the world to overcome it. This is a lot of work, really - a lot of effort that is required from countries on all continents. Not only from Europe. And that is why we are uniting. More than one hundred states and international organizations have already supported the Peace Summit. Unfortunately, not all those on whom the world depends have joined us yet. But France is with us, and for that I am grateful. I am grateful for the many things you are already doing. But peace - a just peace - still requires more. And this is not a reproach. This is the way to overcome evil. We must do more today than we did yesterday, so that tomorrow we will be closer to peace than ever before. Together, we are succeeding in this. Merci pour votre alliance! Thank you for your attention! Thank you for your support! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine: Security Council hears of escalating toll of Kharkiv attacks 7 June 2024 - A recent escalation in fighting in Ukraine, particularly in the Kharkiv region, has left nearly 200 people dead, displaced thousands more and further crippled critical infrastructure, with implications for global food security, a senior UN humanitarian said on Friday. Briefing the Security Council in New York, UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya urged the international community to work to end the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year. Ms. Msuya said the civilian toll has continued to mount since her last briefing to the Council three weeks ago. Kharkiv under fire While few areas have been spared from the hostilities, the Kharkiv region has suffered the heaviest impact after Russia stepped up attacks there on 10 May. UN human rights monitors in Ukraine reported on Friday that at least 174 people were killed and 690 injured nationwide in May, marking the highest number of civilian casualties in nearly a year. More than half of them were in Kharkiv, located in the northeast of the country. "Shopping centres, homes, educational establishments, shops, office buildings, parks and public transport have all been struck in recent weeks," she said. Supporting displaced people At least 18,000 people in the Kharkiv region have been newly displaced, she added, citing estimates from UN migration agency IOM. Some 50 humanitarian organizations have been providing food, water, clothes, cash, psychological support and other assistance to more than 12,000 people at a transit centre in Kharkiv city. Meanwhile, civilians who remain in frontline and border areas with Russia face dire conditions, as many are cut off from access to food, medical care, electricity and gas. Elderly people have been disproportionately affected as they often are unable or reluctant to leave their homes. "In northern Kharkiv - where the fighting is heaviest - more than half of those killed or injured have been over the age of 60," she said. The UN human rights office, OHCHR, has verified that at least 11,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine, and more than 21,000 injured, since the conflict began on 24 February 2022, although actual figures are likely much higher. Infrastructure attacks continue Ms. Msuya noted that a year has passed since the Kakhova Dam disaster, "one of the most significant incidents affecting civilian infrastructure since the start of the full-scale invasion." The major dam was destroyed on 6 June 2023, resulting in monumental flooding that left large swathes of the surrounding area under water, destroying homes, displacing thousands of families, and disrupting water supplies for millions. "It showed just how extensive and long-lasting the humanitarian impacts of a single incident affecting critical infrastructure can be," she said. "That is why it is deeply concerning that systematic attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure - a feature of this war since February 2022 - continue." Since 22 March, the UN and partners have identified six waves of attacks across 15 regions which have impacted healthcare and other social, financial and transport services, and disrupted electricity, gas and water supply for millions. Energy affected, global food supply threatened Ms. Msuya said Ukraine's energy system is now down over 60 per cent of its pre-war generation capacity, according to preliminary estimates from the UN Development Programme (UNDP). "We note that strikes inside the Russian Federation in recent months, including in the Belgorod region, have also resulted in civilian casualties and damage to residential homes and other civilian infrastructure," she said. She also voiced deep concern over the impact of attacks on Ukraine's transportation and port infrastructure on global food security. Recent weeks have seen "worrying indications of renewed upwards pressure on global grain prices, linked to this damage to infrastructure in Ukraine, among other factors." She stressed the need for safe navigation throughout the Black Sea, and the protection of ports and related civilian infrastructure, so that food exports can reach global markets. 'Vast' humanitarian needs Turning to the humanitarian front, Ms. Msuya reported that needs remain "vast" as more than 14.6 million Ukrainians, roughly 40 per cent of the population, require some form of assistance. More than half are women and girls. A $3.1 billion funding appeal for 2024 has so far netted $856 million, allowing humanitarians to provide assistance to more than four million people during the first quarter of the year. She pointed to the "many challenges" humanitarians continues to face, chiefly lack of access to some 1.5 million civilians in Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. "And as the conflict continues to escalate, and we look to kickstart preparations for another winter dominated by war, full funding of the humanitarian response plan is urgently needed to sustain operations," she stressed. End the suffering Ms. Msuya said that fighting continues to rip apart lives, homes and futures in Ukraine more than three years since the escalation of the war, and the UN and partners remain committed to support affected civilians. She warned, however, that "the longer the violence and destruction continue, the greater the suffering will become, and the bigger the task to rebuild shattered lives and communities." Concluding her remarks, she welcomed the Ukraine Recovery Conference that will be held in Berlin next week, calling it a key opportunity to advance the Government's recovery priorities and leverage financing for critical development in affected areas. "And we continue to urge the Security Council and all Member States to do everything within their power to ensure respect for the rules of war, pursue peace and bring the suffering of the Ukrainian people to an end." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address With Deadly Offensive in Kharkiv, Last Month Civilian Casualties in Ukraine Hit Highest Level Since June 2023, Deputy Relief Chief Tells Security Council Meetings Coverage Security Council 9647th Meeting (AM) SC/15719 7 June 2024 Alarmed by Moscow's Increased Attacks on Ukrainian Infrastructure, Population, Speakers Call for Diplomacy, De-Escalation Ahead of Peace Summit in Switzerland Ahead of an international summit for peace in Ukraine to be held in Switzerland on 15-16 June, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today that May saw the highest number of civilian casualties in a single month since June 2023 as she detailed the humanitarian situation amidst ongoing offensives in the country's north-east. "More than half of these casualties can be attributed to the fighting in Kharkiv," said Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, as she briefed the Council. Shopping centres, homes, educational facilities, shops, office buildings, parks and public transport have all been struck in recent weeks and, according to estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 18,000 people in the Kharkiv region have been newly displaced. Spotlighting the disproportionate impact on elderly people, she reported that more than half of those killed or injured in northern Kharkiv a "where the fighting is heaviest" a have been over the age of 60. She also said that the Kakhovka Dam disaster a which occurred one year ago a demonstrated the extensive and long-lasting consequences of a single incident affecting critical infrastructure. "This is why it is deeply concerning that systematic attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure a a feature of this war since February 2022 a continue," she stressed. "This, of course, has severe consequences for the humanitarian situation in Ukraine," she observed, also noting that recent strikes inside the Russian Federation have resulted in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. Underscoring that "the scale of humanitarian needs in Ukraine remains vast", she stated that the longer the violence and destruction continue, the greater the suffering and the bigger the task of rebuilding. While welcoming the Ukraine Recovery Conference that will be held on 11-12 June in Berlin, she said: "The long-term impact of this war will already be felt for many generations". In the discussion that followed, many Council members expressed concern over Moscow's recent offensives in Kharkiv and systematic campaign against civilian populations and infrastructure, pledging continued support to Ukraine. Many also demanded that the Russian Federation fully respect international humanitarian law and spotlighted the war's impact on children and other vulnerable groups. Some members also underlined the need for diplomatic efforts and de-escalation, with most pointing to the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland. More diplomacy is needed, stressed that country's representative, stating that the forthcoming summit in her country seeks to provide a platform for peace. Spotlighting the recent exchange of prisoners of war and the reunification of Ukrainian children with their families, she said that these developments show that "even in the most difficult situations, diplomatic and humanitarian action can lead to agreements and tangible improvements for the civilian population". The Russian Federation's representative, however, said that Western statements on aspirations for a peaceful solution are "utterly false". Further, the upcoming Swiss summit is a primitive attempt to give an ultimatum to her country and "nothing other than a propagandistic hangout among friends with zero added value", she stated. Discussions related to the Russian Federation's sovereignty and security are futile without its participation, she added, also stressing that accusations made in the Council concerning her country's attacks on civilian infrastructure are fabrications. Recent attacks on Kharkiv, though, are reminders that "Putin is not interested in peace", said the representative of the United States, voicing both regret that Moscow has shown no support for peace negotiations and hope that a second summit will occur with that country's participation. "In a conflict situation, peace is negotiated not with friends but, rather, the parties to the conflict," observed the representative of Sierra Leone. Offering an alternative road map for peace was China's representative, who detailed a six-point common understanding on the Ukraine crisis jointly released by his country and Brazil. It emphasizes negotiation and calls on all relevant parties to de-escalate the situation, increase humanitarian assistance, neither use nuclear weapons nor attack nuclear power plants and protect global supply chains. Urging support for this initiative, he stressed: "In any conflict or confrontation, no one emerges triumphant." Ukraine's representative, meanwhile, suggested referring to the situation in his country as an "international armed conflict", not the "Ukraine crisis". "Enough with euphemisms that only serve to hide the responsibility of the aggressor," he stressed, insisting that the aggression has emerged from the "Russian crises" of failed democracy, rule of law and respect for its citizens and neighbours. Inviting "all peace-loving nations" to the Swiss peace summit, he said that its success "will be a clear signal that the world does not support the war and wants peace". For his part, Mozambique's representative said: "Ultimately, ending this conflict is the most secure path towards addressing its man-made humanitarian consequences." Noting that respect for international law a or lack thereof a "risks to be yet another casualty of this conflict", he stated that the principle of proportionality "requires an assessment of whether civilian harm is likely to be excessive compared to the concrete military advantage anticipated". "Targeting critical energy infrastructure has zero military value a its only goal is bombing the Ukrainian population into submission," stressed Slovenia's representative. Urging an end to "so-called 'highly precise' Russian strikes", she observed that "a shopping centre and a printing house are not military targets" and that "50 civilian casualties in one day is not collateral damage". Against that backdrop, she called on all Member States to attend the summit in Switzerland and make the event a first meaningful move towards peace. MAINTENANCE OF PEACE AND SECURITY OF UKRAINE Briefing JOYCE MSUYA, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator , said that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reports that at least 174 civilians were killed and 690 were injured in Ukraine in May a the highest number of civilian casualties in a single month since June 2023. "More than half of these casualties can be attributed to the fighting in Kharkiv," she reported, noting that shopping centres, homes, educational facilities, shops, office buildings, parks and public transport have all been struck in recent weeks. According to estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 18,000 people in the Kharkiv region have been newly displaced. Noting that civilians who remain in frontline areas in Kharkiv face "dire conditions" a cut off from access to food, medical care, electricity and gas a she emphasized that elderly people are disproportionately affected because they are often unable or reluctant to leave their homes. "In northern Kharkiv a where the fighting is heaviest a more than half of those killed or injured have been over the age of 60," she said. She also recalled that it has been one year since the Kakhovka Dam disaster a "one of the most significant incidents affecting civilian infrastructure since the start of the full-scale invasion". This destroyed homes, displaced families, ruined livelihoods and disrupted water supply for millions, demonstrating the extensive and long-lasting consequences of a single incident affecting critical infrastructure. "This is why it is deeply concerning that systematic attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure a a feature of this war since February 2022 a continue," she stressed. The UN and its partners have identified six waves of such attacks across 15 regions since 22 March 2024 and, according to preliminary estimates by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ukraine's energy system is "now down over 60 per cent of its pre-war generation capacity", she said. "This, of course, has severe consequences for the humanitarian situation in Ukraine," she observed, also noting that recent strikes inside the Russian Federation have resulted in civilian casualties and damage to residential homes and other civilian infrastructure. Noting the commemoration of the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression on 4 June, she underscored that the physical, psychological and emotional harm on Ukrainian boys and girls has been "immense". More than 600 Ukrainian children have now been killed alongside 1,425 injured, and children in frontline communities have spent between 3,000 and 5,000 hours in bomb shelters a the equivalent of four to seven months. Children a particularly girls a have faced increased exposure to gender-based violence and trafficking for sexual exploitation, and unavailable or overwhelmed protection services means access to support is extremely limited. "And 1 million children are among the close to 4 million people now internally displaced," she added. Underscoring that "the scale of humanitarian needs in Ukraine remains vast", she noted that 27 per cent of the $3.1 billion required under the 2024 humanitarian response plan has been provided, which has enabled nearly 500 organizations to assist over 4 million people in the first four months of 2024. As the conflict continues to escalate, and preparations for another winter dominated by war begin, full funding of the plan is urgently needed to sustain operations. "I am compelled, once again, to recall that all parties must respect international humanitarian law," she went on to say, underscoring that the longer the violence and destruction continue, the greater the suffering will become, and the bigger the task to rebuild shattered lives and communities. While welcoming the Ukraine Recovery Conference that will be held on 11-12 June in Berlin, she observed: "The long-term impact of this war will already be felt for many generations." Statements The representative of France said that her country requested today's meeting "at a time when Russian strikes against Kharkiv and the region have been intensifying," citing a 19 May airstrike that targeted a recreational area in the village of Cherkas'ka Lozova and a 25 May attack on a shopping centre in the middle of the day on a Saturday. The Russian Federation has been deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including housing, hospitals and power plants. After an initial strike, Moscow carries out "secondary double-tap strikes which specifically target the rescue personnel who are rushing to the scene to assist". In the third year of its aggression, "Russia has been wagering on the exhaustion of the Ukrainian people and on the weariness of those who support them," she said, pledging to continue providing political, military, and humanitarian support to Ukraine to help it defend itself. While the Russian Federation is deliberately targeting civilians, Ukraine and the rest of the world are seeking to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of this war. This important topic will be discussed at the peace conference organized by Switzerland next week, she added. The representative of the United States noted the recent Russian Federation operations on Kharkiv, highlighting that they have displaced more than 18,000 people from frontline communities and caused at least 400 civilian casualties. The attacks are reminders that "Putin is not interested in peace" and is without regard for his own people, the people of Ukraine or the Geneva Conventions, he said. Citing several Russian Federation crimes, including attacks on children and the transfer of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation, he said: "The evidence of Russia's war crimes is well documented, staggering and mounting every day". The upcoming "Summit on Peace in Ukraine", to be held in Switzerland, will be crucial for the shared objective of peace and security. He regretted that the Russian Federation has shown no support for peace negotiations. He expressed hope this will change and that there will be a second summit with the Russian Federation's participation. The representative of Guyana , deploring the continued loss of civilian life, reiterated a demand for full respect for international humanitarian law and the principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality. "The attacks on critical infrastructure must also stop," she underscored, calling for the immediate cessation of attacks on schools, hospitals and energy, water and sanitation systems. She also urged continued support for victims of the war, inclusive of medical, psychological and legal support and with particular attention to children and survivors of sexual violence. Commending the UN agencies, bilateral partners and international, regional and local organizations "working around the clock" to respond to Ukrainians' growing humanitarian needs, she stressed the urgency of resolving this conflict peacefully. "We again call on the Russian Federation to withdraw its military forces from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine," she added. The representative of Malta lamented that "the scale of the humanitarian consequences caused by this war is hard to comprehend," citing the displacement of more than 12,000 civilians from the Kharkiv region and the killing of nearly 90 children in that region since the start of the Russian Federation's aggression. Its air assaults targeted facilities in cities across the entire country, including some located near the borders with Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. Condemning Moscow's shelling of energy facilities in Ukraine, she expressed full support for the mandate of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, as well as that of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Women and girls are exposed to rural food insecurity and gender-based violence. This important topic will be discussed at the upcoming Ukraine peace summit, to be held in Switzerland, she noted, voicing full support for the event and the efforts towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine based on international law and the UN Charter. The representative of Algeria expressed deep concern over the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation and destruction of civilian infrastructure. Diplomatic efforts must be prioritized to address the humanitarian crisis, with de-escalation a first step. Urging restraint and inclusive dialogue, he said Algeria supported the Arab League's initiative, as part of an Arab contact group which met both parties at the start of the conflict, as part of good office efforts. He expressed serious concern over continued polarization, which leads to the crisis's prolongation, heightening the risk of escalation with potential repercussions on international peace and security and socioeconomic factors, including food and energy security. All ways and means of finding an inclusive and fair peace process need to be identified. "Algeria believes multilateralism can deliver and calls for the intensification of international diplomatic efforts to resolve this crisis," he said. The representative of Mozambique noted that respect a or lack thereof a for international law "risks to be yet another casualty of this conflict". Pointing to the Council debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict held during his country's presidency in May, he recalled the collective, clear and urgent appeal for renewed commitment to strengthening such protection. Calling on all parties to ensure civilians' safety, he also stressed that all parties must "scrupulously" uphold the principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality. "Proportionality", he observed, "requires an assessment of whether civilian harm is likely to be excessive compared to the concrete military advantage anticipated." He also stressed that flexible, predictable, sufficient and timely funding is crucial to guarantee the delivery of critical support and services. He added, however: "Ultimately, ending this conflict is the most secure path towards addressing its man-made humanitarian consequences." The representative of China detailed Beijing's recent diplomatic efforts, citing the joint release of six-point common understandings on the Ukraine crisis by his country and Brazil. It emphasizes dialogue and negotiation as the only means to reach a viable solution to the Ukraine crisis and calls on all relevant parties to de-escalate the situation. They are also called to increase humanitarian assistance, never use nuclear weapons, not attack nuclear power plants and protect the stability of global industrial and supply chains. The First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, who just concluded his visit to China, was briefed in detail on the six-point common understandings, which Beijing believes represents "the greatest possible common factor" at the international level, he said. He then called on more countries to support this initiative to build a positive momentum towards a political settlement. "In any conflict or confrontation, no one emerges triumphant," he said in a warning against military means and advocated for efforts conducive to peacefully resolving the crisis. The representative of Ecuador regretted the recent deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, including in the Kharkiv region. "Attacks against private property and civilian objects, particularly homes, schools, hospitals and other essential infrastructure, are unacceptable and must cease immediately," he said. Unhindered humanitarian access with adequate funds and personnel for humanitarian organizations is crucial. Council resolution 2730 (2024) is critical in guaranteeing this. He recalled the recent press conference by Martin Griffiths, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, in which he said dialogue is not being used where it was committed to be used and the international community is failing the founders of the UN Charter. And while Mr. Griffiths praised the heroic work of aid workers, he said "the saviours of this world are the people who end wars and build peace." This should be an urgent call to action for all. The representative of Slovenia stressed: "Targeting critical energy infrastructure has zero military value a its only goal is bombing the Ukrainian population into submission." Attacks against civilian infrastructure that provides essential services for the civilian population must end, she underscored, observing that "a shopping centre and a printing house are not military targets" and that "50 civilian casualties in one day is not collateral damage". She urged: "It is time for these so-called 'highly precise' Russian strikes to end." Moreover, it is time for all attacks to end, and for Moscow to withdraw its troops from Ukraine. Expressing support for the peace summit that will soon occur in Switzerland, she called on all Member States to attend and make this event a first meaningful move towards peace. Ukraine and its people desperately need that peace a as does the wider region a and "this is the first step in the right direction", she said. The representative of the Russian Federation asserted that Western Powers are not concerned about civilians in the region, as they are fighting for their own geopolitical agendas. "Such double standards are shameful," she said. Western powers wax poetic about the humanitarian consequences of the situation in Ukraine but continue to escalate that situation, allocating North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) weaponry to Ukraine to be used against Russian Federation territory. Western nations' statements on their aspirations for a peaceful solution to the conflict are "utterly false", she said. Rather, what they have proposed is a formula for "war and bloodshed". The upcoming Swiss summit is a primitive attempt to give an ultimatum to the Russian Federation and "nothing other than a propagandistic hangout among friends with zero added value", she said. Discussions related to the Russian Federation's sovereignty and security are futile without its participation and considering its interests. Western Powers do not care about Ukrainian forces crimes, she went on to say. Accusations made at the Council, on the Russian Federation's attacks on civilian infrastructure and the targeting of Ukraine children and prisoners of war, are fabrications. She argued that the United States representative mentioned violence against Ukrainian prisoners of war only to obscure Washington's own violence, as seen in Guantanamo, Afghanistan and Abu Ghraib. Western nations are silent on the looting of humanitarian cargo, such as in Zaporizhzhia recently, which is more evidence of the Ukrainian regime's corruption. Yet, socioeconomic conditions have improved in new Russian Federation territories. The main threat to international peace and security is the United States' and European countries' attempts to continue the conflict at any cost, to weaken the Russian Federation, she said, stressing that the Council needs to discuss the consequences of this, as the Russian Federation has proposed for 14 June. The representative of the United Kingdom said that the Russian Federation, "who pretends to have the moral authority to sit in judgment on other countries on this Council's agenda, is, as we speak, bombing Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, with no regard for civilian life, in an illegal war of aggression". That country attacked and severely damaged the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant, the largest in Ukraine, rendering it no longer able to produce electricity. "This Council should reject categorically Russia's deliberate and illegal assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure," she said. Warning that Moscow's opening of a new front in north-eastern Ukraine has exacerbated an already desperate humanitarian situation, she condemned the Kremlin's repeated attacks in Kharkiv and Kharkivska Oblast. She said that her country has committed over $456 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and the region, urging other Member States to continue their support. The representative of Japan , expressing regret "over the necessity to repeatedly condemn actions such as the recent attack on a residential area in Kharkiv", emphasized that escalating hostilities continue to devastate daily life and hinder essential humanitarian efforts. "Japan is deeply distressed by Russia's continuous disregard for international law," she said, stressing that the international community will not tolerate impunity for those responsible for attacks against civilian populations and objects. Further, she condemned Pyongyang's export and Moscow's procurement of ballistic missiles as a clear violation of relevant Council resolutions. Noting that her country has provided more than $12 billion to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian Federation's aggression, she said that Tokyo will "steadfastly and seamlessly" support Ukraine's economic development a "from emergency assistance and daily livelihood reconstruction to more advanced stages of industrial rebuilding". The representative of Sierra Leone said that "the protection of civilian lives must be paramount in any conflict and in the Ukraine conflict". Ensuring that the warring parties maintain the safety of civilians must be "the utmost collective priority" of this Council. Commending the ongoing coordination efforts led by the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator and facilitated by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, he said that these efforts are crucial in enhancing the preparedness and response capacity of humanitarian clusters and agencies. In this regard, sustained and flexible funding for humanitarian and recovery programmes in Ukraine is critically important, he emphasized, calling on donors to increase their support, particularly as the winter approaches. He then called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, stressing: "In a conflict situation, peace is negotiated not with friends but rather the parties to the conflict". The representative of Switzerland expressed particular concern over the escalation of attacks in Kharkiv and mounting civilian casualties. All parties must uphold international humanitarian law, and civilians and civilian objects must not be targets. She noted the humanitarian impact of the attacks in Kharkiv, adding that for some "it is an all too familiar nightmare", with many people who had to flee violence in the region previously having to do so again. There must be full, unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance. She highlighted the positive developments of an exchange of prisoners of war in May and the reunification of Ukrainian children with their families. These show "that even in the most difficult situations, diplomatic and humanitarian action can lead to agreements and tangible improvements for the civilian population", she said. Underscoring that more diplomacy is needed, she said the forthcoming summit in Switzerland looks to provide a platform for peace and is not aimed against the Russian Federation. "We are counting on the support of participants from all regions of the world in order to take a step towards a future peace process in line with the UN Charter," she said. The representative of the Republic of Korea , Council President for June, spoke in his national capacity to call for sustained attention to the humanitarian situation in Ukraine despite other global crises. "This is not the time for fatigue," he urged, stating that a if the front in Kharkiv continues to be active a "this will create more blind spots for humanitarian operations". Expressing concern that the Russian Federation's coordinated strikes against energy infrastructure threaten to cripple Ukraine's basic functions and worsen the country's already-dire humanitarian situation, he noted that world leaders will soon gather in Italy and Switzerland to discuss the situation in Ukraine. The summit to be held in the latter country will provide a valuable opportunity towards ending this war, he said, also welcoming the recent exchange of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children from the Russian Federation that were mediated by the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, respectively. The representative of the United States , taking the floor a second time, said that the Russian Federation has, for the last eight months, used the tragic situation in Gaza to make its "highly disingenuous claims of concern" for the plight of Palestinians and damage to infrastructure there. Yet, it has continued to massacre civilians and destroy civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Stressing that his country will not let Moscow "continue this hypocrisy in the Council without a response", he said: "Russia can continue to run from its crimes in Ukraine, but it cannot hide." The representative of the Russian Federation , responding, said that her country has no opportunity to threaten or impose sanctions on international officials "if they attempt to accuse us of something a but this is something that the United States of America has been noteworthy for". She added: "When somebody tries to get to the bottom of their war crimes, they trot out any threats and sanctions." The representative of Ukraine recalled that 10 years ago, the Russian Federation tried to enact in Kharkiv a scenario proclaiming a "People's Republic" a similar to those used in the Ukrainian cities of Donetsk and Luhansk. Buses with Russian "tourists" arrived en masse in Kharkiv from the neighbouring Russian region of Belgorod. They were supposed to serve as a driving force to dismember Kharkiv from the rest of Ukraine. After these attempts failed, Moscow is now attempting to "wipe Kharkiv off the face of the Earth" with long-range missiles, drone strikes, guided aerial bombs, ballistic S-300 missiles, Iskander missiles and analogue KN-23 supplied by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Kremlin's strategy of depopulation is not limited to Kharkiv. "The regular massive missile strikes aimed at Ukraine's critical infrastructure serve this purpose," he said. All Ukrainian thermal power plants have been damaged or destroyed, with their share in electricity production now at 5 per cent. Hydroelectric power stations have also suffered losses, with two completely out of order. Calling for the use of proper language, he suggested referring to the situation as "international armed conflict", not the "Ukrainian crisis". International humanitarian law distinguishes the former from non-international armed conflicts between governmental forces and non-governmental armed groups, or between such groups only. "Enough with euphemisms that only serve to hide the responsibility of the aggressor," he exclaimed, insisting that the aggression has emerged from the "Russian crisis" a crises of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for its own citizens, all neighbouring and other States. The General Assembly resolution of 23 February 2023 envisages what should be the basis of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine a sovereignty, territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders and accountability. "All these have been among the elements of the Ukraine Peace Formula," he asserted, inviting "all peace-loving nations" to the inaugural peace summit scheduled for 15-16 June in Switzerland. "The success of the Summit and global presence of this event will be a clear signal that the world does not support the war and wants peace," he stressed. The representative of Latvia , also speaking on behalf of Estonia and Lithuania , highlighted the Russian Federation's repeated, deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. "Launching a missile against a civilian target and waiting for the rescuers to arrive and launching another missile is what terrorists do," she said. Civilian deaths and material damage are not mere statistics, she added, saying rather "these are human lives extinguished, everything dear to them turned into ash." Condemning such attacks in the strongest possible terms, she stressed: "We cannot be bystanders." The Baltic nations will continue providing humanitarian assistance and support to restore Ukraine's energy grid, as well as provide Ukraine with the means to defend itself and its people. The war erodes the international order and has far-reaching consequences beyond Ukraine's borders, including on food insecurity, she went on the say, pointing to Russian Federation attacks on port infrastructure to stop Ukraine's shipments of agricultural shipments. She said the Council must have no tolerance for aggressor nations, particularly one with a permanent seat. Moscow's full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine is carried out with the complicity of Belarus and military support from Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "We all must uphold the principles upon which this Organization was founded," she said, calling on all peace-loving nations to take part in the upcoming summit in Switzerland. "The Baltic States reaffirm our full solidarity with Ukraine and unwavering support until its victory," she said. The representative of Poland , aligning himself with the statement to be delivered by the European Union, said that the number of recent attacks on the city of Kharkiv a designed to terrorize civilians and force local resident to flee a is "outrageous". He further said that Warsaw is "appalled" by the abduction and forced relocation of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation, also deploring attempts to "instrumentalize and weaponize" migration a "which we perceive as a continued campaign of hybrid attacks on Poland's border with Belarus". Recalling that the Council unanimously adopted its first-ever resolution on the protection of persons with disabilities in armed conflict exactly five years ago on Poland's initiative, he said that this has been "constantly violated" by Moscow's aggression in Ukraine. "No State should ever take action resulting in the suffering of civilians," he underscored, adding: "This applies to the Russian Federation, of course, as well." The representative of Sweden spoke for Denmark , Finland , Iceland , Norway and her country to note that 119 weeks since the start of the Russian Federation's brutal and illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, no day passes without death and destruction. Moscow's attacks against the Kharkiv region are driving up humanitarian needs. "All in all, the humanitarian space is shrinking, hindering access to the people most in need," she said, stressing: "We, the Nordics, are committed to continuing our humanitarian support to Ukraine". As highlighted in recent weeks in Kharkiv, locally led humanitarian response is vital to assist war-affected populations. International efforts must be complementary to the service delivery of Ukrainian authorities and local organizations. She also emphasized that while reconstruction support can help people rebuild their lives, humanitarian assistance must continue in parallel. It is therefore important to ensure solid and effective bridges between humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts. The Nordic countries have stepped up support to humanitarian demining, which enables access for humanitarian actors and lays the foundations for recovery and reconstruction, she noted. The upcoming peace summit in Switzerland will address humanitarian issues, with a focus on the return of war prisoners, children and civilians, as well as food security and nuclear security, she noted. All Nordic countries will participate "at the highest level," signifying their firm support for President Zelenskyy's Peace Formula. The representative of Romania noted the rise in the Russian Federation's indiscriminate attacks and expressed particular worries over the recent deadly attacks in Kharkiv. As a neighbour, Romania provides consistent bilateral support to mitigate the effects of power outages on schools and health facilities and the entire Ukrainian population. It is also working with Ukrainian partners to provide further assistance from Romania's national energy companies. He encouraged States to meaningfully support Ukrainian recovery efforts, including at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin next week. UN humanitarian personnel must have unhindered access and be protected from attacks to help civilians. "Likewise, accountability efforts must not be forgotten," he said. Noting the International Court of Justice's and the International Criminal Court's pronouncements on Ukraine, he said they must be fully respected and any attacks on them are unacceptable. Reaffirming unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said these principles are at the core of the UN Charter and "under no circumstances should we cave into complacency". The representative of the European Union , in its capacity as observer, spotlighted the "surreal situation" where the Russian Federation a currently preparing to assume Council presidency in July a is systematically and brutally bombing civilians and civilian infrastructure. "Russia must uphold international law a like everyone else a and cease its attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure now," he underscored. He also underlined the need to ensure full humanitarian access, recalling that the UN has repeatedly highlighted the challenge of reaching civilians in areas temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation. While it wages a war of aggression, Moscow shows no concern for the welfare of civilians in such areas, he stated, calling on the Russian Federation to facilitate the full, safe, rapid and unimpeded passage of aid to all civilians in need. He also reiterated the bloc's support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on the Charter of the United Nations a "not trampling it". Noting that Switzerland will soon host a summit for peace in Ukraine, he expressed hope that all States will participate. He then observed that it has been two years and four months of a permanent Council member "bombing, killing, maiming, destroying, land-grabbing, threatening and committing itself" to destroying a UN Member State. Moscow's response in the Council today, he continued, was to ask how the Ukrainians dare resist and to note that "it breaks our heart, but we will have to continue killing them and destroying their country until they kneel". Stressing that "this is not the language of a P5 member, this is the language of a mafia boss", he concluded: "Enough is enough." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At hallowed WWII battleground, Biden makes case for unity on Ukraine By Anita Powell June 07, 2024 Standing alone atop a concrete bunker dug into a 100-foot cliff overlooking the cold, choppy waters off Normandy's coast, U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday explained why he came to the French countryside to deliver a forceful speech drawing a straight line from the past to the present. "Where we stand was not sacred ground on June 5th, but that's what it became on June the 6th," he said, referring to the battle that Allied forces launched that day in 1944. "The Rangers who scaled this cliff didn't know they would change the world," he said of the U.S. unit that played a pivotal role in the D-Day invasion that led to the defeat of Nazi Germany. "But they did. I've long said that history has shown that ordinary Americans can do extraordinary things when challenged. There's no better example of that in the entire world than right here at Pointe du Hoc." Biden thus capped his French tour of American wartime nostalgia, which included a dramatic day of events at the battle's main American cemetery, with this point: This tale of autocratic aggression can happen again. In fact, he argued, it is happening again, in Ukraine. That nation has spent the past two years, with substantial American military help, holding its ground against a fierce Russian assault. Biden has argued, repeatedly, that Russia will not stop at Ukraine's borders, and he has urged NATO members to show a strong front. As Biden spoke under a cloudless blue sky, he regularly met eyes with a man huddled in a wheelchair in the front row: 99-year-old John Wardell, one of the dwindling number of survivors of the Ranger battalion that scaled those rocky cliffs. "As we gather here today, it's not just to honor those who showed such remarkable bravery that day, June 6, 1944," Biden said. "It's to listen to the echo of their voices. To hear them. Because they are summoning us. They ask us, what will we do. They're not asking us to scale these cliffs. They're asking us to stay true to what America stands for." But the people Biden needs to convince are back in Washington, holding the American government's purse strings in Congress. It took six months for U.S. lawmakers to approve a package of about $61 billion in military aid for Ukraine, and some Republicans have warned that this was the last American handout to help Ukraine fend off Russia's two-year invasion. Biden referenced that fact when he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier in the day in Paris, as he announced another $225 million in funding. "You continue to fight in a way that is remarkable, just remarkable," Biden told Zelenskyy. "And I'm not going to walk away from you. I apologize for the first weeks of not knowing what's going [on] in terms of funding. Because we had trouble getting the bill, we had to pass, to have the money in. Some of our very conservative members who were holding it up. But we got it done, finally." 'You saved Europe' A day earlier, Zelenskyy attended D-Day commemorations and had emotional meetings with U.S. veterans of that 1944 battle. At one meeting, 99-year-old Melvin Hurwitz, speaking from his wheelchair, grabbed the Ukrainian leader's right hand and pulled him down, into a bear hug. "You're the savior of the people," Hurwitz said. "No, no, no," Zelenskyy replied. "You [are]. You saved Europe." A day later, Zelenskyy thanked Biden for American support. "It's very important that you stay with us," he told Biden. "This bipartisan support with the Congress, it's very important that in this unity, the United States of America, all American people, stay with Ukraine, like it was during World War II. How the United States helped to save human lives, to save Europe. And we count on your continuing support and standing with us shoulder to shoulder." But Europe, too, realizes it has a role to play here. "There is definitely a common belief in Europe that we need to step up for our own defense and security," said Leonie Allard, a visiting fellow at the Atlantic Council's Europe Center and a former French defense official. "But of course, European security and the future of the architecture in Europe cannot be without the U.S. So whatever steps are taken, I know that the U.S. is in the room and there is some form of coordination." Historians note that the diminishing number of World War II survivors means that the next American president will have even fewer ways to highlight the nation's well-regarded role in establishing peace. History professor Jeremi Suri said that for the undergraduates he teaches, World War II is "ancient, ancient history." "So it will mean we're more distant and the heroism, the defense of democracy, the Greatest Generation stories we've told ourselves for so long, those will be less compelling. They already are becoming less compelling," he said. But, said Suri, who teaches at the University of Texas at Austin a and who acknowledged that few conflicts pack the narrative punch of World War II a there are other stories to tell. "We do have many legitimate, honest stories of heroism from the Cold War, those who defended dissidents, those who participated in civil rights marches, those who stood up for solidarity workers who were striking in Poland and elsewhere," he said. "They're not the stories that have the same heroic varnish, and they don't have the same cinematography associated with them. But I do think they're compelling, and I think presidents will start to evoke those as much as they do the D-Day," he said. "It's a made-for-Hollywood moment," Suri said. That's a fact that Biden, who walked onstage accompanied by a piece of music from a popular TV series about World War II, "Band of Brothers," surely knows. Just seconds after Biden completed his speech, he made a beeline to the front row. Wardell, with help from his caretaker on one side and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the other, struggled to his feet. Atop that cliff that Wardell first scaled at the tender age of 18, he clasped hands with the president. VOA's Kim Lewis contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN: Casualties in Ukraine in May highest in nearly a year By Margaret Besheer June 07, 2024 A senior U.N. humanitarian official expressed concern Friday about rising casualties in Ukraine, saying the toll in May was the highest in nearly a year, and that more than half of the casualties could be attributed to Russia's recent offensive in the Kharkiv region. "Shopping centers, homes, educational establishments, shops, office buildings, parks and public transport have all been struck in recent weeks," said Joyce Msuya, assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, told a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. The U.N. human rights office, which verifies casualties, said at least 174 civilians were killed and 690 injured in May, with more than half attributed to the fighting in Kharkiv. "At least 18,100 people in the Kharkiv region have been newly displaced, according to estimates by the International Organization for Migration," Msuya noted. On May 10, Russia began an offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region, resulting in some of its largest territorial gains in the past 18 months. Msuya said the United Nations and its humanitarian partners have provided assistance, including food, clothes and cash, to more than 12,000 people at a transit center in Kharkiv city. She said civilians who remain in the frontline areas face "dire conditions." "Many are cut off from access to food, medical care, electricity and gas," Msuya said. "In May, Russian forces carried out 76 airstrikes against Kharkiv, three times more than in April," Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya told the Security Council. "The air raid alerts in the city in May lasted for 474 hours and 55 minutes. That is 15 hours per day. Just imagine a 15 hours out of 24. Every day and every night. That is what Russia is doing to Kharkiv." Peace conference The Security Council discussed the situation one week before the start of a two-day peace conference hosted by Switzerland to address the war in Ukraine. "This summit aims to increase the understanding for peace and to form a platform for high-level discussions to initiate a peace process," Swiss Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl told the council. Ukrainian envoy Kyslytsya said a successful summit would be a clear signal that the world does not support the war and wants peace. "Ukraine needs a strong voice from all countries in favor of a just peace," he said. Russia was not invited to the conference and has dismissed the talks as an "anti-Russian gathering" that will not lead to peace. "At the heart of this is a primitive attempt to advance an ultimatum to the Russian Federation, and the advancement of this as a conference a the conference in the Swiss city of BArgenstock a is nothing other than a propagandistic hangout among friends with zero-added value," Russian Deputy Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva told the council of the meeting planned for June 15-16 in the Swiss resort town. "It is increasingly clear to more and more members of the international community that any discussions related to Russia's sovereignty and security are futile if they are carried out without Russia's representation, without taking into account its interests," she added. The Swiss ambassador said the conference is not directed against Russia. "This is about offering a platform to a broad range of countries so that they can express their points of view and make proposals," Baeriswyl said. "So as to move forward and contribute to preparing future possible talks on peace between the parties." Russia's close ally China has said it wants a peaceful political solution to the crisis but has turned down an invitation to the conference because Russia is not invited. The United States has voiced strong support for the Swiss conference. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to attend. "We regret Russia has shown no support or readiness for good-faith negotiations or engagement on a durable peace," U.S. Deputy U.N. Ambassador Robert Wood said. "We hope this will change and allow for a successful second summit with Russia's participation." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US authorizes $225 million in Ukraine military assistance By VOA News June 07, 2024 U.S. President Joe Biden has signed an additional $225 million military package for Ukraine to support its forces as they fight Russia's assault near Kharkiv, said a statement Friday. This is the sixth tranche Biden has authorized for Ukraine since he signed the national security supplemental measure. The package includes air defense interceptors, artillery systems and munitions, armored vehicles, anti-tank weapons, and other capabilities. It also will help to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses that would protect Ukraine's electric grid from Russian attacks and reinforce Ukrainian capabilities across the front lines, the statement said. Earlier Friday, during his visit in France for the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and he apologized for the delay in approving $61 billion in military assistance for Ukraine. "I apologize for those weeks of not knowing what's going to happen in terms of funding," the U.S. president said, referring to the six-month holdup of the package by conservative Republicans in Congress. Biden underscored that the American people were standing by Ukraine for the long haul. "We're still in. Completely. Thoroughly," he said, stressing Ukraine's tenacity and bravery against Russian aggression. "The way you've stood in holding onto Kharkiv, you've proven once again that the people of Ukraine cannot and will never be overtaken. And I assure you the United States is going to stand with you. I've said that all during this debate. I will continue to say it. The United States is standing with you. You are the bulwark against the aggression that's taking place. We have an obligation to be there." Zelenskyy hailed Biden's comments. "This meeting is symbolic. It is important that all the American people stay with Ukraine. Like it was in World War II when the U.S. stayed with Europe. This big package is very important. It is necessary that we understand that we aren't alone," he said. The U.S. support for Ukraine is being promised as its outgunned and outmanned troops are struggling to fend off a renewed Russian offensive along the roughly 1,000-kilometer frontline in Ukraine's eastern border regions of Kharkiv and Donetsk. Additionally, Washington and some NATO allies have softened their position to allow Ukraine to use some western weapons for attacks inside Russia, along the border in the Kharkiv region. French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that France is providing Ukraine with Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets. The Ukrainian pilots will be trained in France, he added in an interview on French TV. Macron said the fighter jets will "allow Ukraine to protect its soil, its airspace" against Russian attacks. Germany's defense ministry said it will need at least 75,000 additional troops to fulfill its NATO commitments, as the alliance adapts to face what it sees as an increasingly hostile Russia, Der Spiegel magazine reported Friday. Germany joined the United States last week in authorizing Ukraine to hit targets on Russian soil along Ukraine's Kharkiv regional border using long-range weapons it supplied. Russian threats The Kremlin has warned that the decision could lead to a widening of the conflict in Europe that could entangle western allies against Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin also warned the United States and NATO allies that allowing Ukraine to fire long-range, Western-made weapons into Russia could prompt him to place similar Russian weapons in countries within range of the U.S. or its European allies. The Russian leader said Friday that he did not see the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons as set out in Russia's nuclear doctrine, but he added that he could not rule out a change to the doctrine. Putin was responding to a question by Sergei Karaganov, an influential Russian analyst, who asked if Putin should hold a nuclear pistol to the temple of the West over Ukraine. Speaking on the sidelines of the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said Wednesday that Russia could use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty is threatened. "If somebody's actions threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we consider it possible to use all means at our disposal," Putin said, citing what he described as his country's security policy. Fighting grinds on The Russian military said Friday that its forces had seized one more village in Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk. "During the past week, units of the Southern group of troops improved their positions along the front line and liberated the settlement of Paraskoviivka," Russia's defense ministry said in a daily briefing. Since the beginning of 2024 Russia has captured 47 Ukrainian towns and villages, Putin said Friday. "Since the beginning of this year alone, 47, I think, settlements have been liberated," Putin told attendees of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum. The Ukrainian air force shot down all five missiles and 48 out of 53 drones over nine regions during Russia's overnight attack, among them, in Kyiv, Kharkiv, the Dnipropetrovsk and Mikholaiv regions, according to the Ukrainian military on Friday. Four people were killed and more than 40 were injured in a Ukrainian strike on the Russian-controlled city of Lugansk on Friday, Russia-appointed officials said. The city of Lugansk came under a "massive" missile attack Friday morning, according to its Russia-appointed head, Leonid Pasechnik. A section of an apartment complex collapsed and the "bodies of four peaceful civilians killed were removed from the rubble," the Moscow-backed region's government said on Telegram, raising the toll from three. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. VOA's Kim Lewis contributed to this story. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China defends Ukraine stance ahead of Switzerland peace summit By William Yang, Xiaoshan Xue June 07, 2024 China is pushing back against criticism by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week, denying claims it is pressuring countries not to attend next weekend's peace conference in Switzerland and putting forward its own peace plan for the Ukraine war. After Zelenskyy accused China of "working hard" to prevent countries from participating in the summit at the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 2, Beijing denied the Ukrainian president's allegation Monday, saying Beijing remains "firmly committed to promoting talks for peace" and hopes the summit would not be "used to create bloc confrontation." "Not attending it does not mean not supporting peace," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters Monday. "China has never sat idly by or fueled the flames, still less profiteered from the conflict. Instead, we have worked relentlessly for a cease-fire, and this has been highly commended by various parties, including Russia and Ukraine," she added. Apart from pushing back against Zelenskyy's criticism, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also put forward a Chinese peace plan Tuesday. "China believes that the world now needs to make more objective, balanced, positive, and constructive voices on the Ukraine crisis," he told a joint press conference Tuesday with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Wang pointed to "the six common understandings on political settlement of the Ukraine Crisis," a document jointly issued by China and Brazil last month, as Beijing's plan to facilitate the peace process for the Ukraine war. "In just one week, 45 countries from five continents have responded positively to the 'six common understandings' in different ways," Wang said, noting that China will decide whether to join the "many summits" around the world independently. Some analysts say Beijing's reluctance to join the Switzerland session, which Zelenskyy said during a press conference in Singapore will be attended by 106 countries and at least 70 heads of state, is an attempt to avoid being attacked during the conference for supporting Russia. "Beijing prefers to avoid this conference and instead, proposes its own vision to demonstrate that it is still committed to promoting peace," Zhiqun Zhu, an expert on Chinese foreign policy at Bucknell University, told VOA in a written response. Other experts say Beijing also sees many Western countries that plan to attend the conference in Switzerland, including the United States, as lacking the sincerity to resolve the Ukraine war peacefully. "Beijing thinks Western countries that are attending the summit are not sincerely pro-peace," said Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, adding that China says its vision for resolving the Ukraine conflict, which is through a peace process that should involve both Ukraine and Russia, is not compatible with that put forward by the West. "Beijing claims that the West is not sincere [about resolving the Ukraine War] and that there is a dual agenda in the West's peace conference," he told VOA by phone. Shift in Ukraine's view of China While Beijing continues to portray itself as a neutral actor in the Ukraine war, Zelenskyy's rare public criticism of China reflects a shift in Ukraine's view of China. During a press conference at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Zelenskyy said it is unfortunate that China "is an instrument in the hands of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin." Some analysts say Zelenskyy's comments in Singapore show that Ukraine's initial hope that China would be neutral in the war is diminishing. "One might say that there were some hopes in Kyiv's leadership that Beijing would be neutral with regard to the war, [but] these hopes are now gone," said Volodymyr Dubovyk, director of the Center for International Studies at the Odesa Mechnikov National University in Ukraine. While the shift in Zelenskyy's tone toward China is notable, Dubovyk told VOA it is unclear whether this will have a lasting impact on Ukraine-China relations. "One might safely forecast that Beijing's entanglement with Russia is only going to deepen, thus antagonizing Ukraine, yet China may still come [up] with a certain peace plan that would be less pro-Russian and more balanced," he said. Following the spat between Beijing and Kyiv, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held political consultations in Beijing on Wednesday regarding the war and bilateral relations. While Sun reiterated Beijing's commitment to advance exchanges with Kyiv, Sybiha urged China to take part in the summit, arguing that Beijing could "make a practical contribution to achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine." Umarov said Ukraine hopes to secure China's participation in the summit because of Beijing's influence in the world and over Russia. "The way to legitimize the summit is to have as many participants as possible, [but] I doubt Beijing will change its position on the war in Ukraine," he told VOA. As Zelenskyy keeps urging countries to join the session, Zhu said he thinks China's absence would reduce the importance of the conference. "With the absence of Russia and China, the summit's significance will be reduced," he told VOA. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by President Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine Before Bilateral Meeting June 07, 2024 InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel Paris, France 12:50 P.M. CEST PRESIDENT BIDEN: Mr. President, it's good to see you again. Good to be by your side. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Good to see you, too. Thank you so much. PRESIDENT BIDEN: I a you know, as I said yesterday at the American Cemetery, the Ukrainian people have been incredibly brave, have never given up, never staying a never a never even yielding, and it's impressive. And you saw the reception you received when everyone stood and gave you a standing ovation. And they deserve it a you deserve it. And, you know, you haven't bowed down. You haven't yielded at all. You continue to fight in a way that is a it's just remarkable. It's remarkable. And I'm a we're not going to walk away from you. I apologize for the a those weeks of not knowing what was going to pan a in terms of funding, because we had trouble getting the a a bill that we had to pass that had the money in it a from some of our very conservative members who were holding it up. But we got it done, finally. And since then, including today, I've announced six packages of significant funding. Today, I'm also signing an additional package for $225 million to help you reconstruct the a the electric grid. And a and once we got the national security bill passed a that was a political issue a we were able to get it all done. And the way you've stood and holding on a and holding on in Kharkiv, and you've proven once again the people of Ukraine cannot and will never be a will retake it. And I assure you the United States is going to stand with you. I've said that all during this debate, and I continue to say it. The United States is standing with you. You are the bulwark against the aggression that's taken place. We have an obligation to be there. And so, I'm looking forward to having a detailed discussion with you about where we'll go from here. But we're still in completely, thoroughly. Thank you. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Thank you so much, Mr. President. First of all, thank you so much for your significant support a you, your administration. We're very thankful from all Ukrainians to your military support, financial support, humanitarian one. And, of course, it's very important. And our meeting here is very symbolic. It's very important that you stay with us. This bipartisan support with the Congress a it's very important that in this unity, the United States of America, all American people stay with Ukraine. Like it was during World War Two, how the United States helped to save human lives, to save Europe a and we count on your continuing support and standing with us shoulder to shoulder. Thank you so much. And this big package which has been signed and supported and voted, and it's very important. It's so necessary for a for this a for the feeling of our people that we are not alone. We are with you, with our strategic partner. And, of course, we'll a I want, today, to a to speak about strengthening of Kharkiv region. You said already, it's so important. And your decisions have been very, very a had very positive influence. I don't want to share it a everything, all the details a with press. Sorry. But I think there are some details from the battlefield which you have a which you a you a you need to hear from us. We are thankful for this. Also, I want to speak about air defense totally on our territory. And we are thankful for participation in peace summit on the level of Vice President. Thank you so much. We think that we will have more than 100 countries, and I a I hope that it will be a first step on this way to peace. We need peace in Ukraine, but we will stay a anyway a stay strong. And, of course, I want to discuss some future events. Thank you, again. PRESIDENT BIDEN: Thank you. 12:55 P.M. CEST NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S.-British airstrikes hit Yemeni capital, Red Sea port Hodeidah Sanaa, June 7 (UNI) U.S. and British warplanes struck Houthi targets in Yemen's capital Sanaa and the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Friday, Houthi media and residents said. In Sanaa, at least four airstrikes hit the Al-Siyanah military position, according to Houthi media and residents. The strikes caused explosions and sent plumes of smoke rising from the area. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) did not immediately comment on the airstrikes. Earlier on Friday, CENTCOM reported that U.S. forces in the Red Sea had intercepted and destroyed eight Houthi drones in the previous 24 hours. Readout of President Biden's Meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine June 07, 2024 President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine today to discuss U.S. support for Ukraine in its efforts to defend against Russian aggression. The leaders discussed the state of the war and Ukraine's urgent assistance needs. The President announced a new package of security assistance for Ukraine, which is valued at $225 million and includes air defense interceptors, artillery ammunition, and other critical capabilities. This is the sixth security assistance package announced by the United States since President Biden signed the national security supplemental, demonstrating the rapid pace of U.S. assistance for Ukraine. The leaders discussed the upcoming Peace Summit on Ukraine in Switzerland, where Vice President Harris and National Security Advisor Sullivan will represent the United States in support of Ukraine's pursuit of a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter, including the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The President emphasized that U.S. support for Ukraine is unwavering. The leaders committed to meet again at the upcoming G7 Summit in Italy to continue their discussions. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address WASHINGTON, June 7, 2024 The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for product labeled as bao Thai-style curry chicken due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product labeled as bao curry chicken may actually contain teriyaki chicken bao products, which contain soy and sesame, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with allergies to soy and sesame are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase. The fully cooked, frozen bao curry chicken product was packaged on March 20, 2024. The following product is subject to the public health alert [view labels]: 10-oz. boxes containing four WOW BAO BAO THAI-STYLE CURRY CHICKEN with best if used by date 4/12/25 printed on the side of the box. The product bears establishment number P-40001 inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to Walmart retail locations nationwide. The problem was discovered when the producing establishment notified FSIS that it received a consumer complaint that a box labeled bao Thai-style curry chicken contained pouches of the bao teriyaki chicken. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider. FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Consumers with questions about the public health alert can contact Brandon Tammaro, VP Strategic Growth, Wow Bao, at 734-904-8627 or contactus@wowbao.com. Members of the media with questions about the public health alert can contact Brett Stein, General Manager, Brett Anthony Foods at 847-272-4309 or b.stein@brettanthonyfoods.com. Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/. SINGAPORE, June 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKX, a leading Web3 technology company, has issued updates for June 8, 2024. OKX Wallet Now Supports Hyperlock Finance OKX Wallet is excited to announce that it has added support for Hyperlock Finance, a yield & meta-governance protocol purpose-built natively for the Blast ecosystem and on top of the Thruster DEX. This integration enables the OKX Web3 community to seamlessly interact with Hyperlock's unique offerings, unlocking new opportunities for boosted yields and enhanced liquidity provision. Hyperlock Finance operates as a meta-governance protocol, yield enhancer, and liquidity marketplace constructed atop Thruster. By introducing a VE token system (veTHRUST), Hyperlock consolidates veTHRUST and redistributes its value, allowing protocols to bootstrap liquidity and utility for their tokens while enabling liquidity providers to obtain boosted yields. The integration of Hyperlock Finance with OKX Wallet brings several key benefits to OKX users. They can now access boosted yields as liquidity providers, control THRUST and HYPER emissions as Hyper Stakers, and earn a share of protocol fees as Thrust Lockers. This integration empowers OKX Wallet users to participate in the vibrant Blast ecosystem, capitalize on being early movers on a new chain, and leverage advanced liquidity strategies through concentrated liquidity gauges. OKX Wallet remains committed to expanding its support for innovative DeFi protocols and emerging ecosystems, providing its users with a comprehensive and user-friendly Web3 experience. For more information, please visit the OKX Support Center. For further information, please contact: Media@okx.com About OKX A leading global technology company driving the future of Web3, OKX provides a comprehensive suite of products to meet the needs of beginners and experts alike. To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com Disclaimer OTTAWA, June 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Across Canada today, people are celebrating their connection to the ocean. They are taking part in local festivals, arts, and science activities in honour of World Ocean Day. This is the annual global day for ocean awareness and to promote ocean conservation. It is also the final weekend of Ocean Week Canada 2024. Here are five ways everyone in Canada can be part of the World Ocean Day celebrations: Participate in an event. More than 110 Ocean Week Canada events are taking place this weekend in 58 communities from Fogo Island NL, to Cambridge Bay NU, Toronto ON, and Ucluelet, BC. The complete event listing is online at oceanweek.ca Discover the ocean at the movies. Stream movies like Diving into the Darkness with Jill Heinerth, explore the BC Environmental Film Festival catalogue , or watch the Indigenous Water Guardians and Coastal Stories shorts at oceanweek.ca . Explore your connection to the ocean. Trace the flow of water from anywhere in Canada to the ocean using the new Ocean, Freshwater, & Us digital map . Take action. Connect with community science and advocacy groups or protect the ocean from home by choosing an action from the Ocean Week Canada curated action list . Every action makes a difference. Drop the s when you say ocean. Spread awareness for the global ocean all year long. Say ocean to remind others that there is only one interconnected global ocean. Share the campaign video to spread the word. The Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition coordinates Ocean Week Canada in partnership with ten regional hubs and over 250 partner organizations across the country. Learn more at oceanweek.ca or join the conservation online using the hashtags #OceanWeekCanada and #SemainedeloceanCanada. Contact: NEW YORK, June 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of JBS S.A. (OTC: JBSAY) resulting from allegations that JBS may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. SO WHAT: If you purchased JBS securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22976 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On February 28, 2024, Reuters published an article entitled New York sues meatpacking giant JBS over climate claims. The article stated, in pertinent part, that JBS, the worlds largest beef producer, was sued on Wednesday by New York states attorney general, which accused it of misleading the public about its impact on the environment in order to boost sales. Attorney General Letitia James said JBS USA Food Co, the Brazilian companys American-based unit, has no viable plan to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, making its stated commitment to achieving that goal false and misleading. On this news, JBS American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) fell $0.22 per ADR, or 2.4%, to close at $9.02 per ADR on February 28, 2024. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com ROUYN-NORANDA, June 07, 2024 - Radisson Mining Resources Inc. (TSX-V: RDS, OTC: RMRDF): ("Radisson" or the "Company) is pleased to announce the results of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders ("AGM") held virtually from its offices in Rouyn-Noranda, Qc on June 6, 2024. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business, including the election of each director nominee. A total of 106,815,727 votes were represented in the meeting amounting to 33.32% of the issued class A share shares as of the record date. All votes were submitted by proxy with the following tabulation of these votes: Directors Tabulation of Votes in Tabulation of Votes Favour submitted by Withheld submitted Proxy by Proxy Lise Chenard 87,224,129 (98.19%) 1,609,633 (1.81%) Cindy Valence 87,153,958 (98.11%) 1,679,804 (1.89%) Pierre Beaudoin 76,410,299 (86.01%) 12,423,533 (13.99%) Michael Gentile 87,459,379 (98.45%) 1,374,383 (1.55%) Jeff Swinoga 87,459,074 (98.45%) 1,374,688 (1.55%) In addition, shareholders voted 98.40 % in favour to re-appoint Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton as Independant auditor of Radisson and 83.58% in favour to reconduct the shareholders protection regime. Stock options On June 6, 2024 the Board of Directors awarded a total of 2,515,000 stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company. Pursuant to terms of the stock options plan each option grants the holder thereof the right to purchase one class A share at a price of $ 0.18 until June 6, 2029. Radisson Mining Resources Inc. Radisson is a gold exploration company focused on its 100% owned O'Brien project, located in the Bousquet-Cadillac mining camp along the world-renowned Larder-Lake-Cadillac Break in Abitibi, Quebec. The Bousquet-Cadillac mining camp has produced over 25,000,000 ounces of gold over the last 100 years. The project hosts the former O'Brien Mine, considered to have been Quebec's highest-grade gold producer during its production. For more information on Radisson, visit our website at www.radissonmining.com or contact: Denis V. Lachance Chairman, Interim President and CEO 819-806-3340 dlachance@radissonmining.com Kristina Pillon Manager, Investor Relations 604.908.1695 kpillon@radissonmining.com Forward-Looking Statements All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to, those relating to the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, the development of the O'Brien project and generally, the above "About Radisson Mining Resources Inc." paragraph which essentially describes the Corporation's outlook, constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Corporation as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements and future events, could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. A description of assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward looking information can be found in Radisson's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future experience. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's endeavours to develop the O'Brien project and, more generally, its expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important risk factors and future events could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those made in our other filings with the securities regulators of Canada. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. Vancouver - Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (CNSX: ARS) ("Ares" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the second tranche of its previously announced offering of units (each, a "Unit") by issuing 5,537,277 Units at a price of $0.18 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $996,709.86. On May 10, 2024, the Company announced a non-brokered private placement offering of a minimum of 5,555,555 Units and a maximum of 22,222,222 Units at a price of $0.18 per Unit pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (the "LIFE Exemption") to raise gross proceeds of a minimum of $1,000,000 and a maximum of $4,000,000 (the "LIFE Offering"). On May 31, 2024, the Company closed the first tranche of the LIFE Offering and issued 5,984,986 Units for gross proceeds of $1,077,297.28. To date, the Company has raised an aggregate amount of $2,074,007.14 from the first and second tranche closings. James Walker, CEO of Ares, said, "Despite a slow mining market, certain projects have earned investor interest thanks to their ability to make advancements and progress. Ares is fortunately one of those companies, having recently been able to develop its mine and construct processing facilities, making it able to attract investment looking for promising prospects. There is clearly great support and enthusiasm for our project, which is encouraging for everyone involved. The Company is close to launching the only fluorspar mine in the United States and bringing an exported industry back to U.S. shores. We are making tremendous progress towards commissioning our operation and are looking forward to sharing all our progress occurring at both our mine and processing sites. The Company has expedited the installation of new mine works to ensure feed for our new plant which is currently under construction, and our new acidspar manufacturing facility which will be delivered next quarter. The proceeds of our raise will contribute towards our ramp installation, which is now over halfway to reaching the body of the fluorspar mineralization on our permitted mine site. Once processed the Company will see its first revenue and shift from being a mining company to a manufacturing company. It's great to see progress in all areas of the Company and watching it get continuously closer to its goals." Each Unit consists of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one non-transferable Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable into one (1) Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.26 per Common Share for a period of two (2) years following the closing date of the Life Offering, provided that, if the 10-day volume-weighted average trading price of the Common Shares as quoted on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") (or such other securities exchange on which the Common Shares may be traded at such time) is equal to or greater than $0.40 at the close of any trading day, then the Company may, at its discretion, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by issuing a news release (a "Warrant Acceleration News Release") announcing that the expiry date of the Warrants shall be deemed to be on the 30th day following the date of the Warrant Acceleration News Release (the "Accelerated Expiry Date") (the "Acceleration Clause"). All Warrants that remain unexercised following the Accelerated Expiry Date shall immediately expire and all rights of holders of such Warrant shall be terminated without any compensation to such holder. Units offered under the Life Exemption will not be subject to resale restrictions for Canadian resident investors pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. In connection with the closing of the second tranche, an aggregate of $31,016.79 was paid in cash and a total of 172,315 finder's warrants (each, a "Finder's Warrant") were issued to certain finders as finder's fees. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (a "Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.26 per Finder's Warrant Share for a period of two (2) years following the closing date of the first tranche. The Finder's Warrants are subject to the Acceleration Clause. Any securities issued as Finder's Fees are subject to a 4-month hold period from the date of issuance. The balance of the LIFE Offering is expected to close on or before June 24, 2024, and is subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the LIFE Offering as disclosed in the Life Offering Document dated May 9, 2024, which is available under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.com and on the Company's website (www.aresmining.com), for completing the ramp installation to intersect fluorspar mineralization at depth at its Lost Sheep fluorspar property located in Delta, Utah, to provide feed for the manufacturing facility which is currently under construction and for general and corporate working capital purposes. None of the securities issued in connection with the Life Offering will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and none of them may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF Ares Strategic Mining Inc. James Walker Chief Executive Officer and President For further information, please contact James Walker by email at jwalker@aresmining.com DISCLOSURE AND FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Life Offering, including the total anticipated proceeds, the expected use of proceeds and the closing (including the proposed closing date) of the balance of the Life Offering. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including the assumption that the Company will close the balance of Life Offering on the timeline anticipated, will raise the balance of the gross proceeds from the Life Offering and will use the proceeds of the Life Offering as anticipated. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include: the risk that the Life Offering does not close on the timeline expected, or at all; the risk that the Company raises less than the anticipated amount of gross proceeds from the Life Offering; the risk that the Company does not use the proceeds from the Life Offering as currently expected; that the Company is close to launching the only fluorspar mine in the United States; that the Company continues development and construction of the ramp installation; that the Company expects revenue once fluorspar is being processed and that it will then shift from a mining company to a manufacturing Company; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined and the risk that exploration and development activities will cost more than the amount budgeted for such activities by the Company; risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals; risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions; access and supply risks; risks associated with the Company's reliance on key personnel; operational risks; regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits; financing, capitalization and liquidity risks; title and environmental risks; and risks relating to the failure to receive all requisite regulatory approvals. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. F1 teams pushing for changes to 2026 regulations Formula 1 teams and drivers look set to push for changes to the radical and complex new regulations that have just been revealed for 2026 and beyond. Max Verstappen, Canadian GP 2024 Red Bull Team bosses Andrea Stella (McLaren) and James Vowles (Williams) on Friday said what has been revealed by the FIA should be considered a mere rules draft . Even top driver Max Verstappen joked in Montreal about the innovations like overtaking boost buttons and moveable wings. Maybe they should add a few bananas we can throw out of the car? the triple world champion told Bild newspaper. At the moment it is still a bit of a question mark for many people as to how everything will develop. It definitely needs a few more simulations, said the Red Bull driver. Mercedes' George Russell, meanwhile, thinks the top speed of the ultra-low-drag 2026 cars on the straights could top the charts at a staggering 400kph. But he warned: And cornering speeds will drop massively. Is this what the fans really want to see? McLaren boss Stella is among those leading the call for the sport to come together to make meaningful tweaks prior to the rules being set in stone. I think from a power unit point of view, likewise from a chassis point of view, it's time that all parties understand that they need to contribute to the success of the sport, he said. And Williams' Vowles added: "At the moment, the way cars are in the draft version of the regulations, and we need to say draft, the cars are not fast enough in the corners and too fast in the straights. "The performance difference to a Formula 2 car could be as small as a few seconds. So I'm confident we'll get to a better solution. I think what we're talking about is how do we make this a product that is still the pinnacle of motorsports. Vowles' top team driver, Alex Albon, says he has spoken to Williams' simulator drivers who report that the 2026 cars are extremely slow . And it looks as if the engine formula will make everything around it extremely complicated. The whole thing is very technical and difficult for us to understand, so what must it be like for the fans? Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack agrees with Albon's concerns. I'm a bit scared that we will have driver press conferences speaking about all these technicalities that a lot of people will not understand and lose interest just because of that, he said. If we have different energy management from track to track or constraints on the car that makes one car maybe go to the front, one to the back, and then how do we explain this? So I think that is something that we really need to keep in mind. (GMM) Gasly reveals progressing 2025 talks with Alpine Pierre Gasly says he in talks with Alpine about remaining with the embattled Formula 1 team in 2025. Pierre Gasly, Canadian GP 2024 Alpine Renault's outfit has just ousted Esteban Ocon for the 2025 season, but Gasly told Canal Plus that he is angry he has been linked with the breakdown in that relationship. I was not at all involved in anything that has happened since last week, he insisted in Montreal. It's true that it's annoying to see my name always come up in discussions about the fact that the team did not want to renew with Esteban, the fellow Frenchman added. Esteban has his relationship, I have my relationship, we are not twins, we each have our own careers, said Gasly. He admitted that talks with Alpine about extending his contract are taking place. Of course it's something we've been discussing for a while, said Gasly. "Things are progressing but for the moment, there's nothing set for the future. We'll see what I'm going to do. As for Ocon's replacement, team reserve Jack Doohan - who was in Ocon's car in initial Friday practice - appears to be the frontrunner. I want to be here full-time, obviously, the young Australian told Viaplay. "But the media does all kinds of things. Every day there is a new story. I'm enjoying being here in the car and testing the track and of course I want to be here on the grid next year, Doohan added. I have never made a secret of that. Team boss Bruno Famin admits that Doohan, 21, is one of the candidates , but only one of the possible candidates . We have spoken to many people and we are are speaking to many people, he added in Montreal, admitting that Mick Schumacher is also on the short-list. He is a young but also an experienced driver with his two seasons, said Famin, referring to Schumacher. "He is on the list, but the list is long. I don't even know how many names are on it. Everyone talks to everyone and there are still some good drivers available for us. (GMM) Marko denies Perez's contract is for one year only Dr Helmut Marko has denied reports that Sergio Perez has not actually signed a two-year contract to remain at Red Bull Racing next year. Sergio Perez, Canadian GP 2024 Red Bull Prior to the announcement, reports suggested that while the Mexican and his sponsors were demanding a two-year deal, Red Bull was only offering him a single-year contract for 2025 only. Those rumours suggest Red Bull wants to leave its options open for 2026, amid uncertainty about Max Verstappen's future and with Yuki Tsunoda impressing at the junior squad RB. Another rumour is that Carlos Sainz is poised to sign a one-year Williams deal for 2025, leaving his own options open for a Red Bull switch for 2026. Carlos Sainz is a good driver and he's available for next season, so we thought about that for a long time, team boss Christian Horner admitted to Viaplay. But we thought stability and continuity was the right choice, he added. Japanese Tsunoda suggested in Montreal that Perez's new deal includes certain performance clauses. Perez still has to perform in the next two years, he said. Anything can happen in these kinds of circumstances. When asked about Perez's contract extension, Red Bull's top F1 consultant Dr Helmut Marko said in Montreal: "Ultimately, Checo delivers. He has some ups and downs, but he is still a very fast driver. As for the speculation that Perez's contract is actually only for one year with a team-sided option for 2026, the 81-year-old answered: There are always clauses in contracts, but in general it is really a two-year contract. (GMM) Ralf Schumacher refusing to work with Gunther Steiner Ralf Schumacher has announced that he will not appear on camera with former Haas boss Gunther Steiner. Gunther Steiner, Bahrain GP 2023 Haas Steiner and Schumacher, the former grand prix winner, fell out very publicly in 2022 as Steiner openly criticised his nephew Mick Schumacher - leading to the latter's ousting as a Haas race driver. Both Schumacher and Steiner are now contracted as pundits for the German broadcaster RTL, and they appeared on camera together at the Bahrain GP this season. But Ralf now says he is refusing to work with Steiner anymore. RTL knows my opinion, and so does Mr Steiner, the German told Sport1. "There will be no more joint appearances in front of the camera. In Bahrain I subordinated myself to the common cause, but now that is no longer possible. I am consistent in this regard. Schumacher, 48, says the tipping point was Steiner's latest comments about Mick - with the ex-Haas chief publicly urging Alpine against considering the 25-year-old for a race seat next year. I can only imagine that he is a little afraid that if Mick returns to Formula 1 and suddenly drives under a team boss who believes in him and puts in a great performance, he (Steiner) will be seen in a bad light, Ralf said. I'm slowly getting the feeling that that's what he's doing. Ralf Schumacher also thinks Steiner should be embarrassed about Haas' uptick in performance this year, with Steiner's successor Ayao Komatsu apparently doing well. Very well, in fact, as we've seen this year, he said. So perhaps Mr Steiner should think about what has changed to make the team better now. (GMM) Tsunoda signs for RB in 2025 Visa Cash App RB, Red Bull's second Formula One team, announced today that they have signed Yuki Tsunoda to continue driving for the team for the 2025 season. Yuki Tsunoda, Canadian GP 2024 Red Bull Visa Cash App RB, Red Bull's second Formula One team, announced today that they have signed Yuki Tsunoda to continue driving for the team for the 2025 season. Tsunoda said, Im very happy to be staying with Visa Cash App RB and its a good feeling to have my future decided so early in the year. For that, I want to thank everyone at Red Bull and Honda who have played such an important role in my career and will continue to do so. The team has a big development project ahead and Im excited to be part of it. Its great to know that everyone appreciates all the hard work I have put in and that the team believes I can help it move further up the grid. We have already made clear progress this season and that really motivates me to always give of my best and thats what Ill continue to do with VCARB. For the moment, Im concentrating on the remaining races this season, with the aim of bringing home as many points as possible, always growing with the team, laying the groundwork to do even better next year! Team principal Laurent Mekies said, I watched Yukis progress in Formula 1 with interest even before I returned to Faenza and its been impressive, year after year commented Laurent Mekies, Visa Cash App RB Team Principal. The step up he has made this year is simply phenomenal, and he keeps surprising us all, race after race. Theres no doubting his natural speed to which he has now added a much more mature approach and this combination makes him a very quick and consistent performer, and a great team player. We continue to get a better understanding of what he needs from us and vice versa, so we are progressing together, Yuki as a driver and the team, as Visa Cash App RB. We share the same ambitions, so there are several good reasons to continue our journey together. He still has a lot to give! CEO Peter Bayer said, Yuki is a graduate of both the Red Bull and Honda Junior Driver programmes and its thanks to a good job from all parties that hes been able to reach his current level of performance. As the saying goes, never change a winning team, so we are delighted to confirm Yuki as part of our future. He is a valuable asset on and off the race track, as his engaging nature has made him very popular with fans around the world. We are excited that he is staying with us. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin Racing Fernando Alonso set the fastest time in a wet and unpredictable second practice session (FP2) for the Canadian Grand Prix, but the main narrative of the day revolved around Max Verstappens unexpected reliability issue, which sidelined him early in the session. The session began under ominous skies, with rain starting to fall as the cars rolled out. Most drivers opted for soft tires initially, trying to squeeze in fast laps before the track became too wet. However, the rain intensified, forcing everyone to return to the pits and switch to intermediate tires. This early scramble led to a chaotic session filled with traffic and interrupted laps. Verstappens troubles began just four laps into his run. He was on a fast lap, likely to set the sessions best time, then asked the team to get the cooling fans ready, because I can smell smoke. He was instructed to pit immediately. The Red Bull team quickly identified an electrical issue with the ERS (Energy Recovery System). The car was deemed unsafe to touch for several minutes due to the electrical fault, complicating the teams efforts to address the problem. Mechanics eventually had to cut parts of the right-hand sidepod to access the overheating components. The extent of the damage means a significant overnight rebuild for Verstappens RB20, with concerns that both mechanical and electrical elements have been compromised. Despite the tricky conditions, Alonso posted the fastest time of 1:15.810. George Russell followed closely in second, with Lance Stroll in third, indicating a strong performance from Aston Martin. Notably, both Aston Martins were quickest in the final sector, suggesting they were running higher engine modes compared to their rivals, maximizing their speed on the long final straight. Lewis Hamilton was the quickest through the first two sectors but encountered slow-moving cars on both his attempts to set a fast lap, ultimately finishing in P7. Charles Leclerc managed P4 but faces a potential penalty after starting the session on intermediate tires before the track was officially declared wet, a procedural oversight by Ferrari. Daniel Ricciardo showed impressive pace in the AlphaTauri, securing P5, while Kevin Magnussen took P6. Yuki Tsunoda continued his consistent form with P8, ahead of Alex Albon in P9. Sergio Perez had a subdued session, ending up in P10. Carlos Sainz struggled as well, finishing P13, while the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris had a difficult time, with Piastri in P16 and Norris at the bottom of the timesheets. Both McLaren drivers are also set to meet with the stewards for failing to follow the Race Directors instructions after going off at the chicane. Norris and Piastri rejoined the track without taking the prescribed route, adding to the teams woes. The mixed conditions and unexpected incidents led to a session where many drivers found themselves out of their usual positions. The unpredictability of the weather and the challenges it brought have set the stage for an exciting weekend ahead at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. As teams work overnight to prepare for FP3 and qualifying, the spotlight will remain on Red Bull and Verstappens recovery efforts. With rain expected to continue affecting the sessions, the Canadian Grand Prix promises to be an unpredictable race, testing the drivers skills and the teams strategies to the fullest. Charles Leclerces Ferrari Lando Norris set the fastest time in a truncated first practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix as severe weather conditions played a significant role, leaving teams and drivers scrambling for meaningful running time. A heavy downpour, accompanied by hail, struck the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve just 45 minutes before the start of the session, flooding several parts of the track. This led to a delayed start, with the first 21 minutes seeing the pit exit closed, effectively shortening the session to 39 minutes. As the session finally got underway, half the field initially ventured out on Full Wet and Intermediate tyres to navigate the still-damp circuit. However, just ten minutes in, the red flag was waved when Zhou Guanyu lost control of his Sauber exiting Turn 5. The Chinese driver collided with the wall on the left-hand side of the track, damaging both wheels and coming to a stop at the entry of Turn 6. After a brief stoppage, the track reopened six minutes later. With conditions improving, most drivers switched to Intermediate tyres, but a dry line quickly emerged in Sectors 2 and 3. This development left teams in a dilemma between maximizing track time and conserving their Intermediate tyres for later sessions. As the clock ticked down, Ferrari sent both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz out on slick tyres with six minutes remaining. Eventually, 19 drivers completed at least one lap on the Soft compound. Tyre warm-up proved challenging, with optimal temperatures only reached by the third timed lap. Benefiting from being among the first to switch to slicks, Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz posted the sessions two fastest times. Charles Leclerc was on course to eclipse both Norris and Sainz by over a second but encountered traffic on the final straight, forcing him to back off and settle for third. The Monegasque driver expressed frustration at the missed opportunity, as several cars occupied the full width of the track. The final minute of the session saw a sudden burst of rain around Turns 7 and 8, causing a flurry of incidents. Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo, Lance Stroll, and Logan Sargeant all went off-track, but fortunately avoided hitting the barriers, resulting in no further damage. Despite the challenging conditions, the session provided a glimpse of the weekends competitive order. McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull occupied the top six positions. Pierre Gasly and Valtteri Bottas managed to break into the top ten, followed by Sergio Perez and George Russell. However, the session was particularly disappointing for Jack Doohan. The young Australian, stepping in for Esteban Ocon at Alpine for this session, completed only three out/in laps and did not set a competitive time. Alpines cautious approach to avoid damage in the tricky conditions left Doohan with little to show for his efforts. The unpredictable weather has made it difficult to gauge the true performance of the teams, setting the stage for an intriguing weekend ahead. With more rain forecasted, drivers and teams will need to stay on their toes as they navigate the challenges posed by the Canadian Grand Prix. As the paddock prepares for the next practice sessions, all eyes will be on the skies, hoping for a break in the weather that will allow for clearer running and a better understanding of the competitive landscape. Nicolas Medina Mora in The Millions: The region, were told, extends from the deserts of Sonora to the straits of Tierra del Fuego, encompassing 7.7 million square miles that are home to 660 million people who share two Latinate languages: Spanish and Portuguese. What complicates the picture is that many in that vast expanse also speak Nahuatl, Quechua, and hundreds of other tongues. But its not just the language: the people of this region, we hear, are Catholic. Even if we set aside the fact that many of them are Pentecostal or Jewish, however, the Catholic traditions of Oaxaca would be unrecognizable to churchgoers from Rio de Janeiro. This inconvenient diversity perhaps explains why, when all else fails, were told that all of these people love to dance. Still, isnt it true that these people share a history of resistance to empire and colonialism? Perhaps. But its just as true that all of these countries continue to inflict colonial violence on Indigenous people and that their economic elites are composed almost exclusively of people who could accurately be described as white. Besides, long before the name of the region became a synonym for resistance against Yankee imperialism, the term was popularized by nineteenth-century Frenchmen who, finding it difficult to justify their imperial designs in a part of the world to which they had no connection, were forced to reach back to Ancient Rome and cast themselves as the champions of the Latin race. More here. Haiti - FLASH : 6 men sentenced to pay $6.2M in damages to Martine Moise and her son Joverlein 6 men found guilty in the case of the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34162-haiti-flash-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-by-mercenaries-official-updated-7am-+-video.html were ordered in the United States to pay damages for the death of President Moise, to his widow and to his eldest son Joverlein Moise for a total of $6.2 millions, according to the restitution order issued by Federal Judge Jose E. Martinez of Miami. The 6 convicted defendants are : Rodolphe Jaar, a Haitian-Chilean businessman https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39685-haiti-flash-rodolphe-jaar-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-in-the-usa-in-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html ; Joseph Joel John, former Haitian senator https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41249-haiti-flash-former-senator-joseph-joel-john-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-in-the-assassination-of-jovenel-moise.html ; Joseph Vincent, a Haitian-American who worked as an informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41640-haiti-assassination-of-the-president-a-4th-accused-sentenced-to-life-in-prison.html ; German Alejandro Rivera Garcia, alias "Colonel Mike", a former Colombian military officer who led the commando https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40834-haiti-flash-assassination-of-the-president-a-member-of-the-colombian-commando-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-in-the-usa.html and Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, a former Colombian soldier recruited by Rivera https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41791-haiti-assassination-of-jovenel-moise-mario-palacios-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment.html These people were sentenced to life in prison, but they are cooperating with federal prosecutors and the FBI in the hope to obtain a reduced sentence... A sixth defendant, Frederick Bergmann, was sentenced to nine years in prison for violating federal laws and shipping to Haiti ballistic vests used by the Colombian commandos who carried out the deadly attack on the President. 5 other detainees await trial, they are accused of plotting in South Florida to kill the Haitian President and risk life in prison. They are: Antonio Intriago alias "Tony", Director of a security company in the Miami area, "Counter Terrorist Unit Security" (CTU); Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, a former FBI informant when he joined Intriago; Walter Veintemilla, a Broward County financier; James Solages, a Haitian-American and Sanon who was initially seen by the group as Jovenel Moise's successor as leader of Haiti. In the restitution agreement filed last week in Miami federal court, Judge Martinez did not identify the widow and eldest son by name in his final ruling. They are listed as "Victim 1" and "Victim 2". However, Paul Turner, Martine Moise's lawyer claims that Victim 1 is his client; Others familiar with the matter say President Joverlein's eldest son, Moise, is victim 2. Of this sum, Martine Moise (who currently lives in South Florida) is to receive $5,305,387 while Joverlein Moise will receive $865,396. However, in reality it remains to be seen how much the widow and eldest son of the President will receive when the we know that only 1 of the 6 condemned owns some property... Turner said he provided the team of federal prosecutors with receipts for Martine Moise's medical treatment at Jackson Memorial Hospital as well as other expenses related to her travel and security, characterizing the amount as restitution of compromise. Asked about the challenge of recovering damages Turner acknowledged the difficulty and said he hoped to eventually add other defendants with deeper pockets to the trial... The judge's order does not specify why the defendants were ordered to compensate Joverlein Moise who was not present in the house at the time of the assassination. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39685-haiti-flash-rodolphe-jaar-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-in-the-usa-in-the-assassination-of-president-moise.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41249-haiti-flash-former-senator-joseph-joel-john-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-in-the-assassination-of-jovenel-moise.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41640-haiti-assassination-of-the-president-a-4th-accused-sentenced-to-life-in-prison.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40834-haiti-flash-assassination-of-the-president-a-member-of-the-colombian-commando-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-in-the-usa.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41791-haiti-assassination-of-jovenel-moise-mario-palacios-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34162-haiti-flash-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-by-mercenaries-official-updated-7am-+-video.html TB/ SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : The PM exchanges with many businessmen and businesswomen Friday June 7, 2024, the Prime Minister, Garry Conille, held a meeting with many businessmen and businesswomen from different employers' associations. In a warm and friendly atmosphere various points were discussed, in particular : insecurity and its negative impacts on economic activities and the humanitarian crisis caused by the violence of armed groups. The discussions also made it possible to address other issues likely to have an impact on the business climate, such as the upcoming entry into force of the Tax Code, smuggling and corruption. Conille also shared the major priorities of his next Government called to take, in concert with the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), all the necessary measures to reestablish a security environment and the implementation of a plan of humanitarian response. He said he counted on the contribution of the private sector in the search for lasting solutions to the current crisis. In this context, he wishes to institutionalize a solid and permanent partnership between the State and employers, through the creation of a space for meetings and discussions, with a view to identifying the means to be implemented to be able to respond to concerns and difficulties expressed by stakeholders. This space, which must be a real place for social dialogue and transparent consultation, could contribute to the harmonization, consolidation and dynamism between the State and the private business sector. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... 5 Ministries will be twinned The Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) and Prime Minister Garry Conille envisage a ministerial cabinet of 13 ministries, 5 of which will be twinned. The Ministry of Agriculture will be twinned with that of the Environment; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be twinned with the Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad; the Ministry of Planning with that of Economy and Finance; The Ministry of Commerce with the Ministry of Tourism finally, the Ministry of National Education will be twinned with that of culture. In addition, 3 ministers without portfolio will be responsible for security, elections and solidarity. The inauguration and installation of the Transitional Government should take place next week. Journalist Desauguste named PM spokesperson The communications office of the Prime Minister informs that the journalist Jean Jul Desauguste has been appointed as Spokesperson for Prime Minister Garry Conille. Desauguste is a political communicator and communications trainer. Former candidate for deputy for Cap-Haitien, he is also the author of the book "The President has spoken". Government, things are moving slowly... Friday, June 7, the members of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) agreed by a vote to distribute the Ministries between the parties represented on the Council, who will each be responsible for proposing names (to be confirmed) for the Ministry which assigned to them. The CPT wishes courage to journalists As part of Latin American Press Freedom Day (June 7, 2024), the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) salutes the very important work carried out by journalists, in very often precarious and risky conditions. The CPT, while wishing courage to journalists, is committed to guaranteeing free access to information at the public administration level. Presidential Advisor St-Cyr in Norway The Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) informs that Councilor-Laurent Saint-Cyr is invited to participate in the Oslo High-Level Forum which will take place in Norway from June 9 to 13, 2024. This Forum will bring together experts, from internationally renowned in mediation and conflict resolution. Saint-Cyr will return to the country on June 13, 2024. Argentina : "Pro Huerta" Program The Ambassador of Haiti Vilbert Belizaire, accompanied by the Minister Counselor Madame Olga Medor Ducasse, met with the new President of the White Helmets in Argentina, Ambassador Eduardo Porretti. They discussed the "Pro Huerta" program led by the White Helmets in Haiti, the Kirchner Hospital in the city of Corail and Haitis support to the OAS in favor of the White Helmets. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2287-haiti-argentina-food-self-sufficiency-soon-a-reality-in-haiti.html HL/ HaitiLibre Aquarius (20th January to 18th February) Weekly Horoscope Prediction says, Stand by the principles Weekly Horoscope Aquarius, June 9-15, 2024. You can be caring and this will make the love affair more romantic. This week, expect a happy love life along with a successful professional one. Consider smart financial investments and no major illness will trouble you. Do not dig into the past in the relationship to enjoy the day. Stay committed to the job to accomplish every assigned task. Both health and wealth will bless you this week. Aquarius Love Horoscope This Week Be a good listener and also suggest solutions for the problems. You can be caring and this will make the love affair more romantic. Office romance sounds good in fiction work but married male natives must not fall into it as the family life will be compromised. Single Aquarius natives may meet someone special in the first part of the week. Wait to analyze things before you propose. Some long-distance love affairs may not be as smooth as they appear. Work on this to make it make it smooth. Aquarius Career Horoscope This Week Your performance may not be up to the mark in the first part of the day. This may invite the ire of the manager or senior. However, things will be back on track as the week progresses and you will succeed in accomplishing the targets. Your attitude is crucial at team meetings and be cordial with the team at the workplace. New assignments will need you to stay extra hours at the workplace. Aquarius Money Horoscope This Week You are financially good and this allows you to fulfill long-pending dreams. You may buy jewelry and also plan a vacation abroad. Businessmen may have fund-related issues but a client or a partner can be of great help here. The second part of the week is good for settling an existing monetary dispute with a relative or sibling. You may also opt for investments in stock, trade, and speculative business. Aquarius Health Horoscope This Week Your health will be intact this week and no serious health issues will disturb you. Some Aries natives may complain about chest pain or breathing issues and you need to consult a doctor whenever feeling uneasiness. Office pressure should be left outside the home while entering. You can pick the first part of the week to quit tobacco and alcohol. Aquarius Sign Attributes Strength: Tolerant, Ideal, Friendly, Charitable, Independent, Logical Weakness: Disobedient, Liberalistic, Rebel Symbol: Water carrier Element: Air Body Part: Ankles & Legs Sign Ruler: Uranus Lucky Day: Saturday Lucky Color: Navy Blue Lucky Number: 22 Lucky Stone: Blue Sapphire Aquarius Sign Compatibility Chart Natural affinity: Aries, Gemini, Libra, Sagittarius Good compatibility: Leo, Aquarius Fair compatibility: Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn, Pisces Less compatibility: Taurus, Scorpio By: Dr. J. N. Pandey Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert E-mail: djnpandey@gmail.com Phone: 9811107060 (WhatsApp Only) For the first time, aquaculture production has exceeded the catch from traditional fisheries, the U.N. food and agriculture agency said on Friday, with just 10 countries - China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, the Philippines, South Korea, Norway, Egypt and Chile - accounting for almost 90% of all aquaculture production, according to a Reuters report. India is currently the second-largest aquaculture shrimp producer at 900,000 tonne in 2022, after Ecuador. (Shutterstock) Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants and algae in controlled environments. Also Read | Biodiversity solutions to battle heatwave menace In its latest biennial report on the state of world fisheries, the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said global fisheries and aquaculture production in 2022 hit a record 223.2 million tonnes. FAO said aquaculture production hit an unprecedented 130.9 million tonnes in 2022, of which 94.4 million tonnes were aquatic animals - 51% of the total aquatic animal production. "These numbers demonstrate the potential for aquaculture to feed the growing world population," FAO assistant director general, Manuel Barange, told Reuters. "It's been the fastest growing food production system (in the world) for the last five decades," he added. Also Read | Rare species of fish with 4 eyes discovered in Assam's Karimganj. Watch viral video FAO said it is also important to develop the industry elsewhere, especially in Africa, which is currently a net importer of fish. Critics, however say aquafarming can damage the environment and put disease and invasive species into the wild, but FAO says this can be avoided by having proper regulation and monitoring. The global per capita annual consumption of aquatic animal foods, a key source of protein for millions around the world, totalled 20.7 kg in 2022, up from 9.1 kg in 1961, and was set to rise further in the years ahead, the report read. The haul from captured fisheries has remained stable since the late 1980s, equalling 92.3 million tonnes in 2022. Also Read | Fishermen go fishing, ignoring IMD warning not to venture out in North Bay of Bengal However, latest data showed 37.7% of fish stocks in the world's marine fisheries were classified as overfished in 2021 - a continuous, increasing trend since 1974 when the figure stood at just 10%, FAO said. The issue of sustainability is of great concern to us, Barange said, adding however, that many larger commercial fisheries were being well managed, including tuna stocks, now approaching 90% levels of sustainability. "This is a remarkable improvement over the last decade," he said. Barange said that 80% of the top 10 marine species consumed by humans, were being sustainably exploited. Prominent media baron Cherukuri Ramoji Rao, chairman of Ramoji Group and Padma Vibhushan awardee, passed away after prolonged illness in the early hours of Saturday, his family members said. Cherukuri Ramoji Rao(X/ @kishanreddybjp) He was 87. He is survived by his wife Rama Devi and son Ch Kiran, who is heading the Eenadu group of publications and ETV channels. His younger son, Cherukuri Suman, died of leukemia on September 7, 2012. Rao had been suffering from chronic illness and age-related health complications for a long time. He was admitted to Star Hospitals of Nanakramguda in Hyderabad on June 5 afternoon due to respiratory issues and high blood pressure. He was being treated with ventilator support and was in a critical condition. He breathed his last at Star Hospitals at Nanakramguda at around 4.50 am. His body is being taken to his residence in the Ramoji Film City on the outskirts of Hyderabad in a while, a family member said. Born on November 16, 1936, Ramoji Rao established a massive business empire, including Margadarsi Chit Funds, Eenadu Telugu daily, ETV network of television channels, film production company Usha Kiran Movies and the worlds largest film production facility Ramoji Film City (RFC). He also owns Dolphin group of hotels, Kalanjali Saree Showrooms, Priya Foods and Mayuri Film Distributors. Raos films under the Usha Kiran Movies banner won several state and national awards. In 2016, he was honoured with Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of the country for his contributions in journalism, literature and education. NDA Parliamentary leader and Prime Minister-elect, Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed his gratitude to Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for his congratulatory greetings to the former on winning the 2024 India general elections. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hand with Tesla chief executive Elon Musk (via REUTERS) Follow LIVE Updates Modi appreciated the billionaire's wishes and said that the youth of the country, predictable policies and stable democratic polity will continue to provide the business environment for the business partners. "Appreciate your greetings @elonmusk. The talented Indian youth, our demography, predictable policies and stable democratic polity will continue to provide the business environment for all our partners," he said in a post on X. Three days after the Lok Sabha results were announced on Tuesday, Musk extended his wishes to Modi and talked about the future of his companies in India. Congratulations @narendramodi on your victory in the worlds largest democratic elections! Looking forward to my companies doing exciting work in India," he said. Tesla CEO Elon Musk congratulates Narendra Modi ahead of swearing-in On Friday, President Droupadi Murmu appointed Narendra Modi as the prime minister-designate after he was elected as the leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners submitted their letters of support. In the recently held elections, the BJP-led NDA won 293 seats, while the opposition's INDIA bloc won 234 seats out of the 543 parliamentary constituencies. Meanwhile, speculations are rife that Musk would put up his first Indian Tesla plant in Maharashtra, Gujarat or Tamil Nadu. The potential $3 billion investment by the automobile maker comes at a time when India, earlier this year, lowered its import taxes on certain electric vehicles produced by carmakers that commit to invest at least $500 million. Narendra Modi's swearing-in: 7 foreign leaders among 8,000 guests; Delhi on high alert Musk was also scheduled to visit India between April 20 and 22, but his trip was cancelled at the last minute. He cancelled his visit citing heavy obligations from Tesla, and expressed his plans to visit the country later this year. Apart from Musk, dozens of businessmen and world leaders congratulated Modi on his win in the elections including US President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron. The Mohali police on Friday booked the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) woman constable for allegedly slapping and abusing newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut at the Chandigarh airport. Newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut arrives at the Parliament Annexe building, in New Delhi on Friday.(ANI) Police have booked the CISF constable, identified as Kulwinder Kaur, on the basis of a complaint lodged by Ranaut. Police have registered a case against the CISF constable under Sections 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 (Whoever wrongfully restrains any person) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) following the complaint of CISF at Airport Mohali police station. Both are bailable sections, and the accused is yet to be arrested, an officer familiar with the matter said. CISF DIG Vinay Kumar Kajla, who arrived at the Chandigarh Airport on Friday to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, said: She has not been arrested, she has been suspended. Enquiries are on to determine and ascertain what caused this outburst. It seems to be a rush of blood to her head, based on the past statements passed by the MP. It is a tragic incident. Also Read | When you say stupid things': Akali Dal leader slams Kangana Ranaut The incident occurred around 3 pm on Thursday at the Chandigarh airport security checkpoint ahead of Ranauts flight to Delhi. The BJP MP, in her video, alleged that the constable approached her from the side as she was waiting in the security check area, hit her and began hurling abuses at her, seemingly without any provocation. When Ranaut asked for the reason for her behaviour, Kaur allegedly told Ranaut that she was a supporter of the farmers protests. Kajla said: Kaur was on the frisking booth and MP was on the adjacent frisking booth, there was no direct contact between them till the point of altercation... We are also reviewing security protocols for visits by senior functionaries to our airport. Kaurs husband is also posted with CISF in Jammu and the couple have two children. We have sent her husband also on leave for a few days to normalise the family. We are also reviewing security protocols, the CISF DIG added. The officials are yet to officially comment on the motive of the alleged assault, Ranaut in a video clip linked it to extremism and terrorism in Punjab, although a video of the suspect appeared to suggest she lashed out over the Mandi MP-elects stand on the farmers protest. Also Read | A day after, CISF constable booked for assaulting BJP MP Kangana Ranaut Meanwhile, farmer outfits on Friday threw their weight behind the CISF constable and said that the incident needs to be properly investigated. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) were among the prominent outfits whose leaders met Punjabs director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav and demanded a thorough probe. SKM (Non-Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said: The main issue which we raised is that there should be no injustice to the constable. We have been assured that investigations are being held in an impartial manner, Dallewal said after the meeting. KMM general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher was also present at the meeting. Farmer unions announced a protest march on June 9 from Amb Sahib gurdwara in Mohali to the SSP office, demanding justice for the CISF constable. Many politicians, including former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and former Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur and Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar condemned the incident. The electoral battle in Himachal has remained largely bipolar, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress dominating the contests. Looking to make inroads, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) fielded candidates on all four seats only to face a drubbing failing to even match the None of The Above (NOTA) figures. The vote share of all four BSP candidates added up to a paltry 21,404 votes (0.52%), even lower than NOTAs 23,125 (0.57%). (HT File) According to the Election Commission of India (ECI) website, the vote share of all four BSP candidates added up to a paltry 21,404 votes (0.52%), even lower than NOTAs 23,125 (0.57%). All four candidates lost their security deposits. NOTA was first introduced in 2013 in the country and gives an option to voters to reject all candidates contesting from a constituency. It was only in the Shimla and Kangra parliamentary constituencies where the BSP candidates managed to get more votes than NOTA. In Shimla, the party candidate secured 6,500 votes compared to 5,930 votes polled for NOTA. Similarly, the BSP candidate in Kangra polled 7,753 votes compared to 6,372 votes for NOTA. In Hamirpur and Mandi, NOTA polled more votes than BSP candidates. The party candidate in Hamirpur polled 2,758 votes, while NOTA got 5,178 votes. In Mandi, NOTA polled 5,645 votes compared to BSP candidates 4,393 votes. Notably, most of the independent candidates who were in fray also got fewer votes than NOTA in the four constituencies of Himachal. Mridula Sharda of Central University of Himachal Pradeshs (CUHP) department of political science and international relations, said Himachal politics has traditionally been a bipartite system. It is one of the developed political systems. All the castes and sections of the society already find a space in these two parties and the emergence of a third front is difficult, she added. 29 candidates lose security deposit Of the total 37 candidates who were in fray in the four constituencies in Himachal, 29 have lost their security deposits as they failed to meet the required vote threshold, according to the details shared by the chief elector officer Maneesh Garg. If the candidate gets less than one-sixth of the total number of valid votes cast in the constituency, his/her security deposit is lost. The security deposit amounts to 25,000 for general candidates and 12,500 for scheduled caste and scheduled tribe nominees. In Kangra and Mandi, eight out of ten candidates in each constituency lost their security deposits. In Hamirpur, ten out of twelve candidates faced the same fate. Similarly, in Shimla, three out of five candidates lost their security deposits. {J&K Lok Sabha polls} Analysts say the NC and Congress decision to come together yielded good results for them in the Lok Sabha polls and that the parties can replicate the success in the assembly elections as well. (HT File) The INDIA bloc partners National Conference (NC) and Congress have received 41.6 % of the total votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections, an analysis of the Election Commission of India data shows. In contrast, the parties that opposed the bloc Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Apni Party (AP) and Peoples Conference (PC) collectively managed to muster 31.7% of the votes. An analysis of the Form 20 result sheets of all five parliamentary constituencies from the UT revealed that 51.59 lakh people cast their vote in the elections. Of these, the NC and the Congress candidates managed to secure 21.45 lakh votes while the BJP, the AP and the PCs tally added up to 16.4 lakh votes. Analysts say the NC and Congress decision to come together yielded good results for them in the Lok Sabha polls and that the parties can replicate the success in the assembly elections as well. If the alliance continues, they have a fair chance of doing well in the coming election. In 54 of the assembly segments of three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir, they have a majority in 34. In Chenab valley also they have fared well in four segments. They have to do some work in Jammu where BJP has been in a good position, a political analyst not wishing to be named said. As part of the INDIA bloc seat-sharing talks, the NC fought from the three seats falling under Kashmir while the Congress contested the two seats from the Jammu division. The BJP had contested in the two seats of Jammu division, while AP contested from Anantnag and Srinagar and PC from Baramulla in Kashmir. NC and BJP won two seats each, while independent jailed leader Engineer Rashid sprung a surprise in Kashmirs Baramulla. Another analyst, again on condition of anonymity, however, said that the voting pattern for the Lok Sabha and assembly election patterns differ. The pattern shifts in assembly elections. It is not necessary that the alliance will work in assembly elections as well. For example, Delhi votes for BJP in Lok Sabha election and chooses AAP candidates in Assembly, he said. The individual party whose candidates got the highest percentage of votes was BJP at 24.4% ( 12.58 lakh) followed by NC with 22.2% votes(11.47 lakh) and Congress with 19.3% votes (9.98 lakh). BJP leader Altaf Thakur said the party managed to get the highest vote share in Jammu and Kashmir. In the 36 assembly segments of the two Lok Sabha seats of Jammu division where we fought, we were leading in 29 segments. That means the support of people is for BJP. We will replicate this in the assembly as well and cross 50, he said. Prominent independent candidate Engineer Abdul Rashid, who contested in only one seat of Baramulla, was voted to power by 4.72 lakh people contributing 9.1% to total polled vote share. People Democratic Party, which contested in all three seats of Kashmir, managed to get 4.35 lakh votes collectively which forms 8.4% of the total polled vote share. Smaller parties like AP, which contested in two seats, and PC, which contested in one seat in Kashmir got 4% and 3.3% vote share respectively. Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Ludhiana East MLA Daljit Singh Grewal has directed officials of the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) to ensure no power-related problems occur in the area. Grewal held a meeting on Saturday with PSPCL distribution director DPS Grewal, chief engineer Inderpal Singh and senior engineer Surjit Singh, along with other senior officials. During the meeting, MLA Grewal instructed the department to replace transformers promptly, if needed, and fix any deteriorating wires. (HT Photo) On Friday, PSPCL employees started an indefinite strike at the Sunder Nagar division, seeking a case against the AAP MLAs supporters for allegedly mistreating, threatening and attempting to assault two junior engineers (JEs). The protesters pushed for quick and concrete police action in the case. During the meeting, MLA Grewal instructed the department to replace transformers promptly, if needed, and fix any deteriorating wires. Senior officials assured that these tasks would be completed soon. The MLA said that due to the intense heat, residents have been facing electricity-related problems. He emphasised that immediate action was required to replace faulty transformers, wires or boxes to resolve these issues. In yet another incident, a factory owner was allegedly abducted by miscreants and robbed of cash. The The victim, Shivam Kheri, 29, alleged that the victims forced him to sign a sale deed and transfer money using United Payments Interface (UPI). The accused allegedly thrashed and robbed him of cash dropping him near Arora Cinema on Gill Road. Following a complaint by the factory owner, who is a resident of Simran Enclave in Haibowal Kalan, police registered a first-information report (FIR) against Harjot Singh and Harmanpreet Singh. (HT File) Following a complaint by the factory owner, who is a resident of Simran Enclave in Haibowal Kalan, police registered a first-information report (FIR) against Harjot Singh and Harmanpreet Singh. Officials said one of their aides was yet to be identified. The complainant owns a packing unit near Link Road, Dholewal. According to Kheri, he was at his office when Harjot Singh and Harmanpreet Singh turned up in a Tata Indigo car. Harjot Singh, who is an acquaintance, asked him to sit in the car on the pretext of a business deal. As I sat in the car, they overpowered me and threatened me to stay silent. The accused, laced with sharp-edged weapons, robbed me of 13,000. The accused forced me to transfer 15,000 through UPI. One of their aides drove my scooter away from my factory and the accused forced me to sign a sale deed for the vehicle, said the complainant. The accused kept on driving the car around on city roads. Later, they dropped me near Arora Palace and fled. I then filed a complaint with the police, he added. The complainant said he had no rivalry with the accused and did not know their motives. Division Number 6 station-house officer (SHO) inspector Bikramjit Singh said that an FIR under sections 379 B (snatching), 365 (kidnapping), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (act done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against the accused. A hunt is on for their arrest, he said. This is the second such incident in Ludhiana in the past seven months. On November 17 last year, a gang of miscreants abducted a hosiery owner in a sports-utility vehicle (SUV) in a bid to extort money from his family. The accused forced Sambhav Jain to ask his wife to bring gold and cash to pay a ransom. After the miscreants suspected that they were being chased by police, they shot him in the foot and dropped him off at Vishwakarma Chowk. The car was later recovered from Haridwar. On November 29, 2023, two of the key accused were shot dead by the police in an encounter. Panic gripped locals near Pratap Chowk after four men allegedly abducted a woman in a car on Thursday. After the onlookers reported the matter to the police control room, the Division Number 6 police registered a first-information report (FIR) against unidentified accused. The FIR was lodged following the statement of an onlooker, Divyanshu Sharma of Flower Enclave. (HT File) Family dispute, kin forced her into car: Police Police traced the woman and determined during investigation that she had a dispute with her family members, who had forced her to sit in the car. The woman did not record her statement against her family members. Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Balbir Singh, who is investigating the case, said as onlookers reported the abduction of the woman and it sounded serious, the police registered an FIR under sections 365 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against unidentified accused. He added that the woman was unwilling to pursue the matter and police have initiated a procedure to cancel the FIR. The FIR was lodged following the statement of an onlooker, Divyanshu Sharma of Flower Enclave. He said that he was crossing from Partap Chowk on June 6 when he noticed four men abducting a woman. The accused dragged her inside a Maruti Suzuki 800 car and fled, he alleged. Piqued by rejection of his marriage proposal, a stalker hacked a 32-year-old woman to death with a sword in broad daylight outside Gurdwara Shri Sahibwara Pathshahi Nauvi in Phase 5 on Saturday morning, police said. Victim Baljinder Kaur, 32, a call centre employee, who was murdered by a stalker in Phase 5, Mohali, on Saturday morning. (HT file photo) The victim, Baljinder Kaur, 32, worked at a call centre in Phase 5. The sole breadwinner of her family, she had been travelling daily by bus from Fatehpur Jattan in Fatehgarh Sahib district, 35 km from Mohali, to her workplace in Phase 5 for the past four years. Police said the accused, Sukhchain Singh, 36, works at a petrol station in Ludhiana districts Samrala town and was taken into custody, but not before he had injured a policeman with the sword. According to police, the victim and the accused knew each other for the past four years. She had recently rejected his marriage proposal, which spurred him to attack her. CCTV footage of the incident showed Baljinder crossing the road with her two friends while on the way to their workplace around 8.30 am, when Sukhchain, who was lying in wait under a tree on the roadside, pulled out a sword from his backpack and attacked her. Baljinder ran towards the main road to save herself, but fell after a vehicle hit her. Sukhchain proceeded to hack her with the sword multiple times, killing her on the spot. After committing the crime, Sukhchain walked for several metres, displaying the blood-stained sword, leaving pedestrians and passers-by shocked. Passers-by help nab accused A passer-by Maninder Singh, 25, who works as a lab technician, started chasing the accused with two Zomato delivery guys. Later, more people joined them and helped the police catch the accused, who had reached the Phase 4 park by then. The passers-by and police managed to overpower him, but not before he injured a policeman on the shoulder with the sword. Having been thrashed by passers-by, the accused was admitted to the civil hospital in Phase 6 with injuries. The victim was declared brought dead. The body was moved to the mortuary for postmortem. The woman sustained grievous injuries on the arms and head. She suffered excessive blood loss before reaching hospital and was declared brought dead. The cause of her death will be ascertained after postmortem, said HS Cheema, senior medical officer, civil hospital, Phase 6, Mohali. Harbir Singh Atwal, superintendent of police, Mohali city, said, We received information about the attack around 8.45 am. We identified the accused and took him into custody within two hours. The CCTV footage is self-evident. We have rounded up the accused and the weapon used in the crime, along with his bag, has been recovered. Punjab Women Commission chairperson Raj Lali Gill said, The accused had done something similar around eight months ago. A complaint was registered against him at the Phase 1 police station. Panchayat members of his village had taken responsibility that he will not follow Baljinder. The family demands strong action. I have given my contact number to them. On the other hand, Sukhchains mother said he was a kabaddi player, but had not been playing due to a ligament injury. She said he had quit his job on June 1 and left home empty-handed around 6 am on Saturday. She claimed that both Sukhchain and Baljinder were in a relationship and planned to get married, adding that Baljinder had visited their home twice. Sole breadwinner was working for better future for younger siblings As the sole breadwinner of her family, Baljinder always put her parents and siblings needs above her own, according to her family members. She belonged to a middle-class farmer family and was known for her hardworking nature and dedication to her loved ones. Along with her parents, she leaves behind a younger brother and sister. The victims grief-stricken family members rushed to the civil hospital in Mohalis Phase 6 upon receiving the devastating news. They claimed that the accused had been troubling Baljinder. Her father, a heart patient, who recently underwent surgery, was inconsolable. Baljinders uncle spoke of her tireless efforts to uplift her family financially. Just six months ago, she had sent her younger brother to Italy, hoping to secure a better future for him. We asked her to get married, but she said let me settle down my younger brother and sister first, her uncle recalled. Despite long working hours at her call centre job and the tedious daily commute between Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali, Baljinder would handle the household chores and take care of the cattle. A manager at her call centre said, She was working with us for the past four years. The incident occurred during busy morning hours and there were quite a lot of people on the road, but no one intervened to stop the accused. Besides the Gujjar community, National Conferences MP-elect from Anantnag-Rajouri Mian Altaf, who defeated former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, found pivotal support from the Congress base as the party was able to transfer its votes to the party not only in South Kashmir but also in Pir Panchal region comprising Rajouri and Poonch areas. Congress did not contest from three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir and instead backed the NC as part of the INDIA bloc seat-sharing arrangements. (HT File) Congress did not contest from three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir and instead backed the NC as part of the INDIA bloc seat-sharing arrangements. The party leaders campaigned for NC candidates in all three seats helping them consolidate votes. Muftis Peoples Democratic Party was also part of the Opposition INDIA bloc, but fielded candidates in all three seats falling under the Valley after seat-sharing talks fell apart. Congress former Jammu and Kashmir unit president Ghulam Ahmad Mir said every Congressman in Kashmir knew how important their votes were for the INDIA bloc and ensured enthusiastic participation in campaigning. In South Kashmir, the assembly segments represented by Congress saw NC candidates get good leads, he noted, while referring to segments including Dooru, Devsar, Anantnag and Shangus where Altaf enjoyed comfortable leads. Even in the Rajouri and Poonch areas, Congress workers and supporters came out in large numbers to vote for the NC candidate, he added. Congress general secretary Mir Iqbal said party workers were actively involved in the campaigning for the INDIA bloc candidates on all three seats of Kashmir. We are happy that in Jammu our vote share has increased in good numbers and also in Kashmir participation from Congress workers is very good. Our party is in revival mode, he said, adding that in the Jammu division, the alliance candidates found themselves comfortably placed. Three people died and six others were injured after a massive fire broke out at a food processing unit in outer Delhi's Narela area on Saturday morning. According to the police, the fire broke out around 3:38 am in Shayam Kripa Foods Private Ltd, which processes dry moong dal. 3 killed, 6 injured as massive fire breaks out at food processing unit in Delhi's Narela The massive fire engulfed the entire factory, trapping some workers in it. Following the fire call, 14 fire tenders were rushed to the incident spot, a Delhi Fire Service (DFS) official said. Nine people were rescued from the factory and have been shifted to a nearby SHRC hospital. Out of these, three people were declared dead. The deceased persons have been identified as Shyam (24), Ram Singh (30), and Beerpal (42), all factory workers. According to the preliminary investigation, the blaze started after a gas leak in one of the pipelines. The gas was supplied to burners used for roasting moong dal. The fire also led to overheating of a compressor inside the factory, causing it to blast, the police said. The police have registered a case against the factory owners - Ankit Gupta and Vinay Gupta. Further investigation is underway. Last month, a massive fire broke out on three floors of a plastic factory in Narela's Bhorgarh industrial area in the national capital. The incident reportedly took place around 8:50 am. According to officials, 30 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and a preliminary report suggested that the fire was caused by a short circuit on the factory's first floor. Meanwhile, on Friday, a major fire broke out at a two-storey building housing an eye hospital in Lajpat Nagar along the Ring Road. According to the police, no patients were in the building when the fire broke out, and the few staffers who were present at the time escaped without injuries. (With inputs from Jignasa Sinha, PTI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) minister Atishi on Saturday warned of potential chaos in Delhi, alleging that the neighbouring state Haryana was withholding capital's rightful share of water. Atishi noted that while the Supreme Court is actively working to address Delhi's water crisis, Haryana's actions are exacerbating the problem. People queue up for water from tanker amid crisis in New Delhi (PTI Photo) "On one hand, the Supreme Court is trying to solve the water crisis in Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh is ready to give more water to Delhi. On the other hand, Haryana is blocking Delhi's share of water," Atishi told reporters. Atishi explained that under an agreement among Haryana, Delhi, and the Upper Yamuna region, Delhi is supposed to receive 1,050 cusecs of water daily through the Munak Canal. "Two sub-canals of the Munak Canal supply this water, and it's measured by a flow meter. Historically, about 980 to 1,000 cusecs reach Delhi. However, since June 1, this flow has significantly decreased. On June 7, only 840 cusecs were delivered," she said. The minister said this reduction is already affecting Delhi's water treatment plants, including those at Bawana, Nangloi, Haiderpur, Wazirabad, Chandrawal, and Okhla. Water goes to 7 plants of Delhi through this canal. If water does not reach here, then there will be chaos in the entire Delhi, Atishi warned. "We are at the entry point of water in Delhi, and the flow meter shows a significant drop in water yesterday. The Haryana government must explain where the water is going if they are releasing the full amount. It is impossible for 100-150 cusecs to simply disappear. This indicates that Haryana is intentionally releasing less water, causing distress to Delhi's residents and defying the Supreme Court's directive," she added. Kolkata: Sleuths of the West Bengal polices Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have arrested a person identified as Siam Hossain, who allegedly played a key role in disposing of the body parts of murdered Bangladesh MP Md Anwarul Azim Anar, a top official has confirmed. (Representative Photo) We have arrested one Siam Hossain from Bongaon in North 24 Parganas on Friday evening. He was trying to cross over to Bangladesh. His role is being investigated, said AK Chaturvedi, Inspector general of police (IG) of CID. Investigation so far has revealed that it was Hossain and another accused, Jihad Hawaldar, who was arrested on May 23, disposed of the body parts and murder weapons. They were dumped in a canal. In all, five persons have been arrested till date by both the CID and Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Bangladesh. While three persons were arrested by Dhaka police, CID arrested Hossain and Hawaldar. 56-year-old Awami League MP Anar, who was in Kolkata for medical treatment on May 12, went incommunicado on May 17, according to a complaint filed by his acquaintance on May 18. Anar was allegedly murdered in a posh flat in the New Town area near Kolkata. According to the police, after Azim was murdered in the New Town apartment in Kolkata, it was Hawaldar, a professional butcher brought in from Mumbai, who deskinned the body, segregated the flesh from the bones and chopped the body parts. While the flesh was flushed in a commode the bones and murder weapons were reportedly disposed of by Hossain and Hawaldar in a canal. We are yet to trace the victims body or any body parts. Some flesh was recovered from a septic tank in the New Town apartment where the MP was murdered. They have been sent for forensic analysis to ascertain whether they belong to any humans, said an officer. The mastermind of the murder, Aktaruzzaman Shahin, who was a long-term business partner of the murdered MP is still absconding. He is believed to have fled to the US. In all, 2,23,384 candidates will appear in the Uttar Pradesh B.Ed Joint Entrance Examination 2024 being conducted by the Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, in 51 districts of the state on Sunday, said Vinay Singh, registrar of the university on Saturday. Candidates leaving the exam centre after taking the exam (HT File Photo) The examination will be held at 470 examination cadres in two shifts of three-hour duration each. The first shift will be from 9 am to 12 noon and the second shift will be from 2 pm to 5 pm. A total of 1,21,367 men and 1,02,016 women and one transgender will take the exam. In Lucknow, 7,328 candidates will write the exam at 15 centres. A total of 1,717 candidates will appear in the exam at 4 centres in Lakhimpur, 1,284 students to take the exam at three centres of Rae Bareli, 979 students in two centres in Sitapur and 1,549 candidates at three centres of Hardoi, said RB Singh, coordinator for the exam in Lucknow. Of the 2,23,384 candidates, 1,745 of them opted for agriculture stream, 1,36,662 from arts stream, 12,633 for commerce and 72,344 for science. Of these, 1,08,656 are from general category, 69,407 from OBC, 44,369 SC and 952 are Scheduled Tribe candidates. To conduct the examination successfully, university representatives have been sent from Bundelkhand University to all 51 districts. Depending upon the number of centres, two to three university representatives have been sent. These representatives have reached their area on June 6 and held necessary meetings with the authorities concerned there. Meetings have also been organised with district officials of various districts and all arrangements are being made for the examination, the registrar of Bundelkhand University said. For the preparation of the examination, Prof Mukesh Pandey, vice-chancellor, Bundelkhand University, held a meeting with other vice-chancellors, registrars, university coordinators, district coordinators, nodal, deputy nodal officer, regional higher education officer of Uttar Pradesh state and gave necessary guidelines. On June 5, chief secretary, DS Mishra, held a meeting with the district magistrates and officials concerned of all districts and gave necessary guidelines for the examination. Elaborate arrangements have been made at the B.Ed Control Room at Bundelkhand University to monitor all examination centres. Artificial Intelligence based technology is being used by Bundelkhand University to ensure security and to maintain the sanctity of the examination. AI-enabled CCTV cameras have been installed in all the examination rooms of all examination centres, which will be monitored in the control room located in the organising university. Information about any unusual activity in the examination halls will immediately be received in the control room located in the university through an alarm. AI-enabled CCTV cameras have also been installed in the control room of the examination centres. Information about the entry of any unauthorised person in this room will immediately be received in the control room located in the university through an alarm. Apart from this, information about opening the box of confidential material before the scheduled time will also be received in the control room located in the university. Unauthorised candidates can be identified by biometric fingerprint scanning and an e-based facial recognition system, said Singh. There has been a sharp decline in the number of candidates appearing for joint B Ed entrance examination over the years. In 2022, a total of 6,67,463 candidates had registered for the exam. And this year only 2,23,384 (2.23 lakh) candidates have registered: almost one-third fewer candidates this time. Examinees leaving after taking the test (HT File Photo) In fact, this year, there are fewer candidates than the total number of B Ed seats across the state. There are 2.40 lakh B Ed seats while total candidates registered are 2.23 lakh only, said Vinay Singh, registrar of Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, which is conducting the joint B Ed entrance examination. The statistics prove that a good 15% seats will be left vacant. With fewer number of applications, it is evident that there has been disillusionment among the youth for the B.Ed course. Prof RB Singh, who is coordinator for the B Ed entrance said, The time is not far when the UP government may have to take a call to put an end to conducting joint entrance exam for B Ed course in the state. Imagine in Lucknow only 7,328 candidates have registered for the exam, which will be conducted only at 15 centres of the state capital. Last year (2023), a total of 4,72,882 candidates had registered. It was more than double the number of applications received this year. In early 2010, the craze for B.Ed studies increased very rapidly and new colleges also opened. In 2021 for B Ed entrance, 5.91 lakh applications were received against 2.51 lakh seats. Likewise in 2022, some 6.67 lakh applications were received against 2.25 seats. After that, the number declined a bit from last year and only 4.74 lakh applications were received against 2.45 lakh seats. Even when more applications were received in the past, only half of the total seats were filled through counselling. In 2021, 1.19 lakh out of 2.51 lakh seats were filled, and in 2022, just 1.36 lakh students took admission in B Ed out against 2.25 lakh seats. Last year only 61,000 seats were filled. This was less than 25% of the total seats. This time, even applications have not been received. In such a situation, it will be difficult to fill seats this year and a large number of them will be left unoccupied. Why the disillusionment Last year, when the admission process was going on in B.Ed and BTC, the Supreme Court issued an order that B.Ed holders will not be eligible to teach till fifth standard. B.Ed qualification is not strictly implemented for teacher recruitment in private schools. In such a situation, the hope of getting a job has diminished from all sides and people have lost interest in B.Ed. Colleges are worried whether even 15-20% seats will be filled or not. In this regard, the state president of Uttar Pradesh Self-financed College Association office-bearers said that the situation is very bad. Lack of hope of getting a job is the main reason. The situation can improve only when there are timely recruitments in high schools and intermediate colleges. A newly-elected Shiv Sena Eknath Shinde faction member of parliament (MP) on Saturday claimed that two elected candidates from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction had contacted them to offer their support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Naresh Ganpat Mhaske, a first-time MP from the Thane constituency (Twitter/@nareshmhaske) Some people have contacted us as they have realised their mistakes. They are going to set themselves apart from UBT, Naresh Ganpat Mhaske, a first-time MP from the Thane constituency, said in a press conference on Saturday. Two of the elected candidates have realised their mistake, that this is not the Shiv Sena of Balasaheb Thackeray, and have contacted the chief minister (Eknath Shine) to offer their support to the NDA, he said. Mhaske won the Thane Lok Sabha constituency by 217,011 votes against his nearest rival and sitting parliamentarian Rajan Baburao Vichare of the UBT. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led ruling Mahayuti Alliance comprising Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spearheaded by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, won 17 of the 48 seats in the state. The Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SP), which are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), won 31 of the 48 seats. MUMBAI: After facing a major setback due to a stay on its release, the Bombay high court on Friday cleared the film Hamare Baarah, starring Annu Kapoor after the producers agreed to delete two contentious dialogues that the petitioner claimed were an incorrect depiction and distorted interpretation of the Quran. HT Image Hamare Baarah has been a topic of widespread discussion due to its narrative on overpopulation. The Karnataka government has temporarily banned the screening of Hamare Baarah for two weeks due to objections from Muslim organisations. The vacation bench of justice Kamal Khata and justice Rajesh Patil said the producers and other stakeholders in the film would be severely prejudiced if the release of the film was prohibited. We find equities are clearly in favour of the Respondent Nos 1 to 6 (producers and others associated with the film), said the bench. If an individual such as in this petition is permitted to stall the release of movies which have been duly certified by the CBFC it would encourage holding film producers to ransom, it added. The court was hearing a petition filed by Azhar Basha Tamboli, a resident of the Pune district, questioning certification granted to the film by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), claiming that the film was certified in complete contravention of provisions contained in the Cinematograph Act, 1952, concerned rules and guidelines and violated fundamental rights of the petitioner guaranteed under Articles 19(2) and 25 of the Constitution. He also claimed that the dialogues and visuals reflected from the trailer of the movie were derogatory to the Islamic faith, married Muslim women in India and were based on a misreading of Quranic verses. Acting on the petition, on June 5, another vacation bench had stayed the release of the movie which was scheduled to be exhibited in theatres across the country on Friday, though none appeared for the film producers on the date. On June 6, after the producer approached the court and sought to recall the stay order, the vacation bench ordered the CBFC to form a 3-member panel to review the film and give an independent opinion about it. But, on Friday, advocate Advait Sethna tendered a report of the panel, merely seeking an extension of time to submit its comments. Against this backdrop, as the release of the movie was being stalled, the producers agreed to delete the two dialogues to which objection was raised by the petitioner, said advocate Kavita N Solunke, who represented the state government in the matter. She added that the producers, however, clarified that they unambiguously and totally disagreed with the petitioners contentions about the verses mentioned in the film and that the deletions were being carried out without prejudice to the rights and contentions. YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Pashinyan, as part of his visit to Lori region, also visited Akhtala and got acquainted with the restoration work of the bridge that collapsed due to flooding, wrote Pashinyan on his Facebook page, attaching a video in which he talks to residents then he treats children with ice cream. "The residents were provided with the necessary food and other essential items by the government," posted Pashinyan. Residents thanked the Prime Minister for the quick restoration of the Akhtala bridge and support provided. Nikol Pashinyan, in turn, said during a conversation with the residents of Akhtala that a new bridge is necessary to be built. One of the residents told the Prime Minister that they were coordinating with Gnel Sanosyan, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, the issue of delivering food to the village. The Ahmedabad crime branch on Friday booked four individuals for the murder of 50-year-old journalist Manish Shah, who was attacked when he was riding his motorcycle to his office around on the night of June 1 by two bike-borne unknown assailants. Police said what seemed to be a plan for an assault to break the journalists legs escalated into a murder. (Representative Image) The attackers assaulted Shah with knives, specifically targeting his legs and inflicting severe wounds. Despite receiving medical attention at the city civil hospital, Shah succumbed to his injuries five days after the attack, said an official. Shah worked for a monthly magazine and channel called Public Press News, said officials. In his complaint Shah had alleged that someone upset with his news coverage might be behind the attack. The four accused, Mahipalsinh Champawat, Aakash Vaghela, Aniket Ode, and Vikas Ode, were initially booked at Riverfront East police station under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 506(2) (criminal intimidation), 114 (abettor present when offense is committed), and the Gujarat Police (GP) Act 135 (1) (Possession of arms or ammunition by unlicensed persons). Later, the more severe charges of IPC 302 (punishment for murder) and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) were added. Police said as the investigation unfolded, it emerged that Shahs strained relationship with his neighbours in the Vatwa region of Ahmedabad was the reason behind the incident. When police questioned Mahipalsinh Champawat, one of Shahs neighbors, they learned that Mahipalsinhs brother, Yuvraj, had been involved in an illicit affair with Shahs wife. Shah came to know about this, and in 2021, his wife filed a police complaint alleging rape against Yuvraj. As a result, Yuvraj was arrested. He got conditional bail from the court, with the condition that he should not enter the Vatwa police station area. After this incident, there were constant quarrels between Shah and Mahipalsinhs families, an official said on condition of anonymity. Fueled by resentment, Mahipalsinh approached Shaktisinh Chauhan from Sanand, who ran a paan shop there, and Chauhan introduced him to 22-year-old Akash Vaghela, also known as Akku. Mahipalsinh allegedly offered a contract to Akku, paying him 2 lakhs to break Shahs legs, the officer said. Akku then got in touch with Aniket Ode from Vadaj and Vikas Ode from Surat, offering them 1,20,000 to carry out the task of breaking Shahs legs. Both Vikas and Aniket met Mahipalsinh, who shared Shahs pictures and tracked his movements and provided them with his route, even showing them Shahs house, the officer added. Acting on this information, Vikas and Aniket chased Shah on a two-wheeler and signaled him to stop near the Sabarmati Riverfront on June 1. When Shah halted his bike, Vikas attacked him, thrusting a knife into his legs. Aniket and Vikas were paid 70,000 and 30,000, respectively, while Akash received 50,000, and Shaktisinh kept 30,000 for his role, the officer said. What seemed to be a plan for an assault to break Shahs legs has escalated into a murder, the officer added. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reached Ayodhya on Saturday and paid a visit to the Ram temple. Sarma is accompanied by 11 Assam MPs. He was received at the Ayodhya airport by Uttar Pradesh minister Satish Sharma and Ayodhya mayor Girish Pati Tripathi. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (HT File Photo) While talking to the media at the airport, Sarma said that he was shocked by BJPs defeat in Ayodhya. There are 542 seats in the country. Somewhere we will lose, somewhere we will win, there is no issue in that, Modi ji has already become the Prime Minister. He has got the blessings of Lord Ram. Before this, Jawaharlal Nehru had become the Prime Minister thrice in independent India and now Narendra Modi is going to become the Prime Minister for the third time. Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister for the fourth time also, I will pray to Ram Lalla to make Modi ji the Prime Minister of the country for the fourth time too. On the question of development of Ayodhya, Sarma said that it is clear how good Ayodhya is just by seeing the airport. HTC Panaji: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Goa till June 9 as heavy rainfall lashed across the state with parts of the state receiving close to 200mm of rainfall during 24 hours. (Representative Photo) The southwest monsoon which arrived in Goa on June 4 has been active in the state resulting in heavy rain in parts of Goa, including Canacona (192.2mm), Sanquelim (184.2mm) and Quepem (170.2mm), etc. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall likely at isolated places over North Goa & South Goa districts of the state, the IMD said in its bulletin on Saturday. Squally weather with wind speed 35 kmph to 45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph likely to prevail along and off North Maharashtra on June 8. Squally weather with wind speed 45 kmph to 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph likely to prevail along and off Maharashtra-Goa on 9th to 11th June, it said. Also Read: Monsoon expected to advance to Mumbai in 3-4 days: IMD The weather department further advised fishermen not to venture along and off the Maharashtra coast during the above-mentioned period. The monsoon meanwhile, has reached Ratnagiri on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra and is expected to progress further over the coming days. The Northern Limit of Monsoon continues to pass through Ratnagiri, Solapur, Medak, Bhadrachalam, Vizianagaram, and Islampur. Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, some more parts of Maharashtra (including Mumbai), Telangana, remaining parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, some parts of south Chhattisgarh & South Odisha, remaining parts of West Central and more parts of Northwest Bay of Bengal during next 3-4 days, the department said. With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government headed by Prime Minister designate Narendra Modi all set to be formed on Sunday, speculation is rife that its key ally, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), which has won 12 members of Parliament (MPs), is likely to get at least two cabinet and one minister of state (MoS) rank berths. Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi during the NDA parliamentary party meeting in Delhi on Friday. (PTI) JD(U)s Munger MP, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, a close confidant of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and Rajya Sabha MP Ramnath Thakur, an extremely backward classes (EBCs) leader, are among the top probables for the cabinet berths. I have no information of getting a ministerial berth in the Union cabinet. I have always worked as per the direction of our leader CM Kumar, said Thakur, when asked about his chances of becoming a Union minister on Saturday in New Delhi. Read more: Angoor khatte hain, says JD(U) MP as Cong continues to attack PM-elect Modi Thakur is the son of former chief minister Karpoori Thakur, who was conferred Bharat Ratna posthumously a few months ago. The name of another close confidant of Nitish Kumar, Sanjay Jha and Sunil Kumar, newly elected MP from Valimiki Nagar, are also among the probable names for cabinet berth from the JD(U) quota, people familiar with the matter said. Lok Jan Shakti-Ram Vilas (LJP-RV) led by Chiraj Paswan, who has five MPs, is likely to get one ministerial berth with junior Paswan himself likely to become a cabinet minister. There is also speculation that the party is eyeing for a MOS berth. Hindustan Awami Morcha (secular) chief and Gaya MP, Jitan Ram Manjhi could also get a ministerial berth. There is a buzz in political circles that the BJP and its allies in NDA has worked a formula under which a party will be given one cabinet birth for every 5 MPs and a MoS position for every 2 MPs. That way, JD-U would be given two cabinet berths and for an extra 2 seats, one minister of state post will be given. The JD(U) is likely to strike a caste balance in choosing its nominees for ministerial berths by giving proper represetation to upper castes, EBCs and OBCs, said a senior party leader, wishing not to be quoted. On Saturday, social welfare minister and senior JD(U) leader Madan Sahani said the party was eying portfolios like railways and agriculture. We are hopeful of getting three to four ministerial berths, Sahani told reporters in Patna. There is a strong buzz that JD(U) might get the agriculture ministry. Party insiders said hectic parleys have been held between JD(U) and BJP leaders on allotment of portfolios with the JD(U) showing keenness on portfolios related to infrastructure development, agriculture, rural development and railways. From the state BJP, which has won 12 MPs from Bihar, there are several names doing the rounds. Insiders said there are chances that the BJP may induct new faces from Bihar in the Union cabinet and retain only one or two old faces. There are possibilities the BJP would make three ministers from Bihar. Giriraj Singh, who again got elected from Begusarari, Nityanand Rai, who won again from Ujiarpur and served as minister in the second Modi cabinet, are among the top names as contenders for a ministerial berth even as there is also speculation that the party could induct new faces. Some of the names doing the rounds include Pradeep Kumar Singh, MP from Araria, former state BJP chief and MP from West Champaran Sanjay Jaiswal, Vivek Thakur, first time MP from Nawada and East Champaran MP and former minister, Radha Mohan Singh. It is, however, certain that many of the BJP ministers will be dropped and some new faces may find a place this time due to the present arithmetic, said a senior BJP leader. Incidentally, there is a buzz in the political circles in Bihar that Shambhavi Choudhary, first time MP from Samastipur and daughter of state minister Ashok Choudhary, is also in the race for a ministerial berth in the rank of MoS from her party LJP(RV) led by junior Paswan. It is only possible if LJP(RV) gets two berths in the Union cabinet. SSC CHSL 2024: The Staff Selection Commission has announced a partial modification to its previous notification dated April 8 saying the Combined Higher Secondary Level Examination (SSC CHSL 2024) tier 1 dates have been revised. Per the notification released on ssc.gov.in, the dates for the Selection Post Examination, Phase XII, 2024 have also been changed. SSC CHSL 2024 exam dates revised (HT File Photo) The commission said the SSC CHSL tier 1 examination (computer-based examination or CBE) will be held on July 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11. The Selection Post Phase XII exam will take place on June 20, 21, 24, 25 and 26, it added. The schedule of Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination, 2024 (Paper-I) will remain the same i.e. 27th to 29th June, 2024. All the concerned candidates are advised to note the aforesaid schedule and visit the website of the Commission at regular Intervals for further updates, the SSC notification reads. Check it here. This time, approximately 3,712 vacancies will be filled through the SSC CHSL examination. For Data Entry Operator (DEO)/DEO Grade A in Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Ministry of Culture, candidates who passed Class 12 in Science with Mathematics as a subject were eligible to apply. For DEO/DEO Grade A in other departments or ministries and all LDC/JSA posts, candidates needed to pass Class 12 from a recognized board or university. With the exam dates for tier 1 confirmed, the commission is expected to share hall tickets or admit cards next. The SSC CHSL tier 1 admit cards will be hosted on ssc.gov.in before the examination. On admit cards, candidates will get to know the exact date for their examinations along with paper timings, exam centre details and other important instructions. For further details, SSC CHSL aspirants can visit the commission's official website. JEE Advanced Result 2024 Live Updates: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has announced the result of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Advanced 2024). The JEE Advanced result is available on the examination website, jeeadv.ac.in. Candidates can download it using their login credentials. The institute has also released the final answer key of the test along with the result....Read More Ved Lahoti of the IIT Delhi zone has topped the entrance test with 355/360 marks. IIT Bombay zone candidate Dwija Dharmeshkumar Patel is the female topper with 332 marks. This year,1,86,584 candidates registered for the exam and 1,80,200 took both papers. Of them, 48,248 have qualified. JEE Advanced result 2024: direct link JEE Advanced 2024 cut-off marks, the toppers list (overall and zone-wise) along with the marks secured by them and other key details related to the exam have been shared. The JEE Advanced cut-offs are are the minimum marks a candidate must secure to qualify in the test. Common Rank List (CRL): 10 marks in each subject, 109 aggregate OBC-NCL Rank List: 9, 98 GEN-EWS Rank List 9, 98 SC Rank List: 5, 54 ST Rank List: 5, 54 Common-PwD Rank List (CRL-PwD): 5, 54 OBC-NCL-PwD Rank List: 5, 54 GEN-EWS-PwD Rank List: 5, 54 SC-PwD Rank List: 5, 54 ST-PwD Rank List: 5, 54 Preparatory Course (PC) Rank List: 2, 27 Candidates who qualify in the JEE Advanced exam will be eligible for participating in the counselling process for the IITs which will be held by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA). The candidates who could not clear the JEE Advanced examination and those who cleared the JEE Main test but were not eligible for the Advanced exam can still participate in the JoSAA counselling process but under the NIT+ system. The NIT+ system of JoSAA counselling is for admission to seats at NITs, IIST Shibpur, IIITs and other central government-funded technical institutions. Here are the latest updates on JEE Advanced result 2024. Wind Breaker is inching closer to its season's final offering, and the high-speed action sequences have seemingly momentarily quietened down. According to Anime TV, the CloverWorks production is billed as a 13-episode season. Wind Breaker Episode 11 drops on Crunchyroll on June 14.(CloverWorks) As we're entering the final pages of the first season, Sakura's mindset of being at the top of the world is already changing after his life-altering clash with Umemiya. Episode 10 significantly switched its high-octane action hits to a more grounded reality filled with insightful conversations. It is a testament that the much-praised anime is so much more than fistful hits. Crunchyroll describes the series as: Welcome to Furin High School, an institution infamous for its population of brawny brutes who solve every conflict with a show of strength. Some of the students even formed a group, Bofurin, which protects the town. Haruka Sakura, a first-year student who moved in from out of town, is only interested in one thing: fighting his way to the top. Also read | Oshi no Ko Season 2 release date confirmed; stunning teaser visuals unveil fresh look at popular anime's new TV chapter Wind Breaker Episode 11 Release date According to several media sources, the next Wind Breaker episode will air in Japan on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 12:26 am JST. Where to watch Wind Breaker Episode 11? After local Japanese TV networks broadcast the episode, international audiences may rely on Crunchyroll to watch the episode. Global audiences may refer to the following estimated release schedule for its eventual Crunchyroll premiere: Pacific Daylight Time: Thursday, June 13, at 8:26 am Eastern Daylight Time: Thursday, June 13, at 11:26 am Central European Summer Time: Thursday, June 13, at 5:26 pm Indian Standard Time: Thursday, June 13, at 8:56 pm Australian Central Standard Time: Friday, June 14, at 12:56 am Also read | Jujutsu Kaisen fans are not happy with Gojo's return: Something is off about him Wind Breaker Episode 10 Recap Upon the epic conclusion of the fight, Umemiya, Tomiyama, Togame, and all the others bond over food and relaxed conversations. Meanwhile, Tomiyama couldn't hold back and asked Umemiya several questions about how he still found joy in everything despite the pressures of being at the top. He ultimately opens up about his relaxed disposition and positive outlook on everything. Additionally, Umemiya affirms that his rise to the top wasn't an isolated outcome. Turning his eyes to Sakura, he also highlighted that his success wasn't solely attributed to his actions but also to all those people who helped him reach that end. Later, Sakura and Umemiya share a more intimate bonding moment at Kotoha Tachibana's Cafe. Their discussions lead to Sakura's confession that he must beat Umemiya to secure a post at the top of Furin. In the upcoming episode, we can expect Umemiya's words to resonate with Sakura as he becomes cognisant of the need for others' support to become Furin's number one. A new Wind Breaker project has also been teased. More details on this front have yet to follow. The spring anime's undeniable rise and popularity have inevitably opened the doors to more such avenues in the future. Insta makeover The actor on Saturday took to Instagram to share several selfies, capturing her various moods. The pictures also show her new hairstyle. It seems she is using a filter for fake freckles. What adds to the vibe of the picture is a pop of colour through her lipstick. Along with the pictures, she wrote, Freshly cut curtain bangs, fake freckles and really feeling the sun I couldnt pick just one, can you?. Her Insta fam loved the weekend treat, and took to the comments section to shower her with love. Her mother Bhavana dropped multiple heart emojis in the comment section, while Maheep Kapoor shared a sun and heart emoji. Pretty, shared one user, with one user writing, I can't handle this level of cuteness. Another user shared, pretty girl, with one exclaiming, Stunner. The breakup buzz Last month, a report by ETimes stated 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. It was when they made a joint appearance at Kriti Sanon's Diwali party. Later, filmmaker Karan Johar dropped several hints about Ananya and Aditya relationship in episodes of his talk show, Koffee With Karan. Following that, they were spotted together at airports and on vacations abroad. Ananyas upcoming work On the work front, the Kho Gaye Hum Kahan actor has lent her voice to the character of Riley in the Hindi dubbed version of the upcoming Disney Pixar's animated movie Inside Out 2. She will also be seen in the web series, Call Me Bae,which will stream on Amazon Prime Video soon. It also features Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt, Lisa Mishra, and Mini Mathur. The incident of actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut getting slapped by a CISF woman constable at Chandigarh airport has shocked the entire film industry. Following the incident, she has got support from several of her colleagues. Now, her former boyfriend and actor Adhyayan Suman has also reacted to the incident, saying it should not have happened. (Also read: Kangana Ranaut reacts to people supporting CISF constable who slapped her: 'No crime ever happens without a reason...') Kangana Ranaut and Adhyayan Suman got close to each other while shooting Raaz: The Mystery Continues. The actor, who was last seen in web series, Heeramandi, spoke about the incident while speaking to media at an event in Mumbai on Friday night. He was joined by his father, Shekhar Suman, at the event. What did he say Adhyayan reacted to the incident after his father shared his views about the whole thing. Woh ghalat hai, woh toh bohut ghalat hai. Bohut hi durbhagyepurn hai. Aesa kisi k saath nahi hona chahiye (It was very wrong. It was unfortunate. This shouldn't happen with anyone). No one has the right to do this. This is illegal what she has done. She should get punished for this. I understand that she might have some anger or protest in her mind but the way it was expressed was very wrong. It could also have been said in a decent manner...You can't raise your hand on anyone like this, Shekhar said. When Adhyayan was asked about the same, he said, I completely agree with him (his father). Even if you have a personal grudge, it is very wrong to take it out publicly. This should not have happened. About the incident with Kangana The incident took place two days after Kangana was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. She was travelling from Chandigarh to Delhi. The constable, who appeared to be upset with Kangana over her stance on the farmer protests, has been suspended and an FIR lodged against her, officials said. The Central Industrial Security Force, tasked with providing security at airports, has also ordered a court of inquiry into the incident. Kanganas reaction On Saturday, Kangana shared her views on the incident, slamming those who 'are ok with' what happened. Taking to X on Saturday, the BJP leader and actor had a message for those who defended the CISF constable after she 'touched her body without permission'. Kangana tweeted, Every rapist, murderer or thief always have a strong emotional, physical, psychological or financial reason to commit a crime, no crime ever happens without a reason, yet they are convicted and sentenced to jail. If you are aligned with the criminal's strong emotional impulse to commit a crime violating all laws of the land. She further wrote, Remember if you are ok with breaking into someones intimate zone, without their permission touching their bodies and assaulting them then deep down you are ok with rape or murder also because thats also just penetration or stab only what big deal, you must look deeper in to your psychological criminal tendencies, I suggest please take up yoga and meditation or else life will become a bitter and burdensome experience, dont carry so much grudge, hate and jealousy please, free yourself. New Delhi, Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut on Saturday criticised people praising the CISF woman constable who allegedly slapped her, asking if they also justify "rape or murder". Kangana slams those praising CISF constable who slapped her Ranaut, in a video message on Thursday, said she was hit in the face and abused by the constable during a security check at the Chandigarh airport. "If you are aligned with the criminals strong emotional impulse to commit a crime violating all laws of the land. "Remember if you are ok with breaking in to someone's intimate zone, without their permission touching their bodies and assaulting them then deep down you are ok with rape or murder also because that's also just penetration or stab only what big deal, you must look deeper in to your psychological criminal tendencies ," the 37-year-old posted on X. In her video message, Ranaut said she was hit in the face and abused by a CISF constable, who appeared to be upset with the actor over her stance on the farmer protests, during security check at the Chandigarh airport. The ugly fracas broke out two days after she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. Kulwinder Kaur, the accused CISF personnel, has been suspended and an investigation has been launched. The CISF, tasked with providing security at airports, has also ordered a court of inquiry into the incident. In her latest post, Ranaut also advised people to "take up yoga and meditation or else life will become a bitter and burdensome experience". "Don't carry so much grudge, hate and jealousy please , free yourself," the actor added. Earlier on Saturday, Ranaut found support from cinema veteran Shabana Azmi, who said security officials should not take law into their hands. In a post on X, Azmi said though she has "no love lost" for Ranaut, she wouldn't join people who are celebrating the "slap". "I have no love lost for Kangana Ranaut. But I can't find myself joining this chorus of celebrating 'the slap'. If security personnel start taking law into their hands, none of us can be safe," Azmi wrote. Azmi's husband, veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar, has filed a defamation case against Ranaut over her remarks that he had threatened her. The case is still in court. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. YEREVAN, JUNE 8, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Pashinyan visited Chochkan, Lori, which was isolated due to floods, Prime Minister shared a video on his Facebook page. The residents welcomed the Prime Minister and thanked him for the work and support provided. The Prime Minister, while interacting with the villagers, mentioned that it was his first visit to Chochkan and remarked on how impressive the village is. "Actually, I really want to visit villages in particular. Of course, it doesn't always happen, but one day it's very possible that I'll randomly visit without warning," said the Prime Minister. New Delhi, Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage's "Paradise" will be released in theatres across India and worldwide on June 28, the makers announced on Saturday. Prasanna Vithanages Paradise set for June 28 release in India The film narrates the story of an Indian tourist couple, played by Darlings star Roshan Mathew and Darshana Rajendran of Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey fame, who arrive in the crisis-ridden country to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary as it costs less. But when things take an unexpected turn and the conflict deepens, cracks appear in their relationship. Also starring Shyam Fernando and Mahendra Perera, the movie is produced by Newton Cinema. It has dialogues in English, Malayalam, Tamil, Sinhala, and Hindi. Presented by Indian veteran Mani Ratnams Madras Talkies, "Paradise" had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival 2023, where it won the prestigious Kim Jiseok Award for Best Film. 'Paradise' is my first Indian film. This is, for the first time, a Sri Lankan director has a worldwide release. I want to thank Newton Cinema for opening the world to me," Vithanage said in a statement. Anto Chittilappilly, CEO of Newton Cinema, said he is confident that Paradise" will resonate with audiences worldwide. "I fell in love with the script from the very first time I read it. It's a great honour to produce a film of the master director, Prasanna Vithanage, and to work with such a talented cast and crew whose efforts made this film successful. Newton Cinema, a young production studio founded during the pandemic, is proud to have Paradise as our fourth project. "We are deeply humbled by the accolades we have received so far including the Busan award, and the four nominations to Asian Film Awards. Paradise is a film that must be experienced in theaters to fully appreciate its exceptional audio-visual elements," he added. The film's crew members include Rajeev Ravi as the cinematographer, Sreekar Prasad as the editor, Tapas Nayak as the sound designer, and K, the music director. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Ramoji Rao, a renowned film producer, media bigwig, and businessman, died on June 8 at the age of 87. On Saturday, people across the country, including celebrities and politicians, mourned his demise. In a show of respect, the Telugu Film Producers Council (TFPC) and Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) announced the suspension of all film shoots on Sunday. (Also Read: Ramoji Film City founder Ramoji Rao dies at 87: Kangana, PM Modi, Rajamouli pay tributes to 'titan of Indian media') Ramoji Rao died on June 8 at the age of 87. No film shoots on Sunday Ramoji Rao's death will bring the Telugu film industry to a standstill in Andhra and Telangana states tomorrow, wrote the TFPC on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, sharing a press note. The note reads, Telugu Film Producers Council hereby inform that as a mark of respect to Sri Ramoji Rao garu who passed away today morning (08.06.24) that Telugu Film Industry will remain closed tomorrow in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Therefore, there will be no shootings or any film related works tomorrow. The TFCC also released a similar press note. Ramoji Raos last rites Many film personalities in Hyderabad halted shooting on Saturday temporarily to pay their respects to Ramoji Rao. His body was brought to his residence in Ramoji Film City after his death at Star Hospital. He had been suffering from an illness for a few years now. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy hailed Ramoji for his dedication to journalism. He also announced that the Telangana government will conduct Ramojis last rites with state honours on Sunday morning. Arrangements will be made by the Collector and Cyberabad Commissioner for the same. Celebs mourn Ramojis death Rajinikanth called Ramoji his guide and inspiration writing on X, I am deeply saddened on hearing the demise of my mentor and well wisher Shri Ramoji Rao Garu. The man who created history in Journalism, Cinema and a great kingmaker in Politics. He was my guide and inspiration in my life. May his soul rest in peace. Mahesh Babu called Ramoji a visionary ahead of his time, Deeply saddened by the passing of Ramoji Rao Garu, a visionary always ahead of his time. Ramoji Film City is a testament to his brilliance and passion for cinema. His legacy will continue to inspire us all. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace. Numerous other celebs like Kangana Ranaut, Riteish Deshmukh, Venkatesh Daggubati, Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan also paid tribute to Ramoji on X. SS Rajamouli tweeted that the biggest mark of respect for Ramoji would be to give him a Bharat Ratna and Allu Arjun agreed. Netflix's original K-dramas have greatly disappointed viewers of late. As the global streamer continues to churn out a mixed bag of content, predominantly leaning far off the authentic goodness of Korean dramas, netizens are scrutinising the visibly heavy-budgeted production costs put into something they've ultimately slammed as wasted potential. All seven episodes of Hierarchy premiered on Netflix on June 7.(Netflix) Hierarchy, supposedly the Korean version of the hit Spanish series Elite, was billed as a significantly visually attractive premiere. The series seemingly had it all - the cast, the budget and whatnot. However, the show's unexpected failure was also ultimately attributed to the lack of everything else profoundly essential in building up its foundations. K-drama loyalists ardently awaited its global premiere on June 7. And so, seven episodes dropped simultaneously on Friday. Viewers tuned in, hoping for The Glory levels of revenge, as remarked by an X/Twitter user. The dish was served cold; sadly, the dish in question wasn't revenge. Instead, it was a frustrating catastrophe, or so the netizens asserted. Hierarchy stars a squad of several young actors you've probably encountered as a class of supporting cast members. As they revel in their leading positions for the Netflix K-drama, fans primarily let out a disgruntled sigh of dismay, expressing their disapproval of the output. Also read | Oshi no Ko Season 2 release date confirmed; stunning teaser visuals unveil fresh look at popular anime's new TV chapter What does the plot entail? A basic overview of the series will lend you a glimpse at a messy bag filled with familiar tropes. Scandals brew in hindsight as privileged high school students withhold the truth. Not to forget, they're all assembled at South Korea's most prestigious high school. The despicable squad maintains its controversial silence until, of course, the outsider - a scholarship student - walks in, seeking to break the mould and demolish the questionable hierarchy of secrets. Starring Lee Chae Min, Roh Jeong Eui, Kim Jae Won, Ji Hye Won and Lee Won Jung, Hierarchy is directed by Bae Hyeong Jin and written by Chu Hye Mi. On the face of it, the 7-part drama seemingly pulls a page out of the original Elite series and K-dramas like The Glory, Pyramid Game, SKY Castle and even The Penthouse. However, fans' social media reviews of the show paint an entirely disjointed picture, affirming that the Netflix series has nothing on its predecessors that raised the character and plot-building processes as their utmost priority, while all else came second. The hierarchy of preferences ultimately translated into the grand-scale results that followed and reflected in the massive positive bombardment of reviews from viewers. However, the same can't be said for Hierarchy. Hierarchy Reviews by K-drama Fans Occasional comments from viewers who were relatively new to the K-drama content folder suggested that they enjoyed the Netflix series somewhat. However, OG Korean content fans claimed to have seen better. Also read | Queen of Tears' historic Netflix Top 10 spell earns over 600M viewing hours; The Atypical Family completes 4 weeks A common streak of responses to the mystery romance included netizens' awe of the high-budgeted visuals and cinematography. However, these positives also seemingly translated into a shallow, cosmetic and insincere attempt at selling a specific aesthetic that was only skin-deep. Despite the generally off-putting reactions to the show, some K-drama fans still hoped for Roh Jeong Eui to pair up with Lee Chae Min and Kim Jae Won, respectively, for other projects as they could sense sparks of palpable chemistry in each case. However, this, too, wasn't as particularly desired by many. On the contrary, more commonly, positive responses were dolled out to the side characters portrayed by Ji Hye Won and Lee Won Jung, who seemingly won the hearts of viewers who weren't otherwise won over by the show or other aspects of it. Beyond the negatives, the first season's ending had several viewers raving online. Numerous questions and spiralling emotions ensued, and many sought answers to issues that wouldn't be resolved until Hierarchy was renewed for another season. This leads us to the pressing issue: Do viewers even want a Hierarchy Season 2? Here's how netizens reacted to the Hierarchy K-drama on X/Twitter: The range of homes, buildings, and architecture in #hierarchy was so enjoyable to see! I'm glad they didn't use all the same houses that are in most chaebol kdramas. Thank you writers for showing that strong willed teenage female characters can overcome highschool drama, boys & still have their friendship be the constant that remains strong despite their own vulnerabilities. I loved hera & jaeis imperfect friendship #Hierarchy Oh trust me I mean was so anticipated for this drama only to be disappointed I mean even the acting wasn't that great sorry but it wasn't the wait. Wasted potential, the storyline was garbage, no resolution on the relevant themes among teenagers today. the love triangle was convoluted and exhausted just to keep the plot going and seriously only french kiss I blame the director for making this drama a trash. Casting Roh JeongEui, Lee ChaeMin, and Kim JaeWon are already promising enough, but what the hell with writing and directing of this drama?! I'm so speechless I don't know what to say anymore. Was expecting hierarchy to give me first season of The Penthouse with sprinkles of Euphoria and get me at the edge of my seat and it gave me #NOTHING A group of land grabbers attempted to sell the property belonging to the office of the superintendent of police (Bengaluru Rural SP Office), a centrally located building, by forging documents, officials said on Friday. 2 arrested over bid to sell SP office plot The accused, identified as Rajasekhar (45), Mohammad Nadeem (48), Mohan Shetty (38), and Ganapathy (55), allegedly created counterfeit property documents to facilitate the sale of the SP office plot. As part of their elaborate scheme, another accomplice, Hanif, took photos and videos of the office and shared them with potential buyers. Their plans were thwarted when inspector Santosh Gowda from the wireless department noticed Hanifs attempt to take photos and videos on Wednesday. Gowda questioned Hanif about his actions, who responded by claiming he had a General Power of Attorney (GPA) for the property, asserting ownership. Sensing irregularities, the inspector promptly alerted senior officials. In response, a formal complaint was lodged against Rajasekhar, Mohammad Nadeem, Mohan Shetty, and Ganapathy for their roles in forging documents and attempting to sell government property. We filed a complaint with the High Grounds police station soon after the incident came to our attention, Bengaluru Rural SP Mallikarjuna Baladandi told HT. The police have charged all six under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 353 (assaulting a public servant) and 447 (criminal trespassing) and are actively investigating the matter. The land in question has a complex history. Originally owned by heirs of the Nepal royal family, it was handed over to the Karnataka government in 1962. Despite the police department paying property taxes annually, the land ownership still officially belongs to Nepalese citizens. We have requested higher authorities to take steps to transfer the property to the governments name, SP Baladandi explained. Two of the accused are currently absconding, and efforts are underway to locate them, said police. New Delhi: At least three workers were killed while six others critically injured after a massive fire broke out, causing a blast at a food processing unit in Delhis Narela, officials said. The fire broke out at a Moong Dal factory in outer Delhis Narela Industrial area (Twitter Photo) According to officials, the fire broke out at a Moong Dal factory in outer Delhis Narela Industrial area. The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday. Preliminary investigations reveal that the fire started due to a gas leak in one of the pipes, said police. As the fire spread, it led to the overheating of the compressor, resulting in a blast. Atul Garg, Delhi Fire Service (DFS) chief, said the fire call was received at 3.38 am. A total of 16 fire tenders were sent to the spot. Deputy Commissioner of Police (outernorth) Ravi Kumar Singh said, A total of nine men were removed from the factory which was engulfed in fire. Three of them were declared brought dead by the doctors while others were shifted to Safdarjung Hospital. The deceased have been identified as Beerpal (42), Shyam (24), Ram (30). Some more workers also sustained burn injuries and are undergoing treatment at Safdarjung and other hospitals. Police said the owner of the food factory has been identified as Ankit Gupta and Vinay Gupta, residents of Rohini. A case is being registered against the duo under appropriate sections and an investigation is being taken up. Ahead of the much-anticipated swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as the prime minister of India on Sunday, a prominently large poster of Bihar chief minister and Janta Dal (United) (JD(U)) supremo Nitish Kumar with words "TIGER ZINDA HAI" (Tiger is alive) appeared in Patna on Friday. The poster features the Bihar chief minister along with the words 'Tiger Zinda Hai'(X/ ANI) Follow LIVE Updates The party workers have put up the poster at a vantage point near the planetarium in the capital city, depicting Kumar as a pivotal figure in the formation of the NDA government at the Centre. The poster features the chief minister along with the words 'Tiger Zinda Hai' with party leaders asserting that dubbing Kumar as the 'tiger' is appropriate as his influence significantly bolstered the NDA's performance in the recently held Lok Sabha elections within the state. Colourful banners and posters lauding Kumar have also been put up at various locations across the city. "There is no doubt that the party's morale is high after JD(U)'s impressive performance in the Lok Sabha polls. The concept and ideas for such posters are generated by party workers, who then display them across the city. The JD(U)'s commendable performance underscores Nitish Kumar's popularity among voters. Prior to the declaration of the poll results, he faced political scrutiny for various reasons. However, it is now evident that he is the popular face of the NDA in Bihar," news agency PTI quoted JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar as saying. Why PM Modi's third term is historic, and why Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar won't dump BJP? The poster comes amid reports that the INDIA bloc had sent overtures to Kumar and N Chandrababu Naidu, whose TDP won 16 Lok Sabha seats. However, both are allies of the BJP-led NDA and have given written support to Narendra Modi. The critics had predicted his political epitaph in the Lok Sabha elections owing to his frequent flip-flops. He was even mocked on social media for holding up a BJP insignia during the roadshow in Patna held by PM Modi. But he emerged as a kingmaker, as being the third largest party in the NDA after BJP and TDP. JD(U) and BJP contested elections on 16 and 17 seats, respectively. Both the parties won 12 seats each. BJP-led NDA has won 293 seats in the recently concluded general elections, while the opposition's INDIA bloc won 234 seats. Nitish Kumar had switched sides to the BJP-led NDA in January ahead of Lok Sabha polls, days after Mamata Banerjee had proposed the name of Mallikarjun Kharge as the potential PM candidate and convenor of the opposition's INDIA alliance. Kumar had claimed that he quit the INDIA bloc because of the "ill-treatment" by the Congress and other parties. Nitish Kumars party messages stand on UCC, seeks review of Agnipath scheme Nitish, who is known for switching sides for political gains, had said that his party wouldn't go back to the INDIA bloc -- a promise he made during campaigning on several occasions. (With inputs from PTI) Janata Dal (United) leader Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh on Saturday fired an angoor khatte hain (sour grapes) jibe at the Congress after the grand old party, despite losing its third consecutive Lok Sabha election, continued to take potshots at Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Lalan Singh (left) with Bihar CM and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar (File Photo) When the Congress could find nothing else'angoor nahi milla toh ab khatte hain (when the Congress did not get grapes it began saying that the grapes were sour), the former JD(U) president told reporters in Patna. The phrase sour grapes is used to describe a situation when someone criticises or devalues something that they themselves desire but cannot attain. Singh, who was re-elected from Bihar's Munger constituency from where he is now a two-term Member of Parliament (MP), also slammed the grand old party for repeatedly alleging during campaigning that the BJP, if re-elected, would rewrite the Constitution. "They (Congress) claimed that the Constitution was under threat. But yesterday you saw that when the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) reached the Samvidhan Sadan (Central Hall of Parliament), he bowed before the Constitution of India." he stated. Singh's attack on the Congress comes even as senior JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi alleged that Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar was being courted by the Congress-led INDIA bloc for a shot at government formation. Both Kumar, who is considered the architect of the opposition alliance but who changed sides yet again and returned to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in January, and Andhra Pradesh chief minister-designate N Chandrababu Naidu who leads fellow NDA constituent Telugu Desam Party (TDP), have emerged as kingmakers after the BJP failed to cross the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. In NDA's tally of 293, TDP accounts for 16 seats and the JD(U) 12. The BJP, which won 282 and 303 seats on its own in 2014 and 2019, respectively, secured 240 seats in the recently-held national polls. The INDIA bloc won 233 seats, including 99 by the Congress. (With ANI inputs) Kolkata, The West Bengal CID has decided to revisit a flat in New Town area on the outskirts of Kolkata to collect evidence from there in connection with its probe into the murder of Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar, a senior officer said on Saturday. Bangladesh MP murder probe: Bengal CID sleuths to revisit New Town flat to collect evidence CID sleuths are also planning to conduct DNA tests of the traces of blood collected earlier from the flat, where the Bangladeshi politician was last seen on May 12, and match the results with that of the lawmaker's daughter, who is expected to arrive in Kolkata soon. "Collecting samples from the flat will definitely help us proceed forward with the investigation. We will try to collect and send them for tests... We are planning to conduct a DNA test of the samples and then match the results with his daughter," the CID officer told PTI. The decision was taken after body parts of Anar could not be traced during search operations, he said. The CID officer also said the process was on to bring Mohammad Siyam Hussain, one of the key suspects in the brutal murder of the Bangladeshi MP, to Kolkata. Hussain was arrested by the Nepal Police and extradited to India on Friday. A team of two officers of Bangladesh Police had gone to Nepal where the accused had fled after allegedly committing the crime. Efforts to locate the missing MP, who reportedly arrived in Kolkata on May 12 for medical treatment, have been going on since Gopal Biswas, a resident of Baranagar in north Kolkata and an acquaintance of the Bangladeshi politician, filed a complaint with the local police on May 18. Anar had been staying at Biswas' residence upon his arrival. In his complaint, Biswas mentioned that Anar left his Baranagar residence for a doctor's appointment in the afternoon of May 13 and was expected back home for dinner. However, Anar's disappearance prompted Biswas to file a missing person report. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The Karnataka high court on Friday granted anticipatory bail to Bhavani Revanna, mother of suspended Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna, in connection with a kidnapping case linked to the sexual abuse allegations against her son. Last week, the SIT had issued a notice to Bhavani asking her to be present at her home for questioning in the kidnapping case linked to allegations of sexual abuse against her son (PTI) The interim bail has been granted until June 14 when the court will hear the case. Justice Krishna S Dixit ordered Bhavani to remain in Bengaluru, and she has also been restricted from entering KR Nagar or Hassan, to ensure that the investigation proceeds without any interference or influence from the involved parties. The High Courts decision to grant her bail mandates that she must fully cooperate with the investigation by the special investigation team (SIT), which is probing the alleged sexual abuse charges against Prajwal Revanna. Last week, the SIT had issued a notice to Bhavani asking her to be present at her home for questioning in the kidnapping case linked to allegations of sexual abuse against her son. However, when a team reached Bhavanis house, she was not present. Later, the SIT also carried out searches at various locations including Mysuru, Hassan, Bengaluru, Mandya and Ramanagara. The searches were also done at her relatives houses to track her, but she was not found. Bhavani has been accused of conspiring to abduct a former house help, who is an alleged victim of sexual abuse, to prevent her from giving statements against her son and former MP of Hassan, Prajwal Revanna. During the hearing on Thursday, the special public prosecutor, Ravivarma Kumar, claimed that Bhavani was the mastermind of the entire abduction episode and that even though the SIT secured a non-bailable warrant as she had failed to appear before the investigating officer, as per an assurance given by her in a letter to the SIT. However, senior advocate Sandesh J Chowta disputed this argument claiming the SIT had not served notice to her and she had written to the SIT of her own accord. A single judge bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit granted the interim order, saying, Direction is issued to state and police neither to apprehend and arrest the petition or keep her in detention. This is following stringent conditions, this is an order granting bail and not awarded to petitioner and not be celebrated. Further, the court directed Bhavani to remain present before the office of jurisdictional investigating officer by 1pm on Friday and cooperate with the investigation. In the guise of investigation, she shall not be retained in the office beyond 5pm, the order said. The court also ordered that the warrant of arrest issued by an ACMM court be kept in abeyance. The magistrate court, in its order dated May 31, rejected the application filed by Bhavani seeking anticipatory bail following which she was absconding. Meanwhile, the High Court adjourned the proceedings of HD Revannas plea seeking to quash the FIR against him to June 1, as well as the SITs plea to cancel his bail until June 14. HD Revanna is facing two cases: one of sexual harassment and the other of kidnapping. The Karnataka government formed a SIT to probe the cases against Prajwal on the recommendation of the Karnataka State Commission for Women chairperson Nagalakshmi Chowdhary, who wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to investigate the matter. Prajwal, facing sexual abuse allegations, returned from Germany and was immediately arrested by the SIT at the Kempegowda International Airport, here on May 31. He had left the country on April 27, a day after polling took place in his constituency of Hassan. However, Prajwal claimed that his visit was pre-planned. The allegations against Prajwal came a week before elections took place in Hassan, when pen drives containing purported videos of women being sexually assault were circulated. The videos allegedly showcase Prajwal Revanna sexually abusing women. Following his arrest, special court in the city remanded him to police custody till June 10. The SIT is currently probing four separate cases against the former Hassan MP. TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh, the son of party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, said on Friday his party is committed to retaining the 4 percent reservation granted to the Muslim community under the OBC list. TDP's NDA ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party had attacked the governments in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for providing reservation on religious grounds. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national general secretary Nara Lokesh with his wife Nara Brahmani. (ANI file photo) Nara Lokesh said a nation or a state cannot progress if a particular section of the society lives in poverty. He said it is the government's responsibility to expose the under-represented communities to opportunities. He said the decision to grant reservation to Muslims wasn't taken to appease anyone. "The decision to give 4 percent reservation to Muslims was taken in that perspective, not to appease anyone or get political gains," he told TOI. The TDP's stupendous performance in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections have placed N Chandrababu Naidu in the position of the proverbial kingmaker. With 16 seats in his kitty, Naidu's support to Narendra Modi is indispensable for the Bharatiya Janata Party. The Bharatiya Janata Party won 240 Lok Sabha seats--32 short of the majority mark. For the first time since 2014, the BJP will have to depend on its allies -- mainly TDP and JD(U) -- to remain in power. Also read: Quota for Muslims in Telangana and Andhra back in focus Pulling off a stunning comeback after being written off by pollsters, the INDIA bloc won 234 seats. Nara Lokesh told PTI that his party would support Narendra Modi unconditionally. "We joined NDA unconditionally before elections; we will continue to be in NDA unconditionally... We believe that he (Modi) should be the Prime Minister of India and there is no second thought about it, he said. He, however, stressed building "a symbiotic relationship" between Andhra Pradesh and the Centre. Also read: KC Tyagi remembers INDIA snub, claims JD(U) refused Nitish Kumar for PM offer Indicating that the TDP would press for its demands using its support as leverage, he said there would be 100 things such as Agniveer, Uniform Civil Code, reservations, allocation of budgets, development, which could be negotiated across a table. Amid reports that the INDIA bloc could send overtures to TDP and Nitish Kumar's JD(U), N Chandrababu Naidu officially supported Narendra Modi for the formation of the latter's third government in a row. However, it is expected that the former Andhra chief minister will bargain for cabinet berths and his party's core agendas, including a special status to the state, the Agniveer scheme and other issues. TDP scored a landslide victory in the state's assembly elections, which were held simultaneously with the national elections. The copyright for information published on this web site is owned exclusively by Armenpress news agency. All information materials published on this website are intended solely for personal use. For full or partial reproduction of any material in other media it is required to acquire written permission from Armenpress news agency. Those, who have committed copyright violations, will be prosecuted accordingly. Website administration is not responsible neither for opinions expressed on the website, nor for the content of the advertisements and of the external links. For full or partial reproduction of any material in other media it is required to acquire written permission from Armenpress news agency. High-level meetings were held in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday to finalise names of leaders who will be given ministerial berths, a day before the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government will be sworn in for the third time in a row with Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, senior leaders aware of the details said. Preparations underway at Rashtrapati Bhavan. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo) The party will have to part with several ministries to accommodate allies, particularly those who have helped meet the deficit in the overall seat count. The BJP, which has 240 lawmakers, 32 less than the required strength to form the government, has got support from the Telegu Desam Party, the Janata Dal Secular, the Janata Dal United, Apna Dal and 10 others. According to one of the party functionaries, the discussions have been largely amicable and it has broadly been decided that the BJP will retain the big four ministries of defence, finance, home and external affairs. Allies such as the TDP, JDU, JDS and LJP are likely to get cabinet berths in addition to minister of state positions. Modi will host all new ministers at his residence before the swearing-in ceremony. Party chief JP Nadda and Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajanth Singh met on Saturday to decide names that will be inducted in the Union council of ministers; earlier, on Friday, the BJP high command held meetings with leaders of the NDA partners to discuss allocation of portfolios. Also Read | Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan: When, where to watch live Since all the allies with more than two lawmakers have to be accommodated, there is a proposal to give one cabinet berth for parties with at least five MPs and one minister of state position for every two MPs, said the leader quoted above. If the proposal is accepted, then the TDP with 14 MPs is set to get two or three cabinet positions and a couple of ministers of state. K Rammohan Naidu and P Chandrasekhars names were doing the rounds for cabinet positions on Saturday. The party is also keen to get the Speakers post in addition to ministries such as urban development, social justice, roads and highways, and information and technology. The JDU, which has set its eyes on ministries such as agriculture, water resources, rural development and railways has 16 MPs and is likely to get three cabinet posts in addition to MoS positions. The LJPs (Ram Vilas) Chirag Paswan, who has emerged as a young, Dalit face in Bihar after his party won all five Lok Sabha seats that it contested, is also likely to get one cabinet berth and one MoS position. Allies that have three or fewer lawmakers such as the RLD, Jana Sena, JDS and HAM will also qualify for a MoS position. Also Read | Narendra Modi's swearing-in: 7 foreign leaders among 8,000 guests; Delhi on high alert Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur and Daggubati Purandeswari from Andhra Pradesh are set to get key berths while the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is likely to get one cabinet seat, which could go to Shrirang Barne though Shindes son Shrikant Shinde has not been ruled out either. The RLDs Jayant Chaudhary is expected to take oath as a minister of state while Pawan Kalyan is likely to get a cabinet seat and Jitan Ram Manjhi is set to be a minister of state. Apart from the allies, there are other considerations too. Caste, state and gender representation have to be taken into consideration as well. There has to be a representative from the southern region from Kerala, where the BJP has won for the first time, from Tamil Nadu where we did not win any seat but have vastly improved our vote share, said a second functionary. Calls were made from the PMO and Naddas office to those taking oath. There is a possibility that some senior BJP leaders who have held positions in the organisation or been chief ministers or ministers in the state could be included in the council of ministers. For instance, the name of a former chief minister who has been elected to the Lok Sabha is being speculated for the post of Lok Sabha speaker. Party leaders, however, remained tight lipped about the names of the possible ministers. In the JDU, people aware of the details said the decision to nominate members to the council of ministers rests with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Last time he nominated RCP Singh for a position, but things soured between them. Singh had to eventually resign as there were misgivings about his closeness to the BJP. The CM will pick the names of his confidants..., said a party functionary. The front runners include Kumars confidants Sanjay Jha, Lallan Singh and Ramnath Thakur. In the TDP too, similar sentiments were expressed by a person aware of the details. There is speculation that there will be newer faces in the new council of ministers, including some lateral entries. Although Ram Mohan Naidu and Harish Balayogi are speculated to be ministers. There is no word on whether the total number of ministers will remain the same as before or if more faces will be given charge. In 2019 the council of ministers had faces such as S Jaishankar, the former foreign secretary inducted as minister for external affairs, and Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrashekhar, who was inducted a minister of state. In 2014, when the government was sworn in, the BJP had 23 cabinet ministers, 11 ministers with independent charge, and 32 ministers of state. Four allies were given cabinet berths and two were MoS. The LJPs Ram Vilas Paswan was made cabinet minister with the portfolio of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, while the TDPs Ashok Gajapati Raju was given charge of civil aviation till he resigned on March 9, 2018. It was subsequently given to Suresh Prabhu, who switched from the Shiv Sena to the BJP. The SADs Harsimrat Kaur Badal was cabinet minister of food processing and industries, while Anant Geete of the Shiv Sena was also given the ministry of heavy industries and public enterprises. In 2019, when the government was sworn in, the BJP had 21 of the 24 cabinet berths, nine ministers with independent charge and 24 ministers of state. Paswan continued to be a cabinet minister till his death in October 2020. Badal was also given cabinet rank and the portfolio of food processing until she resigned in 2020 following her partys exit from the NDA over the farm laws that were later repealed. After the Shiv Sena (UBT) also walked out of the NDA, Arvind Sawant, a cabinet minister who had the portfolio of heavy industries, resigned in November 2019. In March this year, the LJPs Pashupati Paras, who was given a cabinet position in July 2021, also resigned. While the JDUs RCP Singh, who was made a minister in July 2021 resigned in July 2022 after his term as a Rajya Sabha MP ended, the party did not repeat him. Athawale and Patel continued as ministers of state. Bhubaneshwar: Amid the suspense over the name of the next chief minister of Odisha, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tribal MLA in the state on Friday said the 78-member legislature party would meet on Saturday to announce the name. (Representative Photo) Senior MLA Rabinarayan Naik from Kuchinda of Sambalpur district on Friday said that the state legislature party would meet in the state capital Bhubaneswar to announce the name ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government on June 10. The parliamentary party is likely to take a call on the new chief minister on Friday, and a formal announcement will be made on Saturday, said Naik. Also Read: After 24 years, Patnaik set for a new stint in Opposition benches The BJP parliamentary board is the highest decision-making body for all important issues starting from selection of candidates to formation of government and selection of chief minister. All the 20 BJP MPs from Odisha have been consulted by the top leadership. According to the party leaders, the names which are being considered include former Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, former Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram, Puri MP Sambit Patra, national vice president and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda and senior leader from western Odisha, Suresh Pujari. Among all the names, only Pujari is an MLA, who won from Barajarajnagar assembly constituency. The swearing-in ceremony to be attended by over 30,000 people would be held at Janata Maidan of Bhubaneswar. According to party officials, the state government has decided to employ 50 senior officers, including nine IAS, one Odisha Finance Service (OFS) and 40 other senior Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officers, to supervise the swearing-in ceremony of the new ministry. BJP leader and its spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said the swearing-in ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah along with chief ministers of several National Democratic Alliance-ruled states who campaigned for the party in the Odisha election. The BJP won 78 seats in the Odisha Assembly elections, while two rebels of the party who contested as independents and won have decided to join the party, raising the strength to 80 in the 147-member Odisha Assembly. Authorities in Russia have recovered bodies of all four Indians who drowned in the Volkhov river, a senior official from Maharashtra, the home state of the deceased students, said on Saturday, adding that the bodies were being flown to India. The Russian media reported a female Indian student who waded out from the beach on river Volkhov got into trouble, and four of her companions tried to save her. In their attempt to save her, three others also drowned in the river. While two bodies were recovered within the first two days of the June 4 incident, Russian officials informed that the bodies of two other students were discovered today morning, Jalgaon district collector Ayush Prasad said at a press conference. The bodies are being brought to Mumbai and will be later taken to the students' native places in the Jalgaon district, Prasad further stated. The deceased have been identified as Harshal Anantrao Desale, Jishan Aspar Pinjari, Jia Firoj Pinjari, and Malik Gulamgous Mohammad Yakub. They were in a group of five students from the Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University. All were aged between 18 and 20; Jishan and Jia were siblings. Also Read: Three minor girls drown in pond in Prayagraj Nisha Bhupesh Sonawane, the fifth member of the group and who is also from India, survived and is currently under the care of the medical staff. The incident took place on Tuesday when they were taking a walk along the Volhov rivers, and entered its waters. Drowned even as they were on a video call A family member of Jishan and Jia, the two siblings from the group, recalled Jishan being on a video call with his parents when the five drowned. "When they entered the river, Jishan made a video call to his family. His father and other family members were pleading with him and his friends to come out of the waters when a strong wave swept them away, the family member told local media. The university administration, meanwhile, has expressed condolences in a message to the Indian envoy to Russia. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi/Toronto : The head of Canadas intelligence agency made two unannounced visits to India in the first quarter of this year to meet Indian officials to discuss the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, people familiar with the matter said. Canadian intel chief visited India twice to discuss Nijjar case Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director David Vigneault travelled to New Delhi in February and March before Canada announced the arrest of four Indian nationals in connection with Nijjars killing a person in Canada said on condition of anonymity. This person further claimed that Vigneault provided additional information, including intercepted communications, to his Indian interlocutors. India-Canada relations went into a tailspin after Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus statement in the House of Commons on September 18 last year about credible allegations of a potential link between Indian government agents and Nijjars murder. Also Read | Accused in Nijjar killing face BC court, remain in detention India dismissed Trudeaus allegation as absurd and officials have maintained it is not the governments policy to engage in acts like the killing of Nijjar, who was gunned down outside a gurdwara in Surrey, 30 km from Vancouver, on June 18 last year. Nijjar was declared a terrorist by India in 2020 and was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The person cited above said the information provided by Vigneault included phone numbers, intercepts of communications using encrypted messaging apps and other information gathered by Canadian investigators. The Canadian side hasnt made this information public as a substantial part of it was provided by the US, which is Canadas partner in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, he added. The Indian side didnt respond to a request for comment. A government of Canada official told HT: We can confirm that the director of CSIS, David Vigneault, has travelled to India but we do not comment on the nature or substance of closed-door meetings. The official added: With that said, since Canada became aware of the credible allegations, we have consistently provided all the information we can to India on the Nijjar case, through multiple channels. This has also been noted by Prime Minister Trudeau and Canadas minister for public safety on the public record. Also Read | Canadian House passes motion on foreign interference in internal affairs Officially, the Indian side has maintained that Canada has not provided any evidence regarding Nijjars killing. External affairs minister S Jaishankar told a news conference in Mumbai on May 13 that India is open to conducting a probe if Canada has any evidence that is relevant. We have never received anything which is specific and worthy of being pursued by our investigative agencies, and I am not aware that anything has changed in the last few days in that regard, Jaishankar said. Vigneaults visits came weeks before Canadian authorities arrested and charged three Indian nationals Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh and Karan Brar, both 22 for the murder of Nijjar on May 3. Canadian authorities subsequently arrested a fourth Indian identified as 22-year-old Amandeep Singh. These werent the first visits to India by Vigneault in this connection. According to CSIS 2023 Public Report, Vigneault and then National Security Intelligence Advisor, Jody Thomas, travelled to India to discuss the matter with their counterparts. Those visits were in July and August 2023, prior to Trudeaus statement in Parliament. The public report, released in May 2024, accused India of engaging in hostile foreign interference and espionage activities in Canada. Canadas current NSIA, Nathalie Drouin, is not believed to have travelled to India this year. The report described China, Russia, Iran and India as major perpetrators of foreign interference and espionage in Canada. In response to serious allegations, Vigneault said Canada and its allies require accountability from the Government of India concerning its potential involvement in the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil, the report stated. Vigneaults visits this year were followed by at least four more trips to India by other Canadian officials, the people said. These other visits coincided with efforts by security officials on both sides to re-establish some sort of working relationship to deal with security threats away from the public spotlight, the people added. These efforts, however, have been hampered by the rupture in relations between the political leadership, especially at the highest levels, the people said. A meeting of the India-Canada counter-terrorism working group was scheduled for the first quarter of 2024 but was postponed to May due to the prevailing situation, including an accusation by a Canadian parliamentary panel that India is seen as the second-greatest foreign interference threat after China. The working groups meeting is now expected to be held later this year. Behind the scenes diplomacy has continued between the two countries, as Global Affairs Canada, the foreign ministry, wants those conversations to remain private. The Indian side, however, continues to harbour serious concerns about Canadas failure to act against provocative activities of Khalistani operatives, such as posters identifying senior Indian diplomats and holding out threats against them, and rallies such as the one outside the Indian consulate this week that featured a float depicting the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi. In this context, the people pointed to action taken by the US and Australia both members of the Five Eyes alliance to rein in the activities of Khalistani elements. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Saturday that the party leaders have not yet received the invitation for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister designate Narendra Modi. The ceremony is set to take place on Sunday, June 9, in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh (PTI) Ramesh said that only international leaders have received their invites for the oath taking ceremony tomorrow evening, and no invites have been sent to opposition leaders. He also said that if Congress leaders receive their invites, they will consider attending the ceremony. Only international leaders have been invited for the swearing-in ceremony. Our leaders have not received the invitation yet. When our INDIA alliance leaders receive the invitation, we will think about it, Jairam Ramesh said, reported ANI. India sent invitations to Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth; Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda, and Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay for the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi. PM designate Narendra Modi's oath ceremony will take place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7:15 pm tomorrow. His council of ministers will also take their oath. In addition to attending the ceremony, all the leaders invited to the event will also attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu the same evening. Earlier today, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said during the Congress Working Committee meeting, The INDIA bloc will collectively take the decision on attending the ceremony. The Congress Working Committee unanimously passed the decision to make Rahul Gandhi the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha. Venugopal said during the CWC meeting, In this election, we raised burning issues such as unemployment, price rise, womens issues, agniveer and social justice issue. These issues have to be continued in a greater manner inside Parliament as well. Rahul Gandhi is the best person to lead this campaign in the Lok Sabha. In the current scenario, for a better, stronger and vigilant Opposition, and for those who want to protect Constitution, it should be safe under Rahul Gandhi as LoP. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge opened the extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting today in New Delhi, marking the party's first such gathering following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Kharge began by expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Congress leaders and millions of workers nationwide for their unwavering determination and hard work over the past few months. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with party leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and K.C. Venugopal during the extended Congress Working Committee meeting, in New Delhi, Saturday, June 8, 2024.(PTI) In his opening remarks, Kharge said, The public has given a strong reply to dictatorial powers and anti-constitutional forces by expressing faith in us. The voters of India have rejected the BJP's 10 years of divisive, hateful, and polarising politics. On behalf of the CWC, Kharge congratulated the newly elected Congress members of the Lok Sabha who fought and won the elections in adverse circumstances. Read: Will Rahul Gandhi accept key post? Clamour likely in Congress huddle today Kharge thanked former party president Sonia Gandhi for her active participation in election preparations and alliance meetings and congratulated senior leader Rahul Gandhi for making the Constitution, economic inequality, unemployment and social justice and harmony a public issue. Highlighting the impact of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Kharge mentioned significant increases in vote percentages and seats for the Congress Party in areas where the yatra passed. He cited Manipur as an example, where the party won both seats, and noted victories in other North-Eastern states like Nagaland, Assam, and Meghalaya. In Maharashtra, the Congress emerged as the largest party. Kharge also pointed out the party's improved performance among SC, ST, OBC, and minority voters, as well as in rural areas. However, he acknowledged the need for greater efforts to strengthen the party's influence among urban voters and to address underperformance in certain states where the Congress had previously done well in Vidhan Sabha elections but failed to replicate that success in the Lok Sabha. We will soon discuss all these things separately. We will also take whatever immediate steps are required, he said. He appreciated the contributions of the INDIA bloc partners and stressed the importance of maintaining unity and collective action both in and outside Parliament. I will be failing in my duty if I dont acknowledge the INDIA alliance partners, in which each party played its designated role in different states, each party contributed to the other. Our determination is that the INDIA group must continue. We must function cohesively and collectively both in parliament and outside, the Congress president said. The important issues on which we went into the election campaign are issues of concern to the common people. Therefore, they will always remain in our mind. We will continue to raise these questions of the people in and outside the Parliament, Kharge added. The Congress Working Committee passed a resolution requesting Rahul Gandhi to take up the role of the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, senior party leader KC Venugopal said on Saturday. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during the extended Congress Working Committee meeting, in New Delhi, Saturday, June 8, 2024.(PTI) CWC unanimously requested Rahul Gandhi to take the position of the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha...Rahul ji is the best person to lead this campaign inside the Parliament, KC Venugopal told a press conference. When asked if Rahul Gandhi accepted the role of LoP in Lok Sabha, Venugopal, the Congress general secretary in charge of the organisation, said he would take a decision very soon. With our leader and workers charged up, Venugopal said, the revival of Congress has begun. He also said that the atmosphere in the CWC is entirely different from what it was four months ago. Speaking after the CWC meeting, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari said, "Definitely he (Rahul Gandhi) should become (LoP in Lok Sabha). This was the request of our working committee. He is fearless and courageous." The CWC resolution praised Rahul Gandhi for his efforts in the election campaign. Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi has to be singled out largely because of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that he designed and led. Both these Yatras that reflected his thinking and personality were historic turning points in our nation's politics and instilled hope and confidence in lakhs of our workers and crores of our voters, the resolution stated. Rahul Gandhi's election campaign was single-minded, sharp and pointed and more than any other individual it was he who made the protection of our republic's Constitution the central issue in the 2024 elections. The PaanchNyay-Pachees Guarantee programme which resonated so very powerfully in the election campaign was the outcome of Rahul ji's yatras in which he listened to the fears, concerns and aspirations of all people, especially youth, women, farmers, workers, Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs and minorities, it added. The CWC also acknowledged the challenges despite the party's turnaround in the Lok Sabha elections. "We have recovered and revived no doubt but we still have a long way to go to occupy the pre-eminent position the party once held in the nations political life. The people of India have spokenthe Congress has been given another chance. It is now up to us to build on it. We must and we will." Read: CWC meeting: Congress to focus on urban voters, assess setback in states won before Lok Sabha polls The meeting of the extended Congress Working Committee was attended by Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Manish Tewari, DK Shivakumar, and Revanth Reddy among others. The extended Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest executive forum of the party, on Saturday unanimously passed a resolution to appoint its former chief Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the extended Congress Working Committee meeting in Delhi on Saturday. (PTI) In the meeting, Gandhi, who has won from Wayanad and Raebareli, said he will think about the proposal (to become the LoP), leaders familiar with the matter said, adding that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, however, politely reminded him that since CWC has passed a resolution in this order, he should accept the post. In another resolution, the CWC unanimously requested Rahul Gandhi to take the LoP post in the Lok Sabha. All participants, in their view, were unanimous that Rahul Gandhi should become the LoP, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said after the CWC meeting. In this election, we raised burning issues such as unemployment, price rise, womens issues, agniveer and social justice issue. These issues have to be continued in a greater manner inside Parliament as well. Rahul Gandhi is the best person to lead this campaign in the Lok Sabha. In the current scenario, for a better, stronger and vigilant Opposition, and for those who want to protect Constitution, it should be safe under Rahul Gandhi as LoP, Venugopal added. The main resolution of the CWC had also effusively praised Gandhi for his role in the 2024 Lok Sabha campaign. Former Congress President Shri Rahul Gandhi has to be singled out largely because of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that he designed and led. Both these Yatras that reflected his own thinking and personality were historic turning points in our nations politics and instilled hope and confidence in lakhs of our workers and crores of our voters, the resolution said. Shri Rahul Gandhis election campaign was single-minded, sharp and pointed and more than any other individual it was he who made the protection of our republics Constitution the central issue in the 2024 elections. ThePaanchNyay-Pachees Guarantee programme which resonated so very powerfully in the election campaign was the outcome of Rahuljis yatras in which he listened to the fears, concerns and aspirations of all people especially youth, women, farmers, workers, dalits, adivasis, OBCs and minorities, it added. Asked if Gandhi has accepted the responsibility, Venugopal said, He will decide in 2-4 days. While Congress president is the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress didnt have the Lok Sabha LoP status for the past ten years as it didnt have the requisite numbers to claim the post. A party requires 10% of 543 seats to claim the Leader of Oppositions post. In the run up to the CWC meeting, the clamour to make Gandhi the LoP was growing. My heartfelt thankyou to @INCIndia & especially Shri @RahulGandhi for the immense love & support given to me over the years. Huge congratulations on this massive win for #INDIA! As the LOP Im sure you will continue to defend the idea of India, as always, said Congress leader Dk Suresh on Friday. Another Congress leader, Vijay Wadettiwar, said, Congress is a big party and Rahul Gandhi is our party leader. If Rahul Gandhi takes over that post... People also want Rahul Gandhi to become the PM soon. In an interview to PTI, Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor pitched for Gandhi as LoP and said, He and Congress president (Mallikarjun) Kharge campaigned extensively throughout the country, but Mr Kharge is in the Rajya Sabha where he leads the Opposition and it would only be fitting that Rahul Gandhi does the same in the Lok Sabha. New Delhi, The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition by a convict seeking a direction to run his seven-year sentence in a UA case for conspiring to establish an ISIS base in India "concurrently" with the sentence imposed upon him in another case. Delhi HC dismisses convict's plea against sentencing in case under anti-terror law The petitioner said he was a young, poor and illiterate man who had voluntarily pleaded guilty before both the trial courts out of a genuine desire to reform himself, attain education and become a productive member of society. Dismissing the petition, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said there was no reason for exercise of the discretion to direct concurrent running of the two sentences. The judge emphasised that the offence committed by petitioner Mohsin Ibrahim Sayyed was grave and had an impact on national security and communal harmony. "Terrorism not only threatens the national security of the country but also the very fabric of society by targeting innocent civilians and institutions indiscriminately, with an aim to instil fear among the common and innocent citizens of a country," the court said in a judgment on June 7. "They also result in loss of innocent lives, destruction of property and destabilisation of regions. These impacts are often long-lasting. Thus, the gravity of such crimes lies in their potential to cause widespread harm, both physically and psychologically, and their challenge to fundamental values of peace, tolerance and coexistence in a nation," it stated. Justice Sharma said the petitioner has been convicted upon the conclusion of trials in two different cases which are not part of the "same transaction" and consecutive running of sentences of eight years in the other case and seven years in the instant case both not being the maximum punishment that could have been awarded would not cause any prejudice. "In one case, the petitioner has been convicted for conspiring to carry out an attack in the city of Haridwar during the Ardh Kumbh Mela and raising funds for the same. Whereas in the other case, the petitioner has been convicted for promoting the activities of ISIS, including recruitment of youths for the purpose of enticing them to become 'fidayeen', as well as for planning the assassination of a leader of Hindu Mahasabha," he added. "Since lenient view has already been taken by the trial courts at the stage of sentencing, no further leniency can be granted to the petitioner by allowing the concurrent running of sentences awarded to him by the trial courts in Greater Bombay and in Delhi," the court concluded. On June 2, 2022, the trial court here sentenced the petitioner to seven years in prison for offences under the Indian Penal Code and the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities Act. The National Investigation Agency alleged that the petitioner had allegiance to the ISIS. He was motivating Muslim youngsters and training them to carry out terror activities in India and planning to shift them to countries such as Syria and Iraq, the agency said then. It was also claimed that one of the suspects in the case was in contact with a foreign-based handler of ISIS and was conspiring to carry out terrorist acts by planting IEDs during the Ardh Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The Election Commission of India on Friday invited applications seeking allotment of 'common symbols' from registered unrecognised parties in Jammu and Kashmir, hinting that the assembly polls in the union territory for the first time after the Abrogation of Article 370 are imminent. EC hints at imminent assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir(PTI) According to the poll body's statement, they have decided to seek the allotment of the symbols under Para 10B of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968, with immediate effect. Notably, while the recognised national and state parties have their 'reserved symbols', registered unrecognised parties have to apply for them to field candidates in the election. Under the Election Symbols order, any registered unrecognised political party can apply for a 'common symbol' six months prior to the end of the term of a House. However, since there is no functional assembly in Jammu and Kashmir yet, the EC is inviting applications. When is the assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir? The date for the assembly polls has not yet been declared. However, in December last year, the Supreme Court had directed the poll panel to hold the assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30. While there were speculations of the election being held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls, the EC had said that it was not practical due to logical and security reasons. Meanwhile, chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, earlier this week, said that the panel will begin the election process in the union territory very soon. We will very soon start the poll process in Jammu and Kashmir, we are very enthused by voter turnoutJammu and Kashmir recorded the highest turnout in four decades at 58.58 per cent overall, and 51.05 per cent in the valley, he said. (With inputs from PTI) While frequent flyers may prefer aisle, middle, or window seats, their first choice might not be the best option for a bumpy flight. In late May 2024, a passenger aboard the Boeing 777 from Londons Heathrow Airport to Singapore tragically died of a heart attack after experiencing 19 seconds of extreme turbulence. Geoff Kitchen, the 73-year-old British man who passed away, was aboard the Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 when the plane dropped 178 feet in 4.6 seconds. Kitchen was the only passenger who died, but others, including the crew members, were seriously injured on the 21 May morning flight. Since the uptick in frightening turbulence episodes, many aviation experts have spoken out, sharing safety protocols and the best seats for a rocky flight. Often the ride in the back of the airplane feels less stable but depending on the movement of the air, the ride may feel different, American Airlines Captain Dennis Tajer explained to Fox Business. The wings are more closely located to the center of gravity of the airplane, he said in the 2 June article. Therefore, the ride while sitting near the wings may feel less turbulent than near the tail of the aircraft where vertical input is felt the most. That said, keeping your seatbelt buckled is the safest decision a passenger can make, according to Tajer. Having your seat belt on will be the difference between safety or injury, he added. However, for those interested in the best seating, David Slotnick, senior aviation business reporter for The Points Guy, noted that these tips were mainly for situations of mild turbulence. Difference is mostly for more mild turbulence, and can be helpful if you get anxious or motion sickness, he told Fox Business. Aside from Tajer and Slotnick, one pilot on TikTok has opened up about his recommendations for where to sit if youre worried about turbulence. In a May 2023 post, pilot Jimmy Nicholson spoke to his followers, suggesting they steer clear of the back of the plane. The front of the aircraft, youre going to experience less turbulence. The back, its going to be a little bit more bumpy, he proclaimed. The rear of the aircraft will swing more. The front will swing less. Sit up front of the aircraft, Nicholson said, speaking directly to anyone who feels sick on planes. He added: If you do feel sick when youre flying, look for a visual reference. So, look outside the window and stare at the horizon. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's two mega Bharat Jodo yatras - held as a voter outreach program - proved to be a success as the grand old party and the INDIA bloc allies managed to win 41 seats along their routes. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with his mother and party leader Sonia Gandhi and his sister and General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, (PTI) Gandhi held the first Bharat Jodo Yatra from September 2022 to January 2023 - starting from Kanyakumari and ending in Kashmir, and passing through 71 Lok Sabha constituencies. The second Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra began on January 14 2024, in Manipur's Thoubal district and concluded in Mumbai on March 16, 2024. The rally covered a distance of 6,713 km, straddling 100 Lok Sabha constituencies, 337 assembly segments and covering 110 districts. Let's take a look at how Congress and its allies performed in some of the key states on the routes of Bharat Jodo Yatras: Uttar Pradesh The Bharat Jodo rallies passed through over 20 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. This time, the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) ended their deadlock over seat sharing in Uttar Pradesh and formed an alliance. Following this, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had also joined Gandhi during the Uttar Pradesh leg of the Yatra in Agra on February 25 this year. While the Congress won three seats from the routes of the rallies, the SP bagged six seats. Delhi The Congress or its allies did not bag any seats in Delhi as well, which was covered during the first Congress rally. The grand old party contested two out of the five seats that the rally passed through, and the AAP contested the remaining three. However, the BJP won all five seats. Maharashtra The Congress, along with its Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in the state, won nine seats from the areas where the rallies passed. During the second Bharat Jodo Nyay rally, Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray, veteran Congress leader KC Venugopal, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole, Mumbai party chief Bhai Jagtap, Naseem Khan, Vishwajit Kadam, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Supriya Sule and Jitendra Awhad had joined Gandhi. Northeastern states The Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra began in Manipur on January 14 - the key state following the massive violence, and passed through Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland across 11 constituencies. The grand old party won six seats. Bihar Rahul Gandhi's second yatra, which passed through Bihar, touched seven constituencies in the state. Out of these, the Congress contested on three seats and won them all. Meanwhile, its opposition allies won two seats. Haryana The Congress won one of the five seats from which its rally passed, while the BJP bagged the rest of the seats. Jammu and Kashmir The Congress covered four seats during its first rally in Jammu and Kashmir - out of which the party's ally, National Conference (NC), won two seats. The alliance lost the remaining two seats. Karnataka The Congress covered seven seats in Karnataka during its first Bharat Jodo rally. Out of these, the grand old party won three seats, while its ally JD(S) bagged one seat. Kerala The Congress won seven seats out of the 11 constituencies it travelled to through the mega rally. Madhya Pradesh The grand old party did not manage to win any seats in the state, as the BJP bagged all the seats. Punjab The Congress had covered six seats in Punjab during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Out of these, the Congress won five seats, while its opposition ally AAP won one seat. Rajasthan After the party's mega rallies, which covered seven constituencies in Rajasthan, the party won four seats in the state. Tamil Nadu The Congress won one of the two seats the Bharat Jodo Yatra covered in Tamil Nadu, while its ally DMK bagged the other. Telangana The Congress won just one of the seven constituencies it passed through in Telangana. Andhra Pradesh Congress contested on two seats from Andhra Pradesh, where the first Bharat Jodo Yatra was held. However, the party failed to win both seats. Gujarat The Congress had travelled through five constituencies in Guajrat, but did not manage to win any. All the seats were won by the BJP. West Bengal The Congress covered nine seats in West Bengal during its Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Out of these, the grand old party managed to win only one seat. However, its INDIA bloc ally, TMC, won five seats. Jharkhand The grand old party contested on four out of the seven seats covered in the Bharat Jodo rally - out of which it managed to win only one seat. Chhattisgarh Out of the four constituencies covered in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Chhattisgarh, the Congress won only one seat. Lok Sabha election result The BJP, which was seeking a third consecutive term in office and a third straight single-party majority, won 240 seats in the Lok Sabha election, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). However, NDA's overall tally stood at 293. Now, the ruling party is relying on the support of its NDA allies to form a government at the Centre. On the other hand, the Congress won 99 seats in the general election, as per the ECIits best performance since 2009. The opposition alliancethe INDIA blochas a tally of 234 seats. It was a day of hectic political developments, beginning with the stepping down of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and ending with the appointment of HD Deve Gowda as the 11th Prime Minister of India. Atal Bihari Vajpayee after submitting his resignation as the Prime Minister to the President. (HT Archive) Vajpayee tendered his resignation on May 28, 1996, which was accepted by the President, even before the voting on the confidence motion could be taken up on the floor of the Lok Sabha. Deve Gowda first met the President with a set of 190 support letters. About an hour later, Deve Gowda, on summons from the Rashtrapati Bhawan, met the President for the second time when he was invited to form the government. Gowda will be sworn in on June 1 and has been asked to prove his majority by June 12. Vajpayee resigned after the debate on the motion of confidence without facing the voting on the floor but vowing to go back to the people and return with an absolute majority. The President, Shankar Dayal Sharma, accepted Vajpayees resignation and asked him to continue till alternative arrangements were made. The government fell on the inauspicious thirteenth day in office after it had failed to muster support but had successfully spoken to its national constituency through the live national telecast of the two days proceedings of the Lok Sabha. This was the shortest span of any government the late Charan Singh remained in office for 171 days without seeking the confidence of the House while Chandra Shekhars rule as the eighth Prime Minister had lasted for 224 days. VP Singhs Government lasted for 341 days. The political situation after Vajpayees resignation seems to be returning to a state of fluidity in spite of the 14-party group United Front. A section of the groups MPs came out of the House shouting Desk ka neta kaisa ho... Deve Gowda jaisa ho... They were, however, confronted with another group which insisted on reiterating Desh ka neta aisa ho... Mulayam Singh jaisa ho... Most of the partners of the United Front kept their fingers crossed hoping that it was enthusiasm rather than the first inkling of a power struggle even without power. In a last-ditch effort to save his government, Vajpayee was assisted by his allies the Akali Dal led by SS Barnala and the HVP who chose Jai Prakash to be its spokesman. Vajpayee in his 90-minute address, a major part of which was taken by repeated interruptions, heckling and plain shouting and what anywhere else would be construed as misbehaviour, switched from emotion to anger and finally to the acceptance of the inevitable. Vajpayees main thrust today was on: -- The fact that the BJP was willing for a government of consensus and was therefore ready to freeze its controversial pledges: the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, abrogation of Article 370 and the implementation of a uniform civil code. He added that it was the lack of a majority which had prompted the BJP from focussing on any controversial subjects. He accused the Opposition of a single point programme-removal of the BJP instead of a commitment to nation-building adding that this was reactionary and negative and the people would give a befitting reply. He asserted that the BJP stood by its pledge to serve the country and the people, but in a rare burst of anger he also said that in case the other parties decided to fight unfairly his would not hesitate to take the debate beyond the walls of Parliament House. He made a spirited defence of the RSS which had come under attack from the CPI leader, Indrajit Gupta, and JD leader Ram Vilas Paswan. Vajpayee, in an attempt to win over the southern regional parties, gave a special word of thanks to the DMK leader in the House, Murasoli Maran, and quoted a poem from the Tamil poet Subramanium Bharati which said... My mother has 30 crore faces but she has one heart... and the attempted rendering in chaste Tamil drew the loudest applause from the DMK benches without any sign of support. The Prime Ministers speech was held up for nearly 45 minutes as an uproar was created by the Opposition and the Speaker ultimately allowed Vajpayee to quote from the report after stating that the member should authenticate it. New Delhi, Haryana is not releasing to Delhi its share of 1,050 cusecs of water through the Munank canal, the city government's Water Minister Atishi alleged on Saturday. Haryana not releasing Delhi's share of 1,050 cusecs of water through Munank canal, says Atishi Addressing a press conference, Atishi said during the summer, when Haryana releases 1,050 cusecs of water, Delhi receives about 995 cusecs. "However, in the past one week, Delhi has been getting less water. It received 924 cusecs on June 1, 884 cusecs on June 4, 856 cusecs on June 6, and 840 cusecs on June 7. During every summer, there is a loss of around 59 to 60 cusecs of water due to evaporation. If 840 cusecs of water is reaching Delhi, it means Haryana is not releasing water in the Munak canal," she said. The national capital has been grappling with a water shortage, with Atishi blaming Haryana for not releasing Yamuna water to the city. The problem has become acute in some areas such as Chanakyapuri, where residents were seen climbing on top of a tanker with pipes to get their share of water. The acute shortage has become an "existential problem" in Delhi, the Supreme Court observed on Thursday and directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of surplus water to the national capital and Haryana to facilitate its flow. The top court also said there should be no politics over water. Atishi said if water at the carrier-lined channel and the Delhi sub-branch two sub-branches of the Munank canal stay at this level, then all of Delhi will face a shortage in the coming two days. On Friday, visiting Wazirabad barrage to take stock of the situation, she said the shortage would not be solved even if Himachal Pradesh released water as Haryana had "reduced" the city's share. "Haryana is conspiring against the people of Delhi behind the back of the Supreme Court," she had alleged. "The water level of the Yamuna at Wazirabad has come down from 671 feet on June 2 to 669.7 feet on Friday. If the water level falls so low, how will the water treatment plants supply water to the people of Delhi?" she had said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The Madras high court on Friday continued to hear the suo motu revisions taken up against sitting ministers Thangam Thennarasu (finance), KKSSR Ramachandran (revenue) under the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government and against former chief minister and AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS). The Madras high court on Friday continued to hear the suo motu revisions taken up against two sitting ministers and former CM O Panneerselvam (File photo) Tamil Nadus advocate general PS Raman argued on behalf of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), who had registered the cases against them. Justice Anand Venkatesh then posted the case for further arguments on June 11. This is part of the revision cases which justice Venkatesh had taken up suo motu against the discharge or acquittal of six heavy weight politicians of the DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). The other leaders in the dock are K Ponmudi (higher education) I Periyasamy (rural development minister) and former AIADMK minister B Valarmathi. All cases were registered by the DVAC. In 2012, the DVAC booked Thennarasu and his wife Manimegalai for amassing wealth between 2006 - 2010 when he was the education minister of the then DMK regime. After the DMK came back to power in 2021, the couple were discharged by the Srivilliputhur special court. A disproportionate assets case was registered against minister Ramachandran and his wife, Aadhilakshmi, in 2011. The Virudhunagar principal district court (Special Court) had discharged them after the DMK came to power. OPS had moved the Supreme Court against the HC taking up the revision case against him which the top court dismissed earlier in March. OPS had argued in the HC that the prosecution initiated against him was due to political differences. The case against him pertains to a disproportionate assets case in which a special court in Sivaganga district discharged him in 2012. The DVAC under the DMK regime had registered a case against OPS for accumulating wealth amounting to 1.7 crore disproportionate to his known sources of income between 2001 and 2001 when he was revenue minister. In 2012, the AIADMK came back to power. Justice Venkatesh last year said that he believed that the discharge of OPS in 2012 set the pattern for the discharge of elected representatives every time the regime changed between the DMK and AIADMK. In August 2023, he said: It is a shame on the criminal justice delivery system. DVAC has unfortunately become a chameleon and has begun to take its colours depending upon who is in power. Unfortunately, courts have also acted in tandem. If you expect the High Court to close its eyes to such systemic failure then we will be failing in our constitutional duty. A party, B party is not our headache. We have to only ensure that the system is not broken down. This case (against OPS) is the starting point, he added. OPS, however, was expelled from the AIADMK in 2022. He contested the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections as an independent with the backing of the BJP in Ramanathapuram seat to be the runner up. Parents of jailed pro-Khalistan preacher Amritpal Singh, who won as an independent candidate from Punjabs Khadoor Sahib constituency in the recently-held Lok Sabha elections, said on Saturday that he was extremely happy after getting elected as a Member of Parliament (MP). Amritpal Singh, detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and lodged in Dibrugarh jail, won the Lok Sabha elections from the Khadoor Sahib segment as an Independent. Singh, who is lodged in a jail in Assams Dibrugrah, defeated Kulbir Singh Zira of the Congress party by a margin of 197,120 votes. While the former received 404,430 votes, Zira got 207,310 votes, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). He (Amritpal) was very happywe felt very happy after meeting him. He asked to thank everyone who supported him, Balwinder Kaur, his mother, told reporters after meeting her son earlier today. His father, meanwhile, demanded that the central government must withdraw all cases against Amritpal, the chief of Waris Punjab De, a pro-Khalistan outfit. He asked to thank every voter who supported him. He will work to serve the publicthe public has given him such a huge mandate. The government should withdraw all the cases and allow him to raise Punjabs voice in the Lok Sabha, Tarsem Singh said. Also Read: Amritpal to write to Punjab govt seeking release to take oath as MP The border state sends as many as 13 members to the 543-seat Lok Sabha. Others elected to the 18th Lok Sabha from here include Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the son of Beant Singh, one of the two bodyguards who assassinated then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in October 1984, months after Operation Blue Star, carried out by the army inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Amritpal, 31, was arrested by the Punjab Police in April last year, weeks after giving them a slip after a massive operation was launched to nab him. He has been booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). (With ANI inputs) New Delhi: Leaders from seven neighbouring countries and the Indian Ocean region, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, will attend Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modis swearing-in ceremony on June 9. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi displays a letter from the President of India, Draupadi Murmu, inviting him to form the next central government, outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on June 7, 2024.(AP) The visit of these leaders to attend Modis inauguration is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR or Security and Growth for All in the Region vision, the external affairs ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Besides Hasina and Muizzu, the other leaders attending the ceremony are Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Seychelles vice president Ahmed Afif, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. Also Read | JD(U) likely to get 2 cabinet, 1 minister of state berths in Union cabinet In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday evening, the statement said. HT had reported on Thursday that Indias Neighbourhood First policy and the focus on cooperation with Indian Ocean states were the main factors behind the decision to invite the leaders of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka to the inauguration. Bangladesh is currently the main beneficiary of the Neighbourhood First policy, having received aid worth billions of dollars to boost road, rail and energy connectivity, and Hasina was expected to visit India following her victory in the general election in January before travelling to China next month. However, Hasinas participation in Modis swearing-in ceremony means that she is unlikely to go ahead with a full-fledged bilateral visit to India, as had been planned earlier. The Bangladesh premier will not be able to travel during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays in mid-June, and she will subsequently be pre-occupied with the budget session of the Parliament, people familiar with the matter said. Also Read | No longer can: Sonia Gandhi's sharp attack on Narendra Modi's governance style Muizzu was a surprise addition to the list of invitees, especially amid the strained relations between India and the Maldives since his election last year on the back of an India Out campaign. Muizzu has taken a range of steps to move the Maldives closer to China, such as forcing India to recall more than 85 military personnel who were stationed in the Indian Ocean archipelago to operate two helicopters and an aircraft mainly used for medical evacuations and humanitarian relief operations. He has also signed agreements with Turkey and China for the supply of food items and defence equipment steps that are seen as being aimed at reducing dependence on India. It was not immediately clear whether Modi will hold separate bilateral meetings with all the visiting leaders. While the Bangladesh premier and the Seychelles president are scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Saturday, all the other leaders are set to fly into the national capital only on Sunday. The Nepal prime minister will arrive in New Delhi about four hours ahead of the swearing-in ceremony. The opposition INDIA bloc may not have staked claim to form the government, but that doesn't mean it won't tomorrow, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Saturday after a meeting of senior TMC leaders and newly elected MPs to discuss the party's strategy in the Lok Sabha. Expressing scepticism about the longevity of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, the TMC supremo said her party will be in a wait and watch mode. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee.(PTI) The country needs change; the country wants change. This mandate was for change. We are waiting and keeping a watch on the situation. This mandate was against Narendra Modi, so he should not become the prime minister this time. Someone else should have been allowed to take over, Banerjee told reporters. Read: Trinamool Congress vote share up by 2% from 2019 The Trinamool Congress supremo said the party will not attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government, describing it as "unconstitutional" and illegal. The BJP is forming the government undemocratically and illegally. Today INDIA bloc may not have staked a claim to form the government, but that doesn't mean tomorrow it won't stake a claim. Lets wait for some time, she said. I would be happy to see that this unstable and weak government at the centre is out of power, Banerjee said. Read: How TMC went back to drawing board, fended off formidable BJP Mamata Banerjee, buoyed by TMC's strong performance in the general elections, said her party will raise the demand in Parliament to revoke the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. Referring to BJP's diminished strength in Lok Sabha, Banerjee said, Last time, they had passed bills without discussions but won't be able to do it this time. She also confirmed that Sudip Bandopadhyay has been re-elected as the Leader of the party in the Lok Sabha, with Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar as the Deputy Leader and Kalyan Banerjee as the Chief Whip. In the Rajya Sabha, Derek O'Brien was elected as the Leader of the Party, Sagarika Ghose as the Deputy Leader, and Nadimul Haque as the Chief Whip. Read: With focus on welfare and women, Mamata Banerjee takes pole position in Bengal At the onset of the meeting, Banerjee congratulated the victorious candidates, especially the new ones such as Yusuf Pathan, Rachana Banerjee, Mitali Bag, Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia. The TMC maintained its dominance in the state as Banerjee led her party to a resounding victory by bagging 29 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, whereas the principal opposition BJP was down to 12 and the Congress to one seat. A 30-year-old man, who supports the Bharatiya Janata Party, chopped off his finger and offered it at a temple in Chhattisgarh's Balrampur on the Lok Sabha election result day on June 4. Man chops off his finger, offers it at temple for BJP's victory in Lok Sabha polls: Report The man, identified as Durgesh Pandey, was initially depressed when he saw Congress leading in the initial trends of the Lok Sabha election, a report by India Today said. Following this, he went to the Goddess Kali temple and prayed for the BJP's victory. A few hours later, when he saw that the BJP-led NDA was emerging victorious, he went back to the temple, chopped off his finger on his left hand and offered it to the Goddess, the report said. The report added that Pandey tried to stop the bleeding by tying a cloth around the wound. However, as his condition worsened, the man's family took him to the Community Health Centre in Samari, where the doctors performed a surgery. But, due to the delay in treatment, they could not re-attach his severed finger. Pandey is currently stable and recovering, the report said. Also read: India lags behind 150 countries in representation of women in Lok Sabha Speaking to India Today, Pandey said that he visited the Kali temple as he was disturbed to see the Congress leading in the elections. I made a vowWhen the BJP was winning, I went to the temple and offered my finger. The BJP will now form the government, but I would have been more happy if the NDA would have crossed the 400 mark, he said. The BJP, which was seeking a third consecutive term in office and a third straight single-party majority, won 240 seats in the Lok Sabha election, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). However, NDA's overall tally stood at 293. Now, the ruling party is relying on the support of its NDA allies to form a government at the Centre. On the other hand, the Congress won 99 seats in the general election, as per the ECIits best performance since 2009. The opposition alliancethe INDIA blochas a tally of 234 seats. Modi will be taking oath as the prime minister for the third time on Sunday. The swearing-in ceremony will be attended by over 8,000 guests, including various professionals and cultural performers. The Southwest Monsoon has advanced into more parts of the central Arabian Sea, south Maharashtra, Telangana, and portions of south Chhattisgarh and south Odisha, as well as additional regions of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, the India Meteorological Department said on Saturday. The weather forecasting agency reported favourable conditions for the monsoon to further advance into the remaining parts of the central Arabian Sea, and additional areas of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, and Telangana over the next 2-3 days. Two additional cyclonic circulations over northwest Madhya Pradesh and east Bihar are expected to cause rainfall and thunderstorms in central and eastern India. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO) Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected across Maharashtra and Coastal and North Interior Karnataka over the next five days. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely in Maharashtra from June 8 to 11 and in Karnataka on June 8 and 9. Read: Beaches in Goa become deserted and quieter with first pre-monsoon showers Widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) is likely over Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Karnataka, Kerala & Mahe, and Lakshadweep. Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Rayalaseema, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal will experience isolated light to moderate rainfall over the next five days. A cyclonic circulation over central Assam and neighbouring areas, along with strong southwesterly/southerly winds from the Bay of Bengal, will bring widespread light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim over the next seven days. Isolated heavy rainfall is expected over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim from June 8 to 12, Assam & Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh from June 9 to 12, and Nagaland on June 8 and 12. Assam & Meghalaya may also see isolated very heavy rainfall on June 11 and 12. Two cyclonic circulations, one over northwest Madhya Pradesh and another over east Bihar, are likely to cause isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) over Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh in the next 4-5 days. Madhya Pradesh may also experience isolated hailstorms and squally winds (50-60 kmph) on June 8 and 9. A Western Disturbance, observed as a trough in the middle tropospheric westerlies along 70E north of 30N, combined with prevailing southwesterly winds from the Arabian Sea, will likely bring isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning to Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand on June 8 and 9. Rajasthan is also expected to experience dust storms and thundersqualls during this period. In view of Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony as the prime minister of India on Sunday, the authorities have put in place massive security arrangements in and around Delhi, including imposing prohibitory orders and declaring the city a no-flying zone. Narendra Modi shows the media a letter that he received from President Droupadi Murmu inviting him to form a new government(Hindustan Times) Follow LIVE Updates President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Modi and his cabinet ministers at 7:15 pm on Sunday, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan's Forecourt. Also read: Narendra Modi oath ceremony: Who will attend event amid Neighbourhood First push? Here are 10 points on Delhi's security arrangements: 1. Top officials of the Delhi Police conducted a thorough security review at the Rashtrapati Bhavan as part of the preparations for the mega event. 2. Special security measures have also been taken for foreign dignitaries, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremasinghe and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, who are few of the global leaders arriving in the national capital to attend PM Modi's oath ceremony. 3. Enhanced security protocols have been put in place at the designated hotels where these foreign guests will stay during their visit to New Delhi. 4. Additionally, the city police have issued an advisory announcing a No-Fly Zone over the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. 5. The advisory prohibits the operation of sub-conventional aerial platforms, aiming to prevent any potential threats emanating from criminal and anti-social elements, or terrorists, during the oath ceremony of the new union government. No-fly zone for drones and gliders over Delhi during PMs swearing-in 6. The restrictions and prohibitions will be effective from June 9 till June 10, the advisory said. 7. "With effect from 09.06.2024, there will be a prohibition on flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang-gliders, UAVS, UASS, microlight aircrafts, remotely piloted aircrafts, hot air balloons, small sized powered aircrafts, quadcopters or para-jumping from aircraft etc. over the jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi in view of swearing-in ceremony in the National Capital Territory of Delhi to thwart criminal, anti-social elements or terrorists inimical to India from posing a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries and vital installations by using them," the police said in an advisory issued on X. 8. The violators of the rules would be penalised and prosecuted under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). 9. The Rashtrapati Bhavan also announced to cancel the weekly Change of Guard Ceremony on June 8. 10. The security measures were taken after the formal appointment of Narendra Modi as prime minister-designate by the President on Friday. Modi was elected as NDA's Parliamentary leader after a meeting of the alliance's newly elected MPs was held in the Parliament's central hall on Friday. Later in the day, he met President Murmu and staked a claim to form the government. She appointed Modi as the prime minister-designate after BJP president J P Nadda handed her a letter saying the former had been elected as the leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party. Lok Sabha elections 2024 results: According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, way lower than its 2019 tally of 303. The Congress made substantial gains, winning 99 seats. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 293 seats, while the INDIA bloc won 234 seats. (With inputs from agencies) Three days into their trip in Egypt, Natasha and Courtney claim they were locked out of their hotel room. Natasha Oakden travelled Egypt on Sunday with her fiance Courtney Bogacki and other relatives, but claims the holiday quickly turned into a 'nightmare'. Source: Jam Press A family-of-five say their dream holiday quickly became a nightmare this week after they were allegedly locked out of their hotel room and forced to pay $5,100 to salvage their trip. Natasha Oakden travelled from the UK to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on Sunday with her fiance Courtney Bogacki, Courtneys parents, Emma and Sam Lewis, and their four-week-old baby Ava. Natasha, 24, said she booked the 5,724 (A$11,000) holiday with Loveholidays, but the day after they boarded the flight, its parent company FTI Group Europes third-largest tour operator filed for insolvency. It was then the family say their trip was thrown into chaos. When Natasha and Courtney tried to enter their hotel room three days into their stay, they claim their room cards did not work. A note was attached to the door advising the couple to contact the hotel desk immediately. Thankfully, Avas mother Emma had taken her baby up to the other room 10 minutes earlier to feed her, meaning the family had access to one of their two rooms. Natasha and her fiance stayed with the newborn while Emma and Sam reportedly marched down to reception to see what was going on. The family-of-five, including Courtneys parents, Emma and Sam Lewis, and their four-week-old baby Ava, claim they had to pay an extra $5,000 or face being kicked out of their hotel. Source: Jam Press Family claim they were forced to pay hotel another $5,000 The family claim hotel staff told them because of FTI Groups insolvency, the holiday was not paid for and they would need to re-pay the hotel fees A$5,100 or theyd be kicked out. We as a family feel drained and are so disappointed with how the company has gone about the situation, Natasha told Luxury Travel Daily. We are so let down and feel on edge constantly. Its been a very upsetting and difficult situation for us. We would not wish this on anyone, it's truly heartbreaking. She said the family were distraught throughout this whole process. The anxiety this caused the whole family is indescribable, Natasha continued. We immediately felt sick and it was like we were living some kind of nightmare. We rang friends in the UK to check out if the company has actually gone insolvent to ensure we weren't being scammed. This was our first holiday away with Ava, we wanted everything to be perfect and it felt like a nightmare. Travel agent vows to 'get this sorted' Natasha said she had been contacted by Loveholidays on Instagram. The message reads: Our dedicated team will shortly contact the hotel on your behalf to make the payment and further arrangements. Theyre working through the bookings they have as quickly as possible so please bear with them. Dont worry well get this sorted as quickly as we can. The UK travel agent issued a statement on Wednesday confirming a small number of customers arrangements may be affected. Loveholidays and FTI Group have been approached for comment. Jam Press Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Narendra Modi will take oath as the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive time on Sunday, June 9, in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. PM designate Narendra Modi's oath will be administered by President Droupadi Murmu at 7:15 pm, to be broadcasted live across the country. Prime Minister designate Narendra Modi will be sworn in tomorrow (Raj K Raj/HT photo) An official announcement reads, The President will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the Prime Minister and other members of the Union Council of Ministers at 07.15 pm on June 9, 2024, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Murmu appointed Modi as the prime minister designate on Friday, soon after BJP chief JP Nadda submitted a letter confirming Modis election as the leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party. Apart from Modi, the council of ministers under the new NDA government will also be sworn in on Sunday evening. Senior BJP leaders such as Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh besides party president J P Nadda have been consulting the allies, including Telugu Desam Party's N Chandrababu Naidu, JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde, to finalise their share of representation in the government. Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony will be broadcasted live across TV news channels. It will also be available for streaming on YouTube and other official social media handles. Narendra Modi oath ceremony: When, where to watch live All national television news channels will broadcast the oath ceremony of Modi live on TV and their social media channels at 7:15 pm on Sunday. Public service broadcaster Doordarshan will also run the live telecast of the event on their TV and YouTube channel. The ceremony will also be streamed live on the YouTube channel and X account of the President of India. The list of cabinet ministers will also be announced by the newly-formed NDA government tomorrow. While leaders like Shah and Singh are seen within the party as a certainty in the new Cabinet, former chief ministers who have won the Lok Sabha polls like Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Basavaraj Bommai, Manohar Lal Khattar and Sarbananda Sonowal are strong contenders for joining the government. Ram Mohan Naidu of the TDP, Lalan Singh, Sanjay Jha and Ram Nath Thakur of the JD(U), and Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) are among the allies who may be a part of the new government, sources said, adding that either Singh or Jha will be accommodated from the JD(U) quota. (With inputs from PTI) Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi will take oath of office on Sunday in the national capital in the presence of a host of foreign dignitaries, including the heads of several neighbouring countries. He is expected to meet these visiting foreign leaders the next day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gives a speech after staking claim to form the new union government as he was elected for his third term following the country's general election. (AFP) Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu, whose apparent China-tilt strained the country's relation with India, might also attend the grand event. Muizzu will likely leave for New Delhi on Saturday for the ceremony, along with several senior Maldives government officials. The heads of governments of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius and Seychelles are among the neighbours who have been invited for Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony. Among them, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda have confirmed their presence. Dahal and Ranil Wickremesinghe will arrive in Delhi on June 9. PM Hasina is likely to fly to Delhi today. Dahal and PM Modi spoke with each other via phone, when the former confirmed his attendance, reported ANI. PM Sheikh Hasina will leave Dhaka at 11 am today. "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave Dhaka for Delhi at 11 am on Saturday, June 8 and will return home at noon on June 10 after attending the swearing-in ceremony of PM Narendra Modi, due to the change in the oath-taking ceremony dates," said Bangladesh PM's Speech Writer, M Nazrul Islam. New Delhi has invited these leaders as part of India's Neighbourhood First policy. If Muizzu comes to India, it could prove to be a significant step towards easing the tensions between the two traditional partners. One of Muizzu's predecessors, Abdullah Yameen, had attended Modi's oath ceremony in May 2014. India and the Maldives' relations soured after Muizzu came to power in November 2023. He has asked India to withdraw its military personnel from the country. He had contested the polls on the India Out plank. BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won India's general elections with a seats tally of 293. The Opposition's INDIA bloc won 234 seats. The Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday announced to cancel the weekly Change of Guard Ceremony on June 8, 15 and 22 due to the preparation for the oath ceremony of Prime Minister and his council of ministers at the Forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and address to both the houses of the parliament by President Droupadi Murmu. Special security measures have also been arranged for foreign dignitaries attending the swearing-in ceremony.(File) Follow LIVE Updates "The Change of Guard ceremony will not take place on June 8, 15 and 22, 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhavan due to the preparation for the Swearing-in-Ceremony of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at Forecourt, Rashtrapati Bhavan and address to both the Houses of Parliament by the President," it said in a statement. The change of guard ceremony is a military tradition that is held every week to enable a fresh group of the President's Bodyguards (PBGs) to take charge. Security tightened across Delhi: In wake of the swearing ceremony of the new union government, the security has been tightened across the national capital. The top officials from Delhi Police conducted a thorough security review at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Special security measures have also been arranged for foreign dignitaries attending the swearing-in ceremony, including enhanced protocols at the designated hotels where the guests would be staying. Neighbourhood First at Narendra Modi's oath: Who will attend the oath ceremony? It also issued a public advisory on Friday announcing a No-Fly Zone over the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. "With effect from 09.06.2024, there will be a prohibition on flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang-gliders, UAVS, UASS, microlight aircrafts, remotely piloted aircrafts, hot air balloons, small sized powered aircrafts, quadcopters or para-jumping from aircraft etc. over the jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi in view of swearing-in ceremony in the National Capital Territory of Delhi to thwart criminal, anti-social elements or terrorists inimical to India from posing a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries and vital installations by using them," the police said in an advisory issued on X. Meanwhile, Narendra Modi has been elected as the NDA' Parliamentary leader after a meeting of the alliance's newly elected MPs was held in the Parliament's central hall on Friday. Later in the day, he met President Murmu and staked a claim to form the government at the centre. She appointed Modi as the prime minister-designate after BJP president J P Nadda handed her a letter on Modi's election as the leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party and NDA leaders submitted their letters of support. No-fly zone for drones and gliders over Delhi during PMs swearing-in Election Results 2024: According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats. The Congress, however, registered an improvement, winning 99 seats. While the BJP-led NDA won 293 seats, the INDIA bloc got 234 seats. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi was re-elected unanimously as the chairperson of the Congress parliamentary party on Saturday. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge proposed Sonia Gandhi's name as the chairperson of the parliamentary party and the proposal was seconded by Gaurav Gogoi, K Sudhakaran and Tariq Anwar. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with party leaders Sonia Gandhi, K.C. Venugopal and others during the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting, at the Parliament, in New Delhi, Saturday, June 8, 2024.(PTI) Gandhi expressed deep gratitude for the trust reposed in her and congratulated the newly elected Lok Sabha MPs. You have fought a tough election under the most challenging of circumstances. You have surmounted many obstacles and campaigned so very effectively, the senior Congress leader said, noting that their efforts have given the Congress a much greater presence in the Lok Sabha and a more effective voice in the house proceedings. Read: Congress to focus on urban voters, assess setback in states won before Lok Sabha polls Sonia Gandhi recounted the challenges the party faced during the Lok Sabha elections, including the freezing of bank accounts by the Income Tax department. (Congress) was up against a mighty and malevolent machine that was doing its utmost to destroy us. It tried to cripple us financially. It carried out a campaign against us and our leaders that was full of lies and defamation, she said. Many wrote our obituaries! But under the determined leadership of Kharge ji we persevered. He is an inspiration to all of us. Read: Sonia Gandhi family's advice to Amethi MP Kishori Lal Sharma: 'Ghamand nhi karna...' She lauded the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra as historic movements that rejuvenated the party at all levels, thanking Rahul Gandhi for his tenacity and determination in the face of unprecedented personal and political attacks. Gandhi also called for introspection on improving performance in states where expectations were not met, a point earlier made by Congress president Kharge at the meeting of the extended Congress Working Committee. Read: CWC passes resolution to appoint Rahul Gandhi as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha She asserted that Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi suffered a political and moral defeat since he sought the mandate solely in his name. Yet, far from taking responsibility for failure he intends to get himself sworn in again tomorrow. We do not expect him to change the substance and style of his governance, nor take cognizance of the will of the people, Gandhi said. That is why, as members of the CPP, we have a special obligation to be watchful, vigilant and proactive in holding him and his new NDA Government accountable, she added. No longer can and should Parliament be bulldozed like it has been for a decade now. No longer will the writ of the ruling establishment be permitted to disrupt Parliament, whimsically mistreat members or push through legislation without due and proper consideration and debate. No longer can and should Parliamentary Committees be ignored or bypassed like they have been since 2014. No longer will Parliament be muzzled and stifled as it has been over the past ten years. New Delhi: Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday launched a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that he suffered a political and moral defeat in the recently held Lok Sabha elections, and added that no longer should Parliament be bulldozed like it has been for a decade as she stressed that the writ of the ruling party will no longer be permitted to disrupt Parliament, whimsically mistreat members or push through legislation without due and proper consideration . New Delhi, Jun 08 (ANI): Congress leader Sonia Gandhi re-elected as President of the Congress Parliamentary Party at the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting comprising all newly elected Lok Sabha MPs & Rajya Sabha MPs, at Samvidhan Sadan (Old Parliament) in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI Photo(Congress -X) Addressing the newly elected party MPs in the Central Hall of the old Parliament, a day after the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) held its parliamentary party meeting at the same venue, Gandhi said Modi had lost the right to leadership. The Prime Minister who sought the mandate solely in his name to the exclusion of both his party and its allies has suffered a political and moral defeat. In reality, he has lost the mandate he sought and thereby lost the right to leadership as well. Yet, far from taking responsibility for failure he intends to get himself sworn in again tomorrow [Sunday]. We do not expect him to change the substance and style of his governance, nor take cognizance of the will of the people, she said. Also Read | Oppn bloc must work cohesively inside and outside House: Mallikarjun Kharge The BJP won 240 seats in the general elections whose results were announced on Tuesday, stopping well short of the majority mark of 272. The Oppositions Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) delivered an unexpectedly strong performance to restrict the BJP below its stated pre-poll target of 370. However, with allies such as the Janata Dal (United), Telugu Desam Party and Shiv Sena, and a clutch of smaller partners, the NDA is comfortably placed to form the government. Gandhi, who was re-elected as the chairperson of the Congresss Parliamentary Party for five years, urged the party MPs to hold the NDA government accountable. As members of the CPP, we have a special obligation to be watchful, vigilant and proactive in holding him and his new NDA government accountable. No longer can and should Parliament be bulldozed like it has been for a decade now, she added. The Congresss effective tally in the House stood at 100 after Sangli parliamentarian Vishal Patil extended his support to the party, further emboldening the Opposition bloc, which had 236 members. No longer can and should Parliamentary Committees be ignored or by-passed or stifled as it has been over the past ten years, Gandhi said. Also Read | CWC passes resolution to appoint Rahul Gandhi as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Gandhi also reminded the new team of the Congress lawmakers of their duties amid signs of heightened confrontation between the government and the Opposition in the 18th Lok Sabha. In this election the people have voted decisively to reject the politics of divisiveness and authoritarianism. They have voted to strengthen parliamentary politics and safeguard our Constitution. They have voted for the agenda of economic and social justice. That indeed should continue to be our objective and guide, she said. The senior Congress leader said the party faced a tall task ahead as it had to prevent any attempts to increase polarization and erosion of secular and democratic values enshrined in our Constitution by the ruling cabal. She also argued that This is a renewed opportunity for us as a party that established parliamentary democracy in our country to bring parliamentary politics back on track... She highlighted the resilience demonstrated by the party in the polls and underlined that it was up against a mighty and malevolent machine that was doing its utmost to destroy us as she lauded party president Mallikarjun Kharge for his role in leading the party. It tried to cripple us financially. It carried out a campaign against us and our leaders that was full of lies and defamation. Many wrote our obituaries! But under the determined leadership of Kharge Ji we persevered, she said. Addressing the CPP, senior party leader Rahul Gandhi said the were committed to raise the demands of the people in Parliament. Our resolve to raise the voice of the people of India in Parliament with full force and to hold the government accountable at every step is strong, he said. In his speech, Kharge praised Sonia and added that In the last 10 years, the rights of the opposition in Parliament were constantly limited. Be it asking questions, asking for time for discussion, sending bills to committees, drawing the attention of the government to burning issues, BJP created obstacles at every step. He added: Modiji does not want the opposition to raise public issues in the House. He considers it an insult to answer the oppositions questions. When Modiji was touching the Constitution to his forehead yesterday, he forgot how he had violated constitutional traditions in the last 10 years. He has weakened the Parliament and constitutional institutions. He has insulted them, Kharge alleged. New Delhi: Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge told the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Saturday that the INDIA alliance must continue and the group must function cohesively and collectively both in parliament and outside. Congress Working Committee meeting held in New Delhi in Saturday (PTI Photo) The party chief also maintained that People have spoken against the dictatorial and anti-democratic ways of the ruling party. It is a decisive rejection of the politics of the last 10 years. It is a rejection of the politics of divisiveness, hate and polarisation, while emphasising that People have reposed their faith back in us in substantial measures, and we must build on it. The Congress-led INDIA alliance in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls bagged 232 seats and restricted the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to less than 300 seats. The Congress party won 99 seats. On behalf of the CWC, Kharge congratulated the newly elected Congress members of the Lok Sabha who fought and won the elections in adverse circumstances. Addressing the first CWC after the election results, Kharge asked the party to continue to raise the issues highlighted during the Lok Sabha campaign. The issues that we raised in the election campaign are issues that are bothering the people of India. We have to continue to raise them both in parliament and outside, he said. Our determination is that the INDIA group must continue. We must function cohesively and collectively both in parliament and outside. The Congress president also called for a review of the performance in some states and heightened efforts to improve the partys vote share in urban centres. In the big cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Bengaluru, the Congress found limited success in the general election. While we celebrate the revival, we should pause a little as in some states we have not performed to our abilities and expectations. Further, we could not repeat our performance in states where we had previously done well in Vidhan Sabha elections and formed the government, Kharge said. Other than this, we saw an increase in seats dominated by SC [Scheduled Caste], ST [Scheduled Tribe], OBC [Other Backward Class], and minority voters as well as in rural areas. Going forward, we have to make our presence felt in urban areas as well, he added. Kharge also praised Rahul Gandhi in his opening remarks. I want to draw your attention to the fact that wherever Bharat Jodo Yatra went, we saw an increase in the vote percentage and number of seats for the Congress party. In Manipur, we won both the seats. We also won seats in Nagaland, Assam, and Meghalaya. In Maharashtra, we emerged as the single-largest party. People from all walks of life supported the Congress party to save the countrys democracy and constitution, he said. Kharge also announced that separate discussions for each state will be held, especially where the Congress failed to perform. There are 14 states and Union Territories (mostly UTs) where Congress failed to win a single seat in this election. Kharge called for urgent remedial measures and pointed out that These are states which have traditionally favoured Congress where we have opportunities which we have to harness not for our own advantage but for the benefit of our people. The Congress president, who played a key role in forming the INDIA alliance, hailed the alliance, saying, I will be failing in my duty if I dont acknowledge the INDIA alliance partners, in which each party played its designated role in different states, each party contributed to the other. Our determination is that the INDIA group must continue. We must function cohesively and collectively both in parliament and outside. The Congress chief also harped on discipline and unity and said, The people have reposed their faith back in us in substantial measures, and we must build on it. We accept this verdict with genuine humility. We will make every possible effort to maintain their trust. We have to remain disciplined. We have to remain united. Kharge also maintained that the partys work will continue even if it is not in power. We have to work amongst our people 24 hours, 365 days and raise their issues. Rahul Gandhi, who won both the Wayanad and Rae Bareli constituencies in the recently-held Lok Sabha elections, will decide in three to four days which of the two seats he will represent in the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha, the Congress said on Saturday. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (File Photo/Bloomberg) Also Read: CWC passes resolution to appoint Rahul Gandhi as leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha The decision, in any case, has to be taken before June 17, senior party leader KC Venugopal said. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is likely to begin around June 15. Of course, that decision has to be taken before 17thit will come within three to four days, Venugopal told reporters. The Congress general secretary was addressing a press conference after a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC). Gandhi, a former chief of the grand old party, retained Kerala's Wayanad seat, which elected him as it Member of Parliament (MP) for what will be his second consecutive term, if he keeps this seat. He secured 647,445 votes or 60% of the total votes polled, while his runner-up, Annie Raja of the Communist Party of India (CPI), polled 283,023 (26% votes), according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). In Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli segment, on the other hand, he bagged 687,649 (66%) votes, while Dinesh Pratap Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came second with 297,619 (29%) votes, ECI data shows. Gandhi contested from here after his mother and former Congress president, 5-time Rae Bareli MP Sonia Gandhi, vacated the seat and moved to Rajya Sabha in February due to health issues. A person contesting a Lok Sabha or assembly (state) election in India, can stand from a maximum of two seats. If they win both, they must leave one; a by-election is conducted to fill the resulting vacancy. In the 2019 general elections, Rahul Gandhi stood from Uttar Pradesh's Amethi he won it in 2004, 2009, and 2014 as well as Wayanad. He lost to BJP's Smriti Irani in Amethi but was victorious in Wayanad. Following the Lok Sabha election results in Karnataka, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi convened a meeting in Bengaluru on Friday with newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) and losing candidates to assess the partys performance. Congress' newly elected MP from Wayanad and Raebareli Rahul Gandhi holds a meeting with party leaders at the Congress Bhavan in Bengaluru on Friday. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and State Dy CM DK Shivakumar also seen. (ANI) Addressing the media following the meeting, deputy chief minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar said that Gandhi has assigned the task of evaluating the partys performance to three senior leaders. We will discuss and submit a report. He has asked me, chief minister Siddaramaiah, and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary, Randeep Singh Surjewala, to submit a report, he said. Gandhis visit to Bengaluru was also marked by his appearance in a court hearing related to a defamation case filed by the BJP against Congress leaders. The meeting was held hours after Rahul Gandhi was granted bail from a Bengaluru court in connection with a defamation case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Keshav Prasad. The 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court, designated for cases involving elected representatives, granted bail after Gandhi appeared in person. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who also faced charges in the case, were granted bail on June 1 after appearing before the court. The case stems from advertisements allegedly disseminated by Congress leaders, which claimed that a 40% commission was being charged for all public works under the previous BJP government led by Basavaraj Bommai. Addressing the media, Shivakumar said, Rahul Gandhi would attend the court in connection with a case filed by the BJP over an advertisement by the Congress party on the corruption rate card. BJP MLA Yatnal himself had said that the Chief Ministers post costs 2,500 crore in BJP. The advertisement included media reports about the BJPs corruption. Rahul Gandhis name has been included in the complaint to get publicity. The BJPs Karnataka unit had previously sought a non-bailable warrant against Gandhi for his non-appearance on June 1, but the court exempted his appearance on that date and mandated his presence on June 7. The next hearing is scheduled for June 30. Former Congress MP DK Suresh secured Gandhis bail by providing property worth 75 lakh rupees as security. Gandhi later left for the states party headquarters for his meeting with the candidates. During the meeting, Gandhi asked the MPs and candidates to maintain a strong connection with their constituents, urging them to remain present in their regions, barring sessions in Parliament. Shivakumar added, He has asked them to avoid Bengaluru and Delhi, except when Parliament is in session, and to be in touch with their constituents. He has asked the MPs to be with the people. Despite initial expectations of securing around 12-15 seats, Congress managed to win only nine out of the 28 available in the state, trailing behind the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally Janata Dal (Secular), which won 19 seats togethery. Shivakumar further added that Rahul Gandhi held discussions with several Karnataka cabinet ministers, where he inquired about the voting patterns in their respective constituencies. He expressed that the party had anticipated a better performance, aiming for five to six additional seats. We had expected to win five to six more seats. Gandhi stressed the importance of accountability, he added. Belagavi: Congress MLA Lakshman Savadis chances of joining Siddaramaiahs cabinet have diminished due to a smaller-than-expected victory margin for the partys candidate in his assembly constituency during the Lok Sabha elections. In a recent campaign rally in Athani, both chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar had promised Savadi a cabinet position if he secured a substantial victory margin (PTI) Savadi had won from the Athani constituency during last years state legislative assembly elections. His assembly constituency is part of the Chikkodi Lok Sabha seat, where Congress had fielded Priyanka Jarkiholi. In a recent campaign rally in Athani, both chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar had promised Savadi a cabinet position if he secured a substantial victory margin. However, Jarkiholis win in Athani with only a 9,000-vote margin, against an anticipated 50,000, has put this promise in jeopardy. Having served as the deputy CM in BS Yediyurappas government, Savadi joined Congress, after being denied a ticket by the BJP for the Athani constituency, along with Jagadish Shettar. In the last general election, he secured a significant victory, defeating BJPs Mahesh Kumatolli, who had previously resigned from Congress during Operation Lotus, led by BJP legislator Ramesh Jarkiholi. After they joined the Congress, both were promised a cabinet berth, however, they were asked to wait for a while before entering the cabinet. Before the Lok Sabha polls, Shettar went back to BJP, allegedly after being sidelined in the Congress. The fortunes of Shettar and Savadi the two rebels who joined Congress last year couldnt have been more different. While Savadi might struggle to gain an entry into Siddaramaiahs cabinet, Shettar won the Lok Sabha elections from the Belgaum constituency, and is touted to be a union minister in the new government. PWD minister Satish Jarkiholi hinted at Savadis performance being a factor in the reduced victory margin. Those who joined us from BJP did not work as promised, Jarkiholi said, adding that he would bring this to the chief ministers attention, potentially blocking Savadis cabinet entry. Savadi, reflecting on the results, said, My supporters and I did our best. Despite many drawbacks, we ensured victory. He noted he had his biggest win in the Athani assembly constituency while competing as a Congress candidate last year. However, the split voting patterns for the assembly and parliamentary elections affected the expected outcomes during the recent polls. Political analyst Ashok Chandaragi weighed in, stating that the election results in the Chikkodi Lok Sabha constituency might impact Savadis chances of securing a ministerial berth. Savadi and his supporters worked hard, but not all followed his instructions, Chandaragi observed. He noted that while Savadis assembly election showed strong support, the Lok Sabha election reflected divided loyalties. Despite the setbacks, Savadi remains committed to his new party. We worked till the last hour to defeat a powerful sitting candidate. I will not be disappointed if I dont get a ministerial berth and will remain loyal to the party that revived my political career, he said. The Jarkiholi family, with four legislators, has further solidified its influence in the Belagavi district, despite internal conflicts. Minister Satish Jarkiholi also expressed concerns about Kudachi legislator Mahendra Tammannavars role in Priyanka Jarkiholis narrow victory. Tammannavar allegedly supported his relative Shambu Kallolikar, an IAS officer turned independent candidate, who garnered significant votes against Priyanka. Tammannavar defended his actions, stating, I will explain the reasons for the lower victory margin. If my supporters had worked against Congress, Kallolikar would have secured over 50,000 votes. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday asserted that ministers in the state government, as well as public representatives, must not practice "VIP culture." Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath (HT File Photo) All of us will have to be alert and cautious so that none of our activities reflect the VIP culture, a UP government statement quoted Adityanath as saying in a special meeting of his council of ministers. Giving his ministers the mantra of samvaad, samanvay, samvendansheelta" (dialogue, coordination, and sensitivity), the BJP leader also instructed them to visit and be among people regularly. The government is for the people and public interest is paramount for us. The problems, expectations, and needs of the person standing at the last rung of the society, must be resolved, he said. Giving priority to Jan Sunvaai (public hearing), the satisfaction of the common man, and the progress of the state, is at the core of all the public welfare efforts of the UP government, CM Adityanath stated further. The chief minister also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the BJP-led NDA government, for winning a third consecutive term at the Centre in the recently-held Lok Sabha elections. However, the saffron party performed badly in Uttar Pradesh, the country's most populous state that sends the highest 80 members to the 543-seat Lok Sabha; the party won only 33 seats, down from 71 in 2014 and 62 in 2019. The Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance, on the other hand won 43 (37+6) seats. CM Adityanath, meanwhile, also asked his ministers to widely publicise the achievements of the central and state governments, increase their active participation on social media, and make the public aware of the policies, decisions and the positive results of the double-engine government. The way in which development has gained pace in Uttar Pradesh in the 10 years under PM Modi, our government will be successful in creating many new records in the coming five years, he said. (With PTI inputs) The Queensland Government announced on Saturday all light vehicle registrations will be slashed by 20 per cent for 12 months. The Queensland Government announced on Saturday all light car regos will be slashed by 20 per cent from September 16. Source: AAP Millions of Aussie drivers will soon be able save money on their car rego as part of a new cost of living initiative. The Queensland Government announced on Saturday all light vehicle registrations, including motorcycles and trailers, will be cut by 20 per cent for 12 months from September 16. The $435million state budget promise is expected to put hundreds of dollars back into the pockets of almost six million car owners, Premier Steven Miles said in a statement. The discounted price will appear on rego renewal notices that land in mailboxes from August 5. The move comes after it was announced registration fees for Queenslanders will be frozen for a year from July 1 to help ease residents financial pressures. Close to six million car owners are expected to save 'hundreds'. Source: Getty Every dollar counts, which is why Im doing what matters to put money back in the pockets of Queenslanders, Premier Miles said. This initiative will save the 5.7 million light car owners here in Queensland hundreds of dollars over the 12 months dollars that could be spent on groceries, rent, the mortgage or put into savings. 20 per cent off rego builds on $1,000 energy rebates going to every Queensland household and 50 cent public transport. These are initiatives Im proud to be delivering as your premier. Rego bill for four-cylinder car to be slashed by $85 Queenslands Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick said the 20 per cent reduction will slash a 12-month rego bill for a private use four-cylinder vehicle by almost $85, bringing fees down to $338 excluding Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance premiums. For vehicles registered on a pensioner concession, the reduction will be nearly $50 and will reduce registration fees down to $194.50, excluding CTP insurance premiums, he explained. This reduction will be in addition to the existing concessions provided. This initiative will importantly mean money in the pockets of Queenslanders. Last month, the Queensland Government revealed a 50c fare would apply for all Translink services across the state irrespective of the location or distance from August 5. Commuters are expected to save thousands due to the initiative covering trains, buses, CityCat ferries and the Gold Coast light rail which will be trialled for six months. The government expects the initiative will drive increased uptake of public transport services, where patronage still remains 13 per cent below pre-pandemic levels, and consequently free up congested roads in the states south-east. With NCA NewsWire Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: Yeh Pawan nahi hai, aandhi hai (He is not just a wind, but a storm), while introducing Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan at the meeting of the National Democratic Alliance partners in New Delhi on Friday, it provoked a thunderous applause. New Delhi, Jun 7 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi being felicitated by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena Party Chief Pawan Kalyan during the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Parliamentary Party meeting, at the Samvidhan Sadan, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Photo)(BJP) The popular Tollywood hero, fondly called by millions of his fans as Power Star, received the appreciation with a humble smile and salute to the Prime Minister. In fact, it was not the first time that somebody called him a toofan (strom) it is a moniker regularly used in his films. Popular lyricist Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry called him a human tsunami in his song in Pawan Kalyan-starrer Jalsa way back in 2008. His Jana Sena Party had achieved a 100% strike rate in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh winning all 21 assembly seats and both the Lok Sabha seats it contested as part of an alliance with the Telugu Desam Party and Bharatiya Janata Party. It was a feat no other regional party accomplished in the history of Andhra Pradesh. Also Read | Pawan nahi aandhi hai, Narendra Modi praises Not long ago, Jana Sena Party was written off as a non-serious political party, and Pawan Kalyan, a failed politician. His party had won just one assembly seat in the 2019 assembly elections and Pawan Kalyan himself lost in both the seats he contested Bhimavaram in West Godavari district and Gajuwaka in Visakhapatnam district. Even the lone Jana Sena Party MLA Rapaka Varaprasad representing Razole assembly constituency in East Godavari district -- later defected to the YSR Congress Party led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. His own community Kapus, who along with its allied sub-castes, constitute nearly 25% of the states population, forming a powerful vote bank. They were sceptical about his ability to come to power. When he forged an alliance with the TDP, a Kamma-dominated party, it led to disgruntlement among the Kapus, who are traditional rivals of Kammas in rural Andhra Pradesh. YSRCP leaders called Pawan Kalyan a package star, alleging that he had mortgaged the interests of Kapus with TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu by accepting a financial package from the latter. Jagan Mohan Reddy and his followers often raised the issue of his multiple marriages, hitting him below the belt. Also Read | TDP seeks five cabinet berths at Centre, two for its ally Jana Sena Yet, the matinee idol withstood the attacks and steered his party and the alliance to a stupendous victory in Andhra Pradesh polls. For the first time in the history of Andhra Pradesh, two traditional rival caste groups -- Kammas and Kapus -- have come together, to pull down the Reddy-dominated YSRCP from power. And the credit goes only to Pawan Kalyan, who took the initiative in forging the alliance between the Jana Sena and the TDP, besides roping the BJP into the team, said Kollu Anka Babu, veteran journalist and political analyst from Vijayawada. Decade-long journey Pawan Kalyan floated the Jana Sena Party in March 2014, three years after his elder brother and megastar Chiranjeevi merged his fledgling political party Praja Rajyam with the Congress. The Kapu community, which was looking an opportunity to grab power in Andhra Pradesh by riding on the popularity of Chiranjeevi, it was a big disappointment and the megastar quietly retired from politics after the party lost its steam both at the Centre and the state. Pawan Kalyan, too, did not generate much euphoria among the community. He chose not to contest the 2014 elections, as he had just floated the party and it had no organisational structure or network, except his fan following. He extended support to the TDP-BJP alliance and helped it come to power in the state. In the next five years, Pawan Kalyan did not make any attempt to build his party as a strong force to reckon with, while the YSRCP emerged as a powerful political force and occupied whatever little space the Jana Sena Party had in the state till then. Just before the 2019 elections, Pawan Kalyan woke up from the slumber, and weeks before the assembly elections, started attacking the TDP led by N Chandrababu Naidu. He criticised the Narendra Modi government for betraying the people on issues like granting special category status to Andhra Pradesh. He joined hands with the Communist parties and Bahujan Samaj Party to fight the 2019 elections, in which Jagan Mohan Reddy emerged victorious with a thumping majority of 151 out of 175 assembly seats. Jana Sena ended up with just around 5% vote share and one MLA, who eventually crossed over to the YSRCP. Soon after the elections, Pawan Kalyan was back into his shell, coming out occasionally to take part in film shootings. He did not give up the politics completely; he dumped the Left parties and BSP and joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party, which had become insignificant in state politics. Even as the TDP was bouncing back to regain its lost ground in the past five years and emerging as a major threat to the YSRCP, Jana Sena Party remained subdued with no major programmes to reach out to the people. Jana Sena Party continued to be the rallying point for the Kapu community, which was desperate for a legitimate share in political power. In 2019, the Kapus voted mostly for YSRCP, but they were frustrated with the Jagan government. For them, Pawan Kalyan was the only option to prove their strength in 2024 elections. They desperately tried to project him as the prospective chief minister, political analyst Mallu Rajesh said. As the elections were fast approaching, Pawan Kalyan realised that the TDP has emerged as the front runner for power. So he entered into an alliance with the TDP, ostensibly to sustain his party. On the other hand, Chandrababu Naidu, too, desperately needed the support of Kapus and joined hands with Pawan Kalyan. Pawan Kalyan was aware that his alliance with the TDP and accepting only 21 assembly and two Lok Sabha seats as part of the seat-sharing agreement would disappoint the Kapus. I know my limitations. Had my party won substantial number of seats in 2019, I would have dared go alone in the elections. But we drew a blank then. And I dont want to take risk contesting alone in 2024, he told party leaders before the elections. He made it clear to them that he had joined hands with the TDP and BJP with the sole intention of preventing the split of anti-incumbency votes and pulling down the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government. He also admitted that he had no organized political experience like Naidu. We are building the party brick by brick. We need people who are ready to fight, he said. It is this perseverance and sagacity that helped Pawan Kalyan to put up a tremendous show in the elections and brought him nationwide recognition. His Jana Sena Party is most likely to get a representation in the Narendra Modi cabinet at the Centre, while Pawan is likely to become the deputy chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. That is the difference between Pawan Kalyan and Chiranjeevi. While the latter had shown no patience in fighting and dropped the gun midway, his younger brother believed in gradual growth in politics, Rajesh observed. Former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said the voters gave a message to all in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, hoping that people understand the message. Former vice-president of India and veteran BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu. (File Photo) This election proved why India is called a great democracy. Billions of people voted peacefully. Whatever change they wanted to make, they brought it peacefully, the BJP veteran said at the 43rd convocation of the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) at Anand in Gujarat. "They gave a message to all, from top to bottom. There is a message in the election. I hope people understand the message," he added, without elaborating. Number Theory: How do the 2024 victory margins compare with past elections? For the first time since 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party failed to reach the halfway mark in the Lok Sabha elections and is now dependent on its allies to form the government. The BJP won 240 Lok Sabha seats while its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners won 53 more, taking them to a comfortable majority. However, the BJP is likely to be on its toes as it will depend heavily on Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and N Chandrababu Naidu's TDP to run a stable government. Chandrababu Naidu is known as a shrewd politician and a hard bargainer and Nitish Kumar has a reputation of frequently changing his allegiance to and from the BJP to suit his interests. Read: The jolt that UP gave to the BJP Venkaiah Naidu said the top priority for political parties should be to work for the poor and downtrodden irrespective of victory or defeat in elections. "Money should not play important role (in politics). We must see (to it that) we are selecting and electing good people. Remember four Cs - character, calibre, capacity and conduct. But nowadays, you will find some politicians and political parties replacing these four Cs with other Cs...cash, caste, community and criminality," he said in the address to the graduating students. Political parties may gain in the short term using the second set of Cs, but "will not last for long and should not last for long", Naidu added. A Trinamool Congress MLA has been accused of assaulting a restaurant owner during the shooting of a film in Kolkata. According to a PTI report, both the legislator and the restaurant owner Anisul Alam have lodged complaints against each other. According to the report, the dispute arose between the two side over parking the cars of the TMC MLA and his aides in front of the restaurant in New Town area near the state capital. The restaurant owner claimed he allowed shooting in the portion of his restaurant free of cost. However, the entire parking space was reportedly occupied by cars belonging to Chakraborty's convoy. Alam claimed when his staff told the lawmaker's aides to remove cars for other customers, Chakraborty's men told him that the actor is an MLA and a very close friend of Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Screen grab from a video shared by BJP shows TMC's Soham Chakraborty allegedly attacking the restaurant owner.(X/BJP West Bengal) "I said that I don't care even if he is Narendra Modi's friend or Abhishek's. It was then when suddenly Mr Chakraborty came and punched me on my face and kicked me in my abdomen," the restaurant owner was quoted by PTI as saying. ALSO READ: Understanding TMCs surprise 29-seat romp in West Bengal Chakraborty admits to slapping restaurant owner On the incident, Soham Chakraborty said,"The owner was abusing my staff and Abhishek Banerjee. He also abused me. I lost my cool and slapped him... I should have kept my cool and could have controlled my anger. I would like to apologise to the owner." Law subservient to ruling partys thugs': BJP The Bharatiya Janata Party lashed out at the ruling TMC over the incident, calling it a green light for tyranny. Sharing a video of the incident from a TV channel, the BJP wrote on X,"Utterly appalling! TMC MLA Soham Chakraborty violently assaults a restaurant staffer, dragging him by the collar, and has his goons beat others in New Town. Mamata Banerjee's police will do nothing because in West Bengal, the law is subservient to the ruling party's thugs." This rogue behavior epitomizes why TMC henchmen feel emboldened to commit relentless post-poll violence. The states silence and inaction are a green light for tyranny, the BJP added. Kolkata, Actor-turned-Trinamool Congress MLA Soham Chakraborty created a controversy by assaulting a restaurant owner who allegedly abused party MP Abhishek Banerjee during the shooting of a film there. TMC's actor-MLA assaults restaurant owner for 'abusing' Abhishek Banerjee, apologises later Both Chakraborty and restaurant owner Anisul Alam lodged complaints with the police against each other, an officer said on Saturday. The MLA later said he wanted to apologise to Alam as he should have controlled his anger. The problem between the two sides began over parking the cars of Chakraborty and his men in front of the eatery in New Town near Kolkata. According to CCTV footage of the restaurant, which went viral later on, Chakraborty was seen assaulting Alam. When contacted, the restaurant owner claimed that he had allowed shooting in a portion of his restaurant "free of cost" on late Saturday evening. "The entire parking space was occupied by the cars of Mr Chakraborty and his men. My staff told his men to remove their cars as other customers were not able to park their vehicles," Alam said. The restaurant owner added that the actor's men told him that he's an MLA and a very close friend of TMC's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. "I said that I don't care even if he is Narendra Modi's friend or Abhishek's. It was then when suddenly Mr Chakraborty came and punched me on my face and kicked me in my abdomen," Alam alleged. Chakraborty admitted to slapping the restaurant owner. "The owner was abusing my staff and Abhishek Banerjee. He also abused me. I lost my cool and slapped him... I should have kept my cool and could have controlled my anger. I would like to apologise to the owner," the actor said. A senior officer of Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate said that the restaurant owner on Saturday lodged a complaint against the MLA and his security guards. "We have received complaints both from the MLA and the restaurant owner against each other. We have started cases and investigations are on," the officer said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. In his first reaction after losing the Odisha assembly election, Naveen Patnaik, the outgoing chief minister who missed out on what would have been his sixth consecutive term in office, on Saturday defended his close aide VK Pandian, saying that the bureaucrat-turned-politician was not his successor. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik along with VK Pandian (File Photo/ANI) The people of Odisha would decide who my successor would be, Patnaik told news agency PTI. However, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president further stated that the criticism of Pandian, now a party member, was unfortunate. He (Pandian) joined the party and has not held any post. He did not contest the elections. As an officer, he did an excellent job in different fields in the last 10 years, be it during two cyclones or the Covid-19 pandemic. Then, he retired from the bureaucracy, and joined the BJD and contributed largely by doing an excellent work. He is a person of integrity and honesty and should be remembered for that, the veteran leader said. Patnaik's statement comes after a section of BJD leaders and workers expressed resentment against the ex-bureaucrat, who is from Tamil Nadu. During campaigning, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had repeatedly claimed that the-then chief minister was trying to impose a non-Odia on the people of the state. The BJP won 78 seats in the 147-member Odisha assembly, while the BJD, which had been in power since 2000, won 51 seats. The Congress, which came third, bagged just 14 seats. Patnaik, who contested on two seats, was victorious from one (Hinjili) but lost the other (Kantabanji). In the Lok Sabha elections, meanwhile, the BJP won 20 of the coastal state's 21 parliamentary constituencies, and the BJD one. Odisha was among four states that held simultaneous polls, the others being Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. Amid speculations over whereabouts of former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaiks trusted aide VK Pandian after the Biju Janata Dals (BJD) defeat in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the latters wife and IAS officer Sujata Karthikeyan has decided to go on leave for nearly six months. IAS officer Sujata Karthikeyan. A notification issued by the General Administration department on Thursday said that Sujata, special secretary in the state finance department, has been granted Child Care leave for nearly six months, from May 31 to November 26, to look after her daughter who is scheduled to appear for the Class 10 board exams next year. The development also comes almost a month after Sujata was transferred from the department of Mission Shakti to the finance department over complaints of misuse of public office. The BJP, which was earlier in the Opposition and is now set to form the government in the state, had alleged that the IAS officer was forcing women self help groups to influence voters and had even threatened to stop the government financial aid. HT reached out to Sujata for a comment but did not get one immediately. Pandian has not been seen anywhere since the BJD lost the assembly elections on June 4. The party failed to secure a single seat in the Lok Sabha, polling for which was held along with the assembly elections. A few TV channels on Thursday showed Pandian heading out of the domestic terminal of Delhis IGI airport. While the bureaucrat-turned-politician has also been spotted with Patnaik during almost all occasions, he did accompany the latter when he went to submit his resignation to the governor on Wednesday. He continued to remain absent while party leaders met Patnaik in the last two days. Narendra Modi will be sworn in as the Prime Minister of India for the third time on Sunday, June 9, and the preparations for the grand ceremony are currently underway at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. PM-designate Narendra Modi's oath ceremony will be attended by a number of international leaders. A view of the gravelled forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan as preparation for the upcoming swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi. (Photo by Raj K Raj/ Hindustan Times) The official YouTube channel of the President of India released visuals from the Rashtrapati Bhavan a day before the swearing-in ceremony, showing the preparations underway for the large-scale event on Sunday evening. The visuals from Rashtrapati Bhavan show security personnel around the area where the ceremony will be conducted, workers laying down chairs for the guests as well as a lush red carpet on the premises. Portable air conditioners, coolers, and fans can also be seen in the video, keeping in mind the soaring temperatures in New Delhi. The Delhi Police has implemented strict security measures across the national capital in view of the swearing in ceremony of Narendra Modi and his new cabinet on June 9. Multi-layered security arrangements have been made for Sunday, with five companies of paramilitary forces deployed around the Rashtrapati Bhavan. NSG commandos, drones and snipers will also remain on alert around the premises. Sri Lanka's president Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives' Mohamed Muizzu, Bangladesh's prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Bhutan's Tshering Tobgay, Nepal's Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', and Mauritius' Pravind Kumar Jugnauth have accepted the invitation to attend the event. In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will attend a Banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the same evening. Narendra Modi and his council of ministers will be administered the oath of office by President Murmu on Sunday. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerged victorious in the Lok Sabha elections for the third consecutive time, bagging 293 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party secured 240 seats in the elections, emerging as the single largest party in the coalition. Its opposition, Indian National Congress, bagged 99 seats. Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony for his third term as the prime minister on Sunday, June 9, will feature 8,000 special guests, including Vande Bharat loco pilot Aishwarya S Menon from Chennai Railway Division and Asia's first female loco pilot Surekha Yadav. These railway employees are invited to PM-designate Modi's swearing in. Vande Bharat loco pilot Aishwarya S Menon (L) and Asia's first female loco pilot Surekha Yadav Additionally, sanitation workers, transgender staff and labourers who contributed to the Central Vista Project will be honoured guests at the ceremony for the new government. Also Read | Narendra Modi thanks Elon Musk, assures good business environment Who is Aishwarya S Menon? - According to a report from The Times of India, Aishwarya S Menon, a senior assistant loco pilot from the Chennai railway division, was invited to the swearing-in ceremony of the new Union cabinet in New Delhi on Sunday. - Menon, currently operating the Vande Bharat Express, was selected for her vast experience. She has completed over two lakh footplate hours piloting various trains, including the Vande Bharat Express and Jan Shatabdi. - Senior officials have praised her keen vigilance and thorough understanding of railway signalling. - Menon he has consistently operated the ChennaiVijayawada and ChennaiCoimbatore Vande Bharat Express services. Who is Surekha Yadav? - Surekha Yadav, Asia's first female locomotive pilot, will be present at Narendra Modi's oath ceremony, news agency PTI reported on Friday, quoting a Central Railway official. - Yadav, currently steering the Vande Bharat train from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Solapur, is among the ten locomotive pilots invited for the event scheduled on June 9 in New Delhi. - Originally from Satara in western Maharashtra, Yadav made history as India's first female train driver in 1988 and has since garnered several state and national awards for her accomplishments. - She holds the distinction of being the premier female locomotive pilot of the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express, which operates between Solapur and CSMT in Mumbai. Ahead of Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony as the prime minister, Pakistan on Friday said it desired "cooperative ties" with all its neighbours, including India. Pakistan's foreign office claimed it wanted the resolution of disputes through talks. Pakistan's prime minister Shehbaz Sharif.(Reuters file photo) However, the foreign office spokesperson of Pakistan, when asked why the country hasn't congratulated Narendra Modi over his electoral victory, appeared to be evasive. Foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, replying to the query, said it was the right of the people of India to decide about their own leadership. She said the country didn't have any comment to make on India's electoral process. She further said since the formation of government was going on in India, it was premature to talk about congratulating Narendra Modi. Referring to BJP leaders ridiculing the country in their election speeches, she claimed Pakistan had been acting responsibly despite "rhetoric coming from India". Also read: BJP ally N Chandrababu Naidu's son backs existing Muslim quota in Andhra Pradesh Several countries, including the United States, have congratulated PM-elect Narendra Modi after BJP emerged as the single-largest party following India's general elections. Heads of seven neighbouring countries are attending Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony tomorrow. However, there has been no customary message from Pakistan. When Imran Khan's party, PTI, emerged as the single largest party in 2018, PM Modi had congratulated him before he was sworn-in as the prime minister. Earlier this year, Modi congratulated Shehbaz Sharif for becoming the prime minister of Pakistan. Also read: Narendra Modi oath ceremony: Who will attend event amid Neighbourhood First push? Pakistan downgraded its ties with India after the Indian Parliament suspended Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi has maintained that the decision in the erstwhile state is India's internal matter. India and Pakistan's relationship went downhill after the Pulwama terror attack. New Delhi then launched an airstrike on terror camps in Balakot. New Delhi maintains that it wants normal relations with Pakistan contingent upon the country stemming cross-border terrorism emerging from its soil. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won 293 seats. The Opposition alliance won 234 seats. India on Saturday responded to a congratulatory message from the Chinese side on Prime Minister Narendra Modis election victory by saying that New Delhi will make efforts to normalise bilateral ties on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. File photo of a man walking inside a conference room, used for meetings between military commanders of China and India, on the Indian side of the Indo-China border at Bumla in Arunachal Pradesh in November 2009.(Reuters) External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal conveyed Indias response while replying to a congratulatory message posted on X by the Chinese foreign ministrys spokesperson on June 5. Chinas top leadership has not yet sent a formal message to the Indian side on the National Democratic Alliances (NDA) victory in the general election. Thank you @MFA_China for congratulating PM @narendramodi on his election victory. Will continue to pursue efforts towards normalisation of India-China ties based on mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, Jaiswal said in his post on X. Also Read | Exchange of messages on X between PM Modi and Taiwan President angers China India-China ties are currently at their lowest ebb because of the military standoff in Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which began in May 2020 and is currently into its fifth year. The Indian side has consistently said the overall bilateral relationship cannot be normalised without peace and tranquillity on the border. The Chinese side, on the other hand, has called for putting the border issue in its appropriate place in the overall relationship, while the two sides take forward ties in other areas such as trade and investment. Despite dozens of rounds of diplomatic and military talks, the two sides havent been able to address major friction points on the LAC such as Depsang and Demchok. On June 5, the Chinese foreign ministrys spokesperson had posted on X: Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi, BJP and the National Democratic Alliance on the election victory. We look forward to a healthy & stable China-India relationship. Also Read | Firms should assess China deals through national security filter: Jaishankar A similar message was conveyed by the spokesperson at a regular media briefing in Beijing. At the time, India hadnt responded to Chinas message. Observers said the delay in Indias response also pointed to the frosty nature of bilateral relations. China is the only one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, or the so-called P-5, whose top leadership hasnt sent a congratulatory message to Modi. The Indian leader has received messages from his counterparts in Britain, France, Russia and the US. Pakistan, a close ally of China, is also among the countries whose leaders havent congratulated Modi so far. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was in China on an official visit when the result of the Indian election was announced. On Friday, the spokesperson of the Pakistani Foreign Office responded to a question at a media briefing about sending a congratulatory message to India by saying that it is the right of the Indian people to decide about their leadership. The spokesperson further said it was premature to talk of sending a congratulatory message. As far as I understand, the process of formation of government is ongoing, she added. The spokesperson further said Pakistan has always desired cooperative relations with all neighbours, including India. We have consistently advocated constructive dialogue and engagement to resolve all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, she said. Indias decision to scrap the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 vitiated the bilateral environment, and there was an increase in vitriolic rhetoric against Pakistan, especially during the recent electoral campaign in India, the spokesperson said. The snake repeatedly tries to use its body to pull the stingray onto the muddy bank. A snake was caught in a bizarre battle with a stingray in the Northern Territory earlier this week. Source: TikTok/@troopytrippinaus78 A snake with eyes bigger than its belly has left Aussies in awe after being caught on camera battling a stingray. The bizarre sight was captured earlier this week by Jason and Hollee, who document their adventures living in Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory, on social media. In their TikTok video, the grey snake can be seen on the waters edge in a mangrove after sinking its teeth into the rays head. The snake repeatedly tries to use its body to pull its opponent onto the muddy bank, but does not appear to succeed. Nature doing its thing, the couple captioned the clip, which was quickly re-posted on the Facebook pages Snake Identification Australia and Trapman Australia. This is definitely something different. This snake is biting this ray and paralysed it. Then it was trying to pull it out of the water, the latter said. The question is what was the snake going to do with it? No way was it going to get that down. Viewers have shared their shock over the snakes optimism. Classic case of biting off more than it can chew, one Aussie commented. When you rock up at all you can eat buffet, another joked. Thats a bit strange. Maybe the sting ray scared it, someone else pondered. The snake seen in the footage is an Australian Bockadam, experts have confirmed. Source: TikTok/@troopytrippinaus78 Snake species 'naturally feeds on fish' Approved snake identifiers confirmed online the reptile in the footage is an Australian Bockadam (Cerberus australis). This rear-fanged aquatic snake is mildly venomous but not considered dangerous to humans, Cameron Tuckett-McKeon said. Another snake expert, Forrest He, said Bockadam naturally feed on fish, so their venom has evolved to specifically incapacitate them. This ray will probably die from the venom but the snake wont be able to eat it unless it somehow rolls up the ray like a burrito, he said. Speaking to Yahoo News, Professor Rick Shine described the species as mildly venomous, small mangrove-dwellers. They eat fish but the stingray is clearly way too large for the snake to be able to eat it, he said. My guess is that the snake saw something moved, and grabbed it, but then didnt really know what to do. This isnt unique, because snakes sometimes make very foolish (over-optimistic) choices about potential prey, he added, pointing to a 2014 incident where a 4.6kg python was recorded trying to eat a 64kg human. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Thiruvananthapuram, A day after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed as "ignorant" a priest who criticised the ruling Left on Facebook for their defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, the cleric on Saturday said he never reacted to "personal comments". Geevarghese Coorilos former Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese of the Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church in his post said that "floods and epidemics do not always come to the rescue and people in Kerala will not fall more than once in 'kit politics." The priest, known for his pro-Left views, had made the remarks on Facebook in connection with the LDF's loss in the LS polls. Hitting back, the CM on Friday had said that the priest's post shows "that even among priests there are sometimes some ignorant persons". On Saturday, when reporters asked the priest as to why he had put up the post, Coorilos said he has nothing to say on the matter as all that he had to say he has mentioned in his Facebook page and it is still there. "That topic is closed. I have said what I had to say on the issue. I am not going to say anything more," he said. When his reaction was sought to the CM's remark calling him "ignorant", the priest said, "I have never reacted to personal remarks and that is not going to happen ever". He also made it clear that his heart was always with the Left front and it shall continue to be so. Coorilos, in his social media post, had also said that one of the main reasons for the LDF's defeat in the Lok Sabha polls was the anti-incumbency sentiment among the people. The priest had also criticised the Left for allegedly attacking the Congress and Rahul Gandhi more than the BJP. Will not react to personal remarks: Priest on Kerala CM's 'ignorant' remark Amid clamour for Rahul Gandhi to accept the post of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Congress will today decide who will lead the party's MPs in the Parliament. Congress' newly elected MP from Wayanad and Raebareli Rahul Gandhi holds a meeting with party leaders at the Congress Bhavan in Bengaluru on Friday.(ANI) Rahul Gandhi is being credited for the party winning 99 seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Per his party's members, his two yatras made the difference. The Congress had won just 52 seats in the 2019 general elections. "In the CWC meeting, we are going to review the performance of the Congress party in the 2024 elections. In the CPP meeting scheduled at 5:30 pm, the Congress party will elect the CPP chairperson... For the Congress' leader in the Lok Sabha, we all feel Rahul Gandhi should be given charge. If he accepts this role, he will be LoP leading the 234 INDIA bloc MPs... We all know BJP has lost the majority as the single largest party in the previous Lok Sabha... Their dependence on Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar is the only way they can form the government... INDIA alliance leaders have decided to wait and watch and we will take a decision at the right time," said Congress leader Manickam Tagore. Also read: Election Results 2024: How Congress performed on Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo' yatras' routes According to ANI, it is likely that Sonia Gandhi will be re-elected as the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP). There will be clamour for Rahul Gandhi, who won the Lok Sabha polls from both Wayanad and Raebareli, to accept the post. The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Party is empowered to name the leaders of the party in the two Houses of Parliament. Earlier, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was LOP in the Lok Sabha. However, the party will need his replacement because he lost the polls to TMC's Yusuf Pathan. The decision on the Leader of Opposition could be taken later. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge is the Leader of Opposition in the upper house of the Parliament. Congress MP Dean Kuriakose also made the demand. "Parliamentary party will select one leader today. We are expecting Rahul Gandhi to be the Parliamentary Party Leader. We have a good number now. We will form a good opposition. We will fight against BJP. There is mandate against BJP, it is very true. India is against Narendra Modi. Let's see what happens," he added. The INDIA bloc won 234 seats, limiting the BJP tally to just 240. The lower number of seats will force Narendra Modi to depend on Nitish Kumar and N Chandrababu Naidu's support. With inputs from ANI, PTI A new exhibition at DAG here examines the Madras art movement from its inception to its flowering in the second half of the 20th century, shedding light on one of the least known movements of Indian modern art whose contribution has been steeped in local folklore, mythology, architecture and history. Showcasing the works of a core group of artists responsible for the development of the art movement, Madras Modern: Regionalism and Identity takes a broad look at the vision that guided this seminal movement, considered to be the last platform for Indian modernism before it gave way to the contemporary. "Madras Modern: Regionalism and Identity" showcases works by key artists, highlighting the movement's deep roots in local folklore, mythology, architecture, and history. (PTI photo) The exhibition highlights the significance of the south Indian narrative in the works of artists and sculptors, including DP Roy Chowdhury, KCS Panicker, J Sultan Ali, L Munuswamy, S Dhanapal, RB Bhaskaran, P Gopinath, PV Jankiram, and S Nandagopal. The exhibition takes a broad look at all aspects that shaped the movement and the artists individual vocabularies, adding another rich dimension to the universe of modern Indian art. "In the attention that was paid to the dominant art centres elsewhere in India, Madras remained a sideshow even though its contribution has been no less significant than the Bengal School or the Progressives, Ashish Anand, CEO and managing director of DAG, said in a statement. "In drawing our attention to regional imagery as part of its modern-speak, its contribution to our collective national heritage has been overwhelming, he added. The Government School of Arts and Crafts (now Government College of Fine Arts) was established in 1850 and became the locus for the emergence of the Madras art movement in the 1960s under DP Roy Chowdhury, the art schools first Indian artist principal. Roy Chowdhury laid emphasis on the development of a fine arts curriculum, put forth an empirical and perceptual approach to art making, and axed the colonial pedantry of human form study based on classical statuary. The ideas were extended by KCS Paniker as the next administrative head by bringing in a study of modern European masters while moving towards his nativist agenda, setting in motion the process of visual arts acquiring a cultural identity as an act of political will. Panikers pedagogy opened avenues for technical and creative explorations that became a hallmark of the school, contributing towards the development of the art movement in Madras. The exhibition also features works by AP Paneerselvam, Achuthan Kudallur, Alphonso Doss, C Dakshinamoorthy, C Douglas, K Adimoolam, K Jayapal Panicker, and K Sreenivasulu, among others. The exhibition will come to an end on July 6. Radhika Merchant and her soon-to-be-husband, Anant Ambani, hosted their exclusive four-day pre-wedding celebrations in Italy alongside family members, close friends, and prominent names from the film industry. The Ambanis also closed off an entire plaza in Portofino for one of the celebrations, which included a mesmerising performance by Andrea Bocelli. Pictures and videos from the festivities have been populating social media for the past few days, and they show Radhika dressed in an archival Christian Dior ensemble. Check out its whopping price inside. Radhika Merchant wore an archival Dior dress for her pre-wedding celebrations in Portofino, Italy. (Instagram) What is the price of Radhika Merchant's Dior Archival dress? Bride-to-be Radhika Merchant embraced the Barbiecore trend for the celebrations in Portofino, Italy. She wore a Hate Couture Cocktail dress from Christian Dior's Autumn Winter 1959 Haute Couture collection designed by Yves Saint Laurent. While most of the archival dresses from the house of Christian Dior are in the museums today, Radhika's dress was auctioned in 2016. It was sold at a whopping price of 3,20,714 (USD 3,840). The auctioned price of the dress Radhika Merchant wore in Portofino. (bid.juliensauctions.com) According to Julien's official website, Radhika's Dior dress was obtained from Cassandra Carpenter in San Francisco. It was originally from Jeannie Magnin. Reportedly, the dress was put on auction by Doris Raymond, an expert in vintage clothing. Meanwhile, the dress details mix the viral Barbiecore and coquette core fashion trends with the bright raspberry pink colour and details such as bows and frills. Though the sleeveless dress is from 1959, it is surprisingly modern. Additionally, the broad shoulder straps, slit on the square neckline, fitted bodice, cinched waistline, and pleated voluminous skirt add to the ensemble's beauty. Meanwhile, Radhika styled the ensemble with dainty teardrop earrings, a bracelet, a diamond ring, a Hermes mini Kelly bag in pink, and jewelled white Hangisi flats from Manolo Blahnik. She tied her wavy tresses in a side-parted ponytail and accessorised with a printed silk scarf. Lastly, feathered brows, fuchsia pink lip shade, and minimal glam rounded off her look. About Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani's wedding Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani will marry in a three-day-long celebration from July 12 to 14. The ceremonies will start on Friday, July 12, with the wedding function or the Shubh Vivah. There are countless reasons why people drink alcohol on airplanes. For many travellers, an alcoholic drink can help celebrate the start or end of a vacation. Some believe that they sleep better after a glass of wine. Others say alcohol helps to reduce flight jitters. (Also Read | Too much exercise in summer can make you sick; all about the side effects of over-exercising) New research suggests that drinking alcohol on a flight before taking a nap could be more harmful than you think. (DW/Roland Weihrauch/dpa/picture alliance) But a new paper published by researchers at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and RWTH Aachen University suggests that drinks in the clouds can pose significant health risks, particularly to older passengers or people with medical conditions. Less oxygen, higher heart rate During the flight, artificial pressure is created in the aircraft cabin. This does not correspond to the air pressure at sea level, but rather an altitude of around 2,500 meters. That's sort of like being at the peak of a mid-sized mountain. The higher the altitude, the lower the air pressure. The lower the air pressure, the lower the oxygen saturation in the blood. A healthy oxygen saturation sits at around 90%, according to the study, published in the journal Thorax. When it drops below that, the muscles and organs stop getting the amount of oxygen they need, because the body is trying to supply the oxygen it has to the brain. This lack of oxygen can cause dizziness or nausea. Sensitive passengers may start to breathe more deeply or rapidly than normal. Oxygen deficiency can also occur if alcohol causes heart rate to increase during sleep. Poorer oxygen supply in drunk people For the study, the 48 test subjects were divided into two groups: one that was examined in a sleep laboratory with normal ambient pressure, and another that was examined in an altitude chamber featuring air pressure akin to that of an airplane cabin. Within each group, some test subjects drank alcohol before sleeping and others did not. The study showed that the average heart rate of the drunk test subjects in the simulated aircraft cabin rose to 88 beats per minute while they slept. Their oxygen saturation fell to about 85%. Their average heart rates were higher than the participants in the control groups, and their oxygen saturation levels were lower. The difference does not seem to be that serious at first glance. However, the negative effect was clearly observable even among the very young and healthy test subjects, the authors wrote. For older or ailing people, low oxygen saturation and a significantly increased heart rate can be life-threatening. Should alcohol be banned on airplanes? The question of whether alcohol should be banned on flights has been debated for decades. The study, which is certainly not the last of its kind, hardly allows for any direct conclusions the test group was too small, too young and too healthy. In addition, the participants slept lying down. Nevertheless, the researchers hope that the study will stimulate more research into the topic. The results of the study indicate that alcohol consumption and sleeping while flying "represent a significant strain on the cardiac system, even in young and healthy people, the authors wrote. And, in older people or those with heart or lung diseases, symptoms could be even more serious. The researchers advocate changing the existing regulations on airplanes and limiting alcohol consumption on board. Sources: Effects of moderate alcohol consumption and hypobaric hypoxia: implications for passengers' sleep, oxygen saturation and heart rate on long-haul flights, 2024. Successful workplaces are usually characterised by good communication. Bosses provide a clear sense of where they want the firm to go; employees feel able to voice disagreements; colleagues share information rather than hoarding it. But being a good communicator is too often conflated with one particular skill: speaking persuasively. The set-piece moments of careers, like job interviews and big presentations, are about transmitting information(Pixabay) In a paper published in 2015, Kyle Brink of Western Michigan University and Robert Costigan of St John Fisher College found that 76% of undergraduate business degrees in America had a learning goal for presentation skills, but only 11% had a goal related to listening. Business students were being schooled to give TED talks rather than have conversations. That may have costs. Another study, conducted by Dotan Castro of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and his co-authors, found that when people felt listened to by those in supervisory roles their creativity and sense of psychological safety improved. A focus on talking is understandable. The set-piece moments of careers, like job interviews and big presentations, are about transmitting information. The boss gets to be at the podium, the minions get to be in the audience. Videos of someone giving a speech are much more shareable than someone silently nodding. But interest in what makes everyday communication tick has also risen, as the importance of teams grows and as conceptions of leadership increasingly emphasise softer skills. Recent research by Beau Sievers of Stanford University and his co-authors asked groups of MBA students to discuss the meaning of ambiguous film clips. The presence of people perceived to be of high status seemed to impede consensus: these folk spoke more and were readier to reject the explanations of others. Groups that reached consensus were more likely to have a different character in them: people who were well-connected but not dominant, who asked lots of questions and who encouraged interaction. They made everything aligneven the neural activity of their groups. Mr Sieverss research features in Supercommunicators, a new book by Charles Duhigg, a journalist at the New Yorker. Mr Duhigg looks at how some people forge stronger connections with others and at the techniques for having better conversations. His canvas ranges more widely than the workplace but some of its lessons are applicable there. One chapter tells the story of the Fast Friends Procedure, a set of 36 increasingly intimate questions that are particularly effective at turning strangers into friends. The questions were first put together in the 1990s by Elaine and Arthur Aron, two psychologists at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Their survey was designed for the lab, not the workplace. You should not suddenly start asking new colleagues what their most terrible memory is or how they feel about their mother. But if it is important to build team connections fast, thenBritain, look away nowreciprocal moments of vulnerability do seem to help. Another chapter looks at ways to bring together people with diametrically opposed views, in this case Americans on either side of the debate over gun control. The difficulty here was in persuading people that they were genuinely being listened to, not dismissed as gun-toting loons or lily-livered liberals. Mr Duhigg describes an approach called looping for understanding, in which people ask questions and then repeatedly distil their understanding of what they have heard back to their interlocutor. Polarised beliefs of this sort are rare inside firms. But looping techniques still have their place: when there are long-running conflicts between individual employees, say, or in negotiations and mediation processes. Mr Duhiggs advice can seem obvious at times. And his examples do not always translate to the workplace. Sometimes it is more important to make a decision than to excavate everyones point of view. Reaching consensus is vital on a jury but less necessary in a corporate hierarchy. There really is a limit to how much vulnerability you want from a leader. But his book is a useful reminder that demonstrable curiosity about other peoples experiences and ideas can benefit everyone. Asking questions, not cutting people off, pausing to digest what someone has said rather than pouncing on breaks in a discussion to make your own point: these are not enough to qualify someone as a supercommunicator. But in plenty of organisations they would still represent good progress. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com This was a slogan about India and South Africa I heard with joy and repeated with zeal during the little under two years that I was privileged to work in Indias High Commission in Pretoria (1996-1997). Those were Mandela years. The great man, freshly released from his 27-year-long captivity under the apartheid regime, had won for his party, the African National Congress (ANC), a spectacular majority in the first multi-racial general elections of April 27, 1994. Having got to my new station just after one of our general elections, I augmented the magnetic slogan to say India-South Africa: Two nations, one democracy. Though in the election his ANC had obtained a majority of seats in the National Assembly and was fully within its rights to form the government on its own, Nelson Mandela set up a government of national unity. He asked the party of the apartheid era, the National Party (NP) and the ANCs rival in KwaZulu Natal, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), to join the cabinet, disregarding their poor numbers in the National Assembly. One of Mandelas legacies was trust. He wanted to start off the republic trusting people, especially those on the other side. He reposed in politicians of ideologies different from his own, like his apartheid NP predecessor FW de Klerk, whom he made deputy president and Inkatha chief Buthelezi to whom he gave the ministry of home affairs. From among those on his own side, notable was the presence of many Indian South Africans in the Parliament elected on ANC tickets and many cabinet ministers. Not surprisingly, Mandela was told by African colleagues in his party, There are so many Indians holding high positions in the new South Africa More than proportionate to their numbers The response was classic Mandela: The number of Indians in high positions (in the new South Africa) is not proportionate to their population but proportionate to their contribution to the struggle (for our liberation). Valuational politics cannot go further than that. And so Mandelas government was a coalition but much more than one. It was a confluence of colours but also a reservoir of values, the principles coming out of a passion for inclusivity and for the sake of his ethical satisfaction. Time does not stand still. In the three decades since the 1994 elections, with senior leadership fading away, the ANCs sway with its deliriously loyal mass base changed, its vote share dropping from 70% in 2004 to 59% in 2019 to 40.18% now. Thirty years after Mandelas first election victory, nearly two-thirds of black South Africans steeped in poverty and reeling under a 32% unemployment rate have made the role of President Cyril Ramaphosa unenviable. In the just concluded elections, the people of South Africa have not voted the ANC out but have said to it: The struggle that brought you to office answered the hunger of our souls, what we now need is something that answers the hunger in our stomachs. Lubna Nadvi, senior lecturer at the School of Social Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, in a communication to this writer, says tellingly: While some may have managed to improve their lives due to access to a good education, decent employment, good healthcare and other social benefits, it has become abundantly clear that the majority of citizens have not benefited from the transition to democracy. They still languish in poverty and continue to face many of the same struggles they did during the years of apartheid. In addition, various other social ills such as crime, gender-based violence, corruption and state capture have reached almost epidemic proportions in the last three decades. And she adds: The rainbow nation is now more of a distant memory than a current reality. The current electoral reality will require Ramaphosa to form a coalition that will not appear like a rainbow on an applauding sky and come, in fact, not from any firmament at all but from terra firma. Finding coalition partners from either the Right-wing Democratic Alliance, which is now the second largest party after the ANC or from the uMkhonto weSizwe or MK Party, the Left-wing outfit formed last year by former President Jacob Zuma, whom Ramaphosa replaced, will be an exacting operation for him. Elinor Sisulu. author and daughter-in-law of the great anti-apartheid leader Walter Sisulu, in an assessment of the post-election scene, says: The ANC has to rely on coalition partners, yet to be identified. For coalitions to work, leaders must transcend political divides in the interest of the nation. There is no indication so far that this will be the case. So, does that mean goodbye for the politics that made Mandela opt for a coalition and later, leave office when he need not have, Walter Sisulu to stay off it when he need not have, Desmond Tutu embark on a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Judge Chaskalson head a constitutional court when that was supremely problematic? Does that mean that golden moments like Mandelas rollback of South Africas nuclear weapons programme and of the death penalty may now never again be expected of post-2024 South Africa? The genocide case brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on December 29, 2023, by Ramaphosas South Africa against Israel regarding its conduct in the Gaza Strip as part of the IsraelHamas war tells me no, South Africa will find a way to do right by its peoples quotidian entitlements and its legacy of principled politics. South Africas voters can never want their leaders to bid goodbye to the personal attributes of Albert Luthuli, Oliver Tambo, Mandela and Sisulu. Let no drums be sounded for the funeral of something that has not died. Valuational politics will not die in South Africa. It is one thing to concede that the era of idealism in South Africa has given way to realism, but quite another to say that South Africa has orbited out of the cosmos of values. Legacy and contemporary pragmatism can and must combine in South Africa. And perhaps Ramaphosa, who stayed off power for decades after liberation, may startle the world by saying his people, not he, wield power. If he were to form a composite ministry of national unity with the self-denying legacy of trust Mandela showed in 1994, he will coin a new slogan valid for both South Africa and India post their elections: India-South Africa: Two republics, one ethics. Gopalkrishna Gandhi is a former administrator and diplomat. The views expressed are personal No doubt youve heard this aphorism before but thats because its undeniably true. The marvel of democracy is that the collective wisdom of the voters can resolve seemingly intractable situations. It happened in 1977. Its happened again on June 4. And although many were hoping for the outcome, few actually thought it would materialise. No doubt Narendra Modi has been restored to office but in circumstances that are dramatically different to what he envisaged. The BJP has ended up with its worst election result in a decade. It is 32 short of a majority. To form a government it needs support from allies whose loyalty will always be questionable. Theyve deserted the BJP on earlier occasions and you cannot rule out their doing so again. This raises several questions about Modis third spell as Prime Minister (PM). As yet we dont have the answers. Very possibly, even Modi doesnt know them. But the questions delineate the challenge he faces. Their answers will reveal a lot about him. They also spell out the risks or, at least, the issues awaiting India. Modi began by predicting the BJP would win 370 seats. After the fifth round of polling, he said the party had already crossed 272. It ended up with just 240, way short of a majority. So, today, is he an embarrassed man or thick-skinned enough to brush it off? What about his personal performance in Varanasi? In 2019, he had a 4.8 lakh majority. Its been slashed to just 1.5 lakh. How will a man who last month claimed Ma Ganga ne mujhe god le liya hai (My mother Ganga has adopted me) handle this very personal reversal? However, the key question is can Modi, temperamentally and psychologically, adjust to the very different circumstances he now faces as PM? Or is he ill-equipped to handle a coalition government, where he needs to reach out to his allies, often give in to them and always keep them content and satisfied? Remember, for 13 years as chief minister of Gujarat and 10 more as Prime Minister of India he did not need to do this. Instead, his wish was everyones command. He ran a centralised government where ministers did what the Prime Ministers office required. None dared to demur. What about his attitude to autonomous institutions like Parliament, the judiciary and the media? The old Modi often ignored Parliament, was dismissive of the media, and his government held up judicial appointments. But now the weaker Modi will need to adopt a more consensual approach. Or he could annoy his allies and endanger his alliance. Is he willing to do that? And then theres his attitude to criticism and dissent. Its no secret the old Modi disliked both. The new Modi must learn not just to tolerate and accept but to live with both. How easy will that be? The questions, of course, go further. Some have to do with his recent pronouncements. He may hope theyre forgotten but I doubt they will be. Not in the political climate that prevails. For a start, there are things he said during the campaign that could haunt him unless he learns to smile and deflect. But is that what hell do when claims of his non-biological birth are thrown at him as taunts? And mark my words, they will be. When that happens will he bristle? More importantly, can he resist the temptation to demonise Muslims? His allies are unlikely to accept further occasions when Muslims are called infiltrators or accused of benefiting from reservations snatched from OBCs, SCs and STs. But if such language comes to him instinctively can he resist it? Remember, its been part of his rhetoric since 2001. The truth is everything Ive raised can be reduced to one simple question: can old Mr Modi become the new Mr Modi? His government depends on it. Our governance depends on it. So, too, does his political future. But whats the answer? Karan Thapar is the author of Devils Advocate: The Untold Story. The views expressed are personal KYIV, Ukraine Russia-installed officials in the partially occupied Ukrainian regions of Kherson and Luhansk said Ukrainian attacks left at least 28 people dead as Russia and Ukraine continued to exchange drone attacks overnight into Saturday. Attacks in Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions leave 28 dead, Moscow-backed officials say A Ukrainian attack Friday on the small town of Sadove in Ukraines partially occupied Kherson region killed 22 and wounded 15 people, Moscow-backed governor Vladimir Saldo said. Russian state news agency Tass cited Saldo as saying that Ukrainian forces first struck the town with a French-made guided bomb, then attacked again with a U.S.-supplied HIMARS missile. He said Ukrainian forces had deliberately made a repeat strike to create greater numbers of casualties when residents of nearby houses ran out to help the injured. Further east, Leonid Pasechnik, the Russia-installed governor in Ukraines partially occupied Luhansk region, said Saturday that two more bodies had been pulled from the rubble following Fridays Ukrainian missile attack on the regional capital, also called Luhansk. Russian state news agency Interfax cited regional authorities as saying this brought the death toll to six. Pasechnik also said 60 people were wounded in the attack. Pasechnik declared Saturday a day of mourning in the region, with public events canceled. Ukraine did not comment on either assault. Meanwhile, drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine persisted. Ukraine launched a barrage of drones across Russian territory overnight Friday, Russias Defense Ministry said Saturday. Twenty-five drones were reportedly destroyed over Russias southern Kuban and Astrakhan regions, the western Tula region, and the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula. On Saturday morning, officials said air defenses for the first time shot down Ukrainian drones over the North Ossetia region in the North Caucasus, some 900 km east of the front line in Ukraines partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region. Russias Ministry of Defense said that one drone had been destroyed, whereas regional Gov. Sergei Menyailo reported three downed drones over the region. Menyailo said that the target was a military airfield. Ukrainian air defense overnight shot down nine out of 13 Russian drones over the central Poltava region, southeastern Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions, and the Kharkiv region in the northeast, Ukraines air force said Saturday. Dnipropetrovsk regional Gov. Serhiy Lysak said the overnight drone attack damaged commercial and residential buildings. Morton reported from London. Find more of s coverage at /hub/russia-ukraine This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been labelled the most immature adults due to their security demands for visits to the UK. Royal family needs a shake-up after losing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, an expert has said (Photo by Kola SULAIMON / AFP)(AFP) The Sussexes have long been upset about their lack of security on British soil. The High Court recently granted the Duke of Sussex the ability to appeal a previous decision that dismissed his claim regarding reduced security when visiting Britain. King Charles III's younger son initiated legal action against the Home Office in 2020 after it was decided that the Sussexes would receive different taxpayer-funded security. Prince Harry has argued that this change threatens his family's safety. Royal expert Kinsey Schofield has torched Prince Harry on TalkTV: It does feel like Harry and Meghan, specifically with Meghan not coming during the last visit... Meghan not coming during several of the last visits, Harry refusing to stay at the Palace... It's almost as if they're trying to prove their point by saying, 'Well, Meghan can't come. She's not safe enough. Harry can't stay at the Palace, it's not safe enough.' ALSO READ| Prince Harry and Meghan Markle branded frauds over an outrageous decision for their children Archie and Lilibet They're the most immature adults I've ever witnessed in my entire life and it feels they are creating this distance to punish somebody and to prove some point but the reality is that's the safest Harry would have been, he concluded. Royal Family is set to expunge the Sussexes The Royal Family has reportedly begun the process of expunging Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from history, per the official website. In November 2016, the Duke of Sussex released a strongly-worded statement against the press, condemning opinion pieces that discussed his relationship with Meghan for their racial undertones. This statement was issued by Kensington Palace just days after their romance became public knowledge and remained on the Royal.co.uk website for over seven years before it was suddenly removed last week. Royal author Tom Quinn told The Mirror UK that the Royal Family had long desired to remove the statement after the royal duo stepped down from royal duties in 2020. ALSO READ| Kate Middleton health updates: Netizens saying she may never come back Removing Prince Harry's 2016 statement about Meghan from the Royal website reveals much about how the senior royals are determined to forget the past and Prince Harry's role in it, Quinn stated. The statement was an attack on the press for their portrayal of his then-girlfriend Meghan Markle, which Harry deemed deeply unfair. If Harry wrote the statement, it was heavily influenced by Meghan. The Israeli military said its troops had rescued on Saturday four Israeli hostages alive from Gaza after a "complex daytime operation". Supporters of hostages, who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas, stand outside a medical center after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip on Saturday(REUTERS) "Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40), were kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist organisation from the Nova music festival on October 7," the military said in a statement, adding the four were in "good medical condition." "The hostages were rescued... from two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat" in central Gaza, the military added. The rare rescue comes eight months into war with Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza. During their October 7 attack on the music festival and other areas of southern Israel, militants took 251 hostages, 116 of whom now remain in the Palestinian territory, including 41 the army says are dead. Earlier on Saturday the military said in a separate statement that forces were "targeting terrorist infrastructure in the area of Nuseirat." ALSO READ| UN adds Israel to 'list of shame' for alleged violations against children; PM Netanyahu reacts A Gaza hospital said Israeli strikes in central areas of the territory, including in Nuseirat camp, killed at least 15 people on Saturday. "Intense Israeli air strikes in central governorate left at least 15 martyrs and tens wounded who have been brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital," the spokesman for the facility, doctor Khalil al-Dakran, told AFP. Dakran said the casualties had come from in and around Nuseirat camp as well as Deir al-Balah, where the hospital is located. Hamas said in a separate statement: "There are dozens of bodies of martyrs and wounded lying on the ground, in the streets, and in safe rooms." The group added that Israeli forces were engaged in a "brutal and savage aggression on Nuseirat camp". Social media footage aired by Israeli television channels showed thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky from several buildings in Nuseirat. In recent weeks the military has carried out intense air and ground assaults in and around Nuseirat. On Thursday, the military struck a school turned shelter run by the UN agency for supporting Palestinian refugees, also known as UNRWA, which the Al-Aqsa hospital said had killed 37 people. The Israeli military acknowledged it conducted the strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp that targeted the UN school, saying it killed 17 "terrorists" there. In February, another rescue mission freed two hostages, but the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza said heavy air strikes that accompanied that mission killed around 100 people in Rafah, southern Gaza. Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on Saturday condemned the attack on Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, who was hit by a man in Copenhagen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen.(PTI) "Deeply concerned by the news of the attack on Mette Frederiksen, Denmarks Prime Minister. We condemn the attack. Wishing good health to my friend," Modi posted on X. Details surrounding the incident remain unclear, but local media reported that the assailant approached Frederiksen forcefully and pushed her hard while she was passing Kultorvet Square, a central piazza in Copenhagen. The police arrested a 39-year-old man in connection with the attack. The Danish prime minister suffered minor whiplash but is otherwise fine after the incident, her office confirmed in a statement on Saturday. The suspect was scheduled to appear in a pre-trial custody hearing at 1100 GMT on Saturday at the Copenhagen District Court in Frederiksberg. Read: Slovakia PM Robert Fico moved to capital to recover from shooting Earlier today, French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the "unacceptable" attack. "The attack on the Danish Prime Minister is unacceptable," Macron posted on X (former Twitter). "I strongly condemn this act and wish Mette Frederiksen a speedy recovery," he added. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General, said he was shocked to hear what happened to Frederiksen, whom he called a friend. Charles Michel, president of the European Council, condemned on X what he called a cowardly act of aggression. Read: European Union braces for foreign disinformation as voters head to polls The assault comes two days before Danes head to the polls in the EU election. Three weeks ago, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico was seriously injured in an assassination attempt. The attack on Frederiksen comes amid European Union parliamentary elections, which are underway in Denmark and across the 27-nation bloc. Frederiksen has been campaigning with the Social Democrats' EU lead candidate, Christel Schaldemose, though media reports indicate the attack was not linked to a campaign event. In May, a German candidate from the centre-left Social Democrats was beaten and seriously injured while campaigning for the European Parliament. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron exchanged messages and held a video call with someone purporting to be former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, but the interactions were later determined to be a hoax, the foreign office said on Friday. "Whilst the video call clearly appeared to be with Mr Poroshenko, following the conversation the Foreign Secretary became suspicious," the foreign office said in a statement. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron (via REUTERS) "The department has now investigated and confirmed that it was not genuine and that the messages and video call were a hoax." The statement gave no details of what was discussed during the exchanges, other than to say that the caller asked Cameron for others' contact details. The foreign office said Cameron was making the hoax public "in case the video of the Foreign Secretary is manipulated and subsequently used, and to ensure that others are aware of this risk." "Whilst regretting his mistake, the Foreign Secretary thinks it important to call out this behaviour and increase efforts to counter the use of misinformation," the foreign office said. Britain, which holds a national election on July 4, did not say who it believed was responsible for the hoax. Cameron is not the first British foreign minister to be caught out by a hoax. In 2018 then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson discussed international relations and rude poetry with a hoax caller who pretended to be the Armenian prime minister. In 2022, Britain blamed Russia for hoax calls to two ministers and an attempted call to a third. Videos of one of those calls, to then defence minister Ben Wallace, later appeared online, prompting Britain to say they had been doctored and ask YouTube to remove them. The United Nations have added Israel and Hamas to their "list of shame", documenting rights violations against children in armed conflict, reported The Times of Israel. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AFP) The list has been attached to an annual report submitted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's office. Notably, for the first time, Israel and Hamas have been included on this list, joining the ranks of Russia, the Islamic State, al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, Afghanistan, Iraq, Myanmar, Somalia, Yemen and Syria. This further means that Israel is believed to be the first democratic country included on the list, as reported by The Times of Israel. Previous reports included chapters on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which accused Israel of grave rights violations against children. However, in the past, Israel was never included in the annexe at the end of the report of "listed parties that have not put in place measures during the reporting period to improve the protection of children." This annexe is what has become known as the "list of shame." Following the UN's report, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the UN's decision "delusional". "The UN has put itself on the blacklist of history today when it joined the supporters of the Hamas murderers. The IDF is the most moral army in the world and no delusional decision by the UN will change that," the Israeli PM said. The Israeli Mission to the UN filmed Israel's Permanent Representative to the UN, Gilad Erdan receiving the formal notification on Friday from Guterres's chief of staff. Gilad Erdan emphasised that Israel's army is the most moral army in the world, adding that this "immoral decision" will only aid the terrorists and "reward Hamas". "The only one who is blacklisted today is the secretary-general whose decisions since the war started and even before are rewarding terrorists, incentivizing them to use children for terror acts," he said, according to The Times of Israel. "Now Hamas will continue even more to use schools and hospitals because this shameful decision of the secretary-general will only give Hamas hope to survive and will only extend the war, and extend the suffering. Shame on him," Erdan added. Roughly 8,000 children have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, The Times of Israel reported. The figure, however, has not been independently verified and dropped overnight by roughly 6,500 last month, which led to further questions regarding the veracity of the data received from Hamas authorities, which was also used in the UN report on children and armed conflict, according to The Times of Israel. Furthermore, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that the decision "will have consequences for Israel's relations with the UN." "The shameful decision by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to include the IDF in the blacklist is an act of villainy," Katz said in a post on X. "Guterres, who stood for a minute of silence in memory of Iran's president who executed tens of thousands of innocents, will be remembered in history as an antisemitic secretary-general who chose to ignore Hamas's sexual crimes and Israel's right to self-defence," he said. The Israeli Foreign Minister emphasised that the step by the UN will impact Israel's relations with the UN. "The IDF is the most moral army in the world -- and no fictitious report will change that. This step will have consequences for Israel's relations with the UN," he said. Austrian-Canadian auto parts billionaire Frank Stronach was arrested Friday on sexual assault charges covering decades, police said Friday. Canadian police have charged auto parts billionaire Frank Stronach with sexual assault dating back to the 1980s. Peel Regional police said in a statement that Stronach, 91, was arrested Friday, June 8, 2024, and charged with five crimes including, rape, indecent assault on a female, sexual assault and forcible confinement. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson, File)(AP) Stronach, 91, was charged with five crimes including rape, indecent assault on a female, sexual assault and forcible confinement, Peel Regional Police said. He was released with conditions and will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, Ontario, at a later date, the police statement said. Peel Regional Police Constable Tyler Bell said there is more than one accuser but declined to say how many. Obviously, this is a high-profile case. Our special victims unit is bound to protect the victims and in doing so thats why were are being vague, Bell said. There is more than one victim but we wont confirm that number yet. A lawyer for Stronach didnt immediately respond for a request for comment. ALSO READ| Donald Trumps hush money trial judge flags a Facebook post alleging juror predicted guilty verdict before sentencing What are the charges against Frank Stronach? Police allege the sexual assaults occurred from the 1980s to as recent as 2023. Bell said they are appealing for people to come forward if they have information or have been victims. The billionaire founder of Magna auto parts has also had major investments in horse racing and made a brief foray into Austrian politics more than a decade ago. He has been named to the Order of Canada, one of the countrys highest honors. A Magna spokesperson said Stronach has had no affiliation with the company since relinquishing control in 2010. We have recently been made aware of the charges filed against Frank Stronach, Dave Niemiec said in an email Friday evening. Magna has no knowledge of the investigation or the allegations that have been raised beyond what has been reported in the media. Niemiec said the company would not comment further on the ongoing legal matter. ALSO READ| Israel pounds Gaza refugee camp as war enters 9th month In 2018, Frank sued his daughter, two grandchildren and former business associate Alon Ossip for over $500 million in Ontario Superior Court alleging they mismanaged the familys assets and conspired to take control of them. Belinda Stronach, a former Canadian Member of Parliament, countersued her father, saying in a statement of defense that he lost vast sums of money on pet projects. After becoming the first former or current president in the history of the United States to get convicted in a criminal case, Donald Trump has declined to comply with a UK High Court order requiring him to pay 300,000 ($380,000) in legal expenses. Calling cost the most important factor in every litigation, he asserted that it is an attempt by Trump to take vengeance against us or to keep us quiet.(AFP) The GOP leader has also rejected a formal offer to settle with Christopher Steele, a former MI6 agent who prepared a dossier claiming Russian intervention in the 2016 US election. This puts the former US President in contempt of the British High Court, which dismissed his effort to sue Steele's company Orbis Business Intelligence in February. Orbis issued a formal settlement offer in March, but Trump's lawyers are yet to respond after months. During the campaign of the 2016 presidential election, Trump's political rivals, including Hillary Clinton, commissioned Steele, a former chief of MI6's Russia desk, to create the document. According to the ex-MI6 officer, the violation increases the possibility of a re-elected Trump travelling to the United Kingdom as the US President after refusing to make payments and treating our legal system with contempt. He went on to say that Trump must face "enforcement" if he re-visits the UK. Also Read: Will Donald Trump garner more support from swing states if convicted in Stormy Daniels case? New poll predicts so Christopher Steele reveals why Trump has been violating order? Speaking to Sky News, Steele said, The fact is we were awarded a 300,000 initial cost order in February, which was confirmed when his right of appeal was turned down at the end of March. Trump has been violating that injunction for the past two months, he said. Calling cost the most important factor in every litigation, he asserted that it is an attempt to take vengeance against us or to keep us quiet. We're talking about perhaps the next president of the US here, who is running for office and claims to love and respect the UK, and in fact is treating our legal system with contempt, he said. He further claimed that the former US President has been attempting to postpone many of these legal issues, fines, and costs until after what he thinks will be his re-election in November, in which case he will just tell us all to go jump, basically. Taking to X, Steele wrote: Trump, who claims to respect the UK, has now been in breach of this order for two months and faces enforcement if he travels here again. The former US President has so far paid the court 10,000 as surety against legal fees ahead of the hearing. This was given to Steele in February. Trump argued that the Steele report, which included unfounded charges of bribery and salacious assertions that he employed sex workers during his stay in Moscow, was full of error and violated his Data Protection Act rights. Donald Trumps hush money trial judge, Juan Merchan, informed the prosecutors and the former presidents lawyers on Friday about a fresh discovery of a post that stated that they uncovered a personnel affiliated to the New York court systems Facebook page, personating as the cousin of a juror. Former US President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures during a town hall event at Dream City Church in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 6, 2024. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)(AFP) The post goes like this, My cousin is a juror and says Trump is getting convicted, according to the judge. The user added, Thank you folks for all your hard work!!!! Deleted post alleging juror misconduct adds twist to Trump hush money trial The post is no longer visible on Facebook, suggesting they have been deleted, raising the possibility of a prank or a counterfeit. Efforts to locate the post through various social media revealed that it probably originated from the account of someone who seems obsessed with stalking down the New York court system's social media handles. Free from any such constraints, Merchan decided to upset several apples in the legalistic constitutionalist cart by sending lawyers a brief letter on Friday afternoon. Thanks to this, some commentators on the radical right were quick to cite Merchans alert in a bid to prove that Trumps conviction in the hush money case was somehow tainted. ALSO READ| Joe Biden vs Donald Trump: Russell Brand says if they need democracy, voters should choose.... Most jurors could not speak to anyone about the case, as the judge specifically told everyone that they were not allowed to discuss it while the trial was still ongoing. However, Merchan allowed Trump's lead defence lawyer, Todd Blanche, on Friday to attend a pre-sentence interview with the officer of probation Trump agreed to join before the scheduled sentencing on July 11. The Facebook post is unrelated to this proceeding Merchan's letter noted that the post appeared in reply to a May 29 notice regarding oral arguments in a New York appeals court unrelated to this proceeding. The jury in Trumps trial took a total of 3 days, from May 28 to May 30, before reaching their verdict that Trump was guilty on all the 34 counts he was answerable for. An investigation by the House Oversight Committee showed that Trump coordinated a hush-money payoff to porn actress Stormy Daniels during the final days of the 2016 election campaign. ALSO READ| Hillary Clinton faces outrage over sick and disgusting D-Day remarks: What kind of shameless Again, it is not clearly stated here whether it was the users comment on post on May 29 or just any subsequent post within a few days. Another question that still remains unanswered is whether other officers of the court have acted in verifying the content of the post or whether Merchan unilaterally disclosed it by virtue of policy albeit without any further work to back up the substance of the post. At present, there is no other notice on the New York court systems Facebook that is labeled as an oral argument notice for May 29 that is of the type described by the judge, however, there is an oral argument notice that is of this type and dated May 20. Harvey Weinsteins lawyers argue in an appeal that he did not get a fair trial when he was convicted of rape and sexual assault in Los Angeles in 2022 and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Former film producer Harvey Weinstein attends a discovery hearing ahead of his retrial for sexual assault charges, at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on May 29, 2024. (AFP) The brief filed Friday with Californias Second District Court of Appeal comes six weeks after his similar landmark #MeToo conviction and 23-year prison sentence in New York were overturned by the state's highest court. The California appeal argues the trial judge wrongly excluded evidence that the Italian model and actor he was convicted of raping had a sexual relationship with the director of a film festival that had brought both Weinstein and the woman to Los Angeles at the time of the alleged attack. Weinstein's lawyers argued that the judge deprived him of "his constitutional rights to present a defense and led to a miscarriage of justice. The attorneys say the judge was wrong to allow jurors to know about Weinstein's previous, now-vacated conviction in New York, and that the jury was unfairly prejudiced by testimony from women about alleged assaults Weinstein was not charged with. Similar testimony led to his overturned conviction in New York, where the 72-year-old is being held as Manhattan prosecutors plan to retry him. The introduction of this excessive, cumulative, and remote evidence of prior sexual assaults simply signaled to the jury that the Defendant was a bad man who should be convicted of something irrespective of whether the prosecution proved its case, the filing said. At his California trial, Weinstein was charged with sexually assaulting four women, but a jury convicted him of an attack on just one, Evgeniya Chernyshova, who testified that Weinstein appeared uninvited at her hotel room during the LA Italia Film Festival in 2013. Weinstein's lawyers argue that Superior Court Judge Lisa B. Lench was wrong to prevent his defense from showing the jury Facebook messages that showed Chernyshova and the festival's founder, Pascal Vicedomini, had a sexual relationship. The messages would have shown that both were perjuring themselves when they testified that they were only friends and colleagues, the brief argues. And it would have bolstered defense arguments that the woman was not even in her hotel room but was with Vicedomini at the time of the alleged attack. The arguments are similar to those made by Weinsteins attorneys in a motion for a new trial that Lench rejected before his sentencing. Weinstein has since hired appellate attorneys including Jennifer Bonjean, a Chicago-based lawyer whose appeal in Bill Cosbys sexual assault case got his conviction in Pennsylvania permanently thrown out. Chernyshova went only by Jane Doe 1 during the trial. The Associated Press doesn't typically name people who say they've been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Chernyshova did after the trial. She consented via her lawyer to the AP using her name. Weinstein's appeal makes the same tired arguments that he previously made multiple times, without success, to the trial court," Chernyshova's attorney, David Ring, said in an email Friday. "We are of the strong opinion that the trial court vetted the evidence appropriately and made all the correct decisions in its evidentiary rulings. We are confident that Weinsteins appeal will be denied and he will spend many years in prison. The defense appeals brief says three of the jurors signed affidavits saying they now regretted signing on to a unanimous guilty verdict. The filing says the jurors confirmed that they did not believe the pair were romantically linked and explained that if they had access to such evidence it would have changed their calculus of whether any rape occurred. And Weinstein's attorneys argue that a lawsuit filed by Chernyshova shortly after the verdict demonstrates that they should have been allowed to question whether she had financial motives in the state's outcome. Weinstein's defense lawyers first filed a notice of appeal in April 2023 and asked for several extensions before filing Friday's brief. The prosecution has until Aug. 6 to file its response. Amid his health woes, King Charles was rushed to hospital in London for his cancer treatment on Tuesday, a day before his historic D-Day speech, which left Queen Camilla in tears. Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla attend the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion's commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II "D-Day" Allied landings in Normandy.(via REUTERS) According to GB News, the monarch appealed to the doctors that he wanted to join veterans and "lead from the front." The King, who received a nod by his medical team to attend his Royal duties in April, made an appearance at the event but his carefully calibrated appearance was reduced by 45 minutes on medical advice. Prince William stood by King Charles It is believed that doctors suggested "compromises," which resulted in Prince William standing in for his father at the celebration on Omaha Beach in France. According to royal insiders, all the events attended by Charles were reviewed in cooperation with doctors. They were extremely long days and some compromises had to be made. Meanwhile, Prince William's close aide informed that the Prince of Wales has a strong desire to assist his father, both in the UK and abroad. Addressing an emotional gathering of veterans during a national commemorative event in Ver-sur-Mer on Thursday, the monarch expressed his "profound sense of gratitude" to the army heroes who served in 1944. Also Read: Prince Harry 'deeply upset' by King Charles' latest decision amid widening rift within Royal family King and Queen got emotional Both King and Queen got emotional as Camilla wiped her eyes when a war-veteran read out his heart-touching story to the crowd. When one soldier asked King Charles about his health, the monarch assured that he is "doing well". The King paid a homage to the "remarkable wartime generation," reminding the audience, "It is with our most profound gratitude that we remember them and all who served at that critical time." The Prince of Wales honoured soldiers who served "for our freedom" at a Canadian anniversary service on Juno Beach, saying, "All of you demonstrated heroism, and determination, that ensured fascism was conquered." Charles is scheduled to attend King's Foundation Awards next Tuesday, June 11, at St James' Palace in London. Moreover, the monarch intends to take part in his birthday parade, known as Trooping the Colour, on June 15. While Princess Kate, who missed an important royal event as Colonel of the Irish Guards on Saturday owing to cancer treatment, is unlikely to appear on Buckingham Palace's balcony this year. Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley has chosen a very different stance at a time when pro-Palestine protestors are seeking a truce in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina, and Israeli parliament member Dani Danon visit the site of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on the Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Re'im, Israel, on Monday, May 27, 2024. (Bloomberg) As the US government faces criticism for its backing for Israel, Haley slammed the Biden administration in an article published in The New York Post, claiming that they had completely "forgotten" what Hamas did on October 7. Haley, the ex-GOP presidential candidate and former South Carolina governor, recently paid a visit to Israel and came under fire for writing Finish them on an Israeli artillery shell. In the op-ed, she emphasised on her recent trip and the need of Israel's counter-offensive against terrorist organisation Hamas. Nikki Haley visits the site of the Nova festival, where partygoers were killed and kidnapped during the October 7 attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Reim, southern Israel, May 27, 2024.(REUTERS) Israel must finish the job in Gaza, avers Haley "It's crucial that Israel finish the job in Gaza, defeat Hamas and return every hostage back home to their families," she noted. The former ambassador continued her tirade against Biden and members of Congress for attempting to prevent weapon supply to Israel while failing to provide the nation with the protection it requires against Iran. She further called the demand for a ceasefire "worst of all", adding that "a cease-fire is the same as defeat." "It would give the terrorists time and resources to complete their mission, which is the total destruction of Israel," the former governor stressed. Haley went on to target the International Criminal Court ((ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for calling on Israel to cease the war. Any country or entity that attacks Israel emboldens Americas enemies. Punishing them is key to protecting ourselves, the Republican leader stated. Over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its counteroffensive following a terror attack by Hamas on its soil, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Several world leaders and organisations have called for Israel to halt the operation as its military moves toward the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where thousands of Palestinians are seeking safety. The Israeli military argues that Rafah is Hamas' last bastion. Russia, China vetoed UN resolution on Gaza ceasefire plan On Thursday, June 6, Russia and China vetoed their powers in the United Nations Security Council, expressing alarm over a US draft resolution that would support Biden's plan for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Algeria, the council's sole Arab member, has also indicated that it is not prepared to support the text, according to diplomats. For it to succeed, a resolution must have a minimum of nine votes and have no vetoes from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, China, or Russia. Matt Prior MclAren artura opinion I just briefly opened LinkedIn to check on responses to a job ad I'd shared, and I scrolled quickly through some posts written in curiously short sentences. Like this. But each a new paragraph too. I noticed a picture of a car. It was only on the screen for the briefest flicker of a moment as I scrolled past, but I immediately knew who had made it: not by colour, nor by location, but because its doors were open. Ah, dihedral doors: a McLaren! A glimpse was enough for it to be immediately recognisable. Now, McLaren has not been without ongoing problems. It lost 873 million last year, prompting Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund, already its biggest stakeholder, to take full ownership in April. The company's first quarter of this year was better, following the launches of the 750S and Artura, but still wasn't ultimately profitable. ADVERTISEMENT And noting how hard it is for an independent car maker with a small range and small sales to make money, McLaren says it is "continuing to explore OEM and/or technical partnerships with industry partners". While we love driving McLaren's cars, I think of its range as quite crowded. In last month's Q1 earnings release, McLaren said it operates in "distinct segments", including Grand Tourer (GTS), Supercar (Artura) and Supercar (750S). But I'm not sure how distinct those segments truly are. These are all two-seaters, mid-engined, similarly tubbed and similarly proportioned. And if you browse the McLaren Cars website for the GTS, it mentions the car being a 'supercar' or having the DNA of one six times but doesn't use the term 'grand tourer' or 'GT' once. If a customer-facing blurb doesn't make its purpose distinct, what chance for the potential buyer? Perhaps as a result of this crowding, I couldn't have told you which McLaren I scrolled past today, but I thought it at least encouraging that I knew in an instant who had made it. McLaren first used dihedral-opening doors on the F1, and they were later adopted by the 'new range of cars that began with 2011's MP4-12C. Story continues They have been used on every model since, bar the doorless Solus GT (from McLaren's Ultimate range, the one truly differentiated area of the model line). On seeing them today, I felt a bit differently about them. Those doors felt like heritage. Only 13 years of it in 'new McLaren Automotive terms, but still. They didn't seem novel; they felt established. Despite the ongoing troubles, I felt encouraged by that, too. ]]> Prince William and Kate Middleton, the future King and Queen of Britain, are keen to keep their children away from the limelight and make their childhood as normal as possible. Kate has always given importance to her family and kids -- Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Kate Middleton and Prince William with their three children; George, Louis and Charlotte. (Instagram) Earlier this year, when The Princess of Wales addressed the nation about her cancer diagnosis, she highlighted how important it was for her to explain her condition to her kids. After giving birth to Prince George, whose full name is George Alexander Louis, in 2013, Kate called it a "special time" and a very emotional moment. Who is PG Tips? Yes, you guess it right! Just like other kids, Prince George of Wales has an adorable nickname, which derives from both of his initials and is a classic British staple. William and Kate named their eldest son PG Tips after the teabag brand. He is called by this name at his home in Adelaide Cottage, Windsor, where he resides with his parents and siblings. According to The Mirror, Pals started calling Prince George 'PG', so the couple took the next logical step and dubbed him Tips. George is said to be a great fan of his nickname, and he loves the fact that his friends call him Tips at his school, Lambrook, situated in the Berkshire countryside. Revealing why the Royal family prefers cute identity, a source told The Sun that the royals aren't particularly excellent at talking with each other, so nicknames help them to alleviate family conflict. "They can also be a rather childlike family. They love to play games and they give each other silly presents. I think it's because they have to be so earnest in their public lives." Also Read: Prince William reveals potential career plans of Prince George: 'He is obsessed with...' What about Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte? Not just Prince George, Prince Louis also has an endearing nickname that was disclosed during the celebrations that marked King Charles' Coronation. The youngest child of Kate, Louis, was photographed at a charity function, gleefully waving his sticky marshmallow stick around. As soon as his mother noticed, she told him, "Pop that in the fire, Lou Bug," disclosing his nickname, 'Lou-Bug'. Moreover, Princess Charlotte received a charming nickname with an international twist by Prince William. The Prince of Wales reportedly address his only daughter as mignonette, meaning small and delicate in French. Amidst the ongoing rift with King Charles, Prince Harry is said to be deeply upset with his father latest plans. Speaking to the Mirror, Tom Quinn revealed that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had hopes that they could be allowed to re-establish Frogmore Cottage at Windsor as their UK home.(AP) This comes as tensions between Royal family members continue to escalate, with new brewing conflict between the monarch and his estranged brother Prince Andrew over Royal Lodge. The King wants disgraced Andrew to leave the 30-room mansion and shift to Frogmore Cottage, where Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle were residing before stepping down from the Royal duties. They were formerly evicted from the Windsor property last year. During their stay in the property, the Royal couple renovated the four-bedroom residence for 2.4 million, despite the fact that their current residence in California's Montecito is worth a whopping 12 million. The Duke of York presently resides in Royal Lodge in Windsor, and he is unwilling to move out from the residence he has lived in for more than two decades. Also Read: Sarah Ferguson breaks silence on Prince Andrew's tense bond with King Charles: I am very lucky' Why is Harry very upset? Speaking to the Mirror, Tom Quinn revealed that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had hopes that they could be allowed to re-establish Frogmore Cottage at Windsor as their UK home. However deep the rift with his father and brother, Harry always had hopes that he and Meghan might eventually be allowed to re-establish Frogmore Cottage at Windsor as their UK base, he said. Stressing on the equation between Charles and Andrew, Quinn asserted the Prince Harry is very upset with over the fact that The Duke of York has been asked to move into Frogmore. He will be deeply upset at the prospect of his uncle Prince Andrew moving into Frogmore a very real prospect as King Charles insists that Andrew cannot continue to live at Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion on the Windsor estate where Andrew has lived for decades. Prince Andrew, who is not a working Royal anymore, was forced to resign following his car accident and his 2019 Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis. He faced backlash following disclosure of his ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Virginia Giuffre had accused the beloved son of Queen Elizabeth of sexual assault. However, the case was eventually settled outside of court. Andrew has consistently disputed the claims against him. Kate Middleton, The Princess of Wales, penned down an emotional letter to the Irish Guards to extend her best wishes to the Colonels Review in London on Saturday. Amidst her ongoing cancer battle, Kate, the regiment's colonel, expressed regret at missing the ceremony, which was the penultimate rehearsal for the Trooping the Colour march. Amidst her ongoing cancer battle, Kate, the regiment's colonel, expressed regret at missing the ceremony, which was the penultimate rehearsal for the Trooping the Colour march. I wanted to write and let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonels Review and Trooping the Colour, the letter said. I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practising for months and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate. She further stressed that it is a great honour to be a Colonel, adding that I am very sorry that Im unable to take the salute at this years Colonels Review. Please pass my apologies to the whole regiment, however, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. Responding to Kate, The Irish Guards stated that they were deeply touched by her letter. They wished her speedy recovery and sent their best wishes as continues cnacer treatment. Kate may not appear in public for the rest of the year: Report The letter comes days after Royal sources revealed that Kate may not appear in public for the rest of the year amid her ongoing cancer treatment. Lots of people involved in planning need to know what all the principals are doing a long way in advance. I am told that Kates diary for this year is empty. There is nothing planned. She may not appear in public for the rest of the year, a royal source told The Daily Beast. While appearing in Newcastle earlier this month, Prince William provided an update on Kate's health. He shared the update when a reporter inquired how Kate is feeling amid her cancer battle. "All doing well, thank you. Yes, we're doing well, he replied. Also Read: Kate Middleton and Prince William share emotional message on social media, Dare to Will Kate attend Trooping the Colour? Buckingham Palace recently released a rare update on Kate Middleton and King Charles, as royal fans await The Princess of Wales' return from her long seclusion from public view. The Palace confirmed that Kate will not participate in Trooping the Colour's traditional rehearsal, known as Colonel's Review, on June 8, while the monarch will ride in a carriage with Queen Camilla to the march on June 15, according to the Palace, as reported by the Daily Mail. Charles will be accompanied by Camilla as he reviews soldiers from an Ascot Landau carriage during his traditional birthday procession. It appears to be a change based on doctor's recommendations, as the monarch continues to receive cancer treatment. According to the palace, Lieutenant General James Bucknall, the former Lieutenant General of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, would perform the Colonel's Review on Kate's behalf. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry faced exclusion from Trooping the Colour for the second consecutive year, turned into a public spectacle and with that the feud between the royal family became more evident. (LBritain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, US actress Meghan Markle and her fiancee Britain's Prince Harry attend a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey. (AFP) Charles snubbed Harry during the brief UK visit They say the crest in front is more important than the name, but the Sussexes will be the excluded ones to contest that. The rift between the brothers was an exaggeration, yes, but only just. The rift reached a crescendo when Prince Harry visited the UK last month for a brief period but wasn't able to meet father, King Charles III due to the monarch's full programme. And the drama escalated even further when it surfaced that difficult Prince William was the one who stood between the father and son like the Himalayas. Royal commentator Michael Levine told The Mirror UK, This continued exclusion of Meghan and Harry from Trooping the Colour is a poignant reflection of their ongoing estrangement from the core of the British monarchy. Their absence for the second year running underscores the deep rifts that persist despite the pageantry and tradition that define the Royal Family. It's a stark reminder that personal conflicts can ripple through the public spectacle even in the most revered institutions. It's a stark reminder that personal conflicts can ripple through the public spectacle even in the most revered institutions, Levine added. ALSO READ| Immature Prince Harry and Meghan Markle want to punish somebody: Expert Harry and Meghan have spent the past weekend enjoying a pre-birthday bash for their daughter This ongoing distance between the Sussexes and the royal family is also evident in their private lives. According to several reports, Prince William and Kate Middleton were not invited to Princess Lilibet's third birthday celebration in California. Rather than go for a low-key celebration, Harry and Meghan have spent the past weekend enjoying a pre-birthday bash for their daughter Lilibet's third birthday. Hugely expensive presents have been ruled out, but the couple's mansion in California was awash with celebrities including Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom and their daughter Daisy, who is just a few months older than Lilibet, another royal author Tom Quinn told The Mirror. Quinn highlighted the lack of royal family invitations, noting, Shockingly, no invitations to Lilibet's party were issued to members of the royal family. ALSO READ| Prince Harry wants peace with William, Kate and King just for the sake of one person One of Harry's old army friends said, 'Harry knew they wouldn't come anyway, and he was pretty sure he would not have wanted them there.' But he is really sad that Archie and Lilibet cannot have any kind of relationship with their cousins while his feud with his family continues, he added. Amid rising geopolitical tensions, the White House has issued a major warning, stating that the United States may have to broaden its nuclear weapons arsenal in reaction to Russia, China, and North Korea expanding their nuke programs at a breakneck pace. US's statement comes in reaction to Russia, China, and North Korea expanding their nuke programs at a breakneck pace. (AP) Speaking to the Arms Control Association on Friday, Pranay Vaddi, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Arms Control at the White House, stated: Absent a change in adversary arsenals, we may reach a point in the coming years where an increase from current deployed numbers is required. We need to be fully prepared to execute if the president makes that decision. If that day comes, Vaddi believes it will lead to the conclusion that additional nuclear arsenals are needed to dissuade US adversaries while also protecting the American people, and Washington's allies, and partners. Vaddi's statements come amid rising tensions between the United States, Russia, and China, raising worries of an all-out conflict. In May, Russia carried out strategic nuclear arms training "in response to provocative statements and threats by individual Western officials." Russian media has regularly threatened nuclear strikes on Western powers such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. During his speech, Vaddi cautioned that China, Russia, and North Korea "are all expanding and diversifying their nuclear arsenals at a breakneck pace, showing little or no interest in arms control." With the help of Iran, he said the three powers are progressively collaborating and coordinating with one another in ways that run contrary to peace and stability, jeopardize the United States, its closest allies and partners, and aggravate regional tensions. He further claimed that these countries share missile and drone technology. Also Read: Joe Biden suffers embarrassing moment at D-Day event in France, makes strange claim about Vladimir Putin US' alert comes after Putin's warning Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened that he could deploy conventional missiles within range of Western powers after some of the countries granted Ukraine authorisation to use their weapons against Russian military targets on its own territory for the first time. On being asked if Russia should hold a nuclear pistol to the temple of the West at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin stated that it was not necessary at the time. "I don't think that such a case has come. There is no such need," he stated in reference to nuclear weapons." Meanwhile, Donald Trump in an interview with Fox News stated that the nuclear war is a bigger threat to the United States than climate change. While Russia had the largest nuclear arsenal in the world as per 2023 statistics, Reuters report stated that the United States has not surpassed the limit of 1,550 strategic nuclear warheads established in the 2010 New START deal with Moscow. Russia's President Vladimir Putin has said that there is no need to use nuclear weapons to secure victory in Ukraine, reported Reuters. Russia's President Vladimir Putin(AFP) At the plenary session of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum by moderator Sergei Karaganov, an influential Russian analyst, Putin was asked if Russia should hold a "nuclear pistol to the temple" of the West over Ukraine. However, Putin weighed in on the prospect of situations in which Russia may use nuclear weapons. "The use is possible in an exceptional case - in the event of a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. I don't think that such a case has come. There is no such need," Putin said. "And we don't have that need. Because our armed forces are not just gaining experience, they are increasing their effectiveness," the Russian leader said. Putin said he did not rule out changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine, which sets out the conditions under which such weapons may be used. He also said that if necessary Russia could test a nuclear weapon, though he saw no need to do so at present. ALSO READ| Joe Biden suffers embarrassing moment at D-Day event in France, makes strange claim about Vladimir Putin Putin's remarks have come while experts have been raising concerns over the prospect of Ukraine war escalating into a nuclear war. Russia has put former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on its wanted list. Russian state news agency Tass claimed that Tymoshenko was listed as wanted on unspecified criminal charges. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his predecessor, Petro Poroshenko are already on Russia's wanted list. In the list, Russia has included several other officials and lawmakers from Ukraine and NATO countries as well. Kaja Kallas, the Prime Minister of NATO and EU member Estonia, is also on the list. Kallas is an advocate of increased military aid to Ukraine. and stronger sanctions against Russia. Divers in the Florida Keys were cleaning up what they believed to be trash on the ocean floor when they found 25 packages of suspected cocaine, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff's deputies responded to the Rainbow Reef Dive Center in Key Largo at around 12:25 p.m. on Wednesday after divers reported discovering the packages of drugs. According to the sheriff's office, the packages were found in about 100 feet of water. A photo shared by the sheriff's office shows a ripped open trash bag alongside individually wrapped packages labeled "Nike SB" with the shoe brand's iconic swoosh logo. The 25 packages, each weighing one kilogram, or about 2.2 pounds, contained suspected cocaine. The sheriff's office said they turned the packages over to the U.S. Border Patrol. The Rainbow Reef Dive Center regularly hosts ocean cleanup events with local divers, with another Dive Against Debris event scheduled this Saturday in celebration of World Ocean Day. --with reporting by TMX More than 10 tons of trash, four bodies and one skeleton have been removed from Mount Everest and other Himalayan mountains during the annual cleanup by the Nepalese army, according to a report. The collection of rubbish and corpses from Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse mountains took 55 days, the BBC reported on Thursday. An annual sprucing up of the peaks began in 2019 because of safety and overcrowding concerns among climbers lining up to reach the summit of the world's tallest mountain - 29,302 feet. In all, the five cleanups have cleared the mountains of 119 tons of trash, 14 corpses and some skeletons, the report said. Estimates put the number of bodies on Everest at more than 200. The Nepalese government will begin having mountain rangers monitor the amount of garbage and allocate more money to its collection, Nepal's Department of Tourism director of mountaineering Rakesh Gurung told the BBC. More than 600 people climbed the mountain this spring season, the government said. Eight hikers died or went missing this year. At least 150 villagers, 35 of whom are children, are feared dead after a massacre in central Sudan, with the blame pointing to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group fighting the army. For over 13 months, the rivals have been battling for control of the country. While they haven't claimed responsibility for the attack, on Thursday, the RSF announced they had ambushed two army positions, according to the BBC. An alleged video that is circulating on social media shows dozens of bodies wrapped in white veils in preparation for burial in Gezira state. Sudan's military government has called on the international community to condemn a mass killing. The RSF has not commented on the accusations, but on Thursday boasted of attacking two army positions.https://t.co/lnKBAlJjCj BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) June 6, 2024 The Madani Resistance Committee is currently waiting for a confirmed toll of dead and injured. UNICEF reports that 35 children have so far been killed, with more than 20 others suffering from injuries. Catherine Russell, UNICEF's executive director, called scenes from the ground "devastating." "This is yet another grim reminder of how the children of Sudan are paying the price for the brutal violence," she wrote in a post on X. Horrified by reports of at least 35 children killed & more than 20 injured in an attack on Wad al Noura, in Sudans al-Jazira state. It's another grim reminder of how the children of #Sudan are paying the price for the brutal violence. My statement https://t.co/wxgODNt4oI Catherine Russell (@unicefchief) June 6, 2024 Thousands of children have been killed and injured, more than five million have been forced from their homes, and others have been recruited, abducted, and raped over the past year, according to Russell. Hafiz Mohamad, from leading human rights group Justice Africa Sudan, has told the BBC that many more people are still missing but that it was "difficult to count all the dead" because "RSF elements are still around the area looting." Meanwhile, in El Fasher, a city located in Darfur in western Sudan, fierce battles persist between the RSF and the military. It's estimated that more than 15,000 people have been killed across the country since the conflict began in April 2023. UN agencies report that the fighting has triggered the world's largest displacement crisis, with millions now facing a hunger catastrophe. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron condemned the "assault on innocent people" and blamed the RSF in a post on X. "The RSF must stop these attacks," he said. "The world is watching. Those responsible will be held to account." Horrific reports of a RSF assault on innocent people in the Sudanese village of Wad al-Noura, with a large number of civilians killed. The RSF must stop these attacks. The world is watching. Those responsible will be held to account. https://t.co/4Y5yShmcRo David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 6, 2024 In December, the RSF seized control of Gezira state, located to the south of the capital, Khartoum, and has been accused of committing numerous abuses against civilians. The paramilitary group continues to deny the accusations. A California man admitted to beheading his grandmother and dumping the body part near a creek, days after getting out of prison, according to a report. Luis Aroyo-Lopez, 24, pleaded guilty Tuesday to the Nov. 2 murder of Elvia Aroyo-Lopez, 64, at her Santa Rosa, California, home, according to The Press Democrat. He faces up to life in prison with the possibility of parole after striking a plea deal with prosecutors, the outlet reported, citing Aroyo-Lopez's public defender. A motive in the slaying remains unclear. Police responded to Elvia's home in November after a friend found her headless body, ran out of the house, and called 911. "She kept yelling, 'no head,' and I wasn't sure what she meant," a neighbor identified only as Jessica said, according to CBS News. Elvia's head was discovered next to a creek two days later the same day police arrested her grandson at a transit center. "She was a loving person and she adored so dearly all her grandchildren. She didn't deserve what was done to her," a GoFundMe campaign organized to defray funeral costs read. Aroyo-Lopez previously served time for assault with a deadly weapon on someone else. He will be sentenced June 27. A retired FBI agent believes the methodical way suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann planned his alledged murders on Long Island makes him a "better" killer than Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of brutally stabbing four college students to death in Idaho in 2022. Heuermann, 60, was arraigned Thursday in the deaths of two more women - Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla - adding to the charges he already faces for allegedly killing four other women and leaving their remains along the Long Island shoreline over the past three decades. Prosecutors said they uncovered a "planning document" on Heuermann's hard drive on how he carried out "his kills with excruciating detail." Jennifer Coffindaffer, the retired FBI agent, wrote on X that Heuermann, an architect, "planned his murders so well." "He outlined when, where and how. His detail is like a law enforcement Mini-operations plan, but for murder. I believe #BryanKohberger, if found guilty, was similar to RH, but RH was better, and there was less technology when he started so he got away with it for years and years," she said in the posting. "But for the new task force, would he ever have been caught? I believe there are so many more. P.S. He studied those who studied serial killers. #LISK #GILGO," she added, linking to court documents that outlined Heuermann's blueprint for killing. #RexHeuermann planned his murders so well. He outlined when, where and how. His detail is like a law enforcement Mini-operations plan, but for murder. I believe #BryanKohberger, if found guilty, was similar to RH, but RH was better, and there was less technology when he pic.twitter.com/nHS9VblKd5 Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) June 6, 2024 Prosecutors in Suffolk County said Heuermann deliberately hunted his victims. "We allege that this document evinces the defendant's intent in committing the charged crimes, that his intent was, specifically, to locate these victims, to hunt them down and to bring them under his control and to kill them," District Attorney Ray Tierney said Thursday at a news conference. Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, in an off-campus apartment they shared in the early morning of Nov. 13, 2022. Autopsies of the victims showed that they had all been stabbed numerous times. Heuermann is also charged in the killings of four other women - Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. The woman who claims to be the inspiration behind the stalker Martha Scott in the hit Netflix series "Baby Reindeer" has filed a lawsuit against the streaming service. Fiona Harvey is seeking $170 million in damages, alleging defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, gross negligence and violations of her right of publicity. The suit follows the phenomenal success of this year's series, starring 35-year-old Scottish writer and actor Richard Gadd, and is based on his personal experiences with a fan he has presented as a stalker who inundated him with some 41,000 emails, letters and hundreds of voice messages. She's played by his co-star Jessica Gunning. Harvey has claimed publicly that the character is based on her, but she denies being a stalker and denies sending him messages and calling him. "I don't think I sent him anything. There may have been a couple of emails with jokey banter, but that is it, Harvey told host Piers Morgan recently in an interview. Gadd has admitted in an interview with the Guardian that he "tweaked" his experiences "slightly to create dramatic climaxes." It's "very emotionally true, obviously," he said. "I was severely stalked and severely abused. But we wanted it to exist in the sphere of art, as well as protect the people it's based on," he said. Netflix has vowed to fight the suit. "We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd's right to tell his story," a spokesperson for the streaming giant told the Guardian. Harvey's lawsuit accuses the company of doing nothing to confirm the "true story" that Gadd told or understand the relationship between Gadd and Harvey, if any. Furthermore, the "defendants told these lies and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money," the lawsuit argued. "Baby Reindeer" was a major winner at the Gotham TV Awards in New York this week and is expected to be a frontrunner when Emmy nominations are announced in July. Harvey maintains that "Netflix and Gadd destroyed her reputation, her character, and her life." Support for providing military aid to Israel for its war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip has fallen to its lowest level among Americans since the beginning of the conflict in October, a survey published Friday found. Only 41% of U.S. voters back continuing to give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu military weapons, down from 53% when Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7, according to a Morning Consult tracking poll. The support saw the sharpest drop among Democrats - from 52% to 34%. It fell 11 points among independents - 46% to 35% - and 6 points among Republicans - 59% to 53% .At the same time, sentiment for providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza has risen slightly, climbing to 59% from 57%, the survey found. That feeling has fallen from 72% to 71% among Democrats, risen among independents to 58% from 49% and remained unchanged at 46% for Republicans. The survey also found that Americans have lost sympathy for Israel as the war progressed. In October, 41% of Americans said they were sympathetic to the Israelis. That has plunged to 28% in the recent survey, while compassion for the Palestinians has risen to 14% from 9%. Sympathy for Israel toppled most sharply among independents, dwindling from 40% in October to 22% now. Among Democrats, it fell from 28% to 13%, and among GOP voters it fell from 55% to 47%. Sympathy for the Palestinians has risen across all party lines in that time frame. Morning Consult noted that it conducted its latest survey last month while Israel was carrying out its military offensive in Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge. President Joe Biden, who faces pressure at home to get Israel to minimize civilian casualties, has been seeking a cease-fire. About 3 in 5 voters support a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, including 39% who say they "strongly" support a truce. Seventy-one percent of Democrats back a ceasefire as do 61% of independents and 45% of Republicans. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Barrington Stage Kicks off 30th Anniversary Season PITTSFIELD, Mass. Barrington Stage Company (BSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Alan Paul, will launch its 30th anniversary season with a new production of the multi-Tony Award-winning musical, "La Cage aux Folles." The production will play June 11-July 6 on the Boyd-Quinson Stage (30 Union Street). Opening night is Sunday, June 16 at 3:00 PM. With a book by Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, "La Cage aux Folles" is based on the play by Jean Poirot that also inspired the 1978 French film of the same name and its American remake, "The Birdcage," starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. BSC's production will be directed by Mike Donahue and choreographed by Paul McGill. Angela Steiner is musical director. The original Broadway production of "La Cage aux Folles" opened in 1983 and won six Tony Awards in 1984, including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. Two subsequent Broadway revivals won Best Revival of a Musical in 2005 and 2010, respectively. "La Cage aux Folles" is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. concordtheatricals.com According to a press release: Set in St. Tropez on the French Riviera, "La Cage aux Folles" is a riotous and touching musical comedy about a gay couple, Georges and Albin, who must disguise themselves for one night in order to impress a local ultra-conservative politician who is threatening to shut down the couple's drag nightclub where Georges serves as Emcee and Albin as the star attraction, Zaza. The production will star Alex Michaels, aka Alexis Michelle as Albin and Tom Story as Georges. "La Cage aux Folles is a delirious farce, with Harvey Fierstein's hilarious book and Jerry Herman's exuberantly tuneful score," commented Paul. "But it needs a believable couple at its center for the show's beating heart, and we're extremely fortunate to have Alex Michaels, perhaps best known for their drag persona Alexis Michelle on "RuPaul's Drag Race," and the dashing Tom Story as our Albin and Georges. With a brilliant cast and helmed by Mike Donohue with high-flying choreography from Paul McGill, we think BSC audiences are in for a treat." The cast will also feature Noah Wolfeas Jean Michel, Sally Shaw as Anne, Phillip Taratula as Jacob, Tanesha Gary as Jacqueline, Don Noble as Edouard Dindon, Michele Ragusa as Mme. Dindon, and Drae Campbell as Francis. Also starring as the "notorious and dangerous" Cagelles will be Jonte Jaurel Culpepper as Bitelle, Gabe Friedman aka Kiki BallChange as Chantal, Jules Geiss as Clo-Clo, Aaron Graham as Angelique, and Kyle White as Hannah, with Raphe Gilliam and Drew Minard. The creative team includes Alexander Woodward (Scenic Design), Rodrigo Munoz (Costume Design), Philip Rosenberg (Lighting Design), Ken Travis (Sound Design), Bobbie Zlotnik (Wig Design), Kyle Kreuger (Makeup Design), Robert Aronowitz (Whip Consultant). Sara Ford is Production Stage Manager. Casting is by McCorkle Casting (Pat McCorkle, CSA; Rebecca Weiss, CSA). BOYD-QUINSON STAGE In addition to "La Cage aux Folles," the 2024 Boyd-Quinson Stage will feature a revival of Boeing Boeing (July 17-August 3) by Marc Camoletti and translated by Beverley Cross & Francis Evans. This 1960 riotous French sex farce delighted a new generation of theatregoers with a recent critically acclaimed London and Broadway revival. BSC's production will be helmed by Founding Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and will star BSC Associate Artists Mark H. Dold, Christopher Innvar, and Debra Jo Rupp. BSC Artistic Director Alan Paul will direct "Next to Normal" (August 13-September 8), in a co-production with Round House Theatre in Washington, DC. "Next to Normal," which will close the Boyd-Quinson Stage season, features music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. The original Broadway production, produced by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, and Second Stage Theatre, won three 2009 Tony Awards including Best Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The show recently received its London premiere in a critically acclaimed production that is transferring to the West End. Next to Normal is licensed by Music Theatre International. ST. GERMAIN STAGE The St. Germain Stage season opens with the regional premiere of "A Tender Thing" (June 25-July 20) by Ben Power, which will be directed by Alan Paul. Originally staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company, this two-character play imagines what would have happened if Romeo and Juliet had not died as teenagers but had instead lived to old age. "Forgiveness" (July 30-August 25) is the world premiere of a new play by Mark St. Germain and directed by Ron Lagomarsino. The play is set in Minnesota where prisoners are allowed to plead their case in front of the Governor, in a bid to be returned to society. In this interactive production, audiences will help determine who is worthy of forgiveness. The St. Germain Stage season will conclude with the regional premiere of "Primary Trust," winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, by actress/playwright Eboni Booth. This play, about a bookstore worker who loses his job and must find a new way forward for himself, delighted Off-Broadway audiences last year at Roundabout Theatre Company. Additional details on the 2024 BSC season, including gala, concerts, and staged readings, will be announced in coming weeks. THE BARRINGTON STAGE COMPANY 2024 SEASON Boyd-Quinson Stage 30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA. La Cage aux Folles Book by Harvey Fierstein Based on the play La Cage Aux Folles by Jean Poiret Music & Lyrics by Jerry Herman Choreographed by Paul McGill Directed by Mike Donahue June 11-July 6 Opening Night: Sunday, June 16 at 3:00 PM Sponsored by Berkshire Money Management "The best of times is now!" Come join the party at the hottest nightclub in St. Tropez, home to Jerry Herman & Harvey Fierstein's hit musical comedy. This spectacular show about love and acceptance is as heartwarming as it is hilarious, and it has so much to say about what it means to be a family. Boeing Boeing By Marc Camoletti Translated by Beverley Cross & Francis Evans Directed by Julianne Boyd Starring Mark H. Dold, Christopher Innvar, and Debra Jo Rupp July 17-August 3 Opening Night: Sunday, July 21 at 5:00 PM Fly to Paris in the swinging '60s and meet playboy Bernard. With help from his housekeeper Bertha who plays flight control, Bernard keeps a rotating group of flight attendants on standby. But with the arrival of a long-lost friend and the new Boeing jet, Bernard's plans hit some turbulence. Fasten your seatbelts for a "deliciously, deliriously innocent sex comedy." (The New York Times) Next to Normal Music by Tom Kitt Book & Lyrics by Brian Yorkey Choreography by Eamon Foley Directed by Alan Paul Co-Production with Round House Theatre, Bethesda, MD. August 13 - September 8 Opening Night: Saturday, August 17 at 8:00 pm "Impeccable," proclaimed the The Washington Posta "vibrant musical revival." Director Alan Paul infuses his production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical with live video and multimedia, capturing the psychology and inner life of the musical's six characters in ways both intimate and epic. Centered around a family's ongoing struggles to overcome issues from their past and the underpinnings of suburban life, Paul's all-new production blew DC audiences away. And now it's coming to Barrington Stage. St. Germain Stage 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield, MA Regional Premiere A Tender Thing By Ben Power Directed by Alan Paul June 25-July 20 Opening Night: Friday, June 28 at 8:00 pm What if Romeo and Juliet did not die as teenagers, but lived on into old age? Ben Power has brilliantly taken Shakespeare's words, rearranged and reimagined the play's scenes, and the result is a provocative tale of lasting love and commitment. First staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company, this Romeo and Juliet is about the deep, caring relationship that can only be forged by time. World Premiere Forgiveness By Mark St. Germain Directed by Ron Lagomarsino July 30-August 25 Opening Night: Saturday, August 3 at 8:00 pm In Minnesota, a convict who has served time for anything from drug dealing to murder is allowed to seek forgiveness from the Governor. They have 10 minutes to plead their case. It's a dramatic, pressurized process where convicted criminals plead to be accepted back into the fold or be stuck forever on the outskirts of society. In this world premiere and interactive production, you will help decide who is worthy of forgiveness. Winner! 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama Regional Premiere Primary Trust By Eboni Booth September 18-October 13 Opening Night: Saturday, September 21 at 8:00 pm Kenneth, a 38-year-old bookstore worker, has a happy life filled with simple pleasures like Mai Tais with his lifelong best friend. But he is shaken from his routines after a sudden layoff. In finding a new job at a local bank, he starts to open up to others while also opening up moments from his past. The Observer says, Primary Trust "will restore your faith in theater's elemental storytelling powers." TICKET INFORMATION Pittsfield Announces Line Painting Schedule PITTSFIELD, Mass. Line painting is scheduled to take place starting Monday, June 10, overnight, in the following locations: West Housatonic Street From South Street to the railroad bridge past Clapp Park South Merriam Street Merriam Street Onota Street Columbus Ave From Onota Street to North Street Linden Street From Onota Street to North Street Lakeway Drive From Onota Street to Valentine Road Pecks Road Hancock Road From Pecks Road to North Street As painting of the double yellow centerline and the outer white lines will take place in the evenings, parking restrictions will be in effect starting at 8 p.m. each night through 6 a.m. the following morning for the duration of the work. The schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions. Additional line painting work will be announced in the upcoming weeks. Valedictorian Talia Rehill said in 2020 she was determined to become the valedictorian and to attend Harvard. CHESHIRE, Mass. Valedictorian Talia Rehill reminded the 40 members of the class of 2024 to take on the world like a hurricane. "This is the nature of the hurricane, where passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence define who we are," she said in her address Friday evening. "Let us carry this mindset with us as we forge ahead, knowing that with an unstoppable resolve and a steadfast commitment to our goals, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way." Rehill, who is the second Hoosac Valley student to attend Harvard, told the class of 2024 how this mindset has helped her accomplish her dreams, noting she always had a passion for learning and an even greater drive to achieve. She said in 2020 she penned her fate on a piece of paper, writing she would be the valedictorian and would attend Harvard upon graduation. "All these years later, that handwritten goal remains hanging on my bedroom wall. I remember first holding that paper up to my wall and securing it with Scotch Tape. I remember knowing that my dream was far-fetched to any rational person, but it never was to me," she said. "I remember knowing that I would achieve everything I said I would down to the very last word." But she did not want to become a "Harvard robot" and she said she "succumbed to Applebees, hangouts by Jacks bonfire, and a dive into Onota Lake" when homework felt like a "weight too heavy." She reminded her classmates that no matter what their dreams are, to maintain their "wild side." "For all the students who are here in the stands today with the dream and the drive, topped with the need for fun, my advice to you is to give in," she said. "Having a wild side is a wonderful thing that will teach you more about life than you could ever pull from a book. Your high school years are meant to be enriched by your classrooms and your clubs, but the real development is what happens to you when youre vulnerable." In closing, she asked the class of 2024 to think about where they have come from, noting the small rural community has helped form them. "As we embark on the next chapter of our lives, let us remember that hard work will always triumph over mere talent. Coming from a small town like ours, where opportunities may seem limited and the odds may sometimes feel stacked against us, we have learned the true value of perseverance and resilience," she said. "...Being a part of the Hoosac Valley community has instilled in us a spirit of determination and grit that propels us to work twice as hard to achieve our dreams." Rehill also asked for a moment of silence for class of 2024 member Noah Brown. Brown was struck and killed by a car in 2015. Although eight at the time, he would have been a member of the class of 2024. Salutatorian David Scholz took a moment to thank family, friends, and teachers and acknowledged the milestone he and his classmates have achieved by graduating. "Today is an occasion that we have looked forward to since our first time stepping into the high school, or maybe even before that," Scholz said. "Above all, it is a memorable day for everyone here because it marks an important milestone in our lives. None of us are here by mistake, and this shows a cumulation of our hard work, dedication, and perseverance day in and day out." Scholz said the last week was special because seniors opened their time capsules that they sealed in 9th grade. He said it was a reminder of many fond memories, but also challenges including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic their freshman year. And looking back at it, he said it is something the class of 2024 can laugh about now. "Who would have ever thought that school would be canceled for three months, or that we would sit in our rooms with all of our personal belongings ready to distract us and take our attention from the teacher," he said. "Yet we all worked through it and made the best of our situation." Scholz said the class of 2024 is hardworking and even at the end of the school year, they were fiercely competitive in the annual cardboard boat race on Cheshire Lake with only two days left in the school year. "We gathered old refrigerator boxes and duct tape, and constructed boats, or at least attempted to construct them. Each team diligently ensured the seams were sealed and the bottom painted," he said. "...We wanted to win this, and with two people in the boat and our homemade paddle, we pushed off from the dock. Though, we quickly realized we were in trouble when the back seam broke and my friend, Jack, started to disappear with the boat. In the end, we made it over half of the distance in record time, but even though we sank, the hard work and determination of all the teams made for a memorable experience." He ended by telling his classmates that high school should not be seen as the end of something but the beginning "When we go on to college, the workforce, or whatever our future plans hold, we will be in a completely new environment. No one will know who you are or your story leading up to now, but that is the exciting part because you can make new friends, grow stronger relationships, and grow out of old habits," he said. "Just because you are someone today, doesnt mean that you have to stay that person the rest of your life. The world has endless possibilities, so I hope that every one of the graduates here today goes on to try something new." Class speaker Abby Scialabba said the class of 2024 may be small but they are a tight group. She said the class of 2024 is a family. "Another thing about family is that they support each other and are proud of each other for their achievements. This class has always been there for each other through the ups and downs of highschool," she said. "When there were achievements to be had, there were my classmates cheering one another on, whether it was on the court, at the field, or in the audience. This class, a mosaic of different talents and dreams, has had immense success in and out of the classroom." Scialabba said she was proud of the class of 2024 who have all grown as people over their time in high school. "As I look at you all today, I am overcome with pride, seeing how much we have all changed over the years. From pre-pubescent middle schoolers we grew into adults, ready to take on the world," she said. "But in all seriousness, I know that each and every one of us will find success in our own ways as we embark on our journeys. As we leave Hoosac Valley High School behind, let us not forget the bonds we shared and the memories we created together." More photos can be found here The Hoosac Valley Class of 2024: The Green River Farms property in Williamstown has been sold. The buyer is staying mum about the purchase. Update: Purchaser of Williamstown Farm Declines to Talk About Deal WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. A Williamstown farm that has been on the market for several years was purchased this week, but the purchaser has declined to talk about its plans for the property. On Monday, the real estate agent listing the Green River Farms property in South Williamstown confirmed that a deal had closed on the property and directed inquiries to an employee of an Alabama-based farm consulting company named Understanding Agriculture. On Tuesday, Morgan Hartman, identified as a consultant on Understanding Agricultures website , returned an email asking about the companys plan for the property by saying, We'll be issuing a press release in the next couple of weeks. After that press release I'll be available for an interview. On Saturday morning, iBerkshires.com posted a story identifying Understanding Agriculture as the purchaser, but in a subsequent email, Hartman said that the consulting firm itself was not the purchaser. He still declined to identify who purchased the property or for what purpose. Neither Understanding Ag, LLC, nor any of its constituent members purchased Green River Farms, Hartman wrote, continuing to use his business email. When I use the collective term our I am referring to the actual owners and management of the farm. Hartman still did not say who the "actual owners" are. According to the Registry of Deeds website, the new owner of the property is a corporate entity known as Green River Regenerative Farm Inc. for $1.9 million. The Secretary of State's website lists that company at 66 West St. in Pittsfield with a Dirk Schultze of Wisconsin Dells, Wis., as the sole officer. In 2010, Franklin Lewis of the state of Florida purchased the farm for a reported $1.5 million. Lewis' Farmland Enterprises LLC is listed on the town's tax roll as the owner of three parcels: a 65-acre parcel on the west side of Cold Spring Road (Route 7), just south of the Mount Greylock Regional School campus and two contiguous parcels on the east side of Cold Spring Road, both with Green River Road addresses, one measuring 84 acres and the other 94 acres. In total, the 244 acres and associated buildings, principally at 2480 Green River Road, have an assessed value of $778,786. Last year, the Berkshire Eagle reported that Lewis was advertising the 244 acres for sale with an asking price of $2.75 million. According to its website, Understanding Ag describes itself as, "real farmers and ranchers who combine decades of experience to help our clients successfully implement regenerative agricultural and ecological principles that replace the input-intensive, agricultural model to enable sustained profitable farming and ranching operations." There is no information on the website about the consulting firm owning or purchasing any other farms. The Natural Resources Defense Council describes regenerative farming as a philosophy of farming and ranching, "in harmony with nature." Students and teachers high-five each other outside a middle school in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, before the start of the national college entrance examination, or gaokao, on June 7, 2024. LIU DAWEI/XINHUA June 7th marks the start of the annual national college entrance examination, or gaokao, the score of which decides which domestic college a high school graduate will go to. In an age when lifelong learning has become a dominant trend, the role of gaokao is becoming less important than it was decades ago. In 2023, 4.74 million college graduates sat for the national postgraduate entrance examination, almost a million more than the 3.77 million who sat for it in 2021. Considering that the total number of college graduates in 2023 was 10.47 million, that means more than one-third of the graduates strive for higher learning, which is considerably high. True, although the gaokao still decides which college one will go to, even without a good performance in the exams one can have a bright future, so it is no more "the decisive exam for one's fate" as it was two decades ago. Some have even gone to the extent of saying that the gaokao only decides which campus and with whom one is going to spend the next four years of their lives. But it will be wrong to undervalue the gaokao so much. Which campus and with whom one spends those four years are crucial, too. On social networking sites one will find many students complaining about lack of qualified academic resources on their campus. They also complain that unless they get into the best colleges, they don't get quality faculty. Not every college creates an environment favorable for learning. There are many cases in which students feel isolated or are subject to campus violence, apart from leading an unhealthy academic life. That's why, it is important to make the effort to get into a college of one's choice. According to 2023 data from a domestic salary statistics website, xinchou.cn, the average monthly salary for those graduating from the top 50 universities is almost 30 percent higher than for those graduating from universities ranking 50 to 100. That's one more reason to strive for a good score in the exams and get into a top university this autumn. The detailed programme for this years SEE Energy Dialogue has just been released and has been posted on the events site. More than 45 speakers, panelists and moderators which come from the Balkans and the East Mediterranean but also from other European countries will participate in this unique one-and-a-half-day event. Although the focus of the event is the broader SE European region, the global and European perspective will be discussed at length The detailed programme for this years SEE Energy Dialogue has just been released and has been posted on the events site here. More than 45 speakers, panelists and moderators which come from the Balkans and the East Mediterranean but also from other European countries will participate in this unique one-and-a-half-day event. Although the focus of the event is the broader SE European region, the global and European perspective will be discussed at length. The upcoming 15th SE Europe Energy Dialogue, scheduled for June19/20 in Thessaloniki, will focus on the fast-changing energy market conditions, energy security and decarbonization, with special emphasis on the wider SE European and East Mediterranean region. The event will cover a variety of topics, including energy transition, electricity, hydrocarbons, renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, hydrogen, geopolitics and energy security. Distinguished speakers, including senior executives from major energy companies, experts from all different energy branches, government officials and academics from the Western Balkans, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Israel, Cyprus, and Greece, as well as representatives from regional and international organizations and think tanks, are expected to participate in the event. Energy security will once again be at the forefront of the debate concerning the safeguarding of oil and gas supplies and energy interconnections, in view of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. The role of alternative gas supply routes, LNG shipments, cross border electricity and gas interconnections and electricity grid upgrades together with latest achievements in renewable energy, green fuels, nuclear power and CCUS applications will also be examined. From the very start the SEE Energy Dialogue has been established by IENE as an important regional event spanning the entire energy spectrum and involving most countries in the region. The SEE Energy Dialogue has been conceived as an open forum for furthering the idea of a SE European energy bridge between East and West and North of South, and for promoting initiatives aimed at tackling the region's complex energy and environmental challenges. The objective being the free exchange of information and ideas, networking and the advancement of cooperation between all countries in SE Europe. This years Energy Dialogue is being supported by major energy and services companies including HELLENiQ ENERGY, KG Law Firm, Motoroil, DESFA, EnSCo, SELeNe CC, Gastrade, HEREMA, and Zeni. Media partners include NE Global, SeeNews and Energia.gr 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 Queen Sonja of Norway has described art as a unifying force in turbulent times as she awarded the worlds most important prize for printmaking to Tomas Colbengtson, an indigenous Sami artist. At a ceremony in Bod, a European Capital of Culture for 2024, Queen Sonja also presented Anselm Kiefer with a lifetime achievement award and the young Swedish artist, Maria Kayo Mpoyi, with an inspiration award. Speaking to The Independent, the Norwegian monarch emphasised the importance of communication and shared culture in turbulent times. Her remarks come as Europe prepares for a series of elections this week in which far-right parties are expected to gain footholds. Queen Sonja added: We just have to go on. Bod is one of three European Capitals of Culture in 2024 and has more than 1,000 events scheduled throughout the year. Historian and television presenter Simon Schama, who gave a lecture on the work of the acclaimed artist Keifer, used the awards to warn of the importance of preserving printmaking and graphic art now that the threatening age of AI is upon us. Sami artist Colbengtson won the Queen Sonja Print Award 2024, while Kiefer was awarded the Queen Sonja Print Award Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Swedish artist Maria Kayo Mpoyi won the QSPA Inspirational Award. I am delighted that this year the award has gone to a Sami artist, Queen Sonja said. Tomas Colbengtsons work is already represented in museum collections and I hope this prize will make his work know even more widely internationally. open image in gallery ( Nathan Van de Graaf. Lofoten, Norway.jpg ) Preserving Sami culture Discussing how his work is inspired by the destruction of Sami culture in Norway in the first half of the 20th century, Colbengtsons work attempts to preserve the life and traditions of Indigenous communities by reflecting culture through art. However, indigenous communities are still facing the loss of their livelihoods and identities due to an erosion of rights as Norways transition from gas and oil to green energies, which have come at the cost of land traditionally used by Sami people to herd reindeer. open image in gallery Sami artist Tomas Colbengtson won the Queen Sonja Print Award 2024 ( Queen Sonja Printmaking Awards 2024 ) War and peace, and art The topic of arts role in peace was also central to discussions throughout the awards. During Schamas talk on printmaking, the historian took issue with the Norwegian playwright and Nobel Prize winner Jon Fosse, who said in March that war and art are opposites, just as war and peace are opposites. Art is peace. Schama countered: It would be nice to think that art was the conveyor of peace. But Im frankly not sure about this. I dont know that anyone who has an encounter with the Sistine Chapel comes out feeling more peaceful, or with a Caravaggio, or with Jackson Pollock, or with one of the great works of Anselm Kiefer. I think art has the capacity, like strong history, to be a disturber of the peace. One of the measures of great art and great history, I think, is that its likely to give you insomnia, even if there is no midnight sun around. open image in gallery Anselm Kiefer joins past winners of The Queen Sonja Lifetime Achievement Award including David Hockney in 201 ( Queen Sonja 2024 ) open image in gallery Swedish artist Maria Kayo Mpoyi won the QSPA Inspirational Award ( Maria Kayo Mpoyi. Photo by Kaysa Goransson.jpg ) Anselm Kiefer joins past winners of The Queen Sonja Lifetime Achievement Award including David Hockney in 2018, Paula Rego in 2020, and William Kentridge in 2022. HM Queen Sonja said: "It is a great honour for the QSPA board to present Anselm Kiefer with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his distinguished contribution to the art of printmaking through a long and outstanding career". 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 }} Ian McKellen has said hell star in a recently announced Lord of the Rings franchise on one morbid condition. The actor, who played Gandalf in Peter Jacksons blockbuster JRR Tolkien adaptations, addressed rumours he might feature in the forthcoming film, centred on Andy Serkiss Gollum, during a new interview. After Warner Bros announced The Hunt for Gollum last month, it was theorised by fans that Gandalf might appear and McKellen has confirmed there are stirrings in Tolkien land. Speaking to The Times, McKellen said he has heard that Gandalf will be in the film, but levelled: There is no script, there is no offer, there is no plan. However, the 85-year-old said he would be up for being in the film if Im alive. McKellen, who is set to play Falstaff in Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre, reflected on his age during the interview, revealing that he now often wonders if projects he accepts will be his final job. If you want to know that you are mortal, you just have to look at your address book. And so when a script comes through, or the hint of an offer, you think, This might be my last job. No. Im not doing that. The Hunt for Gollum is the first of several planned new Lord of the Rings franchises that will be released by Warner Bros in the coming decade. Serkis, who will direct the film, said of the news: Yesssss, Precious. The time has come once more to venture into the unknown with my dear friends, the extraordinary and incomparable guardians of Middle Earth Peter, Fran and Philippa. With Mike and Pam, and the Warner Bros team on the quest as well, alongside WETA and our filmmaking family in New Zealand. Its just all too delicious. Ian McKellen as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings franchise ( New Line Cinema ) Meanwhile, Jackson and his fellow producers, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, added: It is an honour and a privilege to travel back to Middle-earth with our good friend and collaborator, Andy Serkis, who has unfinished business with that Stinker Gollum! As life-long fans of Professor Tolkiens vast mythology, we are proud to be working with Mike De Luca, Pam Abdy and the entire team at Warner Bros on another epic adventure! 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 Netflix has made a rare comment on the Baby Reindeer scandal after being sued by the real Martha and has subtly hit out at controversy surrounding her alleged depiction in the show. It was revealed on Thursday (6 June) that Scottish law graduate Fiona Harvey, who believes she inspired the character played by Jessica Gunning in Richard Gadds hit series, was suing Netflix for $50m (39m). The development comes after Harvey spoke about her alleged depiction while being controversially interviewed by Piers Morgan last month. Netflix has come under fire since the hugely successful biographical series, written by and starring comedian Gadd, was released on 11 April, with many questioning the effectiveness of the streaming services safeguarding protocols. As more and more armchair detectives attempted to find the real-life figures who inspired the series, the otherwise acclaimed Baby Reindeer received a backlash, with many asking whether more safeguarding measures could have been enacted to prevent viewers from being able to identify them. The series follows struggling comic Donny Dunn (Gadd) as he is relentlessly harassed and stalked by Martha Scott (Jessica Gunning) for more than four years and, since the shows premiere, it has become a word-of-mouth sensation. As the show rose up the services most-watched charts, viewers attempted to discover the real-life inspirations behind the shows controversial characters, including Martha, in a move that Gadd himself criticised. Gadd was also been forced to shut down speculation surrounding the real-life identity of a character that groomed and sexually assaulted him a traumatic event from Gadds life as it led to false accusations being made by curious viewers. Netflix remained silent on the subject but after Harvey filed her lawsuit against the service, a spokesperson said: We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadds right to tell his story. 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 another apparent response, Netflix appeared to subtly hit out at Harveys lawsuit by doubling down on their support of the show by releasing Gunnings audition tape for Martha. open image in gallery Jessica Gunning as Martha in Baby Reindeer ( Netflix ) Harvey who warned in May that she planned to take legal action against Netflix reportedly alleges in the newly-filed lawsuit that she has been harassed by people across the world because of the series and failures by Netflix to sufficiently protect her identity. The 58-year-old accuses the streaming giant of ruining her reputation with their depiction of Martha, arguing in the legal documents that she never stalked or sexually assaulted Gadd, and was not handed a criminal conviction for stalking. Harveys lawyers are demanding a jury trial at the US District Court Central District Of California in a bid to seek actual damages of $50m (39m), plus legal fee costs and statutory interest. 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 Katie Piper has had to withdraw from her ITV breakfast show due to an unexpected medical procedure. The presenter, who regularly appears on Loose Women, was scheduled to appear on Katie Pipers Breakfast Show on Saturday (8 June) but was replaced by Good Morning Britains Charlotte Hawkins. Writing on Instagram before the episode was due to air, Piper told her followers: Sadly, Im not going to be on my breakfast show this weekend as Ive had to have an unexpected medical procedure. However, she reassured her concerned fans, adding: All is well and I hope after some rest Ill be back in the hot seat next weekend! Katie Pipers Breakfast Show airs on Saturday and Sundays, and is currently onto its third series. No details are known about Pipers procedure. but in December 2023, the presenter told her fellow Loose Women stars about an operation she had to sew up her eye in order for it to heal/ I had a planned procedure called a tarsorrhaphy, which is a semi-permanent closure of the eye, she said. So, its an operation done in theatre and your eye is sort of fully or partially stitched up. Some people might be familiar with it, you normally see it when somebody has some kind of disease of the cornea. And closing the eye gives it the optimum environment for it to heal. So, Ive had quite a lot of problems with my eye in the last year-and-a-half. I dont like to go on about it, because theres always somebody worse off. open image in gallery Katie Pipers Breakfast Show on ITV ( ITV ) In 2018, Piper participated in Strictly Come Dancing, and was the third contestant to be voted off. That years series was won by Stacey Dooley. 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 Speaking about her time on the show, Piper said: I have taken a lot from this experience and it has all been really positive, and Ill never forget this journey. I have had a great experience you know and I feel really privileged to have been here and thanks for your advice and thank you [professional dance partner Gorka Marquez] for all the hours. 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 The mood is electric inside a packed Congress party headquarters in Delhi as activists and workers jostle to get a glimpse of Rahul Gandhi, who arrives at the podium with a red pocket-size edition of the Indian constitution in his hand. He utilised this prop throughout the election campaign as he warned that a third straight Narendra Modi landslide would allow the Hindu nationalist BJP to rip up the countrys constitution and declare India a Hindu state. The landslide never materialised, and Modi is now in the process of agreeing a coalition government that will force him to rely on allies for his majority, a limited mandate that could have far-reaching consequences for the next five years. Follow our live coverage of 2024 Indian elections. Congress and its allies still came second to Modis National Democratic Alliance (NDA) but you would never guess it based on the atmosphere here on Tuesday night, where the partys workers declared the INDIA blocs unexpectedly strong 230 seats the start of the countrys second independence movement. This time the independence is not from British colonialism, but from what they call Modis hate politics. This is a struggle, they say, that is once again led by a Gandhi, whose family played a key role in Indias original freedom movement. The country has unanimously and clearly stated we dont want Modi and [his aide and home minister Amit] Shah to rule this country. Im extremely proud of the people of India who have resisted this attack on the country, 53-year-old Gandhi tells a room packed with reporters. Gandhi, who comes from a family that has given India three prime ministers, including its first, thanks Indias poorest voters for restoring the countrys faith in democracy. Outside the Congress headquarters, as dusk gathers in the hot and humid capital in the grip of a severe heatwave, people dance to dhol drumbeats. The atmosphere of festivity among workers, despite an election loss, comes after months of tension and apprehension as pre-poll surveys, experts and exit polls all pointed to another big BJP majority. Tuesdays result will keep Congress in opposition but give it a much louder voice in parliament and a bigger say in passing of critical legislation. Modis aura of invincibility has been shattered, as he must rely on previously fickle alliance members to pass policies. Indian opposition leader Sanjay Singh on why voters are unhappy with Modi It is clear that Modi fatigue has set in in India, Indian political economist and author Parakala Prabhakar tells The Independent. This is a decisive rejection of the divisive agenda that Modi has been canvassing for the past few months with his policies and hate speech. By claiming to capture 400 out of 543 seats, he made the minorities feel that he is out to change the Indian constitution. This election, the dice were loaded against the BJP. India is facing acute rural distress, steep price rises, spiking unemployment rate and, instead, Modi got carried away by the stock market, by NRIs [non-resident Indians] praising India or some western CEOs comment on India. The opposition has to now undo this damage of 10 years, Prabhakar says. The Congress party in particular has emerged from the ashes with this result, almost doubling the number of seats it won in 2019, a performance five years ago that had pundits questioning the grand old party of Indias future existence. To maintain this momentum and ultimately dethrone Modi, the INDIA alliance needs to understand that it is the victory of the people against autocratic tendencies displayed by the Modi government, Prabhakar says. Modi, 73, stood at the forefront of a Hindu-first campaign by his right-wing party as he hoped to seek a landslide victory riding a populist wave. The unexpected neck-and-neck fight sent the Indian markets into shock, wiping $25bn from the wealth of industrialist and perceived Modi ally Gautam Adani, and confirming that Modis BJP finally has a formidable opponent, political observers say. open image in gallery Rahul Gandhi with his copy of the Indian constitution at the Congress party headquarters in New Delhi ( AFP via Getty ) open image in gallery Rahul Gandhi gestures to his mother Sonia Gandhi as party president Mallikarjun Kharge watches before addressing a press conference ( AFP via Getty ) open image in gallery Sonia Gandhi at the party conference on Tuesday ( AFP via Getty ) Whats most remarkable is that the INDIA alliances performance came despite an increasingly hostile environment created by the Modi government, which used the agencies of state to seize the Congress partys funds, jail some of the INDIA blocs best-known leaders, and create an atmosphere of threat against critical NGOs and media. Modi had threatened in a political rally that after 4 June, all opposition leaders will be in jail, says Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Modis biggest political rival in New Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal from the Aam Aadmi Party, returned to jail on Sunday even as the exact charges against him, relating to a now-scrapped liquor policy, remain unclear. Kejriwals spokesperson Akshay Marathe tells The Independent that Modi made every attempt possible to undermine democracy in India and the Indian opposition will now be in a position to undo that damage. Those who BJP ran roughshod and took for granted have hit back and humbled them. INDIA alliance will make all attempts to form the next government to ensure the democratic backsliding can be arrested and India can be put back on track for a peaceful, federal, collaborative political system that values diverse voices instead of muzzling them, he says. open image in gallery A Samajwadi Party supporter carries portraits of party leader Akhilesh Yadav, right, and Congress Party leader, Rahul Gandhi, as he celebrates his partys lead during the counting of votes in Lucknow ( AP ) open image in gallery Indias prime minister Narendra Modi speaks to his supporters after the election result announcement at his partys headquarters in New Delhi ( Getty ) India was in danger of becoming a one party state like Gujarat [Mr Modis home state] is. A democracy in name but with the opposition and its institutions existing in sufferance. This appears to have been averted, says Aakar Patel, chief of Amnesty Internationals India wing. The whole of civil society wishes for a reversal of discriminatory laws and malicious arrests that will likely take longer given that the BJP will remain in government for now, he says. Although Modis party faced some humiliating losses in results across India, the most surprising one was in Ayodhya, where he built a mammoth shrine to Hindu deity Ram on the site of an illegally demolished mosque. Modis minister for women and child development, Smriti Irani, also lost her seat in a heated contest in Uttar Pradesh for the past 10 years a bastion of the BJP. Once someone is in power for so long and has such an overbearing personality, no one goes and tells them the truth from the ground, Prabhakar says. This plays into the INDIA alliances ability to crack Modis armour, one political blow at a time, and with Tuesdays results, the countdown has begun, he says. The INDIA alliance can also recruit BJPs alliance members by offering them tempting roles, experts suggest. open image in gallery Rahul and Sonia Gandhi at an INDIA bloc meeting with leaders of the opposition alliance in Mumbai last year ( AFP via Getty ) Modi and Shah have no winning manners, they got used to slamming its own people rather than praising them, persuading them, appreciating their contribution to the party alliance, Prabhakar says, adding that this is a chance for smaller NDA allies to switch camp to Congress. Congress and INDIA members, including potential allies from the BJP camp, have the responsibility to build more pressure on Modi in parliament, analysts say. For now, a cautious INDIA bloc says it closely guarding its political strategies. Modi ji is watching, Kharge says. The political leaders have now realised that they have to stick together and if they dont and the BJP comes back to power, then the same behaviour would be there, says Arun Kumar, former professor of economic studies and planning at Indias Jawaharlal Nehru University. He says Congress and its allies must now use their strong numbers in the Indian parliament to protect millions of voters, who have trusted them to stand up to the more ambitious and divisive BJP manifesto pledges. 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 Narendra Modi is set to stay on as Indias prime minister for a historic third term but with a much weaker mandate. His Bharatiya Janata Party lost its absolute parliamentary majority, defying exit polls, and must depend on mercurial allies to form the government. A big part of the reason was heavy losses in the heartland state of Uttar Pradesh, chiefly at the hands of the Samajwadi Party. The BJP won a brute majority of 303 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament, in 2019 but managed only 240 this time around. In Uttar Pradesh, the countrys most populous state which accounts for 80 seats, the party won 62 seats five years ago but was reduced to 33 in this election. The opposition INDIA bloc got 43 seats, with the Samajwadi Party taking 37, a seven-fold increase over the previous election. Follow our live coverage on 2024 Indian election results. A regional party with socialist roots The Samajwadi Party was floated in 1992 by Mulayam Singh Yadav with the stated aim of creating a socialist society that works on the principle of equality. Mr Yadav, whose political acumen earned him the sobriquet Little Napoleon from former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, actively participated in the socialist movement during the 1950s, advocating for rights of farmers and the labour class, and was elected a legislator in Uttar Pradesh in 1967. He became the states chief minister in 1989 and went on to serve three terms. He was also, briefly in the 1990s, the countrys defence minister. A few years before his death in October 2022, Mr Yadav handed the reins of the Samajwadi Party to son Akhilesh Yadav, 50, who just dealt Mr Modi the heaviest blow of his political career. open image in gallery Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav attends a press conference with Congress partys Rahul Gandhi in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on 17 April 2024 ( AFP via Getty ) How the party fared in Uttar Pradesh The Samajwadi Party emerged from this election as the third largest parliamentary party after the BJP and the main opposition Congress party. In the process, the party recorded its best performance in a national election since 2004 when it secured 35 seats. It even wrested prestige seats from the BJP, most notably Faizabad where the Ayodhya Ram temple is located. The construction of the temple on the ruins of a mediaeval mosque that was torn down by a Hindu mob in 1992, has been a core agenda of the BJP since its inception and Mr Modi consecrated the shrine in a grand ceremony in the run-up to the election. The temples inauguration was seen as the BJPs fulfilment of an old promise made to the Hindu majority and it was expected to yield an electoral dividend for the Hindu nationalist party in Uttar Pradesh. In the event it did not help even in Faizabad. Ayodhya was used for the politics of Bharatiya Janata Party and the people of Ayodhya were never addressed, Apoorvanand, Delhi University professor and political analyst, told The Independent by way of an explanation. If you go back to 1992 and you look at the record of Ayodhya and Uttar Pradesh, you will see that the BJP was defeated even then. People of Ayodhya were not interested in this dispute, he argued. People of Ayodhya were not fighting with each other. Outsiders invaded and Ayodhya suffered. Mr Apoorvanand said the people were very very upset with the BJP despite the temples inauguration early this year due to the acquisition of their lands for infrastructure projects such as wider roads and facilities for pilgrims and tourists. I received a call from a real estate dealer from Noida the day after the temple was consecrated, asking me if I was interested in buying land in Ayodhya, he said, explaining how openly land acquired in the town was being sold to outsiders. This fed the perception that the BJPs projects in Ayodhya were more for show than to genuinely benefit the local population. open image in gallery A Samajwadi Party supporter carries portraits of his party leader Akhilesh Yadav and Congress partys Rahul Gandhi after the counting of votes in Indias national election, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on 4 June 2024 ( AP ) The Samajwadi Party also enabled its ally Congress to put up a strong fight in Mr Modis Varanasi constituency, cutting his margin of victory from nearly 480,000 votes in 2019 to just over 150,000. In contrast, Rahul Gandhi, the main opposition leader from the Congress, won in the constituency of Rae Bareli by nearly 390,000 votes. In Kannauj, Akhilesh Yadav himself won by a hefty margin against the BJPs Subrat Pathak. Modi has seemingly lost his aura of electoral invincibility, Michael Kugelman, director of South Asia Institute at Wilson Center, was quoted as saying by Reuters. This is a leader who has repeatedly bounced back from political and policy setbacks and retained large public mandates. With the results were seeing, that narrative of resilience has been dealt a big blow. How the party scripted its success Samajwadi Party has traditionally banked for support of the Muslim minority and the Hindu Yadav community of its leadership. The Yadavs are counted among the Other Backward Classes, or OBCs, a vast collection of caste groups which occupy the lower-middle and lower rungs on the Hindu caste hierarchy. In the past five years, Mr Apooranand told The Independent, the party strategically broadened its coalition by courting non-Yadav OBCs and Dalits formerly Untouchables, the lowest rung in the caste system. At the same time, Akhilesh Yadav galvanised the partys workers by focusing on issues of social justice and equitable representation, organising effective campaigns, and ensuring strategic ticket distribution to candidates from diverse backgrounds. The party gave tickets to candidates from varied backgrounds that wanted representation, Mr Apooranand said. open image in gallery Samajwadi Partys supporters rush towards a helicopter bringing party leader Akhilesh Yadav to an election rally in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on 19 May 2024 ( AP ) Another factor was that the marginalised Dalit community feared for their rights under the BJP and they moved to the Samajwadi Party. The Dalits traditionally voted for the Bahujan Samaj Party, a regional rival of the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh that championed the interests of the most marginalised communities. But the party led by former chief minister Mayawati is a shadow of its former self. The Dalits went to the Samajwadi Party, Mr Apooranand argued, because they saw that Mayawati wasnt interested in a real fight with the BJP. Ms Mayawatis party lost power in Uttar Pradesh to the Samajwadi Party in 2012 and failed to win a single seat in the 2014 national election. It made a recovery in 2019 after allying with the Samajwadi Party and secured 10 seats. The party went it alone this time and came up empty handed. Mr Yadav reportedly instructed his partys cadre not to criticise the Bahujan Samaj Party and Ms Mayawati even after she ended their alliance in 2019. Instead, alongside Mr Gandhi, he highlighted the concern that a big parliamentary majority for the BJP would enable it to amend the constitution to the detriment of marginalised communities, a message that resonated with the Dalit community. He also demanded a caste census in the country arguing it would ensure each community received their due from the government according to their population. The BJP has consistently rejected the demand, fearing it would cost it support among the privileged Hindu upper castes, who generally oppose reservation in public education and employment for the marginalised communities. In effect, Mr Yadav sought to counter BJPs Hindu nationalist rhetoric by focusing on social justice and fair representation. He was helped along by a wave of anger among young people in Uttar Pradesh frustrated by a lack of jobs. There was hidden anger in the youth in UP, Samajwadi Party leader Salim Sherwani told Hindustan Times. There was no impact of the Ram temple despite attempts to whip it up, as is evident in the results. Joblessness remains acute. Young men who were 20 years old in 2014 when Modi was sworn in for the first time are 30 today without any change in status. You may have the gift of the gab but delivery has to be on the ground. open image in gallery Supporters of the Congress party hold a portrait of Rahul Gandhi and wave Indias national flag after the votes were counted in Indias national election, in Delhi on 4 June 2024 ( AFP via Getty ) The Indian Express noted that disenchantment over the Modi governments controversial short-term military service scheme, Agnipath, also contributed to Samajwadi Partys resurgence in Uttar Pradesh. The newspaper found that the scheme had few takers in cities like Bareilly, Badaun, Agra, Allahabad, Bhadohi, Rae Bareli and Amethi where military recruitment centres would usually be crowded with young men seeking jobs. The cancellation of an exam for state police jobs after a paper leaked left 4,800,000 candidates frustrated and allowed the Samajwadi Party to launch a pointed attack on the ruling BJP. The opposition bloc also benefited from the chemistry between Mr Yadav and Mr Gandhi. They held campaign rallies in nearly every seat of Uttar Pradesh and drew enormous crowds. The man of the moment Mr Yadav, a former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, told India Today after the results were declared on Tuesday that the aim of the Samajwadi Party was to stop the BJP and we succeeded. On his Instagram page, he denounced the negative politics of division and said that the conscientious people of UP have once again shown the country a new path, a new hope. This is a victory of harmony and positive politics. His supporters were overjoyed. Jai Akhilesh, Jai Samajwadi, one of them wrote, meaning Hail Akhilesh, Hail Socialism. Another declared: Next PM, brother Akhilesh. Another said: Akhilesh bhaiyya is back. 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 Two regional stalwarts have emerged as kingmakers with the power to make or break Narendra Modis new government and secure his future as the prime minister for the third time. Mr Modis Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to cross the majority mark in the recently held general elections to form the government on their own. The BJP will now have to form a coalition government with other members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), where minor partners would have a substantial say in policymaking. The BJP managed to secure victory in 240 seats of the Lok Sabha (lower house) of parliament 32 seats short of the majority mark required to form a government. Follow our live coverage on 2024 Indian elections. The opposition INDIA alliance, led by the Indian National Congress, won a total of 232 seats out of 543 in an impressive comeback, doubling its strength from the last election. Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) N Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal (United)'s Nitish Kumar, two emerging kingmakers who have been turncoat BJP allies over the years, have begun negotiations and placed hefty demands, including ministerial berths for their parties and special statuses for their states. The wrangling in Delhi on Wednesday evening and Thursday appears to have been tougher than the BJP anticipated, and plans for Mr Modis third inauguration as prime minister to take place on Saturday have now been pushed back by a day, according to Indian media reports. The TDP, a regional party from Andhra Pradesh state, secured 16 seats in the election, while Mr Kumar's JD(U) from Bihar state won 12 seats. open image in gallery Indian Prime Minister elect Narendra Modi, center, poses for a photograph with senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and allies ( AP ) Formally the NDA alliance partners have officially announced their support for Mr Modi to become prime minister, a position they reached after Wednesdays talks. The alliance partners were made to sign written pledges of support for Mr Modi amid reports that the opposition was sending out feelers over their allegiance. Shortly after the results were declared, Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh reiterated that the party in its 2024 election manifesto pledged to declare special category status to Andhra Pradesh in an effort to gain Mr Naidu's favour. A special category status for the southern state of Andhra Pradesh has been a longstanding demand since its bifurcation in 2014 into Telangana and the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh. A similar demand has been raised by Mr Kumar for his home state of Bihar in the east. open image in gallery Andhra Pradesh chief minister-elect N Chandrababu Naidu, seen here meeting the family of those killed in a stampede in 2022 ( Telugu Desam Party ) Both Mr Naidu and Mr Kumar know they have Mr Modi at a huge disadvantage if either one were to withdraw support it would leave the NDA with only a wafer-thin majority. On Thursday the JD(U)s national spokesperson publicly declared that the party would seek to pressure Mr Modi to repeal controversial military recruitment reforms that the BJP passed in 2022. The Agnipath scheme tried to revolutionise an ageing armed forces by introducing US and UK-style tours of duty, rather than jobs for life in the army. The JD(U) said voters in Bihar had been upset over the scheme and they would seek to have it reversed or reworked once they are in coalition government. With his 16 seats, Mr Naidu is the most crucial ally for the BJP within the NDA, having swept the general and state assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh this summer. He is on the path to becoming the chief minister and does not require the BJP's support to form a state government. But the BJP would be in a very difficult position should he pull away from the NDA group on the federal level. "How can we contest elections if we are not a part of the NDA? We fought this collectively. I don't know why you have a doubt," Mr Naidu told reporters when asked about the alliance. The 74-year-old, who once aspired to be India's prime minister, has demanded five ministerial berths for his party members, including the junior finance minister post and the speaker's position in the Lok Sabha, NDTV reported. Mr Naidu's TDP contested the general elections in 2014 with the BJP, which catapulted Mr Modi to power. However, the camaraderie lasted till 2018 when Mr Naidu left the NDA alliance ahead of assembly elections citing the BJP's failure to fulfil any promises for his state. He joined the Congress party alliance in 2019 but soon distanced himself from the coalition following their spectacular poll debacle. Mr Naidu rejoined the NDA group in March 2024, just a few weeks ahead of the general elections. Mr Naidu is credited with playing a key role in helping HD Devegowda and IK Gujral become prime ministers during the coalition era in the 1990s. open image in gallery File: Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar waves in the eastern Indian city of Patna ( REUTERS ) Nitish Kumar is the third key member of the NDA group with a notorious history of switching loyalties over the decades. The 73-year-old regional leader and a nine-time chief minister from Bihar joined the NDA group in January this year after breaking ties with the INDIA alliance. In the last decade, Mr Kumar has switched between NDA and the opposition alliance in his state and at the federal stage several times according to his whims. With 12 elected Lok Sabha members, Mr Kumar has reportedly demanded at least two cabinet roles and one junior minister position for his party. He is expected to push for the post of the federal railway minister along with the implementation of a Common Minimum Programme. The common minimum programme, which envisages policy, priorities and shared agenda of a coalition government or an alliance, could be a setback for the BJP's aspirations to implement sweeping laws. Besides the two crucial members, the BJP would also have to accommodate other NDA partners such as Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde in Maharashtra, Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy from Karnataka, Jana Sena's Pawan Kalyan in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar's Lok Janshakti Party. 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 Major world leaders finally started to congratulate Narendra Modi after initial caution following the 2024 general election in which his ruling party fell short of winning an outright majority. US president Joe Biden, British prime minister Rishi Sunak, and Russian president Vladimir Putin called Mr Modi to extend their wishes on gaining the historic third term. Mr Modi was declared the prime ministerial candidate after his party reached an agreement with coalition allies a day after the disappointing election results for his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). open image in gallery Narendra Modi, centre, poses for a photograph with senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and allies ( AP ) The reaction from the US, the UK, and Russia trickled in slower than usual as they waited for the final outcome of the election on Wednesday. Final results showed Mr Modis BJP won 240 seats, less than the 272 needed to secure a majority in parliament and also less than what exit polls had predicted. The 15-member National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition led by BJP has 292 seats in parliament, giving it control of the legislature. The US president congratulated him (Mr Modi) and the National Democratic Alliance on their historic victory in Indias general election. The two leaders emphasized their commitment to deepening the US-India Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership and to advancing their shared vision of a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, said the White House readout of the call. They also discussed national security advisor Jake Sullivans upcoming travel to New Delhi. It was a day after the US State Department said it would wait for the final results. British prime minister Rishi Sunak also called Mr Modi and the two reflected on the strength of the UK-India relationship and agreed that this will continue to grow in the future, a statement by the government said. Both agreed to stay in touch and looked forward to seeing each other at the G7 Leaders Summit in Italy next week, it said. Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, a staunch ally of India, said Moscow considers relations of especially privileged strategic partnership with New Delhi of great importance. I am confident that further promotion of mutually beneficial cooperation and giving it new substance aligns with the interests of the Russian and Indian nations, he said, according to the Kremlin. India has refrained from directly denouncing Russia for its war in Ukraine despite Western pressure while continuing to intensify energy trade with the country. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese shared a picture showing him on a call as he congratulated Mr Modi. Australia and India are close friends, with strong strategic, economic and cultural ties. We look forward to growing our partnership in 2024 and beyond, Mr Albanese said in a post on X. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeaus office congratulated Mr Modi as the ties between Canada and India dipped to a historic low after he accused the Indian government of an assassination. Mr Trudeau said Canada stands ready to work with his government to advance a relationship anchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen also congratulated Mr Modi and said the EU and India celebrate the voice of the people in our democracies, the two biggest in the world. India this year has signed a free-trade agreement (FTA) with a group of four European countries. It will see investments worth $100bn (77.8bn) under the pact. European allies, including France, Italy, Latvia, and Ukraine and many Asian partners, including Japan, China, Taiwan, Bangladesh and others hailed Mr Modi for his historic third term. open image in gallery Indias Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, speaks to his supporters after the election result announcement at his partys headquarter on 4 June 2024 ( Getty Images ) Italian prime minister Georgia Meloni was among the first European leaders to congratulate Mr Modi and shared their picture exchanging laughter on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi last year. On the new electoral victory and my warmest wishes for good work. Certain that we will continue to work together to strengthen the friendship that unites Italy and India and consolidate cooperation on the various issues that bind us, for the well-being of our Nations and our peoples, she said in a post on X. open image in gallery Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi speaks at the party headquarters in New Delhi, India, 04 June 2024 ( EPA ) It was followed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who called on Mr Modi to use his partnership with Ukraine and attend the Peace Summit in Switzerland aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine war. He said: I welcome the successful holding of the worlds largest democratic elections in India. Congratulations to prime minister Narendra Modi, the BJP, and BJP-led NDA on the third consecutive victory in Indias parliamentary elections. Mr Zelensky used the opportunity to insist that India use the weight of its role in global affairs and work with Ukraine to ensure a just peace for all nations. Latvian and Lithuanian leaders also congratulated Mr Modi on Wednesday. The Chinese foreign ministry extended a congratulatory message to Mr Modi on the victory of the BJP-led alliance and hoped for a healthy China-India relationship amid an ongoing bitter territorial stand-off with New Delhi since 2020. In a regular press conference, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the ministry, said it hopes the two countries work towards the big picture, a stance pushed by Beijing suggesting India move beyond the Himalayan borders dispute. India demands a return to the status quo in disputed border areas. We noted the results of Indias general election and extend congratulations on the victory of BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA, Ms Mao said. China is ready to work with India to promote the healthy and stable development of relations between the two countries, in the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, with an eye to the big picture and a view to the future. Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu also sent warmest congratulations to prime minister Narendra Modi on being reelected for a third consecutive term. May the friendship between India and Israel continue to surge towards new heights. Badhaai Ho!, he said using the Hindi phrase that means congratulations. Maldivian president Mohamed Muizzu and the president of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe also sent their wishes. Congratulations to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi on being re-elected for a historic third term. Under your leadership, #India has significantly improved its relationship with #Maldives and the region. I am confident you will build on these successes towards greater cooperation, Mr Muizzu 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 A message from Taiwans president congratulating Narendra Modi for winning a third term as Indias prime minister has sparked a diplomatic row between New Delhi and Beijing. Lai Ching-te joined a slew of world leaders, including Rishi Sunak of the UK and Joe Biden of the US, in wishing Mr Modi after an alliance led by his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party secured a narrow victory in Indias latest national election. My sincere congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his election victory," Mr Lai said on X. "We look forward to enhancing the fast-growing Taiwan-India partnership, expanding our collaboration on trade, technology & other sectors to contribute to peace & prosperity in the IndoPacific. Mr Modi responded by thanking the Taiwanese leader for his wishes. "I look forward to closer ties as we work towards mutually beneficial economic and technological partnership," he said. India and Taiwan do not have a formal diplomatic relationship but they have made several trade and labour deals over the years. China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and its position, called One China policy, is recognised or acknowledged by most countries, including India, meaning they dont consider Taipei a sovereign entity. Beijing therefore did not take kindly to Mr Modi's interaction with the Taiwanese leader. It "opposes all forms of official interactions between the Taiwan authorities and countries having diplomatic relations with China, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. Ms Mao added that there was no such thing as president of the Taiwan region. open image in gallery Activists of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party spray black paint on a poster depicting Chinese President Xi Jinping during a protest against China ( AFP via Getty ) Indias relations with China collapsed during Mr Modi's second term when soldiers of the rival Asian powers clashed in Galwan Valley in the disputed northern border region of Ladakh, leading to the death of 20 Indian soldiers, in 2020. Mr Modi's acknowledgment of the Taiwanese leaders message only aggravated the frosty relations. "India has diplomatic relations with China and knows China's position well. On the One China principle, India has made serious political commitments and is supposed to recognise, be alarmed about and resist the Taiwan authorities' political calculations," a Chinese embassy spokesperson in India said on Friday. Congratulating Mr Modi on his election victory, Ms Mao said a sound and stable relationship between India and China was in the interest of both countries and conducive to the peace and development of the region". In the 10 years of Mr Modis rule, India has sought closer relations with the US, which in turn has seen it as a counterweight to a rising China. China really is India's long-term strategic challenge, both on the border and in the Indian Ocean, Viraj Solanki from the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London told Associated Press. This has resulted in a number of defence partnerships by India shifting, or just focusing on countering China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The US, Taiwan's primary ally despite acknowledging the One China policy, dismissed Beijings criticism on Thursday. "I would say such congratulatory messages are the normal course of diplomatic business," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. Taiwan lambasted Beijing for using "political coercion and spreading fallacies" to influence global powers. It is not only an international practice for Taiwan and India to pay tribute to each other on the results of democratic elections, it also fully demonstrates the friendship between the two sides", the island's foreign ministry said. Other countries have no right to comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nepal army has removed tonnes of rubbish, four dead bodies, and skeletal remains from Mount Everest and two other peaks in the country. A series of clean-up drives spanning 55 days were held to clean up Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse mountains under the campaign An endeavour to save the Himalayas. Prabhu Ram Sharma, Nepals Chief of the Army Staff, said tonnes of garbage, four human corpses and one skeleton were recovered from the Himalayan peaks under the adverse weather conditions. This is an achievement mission as well as a readiness mission in which we have demonstrated our ability to complete our work in accordance with the goals and objectives we have established and accepted," he stated. Mount Everest has long struggled with its status as the worlds highest garbage dump with hundreds of mountaineers arriving at the peak each year. Environmentalists have estimated that more than 50 tonnes of garbage and more than 200 dead bodies are buried in Everest. The countrys military began the annual clean-up drives in 2019 amid concerns over the climate crisis threatening the existence of the worlds highest mountain. So far, five annual clean-up drives have collected 119 tonnes of waste, 14 human corpses and some skeleton remains, the army said, according to BBC. open image in gallery Nepali workers search for recyclable materials from a a pile of waste collected from Mount Everest, in Kathmandu in 2019 ( AFP via Getty Images ) More than 600 people attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest each year, and each climber discards, on an average, 8kg (18lbs) of rubbish consisting of oxygen canisters, tents, food containers and even human waste. That adds up to nearly five tonnes each climbing season (March-May). open image in gallery Mount Everest has long struggled with its status as the worlds highest garbage dump ( Getty ) In efforts to reduce waste, Nepals government asked the Everest climbers to bring their excreta back to base camp in poo bags after summiting the worlds tallest mountain, The local municipality of Pasang Lhamu announced that climbers will be required to purchase poo bags at base camp which will be checked upon their return. Amid concerns over overcrowding, the government issued 421 climber permits, down from a record-breaking 478 last year. The number excludes the Nepalese guides. Around eight climbers have died or went missing this year. It was one less compared to the 19 last year. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An elite mountaineer has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by at least two women, prompting calls to ban him from Mount Everest. Former Miss Finland Lotta Hintsa and April Leonardo from California have accused Nirmal Nims Purja, who was the subject of a 2021 Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible, of sexual misconduct during their expeditions with him. The allegations were reported by the New York Times last week and shook the mountaineering community. Mr Purja has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. They also led to calls by lawmakers in Nepal, where Mr Purja is originally from, to ban him from entering the country, thereby revoking his right to the Everest. Ms Hintsa and Ms Leonardo made allegations of unsettling incidents of sexual assault and harassment with the famous climber, who in 2021 embarked on a quest to summit all 14 of the worlds 8,000-metre peaks in seven months. In a statement posted on Instagram, the climber said he had instructed his legal team to move forward with the next steps in proceedings against the publication. After the allegations against Mr Purja, who is also known as Nimsdai, were published, the mountaineering community came out in support of the two women even as Nepali lawmaker Rajendra Bajgain called on his government to ban the climber from entering the country. Speaking in parliament earlier this week, Mr Bajgain alleged that Mr Purja had tarnished Nepals image, The Himalayan Times reported. We owe it to our visitors and everyone in Nepal to ensure they feel safe and can trust our authorities. I will be advocating for such investigations because no one is above the law. Ensuring safety and trust in Nepalese law is essential for our countrys reputation and the continued success of our tourism industry. Mr Purja earlier accused Nepali sherpas of cutting ropes on expeditions and the mountaineering community of playing dirty politics. Nepals tourism ministry denied that ropes were cut on the way to the Everest summit and instead launched an investigation. Mr Purja reportedly lives in the United Kingdom and has British citizenship. Many climbers and organisations have demanded action against Mr Purja and urged his sponsors to cut ties. Celebrated American climber Alison Levine said she had been waiting for over a year for this story to break. A guiding company called AWE Expeditions, which is owned and operated by women, said they were deeply troubled by the reports of Nims perpetrating sexual violence against women in the mountains. One of his major sponsors, Osprey Packs, an American outdoor backpack company, has reportedly withdrawn sponsorship. Osprey is aware of the recent allegations made against mountaineer Nirmal Purja. He is no longer an Osprey ambassador, a company spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Himalayan Times. A prominent name in mountain climbing, Mr Purja has collaborated with several major brands like Red Bull and Nike, which released a clothing line called 8K Peaks inspired by him. He was also featured on a Manhattan billboard and received an honorary doctorate from Loughborough University. Other outdoor brands like Grivel and Scarpa have partnered with him on co-branded products. Scarpa said in a statement that it had suspended all marketing and promotional activities, both online and offline. We will monitor the situation closely and adopt business decisions as the matter develops, always in line with our values. Grivel removed all images and products associated with Mr Purja from their Instagram account. The company announced on Thursday that they had suspended their collaboration with Mr Purja and ceased promoting and selling related products. The Women of Mountaineering group also lent their support to the two women and said they were working towards changing the gender dynamics in the mountaineering community. Mr Purja is not new to controversy. A 2023 GQ profile titled The Controversial King of Hardcore Climbing detailed how his quest to scale all 14 of the planets 8,000-metre peaks in record time propelled him to global fame and sparked debate within the climbing community about his methods and impact. However, the allegations were not sexual in nature. Renowned professional mountaineer Adrian Ballinger took to social media in the wake of allegations against Mr Purja and demanded zero tolerance for sexual assault. Ive always believed our job is to mitigate risks in the mountains where we can and then honestly acknowledge risks we cannot control, and choose whether we continue, he said on Instagram. Sexual predation is a danger we can not only mitigate, we can join together to ensure we have zero tolerance for in our community. Mr Purjas team responded to The Independents request for a comment with the following statement: While many people have added their voices to this discourse we would like people to understand they have only heard half the story they do not know the full facts. The publications story makes allegations, these are NOT facts. Nims denies these allegations unequivocally. We maintain the investigation by the publication was biased and had a pre-determined narrative and outcome. The publication left out parts of key witness testimonies and information which would have rendered the allegations totally impossible. The context these testimonies would have given to the piece was not printed, and the publication left out Nims full statement and those of the witnesses, (who for the record included employees, but the majority were not employees.) This led to an article that shows unbelievable malice and bias against Nims. It presented allegations as fact this is incorrect and untrue. To be clear, Nims unequivocally denies the allegations. While we understand womens safety is an emotive topic and a hugely important one in all spaces not just the outdoor industry allegation, speculation and rumour should not be able to override the legal process. For society to function it must be fair and unbiased. The legal presumption is innocent until proven guilty the outcome should not be judged in the court of public opinion, or the arena of likes, shares and clickbait headlines. Nims is committed to championing diversity and inclusion in the Big Mountain environment and he has spent his professional mountaineering career doing just that. Safety is his key priority and he has devoted his climbing career to helping people achieve their mountaineering dreams. Nims would like to thank everyone who has supported him and stood by him we have full faith the truth will prevail. If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can contact your nearest Rape Crisis organisation for specialist, independent and confidential support. For more information, visit their website here. 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 Group holidays are for kids, right? Teenagers slumped over one another on European streets, warbling nonsense into the night sky through tears, sweat and kebabs. School leavers soaked in fluorescent paint, doing shots of some obscure spirit thats probably illegal in the UK. And university students waking up poolside with their jelly sandals still strapped on, their bodies burning in the scorching afternoon sun. With this in mind, the prospect of planning a group trip when youre over the age of 25 might seem bizarre. By this point, people tend to have serious partners. Proper jobs. And possibly even a child or two. Nobody has time for a silly little holiday with their friends. At least, this was how I felt in the middle of 2022 when, following a breakup, I found myself looking out at an entirely blank, and consequently rather bleak, summer. It wasnt that people didnt want to go away together Im gagging to drink rose and talk s*** for seven hours by a pool, said one friend with a three-year-old but few had the time, money or energy, let alone all three. Those that did were impossible to galvanise. WhatsApp groups were made between various friendship groups. Screenshots of flights were shared (Look, the EasyJet sale is on now!). And links for various Airbnbs across obscure European cities were hotly debated. And yet, nothing happened, which is why that year I ended up going on my first solo holiday. Having turned 30 last month, I found myself facing the prospect of once more going on holiday by myself. This was despite the fact that I was desperate for a big bawdy holiday with lots of friends, the kind I havent had in years because, for whatever reason, we leave these experiences behind in our youth. Yet surely these sorts of holidays are good for us, particularly now: last year, the World Health Organisation launched a commission to raise awareness of loneliness as a public health crisis. Meanwhile, there is ample research suggesting that feelings of belonging and connection can ease stress, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of serious illnesses. Why, then, are we not doing it? Once we are in our thirties, life generally feels fairly heavy with responsibility, explains counsellor Georgina Sturmer. Paying the rent or mortgage, climbing a professional ladder, looking after children or parents or both. This squeezes our disposable income and our time. And that can make it much harder for us to organise a group holiday, which requires both time and money. open image in gallery In your thirties, it can be harder than ever to rally a group together for a trip ( Getty Images ) There is also the matter of becoming older, wiser, and, well, a little more stubborn about what we do and dont want from a holiday. This is a road bump Ive come up against every time Ive tried to plan one. When time and money are precious, we become more discerning about how we want to choose to spend it, adds Sturmer. But by their nature, group holidays require a sense of compromise. So it can be a tricky balance to organise a group holiday that meets everyones needs and ticks everyones boxes. There are also, of course, many different types of holidays. And people want different things from each of them. Personally, Ive only ever wanted to lie on a sunbed with a paperback shading my face and a cocktail to my right. When I was younger, this was also the general consensus among everyone I knew, on top of wild nights of partying, of course. But some friends need more activity: surfing, tourism, hiking routes. And so on. But these are hurdles we should be trying to overcome. Because the benefits of being abroad with a group of people outside of your usual family unit can be hugely beneficial. As I moved through my twenties and arrived at 30, I noticed how much more time I spend on my own, particularly as a single woman. People are busy with their own lives and our paths diverge more than they used to, meaning plans have to be scheduled months in advance, and last-minute cancellations (due to work or family commitments) are common. Our friendships are no longer the priorities they once were. Connections with others are important for our wellbeing and group holidays can be a way to maintain friendships and to look after ourselves, says Dr Charlotte Russell, clinical psychologist and founder of The Travel Psychologist. Group holidays arent the only way to do this, but for many people having a break together can help them to reconnect in a deeper way. Travelling together in this way can also help us tune into our identity outside of our home lives and responsibilities, perhaps connecting with our fun and more carefree side. Connections with others are important for our well-being and group holidays can be a way to maintain friendships and to look after ourselves Dr Charlotte Russell, clinical psychologist and founder of The Travel Psychologist If you have managed to jump through all the necessary hoops to get a group trip off the ground, presumably with some impeccable teamwork and time management skills, then next you have the actual trip to consider. Navigating group dynamics can be tricky at the best of times, but particularly when youre in a new environment. Its always best to narrow down the options, advises the psychotherapist Kamalyn Kaur. Too many choices result in a holiday that no one enjoys or no one ever gets round to planning. Think about which kind of holiday you want to have then find out which type of holiday a majority of the group are looking for and opt for that choice. Its important to get comfortable with money conversations as early as possible. Whenever Ive done group trips in the past, it has come up as a problem. People have different budgets. One person winds up paying for more than another. And it causes friction in the group. The best way to avoid this is to sort out some sort of system in advance: personally, I recommend using an app like Splitwise, which allows you to track everyones spending before splitting it in a way that allows each person to be reimbursed with the correct amount theyre owed. While it can be tempting to let the loudest person in the group take the lead on all the big decisions where to have dinners, what wine tasting to book, and which beaches to visit this can also create tension down the line. One person doesnt have to be in charge of doing everything, points out Justin Chapman, travel expert at Go2Africa travel agency. It can be overwhelming to try to arrange and book travel for a group, and can end up making the trip feel more like a second job than a holiday, so make sure you delegate tasks to other people. It might sound juvenile but there are plenty of online polling tools that can help you decide on activities based on what the majority wants. You should also make sure to schedule some alone time; trust me, youll need it. When I was younger, there were trips where my social battery would completely drain, leaving me feeling resentful whenever I had to get dressed up to be around people again. Group trips can be intense, with plans and activities scheduled for every minute of the day to keep everyone entertained, adds Chapman. So remember to plan for some downtime to avoid exhaustion and burnout, which can lead to irritability and tension. Even just an hour to yourselves can be the difference between a trip that goes smoothly and one that ends with arguments. Dont get me wrong, solo travel is incredible and can offer similar benefits, partly because of how many people you meet as a result. There are ways to make it less daunting and combine it with group travel through tour companies Flashback, which specialises in trips for people in their thirties and forties, has seen a 100 per cent increase year on year in bookings. I think the reason why more people are seeking out group travel options with solo travellers theyve never met, rather than friends goes deeper than logistics alone. Ultimately, its about meeting new people and expanding your life in new and unexpected ways, says Lee Thompson, co-founder and CMO of Flash Pack . Fundamentally, travelling with other people can provide you with so many other things that solo travel cant. For one, it is safer. There are also opportunities for socialising, big excursions and celebrations, and an opportunity to deepen connections with lots of people at the same time, says Eloise Skinner, author and psychotherapist. On the other hand, if you feel that you drifted away from big group friendships and instead developed closer friendships with just a few people as you got older, you might prefer a trip abroad with just a few friends. I really think it depends on the person. This summer, I dont have any massive group trips planned. But I do have a few holidays with smaller groups of friends, mostly arranged in fours or threes. These trips have been planned to reflect where all of us are now in our lives. Therell be time to read, explore, go out, and everything in between. It might be more low-key than the trips I went on as an alcopop-obsessed teen but its still a close circle of people, enjoying one anothers company in a relaxing, new and ideally warm setting. Hopefully Ill return with a slightly less brutal hangover, too. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A World War II veteran has married his bride on the 80th anniversary of D-Day near the beaches of Normandy, France. Harold Terens a 100-year-old US Army Air Force veteran living in Florida tied the knot with 96-year-old Jeanne Swerlin on Saturday, June 8 during a ceremony in Carentan-les-Marais, in the Normandy region of northern France. The ceremony was officiated in English by Carentans mayor, Jean-Pierre LHonneur, according to the AP. The couple exchanged rings inside the town hall and waved through an open window to people outside who were commemorating the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France. To everybodys good health. And to peace in the world and the preservation of democracy all over the world and the end of the war in Ukraine and Gaza, Terens said in a toast, per the AP. The WWII veteran originally from the Bronx, New York visited France as an Air Force corporal shortly after D-Day, when he was just 20 years old. Terens had enlisted in 1942 and was stationed in England, where he worked as a radio repair technician for a four-pilot P-47 Thunderbolt fighter unit. open image in gallery WWII veteran Harold Terens, 100, ties the knot with Jeanne Swerlin, 96, on 80th anniversary of D-Day ( AP ) On D-Day, which took place on June 6, 1944, Terens helped repair planes returning from France to rejoin the battle. That day, more than 150,000 troops from the US, UK and Canada stormed Normandys beaches, marking the start of Europes liberation from the Nazis. However, more than 4,000 Allied troops died during the invasion. Terens himself went to France 12 days later, helping transport freshly captured Germans and newly-freed American prisoners of war to England. Following the Nazi surrender in May 1945, Terens again helped transport freed Allied prisoners to England before he was shipped back to the US a month later. For the wedding, Swerlin wore a long pink dress while Terens donned a light blue suit and matching pink kerchief in his breast pocket. Following the nuptials, the newlyweds were treated to a state dinner at the Elysee Palace with French president Emmanuel Macron and US president Joe Biden, LHonneur told the AP. open image in gallery Terens and Swerlin celebrate their wedding at the town hall of Carentan-les-Marais in Normandy, northwestern France, on Saturday, June 8, 2024 ( AP ) While the ceremony was legally non-binding and purely symbolic, the mayor maintained that love is eternal. Speaking to attendees at the wedding, Swerlin proudly declared about her husband: Hes the greatest kisser ever, you know? All right! Thats it for now! Terens said, to which his wife quipped: You mean theres more later? King Charles III, Joe Biden, and UK prime minister Rishi Sunak also paid tribute to the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Ver-sur-Mer, France. Meanwhile, French president Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron welcomed heads of state and government in Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer, and awarded Legion of Honour medals to veterans. The Prince of Wales joined King Charles and Queen Camilla in France, where he attended the Canadian commemorative event at the Juno Beach Center in Courseulles-sur-Mer. Even actor Tom Hanks who starred in Saving Private Ryan, Steven Spielbergs 1998 war film set against the backdrop of the 1944 landings was in attendance at the memorial in France. Were it not for their choice to come and do the right thing 80 years ago, you and I would not be standing here, Hanks said. Additional reporting from the AP 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 }} Authorities released the name of a 77-year-old man who was found dead after a house exploded in suburban Chicago on Tuesday. The Lake County Coroners Office identified the man as Timothy Toczylowski on Friday evening. He was a resident of the home, authorities said. First responders found the home leveled after the explosion about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in Lake Zurich, according to the Lake County sheriffs office. The mans body later was recovered from the rubble. Authorities said Toczylowski was identified through dental records. Tiffany Koch told WLS-TV that she heard the explosion, ran outside and saw the nearby house burning. There was this loud boom. I dont even know how to describe it, Koch said. It sounded like a tree fell, but there was no real shaking except for just that quick second. Two other homes were damaged. A utility company crew had to dig up gas lines to shut off natural gas to the property. That allowed firefighters to put out the flames, authorities said. The coroner's office said Friday the cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Princess of Wales has written to express her apologies that she will not attend a key rehersal event for this years Trooping the Colour ceremony, as the senior royal continues to recover from cancer treatment. In a letter to the Irish Guards regiment, of which she is lieutenant colonel, Kate Middleton said she was very sorry that she would be unable to make the salute during the Colonels Review on Saturday the final rehearsal for the Trooping the Colour parade which marks the Kings birthday on June 15th. The letter was read out to troops in a video posted by the regiment on social media, which described the Irish Guards as deeply touched by Kates letter. The Princess of Wales visited the 1st Battalion Irish Guards for the St Patricks Day Parade in 2023 ( PA Archive ) The princess wrote: I wanted to write to you to let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonels Review and Trooping the Colour. I appreciate everyone trooping the colour this year have been practising for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate. Being your colonel remains an honour, and Im very sorry that Im unable to make the salute at this years colonel review. Please pass on my apologies to the whole regiment. I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved. The letter was signed off with the phrase, quis separabit, a Latin motto derived from the bible and associated with the British Army in Ireland, meaning who will separate us?. Prince William said in May that his wife was doing well ( PA ) It is unclear whether Kate will attend the main Trooping of the Colour event next Saturday, which falls every year on the sovereigns birthday. Kate will be represented at the Colonels Review by General James Bucknall, who will act as the chief inspecting officer of the day in her absence. The royal had previously appealed for time, space and privacy for her family when she announced in March that she was being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer. The Prince of Wales gave a positive update about his wifes treatment during a visit to the Isles of Scilly earlier in May, saying shes doing well when questioned by a hospital administrator. During the Trooping ceremony, held on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, it is understood the King will carry out the review of the Guardsmen and officers from an Ascot Landau carriage with the Queen. Last year, Charles inspected the troops on horseback. The change from last year's ceremony, where Charles inspected the troops on horseback, reflects earlier Buckingham Palace briefings where it was highlighted that each engagement by the King would be reviewed and adaptations made when advised by doctors. The King is likely to travel by carriage with the Queen during the traditional procession to and from Horse Guards Parade, and is expected to watch the Trooping ceremony seated on a dais, rather than on horseback. Additional reporting by PA Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A seven-leader debate on Friday saw fireworks fly on our TV screens yet again, as the UKs general election campaign continues to hot up. Hosted by Mishal Husain on BBC One, leading figures from the UKs major political parties were all in attendance. Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt represented the Conservative Party. She was joined by deputy Labour Party leader Angela Rayner. Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats and Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, also took part. Stephen Flynn represented the Scottish National Party, Rhun ap Iorwerth appeared for Plaid Cymru and the Green Party was represented by co-leader Carla Denyer. It came after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer went head-to-head on Tuesday. We want to know what you made of the BBC debate. Did it help change your mind about any of the major parties? Who came out on top for you? And who should be holding their head in their hands? Share your thoughts by adding them in the comments well highlight the most insightful ones as they come in. All you have to do is sign up and register your details then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking log in on the top right-hand corner of the screen. Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines , which can be found here . For a full guide on how to comment click here. Join the conversation with other Independent readers below. 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 }} Keirs Starmers election campaign has suffered a blow after Labours largest union donor Unite refused to endorse the partys manifesto. The decision by the union was such a shock it even caught some shadow cabinet members by surprise. Party figures had described a crunch meeting on Friday, in which shadow ministers, union representatives, MPs and Labour members gathered to set the final manifesto, as "positive". But it is thought that the partys stance on practices like fire-and-rehire meant it could not support the plans. Keir Starmer holding a card bearing Labours pledges ( Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire ) Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said he was surprised the union Unite has failed to back Labour's election manifesto insisting "there was a big sense...that we had all adopted" the plan. Labour's shadow international development minister Lisa Nandy said there had been constructive discussion with the union. A Labour spokesperson said: "Today's meeting has endorsed Labour's manifesto. On July 4, the British people will have the chance to vote for change - to stop the chaos, turn the page and start to rebuild our country." (PA) Unites Sharon Graham ( PA Wire ) Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, who has previously called for the party to offer stronger employment rights, cancelled planned talks with reporters after the gathering. The union donated 3 million to Labour's campaign in 2019. But it warned last year that there were "no blank cheques" for the party as it told it to offer "bolder" policies. Meanwhile, left-wing group Momentum also said it was "deeply disappointed" the party had not committed to free school meals or scrapping the two-child benefit cap. "We need to kick out not just the Tories, but Tory policies too," a spokesperson said. Mr Lammy explained his surprise at the Unite decision. "I'm surprised to hear that, because genuinely, hand on heart, I'd say that wasn't the mood of the room," he told Times Radio. Unite sources also cited Labour's stance on oil and gas as another reason for the union's opposition. The SNP said the fallout was "damning". Depute leader Keith Brown said: "It's damning that a major trade union has refused to endorse the Labour Party manifesto because of the threat to thousands of jobs in Scotland's energy sector - and the watering down of workers' rights proposals. The manifesto will be based on the party's five missions for government - the economy, the NHS, energy, education and planning reform. Labour has been accused of watering down some of its previous commitments, including on plans to spend 28 billion a year on green energy projects, blaming the economy. Labour has confirmed recognition of Palestinian statehood as part of any Middle East peace process would be included in the document. Sir Keir suggested that such a move should not be blocked by a neighbouring country, saying it was an "inalienable right" of Palestinians and not in "the gift of Israel". Labour struggled in the local elections in some previously safe areas with large Muslim populations, which has been blamed on Sir Keir's stance on the Gaza war. Labour will also block individual firms from sponsoring work visas if it believes they was not doing enough to carry out domestic training in key sectors such as care and construction. The manifesto is expected to be officially launched on June 13. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Liberal Democrat election manifesto will include a commitment to ensure under-35s can live, study and work in the EU despite Brexit, The Independent can reveal. The party will also accuse the Conservative government of abandoning young people and our economy. It comes as Ed Daveys party battles to win younger, more Labour-minded voters in key blue wall seats in the south of England it believes it can take from the Tories. In April, both Labour and the Conservatives rejected an EU offer to strike a post-Brexit agreement to allow young Britons to make a home in the bloc for up to four years. The move triggered anger with thousands of voters writing to their MP to demand they accept. The EU has offered a mobility scheme for young people, but it has been rejected by the government ( Getty ) The ambitious mobility scheme would have been for the under-30s, one of the groups most affected by the loss of opportunities to work on the continent in the wake of Brexit. The Lib Dem manifesto will pledge to reverse that decision and open discussions with the EU. The party also wants to raise the age limit to 35. Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said: The Conservatives have abandoned young people and our economy. This is just common sense. She said there already was a similar scheme for countries including Australia and New Zealand, called the Youth Mobility Scheme. Young people already have the chance to use this scheme for many other countries across the globe. Theres simply no reason why we shouldnt look to expand it to our European neighbours, which will offer amazing opportunities for generations to come, she said. She also accused the Conservatives of putting young people last on the priority list. Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said the plan was just common sense ( PA ) Rishi Sunaks party has come under fire for a series of policies for older people, including a new triple lock plus for pensioners. At the same time, the party has been criticised for offering young people a return to national service, one of Mr Sunaks big ideas for this election. Brexit almost derailed the Lib Dems 2019 election campaign after the party announced a widely criticised revoke policy, which saw then-leader Jo Swinson pledge to revoke Article 50 and cancel Brexit. In the end the party suffered a disastrous defeat and Ms Swinson, who lost her own Westminster seat to the SNP, resigned. Ironically, the Lib Dems had been crucial to calling the election, after they backed then prime minister Boris Johnsons call for an early vote, arguing it was the best way to stop the UKs exit from the EU. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey falls in while paddleboarding on Windermere ( PA ) The partys mobility scheme would not involve free movement, as it would only allow individuals to come for a short period. The post-Brexit proposals come as the party tries to appeal to young voters, who may have voted Labour in the past, in a series of key seats. Insiders say older voters who have lived in certain constituencies for a long time know if the Lib Dems are the main opponent to the Conservatives in their area. But the party believes that may be less true among younger people in certain seats, where they have moved out of cities and into their constituency in recent years following the Covid crisis. The Lib Dems will launch their election manifesto on Monday, following a campaign which, so far, has been characterised by stunts and photo opportunities. These have included allowing voters to see the partys leader Sir Ed Davey repeatedly fall into Lake Windermere. Sir Ed has also opened up about his personal life and caring for his disabled son, with his argument for better treatment of carers across the UK. The party has also campaigned against sewage being dumped into rivers by water companies and the state of the health service. Its manifesto will also pledge to create three new national parks in England, bringing the total number up to 13. In April a government spokesman said the UK was not introducing an EU-wide youth mobility scheme. 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 }} A man who reportedly assaulted the Danish Prime Minister in central Copenhagen will appear in a pre-trial custody hearing on Saturday, authorities said. Police confirmed there has been an incident with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Friday and that a 39-year-old man was arrested. They didnt provide further details and it wasnt clear if Frederiksen was hurt. The man is expected to arrive at 1100 GMT at the Copenhagen District Court in Frederiksberg, a municipality enclave within the Danish capital. The prime ministers office told the Danish state broadcaster DR on Friday that Frederiksen was shocked by what happened. Two eyewitnesses, Anna Ravn and Marie Adrian, told the daily BT that they saw a man walking toward Frederiksen and then pushing her hard on the shoulder so she was shoved aside. They stressed that the premier did not fall down. Another witness, Kasper Jrgensen, told the Ekstra Bladet tabloid that a well-dressed man, who seemed part of Frederiksens protection unit, and a police officer took down the alleged assailant. Sren Kjrgaard who was working at a local bar on Kultorvet Square where the incident happened told the BT that he saw Frederiksen after the incident and she had no visible injuries to her face but walked away quickly. Politicians in the Scandinavian country and abroad condemned the reported assault. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that an attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy, while Charles Michel, president of the European Council, condemned on X what he called a cowardly act of aggression. European Union parliamentary elections are currently underway in Denmark and the rest of the 27-nation bloc and will conclude on Sunday. Frederiksen has been campaigning with the Social Democrats EU lead candidate, Christel Schaldemose. Media reports said the attack was not linked to a campaign event. Violence against politicians has become a theme in the run-up to the EU elections. In May, a candidate from Germanys center-left Social Democrats was beaten and seriously injured while campaigning for a seat in the European Parliament. In Slovakia, the election campaign was overshadowed by an attempt to assassinate populist Prime Minister Robert Fico on May 15, sending shockwaves through the nation of 5.4 million and reverberating throughout Europe. Frederiksen, 46, is the leader of the Social Democratic Party and has been Denmarks prime minister since 2019. She has steered Denmark through the global COVID-19 pandemic and a controversial 2020 decision to wipe out Denmarks entire captive mink population to minimize the risk of the small mammals retransmitting the virus. Assaults on politicians in Denmark are rare. On March 23, 2003, two activists threw red paint on then-Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen inside the parliament and were immediately arrested. Foreign Minister Per Stig Mller also suffered some splashes that day. David Keyton in Berlin contributed to this report. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Slovakia's prime minister was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt last month and still faces a long recovery. The Danish prime minister was assaulted by a man Friday evening in downtown Copenhagen. German politicians have faced a wave of physical and verbal attacks for months. Political violence appears to be rising across the Europe, where societies are deeply polarized in the face of widespread migration from the Middle East and Africa and are badly shaken by the war in Ukraine, the largest conflict on the continent since World War II. The recent violence has come in the runup to elections taking place this weekend to the European Parliament, the legislative branch of the 27-member bloc. In general, EU elections do not arouse the same kinds of passions as elections in the individual nations, and to what extent the violence is driven by the campaign climate is not clear. But the backdrop of migration pressure has awakened strong feelings, and is expected to lead to a political shift to the right in the EU legislature. The most serious attack so far has been that against Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who struggled for his life after multiple shots were fired on him on May 15 as he greeted supporters. Fico, who took office last fall after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform, suggested in a prerecorded video this week that he was targeted because of his views that differ sharply from the European mainstream. Now some critics worry that Fico, who already faced accusations of eroding democratic norms before the attack, is trying to use the assassination attempt to mobilize support for his populist left-wing Smer party. The attack on Fico followed a wave of violence elsewhere, most recently on Friday evening on the streets of Copenhagen, when a 39-year-old man assaulted Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Frederiksen, the leader of the Danish Social Democrats, was rushed to a hospital for a check-up, and though unharmed, she was shaken by the incident, according to her office. She canceled campaign events on Saturday, the eve of voting in her country. Details of the incident remain unclear but local media reported that the man seems to have forcefully walked toward Frederiksen and pushed her hard. To some, the assaults on elected leaders add to the growing sense of democracy itself being under attack. An attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Saturday. In France, the lead Socialist candidate in the EU elections, Raphael Glucksmann, was pelted with eggs and paint-filled projectiles at a May Day event last month and was exfiltrated by security agents, followed by angry demonstrators. Extreme-right figure Eric Zemmour hit a woman who threw an egg at him while campaigning in Corsica in early May. In Germany both government and opposition parties say their members and supporters have faced a wave of physical and verbal attacks in recent months. Last month, Berlins deputy mayor was attacked at an event in a local library by a man who approached her from behind and hit her with what police described as a bag containing a hard device. Before that, a candidate from Chancellor Olaf Scholzs party was beaten up in Dresden while campaigning for the European election and had to undergo surgery. This week, a far-right candidate campaigning for local elections being held the same day was stabbed and hurt in Mannheim. We have seen in recent weeks that readiness to use violence to pursue political aims or to muzzle people has increased, Lars Klingbeil, one of the co-leaders of Chancellor Olaf Scholzs party, told parliament on Thursday. Representatives of all political parties have been physically assaulted in recent weeks Violence must have no place in our society. There is no yes, but, there is no playing it down. In the UK, which holds its own national election on July 4, pro-Brexit, anti-immigration campaigner Nigel Farage was pelted with a milkshake this week after he stepped back into frontline British politics, announcing he will take the helm of the right-wing party Reform U.K. and run for Parliament. A 25-year-old woman was charged with assault. ___ Geir Moulson in Berlin, Jari Tanner in Helsinki, Angela Charlton in Paris and Brian Melley in London contributed. 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 }} Reform chair Richard Tice has accused the Tories of dirty tricks after one of his partys candidates withdrew his papers to stand at the last minute and endorsed former cabinet minister Sir Gavin Williamson. In a dramatic final 24 hours before nominations closed there had been fevered speculation that as many as six Tory MPs and other candidates could defect to Reform after Nigel Farage decided to stand in Clacton and become leader of the party. But instead no Tories switched and Tom Wellings, the Reform candidate for the new seat of Stone, Great Wryly and Penkridge in Staffordshire, quit and put out a statement endorsing Sir Gavin. It all meant that Reform are understood to have fielded 611 candidates, just short of the 630 they had hoped for. Richard Tice is angry at the last minute defection ( PA ) Mr Wellings said he had made his decision in the final hour before nominations closed after careful consideration and extensive analysis of local polling. He told local voters: The polls indicate that Labour is close to winning the seat in our constituency. This is a matter of deep concern to me and should be to anyone who supports the policies and agenda of Reform UK. Given the current political landscape my continued candidacy risks splitting the vote, thereby increasing the chances of a Labour MP being elected. Therefore, I have decided to support Gavin Williamson, who has considerable experience in government. I am confident Gavin is well positioned to effectively challenge a left-wing Labour government. A furious Mr Tice, who as chairman is still responsible for candidates, demanded to know if Mr Welling had been offered money, jobs or any other inducements to effectively defect. Former education secretary Gavin Williamson now has the backing of the Reform candidate ( PA ) He said: Wellings put his papers in on Wednesday then in the last hour without telling us withdrew them. I am challenging Gavin Williamson to say whether money, jobs or a safe seat was offered to Wellings to do this. He claimed that such tactics had been used by the Tories elsewhere with dirty tricks. One of our candidates in the same region was offered a safe council seat and two jobs to stand down. He sensibly rejected the offers and told us what was going on. But Sir Gavin rejected the claims. He told The Independent: This is certainly not the case. A Tory spokesman described Mr Tices accusations as utter rubbish. Ironically, Mr Tice had previously been accused of trying to get Tory MPs to defect by offering them money, an accusation he denied. But after nominations closed, Tory candidate Tom Hunt, who is defending his Ipswich seat, put out a message confirming he had come close to defecting to Reform. He said: In many senses Reform UK is as tempting to me as it is to many of you. The reality is though that under the present system Reform UK could actually end up being the greatest enabler of a crushing Labour victory at the forthcoming general election; an outcome that I'm desperately keen the country avoids. I'm disappointed that Reform UK feel the need to stand against Conservative candidates such as myself who share so many of their aims and values. A row has also broken out in Leeds, where hardline Tory Brexiteer Andrea Jenkyns, who was being targeted as a potential defector to Reform, found she had a Reform candidate against her, while neighbouring pro-EU Labour MP Hilary Benn did not. Worse still, her Reform candidate lives in Benns constituency. She said: This is proof, if any more was needed, that Reforms sole aim is to destroy the Conservative Party regardless of whether or not true common sense Conservatives get caught in the crossfire. But Mr Tice hit back: You had your chance to defect and you chose to stay with the sinking ship. Choices. Tories have broken Britain yet your arrogant sense of entitlement means you think we should stand down for you? Given what Tories have done to our country, you should stand down. 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 }} Britain is heading for the lowest general election turnout in modern history, pollsters have warned, with the main parties and their leaders leaving many voters politically homeless. The warning of mass apathy follows Techne UK polling this week which suggests that even in the middle of an election campaign with just a month to polling day, 20 per cent of people have already decided not to vote. The poll of 1,645 voting age British people by Techne for Independent Media reveals that while the wont vote percentage of the population is normally high in non-election periods, it is expected to drop significantly during the short campaign (the period between the dissolution of parliament and election day). Apathy is particularly high among young voters, who say their problems on issues such as housing have not been addressed by the major parties in the campaign. Among Generation Z and millennials, 38 per cent have decided not to vote, almost double the national average. And according to Techne 30 per cent of 18-to-34-year-olds are not even registered to vote. Leading pollster Robert Hayward, who is also a Tory peer, noted that many people who say they will or may vote will also not end up at polling stations on 4 July. Keir Starmer is struggling to connect with voters, according to the poll ( PA ) He believes this is because many Conservative voters in particular are angry with their party, while Keir Starmer has failed to seal the deal and convince people he is a prime minister in waiting. He said: While 80 per cent say they will or may vote a lot of those people will not vote. So the 20 per cent figure of those who do not vote will be bigger. I have felt that we may have a record low turnout because it is clear that a lot of voters look politically homeless. The key to this though is how many people asked would normally vote. If a high proportion of them would normally vote then 20 per cent is a very high figure. Of those who were polled 1,111 (68 per cent) voted in the last election with the remaining 534 (32 per cent) divided between people who decided not to vote and those who were too young to vote in 2019. Julie Etchingham hosted this weeks debate between the party leaders, which descended into rancour and frequent interruptions ( PA ) This means the poll had a higher proportion of voting age people in 2019 than the national proportion of those who actually turned out to vote at the last election (67 per cent). Lord Hayward noted that this made the 20 per cent wont vote figure more significant. Polling guru Professor Sir John Curtice agreed that polls overstate the number of people who will really vote. He told The Independent: What we can argue is that the conditions that facilitate a low turnout are in place. He went on: Two conditions are in place that suggest a low turnout. First the large poll lead so it looks as though its obvious what is going to happen. Second, there are only small differences between the two largest parties so it doesnt matter much who wins anyway. To that we can add the fact that none of the main party leaders is popular or charismatic, which is why Farage can make waves. According to Techne UK, university-educated people are most likely not to vote, with a staggering 60 per cent planning to stay away from the polling stations. The figure could be a rare boost for the Tories, with students much more likely to vote Labour than for them. But among younger voters who have decided to vote, Labour leads the Tories by 54 per cent to 14 per cent. The findings show that only a small number of people wouldnt vote because they dont like their local candidates (9 per cent), suggesting that the national picture is having much more of an impact than is typical. Of retirees (over-64s) who are most likely to abstain, 37 per cent of those polled said it was because they dont like either party. Meanwhile one in three people with lower education will not vote because they feel their vote doesnt count. Meanwhile, after rows over the party moving to the right, supporting Israel and ditching left-wing candidates, previous Labour voters are most likely to abstain because they dont like either partys policies (54 per cent). Notably Unite, Britains biggest union, this week announced it would not endorse Labours manifesto. Techne UK chief executive Michela Morizzo warned that the abstentionism will be so high that voter profiles for the main parties will change. She said: There is no question this election could present the lowest turnout, perhaps, in election history. The key issues with those voters who say they will not vote, whether they be young or of older years, is they say that they cannot trust any political party or politician. This trust issue, the breakdown of the covenant between the electors and those who represent them, is the key factor for why at this election those who stay at home and dont vote could form the largest share of the election vote ever. We will see in the coming weeks but probably only [whoever] is really convinced of which party deserves his vote will go to vote. This would mean not a positive scenario for the Conservatives. Time and polls will tell. Ms Morizzo added: The risk of a low turnout is very high because there is abstentionism among those who voted Conservative and have lost confidence, which risks adding to the traditional abstentionism, ie the most fragile social classes. As a result of the polls, we could find an identikit of the Conservative voter that is very different from that of 2019. Luke Tryl from campaigning organisation More in Common warned that a lack of belief that political parties offer solutions to fixing problems in Britain is at the heart of voter cynicism and apathy. He said: The big question is does the time for mood change mean more people want to go out and cast their vote or does the pervasive sense of apathy and cynicism mean more people decide not to bother? Whats certainly true from our focus group conversations is very few people are confident that whoever wins can fix the challenges facing broken Britain. An Electoral Commission spokesperson said: A general election is an important opportunity for people to express their views, and registering is the first step to the ballot box. Its quick and simple to apply, and with less than two weeks left until the deadline, time is of the essence. All voters must be registered before midnight on 18 June to take part, and those that plan to vote at a polling station need to check that they have an accepted form of ID in order to get their ballot paper. Anyone that is unable or does not want to vote at a polling station in Great Britain, can apply for a postal vote by 5pm on 19 June or a proxy vote where someone votes on your behalf by 5pm on 26 June. Complete these tasks and youll be ready to cast your vote on 4 July. 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 California man was sentenced to 21 years in prison for fatally shooting his co-worker who had received nude photos of his wife. Bulmaro Cabezas, 37, pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the death of 40-year-old Valentin Flores Castaneda, who was found dead in an orchard near Lost Hills in 2021. Cabezas wife had admitted to police that she had sent the nude photos to Castaneda, but denied being in a sexual relationship with Castaneda, according to KGET. Castaneda worked with her husband at The Wonderful Company. They were both irrigators. Bulmaro Cabezas pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the death of 40-year-old Valentin Flores Castaneda, who was found dead in an orchard near Lost Hills in 2021. ( KGET screenshot ) On June 27, 2021, a supervisor at the company found Castanedas body in an orchard. His chest and face were covered with blood and he had been shot. When detectives served a warrant on Cabezas phone, they discovered that the GPS coordinates showed he traveled from his assigned work area to the crime scene on the day of the killing, according to court filings. The killer offered no explination on why his phone, which was on him thoughout the day, was at the scene of the shooting. Cabezas had also called Castaneda that day, despite him telling police that he hardly knew the man and that he had only met him once during an assignment. He was sentenced on Thursday to 21 years in prison. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A woman accused of killing her three roommates in Virginia was arrested by police in New York following a high-speed car chase. Alyssa Jane Venable, 23, was taken into custody by the Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office on I-86 in Steuben County two days after officials found her roommates dead in a welfare check inside their Fredericksburg. Investigators say that it is not clear how the woman killed her roommates or what her motive was, but officers have charged her with three counts of second-degree murder and using a firearm to commit a felony. Police said the victims, identified as Robert John McGuire, 77, Gregory Scott Powell, 60, and Carol Anne Reese, 65, all from Spotsylvania, were deceased from upper body trauma. She was captured after police spotted a gray 2009 Honda Civic matching the description of the vehicle Venable was known to drive and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Venable refused to stop and authorities engaged in a high-pursuit chase reaching 100 mph. Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office captured Alyssa Jane Venable on I-86 in Steuben County, New York ( Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office ) During the pursuit, a tire deflation device was used causing the car to crash. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident. Officials transported her to a local hospital for treatment. No other injuries were suffered during the chase. New York State Police are working to obtain a fugitive warrant for Venable and arrangements for extradition will be forthcoming. An investigation is ongoing and The Independent has reached out to the New York State Police for comment. The suspects grandmother, Jane Venable, told WUSA9 that she wanted authorities to search for her granddaughter as a person who might be a danger to themselves. I pray that the authorities are looking for her as a person who is in harms way as well because we think shes in harms way if not from someone else but from her own self. Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office captured Alyssa Jane Venable on I-86 in Steuben County, New York ( NYSP ) Im pleading for the authorities to consider someone who also is in desperate need for help. The woman had a history of violent outbursts, according to police and a friend who used to work with her. Alyssa had been charged with assault and battery over an altercation at a McDonalds she worked at last month. If something was wrong, shed snap at you quick, Bianca Smith, a former coworker, told the outlet. I feel like she was in an irritated mood all the time. Neighbors said they believed Venable moved into the home a month or so ago. Its not clear if the victims were related. 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 foster parent in Pennsylvania is facing an accusation of sexually abusing children, and police fear there may be more victims. Frank Breneman, 71, of Lancaster County, was charged this week with rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual asault, statutory sexual assault and indecent assault of a child. Police say Breneman abused at least two victims between the ages of 4 and 11, according to ABC 6 Philadelphia. The incidents are alleged to have happened between 2004 and 2016. Pennsylvania State Police say there may be more victims and ask anyone with information to come forward. Authorities noted that some of his victims were foster children in his care and abused while living in the home. Foster parent Frank Breneman, 71, of Lancester County, was arrested this week and accused of rape of a child. ( Pennsylvania State Police ) At least one victim came forward to speak to police as an adult, according to LancasterOnline.com. Its unclear if Breneman remains a foster parent or had any children in his care at the time of his arrest. He is being held in Lancaster County Prison on $500,000 bond. He has a hearing set for June 11. 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 }} Disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein has filed to appeal his rape and sexual assault conviction in California just weeks after a New York court overturned his rape conviction in that state. Weinstein, who has been in prison since 2022, filed his appeal in Los Angeles on Friday, according to court records seen by NBC News. He is reportedly seeking a new trial. His publicist, Juda Engelmayer, said Weinstein's team is confident they have a "solid case." Harvey Weinstein was tried by a system devoted to getting him at all costs. This appeal demonstrates nearly a dozen areas of brazen legal missteps that violated his right to a fair trial, Mr Engelmayer told NBC News. The appeal claims that Weinstein "stands wrongfully convicted for sexually assaulting Jane Doe 1." Harvey Weinsteins attorneys are seeking to have his sexual assault convictin in California overturned and are requesting a new trial ( Steven Hirsch ) He was sentenced to 16 years in prison after he was convicted in that case. Weinstein was found not guilty of sexual battery against Jane Doe 2, and the jury could not reach a decision on whether or not he committed three other alleged sexual assaults. The former film producer's attorneys believe that Weinstein was not given "a fair opportunity to defend against [Jane Doe 1's] allegations," and further accused the prosecution of building its case on "evidence it knew was false." The jury was misled about JD1s truthfulness and precluded from considering game-changing evidence that pointed to Defendants innocence and contradicted the prosecutions theory of guilt, Weinstein's lawyers wrote in the appeal. They are claiming Weinstein's Sixth Amendment right to present a defense was violated when he was not allowed to present evidence that allegedly could have helped his case. During the initial trial, Jane Doe 1 alleged that Weinstein showed up uninvited to her Los Angeles hotel room and "raped her for over an hour" in 2013. Her attorneys argued that the only person who knew where she was staying was the host of an Italian film festival Jane Doe 1 was attending in the city. Weinstein's appeal accuses the prosecution of pushing a "false" theory that the event host enticed Weinstein to attend the festival by offering up the victim as "sexual bait." The attorneys claim the prosecution did not disclose during the trial that the victim and the host of the film festival were in a romantic relationship at the time of the event. They argue that would make it unlikely that the host would have offered up the victim to Weinstein while the two were "in the throes of their own torrid affair. Weinstein's lawyers say without the event host's involvement, the prosecution never provided a clear explanation for how Weinstein found the victim's hotel room. The defense team also complained that it had not been allowed to cross-examine Jane Doe 1 regarding her financial situation, including that she was allegedly facing eviction threats. The appeal claims that the jury was given "another false impression" of Jane Doe 1, "namely that she had no financial interest in the outcome of the case." The appeal claims that three of the jurors who sat on the Defendants trial immediately regretted signing a guilty verdict upon learning that they were denied critical evidence showing that" Jane Doe 1 and the film festival host had an ongoing romantic relationship and had lied to them. It further claims that if the jurors had access to the evidence, it "would have changed their calculus of whether any rape occurred." Gutting the Defendants defense, as the trial court did, deprived Defendant of his constitutional rights to present a defense and led to a miscarriage of justice, the appeal says. The attorneys are also arguing that impartiality was impossible, noting that the jurors had been told that Weinstein had been convicted in New York and claiming the prosecution had been allowed to present evidence related to Weinstein's unrelated sex offense charges to the jury. The introduction of this excessive, cumulative, and remote evidence of prior sexual assaults simply signaled to the jury that the Defendant was a bad man who should be convicted of something irrespective of whether the prosecution proved its case, the attorneys wrote. The flurry of objections raised by Weinstein's lawyers comes just weeks after his New York conviction which would have sent him to prison for 23 years was overturned by an appeals court. Weinstein may face a new trial in New York as a result. District Attorney Alvin Bragg said he would be interested in leading Weinstein's retrial, but no date has been set at this time. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} For 13 years, no one has seen or heard from Timmothy Pitzen, an Illinois boy who mysteriously vanished in 2011 but his loved ones believe hes still alive and living on a Mormon commune with no access to the outside world or awareness that people are looking for him. Timmothy was just six years old when his mother Amy Fry-Pitzen picked him up from school in May 2011, claiming there was a family emergency. They then embarked on a road trip, visiting zoos and water parks across state lines. At the end of the three days, on May 14, Fry-Pitzen, 43, was found dead in a hotel room. Timmothy was nowhere to be found, but his mother had left behind a cryptic suicide note saying her son was safe and being cared for. But then it added: Youll never find him. Timmothys paternal grandmother Linda Pitzen recently told the US Sun that after torturing herself trying to decipher the note, she is convinced her grandson is still alive. His childhood friend Hannah Soukup, who has done her own research into his disappearance, also believes this and has a theory about where he could be. She thinks Timmothy is living on a remote Mormon commune his mother had converted to the religion without access to the internet. Linda Pitzen, Timmothys paternal grandmother, said its possible he is on a commune with no contact with the outside world ( Alamy ) I still think about Timmothy a lot and what happened to him, and with Amy, there were a lot of unexplained visits to certain places, Soukup told the US Sun. I believe she dropped him off somewhere I dont know if it was in a religious area, or something like that but I think she dropped him off and gave him to people she knew would keep him safe and hidden, she added. And I think she made it clear that either his identity had to be changed or that he had to stay away from the internet so hed never know he was missing. Timmothys grandmother agrees and said it would explain a lot. Ive agreed with that theory from the beginning. I read that suicide note, and if you read that note and you know her, I would guess she probably gave him to somebody to live in a compound. I have to hope thats true because itd be a lot better option for me to deal with, as opposed to what the other options are. Timmothy Pitzen vanished aged six in 2011 when his mother picked him up from school, claiming there was a family emergency ( Aurora Police Department ) She does not believe Fry-Pitzen would have ever hurt Timmothy and instead thinks her plan had something to do with her Mormon beliefs. I think she wanted Timm to be raised Mormon, Pitzen said of her daughter-in-law. The rest of us arent Mormon and I think this was her way of making sure he was after shed gone. Her son James Jim Pitzen was married to Fry-Pitzen, whod been raised a Mormon but converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before the couple met each other. "She never pushed it on anyone apart from Jim, she said. But he was reluctant and I think her church may have been pushing her a little, I dont know. Last known images of Timmothy and his mother Timmothy was last seen on May 11, 2011, shortly after being dropped off at Greenman Elementary School, in Aurora, Illinois, by his father, Jim. Timmothy and his mother walking through the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. ( CCTV ) The last known footage of Timmothy shows him playing as his mother checks out of the hotel ( CCTV ) On May 13, surveillance video captured the last known images of Timmothy and his mother as they checked out of the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Timmothy was still wearing the same Spider-Man backpack hed worn to school two days earlier. Fry-Pitzen then drove about 170 miles along the Rock River toward Sterling, a small rural town about 80 miles west of Aurora, before turning off her cellphone, records show. Several hours passed before Fry-Pitzen was spotted at a store in Winnebago, Illinois, at 8pm, where she bought a pen, paper, and envelopes. Its believed these materials would later be used to form her suicide note. Later that evening, Fry-Pitzen checked into the Rockford Inn at 11:15pm. She was found dead by suicide in her room by a hotel maid the next day. Ive taken him somewhere safe. He will be well cared for and he says that he loves you. Please know that there is nothing you could have said or done that would have changed my mind, she wrote in the note. Suicide attempts and a turbulent marriage Jim Pitzen knew something was wrong when he arrived at Timmothys school to pick him up only to be told that his wife had already done so. The couple, who had been going through a turbulent time in their marriage, had discussed separating just weeks beforehand. Timmothy Pitzen: Teenager tells police he is missing child who vanished eight years ago in Illinois On May 12, before turning her phone off for good, Fry-Pitzen made several calls including one to her husband and to her husbands brother Chuck. Timmothy is fine. Timmothy belongs to me. Timmothy and I will be fine. Timmothy is safe. Timm is my son, I can do what I want, she said on the call, Jim told police. She then reportedly told Jims brother Chuck: What, dont you trust me? Im not going to hurt myself. Im not going to hurt Timm. Fry-Pitzen had survived two prior suicide attempts and was taking medication for depression, the Sun reported. Her mother-in-law wonders what would have been different if she had received the right treatment. I fight myself on the question of what was going through her mind all the time, Linda Pitzen said. But I can honestly say she was very nice to me. I loved her like a daughter. Its been very hard to deal with all that stuff and see the hurt that everybody has now. Jim Pitzen, pictured here with his son Timmothy before he vanished, knew something was wrong when he arrived at his school to pick him up only to be told that his wife had already done so ( NCMEC/James Pitzen ) She was trying to find something happy and I think Timm did that for her until he started growing up and becoming more independent, and then the depression came back. Maybe if shed got the right treatment this might not have happened. But at the same time, treatment doesnt always work. Its one of those things. But she always put Timm first, she added. I think she was searching for answers in herself and wasnt able to find what she was looking for. I definitely think hes alive Hannah Soukup did not find out that her friend was missing until she was 11 years old. All she knew was that one day he was there and the next he was gone. I remember we all just kind of assumed he was sick, so it was all very sudden, and because we were all so young we didnt really understand what was going on, even when Mrs Broach briefly told us what happened in a sugar-coated way, she said. I just remember being very, very confused that he wasnt there. Like herself, Timmothy would be 19 years old today. Soukup believes that her former classmate likely has no idea of who he is, otherwise he would have made himself known to his worried family. Timmothy Pitzen would be 19 years old now. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released an age progression image of what he might look like now ( NCMEC ) Whatever Amy did, she did a good job of hiding him, she said. I think she made it clear that either his identity had to be changed or that he had to stay away from the internet so hed never know he was missing. I definitely think hes alive, but I definitely think hes somewhere that will be very difficult to find. she said. Soukup said she believes he will eventually turn up. "One of my theories is, if he is found, then I think hes going to re-emerge by his own accord, I dont think it will be police or investigators who track him down, she said. She issued a plea to anyone who may be harboring him. My message would be to let him go because its unfair to him to make him live a lie for the rest of his life because he likely doesnt even know who he is, she said. Its so unfair that he was taken from the rest of his family because his mother had ulterior motives. At the same time still, what really scares me is he could be out there leading a normal life with no idea who he is, she added. He could be at college with a completely different name and think these people he was handed off to are his family. I truly believe he will be found. Soukup, who studies journalism at the University of Northern Illinois, believes advancements in technology will help investigators pinpoint a specific location as to where Timmothy and his mother went before she was found dead. Ex-convict claimed to be Timmothy In April 2019, Brian Rini, 23, an ex-convict, was charged with making false statements after he claimed to be Timmothy. Rini told police he had escaped from an eight-year ordeal at the hands of sex traffickers. But his claims were debunked after DNA tests confirmed he was not the long-lost boy. Law enforcement confronted him with the DNA results, and at that point the person immediately stated that he was not Timmothy Pitzen, and of course law enforcement knew by virtue of the DNA analysis that he was in fact Brian Rini, said US attorney Benjamin Glassman. This undated photo provided by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office in Cincinnati shows Brian Rini, who claimed to be missing boy Timmothy Pitzen in 2019 ( AP ) The charge should send a message about the damage such false claims can do, he said, adding: Its not okay to do it because of the harm that it causes, the pain, for the family of that missing child. After confessing, Rini told federal agents he had heard about the case on the ABC 20/20 and wanted to get away from his own family, according to court documents. When questioned further, Rini stated that he wished he had a father like Timmothys because if he went missing, his father would just keep drinking, FBI agent Mary Braun wrote. Authorities said Rini had made false claims twice before, also portraying himself as a juvenile sex-trafficking victim. The investigation Forensic analysis determined that Fry-Pitzen stopped her car somewhere in northwest Illinois, likely near a body of water, before driving back to Rockford alone. But a specific location has still not been determined. The Aurora Police Department searched the area after Timmothys disappearance but came up empty-handed. The case turned cold within months. In a recent statement, police said its officers remain committed to solving the case and that all leads are being pursued. The 13-year investigation into the disappearance of Timmothy Pitzen remains an active investigation, Lieutenant Joseph Howe wrote. Over the years, the department has received and investigated several tips and theories from the community. Unfortunately, none of those have resulted in Timmothy being located. Earlier this year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released a new computer-generated image showing what Timmothy might look like today at 19. Hes handsome. Very handsome, his grandmother said after seeing the new image. I like the fact that hes got reddish brown hair because he had reddish brown hair and he had light freckles. So I like that a lot. I would love to hug him but I dont know if thatll ever happen, she added. Theres 13 years that have passed, and those wouldve been very formative years. To mark the 13th year that Timmothy has been missing, his father shared a message with NCMEC for his son. Dear Timmothy, The years apart have been hard, I am so looking forward for us to be reunited. There is so much of your young life I have not been able to be a part of while you have been missing. The future is bright, and I look forward to spending time with you, and getting to know my son again. Till I see you again. Love, Dad If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741. 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 California man was arrested this week for allegedly randomly firing at passing cars, killing one man, and wounding another person, according to officials. Deputies were called on 3 June at around 7am, shortly after the shooting began, with witnesses describing a man shooting into passing cars on State Street in the city of San Jacinto, outside of Los Angeles. During the course of this investigation, Julio Cesar Rodarte, a 39-year-old resident of San Jacinto, was arrested and booked into the Larry Smith Correctional Facility for murder and ten counts of attempted murder, the Riverside County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. This investigation is still ongoing and no additional information will be released at this time. Surveillance video sent to KTLA shows a man in a hooded sweatshirt with a pistol unloading on passing vehicles, using multiple magazines of bullets. Witnesses told the publication the man later undressed. The shooting killed Victor Hugo Leon, 42, a San Jacinto resident, according to police. He was a very lovable person, his wife, Griselda Zepeda, told KTLA. He leaves us very broken. He had that mean face, but he was such a sweetheart, always doing his best for his family. 42-year-old victim Victor Hugo Leon of San Jacinto, California ( GoFundMe ) Leon was returning from an overnight shift working in a warehouse, and Zepeda was dismayed to find he hadnt returned home Monday morning. More time kept passing by. I just had a feeling something bad had happened, she said. After him not calling me back after 40 times, I knew something was bad. I reported him missing. I went to every hospital hoping they would tell me he was there. Family members remembered Leon on a GoFundMe page. A mugshot showing Julio Cesar Rodarte, who is accused of randomly firing into cars in San Jacinto, California, on Monday, 3 June, 2024 ( RCSD ) He was only minutes away from his home when this tragedy occurred, the page reads. Victor was an amazing father, husband and friend. He leaves behind three sons, one daughter, and his loving wife. Victors smile and sense of humor will be truly missed, he leaves a hole in the hearts of us who knew him. Officials are not looking for any additional suspects, but ask anyone with information about the shooting to call the sheriffs central homicide unit at (951) 955-2777. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} President Joe Biden vowed on Saturday to push for a ceasefire stop the Israel-Hamas war from escalating into a regional crisis during a state visit to France. "We wont stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached," Biden said at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris. We are redoubling efforts together to avoid a regional explosion, particularly in Lebanon, French presiden Emmanual Macron added. Since October, Israel and the Iran-backed militia movement Hezbollah in Lebanon have been trading cross-border strikes. The comments came as Israel announced it freed four hostages taken by Hamas at a music festival during the militant groups suprise attack on October 7 that ignited Israel-Gaza war. More than 210 Palestinians were reported killed in fighting around Nuseirat, where the rescue occured. The White House has continued to push for a ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza. Brigitte Macron, Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron,share a toast during a state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris ( AP ) In late May, President Biden unilaterally revealed what he said was an Israel-backed proposal to stop the conflict, seen by observers as an attempt to ratchet up pressure on Israel and Hamas to make a deal. The proposal called for a six week temporary ceasefire, the release of some hostages, and the withdrawal of the Israeli military from populated areas of Gaza, with mediators to seek an eventual permanent end to hostilities. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in response to the proposal, said he wouldnt agree to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza unless Hamas is no longer in military or government power, a position the group considers a non-starter. The US has consistently voiced its concern over the war effort and the staggering civilian death toll of Israels operations in Gaza, but has continued to arm the US ally, which seems little impacted by White House rhetoric. In May, the State Department concluded it was reasonable to assess Israel used American arms in ways that are inconsistent with international law. The International Criminal Court has also called for the arrest of Netanyahu, one of his government ministers, and the leaders of Hamas, accusing them of war crimes. The White House, earlier this month, warned Israel it might pause weapons shipments if Netanyahu crossed Bidens red line and initiatied a full-scale invasion of Rafah, a southern city where over 1 million Palestinians were forced to flee to as Israel invaded northern Gaza. The US did pause a weapons shipment over its Rafah concerns, but has continued to provide materiel to Israel as its Rafah offensive got underway. As The Independent has reported, the Biden administration also ignored persistent internal and external warnings that Israel was creating a famine in Gaza. The UN warned this week that over 1 million people in Gaza could face famine-like conditions by the middle of this month. Israel has reportedly killed at least 36,000 Palestinians in the conflict so far, the majority of them civilians. 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 }} New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez interfered in a criminal investigation as a favor to a businessman who helped the senators then-girlfriend buy a new Mercedes-Benz convertible worth more than $60,000, a jury was told. Jose Uribe, a former insurance broker in New Jersey, took the stand on Friday in Menendezs corruption trial and immediately admitted that he bribed Menendez by giving Nadine Menendez money for the car in 2019. Uribe said he wanted Menendez to use his political influence to make a New Jersey attorney generals office investigation into two of his associates go away. The probe was looking into allegations of insurance fraud. Jose Uribe leaves federal court on 27 September 2023, in New York ( AP ) As a way to influence Menendez, Uribe helped Nadine secure a $15,000 down payment for the new car and then later, car payments, the court heard. Uribe, who was initially indicted alongside Menendez, his wife, and two other businessmen, took a plea deal with prosecutors in March. His testimony is crucial for the government to prove that Menendez engaged in a years-long bribery scheme, accepting lavish gifts, gold bars, and cash in exchange for wielding his influence as a senator. I knew that giving a car in return for influencing a United States senator to stop a criminal investigation was wrong, Uribe told a judge in court when he pleaded guilty. I deeply regret my actions. Before the alleged bribery scheme hatched, Uribe was desperate to help two of his associates out of the insurance fraud investigation, prosecutors said. Uribe told the court that he considered one of the associates to be like a family member to him. At the same time, Nadine was allegedly desperate for a new car and had complained to Wael Hana, an Egyptian-American businessman indicted in the scheme, that she needed one after she was involved in a car crash that killed a pedestrian. Hana connected Uribe to Nadine, and the two allegedly planned to get Nadine a car in exchange for using her then-boyfriends political influence to make the investigation disappear. US Senator Bob Menendez (center right), Democrat of New Jersey, leaves with his wife Nadine Menendez the Manhattan Federal Court, in New York City following his arraignment on March 11, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Prosecutors allege Menendez called Gubir Grewal, the states attorney general in January 2019, and raised concerns about an ongoing insurance fraud investigation the one Uribes associates were involved with. Grewal testified on Thursday that Menendez insinuated his office was improperly handling matters involving Hispanic defendants as compared to non-Hispanic defendants and his concern had to do with an ongoing investigation. Three months later, Nadine was the proud new owner of a 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-300 convertible. As the investigation into Uribes associates continued through the fall of 2019, Uribe allegedly contacted Nadine again asking her to please help. In messages shown to jurors on Friday, Nadine responded, I will not let you down. Menendez then met with Grewal in his office in September 2019 and raised the same concerns. Grewal testified that he told Menendez he couldnt discuss the ongoing investigation with him. Ultimately, the investigation continued and Uribes associate pleaded guilty. Menendez, his wife, Hana, and a third businessman, Fred Daibes, are facing multiple criminal charges for their part in the bribery scheme that used Menendezs political influence as a senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to obtain deals with officials in Qatar and Egypt. All four have pleaded not guilty. 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 }} As Donald Trump sat down for an interview with the TV psychologist Dr Phil on Thursday, the Biden campaign took the opportunity to troll the former president. In a wide-ranging, hour-long interview, Trump took several hits at the Biden campaign, telling Dr Phil, real name Phil McGraw, that President Biden is being controlled by very evil forces with a sick ideology. He did not elaborate on who he believed the controlling forces were. There are people that control Biden. Totally true. I think I know who they are largely, Trump said. But there are people that control him. Theyre very smart, very energetic. Possibly theyre real believers, what their sick ideology is. Amid his remarks, staffers at Biden-Harris HQ took the opportunity to troll the former president as his interview, which was filmed at his Mar-a-Lago estate, was being aired. That stage looks familiar... the Biden-Harris HQ account tweeted, with a side-by-side comparison of Trumps interview and a picture of boxes of classified documents, which are at the center of one of four criminal cases against the former president, stacked on the same ballroom stage that is seen in the background of Trumps interview. Trump was charged in June last year by special counsel Jack Smith with illegally retaining classified documents taken with him from the White House to Mar-a-Lago after he left office in January 2021, and then obstructing government demands to give them back. The documents allegedly contained classified information ranging from US nuclear secrets to the nations defense capabilities, according to an indictment, and were in a ballroom at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate as well as a bathroom. Trump has pleaded not guilty. Donald Trump and Dr Phil discuss several topics, including the election and his family, during an interview on 6 June ( Dr Phil Merit Street ) The trial has stalled in Florida federal court, with Judge Cannon, who is overseeing the case, still yet to set a date for the trial to begin. Meanwhile, Trumps supporters are attempting to stall things further, with House judiciary chairperson Jim Jordan on Monday telling Fox News that hes preparing an appropriations package that would defund the lawfare activities of state and federal prosecutors leading politically sensitive investigations, including special counsel Jack Smith. The classified documents case is one of four criminal cases the former president faces. Last week he became the first former US president to be criminally convicted in history when he was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. He is also involved in two other criminal cases involving his alleged efforts to overturn the result of the 2020 election. Trump denies all charges against him. 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 }} Dr. Phil was repeatedly educated on the law and common trial practices in a disastrous CNN interview after he aired his sit-down with Donald Trump, where the TV personality spewed several wrong assumptions on the fairness of the hush money trial. The unlicensed psychologists sit-down with the former president was widely criticized after Dr Phil gave Trump softball questions and allowed him to spew lies about his record and President Joe Biden. After Dr Phil said he believed the former president didnt get due process in his hush money trial in which a Manhattan jury convicted him of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, CNNs Abby Phillip asked him to explain his reasoning. I think [the jury] heard some things that were very prejudicial that had nothing to do with solving the problem of the case at hand, the TV star said, telling Phillip he was referring to Michael Cohens testimony. Dr Phil added he didnt think an accomplice to a crime who has pleaded to their role is allowed to testify in another case because its very prejudicial and doesnt go to proving the case. Phillip responded by telling Dr Phil it is not uncommon for people like Cohen to testify in subsequent trials for their alleged co-conspirators. Thats kind of how a lot of these prosecutions work, she said. Abby Phillip speaks to Dr Phil on CNN moments after the unlicensed TV psychologists interview with Donald Trump aired. Dr Phil repeated many false claims during the interview with Trump. ( CNN ) Cohen, Trumps former fixer turned nemesis, provided key testimony tying Trump to the hush money payment. The former lawyer testified Trump directed him to pay $130,000 to Stormy Daniels weeks before the 2016 presidential election so she wouldnt go public with a story about having sex with Trump a decade earlier in 2006. Dr Phil continued to push back as Phillip schooled him on common trial practices. It happens in mob cases all the time. Look, Dr Phil, I mean, I dont understand why you would think that Michael Cohen, who is a key person in a lot of the narrative here, should not have been allowed to testify in this case, is that what youre saying? No, thats not what Im saying, Dr Phil said. I think the fact that he made an agreement to say that he is guilty of the crime that the defendant is being tried for prejudices the jury, Dr Phil said. But Phillip shot back: I have some quibbles with what youre describing as the same crime. The journalist pointed out that Michael Cohen was never charged with or convicted of falsifying business records, unlike Trump. Throughout his interview with the former president, Dr Phil said Trump had been muzzled by a judge in his New York hush money trial and that he hoped Biden would step in and stop the legal cases against the former president, two of which are state and not federal jurisdiction. The interview between Dr Phil and Trump prompted immediate backlash on social media. I suggest a cognitive test for anyone falling for drama queen and droning of Dr. Phil McGraw, one user said. He holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, though he ceased renewing his license to practice psychology in 2006. Now a tv personality and unlicensed therapist. Tuned in to see @DrPhil interview Trump, but this is far from an interview. Im watching Phil declare himself as full-on MAGA. Ignoring facts. Letting him say he never met @ejeancarroll Phil is on his knees in front of a convicted criminal, wrote another user. 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 }} Conservatives are calling for a boycott of department store Kohls over its refusal to sponsor the Republican National Convention, which is being held in the state where the retailer is headquartered. Some posters have even pledged to Bud Light the f*** out of Kohls in reference to the boycott that took a massive bite of sales of the popular beer after its partnership with transgender Dylan Mulvaney. The Republican convention is set to take place in Milwaukee between July 15 to July 18. Donald Trump is expected to be formally named the partys nominee for president to face off with President Joe Biden. However, the convention will take place just days after Trump is set to be sentenced after being convicted of 34 felonies in connection to hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels. Kohls is a popular retailer and shopping plaza anchor headquartered just outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This week, company officials told outlets that it will not sponsor any of the RNC events. As a Milwaukee-based company, we appreciate our hometown will have a spotlight during this time to showcase all it has to offer, including our great neighborhoods, an array of businesses and all of our amazing residents - many of which are Kohls associates, a spokesperson told Newsweek. Kohls is not a political organization nor donor and is not sponsoring nor engaging in any specific RNC events. We financially support the business community through the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC). Kohls has announced that it will not be sponsoring any Republican National Convention events despite being headquartered in the same state ( EPA ) This is the same approach we took when supporting the Milwaukee community when the DNC was planned for Milwaukee. Some analysts have said that companies are trying to avoid sponsoring either the Republican or Democratic national conventions given the nations charged political landscape, according to an NBC report. When Kohls made its intention known, it sparked fury online from several right-wing posters with some saying they wouldnt shop there any longer. Im happy to boycott Kohls. Overpriced and struggling anyway, X user John Boldebook wrote. Time to cancel my Kohls account, fellow user Krisha Provinge wrote. While poster R_Brown wrote: Already informed the wife Kohls is getting the bud light treatment, wasnt much of an argument there once I told her what happened. Lets see that stock value in the upcoming days. Kohls stock price was up 1.6 percent on Friday, after the companys announcement, and sat at $22.82 a share as of closing. Other social media users were quick to praise Kohls for its decision and werent worried about those calling for a boycott. Looks like Ill need to shop a bit more frequently at Kohls, noted Democrat poster JoJoFromJerz wrote on X. All of my Christmas shopping will be done @Kohls and any other store that doesnt support a convicted felon running for president, another noted left-leaning poster wrote on the social media site. 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 }} He cannot legally bartend in Florida, but he can be president of the United States. He can be legally denied certain public housing, but he could soon live at the White House. And he cannot legally possess a firearm in any state, but he could soon command the countrys nuclear arsenal. Donald Trump joined the nearly 20 million Americans with felony convictions when a jury in New York found him guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree on May 30. But unlike the millions of Americans re-entering society after conviction and incarcerations, who face countless barriers to decent jobs, housing, healthcare, childcare, and the ability to vote, among other hurdles, Trump can rely on his immense wealth, influence and potential path to the presidency to avoid them. It is unlikely he will face any jailtime (Manhattan prosecutors are not seeking any), and if he wins the 2024 presidential election, the terms of a probationary sentence the most likely outcome could be jammed up by his challenges in federal courts to allow him to do the kinds of things one would need to do as president, like travel out of state. Its a completely different world, according to Wanda Bertram, communications specialist with the nonpartisan nonprofit research organization Prison Policy Initiative. Hes not even going to think about the kind of barriers that people who are coming out of prison are going to face, she tells The Independent. Donald Trump is going to be able to avoid not just the immediate consequences of a felony conviction, as they apply to most people, but also the downstream consequences, she says. This thing that tends to happen to people where, because of their felony conviction, they cant get a job, they cant get housing, they cant get healthcare, and then, because of the combination of those things, then theyre reincarcerated or convicted for something else. Donald Trump leaves a criminal courtroom in Manhattan after jury convicted him on 34 counts of falsifying business records ( Getty Images ) The heaps of contradictions facing Trumps post-conviction life cant have a gun but can control the nations military, cant hold certain occupational licenses but can be president, cant vote in certain states but can be the thing people are voting for were probably not the dilemmas that the nations founders considered. But they expose the wild gaps between a powerful billionaire navigating the criminal justice system and the rest of us. Nearly four out of every 10 people in state prison were jobless in the month leading up to their arrest, according the Prison Policy Initiative. Black people (46 per cent) and women (53 per cent) in state prisons were more likely to have not had a job in that time, the group found. More than half a million Americans return to their communities each year after incarceration, but most face job rejection and long streaks of unemployment thanks to discriminatory hiring practices, occupational license restrictions and short-term and unstable, low-paying positions. If youre Donald Trump, you can kind of make your own work, Bertram says. Thats the privilege of having a lot of money you can gin up some new venture. Many state licensing laws include blanket disqualifications for people with criminal records, meaning that state boards dont have to scrutinize applications or think twice about revoking licenses if they come from a person with certain felony convictions. Other state boards may have more discretion to grant licenses to applicants with a criminal conviction, but for millions of people with records, theyre just one more applicant, Bertram says. Theyre just a number, she says. They can try to appeal the decision, and they dont hear anything. Trump and so many billionaires and millionaires have so many other avenues of recourse to try to pull strings. If youre formerly incarcerated, you probably dont have access to even the kind of legal assistance that might be able to help you overcome this. Trump can be president again, but state-level occupational licensing restrictions would block any other person with felony convictions from a range of jobs across the country. Some of those restrictions, according to the Prison Policy Initiative and the National Conference of State Legislatures: Trump cant work for a casino in Illinois or a vet in Indiana, in pest control in North Carolina, he cant sell a car in Mississippi, or work in any healthcare setting in Virginia. Even in New York, if he wanted a real estate brokers license, he would need permission from the secretary of state. In Florida, he cant be a firefighter or legally tend bar at his Mar-a-Lago compound; Florida law prohibits bars from employing bartenders who have been convicted of a felony within five years. 5 key moments from Donald Trumps hush money trial And unlike many people with felony convictions, Trump will still probably be able to vote for himself in the upcoming election, as long as he is not behind bars. He can still vote from New York or his home in Florida if he is on probation. Voting laws in Florida where Trump is registered to vote defer to the rules in the state where a person was convicted. The states Republican Governor Ron DeSantis even announced he would personally ensure Trump could vote, despite rolling back voting rights for thousands of Florida residents with felony convictions. In 2018, Florida voters overwhelmingly supported a measure to restore voting rights for most Floridians with convictions who had completed the terms of their sentence. But in 2019, DeSantis signed a law mandating that certain people with felony convictions can only regain their voting rights after they pay all related fines, fees and restitution. That would be easy for [Trump] to do, Bertram says. For most people who are coming out of prison, in Florida or elsewhere, they are saddled with a lot of criminal justice-related fees that are hard for them to pay off because they get in the way of other things that they need to do to get back on their feet right. Theres a magnitude of difference between the fines that hes paying, or the amount of money that he has, versus the amount of money that the average formerly incarcerated person or person with a felony conviction has and how much money they have to pay. 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 }} It was the message by a sh**poster heard round the world. On Friday evening, Justice Juan Merchan, the judge who oversaw Donald Trumps hush money trial in New York, sent a letter to prosecutors and the former presidents legal team alerting them to a strange, post-verdict development in the case. The court noted that it had become aware of a comment on the New York Courts Facebook page from a user named Michael Anderson, who claimed, prior to the guilty verdict being announced, My cousin is a juror and says Trump is getting convicted. The post was made one day before the historic verdict that saw Trump convicted of 34 felonies. His post helped launch a new wave of conspiracy theories online with some right-wing posters claiming that the Trump trial was rigged and that the former president already faced a verdict before the jury announced its decision. Some were even demanding a mistrial be called. Others simply labeled him a troll. Facebook user Michael Anderson made the alarming post. But, the account is lightly used with only four public posts visible. Two of which are repost of recipes. That was until Friday, when posted a few times after his connection to the Trump Trial was revealed. On his page, Anderson describes himself as a transabled & a professional shit poster. In one of the few messages on the page, posted Friday, the accounts owner elaborates on sh**posting, defining such messages as intentionally designed to derail discussions or cause the biggest reaction with the least effort, and tells readers, Take it easy Im a professional shitposter. The Independent has contacted the owner of the account for comment. Judge Juan Merchan alerted both prosecutors and defense attorneys to the post. The message sparked a wave of conspiracy theories online about the fairness of the Trump trial ( AP ) After Andersons post was brought to light,c onservatives played into the repeated claims from Donald Trump and his allies that the case against him in New York was an unethical and crooked process from the beginning. Uh oh! It looks like there was juror misconduct in the #TrumpTrial! We knew these jurors would not be able to avoid telling their friends and relatives that were going to get Trump, lawyer and Townhall columnist Phil Holloway wrote on X. Its time for a mistrial with prejudice and no retrial! But will Merchan do the right thing? If true, this is likely headed to a mistrial because a juror isnt allowed to discuss the case with family or friends like this, added filmmaker and activist Robby Starbuck. Big deal. Others downplayed the significance, pointing to the likelihood that the post was meant to be a joke. A crowd gathers at Trump Tower after a guilty verdict against former U.S. President Donald Trump in his hush money trial on May 30, 2024, in New York City ( Getty Images ) Assuming this is the same Michael Anderson, I dont think that the post is real. It also looks like it was made on (a post posted on) May 20th. Trumps verdict didnt come in until ten days later on May 30th, MSNBC legal correspondent Katie Phang wrote on X. Plus, the posters FB profile says: a professional s*** poster. Journalist and conspiracy researcher Mike Rothschild called the whole situation an avoidable mess, because the story of the comment reached the massesand the conspiracy millbefore it was investigated. Despite the Michael Anderson Facebook post pretty clearly being fake, Trump world is demanding the case be declared a mistrial, he wrote on X. All because Merchans office emailed the attorneys about the post before they looked into whether it was real. What an avoidable mess. Social media posts have played a part in this case before. The ongoing gag order against Trump in the hush money case was expanded in April, after the former president claimed Merchans daughter, a Democratic political consultant, is paid to Get Trump, and falsely accused her of posting a photo showing him in jail. 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 }} Theres a golden rule that every mail carrier follows: if you dont feel safe, dont deliver. Tara Snyder didnt realize she was in danger when when she went about her usual 10-mile mail delivery route in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania on April 15. Snyder was working overtime on a heavy mail day, when she walked up to the porch of a home that required a signature at around 4pm. As she neared the door, a mixed-breed shepherd suddenly pushed out the screen door and came right at me, Snyder said. This was the only dog attack Snyder had endured in the seven years that she has been delivering the mail but dog bites in her profession are not uncommon, and theyre increasing. In 2023, there were 5,800 dog attack incidents against USPS employees, up from 5,300 in 2022, according to agency data. It jumped so aggressively on her that it broke the metal buckle on her satchel. She instinctively used her bag as a shield, lodging it in front of her, but her right hand was badly bitten and gushing blood. The homeowners called an ambulance and Snyder was taken to the hospital, where she was sewn up with 16 stitches and joined the statistics of injured postal workers. By a large margin, California topped the list of states with the highest number of dog attacks against mail carriers, with 727 incidents reported in 2023; five cities in the state also ranked within the top 20 cities where dog attacks against USPS occurred. California was followed by Texas, with 411 incidents, and Ohio, with 359. Snyders home state of Pennsylvania is ranked fourth. The statistics were released as part of the USPSs National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, an effort to urge dog owners to secure their dogs before the mail carrier approaches. Snyders canine encounter serves as a cautionary tale for other mail carriers. The incident put her out of work for a month, Snyder recalled. Due to her hand injury, she couldnt drive so she worked light duty shifts which still entailed eight-hour-long work days training new carriers. She finally returned to full duty on May 24, although she noted: Im a little more cautious. Physically and emotionally scarred, she told The Independent that my guard is up with all dogs right now. A mixed-breed shepherd attacked Snyder, leaving her needing 16 stitches (pictured) ( USPS ) She isnt the only one. Fellow USPS carriers documented their gruesome experiences online. One worker lived through an attack on their first day on the job as a mail carrier. I got dog bit three times by a German Shepherd. It was complete with me losing my pants bleeding profusely, and standing there trying to pull my pants up because I didnt want to be found dead with my butt hanging out, the carrier wrote in the USPS Community Facebook group. Im ok, just still shocked. Another carrier lamented the horrors of delivering mail to the homes of incautious dog owners. Im honestly so sick of hearing my dog is friendly or he/she wont bite. Whether or not your dog is friendly, its policy not to get out of the car with an unrestrained dog especially if they are barking and growling. The carrier added, Just because the dog wont bite you doesnt mean it wont bite me. Im not risking it. Snyder also mentioned this USPS policy: If theres an animal out, you dont have to deliver it. The USPS website issued a list of Dog Attack Prevention Tips for Mail Carriers, suggesting everything from rattling the gate before entering a fenced-in property to bringing dog repellent which Snyder described as dog pepper spray. On top of these preventive measures, the federal agency also has a warning system in place in order for carriers to report any dog attacks, including close calls, to their supervisors. Once the carrier gets within a certain distance from the property with a dog, she gets an alert on a handheld scanner notifying there is a possible aggressive dog in the area, Snyder explained. She said the system allows her to approach those particular properties with more caution. Defying these precautions could come at a cost for dog owners too. USPS noted that if a dog injures a postal worker, the owner could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering for the employee. An insurance claim for a dog bite averages $58,545, according to the Insurance Information Institute. For her own peace of mind, Snyder has been creating some safeguards of her own. She said she has been instructing dog owners to put their mailbox outside their fence, if they have one, and to make sure your dog is secure at all times even when its in the house. She added: And maybe put a second lock on the screen door. 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 }} William Anders, an Apollo astronaut who snapped the iconic 1968 Earthrise photo of the Earth while orbiting the moon, died at age 90 in a plane crash near the San Juan Islands on Friday. Greg Anders, the astronauts son, confirmed to the Associated Press his father died in the crash. The family is devastated, he said in a statement. He was a great pilot. He will be missed. William Anders, who attained the rank of major in the Air Force before the Apollo flight, was piloting the plane that crashed on Friday, according to Fox 13 Seattle, citing social media posts from friends and family of the former astronaut. The plane, according to flight data and FAA records obtained by the outlet, was a vintage Air Force T-34 Mentor owned by Anders, who lived in San Juan County. Police and maritime officials are responding to the crash site. The number of passengers onboard the plane is unclear, according to the San Juan County Sheriffs Office. Earthrise" ( NASA ) Video of the crash shows a small aircraft heading straight down towards the surface of the water near Orcas and Jones Islands, then skidding along the surface and exploding in a ball of fire. Witnesses told KING News the aircraft appeared to be performing a loop maneuver right before it crashed, about 80 feet from Jones Island. But it was too low and ... it didnt clear the water, Philip Person, who saw the crash from a cabin onshore, told the outlet. I could not believe what I was seeing in front of my eyes, Person said. It looked like something right out of a movie or special effects. With the large explosion and flames and everything. Apollo 8 Lunar Module Pilot Gen. William Anders, speaks to reporters in front of the Saturn 5 Aft End, the F-1 rocket engines of the first stage of the Apollo 11/Saturn 5 launch vehicle July 20, 2004, in Washington ( AP2004 ) Personnel from the San Juan County Sheriffs Office, US Coast Guard, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are responding to the crash, according to county officials. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating the crash. Anders was part of the Apollo 8 mission, which orbitted the Moon before returning to Earth. The mission circled the Moon for 20 hours, the first time humans entered lunar orbit. Earthrise is one of the most famous photos in history and is credited with helping inspire the growing environmental movement of the late 1960s. Reflecting on the image in a 2015 interview, Anders told Forbes, The view points out the beauty of Earth, and its fragility. It helped kick start the environmental movement. US Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, a former NASA astronaut, paid tribute to Anders in a post on X. Bill Anders forever changed our perspective of our planet and ourselves with his famous Earthrise photo on Apollo 8, he wrote. He inspired me and generations of astronauts and explorers. My thoughts are with his family and friends. This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information. 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 woman had to have part of her arm amputated after being attacked in one of two shark attacks in Florida on Friday. Both of the attacks occurred in Walton County, which borders the Gulf of Mexico in Florida's panhandle. McKenzie McClintock, the South Walton Fire District Public Informations Officer, told reporters that officials currently do not know how far from land the attacks occurred. They do know that they did not occur near a boat. According to officials, the incidents happened approximately 4 miles apart within a 90-minute span. Three people were hurt in the attacks, South Walton Fire District Chief Ryan Crawford said, per NBC News. During an evening news briefing, he said it was "extremely unusual" for two shark bite incident to happen in the same afternoon. In the first around 1:20pm on Friday a 45-year-old woman was severely injured while swimming with her husband just past the first sandbar. Beaches were closed in Walton County, Florida after back-to-back shark attack incidents in June (stock image) ( City of Del Mar ) "She received significant trauma to the midsection, the pelvic area, as well as amputation of her left lower arm," Mr Crawford said. The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. After the first attack, the beaches in the area began flying double red flags to warn swimmers of the potential threat in the water. However, around 2:56pm, sheriff's deputies and fire fighters were called to deal with another shark bite at the Sandy Shores Court area near Seacrest Beach. Two people were injured in that incident, both teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 17. The girls were swimming with friends "just inside the first sandbar" when the attack occurred. Crawford noted the first victims were also attacked near the sandbar. One of the girls was seriously injured, with wounds to one upper and one lower extremity. She was rushed to a trauma center in critical condition. The second girl suffered less severe wounds to her right food. She was listed in stable condition, according to Crawford. Officials said during a press briefing on Friday that they would re-assess the situation at the beach on Saturday, but offered no concrete information concerning when the beaches would be re-opened. Shark bites are quite rare, and bites like these make headlines specifically because they are so uncommon. According to the University of Florida's Shark Attack File, there were 59 unprovoked shark bites last year worldwide. Of those, 10 were fatal. 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 }} Russia has put former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on its wanted list, Russian state media reported, citing the Interior Ministrys database. Russian state news agency Tass said Tymoshenko was listed as wanted on unspecified criminal charges. She reportedly joins Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his predecessor, Petro Poroshenko, on the same list, which also includes scores of officials and lawmakers from Ukraine and NATO countries. Tymoshenko and her Batkivshchyna (the Fatherland) party did not immediately comment Saturday. Mediazona, an independent Russian news outlet, reported that both Zelenskyy and Poroshenko had been listed since at least late February. Amog others on the list is Kaja Kallas, the prime minister of NATO and EU member Estonia, who has fiercely advocated for increased military aid to Kyiv and stronger sanctions against Moscow. Russian officials in February said that Kallas is wanted because of Tallinns efforts to remove Soviet-era monuments to Red Army soldiers in the Baltic nation, in a belated purge of what many consider symbols of past oppression. Russia has laws criminalizing the rehabilitation of Nazism that include punishing the desecration of war memorials. Also on Russias list are cabinet ministers from Estonia and Lithuania, as well as the International Criminal Court prosecutor who last year prepared a warrant for President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges. Moscow has also charged the head of Ukraines military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, with what it deems terrorist activities, including Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian infrastructure. 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 }} Slovakia, Italy and the Czech Republic were among five European Union nations casting their votes on the penultimate day of European Union elections, in a race held under the shadow of political violence. Populist and far-right parties are seeking to make gains across the 27-member union, with Italys Giorgia Meloni throwing down a gauntlet to the blocs centrist hegemony in warning that their time of European dominance would soon be up. This vote will decide our next five years, Ms Meloni said on Saturday, underscoring her campaigns push to curtail the reach of the EU institutions dominated by pro-business liberals, and to draw power back to national capitals a desire she shares with Robert Fico, the prime minister of Slovakia, and Hungarys Viktor Orban, among others. Italys far-right premier Giorgia Meloni, right, has been courted by both Ursula von der Leyen, left, and Frances Marine Le Pen ( AP ) As well as being dominated by the looming threat of the far right, with Geert Wilders in the Netherlands enjoying a strong showing on Thursday, voters have cast their ballots under the shadow of the recent assassination attempt on Mr Fico and an assault on Denmarks Mette Fredriksen. The Danish premier was forced to call off her final day of campaigning after suffering whiplash when she was assaulted in Copenhagen on Friday the latest in a series of incidents over recent weeks. In Slovakia, analysts said the attack on Mr Fico which sent shockwaves through Europe on 15 May could boost the chances of his leftist Smer party to win the vote. Mr Fico, who took office last year on a platform of cutting military aid to Ukraine, has been recovering from multiple wounds after being shot in the abdomen. But in his first public statement since the attack, he issued a pre-recorded video address just hours before the start of the pre-election silence period on Wednesday. Slovakia prime minister Robert Fico is recovering from an attempt on his life ( AP ) While he did not directly discuss the vote, Mr Fico attacked the EU, suggesting he was a victim because of his views which contrast with the European mainstream, and claimed the mainstream media and liberal opposition were also to blame for the attempt on his life. The timing of Mr Ficos message was no coincidence, said Sona Szomolanyi, a political science professor at Bratislavas Comenius University, saying: It only confirms that the ruling coalition has been using the assassination [attempt] expediently and apparently effectively. Latvia and Malta were also casting their votes on Saturday, with the final results of the EU-wide elections set to be announced on Sunday night. Some 20 countries, including Germany, France and Poland, will cast their ballots for the 720-seat European parliament on Sunday. Seats are allocated based on population, ranging from six in Malta or Luxembourg to 96 in Germany. Coaltion? Marine Le Pen, left, and Giorgio Meloni ( AFP ) Italy has 76 seats, and Ms Meloni is capitalising on her popularity by running as the preferential candidate, despite having no intention of taking a European parliamentary seat. EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has not ruled out a coalition with Ms Melonis group of European Conservatives and Reformists which is now also being courted by French far-right leader Marine Le Pen. But Ms Von der Leyen who will be hoping to use Sundays results as a launchpad for a second term at the head of the EU has stressed respect for the rule of law as a quintessential requirement for those seeking power. In Slovakia, Mr Ficos government has made efforts to overhaul public broadcasting, in a move critics warn would hand his government full control of public television and radio, and has plans to amend the penal code to undercut corruption prosecutors. With such policies sparking fears Mr Fico could lead Slovakia down a more autocratic path, thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across the country to protest against Mr Ficos policies. In Malta, European parliament president Roberta Metsola Ms Von der Leyens ally in the Christian Democrat centre-right European Peoples Party proudly proclaimed duty done as he cast his vote. Mr Metsola urged EU citizens to go vote, or others will decide for you. While in 2019, barely half of eligible voters took part, predictions have shown turnout this year could exceed 70 per cent. 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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as Emmanuel Macron welcomes Joe Biden and his wife Jill to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Saturday 8 June. The US president is in France for a state visit marked by pomp and a parade - as well as talks on trade, Israel and Ukraine. Mr Macron and Mr Biden, who share a warm relationship despite past tensions over a submarine deal with Australia, will participate in a welcoming ceremony with their wives at the iconic Arc de Triomphe and a parade down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees before holding a meeting about policy issues and then attending dinner. France is... our oldest and one of our deepest allies. And this will be an important moment to affirm that alliance and also look to the future and what we have to accomplish together, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters earlier this week. Sullivan said talks between the two men would touch on Russias war with Ukraine, Israels war with Hamas in Gaza, cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and policy issues ranging from climate change to artificial intelligence to supply chains. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The wife of missing TV presenter Michael Mosley said her family will not lose hope over the search for the missing presenter on the Greek island of Symi. Speaking to the media for the first time, Dr Mosleys wife Clare Bailey Mosley said the three full days since her husbands disappearance had been the longest and most unbearable days for herself and the couples four children, who arrived on the Greek island around midday on Friday to help search for their missing father. Dr Mosley was last seen on CCTV cameras heading towards Symi from the nearby bay of Pedi, where he left his wife on the beach and planned to walk back to the house of friends with whom they were staying, it is believed. Why the 67-year-old doctor did not take his mobile phone with him and set off around 1.30pm in the worst heat of the day remains a source of confusion for the island. It was 40C on Wednesday when he was last seen and has remained in mid-30C since. After initial claims from the firefighters responsible for his rescue that it was impossible he was still on the island and must have either fallen into the sea or left the island, the search continued in full force on Saturday. The police told The Independent that the investigation was ongoing. An image taken from a computer screen of a CCTV and released to Reuters on June 7, 2024, shows what is believed to be British TV doctor Mosley ( Reuters ) Helicopters flew in constant circles above the mountainous region between Symi and Pedi after it was made clear that Mosley most likely set off on a longer trek than originally believed. He was seen on cafe and restaurant CCTV walking with purpose towards a mountainous path linking Pedi with the port of Symi on the other side of the headland. It would have added three hours to the 20-minute walk along an old goat path he was first thought to have set out on. The man in the CCTV seen by The Independent also now carried an umbrella which was not visible on his person in footage at the other side of the bay, sparking one theory that he had begun to feel the heat of the day after setting off and was attempting to shield himself from blistering temperatures. There were early reports that he told his wife he was feeling unwell when he left her, the reason he was going back to the house alone. A firefighter sits on a rock during a search and rescue operation for Michael Mosley who was last seen on Wednesday ( AFP via Getty ) Boats scoured the shoreline of the same area until early evening on Saturday and the caves at Agios Marina, where he was known to have swum, were searched for an hour earlier in the day before the heat became too hot for emergency services to continue inside them. They then moved to the other side of the headland. Small groups of specialist search teams in helmets and protective clothing could be seen slowly walking the islands trails. Up until now it has been a popular holiday destination for British tourists interested in hiking. In the sky above the search parties, red police helicopters whirred but fears over how much they could afford to stay in flight at this time of year due to a lack of oxygen which affects the engines were the cause for further concern. It is the same reason medical evacuation from Everest is impossible. A team of seven volunteers search in exhausting heat for Mosley ( Yui Mok/PA ) Despite the search attempts visible on the mountain, the emergency services presence in the marina area of Symi was languid and the officers at the Hellanic police headquarters beneath the clocktower sat around inside, themselves reluctant to experience the heat of the day. They claimed they couldnt comment on what was an ongoing investigation but said it wasnt as simple a search as it looked even though hes wearing blue because he could have fallen on route. There are lots of places he could have fallen, said one male police officer who declined to be named. We will not stop searching until the embassy in Athens tells us to stop, he claimed, a dozen police officers sitting around behind him. When something happens, you will know it is a small island. The end of Clare Bailey Mosleys statement said: The search is ongoing and our family are so incredibly grateful to the people of Symi, the Greek authorities and the British Consulate who are working tirelessly to help find Michael. We will not lose hope. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Israeli military has been added to a global list of offenders who have committed violations against children, according to the countrys United Nations envoy, who branded the decision shameful. The list is part of a report on children and armed conflict that is due to be submitted to the UN Security Council next Friday. I am utterly shocked and disgusted by this shameful decision of the secretary general, said envoy Gilad Erdan. Israels army is the most moral army in the world, so this immoral decision will only aid the terrorists and reward Hamas. The aftermath of an Israeli strike on a UN-run school that killed dozens of people in the Nuseirat refugee camp ( AP ) Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for secretary general Antonio Guterres, who took the decision, declined to comment. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the UN had added itself to the black list of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers. And foreign minister Israel Katz said it would affect the countrys relations with the UN. Mr Guterress annual report to the 15-member Security Council covers the killing, maiming, sexual abuse, abduction or recruitment of children, denial of aid access and targeting of schools and hospitals. The list is split into two: parties that have put in place measures to protect children and parties that have not. Mr Erdan said he was told Israel had been included on the latter. Palestinian children wounded in Israeli bombardment in Bureij refugee camp ( AP ) The list aims to shame parties to conflicts in the hope of pushing them to implement measures to protect children. A spokesperson for Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said the decision was a step closer to holding Israel accountable for its crimes. Israel is retaliating against Hamas, which rules Gaza, over the 7 October attack by its militants. More than 1,200 people were killed and at least 250 taken hostage by Hamas, according to Israeli tallies. More than 100 hostages are believed to be still captive in Gaza. Separately, analysis of Gaza health ministry data has found the proportion of Palestinian women and children being killed in the war appears to have declined sharply. The findings, by the Associated Press, comes after Israel changed battlefield tactics. In October, when the war began, the death rate for women and children was above 60 per cent. For April, it was below 40 per cent. Israels assault on the blockaded Palestinian territory has killed more than 36,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities. Israels military blames Hamas for Gazas high civilian death toll, accusing it of operating within densely populated neighbourhoods, schools and hospitals, something it denies. UN and humanitarian officials accuse Israel of using disproportionate force, which it denies. Additional reporting by Reuters and Associated Press 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 }} Four Israeli hostages, taken by Hamas from the Nova music festival, have been rescued alive from the central Gaza strip, the Israeli military has said. The release was secured after the Israeli military carried out a complex daytime operation in the heart of Nuseirat, raiding two locations. The raids left 210 Palestinians, including children, dead, Gazan authorities said, according to the Associated Press. Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40, were all recovered on Saturday and were taken by a helicopter for medical tests before they were reunited with their families. They were all in good medical condition after being taken to the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre, the Israeli military said. An Israeli military spokesperson said the operation took place in the heart of a residential neighbourhood in Nuseirat where Hamas had kept the hostages in two separate apartment blocks. Gazan paramedics and residents said the assault killed scores of people and left mangled bodies of men, women and children strewn around a marketplace and a mosque. A nurse in Al-Aqsa hospital told The Independent: Regarding what occurred here, according to the occupation, they freed four hostages and continued to aggressively and violently bomb Gaza to the point that the number of martyrs scattered in the streets reached 150 without anyone able to reach them until they finished their military operation. We have received approximately 500-600 injured until now. And after they completed their ground military operation, they then completely bombed the area where the operation occurred, and we are still receiving injuries. Noa Argamani stands with her father Yakov (right) and a family friend, Nir Givon, in Ramat Gan, Israel ( Reuters ) Argamanis abduction on the back of a motorcycle became one of the most recognisable images from the October 7 terror attacks ( Telegram ) Israel says more than 130 hostages of the 200-plus abducted by Hamas during the October 7 attacks remain in captivity, with about a quarter of those believed dead, while divisions are deepening in the country over how best to bring them home. Those injured were taken to Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat and Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah of Gaza. However, an Israeli military spokesperson put the number of casualties under 100 and said it does not have information on how many were civilians. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the forces entered civilian areas to reach the hostages where Hamas members were also there. Hostages were locked in two separate apartments in multi-story buildings and Ms Argamani, who is one of the most recognised hostages after her video went viral, was held in a different building, he said. The IDF had received intelligence on their location, he said, adding that hostages were being moved around. Saturdays rescue comes as international pressure mounts on Israel to limit civilian bloodshed in its war in Gaza, which reached its eighth month on Friday. US secretary of state Antony Blinken will return to the Middle East next week to seek a breakthrough in the apparently stalled ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Israels offensive has killed at least 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its figures. Saturdays operation is the largest recovery of living hostages since the war erupted, bringing the total of rescued captives to seven. Two men were rescued in February when troops stormed a heavily guarded apartment in a densely packed town, and a woman was rescued in the immediate aftermath of Octobers attack. Andrey Kozlov is one of four hostages to have been freed ( Reuters ) Israeli troops have so far recovered at least 16 bodies of hostages from Gaza, according to the government. Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing growing pressure to end the fighting in Gaza, with many Israelis urging him to embrace a deal announced last month by US president Joe Biden, but far-right allies are threatening to collapse his government if he does. It was an emotional day as the hostages met their loved ones in tearful reunions after 246 days. Almog Meir Jan reacts after being rescued ( Reuters ) Meir Jan is reunited with a relative ( Reuters ) Ms Argamani became one of the most prominent faces of the October attack after she was abducted from the Nova music festival. The video of her abduction was among the first to surface, with images of her horrified face widely shared as she was held between two men on a motorcycle. Her mother, Liora, has stage four brain cancer and in April released a video pleading to see her daughter before she dies. Ms Argamani had a phone call with Mr Netanyahu following her release, in which she reportedly said she was very excited to be free and glad to be hearing Hebrew again. Yaakov Argamani, father of Ms Argamani, said: We cant forget there are 120 hostages. We must do everything, but everything, as soon as possible to bring them home, so that their families can embrace them in happiness. Orit Meir, mother of Almog Meir Jan thanked the Israeli military in a press conference, saying: Tomorrow is my birthday so I got my present. She urged the government to also secure the release of the other dozens of captives that remained in Gaza. We want a deal now. We want them to come back home as soon as possible, she said. As fighting continues in Gaza, the Gazan health ministry said the bodies of 94 Palestinians, including children, had been taken to the Al-Aqsa Hospital. A wounded Palestinian child is treated at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Gaza ( AP ) People walk across the rubble of destroyed buildings in the Nuseirat camp in Gaza ( AFP via Getty Images ) A man rushes a wounded child towards medics at Al-Aqsa Hospital ( AFP via Getty Images ) AP said that its reporters had seen bodies being brought in from the Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah areas. A baby was among the dead. Bodies were placed on the ground outside, their feet bare, as more wounded were rushed in. AP quoted a family member at the hospital saying: My two cousins were killed, and two other cousins were seriously injured. They did not commit any sin. They were sitting at home. Neighbouring Egypt and Jordan condemned the raids. Egypt denounced Israels attacks on the Nuseirat refugee camp in strongest terms, with its foreign ministry calling it a flagrant violation of all rules of international law. The bloodbath must end immediately, the European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on the social platform X, noting reports of civilian deaths. With reporting from agencies Nine total candidates will be on the ballot this year for the Mandan School Board. Four are competing for one of two open three-year terms on the board, while another four are competing for one open one-year term. Incumbent President Sheldon Wolf is running uncontested for the rural seat on the board, a three-year term. The Tribune reached out to all candidates with questions on who they are and how they would work to address key issues if elected. Candidates offered a variety of paths for improving teacher retention and enhancing student growth. Most approve of the way the board has spent its money and believe the current level of spending is needed to improve the school system. Incumbents who provided responses noted their experience and knowledge about how the school system works. No non-incumbent candidates who provided comments had major criticisms of the board, but most voiced desires to bring new perspectives to the table. The School Board holds regular meetings twice a month. The compensation for a position is $5,000 annually. Three-year term All four candidates facing off for the three-year term responded to Tribune questions either over the phone or via email. School Board Vice President Rick Horn has served on the board for almost a decade. He cited his past work as a professional accountant along with past efforts to negotiate higher pay for teachers as his qualifications for the spot. Incumbent Caroline Kozojed, an assistant professor at the University of Mary's Gary Tharaldson School of Business, said her nine years of experience as a board member and involvement in school committees and parent-teacher organizations provide her with the qualifications to continue serving. Amy Schanandore, a Bismarck-area physical therapist, said having five children in the school system "places me at the forefront of ongoing discussions and developments." She added that her career and education in physical therapy would bring insights around health's link to academic success to the board. State Board of Cosmetology Vice President Maureen Wanner cited her involvement on a number of different professional organizations and her volunteer work with faith and military groups as roles which would provide a different perspective to the board. She has three sons who are graduates of Mandan High School. All four candidates noted the importance of competitive salaries for keeping teachers at schools in Mandan. Both Schanandore and Horn discussed the need for more engagement with educators on what they need for success in their classrooms. "We need to continue to listen to teachers' needs and build a great culture in our schools," Kozojed said. Wanner said, "Adequate facilities, competitive compensation, and community values are the things that will support recruiting and retention." Horn and Wanner said continuing technical education efforts would improve students' experiences, while Schanandore highlighted a desire to improve students' mental and physical health. "Leaders need to emphasize the importance of understanding nutritional wellness at all grade levels, promoting natural wellness beyond convenience," Schanandore said. Kozojed said continuing to advocate for the need of teachers and other school staff would help students reach their potential. Three candidates said current expenses by the board are needed. Kozojed said the board seeks to balance all sources of funding the district gets, including from property taxes. Horn said, "The salaries and benefits for employees currently make up 81% of the overall budget. All other expenses account for 19% of the budget. Our district always tries hard to balance our district needs of space, paying our employees a competitive wage, offering competitive benefits, and be mindful of our communities taxpayers." One-year term Three of the four candidates facing off for the one-year term responded to Tribune questions either over the phone or via email. Incumbent Dr. Tim Rector, director of U.S. Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services Field Operations Port Services in Bismarck, served five consecutive three-year terms on the board until 2022, when he decided to not seek reelection. He returned in 2023 when another member vacated her role. He said his past service on the board and work experiences give him a wide variety of skills to help the schools. Former KFYR Executive Producer and current BEK Communications Social Media Analyst Julie Cronin Skaret said her number one qualification for the role is that she is a parent of a child who goes to Mandan Public Schools. Skaret said she wants to find ways to make it easier for more parents, teachers, students and administrators to provide input at school board meetings. Mandan Planning and Zoning Commissioner Victoria Vayda-Hammond, a lifelong Mandan resident, said she has "developed a personal interest in preserving and improving the quality of the Mandan School District." Jake Schmidt, the fourth candidate, did not respond to Tribune email requests for an interview. Rector said the board's efforts to get salaries and benefits in line with Bismarck have brought Mandan schools ahead. He added that he thinks the role of the board is to help teachers. Skaret said too many teachers are leaving the school system. She said addressing this will take efforts to improve safety in the classroom, citing the effects that outbursts from children with behavioral issues have had on classrooms and those running them, including a personal experience. Skaret said a better student experience will come with a better overall environment for teachers. "When we went to parent-teacher conferences, and we talked to the teacher about (a student's outburst), she was in tears," Skaret said. "She can't educate those kids when she doesn't feel safe in the classroom." Rector pointed to the expansion of technical education programs as an action he has focused on to enhance student growth. He said this has created more opportunities for early career development in the trades. Vayda-Hammond highlighted a number of other programs she would push to enhance student experiences, if elected. "I will petition for an increased technology budget, requesting an increase in social work staff. I would also ask for an art therapy grant and setting up art therapy scholarships accessible to students whose lives have been greatly affected," she said. Rector said the board is always looking for areas to keep costs lower, but there is "not a lot of fat" on the budget. "It's hard to say, 'Oh we need to cut,' without going directly at the teachers, and I don't necessarily think that's a good idea," he said. "Teachers have it a little bit challenging anyway. We're finally on track where we are able to compete locally with other districts in the area as far as our salaries and benefits, and we've been working for 15 years for that." Skaret said she thinks the board has done a good job keeping property taxes as low as possible. She said if elected she would look to address any debt the school system has, but use whatever extra funds there are available to invest in students and teachers. Vayda-Hammond said the School Board should work with the state to bring more state money to the school to lower local expenses. Wolf, who is the only candidate for the rural seat on the board, did not provide responses to Tribune questions. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The United Nations has confirmed that 11 of its Yemeni employees have been detained by Houthi rebels and called for their immediate release. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the agency was pursuing all available channels to secure their unconditional release. Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have declared their support to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, have launched attacks on commercial shipping through the Red Sea corridor since Israels war on Hamas. In its campaign to seek international attention, the group has attacked many employees of several international organisations. Several charities and international humanitarian organisations have raised alarm over the detention of their staff members in Yemen in what appeared to be a coordinated campaign to crackdown on workers. Mr Dujarric said: "We are very concerned about these developments, and were actively seeking clarification from the Houthi de facto authorities regarding the circumstances of these detentions and most importantly, to ensure the immediate access to those UN personnel." A Yemeni child stands on the shoulders of a man as he holds onto a Palestinian flag during a solidarity march with the Palestinian people of the Gaza Strip, in the Huthi-run capital Sanaa on 7 June ( AFP via Getty Images ) "So I can further tell you that were pursuing all available channels to secure the safe and unconditional release of all of them as rapidly as possible." The UN said nine men and two women have been detained. Six of them worked for the UNs human rights agency, while others worked for its special envoys office, its development arm, Unicef, the World Food Program and Unesco. The Mayyun Organization for Human Rights, which also reported UN staffers were held, named other aid groups whose employees were detained by the Houthis across four provinces that the Houthis hold Amran, Hodeida, Saada, and Saana. "We condemn in the strongest terms this dangerous escalation, which constitutes a violation of the privileges and immunities of United Nations employees granted to them under international law, and we consider it to be oppressive, totalitarian, blackmailing practices to obtain political and economic gains," the organization said in a statement. Save the Children said it was "concerned of the whereabouts of one of our staff members in Yemen and doing everything we can to ensure his safety and well-being." The group declined to elaborate. Plumes of smoke rise from what is thought to be the site of an airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen ( REUTERS ) CARE International said one of its staffers had been detained without being given a reason. "We are concerned about our colleagues safety and are working to get more information in the coming hours and days," said Sulafah al-Shami, a CARE spokesperson. "Until then, we have extended our support to the family and share their hope for his speedy release." An open online letter by activists, lawyers and others has called on Houthis to immediately release those detained, warning of further isolation of the country from the world. Human Rights Watch, quoting family members of those detained, said "Houthi authorities have not revealed the locations of the people they detained or allowed them to communicate with their employers or families". It comes as the Houthis are facing increasing financial pressure as well as air strikes by a US-led coalition against the attacks in the Red Sea. The country recently introduced a new coin into Yemeni currency, the riyal, signalling the financial hardships. Yemens exiled government in Aden and other nations criticised the move, saying the Houthis are turning to counterfeiting. Aden authorities also have demanded all banks move their headquarters there as a means to stop the worst slide ever in the riyals value and re-exert their control over the economy. The armed rebel group, which seized the capital of Yemen, Sanaa, nearly a decade ago, controls the countrys capital and north-west. They have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition since then. Additional reporting agencies Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Apple is set to hold its biggest software event of the year: its Worldwide Developers Conference, or WWDC. And there is expected to be one big thing on the schedule. WWDC is the event where Apple updates every one of its products with new software and features. As such, it will see iOS 18 for the iPhone as well as a range of other new operating system versions. All will be revealed on 10 June, when Apple screens its opening keynote live around the world. But here is everything we know about WWDC 2024 ahead of the event. Artificial intelligence AI is expected to be the central theme of this years event. Apple doesnt usually give much away about its launches, but has already flagged this in advance, with marketing boss Greg Joswiak treating that the event will be Absolutely Incredible. (The capital letters are his.) Apple had long resisted using the word AI, and though it has been introducing similar technologies in both its hardware and software, it has typically marketed them as being proactive or based on machine learning. Now after urging from investors and commentators who feared it was being left behind it seems ready to use the word and more explicitly announce those updates. While its nearly certain that there will be a strong AI focus, it is less clear what those AI updates will be. But it appears that Apple will largely keep its approach of focusing on seasoning its operating system with new AI upgrades, rather than adding spectacular but not necessarily useful new features. Those might include automatically generated Apple Music playlists, automatic assistance with writing and coding, and an improved Siri that is both better at conversing with people and getting things done. Apple might also offer more dramatic generative AI tools, and rumours have suggested that it has been in discussion with both Google and ChatGPT creators OpenAI to build them. That might let people generate an image by asking for one, for instance. Its likely that many of Apples products will get their own AI-infused updates even if its just in the form of an improved Siri. But Apple usually focuses on bringing new updates to the iPhone first, and then rolls them out to other platforms such as the iPad. Other software upgrades AI will be the main focus, but probably wont be the sole upgrade. The iPhone for instance is rumoured to be getting a more customisable home screen. That would let users place the apps wherever they want them, for instance, rather than being forced to drop them in the existing line-up grid. Apple tends to update every one of its products at WWDC so expect new features for the Mac, Watch, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro and HomePod. But rumours have focused on the new AI tools, and it is not yet clear what those upgrades might bring. Vision Pro in the UK and elsewhere Apple first introduced its augmented reality headset at WWDC last year, and it arrived in February. Then, it said that it was on its way to other countries, but there has been no sign of it yet. Numerous reports have suggested that it is finally on its way, however. Tim Cook has said that it is coming to China this year, and job ads suggest that Apple is preparing to offer it in the UK, Australia, Japan and elsewhere. WWDC would offer a great opportunity to announce the headsets public release. Apple is also expected to offer the new version of VisionOS, the operating system that powers the headset. And the company has been lightly criticised for failing to keep momentum after the release by launching new immersive content for the headset, so it might unveil some of that too. New hardware WWDC is Apples software event, and that tends to get most of the time during its announcements. But it sometimes uses the spotlight to introduce new hardware as well, and tends to focus on professional tools when it does so. There are still a range of products that are yet to be upgraded to Apples M3 series of chips, including the Mac Studio and Mac Pro, both of which received updates last year. But rumours have suggested that they might skip them entirely, and get the M4 chip that arrived in the new iPad Pro earlier this year. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy With summer travel well underway, more and more eager flyers are booking trips to faraway destinations, planning for a long-awaited break. According to a report by the Transportation Security Administration, a record number of travelers are estimated to be flying this summer, with TSA expecting to screen three million passengers in one day. While travel numbers surge, the number of in-flight emergencies increases, too. Earlier last month, a 73-year-old British man tragically passed away from a heart attack after experiencing 19 seconds of severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight from Londons Heathrow Airport. Now, safety protocols and best seat suggestions are being offered by pilots and aviation experts, urging travelers to keep their seat belts buckled. But what about the pets and service animals on board? What are they to do in an emergency? Deborah Mandell, a clinical emergency and critical care professor at the University of Pennsylvanias School of Veterinary Medicine, spoke to The Washington Post on the plan animal owners should have in case of bad turbulence, fires, or mechanical issues that may occur in the air. If a flight suddenly becomes dangerously bumpy, Mandell urges people to remove risky objects from an animals casing such as toys or food. According to Mandell, a layer of soft padding should be kept in their carrying case. The case should be stored under the passengers seat when the flight gets choppy. Liz Rozanski, a critical care veterinarian at Tufts Universitys Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, told the outlet that owners should opt for a hard-shell case. The stiffer ones are more like a childs seat, Rozanski noted, adding that the hard exterior helps to block rolling items. Because service dogs arent always required to be kept in a carrying case, some owners may not bring one on board. In this case, Mandell said the owner should place the animal between their legs on the floor. The owners arms should be wrapped around the animals chest, ensuring the position is comfortable for themselves and their animal. Next, Mandell says owners should try and grab one of the extra oxygen masks, if possible, and fit it on their animal. If there isnt an available air mask for the animal, Mandell suggests the owner shares, switching every 15 seconds. However, if there is an extra, owners should be aware that the mask may not be the right proportion depending on the animal. open image in gallery Pets should be kept in hard-shelled cases under their owners seats during rough turbulence ( Getty Images ) Because of all the different conformations of dog heads, it may or may not stay on with just the elastic. So you may just have to hold it, Mandell admitted. The mask should be placed over the animals snout so they can inhale the oxygen. For flights over large bodies of water, owners should bring the proper life vest for their pet in case an emergency landing in the water is necessary, according to Mandell. When its time to evacuate the plane, Rozanski says pets should be carried out in their carrying case. If the plane is burning up, I would take the carrier with me, Rozanski noted. If somebody says no, I would jump anyway. That said, several airlines instruct their passengers to leave all luggage and bags behind during emergency evacuations, including animal cases. So, if the owner does choose to ignore this rule, they may get in trouble. Pets that arent service animals wont be trained in evacuation protocol. For any regular pets, Mandell instructs owners to prop their animal on their lap with the animals bag against their chest going down the slide. The animals legs should be in the air as well. Taylor Swift was forced to temporarily halt her show and apologise to fans on the first UK leg of her Eras tour in Edinburgh on Friday (7 June). The singing sensation was about to perform her hit Wouldve, Couldve, Shouldve, which involved using her guitar, when she stopped and told fans: This is so embarrassing. The 34-year-old continued: I must see outside a million shows in the store and my hand has never decided just to like, it's, it's like forming a claw to anyone. After massaging her hand, Swift was able to continue, much to the delight of her fans. Watch the dramatic moment a violent offender was arrested after stabbing a stranger in front of terrified schoolchildren in Essex. John Garrett, 55, attacked a man at a bus stop in Tiptree in broad daylight after stealing two bottles of alcohol from a Shell garage on 11 July 2023. He stabbed his victim in the neck three times and left him in a life-threatening condition as paramedics rushed to the scene. Six people - including children leaving school - witnessed the violent attack. Garrett fled the scene and returned home, where he was arrested shortly after. He has since been sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison, having pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and robbery. A gas explosion caused a house to collapse, injuring nine residents in India. An LPG cylinder exploded in a neighbourhood in Mumbai on Thursday 6 June. Footage shows the aftermath of the incident, where the entire roof of the building and the adjacent shop were severely damaged. According to an official, the explosion caused structural damage and resulted in a huge fire. Two minors and three women were among those injured. The individuals involved in the accident were rushed to Shatabdi Hospital and received immediate treatment. Residents of the Greek island of Symi have been out in force searching for missing British TV doctor Michael Mosley, according to the mayors daughter. Police and firefighters have been using drones to try to locate Mr Mosley, while divers were also searching for the 67-year-old who vanished after setting off on a walk to the centre of the island on Wednesday 5 June. Emergency crews called off the search at 8pm Greek time on Friday evening as dusk fell, but confirmed it will be resumed on Saturday morning. The mayor of the Greek Island where British TV doctor Michael Mosley is missing has said there is no chance the search will be called off until he is found. Footage shows teams in Symi continuing to look for the 67-year-old on Saturday morning (8 June) Eleftherios Papakaloudoukas, the mayor of Symi, vowed to continue the extensive search operation which has involved police, firefighters with drones, and divers. But speaking through a translator, he questioned how anyone could survive in the heat that topped 40C on the day Mr Mosley disappeared. The TV personality vanished after setting off on a walk to the centre of the island on Wednesday. Penny Mordaunt and Angela Rayner became embroiled in a heated clash over defence as the Labour deputy leader claimed: I wont take lectures from you. The candidates were taking part in a BBC live election debate on Friday (7 June), when the subject of the UKs defence came up. Conservative candidate Ms Mordaunt accused Rayer of voting to end the UKs nuclear deterrent. She said: If you are doubting that they would use that force, imagine what Putin is thinking. Without credibility, we become a target. If we become a target we are less safe. Ms Rayner hit back and told Ms Mordaunt: You can tell as many lies as you want. My brother served in Iraq and I wont be lectured by you. TikTok star Rachel Galvo: I went to a posh south Dublin girls school and a lot of my comedy comes from that TikTok star Rachel Galvo, aka The Shite Feminist, talks about mining her privileged princess upbringing for laughs, swapping her corporate career for comedy and wanting to write the Dublin version of Derry Girls Comedian Rachel Galvo speaks about mental health ahead of one-woman show Aoife Rooney Sat 8 Jun 2024 at 03:30 Rachel Galvo is hyper-aware of her privilege. The 24-year-old Dublin comedian addresses it almost as soon as we start speaking, as if to beat me to the punch. Galvo, who is bringing her one-woman show to venues in Ireland and the UK this year, leans heavily on her Catholic upbringing and the education she received at a south Dublin all-girls school. The body of a man has been recovered off the coast of Galway by search and rescue personnel. The body is thought to be that of missing yachtsman Conor McLoughlin, who was reported missing off Cruach na Cara in the Carna area on Thursday evening. A multi-agency search operation was launched after the man got into difficulties while trying to retrieve a dinghy that had drifted from its mooring. A mayday call was issued from a vessel near Oilean Maisean, also known as off Mweenish Island near Carna, shortly before 6pm on Thursday. Gardai with the assistance of the RNLI, the Coast Guard and R115 recovered the body of a man this afternoon off the coast of Carna, Co Galway. "The body of the deceased, a male in his 60s, will be removed to University Hospital Galway where a post mortem examination will take place, a garda spokesperson said. A file will now be prepared for the Coroners Court. The Irish Coast Guard helicopters from Sligo and Shannon were involved in the operation, while boats from the Costelloe Bay Coast Guard Unit, RNLI Aran Island and RNLI Clifden lifeboats, and other local vessels were also involved in the extensive search. The search operation for the missing person has since been stood down. Investigations are ongoing, a garda spokesperson added. A judge has described the behaviour of a man who assaulted his then-wife and broke items with a hammer as utterly unacceptable. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, production of an article in the form of a hammer, criminal damage and assault, on October 19, 2019, at a home in the Dublin 15 area. He has no previous convictions. A man who says he still has nightmares over being sexually abused by his scout leader as a 14-year-old has resolved his High Court claim for damages against the convicted abuser and Scouting Ireland. Luke ONeill: Everything you need to know about Ozempic and why it could soon be used to treat depression, Parkinsons and addiction A FIRST count for the Ireland South constituency in the European Parliament election may not be concluded until Monday morning. Counting is ongoing at the Nemo Rangers GAA complex in Cork with over 600,000 ballot papers being checked. Early counting indicated that outgoing MEPs Sean Kelly and Billy Kelleher are set to be comfortably reelected. Boxes opened so far have shown strong polling for both Mr Kelly, a former GAA President and Fine Gael MEP, as well as for Billy Kelleher, a former Junior Minister and Fianna Fail MEP. With over 600,000 votes to be counted and 23 candidates on the ballot paper, a first count had been hoped for by midnight but may not now be announced until Monday morning. Elections 2024 analysis with Kevin Doyle and Jody Corcoran The final three seats are expected to be decided in a tight battle between Sinn Fein's Kathleen Funchion, Independents Mick Wallace and Michael McNamara as well as outgoing Green Party MEP Grace O'Sullivan. Early indications are that the Green Party politician is lagging behind her rivals on first preference votes and potential transfers. One of the first candidates to visit the Ireland South count centre at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork today was Ireland First President Derek Blighe. Mr Blighe, an anti-immigration activist, contested both the Cork Co Council and European Parliament elections. He visited the centre with family and supporters and viewed the counting of ballots. Tallies indicated he is unlikely to be elected in either election. Other politicians expected to visit the count centre later today are Billy Kelleher, Grace O'Sullivan and Sean Kelly. Pauline Atkinson with her dog Daphne and Michelle OHagan with her dog Fiachra at a polling station in Portobello, Dublin. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie There was a steady stream of voters casting their ballots last night as the country went to the polls for the first time in more than four years. Voting in the local and European elections started slow but picked up through the day as the public decided who should represent them both locally and in Brussels. A lower turnout would suggest the public is content with the current management of the country, while a higher number would be a push for a change in Irish politics. The details of the final votes will be known today when ballot boxes across the country are opened and counted. Meanwhile, voters in Limerick are being asked to decide who will be the countrys first directly elected mayor. The importance of using your vote was the big theme from early yesterday, as political leaders and punters headed to the ballot boxes in Ireland. Politicians emphasised the value of democracy and the possible risk to it across Europe, and one minister said polling day was like crowning voters "king or queen for the day". Party leaders vote in local and European elections Taoiseach Simon Harris turned up to vote just minutes after polls opened in his locale in Co Wicklow to a gaggle of media and beaming polling station workers. Arriving just after 7am, Mr Harris cast his vote in the local and European elections, Ireland's first nationwide poll since February 2020. "An early start," he said to a worker at the polling station in Delgany National School. Referencing former British prime minister Boris Johnson being turned away from a polling station in May because he did not have photo ID, Mr Harris added: "And I brought my ID just so we don't have a Boris moment." He then shook hands with all the polling station workers and spoke to the media about the importance of voting, before heading off on what is being touted as a 14-hour canvass across the country. "Right, Cork!" he said as he marched towards the school car park. The elections are being viewed as a test of popularity for Mr Harris, who became leader of Fine Gael and of the Government just eight weeks ago. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, who has been in government with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail since 2020, wouldn't divulge whether he gave his coalition partners a preference on the ballot paper. "The privacy of the ballot box will be retained," he told a reporter who asked. Mr Ryan said he was hopeful of a high turnout and had been told there was a queue outside his local polling station's door at 7am. "We don't have a king or queen, we decide who governs and the expression of that sovereignty is in the vote. That is not a small act," he said. "When you vote, you're king, you're queen for the day. So I hope there's a big turnout, that's the most important thing." In Phoenix Park, President Michael D Higgins arrived at his local polling station with his wife Sabina to cast their votes. Sabina Higgins asked an official at the polling station whether they had been busy, to which she responded: "Not really." Meanwhile, as the President posed for pictures, he said: "How well you are all looking, I must say. Looking forward to summer." After placing his ballot papers in the box, Mr Higgins said: "Sin e." (That's it.) European Elections Ireland South The eighth count in Ireland South saw Clare-based Independent candidate Michael McNamara pick up the largest number of transfers. He secured 1,088 transfers from Independent candidate Una McGurk, bringing his total to 58,897. Ms McGurk, who is a barrister from Kenmare, Co Kerry was eliminated in this count. Her 8,328 papers will be distributed in the next count. Billy Kelleher (Fianna Fail) looks set to be elected tomorrow. He is currently on 93,959 votes and is a considerable distance away from the quota of 114,761. It will take a number of counts for him to reach the quota. He is followed by Michael McNamara (Independent) on 58,897; Cynthia Ni Mhurchu (FF) on 57,144; Mick Wallace (I4C) on 55,967; Kathleen Funchion (Sinn Fein) on 52,106 and Grace OSullivan (Green Party) on 49,289. Incumbent Sean Kelly (FG) remains the only candidate elected. He was elected in the first count. Olivia Kelleher It has been a dramatic four days of recounts, shock eliminations and microphones going missing only to turn up at the local bingo It's a thumbs up from Will Paton The calmness before tomorrow's storm at the Carlow count centre Its finally all over in Carlow after over 34 hours of counting. It has been an incredibly tense four days, with two shock recounts called in the Tullow LEA. The 18 seats have now been filled across the three districts of Muinebheag, Carlow and Tullow. Muinebheag LEA: Thomas Kinsella- Fine Gael Willie Quinn- Labour Andy Gladney- Sinn Fein Daniel Pender- Fianna Fail- New Michael Doran- Fine Gael Carlow LEA: Fintan Phelan- Fianna Fail Andrea Dalton- Fianna Fail Fergal Browne- Fine Gael John Cassin- Independent Ireland Adrienne Wallace- People Before Profit Ken Murnane- Fianna Fail Paul Doogue- Fine Gael- New Tullow LEA : John Pender- Fianna Fail Charlie Murphy- Independent Will Paton- Independent Ben Ward- Fine Gael (New) Brian ODonoghue- Fine Gael Jim Deane- Sinn Fein The state of play now stands as: Fine Gael: 6 Fianna Fail: 5 Non-Party: 2 Sinn Fein: 2 Labour: 1 Independent Ireland: 1 People Before Profit: 1 Carlow County Council has remained mostly the same, bar one or two small changes. Fianna Fail lost a seat and went down to five, Sinn Fein gained one and went up to two, Independents dropped from three to two and Independent Ireland got their first councillor elected to Carlow County Council. Fine Gael stayed the same with six seats, while Labour and People Before Profit each retained one seat each. Muinebheag stayed the same party wise with just a change of face for Fianna Fail with Arthur McDonald losing his seat to younger Fianna Fail newcomer Daniel Pender. Everyone else in Muinebheag retained their seats. Next in the Carlow LEA, there were a few small changes. John Cassin retained his seat, but as an Independent Ireland councillor rather than Independent. Outgoing Carlow mayor, Fine Gaels Tom ONeil lost his seat to Fine Gael newcomer Paul Doogue. This means in the Carlow LEA, it pretty much remained the same party wise, with the only change being John Cassin moving from Independent to Independent Ireland. The Tullow LEA on the other hand is the only district that saw a change of party as Fianna Fails John McDonald lost his seat leaving his colleague John Pender as the only Fianna Fail councillor in the area. The Independents have remained the same with Charlie Murphy and Will Paton retaining their seats. Fine Gael kept their two seats with Brian ODonoghue retaining his and newcomer Ben Ward taking the retired John Murphys place. Sinn Fein won a seat in Tullow, with Jim Deane elected. Deane had previously sat on Carlow County Council, but lost his seat in 2019. He has now won it back. Only four new faces were elected and despite a good number of female candidates, only Andrea Dalton and Adrienne Wallace made it into the council as they both retained their seats. 13.50- Brian ODonoghue and Jim Deane take last two seats in Tullow after two tense recounts After over 34 hours of counting there is finally a result in the Tullow LEA. Four tense days and two recounts later, the exhausted Brian O'Donoghue (Fine Gael) and Jim Deane (Sinn Fein) were deemed elected as they took the final two seats. A disappointed Catherine Callaghan (Fine Gael) fought hard until the end, but it just wasnt enough this time as she just missed out on a seat. The final result of the Tullow LEA: John Pender- Fianna Fail Charlie Murphy- Independent Will Paton- Independent Ben Ward- Fine Gael Brian O'Donoghue- Fine Gael Jim Deane- Sinn Fein Sinn Fein's Jim Deane celebrating after four long days Brian O'Donoghue has retained his seat Fine Gael's Catherine Callaghan just missed out on a seat Tuesday 10.50am- Dramatic second recount started in Tullow as count heads into the fourth day The second recount of the Tullow LEA has started here in the Carlow count centre this morning. Following the first recount yesterday, Fine Gaels Brian ODonoghue lost one single vote bringing him down from 895 to 894 votes. Sinn Fein's Jim Deane remained the same after the re-count with 893 votes. While Fine Gaels Catherine Callaghan also stayed the same on 892 votes. Two seats remain with three very determined candidates vying for a spot on the council. ODonoghue is the only sitting councillor out of the three candidates, while Deane was an elected councillor previously, however he failed to retain his seat in the 2019 local elections. This is Callaghans first time running for a seat. If the recount goes her way and she is elected, she will be the first woman to hold a seat in the Tullow LEA. 16.40- Tullow drama to carry on for fourth day as second re-count announced for Tuesday More shocks in the Tullow LEA as a second re-count has been called for 10am tomorrow. It's following the announcement of the first Tullow re-count that saw Fine Gael's Brian O'Donoghue lose one single vote. O'Donoghue went down from 895 votes to 894 votes after the re-count. Sinn Fein's Jim Deane remained the same after the re-count with 893 votes. While Fine Gaels Catherine Callaghan also stayed the same on 892 votes. A second re-count will take place tomorrow at 10am. Nail biting stuff in Tullow, the likes of which have never seen before in the district. History is being made right in front of our eyes. Two seats remain with three candidates determined to sit in them. Fine Gael's Brian O'Donoghue and Catherine Callaghan deep in discussion 16.25- It gets even tighter in the Tullow LEA Finally the re-count of the Tullow LEA has been announced, however the results have become even tighter. Fine Gael's Brian O'Donoghue lost one vote so went down from 895 votes to 894 votes after the re-count. Sinn Fein's Jim Dean remained the same after the re-count with 893 votes. While Fine Gaels Catherine Callaghan also stayed the same with 892 votes. The candidates are now discussing how they would like to proceed with this. Who will get the last two seats? Only time will tell 14.30- No end in sight for Tullow LEA re-count With all the seats filled in the Muinebheag and Carlow LEAs, all eyes are on the Tullow LEA re-count. No end seems to be in sight for the re-count, with Fine Gaels Brian ODonoghue and Catherine Callaghan and Sinn Feins Jim Deane nervously waiting to see will that recount get them elected or sent home. 13.46- Cheers and tears as final Carlow LEA seats filled on the fourteenth count Cheers erupted in the Carlow count centre as finally, the last four remaining seats on the Carlow LEA were filled on the fourteenth count. Independent Cllr turned Independent Ireland candidate, John Cassin, met the quota. However, as John Cassin's surplus was not enough for the remaining four candidates to meet the quota, the lowest candidate, Sinn Fein's Mark Callinan was eliminated, just losing out on a seat. People Before Profit's Adrienne Wallace and Fianna Fail's Ken Murnane retained their seats and newcomer, Paul Doogue, won a seat for Fine Gael. The new elected Carlow LEA: Fintan Phelan- Fianna Fail Andrea Dalton- Fianna Fail Fergal Browne- Fine Gael John Cassin- Independent Ireland Adrienne Wallace- People Before Profit Ken Murnane- Fianna Fail Paul Doogue- Fine Gael This means that the Carlow LEA will remain mostly the same. The only new Councillor is Fine Gael's Paul Doogue, with Fine Gael's Tom O'Neill losing his seat. Newcomer Paul Doogue celebrating winning a seat People Before Profit's Adrienne Wallace retains her seat Fianna Fail's Ken Murnane retains his seat 12.40- Shock as Carlow mayor eliminated The announcement of the results of the thirteenth count in the Carlow LEA was followed by a shocked silence as Mayor Tom O'Neill was eliminated. The Fine Gael councillor had been looking vulnerable since yesterday, however Cllr ONeill had stayed put in the count centre until moments before his elimination in support of his Fine Gael colleagues. No candidates were elected this round. However Independent Ireland's John Cassin is nearing to the quota of 999 with 968 votes currently. 12.23- Still only one woman elected to Carlow County Council so far Only one woman has been elected to Carlow County Council so far. Fianna Fails Andrea Dalton retained her seat in the Carlow LEA in count one. At the moment, she is the only woman elected in Carlow. However, People Before Profits Adrienne Wallace is still in the running in the Carlow LEA, while Fine Gaels Catherine Callaghan could still possibly be elected if the Tullow re-count goes in her favour. 11.50- Far right candidate eliminated in count 12 of the Carlow LEA Elected: No one Eliminated: Rory Woods (The Irish People) 11.00- Carlow LEA count 11 Elected: No one Eliminated: Jolly ORock (Independent) Follow Independent Carlow on Facebook Monday 10am- Day three of counting under way in Carlow count centre The dust has settled following yesterdays drama as a shock re-count was called for the entire Tullow LEA. That re-count has now gotten under way with Fine Gaels Brian ODonoghue and Catherine Callaghan and Sinn Feins Jim Deane nervously waiting to see will that recount get them elected or sent home. But why was a re-count called yesterday? In the thirteenth count of the Tullow LEA, it was down to three candidates vying for two seats. The end of the full count was in sight or so we thought. In the thirteenth count it was announced Fine Gaels Brian ODonoghue on 895 votes, Sinn Feins Jim Deane on 893 votes and Fine Gaels Catherine Callaghan on 892. Only three votes separated the three candidates. Just as Brian ODonoghues face lit up, thinking he had retained his seat, it quickly dropped again as Catherine Callaghan shouted re-count. The Carlow LEA candidates have also returned for yet another gruelling day of counting with only three of the seven seats filled. We hopefully will have a full list of the newly elected Carlow LEA by todays close of business. However we have learnt to expect the unexpected here the Carlow count centre so who knows what today will bring. 23.30- Whats due to happen at the Carlow count centre tomorrow? With a very eventful few hours in the Carlow count centre wrapped up for today, you may be wondering how proceedings will unfold tomorrow. At the end of day two of counting in the Carlow centre, only one of the three local electoral areas has all their seats filled. Follow Independent Carlow on Facebook The fate of the Muinebheag was decided on Saturday. The elected council consists of: Thomas Kinsella- Fine Gael Willie Quinn- Labour Andy Gladney- Sinn Fein Daniel Pender- Fianna Fail Michael Doran- Fine Gael Meanwhile yesterday (Saturday June 6), in the Tullow LEA only two councillors were elected. Those were Fianna Fails John Pender and Independent Charlie Murphy. Today Sunday, Independent Will Paton retained his seat in the Tullow LEA, while newcomer Ben Ward won a seat for Fine Gael. Just like in Tullow, only two Cllrs were elected to Carlow County Council yesterday (Fianna Fails Fintan Phelan and Andrea Dalton). Today Sunday, they were joined by Fine Gaels Fergal Browne who was also elected to the Carlow LEA. Since then, the Carlow count has been incredibly slow as no other candidates are near the quota. This has led to a situation whereby each count, candidates with the lowest amounts of votes are being eliminated. These surplus votes are being redistributed to other candidates. But as the surplus votes are very small, none of the other candidates have been massively benefitting from them, which means none of them are meeting the quota yet. Following the tenth count in the Carlow LEA, it was announced that the count was adjourned for the night and would start again at 10am on Monday. Hopefully it will move at a quicker pace tomorrow and we will have a full list of the newly elected Carlow LEA by Mondays close of business. Meanwhile in the Tullow LEA there was a shock re-count announced of the entire Tullow LEA, due to commence at 10am Monday. This means that all of the Tullow votes are to be counted again right from the start. But why was a re-count called? In the thirteenth count of the Tullow LEA, it was down to three candidates vying for two seats. The end of the full count was in sight or so we thought. In the thirteenth count it was announced Fine Gaels Brian ODonoghue on 895 votes, Sinn Feins Jim Deane on 893 votes and Fine Gaels Catherine Callaghan on 892. Only three votes separated the three candidates. Just as Brian ODonoghues face lit up, thinking he had retained his seat, it quickly dropped again as Catherine Callaghan shouted re-count. And with that, it was decided that an entire re-count of the Tullow LEA would take place tomorrow at 10am. Brian ODonoghue, Jim Deane and Catherine Callaghan will have to wait anxiously until tomorrow to see if the re-count does anything to solidify their chances of getting a seat. The calmness before tomorrow's storm at the Carlow count centre 21.55- Chaos in Carlow After a very slow and quiet day in Carlow, chaos has erupted in the last hour. But this chaos has now been paused until tomorrow with an entire re-count of the Tullow LEA to start at 10am and the Carlow count to resume, also at 10am tomorrow. 21.50- Sinn Feins Nicoleta Chiorean eliminated and count adjourned in Carlow LEA until 10am tomorrow In the tenth count of the Carlow LEA, no candidates were elected, while Sinn Feins Nicoleta Chiorean was eliminated. The count for the Carlow LEA has been adjourned until tomorrow at 10am. 21.44-Full re-count declared for Tullow LEA A full re-count has been declared for Tullow LEA due to take place tomorrow at 10am. With three candidates vying for one seat, Fine Gaels Catherine Callaghan called for a re-check following the results of the thirteenth count in the Tullow LEA. In the thirteenth count, Fine Gaels Brian ODonoghue got 895, Sinn Feins Jim Deane got 893 and Fine Gaels Catherine Callaghan got 892. However, no candidate has been deemed elected in this round due to the close results with Catherine Callaghan calling for a re-count. An entire re-count of the Tullow LEA is taking place tomorrow at 10am 20.53- Fine Gael's youngest candidate in the country elected The Fine Gael voters in Carlow have chosen youth as Fine Gael's youngest candidate in the country, 21-year-old Ben Ward, was elected to the Tullow LEA on the 12th count. His parents, clearly emotional, watched on as it was announced that Ben Ward had met the quota of 1114 with 1177 votes. "I can't believe it. I'm over-the-moon. It has exceeded all of my expectations, I really can't believe," said Ben Ward smiling from ear to ear. "I think the fact I am young gives me a different perspective, and I can bring my experience of being a young person in Carlow with me into my role as councillor. It's important to have different ages represented because then we have a mix of perspectives on the council. But I suppose I always stress that I don't want to just represent young people, I'm here to represent all ages." Fine Gaels Catherine Callaghan and sitting Cllr Brian ODonoghue and Sinn Feins Jim Deane will have to battle it out for the remaining two seats. Fine Gael's youngest candidate in the country, Ben Ward, celebrating being elected 20.48- Carlow LEA ninth count: Elected: No one Eliminated: Molly Aylesbury (The Green Party) 20.00- Carlow LEA eighth count: Elected: No one Eliminated: Daeln Murphy (The National Party) 19.45- Tullow LEA eleventh count Elected: No one Eliminated: Billy Nolan (Independent) We possibly could finally have another candidate elected as newcomer Ben Ward (Fine Gael) nears the quota of 1114 with 1009 votes. Fine Gaels Catherine Callaghan and sitting Cllr Brian ODonoghue and Sinn Feins Jim Deane will have to battle it out for the remaining two seats 19.20- Carlow LEA seventh count: Elected: No one Eliminated: Ruairi Doyle (Sinn Fein) 19.00- Shock as sitting Cllr John McDonald eliminated There is shock in the Carlow count centre as sitting Cllr Fianna Fail's John McDonald has been eliminated on the tenth count. This means that John Pender will be the only Fianna Fail Cllr in the Tullow LEA having been elected to the council yesterday. 18.41- Maria Ryan eliminated on Carlow LEA in the sixth count No one was elected this round, while Maria Ryan from Ireland First was eliminated. 18.03- The ninth count in the Tullow LEA: Elected: No one Eliminated: Annette McDonnell (Independent) with 405 votes 17.45- Far-right candidate eliminated in the fifth count of the Carlow LEA The fifth count of the Carlow LEA saw no other candidates elected. However, Orla Donohoe from the Irish Freedom Party was eliminated. 17.35- Is the local bingo more important than election results? There have been short delays in the Carlow Count centre as the microphone used for announcing the results disappeared only to turn up at the local bingo in Graiguecullen, Carlow Don't worry the team in the centre managed to source another microphone just in time for the eighth count in Tullow LEA. During this count, no further candidates were elected or eliminated. 16.49- Sinn Feins Ken Gahan eliminated in seventh count in Tullow LEA No one has been elected in the seventh count in the Tullow LEA. As the lowest candidate, Sinn Feins Ken Gahan has been eliminated. 16.34- No one elected to Carlow LEA in fourth count No one has been elected to the Carlow LEA in the fourth count. As the lowest polled candidate, Independent Adetula Temiola has been eliminated with 124 votes. 16.00- Finally some movement in the Carlow count centre as Will Paton elected in Tullow LEA in the sixth count Finally some action in the Carlow count centre as Independent Will Paton has claimed the third seat in the sixth count in the Tullow LEA, leaving three remaining seats still up for grabs. Will made a shock move from Labour to Independent a few months before the elections, which seems to have worked in his favour. As Independent candidate Patricia Fennelly Nolan was the lowest on the poll with 231, she has been eliminated. It's a thumbs up from Will Paton 15.30- Still no one elected in Tullow after the fifth count As the lowest candidate, People Before Profit's John Cahill has been eliminated on 202 votes. 15.15- Far-right candidate eliminated in Tullow LEA Still not much movement in the Tullow LEA as the fourth count saw no one elected. As the lowest performing candidate, Daeln Murphy from The National Party, has been eliminated with 151 votes. Daeln is also running in the Carlow LEA but is currently sat close to the bottom of the poll with no prospect of being elected unless something really shocking happens with the next transfers. 15.10- No one elected in third count in Carlow LEA Fianna Fail Andrea Dalton's surplus votes were still not enough to get any more of the Carlow LEA candidates elected. Fine Gael Fergal Browne's surplus votes will now be distributed during the fourth count. The candidates that are currently the nearest to the quota of 999 are Fianna Fail's Ken Murnane on 733 votes and former Independent Cllr turned Independent Ireland candidate John Cassin on 649 votes. 14.20- Sinn Fein's woes seem to be multiplying as the party struggles in Carlow Sinn Fein's woes seem to be spreading to other count centres around the country as the party is now struggling in Carlow. Andy Gladney managed to retain his seat for Sinn Fein in the Muinebheag LEA yesterday, however today it is looking likely that the party will struggle to get another candidate elected to join Andy. Sinn Fein's Phil Thompson has been eliminated in the Tullow LEA and Andy's daughter Aine Gladney was eliminated in the Muinebheag LEA, while the rest of the party's candidates are struggling across the Tullow and Carlow LEA's. Jim Deane in Tullow is the closet Sinn Fein candidate to a seat, however, that will only come to fruition if transfers go his way. If not, he is unlikely to be elected. The only elected Sinn Fein Cllr currently in Carlow County Council, Andy Gladney, said that Sinn Fein ran too many candidates in Carlow, which ultimately led to the party's downfall in the county. "It is what it is. Planning within the party hasn't worked out because running three Sinn Fein candidates in the Tullow LEA was a complete and utter disaster. They went outside the party to bring in people who had nothing to do with the party previously and I'm not saying that you shouldn't do that but it didn't work this time. "I feel very sorry for the Sinn Fein candidates that don't get in. Some of them spent an awful lot of money on posters and canvassing to then not get elected. It is tough. He added: "It would be great if Jim Deane could get elected in Tullow, he is an absolute gentleman. Jim was on the council with me previously for a five year term, but he lost out by 34 votes to John McDonald in 2019, so I would be hoping that he gets in because he is a great guy to work with on the council." Fine Gael and Fianna Fail currently have the most candidates elected to Carlow County Council. 13.50- Fine Gael's youngest candidate in the country is holding his own Charlie Murphy's surplus votes were not enough to get any of the Tullow LEA candidates elected in the third count. As the lowest candidate Phil Thompson from Sinn Fein has been eliminated. Independent Will Paton is close to meeting the quota of 1114 with 1066 votes. Fine Gael's youngest candidate, 21-year-old Ben Ward, is also holding his own. 11.52- Will the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael trend continue in the Carlow LEA? Cheers erupted in the Carlow count centre as it was announced that Fine Gael's Fergal Browne retained his seat with 1047 votes after the surplus from count one was re-distributed. No other candidate has met the quota of 999 yet. Fergal joins Fianna Fail's Fintan Phelan and Andrea Dalton who were both elected yesterday in the first count. It will be interesting to see if the trend of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael continues into the later counts in the Carlow LEA. Fergal Browne celebrating with his family 11.50- No one elected or eliminated during Tullow LEAs second count Fianna Fail John Pender's surplus votes wasn't enough to get any candidate elected to the Tullow LEA on the second count. The surplus votes from Independent Charlie Murphy will now be distributed out in count three. However, one question on everyones lips is: Will all three Fine Gael candidates get elected in the Tullow LEA? It possibly could happen with Catherine Callaghan, Ben Ward and sitting Cllr Brian ODonoghue holding their own. 10am- As day two of counting gets under way in Carlow heres a recap of yesterdays events It was a long day for the Carlow County Council candidates yesterday with counting going on into the early hours of the morning. The last of yesterdays results came in just after 1.30am with it then being announced that proceedings would be adjourned until 10am Sunday morning. 10am has now arrived and some weary looking candidates are slowly trickling into the count centre. The highs of yesterdays wins are now a distant memory as tiredness has clearly taken over the count centre. The first of this mornings results should hopefully inject a bit of adrenalin into the room as we prepare for some more highs, some definite lows and of course some political shocks. Of the three LEAs, only Muinebheag has all of the seats filled. Fine Gaels Thomas Kinsella soared past the post and he was the first elected councillor for Carlow County Council. Next came an emotional Willie Quinn. As the only Labour candidate across the whole of Carlow County Council, he felt the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders as he was determined to ensure that Labour would not become extinct in Carlow, following his colleague, Will Patons shock move from Labour to Independent only months before the election. Sinn Feins Andy Gladney retained his seat but did not seem to be happy with the party he represents saying that too many Sinn Fein candidates across the country have become populist. Newcomer and the baby of the Muinebheag candidates, Fianna Fails Daniel Pender, took the fourth seat. A shock elimination of long-time Muinebheag Fianna Fail Cllr Arthur McDonald, showed that the voters were perhaps favouring youth over experience. After over 30 years on Carlow County Council, Arthur McDonald lost out to young first time candidate, 24-year-old Daniel Pender who took the Fianna Fail vote in Muinebheag. Taking the last seat for Fine Gael in Muinebheag was long-time councillor Michael Doran. Now the focus today shifts to the Tullow and the Carlow LEAs with only the first count results announced for both areas last night. Yesterday, in the Tullow LEA, Fianna Fails John Pender and Independent Charlie Murphy were elected on the first count. This is a significant achievement for John Pender as its his eighth consecutive time being elected having served 39 years on Carlow County Council. In the Carlow LEA, it was Fianna Fail galore in the first count, as both Fintan Phelan and Andrea Dalton retained their seats. With nine of the 18 seats filled, Fianna Fail seems to be taking a slight lead in Carlow County Council with four councillors elected. Next is Fine Gael with three and Labour, Sinn Fein and Independent all have one each. Fintan Phelan celebrating with family Despite a large amount of new Independent candidates, the Carlow voters seem to be sticking with the old reliable vote of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail as they have done for the last number of years. The far-right parties dont seem to have taken a hold here with their candidates finding themselves on the lower end of the poll in most of the LEAs. 1.40am- Fianna Fail colleagues Fintan Phelan and Andrea Dalton elected in first count for Carlow LEA The first count in the Carlow LEA has seen sitting Fianna Fail colleagues Fintan Phelan and Andrea Dalton elected. Fintan topped the polls with 1,678 votes followed by Andrea Dalton with 1149. None of the other candidates reached the quota of 999. After the first count in the Carlow LEA: Aylesbury, Molly (GP): 240 votes Browne, Fergal (FG)*: 893 votes Callinan, Mark (SF): 348 votes Cassin, John (Independent Ireland)*: 590 votes Chiorean, Nicoleta (SF): 238 votes Dalton, Andrea (FF)*: 1149 votes Donohue, Orla (I.F.P): 132 votes Doogue, Paul (FG): 425 votes Doyle, Ruairi (SF): 156 votes Murnane, Ken (FF)*: 562 votes Murphy, Daeln (The National Party): 157 votes ONeill, Tom(FG)*: 398 votes ORock, Jolly (Ind): 176 votes Phelan, Fintan (FF)*:1,678 votes Ryan, Maria (Ireland First): 141 votes Temiola, Adetula (Ind): 113 votes Wallace, Adrienne (PBP)*:418 votes Woods, Rory (The Irish People): 171 votes Andrea Dalton celebrating 00.14- Counting finished in the Muinebheag LEA with Andy Gladney, Daniel Pender and Michael Doran elected All five seats in the Muinebheag LEA have been filled tonight. The fourth and final count saw Sinn Feins Andy Gladney, Fianna Fails Daniel Pender and Fine Gaels Michael Doran elected and Fianna Fails Arthur McDonald eliminated. It was shock to hear longstanding councillor Arthur McDonald eliminated after over 30 years on Carlow County Council. Fianna Fails voters seem to have chosen the younger of the two Fianna Fail candidates as in the final count 24-year-old newcomer Daniel Pender was elected over Arthur McDonald. 23.20- Aine Gladney and Liam OBrien eliminated in Muinebheag LEA Sinn Feins Aine Gladney and The Green Partys Liam OBrien have been eliminated in the third count in the Muinebheag LEA. 23.00- John Pender and Charlie Murphy first elected in Tullow LEA Fianna Fails John Pender has been elected alongside Independent candidate Charlie Murphy. John Pender topped the polls with 1335 votes followed by Charlie Murphy with 1286. This is a significant achievement for John Pender as its his eighth consecutive time being elected having served 39 years on Carlow County Council. No other candidates in the Tullow LEA have met the quota of 1114. Independent Will Paton is going strong with 1,017 votes, followed next by Fine Gaels youngest candidate 21-year-old Ben Ward who has 704 votes. Next is Fine Gaels Brian ODonoghue with 631, Catherine Callaghan on 614 and Sinn Feins Jim Deane on 419. Fianna Fails John McDonald has 362, Independent Billy Nolan has 323, Independent Annette McDonnell has 254, Sinn Feins Ken Gahan on 218 and Patricia Fennelly Nolan on 185. On the bottom sits People Before Profits John Cahill on 178, Daeln Murphy from The National Party on 146 and Sinn Feins Phil Thompson on 125. John Pender celebrating Charlie Murphy and his family 22.20- Delays in Carlow A few discrepancies with votes in the Carlow Count centre have slowed down proceedings tonight. According to Carlow's returning officer, Eamon Brophy, they are aiming to have the results for the first count for the Carlow LEA tonight. He estimates that will happen around midnight and the rest of the Carlow count will then be adjourned until 10am tomorrow. Eamon also aims to have the results of the first Tullow LEA count tonight with the rest of the Tullow count also adjourned until 10am tomorrow. The counts for the Muinebheag LEA will continue in the mean time and there are hopes we will have the full results of who has been elected to Muinebheag before we head home for the night. 21-50: Co Carlows only Labour candidate re-elected to Muinebheag LEA in the second count It was an emotional day for Willie Quinn as he was re-elected to the Muinebheag LEA in the second count confirming that just one Labour Cllr will have a seat in the Carlow County Council chamber. Willie Quinn was the only Labour candidate to run in these elections with long-time Labour colleague Will Paton making a shock move from Labour to Independent a few months before the elections. Willie Quinn got in on the second count with 205 of Tommy Kinsellas surplus votes, bringing him to a total of 1,295. The other candidates still have not reached the quota of 1,183. Voters in the Muinebheag LEA dont seem to be voting on party as Willie Quinn got the highest amount of Fine Gaels Thomas Kinsellas surplus votes, despite the fact he is with Labour. Remember, Fine Gaels Michael Doran is still hoping to be elected, however he received a lower 140 surplus votes compared to Willie Quinns 205. If voters were making their decision based on party, it would have been expected that Michael Doran would have got more of the surplus votes, not Willie Quinn. Labour's Willie Quinn 19.40- Thomas Kinsella re-elected on first count for Muinebheag LEA The first of the results have been announced at the Carlow count centre for the Muinebheag LEA. Fine Gaels Thomas Kinsella has been re-elected in the first count with 1,732 votes. A quota of 1,183 has been set for the Muinebheag LEA. No other candidates have met this quota in the first round. Currently Labours Willie Quinn has 1,090 votes, Sinn Feins Andy Gladney has 1,018 and Fianna Fails Daniel Pender has 986 votes. Next is Fine Gaels Michael Doran on 943 votes, Fianna Fails Arthur McDonald on 819, The Green Partys Liam OBrien on 295 and Sinn Feins Aine Gladney on 210 votes. Cllr Kinsellas surplus votes will now be distributed. Thomas Kinsella and family celebrating the win 17.50- Sitting Labour Cllr Willie Quinn has his number 1 supporter cheering him on Sitting Cllr and only Labour candidate Willie Quinn has brought his number one supporter with him to the count centre. Lily Quinn is cheering on her grandfather hoping he can keep his seat in the Muinebheag LEA. Willie Quinn and his granddaughter Lily Quinn 17.25 Doesnt look like well get our first results by 5.30pm as first estimated by counters Early estimations indicated that the first results would start coming in for the Muinebheag LEA between 4.30pm and 5.30pm, however it has not worked out that way. Spoilt votes are currently being checked for the Muinebheag LEA so hopefully well get our first results soon. 16.50 Father and daughter duo nervously awaiting results of Muinebheag first count History has been made in the Carlow count centre today as a father is joined by his daughter on the ballot paper for the same electoral area and the same party. Sitting Sinn Fein Cllr Andy Gladney and his daughter Aine Gladney, also a Sinn Fein candidate, are both nervously awaiting the results of the Muinebheag LEA count. Although the odds do not seem to be in Aines favour this time round, her father says he is so proud to have canvased alongside his daughter. "Im very proud of Aine and all that she has achieved and it has been a great experience running alongside her for the same party and same LEA, smiled Andy. Father and daughter duo Aine and Andy Gladney at the Carlow count centre Read more History made in Carlow as dad and daughter run in the same electoral area for the same party 15.40- Two Fine Gael newcomers holding their own according to Tullow LEA tallies Two newcomers are holding their own in the Tullow LEA with Fine Gael candidates Catherine Callaghan and Ben Ward performing well according to the tallies According to tallies, Ben has 678 while Catherine has 614. On the other end of the spectrum, newcomer Daeln Murphy of The National Party will struggle as he sits on 154 according to tallies. Newcomer and People Before Profit candidate, John Cahill, has also found himself down the bottom of the tallies with 166. 14.55- Two and a half hours ahead of schedule at the Carlow count centre Things are an impressive two and half hours ahead of schedule in the Carlow count centre with the first results estimated to be announced between 4.30pm and 5.30pm. The count for the Muinebheag LEA started about 30 minutes ago. The counters are attributing the record times to the fact each LEA box is being opened separately in order of Muinebheag, Tullow and Carlow. 14:20- Counting started in Muinebheag LEA The local votes have been moved from the separation centre in St. Laurence OTooles in Askea, Carlow to the count centre in the Youth Centre in Green Lane Carlow. The Muinebheag boxes are currently open and are being counted with it expected that the Tullow votes will be counted next and Carlow last. According to the tallies for the Carlow Town LEA, its looking promising for Fianna Fails sitting Cllr Fintan Phelan who looks to be ahead with just over 21%. Next is Fianna Fails sitting Cllr Andrea Dalton with 14.48%. In Tullow, the tallymen have reported that Fianna Fails sitting Cllr John Pender seems to be taking the lead on 16.78% followed by Independent sitting Cllr Charlie Murphy on 16.44%. Finally, in Muinebheag, Fine Gaels sitting Cllr Thomas Kinsella is flying ahead with over 24% and Labours sitting Cllr Willie Quinn also seems to be performing well. 9.00- Ballot boxes have opened as counting gets under way Members of the Carlow public have had their say on who they want to represent them in Carlow County Council for the next five years. Voting finished last night and now the first of the ballot boxes have been opened here in St. Laurence OTooles in Askea, Carlow with the separation of the European and local votes under way. Follow Independent Carlow on Facebook The boxes for the local elections in Carlow will then be brought to the Youth Centre on Green Lane where the count will take place. The candidates have done all they can and now all that is left for them to do is nervously wait to see the outcome of your votes. Will the council remain largely the same or will we see some new faces take their seats in the Carlow council chamber? We will have all the live updates from the Carlow local election count here on this page so make sure to keep checking in with us. Here is a quick recap of all the candidates across the three municipal districts of Carlow, Tullow and Muinebheag who have been vying for a seat on Carlow County Council: Carlow (7 seats up for grabs) Aylesbury, Molly (GP) Browne, Fergal (FG)* Callinan, Mark (SF) Cassin, John (Independent Ireland)* Chiorean, Nicoleta (SF) Dalton, Andrea (FF)* Donohue, Orla (I.F.P) Doogue, Paul (FG) Doyle, Ruairi (SF) Murnane, Ken (FF)* Murphy, Daeln (The National Party. Also running in the Tullow) ONeill, Tom(FG)* ORock, Jolly (Ind) Phelan, Fintan (FF)* Ryan, Maria (Ireland First) Temiola, Adetula (Ind) Wallace, Adrienne (PBP)* Woods, Rory (The Irish People) Muinebheag (5 seats up for grabs) Doran, Michael (FG)* Gladney, Aine (SF) Gladney, Andy (SF)* Kinsella, Thomas (FG)* McDonald, McDonald (FF)* OBrien, Liam (GP) Pender, Daniel (FF) Quinn, Willie (Lab)* Tullow (6 seats up for grabs) Cahill, John (PBP) Callaghan, Catherine (FG) Deane, Jim (SF) Fennelly Nolan, Patricia (Ind) Gahan, Ken (SF) McDonald, John (FF)* McDonnell, Annette (Ind) Murphy, Charlie (Ind)* Murphy, Daeln (The National Party. Also running in Carlow) Nolan, Billy (Ind) ODonoghue, Brian (FG)* Paton, Will (Ind)* Pender, John (FF)* Thompson, Phil (SF) Ward, Ben (FG) *Sitting councillors What did the outgoing council look like: Carlow County Council is divided into three local electoral areas, Carlow Town Municipal District (MD), the Tullow MD and the Muinebheag MD. The council consists of 18 seats with seven seats in the Carlow Town MD, six seats in the Tullow MD and five seats in the Muinebheag MD. As there are 18 seats up for grabs, a party must have 10 councillors elected to Carlow County Council to have a majority. In the outgoing council, as chosen in the last local election in 2019, no party held a majority in the council. In some respects, Carlow County Council mirrored what national Government looks like minus the presence of the Green Party. With six seats each, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail attained the most seats in the 2019 election. The outgoing mayor of Carlow is Fine Gael Cllr Tom ONeill while the outgoing Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council is Fianna Fails Cllr Andrea Dalton. However, unlike the Government coalition that includes the Green Party, Carlow County Council had no Green Party Councillors elected back in 2019. As Fianna Fail and Fine Gael won the most seats in 2019 in Carlow County Council, the remaining councillors from other political parties were outnumbered. The remaining six seats are were held by three Independent, one Labour, one People Before Profit and one Sinn Fein councillor. The outgoing Carlow County Council also had a number of councillors who have been serving 20-plus years as elected members of Carlow County Council. These include Fine Gaels Thomas Kinsella and Michael Doran, Fianna Fails John Pender and Arthur McDonald and former Labour but now Independent Will Paton. Fine Gael's John Murphy is the only outgoing councillor that did not stand for re-election in Carlow County Council. Moving forward to the count today and the majority that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail did enjoy in the outgoing council in Carlow could potentially come under threat. The council faces the prospect of a big switch up with a large number of Independent candidates running along with a high number of non-government parties running candidates. As with most of the country, lack of housing and tackling vacancy and dereliction was a topic that featured heavily on doorsteps in Carlow. Similarly, immigration, another hot topic both in Carlow and nationwide, has recently become an issue that has divided people in Carlow with a number of anti-immigration protests taking place in the last year. As a large amount of Carlows population live in rural areas, rural issues will always be raised. For instance, potholes and the condition of roads in rural Carlow, the lack of transport links in rural areas and also farming issues. Another big topic in Carlow is the lack of a womens refuge. Carlow is still one of nine counties without a womens refuge. A campaign for a womens refuge in Carlow started in 2016, yet it still has not been delivered. The Carlow Womens Refuge campaigners have now received a commitment from Government that a refuge will be established in 2025. However, following previous broken promises, the activists say they will keep campaigning until they finally see the doors to a Carlow womens refuge open. It will be interesting to see how these heavily featured issues on doorsteps in Carlow impacted how the votes were cast yesterday. Cavan-Monaghan TD for Sinn Fein Pauline Tully at the count centre in Cavan Swimming Pool and Leisure Complex. Aine Smith who took her fathers spot as a Fianna Fail councillor for one year and three months following his death, came out on top for Cavan-Belturbet in the tallies. Its over and out for the Cavan count. 18 candidates have been chosen to take a seat in the 2024 - 2030 council. There are six seats each in Bailieborough-Cootehill, Ballyjamesduff and Cavan-Belturbet. In 2019, 8 Fianna Fail members were elected and 7 Fine Gael with Sinn Fein, Aontu and an Independent getting one seat each. This time round, Fianna Fail have lost 1 seats, Fine Gael has lost 2, and Sinn Fein gained 2 extra seats. Aontu and Independent remained the same with one and Independent Ireland getting its first seat. Carmel Brady (FG), Sarah OReilly (Aontu), Stiofan Conaty (SF), Aiden Fitzpatrick (FF), Clifford Kelly (FF) and Val Smith (FG) will represent the people of Bailieborough-Cootehill. In Ballyjamesduff, Shane P. OReilly (Independent Ireland), Trevor Smith (FG), Winston Bennett (FG), Philip Gunner Brady (FF), Noel Connell (SF), and TP OReilly (FG), have won. Meanwhile, Brendan Fay (Ind), Aine Smith (FF), Damien Brady, Niamh Brady (FG), John Paul Feeley (FF), and Patricia Walsh (FF) have been elected in Cavan-Belturbet. Heres a rundown of the counts: Bailieborough- Cootehill Sarah OReilly (Aontu) - Count 1 Carmel Brady (FG) - Count 3 Stiofan Conaty (SF) - Count 7 Niall Smith (FF) - Count 8 Clifford Kelly (FF) - Count 8 Val Smith (FG) - Count 8 Ballyjamesduff Shane P. OReilly (Independent Ireland) - Count 1 Trevor Smith (FG) - Count 4 Winston Bennett (FG) - Count 7 Philip Gunner Brady (FF) - Count 7 Noel Connell (SF) - Count 8 TP OReilly (FG) - Count 8 Cavan-Belturbet Brendan Fay (Ind) - Count 1 Aine Smith (FF) - Count 1 Damien Brady (SF) - Count 5 Niamh Brady (FG) - Count 6 John Paul Feeley (FF) - Count 6 Patricia Walsh (FF) - Count 6 Heres how many councillors there are from each party now: Fine Gael - 4 Fianna Fail - 6 Sinn Fein - 3 Aontu - 1 Independent Ireland - 1 Ind - 1 Mr Connell for Sinn Fein lost his seat for Ballyjamesduff back in 2019, but five years later, he's back. I was elected in 2014, I was top of the poll. In 2019, it was a bad day, we lost a lot of counts but thank God for today, Mr Connell said. Theres three of us in there now. We need to go out there to do the work. We have to do it in conjunction with each other in the council. If we put something forward, we can back each other up. We need more than one Sinn Fein person in there." Fine Gaels Carmel Brady was the first person to be elected today. She will continue to represent Bailieborough-Cootehill for another five years. "Im so delighted and thrilled that its all over. It was a long wait, I didnt sleep much last night, she said. "The weight is off my shoulders and Im across the line. You never know what can happen with the transfers. Ive to thank every single person who went out to vote for me, I wont let them down. Ill work as hard as I can for them, as I have for the past 10 years. Cootehill really backed me this time and it meant an awful lot for me. Minister Heather Humphreys highlighted that councillors like Carmel are very important to her. They're my eyes and ears on the ground here. They are engaging with communities and talking to people, she said. What I'm very keen on is that we get the bottom-up approach with people." Here's this evenings update: Bailieborough-Cootehill Elected so far: Carmel Brady (FG) County Leas Cathaoirleach, Sarah OReilly (Aontu), Stiofan Conaty (SF) Ballyjamesduff election completed Shane P. OReilly (Independent Ireland), Trevor Smith (FG), Winston Bennett (FG), Philip Gunner Brady (FF), Noel Connell (SF), TP OReilly (FG). Cavan-Belturbet election completed Brendan Fay (Ind), Aine Smith (FF), Damien Brady, Niamh Brady (FG), John Paul Feeley (FF), Patricia Walsh (FF) Sinn Fein's Damien Brady celebrating his victory. Aine Smith, who took her fathers spot as a Fianna Fail councillor for one year and three months following his death, was deemed elected for Cavan-Belturbet last night. I've only been a councillor for a year and three months, so I knew at that time that I had to put my foot down and show what and why people should vote for me, Cllr Aine Smith told the Irish Independent. I'm very lucky to be coming from a good name of my father, Sean Smith, who was a councillor for 44 years. The work he did definitely did not go unnoticed. He was well respected and thankfully, I think that helped me also in gaining my own seat this time around. In that time, I had that opportunity to meet with Norma Foley and we had two schools that were trying to be amalgamated. That was a big, strong fight that we would have had on our hands that I was very vocal about and my father before me, the late councillor Sean Smith, would have actually worked very, very hard on, along with my Uncle Brendan Smith. I am a mother, I am working outside the home as well, so there's things that I might see that I can bring up as well in the Chamber. Fianna Fail TD Niamh Smyth praised Aine ahead of the count. Congratulations to Aine Smith and her family. It must be an emotional day because for the last four decades it was her dad collecting votes. For her today, to have such an enormous result is a credit and testament to herself, to her father Sean and of course her uncle Brendan Smith, my companion in the Dail. The ballot boxes being opened up and sorting beginning at Treacy's West County Hotel in Ennis on Saturday morning. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. The official first count is getting underway at Treacy's West County Hotel in Ennis. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. Pat Daly (FF) was elected on the first count in Ennis. Bill Slattery of Fine Gael is elected on the first count in the Ennistymon Electoral Area. It marks a return to politics for the FG man after he narrowly lost out on a seat in 2019. Killaloe's Joe Cooney (FG) elected on the first count in the Killaloe Electoral Area with 2,815 votes. Fine Gael's Mary Howard shows her delight after retaining her seat on the second count for the Ennis LEA. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. Shane Talty (FF) was elected on the fifth count in the Ennistymon LEA to retain his seat. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. Good morning from Clare on Sunday, June 9 as day two of counting begins here in Treacy's West County Hotel in Ennis. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. Dinny Gould (IND) is the first person elected in the Kilrush LEA. He received 1,863 votes to put him above the quota of 1,817. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. Crowds in the Ennis count centre anxiously watching the Munster Senior Hurling Final on Sunday. Limerick proved too good for the Banner County on this occasion though. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. Sinn Fein's Donna McGettigan has been elected in the Shannon LEA. Rachel Hartigan of Fianna Fail, at just 21 years old, has just been elected to Clare County Council in the Shannon LEA on what was the 10th count after exceeding the quota. The state of the parties in the incoming Clare County Council now the election count is complete. 9.23pm (Sunday): Here we go. The count is complete and here is (potentially) my last update of what has been a marathon weekend. Heres how Clare County Council looks like at the end of the 2024 Local Elections: Ennis (7 seats): Pat Daly (FF) Mary Howard (FG) Paul Murphy (FG) Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF) Claire Colleran Molloy (FF) Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) Tom O'Callaghan (FF) Ennis: 4 FF, 2 FG and 1SF Ennistymon (4 seats): Bill Slattery (FG) Joe Garrihy (FG) Shane Talty (FF) Joe Killeen (FF) Ennistymon: 2 FF, 2 FG Killaloe (5 seats): Joe Cooney (FG) Pat Hayes (FF) Alan O'Callaghan (FF) Tony O'Brien (FF) Pat Burke (FG) Killaloe: 3 FF, 2 FG Shannon (7 seats): David Griffin (FF) Donna McGettigan (SF) John Crowe (FG) Rachel Hartigan (FF) Michael Begley (IND) Pat O'Gorman (FF) Mulcahy (FG) Shannon: 3 FF, 2 FG, 1 SF and 1 IND. Kilrush (5 seats): Dinny Gould (IND) Ian Lynch (IND) Rita McInerney (FF) Gabriel Keating (FG) Michael Shannon (FF) Kilrush: 2 FF, 2 IND, 1 FG 9.15pm (Sunday): The count is complete in Clare and we have filled 28 of the 28 seats up for grabs. The last two seats in Kilrush - and indeed Clare County Council - have been filled and with that, Local Elections 2024 in Clare are done and dusted. Gabriel Keating (FG) and Michael Shannon (FF) have taken the last two seats and with it, all five seats in Kilrush are filled. Here's how Kilrush looks at the final standings: Dinny Gould (IND) Ian Lynch (IND) Rita McInerney (FF) Gabriel Keating (FG) Michael Shannon (FF) Kilrush: 2 FF, 2 IND, 1 FG 28/28 seats filled. The next update will give a final standings of how everything looks in the county. 8.45pm (Sunday): ELECTED. We have just had five (!) people elected in quick succession with three of these coming in the Shannon LEA while two more were also elected in Kilrush. In Kilrush, the ninth count saw Ian Lynch (FG) and Rita McInerney (FF) both elected with both retaining their seats for another five year term. In Shannon meanwhile, the final three seats were filled in one fell swoop on the 11th count and in the process, we have filled all of the 7 seats of the Shannon LEA. So without further ado, here is the how the final Shannon LEA makeup will look like for the next term: David Griffin (FF) Donna McGettigan (SF) John Crowe (FG) Rachel Hartigan (FF) Michael Begley (IND) Pat O'Gorman (FF) Mulcahy (FG) Shannon now stands at: 3 FF, 2 FG, 1 SF and 1 IND. Rachel Hartigan of Fianna Fail, at just 21 years old, has just been elected to Clare County Council in the Shannon LEA on what was the 10th count after exceeding the quota. 7.52pm (Sunday): To quote the great Anakin Skywalker from Revenge of the Sith...this is where the fun begins. You wait for an election and then two come along all at once. Rachel Hartigan of Fianna Fail, at just 22 years old, has just been elected to Clare County Council in the Shannon LEA on what was the 10th count after exceeding the quota. She is surely one of the youngest candidates in the country. Also elected in the 10th count was Fine Gael man John Crowe who retained his seat for another term. There are now 4 seats filled in the Shannon LEA with three seats up for grabs. 6.30pm (Sunday): ELECTED! Counting had finished for the eighth count in Shannon prior to the pause for the match so we have had an immediate election. Sinn Fein's Donna McGettigan (SF) has become the second person elected in the Shannon LEA. She was elected on the eighth count with 1,587. The quota was 1,456. The incumbent has retained her seat. Her win now doubles SF's numbers in the council. She joins Tommy Guilfoyle who was elected to the Ennis LEA last night. Sinn Fein had only one council seat last term. They now have two. Sinn Fein's Donna McGettigan has been elected in the Shannon LEA. 6.20pm (Sunday): The match has ended and while it certainly wasnt the result entire count centre (bar one lone and very happy Garda who was cheering on every Limerick point) were hoping for, they are settling back into counting mode now. We have the not so minor matter of a recount requested by FF Cllr Cillian Murphy of the Kilrush LEA and while its realistically not going to improve his chances of getting elected hes quite a bit behind his competitors stranger things have happened. Stay tuned as we go again! 4pm (Sunday): Well, well, well. We have a re-count situation on our hands. Incumbent FF Cllr Cillian Murphy who had been eliminated on the most recent eighth count in the Kilrush LEA has called for and has been granted a full re-count. This will now take place at 6pm. In addition to this, all counting has now been paused here in Ennis to allow everyone to watch the Munster Senior Hurling Final...which has itself been delayed by half an hour. Not good news for people who had been hopeful of getting out early tonight. Crowds in the Ennis count centre anxiously watching the Munster Senior Hurling Final on Sunday. Limerick proved too good for the Banner County on this occasion though. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. 3.20pm (Sunday): ELECTED! Finally on the 7th count, we have our first elected official in the Kilrush (5 seater) LEA and it's Dinny Gould (IND) who received 1,863 votes to put him above the quota of 1,817. He is the first Independent elected in Clare. Will there be more to follow? We are up and running in Kilrush! 4 more seats to be filled. Dinny Gould (IND) is the first person elected in the Kilrush LEA. He received 1,863 votes to put him above the quota of 1,817. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. 2.45pm (Sunday): Its been very much a game of waiting around a lot of today with multiple counts going by now with no-one being elected. Were heading into our seventh(!) count in Kilrush without a candidate elected and onto our sixth in Shannon with only one person elected. As for who is predicted to get over the line soon, Dinny Gould (IND) should be elected fairly soon in Kilrush while in Shannon, Rachel Hartigan (FF) and John Crowe (FG) should get the nod sooner rather than later. 1.15pm (Sunday): Fianna Fail will certainly be a very happy party following these local elections with the party so far having secured (at the time of writing at 1.15pm on Sunday) 10 of the 28 seats on offer on Clare County Council. Fine Gael meanwhile, as it stands have 6 people elected (they had 8 last term) and so will be hoping to at least equal that going forward over the next few hours. Sinn Fein meanwhile had one seat on the council coming into the elections and judging by the looks of it, she has a reasonable chance of securing a seat again on the Shannon LEA. For the Greens though, its not been a good weekend as they look set to have no representatives on the council for the next term (now, mind you, they only had one sitting councillor going into these elections but still). At the moment there are no Independents elected but that will change as Shannon (where there were 3 sitting Independent councillors coming into the election) seats are filled. 12.30pm (Sunday): David Griffin of Fianna Fail is the first man elected today as he gets over the line on the first count in the Shannon LEA. He secured 1,534 votes which was above the Shannon quota of 1,456. There are six more seats up for grabs. The following are the full Shannon first count results: Clare County Council: Shannon First Count Results: ELECTED! David Griffin (FF) is elected on the First Count in the Shannon LEA with 1,534 votes. He is the first person elected in the Shannon LEA. There are six more seats up for grabs. Conor O'Brien eliminated. Shannon (7 seats) results: - Pat Barry (IND): 151 - Michael Begley (IND)*: 831 - Fursa Cavanagh (GP): 201 - John Crowe (FG)*: 1,256 - Val Gillane (FG): 818 - David Griffin (FF): 1,534 - Rachel Hartigan (FF): 1,203 - John Haugh (Aontu): 275 - Donna McGettigan (SF)*: 1,141 - Keith McNamara (IND): 548 - Tony Mulcahy (FG): 1,027 - Conor O'Brien (IND): 32 - Pat O'Gorman (FF)*: 1,183 - James Ryan (SF): 455 - P.J Ryan (IND)*: 986 Quota: 1,456 Total poll: 11,779 Spoiled/Invalid Votes: 138 Total valid poll: 11,641 No. of seats: 7 *sitting candidates 11.57am (Sunday): Weve had our first count result of the day and its from Kilrush but sadly for those hoping for maybe a speedier process today, there was no-one elected on the first count. As the candidate with the lowest number of votes, John Hill of the Irish Freedom Party has now been eliminated and his votes will now be distributed. The following are the full results from the Kilrush first count: Clare County Council: Kilrush First Count Results: NO-ONE ELECTED ON FIRST COUNT. John Hill (Irish Freedom Party) has now been eliminated. Kilrush (5 seats) results: - Dawn Bennett (SF): 490 - Therese Doohan (FG): 796 - Dinny Gould (IND): 1,310 - Susan Griffin (GP): 323 - Kevin Hassett (Independent Ireland): 448 - John Hill (Irish Freedom Party): - Gabriel Keating (FG)*: - Ian Lynch (IND)*: 1,318 - Rita McInerney (FF)*: 1,340 - Cillian Murphy (FF)*: 1,011 - Michael Shannon (FF): 1,051 - Alan Troy (FF): 982 - Joe Woulfe (FF): 497 Quota: 1817 Total poll: 10,992 Spoiled/Invalid Votes: 91 Total valid poll: 10,901 No. of seats: 5 *sitting candidates 10.20am (Sunday): With a lull in proceedings right now as counting takes place in the two remaining LEA's of Kilrush and Shannon, now seems as good a time as any to see where things stand in Clare for each of the government parties. in the county: In Ennis (7 seats) Fianna Fail are the big winners, increasing their number of seats by one to 4 while SF can also be happy having gained a seat in the area through Tommy Guilfoyle. It's as you were for Fine Gael who keep the same 2 seats. Ennis: 4 FF, 2 FG and 1SF On over to KIllaloe (5 seats), it's as you were essentially with all incumbents retaining their seats which means that Fianna Fail will again have 3 councillors for the new term while Fine Gael will have 2. Killaloe: 3 FF and 2 FG Finally, we head to Ennistymon (4 seats) and it's here where Fine Gael can be seen as the winners. They increased their seats from 1 to 2 while the Greens lost their seat after Liam Grant failed to retain his seat. It's as you were for Fianna Fail with both their candidates retaining their seats. Ennistymon: 2 FF, 2 FG That's 16 seats filled with 12 to go. 9.38am (Sunday): Good morning from Clare after a wonderful sleep after an almost 2am finish last night, we're back again counting on day 2 with all seats in Kilrush (5 seats) and Shannon (7 seats) there to be won. There's still the small matter too of the Munster Senior Hurling Final at 4pm...will we be finished counting before that or will counting be paused? Stay tuned! Good morning from Clare on Sunday, June 9 as day two of counting begins here in Treacy's West County Hotel in Ennis. Photo by Fergus Dennehy. 1.30am (Sunday): That's all for tonight from Clare folks as the last seats for Ennis (a 7 seater) are filled on the eighth count by Antoinette Baker (FF), Paul Murphy (FG) and Claire Colleran Molloy (FF), Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) and Tom O'Callaghan (FF) Here's how the Ennis LEA will look in the new term: - Pat Daly (FF) - Mary Howard (FG) - Paul Murphy (FG) - Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF) - Claire Colleran Molloy (FF) - Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) - Tom O'Callaghan (FF) Now, it's time for some much needed sleep before Kilrush and Shannon counting begins tomorrow morning at 9am! 1am (Sunday): Things are moving quickly now as the final seat in Ennistymon was filled by Joe Killen of Fianna Fail on the sixth count. Mr Killeen has retained his seat for another term. The make-up of Ennistymon LEA for the next term is now as follows: - Bill Slattery (FG) - Joe Garrihy (FG) - Shane Talty (FF) - Joe Killeen (FF) Meanwhile, the final two seats in Killaloe were filled by Tony O'Brien of Fianna Fail and Pat Burke of Fine Gael. Here is the how the Killaloe LEA will look for the new term ahead: - Joe Cooney (FG) - Pat Hayes (FF) - Alan O'Callaghan (FF) - Tony O'Brien (FF) - Pat Burke (FG) All five incumbents in this LEA retained their seats. 12.25am (Sunday): After a rapid-fire series of elections, things dragged significantly here for a while with count after count going by with no-one being elected. Thankfully that is no longer the case as Shane Talty of Fianna Fail has secured the third seat in Ennistymon at the fifth count. There is now just one seat in that LEA in play. 11.08pm: Alan OCallaghan (FF) has retained his seat on Clare County Council after he was elected on the third count in Killaloe. In both Ennis and Ennistymon meanwhile, there was no-one elected on the third count. Michael Loughrey (The Irish People) and Denis Vaughan (Labour) were eliminated after Count 3 in the Ennistymon Local Electoral Area. Amanda Major (IND) was eliminated from the Ennis Electoral Area on Count 3 on 410 votes. In Killaloe meanwhile, Audrey Flynn (GP) has been eliminated from the Killaloe Electoral Area following Count 3 on 370 votes. 10.18pm: It was delight for Fine Gaels Mary Howard just now as she was elected on the second count in the Ennis LEA. She retains her seat and joins Pat Daly of FF on the council. There are 5 seats still up for grabs in Ennis. 9.50pm: Another two elections in quick succession as Joe Garrihy of Fine Gael is elected in Ennistymon on the second count while Pat Hayes was elected to the Killaloe LEA on the second count as well. Phew! Bill Slattery of Fine Gael is elected on the first count in the Ennistymon Electoral Area. It marks a return to politics for the FG man after he narrowly lost out on a seat in 2019. 9.18pm: Well, you wait all day to see someone elected and then you get three pretty much all at once here in Clare. What a rush! That's 3 of Clare's 28 Council seats filled now with Pat Daly (FF) in Ennis, Joe Cooney (FG) in Killaloe and Bill Slattery (FG) in Ennistymon all elected on the first counts. Bill was the first man elected garnering 2,244 first preference votes, well above the quota of 1,816. Joe Cooney quicky followed minutes later, getting 2,819 first preference votes in area where the quota was 1,735. Killaloe's Joe Cooney (FG) elected on the first count in the Killaloe Electoral Area with 2,815 votes. Finally, Pat Daly got 1,832 first preferences in an area where the quota was 1,473. Who will be next? Stay tuned! 5.08pm: Announcement that count is set to get underway shortly with Ennis, Ennistymon and Killaloe boxes to be counted simultaneously. 5.06pm: All boxes (33 of 33) in Killaloe have been opened and here is the state of play with five seats up for grabs: Joe Cooney (FG) - 2,623 Pat Hayes (FF) - 1,552 Alan O'Callaghan (FF) - 1,446 Tony O'Brien (FF) - 1,263 Pat Burke (FG) - 981 Matthew Moroney (Independent Ireland) - 846 Fiona Levia (SD) - 595 Dr Martina Cleary (SF) - 383 Audrey Flynn (GP) - 335 The estimated quota for Killaloe is 1,671 The total electorate was 17,593, a turnout of 56.98%. Pat Daly (FF) was elected on the first count in Ennis. 4.10pm: 26 of the 30 boxes from the Ennistymon LEA (4 seats available) have been opened and its Bill Slattery from Fine Gael, a farmer, who is out in front with 1,675 first preferences. Mr Slattery missed out on the final seal at the 2019 Local Election. Incumbent Joe Killeen of Fianna Fail is in second with 1,503 votes while his fellow incumbents Shane Talty of Fianna Fail (1,354 votes) and Joe Garrihy of Fine Gael (1,324) are in third and fourth respectively. If this translates to official results later, Fine Gael would gain a seat in the council to go with the one it already held through Joe Garrihy. 3.54pm: 42 of the 44 boxes in the Kilrush LEA have been opened - where there are five seats available - and it is Fianna Fail's incumbent Rita McInerney that will be the happiest of the area's candidates as she sits on 1,385 first preference votes. Dinny Gould, an Independent, meanwhile is in second place with 1,200 first preferences and if this was to stay the same, he could well be on his way to win himself a seat. Ian Lynch meanwhile, another incumbent, is in third place on 1,174 votes with Fianna Fail's Michael Shannon in fourth with 1,025 votes. Cillian Murphy, an incumbent, rounds out the top five with 967 first preferences. 3.35pm: There are 30 of the 33 Killaloe (5 seats available) boxes opened and so, heres how the candidates are faring as the tallies begin to draw to a close: Joe Cooney of Fine Gael has 2,331 first preference votes which puts him well ahead of Fianna Fails Pat Hayes who sits in second place on 1,571 first preferences. Alan OCallaghan of Fianna Fail finishes out the top three with 1,240. In fourth place is another Fianna Fail candidate in Tony OBrien who has 1,178 votes while in fifth place is Pat Burke of Fine Gael. If these standings stay the same for the official count, it would mean that Fianna Fail would retain three members on the council while Fine Gael would keep two. All five are current sitting councillors so the status quo would not change. Audrey Flynn of the Green Party has just 326 first preferences. 2.45pm: In Kilrush, as of 2.30pm on Saturday, there was 25 of 44 boxes opened and in a similar story to the rest of the county, its a Fianna Fail candidate leading the charge with sitting Councillor Rita McInerney having 1,008 first preference votes. She is followed closely followed by another incumbent in Cillian Murphy from Fianna Fail as well as the tallies show that he has 777 first preference votes. With all of Ennis' boxes opened (bar the postal vote), here's how things are looking (based on the tally) for candidates who are looking to grab one of the 7 seats available: Fianna Fails Daly is out in front and looks set to retain his seat with 1,748 first preference votes and he is closely followed by Fine Gaels Mary Howard who has 1,332 votes and who is also looking a safe bet to retain her seat. Paul Murphy, meanwhile, is has 1,309 first preference votes to his name and will be hopeful of keeping his seat on the council too while Clare Colleran Molloy is another she has 1,159 who can be confident of retaining her seat as well. See a full tally from Ennis below: Pat Daly (FF) - 1748 Mary Howard (FG) - 1332 Paul Murphy (FG) - 1309 Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) - 1159 Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) - 1154 Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF) - 1143 Tom OCallaghan (FF) - 984 Bridget Ginnity (GP) - 691 Hilary Tonge (SD) - 572 Seamus Ryan (LAB) - 412 Amanda Major (IND) - 376 Ruairi Keenan (IND) - 363 Jacek Kazmierz Kwasny (IND) - 92 The estimated quota in the Ennis LEA is 1,417. Meanwhile in Shannon, with almost all of the 36 boxes opened in Shannon - where there are 7 seats up for grabs - Fianna Fail's David Griffin is out in front with 1,413 votes - an impressive showing considering it's his first time running - and he and is closely followed by John Crowe of Fine Gael who looks set to retain his seat with 1,206 votes. Rachel Hartigan of Fianna Fail rounds out the top three with 1,136 votes. Donna McGettigan of Sinn Fein meanwhile looks set to retain her seat also with 1,020 first preference votes. The estimated quota in Shannon meanwhile is 1,151. Tallying is still currently taking place in the Kilrush and Killaloe boxes with Ennistymon the last to follow after that. There is also the mystery of the missing last Shannon box too which has yet to be found. There are 28 seats up for grabs on Clare County Council; seven in both Ennis and Shannon local electoral areas (LEA), five each in Kilrush and Killaloe electoral areas, and four in Ennistymon. There are 59 candidates running in the five areas and of the 28 current sitting councillors, 23 are seeking re-election. Follow Independent Clare on Facebook Follow the live blog on the Irish Independents website for all updates. Bernard Moynihan and his supporters, including brother Michael Moynihan TD, celebrate in anticipation of him being elected on the first count at Mallow Youth Centre. Photo: Sheila Fitzgerald Bernard Moynihan celebrates his election on the first count at Mallow Youth Centre. Liam Madden (FG) is held aloft by supporters after his re-election to Mallow LEA. John Paul O'Shea (FG) is hoisted into the air in celebration of his election to Kanturk LEA on the second count. Tony O'Shea is lifted into the air after it was announced that he topped the polls in Mallow LEA. Noel McCarthy of Fine Gael is held up by his supporters after his re-election to Fermoy LEA was announced. Fermoy poll-topper William O'Leary (Non-Party) is held aloft in celebration of his re-election. Mayor Frank O'Flynn was raised high in Mallow Count Centre after his election to Fermoy LEA was announced. Gearoid Murphy (FF) celebrates his re-election with his supporters at Mallow Youth Centre. Pat Hayes (FF) celebrates his re-election to Mallow LEA with family and supporters at Mallow Youth Centre. Ted Lucey (FG) celebrates his re-election to Macroom LEA on the final count at County Hall. The final councillor in the Cobh LEA has been elected after a recount of the local electoral area concluded in County Hall on Monday afternoon. Fianna Fail candidate Dominic Finn was initially deemed elected on Sunday evening following the eleventh count in the Cobh local electoral area. Mr Finn was deemed to have been elected after he narrowly held off a very strong challenge from Green Party candidate Cliona OHalloran. Mr Finn secured seven more votes than Ms OHalloran after he ended up with a final tally of 1,376 votes, while Ms OHalloran had a final tally of 1,369 votes. A recount was called however given the titanic battle for the last seat in the Cobh LEA. After the counting of all the votes again on Monday in County Hall, it emerged that the gap had widened between the two candidates and Mr Finn was duly elected. The other candidates elected in the Cobh local electoral area are Cllr Sheila OCallaghan (FF), Cllr Anthony Barry (FG), Cllr Sinead Sheppard (FG), Cllr Ger Curley (Independent) and Cllr Cathal Rasmussen (Labour Party). 2.45pm Final four seats in Midleton LEA filled The final four seats were filled in the Midleton LEA late on Sunday night. Fianna Fail candidate Patrick Mulcahy was elected following the eleventh count in the Midleton local electoral area. The well-known sports commentator had initially received a first preference vote of 1,629 and ultimately finished up with 2,036 votes. This enabled him to win a council seat at his first attempt. After Mr Mulcahy was deemed elected, he was quickly followed by three other candidates. Independent candidate John Buckley, Rory Cocking (Fine Gael) and sitting Fianna Fail councillor Ann Marie Ahern were all elected without reaching the quota on the twelfth and final count in the Midleton LEA. Overall, 16 candidates put their name forward for election and ultimately seven councillors were elected for the Midleton LEA. Independent candidate Mary Linehan Foley topped the poll after she received 2,962 votes. She was elected on the first count alongside Michael Hegarty of Fine Gael who received 2,116 votes. Sitting councillor Liam Quaide was also re-elected. The Social Democrats councillor who was elected as a member of the Green Party in 2019 ultimately garnered 2,007 votes. The party make-up of the new Midleton LEA is Fine Gael 2, Fianna Fail 2, Independents 2 and one Social Democrats candidate. Outgoing councillors for the Midleton LEA John Healy (Independent), Susan McCarthy (Fine Gael) and Danielle Twomey (Independent) did not run in the local elections. 10.25pm Liam Quaide re-elected in Midleton LEA Sitting councillor Liam Quaide has been re-elected to Cork County Council for the Midleton LEA. The Social Democrats councillor who was elected as a member of the Green Party in 2019 ultimately garnered 2,007 votes. Three councillors have been elected for the Midleton local electoral area thus far. Independent Mary Linehan Foley topped the polls after she received 2,962 votes. She was elected on the first count alongside Michael Hegarty of Fine Gael who received 2,116 votes. There are four seats still left to fill in the Midleton LEA. 10.20pm Three councillors elected in Skibbereen-West Cork LEA Sitting councillor Deirdre Kelly (Fianna Fail), Isobel Towse (Social Democrats) and Independent Ireland candidate Daniel Sexton have all been elected in the Skibbereen-West Cork local electoral area. The three candidates were all elected on the tenth count after the distribution of Cllr Joe Carrolls votes. Social Democrats councillor Isobel Towse finished with 2,566 votes overall and her election ensured it was a very successful day for the party after Ann Bambury was elected in the Bandon-Kinsale LEA earlier today. Independent Ireland councillor Daniel Sexton finished with 2,238 votes and is the third member of the party to be elected in the West Cork MD after the Collins brothers Danny and John were elected over the weekend. Dunmanway based councillor Deirdre Kelly ultimately finished with 2,092 votes which enabled her to finish 81 votes ahead of her party colleague Padraig OReilly. The five councillors elected in the Skibbereen-West Cork LEA were Cllr Noel ODonovan (FG), Joe Carroll (FF), Isobel Towse (SD), Daniel Sexton (Independent Ireland) and Deirdre Kelly (FF). 9.20pm Cllr Joe Carroll retains his seat in Skibbereen-West Cork LEA Sitting Fianna Fail councillor Joe Carroll has retained his seat in the Skibbereen-West Cork local electoral area. Cllr Carroll received 721 votes following the distribution of Fine Gael candidate Brian McCarthys votes. This moved Mr Carroll on to 2,995 votes and ensured he retained his seat on Cork County Council. Two candidates have been elected thus far in the Skibbereen-West Cork LEA. Fine Gael councillor Noel ODonovan topped the poll after a very impressive election campaign. There are three seats left to fill in the Skibbereen-West Cork LEA. Social Democrats candidate Isobel Towse and Independent Ireland candidate Daniel Sexton seem poised to secured seats following very strong performances, while there is an intriguing race for the final seat between sitting Fianna Fail councillor Deirdre Kelly and her party colleague Padraig OReilly. Cllr Kelly currently holds a slender lead of 70 votes over Mr OReilly. 9.20pm Final two seats filled in Fermoy LEA after dramatic ninth count. First-time candidate Nelius Cotter (FF) was elected as a Fermoy councillor with 2,030 votes alongside fellow first-timer Peter ODonoghue (non-party), who was elected with 1,784 votes. Labour Party candidate Diarmuid Hanley lost out to ODonoghue by 42 votes, finishing with 1,742 votes. Mr Hanley and his team discussed a potential recount of the vote with the returning officer, but this was subsequently ruled out. Mr Cotter and Mr Hanley join William OLeary (non-party), Noel McCarthy (FG), Frank OFlynn (FF) and Deirdre OBrien (FF) on Fermoy LEA. 8.57pm Full recount called for Cobh LEA A full recount has been called for the Cobh local electoral area on Monday, June 10. Fianna Fail candidate Dominic Finn was deemed elected following the eleventh count in the Cobh LEA, after he narrowly held off a very strong challenge from Green Party candidate Cliona OHalloran. Mr Finn was deemed to have been elected after he secured seven more votes than Ms OHalloran. A recount will be held however given the titanic battle for the last seat in the Cobh LEA. The candidates elected so far in Cobh local electoral area are Cllr Sheila OCallaghan, Cllr Anthony Barry, Cllr Sinead Sheppard, Cllr Ger Curley and Cllr Cathal Rasmussen. The recount will commence at 10am tomorrow morning. 8.50pm Gillian Coughlan and Marie O'Sullivan both elected to Bandon-Kinsale LEA on the eighth count Sitting councillors Gillian Coughlan (Fianna Fail) and Marie OSullivan (Fine Gael) have been re-elected to Cork County Council for the Bandon-Kinsale local electoral area. Ms Coughlan who formerly served as the Mayor of the County of Cork ultimately finished up with 2,485 votes, while Ms OSullivan who is based in Kinsale finished up with 2,211 votes. They were both elected on the eighth count. This ensures that all the seats in the Bandon-Kinsale LEA are now filled. Cllr Coughlan and Cllr OSullivan now join Cllr John Collins, Cllr Alan Coleman, Cllr John Michael Foley and Cllr Bambury as the six elected public representatives for the Bandon-Kinsale LEA. 8.10pm Caroline Cronin and Patrick Gerard Murphy both elected to Bantry-West Cork LEA on the eighth count Sitting councillors Caroline Cronin (Fine Gael) and Patrick Gerard Murphy (Fianna Fail) have been re-elected to Cork County Council for the Bantry-West Cork local electoral area on the eighth count. Ms Cronin secured 1,696 first preference votes after the boxes were opened on Saturday, while Mr Murphy secured 1,361 first preference votes. Ms Cronin who is based in Schull ultimately ended up with 2,478 votes, while Beara based Mr Murphy finished up with 2,185 votes. The election of Cllr Cronin and Cllr Murphy means that all the seats in the Bantry-West Cork LEA have now been filled. Independent Ireland candidate Danny Collins topped the poll and Independent candidate Finbarr Harrington was also successfully elected at the third attempt. Independent candidate Helen OSullivan fell just short in her bid for a council seat. She was 190 votes adrift of Patrick Gerard Murphy who held off a gallant bit from Ms OSullivan to retain his seat. 7.37pm Cathal Rasmussen and Ger Curley both elected to Cobh LEA on the ninth count. Sitting Labour Party councillor Cathal Rasmussen has retained his seat in the Cobh local electoral area after he was elected on the ninth count. Independent Ireland candidate Ger Curley was also elected on the ninth count in the Cobh LEA. Five seats have now been filled in the Cobh LEA. Mr Rasmussen and Mr Curley now join outgoing councillors Sheila OCallaghan (FF) and Anthony Barry (FG) and Sinead Sheppard (Fine Gael) as elected public representatives for Cobh LEA. Two councillors are vying for the final seat in the Cobh local electoral area with Fianna Fail candidate Dominic Finn and Green Party candidate Cliona OHalloran battling for the final seat. 7.32pm Deirdre OBrien has been re-elected to Fermoy LEA on the eighth count. The Fianna Fail candidate received a total of 2,795 votes to win the fourth seat in the constituency. Closely matched candidates Nelius Cotter (FF), Diarmuid Hanley (Lab) and Peter ODonoghue will fight it out for the remaining two seats. 7.16pm Ann Bambury elected in the Bandon-Kinsale LEA Social Democrats candidate Ann Bambury has been elected for the Bandon-Kinsale local electoral area on the seventh count. Ms Bambury initially garnered 1,800 first preference votes after the ballot boxes were opened on Saturday. She ultimately ended up with a total of 2,387 votes. Following the election of Ms Bambury four councillors have now been elected to Bandon-Kinsale LEA. Cllr Alan Coleman (Independent) and Cllr John Collins (Independent Ireland) were elected after the first count last night, while Fine Gael candidate John Michael Foley was elected earlier today. There are still two seats to be filled in the Bandon-Kinsale local electoral area. Sitting councillors Marie OSullivan (Fine Gael) and Gillian Coughlan (Fianna Fail) seem well placed to win the final two seats. 6.58pm The eighth count of Fermoy LEA is well underway. With four remaining candidates contesting the three remaining seats, the makeup of the LEA will be decided by this count. 6.37pm Finbarr Harrington elected in the Bandon-Kinsale LEA It was a case of third time lucky for Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington after he was elected to Cork County Council for the Bantry-West Cork local electoral area on his third attempt. Mr Harrington was narrowly pipped to a seat in the 2019 election after Holly Cairns secured the last seat in the Bantry-West Cork LEA by one vote. Mr Harrington garnered a very impressive 1,870 first preference votes after the ballot boxes were opened on Saturday evening and he proved very transfer friendly after the votes were distributed. He ultimately secured a total of 2,668 votes which secured his seat on the seventh count in Cork County Council. Two candidates have been elected so far in Bantry-West Cork LEA. Independent Ireland candidate Danny Collins who topped the poll and Finbarr Harrington. There are still two seats up for grabs. Sitting Fine Gael councillor Caroline Cronin seems well poised to retain her seat. However, the battle for the last seat will be very tight with sitting councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy and Independent councillor Helen OSullivan locked in a fascinating dual for the final seat. After seven counts, Cllr Murphy is 88 votes ahead of Ms OSullivan. 6.15pm John Michael Foley elected in the Bandon-Kinsale LEA Fine Gael candidate John Michael Foley has been elected in the Bandon-Kinsale LEA after the sixth count. Mr Foley garnered 273 votes following the distribution of Fine Gael candidate Gerard Seamans votes. This enabled him to secure an overall vote of 2,527 and exceed the quota of 2,379. The new councillor initially secured 2,194 first preference votes when the boxes were opened on Saturday evening. Three councillors have now been elected to Bandon-Kinsale LEA. Cllr Alan Coleman (Independent) and Cllr John Collins (Independent Ireland) were elected after the first count last night after they received substantial votes. There are still three seats to be filled in the Bandon-Kinsale local electoral area. Social Democrats candidate Ann Bambury seems poised to win a seat as she is currently on 2,370. The other candidates vying for seats include Marie OSullivan (Fine Gael) and sitting Fianna Fail councillors Gillian Coughlan and Sean ODonovan. 5.52pm Outgoing Fine Gael councillor Kay Dawson has been eliminated from the race for the remaining three seats in the Fermoy LEA. The seventh count saw the 1,158 votes of previously eliminated Derek Blighe (IF) distributed amongst five candidates. Independent candidate Peter ODonoghue benefitted the most, receiving 367 votes to up his count to 1,648. Deirdre OBrien (FF) is still most likely to be elected next as she holds 2,131 votes. Her party colleague Nelius Cotter has 1,695 votes while Diarmuid Hanley (Lab) sits on 1,369. As the candidate with the least votes, Dawson was eliminated and her 1,325 votes will be distributed amongst the remaining candidates in the eighth count. 5.38pm The election of Ted Lucey (FG) and Martin Coughlan (non-party) in the sixth count means that all six outgoing councillors have been re-elected in Macroom. Gobnait Moynihan (FF) topped the poll with 2,794 votes while Michael Creed (FG) was also elected in the first count with 2,593 votes. Michael Looney was re-elected in the second count with 2,584 votes and Eileen Lynch was returned in the fifth count with 2,739 votes. Ted Lucey received 2,419 votes in the final count while Martin Coughlan took 2,176 votes. 5.22pm Eoghan Fahys election in the eighth count means that all six seats have been filled in Carrigaline LEA The elected candidates are as follows: Audrey Buckley (FF): 2,110 (fourth count) Ben Dalton OSullivan (non-party): 2,315 (first count) Eoghan Fahy (SF): 2,039 (eighth count) Jack White (FG): 2,307 (second count) Seamus McGrath (FF): 5,191 (first count) Una McCarthy (FG): 2,102 (seventh count) 5.05pm Sinead Sheppard wins election to Cobh LEA on the seventh count Fine Gael councillor Sinead Sheppard has retained her seat in the Cobh local electoral area after she was elected on the seventh count. Cllr Sheppard initially received 1,497 first preference votes and she was ultimately elected with 2,116 votes. Three councillors have now been elected in the Cobh LEA after outgoing councillors Sheila OCallaghan (FF) and Anthony Barry (FG) were elected last night. There are three seats to be filled in Cobh LEA with Ger Curley (Independent), Cllr Cathal Rasmussen (Labour Party), Dominic Finn (Fianna Fail) and Green Party candidate Cliona OHalloran all competing for the final three seats. 4.45pm No candidate has been elected to Fermoy LEA on the sixth count Deirdre OBrien sits in poll position for the fourth seat with 2,245 votes. The quota is 2,358. First-time candidate Nelius Cotter (FF) holds 1,607 votes while Kay Dawson (FG), Diarmuid Hanley (Labour) and Peter ODonoghue (non-party) are all closely matched. Derek Blighe (IF) has been eliminated from the race for the remaining three seats and his 1,158 votes will be distributed in the seventh count. 4.25pm All outgoing councillors have been returned to Mallow LEA following the re-election of Pat Hayes (FF) on the seventh count Hayes was elected with 1,861 votes and joins Tony OShea (FG), Liam Madden (FG), Eoghan Kenny (Labour) and Gearoid Murphy (FF) on the local council. All five seats in the constituency have now been filled. 3.40pm No candidate elected on the fifth count for Fermoy LEA. Deirdre OBrien (FF) is closest to the quota of 2,358 with 2,131 votes. Joe OBriens (SF) 853 votes will be distributed amongst the candidates in the sixth count. Three seats remain to be filled. 3.19pm Gearoid Murphy wins election to Mallow LEA on the sixth count. The Fianna Fail councillor was re-elected to the council with 1,971 votes, which exceeded the quote of 1,958. His party colleague Pat Hayes is expected to be re-elected to the final seat in the area. This would mean that all outgoing councillors are re-elected to the LEA. 2.20pm Gearoid Murphy (FF) edges closer to election in Mallow LEA The outgoing councillor holds 1,911 votes after the fifth count and is nearing the quota of 1,958. Pat Hayes (FF) sits on 1,659 votes, and is likely to secure one of the constituencys remaining two seats alongside Murphy. 2.14pm Fine Gael candidate Noel ODonovan elected to Skibbereen-West Cork LEA Fine Gael candidate Noel ODonovan has been elected to Skibbereen-West Cork local electoral area on the fourth count. Mr ODonovan exceeded the quota after he secured enough votes from the distribution of outgoing councillor Karen Coakleys votes. The newly elected councillor ran a great electoral campaign, and he garnered 2,445 first preference votes. He ultimately secured an overall vote of 2,539 and exceeded the quota of 2,531. Noel ODonovan is the first councillor elected in the Skibbereen-West Cork LEA. There are several candidates still vying for the remaining four seats. They include sitting councillor Joe Carroll (Fianna Fail), Isobel Towse (Social Democrats), Brendan McCarthy (Fine Gael), sitting councillor Deirdre Kelly (Fianna Fail), Independent Ireland candidate Daniel Sexton, Fianna Fail candidate Padraig OReilly and sitting councillor Declan Hurley (Independent). 2.04pm The Mayor of the County of Cork, Frank OFlynn (FF), has been re-elected to Fermoy LEA on the fourth count. Following the announcement of his election, Cllr OFlynn was hoisted into the air and shouted come on the harbour!. The Mayor said he was delighted, overcome to be elected to the third seat in Fermoy. Outgoing councillor Frank Roche (non-party) has been eliminated from the race for the three remaining seats in the constituency. 1.40pm Kanturk becomes the first LEA filled in County Cork. Ian Doyle (FF) was re-elected on the eighth count with 1,855 votes, edging Becky Kealy (Aontu) by 61 votes. Doyle joins Bernard Moynihan (FF), John Paul OShea (FG), Trish Murphy (FG) on the LEA for the next five years. 1.38pm Eileen Lynch (FG) has been re-elected to Macroom LEA on the third count. 12.33pm The eighth count for Kanturk LEA will see the fourth and final candidate elected to the constituency. Ian Doyle (FF) is in poll position to be re-elected, as he currently holds 1,705 votes while his competitor Becky Kealy (Aontu) is on 1,485. The 812 votes of Sinn Feins Evelyn OKeeffe will be distributed amongst the two candidates in the eighth count. 12.23pm Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins re-elected to Cork County Council Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins has been re-elected to Cork County Council after the third count in the Bantry-West Cork LEA. Cllr Collins received a first preference vote of 2,386 and the former Mayor of the County of Cork will now forward to County Hall for another term. Three councillors have been eliminated so far in the Bantry-West Cork LEA. Aontu candidate Patrick Murphy, Green Party candidate Liz Coakley Wakefield and Fine Gael candidate Mary Lou Maguire Leahy have all been eliminated. There are four seats to be filled in the Bantry-West Cork LEA. Independent candidate Finbarr Harrington, sitting Fine Gael councillor Caroline Cronin, sitting Fianna Fail councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy. Independent candidate Helen OSullivan, Fianna Fail candidate Danny Crowley and sitting Social Democrats councillor Chris Heinhold are all competing for the final three seats in the Bnatry-West Cork LEA. 12.15pm Anti-immigration candidate Derek Blighe (Ireland First) is still in the race for election to Fermoy LEA, with 951 votes after the third count. Two candidates have been elected to seats in the area and nine remain in the race for the remaining four. County Mayor Frank OFlynn (2,333 votes) is most likely to elected next, sitting just 25 votes off the quota. 11:40am The third count for Mallow LEA has not seen any candidate gather enough votes to be elected to either of the two remaining seats. 11.31am Ian Doyle (FF) and Becky Kealy (Aontu) vying for the final seat in Kanturk, but neither collected enough votes to be elected on the sixth count. 11.12am No candidate has been elected to Carrigaline LEA after the third count. 10.54am No candidate elected to Macroom LEA on the second count. on 10.10am Day two of counting set to get underway in Mallow Youth Centre. So far, Bernard Moynihan (FF), John Paul OShea (FG) and Trish Murphy (FG) have been elected to Kanturk LEA. Ian Doyle (FF) and Becky Kealy (Aontu) are set to fight it out for the constituencys final seat. In Mallow, Tony OShea (FG), Liam Madden (FG) and Eoghan Kenny (Lab) have been elected. Gearoid Murphy (FF), Pat Hayes (FF) and Melissa OBrien (SF) are challenging for the final two seats. William OBrien (Non-Party) and Noel McCarthy (FG) were elected to Fermoy LEA. Mayor of County Cork, Frank OFlynn (FF), looks likely to be elected next. Several candidates running in the area could challenge for the remaining three seats. Noel McCarthy of Fine Gael is held up by his supporters after his re-election to Fermoy LEA was announced. 3.09am: No candidate elected after the first count in the Skibbereen-West Cork LEA Two candidates were eliminated: Lorraine Deane (Aontu) and Rory Jackson (Green Party) Joe Carroll (FF) 1,783 Karen Coakley (Ind) 555 Lorraine Deane (Aontu) 187 Humphrey Deegan (Ind) 853 Declan Hurley (Ind) 1,045 Deirdre Kelly (FF) 1,344 Rory Jackson (Green Party) 214 Brendan McCarthy (FG) 1,384 Evie Nevin (Labour) 450 Noel ODonovan (FG) 2,445 Barry OMahony (Ind) 647 Padraig OReilly (FF) 1,199 Donnchadh O Seaghdha (SF) 552 Daniel Sexton (Ind Ireland) 1,277 Isobel Towse (Soc Dems) 1,249 Total electorate: 15,299 Total poll: 15,299 Invalid ballot papers: 115 Valid poll: 15,184 Quota: 2,531 3.08am Two candidates elected to the Bandon-Kinsale LEA after the first count: Alan Coleman (Independent) and John Collins (Independent Ireland) Alan Colemans surplus of 132 votes will now be distributed. Ann Bambury (Soc Dems) 1,800 Alan Coleman (Ind) 2,511 John Collins (Independent Ireland) 2,380 Gillian Coughlan (FF) 1,726 John Michael Foley (FG) 2,194 Margaret Murphy OMahony (FF) 983 Clare OCallaghan (SF) 443 Sean ODonovan (FF) 1,118 Marie OSullivan (FG) 1,598 Brendan Piper (Ind) 488 Gerard Seaman (FG) 988 Stephen Spillane (Green Party) 272 Total electorate: 31,002 Total poll: 16,748 Invalid ballot papers: 102 Valid poll: 16,646 Quota: 2,379 2.24am Two candidates elected after the first count in Midleton LEA Midleton LEA ELECTED: Mary Lenihan Foley (Independent) and Michael Hegarty (FG) Edith Adams (SF) 715 Ann Marie Ahern (FF) 1,053 John Buckley (Ind) 862 Sean Buckley (Ind) 654 Paddy Bullman (Ireland First) 368 Rory Cocking (FG) 1,400 Alison Curtin (FG) 803 Clodagh Harrington (Green Party) 387 Michael Hegarty (FG) 2,116 Eileen Kelly McCarthy (Ind Ireland) 595 Mary Lenihan Foley (Ind) 2,962 Patrick Mulcahy (FF) 1,629 Michelle Neville (Ind) 147 James Peter OSullivan (The Irish People) 211 Liam Quaide (Soc Dems) 1,606 Mona Stromsoe (Aontu) 692 Total Electorate: 36,345 Total Poll: 16,357 Invalid Ballot Papers: 157 Valid Poll: 16,200 Quota: 2,026 Number of Seats: 7 1.45am No candidate elected after the first count in Bantry-West Cork LEA. The count for this area has been adjourned for the night. Bantry-West Cork No candidate elected after the first count: Liz Coakley Wakefield (Green Party): 294 Danny Collins (Independent Ireland): 2,386 Caroline Cronin (FG): 1,696 Danny Crowley (FF): 1,245 Finbarr Harrington (Ind): 1,870 Chris Heinhold (Soc Dems): 994 Mary Lou Maguire Leahy (FG): 562 Patrick Murphy (Aontu): 289 Patrick Gerard Murphy (FF): 1,361 Colum OCallaghan (SF): 258 Helen OSullivan (Ind): 1,340 Total Poll: 12,396 Spoiled: 101 Valid Poll: 12,295 Quota: 2,460 Seats: 4 1.40pm Trish Murphy (FG) has won the third seat in the Kanturk LEA following the fourth count. 1.27am Jack White (FG) has been elected to the Carrigaline LEA after the second count. 1.06am No candidate has been elected after the third count for Mallow LEA. The count for this electoral area has been adjourned for the night. 1am The third count for the Fermoy LEA is currently underway at Mallow Youth Centre. 12.59am No candidate elected after the Kanturk LEA third count. 12.25am Two candidates secure re-election in Fermoy on first count William OLeary, an Independent candidate who resigned from Fianna Fail earlier this year, topped the poll in Fermoy with 2,920 votes. Fine Gaels Noel McCarthy was also elected, with 2,624 votes. 12.15am Two councillors elected from Cobh LEA Cork County Council: Cobh First Count ELECTED: Sheila OCallaghan (FF) and Anthony Barry (FG) Cobh First Count results: Rola Abu Zeid ONeill (People Before Profit): 492 Anthony Barry (FG) 1,935 Ger Curley (Independent Ireland) 1,293 Dominic Finn (FF) 940 Peter Kidney (Independent) 357 Keith Kelly (FG) 645 Medhi Ozcinar (SF) 620 Diarmuid O Cadhla (Glor Voice of the People) 559 Sheila OCallaghan (FF) 2,202 Cliona OHalloran (Green Party) 834 Cathal Rasmussen (Labour Party) 1,541 Sinead Sheppard (FG) 1,497 Poll: 28,604 Rejected: 106 Valid Poll: 13,021 Seats: 6 Quota: 1,846 11.43pm Two seats filled in Macroom after first count. Fianna Fails Gobnait Moynihan has won re-election to Macroom LEA with a poll-topping 2,794 votes. Veteran campaigner Michael Creed (FG) also secured a seat on the first count, after he collected 2,593 first preferences. 11.07pm John Paul OShea has secured the second seat in Kanturk LEA. Fine Gaels John Paul OShea has been re-elected after he received 171 surplus votes in the second count. These votes gave him a total of 2,356 votes. His election comes shortly after it was announced his brother Tony topped the polls in the Mallow LEA. In the second count of Kanturk LEA, Trish Murphy (FG) received 195 votes to give her a total of 2,037, while Ian Doyle (FF) collected an additional 196 to give him a total of 1,396 votes. They are the candidates now most likely to fill the remaining two seats in the constituency, which has a quota of 2,284. Tony O'Shea is lifted into the air after it was announced that he topped the polls in Mallow LEA. 10.35pm Two Fine Gael representatives and a Labour Party candidate have been re-elected to Mallow LEA. Tony OShea (FG) topped the polls with 2,615 votes and his party colleague Liam Madden received 2,571 first-preferences. Labours first-time candidate Eoghan Kenny, who was co-opted on to the local council earlier this year, collected 2,239 votes. 24-year-old Eoghan Kenny (Labour Party) celebrates his election to Mallow LEA. Each candidates surplus will be divided amongst the remaining seven candidates in the race for the final two seats in the constituency. Fianna Fail candidates Gearoid Murphy (1,329 votes) and Pat Hayes (1,076 votes) are the candidates with the next most first-preference votes. Liam Madden (FG) is held aloft by supporters after his re-election to Mallow LEA. 10.30pm Bantry-West Cork LEA, Bandon-Kinsale LEA and Skibbereen-West Cork first count results are expected to be announced around midnight. We are still waiting for the results from the first count to be announced at the election centre in Clonakilty in County Cork. There is growing speculation that the results from the first count in the three local electoral areas will be announced in the Bantry-West Cork, Bandon-Kinsale and Skibbereen-West Cork around midnight. According to the early tallies Cllr Danny Collins (Independent Ireland) and younger brother of Independent Ireland party leader Michael Collins will top the poll in Bantry-West Cork. The tallies also indicate that sitting Independent councillor Alan Coleman will top the poll in Bandon-Kinsale and Noel ODonovan (Fine Gael) will top the poll in Skibbereen-West Cork. 9.49pm Mallow LEA first count results are expected to be announced within the next 10 minutes. 9.20pm Fianna Fails Bernard Moynihan has been elected to Kanturk LEA on the first count. The Duhallow representative received 3,030 votes and his surplus of 746 will be distributed amongst the remaining nine candidates in the second count. Other high pollers were Fine Gaels John Paul OShea, with 2,185 votes, and his party colleague Trish Murphy, who collected 2,037 votes. 7.40pm Independent Ireland party leader hopeful his party will win a number of seats Independent Ireland party leader Michael Collins TD is hopeful his party can win a number of seats on Cork County Council. Speaking to The Corkman as he arrived at the count centre in Clonakilty on Saturday evening, Mr Collins declared himself very happy. It is early stages yet. We are happy at the moment. Obviously, there is a lot to be played out yet. Tomorrow is a big day. For now, I am extremely happy. Four candidates are going to get elected tonight, two are from Independent Ireland. That is a great start. In Europe it also looks very good for us, but it is very early stages, he said. Two brothers of the Independent Ireland party leader appear poised to top the polls in the Bantry-West Cork (Danny) and Bandon-Kinsale (John) local electoral areas respectively. Independent Ireland candidate Daniel Sexton is also in with a good chance of winning a seat in the Skibbereen-West Cork LEA after polling well. Deputy Collins is hopeful his party can win three seats. It looks very good for Danny in the Bantry electoral area and John in the Bandon electoral area. They both have exceeded a quota as it looks from the early tallies. I was hearing this on the doors. I was getting a very positive response. We are in a very serious chance of taking a third seat in the Clonakilty area. We will know more tomorrow, he added. 6.23pm Final tallies in Midleton and Cobh local electoral areas The final tallies have been completed in both Midleton and Cobh local electoral areas. Sitting Fianna Fail councillor Sheila OCallaghan recorded the highest vote in Cobh as she secured 17% of the vote. Fine Gael councillor Anthony Barry seems certain to retain his seat after he secured 15% of the vote. Sitting councillors Cathal Rasmussen (Labour Party) and Sinead Sheppard (Fine Gael) look well poised to retain their seats after they secured 12% of the vote respectively. Independent Ireland candidate Ger Curley has polled very well. Mr Curley secured 10% of the vote. Fianna Fail candidate Dominic Finn has polled well as he garnered 7% of the vote, while Green Party candidate Cliona OHalloran is on 6%. Sinn Fein candidate Medhi Ozcinar and Fine Gael candidate Keith Kelly are both locked on 5% of the vote. Rola Abu Zeid ONeill the People Before Profit candidate and Glor Voice of the People candidate Diarmaid O Cadhla are both on 4%, while Independent candidate Peter Kidney is on 3%. Overall there are 12 candidates competing for six seats in the Cobh LEA. In the Midleton LEA sitting Independent candidate Mary Lenihan Foley secured the most votes after she garnered 2663 first preference votes. Sitting Fine Gael councillor Michael Hegarty polled an impressive 1852 votes, while Fianna Fail councillor Patrick Mulcahy who is contesting his first elected secured 1503 votes. Sitting Social Democrats councillor Liam Quaide appears well poised to retain his seat after he secured 1338 first preference votes. Fine Gael candidate Rory Cocking is well poised to win a seat for his party after he received 1121 votes. Sitting councillor Ann Marie Ahern will be hopeful of retaining her seat after she secured 840 votes. Fine Gael candidate Alision Curtin secured 683 first preference votes, while Independent candidate John Buckley and Sinn Fein candidate Edith Adams garnered 663 and 610 votes respectively. Independent candidate Mona Stromose got 582 votes, while Eileen Kelly McCarthy (Independent Ireland) got 556 votes. Independent candidate Sean Buckley garnered 499 votes, Green Party candidate Clodagh Harrington got 329 votes, Independent candidate James Peter OSullivan received 182 votes and Independent candidate Michelle Neville got 125 votes. There are 16 candidates competing for seven seats in the Midleton LEA. 6.12pm Fianna Fails Bernard Moynihan was greeted with applause as he arrived into Mallow Youth Centre. The Duhallow representative is expected to be re-elected as a Kanturk councillor when the first count takes place soon. Tallies showed that Moynihan received 2,999 votes, which is 26pc of the vote in the four-seat constituency. Moynihan said that he was delighted and surprised with how many votes he received. 5.37pm The count is well underway in Mallow Youth Centre, with the results of the first count expected in an hour. 5.25pm Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns has just arrived at the count centre in Clonakilty. The Social Democrats are running three candidates in the three local electoral areas in Bantry-West Cork, Bandon-Kinsale and Skibbereen-West Cork. The party are in contention to win seats in all the municipal districts going by the early tallies. Ann Bambury who is running in the Bandon LEA has polled very well and will be hopeful of winning a seat. Sitting councillor Chris Heinhold is running in the Bantry LEA and will be competing hard to retain his seat. There are only four seats up for grabs in this MD and Independent candidates are also polling well. Transfers ultimately will prove crucial in determining who will win the seats. Isobel Towse who is running in the Skibbereen-West Cork LEA has also polled well according to the early tallies and she will be competing hard for the final seat in this MD. There are 15 candidates competing for five seats in Skibbereen-West Cork. Voting for the three local electoral areas has yet to commence at the count centre in Clonakilty. 4.05pm Counting has begun in Mallow Youth Centre 3:58pm Macroom and Carrigaline Tallies Macroom LEA Tallies show that all six outgoing councillors in the area could be re-elected. Gobnait Moynihan (FF) hold 16pc of the vote in the LEA while her party colleague Michael Looney has 14pc. Michael Creed sits on 15pc and his Fine Gael colleague Eileen Lynch has 13pc. Ted Lucey, also Fine Gael, holds 12pc of the vote. Martin Coughlan (Ind) has 8pc of the vote. Of the four candidates hoping to challenge the status quo, Dermot Kelleher (Independent Ireland) looks to hold the most votes at 7pc. Carrigaline LEA Fianna Fails Seamus McGrath looks to be running away with the electoral area, with tallies showing that he holds 36pc of the vote. Ben Dalton-OSullivan holds 20pc of the vote while Fine Gaels Jack White has 12pc. 3.46pm Count at Mallow Youth Centre is still awaiting boxes to arrive from the local GAA club. 3.40pm Mallow, Kanturk, Fermoy Mallow LEA Fine Gaels two outgoing councillors are looking likely to be re-elected in Mallow Fine Gaels Tony OShea and Liam Madden each hold 22pc of the vote in the LEA, according to tallies. The Labour Partys Eoghan Kenny sits on 19pc and Gearoid Murphy of Fianna Fail has 11pc. Pat Hayes (FF) could secure the fifth seat in the constituency with the 9pc he currently holds. Kanturk LEA Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are looking set to retain their grip on Kanturk. Tallies show that Duhallow stalwart Bernard Moynihan (FF) currently holds 26pc of the vote in the four-seat constituency. John Paul OShea (FG) has 19pc and Trish Murphy (FG) sits on 18pc. Charlevilles Ian Doyle (FF) holds 10pc. The count at Mallow Youth Centre is due to begin around 4pm. Fermoy LEA Outgoing independent William OLeary leads in Fermoy. The former Fianna Fail councillor holds 18pc of the vote in the LEA according to tallies. Noel McCarthy (FG) has 16pc of the vote while Frank OFlynn (FF) is sitting on 13pc. Fianna Fails Deirdre OBrien has accumulated 11pc of the vote and her party colleague Nelius Cotter has 7pc. With five candidates sitting on between 5pc and 6pc, there could be a battle for this areas sixth seat. 3.23pm Bantry-West Cork, Bandon-Kinsale, Skibbereen-West Cork Bantry-West Cork LEA Early tallies are showing Cllr Danny Collins is well poised to retain his seat. Cllr Collins who is a member of Independent Ireland topped the poll in the 2019 local elections and early tallies are indicating that Cllr Collins has attracted a very strong vote once again. Sitting Fine Gael councillor Caroline Cronin is also doing well according to the early tallies. She is expected to retain her seat. Sitting Fianna Fail councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy is also doing well in the early stages and is expected to retain his seat. His running mate Danny Crowley will be in a battle to secure a second seat for the party. Two Independent candidates Finbarr Harrington and Helen OSullivan have performed well according to the early tallies and will be in contention for a seat. Mr Harrington was very unlucky in the last election as he narrowly lost out to the current leader of the Social Democrats Holly Cairns for the last seat in the MD. Overall there are 11 candidates battling for four seats in this municipal district. Skibbereen-West Cork LEA The early tallies are showing sitting Fianna Fail councillor Joe Carroll has performed very well. Cllr Carroll has received a very strong vote and seems well poised to retain his seat. Fine Gael councillors Noel ODonovan and Brendan McCarthy are both nicely poised to secure seats for the party. Mr ODonovan and Mr McCarthy have polled very strongly across the MD. Sitting Fianna Fail councillor Deirdre Kelly has also performed well and will be hopeful of retaining her seat. Independent Ireland candidate Daniel Sexton has also performed well and will be hoping transfers will propel him to County Hall. Sitting councillor Declan Hurley (Independent) will also be in contention for a seat. Again these are very early tallies and come with the health warning that there are a lot of boxes throughout the MD to be opened. There are 15 candidates competing for five seats. Bandon-Kinsale LEA In this municipal district John Collins a brother of Michael and Danny is polling very well according to the early tallies. They indicate the Independent Ireland candidate is well placed to win a seat. Long serving Independent candidate Alan Coleman is also polling strongly and is tipped to retain his seat. Fine Gael candidate John Michael Foley is also polling well and he will be hopeful of securing a seat on Cork County Council. There are a lot of Bandon candidates in this election and transfers as always will be key in deciding the ultimate shape of the LEA. There are 12 candidates vying for six seats in this LEA. 2:15 p.m. Kanturk LEA Tallies show that three of the four outgoing councillors in Kanturk could be re-elected. Local stalwart Bernard Moynihan (FF) holds 26% of the vote and looks more than likely to be the first elected to the four-seat constituency. John Paul OShea (FG) sits on 19% of the vote and Fianna Fails Ian Doyle holds 10% of the vote. Trish Murphy (FG), who is vying for the council seat left vacant by the death of her father Gerard Murphy, has 18%. Count staff open the ballot boxes in Simmonscourt RDS this morning. Sam Boal/Collins Photos. Counting has been completed for Dublin City Council, where all 63 councillors have been elected. Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithi de Roiste lost his seat on Dublin City Council, losing out to former Olympic boxer Philip Sutcliffe on the tenth count. His loss will be a tough one to bear for Fianna Fail, while Sinn Fein has made a recovery since initial tallies warned of a party in trouble. They have since gained one seat and climbed to elect 9 councillors in Dublin but have not made the gains the party would have dreamed of. There are now 11 Fine Gael councillors, 10 Social Democrats who doubled their seats and 9 Sinn Fein councillors sitting on Dublin City Council. Independents and others hold 11 seats in total, while the Green Party and Fianna Fail hold 8 seats each. Labour councillors halved their councillors since the last time at the local polls and won 4 seats. People Before Profit candidates won two seats. Ballymun-Finglas First time candidate Gavin Pepper was elected in Ballymun-Finglas on the eleventh count. He was followed in quick succession by People Before Profits Conor Reddy, the Social Democrats Mary Callaghan and Sinn Fein candidates Anthony Connaghan and Leslie Kane. The first councillor elected to the area was Keith Connolly of Fianna Fail. Two incumbents lost their seats in the race, with Fianna Fails Briege MacOscar and the Green Partys Caroline Conroy unsuccessful in their re-election bids. Artane-Whitehall The final area in Dublin to declare their councillors, Artane-Whitehall has re-elected Fianna Fail incumbent Racheal Batten. Sinn Feins Edel Moran was elected on count 11, though the loss of long-standing councillor Larry OToole will sting for the party. Social Democrats candidates Jesslyn Henry and Aisling Silke took seats along with independent John Lyons and Fianna Fails Declan Flanagan. Ballyfermot-Drimnagh Lord Mayor Daithi de Roiste was beat out for the final seat in Ballyfermot-Drimnagh by former Olympic boxer Philip Sutcliffe. Right to Change councillor Sophie Nicoullaud also lost her seat. Independent Vincent Jackson, People Before Profit candidate Hazel de Nortuin, Green Party candidate Ray Cunningham and Sinn Fein councillor Daithi Doolan who also ran for Europe -was the first elected for Ballyfermot-Drimnagh. South West Inner City Green Party incumbent Michael Pidgeon topped the poll and was elected on the first count yesterday. He was followed by Labour candidate Darragh Moriarty, Social Democrat Jen Cummins, Fianna Fails Ammar Ali and Sinn Feins Maire Devine. Cabra-Glasnevin All 7 seats have been filled in Cabra-Glasnevin, where independent incumbent Cieran Perry took the first seat. He was followed by Green Party candidate Feljin Jose, who topped the poll when it came to first preference votes in the area. The remaining councillors were elected on count 15, when Fine Gael candidates Colm ORourke and Gayle Ralph were elected alongside Fianna Fail candidate John Stephens, Social Democrat Cat ODriscoll and incumbent Sinn Fein councillor Seamas McGratten. North Inner City Fine Gael councillor Ray McAdam retained his seat in the North Inner City, where Green Party candidate Janet Horner and independent Christy Burke were been elected. The rest of the seats were filled by independent Malachy Steenson, independent Nial Ring, Sinn Feins Janice Boylan and Social Democrat Daniel Ennis. South East Inner City Sinn Fein candidate Kourtney Kenny was elected for the South East Inner City followed by shouts of gwan the girlos as the count results were announced. Fine Gaels Danny Byrne, independent Mannix Flynn, Social Democrats candidate Cian Farrell and Green Party councillor Claire Byrne also won seats Donaghmede A bonanza in the final counts for multiple electoral areas saw the four remaining seats filled in Donaghmede after the election of Tom Brabazon in the first count. Fianna Fail candidate Daryl Barron, Sinn Feins Micheal MacDonnacha, Social Democrat candidate Paddy Monahan and Fine Gaels Supriya Singh were also elected. Malachy Steenson elected in North Inner City Dublin Kimmage-Rathmines The six councillors elected to Kimamge-Rathmines were Fiona Connelly (LAB), Pat Dunne (RTC), Eoin Hayes (SD), Patrick Kinsella (FG), Carolyn Moore (GP) and Punam Rane (FG). Clontarf In Clontarf, all seats have been filled by Catherine Stocker (SD), Deirdre Heney (FF), Naoise O Muiri (FG), Donna Cooney (GP) and Alison Field (LAB). Pembroke The first local electoral area to fill all seats was Pembroke, where Green Party councillor Hazel Chu and incumbent James Geoghegan of Fine Gael were both elected on the first count. Fine Gaels Emma Blain, Labours Dermot Lacey and Fianna Fails Rory Hogan followed. Maeve O'Connell, who will hold her seat in Stillorgan, pictured with Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill Fine Gael councillor Maeve O'Connell, who will hold her seat on the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, pictured with Minister of State Neale Richmond. Lorraine Hall was congratulated by Fine Gael colleagues - Minister of State for European Affairs Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister of State Neale Richmond, and Killiney-Shankill candidate Jim Gildea. Fine Gael has dominated the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for another five years by securing 16 seats gaining three more than in the last election as all 40 seats are now filled. The last two remaining seats on the council went to incumbent Lauren Tuite from the Green Party and People Before Profits Dave OKeeffe, who was elected for the first time. Two recounts for Blackrock and Killiney-Shankill are now concluded, with no changes to the poll as a result. In this constituency, almost all sitting councillors have been re-elected as 29 out of 30 those running will keep their seats. Fine Gael representatives will occupy 40pc of the council by winning 16 seats and gaining three more than in the previous election. Some numbers remain unchanged in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown as the Green Party will keep six seats, Labour will hold five, and Social Democrats will keep one. Meanwhile, Fianna Fail lost two seats with only five councillors being elected from the party. There are five Independent councillors this year, two less than in the last election. People Before Profit gained one seat on the council by securing two. Sinn Fein didn't secure any seats in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, continuing the trend from the 2019 election when they suffered a major loss by losing all three seats. Blackrock Fine Gaels Marie Baker was elected for the fifth term by receiving almost two quotas in Blackrock. Speaking to the Irish Independent, she said shes delighted to be elected as the first person for the council. It absolutely flabbergasted me that I got that many [votes], its my fifth election, its 1,000 more votes than I got five years ago so must be getting in the right direction, she said. Michael Clark from Fianna Fail, who was previously a councillor in Killiney-Shankill, and Conor Dowling from the Green Party have won their places in Blackrock. Sitting councillors Martha Fanning (LP) and Maurice Dockrell (FG), alongside a newcomer Dan Carson (FG), have been elected on the eleventh count. Dundrum After 11 counts, Independent councillor Anne Colgan has won the last seat in Dundrum. The Green Party representative Robert Jones is the only newcomer in Dundrum as the other six councillors are re-elected. Fianna Fails Shay Brennan, an Independent candidate Sean McLoughlin, Labours Peter OBrien, Fine Gael's Jim O'Leary and Anna Grainger will keep their seats on the council. Labour's Peter O'Brien was re-elected in Dundrum. Dun Laoghaire Dun Laoghaire has been the first local electoral area to gain a full house as four candidates won a seat on the seventh count without reaching the quota: JP Durkan (FG), Mary Fayne (FG), Thomas Joseph (LP), and Justin Moylan (FF). People Before Profits Melisa Halpin, Fine Gaels Lorraine Hall, and Green Partys Tom Kivlehan will also hold their seats in Dun Laoghaire. Lorraine Hall was congratulated by Fine Gael colleagues - Minister of State for European Affairs Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister of State Neale Richmond, and Killiney-Shankill candidate Jim Gildea. Glencullen-Sandyford Cheers were heard as Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown elected its first newcomer, Pierce Dargan from Fine Gael, who secured a seat on the third count alongside incumbent Green Party councillor Oisin OConnor. Labour councillor Lettie McCarthy and Non-Party Michael Fleming, who received more than two quotas, have also been re-elected. Independent Kevin Daly, who hasnt reached the quota, Kazi Ahmed from Fine Gael, and Tom Murphy from Fianna Fail have secured their seats on the eight count. Pierce Dargan got elected as the seventh Fine Gael councillor. Killiney-Shankill Labour councillor Carrie Smyth will keep her seat in Killiney-Shankill, as well as two Fine Gael councillors Jim Gildea and Frank McNamara. Independent candidate Hugh Lewis was also re-elected to the council. The last two seats in the area were taken by the Green Party incumbent councillor Lauren Tuite and People Before Profit's Dave O'Keeffe - elected for the first time. Fine Gaels Jacqueline Burke is another newcomer who secured her place in Killiney-Shankill. Stillorgan Fine Gael councillors Maeve OConnell and Barry Saul got re-elected on the first count. It comes as another Fine Gael representative John Kennedy kept his seat on the second count, which means that Fine Gael will keep half of the seats in Stillorgan. Stillorgan has been filled with Liam Dockery (FF) on the sixth count, Eva Elizabeth Dowling (GP) on the eighth count and John Hurley (SD) on the ninth count, who is the only Social Democrats candidate to be elected in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown. Speaking to the Irish Independent following her election, Maeve O'Connell said she's "absolutely thrilled" to be elected on the first count alongside her colleague Barry Saul. "We got 53pc of the vote for Fine Gael in Stillorgan, I think it's one of the best results in the country so we're very excited. "It's great to see that the hard work has paid off. We're already the biggest party in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown so if we gain another couple of seats that's really an endorsement of the party," she added. Maeve O'Connell, who will hold her seat in Stillorgan, pictured with Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin arrived at the count centre in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, which is her own constituency. She told the Irish Independent the tallies indicated it has been a "good day for the Government and for the Greens here in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown". Catherine Martin in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown count centre. The army taking votes away from the Limerick City and County count centre at Limerick Racecourse. The Ireland South votes are being taken to Cork for counting. Adam Teskey (Fine Gael) lifted into the air after winning a seat on count one in the Adare/Rathkeale Local Electoral Area. Independent Cllr Eddie Ryan becomes the first person elected during Sunday's counting at Limerick Racecourse. Counting continues as we approach midnight at Limerick Racecourse, with one electoral area still to declare a result. 12.10am: Well, thats it from me at Limerick Racecourse. Cian O Broin takes over tomorrow to keep you up to date with who becomes Mayor of Limerick City and County Council, the first directly elected mayor in the country! Slan libh! 12.08am: Fergus Kilcoyne (Fianna Fail), Elisa ODonovan (Social Democrats), Abul Kalam Azad Talukder (Fianna Fail), Maria Donoghue (Independent) take the final seats in Limerick City West and, indeed, Limerick City and County Council for the next five years. The full make-up of Limerick City West is as follows: Daniel Butler (Fine Gael) Dan McSweeney (Fine Gael) Joe Leddin (Labour) Fergus Kilcoyne (Fianna Fail) Elisa ODonovan (Social Democrats) Abul Kalam Azad Talukder (Fianna Fail) Maria Donoghue (Independent) The party-by-party breakdown of Limerick City and County Council is: Fine Gael 13 Fianna Fail 10 Independents 5 Sinn Fein 3 Labour 3 Social Democrats 2 Independent Ireland 2 Green Party 1 Aontu 1 11.15pm: Fine Gael is now guaranteed to be the largest party in the overall make-up of Limerick City and County Council, but Fine Gaels Michael MacCurtain, whose agent requested and was granted a recount in the Limerick City West LEA, will not win a seat on the Council. An announcement at Limerick Racecourse a short time ago confirmed that no significant error was discovered in the original counting of the ballots, and Mr MacCurtain, who trailed Independent Irelands Esther Ahearne by just seven votes after count 11, has now been eliminated. 11.03pm: The Green Partys Cllr Sean Hartigan and Sinn Feins Ursula Gavan have won the final two seats in the Limerick City East Municipal District. Eric Nelligan of Aontu has missed out. The final make-up in Limerick City East is as follows: Catherine Slattery (Fianna Fail) Peter Doyle (Fine Gael) Joe Pond (Fianna Fail) Elena Secas (Labour) Sarah Kiely (Fine Gael) Sean Hartigan (Green Party) Ursula Gavan (Sinn Fein) 10.04pm: Full recount still in progress in Limerick City West. Bit of a lull here otherwise, but a Limerick City East update has just come in, with Michael Murphy (Fine Gael) eliminated after count 10. Just three contenders remain in the hunt for the final two seats there: Sean Hartigan (Green Party), Ursula Gavan (Sinn Fein), and Eric Nelligan (Aontu). Follow Independent Limerick on Facebook 8.43pm: Counting has concluded in the Limerick City North Local Electoral Area, with Sharon Benson (Sinn Fein), Cllr Sarah Beasley (Aontu), and Shane Hickey-OMeara (Social Democrats) taking the final three seats. Independent Pat ONeill misses out. The full line-up from Limerick City North is as follows: Frankie Daly (Independent) Conor Sheehan (Labour) Kieran OHanlon (Fianna Fail) Olivia OSullivan (Fine Gael) Sharon Benson (Sinn Fein) Sarah Beasley (Aontu) Shane Hickey-OMeara (Social Democrats) 8.20pm: Drama here at Limerick City West. Michael MacCurtain (Fine Gael) has requested a full recount which has been granted. After the 11th count, he was in last position of the remaining candidates and due to be eliminated, but he was only seven votes short of Independent Irelands Ester Ahearne. 8.17pm: Sinn Fein finally has its first seat of the Limerick City and County Council count at Limerick Racecourse, with Cllr PJ Carey retaining his seat. Cllr Carey did not reach the quota, and neither did Greg Conway (Fine Gael) or Tommy OSullivan (Fine Gael), but all three were declared elected at the expense of the only other remaining candidate, Cllr Michael Donegan (Fianna Fail), who loses his seat. The full make-up in Cappamore/Kilmallock is: Brigid Teefy (Independent) Martin Ryan (Fianna Fail) Eddie Ryan (Independent) Noreen Stokes (Fine Gael) PJ Carey (Sinn Fein) Greg Conway (Fine Gael) Tommy OSullivan (Fine Gael) 7.38pm: Following swiftly on from the example of female party colleague Noreen Stokes, Sarah Kiely has won a seat for Fine Gael in the Limerick City East eighth count. It was the fifth seat taken in the seven-seat MD. 7.23pm: Noreen Stokes has won a seat for Fine Gael on the ninth count in Cappamore/Kilmallock. It brings Fine Gael to 10 seats among the 27 already filled across city and county, with another 13 to go. There are three seats still to fill in seven-seat Cappamore/Kilmallock. 6.36pm: That's a wrap from Newcastle West, with Tom Ruddle (Fine Gael), John Sheahan (Fine Gael), and Francis Foley (Fianna Fail) elected on count eight, without reaching the quota. Sinn Fein's Padraig Collins is the man to miss out, typically of what's been a very challenging weekend for Sinn Fein in the Treaty County. Fine Gael have taken three seats here. The overall make-up of the Newcastle West Municipal District for the next five years is as follows: Jerome Scanlan (Independent) - Elected on count one Liam Galvin (Fine Gael) - Elected on count one Michael Collins (Fianna Fail) - Elected on count one Tom Ruddle (Fine Gael) - Elected on count eight without reaching the quota John Sheahan (Fine Gael) - Elected on count eight without reaching the quota Francis Foley (Fianna Fail) - Elected on count eight without reaching the quota 5.45pm: Fine Gaels Olivia O'Sullivan and Fianna Fails Kieran OHanlon have both won seats on the Limerick City North Municipal District. Both sitting Councillors made it in on the 12th count of whats becoming a marathon count process in this Local Electoral Area. Three of the MDs seven seats remain unfilled. 5.17pm: Cllr Joe Leddin has become Labours third candidate elected today to the Limerick City West Municipal District at the Limerick City and County Council count at Limerick Racecourse. Despite putting in 1,226 first-preference votes, Cllr Leddin had to wait until count eight to reach the quota of 1,520. He is the third person elected to this seven-seat MD. Follow Independent Limerick on Facebook 4.21pm: With counting complete in Adare/Rathkeale, an announcement was made that sorting of the Mayoral votes will begin today perhaps thats in anticipation of a late night tonight! It was emphasised that no formal counting is taking place just sorting. 3.51pm: We have a result - it seems - in Adare/Rathkeale. Following the elections of Stephen Keary (FG), Adam Teskey (FG), and Bridie Collins (FF) last night and earlier today, the final three seats have gone to three candidates who didn't reach the quota: John O'Donoghue (Independent Ireland); Tommy Hartigan, who completed an impressive Independent Ireland double; and Fianna Fail's Ger Ward. But the margin between Mr Ward and Independent Richie Crehan was a razor-thin 44 votes. The make-up of the MD is as follows: Stephen Keary (Fine Gael) elected on count one Adam Teskey (Fine Gael) elected on count one Bridie Collins (Fianna Fail) elected on count six John ODonoghue (Independent Ireland) elected on count seven without reaching quota Tommy Hartigan (Independent Ireland) elected on count seven without reaching quota Ger Ward (Fianna Fail) elected on count seven without reaching quota 2.16pm: Results are coming thick and fast now. Bridie Collins (Fianna Fail) has taken the third seat in Adare/Rathkeale. In Limerick City North, Green Party Councillor Sasa Novak Ui Chonchuir has lost her seat. 12.56pm: Finally, not one but two candidates elected in Limerick City North, Independent Cllr Frankie Daly and Labours Cllr Conor Sheehan elected after count five. Five more seats to fill there. 12.02pm: Fianna Fails Cllr Joe Pond has won the third of seven seats in Limerick City East. He gets over the line after count two. 11.39am: Cllr Eddie Ryan (Independent) becomes the first person elected today (at least in the hours of daylight!) He takes the third seat in seven-seat Cappamore/Kilmallock. Denny Hourigan (Fianna Fail) is eliminated. 11.07am: Brief panic in the media area as water begins leaking out a nearby press rush to get electronic equipment moved, now thankfully done! Leak is apparently being addressed, with the problem coming from elsewhere in the centre! 10.40am: A big development from the count centre, and a very different start to Sunday for Fine Gael. Cllr Michael Sheahan, Mayor in 2019/20, has been eliminated. In Limerick City North, the party loses Mark Spain. 10.31am: A flutter of excitement on this so-far quiet morning as the microphone sounds up, but its nothing related to an imminent count result a car is blocking a fire exit and needs to be removed immediately. Important in its own right! 10.10am: Were back underway with counting for the remaining seats in Limerick City and County Council. Its relatively quiet here right now, but with 29 of the local authoritys 40 seats still to be filled, that'll surely change. 1.43am: First count comes in from Limerick City North, nobody elected on this count, and thats it for tonight from Limerick Racecourse counting resumes tomorrow. Full result of the first count is as follows: Electorate: 27,239 Total poll: 12,922 Spoiled/invalid votes: 178 Total valid poll: 12,744 Quota: 1,594 Seats: 7 Eliminated: Tanya Dunworth (Sinn Fein) Candidate Sarah Beasley (Aontu) - 854 Sharon Benson (Sinn Fein)* - 727 Ruth Clarke (Independent Ireland) - 294 Tom Collopy (Sinn Fein)* - 538 Frankie Daly (Non-party)* - 1,553 Richard Delaney (Fine Gael) - 545 Tanya Dunworth (Sinn Fein) - 168 Ruairi Fahy (Solidarity-People Before Profit) - 392 Shane Hickey-O'Meara (Social Democrats) - 552 Adam Kearney (Non-party) - 576 Dr Laura Keyes (Rabhartha) - 269 Sasa Novak Ui Chonchuir (Green Party)* - 380 Suzzie O'Deniyi (Fianna Fail) - 405 Kieran O'Hanlon (Fianna Fail)* - 1316 Pat O'Neill (Non-party) - 675 Olivia O'Sullivan (Fine Gael)* - 1,160 Dean Quinn (Non-party) - 646 Conor Sheehan (Labour)* - 1,516 *Sitting Councillor 12.59am: Catherine Slattery (Fianna Fail) and Peter Doyle (Fine Gael) have been elected on count one of the Limerick City East results. The full results are as follows: Electorate: 27,360 Total poll: 13,065 Spoiled/invalid votes: 209 Total valid poll: 12,856 Quota: 1,608 Seats: 7 ELECTED: Catherine Slattery (Fianna Fail), Peter Doyle (Fine Gael) Candidate Peter Doyle (Fine Gael) - 1727 (ELECTED) Ursula Gavan (Sinn Fein) - 483 Sean Hartigan (Green Party)* - 755 Sarah Kiely (Fine Gael)* - 1,403 Mike Killeen (Sinn Fein) - 365 Dean Lillis (Non-party) - 429 Patrick McCarthy (Non-party) - 403 Michael Murphy (Fine Gael)* - 738 Eric Nelligan (Aontu) - 731 Michael O'Brien (Rabhartha) - 128 Danielle O'Shea (Sinn Fein) - 411 Joe Pond (Fianna Fail)* - 1,589 Elena Secas (Labour)* - 1,577 Tally Slater (Non-party) - 54 Catherine Slattery (Fianna Fail)* - 1,894 (ELECTED) Donnah Vuma (Social Democrats) - 469 *Sitting Councillor 12.44am: Daniel Butler (Fine Gael) and Dan McSweeney (Fine Gael) have both been returned to Limerick City and County Council as the results for Limerick City West count one were announced. Counting has now been suspended for this LEA until 10am. Electorate: 25,596 Total poll: 12,365 Spoiled/invalid votes: 207 Total valid poll: 12,158 Quota: 1,520 Seats: 7 ELECTED: Daniel Butler (Fine Gael), Dan McSweeney (Fine Gael) Esther Aherne (Independent Ireland) - 577 Daniel Butler (Fine Gael)* - 2,233 (ELECTED) Maria Donoghue (Non-party) - 783 Fergus Kilcoyne (Fianna Fail)* - 838 Joe Leddin (Labour)* - 1,226 Frances Lonergan (Sinn Fein) - 324 Sean Lynch (Non-party) - 493 Michael Mac Curtain (Fine Gael) - 626 Khalid Mahmood (Non-party) - 44 Cathal McCarthy (Non-party) - 273 Malachy McCreesh (Sinn Fein) - 518 Dan McSweeney (Fine Gael)* - 1,725 (ELECTED) Alec Morrissey (Non-party) - 146 Elisa O'Donovan (Social Democrats)* - 773 Michael Rafferty (Non-party) - 16 Shahin Reza (Non-party) - 64 Peter Spencer (Green Party) - 442 Abul Kalam Azad Talukder (Fianna Fail)* - 1,057 *Sitting Councillor 12.32am: Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein) and Robert Daly (Non-party) are eliminated following count two in Adare/Rathkeale. Counting in the county LEAs has concluded until tomorrow morning. 12.29am: Brigid Teefy (Non-party) and Martin Ryan (Fianna Fail) have been elected in the Cappamore/Kilmallock LEA first count. Cllr Teefys surplus will be distributed when continues resumes tomorrow morning. Electorate: 28,184 Total poll: 16,584 Spoiled/invalid votes: 167 Total valid poll: 16,417 Quota: 2,053 Seats: 7 ELECTED: Brigid Teefy (Non-party), Martin Ryan (Fianna Fail) Candidates PJ Carey (Sinn Fein)* 1,234 Greg Conway (Fine Gael) 1,358 Michael Donegan (Fianna Fail)* 926 Al Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail) 751 Michelle Hayes (Non-party) 522 Grainne Hanley (Independent Ireland) 601 Denny Hourigan (Fianna Fail) 404 Rob O'Donnell (Green Party) 543 Tommy O'Sullivan (Fine Gael) 1,221 Eddie Ryan (Non-party)* 2,011 Martin Ryan (Fianna Fail)* 2,059 (ELECTED) Michael Ryan (Aontu) 673 Noreen Stokes (Fine Gael) 1,442 Brigid Teefy (Non-party)* 2,672 (ELECTED) *Sitting Councillor 11.39pm: Independent Jerome Scanlan, Fine Gaels Liam Galvin, and Fianna Fails Michael Collins have all been elected on the first count from the Newcastle West Local Electoral Area. The full count-one result is as follows: Electorate: 23,720 Total poll: 13,595 Spoiled/invalid votes: 126 Total valid poll: 13,469 Quota: 1,925 Seats: 6 Candidate Votes James Barrett (Independent Ireland) 66 Kathleen Barrett (Fianna Fail) 321 Michael Collins (Fianna Fail)* 2,012 (ELECTED) Padraig Collins (Sinn Fein) 1,010 Francis Foley (Fianna Fail)* 1,108 Liam Galvin (Fine Gael)* 2,257 (ELECTED) Pat King (Independent Ireland) 558 Gerard Madigan (Fianna Fail) 626 Tom Ruddle (Fine Gael)* 1,201 Jerome Scanlan (Non-party)* 2,301 (ELECTED) John Sheahan (Fine Gael)* 1,294 Gerben Uunk (Party for Animal Welfare) 112 Jerome Scanlan's surplus (446) will now be distributed. 11.01pm: Stephen Keary and Adam Teskey (both Fine Gael) have been elected on count one from the Adare/Rathkeale LEA, taking the first two of the six available seats. The full result of count one is as follows: Electorate: 25,573 Total poll: 13,302 Spoiled/invalid votes: 150 Total valid poll: 13,152 Quota: 1,879 Seats: 6 Candidate Votes Bridie Collins (Fianna Fail)* 1,514 Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein) 801 Richard Crehan (Non-party) 1,249 Robert Daly (Non-party) 37 Tommy Hartigan (Independent Ireland) 1,217 Stephen Keary (Fine Gael)* 2,329 (ELECTED) Trina O'Dea (Fianna Fail) 957 John O'Donoghue (Independent Ireland)* 1,282 Michael Sheahan (Fine Gael)** 782 Adam Teskey (Fine Gael)* 1,902 (ELECTED) Ger Ward (Fianna Fail) 1,082 Stephen Kearys surplus (450 votes) will now be distributed. 7.38pm: Independents and others have blazed a trail in Limerick City North, with full tallies projecting this cohort to take up to 38 per cent of the vote. Independent Cllr Frankie Daly is set to top the poll. His projected 12.2 per cent would fall narrowly short of reaching the quota on the first count, but it would appear to only be delaying the inevitable. The same can be said for Labours Cllr Conor Sheehan, who is expected to follow Cllr Daly closely in the race to top the poll. Fianna Fail Cllr Kieran OHanlon of Fianna Fail has also performed strongly, taking in just over 10 per cent, with Olivia OSullivan just shy of that mark. Its set to be an incredibly tight race, however, to decide the other three seats, with the contenders lining out in this order according to the tallies: Sarah Beasley, Aontu, 6.7 per cent; Cllr Sharon Benson, SF, 5.7; Dean Quinn, Ind, 5.0; Adam Kearney, Ind, 4.6; Shane Hickey-OMeara, 4.3; Tom Collopy, SF, 4.3; Richard Delaney, FG, 4.3; Suzzie ODeniyi, FF, 3.2; Ruairi Fahy, PBP-S, 3.1; Cllr Sasa Novak Ui Chonchuir, 3.0; Ruth Clarke, II, 2.3; Laura Keyes, Rabhartha, 2.0; Mark Spain, FG, 1.4; Tanya Dunworth, SF, 1.3. 7.13pm: The army has taken Ireland South votes from Limerick Count Centre at Limerick Racecourse to Cork, for counting. Up Limerick, count staff say to a soldier. Up the Banner, comes the reply. 6.54pm: Fianna Fail Cllr Catherine Slattery is expected to top the poll in Limerick City East with nearly 1,900 first-preference votes, but only 500 votes separate the project first five home: Peter Doyle (FG), Cllr Cllr Joe Pond (FF), Cllr Elena Secas (Lab), and Cllr Sarah Kiely (FG). A three-way battle between Cllr Sean Hartigan (GP), Cllr Michael Murphy (FG), and Aontus Eric Nelligan is set to take place in the battle for two of the last three seats, with only about 25 votes between sixth-placed Cllr Hartigan and eighth-placed Eric Nelligan (Aontu). 6.39pm: With tallies now complete in the three County Limerick Local Electoral Areas, Independent Cllr Jerome Scanlon looks set to be elected on the first count, narrowly edging out Fine Gaels Cllr Liam Galvin, who will also regain his seat at the first opportunity. Cllr Michael Collins (Fianna Fail) is set to take approximately 14 per cent. In six-seat Adare/Rathkeale, Fine Gaels Cllr Stephen Keary is projected to take about 17.5 per cent of the vote, ahead of Adam Teskey (Fine Gael, 14.3) and Bridie Collins (Fianna Fail, 11.5). Independent Cllr Brigid Teefy is expected to take approximately 15.9 per cent of the Cappamore/Kilmallock first-preference votes, with Cllr Martin Ryan (Fianna Fail) on 12.7 per cent and Independent Cllr Eddie Ryan a short way back in this seven-seat Municipal District. It looks set to be a fruitful election in Limerick particularly the county for Irish politics big two. Please keep in mind, however, these are only projections. Official counting is set to begin within the hour. 6.26pm: It has just been announced that the counting in the Limerick City and County Council elections is expected to commence within the next 45 minutes. The reconciliation of papers is complete, and there is a clear idea of how the first counts will pan out across the six Local Electoral Areas. 6.07pm: Its been a superb showing for Fine Gael in Limerick City West, with sitting Councillors Daniel Butler and Dan McSweeney set to regain their seats on the first count. Both are projected to exceed the quota, with all votes now accounted for by tallypeople. Cllr Butler is set to win 18.6 per cent of first-preference votes, with Cllr McSweeney taking 14.1 per cent. Fine Gael has won 37 per cent of the vote in this LEA, and while Michael MacCurtain only contributed five per cent to that, he will be hopeful that his party colleagues transfers will push him into contention for one of the seven seats. The quota is projected at 1,512 votes. With all boxes now open, the first-count results are estimated as follows: Cllr Daniel Butler (FG), 2,251; Cllr Dan McSweeney (FG), 1,710; Cllr Joe Leddin (Lab), 1,203; Abul Kalam Azad Talukder (FF), 1,042; Cllr Fergus Kilcoyne (FF), 839; Maria Donoghue, (Ind), 789; Elisa ODonovan (SD), 768; Michael MacCurtain (FG), 604; Esther Aherne (II), 586; Malachy McCreesh (SF), 510; Sean Lynch (Ind), 494; Peter Spencer (GP), 444; Frances Lonergan (SF), 317; Cathal McCarthy (FG), 275; Alec Morrissey (Ind), 143; Shahin Reza (Ind), 62; Khalid Mahmood (Ind), 42; Michael Rafferty (Independent), 16. 5.26pm: Fianna Fails Cllr Catherine Slattery continues to set a blinding pace at the head of the Limerick City vote according to tallies based on 70.8 per cent of the boxes being open. She currently sits just shy of 20 per cent and well on course to retain her seat on count one. Fine Gaels Sarah Kiely (12.4 per cent) and Fianna Fails Joe Pond (11.2 per cent) also performing very well on what has been an impressive showing from the two traditional powerhouses of Irish politics in this Local Electoral Area. Approximately 57 per cent of all votes tallied so far have gone the way of Fianna Fail (30.6) or Fine Gael (26.4) in Limerick City East. 5.14pm: Almost 71 per cent of votes have now been tallied in Limerick City North, and while Fine Gaels Cllr Olivia OSullivan (12 per cent) and Independent Cllr Frankie Daly (11.4) are the clear leaders in the seven-seat constituency, its all to play for, with Labours Cllr Conor Sheehan the only other candidate sitting above nine per cent. It's been a difficult day for Sinn Fein, whose three candidates have only pulled in 11 per cent of the vote combined. Cllr Tom Collopy (3.9 per cent) is in major danger of losing his seat. Cllr Sharon Benson (6.6 per cent) is also locked in a battle, currently sitting in fifth place, behind Independent Pat ONeill (7.2 per cent) and in a tight contest with Independent Dean Quinn (6.5 per cent), Cllr Kieran OHanlon (Fianna Fail, 6.2), Sarah Beasley (Aontu, 5.6 per cent), and Fine Gaels Richard Delaney (5.6 per cent). 4.54pm: Were well past the half-way point in tallying from the Limerick City Local Electoral Area, with the most robust tally so far coming for Limerick City West, where 76 per cent of boxes are now open and a Fine Gael first-count one-two looks likely. Fine Gael Councillor Daniel Butler leads the way on 16.3 per cent, giving him a strong chance of retaining his seat on the first count. Party colleague Dan McSweeney may just miss out on that luxury, but it doesnt look like hell be waiting around as long as others as he is currently on 13.6 per cent of what has been tallied. Labours Cllr Joe Leddin is next best on 10.9 per cent, with Cllr Abul Kalam Azad Talukder also faring well, on just shy of 10 per cent. 3.34pm: The picture is becoming clearer in Limerick City North with exactly half of boxes now open, but its still too early and too tight to call. Except in the case of Fine Gaels Cllr Olivia OSullivan, who could very well get the job done on Count One. She sits on 15.8 per cent, well ahead of second-placed Independent Pat ONeill, whos just shy of 10 per cent. With this being a seven-seater MD, the top seven is rounded out by Cllr Conor Sheehan (Labour, 8.8), Independent Cllr Frankie Daly (8.5), Richard Delaney (6.5), Kieran OHanlon (6.5), and Independent Dean Quinn (6.1), but Sinn Fein Cllr Sarah Benson (6.0) is right in contention. Sarah Beasley of Aontu is next on 4.7, but Green Councillor Sasa Novak Ui Chonchuir is not currently sitting comfortably on four per cent, neck and neck with Fianna Fails Suzzie ODeniyi (4.0), Independent Irelands Ruth Clarke (3.4) and Independent Adam Kearney (3.2). The other candidates are pulling in less than three per cent, including sitting Sinn Fein Councillor Tom Collopy, trailing at 1.5 per cent. 3.11pm: With almost half of boxes now open in Cappamore/Kilmallock, Independent Cllr Eddie Ryan is the clear front-runner on 17 per cent, well ahead even of second-placed Greg Conway (Fine Gael, 13.5), whos well set to take a seat on Limerick City and County Council. It's ultra-tight between Cllr PJ Carey (Sinn Fein, 10.2), Cllr Martin Ryan (10.1), Cllr Michael Donegan (Fianna Fail, 10.1), and Independent Cllr Brigid Teefy (9.5), but with this being a seven-seat constituency, all will be confident of retaining their seats. Fine Gaels Tommy OSullivan (6.8) is currently holding the all-important seventh place, but there are a number of strong challengers, particularly Independent Irelands Grainne Hanley (5.5) and Fianna Fails Al Fitzgerald (5). Noreen Stokes (Fine Gael, 3.8); Michael Ryan (Aontu, 2.7); Michelle Hayes (Independent, 2.1); Rob ODonnell (Greens, 2), and Denny Hourigan (Fianna Fail, 1) round out the list. 2.53pm: Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are dominating in Adare/Rathkeale with 63 per cent of boxes opened. Fine Gael are pulling in 37 per cent of the vote, with Fianna Fail also motoring at 27 per cent. Cllr Stephen Keary (Fine Gael, 16.4 per cent), Cllr Adam Teskey (Fine Gael, 14.1), Bridie Collins (Fianna Fail, 13.2) all look well placed to take seats, and there are three clear front runners for the remaining three seats: Tommy Hartigan (Independent Ireland, 11.4), Ger Ward (Fianna Fail, 10), and Cllr John ODonoghue (Independent Ireland, 9.8). The nearest challengers are Independent Richie Crehan (7.6) and Fine Gael Cllr Michael Sheahan will be somewhat concerned back on 7.2 per cent. 2.41pm: In Newcastle West, with 55 per cent of boxes open, Fine Gaels Cllr Liam Galvin and Independent Cllr Jerome Scanlon are both well-positioned to take the first two of the LEAs six seats on count one. Cllr Galvin is currently running at just shy of 20 per cent, with Cllr Scanlon putting up the strongest challenge on just under 17 per cent. Cllr Michael Collins (FF) is travelling well at 11.9 per cent, as is Cllr Michael Sheahan (FG, 10) and Cllr Francis Foley (9.8). In the battle for the final seat, Cllr Tom Ruddle looks set to have the least comfortable weekend of the LEAs sitting Councillors; at 7.5 per cent, he is just ahead of Fianna Fails Gerard Madigan (7.3) and Sinn Feins Padraig Collins (7.2). Its a long way back to the nearest challenger, Independent Irelands James Barrett (3.9) 2.22pm: There are still fewer than 42 per cent of boxes open in Limerick City East, but Fianna Fails Cllr Catherine Slattery is well on course for a first-count election as she holds 35.7 per cent. Fine Gaels Cllr Sarah Kiely is also performing very strongly, with 20 per cent. A tight battle looks to be forming below that. Sinn Feins Danielle OShea will be confident of taking a seat as she sits on 7.1 per cent, and shes currently just ahead of Sinn Fein colleague Mike Killeen. Aontus Eric Nelligan is well in contention at 6.2 per cent, and Labours Cllr Elena Seca is on just shy of five per cent. The rest goes Ursula Gavan (SF, 3.8); sitting Councillor Sean Hartigan (Greens) is struggling at 2.7; Peter Doyle (FG, 2.3); Fianna Fails Cllr Joe Pond (1.9) is in real danger of losing his seat; Patrick McCarthy (Ind, 1.8); Dean Lillis (Ind, 1.6); Michael OBrien (Rabhartha, 1) Fine Gael Cllr Michael Murphys vote seems to have collapsed, as he sits on less than one per cent, just ahead of Independent Tally Slater. 2.01pm: Theres still a long way to go in tallying for the Limerick City and Council elections, but a clearer picture is building up in the three city MDs, each of which offer seven seats. In Limerick City West, Fine Gael Cllr Dan McSweeney leads on 13.8 per cent, followed closely by Labours Cllr Joe Leddin (13). Fianna Fails Cllr Abul Kalam Azad Talukder is third, just shy of 12 per cent of whats been tallied. Fine Gael are polling well with 31 per cent of the vote at this stage, and Cllr Daniel Butler is well-placed, just 2.5 points back from party colleague Cllr McSweeney. Maria Donoghue (Independent) is still travelling well at 8.3 per cent, Cllr Elisa ODonovan sits sixth on 7.7, and Michael Mac Curtain (Fine Gael) is in the crucial seventh place on six per cent, far from comfortable, but he will be hopeful of gaining transfers from his better-performing Fine Gael candidates. Cllr Fergus Kilcoyne (Fianna Fail) is now the nearest challenger on 4.8 per cent, but he will still be concerned even at this early stage, and hes only marginally ahead of Sinn Feins Malachy McCreesh (4.7) and Independent Esther Aherne (4.2). All other candidates are tallying at less than four per cent at this point. 1.27pm: Its far too early and far too tight to make any definitive calls about seven-seater Limerick City North, where just 18.8 per cent of boxes are open, but most sitting Councillors have started well, with Fine Gaels Cllr Olivia OSullivan on 16.5 per cent at this early point. Cllr Richard Delaney of Fine Gael is on 11.7 per cent, just ahead of Cllr Conor Sheahan (Labour 10.9) and Cllr Sasa Novak Ui Conchuir (Green Party, 7.3 per cent). Pat ONeill (Independent) is on 6.9, with Cllr Frankie Daly (Independent, 6.5) and Kieran OHanlon (Independent, 6.3) rounding out the top seven. Its incredibly tight after that, going Ruth Clarke (Independent Ireland, 5.8), Dr Laura Keyes (Rabhartha, 4.6), Shane Hickey OMeara (Social Democrats, 4.5), Suzzie ODeniyi (Fianna Fail, 3.9), and Sarah Beasley (Aontu, 3.5) All the remaining candidates are at less than three per cent currently, including Sinn Fein Councillor Tom Collopy, who sits on 0.6 per cent, but again, tallies are at a very early stage. 1.04pm: Theyre very early days in the Limerick City East tallies, but the current picture suggests sitting Councillors could have a nervy weekend ahead of them. Only 22.9 per cent of boxes are open, but Cllr Catherine Slattery (Fianna Fail) has made a powerful start with just under 45 per cent of whats been tallied so far. In the race for the remaining six seats, Cllr Sarah Kiely (Fine Gael) is on just under 11 per cent, with Sinn Feins Mike Killeen (9.3) currently performing best of those currently not sitting. Eric Nelligan (Aontu) is on 6.4 per cent and Danielle OShea (Sinn Fein) is on 5.2 per cent, with Cllr Elena Seca (Labour) on 4.6 per cent. Ursula Gavan (Sinn Fein) currently lies in the crucial seventh place. Donna Vuma (Social Democrats is on 2.8), marginally ahead of the Green Partys Cllr Sean Hartigan. Fine Gaels Peter Doyle is on two per cent, Fianna Fail Cllr Joe Pond has struggled early on at 1.9 per cent, but not as much as fellow sitting Cllr Michael Murphy (Fine Gael), who is on just 0.7 per cent, albeit at a very early stage. Dean Lillis (Labour, 1.7), Patrick McCarthy (Independent, 1.3), Michael OBrien (Rabhartha, 1.2), are all ahead of him, with Tally Slater (Independent) back on 0.5 per cent. 12.41pm: Early tallies from Limerick City West indicate Labour Councillor Joe Leddin has taken a commanding lead in an otherwise competitive race in this seven-seater. With 26.3 per cent of boxes opened, Cllr Leddin has over 20 per cent of whats been tallied. Independent Maria ODonoghue has started strongly at 11.8 per cent, with Fianna Fails Cllr Abul Kalam Azad Talukder next on 10.9 Michael MacCurtain of Fine Gael is on just under 10 per cent, followed closely by party colleague Cllr Daniel Butler (9.2) and Social Democrat Cllr Elisa ODonovan (8.4) Malachy McCreesh (Sinn Fein) currently leads the race for the final seat on 6.5 per cent, ahead of Cllr Dan McSweeney (Fine Gael, 5.5 per cent). It then goes Cathal McCarthy (Independent, 3.3 per cent); Peter Spencer (Green Party, 3 per cent); Esther Aherne (Independent Ireland, 2.7 per cent); and Frances Lonergan (Sinn Fein). These are early days, but Cllr Fergus Kilcoyne (Fianna Fail) will be concerned with his start, sitting on 2.2 per cent, just ahead of Independents Alec Morrissey (1.7) and Sean Lynch (1.5). The remaining three candidates have each pulled in less than 0.5 per cent. The scene at Limerick Racecourse 11.53am: Early tallies from the Newcastle West and Adare/Rathkeale Local Electoral Areas suggest that the big two are holding strong in Limerick County, with both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael dominating at this very early stage. With about a quarter of boxes opened in both areas, Fine Gael have taken approximately 39 per cent of votes so far in Newcastle West and just under 35 per cent in Adare/Rathkeale. The figures for Fianna Fail stand at 31 per cent in Newcastle West and 35.4 per cent in Adare/Rathkeale. With about 24.4 per cent of boxes opened in Newcastle West, Fine Gaels Councillor Liam Galvin has an early lead, coming in about 27 per cent of tallies to this point, well ahead of his nearest challengers, Fianna Fail candidates Cllr Michael Collins (13.5 per cent) and Cllr Francis Foley (13.2 per cent). This is a six-seater Municipal District, and Independent Cllr Jerome Scanlon has started well, with approximately 12 per cent so far. Padraig Collins (Sinn Fein) is at 8.7 per cent; and Cllr Tom Ruddle is at 7.7 per cent. It then goes Cllr John Sheahan (Fine Gael); Pat King (Independent Ireland) at 4.3 per cent; James Barrett (Independent Ireland) at four per cent; Gerard Madigan (Fianna Fail), 2.6 per cent; Kathleen Barrett (Fianna Fail), 1.2 per cent; and Gerben Uunk (Party for Animal Welfare) is at less than one per cent. In Adare/Rathkeale, Fianna Fails Cllr Bridie Collins is the clear front-runner at this point, albeit with less than 24 per cent of boxes open. She has taken 24 per cent so far, well ahead of Cllr Stephen Keary (FG) in second at almost 15 per cent. Tommy Hartigan of Independent Ireland has started well in his bid to claim win one of the six seats, with 11.1 per cent of whats been tallied so far. Cllr Adam Teskey (Fine Gael, 10 per cent) and Cllr Michael Sheahan (Fine Gael, 9.7 per cent) are neck and neck, with Cllr John ODonoghue (Independent Ireland) on 7.6 per cent, marginally ahead of Fianna Fails Ger Ward (7.5 per cent). It then goes Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein), 5.6 per cent; Richie Crehan (Independent), 4.3 per cent; Trina ODea (Fianna Fail), 3.9 per cent. Its still a very tentative picture in seven-seater Cappamore/Kilmallock, with less than 16.5 per cent of boxes open, but the very early tallies suggest Independent Cllr Eddie Ryan is off to a strong start, with about 28 per cent of whats been tallied so far. Sinn Feins PJ Carey is at about half of that; followed closely by Fine Gaels Greg Conway. Fianna Fails Michael Donegan is just shy of 10 per cent, followed by Grainne Hanley (Independent Ireland, 7.6 per cent) and Tommy OSullivan (Fine Gael, 7.5 per cent). It then goes Cllr Brigid Teefy (Independent), 4.4 per cent; Martin Ryan (Fianna Fail) on 4.2 per cent; and Noreen Stokes (Fine Gael) on 3.1 per cent. The other five candidates are between one and two per cent respectively but, again, we caution that only 16.5 per cent of boxes are open. 9.44am: The first boxes have been opened at Limerick Racecourse, where counting for Limerick City and County Council takes place throughout the weekend. There are 40 Council seats up for grabs across the six Municipal Districts (MDs): seven in each of the three Metropolitan MDs (Limerick City East, North, and West); seven in Cappamore/Kilmallock; and six in both Adare/Rathkeale and Newcastle West. The process of reconciling ballots has begun, and while some count results are expected today it is too early to say when these might be expected. Follow Independent Limerick on Facebook Votes in the European Elections will be transferred to the Cork count centre. Limerick City and County will also become the first Council to directly elect a Mayor. Counting in this race is not expected to begin until Monday. All 30 seats have been filled on Mayo County Council for the forthcoming term. This comes following the conclusions of the Swinford and Ballina counts in the early hours of this morning. There are five new councillors on Mayo County Council. They are Alma Gallagher FG, Paul Lawless AON, Harry Barrett IND, Chris Maxwell II, and Joe Faughnan IND. Those who failed to retain their seat include Martin McLoughlin FF, Tom Connolly FG and Christy Hyland IND. Outgoing Cllrs Seamus Weir (IND) and John Cribbin (FG) decided not to run in this election After three agonising days and night but this is the make up for the forthcoming Mayo County Council: Castlebar LEA 7 seats filled: Harry Barrett IND elected on the 14th count Cyril Burke FG elected on 14th count Ger Deere FG elected on the 1st count Blackie Gavin FF elected on the 11th count Donna Sheridan FG elected on the 13th count Michael Kilcoyne IND elected on the 1st count Al McDonnell FF elected on the 14th count Claremorris LEA 6 seats filled: Michael Burke FG elected on 7th count Richard Finn IND elected on 3rd count Alma Gallagher FG elected on 6th count Paul Lawless AON elected on 7th count Patsy OBrien IND elected on 1st count Damien Ryan FF elected on 6th count Belmullet LEA 3 seats filled: Sean Carey FF elected on 5th count Gerry Coyle FG elected on 4th count Paul McNamara FF elected on the 4th count Westport LEA 4 seats filled: Peter Flynn FG elected on 4th count Chris Maxwell II elected on 2nd count Brendan Mulroy FF elected on 5th count John OMalley IND elected on 5th count Swinford LEA 4 seats filled: Gerry Murray SF elected on 3rd count in each of counts and recounts Adrian Forkan FF elected following 2nd recount after 5th count John Caulfield FF elected after recount after on 5th Count Neil Cruise FG elected following 2nd recount after 5th count Ballina LEA 6 seats filled: John OHara FG elected on 1st count Mark Duffy IND elected on 1st count Annie May Reape FF elected on 9th count Joe Faughnan IND elected on 11th count Michael Loftus FF elected on 11th count Jarlath Munnelly FG elected on 11th count Party breakdown: Fianna Fail 10 seats Fine Gael 10 seats Independents 7 seats Sinn Fein 1 seat Aontu 1 seat Independent Ireland 1 seat Mr Egan became emotional when asked how he was feeling after being elected and said he was thinking of his daughter who was in Australia and for the people who worked on his campaign. While Fianna Fail managed to retain their dominance in Offaly County Council, Sinn Fein were the comeback kids of the local election here in the Faithful County. Sean Maher (SF) and Audrey Hennessy Kennedy (FF) became the final two candidates elected to Offaly County Council and now all seats in the county have been filled. The election of the last two candidates was delayed after Social Democrats Clare Claffey called for a recount after count 12. On course to be eliminated after that count late on Monday night, just 27 votes separated her from Sinn Feins Sean Maher. While four errors were identified during the examination of all 15 candidates' votes, it was deemed that these would not materially affect the outcome of the count and Mr Maher and Ms Hennessy Kennedy were elected. Fianna Fail just about managed to hold on to the eight seats they held since the 2019 election and remain the biggest party in the council. For Sinn Fein though, it was an important weekend as they made gains in a county where before, they had no sitting councillors. They now have three seats, with one sitting councillor in each electoral area. The party secured three seats in the 2014 local elections but lost them all in 2019. For Sinn Feins Aoife Masterson, who is a first time candidate, and was elected this weekend, she said the result was a monumental achievement for the party. Its been an absolutely fantastic day for Sinn Fein in Offaly. Its a monumental achievement. When you consider where we were in 2019, weve really focused and built back our roots and focused on what we can deliver for the community and its finally paid off today, Ms Masterson said. But it hasnt been good news for Sinn Fein across the country. Ms Masterson said the disappointing national result now means Sinn Fein needs to learn from the mistakes made in this election. This weekend isnt the weekend wed hoped for, theres no doubt about that. But well do like we did before, in 2019. Well listen, well go back to our base, go back to our constituents, learn from the mistakes weve made and build going forward, she said. It was also a big moment for Ms Mastersons party colleague Sean Maher, who regained the seat he lost in 2019. Im a bit over the moon now, ecstatic. Absolutely delighted considering in 2019 we lost the seat and to come back in 2024 and win it is fabulous for myself, the family and the people who have worked with us, Mr Maher said. We got it over the line eventually, after a long few days. So, it's on to work for the people of Birr, he added. The Green Party now has no representatives on Offaly County Council, after Mark Hackett lost his seat in Edenderry. Four sitting councillors lost their seats in this election. Two of those were councillors who had been co-opted into their seats. Sandy Feehan Smollen was co-opted onto Offaly County Council last September after her husband Ken Smoll stepped down from his position last September. She did not manage to retain the seat in Tullamore LEA and while wasnt eliminated, she did not come close enough to the quota to be elected on count 6. While Pippa Hacketts husband Mark Hackett who was co-opted into the seat in 2019 when she was elected to Seanad and became a Minister of State, also lost out. Clare Claffey (SD) who was elected in 2019 lost her sit at the bitter end of the counting process while it was also a disappointing result for Fianna Fails Robert McDermott who didnt manage to hold on to his seat. On Monday, Fine Gaels Hugh Egan was elected after reaching the quota in count 11. Mr Egan became emotional when asked how he was feeling after being elected and said he was thinking of his daughter who was in Australia and for the people who worked on his campaign. "Im feeling over the moon, Im feeling elated. Im feeling a bit emotional, I have a daughter in Australia, Im thinking of her now. "Look at this for a team around here, this is for them. I had lads driving me during the week, I had lads knocking on doors, putting up posters, he said. Mr Egan said he was glad he was able to secure a Fine Gael seat in his local area of Doon. "There was a seat down in Doon for forty years, we lost it in 2014. So its after taking us three elections to get it back, but we have it back now, Mr Egan said. For the newly elected candidate, he intends to go back to the basics of what the people need from the local council. "Its the very same as what I said on the doors. Im back to basics, Im back doing what a councillors job is, representing the local people with the basics of what they want. The roads, the ditches, the planning permissions. "Back to basics, back to grassroots, look after the local people, Mr Egan said. Hugh Egans election meant Fine Gael increased the number of seats in Offaly by one, from four to five seats. In count 10, Fianna Fail's Barbara Daly was eliminated. It's a significant development here in Offaly, as the seat has been held by Ms Daly's family for close to 70 years. Ms Daly's brother Eamon Dooley announced that he would be retiring from the council and would not stand for re-election and resulted in his sister Barbara being selected to run in the area. The seat was previously held by their father Eddie Joe Dooley. Those elected to the council in the Tullamore LEA is as follows: Neil Feighery (FG), Frank Moran (FF), Aoife Masterson (SF), Sean OBrien (Ind), Tony McCormack (FF), Declan Harvey (FF), Ollie Bryant (FF). Edenderry was the first LEA in Offaly to fill its seats, with the last two candidates Noel Cribbin (FG) and Claire Murray (SF) elected without reaching the quota. There will now be two Claire Murrays on Offaly Council this year and Ms Murrays election is significant for Sinn Fein who have gained two seats in the county. The six seats in the Edenderry LEA were filled by: Eddie Fitzpatrick (FF), Fergus McDonnell (Ind Irl), Claire Murray (FF), Liam Quinn (FG), Noel Cribbin (FG), Claire Murray (SF). The final result for the Birr LEA saw the following candidates elected: John Clendennen (FG), Hugh Egan (FG), Audrey Hennessy-Kennedy (FF), John Leahy (Ind), Sean Maher (SF), Peter Ormond (FF). Westmeath County Council has officially filled all 20 seats over its four local electoral areas. They are as follows: Moate (4 seats): Tom Farrell (FG) Vinny McCormack (FF) Liam McDaniel (FF) Johnny Penrose (Labour) Mullingar (6 seats): Mick Dollard (NP) Ken Glynn (FF) Aoife Davitt (FF) Andrew Duncan (FG) Bill Collentine (FF) Julie McCourt (SF) Athlone (5 seats): Kevin Boxer Moran (NP) Frankie Keena (FF) Aengus ORourke (FF) John Dolan (FG) Paul Hogan (Independent Ireland) Kinnegad (5 seats): Denis Leonard (Labour) Alfie Devine (FF) David Jones (SF) Niall Gaffney (FF) Emily Wallace (FG) There are only three new candidates entering the council, Devine and Jones from Kinnegad LEA, and Kevin Boxer Moran returning to local politics in Athlone LEA. From a party breakdown perspective, there are nine Fianna Fail councillors, four Fine Gael, two Non-Party, two Labour, two Sinn Fein and one Independent Ireland. The biggest change from the last council sees the loss of two Green Party seats, which have translated to two Sinn Fein seats, up from zero in 2019. Fine Gael has lost a seat, and we see an introduction of a seat going to the newest party, Independent Ireland. Former government minister, Kevin Boxer Moran has made a swinging return to local politics, easily securing his spot on the council with among some of the highest percentage of first-preference votes in the country. Were back, were back, was the sentiment expressed by Boxer Moran as he was lifted in celebration after what was seen as a landslide win for the now-councillor. His return to local government gets off to a winning start since early Saturday when it became clear that he was going to claim the lions share of the votes for the Athlone area. Across the parties and candidates, there is a real respect and sense of disbelief over Moran and his ability to mobilise voters after being away from local politics. Westmeath County Council Mr Moran told the Irish Independent: When I lost my seat a number of years ago, it was a big blow and a big hurt, put I have put it behind me. I did a great canvass, we put a huge campaign and I put in the hard work, and the people of Athlone and the surrounding areas are all supporting me. One thing I heard while canvassing was people telling me: Boxer, I hope this is your step forward and well get you back into the Dail. Thats the plan but we take nothing for granted we enjoy today. I know the Taoiseach this week said there would be no election, but I think with some of the TDs being elected to Europe puts pressure on the Taoiseach to make this move sooner rather than later. Over the last four years I have had a lot of time to think and we are going back to basics now. If the opportunity comes up to represent this great county in Dail Eireann, I will do that and I look forward to that day when it comes. A mourner reacts during the funeral of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza. Photo: Reuters How much more unimaginable horror, bloodshed and death must the people of Gaza endure before world leaders take the action needed to halt Israels catastrophic and illegal war and stop supplying it with arms? Israel launched missiles on an internally displaced persons camp crammed with innocent civilians in an area of West Rafah last week. People were told this was a safe area. This week, Israel bombed an Unwra school in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing 40 people. Where is Israels humanity? People, including children, are perishing on a daily basis. There are barely any health services to treat those suffering from catastrophic wounds. The images being broadcast daily on television and social media platforms of charred and mutilated corpses, screaming people seriously injured and terrified children calling for their parents buried under rubble are beyond heartbreaking. How President Biden could say recent attacks did not cross the red line at which he would withhold arms from Israel is beyond belief. Channel 4 has to be commended for its powerful and moving recent Dispatches documentary on Gaza, Killzone, which tracks the Israeli military assault on Gaza through the eyes of children, journalists and doctors. It offered a horrifying window into the traumatic challenges and heartbreaking loss for the people of Gaza. Nothing but a permanent ceasefire is required to end the horror and killings, get desperately needed aid into Gaza, start the long process of rebuilding and then the urgent task of getting accountability for war crimes. Never again has to mean something. Clearly, the International Court of Justice ruling that Israel immediately stop its offensive in Rafah will be ignored. There is only one way to secure this, and that is for the US and other countries to stop supplying arms to Israel. This must be done now. Eight months into this horrific war, governments have failed. We have to now reclaim humanity and stop this madness. Karol Balfe, CEO ActionAid Ireland, Dublin Remembering the major contribution of an Irish post office to the war effort On the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy in northern France, it is fair to say that without the weather alert from a small meteorology station/post office on the north Mayo coastline, the whole operation could have been a disaster. Maureen Sweeney was a post office clerk who had just celebrated her 21st birthday. She took the weather readings that suggested stormy weather was on the way from the north Atlantic for the whole of the British Isles on June 3, 1944. When this critical information reached London, Operation Overlord was postponed. When the weather alert abated two days later, the allied forces landed in France on June 6 and the rest is history. So Blacksod, Mayo and Ireland played a crucial role in freeing Europe from tyranny and domination. But the real heroes were postmistress Maureen and her husband Ted, who had burned the midnight oil and put their stamp on proceedings all those years ago. They helped change the course of World War II by ensuring safety for thousands of allied troops and their ships. It ultimately resulted, many months later, in the total defeat of the warmongering aggressor. Tom Towey, Cloonacool, Co Sligo Attempts to uphold law continue in the face of sustained Israeli attacks The worlds two highest courts have been endeavouring to uphold the rule of international law in the Middle East and elsewhere. On January 26, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decided that Israel has a case to answer on a charge of genocide. The court followed this up on May 24 by ordering Israel to halt its attacks on Rafah. Israel has continued to bomb Gaza, killing hundreds of civilians in the meantime. In the latest incident this week, an Israeli army spokesperson said it had conducted a precision intelligence-based strike targeting Hamas armed groups in central Gaza. Forty people, including 14 children and nine women, are reported to have been killed and many more seriously injured. On May 20, the International Criminal Courts (ICC) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, requested arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defence minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders. On May 31, leaders of the US Senate and House of Representatives invited Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of Congress. Ireland, like all states that have ratified the ICJ and the ICC, is bound to assist and comply with the rulings of both of these courts. This includes arresting any persons the ICC may have issued arrest warrants for if they pass through Irish territory. Edward Horgan, Castletroy, Co Limerick Salespeople are off to a bad start when they try to sell what you already have Having answered our front door recently, my son informed me there was a man at the door with a head of grey hair. Tell him I already have one, I said. Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9 Welfare overpayments were the latest indication that charity begins abroad Tommy Roddy tells us Irelands local and European elections are an opportunity to show [our neighbours in Europe] that Ireland is a welcoming country to people seeking international protection (Letters, June 7). Mr Roddy says we can do this by rejecting politicians who are critical of migration policies they present as preferential treatment. I would argue that Ireland has spent years demonstrating this in spades, especially over recent months. I think, for example, about the way the Department of Social Protection has decided not to ask 4,600 employed international protection applicants to repay the social welfare overpayments that they continued to receive while working. Irish citizens, by contrast, would be browbeaten and litigated into giving back overpayments if such a thing happened. Elections or no elections, with policies like that on the go, no international observer could argue that we dont believe in charity beginning abroad. Killian Foley-Walsh, Kilkenny city Shock of discovering evil was hiding in plain sight during my boarding years I was horrified to read the following in the latest report from the Restore Together group on sexual abuse in Spiritan schools: The vast majority of cases relate to Willow Park and Blackrock College. It frightened me to think I spent eight years of my life boarding in these two so-called elite shools in the 1960s. Brian McDevitt, Glenties, Co Donegal Voting is too important to be casually ignored we should make it mandatory To judge from my own experience of exercising my democratic right, the turnout was lower than it should have been yesterday. Ignoring a chance to vote is a gift to both forms of extremism and should not happen. Perhaps we need mandatory volunteering to cast our ballots a bit like Rishi Sunaks efforts to recruit across the water. David Ryan, Co Meath Elections are over, so lets make sure the posters come down without delay Now that the European and local elections are done and dusted, I will not miss the array of posters that have taken up residence on our lampposts and buildings. They should come back down quickly. Hopefully successful candidates embody their slogans and work hard for the people. Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18 A box of ballot papers being emptied out for counting in County Wicklow. Photo: Leigh Anderson A box of ballot papers being emptied out for counting in County Wicklow. Photo: Leigh Anderson Councillor Tom Fortune celebrates five in a row after being re-elected to the Greystones LEA. A new era for Wicklow County Council is due to begin as the final count for the final four seats was completed late in the early hours, bringing to a close a hectic weekend that saw nine fresh faces elected. The last of them were the Fine Gael pair Shane Langrell and Graham Richmond, both elected to Wicklow LEA in the ninth count to bring their partys tally to nine. That makes them the biggest party in Wicklow County Council and means they retain the nine seats they won in 2019, but Independents have also remained very strong, winning 10. Here is your new Wicklow County Council: Danny Alvey (Soc Dem) Mark Barry (Soc Dem) Joe Behan (Ind) Sylvester Bourke (FG) Melanie Corrigan (FG) Avril Cronin (FG) Erika Doyle (Green) Gail Dunne (FF) Malachai Duddy (Ind) Louise Fenelon Gaskin (FG) Pat Fitzgerald (FF) Orla Finn (Ind) Aoife Flynn Kennedy (FG) Tom Fortune (Ind) Patsy Glennon (FF) Pat Kennedy (FF) Shane Langrell (FG) Peir Leonard (Ind) Jason Mulhall (Ind) Miriam Murphy (Ind) Ian Neary (Independent Ireland) Dermot O'Brien (SF) Paul O'Brien (Lab) Gerry O'Neill (Ind) Warren O'Toole (SF) Graham Richmond (FG) Lourda Scott (Green) John Snell (Ind) Peter Stapleton (FG) Stephen Stokes (Ind) Edward Timmins (FG) Caroline Winstanley (Soc Dem) Incumbents not re-elected: Tommy Annesley (FF) Anne Ferris (Labour) Mary Kavanagh (Ind) John Mullen (FF) Mick Ryan (Sinn Fein) We will have more reaction, photos and fall-out tomorrow as the news sinks in, and the real job of representing the county begins. 22:30 Taoiseach Simon Harris descended upon his local count centre in Greystones this evening just as an avalanche of Fine Gael candidates were declared winners. He celebrated with Melanie Corrigan, Aoife Flynn Kennedy, Sylvester Bourke and first-time councillor Peter Stapleton, then enjoyed the count that elected another first-timer, Louise Fenelon Gaskin, and the count that got Avril Cronin re-elected to Baltinglass. Taoiseach Simon Harris speaks from the Wicklow count centre During a whirlwind visit, the Taoiseach visited with constituents young and old, before saying: "We will be overwhelmingly and significantly the largest party in Wicklow County Council. We came into this election with nine seats and we leave with nine. Of the nine we have on the council, four are brand new. To have five experienced and four brand new councillors is something I am particularly pleased about. I want to congratulate everyone." Offering advice to any stepping into the office for the first time, he added: "I firstly want to thank them. It is the ultimate act of public service. I've huge admiration for anyone who serves as a county or city councillor. The best advice I would give to them is to continue to be themselves, to work hard and to focus on a number of specific issues you want to deliver for your community." Counts are now complete in Wicklow in three of the six LEAs. The councillors elected so far are: Baltinglass: Gerry ONeill (Ind), Edward Timmins (FG), Peter Stapleton (FG), Avril Cronin (FG), Jason Mulhall (Ind), Patsy Glennon (FF) Bray East: Aoife Flynn Kennedy (FG), Erika Doyle (Green), Ian Neary (Independent Ireland), Malachai Duddy (Ind) Bray West: Joe Behan (Ind), Melanie Corrigan (FG), Dermot OBrien (SF), Dr Caroline Winstanley (Soc Dem) Three seats remain in Arklow, where Pat Kennedy (FF), Peir Leonard (Ind) and Sylvester Bourke (FG) have already been re-elected. Two seats are empty in Greystones, where Stephen Stokes (Ind), Tom Fortune (Ind), Orla Finn (Ind) and Louise Fenelon Gaskin (FG) have been elected. Finally, four seats remain in Wicklow, where a recheck delayed proceedings earlier today. Elected already are John Snell (Ind) and Danny Alvey (Soc Dem). 21.30 Fine Gaels Peter Stapleton has heaped praise on outgoing Councillor Vincent Blake after the Wicklow County Council stalwart mentored him to success in the Baltinglass LEA. Elected in the ninth count of the Baltinglass LEA, Tinahely resident Peter has strong ties to the area that go back to the early 1900s through Duffys of Hacketstown, a business founded by his great-grandfather. As Stapleton explained, he believes his deep-rooted connections, the backing of outstanding Fine Gael Councillor Blake and the publics desire to see a fresh, youthful face in the Baltinglass Chamber got him over the line. I didnt even hear the final figure over the celebrations, Stapleton joked. Its been a long couple of days, but I was delighted to see my first preference votes coming out of the box, and even more delighted to get over the line with that final big push of preference votes to end on over 2,000 votes is a serious show of faith from the voters. A lot of people I spoke to would remember my grandparents, The Duffys, fondly because of their business in Hacketstown and Im sure some people gave me a punt on that basis. Others were delighted to see a fresh face and someone young getting into local politics. A lot of hard work went into the campaign and I have a massive team to thank, with my family, friends, and outgoing Councillor Vincent Blake at the core of it. I absolutely could not have done it without Vincent, knocking on doors and making those introductions. A lot of people said that if Im half the man Vincent is, Id be serving the community well. He came knocking on doors with me and the energy he has is just something to behold. Hed be out of the car quicker than me, and back in quick as a flash to go onto the next! I learned so much from him, and he knows the people and the area so well and has been in Wicklow County Council for 27 years - hes just the perfect mentor to have and someone I know I can always count on and call on for advice. People have been joking with me that I have big shoes to fill, and that couldnt be more true with Vincent just a lovely man that is so knowledgeable. 19.20 The count for the Bray East LEA has been completed with new candidates Ian Neary (Independent Ireland) and Malachai Duddy (Independent) elected alongside Erika Doyle and Aoife-Flynn Kennedy. Neary and Duddy were elected after the seventh count, at the expense of Sinn Feins Denise Cahill. Hailing from Little Bray, father-of-three Neary proclaimed his election as a landmark moment for his family, who have deep roots in Bray, and said he was proud to be elected to represent both his local community and the broader Bray district. It will be huge from the community, as the only representative here before was Tracey OBrien, who was here with Labour, he said. Now Im here with Independent Ireland, and I think an awful lot of my votes came from the top end of Bray, and more so my end of Bray. I am just going to give my best for the people of Bray, and not just people in Little Bray and Fassaroe. I know it means an awful lot to people, but this is a special moment for me and my family, because the Nearys have always been in Bray, and Im a proud Bray man. I just want to do my best for Bray." Asked how he dealt with the stresses of an election campaign while working a full-time job and raising three children, Neary said: We covered an awful lot of ground and I had a great team behind me the likes Linda, Denise and others and it was a hard graft. The feedback I was getting from most areas made it all worth it, and people were happy to see a fresh face, and they really appreciated the fact that I was knocking on doors. Even the elderly people that I spoke to whose votes were set in stone said they would be giving me their number two or three vote. I think that is the power of people putting a face to the name. We were coming home from work, getting something to eat quickly, shower and out canvassing, then getting home late in the evening. Juggling that, the kids and the job was tough. I was so glad that they wouldnt let us canvas on Thursday because, to be honest, I needed a bit of a break! Elected in the same count, Malachai Duddy counts crime, anti-social activity, housing and the dilapidation of Bray Main Street are high on the list of priorities for barrister and human rights lawyer Malachai Duddy. From a well-known local family that first came to Bray almost 110 years ago, Mr Duddy served as a voluntary director of Bray Credit Union for over 13 years, and has also served on the Executive of Bray & District Chamber of Commerce, chaired the Bray 1916 Commemoration Committee and fundraised widely for charities, including Outreach Moldova. Independent Ireland's Ian Neary is elected. Photo: Leigh Anderson 17.25 Green party candidate Erika Doyle has expressed her relief and gratitude after she was elected to Wicklow County Council in the sixth count of the Bray East LEA. The first Green Party candidate to be elected in these Wicklow local elections, Doyle was co-opted to replace Deputy Steven Mathews in 2020 as a representative for Bray East, and was voted in as Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District in the summer of 2022. With her priorities for the area including the liveability of the Bray district and projects like the long-awaited skate park and a greenway from Kilmacanogue to Bray, Doyle said she is excited to continue playing her part in creating a better Bray. I am feeling relieved, exhilarated and, above all else, grateful, she said. Almost 1,000 people gave me their first preference, and it is amazing as a co-optee to have a proper mandate. Of course, you have a mandate as a co-optee, but to know that people have chosen to keep me there is incredible. So, Im really, really grateful that they have made that decision. Asked if she felt her election was a reflection on the importance placed by voters in Green Party policies, Doyle said: I certainly think so. I always say to people that it is green with a big G and green with a little g. So, green with a big g is the policy stuff, but its how those policies filter through to local work. I think it is a little bit about my approach as well. Id like to think my election is to do with how I deal with and listen to people, and how I work locally. You can have all the party credentials you want, but if you dont connect to the people you represent, you are not going to get very far. Her success means 12 seats have now been filled of the 32 on Wicklow County Council. Unfortunately two sitting councillors have now lost their seats as Anne Ferris (Labour, Bray East) and Mary Kavanagh (Independent, Wicklow) were eliminated in the latest counts for their areas. 16:35 After being elected for the fifth successive term on the fifth count in the Greystones LEA, Independent Councillor Tom Fortune has said that his love for helping people keeps him coming back for more Bringing the number of Independent candidates elected to WCC to six (Gerry ONeill, Peir Leonard, Joe Behan, Stephen Stokes and John Snell), Fortunes election represents another major milestone on a career stretching back to when he was first elected in 2004. The second candidate voted into Greystones LEA after Cllr Stephen Stokes election late last night, the non-party candidate was elected with a total of 1,421 first preference votes. Thats five in a row now and Im delighted, the Kilcoole man said. "In particular I have to thank the people of Kilcoole. They came out in droves and its very appreciated. Now I will be working again to make improvements to benefit the whole district. I had a fantastic team behind me who put in a lot of work. My family were a wonderful help in so many different areas, from canvassing to IT work, and I enjoyed the whole campaign immensely. " At the start, my family were saying, do you really need this? but the fact is I do. The simple fact is I love helping people and it gives me great satisfaction, and at this stage in my life its something that is very important to me. A total of 11 of the 32 Wicklow County Council seats have been filled. 15.55 Aoife Flynn Kennedy has heaped praise on her Fine Gael colleagues and Taoiseach Simon Harris after being re-elected to Bray East LEA on the fifth count. Councillor Flynn Kennedy now joins Edward Timmins (Baltinglass) and Melanie Corrigan (Bray West) on Wicklow County Council, with four more party candidates on course to win seats. Elected to Wicklow County Council in 2019, Flynn Kennedy served as Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council for the year 2023-24. Declaring her pride at having topped the poll, the mother-of-three said: It was amazing to top the poll, and I cant really believe it. "I didnt top the poll in 2019, and I worked really hard these past years, so it makes me very proud that people have recognised that work. Its going really well for the party. Weve very much out together a strong Team Fine Gael this time around, with everyone working in partnership with each other and supporting each other. Asked about the support her party colleagues have received from Taoiseach Simon Harris, Ms Flynn Kennedy replied: He has been phenomenal. Obviously, having him as Taoiseach is wonderful, but even before that, Simon has always been there for us as a team and party, making sure what we needed and that support. Then in terms of the wider membership, he has been looking after our wellbeing and it has just been brilliant having him back us all the way. Three seats still need to be filled in Bray East with Green Party candidate Erika Doyle likely to be re-elected on the next count. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein just suffered their third elimination as Abbie OLoughlin was excluded from Wicklow LEA. They do have eight candidates still in the running, but some of these are in big danger, including incumbent Mick Ryan in Bray West. 13.43 There were jubilant scenes at the Wicklow count centre when hugely popular local activist Danny Alvey from Newtownmountkennedy became the first new candidate to win a Wicklow County Council seat. The Social Democrats candidate was so close to getting though in the Wicklow LEA on last night's first count, and the redistribution of re-elected Independent John Snell's surplus was just enough to push him over the line in count two. Alvey is best-known for his tireless work planting trees and restoring the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains via ReWild Wicklow. He's the first Social Democrats win so far in Wicklow, but there are high hopes for sitting councillor Mark Barry in Greystones LEA and Deirdre McCormack in Baltinglass LEA. She has a similarly popular local profile to Alvey, always pushing local causes, her present key issue being bringing west Wicklow a swimming pool. Speaking after his election, father of two Alvey (34) said that he made an instant connection with voters who could relate to a young family-man trying to make his mark on the community. Its fantastic, Im delighted and the support I have had from people across the district has been outstanding. Its been a tough campaign, and it is a massive district to get around and meet everyone, especially as a first time candidate I spoke to a lot of people who are similar to me, from the same generation, and I think the fact that Im young and I was speaking to people in new houses across Wicklow who are crying out for more housing and public transport, facilities and playgrounds. Danny Alvey with Jennifer Whitmore TD I have two small children myself, so I can relate to a lot of these issues and the hardships they are going through, so I suppose that struck a chord. Weve done projects all across the county, but particularly in the district, and Im vice chair of the Newtownmountkennedy Tidy Towns, so I have a connection with Wicklow and Newtown, and that became very apparent as the tallies came in. I couldnt believe how close we came in the first count by seven votes, but it worked out lovely because a lot of my family and friends wouldnt have been there last night, and they are all here with me today so it all worked out in the end. Jennifer Whitmore has been a fantastic support for all the candidates. We have three more in with a shout, so Ill be keeping my fingers crossed for them all! Praising Danny for his work ethic and desire to help others across the district and beyond, TD Jennifer Whitmore said: This is absolutely fantastic for Danny and great to see him get such a strong result. He is going to be absolutely brilliant for the council, and he will work so hard, and I think people recognize that. A lot of people connected with him because they are in similar situations a young family-man struggling to get a house. So, he shares a lot of the same issues with people across the county. Hes going to be a very strong voice. There are now nine of the 32 Wicklow County Council seats filled. In the second count of Bray West the redistribution of Joe Behan's 1,035 surplus votes boosted fellow independent Rob Carry, Dermot O'Brien (Sinn Fein) and Dr Caroline Winstanley (Social Democrats) by almost 200 votes, putting all around the 700 mark, but they are still way off the quota of 1424. Melanie Corrigan (FG) took the second seat in this LEA last night and now her 318 surplus will be redistributed for the third count. There are two seats remaining. In the second count of Greystones LEA, there were no elections, but Charlie Keddy was eliminated. In the second count of Arklow LEA, there were no elections or eliminations and now the 515-vote surplus of elected Peir Leonard (Ind) will be redistributed for the third count. 12.30 Long-standing Fine Gael councillor Edward Timmins heaped praised on Taoiseach Simon Harris, after becoming the second party candidate to be re-elected to Wicklow County Council. Timmins, first elected in 2004, won his seat on the second count of Baltinglass LEA, with Independent Dominic Plant eliminated. Timmins got over the line, thanks to redistribution of Independent Gerry O'Neill's surplus of 419 from count one. With 1641 votes, the long-standing councillor was well over the quote of 1594 and spoke of the buoyancy within his party as it continues to excel at these local elections. We are really happy with the outcome today, and I think Simon Harris has been a great boost to that and certainly helped with the partys successes, Cllr Timmins said. I think it is a particularly great achievement for the west, where it looks like well hold our three seats, and that is something were very proud of. Melanie (Corrigan) did superbly well to get elected in the first count (Bray West), and overall, we are very happy things seem to be going well for the whole party. Were on the up! You end up focusing very much on your own campaign when it comes down to count day, and it can be very tight for the last couple of seats in the west, so Ill just be looking closely at that now to see how it pans out." John Kelly and Edward Timmins at the count in Greystones Timmins's colleagues Avril Cronin and Peter Stapleton remain on track to land two of the four remaining Baltinglass seats, with Fianna Fail's John Mullen the next most likely to be elected. The most transferred votes from O'Neill's surplus went to fellow independent Jason Mulhall, chair of the Blessington Tidy Towns. He still only has 722 votes though. Eight of Wicklow County Council's 32 seats have now been filled, with five Independents winning seats. Bray East is the only area with no elected candidate currently, but after the elimination of Social Democrats's Aaron McAllorum after the second count, sitting councillor Erika Doyle (Green Party) has had a huge bump of 134 in the third count. She, Aoife Flynn Kennedy (FG), and Ian Neary (Independent Ireland) look likely to claim three of the four seats, with Denise Cahill (Sinn Fein) tracking for the fourth. But it's tight. Aontu's Ciaran Hogan is the fifth candidate eliminated from this LEA. 11.35 Promising Social Democrats first-timer Aaron McAllorum this morning became the fourth to be eliminated from the Bray East LEA, after three went last night, but Social Democrats TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore remains positive about what could be a big day for the party in Greystones. Despite McAllorums disappointment, party colleague Danny Alvey in the Wicklow LEA, another first-time candidate looks a dead cert to get through in that second count later today, and that had Deputy Whitmore excited. Deputy Whitmore said: It was always going to be tough for Aaron, with it being a four seater and the four incumbents running. He still did very well considering it was his first time out. Danny was seven shy at three oclock this morning, so that is a clear indication that he is well known in the area, and the work he has put in has been received very well. We also have three other seats in contention, and it is going to be a fight that comes down to the wire. The Independent vote has certainly changed the landscape, but were still hopeful The redistribution of votes in Bray East from People Before Profit, Independent and Irish People Party candidates last night gave the biggest boost to Independent Ireland's Ian Neary. He is up another 83 votes to 981, with the quota set at 1299. Incumbent Aoife Flynn Kennedy (FG) remains closest to that number on 1125, but she only received an extra 11 votes from that second count. 02.45 Following the first count of the Baltinglass, Wicklow and Arklow LEAs at the Wicklow Local Election count centre, Gerry ONeill, Peir Leonard, Pat Kennedy, John Snell and Stephen Stokes have been re-elected. Of the total electorate of 20,661 in Baltinglass, the valid poll stood at 11,154, with Independent ONeill surpassing the quota of 1,594 with 2,013 first preference votes. First elected to Wicklow County Council as a Sinn Fein representative in 2014 before running successfully as an Independent in 2019, ONeill is a founding member of the Blessington and District Forum, Chairman of the Crooksling Hospital Action Group and a coach of Blessington Boxing Club. He was also elected on the first count five years ago and loud cheers and rapturous applause broke out in the count centre at the Shoreline Greystones just after 1am Sunday morning when the first count results were announced. John Snell pictured with his family at the count in Greystones. Photo: Michael Kelly Im delighted for the people of west Wicklow and am honoured that they have placed their trust in me for another five years, ONeill said "I always try to represent the people and I am thrilled that I will continue to represent their needs. It was a long and tough campaign and now I just want to get on with working for and on behalf the people. "I have enjoyed my years as a councillor and always do my best, and will continue to do so for the people of west Wicklow. Of the total electorate of 19,259 in Arklow, the valid poll stood at 10,268, with Councillors Kennedy and Leonard surpassing the quota of 1,467, receiving 2,791 and 2,025 preference votes respectively. Elected to Wicklow County Council in 2014 and 2019, Fianna Fail Councillor Pat Kennedy has replicated his 2019 result by topping the Arklow polls once again with 2,759 first preference votes. Firstly I have to thank the team behind me for all their efforts," Kennedy said. "It was a long campaign and they put in a huge amount of work. More importantly I have to thank everyone who voted for me and placed their trust in me for another five years. "The one commitment I gave on the doorsteps was that I will put the work in, as I have done ever since I was first elected. Now Im keen to get to work on the issues people were raising as I knocked on doors, such as the state of rural roads, the cost of living and the rise in fuel prices. Councillor Peir Leonard will fly the flag for the Independents in the Arklow MD Chamber after receiving votes , replicating her success of 2019, which saw her run a campaign on a shoestring budget, just weeks before the election. I am incredibly grateful for the trust the people of Arklow have placed in me - this is a testament to our communitys shared vision for a brighter, more sustainable future, Cllr Leonard said. As an independent councillor, I am committed to working tirelessly for the best interests of all residents, ensuring that Arklow and its surrounding areas continue to grow, thrive, and remain a wonderful place to live. Of the total electorate of 21,035 in the Greystones LEA, the valid poll stood at 11,380, with Councillor Stephen Stokes surpassing the quota of 1,626 with 2,059. In the Wicklow LEA, the total electorate was 23,378, with a valid poll of 12,300. John Snell surpassed the quota (1,758) by some distance, receiving 2,118 first preference votes. Its a great endorsement from the people of east Wicklow and it gives you more energy to keep going," Snell said. It covers a huge geographical area with lots of towns and villages, and I am honoured that they all rowed-in behind me. Now the real work starts again on Monday morning. Times are hard and we need to make Wicklow Municipal District as best it can be so everyone benefits. A lot of the issues you see online werent brought up at the doorsteps while out canvassing. I only had a small team behind me and used only 74 recycled posters from my last election campaign, so to have done so well as an Independent candidate is incredibly humbling. I have to thank my family and friends. It a team effort, and its not just my success, its my teams as well, but Its only a success if you make real change for people and thats what I will be working to achieve. Wicklow County Council: Baltinglass LEA first count ELECTED: Gerry ONeill (Ind) First count for Baltinglass LEA: Kieran Burke (FF) 655 Connor Byrne (SF) 288 Avril Cronin (FG) 1122 Patsy Glennon (FF) 719 Aidan Kinsella (SF) 620 Deirdre McCormack (Soc Dem) 781 Anthony McNulty (PBP) 255 Jason Mulhall (Ind) 722 John Mullen (FF) 901 Gerry ONeill (Ind) 2013 Dominic Plant (Ind) 48 Peter Stapleton (FG) 1373 Edward Timmins (FG) 1586 Total electorate: 20661 Total poll: 11269 Invalid ballot papers: 115 Valid poll: 11154 Quota: 1594 Baltinglass (6 seats) The first count begins at the Wicklow Local Election count centre. Wicklow County Council: Arklow LEA first count ELECTED: Pat Kennedy (FF), Peir Leonard (Ind) First count for Arklow LEA: Tommy Annesley (FF) 519 Viktoria Bodley (Ind) 126 Sylvester Bourke (FG) 938 Sheila Busher (SF) 428 Lorraine Farrell (PBP) 229 Pat Fitzgerald (FF) 1016 Laurie Kearon (FG) 405 Pat Kennedy (FF) 2791 Peir Leonard (Ind) 2025 Miriam Murphy (Ind) 513 David OGorman (Independent Ireland) 498 Warren OToole (SF) 709 Total electorate: 19259 Total poll: 10409 Invalid ballot papers: 1041 Valid poll: 10268 Quota: 1467 Arklow (6 seats) Wicklow County Council: Greystones LEA first count ELECTED: Stephen Stokes First count for Greystones LEA: Mark Barry (Soc Dem) 1077 Anne Waithira Burke (Labour) 386 Jack Commons (FF) 1041 Louise Fenelon Gaskin (FG) 1284 Orla Finn (Ind) 1269 Brian Fogarty (SF) 236 Tom Fortune (Ind) 1421 Antony Goldsmith (Irish Freedom Party) 288 Charlie Keddy (Ind) 108 Esther Kelly (SF) 248 Aileen Lennon (FG) 583 Kellie McConnell (PBP) 326 Lourda Scott (Green Party) 1054 Stephen Stokes (Ind) 2059 Total electorate: 21035 Total poll: 11487 Invalid ballot papers: 107 Valid poll: 11380 Quota: 1626 Greystones (6 seats) Wicklow County Council: Wicklow LEA first count ELECTED: John Snell (Ind) First count for Wicklow LEA: Danny Alvey (Soc Dem) 1751 Sonia Casey-Shortt (FF) 958 Gail Dunne (FF) 1297 Mia Fahey McCarthy (Green Party) 291 Anthony Hill (SF) 550 Tim Kavanagh (Ind) 126 Mary Kavanagh (Ind) 641 Shane Langrell (FG) 1376 John Larkin (Ind) 761 Paul OBrien (Labour) 1045 Abbie OLoughlin (SF) 410 Graham Richmond (FG) 976 John Snell (Ind) 2118 Total electorate: 23378 Total poll: 12423 Invalid ballot papers: 123 Valid poll: 12300 Quota: 1758 Wicklow (6 seats) 01.23 After an extended wait for the first count to begin at the Wicklow Local Election count centre, Bray West incumbents Joe Behan and Melanie Corrigan will serve another term after their re-election. Of the total electorate of 13,461 in Bray West, the valid poll stood at 7,119, with Behan and Corrigan surpassing a quota of 1,424 with plenty of vote to spare. A long-serving public representative, Behan retained his seat, with the Independent councillor topping the poll with 2,449 first preference votes. His 2,449 first preference votes easily surpassed the 1,424 quota, with a total of four seats up for grabs. He also topped the vote in 2019, elected at the first count then as well. Im absolutely thrilled and I hope to repay the trust placed in me over the next five years, a beaming Cllr Behan said: While I am very happy at the moment, I am also very conscious that many people are struggling in many different ways and I aim to ensure that their needs are met. Housing still remains a huge issue, and not only for those unfortunate enough to find themselves homeless or those who have been on the social housing waiting list for some time. You also have young couples who are renting or living with their parents because they cant afford a house in the current market. The provision of services and facilities for people with special needs, especially for young children, are also extremely lacking and the Government has been unsuccessful in dealing with it. I came away from my campaign knowing that there is a huge amount of work to be carried out and thats where my focus will be. Enniskerry native Melanie Corrigan (Fine Gael), who arrived at the count centre after attending a neighbours wedding earlier in the day, was elected with 1,742 first preference votes. Im absolutely delighted that the people of Bray West have put their trust in me again for another five years, Cllr Corrigan said. Ive worked really hard over the past five years, and Im very grateful for the opportunity they have given me. I hope to do the same for the next five years. Thank you again to those who have put their confidence in me. Wicklow County Council: Bray West LEA first count ELECTED: Joe Behan (Ind), Melanie Corrigan (FG) First count for Bray West LEA: Joe Behan (Ind) 2449 Rob Carry (Ind) 468 Melanie Corrigan (FG) 1742 Colm Flood (Ind) 61 Bryan Kenna (Labour) 251 Keith Manning (Ind) 356 Dermot OBrien (SF) 567 Alex Pigot (Green Party) 381 Mick Ryan (SF) 331 Dr Caroline Winstanley (Soc Dem) 513 19.50 Saturday With the count now underway at the Wicklow Local Election count centre, Peir Leonard and Joe Behan, two of the early favourites for election based on todays tallies, have said that they remain cautiously optimistic. After being elected to the Arklow District Chamber in 2019 on the back of a last minute campaign, Independent Leonard has polled strongly again, with tallies indicating that she has taken 19.7pc of the first preferences in the Arklow LEA. Its still early days, too early to celebrate, but the tallies form earlier looked promising alright, Leonard said. Its been a long day, and it is going to go on even longer, so lets see what the evening brings Also flying the flag for the Independents, Behan took a resounding 2,405 first preference votes (34.6pc), representing the highest percentage of preferences received by any Wicklow candidate. Ah, its still early days yet, but it was great to see the tallies earlier and I feel like I can enjoy the count a bit more after seeing them, Behan said. Of course, you never know until that count comes in, but Im optimistic, and Ill be more relaxed about the rest of the day. Lets see what happens. Meanwhile, Anthony McNulty of People Before Profit has said that he is heartened by his showing in the tally counts for the Baltinglass LEA. With six seats up for grabs, Anthony achieved 249 votes (2.3pc) after all 41 boxes were opened. While he looks unlikely to be voted in, he has already vowed to contest the next local elections. Its my first time standing and I am delighted with how I was showing in the tallies, especially as a left candidate for an area which hasnt voted in someone left for some time, McNulty said. I absolutely loved the campaign trial and meeting people on their door steps and it was a privilege to hear from them as they shared their very personal stories and matters. The whole campaign has shaped my appetite for more and I look forward to listening to the people over the next five years and helping people, whatever their needs may be. This election has sharpened my teeth and I will definitely be running again in five years time. 18.30 Saturday With all tallies counted at the Wicklow Local Election count centre, Danny Alvey of the Social Democrats is polling second in Wicklow Municipal District and looks set to be elected in the first count. In his first time running Danny achieved 1,678 votes (14.2pc) in the tally after all 55 boxes were opened, second only to Cllr John Snell with 2,030 votes. I ran a positive campaign focused on communities and what they need and require, rather than issues only in certain areas, such as immigration. Public transport, schools and more sporting facilities are what the people want to hear about, rather than immigration, which I regard as more of a distraction than anything else. 17.20 Saturday With all ballot boxes now opened at the Wicklow Local election count centre, tallies show that the substantial lead taken by Fine Gael has now been clawed back by Fianna Fail, while several Independents look set to secure their seat in count one. The Arklow LEA appears to be playing out as predicted, with Pat Kennedy (Fianna Fail) leading the way ahead of party colleague Pat Fitzgerald and Independent Peir Leonard. Fine Gael candidates in the Baltinglass LEA will have their sights set on hitting the first count quota, with Edward Timmins, Peter Stapleton and Avril Cronin each receiving over or around 10pc of preferences. Long-serving Independent Gerry ONeill is the outstanding candidate in the the LEA, garnering 18pc of preferences. In Bray West, incumbents Joe Behan (Independent) and Melanie Corrigan (Fine Gael) have taken the lions share of the preferences in their respective electoral areas, while Aoife Flynn-Kennedy took 17pc of preferences in Bray East, which looks set to be the most hotly contested LEA in the county. Equally, the Greystones LEA shows a broad distribution of preferences, with Stephen Stokes the only candidate that looks set to reach the quota later this afternoon. In the Wicklow LEA another Independent, John Snell, looks set for re-election with over 17pc of preferences, while Danny Alvey (Social Democrats) and Fine Gael candidate Shane Langrell both received over 10pc of the preferences. Although all candidates expected to to be elected in the first count are incumbents, there has been substantial support for several new candidates, including Alvey, Stapleton and Langrell, as well as Ian Neary (Independent Ireland) and Louise Fenelon Gaskin (Fine Gael) Based on the tallies, a 50pc turnout is estimated. The tallying and sorting has now finished. Counting is due to begin. There are 75 candidates seeking election to 32 seats on Wicklow County Council. A first count, and hopefully the first news of election candidates, could be as late as midnight, with counters intending to keep going through the night. A yawn, licking their lips and excessive blinking are signs of discomfort in dogs. Photo: PA One of Irelands leading dog trainers and behaviourists has shared the best ways to defend against a dog attack. In the past week, two separate dog attacks in Limerick have led to the death of a 23-year-old woman, and a nine-year-old boy needing 30 stitches to his head, as well as two family members being injured from bites to their limbs in Cork. Nanci Creedon, who was Irelands first certified dog behaviourist, said: We cant be naive and pretend theres no difference between breeds when they are very finely selected for certain traits. Ms Creedon said avoiding aggressive dogs in public is difficult, as the public are blind to subtle canine communication. She said there are two main streams of aggression that lead to biting: dogs that are protecting themselves and dogs that become aggressive during play. The Cork zoologist said there are two main identifiers of aggression that people need to look out for. The first is if their dog is showing any kind of potential signs that they may be afraid, uncomfortable or want to stop the interaction or quit their environment. Whether its fear-based, pain-based or avoidance-based, theyre communicating that they dont want something to happen prior to it escalating to a bite, she said. A yawn, licking their lips, excessive blinking and head turns are all signs of canine discomfort, as well as snapping at the air, which she likened to a person shaking their fist at another in warning. The other side is arousal, meaning when a dogs adrenaline is pumping and they enter a state similar to when a person acts and isnt thinking straight. Dogs are not thinking logically when the adrenaline kicks in they are acting purely on instinct, Ms Creedon said. In this instance for the dog, everything appears to be a threat. When playing with a dog and they are in this state and someone grabs their collar, the first instinct is to defend themselves. When we see a dog become aroused and that adrenaline is pumping, Im constantly telling parents, every single dog is dangerous... thats where a lot of bites happen. Failing de-escalation and in the event of an attack, Ms Creedon said every situation is different. Some of the starting points of defence are: throwing water on the dog; putting a blanket over its eyes; making noise and distracting them; or pouring water that goes into their mouth. However, if I cant stop a fight quickly and a fatality looks possible, I would rather the aggressor lost oxygen by choking it with hands or a lead for a short period, she said. Its quick and effective and you have a hold of the dog thereafter. Obviously, there is a risk of the dog redirecting on to the person who is holding the lead. When trying to defend against a dog that isnt thinking straight, Ms Creedon said one possible method is to surprise it and speak to its memory and learning. You can say things such as, Lets go for a walk Get your ball or Good boy, she said, adding that it can cause the dog to come back to reality. Ms Creedon, who has acted as an expert witness in courts assessing dangerous dogs, said it is vital that aggressive ones in an area are reported and that dog owners of restricted breeds should be working with a dog behaviourist. If you are using pain and punishment methods, you are very much increasing the probability of that dog having a reason to turn around, react and attack you or somebody else, she said. More information is available on dog behaviour courses for owners on nancicreedon.co.uk/all-courses Road Safety Authority agrees to go before the Public Accounts Committee after backlash from declining initial invitation The Road Safety Authority has agreed to come before the spending watchdog to be questioned by politicians later this month. After originally declining the invitation last month due to operational priorities, the state body will now appear in front of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on June 27. It will be the first time the RSA has appeared before PAC since June 2014. It made a submission to PAC in 2018. There was considerable backlash from TDs and road safety groups after Sam Waide, chief executive of the RSA, last month wrote a letter to the committee and said the RSA has limited availability due to immediate road safety priorities. In his letter, Mr Waide said the Comptroller and Auditor General, Seamus McCarthy, had provided a clean audit opinion on the RSAs 2022 financial statements. Secondly, since September 2023 the Road Safety Authority has appeared on three occasions in the Joint Oireachtass transport committee, most recently on 24th April, 2024. These committee appearances have included services updates, organisational activities and road safety interventions, including those with other road safety delivery agencies and stakeholders, he wrote. Finally, a review of the Road Safety Authority, instructed by Minister Jack Chambers, is currently ongoing, including funding model and the management and oversight structures. The outcome of this review is due this summer. This will inform the future funding model and structure of the Road Safety Authority going forward. In follow-up to the reported criticism by PAC members, the RSA said that it had in response to the committees invitation indicated that it was happy to appear before the committee but requested a deferral to a later date. Brian Stanley, Sinn Fein TD and committee chairman, said: I think we need to remind the RSA that it is audited by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. It is accountable to this committee. Susan Gray, from road safety group PARC, had described the initial decision as shocking and called for the RSA to come before the PAC as requested. But, an RSA spokesperson told the Irish Independent that the decision to not appear has been revised. She said: The RSA board meeting which was due to be held on 27 June, 2024 has been rescheduled to facilitate an appearance at the Public Accounts Committee. In April, Taoiseach Simon Harris held a meeting with the RSA to discuss a worrying upward trend in traffic fatalities. Mr Harris discussed the spike in deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads with the RSA and the possible measures to address the reversal of the progress made in recent years on road safety. It came after hard-hitting comments from RSA chair Liz ODonnell who said there needed to be a significant ramping-up of visible enforcement to combat bad driver behaviour. In the past two years since the Covid pandemic, the level of non-compliance has been off the scale. She said: Its the missing link. Its what we need. Enforcement, enforcement, enforcement. UCD said today it will establish a separate stream of up to eight sanctuary scholarships for displaced Palestinian applicants. Students have set up tents in the grounds of University College Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) A pro-Palestinian encampment at UCD protesting the universitys ties to Israel has come to an end after a month, following an agreement reached between students and the academic institution. The encampment, which started on May 11 was organised by a Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) group established by UCD students last autumn, which said it had between 200250 members. It formed on the main lake at the south Dublin campus by UCD Students Union (UCDSU) and the BDS group over the universitys stance on Palestine and was inspired by a similar Trinity College protest. UCD Students Union, UCD BDS and UCD Academics for Palestine have now ended their encampment and associated protests on the Belfield campus, UCD said in a statement today. UCD said it has a strong commitment to human rights and the rule of law and is outraged by the killing of civilians, the withholding of humanitarian aid and the destruction in Palestine by Israel. Students in Ireland have set up tents outside university buildings, replicating the nationwide campus demonstrations which began in the US last month (Niall Carson/PA) As a member of the global university community with an enduring commitment to academic freedom, expression and safety, UCD is particularly appalled by the destruction of all universities in Gaza and attacks on their students, faculty and staff, the university said. They said their statement follows the Irish governments recognition of the state of Palestine and their intervention in South Africas case against Israel in the International Court of Justice. The university recognises the International Court of Justice rulings to prevent the violation of international laws in Palestine. UCD supports freedom of speech and the right of students and staff to protest on campus. We recognise the powerful tradition of student and staff activism in our university, as in others, in bringing about positive change, the statement adds. Protesters at UCD had issued a list of demands they wanted UCD to address, including calls for the university to end all academic ties with Israel; to disclose all academic and financial links with Israeli institutions and enterprises, and to commit to divest from any investments in the country. They also asked UCD to remove Israeli goods and supplier contracts from campus. An encampment protest over the Gaza conflict on the grounds of UCD (Niall Carson/PA Wire) As a result of the protests, UCD said today it will establish a separate stream of up to eight sanctuary scholarships for displaced Palestinian applicants as part of its University of Sanctuary programme. In addition, under the existing scholars at risk programme, UCD said it will support up to four scholars from Palestinian universities. To enhance oversight by its governance structures, a working group, including nominees of the UCD Students Union, will be established to develop a policy on ethical investment by June 2025 for approval by Governing Authority. The bursar will report annually to the finance, remuneration and asset management committee of the governing authority on the location of all university investments. The list of research grants included in enhanced Presidents reports to the governing authority will include the international partners for each. Nominees determined by the students union will join a review group of its sustainable procurement policy. UCD said it remains committed to sustaining an inclusive university culture, respecting a diversity of views, and sense of belonging for all. The university added that it will take action to ensure our multicultural campus community can be better reflected in the names of spaces on our campus, and in university awards and honours. Following the agreement, UCD BDS said: This is a small victory in the global Intifada, our fight for a free Palestine is far from over. "We will continue to organise for justice both on our campus, in universities across this island, and in the streets demanding the Irish state to take material action against genocide. "Saoirse don Phalaistin. Over three million people were eligible to vote in Ireland's local and European elections yesterday. Photo: Stock image It was said Americans would cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but wouldnt cross the street to vote in an election. As ballot boxes open across Europe, we will soon know whether the same holds true for the 373 million people eligible to vote. In Ireland, 3.6 million had the right to do so in order to select our 14 MEPs. In the local elections, 3.7 million were eligible to vote to choose the 949 councillors in 166 local electoral areas. No matter the election, it is worth reminding ourselves of what an honour and privilege it is to have the right to vote. As Taoiseach Simon Harris said: It is so important that people get out and vote. If you dont turn up, you are allowing someone else to speak on your behalf. With a record number of far-right candidates on the ballot for local councils and the European Parliament, concerns of a swing to more extreme elements are real. Voting is a privilege that ought not to be taken for granted, as pointed out by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris. Kyiv, with some justification, depicts its fight against the Russian invasion as a clash between Western democratic freedom and tyranny. In a speech at the French National Assembly yesterday, Mr Zelensky drew a parallel with the sacrifices made during World War II and his countrys current fight. This battle is a crossroads, he said. A moment where we can now write history the way we need it. Or we can become victims of history as it suits our enemy. But we hardly need history to see how the freedoms we have cherished are being threatened especially not with a war raging again on continental Europe, the first since 1945. After a meeting with US president Joe Biden, Mr Zelensky appealed for bipartisan US support going forward like it was during World War II. Mr Biden also drew parallels between Russias invasion of Ukraine and World War II. He warned that democracies across the globe were once again at risk, adding that autocrats were closely watching the Western response to Ukraine. The US and its allies have agreed to supply Ukraines arsenal, train its troops and provide economic and humanitarian assistance but not deploy their own forces. Lest we forget, it is also worth reminding ourselves that both Moscow and Washington keep nuclear-armed missiles on launch-ready alert. The consequences of a major miscalculation by either side are chilling. Given the heightened tensions in Europe and the shifting political tides, one might have anticipated higher engagement and a greater turnout than first indications appear to suggest in these elections. It has never been more critical to have clear thinkers to represent us. Contrary to belief, decisions are not made by a majority of the people. They are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote. Madison has been waiting four years for the therapy she needs Madison has been left with severe damage to her feet which may now require surgery Madison is completely non-verbal and has never received speech and language therapy When Michelle Mahers autistic and non-verbal daughter had her needs assessed in 2020, she hoped Madison would finally receive the help and therapy she needed. However, four years later, both she and Madisons father, Tommy, are still waiting for their seven-year-old daughter to receive any treatment. Madison is usually a happy, contented child who has the right to be treated within our disability services. The neglect of help has been traumatic, to say the least, Michelle, from Donaghmede, told the Irish Independent. She is appealing to Minister of State for Disabilities, Anne Rabbitte, to help get her daughter the therapeutic assistance she urgently needs. Madisons situation is dire. Due to the lack of early intervention supports and services, she has developed severe problems with her feet, to the extent that she will likely require surgery. Madison has been waiting four years for the therapy she needs Madison toe-walks, and the damage now is severe. The doctor said its like looking at claws the tips of her toes all going to one side. Shes gotten zero support for her feet, said Michelle. She also highlighted the emotional and financial toll the situation has taken on their family. Its a huge impact on our lives, emotionally and financially. Madison didnt sleep for three years, and we just kept going. Fighting for our voices to be heard is mentally and emotionally exhausting. Despite having a speech and language therapist assigned, Madison has never actually received any therapy. Madison is non-verbal, and despite having a speech and language therapist assigned, she has never actually received therapy. We tried to get her an AAC device, but we were told theres a two-year waiting list for the necessary assessment, she added. Michelle praised the efforts of Madisons school, Stapolin Educate Together in Belmayne, saying: Madison has come on more in Stapolin Educate Together with Jennifer, Sam, and the girls than weve seen in the last four or five years. Theyve done more for her than the so-called disability services. Cian OCallaghan, TD and Deputy Leader of the Social Democrats, recently highlighted Madisons situation in the Dail. It is completely unacceptable that Madison has spent half her young life on waiting lists without getting any of the support she needs from the Childrens Disability Network Team, he said. Timely intervention in these early years is of critical importance. This cannot be allowed to continue. In a desperate bid for support, Michelle and Tommy have organised a peaceful protest at 4pm on Thursday, June 13, outside the HSE Heads of Service offices in Swords Business Campus to highlight the issues their daughter is facing. They are inviting all local representatives to come and show their support and are requesting a meeting with Minister Anne Rabbitte. Madison has been left with severe damage to her feet which may now require surgery We need your support now. We urge people to join us and show your support for Madison. Families are left to fend for themselves. There are no services available, and its just a disgrace, her parents said. This isnt just for Madison; its for all the parents and children out there who are not getting their voices heard. Minister Rabbitte, I beg you from the bottom of my heart and for every family in Ireland, please give our Madison the opportunity to live a fulfilled life, they added. The HSE recently acknowledged significant challenges due to a high number of staffing vacancies and an increase in the number of children with complex needs. A spokesperson said the Community Healthcare Organisation in Dublin north city and county said it is experiencing [staff] vacancies ranging from 20 to 50pc across the 12 disability network teams. They added that they continue to try to increase capacity with ongoing local and international recruitment campaigns across all staff grades. The autism charity AsIAm has said there were around 8,900 autistic children overdue for assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005, at the end of last year. HSE figures show there are 15,428 children on waiting lists for an initial appointment with local disability teams. Minister Anne Rabbittes office has been contacted for comment. The Rotary Club of Wexford has supported the Irish Defence Forces peacekeeping mission in Lebanon by collecting essential supplies to assist troops in their efforts to monitor peace, support local governance, and protect civilians. Led by Christine Doyle and Lucy Nevins, this community-driven donation drive was boosted by significant contributions from various community and corporate partners including Kersia, who donated 640,000 water purification tablets. The donations were officially handed over to Irish Defence forces representative, Private Fergal Doran, from the 3rd infantry Battalion, Kilkenny at Wexford Boxed Storage Solutions in Barntown who provided a container to store the donations. Captain Martin Cuddihy said, "The 124 INF BN are truly thankful for the kind and generous support that Rotary Ireland have provided throughout our current deployment with UNIFIL to Southern Lebanon. We are grateful for all the hard work, commitment and tireless efforts that Christine and Lucy of the Wexford branch have provided in order for this generous donation to be received by the Defence Forces. "This donation, along with many others from Rotary Ireland, will be shipped out to our area of responsibility to be shared with the people of Lebanon in the communities that are in dire need of our support and assistance throughout this particular time. It is heart-warming to see the kind nature and generous support from back home, and hopefully we will all see the fruits of their efforts provide a difference to the people of Lebanon." The donated items also included essential supplies such as first aid kits, non-perishable foods, new children's clothing, personal hygiene products, and toys, will support the Irish peacekeepers in their Civil-Military Coordination (CIMIC) efforts. These activities are vital for enhancing the self sustainability of South Lebanese communities and support various outreach programs. Christine Doyle commented, "As members of Rotary Club Wexford, we are immensely proud to facilitate this substantial donation to the Irish Defence Forces. The overwhelming support from our community and partners has been crucial in making this campaign a success." Lucy Nevins added, "The generosity and engagement from all involved have been truly inspiring. Participating in such a meaningful project as a new member of the Rotary Club has been an incredibly humbling experience." The Loreto Interact Club, Polio Survivors Ireland volunteers, St. John Volunteers Gaelic for Mothers and Others Club, and other Rotarians and local community members played pivotal roles in donating items. Natasha Hughes, President of Rotary Club Wexford, praised the community effort. "This campaign exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and commitment that defines the Rotary Club. Our partners and volunteers have demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting not just immediate needs but also contributing to sustainable peace and community resilience in South Lebanon." French President Emmanuel Macron and his US counterpart will meet on Saturday at the start of a five-day state visit (AP) President Joe Biden said France was America's "first friend" and is one of its closest allies more than two centuries later as he was honoured with a state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron Israeli forces rescued four hostages held by Hamas since October in a raid in Gaza on Saturday while over 200 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes in the same area, according to Hamas officials, in one of the bloodiest Israeli assaults of the war. It was not immediately clear if the hostage rescue and the Israeli air assault were part of the same operation but both took place in central Gaza's al-Nuseirat, a densely built-up and often embattled area in the eight-month-old war between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian territory's ruling Islamist group. Dr Phil was repeatedly educated on the law and common trial practices in a disastrous CNN interview after he aired his sit-down with Donald Trump, where the TV personality spewed several wrong assumptions on the fairness of the hush money trial. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Pixabay/https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/ Kolkata/New Delhi/IBNS: The Calcutta High Court has sought a response from the National Testing Agency (NTA) over a PIL filed alleging irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), the test for entry into medical colleges. The petitioners have argued candidates had no scope to get marks like 718 or 719 as per the marking system. Noting NTA's reason for granting such grace marks to the examinees, the division of the high court has asked the agency for a response to the allegations. A writ petition was filed in the Delhi High Court challenging the grace marks awarded to the examinees by the NTA. The vacation bench of the Delhi High Court has asked the agency for a stand on the petition. In this year's examination, it is alleged that two of the options given for a question appeared to be correct, contrary to the instruction that only one option would be correct. Following the allegations, the NTA went ahead with granting grace marks to all those who had opted for one of the two correct answers. The plea said as quoted by Bar and Bench, "In addition, the result declared by the Respondent (NTA) also grants arbitrary and unfair grace marks to various candidates without application of mind. "This is an abhorrent violation of the rights of all candidates who do not benefit from this arbitrariness and end up losing their ranks (rank differences amount to about 20,000 and more) and therefore the potential of securing a better future." Tamil Nadu leaders want NEET to be withdrawn Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, other political leaders have renewed their demands for the withdrawal of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) after a number of irregularities popped up in the examination for the 2024 medical college. Stalin posted on X , "Trends emerging from the latest #NEET results have once again vindicated our principled opposition to the exam. Issues such as question paper leaks, clustering of toppers at specific centres, and award of marks, which are mathematically impossible, under the guise of grace marks highlight the pitfalls of the current Union Governments centralisation. "These events emphasise the need to restore the preeminence State governments' and school education system's role in determining criteria for professional course selection." Trends emerging from the latest #NEET results have once again vindicated our principled opposition to the exam. Issues such as question paper leaks, clustering of toppers at specific centres, and award of marks, which are mathematically impossible, under the guise of grace M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) June 7, 2024 Stalin's opponent from AIADMK and Leader of Opposition in the state, E Palaniswamy proposed for the return of the previous model where the entry into medical colleges were decided on the basis of Class 12 results. PMK founder S Ramadoss too proposed the abolition of the model of examination. Ramadoss has also demanded a re-test of the medical entrance and wants the NEET to be scrapped next year. Welcoming Stalin's demand, TNCC president K Selvaperunthogai has said the NEET has destroyed the aspirations of the poor students, Deccan Chronicle reported. The NEET results were declared on June 4 coinciding with the Lok Sabha poll results. Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video Dehradun/IBNS: The bodies of 9 people, who died in the trek tragedy in Uttarakhand, were flown to Bengaluru on Friday, media reports said. Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda personally handed over the dead bodies to the families of the deceased. "All 9 bodies have arrived and handed over to respective families for final rites. With the 13 surviving persons and 9 deceased returning to Bengaluru all 22 are accounted for. "That brings our rescue and recover operation to some finality. My condolences to families who have lost near and dear ones," Gowda posted on X. All 9 bodies have arrived and handed over to respective families for final rites. With the 13 surviving persons and 9 deceased returning to Bengaluru all 22 are accounted for. That brings our rescue and recover operation to some finality. My condolences to families who have https://t.co/OaKLwvZubH Krishna Byre Gowda (@krishnabgowda) June 7, 2024 The dead bodies were planned to be brought to Bengaluru on Thursday. However, the delays in formalities prompted another day. 22 trekkers from Bengaluru got stranded in the Garhwal mountain range of Uttarakhand due to bad weather. The Karnataka government in collaboration with its Uttarakhand counterpart launched a search and rescue operation. 13 trekkers, who have survived, reached Bengaluru on Thursday evening. Photo courtesy: IBNS File Kolkata/IBNS: Actor-Trinamool Congress MLA Soham Chakraborty has faced the heat after he slapped a restaurant owner at Rajarhat in the outskirts of Kolkata during a shooting after allegedly quarreling over parking, media reports said. Reports claim Chakraborty had parked his car in front of the restaurant causing inconvenience to the customers. Anisul Alam, the restaurant owner, asked Chakraborty's security personnel to remove the car followed by a tiff. The Chandipur MLA then came to the spot and slapped him. Chakraborty, however, tells a different story. The actor-MLA claimed he slapped Alam because the latter abused TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Alam has denied the allegation. Later, Chakraborty went to the police station to file a complaint against the restaurant officials. Speaking to the media, "I couldn't tolerate abuse against Abhishek Banerjee. Yes, I have slapped him. I lost my cool. We are humans, we too have emotions." Denying Chakraborty's claims, Alam said as quoted by The Indian Express, "He came here to shoot without even taking any commercial deal. Despite that, we allowed him to shoot in the restaurant. There was a verbal altercation between the restaurant workers and his security personnel regarding parking. "I had resolved that and was on my way to the restaurant when Soham came and punched me in the face. I pleaded with folded hands asking him not to beat me and listen to what happened. Instead, he said, I will show you my power and kicked me." "Chakraborty is making baseless allegations that I used bad words against Abhishek Banerjee to defend his act. This is completely untrue as I never used any bad words against Banerjee. I only said that it does not matter whether Chakraborty was a friend of Abhishek Banerjee or Narendra Modi as he had to clear the parking space for my guests," he added. The Bidhannagar Police is probing into the incident. Slamming the Mamata Banerjee government, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Indranil Khan posted on X, "TMC MLA Soham Chakraborty mercilessly beats, drags by collar a restaurant staffer and then misuses his security to beat up other staffers in Kolkata's New Town. Well, no action will be taken against him by Mamata Banerjee's police coz, in West Bengal, the law is of the ruler as there is no rule of law. "Here LawMakers of ruling party can take law into their own hands and escape any penal action. In fact, I fear police will be lodge against the victim who was mercilessly beaten by this rogue TMC MLA. No wonder wherefrom TMC workers get the audacity and protection to perpetrate routine post poll violence on opposition supporters in West Bengal." Photo Courtesy: PIB Several world leaders, including Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu , will be visiting India to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The relationship between India and Maldives started to deteriorate since Muizzu took over the office last year. Diplomatic tensions reached a flashpoint in recent times between the two countries over remarks made by some Maldives ministers against Indian PM Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep, to promote the Indian Union Territory having the potential to compete with tourism major Maldives. The oath-taking ceremony to mark the beginning of Modi's third term will be held on Sunday. In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will attend a Banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the same evening. " The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision," read a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office. Muizzu was quick to congratulate Modi after he won the polls this week following a seven-phased Indian general polls. "Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi, and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term," the President posted on X wishing the PM. Photo courtesy: Rahul Gandhi Facebook page New Delhi/IBNS: Several Congress leaders have proposed the name of their former party head Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha after the camp registered a reasonable bounce back in the recently concluded parliamentary elections. The clamour grows as the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meets for the first time since the poll results were announced. Congress leader Veerappa Moily said,"We need to discuss many things - the manner in which the Congress and also INDIA scored a very high percentage of votes and also the seats. Of course, we should have won and captured the power and Rahul Gandhi should have become the Prime Minister of this country. But we missed it. "But now, Narendra Modi is not that great, he has been totally pulled down in terms of popularity, in terms of vote share. I think we are marching forward, and if not today, tomorrow the Congress - under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi - has to come back." #WATCH | Delhi: On CWC meeting, Congress leader Dr Veerappa Moily says, "We need to discuss many things - the manner in which the Congress and also INDIA scored a very high percentage of votes and also the seats. Of course, we should have won and captured the power and Rahul pic.twitter.com/yookJPmrMa ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2024 Congress leader Manickam Tagore said on X, "I sought votes on the name of my leader, Rahul Gandhi. I think he should be the Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha. I hope elected Congress MPs also think the same. Lets see how the Congress Parliamentary Party decides. We are a Democratic Party." I sought votes on the name of my leader, Rahul Gandhi. I think he should be the Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha. I hope elected Congress MPs also think the same. Lets see how the Congress Parliamentary Party decides. We are a Democratic Party #RahulGandhiVoiceOfIndia pic.twitter.com/pEsSoeDwB8 Manickam Tagore .B . (@manickamtagore) June 6, 2024 Congress leader Shashi Tharoor told PTI, "He and Congress president (Mallikarjun) Kharge campaigned extensively throughout the country, but Mr Kharge is in the Rajya Sabha where he leads the Opposition and it would only be fitting that Rahul Gandhi does the same in the Lok Sabha. I have certainly conveyed my view both publicly and privately in that regard." "I think we have a strong number now to stand up to the government and it (Leader of Opposition) should be a leader who is undoubtedly the most popular in the party." Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said, "Like 140 crore Indians, I also want Rahul Gandhi-ji to take the position of Leader of Opposition because he took the responsibility of raising people's voice against the Modi government." #WATCH | Delhi: Congress leader and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy says, "We don't know about the agenda of the CWC meeting yet... Our demand is the same as that of 140 crore Indians. Rahul Gandhi has to take the position as the leader of the Opposition. Rahul Gandhi has been pic.twitter.com/IIs8vKfPRh ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2024 After a gap of 10 years, the country is set to have an Opposition leader as Congress has won 99 seats, the figure much above than what is required. Rahul Gandhi has won from both Kerala's Wayanad and Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli in the Lok Sabha polls. As BJP's tally of seats stopped at 240- 32 short of the majority mark (272)- TDP (16 seats), JDU (12 seats), Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena (7 seats) and Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (5 seats) have emerged as the kingmakers. It is learnt that Naidu and Kumar, who have remained in coalition governments in the past, aim for plum posts in the new central government. Modi, who has been chosen as the leader of NDA alliance, will take oath as the Prime Minister on June 9. The INDIA bloc, which performanced better than what was expected, has decided to "wait and watch" after winning 232 seats. Photo courtesy: IBNS File Kolkata/IBNS: In an almost repeat of the 2021 assembly elections in West Bengal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)- spearheaded by none less than Prime Minister Narendra Modi- failed to breach the Trinamool Congress bastion even in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls . Following the party's drubbing in the elections, BJP national vice president Dilip Ghosh, whose constituency was swapped, has made explosive remarks against the top brass. In a cryptic post, Ghosh wrote on X, "Old is Gold." The post has triggered the debate of old versus new leadership within the saffron party in West Bengal. Explaining his reason for such a post, Ghosh told ABP Ananda, "Veterans are often forgotten in politics. It is not correct to forget old guards. I have tried to make people understand this." Speaking on the turncoats, the former BJP state president said, "New leaders will have to be given importance otherwise they won't come. But the motive behind coming into BJP has to be analysed. If someone comes for ideology, he/she will come to expand the party. "But if someone comes when the party has expanded, he must be tested. There are a lot of people who have left us and returned again. Voters don't accept such turncoats." On Friday, without taking any names, he took a dig at Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who was at the helm of the party's campaign in the state, over choosing the candidates for the 42 seats. Ghosh, who won the Medinipur constituency in 2019, was made to contest this time from Bardhaman-Durgapur seat, where he lost to the TMC's Kirti Azad by a margin of over 1.37 lakh votes. Ghosh's replacement for the Medinipur constituency, Agnimitra Paul, was also defeated. Speaking to a local TV news channel, Ghosh said: "For over a year, I have spent all my time and money in Medinipur. But I wasn't allowed to contest from there. I was suddenly fielded from the Bardhaman-Durgapur seat with no time to prepare. The result in both seats (Medinipur and Bardhaman-Durgapur) is for all to see." "Even Agnimitra Paul came to visit me and said what was the need for this switch, we were doing good in our respective constituencies," he said. Ghosh, who is credited for BJP's meteoric rise in West Bengal politics after he became state chief in 2015, defeated veteran politician and TMC candidate Manas Bhunia from Medinipur in 2019. But in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Ghosh was replaced by BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul as the candidate from Medinipur, which was won by TMC candidate, actress-politician June Maliah. Across the state, it was Mamata Banerjee-led TMC's storm as it won 29 out of 42 seats defying all exit polls. The BJP could manage to win only 12, 6 down from its 2019 tally. Photo Courtesy: File Photo From UNI Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Indian PM Narendra Modi after he won the general polls and returned to power for the third straight term. HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulates the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his political partys victory in the general elections, read the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia. President Droupadi Murmu Friday invited Narendra Modi, chosen as leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), to form the next union government, days after the coalition comfortably won the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Modi and the members of his new cabinet will take the oath of office at 6 pm Sunday. A statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan said Murmu had "satisfied herself on the basis of various letters of support received, that the BJP-led NDA alliance... is in a position to command a majority support of the newly constituted 18th Lok Sabha and form a stable government." The communique said it had, therefore, appointed Narendra Modi as Prime Minister of India. Speaking outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Modi said the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA will form a strong, stable, and growth-oriented government. HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulates the Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi on his political party's victory in the general elections. pic.twitter.com/ejJXdwp1nl Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) June 6, 2024 Modi will be the second politician after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to become Prime Minister for the third consecutive term. However, unlike his previous two terms, Modi this time required the support of his allies to form a government as the BJP stopped at 240, 32 short of the majority mark (272). The TDP (16 seats), JDU (12 seats), Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena (7 seats) and Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (5 seats) have emerged as the kingmakers. Photo Courtesy: Congress X page The extended Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest executive forum of the grand old Indian political party, on Saturday unanimously passed a resolution to appoint senior leader Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lower House of the Parliament. In the meeting, Gandhi, who has won from Wayanad and Raebareli, said he will think about the proposal (to become the LoP), leaders familiar with the matter said, adding that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, however, politely reminded him that since CWC has passed a resolution in this order, he should accept the post, reported Hidustan Times. Congress President Shri @kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji, Shri @RahulGandhi and other senior leaders attended the Extended Congress Working Committee meeting in Delhi today. pic.twitter.com/BEH7hVKtCe Congress (@INCIndia) June 8, 2024 In another resolution, the CWC unanimously requested Rahul Gandhi to take the LoP post in the Lok Sabha. All participants, in their view, were unanimous that Rahul Gandhi should become the LoP, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said after the CWC meeting as quoted by the newspaper. How Congress performed in recently held Lok Sabha polls? After a gap of 10 years, the country is set to have an Opposition leader as Congress has won 99 seats, the figure much above than what is required. Rahul Gandhi has won from both Kerala's Wayanad and Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli in the Lok Sabha polls. As BJP's tally of seats stopped at 240- 32 short of the majority mark (272)- TDP (16 seats), JDU (12 seats), Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena (7 seats) and Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (5 seats) have emerged as the kingmakers. It is learnt that Naidu and Kumar, who have remained in coalition governments in the past, aim for plum posts in the new central government. Modi, who has been chosen as the leader of NDA alliance, will take oath as the Prime Minister on June 9. The INDIA bloc, which performanced better than what was expected, has decided to "wait and watch" after winning 232 seats. Photo courtesy: File image from Facebook/Naveen Patnaik Bhubaneswar/New Delhi/IBNS: Outgoing Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik , in his first reaction after losing the Odisha assembly polls, on Saturday defended his close aide VK Pandian, saying that the bureaucrat-turned-politician was not his successor in the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Stating that the criticism of VK Pandian, now a member of the BJD, was "unfortunate", Naveen Patnaik, who missed out on what would have been his sixth consecutive term in office, said that the people of Odisha would decide his successor in BJD. Pandian joined the party and has not held any post. He did not contest the elections. As an officer, he did an excellent job in different fields in the last 10 years, be it during two cyclones or the Covid-19 pandemic," the BJD president told news agency PTI. "He [Pandian] retired from the bureaucracy, and joined the BJD and contributed largely by doing excellent work. He is a person of integrity and honesty and should be remembered for that, the veteran leader said," the veteran leader added. This statement comes from the outgoing CM of Odisha after a section of BJD leaders and workers expressed resentment against the ex-bureaucrat Pandian, who is from Tamil Nadu. During election campaigning, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had repeatedly claimed that the-then chief minister was trying to impose a non-Odia on the people of the coastal state. In the recently concluded assembly election in Odisha, the BJP won 78 seats in the 147-member Odisha assembly, while the BJD, which had been in power since 2000, won 51 seats. Bagging just 14 seats, the Congress came third. BJP supremo Naveen Patnaik, who contested on two seats, was victorious from one (Hinjili AC) but lost the other (Kantabanji AC), according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP secured 20 of Odisha's 21 parliamentary constituencies, and the BJD won only one. ECI held simultaneous polls (Lok Sabha and state assembly elections) in four states -- Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/2.0 GENERIC/CC BY 2.0 Deed A man has been arrested for allegedly attacking Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was hit by a man Friday evening on Kultorvet [public square] in Copenhagen. The man was subsequently arrested, the prime ministers office said as quoted by CNN. The Prime Minister said she was 'shocked' by the incident. It is still not clear whether she was hurt in the alleged assault. Danish Minister of Environment Magnus Heunicke said the incident shocked the Prime Minister and them who are closely associated with her. "Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was today assaulted and beaten by a man on Kultorvet in Copenhagen. Mette is naturally shocked by the attack. I must say that it shakes all of us who are close to her," he said. "Something like this must not happen in our beautiful, safe and free country. We all have a responsibility to look after each other and the values our country is built on. The police have arrested a man for the assault.Let's take a clear and sharp distance and instead move together and take care of each other. Regardless of political disagreements, election campaign etc. This is ugly and unacceptable," the minister said. "Let's show that Denmark is much better," the minister said. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen described the incident as a 'despicable act' and condemned it. Dear @Statsmin Mette, I was so shocked at the news of you being assaulted tonight. I condemn this despicable act which goes against everything we believe and fight for in Europe. I wish you strength and courage - I know you have plenty of both. Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 7, 2024 "Dear @Statsmin Mette, I was so shocked at the news of you being assaulted tonight.I condemn this despicable act which goes against everything we believe and fight for in Europe," she said. Danmarks statsminister Mette Frederiksen er i dag blevet overfaldet og slaet af en mand pa Kultorvet i Kbenhavn. Mette er naturligvis chokeret over overfaldet. Jeg ma sige, at det ryster os allesammen, der er tt pa hende. Sadan noget ma ikke ske i vores smukke, sikre og frie Magnus Heunicke (@Heunicke) June 7, 2024 Extending support to the assaulted leader, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina posted on X: "Deeply shocked by the outrageous attack on my colleague and friend, Prime Minister of #Denmark Mette Frederiksen." Deeply shocked by the outrageous attack on my colleague and friend, Prime Minister of #Denmark Mette Frederiksen. @Statsmin, all our thoughts are with you and your loved ones. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Evika Silina (@EvikaSilina) June 7, 2024 Denmarks center-left Socialist Democratic party leader Mette Frederiksen is serving as the Prime Minister of the country since 2019. Victim of the mishap who was identified as David Sinar Photo Courtesy: Norfolk Police website A British woman who ploughed into the back of a motorcyclist killing the rider moments after she zoomed in on a selfie on her mobile phone has been jailed. Amber Potter, aged 23, of Livingstone Road, Norwich, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday 5 June and admitted to death by dangerous driving. She has been jailed for three and a half years and disqualified from driving for 45 months. The family of a man killed by a dangerous driver on the A11 say they are 'utterly devastated' and that life is 'unbearable' without him.https://t.co/cPKNtUgevx pic.twitter.com/Fs3kc2MLKb Norfolk Police (@NorfolkPolice) June 6, 2024 The court heard how Potter had been travelling on the A11 to Norwich from Glastonbury on Wednesday 15 September 2021 in a Vauxhall Corsa when she went into the back of a Lambretta scooter at around 9.25pm. Emergency services attended and despite efforts to save him David Sinar, aged 64, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. He had been driving home having purchased the scooter in Bournemouth earlier that day. A statement read to the court on behalf of Davids wife Joanne said losing him had made life unbearable, robbed his teenage son of his dad, and left his 97-year-old mother heartbroken. Dave was my best friend, my soul mate and since losing him has made life unbearable, not knowing how to cope with the future without him, the statement added. No defects were found to either vehicle and neither had been travelling at excessive speed. Forensic analysis of Potters mobile phone showed multiple interactions during her journey. These included taking selfies, chatting on Facebook Messenger, and sending texts and audio clips. Because the device was set to do not disturb it was said the user went out of their way to use it. The last known interaction with her phone began less than 85 seconds prior to her calling 999 in the aftermath of the collision. The forensic expert concluded that the collision occurred solely as a consequence of the driver of the Vauxhall failing to identify a hazard, in this case the Lambretta, in a timely manner. In interview she said the scooter had come out of nowhere and given her no time to react. She said she was playing music from her Spotify account which was programmed to change automatically and that she had Google maps running. She denied touching her phone at the time of the collision but was unable to explain how she failed to see the scooter before it was too late. Staff supervisor Andrew Hughes of the Norfolk and Suffolk Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), said: This tragic case highlights the devastating effects drivers who interact with their mobile devices whilst driving have on others. It is the reason it features in the fatal four offences and continues to be a focus for police. It is a selfish and needless act which has severe consequences for so many people. My condolences go to Mr Sinars family. Their victim personal statements which came from all generations of the family were hugely moving and highlighted from the knock on the door, to the current day, how they struggle to come to terms with the death of a man who was such a huge influence on so many people. Photo Courtesy: IDF X page The Israel Defense Forces on Saturday said four hostages were rescued alive from Hamas captivity while conducting a daylight operation in Gaza. The rescued persons were identified as Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40. They were reportedly abducted from the Supernova music festival near the community of Reim on the morning of October 7 when Hamas members allegedly killed 1200 people. They also took away over 200 hostages with them. IDF posted on X: "Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40) were rescued in a special operation by the IDF, ISA and Israel Police from 2 separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat after being kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival. " Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40) were rescued in a special operation by the IDF, ISA and Israel Police from 2 separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat after being kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival. They are in good pic.twitter.com/PnkjL4GRQz Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024 "They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Center for further medical examinations. We will continue to make every effort to bring the hostages home," the forces said. US President Joe Biden-led administration has cautioned Israel from widening its conflict against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah since it might push Iran to intervene, media reports said. The Biden administration has cautioned Israel in recent weeks against the notion of "a limited war" in Lebanon and warned it could push Iran to intervene, two US officials and one Israeli official told Axios. The warning was issued amid speculation that Israel might launch an operation against Hezbollah in the upcoming months. Israel-Lebanon border clashes a grave concern: Guterres The continuing exchange of fire between Israeli forces and militants in southern Lebanon along the UN-patrolled Blue Line frontier are a source of grave concern, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday. In a statement issued in the evening from his Spokespersons Office in New York, the UN chief called for an urgent ceasefire. "He remains gravely concerned that the exchanges of fire have not only ravaged communities close to the Blue Line but have also impacted deeper into the territories of both Lebanon and Israel, with the use of increasingly destructive weapons, the statement continued. These exchanges of fire could trigger a broader conflict with devastating consequences for the region. IDF claims 'terrorists' killed during airstrike on UNRWA schools The Israel Defense Forces has claimed they have killed several members of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups during an airstrike on a school run by UN in Gaza Citys Shati neighbourhood. The fresh strike occurred just a day after IDF hit another UN school housing what it said was a compound used by dozens of terror operatives. The IDF has revealed the identities of those Hamas and Islamic Jihad group members who were killed in the strikes. Speaking on Shati airstrike, IDF posted on X: "We eliminated Hamas terrorists in a precise IAF strike while they were operating in a container inside the premises of an @UNRWA school in Shati earlier today." "The terrorists carried out terrorist attacks from the U.N. school premises while using it as a shield for their terror activities. Prior to the strike, many steps were taken to mitigate civilian harm," the force said. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees earlier told UN News, The number of those reported killed is between 35 and 45. Scores others are injured. We are not able to confirm the above figure at this stage. Speaking at the regular noon briefing, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that the attacks were "another horrific example of the price that civilians are paying". Local officials in Gaza reported that 37 people were killed in the school building attack in the Nuseirat refugee camp near Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza. The toll included 14 children, it was also reported. Israel and Gaza have engaged in a bitter conflict ever since Hamas members attacked on October 7, leaving at least 1200 people dead. The Hamas members took more than 200 people hostage. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay The diaspora belonging to Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) living overseas recently demonstrated outside the Pakistani consulate in England to demand the release of leaders and social activists of the region. The protest was organized, demanding the immediate release of the social activists and leaders arrested by the law enforcement agencies of PoGB and PoJK, ANI news agency reported. A local member of Englands POJK and POGB diaspora during the protest told the news agency, We have been sitting on a protest here for the rights of our brethren back home. Activists and local leaders of POGB and POJK have been arrested by law enforcement agencies and have been put in Mirpur Jail." We demand that these activists be released effectively immediately. Our people have been peacefully demanding their rights inflicting brutalities upon us. We have lost some of our people during these protests, those people were innocent. We demand that the people responsible for these atrocities be brought to justice. he added. Highlighting the issue of power cuts, he said huge amounts of electricity are produced by the use of resources available in that area. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash A woman was allegedly killed and set on fire by her in-laws in Pakistan's Mouza Junglewala region, media reports said. Complainant Wajid Iqbal, brother of Samina Bibi, stated that his sister had married Muhammad Asif alias Kalu three years ago, reported Dawn News. Wajid on Wednesday night heard his sister crying for help when he was sitting with his cousin. He and his relatives rushed to the scene to find Samina being tortured by Asif and his brothers Atif, Adeel, and Ansar, the Pakistan newspaper reported. They attempted to rescue her but Asif opened fire and even threatened them. The attacker later sprinkled petrol and set the victim on fire. Police later reached the spot and initiated actions against the suspects. Jatoi SDPO Khalid Bilal told Dawn News a case was registered against four suspects under sections 302 and 34 of Pakistan Penal Code. In recent news, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut found herself at the centre of controversy when she was attacked by CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur at the Chandigarh airport. The assault reportedly stemmed from remarks Kangana made about farmers' protests in 2021, leading to widespread criticism and concerns about safety. Kangana supporters slam actor Nakuul Mehta for airport incident dig Screenshot From X Kangana says CISF personnel attacked her in Khalistani style, compares herself to Indira Gandhi/Indiatimes Amidst the aftermath of the incident, television actor Nakuul Mehta inadvertently added fuel to the fire by making a comment that drew ire from Kangana's supporters. Nakuul, known for his roles in various television shows, took to social media to indirectly reference the assault, asking, "Who will play the lead role in Kulwinders biopic?" This seemingly flippant remark sparked outrage among Kangana's fans, who perceived it as insensitive and trivialising the seriousness of the situation. Netizens quickly took to various social media platforms to express their displeasure with Nakuul's comment. Many criticised him for lacking empathy and urged him to focus on his acting career rather than making controversial statements. Here is what Kangana supporters are saying on X (former Twitter): One user responded to Nakuul's tweet by questioning whether he would be pleased if someone made light of a situation where he was harmed. Another user suggested that Nakuul should first learn acting before attempting to make such comments. Screenshots From X The incident at the Chandigarh airport left Kangana shaken but unharmed physically. Taking to social media, she addressed the public concern, reassuring her followers of her safety while expressing apprehension about the growing issue of terrorism in Punjab. According to Kangana, the CISF constable verbally abused and physically assaulted her, citing support for farmers' protests as her motive. Meanwhile, amidst the backlash, Nakuul Mehta's professional endeavours continue. His recent appearance in "Bade Acche Lagte Hain 2 and 3" garnered attention, and he is now set to star in the upcoming web series "Daring Partners." The show revolves around the journey of two best friends as they venture into the alcohol industry, challenging norms and navigating a male-dominated field. Alongside Nakuul, the series features Tamannaah Bhatia, Diana Penty, and Jaaved Jaaferi in prominent roles. Also Read: Kulwinder Kaur booked after airport incident with Kangana Ranaut, Singer Vishal Dadlani offers her a job The incident involving Kangana Ranaut and the subsequent controversy surrounding Nakuul Mehta's comment serve as a reminder of the importance of sensitivity and empathy, particularly in the public eye. As discussions around safety, freedom of speech, and responsible social media conduct continue, it remains essential for individuals to exercise caution and consider the implications of their words and actions. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Do you remember the simpler days of your life back when you were a child and rushing back to your home to play was all you were worried about? Back when cafe culture was not a thing we would actually explore the sights that Delhi had to offer. As children, spending a holiday at Appu Ghar, Rail Bhawan or a dolls museum followed by a picnic at India Gate was the definition of a gala time. www.tripadvisor.in Where did all the questions that we had as a child go? Our curiosity and zest to learn something new somehow got lost as we grew up and now all we do on our weekends is either go to the mall, grab a beer or watch a movie. And sometimes, you do not even get out! If your interest is piqued, then keep reading to take yourself back in time and let us convince you, why you should visit or re-visit Shankars International Dolls Museum in Delhi as an adult. Also Read: Slow Hobbies For A Happier Life: These 6 Hobbies Will Help You Discover The Calm Instagram History Located on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, this museum has stood since the days when Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was our president and was founded by political cartoonist, K. Shankar Pillai who was also a collector of dolls. His fascination with dolls began when he received one as a gift from a Hungarian official and soon he amassed an impressive collection of 500 dolls from all over the globe. www.tripadvisor.in But it was after Indira Gandhi visited an exhibition with her father where he was showcasing them, that they teamed up to set up this museum that officially started on 30th November 1965, and has been open for visitors since then from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm except on Monday. Also Read: Summer Vacations: 9 Exciting Activities To Keep Your Kids Busy Collection www.tripadvisor.in Instagram Starting with a collection of 1000 dolls, currently, the museum proudly boasts a collection of nearly 6000 costume dolls from around 85 countries of the world, making it a must-visit place for anyone who has a fascination for the culture of countries in the Middle East, East-Asia, Africa and Europe. The museum also holds dolls from the US, New Zealand and Australia. motu0219/Instagram motu0219/Instagram motu0219/Instagram But, that is not all, you can also learn about our Indian culture and history with 150 different kinds of Indian dolls that reflect the country's culture, history, and artistic expression. These dolls are clothed in traditional attire from every state including sarees and suits. Little bride and groom dolls that depict Indian wedding customs are also included in the collection. As we grow up the sprawling markets, shopping complexes and malls or streets bustling with eateries are where our mind goes whenever we make a plan to catch up with a friend, or spend some quality time with our family, and unique places such as Shankars International Dolls Museum gets goes unnoticed. Whether you want to learn about Kabuki and Samurai culture from Japan or the British history that fascinates you, this museum is the place to see! Visiting this unique dolls museum will not only provide you with a healthy escape from your stressful life while simultaneously enriching your mind but also take you back to the charm of your childhood days. So the next time you look for interesting things to do in Delhi, keep note of this amazing place that will take you on a cultural ride all over the globe, and back in time at the same time. Also Read: Rambo Circus Is Coming Back To Delhi: Here's Everything You Need To Know For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. Ever since Bridgerton graced our screens we have been enamoured by the the historical period drama's charm. From clothing pieces to decor designs, Bridgerton's aesthetic has taken over our lives and how! Everyone is trying to bring a Bridgerton flavour to their life, from cosy get-togethers to extravagant themes people are adopting the show's regal theme to fulfil their fantasies. If you are one of them, you're in for a treat, keep reading to learn how you can turn all your Bridgerton dreams come true. Pinterest Bridgerton Music What makes the Bridgerton-core so achievable is the real-life parallels you can draw from it, especially because of the show's music. For the people who are living under a rock, let us enlighten you on how Bridgerton has revolutionised the current music scene, by making string quartets all the rage. Taylor Swift's Wildest Dreams in season 1, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham's title track in Season 2 and Pitbull's Give Me Everything in season 3, are just a few pop songs whose string quartet versions have found a space on the show, creating a popular market for instrumental concerts. Also Read: Bridgerton IRL: 9 Filming Locations Of Season 3 You Can Actually Visit Insta-Famous Candlelight Concerts to Debut in India After a successful run in over 150 cities all across the globe, the Instagram sensation Candlelight Concerts is set to travel to various locations in India, transporting you to the magical world of classical music combined with the romantic ambience of candlelights just like a Bridgerton ball. Produced by Live Your City, a brand under the American company Fever Labs Inc., Candlelight Concerts are designed to transport listeners back in time to enjoy the works of master musicians such as Mozart, Chopin, and Vivaldi. They even experiment with works of musicians like Queen, ABBA, and Coldplay for audiences with more modern tastes. When and where in India will Candlelight Concerts be held? The contemporary concert lineups are scheduled to be held in Mumbai, Delhi and Faridabad over the course of a couple of months. Mumbai The artists are beginning the India line-up on 2nd June with a show titled Tribute to Indian Composers at the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai, with two more concerts on July 13 and 14 at the same venue. In addition to that, on June 15, July 19, and August 17, The Four Seasons in Mumbai will host an evening of Coldplay's best hits, arranged by the string quartet. candlelight.concerts/Instagram Delhi Delhi audiences can look forward to being serenaded with the works of Mozart and Chopin on June 14, July 12 and August 9 at the Shri Ram Centre of Performing Arts. Following this, the venue will host another show titled Best Movie Soundtracks on June 28 and July 26. The string quartet are also coming to Delhi's Le Meridien with shows featuring Coldplay's best hits on June 16, July 6 and August 16. Also Read: Rambo Circus Is Coming Back To Delhi: Here's Everything You Need To Know Faridabad The Radisson Blu is hosting the string quartet with shows titled Tribute to Coldplay and From Mozart to Chopin on July 5 and August 10 in Faridabad. The concerts are a novel experience for everyone and whether you are a music enthusiast or not you are sure to have a gala time. You must make haste! And go book your tickets! Also Read: Summer Vacations: 9 Exciting Activities To Keep Your Kids Busy For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. Planning a vacation with your friends or family is an excellent opportunity to spend time together and create wonderful memories with your loved ones. Taking selfies or photos at the beach, against the backdrop of the sea or sunset, is a necessity during your holiday. But what if your phone gets lost on the journey? What happened with the woman on Kerala vacation? A Karnataka woman's trip to Kerala recently turned into a nightmare when she lost her iPhone | Image: Instagram A Karnataka woman's trip to Kerala recently turned into a nightmare when she lost her iPhone. However, the resort's Kerala cops and Fire & Rescue crew successfully recovered the misplaced phone by navigating cliffs and braving the waves. A video of how the crews discovered the lost iPhone after 7 hours has been circulating on Instagram. The viral video highlights key moments throughout the lengthy and difficult recovery operation. The team successfully recovered the misplaced phone after navigating hazardous rocks and braving the pounding waves. Later in the video, the teams can be seen handing over the lost phone to the woman and having their photos taken with her. Who posted the rescue video? The Antiliya chalet team along with Kerala Fire and Rescue took 7 hours of effort to recover the mobile phone | Image: Instagram The footage was uploaded by the resort's official Instagram page, @antiliyachalets. The video's caption reads, "This video is a part of yesterdays accident. The iPhone worth 150000 of the Karnataka woman who was staying in our chalet fell between the huge rocks on the beach. While explaining how heavy waves and winds made the task tough, the user stated, "Despite the efforts, nothing could be retrieved. The strong waves along with winds and rain made the situation challenging. Also read: Kerala bus conductor dubbed 'Desi Spiderman' for daring act to save passenger However, the Antiliya chalet team along with Kerala Fire and Rescue took 7 hours of effort to recover the mobile phone. Antiliya Chalet would like to thank Suhail and the Kerala Fire and Rescue team for helping in this. How did people on the internet react? The video was shared a few weeks ago and has received over 1 million views. The post has received a lot of attention, as it depicts the rescuers' dedication and coordination. Many individuals commented on the post. "I am surprised to see rescue team being used to retrieve mobile phone seriously," said an individual. "Respect the fire team," said a second. Check the viral video here. Also read: Viral Video: Kerala YouTuber Sanju Techy Faces Charges For Installing Swimming Pool Inside Car What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Satish Salve, an Indore resident, has been anxious since his bike was taken on June 4 from the Veda Business Park parking lot. CCTV cameras captured images of the burglar snatching his bike, but police have yet to apprehend him. Satish has now written a letter to the thief and shared it on social media. What did the man write to the thief? Satish has now written a letter to the thief and shared it on social media | Image: Pexels The Indore man wrote: Respected thief sir, please return my bike to me. You have been caught on camera stealing it. I am a small employee, and I bought the bike with my lifes earnings. My son is crying about travelling on the bike and has stopped eating and drinking. It is because he used to travel on this bike every day. Why did the man try to reach out to the thief? Satish claims to work in a private company and earns only Rs 8,000 | Image: Pexels Satish further wrote to the thief that he is the sole breadwinner for his family and must face all of the family's responsibilities. Satish claims to work in a private company and earns only Rs 8,000. Also read: Viral video: Madhya Pradesh's gym owner makes thief run on treadmill as punishment Furthermore, his father is not present to assist him. The Indore man further stated that he had no money left to purchase another bike. He ended the letter, hoping that the thief would appreciate his situation and return the bike. How are authorities handling the case? As evidenced by the CCTV footage, the robber took his time before snatching Satish's two-wheeler | Image: Pexels This case is currently unresolved. However, he remains certain that the police will apprehend the thief, retrieve the bike, and return it to him. In an alternate scenario, Satish believes that if the thief reads this message and has a change of heart, he will return the bike. The motorcycle's license plate is MP09QK178. As evidenced by the CCTV footage, the robber took his time before snatching Satish's two-wheeler. He then rode the bike, attracting no suspicion from passersby. The camera shows a girl standing in the parking lot, toying with his phone. Also read: Woman Shocked To Find Boyfriend Is A Thief After He Gets Arrested, Throws Away Gifted Jewellery For a brief while, the girl noticed the man drive away with the bike, but she did not raise any alarm. What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Negotiating fares with auto rickshaw drivers may be a hassle, right? It's irritating, exhausting, and can feel like an endless battle. However, when ride-sharing applications such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido emerged, their fixed-price feature was a breath of fresh air. Suddenly, the headache was eliminated, and you knew exactly what you were paying. What new feature did Ola introduce? Ola has altered its terms and conditions for auto rides | Image: Canva However, Ola recently threw a curveball, eliminating this convenience. Yes, you heard that correctly! In an unexpected move, Ola has altered its terms and conditions for auto rides. Also read: Viral Video: Gujarat Vendor's 'Burj Khalifa Gola' Made Using 20 Bowls Of Ice A Hit Online Instead of showing a fixed fare, they now offer a fare range, allowing you and the driver to negotiate a price. For example, if you're travelling from point A to point B, the app may now display a price range of Rs. 130-200, and you'll have to bargain with the driver to determine the ultimate rate. This adjustment became effective on March 1. Who shared the update on X? Ola wants customer to negotiate the price with drivers | Image: X One dissatisfied user resorted to 'X' to express his displeasure, posting a screenshot of the revised fare range. The Bengaluru-based user wrote, "Now @Olacabs wants its users to negotiate the final amount with the drivers once the ride is complete." This triggered a spirited online debate. How did people on the internet react? "This is such a useless feature because you and I know that auto drivers are gonna ask for the max amt (even worse in cities like Chennai where auto drivers are entitled to an extra 50/100)," a user wrote. Also read: Bengaluru Passenger Reveals Ola Driver's Fare Scam Attempt, Showed A Fake Screenshot Another stated, "There is no negotiation, drivers demand the upper band amount and you will fork it out." A third customer reiterated these concerns, saying, "There is no negotiation; one must pay the high-end price." Furthermore, payment is solely in cash. Worst feature; I've ceased using Ola for the past three weeks due to this." Now @Olacabs wants its users to negotiate the final amount with the drivers once the ride is complete. pic.twitter.com/xfJ1bUoUpj Abhiek (@macho_nonreal) June 5, 2024 What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. A robber who managed to enter a gym in Madhya Pradesh's Datia district did not expect to walk out after an 'exercise' rather than robbing it. CCTV footage from the event revealed that the robber was not only apprehended by the gym owner but also forced to run on a treadmill. The robber entered the gym by sliding beneath the shutter and taking a tour around, unknowing that the owner had captured him on CCTV. The thief was a minor. Where did the gym owner catch the thief? Looking through the gym's CCTV footage on his phone, he noticed the thief roaming around | Image: YouTube The gym owner, who was at home, abruptly awoke in the middle of the night and decided to check his phone. Looking through the gym's CCTV footage on his phone, he noticed the thief roaming around. Also read: Viral Video: CCTV Captures Leopard And Bear Wandering Through Residential Area In Ooty He quickly hurried to the gym and apprehended the terrified thief. Before turning him over to the cops, the gym owner urged him to run on the treadmill. What happened in the viral video? the camera shows the invader running on the treadmill, apparently weary from the severe "punishment" | Image: YouTube The video begins with the thief sneaking into the gym in the dark and looking for important goods to take. Following that, the camera shows the invader running on the treadmill, apparently weary from the severe "punishment". The gym owner is seen pressing him to continue running. After teaching the thief a valuable lesson, the owner apprehends him and turns him over to the authorities. How did some other similar videos go viral? In another example last week, a man in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow was detained after being discovered sleeping comfortably on the floor of a residence he had entered to steal. Also read: Woman Caught On Restaurant CCTV Planting Her Own Hair In Food For Free Meal According to police, the man was highly intoxicated and fell asleep inside the house after finding and turning on an air conditioner. Check the viral video here. Check the viral video here. What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk congratulated Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on winning the 2024 general elections in India. On Friday, Musk took to social media platform X to send his best wishes to Modi and discussed the future of his companies in India. Elon Musk Congratulates PM Modi On Election Victory Three days after the 2024 Lok Sabha results were announced, Elon Musk tweeted, Congratulations @narendramodi on your victory in the worlds largest democratic elections! Looking forward to my companies doing exciting work in India. Elon Musk Congratulates PM Modi On Election Victory Elon Musk postponed his planned visit to India in April this year due to "very heavy Tesla obligations". He was expected to visit the country on April 21 and 22 and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Musk later said he hopes to come to India later this year. In June last year, Musk met PM Modi in the US, expressing confidence that Tesla and Starlink would enter the Indian market soon. "Unfortunately, very heavy Tesla obligations require that the visit to India be delayed, but I do very much look forward to visiting later this year," Elon Musk posted on X. World leaders congratulated Narendra Modi Apart from Musk, many businessmen and world leaders congratulated Narendra Modi on his election win, including US President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Inside The Earnings Of India's Prime Minister: Salary, Perks, And Allowances | Reuters PM-designate Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest political party in India on June 4, winning 240 out of the total 543 Lok Sabha seats. Its rival party, the Indian National Congress, won 99 seats. While BJP, on its own, did not have enough seats to reach the majority mark in this election, the NDA alliance is set to form the government with 293 seats. PM Modi's oath ceremony schedule President Droupadi Murmu will administer the Oath of Office and Secrecy to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other members of his Union Council of Ministers on June 9, 2024, at 7:15 pm at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Modi's Oath Ceremony Guest List Top South Asian leaders have been invited to the oath ceremony, reflecting the government's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. The guest list includes Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Nepal's Premier Pushpa Kamal Dahal, among others. Formal invitations have also been sent to Bhutan's Tshering Tobgay and Mauritius' PM Pravind Jugnauth, reports suggest. READ ALSO: Elon Musk's X platform will now allow 'Adult Content'. These are the rules and regulations! For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here Greek tourism is set to soar even higher in 2024, building on a significant revenue boom from the previous year, according to the countrys National Bank. A report on the first quarter shows promising growth for the tourism sector, with revenues expected to surpass 22 billion euros and tourist numbers to exceed 35 million. The previous year saw earning of about 20 billion euros. The early part of 2024 has seen a strong start, with air travel arrivals indicating a double-digit percentage increase. Greek hoteliers are experiencing unprecedented demand, setting a new record for the Mediterranean market despite previous challenges. The positive trend is bolstered by a recovering consumer climate and an increase in international flights, including new routes to high-spending destinations. Early bookings have surged by 21 percent, signalling robust demand for the year. Despite geopolitical and climate concerns, Greek tourism is demonstrating resilience and is on track to set new records. The industrys focus has expanded to include sustainability and quality, aiming for a balanced distribution of tourist activity. The sector, supported by aligned institutions, is moving towards these goals, as highlighted by the National Banks study. By Vassilis Kaltsas iefimerida.gr The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday, arraigned three men before an Ikeja Special Offences Court sitting in Lagos, for allegedly stealing the sum of N3.5 billion from Access Bank. For also retaining the proceeds of crime, the trio Michael Igbomins, David Onyeike and Moses Iruolaja were arraigned before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe. EFCCs counsel, Abdulhamid Tukur, told court that the defendants, with dishonest intent, allegedly stole and converted for their own use, the sum of N3.5 billion, property of Access Bank. Advertisement As disclosed by the News Agency of Nigeria, an Access Bank staff plugged an Hp Elitebook laptop into his branch network where he was working for about 16 years as an IT representative. He gave remote access to his cohorts to perpetrate the fraud on the network of the bank and employed other defendants through which they moved the money. READ ALSO: Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede Returns As Access Holdings Chair According to the anti-graft agency, their offences are contrary to the provision of Section 17 of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004 and Section 280 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015. The three-men however pleaded not guilty to the charge read to them. Following their not guilty plea, Tukur prayed the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility. However, the defendants counsel, M. S. Amosun and I. O. Lala informed the court that there was no pending application before the court but prayed that they would do the needful before the next adjourned date. Abike-Fadipe, however, adjourned the case until 28 November for commencement of trial. For a second time, striking members of Teamsters Local 264 at the Tops Markets distribution center in Lancaster have turned down a four-year contract offer. "The members have rejected the last offer. We have notified the company that we are available to resume negotiations tomorrow morning," Brian Dickman, president of Local 264, told The Buffalo News in an email Saturday afternoon following the vote. A Tops spokesman expressed the company's reaction in a statement later Saturday: "Tops Markets is disappointed that the exceptional, industry-leading terms of our tentative contract agreement were voted down on Saturday by the membership of Teamsters Local Union 264, which represents about 590 Tops warehouse associates and drivers. "At the conclusion of all-day negotiations Friday, union leadership communicated their firm support for the terms of the agreement and stated an intent to publicly endorse the offer with both media and their membership. Tops remains committed to reaching a long-term contract agreement and is willing to work with union leadership to address the concerns of their members; however, it is evident that the union must resolve certain internal discord before any progress can be achieved. "Our responsibility as an organization is to ensure that every community we serve has access to the groceries they need to feed their families. Throughout our company footprint, Tops is often the only supermarket in a town or neighborhood, rendering it essential that we keep all stores open, stocked, and serving customers. "As such, we have advanced contingency plans to do exactly that. We will keep feeding our communities while meeting the needs of all 14,000 Tops associates. In the days to come, customers will continue to experience the same service, selection and value that they rely on from their local Tops store." Local 264 workers at the distribution center walked out Friday after rejecting a previous four-year offer from Tops on Thursday. Employees at the stores are represented by a different union and are not part of the strike. Tops and Teamsters have a tentative agreement; union will vote Saturday Hours after 590 workers at the Tops Markets distribution center in Lancaster went on strike after rejecting the latest offer from the supermarket company, Tops announced Friday that it had reached a tentative deal to end the work stoppage. Teamsters union workers at the distribution center are covered by three contracts, which are bargained together, but voted on separately. The three groups of workers are: main warehouse, drivers and sanitation; freezer; and maintenance. Tensions were high on the picket line Friday as picketers confronted the drivers of trucks at the driveway leading in and out of the distribution center. Striking workers marched in front of the trucks, slowing their progress before letting them pass. The picketers angrily called the drivers scabs and yelled at them to go home, sometimes in profane terms. A giant inflatable rat, a symbol sometimes used at labor activities, stood in front of the Tops sign at the edge of the property. We dont want to put them out of business. We do not want that, said Darrin Ziemba, a business agent and recording secretary with Local 264, who has worked for Tops for 36 years. We just want a piece of the pie. Ziemba was using a bullhorn to direct picketers to allow trucks arriving from Genesee Street to move off the street, to prevent traffic from backing up on the busy road. Sentiments of the strikers were summed up by Ross Vandermeulen, a Tops warehouse employee for 37 years. Ive worked though Covid, Ive worked through all the storms, Ive done everything this companys ever asked, he said. I just want to be treated fairly. The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission detained three people for spraying naira notes at a burial. The EFCC announced this in a statement posted to its X account on Friday. Advertisement The statement partly read, The suspects were arrested following credible intelligence on their suspected involvement in naira abuse. The suspects are Stanley Ogbolu, 35, Odiaka Sorwu 42, and Kelvin Anyakwu, 42. They were arrested in Asaba, Delta State at a burial ceremony allegedly spraying naira notes on a celebrant. READ MORE: Mercy Eke Cries Out As Heritage Banks Licence Revocation Traps Her N100m The EFCC also stated that the accused will be charged in court once the investigations are completed. This arrest comes amid the EFCCs ongoing crackdown on anyone misusing the naira, as spraying and mishandling banknotes are punishable under Nigerian law. Former Director-General of the Labour Party presidential campaign council, Doyin Okupe has posited that State Governors should decide the new minimum wage they can pay to workers. Okupe however faulted the National Minimum Wage Act which mandates Governors to pay a uniform minimum wage to the workers in their various states. Speaking on Channels Televisions Politics Today, on Friday, Okupe said: We should not make laws that are un-encompassing, that make it compulsory for all governors in the federation to obey them. They are sub nationalities on their own. Advertisement READ ALSO: We Cant Afford N60,000 Minimum Wage, It Cant Fly Governors I mean for instance, if you pay a minimum wage in Lagos, why should I pay that in Sokoto? Let every governor decide for his own state by his own people that this is what I can afford. This is coming when the Federal Government proposed a fresh N62,000, while labour reduced their demand from N494,000 to N250,000. The demand for an improved wage led to labour declaring an indefinite strike on Monday but was called off on Tuesday. The industrial action was called off to give room for more negotiations. State Governors have also lamented that the previously proposed N60,000 cannot fly. Kaduna States Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged Governor Uba Sani, to invite the two key anti-graft agencies in the country to investigate the funds looted by ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufais administration. The Partys Publicity Secretary, Abraham Alberah Catoh, also appealed to law enforcement agencies to beam their searchlights on indicted persons to prosecute them. Sanis step to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Matters Commission (ICPC), the PDP said, will exonerate him from public scrutiny. Advertisement According to Catohs Friday statement, the Party is following events as they unfold and will always react accordingly. The report of the Kaduna State House of Assembly investigations on the financial expenditure of the immediate past administration of Nasir El-Rufai has vindicated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that has always challenged the government on certain expenses of the El-Rufai government. READ ALSO: Alleged Corruption: You Dont Indict A Person By Proxy, El-Rufai Must Be Given Fair Hearing Ozekhome The PDP wish to call on the governor of the state, Sen. Uba Sani, to, as a matter of transparency and posterity, immediately invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Matters Commission, ICPC, to further investigate and recover all the monies looted by Nasir El-Rufai and his cronies, and those found guilty be prosecuted, as revealed and recommended by the committees report. It will be recalled that earlier, Governor Uba Sani had claimed that he supported and gave his consent during the application for the loan in good faith while serving as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from Kaduna. Taking this bold step will further exonerate him from public scrutiny and the court of public opinion. The PDP supports full government action towards enthroning transparency and good governance across all levels of government in the state, the statement read. The PDP however commended the House of Assembly and the members of the committee for a job well done. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again lauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, as one who provided exceptional leadership at a trying time for the country. According to him, Wike is a team leader who delivers on his promises. Advertisement He disclosed this on Saturday during the inauguration of a road in Guzape District of the FCT. Tinubus spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, quoted the him as saying: It has been a very challenging time for us in the country. We are still retooling and rejigging our financial system to bring prosperity and relief to the people of this country. You have demonstrated the capacity to build a team, lead a team, and deliver on promises. I commend you, well done. Also speaking, Wike said the contract was initially awarded in 2003 at the cost of N14 billion and was divided into lots 1 and 2 to Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Limited and Gilmor Engineering Limited. Wike commended Tinubu for not abandoning the project because government is a continuum. READ ALSO: Rivers State Is Tired Of Wike Amaechi Reacts To Political Crisis Dantata had left the site for long. We had to bring them back after the president approved a memorandum to that effect, he said. Wike also appealed to Tinubu to give his nod to naming the Guzape District Lot II, Road M18 after Chinua Achebe and another road within the same district after J. P. Clark. Just like what you did last time, there are a lot of Nigerians who have one way or the other have made their own contributions, particularly in writing, literary works. So many of them have made Nigeria proud, people like Chinua Achebe and J. P. Clark. Your Excellency, I want to appeal to you that this road be named Chinua Achebe and then another road within this same district be named J. P. Clark. This is my appeal to you, because they have also have contributed just like our noble laureate did. I also want to beg you to speak to our people, the residents of Abuja. I know they are watching you and they are happy every day, he said. A reflection of UArts' Dorrance Hall is visible in a window of Anderson Hall, another University of the Arts building on the the east side of Broad Street. Read more The suddenness of the University of the Arts closure shocked Philadelphia this week, but its boards decision to pull the plug on the nearly 150-year-old institution tracks with the troubled financial landscape of higher education. College and small university closures or mergers are happening about once a week this year, mostly in the Northeast and the Midwest, as many schools still have sharply lower enrollment and higher expenses than before the pandemic. Theres no relief in sight. Advertisement Its not an oversimplification to describe whats happening as a matter of supply and demand, said Gary Stocker, a former college administrator in Missouri who created an app called College Viability to help parents and prospective students evaluate schools financial prospects. There are way, way too many seats and not nearly enough students willing to pay for those seats at whatever discounted price colleges give them. Thats not going to change any time soon, Stocker said. In fact, business conditions are expected to worsen for colleges, as the number of high school graduates begins to shrink for a decade starting in 2026, according to demographics experts. Left in the dark Still, the abruptness of the UArts closure with just one weeks notice, compared to a years notice at Cabrini University, in Radnor and the lack of specifics from university officials has some observers looking for a red flag and questioning whether the board was doing an adequate job of managing the institution. The closest that board chair Judson Aaron and now former president Kerry Walk came to an explanation was in a May 31 statement: With a cash position that has steadily weakened, we could not cover significant, unanticipated expenses. The situation came to light very suddenly. Experts say nonprofit boards should not be surprised by their organizations financial condition. If they are, it could suggest that they were not receiving accurate financial information from their executive team or instead were disengaged and not reviewing that information properly to guide their decisions, said Laura Solomon, an Ardmore lawyer who specializes in nonprofit law. The financial backdrop Like many small colleges and universities, UArts has struggled financially for years. Through last June, the school had lost money in nine of the last 10 years. The exception was fiscal 2022, when federal COVID-19 aid boosted UArts bottom line. Last year, the final year of David Yagers 7-year tenure as president, UArts operating loss ballooned to $11.8 million, its biggest by far in the past decade. The school would have violated its loan agreement for $45 million in bond debt had it not raised cash by selling an old dormitory at 1500 Pine St. for $10.7 million. That meant Walk started her short tenure on Aug. 1 under difficult financial circumstances. The schools longtime chief financial officer Stephen J. Lightcap had departed in April, leaving an interim CFO, Bryant Morgan, in charge of the finances. Five months after Walk took office and a month before a permanent chief financial officer arrived in February, Fitch downgraded UArts credit rating to a highly speculative B+, which meant that Fitch was worried even then that UArts was a default risk. Fitch has 120 ratings in the higher education sector, and only two were lower than the B+ assigned to UArts. Fitch was worried that the universitys very slim margin of liquidity could erode to untenable levels absent significant operating improvements in fiscal year 2024 and beyond, Fitch analyst Akiko Mitsui said in an email Thursday. The January downgrade was the third in the last four years. Then on Tuesday Fitch dropped the rating to a rock-bottom C. That is the last stop before a default, which Fitch considers inevitable. The next payment on the bonds is due on Sept. 15. In a May 31 interview after the news of the pending closure broke, Walk said the school was on track to have a smaller loss in the fiscal year that ends June 30. We were on course despite an already weak cash position, but we were on course to get through the end of this fiscal year, she said. Consolidation and closure UArts financial and enrollment trends over the last decade were similar to those at Cabrini University, a Catholic school in Radnor that graduated its last class in May. Villanova University is acquiring the campus but not the educational programs. Total enrollment at Cabrini dropped 42% to 1,616 students in the 2022-23 school year from 2,809 in the 2012-13 school year. Over the same period, UArts total enrollment fell 39% to 1,170 from 1,909. UArts incoming class size increased last year and was expected to increase again this year, but that was likely too late to solve the institutions financial problems. Cabrini had even more significant financial losses over the last 10 years than UArts, but handled its closure in a far more orderly fashion. It announced last June it would close in a year, giving students and faculty time to look for new schools and new jobs. The decision to close came after attempting to save money by restructuring and being unable to find another institution willing to take over. UArts officials havent said whether they looked at merger possibilities. After the closure was announced, Temple University expressed interest in a merger with UArts. How a Temple takeover would work is unclear, given that UArts is closing Friday and it typically takes a year for higher education mergers to get necessary approvals. The Philadelphia region has seen several higher-education mergers in recent years, but they typically involve schools that specialize in health care or other high-demand fields. Thomas Jefferson University in 2017 acquired Philadelphia University, which had a heavy emphasis on science, engineering, and design. St. Josephs University completed its acquisition of the University of the Sciences in West Philadelphia two years ago. This year, St. Joes acquired the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences in Lancaster. Drexel University has a definitive agreement to acquire Elkins Parks Salus University, which specializes in health sciences fields. UArts has hired Alvarez & Marsal, a crisis management and restructuring firm that also helps facilitate mergers, to oversee the schools wind down, which must include the payments to bondholders who are owed $46 million. Whether UArts turns to bankruptcy court for help settling its affairs remains to be seen. UArts endowment must be preserved to be used for the charitable purposes of donors. Alvarez & Marsal sent a note to UArts faculty and staff Friday that left no hope for a different outcome than closure: Unfortunately, because of the financial state of the University, we are unable to retain most employees after today. Four years ago, University of Pennsylvania professor Robert M. Zemsky and colleagues published The College Stress Test, a book that included tips on evaluating the financial health of institutions. What we concluded then is the rich are going to get richer, the big are going to get bigger, and the small and vulnerable are going to go out of business, Zemsky said in an interview Thursday. And thats exactly whats happening. This should not come as a surprise. Illustrator Jeanne Dickenson was valedictorian for the University of Arts graduating class of 2023. They are among the many graduates who decided to stay in Philly after graduation. Read more For over a century, the University of the Arts has attracted young artists to Philadelphia, guided by beloved teachers into the citys vibrant arts community. The sudden closure of the school on June 7 has sent shock waves through the broader Philadelphia art scene. With the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) eliminating its degree programs in January, concerns over the shrinking space for young artists in the city are growing. Advertisement In their valedictorian speech, illustrator Jeanne Dickenson told UArts graduating class of 2023 that the institution was shaped not by its administration, but by its students and faculty. The community Dickenson built while pursuing a BFA convinced the West Chester native to stay on in Philly after graduation. Community is important to me, and community is important to Philadelphia, they said. Art is important to me, and art is important to Philadelphia. With the unexpected news of UArts closing, other alumni also echoed Dickensons sentiment. They, like Dickenson, had moved to Philadelphia for school and stayed on postgraduation to enrich the citys vibrant art community. For Caitlin Riggsbee, UArts was the first place where she felt smart, included, safe, and at home. The 2017 graduate recently took to TikTok to share her feelings about her alma maters closure. I am so sad that other people arent going to have that opportunity [to experience what I did], she said on the app. [UArts] brought me to a city that I love more than I can ever express. And the professors and the students there were what made it. [For] all the issues, it was a really special place, and I am grossed out that the admin seemingly ran it into the ground. After four years at the art school, the North Jersey native is an aggressive Philadelphia advocate, so much so that she persuaded her fiance to move back to the city after five years in New York. I love this city so much thats why I came back because I missed it terribly, said Riggsbee, who is a freelance documentary producer based in Fishtown. The comfort Dickenson found in the local artist community convinced them to call Philly home. [Theres] something special about the community in UArts and the artist community in Philadelphia as a whole ... when one of us gets a win, it is a win for all of us, Dickenson said. I started meeting so many artists that Ive admired and seen around Philly, and when I introduce myself or show my work, Ill sometimes get the comment, Ive seen your work around! I really like it! thats what really got me to stick around Philly. Under the name Giant, Dickenson illustrates, creates comics, fine art, stickers, zines with a distinct fantasy-focused style. Growing up on the outskirts of West Chester, it was a push from their art teacher that convinced Dickenson to pursue an arts degree in their junior year of high school. They applied to schools in and out of state with the goal to leave their claustrophobic hometown. A senior exhibition that they saw on their school tour convinced Dickenson to pick UArts they were in awe of the students work and the schools dedication to showcasing the seniors art. They also shadowed an illustration class that day and left feeling motivated and inspired to attend the school. When I got to Philly, I felt like I could finally breathe, said Dickenson, who studied illustration at UArts from 2018 to 2023. In West Chester, I felt like a big fish in a small pond, and in Philly I felt like a small fish in a huge pond, which was very appealing to me. One of the first things they noticed about Philly was how much the arts have an influence here, and also how large the queer community was. Helen St. Cyr was 17 when she landed in Philadelphia. Coming from a small town in New Hampshire, the city was just the right size for her. The now 23-year-old actress and part-time babysitter spent four years at UArts studying musical theater. St. Cyrs individuality as an artist was important to her, and she felt the school valued that from her first audition. They focused on her as an individual, rather than trying to break you down and then rebuild you into a marketable actor in the industry. And its the same energy shes found in Phillys theater scene two years postgrad. The people and artists here I feel like they have a lot of integrity and the work that they do is special and important, she said. Its a really cool community of theater artists here. Digital illustrator Holly Jansen, who has created promotional materials for the Philadelphia Eagles Game Day poster series and book cover commissions, studied illustration from 2019 to 2023 at the school. Growing up in Delaware County, she always had a strong love and connection to Philly. And as a student artist from 2019 to 2023, she fell even more in love with the city and its community of like-minded people. The welcome I felt walking into [UArts] was not matched by any other college tour, and that great energy has remained true throughout my years at the school all thanks to the amazing professors whove made me the artist I am today, she said. Phillys strong sense of community in the arts is what made Jansen and other alums stay after graduation. I think Philadelphia is the best place for people in their 20s to thrive, especially as a creative, she said. As Philadelphias arts landscape faces new challenges, these artists hope that the city will continue to welcome young creative people to come and nurture its vital arts community, preserving the spirit that has made it a haven for creativity. The Automat at Horn & Hardart was a series of windows filled with food. Customers fed coins into the slots, and the doors opened. Read more David Arena was a toddler in 1991 when the last Horn & Hardart restaurant closed, ending the chains 89-year run. He has never visited one of H&Hs iconic Automats. He does not know the magic of plunking nickels into a slot and twisting a knob to open a glass door for a piece of pie or a bowl of Harvard beets. But Arena, 35, is committed to bring it back. Advertisement We have heard this before about H&H. Three decades ago, the company was bought out of bankruptcy by entrepreneurs who turned it into coffee shops banking on H&Hs time-honored coffee and even created a line of H&H frozen food sold in local supermarkets. More recently, one of those entrepreneurs, Al Mazzone, a West Chester tech executive and Army veteran, started selling H&H coffee online in 2017. Mazzone, 70 then, was not interested in reopening the Automat. He knew that the dwindling ranks of Automat fans were not in his demographic favor. He ditched that dream. That is, until five years ago when Mazzone met Arena at a seminar for military entrepreneurs. Arena, an Air Force reservist since graduating from Perkiomen Valley High, had his own business, Alcove Media, which provides photographic services to real estate companies. Mazzone told Arena about H&H and the Automats, and I just fell in love with the idea, he said. Im kind of a big history nerd. A few years later, Arena sold Alcove and bought a stake in H&H. Now the chief executive, he revived the online coffee business to establish a customer base and to keep the name out here. Hes currently looking for a location and hopes to reopen Horn & Hardart, Automat and all, in the next year. This isnt a nostalgia grab, Arena said. What were really doing is cutting lines, and taking the cashier and tipping out of the restaurant experience. I have two little kids and thats amazing. Its this sort of pain points that I think the self-service model eliminates. Obviously, I dont think that every restaurant in the world should be self-service, he said. If Im sitting in a coffee shop for more than a little bit and I want another item, I usually just dont even do it because I dont want to wait in line again. But if youre sitting in a coffee shop and its like, Oh, I could just go up to that window with my credit card and get that coffee cake out of there. Thats a nice feature, too. The Automat also would work for takeout and delivery because the food is already cooked and ready to go, he said. The new Automats, initially serving breakfast and lunch only, will not rely on a supply of coins or bills, as would have been the case even 10 years ago, when other entrepreneurs considered reviving the Automats. Credit cards and tap-to-pay are now commonplace. Arena said he felt a sense of moral obligation to maintain the customer-service aspect that longtime customers valued. Were not bringing back a 1955 Automat with chrome and baked beans and a meat pie, Arena said. I really want to have the values that the company was founded on. A quick history of Horn & Hardart Philadelphian Joseph Horn ran an ad in The Inquirer in 1888 saying that he had $1,000 (worth about $33,000 in todays dollars) to invest. It was from his mother, and he needed a partner experienced in the restaurant business. Frank Hardart, a German-born waiter and cook new in town from New Orleans, replied: Im your man. They opened the first Horn & Hardart luncheonette at 39 S. 13th St. with 13 or 14 stools (depending on the account) in December 1888. The receipts for their first day amounted to $7.25. A decade later, as they added restaurants, a salesman pitched them on a new German-made coin-operated food-vending machine. In June 1902, the partners launched their Automat, or waiterless restaurant, at 818 Chestnut St. in Center City Philadelphia. The Automat was fast food, Edwardian style. It spread to New York in 1912. At its peak, just before World War II, H&H had 157 locations, including restaurants and takeout shops (slogan: Less work for mother), and fed 800,000 people a day. But in the 1950s, McDonalds and other fast-food chains came along with their stacks of premade, paper-wrapped burgers and drive-thrus, and ate H&Hs lunch. Most New York locations became Burger King and Arbys franchises. The original Automat, at 818 Chestnut St., closed in 1968 and its wall was put on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institutions National Museum of American History in Washington. By then, most local H&Hs had become cafeterias. The last Philadelphia-area location, on City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd, closed in 1990, a year before the very last restaurant, at Third Avenue and 42nd Street in New York, shut down. The Automat lives on in American lore. The 2011 documentary The Automat featured recollections and a new song by H&H fan Mel Brooks. Woodmere Art Museum in Chestnut Hill is home to restored stained-glass windows from one location, rescued from the wrecking ball. The original location still bears the 18-foot automat sign, after building owner Posel Management restored it. In 2002, Marianne Hardart, a great-granddaughter of Frank Hardart, wrote a company history called The Automat: The History, Recipes, and Allure of Horn & Hardarts Masterpiece with historian Lorraine B. Diehl. In researching the company, Arena reached out to Hardart. She agreed to provide him 50 copies of the book, which has been out of print for 20 years. Starting at noon Sunday, June 9, the 122nd anniversary of the first Automats opening, H&H will sell the copies ($30) at its website, hornandhardart.com. If demand calls for it, they will publish additional copies, Arena said. The book is full of H&H trivia. By city tradition, candidates for the Philadelphia primary still draw numbered balls from an old Horn & Hardart coffee tin to determine the order their names appear on the ballot. The book also includes the quirks and clientele of certain popular locations. In Philadelphia, politicians and lawyers favored the one at 1508 Market St., now the Clothespin building; dock workers hung out at 234 Market St., now Kick Axe Throwing. The book says a table was reserved for ladies of the night at the 11th and Arch Streets location. Diamond merchants from Jewelers Row frequented the original. So could H&H come back to the very space it originated? It wont work, Mazzone said, sadly. Its 10,000 square feet, which is a lot, but its just not configured right. Jeanine Hays and husband Bryan Mason on a hiking trail in Napanoch, N.Y. Because her long covid has many symptoms, they take precautions like wearing N95 masks outside. MUST CREDIT: Yehyun Kim for The Washington Post Read more A mild COVID infection at the start of the pandemic has thrown Jeanine Hayss immune system out of whack, she said, as her husband ticked off ailments the way drug commercials list side effects. Chronic hives. Hair loss. Tinnitus. Severe nerve pain. Extreme fluctuations in blood pressure. Allergic reactions to synthetic fabrics and processed foods. Advertisement In every room of their house, the couple keep an air purifier and EpiPen, both things they travel with, too. And Hays always carries an extra set of clothes just in case what she's wearing becomes unbearably itchy. "I definitely still feel like a toddler in that way," she said. Bryan and I are learning to live with long COVID, the 45-year-old said of her high school sweetheart turned husband. Our way of life is much different. It has been four years since COVID began burdening people with lingering symptoms often dismissed by mystified medical providers who were dubious and unwilling to help especially when treating patients of color, according to clinicians and public health researchers. For patients of color, it is an all-too-familiar and maddening story. Health-care experts and medical studies have found that racist myths about Black people having higher pain tolerance, coupled with physicians' biases, mean Black patients are more likely to be seen as drug-seeking and described negatively in electronic medical records. That is true when it comes to routine diagnoses, and clinicians and public health researchers believe the same to be true with long COVID, even as its definition remains very much a work in progress. Its bad enough patients of color are coping with a debilitating illness, they said. Its all the more devastating, they said, to feel like theyre being erased from medical records, public imagination, and policy considerations. Researchers say that in many cases, people are not even being formally diagnosed, meaning theyre suffering and not getting help. Estimates of long COVIDs prevalence vary widely. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed about 1 in 14 adults said in 2022 that they had ever experienced long COVID. While the coronavirus wreaked havoc on communities of color especially at the dawn of the pandemic research has suggested that the misery of long COVID is more equally visited upon various communities. A 2023 analysis of nearly 5 million U.S. patients by The Washington Post and research partners found virtually no difference among the percentages of Black, white, and Latino patients who sought medical care for symptoms associated with long COVID within several months of being infected. Unheard of in some communities But public health experts caution that those numbers almost certainly dont tell the full story. The data, they warned, may say as much about who is believed by their provider, who can doctor-shop until they are taken seriously, and who has the language to describe their symptoms to medical personnel. People had all these things happening in their body, but they hadnt heard the term long COVID from a provider, said Linda Sprague Martinez, a professor and health equity researcher who has studied the impact of long COVID on Black and Latino communities in Massachusetts. As part of her research, Sprague Martinezs team conducted 11 focus groups last year: two in English and nine total in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Cape Verdean Creole. In the focus groups not conducted in English, she said, they found that most people had not heard of long COVID before that day. The main culprit, she said: a lack of medical information in languages other than English, and language barriers at health-care facilities and online. They were going to the doctor and sometimes werent being taken seriously, she said, adding that some people were told to get on with their lives but not given help to do so. You need a doctor who believes you, who thinks youre not just being lazy, she said. Even if a provider who wants to help can be found, patients might lack the money or time off to receive a specialists care. Sprague Martinez said data at the time found that most patients seeking care at long COVID clinics and recovery centers in Massachusetts were white people who spoke English, had private insurance, and were from out of state. Who gets diagnosed with long COVID, its socially and economically skewed, said Sprague Martinez, who now runs the Health Disparities Institute at UConn Health in Connecticut. If we are only engaging White, middle-class, English-speaking America in treatment, we dont yet understand the full impact. Jacqui Lindsay, a consultant working with the National Institutes of Healths RECOVER study on long COVID, said the national research pool continues to inadequately represent Black, Latino, Native American, rural, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and disability communities and that health equity has not been sufficiently addressed. Its just like the early days of COVID. The data infrastructure is not there. A coordinated communication strategy is not there, said Lindsay, who represents the Boston COVID Recovery Cohort as part of the NIH initiative. And, as a consequence, the infrastructure for clinical care and support is not there. Kanecia Zimmerman, who oversees the RECOVER Clinical Trials Data Coordinating Center at Duke University, said measures have been taken in the research to try to ensure that diverse communities are represented at every level of the research ecosystem. Zimmerman, a pediatrician and internist who began working with the federal initiative in 2022, said sites in communities of color with a diverse workforce were identified to help enlist clinical trial participants. She said researchers created bilingual recruitment materials, including outreach videos, in English and Spanish, and made sure study participants were paid at research sites so they were compensated as fast as possible. Were not where we want to be, Zimmerman said. We should be trying to reach rates of enrollment within the Black community and within the Hispanic community that are consonant with COVID rates. We have not reached those targets. For Hays and her husband, Bryan Mason, their journey began in March 2020 when they got COVID about the same time. Back then, Mason was the sicker of the two. His lungs filled with so much fluid that one "was pushing the other one out of alignment," he said. Meanwhile, his wife thought she had just a stomach bug. Her husband recovered, but Hays started developing what she called very strange symptoms. When she stepped out of the shower and onto the tile floor, it felt like my feet were on fire, she said. She started breaking out in hives. Then came the anaphylactic reactions to foods shed eaten most of her life, and difficulty breathing the air inside their prewar Brooklyn apartment. Eventually, they were forced to move. Then, at the end of 2020, things took a turn for the worse. She developed sores in her throat and on her tongue and lost the ability to eat and speak. "There's still parts that are missing for me because of brain fog," she said. Getting a diagnosis Mason was calling doctor after doctor, becoming an amateur medical researcher and patient-care coordinator. Hays was able to get an appointment with a notable allergist, but that ray of hope was dashed. The doctor wouldnt let Mason accompany his wife to the appointment, so she went alone with notes hed jotted down because I had a lot of holes in terms of things I remembered, she said. Then, the doctor, a White woman, insisted Hays had herpes. I was like, Wait. What? she recalled, wondering if maybe shes doing some study on Black women with herpes. Not that it mattered, she said, because clearly she wasnt caring at all about what was going on with me. She just kept going, No, I really think that you have herpes. Take Benadryl. Youll be fine. The doctor, however, never tested her for the viral illness, Hays said, adding that I was in tears. It wasnt until she began to receive care and a long COVID diagnosis at the Center for Post-COVID Care at Mount Sinai in New York in March 2021 that things began to turn around, Hays said. The couples ordeal exemplifies the unpredictable nature of the damage the coronavirus can cause, with some people getting very sick while others show no symptoms at all. Now, Hays is able to walk again. Physical therapy keeps at bay the immobilizing feeling of bees inside your body buzzing all the time, she said. It can be difficult to determine just how many people in the United States have long COVID a wide-ranging constellation of symptoms that can persist for months or years as it remains an underdiagnosed condition that researchers and clinicians still struggle to understand. New or worsening symptoms lasting two to three months tend to be the magic number when determining if someone has long COVID, said Daniel Lewis, a California internist who founded and leads the Black Physicians Council of Providence Facey Medical Group, which provides care to the Santa Clarita, San Fernando, and Simi valleys in California. A 2023 study showed that more than 65 million people worldwide at least 15 million of them working-age Americans had endured long COVID. Most were 36 to 50 years old, and most experienced only mild COVID cases that didnt require hospitalization. For millions of patients of color, the pandemic was a mass disabling event a fact many felt was widely ignored by policymakers, employers, and society writ large. Long COVID sufferers say their pain has been dismissed. Their experiences downplayed. Their isolation intensified. Chimere Sweeney said she was sure that's what her medical records reflected after a two-year odyssey that started with the fight to have her initial coronavirus infection noted in her records, a battle she repeated with long COVID. The former Baltimore middle school teacher said she was told in March 2020 that her symptoms sore throat, stuffy nose, headache, back pain couldnt be COVID because she didnt have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath. I wasnt tested, she recalled. I was told, Oh, its a sinus infection. Validation at last And thats how it went during repeated trips to the doctor and emergency room, with providers insisting she didnt have COVID even as they told her to quarantine for 14 days just in case. When she insisted that something was wrong, Sweeney said, she was told that youre just anxious because you cant teach or that I needed a psychiatric evaluation. Meanwhile, she said, her symptoms worsened, leaving her unable to drive, barely able to see, and 30 pounds lighter. Things improved, she said, only when she started emailing community leaders begging for help and hired a patient advocate. Her long COVID diagnosis arrived in April 2022, she said. I cried that day because I was like, Thank you, God! she said. Having that diagnosis got the ball rolling on everything else for me Social Security, this retirement. Because I was poor. I went from making $65,000 to nothing. The 41-year-old said she has not stepped back into the classroom because extreme fatigue, brain fog, and migraines persist. Because shed invested five years in the public school system, Sweeney said, she was able to retire with full benefits, including long-term disability. This comes as researchers with the Urban Institute have found that about 40% of adults with long COVID dont have enough to eat and about a quarter struggle to pay rent and utilities. For those patients insured or not who find themselves in front of neurologist Joey R. Gee, theres one treatment thats more compassionate than clinical. And that, he said, is to validate how they feel. Gee, who works at Providence Mission Hospital in Orange County, Calif., said he sees a common denominator in the experiences of patients of color seeking pain management and treatment for long COVID: A huge disparity in treatment. The most common symptoms whether it be pain, fatigue, brain fog, or pulmonary symptoms were not really looked at seriously. Instead, he said, referring doctors tend to take a wait-and-see approach, which can be very invalidating. Gee experienced debilitating, long-term effects from multiple coronavirus infections. His vocal cords hemorrhaged after his first infection, leaving him unable to speak for four months. Battling insurers Researchers and clinicians have found that COVID can turn once-manageable conditions into debilitating ailments, he said. Compounding the problem, he added, are insurers "who don't really feel it's a real condition to handle. That is a huge barrier." Gabriel San Emeterio knows all too well what it's like trying to battle insurers to cover the cost of care for debilitating illnesses. For years, San Emeterio was a Medicaid recipient who received treatment at a clinic dedicated to helping low-income patients with HIV. Its not bad in terms of HIV, San Emeterio said about care provided at the clinic. But that was not necessarily the case for San Emeterios other conditions chronic fatigue, psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, and Lyme disease which San Emeterio now believes include long COVID. The 43-year-old, who now has employer-based insurance but continues with the same doctors at the clinic, avoided a coronavirus infection until summer 2022. Nearly a year later, San Emeterio still hadnt returned to baseline and started experiencing new symptoms. Light sensitivity. Dizziness when scrolling webpages. Daily headaches. Intense pain. Brain fog. So San Emeterio went to the doctor, who tells me Im prediabetic. So I was like, Could it be long COVID? Im still struggling, and my health is not the same. The concern was casually dismissed, San Emeterio recalled, adding that the doctor said, Well, you already had a lot going on before you got COVID, so do we really need to put long COVID in your electronic medical records? San Emeterio said it remains unclear whether the medical records reflect a diagnosis of long COVID even after a second bout of COVID in December. This time, at least, the doctor offered up a long list of specialists even if it wasnt accompanied with a formal diagnosis. Angela Meriquez Vazquez said she pays out of pocket for most of the medicines she needs because of long COVID. Vazquez said shes allergic to changes in temperature and air pressure, most foods, and the preservatives in manufactured medicine, which is why she has hers specially compounded. The sun, she said, gives her a rash that feels like someone lit a match under my skin. So, she receives a four-hour IV infusion of Benadryl weekly, she said, just so my immune system doesnt freak out. Vazquez got COVID early in the pandemic when tests were hard to come by and people were discouraged from seeking care unless critical. It was wild, she said. I would forget what people were saying as they were saying it. It was also a time, said the 36-year-old from Los Angeles, when she experienced discrimination like never before. In the days after her COVID infection waned, new symptoms materialized. She was dizzy, short of breath, and suffering from heart palpitations. She went to the emergency room several times, only to be scolded for taking resources from people who are really sick, she recalled, adding that providers were more focused on her confusion and inability to communicate than complaints that my feet are swollen purple and warm. I was asked by a nurse if I needed an interpreter, said Vazquez, who identifies as Chicana. I dont speak with an accent. Eventually, I spent the night in the hospital for what was later diagnosed to be a series of ministrokes. Now, she has a life-or-death fear of the medical system and worries that physicians have found a new reason to dismiss her concerns her medical diagnosis of long COVID. Layne Klein shows cheese made from raw milk at his farm in Easton. Loosening raw milk laws is a conversation among officials in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Read more When a dairy cow as big as a concert piano fell on Layne Kleins leg about 20 years ago, he wound up with a lot of time to ponder the future of his family farm. I had two kids in college, two in high school, and a son on his way to college. We were short on feed and the milk price stunk like it always does, Klein said on his Northampton County farm recently. So we sold our milking cows and decided to try going smaller instead. Advertisement Klein, who broke his fibula and dislocated his ankle in the accident, decided to get a Pennsylvania raw milk license for Klein Farms in Easton. Hes been selling gourmet raw milk cheese and raw milk there since 2004. Raw milk enthusiasts describe its flavor as grassy and creamier. It typically sells at a higher cost, and Klein said the transition saved the farm. If you do it correctly, its a fantastic product, he said. Milk that is unpasteurized, or raw, remains controversial in Pennsylvania and beyond. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says raw milk can harbor dangerous germs that can pose serious health risks. The Centers for Disease Control, citing the appearance of bird flu in the United States, also recommends against drinking unpasteurized milk. Anyone, even healthy adults, can get sick from drinking raw milk, the CDC warns on a recently updated raw milk web page. Raw milk devotees and detractors go back and forth on TikTok, commenting on one anothers videos about the merits of pasteurization, which is the process of heating milk to destroy potentially harmful microbes. There is no evidence at all to suggest that raw milk is more beneficial to you than pasteurized is. One of them is pasteurized and the other one can kill you, a TikTok user named @microbiologywes said in a video. 115 raw milk farms Across the U.S., however, more states are discussing loosening restrictions on raw milk production or sales. Only three states have outright bans on all raw milk products. In Pennsylvania, where raw milk sales require a license and testing, State Rep. Dave Zimmerman (R., Lancaster/Berks) introduced a bill recently aimed at letting farmers sell additional raw milk products beyond milk and cheese, including yogurt and ice cream. Theres a huge movement throughout our nation, especially among younger generations, who want more natural, organic products with less processing and chemicals, Zimmerman said. What I want is to keep farmers in business, especially small dairies, by letting them sell more raw products. Even in New Jersey, where using raw milk is legal only in pet food (a lucrative market), agriculture leaders have recently expressed an openness to discussing raw milk for human consumption. I believe you can test and monitor enough to bring a safe product to market, Ed Wengryn, the states secretary of agriculture, said during a May 7 budget hearing. Consumers, he said, are free to purchase and eat other raw foods, including seafood and vegetables. Pennsylvania has close to 5,000 dairy farms and, according to the states Department of Agriculture, has 115 raw milk permit holders. Applicants for that permit must pass rigorous health and safety inspections of their herds and water supplies. Their product must also be tested biannually for food-borne pathogens. A Pennsylvania Dairymens Association spokeswoman said the organization had no position on raw milk. Many raw milk licensees In Pennsylvania say the states tight restrictions and adherence to pasteurization are from a much different, more dangerous time in the dairy world. The raw milk laws are antiquated. Raw milk was labeled as dangerous before refrigeration, cars, and modern testing. Marie Reedell, the manager of Millers Bio Farm in Quarryville, Lancaster County, said in an email. Weve got to change with the times. In January, Pennsylvanias Department of Agriculture filed a lawsuit against Amos Miller Organic Farm, in Bird-in-Hand, Lancaster County, alleging the farm was selling raw milk products tied to illnesses in several states. (Miller, who has not obtained a permit, has argued that because he sells his milk through a private membership group, the states regulations should not apply to him. The case is ongoing.) Millers Bio Farm is legally licensed to sell raw products, Reedell pointed out, and unrelated to Amos Miller Organic Farm. A raw deal At Klein Farms, where Layne Klein was busy spreading hay in a barn on a recent weekday afternoon, he estimates they sell about 600 to 650 gallons of raw milk a week, wholesale. He also makes a slew of different cheeses, which have to age for 60 days in a walk-in freezer on his farm. Klein said hes not concerned with making more raw milk products because hes busy enough, but believes theres too much fearmongering over the issue. There was a time when people milked cows by hand over open buckets and there was no refrigeration and cows had poor nutrition, he said. Its a different time. I pride myself on having clean cows. Kleins farm is just a few miles west of the Delaware River and many customers cross state lines to buy his product. Hes not concerned with New Jersey rethinking raw products. I mean, raw milk makes up about 2% of dairy in Pennsylvania, so the number of farms in New Jersey that would do this would be minimal, he said. New Jersey has 34 dairy farms, according to the states Department of Agriculture. A spokesman for the New Jersey Farm Bureau said raw products are not a priority for the organization. When Wengryn discussed raw milk during the budget hearing last month, he was answering a question from Sen. Mike Testa, a Republican, from rural Cumberland County. Testa told The Inquirer that constituents have asked him to push for raw milk, one of them being Misty Meadows Sheep Dairy in Woodbine. Bill Simmerman, the farms owner, sells pasteurized sheeps milk, cheeses, and yogurts but hed love to move into raw products. Weve lost so many small dairies in this state because of the rules and regulations pasteurization requires, Simmerman said. My facility is perfectly clean. Simmermans 16-acre farm is for sale, for $2.4 million. In Delaware, the situation is worse. According to BaytoBayNews.com, there are about 13 dairy farms left in the state. In the state legislature, the House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday approved a bipartisan bill that would allow producers with a valid permit to sell raw milk and raw milk products directly to consumers. The state Senate has already approved the legislation. In New Jersey, when Testa asked Wengryn if hed be willing to work with him on raw milk legislation, the agriculture secretary smiled. I think my health commissioner and I are going to have to have a long, deep conversation about that, Wengryn said. But yes, Im willing to have a conversation. A group of interfaith community leaders and community members on Friday in University City. The event honored Philadelphians who lost their lives this past year to gun violence. Read more On a sunny Friday afternoon in University City, the sound of bells rang out through the sky, echoing down 38th Street as a crowd of dozens walked toward Philadelphia Episcopal Church, remembering those lost to gun violence in Philadelphia and beyond. To highlight the citys gun violence epidemic and to end its yearlong season, Penn Live Arts Toll the Bell, a citywide sound installation, chimed bells and different sounds at more than 40 locations in Philadelphia. The symphony of sound that rang out from West Philadelphia to Old City on Friday, National Gun Violence Awareness Day, honored people killed in gun homicides, the loved ones they left behind, and those working to fight against the epidemic. Advertisement The bells were a call to people to think about what Philadelphia has lost, but also what it could change, said Christopher Gruits, executive and artistic director of Penn Live Arts. But Toll the Bell is not a profile in tragedy, he said. It is a sonic disruption as a call to action, a warning, and an invitation to Philadelphians to stop and reflect on our fellow citizens, our brothers and sisters who have lost their lives, and also to learn more about this urgent issue. At an interfaith vigil at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts at 36th and Walnut Streets that preceded the tolling of the bells, religious leaders prayed and spoke of the importance of continuing the work of reducing gun violence in Philadelphia and across the nation. Rabbi Shawn Zevit, of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, cited words from the Book of Jeremiah as he decried gun violence and urged those in attendance to pray for peace. The event, he said, was to remind us to ring the bell of our souls, not only of our ears. And as you said centuries ago, seek the peace of the city where you are and pray for it. For when the city is in peace, you will have peace. After the service, those gathered walked four blocks to the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, on South 38th Street, as the sound of bells grew louder with each step. As the group passed Tabernacle United Church, a speaker played a recording of church bells. Across the street, Carl Beck and Meagan Esterby rang hand bells in unison. At cultural centers, masjids, and churches, church bells, hand bells, and speakers blaring bell recordings began to ring at 1 p.m. for five minutes, representing the one in five Americans who have lost someone to gun violence. There have been 89 gun homicides and 338 nonfatal shootings in Philadelphia so far this year, according to data compiled by the District Attorneys Office. The bells, while often thought of as sounds of solemn occasions, were meant to serve as reminders of people injured in shootings or lost to gun violence, but also as a call to action for those working to make Philadelphia safer for the future, said the Rev. Charles Chaz Lattimore Howard, university chaplain and vice president for Social Equity & Community at the University of Pennsylvania. The sounds that reverberated throughout the city were signals for those who will keep fighting until gun violence is no longer an epidemic. There is a version of our city, our state, our country, and our world where we are not seeing gun violence on TV with regularity, said Howard. And I believe we will see that world. Because of people like you. So todays not just about tolling bells, he added. When the Liberty Bell was rung years ago, it wasnt just about ringing the bell, it was a call to action. A call to hope. And that is what we are doing today. Not just listening. But acting. Jannette Santiago, of Northeast Philadelphia, lost her son Oscar Santiago Drew, 33, to gun violence. When the authorities closed their investigation into his suspected killer, no one bothered to tell her about it. Read more Any day now. That, more than just about anything else, was the overriding wish of Jannette Santiago in the days and weeks after the death of her son in November. Advertisement Any day now, she hoped, police would rearrest the neighbor that they initially said had shot Oscar Santiago Drew in the back during a dispute in which both men had drawn their guns. Any day now, she prayed, prosecutors would move swiftly to press charges against Santiago Drews alleged killer. Any day now, justice would be served. But something unexpected happened while Santiago was hoping and praying: The authorities dropped the case. If that wasnt jarring enough, then there was this: No one, she said, bothered to tell her about it. I dont know how to let him go, Santiago said of her eldest son in between sobs as we sat together on a recent Wednesday in the living room of her home in Northeast Philadelphia. He was discarded like a bag of trash, like he was no one. From the very beginning, all weve been asking is, What happened? That is not a lot to ask when a family is mourning the sudden loss of a loved one. Ive written countless times before about how city officials often treat victims of crime in Philadelphia with less courtesy than they do the accused, but this one was a first for me. And just like Santiago and her family, whenever I hear about one of these cases, I find myself wondering: What happened? How is it that in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, law enforcement officials so consistently struggle to find a way to treat victims families in a way that doesnt worsen their grief? No further comment On the morning of Nov. 22, the day before Thanksgiving, Oscar Santiago Drew, a 33-year-old warehouse worker, was shot and killed during an argument that began between Santiago Drews longtime girlfriend and a woman who lived in the upstairs apartment of the Rhawnhurst home the couple shared. The initial police report classified the incident as a homicide, and described it as an ongoing neighbor dispute that evolved into both men producing guns. Santiago Drew, both parents said, had a license to carry. Santiago and her ex-husband, Oscar Drew, rushed to their sons home, where they were met with yellow police tape and few answers. Officers took the man who shot Santiago Drew into custody, but that night, Santiago said she received a call from a detective informing her that they didnt have enough evidence to hold him and that he had been released. She was distraught but said she was led to believe that the investigation would continue. Heres where things go from curious to just plain confusing: After failing to get information about the investigation that she thought was still ongoing, Santiago reached out to the Citizens Crime Commission of the Delaware Valley, a nonprofit that, among other things, works with law enforcement agencies and the public to increase communication. Santiago said she was told by one of the staffers in January that the case had been cleared. There would be no further investigation. There would be no charges. Case closed. When I asked the police about this case, a spokesperson said, This matter was determined by the District Attorneys Office to be a self-defense case and did not pursue charges. A month later, in February, Santiago and family thought they might finally get some answers in a meeting at the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office. She said they were told they couldnt take notes or record the meeting. She and her ex-husband left only more frustrated. In a statement in response to my questions, a spokesperson for the district attorneys office said the family was definitely informed that the case was being closed because the other gunman who isnt being named here because he wasnt charged acted in self-defense. Furthermore, the spokesperson said of Santiago, A video showing her son opening fire on the other man before he returned fire was played for the family, although she refused to watch it. Were very sorry for their loss, the statement concluded. We have no further comment. Confusion and mistrust Both Santiago and her ex-husband strongly refute that characterization of what transpired at the meeting. Its a lie, Santiago insisted. She said that someone in the room mentioned the possibility of showing her and Santiago Drews father a surveillance video of their sons shooting, but it never materialized; they listened to an audio recording of the shooting instead. All you could hear is the sound, said Drew. Before that, it was just a bunch of chopped-up videos to make a scenario. Never once did anyone show us a video because I kept saying something was missing there that showed Oscar actually firing the shots. Never once did anyone show us a video that showed Oscar actually firing the shots. Oscar Drew The conflicting information made no sense: Why would the district attorneys office claim Santiago Drews parents were shown a video that they are adamant they never saw? And why would parents desperate for answers claim they didnt see a video that might give them some answers even if it may not be the ones they wanted? For a little more clarity, I reached out to Heather Arias, the deputy director for the citys Office of the Victim Advocate, who was at the meeting, in hopes of getting a more complete account of what happened. Arias did not recall a video that explicitly showed Santiago Drew firing a gun. But despite that, she said the totality of evidence including a compilation of videos, the location of shell casings, and at least one witness account reinforced law enforcements decision to clear the case. I just remember walking away hoping that the family could understand a little bit better because it seemed very clear, she said. Maybe but not to Santiago Drews parents, who continue to dispute that any of the evidence presented to them was so definitive that no one should have to answer for their sons death. And who could blame them at this point? Even if the evidence legitimately led law enforcement to the conclusion that they should not press charges, failing to adequately communicate that to the family is the kind of misstep that leads to confusion and mistrust. In the absence of what Santiago Drews parents see as reliable information, they can do little more than speculate. Their son was Black. The neighbor is white. Did race play a role here? Theyve also been told that the neighbor who shot Santiago Drew is related to a politically connected family in New Jersey. Was that a factor? And if Santiago Drew was killed by a bullet to the back, as the medical examiners report indicated, how could his shooting be considered self-defense? This family deserves some clear answers. The district attorneys office should hold another meeting with them, where everything is on the table, where all the evidence is shown and clearly explained, and where the family feels the respect of law enforcement officials who may feel theyve done their job, but clearly havent if there is a family out here whose pain has only been compounded by what they feel is a lack of transparency. And one other thing: In my reporting on this and similar cases over the years, no one has ever been able to adequately explain to me the citys process for notifying families about prosecution decisions or case closures. At least not one applied consistently. In a city with so many murders and so much pain, its long past time for the police, the district attorney, the various victim advocates spread out across this city, and other stakeholders to come together and draft some guidelines to keep this kind of thing from happening again. And again. It is the absolute least families whove lost loved ones in this city are owed, no matter the circumstance. The Data Protection Commission has been urged to act immediately against Facebook and Instagram owner Meta, which has outlined plans to train AI models using personal information without seeking consent from users. The DPC was one of 11 national privacy watchdogs urged by the advocacy group NOYB (None Of Your Business) to stop Meta from enacting its plan, warning that recent changes soon to come into effect would allow the tech giant to use years of personal and tracking data for its AI technology. According to Meta, it could use information such as photos, captions, videos, and any interaction with the platforms AI, but said it would not use private messages between users. Given the short time since Meta has introduced its changes to irreversibly ingest the entire data sets of more than 400m EU/EEA data subjects for undefined artificial intelligence technologies, without any indication as to the purposes of such systems, we see the urgent need to file this complaint, NOYB told the data privacy watchdog. The New York Times sued OpenAI for copyright infringement, alleging the firm's AI technology illegally copied millions of articles to train language models including ChatGPT. Picture: Tiffany Hagler-Geard/Bloomberg The company will start implementing its new AI training plan on June 26, giving Meta users just a few weeks notice of its objectives. Its proposed changes have sparked several data privacy concerns among advocacy groups, with criticisms ranging from a lack of transparency to the plans irreversible implications. In its letter to Irelands privacy watchdog, NOYB argued that Meta had no legitimate interest that would override the interest of any data subject, adding that the company had no other legal basis to process such vast amounts of personal data for totally undefined purposes. The tech giant has also come under fire for discouraging people from opting out of its plan and for making the process more difficult than it should be. Rather than Meta asking for consent, users must actively opt out of the new plans, with even that process being made more complicated than necessary, NOYB said. The social media giant is requiring users to fill out a form detailing why they object to the use of their data in its AI training and explain how it will affect them personally. Privacy advocate Max Schrems said Meta is blatantly ignoring the judgements of the CJEU. Picture: CourtPix Subsequently, the tech giant says it will review these requests and if honoured, they will apply going forward. However, due to Europes General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Meta is forced to offer an opt-out option for all European users, meaning any request made by people in the EU must be honoured. People in other areas of the world are not so lucky. Meta has taken every step to deter data subjects from exercising their right to choose, by pretending that data subjects would only enjoy a right to object [opt-out] instead of relying on consent [opt-in] and by entertaining extensive dark patterns to deter users from objecting under Article 21 GDPR, NOYB said in its complaint to the DPC. In addition, the letter also argues that Meta fails to provid the necessary concise, transparent, intelligible and easily accessible information, using clear and plain language. Meta rejected NOYBs criticism, referring to a blog post from May in which it said it uses publicly-available information to train AI, as well as information that has been shared publicly on its services. However, in a message to Facebook users, the company said it may still process data about people who are not on the social media site if they appear in an image or caption shared by another account. Meta says itself that it is not able to properly differentiate between data subjects where it can rely on a legal basis to process personal data and other data subjects where such a legal basis does not exist, NOYB continued in its complaint. However, a spokesperson for Meta said the company was confident that its approach complies with privacy laws, and that it was consistent with how other tech companies are developing and improving their AI experiences in Europe, including Google and Open AI. But its not just Meta coming under scrutiny. In December last year, The New York Times sued OpenAI for copyright infringement, alleging the firms AI technology illegally copied millions of articles to train language models including ChatGPT to provide people with instant access to information technology that now competes with traditional newspapers including The New York Times. Despite the legal battle with NYT, just last month, social media site Reddit confirmed that it would allow Microsofts OpenAI to use content from the website to train ChatGPT as part of a deal worth around $60m (55m). NOYB has already filed several complaints against Meta and other major tech giants over alleged breaches of GDPR, which carry fines of up to 4% of a companys total global turnover for violations. Meta has previously argued that it had a legitimate interest in using users data to train AI models and other tools, which can be shared with third parties. However, NOYB founder Max Schrems said that Europes top court had already ruled on this issue in 2021. The European Court of Justice has already made it clear that Meta has no legitimate interest to override users right to data protection when it comes to advertising, he said. Yet the company is trying to use the same arguments for the training of undefined AI technology. It seems that Meta is once again blatantly ignoring the judgments of the CJEU, Mr Schrems said, adding that opting out of the plan was extremely complicated. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, a spokesperson for the DPC said it was continuing to look into the issue. I can confirm that this matter is still subject to extensive engagement between the DPC, our colleague EU Data Protection Authorities, and Meta, with a number of significant issues continuing to be assessed for GDPR compliance, the spokesperson said. Additional reporting from Reuters The centenary of diplomatic relations between Ireland the United States has been highlighted by the signing of a five-year agreement between two national parks - Wild Nephin in Co Mayo and Yosemite in California. Connemara National Park already has a twinning agreement with Terra Nova in Newfoundland, Canada, while Killarney National Park is linked with Glacier National Park in the American state of Montana. The sister parks facilitate international co-operation and knowledge exchange to support nature conservation, natural and cultural tourism Minister of State Malcolm Noonan and US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin visited Wild Nephin for the signing of the latest agreement by Catriona Ryan, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Cicely Muldoon, Yosemite National Park. Each said the agreement presents exciting opportunities for both parks. While they may differ in size and geographical features, the challenges they face are similar. These include balancing nature conservation with visitor impact, preserving our ecological and cultural heritage, controlling invasive species, and educating new generations. This agreement marks another connection in the shared history of Ireland and the USA and has a special meaning here in Co Mayo. It is also a reminder that the challenge of protecting biodiversity is both a local and a global one, he said. Minister Noonan said he was thrilled to celebrate a new sister parks agreement, especially in the 100th year of US-Irish diplomatic relations. These two parks are treasures of natural beauty and biodiversity. This partnership strengthens our commitment to conservation and highlights the deep historical ties between Co Mayo and the United States, he said. Catriona Ryan said the national parks in Killarney and Connemara have seen the benefits of sister park arrangements. It was great to see another park participate in a such an international partnership. They are pathways to new thinking and ideas, create a sense of solidarity and are hugely motivating for our staff, she said. NPWS Divisional Manager Denis Strong said they are looking forward to tapping into the wealth of knowledge at Yosemite National Park over the next five years. While Wild Nephin is the younger sister in this arrangement between our National Parks, we also have lots to share in terms of our conservation work, along with our community and stakeholder engagement. Forestry and woodlands restoration, fire management and dark skies are just some of the themes that were hoping to pursue through our collaboration, he said. Nephin, located on the western seaboard in north-west Mayo, was designated as Irelands sixth National Park in 1998. It comprises 15,000ha, is dominated by the Nephin Beg Mountain range and is home to Owenduff Bog, one of the largest intact active blanket bog systems in Western Europe. It also has a wide range of protected species and habitats, including internationally important freshwater river systems and associated habitats. Nephin showcases some of the most pristine night skies in the world and is certified as a Gold Tier standard International Dark Sky Park, drawing new visitors over the winter months. On a clear night, visitors can see thousands of stars, along with other planets in the solar system. Yosemite, which was designated as a national park in 1890, consists of over 300,000ha, 95% of which is wilderness. It is visited by over 3.5 million people each year. It is home to five of the worlds highest waterfalls, granite domes and wells, deep valleys, giant sequoia groves and lakes and is known for unique and pronounced landform features because of glacial action on granitic bedrock. Driving aphids away with smells is the latest attempt to save the European sugar beet industry. Ever since French sugar beet growers lost about 30% of their crop in 2020 due to a terrible infestation of Beet Yellow Virus (BYV), the 20m Consolidated National Research and Innovation Plan has searched for solutions to control aphids and sugar beet yellows. The green peach aphids (Mysus Persicae) which spreads BYV in sugar beet was controlled from 1993 until 2018 with a neonicotinoid insecticide dressing on beet seeds. But neonicotinoids came under fire for contributing to the decline of bees. Since 2013, they were progressively banned by the European Commission. However, temporary emergency exemptions allowed some growers to continue using them, until a European High Court ruling in 2023, which was strongly criticised by EU sugar beet industry, but welcomed by environmental campaigners. Other insecticides have failed to prevent crop damage, and the French government's National Research and Innovation Plan continues to pursue solutions, mainly in plant genetics but also in control methods such as removal of viral reservoirs, flight modelling, plants, companions, repellents, etc. Subsidised by public funding of up to 7m, this plan is co-financed by the INRAE public research institute, the Institut Technique de la Betterave interprofessional organ of the sugar beet industry, and seed companies. Since 2021, solutions have been trialed on 500 hectares of experimental plots across all French sugar beet regions. French beet crops have been worst hit by BYV, which is one of the reasons the country's acreage has fallen, and the EU-27 beet sugar production forecast for next year is 7% below the 2022 level, despite extraordinarily high EU sugar prices in recent years. Founded in 2019, and based in Rennes, France, the Agriodor company has been involved in the search to find alternatives to neonicotinoids for sugar beet. The unique biocontrol technology developed by Agriodor has attracted 5m of venture capital funding. The technology combines odours based on kairomones (attractants) and allomones (repellents) that modify the behavior of pest insects and allow for the reduction of damage caused to crops, while respecting the environment and biodiversity. Used in the field, the odours limit insect colonisation and crop damage. Insects use smell to feed and reproduce. Smells guide them to egg-laying sites, or help them to avoid certain toxic plants. This means that using smells to disrupt aphids can reduce the spread of crop-damaging viruses. The product has been formulated for easy application with farm equipment, allowing for large-scale use. Agriodor says the promising results in 2022 (more than 50% reduction of aphids on beet) for this neonicotinoid alternative can help to secure the sugar beet industry in Europe. The mode of action of repellent odours is to delay the first infestations by aphids, reducing by 10 to 15 days the timing of a harmful threshold level of aphid on beet. This can help to increase the effectiveness of aphicides, used in conjunction but at reduced levels. Unlike using insecticides, there is no risk of resistance to the Agriodor product, or habituation, because the odour product does not kill the aphids, and therefore does not exert any selection pressure. In 2022, French Tech Rise's Impact prize for start-ups went to Agriodor. Now, the French government has authorised Agriodor's products for trials on 500 hectares of sugar beet fields. The company hopes to obtain a new emergency marketing authorisation for 2025. Agriodor already sells preparations for lentil and faba bean crops. Sugar beet products are at the field trial, regulatory, and manufacturing stage. The target market is Europe's 1.5 million hectares of beet. There are also field trials of a product for potato crops, and Agriodor is working on a similar product for rapeseed crops. The European oilseed rape industry has estimated at 900m a year the cost to it of the neonicotinoid ban in Europe. I am delighted to be joining some of my favourite food writers at the Irish Examiner. Seafood Made Simple is a new series bringing you quick and easy seafood dishes that will fit in to the busiest of lives while delivering delicious results with minimum effort. Since opening Goldie in Cork City, I have spent the last five years of my life worrying about the weather, cooking, filleting, and scaling fish. Weve had to figure out ways to make working with fish faster and easier while delivering a better yield of this highly perishable food source of which 50% is typically wasted and one in three that are caught are never used. Weve converted one or two weary fish eaters over that time, so Im excited to be sharing some of our tips and tricks here to help you do the same. My column each week will feature a certain species, but each recipe will provide options of other species that you can substitute for. If we want to enjoy these beautiful wild animals a little flexibility is necessary. For me, fish is the ultimate fast food. So, with that, this weekends recipes are an homage to the places that have been feeding fish to our communities since the 1880s. The chipper has offered me much more than sustenance over the past 29 years but also inspiration when trying to write a menu that is accessible. Nostalgia can be the most special element a chef can bring to a dish. In lockdown, our restaurants shut but the chippers kept their doors open and the fishers fishing. This April, to celebrate the Waterford Food Festival, Eunice Power kindly allowed me and the Goldie team of chefs to take over her fabulous chipper And Chips in Dungarvan for a few hours. We served a couple of Goldie classics like Taiwanese fried fish nuggets, mushy pea fritters, salt fish potato pies and kimchi tartar sauce. The sun was splitting the stones and, in an hour and a half, we cleared a queue of 150 people. Suffice to say I think I will be sticking to the day job! For this weekends recipes we have a kimchi fried fish burger with a millennials take on tartar sauce; and a sea salt and vinegar crusted fillet of hake with chunky Bramley apple curry sauce and a side dish of the very humble mushy pea with a little bit of extra TLC. Kimchi Fried Fish Burger recipe by:Aishling Moore This versatile recipe works with cod, hake, haddock, pollock, ling and whiting. Servings 4 Preparation Time 30 mins Cooking Time 15 mins Total Time 45 mins Course Main Ingredients For the fish: 4 x 100g hake tails, skin removed 180g plain flour 150ml buttermilk 1/2 tb kimchi brine (or hot sauce) To serve: lettuce leaves 4x brioche buns, toasted Kimchi tartar sauce (see recipe) Hot sauce For the kimchi tartar sauce: 140g mayonnaise 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1tbsp gochujang 100g kimchi, drained and finely chopped 1 small gherkin, finely chopped Method For the fish: Pre-heat a deep fat fryer to 180C. In a medium mixing bowl add the plain flour and fine sea salt and combine. In another mixing bowl, add the buttermilk and the kimchi brine and mix well. Add 1tbsp of the buttermilk and kimchi brine mix to the flour and mix through forming little clumps throughout the flour mix. This will result in a crispier and crunchier coating on the fish. Working in batches, add the tails to the flour mix and coat. Shake off any excess flour mix and then dip in the buttermilk and kimchi brine mixture. Drain off the excess liquid and return once more to the flour mixture, coat well and shake off excess flour. Transfer the fish to a plate or tray ready for frying. Fry immediately once coated. Depending on the size of your fryer work in batches when frying the fish. Fry for 3 and a half minutes at 180C or until each piece is golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper, sprinkle with sea salt, and add a little hot sauce. Build your burgers with a little kimchi tartar sauce on the base of each bun, followed by the lettuce, fried hake and another dollop of kimchi tartar sauce on top. For the sauce: Strain the kimchi and reserve the brine. In a small bowl add the chopped kimchi, gherkin, mustard, gochujang, and mayonnaise. Mix well and set aside. This will keep for three days. Sea Salt & Vinegar Crust Baked Hake with Curry and Mushy Peas recipe by:Aishling Moore This recipe will also work with pollock, cod, haddock and ling. Servings 4 Course Main Ingredients For the fish: 4 x 150g hake fillets skinned 90g panko breadcrumbs 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 50g unsalted butter 1 tsp sea salt flakes tsp seaweed powder 1 tbsp vegetable oil For the curry sauce: 2 tbsp vegetable oil 50g butter 1 onion, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, grated 1 thumb-sized piece ginger, grated 3 tbp mild curry powder 2 tbsp flour 600ml stock (veg/fish/chicken) 1 diced Bramley apple 20g brown sugar 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 3 tbsp natural yoghurt For the mushy peas: 400g bag marrowfat peas 1 tsp caster sugar 100g frozen petit pois 100g butter 3 scallions sliced 2 sprigs mint, chopped 2 sprigs parsley, chopped Juice and zest of half a lemon Method Sea Salt & Vinegar Crust Baked Hake: Preheat oven to 200C. Place a small pot over a medium high heat and add the apple cider vinegar. Reduce by two thirds until it has almost evaporated. Add the unsalted butter, warm until it melts and remove pan from the heat. In a small bowl add the breadcrumbs, sea salt and seaweed powder. Add the melted butter and vinegar mixture and mix well so the butter coats all the breadcrumbs. Season the underside of the fillet with some fine sea salt. Lightly grease a tray with some vegetable oil and place the hake fillets on top, skin side up. Place the breadcrumb mixture on top of each fillet and bake in the oven for 8- 10 minutes. Serve with Chunky Chipper Curry Sauce and Mushy Peas. Chunky Chipper Curry Sauce: Heat the vegetable oil and butter in a medium heavy-based pot on a medium-low heat. Allow the butter to melt before adding the onion, garlic and ginger. Cook for 8 minutes to soften. Add the curry powder and cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices. Add the flour, stir and cook out for 1 minute. Add the warmed stock in 3 parts to avoid lumps and cook for 4 minutes. Next add the diced apple and cook for a further 4 minutes until softened. Finish the sauce by stirring through the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and yoghurt. Mushy Peas with Scallions and Herbs: Soak the marrowfat peas overnight with boiling water. Strain the water from the peas the next day and place in a medium heavy based pot with enough cold water to cover by 1 inch. Add the caster sugar and a generous pinch of sea salt and place on a medium high heat. Once the peas come to the boil, reduce the heat immediately and cook for3- 4 minutes until the peas are softened but still holding their shape. Strain and allow to drain in a colander. In a small pot, melt the butter on medium low heat and add the petit pois. Cook for one minute. Transfer the marrowfat peas to a mixing bowl and add the petit pois and butter mixture, the scallions, chopped herbs, lemon juice and zest. Mix well and season with sea salt. Buying and storing fish Refrigeration is paramount to keeping fish fresh so always buy it last on your shopping trip. Remove the fish from any packaging and pat it dry with kitchen paper. Never store raw fish in or on plastic, as this encourages the fish to sweat. Store your fish flat on a tray or a plate with space in between the whole fish or fillets. Never stack pieces or portions on top of each other. Never wash fish with water: moisture applied to fish drastically speeds up the deterioration of the fish. If you are happy to remove the skin from the fish yourself, make sure you do so with a very sharp knife on a stable dry surface. Alternatively, ask your fishmonger wholl be more than happy to do this for you. Your shopping list Gochujang An essential and versatile Korean pepper paste made from chilies, sticky rice, fermented soybeans and salt. Spicy, sweet and salty, its widely available from Asian food shops, Mr Bells, asiamarket.ie and good Tesco stores. Kimchi Widely available in supermarkets and specialist stores, this traditional Korean accompaniment is made from fermented cabbage, garlic, ginger and chilli, adding a sour-salty-spiciness to any dish. Seaweed Powder A great Irish ingredient, seaweed powder is a perfect seasoning to seafood. Widely available on line and in health food shops, many supermarkets and fishmongers stock it too. Mary-Kate Geraghty: a Cork connection to music Mary-Kate Geraghty has covered a lot of bases in her career performing at festivals, in pubs, clubs and even churches, as a singer with the bands Fight Like Apes and Le Galaxie. Even so, being asked to perform at Cork Opera House wasnt exactly something she was expecting. Geraghty, known as MayKay, is one of the soloists featuring in the Cork Proms: Heyday A Mixtape of Irish Rock and Pop, which will showcase songs from artists such as Sinead OConnor, The Cranberries, The Pogues, Enya, and Thin Lizzy, performed with an orchestra. I am always surprised to be asked to do lovely stuff like this but I was also so delighted and I get to be in Cork for about a week between production rehearsals and the two shows. Its a dream. She cant reveal what shes singing but was very excited when The Frank and Walters, one of her favourite bands, were mentioned. I mean, you could sing anything by the Frank and Walters, even acapella and it would sound brilliant but I love the idea of hearing how their songs sound with an orchestra and in Cork city. I feel very unworthy. Geraghty says she was definitely more punk than pop when she dropped out of college at the age of 19 to pursue life in a band. However, the 37-year-old says she has mellowed considerably when it comes to her musical tastes. When I was much younger, we were such music snobs. We were so into punk, and if somebody else had heard of a band, then they werent cool any more. We cant go back and change, but now, to be asked to be part of this line-up as a soloist means a lot to me, she says. A native of Kildare, Cork occupies a special place in Geraghtys heart for many reasons. When I was in Fight Like Apes, we did loads of gigs in Cork. Our first record label was FIFA Records, which is run by Ash [Ashley Keating] from The Frank and Walters. The only time we didnt mind people being confused about where we were from was when people said we were a Cork band. Geraghtys late father Pat, who died in 2017, also formed a strong attachment to Cork when he worked as a media manager with the Munster rugby team for many years. Her mother Kathy Sheridan is a journalist with The Irish Times. MayKay: "The only time we didnt mind people being confused about where we were from was when people said we were a Cork band." Pic: Moya Nolan She says that her parents love of music was a strong influence on her growing up, her dads association with one song in particular leaving an indelible impression on those who knew him. We were raised with music and how important it was. My dads party piece was The Boxer [Simon and Garfunkel]. At his funeral, the Munster team did a circle around his coffin and sang The Boxer. It is an incredible memory, sad but so beautiful. The power of music to connect, and effect change, is something Geraghty has been thinking about increasingly. Through meeting the Cork-based volunteer group ACLAI Palestine, she ended up visiting refugee camps in the Occupied West Bank. Working with fellow musicians Elaine Mai and Faye ORourke, she recently released a song, We Are, which features contributions from some of the children she met there. When we went over the second time, I brought my microphone and asked them could I do some songwriting workshops because these kids are unbelievable communicators. The lyrics in the song are them saying who they are they are saying we are strength, we are love, we are hope, we are victory. At the end of the song, they say no-one is free until Palestine is free in English, Irish and Arabic. I am really proud to hear their voices on this. I want people to hear these kids and realise they could be any of us. They are brilliant, funny and bright. They have ambitions and dreams and they deserve to have those ambitions and dreams realised the same as anybody else. While Geraghty and her Fight Like Apes bandmate Jamie Fox called it a day as a full-time entity in 2016, there have been periodic re-unifications, most recently a gig at the Olympia, which went down a storm with their loyal fanbase. It was unreal. Me and Jamie were heartbroken when Fight Like Apes came to an end. It was such a relief to see it meant so much to other people. Im 37 and Jamie turns 40 this year. For us to have had another go at the Olympia, which was our biggest headline gig ever, we just feel incredibly lucky, she says. That gig gave us loads of confidence to move on as well. Its hard to let go of somethingour whole adult life was Fight Like Apes from when we were 19. Geraghty has also been greatly enjoying her gig side of stage, as a presenter on the music series Other Voices. She has recently recorded more episodes for Other Voices: Anam, which features musicians performing in castles around Ireland. Its really lovely, she says. I feel really lucky with the work that I have. Filming these shows in these incredible places is just unreal, she says. The Cork Proms: Heyday A Mixtape of Irish Rock and Pop, is at Cork Opera House as part of the Cork Midsummer Festival, Wed Jun 12 - Thurs Jun 13, 8pm. corkoperahouse.ie Killian Donnelly: "You just throw yourself into it and youre firing on all cylinders." Killian Donnelly: from Les Mis to the Opera House Killian Donnelly is a seasoned actor and performer, having graced high-calibre musical productions from the West End to Broadway. His theatrical training is much in evidence when he is chatting to me on Zoom from his Dublin home. He may be holding a baby in one arm and gently wrangling a four-year-old with the other but he doesnt miss a beat. When hes not jetting over to London to work, Donnelly, a Kildare native, lives in Artane with his wife, the actor and dancer, Louise Bowden, and their two children, baby daughter Fiadh and son Tadhg. After starring roles in shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Billy Elliot and Kinky Boots, he says the part of parent was a whole new challenge. Donnelly is preparing to sing some of his greatest musical hits at The Proms in Cork Opera House later this month, but he says the days of luxuriating in preparation are long gone. Before kids youre like, Im gonna put six hours into learning this song. Now, if you get 16 minutes, youre laughing. Its amazing being a parent, its like youre a performer in another gang. Having kids wasnt just another chapter in the book of life, it was a whole new book. One of the tenors biggest roles is among the most iconic in musical theatre, that of the reformed convict Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, while the driving force behind that phenomenon, Cameron Mackintosh, has been one of his biggest supporters. When the legendary producer asked him to reprise the role late last year, Donnelly headed off to London en famille. So from 6.30am to 5pm, I was dad and husband and then I hopped on the train to London Bridge, and I was Valjean from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. I loved every second of it because the Killian of before would have been like I cant get up at 6.30am, I need to rest my voice, I need to steam. But then you just throw yourself into it and youre firing on all cylinders. The last time Donnelly graced the stage at the Opera House, it was in another revolutionary role, this time as one of Corks most famous sons, the Big Fella himself. In 2008, he was cast in the lead role of Michael Collins: A Musical Drama by the Waterford producer and director Bryan Flynn, who died in 2014 at the tragically young age of 43. It is an experience Donnelly remembers with much fondness. When Bryan said he was writing a musical about Michael Collins, I immediately got it, I could totally see the drama behind it. When the show finally came to fruition, Donnelly had been cast in Les Mis. I got two weeks off, flew home and did a three-day hardcore rehearsal. We opened it and we put it on for two weeks. It was a huge learning curve and I was very lucky. Bryan was a huge loss, him and [musical director] David Hayes have been the biggest inspiration for me. Next up for Donnelly is one of the biggest roles of his career, as he embarks on an extensive arena tour of Les Miserables later this year, in which he will share the role of Valjean with the famous tenor Alfie Boe, alongside another musical legend, Michael Ball, as Javert. He says he couldnt quite believe it when Mackintosh offered him the arena gig during the interval of a Les Mis performance. It was overwhelming. And then he asked me if I wanted to go for a pint to celebrate. You couldnt find a more rounded producer. He is in every single theatre he owns, still picking out the seat covers and all of that. Its quite astounding. The Cork Proms, Theres No Place Like Home, is at Cork Opera House as part of the Cork Midsummer Festival, Wed and Thurs, Jun 19 - 20, 8pm. corkoperahouse.ie News / National by Staff reporter Ariana Resources Plc, a UK-based precious metals exploration company, has agreed to acquire a 100% stake in Zimbabwe's Dokwe Mine.This acquisition complements Ariana's primary operations in Turkey and the wider European and Eastern Mediterranean regions. The Dokwe Mine is located in Matabeleland North.Ariana secured the mine through a merger with Rockover Holdings Ltd, in which it currently holds a 2.1% stake. As part of their due diligence, Ariana completed four diamond drill holes, confirming significant gold mineralization at Dokwe North and Central deposits.Managing Director Kerim Sener noted that these drilling results are crucial for estimating the resources at Dokwe.The company is finalizing its technical program and preparing a revised Mineral Resource Estimate, with plans to announce the new estimate before a general meeting to approve the merger with Rockover. A number of Irish websites experienced failed cyberattacks during Friday night as part of an organised campaign across EU member states, the Department of Communications has said. A a pro-Russian hacker group has claimed responsibility on their social channel, and this indicates websites such as Bus Eireann and voter registration website Voter.ie were among the attempted victims. The Electoral Commission had previously warned that Ireland could be targeted by hackers during the election and that such a move "could be very bad news". The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) became aware of attacks involving the websites being flooded with internet traffic to prevent real users from accessing the services. These are known as Distributed Denial of Service attacks or DDoS for short. A spokesman for the department said on Saturday: This activity is part of a pattern of events across the EU and is in line with the experiences of other EU Member States. The NCSC has been working with the websites involved offering technical advice and guidance, as well as co-ordinating the response. The spokesman said the impact has been minimal adding this was mainly due to how prepared the websites were for potential attacks. In the Netherlands, the outlet Politico.eu reported several websites belonging to Dutch political parties experienced similar attacks on Thursday. Those cyberattacks were claimed by a pro-Russian hacker group called HackNeT via their Telegam account, Politico reported. This Telegram account also indicates Bus Eireanns website was among those targeted, as was that of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and voter.ie, a website where Irish voters can check to see if they are registered to vote or not. It has also been reported that the European Court of Auditors' website was targeted. This site was down on Thursday afternoon but now appears to be functioning normally. A spokeswoman for the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland confirmed an attack was made on their website on Friday. "The attempted attack was identified by our web security and monitoring system. As a proactive measure, the RCSI website was taken down for a short time to allow for the site attempting to carry out the attack to be blocked and checks to be carried out," she said. "The RCSI website has been restored, and we are confident that no information was compromised." A spokeswoman for Bus Eireann confirmed on Saturday their website was one of those affected in the attempted attacks. "Through working with the National Cyber Security Centre we were able to manage the attack and take the necessary measures to ensure our site was accessible to the public," she said. A spokeswoman for Dublin Bus confirmed a cyberattack was made on their website also. "I can confirm that Dublin Bus was targeted as part of a series of failed cyberattacks on Irish websites. Dublin Bus worked with the National Cyber Security Centre and ensured that the necessary measures were taken to mitigate the attack," she said on Saturday evening. A plan to offer dialysis to end-stage kidney disease patients late into the night in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) has been sharply criticised by the Irish Kidney Association (IKA). Questions have also been raised about a long-promised new dialysis unit in Ennis with a tender offered as far back as September but not yet awarded. A source familiar with the night-time plan said most patients who rely on this service are aged over 60. They will have to leave their homes at approximately 10pm and will not return until around 6am, after four hours of dialysis and travel time due to the catchment area of the unit, they warned. Some years ago the hospital also offered this option, and the source described the experience as soul-destroying. The IKA has also been aware of growing fears across Limerick, Clare and north Tipperary as pressures increase on the unit. The reality is that day-time dialysis is more humane, spokeswoman Gwen ODonoghue said. And it is also cheaper because rather than using night-shift nurses, patients can be treated during the day, making it a win-win situation more convenient for patients and less expensive for the hospital. She said people could require a minimum of 156 visits to the hospital dialysis unit per year. Tiredness and mental health problems are among the challenges facing these patients already, and she said dialysis can strip a person of their sense of identity and independence. She echoed frustrations at delays to opening a new unit in Ennis. She urged: We believe a far better option, in this case, for both patients and the overburdened healthcare professionals working in the area is to open a new dialysis unit, which would relieve pressure on the existing unit. Last year 2,502 patients were on dialysis nationally and only 305 could receive this at home, she said. A UHL spokesman said the plan to offer extension of the out-of-hours service is linked to high demand. Due to the growing number of patients who require this treatment, we have reached maximum capacity in the Dialysis Unit at UHL, he said. Only patients who are able-bodied and preferably live near the hospital will be offered night hours. He confirmed the tender has not yet been awarded for the Co Clare unit although he said "a preferred supplier has been identified" now. While the tender procedures are finalised, the HSE Midwest has identified funding to support the commencement of this vital service as soon as possible," he added. Senator Martin Conway raised questions about the Ennis unit in the Seanad recently saying it makes complete sense to move services like this from UHL. To his knowledge "at least 70 or 80 people" travel from Clare for dialysis in Limerick. We are still in the early stages of counting in the 2024 local and European elections, but here is some of what we have learned so far. 1. Independents' day It has been a good day for Independents as early predictions show a surge in support. Independent candidate Thomas Welby was the first person to be elected anywhere in the country, topping the poll for the fourth consecutive time in Conamara North. In fact, of the first five people elected, three were independent candidates, while tallies from all over the country showed a strong showing for non-party candidates. 2. A mixed bag for Sinn Fein While the party is set to improve on its showing in 2019 and gain more seats nationally, its overall strategy has backfired in some constituencies with no surge as was expected. In 2020, Sinn Fein was criticised for not putting forward enough candidates for the general election. Already this year, the party was criticised for running too many candidates in these local elections and it looks as though its vote has been split in some areas, potentially reducing the amount of seats it will claim overall. Transfers could be key, though. Tanaiste Micheal Martin speaking at the count centre at City Hall, Cork on Saturday. Picture: Larry Cummins While they may lose seats overall, it could have been a lot worse, with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael slogging it out for the highest number of councillors across the country. Micheal Martin hailed Fianna Fail's performance, claiming the party will be a "competitive force" in local government for the next five years. Fianna Fail councillor Seamus McGrath, brother of the Finance Minister Michael McGrath, is set to secure over 5,000 votes, possibly the highest vote in the entire country. 4. No far-right surge Despite the dire warnings, the country has not turned in any significant way to the far right. Several candidates in Dublin and Cork were in good shape once the tallying was completed, but it was far from the lurch that some had feared. Candidate Ciaran Cuffe at the RDS this afternoon. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos. 5. Off-colour day for the Green Early tallies show that the Greens will hold their own in local elections, but Ciaran Cuffe will be in a battle for the final seat in the European race in Dublin. In the local elections, the Greens are performing strongly in some areas, with some expected to top the poll in parts of Dublin city. It isn't a repeat of the Green wave from 2019 when the party won 49 council seats nationally, but it is a positive sign for Eamon Ryan's party, though some representatives may yet find themselves in a scrap for the final seats in some of the country's more competitive constituencies. 6. A long few days ahead for some - but not for others Shortly after 6pm, counting was complete in the Connemara North local electoral area. It took just four counts to re-elect four sitting councillors. In many other count centres nationally, counting hadn't even started. I punched the air when I saw Derbforgaill (or Derval), the so-called Gaelic Helen of Troy, make an appearance among the beardy power-players glowering with purpose in the absorbing documentary, Invasion: The Normans which aired on RTE1 last Sunday. The two-parter is billed as a real-life Game of Thrones. It is a clever conceit because the wrangle for power between provincial kings in 12th-century Ireland does indeed have a fictional echo in the HBO mega-hit. To underline the comparison, the action and there was lots of that was narrated by one of the dramas actors, Michael McElhatton. There was another startling resonance between the real and the imagined: if the political turbulence of that century is a true-to-life Game of Thrones, then it is entirely reasonable to frame Derbforgaill (also Dervorgilla and anglicised as Derval) as a real-life Helen of Troy. To recap, the Helen of myth was the daughter of Zeus, the god of lightening, thunder and the sky. (There was bound to be trouble.) She was said to be the most beautiful woman in ancient Greece and was pursued by several suitors before finally marrying Menelaus, the Greek king of Sparta. HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading All was well for a while until Paris, the charming, eloquent and agile prince of Troy, turned her head. Perhaps it was the other way around and she turned his. What happened next still prompts an enthusiastic debate. Happily, discussing the facts of a myth is still a popular pursuit. Long may it last. Was she kidnapped, or did she elope? There may never be agreement, although there is general consensus that her departure for Troy sparked the decade-long Trojan war. You will find the very same scapegoat or scarlet woman? divide in any discussion of the very real Derbforgaill. As is so often the case, her place in the world is defined by the men in her life: she was the king of Meaths daughter; the ruler of Breifne Tiernan ORourkes wife and Dermot MacMurroughs abductee. Dermot, the ruthless and expansionary King of Leinster, carried her off (along with her cattle and furniture) in 1152. A few years later, he will as we all know change Irish history forever when he seeks military aid from the king of England, Henry II. Eleanor of Aquitaine at Henry II's Court in the RTE documentary drama Invasion: The Normans. But, in the 1150s, he was the target. Tiernan ORourke was enraged by the kidnap lets call it that for now and enlisted the help of the high king of Ireland, Turlough OConnor, to raise an army. Together, they attacked MacMurroughs kingdom and forced him into exile. The stage was set for revenge and for what became known as the Invasion of the Normans in 1170. Can we say, as has been said of Helen, that Derbforgaills abduction was the root cause of the invasion? Or is that a case of Cherchez la femme, 12th-century style? When we allow a woman from history a bit of time in the limelight, it is so often just to blame her. Victim? The key to the incident, as in the Greek myth, is whether or not Derbforgaill was really kidnapped. The Annals of Clonmacnoise certainly thought she was. Its chronicler was outraged by the act and said Dermot kept her for a long space to satisfie his insatiable, carnall and adulterous lust [sic]. The writer didnt have much time for her husband either, saying that she had suffered some abuses at his hands. Gerald of Wales, the famous and infamously partisan author of Expugnatio Hibernica (Conquest of Ireland), opted for the love story. He had it that Dermot had long been burning with love for her and when her husband was away on an expedition, he took his chance. Derbforgaill was entirely complicit, as he explains in this charming entry: No doubt she was abducted because she wanted to be and, since woman is always a fickle and inconstant creature, she herself arranged that she should become the kidnappers prize. The Annals of the Four Masters, perhaps, come nearest to the more complex reality. It contends that Derbforgaills brother advised her to go away with MacMurrough. Its an explanation that historian Gillian Kenny, one of the expert contributors to Invasion: the Normans, believes is most plausible. Derbforgaills father was king of Meath. Her husband, ruler of nearby Breifne (Offaly and Cavan), was making forays into Meath in a land grab to boost his own kingdom. She was caught in the unenviable middle. The historian and author of Anglo Irish and Gaelic Women in Ireland, c.11701540, explains: Shes in a difficult position because, in the Irish tradition, when a woman gets married, she doesnt automatically sever her links to her own family. She has loyalty to her father and to her brother who is also in contention for the kingship of Meath. Her husbands attempt to conquer her fathers kingdom also antagonises Dermot. He, in turn, ignites Tiernans rage by kidnapping or perhaps doing a deal with Derbforgaill. From what I know about the position and the role of Irish women in society at that time, Dr Kenny continues, it seems incredibly unlikely that she ran away with Dermot MacMurrough as some kind of love act. They are both older, thats not to say that they didnt fall madly in love, but it seems to have been premeditated. She may have done it in conjunction with her brother to put a halt to Tiernan ORourkes expansionary activities within her familys lands. She was a very politically savvy woman. I think she was looking to safeguard her familys actions in the face of rapacious action from her husband and other men around him. I think that is why she did it. Continental effects Its impossible to know if there was any sexual chemistry between them, another contributor Conor Kostick, author of Strongbow: The Norman Invasion of Ireland, adds, but the abduction/elopement/political alliance set unstoppable forces in motion. This is the moment the Game of Thrones within Ireland becomes continental, he said. The focus then, understandably, shifts to the invasion in the making. Meanwhile, back home and without much ado, Derbforgaill makes her way back to Breifne about a year after her abduction. She returns home with her cattle and all her furniture. The next we hear of her is as the pious contributor to the Cistercians at Mellifont Abbey in Co Louth. In 1157, she donated three-score ounces of gold, a gold chalice and a number of altar-cloths. A decade later, she built the beautiful Romanesque Nuns Church at Clonmacnoise, Co Offaly. A starving family scene from the RTE documentary drama, Invasion: The Normans. Was this atonement for her previous misadventures, or simply evidence that she was a woman of standing and considerable means in her own community? Theres a gap of about 20 years before the records note that she entered religious retirement at Mellifont and died there, in 1193, at the respectable age of 85. To find out what happens next in the broader political landscape, tune into Tile Films engaging documentary tomorrow. Once the Game of Thrones angle has been exhausted, I wonder if the production company would consider making a real-life Irish Helen of Troy? Voters in Slovakia, Italy and other European Union nations are casting their ballots on the third day of elections for the European Parliament, with populist and far-right parties looking to make gains across the 27-member bloc. In Slovakia, the election was overshadowed by an attempt to assassinate populist Prime Minister Robert Fico on May 15, sending shockwaves through the nation of 5.4 million and reverberating throughout Europe. Analysts say the attack could boost the chances of the premiers leftist Smer (Direction) party, the senior partner in the governing coalition, to win the vote. Mr Fico, who took office last autumn after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform, has been recovering from multiple wounds after being shot in the abdomen as he greeted supporters in the town of Handlova. President of the European Commission and EU and EPP lead candidate Ursula von der Leyen takes part in the CDU and CSU closing rally for the European elections in the Lowenbraukeller in Munich (dpa via AP) He recovered in time to address the nation in a pre-recorded video, his first public statement since the attack, just hours before the start of the pre-election silence period on Wednesday. Although Mr Fico did not talk directly about the vote, he attacked the European Union, suggesting he was a victim because of his views that differ sharply from the European mainstream. Mr Fico strongly opposes support for Ukraine in its war against Russias full-scale invasion. He ended Slovakias military aid for Ukraine after his coalition government was sworn in on October 25. He also opposes EU sanctions on Russia and wants to block Ukraine from joining Nato. Mainstream media, non-governmental organisations and the liberal opposition were also to blame for the assassination attempt, according to Mr Fico, an allegation repeated by politicians in his governing coalition. Sona Szomolanyi, a political science professor at Comenius University in Bratislava, said the timing of Mr Ficos message was no coincidence. It only confirms that the ruling coalition has been using the assassination (attempt) expediently and apparently effectively, Ms Szomolanyi said. As a result, a mobilisation of the supporters of Smer (at the election) can be expected, she added. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni delivers her speech during at an electoral rally ahead of the EU parliamentary Migration is a top campaign issue for leaders such as Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni (AP) After voting in a hospital in Bratislava on Saturday, Mr Fico said on his Facebook this election is important because it is necessary to vote for MEPs who will support peace initiatives and not the continuation of war. In Italy, citizens aged 18 and above are casting ballots over two days to fill 76 European parliamentary seats, starting Saturday. Premier Giorgia Meloni is expected to be the big winner, reflecting her far-right Brothers of Italys growth, mostly at the expense of her coalition partners, the populist, anti-migrant League and the centre-right Forza Italia. While the vote is not expected to affect the balance in the governing coalition, the result could expand Melonis influence in the European Union, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has not ruled out a coalition with her group. Capitalising on her popularity, Ms Meloni is running as the preferential candidate, even though she has no intention of taking a European parliamentary seat. Voters in Latvia, Malta, and the Czech Republic were also casting ballots on Saturday. Final results will not be released until Sunday night, once every country has voted. The main voting day is Sunday, with citizens in 20 European countries, including Germany, France and Poland, casting their ballots for the 720-seat European Parliament. Leader of the Spanish far-right VOX party Santiago Abascal, with Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (LaPresse via AP, File) Seats are allocated based on population, ranging from six in Malta or Luxembourg to 96 in Germany. In Slovakia, Mr Ficos Smer party is in a close race against the main opposition Progressive Slovakia, a pro-Western liberal party. Mr Ficos government has made efforts to overhaul public broadcasting a move critics said would give the government full control of public television and radio. That, along with his plans to amend the penal code to eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor, has led opponents to worry that he would lead Slovakia down a more autocratic path, following the direction of neighbouring Hungary under populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Ficos policies. Aneta Vilagi, an analyst from Comenius University, said that Smers possible victory will be interpreted by the coalition parties as evidence that a majority of voters still agree with the direction theyre offering to the country. At least 94 bodies have arrived at a hospital in central Gaza during heavy fighting, a health official has said. Khalil Degran spoke to The Associated Press as fighting continued in the part of Gaza where the Israeli military rescued four hostages on Saturday morning. The official said more than 100 injured people have also arrived at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah. Noa Argamani is one of the four named hostages (Hostages Families Forum Headquarters via AP) Israel said after the hostage release that it would continue fighting until all those taken by Hamas in the October 7 attack that triggered the war are freed. Earlier, Israels army said it rescued Noa Argamani, 25; Almog Meir Jan, 21; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 40, in two locations in a complex daytime operation in the heart of Nuseirat on Saturday morning, raiding the two places at once and under fire. Ms Argamani had been one of the most widely-recognised hostages after being abducted from a music festival in southern Israel. The video of her abduction was among the first to surface, with Ms Argamani detained between two men on a motorcycle as she screamed: Dont kill me! Her mother, Liora, has stage four brain cancer and in April released a video pleading to see her daughter before she dies. Andrey Kozlov, 27, one of four hostages who were kidnapped, arrived by helicopter to the Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan, Israel (AP) An elated Ms Argamani spoke by phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In an audio message released by the government, Mr Netanyahu is heard asking how she is feeling. She tells him she is very excited, adding she has not heard Hebrew in so long. The bodies of nearly 100 Palestinians killed were taken to Al-Aqsa Hospital, where a spokesperson told The Associated Press more than 100 wounded also arrived. AP reporters also saw the dead brought to the hospital from the Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah areas as smoke rose in the distance. Israels military said it attacked threats to our forces in the area. The military said one fighter had been seriously wounded. Palestinians wounded in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip arrive at al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah (AP) Hamas took some 250 hostages during the October 7 attack that killed about 1,200 people. About half were released during a week-long ceasefire in November. Israel says more than 130 hostages remain, with about a quarter of those believed dead. Divisions are deepening over the best way to bring them home. International pressure mounts on Israel to limit civilian bloodshed in its war in Gaza, which reached its eighth month on Friday with more than 36,700 Palestinians killed, according to Gazas health ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Palestinians face widespread hunger because fighting and Israeli restrictions have largely cut off the flow of aid. Hundreds of Israelis were kidnapped in a Hamas-led attack on October 7 (AP) US secretary of state Antony Blinken will return to the Middle East next week, seeking a breakthrough in the apparently stalled cease-fire negotiations. Saturdays hostage recovery operation brings the total of rescued captives to seven. Two men were rescued in February when troops stormed a heavily guarded apartment, and a woman was rescued in the aftermath of the October attack. Israeli troops have recovered at least 16 bodies of hostages from Gaza, according to the government. Defence minister Yoav Gallant called Saturdays rescue a heroic operation and vowed the army will fight until all hostages are returned. Almog Meir Jan was among those kidnapped (AP) Mr Netanyahu faces growing pressure to end the fighting in Gaza. Many Israelis urge him to embrace a deal announced last month by US President Joe Biden, but far-right allies threaten to collapse his government if he does. Israel is intensifying operations across central Gaza, where the hostages were rescued. On Thursday, an Israeli air strike hit a UN-run school compound in Nuseirat, killing more than 33 people inside the school, including three women and nine children. Some 30 militants were said to be inside at the time and on Friday, with Israel released the names of 17 militants it said were killed. However, only nine of those names matched with records of the dead from the hospital mortuary. One of the alleged militants was an eight-year-old boy, according to hospital records. 1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241 A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe News / National by Staff reporter United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) has suspended Chikanga Assembly pastor in Mutare for pestering a 17-year-old girl from his church whom he allegedly invited to his house and to go swimming.The suspension is for six months without pay.Efforts to get a comment from Reverend Liberty Maadza were futile but Chipinge Times is in possession of a letter authored by UCCZ president Reverend John Matiza dated May 15, 2024 and effecting the suspension.Matiza confirmed the case but refused to comment further saying that it was a spiritual matter.Efforts to get a comment from Maadza were futile.After seeing a status of someone swimming on the girl's phone, Maadza allegedly sent a WhatsApp message and asked the girl if she can swim and suggested that they go swimming one day."What about your wifeyou are supposed to take your wife there not me," responded the girl in a WhatsApp message.Maadza is also said to have persistently asked the girl to come to his place.Chipinge Times is reliably informed that Maadza has since moved out of the church house but is still attending church in Chikanga. However, some church members complained that the six months slapped on Maadza is too lenient considering that former president Ephraim Ngadziore suspended other priests for two years for similar cases."This is not a case that we permit to be published in the newspaper. We dealt with the case in the spiritual life of the church and these cases are not taken to the press," said Matiza"This letter serves to inform you that Rev Liberty Maadza has been suspended from his ministerial duties for a period of six months with effect from May 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024 without pay. He has been asked to vacate the church house with immediate effect and will not be allowed to perform any pastoral duties during the period of his suspension."Meanwhile, the North-Eastern Conference Supt Rev Joshua Mapaure will be in charge of Chikanga church during the period of Rev Maadza's suspension," reads the suspension letter. Who are the leaders invited to Modis swearing-in ceremony? Leaders from seven countries are attending Narendra Modis swearing-in ceremony after he secured a third historic term as prime minister following Indias general elections. They will be among 9,000 guests, including foreign dignitaries and prominent people from around the world, who will be in the capital Delhi to attend Mr Modis oath-taking ceremony on Sunday. The Indian foreign ministry said that leaders from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and other neighbouring countries have accepted the invitation to attend Mr Modis swearing-in ceremony. The foreign ministry also released a video on know the esteemed guests from Indias neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region attending the ceremony. s Neighbourhood First & SAGAR vision in action! The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister & Council of Ministers is scheduled tomorrow. Know the esteemed guests from s neighbourhood & Indian Ocean region participating in the ceremony. pic.twitter.com/jpj65A9ddY Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 8, 2024 Sri Lanka prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu, prime minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal will mark the event with their presence. Prime minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, and vice president of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif, will also arrive in India. The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of prime minister Shri Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision, the ministry said. Full results from Indias marathon election, which began in mid-April, were released on Wednesday. Mr Modis Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fell short of a majority in the elections winning only 240 seats, well below the 272 needed, in a stunning outcome. However, the BJP-led coalition, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), won the election with 293 seats. Mr Modi was elected as the leader of the coalition after securing the support of the alliance partners. Narendra Modi, center, poses for a photograph with senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and to his left, Telugu Desam Party leader N Chandrababu Naidu, and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar, during a meeting at his residence in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, 5 June 2024 (AP) Opposition INDIA alliance led by the Congress party put up a stronger-than-expected fight, doubling its strength from the last election to win 232 seats. Its leader said that the opposition will take appropriate steps at the appropriate time. In his speech on Friday where he addressed his alliance members, Mr Modi said: "This alliance of ours reflects Indias spirit in its true sense. "We were neither defeated nor are we defeated ... it was an NDA government in the past, still is and will be," he added. The oath-taking ceremony of Mr Modi will be held at the presidential palace, or Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Times of India reported. It will begin at 6pm on Sunday as the capital remains on high alert with section 144 imposed to restrict gathering of people. Members from SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations have been invited to the event. The leaders will also participate in a banquet hosted by president Droupadi Murmu at her residence the same evening. More than 2,500 police personnel, including the polices SWAT (special weapons and tactics) team and National Security Guard commandos, have been deployed across the city while multi-layered security has been deployed around the presidential palace. Other special guests at the event will be labourers who were 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. One of the most significant foreign visits would be of Maldivian president Mr Muizzu. His visit comes amid Indias strained relations with the Maldives after the pro-China candidate won elections in the islands with his India out campaign. After coming to power in 2023, Mr Muizzu asked India to withdraw its military personnel from the island country and vowed to forge close ties with China. Meanwhile, in a news conference, the Congress partys main campaigner Rahul Gandhi demanded a parliamentary investigation into what he called the biggest stock market scam, alleging that Mr Modi and other top BJP ministers misled retail investors who ended up losing money. Indias two main benchmark stock indexes hit new highs on Monday after exit polls predicted a BJP sweep, but dropped sharply on Tuesday to close down more than 5 per cent as early vote figures trickled in. By Zainab Younes, London South Bank University | (The Conversation) Hezbollah intensified its attacks in northern Israel on June 2, firing barrages of rockets over the border that set off massive wildfires. This came two days after the Lebanese armed group revealed that it had downed one of Israels most advanced drones the most recent of several successful air defence operations. The events of October 7 had already marked the collapse of Israels national security doctrine. Three of the four components deterrence, early warning and defence had failed completely. The conflict with Hezbollah, which Israel has been fighting alongside its war on Gaza, continues to damage these beyond repair. Hezbollah, which is part of the broader Iranian-backed axis of resistance with the Ansarullah (commonly known as the Houthi) movement in Yemen and other groups in Syria and Iraq, has demonstrated its developing military, intelligence and media capabilities since the start of Israels war on Gaza. The group has gradually introduced new missiles to the conflict that are more precise and destructive. And it has also demonstrated its ability to identify weaknesses in Israels air defence systems, generate targets and execute complex operations almost daily. On June 3, for example, Hezbollah announced that it had launched a squadron of drones towards the headquarters of the Israeli militarys Galilee formation (the division responsible for the front with Lebanon) for the first time. Most of Hezbollahs drones are successfully penetrating Israeli air space because they are flown at low altitudes to avoid detection. The recent increase in violence across the border is, at least in part, a consequence of Irans attack on Israel in April. The attack, although widely claimed a failure, was ultimately a strategic move that looks to be bearing strategic fruit for Hezbollah. It marked a change in Tehrans calculus and showed that Israel cannot protect itself from retaliation, nor can it deter attacks, without the help of its Arab and western allies. It is also safe to say that Israel no longer enjoys unfettered air superiority and freedom of action over Lebanon. On May 14, Hezbollah downed an Israeli surveillance balloon, and attacked its launch base and the controller used to operate it. The group has also downed several of Israels most reliable and advanced drones. On June 1, for example, it downed a Hermes 900 drone worth around US$10 million (7.8 million), for the second time. Waging a psychological war The growing threat posed by Hezbollah has instilled a feeling of anxiety and pessimisim among Israelis. This is giving Israels deeply polarised society more reason to question the conduct of the countrys political and military leadership. Hezbollah has inflicted serious damage on settlements in northern Israel, many of which are now abandoned. The mayor of Metulla on the Lebanese border has said he is sure that 30% to 40% of the towns settlers will never return. Al Jazeera English Video: Hezbollah drone attack: One Israeli soldier killed & nine injured Other mayors along the conflict line in the Galilee region, where over 96,000 Israelis remain displaced, have threatened to announce unilateral separation from the State of Israel. Their fury is directed primarily at Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for abandoning the evacuees. The government had promised displaced people a plan to restore the north and accommodate their return. But on May 22 it rejected the plans approval and postponed voting on it. Netanyahu has refused to specify a time when the evacuees would be able to return, saying he is not going to tell Hezbollah what we are going to do. The failure to fulfil these promises has only lessened the already waning faith and confidence of Israelis in their government and its management of the war in Gaza. Netanyahu has made countless threats against Hezbollah over the course of the war. But they have failed to deter the group from launching attacks on Israel. According to Israeli journalist Nahum Barnea, frontline generals in Israel have eventually come to adopt the position that deescalation in Lebanon will only be possible if the war in Gaza stops. This is the same stance that Hezbollah has held since the start of the war. In an article on Ynet, a major Israeli news website, Barnea claimed that the intense situation on the Lebanese border is motivating Israels military to support a deal that enables the release of hostages held by Hamas, as it would allow for prospects of an agreement in the north. The militarys new stance looks to be a way of disentangling itself and the government from the complex situation the conflict with Hezbollah has caused. It seems that the army is neither able to continue adapting to the escalating pressure on the battlefield, nor is it willing to launch a large-scale war with Hezbollah given its dangerous repercussions. This new reality has widened the consensus among the Israeli security establishment that the mandate of the Israeli delegation to the ceasefire-hostage talks should be expanded. And on May 23 the war cabinet voted to lengthen the leash of Israels negotiation team, a move that Netanyahu had previously been against. Israel now faces its biggest existential threat from Hezbollah, which is constantly learning, gaining experience from the battlefield and developing by the day. Zainab Younes, PhD Candidate in the Division of Social Sciences, London South Bank University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Saturday, June 8, 2024 - American boxer, Deontay Wilder has been accused of domestic violence by his fiancee, Telli Swift, who has now been granted a restraining order against him. This follows on from claims that he abused her on multiple occasions over the last six years. Swift, who began dating Wilder back in 2015, applied for the restraining order in Los Angeles late last week and a judge granted it on Monday. The restraining order was granted two days after Wilder was knocked out in a high-profile bout with Chinese boxer Zhilei Zhang. The order requires Wilder to remain at least 100 yards away from Swift and the daughter that they share until June 25 - when both parties will appear in court. In her application, Swift has accused Wilder of choking her 'at least five times' since 2018. She also claims he spat on her several times and even said she was 'nearly suffocated' when Wilder shoved her face into a pillow in a fit of rage for an extended period of time. She also claims that in mid-April, Wilder was able to gain access to her laptop without consent and sent disturbing messages to her personal and professional contacts. Swift also says that Wilder would constantly ridicule and threaten her - while expecting her to have sexual intercourse with him 'three times a day'. She also says that on April 15, she was thrown out of their Atlanta residence - despite being in the midst of recovery from a recent invasive surgery. Swift got engaged to the fighter back in 2018 and says she's been living in their LA-area residence since getting the boot in Atlanta. She brought their six-year-old daughter along with her but claims that Wilder has been spying on them through the home's surveillance system. Swift added that she was afraid of Wilder getting violent with her again when he made his way back to the LA home from the Zhang bout in Saudi Arabia. 'I believe Deontay is capable of being physically violent towards me upon his return in June because he has expressed that he is furious with me since April and has been physically abusive with me in the past,' she said. The couple had been engaged since 2018 and they both featured on the reality television show WAGS Atlanta. Wilder has eight children; three boys and five girls; including four with his ex-wife Jessica Scales. His most recent bout ended in a fifth-round knockout which dropped his career record to 43-4. Thefour losses have come within his last five fights, including back-to-back defeats to Tyson Fury. Saturday, June 8, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hinted at working with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Speaking in Maralal, Samburu County, on Friday, Gachagua said the elections are over, as parties agreed with Kenyans' decisions. He said political indifferences are unnecessary after elections and welcomed the opposition team's collaboration with the Kenya Kwanza government. "Elections are over; we are one team. You're all welcome to work with us. "Political differences are unnecessary after elections. "This is the time to serve our people. "We have closed the chapter of politics and are now open to working and collaborations," Rigathi said. Gachagua spoke a day after Raila Odinga also hinted at working with the second-in-command after he supported the One Man One Vote One Shilling revenue-sharing formula. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, June 8, 2024 - Four Indian medical students have drowned while swimming in a river in northwest Russia, officials. The incident happened on Tuesday, June 4, in the Volkhov River in the city of Veliky Novgorod, the regional investigative committee said. "The students were swimming... in an area where bathing is banned," it said. "Two of them started being carried away by the current and two others jumped in to save them. After some time, all four went under water". The Indian consulate in the city of Saint Petersburg said a fifth student "was saved," adding that they were pursuing medical studies at the university in Veliky Novgorod. It said their families had been contacted and efforts were on to repatriate their bodies "as soon as possible". Russian investigators said Friday that two bodies had been recovered so far. Veliky Novgorod, one of the oldest cities in Russia, is around 150 kilometres (90 miles) south of Saint Petersburg. The Volkhov River flows through the city on the way to the vast Lake Ladoga in northwestern Russia. Saturday, June 8, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit out at those labelling him a tribalist over his support for the one-man, one-vote, one-shilling revenue-sharing formula. Speaking at a Women and Youth Empowerment Funds drive in Samburu, Gachagua argued that freedom of expression was a constitutional right and that he was not an exception. While insisting on the matter, the Deputy President acknowledged Raila Odingas support for one man, one shilling, one vote, and questioned why the latter wasnt criticized unlike him. So just because what I have said aligns with what the people from where I come prefer, you label me a tribalist," commented Gachagua. "And yesterday I saw the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga say the same thing I said, I did not hear people calling him a tribalist. According to Gachagua, a difference in opinion did not mean tribalism, and that it was common for people to vary in thoughts. The DP reiterated the need for talks to enable people to understand the main idea behind the revenue-sharing formula. So, everybody should be given a chance to express themselves, let us have a conversation, we are all the same people of Kenya, let us talk and bring the country together," the DP stated. The fact that I am the deputy president does not extinguish my right as a Kenyan and as per the constitution to have an opinion, but that opinion is not a command, it's just an opinion, he added. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, June 8, 2024 - US President Joe Biden said in an interview Thursday he would not pardon his son, Hunter Biden, if hes found guilty of criminal federal gun charges. When asked by interviewer David Muir of ABC if he would rule out pardoning Hunter Biden, the president said, Yes. Biden also affirmed he would accept the outcome of the trial, currently taking place in his home state of Delaware. Hunter 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 hes been open about his struggles with alcohol and crack cocaine addiction. The charges were brought by special counsel David Weiss. The trial is a painful one for the Biden family, as Hunter Biden was struggling with drug addiction in the aftermath of his brother Beaus death and even First lady Dr. Jill Biden, Hunter's stepmom attended the trial before traveling to France to join her husband for D-Day commemoration activities. The White House had said previously that Biden would not pardon his son. Ive been very clear; the president is not going to pardon his son, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in December. Its the first time in US history that the child of a sitting president has been on trial. Biden has previously voiced support for his son and said he was proud of his recovery from addiction. I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today, the president said in a statement Monday as the trial was getting underway. Hunters resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us. A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean, he went on. As the President, I dont and wont comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength. Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support. The trial comes after a New York jury returned 34 guilty counts against former President Donald Trump for falsifying business records in an attempt to cover up hush money payments to a porn actress. Saturday, June 8, 2024 - A man suffered a freak injury when his colon exploded after he coughed and sneezed at the same time while having breakfast with his wife. According to Mail Online, the Florida native's colon exploded, causing his intestines to fall out of his body. The 63-year-old noticed a 'wet' sensation followed by sharp pain. When he lifted his shirt he saw several inches of bowel sticking out of his surgical wound. He had recently had abdominal surgery but doctors insisted earlier that day his incision was 'well-healed.' His wife called an ambulance and upon arrival, paramedics said they observed a three-inch opening with 'large amounts of bowel' protruding through it. The man was immediately rushed to the hospital where surgeons were able to successfully return his bowel into his abdomen. After recovering in the hospital for six days, the man was sent home and experienced no further complications. His case is detailed in the American Journal of Medical Case Reports. This rare but serious complication of surgery is also called disembowelment and occurs when a patient's internal organs protrude through an incision because of wound dehiscence, the reopening of a surgical site. A study found wound dehiscence is estimated to occur in up to three-in-100 people who have had abdominal and pelvic surgeries but can occur in up to 10 per cent of elderly patients. It can be deadly for four-in-10 patients due to excessive blood loss, prolonged severe pain or injury to the organs that have been exposed. Experts, including those in the case report, cite coughing as a prominent risk factor for the complication, and authors of the report concluded: 'Coughing was likely the cause in our case.' When it does occur, it must be treated with surgery to replace organs in the abdomen and close the open wound. Saturday, June 8, 2024 - Controversial political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has bashed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga after he opposed the Finance Bill 2024. In a statement on Friday, Raila Odinga, who is also the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, urged Members of Parliament to reject the bill in its entirety, warning it may collapse the economy In particular, Raila Odinga wondered how the Kenya Kwanza Alliance government could impose a tax on diapers that are usually used by poor Kenyans. They have come up with an even more ludicrous tax called Eco Levy that proposes to levy taxation on a basic product like diapers. "Again, it is a fact that the poor often have the most children in our country, Raila Odinga said However, reacting to Raila Odinga's statement, Mutahi urged Raila Odinga to shut up since diapers are not for poor people like Kibera people. Mutahi further said Kibera people dont use diapers because children poop on newspapers and adults on polythene bags commonly known as flying toilets Raila has ATTACKED taxes on DIAPERS. Kibera mothers don't know what a diaper is. If a baby poops, you clean it with a national newspaper. "When Mzee sh*ts, he does it in a polythene paper. They call it a FLYING Toilet in the SLUMS. What does Ruto Tax? The DIAPER or the FLYING TOILET? Mutahi wrote on X on Friday. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, June 8, 2024 - Following the unmasking of the rogue production manager at Nyamache Tea Factory the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has officially dismissed him from his position. The disgraced manager Dennis Mutabari is now relieved of his duties. This marks a momentous step towards accountability within the organization. Detailed investigations exposed his corrupt dealings which included mismanagement of resources and engagement in unauthorized activities that compromised the integrity of the tea production process. Mutabari was found to be involved in a series of malpractices, including the theft of 22,453 kgs of ready-made tea and 3,000 tea seedlings. He misused the factorys double cabin registration KBV 057H to transport the stolen seedlings from Kisii to Meru. Mutabari's actions extended beyond financial misconduct. He was also accused of preying on women at the factory with several victims coming forward with medical reports, screenshots and voice clips as evidence. Despite these reports, the factory board initially remained silent and failing to address the serious allegations. Mutabari also physically assaulted an employee at the factory. Saturday, June 8, 2024 - Azimio Leader Raila Odinga has hinted at working with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua amidst divergent political paths. In a statement, Raila clarified that his close relationship with the Deputy President was mainly due to his quest for the African Union Commission Chairperson. According to Raila, his pursuit for the AU top role had already received government approval and Gachagua could not be excluded. Gachagua is a member of this government and as you know, the government pledged to support my bid for AU and I thank them, Odinga stated. He has seen the light and he is a Saul who has now become a Paul, Odinga added. The two leaders also stood a common ground on the push for the One Man, One Vote, One Shilling approach. While endorsing the approach, Odinga called for constitutional amendments to ensure fair distribution of funds. Its logical for equity of resources. I already supported the proposal on the defunct BBI. We need equity, not equality. Thats why in BBI we talked for one man, one vote, and one shilling, Odinga stated. His pronouncement on working with the Deputy President comes a day after President William Rutos government expressed its commitment to support the ODM party leader's quest for the AU Commission job. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, June 8, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has urged members of Parliament to reject the Finance Bill 2024 that is being pushed by the Kenya Kwanza Alliance government. In a statement on Friday, Mr. Odinga took a swipe at the Kenya Kwanza regime, terming the Bill as retrogressive and insensitive to the plight of the poor in the country, reiterating that its impacts will be worse than the Finance Bill, 2023. The veteran opposition leader cited the economic areas that would be affected by the proposed increase of taxes and Value Added Tax (VAT), saying ordinary Kenyans will be subjected to hardships worse than in the last financial year. The Bill is a regressive taxation proposal that goes ruthlessly after the poor. "Should it be ratified, low-income people will be hit with taxes on multiple fronts and will end up paying more than people with higher incomes. "It is obvious that tax on basic necessities such as food, cooking oil, and money transfer disproportionately hurt the poorest of the poor, he said. The tax burden in Kenya is at its highest level since independence, but public services have largely remained on their knees. "As if this is not bad enough the Finance Bill 2024 proposes even more and higher taxes. "Consequently, the people and the country will be way worse off at this time in 2025 if the Finance Bill 2024 does not undergo radical surgery. "Most of the tax proposals in the Finance Bill 2024 are as insensitive as they are callous. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, June 8, 2024 Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Leader Raila Odinga is not desperate for President William Rutos support for the African Union Chairmanship bid. This is after he slammed the president over his punitive Finance Bill, 2024, calling for drastic revisions to the proposed legislation. Raila condemned the Finance Bill 2024, arguing it exacerbates an already intolerable tax burden without improving public services. The tax burden in Kenya is at its highest level since independence, but public services have largely remained on their knees. "As if this is not bad enough, the Finance Bill 2024 proposes even more and higher taxes. "Consequently, the people and the country will be way worse off at this time in 2025 if the Finance Bill 2024 does not undergo radical surgery, Odinga asserted. Odinga lambasted the bill for failing fundamental taxation principles of predictability, simplicity, transparency, equity, administrative ease, and fairness. It is worse than the one of 2023, an investment killer and a huge millstone around the necks of millions of poor Kenyans who must have hoped that the tears they shed over taxes last year would see the government lessen the tax burden in 2024, he declared. Odinga, backed by President William Rutos government for the African Union Commission chairperson seat, did not hold back in his critique. He labelled the bill a regressive taxation proposal that goes ruthlessly after the poor. According to Raila, if not reviewed, low-income Kenyans would face taxes on multiple fronts, resulting in them paying more than those with higher incomes. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, June 8, 2024 - A Russian female judge has been found dead after falling from a high window in Moscow. Natalia Larina, 50, had a reputation for handing down punishments to Moscow authorities and was more known for handling prominent criminal cases. An investigation has been launched into the cause of her death close to her apartment block on 1st Mashinostroeniya Street in the Russian capital. Larina had a young daughter, according to reports. Investigators are understood to be checking one theory in local reports which suggested she had lost a large sum of money to 'telephone scammers'. Shortly before her death, she allegedly reported to police that fraudsters convinced her that her bank account was under threat from people seeking to send her funds to help the armed forces of Ukraine. She transferred her cash - said to be one million rubles (around 8,800) to another account, and in doing so became a victim of a scam. Sources say she became upset that she was 'deceived', and left a note. However, there is no official confirmation so far of this version of events. Larina was a criminal judge for more than 15 years, and her death came months after she suddenly quit the Tagansky Court. She had acted as a judge in various high-profile fraud cases. In 2015, she remanded in custody artist Pyotr Pavlensky who set fire to a door of the FSB building in Lubyanka Square in a political protest. Earlier she gave a judgement against the hardline National Bolsheviks. And in 2011, Larina sentenced Ministry of Transport official Vladimir Makarov, accused of sexually abusing his daughter. Larina is not the only high-ranking Russian official whose death from falling out of a window has aroused suspicion since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In December 2023, Vladimir Egorov, 46 - the Tobolsk City Duma - dropped to his death from a third-floor window in the city. He was a member of Vladimir Putin's ruling United Russia party, and his corpse was found in the yard of his house. In June of that same year, the glamorous vice-president of a Russian bank reportedly plunged to her death after falling from the window of her Moscow apartment. Kristina Baikova, 28, allegedly fell from her 11th-floor apartment on Khodynsky Boulevard in the early hours. She died instantly at the scene. In February, a top Russian defence official was found dead after plunging 160ft from a tower block window. Marina Yankina, 58, was discovered by a passerby at the entrance of a house on Zamshina Street in St Petersburg. She is believed to have fallen from the 16th floor to her death. Saturday, June 8, 2024 - President William Ruto has summoned an urgent crisis meeting of all members of his Kenya Kwanza coalition on Monday to address the escalating political turbulence within the ruling party. The move comes amid increasing internal strife and a brewing power struggle with his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua. The crisis talks follow another crisis meeting he convened today with the UDAs National Executive Council (NEC). This urgent NEC meeting aims to tackle the escalating rift between the President and his deputy, Gachagua, amid contentious grassroots election issues and a deeply polarising Finance Bill 2024. These strategic gatherings come as the coalition faces multiple challenges, including a contentious Finance Bill 2024, internal rifts over grassroots elections, and a divisive cabinet stance on the ban of Muguka, a popular stimulant. The President's planned intervention follows his return from an overseas trip to Egypt, after a visit to South Korea. The original meeting, intended for Friday, June 7, was postponed due to his travels. Now set for Monday, the State House meeting aims to quell the growing discontent within the coalition's ranks. Adding to the turmoil is the simmering Cold War between President Ruto and Deputy President Gachagua. The tension primarily concerns the forthcoming grassroots elections and the fierce battle for control within the UDA. The rift has manifested in a heated contest for the Nairobi County chairmanship, pitting Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja against Embakasi North MP James Gakuya. This internal power struggle has become so intense that Ruto has been compelled to intervene directly. The Deputy President's apparent support for Gakuya has further strained relations within the party, creating a visible divide that Ruto is eager to mend. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, June 8, 2024 - Events in France marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy took an unexpected turn today when US President Joe Biden appeared disoriented and had to get some cover up from French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Bridget. The commemoration in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, where US forces suffered substantial losses on June 6, 1944, saw leaders from around the world gather to honour the largest sea invasion in history. As Biden and Macron walked out on stage together, Macron closely guided the American president. While Macron stopped to greet other attendees, Biden seemed confused, looking left and right as if unsure of his surroundings. At one point, Macron looked over and gave Biden a thumbs up, concerned about his counterparts state. Throughout the national anthems of both France and the United States, which played back-to-back, Macron kept watching Biden. A clip from the ceremony circulating social media shows Biden turn around halfway through the taps performance. Taps is a bugle call deeply ingrained in military tradition. It signals lights out at the end of each day. The song is played in remembrance of the soldiers who gave their lives for the nation. As the song played, Biden turned backwards, after a while Macron and his wife turned the other way too, just as Biden did- in a sort of cover up for the US leader. Watch videos below Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Macron and a US woman try to cover for Joe Biden, who mysteriously turns around while raising the flag pic.twitter.com/EEaQzfoetI S p r i n t e r F a m i l y (@SprinterFamily) June 7, 2024 Saturday, June 8, 2024 - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been forced into a grovelling apology after he left the 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations early to do a TV interview. The Prime Minister was hit by a furious backlash after he left the sombre commemorations to attend a television interview ahead of the General Election. Sunak attended a Franco-British event in the morning but left Foreign Secretary David Cameron to represent him at a major event at Omaha Beach attended by world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden. Labour leader Keir Starmer attended the event. The UK's Labour party accused him of a "dereliction of duty", while furious World War 2 veterans branded it a "great disappointment" that he skipped a major event in Normandy on Thursday afternoon, June 6. Sunak shocked his own MPs with the decision, leading Tory veterans minister Johnny Mercer to criticise him for making a "significant mistake". As the criticism grew, Sunak backtracked and issued an apology. He said: "On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay in France longer and I apologise." But Keir Starmer said he would have to answer for his choices. Speaking to The Suns Never Mind The Ballots show, he said: "I get the outrage. It's a mistake. It's a significant mistake for which he's apologised. But I'm also not going to join the howls of the fake veterans supporters who say he doesn't treat veterans correctly, because it's not correct. He knows this is a mistake. He takes responsibility for everything because he's the Prime Minister. Watch the video below Saturday, June 8, 2024 - A woman went with her family to a Golden Corral restaurant on May 4 for lunch but ended up giving birth when she went the bathroom. Tayvia Woodfork and her family arrived at the restaurant as a party of 11 but left as 12. Tayvia went straight to the bathroom when her family arrived at the all-you-can-eat chain in North Little Rock, Arkansas. She was complaining that her stomach hurt, Tayvias mother, Tameka Woodfork, tells TODAY.com. Unknown to Tayvia, she was 37 weeks pregnant and in active labor. What Tayvia experienced is called a cryptic pregnancy, a rare situation in which someone does not know they are pregnant for most or all of gestation. Tayvia, 26, says she didnt gain any weight or feel any fetal movement. There were no signs, Tameka tells TODAY. We had no idea. When 10 minutes had passed and Tayvia was still in the ladies room, Tameka went to check on her. Right away, Tameka knew that her daughter was dealing with more than cramps. She was crying out in pain and needed medical attention. I didnt know what was happening, Tayvia tells TODAY.com. I said, We have to go to the hospital, but she couldnt move her legs, so we ended up calling 911, Tameka says. Moments after paramedics arrived, Tayvia gave birth to a healthy baby boy. They were still trying to figure out what was going on when she goes, Its out! Its out! Tameka recalls. The baby was in the toilet. At this point, word had spread that a customer had given birth. When we walked out, everybody was clapping and people were lined up to see, Tameka says. Tayvia gave her son the name Tamaar Kylon Corral Woodfork. People were suggesting Golden but Tayvia says she likes Corral better. Tamaar joined big brother Taylon, 2. Golden Corral shared the news across its social media and crowned him the chains youngest fan. As surprised as our team was at the news of a baby being born at our restaurant, we are truly honored to play such a momentous role in little Tamaars life, a Golden Corral spokesperson said in a statement. But no honor compares to having Tamaar carry on the Golden Corral brand name in his own name, Tamaar Kylon Corral Woodfork! Tameka says the restaurant surprised them with box of baby essentials and a Golden Corral gift card. According to his mom, Tamaar loves to eat, which is only fitting for a baby born at an endless buffet! 1 of 1 , khaskhabar.com : , 08 2024 2:57 PM Fourteen Kilkenny schools are among over 400 selected for new BLAST Arts in Education residencies and Creative Clusters, Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan, has confirmed. Minister for Education Norma Foley TD announced details of the 425 schools selected to take part in the innovative 2024 BLAST Arts in Education Residencies programme, as well as of 42 new Creative Clusters involving 138 schools nationwide. Both initiatives are part of the Creative Youth Plan 2023 2027. Kilkenny schools who will receive the funding are: Colaiste Pobail Osrai, Kilkenny School Project NS, Presentation Convent N.S. Castlecomer, St Patrick's School, Gaelscoil Osrai, Shanbogh NS, St Canice's Co Ed Primary School, St. Eoghan's NS, Kilmoganny, Two Mile Borris National School, Bunscoil McAuley Rice, Crosspatrick NS, Scoil Mhichil Naofa, Scoil Chroin Choill and Kilkenny Youthreach. Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Phelan said: BLAST residency projects are creative collaborations between the artist/creative practitioner, teacher, children and young people in and with the school under the coordination of the 21 full-time Education Support Centres of Ireland (ESCI). Each residency is worth 1,100 which is fully funded by the Department of Education with the local ESC managing the administration of the Artist/Creative Practitioners 20-hour residency. BLAST residencies can be delivered throughout the academic year 2024/25. The 42 new Creative Clusters announced will see schools come together over two years to work on a project of their choice. A Cluster may receive up to 15,000 in funding to help them bring their plans and ideas around a project of their choice to fruition, with support from a local facilitator and their local ESC, between 2024 and 2026. The programme is designed to help schools build a project of learning and activities which is tailor-made for their students. Minister Foley said: I am pleased to announce today details of the 425 schools which will take part in the 2024 BLAST Arts in Education Residencies Programme, as well as the schools to take part in 42 new Creative Clusters. The Governments investment of nearly 1.2 million in these initiatives for 2024 represents the extent of its commitment to providing access to the arts for children and young people. We know the very positive benefits which can be reaped from opportunities to be creative and that is at the heart of BLAST and Creative Clusters. These programmes will support children and young people by equipping them with skills such as the ability to connect and collaborate with others, engage in creative and critical thinking, and practice inclusivity at every level. 'Meet in Ireland' that was the message at IMEX Frankfurt 2024 in Germany, where Kilkenny hospitality businesses attended a special event. Tourism Ireland together with Failte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, as part of the Meet in Ireland team showcased Ireland as a world-class business events destination to thousands of buyers who organise international meetings and travel. IMEX Frankfurt is one of the leading global exhibitions for Business Events - the corporate meetings, events and incentive travel industry. Thirty-five tourism companies specialising in Business Events from around the island of Ireland including Lyrath Estate and Mount Juliet are on the Meet in Ireland stand at IMEX. Around 1,900 commercial meetings were conducted with global meeting and incentive travel planners, which will, in turn, deliver business events for Ireland from around the world worth millions of euro in 2024 and beyond. Tourism Irelands goal is to enable thousands of commercial business events meetings connecting tourism partners from Ireland with overseas buyers to grow business events and support businesses. Tourism Irelands message is that the island of Ireland offers a winning combination of world-class infrastructure, unique and luxurious accommodation, state-of-the-art venues, spectacular landscapes and the warmest of welcomes and fantastic hospitality, making it an ideal destination for meetings, incentive travel and events of all sizes. According to the latest CSO figures for overseas tourism, Ireland welcomed almost one 1 million business tourists, for the 12 months from April 2023 to March 2024. IMEX Frankfurt is a key event in the industry calendar and an extremely important platform for us to promote the island of Ireland as a premier destination for Business Events, said Siobhan McManamy, Tourism Irelands Director of Markets. Ireland scores higher than the average on the European Gender Equality Index. On measurements of health, work, money and knowledge we are faring well. However, if we turn to statistics on women in the world of politics, Ireland sits at 103rd in the world for female representation. Of 160 TDs in Dail Eireann 23 are women. There have only been 131 women ever elected to our parliament. A stark picture considering our first woman parliamentarian was Countess Constance Markievicz - the first woman ever elected to the Westminster parliament. In a briefing before these local elections, Women for Election Ireland looked at the trends in Ireland this year. Ireland doesnt fare much better at local level than national level. We are 22nd out of 27 EU countries. Nationally just one quarter of all county councillors are women and there are 41 of Irelands 166 local electoral areas where not one woman was elected in the last local elections. Kilkenny City was one of those areas that elected only men in 2019. Four of the 14 candidates were women, but none successful. That year just one of eight candidates in the Castlecomer area was a woman, and she was elected. In the Callan Thomastown area, in 2019, three of the 12 candidates were women and just one was elected. Piltown saw three women run for election but out of the 10 candidates just one returned was a woman. So just three women were elected to a Kilkenny County Council of 24 seats. Since then that number has grown, when one more woman was co-opted to the council to replace a man elected to the Dail. In the upcoming local elections there is potential to increase the representation of women on Kilkenny County Council. More then ever This time there are more women than ever standing for election in Ireland. According to Adrian Kavanagh Elections, nationally 314 female candidates contested the 2009 local elections. This rose to 440 for the 2014 local elections, and 561 in 2019. This year there are 647. In Kilkenny there are 13 women candidates this year, up from 10 in 2019 - one in Castlecomer and four in each of the other areas. The Kilkenny women candidates are across the political spectrum, from the main parties to independent. According to Women for Election more women in politics makes politics work better for everyone. They are asking voters to research women candidates in (your) area and consider voting for them. The Women for Election organisation is based in Dublin and encourages and supports women in Ireland to run for politics by providing training and mentoring support while also advocating for systemic change. It is non-partisan and not-for-profit. Brian Sheehan, CEO at Women for Election, said there are many competent and talented women running in this local election. At the organisations pre-election briefing Claire McGing, who has carried out research into how to advance the selection and election of women, said aspiring women politicians are diverse but also have much in common. These women are active in their communities and often have strong online platforms. The success of women in elections depends on many factors and includes what party organisation they are a part of, and if they are in a rural or urban area. All candidates benefit from a strong party association and women tend to do better in elections in urban areas. Women have more of a chance of being elected if they are running in an area with more seats. Sitting councillors also have an advantage. Triple Shift While there have been a lot of changes to the working conditions for councillors in recent years, including the introduction of maternity leave and the creation of womens caucuses, there are also problems that were not foreseen even 10 years ago, like online abuse. Ms McGing said much research has shown that in politics women tend to be more collaborative and less adversarial. Addressing the issue of online abuse, Katie Deegan of Women for Election, said it is not putting people off deciding to enter politics. Ms McGing said part of her research was asking women who were not running again why. Answers included online abuse but mostly it was for bread and butter reasons like remuneration, workload and the triple shift, ie work, home and then council life. She added that most also said they had enjoyed being a councillor despite the challenges. They are exceptional because they had to be, Ms McGing said. In the next general election parties must nominate a minimum of 40% of women candidates. There is no gender quota for local elections. Press Release June 7, 2024 Villar tells women to adopt and embrace new technologies for the continued progress of PH economy Senator Cynthia Villar has cited the importance for women to embrace technological advancements. "This is crucial as we face the challenges and seize the opportunities of the digital age," said Villar during the 18th Annual General Assembly of the Philippine Federation of Local councils of Women (PFLCW) . "By doing so, we can empower women to become leaders, innovators, and key decision makers in the digital economy," she added. However, she noted that the gender digital divide hinders women's digital empowerment. Globally, 70% of men use the internet compared to 65% of women. In low and middle income countries, she said women are 15% less likely to use mobile internet. Also, Villar said only 24% of women globally enroll in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) courses. She said this leads to a shortage of skilled workers. In the Philippines, the senator said this figure is slightly higher at 30-40%, but still insufficient. "We are missing the potential contributions of over half our population in developing a strong digital economy," she said. She emphasized that addressing this 'divide' is very urgent as nearly 90% of jobs will require digital skills by 2025. "We, in the Philippine Senate, continue our commitment to address the challenges and opportunities in the digital world through various laws and bills," related the senator. She said some of them are the following- Republic Act (RA) No. 11293 or the Philippine Innovation Act,RA 11337 or the Innovative Startup Act, RA No. 11967 or the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act or Republic Act No. 11927, RA 11967 or The Internet Transactions Act, RA 11976 or the The Ease of Paying Taxes Act, SB No. 2560: Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act or the AFASA. Villar, sinabihan ang mga kababaihan na gamitin at yakapin ang makabagong teknolohiya para sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng PH economy TINUKOY ni Senator Cynthia Villar na mahalagang yakapin ng mga kababaihan ang technological advancements. "This is crucial as we face the challenges and seize the opportunities of the digital age," ani Villar sa 18th Annual General Assembly of the Philippine Federation of Local councils of Women (PFLCW). "By doing so, we can empower women to become leaders, innovators, and key decision makers in the digital economy," dagdag pa niya. Subalit, igniit ng senador na ang 'gender digital divide' ang hadlang sa women's digital empowerment. Sa buong mundo, 70% ng kalalakihan ang gumagamit ng internet kumpara sa 65% ng mga babae. Sa low at middle income countries, sinabi niya na may l5% ng mga kababaihan ang maaaring hindi gumamit ng mobile internet. Sinabi rin ni Villar na 24% lamang ng kababaihan sa buong mundo ang nakatala sa Information and Communication Technology (ICT) courses. Nagdudulot ito ng kakulangan sa skilled workers. Sa Pilipinas, sinabi ng senador na mas mataas ito ng konti sa 30-40%, subalit hindi pa rin ito sapat. "We are missing the potential contributions of over half our population in developing a strong digital economy," ayon kay Villar. Binigyan diin niya na kailangang agarang matugunan ang "gender equality divide" sapagkat 90% ng mga trabaho ay mangangailan ng digital skills sa 2025. "We, in the Philippine Senate, continue our commitment to address the challenges and opportunities in the digital world through various laws and bills," pahayag pa ng senador. Ang ilan sa mga ito ay ang - Republic Act (RA) No. 11293 o Philippine Innovation Act, RA 11337 o Innovative Startup Act, RA No. 11967 o Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act o Republic Act No. 11927, RA 11967 o The Internet Transactions Act, RA 11976 o The Ease of Paying Taxes Act, SB No. 2560: Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act or the AFASA. 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. The Kilkenny Outdoor Music Festival returns with a fantastic lineup on July 6 to Erins Own GAA Club in Castlecomer. The critically-acclaimed festival, now an annual highlight in the South-East boasts a host of fantastic acts including Paddy Casey, Ryan Sheridan, Kiera Dignam, Eimear Ni Ghlacain and DJ Josie. One of the highlights at this years festival promises to be Eimhear Ni Ghlacain, who has become one of the most popular artists on the Irish rebel scene. Her passionate and heartfelt renditions of our favourite ballads has earned her the title "Queen of Irish Rebel " , as she continues to draw crowds and sell out concerts across the globe The organisers of the Kilkenny Outdoor Music Festival have brought together a selection of Irelands top live acts for what promises to be a phenomenal night. With a superb and scenic location just outside Castlecomer town,a shuttle bus will be available from Kilkenny and Castlecomer to ferry festivalgoers to the venue. Tickets 35 are available from Ticketmaster and from Rollercoaster Records, Holohans in Castlecomer and The Gem in Castlecomer. There is a late bar at the festival and gates open from 6pm. You must be 18 or older to attend this event. www.kilkennymusicfest.com/ A Privilege to be in the New Zealand Herald on Friday 7th June The article is here and as it is behind their paywall some parts below. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/charter-schools-return-state-education-is-a-vast-failed-experiment-its-time-for-the-system-to-change-alwyn-poole/HHA2PAFEOJC5PBAP3FTVVFSUPM/ OPINION In 2024 the state education sector in New Zealand is a vast and failed experiment. With the re-introduction of the charter school model in NZ the habitual opponents the teacher unions and the Labour Party have taken only a two-point strategy in their opposition. The first is that charter schools are a failed experiment with little evidence of success. The second is; if the $38.25 million a year for charter schools was spent on state schools then all of their ills would be solved. These people take the NZ public, the media and large parts of the education sector for fools. In term 4 of 2023 only 50 per cent of students attended school regularly and for Maori and Pasifika this number was 39 per cent and 36 per cent respectively. NZ Institute of Economic Research research finds that a significant portion of new primary school teachers have failed NCEA Level 1 English, maths and science. The results across the levels and all demographic situations for NCEA are in consistent decline. NZs international results not only show an actual decline, and one relative to other countries If we take our highest broad school qualification University Entrance (UE) the top 30 high schools in NZ have an average of 87 per cent of their students achieving UE. For the bottom 30 schools the average is 2.7 per cent. The high profile Super 8 single-sex boys schools have a range of 50 per cent down to 14 per cent but they are good at rugby. In terms of ethnicity, the most recent UE for leavers statistics in NZ had Asian students at 62 per cent, European at 42 per cent, Pasifika at 21 per cent and Maori at 18 per cent. If that is not shocking to you it shows how accustomed we have become to that level of failure. Our current state education system can genuinely be labelled a failed experiment on a massive scale and especially for Maori, Pasifika, students from lower-income families and those locked into choiceless geographical locations. There is significant evidence of international success for schools that are allowed to operate as charter schools The state-of-the-art Stanford University Credo study in the USA (2023) concluded that charters have drastically improved, producing better reading and math scores than traditional public schools. There is considerable success with charter schooling. It is in no way a failed experiment as opposed to current state schooling in NZ and from a system, school, student/family basis many are thankful for the model. In term 4 of 2023 only 50 per cent of students attended school. Photo / 123RF In NZ we have 2177 state schools and 333 state-integrated schools. The teacher unions are asserting that the money to be spent on charters could provide 700 teacher aides and cure all problems. Firstly the $38.25m per year is 0.3 of a teacher aide per school and, secondly, each teacher aide would only be paid $54,000 per annum according to the generous teacher unions. Charter schools may not be the silver bullet but they could well carry the Lone Rangers that have them in their arsenal. Alwyn Poole Innovative Education Consultants www.innovativeeducation.co.nz alwynpoole.substack.com www.linkedin.com/in/alwyn-poole-16b02151/ Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Israel rescues four hostages in operation Palestinian officials say killed more than 100 people Seoul's art scene to liven up in time for two mega-fairs' return in September By Park Han-sol Korea will once again host a double dose of art fair excitement this September, anchored by the return of two mega-events: Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul. More than 310 established and emerging galleries from around the world will converge at COEX in southern Seoul for the simultaneous openings on Sept. 4. Frieze Seoul will run for four days, while Kiaf Seoul is slated to extend until Sept. 8, one more day than its counterpart. A joint ticket, available from June 17, grants access to both fairs; prices are set at 250,000 won ($183) for a preview pass and 80,000 won ($58) for general admission. The third iteration of Frieze Seoul brings together just over 110 dealers from 30 countries, featuring a stronger core of Asia-based exhibitors across different sectors Galleries, Frieze Masters and Focus Asia alongside global blue-chip stalwarts like Galleria Continua, Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, Lisson Gallery and Pace Gallery. The fair continues to serve as an important regional hub, noted its director Patrick Lee. This years Frieze Masters section, dedicated to art from antiquities and centuries-old manuscripts to late 20th-century masterpieces, will see a much-increased presence of galleries highlighting the wider Asian regions artistic strength. Among its first-time participants are Taipei-based Asia Art Center, Indian dealer DAG, Tokyo-headquartered Mizoe Art Gallery and Hong Kong-based Galerie du Monde. The Focus Asia sector, a unique feature of the Seoul fair, returns to illuminate 10 solo artist presentations from young regional galleries. These include Seoul-based CYLINDER showcasing Lee Jong-hwan, G Gallery with Hwang Sue-yon and New Delhi-headquartered Blueprint 12 with Kingsley Gunatillake. The 2024 event will also debut a Frieze Live section to spotlight performance-based art a medium often overlooked in art fair circuits due to its ephemerality and low saleability. Additionally, the second edition of the Frieze Seoul Artist Award will once again enable an emerging talent to execute a new commission during the fair. Its winner is set to be announced on June 24. Meanwhile, Kiaf Seoul, the longest-running homegrown contemporary art fair, will be joined by 207 exhibitors from 21 countries for its upcoming edition. In line with its continued emphasis on introducing forward-looking Korean art and emerging talents to a global audience, over 130 galleries hail from the local art scene. This year, the event will span two floors of COEX and feature new booth layouts, designed in collaboration with young architect Jang Yoo-jin, to streamline the viewing experience, according to Hwang Dal-seung, president of the Galleries Association of Korea, Kiaf Seouls host. The accompanying special exhibition, Kiaf onSITE, curated by Urban Art Lab in Seoul Director Lee Seung-ah, is set to explore alternative narratives through the use of artificial intelligence, wearable technology and virtual reality. A suite of museums and cultural institutions are aligning their major programming to coincide with the two fairs arrival, staging a coordinated art week across the city. Highlights include Talking Bodies: Asian Women Artists at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) Seoul, and a survey of the Pinault Collection, amassed by the French billionaire, at SongEun. Running concurrently with these group exhibitions are solo shows spotlighting major names in the contemporary art scene Do Ho Suh at Art Sonje Center, Anicka Yi at the Leeum Museum of Art and Nicolas Party at the Hoam Museum of Art. The openings of Koreas two leading biennials Gwangju Biennale and Busan Biennale will also be an important leg of the nationwide art festivity. Gov't stresses authentic concept of hanbok, while analysts warn against strict guidelines By KTimes On the afternoon of June 5, the area near Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul was awash with the vibrant colors of "hanbok," Koreas traditional attire. Tourists from around the world donned the traditional garb embroidered with golden thread, taking photos against the backdrop of the grand palace that is situated in the heart of the modern metropolis. Among the array of traditional hanbok, featuring neatly arranged jeogori (jackets) and skirts, there were also numerous instances of "fusion hanbok," incorporating elements from various cultures and unique designs, such as ribbons tied at the waist or veils draped over the head. Many foreign visitiors to the palace area wore hanbok in their own unique style, such as pairing skirts with jeans or sporting dreadlocks. Dian, 30, from Indonesia epitomized this multicultural fashion by adorning a traditional Korean hair accessory over her hijab, complemented with black sunglasses. Visiting Seoul with her colleagues, she expressed her joy, saying, "I always wanted to try on hanbok after watching Korean dramas, and its even more beautiful than I imagined." The influence of K-pop and K-dramas has significantly increased the number of foreign tourists seeking a hanbok-wearing experience near Koreas palaces. Fusion hanbok, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of these visitors, is becoming more popular. Is hanbok losing its authenticity? However, there is criticism from some quarters that hanbok is losing its identity. Concerns over cultural appropriation have prompted authorities to clarify the traditional concept of hanbok, sparking a debate over unnecessary intervention. The controversy was ignited by a statement from Choi Eung-chon, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA), on May 17. "Many tourists visiting Gyeongbok Palace wear hanbok, but often its unrecognizable. The Cultural Heritage Administration needs to take the lead in rectifying the authentic concept of hanbok," Choi said. He hinted at revising the policy that allows free palace entry for those wearing hanbok, suggesting that fusion hanbok might be excluded from this initiative. According to the CHA, last year, 1.6 million people entered the four major palaces and Jongmyo Shrine wearing hanbok. Some welcome Chois remarks as an effort toward cultural preservation. An employee at Gyeongbok Palace noted, "Sometimes I see tourists wearing the hat of a Chinese emperor," stressing the importance of maintaining the traditional form of hanbok. Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Womens University and a Korean culture promoter, also supported this view, saying, "There is increasing cultural appropriation with some claiming hanbok originates from Chinas Hanfu. We need to preserve our tradition." Clothing evolves with times Conversely, many argue that clothing naturally evolves with time, and hanbok should also embrace change. Son Yu-na, 22, who visited Gyeongbok Palace with a friend while wearing a bright sky-blue hanbok, said, "I chose a hanbok with lace because it looked pretty. Short skirts might be problematic, but a little change can actually help promote hanbok." A 58-year old visitor surnamed Park said, "Countries like Hong Kong and Taiwan modernize their traditional clothes. It's natural for clothing to evolve with the times." Palace management also expressed concerns that stricter entry criteria could lead to significant conflicts. Currently, traditional hanbok and modernized hanbok are both recognized when tourists are looking to gain free entry into places like Gyeongbok alace, as long as the outfit includes a jeogori with a fastening collar and a skirt or pants. One palace entry manager said, "It's already challenging to decide how far to extend free entry. Disputes with tourists over what qualifies as traditional hanbok can become heated." Excessive guidelines worrisome Hanbok rental businesses worry about the impact of government regulations. Gi In-sook, 65, who has been in the hanbok business near Gyeongbok Palace for over 15 years, said, "Even customers over 60 prefer fancy hanbok. Most shops offer both traditional and fusion hanbok, but customers choose the fusion styles." Another shop owner surnamed Seong, 52, said, "The standard for 'nationality-less hanbok' is ambiguous. Instead of outright bans, proper support and guidelines should come first." Experts advocate for defining proper traditional hanbok standards while respecting individual choices. Kim Kyung-mi, head of Hanttam, a hanbok culture research institute, said, "We should develop hanbok fashion while maintaining basic principles like having a collar and ties hidden under the skirt." Choi Eun-ju, a professor of fashion design at Youngsan University, said, "Various forms of hanbok help spread Korean culture. While providing proper wearing guidelines is good, excessive regulation by the government is not desirable." This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea times, is translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times. South Korea denounced North Korea's recent provocations, including its trash balloon campaign and GPS jamming attacks, and called for a clear and concerted message by the international community to address such threats, the foreign ministry said Saturday. Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won made the remark as he attended a series of Senior Officials' Meetings in Vientiane involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to the ministry. The meetings included those for the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the sole regional security forum joined by North Korea, the ASEAN-plus-three meeting, which involves the 10-member ASEAN, South Korea, China and Japan, and the East Asia Summit (EAS). Attending the ARF meeting was the North's ambassador to Laos, Ri Yong-chol. In the ARF and EAS meetings, Chung condemned the North's provocations ranging from its failed spy satellite launch and short-range ballistic missile launch in May to its trash balloon campaign and GPS jamming attacks as "irrational provocative acts," the ministry said. Chung emphasized the need for the international community to send a clear and concerted message urging the North to cease its tension-escalating acts and to strictly implement U.N. Security Council sanctions resolutions aimed at curbing the North's nuclear and missile developments. Many ARF member countries expressed concerns over the North's continued nuclear and missile development and provocations and stressed problem-solving efforts through the sanctions resolutions and dialogue, according to the ministry. On the sidelines of the meetings, Chung held separate bilateral talks with his Laotian and Australian counterparts to discuss preparations for an upcoming meeting of foreign ministers and the ASEAN summit, slated for July and October, respectively, the ministry said. (Yonhap) By Kim Hyun-bin The Embassy of Italy in Seoul hosted a celebration of Italys National Day on Monday, gathering hundreds of guests, including foreign ambassadors as well as government and business officials, at the Italian ambassador's residence. The event commemorated the 78th anniversary of the Republic of Italy, offering a sumptuous array of fine Italian cuisines from renowned restaurants around the capital. Emilia Gatto, Italian ambassador to Korea, highlighted the deepening bonds and mutual aspirations between the two nations in her welcoming speech. "I am proud to be the ambassador of Italy to Korea. After almost nine months here, I still feel like Alice in Wonderland, where every day I discover something new, fascinating and amazing about Korea, sometimes really beyond my imagination," Gatto said. The ambassador highlighted the strong commercial and cultural ties between the two nations and her aim to strengthen these connections further. "Our aim is to reinforce the link between the business world and the institutions by strengthening the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ITCCK)," she said. "With our flamboyant cultural institute, our objective is from one side to promote Italy-Korea contamination, highlighting both countries' strengths." She also praised the Korean public's enthusiasm for Italian culture, describing it as a "spellbound attraction" between the two peoples. In terms of scientific cooperation, Gatto highlighted recent agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in space exploration, fundamental research and high-tech industries. "Our aim, supported by a strengthened, highly skilled team, is to showcase our lesser-known strengths beyond being recognized solely for our 3F industries," she emphasized, stressing the significance of collaboration in additional vital sectors such as space exploration and high-tech industries. The 3F industries refer to food, fashion and furniture. "We not only admire Korea for the renowned miracle that made it an economic superpower and more and more a global soft power, but also recognize its growing political relevance," she said. Gatto emphasized the importance of territorial diplomacy and community engagement. "One of the strategies we are implementing is territorial diplomacy, a powerful transversal tool that enriches the lives of local communities," she said. The evenings festivities showcased Italian culinary delights, including pizza, Italian wine and tiramisu, giving guests a little taste of Italy. "This year, our National Day party will showcase various Italian features, and even Father Vincenzo Bordo is here!" she said. Father Vincenzo Bordo, a Catholic priest known for his humanitarian and social work in Korea, was among the honored guests. The celebration concluded with a call for unity and friendship. "Long live Italy! Long live Korea! Long live the friendship between Italy and Korea!" Gatto concluded. Italy's National Day is typically celebrated on June 2, but this year, festivities were moved to the following Monday as June 2 fell on a weekend. The state-run Korea National Oil Corp. (KNOC) said Saturday there were no legal issues in its contract with Act-Geo on a project for potential offshore oil and gas reserves, dismissing concerns surrounding the U.S. geoscience research firm's legal status when the deal was signed. The KNOC's statement came in response to a report by local media outlet SisaIN that Act-Geo was in a status that "forfeits the charter, certificate, or registration of the taxable entity" between January 2019 and March 2023. The government commissioned the Texas-based geoscience research firm to conduct a study in February last year, which reported that oil deposits, holding up to 14 billion barrels of gas and oil, may be buried in the deep sea off the coast of Yeongil Bay in Pohang, about 260 kilometers southeast of Seoul. In a release, the KNOC said that while Act-Geo's legal capacity had been partially limited in the specified period due to its failure to pay franchise tax, there are "no legal issues in regards to the service contract signed in February 2023." The measure did not affect Act-Geo's capacity to sign new contracts, in accordance with state law, and the company has since fully recovered its status after paying all relevant tax, it added. (Yonhap) The U.N. secretary-general will tell the Security Council next week that both Israel and Hamas are violating children's rights and leaving them exposed to danger in their war to eliminate each other. The secretary-general annually makes a global list of states and militias that are menacing children and threatening them. Parties on the list have ranged from the Kachin Independence Army in Myanmar to last year Russia during its war with Ukraine. Now Israel is set to join them. Antonio Guterres sends the list to the Security Council and the council can then decide whether to take action. The United States is one of five veto-wielding permanent council members and has been reluctant to act against Israel, its longtime ally. Another permanent member is Russia and when the United Nations put Russian forces on its blacklist last year for killing boys and girls and attacking schools and hospitals in Ukraine, the council took no action. The inclusion of Israel this month will likely just put more of a global spotlight on the country's conduct of the war in Gaza and increase already high tensions in its relationship with the global body. The preface of last years U.N. report says it lists parties engaged in the killing and maiming of children, rape and other forms of sexual violence perpetrated against children, attacks on schools, hospitals and protected persons." The head of Guterres' office called Israel's U.N. ambassador, Gilad Erdan, on Friday to inform him that Israel would be in the report when it is sent to the council next week, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. The militant Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad groups will also be listed. Israel reacted with outrage, sending news organizations a video of Erdan berating the head of Guterres' office who was supposedly on the other end of a phone call and posting it on X. Hamas will continue even more to use schools and hospitals because this shameful decision of the secretary-general will only give Hamas hope to survive and extend the war and extend the suffering, Erdan wrote in a statement. Shame on him! The Palestinian U.N. ambassador said that adding Israel to the list of shame, will not bring back tens of thousands of our children who were killed by Israel over decades. But it is an important step in the right direction, Riyad Mansour wrote in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "the U.N. put itself on the black list of history today as the move heightened the long-running feud between Israel and the U.N. and even the routine mechanics of Israel's dealings with the world body are now fraught with tensions. The normally equanimous secretary-general's spokesman broke from the good-natured tone of his noon briefing when asked to discuss the latest development. The call was a courtesy afforded to countries that are newly listed on the annex of the report, Dujarric said. The partial release of that recording on Twitter is shocking and unacceptable and frankly, something Ive never seen in my 24 years serving this organization. Condemnation of the secretary-generals decision appeared to bring together Israels increasingly fractious leadership from the right-wing Netanyahu and Erdan to the popular centrist member of the War Cabinet, Benny Gantz. Gantz cited Israels first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, as saying it matter not what say the goyim (non-Jews), what is important is what do the Jews. For month Israel has faced heavy international criticism over civilian casualties in Gaza and questions about whether it has done enough to prevent them in the eight-month-old war. Two recent airstrikes in Gaza killed dozens of civilians. U.N. agencies warned Wednesday that over 1 million Palestinians in Gaza could experience the highest level of starvation by the middle of next month if hostilities continue. The World Food Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization said in a joint report that hunger is worsening because of heavy restrictions on humanitarian access and the collapse of the local food system in the eight-month Israel-Hamas war . The proportion of Palestinian women and children being killed in the Israel-Hamas war appears to have declined sharply, an Associated Press analysis of Gaza Health Ministry data has found, a trend that both coincides with Israels changing battlefield tactics and contradicts the ministrys own public statements. The trend is significant because the death rate for women and children is the best available proxy for civilian casualties in one of the 21st centurys most destructive conflicts . In October, when the war began, it was above 60 percent. For the month of April, it was below 40 percent. Yet the shift went unnoticed for months by the U.N. and much of the media, and the Hamas-linked Health Ministry has made no effort to set the record straight. (AP) A court in Moscow on Friday ordered a French citizen accused of collecting information on military issues in Russia be held in jail pending investigation and trial. Laurent Vinatier was arrested in the Russian capital on Thursday as tensions have flared between Moscow and Paris following French President Emmanuel Macrons statements about the possibility of deploying the countrys troops in Ukraine. The authorities accused Vinatier of failing to register as a foreign agent while collecting information about Russia's "military and military-technical activities," which could be used to the detriment of the countrys security. They did not provide details of the accusations beyond alleging that Vinatier repeatedly traveled to Russia to collect this information. Under Russian law, it is a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison. Vinatier appeared in court on Friday. Russia's state news agency Tass cited his lawyer as saying in the courtroom that Vinatier admitted his guilt and maintained that he simply didn't know about the requirement. The report also said Vinatier apologized to the court. The judge ordered the man to be remanded in pre-trial detention until Aug. 5. Vinatier is an adviser with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, a Geneva-based nongovernmental organization. Later Friday, the Geneva-based NGO said it was doing everything possible to assist our colleague Laurent, such as by helping to secure legal representation for him and reach out to Russian authorities. As the case proceeds, we continue to seek information about the circumstances leading up to his arrest and the charges made against him, it said. The charges against Vinatier stem from a recently adopted law that requires anyone who collects information on military issues to register with authorities as a foreign agent. Human rights activists have criticized the law and other legislation adopted lately as part of a multi-pronged Kremlin crackdown on independent media and political activists intended to stifle criticism of its actions in Ukraine. Arrests on charges of spying and collecting sensitive data have become increasingly frequent in Russia since it sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Recent high-profile arrests include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested on espionage charges in March 2023, and U.S.-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva , who was taken into custody in October 2023 on the same charges as Vinatier. (AP) Mark Meadows, former White House chief of staff under Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges related to his alleged role in conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Arizona. This indictment marks a significant development in ongoing legal battles stemming from efforts to challenge Trump's electoral defeat, CNN reports. Allegations and Legal Proceedings Mark Meadows and Michael Roman, Donald Trump's 2020 Election Day operations director, appeared via videoconference before Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner Shellie Smith. Both pleaded not guilty to nine felony charges, including conspiracy and fraud, for their involvement in efforts to overturn Donald Trump's electoral loss to Joe Biden in Arizona. The indictment accuses Meadows of collaborating with Donald Trump campaign members to submit false elector names from Arizona and other states to Congress. It alleges that Meadows, despite knowing Trump's defeat, orchestrated attempts to keep him in power through illegitimate means. Michael Roman, implicated in organizing Arizona fake elector case votes across multiple states, also faces charges. His attorney, Kurt Altman, vowed to vigorously defend against what he termed as baseless accusations, according to AP News. The legal saga extends beyond Arizona, with Meadows and Roman also facing charges in Georgia and Wisconsin. The Arizona fake elector case highlights broader efforts by Trump associates to challenge election results in battleground states crucial to the 2020 outcome. In Georgia, Mark Meadows and Michael Roman are accused of violating state laws in attempts to overturn Biden's victory. Legal proceedings in Georgia have been delayed due to ongoing appeals, reflecting the complexity and contentious nature of the allegations. READ NEXT: Trump Requests Lift of Hush Money Trial Gag Order; Prosecutors Highlight Ongoing Case National and Political Fallout The Arizona indictment adds to a series of legal challenges faced by former Trump chief Mark Meadows and other Trump allies across five states, including Georgia and Wisconsin. These cases are spearheaded by Democratic prosecutors and involve charges of conspiracy, fraud, and forgery related to the submission of fake electors' votes. The legal landscape underscores partisan divisions and judicial scrutiny over efforts to invalidate election results, the New York Times noted. Prosecutors in Michigan and Wisconsin have pursued charges against Donald Trump associates involved in similar schemes, though outcomes vary across jurisdictions. As legal proceedings unfold, the cases against Mark Meadows and Michael Roman highlight ongoing scrutiny over attempts to subvert democratic processes following the 2020 election. With trials set and legal strategies underway, the outcomes could have significant implications for future electoral integrity debates and legal precedents. This comprehensive indictment underscores the gravity of the charges and the complexities of legal proceedings involving high-profile political figures. The trials ahead will likely draw national attention as they navigate legal interpretations and implications for electoral processes in the Unite READ MORE: Former Trump Ally Steve Bannon Ordered to Surrender by July 1st This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: Mark Meadows pleads not guilty in Arizona 'fake electors' case - From MSNBC A massive migrant smuggling operation was busted in Texas, with Bexar County officials rescuing 26 migrants from horrid conditions inside a "stifling hot" wooden structure that did not have any air conditioning, and migrants were forced to use buckets as makeshift toilets. The migrants are now being treated as human-smuggling victims as their smugglers left them inside a structure in the middle of near-triple digit temperature located in the area of Loop 1604 and Oak Island Drive. The migrants inside the structure were later transported to local hospitals to be treated for heat-related ailments, according to local CBS affiliate, KENS-5, with 25 of the 26 migrants already released. Only one migrant remains hospitalized. "It's under control, but it was a pretty chaotic situation," Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar told reporters. "Everybody is out of the woods as far as losing their life." Several agencies are already involved, including the Department of Homeland Security. Meanwhile, one of the migrants, a woman from Guatemala told KENS-5 that she paid $16,000 to be smuggled into the United States. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office became aware of the migrant shack when a long gooseneck truck usually used to smuggle migrants was spotted in the area. The migrants were hidden in a "false compartment" inside the truck so they would not be detected by inspectors when the truck crosses the border legally. "That trailer, you can be stranding right up on it, and not know that thing contains 26 people, said Sheriff Salazar. "It drove by thousands of cars, easily, on that three-hour trip from the border." READ MORE: Joe Biden Begins Deportations Along US-Mexico Border; Migrants Rattled and Unsure Texas Sheriffs Arrest 7 Smugglers Responsible for Transporting Migrants As for those smugglers, seven of them were arrested by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office soon after the migrants were rescued, according to the San Antonio Current. However, there are still doubts whether some of the migrants were actually smugglers in disguise. "It's quite common for coyotes to pass themselves off as victims, so o, in other words they'll blend in with the crowd of victims, Salazar explained. "And only until we start drawing information out of them is when we're able to determine this is not a victim, this is a bad guy." The smugglers held the migrants without any food and water, though every one of the 26 people rescued is expected to survive the ordeal. Only One of the 26 Migrants Smuggled Into Texas Identified So Far Despite the migrants being rescued and their smugglers arrested, authorities have only managed to identify one of the migrants, and she was the one from Guatemala who told authorities that paid $16,000 to be smuggled to the US. "It's possible that we have others from other countries, but just her, we know for a fact she paid $16,000 to be smuggled to this point," the sheriff told reporters. "So, I mean, if you just got one of these people paying 16 grand and there's 26 smuggling victims, this is a big money operation." READ MORE: Joe Biden Announces Executive Order on the US-Mexico Border, Set Border Restrictions This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: 26 migrants rescued, several in custody after human-smuggling operation bust in Bexar County - KVUE A harrowing scene unfolded in Arvada, Colorado on Friday morning as a small plane crashed into a residential neighborhood, leaving four individuals hospitalized. Emergency crews rushed to the area of Oberon and Carr Streets following reports of the crash around 9:30 AM, where the aftermath of the accident drew immediate attention and concern from residents and authorities alike, CBS reports. READ NEXT: California Crash: 4 Dead in Kit-Built Electric Plane Accident Details of the Crash and Immediate Response The aircraft involved, identified as a single-engine Beechcraft 35, departed from Centennial Airport with four people on board en route to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield. Approximately 10-15 minutes into the flight, the pilot encountered engine issues, prompting a distress call to air traffic control. Eyewitnesses reported hearing the pilot discuss landing options moments before the Colorado small plane crash. Despite efforts to reach Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, the pilot attempted an emergency landing on a residential roadway adjacent to railroad tracks. Tragically, the maneuver failed when the plane struck a tree and subsequently crashed into the front yard of a home, bursting into flames upon impact, according to ABC News. Deputy Chief Matt Osier of the Arvada Fire Department confirmed that all four individuals onboard the aircraft were transported to local hospitals with varying injuries, including burns. Initial confusion arose regarding the identity of those injured, later clarified that all were occupants of the plane. Residents recounted the chaos and fear that gripped the neighborhood in the aftermath of the crash. Witnesses described the plane's descent and the overwhelming sight of flames engulfing the wreckage. Concerns mounted among residents, many of whom expressed shock and disbelief at the proximity of the crash to their homes. Investigation and Community Response National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials arrived swiftly at the scene to initiate investigations into the Colorado small plane crash. Alex Lemishko, a senior NTSB investigator, highlighted the sequence of events leading to the crash, emphasizing the pilot's attempt to land under dire circumstances. Community members rallied together in the wake of the tragedy, offering support to those affected and assisting emergency responders in their efforts, The Washington Times noted. Local authorities and fire crews managed to contain the blaze, preventing further damage to nearby residences. The incident left a significant impact on the neighborhood, prompting reflection on aviation safety and emergency preparedness. As investigations continue into the cause of the Colorado small plane crash, the community of Arvada grapples with the aftermath of a tragic aviation incident. The swift response of emergency services and the ongoing efforts of investigative agencies underscore the resilience and cooperation in times of crisis. Local officials have urged residents to remain vigilant and provide any additional information or witness accounts that may aid in the investigation. Support services are being offered to those directly impacted by the crash, including counseling and assistance with property damage. READ MORE: Fatal Shooting at Washington High School Claims the Life of 1 Teen This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: 4 injured after small plane crash near Denver - From ABC News On recent trips around our fields, I saw a lot of common milkweeds topped with unopened domed, dropping flowerheads. With the warm weather weve been having, it wont be long before they open up. Also recently I saw my first monarch butterfly for the year. But there may have been others around that I just didnt see. That monarch was from the first brood that we see around here. However, its only the last, usually third, brood at the end of the summer that instinctively knows to migrate south. There are a lot of small blue butterflies flying around now. Along with the cabbage whites and yellow sulfurs, different light bluish azures and eastern tailed blues are common butterflies locally. And there are, of course, others. Ive seen a lot of hackberry emperors, which are medium-sized, mostly brown and white, here on the farm. They will sometimes land on your skin to ingest the sodium found in human sweat. Currently in fields and woods female eastern red cedars, which are actually junipers, are covered with blue seed cones. Ive read that sometimes their berries are used to flavor food and also in alcoholic beverages, particularly gin. In the lower part of our fields native silky dogwoods are now covered with white flat-topped flower clusters. These small dogwoods that have reddish limbs grow in wet areas. The ones in our fields germinated on their own due to runoff rainwater from nearby fields. The pleasant fragrance of multiflora roses is now combined with that of countless Japanese honeysuckle plants. These Japanese honeysuckle blossoms have an effect on backyard sightings of local ruby-throated hummingbirds because the birds feed on their nectar-rich flowers. Every year at this time people start wondering whats wrong with hummingbirds because they arent seeing many. But, with only rare exceptions at locations atop mountains with acres of untouched woods, right now youre not going to see a lot of hummers. Females are off brooding as far away from a males territory as they can get, and the males are wandering around looking for other females to mate with. Humans have a tendency to remember seeing lots of hummingbirds, but they forget that that doesnt usually happen until later in the summer. In our area its at the end of June that the first, and possibly only, brood of two youngsters is out of the nest. And at the same time the males mating hormones are slowly ebbing. This past week on a birding listserv, people were not only saying they havent been seeing hummingbirds but they were also saying that they normally have pairs of them nesting on their property. But hummingbirds dont pair up like that. Males come first, females follow a week or so later, they find each other and mate, and thats it for their intimacy. Females raise the young and the males go searching for other females. You may have a female and a male around at the same time, but that doesnt mean they mated. Another misconception people have about hummingbirds is how they get nectar from flowers and sugar/water from feeders. They dont suck it. They lap it up with their forked tongues at the rate of 18 times per second. Evidence is emerging in Laois of changes to the representation on Laois County Council in the Portarlington Graigue Municipal District. Leading the way so far by a big margin in Portarlington is Sinn Fein councillor Aidan Mullins. However, Fianna Fail's Joey Kennedy is showing respectably in the town. If Kennedy goes well enough in the Laois Offaly broader town it could have knock-on consequences for PJ Kelly who is fighting to retain a seat for Fine Gael but is not based in an urban area. A former Fine Gael councillor turned independent Aisling Moran has yet to poll well in her bid to be returned. The same can't be said for Cllr Paschal McEvoy of Fianna Fail who is scoring impressively in his base area of Stradbally and Timahoe. Fine Gael's Vivienne Phelan is making an impact in the area and is looking like she could challenge while Independent Ireland Patsy Fennell is turning out a respectable vote. At the other end of the constituency outgoing councillors Ben Brennan and Padraig Fleming are battling to retain seats in a crowded area. Sinn Fein's Aaaron Kelly has enough votes so far to be on the fringes of mounting a challenge while Eoghan Barry hasn't shown signs yet there will be enough votes for Labour to take a seat. A Laois single mother of three has begun a campaign to get more in-patient care for Irish children experiencing severe mental distress. Portarlington resident Lee Van Stadens youngest daughter is just aged 11, but was admitted to a children's in-patient mental facility in May, after she seriously self harmed twice, and expressed a desire to die. The little girl has had mental health issues since she was just nine years old, her mother said. I think Covid has heightened the anxiety in my children, losing their grandfather to Covid, having to say goodbye to him on a video, and watch his funeral on a live stream. Lee claims that for two years, her child had been refused appointments by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). She is currently staying in their only facility in Ireland able to take young children, and is the youngest there. Lee spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live after she had opened her heart in a frank local radio interview on Midlands 103. Her concern is not just for her own little girl, but for other children. It is not the people, its the system, said Lee. She gave an update on how her daughter is coping. Its up and down. We are taking her home overnight tomorrow and I hope she will be released on Wednesday. She will get follow-up care, she said. Lee is from South Africa but the family moved to Portarlington 11 years ago. Her school has been amazing. Once they knew, they put in as many resources as they could. They have even sent a care package to her, she said. In her radio interview, Lee said that her daughter had been showing signs that she was not coping very well mentally for some years. We come from a family that suffer with mental health, in the women specifically. May bank holiday weekend of last year, I saw for the first time that she had self harmed. I took her straight to Crumlin hospital thinking that it is a childrens hospital, they will have CAMHS on site, she said. They waited in hospital throughout the weekend, until a doctor saw the little girl and discharged her, setting up appointments in CAMHS in Portlaoise. However she said the counselling appointments were six to eight weeks apart, not really sufficient for a child that is suffering with mental health and does not know how to regulate emotions. Then from last December to March, the child had no counselling sessions and then had to meet a new doctor. A three month wait for a child with mental health issues and its not good enough, Lee said. Her child was still showing serious signs of mental distress. We have been presenting ourselves to Portlaoise Paediatrics approximately every second month, whether it was self harming, or suicidal ideation. It culminated on a recent weekend. The little girl attempted to seriously harm herself. She also wrote a note in case of her death. When her family realised what had happened, her mother rang Portlaoise hospital. The child was brought in for tests and assessment by an adults psychiatrist, to whom she agreed she would not try again. However just six days later she again made an attempt. I got hold of her phone and her diary, and read I just want to die. For a mother to read that is very hard. I got her dressed, back to hospital. This time I said Im not leaving. I cant keep my child safe at home. If I have to camp out in the waiting room I will do that. They waited all weekend in Paediatrics and on Monday met the head of the CAMHS department. She said that Ashley needs an in-patient facility, and said she would ring around. An hour later she told me that because Ashey was not yet 12 years old, only one facility could take her. That facility was Linn Dara, in Cherry Orchard hospital in Dublin, which helps children with mental health issues and with eating disorders. She didnt know how long it would take to get her in but assured me we would not be sent home. Two days later, a space was found in Linn Dara. We are so lucky, and so grateful that she got a bed so quickly. The staff in Portlaoise were surprised, they thought we would be in Portlaoise for at least a month because beds are so scarce. Lee wants to highlight the lack of supports for children. Its not the doctors or the nurses, In CAMHS theyve all been amazing. Theyve got empathy, they want to help. But their hands are tied. The system needs to be overhauled. She claims that only Linn Dara is not at full capacity, because of staff shortages. Its scary, because theres so many children out there that need the help, she said. Her message is simple to the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE). Overhaul the system. Make facilities available for children of all ages, not just one facility. Im so lucky that I live in Portarlington and Cherry Orchard is only an hour away. What happens if I was in Kerry or Donegal? If a child is crying out for help, if a school or a doctor is sending a referral, and then to be turned away, its devastating to the whole family. It also makes a child feel like theyre just not enough. I am lucky that my daughter has received the help, I am campaigning for all of the other children. Lee has emailed TDs in Laois and Offaly. I am not going to stop until there are more facilities available for our children. its not just my daughter who is suffering, she said. A comment has been requested of the HSE. The voting is all done and dusted in Laois for the Local and European elections 2024, with polling stations closing at 10pm on Friday, June 7 after a hectic day around the county. All that is left is just the small matter of counting votes for the 47 local candidates and 27 EU candidates, starting first thing on Saturday in Portlaoise, and possibly lasting into Monday and even Tuesday given the higher number of candidates this election. The appetite for voting in urban Portlaoise appears to have remained possibly the lowest, despite the district having the most county council seats and the most candidates: seven seats sought by 20 candidates. By 8pm, only 24% of the electorate at two sample booths, in Holy Family Senior School, had arrived to make their choices heard. A surge was still possible for the busy final two hours of voting. In comparison, two of the booths in Rathdowney had recorded a 46% turnout by 8pm, closely followed by a sample count of 44% in Rosenallis village. In Mountmellick town, a mix of urban rural voters, the turnout was 37%. Along with Rathdowney and Rosenallis, it forms part of the sprawling Mountmellick Borris-in-Ossory Municipal District, where 15 candidates vie for six seats on the western side of Laois. The trend for some voters to refrain from voting in the European election continued into the evening, particularly in Portlaoise. At the two selected Holy Family booths, almost one in six voters chose to only cast votes for the Local Election. Over in Rathdowney it was about one voter out of eight. In Mountmellick and Rosenallis, all but a handful of people voted in both EU and Irish elections. The Leinster Express / Laois Live news team will be keeping readers up to date as seats are filled, starting first thing on Saturday morning, including a Live Blog. A young male defendant who appeared in Naas District Court had the Probation Act applied to his case by Judge Desmond Zaidan on Thursday, June 6 last. The man, who is currently in custody on other matters, pleaded guilty to a theft he committed in County Kildare. Judge Zaidan was told that the Director of Public Prosecutions indicated for the matter to be dealt with via summary disposal. Gardai told the judge that the man stole a number of cans of gin, in addition to a bottle of vodka, from a shop in Kildare. When he was searched by gardai, he was also found in possession of pliers, in order to remove any security tags which may have been on the drinks. The judge accepted jurisdiction over the man's case. The man told the judge that he had previously went into rehab for a number of weeks, but he ended up relapsing into his alcohol addiction, hence why he stole the drinks. "I never really tried to get help until now," he said. The man added that he is due to become a first-time father soon. It was also heard that the man grew up in State care. Judge Zaidan asked the man what happened to him when he turned 18, and in response, the man said: "They (the State) just put me in hostels." "I just don't understand it," the judge remarked. He then asked the man what age he was when he first started drinking, to which the man replied: "Probably about 13... or maybe 12 actually, I'd say." Garda Sergeant Mary Meade told Judge Zaidan that there was no violence used by the man during the course of the incident. The judge said that he would apply the Probation Act on the man's case. "I think I'm getting softer in my old age!" the judge jokingly said. The man thanked Judge Zaidan for his verdict, and also jokingly added: "I never see you again, hopefully!" If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Samaritans Ireland (116123 or jo@samaritans.org) or you can visit pieta.ie (24/7 Free Crisis Helpline: 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444). For further information related to seeking treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, please contact the HSE's confidential drugs and alcohol freephone helpline on 1800 459 459, from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm, or email helpline@hse.ie. You can also visit: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/drugshivhelpline/. A Naas District Court judge was told by a female Kildare resident that she wished to withdraw her domestic violence breach accusations against her partner. The woman made the retractions during an in-camera (in private) court session held in the court on Thursday, June 6. Judge Desmond Zaidan was informed by gardai that the male accused was the subject of a barring order, which was granted to his partner. In total, the man stood accused of three separate allegations of breaching the order, and a hearing was scheduled for the court date in question. However, the man's partner took to the stand to tell the judge that she wished to withdraw the complaints against her partner. Judge Zaidan was also told that the man had spent time in custody as a result of the accusations. The woman said that she 'was happy with the barring order', and did not wish for her partner to go into custody. Judge Zaidan recounted the old tale of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf' to the woman, and warned her not to abuse the court's resources. Based on the woman's wishes, the judge ruled that the State would withdraw the charges against the woman's partner. Councillor Brendan Wyse was re-elected today, receiving over 20 per cent of the vote in Clane. The Fine Gael candidate was the first candidate to be elected in the Clane local electoral area, securing 1,986 votes in the first count. It is the second time Wyse has been elected to represent the area, having previously secured his spot in the 2019 local elections. Wyse was grateful for the high turnout of supporters, admitting that the first time, they had just "given me a chance". "The first time they gave me a chance, and I was a new councillor and I gave them everything I could for the five years, and I kind of hoped at the end of it that if I had worked hard for enough people, that they'd recognise that, and give me what I was lucky enough today, to get me in again" Wyse said. Asked about how he felt that the people of Clane had put their faith in him again, Wyse added that the support was "phenomenal". "I just couldn't believe it," he said. "I was really hopeful, because I was going door to door, I was talking to people, and they were saying "you helped me out with this or that". So to see them actually turn out and do that for me was great, they are the people I've been helping over five years". "It's just great to see that they turned out and backed me for it when I needed it the most. For the first two or three years, I had to learn the ropes and figure out the run of things. But now for the next term, I'm ready to go even harder, because I know how to get stuff done in the council, now that I'm confident in how to go and approach the task at hand." Touching on his future plans as councillor, Wyse added that he was "really looking forward to the next phase". "With that support behind me from the community that have their faith me, I can achieve a lot. One of the major things over the last five years was the Allenwood Playground in Clane. That opened recently, it took a while to deliver, but it was worth it. "We also have plans for the Grand Canal path in our area, and a greenway that we're going to put in all the way from Dublin, that should happen in the next five years. As well as that, we're going to need links into all the villages so that people can walk and cycle safely to, and that's a key priority for me. Adding to his list of priorities, Wyse said: "I also made an election promise to people, we have an old heritage building, it's a castle on Carbury Hill. I tried to get funding for that the last time to start a conservation project of that, and I failed. So I said I'm going to commit to putting the local property tax towards starting that restoration project. "I'm going to do up a list of priorities that I think I should deliver in regards to the villages and smaller projects over the next month or so. I can then focus on delivering them within the next five years while also doing other small jobs in between". Asked about the results of the FIne Gael party nationwide in the local and European elections this week, Wyse said he did not "have any fear of failure from Fine Gael councillors". "I know from working with them that we are all doing work on the ground. I think that no matter what the national opinion is, when it comes to a local election it's all about who is working in the area, and I know that myself and my colleagues were actually doing the work. With Fine Gael initially pulling ahead in the polls, Wyse added that he was "glad to see it". "When I was canvassing, some people have told me that they wouldn't be Fine Gael supporters, but they know that I work in the community, and in the locals, that matters more. If the Fine Gael figure is high that's because the Fine Gael people are working with communities". Tally results are in for the three electoral areas, with Paddy O'Rourke (FF) securing the most first preferences at 1,435 in Ballinamore, Sean McGowan (FF) at 792 in Carrick-on-Shannon and first-time candidate James Gilmartin (IND) at 1,328 in Manorhamilton. As counting continues in the Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, candidates have gathered and are waiting intently to hear more. Diarmuid McConville, first-time candidate for Manorhamilton LEA received 35 first preferences, tallying at 1% of the total vote. Speaking in Irish and covering his face with a net, McConville said: "I am very happy to be here. I am a brave man and I think that is important." McConville, who has previously been in the public eye for his attendance at Covid related protests in Sligo dressed as the "Straw Man," isn't expecting to get elected. "It doesn't look like I will get elected as it stands." Known for his strong views on the EU, immigration and technology, McConville continued the interview in Irish and said: "There are 1.5 million migrants in the country. We should send them home or somewhere safe in a friendly, peaceful and Christian way." McConville gave his sentiments on Roderic O'Gorman's position as Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. "I'll be asking the county council to ban Roderic O'Gorman. He has done a bad job and Leitrim County Council should ask the Government to have him resign." When asked about what he thought of the vast amount of people who disagree with him, McConville said: "A lot of people do agree with me. Bad work is being done by mainstream media. I am asking the questions." GLOBE LIFE SHAREHOLDER ALERT BY FORMER LOUISIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL: KAHN SWICK & FOTI, LLC REMINDS INVESTORS WITH LOSSES IN EXCESS OF $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Globe Life Inc. - GL NEW ORLEANS, June 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until July 1, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Globe Life Inc. f/k/a Torchmark Corporation (NYSE: GL), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's shares between May 8, 2019 and April 10, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Long term holders of GL are also encouraged to contact the firm. This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. What You May Do If you purchased shares of Globe Life and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-gl/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by July 1, 2024 . About the Lawsuit Globe Life and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On April 11, 2024, investment research firm Fuzzy Panda reported that the Company and its subsidiaries had engaged in widespread insurance fraud by adding policies to existing users' accounts without consent, underwriting policies for dead and fictitious people, and also maintained a hostile workplace where sexual harassment, drug use, and sexual assault went unchecked. On this news, the price of Globe Life's shares fell by $55.76 per share, or 53%, from a closing price of $104.93 per share on April 10, 2024, to a closing price of $49.17 per share on April 11, 2024. The case is City of Miami General Employees' & Sanitation Employees' Retirement Trust v. Globe Life Inc., et al, No. 24-cv-376. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients ? including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors ? in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana and New Jersey. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. Contact: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner [email protected] 1-877-515-1850 1100 Poydras St., Suite 960 New Orleans, LA 70163 SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC 7 june 2024 at 22:45 News published onand distributed by: Statement by the Prime Minister on World Oceans Day OTTAWA, ON, June 8, 2024 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Oceans Day: "Oceans are a part of who we are as Canadians. Home to the longest coastline in the world, oceans connect our communities, provide essential habitats for endangered species, and sustain jobs in our vibrant marine sector. Today, on World Oceans Day, we renew our commitment to preserving these waters and securing a safer, cleaner world for future generations. "This year's theme, 'Awaken New Depths', reminds us of the urgent need to better protect our waters against threats like climate change. Building safer, more resilient communities starts with protecting our environment. The time to act is now. "Through the Oceans Protection Plan, we're making shipping safer, increasing protections for our marine ecosystems, and strengthening the role Indigenous Peoples have in marine safety. We're also creating thousands of jobs across marine industries and reducing threats to whales and other endangered species in our waters. And we're working to protect 30 per cent of our oceans by 2030. Indigenous Peoples have been caretakers of our lands and waters since time immemorial, and with an $800 million investment in Indigenous-led conservation initiatives, we're making Canada's oceans cleaner and safer for generations to come. "Canada is a leader on the world stage when it comes to protecting our oceans. As a member of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, we're building a sustainable economy. Through international commitments such as the Ocean Plastics Charter and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, we're tackling environmental degradation and biodiversity loss in our oceans. "On World Oceans Day, I invite all Canadians to reflect on the importance of protecting our oceans and keeping our coasts clean. By taking action today, we can be part of the transformative change that keeps our waters healthy, advances reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and builds a cleaner future for our children and grandchildren." This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca SOURCE Prime Minister's Office 8 june 2024 at 09:00 News published onand distributed by: LIMERICK City and County Council are to write to Justice Minister Helen McEntee to ask her to review the costs around becoming an Irish citizen. As it stands, people wishing to secure citizenship of this country can face costs of in excess of 1,100. Initially, there is an application fee of 175. Then, if an application is successful, the cost of citizenship comes to 950. The fee does not offer a passport, with the price of this coming in at 75. However, the price can drop dramatically depending on the person. At the final council meeting of the term prior to the local election, Newcastle West member Jerome Scanlan saw a motion passed, which will now see the local authority make contact with Ms McEntee. It is her department which is responsible for the fee structure. The fee is astronomical for people in certain cases in terms of affordability, said Cllr Scanlan. There should be, in my view, a step-scale for length of time spent in this country. People need to be acknowledged, they need to be given credit for tax, PRSI and USC in terms of time spent here. This needs to be looked at and bring a bit of fairness into play. Cllr Eddie Ryan, an Independent colleague of Cllr Scanlan seconded the motion. Ive heard of people being asked to pay colossal money for citizenship. Its not fair. If we go to Britain, there is no bar on anything. So why should there be here, he asked. THERE'S some early indications as to how rural Limerick has voted in the local election. Tallymen and women have been hard at work here in the count centre at the Limerick Racecourse. And with almost a quarter of boxes opened in the Adare-Rathkeale muncipal district, outgoing Fianna Fail councillor Bridie Collins, from Adare village, is leading the way with 24% of the vote, and 712 first preference votes. Her namesake, Joanne Collins, of Sinn Fein, is on 5.6% of the vote, followed by Independent candidate Richie Crehan. Sitting councillor Stephen Keary from Croagh has polled 443 votes according to the early tally, while his running mate Cllr Adam Teskey has polled 298 first preferences, according to the tallies. It's been a strong start in the Newcastle West district for Cllr Liam Galvin. With 11 boxes opened of 45, the Abbeyfeale man is leading the way with 879 votes, or 26.8% of the vote. Newcastle West councillor Michael Collins is at 13.5% of the vote, or 443 votes, according to these early estimates. High-profile Independent councillor Jerome Scanlan haas made a solid start, polling 395 first preference votes, according to the tally. He is ahead of outgoing Fine Gael councillor Tom Ruddle, who has 251 first preference votes. Fine Gael's council leader John Sheahan has polled 147 first preference votes, the tallies suggest. However, it's likely his vote will pick up as more boxes from his power base along the Shannon Estuary are opened. Fine Gael took four of the seats on offer in Newcastle West at the last election. In Cappamore/Kilmallock, Independent councillor Eddie Ryan of Galbally has taken a huge lead. The former Fianna Fail man has 813 first preference votes - or 27.7% of the vote, according to the tallies. READ MORE: Limerick councillor calls on minister to review citizenship costs Sinn Fein councillor PJ Carey is second with 409 first preference votes. He is closely followed by Fine Gael's Greg Conway, who missed out last time. He is just 10 behind - with 399 first preference votes. However, just 10 of the 61 boxes have so far been tallied in what is the largest constituency in Limerick, so that picture could change as the day goes on. Stay with www.limericklive.ie as the day goes on. Our blog will go live at noon. Tech billionaire Elon Musk has congratulated caretaker Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his party and alliance winning the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections in India, Congratulations Narendra Modi on your victory in the worlds largest democratic elections! Musk, the chief of Tesla and SpaceX, and owner of social media site X (formerly known as Twitter) wrote. He added that he looks forward to doing exciting work in the country, stating: Looking forward to my companies doing exciting work in India. Track | Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 LIVE Updates here Responding to Musk, Modi posted: Appreciate your greetings Elon Musk. The talented Indian youth, our demography, predictable policies and stable democratic polity will continue to provide the business environment for all our partners. Musk Delays India Visit Earlier in April this year, Musk had delayed his much anticipated visit to India due to very heavy Tesla obligations. In an April 20 post on X, the billionaire wrote: Unfortunately, very heavy Tesla obligations require that the visit to India be delayed, but I do very much look forward to visiting later this year. At the time it was speculated that Musk was likely to announce nearly 3 billion worth of investment in the Indian market, primarily earmarked for the establishment of a new Tesla manufacturing facility in the country. The next week however, Musk was in China on April 28, Reuters reported. Later in the day, he also posted a photo with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, writing: We have known each other now for many years, since early Shanghai days. During his tour, Musk was expected to discuss the rollout of Full Self-Driving software and permission to transfer data overseas. The US electric vehicle maker rolled out Full Self-Driving, or FSD, the most autonomous version of its Autopilot software, four years ago. Then, in May, Musk visited Indonesia to launch the Starlink satellite internet service in the archipelago nation. He was also seen discussing opportunities for Starlink services with Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali. In 1995, Pawan Sachdevas Delhi-based firm, MS Shoes East, was at the heart of an aborted public-cum-rights issue which ultimately led to the closure of the BSE for a day. Six years later, the Times of India reported that the same Pawan Sachdeva filed a complaint over a business dispute against Gautam Adani that led to the issue of non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against the Adani group founder and chairman. Later a Delhi court cancelled the non-bailable warrants. Sachdeva presumably withdrew his complaint and the two parties reached an out-of-court compromise. Straddling these two unconnected events was a man who once built a dynamic business exporting footwear to markets in Europe. This was a time when India had emerged as a base for low-cost manufacturing and exports of shoes. Companies like Liberty Shoes, Aero, and Leayan Global became major exporters of footwear to Russia through the 1990s. Sachdeva had inherited his family business of supplying shoes to Bata but had greater ambitions. He diversified and expanded the business, exporting to quality-conscious markets in Western Europe. By 1994, he was running a 200-crore company. Then the man, who like many other successful businessmen of the early 1990s loved flashy foreign cars, turned too cute, or too crafty, depending on which way you look at it. MS Shoes East launched its first public issue in September 1992, followed by a rights-cum-public issue of fully convertible debentures in December 1993. The companys shares skyrocketed from 24 apiece in 1993 to 502 by January 1995. Encouraged by these successes and buoyant markets, MS Shoes launched another public issue in 1995 for fully convertible debentures (FCDs) to finance a twin-hotel project. The public issue duly closed after being over-subscribed. However, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) later found irregularities in the issue and directed MS Shoes to offer subscribers the option to retain or withdraw their offers. Several subscribers withdrew, and the issue was undersubscribed. Sebi had found the company guilty of misleading investors by failing to disclose crucial information in its advertisements and public notices, particularly about the cum-rights nature of the issue. This led investors to believe they were buying shares at a discounted price, causing a surge in demand. Most didnt realize that post the rights, the price would fall steeply. Later, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charged Sachdeva with entering into a criminal conspiracy with Sebi officials and merchant bankers to allow a 90-day gap between the companys public issue and the rights issue. According to the CBI, this would have enabled Sachdeva to divert funds raised from the public issue to subscribe to the promoters' rights entitlement. Sebi rules did not allow for a gap of more than 30 days between such issues. Sachdeva was also accused of attempting to manipulate share prices by using company funds to artificially inflate the stock price before the issue. The MS Shoes East issue ultimately devolved, forcing underwriters to take up the unsold portion, resulting in significant financial losses. One leading broker of the time, RS Jhaveri, was declared in default after he failed to meet his commitments over large positions he had built in shares of MS Shoes East. Many investors who had subscribed to the issue also lost money when the share price crashed after the scam was exposed. In the wake of the collapse of the issue, the BSE had to be closed for a day. Not many market manipulators have managed that feat. Sachdeva, who dreamt big since his days as a student at Delhi Public School, had wanted to build a hotel to rival The Oberoi located just across the road. Briefly, when he won the rights to construct a hotel auctioned by HUDCO, his dream seemed within reach. Had the 699 crore public and rights issue succeeded, he might have secured the funds for his ambitious project. Its failure not only soured that dream but also destroyed the successful footwear business he had built. In 2005, the company was referred to the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction. Also This: Not all corporate marriages are made in heaven The Tesla chief executive and his supportersincluding investors and Chair Robyn Denholmare in the final stretch of trying to persuade shareholders ahead of Thursdays vote to reauthorize his controversial 2018 pay package with an argument that essentially boils down to: We had a deal! It is a compelling defenseat least, rhetoricallybut also the sort of argument that Musk has rejected in his own business dealings with others. For years, Musk, among the worlds richest men, has been shadowed by claims his companies were unfairly reneging on paying people what they were owed. Musk and his companies have denied wrongdoing. Still, he is getting a taste of karma as he joins the ranks of those who feel similarly mistreated. The status of his compensation is in question after a Delaware court rescinded it earlier this year, taking issue with how the package of stock options, currently valued at about $46 billion, was hashed out. In response, the Tesla board is hoping a second shareholder vote will clear things up, potentially avoiding a lengthy court battle. Fairness and respect require that we honor the collective commitment we made to Elon," Denholm wrote this past week in a message to shareholders. She added, We must stand by our deal." Billionaire investor Ron Baron went on CNBC this past week to make a similar case. We said, as Tesla, as a company, Elon, if you perform, this is what youre gonna get," said Baron, who estimates his investments in the company have made billions of dollars. How can you go back and renege on that, especially when all of the directors and all the shareholders approved it? Its crazy." Investor Cathie Wood took to X with her own similar take: How can shareholders renege on his pay package AFTER Elon and shareholders already have taken and overcome the risks associated with Teslas rise to producing the top selling car in the world? Unconscionably!" After Marcie Frost, the head of Calpers, the powerful California Public Employees Retirement System, said the states pension manager planned to vote against the pay package because it isnt commensurate" with the companys performance, Musk responded: Calpers broke the deal. Shame on them, they have no honor." At the same time Musk is fighting for his payday, he is also fighting off others demanding theirs. Many Twitter employees felt mistreated by Musk after he took over ownership of the social-media platform in 2022, which he has subsequently renamed X. It was a purchase that he infamously tried to get out of as it became clear that his $44 billion offer was too high amid a slowdown in social-media advertising. Then-Twitter Chief Executive Parag Agrawal and his team successfully fought to force Musk to go through with the deal, which turned out to be exceptionally good for their shareholdersat Musks expense. Soon after the acquisition closed, Musk fired those senior Twitter leaders, a move that deprived them of promised severance payments intended to keep them working through such a rocky transition. In biographer Walter Isaacsons book Elon Musk," the billionaire is quoted as saying he cut them to save himself a 200-million differential." In March, Agrawal and the team filed a lawsuit against Musk over the matter and rehashed other claims that his company isnt paying its bills. Under Musks control," the lawsuit began, Twitter has become a scofflaw, stiffing employees, landlords, vendors, and others. Musk doesnt pay his bills, believes the rules dont apply to him, and uses his wealth and power to run roughshod over anyone who disagrees with him." Musk has denied wrongdoing, saying he fired them for cause. His history on such matters is complicated. Earlier this year, Musk made a point of saying he wants Tesla to be dependable. His comments followed complaints by a Silicon Valley bakery that it had been stiffed by Tesla for an order of 4,000 pies that were canceled at the last minute. Just hearing about this. Will make things good with the bakery," Musk tweeted. People should always be able to count on Tesla trying its best." Since the early days of Tesla, Musk and the electric-vehicle maker have been dogged with questions about how the company has treated employees when it comes to the timing of their firings ahead of when their stock vested. Tesla denied wrongdoing as it fought a lawsuit brought by more than 40 former employees over a decade ago. A California appeals court eventually overturned a lower-court ruling against Tesla in that case. The O.G. of fights dates back to 2009, when Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard sued after being pushed out in a messy spat that included him being denied stock options he was allegedly owed. Tesla denied wrongdoing, accusing Eberhard of violating a nondisparagement agreement. The parties eventually settled in an agreement that included cementing Musks claim to being called a co-founder of the automaker. More recently, Tesla saw the departure of a key executiveJerome Guillenwho helped shepherd the company through its darkest times, including the troubled production ramp up of the Model 3 sedan. The eventual success of the Model 3 helped Musk achieve the goals of his 2018 pay package, which include milestones around revenue growth and market values that some outsiders thought unlikely. Key executivesincluding Guillen, then a presidentwere given their own large rewards, albeit smaller in comparison to Musks, for their work. In 2021, Guillen departed Tesla after he was offered a new role seen as a demotion and Musk asked him to forfeit some of his unvested shares valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, The Wall Street Journal reported. It was an unusual request that came amid a broader concern being voiced by Musk that some of his employees were making more money than he felt they deserved. Now, it is Musk fighting those who say he wants to be paid more than he deserves. The total award value remains excessive, even given the companys success," Institutional Shareholder Services, an influential proxy advisory firm, told investors in recommending against the plan. Tesla disagreed, of course, saying in a now familiar response: A deal is a deal." Write to Tim Higgins at tim.higgins@wsj.com West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to extend "well wishes" to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, saying, "I am sorry, but I cannot wish well to an unconstitutional, illegal party for forming the government." Banerjee even said that today, the INDIA bloc may not have staked a claim to form the government, but that doesn't mean they won't tomorrow. "Lets wait for some time," she was quoted by news agency PTI as saying. She asserted that the INDIA bloc will form the government in the coming days. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has 293 MPs in the 18th Lok Sabha, comfortably above the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. "His [PM-designate Narendra Modi's) intention was to get two-third majority [in the Lok Sabha elections 2024]. However, they [BJP] didn't even cross the majority mark. They are nowhere near that number (272 seats)," Banerjee. She asked, "How will they amend the Constitution without two-third majority? Last time, they had passed bills without discussions, but won't be able to do it this time," said the West Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief while addressing party leaders in Kolkata. Banerjee expressed confidence that the "unstable and weak BJP government at the Centre" wont last long. "The NDA government to be formed will be unstable. BJP has not secured majority; they are dependent on allies. Lets see how long they can get along with their allies," she said. Banerjee remarked that as the mandate was against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "he should have stepped down this time" and allowed someone else to take over. "The country needs change; the country wants change. This mandate was for change. We are waiting and keeping a watch on the situation," she said. The Bengal chief minister also announced that the TMC would not attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government. Banerjee was elected as Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party (TMC) Chairperson. Party MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay was elected as the leader of party in the Lok Sabha, Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar as Deputy leader of the Lok Sabha and Kalyan Banerjee as the Chief Whip. TMC MP Derek O'Brien was elected as the leader of party in the Rajya Sabha, party leader Sagarika Ghose elected as the Deputy leader and Nadimul Haque as Chief Whip. Bank Holiday Today on June 8: All public and private banks in India, including the State Bank of India (SBI), will be closed today, June 8, on account of it being the second Saturday of the month. Overall, June 2024 will see at least 12 scheduled bank holidays for various regional celebrations, religious holidays, and weekend offs on the second and fourth Saturdays and Sundays. This also includes the second and fourth Saturdays in the month and all Sundays off. Notably, June 2024 has five Sundays. However, customers should note that holidays vary across states in India due to regional differences. They must confirm the full list of non-working days with their nearest bank branch. Doing so will help them better plan and avoid last-minute confusion and emergencies. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) works with the corresponding state governments to decide on banks' holiday calendar for the year. Therefore, schedules may differ due to the local customs across states. See | Maharashtra Bank Holidays in 2024 What About Online Banking? Please note that online banking and mobile banking will continue uninterrupted regardless of any holidays, unless specifically stated by a bank for technical or other reasons. Customers can access banks' mobile apps, ATMs or websites to conduct urgent transactions. However, if you need help from bank staff, it's prudent to plan around the listed leave schedule. The RBI issues the full list of annual bank holidays based on various factors such as national and state holidays, cultural or religious observances, operational needs, government announcements, and coordination with other banks. The central bank further communicates this through its official website and via notifications to banks and other financial institutions. "You only get one first impression," Glen Powell says in Richard Linklater's Hit Man (2023). For many, the first impression of Powell was as the cocky pilot in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). The success of that film, followed by the more modest success and relentless marketing of 2023 sleeper hit Anyone But You, ushered him into star territory. Yet, Powell has been around in films since 2003, from the time he was 13. He was in Denzel Washington's The Great Debaters (2007), though I don't remember him in that. My first impression of him was in Linklater's Everybody Wants Some (2016), where he played a loquacious college athlete who's a touch too smart for the jockish company he keeps. There's a passage in Everybody Wants Some where Powell's character and the new pitcher sample all the societies on campusone night they're slamming against punk rockers, the next they're milling with theatre kids. At first, Powell's Gary Johnson in Hit Man seems a polar opposite. He's a college professor, a young divorcee, living with two cats, doing part-time tech work for the New Orleans police. One day, he's asked to fill in for a cop who goes undercover as an assassin in order to entrap clients. He's reluctant and seemingly ill-equipped, yet something mysterious happens when he gets into character. People who wait all their lives to play the lead are more prepared than they realise when the chance comes along (Powell wrote this film with Linklater). Before Gary takes on his first assignment, there's a montage of films with hitmen, from This Gun For Fire (1942) to A Colt Is My Passport (1967). This is a stylistic outlier in the film, but nevertheless places it in conversation with the genre, allowing Linklater to use its tropes but also send it up. As Gary entraps one would-be criminal after another, his disguises get more elaborate: chatty tattooed gun nut, Patrick Bateman type with slicked-back hair, eastern European angel of death, man with scarred face, leather jacket and Clint Eastwood whisper. My favourite is the time when he goes to meet a client assurely it can't be anything elseTilda Swinton. When Jane Greer enters Out of the Past (1947) and walks towards Robert Mitchum, we hear his voice on the soundtrack: "And then I saw her, coming out of the sun, and I knew why Whit didn't care about that forty grand." Hit Man isn't a noir and Please U restaurant is far less romantic than a Acapulco bar, but Madison (Adria Arjona) does come out of the sun and Gary's life isn't the same from that moment on. The film isn't the same either, changing from a dry comedy about a misfit lucking into a job he's perfect for (think of Linklater's School of Rock) into a irrepresibly sexy romance. Madison has come to hire Ron to kill her abusive husband. But the two of them keep getting drawn into other conversations, smiling and flirting a little. As he's done with other clients, he offers her a chance to back outand she takes it. She then calls him a few months later, and a whirlwind romance unsues. She thinks he's a hitman, her ex-husband doesn't know there's a boyfriend, and the police don't know Gary is seeing a former suspect. It wouldn't work out in a noir, but this is a romantic comedy, a genre with an entirely different outlook on fate. In Anything But You, Powell and Sydney Sweeney were fetching and bitchy, if a little boring in their sameness. Powell and Arjona, on the other hand, have electric chemistry. They're so hot for each other they can't stop smiling. The film smiles too, soundtracking their lovemaking with the boisterous Basin Street Blues and the delicate Cast My Fate to the Wind. There's a wonderfully strange performance by Austin Amelio as the police's premier fake hitman before Gary turns up; he was a Grade A weirdo in Everybody Wants Some as well. And the clients are all terrific sketches; the film's best surprise is when the husband whose wife tried to hire Gary forgives her in court, saying 'Hell, I've done much worse and she deserves a second chance." Gary teaches philosophy, a likely discipline for a Linklater professor. His characters, from Dazed and Confused to Waking Life to the Before films, have always been inclined to ponder larger questions of human existence. This film ends with Gary encouraging his students to "seize the identity you want for yourself" (Boyhood also ended with Mason and a friend asking whether moments could be seized). It makes me wonder if Linklater feels he settled on an identity beyond 'independent filmmaker'. His last film was an animated coming-of-age drama, his next is set in the French New Wave. In an industry obsessed like legacy and prestige, he just seems to make whatever idiosyncratic thing he wants and casually moves on to the next. Poetry in geometry In an ongoing exhibition, seven artistic practices engage with the geometric abstractionist S.K. Sahnis body of work. Set Adrift on Memory Bliss, the intergenerational interventionist show has been presented by Engendered, a transnational arts and human rights organisation, in association with the India International Centre. Two-hundred works from seven artistic practices, such as of Shobha Broota, Puneet Kaushik, Harshit Agrawal and more, enter into dialogue with Sahnis work. The exhibition intersects works that vary in their force and aesthetic complexity but together embrace a radical contemporary moment in the present..., writes curator Myna Mukherjee. On view at India International Centre. Delhi, 11am-7pm, till 18 June. A sculpture on display at 'Attend', the latest iteration of Chatterjee and Lal's 'Simple Tales' exhibition series. Tales that objects tell For the past 15 years, Chatterjee & Lal has hosted the exhibition series, Simple Tales, bringing together objects from across timelines and mediums. The idea has always been to recognise storytelling as integral to art and design histories. The latest iteration, Attend, continues to look at the tales that objects tell. This edition argues for the continuing relevance of connoisseurship in visual arts. It can be argued that attending to individual artworks is, in fact, a radical act; one that pushes back against the superficial consumption of spectacle that seems to define so many of the art worlds prized events, reads the curatorial note. At Chatterjee & Lal, Mumbai, till 22 June, 12pm -5 pm. (Tuesday to Saturday). A still from Death of a Cyclist Celebrating Spain's iconic auteurs Instituto Cervantes will showcase six films that celebrate Spains most iconic directors, offering a panoramic view of classic Spanish cinema. Films that will be on view include Sex And Lucia, Death Of A Cyclist, Welcome Mr. Marshall, Viridiana, Cria Cuervos and Voyage To Nowhere. At India International Centre, Max Mueller Road, Delhi, from 11 June -1 July, 6.30pm onwards. For details, visit iicdelhi.in. Sandwiches ready to be served at the When Cheese Meats Bread pop-up. Get sandwiched Three of Bengaluru's top artisanal experts, SAPA, Nari & Kage and Salty Cured Pigs, are coming together for a curated sandwich pop-up, When Cheese Meats Bread. Mysuru-based SAPA bakery, known for its traditional artisanal baking, Nari & Kage, experts in artisanal cheese, and Salty Cured Pigs, famous for its smoked and cured meats, will serve a limited menu of vegetarian and non-vegetarian sandwiches, with a side of potato chips on Sunday. On the menu are a Focaccia Mortadella Sandwich (Camembert cheese, pesto and rocket leaves), Baguette with Cotto Salami (Gruyere cheese, lettuce and tart rhubarb relish) and Rye Country Loaf (cooked ham, pecorino duxelles creme cheese and gherkins). The sandwiches are priced at Rs. 600 per sandwich. At Nari & Kage, Koramangala, Bengaluru, 8 June, 12pm onwards (Till stock lasts). Rajasthan Roots will be performing in ZLB's Magnetic Music season 2 Season 4 of Gullak brings more heartwarming tales of the Mishra family. The amazing Jameel Khan as the father Santosh Mishra, remains upright government employee; the incredible actor Geetanjali Kulkarni as the sharp tongued but wonderful mother Shanti Mishra; their two sons Anand (Vaibhav Raj Gupta) and Aman (Harsh Mayar) who instigate most of the goings on in the family. Praise for the superb Sunita Rajwar - who plays the neighbourhood auntie who pops in to comment on the goings on at the most inopportune moments - can never be enough. This little family draws you into their lives so easily you smile as you find parallels with your own mother who zealously guards her grandmothers paan box even though she never eats paan or your father (or you) save phone chargers and cables because they might come in handy someday. Also Read: Panchayat Season 3 Goes Fiscal! 3 hidden money lessons to learn from the series This season, the money lessons seem to suddenly intertwine with life lessons so much that you sigh deeply into your coffee. Bad bosses and helpless employees Who hasnt come across uncouth bosses who go out of their way to make life tough at work - throwing papers back at you, yelling, cursing and pointing out your mistakes in front of the whole office? Anand Mishra has chosen to be a medical representative for a pharma company and is used to having doctors making him wait outside the office. But his boss is nasty to him and his pal Lucky sauntering into the doctors office, and showing Anand that the doc has been bribed by heaters and acs the boss helped set up for free. The boss even sacks Lucky for being late. Anand swallows his pride and listens to the horrible boss but is unable to get Lucky his job back. The boss even takes credit for Anands work at the docs daughters new clinic. Also Read: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga: 3 hidden money lessons you can learn from this film So whether you occupy a cubicle or the corner office, as a smart investor you are always prepared. Whether its a nasty boss or a colleague who undermines your work, you have put aside money in that proverbial gullak to take care of all your expenses (for at least five months) in case you have to one day step out of that toxic environment and never come back. Gold jewellery is for wearing Shanti Mishra goes to the temple wearing a gold chain. On the way back home, she is mugged. Devastated not just by the loss of her jewellery but by the guilt, she sits in the room shocked. Her family rallies around her and they persuade her to go to the police station to report the theft. The policewoman commends Shantis courage. The family has brought proof: the bill of purchase and a picture of Shanti wearing that chain. Also Read: 'Super Rich in Korea' on Netflix: 3 hidden money lessons to learn from the series When you spend your hard earned money to buy jewellery or things for your home and personal use, for example, your car, smart TV, a computer or even remote controlled blinds, it is best to keep receipts safe. If youve purchased a home, make sure it is insured. Take care of the fruits of your hard earned money. The giving and taking of a bribe Santosh Mishra has a spine, and through every eminently watchable episode of every season, we see proof of his righteousness. In a previous season, he refuses to join a protest because he doesnt like union-bazi, and in this season, we see him struggle to pay a bribe to a municipality officer. The municipality has sent notice because theres an anomaly between the plans submitted and the actual construction. As always the Mishra family comes together to figure out the best way to deal with the threat of demolition. Alas, a bribe must be paid. Santosh Mishra swallows his pride and offers the man that envelope. But then, he raises his voice to insist that kaam ho jaayega (work will get done) is not acceptable, the officer has to give it in writing that Mishra house will not be demolished and that the paperwork is fine. Its an odd hold to stake over a municipality officer by saying,You took the envelope, so you are in my power now, and I can make you do things you promised. Also Read: Hollywood Con Queen on Apple TV+: Valuable money lessons to learn from the documentary In your money life, you too have often incurred these miscellaneous expenses, but now be inspired to ask for an accounting of those expenses from the person claiming them. Thats your power and I hope you will exercise it. This series has been so delightful, not just in the perfect length of each episode, but how it manages to make us all witnesses and yes a part of this Mishra family. We would be fortunate to have them as neighbours and friends. (Bloomberg) -- Brazil Finance Minister Fernando Haddad expressed concern about the countrys fiscal outlook during a Friday afternoon meeting with investors, tanking assets and sparking a public attempt to contain the damage. Haddad told investors that he would need to make significant spending cuts to hit the countrys fiscal target if Congress does not approve revenue measures he has proposed, according to multiple people with knowledge of the matter. He also spoke about the importance of discussing other ways to reduce spending, including delinking pension benefits from minimum wage increases, the people said. But he left investors with the impression that he wont be able to convince President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the need to reduce spending, and that in the end he will have no choice but to change the fiscal framework that lawmakers approved last year, according to the people, who requested anonymity to speak about the discussions. Haddad said that he will support a structural review of spending but did not appear confident that his efforts would win support from within the government, one of the people said. Brazilian assets quickly extended losses following the meeting. The real slumped 1.7% against the US dollar, lagging only the Mexican peso among the worlds major currencies on Friday. Swap rates also surged with contracts maturing in January 2027 jumping about 60 basis points. The noise comes against a backdrop of several election shocks in places from India to Mexico, with global investors unwinding erstwhile popular trades within emerging markets. The turmoil began as Haddad spoke to reporters in Sao Paulo. Haddad later returned to say that the markets interpretation of the meeting had been erroneous and unreasonable, and that he had never indicated that the fiscal rules would change. The government may freeze some funds from the federal budget if expenses grow beyond whats expected, but that is absolutely normal and in line with the fiscal framework, Haddad said. What happened is very serious, you cannot use a closed meeting to sell to the market something that does not exist, he said. The finance chief has faced investor skepticism about his efforts to deliver on his goal of eliminating Brazils primary fiscal deficit, which excludes interest payments, this year, especially amid increasing pressure from Lula to spend more to boost Latin Americas largest economy. Haddad in April eased next years fiscal target, but has maintained that his 2024 goal is within reach. --With assistance from Barbara Nascimento. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com (Bloomberg) -- Canadian tycoon Frank Stronach has been charged with rape and other offenses in a sexual assault investigation. The 91-year-old founder of auto-parts giant Magna International Inc. was charged on Friday with rape, indecent assault on a female, two counts of sexual assault, and forcible confinement, Peel Regional Police in Ontario said. The allegations date from the 1980s to 2023, according to a statement. Stronach has been released with conditions, and will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date. Police appealed to the public for further information. Brian Greenspan, a prominent criminal defense lawyer who is representing Stronach, said in a statement that his client categorically denies the allegations of impropriety which have been brought against him. He looks forward to the opportunity to fully respond to the charges and to maintain his legacy, both as a philanthropist and as an icon of the Canadian business community, Greenspan said. Magnas roots trace back to a one-man tool and die shop Austrian-born Stronach set up in 1957. He ceded control of Magna decades later, in 2010. Hes been a major owner of horse-racing tracks and thoroughbreds, and played a role in Austrian politics. Family fight Stronach settled a bitter legal fight with his daughter, Belinda Stronach, less than four years ago. The pair had waged a lengthy battle over control of their family business, the Stronach Group, a thoroughbred racing and gaming operation that owns some of Americas most famous racetracks. Belinda Stronach claimed in court filings that her father had drained $580 million from the family fortune through a series of often unprofitable projects, while he in turn accused her of lavish spending on the companys tab and financial mismanagement. The settlement, announced in August, 2020, saw Frank Stronach take full ownership of a thoroughbred stallion and breeding business, including Stronach Stables, and farming operations in Florida, Kentucky and Ontario. He no longer has any interest in Stronach Group. Almost a decade earlier, Stronach launched a political campaign in his native Austria, pledging to drop the euro and slash both spending and taxes. He won a seat but his party took less than 6% of the vote in a 2013 election and he quit politics the following year. Stronach has had no affiliation with Magna since giving up control in 2010, Tracy Fuerst, a spokesperson for the company said by email. Magna has no knowledge of the investigation or the allegations that have been raised beyond what has been reported in the media. The Stronach Group similarly said in a statement that the businessman has not held a formal role or been involved with company operations in any capacity for several years. Both Magna and the Stronach Group said they had no further comment with the matter now before the courts. Stronach was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 1996 and has recently been writing a weekly column for Canadas National Post newspaper. The column has been suspended pending the outcome of the charges, the Posts editor-in-chief Rob Roberts said, according to a story published by the paper. (Updates with direct comment from Stronachs lawyer in fourth paragraph) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com ELLSWORTH, Maine (AP) The driver who caused a fiery crash that killed four fellow Maine Maritime Academy students in December 2022 was ordered to serve three years in prison for manslaughter at his sentencing on Friday. Joshua Goncalves-Radding, of North Babylon, New York, pleaded guilty to charges including manslaughter and aggravated drunken driving. He was traveling at between 106 mph and 111 mph (170 kph and 179 kph) before the SUV struck a tree and caught fire, investigators said. Those killed were Brian Kenealy, 20, of York, Maine; Chase Fossett, 21, of Gardiner, Maine; Luke Simpson, 22, of Rockport, Massachusetts; and Riley Ignacio-Cameron, 20, of Aquinnah, Massachusetts, officials said. The crash happened after the students had gone out following the last day of classes for the semester. Goncalves-Radding gave an emotional statement in which he took accountability and apologized to the families. The parents of Fossett asked for a lenient sentence and tearfully hugged him during the break. "No one wanted this to happen, Laura Fossett said. This was a situation where a good person made a horrible decision that cost the lives of four of his best friends," said District Attorney Robert C. Granger. "No sentence the state could recommend or the court could impose can possibly rival the self-imposed sentence defendant recounts every day he wakes up: He faces the realization that he killed his four best friends and injured two others." At least 70 houses, two police outposts and a forest office were torched after fresh violence erupted in Manipur's Jiribam district on Saturday. Officials said a contingent of more than 70 state police commandos was airlifted from Imphal to Jiribam to assist security personnel in their operations against militants. According to an officer, suspected militants torched more than 70 houses in Lamtai Khunou, Dibong Khunou, Nunkhal and Begra villages. He said the villagers vacated their residences and took shelter in a relief camp. Around 239 Meitei people, mostly women and children, were evacuated from peripheral areas of Jiribam on Friday. They were moved to a newly set up relief camp at a multi-sports complex in the district, the officials told news agency PTI. Jiribam SP transferred The superintendent of police was transferred following the violence. The transfer order was issued hours after police outposts of Jiri Mukh and Choto Bekra and the Goakhal forest beat office were set on fire this morning, the officer said. The Manipur government transferred Jiribam SP A Ghanashyam Sharma to the post of additional director of the Manipur Police Training College, according to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms. M Pradip Singh, who was serving as the additional director of the police training college, will take charge as the senior superintendent of police of the Jiribam district. How it started The incident was reported days after suspected militants killed a 59-year-old man. Violence broke out in Jiribam in the ethnic strife-torn Manipur on Thursday evening after suspected militants killed a man, identified as Soibam Saratkumar Singh. Singh went missing after he had gone to his farm on June 6, an official was quoted by PTI as saying. He said that Singh's body was found with wounds made by a sharp object. Following the recovery of Singh's body, locals reportedly set a few abandoned structures on fire. Prohibitory orders were clamped in the region later. Curfew imposed The Manipur government imposed a curfew in Jiribam district for an indefinite period after people staged protests over the killing of a 59-year-old man by suspected militants. The prohibitory orders were clamped on Thursday night. Locals reportedly protested in front of the Jiribam Police Station, demanding that their licenced firearms taken from them in the wake of elections be returned to them after the completion of the polls, PTI reported. "There is the likelihood of widespread disturbance to peace and public tranquillity or riot or an affray..because of unlawful activities of anti-social elements," the official told PTI, citing the orders issued by the Office of District Magistrate Jiribam. The local administration also prohibited "assembly of five persons or more, which is likely to turn unlawful, carrying of firearms, sticks... and movement of any person outside their respective residences within the revenue jurisdiction of the district". Jiribam has a diverse ethnic composition comprising Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis and non-Manipuris. It had remained unaffected by the ethnic strife that has been raging in Manipur since May last year. According to PTI, the ethnic conflict between Imphal valley-based Meiteis and hills-based Kukis has led to the deaths of over 200 people and rendered thousands of people homeless. The National Investigation Agency recently arrested one militant commander from Imphal in "Transnational Conspiracy to Exacerbate Manipur Violence." Newly-elected Manipur MP reacts Newly elected Congress MP from the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat Angomcha Bimol Akoijam urged the state government to protect the lives and properties of the people of Jiribam district. The CISF female constable accused of slapping BJP MP Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport has not yet been taken into custody. Although an FIR has been filed against the constable under IPC sections 321 and 341, no arrests have been made at this time. An FIR has been lodged with the IPC section 321 and 341 case by Mohali Airport police, not arrested till now. It's bailable offence, ANI reported citing officials. On June 6, at approximately 3:30 pm, Kangana Ranaut was preparing to board a flight to Delhi to participate in a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which concluded on Friday. During this time, Ranaut was reportedly slapped by a CISF constable. As reported by News18, Ranaut was accompanied by four personnel, comprising a CISF inspector, two female police staffers, and airline staff from Vistara. The FIR said, It is submitted that on 6 June Miss Kangana Ranaut (Film actress and newly elected MP From Mandi Himachal Pradesh) was travelling from Chandigarh to Delhi by Vistara Flight No UK-707(STD-1545hrs). At about 1526 hrs, she cleared PESC (pre-embarkation security check) formalities duly assisted by CISF SHA Inspector (Surendra Kumar Sharma, lnspector/Executive), CISF Lady officer (Constable Suneet Kumar), local police lady officer (lady Constable Veerpal Kaur) and airlines staff. After completion of PESC (pre-embarkation security check), she was proceeding towards boarding gate at about 1528 hrs and in the meantime, CISF Lady Constable Kulwinder Kaur who was also deployed in the Domestic SHA (adjacent ladies frisking booth) came out from her frisking booth and slapped Miss Kangana Ranaut. Immediately, lady Constable Kulwinder Kaur was pushed by Lady Constable Veerpal Kaur towards frisking booth. Later, Kangana Ranaut left PESC point and proceeded for her scheduled flight. In this regard, it is requested to lodge an FIR against CISF lady Constable/GO Kulwinder Kaur for her misbehaviour with Miss Kangana Ranaut, Surendra Kumar Sharma said in his complaint, based on which the FIR has been filed. The Central Industrial Security Force on Thursday suspended the lady constable. Kangana Ranaut took to her social media account on the day of the incident and asked how growing extremism and terrorism could be ended in Punjab. "I am safe. I am perfectly fine. The incident took place during the security check. After I was done with the security check, a woman constable of the CISF waited for me to pass through the cabin. Later, she came from the side, hit me in the face and started abusing me", Ranaut said in a post on X. When I asked her why she did this, she told me that she (CISF official) had supported the farmers' protest. My (Kangana) question is how we end growing extremism and terrorism in Punjab, the BJP leader added. Meanwhile, the CISF constable said that her mother was among the farmers holding a sit-in protest against the farm laws, which now have been repealed. "She stated that the farmers are sitting there for 100. Will she go and sit there? My mother was sitting there and protesting when she gave this statement..." she said. The 15-month-long farmers' protest was held against the farm laws (now repealed). The Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA, under the leadership of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, will form the government at the Centre for a third consecutive term on Sunday, i.e. June 9, 2024. Preparations are in full swing for the swearing-in ceremony of the new government scheduled to be held at 7:15 pm tomorrow at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The premises have been closed to the public from June 5 to June 9 in preparation for the event. President Droupadi Murmu will administer the Oath of Office and Secrecy to Prime Minister-designate Modi and the members of the Union Council of Ministers. Modi met the president on Friday and staked claim to form a new government. Rashtrapati Bhavan illuminated ahead of the swearing-in ceremony According to media reports, more than 8,000 dignitaries are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Foreign leaders from various countries, including SAARC, have accepted invitations and plan to arrive in New Delhi on Sunday. After the swearing-in ceremony, the dignitaries will attend a formal banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Also Read | Modi 3.0 govt: These 7 foreign leaders to attend swearing-in ceremony in Delhi; check list The president's official YouTube channel has released visuals from the Rashtrapati Bhavan a day before the swearing-in ceremony, showing the preparations underway for the mega event on Sunday evening. In the video footage from Rashtrapati Bhavan, security personnel can be seen around the area where the ceremony will be conducted. Workers can be seen laying chairs for the guests on a lush red carpet on the premises. Considering the soaring temperatures in the national capital, portable air conditioners, coolers, and fans are arranged for the guests participating in the mega event. Meanwhile, Delhi police have taken strict measures to ensure security across the national capital for the oath-taking ceremony. Multi-layered security arrangements have been made, and NSG commandos, drones, and snipers have been deployed to guard the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the mega event. Also Read | Modis oath-taking ceremony: INDIA bloc leaders didnt get invitation yet, says Jairam Ramesh Five companies of paramilitary forces will be deployed for the security of Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi police officials said. The area around the Rashtrapati Bhavan has been designated as a 'controlled' area, and vehicles having passes for the mega event will be allowed only to move in areas including Sansad Marg, Rafi Marg, Raisina Road, Rajendra Prasad Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, and Sardar Patel Marg. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), under the leadership of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, will form the government at the Centre for a third consecutive term on Sunday, i.e. June 9, 2024. Preparations are in full swing for the swearing-in ceremony of the new government scheduled tomorrow at Rashtrapati Bhawan. President Droupadi Murmu will administer the Oath of Office and Secrecy to Prime Minister-designate Modi and the members of the Union Council of Ministers. Earlier on Friday, Modi met the president and staked claim to form a new government. Also Read | Tharoor not invited to Modi's swearing-in ceremony, to watch India-Pak match Modi's swearing-in ceremony: Date and time The oath-taking ceremony for Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi will take place on Sunday, i.e. June 9, 2024 at 7:15 pm, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said. The President will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the Prime Minister and other members of the Union Council of Ministers at 07.15 pm on June 9, 2024, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, an official announcement read. Modi's swearing-in ceremony: Where to watch? All national television channels will livestream the oath-taking ceremony at 7:15 pm on Sunday. Public service broadcaster Doordarshan will also run the live telecast of the event on TV. The live updates of the event will also be available to stream on YouTube and other official social media handles of national television channels. Also Read | Delhi traffic police issues advisory for VVIP visit at Rajghat, Sadaiv Atal The ceremony will also be streamed live on the YouTube channel and X account of the President of India. There has been no official confirmation as to which MP will be given which cabinet berth in the new Union Cabinet. However, media reports claim that Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United (JDU) may be allotted two cabinet berths, and Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is likely to get four portfolios in the new cabinet. JD(U) leaders Lalan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur may be allotted ministers' posts in the new cabinet, NDTV reported. Ram Mohan Naidu, Harish Balayogi, and Daggumalla Prasad of TDP will likely find a place in PM Modi's new cabinet. Also Read | Nitish Kumar tasked to grant Bihar 'special category status': What does it mean? According to media reports, more than 8,000 dignitaries are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Foreign leaders from various countries, including SAARC, have accepted invitations and plan to arrive in New Delhi on Sunday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday announced the list of foreign leaders who will be attending the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers on Sunday evening. The Rashtrapati Bhavan has said that President Droupadi Murmu would administer the oath of office and secrecy to the Prime Minister and other members of the Union Council of Ministers at 7.15pm on June 09. The ceremony will take place in Delhi. The MEA said that seven leaders from Indias neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have accepted the invitation to attend the ceremony. On Friday, the leaders of the BJP-led NDA called on Murmu and handed their letters of support for Modi to her. These foreign leaders will attend the ceremony Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu Seychelles' Vice-President Ahmed Afif Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay In a press release, the MEA said that the leaders will attend a Banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Sheikh Hasina arrives for ceremony Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already arrived in Delhi for the ceremony. She was received by Muktesh Pardeshi, Secretary (CPV & OIA). Prachanda to arrive on Sunday Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' will be on a three-day visit to India from Sunday. He will return on Tuesday. What Modi said after staking the claim Thanking people for giving the NDA a third term, Modi said that the 18th Lok Sabha is about new energy, youth energy, and it is an important milestone towards fulfilling those dreams. Azerbaijan was elected to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for 2025-2027 with a majority of votes from 148 countries, Azernews reports citing the press service of the countrys Foreign Ministry. After the UN Security Council elections, elections for ECOSOC membership are considered to be the most competitive. The Republic of Azerbaijan has been a member of ECOSOC twice so far - in 2003-2005 and 2017-2019. With 54 members, ECOSOC is one of the main UN bodies, coordinating the work of 14 UN specialized agencies, their functional commissions and 5 regional commissions in the economic and social spheres. The election of Azerbaijan as a member of such a highly esteemed organization as the United Nations Economic and Social Council with such a large number of votes demonstrates our country's international standing and the international community's high regard for its socioeconomic achievements over the last decade. We thank every country that supported Azerbaijan during these elections. During its Council membership, the Republic of Azerbaijan, as always, will contribute to international peace and development in line with the goals and principles of the UN Charter, the ministry added. Caretaker Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take Oath of Office and Secrecy on June 9, Sunday, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Along with Narendra Modi, other members of the Union Council of Ministers will also take oath on Sunday. Here are the key security arrangements and other details related to Narendra Modi's oath-taking ceremony. Three-layer security at Rashtrapati Bhavan As a part of the security protocol, security officials will ensure three-layered security inside and outside Rashtrapati Bhawan, reported PTI. Delhi police personnel will be deployed outside the ring, followed by paramilitary personnel and internal security of the President's house at the inner ring. "Around 2500 police personnel, including five companies of paramilitary and Delhi Armed Police (DAP) jawans, have been planned to be deployed around the venue," PTI quoted a police officer. Snipers and drones deployed In addition to three-layer security, snipers and armed police personnel will be deployed on the routes of dignitaries. Drones will be deployed at strategic locations for improved surveillance. No fly zone in Delhi NCT Due to the ceremony, the police have restricted sub-conventional aerial platforms, including paragliders, hang gliders, UAVs, UAS, microlight aircraft, etc. The order preventing the usage of these items will come into effect on June 9 and remain in effect until June 11, said Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora. Delhi police said in a tweet on X, "With effect from 09.06.2024, there will be a prohibition on flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang-gliders, UAVS, UASS, microlight aircrafts, remotely piloted aircrafts, hot air balloons, small sized powered aircrafts, quadcopters or para-jumping from aircraft etc. over the jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi because of swearing-in ceremony in the National Capital Territory of Delhi to thwart criminal, anti-social elements or terrorists inimical to India from posing a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries and vital installations by using them," the advisory read. Neighbourhood First on PM Modi's foreign guest list According to news agency PTI, top leaders from neighbouring nations and other countries will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Top leaders from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius and Seychelles will likely attend the ceremony. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and some other countries' leaders have already received an invitation. Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth and President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan are among the leaders being invited to Modi's swearing-in ceremony, which is likely to take place on June 9. Similar to Narendra Modi's 2019 swearing-in ceremony, this year's programme's guest list reflects India's emphasis on regional cooperation. Leaders from BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries were invited in Narendra Modi's previous oath-taking ceremony, which underscores India's ongoing dedication to fostering strong regional ties and collaborative efforts in the South Asian and maritime domains. Special arrangements for foreign dignitaries Security at the hotels where the foreign dignitaries flying to India to attend Narendra Modi's oath-taking ceremony will stay has been updated with enhanced protocols. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday for the first time reacted to criticism of his close aide VK Pandian after the party's debacle in recently held state assembly polls. Patnaik said that Pandian is a person of integrity and honesty and should be remembered for that, reported PTI. Patnaik, who missed out on becoming chief minister for the sixth time, said that Pandian did an 'excellent job'. Pandian, a bureaucrat-turned-politician from Tamil Nadu, was being blamed by many, including party workers, for the BJD's poor performance in the assembly elections. Accepting defeat in the assembly polls, Patnaik said he would continue to serve the people of the state in whichever way possible. In the recently held assembly polls, the BJP won 78 of 147 seats, ending the 24-year rule of the BJD. The Patnaik-led party bagged 51 seats, while the Congress won 14 constituencies. Who will be Naveen Patnaik's successor? Naveen Patnaik reiterated that Pandian was not his successor and that the people of Odisha would decide who his successor would be. "There has been some criticism of Pandian. This is unfortunate. He joined the party and has not held any post. He did not contest the elections from any constituency," Patnaik told PTI Video. The former chief minister added that he has always clearly said when asked about my successor that it is not Pandian. "I repeat that the people of Odisha will decide my successor," he added. Praise for Pandian Naveen Patnaik said that Pandian, as an officer, did an excellent job in different fields in the last 10 years, be it during two cyclones or the COVID-19 pandemic. Google released two Doodles on Saturday, June 8, in the wake of elections in four European Union (EU) countries today: Italy, Latvia, Slovakia and Malta. The Google Doodles on June 8 depict a ballot box with the EU flag to mark European Parliament elections. The flag features a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background, representing the ideals of unity, solidarity, and harmony among the peoples of Europe. The 2024 European Parliament elections commenced on June 6 and will conclude on June 9. Most of the EU's 27 countries will hold their votes for the transnational European Parliament on Sunday, June 9. Germany, France, Denmark and others are set to go to the polls tomorrow. The Netherlands went to the polls on June 6, while Ireland and the Czech Republic held elections on June 7. Also read: Google Doddle celebrates Swedens National Day. Know history and other details here The European Parliament is one of the three pivotal EU institutions. It plays a crucial role in governing the 27-member bloc. It decides on laws in collaboration with the EU governments that govern policies and the EU market. The European Commission originally proposed these laws, which encompass nearly 450 million people. Also read: Google Maps renames location history, empowers users with timeline: What it means The European Parliament election in Italy will be held on June 8 and 9 as part of the broader 2024 European Parliament election. These elections will determine elected members of the 10th Italian delegation to the European Parliament, which will be held concurrently with the 2024 Italian local elections. Also read: Google Search's elusive search algorithm revealed in leaked documents? Yes, say SEO experts. Details here In Slovakia, citizens will vote on the final two days of voting in EU-wide elections. This development comes after the May 15 assassination attempt on Slovakia's populist premier and Prime Minister, Robert Fico, by a 71-year-old poet. On Friday, another violent incident was reported when a man hit Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in a Copenhagen square. The upcoming European Parliament will co-decide on the EU budget for 2028-2034 with EU governments. According to Reuters, the current seven-year budget is around 1.1 trillion euros. On this day, June 8 is a landmark day in India's aviation industry. On this day in 1948, a year after India's independence, the formidable domestic airline Air India launched its maiden international flight from Mumbai to London via Cairo and Geneva. The day is also celebrated as World Brain Tumour Day to spread awareness about health conditions. Take a look at the key events that happened on this day in history. World Brain Tumour Day To emphasize the need to increase research and development in studying brain tumors and spread awareness about abnormal cell growth in the brain, we celebrate World Brain Tumour Day every year on June 8. World Oceans Day The day is also celebrated as World Oceans day. According to the United Nations, World Oceans Day is a reminder of the important role of the oceans in humans' existence. Just like forests, oceans are also the lungs of the planet Earth and a major source of food and medicine. This year's theme of World Ocean day is "Awaken New Depths". Air India's first international flight in 1948 The domestic airline began its international flight services on this day in 1984. On June 8, exactly 75 years ago, the inaugural flight took place form Mumbai to London. The flight took off with Captain KR Guzdar in command and 35 passengers on board, according to a Moneycontrol report. The weekly flight was operated with Lockheed Constellation 749A aircraft, a 40 seater plane, named Malabar Princess, and landed in London on June 10, 1948. Geeta Rahasya by Lokmanya Tilak in 1915 The Bhagvad Gita Rahasya, popularly known as Gita Rahasya, was written by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1915. The book, written in Marathi, is an analysis of Karma yoga, which is mentioned in the Bhagvad Gita. Tilak wrote it while he was in prison in Mandalay, Burma. The book is written in two parts, the first is the philosophical exposition and the second part is about Gita, its translation and its commentary. Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was left shaken after she suffered a whiplash injury in an attack at a Copenhagen square on Friday. The Prime Minister was rushed to a hospital for a check-up as she suffered minor injury. Minor injury, but PM shaken The assault has caused a minor whiplash injury. Though the Prime Minister is safe, the incident has left her shaken. Therefore, her Saturday schedule had been cancelled, reported AFP quoting her office. Man taken into custody According to AFP, Danish police on Saturday said a 39-year-old man arrested for hitting Frederiksen will be brought before the Copenhagen district court for questioning to decide if he is to be remanded in custody. Narendra Modi says deeply concerned Deeply concerned by the news of the attack on Mette Frederiksen, Denmarks Prime Minister. We condemn the attack. Wishing good health to my friend, said Narendra Modi in a post on X. French President denounces attack French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the attack as unacceptable. "I strongly condemn this act and wish Mette Frederiksen a speedy recovery," Macron said in a post on X. What witnesses said "A man came by in the opposite direction and gave her a hard shove on the shoulder, causing her to fall to the side. While it was a strong push, Frederiksen did not hit the ground, reported AFP quoting two witnesses Marie Adrian and Anna Ravn telling newspaper BT. They described the man as tall and slim, and said he had tried to hurry away but had not got far before being grabbed and pushed to the ground by men in suits. Despicable act It was a despicable act which goes against everything we believe and fight for in Europe, said EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. Israeli forces rescued four hostages from a refugee camp in Nuseirat on Saturday as the war in Gaza entered its ninth month. The Hamas-led Palestinian government said that at least 210 people were killed and around 400 injured during Israeli attacks on the central Gaza camp. News of the hostage rescue was welcomed by US President Joe Biden who also vowed to work until all the he captives were freed and a ceasefire brokered. Meanwhile jubiliant celebrations broke out in Israel as the army returned Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv to their families. They were taken by helicopter for medical checks and tearful reunions with loved ones after 246 days in captivity. Today, Israel carried out a remarkable rescue operation, freeing four hostages held by Hamas. We're committed to getting the release of all the hostages, and we expect Hamas to release them all but if they don't, we'll do whatever it takes to get them all back home, Netanyahu said during an official address. He also accused Hamas of committing war crimes every day and lauded Israeli soldiers for their efforts. Our soldiers are performing in the most valiant and moral way to end this war with a victory against these killers and against these kidnappers, and we shall prevail, he added. KYIV, UkraineIn 2020, Vitaliy Yatsenko went to pick up a parcel containing illegal amphetamines from a Kyiv post office and was met by 10 policemen and detained. This week he will cut short his five-year prison sentence to join Ukraines stretched armed forces. In a sign of the Ukrainian militarys desperate need for fresh troops, Kyiv is taking a leaf out of Russias playbook by recruiting inmates from prisons to serve in its armed forces. The government says that 4,656 convicts have already applied for the program in which prisoners will have to serve till the end of the war before winning their freedom. Kyiv is faced with stark choices as an initial wave of volunteers fades and they lose ground against an enemy that can draw on a population 3 times as large. Many front-line units say they are depleted and exhausted, and Ukraine is struggling to draft enough men to hold off mounting Russian offensives. In search of hundreds of thousands of new soldiers, Ukraine has lowered the age of mobilization, increased financial compensation for troops and sought to coerce military-age men who fled abroad to return home and fight. This week, Yatsenko will leave his prison cell and join the military. For men like this 23-year-old, the program is a chance for redemption. I feel ashamed to be in prison," he said in an interview at the jail where he is being held. This is my chance to be useful." Yatsenko doesnt know where he will be sent or what role he will be given. He has yet to tell his mother, but said he is driven in part by a desire to make her proud following his incarceration. Convicts have been used in wartime through much of history, often in the most dangerous roles. Napoleon deployed penal brigades and both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union drafted criminals and political prisoners. After World War II the practice ended in many countries, not least because there was no need for large-scale mobilization. The Ukraine war has led to a resurgence. Russias Wagner militia began to recruit convicts soon after its February 2022 invasion started to go awry. Moscow continued the practice after Wagners leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, rebelled against the military leadership and died in a plane crash in August last year. Ukraines program will differ in several respects. Unlike in Russia, those convicted of certain crimes wont be eligible. That includes those with convictions for sexual violence, traffic accidents that led to deaths, and murder if it was of more than one person or carried out with particular cruelty," among other restrictions, said lena Vysotska, a deputy Ukrainian justice minister. While Russian prisoners will mainly get their criminal record expunged after service, Ukrainians wont. Ukraines Ministry of Justice estimates that authorities can recruit around 5,000 people from prisons. Russia never confirmed the total number of convicts it recruited but figures from the prison service show a reduction of more than 35,000 in the countrys total prison population between May 2022 and January 2023, the peak of Wagners recruitment. A senior official at Yatsenkos prison said several convicts with more serious criminal records have been told their convictions bar them from serving, leaving them disappointed. Likewise, some have expressed interest, only to back down when informed of the risks, he said. Convicts will be placed in special units, but it isnt clear what they will be tasked to do. Russias Wagner units were used in late 2022 and early 2023 in risky attack waves on the city of Bakhmut that resulted in thousands of deaths. Ukraines Ministry of Defense didnt immediately comment, though the country tends to take fewer risks with its soldiers than Russia does. Volodymyr Barandich, another recruit, said he is impatient to leave jail for a front-line position. Around six months ago Barandich was an army corporal serving around the town of Avdiivka, one of the front lines most dangerous hot spots, when he was sentenced for a drug-dealing offense. Barandich maintains his innocence and said he was set up by a former friend. I felt ashamed, because I was in here and my colleagues were still at the front," he said. He has almost five years of his sentence to run. The 32-year-old had been in the military for six years when he was jailed. During his time in prison he said he never lost the ambition to return to the front line. Then in May, he was in a prison workshop when another convict told him that a law had passed that would allow those in jail to serve. Finally," he said he remembers thinking. Neither Barandich nor Yatsenko say they are nervous about fighting. Barandichs girlfriend Alina said that she is nervous. But she says she supports the decision of a man who has always felt at ease in the military. Why should he be in prison if he can fully serve his country?" she said. Yatsenko grew up impoverished in Kyiv in a single-parent household. He says that he dealt drugs because he wanted the money. Embarrassed by the conviction, his girlfriend left him. On hearing of his arrest, his mother got angry and screamed that he was stupid. I was stupid," he said. While the program has been broadly welcomed in Ukraine, some have expressed concern on social media about how armed convicts will be controlled. The initial round of Russian convicts could leave the army after six months and after returning to civilian life some committed serious crimes, including murder. Ukraine officials say its program takes on convicts of less serious crimes than Russias. Those who have committed a murder can apply but their application must go through a risk assessment with the prison, judicial and prosecution service, said Vysotska from the Ministry of Justice. Vysotska said there are patriots among convicts who want to rehabilitate themselves. A prison service should emphasize correcting behavior and resocializing people for outside life, not incarceration for the sake of it, she said. Yatsenko says other prisoners told him they will see how he and other convicts fare before deciding. On a recent visit to their prison, bored-looking men stood in courtyards smoking. Some labored under a hot sun making concrete obstacles known as dragons teeth for the military. But prison life is like a summer holiday camp" compared with the front, said Barandich. Oksana Pyrozhok and Ievgeniia Sivorka contributed to this article. Write to Alistair MacDonald at Alistair.Macdonald@wsj.com Pakistani leaders have avoided congratulating Narendra Modi after the senior BJP leader won a third term in office. Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch called for cooperative relations with neighbouring nations on Friday and insisted that it was premature to congratulate the Prime Minister. The development came even as top leaders from seven neighbouring countries prepared to attend Modi's oath-taking ceremony on Sunday evening. Pakistan has always desired cooperative relations with all its neighbours including India. We have consistently advocated constructive dialogue and engagement to resolve all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, she said. The official insisted that she was not in a position to comment on the Indian elections and the re-election of Modi for a third term. Baloch dubbed it premature to talk about congratulating the Indian leader since the formation of government remained underway. ALSO READ: Modis swearing-in ceremony: Security tightened across Delhi; drones, snipers deployed | 10 points Modi had previously congratulated his Pakistani counterpart as the latter took oath in early March. A similar congratulatory message was also sent to Imran Khan as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf emerged as the single largest party in 2018 before he was sworn-in as the prime minister. Congratulations to Shehbaz Sharif on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Modi posted on X in March this year. Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi is set to take oath on Sunday for a third consecutive term. Several countries including the United States and China have already shared congratulatory messages as the BJP emerged as the single-largest party following the Lok Sabha elections. The government also announced on Saturday that leaders of several neighbouring countries, including those from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Mauritius, will be attending the swearing-in ceremony. REMINDERS OF a wicked world are multiplying at the Arvfurstens Palace in Stockholm, stately seat of Swedens foreign ministry. A bronze briefcase, bearing the initials RW, has for some years stood outside the front door. It honours Raoul Wallenberg, a young diplomat who used his countrys profitableand at times shamefultradition of neutrality to save thousands of Jews in Nazi-occupied Hungary with Swedish protection passes" he had crafted, before he vanished into the prisons of the Soviet Union. Of late, four large flags also adorn the stone-floored entrance hall. Three reflect Swedens proud self-image as a champion of free trade, development aid and international co-operation. These are the Swedish flag, the flag of the European Union and the United Nations standard. The fourth is new: the flag of NATO, the defence alliance that Sweden joined in March. The country was jolted out of 200 years of neutrality by Russias invasion of Ukraine. Russian aggression led Sweden (preceded by Finland, which joined NATO a few months earlier) to bind its security, formally, to that of the American-led West. Swedens resolve, and that of like-minded European governments, has been strengthened by what China did next. In late May Chaguan attended the Stockholm China Forum, a closed-door meeting of American and European officials, business executives and analysts, as well as Chinese scholars. Your columnist has attended these forums since 2008. This one stood out for a convergence of views over the challenge that China poses to the global security and economic order. Participants expressed alarm over Chinas support for Russias arms industry. They reported the seeming indifference of Chinese leaders when told by Western visitors that help for Vladimir Putins war machine undermines security in Europe. China has so far paid no real cost for its supplies of dual-use components that go into Russian missiles, drones and tanks, the gathering heard. Instead, Chinese diplomats offer Europeans bland denials, Kremlin talking-points about the West provoking the war, and what a participant called implicit hints that you should be glad we are not doing more". Speakers described unsubtle Chinese attempts to split Europe from America, and to play divide-and-rule among EU member countries. The forum heard of a Chinese visitor telling a European official, in effect: Donald Trump will be back in the White House, Russia is winning on the battlefield, so why not dump Ukraine and come with us? There was much talk of Europes interests beyond its neighbourhood. In an on-the-record speech to the forum, Swedens foreign minister, Tobias Billstrom, called Russias invasion an irreversible turning-point" for Swedens foreign and security policy. He added that his country has a national interest in a stable Indo-Pacific, including in the Taiwan Strait. If international law is called into question in one part of the world, that concerns all of us," explained the minister. In EU debates about whether to impose tariffs on Chinese battery-powered cars and other green technologies, Sweden joins a free-market camp worried that France and other advocates of tariffs may trigger a full-blown trade war. But even free-trade champions like Sweden back de-risking" with China, meaning measures to reduce dangerous dependencies that harm economic security. Alas, China has no intention of co-operating. Its ruler, Xi Jinping, calls it a useful deterrent for countries to be dependent on China. More broadly, he and his aides concede no ground when European leaders ask about overcapacity in key export sectors. For all the signs of convergence between America and Europe, important differences may be seen. The EU calls China a partner for co-operation, an economic competitor and a systemic rival". It matters greatly that this tripod has now gained a fourth leg, with several Europeans in Stockholm declaring China a full-blown security threat. Yet it also matters, a lot, that Americas vision of relations with China has lost its leg marked partner". The Biden administration is still trying to avoid conflicts and to co-ordinate work with China on climate change, drug-smuggling and other global issues. Examples of active co-operation are now rare. Then there is the election in America this November. The China agenda of a new Trump administration would overlap on trade with Biden-era policies. But the forum heard of ways in which political tensions could soar unpredictably, for example if Mr Trump appoints China hawks who release American intelligence on the wealth of Chinese leaders and their families, or impose entry bans on Communist Party officials. That would stoke fears in Beijing that America is bent on all-out regime change. Economic security v national security On trade, big differences loom. Europe still wants China to grant more reciprocal market access. American officials are more focused on tariffs, tougher investment-screening rules and export controls. Several European governments are wooing Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) makers and battery manufacturers to open plants in their countries. In effect, they will accept dependency on China in strategic industries as a price worth paying for new jobs and affordable green technologies. On the American side, with the Biden administration imposing 100% import tariffs on Chinese EVs, the logic is closer to decoupling. Leaders of both American political parties have little or no faith in the World Trade Organisation, seeing it as unable to constrain unfair Chinese practices. Most European governments are not ready for a post-WTO world. On each Atlantic shore, trust in China is falling. Despite that convergence, Europeans see no way to stabilise the world without engaging with China as a partner. In contrast, America increasingly sees China as a bad actor whose ambitions will make the world worse. On the sunniest Stockholm day, storm clouds lurk. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Having failed to secure enough seats for a clear majority, it was imperative for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to reach out to its alliance partners. And within hours of doing so, reports emerged detailing the partners' demands, particularly concerning cabinet berths. Since this involves personalities, it has drawn attention. Less noticed has been the reports of demand for additional central support from Bihar and possibly Andhra Pradesh, including those for special status. It is likely that other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners from various states will follow suit, including those where the BJP has gained power for the first time, such as Odisha. Regardless of who raises these demands, it is clear that central-state financial relations may need to be redrawn. This is not entirely surprising, given the ongoing tussles over these issues. Tamil Nadu has led the campaign for the concerns of southern states for over a year now, and more states are expected to join in. The difference now is that the BJP lacks the political mandate to push back. Consequently, the central government may have no option but to listen to the states on these matters carefully. However, it lacks the institutional framework to conduct constructive dialogue with them. Prime Minister Narendra Modis Union Cabinet scrapped the Planning Commission, established by Jawaharlal Nehru, replacing it with the Niti Aayog, which functions as a think tank. States have reasons to be dissatisfied with the Finance Commission, as the Centre has been subverting tax-devolution awards by collecting more taxes through cesses and surcharges, revenues from which it is not obliged to devolve to them. The Inter-State Council, which did good work earlier, has languished under Modis first two terms. Currently, the only operational interface between the central and state treasuries is the finance ministry. It is not surprising, therefore, that both Andhra Pradesh chief minister-designate N. Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar have demanded that a minister of state from their respective parties be accommodated in the finance ministry. Even if these demands are accepted, the two states may not succeed in influencing the finance ministry, as it is not a platform for equal negotiations between states and the Centre. The ministry also lacks the technical capacity to vet states development needs and respond with the necessary budget transfers. The absence of the Planning Commission, which acted as an intermediary between the states and the ministry, is a serious weakness Modi will have to contend with in his third term. The states have rediscovered their political bargaining power after the general elections, while the Centre lacks the technical knowhow and operational tools to deliver outcomes in health, skilling, education, and agricultureall areas requiring active state government engagement. This goes beyond funds, involving the formulation of blueprints necessary for effective governance. The tooth-less Niti Aayog is ill-equipped for this role. It examines policy issues referred to by the different ministries or engages in suo moto in the manner of a research-oriented think tank. Its mandate does not allow it to engage in Centre-state financial issues. It does not write out any cheques, nor does it monitor spending by any government agency much less a state government. Those roles are diffused among the various central government ministries. As a result, if the states have to engage with the Centre, their options are heavily limited in the post-Planning Commission decade. Clearly this cannot continue. The political leadership of the states will now demand that the Centre listens to them on an equal platform, not just through bureaucrats. The prime minister will need to establish a suitable platform for these dialogues. Modi may have gotten through his two terms with the current Niti Aayog, he now needs an organization similar to the Planning Commission in his third term. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked state cabinet ministers on Saturday to avoid practicing "VIP culture" and shared the mantra of "samvaad, samanvay, samvendansheelta" (dialogue, coordination, and sensitivity). In the first cabinet meeting after the Lok Sabha Elections Results 2024, Adityanath directed ministers to go to the field, communicate with the public with sensitivity, and solve problems by coordinating with local public representatives and the government administration. In a series of posts on X, the chief minister's office shared the glimpses from the cabinet meeting and informed about Adityanath's fresh direction to the UP ministers. Here's what Adityanath instructed ministers to do: 1. All ministers should widely publicise the achievements of the central and state governments. Increase activity on social media. 2. Educate the public about the policies and decisions of the double-engine government and their positive results. 3. Everyone, be it ministers or other public representatives, will have to avoid VIP culture. None of our activities should be such that they reflect VIP culture. 4. In the coming days, there will be programmes organised for massive plantation, 'school chalo abhiyan' and communicable disease control. Everyone will have to make efforts for endure their success. All the ministers should ensure their contribution for this in their respective areas. 5. The first quarter of the financial year 2024-25 is about to end. All departments should ensure that the funds provided in the current budget are spent appropriately. An increase in allocation and expenditure is expected. Expenditures should also be reviewed at the department level. Concerned ministers should review their departmental status. 6. Be it ministers, other public representatives or officers/employees, it is the responsibility of everyone to promptly dispose of the applications received on Integerated Grievances Rederesal System (IGRS) on priority. Jansunwai Samadhan System (IGRS and @CMHelpline1076) is a very useful medium for easy resolution of complaints/problems of the common people. 7. Ministers should go to the field, communicate with the public with sensitivity and solve problems by coordinating with local public representatives and the government-administration. UP Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued these instruction to UP minister in a meeting in Lucknow on Saturday. The meeting was held days after The INDIA bloc, led by Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, dealt a significant blow to the BJP-led NDA's target of securing '400 seats' in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In contrast to the 2014 and 2019 general elections, when the BJP secured 62 and 71 seats, respectively, in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP won 33 of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. Whereas the SP won 37 seats, and the Congress in six seats. Earlier, Yogi Adityanath also announced to resume of 'Janta Darshan', which was stopped for the last two months in Uttar Pradesh due to the imposition of the election model code of conduct will resume again from Thursday. According to the Chief Minister's Office, CM Yogi Adityanath will go among the public every day from 9 am to 2 pm and listen to their problems and will also immediately instruct the officials for redressal. Sonia Gandhi is poised to retain her position as Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), with an expected re-election at a meeting gathering party MPs from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Saturday evening. As reported by ANI, citing party sources, With Congress to decide the name of its leader in Lok Sabha, there would be a clamour for party leader Rahul Gandhi to assume the key role. Rahul Gandhi won Lok Sabha polls from both Wayanad and Raebareli. The sources told ANI that party MPs including KC Venugopal, Manickam Tagore and Gaurav Gogoi are expected to make the demand by raising their hands. Additionally, it's noted that the leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha will assume the role of Leader of the Opposition in the House, given that the party has secured the necessary number of seats in the general elections. When asked if Rahul Gandhi is ready to take charge as LoP in Lok Sabha, Congress leader Veerappa Moily told ANI, He has to take charge of the LoP. Afterall, the people want him there. INDIA team and Congress people also want him there. We need to discuss many things - the manner in which the Congress and also INDIA scored a very high percentage of votes and also the seats. Of course, we should have won and captured the power and Rahul Gandhi should have become the Prime Minister of this country. But we missed it. But now, Narendra Modi is not that great, he has been totally pulled down in terms of popularity, in terms of vote share. I think we are marching forward, and if not today, tomorrow the Congress - under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi - has to come back, Moily further added. According to the Congress Constitution, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Party is empowered to name the party's leaders in the two Houses of Parliament. Party sources told ANI that it would depend on Sonia Gandhi if she decided to name Rahul Gandhi as the party's leader in Lok Sabha or if she opted for another leader. They said there is less expectation of a decision on the issue, and she may also opt to do it later through a press release. Sonia Gandhi currently holds a membership in the Rajya Sabha, while Mallikarjun Kharge serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the upper House of Parliament. Earlier in the day, a meeting of the Congress Working Committee is scheduled, where the party is expected to commend its performance in the Lok Sabha polls. The party's notable improvement, securing 99 seats compared to its previous tallies of 44 and 52 seats in the last two Lok Sabha elections, is likely to be credited to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Congress fought the election as part of the India bloc and the parties together were able to prevent BJP from getting a majority on its own in Lok Sabha. The BJP-led NDA won 293 in the polls. ANI further reported citing Congress sources that the party is likely to express its resolve to fight on issues concerning people inside and outside Parliament and a resolution may be adopted by the CWC over the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into "the biggest stock market scam", an issue raised by Rahul Gandhi on Thursday. Party sources said the resolution is expected to state that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not got the mandate to form the government at the Centre but is doing so. The day's agenda includes a meeting of the Extended Congress Working Committee around 11 am, followed by a gathering of the Congress Parliamentary Party, bringing together all newly elected Lok Sabha MPs and Rajya Sabha MPs, scheduled for 5:30 pm in the Central Hall of Parliament. Additionally, there are plans for a dinner event for extended CWC and CPP members, set to take place at Hotel Ashok at 7 pm. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met with Amit Shah on Saturday amid resignation buzz. The development came mere days after the BJP leader announced plans to step down ahead of assembly polls. Fadnavis had indicated his desire to take up organisational responsibilities to strengthen the BJP as the elections loomed. The Maharashtra leader however downplayed his resignation offer on Saturday, insisting that he 'was not running away'. I had led BJP in this Lok Sabha election, so I said I am responsible for this defeat. I had asked to be allowed to leave my post so that I could work at the grassroots for the Vidhan Sabha elections. But the top leadership showed faith in me. Some people thought that I was disappointed, but I am not going to run away. Our inspiration is Chhatrapati Shivaji. I have not taken any emotional decision, I have a strategy in mind, NDTV quoted Fadnavis as telling reporters. Reports quoting sources also indicate that Shah had refused his offer to resign and asked Fadnavis to continue his work in the state government. Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar also indicated on Friday that the matter was not discussed during the NDA meeting in Delhi. ALSO READ: Amit Shah speaks to Devendra Fadnavis, rejects his offer to resign as Maharashtra Deputy CM The BJP and its allies failed to secure a majority in the state during the recent Lok Sabha polls winning only.. The BJP won only nine seats in the state while the Shiv Sena (led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde) secured seven seats. The NCP (led by fellow Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar) could secure only one seat. Fadnavis had offered to resign a day after the party's poor showing in the Lok Sabha polls. Top RSS leaders had also met the BJP leader at his Nagpur residence this week to discuss the post-poll scenario. The Maharashtra Assembly elections are expected to take place in October this year. Around five to six MLAs from the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde have contacted leaders from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and have expressed their desire to rejoin the party, India Today reported, citing sources. Earlier on Thursday, sources revealed to India Today TV that approximately 10-15 MLAs from Ajit Pawar's faction within the NCP in Maharashtra have been communicating with the Sharad Pawar camp. This comes months ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls and follows Ajit Pawar's NCP securing only one Lok Sabha seat. Without naming any party, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) state president Jayant Patil said several leaders were in touch with them. We will think of these proposals at our meeting on June 9. On June 10, we have our foundation day, he said. Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora said, I don't want to comment on who is in touch and who is not in touch. What I would say is that, under Mr Shinde's leadership, the Shiv Sena has done well in Maharashtra in Lok Sabha elections. We have a good strike rate. Many people were writing off the Shiv Sena under Eknath Shinde. It has done well. I am confident that in the weeks, months and years ahead, under the leadership of the Prime Minister at the Central level and the Chief Minister at the State level, both governments will work for the welfare of Mumbaikars and Maharashtraians. There is a common thread between both leaders. He further added, Both have come from very humble backgrounds. One has risen to become the Prime Minister of the world's largest democracy. The other has risen to become the Chief Minister of the country's second-largest state. So, both these leaders will work in unison for the benefit of Maharashtra, benefit of India. The Maharashtra Lok Sabha election results dealt a blow to the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which secured only 17 seats. In contrast, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), despite facing internal divisions between the two parties, surpassed expectations by winning 30 seats. Among the major parties, the Congress emerged victorious in 13 seats, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) secured nine and eight seats, respectively. Mint could not independently verify the development. Following the outcome, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis offered his resignation on Wednesday, taking accountability for the party's performance. However, sources told India Today that no decision has been made yet, and Fadnavis will likely retain his position as deputy Chief Minister. Amid speculations around the new Union Cabinet of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, a latest report claimed on Saturday that Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United (JDU) may be allotted two cabinet berths. JD(U) leaders Lalan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur may be allotted ministers' post in the new cabinet, NDTV reported. The report cited sources as saying that Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will be allotted four portfolios in the new cabinet. Three of the four TDP leaders who are likley find a place in PM Modi's new cabinet are Ram Mohan Naidu, Harish Balayogi and Daggumalla Prasad. Narendra Modi is all set to take oath as India's Prime Minister for the third term on Sunday. The swearing-in ceremony will take place around 7:15 pm. There has been no official confirmation as to which MP will be given which cabinet berth in the new Union Cabinet. However, a Financial Express reported claimed that Nitish Kumars JD (U) plans to leverage the 12 Lok Sabha seats it won to negotiate plum portfolios in the new Cabinet, including the coveted railway ministry. On being asked if the Railway ministry portfolio should be given to JD(U) in the new Cabinet, JD(U) MP-elect from Bihar's Sheohar, Lovely Anand said, "Yes, it certainly should be given, it has always happened. Bihar should also get special status." Apart from the JD(DU), JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy reportedly hinted that his party was interested in the Agriculture portfolio in the new government. With 12 MPs, the JD(U) is the second biggest Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ally after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which has 16 parliamentarians. The new BJP-led government will depend critically on these two parties for survival. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has 293 MPs in the 18 Lok Sabha, comfortably above the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. PM-designate Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday and stake claim to form the new government. He was earlier elected the leader of the alliance in the NDA Parliamentary meeting. The chorus over special category status for Bihar has grown ever since the announcement of Lok Sabha Elections Results 2024. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj said on Saturday that now is the correct time to put forward the long-pending demand for the "special category status" to Bihar. Meanwhile, former Bihar Deputy Chief minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said it's a good opportunity for Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar. "...if he is the kingmaker, he should make sure that Bihar gets a special status...," Yadav said. The CPI(ML) Liberation, which won two Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, also said the Centre should consider the INDIA bloc demand for giving special category status to Bihar. Not only the INDIA bloc membersRJD and the CPI(ML) Liberationbut also its rival and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recently raised the same demand before his NDA partners. Kumar's JD(U) is the BJP's key ally that helped the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led coalition to form government at the Centre. While addressing an NDA Parliamentary Party meeting on Friday, Kumar said, "All the pending works of Bihar will be done." According to the Times of India, the mention of "Bihar ka kaam" was seen as a reference to the demand for special category status in the state. These Bihar leaders contend that Bihar's special status "will help the state grow at a faster rate." CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya was quoted by PTI as saying, "This will also generate more employment and invite investment in the state." In 2022, Nitish Kumar said, If Bihar had gotten this status, there would've been more development here. What is this special status category that Bihar leaders want? The special status category was introduced in 1969, on the recommendation of the Fifth Finance Commission, to benefit certain backward states with hilly terrains, strategic international borders, and economic and infrastructural backwardness. Former Union minister Giridhari Yadav told Parliament in 2023 that the Special Category Status for plan assistance was granted in the past by the National Development Council (NDC) to some states characterised by several features necessitating special consideration. Criteria for special status category These features necessitating special consideration included: (i) Hilly and difficult terrain (ii) Low population density and/or sizeable share of tribal population (iii) Strategic location along borders with neighbouring countries (iv) Economic and infrastructural backwardness (v) Non-viable nature of state finances What are the benefits special category states get? The government maintained that main idea behind according special status to a state is to facilitate the growth and development of improvement in birth rate, population control, female literacy status, tax effort and fiscal mechanism and improving per capita income. Bihar minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said that under the special status category, the Centre provides 90 percent of funds in schemes that it sponsors. Other states that do not fall into this category receive 60 to 70 percent of funds from the Centre, while the rest must be managed from their finances. "These states also receive subsidies on excise and customs duties, income tax, and corporate tax," he told news agency PTI. Meanwhile, the government explained earlier that the category into which a state falls special or non-special category is used to decide the loan-grant ratio applicable for the Normal Central Assistance (NCA) provided to the states. "Special Category Status results in the Normal Central Assistance and Assistance for Externally Aided Projects (EAP) being calculated as 90% grant and 10% loan," former minister V. Narayanasamy said in a reply to the Rajya Sabha in 2010. Meanwhile, the Non-Special Category Status results in the Normal Central Assistance being calculated as 30% grant and 70% loan. The Special Category States are also provided Special Plan Assistance for projects of special importance to the state. "Special Central Assistance untied to projects has also been provided to Special Category States because of their difficult financial situation," the former minister said. Why is Bihar demanding Special Category Status? According to the Hindu, Bihars per capita net state domestic product for 2022-23 was recorded at 31,280, which was among the lowest in the country. According to the National Family Health Survey 5, the state was also Indias poorest state, with 33.76 percent of its population being multidimensionally poor. In 2023, S Siddharth, the then Additional Chief Secretary of Bihar, said that for giving lands to the landless and houses to homeless families, there is a requirement to spend 2.5 lakh crore. "To get such a large amount, it is essential that the state gets the status of a special state so that this happens faster...," he told news agency ANI. Why was Bihar denied the special status category? The Centre had previously said it would not entertain demands for "special category status" from any state, given the 14th Finance Commission's recommendation to abolish it. Under the 14th Finance Commission recommendations, the Union Government increased the share of net shareable taxes to the states to 42 percent from the earlier 32 percent for the period 2015-20. Yadav said in his reply to Parliament that Bihar's request for Special Category Status was considered by an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG), which had earlier submitted its report on March 20, 2012. "The IMG came to a finding that based on existing NDC criteria, the case for Special Category Status for Bihar is not made out," he said in 2023. In 2018, the government said, "Following the recommendations of 14th Finance Commission, the Special Category States cease to exist and thus, no special category status has been granted to any State." It added, "The objective has been to fill the resource gap of each state to the extent possible through tax devolution. Also, post-devolution revenue deficit grant is provided to States where devolution alone could not cover the assessed gap." ALSO READ: The row over Andhra Pradesh special category status Late BJP leader Sushil Modi had said in 2023, "When P Chidambaram was Union Home Minister and later Finance Minister, he constituted a special committee under the chairmanship of Raghuram Rajan, to check if special status could be given to Bihar or not." "But report of that committee said no states can be given the status of special state...14th Finance Commission finished this thought completely...,"Modi had said. How many states are accorded special status category? It was first granted to three states Assam, Nagaland and Jammu & Kashmir. These states were then included for providing central assistance in the form of 90 percent grant and 10 percent loan. As of 2018, this special status was accorded to 11 states, namely, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was unanimously elected as the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party on Saturday. The development came mere hours after the Congress Working Committee passed an resolution seeking the appointment of Rahul Gandhi as Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The newly re-elected MP is expected to take a decision on the matter 'very soon'. Kharge ji proposed the appointment of Sonia Gandhi as the chairperson of the CPP during today's meeting. We have unanimously elected her as the chairperson of the CPP. Now the CPP chairperson has to decide about the leader of the Lok Sabha, said Congress leader Manickam Tagore after the meeting. The Lok Sabha has incidentally functioned without a Leader of Opposition since 2014 as no party managed to secure the requisite seats to assume the role. Congress candidates defied analyst expectations during the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections securing 99 seats and becoming eligible to hold the LoP role for the first time since 2014. An Opposition party is required to secure at least 10% of the total seats in the House in order to become eligible for the post. ALSO READ: Congress Working Committee passes resolution to appoint Rahul Gandhi as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul deserves special thanks for his tenacity, determination to fight unprecedented personal, political attacks. Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra were really historic movements which rejuvenated our party at all levels, said Sonia Gandhi. The Rajya Sabha MP was nominated as CPP chairperson by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during the meeting on Saturday evening. The proposal was seconded by party leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Tariq Anwar and K Sudhakaran and eventually passed unanimously. Sonia Gandhi ji has been unanimously elected as the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, confirmed Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari as the meeting drew to a close. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) three-time parliamentarian Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, representing the Srikakulam Lok Sabha constituency, is reportedly set to be included in caretaker Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Union Cabinet, Hindustan Times reported citing sources. The report stated that the TDP is anticipated to secure one Cabinet minister post, along with two positions of ministers of state (MoS) in Modi's cabinet. However, it's worth noting that the party has advocated for four berths two Cabinet minister posts and two MoS posts. Besides, there is a possibility of the party being offered the deputy speaker post, a party leader told HT on condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, News18 reported, citing sources, that the TDP and JDU are primarily focused on securing funds for their respective states, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. Their priority lies in obtaining financial packages rather than seeking cabinet positions. Nitish Kumar-led JDU is reportedly interested in key ministries such as Railways, Agriculture, and Rural Development. Notably, Nitish Kumar previously held the position of Union Railways Minister, while RCP Singh from the JDU served as Minister of Steel. Some of the frontrunners for ministerial positions within the party reportedly include its Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jha, Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan, Kaushalendra Kumar, Ramprit Mandal, and Lovely Anand, sources told PTI. Furthermore, HT reported that two other TDP leaders potentially poised to join the Union Council of Ministers include Pemmasani Chandrasekhar from Guntur and Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy from Nellore. While Chandrasekhar has tremendous connections among the NRI investors, Prabhakar Reddy is an influential person in the corporate circles. They would be helpful in attracting investments to the state, the TDP leader said. HT further reported that if the TDP secures a fourth position in the cabinet, Naidu might propose the name of an MP from the Scheduled Caste community. From the Jana Sena Party (JSP), Prime Minister Modi may consider accommodating Vallabhaneni Bala Showry from Machilipatnam. Among the BJP MPs from Andhra Pradesh, party state unit president Daggubati Purandeshwari might get a chance, HT quoted the TDP leader. According to the Election Commission of India on Tuesday, the BJP emerged victorious in 240 seats. Together with its allies, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) holds 293 seats. Chandrababu Naidu's TDP and Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United (JDU), securing 16 and 12 seats, respectively, in their respective states, have pledged their support to the NDA. On the other hand, the INDIA bloc commands 234 MPs in the new parliament, with the Congress winning 99 seats. Our universe is home to unending mysteries and cosmic objects waiting to be discovered by humans. The National Aeronautics of Space Administration (NASA) keeps sharing images from space to introduce us to unique things happening light years away from Earth. Take a look at the top ten spectacular images shared by the US space agency recently. Top 10 images shared by NASA Most of the NASA images are captured by the space agency's James Webb telescope or other highly advanced devices located in different observatories across the world or at International Space Station (ISS). Birth of new stars The image is of Herbig-Haro 46/47, a cloud in space which is home to stars waiting to come into existence. The bright pink gas cloud at the centre of the image, captured in near-infrared light by the NASA Webb telescope, features multiple stars. The bright pink and red diffraction spikes at the centre. The stars are within the orange-white splotch, buried deeply in a disk of gas and dust that feeds their growth as they grow to gain mass. Explosion in CygnusA NASA captured this stellar explosion in ultraviolet by the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) 1,500 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. The massive explosion that occurred 5,000 to 8,000 years ago was captured in ultraviolet by the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) 1,500 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. The gas and dust visible in the photo were heated by the supernova's shockwave, which still spreads outward from the original explosion. Ghostly hand of Pulsar Nebula NASA's Chandra X ray observatory captured the image of the pulsar,a fast spinning dense neutron star. This is a pulsar wind nebula that resembles a ghostly hand in a composite image. NASA's Chandra X-ray observatory and the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) captured the spectacular photo. The pulsar is a fast-spinning dense neutron star. In the image, the star can be seen as a bright white spot near the base of the palm. NASA image of Red Hot Sun NASA shared an image of the red hot Sun captured by Godard. NASA keeps sharing spectacular images of the brightest planet in our solar system, the Sun. The solar flares on theSun's surface are clearly visible. In the image, the Sun can be seen shining bright in the blackness of space, with orange eruptions emanating from its surface. Christmas tree in space The Christmas tree bundle is a cluster of young stars located around 2,500 light-years from Earth The Christmas tree cluster is a cluster of young stars located around 2,500 light-years from Earth. Most are about 1 to 5 million years old. A triangle of green gas, resembling a Christmas tree, is filled with blue and white stars that look like Christmas ornaments. Kenough Galaxy Kenough is one of the brightest galaxies Kenough is one of the brightest galaxies in our universe. Messier 81 (M81) lies 11.6 million light-years away from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. Spitzer Space Telescope and Galaxy Evolution Explorer captured the image in infrared, visible light, and ultraviolet wavelengths. Nebula in space Nebulas are made of dust and gases, which can get pulled together into clumps by gravity. Nebulas in space are made up of dust and gases. These nebulas often become the beginning of a star. Star birth is a violent process, producing intense ultraviolet radiation that carves out cavities in clouds and erodes material from giant gas pillars, but it also creates this dramatic, beautiful scene. Two galaxies in a single frame This NASA image shows two galaxies in a single frame. NASA Hubble telescope captured two galaxies, about 160 million light-years away from Earth, caught in a cosmic interaction. The cores of the galaxies lie about 67,000 light-years from each other, and the closest distance between the two is around 40,000 light-years. While these distances may seem vast, in galactic terms, they are close, causing a long tidal-tail on the galaxy to the right and likely distorting its spiral shape. NASA image of hidden region of star formation The image is of the hidden regions of star formation in Messier 78 The image was captured by the European Space Agency telescope Euclid. For the first time, the photo uncovered hidden regions of star formation in Messier 78 (the bright region in the center)and mapped gas and dust in exceptional detail. Using its infrared camera, the telescope looked through clouds that usually hide the smaller objects in this star nursery. Red ribbon crossing the cosmos The image is of a remnant of a supernova Companies in the market for cybersecurity professionals could face a new method of attack, made harder to spot because of artificial intelligence: Hackers posing as job applicants. As cyber threats targeting U.S. companies multiply, some security leaders have increased scrutiny during hiring to weed out bad actorsor simply applicants with over-embellished resumes. Globally, the cyber sector faces a shortfall of roughly four million professionals, an increase of 12.6% from 2022, according to ISC2, a professional and certification group in cybersecurity. Fraudsters are seizing on the demand. Lili Infante, founder and chief executive of CAT Labs, said during The Wall Street Journals Tech Live: Cybersecurity conference on Thursday that North Korean hackers frequently target her cryptocurrency asset recovery startup by pretending to apply for jobs. Some are even referred by recruiters. Weve weeded out over 50 candidates that were North Korean spies," she said, to the point where I had to put certain controls in place in my hiring process." If hired, the spies could seek out intellectual property and steal corporate data, Infante said. If theyre able to infiltrate a crypto firm, they could put vulnerabilities into code to loot assets, she added. U.S. officials have warned of a shadowy workforce of thousands of North Korean information-technology workers in low-level jobs worldwide. They have helped Pyongyang evade harsh international sanctions and raise billions of dollars through computer fraud and hacking effortsoften helped by westerners posing as would-be job applicants. More than 300 U.S. companies unknowingly hired foreign nationals with ties to North Korea for remote IT work, the Justice Department alleged last month. It isnt just North Korean spies cyber hiring teams are looking to block. More common are applicants whose skills might not match their listed accomplishments. Brent Conran, chief information security officer of Intel, at Thursdays event said he personally interviews job candidates hired into a senior level within the chip giant. Intel has also arrayed technical gates" to check for skills aptitudea test Conran said he was required to pass. Meredith Harper, senior vice president and CISO of credit-card issuer and financial services firm Synchrony Financial, said shes typically able to detect if job candidates embellished resumes in the first five minutes of a conversation. Its important to be able to see them, whether its on video or in-person, to feel the energy, to hear their answers to the specific questions," Harper said at Thursdays event. The rise of AI tools, however, has made it harder to spot impostors. Chatbots like ChatGPT can help job applicants perfectly tailor resumes and generate answers for cover letters. AI-created deepfakes, which bad actors can use to mimic real people on video and voice calls, have already led to cyber breaches and an increase in sophisticated impersonation attacks. I always ask them to show their ID on video. Thats it. It has to match your face," Infante said. With deepfakes and remote work, it gets pretty easy if youre not careful to hire a North Korean spy." To root them out, Infante said shes suspicious of resumes that seem too good to be true. They also tend to have education listed in countries like Malaysia or Singapore, but work experience only in the United States. Some resumes may contain phone numbers that are voice over internet protocol technology, or VoIP, which dont require contracting with a cellular provider like Verizon or AT&T. Job candidates who lack an online presence also raise eyebrows. Infante said she also puts applicants through an automated identity verification before a conversation, and verifies their education credentials. Since the start of the generative AI boom nearly two years ago, the cyber sector has been on high alert for an increase in AI-aided hacks and cybercrime. While the technology has given hackers a head start, 85% of surveyed cybersecurity professionals say it will aid their work in the long-term, Clar Russo, CEO of ISC2, said at Thursdays event. Write to Belle Lin at belle.lin@wsj.com Weekly Tech Recap: Amidst the whirlwind of news that comes through the week, it can be hard to keep up with the week's top tech stories. In order to keep you up to date with the latest trends making headlines in the world of technology, we have put together the Weekly Tech Recap, a comprehensive look at the top 5 stories of the week. 1) DuckDuckGo makes using AI chatbots more secure: Privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo will now allow its users to anonymously access popular AI chatbots such as OpenAI's ChatGPT (based on GPT-3.5), Anthropic's Claude 3 Haiku, Mixtra 8x7B and Meta Llama 3 for free. The new feature aims to help people harness the power of generative AI, while also addressing privacy concerns that users may have when using these chatbots. The new feature, called AI Chat, is free to use with a daily limit and can be turned off if needed. DuckDuckGo says it also plans to introduce a paid tier with a higher daily usage limit and more AI models. 2) Meta AI comes to WhatsApp business: Social media giant Meta announced this week that it is rolling out Meta AI for WhatsApp business accounts in India. The new features aim to enable businesses to use their resources more efficiently. AI tools help businesses on WhatsApp better assist their customers and help them discover new products they may be interested in. Were training AI to respond to the most popular questions businesses receive on WhatsApp, so they can quickly help customers find the answers theyre seeking" Meta wrote about the new feature in its blogpost. Moreover, Meta is also bringing Meta Verified functionality to WhatsApp business apps in Brazil, India, Indonesia and Colombia. 3) Google Maps will no longer store users' real-time location: Google Maps announced a major change to how it handles users' location data, storing the important information right on the users' device instead of taking it to its servers. After the new change, Google Maps will allow users to get a comprehensive record of their whereabouts, including places visited and dining spots frequented. The shift towards storing data locally on devices is touted as a proactive measure to empower users with greater control over their personal information. 4) Instagram starts testing a trial reels feature: Instagram is reportedly testing a new reel feature that will allow creators to test their reels without having them show up on their profiles. According to the latest report from TechCrunch, Instagram has begun global testing of the new 'Trial Reels' feature, which hasn't yet made its way into the stable version of the app. The new Trial Reels feature is reportedly designed to help users test their content without the pressure to perform. According to the TechCrunch report, the Trial Reels feature was originally part of Instagram's 'Experiment Mode' and was first spotted by reverse engineer Alessandro Puluzzi in April this year. 5) HTC may be making a comeback with U12 series: HTC has confirmed the launch of its new smartphones in Taiwan on June 12. Although the company hasn't officially revealed the design, specifications or name of the device, rumours suggest that the phone could be part of the much-talked-about HTC U24 series. The two smartphones, the HTC U24 and the HTC U24 Pro, will first be launched in Taiwan, and it's not clear when these devices will make their presence felt in India and other global markets. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. 3.6 Crore Indians visited in a single day choosing us as India's undisputed platform for General Election Results. Explore the latest updates here! Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed an executive order Friday directed at improving the states foster care system. Littles order directs the Department of Health and Welfare to take a variety of steps to: build partnerships with nonprofit providers, promote and reduce barriers to adoption of children in the welfare system, seek opportunities to increase the number of foster families, promote early intervention programs to keep children out of the welfare system, improve inter-agency coordination and embed family-centered decision-making into rules. There is no category of children more in need of protection than those in the child welfare system, Little said in a new release. Through no fault of their own, children in foster care in Idaho face enormous challenges. They need our support, and so do the foster families who step up to care for them, love them, and provide them safety. The Promoting Families and Protecting Children Act will accelerate the improvements we know we need to address in our child welfare system in Idaho. The governors action comes on the heels of a flurry of action on child welfare the new health agency director made in his first couple of days on the job. Health and Welfare Director Alex Adams put in place and recommended new rules on foster care and told the Board of Health and Welfare on Wednesday that improving the system was his No. 1 priority. New Health and Welfare director focused on improving Idahos foster system Adams joined Little while the governor signed the executive order Friday, and said it was a step in the right direction. Theres not one thing that will fully solve this, its going to take all of us, including those prospective foster parents opening their homes to these children to make a difference today, Adams said in a video recorded Friday. Idaho will celebrate free fishing day today with kid-oriented celebrations from 9 a.m. to noon at four north central Idaho locations. During free fishing day, people dont need licenses to wet a line. It is celebrated across the country. Idaho holds a Free Fishing Day every year and Washington holds free fishing weekend. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador signed a letter with 19 Republican counterparts asking the American Bar Association to drop its diversity and inclusion standards for law schools. DEI efforts implemented in the schools direct their administrators to violate both the Constitution and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin, the states argued. The letter comes a year after the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in a lawsuit against Harvard University that dictated students must be considered based on their experiences as an individual and not on their race. The decision led higher institutions to stop affirmative action policies, and many states since then have passed laws restricting DEI programs. In Utah, a bill restricting DEI programs in public institutions is scheduled to become effective July 1. Under that law, all public Utah schools are required to make all programs and resources available to everyone regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation, among other identity traits. The diversity and inclusion standard of the American Bar Association, which is under revision, seemingly asks law schools to defy the Courts clear directive. In its current form, the Standard all but compels law schools to consider race in both the admissions and employment contexts, according to the letter led by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. The standard establishes that law schools should demonstrate by concrete action a commitment to diversity and inclusion by providing full opportunities for the study of law and entry into the profession by members of underrepresented groups, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, and a commitment to having a student body that is diverse with respect to gender, race, and ethnicity. The same diversity and inclusion commitment should also be extended to faculty and staff. A 19-year-old Lewiston man was sentenced to 3-5 years in prison, where he will also receive treatment after being charged with felony domestic battery. Cole A. Shoffitt was sentenced Wednesday by 2nd District Judge Mark Monson at the Nez Perce County Courthouse. He was given retained jurisdiction for one year to do a rider program, in which he will receive treatment. Shoffitt was charged for striking and/or pushing and/or throwing a victim to the ground, according to court documents. This editorial was published in The Columbian of Vancouver, Wash. According to various estimates, electricity demand in the United States is expected to increase by at least 30% over the next decade. Extreme weather is increasing the use of air conditioning in the summer and heating systems in the winter; electric vehicles require charging; and the digital revolution, which includes high-tech data centers and countless hand-held devices, adds to the strain on an aging and outdated electrical grid. That calls for action, such as the Biden administrations recent announcement of the Federal-State Modern Grid Deployment Initiative in conjunction with 21 states, including Washington. The goal is to help drive grid adaptation quickly and cost-effectively to meet the challenges and opportunities that the power sector faces. As media outlet States Newsroom explains: In exchange for federal technical and financial assistance opportunities, participating states will prioritize efforts that support the adoption of modern grid solutions to expand grid capacity and build modern grid capabilities on both new and existing transmission and distribution lines. The importance of the effort can be seen in Washington. Our state has made great strides in developing alternative energy, working to supplant fossil fuels with wind and solar energy. State government has promoted electric vehicles and raised awareness of climate change. But regardless of how the electricity is generated, those efforts can be undermined if customers are unable to access it because of an unreliable grid. The missing Palouse toddler is likely with her father, who is believed to have fled to Mexico. The Pullman Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are still looking into the disappearance of 2-year-old Seraya Aung Harmon, according to a news release Friday by the department. She was last seen May 29 with her father, 21-year-old Aaron Aung of Moscow. Seraya was expected to be returned to her mother in Pullman on Monday but never showed, according to the news release. It was initially believed Aaron Aung had traveled to Montana after being observed purchasing camping gear and a Montana map book. Israel rescues four hostages in operation Palestinian officials say killed more than 200 people Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. In the four decades since the first Oliver Goldsmith Literary Festival came into being the organisers have rarely had to pick themselves up after a fall. The annual celebration of Longford's most significant literary figure is a catalogue of astonishing contributions by internationally renowned individuals, in the many forms the gathering has taken over the years. The 2024 event was officially opened by Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin at The Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule, last Friday (May 31). On an evening of glorious sunshine Abbeyshrule was a hive of activity in anticipation of the official opening ceremony. This years festival theme was Nothing he did not adorn a reference to the writer's ability to transform the everyday into the transcendent. The 2024 iteration saw the Oliver Goldsmith Festival turn 40. To mark the auspicious milestone the committee lined up a programme that included a range of discussions, a bus tour of Goldsmith Country and a live theatrical performance. Discovery and reflection, The Oliver Goldsmith Festival chairman Arthur Conlon said was the focus of the event, Discovery of what Goldsmith was writing about, and through that, discovering about ourselves, as a people, and as a country. Mr Conlon said the writer's words offer a key to unlocking who we are as Irish people. In his opening address Tanaiste Micheal Martin acknowledged the voluntary work of the organisers to maintain one of Ireland's most enduring artistic gatherings: This is one of Ireland's longest running literary festivals and it is a tribute to a vibrant community spirit. Congratulations and thanks are due to Seamus McCormack, Brian Conlon, Arthur Conlon, Tony Tiernan, Tom Seary, Joe Farrell, Woody Flanagan and the many, many other volunteers who keep this festival alive and thriving. The Tanaiste said the festival is a reminder of the diverse history and culture of the area and the country as a whole: When Oliver Goldsmith died 250 years ago, he was one of the most famous men of letters of his time. His poems, essays and plays were known throughout these islands as well as much further afield. Deputy Martin noted the legacy of Goldsmith: While he maintained his advanced ability to get into financial trouble and to behave in a highly strung manner, he was undoubtedly one of the great literary figures, not just during his life, but in the two and a half centuries since his death. He said the lessons the writer offers span centuries: The Protestant community, which Goldsmith came from, has consistently made unique and positive contributions, both at home and in introducing Ireland to a wider world. The building of a shared future for all on our island is a defining challenge of our time. And absolutely central to this is for us to include different traditions and histories within how we define Irishness. In concluding his address the Tanaiste said: Oliver Goldsmith is also a reminder that change and evolution has always been part of our society. He wrote at a time of accelerating change in society, in education, in economics and in politics. He could see this change taking place before him and anticipated much more to come. In his address Goldsmith scholar and Committee Member, Prof Michael Griffin from the University of Limerick, noted this year marks two Goldsmith anniversaries: the 250 anniversary of his death at aged 45 and the 40th anniversary of the Festival. Prof Griffin spoke of the significance of the occasion: It is fitting that the two dates align. These are two very auspicious anniversaries for Goldsmith aficionados. One of the nation's most illustrious writers, a writer who managed to write one piece of genius in each of the genres he wrote in, he said. The academic recalled the writer's final days: When asked if his mind was at ease, he replied No, it is not. He died around 4am on the morning of Monday April 4. There was not enough money for a proper funeral and Goldsmith's friends funded a monument to be placed in Westminster Abbey. The writer's final resting place progressively became more anonymous until 2004 when the Goldsmith Festival Committee commissioned a plaque to honour the literary giant's final resting place. The keynote speaker at the opening ceremony was Irish Times journalist and author Justine McCarthy, who presented an address entitled: Ireland, I hardly knew you. In the course of the weekend leading literary academics Prof Aileen Douglas and Prof Ian Campbell from Trinity College Dublin and Dr James Ward of Ulster University explored Goldsmiths scholarship and impact at a session in the Goldsmith Room at Ballymahon Library on Saturday. Another highlight was the popular Goldsmith Live session in Skellys Courtyard, Ballymahon, on Saturday, which included a performance of The Misadventures of Oliver Goldsmith, written and performed by Michael J Ford, and colleagues. The festival wound up on Sunday at Goldsmiths birthplace in Pallas with poetry readings from the winning entrants of the Goldsmith Poetry competitions adjudicated by Eugene OConnell and Mary Melvin Geoghegan. Chairman Arthur Conlon thanked all who assisted in ensuring the longevity of the festival: Our festival has stood the test of time, expanding from under an academic cloak to make Goldsmiths writings accessible and relevant to todays diverse and modern audiences. Maintaining an event of this type for 40 years is not easy and takes a dedicated committee and the support of local agencies and sponsors. We are grateful to Longford and Westmeath County Councils, Longford Arts Office, and our poetry sponsors, Nally Bros, Ballymahon. Derek Scanlon has stepped down as CEO of Longford disability service provider St Christophers Services. Mr Scanlon commented on his decision, I have decided to step away from my role as CEO with St Christophers as I have fought for proper funding for the Service for the past seven years that battle needs new energy at this stage. I will miss each and every Service User. The Board of St Christophers Services ,made the announcement today (Saturday, June 8) that Derek Scanlon, who has served as CEO of the organisation since July 2017, has decided to step down from his post. St Christophers will now seek to appoint a new CEO to fill Mr Scanlons shoes. The competition for a successor is expected to begin soon. Also read: Palpable fear as Longford's St Christophers running a 4.4 million deficit The Board of Directors of St Christophers stated, The entire Board of St Christophers are very sorry to see Derek go at this juncture in his tenure as CEO, but we fully understand his reasons for making this decision. "Derek has always fought from his first day in the post to ensure increased funding for our Service and for the enhancement of the lives of the Service Users, that we serve. His contribution to the Service will be long remembered. "Dereks contribution to St Christophers has been enormous. Derek was also instrumental in securing wage increases for employees in 2021 that had seen no pay rises since 2013. "His legacy as a talented and energetic campaigner for St Christophers and disabilities in Ireland is to be admired and the new facilities that he has helped develop for day and residential services are considered state of the art and amongst the best in Ireland. "We appreciate and acknowledge all of his efforts and hard work and wish him and his family all the best in the future. Also read: WRC talks yield possible end to pay dispute at Longford's St Christophers Services In the latest issue of pamphlets released by al Qaedas central as-Sahab media entitled This is Gaza: A War of Existence, Not a War of Borders, Sayf al-Adl, believed to be al Qaedas current overall emir, calls on supporters around the world to migrate to Afghanistan. In doing so, this offers the most clear and open call for foreigners to join al Qaedas ranks in Afghanistan since the Taliban captured the country in 2021. Adls message thus acts to officially pronounce Afghanistan as a safe-haven for al Qaeda and its future plans. Adl, writing under the pseudonym Salim al-Sharif, plainly states that the loyal people of the Ummah [worldwide Islamic community] interested in change must go to Afghanistan, learn from its conditions, and benefit from their [the Talibans] experience. In making this call for hijrah [migration], Adl uses the current war in Gaza as a catalyst to encourage people to travel to Afghanistan to gain training, experience, and knowledge before undertaking attacks against so-called Zionist and Western targets around the world. For instance, in the pamphlet, Adl warns that the continuation of the genocide [in Gaza] calls for the Islamic peoples to strike all Zionist interests (both Western and Jewish) in all Islamic lands. He continues with that this strike must be a painful one as we are too late in doing what is required of us. He goes on to say that the appropriate reaction to the enemies crimes is with action, not with words, with Adl saying that 9/11, the resulting War in Afghanistan, and the October 7 invasion of Israel were all great examples of taking action against the enemy. Adl also praises and encourages sleeper cells in Western countries, as these act as a deterrent force against further Western crimes. Further lamenting these alleged crimes of the West, Adl then states that Muslims should look to the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan (IEA) as heroes and as a model to build future Islamic states. The IEA, or the Talibans government in Afghanistan, has perfected running various processes and institutions in governing an Islamic state according to Adl. Answering the age-old question of who is the real enemy for al Qaeda, be it local, regional, or international targets, Adl answers that enemies exist at each level. As such, al Qaedas response to the ongoing war in Gaza, according to Adl, will vary and take place in manners appropriate to each partys role in the conflict. In doing so, Adl implies al Qaeda will take military action across all three levels to avenge Gaza. It is through these varied responses, in what is particularly referred to as special operations in the West, that Adl makes the argument that Muslims living in the West should be advised to leave and migrate to Islamic lands, particularly Afghanistan, to avoid being in the crossfire. Muslims coming from the West are then also encouraged to support the IEA with their wealth once migrating to Afghanistan. In an ostensible message to al Qaedas various branches around the world, Adl also stresses the need that we communicate and exchange military experiences and that in al Qaedas various fields of conflict, we must also support one another. Though not particularly detailed, this line likely refers to ongoing communication and guidance between al Qaedas central leadership and the various branches on current strategy. Al Qaedas current status in Afghanistan Adl is thought to have succeeded Ayman al Zawahiri, al Qaedas last emir who was killed in a U.S. drone strike on a Taliban safe house in the Afghan capital of Kabul. The safe house was managed by a lieutenant of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the IEA minister of interior and one of the Talibans two deputy emirs. Sirajuddins powerful Haqqani Network is listed as a Foreign Terrorist Organization for its close ties to al Qaeda. Sirajuddin and many of his top lieutenants are also labeled as Specially Designated Global Terrorists by the U.S. Neither al Qaeda nor the Taliban acknowledged Zawahiris death. The Taliban does not want to provide evidence of its close relationship with al Qaeda to avoid international condemnation. Al Qaeda does not want to bring condemnation on its Taliban host, nor does it want to draw attention to the fact that its new leader, Adl, is based in Iran. Al Qaeda has established a significant amount of infrastructure in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized control of the country in August 2021, according to reports by the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team. Additionally, the relationship between the Taliban and Al-Qaida remains close, the Monitoring Team reported. Al Qaeda operates training camps in 10 of Afghanistans 34 provinces. The camps are operational in the provinces of Badghis, Helmand, Ghazni, Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Parwan, Uruzgan, and Zabul. An al Qaeda leader known as Hakim al Masri is is responsible for the training camps and conducting suicide bomber training for TTP, or the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, an ally of al Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban. In the central Afghan province of Panjshir, the former bastion of the anti-Taliban National Resistance Front, al Qaeda has established a new base to stockpile weaponry. In the provinces Laghman, Kunar, Nangarhar, Nuristan and Parwan, al Qaeda is operating five madrasas, or religious schools. Al Qaeda also maintains safe houses in Herat, Farah, Helmand, and Kabul provinces, according to the Monitoring Team. Al Qaeda maintains safe houses in Herat, Farah and Helmand to facilitate the movement [of members] between Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran. One al Qaeda safe house in Kabul was exposed in July 2022, when the U.S. killed Zawahiri. Both Adl and his deputy, Abd al Rahman al Maghrebi, are believed to have traveled from Iran into Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the country. Other senior al Qaeda leaders are known to be based in Afghanistan. Abdul Haq al Turkistani, the leader of the Turkistan Islamic Party who is also a member of al Qaedas leadership council, is known to operate in Afghanistan. Osama Mahmood, the leader of al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, is ensconced in the country. Amin al Haq, Osama bin Ladens former security chief, made a triumphant return to Afghanistan from Pakistan soon after the Taliban seized the country. Abu Ikhlas al Masri, a top military commander who was imprisoned at Bagram until the Taliban opened the gates to the jail, has reestablished his military units. Abdul Rahman al-Ghamdi serves as a liaison to Adl and Maghrebi when they travel to and from Afghanistan. Al Qaedas infrastructure and safe haven within Afghanistan gives the terror group the opportunity to capitalize on Adls call for its supporters to migrate to the country. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of The Long War Journal. Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa. Coding can be its own reward. If theres a dad in your life who loves to build his own programs, this instant download of Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 can give him a full coding suite at a special price, through the end of June 10th. Compatible with Windows 10 and up, Windows Server Core 2016 and later, and Windows Server 2016 (Datacenter and Standard) and above, Microsoft Visual Studio has a 64-bit IDE designed for cross-platform coding. It automatically supports C++, Blazor, .NET, and other languages and frameworks. It works with Linux as well, so you wont need to change your testing and debugging workflow. Rated 5/5 on Microsoft Choice Software, it also comes with a full suite of handy tools, such as the IntelliCode smart code assistant, the recent history tool CodeLens, Live Share to collaborate with fellow programmers in real-time, and support for multiple languages for international projects. Make Fathers Day nerdy with this Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 instant download for $39.97, $460 off the $499 MSRP, now through 11:59 PM PST on June 10th. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for Windows $39.97 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Pullmans first and only public charter school will close after its last day next Friday. Pullman Community Montessoris board of trustees unanimously voted in a meeting Monday not to appeal the Washington State Charter School Commissions decision to revoke the schools charter, Board Chairperson Robin McDonald said. It was a really devastating moment, McDonald said. We gave it our best shot, and no one ever stopped trying until we voted. ... But we felt it was the financially responsible thing to do. Commissioners voted to close the Montessori during a special meeting in Olympia last week. The choice was made ultimately because the school lacked the funds to operate. The Montessori expected to end the year with 14 days of cash on hand. As a third-year school, it should have a minimum of 60 days cash, according to documents attached to the commissions meeting agenda. The school also anticipated a $500,000 budget deficit for the 2024-25 academic year, according to the documents. McDonald said given its financial position, the Montessori could risk a mid-year closure. There would always be a chance hanging over our heads if there was an unforeseen expense, drop in enrollment or a situation arose, McDonald said. It wouldnt be safe for us to proceed or fair to our families moving forward like that. Another aspect, she added, was additional costs for legal counsel. McDonald said the school would need legal representation to appeal the commissions decision. For travelers seeking a family getaway, or those seeking to get away from family, Massachusetts offers guests an opportunity to experience oceanfront vacations from the North Shore to the Cape and Islands. But with vacation season already underway and summer just a couple weeks away, vacationers may find themselves struggling to find a seaside rental with some already booked until fall. MassLive found several Airbnb beach properties still available for reservation, though many book fast so make your vacation plans quickly. Whether youre interested in wading in the waters of Plymouth or staying in a beachside villa on the outskirts of town, here are five summer vacation destination rentals considered guest favorites along the East Coast. Luxury home, Fairhaven For travelers looking to book a luxurious beach home with a Cape Cod experience, without any of the traffic, this Fairhaven Airbnb may be just right for you. This home is within the top 5% of homes offering private beach access, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, six beds and sleeps up to eight guests, according to the listing. It offers an expansive deck overlooking Buzzards Bay and a fire pit. It is described as perfect for families, and is in proximity of charming towns, such as Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, New Bedford and the ferry to Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket. Amenities include a gas grill, washer, dryer, beach chairs, kayaks, sand toys and a fully stocked kitchen. Local attractions include Fairhaven Town Beach, Cisco Brewery and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The cost to rent this Airbnb starts at $1,062 a night. Top floor penthouse, Bearskin Neck This one-bedroom, one-bathroom penthouse in the heart of downtown Rockport on the North Shore is a guest favorite. Overlooking the ocean from its back patio, this space sleeps up to five guests with one bed and two sofa beds. The rental cost starts at $368 a night, with availability starting in mid-August. A six night booking minimum is required. The property features a large exclusive deck, outdoor setting, a kitchen and living room, views of quintessential New England, and newly renovated bathroom, according to the Airbnb listing. Entire home, Plymouth Guests booking with a group of 10 or more may be interested in renting this five-bedroom home in Plymouth. This home sleeps up to 14 people featuring eight beds, four bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and a heated, indoor pool. Additionally, the space offers a backdoor patio with a fireplace and a deck overlooking the ocean, according to the Airbnb listing. Read more: Protection for underwater haven off Cape Cod in place after years of lawsuits It boasts a 4.9-star rating on Airbnb. The rental rate starts at $732 night, with a two-night minimum with availability for select weeks in June, July and August. Wave Watcher, Scituate This beach house in Scituate offers groups of up to eight a spacious, modern get-away along the coast, according to the listing. Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a front and back deck, this seaside rental is a guest favorite on Airbnb. It is fully furnished with all new furniture, two king beds, bunk beds, two kayaks, two body boards and four beach chairs. The home has a modern feel with large windows, polished hardwood floors, a large living room and laundry room, according to the listing. The rental rate starts at $1,695 a night with a two-night booking minimum and availability for select weeks in June, July and August. Condo, Barnstable This three-bedroom, portside Barnstable condo offers guests an opportunity to discover the allure of Cape Code effortlessly. It is described as spacious and tranquil, according to Airbnb. The condo hosts up to six guests, featuring a cozy, living room space, a kitchen, two bathrooms and three bedrooms. Read more: These 13 Cape Cod restaurants are the summer 2024 top picks from Resy The property also offers beach access. For travelers looking to spend the day strolling Marthas Vineyard, this rental is in proximity of a ferry terminal traveling to the island. The rental fee starts at $439 a night, with availability for select weeks in June, July and August. If youre looking for a good sandy spot to head to Saturday, be wary of a dozen beaches state officials said are closed. Twelve beaches are closed to swimming Saturday. They are located throughout the state, from the Berkshires to Cape Cod, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Healths Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard. The dashboard, which is updated at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. every day in the summer, provides water quality testing results during the beach season. If a beach is closed, do not swim or enter the water at that location to avoid risk of illness, the dashboard says. A majority of the listed beaches are closed because of bacterial exceedance, but the dashboard notes two closures are due to harmful cyanobacteria bloom. The reason for another closure is listed simply as other. The list of beaches closed Saturday includes Mashpee-Wakeby Ponds in Mashpee on the Cape, Beaman Pond in Templeton in Worcester County and Lake Mansfield in Great Barrington in the Berkshires. Cooler weather is forecast Saturday, making swimming less of an ideal prospect for some beachgoers anyway. High temperatures should reach 73 degrees in Hyannis on the Cape, 76 degrees in Boston, 74 degrees in Worcester and 76 degrees in Springfield, according to the National Weather Service. Mainly dry and seasonable weather is expected Saturday. There is a chance of a spot of showers late in the night into Sunday, the weather service says. Readers can access the departments dashboard below to find the full list of current beach closures. MassLive recently asked readers to identify people they consider Black leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference in politics, education, business, the arts or another area of interest. Profiles of these leaders will be published leading up to the Juneteenth holiday on June 19. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change. Derek Craig, CEO of CoFF33 Corp., and founder of Young Coff33 Productions. Photo Courtesy of Fitchburg CreativeFitchburg Creative Derek Craig Age: 36 Community: Fitchburg His story: Derek Craig of Fitchburg has been helping young musicians and performers in his community turn their work into economic opportunities for the past five years. Craig is the CEO and founder of the nonprofit CoFF33 Corp. and founder of Young Coff33 Productions a creative collective providing musicians and artists with the tools, mentoring and collaborative opportunities they need to transform their passion for making music into businesses, according to its website. In addition to his work at Young Coff33 Productions, Craig is the program manager for the Fitchburg Creative Cities Partnership. In this role, Craig has collaborated with the Fitchburg Art Museum, the city of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University and Making Opportunities Count (MOC) to find opportunities where musical artists from Fitchburg can work together and hold events to present their music and talent. My work is crucial as it uplifts the community, promotes artistic expression, and drives economic development, creating a more inclusive and dynamic cultural landscape, Craig said. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Craig said a love for music was always with him, even when he moved away from the Bay State to work in Texas and New Jersey. Upon returning to Massachusetts, Craig said he faced a big challenge he became legally blind after eye surgery. As he learned to adjust to this change in his life, Craig was introduced to the Fitchburg nonprofit NewVue Communities, where he was involved in programs such as community organizing, stewardship and leadership development. It was at NewVue where Craig said he began building relationships and trust within the community. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Craig said he spent time improving his artistic craft, education and leadership skills while staying home with his children. This period was both a blessing and a curse, giving me the rare chance to channel all my energy into my passions, Craig said. In spite of these challenges, Craig said he still seeks to uplift young musicians and artists from marginalized communities by offering them help and the tools they need for success. This work is about more than just being a hip-hop artist, Craig said. Its about being a beacon for others, opening doors and building both economic and community wealth. In his own words: Stay true to your vision and embrace collaboration. Use your unique experiences as sources of strength and inspiration. Persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to learn are key. Were always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form. MassLive recently asked readers to identify people they consider Black leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference in politics, education, business, the arts or another area of interest. Profiles of these leaders will be published leading up to the Juneteenth holiday on June 19. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change. Drew KeatonCourtesy Andrew Keaton Age: 57 Community: Springfield His story: Drew Keatons life and career has seen many iterations from the music industry, to popular TV talk shows, to mentorship of urban and justice system-involved youth. In 2023, he even ran for Springfield City Council. Keaton is the founder and director of Brotherhood on the Move Inc., a nonprofit working to develop, strengthen and empower youth. Hes a cofounder of the Springfield Indie Soul Festival, Springfield Independent Film Festival, Nu Soul Collective, and Organix Soul concert series. Keaton is also a private criminal investigator for Supreme Investigations, and spent 15 years as a prisoner reentry supervisor for the state of Massachusetts. Thats just the tip of Keatons resume. After receiving his bachelors degree in communications and film from St. Thomas Aquinas College, he went into acting, directing, and promoting. He worked for popular shows such as the Montel Williams Show and Maury Povich Show, and was a booking agent for musical artists. In his words: Treat people with respect and dignity and always be sympathetic to every situation that you encounter. Make sure your goals are realistic and shoot for the stars. Always lend a helping hand to those in need and make your ancestors proud for you carry the family name. Were always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form. MassLive recently asked readers to identify people they consider Black leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference in politics, education, business, the arts or another area of interest. Profiles of these leaders will be published leading up to the Juneteenth holiday on June 19. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change. Erika Slocumb is the Director of Interpretation and Visitor Experience at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, Connecticut.Erika Slocumb Erika Slocumb Age: 37 Community: Longmeadow and Holyoke Her story: A native of Springfield, Erika Slocumb became interested in telling what she described as a richer history of Western Massachusetts Black residents as a Black Studies graduate student. She then worked to go through the archives at Wistariahurst, a historic house museum in Holyoke, alongside friends and colleagues Cheryl OConnell, Kate Preissler and Penni Martorell to recover the history of the citys Black residents. Working with volunteers and other community members, Slocumb was able to conduct oral history interviews that she said brought the history she found in the archives to life. For the past seven years, she has built on that work reshaping, reframing and retelling the history of Black Holyoke. Through a series of exhibits, lectures and community discussions, we have brought this history to the community, Slocumb said, adding she continues to uncover stories about Holyoke, and other communities across New England. Now, Slocumb works as the director of interpretation at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, Connecticut. The centers mission is to encourage social justice and literary activism by exploring the legacy of its namesake, the author of Uncle Toms Cabin, according to its website. There, she is working to reinterpret the history of Stowe and the Black folks who influenced her in Hartford, Connecticut, nationally and internationally. In her words: Networking is important, especially with folks who are in the field and job position that you want to be in. Were always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form. A man convicted for his role in the stabbing deaths of two Dartmouth College professors in New Hampshire has been released from prison. James Parker was 16 at the time of his conviction stemming from the 2001 deaths of Half and Susanne Zantop in Hanover, New Hampshire. He was granted parole in April. Parkers attorney, Cathy Green, said Friday that Parker has been released with a condition of a no contact order with the Zantop family. Parker pleaded guilty years ago to being an accomplice to second-degree murder and served a little less than the minimum of his sentence of 25 years to life. Parker said during a parole hearing earlier this year that what he did was unimaginably horrible and there is not an amount of time or things that I can do to change it, or alleviate any pain that Ive caused. More than two decades ago, Parker and Robert Tulloch, then 17, wanted to move to Australia and devised a scheme to rob the Zantops of their credit cards and ATM information and kill them. Parker and Tulloch fatally stabbed the Zantops and fled with $340 and a list of numbers. They were arrested at an Indiana truck stop weeks later. Tulloch pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a mandatory sentence of life without parole but was later scheduled for resentencing. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to sentence juvenile offenders to mandatory life imprisonment without parole. Susanne Zantop, 55, and Half Zantop, 62, were German-born academics. Susanne was head of Dartmouths German studies department and Half taught Earth sciences. Veronika Zantop, one of the Zantops two daughters, said in an email to The Associated Press in April that she misses her parents and is deeply sad for everything they and we have missed out on. She also said she wishes Parker and his family the best and hope that they can heal. Firefighters rescued a construction worker who fell from a church steeple in Boston early Saturday, according to authorities. The man was working a construction job around 8:30 a.m. Saturday when he fell roughly 20 feet from the top of the steeple of the church at 85 Seaverns Ave. in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of the city, the Boston Fire Department said in a post to X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. The department led a high angle rescue, according to the departments post. Firefighters were able to remove the man from a height of around 50 feet using a ladder. The construction worker was safely treated and stabilized, the department said. The address of the steeple is that of the Hope Central Church, according to its website. This story was updated at 4:30 p.m. June 8 to add comments from Barnstable County Sheriff Donna Buckley. A corrections officer was charged with assaulting a former inmate at the Barnstable County jail last month, prosecutors announced Friday. Gregory Djaoen, 38, of New Bedford, was arrested by Massachusetts State Police over accusations he assaulted a person who was previously incarcerated at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility, Cape and Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois office said in a statement. Troopers in the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit were notified around 5:15 p.m. Sunday of a possible assault and battery at the jail. Investigators were told a person who was previously incarcerated at the facility reported being assaulted by Djaoen, a deputy corrections officer at the Barnstable County Sheriffs Office, on May 25 and May 26, according to the district attorneys offices statement. There is a security video that helped with the investigation, the statement said. The charges stem from an investigation led by the State Police Detective Unit, according to the district attorneys office. These charges concern an individual entrusted to the care and custody of the Barnstable County Correctional Facility and, if proven to be true, stand in stark contrast to the faithful service of the good men and women who so honorably represent the Barnstable County Sheriffs Office every day. Barnstable County Sheriff Donna Buckley said in a statement. Prior to the referral of this matter to the State Police and District Attorney, Djaoen was removed from inmate contact and placed on leave, Buckleys statement said. Djaoen is expected to be arraigned in Falmouth District Court on Monday on one count of assault, two counts of assault and battery, one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of intimidation of a witness, the district attorneys office said. The district attorney contacted New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira to request Djaoens license to carry a gun be immediately and indefinitely suspended in light of the charges, the statement added. A Maine State Police trooper shot and killed a man during a confrontation in Hiram on Friday, authorities said. Trooper Zachary Fancy responded to a report of possible domestic violence at a home at 16 Aaron Drive in Hiram on Friday. Upon arriving at the house and going inside, he was confronted by a man who allegedly pointed a gun at him, according to a statement from the Maine Department of Public Safety. Fancy fired his gun, striking the man, who was later pronounced dead at the scene, the statement said. The man was identified as Steven Nelson, 39, of Hiram, according to the department. The trooper was placed on administrative leave, which is standard practice following any officer-involved shooting in Maine, the department noted. The Office of the Attorney General will investigate the law enforcement use of force and the Maine State Police Major Crimes South will complete a criminal investigation, the statement. We know this much is true: Heavily Democratic Massachusetts might be an afterthought in the 2024 presidential election. But as some of the states top elected officials entertain thoughts of running for re-election in two years, or run for re-election this fall, a new UMass Amherst/WCVB-TV poll provides a window into the mood of Bay State voters. Here are three big numbers from the poll of 700 of your friends and neighbors, and what they tell us. Gov. Maura Healey: More than 18 months into her first time, state residents mostly are still feeling pretty good about the Arlington Democrat, despite some economic rough waters and the twin migrant and housing crises that are not going away anytime soon. A clear majority of respondents (54%) said they approve of Healeys job performance, according to the poll. Thats just a 4-point dip from last October and a 3-point decrease from April 2023, UMass pollster Tatishe Nteta said. The honeymoon does not seem to be over, for Healey just yet, Nteta said, noting shes maintained it despite the twin housing and migrant crises (more on that in a minute), and the controversy over Healey appointing her onetime partner to the states highest court. And as Healey mulls a 2026 reelection bid she can rest assured that she remains a popular figure in the Bay State, Nteta added. But before that happens Healey has some work to do among core members of the Democratic coalition: Young people, where her support has declined since last October. Whether this is a trend remains to be seen, but moving forward she may want to focus more attention on her core constituencies to protect against any challenges from within her party in 2026 and beyond, Nteta said. Families sleeping at Boston's Logan Airport on Monday, March 11, 2024.Luis Fieldman The Migrant Crisis The good news for Healey and her Democratic allies in the Legislature is that voters agree that congressional Republicans and President Joe Biden are most to blame for the nations current predicament on immigration. The Democratic governor has argued for months now that the state is doing all it can to handle and provide services for an ongoing influx of migrants. But with the cost of the states emergency shelter system expected to soar past $900 million a year for the next two years, and with lawmakers approving hundreds of millions of dollars in supplemental funding, poll respondents arent letting Healey entirely off the hook. Nearly half of the polls respondents (48%) said Healey has handled the migrant crisis not too well, or not well at all. And with Congress unlikely to do anything at all to address immigration before Election Day this November, Healey and the [state] Legislature "may need to propose bold solutions to the problem or face the wrath of voters at the ballot box in 2024 and beyond, Nteta said. Even so, just 16% of the polls respondents listed immigration as their most important issue this election season. The economy and concerns about the health of American democracy tied at the top of the list at 22%, the poll showed. And despite statewide headlines focused on pro-Palestinian encampments at the Bay States colleges and universities, only 4% of respondents listed Israels ongoing war with the terrorist group Hamas as their top issue, the poll showed. Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton talks to voters (Photo courtesy Deaton campaign).Submitted Photo The U.S. Senate Race Three Republicans: Swansea lawyer John Deaton, Quincy City Council President Ian Cain, and conservative activist Robert Antonellis all are vying for the chance to run against Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, of Cambridge, in November. While Antonellis appears to have a solid base of committed supporters, Bay Staters still have no clear favorite among the Republican aspirants, with more than two-thirds of respondents (67%) saying theyre undecided. Six months before Election Day, the poll shows Warren handily defeating each of her Republican challengers in hypothetical, head-to-head matchups. With Warren polling ahead of [President Joe] Biden in terms of favorability, being competitive in November will likely be an uphill climb no matter which candidate wins the nomination, UMass political science professor Alexander Theodoridis said. The poll was conducted from May 17 to May 30, with a margin of error of 4.4%. June marks Pride Month here in the commonwealth! To kick it off, this week my team and I went to both the pride flag raising here in Westfield and at the State House. I am looking forward to joining community members at festivities all across the district this month in celebration! I started off my week by visiting two of our schools here in Westfield on Monday. In the morning, I attended Career Week at the Franklin Avenue Elementary School, where I spoke to students about my work previously as a lawyer, my service in the military, and the honor that I have as serving as your state senator. Later that afternoon, I paid a visit to Westfield High School, where I had the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Dargies Current Issues class. It was great speaking with these students who have demonstrated such a strong interest in civics engagement. Thank you, Mr. Dargie, for having me back in your class, and Im already looking forward to a visit next school year! On Tuesday, I was over at Highland Elementary to discuss with teachers, educational experts and representatives from the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education about how the commonwealth can address the literacy skills gaps that is affecting so many students across our state. Highland Elementary School has been participating in pilot program this school year to help those students who have fallen behind on these critical skills by providing one-on-one tutoring. As someone who knows what it is like to struggle in school at a young age, I truly appreciate all that is being done to support all of our students. On 22 May 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified of a laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus (clade 2.3.2.1a) by the International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) of Australia. This is the first confirmed human infection caused by avian influenza A(H5N1) virus detected and reported by Australia. Although the source of exposure to the virus in this case is currently unknown, the exposure likely occurred in India, where the case had travelled, and where this clade of A(H5N1) viruses has been detected in birds in the past. According to the IHR (2005), a human infection caused by a novel influenza A virus subtype is an event that has the potential for high public health impact and must be notified to the WHO. Based on available information, WHO assesses the current risk to the general population posed by this virus as low. Description of the situation On 17 May 2024, the WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC) for Reference and Research on Influenza in Australia notified the NFP of Australia of a suspected case of human A(H5N1) avian influenza (HPAI) in Melbourne, Victoria. The state Victorian Department of Health confirmed this case on 18 May 2024. Under Article 44, the NFP of Australia advised the NFP of India of the confirmed case on 21 May 2024. Under Article 8, the IHR NFP of Australia notified WHO of the case on 22 May 2024. The case is a 2.5-year-old-female child with no underlying conditions. She had a history of travel to Kolkata, India from 12 to 29 February 2024. She returned to Australia on 1 March 2024. Upon returning to Australia, the child presented at a hospital in Victoria on 2 March 2024, where she received medical care and was admitted on the same day. On 4 March, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit at a referral hospital in Melbourne, Victoria, due to worsening symptoms, for a period of one week. The patient was discharged from hospital after a 2.5-week admission. The case is now reported to be clinically well. The Victorian Department of Health reported on 23 May 2024 that the family advised that the child started to feel unwell on 25 February 2024, with loss of appetite, irritability and fever, and was taken to a doctor on the evening of 28 February 2024 in India. She was febrile, coughing and vomiting and was given paracetamol. It was not reported to an Australian airport biosecurity officer that the child was unwell when she arrived in Australia on 1 March 2024. Additional information provided by the family indicates that the case did not travel outside of Kolkata, India, and did not have any known exposure to sick persons or animals while in India. It is understood that no close family contacts of the case in Australia or India developed symptoms, as of 22 May 2024. A nasopharyngeal swab and endotracheal aspirate taken on 6 and 7 March respectively tested positive for influenza A at the referral hospital. The samples were sent to the WHO CC for further characterisation on 3 April as part of a batch, as there was insufficient knowledge from the referring practitioners at the hospital to connect the case to the H5N1 virus. Virus genetic sequence obtained from the samples confirmed the subtype A(H5N1) and indicated that the haemagglutinin (HA) gene belonged to clade 2.3.2.1a, which circulates in South-East Asia and has been detected in previous human infections and in poultry. Epidemiology Animal influenza viruses normally circulate in animals but can also infect humans. Infections in humans have primarily been acquired through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. Depending on the original host, influenza A viruses can be classified as avian influenza, swine influenza, or other types of animal influenza viruses. Avian influenza virus infections in humans may cause disease ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infection to more severe disease and can be fatal. Conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal symptoms, encephalitis and encephalopathy have also been reported. There have also been several detections of A(H5N1) virus in asymptomatic persons who had exposure to infected birds. Laboratory tests are required to diagnose human infection with influenza. WHO periodically updates technical guidance protocols for the detection of zoonotic influenza using molecular methods, e.g., RT-PCR. Evidence suggests that some antiviral drugs, notably neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir), can reduce the duration of viral replication and improve prospects of survival in some cases. From 2003 to 22 May 2024, 891 cases of human infections with avian influenza A(H5N1), including 463 deaths, have been reported to WHO from 24 countries. Almost all of these cases have been linked to close contact with infected live or dead birds, or contaminated environments. India has reported detections of avian influenza A(H5N1) in domestic birds in 2024 to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). As the virus continues to circulate in poultry, the potential for further sporadic human cases remains. This is the first human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) reported in Australia. In this case, the exposure likely occurred in India where this clade of A(H5N1) viruses has been detected in birds in the past, although the likely source of exposure to the virus is currently unknown. Following the recent release of the Prospectus of Emtel Limited (Emtel) for the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of its shares allowing all Mauritians and the general public to become shareholders of Emtel and be part of the major player in telecommunications and technology, M.C.B. Stockbrokers Limited (MCBSB or MCB Capital Markets), the Sponsoring Broker, will be present across selected Emtel showrooms over the coming weekends (8-9 June and 15-16 June). The public is invited to meet the team at the showrooms of Emtel at the following shopping malls; Grand Baie La Croisette, Bagatelle Mall, Cascavelle Shopping Mall, and Tribeca Mall to learn more about this offer which will close on 21st June 2024. The MCB Capital Markets team will be on hand to help the public by providing more information and assisting those interested in subscribing to the shares of Emtel to complete their applications on the spot. The event includes demystifying and simplifying investment concepts and learning more about potential benefits (and the associated risks and considerations) of investing in stock markets or equities ensuring Mauritians and residents are better informed of their investment decisions. These interactive events provide a unique opportunity for the public to learn about this exciting investment prospect. As a summary, Emtel is providing the opportunity to its staff, customers and the general public to become shareholders of the company and is offering up to 113,850,000 ordinary shares at a price of MUR 23.00 per share (subject to a minimum investment of 1,000 shares). Projected dividend yield for the year ending 31 December 2024 is 5.4% and is expected to grow to 6.7% and 7.7% in 2025 and 2026 respectively. This IPO is a chance for citizens to become shareholders in one of Mauritius leading and innovative technological company with a solid history of 35 years starting as a pioneer telecommunications company in the early 1990s and which has now grown into a group valued at more than MUR 12 billion and which is focused on technology. To guide you through the investment process, the MCB Capital Markets team will be on-site at these malls, ready to answer your questions and provide assistance on the subscription process. Mark your calendars for the weekends of June 8-9 and June 15-16, from 10.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs (Saturdays) and 10.00 hrs to 16.00 hrs (Sundays) and ensure you have the following documents on you to be able to complete your subscriptions on the spot: Proof of Identity (NIC or Passport), recent Proof of Address (less than 3 months old CEB or CWA bill) and Proof of Bank Account (bank statement or IBAN). ~ In Loving Memory of Howard Copp ~ Howard Copp, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Kennewick. He was born on Sept. 5, 1934, in LaCrosse, Wash., to Wilbur and Luella Copp, and was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Gerald Copp and Donald Copp. Howard is survived by his loving wife (of 68 years) Martha, his devoted children Linda Meigs (David) and Bryan Copp (Yanling), as well as his four grandchildren Timothy Lokken (Talia), Jamie Blake (Brad), Kelly Lokken (Haley) and Alexandra Copp (Sheldon), and his twin great-grandsons Braden Blake and Jordan Blake, and great-granddaughter Lottie Lokken. Howards journey began in LaCrosse and Hooper, Wash., where he attended school before graduating from LaCrosse High School in 1952. He then pursued his passion for civil engineering, entering Washington State College in the fall of 1952. He earned his bachelors and masters degrees in civil engineering from Washington State University in 1957 and 1960, respectively. Additionally, he attended graduate school at Stanford University from 1963-64. His career as a dedicated educator and civil engineer spanned nearly four decades. Howard joined the faculty of the Department of Civil Engineering at WSU in 1957, where he influenced countless students with his knowledge and passion for his field. He retired in 1996, leaving behind a legacy of academic excellence and mentorship. Throughout his life, Howard faced the challenge of type 1 diabetes, which he bravely battled from the age of 10. Despite countless health setbacks over the years, he faced each obstacle with strength and dignity, never allowing his condition to dim his spirit or deter his determination. About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), the apex regulator of the Insurance Industry released a circular giving guidelines on introduction of portability of Health Insurance / Mediclaim in India. From the 1st of October 2011, India has opened the doors to Health Insurance Portability. Like the name suggests, this allows switching mediclaim policies from one insurer to another, without losing out on coverage due to exclusion. So, if a customer has a policy and wants to switch to another insurer after one year, he/she will be allowed to do so while retaining the benefit of carrying forward the awaiting period served. This is another milestone in the general insurance industry in India. Health insurance portability which was to become applicable earlier in the year is now a reality! So why are we excited? Well, it gives us another opportunity to make our financial planning better by being with the insurer who we think is the best. Industry experts say this move will mean insurance companies improving their service levels, as they try to retain clients and entice clients from other insurers. The initiative to bring in a process and guideline to enable portability is a welcome step by IRDA. The circular released displays great intent on the part of the regulator to free the customer from being stuck with the same insurer, fearing loss of benefits of continuity, thus kick starting a competitive health insurance environment. The Past Before October 1st, if you needed to move to a new health insurance company, you would have to become a new customer for them and lose all the benefits that your existing health insurance policy might have accumulated. For example, the rules dictate that you need to stick around for 1 to 3 years with an insurer before pre existing illnesses can be covered. In case of switching to a new insurer, you would have lost this benefit completely. Pre-existing illnesses would get covered after the mandatory period is over with the new insurer. This has changed from October 1st. The Present Say, you have covered one year with your present insurance company, then you have to wait for only 2 more years with the new insurance company before pre-existing illnesses get covered, thanks to health insurance portability . Advertisement While this is a great move forward for investors, make sure you do due diligence before changing your insurer. The premium amount you pay should not be the only reason for you to move. Keep in mind the following points when initiating a transfer. Only individual and family floater policies can be transferred over. Applicable only to health insurance policies that are issued by non-life insurance companies. The process to move to a new insurer needs to be initiated at least 45 days before the premium renewal date of current policy. Maximum time within which new insurer can ask for more details from you is 7 days. Maximum time within which existing insurer provides information to new insurer is 7 days. Maximum time for new insurer to let you know of its decision is 15 days. The Transfer At least 45 days before your current policys premium has to be paid, you can initiate a transfer. The new insurance company will take 15 days to either accept or reject your request. If you do not hear from them in these 15 days, they cannot reject your transfer request. In these 15 days, the new insurer can come and ask for more information either from you or from your exiting insurer. Advertisement Remember both the sum assured and accumulated bonus can be transferred. But there is a catch when transferring a policy with bonus. Suppose the sum assured of your policy is 2 lacs and you were paying a premium of say Rs 5,000 for it and you accumulated a bonus of Rs 25,000 in the previous two years as there were no claims that you made. So the sum assured with your current insurer is actually Rs 2.25 lakhs . When you transfer this over to a new health insurer, you might have to pay a premium onr Rs 2.25 lakhs and not Rs 2 lakhs. So your premium will be more than Rs 5,000. In short, while you can carry over the no claim bonus, the new premium will be calculated on the new cover. Note that there is no guarantee that the transfer will necessarily happen for sure at the same premium and at the same sum assured. The new insurance company has the right to reject your request. Or accept it with an increased premium. If you have had many claims in the past, it is unlikely that new insurance company will accept you in its fold. Advertisement When you transfer you will need to accept different plan from the new company. Not all health insurance policies are same and all of them offer something different, so make sure when you move, you read the policy wordings on your own to understand what you are signing up for. Since the new insurer will do its own underwriting, you could possibly end up with a higher premium as well. Remember that using health insurance portability just because your premium is steep or because your insurance company rejected your claims is not a wise idea. You need to move if the new policy is suitable for you. Health insurance portability is bound to make insurers compete with each other for delivery of better services and to retain existing clients. This could possibly lead to other advantages for investors. Trusted Source Cochlear implants Go to source Trusted Source #Cochlearimplants offer a revolutionary solution for #hearingloss, providing direct stimulation to the auditory nerve and restoring sound perception for individuals with severe impairment. #hearingimpairment Genetic Condition Necessitates Cochlear Implant Surgery Cochlear implants - (https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cochlear-implants/about/pac-20385021) One-year-old Chander (name changed) from Bangalore recently underwent a successful cochlear implant surgery at SPARSH Hospital, effectively restoring his hearing. Cochlear implants () bypass damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. The implant generates signals that travel through the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound. With advanced medical care, SPARSH Hospital ensures that even the most complex health conditions are effectively managed.Chander's parents brought him to the hospital after noticing he didn't respond to loud sounds. Upon thorough evaluation, it was discovered that he had bilateral profound hearing loss due to genetic factors. Despite his young age, doctors decided to proceed with a cochlear implant surgery to bypass the block in his cochlea, enabling him to perceive sound.The evaluation revealed that while Chanders overall anatomy was normal, a genetic condition affected the cells in his cochlea, hindering his ability to perceive hearing signals. Initially, a hearing aid was tried, but it produced no positive results. Therefore, the decision was made to proceed with a cochlear implant surgery. This small electronic device, consisting of internal and external components, was implanted directly into Chanders cochlea.The surgery was intricate, especially considering Chander's age. The external device, resembling a hearing aid, is operated by the wearer. The internal device required a small 5 cm incision behind the ear to create a pocket in the skull for implant placement. Electrodes were carefully guided into the ear through a bone channel, avoiding the facial nerve. Once securely in place, the external device, either a hearing aid resembling a box or an ear processor, was attached directly to the internal device using a magnet. Despite the challenges, excellent planning and anesthesia care ensured a successful surgery. Chander recovered well, spending a few days in the ward receiving routine antibiotic injections before being discharged on the third day without complications.Commenting on the surgery, Dr. Basharat Nadeem, Consultant Otologist and Cochlear Implant Surgeon at SPARSH Hospital, Infantry Road, Bangalore, said: This procedure may seem simple, but it requires precision. The implant alone constitutes only 30% to 35% of the process; more emphasis should be placed on post-implant speech therapy. The activation of the device, typically occurring three to four weeks post-surgery, marks the beginning of the child's auditory journey. We are happy that post-surgery Chander had no complications and returned to his normal life.Despite his young age, Chander underwent the surgery and received a new lease on life. Our commitment to delivering compassionate and precise medical care ensures better health outcomes for patients of all ages.Source-Medindia Spot It Early, Stop It Cold: Taking Charge of Colorectal Cancer by Dr. Pavithra on Jun 8 2024 2:12 PM Listen to this article 0:00 / 0:00 Lawfare leads to tyranny Following up on Ryan Uries call for all of us to manifest grace to those we disagree with, can we agree that lawfare is unjust and should not occur in this country? We sadly have many ongoing examples of lawfare. There is clearly lawfare in much of what is going on in the prosecutions of President Trump. The Clintons, Bidens and others did similar or even worse and there has been no prosecution. The Jan. 6 prosecution is especially heinous compared to the consequences to protesters in the streets that did millions to billions of dollars in damages, destroying some peoples livelihoods, with minimal consequences. Nine anti-abortionists in Washington, D.C., were given multiple-year prison sentences for blocking access to an abortion clinic. Anti-Semitic demonstrators on campuses did huge amounts of damage, shut down universities, inconvenienced tens of thousands of students, told lies about the Jews and flaunted the basic principles of the United State. It is unlikely that any of them will receive the severity of punishment that the anti-abortionists at the Washington, D.C., abortion clinic received. This is lawfare. If those in power at the moment are allowed to freely practice lawfare to stay in power, then we have already lost this country as a place of the freedoms which we have enjoyed. There is only one real solution to this problem of seismic divisions between worldviews; to pray that God graciously intervenes to restore a genuine desire for truth, mercy and fairness to prevail. When we the governed are willing to allow lawfare, it is only a matter of time before we see tyranny take over. We are at a tipping point; but as Ryan pointed out to us, the choice is still ours to bring about healing. Larry Kirkland Moscow They just dont like the verdict Donald J. Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The prosecution presented detailed evidence that Mr. Trump had concealed payments to a porn star. In addition, the evidence showed that Mr. Trump had an agreement with the National Inquirer to suppress any negative information on Mr. Trump prior to the election. A jury of 12 ordinary United States citizens listened to the testimony and concluded that he was guilty of the charges. That is how our judicial system operates. No one is above the law. The verdict is in. Now you may like the outcome of the trial, or you may not, but that is how our democracy works. Yet many of our elected officials seem not to understand how democracy works. These individuals swear their allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, yet they do not respect the jurors nor the outcome. Rep. Simpson stated that the Democrats have weaponized our judicial system. That is untrue, Representative, you just dont like the outcome. Sen. Risch called it a mock trial that made no attempt at even the appearance of fairness. This is what we expect from third world countries. He didnt like the outcome either. OMAHA BEACH, France (AP) A medal richly deserved but long denied to an African American combat medic wounded on Omaha Beach in the D-Day landings was tenderly laid Friday on the hallowed sands where he saved lives and shed blood. U.S. First Army soldiers held a ceremony in honor of Cpl. Waverly B. Woodson Jr. on the beach where he came ashore and was wounded, and where hundreds of American soldiers were killed by withering fire in the June 6, 1944, landings in Normandy, northern France. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of the U.S. Army and is awarded for extraordinary heroism. The medal was awarded posthumously to Woodson this month just ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day following years of lobbying for more recognition of his achievement on that fateful day. U.S. First Army Maj. Gen. William Ryan gently placed the World War II-era medal on the sand, close to the spot where Woodson is thought to have come ashore on the now-peaceful beach that on D-Day was raked by German machine-gun and artillery rounds before U.S. forces finally captured it and started pushing inland. The soldiers all saluted, still and quiet under blue skies, when U.S. First Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Prosser gave the order to present arms. U.S. First Army historian Capt. Kevin Braafladt explained to the soldiers that the next step would be the medals presentation to Woodsons widow, 95-year-old Joann. It will be given to his family in a ceremony later this summer. We want to be able to say that this medal came from Omaha Beach and was at the site of Woodsons actions, Braafladt said. The soldiers delicately passed the medal from hand-to-hand, feeling its weight and inspecting it. The ceremony moved U.S. First Army Staff Sgt. Aaron Williams, who is Black, to tears. Understanding my position as an African American and to learn about Corporal Woodson and everything he experienced here on Omaha and in Normandy is very touching to me, and to be here in the exact spot, its just historic," Williams said. "Its very, very touching. Woodson was just 21 years old when his First Army unit, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, took part in the Allied operation that helped precipitate Adolf Hitlers downfall 11 months later. Woodsons battalion, the only African American combat unit on Omaha that day, was responsible for setting up high-flying inflatable balloons to prevent enemy planes from buzzing over the beach and attacking the Allied forces. At a time when the U.S. military was still segregated by race, about 2,000 African American troops are believed to have taken part in the D-Day invasion. Woodson died in 2005, at age 83, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His son, 66-year-old Stephen Woodson, fought back tears Friday when The Associated Press described the ceremony to him by phone. Ive got chills, he said. My father is receiving a lot of attention that is long overdue. Its almost beyond words for me to describe how important this is for my family. Waverly Woodson himself spoke to the AP in 1994 about how his landing craft came under intense fire from German gunners as it approached the beach. The tide brought us in, and thats when the 88s hit us, he said of the German 88mm guns. They were murder. Of our 26 Navy personnel there was only one left. They raked the whole top of the ship and killed all the crew. Then they started with the mortar shells, Woodson said in the interview. For the next 30 hours he treated 200 wounded men while under intense small arms and artillery fire before collapsing from his injuries and blood loss, according to accounts of his service. At the time he was awarded the Bronze Star. Although 1.2 million Black Americans served in the military during World War II, none was among the original recipients of the Medal of Honor awarded in the conflict. The Army commissioned a study in the early 1990s to analyze whether Black troops had been unjustly overlooked during an era of widespread racism and segregation in the military. Ultimately, seven Black World War II troops were awarded the Medal of Honor in 1997. ___ Associated Press writer Rebecca Santana in Washington contributed to this report. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code The Rangers are recalling infielder Davis Wendzel from Triple-A Round Rock to give them some infield cover. Corey Seager is day-to-day after leaving Wednesdays game with hamstring soreness. In a corresponding move, outfielder Derek Hill will be designated for assignment. Jeff Wilson of Rangers Today relayed the moves on X. The teams 40-man roster tally drops to 39. Hill is out of options, so Texas couldnt send him back to Triple-A without the DFA. Its an unfortunate situation for the speedster, who gets squeezed out by the need for another infielder. Hill signed a minor league contract over the offseason and was selected onto the MLB roster at the end of May. He appeared in five games, including a pair of starts in right field. Hill went 2-9 with a walk and a stolen base in what marked his fifth year logging MLB time. A first-round pick of the Tigers in 2014, Hill played sporadically with Detroit. He combined for a .240/.291/.339 line in 95 games over parts of three seasons. Hill made a brief appearance with the Nationals a year ago, appearing in 13 games between late June and the early part of July. Hes a plus runner who can play all three outfield positions. He has never provided much in the batters box against MLB pitching though. To his credit, the 28-year-old has been a productive Triple-A hitter. Hill owns a .295/.354/.502 slash in nearly 900 trips at the top minor league level. That includes a robust .333/.387/.659 showing over 142 plate appearances with Round Rock this season. Hills 6.3% walk percentage and near-25% strikeout rate were pedestrian, but he connected on eight homers, four triples and 10 doubles (albeit in a hitter-friendly setting). The Rangers will have a few days to gauge possible trade interest. Its likelier hell land on outright waivers by next week. Hill has cleared waivers a couple times in his career and would have the ability to elect free agency if he does so again. Texas evidently doesnt anticipate placing Seager on the injured list, at least for the moment. He is out of the lineup tonight against the Giants. Josh Smith moves over to shortstop while Ezequiel Duran handles third base against Logan Webb and the Giants. GRAND RAPIDS, MI The states oldest nonprofit affordable housing developer is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a birthday bash next week. The celebration of ICCF Community Homes half-century anniversary will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, at 1316 Madison Ave. SE. GRAND RAPIDS, MI A pedestrian bridge that would cross the Grand River and connect Acrisure Amphitheater to the citys West Side is among 15 community projects U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids, is seeking funding for. The bridge would connect Front Avenue SW, on the west side of the river, to Williams Street SW, on the east side of the river. It would provide enhanced connectivity to the 12,000-capacity amphitheater, being built at 201 Market Ave. SW, and the surrounding area, officials say. GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. -- Hundreds gathered for the second day of the Festival of the Arts, touted as the longest running festival in Michigan, on Saturday, June 8. The festival has taken place the first weekend in June for the past 55 years. PCM wont appeal state ruling I am writing to share some important news on behalf of the board of trustees of Pullman Community Montessori (PCM). On May 31, at a special meeting of the Washington State Charter School Commission, commissioners voted to revoke the charter for Pullman Community Montessori, meaning that we will have to close our school at the end of this school year. Although we did have an opportunity to appeal the decision, after many hours of thought and consultation with legal and financial advisers, our current board members decided that appealing the revocation is not in the best interest of our school community. In a nutshell: The commissioners seem to have made up their mind already. The chance of a successful appeal seems very small. The appeal process will be very costly at a time when funds are low. We have no control over the appeal timeline. We do not want to be in a state of uncertainty throughout the summer and beyond. This would not be good for current staff and families, and future enrollment. Even if we successfully appealed the revocation decision, our financial situation would be insecure. With razor-thin margins, we could not guarantee that we would have enough money to cover contingencies. This might lead to a mid-year closure, which is worse than closing at the end of this school year. We thank everyone who has joined us in supporting the school past and present board members, families, staff and our partners. We have worked together through many challenges and built a strong community. Beverley Wolff (on behalf of the board of PCM) Pullman Wind turbines pose serious threat Some property owners are signing leases to permit Vestas-American Wind Technology to develop a 25,000-acre wind turbines complex adjacent to Kamiak Butte, a National Natural Landmark in Whitman County. Kamiak Butte regularly closes in late summer because of fire danger, since the Palouse, averaging only 21 inches of rain annually, making it among the most arid areas of Washington state. Why would the county and state permit a corporation to site a known major fire hazard near the communities of Colfax and Palouse, posing threats to people, wildlife and the environment? Tajikistan and Belarus discussed transportation by road between the two countries, Azernews reports. According to Tajikistan's Ministry of Transport, the issue was discussed during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Transport of Tajikistan Shoista Saidmurodzoda and Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of Belarus Sergey Dubina in Minsk. The meeting also addressed international transportation issues, the duration of drivers' stays in each other's territories, and cooperation in developing transportation corridors. Additionally, discussions touched upon the work of the Tajik-Belarusian joint commission on International Road Transport and the implementation of the "Road Map" program for bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Belarus for 2022-2026. Both sides agreed on the necessity of enhancing cooperation in the transportation sector, including international road transport between Tajikistan and Belarus. To note, members of Tajikistan's governmental delegation participated in the 17th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Tajikistan and Belarus on June 5, and also visited the "Belagro-2024" international specialized exhibition. The Intergovernmental Commission for the Development of Cooperation between Tajikistan and Belarus was established in 2000. The previous, 16th session of the Commission took place on September 28, 2023, in Dushanbe. Students' heights are measured during a session to assess their emotional intelligence at the Hanoi School of Business and Management in March 2024. Photo from the school's Facebook page The Hanoi School of Business and Management (HSB) has adjusted its admission criteria, removing the requirement that said candidates must be at least 1.58 m tall for females and 1.65 m tall for males. The school under the Vietnam National University in Hanoi made the decision on Friday, following a directive by the Ministry of Education and Training. HSB is admitting 500 students this schoolyear for four undergraduate programs: Business and Technology Management, Marketing and Communications, Human Resource and Talent Management, and Management and Security. The school has sparked controversy in recent times as in addition to academic requirements, it demanded that female applicants be at least 1.58 m tall while male applicants over 1.65 m, and both must have good physical strength and eyesight. Most argue that this regulation is unnecessary and discriminatory. Even specialized schools, such as the military and police, require similar or lower standards, with men needing to be 1.64-1.65 m and women 1.54-1.58 m or taller. The Education Ministry previously urged Vietnam National University in Hanoi to promptly direct the HSB to review its criteria and admission conditions to ensure that fundamental principles in admissions are upheld. "The school must ensure that no candidate loses the opportunity to apply due to regulations unrelated to qualifications and abilities, except for those specified by the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense," the directive stated. The ministry's request is based on university admission regulations. The Education Law also stipulates that all citizens, regardless of personal characteristics, have equal opportunities for education. As per the latest decision, HSB now only applies the height standard to those applying for Management and Security. The reason is that the field "is strategic for the career of training talents, contributing to the construction and protection of the nation." If not met, candidates will be considered if they have special talents. HSB, a fully autonomous school under Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has been financially independent since its establishment in 1995. All its training programs are internationally accredited, and the school sets its own tuition fees. In an interview with VnExpress on Wednesday, a school representative stated that the school aims to train excellent leaders, managers, and executives for both the public and private sectors. In addition to academic and skill factors, HSB believes that physical fitness and appearance play a significant role in building a professional and confident image for future leaders. The school only makes exceptions for candidates who do not meet the physical criteria if they have special talents. Applicants to HSB must also achieve a minimum IELTS score of 4.5 or equivalent and pass two preliminary rounds before reaching the admission round. The preliminary rounds include assessing the application and emotional intelligence. The projected tuition fees for the next academic year at the HSB are VND70 million (US$2,747) for the Management and Cybersecurity, and Business and Technology Management programs, while the other two programs will cost VND60 million. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All PM Modi thanks Elon Musk for well wishes, highlights India's business-friendly environment 'Have a strategy,' Fadnavis says he won't run away after offering to resign as deputy CM of Maharashtra Follow us on: Kaun banega chief minister? BJP scans its deck of cards to elect an ace as Odisha CM OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Aishwarya Arjun, Umapathy Ramaiah, kick off their pre-wedding festivities in Chennai Follow us on: Music composer Vishal Dadlani promises a job to CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur who slapped BJP MP and actress Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport Shekhar Suman reacts to Kangana Ranaut being slapped by CISF constable: 'That is extremely wrong and very unfortunate' OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All LinkedIn disables tool for targeted ads to comply with EU tech rules Follow us on: 25 companies in focus in Andhra Pradesh after the Lok Sabha Polls Follow us on: Kangana slap row: Farmer outfits come out in support of CISF woman constable Follow us on: Maldives' Mohamed Muizzu to attend Prime Minister Modi's swearing-in ceremony, his first visit to India Follow us on: 'Targeted twice': Suspect Pegasus was bought by Jagan govt off the books, says TDP's Nara Lokesh Follow us on: Adityanath asks UP ministers to shun VIP culture, both Dy CMs absent at meeting Follow us on: Kharge urges unity, says INDIA Bloc must remain strong inside and outside Parliament Follow us on: Haryana reducing water flow to Delhi, claims Atishi; BJP accuses her of lying to 'mislead' people Best cities to find a job in the US OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Israeli forces rescue four live hostages from Gaza, military says CAIRO, Egypt, June 8. Egypt and Azerbaijan will hold a meeting of the Joint Economic and Technical Committee, Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation Rania El-Mashat told reporters, Trend reports. "Egypt and Azerbaijan have very strong relations. I am also heading the Joint Economic and Technical Committee together with my colleague, Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy. We have a lot of promising areas for collaboration. These include infrastructure, oil and gas, ICT, and pharmaceuticals. Our plans for the future include stepping up our collaboration in these areas, she said. Rania El-Mashat observed that Egypt received a delegation of government officials and businessmen from Azerbaijan just last month. "And before COP29, we will hold a meeting of the Egypt-Azerbaijan Joint Committee to study these areas in more detail. Another very important aspect of cooperation is COP. Congratulations to Azerbaijan for hosting COP29 this November. Egypt hosted COP27 two years ago. There are many areas of cooperation on climate change and ways to mobilize finance. We hope to expand cooperation, especially in the business sphere in the sectors I mentioned, she concluded. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel In recent days, the Armenian government and parliament have issued statements that are intended to disrupt the peace process by refusing to cancel territorial claims to Azerbaijan at the constitutional level, the statement of the Western Azerbaijani Community said, Azernews reports. Furthermore, it is noted that Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan rejected the steps that his country should take, both by the requirement of international law and based on the logic of the peace process, and tried to accuse Azerbaijan of unacceptable terms such as "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide." Rather than issuing destructive accusations, Alen Simonyan should acknowledge his country's responsibility for the crimes against humanity committed against Azerbaijanis in Gara Kilsa, Basarkechar, Gafan, and other locations during the forced exile and deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia. He should also work to restore their rights, including ensuring the safe and dignified return of exiled Azerbaijanis. The Western Azerbaijan Community condemns the decision of the Armenian government to opt for a path of confrontation and to steer the prospects for peace in the region down an uncertain path and calls on the world community to put pressure on this country to take a constructive stance. Legally succeeding the "Azerbaijan Refugee Society" Association, which has been in existence since 1989, the Western Azerbaijan Community is the only public organization that compiles and maintains information on the circumstances of Azerbaijani families who became refugees from Armenia between 1987 and 1991 as well as the issues facing West Azerbaijani migrants. It was calculated during those years that the displacement from West Azerbaijan had caused losses to over 50,000 families, or about 20,000 households. CAIRO, Egypt, June 8. Egypt looks forward to active participation at COP29, the country's acting Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al Mashat told reporters in Cairo today, Trend reports. "The hosting of COP is a very important aspect is an important aspect because it gives an opportunity to showcase how much financing is needed and how much international cooperation is required to meet the global goals related to climate," she said. According to her, Egypt explored many areas in this field. "One of them is the Loss and Damage Fund and I think this is going to continue at COP29. The second is country platforms, and then we try to mobilize concession and finance to be able to do projects that are of priority to our countries. So how to work with the international financial institutions, the multilateral development banks to make sure that we are able to achieve our own goals," the official pointed out. Al Mashat added that Africa does not contribute to emissions less than four percent globally, but the amount of demands that are requested mean that there needs to be a lot of concessional finance. "So we look forward to an active participation at COP29 and we congratulate the Azeri people for hosting COP and we wish them good luck with that very important conference," she concluded. To note, this November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Yves here. This story, by what can politely be called a US mouthpiece, illustrates the degree to which China is seen as a strategic competitor and any move that advances their interest, even if arguably mainly economic, is a threat to the West. By Radio Free Liberty/Radio Liberty staff. Cross posted from OilPrice China has won the bid to build a deep-sea port in Georgias Anaklia, marking the countrys first Chinese-built and operated megaproject on the Black Sea coast. The deal strengthens Tbilisi and Beijings growing ties and pushes Chinas presence closer to Europe. It also influences the future of the Middle Corridor, a global trade route that Georgia serves as a strategic node. Georgia announced that a Chinese consortium submitted the sole bid to build a sprawling deep-sea port in Anaklia, marking the first megaproject on the Black Sea coast to be built and operated by Chinese firms. Finding Perspective: The development brings an end to a multiyear political saga inside Georgia over building a deep-sea port at Anaklia, while the role of the Chinese consortium pushes Tbilisis growing ties with Beijing into the spotlight. Georgian Economy and Sustainable Development Minister Levan Davitashvili made the announcement at a May 29 press conference, where he said the government had received bids from a Swiss-Luxembourgish consortium and a joint offer from China Communications Construction Company and the Singapore-based China Harbour Investment. He added that China Road and Bridge Corporation and Qingdao Port International will serve as subcontractors to build the port. Davitashvili said Tbilisi only received a final proposal from the Chinese consortium, though, which now looks set to build the countrys first deep-sea port. He said more details would be revealed in the coming days. Why It Matters: Georgia is no stranger to awarding high-profile infrastructure deals to Chinese firms, but the announcement could have far-reaching implications. For starters, its another sign of how close Tbilisi and Beijing are becoming. In July 2023, they signed a strategic partnership pact, and Anaklia marks another attempt to bring Chinese companies to Georgias Black Sea after a bid around Potis port broke down in 2020. This deal will also affect the future of the so-called Middle Corridor, a global trade network that ships goods between Europe and Asia in which Georgia serves as a strategic node. The European Union has said developing the route is a goal, especially since Moscows 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine where it provides trade links that bypass Russia. But Chinas new role with a deep-sea port in Anaklia which would allow larger ships to transport increased volumes at a more efficient rate changes things and marks a setback for Brussels. This is not good news for the EU, and I think the fact that [China is now building] the port shows a lack of strategic thinking in Brussels, Romana Vlahutin, a former EU ambassador-at-large for connectivity, told me. What We Know So Far: Many of the details are still to be revealed, as is the actual contract and total price tag. The government said previously it will retain 51 percent ownership of the port project, with 49 percent going to the other partners. The Chinese companies involved also come with an interesting history. China Communications Construction Company is a massive player in global infrastructure and one of the largest firms involved in construction projects for Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) over the last decade. But from 2011 to 2019, the World Bank banned the firm and its affiliates from participating in World Bank-funded construction projects due to a fraud scandal in a road project in the Philippines in 2009. For a more detailed look at the companys history and of some past scandals involving other firms involved in the Anaklia bid check out this article by Luka Pertaia from RFE/RLs Georgian Service and myself. What To Watch: This deal marks the second attempt to build a deep-sea port in Anaklia. Previously, a consortium formed between Georgias TBC Bank and the U.S.-based Conti International was canceled by the government in 2020 after years of political controversy that saw TBC co-founders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze facing money-laundering charges. The pair were charged but released without jail terms, and Khazaradze has claimed the authorities were trying to sabotage the project. The contract for that deal was worth $2.5 billion. Khazaradze is in the process of taking the Georgian government to an arbitration court in London over what he maintains were politically motivated charges to derail the port. Hes been an outspoken critic of the projects revival and said in the past that he believes the legal roadblocks with how the previous consortium was pushed aside could derail the new attempt to build it. Brighteon Media lawsuit against Big Tech and Big Government a fight for FREE SPEECH in America The historic lawsuit against Big Tech and Big Government filed by the Health Ranger Mike Adams' Brighteon Media is a fight for the right to free speech of every American Adams himself asserted this during a recent discussion on the "Health Ranger Report" with the case's lead lawyer Jeffrey Greyber and tech censorship expert Jason Fyk. The lawsuit, which lists Webseed Inc. and Brighteon Media Inc. as plaintiffs, was filed on May 27 at the Austin Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. "The U.S. has been helping identify, pay for and facilitate private corporations' suppression of Americans free speech," the lawsuit stated. It also presented conclusive evidence that shows U.S. government departments specifically naming Brighteon.com, Natural News and the Health Ranger for censorship targeting. (Related: U.S. government illegally SURVEILLING targeted citizens to SILENCE their free speech.) Listed among the government defendants are the Department of State and the Global Engagement Center under it, the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. NewsGuard Technologies and two London-based entities the Institute for Strategic Dialogue and the Global Disinformation Index are also named as defendants. Big Tech defendants include Google, Meta Platforms (Facebook's parent company) and X (formerly Twitter). Ten John Does are also included as defendants in the lawsuit. "This is critical. We are fighting for everybody's right to speak freely," Adams told viewers. "The reason we are pursuing this is to fight for your right to speak, to fight for your freedoms, to set a precedent that the government cannot launder censorship through these third-party companies to influence Big Tech, to collude with Big Tech, to blacklist people just because they don't like what they're saying." Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. "We are fighting to take this all the way to the final decision to set a precedent to defend the liberty of freedom of speech for all Americans." Fyk: U.S. is facilitating censorship with private companies According to Adams, "disinformation" and "misinformation" are just code words for blacklisting that are being used by the censorship-industrial complex to censor people. He noted how the U.S. government used the word "misinformation" to describe the Hunter Biden laptop issue. But a few years later, it was found that the so-called "laptop from hell" was indeed real. Fyk, the founder and director of the Social Media Freedom Foundation (SMFF), meanwhile pointed out that the U.S. is facilitating censorship with private companies. Washington is even paying these firms to influence the restraint of American liberties, and offering them protection from legal action when they do so. Adams agreed, noting how these companies are using U.S. taxpayer money weaponized against the people. The Health Ranger also explained why X was named in the lawsuit. This is because the platform owned by Elon Musk failed to stop the censorship and blacklisting of Brighteon.com, as well as the shadow-banning of his Health Ranger account. Greyber noted that Musk himself has admitted that the government was strong-arming it into eradicating 250,000 accounts without any real reason a request the social media platform complied with. According to the veteran attorney, X's lack of desire to do what was right has led it to become a defendant in the lawsuit. Fyk ultimately mentioned that the Brighteon Media case is monumental as it will be a situation where a federal court could stop or allow censorship. He warned that if this censorship is allowed, the U.S. Constitution is done for and the American people could lose their freedom of speech. Watch the full conversation between Jeffrey Greyber, Jason Fyk and the Health Ranger Mike Adams about the Brighteon Media lawsuit against Big Tech and Big Government below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Meta abandons free speech principles, adopts globalist thought police guidelines to block speech. EXPOSED: Big Techs censorship regime secretly driven by Homeland Security spook. Whistleblower documents reveal U.S. censorship-industrial complexs efforts to control public discourse. Sources include: Brighteon.com NaturalNews.com [PDF] SocialMediaFreedom.org US: Columbia Law Review website shut down over article critical of Israel The board of directors at the Columbia Law Review shut down its website after student editors refused a request to stop the publication of an academic article accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza (Article republished from MiddleEastEye.net) The board of the New York-based law school at Columbia University sent a letter to the student editors on Tuesday, issuing concerns about an article titled, "Nakba as a Legal Concept", and said it hadn't done the "usual processes of review or selection for articles at the Law Review". The board said that some editors were not aware of the article's existence. In order to preserve the status quo and provide student editors some window of opportunity to review the piece, as well as provide time for the Law Review to determine how to proceed, we temporarily suspended the website, said the letter, seen by the Associated Press. As of Wednesday afternoon local time, the law review's website still appears to be "under maintenance" and not accessible. The letter says that student editors who did not work on the piece should have been given an opportunity to read the article, saying that the piece "will clearly be controversial and potentially have an impact on all associated with the Review". Editors at the journal pushed back on the notion that they did not complete a rigorous review process. Erika Lopez, one editor who worked on the article, told AP it is "completely false to imply that we didnt follow the standard process". Once Columbia Law Review's website was shut down, the article was uploaded to a publicly accessible website where it quickly went viral on social media. The piece, written by Harvard doctoral candidate Rabea Eghbariah, accuses Israel of crimes against humanity against Palestinians, and calls for a new legal framework to tackle the "ongoing structure of subjugation in Palestine" and the "Palestinian condition". "The law does not possess the language that we desperately need to accurately capture the totality of the Palestinian condition," the article says. "From occupation to apartheid and genocide, the most commonly applied legal concepts rely on abstraction and analogy to reveal particular facets of subordination. This Article introduces Nakba as a legal concept to resolve this tension." According to a report in November by The Intercept, the article was previously rejected by the Harvard Law Review journal after internal deliberations. The move to block the publication at Harvard was seen as an "unprecedented decision" at the journal. The shuttering of the website of one of the country's most prestigious law review journals is one of the latest and most striking examples of how Israel's war on Gaza has led to a growing crackdown at US universities over speech critical of Israel. Late last year, Columbia University moved to ban two pro-Palestinian student groups, Jewish Voice for Peace's student chapter and Students for Justice in Palestine. After the creation of a student encampment on campus in solidarity with Gaza which also called for the university to divest from companies profiting off the war on Gaza, Columbia University president Nemat Minouche Shafik ordered the New York Police Department to forcibly remove the encampment. Read more at: MiddleEastEye.net Illegals taking SELFIES at border wall after unlawfully entering U.S. territory Illegal immigrants are apparently taking selfies with the border wall as a background after unlawfully entering U.S. soil. Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin witnessed the practice firsthand in the border section at the Jacumba area in California's San Diego County. He noted that the unlawful border crossers seem to be unconcerned with exploiting the open border. The network cameras captured several illegal aliens, who crossed with a larger group, taking selfies against the border wall. "[They're] coming in with no fear of deportation, no fear of removal," Melugin wrote on X. "I watched them as they walked to this border wall right behind me and started posing for selfies and pictures in front of our border wall." "[It's] as if it's a tourist attraction or a great background for their TikTok [videos] or Instagram photos. It's just remarkable to see that some of them just think it's like a joke." This was not the first time Melugin observed such behavior from unlawful border crossers goaded to enter the U.S. illegally, thanks to President Joe Biden's open borders policy. In March, he recounted a similar instance which happened at the Arizona section of the border wall. The Fox News correspondent shared a video of illegals captured in Lukeville, Arizona. It captured dozens of women, children and families dressed in clean, casual clothes and carrying their belongings. Several of the migrants in the group are seen holding mobile phones and celebrating their illegal entry into the United States. "If no action is taken, buckle up for the rest of the year if the last three years are any indication. Especially if migrants feel they need to get in before Biden is potentially voted out of office," Melugin wrote on X. (Related: Migrants rushing to cross the border NOW before Trump gets re-elected in November.) Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. Op-ed: Selfies contribute to INCREASE in illegals In an August 2022 op-ed published in the New York Post, Center for Immigration Studies Senior National Security Fellow Todd Bensman pointed out that these selfies are the main reason why the number of illegal immigrants is growing by the day. "Smartphone technology is a massive driver of migration, sending the message to Central and South America of 'wish you were here,'" he wrote. Despite remarks from the federal government dissuading would-be migrants from crossing, pictures of "handouts, checks, documents and new clothes" sent by illegals already in the U.S. only serve to convince them that it's worth entering American soil unlawfully. According to Bensman, migrants simply looked at the selfies of their friends, neighbors and relatives being allowed in when Vice President Kamala Harris discouraged border crossers from entering. In the same way, migrants simply looked at selfies of unaccompanied minors who made it when Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas dissuaded parents from sending their children to cross the "dangerous" southern border. "This works like any flash mob. It is always the phones that tell and show where the deportation and robbery zones are, so the crowds coming up behind can divert elsewhere. It is always the phones that tell of and show where to find the welcome mats and free giveaways, often exactly where and how to get them," he wrote. "If knowledge is power and a picture [is] worth a thousand words, no clarion call has more influence on migrant decisions and action than video selfies loosed from cellphones. This is what launched and sustained the greatest mass migration crisis in U.S. history." Head over to OpenBorders.news for similar stories. Watch this clip of a Turkish national telling Bill Melugin how surprised he was at the ease of crossing the U.S. border. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Illegals shocked at how EASY it is to enter the United States. Border Patrol chief: Unlawful border crossers must face SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. US border crisis persists: Thousands of migrants continue to cross daily despite the summer heat. Migrant TikToker teaching homeless, illegals how "invade" and squat unoccupied homes across America. Sources include: InfoWars.com FoxNews.com NYPost.com Brighteon.com Joe Biden campaign receives massive anonymous donation of $64 MILLION Reports have found that the re-election campaign of President Joe Biden is heavily fueled by dark money , including a $64 million donation in the summer of 2020. In a recently published report from CBS News, in the summer of 2020, a generically named firm called the Impetus Fund received a $64 million donation from a single anonymous source. This single anonymous donation went through a series of accounts before it eventually made its way into the campaign fund of the then-former vice president, helping Biden defeat former President Donald Trump. (Related: Forecast model predicts Donald Trump will win back White House, Republicans to take Senate and maintain House majority.) Despite years of speculation including multiple investigations by a cottage industry of public interest groups, investigative reporters and even Fox News the source of the $64 million donation is still unknown. Most speculation suggests that the donation comes from a single, super-wealthy Biden supporter. However, there is no evidence to support this. The donation could just as easily come from a privately held company or a shell corporation a tactic increasingly being used by wealthy donors seeking to add layers of anonymity to their campaign donations. "Without information about who is funding groups spending to influence elections, voters won't know who is trying to color their views, won't be aware of any potential conflicts of interest that a funder has or what stake they may have in the outcome of the election," said Anna Massoglia, editorial and investigations manager with the non-partisan watchdog organization OpenSecrets, which focuses on tracking the influence of money on American politics. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. Biden campaign to continue accepting dark money Despite the increased scrutiny surrounding the dark money, Biden's campaign has stated that the president will continue accepting dark money donations, supposedly because the stakes for the upcoming election are "sky high" and despite previous statements condemning such donations. Previously, Biden said that dark money "erodes public trust" and that it "flows in the shadows to influence our elections." In September 2022, two months before the midterm elections, the president during a briefing at the White House appeared to advocate for the passage of the Disclose Act, which would require political groups including parties and campaigns and nonprofits to disclose donations above $10,000. But now, the Biden campaign seems to have reneged on this pledge to refuse dark money. "The stakes of this election are sky high," said an adviser to Biden's campaign. "We will protect our democracy with every tool that is legally available." "You don't show up at a gunfight with a knife," said another Democratic strategist. Concerns have now been raised that the Biden campaign will once again heavily rely on large donations from anonymous, wealthy megadonors. In January, Future Forward (FF) PAC announced that it had raised $250 million. In its April campaign disclosure, FF reported raising another $16.2 million. A significant portion of FF's funds including two-thirds of what it had raised following its April disclosure came from dark money sources. FF PAC plans to use the raised money for an unprecedented advertising blitz starting immediately after the Democratic National Convention in August and going through Election Day. Learn more about President Joe Biden's administration and his re-election campaign at JoeBiden.news. Watch this clip from Fox Business discussing how Trump's re-election campaign relies largely on small individual donations. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Dems have an epic "Come to Jesus" moment after President Trump's sham conviction backfires all over the place. Biden admits Kamala Harris was chosen as VP for DIVERSITY rather than qualifications. Joe Biden refuses to disclose his free stays at vacation homes of Democratic megadonors in his ethics disclosure form. Biden regime under investigation for 2024 ELECTION INTERFERENCE. Left-wing filmmaker Steven Spielberg is actively involved in directing Joe Biden's re-election campaign because it's all THEATER. Sources include: CBSNews.com DailyWire.com Brighteon.com Former British Royal Marine charged with spying for Hong Kong FOUND DEAD A former Royal Marine accused of helping the Hong Kong Intelligence Service was found dead on May 19. Matthew Trickett, a 37-year-old Home Office immigration officer, made an appearance in court to answer charges related to the National Security Act just days before his death. According to Thames Valley Police, Trickett was discovered in a park in Maidenhead, Berkshire. (Related: House passes bill prohibiting Fed from issuing surveillance tool CBDC unless authorized by Congress.) Trickett's family released a statement expressing their sorrow over the passing of their beloved son, brother and family member. "We would be grateful if the press would respect our privacy at this difficult time and refrain from intruding on our grief," read the family's statement. Who is Matthew Trickett? Trickett was an immigration officer with the Home Office. He had been a member of the Royal Marines for six years before entering the private sector. On May 13, Trickett was accused of assisting the Hong Kong Intelligence Service and interfering in foreign affairs under the National Security Act, together with Chi Leung Wai, 38, and Chung Biu Yuen, 63. The three suspects are charged with consenting to conduct information collecting, surveillance and deceptive activities between December 20, 2023, and May 2, 2023, possibly to materially aid a foreign intelligence service. There were also claims that Trickett, Wai and Yuen broke into a U.K. property. During their court appearance, the three accused spoke only to establish their identities. Trickett, Wai and Yuen were given bail and are slated to appear at the Old Bailey. The men had not yet entered a plea. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. At the last hearing before his passing, Prosecutor Kashif Malik requested that Trickett be detained for his safety, citing the defendant's attempt on his own life following the charges. But the request was denied, and Trickett was released on bond. Thames Valley Police reported that Trickett was ordered to routinely register at a police station while he was out on court bail and awaiting court proceedings. And because Thames Valley Police had prior contact with Trickett, a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is "normal in such circumstances where there has been a death following police contact." The IOPC assessed that referral and it was determined that the matter should be investigated by Thames Valley Police's Professional Standards Department. China detains a foreign consultant allegedly spying for the U.K. Early this year, the Chinese Ministry of State Security detained a foreign consultant spying for the U.K. who received training from MI6, the British Secret Intelligence Service. The ministry said a foreign individual with the last name Huang was in charge of a consulting firm overseas. The document also claimed that Huang joined MI6 in an intelligence collaboration in 2015. Huang was then instructed to travel to China several times, using his public persona as cover, to gather intelligence. According to China's official statement, Huang received specialized intelligence training from MI6 in Britain and other countries. Huang was also allegedly given sophisticated spy gear to enable coordinated espionage operations. "After careful investigation, the state security organs promptly discovered evidence of Huang's involvement in espionage activities and took criminal coercive measures against him," said the authorities. China has been actively dealing with threats to national security and has uncovered several incidents of espionage. The Chinese government urged citizen participation in counterespionage operations, such as reporting channels for suspected activity. The government also warned citizens, both domestic and international, about the dangers of espionage. Visit CommunistChina.news for more stories about China and surveillance. Watch the video below to learn more about a U.K. Parliament researcher arrested for allegedly spying for China. This video is from the Pool Pharmacy channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Jim Biden confirms to Congress that his nephew Hunter met with "spy chief of China" Patrick Ho in 2017. Big Tech leads million-dollar campaign to kill bills that are meant to keep children safe online. SPY CRANES? Investigation finds communication devices secretly implanted in Chinese-made cargo cranes used across U.S. ports. Chinese spy agency challenging the CIA with advanced AI program. Sources include: GreatGameIndia.com 1 GreatGameIndia.com 2 Brighteon.com Explosive hearings: Philippine government briefed on the declining birth rate and skyrocketing excess deaths related to COVID vaccines The Philippine House of Representatives is now actively investigating the surge in excess deaths and the decline in births following the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines. The Joint House Committees on Public Order and Safety on Human Rights are addressing a 43% rise in mortality rates from 2021-2023, compared to a 2% rise in previous years (2016-2020). On February 27, 2024, the committee began to have hearings on the excess mortality rates. The spikes in mortality were primarily witnessed, not in 2020 during the global pandemic, but during 2021 and 2022, during a global COVID-19 vaccine rollout. This so-called vaccine was a global experiment, based on fraud and implemented with great coercion and force. Philippine government trying to cope with 260,000 unexplained excess deaths in 2021 The committee identified 260,000 unexplained excess deaths in 2021 and an additional 67,000 in 2022. The committee, chaired by Reps. Dan Fernandez and Bienvenido Abante Jr., are leading the inquiry (House Resolution 1481) based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Sally Ann Clark, an independent researcher, presented these findings to the committee, noting a correlation between the vaccine rollout and the spike in deaths. She reported a consistent increase in deaths across all vaccinated age groups, suggesting that the vaccines were a major contributor to these excess deaths. Clark's analysis indicated that nearly half a million excess deaths occurred up to September 2023, accompanied by a decline of nearly one million births during those same years, reflecting a continuous drop-in birth rate since 2019. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. There is no rational explanation for the deaths except the vaccines and the deaths are temporally linked to the vaccines, Sally Ann Clark wrote on her Substack. The spike in excess mortality specifically occurred in March of 2021, when the vaccine program was initially rolled out. In July and August of 2021, the spike intensified, correlating with the rollout of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccines. There was a big spike in deaths exactly concurrent with that, Clark testified. By 2022, there was still a rise in excess deaths, on average 8-9% greater than the pandemic year of 2020. According to her data, at least a half a million excess deaths occurred across the Philippines since the vaccine rollout, and the problem continues to this day. Clark provided the data to Congressman Zia Alonto Adiong as the House Committee members were discussing the horrifying implications of WHOs proposed pandemic treaty an agreement that would perpetuate the same vaccine holocaust of 2021-2023, with even greater force, while covering up the vaccine holocaust that continues through the relentless booster campaigns. Calls for accountability grow, as vaccine depopulation schemes blow wide open The fourth hearing on excess deaths in the Philippines was held on May 28, 2024. The hearings highlighted community concerns about the handling of the situation by the Department of Health. Tanya Karina Lat from LUNAS Pilipinas expressed frustration with the Department of Healths indifference to the adverse effects of the vaccines, and she emphasized the need for accountability throughout the government and its health agencies. Speaking to the committee, she said, There are Filipino people who are sick and tired of how the DOH has let us down, has refused to admit that people are dying. Turning a blind eye to the people who are getting sick, turbo cancers, myocarditis, children who are suddenly sick as if they are 60, 70-year-old people. She continued: Your Honours, we have seen the cavalier attitude of the DOH here over the past five hearings. They dont care. We look into their eyes. There does not seem to be any sympathy for the people who have died, for the people who are now physically disabled because of these vaccines. These are explosive hearings. Vaccines are being used to depopulate the Earth, and people are really starting to see it for what it is and speak out around the world. Sources include: Expose-News.com X.com Congress.gov.ph Pro-life groups HQ in Rome attacked by LGBT activists TWICE in 10 days LGBT activists targeted the headquarters of a pro-life organization in Italy for the second time in 10 days. Pro Vita e Famiglia (PVF) reported that "LGBTQAI+ activists who claimed responsibility for the act on their social networks" vandalized the shutters of its headquarters in the capital Rome on May 30 with threats such as "trans riot," "you will pay" and "we'll not give you peace." The vandals also put posters on the building's outer walls showing "the Palestinian flag waving over a burning St. Peter's Basilica" alongside the slogan "Queers for Palestine." Moreover, PVF added that the vandals "blacked out the surveillance cameras with red paint." "[The May 30] attack is the 12th vandalism attack on our headquarters in less than three years, [and] the second in the space of 10 days. It is a real persecution with a worrying escalation of violent and threatening content," PVF wrote on X the day after the incident. "Last May 20, another vandal attack had defaced the shutters of the headquarters with symbols and slogans of the transgender movement." "The pro-abortion and LGBTQAI+ lobbies have fomented a climate of hatred and intolerance toward those who declare themselves pro-family or pro-life for years, culminating in the attack last Nov. 25 with the launch of an explosive device inside our headquarters," PVF wrote. (Related: Op-ed: Abortion activists reveal their EVIL nature through threats and vandalism.) "We ask the Italian government to pay particular attention to the climate of growing tension, violence and hostility against [PVF] and all citizens involved in the pro-life movement." Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. PVF's headquarters almost firebombed in November The attack PVF mentioned in its post pertained to an incident that happened on Nov. 25, 2023. Vandals reportedly attacked the pro-life group's headquarters, smashing windows and lighting fires. Not contented with the damage, the mob even left a homemade explosive device inside the building that fortunately did not explode. PVF spokesman Jacopo Coghe described the attackers as "feminist activists" who were part of a march in the capital denouncing violence against women. But he noted that after the protest, the activists turned their attention to PVF's offices. The demonstrators "in full war gear" subsequently "threw bottles, stones and smoke bombs; smashed shutters; smashed glass with rods; knocked down cameras; and made several attempts to set fire to the headquarters despite the presence of law enforcement." Coghe issued a statement hours after the attack, writing: "We are deeply shocked and disturbed by the unprecedented violence of those who surrounded and then stormed our headquarters today during the demonstration against all violence in Rome." He continued that the incident revealed "the true face of transfeminism an aggressive, violent, dangerous and ideological movement that does not tolerate those who think differently from them and who care nothing about the poor women victims of feminicide." The group's spokesman also pointed out that the attack on PVF's headquarters represented "an attack on the freedom of all women who do not recognize themselves in the rantings and violence of these movements, the same ones who would claim to enter inside schools to promote respect education courses against violence, bullying, affectivity and sexual education." Even Italian officials decried the incident. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini both took to X to denounce the attack on PVF's office. "I don't know how anyone thinks of fighting violence against women by making themselves the protagonists of intolerable acts of violation and intimidation, such as those that occurred on [Nov. 25] against the [PVF]," Meloni wrote. "I want to question everyone on a trivial question: should violence always be condemned or only when it is directed at someone whose ideas we share?" Meanwhile, Salvini chastised the double standards concerning the attack. "If [the activists] attack the [Italian General Confederation of Labor] headquarters, there is (rightly) national indignation. [But] if red extremists attack the headquarters of a nonprofit organization that helps and defends families, silence?" Head over to Intolerance.news for similar stories. Watch Wisconsin Family Action President Julaine Appling talking about the May 2022 attack on the group's office in Madison, Wisconsin below. This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Pro-abortion leftists FIREBOMB Buffalo, NY pregnancy center. Radical group Jane's Revenge attacks, vandalizes Ohio pregnancy center. FULL LIST: Pro-abortion vandalism, church storming over possibility Roe v. Wade will fall. Over 20 pregnancy resource centers have been ATTACKED by pro-abortion extremists since May. Abortion militants are firebombing pro-life centers across America and the media pretends like nothing is happening. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com 1 X.com LifeSiteNews.com 2 Brighteon.com Russia is flashing red, the West better pay attention Unlike many Western politicians, Russian diplomats say what they mean. They are not ones to make idle, empty threats. Joe Biden and the NATO lackeys better pay attention to recent statements by two of Russias leading diplomats. Sergei Ryabkov, pictured above, is Russias Deputy Foreign Minister. I have had the privilege of meeting him. He is a classy gentleman who chooses his words carefully. Hence the cause for my concern in light of his comment this week in response to Joe Bidens decision last week to approve the use of U.S.-supplied weapons to hit targets inside Russia. Ryabkov said: (Article by Larry Johnson republished from Sonar21.com) I would like to warn American leaders against miscalculations that could have fatal consequences. For unknown reasons, they underestimate the seriousness of the rebuff they may receive, . . . I urge these figures (in the U.S.) to spend some of their time, which they apparently spend on some kind of video games, judging by the lightness of their approach, on studying what was said in detail by Putin, Ryabkov said. Putin had delivered a very significant warning and it must be taken with the utmost seriousness, he added. Putin said the West would be directly involved in any use of its weapons by Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia, because such attacks would require its satellite, intelligence and military help. Ryabkov is not known as a bullshitter or one to make idle threats. He is polite, but firm and unambiguous. He is not sending some secret, coded message. He is putting the United States on notice. And it is important to note that Foreign Minister Lavrov issued a similar stern warning: Read more at: Sonar21.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 8. In recent days, the Armenian government and parliament have issued statements that are intended to disrupt the peace process by refusing to cancel territorial claims to Azerbaijan at the constitutional level, the statement of the Western Azerbaijani Community said, Trend reports. Furthermore, it is noted that Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan rejected the steps that his country should take, both by the requirement of international law and based on the logic of the peace process, and tried to accuse Azerbaijan of unacceptable terms such as "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide." Rather than issuing destructive accusations, Alen Simonyan should acknowledge his country's responsibility for the crimes against humanity committed against Azerbaijanis in Gara Kilsa, Basarkechar, Gafan, and other locations during the forced exile and deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia. He should also work to restore their rights, including ensuring the safe and dignified return of exiled Azerbaijanis. The Western Azerbaijan Community condemns the decision of the Armenian government to opt for a path of confrontation and to steer the prospects for peace in the region down an uncertain path and calls on the world community to put pressure on this country to take a constructive stance. Legally succeeding the "Azerbaijan Refugee Society" Association, which has been in existence since 1989, the Western Azerbaijan Community is the only public organization that compiles and maintains information on the circumstances of Azerbaijani families who became refugees from Armenia between 1987 and 1991 as well as the issues facing West Azerbaijani migrants. It was calculated during those years that the displacement from West Azerbaijan had caused losses to over 50,000 families, or about 20,000 households. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Study finds increased risk of epilepsy, severe allergic shock, myocarditis and appendicitis in children injected with COVID-19 vaccines A recent study, analyzing records from over 5 million children, revealed that those who received either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines faced increased risks of epilepsy and appendicitis . Additionally, recipients of the Pfizer vaccine showed higher probabilities of demyelinating disease and heart inflammation. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former Director of the National Institute of Allergy, and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), quickly recommended COVID-19 vaccines for children in the United States. In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) began distributing the vaccines to children as quickly as they could be approved. As these so-called vaccines became available for younger age groups, public health leaders emphasized the importance of vaccinating children to not only safeguard their health but also to contribute to broader community immunity against COVID-19. Dr. Fauci's recommendations were parroted by the experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), which endorsed COVID-19 vaccination for children as young as six months old. Today, the CDC has the COVID-19 vaccines on the childhood vaccine schedule, right along with 70+ doses contained in various combination vaccines that are now suspect in the chronic disease epidemic that is ravaging American children. COVID-19 vaccines add to the chronic disease burden in children, increase hospitalizations The study, led by Dr. Julia Hippisley-Cox, a professor of clinical epidemiology at the University of Oxford, investigated a national database that included data on COVID-19 vaccination status, mortality, hospital admissions, and infections. The team of researchers were looking for an association between COVID-19 vaccines (AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna) and various outcomes, including myocarditis. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. The study examined data up to August 7, 2022, comprising a population of nearly 5.2 million children, including 1.8 million aged 5 to 11 and 3.3 million aged 12 to 17. In their primary analysis, researchers found elevated risks among 12- to 17-year-olds who received Pfizer's vaccine, including an increased risk of myocarditis and hospitalization with epilepsy after both first and second doses. Females in this age group were also more prone to demyelinating disease after the second dose. Moreover, females who received AstraZeneca's shot faced a significantly higher risk of hospitalization with epilepsy and appendicitis. The data on the Moderna vaccine was incomplete because the vaccine was not widely distributed to UK children. In a secondary analysis that compared vaccinated children against unvaccinated children, there was an increase in hospitalizations for vaccinated children 12 to 17 years old. These hospitalizations included epilepsy, severe allergic shock, and appendicitis, all attributable to Pfizers COVID-19 vaccines. Study authors still recommend COVID-19 vaccines for children, despite failing to protect them and increasing hospitalizations The authors of the study had previously served on various UK and Scottish Government COVID-19 advisory groups that recommended COVID-19 vaccines for children. The authors, funded by the National Institutes of Health, also enjoy financial ties to Moderna and AstraZeneca. This could be the reason why the authors provided a perplexing conclusion to the studys results. The authors said that their findings support a favorable safety profile of COVID-19 vaccination using mRNA vaccines in children and young people aged 5-17 years. This mockingly dangerous conclusion should put all their careers in jeopardy, considering that the study found an increase in hospitalizations because of the COVID-19 vaccines. The lead author, Dr. Julia Hippisley-Cox, did not comment on the study. Udi Qimron, a professor at Tel Aviv Universitys Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, said that the authors wrongly downplayed the risks associated with the vaccines. "It is concerning that respected scientific platforms are being used to cover up mistakes and wrongdoing, particularly the coercion and immense societal pressure to vaccinate young children. This should never have been done," Qimron said. "It is disheartening to see scientific journals collaborating with such practices, which undermines public trust in scientific research, especially when it involves the health and safety of children." Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com CDC.gov Nature.com Donald Trumps legal team demands lifting of gag order that prevents him from speaking freely about his trial The legal team of former President Donald Trump has asked the judge who presided over his business records falsification trial in New York to lift the gag order on him that bans him from commenting on court staff, witnesses, prosecutors, jurors and other individuals tied to the case. In a letter sent to New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan on Monday, June 3, attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Blove argued that the order, first imposed on Trump back in March, amounts to a continued violation of his First Amendment rights. (Related: Donald Trump found GUILTY on all 34 charges in blatantly rigged New York trial, could be sentenced to 20 years in prison.) "Now that the trial is concluded, the concerns articulated by the government and the Court do not justify restrictions on the First Amendment rights of President Trump who remains the leading candidate in the 2024 presidential election and the American people," wrote the attorneys. The legal team further argued that the need for Trump to regain his freedom of speech and "unrestrained campaign advocacy is even stronger" in light of recent comments and "continued attacks" from Democrats, including President Joe Biden, regarding the verdict against Trump. The legal team further noted in its argument that "the defense does not concede that there was ever a valid basis for the gag order and reserves the right to challenge the irreparable First Amendment harms caused by the order." Prosecutors want gag order to remain in place until after sentencing The Manhattan District Attorney's Office argued for the judge to keep Trump's gag order in place at least until the former president is sentenced on July 11 "and the resolution of any post-trial motions." Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo argued in opposition to any immediate termination of the gag order, claiming that the court "has an obligation to protect the integrity of these proceedings and the fair administration of justice at least through the sentencing hearing and the resolution of any post-trial motions." In issuing the gag order in March, Merchan noted that the prosecutorial team of District Attorney Alvin Brag had sought the gag order only "for the duration of the trial." But, Colangelo argued that the order was "based not only on the need to avoid threats to the fairness of the trial itself" but also on the judge's "obligation to prevent actual harm to the integrity" of the case. If the gag order remains in place until July 11, the former president will be barred from speaking about witnesses, jurors, court staff and prosecutors on the case during the first presidential debate with Biden on June 27. His sentencing is also only four days before the Republican National Convention meets in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Trump could be risking a harsher sentence if he decides to comment on the individuals protected under the gag order before it is lifted. In determining his sentence, Merchan has discretion and may take into account factors such as Trump's conduct during the trial, prior gag order violations and lack of remorse. For the 34 guilty verdicts, Trump faces up to four years in prison capped at a total of 20 years and a $5,000 fine per felony conviction. Watch this clip of former President Donald Trump explaining how his gag order and the threat of jail time for violating it is restricting his freedom of speech. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Democrats in panic mode as they suddenly realize they made a grave mistake, call for Trump to be PARDONED. Forecast model predicts Donald Trump will win back White House, Republicans to take Senate and maintain House majority. ANALYSIS: Why the cabal's attacks on President Trump and Alex Jones are coordinated to steal the 2024 election by removing Trump from state ballots. Judge in Trump "hush money" case issues preposterous "coup de grace instruction" to rigged jury no unanimous agreement needed to convict. Texas AG Ken Paxton says Trump verdict is "dark and shameful day in American history." Sources include: NTD.com CBSNews.com APNews.com Brighteon.com PENSION COLLAPSE: Ukraine urges citizens to stay in the workforce for as long as possible to fund their own retirement The government of Ukraine will not be able to pay its elderly citizens adequate pensions for the foreseeable future due to a protracted demographic crisis. Darya Marchak, the deputy head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Social Policy, offered this stark assessment of Ukraine's pension system during an interview. She underscored the severity of the situation by highlighting that each taxpayer is currently only able to support one pensioner, a ratio that is expected to exacerbate in the future. Marchak's concerns were rooted in projections from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, indicating a significant decline in Ukraine's population from 38 million in 2022 to an estimated 25 million by 2050. This demographic trend poses significant challenges to the sustainability of the pension system. While acknowledging the government's commitment to providing a guaranteed portion of pensions, Marchak emphasized that the amount would be minimal. In response, she urged Ukrainians to proactively save for their personal pensions and to prioritize maintaining employment for as long as possible. (Related: Creditors pressure Ukraine to PAY UP on its loans.) Marchak drew comparisons to European countries, where pensions serve as a basic safety net, underscoring the importance of personal savings for those seeking higher pension benefits. The complexity of Ukraine's pension crisis was further compounded by warnings from Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshchuk about potential issues with pension payments, civil servant salaries, budget deficits and delays in Western financial assistance. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. In January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky drew attention to the looming risk of over 11 million pensioners being left without payments, stressing the urgent need for Western support to cover the costs of the countrys social benefit programs. Zelensky, despite his pleas, has also not received any help from its main benefactor, the United States. Despite the U.S. Congress passing a multibillion-dollar military assistance package back in April, none of the allocated funds were designated to help keep Kyiv's pension systems afloat, underscoring the ongoing challenges facing Ukraine's social welfare system amidst geopolitical tensions. Most of Ukraine's elderly population affected by conflict with Russia As early as last year, a warning was raised to address the needs of Ukraine's elderly population, the failure of which could hinder the nation's recovery efforts, as outlined by HelpAge International. The aging demographic in Ukraine poses substantial implications for the country's social and economic resurgence. Even before the beginning of Russia's special military operation, approximately 25 percent of Ukraine's populace was aged 60 and above, marking one of the highest proportions of elderly individuals globally, with this figure steadily increasing. Before the conflict, older adults constituted a quarter of Ukraine's population, a ratio that has likely risen due to the departure of younger generations and the decision of many seniors to remain in their homes. This trend is anticipated to escalate if Ukraine gets accepted as a full member of the European Union, granting its citizens freedom of movement across the continent. In devising a comprehensive recovery plan, Ukraine must account for the shifting demographics and prioritize the needs of its elderly populace. This entails not only rebuilding healthcare and long-term care services but also adapting them to cater to an aging demographic. Additionally, the government must address housing accessibility and infrastructure, and establish a sustainable pension system. The war's toll on public health facilities, the surge in disabilities and the prevalence of mental health issues underscore the urgency of developing responsive long-term care and support systems for the elderly within the community. The conflict has plunged 7.1 million people into poverty, with a disproportionate impact on single older Ukrainians, 80 percent of whom live below the poverty line and struggle to afford basic medical necessities. Enhancing the sustainability of the state pension system is imperative for ensuring both the nation's future stability and the dignity of its elderly citizens. Watch this news report explaining how the first 24 hours of Russia's renewed offensive on Kherson destroyed 51 Ukrainian Army bases and four military depots. This video is from the Vampire Slayer channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ukraine a classic failed state, says former Russian President Medvedev Kremlin: Ukraine deliberately targeting JOURNALISTS reporting from the front lines Secret CIA collusion inside Ukraine EXPOSED in blistering new report Sources include: RT.com HelpAge.org Brighteon.com Declassified documents reveal US secret nuclear war project named SIOP, aimed at killing Russians and Chinese people Many cannot help but suspect that the United States, through countries like Ukraine and possibly Taiwan, has been inciting proxy wars to get on with its 1960s plan to mount a nuclear war with Russia and its top ally, China. Declassified documents posted twenty years ago indicate the creation of the Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP) six decades ago, that would " kill a lot of Russians and Chinese ." According to the documents at the National Security Archive at George Washington University , the U.S. included so many nuclear weapons in its first missile-age plan for nuclear war that top military commanders called it a "hazard to ourselves as well as our enemy." SIOP has been one of the most secret and sensitive issues in U.S. national security policy because it indicates a massive nuclear strike on military and urban-industrial targets in the Soviet Union (Russia), China and their allies. It originally included a complex organizational scheme involving the interaction of targeting, weapons delivery systems and flight paths, nuclear detonations over targets, measurements of devastation and defensive measures and successive SIOPs that would become even more complex. Under the secret plan, a Russian city would receive three 80-kiloton weapons. Then outgoing President Dwight D. Eisenhower, along with the Navy leaders and White House Science Adviser George Kistiakowsky, were deeply critical of the SIOP's overkill. The late president even said that the plan "frightened the devil out of him." Incoming Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara soon decried the "fantastic" levels of fallout that attacks on a multitude of Soviet targets would produce. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. The documents on the history of SIOP-62 from 1959-1961 also disclosed that the nuclear war plan included retaliatory and preemptive options. It also indicated a full nuclear SIOP strike launched on a preemptive basis that would deliver over 3200 nuclear weapons to 1060 targets in the Soviet Union, China and allied countries in Asia and Europe. Meanwhile, when on high alert, a full nuclear strike would deliver 1706 nuclear weapons against a total of 725 targets in the said countries and regions. Targets would include nuclear weapons, government and military control centers, and at least 130 cities in the identified countries. As per the damage expectancy criteria of SIOP-62, it would take three 80-kiloton weapons to destroy a city like Nagasaki, which the U.S. had actually bombed with a 22-kiloton weapon. The Marine Corps commandant was concerned that the SIOP provided for the "attack of a single list of Sino-Soviet countries." It would also surely make no "distinction" between Communist countries that were at war with the United States and those that were not. The Defense Department has overclassified and inconsistently released information about the SIOP. According to some evidence, after the Cold War ended, Strategic Air Command Commander-In-Chief General Lee Butler tried to curb what he saw as the SIOP's "grotesque excesses" by paring down the huge target lists. Security classification, however, hides whether General Butler's reforms took hold or whether the SIOP remains an instrument of overkill. Biden permits Ukraine to use U.S. weapons again on Russia Fast forward to present global conflicts, U.S. President Joe Biden recently lifted his ban on Ukraine for using U.S.-supplied military weaponry in attacking Russia. The said move is part of U.S. efforts to "adapt and adjust" to developments in the war, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has confirmed during an informal meeting of NATO ministers in Prague on May 31. According to Blinken, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky sought authorization from the White House in the past weeks. "And that went right to the president, and as youve heard, hes approved the use of our weapons for that purpose. Going forward, well continue to do what weve been doing, which is as necessary adapt and adjust," Blinken added. He reasoned out that the U.S. is just responding to what it has seen in the Kharkiv region, which has come under renewed Russian attacks in recent weeks. It is the second time this year that Biden has quietly relaxed his policy on weapons supplies for Ukraine. Earlier this year, he agreed to send long-range missiles, known as ATACMS, to Kyiv. This recent development has naturally angered Kremlin officials, especially since France and other European countries also indicated that they are allowing Kyiv to use their weapons on military targets inside Russia. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin had warned of "serious consequences," stressing his country's nuclear strength, if Ukraine's Western allies loosened their policy. In fact, the head of the Russian lower house's defense committee Andrei Kartapolov vowed that Moscow will retaliate asymmetrically to Ukrainian attacks on its territory using weapons provided by the United States. Senior Russian security official Dmitry Medvedev also said Russia was not bluffing when it spoke of the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine and that its conflict with the West could escalate into an all-out war. (Related: Putin's new right-hand man wants to nuke the West "to save the world" from a full-blown war.) America is the biggest supplier of weapons to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion started in Feb. 2022. Biden's decision came shortly after NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg told the alliance's foreign ministers that the "time had come" to relax the restrictions placed on Kyiv over the use of the weapons and "enable Ukrainians to really defend themselves." Head over to RussiaReport.news to read more updates on the current status of the Russia-Ukraine war. Sources for this article include: Archives.gov NSArchive2.GWU.edu AlJazeera.com WaPo CEO tells reporters: I cant sugarcoat it people are not reading your stuff. During a Monday meeting, Washington Post CEO and publisher Will Lewis reportedly explained to his staff: We are losing large amounts of money . Your audience has halved in recent years. People are not reading your stuff. I cant sugarcoat it anymore. (Article by Raheem J. Kassam republished from TheNationalPulse.com) The staff, however, appeared more concerned with diversity hires and whether or not a woman of color was interviewed for the role of Editor-in-Chief, now being taken by a former colleague of Lewiss from the United Kingdom. Ive had to take decisive, urgent action to set us on a different path, Lewis told them, sourcing talent that I have worked with that are the best of the best. The termination and replacement of Sally Buzbee apparently surprised staff on Sunday evening despite the paper continuing to lose power, influence, and money. Her replacementfrom the centrist British Telegraph newspaperhas caused concern amongst those who prefer the Post to be used as a leftist propaganda rag rather than a newspaper. given their previous affiliations with Murdoch and with the fiercely right-wing Telegraph newspaper sometimes referred to as the Torygraph there is a palpable fear in and out of the Post newsroom that the three men will drag the Posts political coverage in a more pro-Trump direction. Dan Froomkin, Press Watch, 2024 But the Telegraph is hardly right-wing anymore, nor is it at all pro-Trump. According to some, the reactions from Post staff have proved Lewiss suspicions that the organization is being run for the benefit of far-left politics and politicians than its readership, which continues to decline. Read more at: TheNationalPulse.com Chasing profits: Western companies are now BACKTRACKING on Russia exit plans More than half of the foreign companies that have previously announced plans to leave Russia after the start of the special military operation in Ukraine are still in the country . Reports indicate that a "rebound in consumer activity" and "bureaucratic obstacles" are making those companies stay in Russia. According to data from the Kyiv School of Economics, some 1,600 firms have made good on their pledges by either completely exiting or significantly curtailing their operations in Russia. However, many major businesses remain. The data notes that British businesses such as cosmetics brand Avon, consumer goods company Reckitt and French industrial gas producer Air Liquide are among the 2,173 foreign companies that continue to operate in Russia as of May 5. Some companies like Avon began a sales process for their Russian business and received offers but did not accept them. Meanwhile, as Reckitt announced in April 2022 that it had "begun a process aimed at transferring ownership of its Russian business," the company's new chief executive Kris Licht opted for a more measured approach. Licht shared that Reckitt is still considering options, but the matter has become more complex as the Russia-Ukraine conflict raged on. Other multinationals were careful because of the challenges faced by Western companies such as Carlsberg and Danone, which had their assets seized after announcing plans to leave. While Danone was ultimately able to finalize a deal to sell the assets at a big discount, Carlsberg is still engaged in a protracted legal battle with Moscow, with one of the brewers former top executives in a Russian prison. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. Several Western companies pledged to leave the Russian market after Moscow launched its military operation against Ukraine back in February 2022. As of writing, fast-food chain McDonald's, carmakers Volkswagen and Renault, oil and gas multinationals Shell and British Petroleum and Swedish furniture giant IKEA are some of the companies that have completed their full exits. (Related: Gerald Celente: Economic sanctions are turning China and Russia into SELF-SUFFICIENT countries.) According to an executive working with Western companies in Russia, the companies that left in the first weeks of the conflict saw "a moral imperative." However, there has since been a significant change in sentiment, added the executive. "The current wave is more about, 'Do you really have to leave? Do you want to leave?' Some of these companies have built four, five factories over 30 years. Theyre not going to sell that for a 90% discount," added the executive. Firms that want to leave Russian market forced to sell assets at massive discounts Russian media previously reported that the sale of assets to Russian buyers by Western companies requires approval by a government commission led by Finance Minister Anton Siluanov. At the same time, the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation has imposed a mandatory 50 percent discount on the sale of assets belonging to firms from "unfriendly" countries. This is in addition to an "exit tax" of no less than 15 percent, which could see firms planning to leave give up at least 65 percent of the value of their assets within Russia on their exit. Russia's robust economic performance is allegedly also a factor in the decision by foreign firms to remain, with the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) growing by 5.4 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2024, according to preliminary data released by Rosstat, the national statistics service. In April, the International Monetary Fund announced that it expected the Russian economy to grow faster than all advanced economies in 2024. Russia's GDP is forecast to expand by 3.2 percent, exceeding the expected growth rates for the United States (2.7 percent), the United Kingdom (0.5 percent), Germany (0.2 percent) and France (0.7 percent). Rosstat also reported that real wages in Russia have increased by nearly eight percent in 2023, indicating the biggest jump in five years. Mondelez, Nestle and Unilever have also opted to stay in Russia. According to the chief executive of confectionery giant Mondelez, the firms shareholders did not "morally care" whether the group exited the country. Earlier in May, Russian President Vladimir Putin set a goal for the country to have the fourth-highest GDP, which is measured by purchasing power parity, in the world by 2030. The Russian government has announced several measures aimed at transforming the countrys economy and promoting consumer spending. These measures include labor reforms, entrepreneurial incentives and increased efficiency and productivity. Visit RussiaReport.news for more updates on Russia. Watch the video below as Russia promises to use nuclear weapons if the West continues to "taunt" Moscow. This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: New U.S. anti-Russia sanctions target Chinese entities that sell dual-use products to Moscow. Senate passes bill BANNING the importation of Russian uranium. Top Russian banker calls for end of Western payment systems like SWIFT. Creditors pressure Ukraine to PAY UP on its loans. Sources include: RT.com FT.com Brighteon.com Attention-starved Zelensky wants spotlight off Israel-Palestine conflict as it distracts the world from Kyivs war with Moscow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has openly complained that the fighting in Gaza is distracting the world from his country's war with Russia. "We can already see the consequences of the international community shifting attention because of the tragedy in the Middle East," he told the Associated Press last year following Kyiv's failed and costly summer counteroffensive against Moscow. Now, despite the ongoing conflict within his court, he is meddling with Israel's full invasion plans of the Palestinian territory. According to Zelensky, his country will work to pressure Israel to end the bloodshed in Gaza. Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore on Sunday, the Ukrainian leader said that Israel has the right to defend itself from "Hamas terrorists." "Ukraine said that if Hamas terrorists attacked civilians on the first day of the attack on Israeli civilians, Israel has the right to defend itself," he said. But then, he raised concerns over the dire humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave, besieged by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). "When Israel was in Gaza and there was a humanitarian crisis, Ukraine said: First, we are ready to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza; 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," he added. Zelensky also stressed the need to distinguish between the two periods and "not to mix them into one." We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. Unlike many Western countries, Israel has refused to impose sanctions on Russia. Though Israel has repeatedly expressed support for Ukraine since the Russian forces invaded the nation, it has stopped short of offering military aid. It has sent humanitarian aid to Kyiv during the conflict and is working on developing an alert system for incoming Russian strikes. However, it would not supply its missile interceptor systems, both fearing it could fall into Russian hands and seeking to avoid overly antagonizing Moscow which has a heavy military presence in Syria. Zelensky also met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin while in Singapore to discuss Ukraine's immediate defense needs, enhancement of its air defense systems, cooperation within the F-16 coalition and the drafting of a new bilateral security agreement. Ukraine reportedly invited both Israel and Palestine to the upcoming global peace summit it is organizing on June 15-16 at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland. Kyiv is said to be "ready to hear every opinion" of other countries, "except for Russia." 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. Russia and China undermine the "peace summit," Zelensky claims For Zelensky, Russia and China are doing their best to undermine the upcoming global peace summit he is trying to mount in Switzerland. He claimed that Russia is trying to dissuade other states from attending the event by pressuring countries not to attend, through threats of a blockade of agricultural goods, chemical goods and energy. Despite insisting that it does not side with either side of the Ukraine war, China is accused of aiding Moscow by sending components for weapons. It was also seen as propping up the Russian economy by purchasing vast quantities of oil and gas, softening the impact of Western sanctions. Zelensky said China's leader Xi Jinping had earlier promised him they would "stand aside in this war and would not support Russia with weapons." But there are now "elements that are part of Russia's weaponry" that come from China, according to various intelligence agencies. He called for China to maintain a "consistent" position. The U.S. also alleged that China is helping Russia make more munitions, armored vehicles and missiles. It estimates about 70 percent of the machine tools and 90 percent of the microelectronics Russia imports come from China. Meanwhile, Russia was doing "everything to disrupt the peace summit" by using "Chinese influence on the region" and diplomats to do so, Zelensky insisted. "It is unfortunate that such a big, independent, powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of Putin." The said appearance of Zelensky in the Singapore dialogue attended by defense chiefs from around the world is to drum up support for his upcoming summit later in June. Besides meeting regional leaders, he also urged delegates to attend, vowing that the meeting would focus on achieving nuclear security, food security and the release of prisoners of war and Ukrainian children held in Russia. (Related: Zelensky blames the world for Russian offensive in Kharkiv, but Ukrainian troops beg to differ.) So far 106 countries said they would send high-level representatives or their leaders to the summit, he said. Russia has not been invited and China is not attending. Certain countries were assisting this "diplomatic disruption," Zelensky added. China's foreign ministry stated that the conference "should have the recognition of Russia and Ukraine" and equal participation. "Otherwise, it is difficult for the conference to play a substantive role in restoring peace," a spokeswoman said on Friday. Head over UkraineWitness.com for more stories related to Zelensky and Ukraine's status updates. Sources for this article include: RT.com SG.News.Yahoo.com KyivIndependent.com BBC.com Tornadoes are rotating vortexes of air that appear like funnel-shaped clouds known for its destructive power along its path, where they can cause potential property damage and even loss of life. Outside the United States, tornadoes can occur in different parts of the world, including South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. However, a tornado outbreak's greatest frequency and risk lies in the US. Dubbed "Tornado Alley," this region situated in the central part of the US (even extending into Canada) has recorded many tornadoes unlike any other region on Earth. This tornado-prone area has conventionally included parts of the states of Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Twisters can transpire at any time. Yet, they are common from March to June, a period when thunderstorms are frequent. While familiar to many people, our understanding or perception of the US tornado region could soon become outdated. According to an April 2024 study, scientists found evidence of shifts in coverage and season of tornado activity in the US. These findings indicate that the Tornado Alley is changing, meaning it also covers parts of the Eastern US, which is different than previously thought, the research explains. Tornado Alley Threat The Tornado Alley threat in the US is changing, since it now affects parts of the Eastern US and it is now more likely to reach the Midwest and Southeast than ever before. This analysis is according to a research paper published in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology on April 29, which asserts that new data on tornado activity reveals the twister zone is expanding into new grounds. In previous research, evidence also showed that the representation of the Tornado Alley in the central Plains of the US is not fully accurate, especially when it comes to current tornado frequency, authors of the paper said. Instead, the April 2024 study concluded the "greatest tornado threat" has now shifted east, where tornado outbreaks are uncommon. The research team, including from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Storm Prediction Center, said the shift has already started since the year 1951. The conclusion is based on data and measurements, including tornadogenesis events, tornado path length, and tornado days. The results show tornado activity has spread from the Great Plains into the Midwest and Southeast US. Also Read: U.S. Tornadoes Shifting Southeast, Could Be Due to Climate Change US Tornado Outbreak While decades-long data supports the changing Tornado Alley. More recent evidence reinforces the increasing threat posed by the tornado corridor. In April 2024, a tornado outbreak in Oklahoma was linked to at least four fatalities. Over the course of the recent Memorial Day weekend, multiple tornadoes wreaked havoc in different states, killing over 20 people. A previous report by the National Weather Service/Storm Prediction Center showed that the tornado outbreak almost coincided with severe weather targeting the US East Coast and parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. Related Article: US Tornado Shows to Be More Active Than Last Year, Report Shows BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 8. The election of Azerbaijan to the esteemed UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) demonstrates the nation's influence abroad, the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan told Trend. The ministry made the remark commenting on the country's election as a member of the ECOSOC for 2025-2027, held at the UN General Assembly, by receiving 148 votes. According to the ministry, election to ECOSOC members is the most competitive after election to the UN Security Council. The ministry reminded that Azerbaijan has so far been a member of ECOSOC twice - in 2003-2005 and 2017-2019. Besides, the ministry pointed out that ECOSOC, consisting of 54 members is one of the key UN bodies coordinating the interaction of the UN's 14 specialized agencies, their functional commissions and five regional commissions in the economic and social fields. Moreover, according to the ministry, Azerbaijan's election to ECOSOC indicates high appreciation of the country's socio-economic achievements over the past 10 years by the international community. We thank every country that supported Azerbaijan in this election. Azerbaijan, during its membership in the council, will, as always, make its contribution to international peace and development in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, added the ministry. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Weather experts said a severe weather condition could be felt and bring storms towards the Northern Rockies, Northern Plains and into the Midwest. Based on the forecast, residents in these areas could experience thunderstorms. The weather condition will also threaten the areas of Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Minneapolis and Cincinnati. Damaging Thunderstorms Meteorologists warned that some of the destructive thunderstorms could even blow through the middle portion of the Atlantic. They said that strong winds would be the primary danger, however, hail and tornadoes will also be possible to be felt in the affected areas. Moreover, the weather disturbances may also bring intense lines of thunderstorms known as derechos. The National Weather Service defined derecho as a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. Meteorologists explained that although a derecho can produce damage that is similar to what the strength of tornadoes can bring, the said destruction is typically directed in one direction along a relatively straight swath. Due to this, weather experts underscored that the term "straight-line wind damage" is sometimes used to describe the derecho damage. Officials then warned that power outages could be a danger of derechos as some outages in the hardest-hit areas can last for days. On the other hand, extended power outages paired with building summertime heat and humidity can also result in dangerously hot conditions for residents in the affected areas. Read Also: Eastern US Weather Forecast: Severe Thunderstorms to Hit New York, Washington This Week Risk For Flash Floods Meanwhile, the NWS noted that most of the active weather across the lower 48 can be felt across the central portion of the nation through the weekend in the form of severe thunderstorms. This weather condition will then be a potential for flash flooding in the said area. Further, anomalous moisture will pool in the vicinity of a pair of frontal boundaries located over the Central Plains during the evening. Based on the forecast, severe thunderstorms are also expected to increase in coverage throughout the evening near a stationary front currently in place across Nebraska. These thunderstorms are accompanied with threats for large hail and damaging straight line winds in addition to the tornadoes. Weather experts mentioned that an organized thunderstorm complex is likely to form this evening and translate toward the southeast toward the lower Missouri Valley. This is seen to carry a huge threat for flash floods among residents as well as high rainfall rates and possibly four to five inches of rain by Saturday morning. Severe weather, composed mainly of hail and wind, and the flash flood potential will focus a little farther in the southern area on Saturday as a cold front moves through the Central Plains. Meteorologists noted that the threat in the region would extend from the Central High Plains, through southern KS towards the middle Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys. Weather experts said that the spotty rainfall totals in excess of three inches will be possible in addition to the severe thunderstorms. Related Article: US Tornado Shows to Be More Active Than Last Year, Report Shows Marine plastic pollution has been an environmental and ecological issue globally for several decades. This contamination ranges from the Atlantic Ocean to the garbage patches of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The plastic waste problem affects aquatic life and their ecosystems, which is fragile from chemicals and other contaminants from plastic polyethylene materials. Since plastics cannot be completely eradicated from existence, governments in the past have implemented different measures, including single-use plastic ban. Scientists even sought the help of pathogens such as bacteria to help us break down accumulating plastic materials, both on land and marine environments. Now, scientists from the Netherlands have found a plastic-eating marine fungus that can take on the job. Ocean Plastic Pollution Ocean plastic pollution has become a "global crisis" since billions of pounds of plastic materials end up in swirling convergences that accounts for about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces, according to the organization Center for Biological Diversity. Affecting not only humans, the marine plastic pollution problem poses both a dangerous and a deadly threat on wildlife, including sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. In previous years, thousands of these animals have reportedly died either due to plastic ingestion or getting entangled from these materials. The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) and Pacific loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) are some of the hundreds of species that can mistakenly consume plastic litter and get stuck in them, according to the said organization. Also Read: Plastic-Eating Fungus May Solve World's Waste Problems Marine Fungus Eats Plastic Waste In light of the new study, the said marine fungus was initially found living in the North Pacific Garbage Patch. Based on the recent study, researchers confirmed that the fungal species, called Parengyodontium album, can break down plastic polyethylene 0.05% per day. The novel findings by the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) were published in the journal Science of The Total Environment. The Dutch research team arrived at their conclusion by isolating specimens of P. album from plastic debris collected in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. However, the marine fungus must first be exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun before it can chunk on plastic polyethylene. The findings also provide the possibility that other plastic-eating fungi are living in the depths of the ocean. In a media release on June 3, the NIOZ stated that the marine fungus in the Pacific Ocean also lives with other marine microbes in layers of floating plastic debris. Marine microbiologists from the Dutch research organization found the plastic-degrading microbes in plastic hotspot areas in the North Pacific Ocean, where sunlight is required to kickstart the P. album's appetite for plastic waste. The researcher team involved in the study are expecting that other unknown fungi are degrading ocean plastics as well but have not yet been discovered. In addition, discovery of additional microbes could eventually help in the process of plastic degradation in the future. Related Article: Fire Starter Fungus: Candidate for Plastic Alternative, Study Shows Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan CAIRO, Egypt, June 8. This visit will give a significant boost to the development of Egyptian-Azerbaijani relations, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said during a press statement with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Trend reports. "Last year we hosted President El-Sisi in Azerbaijan, and this year I am making a visit. This shows that the political dialogue is of a regular nature, and we have agreed to continue it further," the head of state noted. CAIRO, Egypt, June 8. Azerbaijan and Armenia have made certain progress in delineating their state borders, successfully agreeing on a section that extends nearly 12.7 kilometers, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said during a press statement with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Trend reports. "Through negotiations, four villages in the Gazakh district of Azerbaijan, which were under occupation for 30 years, have been returned. We consider this a positive development." 18th Lok Sabha will conquer new frontiers, says PM Modi ahead of Sunday's swearing in P rime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that India will continue to develop in every sector at an even faster pace than during the previous two terms of the BJP-led NDA government. All set to take oath as the Prime Minister for the third consecutive time on Sunday, he also assured that NDA 3.0 will put in even more efforts for the country's development and to realise the aspirations of its citizens. "The NDA government has been given a chance to serve the country for the third time. I am grateful to my countrymen, and I assure you that India will continue to develop in every sector at an even faster pace than during our previous two terms," said PM Modi after meeting President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. He also asserted that the 18th Lok Sabha will be full of energy and have the resolve to conquer new frontiers. "This is the first election after Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It is an important juncture as we move ahead at a great speed to fulfil the goals en route 2047 when we celebrate 100 years of the country's Independence," said PM Modi. The Prime Minister also said that the NDA 3.0 will work with fresh energy and a wider vision towards finishing the tasks and achieving the goals in a fixed time period. Earlier in the day, a delegation of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by BJP President J.P. Nadda called on President Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and handed over a letter stating that PM Narendra Modi has been elected as Leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party. Letters of support from the NDA constituent parties were also handed over to the President. "The President, having satisfied herself on the basis of the various letters of support that the BJP-led NDA alliance, which is also the largest pre-election alliance, is in a position to command majority support of the newly constituted 18th Lok Sabha and to form a stable government, appointed Shri Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India exercising powers vested in her under Article 75(1) of the Constitution of India," the President's Secretariat said in a statement. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday evening. 18th Lok Sabha will conquer new frontiers, says PM Modi ahead of Sunday's swearing in Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Kartik Aaryan wins Best Actor (Male) for 'Satyaprem Ki Katha' at Movified Screen Awards I n a momentous occasion, Kartik Aaryan was awarded the Best Actor award at the Movified Screen Awards for his performance in the popular film 'Satyaprem Ki Katha'. Aaryan's victory highlights his remarkable talent and the appreciation he has garnered from both critics and audiences alike. The Movified Awards, known for their authenticity and genuine recognition of talent, have once again set a high standard in the industry. Established in 2012 and acquired by Neekeeta Singh, Movified has been a dedicated platform providing in-depth coverage of international films and digital content. It celebrates not only traditional cinema, but also the innovative intersection of cinema and digital content, focusing on how new media formats are revolutionising storytelling and audience engagement. Kartik Aaryan expressed his heartfelt gratitude upon receiving the award, acknowledging the support of his fans and the Movified platform. "Thank you Movified and to all the people who voted for me. Winning the Best Actor award for 'Satyaprem Ki Katha' is a true honour, especially from a platform that values genuine talent and contributions to the industry," Aaryan said. Directed by Sameer Sanjay Vidwans, 'Satyaprem Ki Katha', a film that has resonated with many, showcases Aaryan's versatility and depth as an actor. His portrayal of the character 'Satyaprem' has been widely praised for its authenticity and emotional depth, making this win a well-deserved recognition of his hard work and dedication. He extended his thanks to the director, writer, and co-actors who played significant roles in bringing the movie to life. "I would like to thank the director, the writer, and my co-actors for their incredible support and collaboration. This award is as much theirs as it is mine," Aaryan said. The Movified Awards continue to be a beacon of genuine recognition in an industry often flooded with accolades, ensuring that the hard work and dedication of artistes like Aaryan do not go unnoticed. This award not only celebrates Aaryan's talent but also highlights the evolving landscape of cinema and digital content, where platforms like Movified play a crucial role in shaping the future of storytelling. As the film industry continues to evolve, the Movified Awards remain a significant marker of true excellence, celebrating artistes who push the boundaries of creativity and performance. Kartik Aaryan's win for 'Satyaprem Ki Katha' is a shining example of the enduring impact of authentic recognition in the world of cinema. Kartik Aaryan wins Best Actor (Male) for 'Satyaprem Ki Katha' at Movified Screen Awards Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Macron to receive Biden as state guest in Paris F rench President Emmanuel Macron is due to receive his US counterpart Joe Biden as a state guest in Paris on Saturday. Following an official welcoming ceremony, the two are scheduled to hold bilateral talks in Macron's official residence, after which Biden and Macron are expected to appear before the press. A state banquet is scheduled for the evening. Unlike regular working visits, official state visits are accompanied by special pomp and protocol. The US President is currently on a visit to France lasting several days. He arrived on Wednesday and took part in commemorations in Normandy on Thursday to mark the D-Day landing of Allied troops 80 years ago. The White House said in advance that the state visit reflected the close ties between the two countries. Biden and Macron plan to discuss a wide range of global challenges and bilateral issues. The French government said that they would discuss further support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia. This would also serve to prepare for next week's G7 summit in the Italian city of Bari and the NATO summit in the US capital Washington in July. Biden received Macron as a state guest in Washington in 2022. At the time, the French leader was the first foreign guest to be honoured in this way during Biden's term of office. --IANS/DPA Macron to receive Biden as state guest in Paris Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Elizabeth Debicki says to crack Diana's voice in 'The Crown' was the hardest part for her A ustralian actress Elizabeth Debicki, who portrayed Princess Diana in the hit streaming show 'The Crown', has revealed that the voice of her character was a tough nut to crack for her as an actress. Debicki discussed her experience with fellow actress Emma Corrin, who played Diana in the show's fourth season, during a free-wheeling conversation mediated by Variety. "Of all the things that really gave me anxiety, it was the voice," Debicki said, according to Variety. When Emma asked, "More than the mannerisms?" Debicki responded, "Much, much more. What you, as the actor playing that character, owe the audience is a very specific sonic imprint. I felt a huge responsibility to get as close to it as I could." She further mentioned, "Ive lived in London a long time, so my Australian accent is kind of transmorphed anyway. But of all the accents Ive ever had to learn, this was the toughest." As per Variety, Debicki said that for her part in the Netflix series, it felt like learning music. "That music and that rhythm were so far from how I sense myself as a person. So I worked extremely hard. People ask, Was there a little hook? Was there any footage you watched?" Debicki also said that she treated the post-engagement interviews of Diana like stunts. "I carved the physical path out so I knew what my body had to do. And then I would let myself respond. For me, its very physical. You dont have to act very much," she added. Elizabeth Debicki says to crack Diana's voice in 'The Crown' was the hardest part for her Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Ram Charan starts shooting for final leg of 'Game Changer' in Rajahmundry T elugu star Ram Charan landed in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday for the final leg of his shooting schedule for the political action thriller film Game Changer. This leg of the shoot will see Ram Charan working alongside Sunil and Naveen Chandra, who play substantial supporting roles in the film. The film also stars Kiara Advani, Jayaram, and Anjali in pivotal roles. Sources said that the Rajahmundry schedule of the film is expected to mark the completion of Ram Charan's portions in the film. Following this, he is expected to shoot for a couple of days in Hyderabad. These final scenes may be filmed towards the end of June or early July as per a new development. With Charan wrapping up his role, director S Shankar will then have approximately 20-25 days to complete the remaining shoot, indicating a swift pace towards the film's release. Game Changer is directed by the renowned S Shankar, and is touted to be a cinematic spectacle with an estimated budget of Rs 240 crore. Ram Charan will be seen in a triple role, adding another layer of intrigue to the film's narrative. Dil Raju, known for his production excellence, is backing the project under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations. Ram Charan starts shooting for final leg of 'Game Changer' in Rajahmundry Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! One of the most confusing aspects for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is that they have high fasting glucose levels. This is because in these insulin-resistant patients, glucose production by the liver is triggered, a process that is still full of questions for the scientific community. Now, a review article published in the journal Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism presents a comprehensive overview of the most important advances in understanding this mechanism. It also helps to identify new drug targets in the fight against type 2 diabetes mellitus, which the World Health Organization (WHO) considers one of the pandemics of the 21st century. The study is led by Professor Manuel Vazquez-Carrera, from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences of the University of Barcelona, the UB Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), the Sant Joan de Deu Research Institute (IRSJD) and the Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM). Among the participants in the study are the experts Emma Barroso, Javier Jurado-Aguilar and Xavier Palomer (UB-IBUB-IRJSJD-CIBERDEM) and Professor Walter Wahli, from the University of Lausanne (Switzerland). Therapeutic targets to fight the disease Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an increasingly common chronic disease that results in high levels of circulating glucose the cellular energy fuel due to a deficient insulin response in the body. It can cause severe organ damage and is estimated to be under-diagnosed in a high percentage of the affected population worldwide. In patients, the glucose synthesis pathway in the liver (gluconeogenesis) is hyperactivated, a process that can be controlled by drugs such as metformin. "Recently, new factors involved in the control of hepatic gluconeogenesis have been identified. For example, a study by our group revealed that growth differentiation factor (GDF15) reduces the levels of proteins involved in hepatic gluconeogenesis", says Professor Manuel Vazquez-Carrera, from the UB's Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry. To make progress in the fight against this pathology, it will also be necessary to further study pathways such as TGF-, which is involved in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD), a very prevalent pathology that often coexists with type 2 diabetes mellitus. "TGF- plays a very relevant role in the progression of liver fibrosis and has become one of the most important factors that may contribute to increased hepatic gluconeogenesis and, therefore, to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, studying the involvement of the TGF- pathway in the regulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis could help to achieve better glycaemic control", stresses Vazquez-Carrera. However, acting on a single factor to improve the regulation of gluconeogenesis does not seem to be a sufficient therapeutic strategy to adequately control the disease. "It would be important to be able to design combination therapies that could consider the different factors involved to improve the approach to type 2 diabetes mellitus", Vazquez-Carrera says. "Today there are several molecules TGF-, TOX3, TOX4, etc. that could be considered therapeutic targets for designing future strategies to improve patients' well-being. Their efficacy and safety will determine their therapeutic success. We cannot lose sight of the fact that controlling the overactivation of hepatic gluconeogenesis in type 2 diabetes mellitus has an additional difficulty: it is a key pathway for making glucose available in fasting situations, it is finely modulated by numerous factors and this makes regulation difficult", he adds. Interestingly, other factors involved in the control of gluconeogenesis have also been identified in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who showed high glucose levels. "Hyperglycaemia was very prevalent in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, which seems to be related to the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to induce the activity of proteins involved in hepatic gluconeogenesis", the expert notes. Metformin: the unknowns of the most prescribed drug The mechanisms of action of metformin, the most commonly prescribed drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, which reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis, are still not fully understood. It has now been discovered that the drug decreases gluconeogenesis via inhibition of complex IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This is a mechanism independent of the classical effects known until now through activation of the AMPK protein, a sensor of the cell's energy metabolism. "Inhibition of mitochondrial complex IV activity by metformin not complex I as previously thought reduces the availability of substrates required for hepatic glucose synthesis", says Vazquez-Carrera. In addition, metformin can also reduce gluconeogenesis through its effects on the gut, leading to changes that ultimately attenuate hepatic glucose production in the liver. "Thus, metformin increases glucose uptake and utilization in the gut, and generates metabolites capable of inhibiting gluconeogenesis when they reach the liver via the portal vein. Finally, metformin also stimulates the secretion of GLP-1 in the intestine, a hepatic gluconeogenesis inhibitory peptide that contributes to its anti-diabetic effect", he explains. For now, the team led by Vazquez-Carrera continues its research work to decipher the mechanisms by which GDF15 could regulate hepatic gluconeogenesis. "In parallel, we want to design new molecules that increase circulating GDF15 levels. If we have potent inducers of GDF15, we could improve glycemia in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus by reducing hepatic gluconeogenesis, but also by other actions of this cytokine", concludes the researcher. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan CAIRO, Egypt, June 8. Today's talks with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan serve to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields, said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during a press statement with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. We discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. We also discussed potential cooperation opportunities in the fields of construction, transport, pharmaceuticals, oil and infrastructure. We also noted the importance of the activity of the joint commission between the two countries and organizing its next meeting, noted Abdel El-Sisi. Hives, asthma, or eczema theyre all very common symptoms of an allergic reaction. When mild, allergies cause irritation and discomfort, yet when severe, they can result in anaphylaxis and even death. Now, health experts at the University of South Australia are calling for a renewed focus on allergy training for nurses to deliver allergy treatments, source reliable evidence-based resources and provide patient education to patients and their families across the health sector. Its a timely move ahead of World Allergy Week (23-29 June). Currently, allergic disease affects more than four million Australians, with numbers expected to almost double in the next 20 years. About 40 to 50% of children experience symptoms of an allergic disease in their first four years of life. Experienced allergy registered nurse and lecturer, UniSAs Dr Deryn Thompson, says the growing demand for medical services, particularly in relation to allergic disease, is a serious public health issue, as underlined by the National Allergy Council. With allergies and anaphylaxis on the rise in Australia, its crucial for nurses to provide specific and accurate allergy care and education, Dr Thompson says. Nurses, especially those in primary healthcare (such as GP nurses) must be able to explain allergies and correct misconceptions about allergies, intolerances and the use of mail-order tests and treatment. Nurses can be at the front line of providing evidence-based best practice information and resources and advocate for early intervention. Currently, nurses need to self-fund their postgraduate studies which means many struggle to access affordable allergy training, leaving them underequipped to support allergy patients. The National Allergy Council wants to make allergy care more accessible to patients across Australia, which puts nurses in a prime position to deliver this with additional training and knowledge. The recent announcement of a $50.2 million federal investment to upskill Australian nurses could be the key to expanding allergy education among registered nurses to specialise in primary healthcare. UniSAs Professional Certificate in Allergy Nursing is the only allergy nursing course of its kind in Australia. Offered collaboratively with the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Incorporated (ASCIA) for nurses, the course provides nurses with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to confidently care for children and adults with allergic conditions using best practice and care based on evidence. Growing pressure on health care services means many people are finding it hard to access allergy support, and primary healthcare is usually peoples first contact with the health system Dr Thompson says. Today, Molecular Devices, LLC., a leading high-performance life science solutions provider, officially opened its custom-built site in Cardiff, UK. The multi-million-pound facility was custom-built for the companys proprietary bioprocess workflow and unique bioreactor technology that enables the quality-controlled manufacturing of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) at scale. High volumes of 3D Ready reproducible PDOs are offered as a bespoke service and cryopreserved in an assay-ready format. These can be thawed, plated, and used as desired by researchers. From Left to Right: Mary Duseau, President, Molecular Devices Victoria Marsh-Durban, Director, Custom Organoid Services, Molecular Devices Robert Vries, CEO HUB Organoids Professor Sir Martin Evans, Nobel Laureate. Image Credit: Molecular Devices, LLC Mary Duseau, President of Molecular Devices said, Molecular Devices is the only company to commercially manufacture PDOs in single batches large enough to support screens of more than 20,000 compounds. With our new facility, we now have the capacity to manufacture 300 million PDOs annually. Given the utility of PDOs for precision medicine and predictive toxicology, their expanded availability for use in drug discovery will reduce the time and cost of bringing new life-saving therapies to the market. Dr. Robert Vries, CEO of HUB Organoids, the inventors of the proprietary Organoid technology and long-time collaborator of Molecular Devices said, At HUB Organoids, we recognize the immense potential of organoids and are committed to advancing this cutting-edge technology. Opening this state-of-the-art facility marks a pivotal moment in the field, as Molecular Devices, one of our key licensees, can now grow organoids at scale to meet the growing demands of researchers worldwide. It not only enables them to accelerate progress in understanding human biology and disease mechanisms but also sets their customers up for breakthroughs in drug discovery and personalized medicine. Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Martin Evans unveiled a plaque at the launch event. Evans was awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize for Medicine for ground-breaking discoveries concerning the discovery of mammalian embryonic stem cells and DNA recombination. Throughout his tenure as Head of the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University, Evans championed the innovative 3D organoid cell culture research undertaken in Professor Trevor Dales on-campus lab thatalongside Bath Universitygave rise to the start-up biotech company Cellesce, acquired by Molecular Devices in 2022. I am very pleased to see the developmental potential of human stem cells being so effectively leveraged in organoids for facilitating pharmaceutical research. Professor Sir Martin Evans In 2023, the Welsh Government unveiled a Manufacturing Plan for Wales to continue growing the countrys thriving industry. The manufacturing sector, which includes life sciences, contributes over 16% to Wales national economic output, nearly double the UK average. Molecular Devices new manufacturing facility aligns with this plan, as well as with the UK Governments national vision for engineering biology. Novel Concepts Medical is proud to announce breakthrough results from its labs in Israel showing that its plant-based formula resulted in over 99% decrease in cell viability of breast cancer cells and lung cancer cells. Each of the cancer tests was performed three times in one of the premier labs in Israel located in Ness Zionas science park. The lab results showed: MCF-7 breast cancer, after 48 hours of incubation: a decrease in cell viability of 99.68% A549 lung cancer, after 48 hours of incubation: a decrease in cell viability of 99.65% Novel Concepts Medical founder, Rachel Alkalay, PhD, said that the company will consider global collaborations in order to make it approachable for any person in the world. Earlier this year, the company published a successful case study with a colon cancer patient. The study showed improvement with metastases in the patients liver and shrinkage of his tumor size after using our plant-based treatment. No side effects were reported of our treatment. Novel Concepts Medical and its founder have previously been recognized for their work in the field of plant-based treatment. The company received the "Most Pioneering Life Savings Treatments R&D Company 2023 Middle East" award from Global Health & Pharma Magazine, and Dr. Alkalay won "One of the top 3 innovative and Creative Women Inventors for 2023" award in the FICPIs World IP Day competition. University of South Florida researchers are using artificial intelligence to revolutionize mosquito surveillance to help combat malaria in Africa. Ryan Carney, professor of integrative biology, and Sriram Chellappan, professor in the department of computer science and engineering, will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of researchers to advance malaria research and explore innovative solutions to target malaria-infected mosquitoes in real-time. The project is part of an international effort funded by a $3.6 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. Known as EMERGENTS (Enhancing Malaria Epidemiology Research through Genomics and Translational Systems), the project will establish a new International Center for Excellence for Malaria Research in west-central Africa, with in-country expertise in Nigeria and Cameroon. According to the World Health Organization, in 2022, there were 249 million new cases of malaria globally and 608,000 resulted in death. Africa is disproportionately affected by the disease, accounting for 95% of the world's 2022 malaria deaths. Over the next five years, the international center will advance evidence-based strategies for malaria eradication and elimination, including training a new generation of African scientists, better understanding of insecticide resistance and investigating the geographic expansion of Anopheles stephensi, a dangerous urban malaria vector that has recently started to invade Africa. The information gathered at the center will be used for global management of malaria. While the primary focus of the EMERGENTS initiative is Africa, the technology and methodologies developed through this project have significant implications for the United States. Florida, with its conducive climate and high rate of international travelers, remains a critical point for monitoring mosquito-borne illnesses. Carney and Chellappan will lead the project's image-driven mosquito surveillance efforts by training local scientists how to leverage citizen science through mosquitodashboard.org, a global mosquito-tracking dashboard they created in 2022 with funding from the National Science Foundation. The dashboard accessible online integrates hundreds of thousands of mosquito observations from various platforms into an interactive, real-time dashboard and data portal, using photos that people upload from their smartphones. Using some of the same unique algorithms, Chellappan is testing an artificial intelligence-enabled smart trap that will lure, capture and monitor Anopheles stephensi. The goal is to deploy multiple prototypes of the patent-pending smart trap throughout west-central Africa during this project to specifically trap and automate the identification of Anopheles stephensi instantaneously. We are the only team that we know of globally that can successfully enable anatomy-based classification from a single photo to identify mosquitoes. Our algorithm automatically identifies the head, thorax, abdomen and legs from a mosquito image, then it uses specific anatomical components to identify the mosquito type for example, the wing for Anopheles stephensi." Sriram Chellappan, professor in the department of computer science and engineering The dashboard and smart trap are powerful tools that provide real-time data to researchers and mosquito-control personnel for the early detection of invasive and disease-carrying mosquitoes. The success of the dashboard and citizen science are documented in previous studies published by Carney and Chellappan. In an existing campaign launched in 2022 in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this process has already been piloted through citizen science activities in countries, including Ethiopia and Madagascar. The additional funding from this new project will allow Carney and Chellappan to refine their algorithms and add additional species for automated identification, with the main target being Anopheles stephensi. "Anopheles stephensi is a very efficient vector of malaria, and something that has adapted itself to the human environment," Carney said. "Therefore, it can cause huge, unprecedented epidemics in urban centers, which we have already started to see unfolding in Africa. Florida is ground-zero for mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S. and, although Anopheles stephensi has not yet been detected domestically, our citizen science infrastructure and species identification technologies ensure that we are prepared to fight this potential threat." As the technology advances throughout this project, Chellappan hopes the traps can be sold to citizens at an affordable price to further enhance community-led mosquito surveillance and control both abroad and locally. Petrol, Diesel Prices On June 8, 2024: Oil marketing companies have updated the petrol and diesel prices on Saturday, June 8. Check the latest petrol, and diesel prices to know if there is an increase in the amount that you have to shell out for a litre. Government oil marketing companies release updated 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, and 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 8, the petrol price 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 8, the cost of diesel is priced at Rs 87.62 per litre. Delhi Petrol Price Today As of June 8, 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. Assam Petrol & Diesel Price The Assam government has hiked the price of petrol by Rs 1.02 per litre and that of diesel by Rs 1.01. Check city-wise petrol and diesel prices on June 8: Petrol-Diesel Rates in other cities (Petrol-Diesel Rates June 8, 2024) Noida: Petrol Rs 94.66 per litre and Diesel Rs 87.76 per litre Gurugram: Petrol Rs 95.05 per litre and diesel Rs 87.91 per litre Chandigarh: Petrol is Rs 94.24 per litre and diesel is Rs 82.40 per litre Hyderabad: Petrol is Rs 107.41 per litre and diesel is Rs 95.65 per litre Jaipur: Petrol is Rs 104.88 per litre and diesel is Rs 90.36 per litre Patna: Petrol is Rs 105.42 per litre and diesel is Rs 92.27 per litre Lucknow: Petrol is Rs 94.52 per litre and diesel is Rs 87.61 per litre 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. The Ministry of Education (MoE) has constituted a four-member high-powered committee to review the results of over 1500 NEET-UG 2024 candidates from six exam centres across the country, who lost time due to different administrative reasons at the centres and were awarded grace marks to compensate for the same, it said on Saturday.The panel will be led by a former Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) chairperson, the MoE said. The move comes amid allegations of inflated marks leading to 67 candidates sharing All India Rank (AIR) one in the exam, four days after results of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) were announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 4. Since the release of the results, parents and students have raised concerns about the validity of the results. A record over 24 lakh candidates appeared for the exam this year. Also Read| NEET-UG 2024 Concerns: NTA Clarifies Revision of One Answer Key, Grace Marks for Lost Time Led to More Toppers According to NTA Director-General (DG) Subodh Kumar Singh, the six centres where students were compensated for the time lost are - Bahadurgarh, Dantewada, Baloch, Surat, Chandigarh and Meghalaya. A total of 1563 candidates wrote the exam from these six centres. There were different administrative reasons for each of the six centres for loss of time including a wrong set of question paper being distributed. The exam here was concluded at the scheduled time even though it started late from the due time and hence we had to award grace marks to compensate them for time lost, said Singh. Grace marks are awarded based on the candidates efficiency in answering the questions and the number of questions they attempted in the time that was available to them, he said. However, he added, that the awarding of grace or compensatory marks has not impacted the qualifying criteria of the exam and that the review of results of the affected candidates will not impact the admission process. The panel will revisit the results of these over 1500 candidates and will give its recommendation within a week, he said. When asked if the exam will be rescheduled for candidates from these centres, Singh said that it will depend on the decision and findings of the panel. Several students have also approached the apex court on the results. Meanwhile, Singh denied any paper leak and irregularities in the exam and reiterated that the integrity of the crucial test had not been compromised. The Congress in Kerala alleged that results have raised concerns about the authenticity of the national exam for medical courses, with many students casting doubt on the procedure. Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website. The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir may soon witness its first assembly elections as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has started preparations for it. Last week, while speaking to the media about the success of the Lok Sabha polls, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said that now was the right time to hold elections in the erstwhile state. Getting into groove The poll body last week also started accepting applications from political parties for the use of common symbols for their candidates one of the first steps for elections in the UT. It is important to note that the last elections in the erstwhile state took place in November-December 2014. In November 2018, the assembly was dissolved, and in 2019 the process of splitting the state into two UTs, J&K and Ladakh, started. News18 has learnt that the period between August and September is being considered for holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir, while the poll body is yet to say something officially. This year, the annual Amarnath Yatra in the UT is scheduled between June 29 and August 19. Due to security reasons, elections will not take place during this period. Further, the Supreme Court has given a deadline of September 30 to the poll body to complete the election. In December 2023, the apex court ordered the ECI to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024. In May, News18 reported about the success of the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls in the UT. Post-1984, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw the best voter turnout in the region with around 58% average participation in the five seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Turnout measures the percentage of voters that have actually taken part in an election. A turnout of 58% means out of every 100 registered voters, 58 came out to vote. Before this, the highest turnout the region saw was 46% in 2014. The ECI is considering this as grounds for holding assembly polls, believing that the common man is ready for it. Bifurcation of state Jammu and Kashmir became a union territory in 2019 after its separation from Ladakh. While J&K is a union territory with an assembly, just like Delhi and Puducherry, Ladakh is headed by a lieutenant governor, like Chandigarh and Lakshadweep. In 2020, the elections for the District Development Council were held and in 2024 the Lok Sabha elections across the UT took place. However, no assembly polls have been held in the union territory so far. In May 2022, the newly redrawn boundaries, names, and the number of assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, as ordered by the delimitation commission, came into effect. Out of the 90 assembly constituencies in the region, 43 will be part of the Jammu region and 47 of Kashmir. The delimitation panel gave six additional assembly seats to the Jammu region and one to Kashmir. Further, the electoral rolls revision for the UT was also done and the final version was published in November 2022, with the highest-ever addition of more than 7.72 lakh voters. It had 83.59 lakh electors 42.91 lakh males, 40.67 lakh females, and 184 from the third gender. Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the rolls were updated to 86.93 lakh voters 44.35 lakh men and 42.58 lakh women. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept the Lok Sabha polls on the seven seats across the national capital and four of its satellite cities Haryanas Faridabad and Gurugram as well as Uttar Pradeshs Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar for the third straight time at least. Across all the seats, except one, the winning margin of the saffron party has dropped in 2024 when compared to 2019, official data analysed by News18 shows. Gautam Buddha Nagar, which elected Mahesh Sharma for a third time in 2024, is the sole seat where the winning margin of the BJP MP sitting or a new face has increased when compared to 2019, data from the Election Commission of India shows. Further, out of the 11 seats, all the constituencies have seen victory with the lowest-ever margin since 2014, except three North West Delhi, South Delhi and Gautam Buddha Nagar. It is important to note that Faridabad, Gurugram, Gautam Buddha Nagar and North East Delhi are the only four seats where the MPs have not been replaced over the years. Further, across these 11 seats in the NCR-region, the votes bagged by the BJP in 2024 was higher than 2019 only in four seats Gautam Buddha Nagar, North East Delhi, North West Delhi and South Delhi, the analysis shows. In Gurugram, the victory of Rao Inderjit Singh this time is the fourth in a row. However, in 2009 he was a Congress MP who switched to BJP little before 2014 Lok Sabha polls. In 2014, Inderjit won the polls with 6.44 lakh votes while the Congress slipped to the third position in the seat with just 1.33 lakh votes. In 2019, the votes bagged by the Congress improved to 4.95 lakh while BJPs increased to 8.81 lakh. In 2024, the votes bagged by the Congress touched 7.33 lakh as Raj Babbar gave a tough fight to Inderjit who won by a margin of 75,079 votes. In 2019, his winning margin was 3.86 lakh votes. All these years, against Inderjit, the Congress had fielded different candidates. BJP has been winning Faridabad non-stop since 2014, with Krishan Pal Gurjar getting elected for a third time in a row. Although when compared to 2019, his victory margin has seen one of the steepest drops of 4.71 lakh. Out of these 11 seats, BJP has won polls for a fourth time on the Ghaziabad Lok Sabha seat. In Ghaziabad, the BJP has been winning since 2009 Rajnath Singh in 2009 and General Vijay Kumar Singh in 2014 and 2019. The seat came into existence in 2008 delimitation. In the 2014 and 2019 polls, General VK Singh won the seat by a margin of more than five lakh votes, higher than Rajnaths. This time, BJP had fielded Atul Garg, the sitting MLA, against Congress leader Dolly Sharma. Garg retained the seat and won with 8.54 lakh votes in hand, less than Gen Singhs 2019 votes. The victory margin of Garg was 3.36 lakh, less than Rajnaths margin from 2009 on the seat. The Congress had fielded Dolly Sharma both the times. From third position and 1.11 lakh votes in 2019, her performance in 2024 improved to 5.17 lakh votes, after the grand old partys alliance with the Samajwadi Party at the seat. In Gautam Buddha Nagar, also formed in 2009, BJPs Sharma has been elected twice in 2014 and 2019. Before that, in 2009, BSPs Surendra Singh Nagar was elected from the seat. This time again, Sharma has won the polls. He is among the few BJP MPs from the party who have seen better winning margins and higher total votes bagged than 2019. Across these four cities, the votes bagged by the BJP in 2019 were 35.70 lakh. They dropped to 33.08 lakh this time. Situation in Delhi In all the seven seats in Delhi, the BJP had been winning non-stop since 2014. Although, actor-turned-politician Manoj Tiwari is the sole leader that has been elected for the third time in 2024, on the remaining seats, the BJP replaced the sitting candidates. Further, across all the 11 seats in NCR, Tiwaris votes have seen the highest jump of 36,652 when compared to 2019. Gautam Buddha Nagars Sharma was next in line with 27,017 more votes in his kitty. The BJP had been winning the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat since 2014. Two time sitting MP Meenakashi Lekhi was dropped in 2024 and replaced by Bansuri Swaraj, the daughter of senior BJP leader late Sushma Swaraj. When compared to Lekhis 2019 winning margin and votes bagged, Bansuri performed poorly. While Lekhi won the seat in 2019 with 5.04 lakh votes and a margin of 2.56 lakh votes, the first time MP got 4.53 lakh votes and a victory margin of 78,370. This is the sharpest drop in votes bagged by the BJP across Delhi seats. The victory margin of the BJP has dropped across all the seven seats in Delhi. Chandni Chowk has seen the lowest drop, of 1.38 lakh votes, while West Delhi has seen the sharpest drop of 3.79 lakh votes. In 2019, the votes bagged by the BJP across Delhi stood at 49.08 lakh that dropped to 48.60 lakh in 2024. NOTA on Rise Across the 11 seats, only three seats have seen a drop in NOTA votes North West Delhi, New Delhi and West Delhi. The New Delhi Lok Sabha seat has seen the highest drop in the NOTA votes across the 11 constituencies from 6,601 in 2019 to 4,812 in 2024. In North West Delhi, NOTA votes came down from 10,210 to 8,984 while in the West, the drop was from 8,937 to 8,699 votes. Gautam Buddha Nagar also had another feather in its cap highest jump in NOTA votes across the 11 seats. The NOTA votes on the seat increased from 3,836 in 2014 to 8,371 in 2019 and 10,324 in 2024. The Lok Sabha polls were held across India in seven phases between April 19 and June 1. The counting of the votes was done on June 4. After cementing its pivotal role in anti-BJP national politics by securing 99 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the top leadership of Congress on Saturday passed a one-line resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the leader of the Opposition in Parliament at a meeting of the partys working committee. The extended meeting of the partys top decision-making body the Congress Working Committee (CWC) was held at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi today. The Congress top brass, including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, besides other leaders participated in the deliberations. After the partys CWC meeting, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said, We discussed the states where we have not done well. The entire CWC is charged up. This is the revival of the Congress party Everyone said Congress was finished. We had to fight against the exit poll alsoNow the revival of the Congress party has started. This is the sentiment of the CWC. We thank the people of the country for preserving the constitution and democracy. This is a moral defeat for the PM. We thank people for putting us on the path of revival, he added. Venugopal further said that CWC unanimously requested Rahul Gandhi to take the position of the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha. Rahul ji is the best person to lead this campaign inside the Parliament. He heard the sentiments of CWC and he will take a decision very soon, he added. On being asked which seat (Rae Bareli or Wayanad) will Rahul Gandhi keep, the Congress General Secretary said, This decision has to be taken before the 17th and it will come in 3-4 days. CWC Opening Remarks In his opening remark, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, I want to draw your attention to the fact that wherever Bharat Jodo Yatra went we saw an increase in the vote percentage and number of seats for the Congress party. In Manipur, we won both the seats. We also won seats in Nagaland, Assam, and Meghalaya. In Maharashtra, we emerged as the single-largest party. People from all walks of life supported the Congress party to save the countrys democracy and constitution. Other than this, we saw an increase in seats dominated by SC, ST, OBC, and Minority voters as well as in Rural areas. Going forward, we have to make our presence felt in urban areas as well, he said at the extended CWC meet. He further said that while the party is celebrating its revival, Congress leaders and workers should pause a little as in some states we have not performed to our abilities and expectations. Further, we could not repeat our performance in states where we had previously done well in Vidhan Sabha elections and formed the governmentWe will soon be holding separate discussions on each such state. We have to take urgent remedial measures. These are states which have traditionally favoured Congress, where we have opportunities which we have to harness not for our own advantage but for the benefit of our people. This exercise I propose to hold very soon, he said. He further emphasised that party leaders must be disciplined and united as the People have reposed their faith back in us in substantial measures and we must build on it. We accept this verdict with genuine humility. I will be failing in my duty if I dont acknowledge the INDIA Alliance partners, in which each party played its designated role in different states, each party contributed to the other, he added. Top Agendas Of Meeting During the meeting, the party is likely to deliberate on the name for the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. This will be the first time that the Congress, since its ouster from power in 2014, will get the post of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. It failed to get the position in the past 10 years as its tally was below the requisite 10 per cent of total seats in the House, both in 2014 and 2019. A section within the party strongly feels that former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi should take over as leader of the party and opposition in the Lok Sabha. When asked if Rahul Gandhi is ready to take charge as LoP in Lok Sabha, Congress leader Veerappa Moily said, He has to take charge of the LoP. After all, the people want him there. INDIA team and Congress people also want him there. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also echoed Moilys sentiments and said, I am very much in favour. Its a very important proposal but he has to decide in the end. Rahul Gandhi won both the Wayanad and Rae Bareli seats in the elections and will have to decide within 14 days which seat he will hold and which he will vacate. He will have to make a decision before the oath-taking ceremony, likely to take place next week. Senior party leaders and members of the CWC, along with Congress Legislature Party leaders and Pradesh Congress Committee presidents from various states, will also analyse the partys performance and suggest measures to strengthen the organisation. Talking about the agenda of the meeting, Veerappa Moily said, We need to discuss many things the manner in which the Congress and also INDIA scored a very high percentage of votes and also the seats. Of course, we should have won and captured the power and Rahul Gandhi should have become the Prime Minister of this country. But we missed it. But now, Narendra Modi is not that great, he has been totally pulled down in terms of popularity, in terms of vote share. I think we are marching forward, and if not today, tomorrow the Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi has to come back, he added. Congress Parliamentary Party Meeting Today Kharge, who has convened the meeting, will also host a dinner for all extended CWC members and party MPs at the hotel. The party MPs will elect the new Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson at this meeting. Sonia Gandhi is likely to be re-elected as CPP Chairperson. A meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party comprising all newly-elected MPs of the Lok Sabha and those of the Rajya Sabha will be held in the Central Hall of Parliament at 5.30 pm, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said. The 2024 elections have been a moral defeat for Narendra Modi and the BJP while being a morale booster for the Indian National Congress and the INDIA Janbandhan. The extended Congress Working Committee is meeting at 11 am today and the Congress Parliamentary Party will meet at 5.30 pm, Ramesh posted on X. Congress Performance In Lok Sabha Polls The Congress has emerged as a strong force in Parliament after the elections and the party is looking forward to cornering the government on issues concerning the common people, including price rise and unemployment, in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. It emerged as the second-largest party in the Lok Sabha, improving its tally to 99 from 52 in the 2019 elections. In an indication that assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir are imminent, the Election Commission on Friday said it has decided to accept applications seeking allotment of common symbols from registered unrecognised parties in the Union Territory with immediate effect. An official explained that under Para 10 B of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968, any registered unrecognised political party can apply for a common symbol six months prior to the end of the term of a House. But since no assembly is functional in Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission (EC) has issued a press statement inviting applications for symbols. While recognised national and state parties have their reserved symbols, registered unrecognised parties have to apply for one to field candidates. When free symbols are allocated to unrecognised parties, the returning officer allocates the remaining unclaimed symbols to Independents on the spot. The Commission has decided to accept applications seeking allotment of common symbols under Para 10B of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968, for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with immediate effect, the EC statement read. Enthused by the voter participation in Jammu and Kashmir in the just-held Lok Sabha polls, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had recently told PTI Video that the poll panel will very soon initiate the process of holding assembly polls in the Union Territory. While announcing the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections in March, Kumar said holding assembly and parliamentary elections simultaneously was not practical due to logistical and security reasons. Whenever assembly elections are held in Jammu and Kashmir, they will be the first since the August 2019 abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. The electoral exercise in Jammu and Kashmir is usually spread over a month. Following a delimitation exercise, the number of assembly seats has gone up from 83 to 90, excluding those allocated to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In December, the Supreme Court directed the poll panel to hold assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 8. Azerbaijan has been steadily strengthening its relations with the Arab world for many years. Our country shares not only strong historical and cultural ties with the Gulf countries but also maintains high-level political connections. High-level visits between Azerbaijan and Arab countries are common, resulting in various bilateral agreements in areas such as trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange. Today's visit by President Ilham Aliyev to Cairo was no exception. The leaders of both countries reaffirmed their support for each other's political agendas, mutual efforts to boost economic potential, and other key issues on the global stage. Azerbaijan and Egypt have consistently worked to develop their cooperation within international organizations over the past decades, including the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, which Azerbaijan chaired for 4 years, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. And, as President Ilham Aliyev rightly pointed out, it became clear that the two countries do not have any differences of opinion. "Our opinions overlap on all international matters," the head of state said at a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart. On January 27-28 last year, President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi visited Azerbaijan. During his extended meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, several agreements were signed between the two countries. Today, the number of agreements between the two countries has increased by another 7 documents. These accords cover a broad spectrum of cooperation, ranging from cultural and humanitarian ties to expanding investment opportunities, collaboration in energy and IT sectors, and comprehensive exchange of economic expertise. As a result, the contractual foundation between Baku and Cairo now consists of approximately 70 documents. Based on the most recent statistics, trade between Azerbaijan and Egypt for the first four months of 2024 reached $17.4 million, marking an almost fivefold increase compared to the previous year. This significant growth is noteworthy, particularly when considering that the total for the entire year of 2023 was only $13.6 million. In this regard, President Ilham Aliyev noted that the documents signed today and the agreements reached will help proceed in this direction as well. "I am sure that, first of all, it will be possible to achieve good results in the fields of energy, production of renewable energy, oil industry, pharmaceuticals, aluminum industry and other fields". For instance, the energy sector partnership between the two countries is extensive and poised for further expansion. Both the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and the State Oil Company of Egypt have plans to deepen their cooperation, indicating promising prospects for growth. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, on his part, commended the robust activity of the joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation and stressed the importance of scheduling its next meeting. "We decided to hold the next meeting of the commission shortly, so that our relations in the economic and commercial sphere could further develop," he remarked. The Egyptian leader expressed Cairo's keen interest in bolstering collaboration with Azerbaijan, particularly in the fields of construction, transportation, pharmaceuticals, oil, and infrastructure. Azerbaijan and Cairo also discussed their collaboration in the transport sector. The leaders exchanged ideas about new transport routes. Given that both the East-West and North-South transport corridors traverse Azerbaijan, significant opportunities are emerging. As President Ilham Aliyev rightly pointed out, the entire infrastructure has been put in place in the territory of Azerbaijan. "Thus great opportunities for cooperation in the field of transport and logistics are opening up". The geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East and the South Caucasus present both challenges and opportunities for Azerbaijan's relations with Arab countries. Azerbaijan's strategic position and its balanced foreign policy enable it to navigate intricate regional dynamics and cultivate beneficial relationships with Arab states. The Azerbaijan-Egypt relations have entered a new phase of development today, aligning with the national interests of both nations. There's considerable potential for enhancing ties between the two countries, and mutual visits offer ample opportunities for expanding productive cooperation. The world's major players are eager to invest in promising projects in Azerbaijan and deepen overall cooperation, and Egypt is certainly not exempt from this trend. Stability, a favorable business and investment climate, along with the strong political commitment demonstrated by the country's leadership, are the cornerstones of Azerbaijan's economic success and its fruitful bilateral relationships with its partners. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D.K. Shivakumar said on Friday that they are hoping that Rahul Gandhi will become the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He made the statement after being asked if Rahul Gandhi would become the Leader of the Opposition. Shivakumar said, The whole country is hoping to see Rahul Gandhi become the PM. Rahul Gandhi has instructed the Chief Minister and me to prepare a report on election performance after deliberations with various leaders. The Chief Minister and I have been invited to the AICC Working Committee meeting on June 8. We will hold a review meeting once we come back from Delhi, he added. Asked about the functioning of the EVMs, he said, I have a few doubts about EVMs. I am collecting some data regarding that and I will talk to you about it then. Replying to a query on the growing demands of the NDA partners, he said, There is nothing wrong with their expectations. People with a much lower number of seats are demanding a lot nowadays. Asked if the issue of the party not getting leads in the constituencies of many ministers was discussed in the meeting with Rahul Gandhi, he said, Rahul Gandhi has discussed it with all the ministers. The High Command has asked for a report and we will submit a report after our discussions with the party leaders. All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge ji and Article 371J have helped the party in Kalyana Karnataka and the party has won all the five seats in the region. We will work out the future course of action keeping all this in mind, he stated. Rahul Gandhi held a meeting with the newly elected Congress MPs and defeated candidates in Bengaluru. He advised the newly elected MPs to be in touch with their constituency as often as possible and do good work with the support of the state government, Shivakumar added. Stating that only one MP from Karnataka spoke for the state in the previous Parliament, Rahul Gandhi advised the new MPs to raise their voice against the injustice meted out to the state about tax devolution, Kalasa Bhanduri, Mekedatu, Upper Bhadra, Finance Commission, Peripheral Ring Road, etc, Shivakumar informed. Narendra Modi is set to take oath as Prime Minister for the third time in New Delhi on June 9, after the NDA crossed the majority mark of 272 seats in Lok Sabha this election. Modi now joins the likes of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi from the Indian National Congress to have served as PM for more than 15 years. Let us look at the longest serving prime ministers of India. Jawaharlal Nehru: He remained in power for 16 years and 286 days, from 1947-1964, when he died of a heart attack. He won his three terms with a brute majority, but still faced challenges from within the Congress and outside, especially from the regional parties. His involvement in the freedom struggle and association with Mahatma Gandhi and other national leaders contributed to his widespread popularity. He played a pivotal role in building a modern India, initiating significant projects including big factories and dams, and promoting scientific education. Nehru also established Indias foreign policy of non-alignment, maintaining the countrys independence from both the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Indira Gandhi: The first woman Prime Minister of India served for three consecutive terms from 1966 to 1977 and a fourth term from 1980 until she was assassinated in 1984. In 1964, after her fathers death, she was made the information and Broadcasting minister in Lal Bahadur Shastris cabinet. Her anti-poverty measures, Green revolution, and the war with Pakistan, which helped liberate Bangladesh made her immensely popular. After the declaration of emergency, the entire country was under direct rule of Gandhi and the Congress party. Police were granted special powers, which enabled them to curb liberty indefinitely. The press was also censored. Most of the Opposition leaders were detained and states governed by the Opposition parties were dismissed. On October 31, 1984, Gandhi was assassinated by her two bodyguards outside her home, who had sought revenge for what happened at the Golden Temple. Narendra Modi: The popular BJP leader is seeking a third consecutive term after assuming office in 2014. In the 2014 and 2019 Parliamentary elections, Modi led the BJP to record wins, securing absolute majority on both occasions. During his tenure as PM, Modi launched several schemes and campaigns such as Swatchh Bharat, Make in India, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi among others. During his tenure, special attention has been paid to Indias rich history and culture from rolling out pilgrimage trains, to building the State of Unity statue and the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. His second term has focused on economic revitalisation, infrastructure development, and global engagement. Manmohan Singh: An Indian economist, Singh served as the prime minister from 2004 to 2014. In an effort to meet Indias growing energy demands, Singh in 2005 entered into negotiations with US President George W. Bush for a nuclear cooperation pact. The deal called for India to receive fuel technology for nuclear plants and be given the ability to purchase nuclear fuel on the world market. Singhs government introduced important legislation, including the Right to Education Act, and worked towards improving technology and infrastructure in the country. He also held the positions of Secretary in the Finance Ministry, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Advisor to the Prime Minister and Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Atal Bihari Vajpayee: A visionary leader, Vajpayee served three terms as prime minister, albeit non-consecutive. He became the first non-Congress Indian prime minister to serve a full five-year term in office. He is remembered for his initiatives towards nuclear testing and fostering peace with Pakistan. Indias victory in Kargil bolstered Vajpayees image, and he was praised for supporting the armed forces. He is remembered for the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998, which established India as a recognised nuclear power. Vajpayee also worked to improve relations with Pakistan and initiated major infrastructure projects such as the Golden Quadrilateral highway network. His journey in electoral politics began in 1957, when he contested the Lok Sabha elections from three seats and was elected from Uttar Pradeshs Balrampur constituency. Vajpayee took oath as a member of Parliament that year and impressed then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who predicted Vajpayee will become prime minister someday. Vajpayee was a member of the Parliament for over five decades, having been elected to the Lok Sabha ten times, and twice to the Rajya Sabha. He died in 2018 at the age of 93. With deliberations being made on the government formation, after the BJP-led NDA managed to cross the majority mark with 292 seats, and the Oppositions INDIA bloc bagging 232 seats, let us look at the salaries, perks and allowances that the key figures of Parliament namely the Prime Minister and MPs get. Salary and Perks of President The President of India, the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, is elected by the members of the electoral college, comprising representatives from both houses of Parliament and state assemblies. He lives in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the largest presidential residence globally, and has the highest-paid government position. Salary: Rs 5 lakh per month (as per the Presidents Emoluments and Pension Act of 1951). Perks and Allowances: Exempt from taxes, the President enjoys various allowances, including free travel by train and plane worldwide, free housing, medical care, and Rs 1 lakh annually for office expenses. Post-Retirement Benefits: The President receives a pension of Rs 1.5 lakh per month, a furnished rent-free bungalow, two free landlines, a mobile phone, five personal staff members, and free travel by train or air for the President and a companion. Vice-President The Vice-President is the second highest constitutional position in the country. He primarily presides over the Rajya Sabha and acts as the caretaker President in their absence. The salary and allowances of the Vice President of India are determined under the Salaries and Allowances of Officers of Parliament Act, 1953. There is no provision for a specific salary for the Vice President; instead, they receive remuneration and benefits commensurate with their role as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament). Salary: Rs 4 lakh per month. Perks and Allowances: Free accommodation, medical care, train and air travel, a landline connection, mobile phone service, personal security, and staff. Post-Retirement Benefits: A pension of Rs 1.5 lakh per month and, if acting as President, access to all presidential facilities and benefits. Prime Minister He is the head of government of India, and holds significant executive authority and responsibility. He is appointed by the President of India, and has to be a member of one of the houses of bicameral Parliament. Salary: Rs 1.66 lakh per month, including a basic pay of Rs 50,000, an expense allowance of Rs 3,000, a parliamentary allowance of Rs 45,000, and a daily allowance of Rs 2,000. Perks and Allowances: An official residence, Special Protection Group (SPG) security, access to government vehicles and aircraft, and government-paid travel, stay, and food expenses for international trips. Post-Retirement Benefits: Free accommodation, electricity, water, and SPG security for five years. Member of Parliament (MP) An MP represents their constituency in Lok Sabha. The members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people through general elections held every five years. Their salary and allowances are to compensate for their role in governance. Salary: Rs 1 lakh per month, with increases every five years in the form of daily allowances. Perks and Allowances: A basic pay of Rs 50,000 per month, a daily allowance of Rs 2,000 for attending Parliament sessions, committee meetings and a traveling allowance of Rs 16 per km for road travel. MPs also receive a constituency allowance of Rs 45,000 per month and an office expense allowance of Rs 45,000 per month, including Rs 15,000 for stationery and postage. Additional Benefits: Free medical care for themselves and their families, travel reimbursements for official duties, and rent-free housing for the duration of their term. MPs are entitled to 34 free domestic air journeys per year for themselves and their immediate families. They also receive free first-class train travel for official and personal purposes. MPs are given rent-free accommodations in prime areas during their 5-year term. Those who choose not to live in official accommodation can claim a housing allowance of Rs 2,00,000 per month. MPs are allotted up to 1,50,000 free telephone calls annually. Post-Retirement Benefits: Former MPs receive a pension of Rs 25,000 per month after serving one term in Parliament. For every extra year of service, they get an increment of Rs 2,000 per month. The latest in Chinas moon mission is the Change-6 spacecraft that landed on the far side of the moon on June 4 and has collected precious soil samples and deliver them safely to Earth, bringing new insights into the moon and early history of the solar system. Change-6 spent 4.5 days on its voyage to the Moon, after launching from the Wenchange Space Launch Centre on May 3. Once in orbit around the Moon, a lander separated from the orbiter and targeted a landing area. As the far side of the Moon never faces Earth, operations and communications with Earth were facilitated by Queqiao-2, a communications relay satellite launched by China in March. The rocks collected by Change-6 will notably be the first from the lunar far side, while the Apollo missions conducted by Nasa all visited the nearside. These maneuvers will help another possible mission like grabbing samples from Mars. What are Chinas Moon Missions? The mission is the sixth in the Change moon exploration programme, 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. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched the Chinese Lunar Exploration Programme (CLEP) in 2003, and the first Change mission happened in 2007. Change 1 created a map of the moons surface, as mentioned in a report by The Hindu. With Change 2, CLEP launched phase I of its moon missions, and equipped the orbiter with a better camera. The images taken by this camera were used to prepare the Change 3 missions lander and rover for their descent on the moon, which they successfully achieved on December 14, 2013, and started CLEPs phase II missions, The Hindu report mentioned. Change 4 was a precursor to Change 6: in 2019, it carried the first lander and the rover to descend on the moons far side. In late 2020, China deployed a lander on the moons near side as part of the Change 5 mission. China aims to put a person on the moon before 2030, which would make it the second nation after the US to do so. After reaching the Moons orbit, the missions orbiter will circle the natural satellite while its lander will descend into the 2,500-kilometre-wide South Pole-Aitken basin on the lunar surface. The impact that created the basin among the largest in the history of the solar system is thought to have dug up material from the lunar mantle. If that material can be retrieved, scientists can learn more about the history of the Moons insides, The New York Times report said. China is the only country to achieve a soft-landing on the far side of the Moon. In 2019, its Change-4 mission landed on the region and explored the Moons Von Karman crater with the help of a rover. Why to Explore the Far Side of Moon? Moons far side has rockier terrain than the near side. It has a thicker crust, more craters and fewer maria, or plains where lava once flowed, according to a report by The New York Times. This is because of heat released by the earth when the moon was forming and thermochemical characteristics of the moons near-side surface. In effect, it is difficult to land a spacecraft on the far side. The samples from the far side will help scientists solve mysteries about the origin and evolution of Moon. The scientists till now have been studying the samples from the near side. [G]oing to the far side, getting samples and doing different kinds of geophysical measurements is really important to figuring out this really long, long-standing mystery, Brett Denevi, a planetary geologist at the Johns Hopkins Universitys Applied Physics Lab, told CNN. When it completed the Change 5 mission, China became the first country to successfully execute a robotic lunar sample-return mission since the Soviet Union did in 1976. China was also the first country to execute an autonomous soft-landing on the moons far side with its Change 4 mission, as per the report by The Hindu. In the era of deepfakes, photographs placed by a spouse alleging adultery by the other partner would have to be proved by way of evidence before the family court, the Delhi High Court has said. The courts observation came while dealing with a mans contention that his estranged wife was living in adultery. The high court dismissed the appeal of the husband challenging a family courts order directing him to pay Rs 75,000 maintenance to his wife and minor daughter. As the counsel for the husband drew the courts attention to certain photographs of his wife, a bench of justices Rajiv Shakdher and Amit Bansal said, It is not clear as to whether the respondent/ wife is the person in the photographs, as alluded to by the counsel for the appellant/ husband. We may take judicial notice of the fact that we are living in the era of deepfakes and, therefore, this is an aspect that the appellant/ husband, perhaps, would have to prove by way of evidence before the family court, the bench said. Deepfake technology allows for the creation of realistic videos, audio recordings and images that can manipulate and mislead viewers by superimposing the likeness of one person onto another, altering their words and actions, thereby presenting a false narrative or spreading misinformation. Asked by the bench whether this averment of adultery found mention in the husbands reply to the wifes plea under the Hindu Marriage Act, the mans counsel conceded that there was no mention of this aspect in the reply. The bench noted that since the petition instituted by the husband for divorce is pending adjudication, if this issue is pressed, the court may give opportunity to the parties to place their evidence on record in support of their respective cases. Notably, this aspect, which is vehemently pressed before us, almost as a measure of desperation to wriggle out of the obligation cast in the impugned judgment, finds no mention in the impugned judgment (of family court), the high court said. The husbands counsel claimed that this aspect was raised before the family court, however, it was ignored while rendering the judgment. If this was the situation, the best course open to the appellant/ husband was to move an application for review before the family court. However, no such measure has been taken recourse to by the husband, it said. The man, an architect, has challenged a family courts April 15 order, directing him to pay Rs 75,000 as monthly maintenance to his estranged wife and child. The couple had married in 2018 and has a five-year-old girl child. The court was told that the wife was a post-graduate but was currently unemployed and living with her parents after her separation. While the woman had sought Rs 2 lakh as monthly maintenance from her husband, the family court ordered the man to pay her Rs 75,000. The local police FIR has claimed that CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur stopped newly-elected BJP MP Kangana Ranaut at the Mohali airport and slapped her. The FIR is based on the complaint given by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Inspector who was escorting Kangana Ranaut. In his complaint, Inspector Surendra Kumar Sharma has told Punjab Police that Kaur came out from her frisking booth and slapped Ranaut. It also states that Kaur was pushed by a woman police constable to protect Ranaut. According to the FIR accessed by News18, Ranaut was escorted by four staffers including CISF inspector, 2 women police staffers and Vistara airline staff. The FIR says, It is submitted that on 6 June Miss Kangana Ranaut (Film actress and newly elected MP From Mandi Himachal Pradesh) was travelling from Chandigarh to Delhi by Vistara Flight No UK-707(STD-1545hrs). At about 1526 hrs, she cleared PESC (pre-embarkation security check) formalities duly assisted by CISF SHA Inspector (Surendra Kumar Sharma, lnspector/Executive), CISF Lady officer (Constable Suneet Kumar), local police lady officer (lady Constable Veerpal Kaur) and airlines staff. After completion of PESC (pre-embarkation security check), she was proceeding towards boarding gate at about 1528 hrs and in the meantime, CISF Lady Constable Kulwinder Kaur who was also deployed in the Domestic SHA (adjacent ladies frisking booth) came out from her frisking booth and slapped Miss Kangana Ranaut. Immediately, lady Constable Kulwinder Kaur was pushed by Lady Constable Veerpal Kaur towards frisking booth. Later, Kangana Ranaut left PESC point and proceeded for her scheduled flight. In this regard, it is requested to lodge an FIR against CISF lady Constable/GO Kulwinder Kaur for her misbehavior with Miss Kangana Ranaut, Surendra Kumar Sharma said in his complaint, based on which the FIR has been filed. The police said that they checked the CCTV footage of the incident as well. Police said that Ranaut was stopped by Kaur who slapped her and misbehaved with her too. What The Woman CISF Constable Said A video has surfaced where after the incident, Kulwinder Kaur is seen speaking to a passenger asking about the reason of slapping Kangana Ranaut. The constable replied, She (Kangana) said that during farmer protest, women were sitting there for Rs 100. When she gave this statement, my mother was sitting there. Will Kangana sit at the protest? What Kangana Ranaut Said In a video message after reaching Delhi, Kangana Ranaut said that she was safe. I am getting calls from Media and my dear ones. I am safe, while at the airport, a woman CISF constable hit on my face and started abusing me. When I asked her why she did that, she said that she supports farmer protest. But, I am concerned about the increase of terrorism in Punjab, Kangana said in Hindi. The foundation of the hoarding that collapsed on a petrol pump in Mumbais Ghatkopar on May 13 did not have enough capacity to resist overturning caused due to the wind forces on that day, according to an interim probe. These findings are based on an investigation by a team of professors from the Department of Structural Engineering at the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI). While the capacity of the foundation to resist the overturning was only 7,000 kilonewton per metre (kNm), the overturning moment exerted due to the wind on the day of the fateful incident was about 21,000 kNm. As many as 17 persons died and 74 others were injured after the illegal hoarding, measuring 120 feet x 120 feet in size, crashed onto a nearby petrol pump during a dust storm and unseasonal rains here on May 13, as per officials. After the tragedy, the Brihamumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) asked the VJTI to find out reasons behind the hoarding crash. The institute on Wednesday submitted the report to the Mumbai crime branch, which is probing the hoarding collapse incident, a senior police official said. The hoarding was installed on an inadequate and weak foundation, the official said citing the report. Technical experts of of VJTI had collected samples of the foundation and piling of the structure after the incident, he said. Considering the withstand capability of the hoarding, it establishes that it was deliberate negligence on part of the persons concerned (accused) and not an act of God, the official told PTI. Bhavesh Bhinde, director of an advertising firm which had installed the hoarding, was arrested after the incident. The accused had opposed his arrest saying the high velocity of the wind that led to the hoarding collapse was an act of God and was not in his control. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the hoarding collapse, had arrested Bhinde and structural engineer Manoj Sanghu, empanelled by the BMC, who had given a stability certificate to the hoarding. A former director of the advertising firm, Janhavi Marathe, is also an accused in the case and search for her is still underway, the official said. A Mumbai court on May 31 rejected Marathes anticipatory bail plea. While Marathe claimed she was merely a signing authority in the hoarding contract, police told the court she had direct and active involvement in the construction of the collapsed structure. Engineer Sunil Dalvi, who had been posted in the BMCs N-ward (in which the incident area falls), has also been questioned by the crime branchs SIT in connection with the incident, the official said. He was in-charge of the civic bodys hoarding department and it was his duty to take action against illegal hoardings, he said. He had issued a notice to Government Railway Police (GRP) for installing the illegal hoarding in Ghatkopar, but withdrew it later, the official said, adding the same billboard collapsed on May 13. (With agency inputs) The Rashtrapati Bhavan has cancelled the weekly Change of Guard ceremony on June 8, 15, and 22 due to the preparations for the oath-taking ceremony of the Prime Minister and his council of ministers at its forecourt, and address to both the houses of the parliament by President Droupadi Murmu. The Change of Guard ceremony will not take place on June 8, 15, and 22, 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhavan due to the preparation for the Swearing-in-Ceremony of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at Forecourt, Rashtrapati Bhavan and address to both the Houses of Parliament by the President, it said in a statement as stated by media reports. The change of guard ceremony is a military tradition which is held every week to enable a fresh group of the Presidents Bodyguards (PBGs) to take over. On Friday, Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi met with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and staked the claim to form the government. Earlier in the day, PM Modi was elected the leader of the alliance in the NDA Parliamentary meeting. ALSO READ | Portfolio Talks Begin: BJP Wants to Retain the Big 4, Say Sources; Naidu and Nitish May Get 3 Berths Each Addressing reporters outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the Prime Minister assured the citizens that development work would continue in his third term at the same pace as before. He also thanked the people for allowing NDA to serve the country for the third time. Security beefed up in Delhi Meanwhile, top officials from Delhi Police conducted a thorough security review at Rashtrapati Bhavan as part of the preparation for Narendra Modis swearing-in ceremony for the third term as Prime Minister on June 9, reported news agency ANI. Special security measures have also been arranged for foreign dignitaries attending the swearing-in ceremony, including enhanced protocols at three designated hotels where the dignitaries will be staying. In addition to on-ground security, Delhi Police issued a public advisory on Friday announcing a No-Fly Zone over the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The advisory prohibits the operation of sub-conventional aerial platforms, which aims to prevent any potential threats from criminal, anti-social elements, or terrorists during the swearing-in ceremony. The public advisory further said that the prohibition will be effective from June 9 to June 10, 2024. Violators will face penalties under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. The security measures follow the formal appointment of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister by the President of India on Friday. Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory in the national capital in view of the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi which is set to take place on June 9. The ceremony will take place from 6:00 pm onwards. A large number of people are expected to witness the swearing-in ceremony, which may affect the traffic on the surrounding roads of Rashtrapati Bhawan. According to Delhi police officials, five companies of paramilitary forces will be deployed for the security of Rashtrapati Bhavan. In addition to this, NSG commandos, drones, and snipers will also guard the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the event. Delhi Traffic Advisory For June 9 The following roads will remain closed for traffic movement from 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm and only pedestrian movement will be allowed on June 9, Sunday- Sansad Marg (between Transport Bhawan and T-point Rafi Ahmed Kidwal Morg) North Avenue Road South Avenue Road Kushak Road Rajaji Marg Krishna Menon Marg Takatora Road Pt. Pant Marg DTC buses will not be allowed to ply on the surrounding roads of Rashtrapati Bhawan No parking will be allowed on the following roads on June 9, Sunday- Imtiaz Khan Marg Rakob Ganj Road Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Marg Pandit Pant Marg Talkatora Road Vehicles found parked on the above roads shall be towed away and prosecuted for Improper parting and disobedience of lawful instructions. Towed vehicles would be parked in the Traffic Pit at Pandit Pant Marg towards Gole Dak Khana. Before taking the oath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Raj Ghat at 6:30 am, the Sadaiv Atal memorial at 7:00 am, followed by a visit to the War Memorial at 7:30 am. Special traffic arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth flow of traffic in nearby areas between 6:45 am to 8:45 am. Diversion Points (As And When Necessary) Ram Charan Aggarwal Chowk (A Point) Delhi Gate Rajghat Chowk Shanti Van Crossing Y-Point Salim Garh Geeta Colony Flyover Subhash Park T-Point Heavy Commercial vehicles and buses will not be allowed on the following roads from 6:45 am to 8:00 am on June 9, Sunday- IP Marg Bahadurshah Zafar Marg Jawaharlal Nehru Marg Mahatma Gandhi Marg between IP Flyover and Shanti Van to Y-Point (Salim Garh and MGM merging) Commuters are requested to cooperate by avoiding/bypassing the above-mentioned roads, if possible, and make maximum use of public transport to reach their destinations. We appreciate your understanding and your cooperation towards the eviation of traffic congestions during the above-mentioned period. People who are going towards ISBT/Railway Stations/Airports are advised to carefully plan their travel with sufficient time at hand, the Delhi Traffic Police said in a statement. Nara Lokesh Naidu, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) general secretary and son of party chief N Chandrababu Naidu, alleged that the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government used Pegasus to tap phones on TDP leaders. He claimed that there were signs indicating that the previous administration procured Pegasus through unofficial means and operated it from a location outside the state. Lokesh further revealed that he and his father were targeted twice, receiving alerts on their mobile phones. I have been targeted twice, once during my Yuva Galam yatra in March 2023 and once this April during campaigning. We both received the alerts from Apple. We suspect that Pegasus was used by the Jagan government to tap our phones, Lokesh Naidu disclosed in an interview with The Indian Express. The TDP also alleged that the Jagan government attempted to destroy evidence in certain offices as the electoral outcome became apparent, suggesting that a police investigation would reveal the extent of tampering. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh CM-designate N Chandrababu Naidu has requested a report from the Director General of Police (DGP) regarding the alleged use of the spyware. These accusations surface in the wake of a phone tapping scandal during the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) regime in Telangana, where officials from the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) purportedly intercepted communications and conducted electronic surveillance on opposition political figures and activists. Former Deputy Commissioner of Police (Task Force, Hyderabad City) P Radhakishan Rao has reportedly admitted to involvement in phone tapping activities within the Telangana SIB during the BRS governments tenure, according to police sources. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 8. After the II Karabakh War and local anti-terrorist measures, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan is diligently carrying out their duties to speed up the Great Return process and ensure reliable security, Trend reports, referring to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan. An abundance of weaponry abandoned by Armenian outlaw armed formations in the liberated territories of Karabakh has been unearthed time by time by Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies since the war's end. During the recent search measures, the police detected and seized 15 automatic rifles, 3 machine guns, 2 pistols, 10 rifles, 16 grenades, 3 grenade launchers, one mortar, 20 fuses, 2 TNT, and 90 cartridges in the territory of Khankendi city from June 1 through June 7, 2,505 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, 10 bayonet knives, and other ammunition, as well as one night vision device, and in the territory of the Kalbajar district, one grenade, two fuses, one cartridge clip, one bayonet knife, and two means of communication. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Three workers were killed and six injured after a fire broke out and caused a blast in a food processing unit in the Narela Industrial Area in the early hours of Saturday, the Delhi Police said. The police received a distress call at 3:35 am about the fire at the factory of Shayam Kripa Foods Private Limited, which processed dry moong dal, it said. The fire engulfed the factory, trapping some workers inside, a police officer said. Fourteen fire tenders were pressed into service and the blaze was doused by noon, a Delhi Fire Services official said. He said nine people were rescued from the building and admitted to Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital in Narela. The police officer said three of them Shyam (24), Ram Singh (30) and Beerpal (42) were declared dead while the others are undergoing treatment. The injured Pushpender (26), Akash (19), Mohit Kumar (21), Ravi Kumar (19), Monu (25) and Lalu (32) are undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital for burn injuries, he added. Preliminary investigations suggest that the blaze started after a gas leak from one of the pipelines. The pipelines supplied gas to burners used for roasting the moong dal, the officer said. As the fire spread, it caused the compressor to overheat, resulting in a blast, he said. The blast was so strong that one wall of a room also collapsed, he added. The victims family members alleged that they worked 12-hour shifts, instead of eight, for Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000 per month, depending on their experience. The factory owners had hired about 20 workers. Ram Singh, a native of Uttar Pradeshs Auraiya, is survived by his wife and a six-year-old daughter. His uncle Avdhesh Singh said, His family lives in their native village and was solely dependent on him. He earned about Rs 14,000 a month. Who will take care of them? Beerpals son Akash said he would help his father run the family by driving a taxi. I have a younger brother and two teenage sisters. They are all studying. I dont know how we will survive now, Akash said. Beerpal was a native of Uttar Pradeshs Mainpuri but lived in the factory. His family lives in west Delhis Nangloi area. Akash said his father would come home once or twice a month to meet them. Shyam a native of Uttar Pradeshs Kannauj lived on the first floor of the building with the other workers and worked on the ground floor, which housed all the machinery, his cousin Bhola said. He had a night shift on Friday, Bhola added. The factory owners Rohini residents Ankit Gupta and Vinay Gupta were arrested after they failed to provide documents related to the unit, which had been running since 2010, another officer said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer North) Ravi Kumar Singh said a case under sections 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304 A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered. The owners failed to provide the fire no-objection certificate and it appeared that the factory was running without proper safety measures, he added. World Gin Day is a global celebration of all things gin, and this year, restaurants and bars are pulling out all the stops to bring you a variety of exciting gin-based offerings. From limited-edition menus to special events, here are the top places to enjoy unique gin cocktails and experiences. 1. Hitchki Hitchki, known for its eclectic ambiance and Bollywood-inspired decor, is a standout in Mumbais nightlife. Event: Hitchki X Samsara Gin Se Badkar Kaun Hai (June 1st to June 15th) Special Offer: Collection of innovative cocktails, Highlights: Creative and nostalgic fusion cocktails that promise an unforgettable drinking experience. 2. The Bombay Canteen Located in the heart of Mumbai, The Bombay Canteen is famed for its innovative cocktails and vibrant atmosphere. Gin Cocktails: A celebration of local flavors crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Experience: Each sip at The Bombay Canteen reflects the bars dedication to culinary creativity, making it a must-visit for gin enthusiasts. 3. Woodside Inn This cozy neighborhood bar offers a laid-back charm with an extensive drinks menu. Gin Selection: Exotic gin cocktails curated to perfection. Perfect For: Both seasoned gin connoisseurs and novices exploring the world of gin. 4. The Bar Stock Exchange A unique concept where drink prices fluctuate based on demand, adding excitement to your evening. Ambiance: Energetic and engaging, ideal for gin enthusiasts seeking a lively experience. Specials: Inventive gin cocktails that keep the atmosphere buzzing. 5. The Daily Epitomizing chic elegance, The Daily is renowned for its creative cocktail offerings. Gin Menu: A diverse selection of exotic concoctions showcasing the versatility of gin. Setting: Perfect for socializing or a romantic night out, providing an idyllic setting to savor the finest gin cocktails in Mumbai. 6. Bayroute Bayroute collaborates with Samsara Gin to present the exclusive Gin-Ne-Toast menu from June 1st to June 15th. Special Menu: Features imaginative cocktails that go beyond the classic gin & tonic. Signature Drinks: Zanjbeel & Grapefruit: A sweet and spicy blend. Turkish Hazelnut & Coffee: A luxurious mix with salted caramel. Portokali: A floral, tangy party in a glass. And many more unique offerings. Experience: A culinary journey through innovative fusion of exotic ingredients and masterful mixology. 7. Ophelia Located at The Ashok Hotel in Central Delhi, Ophelia offers a Mediterranean escape in the heart of New Delhi. Venue: Lavish interiors and charming patio for a refined dining experience. Gin Cocktails: Wild and Free Giraffing Wild Women Pairing: Best paired with Ophelias diverse menu featuring dishes from Turkish delights to Italian classics. This World Gin Day, dive into the world of gin with these top restaurant offers. Each venue promises a unique atmosphere and meticulously curated gin cocktails, ensuring an unparalleled drinking experience. Cheers to exploring the finest gin concoctions and enjoying an unforgettable celebration! Few people know outside of the industry know that Aamir Khans son Junaid has been around for a while. Following his 3 years of studies in dramatics and subsequent graduation, Junaid dedicated few years to honing his craft in theatre. However, theatre wasnt his sole endeavour. Since 2017, concurrently with his theatrical pursuits, Junaid actively explored opportunities in the film industry. Source close to the industry revealed, Junaid auditioned a lot but faced numerous rejections, including from his fathers home production Laal Singh Chadda. Despite encountering seven significant rejections, the producer of his upcoming film stumbled upon one of Junaids previous audition tapes, offering him to audition. However, even this opportunity came with certain conditions. The filming of the movie began in February 2021 and concluded within eight months. Since then, Junaid has been waiting for its release. Junaid is all set to make his Bollywood debut with Netflix film Maharaj. Backed by Yash Raj Film, Maharaj is all set to release on June 14. 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. The synopsis of the story reads, The year is 1862, a time when there were only three universities in India, Rabindranath Tagore is a year old and the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 continues to fan the flames of independence. Against all odds, one man takes a courageous stand in a landmark legal battle, a true story thats now come to light in Maharaj more than 160 years later. A source close to the actor had earlier mentioned that Junaid will be shooting the whole day for his untitled next with Khushi Kapoor. The source said, It would be interesting to see the two actors sharing the screen space for the first time and showcase their talent. Actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut was slapped by a CISF guard at the Chandigarh airport on Thursday afternoon. Kangana was travelling to New Delhi days after her Lok Sabha elections win from Himachal Pradeshs Mandi constituency. The CISF woman constable, identified as Kulwinder Kaur, has been suspended. In the light of this incident, several celebrities have condemned this attack, including Alia Bhatt. Faye DSouza recently penned a post condemning the incident, which was liked by Alia Bhatt. The post read, With reference to the incident of MP Kangana Ranaut being slapped at an airport, violence can never be the answer. Especially not in our country that was born out of Gandhis ideals of non- violence. It doesnt matter how much we disagree with views and statements made by someone, we cannot react with violence and we should not condone it. It is particularly dangerous when security personnel react violently while in uniform. Imagine, over the last ten years, if those of us who questioned power were assaulted at airports by constables who were in agreement with that power. Over the years, Kangana has not shied away from criticising Alia. During the release of Gully Boy, Kangana gave a negative review to Alias performance in the film. In 2019, Kangana called Alias Gully Boy performance mediocre. She told the paparazzi, I am embarrassedWhat is there to beat in Gully Boy Performance .same snappy muh phat girl Bollywoods idea of a fiery girl, woman empowerment and good acting, spare me this embarrassment, please. Media has taken filmy kids love too farstop pampering mediocre work or else bar will never be raised. Alia accepted her criticism and praised her for her honesty. At the time, Randeep took to Twitter, now known as X, to laud her for her reaction. Dearest @aliaa08 Im so glad you are not letting the opinions of very occasional actors and chronic victims affect you and your work .. kudos to you for your continued efforts to outdo yourself, he wrote at the time. Previously, Kangana slammed the film industry for celebrating the attack and not supporting her. Taking to Instagram Stories, Kangana wrote, All eyes on Rafah Gang this can happen to you or your children as well. When you celebrate a terror attack on someone be ready for the day it comes back to you as well. In another post that she deleted soon after, she had written, Dear film industry you all are either celebrating or are totally mum on the airport attack on me remember if tomorrow if you walking disarmingly on some street of your country or anywhere else in the world and some Israeli / Palestinian hits you or your children just because you tried to bring eyes to Rafah or stood up for Israeli hostage then you will see I will be fighting for your rights of free speech, if someday you wonder why I am where I am remember you are not me Actor Anupam Kher has slammed Kulwinder Kaur, a CISF woman constable, who slapped actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport on Thursday. The veteran actor has showed solidarity with Kangana, by condemning the CISF personnels act. Reacting to the incident, Anupam told Instant Bollywood, Its very unfortunate. It shouldnt have happened especially from someone who is a security personnel. Jo bhi grievances hai usko alag tarike se pesh karne chahiye. I feel women of India should react to it, not just because Kangana is an MP, but she is also a woman. The incident comes days after Kangana, who contested Lok Sabha polls on BJP ticket, won from Mandi constituency, Himachal Pradesh. Earlier, Anupam Kher congratulated Kangana on her maiden political win in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Taking to Instagram, Anupam shared a reel with some of Kanganas recent photos and penned a sweet message for her. My dearest #Kangana! CONGRATULATIONS on your HUGE Victory! You are a #ROCKSTAR. Your journey is so so inspirational! So happy for you and the people of #Mandi and #HimachalPradesh. You have proved time and again that if one is focused and works hard (then anything can happen), he wrote. Meanwhile, Shekhar Suman and Kanganas ex, actor Adhyayan Suman, also condemned the incident while speaking to media on the sidelines of an event in Mumbai on Friday. Wo bahut hi galat hai (That is very wrong), Shekhar told reporters as Adhyayan nodded. Shekhar continued, It is very unfortunate and this should not happen to anyone. Its illegal what she (CISF woman constable) has done. She should definitely be punished. I could understand that she must have had some anger or complaint but this is not the right way to express it. She could have also done it in a civilised manner. You cant raise your hand on anyone like this. The CISF suspended Kulwinder Kaur immediately after the incident and launched a departmental inquiry against her. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed an FIR against Elvish Yadav for allegedly assaulting and threatening Sagar Thakur aka Maxtern. As reported by Live Law, the court also asked the YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner to refrain from depicting or promoting violence and substance abuse on social media. The FIR portrays that the motive for violence was some dispute regarding popularity and content creation in which allegations were levelled against Elvish Yadav and his accomplices. To ensure that similar violent acts are not repeated in the future, that impressionable followers do not get influenced of the misdemeanour exhibited by the accused persons. and that the accused are not under the mistaken belief that such instances are taken lightly by the legal system, this Court proposes to quash the FIR in question but with the imposition of certain condition, Justice Anoop Chitkara noted. The court further mentioned that violence portrayed in videos on social media influences societal perceptions and therefore must be condemned. Such actual use of violence in a society cannot be accepted and needs to be condemned. Media influencers with a considerable audience must be sensitized to the message they impart through their actions to their susceptible followers and exhibit socially responsible behaviour, it added. In March this year, a video of Elvish Yadav surfaced on social media in which he was seen slapping, kicking and beating Maxtern brutally. Later, Thakur issued a video statement and accused Yadav of threatening him. Bhaisaab, jaan se maarne ki dhamki de gaye hain. Main toh akela tha. Elvish bhai saath mein bahut saare bande laaye the. Toh iske main full video subah daaltu hu acche se. Sab dekhna kya hua. Hamare pass bhi recording hai. Main toh theek hu bas yahan (lip) par chot aaye hai. Yeh bhi 8 logo se ladne ke baad aaye hai, he said. Thakur also filed an FIR against Yadav and claimed, he tried to break my spine so that I will become physically disabled. Later, Elvish Yadav also issued a video statement explaining the other side of the story. He said that the incident was pre-planned as the complainant, Sagar had installed hidden microphones and cameras at the place of their meeting. He also claimed Thakur was harassing him for the past eight months by sharing negative posts about him. Elvish also alleged that Thakur threatened to burn him and his family alive which led to heated arguments. However, Elvish and Maxtern resolved their fight later when the former also shared a happy picture of them on social media. Ever since the release of its trailer, Hamare Baarah has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The film has been accused by many of spreading propaganda. Amid all this, the films actor Manoj Joshi has now said that the Annu Kapoor starrer is not made to target any religion. Joshi was recently speaking to the news agency ANI when he said, I am an artist, I have done this film, but some people have opposed it. This movie was not made to target any religion. Today, there are discussions about respecting the women of our country. In any society, there should be no disrespect to women. A woman is not an object or a thing; she should be respected, as it has been happening in India. The actor further urged everyone to watch this film and added, Secondly, the film talks about various topics such as education, upbringing, employment, womens respect and empowerment, and population. So, everyone should watch this film with their families. What Is The Controversy Around Hamare Baarah? Hamare Baarah revolves around the theme of overpopulation and has been facing a major backlash from viewers. Several people have alleged that there is a glimpse of uncouth crude and communal propaganda in the films trailer. Others argued that Hamare Baarahs trailer is disturbing and can poison the minds of an entire generation. Amidst the raging controversy, the films trailer was abruptly pulled down from online platforms, after releasing on May 30. Previously, Annu Kapoor also slammed those criticising his film. In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, the actor shared that everyone is quick to make judgments on the film even before watching it. He urged people to watch the film first and then make an opinion about it. At a personal and an impersonal level, Im an atheist. My director and producers thought that I was the right person who would be able to implement their vision on celluloid. So, I tried my best to justify my character. Im not bothered about the rest. Films are a make-believe world where Im chosen as an artist and my job is to justify my art, he said. People talk about propaganda all the time. Im not bothered about it. I would urge people to watch the film first and then decide what our film stands for. They havent watched it, so I dont understand why theyre judging it, the actor added. Hamare Baarah is now in theatres. Actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut was slapped by a CISF guard at the Chandigarh airport on Thursday afternoon. Kangana was travelling to New Delhi days after her Lok Sabha elections win from Himachal Pradeshs Mandi constituency. The CISF woman constable, identified as Kulwinder Kaur, has been suspended. An FIR is being registered against the CISF constable at Chandigarh Airport based on a written complaint by CISF officials. A complaint has also been filed by CISF to the local police. And now, Hrithik Roshan, who was once mired in a controversy with the actor-turned-politician, had reacted to it by liking a post that condemning the act. Independent journalist Faye DSouza put up a post condemning the act. She wrote, With reference to the incident of MP Kangana Ranaut being slapped at an airport, violence can never be the answer. Especially not in our country that was born out of Gandhis ideals of non- violence. It doesnt matter how much we disagree with views and statements made by someone, we cannot react with violence and we should not condone it. It is particularly dangerous when security personnel react violently while in uniform. Imagine, over the last ten years, if those of us who questioned power were assaulted at airports by constables who were in agreement with that power. Hrithik-Kangana Row The row started when Kangana mentioned silly exes in an interview. Although Hrithik Roshan wasnt named, he sent her a legal notice asking for a retraction. This sparked a public spat, with Kangana and her lawyer, Rizwan Siddiquee, countering Hrithiks claims. In 2016, Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut exchanged legal notices, starting a controversy with many twists but no clear resolution. Rumors of their affair began during Krrish 3, followed by rumors of their split. Both stayed silent until Kanganas interview brought the issue to light. Reports suggested Kangana was initially cast opposite Hrithik in Aashiqui 3, but Hrithik allegedly refused to work with her, leading to her removal. In an interview, Kangana mentioned exes doing silly things for attention, but said shes over it and that chapter is closed. This sparked media and public speculation about whether she was referring to Hrithik. Ranbir Kapoor is setting fire to social media with his latest photos. On Saturday, celebrity hairstylist, Aalim Hakim took to his Instagram handle and shared a series of pictures in which the actor was seen showcasing his new hairstyle. He sported a black robe with matching sunglasses and looked as hot as ever. However, what caught everyones attention was something else. In one of the pictures, Ranbir Kapoor was seen flaunting his Raha tattoo on his neck. The actor, who is married to Alia Bhatt, became a proud father to a baby girl in November 2023. Check out the pictures here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aalim Hakim (@aalimhakim) Ranbir Kapoor got his daughters name inked late last year. The actor was promoting Sandeep Reddy Vangas directorial Animal when a video went viral on social media in which Ranbir, for the first time, showed his Raha tattoo. The clip was from Ranbirs appearance on Unstoppable with NBK. During the episode, the host, Telugu star Nandamuri Balakrishna was discussing Rashmikas tattoo when Ranbir revealed he has a tattoo too. While the actor already had the word Awaara inked on his wrist, he revealed he got Raha inked on his collarbone. Meanwhile, Ranbir Kapoor is currently preparing for his upcoming movie, Love and War. Earlier this week, the actor also met the director of the film, Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He was snapped by the paparazzi as he arrived at Bhansalis house. Love and War was announced in January this year and is slated to hit theatres on Christmas 2025. It will also star Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt in key roles. Recently, News18 Showsha exclusively learnt that the film go on floors in November this year. Bhansali also opened up about Love and War last month when he told Variety, Its a love story that Im making after a long time. A slightly contemporary work, different from the dances, pillars, architecture, drapes, curtains and jewellery [of Heeramandi]. Its a new language, milieu and ambience for me. I needed [it] very much to excite me as a filmmaker to do something new, to speak of a different period, a different set of characters and new circumstances. Besides Love and War, Ranbir will also be seen in Nitesh Twaris Ramayana. He will be seen playing the role of Lord Ram in the film, which will also star Sai Pallavi as Sita. Ramayanas release date has not been announced as of now. Shabana Azmi has expressed disappointment with those who are celebrating the Kangana Ranaut slap incident. On Saturday, the veteran actress took to her X (formerly known as Twitter) handle and condemned the unfortunate incident. I have no love lost for #Kangana Ranaut. But I cant find myself joining this chorus of celebrating the slap. If security personnel start taking law into their hands none of us can be safe, she wrote. I have no love lost for #Kangana Ranaut. But I can't find myself joining this chorus of celebrating "the slap". If security personnel start taking law into their hands none of us can be safe . Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) June 7, 2024 Interestingly, this comes a day after music composer Vishal Dadlani supported the CISF constable who slapped Kangana and promised a job to her. I do not ever support violence, but I absolutely understand the need of this @official_cisf personnels anger. If any action is taken against her by the CISF, I will ensure that she has a job waiting for her should she choose to accept it. Jai Hind. Jai Jawaan. Jai Kisaan, he wrote. Earlier today, Kangana Ranaut also penned down a strong note against those supporting the slap incident. The actress-turned-politician questioned the criminal tendencies of such people and asked if they will also be okay if somebody is raped or murdered. Every rapist, murderer or thief always have a strong emotional, physical, psychological or financial reason to commit a crime, no crime ever happens without a reason, yet they are convicted and sentenced to jail. If you are aligned with the criminals strong emotional impulse to commit a crime violating all laws of the land. Remember if you are ok with breaking in to someones intimate zone, without their permission touching their bodies and assaulting them then deep down you are ok with rape or murder also because thats also just penetration or stab only what big deal, you must look deeper in to your psychological criminal tendencies, she wrote. So far, several actors including Shekhar Suman, Adhyayan Suman, Urif Javed and Devoleena Bhattacharjee have come out in support of Kangana Ranaut, condemning the unfortunate incident. On Friday night, Anupam Kher also told Instant Bollywood, Its very unfortunate. It shouldnt have happened especially from someone who is a security personnel. Jo bhi grievances hai usko alag tarike se pesh karne chahiye. I feel women of India should react to it, not just because Kangana is an MP, but she is also a woman. Kher and Ranaut will soon be sharing the screen in the latters Emergency. The newly-elected Member of Parliament, Kangana Ranaut was travelling to New Delhi on June 6 when she was slapped by an on-duty female CISF constable at the Chandigarh Airport. The female CISF staff identified as Kulwinder Kaur was unhappy with Kangnas comment on Punjab ladies during the farmers agitation against the three farm laws, suggesting they participated in the protest for money. The lady constable was then arrested. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 8. S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Azerbaijan's long-term and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings at 'BB+/B', Trend reports. According to the agency, the outlook on the ratings remains stable. Given that 80 percent of Azerbaijan's exports are hydrocarbons, S&P Global Ratings anticipates that the country will be able to sustain a current account and budget surplus from 2024 through 2027. The assessment remains unchanged because the agency believes that Azerbaijan's large fiscal and external reserves will cushion the blow to the economy that could come from shifts in trade policies. The reduction of geopolitical risks and the accumulation of additional fiscal reserves are also factors that could lead to an upgrade in the ratings. Good fiscal and external positions bolster Azerbaijan's sovereign ratings. Azerbaijan is expected to maintain its twin surpluses in the fiscal and current accounts in 2024 and beyond, respectively, assuming oil prices of $85/barrel and $80/barrel. Sharvari made her film debut with Bunty Aur Babli 2 in 2021 alongside Rani Mukerji. Currently, shes is excited for her newly released Munjya, which also stars Mona Singh. Next, Sharvari will be sharing screen space with Alia Bhatt in YRFs untitled action thriller, which will be a part of their spy universe. Needless to say, Sharvari is elated for receiving the golden opportunities to collaborate with some of the biggest female actors in the Hindi film industry. While she remains tight-lipped about her next with Alia, the shoot of which is scheduled to start from July, she heaps praise on the Gangubai Kathiawadi star. In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, she says that theres one thread of commonality between Alia and Rani. The one thing in common for them is the undying passion and fire they have for their craft. And you can see it not just when theyre performing but also when you meet them. And as a young budding actor, I aspire to have that, she tells us. Lauding them for their script choices, Sharvari shares, The work that theyve done over all these years you can see that theyve put a piece of their heart in all of them and that only happens when youve unconditional love towards your craft. I think thats why they are where theyre today. Its not easy. And what roles theyve done! She goes on to praise Mona and adds that her passion is as strong as Alia and Ranis. Recalling her earliest memory of the Made In Heaven actor, Sharvari says, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin would come at eight o clock sharp. And I remember sitting in front of the television and watching it every single day with my family (laughs). And much like them, keeping this fire alive within herself has been a big demon Sharvari had to battle internally. The biggest fight was to sometimes find a purpose in the day. There were days when there wouldnt be any auditions. Nothing used to happen for days and I would keep wondering what to do, she reminisces. And so to keep herself busy, she decided to try her hands at assistant direction. There would be times when my alarm would ring in the morning and I would think what I would do after waking up. The idea was to find a purpose and that got me into becoming an assistant director. I didnt want to become complacent or have the fire within me die, remarks the actor, who has been an AD on the sets of Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2, Bajirao Mastani and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. Sharvari further continues, There was a long phase in my life when I wasnt getting any work and I had nothing to do in the day and thats why I signed up for an acting class. I would then go to a two-hour acting class every day in Bandra called The Jeff Goldberg Studio. That soon became something I would look forward to. Sushant Singh Rajputs sister Shweta Singh Kirti often remembers her late brother via her social media posts. Today, ahead of Sushants fourth death anniversary, Shweta took to her Instagram to share that she visited Kedarnath to feel closer to her late brother. Ahead of Sushants death anniversary, Shweta took to Instagram and asked Sushants fans to get together in Mumbai and demand justice for him. She wrote, Its time, let us all come together and pray and demand justice for our dear Sushant. See you all on 14th June(Friday) in Mumbai Un Reve Studio , Bandra west, Basement , Arc Nest Building Blue tokai Coffee shop Maharashtra 400050 #sushantsinghrajput. According to her post, a prayer meet will be held at a studio in Mumbai, followed by a food distribution in his memory. Fans will also gather at Mont Blanc Apartments in Bandra, where Sushant lived and was found dead, to demand justice. Earlier last week, Shweta had taken to Instagram and written, 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. I came to Kedarnath to pray, to remember, and to feel close to Bhai. 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 Singh Rajput was found dead in his Mumbai apartment in June 2020. While some suspected to be a case of death by suicide, others had alleged foul play. Her sister has been fighting for justice ever since. In April, Shweta Singh Kirti started an online campaign called Nany 4 SSR Jan Andolan to seek justice for her brothers death. As part of this initiative, she asked people to tie a red cloth on their wrist or forehead, post a video on social media, and urge agencies to deliver justice for the late actor. Brother of CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur, who slapped Kangana Ranaut on June 6 at the Chandigarh airport, has justified his sisters act. Sher Singh Mahival, who is also a farmers leader, reacted to the incident recently when he also backed his sister. He argued that his sister must have become emotionally angry following which she attacked the newly elected MP from Himachal Pradeshs Mandi. I learned through the media that something happened at the Chandigarh airport. I now understand that this incident occurred during the checking of Kanganas mobile and purse. Kangana had said during the farmers protest that women were there for 100, Sher Singh said as quoted by Hindustan Times. After the argument, my sister must have become emotionally angry, which led to this incident. Both soldiers and farmers are important and are fulfilling their duties in every way. We fully support her in this matter, he added. Farmer Leader Sher Singh Mahiwal, brother of CISF personnel Kulvinder Kaur, spoke to the media. He said the argument started during the checking and stated that whatever his sister did, they stand by her. #KanganaRanaut pic.twitter.com/FBagQJTXPd Gagandeep Singh (@Gagan4344) June 6, 2024 Reportedly, Sher Singh Mahival is a farmer leader who holds the position of organisation secretary in the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee in Kapurthala. On Thursday, Kangana Ranaut was travelling to New Delhi when she was slapped by an on-duty female CISF constable at the Chandigarh Airport. The female CISF staff identified as Kulwinder Kaur was unhappy with Kangnas comment on Punjab ladies during the farmers agitation against the three farm laws, suggesting they participated in the protest for money. The lady constable was arrested later in the evening. Later, Kangana issued a video statement to talk about the incident and questioned terrorism in Punjab. Namastey dosto! I have been getting a lot of phone calls from the media and my well-wishers. I am safe, I am perfectly fine. What happened at the Chandigarh airport today was during the security check. When I left after the security check, the CISF personnel hit me on my face. She abused me. When I asked her why she did it, she told me that she supports farmers protests. I am safe but my concern is, how do we handle terror in Punjab? she said. So far, several actors including Anupam Kher, Shabana Azmi, Shekhar Suman, Adhyayan Suman, Urif Javed and Devoleena Bhattacharjee have come out in support of Kangana Ranaut, condemning the unfortunate incident. Does Narendra Modi lack the moral legitimacy to stake a claim and form the government? The question may seem profoundly simplistic considering the verdict favours the NDA that is placed comfortably over the majority mark. But facts have never come in the way of the truth for the newly minted talismans of the INDIA bloc. Theyve launched into a canard-laced campaign to question Modis claim to the prime ministers chair. Their logic is rather unsubtle. They point out that since the election was fought in his name and since the BJP hasnt got a majority of its own, Narendra Modi has lost the confidence of the people and has relinquished the moral right to stake claim. This is an absurd proposition. Its not the Prime Ministers morality thats elastic, its the oppositions definition of fact that seems to be stretched infinitely. Has the opposition forgotten that one of their own leading lights Dr Manmohan Singh wasnt even on the ticket when he was selected to be prime minister in 2004? And what about 1996? When the United Front government stepped into the breach as Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led single-largest party, the BJP, couldnt find partners to take it across the halfway mark? Would the Congress deign to tell us why it selected the good doctor and why it supported the minority UF government given that they are so pernickety about doing the right thing? Of course not. But lets come back to Prime Minister Modi. Is it right to question his claim? Is the mandate singularly against him? Here are some hard facts. HARD FACT 1 BJP retained 208 seats of the 303 seats it won in 2019 Retention rate: 68% Takeaway: No intense anti-incumbency against Modi and BJP HARD FACT 2 Just 6 lakh votes across 33 seats could have secured BJP a majority Chandigarh, Hamirpur, Salempur, Dhaurahra, Dhule, Beed, Arambagh, Daman & Diu were all lost by between 2,000 and 8,000 votes Takeaway: No intense anti-incumbency against Modi and BJP HARD FACT 3 BJP won 32 new constituencies across 11 states and UTs Takeaway: BJP seen as the alternative across India HARD FACT 4 BJPs 32 new constituencies are pan-India Odisha (12) Telangana (4), Maharashtra (3), AP(3), WB(2), Bihar (1) Dadar & Nagar Haveli (1), Chhattisgarh (1), Andaman and Nicobar (1), UP(1), MP (1), Karnataka (1), Kerala (1) Takeaway: BJP is still growing in states where it is established and in which it wasnt present HARD FACT 5 BJP lost only 42 out of 92 seats in head-to-head fights against Congress Takeaway: BJP first choice of voters in most direct fights against Congress HARD FACT 6 Total voters who voted in South for BJP 39,465,778, for Congress 39,165,682 Takeaway: More voters voted for BJP than Congress in the South despite the latter contesting 94 and BJP contesting 88 of a total of 131 seats HARD FACT 7 BJP leads Congress in states and UTs won with 50% or more votes BJP: 3 UTS, & 7 States Congress: 2 UTs, 1 State (Nagaland) Takeaway: More voters overwhelmingly favour the BJP in more geographies HARD FACT 8 Popular votes won by BJP across all seats: 23,59,73,935 (36.5%) Popular votes won by Congress across all seats: 13,67,59,064 (21.19%) Takeaway: Congress failed to defeat BJP despite 10 years of anti-incumbency HARD FACT 9 NDA won 18 out of 22 (82%) of constituencies where women voters exceeded men by 10% Takeaway: Women voters reposed faith in the BJP where they make up a majority of voters Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. The conclusion of the 18th Lok Sabha elections marks a significant moment as our citizens have chosen their representatives for the upcoming five years. The BJP has much to celebrate, with one of the most notable achievements being the breakthrough in Kerala, traditionally a stronghold of the Left. This victory is the result of 75 years of dedicated hard work, persistence and effort. The closest a Hindu right-wing leader from Kerala came to winning an election was in 1977 when K G Marar, representing the Jana Sangh, finished second in the Uduma constituency. When the Jana Sangh transformed into the Bharatiya Janata Party, Marar became the first president of the state unit. Since then, the BJP had been trying to win a seat in Kerala, struggling to break the narrative of being a communal and North Indian party. The NDA secured its first electoral victory in Kerala when P.C. Thomas, representing the Kerala Congress (Thomas faction), won the Kottayam Lok Sabha seat. He later served as a minister in the third Vajpayee government but was subsequently disqualified by a Supreme Court verdict. In 2016, O Rajagopal became the first BJP candidate to win a seat in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, securing victory in Nemom, a constituency on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram. Since then, the BJP has intensified its efforts to gain representation in the Lok Sabha, steadily increasing its vote share in Kerala with each election cycle. The NDA secured approximately 20 per cent of the vote share this time in Kerala, with the BJP leading in 11 assembly segments: Kazhakkoottam, Vattiyoorkavu, Nemom, Attingal, Kattakkada, Manaloor, Ollur, Thrissur, Nattika, Irinjalakuda, and Puthukkad. Furthermore, the NDA emerged as the runner-up in eight assembly constituencies: Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam, Neyyattinkara, Kayamkulam, Haripad, Manjeshwar, Kasargod, and Palakkad. This performance signifies a notable shift in Keralas political landscape. In addition to Suresh Gopi, who emerged as the clear victor in this election, the BJP also witnessed Sobha Surendran challenging the Marxist stronghold in Alleppey. Sobhas vote share increased from 17.24 per cent to 28.3 per cent, marking the single largest increase for any candidate in Kerala. The election season introduced many other leaders who are likely to shape the future of Keralas politics and contribute to the states sociopolitical landscape in the coming years. In Thrissur, Hindu voters make up 63.2 per cent of the population, followed by Christian voters at 21.4 per cent and Muslim voters at 15.4 per cent (according to the 2011 Census figures). This region is also known for its religious tourism, with famous temples like Guruvayur, Vadakkunnathan, and Paramekkavu attracting visitors. Additionally, Thrissur holds the title of being the cultural capital of Kerala and hosts the magnificent Thrissur Pooram, one of the largest religious events in the state. The Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency comprises seven assembly segments: Guruvayoor, Manalur, Ollur, Thrissur, Nattika, Irinjalakuda, and Puthukkad. All seven segments have elected representatives from the Communist Party to the legislative assembly of Kerala. In the 2019 elections, the Indian National Congress received 40 per cent of the votes in this constituency, followed by the Marxist Party at 31 per cent and the BJP at 28.3 per cent. Suresh Gopi was the NDA candidate for Thrissur in 2019 and despite losing the Lok Sabha election, he continued to focus on the region and contested in the state Assembly polls of 2021. In the 2021 assembly elections, P Balachandran of the Communist Party emerged as the winner with a vote share of 34.25 per cent, followed by Padmaja Venugopal of the INC with a 33.52 per cent vote share. Suresh Gopi finished third with a vote share of 31.30 per cent. Despite facing setbacks in two successive elections and being pushed to third position, Suresh Gopi remained steadfast. He maintained a visible presence among Thrissurs voters and continued his humanitarian work in the region. In 2023, Thrissur was confronted with a severe crisis. The cooperative banks had reached their peak, resulting in many individuals losing their hard-earned deposits to the Karuvannur bank scam. Suresh Gopi emerged as a champion for the people, mirroring his on-screen action-hero persona. His proactive involvement in this crisis established him as a real-life champion for the people. During the Nari Shakti Sammelan held in Thrissur in January 2024, party leadership indirectly endorsed Suresh Gopis candidacy. Around the same time, Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister K. Karunakaran and Suresh Gopis former opponent in the Assembly elections, joined the BJP. Further bolstering his support, the Left-leaning independent mayor of Thrissur endorsed Suresh Gopi as the ideal representative for Thrissur. Meanwhile, Suresh Gopi continued to serve the people tirelessly. It was his unwavering dedication, determination, and strong belief in a higher power that fueled his spirit. This serves as a valuable lesson that if one focuses on his or her work in a constituency without worrying about the outcome, the people will embrace that person as their leader when the time comes. His appeal transcended traditional barriers, garnering him support from diverse communities across caste and religion, including notable backing from Muslim women in the region. As Left strongholds crumble one by one in India, Kerala is on its way to joining the race. Despite falling short of securing a majority, the BJPs breakthrough in the state, symbolised by Suresh Gopis win, marks a significant turning point in Keralas political landscape. Adarsh Kuniyillam is a policy, political and Parliamentary expert from Kerala. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Now that the election results are out and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been entrusted with the reins of power for the third time in a closely contested election, some takeaways from this election seem important. For one, it is clear that the personality cult continues to loom large in Indian politics. The politicians seem to have realised that the Indian people are yet to shun the attitude of worshipping heroes rather than judging a party by its policies and actions. Its not only dynastic parties like the Congress or the SP, but also the BJP which can be faulted for projecting Prime Minister Modis face to the detriment of the party. Surprisingly, in this game of building the image of a leader, both ones own party as also the opposite party are on the same page. While the Opposition chanted Modi, Modi ad nauseum, thus constricting the election theme to an individual, the prime minister too referred to singled out one Opposition leader endlessly in his speeches, thus projecting a larger-than-life image of Rahul Gandhi. These elections, apart from showing the world the fairness of elections in the worlds largest democracy, also send the message that the country is far safer than it was some years ago. The G20 meeting of world leaders was the first instance that proved it. During these elections, the whirlwind tour of PM Modi meant very heavy burden on the shoulders of the security forces. Not a single episode of mischief meant to harm the prime minister was reported, even though the threat perception from inside and outside of the country was at its peak. Besides, barring West Bengal with its unique history of violence, elections all over the country, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, were quite peaceful. I am sure the people abroad, fed on tales of acrimony and violence in India, would have been taken aback, and the vested interests (read deep state somewhere) disappointed. Our security forces and the government deserve a resounding applause for it. Another takeaway is even as we know that public memory is proverbially short, it has to be updated to include the fact that petty local issues can cloud the big ones concerning society or the nation. To that extent, our voters are not enlightened enough to make the distinction. It happened in the case of Ayodhya where the civic issues and the issue of compensation by the state to displaced persons relegated the gift of Ram temple to the Hindu community, besides catapulting the city into a big tourist attraction. It has the other lesson that the religious acts or monuments seem to be moving towards a proposition of diminishing returns. While Prime Minister Modi made symbolic gestures toward the people of Tamil Nadu, such as the installation of the Sengol in the new Parliament building and visits to Tamil Nadu temples, these actions did not translate into electoral success for the BJP. This suggests that appealing to a shared Hindu identity may not be as politically unifying as some might believe. Conversely, the prime ministers strong criticisms of the Congress and other parties regarding their approach to Muslim communities seemed to alienate some Muslim voters. The BJP will be hard put to do a tight ropewalk in future. A lesson to be learned is that the freebies that people have been enjoying for some time become a part of their rights for which no gratitude should be expected. So, initiatives such as free ration for 80 crore people or provisions for housing, land, and sanitation became irrelevant. Immediate concerns hold greater sway during elections. The Opposition alliance capitalised on present economic woes like unemployment which, in any case, is an evergreen problem. The Agniveer scheme, perceived as an imposition due to the governments inadequate explanation of its rationale, provided further ammunition for the Opposition. And finally, the issue of corruption which should have been a burning issue seems to have had little effect on the electorate. The huge money accumulated by almost all political parties through electoral bonds did not retain appeal to the voters. Probably all parties were involved and so it was better to keep mum on the issue. Besides, people seem to have reconciled to the fact that politicians and political parties have the divine privilege to roll in wealth. Now that the NDA government has assumed power, its crucial to address several shortcomings within the system and the electoral process. One pressing concern is the allegation that the Congress party employed an Israeli AI firm (ironically, despite the partys previous criticism of the government regarding Israeli software) to disseminate fake social media posts and construct a false narrative against the BJP. This claim warrants a thorough investigation. Equally concerning are the televised reports depicting Muslim women queuing at Congress offices, hoping to cash in cards supposedly promising the first installment of the pledged one lakh rupees. This situation reflects a cynical trend in our political landscape where parties make extravagant promises to entice voters, who, in turn, often naively believe them. Similar is the news about such cards having been given to unemployed youth promising permanent jobs to them. These are serious matters and need to be probed thoroughly. Probity demands that the Election Commission should conduct re-polls in the constituencies where these unethical means have been adopted, apart from disqualifying the candidate concerned and punishing the concerned party as well. Jagdish Batra is an academic and writer, presently working as Professor & Executive Dean at O.P. Jindal Global University, India. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Janata Dal (U) leader K Tyagi has claimed that the INDIA bloc leaders offered the position of Prime Minister to Bihar Chief Minister and their party chief Nitish Kumar. Despite this purported offer, Tyagi said that JDU remains steadfast in its commitment to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and will not entertain any proposals from the INDIA bloc. Tyagi said that despite not accepting Nitish Kumar as the coordinator of India Alliance, the offer for the Prime Ministerial position was extended after the results of Lok Sabha were announced. However, the INDIA bloc has denied this claim. Meanwhile, Tyagi clarified that while discussions are ongoing between Nitish Kumar and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders regarding ministerial positions within the NDA government, JD(U) is firm on remaining part of the NDA for five years. Tyagi added that JD(U) will not agree to any terms proposed by the INDIA bloc, asserting that decisions regarding ministerial portfolios will be at the discretion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. INDIA Bloc Reacts To PM Post Claim However, Congress leader KC Venugopal said his party does not have any such information regarding this offer. #WATCH | On JDU leader KC Tyagis reported statement that Nitish Kumar was offered PM post by INDIA alliance, Congress leader KC Venugopal says, We dont have any such information.On the partys performance in Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh says, In pic.twitter.com/4TCwWrX9jE ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2024 This comes a day after newly elected MPs of the BJP-led NDA elected Modi as their leader, paving the way for him to take oath as the countrys PM for a record third term. As the NDA leaders gathered at Parliament to name Modi as the alliances leader, Bihar CM Nitish pledged his support, saying that he and his party would always be with the NDA government. All the pending works of Bihar will be done. It is a very good thing that all of us have come together and we will all work together with you (PM 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 youWe will all work together under your leadership, Nitish said during the parliamentary meeting. Shrikant Shinde, a Shiv Sena MP and the son of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Saturday said he was not interested in becoming a minister at the Centre. Shrikant won from Kalyan Lok Sabha seat for the third time in a row. His party is a constituent of the NDA as well as the ruling coalition in Maharashtra which includes the BJP. Amid demand by some party leaders that he should become a minister, Shinde told reporters that several other MPs have worked for the party for years and they should be given the opportunity. If asked by the chief minister whether I want to become a minister, I will decline. I am more interested in doing party work and building it, he added. Being the leader of the Shiv Sena parliamentary party, his job would involve coordination with party MPs and ensuring good performance by other leaders, he said. Shiv Senas Thane MP Naresh Mhaske said party leaders and workers wanted that Shrikant Shinde should become a Union minister, and they would put the demand before chief minister Shinde. The partys Hatkanangale MP Dhairyasheel Mane also made the same demand. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena won seven seats in Maharashtra in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday dismissed all rumours regarding his resignation from the post of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and said, I am not going to run away and have not taken any decision out of my emotions, but I have some strategy in my mind. Revealing the reasons over his decision to resign, the Deputy Chief Minister said, I had led the BJP in this Lok Sabha election, so I said I am responsible for this defeat. I had asked to be allowed to leave my post so that I could work at the grassroots for the Vidhan Sabha elections. But the top leadership showed faith in me. Some people thought that I was disappointed, but I am not going to run away. Our inspiration is Chhatrapati Shivaji. I have not taken any emotional decision, I have a strategy in mind, Fadnavis added while addressing the meeting of BJP MLA, MLCs at Vasant Smruti in Dadar Mumbai. Fadnavis comments came a day after he met Amit Shah on Friday, after an NDA meeting in which Narendra Modi was chosen as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), paving the way for his third straight term as Prime Minister. It has been learnt that Shah asked Fadnavis to continue working for the Maharashtra government and begin preparations for the Assembly election in the state, scheduled to take place around October. Speaking about his meeting with the home minister, the Deputy Chief Minister said, I met Amit Shah, who asked me to continue, and I will do that. I am not going to sit quietly for even a minute. We have a strategy. I have already started work. Notably, Fadnavis, on June 5, offered to resign from his post of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, taking responsibility for the partys disastrous performance in the Lok Sabha Polls. Fadnavis On What Went Wrong In Lok Sabha Polls Highlighting the several instances on what might have affected the BJPs count in the Lok Sabha election 2024, Fadnavis acknowledged that the statements of several ruling partys leaders claiming that NDA was aiming for 400 Lok Sabha seats to be able to amend the Constitution had hurt the party. A narrative was prepared in the Dalit and tribal society. PM Modi worshipped the Constitution before being elected the leader of the NDA, the Maharashtra leader said. The BJPs vote share did not decline compared to 2019, and the saffron party lost 11 constituencies by less than five percent votes, he noted. Despite the Oppositions propaganda about industrial projects going to Gujarat, Maharashtra was at the top position in terms of industrial investment, and Gujarat and Karnataka had raced ahead of Maharashtra during Uddhav Thackerays tenure as chief minister, Fadnavis claimed. Notably, the BJPs numbers were reduced to nine Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra from 23 in the 2019 general elections. While the Mahayuti won 17 of 48 seats in the state, the MVA of the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress won 30. A rebel Congress candidate won another seat. The INDIA blocs performance in the state was one of the reasons the BJP was reduced to 240 seats from its tally of 303 in 2019. The NDA, however, won 293 Lok Sabha seats, comfortably over the majority mark of 272. The Congress on Saturday took a decisive step by passing a single-line resolution to appoint Rahul Gandhi as the leader of the Opposition in Parliament. The decision was made during a meeting of the partys top decision-making body, the Congress Working Committee (CWC), held at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi. Key figures of the Congress party, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other leaders, participated in the discussions. Following the CWC meeting, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said, We discussed the states where we have not done well. The entire CWC is charged up. This is the revival of the Congress party Everyone said Congress was finished. We had to fight against the exit poll alsoNow the revival of the Congress party has started. This is the sentiment of the CWC. Venugopal further stated that the CWC unanimously urged Rahul Gandhi to assume the role of the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. He added, Rahul ji is the best person to lead this campaign inside the Parliament. He heard the sentiments of CWC and he will take a decision very soon. Privileges of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament The position of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha holds significant privileges and responsibilities. To be eligible for the LoP post, a party must hold at least 10 per cent of the seats in the Lok Sabha. The LoP is a member of crucial committees such as Public Accounts, Public Undertakings, and Estimates. Additionally, they participate in various Joint Parliamentary panels and serve on selection committees responsible for appointing heads of central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), as well as chiefs of statutory bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Central Information Commission (CIC). Why was there no LoP in Lok Sabha for last 10 years? The post of Leader of the Opposition has remained vacant since 2014, as no opposition party has managed to secure 10 per cent of the seats. Following the Congress-led United Progressive Alliances (UPA) defeat in 2014, the Grand Old Party was reduced to 44 seats in the Lok Sabha. After the 2014 debacle, the ruling BJP government, through the appointed Speaker, declined to recognise the Congress partys leader as the Leader of Opposition. In 2019, although the Congress improved its seat tally slightly, it still fell short of the required 54 seats to claim the LoP position. CAIRO, Egypt, June 8. Egypt and Azerbaijan will hold a meeting of the Joint Economic and Technical Committee, Egypt's Acting Minister of International Cooperation Rania El-Mashat told reporters, Trend reports. "Egypt and Azerbaijan have very strong relations. I am also heading the Joint Economic and Technical Committee together with my colleague, Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy. We have a lot of promising areas for collaboration. These include infrastructure, oil and gas, ICT, and pharmaceuticals. Our plans for the future include stepping up our collaboration in these areas, she said. Rania El-Mashat noted that just last month Egypt also received a mission of businessmen and government officials from Azerbaijan. "And before COP29, we will hold a meeting of the Egypt-Azerbaijan Joint Committee to study these areas in more detail. Another very important aspect of cooperation is COP. Congratulations to Azerbaijan for hosting COP29 this November. Egypt hosted COP27 two years ago. There are many areas of cooperation on climate change and ways to mobilize finance. We hope to expand cooperation, especially in the business sphere in the sectors I mentioned, she concluded. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Former Samajwadi Party MLA from Ayodhya, Tej Narain Pandey, on Saturday demanded the authorities to book those abusing the people of Ayodhya after the BJPs defeat in the Lok Sabha elections from the constituency. Stating that ever since the Lok Sabha polls results have been declared, Pandey said many people have used abusive language against the voters of Ayodhya on various social media platforms. In a press conference, the SP leader demanded the authorities of Ayodhya to identify those who are abusing the citizens of Ayodhya and take strict action against them by lodging FIRs against them. He alleged that the people of Ayodhya have been deceived and cheated at every step by the BJP government. The houses and shops of the people of Ayodhya were destroyed and proper compensation was also not given. At the behest of the government, the police administration used intimidation, arbitrariness and looting. The aggrieved public came with a complaint but no one listened. When the public got a chance in the Lok Sabha elections, they defeated the BJP and chose the Samajwadi Party, Pandey said. Faizabad sitting BJP MP Lallu Singh was defeated by SPs Awadhesh Prasad in this years Lok Sabha election. Ayodhya falls under Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency. The arrogance and ego of the BJP in Ayodhya was shattered by the people here. Today there is more discussion about the BJP losing Ayodhya than about PM Modi becoming prime minister. Because of this, the BJP agents are making indecent comments on social media, Pandey said. The government and administration should take strict legal action against such people, he added. Actor-turned-Trinamool Congress MLA Soham Chakraborty landed in a controversy for assaulting a restaurant owner after the latter allegedly abused party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The incident took place on Friday night when the Bengali actor was shooting outside a restaurant in the New Town area of Kolkata. The video of the incident is going viral on social media. The problem between the two sides began over parking the cars of Chakraborty and his men in front of the eatery in New Town area in Kolkata. In the visuals, the MLA can be seen assaulting the restaurant owner after a verbal spat. Chakraboraty can then be seen dragging the owner by the collar with several people watching him. TMC MLA & actor Soham Chakraborty slaps restaurant owner in #Kolkatas Newtown area amidst heated altercation after hotel staff asked his security to move cars parked in front pic.twitter.com/IgyvLiX9oW Mohd Dastagir Ahmed (@Dastagir_Hyd) June 8, 2024 Both Chakraborty and restaurant owner Anisul Alam have lodged complaints with the police against each other, police informed. According to news agency PTI, the MLA later said that he wants to apologise to Alam as he should have controlled his anger. Reportedly, the Chandipur MLA had parked his car in front of the restaurant, causing inconvenience to other customers. The restaurant owner, Anisul Alam, asked Chakrabortys security personnel to remove the car. This led to a verbal altercation and the TMC MLA came to the spot and slapped Alam. The entire parking space was occupied by the cars of Chakraborty and his men. My staff told his men to remove their cars as other customers were not able to park their vehicles, Alam said. The restaurant owner added that the actors men told him that hes an MLA and a very close friend of TMCs national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. I said that I dont care even if he is Narendra Modis friend or Abhisheks. It was then when suddenly Chakraborty came and punched me on my face and kicked me in my abdomen, Alam alleged. BJP Slams TMC Sharing the video of the incident, the West Bengal BJP took to X and wrote, Mamata Banerjees police will do nothing because in Bengal, the law is subservient to the ruling partys thugs. This rogue behavior epitomises why TMC henchmen feel emboldened to commit relentless post-poll violence. The states silence and inaction are a green light for tyranny, it added. MLA Admits Slapping, Wants To Apologise Chakraborty has admitted to slapping the restaurant owner and said that he wants to apologise as he should have controlled his anger. The owner was abusing my staff and Abhishek Banerjee. He also abused me. I lost my cool and slapped him I should have kept my cool and could have controlled my anger. I would like to apologise to the owner, the actor said. A senior officer of Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate said that the restaurant owner on Saturday lodged a complaint against the MLA and his security guards. We have received complaints both from the MLA and the restaurant owner against each other. We have started cases and investigations are on, the officer said. (With inputs from PTI) Days after the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) lost the Assembly elections in Odisha, outgoing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday defended his close aide, VK Pandian, and termed his criticism unfortunate. There has been some criticism of Mr Pandian. This is unfortunate, Patnik stated, reacting to the allegations aimed at Pandian. Responding to the allegations aimed at the bureaucrat-turned-politician, the outgoing Chief Minister Patnaik said, Mr Pandian joined the party and has not held any posts. He did not fight in these elections from any constituency. When asked about my successor, I have always clearly said that it is not Mr Pandian. I repeat it again that the people of Odisha will decide my successor, Patnaik was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Patnaik further talked about the role played by Pandian during crises such as cyclones and the COVID-19 pandemic. As an officer, he did excellent work. He did an excellent job helping with the two cyclones and the COVID-19 epidemic in our state, he said. Later, he retired from bureaucracy and joined my party and he has contributed largely to that by doing excellent work. He is a person of integrity and honesty and he should be respected for that, Patnaik added, highlighting Pandians service towards the nation and the state. BJDs Odisha Loss With the announcement of the results for the recent Assembly elections in Odisha, Patnaiks BJD suffered a massive loss leading to the end of the partys 24-year rule in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along the Lok Sabha polls, also claimed its win in Odisha by securing 78 seats in the 147-member assembly. The BJD managed to secure 51 seats, while the Congress won 14 seats, and three went to Independent candidates. Talking about the outcome of the results, Patnaik said he was proud of what his party has achieved during his tenure as the Chief Minister. I think we have always tried and done an excellent job. We have much to be proud of in our government and the party. We must always accept the verdict of the people gracefully. I have always said that the 4.5 crore people of Odisha are my family. I will continue to serve them in whichever way I can, he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday asked the ministers in the state government to shun the VIP culture. He instructed the ministers to visit people and gave them the mantra of dialogue, coordination and sensitivity (samvaad, samanvay, samvedansheelta). He said the government is for the people and public interest is paramount for it. In such a situation, the problems, expectations and needs of the person standing at the last rung of the society must be resolved, he said. A statement issued here said in a special meeting of the council of ministers, Adityanath asked them to visit the people, communicate with them with sensitivity and solve their problems by coordinating with the local public representatives and the administration. During the interaction, the UP chief minister stressed that whether it is the ministers or other public representatives, everyone will have to avoid the VIP culture. All of us will have to be alert and cautious so that none of our activities reflect the VIP culture, he said. The UP chief minister congratulated the formation of the government at the Centre for the third consecutive time under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and also congratulated the ministers who were elected as MPs. He said the way in which development has gained pace in UP in the 10 years (stint) of Modi, the government will be successful in creating many new records in the coming five years. He asked the ministers to widely publicise the achievements of the Centre and the state government, increase active participation on social media, make the public aware of the policies, decisions and the positive results of the double engine government. While discussing the departmental action plan, the chief minister said the state government is working towards achieving the target of a trillion dollar economy. The responsibility of every department is already fixed in this regard. It is the responsibility of the ministers to review the progress according to the target and get immediate correction done wherever there is any discrepancy, he said. About the future plans, he said in the coming days, there are programmes for massive plantation, School Chalo Abhiyan and communicable disease control. Everyone will have to make their efforts for success. All the ministers should ensure their contribution for this in their respective areas, he said. Giving priority to Jan Sunvaai (public hearing), he said the satisfaction of the common man and the progress of the state is at the core of all the public welfare efforts of the UP government. Jan Sunvaai solution system (IGRS and CM Helpline) is a very useful medium for easy solution of complaints/problems of the common man. Be it ministers, other public representatives or officers and employees, it is the responsibility of everyone that the applications received on IGRS should be disposed of promptly with priority, he said. Various missing cases go viral on the internet every day. Recently, one such incident went viral, where a woman stirred up a new mystery in a missing person case. A woman claims to be the same girl who disappeared over 39 years ago. But strangely, her mother does not believe her. As per the reports, this is the third claim so far in which someone has said that she is Cherrie Mahan. Reports say Cherrie was last seen near her home in Winfield Township, Pennsylvania, in February 1985, when her school bus dropped her off at a bus stop. The case took a new turn last month when an anonymous woman posted on the Memories of Cherrie Mahan Facebook group, prompting state police to investigate her shocking claims. The post has subsequently been removed, and the lady has been banned from the group. Pennsylvania State Police, on the other hand, have been unable to reach the woman and are cooperating with an out-of-state agency to conduct a further investigation. The police stated the case has been tough to investigate because of the length of time since Cherries disappearance. Meanwhile, Cheris mother, Janice McKinney, has rejected the womans claim that she is her long-lost daughter, who is now 46 years old. However, Cherrie was formally proclaimed dead in November 1998, following a 13-year search. In a recent media interaction, Cherries mother, McKinney, expressed her scepticism. I genuinely think in her mind: she thought she was Cherrie. But she didnt look like a cherry at all. This is not the first time someone has come forward; earlier, three other women claimed to be Cherrie. A reward of $5,000, or Rs 41,17,000, has been offered for information leading to Cherries whereabouts. Despite this, McKinney stated that sometimes information was received around the date of her disappearance or her birthday, but no strong leads have been discovered so far. Police in Pennsylvania are continuing efforts to identify the woman and are contacting an outside agency in another state. Reports suggest that while her post on Cherries memorial page has since been removed, McKinney said she has always held out hope for her missing daughter. US astronaut William Anders, one of the first three humans to orbit the moon, who captured the Earthrise photo during NASAs Apollo 8 mission, died when the small plane he was piloting crashed on Friday. Anders, 90, was the only person aboard the aircraft when it went down off the coast of Jones Island, part of the San Juan Islands archipelago between Washington and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, US media reported, citing his son, Greg. Anders, a resident of San Juan County, was at the controls of a vintage Air Force single-engine T-34 Mentor that he owned, According to television station KCPQ-TV, a Fox affiliate in Tacoma. A viral video on KCPQ showed a plane plunging from the skies in a steep dive before slamming into the water just offshore. The San Juan County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for confirmation of the crash. Apollo 8 Astronaut William Anders killed in plane crash near Orcas Island, WA this morning.Credit: Katie Person pic.twitter.com/9ni2cgwROQ avgeekjake (@avgeekjake) June 8, 2024 A US Naval Academy graduate and Air Force pilot, Anders joined NASA in 1963 as a member of the third group of astronauts. He did not go into space until Dec. 21, 1968, when Apollo 8 lifted off on the first crewed mission to leave Earth orbit and travel 240,000 miles (386,000 km) to the moon. Anders was the rookie on the crew, alongside Frank Borman, the mission commander, and James Lovell, who had flown with Borman on Gemini 7 in 1965 and later commanded the ill-fated Apollo 13. Apollo 8, originally scheduled for 1969, was pushed forward because of concerns the Russians were accelerating their own plans for a trip around the moon by the end of 1968. That gave the crew only several months to train for the historic but highly risky mission. During the flight, Anders captured what became one of historys most iconic photographs, an image of Earth rising over the lunar horizon. He also played a key role in another indelible episode from that Christmas Eve mission leading off as the crew read from the Book of Genesis while Apollo 8 transmitted images of the lunar surface to Earth. The three astronauts were greeted as national heroes when they splashed down three days later in the Pacific Ocean and were feted as Time magazines Men of the Year. Their mission paved the way to the first moon landing by Apollo 11 seven months later, assuring U.S. victory in the Cold War space race with the Soviets. But it was also hailed for lifting national spirits at the end of one of Americas most traumatic years, in which Americans were shaken by the war in Vietnam, and riots and assassinations at home. President Joe Biden on Friday for the first time publicly apologised to Ukraine for a monthslong congressional holdup in American military assistance that let Russia make gains on the battlefield. Biden met in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who appealed for bipartisan U.S. support going forward like it was during World War II. A day earlier, the two had attended ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, where Biden had drawn common cause between the allied forces that helped free Europe from Nazi Germany and todays effort to support Ukraine against Russias invasion and Zelenskyy had been greeted with a rapt ovation. I apologize for those weeks of not knowing whats going to happen in terms of funding, Biden said, referring to the six-month holdup by conservative Republicans in Congress to a $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine. Still, the Democratic president insisted the American people were standing by Ukraine for the long haul. Were still in. Completely. Thoroughly, he said. The apology and Zelenskyys plea for rock-solid support akin to the allied coalition in WWII served as a reminder that for all of Bidens talk of an unflagging U.S commitment to Ukraine, recalcitrance among congressional Republicans and an isolationist strain in American politics have exposed its fragility. And, although unremarked upon, the specter of Donald Trumps candidacy loomed over the discussion, as the Republican former president and the presumptive nominee has spoken positively of Russian President Vladimir Putin and sparked Ukrainian concerns that he would call for it to cede territory to end the conflict. Zelenskyy pressed for all Americans to support his countrys defense against Russias invasion, and he thanked lawmakers for eventually coming together to approve the weapons package, which has allowed Ukraine to stem Russian advances in recent weeks. Its very important that in this unity, United States of America, all American people stay with Ukraine like it was during World War II, Zelenskyy said. How the United States helped to save human lives, to save Europe. And we count on your continuing support in standing with us shoulder to shoulder. The United States is by far Kyivs biggest supplier of wartime support, and Ukraine is trying to fend off an intense Russian offensive in eastern areas of the country. The push is focused on the Ukrainian border regions of Kharkiv and Donetsk, but Ukrainian officials say it could spread as Russias bigger army seeks to make its advantage tell. During their meeting, Zelenskyy shared a very frank assessment with Biden about conditions on the ground and the pressure that Ukraine continues to face from Russia, especially in the Donbas region, according to John Kirby, the White Houses national security spokesman. But because of the recent infusion of U.S. aid, the Ukrainians have been able to thwart Russian advances, particularly around Kharkiv. The Russians really have kind of stalled out up there, basically, Kirby said. Their advance on Kharkiv is all but over because they ran into the first line of defenses of the Ukrainian armed forces and basically stopped, if not pulled back some units. The offensive is seeking to exploit Kyivs shortages of ammunition and troops along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line. The slow pace of delivery of pledged Western weaponry has long frustrated Zelenskyy, as has Bidens hesitation over supplying more hardware for fear of provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin. That has caused tension in their relationship. The U.S. will send about $225 million in military aid to Ukraine, Biden announced Friday. The latest package includes munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, as well as mortar systems and an array of artillery rounds, U.S. officials said Thursday. A Ukrainian strike on its partially-occupied Luhansk region using U.S.-made ATACMS missiles killed three people and injured 35 others Friday, local Moscow-appointed authorities said. Biden cast the additional aid in his meeting with Zelenskyy as money to reconstruct the electric grid in Ukraine, a reference aides said was to additional air defense and missile defense systems in the new package. Easing their stance amid Russias most recent onslaught and with Ukraines army reeling, some NATO allies including the U.S. said last week they would allow Ukraine to use weapons they deliver to Kyiv to carry out limited attacks inside Russia. That step brought a furious response from the Kremlin, which warned that Europes biggest conflict since World War II could spin out of control. Biden and Zelenskyy attended the anniversary events of D-Day in Normandy, northern France, on Thursday, along with European leaders who have supported Kyivs efforts in the war. Biden pledged we will not walk away from Ukraine, drawing a direct line from the fight to liberate Europe from Nazi domination to todays war against Russian aggression. Ukraine depicts its fight against the Kremlins forces as a clash between Western democratic freedom and Russian tyranny. Russia says it is defending itself against a menacing eastward expansion of the NATO military alliance. In a 20-minute speech Friday at the National Assembly, the lower house of the French parliament, Zelenskyy drew a parallel with the sacrifices made during World War II and his countrys current fight. This battle is a crossroads, Zelenskyy said. A moment where we can now write history the way we need it. Or we can become victims of history as it suits our enemy. Zelenskyy, who spoke in Ukrainian, was frequently interrupted by lawmakers applause and cheers. He prompted a standing ovation when he said in French, Dear France, I thank you for standing by our side as we defend life. French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, announced late Thursday that France will provide Ukraine with its Mirage combat aircraft. At a news conference Friday following his meeting with Zelenskyy at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, Macron said the training of pilots and mechanics will start immediately but declined to specify the number of combat aircrafts. France will also train and equip a brigade of the Ukrainian army that represents about 4,500 soldiers, while building a coalition with partners to send military instructors onto Ukrainian soil to train the countrys troops, Macron said. Macron said some other nations already agreed to participate, without providing details. He argued sending Western instructors to Ukraine would not be an escalation in the conflict. Its not about deploying European or allied people and soldiers to the front line, Macron said. Its about recognizing Ukraines sovereignty over its territory. Macron has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine. He said in February that putting Western troops on the ground in Ukraine is not ruled out. Zelenskyy began a day of meetings in Paris with an official welcome ceremony at the golden-domed Invalides monument, site of Napoleons tomb. During the day, Zelenskyy skipped a scheduled visit to the Nexter arms manufacturer in Versailles, which makes the Caesar self-propelled howitzers that are among the weapons provided by France to Kyivs forces. He went instead to Frances military headquarters with defense manufacturers, and his delegation signed defense agreements. Zelenskyys foreign trips aim to keep Ukraines plight in the public eye, secure more military help for its fight against Russias invasion and lock in long-term Western support through bilateral alliances. France and Ukraine in February signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement. Zelenskyy has since signed similar bilateral agreements with many European countries. Austrian-Canadian auto parts billionaire Frank Stronach was arrested Friday on sexual assault charges covering decades, police said Friday. Stronach, 91, was charged with five crimes including rape, indecent assault on a female, sexual assault and forcible confinement, Peel Regional Police said. He was released with conditions and will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, Ontario, at a later date, the police statement said. Peel Regional Police Constable Tyler Bell said there is more than one accuser but declined to say how many. Obviously, this is a high-profile case. Our special victims unit is bound to protect the victims and in doing so thats why were are being vague, Bell said. There is more than one victim but we wont confirm that number yet. A lawyer for Stronach didnt immediately respond for a request for comment. Police allege the sexual assaults occurred from the 1980s to as recent as 2023. Bell said they are appealing for people to come forward if they have information or have been victims. Stronach, who was born in Austria, became one of Canadas wealthiest people by creating Magna in his garage in 1957 and building it into one of the worlds largest suppliers of auto parts. He also founded The Stronach Group, a company that specializes in horse racing. He made a brief foray into Austrian politics more than a decade ago and has been named to the Order of Canada, one of the countrys highest honours. A Magna spokesperson said Stronach has had no affiliation with the company since relinquishing control in 2010. We have recently been made aware of the charges filed against Frank Stronach, Dave Niemiec said in an email Friday evening. Magna does not know about the investigation or the allegations that have been raised beyond what has been reported in the media. Niemiec said the company would not comment further on the ongoing legal matter. In 2018, Frank sued his daughter, two grandchildren and former business associate Alon Ossip for over $500 million in Ontario Superior Court alleging they mismanaged the familys assets and conspired to take control of them. Belinda Stronach, a former Canadian Member of Parliament, countersued her father, saying in a statement of defence that he lost vast sums of money on pet projects. The case was later settled. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack on Danish PM Mette Frederiksen and said that India condemned the attack. Deeply concerned by the news of the attack on Mette Frederiksen, Denmarks Prime Minister. We condemn the attack. Wishing good health to my friend. @Statsmin Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 8, 2024 Deeply concerned by the news of the attack on Mette Frederiksen, Denmarks Prime Minister. We condemn the attack. Wishing good health to my friend, PM Modi said. Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen suffered a whiplash injury in a street attack in Copenhagen. A whiplash injury is a neck injury caused by a sudden jerking motion of the head. This motion causes the neck to move forward and then backward rapidly, resembling the cracking of a whip, hence the term whiplash. Marie Adrian and Anna Ravn, the two witnesses, said they saw Frederiksen arrive at the square while they were sitting by a nearby fountain on Friday evening, while speaking to local news outlet BT. A man came by in the opposite direction and gave her a hard shove on the shoulder, causing her to fall to the side, the two women told the newspaper, adding that it was a strong push but the Danish PM did not hit the ground. They described the man as tall and slim while speaking to the newspaper. They said that he tried to hurry away after the attack but had not got far before being grabbed and pushed to the ground by men in suits. French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday became the latest European leader to denounce the attack as unacceptable, in a statement on X. I strongly condemn this act and wish Mette Frederiksen a speedy recovery, Macron added. Danish police on Saturday said a 39-year-old man will be brought before the Copenhagen district court for questioning to decide if he is to be remanded in custody. The attack was widely condemned by leading European politicians, including EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who said it was a despicable act which goes against everything we believe and fight for in Europe. In 2019, Frederiksen became the countrys youngest prime minister, and kept the post after emerging victorious in the 2022 general election. (with inputs from AFP) ROME: Diplomats preparing for next weeks Group of Seven (G7) leaders summit will need to be creative to find ways to leverage profits generated by Russian assets frozen in the West and help Ukraine, officials said on Friday. The leaders of the United States, Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Britain meet from June 13-15, with discussion on how to best utilise the immobilised Russian funds near the top of their agenda. The question has been under review for weeks and the G7 chiefs were hoping to make significant progress at their gathering in Borgo Egnazia, an exclusive resort in Italys southeastern Puglia region. A German government official told reporters on Friday that he did not expect a final decision would be made at the summit, but a senior Italian official said diplomats were working hard to overcome numerous technical problems. I am confident that diplomatic creativity and the convoluted language of us diplomats can often help in these cases when there is a genuine political will, said the Italian official, who has been following the discussions closely. Around 260 billion euros ($281 billion) of Russian central bank funds are frozen worldwide, most of it in the European Union, generating 2.5-3.5 billion euros a year in profit. Some EU governments would like to skim off the interest income and invest most of it in arms purchases and some in the reconstruction of Ukraine, which has been devastated by Russias 2022 invasion. The United States is pushing instead to use the profits as a steady revenue stream to service a large loan of $50 billion that could be raised on the market. Russia says any diversion of the profits from its frozen funds would amount to theft. The Italian official said one of the problems is that the Russian funds are frozen in Europe under a sanctions regime that has to be unanimously renewed by all 27 EU governments every six months. If you make a loan that is repaid over 50 or 10 years, how can you use the profits of an asset that you know is frozen for only six months? This is one of the most challenging technical difficulties we are considering, the official said. It is purely technical, it is not a matter of will. ($1 = 0.9253 euros) Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. TEL AVIV: Hours after being rescued from eight months captivity in Gaza, freed hostage Noa Argamani arrived at a hospital in Tel Aviv to see her terminally ill mother. Argamani, 26, was one of the most recognized faces among the hostages abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7. Harrowing footage of her being taken into Gaza on the back of a motorcycle, pleading for her life and reaching desperately towards her boyfriend being marched alongside her on foot circulated across the globe. Argamanis boyfriend Avinatan Or is still in captivity. Argamani was rescued on Saturday, along with three other hostages, in an operation by Israeli special forces from an apartment building in central Gaza. Im so happy to be here, she said in a phone call with Israels president upon her return, smiling and surrounded by friends and family. She was later met with cheers upon arrival at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center where her mother, Liora, was being treated for terminal brain cancer. Back in October, shortly after her daughter was abducted from a music festival turned killing field in southern Israel, Liora, sitting in a wheelchair, was asked in an interview with a local television station how she imagined their reunion. At least to be able to hug her, Liora answered. Hospital CEO Ronni Gamzu said the mothers condition was complicated and tough. He said Argamani was able to communicate with her mother, who they believe understood that her daughter had come home. For the last eight months we are trying to keep her in a status that she can communicate, Gamzu said. Argamanis father, Yaakov, first met her after a military helicopter carried her back to Israel. Today is my birthday, and a gift like this I never believed I would get, he said. More than 360 people were killed during the rampage at the Nova dance festival, and another 40 were taken hostage by Hamas, according to Israeli tallies. Nearby the hospital in central Tel Aviv, at what has become known as hostage square, thousands of Israelis rallied to commemorate the rescue of the four hostages and to demand the release of more than 115 that remain in Gaza. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor Incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khans wife Bushra Bibi on Saturday petitioned the Islamabad High Court seeking suspension of the sentence and subsequent release in the fake marriage case. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf: founder and his wife Bushra Bibi have been convicted in what has come to be known as the iddat case, for their marriage allegedly during the iddat period. It is imperative to decide the suspension of sentence of the petitioner (Bushra) as early as possible in the interest of justice, The News International cited the plea filed by the former first lady as saying. Bushra Bibi filed the plea through her lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar. Lamenting Bushras prolonged incarceration, the petition underscored her right to the suspension of her sentence. Khan, 71, lodged at Adiala Jail at Rawalpindi after conviction in multiple cases and Bushra Bibi, 49, also at the same jail, were each sentenced to seven years in prison in February this year after a trial court found their nikah to be fraudulent after Khawar Maneka, the former first ladys ex-husband, had moved the court against their marriage, stressing that it was solemnised during her iddat period. In its 51-page detailed verdict, the court maintained that their marriage reflected dishonesty and also imposed a fine of Rs 5,00,000 each, with the failure to pay would attract additional four months of incarceration. The couple had then filed appeals against their conviction in a district and sessions court. This case has been transferred to Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majuka after Maneka expressed no confidence in Judge Shahrukh Arjumand. In her plea, Bushra has complained of miserable conditions while being incarcerated in Adiala jail, and political victimisation aimed at her and Khan. The petition further underscores contradictory evidence and unsustainable evidence, stressing that it cannot be a basis for a conviction. The petitioner is previously non-convict and is ready to furnish surety bonds to the entire satisfaction of this honourable court for her release, said the petition. Meanwhile, the IHC Registrars Office has raised multiple objections to the former first ladys plea stressing how a petition can be filed when a case involving the suspension of sentence is already pending in a district and sessions court. The objections also inquire about which order of the subordinate court has been challenged and how the same type of relief can be taken from two courts. Bushra Bibi had previously moved to a district and sessions court in the federal capital, seeking an early hearing of her appeals filed against her conviction in the iddat case. Judge Majuka during Fridays hearing adjourned the case till June 11. Indian-origin Canadian MP on Saturday urged its government to take immediate action after Khalistani supporters in the country put up a disparaging float of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, depicting her assassination. Hindu-Canadian lawmaker Chandra Arya condemned the derogatory portrayal of Gandhi during a protest outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver. The float, which was part of demonstrations marking the 40th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, depicted Indias late PMs death who was shot dead by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. Khalistan supporters in Vancouver with posters, of Hindu Indian prime minister Indira Gandhis body with bullet holes with her bodyguards turned assassins holding their guns, are again attempting to instil fear of violence in Hindu-Canadians," MP Chandra Arya said in a post on X. Khalistan supporters in Vancouver with posters, of Hindu Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi body with bullet holes with her bodyguards turned assassins holding their guns, are again attempting to instil fear of violence in Hindu-Canadians.This is continuation of threats with a pic.twitter.com/ia8WQL4VtH Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) June 8, 2024 Threats to Hindu-Canadians Arya said that the latest incident is a continuation of threats to Hindu Canadians, with a similar float in Brampton a couple of years back. He again called on law enforcement agencies in Canada to take immediate action." With picture of guns readily being used to convey the message may lead to something real if this is left to continue unchallenged. The prominence of bindi on the forehead of Indira Gandhi is to make doubly sure the intended targets are Hindus in Canada," he added. Taking to social media platform X, Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc said that promoting violence is never acceptable in the country. This week, there were reports of imagery depicting the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Vancouver. The promotion of violence is never acceptable in Canada," he wrote. In Vancouver, several posters also depicted echoes of Operation Bluestar, a military operation in 1984 aimed at removing Khalistani extremists, including their leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. The protest was organized by the Sikhs for Justice" (SFJ) group, a separatist outfit advocating for the Khalistan movement. The Indian government has previously registered strong protests over growing Khalistan activities. Several reports suggest Indian officials plan to convey a formal diplomatic complaint to Canadian authorities. The depiction of Gandhis assassination previously sparked outrage after a similar incident occurred in the Greater Toronto Area last year. Canadas High Commissioner to New Delhi, Cameron Mackay, at the time, denounced such glorification of violence, stressing that Canada stands against hate. However, anti-India activity continues to take place in the country with impunity. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modis invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Indias Council of Ministers, scheduled to be held on Sunday. In a statement released by his office, Muizzu said he would be honoured to attend this historic event. As part of Indias Neighbourhood First policy, leaders from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, and Seychelles have also been invited to the ceremony. Muizzu accepted the invite after the Indian High Commissioner presented a letter to the Maldivan President during a courtesy call at the Presidents Office. President Dr Muizzu accepts the invitation to Prime Minister Modis swearing-in ceremony https://t.co/PjHq6IQjb6 pic.twitter.com/4yG3LfWYeY The Presidents Office (@presidencymv) June 8, 2024 Historic event At the call, High Commissioner extended greetings from Prime Minister Modi, stating that the Prime Minister is looking forward to have the President attend this momentous ceremony marking his third swearing-in as Prime Minister of India, the Maldives Presidents Office said in a statement. The President expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the invitation, adding that he would be honoured to attend this historic event. He also stated that he looks forward to working with the Prime Minister to further strengthen the close relations with India, noting that Maldives-India relations is heading in the positive direction, as would be demonstrated by this visit, it added. Muizzu Congrats Modi Local media reports earlier said President Muizzu is likely to leave for New Delhi on Saturday for the ceremony accompanied by several other senior government officials. On Wednesday, Muizzu had congratulated Modi and voiced his desire to work with the Indian prime minister to advance the bilateral ties. Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term. I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries, Muizzu posted on X. This marks the pro-China presidents first official visit to India since assuming office in last November. Muizzu had travelled to Turkiye first and to China for his first state visit in January. Shortly after assuming power, Muizzu demanded the removal of 88-odd Indian military personnel from his country, straining bilateral ties. The military personnel were repatriated from three aviation platforms and replaced by civilians from India by the May 10 deadline set by Muizzu. (With agency inputs) In the next 24 hours, heads of state from Indias neighbouring countries will arrive in New Delhi for the historic swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Sunday, Modi will be crowned as the PM of India for the record-equalling third time. His third term comes as the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 293 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. Under Indias Neighbourhood First policy, leaders from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, and Seychelles have been invited to the ceremony. Bangladeshs Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was the first to arrive in India earlier today. Seychelles Vice President Vincent Meriton will land in the national capital in the evening. On Sunday, the Mauritius Prime Minister is expected to reach Delhi in the morning. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, who accepted Modis invitation today, is also scheduled to reach on Sunday morning. Subsequently, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay will arrive tomorrow at 11:30 am, followed by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe at 11:50 am. Lastly, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda will arrive in the national capital on Sunday evening. s Neighbourhood First & SAGAR vision in action!The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister & Council of Ministers is scheduled tomorrow. Know the esteemed guests from s neighbourhood & Indian Ocean region participating in the ceremony. pic.twitter.com/jpj65A9ddY Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 8, 2024 First distinguished guest sets foot in New Delhi for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh warmly received by Secy (CPV & OIA) @mukteshpardeshi as she arrived in New Delhi. This visit of one of our most valued partners will further strengthen India-Bangladeshs close and deep-rooted bonds of friendship, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement. The formal invitations were sent on Thursday. Earlier this week, the media division of the Sri Lankan Presidents office said Modi invited him to the swearing-in ceremony. It said Wickremesinghe accepted the invite and congratulated Modi on the electoral victory in a phone call. Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth was also invited to Modis swearing-in ceremony. Modi had a separate phone conversation with Prachanda. The leaders of regional grouping SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries attended Modis first swearing-in ceremony when he took the reins as the prime minister after a massive electoral victory for the BJP. Leaders of the BIMSTEC countries attended Modis swearing-in ceremony in 2019 when he became prime minister for the second consecutive term. Modi is likely to take oath on June 8. Though the BJP could not get a majority on its own in the polls, the party-led alliance secured 293 seats out of 543. The majority mark in the Lower House is 272. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping in their meeting have affirmed consensus on the upgradation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and advancing high-quality development of the multi-billion dollar project in the second phase. The two leaders held an in-depth discussion at the historic Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday during the five-day official visit of Sharif which began on June 4 The two leaders were accompanied by the ministers and senior officials. This was the first meeting of Sharif with President Xi since assuming office in 2024. According to the state media, the two leaders showed consensus on the up-gradation of the CPEC and advancing the development of the mega project in the second phase. The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistans Balochistan with Chinas Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of Chinas ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI is seen as an attempt by China to further its influence abroad with infrastructure projects funded by Chinese investments across the world. China has also invested billions in various power projects and road networks in Pakistan under the USD 65 billion CPEC plan, but the implementation of various projects has slowed in recent months. Associated Press of Pakistan reported that Prime Minister Sharif briefed President Xi on Pakistans policies for economic reform and sustained growth, industrial development, agricultural modernisation and regional connectivity and the critical role played by the CPEC in Pakistans development. The prime minister recalled the historic visit of President Xi Jinping to Pakistan in 2015 when the CPEC was formally operationalised, marking a new chapter in the bilateral relationship. He asserted Pakistans commitment to high-quality development of the CPEC and to foster synergy between the development strategies of the two countries through close coordination. Commending President Xis Belt and Road Initiative and Global Development Initiative (GDI), the prime minister underscored that as the flagship project of BRI, the CPEC had significantly contributed to Pakistans socio-economic development. He underlined that the governments agenda for people-centric, socio-economic development resonates with the concept of shared prosperity embraced by China. The two leaders reaffirmed the time-honoured All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and expressed the resolve to further deepen cooperation across diverse domains ranging from political and security to economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments including Afghanistan, Palestine and South Asia, including Kashmir. President Xi Jinping also hosted a banquet in honour of the prime minister, where another round of discussion on different matters of mutual interest was held. Radio Pakistan reported that Sharif in the meeting reaffirmed Pakistans commitment to the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan. The two sides reiterated their longstanding support for each others issues of core interest. Russian President Vladimir Putins daughters, Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova, are stepping into public eye shedding years of secrecy because their father is considering his mortality. Former CIA agent Ronald Marks, who has worked for the US intelligence agency for almost three decades, said the daughters were seen in public to boost their fathers image. Speaking to the Daily Beast, he referred to their appearance at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum this week, where both spoke, as an instance of them shedding years of secrecy. Remember its Putins world and we just live in it. Thats an extension of him his desire to recreate the Russian empire, his desire to show himself as the most powerful guy in Russia. Young daughters represent vitality for him, the veteran US intelligence official told the Daily Beast. The 71-year-old Russian leader has always remained secretive about his children and has rarely addressed their activities and acknowledged their existence. His children came to the forefront in the last two years as rumours of his ill-health gained traction. Vorontsova, 39, a genetics researcher, and Tikhonova, 37, a tech executive and former acrobatic dancer, confidently accepted invitations to speak at the summit about their careers. This move suggests their influential father is leveraging family connections to strengthen his legacy. Hes considering his mortality. Hes getting to be at that age right now where hes now looking for his legacy. And both of those kids to my understanding are pretty sharp, Marks told the outlet. If those daughters can step out front and centre and represent him, I think hell take advantage of it, he said. He further added that the summit which was hosted in Putins home of St. Petersburg was an easy forum to test the womens PR ability. Both daughters are sanctioned by the US, which said that the duo enriched themselves at the expense of the Russian people. They have stayed out of the limelight and have only appeared in public on a few occasions in the recent years. Tikhonova, a former competitive dancer, now leads an artificial intelligence initiative at Moscow State University. Meanwhile, Vorontsova is a medical researcher and co-owner of the healthcare investment firm Nomenko. Putin is widely rumoured to have other children, though their identities remain unconfirmed. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 8. Mastercard will soon present a new service on the artificial intelligence (AI) platform in Azerbaijan, Emil Zeynalov, Mastercard's regional manager in Azerbaijan, told Trend. "Artificial intelligence is not only new, but also a very popular and rapidly developing trend," Zeynalov pointed out. The regional manager mentioned that Mastercard is integrating AI into technologies, including those being introduced to the Azerbaijani market as well. "In the near future, we plan to introduce new services based on artificial intelligence platforms to our users. These services will be aimed at combating cyber security, cyber crime, and fraud in card transactions. Our partners will be able to use scoring to assess the security of transactions and provide a high level of protection for cardholders," he added. To note, Mastercard is an international payment system that provides financial services, including credit, debit and prepaid cards. It allows its holders to make cashless payments at millions of points of sale around the world. Mastercard also provides technology solutions for banks, merchants, and other financial institutions. Mastercard cards are accepted in many countries and are used for a variety of transactions, including in-store purchases, online transactions, cash withdrawals from ATMs, and other financial transactions. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 8. The Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan has formed 60 projects totaling 17 trillion tenge (about $38 billion) as part of the Nationwide Pool of Investment Projects, Trend reports. According to the Ministry, among investment projects, an important place is also given to the construction of gas processing plants. Thus, a gas processing plant with a capacity of 4 billion cubic meters per year will be built at the Karachaganak field. Commissioning of the facility is scheduled for 2028. At the same time, by 2030, it is planned to commission a new gas processing plant with a capacity of 2.5 billion cubic meters at the Kashagan field. Moreover, currently, construction of a gas processing plant with a capacity of 1 billion cubic meters is underway at the Kashagan field. The plant plans to be commissioned in the second half of 2026. Meanwhile, in 2023, Kazakhstan's gas output was 59.063 billion cubic meters, with the largest fields being Tengiz (16.009 billion cubic meters), Karachaganak (22.385 billion cubic meters), Kashagan (11.856 billion cubic meters), and others (8.813 billion cubic meters). Furthermore, Kazakhstan plans to output over 60 billion cubic meters of gas in 2024. The country to go to eat is ... Spain. Six Spanish restaurants have landed on the 2024 list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants, revealed Wednesday at a ceremony in Las Vegas, including three in the top five. Chief among them: Barcelona's Disfrutar, which placed second in 2023 and third in 2022 and now takes the crown due in part to its "famously indulgent caviar-filled Panchino doughnut." "The combination of brilliantly imaginative dishes, unsurpassed technical mastery, and playful presentation results in the dining experience of a lifetime, as full of surprises as it is memories," according to a statement. This leaves little doubt that "Spain remains the fine dining center of the world," per CNN. The best restaurant in North America, however, is found in New York City. The top 10 globally: On Friday, a "riveted" Manhattan courtroom filled for the corruption trial of New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez heard federal prosecutor Lara Pomerantz ask former insurance broker Jose Uribe if he'd ever committed a federal crime. When he answered in the affirmative, Pomerantz asked, "Does that include bribery of a public official?" Uribe answered, "Yes," per the New Jersey Monitor . And that public official was Menendez, according to Uribe, who says he gave Menendez's then-girlfriend (and now wife) Nadine Menendez a $60,000-plus Mercedes in exchange for access to "the power and influence" of the Democratic senator. Uribe, who already pleaded guilty in March to a cooperation deal, said he'd made the offer to a) stop the prosecution of his friend Elvis Parra, a trucking firm owner who'd been indicted for insurance fraud, and b) to stop a probe into his own insurance brokerage. Uribe also noted that he'd taken part in the bribery scheme with "other people," including Menendez co-defendant Wael Hana, an Egyptian American halal meat exporter, per the New York Times. Uribe testified that he'd griped to Hana about insurance fraud probes in New Jersey that would possibly impact his company. Hana then told Uribe he had "a way to make these things go away," for a fee of between $200,000 and $250,000, Uribe testified. "He could go to Nadine, and Nadine would go to Senator Menendez." He added, "I was willing to do anything in my power, and if that was to buy a car for Nadine to help me, I would get it done." It's not clear if that amount of money was ever paid out, and to whom, notes the Monitor. Outside court on Friday, Menendez, 70, told reporters, "Next week we get the truth," before stepping into the car that whisked him away, per the AP. The senator has pleaded not guilty to charges that he accepted the car, cash, and gold bars in the alleged bribery scheme. (More Bob Menendez stories.) Hunter Biden's daughter Naomi testified Friday in his federal gun trial about visiting her father while he was at a California rehab center, telling jurors that he seemed to be improving in the weeks before he bought the revolver in 2018. "I hadn't seen my dad in a long time, and I knew he was in a rehab facility there. He reached out," the 30-year-old told jurors softly, explaining that they met at a coffee shop, along with his "sober coach." As she was dismissed from the stand, she paused to hug her dad before leaving the courtroom, per the AP . The defense began calling witnesses shortly after federal prosecutors wrapped up their case. Hunter Biden attorney Abbe Lowell started by calling another gun store clerk who was there when the gun was purchased, raising questions about what he saw as inconsistencies on the form. Lowell also questioned the owner of the shop who allowed the sale to go through using Hunter's passport, though it didn't include an address as required. Then he called Hunter's daughter. In October 2018, the month Hunter Biden bought the gun, Naomi traveled from Washington to New York in her father's truck to move her boyfriend's belongings. Hunter drove Joe Biden's Cadillac to New York later that month to retrieve his truck, leaving the Cadillac with Naomi. She told jurors she didn't see any drug paraphernalia or evidence of drug use. "He seemed great. He seemed hopeful," she said. But prosecutors showed Naomi texts where he didn't respond to her for hours after she messaged him about switching cars. In one message, Hunter texted Naomi at 2am asking where the keys to his truck were and whether her boyfriend could meet and swap vehicles. "Right now?" she responded. "Do you know what your father was doing at 2 o'clock in the morning and why he was asking you for the car then?" prosecutor Leo Wise asked. "No," Naomi said. Wise read out to her a text from the time, where she noted: "I'm really sorry dad I can't take this." Jurors heard earlier in the week from Hunter Biden's ex-wife and an ex-girlfriend, who testified about his habitual crack use and their failed efforts to help him. Meanwhile, President Biden told ABC that he'd accept the jury's verdict and ruled out a pardon for his son. Earlier this week, he said in a statement: "I am the president, but I am also a dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today." Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to the felony gun charges against him. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison. He also faces a separate trial in September on charges of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes. More here. (More Hunter Biden trial stories.) President Biden celebrated American's first ally in France on Saturday, stressing the strength of the partnership on a state visit that began with commemorating the Normandy landings in World War II. "This week, we have once again showed the world the power of allies, what we can achieve when we stand together," Biden said at a state dinner at Elysee Palace hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, CNN reports. "That's what the relationship between France and the United States exemplifies." The display of solidarity was intended as a message on the Israel-Hamas war and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, per USA Today, as well as trade issues that periodically strain the partnership. The presidents discussed the wars and other issues during a meeting Saturday at the palace. Afterward, standing with Macron, Biden warned that Russia will not stop with Ukraine if it wins there. "All of Europe will be threatened," he said. "We're not going to let that happen." Macron said, "I think we see eye to eye on this war raging in Ukraine." And he said he supports Biden's ceasefire proposal to halt the fighting in Gaza, per CBS News. Saturday's events began with Macron and his wife, Brigitte, welcoming Biden and his wife, Jill, in a formal ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe. They paid their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and placed the end of a large sword into the eternal flame, per CNN. A military choir performed "The Star-Spangled Banner," then "La Marseillaise." Biden and Macron watched a flyover, then greeted other officials while bagpipers played "Amazing Grace." Biden described the ceremony as "a moving experience." At the palace, Biden referred to French support of the new nation during the Revolutionary War. "France was our first friend and remains one of our best friends," he said. (More President Biden stories.) It was possible the action could last a month if an agreement could not be reached, Rail and Maritime Transport Union general secretary Todd Valster said. "We've been bargaining with [Auckland One Rail] for the last eight months - it expired about eight months ago, and we've been working away trying to reach a compromise, and there's been a couple of major issues that we haven't been able to get past." Disputes included removing a clause guaranteeing train drivers the majority of their weekends off, and what Valster described as a lack of trust to resolve workload issues for three major work groups. "The company want to resolve them during the term of the agreement, and there is absolutely no trust that that will occur." The relationship had deteriorated, Valster said. "This is definitely not what good looks like. The last time I put in strike notices for collective negotiations was well over 20 years ago, so I know how relationships can be built up, and there is a fairly poor relationship between the Rail and Maritime Transport Union and Auckland One Rail." Auckland One Rail cheif executive Martin Kearney said he was "disappointed" by the strike action. "We're disappointed that, while we felt we were near agreement, negotiations have broken down and resulted in the current notice of industrial action which we know will have an impact on our customers," he said in a statement. Trains for Saturday's Blues vs Fijian Drua game at Eden Park would still be operating, Auckland Transport has said. Auckland One Rail and the union will go into mediation next week to reach a resolution. RNZ Coalition partner ACT's Energy and Resources spokesperson Simon Court doubled down on the move. "Labour's oil and gas ban wasn't environmental policy, it was a publicity stunt. ACT welcomes today's announcement from the ACT-National coalition agreement to repeal the ban on offshore exploration," he said in a statement. "A high-wage economy depends on affordable and reliable energy. Under the last Government, almost eight percent of households could not afford to keep their houses warm. The Electricity Networks Association has forecast households will be paying twice as much for electricity in five years. In other words, Labour's 'nuclear-free moment' cost Kiwis big time." Court said that New Zealand's natural gas reserves dropped below 10 years' supply for the first time since the 1970s last year. "Reversing the ban will lead to increased access to natural gases, more energy security for New Zealanders and less reliance on importing other energy sources amid volatile international markets," he said. "Taking full advantage of the resources at our disposal will allow us to get electricity prices under control, ease the cost-of-living crisis for the families who are struggling most, and grow the economy with international investment." Energy Resources Aotearoa chief executive John Carnegie too welcomed Sunday's announcement, saying the proposed changes provide a positive pathway to ensuring all Kiwis have access to reliable, affordable home-grown energy that they need. "New Zealand faces an energy shortage which threatens our electricity system and the competitiveness of our exporters. We now urgently need to attract further investment in exploration and production to keep the lights on, our houses warm and business humming," he said. 'Profit before people and planet' However, the announcement's also copping backlash. Labour's energy spokesperson Megan Woods said the Government is taking New Zealand backwards. "This government is being cruel to future generations, this will take decades to undo - if the damage can be undone at all," she said. "This is a manufactured crisis. We know there are reliable and cost-effective energy sources available to New Zealand that can be used without destroying the country. "Climate change is the number one issue facing New Zealand, and Minister Jones is hell bent on ignoring options of energy that are future-proofed and up to global standards." Meanwhile, Greenpeace dismissed the plans as "a pipe dream". "Shane Jones is dreaming. The oil exploration industry won't risk coming back to Aotearoa because they know that it's not worth coming all this way to fail again," Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Niamh OFlynn said. "For nearly a decade under the Key Government, together with iwi and hapu the length of Aotearoa, we fought tirelessly to push oil company after oil company out of the country and we succeeded. Oil and gas won't win in Aotearoa." Kiwis turned out in thousands on Saturday to protest against Government policies. Many were seen holding signs against mining. "Yesterday's protest showed the coalition Government that they face a massive backlash from across the political spectrum and are now faced with a no-win situation," O'Flynn said. "They must either ignore the will of the people and risk being a one-term Government or they must stop their reckless attacks on nature, and throw the fast track bill in the bin... This movement will only get stronger because the vast majority of New Zealanders do not want nature destroyed for profit." It also comes after the Green Party last year launched a petition urging the new coalition Government to stop its plan to restart offshore oil and gas exploration. "The Government is tipping oil and gas onto the climate crisis fire, lining the pockets of fossil fuel companies, while everyone else will pick up the bill," Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick said in a statement on Sunday. "Today's announcement is the latest episode of this Government putting profit before people and planet. Iwi Maori and community have mobilised against fossil fuel companies before and won. And we'll do it again." Swarbrick said Aotearoa could have a more sustainable and efficient economy by prioritising clean energy that works with the environment, not against it. "New Zealanders care about each other and the planet we live on. It's that simple," she said. "Renewable energy provides us with a pathway to the sustainable future we know we need in order to curb the impacts of climate change. "The science is clear that fossil fuels must stay in the ground to limit global warming within 1.5 degrees of warming. This Government's actions are anti-science and show a flagrant disregard for international climate commitments which could lead to huge costs down the line." Responding to Swarbrick's concerns, Jones told Newshub New Zealand First was "not planet worshippers" but rather "pragmatic". "These changes are pragmatic and they boost the resilience of the energy system and they'll keep the lights on. "Now Chloe [Swabrick] and her purity can either have gas or Indonesian coal - you can't have fairytale wishlists." When the ban was introduced in 2018, Jones stood alongside then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Climate Minister James Shaw to announce the changes. Speaking at a press conference at the time, Jones said: "We must be prepared to stand up and lead the transition, when New Zealand Governments sign up to international obligations you can't sign up to those obligations without owning the responsibility for managing the change that comes home to roost." Speaking to Newshub on Sunday, Jones called it the "worst decision" in his political career. "I've never had a juvenile, amateurish approach to politics and sadly that was amateur hour." He added that he was now in possession of greater facts. Jones said rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand's petroleum sector would require more than removing the ban. The Coalition Government is proposing further changes, which has been agreed by Cabinet. "Some of our current settings are a barrier to attracting investment in exploration and production because they are overly costly and onerous on industry. Some obligations lack necessary flexibility, and compliance obligations are uncertain and unclear," Jones said. As well as removing the ban, we are proposing changes to the way petroleum exploration applications are tendered and allocated, aligning the petroleum decommissioning regime with international best practice, and improving regulatory efficiency. "Our job as the Government is to provide the right policy settings to enable the sector to get to work, and that's exactly what we are aiming to achieve through these amendments." Jones said petroleum and minerals sectors contributed $1.9 billion to GDP in 2020-21 and $236 million in Crown revenue in 2022-23. In 2023 mining employed around 6000 people, the majority of which are based in regional communities, he added. "I want a considered discussion about how we use our natural resources to improve the security and affordability of energy and resources supplies, stimulate regional economic development opportunities, and increase New Zealand's self-sufficiency to protect against volatile international markets." The Crown Minerals Amendment Bill will be introduced to Parliament in the second half of 2024. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Saudi authorities reportedly deported approximately 200 Bahraini nationals who attempted to enter Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage without proper permits. A viral video circulating online depicts Bahrainis being escorted out of the holy land and transported to Jeddah, although sources indicate the footage is over two days old. The operation involved raids on hotels and intercepting individuals trying to sneak in via buses and trains. Among those apprehended were individuals associated with ten licenced Hajj travel groups, while others attempted to circumvent permit regulations independently. The Ministry of Justice has issued a stern warning against participating in unauthorised Hajj campaigns or attempting the pilgrimage independently without necessary documentation, emphasising severe consequences for non-compliance. ASTANA, Kazakhstan. June 8. Kazakhstan and the International Financial Corporation (IFC) have discussed attracting foreign direct investment and implementing large infrastructure projects, Trend reports. Discussions took place during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan Nurlan Baibazarov and IFC's Vice President of Cross-Cutting Solutions Emmanuel Nyirinkindi in Astana. The meeting's agenda items included public-private partnerships as a means of executing massive infrastructure projects and luring foreign direct investment. Baybazarov noted that projects implemented in cooperation with the IFC play a key role in supporting sustainable development and economic growth in the country. One of these projects is the Big Almaty Ring Road (BAKAD) and the modernization of the new terminal of the Almaty International Airport. According to the Deputy PM, Kazakhstan welcomes the IFC initiative to provide assistance in structuring public-private partnership projects in the fields of energy, transport, housing, and communal services, as well as for the construction of gas thermal power plants, wind farms, and wastewater treatment plants. "Over the years of partnership, we have been able to build mutually beneficial cooperation covering a wide range of economic issues, which we intend to further develop. In particular, we are interested in the possibility of training and certification of our specialists with international IFC certificates in the field of infrastructure projects and the creation of special funds," he said. In turn, Emmanuel Nyirinkindi pointed out that the IFC notes Kazakhstan's long-term potential and will continue to support its priority development areas. The IFC representative also expressed readiness to provide international experience and resources to assist in the successful implementation of ambitious public-private partnership projects for the purpose of sustainable and inclusive growth in the country. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has been increasing its efforts to help women-led businesses in Central Asia gain access to capital and markets. Notably, fifteen regional banks have received $155 million in investments from the IFC since 2018. In fiscal 2023, IFC made a record investment in emerging markets, which are expected to improve access to finance for MSMEs through the provision of 2.2 million loans. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, June 8. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov proposed that the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) consider participating in the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant (HPP) in the country, Trend reports. This suggestion was made during Zhaparov's meeting with the President of the IsDB, Muhammad Al Jasser. Zhaparov emphasized Kyrgyzstan's priority in cooperating with the IsDB, recognizing it as a respected financial institution that has significantly contributed to the development of its member countries over the past fifty years through various forms of support. He highlighted that one of the important outcomes of bilateral cooperation with the IsDB is the implementation of the "My Home 20212026" program. Under this program, the bank will allocate $79 million to Kyrgyzstan to provide affordable housing, benefiting around 1,800 families. The president also noted that, despite global challenges, Kyrgyzstan has demonstrated stable economic growth in recent years. In 2023, the country's GDP exceeded one trillion soms (nearly $13.4 billion), marking a historic milestone. In response, the IsDB president acknowledged Kyrgyzstan's unique natural resources, which offer great potential for the development of green energy. He expressed his readiness to deepen cooperation in implementing large-scale projects. Muhammad Al Jasser also proposed considering financing for small hydropower plant construction projects, human resource development, poverty reduction, and support for socially vulnerable families. To note, the Kambarata-1 on the Naryn river is the largest hydroelectric project in Kyrgyzstan and is expected to become one of Central Asia's largest hydropower ventures. Once completed, the HPP will have a capacity of 1,860 MW and will produce 5.6 billion kWh of electricity per year. Preliminary estimates indicate that the dam will be 256 meters high and that the reservoir will hold more than 5.4 billion cubic meters of water. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, June 8. The Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) have signed a joint statement to collaborate on energy projects in the country, Trend reports. According to the Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan, the document was signed following a meeting between the Minister of Energy, Taalaibek Ibraev, and the IsDB delegation led by the bank's president, Muhammad Al Jasser. The parties engaged in a discussion regarding joint energy projects, including the CASA-1000 project, the 220 kV Tamga Karakol transmission line project, the Bishkek electricity supply improvement project, and the Arkinsky massif electricity supply improvement project, during the meeting. The minister expressed appreciation to the IsDB for its assistance in the advancement of collaborative energy initiatives. Both parties highlighted the significance of enhancing bilateral cooperation to ensure the successful completion of both ongoing and upcoming collaborative endeavors. Additionally, they highlighted the strategic importance of developing the water-energy balance in Central Asia to enhance the energy security of both Kyrgyzstan and the entire region. To date, the Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan, in cooperation with the IsDB, is implementing two projects and has already completed two projects for a total of $150 million. Can Americans still have a sensible and friendly political discussion across the partisan divide? The answer is yes, and we prove it every week. Julie Roginsky, a Democrat, and Mike DuHaime, a Republican, are consultants who have worked on opposite teams for their entire careers yet have remained friends. Here, they discuss the weeks events with editorial page editor Tom Moran. Q. How do you explain Gov. Kathy Hochuls last-minute decision to pause congestion pricing? Was it the opposition from New Yorks suburbs, where Democrats hope to make gains? Gov. Phil Murphys lawsuit? Is it dead forever? Can I tell Josh Gottheimer to relax? Mike: I am sure the MTA is frustrated with Gov. Hochul, but this is just so unpopular that its hard for any governor to support. Toll and tax increases are wildly unpopular, and this is a massive hike. Lets hope its dead. Julie: This was a deeply unpopular proposal both in New York City and in the New York suburbs. Gov. Hochul may welcome opposition from New Jersey officials, because dunking on Jersey is a routine New York pastime, but she could not ignore the effect this was going to have on competitive races in Westchester and on Long Island. New York has spent about a billion dollars on congestion pricing already, including the installation of scanners at every 60th Street crossing across Manhattan, so I doubt that it is shelved for good. Remain vigilant, Rep. Gottheimer! Congestion pricing in New York City stopped just weeks from launch, Houchul details why https://t.co/tbM2W54ZPl Larry Higgs (@CommutingLarry) June 5, 2024 Q. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill placing new restrictions on access to public records, saying he was confident that it would not lead to more secrecy and corruption. Is he right about that? Mike: Only time will tell which side is right. Corruption must be blamed on the corrupt, not those who are trying to balance transparency with the manpower issues small municipalities face. If more information is online and the process speeds up as proponents claim, that will be a good thing. This will be tested quickly by opponents of the measure. After the bill to gut OPRA was passed, the govs office received 1,339 phone calls from people expressing opposition. Nothing else came close to attracting this much attention. pic.twitter.com/ebeQSoU5AF Terrence T. McDonald (@terrencemcd) June 6, 2024 Julie: Thats a very charitable way of describing what we all know is a horrific bill, Mike. Gov. Murphy was never going to veto this legislation. First: This is Murphys way of punishing the people who opposed his wifes Senate candidacy and rewarding those who supported her. Second: Come on! This is a governor who enforced the most stringent NDAs in the nation to prevent women from speaking up about the toxicity they experienced on his watch. Here's the thing, @GovMurphy. It doesn't matter whether you tell yourself your signature will lead to more corruption or not. They are our records. They belong to us. They are not yours. And you put them further from our reach. As if we're children. Terrible rationalizing. https://t.co/FTQmtCvJ3G Rebovich Institute (@RebovichInst) June 6, 2024 Julie: His administration went all the way to the Supreme Court in an attempt to silence a state worker who alleges that she was sexually harassed, in order to prevent her from speaking to anyone, including her own husband, about what happened to her. He dismantled the Election Law Enforcement Commission to make it easier to hide the source of campaign contributions. When someone shows you who they are the first, second, third and fourth time, believe them. A few more thoughts on OPRA. @GovMurphy mentioned that more than 100 mayors asked for changes to the law. That means fewer than 20% (generously) of mayors wanted this. 81% of voters opposed the changes https://t.co/az6lmyy3tb Of course, Murphy can't run for gov again Colleen O'Dea (@colleenodea) June 6, 2024 Q. Lets talk about Tuesdays primary. Even without the line on the Democratic side, most candidates who were endorsed by county machines won, including Rob Menendez in the 8th Congressional District and Herb Conaway in the 3rd. What do you make of that? Mike: The county organizations still matter. Voters still trust the judgment of their local elected officials in the county organizations. Incumbency, name ID, and longevity all matter as well. Menendez was an incumbent with high name ID, thanks to his service and his dads longevity. Conaway has been a trusted institution in his district for a long time. The line matters, but it is far from the only things that matters. Julie: County organizations dont just survive because of the line, as some advocates believe. In reality, they are highly sophisticated organizations that spend all year thinking about how to recruit and elect candidates. The very best ones have multi-year plans, which they execute methodically. They have get-out-the-vote and communications staff and consultants, who have dedicated their lives to their craft. This does not mean that, in time, others cannot build similar organizations, also filled with highly skilled professionals, but it was never going to happen overnight. Thank you, New Jersey! Last night, we made history, and I am officially your Democratic nominee to keep New Jersey's 3rd district blue. Together, we will fight to protect reproductive rights, fight MAGA extremism, and save our democracy. pic.twitter.com/rEnpQ11uTO Dr. Herb Conaway (@herbconaway) June 5, 2024 Q. Republican Curtis Bashaw won the GOP Senate primary handily and will face Democratic Rep. Andy Kim in November. Mike, youre advising Bashaw. Tell us how he can he break the Democratic streak in Senate races stretching back a half century especially with Donald Trump in the running? Mike: Well, anyone that can beat Donald Trumps endorsement in a primary can beat the odds in a general election, too. Curtis is not your typical Republican, so he will have appeal to independent voters. Beating Trumps hand-picked MAGA candidate positions him well with the center of electorate. Hes a successful businessman who runs an iconic resort that so many voters know. Hes gay. Hes pro-choice. He employs over 1,000 people. People are going to like his story. Mike: And Andy Kim has ticked off a lot of Democrats who are about to sit on their hands. He was holier than thou about the lines, damaging every Democratic party in the state in search of his own personal gain. And much more importantly, he is out of step with his own party on policy. He is far to the left of Cory Booker and Bob Menendez on economic policy and foreign policy, including voting with the squad and against other NJ Democrats on a vote regarding antisemitism. I know editorial boards loved that he cleaned up glass at the Capitol and took on Tammy Murphy, but theres much more to the story. Israel Secretly Targets U.S. Lawmakers With Influence Campaign on Gaza War -via @sheeraf https://t.co/VuBSjHQyIh Erica L. Green (@EricaLG) June 5, 2024 Julie: Andy Kim is going to be the next Senator from New Jersey. This state is not going to send anyone to Washington who is going to make a Trump enabler the senate majority leader in order to further an extremist MAGA agenda. Curtis Bashaw may be a nice guy and he may be policy moderate, but his election would hand the Senate to the crazies and voters in New Jersey are sophisticated enough to know that. New: @AndyKimNJ doesn't see Curtis Bashaw as a moderate. "The only thing Ive seen him do is endorse a convicted felon for president, so I dont really see how I can call him a moderate."https://t.co/CZGbTBhj5j David Wildstein (@wildstein) June 6, 2024 Q. Sen. Robert Menendez made good on his threat and filed papers to run for re-election as an independent in November. But he has until Aug. 16 to withdraw, and I wonder whether hell really run. Why would he? Is there a method to his madness that I cant see? Mike: I cannot get into his head, but even yesterday Chuck Schumer didnt commit directly to Andy Kim, just to making sure a Republican wouldnt win, leaving the door open to supporting Menendez. National and state Democrats should be afraid of Bob Menendez going out in grand style. He relished coming back in 2017, criticizing those who wanted his job. He will not go quietly, even if he hurts his own party along the way. In fact, that just may be the point. Menendez feels he owes nothing to Kim, nothing to Murphy, and nothing to national Democrats, all of whom abandoned him. Julie: I still believe this is a money bandwidth issue. Some people and organizations may want to contribute to a campaign account, rather than a legal defense fund. Senator Schumer, who has a very slim majority, needs to keep Senator Menendez happy, just like he needs to keep every member of his caucus happy. When all is said and done, I dont believe Senator Menendez will be on the ballot this November. Chuck Schumer wouldn't say if he will support Dem nominee Andy Kim for indicted Sen. Bob Menendez's seat. "We are going to make sure a Republican is not elected," he said, declining to answer @tedbarrettcnn if he backs Kim. I asked Schumer yesterday if he backs Menendez's Manu Raju (@mkraju) June 5, 2024 Q. Finally, President Biden toughened his stance on the border crisis, issuing an executive order barring most asylum seekers. Republicans see it as a shallow political stunt, and the ACLU promises to reverse it in court. But will it help Biden in November? Mike: We have long surpassed whether any theatre matters here. What matters is whether the illegal border crossings stop. This is no longer a right-wing talking point. There were 5x the number of illegal border crossings in 2023 than in 2019. Thats millions of people every single year. Even for a country with a big heart and financial resources, its very difficult taxing our health care system, our social services network, education system, criminal justice system, and more. People are frustrated. Even if illegal crossings slow, the discontent with voters may already be baked in. Julie: Smart politics, bad policy. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. A note to readers: Mike and Julie are deeply engaged in politics and commercial advocacy in New Jersey, so both have connections to many players discussed in this column. DuHaime, the founder of MAD Global, has worked for Chris Christie, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, and President George W. Bush and is currently consulting Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw. Roginsky, a principal of Comprehensive Communications Group, has served as senior advisor to campaigns of Cory Booker, Frank Lautenberg, and Phil Murphy. We will disclose specific connections only when readers might otherwise be misled. George Conway is over it. The conservative attorney turned never-Trump who donated nearly $1 million to Joe Bidens re-election is calling out GOP officials who are rallying behind Donald Trump in his claims the criminal trial against him was rigged from the start. You are lying idiot, Conway posted to X after Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs echoed Trumps claims about his felony conviction. You are a lying idiot. https://t.co/z0ivBORGVG George Conway (@gtconway3d) June 8, 2024 Trump was found guilty late last month in his criminal hush-money and election-interference trial in Manhattan, making him the first former president in history to be a convicted felon. Trump potentially faces time behind bars after the jury came back with a unanimous verdict among the 34 felony counts he faced. Trump is expected to quickly appeal the verdict and will face an awkward dynamic as he seeks to return to the campaign trail as a convicted felon and the presumptive Republican nominee to face Biden. Trump faces three other felony trials, but the New York case may be the only one to reach a conclusion before the November election, adding to the significance of the outcome. Though the legal and historical implications of the verdict are readily apparent, the political consequences are less so given its potential to reinforce rather than reshape already-hardened opinions about Trump. The verdict centered on $130,000 in payments that Trumps company made to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen. He paid that sum on Trumps behalf to keep porn actor Stormy Daniels from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. Gov. Phil Murphy is set to nominate a former state attorney general for his likely final pick to serve as a justice on the New Jersey Supreme Court, NJ Advance Media has learned. The Democratic governor will announce Monday he is nominating John Hoffman, currently the general counsel for Rutgers University, to succeed retiring Justice Lee Solomon on the states highest court, according four sources familiar with the choice. Prominent scholar and progressive activist Cornel West doesnt have much of any shot at becoming president. But he could help spoil Joe Bidens chances this November by pealing away enough voters to give Donald Trump a win. That explains why Republican operatives are reportedly helping to boost Wests campaign. NBC News reports a GOP activist was spotted in North Carolina outside of a Trump rally gathering signatures to get him on the ballot there, telling Trump supporters it helps take away votes from Joe Biden. More from NBC: Cornel Wests independent presidential campaign is broke. His former campaign manager says he knows nothing about ballot access. And he spent more on graphic design than petition-gathering in his most recent campaign finance report. But tens of thousands of signatures have been gathered on behalf of the famed left-wing academic in key states thanks to self-organized grassroots volunteers and some help from outside operatives tied to a Republican consulting firm. Democrats fear Wests potential to siphon votes from President Joe Biden in places where he is on the ballot in a close election, and some Republicans are publicly discussing ways to boost West and other minor candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Green Partys Jill Stein in the hopes of splitting the anti-Donald Trump coalition. West announced a year ago he is running for president as a third-party candidate, saying he wanted to empower people who have been pushed to the margins. West said he will run as a member of The Peoples Party. He criticized both major political parties and their standard bearers, Biden and Trump. In these bleak times, I have decided to run for truth and justice, which takes the form of running for president of the United States as a candidate for the Peoples Party, West said at the time. I enter in the quest for truth. I enter in the quest for justice, and the presidency is just one vehicle to pursue that truth and justice, what Ive been trying to do all of my life. West is a well known Black scholar and author and a former professor at Harvard and Princeton universities. He criticized former President Barack Obama as a war criminal, and supported Sen. Bernie Sanders, a democratic socialist, in his presidential bids in 2016 and 2020. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, June 8. Tajikistan and Belarus discussed transportation by road between the two countries, Trend reports. According to Tajikistan's Ministry of Transport, the issue was discussed during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Transport of Tajikistan Shoista Saidmurodzoda and Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of Belarus Sergey Dubina in Minsk. The meeting also addressed international transportation issues, the duration of drivers' stays in each other's territories, and cooperation in developing transportation corridors. Additionally, discussions touched upon the work of the Tajik-Belarusian joint commission on International Road Transport and the implementation of the "Road Map" program for bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Belarus for 2022-2026. Both sides agreed on the necessity of enhancing cooperation in the transportation sector, including international road transport between Tajikistan and Belarus. To note, members of Tajikistan's governmental delegation participated in the 17th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Tajikistan and Belarus on June 5, and also visited the "Belagro-2024" international specialized exhibition. The Intergovernmental Commission for the Development of Cooperation between Tajikistan and Belarus was established in 2000. The previous, 16th session of the Commission took place on September 28, 2023, in Dushanbe. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, June 8. A Memorandum of Understanding on political consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs of Turkmenistan and Iraq has been signed, Trend reports. According to the official source, the document was inked during a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq Mohammed Bahr AlUloom. The parties noted that this memorandum is aimed at creating mechanisms for exchanging views on issues of bilateral relations and the international agenda of mutual interest. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the development of cooperation in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, and humanitarian spheres. In this context, they noted the need to improve the contractual and legal framework, implement promising joint projects in the fields of energy and transport, as well as develop cooperation in the field of science and education. In order to enhance cooperation in various fields, the diplomats exchanged views on the establishment of the Turkmen-Iraqi Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. At the same time, the sides exchanged views on key aspects of the international and regional agenda, where the diplomats confirmed their mutual commitment to further intensify bilateral mutually beneficial and equal cooperation at various venues, including the UN. Meanwhile, the development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Iraq reflects the desire of both countries to strengthen economic, political, and cultural ties in the region. Both sides are actively working to expand trade, investment, and energy projects, including cooperation in the field of energy transit. The political dialogue is strengthened through regular meetings at various levels, contributing to the settlement of common issues and strengthening international stability. South Shore Arts plans to celebrate Juneteenth, the increasingly prominent holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. South Shore Arts will offer a free family workshop celebrating Juneteenth from 5-9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18 at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. "Families and individuals of all ages are welcome to participate in commemorating and delving into the rich tapestry of Juneteenth's history through engaging and innovative activities," South Shore Arts said in a press release. "Come together to celebrate this significant milestone with creativity and unity, as South Shore Arts honors the past and embraces the future." Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021 but has a much longer history, commemorating when word of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas after the Civil War. It's been described as "the longest-running African-American holiday" and "America's second Independence Day." People can learn more about the holiday's heritage at the workshop in Munster. "The family workshop will include a number of creative activities," South Shore Arts said in a press release. "Participants will add ink through various techniques to finish a portrait of an important historical figure, listen to an African inspirational short story and discuss African American paintings, create a culture collage by layering colorful papers into a work of art, and make a heritage painting to celebrate a portrait that reflects freedom." The workshop is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to register at southshoreartsonline.org or call Director of Education Jessica Corral at 219-836-1838 x 101. After a tumultuous week at The Washington Post, including the unexpected announcement of a new editor and reports that its chief executive objected to coverage of a news story involving him, leaders at the news organization spent Friday trying to reassure the staff. In a conciliatory memo to employees Friday evening, Will Lewis, the chief executive, acknowledged that trust has been lost because of scars from the past and the back-and-forth from this week. He urged Post employees to leave those behind and start presuming the best of intent. So, time for some humility from me, Mr. Lewis wrote. I need to improve how well I listen and how well I communicate so that we all agree more clearly where urgent improvements are needed and why. Matt Murray, the new editor, acknowledged the turmoil in the morning news meeting. He praised the newsroom for its work, including an unflinching article about the questions surrounding Mr. Lewis that it published on Thursday night. George Clooney contacted a top White House official last month to complain after President Biden criticized the International Criminal Courts decision to seek a warrant against top Israeli officials over the war in Gaza, a case the actors wife had worked on, according to two people familiar with the situation. His wife, Amal Clooney, a prominent human rights lawyer, served on an advisory panel that helped conduct the courts investigation, which resulted in warrant requests for Israels prime minister and defense minister and three senior Hamas leaders, accusing them of illegal conduct that has led to thousands of civilian deaths. Mr. Clooney lodged his protest with Steve Ricchetti, a counselor to Mr. Biden who played a pivotal role in his fund-raising efforts four years ago. It had no effect on U.S. policy, a senior administration official said on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Nonetheless, Mr. Clooneys decision to contact the White House (with a text message, one of the people said) underscores the problems that Israels actions have caused for Mr. Biden as he tries to reconcile his support for a stalwart ally with his own misgivings and increased pressure from the disillusioned American left. Stephen K. Bannon was sitting in the back seat of an S.U.V. on a pleasant Friday evening in Powhatan, Va., enjoying what could be his last weeks of freedom. A day earlier, Mr. Bannon, the onetime adviser to former President Donald J. Trump, had been ordered by a federal judge to surrender by July 1 to begin serving a four-month prison term for disobeying a congressional subpoena. But there was never a question about whether he would show up as scheduled to headline a rally in rural Virginia for Representative Bob Good, the chairman of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus. This kind of thing this kind of crowd is what he lives for. This is War Room, Mr. Bannon said proudly as he watched rally goers carrying lawn chairs and blankets spreading out to hear him speak. He was referring to the influential podcast he streams from his Capitol Hill basement for four hours every weekday. Frank Stronach, the 91-year-old billionaire founder of one of the worlds largest auto parts companies, was arrested and charged on Friday in connection with a sexual assault investigation. In a brief news release, the police force for Peel Region, outside Toronto, said that the time frame of crimes Mr. Stronach was alleged to have committed spanned from the 1980s until last year. Mr. Stronach, the Austrian-born founder of Magna International, was charged with offenses that included indecent assault, sexual assault and forcible confinement. He was released after being charged and will appear later at a court in Brampton, Ontario. Brian Greenspan, Mr. Stronachs lawyer, said that his client categorically denies the allegations of impropriety which have been brought against him. In 2011, Rupert Murdochs media empire, News Corporation, faced a grave threat in Britain. Reporters at one of his tabloid newspapers were exposed for hacking the phones of celebrities, private citizens and, in one case, a murdered child for information. Other misdeeds soon emerged, including the revelation that for years, tabloid reporters had paid for information from police officers and government officials. Desperate to stop the scandal and appease prosecutors in Britain and abroad, News Corp chose Will Lewis, a former editor of The Daily Telegraph, to clean up the mess. He did just that. In his telling, he cooperated with the authorities, revealed wrongdoing and helped set the operation on a new course. Some former colleagues and hacking victims, though, long believed that he helped News Corp cover up the extent of the wrongdoing. The Israeli military pushed ahead with its offensive in central Gaza on Friday, saying it had killed dozens of militants, including some who had holed up in the premises of a former United Nations school that had been converted into a shelter in the area. The military said it targeted Hamas fighters at a school compound in Shati, a coastal neighborhood northwest of Gaza Citys downtown. The number of casualties was unclear. Hamas systematically, intentionally and strategically places its infrastructure and operates from within civilian areas in full violation of international law and while putting the lives of Gazan civilians at risk, the Israeli military said in a statement after the strike. Fridays attack occurred a day after a strike on a similar school complex nearby in Nuseirat where displaced civilians had taken shelter. The Gazan health authorities said women and children were among those killed in that strike. Jurgen Moltmann, who drew on his searing experiences as a German soldier during World War II to construct transformative ideas about God, Jesus and salvation in a fallen world, making him one of the leading Protestant theologians of the 20th century, died on Monday at his home in Tubingen, in southwest Germany. He was 98. His daughter Anne-Ruth Moltmann-Willisch confirmed the death. Dr. Moltmann, who spent most of his career as a professor at the University of Tubingen, played a central role in Christianitys struggle to come to grips with the Nazi era, insisting that any established set of beliefs had to confront the theological implications of Auschwitz. As a teenage conscript in the German Army, he barely escaped death during an Allied bombing raid on Hamburg in 1943. The horrors of the war led him to chart a path between those who insisted that faith was now meaningless and those who wanted a return to the doctrines of the past as if the Nazi era had never occurred. Though his work ranged widely, including ecological and feminist theology, he specialized in the branch of theology known as eschatology, which is concerned with the disposition of the soul after death and the end of the world, when Christians believe that Christ will return to earth. A rising tide and a bigger pie: Economic growth has long been considered such an obvious boon that its pursued by governments across the world as a matter of course. But in 2016, when a London professor warned an audience in Newcastle that Brexit would lead to a precipitous drop in Britains gross domestic product, that well-worn measure of economic activity, one womans heckling caught him by surprise. Thats your bloody G.D.P., she shouted, not ours! The eruption tapped into a suspicion supported by reality: Gains in economic growth have too often buoyed the fortunes of the richest instead of lifting all boats. Prosperity even in the most prosperous countries hasnt been shared. But all the attention to inequality is just a crack in the edifice of economic orthodoxy. Now a much more radical proposition has emerged, looming like a wrecking ball: Is economic growth desirable at all? Less than two decades ago, an economist like Herman Daly, who argued for a steady-state economy, was such an outlier that his fellow economist Benjamin Friedman could declare that practically nobody opposes economic growth per se. Yet today there is a burgeoning post-growth and degrowth movement doing exactly that in journals, on podcasts, at conferences. Consider some of the books published in the last several years: Tim Jacksons Post-Growth: Life After Capitalism, Kate Sopers Post-Growth Living, Giorgos Kalliss In Defense of Degrowth, Vincent Liegey and Anitra Nelsons Exploring Degrowth, Jason Hickels Less Is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World. The proliferation of the term is as good an indicator as any: The literature of degrowth is growing. In 1972, the French theorist Andre Gorz coined the word decroissance to ask whether no-growth or even degrowth in material production was necessary for the earths balance, even if it ran counter to the survival of the capitalist system. Gorz was writing the same year that The Limits to Growth was published, a report by a group of scientists warning that surges in population and economic activity would eventually outstrip the carrying capacity of the planet. The Limits to Growth was initially met with skepticism and even ridicule. Critics pointed to humanitys undeniably impressive record of technological innovation. As one representative economist put it, Our predictions are firmly based on a study of the way these problems have been overcome in the past. Just before 11 p.m. on a recent Saturday, a young woman was buzzed into Flame Zone Convenience, an unlicensed weed store on Delancey Street in the Lower East Side displaying bags of potent gummies and multiple strains of marijuana, including one called Gunpowder. It was four days after Mayor Eric Adams had announced a crackdown on unlicensed shops. But the woman paid $20 for a joint, and then began smoking it on the sidewalk. A few minutes later, at Dubai Cannabis Supply, an unlicensed shop nearby on Stanton Street, a visitor asked: Do you have shroom chocolate bars, by any chance? A glass display case inside included Diamond Shruumz bars in fruity cereal and cookie butter flavors, which the Food and Drug Administration said in June should not be eaten because they had been associated with a series of illnesses that were under investigation. Many of us liberals now find ourselves in an awkward spot on immigration. For years we have denounced draconian steps by Republicans to bar desperate migrants. But President Biden has now introduced his own tough steps to reduce asylum seekers, not so different from President Donald Trumps approach. The new measures may be overturned by the courts, but in the meantime many on the left are whacking Biden. Senator Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, twisted the knife by suggesting that Biden was borrowing from Trumps playbook: By reviving Trumps asylum ban, President Biden has undermined American values. Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center, said, President Bidens craven embrace of failed Republican policies is a mistake that will only lead to more harm and dysfunction. Stephen Colbert needled the Biden camp by imagining what this will look like in liberal hands: Were going to seal the border, folks, but the wall is going to be gluten free, and the barbed wire will be pro-choice. Big chunks of the history of the Covid pandemic were rewritten over the last month or so in a way that will have terrible consequences for many years to come. Under questioning by a congressional subcommittee, top officials from the National Institutes of Health, along with Dr. Anthony Fauci, acknowledged that some key parts of the public health guidance their agencies promoted during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic were not backed up by solid science. Whats more, inconvenient information was kept from the public suppressed, denied or disparaged as crackpot nonsense. Remember the rule that we should all stay at least six feet apart? It sort of just appeared, Fauci said during a preliminary interview for the subcommittee hearing, adding that he was not aware of any studies that supported it. Remember the insistence that the virus was primarily spread by droplets that quickly fell to the floor? During his recent public hearing, he acknowledged that to the contrary, the virus is airborne. As for the repeated assertion that Covid originated in a wet market in Wuhan, China, not in an infectious diseases laboratory there, N.I.H. officials were privately expressing alarm over that labs lax biosafety practices and risky research. In his public testimony, Fauci conceded that even now there has not been definitive proof one way or the other of Covid-19s origins. Our interest in pandas has always brought out the best and the worst in us. In 1936, a wealthy Manhattan adventurer, Ruth Harkness, returned from China carrying the first live baby giant panda seen in the United States, setting off what many punning headline writers would forever call panda-monium. Thousands of Americans jostled to see this creature. Reporters, photographers and newsreel cameras chased Ms. Harkness. Time magazine called the panda Animal of the Year. Theodore Roosevelt III, the former presidents son, held the baby on his lap; the famed wildlife artist Charles Knight sketched portraits. Curious Americans couldnt get enough. Yet just a few years later, Ms. Harkness became heartsick over what shed helped unleash. Squads of panda hunters began fanning out to bag more of the animals (despite the Chinese governments efforts to stop Westerners from leaving the country with pandas). The treatment of these animals in captivity more broadly horrified her. So she did something amazing: From the city of Chengdu, she took a recently captured young panda, hiked into the mountains and set the animal free. Americas obsession with pandas has swelled since that time. Washington mourned when the pandas at the Smithsonians National Zoo went back to China late last year. Its residents are elated to know a new pair of pandas will arrive at the zoo later this year. Another pair will arrive at the San Diego Zoo. As Americans gear up to greet pandas once again, we should remember that our infatuation with these animals requires a commitment to treating them with reverence and solicitude because their presence improves us, and the planet, in ways that transcend the sheer joy of observing them. Over time, the fortunes of these sensitive, charismatic creatures have risen and fallen like companies on the stock market, thanks to the collision of conservation forces, bureaucracies and international diplomacy. China has for decades offered these animals to our zoos as high-priced loans; in the 1980s the practice became best known as lucrative, short-term rent a panda programs. Safeguards were later put in place by the U.S. government and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to ensure that profits were poured into conservation. FRONT PAGE An article on Monday about the start of Hunter Bidens gun trial case misstated the middle initial of a top deputy to the special counsel, David C. Weiss. He is Leo J. Wise, not Leo P. Wise. A summary of the obituary about the auto racer Parnelli Jones misstated the number of times he won the Indy 500 race. As the obituary correctly stated, Jones won the race once, not six times. (He won five other Indy racing events.) INTERNATIONAL An article on Friday about the ways in that the backlash against climate action is reshaping Europes election misstated the emissions-reduction targets proposed by the European Commission. The proposals call for cuts of 90 percent by 2040, compared with 1990 levels, not 40 percent. A picture caption with an article on Friday about the 80th anniversary of D-Day misidentified the location of a parade in France. It was in Colleville-Montgomery, not in Colleville-sur-Mer. On a hot and humid morning in the Mexican border city of Reynosa, less than a mile from the Rio Grande, one question seemed to linger in the minds of hundreds of people who had arrived Saturday at a shelter for migrants. When would they be able to cross into the United States? The answer remained elusive. At least 1,100 men, women and children, a majority of them from Central America and Venezuela, had arrived at Senda de Vida, a sprawling respite center consisting of makeshift tents and temporary wooden rooms, with hopes of reaching the United States. Instead, many felt stuck in limbo after President Biden signed an executive order that prevents migrants from seeking asylum along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border when crossings surge. The order effectively closed the U.S. border for nearly all asylum seekers as of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 8. Uzbekistans trade turnover volume with Tajikistan amounted to $198.1 million from January through April 2024, Trend reports. As per data from Uzbekistans Statistics Agency, this figure is 3.4 percent less compared to the same period last year ($205.1 million in JanuaryApril 2023). Uzbekistan's exports to Tajikistan totaled $145.8 million from January through April 2024, a 12.6 percent decrease over the same period the previous year ($167 million in JanuaryApril 2023). Uzbekistans imports from Tajikistan reached $52.3 million from January through April 2024. This figure has increased by 37.2 percent year-on-year ($38.1 million in JanuaryApril 2023). Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover volume amounted to $20.9 billion from January through April 2024, six percent greater than the previous year ($19.7 billion in JanuaryApril 2023). The largest trade turnover volume was recorded with China ($3.9 billion) during this period. Russia ranks second with a total trade turnover volume of $3.8 billion, followed by Kazakhstan ($1.2 billion). A new border crackdown unveiled by the Biden administration this week is likely to disproportionately affect families, whose soaring numbers in the last decade have drastically changed the profile of the population crossing the southern border. Family units have come to represent a substantial share of border crossers, accounting for about 40 percent of all migrants who have entered the United States this year. Families generally have been released into the country quickly because of legal constraints that prevent children from being detained for extended periods. They then join the millions of undocumented people who stay in the United States indefinitely, under the radar of the U.S. authorities, as they wait for court dates years in the future. But according to a memo issued by the Homeland Security Department and obtained by The New York Times, families will be returned to their home countries within days under President Bidens new border policy, which temporarily closed the U.S.-Mexico border to most asylum seekers as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. As Democrats and Republicans in Washington negotiated legislation to overhaul the asylum system and tighten border security earlier this year, many in Cochise County, Ariz., a conservative stronghold, held their breath. The bill promised to secure more of the federal grant funding that had been helping local mayors and community leaders house and bus migrants who were passing through their stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border. But after former President Donald J. Trump helped sink the proposal, even some of President Bidens staunchest Republican critics in the area said that they were disappointed. And yet, as news spread this week of Mr. Bidens latest action, which seeks to follow through on some of the asylum provisions of that failed legislation, Republicans and Democrats alike in the area, a place where many have long felt their needs are ignored, eyed it with skepticism. Mayor Donald Huish of Douglas, an even-keeled Republican, wondered whether some action was better than none. In Detroit, the vice president opened her speech with remarks about the war in Gaza. As she tried to describe the Biden administrations monthslong efforts to negotiate a cease-fire deal, a protester stood up and shouted at her and was quickly removed from the ballroom. Ms. Harriss response was stern: I value and respect your voice, but Im speaking right now. She then continued her speech. We have been working every day to bring an end to this conflict in a way that ensures Israel is secure, brings home all hostages, ends ongoing suffering for Palestinian people and ensures that Palestinians can enjoy their right to self-determination, dignity and freedom, she said. As President Biden said last week, it is time for this war to end. Turning to the election, Ms. Harris, the former top prosecutor of California, accused Mr. Trump of attacking the foundations of our justice system. She said that the former president was convicted by a jury of 12 Americans who were selected in part by his defense team, and that his lawyers had a chance to present their side of the evidence. You know why he complains? Because the reality is cheaters dont like getting caught, she said. A spokeswoman for the Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The event took place in a key swing state with heightened stakes. President Biden won Michigans primary in February, 81 percent to 13 percent, prevailing over a movement that urged Democrats to vote uncommitted on the ballot in protest of his support for Israel. But more than 100,000 voters took that stance against him, among them progressives, young people and many in the states large and politically active Arab American community. Mr. Bidens campaign has also been seeking to shore up its support among Black voters in cities like Detroit. The House Ethics Committee has begun reviewing Representative Nancy Maces use of a reimbursement program for lodging and other expenses of Congress members working in Washington, according to a committee member familiar with the preliminary inquiry. Following a complaint, lawmakers are being asked to look into whether Ms. Mace, Republican of South Carolina, overcharged the program thousands of dollars for expenses related to her Washington townhouse. According to the lawmaker familiar with the preliminary inquiry, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss it, the full committee will consider the details of the complaint over the coming days. The committee has not taken a vote to authorize an investigation. A change to House rules that went into effect last year allows members to be repaid for costs of lodging and food while they are on official business in Washington, up to $34,000 a year. Lawmakers are not required to submit receipts to be reimbursed, but they are strongly encouraged to keep them for their records. According to the latest report by the Committee on House Administration, Ms. Mace was repaid more than $23,000 in lodging costs in 2023. Documents reviewed by The New York Times showed that amount included expenses for insurance, taxes and other monthly bills related to her townhouse. Lawmakers who own homes in the Washington area as is the case for Ms. Mace may not seek reimbursement for mortgage payments. Stanford University announced Friday that it was reinstating the requirement for standardized test scores in undergraduate admissions, becoming the latest of a small but growing number of elite colleges to go back to the practice after abandoning it during the pandemic. The change will take effect in fall 2025, and students applying to enroll in fall 2026 and beyond will need to provide SAT or ACT scores in their applications. Standardized test scores will remain optional for those applying this fall to enroll next year. Other selective schools that in recent months have reverted to requiring those test scores include Harvard, Brown, Yale, Dartmouth, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgetown, Purdue, the California Institute of Technology and the University of Texas at Austin. The test score requirement fell out of favor during the pandemic, as test dates got canceled during lockdown and as critics raised concerns over standardized tests fueling inequality. About 2,000 colleges around the country made test scores optional in applications, at least temporarily, after the pandemic hit. Juan Percowicz was an accountant with an unusual side hobby: teaching self-help classes around Buenos Aires with a heavy dose of ancient philosophy and New Age spiritualism. He was a hit and, with donations from his followers, he built an organization known as Buenos Aires Yoga School, or BAYS. For more than 30 years, he ran the school, which promised spiritual salvation through lectures and self-help classes. But now, Mr. Percowicz, 85, and more than a dozen BAYS members are facing criminal charges, accused of running a sex cult, not a yoga school, that coerced some of its female members into prostitution and laundered the profits in real estate. Prosecutors say the organization exploited and drugged some of its female members, forcing them to sell their bodies and generating hundreds of thousands of dollars monthly from clients in Argentina and the United States. BAYS also ran an illicit clinic where some members were administered drugs to induce prolonged sleep, sometimes as a form of punishment, according to prosecutors. The authorities in Vietnam have arrested one of the countrys most prominent journalists and accused him of abusing democratic freedoms by posting articles on Facebook that infringed on the interests of the state and the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals. The journalist, Truong Huy San known to many by his pen name, Huy Duc was taken into custody last week, according to a prominent Vietnamese blogger. But there was no official confirmation until Friday night, when state news media reported that the Ministry of Public Security was investigating Mr. San for his Facebook posts. There were no details on the content of the posts. Image Truong Huy San in 2021. Credit... Agence France-Presse Getty Images The arrest is an ominous sign for other writers in Vietnam. Journalists have long been a target for the countrys ruling Communist Party, which frequently crushes dissent. But Mr. San had for years managed to navigate the very small space for independent thought, often publishing articles that criticized the government. His connections with high-level officials were thought to have been a buffer until now. In the sunlight of Normandy, before the surviving American veterans who eight decades ago helped turn the tide of the war against Hitler, President Emmanuel Macron of France spoke this past week of the bond of blood shed for liberty that ties his country to the United States. It is a bond that goes all the way back to the founding of the United States in 1776 and the decisive French support for American independence against the British. Tempestuous, often strained as France bristles at American postwar leadership in Europe, the ties between Paris and Washington are nonetheless resilient. President Bidens five-day stay in France, an exceptionally long visit for an American president, especially in an election year, is a powerful testament to that friendship. But it illustrates its double-edged nature. French gratitude for American sacrifice as ever vies uneasily with Gaullist restiveness over any hint of subservience. Those competing strands will form the backdrop of a lavish state dinner at the Elysee Palace on Saturday, when Mr. Macron will reciprocate the state visit that Mr. Biden hosted for him at the White House in December 2022, the first of his administration. Sigmund Rolat, a Polish Holocaust survivor who tapped the wealth he accumulated as a businessman in the United States to support cultural projects in his homeland, most notably a museum devoted to the history of Jews in Poland that stands on the grounds of the Warsaw Ghetto, died on May 19 at his home in Alpine, N.J. He was 93. His son, Geoffrey, confirmed the death. Mr. Rolat believed that except for the dark chapter of World War II, with Nazi atrocities at concentration camps like Auschwitz and Treblinka in occupied Poland, the history of Polish Jewry was a mystery to most Jews, and most Americans. He donated millions of dollars to help build the interior and other elements of the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews, which opened in 2014, and he became a major fund-raiser and an influential voice on its board. I want the gate of our museum, and not the Arbeit macht frei gate, to be the first gate that will be seen by Jews visiting Poland, Mr. Rolat told Forbes magazine in 2014, referring to the cynical inscription (Work sets you free) that greeted inmates when they entered the main Auschwitz concentration camp. Residents in central Gaza reported intense bombardments as Israel carried out an operation to rescue four hostages held since Oct. 7. Health authorities and Palestinian media reported that scores of people had been killed. Israels military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, estimated the number of casualties to be under 100. It wasnt clear how many were civilians and how many were militants. Khalil Daqran, a spokesman for Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, said that large numbers of dead were arriving at the medical facility, the last major medical center in central Gaza. It was not possible to verify the exact death toll. Ambulances and emergency services in central Gaza were unable to respond to many of the calls to transport the wounded to hospitals, the Gazan health ministry said. Video from inside Al Aqsa hospital shared by the ministry showed chaotic scenes as medical staff struggled to treat bloodied victims laying side by side on the floor. Two men held up intravenous bags while next to them a wounded person, whose face was bandaged, writhed in pain under a blanket. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 8. A multimodal transport corridor linking Kashgar, Irkeshtam, Osh, and Andijan was discussed by Uzbekistan and China as a means to enhance economic and trade ties between the two countries, Trend reports. The matter was reviewed at a meeting between Uzbekistan's Minister of Transport Ilkhom Mahkamov and China's Deputy Minister of Transport Li Yang. The parties met to discuss ways to enhance freight traffic along the KashgarIrkeshtamOshAndijan corridor. Both officials emphasized the importance of improving circumstances for Uzbek national carriers, increasing the volume of bilateral permit forms between Uzbekistan and China, and revising the bilateral agreement on international road transport as needed. The parties identified further tasks for the development and expansion of cooperation in the field of transport between the two countries. Meanwhile, the opening of the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China highway corridor was initiated by Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his visit to China in May 2017. The road, passing through Sary-Tash settlement and Irkeshtam pass in Kyrgyzstan, is a remarkably efficient automobile route from Uzbekistan's Fergana to China. To recall, China, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan reached an agreement on all technical and organizational matters pertaining to the launch of regular road freight transportation along the new route towards the end of January 2018. Israeli soldiers and special operations police rescued four hostages from Gaza on Saturday amid a heavy air and ground assault and flew them back to Israel by helicopter to be reunited with their families. The news was met with jubilation in Israel, where anxieties over the fate of the roughly 120 remaining captives have been rising after eight months of war. Residents in the town of Nuseirat, where the hostages were being held, reported intense bombardments during the rescue operation. Khalil al-Daqran, an official at a hospital in the city, told reporters that scores of Palestinians had been killed and that the hospitals wards and corridors were packed with the wounded. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesman, told reporters the rescue mission took place around 11 a.m. Saturday, when forces located the four hostages in two separate buildings where they were being held by Hamas militants. He said the Israeli forces came under fire but managed to extract the hostages in two helicopters. One special forces police officer died. The Israeli militarys mission to rescue four hostages was a rare operation that required weeks of planning, and was given the final go-ahead just a few minutes before it commenced on Saturday morning, according to Israeli officials. Israeli special forces, backed by the military, intelligence and air force, raided two buildings several hundred feet apart in a neighborhood in Nuseirat, in central Gaza. They brought home the four hostages Noa Argamani, 26; Almog Meir Jan, 22; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 41 alive and in good medical condition. One police officer, part of the force that led the raid, was killed. Scores of Palestinians, including women and children, were killed during the rescue operation, according to local Gaza health officials. The Israeli military said it had targeted militants who had threatened its forces as they sought to extract the hostages. Neither the Israeli military nor Palestinian health officials provided a breakdown of civilians and combatants killed in the raid. The main Israeli television stations have switched to live coverage of the hostage rescue, breaking the customary quiet and prerecorded programming typical of the Sabbath. Some broadcast images of Andrey Kozlov and Almog Meir Jan disembarking from a military helicopter and walking unaided, surrounded by security forces. A smiling Mr. Meir Jan gave a thumbs up. N12, a leading private news website, and others aired video of Noa Argamani receiving a phone call from Israels president, Isaac Herzog. I am so happy to be here, Ms. Argamani told Mr. Herzog, adding, Thank you for this moment. Earlier video footage also showed Ms. Argamani being reunited with her father, Yaakov Argamani, as she sat inside a helicopter. TV stations showed Shlomi Ziv, tearful and emotional, speaking in a video call with his wife, Miran, as she rode in a car on her way to meet him at the hospital. Spontaneous celebrations broke out across Israel, and Israeli television broadcast images of the gatherings. In Tel Aviv, a lifeguard at a beach announced the news of the rescue to a cheering crowd of sunbathers from the lifeguard tower, according to social media posts. A group gathered outside the hospital near Tel Aviv where the hostages had been taken, singing and dancing with Israeli flags. And a crowd of Israelis were shown celebrating the rescue in a square in Athens. The few overwhelmed hospitals still functioning across the Gaza Strip could be completely out of service if diesel generators needed to keep lights on and to run lifesaving medical equipment are not replaced or maintained soon, the Gaza Health Ministry warned on Saturday. The ministry said it expected a number of generators at the hospitals to fail soon because Israel, as part of its siege of the territory, was preventing the entry of necessary spare parts. This means certain death for the sick and injured and the complete end of the health service, the ministry said in a statement. One of the main generators at Al-Aqsa Hospital in the central Gazan city of Deir al Balah recently broke down, leaving the medical facility with only one still functioning. That hospital has been overwhelmed with victims of Israeli airstrikes as central Gaza has come under sustained bombardment in recent days, killing dozens of civilians and wounding many more, according to the ministry and Palestinian news media. On Saturday, large numbers of wounded including many children were taken to Al-Aqsa Hospital, which is not only operating with a sole generator but is also facing a severe shortage of medicine and equipment, a health ministry spokesman said. The U.S. provided intelligence on the hostages before Israels successful rescue operation Saturday, according to American and Israeli officials briefed on the assistance. A team of American hostage recovery officials stationed in Israel assisted the Israeli militarys effort to rescue the four captives by providing intelligence and other logistical support, one American official said, speaking without attribution to discuss the sensitive operation. Intelligence collection and analysis teams from the United States and Britain have been in Israel throughout the war, assisting Israeli intelligence in collecting and analyzing information related to the hostages, some of them citizens of both countries, according to a senior Israeli defense official familiar with the effort to locate and rescue the hostages. Two Israeli intelligence officials said the American military officials in Israel provided some of the intelligence about the hostages rescued Saturday. Speaking in Paris after meeting with Emmanuel Macron of France, President Biden said he welcomed the safe rescue of four hostages that were returned to their families in Israel. We wont stop working until all the hostages come home and a cease-fire is reached, he added, and its essential. The Pentagon and the C.I.A. have been providing information collected from drone flights over Gaza, communications intercepts and other sources about the potential location of hostages. While Israel has its own intelligence, the United States and Britain have been able to provide intelligence from the air and cyberspace that Israel cannot collect on its own, the Israeli official said. Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, celebrated the rescue, and referred glancingly at the American assistance. The United States is supporting all efforts to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas, including American citizens, Mr. Sullivan said in a statement. This includes through ongoing negotiations or other means. Mr. Sullivan added that the cease-fire proposal currently being discussed by negotiators from Hamas, Israel, Egypt, Qatar and the United States would be the way to bring home the remaining hostages. The hostage release and cease-fire deal that is now on the table would secure the release of all the remaining hostages together with security assurances for Israel and relief for the innocent civilians in Gaza, he said. American officials have said their intelligence support for Israel is focused on the location of hostages and information about Hamass top leadership. In large measure this is because American officials believe the best way to persuade Israel to end the war is to get back its hostages and capture or kill top Hamas leaders. The Israeli official said neither the American nor British teams were involved in the planning or execution of the military operations to rescue the hostages. Israelis, experts in hostage rescue, would have required little support in the tactical planning. But the American and Israeli officials said the outside intelligence did provide added value. An American-made, precision guided bomb that homes in on specific targets and, ideally, limits civilian casualties, was used in airstrikes in Gaza that killed dozens of Palestinians, including women and children. The weapon, the GBU-39, or small-diameter bomb, was used in an attack at a former United Nations school on Thursday and in a May 26 strike in Rafah. In both cases, the Israeli military defended its actions, saying the strikes were aimed at militants using civilians as human shields. The Gaza health authorities said that civilians had also been killed, and there were videos and pictures of women and children among the dead. Two weapons experts told The New York Times that Israel has appeared to increase the use of the bombs since the start of this year, compared with the wars earliest days, when it launched them in only 10 percent of airstrikes against Gaza. As a recent spate of Israeli strikes demonstrates, even a relatively diminutive bomb can inflict severe civilian casualties. The thing is, even using a smaller weapon, or using a precision guided weapon, doesnt mean you dont kill civilians, and it doesnt mean that all of your strikes are suddenly lawful, said Brian Castner, a weapons expert at Amnesty International. Four hostages abducted from the Nova music festival and held by militants in Gaza for the last eight months were rescued by Israeli forces on Saturday. Since the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Oct. 7, Israel has freed only a small number of hostages through military force. Saturdays rescues occurred in Nuseirat, in central Gaza, where health officials reported that dozens of Palestinians had been killed. Here is what we know about the four hostages who were brought back to Israel. Noa Argamani Noa Argamani, 26, was taken hostage in the Oct. 7 attack alongside her boyfriend, Avinatan Or. Viral footage showed Ms. Argamani being taken into Gaza on the back of a motorcycle as she cried out in desperation. Ms. Argamani and her boyfriend were abducted from the Nova music festival in southern Israel, where militants carried out brutal atrocities against partygoers. The fate of Ms. Argamanis boyfriend is unknown. The plight of Ms. Argamani received outsize attention, in part because her mother, Liora, has brain cancer and her condition has deteriorated significantly in recent months. I dont know how much time I have left, the mother said last year. I wish to see my Noa at home. Donald Trump and his closest allies are planning a radical reshaping of American government. Here are some of the policy stakes if he regains power in 2025. Donald Trump and his closest allies are preparing a radical reshaping of American government if he regains the White House. Here are some of his plans for cracking down on immigration, directing the Justice Department to prosecute his adversaries, increasing presidential power, upending Americas economic policies, retreating militarily from Europe and unilaterally deploying troops to Democratic-run cities. His administration would declare that children born to undocumented parents were not entitled to citizenship and would cease issuing documents like Social Security cards and passports to them. He plans to suspend the nations refugee program and once again bar visitors from mostly Muslim countries, reinstating a version of the travel ban that President Biden revoked in 2021. He plans to revive safe third country agreements with Central American countries and expand them to Africa and elsewhere. The aim is to send people seeking asylum to other countries. The Trump team plans to use military funds to build vast holding facilities to detain immigrants while their deportation cases progress. He plans to reassign federal agents and the National Guard to immigration control. He would also enable the use of federal troops to apprehend migrants. Mr. Trumps top immigration adviser, Stephen Miller, said that a second Trump administration would seek a tenfold increase in the volume of deportations to more than a million per year. Mr. Trump is planning a massive expansion of his first-term crackdown on immigration if he returns to power in 2025. Among other things, he would: Kash Patel, a Trump confidant, has threatened to target journalists for prosecution if Mr. Trump returns to power. The campaign later distanced Mr. Trump from the remarks. He has cited the precedent of his own indictments to declare that if he became president again and someone challenged him politically, he could say, Go down and indict them. As president, Mr. Trump pressed the Justice Department to investigate his foes. If re-elected, he has vowed to appoint a special prosecutor to go after Mr. Biden and his family. Mr. Trump has declared that he would use the powers of the presidency to seek vengeance on his perceived foes. His allies have developed a legal rationale to erase the Justice Departments independence from the president. Mr. Trump has suggested that he would: Politically appointed lawyers in the first Trump administration sometimes raised objections to White House proposals. Several of his closest advisers are now vetting lawyers seen as more likely to embrace aggressive legal theories about the scope of his power. Mr. Trump has disparaged the career work force at agencies involved in national security and foreign policy as an evil deep state he intends to destroy. During Mr. Trumps presidency, he issued an executive order making it easier to fire career officials and replace them with loyalists. Mr. Biden rescinded it, but Mr. Trump has said that he would reissue it in a second term. He has vowed to return to a system under which the president has the power to refuse to spend money that Congress has appropriated for programs the president doesnt like. Congress has set up various regulatory agencies to operate independently from the White House. Mr. Trump has vowed to bring them under presidential control, setting up a potential court fight. Mr. Trump and his associates have a broad goal to alter the balance of power by increasing the presidents authority over every part of the federal government that currently operates independently of the White House. Mr. Trump has said that he will: Upend trade and other economic policies At the risk of disrupting the economy in hopes of transforming it, Mr. Trump plans to impose new tariffs on most goods manufactured abroad. Economists say his broader agenda including on trade, deportations and taxes could cause prices to rise. He has said that he will: 1. Impose a universal baseline tariff, a new tax on most imported goods Mr. Trump has said that he plans to impose a tariff on most goods made overseas, floating a figure of 10 percent for a new import tax. On top of raising prices for consumers, such a policy would risk a global trade war that hurts American exporters. 2. Implement steep new trade restrictions on China He has said that he will phase out all Chinese imports of electronics and other essential goods, and impose new rules to stop U.S. companies from making investments in China. The two countries are the largest economies in the world and exchange hundreds of billions of dollars of goods each year. 3. Slash rules imposed on business interests He has vowed to revive his deregulatory agenda and go further in curbing the so-called administrative state agencies that issue rules for corporations such as limits aimed at keeping the air and water clean and ensuring that food, drugs, cars and consumer products safe, but that can cut into business profits. Polling stations have closed after Irish voters cast their ballots in three elections. Votes were cast for local councils, the European Parliament and for the first time voters in Limerick are directly electing a mayor. Ballot boxes will be opened at 9am on Saturday before counting in the council election gets under way later in the day. The counting of votes in the European election will start on Sunday while the mayoral votes will be counted on Monday. On Friday evening, there were reports of a steady turnout of voters. Irelands leaders including Taoiseach Simon Harris led the way in casting their votes on Friday morning. Mr Harris urged everybody to get out and have their say. The separate elections come at a febrile time in Irish politics dominated by discussion on a housing crisis, the cost of living and migration. The coalition partnership of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party has been battling criticism domestically and on the continent over other issues including climate action, agriculture policy and defence co-operation in the EU. The eagerly awaited polls will provide political parties with concrete evidence of voter sentiment, having had to wait more than four years since the last nationwide elections. In the years since the last general election, politicians have had to rely on newspaper opinion polls to gauge the mood of the nation. The main takeaway of the 2020 campaign was a massive upswing in support for Sinn Fein, which took almost a quarter of the popular vote. To leader Mary Lou McDonalds regret, this was unrealised potential as the party was left in opposition after failing to run a sufficient number of candidates in the parliamentary constituencies. Since then, estimated support for Sinn Fein hovered above 30% for a long time even temporarily reaching highs of around 35%. However, opinion polls over the last eight months suggest that support for the party is on a dramatic slide as independents eat up more of the expected vote share. Many of the ballot papers across the elections contain a large number of independents with a variety of political leanings, several of whom have been described as anti-immigrant. For a protracted period of time, Ireland has continued to fail to provide accommodation for all asylum seekers. There have been several anti-migrant protests across the State and buildings earmarked to accommodate refugees have been damaged in suspected arson attacks. Also of note, Fine Gael appears to have had somewhat of a Harris hop in the polls following the shock resignation of Leo Varadkar as leader of the party earlier this year, leading to Simon Harris taking over that position as well as the role of Irish premier. The results of the three campaigns being decided on Friday may be instructive for the overall state of the parties and could potentially direct Mr Harris decision on when to call the next general election, which must be held by March next year. President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina cast their votes on Friday morning. The couple were greeted by staff at the polling station in Phoenix Park in Dublin. As he placed his ballot papers inside the box, Mr Higgins said: Sin e. (Thats it.) Meanwhile, the Taoiseach cast his votes early at Delgany National School in Co Wicklow ahead of a day of campaigning across the country. It is so important that people get out and vote, that they have their say, that they cast their ballots because of course if you dont turn up youre allowing someone else to speak on your behalf, Mr Harris told reporters at the voting centre in his home constituency. So polls are open to 10pm tonight, Id urge everybody to get out and have their say in what is a great exercise in democracy. We live in a healthy democracy and today is working proof of it. Ms McDonald said today is the big day and said it was very important for people to use their vote. Speaking after casting her ballot at the polling station on Navan Road in Cabra, Dublin, Ms McDonald denied running too many candidates. No, we ran a great slate of candidates and they have all thoroughly enjoyed the campaign and (being) out and about meeting people. So today is the peoples day, please come out and vote, she said. In south Dublin, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said there is no anti-government sentiment among the Irish public. As he cast his votes in Fridays elections at Muslim School Clonskeagh, Mr Ryan said there was a queue outside the door by 7am. This is a Government thats working and my sense in the last few months canvassing is there isnt you know people they recognise the Government is working, Mr Ryan said. Theyre not happy with, rightly, a whole range of different things we need to do better. But you couldnt say out there that theres a strong anti-government sentiment. Well see if thats reflected in the count in the end. Across the island, millions of residents were eligible to vote in local elections. There are 31 local government bodies in Ireland. Each county and city council is divided into local electoral areas with a specified number of council seats to be filled in the election. In total, there are 166 electoral areas in Ireland and each of them elects a number of councillors. The number of councillors to be elected nationally is 949. These representatives are tasked with making policy decisions at local level including on planning and community development. At the same time, EU citizens registered in Ireland are eligible to vote for 14 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) across three varied constituencies: Dublin, South, and Midlands-North-West. The MEPs are responsible for debating EU-wide legislation and working on the budget for the bloc. The local and European elections are held every five years. In the south west of the country, voters in Limerick city and county have the opportunity to directly elect a mayor. From now on, this vote will also take place every five years. The successful candidate will be considered the regions first citizen and will have unique executive powers around long-term strategic planning, including measures on housing delivery, road infrastructure and environmental measures. They can serve a maximum of two terms, each lasting five years. There are 15 candidates vying for the new job which carries a salary of approximately 150,000 euro. The role is seen as a test case for further rollout at other local authorities in the future. Ballots in the local elections can begin to be sorted straight away on Saturday but results in the European election cannot be declared until after all EU states have finished polling, which will not happen until late on Sunday night. Counting in the mayoral election is expected to begin on Monday. Even then, Ireland uses a system of proportional representation which allows voters to rank every candidate in each race by order of preference. Candidates must reach a certain quota of votes in order to be deemed elected. In the likely event that not enough candidates are above this threshold following the first count, hopefuls with the least amount of votes are eliminated and their votes are redistributed based on the further preferences on the ballot papers. The same occurs when a candidate is elected with a surplus of votes. It means the paper ballots in each election, which are filled out with pencil or pens, are sorted and counted multiple times by hand. The entire process can take days to complete. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 7. Organizing the Baku Energy Week has become a time-honored tradition, Azerbaijani MP Azer Badamov told Trend. He recalled that this event was first organized thirty years ago, when Azerbaijan had just gained its independence and was dealing with certain difficulties. To develop the nation, foreign investments were required. The MP made the point that "The Contract of the Century" was signed, injecting billions of dollars into the national economy, following the inaugural Baku Energy Week in 1994. "The Baku Energy Week now encompasses the green energy industry, whereas thirty years ago it was focused on developing the oil and gas industry only. New issues with producing green energy have entered our agendas these days. Even though a few companies from a few countries took part in the event back then, 300 companies from 37 countries do now. The newest technology is being displayed by these companies as part of Baku Energy Week. Naturally, this will be significant to the growth of our oil and gas sector as well as the creation of renewable energy sources," he said. According to the MP, Azerbaijan's 'green' agenda is quite extensive. "Our country defined its green agenda even before the decision to hold COP29 was made. Thus, the territories liberated from occupation were declared a green zone, the green energy potential of our country was identified, and it was confirmed that the renewable energy potential in the country is about 200 gigawatts. Azerbaijan, by developing its 'green' agenda, is also contributing to the fight against global climate change. Thus, the country is taking practical steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. During Baku Energy Week, the foundation was laid for three new renewable energy plants. With the launch of these stations, one gigawatt of new capacity will be added to our green energy capacity. Overall, Azerbaijan plans to produce two gigawatts of green energy by the end of 2027. Producing green energy allows us to save on gas consumption. Thus, the production of one gigawatt of green energy will enable us to save 500 million cubic meters of natural gas. By 2027, we plan to increase the volume of gas we export to Europe to 20 billion cubic meters. Thanks to the development of the green energy sector, we will be able to export the saved gas to Europe," said Badamov. According to him, increasing gas exports to Europe will reduce the use of solid fuels there. "This is also one of our contributions to the fight against global climate change. Our country will also export green energy to Europe. Thanks to a joint agreement between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, the construction of a 'green' cable line along the bottom of the Black Sea will begin soon." This will also enable us to bring the renewable energy resources that we will produce to European markets. During Baku Energy Week, discussions on all these issues are taking place, and serious steps will be taken towards implementing these processes. The Baku Energy Week will also accelerate the influx of new investments into our country. Major leading companies cooperating with us in the energy sector believe that our word carries as much weight as our signature because we are committed to fulfilling all the agreements we sign. The political significance of holding Baku Energy Week is also very great. It strengthens our country's political position and increases the number of our friends. The congratulatory letters sent by the heads of state from the USA, the UK, and Turkiye are indicators of the global importance of Baku Energy Week. Azerbaijan has become a country with extensive experience in hosting international events. Our country brings peace, tranquility, mutual benefit, and development to every cooperating partner," added the MP. Commenting on the issue, economic expert Eyyub Karimli said that the topics discussed during the Baku Energy Week are very important for Azerbaijan and the region. "Considering that these are topics such as energy security, expanding exploration and production capabilities in the Caspian Sea and the region, as well as the potential of green energy, it is clear how important this event is. Today, our country's importance to Europe's energy security is increasing. Already, our nation is effectively drawing in international investors for the green energy industry. Hosting this conference offers Azerbaijan a wide range of chances to realize its enormous potential in this field. Three hundred companies representing 37 nations attended Baku Energy Week. This will all help our nation maintain energy security," added the expert. To note, the Baku Energy Week was held in Azerbaijan on June 46. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Israels Ministry of Diaspora Affairs ordered the operation, which used fake social media accounts urging U.S. lawmakers to fund Israels military, according to officials and documents about the effort. ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, was used to generate many of the posts. The campaign also created three fake English-language news sites featuring pro-Israel articles. The operation is the first documented case of the Israeli governments organizing a campaign to influence the U.S. government, social media experts said. The secretive campaign signals the lengths Israel was willing to go to sway American opinion on the war in Gaza. Israels role in this is reckless and probably ineffective, said Achiya Schatz, the executive director of FakeReporter. Dear Annie: Ive been with my boyfriend, Mike, for five years, and weve lived together for three. Ive noticed hes been distant lately. I cant quite put my finger on why; he says he has just been stressed about work. He has also been spending more time on his phone. Last week, I saw messages pop up on his phone from a woman named Sarah, who Ive never heard of before. I didnt read them, but I cant shake the feeling that something is off. Mike and I have always been honest with each other, so this secrecy feels like a betrayal. I want to address it, but I dont want to come off as accusatory or make him feel like I was snooping on his phone. I love him, but I just cant escape the feeling that something is wrong. -- Anxious in Austin Dear Anxious: Start by sharing your feelings without blaming him -- for instance, Ive been feeling a bit disconnected from you lately and it worries me. When it comes to Sarah, approach the topic gently. You could say something like, I noticed a message from someone named Sarah. I havent heard about her before; can you tell me about her? This opens the door for an explanation without jumping to conclusions. If Mike is open and honest, it should help ease your mind. If he becomes defensive, it might be worth exploring further. Trust your instincts, but also give him the chance to explain. Open communication is the foundation of a healthy relationship. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM The state has agreed to pay a former prisoner $135,000 to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit after a guard allowed other prisoners to enter the mans cell and pummel him without any consequence. The assault occurred in October 2020 at the Oregon State Correctional Institution, the state medium-security prison in Salem. Kevin R. Walls was returning to his cell in Unit 4 after lunch and signaled to corrections officer Kevin J. Bowser to open the door to allow him back in. Bowser opened the door but as Walls stepped inside, Bowser failed to shut it behind him as officers normally did, according to the suit. That allowed two or three other prisoners to follow Walls inside, according to the suit. The assault lasted about five minutes. Walls suffered blows to his face, head and body and required medical attention for injuries to his ribs, the suit said. At one point when Mr. Walls was on the floor on his hands and knees, trying to crawl to the door, the assailants yelled, Dont let him get up! Dont let him out! and Grab him! Despite the noise, no one came to Mr. Walls aid, the suit said. Bowser was fired from the state Department of Corrections in February 2022 and the lawsuit was filed in June of that year, according to state records. Bowser wasnt charged with any criminal offense. Bowser had worked as a corrections officer since May 2002. Another federal civil suit is pending against the Corrections Department implicating the same guard. In that case, two other prisoners, Ricky Exe and Dustin Clark, allege they were assaulted in their cells because Bowser allowed inmates involved in prison gangs access to their cells. According to state records, Bowser engaged in negligent security practices, distributed pain pills that werent prescribed to prisoners and provided prisoners access to other contraband. He also was untruthful during an investigative interview, according to a document filed state corrections supervisor Lt. Anthony Asay with the state Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. As part of the settlement in Walls case, the Corrections Department doesnt admit any wrongdoing or liability, according to a filing by Assistant Attorney General Dylan Hallman. Walls, now 63, is no longer in custody. He has a prior conviction for first-degree attempted sexual abuse. He was convicted on other charges in a separate case, but the verdicts were issued by a nonunanimous jury and overturned. This was a tremendous harm that could easily have been prevented, said attorney Maya Rinta, one of Walls lawyers. She said the practice of the guard popping cells to allow prisoners to assault another isnt isolated to Walls experience. I think Mr. Walls has been brave in coming forward because we filed this while he was in custody, Rinta said. If the Oregon Department of Corrections wants to do the right thing, theyd be transparent about what occurred and proactive about what happens to folks to prevent this from reoccurring. The state corrections department declined comment on the settlement or Walls lawsuit, said Amber R. Campbell, a department spokesperson. In the other pending federal civil case, two other Oregon State Correctional Institution prisoners, Ricky Exe and Dustin Clark, allege they were assaulted in their cells because Bowser allowed inmates involved in prison gangs access to their cells as well. Attorney John Burgess filed the suit on behalf of Exe and Clark. Exe was assaulted twice in his cell by members of the European Kindred prison gang in August 2020 as a result of Bowsers actions, his suit alleges. Exe contends he was targeted because he was whats called a dropout from the European Kindred gang. He said he was sleeping in his cell when he alleges Bowser opened it and let several gang members in who viciously assaulted him, according to his suit. Bowser remotely opened cells so that EK (European Kindred) gang members could enter the cell of other inmates and assault them, attorney John Burgess wrote in the suit. Clark said he was assaulted in his cell in September 2020 when Bowser allowed other inmates in to attack him, according to the suit. Bowsers lawyer Andrew Campbell, in response to the suit filed by Exe and Clark, countered that any injuries sustained by Exe or Clark while in custody resulted from the actions of others and not from his client, according to court documents. -- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com , follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. A judge closed the murder case against a Portland man who died of a suspected fentanyl overdose at the Oregon State Hospital while awaiting trial on charges that he intentionally ran over a machinist near the St. Johns Bridge in 2021. Roy Bennett Jr., 32, had been under treatment at the state-run psychiatric hospital in Salem for more than a year when he was found dead two weeks ago from a suspected overdose. A Reynolds High School teacher who tried to meet up with a 15-year-old girl in Bend for sex was sentenced Friday to 10 years in federal prison. Edward Hernandez-Corchado, 27, pleaded guilty in January to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShane issued the sentence in Medford. Hernandez-Corchado drove from Gresham to Bend in November 2022 after connecting via Snapchat with an undercover Bend police officer posing as the teenage girl, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Harper. Hernandez-Corchado began communicating with the undercover officer from central Oregon on the website Omegle, according to Harper. He identified himself as a 26-year-old Portland man named Ed and the undercover officer told him she was a high school sophomore who had her drivers permit and lived with her parents, according to court records. Hernandez-Corchado was accused of initiating a sexual conversation on Nov. 7, 2022, with the purported 15-year-old and planned to meet her at a Target store in Bend, according to Harper. Hernandez-Corchado said he would rent a motel room where they could have sex, the prosecutor wrote in a court filing. In further Snapchat chats, he shared that he wanted to take the girl to Portland while her parents were sleeping, preferred that she wear lingerie and claimed he wanted a long-term relationship and didnt care about her age, Harper wrote. Hernandez-Corchado showed up in Bend just like he had promised he would and was arrested on Nov. 14, 2022. After his arrest, he told police he had previously met with two other girls, ages 16 and 17, in 2016 or 2017, in Salem for sex but never identified those girls, according to Harper. Hernandez-Corchado is a danger to the community. He worked as a high school teacher, while seeking out minor girls over the internet in order to victimize them, Harper wrote to the judge in a sentencing memo. His actions are especially disturbing since he worked as a teacher since 2019 and is a mandatory reporter of child abuse crimes such as the crimes he had been committing. He told police he knew his criminal behavior was wrong but could not stop. A doctor who conducted a psychosexual evaluation of Hernandez-Corchado found him to be a socially inept, lonely and depressed young man despite his capacity to excel academically and obtain and maintain employment as a high school teacher, defense lawyer Noel Grefenson wrote in his sentencing memo. The news of Mr. Hernandez-Corchados arrest and the nature of his charges was a terrible shock to his family, friends and those in the community that considered him to be a model of success, Grefenson wrote. His family and fellow parishioners wrote multiple letters in support of Hernandez-Corchado to the judge, asking for leniency in his sentencing. Grefenson unsuccessfully tried to negotiate a sentence that would have avoided the mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years for the offense, according to court records. Hernandez-Corchado had no prior criminal record, was born and raised in Portland and graduated from Reynolds High, where he returned to teach social studies in 2019, his lawyer said. He was placed on leave upon his arrest. Hernandez-Corchados teaching license expired in July 2023, according to Oregon s Teacher Standards & Practices Commission. The state commissions investigation into Hernandez-Corchados license is ongoing and active, said Cristina Edgar, director of the commissions professional practices division. -- Maxine Bernstein Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212 Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe An Oregon quarterback will once again attend the Manning Passing Academy. Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel will serve as a counselor at the 28th annual event, which will take place at Nicholls State in Thibodaux, La. from June 27-30. It will be the second time serving as an MPA counselor for Gabriel, who attended the event in 2021 while at UCF. Ohio States Will Howard, Purdues Hudson Card and Washingtons Will Rogers are the other Big Ten QBs announced to be attending. Its the fifth straight MPA that Oregon will be represented, as Gabriel and Moore follow Ty Thompson (2023-22), Anthony Brown Jr. (2021) and Justin Herbert (2019). Prince Bhojwani never thought of himself as a negative person, until three trips to the hospital in one month forced him to reconsider. Before May 2018, he was a healthy but chronically worried start-up founder who regularly did 20-mile bike rides. When he suddenly became barely able to walk, with blurry vision and spiking blood pressure, emergency room doctors suspected a stroke, but couldnt pinpoint the cause of his illness. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 8. Turkish astronaut of Azerbaijani origin Tuva Cihangir Atasever flew into space, Trend reports. Suborbital controlled spaceplane VSS Unity, which also had Atasever on board, took off from the Spaceport cosmodrome in New Mexico, USA. According to the information, the spacecraft was launched at 08:30 local time. It is reported that the astronaut was wearing a uniform with the flags of Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Costco's Tillamook cheese recall and Schreiber Foods recall of their cream cheese have revealed the possibility of microplastic contamination in their popular cheese products. The cheese contamination from the two manufacturers will affect numerous consumers from multiple states across the country from possible foreign plastic and salmonella contamination. Costco's Tillamook Cheese Recall Due to Plastic Contamination Costco has publicly announced that it has initiated the recall of specific cheese slices from the brand Tillamook after discovering potential contamination with plastic pieces. The Tillamook cheese recall was prompted by concerns about gray and black plastic pieces that may be present in the products. According to a letter addressed to customers, the recall involves a limited quantity of 32-ounce twin-pack packages of Tillamook Colby Jack and Tillamook Monterey Jack cheese slices, identified by item number 651195. These products were sold between May 9 and May 31, 2024, at Costco stores in the Northwest region, which includes Idaho, Montana, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington Mike Beaver, Executive Vice President of Tillamook County Creamery Association, emphasized that the likelihood of the plastic being present is minimal and assured that those who have already consumed the product without issue need not take any action. However, as a precaution, consumers with weakened and compromised immune systems are advised to avoid consuming the products. Furthermore, customers are also encouraged by the company to return their product to Costco for a full refund or dispose of it. The affected products have a "Best If Used By" date of October 22, 2024. Schreiber Foods Recalls Cream Cheese Over Salmonella Concerns Prior to Tillamook's cheese slices, Schreiber Foods Inc., based in Wisconsin, had expanded its recall of cream cheese products due to potential salmonella contamination. The recall now includes 836,721 units of cream cheese, as reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Distributed by major retailers such as Aldi, Kroger, and Hy-Vee, the affected products span a wide range of states, including Puerto Rico, California, New York, Illinois, Texas, and Florida. The recall affects various brands, including Dunkin, Dutch Farms, Essential Everyday Happy Farms, and Fareway. Customers who have purchased these products are urged to either dispose of them immediately or return them to the store for a full refund. Schreiber Foods has stressed the importance of consumer safety and is working diligently to remove the contaminated products from the market. Customer Actions and Safety Measures Consumers who have purchased the recalled Tillamook cheese from Costco are encouraged to contact the company for a refund or to safely discard the product. For any health concerns, individuals should reach out to their healthcare provider. Customers can direct their questions to Tillamook by calling 855-562-35683 or emailing hello@tillamook.com. Similarly, those who have bought the recalled cream cheese products from Schreiber Foods should not consume them. Instead, they should return the items to their point of purchase for a refund or discard them. Schreiber Foods advises customers to remain vigilant and prioritize their health and safety by avoiding the affected products. A small plane crash in a Colorado neighborhood for an emergency landing has the community in shock. A loud sound erupted in the suburb of Denver, Arvada, which turned out to be a small plane that quickly caught fire with four passengers inside. All four passengers on the plane were transported to the hospital for serious injuries and are in critical condition. The crash occurred in a small neighborhood after the plane's pilot attempted to take an emergency landing. Plane Crash in Colorado Neighborhood The small aircraft carrying passengers landed in the front yard of a home in the small Arvada suburb. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the plane, a 1969 Beechcraft 35, ignited itself when an impact happened, which caused its passengers severe injuries and burns in their bodies. The plane crash happened about 15 minutes after the plane took off from Centennial Airport, which is supposed to be bound for Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. The report also states little information regarding the passengers identities, stating only that the two others were identified as adults, while the remaining two passengers remain undetermined for now. The pilot, having encountered engine trouble, attempted an emergency landing on a residential street. The aircraft was reported to be near its destination airport; however, despite its close proximity, the pilot opted to take an emergency landing in the neighborhood to ensure safety and survival. Emergency Response and Witness Accounts The Arvada Fire Department responded to the crash around 9:30 a.m., quickly extinguishing the flames engulfing the aircraft. Deputy Chief Matt Osier confirmed that the fire did not spread to nearby structures, and no residents of the home were injured. Witnesses described the chaotic scene, with one resident recounting how the plane clipped a large spruce tree, skidded down the street, and came to a stop in the front yard after hitting a pickup truck parked in front of the house. Ericka Garcia, a nearby resident, witnessed the plane's descent and subsequent crash. Garcia stated that he saw the plane hit the tree, and due to its impact, the tree clipped, hit the ground, and eventually caught fire. Neighbors around the house also reported hearing a loud noise and witnessing thick smoke from the crash site. Investigation and Safety Measures The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash. Initial reports indicate that the pilot experienced a sudden loss of engine power, leading to the attempted emergency landing. Radio communication between the pilot and air traffic control highlighted the pilot's distress as he sought a safe place to land. Lemishko noted that, in such emergencies, landing on a roadway is a reasonable option for pilots when an airport landing is not feasible. "I'm sure what was going through the pilot's mind was, 'I see a roadway; I need to get this aircraft down; let's give it a shot,'" he said. Carr Street, where the crash occurred, remains closed to traffic as investigators continue their work. The public has been urged to avoid the area to facilitate the investigation and cleanup. In a news conference held later in the day, authorities confirmed that all four individuals on the plane were in serious to critical condition. Firefighters worked to clear the wreckage, using saws to dismantle the plane and burn away the remaining fuel. The community has been left shaken by the incident, but the swift response from emergency services has been praised. A 6-year-old girl from New Jersey died after succumbing to a severe badminton racket injury during a family vacation in Maine. The 6-year-old girl, Lucy Morgan, is the daughter of a well-known pastor named Jesse Morgan. The untimely demise of the child was due to a freak accident involving a badminton racket that led her to be in the hospital, battling for her life for four days before death. Badminton Injury Shatters Idyllic Family Vacation The Morgan family, consisting of two adults and four kids, was in Limerick, Maine, when the tragedy happened. The family was enjoying their last full day on their rental cottage property. According to Jesse Morgan, Lucy's father and a pastor at Green Pond Bible Chapel in Rockaway, the family was having lunch by the lake while the children played badminton in the front yard. In a tragic turn of events, the racket broke during a downward swing, and a shard from the aluminum shaft dislodged, striking Lucy in the head while she sat on the sidelines. Maine State Police reported that the "unintentional injury" was caused by Lucy's 10-year-old brother. The sharp piece of the racket penetrated Lucy's skull, causing catastrophic damage. Despite being unresponsive, Lucy was still breathing when emergency services arrived and rushed her to a local hospital. She was then airlifted to Maine Medical Center in Portland for urgent medical intervention. Surgeons Fight to Save Lucy's Life At the hospital, surgeons performed an emergency procedure to relieve the pressure on Lucy's brain by removing part of her skull. Although they managed to revive her after she flatlined on the operating table, Lucy had lost all brain function and could not breathe independently. Doctors informed the family that her chances of recovery were slim due to the severity of the injury, which had caused significant arterial bleeding and brain damage. Jesse Morgan detailed the harrowing experience in a blog entry titled "Calamity Strikes," describing the anguish of holding his injured daughter and praying for a miracle. Despite the medical team's best efforts, Lucy's condition continued to deteriorate, and by Wednesday, it was clear that she would not recover. Family and Community Mourn Lucy's Loss Lucy Morgan succumbed to her injuries at around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, just one day after doctors predicted she would pass away. The drive back to their New Jersey home was filled with sorrow for the Morgan family, who grappled with the profound loss. Jesse Morgan expressed the family's grief in his blog, sharing the emotional toll on Lucy's siblings, Silas, 10, Shiloh, 8, and Atticus, 4, who struggled to comprehend the tragedy and felt a deep sense of guilt. The Morgan family received an overwhelming outpouring of support from relatives, church leaders, congregants, and even strangers who read Jesse's blog. Gifts of food, flowers, and heartfelt messages of sympathy helped the family cope during this dark time. Jesse Morgan found solace in the community's kindness and saw it as a testament to God's grace amid their suffering. Lucy's funeral is scheduled for June 15 at Green Pond Bible Chapel, where the family hopes to celebrate her life and find comfort in their faith. Jesse Morgan emphasized his desire for Lucy's story to inspire hope, even in the face of such devastating loss. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has abandoned his plan to create a five-year, $100 billion fund for military assistance to Ukraine. This idea was not supported by the Alliance members. ADVERTISIMENT According to Bloomberg, he is asking countries to maintain their current contributions instead, according to sources familiar with the matter. Under the new proposal, which could be backed by NATO defense ministers when they meet in Brussels next week, the allies would commit to spending at least 40 billion euros ($43 billion) a year on lethal and non-lethal aid to Ukraine. NATO will set donation targets for each country based on a percentage of their gross domestic product, and then likely publish the totals in an annual report. The goal is to provide more transparency about what allies are giving to Ukraine while gently pressuring any members that do not fulfill their commitments. The United States will account for about half of the aid, with the rest being provided by 31 other allies. Earlier, Stoltenberg unveiled a plan to pool $100 billion in the contributions of allies over five years, but the members of the union questioned its viability due to reluctance to commit new funds and concerns about misleading Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT Although the new plan did not provide fresh funds, NATO hoped it would provide Kyiv with more predictability about the level of support in the coming years. The allies were impressed after the U.S. Congress waited months to approve a new round of aid and were also concerned about what Donald Trump's possible re-election in November would mean for Ukraine's funding. "We have already spent about 40 billion a year so far, but I ask the allies to do it for the next years," Stoltenberg said after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague. "We have to maintain at least this level of support every year for as long as it takes." Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A jury in Minnesota found five out of seven defendants guilty of the $250M COVID-19 relief fraud, the misused funds that are meant to feed children in the state. The defendants were charged with numerous crimes related to the misappropriation of millions of dollars at the height of the pandemic. This case marks the first verdict in what prosecutors describe as the largest COVID-19 relief fraud scheme to date. The Guilty Verdict From $250M COVID-19 Relief Fraud for Child Nutrition The trial verdict came after three days of boosted deliberation. The members of the jury faced multitudinous attempts to tamper with the decision, which nearly derailed the proceedings. Prior to court day, one juror reported an attempt to buy her $120,000 in cash in exchange for a not-shamefaced vote. This incident led to her dismissal, along with that of another juror, who shared with a family member the alleged bribery that happened. The condemned defendants-Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, Mohamed Jama Ismail, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff, and Hayat Nur-were set up shamefaced of the utmost of the charges against them, including conspiracy to commit line fraud and plutocrat laundering. Said Shafii Farah and Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin were acquitted of all charges. From April 2020 to January 2022, the defendants fraudulently obtained over $40 million from the Federal Child Nutrition Program, which was intended to provide free meals to children and low-income families during the epidemic. Rather, the finances were used to buy luxury goods, including homes and buses. Attorney Andrew Luger stated that the defendants exploited the program intended to give nutritional food to indigent children during the COVID-19 epidemic. However, they prioritized their own rapacity. The trial, which lasted six weeks, featured testaments from over 30 substantiations and was a significant part of a broader disquisition involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future. This association was intertwined with recruiting individuals to set up fraudulent mess spots, significantly increasing their civil backing from $3.4 million in 2019 to nearly $200 million in 2021. Ongoing Investigations and Future Implications The FBI has verified that examinations into the jury tampering incident are ongoing. The agency conducted court-authorized conditioning in Savage, Minnesota, where several of the defendants had bought parcels. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota has remained tight-lipped about the ongoing jury tampering investigation. According to an FBI affidavit, the bribery attempt involved a woman delivering a gift bag filled with cash to a juror's relative, with pledges of further monetary gains if a not guilty vote was secured. The juror's related information was accessible to all defendants, their attorneys, and prosecutors, raising reservations that the fix began from within the defendant group. District Judge Nancy Brasel indicated in a detention order that at least one defendant was likely involved in the bribery attempt, pressing the serious nature of the crime, which carries a maximum judgment of 20 times in captivity. Attorneys for the condemned defendants have largely abstained from opining on the bribery allegations. Frederick Goetz, representing Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff, stated his customer had no involvement, while Steve Schleicher, representing Said Shafii Farah, declined to note. Other defense attorneys didn't respond to inquiries. The persuasions, in this case, emphasize the graveness of fraudulent conditioning during a time of public extremity and the severe legal consequences that follow. Two new items appeared today on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: Armed with Righteousness and with the Power of God: Allusions to Priestly Clothing, Priesthood, and Temple in 1 Nephi 14:14, written by Matthew L. Bowen Abstract: Nephi saw in vision that in the latter-days the saints of the church of the Lamb and covenant people of the Lord who, though scattered across the earth, were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory (1 Nephi 14:14). Nephis prophetic statement is loaded with meaning. This study explores how armed with righteousness means clothed with righteousness (Psalm 132:9) not merely in a martial, but also in a priestly sense (compare 1 Samuel 17:5; Isaiah 59:17). This concept relates to the latter-day temple and its ordinances, which enable the Lords people to go forth from the temple armed with [the Lords] power with his name . . . upon them, and [his] glory be round about them (Doctrine and Covenants 109:22). When we consider the spiritual power and protection associated with being armed or clothed with righteousness, we can better appreciate the value of temple ordinances that involve clothing or investiture. These ordinances help us put on the Lord Jesus Christinvesting the recipients with the priestly power of Christs Atonement, which authorizes them to do his work, enables them to withstand temptation, and enables them to stand in the spiritual battles of mortal life. Interpreting Interpreter: Armed with Righteous Cloth, written by Kyler Rasmussen This post is a summary of the article Armed with Righteousness and with the Power of God: Allusions to Priestly Clothing, Priesthood, and Temple in 1 Nephi 14:14 by Matthew L. Bowen in Volume 61 of Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. All of the Interpreting Interpreter articles may be seen at https://interpreterfoundation.org/category/summaries/. An introduction to the Interpreting Interpreter series is available at https://interpreterfoundation.org/interpreting-interpreter-on-abstracting-thought/. The Takeaway: Bowen argues that the phrase armed with righteousness in 1 Nephi 14:14 relies on the same Hebrew idiom as a similar phrase, clothed with righteousness that appears elsewhere in scripture. This shared idiom helps us better appreciate the power and purpose of temple ordinances that involve clothing or investiture, as they help us put on the priestly power of the Lord Jesus Christ. We were on trains much of the day today, though we started off with a long boat ride, on a water bus, from our island hotel to the train station in Venice. From there, we traveled to Villach, in Austria, where we had to change trains very, very quickly, and from Villach we traveled to Salzburg. About a week before we left on this trip, I read an interesting article entitled The profound religiosity of Franz Joseph Haydn. Doing so unavoidably reminded me of something that I had written in partial response to god is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, a onetime bestselling book by the late Christopher Hitchens. Since I never published the piece though who knows what the future might hold for it? I think that Ill share it here, in installments. The birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the home of the annual Salzburger Festspiele (or Salzburg Festival) is always an appropriate place to think about music. And you are free to consider this an extended extract from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File: Christopher Hitchens declares that religion poisons everything, and suggests that the world would be better off without it. If we consider the history of music, though, it isnt at all obvious that religion poisoned Gregorian chant, or the Shaker hymn Simple Gifts, or the works of Palestrina (d. 1594), or the Gloria of the Venetian priest-composer Antonio Vivaldi (d. 1741), or the great Requiem of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (d. 1791), or his Ave Verum Corpus. And it would be difficult to argue that the world would be better off without them. A cursory survey of some of the leading lights in the history of music will provide a few hints as to what we might have lost if Hitchenss dream for our future had dominated our past. Among the numerous religiously-inspired compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach (d. 1750) are The Passion According to St. Matthew, the Mass in B Minor, the Magnificat, Christmas and Easter oratorios, and various church cantatas such as Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (A Mighty Fortress is Our God). The composer Felix Mendelssohn regarded Bachs works as the greatest Christian music in the world.[1] Musics only purpose, Bach said, should be for the glory of God and the recreation of the human spirit.[2] When he sat down to compose, he often marked his blank manuscript with the initials J. J., for Jesu Juva (Help me, Jesus), or I. N. J., for In Nomine Jesu (In the name of Jesus). And, when he was finished, he would typically write the letters S.D.G., for Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone the glory).[3] The Orgelbuchlein (Little Organ Book), a collection of small chorale preludes that he composed, bears the dedication Dem hochsten Gott allein zu Ehren, Dem Nachsten draus sich zu belehren. (For the glory of the most high God, and for the instruction of my neighbor.)[4] Such expressions are for him no formulas, but the Credo that runs through all his work, says his illustrious student and biographer, the great Christian theologian, musician, and medical missionary Albert Schweitzer (d. 1965): Music is an act of worship with Bach. His artistic activity and his personality are both based on his piety. If he is to be understood from any standpoint at all, it is from this. For him, art was religion, and so had no concern with the world or with worldly success. It was an end in itself. Bach includes religion in the definition of art in general. All great art, even secular, is in itself religious in his eyes; for him the tones do not perish, but ascend to God like praise too deep for utterance.[5] The focus of his emotional life was undoubtedly in religion, and in the service of religion through music.[6] His entire life was centered on his faith.[7] Did religion poison Johann Sebastian Bach? Scarcely. Nor does it seem to have poisoned his contemporary, G. W. F. Handel (d. 1759), whose oratorio Messiah has probably done more, said one writer, to convince thousands of mankind that there is a God about us than all the theological works ever written.[8] (Other Handel oratorios based on biblical and Israelite history include Israel in Egypt,Judas Maccabaeus, and Esther.) Handel completed the 260 manuscript pages of Messiah in twenty-four days, scarcely leaving his room, barely taking time to eat. Considering the immensity of the work, and the short time involved, writes one of his biographers, it will remain, perhaps for ever, the greatest feat in the whole history of music compositionIt was the achievement of a giant inspired he dwelt or believed he dwelt in the pastures of GodAfter finalizing Part II with the Hallelujah Chorus his servant found him at the table, tears streaming from his eyes. Idid think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God himself![9] Afterwards, attempting to express what had happened, Handel referred to the apostle Pauls comment about his ascent to the third heaven, as it is recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:1-5: Whether I was in the body or out of my body when I wrote it I know not.[10] [1] Herbert Kuperberg, The Mendelssohns: Three Generations of Genius (New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1972), 130. [2] Robert W.S. Mendl, The Divine Quest in Music (New York: Philosophical Library, 1957), 59. [3] Patrick Kavanaugh, Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers, rev. and exp. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), 19-20. Kavanaughs book is a treasure trove of relevant material and helpful references. [4] Cited in Albert Schweitzer, J. S. Bach, 2 vols., trans. Ernest Newman (New York: Dover, 1966), 1:167. [5] Schweitzer, J. S. Bach, 1:167. [6] Hans Theodore David and Arthur Mendel, The Bach Reader: A Life of Johann Sebastian Bach in Letters and Documents (New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1966), 24. [7] Kavanaugh, Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers, 20. [8] Robert Mason Myers, Handels Messiah, A Touchstone of Taste (New York: McMillan Company, 1948), 238. [9] Newman Flower, Handel, His Personality and His Times (London: Panther Books Limited, 1972), 272. [10] Kavanaugh, Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers, 30. (to be continued) We had dinner tonight with two other couples one of them Austrian, from Vienna who are here in Salzburg to participate in Saturdays FAIR conference. Then my wife and I broke away for a Zoom meeting with our producer, our director, and the person whom we have retained to manage the marketing and distribution of the Interpreter Foundations forthcoming film, Six Days in August. We were pleased with the discussion. And the work goes on. Posted from Salzburg, Austria Please Hit Subscribe! If you have received benefit from this or any of my other 4,600+ articles, please follow this blog by signing up (with your email address) on the sidebar to the right (you may have to scroll down a bit), above where there is an icon bar, Sign Me Up!: to receive notice when I post a new blog article. This is the equivalent of subscribing to a YouTube channel. Please also consider following me on Twitter / X and purchasing one or more of my 55 books. All of this helps me get more exposure, and (however little!) more income for my full-time apologetics work. Thanks so much and happy reading! Johann Eck (1486-1543) was a German Catholic theologian, who was arguably one of Martin Luthers two most important and formidable debate opponents, along with Erasmus (Ive compiled several of his devastating replies to Luther as well). He was ordained as a priest in 1508 and in 1510 was installed as a professor of theology at the University of Ingolstadt in Bavaria: which lasted for thirty years. He mastered both Greek and Hebrew and had a prodigious memory, boundless energy, and very considerable debating skills. He famously engaged Luther for eighteen days in the Leipzig Disputation of July 1519. Ecks argumentation might be said to be one of the quintessential examples of the Catholic theological and polemical response to the Protestant Revolt up to the opening of the Council of Trent in 1545. This is one of many excerpts from his best-known and principal volume, Enchiridion of Commonplaces Against Luther and Other Enemies of the Church. It first appeared in 1529 and eventually went through 91 editions. I will be using a later edition from 1541 (translated by Ford Lewis Battles, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1979; now in the public domain). Ecks words will be in black and my interjections in blue. I use RSV for scriptural citations. *** Although the Jewish nation was somewhat inclined to idolatry, still God commanded them to have some images. You shall make also two cherubim of beaten gold on the two sides of the oracle. Let one cherub be on the one side and the other on the other [Ex 25:18]. The Lord said to Moses: Make a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign [Num 21:8]. [Objection] You shall not make for yourselves any idol or graven thing, neither shall you erect pillars, nor set up a remarkable stone in your land, to adore it [Lev 26:1; RSV: to bow down to them]. . . . You shall not make a graven image or a likenness of anything which is in heaven above, on the earth below, or of those things which are in the waters under the earth [Ex 20:4]. Something similar is said in Ex 34:17; Dt 4:23; 5:8; 27:15, and in many other passages of the Old Testament. [Reply] By what preceded and what follows God explains his intention, for just as he forbade strange gods to be worshiped, so he forbade images of them, yet because we do not take our saints for gods, we are not forbidden to make images of them. For before the quoted words, he says: You shall not have strange gods before me, You shall not make for yourself anything graven, etc. There follows: You shall not adore them, or worship them. Note: they ought not to be carried to that extreme. So does Luther himself understand this. But if Leo Jud of Zurich is tied to the letter in the Jewish manner, saying that it is absolutely forbidden to make images, the corollary would be that Solomon sinned, when he made twelve little lions in his throne; he would have sinned by carving oxen in the brazen sea, and lions; and oxen and cherubim in the brazen basins [2 Ch 9; 1 K 7]. Who is so stupid as to believe that there was no painter, no sculptor in Judah, who then carved the cherubim? And if the use of such things among the Gentiles seems similar to our own, still they are far differently used; they use them to another end. [Objection] Hezekiah broke the brazen serpent which Moses had made [2 K 18:4]. [Reply] That Hezekiah destroyed the serpent was caused by this abuse of the idolatrous people. For in the same passage there follows: For till that time the children of Israel burnt incense to it [2 K 18:4]. Hence, if it were a question of the abuse of any image, that ought to be abolished; therefore he withdrew the serpent, not because there was an image, but because the Jews were worshiping it. [Objection] Christ promised that the time is coming and now is when true worshipers worship God in spirit and in truth [Jn 4:23]. But the Spirit is not influenced by images. [Reply] We say that God is to be worshiped especially in spirit and in truth. Images admonish and remind us to do this. For that the spirit does not exclude sensible signs, the sacraments, which have been established in sensible signs, furnish us proof. [Objection] Furthermore, the peril of idolatry lurks under images, and the danger of unclean thoughts as well. [Reply] There is no danger of incurring idolatry, for the simpleminded can most easily be instructed to rectify their intention, considering that they are to refer their veneration not to the image itself, but to the prototype . . . [Objection] Balthasar Hubmaier makes this horned argument: Either images have been commanded, and then Scripture is shown forth, or they have not been commanded, and then are not valid. [Reply] It is clear from the first and second and fourth points, how truly horned is this argument . . . This is not commanded in Scripture, therefore it is not to be observed. On the contrary, by this horn let us accuse him: is there anything commanded in Scripture, which is nevertheless not to be observed, as for example, on the hallowing of the Sabbath, on not eating blood or strangled animals, etc.? . . . I shall say: to celebrate the Lords Day to him is either a commandment and is set forth by Scripture, or is not a commandment, and is consequently invalid something even the heretic will not say! * An Accra High Court on Thursday 6th June 2024 remanded into Police custody suspect Usman Haruna who is alleged to have stabbed one Ato Koomson during a scuffle at the office of the Electoral Commission at Ofaakor near Kasoa in the Awutu Senya East constituency of the Central region. Police arrested the suspect during the disturbance which ensued on the dawn of Sunday 2nd June 2024 at about 5am over queuing before the commencement of the days activities at the EC leading to the stabbing of Mr Koomson. The suspect is to reappear before court on 19th June 2024. Background According to an eyewitness, the clash erupted over a disagreement regarding the queuing of voters seeking to transfer their votes to the constituency. During the violence, Ato Koomson son of incumbent MP Mavis Hawa Koomson was stabbed in his chest and was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. Some three members of the NDC were also injured and placed on admission at the Kasoa Polyclinic. source: Theannouncergh.com 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 Ghanaian businessman was found dead in his hotel room in Seoul on Tuesday while attending an event related to the Korea-Africa Summit, according to South Korean police. The man, identified as a company official in his 50s, was discovered at a hotel in Seoul's Gangnam district on Tuesday morning. According to Korea's Yonhap News Agency, Police officials reported no signs of foul play and suspect that the cause of death could be illness. The deceased had traveled to Seoul for a business counseling event held on the sidelines of the Korea-Africa Summit, which began on Tuesday and includes delegations from 48 African nations, including 25 heads of state. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC), in collaboration with the German Foreign Ministry, has organized a pivotal one-week course on Electoral Violence and Security (EVS) for 84 personnel from various security services. This initiative aims to tackle electoral violence in West Africa head-on by arming law enforcement agencies with robust prevention, management, and response strategies. During a media interview, Air Commodore David Akrong commended all participants for their dedication to the course and underscored its significance. He highlighted how the EVS curriculum provided a comprehensive understanding of recent instances of electoral violence, the dynamics of election cycles, election security protocols, gender and human rights considerations, clerk assignments, and the principles of community policing. Akrong urged participants to leverage the knowledge gained during this intensive week-long training to ensure peaceful elections. He extended his gratitude to the Inspector General of Police, the Police Service, and the lead facilitator for their instrumental roles in making the course a success. The presence of Deputy German Ambassador Madam Sivine Jasen added further weight to the occasion. Madam Jasen emphasized the critical role of free and fair democratic elections in sustaining democracy. She revealed that the German government not only funded the entire course held at Kofi Annan but also pledged support for subsequent sessions scheduled in Kumasi and Tamale. Madam Jasen underscored the German government's commitment to ensuring unbiased media coverage during elections. Beyond financial support, they organize training programs for journalists to uphold journalistic integrity and impartiality, thereby preventing biased reporting from influencing public discourse. 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 flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has given an assurance that when re-elected, his government will work in close collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) and other stakeholders to address issues confronting the growth of the sector more efficiently. He said with his experience which spans over 30 years as former Deputy Minister of Communications and a substantial Minister who had contributed significantly to the development of the industry in the country, he understood the workings of the sector better. The former President gave the assurance during a meeting with the leadership of the GCT and its sister organisation, EMIs Chamber of Ghana, in Accra last Monday. The meeting discussed some key issues and challenges affecting the operations of the industry. Mr Mahama was accompanied by a team, including the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, while the GCT was led by its Chairman, Patricia Obo-Nai, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Telecel Ghana. Others were the acting CEO of AT, Leo Skarlatos; the CEO of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett; the Managing Director of Helios Towers Ghana, Angelo Govina; the CEO of GCT, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, and some officials of the GCT. The EMIs Chamber was also represented by its founding chairman and Director for Telecel Cash, Philip Amoateng; the acting Managing Director of AT Money, Mohammed Alhassan; the CEO of Mobile Money Limited, Shaibu Haruna; the Operations Leas at G-Money, Edem Kpodo, and other representatives. Relevance The meeting formed part of efforts by the two chambers to share their platform with all the political parties ahead of the December 7 elections this year, with the hope that their issues would be captured in their respective manifestos and implemented when they come to power. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is also expected to engage the chambers in Accra on June 7, 2024. Some of the issues discussed included repeal of the E-Levy law, ease of access to Ghana Card database, creating conducive and supportive policies, an enabling tax regime, reducing cost of doing business, ensuring sustainable promotion of local content and facilitating cross-border payments for the sector. Source: Graphiconline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Lawyer Clement Opoku Gyamfi, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie South District, has warned those verbally attacking the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, to refrain from such attitude. Lawyer Opoku Gyamfi, affectionately called "CID", contributing to Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, outlined the dangers with what the critics of lawyer Godfred Dame are doing to his image, stressing the ethics of law call for respect for every legal practitioner. He, therefore, reminded the critics of the position of the Attorney-General saying "the Attorney-General is the leader of the bar, regardless of his age. Regardless of the number of years he has practiced, he is the leader of the bar". "When he enters the court, he is the one who is given audience first", this, he stated with an aim to extinguish the verbal attacks and invectives on the A-G. Background The Attorney-General has sued Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, and one Richard Jakpa at the High Court presided by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe. Richard Jakpa is on trial with Dr. Ato Forson over an alleged financial loss to the State. They are accused of causing financial loss of 2.37 million to the State in a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016. Per the A-Gs facts accompanying the charge sheet, in 2009, while delivering the State of the Nation Address, the then President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, indicated that new ambulances would be purchased to expand the operations of the National Ambulance Service. Jakpa, a local representative of Big Sea General Trading Limited, a company based in Dubai, approached the Ministry of Health with a proposal that he had arranged for finance from Stanbic Bank for supply of the 200 ambulances but subsequently 30 ambulances were purchased at a sum of 2.37 million, however all were found not fit for purpose. But the case took an interesting turn with Richard Jakpa claiming the A-G approached him to help build a case against the Dr. Ato Forson, who was a former Deputy Finance Minister during the time of the ambulance procurement. Jakpa had recorded the A-Gs private telephone conversation with him regarding the case. 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. Nonetheless, the audio recording which was tendered in court, according to the presiding Judge, contains no incriminating evidence against the A-G. 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 By JOHN LEICESTER, Associated Press CARENTAN-LES-MARAIS, France (AP) Together, the collective age of the bride and groom was nearly 200. But World War II veteran Harold Terens and his sweetheart Jeanne Swerlin proved that love is eternal as they tied the knot Saturday inland of the D-Day beaches in Normandy, France. Their respective ages hes 100, shes a youngster of just 96 made their nuptials an almost double-century celebration. Terens called it the best day of my life. On her way into the nuptials, the bubbly bride-to-be said: Its not just for young people, love, you know? We get butterflies. And we get a little action, also. The location was the elegant stone-worked town hall of Carentan, a key initial D-Day objective that saw ferocious fighting after the June 6, 1944, Allied landings that helped rid Europe of Adolf Hitlers tyranny. Like other towns and villages across the Normandy coast where nearly 160,000 Allied troops came ashore under fire on five code-named beaches, its an effervescent hub of remembrance and celebration on the 80th anniversary of the deeds and sacrifices of young men and women that day, festooned with flags and bunting and with veterans feted like rockstars. As the swing of Glenn Miller and other period tunes rang out on the streets, well-wishers some in WWII-period clothes were already lined up a good hour before the wedding, behind barriers outside the town hall, with a rousing pipe and drum band also on hand to serenade the happy couple. After both declaring oui to vows read by Carentans mayor in English, the couple exchanged rings. With this ring, I thee wed, Terens said. She giggled and gasped, Really? With Champagne flutes in hand, they waved through an open window to the adoring crowds outside. To everybodys good health. And to peace in the world and the preservation of democracy all over the world and the end of the war in Ukraine and Gaza, Terens said as he and his bride then clinked glasses and drank. The crowd yelled la mariee! - the bride! to Swerlin, who wore a long flowing dress of vibrant pink. Terens looked dapper in a light blue suit and matching pink kerchief in his breast pocket. And theyre promised a very special wedding-night party: They were invited to the state dinner at the Elysee Palace on Saturday night with President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden, the mayor said. The wedding was symbolic, not binding in law. Mayor Jean-Pierre Lhonneurs office said he wasnt empowered to wed foreigners who arent residents of Carentan, and that the couple, who are both American, hadnt requested legally binding vows. However, they could always complete those formalities back in Florida if they wished. Lhonneur likes to say that Normandy is practically the 51st state of the USA, given its reverence and gratitude for Allied soldiers and the sacrifices of tens of thousands who never made it home from the Battle of Normandy. Love is eternal, yes, maybe, the mayor said, referring to the newlyweds, although his comments also fittingly describe the feelings of many Normans for veterans. I hope for them the best happiness together. Dressed in a 1940s dress that belonged to her mother, Louise, and a red beret, 73-year-old Jane Ollier was among spectators who waited for a glimpse of the lovebirds. The couple, both widowed, grew up in New York City: she in Brooklyn, he in the Bronx. Its so touching to get married at that age, Ollier said. If it can bring them happiness in the last years of their lives, thats fantastic. The WWII veteran first visited France as a 20-year-old U.S. Army Air Forces corporal shortly after D-Day. Terens enlisted in 1942 and, after shipping to Britain, was attached to a four-pilot P-47 Thunderbolt fighter unit as their radio repair technician. On D-Day, Terens helped repair planes returning from France so they could rejoin the battle. He said half his companys pilots died that day. Terens himself went to France 12 days later, helping transport freshly captured Germans and just-freed American POWs to England. Following the Nazi surrender in May 1945, Terens again helped transport freed Allied prisoners to England before he shipped back to the U.S. a month later. Swerlin made it abundantly clear that her new centenarian husband doesnt lack for rizz. Hes the greatest kisser ever, you know? she proudly declared before they embraced enthusiastically for TV cameras. All right ! Thats it for now ! Terens said as he came up for air. To which she quickly quipped: You mean theres more later? ___ AP journalist Terry Spencer in Fort Lauderdale contributed to this report. The State Department has issued an updated travel warning for the country of Burma (Myanmar), warning that citizens should not travel there due to "civil unrest, armed conflict, and arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Burma currently has a level 4, Do Not Travel, warning. In the latest update, the department said travelers should reconsider going to the country due to limited or inadequate healthcare, areas with landmines and unexploded ordinances, and wrongful detentions. There is a risk of wrongful detention of U.S. citizens by the current military regime in Burma, the State Department said. And the U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency aid to its citizens there due to the ongoing armed conflict. The situation is so serious, in fact, that U.S. government employees dependents under the age of 21 cannot reside in Burma with a parent assigned to work there. The current military regime gained power in a coup detat in February 2021 but protests and demonstrations against the government continue. The military usually responds to these protests by detaining individuals and the use of deadly force. The regime arbitrarily enforces local laws, the warning says, and often detains people without a fair trial. Foreigners, the State Department warned, are not excluded from this practice. Law enforcement in Burma might detain or deport U.S. citizens for speaking out or protesting against the regime, even on social media, the warning says. Burma also has a military conscription law that has been enforced since April of this year. As a result, the regime could refuse to acknowledge anyone with dual U.S.-Burmese citizenship and conscript them into the military. In addition, the State Department says Burma has limited and inadequate healthcare because of staffing shortages and that certain types of over-the-counter medicine as well as medical prescription, might not be available. If you are planning to travel to Burma (Myanmar), the State Department recommends the following: Polish protesters may resume blocking traffic at the Shehyni-Medica checkpoint. The action is expected on June 9. ADVERTISIMENT "According to available information, Polish farmers may block traffic in the direction of the Medyka checkpoint, which is opposite the Ukrainian Shehyni checkpoint. The blockade may begin on June 9 at 10:00 a.m. and will last until the end of September," the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine said in a statement. It will be announced later which categories of vehicles will be hampered. The protesters are again demanding to restrict imports of agricultural products from Ukraine. In particular, they are in favor of "reducing the import of grain to Poland," although such crops are still transiting the neighboring country. Similar one-day protests took place on May 10 at the Dovhobychuv-Uhryniv checkpoint. ADVERTISIMENT "It looks like the second act of the play, which lasted from November last year to April 29, is starting after a month-long break. The new demand is as absurd as all the previous ones: "to reduce the import of grain crops to Poland from Ukraine," commented Danylo Hetmantsev, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, on June 4, Polish farmers resumed a partial blockade of the Ukrainian border. Trucks are not allowed to pass through the Rava-Ruska-Hrebenne checkpoint, and no truck can enter Poland from Ukraine. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Dylan Weisman Wins Second WSOP Bracelet in Event #18: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Tyler Foran Live Reporter Copy link Event #18: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha came to an end after a rollercoaster day here at the 2024 World Series of Poker at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. It took three days but in the end of it was PLO expert Dylan Weisman who emerged victorious, triumphing over a field of 1,469 entries to secure his second bracelet, and claim the lions share of $1,961,115 prize pool. With this victory, he has added $294,311 to his already impressive live tournament earnings of over $5 million. 2024 World Series of Poker Hub Bookmark this page! All you need to know about the 2024 WSOP is here. Click here Event #18: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Dylan Weisman United States $294,311 2 Chino Rheem United States $196,191 3 Steve Zolotow United States $140,077 4 Grzegorz Derkowski Poland $101,284 5 John Zable United States $74,178 6 Jhojan Rivera United States $55,034 7 Abdul Al-Magableh United States $41,371 8 Leslie Roussell United States $31,516 Weisman's first bracelet came back in 2021, winning Event #28: $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha for $166,461. He now adds his second in the format. Surreal is a good word, Weisman said explaining how it felt to win his second bracelet. Its very unique when you win a tournament. It usually takes a day or two to have it sink in, but I feel a lot of gratitude. Final Day Action Daniel Zack began Day 3 as the shortest stack, beginning the day with just 11 big blinds, and managed to triple up only a few minutes into the day when he made two pair. Despite this, he became the first casualty of the day, finishing in tenth place. Andreas Zampas was eliminated in ninth after a significant cooler against Weisman left him short-stacked; his full house was outmatched by Weisman's straight flush, leading to his rapid elimination a few hands later. Following Zampas, Leslie Roussell exited the tournament in 8th place after committing his remaining chips pre-flop with pocket queens, which failed to overcome Weisman's pocket kings. Abdul Al-Magableh managed his short stack diligently for an extended period before committing with pocket aces. However, he was ultimately eliminated in seventh place when the aces were cracked by Weisman's Broadway. Jhojan Rivera faced several setbacks on Day 2, but Day 3 initially appeared promising. Unfortunately, he found himself short-stacked once again and ultimately lost an all-in preflop against Rheem, to be eliminated in sixth place. John Zable was short when he reached the final table and managed to ladder as others fell around him. Once Rivera was eliminated, he inherited the title of short stack, and he got his remaining stack in the middle with pocket kings, only to run into the aces of Zolotow, sending him home in fifth place. Derkowski demonstrated his skill over three days, entering the final ten as the chip leader. However, he was reduced to just four big blinds when his aces were cracked by Zolotow's top set. Despite a brief resurgence with a double-up, he ultimately finished in fourth place, when he was eliminated by Weisman. Three-Handed Battle Once three-handed play commenced, an epic battle ensued, lasting over five hours before an elimination, with Weisman, Zolotow, and Rheem each holding the chip lead at various points. Zolotow appeared poised to dominate the tournament when he flopped the nut straight and put Rheem at risk for over 6,000,000 chips. However, Zolotow was ultimately eliminated in third place when his ten-high straight was bested by Weisman's jack-high straight. When Rheem and Weisman finally had gotten heads-up, it didn't take long for all of the chips to go into the middle as Rheem flopped two pair against the flush draw of Weisman. Weisman was able to turn the flush and avoid the board pairing to eliminate Rheem and claim his second WSOP title. Weisman was joined by friends and family on the rail as he claimed his victory, and says he's going to celebrate by being well rested and possibly taking a hike in the morning before continuing to grind the 2024 WSOP. This concludes the live coverage from Event #18, be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews for all of the action from rest of the 2024 World Series of Poker. Share this article Brandon Wilson's day was book-ended by big pots. The start-of-day chip leader eliminated Artur Martirosian early, after the Russian started the day third in chips, and was comfortable throughout a Day 2 during which the money bubble burst. Wilson then ended it with a massive double through Taylor von Kriegenbergh to pip Stoyan Madanzhiev to the overnight chip lead, after Madanzhiev had secured a sensational double of his own through Alex Foxen with three tables remaining. The 12 players are the survivors from a field of 272 players, generating a prize pool of $6,392,000. They are all guaranteed $79,084 with the winner taking home $1,405,641. Top Ten Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Brandon Wilson United States 6,130,000 77 2 Stoyan Madanzhiev Bulgaria 6,000,000 75 3 Michael Rocco United States 5,590,000 70 4 Brek Schutten United States 4,305,000 54 5 Chongxian Yang China 3,695,000 46 6 Ognyan Dimov Bulgaria 3,635,000 45 7 Kevin Rabichow United States 3,575,000 45 8 Masashi Oya Japan 3,070,000 38 9 Tyler Stafman United States 2,265,000 28 10 Taylor von Kriegenbergh United States 1,230,000 15 Just four former bracelet winners remain, with Madanzhiev and Masashi Oya joined by two-time bracelet winners Ognyan Dimov and last-in-chips Justin Saliba. Day 2 Action There were plenty of ins and outs over the first hour of the day, with late registration open until the end of the first level. The likes of Shaun Deeb, Scott Seiver and Cary Katz all joined the action, while Daniel Negreanu busted and reentered during the opening hour. The late flurry finally drew to a close, with the final field confirmed as 272 players, 41 of which would cash. Several players were making moves up the counts, but Wilson still held firm with over three million chips. As the bubble approached, the big eliminations kept on coming. Both Negreanu and Phil Ivey hit the rail, just like they had done the day before, before Dylan Destefano bubbled in cruel fashion. Dylan DeStefano On the stone bubble, he got pocket jacks in against the pocket fours of Chongxian Yang, only for a four to appear in the window to give his opponent a set and eliminate DeStefano. Among the notables to cash in this event were Nick Petrangelo (39th - $50,936), Chance Kornuth (38th - $50,936), Ethan Yau (27th - $53,483) and Erik Seidel (23rd - $64,249). As the three table redraw approached, it was Brek Schutten who had picked up the chip lead, but the cruelty of poker continued to be on full display. Paul Jager was three-outed twice in quick succession by the same card no less to bust in 19th before the elimination of Alex Foxen saw Stoyan Madanzhiev soar into the lead. Foxen six-bet shoved ace-five offsuit into the Bulgarian, only to come off second-best against Big Slick and bust in 18th place. Alex Foxen This confrontation saw Madanzhiev move comfortably into the lead but there were plenty waiting in the wings with less than two levels to go in the day. Brek Schutten notched two eliminations in that period, with Michael Rocco also making a late surge. However, it was Wilson who regained the chip lead he started with, rivering a flush to crack the pocket pair of Von Kriegenbergh just as players were bagging, and it will be Wilson who leads the final twelve into Day 3. The High Roller resumes at 12 p.m. local time on Saturday, June 8, and will play down to a winner. Follow along with all the action from the 2024 WSOP with PokerNews. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg told House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) that he is willing to cooperate but only after Trump has been sentenced and the appeals process is underway. Jordan demanded that Alvin Bragg testify before Congress next week, and here is Braggs response: Manhattan DA Braggs office responds to Rep. Jordans demand he testify before Congress next week. Bragg says hes willing to cooperate but has scheduling conflicts. pic.twitter.com/m04dXqAwsl Luke Broadwater (@lukebroadwater) June 7, 2024 Braggs response can be summarized as he believes in transparency, is open to cooperating with the committee, but there is zero chance that the DA is going to say anything about Trumps case before the ex-president is sentenced and the appeals process is rolling. Bragg knew what Jim Jordan was trying to do. Chairman Jordan was obviously attempting to meddle in the Trump case to influence the ex-presidents sentencing. DA Bragg wasnt about to play that game and is fully aware that Jordan has no oversight authority or power over Bragg All Jordan can do is request that Bragg appear to testify. If Jim Jordan tried to compel Bragg to testify in any way, the Ohio Republican would lose in court. Alvin Bragg can tell Jim Jordan to go pound sand, or he can nicely suggest that he will get to Jordan when he has time, and there is absolutely nothing that Jordan can do about it except go on Fox News and Newsmax and complain. Jordans latest attempt at helping Trump has gone nowhere. 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] Scientists are warning residents of New York and neighboring states that giant Joro spiders, known for their yellow-gray color, may appear on the East Coast this summer. According to the University of Georgia's Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, the spiders are native to East Asia and were first spotted in Georgia in 2014. ADVERTISIMENT A significant reason for the spread of the Joro spider is its ability to fly. It releases webs that catch wind currents, which allows the spider to make imprecise wind-driven flight, nbcnewyork reports. But, according to a recent study by Clemson University, these spiders are not overly venomous and pose a threat only to other insects. That is, this species is relatively harmless to humans and pets. Still, their appearance and size are terrifying. ADVERTISIMENT Joro spiders have a body length of about 2.5 cm, but their legs can be up to 10 cm long, meaning they can reach the size of a human palm. Females are larger and brightly colored, while males are brown and smaller. According to a study by the University of Georgia, these spiders will only bite if they are cornered. However, their fangs are not likely to be large enough to pierce human skin. That is, the bite of this spider can be compared to the bite of a bee. In addition, according to the researchers, these spiders are not in a hurry to weave their webs inside houses. They do it on the exteriors of buildings. If there is a need to move the Joro spider, researchers advise using a broom or stick to transfer it to another place. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! On Friday, Judge Merchan sent a letter to all parties about a social media post claiming that a juror leaked a told a cousin Trump would be convicted. More evidence has surfaced that makes the post look like a hoax. Judge Merchan sent a letter to all parties in the case after the New York Court System Facebook page flagged a post that stated: My cousin is a juror and says Trump is getting convicted, the user wrote in a week-old comment, according to the judge. Thank you folks for all your hard work!!!! This post caused some uproar among the social media legal eagles, but there was a problem. As people started digging, it became clear that the poster was an Internet troll. MSNBCs Katie Phang pointed out that the post was made ten days before the verdict, or nineish days before the jury ever got the case: Assuming this is the same Michael Anderson, I dont think that the post is real. It also looks like it was made on May 20th. Trumps verdict didnt come in until ten days later on May 30th. Plus, the posters FB profile says: a professional shit poster. pic.twitter.com/YmnVbl6omM Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) June 7, 2024 This nonsense will no doubt be used by Donald Trump to claim that the trial was rigged, which was probably the posters point. Instead of riots in the streets or anything else that Trump has been promising, we have Internet trolls trying to discredit the trial. It is understandable that Judge Merchan would want to be careful given the historic nature of the case and the appeals process that is certain to follow, but shouldnt somebody have done some research and asked some questions before the judge notified all parties? This sort of thing happens on social media every minute of every hour of every day. Giving attention to hoaxes will only cause more problems, but before Trump can even say it, it appears that the post about the juror was not real. 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] New life has been breathed into a vacant half-century old building in Charleston's North Central neighborhood. Once a pharmacy, the site has been preserved on the outside, but transformed on the inside into a modern multi-use building with a coffee shop, retail, small business offices and more. Built in 1942, The Botzis building is located at the corner of 37 Cleveland Ave., on the corner of Rutledge Avenue and the Hampton Park gazebo. Outlines of the old Hampton Pharmacy sign can still be seen along the brick siding, which the owner maintained in addition to the original custom octagon-shaped windows and iron bars shaped like the Caduceus the medical logo with two snakes and a rod. RRRAY LLC purchased the building for $1.2 million in 2020. Previously, the property had been under ownership by the same entity since 1993, when it was purchased for $115,000. The building during those 30 years featured first-floor retail and three apartments on the second floor, but new owners of RRRAY LLC have since gutted the interior to carve out seven offices upstairs along with a kitchen and five retail spaces below. Each slot is fully leased out without any official advertising. Its crazy how word of mouth travels, said Liz Connelly, neighborhood resident and owner of Nette., a new first floor retailer. Everybody wanted to be in this space and its really exciting for the neighborhood bringing more retail in. Connelly passes by the building almost daily and knew it would be ideal not only for her business, but for local residents as well. She said she persisted until the owners took her call. For North Central residents who dont want to deal with King Streets congestion and lack of parking, this revitalization has brought those attractions to them, Connellly added. One of the most challenging aspects of preserving a run-down historic building isn't figuring out what needs replacing and what only needs repairing. It isn't pulling the permits or getting the needed approvals and design review. It's not even finding the necessary money, even thought the am Read moreEditorial: Sometimes, preservation requires finding a very creative new use You are here: Arts Officiating guests unveil the first Chinese Culture Festival in south China's Hong Kong, June 7, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] The inaugural Chinese Culture Festival opened on Friday in Hong Kong, with dance drama "Five Stars Rising in the East" presented by the Beijing Dance Drama and Opera kicking start various cultural events slated through September. "Culture is the source of national cohesion and creativity," said Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive (HKSAR) John Lee in a video speech addressing the opening ceremony. The HKSAR government will capitalize on its role as an important bridge for cultural exchanges between the East and the West, thereby continuously strengthening the global impact and influence of Chinese culture, he said. Actors perform the dance drama "Five Stars Rising in the East" at the opening ceremony of the first Chinese Culture Festival in south China's Hong Kong, June 7, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] The opening dance drama captivated the audience on Friday with an artistic interpretation of stories behind a piece of a Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-220 A.D.) brocade armguard discovered at the Niya Ruins in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which the ancient Silk Road went across. The festival also features Chinese opera shows and exemplary local arts projects, according to the HKSAR government. Even those who skipped history classes and don't like documentaries have heard of King Henry VIII of England. The monarch, who is associated with the hero of the French fairy tale Bluebeard, lived in the 16th century and had six wives, which was unacceptable in those days. Moreover, he divorced two of them, which was also forbidden by the church, which had absolute power. ADVERTISIMENT The king also sent two of his queens to the scaffold, who were executed on false charges. His life is regularly depicted in movies and TV series. OBOZ.UA has collected the best films about the Tudor era. The Queen's Gambit, 2024 The most anticipated historical project of recent years, one of the winners of the last Cannes Film Festival from innovative director Karim Ainuz, reveals the previously little-known truth about Catherine Parr, the last wife of the tyrant king Henry VIII, who demonstrated incredible survival skills at court. The role of the queen is played by Oscar winner Alicia Vikander, who has received the best reviews for this role in recent years. But the main star of the film is the sex symbol of many generations, Jude Law. He played his most daring role a dying paranoid king. ADVERTISIMENT What is the movie about? Tudor England is an era of blood and intrigue. Queen Catherine Parr remains the regent of England and mentor of the future Queen Elizabeth until the ever-suspicious king returns from the war. He persecutes radical Protestants, one of whom is secretly his wife. When her childhood friend is burned at the stake, Catherine finds herself in danger. To survive, she must play a dangerous game where her own life is at stake. Another of the Boleyns, 2008 This movie is a real benefit for Oscar winner Natalie Portman, who is accompanied by another superstar and sex symbol Scarlett Johansson. Together, the beauties fight for the heart of Henry VIII, played by the incredible Eric Bana. ADVERTISIMENT Although the movie has some discrepancies with historical events, it is perfect from a visual and dramatic point of view. What is the movie about? King Henry is faced with a difficult choice because both sisters are beautiful and have already been in his arms. But which choice will be the right one, and which of the Boleyn family is destined to become a true queen? Along with the problem of choice, the king faces another one: his wife cannot give him an heir. But one of the sisters won't admit to her terrible secret she can't become a mother either. The Tudors, 2007-2010 The luxurious costume drama told the audience about the reign of Henry VIII and his path from an ideal Renaissance monarch to a real monster in a simple and spectacular manner. Young and sexy superstars are the show's main attraction: Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Henry Kivell and Natalie Dormer. The series has set a trend for historical projects that tell the story of events known from textbooks but in a new format bold, uninhibited, and dynamic. ADVERTISIMENT What is the show about? While an ambitious ruler desperately needs to have an heir, Anne Boleyn appears in his life and becomes the king's obsession. In love with Anne, the king begins to look for ways to dissolve his marriage to his wife Catherine and turns to Wolsey for help. Against the backdrop of troubles in King Henry's personal life, political intrigues and insidious plots unfold around powerful members of the royal court. Wolf Hall, 2015 The show is based on the novel of the same name by Hilary Mantel. It received favorable reviews from the press, critics, and mass audiences, which is a rare occurrence. The show received three Emmy nominations and even won a Golden Globe for Best Miniseries. ADVERTISIMENT What is the series about? Wolf Hall is set in England back in 1529. The country is facing a civil war that could destroy the state, as Henry VIII has decided to divorce his wife. The king has no heirs, so if he dies, England will face a catastrophe. The Pope and European monarchs are trying to prevent the divorce, which will lead to sad consequences. Anne Boleyn, 2021 The scandalous series about the events at the court of Henry VIII has set netizens and leading critics at odds. The fact is that the main character, Queen Anne Boleyn, was played by a black actress, Jodie Turner-Smith. Many people did not accept this historical discrepancy, and the show's creators and supporters responded to critics that they wanted to tell a story related to personalities, excluding the issue of race. ADVERTISIMENT After the project's release, its ratings plummeted to zero, but the specialized press was supportive of the show and its main actress, noting that they created a realistic picture of Anne Boleyn's life and reign and highlighted previously unknown aspects of her life. What is the series about? The show begins with the phrase "Based on truth... and lies". The classic story of the second wife of English King Henry VIII Tudor is shown through the prism of her view of the position of women in high society in the 16th century, and the black Anne Boleyn appears as a medieval feminist and fighter against the patriarchal society of the Tudor era. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-08 01:15:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 333 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 7, 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. www.schallfirm.com Office: 310-301-3335 info@ schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-08 01:35:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 467 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The world-renowned plastic surgeon serves the upscale tables of American Bar with her aesthetic expertise.NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 7, 2024 / Dr. Devgan Scientific Beauty, in partnership with American Bar, is pleased to announce the cheeky and collagen-infused cocktail, Dr. Devgan's Dorian Gray. Named for Oscar Wilde's complicated protagonist who stays young and beautiful while his portrait ages, Dr. Devgan's Dorian Gray is a nod to how the zeitgeist is approaching modern beauty: with moderation.Dr. Devgan's Dorian Gray now available at American Bar Tabletop at American Bar in Greenwich Village, with Dr. Devgan's Collagen Booster HeartsExclusive to the iconic Greenwich Village restaurant American Bar best known for its hamburgers and fries, Dr. Devgan's Dorian Gray references both her renowned plastic surgery practice and her skincare line. Stimulating a youthful glow without selling the soul, Dr. Devgan and American Bar are fusing fruity notes with a garnish of Dr. Devgan's proprietary collagen nutraceutical, Collagen Booster Hearts.Collagen Booster Hearts are made with a unique plant-based formulation of collagen, D-biotin, and calcium. After age 20, the body's collagen production slows down and with it, the skin's elasticity, hydration, and turgor. These heart-shaped gummy vitamins can help promote the body's collagen and hyaluronic acid production, thereby supporting healthy radiant skin.Scientific Beauty's Collagen Booster Hearts are available at major retailers, including Nordstrom, Revolve, Saks, Net-a-Porter, Moda Operandi, Equinox Health Clubs and Hotels, and at Dr. Devgan's flagship location on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The Hearts are vegan, nut-free, kosher friendly, halal friendly, and made in the United States.Dr. Devgan's Dorian Gray is available exclusively at American Bar in Greenwich Village at 33 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014.About Dr. Devgan Scientific BeautySeeking the pinnacle of scientific advancement in skincare, celebrated plastic surgeon Dr. Lara Devgan presents her meticulously curated line, acclaimed by Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, The New York Times, Forbes, and more: Dr. Devgan Scientific Beauty. Fusing luxury with scientifically proven ingredients, Dr. Devgan's award-winning formulations promise tangible results, earning the trust of medical professionals, editors, and users alike. Drawing upon her expertise, Scientific Beauty endeavors to seamlessly integrate surgical values and aesthetic expertise with a skincare line, offering users access to clinically validated ingredients. It's clean, medical-grade beauty.About American BarAmerican Bar is an homage to the country's culinary classics, offering timeless Continental cuisine to a room with the sensibility, design, and community of an old-world European club, featuring a brass-rail cocktail lounge, terrazzo bar, sunshine yellow dining room, and curtained-off private dining area. American Bar draws on travels to private members' clubs like Mark's and Harry's Bar in London and Stateside institutions including Chasen's, Mortimer's, and Swifty's to create a restaurant that exudes clubbiness without exclusivity.Contact InformationDaniel HuskeyPresspress@ laradevganmd.com 2124522400SOURCE: Dr. Devgan Scientific BeautyView the original press release on newswire.com The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International (MFM) has denied being behind the unjust nine-year jail term of its former members Femi Jimoh and Caleb Oloruntele. Mr Jimoh, an MFM ex-pastor, alleged during a Yoruba Gidi TV interview on 24 May that the churchs (MFM) founder, Daniel Olukoya, imprisoned him for almost a decade without trial on charges of armed robbery. Mr Jimoh alleged that the church fabricated charges (murder, conspiracy, armed robbery and felony) against him after he met Pastor Olukoyas chief security officer, Michael Gbadamosi, at a traditional healers residence in Osogbo, Osun State. Mr Jimoh said he was surprised to see Mr Gbadamosi at the healing home (native doctor) and didnt know the purpose of his (Mr Gbadamosis) visit. He further alleged that his familys pleas to Mr Olukoya for his release were met with the condition of pleading guilty in court. Furthermore, he alleged that MFMs members are unforgiving and mean. He claimed that a DPO (name undisclosed) shot him in the leg while he was being tortured. Additionally, Mr Oloruntele, a former usher at the church, during his interview on Yoruba Gidi TV, alleged that Pastor Olukoya ordered the police to shoot him for refusing to testify against a pastor he identified as Femi Agboola. 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 Oloruntele claimed that he was prosecuted in 2008 without any substantial evidence supporting the allegations (murder and stealing) against him. MFMs response Reacting to these allegations via a statement sent to Premium Times, MFMs Chief Legal Adviser, Davidson Adejuwon, said the allegations were false, mischievous, misleading, and cruel. Mr Adejuwon said the false statements made by Mr Jimoh and Mr Oloruntele have created misconceptions among the public. The lawyer clarified that the claim that the church and its General Overseer jailed Mr Oloruntele and Mr Jimoh for nine years despite pleas was false. Mr Adejuwon disclosed that the courts judgment on the criminal trial stated that they (duo) were granted bail but failed to meet the bail conditions. He said, Clearly, all that was expected of Mr Jimoh, his mother and relatives, as well as Caleb and his relatives, was to get credible sureties to meet the bail condition, which does not include payment of any sum as being misunderstood by the majority of people who are not lawyers. Is it not curious to push a narrative that Dr Olukoya, the General Overseer, locked them up when all members of their family refused to get the two individuals nine years to stand as their sureties for them to be released? MFM is a responsible church that seriously takes all its members welfare, safety, and security. As such, a case of planned armed attack on credible intelligence against the church, which could have led to the death of any member, cannot be treated and handled internally by the church. We must report such issues to the law enforcement agency saddled with investigating and dealing with them. And that was exactly what we did as a responsible church. According to the churchs lawyer, what transpired at the police station and during the trial was beyond the churchs control. He noted that, as a criminal matter, it was a case between the state and the defendants. Backstory Mr Adejuwon stated that while Mr Jimoh was working with the ministry, he committed several offences at every branch where he was posted. He said Mr Jimoh was redeployed back to the headquarters for internal discipline, hoping he would change, but he never did. He added that Mr Jimohs false allegations had generated mixed reactions among Nigerians and tarnished the churchs image. According to him, the ex-pastor, along with Mr Oloruntele, planned to rob the church and steal the First Fruit Offering. The MFM Church and its General Overseer, Dr Daniel Olukoya, did not jail Mr Femi Jimoh, Caleb Oloruntele, or any other person for nine years or any period. What purpose will it serve, or what does the church stand to gain by framing up two of its ministers? It is absurd to imagine that a church as big as MFM will go so low to frame up two of its pastors just because of a claim (which is false) that a Chief Security Officer (CSP) of the church was seen in a herbalist house. MFM Church and its General Overseer, Dr. Olukoya, remains committed to the welfare as well as spiritual and physical wellbeing and development of its members and humanity at large. Corroborating the churchs story, three men whom Jimoh approached to join him in the robbery attack narrated how they discreetly recorded their conversations with him and how they were able to save the church from the deadly attack. Mr Adejuwon noted that the three men, Akeem Momodu, aka Omojomolo, Adebayo Fatai, aka Aboki, and Tajudeen Oseni, known as Orji, whom Mr Jimoh believed were his accomplices, said they were merely playing along to expose his evil plan. Mr Adejuwon said Mr Gbadamosi, whom the ex-pastor claimed he met at a native doctors place, said he has never been to Ogbomoso town, let alone visited an herbalist there. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Four Israeli hostages held by Hamas have been freed during a high-risk complex mission conducted by Israeli Special Forces deep inside Gaza. Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40 were rescued on Saturday in a precise intelligence daylight raid on two separate buildings in Gaza, Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for Israeli Defense Force (IDF) said in a video posted on IDF official Xhandle. The hostages were rescued after 246 days in Hamas captivity. They were kidnapped at the venue of a music festival on 7 October 2023, Mr Hagari said. They are back home in Israel, they are alive, and they are well. They will undergo a medical examination and will soon be reunited with their families at the hospital. Mr Hagari, who said the mission was based on precise intelligence attributed its success to weeks of preparation and intensive training the Israeli Special Forces underwent. They risked their lives to save the lives of our hostages, this is what we do in Israel. While we are happy that our four hostages are home, we will not lose sight that 120 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza men, women, children. 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 When we say that we will do everything to bring our hostages back home, we mean it. We would not stop fighting for their freedom. Any other decent country in the world would do the same, Mr Hagari, a Rear admiral, said. Mr Hagari said none of the special forces members was hurt but did not give figures on the casualty recorded by the Palestinians in Gaza. BBC reported that dozens of people have been killed and others injured in the area where the IDF conducted the operation with images and footage indicating significant numbers of Palestinian casualties. Staff at the Al-Aqsa hospital are struggling to attend to casualties, according to the BBC. 120 hostages still in Hamas captivity Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu commended the Israeli forces for conducting the operation creatively and bravely. We will not let up until we complete the mission and return home all the hostages both those alive and dead, the prime minister said. The hostages families described the rescue of four of their relatives as a miraculous triumph and commended the IDF for the heroic operation The families reminded the Israeli government of its commitment to bring back all the 120 hostages held by Hamas the living for rehabilitation and the slain for burial. In his reaction to the operation, Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh said Israel could not force its choice on them, adding that it would not agree to a ceasefire deal unless it achieved security for Palestinians, according to BBC. About 1200 Israeli were killed with 251 taken hostage on 7 October last year when Hamas attacked the Nova music festival in Southern Israel. On Saturday, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said the death toll of Palestinians is at 36, 801, including children. Both sides Israel and Hamas last November agreed on a deal that saw the release of 105 Israeli hostages and 240 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Fatima Waziri-Azi, said many orphanages around the country are currently under investigation. She made this known while responding to questions during a One-Day Community Dialogue and Advocacy on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), organised by the agency for stakeholders in Gwagwalada communities of FCT on Thursday. She said some orphanages commit a lot of infractions that can be categorised as human trafficking. We are investigating a lot of orphanages around the country, NAPTIP is currently prosecuting some of these orphanages. The agency is witnessing a lot with these orphanages. No orphanage has the right to conclude adoption of children. NAPTIP comes in when there is an element of human trafficking, she said. The NAPTIP boss, therefore, warned orphanages to be careful on their mode of operations, as well as cautioned Nigerians to be careful with adoption of babies from such homes. 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 called on Nigerians to follow due process in adoption of babies. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On the night of June 8, Russian troops launched another combined attack on Ukraine with the use of both missiles and drones. Some of the enemy Shahed drones were shot down by air defense forces over the Dnipro region. ADVERTISIMENT The downed enemy UAV are painted black: the invaders are trying to make them less visible and make it harder to destroy the drones at night. Mykola Lukashuk, the head of the Dnipro Regional Council, provided details. He published the wreckage of one of the Shahed drones shot down over the Dnipro region. "This is one of the enemy's drones that flew to attack our cities at night. Imagine how difficult it is to visually detect a black drone at night. The Russians paint the drones black to complicate the work of our air defense forces, mobile fire groups," Lukashuk said. He added that despite all the enemy's tricks, air defense forces continue to defend the Ukrainian sky and peaceful towns and villages. ADVERTISIMENT "Our defenders are working to the max. Each destroyed Russian drone means dozens of lives saved. Each intercepted drone is proof that our soldiers are invincible. I thank them for their protection," Lukashuk emphasized. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! A total of N1.9 trillion (N1, 959, 011,334,397) was illegally taken away from the treasury of the Abia State Government under the administration of the immediate past governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, a forensic audit report has revealed. KPMG International Nigeria Limited, an auditing firm compiled the report, released last month. The administration of the incumbent Governor of the south-eastern state, Alex Otti, contracted the firm to carry out the audit of the state governments finances between 29 May 2015 and 28 May 2023. It covered the period Mr Ikpeazu served as governor of the state, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. Mr Otti was elected Abia governor on 22 March 2023 under the Labour Party ticket. He took office on 29 May of the same year. Methodology The 359-page forensic audit report, titled Final Report: Provision of Process Review Services to Abia State Government, was obtained by PREMIUM TIMES a few days after its release. This newspaper summed all funds allegedly earmarked for projects or taken from the state governments accounts without due process within the period under the review as indicated in the report. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The report showed that, of the 35 licenced banks in Nigeria, the Abia state government maintained 78 bank accounts in 14 commercial banks in the country within the same period with a net credit balance of N3,495, 207, 127.14 as of 28 May 2023. Some of the funds taken or used without due process included contract funds allocated to non-existent projects, loans released without stated purpose, legally released, but non-utilised credit facilities, un-remitted Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) due to the state and illegal deductions from the IGR. Others included payments made before approval, funds allocated to awarded contracts without records of competitive bids and funds allocated or withdrawn without supporting documents and payment vouchers as well as payment instruction. Among the figures tallied by PREMIUM TIMES were funds allocated to projects with alleged non-compliance to contractors selection process and withdrawals from the state governments bank accounts, with payment mandates signed by only signatory in at least 132 instances. The report said the alleged illegal activities violated various sections of the state laws and governments mandates, including the Abia State Public Procurement Law 2012 and the Abia State Financial Regulations (as amended in 2001). This N1.9 trillion allegedly taken or allocated without due process does not include values of assets and properties of the state government such as lands, which, according to the report, were allocated to various individuals illegally. More findings about Abia money The report said the Abia State Government awarded a total of 560 contracts to 231 contractors during the period under review with a cumulative contract value of N294.8 billion, although there was insufficient information on the values of 40 of the contracts. The report further revealed that N10 billion of the funds were paid to Ferotex on 25 September 2020 for the Construction of Abia State Airport, which was not constructed. Meanwhile, before the release of the audit report, Governor Otti and his predecessor, Mr Ikpeazu, were engaged in war of words over the governors allegation that his predecessor diverted the N10 billion which was earmarked for the construction of the airport in the state. Mr Otti said he obtained the information from the forensic audit report. Ikpeazus reaction Mr Ikpeazu, in his first response, through his former commissioner for information, John Kalu, denied the allegation, explaining that the N10 billion originally budgeted for the airport project was re-channeled into other projects following the approval of the then State Executive Council. The former Abia governor, in another response via a video clip forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES, said, just like his former commissioner, that the funds were rechanneled into road projects in the state after the airport project was suspended. Today, when people talk about money for the airport (project), I think they are questioning my decision to change my mind and I have right at that time as governor to say, I dont want this airport now, Mr Ikpeazu said. He explained that he decided to re-channel the funds for construction of the airport into road projects because there were no good roads that air passengers landing in the state would have used. I am happy that today, I finished Eziukwu Road from that (airport) fund. I finished Faulks Road from that fund. Ngwa Road is okay, Osusu Road is okay. So today, you can connect Ariaria (Market) through Osusu Road to Eziukwu Market and connect Eziukwu Market to Ngwa Road Market. So, I succeeded in interconnecting all the markets courtesy of that fund which we were supposed to deploy for the airport and (I) thank God we took that decision because if we had gone ahead with that, N10 billion wouldnt have done an airport. So, I assure you no dime of that money was diverted, he said. The former governor said, contrary to his successors claim, the funds were paid to over 20 contractors for the various projects, not 32 companies. He said his administration had published details of how the funds were transferred to the contractors, stressing that he expected the new administration to follow trail of the transactions to be sure if the funds were diverted. If they follow the trail of that N10 billionIt will be clear that Faulks Road was done by my government from that fund, Eziukwu Road was done, Ejike Lane was done, Milverton was done, Afor Ibeji in Ubakala was done. Reaction PREMIUM TIMES contacted Mr Ikpeazus former commissioner for information, Mr Kalu, to respond to some findings in the audit report such as the alleged allocation of funds to non-existent projects, unauthorised payments, withdrawals and credit facilities not utilised for what they were meant for. Mr Kalu stressed that, contrary to claims by Mr Otti, what was carried out by the KPMG was financial process review only, not a forensic audit report. He said that the document also contains caveats, including the fact that there were documents they could not access at the time of the review. The former commissioner said some claims in the report, such as the alleged award of contract without approval, raise questions. What KPMG did in that review was simply to lift off all documents they found wherever without checking to do the forensic side which simply involves following the money trail. A proper forensic audit will follow the money trail to the last person who got any dime, he said. If a contract was awarded without approval, as claimed, you also need to find out if the same contract was funded. Where there is funding, then you are wasting readers time with an attempt at witch-hunting, Mr Kalu added. What we will do with our findings Abia Govt. Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information in Abia State, Okey Kanu, told PREMIUM TIMES that the state government has handed over a copy of the report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a possible prosecution. From all indications, some of the persons who were mentioned in that report have been invited for questioning. So, it is after further investigations or questioning by the anti-graft agency (to determine) if these persons are actually found guilty of any form of financial malfeasance, then they will be prosecuted by the EFCC, Mr Kanu said. The information commissioner said the EFCC commended Governor Otti for ordering the conduct of the audit and that the report has made their (EFCC) job easier. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Gunmen have shot dead an aspirant for the position of local government chairperson in Enugu State, South-east Nigeria. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the victim, Ejike Ugwueze, was killed on Friday night. Mr Ugwueze is an aspirant for the position of chairperson of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of the state. He was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, which is the ruling party in the Enugu State. The local council election is billed to be held in October in the South-eastern state Sources told PREMIUM TIMES Mr Ugwueze was shot dead while driving along Neke Odenigbo, a community in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state. The attackers were said to have blocked the politicians vehicle and shot him multiple times before fleeing the scene. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later A video clip, apparently recorded shortly after the incident, has been circulating on various WhatsApp groups. In the clip, Mr Ugwueze was seen lying lifeless in his Lexus SUV which has bullet holes on it. The vehicles doors were left open, the video showed. Residents said police operatives visited the scene and locked the vehicle. One of the residents, who asked not to be named, said the family believes what happened was a political assassination. He is among the major contestants for the Isi-Uzo Local Government election, the resident said. Mr Ugwueze is a brother to Chijioke Ukwueze, who died in June 2020 while serving as a member of the State Assembly. The late lawmakers wife, Amaka Ugwueze, would later be elected to replace her husband in the House. Police speak When contacted on Saturday afternoon, the police spokesperson in Enugu State, Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES. Mr Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, said the police were investigating the attack. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Edo State Government has sympathised with the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the state, Olumide Akpata, over the removal of his campaign billboards. The Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Edo, Chris Nehikhare, said this in a statement on Friday in Benin. Mr Nehikhare said the government condemned any form of vandalism and urged all parties involved to address such issues through proper channels. We acknowledge the concerns raised by Mr Olumide Akpata regarding the removal of his campaign billboards. The Edo State Government condemns any form of vandalism and urges all parties involved to address such issues through proper channels. While we understand Mr Akpatas frustration, we encourage him to engage with the relevant agencies responsible for the management of signage, to settle any outstanding bills or disputes. Threats of violence or disobedience have no place in our democratic process, and all parties should conduct themselves with decorum and respect for the law. 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 It is essential that we focus on constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement, rather than resorting to tactics that may incite division or unrest, Mr Nehikhare said. He said that the government remained committed to upholding the rule of law and would address any disruptive behaviour, regardless of ones status or affiliation. The commissioner urged Mr Akpata to prioritise addressing the internal challenges within his party and work toward fostering unity and stability. He urged all to strive to promote a peaceful and inclusive electoral process, for the benefit of all citizens. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr Akpata had earlier at a press conference accused the Edo State Government of being responsible for the vandalised campaign billboards. The Edo governorship election will be held on 21 September. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court of Nigeria says it will commence issuance of electronic affidavits by 1 July. This is part of a new policy contained in the Practice Direction issued by the Chief Judge, John Tsoho, a statement from the court said on Friday. The statement signed by the courts Chief Registrar, Sulaiman Hassan, said Mr Tsoho issued the practice directions in exercise of his powers as conferred by Orders 57 and 58 of the Federal High Court(Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and all other powers enabling him in that respect. Objectives Giving insights into the purposes of the policy, the Chief Registrar explained that it would ensure efficient, transparent and prompt issuance of E-Affidavits in compliance with global best practices. He added that the policy would protect the interests of litigants and other users who desire the use of E-Affidavit. Implementation The statement explained that all E-Affidavits shall emanate from designated e-filing units of the court. 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 It added that the E-Affidavit shall be in an electronic format with such specialised features as approved by the court. Court users desirous of the E-Affidavit are required to make an online application for the document on the Federal High Court official website. To ensure an efficient implementation of the policy, the Chief Judge will set up a task force, the statement said. The court clarified that the E-Affidavit shall not be a replacement for the manually sworn affidavit. The aim of these Practice Directions is to ensure data protection in a user-friendly automated system of deposing to E-Affidavits, the court said. Read the full statement below: PRESS RELEASE *FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA ISSUES PRACTICE DIRECTIONS ON USE OF E-AFFIDAVIT* The Federal High Court of Nigeria wishes to notify the general public of its Practice Directions on the newly introduced Electronic Affidavit (E-Affidavit). The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, the Honorable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, OFR, KSS, FCIArb.(UK), in exercise of his powers as conferred by Orders 57 and 58 of the Federal High Court(Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and all other powers enabling him in that respect, has made the following Practice Directions: ORDER I APPLICABILITY 1. These Practice Directions shall, save to the extent as maybe otherwise directed by The Honorable, The Chief Judge, apply to E- Affidavits issuing from the Federal High Court of Nigeria. 2. ORDER II OBJECTIVES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES 1. Whereas E-Affidavits issued by the Federal High Court are accepted globally and internationally, the purpose of this Practice Directions is to carry into effect for various purposes, the new E-Affidavit regime to be adopted by the Court particularly in; a. Ensuring efficient, transparent and prompt issuance of E-Affidavits in compliance with global best practices. b. Protecting the interests of litigants and other users who desire the use of E-Affidavit. c. Regulating standard of issuance of E-Affidavit upon payment of prescribed fees. ORDER III IMPLEMENTATION OF E-AFFIDAVIT REGIME 1. Without prejudice to the provisions of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 and the Oaths Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010; all E-Affidavits of the Federal High Court shall emanate from the designated E-filling Unit of the Court. 2. The E-Affidavit shall be in an electronic format with such specialized features as approved by the Court. 3. The application shall be made online from the official website of the Court. 4. The E-Affidavit software would be implemented by the E-filling Unit under the supervision of the Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation). 5. For the purpose of swearing to an E-Affidavit under this provision, a deponent to the E-Affidavit shall upload his application electronically through a platform approved by the Chief Judge. 6. A task force shall be set up under the hand of the Chief Judge to give effect to this innovation. 7. The cost of each E-Affidavit shall be as approved and/or reviewed by the Chief Judge from time to time. 8. The Honorable, the Chief Judge may review this Practice Directions and/or issue further directives upon any prevailing circumstance. ORDER IV CITATION These Practice Directions shall be cited as the Federal High Court (Practice Direction on E-Affidavit), 2024 COMMENCEMENT These Practice Directions shall take effect from the 1st day of July, 2024. EXPLANATORY NOTE 1. The E-Affidavit shall not be a replacement for the manually sworn affidavit. 2. The aim of these Practice Directions is to ensure data protection in a user-friendly automated system of deposing to E-Affidavits. Signed *SULAIMAN AMIDA HASSAN, ESQ. CHIEF REGISTRAR FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Rivers State Government has approved N19.6 billion for the reconstruction of the State House of Assembly Complex demolished six months ago. The approval was given at the State Executive Council meeting presided by Governor Siminalayi Fubara at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday, the governors spokesperson, Chukwudi Nelson, said in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES. The complex was demolished about two months after a section was bombed following an impeachment attempt on Governor Fubara by Wike-backed lawmakers. Hours after its demolition, Mr Fubara presented the N800 billion 2024 budget proposal to a four-member assembly loyal to him. How Government justified demolition The state government had attributed the demolition of the complex to structural defects arising from explosion and fire outbreak. Joseph Johnson, the state commissioner for information said the incident rendered the building unfit for human use, adding that there were visible cracks on the walls and the entire structure looked frail and unsafe for legislative business. Mr Johnson said that professional advice was sought on the integrity of the building, after Governor Fubara inspection visit to determine the level of damage. 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 After the assessment of the integrity of the complex, experts warned the government that continuing to use the building in its present state would be disastrous. The government had tried all cost-saving measures towards the repair of the complex until it bowed to the superior view of rebuilding the complex to a more befitting edifice, he said. Rivers assembly crisis Rivers State has been enmeshed in political crisis as a result of the battle over the control of political structure in the oil-rich state between Messrs Wike and Fubara. The assembly was attacked after lawmakers backed by Mr Wike initiated an impeachment against Governor Fubara. The crisis has battered the state legislature, splitting lawmakers into two factions - one with 27 members loyal to Mr Wike while the other, with just four members, is loyal to Governor Fubara. Both factions held parallel sittings at different occasions. While the four-member assembly loyal to Governor Fubara held their sitting at Government House, Mr Wike-backed lawmakers continued their sittings at a section of the assembly complex, apparently the reason it was demolished by the state government. Mr Johnson, after the demolition, said the state government has provided an alternative venue for the lawmakers at Government House pending the reconstruction of the complex. Contract for reconstruction At the State Executive Council meeting on Friday, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Projects, Roland Obed-Whyte told reporters that contract for the reconstruction of the assembly complex has been awarded to Monier Construction Company Nigeria Limited (MCC) at the cost of N19.6 billion with nine months completion duration. This Rivers State House of Assembly Building Complex is made up of about 34 ensuite offices, two storey building with elevator, gallery, meeting rooms and conference hall. It also includes the renovation and refurbishing of other existing structures within the House of Assembly Complex. It also includes the provision of ambulance and other external works. The state government also announced the award of contracts totaling N74.9 billion. Besides the reconstruction of the assembly complex, other contracts awarded include construction of Kalaibiama/Epellema Road, and completion of four zonal hospitals across the State. Also approved are the renovation of Bonny General Hospital, renovation and upgrade of Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Rumuigbo and construction of new General Hospital at Rumuigbo in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Doyin Okupe, a former director general of the Peter Obi 2023 Presidential Campaign Organisation, has said he now considers President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who he campaigned against during last years electioneering, to be the best presidential candidate. Mr Okupe appeared on Channels Television prime time programme, Politics Today, on Friday. He said with his performance as governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, Mr Tinubu was more competent to serve as Nigerias president compared with his rival presidential candidates, including Mr Obi. Let me tell you, of all the people that actually ran for president in 2023, you know by benefit of hindsight, Bola Tinubu is the best, said Mr Okupe, while fielding questions from the Channels TV anchor, Seun Okinbaloye. Im telling you, by benefit of hindsight, I have seen Peter Obi with Atiku AbubakarMany people are not aware (that) I knew Bola Tinubu so many years ago. We have interacted. Mr Okupe served as the director-general of the Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obis campaign organisation until he stepped down following his conviction for money laundering in December 2022. The Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Mr Okupe to jail for money laundering and criminal diversion of about N702 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) while he was serving as an aide to then President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012. The NSA office was then headed by Sambo Dasuki. 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 Okupe, however, avoided going to jail by paying the fine option offered by the court. The Ogun State-born medical doctor turned politician started distancing himself from Mr Obi and his Labour Party in the aftermath of last years presidential election won by Mr Tinubu. In January 2024, he defected from the Labour Party, citing ideological differences. Mr Okupe had served under the Peoples Democractic Party (PDP)-led administrations of then-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Jonathan as a presidential spokesperson. Support for Tinubu The 72-year-old said on Friday that he had not seen Mr Tinubu in the last seven to eight years, but in terms of capacity, capability, and you know commitment and knowledge, he was more suitable as a presidential candidate. He spoke glowingly of Mr Tinubu, citing his credentials that were already in existence before the 2023 presidential election. Yet he chose to support Mr Obi, a rival candidate,in the election. You know people keep underestimating what he did in Lagos, what he did in Lagos was a wonderful job. I went and I met and I sat with him for three(3) hours and he took me through what they were doing and what they will do and I was impressed, I was heavily impressed, Mr Okupe said. The politician urged Nigerians to be patient with Mr Tinubu by giving him time to prove his capacity to govern, adding that one year was too small to pass a verdict on his administration. Stance on new minimum wage agitation Speaking on the agitation for new minimum wage by organised labour unions in the country, Mr Okupe said state governments should not be forced to pay more than they could afford. But he shied away from the persistent wasteful spending and lavish lifestyles of officials at the state and federal levels, despite the economic hardship in the country. He suggested that the federal government and state government could have two separate minimum wage templates, a position the labour unions are opposed to. This minimum wage cannot be across the board and it is not an affair of the NGF, Mr Okupe maintained on Friday. Reacting to the recently suspended strike embarked upon by the organised labour to agitate for new minimum wage, Mr Okupe said such an industrial action should be the last resort. Urging the government not to always wait till when there was a strike before taking action, he recommended that dialogue should be used as an instrument of negotiation between the government and labour unions. He also urged the government to prioritise the welfare of workers, emphasising that labour matters should be handled by those with conscience and patriotic spirit. But he also agreed with a statement made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, describing the shutting down of the national grid by the labour unions during the strike as a treasonable felony. Okupes political trajectory Mr Okupe has crisscrossed various political parties since Nigerias return to civilian rule in 1999. He started the Fourth Republic as a member of the PDP, serving as then-President Obasanjos special assistant on media and publicity. In 2002, he unsuccessfully ran for the partys Ogun State governorship ticket. In 2012, then-President Jonathan appointed him as his senior special assistant on public affairs. It was when he was serving in this capacity that he took the money that led to his trial and conviction for money laundering from the NSA office. In July 2017, he left the the PDP to join Accord Party. Barely a year after, Accord Party expelled him and he subsequently rejoined the PDP. On rejoining the PDP, he served as the media publicist for the presidential campaign of Bukola Saraki, who was seeking to pick the partys presidential ticket ahead of the 2019 presidential election. Mr Saraki ended up losing the ticket to former Nigerias Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who also ran unsuccessfully for president like Mr Obi in 2023. Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Mr Okupe joined the Labour Party, and stood in as its presidential candidates running mate until the substantive vice-presidential candidate was picked. He remained in Labour Party until January 2024, when he resigned his membership of the party. Reacting to his defection, the Labour Party said it was unsurprising for a traditional politician like him to move from one party to another, including the ones he previously abandoned. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Five people were feared trapped inside a collapsed three-storey building in Umumbi, a community in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigerias south-east. Residents told PREMIUM TIMES that the three-storey building collapsed on Friday. One of the residents, Onyeka Egbule, told this newspaper that the building was still under construction when it collapsed. Five people were working yesterday (Friday) when the building collapsed on them, Mr Egbule, whose apartment is located a few miles from the building, said. He, however, could not say if the workers had died. Another resident, simply identified as Jude, claimed three of the carpenters working on the buildings roof survived the collapse. But he could not explain the whereabouts of the survivors. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later This newspaper gathered that the owner of the building is based outside Nigeria, but had asked his siblings in Nigeria to supervise the project. There are speculations that the use of substandard building materials might have contributed to the collapse. But PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify the speculations. Investigation When contacted, the Commissioner for Information in Abia State, Okey Kalu, confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES. Mr Kanu said rescue efforts were carried out on Friday upon receipt of information about the incident. He said the Abia State Government mobilised trucks and other equipment during the rescue operation. The commissioner said, although he was yet to be fully briefed on the incident, some persons died in the collapse. READ ALSO: Eight rescued as search for survivors continues in Lagos building collapse We are investigating this collapse. The governor has ordered an investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the building collapse, he said. He hinted that some persons would have been arrested by now for their role in the collapse of the building. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The recent tragic incident in Aba, Abia State, where four soldiers were killed, has been strongly condemned by Pascal Atuma, a Nigerian filmmaker living in Canada. He also appreciated the immediate action taken by the state governor in response to the attack. Gunmen attacked and killed the soldiers at the Obikabia Junction in Aba, Abia State, as reported by PREMIUM TIMES on 30 May. President Bola Tinubu has promised to take decisive action against those responsible for the unrest in the region. Abia State Governor Alex Otti, during his visit to the families of the deceased soldiers, encouraged the remaining soldiers to stay alert and not let the loss of their comrades affect their morale. Mr Otti said on Friday also that N5 million has been added to the N25 million bounty he earlier placed on the killers of five soldiers. The security threats in Abia State and the South Eastern geopolitical zone of Nigeria have caused concern among many citizens, including well-known businessman and celebrity barman Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, who expressed his sorrow over the decrease in traditional activities in the region due to insecurity. Collective efforts The 52-year-old filmmaker, known for his strong stance on political matters, shared his thoughts on public officeholders and their performances in a statement on Friday. 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 socially conscious filmmaker also called on collective efforts to stem insecurity in the country, lamenting the breakdown of security initiatives in the southeast. Mr Atuma, whose breakout directorial debut, My American Nurse, premiered at the 2006 Pan African Film Festival in the United States, stressed the importance of empowering security personnel not only in the Southeast but also nationwide, particularly in the Northeast, where bandits and terrorists are highly active. In addition to lauding the Otti-led administration in Abia State, the filmmaker highlighted the need for collaboration between the residents and security forces. He noted: This collaboration would involve the community actively protecting and assisting the police and military by providing reliable information about the regions misfits and criminals causing havoc. Bounties are a great way to discourage them, but at the end of the day, they might even get used to it. The right thing is to tackle this menace from the roots so that it is contained. The filmmaker also called the citizens of Abia State to abide by the law and offer their utmost assistance to the military and police in safeguarding the state. Partisanship Mr Atuma, also the Chairperson/CEO of TABIC Records Ltd., a musical record label, encouraged the governor to remain steadfast and urged the people of Abia to support the governments efforts to maintain security and continue the states development. He said: Recently, I have restrained myself from speaking about public office holders or expressing my thoughts on their performances. You see, I have seen how partisanship has overtaken objectivity, more often than not, in these types of conversations enough to know that most times, they lead to nowhere. At the same time, I have also travelled the world a lot, enough to understand what good leadership and encouraging followership mean to society. We need to stay focused on building the state and, as John Maxwell said, Mr Governor should continue to show us the way in a manner that exemplifies quality leadership. Mr Atuma is a multi-award-winning actor, screenwriter, film producer, film director, and comedian who moved to the United States in 1995 after attending Government College Umuahia and the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has hailed the Supreme Court for overturning the conviction of a firm linked to him for fraud. The Federal High Court had in a case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2018 convicted the firm, Melrose General Services Limited, over an alleged N3.5 billion fraud. The Court of Appeal affirmed the judgement but the Supreme Court overturned it on Friday. In a statement issued by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Saturday, Mr Saraki said the judgement of the apex court vindicates his stance that the case was politically motivated and targeted at destroying his political career. The EFC had on 27 April, 2018, secured judgment for the final forfeiture of N1.4 billion which it claimed Melrose General Services Limited obtained from the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) through false claims. The firm was allegedly linked to Mr Saraki, who also served as the chairman of the NGF during his earlier role as governor of Kwara State. Dissatisfied with the verdict of Justice Cecilia Olatoregun, and the Court of Appeal which in May 2019, resolved the four contentious issues in favour of the EFCC, the firm headed to the Supreme Court. 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 Delivering judgment on Friday, the court panel led by Justice Akomaye Agim set aside the judgments of the lower courts. Reacting on his handle on the social media platform, X, Mr Saraki said the judgement has revealed the truth and affirmed his innocence. As much as this case was between the EFCC and Melrose General Services Limited, it was a proxy war, with Melrose serving as a mere pawn in a larger scheme to victimise and persecute me. It was always clear that this case was a thinly veiled attempt by the Buhari administration to weaponise the legal system for political gain. The allegations of Paris Club Fraud were nothing more than a smokescreen designed to weaken the institution of my office, undermine my political career, and tarnish my reputation through spurious accusations similar to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which also acquitted me of all charges. As I said in my first appearance at the CCT, this is a politically motivated case. The case was trumped up in the first instance because I emerged as the President of the Senate against the wishes of certain forces. The fact that this case was even brought to court, based on dubious evidence and procedural irregularities, is proof of the length that some people will go to manipulate the legal system for political gain. It was a disservice to the Nigerian people and a waste of our limited but valuable judicial resources, Mr Saraki said. I am profoundly grateful to the Almighty Allah, the ultimate arbiter of justice, for guiding the Supreme Court to this righteous verdict. I applaud the judiciary for their meticulous examination of the evidence and adherence to due process, which has ensured that justice prevailed. I also thank Melroses legal team for their tireless efforts in bringing this case to a just conclusion. Moving forward, we all have to canvas for fairness in the fight against corruption. We should see this verdict as an inspiration to champion the rule of law, promote democracy and its institutions, and tolerate divergent views, he stated. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Caroline Initiative, has empowered school girls with pads and educational materials in Lagos State. The group, in a statement published on Friday, noted that the event tagged: Pad a Girl, held at Dynamos College, was aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene and support academic development. According to the statement, the outreach saw a significant turnout of enthusiastic young girls, who benefited from the resources provided. The organisation noted that the outreach addresses the critical issue of menstrual hygiene management, which remains a significant barrier to education for many girls in Nigeria. Outreach objectives By providing sanitary pads, the organisation said its aims to reduce absenteeism and empower girls to attend school with confidence and dignity. Also, it distributed sanitary pads to each girl that could last for a specific time and educational materials like notebooks and pens were also given to aid their studies. In his remarks, the founder of the initiative, Quadri Adejumo, said education is a change driver, and that no girl deserves to miss school due to lack of proper menstrual hygiene products. 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 that is why we made this possible. Through this outreach, we are providing menstrual supplies and a safe environment where girls can thrive academically and personally, Mr Adejumo, a journalist, said. Mr Adejumo reiterated the organisations commitment to creating a world where every child can reach their full potential. This is not our first, and surely, wont be last. Weve enacted projects to improve the lives of children, and we are committed to doing more. Recently, we had a school outreach for primary school kids in Ibadan. And in months to come, well do many. Thanks to the ones supporting us, he said. The event featured interactive sessions where the health experts and volunteers shared vital information, addressing concerns and ensuring the girls understood how to manage their menstrual health effectively. According to the organisation, its objectives are to provide sanitary pads, to reduce school absenteeism, and to empower girls to attend school with confidence and dignity. Menstrual hygiene The National Library of Medicine defines menstrual hygiene as the practice of managing menstruation in a hygienic and safe way, using materials that are culturally and socially acceptable, and having access to facilities and services that enable women and girls to change and dispose of their menstrual materials safely and with dignity. Menstrual hygiene management includes: using clean and absorbent materials to absorb menstrual blood, changing materials regularly, washing hands with soap and water after changing materials, and having access to private and safe facilities for changing and disposal. About Caroline Initiative Caroline Initiative is a charity hub focused on empowering children, with the mission to create a world where every child can reach their full potential. The organisation aims to improve the lives of children through various projects and initiatives. Its other projects are on menstrual health and hygiene for schoolgirls and educational projects for primary school kids in Ibadan. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has hinted that Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory with Western-supplied weapons do not cross the alleged Russian "red line" that would lead to nuclear escalation. Russia's nuclear doctrine allegedly provides for the use of such weapons only in "exceptional cases" of a threat to Russia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. ADVERTISIMENT Analysts at the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) drew attention to the change in the Kremlin leader's rhetoric. Currently, the dictator believes that there is no need to use nuclear weapons yet. The analysts noted that Putin's statement of June 7 is a "significant rhetorical reversal given that Putin and other Kremlin officials have previously threatened Russian nuclear weapon use if Western states allow Ukraine to strike the Russian territory with Western-provided weapons." "Western and Ukrainian policies and actions have crossed Russia's supposed 'red lines' several times throughout the war without drawing a significant Russian reaction, indicating that many of Russia's 'red lines' are most likely information operations designed to push the West to self-deter," ISW believes. As reported, Putin has recently threatened retaliatory strikes against the collective West "by all available means." DIU representative Andriy Yusov is convinced that whatever the intentions of the aggressor country, the dictator's sincere confessions about possible terrorist actions against the world will be additional evidence in the trial of his war crimes. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of South-west, Sylvester Alabi, has suggested that engaging religious and community leaders could assist in curbing the increasing levels of kidnapping and other crimes in the region. He also said there was a need for professionalism among police officers to completely eradicate the issues of kidnapping and other criminalities in the zone. Mr Alabi, who spoke while addressing the officers of the Ondo State command in Akure, stressed that the time had come for police officers to engage community and religious leaders to tackle criminality in the society. According to him, his visitation was on the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to all the zonal DIGs to assess security situations in their respective zones. The police chief noted that fighting crime in the South-west had yielded positive results, but there was the need to do more. When something happens unexpectedly, it is the duty of the officer to go back to the drawing board and re-strategise. Policing is not a tea party, it is a very serious, tedious, physical and mentally challenging job. So, its a job that entails total commitment and total dedication, because we owe members of the public a duty to secure their lives and properties, 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 Alabi observed that the South-west remained one of the most peaceful zones in the country today. However, he warned the officers not to be carried away in order not to get embarrassed. So, its time for you to double your efforts and ensure the pockets of occasional kidnapping and armed robbery being experienced becomes a thing of the past. We need to sit down and do serious planning to completely eradicate any incident of kidnapping in Ondo State, he said. Mr Alabi called on police officers to imbibe the ethics of the job, saying corruption and extortion would not be condoned. As police officers, you can do your job and earn a good job without delving into all those unprofessional and unethical conducts. I am admonishing you to desist from that. It is better for you to attract goodwill for yourself from well-meaning Nigerians. If you do your job diligently and show that you are a man of integrity, you will be loved by people and gain more confidence and trust from them, he said. In his remarks, Abiodun Asabi, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 17, assured the DIG that the zone would continue to fall in line with the agenda of the IGP. We are not going to rest on the accolades that our zone is the most peaceful in the country, we will continue to push our zone more to be free from any form of criminality, Mr AIGsaid. The Commissioner of Police in Ondo state, Abayomi Oladipo, said the command had mapped out plans to ensure that the state was devoid of actions that could heat up the polity ahead of the 16 November 2024 governorship election in the state. Mr Oladipo explained that he had a meeting with political stakeholders and all relevant organisations involved in electoral activities, and called on politicians to warn their supporters against causing chaos in the state. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume to retract a statement where he said the shutdown of the national grid by labour members amounted to treasonable felony and economic sabotage. The organised labour the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) last week declared an indefinite strike following the failure of the federal government to reach a consensus on the new minimum wage. Nigerian workers, as part of their effort to put pressure on the Nigerian government, shut down the national grid, throwing the nation into blackout. Mr Akume while addressing the National Executive Council of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday said the shutdown of the national grid by labour members amounted to treasonable felony. Nowhere in the world has labour ever tampered with the national grid. It is treason. A treasonable felony is an economic sabotage, you dont do that, the SGF said. Mr Akume also said he cannot afford to pay each of his four drivers N100, 000 as salary in a month. Retract your regrettable statement NLC The NLC, in its reaction, said it was disappointed by Mr Akumes comments, where the SGF described the legitimate and constitutionally protected industrial action as a treasonable felony and economic sabotage. 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 union said the statement was deeply troubling and undermined the spirit of constructive dialogue necessary for resolving the ongoing issues. In a statement posted on Friday on its official X handle, Benson Upah, head, information and public affairs, NLC, said the SGF was aware of those committing treasonable felony and sabotaging the economy. Those who loot our treasury around the country, those who divert public resources meant for hospitals and schools, those who are involved in foreign exchange round tripping, padding of budgets and inflating contracts including those who steal trillions of naira in the name of subsidy are the real economic saboteurs who commit treasonable felony. These people are in costly Agbada and drive in convoys all around the nation, occupying the corridors of power and not innocent workers who are not slaves but chose to withdraw their services because of the inhumane treatment meted on them by the government, the NLC said. The NLC said it was disheartening that the SGF, a high ranking government official would make statement to trivialise the genuine grievances of Nigerian workers. It also criticised his assertion that he cannot afford to pay his four drivers N100,000 each as salary and wondered what the SGF needed four drivers for. The union said it was clear that the SGF was paying his personal staff starvation wages and was telling the public that he (the SGF) is a slave master. The NLC said that the path to resolving the minimum wage crisis lies in genuine dialogue and commitment to addressing the legitimate concerns of workers, and urged the government to engage them in good faith, free from threats and intimidation, citing how the Nigerian military surrounded its meeting venue with the SGF. The army headquarters had denied the allegation that soldiers surrounded the venue of the meeting between labour leaders and the SGF, saying that the soldiers accompanied the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who also attended the meeting. The NLC said it remains committed to advocating the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and that it remains firm in its demand and would continue to pursue them through legitimate means. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has warned all Nigerian pilgrims not to perform hajj if they do not have the Nusuk card. NAHCONs Coordinator in Mecca, Aliyu Tanko, gave the warning at a press briefing on Thursday. He urged pilgrims to ensure they possess the mandatory card before the hajj rituals commence next Thursday. Mr Tanko stressed that pilgrims must prioritise obtaining the card to avoid any disruptions or disqualification from participating in the sacred exercise. The Saudi authorities are serious on this issue of Nusuk card. You must have it on arrival in Mecca otherwise you will not be allowed to perform the hajj and will face the wrath of the law in Saudi which include serving jail term and fine. So I urge all pilgrims to make sure they protect their Nusuk cards and those who did not have should make sure they get theirs before the hajj days begins. He said no pilgrim will be allowed in Minna without the card. 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 Nusuk ID card The Nusuk pilgrims card was introduced by Saudi authorities in April 2024. According to the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the card aims to raise the efficiency of operational procedures for the upcoming hajj season to make the pilgrimage much easier and simplified as well as to bring down instances of performing hajj in an illegal way. It is designed to be easy to read automatically. The card facilitates hajj workers to identify and verify the identity of each pilgrim, and also helps prevent unauthorised individuals from entering the holy sites, and thus ensuring the safety and security of all pilgrims. Punishment for defaulters According to the Saudi authorities, any pilgrim caught without the Nusuk card will serve a jail term of 10 years, pay a fine of 10,000 saudi riyal and be banned from future hajj for a perioud of 10 years. Rush for Nusuk card Although it is expected that every legal pilgrim would be given the card at arrival, some Nigerian pilgrims did not get it. PREMIUM TIMES spoke with some Nigerian pilgrims who said they are yet to get their Nusuk card. When we arrived, some of us were given the card from the bus, but some of us did not get theirs. We were told they will come and give us. We are still waiting. We complained to some NAHCON officials and and thankfully, they said they are talking with those in charge and we will soon get our cards, one of the pilgrims said. The pilgrim applaud NAHCON for the continuous awareness on the importance of the Nusuk card and all the efforts they are making to secure for those who did not get theirs. We have lodged our complain to NAHCON and they have responded. They told us we will get ours soon because we are legal pilgrims. Over 47,000 pilgrims have been airlifted to Saudi Arabia by NAHCON out of about 65,000 expected to perform this years Hajj from Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) has written to President Bola Tinubu asking him to order the investigation and prosecution of two former Inspectors General of Police, Solomon Arase, and Ibrahim Idris, and other persons involved in an alleged illegal sale of lands designated for police barracks. The media organisation also asked the president to suspend Mr Arase as the Chairperson of the Police Service Commission (PSC) to pave the way for an independent investigation of abuse of office and corruption against him as contained in this petition and the ICIR investigative report. We write this letter to seek refuge from Your Excellency from the acts of intimidation and threat to the life of personnel of the ICIR carried out by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PS), Mr Solomon Arase, the Executive Director of the ICIR, Dayo Aiyetan, wrote in the letter, a copy of which this newspaper obtained. The letter by the ICIR is in reaction to the harassment of the organisations personnel by the police in response to a story the newspaper published detailing allegations of fraud and corruption against the two former IGPs and other high-ranking police officers. The report In February, ICIR published its investigative report which was backed by evidence of affidavits and documents of ongoing litigation over the lands located in different parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), exposing the illegal sale of the lands through a contracting firm, Corpren International Limited, under the guise of developing the police residential estate. The ICIR story also revealed that Mr Arase enabled Corpran International Limited to obtain nearly N1 billion from the Police Mortgage Bank without collateral. It also indicted Andy Chime, the owner of Corpran International Limited, of being used to dupe the NPF in the illegal deal. 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 Police Intimidation Following the publication of the ICIR report, Mr Arase and Corpran International Limited instituted lawsuits against the newspaper and Mr Akewushola, the reporter who authored the story. Messrs Arase and Chime also wrote a petition to the Nigerian Police Force Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), accusing the journalists of cyberstalking and defamation of character leading to the harassment of the journalists by the police. Last Tuesday, Messrs Akewushola and Aiyetan were detained by the NPF-NCCC for over nine hours after honouring an invitation by the same centre. They arrived at noon but were only released after 9 p.m. Their release by the police may not be unconnected to the widespread condemnation of the conduct of the security operatives over the matter as journalists and activists took to social media to advocate their immediate and unconditional release. Messrs Aiyetan and Akewushola told PREMIUM TIMES after their release that their invitation and brief detention were due to a petition by Messrs Arase and Chime, the owner of Copran International Limited. Mr Arases petition, which he personally signed, was written on the letterhead of the Police Service Commission, of which Mr Arase is the Chairman, Mr Aiyetan wrote, describing such as a brazen and flagrant abuse of the PSC office occupied by Mr Arase. Using his official capacity to write a petition concerning a private matter was in all intent and purpose aimed at using the Police to intimidate and threaten the ICIR and its journalists, he said. Mr Aiyetan wondered why the Director of the NPF-NCCC, Oche Henry, was not interested in Andy Chimes accusations but in the source of the ICIR report and the evidence it had against Mr Arase. The NPF-NCCC Director was determined not to release the ICIR duo unless they produced the evidence they used in the report against Mr Arase. Thus, the NPF-NCC was trying to force out of the ICIR the same evidence it would need to use to defend itself in the case instituted against it by Mr Arase, he added. Mr Akewushola said the police insisted on knowing the sources for his story, describing it as an outright violation of journalistic ethics. The police also told the journalists that they would be called upon again, indicating that the harassment would continue. ICIR writes Tinubu In its letter, the ICIR asked Mr Tinubu to institute an independent investigation, devoid of police involvement, into the allegations of fraud and corruption in the sale of the police property. We believe that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has already commenced a full investigation, Mr Aiyetan wrote. Apart from seeking the suspension of Mr Arase from office, ICIR also asked Mr Tinubu to instruct the IGP to desist from allowing the NPF-NCCC or any other arm of the NPF to intimidate, molest or threaten the ICIR, its trustees and reporters, for pursuing their legitimate duties as journalists as mandated by section 22 of the Constitution. The harassment of the ICIR journalists is the latest in a trend whereby the Police have abducted or arrested journalists for alleged cyberstalking for merely publishing reports which the subjects of investigative reports find offensive. We regard this trend of attacking the media as a dangerous one and an attack on our democracy, Mr Aiyetan wrote. A pattern More than two dozen journalists have faced at least one form of harassment from security agencies this year, according to Press Attacker, a project of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) which tracks and verifies attacks on journalists. Right groups and activists have also condemned what is now a growing trend of attacks on press freedom under the administration of Mr Tinubu who took office last year. During a meeting with members of the. Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) in December, Mr Tinubu committed to upholding the ideals of press freedom. But his administration has not walked the talk as press attacks continued unabated under his watch. 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 Former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwakso, has explained why Governor Abba Yusuf, might not have performed well since he was elected over a year ago. Mr Kwankwaso, the leader of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) ruling in the state, said the opposition, which he described as enemies of the state, distracted the governor. He stated this at the Government House at an event organised by the state government to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, on Saturday. You people are aware, this first year has come with obstacles, enemies who dont understand democracy, have dragged this government to court, perfecting a series of conspiracies to remove the governor. At the end God has shown his power and the truth has prevailed at the end. They are still hatching series of conspiracies to stop the governor from working for Kano. They want us to be like them to be in the government without achieving anything, Mr Kano said. He likened the opposition in the state to members of Boko Haram who he said also distracted him when he was governor from 2011 to 2015. That reminds me of our situation during my second term when two months after my swearing in as governor, we had Boko Haram attacks in mosques, attacks in markets, police stations, schools and everywhere. We were focused and ensured that we were not distracted, he added at the event. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said despite the distraction in the first year of Mr Yusufs administration, the governor was working from day one and his footprints can be seen everywhere in the state. Meanwhile, the governor at the event blamed his immediate predecessor for the states educational underdevelopment and promised to overhaul the sector to address the decaying system. He ordered the renovation of all primary and junior secondary schools in the 44 local government areas which includes provision of seats, and repair of toilets and staff offices. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The decline of the ANC was not unexpected. When it had the masses and most of the world solidly behind it, its leaders chose to have the political kingdom hoping that the economic kingdom would be added to it. The reality is that to have majority rule with minority control of the economy, is a doomed plan. To have the black majority vote without black economic power, was bound to maintain South Africas economic Apartheid system. By the way, Mother Africa, Winnie Mandela warned us against this, but we never listened. The loss of majority in parliament by the African National Congress (ANC) in the 29 May South African elections, was a sunset for the continent. It means that the unrepentant Pan Africanist organisation, with its vow to the mass of the people and unrepentant commitment to humanity, as manifested in its unprecedented war against genocide in Palestine, might be compromised under a coalition. The uniqueness of the ANC in South African and international politics is that it has never really been a political party. Rather, it is an all-comers movement of people dedicated to freedom and social justice. It is built on a tripod: a coalition of people with different ideologies and religions; the South African Communist Party, which espouses socialism; and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). The current President Cyril Ramaphosa is from COSATU. South Africa is an African promise. It rose out of the horizon after one of the bloodiest pages in human history was written, not just with the blood of the African people, but also with that of thousands of our Cuban brothers, who laid down their lives on our soil. Its struggles for freedom and land, and insistence that all human beings are imbued with the same endowments, irrespective of colour or creed, was itself a fight for humanity. The war against Apartheid, which pitched humanity against racists and super powers like the United States and United Kingdom, brought out the beast in some and the best in liberation fighters like Chris Hani, Joe Slovo, Ruth First, Solomon Mahlangu and the Mandelas. The most straight forward is a coalition with the Democratic Alliance (DA), which polled 21.8 per cent of the votes, with 87 seats in parliament. This possible coalition will have 246 seats, which automatically will form a government. But this, literarily, will be going to dinner with the Devil. Where the ANC is pro-people, with welfare principles, the DA is more like a resurrection of the old ruling class. Even in their hour of victory, the South African people under the ANC flag, were never vengeful. What they promised, essentially, was: a democratic society based on equality, non-racialism and non-sexism (and) a nation built by developing our different cultures, beliefs and languages as a source of our common strength. Those vows gave the ANC victory at the polls. What, last week, reduced the ANCs vote to 40.18 per cent and its majority in parliament to 159, out of 400 seats, was its inability to fulfil the other half of its 1994 promise. It was to build: an economy which grows through providing jobs, housing and education (and) a peaceful and secure environment in which people can live without fear. The rainbow nation now has a narrow choice: A coalition in which the ANC will have to make quite difficult choices. On the inevitable coalition, the ANCs National Spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, informed that: The ANC has taken the position that we must all act in the interest of our country and its people, and work on a national consensus on the form of government that is best suited to move South Africa forward at this moment in our history. 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 But the practical reality is that this could be a nightmare. The most straight forward is a coalition with the Democratic Alliance (DA), which polled 21.8 per cent of the votes, with 87 seats in parliament. This possible coalition will have 246 seats, which automatically will form a government. But this, literarily, will be going to dinner with the Devil. Where the ANC is pro-people, with welfare principles, the DA is more like a resurrection of the old ruling class. Where the former is a grassroots movement, the latter is mainly for the middle and upper classes, drawing its strength from the old Apartheid ruling mass of Afrikaners. The DAs origins are in the 1959 Progressive Party, which warned the then ruling class against continuing the Apartheid policy. The next possible alliance is with the new uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, led by former President Jacob Zuma. It was formed just five months to the elections and has caused the greatest upset in the history of the countrys elections. It also drew its support from the normal ANC political base, and is a major reason why the ANC lost its parliamentary majority. The party, with 14.58 per cent of the votes and 58 seats in parliament, would give the ANC alliance a comfortable 217 seats in the National Assembly. But going into an alliance with it could be like the ANC eating the humble pie. The ANC was led by Zuma, which forced him to resign as the countrys president in 2018. Zuma has been battered, bruised and imprisoned. In fact, the Constitutional Court barred him from running for parliament over a contempt of court conviction, but he remained on the ballot. Now, he is a king maker and may be in a position to determine the political future of Ramaphosa as president of South Africa. A third option is like no option: an alliance with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) led by Julius Malema. He was the former ANC youth leader who was expelled by the party. If the MK is a radical party, the EFF is left of the MK. The EFF wants the appropriation of land from the current owners who, historically, stole it. It also wants the nationalisation of the mines and banks to give economic power to the masses. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the Congress would not compromise its principles just to hang on to power: I think the ANC has many factors to consider in terms of how it forms a government both the stability of the country at large but also for the sake of having a government that still holds to the values of the ANC that it has long said that it serves. If the party is to stick to this principle, then the MK is its best choice of a coalition partner. But then, Zuma might ask for his pound of flesh by making the removal of his arch rival, Ramaphosa, a condition for the alliance. A third option is like no option: an alliance with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) led by Julius Malema. He was the former ANC youth leader who was expelled by the party. If the MK is a radical party, the EFF is left of the MK. The EFF wants the appropriation of land from the current owners who, historically, stole it. It also wants the nationalisation of the mines and banks to give economic power to the masses. It garnered 9.52 per cent of the votes and has 37 seats in parliament. A coalition with the ANC will give the alliance 196 seats, which would need a broader coalition with a smaller party like the Inkhatha Freedom Party, with 17 seats. The problem is the latter is essentially an ethnic party of the Zulus. The other small party, the Patriotic Alliance (PA), with 9 seats, is a far right, anti-immigration party. This would be far worse than going to bed with the DA. The decline of the ANC was not unexpected. When it had the masses and most of the world solidly behind it, its leaders chose to have the political kingdom hoping that the economic kingdom would be added to it. The reality is that to have majority rule with minority control of the economy, is a doomed plan. To have the black majority vote without black economic power, was bound to maintain South Africas economic Apartheid system. By the way, Mother Africa, Winnie Mandela warned us against this, but we never listened. Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print it is instructive to note that the conference highlighted the necessity of collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships to overcome barriers to the enjoyment of sexual and reproductive rights. This collective endeavour underscores the importance of unified action in advancing the SRHR agenda in Nigeria, thereby striving for a future where every individuals sexual and reproductive health and rights are respected and upheld. As such, rights, freedom and liberty of citizens must not be denied. The conversation around sex and sexuality often offends certain people for different reasons. While some believe that it is a sensitive matter that should not be discussed in public, others run away from the subject because of their religious or cultural beliefs. But we cannot stay away from sex and sexuality as it is part of our lives and existence, especially issues around reproductive health and, most importantly, rights, in terms of freedom and liberty. Arguably, for the first time in Nigeria, stakeholders converged and had conversations on issues around sexual and reproductive health and rights in the country. The first SRHR National Conference centred around the need to examine laws and how they affect access to health and rights for sexual minorities, key populations and other vulnerable groups. Members of these groups, advocates, civil society and rights activists, and the media, attended the conference organised by Lawyers Alert in Abuja, the nations Federal Capital Territory. Themed SRHR Culture and Social Norms within Communities, the conference offered a platform for a coalition of small and medium organisations dedicated to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) that emerged through the Amplify Change grant facilitated by Lawyers Alert from 2018 to 2020 to, brainstorm and collectively seek solutions to SRHR barriers in Nigeria. The discussions at the plenary and panel sessions considered the multifaceted challenges impeding SRHR progress, with delegates including key SRHR advocates, SRHR CSOs, the LGBTIQ+ community, FSW, and donors. Some of the pressing topics of engagement comprised safe medical abortion, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), female genital mutilation, LGBTQI+, HIV and the status of SRHR in Nigeria. There was equally information sharing and networking. The conversation brought to the fore the expertise of global, regional, national, and grassroots organisations; development workers, NGOs, and community-based groups. At the end of the conference, the takeaways included the need to ensure massive awareness creation on SRHR, especially at the community and ward levels, using local champions to speak against norms and a culture that inhibits the rights of women to choice. Through community platforms, individuals could champion campaigns against harmful cultural practices, such as Female Genital Mutilation, and then support and encourage gender equality and women empowerment. To achieve this, we must at all occasions and during interventions, emphasise the human rights of key populations and sexual minorities in all advocacy and intervention strategies. The SRHR movement in Nigeria should be strengthened through organisational and advocacy skills, reinforcing and establishing more inclusive and expansive platforms to amplify SRHR narratives and foster robust networking among stakeholders. 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 It is also imperative to encourage large and well established CSOs and agencies to always strive to include small and medium-sized SRHR grassroots organisations in their work and provide sub-grants to enable them to acquire new knowledge and skills. Also, its necessary to developing a comprehensive SRHR National Advocacy Plan to guide strategic advocacy efforts and effectively address SRHR challenges using the SRHR movement platform. In the spirit of fairness, the Nigerian government must repeal laws and policies that undermine sexual and reproductive health rights, freedom of expression and assembly. Government should enact laws that recognise gender and sexual diversity. For instance, government should repeal Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, and other ancillary laws that inhibit the domestication and application of international SRHR treaties, conventions and protocols, that Nigeria has signed and ratified. Civil societies should sustain proactive and deliberate engagement with government entities, such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), and National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP), to ensure quality response to SRHR issues. This will also enhance the present inadequate support from the government. In conclusion, it is instructive to note that the conference highlighted the necessity of collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships to overcome barriers to the enjoyment of sexual and reproductive rights. This collective endeavour underscores the importance of unified action in advancing the SRHR agenda in Nigeria, thereby striving for a future where every individuals sexual and reproductive health and rights are respected and upheld. As such, rights, freedom and liberty of citizens must not be denied. Hameed Oyegbade, a journalist and public affairs analyst, writes from Osogbo. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Why then in the 21st century are our women wearing ritually-rejected and bad luck Hindu hair? And why are they wearing wigs at all? If they must wear wigs, why not wigs that resemble their own natural hair? I was shocked when one respondent to the video said our hair is too stubborn to manage. Really? Are we so lazy and lacking in self-respect that we could not find creative and beautiful solutions to the so-called stubborn hair? What is puzzling in the ubiquitous use of wigs is that no other women on earth use wigs that resemble our hair. A few years ago, I visited a good friend of mine in Lagos. A filmmaker and an astute cultural observer of Nigerian life, he pays attention to its minutiae with a wry sense of humour. Among the topics of our discussion during that visit was a new law requiring Lagosians to wear helmets while riding the okada. This compelled okada operators to provide helmets to their passengers. It was a safety issue. He noticed that many Lagosians expressed anxiety about wearing helmets that had been used by previous passengers, so they perched the helmets precariously on top of scarves, geles, hats, and other head coverings, so their heads would not have direct contact with the helmets. I replied that I, too, would be worried about the hygiene of such helmets. Who knows what parasites and fungi were lurking inside? He shook his head and smiled. Their worry, he said, was not about parasites. It was of a mystical kind, the transfer of misfortunes and bad luck from some unknown heads to theirs through the medium of the helmet. That was a more difficult problem to solve than contracting all known and unknown parasites. It was my turn to laugh. Recently on WhatsApp, a video was being circulated of a Southern African woman talking about the peculiar self-hatred of black people. It was specifically about their love and use of Indian hair as a fashionable statement and a substitute to cover their own God-given natural hair. She explained that this Indian hair is obtained from women who had gone through a ritual to have their hair completely shaved off to take away the bad luck plaguing them and their families. The hair is supposed to be burned as a part of the ritual but as she said, until they realised stupid African women want to put it on their heads, so you buy your own bad luck and put it on your head. Since I had never heard of this Hindu practice, I did a little research. Indeed, Hindu women go to temples to undergo a ceremony called tonsure to take away bad luck from those facing life difficulties not unfamiliar to people around the world, life-threatening illnesses, early death, infertility, lack of progress, business failures, motor accidents, conflicts, poverty, unemployment, malevolent mystical forces, and so on. In fact, these are the kind of difficulties Nigerians go to their churches and other places of spirituality to do iso oru (all-night vigils) for, and also for which they become prayer warriors, asking for divine intervention to turn things around for them. Hindu women do this same thing when they go to their temples. They prize their hairs greatly. Baldness is not a part of their hair culture. But to drive away misfortunes, they submit to the ritual of shaving their cherished hair, which is then burned, as a way of incinerating the bad luck. But in a strange twist, Nigerian women, many of whom are probably wary of wearing communal helmets, now plaster their heads with this rejected bad luck Indian hair in a quest for what they consider beauty. I understand that it is even more expensive than the usual synthetic wigs. It is a very sad development for dignity, pride, and self-love in Nigerian beauty and hair culture. In 1983, Franca Afegbua became the first woman Senator in Nigeria. She was elected from Bendel North. Before that, she was a beautician who created fabulous hair styles with our natural hair and won an international hair styling competition in 1977. When she decided to run for office years later, the women in her senatorial district rewarded her with their votes in appreciation of her leadership and excellent promotion of our culture. Ori in Yoruba cosmology continues to exert an influence on Yoruba peoples thinking, regardless of their religious or spiritual affiliations. Ori, the head, is more than the physical head we all possess. Our ori has a lot of metaphysical significance, it is the seat of our destiny. Our journeys in life revolve around our different ori, which we brought from our creator. There is an inner head that directs our affairs. It is an orisa in its own right. Ori eni lawure eni is a common Yoruba saying, meaning your head is the cradle of your fortune in life. Ori is so powerful in deciding our fate that the Yoruba crafted a beautiful object called Ile Ori the house of Ori, to propitiate it. While Abrahamic religions may have undermined the ritualistic aspects of ori, many still believe their oris are so important that they would not want their heads touched indiscriminately, or leave their geles or filas anywhere they could be tampered with. It is customary for people to reject curses, harmful words and deeds by circling their heads three times, while snapping their fingers and declaring ori mi ko my head rejects it. In traditional Yoruba religion, when one is having too many life difficulties they cant manage, they are sometimes asked to cleanse or propitiate their ori, not unlike the Hindu rituals. There are numerous songs, poems, and prayers to ori, asking it to bring good fortune into our lives. Mothers pray to their ori to guide their children as they send them into the world, and they also pray that the childrens inner ori would not spoil or destroy the outer one kori inu ma ba tode je. Why then in the 21st century are our women wearing ritually-rejected and bad luck Hindu hair? And why are they wearing wigs at all? If they must wear wigs, why not wigs that resemble their own natural hair? I was shocked when one respondent to the video said our hair is too stubborn to manage. Really? Are we so lazy and lacking in self-respect that we could not find creative and beautiful solutions to the so-called stubborn hair? What is puzzling in the ubiquitous use of wigs is that no other women on earth use wigs that resemble our hair. Only black women wear wigs that mimic the hair of women of other races. Selling wigs is big business. No doubt, purveyors of wigs and human hair have a financial interest in these terrible choices and would not want to change their business model, but the rest of us can help them choose a new line of business. In 1983, Franca Afegbua became the first woman Senator in Nigeria. She was elected from Bendel North. Before that, she was a beautician who created fabulous hair styles with our natural hair and won an international hair styling competition in 1977. When she decided to run for office years later, the women in her senatorial district rewarded her with their votes in appreciation of her leadership and excellent promotion of our culture. She routed her male opponent in that election. 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 Nollywood has to do more to foster self-esteem and self-respect among our women. It is an institution critical to the cultural development and growth of citizens. Plastering the head of actresses with hideous Hindu hair and synthetic Oyinbo hair is embarrassing. It is a national shame. It speaks to a lack of self-awareness about our global position, and how our physical self-presentation reflects what we value. It says to the world that we dont value ourselves and we dont have any dignity or shame. These days, the array of wig colours, length, and styles on womens heads is mind boggling. A few years ago, some misguided promoters brought a certain American influencer to Nigeria, a person whose climb to fame and notoriety was in releasing her sex tape to the public. After the visit, this cultural bottom-feeder, whose body parts have been so surgically padded and altered that one doesnt know what is real in her body anymore, on returning to America, and in commenting on Nigerian women, said she had never seen so many ugly women. This person of low morals and little cultural worth is hardly the example any society with a sense of pride and self-confidence wants to hold up as an example to follow. Yet, she was invited over and our women got excited about meeting her. She called them ugly! A Yoruba proverb says you have to call your clothing a rag before everyone wipes the floor with it. Women wear wigs around the world, however, it is black women whose self-esteem has been battered by racism and lack of reflection who crave hair thats different from theirs, because they have been persuaded that they are not as attractive or worthy as non-black women. Women of other races design wigs that look their own hair; we can do the same. Chris Rock made a great documentary about this sad phenomenon, going to wig and fake hair businesses to ask for who was buying black hair. Apparently, no one was. Thankfully, there is a Natural Hair movement by black American women in the United States, but many Nigerian and Nigerian-American women are yet to hear that gospel. Nollywood has to do more to foster self-esteem and self-respect among our women. It is an institution critical to the cultural development and growth of citizens. Plastering the head of actresses with hideous Hindu hair and synthetic Oyinbo hair is embarrassing. It is a national shame. It speaks to a lack of self-awareness about our global position, and how our physical self-presentation reflects what we value. It says to the world that we dont value ourselves and we dont have any dignity or shame. The stories told by Nollywood reflect a national cultural ethos. Promoting inferiority complex among our women and girls is not cultural development. We can do better than wearing fake Oyinbo hair or Indian hair. Only laziness, low self-esteem and lack of imagination can stop us from taking our natural hair to new heights. May our Ori not turn against us. Bunmi Fatoye-Matory lives in Durham, North Carolina. She can be reached at bunmimatory@gmail.com. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has partnered with the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMbank) to build an agriculture quality assurance centre in Kaduna. This collaboration aims to enhance the states agricultural export potential by ensuring that farm produce meets international standards. The team was led by the Director, Export Development, Oluranti Doherty. During the meeting, Ms Doherty, who was the team leader disclosed that the centre will be a state-of-the-art facility with the capacity to offer testing, certification, and inspection of agricultural products for export. Kaduna State, she said, was considered as host of the facility due to its strong commitment to improving agriculture and demonstrated support for smallholder farmers and agro-processors in the state. Responding, Mr Sani commended the AFREXIM Bank for choosing the state for the project. I briefed the team on our efforts toward supporting agriculture in the state, which includes providing farming equipment, quality seedlings, fertilizers, as well as road infrastructure which will help in reducing post harvest losses and cost of transportation. As part of our support towards the AFREXIM AQAC, I presented the Certificate of Occupancy for a 5-hectare land where the project will be situated in Kaduna State. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Twenty people have been reported killed in one of a series of attacks by suspected Boko Haram terrorists that began on Thursday in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. In this particular incident in Bassa, a town in the area, the terrorists beheaded 10 of the victims, all of whom were young men, per survivors of the attack. The witnesses to the horror, who declined to give their names out of fear of the terrorists, said the young men were beheaded for refusing to join the Boko Haram terror group. Providing more grisly details, one of the residents who fled the community said the terrorists made members of the community hold the severed heads while they took pictures and made video recordings. They said the terrorists stormed the village in broad daylight on Thursday, assembled the residents and randomly selected 20 adults whom they shot at close range. They told us that anybody who refused to be recruited into their fold would be given a similar treatment. They said they used the 10 beheaded youths as an example. They said they had warned us that everybody should vacate the community but that we refused. Its either we join them or we leave the community, a resident 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 Other villages attacked between Thursday and Friday include Lanta, Kasimani, Unguwan-Madi and Makuda. In all the villages, the terrorists reportedly set houses on fire and killed domestic animals. Two months ago, suspected Boko Haram terrorists had also beheaded nine people in Allawa in the same Shiroro LGA, after the terrorists dislodged soldiers camped in the community. The nine victims were said to have defied warnings of the terrorists that villagers who fled during the attack on the military Camp should not return. The men went back to the community with their wives to get some foodstuff when they were rounded up and beheaded. They (the terrorists) asked the women to take the message to the people that anybody who returned to the community would suffer the same fate. The state government and the police had not issued a statement on the latest massacre as of the time of this report. However, the senator representing Niger East district, Sani Musa, described the gruesome murder of the 20 harmless villagers as barbaric, heartless and inhuman, saying that My heart bleeds for them. This is my darkest moment as the representative of the people of Niger East Senatorial district. I am very helpless at the moment. My people, including men, women and children are being killed like animals. The question is what do they want from the people? These are harmless and innocent peasant farmers. Do they want to chase my people away from their lands, Mr Musa said in a statement he issued on Friday. According to him Only three weeks ago a group of bandits attacked the Kuchi community, killing seven security agents and went away with about 150 people. Up till this moment, the entire Kuchi community remain deserted. The senator noted that the latest attacks came when the locals were preparing to return to the farm, which is the villagers only livelihood. Boko Haram has waged a decades-long insurgency in the North-east of Nigeria but has now extended their terror to Niger State where terrorists affiliated to the group have seized many rural communities. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On the morning of June 8, the Russian Defense Ministry complained about another attack by Ukrainian drones. The terrorist agency said that it had allegedly destroyed a UAV over the territory of the North Ossetia Republic. ADVERTISIMENT Thus, the Russian Federation confirmed that the drone had covered a distance of at least 1,000 kilometers. The Russian Defense Ministry reported the attack on its Telegram channel. According to Russian terrorists, the drone was allegedly destroyed around 8:40 a.m. The Russian Federation traditionally called the attack "an attempt by the Kyiv regime to commit a terrorist attack." "The Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed by regular air defense means over the territory of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania," the Russian terrorist agency said in a statement. At the same time, the head of North Ossetia, Sergei Meniaylo, said that three Ukrainian drones tried to attack a military airfield in Mozdok. The Russian official claims that there were no casualties or damage as a result of the attack. He promised to provide more details later. ADVERTISIMENT "Three unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down by air defense forces in Mozdok. According to preliminary information, the UAVs came from the Ukrainian side and targeted a military airfield," Meniaylo said. It is worth noting that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian army has been actively using the airfield in Mozdok to launch missile strikes. The occupiers base TU-22M3 strategic bombers there, from which they regularly launch X-22 cruise missiles at civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. As a reminder, on June 6, a series of explosions occurred in the Rostov region of Russia. After that, a fire broke out at the Novoshakhtyn oil refinery. In addition, the Russian Federation confirmed that a fire also broke out at one of the oil depots in the Belgorod region. ADVERTISIMENT As reported, on the night of May 31, the Navy, in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces, attacked oil terminals in the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation. One of them is located in the port of Kavkaz, where a ferry crossing was also disabled. These targets were hit by the Ukrainian Neptune coastal defense system and attack drones. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Ogun State Government, in conjunction with the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has flagged off the distribution of food items, including maize, gari and sorghum to vulnerable persons in the state. Speaking during the exercise at the Agricultural Development Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, the state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, disclosed that the programme was part of his administrations efforts to alleviate the suffering of the masses, particularly in these economically challenging times. He said the action was a testament to the strength of national and state policies, which prioritise the needs and welfare of the vulnerable. Mr Abiodun, who was represented by the state Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said the initiative goes beyond a commitment to delivering hope and security but symbolises the commitment to the principles of equity and compassion of his administration. He commended NEMA for its usual support, assuring the people that his administration would not relent in its efforts to give succour and fulfil the promises made to the people before and during the electioneering period. The lingering economic situation has brought unprecedented challenges to citizens which we have the resilience and solidarity as a nation to go through to a happier and safer ending, he said. In her remarks, the Director General, NEMA, Subaida Umar, who was represented by the Zonal Director, Stephen Adewale, said the programme was in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu of reducing the impact of the current economic downturn being experienced by Nigerians. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later She disclosed that 42,000MT of food commodities were released from the National Strategic Reserve under the custody of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. She added that the state had 780MT of maize, equivalent to 15,600 bags of 50kg and 94MT of garri, which is 3760 bags of 25kg. Earlier, the state Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Funmi Efuwape, appreciated Mr Tinubu for the palliative programme, saying it would go a long way to ameliorate the sufferings of the vulnerable in the state. He revealed that before this time, the state government had consistently seen to its citizens welfare through different palliative measures. He listed some of the past interventions, including the provision of Compressed Natural Gas to power mass transit buses to ease the high cost of transportation, sales of subsidised rice to civil servants and retirees, provision of food palliatives to vulnerable households across the three Senatorial Districts and educational grants to 27,000 indigent students in tertiary institutions nationwide, among others. Responding on behalf of other Local Government Chairpersons, the chairperson, Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Emilola Gazal, appreciated the federal and state governments for the commendable initiative. He pledged that the food items would reach the identified group through the constituted committees in each local government area of the state. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Scheduled for release in August the new Kids animated series Mermaid Magic. From multi-award-winning creator and director Iginio Straffi (Winx Club) and Emmy Award-winning animation studio Rainbow/Bardel (Rick and Morty, The Dragon Prince) comes a new groundbreaking CG-animated series. LORETO, Italy, June 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Rainbow Studios, well known for its exceptional animation and creative storytelling, announces the upcoming release of the new animated series "Mermaid Magic" coming soon on Netflix globally this August. With a high production budget and a vast pool of artistic talents, the show is set to push the boundaries of animated television shows, offering stunning visuals and an immersive underwater world. Mermaid Magic (CNW Group/Rainbow Studios) The series is brought to life by a powerful production team, ensuring top-notch quality and an engaging viewer experience. Created and produced by Iginio Straffi, the visionary creator behind the globally renowned "Winx Club". Acclaimed head writers Rich Burns and Nancy Cohen known for their work on "Spirit Riding Free" are bringing depth and hearts to every episode, and Guy Bar'ely, the esteemed showrunner of Minions and Kung Fu Panda, whose expertise guarantees a show that's as dynamic as it is entertaining. Mermaid Magic immerses us in the underwater world of Mertropia to follow the adventures of fearless Princess Merlinda and her inseparable friends Sasha and Nerissa. These warrior mermaids embark on an epic journey to the surface world to battle the wicked pirate Barbarossa, who is draining the ocean's magic. The series has a dazzling blend of magic, action, humor, and emotion. It also shines a spotlight on crucial issues like ocean conservation. "Mermaid Magic is a show that pushes the boundaries of animation quality for TV. Every frame is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, creating a visual feast that truly brings the underwater world to life. This show is not just about stunning animation; it is about compelling storytelling. Our characters are richly developed and their journeys are both relatable and inspiring. We've woven a narrative that captives audiences of all ages," commented Iginio Straffi, Creator and Founder of Rainbow. "Mermaid Magic is a perfect blend of breathtaking visuals and strong, emotional storytelling. We can't wait for audiences to dive into this magical underwater adventure with our mermaid warriors". The first season of Mermaid Magic is scheduled for release in summer, and a robust licensing, marketing and digital campaign is already underway. About Rainbow Established in 1995 by multi-award-winning creator Iginio Straffi, t and CEO of the Group, Rainbow produces and distributes animated and Live Action contents across all audience targets and channels. First rising among the largest animation studios in the world following the extraordinary success of the Winx Club saga, loved and followed by millions, Rainbow has showcased the power to create global and classic franchises, landing yearly among the Top Global Licensors in the world with more than 500 active licenses. Rainbow Group also includes Bardel Inc. - Emmy Award-winning Canadian studio offering CGI and VFX animation services, and Colorado Film, Italian excellence company in Live Action production. Besides creating and distributing original content worldwide, the group reaches the global market with licensing, editorial projects, live events, and production of merchandise and toys also under license. SOURCE Rainbow Studios LOS ANGELES, June 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As California's legislative leaders are finalizing our state budget, and as we commemorate Immigrant Heritage Month, a coalition of philanthropic organizations are urging policymakers to uphold key programs benefiting immigrants in this year's proposal. In a letter submitted to lawmakers this week, the coalition expressed deep concern about the negative impact the May revision would have on immigrant communities and emphasized the importance of preserving critical programs that protect the wellbeing of all Californians, regardless of immigration status. "It is imperative that we maintain our steadfast dedication to equity and inclusion for our most vulnerable Californians," said Miguel Santana, President & CEO of the California Community Foundation. "These programs aren't merely line items in a budget; they are lifelines for millions of immigrant neighbors and their families." In their letter addressed to Governor Newsom, Speaker Rivas, Pro Tem McGuire, Assemblymember Gabriel, and Senator Wiener, the coalition underscored the significant progress made in immigrant inclusion under the state's leadership over the past decade. They highlighted initiatives such as the expansion of Medi-Cal to undocumented Californians and the California Food Assistance Program, which have been crucial in addressing the needs of immigrant communities. The coalition also emphasized how the progress made over the last decade is jeopardized by the detrimental effects of the proposed cuts and delays to essential programs outlined in the May revision. These include reductions in funding for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) benefits, California State University Immigration Legal Services, the Rapid Response Fund, and delays in the expansion of the California Food Assistance Program. Such measures, if implemented, could harm the health, legal protections, and food security of millions of immigrant Californians. The coalition is calling on legislative leaders to prioritize justice, equity, and full inclusion for all Californians in the budget decision-making process. They are emphasizing the importance of inclusive investments and bold protections to prevent widening inequality and ensure the long-term resiliency of the state. Read full letter below: https://www.calfund.org/wp-content/uploads/CCF-Community-Foundations-Letter-to-State-Leadership.pdf The California Community Foundation (CCF) has served as a public, charitable organization for Los Angeles County since 1915. Its mission is to lead positive systemic change that strengthens Los Angeles communities. CCF stewards $2.3 billion in assets and manages 1,900 charitable foundations, funds and legacies. For more information, please visit www.calfund.org. Contact: Press Office, California Community Foundation [email protected] SOURCE California Community Foundation WASHINGTON, June 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from National Press Club President Emily Wilkins on the passing of Christophe Deloire, the veteran Director General of Reporters Without Borders, one of the world's leading press freedom organizations. "It was with great sadness that we learned today of the passing of Christophe Deloire, the energetic and charismatic leader of Reporters Without Borders. He was 53. The cause of death was cancer. Christophe was a great friend to journalists everywhere. He was deeply passionate about the rights of journalists. He was a regular visitor to the National Press Club over the years and worked with us on the case of Austin Tice, a journalist held in Syria now for nearly 12 years. Christophe did a substantial interview with Austin's mother, Debra, at the Club during 2022. On that same trip, Club staff joined Mrs. Tice and Christophe at a private dinner hosted by the French Ambassador to honor Austin. We have spoken to the Tice family today and they remembered Christophe fondly but especially for an occasion where Mrs. Tice was invited by Christophe to Paris to speak to a crowd of 10,000 at an outdoor rally. Later, they traveled together on a trip to Lebanon where they worked to raise awareness of Austin's case. "Our hearts go out to Christophe's family at this time and to all in the RSF community and indeed to everyone around the world who has been touched by his compassion and inspired by his leadership. He would want us to fight on in his name and we will." Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members worldwide, representing nearly every major news organization, the Club is a leading voice for press freedom in the U. S. and worldwide. Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club SOURCE National Press Club NEW YORK, June 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Globe Life Inc. f/k/a Torchmark Corporation (NYSE: GL) between May 8, 2019 and April 10, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important July 1, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Globe Life common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Globe Life class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=24072 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 1, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made numerous materially false and misleading statements and omissions concerning: (1) Globe Life's consistent premium revenue growth, particularly from American Income Life Insurance Company ("AIL"); and (2) Globe Life's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code of Conduct"). Specifically, defendants repeatedly attributed Globe Life's consistent premium revenue growth "to increased agent count and productivity." In addition, Globe Life's Code of Conduct stated, among other things, that "[t]he Company is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment," that "[v]iolence and threatening behavior are not permitted," and that "[t]he use of illegal drugs in the workplace will not be tolerated." When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Globe Life class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=24072 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. Union Urges Governor Hochul Sign Bill to Keep Warehouse Workers Safe ALBANY, N.Y., June 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York State Legislature passed new legislation today, championed by the New York State Conference of Teamsters, requiring Amazon and other major warehouse operators to design their facilities to put worker safety first. The Teamsters and allies in the New Yorkers for a Fair Economy coalition are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the bill into law. "The Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act makes New York a national leader in taking on the Amazon injury crisis," said Thomas Quackenbush, President of Teamsters Joint Council 18. "Workers are suffering preventable injuries because employers like Amazon are putting their profits ahead of safety. This legislation will force companies to change their warehouse design and practices to prioritize workers." "New York has the highest warehouse injury rates in the nation, and that doesn't count the injuries that go unreported," said Jeff Brylski, President of Teamsters Joint Council 46. "Too often, workers at Amazon and other major warehouse companies are told to take an ibuprofen and get back to work, when what they really need is to be seen by a doctor. The Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act will ensure that workers have access to qualified medical professionals and can be safe on the job." "The Teamsters thank Senator Ramos, Assemblymember Bronson, and legislative leaders for guiding this groundbreaking bill through the legislative process," said Thomas Gesualdi, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16. "It is on the verge of becoming law today because warehouse workers mobilized to demand the strongest protections in their industry. We urge Governor Hochul to take this crisis seriously and sign the Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act into law as soon as possible." Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters. Contact: Kara Deniz, (202) 497-6610 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters The uMI Panorama GS is among the all-digital Molecular Imaging systems United Imaging is featuring at SNMMI in Toronto SHANGHAI, June 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- United Imaging, a global leader in advanced medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment, is on the brink of a significant milestone as it approaches its 30,000th global unit installed. This milestone, set to be achieved with the installation of a uMI Panorama GS PET/CT system in the U.S. this summer, underscores United Imaging's investment in the American market and in the 60+ countries in which it operates. The uMI Panorama GS will be showcased at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) meeting in Toronto. Jeffrey M. Bundy, Ph.D., CEO of United Imaging in the U.S., commented, "In our sixth year in the North American market, to achieve not only this global milestone, but a number of firsts we're very proud of, reflects the very significant investment we're making for customers in all parts of the country from the first mobile digital PET/CT that is a leader in reaching patients everywhere (our uMI 550), to the first whole-body system to break the 200 ps timing barrier (the uMI Panorama GS). We will continue to break down traditional barriers in the industry in ways that matter to hospitals and imaging centers, wherever they are located. We've proven time after time that we can and we will deliver more firsts that change the market direction and improve patient care." The uMI Panorama GS, the flagship of the uMI Panorama family, boasts a 148 cm axial field of view (FOV), enabling streamlined whole-body imaging alongside enhanced patient comfort and advanced research and clinical capabilities. uMI Panorama GS has the potential to expand clinical applications and research horizons, facilitating the study of new radiopharmaceuticals and advancing translational research. Notably, the system enables dynamic imaging, allowing for the simultaneous visualization of multiple organs in a single bed position. Key features of the uMI Panorama family also include a common detector platform with a new internally-designed ASIC chip, achieving the highest NEMA NU 2-2018 PET spatial resolution of 2.9 mm*, and an AI-empowered workflow facilitated by the uAI Vision 3D camera. Additionally, the system boasts a high-end 160-slice fully loaded CT. Another notable member of the uMI Panorama family is a wide-bore PET/CT system also featuring a NEMA resolution of 2.9 mm, a 35-cm axial FOV, and a 189 ps** timing resolution. This system has already been installed at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, among other places. Additionally, United Imaging at SNMMI will feature the uNeuroEXPLORER (NX), a groundbreaking dedicated brain PET/CT scanner, developed in collaboration with Yale and UC Davis. The NX was innovated to push forward the brain PET protocols and applications and stands as the most advanced DOI-TOF PET/CT scanner globally. SNMMI attendees are invited to engage with United Imaging's advancements in molecular imaging at Booth #1325. The company will host a lunch symposium on Monday, June 10, featuring presentations on topics ranging from total body PET/CT to recent PET/MR experiences, providing an invaluable opportunity to explore the future of healthcare technology. *Data on file ** Based on public acceptance measurements. Li, Guiyu, et al. "Performance Evaluation of the uMI Panorama PET/CT System in Accordance with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association NU 2-2018 Standard." Journal of Nuclear Medicine (2024). SOURCE United Imaging Healthcare Co., Ltd. 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 More than 50 private houses were damaged in the Poltava region as a result of hostile shelling on June 7. Yesterday, rescuers pulled a woman out of the rubble of her own home, she was in serious condition. Doctors fought for her life for almost a day, but she died on June 8. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by Filip Pronin, head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration. The medics also helped two people with acute stress reaction. A total of 70 rescuers and 16 pieces of equipment were engaged to eliminate the consequences of the Russian attack. "In their work, the rescuers used video cameras, body cameras, and drones. This made it possible to make online broadcasts to quickly coordinate the actions of the headquarters, analyze the situation at the scene and make appropriate decisions," Pronin said. ADVERTISIMENT At 11:05 a.m. on June 8, Filip Pronin reported that the woman who was pulled out of the rubble of the house by rescuers last night died in hospital. Doctors fought for her life until the last minute. "My sincere condolences to her family and friends. Every life taken is our common pain," RMA head wrote. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Bhopal, June 8 : Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who won the Lok Sabha election for the sixth time -- including one bypoll, has said that having a Prime Minister like Narendra Modi is a matter of pride for everyone in the country. In a video message late on Friday, Chouhan said that Prime Minister Modi has taken India to new heights in the past 10 years and his third term will shape the country's future growth. "The country has witnessed inclusive growth under his (PM Modi's) leadership in the past 10 years, and the next tenure will shape up the country's further growth," he said. On BJP's clean sweep in Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan said winning all 29 Lok Sabha seats was a commitment by the party workers in the state. Chouhan also claimed that factionalism and internal conflict in the state Congress unit led to its embarrassing defeat in Madhya Pradesh. The former Chief Minister won the Lok Sabha election from Vidisha against Congress' Pratap Bhanu Sharma with a margin of over 8 lakh votes -- the second-highest victory margin in Madhya Pradesh after BJP's Shankar Lalwani who won the Indore seat with a margin of more than 11 lakh votes. New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attends a Meet and Greet programme of People of North East and West Bengal at BJP headquarters. Image Source: IANS News Guwahati, June 8 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that peace and stability have become permanent features of the state in the last few years as major militant groups have joined the mainstream shedding the path of violence. Chief Minister Sarma mentioned that since 2021, the Assam government and the Centre have signed four peace accords with insurgent groups that include Karbi insurgent groups, Adivasi outfits, Dimasa militant outfit and ULFA. He further said that the peace agreement signed in 2020 with Bodo militant outfit NDFB led to the surrender of at least 9,583 cadres. "Moreover, areas under AFSPA were reduced in Assam and only four districts in the state are currently under AFSPA," the Chief Minister added. "In the last 3 years, due to the sustained efforts of our Govt and with active support from Govt of India, peace and stability have become permanent features in the State," he posted on social media platform X. "Almost all major militant groups have surrendered and joined the mainstream to create a Viksit Assam," Chief Minister Sarma added. Washington, June 8 : North Korea, China and Russia are expanding and diversifying their nuclear weapons stockpiles at a "breakneck" speed, a White House official has said, warning that absent a change in the trajectory of their arsenals, the US may have to increase its own. Pranay Vaddi, senior director for arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation at the National Security Council, made the remarks at a forum on Friday, noting that the three countries are driving the US and its allies into bracing for a "world where nuclear competition occurs without numerical constraints", Yonhap news agency reported. "Russia, the PRC and North Korea are all expanding and diversifying their nuclear arsenals at a breakneck pace, showing little or no interest in arms control," he said at the event hosted by the Arms Control Association, a US-based nonpartisan organization. PRC stands for China's official name, the People's Republic of China. "Those three, together with Iran, are increasingly cooperating and coordinating with each other in ways that run counter to peace and stability, threaten the United States, our allies and our partners, and exacerbate regional tensions," he added. The official pointed out that to deal with the realities of a "new" nuclear era, President Joe Biden recently issued an updated nuclear weapons employment guidance. "It emphasizes the need to account for the growth and diversity of the PRC's nuclear arsenal and the need to deter Russia, the PRC and North Korea simultaneously," he said. "It also reaffirms our commitment to use arms control and other tools to minimize the number of nuclear weapons needed to achieve US objectives." Vaddi warned that the US will need to adjust its posture and capabilities to ensure its ability to deter growing threats from the three countries should there be no change in their current nuclear weapons policy trajectory. "Let me be clear (that) absent a change in the trajectory of adversary arsenals, we may reach a point in the coming years where an increase from current deployed numbers is required," he said. Vaddi stressed that Washington has already taken "prudent" deterrence steps, including pursuing a modern variant of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb, and seeking to extend the life of certain Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines during the transition from legacy to modern capabilities. He also pointed out that the US has "fully" invested to ensure that its "extended deterrence" commitment to using the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend allies, continues to contribute to nonproliferation efforts. He mentioned the Washington Declaration between the US and South Korea as an example of efforts to "jointly approach nuclear scenarios" with allies as "equal partners". South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Biden adopted the declaration last April as part of efforts to enhance the credibility of extended deterrence. The official criticized Russia and China for their "outright refusal" to even discuss arms control, and North Korea for answering the US' attempts to engage on risk reduction and nuclear issues with "more missile tests and greater hostility". "Practically speaking, they are forcing the US, our close allies and partners to prepare for a world where nuclear competition occurs without numerical constraints," he said. "The reality is that further enhancing our capabilities and posture is incredibly important to rejuvenating strategic arms control." Paris, June 8 : The French anti-terrorism prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into a Russian-Ukrainian man who was seriously injured when a homemade explosive device detonated. The 26-year-old is to be remanded in custody, the public prosecutor's office announced in Paris on Friday. The exact plans of the man and others who may have been involved are now to be investigated. According to initial investigations, the man had only arrived in France a few days earlier. In a hotel in Roissy near Paris Charles-de-Gaulle International Airport, he had seriously injured himself while making explosive devices on Monday evening. According to the newspapers Le Parisien and Le Monde, the Ukrainian, who comes from the eastern Donbass region, is also said to have taken Russian citizenship a few years ago and to have been pro-Russian. He is also said to have fought in the Russian army for two years. The newspaper JDD had previously reported, citing security sources, that investigators suspected he could be a Russian spy targeting French military equipment destined for Ukraine. Ahead of this summer's Olympic Games, France has repeatedly reported cases of possible Russian influence and attempts at destabilization. --IANS/DPA int/sha Stockholm, June 8 : Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked by a man in central Copenhagen on Friday evening. The attack which took place in a square not far from Frederiksen's home left the Prime Minister "shocked". Copenhagen police have confirmed the incident but refused to give more comment, Swedish Television (SVT) reported. "Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was beaten on Friday evening at Kultorvet in Copenhagen by a man who was subsequently arrested. The Prime Minister is shocked by the incident," the Prime Minister's office was quoted as saying by the BBC. The attacker was arrested following the incident. However, his identity and the motive behind the attack are not known yet. The attack comes two days before Denmark votes in the EU election. Frederiksen (46) became Prime Minister in 2019 after taking over as leader of the centre-left Social Democrats four years earlier. This made her the youngest prime minister in Danish history. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen called the attack a "despicable act". European Council President Charles Michel said on X that he was "outraged". "I strongly condemn this cowardly act of aggression," he said. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billstrom also condemned the attack. Sanaa, June 8 : Yemen's Houthi group has claimed responsibility for launching missile and drone attacks against two commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement on Friday that the attacks targeted two ships belonging to companies that violated the Houthi decision to ban entry to Israeli ports. He identified the ships as Elbella and AAL GENOA, Xinhua news agency reported. In the statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, Sarea said the attacks were "carried out with a number of drones, ballistic and naval missiles, and the hits were accurate." He also vowed to launch more such attacks until "Israel stops the war on Gaza." Earlier in the day, al-Masirah TV reported that "the US-British coalition launched multiple airstrikes against the capital Sanaa and the port city of Hodeidah." The airstrikes targeted Houthi military positions in both cities, according to local residents. 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. Washington, June 8 : US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to the Middle East next week, in his latest attempt to push for an end to the ongoing Gaza war. Blinken will visit Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Qatar from Monday to Wednesday, the State Department said on Friday. "The Secretary will discuss with partners the need to reach a ceasefire agreement that secures the release of all hostages," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. The planned trip comes after US President Joe Biden laid out a new three-phase plan to end the months-long war in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian extremist group Hamas. Blinken would "emphasize the importance of Hamas accepting the proposal on the table, which is nearly identical to one Hamas endorsed last month," according to the statement. "The Secretary will discuss how the ceasefire proposal would benefit both Israelis and Palestinians. He will underscore that it would alleviate suffering in Gaza, enable a massive surge in humanitarian assistance, and allow Palestinians to return to their neighbourhoods." Neither Israel nor Hamas have so far agreed to the latest proposal, which envisages a complete and unrestricted ceasefire lasting six weeks. This is to lead to a permanent ceasefire in a second phase. Qatar, the US and Egypt have been mediating between Israel and Hamas for months to achieve a ceasefire and an exchange of hostages kept by the militant group for Palestinian prisoners. Following the Middle East trip, Blinken is scheduled to accompany Biden at the G7 leaders' summit in Italy from June 13-14. --IANS/DPA int/sha Paris, June 8 : French President Emmanuel Macron is due to receive his US counterpart Joe Biden as a state guest in Paris on Saturday. Following an official welcoming ceremony, the two are scheduled to hold bilateral talks in Macron's official residence, after which Biden and Macron are expected to appear before the press. A state banquet is scheduled for the evening. Unlike regular working visits, official state visits are accompanied by special pomp and protocol. The US President is currently on a visit to France lasting several days. He arrived on Wednesday and took part in commemorations in Normandy on Thursday to mark the D-Day landing of Allied troops 80 years ago. The White House said in advance that the state visit reflected the close ties between the two countries. Biden and Macron plan to discuss a wide range of global challenges and bilateral issues. The French government said that they would discuss further support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia. This would also serve to prepare for next week's G7 summit in the Italian city of Bari and the NATO summit in the US capital Washington in July. Biden received Macron as a state guest in Washington in 2022. At the time, the French leader was the first foreign guest to be honoured in this way during Biden's term of office. --IANS/DPA int/sha Chandigarh, June 8 : India-born Canadian MP Chandra Arya on Saturday slammed Khalistan supporters for celebrating the assassination of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with her cutout in a float and asked law enforcement agencies to take action. "Khalistan supporters in Vancouver with posters of Hindu Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's body with bullet holes and her bodyguards-turned-assassins holding their guns, are again attempting to instil fear of violence in Hindu-Canadians," Arya wrote on X. He said, "This is continuation of threats with a similar float in Brampton a couple of years back and a few months ago (Gurpatwant) Pannu of Sikhs for Justice asking Hindus to go back to India." Arya again called on law enforcement agencies in Canada to take immediate action. "With pictures of guns readily being used to convey the message, (this) may lead to something real if this is left to continue unchallenged. The prominence of 'bindi' on the forehead of Indira Gandhi is to make doubly sure the intended targets are Hindus in Canada," he said. Pannu was declared a "designated individual terrorist" by the government of India on July 1, 2020. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has accused his organisation of radicalising youth and promoting terrorism. It is also responsible for diplomatic tensions between India and Canada. Responding to the mockery of the assassination of the late Prime Minister, Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the promotion of violence is never acceptable in Canada. "This week, there were reports of imagery depicting the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Vancouver. The promotion of violence is never acceptable in Canada," he wrote on X. Intelligence agencies in India believe that the display of the assassination seemed to be linked with the 40th anniversary of the Indian Army's 'Operation Blue Star' in Amritsar that was carried out between June 1 and 8, 1984. 'Operation Blue Star' was a military action ordered by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to flush out terrorists led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale holed up in the Golden Temple complex with arms and ammunition. The operation to flush out the terrorists had led to several casualties on both sides and left the Golden Temple and its complex damaged. On an earlier occasion, a Hindu temple was vandalised with 'anti-India' graffiti in Brampton province, leaving the Indian community in shock. Millions of people receive best-selling drugs to treat obesity or diabetes. One of these is Ozempic, a drug manufactured by the Danish company Novo Nordisk. Since it was authorized for sale in 2018, it has generated global expectations unlike anything since the release of Viagra. American chemist Svetlana Mojsov who was born 77 years ago in Skopje (in the former Yugoslavia, now North Macedonia) led some of the first research behind this drug in the 1980s. Mojsov discovered the active sequence of an intestinal hormone GLP-1 which stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin when blood sugar is high. This discovery made it possible for Novo Nordisk to develop Ozempic and for other pharmaceutical companies to create similar medications. Today, this market moves billions of dollars each year, but Mojsovs name was erased from history. Three other scientists have since won awards for the discovery of the GLP-1 hormone: Joel Habener and Daniel Drucker from the United States and Jens Juul Holst, of Denmark. They also had valuable roles in the research. This past Wednesday, the Princess of Asturias Foundation in Spain announced that it was once again awarding the three men, but this time, Svetlana Mojsov of Rockefeller University would be added to the list, as would the American doctor Jeffrey M. Friedman, who, in 1994, discovered leptin, another hormone that regulates appetite. After decades without acknowledgement, Mojsov celebrates her recent prize in a telephone interview with EL PAIS. She has been reminded of her essential role in one of the medical revolutions of the 21st century. Question. You helped discover the hormone GLP-1. Why has this been erased from history? Answer. I really dont know. Its a question I always asked myself and I dont have an answer. But now, Im very happy. There were many articles in scientific journals that misrepresented or minimized my work. I wrote them letters to correct that information. The first I reached out to was [the peer-reviewed scientific journal] Cell. They published a correction immediately, after just two months. I also asked Nature for a correction; they also published it in September [of 2023]. Im surprised no one noticed this, until a journalist from Science magazine discovered my story and wrote an article. So, Im grateful to science journalists! Q. Do you think this erasure of history has anything to do with you being a woman, while the other three researchers are men? A. I always get asked this question and I dont think I know. Maybe. I never felt that being a woman was an obstacle to achieving professional success [in my field]. When I came to Rockefeller University, I never felt that way. Both Bruce Merrifield who directed my doctoral thesis and Ralph Steinman, in whose department I worked for 20 years, supported women scientists (both later won the Nobel Prize). They supported me a lot, so I dont know. I really dont know. I say this honestly. But I also have to say that many women have written to me telling me that they identify with my story. There seems to be a certain percentage of women who feel that their contributions are minimized by men. Q. In 1996, you learned that the patents for the GLP-1 receptor had been granted to Joel Habener of Massachusetts General Hospital. He was credited as the sole discoverer. How did you feel in that moment? A. I was very surprised, but I didnt get angry. I was just surprised by that omission. The only way to try to correct that was to work with a law firm, but even then, it took 10 years. People asked me if I did it for money, but really, that wasnt it. I already knew that Novo Nordisk was working on it and was confident that GLP-1 would become a new drug in the future, but it never crossed my mind that it would make so much money. These drugs werent typically bestsellers, so it wasnt a financial issue. In fact, the patents [related to the hormone] didnt make much money, because the first authorized drug liraglutide, or Victoza was launched in 2010 and the patent expired in 2012. So, at the beginning, there were only two years of exploitation rights. [This was] a time that had nothing to do with whats happening now. Q. This year, Novo Nordisk is expected to have around $24 billion in sales for its two main drugs: Ozempic and Wegovy. Both mimic the activity of GLP-1. You dont get a percentage? A. No, no, nothing, nothing. The truth is that I didnt get into science to make money: I just wanted to make some important discovery. And I accomplished my goal, so Im very happy. If I had wanted to make money, I would have dedicated myself to finance. Q. In October, you will travel to Spain for the awards ceremony in Oviedo. Joel Habener will be there. Whats your relationship like? A. We havent spoken in 30 years. We have no relationship. Each of us went our own way. Well see how it goes. Q. Would Ozempic exist without the pioneering work of Svetlana Mojsov? A. The answer isnt yes or no. I discovered the active sequence of GLP-1, but this active form GLP-1 (7-37) wasnt very stable. At Novo Nordisk, they took this active sequence and made it more stable in the blood. First, we had liraglutide, or Victoza, which was injected once a day. And now, we have Ozempic, which is even more stable. Novo Nordisks contribution was very important and [the company] must be given credit. I think this needs to be seen as a collaborative effort. Q. For the Nobel Prize, a maximum of three laureates may be selected per award. This year, the Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research has been given to five people. Which two would you remove for the Nobel? A. I dont think about the Nobel Prize, or any prizes. That question should be asked of the Karolinska Institute (which awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine). Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Srinagar, June 8 : State Investigation Agency (SIA), a wing of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Saturday carried out a raid in Srinagar city as part of an ongoing investigation into the killings of four policemen in Sopore area in 2013. Officials said that the sleuths of the SIA raided the residence of one Ahmadullah Malla in Nawa Bazaar area of Srinagar city on Saturday. "These raids were carried out after obtaining search warrants from the court. These are part of the ongoing investigation into the killings of four policemen in Hygam area of Sopore in 2013," they said. It must be recalled that in November 2021, the Jammu and Kashmir government's Home Department granted sanction for the creation of a new, specialised investigating body, SIA, on the lines of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Moscow, June 8 : At least 22 civilians were killed as Ukrainian forces bombed a store in the village of Sadovoye in Russia's Kherson, region's Governor Vladimir Saldo said. Saldo said that on Friday, at the time of the attack, there were a significant number of customers and staff inside the store, according to a TASS report. According to the Governor, the strike occurred twice, reports Xinhua news agency. "The first (strike) was delivered by a guided French aerial bomb, and the second by a well-known American HIMARS projectile," Saldo was quoted as saying in the report. "After the first arrival, people from neighbouring houses ran out to help the victims; after a short period of time, a HIMARS missile arrived. Among the dead were two children," Saldo added. New Delhi, June 8 : NASA on Saturday announced a grant of about $1.5 million each to seven companies for studies exploring more affordable and faster methods for the Mars sample return mission. The companies, which include Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Quantum Space, and Northrop Grumman, will conduct ten three-month-long studies. In addition, NASA centres, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, and Johns Hopkins' Applied Physics Laboratory are also producing studies. Once completed, NASA aims to assess all studies to consider alterations or enhancements to the Mars Sample Return architecture. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said that the Mars sample return mission "will be one of the most complex" that the US space agency has undertaken. He said, "It is critical to carry it out more quickly, with less risk, and at a lower cost." "I'm excited to see the vision that these companies, centres, and partners present as we look for fresh, exciting, and innovative ideas to uncover great cosmic secrets from the Red Planet," Nelson said. NASA has been engaging in several missions over the last century to determine the early history of Mars and to understand the formation and evolution of habitable worlds, including Earth. NASA's Mars Sample Return is a strategic partnership with ESA (the European Space Agency) that has been a long-term goal of international planetary exploration for the past two decades. Jalna : , June 8 (IANS) Shivba Sanghatana chief Manoj Jarange-Patil started a fresh hunger strike for the implementation of the state government's promises made in January, here on Saturday. Jalna (Maharashtra), June 8 (IANS) Shivba Sanghatana chief Manoj Jarange-Patil started a fresh hunger strike for the implementation of the state governmentas promises made in January, here on Saturday. Accompanied by a large number of supporters, Jarange-Patil launched a hunger strike at his village Antaravali-Sarati as local authorities granted him permission at the last minute, an aide told IANS from the venue. The Maratha leader had led a series of agitations, starting with a hunger strike in August 2023, and then protests, rallies, long marches up to Navi Mumbai, and other forms of dissent to press for the Maratha quotas. The state government had convened a Special Session of Legislature and conceded several of his demands and certain others still left to be implemented as per the understanding. Over one lakh devotees throng Baba Nagri shrine in J&Ks Ganderbal district on annual Urs. Image Source: IANS News Srinagar, June 8 : More than one lakh devotees on Saturday paid obeisance at the Baba Nagri shrine in Wangat area of Jammu and Kashmir's (J&K) Ganderbal District on the 128th Urs of Sufi saint, Baba Jee Sahib Larvi Naqashbandi. Srinagar, June 8 (IANS) More than one lakh devotees on Saturday paid obeisance at the Baba Nagri shrine in Wangat area of Jammu and Kashmiras (J&K) Ganderbal District on the 128th Urs of Sufi saint, Baba Jee Sahib Larvi Naqashbandi. Each year the saintas annual Urs is celebrated on June 8. Baba Jee Sahib Larvi Naqashbandi is the most revered patron saint of the Gujjar/Bakarwal community of J&K cutting across the religious divide. He was a social reformer and a Sufi saint of the 18th century. Gujjar/Bakarwal Muslims and Hindus from different parts of J&K including Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Surankote, Kalakote, Pahalgam, Babdipora, Kokernag, Kulgam and even from outside J&K throng the saintas shrine in Wangat Village each year. The shrine is situated 45 kms from Srinagar city. Baba Jee Sahib originally belonged to Balakote area now in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. About 128 years ago, he came to Wangat and remained in prayer for many years till his fame travelled far and wide. Devotees have since been coming to the shrine with devotional offerings. The devotees often tie votive knots at the shrine for fulfilment of their prayers. Once the prayers are answered, the devotees return to the shrine with devotional offerings to untie the votive knots. Using every mode of conveyance including buses, trucks, jeeps, cars and motorcycles, the devotees have been pouring into Wangat as the administration made special deployment of police to streamline the movement of the pilgrims. The family of the Larvis include Mian Altaf Ahmad, the present chief patron who inherited the chair from his late father, Mian Bashir Ahmad. Before Mian Bashir Ahmad, the chief patron of Baba Jee Sahibas shrine was Mian Nizamuddin Sahib. Mian Altaf Ahmad is the grandson of Mian Nizamuddin Sahib. Altaf recently won the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat as NC candidate defeating his nearest rival, former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti by a margin of over 3.50 lakh votes. Given the tremendous love and reverence in which the Gujjar/Bakarwal community of Rajouri and Poonch hold the Mians of Wangat, the politics of Mehbooba Mufti and other rivals of Mian Altaf Ahmad meant little to his voters. A free community kitchen is run by the Mian family during the entire three-day-long annual Urs for the devotees. Free Langar is also run by the family at the shrine in Wangat the entire year where scores of devotees from different parts of J&K come and have food each day. Hardly any other religious family in J&K can match the wide popularity of the Mian family as it exists in almost every nook and corner of J&K extending even to Haryana and Rajasthan. No political speeches are delivered during the annual Urs of the saint. Only recitation of the holy Quran, prayers and religious teachings are made during the Urs days. Woman diagnosed with brain tumour after hallucinations tell her to have CT scan.(Photo:Pexels). Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, June 8 : As brain tumour cases are rapidly increasing worldwide, early diagnosis is key for better outcomes, said experts on World Brain Tumour Day on Saturday. World Brain Tumour Day is observed every year on June 8 to raise awareness about the disease explained as an abnormal growth of cells in the brain. The International Association of Cancer Registries (IARC) reported over 28,000 cases of brain tumours in India each year, and more than 24,000 people reportedly die due to brain tumours annually. If brain tumours are not treated in time and precautions are not taken, the situation can turn challenging making it hard for people to learn, plan, make decisions, concentrate, and make decisions, and also become fatal, said the health experts. Children are also significantly affected by brain tumours. There is no exact cause of brain tumours, but factors such as family history, blood cancer, and treatment like ionising radiation are some reasons for increasing brain tumours. "It is common to use ionising radiation in cancer treatment and when a patient is exposed to this radiation, the risk of brain tumour surges. If the brain tumour disease is present in the family history, there is a possibility that one can get a brain tumour," said Dr. Prashant Kumar Chaudhary, Director, Neurosurgery, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi. "Additionally, it is also found that leukaemia patients also have a higher risk of it compared to normal people. Similarly, children who suffer from cancer in their childhood can also be affected by brain tumours later on," he added. Dr Praveen Gupta, Principal Director & Chief of Neurology, at Fortis Hospital, told IANS that stress is also a major reason. "Amid the fast pace of our daily living, we may easily overlook how much stress deeply affects our neurological well-being. It is possible for stress to secretly sneak in like a thief and foster an atmosphere that can see brain tumours grow therein," he added. Practising mindfulness meditation or simply creating time to think without any distractions can help boost mental health, the doctor said. Experts emphasised that timely and proper treatment from skilled and experienced doctors is also crucial for a good outcome in brain tumour. While the mainstay of the treatment is surgery, the nature of the surgery depends on the tumour (cancerous or non-cancerous), the location of the tumour, and the size. "The patient will need several imaging studies, like MRI, CT scans, angiograms, and some advanced kinds of MRI studies. "Several sophisticated and advanced methods, including Awake Craniotomy (keeping the patient awake during operation), neuro-navigation, and intraoperative neuro-monitoring, are used to improve the outcome. "In some patients, radiation treatment or chemotherapy may be required. Most of the brain tumours are not hereditary," said Dr. Amitabh Chanda, Senior Consultant - Neurosurgery (Brain and Spine), RN Tagore Hospital. Kolkata, June 8 : Actor-turned-politician and Trinamool Congress' celebrity legislator from Chandipur Assembly constituency in East Midnapore, Soham Chakraborty, has been accused of beating up a restaurant owner in New Town of Kolkata. According to the restaurant owner Anisul Alam, the incident took place late on Friday evening when he asked the driver and the bodyguards of Chakraborty to remove the actor's car illegally parked in his parking spot. "When I asked them to remove the car, one of them tried to intimidate me by saying that Chakraborty was a close friend of Trinamool Congress' General Secretary and party MP Abhishek Banerjee. "I told them that whoever he might be, he does not have the authority to illegally park his vehicle in anyone else's parking place. "First his bodyguard tried to attack me. Soon after that the actor-turned-MLA joined them and beat me up," Alam told newspersons on Saturday. Chakraborty, while admitting to hitting the restaurant owner, argued that he lost his temper after Alam used abusive words against Abhishek Banerjee. "I could not accept him abusing Abhishek Banerjee. I too have human sentiments so I lost my temper. The police are looking into the matter," said Chakraborty. However, the restaurant owner denied allegations of abusing Abhishek Banerjee. "I have immense respect for Banerjee. The actor is using him as a shield to hide his own fault," he said. Thiruvananthapuram, June 8 : Chairman of the Kerala Congress (M), Jose K Mani, on Saturday dispelled speculation that his party will return to the Congress-led Opposition. Speculation began after it dawned that Jose K Mani might not get a renomination to the Rajya Sabha when elections to three seats are held on June 25. Of the three, two seats will be contested by the ruling Left, while the other seat will be with the Congress-led Opposition. On Saturday, the CPI(M) top brass met the leadership of the CPI and Jose K Mani separately on sharing of seats. "The discussions went off well and the CPI(M) leaders have asked us to wait as the Left Democratic Front meeting will be held on Monday," said Jose K Mani. "Please don't be misguided by speculation that our party is shifting loyalties. We are not one to shift loyalties for power. We will continue to be with the Left," he said. Jose K Mani heads the bigger faction of the erstwhile party of his father the legendary KM Mani. Soon after the death of his father, Jose K Mani joined the ruling Left Democratic Front and his party won five seats to the Assembly in 2021 and his junior colleague got a Cabinet berth in the present Pinarayi Vijayan government. The other faction led by veteran legislator PJ Joseph is with the Congress-led UDF. Mani suffered a rude jolt when he lost the 2021 Assembly polls from his father's traditional seat. So all eyes are on Monday's LDF meeting and it remains to be seen, if the CPI(M) will give their winning Rajya Sabha seat to Mani, after CPI Secretary Binoy Viswan said they will not forego their seat. New Delhi, June 8 : India's talented youth and a stable democratic polity will provide a safe business environment to all partners, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. PM Modi said this in reply to billionaire Elon Musk, who on Friday had congratulated the Prime Minister on his re-election for a record third term. Musk informed that his companies are looking to invest in India soon. "Appreciate your greetings @elonmusk," PM Modi said. "The talented Indian youth, our demography, predictable policies, and stable democratic polity will continue to provide the business environment for all our partners," PM Modi added. The SpaceX and Tesla CEO was expected to visit India on April 21 and 22 and also meet PM Modi. However, he later postponed it citing "very heavy Tesla obligations". Musk later said he looks forward to coming to India later this year. Musk met PM Modi in June 2023 in the US. The tech billionaire expressed confidence that Tesla would enter the Indian market soon, along with Starlink, the satellite internet service. Tesla is also expected to set up its manufacturing unit in India and make large-scale investments. The carmaker had, in 2023, asked the Indian government to make duty cuts to import its vehicles into the country. Thiruvananthapuram, June 8 : With the first preliminary meeting of the CPI-M state Secretary held here on Friday passing off without any murmurs against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, despite the party suffering yet again at the Lok Sabha polls, it shows that his sway over the party continues as none is willing to bell the cat. Friday's meeting was a regular weekly party secretariat meeting where no one dared to express the real reason for the poll debacle which left the Left maintaining the status quo with just one seat, when Vijayan and his top leaders claimed they would be doing well. So with the full-fledged party meetings to be held across the state in the coming days before the state secretariat and state committee, which begins on June 16, it remains to be seen if the real reason for the debacle will be analysed. These meetings will be held in the backdrop of the lashing out done by the second biggest ally of the ruling Left -- CPI and then by RJD, which clearly points out that the reason for the debacle is the arrogance of Vijayan and his style of functioning. Despite the debacle, Vijayan, soon after Friday's meeting, slammed Metropolitan Bishop Geevarghese Mar Coorilose of the Syrian Jacobite Church and called him an 'ignoramus', dropping enough hints that he is not keen to undergo a makeover to improve his otherwise tough demeanour. Taking a dig at Vijayan, Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan, on Saturday, said that the statement made by Vijayan against a Bishop is in no way acceptable. "This clearly shows that he is in no mood to relent, despite being mauled at the polls. All that the Bishop tried to point out was that corrections have to be made otherwise what happened to CPI-M in Bengal and Tripura will happen here too. More importantly, there has been an erosion of their party votes from their strongest bastions. It is not befitting anyone to use words like those that Vijayan says against his detractors," said Satheesan. The next meeting which is being keenly looked out for is the leadership meeting of the Left Democratic Front, to be held here on Monday, on how CPI and RJD leaders who have already expressed their ire publicly against Vijayan, come face-to-face, and whether they will be able to reign him in. The first time a cop slammed Coss Martes face into a sidewalk, he was 13 years old. It was the 1990s on the Lower East Side, a neighborhood on the south side of Manhattan that was awash with drugs and cops during those years. Marte had just sold two small bags of weed to his friend and they were walking down the street, talking and smoking, when the police detained them. I wasnt scared, he recalls. That arrest the first of ten in all marked the beginning of a decade-long career as a marijuana and cocaine dealer. A multimillion-dollar business that put him in the DEAs crosshairs and, at 23, landed him in prison for four years. Today, just three blocks from the corner where he was first arrested more than two decades ago, Marte sells marijuana legally. He has been doing so since October of last year, when he opened ConBud, his own cannabis dispensary. It is one of 132 currently operating in New York, after the state legalized recreational marijuana use in March 2021. ConBud exists thanks to a state cannabis licensing program geared toward individuals who have previously been convicted of marijuana-related offenses. These licenses called CAURD are reserved for applicants from communities disproportionally impacted by the enforcement of cannabis prohibition, the vast majority of whom are Black and Latino. Regarding the latter, the law signed in 2021 even specifies some nationalities: Hispanic persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican, or Cuban origin. Theyre second chances for people like Marte, who suffered firsthand the abuses committed during the war on drugs when, at the end of the last century, authorities focused their efforts on marijuana possession and distribution. Like him, thousands of Latinos were arbitrarily detained because of their skin color and appearance, and incarcerated. In New York City alone, between 1997 and 2006, 112,000 Latinos were arrested for possessing small amounts of marijuana. That figure accounts for 31% of weed-related arrests made during that period, even though, back then, Latinos only made up 27% of the citys population, according to data from the ACLU of New York. Marte was one of them. Coss Marte outside the bodega where he sold marijuana as a teenager, May 31, 2024, in New York. Corrie Aune From the corner to making a million dollars a year Marte, whose mother emigrated from the Dominican Republic when she was pregnant with him, was born and raised in a Lower East Side ruled by the owners of the corners where the drugs were sold. By the time he was 11, he was already smoking marijuana. So many people made so much money selling drugs over here. It was clockwork. There were multimillion-dollar corners, where people lined up to buy stuff, and I lived on them. So as a kid, seeing 20 or 50 people lining up to buy was crazy. Thats what I thought success was, says Marte. So, as a teenager, he says he gave himself to the streets. He started out selling marijuana inside a neighborhood bodega at the intersection of Broome and Eldridge streets. Eventually, he inherited the corner from its previous owner and gave it his all. I wouldnt stop. I was on that corner 24 hours a day, I slept there, he recalls. In the early 2000s, with the gentrification of the neighborhood, Marte saw his product go from selling for $20 to almost $100. His profits multiplied and the business took off. He was no longer just selling on the corner of Broome and Eldridge; he was selling all over the city with his own home delivery service. Marijuana and cocaine on demand, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He was getting so many orders that, at one point, he had seven cell phones to process them all: The phones would not stop ringing. Sometimes I would take calls on two phones at the same time while two others were ringing. At just 19, says Marte, he was already earning more than a million dollars a year. Until 2009. In March of that year, Marte was arrested in the Bronx, in front of one of the three apartments he owned in the city. According to a report from New York Citys Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, authorities had tapped one of his business phones as part of an investigation, and when they arrested him, he had that same cell phone on him. A search of his residence turned up approximately two pounds of cocaine, the report continues. An ashtray showing Coss Marte's mugshot. Corrie Aune Marte was sentenced to seven years in prison, though he was released after four. That last arrest changed something in him. He realized he couldnt keep going the way he was going. I fell into the box. I was in solitary confinement, in a cell for 24 hours, alone. And thats when I started thinking, you know? I read the Bible and changed my way of thinking, he recalls. I was also thinking of my son, who came to visit me. When I went to prison, he was almost 2 years old. When I got out, he was 6. I had to have another future for him, I didnt want to go back to what I was doing before. While in prison, Marte also received a warning that would change his life completely. He was very overweight and prison doctors warned him that if he didnt change his lifestyle, it could end up killing him. Thats how, while still behind bars, he devised a plan to lose weight and get in shape. In just six months he lost 70 pounds and began training other inmates. When he was released in March 2013, he professionalized the method and a year later officially launched ConBody, a prison-inspired, bootcamp workout program. In 2016, he opened a gym with the same name, where the ConBud dispensary is also located today. Reparations After everything you went through, did you ever think you would end up selling weed legally? Hell, no. Marte remembers that when he heard the city was going to offer cannabis licenses to former inmates like him, he thought, This law was written for me, to give me a second chance. One of the requirements to apply for a CAURD license was to have had a profitable business for at least two years, which he already had with the ConBody gym. So he applied for the license in 2022 and the following year received the green light to open ConBud. According to data from the New York Office of Cannabis Management, the state received more than 900 applications for CAURD licenses between August 2022, when the application period opened, and September 2023. Since then, 463 applicants have been granted licenses or at least provisional authorizations. Of the 132 dispensaries in the state, 124, or 94% of them, are operating thanks to this program. Im taking this as reparations for what I went through, says Marte, now 39. More than a decade after his release, he now sells the same product for which he was arrested so many times. He admits that there are still times when hes standing in the street, smoking a joint, and tries to hide it if a cop drives by. I still feel that trauma, he acknowledges. Because we were persecuted for something that is now legal. But now we have the chance to really receive reparations, thats how I see this opportunity, he adds. The back room of the ConBud cannabis dispensary, where employees package orders for customers. Corrie Aune After his time in prison, Marte always knew that he wanted to give back to formerly incarcerated individuals like himself, who had fallen victim to the harshest decades of the war on drugs. Thats why his businesses, both the ConBud dispensary and the ConBody gym, are exclusively run by justice-involved people, be it former inmates or persons whose family members have had to interact with the criminal justice system in some way. We want to convey that the streets dont have to be a menace to society, he explains. All of his employees are Latino, black or Afro-Latino. None of them are going back to prison, he says. When asked about the kind of support formerly incarcerated individuals need when they are released and are searching for a second opportunity, like many of his employees, Marte pauses and sighs deeply before answering. The first answer he gives is, Its a lot. He repeats the phrase three times to emphasize the magnitude of the help they need. He also knows this firsthand. Everybody comes with different issues, whether its housing, children or parole. There are times when parole officers come and they want to check up on the whole location because an employee is on probation, he says. ConBud is a space of mutual support, where there can be no prejudice. I always tell my employees that if they have any issues or if theyre thinking of doing something crazy, to call me. Or call the team, call someone, says Marte. Its a process, but they all talk to each other. The ones who did 10 or 20 years are now mentoring the younger ones. And the younger ones teach them about social media and all that, he says. The ConBud cannabis dispensary, in New York. Corrie Aune Breaking the cycle of incarceration Fernando Pena, another CAURD licensee, sees these permits as a way to break the cycle of marijuana arrests and subsequent incarceration that for so many years plagued Latino and Black communities, in New York and across the country. It was a system systematically built to destroy families and take away our opportunities, he says. Now, in the era of regularization and legalization, children will grow up with their fathers instead of having to visit them in prison. We are at the beginning of a new city, a different New York. I feel like theres going to be a kind of renaissance, especially for people of color, who will now have more opportunities, he adds. In mid-April, Pena opened a dispensary in Ridgewood, Queens, called Late Bloomers, with his wife, Suzanne Furboter. They did so thanks to a CAURD license they received last year, just two decades after Pena was jailed for marijuana possession. The Dominican-American was arrested in 2003, when he was 35, in Chinatown, a Manhattan neighborhood not far from where Marte was first detained. He served a six-month sentence. Its important that we are represented in the cannabis industry, especially because, for years, we caught a lot of heat for it just because of what we looked like, Pena says. The owner of Late Bloomers is aware that opening a dispensary is not within everyones reach both he and Marte had to pay a $2,000 non-refundable fee to apply for a CAURD license , but he emphasizes that the legal cannabis industry is just getting started and the opportunities are immense. Not only in New York: there are already 24 states accounting for 54% of the countrys population that have legalized it recreationally. It is a market that this year alone will move more than $40 billion. In this neighborhood, many of the delivery truck drivers who pass through this street every day are probably Latinos, Dominicans, Pena points out. They could be working in the distribution service of some dispensary. Its not just about owning a business. They could be working on the accounting side, the growing side, the processing side, to just name a few. New Delhi, June 8 : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has become one of the first distinguished guests to set foot in New Delhi for Sunday's swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Hasina arrived in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon and was welcomed by Muktesh Pardeshi, Ministry of External Affairs' Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) at the airport. "This visit of one of our most valued partners will further strengthen India-Bangladesh close and deep-rooted bonds of friendship," said MEA. Hasina was also among the first foreign leaders to congratulate PM Modi on Wednesday after the BJP-led NDA's win in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections. In 2019, then Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid attended the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi as Hasina was unable to travel in person because of a prior commitment. Besides Hasina, several top leaders from India's neighbourhood and Indian Ocean Region (IOR) will be attending the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi and the Council of Ministers scheduled for Sunday evening. This includes Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Seychelles Vice-President Ahmed Afif, Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay. In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will also attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday evening. "The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision," MEA said. Imphal, June 8 : Amidst serious tension in Manipur's Jiribam district, adjoining Assam, more than 70 houses of a particular community have been burnt while additional security forces including Manipur police commandos were deployed in the area, officials said on Saturday. Imphal, June 8 (IANS) Amidst serious tension in Manipuras Jiribam district, adjoining Assam, more than 70 houses of a particular community have been burnt while additional security forces including Manipur police commandos were deployed in the area, officials said on Saturday. Curfew was imposed in Jiribam and adjoining Tamenglong districts for an indefinite period after protests erupted over the killing of 59-year-old Soibam Saratkumar Singh at Jiribam on Thursday night by suspected 'armed attackers'. A police official in Imphal said on Saturday that the houses of a particular community were burnt at Lamtai Khunou, Dibong Khunou, Nunkhal and Begra villages in the Jiribam district allegedly by 'armed attackers'. More than 200 people, mostly belonging to the Meitei community, have taken shelter in a newly set up relief camp after violence broke out following the killing of Soibam Saratkumar Singh, who belongs to the Meitei community. The police official said that the situation remained tense after local people organised massive protests following the recovery of the body of the victim on Thursday night with injuries and several cut marks. After setting some abandoned structures on fire, local people staged massive protests. A section of protesters demanded the return of their licenced firearms in Jiribam. The weapons were deposited in the wake of the recent Lok Sabha elections. Police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the mob. A joint control room comprising officials of Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force, and Manipur Police has been set up in the Jiribam district for effective, smooth and fast flow of communication for controlling the situation and to bring back normalcy at the earliest. A large contingent of security forces comprising state police and central forces have been deployed in both Jiribam and the adjacent Tamenglong district. Bordering Assam, Jiribam is a mixed-populated district inhabited by Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis, Muslims and non-Manipuris and the district had so far largely remained unaffected by the ethnic violence which ravaged Manipur since May 3 last year. The ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kuki-Zomi in several districts of Manipur has so far claimed over 220 lives in both communities. Over 1,500 people in both communities and over 70,000 people have been displaced from their homes and villages in the over-a-year-long ethnic violence. The rioting also has left thousands of houses, government and non-government properties, and religious structures destroyed or damaged. New Delhi, June 8 : Manoj Tiwari, the newly-elected BJP MP from North East Delhi, on Saturday visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to offer prayers and seek blessings following his electoral victory. Sharing pictures from his visit on his social media account, Tiwari wrote, "I got the wonderful opportunity to visit and offer my prayers at Kashi Vishwanath... I will reach Delhi shortly..." Speaking to the media outside the temple premises, Tiwari attributed his electoral success and that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the blessings of Kashi Vishwanath. "With the blessings of Baba (Kashi Vishwanath), I became an MP for the third time. Narendra Modi will also take an oath for the Prime Minister's post for the third time and drive the country towards the vision of Viksit Bharat. It is all because of divine blessings," the BJP leader said. Addressing the BJP's setbacks in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Ayodhya, where the party has been instrumental in building a grand Ram Temple, Tiwari emphasised the need for introspection. "A review of a few things is necessary," he stated, highlighting that despite some shortfalls, the NDA won 293 Lok Sabha constituencies and "people chose Narendra Modi as their Prime Minister for the third consecutive time, creating history." When questioned about the pressure on leaders and the potential for more cautious decision-making, Tiwari asserted that there is no pressure. "You must hear the speeches of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, and other NDA leaders. They have given full freedom to PM Modi," he said, dismissing the concerns. Tiwari also criticised the opposition for making false promises, labelling them as "liars and frauds." He specifically targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. "Those who rely on lies and fraud, making fake registrations of their promises, are now facing women, standing outside their offices, demanding fulfilment of those promises. This shows their lies have been exposed," said Tiwari, taunting at Congress' poll promise of Rs one lakh allowance to women of poor families. Mumbai, June 8 : Actress Gauahar Khan on Saturday shared a peek into her vacation to Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, enjoying the sunset while expressing her love for the hills. Taking to Instagram, Gauahar, who has 10 million followers, shared a Reel video, in which she can be seen wearing a half-sleeved white t-shirt and blue denim. With no makeup on and open hair open, she is seen flaunting her smile while enjoying the sunset in the hills. The post is captioned: "In love with the hills... #mussoorie like never before... #sunset." A few days back, Gauahar shared glimpses of her vacation with her husband Zaid Darbar and their baby boy 'Zehaan' from Tanzania, Africa. On the professional front, Gauahar, who was last seen as the host of the celebrity dance reality show 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11' is known for participating in reality shows like 'Khatron Ke Khiladi 5'. She has starred in movies like 'Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year', 'Ishaqzaade', 'Fever', 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania', and web shows like 'Shiksha Mandal', 'Tandav', and 'Salt City'. Jaipur, June 8 : The ongoing family dispute between former Rajasthan minister Vishvendra Singh, has taken a bitter turn as he reportedly filed a theft case against his wife Divya Singh and his son Anirudh at Mathura Gate Police Station in Bharatpur. The complaint filed by Vishvendra Singh, who is a member of the erstwhile royal family of Bharatpur, says that the mother and son have stolen gold and diamond jewellery worth crores which belonged to his family. In his report, the former Cabinet minister said that Divya and Anirudh have taken out 10 kg of gold and diamonds worth crores of rupees from the Bharatpur Royal Family Religious and Ceremonial Trust's locker. The joint locker number 1402 is in New Delhi Vault Limited in Defence Colony. In his complaint Vishvendra Singh stated that the locker was opened 16 times without his permission. In the report, Vishvendra Singh has written, "Divya and Anirudh had resigned from the membership of the Bharatpur Royal Family Religious and Ceremonial Trust and their trust membership ended on March 19, 2024. I brought 10 kg of gold on April 2, 2011. There was no place to keep it safe in Bharatpur. Therefore, it was kept in a locker in Delhi." There was no response from Vishvendra Singh on the issue as all attempts to contact him failed and the police officials are also tight-lipped in the matter. Meanwhile the copy of the complaint is going viral on social media. It needs to be mentioned here that Vishvendra Singh had given an application in the SDM's court (Bharatpur) against his wife and son last month alleging that he was not being given proper food. He had also made several serious allegations including not being allowed to meet people, being weakened financially, taking over of ancestral property, and so on. Vishvendra Singh has also demanded Rs 5 lakh monthly from his wife and son through this application. Bengaluru, June 8 : Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Saturday said that Rahul Gandhi has instructed the state leadership to review the Lok Sabha election setback in all districts of the state. "The discussion has to happen. Rahul Gandhi has instructed us to review the election setback in all the districts. We will abide by his instructions. There needs to be a discussion about why we lost the elections in many constituencies," the state Home Minister told media persons. Parameshwara is the district in-charge minister of Tumakuru, where the BJP candidate V. Somanna won the election by a margin of 1.75 lakh votes. Parameshwara said Rahul Gandhi, who has undertaken a 'Padayatra' across the country and addressed peoples' issues, should become the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. "It is our wish to see him as the Leader of the Opposition. However, it is for the India bloc to decide on the issue. Let's see what decision will the bloc take," the state Home Minister said. When asked about Minister for Medical Education Sharan Prakash Patil's name being linked to the money laundering scandal, he said that during investigations, many matters have come up. "Those who are accused will make various statements, and names will figure in those comments. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) will investigate the matter. It is wrong to make inferences from it and it is not possible to comment on it," the state Home Minister said. New Delhi, June 8 : Terming it as a "historic event", Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said on Saturday that he will be "honoured" to attend Sunday's swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Muizzu was presented the letter of invitation by India's High Commissioner to Maldives Munu Mahawar during a courtesy call at the President's Office on Saturday. As he accepted the invitation, the Maldivian President expressed his gratitude to PM Modi, stating that he would be honoured to attend the historic event marking his third swearing-in as Prime Minister of India. "He also stated that he looks forward to working with the Prime Minister to further strengthen the close relations with India, noting that Maldives-India relations is heading in the positive direction, as would be demonstrated by this visit," Muizzu's office said on Saturday. The visit is expected to have some positive impact on the strained India-Maldives ties since Muizzu, labeled as a pro-China candidate who had vowed to reduce New Delhi's influence, came to power in the island country, last year. India, however, had always viewed Maldives as a key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), saying that it occupies a special place in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of SAGAR or 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' and the 'Neighbourhood First' policy. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has maintained that the ties between the two countries are based on "mutual interests and reciprocal sensitivity". While attending various events during the election campaign over the past couple of months, Jaishankar has also insisted that the solution to the precarious situation would come through diplomacy only. "We have to make people understand, sometimes people don't even have complete knowledge of things, sometimes people get misguided on what others say," said Jaishankar a few weeks ago. Last month, during Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer's visit to New Delhi - his first to India since assuming office - India made it clear that it is in "common interest" that both countries reach an understanding on taking the relationship forward. New Delhi also reminded the Muizzu government that India has been a key provider of development assistance to the Maldives. "Our projects have benefited the lives of people of your country and contributed directly to the quality of life. They range from infrastructure projects and social initiatives to medical evacuation and health facilities. We have also extended financial support on favourable terms in the past. India has been a First Responder on numerous occasions for Maldives. Our cooperation has also enhanced the security and well-being of your country through shared activities, equipment provisioning, capacity building and training," said Jaishankar during his meeting with Zameer. Despite the recent sour ties, India continues to export essential goods, including sugar, wheat, rice, onions and eggs to Maldives as a goodwill gesture. Apart from that, India has also allowed exports of one million tonnes each of stone aggregate and river sand used as construction material. The Muizzu government has also tried to seek concessions on loan repayments from India, which reflects the Indian Ocean archipelago's dependence on its larger neighbour. In April, while extending his greetings to the Maldives President on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, PM Modi highlighted the cultural and civilisational linkages shared by the two nations. Mumbai, June 8 : The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has slammed Shiv Sena MP Naresh G. Mhaske's claims that at least two Shiv Sena's (UBT) MPs are likely to support the new government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, here on Saturday. Mhaske, who was elected from Thane has contended that at least a couple of SS (UBT) MPs would soon extend their backing to the NDA regime which will be sworn-in on June 9. SS (UBT)'s Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare took a jibe saying it would be better if Mhaske refrains from commenting on people who have their self-respect still intact alluding to the party split of June 2022. "Such immature statements indicate his IQ levels. It seems he has not yet realised that he has become an MP and should not be talking like this. We don't give any importance to such people," said Andhare. Congress' Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar said that such ridiculous comments display the mindset of the ruling side which has not understood the current political circumstances. "The Maharashtra Assembly elections are just around the corner (October) Nobody will think of taking such steps at a politically crucial time, he (Mhaske) should be aware of this. The MVA has won the people's confidence and is fully united, so his comments are baseless," Wadettiwar asserted. Considered close to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Mhaske claimed that at least two MPs of SS (UBT) are "in touch with the ruling Shiv Sena" as they are purportedly disgruntled with the stand of their party Chief and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. However, since it's a matter of disqualification as MP, they are waiting till they gather six MPs before extending support to the new NDA 3.0, Mhaske pointed out. In the last Lok Sabha elections, the MVA's Congress emerged as the largest group with 14 MPs, including the support of one independent; SS (UBT)'s 9; Nationalist Congress Party (SP)'s 8; and from the MahaYuti side Bharatiya Janata Party's 9; Shiv Sena's 7; and Nationalist Congress Party's 1. Moscow, June 8 : Ukraine attacked Russian targets with a total of 25 combat drones overnight, according to the Defence Ministry in Moscow, with one drone said to have reached deep into the Russian Caucasus. The Russian ministry said the drones were intercepted in the border regions of Rostov, Bryansk and Belgorod, as well as in Russian-occupied Crimea. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said a village church in his region was damaged. Russian officials did not report any deaths or injuries. A Ukrainian drone also apparently penetrated the republic of North Ossetia in Russia's Caucasus. Sergey Menyaylo, the region's leader, said the target was a military airfield. Local media said this was the first time since the start of the war that a Ukrainian drone had made it to North Ossetia, which is located far from the front line. Whether all Ukrainian drones were actually shot down by Russian air defences could not be independently verified. As a practice, the Russian Defence Ministry does not provide any information about drones that hit their target. --IANS/DPA sd/svn New Delhi, June 8 : The Delhi High Court has directed the Chief Secretary of the Delhi government to decide within 12 weeks on a plea advocating for a door-to-door survey to gather data on the total number of senior citizens in the national capital. The directive comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Salek Chand Jain, which also seeks the establishment of a new senior citizen home in every district of Delhi. The division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora has instructed the Chief Secretary to treat the PIL as a representation. Jain's plea stresses the need for comprehensive data collection and enhanced facilities for the elderly, citing that there are currently only two senior citizen homes funded by the Delhi government and one additional home managed by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board. The plea is a significant step towards improving the welfare and protection of senior citizens, ensuring that their needs and safety are adequately addressed by the authorities. Jain's counsel argued that senior citizens often face neglect and discrimination from their families, necessitating special care and attention. The plea also requested the Delhi Police to maintain a separate database of offences committed against senior citizens to better address their safety concerns. "This court directs the present writ petition to be treated as a representation to the Chief Secretary, GNCTD who, in turn, is directed to decide the same in accordance with the law, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within twelve (12) weeks," the court stated in its order. --IANS spr/dan The activist group SumOfUs placed a 5,000-pound piece of ice with the Facebook logo in front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., to protest against the social media sites role in promoting climate misinformation. The most effective way to combat misinformation is to try to ensure that the websites that spread it receive less advertising revenue. This is the conclusion reached by a study published recently in the scientific journal Nature, after researchers analyzed 1,276 misinformation websites and 4,209 legitimate websites between 2019 and 2021, as well as the behavior of 42,595 unique advertisers, who placed more than 9.5 million ads in that period. According to the authors of the study, allowing consumers to know where companies invest their advertising budgets can result in a considerable cut to the funds being given to websites that spread lies. There are brands that dont want to be associated with this type of content, but often finance it due to ignorance: they use automated digital advertising tools. The problem is that these spaces, which are auctioned off in processes organized by the so-called ad exchanges not only include media outlets of proven reputation, but also websites that engage in misinformation. Some advertisers arent aware of where their money is going, writes Wajeehaa Ahmad in the article, which she co-published with her colleagues. Shes affiliated with the Department of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University. Following the money trail The study confirms, firstly, that online misinformation is financed mainly by advertising revenue and, secondly, that the automation of the allocation of advertising space amplifies the financing of misinformation. Next, it examines how the financing of these websites affects advertisers and, finally, proposes measures to reduce this investment. According to NewsGuard, this sum isnt minor: for every $2.16 of digital advertising revenue spent in legitimate media, American advertisers spend $1.00 on websites that misinform users. The approach of this work is innovative because, until now, most interventions to try to counteract the proliferation of misinformation have focused on the consumer side: developing fact-checking websites, labeling responsible content, asking readers not to spread content they dont trust, etc. The goal of Amad and his colleagues, however, was to take action on the supply side. To identify the websites where misinformation is prevalent, the researchers turned to two main sources: NewsGuard a company that rates the reliability of the information contained in 95% of the websites available in the five countries in which it operates and the Global Disinformation Index (GDI), a not-for-profit organization based in the United Kingdom. The study considers a website to be engaging in misinformation when NewsGuard has repeatedly classified it as such between 2019 and 2021. The first thing was to try to understand if companies directly place advertising on websites that misinform, or if this occurs automatically through digital advertising allocation tools. To achieve this, the team built a large database combining information from websites that publish hoaxes, along with the advertising activity of the media over a period of three years. At the same time, they surveyed company executives, asking them if they were aware that their organizations were supporting misinformation or disinformation. They found that, in many cases, they were not aware. The next thing was to confirm if, indeed, consumers even care that the brands they buy support problematic content. To measure the level of discontent, the authors conducted a survey with a random sample of the American population. The objective was to see how consumption varies when consumers become aware that certain companies support disinformation websites. They also measured the response based on the intensity with which the companies in question spend money to finance misinformation. According to the authors, consumers tend to stop betting on products from companies that support misinformation. This behavior persists, furthermore, despite the fact that the consumer is warned that investment in these sites often occurs without the knowledge of management. The data show that consumer backlash was particularly strong for women and politically left-leaning consumers, the article highlights. Ahmad and his colleagues believe theres a path towards reducing the funding of misinformation through two scalable and low-cost interventions. First, by improving transparency, so advertisers know where their ads appear and can subsequently reduce advertising on websites that misinform. This would especially benefit firms that were previously unaware that their ads appeared on these sites. And, second, this process would be faster if there were specific platforms dedicated to it. The Check My Ads Institute an American group is one such platform. Founders Nandini Jammi and Claire Atkins are in charge of notifying large companies and ad exchanges the platforms that organize the auction of advertising space which websites are spreading hoaxes. Check My Ads made a name for itself following a great achievement by Jammi: she managed to deplete advertising revenue from the far-right website Breitbart News, owned by Steve Bannon, Trumps star advisor in his presidential race and later his chief White House strategist, until his fall from grace in 2017. That same year, Check My Ads managed to get 90% of Breitbarts anticipated annual revenue around $8 million removed by companies that were previously advertising with them. This was possible because 31 of the 34 ad exchanges withdrew, and, with them, 4,000 advertisers, Atkins tells EL PAIS. But we believe theres still a lot of work to do. How to combat misinformation? Our results suggest that both simple information disclosures and comparative company rankings can reduce consumer demand away from companies advertising on misinformation websites, the study notes. Advertising companies may wish to account for consumer preferences in placing their advertising across various online outlets and exercise caution while incorporating automation in their business processes via digital advertising platforms. Companies could use lists of misinformation outlets provided by independent third-party organizations such as NewsGuard and the GDI to limit advertising budgets being spent on misinformation outlets. This would be especially convenient, the authors note, for companies whose target audience is women or left-wing individuals, the groups most sensitive to advertising investment in misinformation. The researchers also recommend that portals where advertising space is automatically auctioned off specify whether they include misinformation websites among their destinations. Another measure could be to regularly publish rankings of companies that support misinformation in order of intensity, in the same way that Google Flights shows flights in order of carbon emissions. The study, however, doesnt assess how the generation of junk content using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools will affect this equation. This factor will presumably facilitate the dissemination of misinformation and increase its volume. The real effect of hoaxes and cancellation Nature has also published two more scientific articles related to misinformation. In one of them, the authors debunk some myths about this content: that peoples average exposure to hoaxes is high, that algorithms are largely responsible for this exposure and that social media is the main cause of polarization. Rather, this research documents the opposite. The authors conclude that theres a relatively low exposure to hoaxes and lies among users, which is also highly-concentrated in social groups with a strong motivation to consume this type of content. Consequently, they recommend holding the platforms or websites responsible for the content they disseminate and ask for more transparency about whats being published. Another investigation corroborates that removing former U.S. president Donald Trump and 70,000 other toxic accounts from Twitter today known as X after the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, significantly reduced the spread of misinformation across social media. The researchers analyzed a panel of about 600,000 Twitter accounts that were active during the 2020 U.S. election cycle. They found that 1,361 of them 0.25% were canceled between January 8 and 12. However, this small subset of users was responsible for 24.13% of all misinformation shared on the panel. The conclusion is that social media platforms may have the ability to partially control the spread of hoaxes, although the authors highlight that the data comes from a single country during a very specific period. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Danish PM taken to hospital with minor whiplash injury after assault. Image Source: IANS News Copenhagen, June 8 : Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was taken to the hospital with a minor whiplash injury after a man hit her in central Copenhagen, her office said. Frederiksen is "safe but shaken" by Friday's incident, the office said, adding that her scheduled engagements on Saturday have been cancelled. The 39-year-old man, who police quickly arrested for the assault, was due to appear in a pre-trial custody hearing in a Copenhagen district court later on Saturday. A full account of what happened in Kultorvet square in the capital's historic centre, as well as the suspect's motive, have yet to be released. Witnesses told Danish media that the 46-year-old prime minister was able to walk away from the scene. Condemnation poured in from across Europe. "Shocked to hear about the violence against my friend Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of our ally Denmark. I strongly condemn all violence against our political leaders," wrote NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the social media platform X. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it a "despicable act which goes against everything we believe and fight for in Europe," while French President Emmanuel Macron denounced it as "unacceptable" and wished the leader a quick recovery. "I strongly condemn any form of violence against democratically elected leaders in our free societies," Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said. "An attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy," wrote Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on X. The incident comes as the EU's 27 countries elect more than 700 members of the European Parliament during four days of voting that began on Thursday. Voters in Denmark go to the polls on Sunday. --IANS/DPA dan/ Islamabad, June 8 : The Afghan government has declined to participate in a regional meeting on Afghanistan held in Tehran, a senior Taliban diplomat said on Saturday. Zakir Jalaly, the third political director of the foreign ministry, wrote on X that the Afghan government expects that established mechanisms should be used for discussions on Afghanistan, not new ones. Special representatives of Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and China are meeting in Tehran today to discuss Afghanistan. The United Nations is set to hold an international meeting of various countries' special representatives for Afghanistan later this month in Doha, with the aim of increasing international cooperation on the country. The Taliban did not participate in the previous round of the Doha meeting in February. Jalaly added that the Taliban is engaged in talks about the upcoming Doha meeting. In December, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for the appointment of a special envoy for Afghanistan. The Taliban have consistently been against this. Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have rejected calls for the formation of an inclusive government and to ensure women's rights to education and work. As a result, no country has recognized their government. The countryas banking reserves are frozen in the West, and senior Taliban leaders are on US sanctions lists. On Wednesday, the UN Security Council lifted travel restrictions on four senior Taliban government leaders. The bans were removed for their visit to Mecca, Saudi Arabia where they will perform the annual Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj. --IANS/DPA dan/ Patna, June 8 : Newly elected Independent MP from Purnea, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, blamed RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for the defeat of the 'INDI Alliance' in Bihar. Pappu Yadav further said due to the arrogance of Tejashwi Yadav, the 'INDI Alliance' suffered a loss in Bihar and Rahul Gandhi could not become the Prime Minister. "We had already said that we will not get more than 230 seats. If Tejashwi Yadav had not behaved arrogantly during the election, INDI Alliance would get more than 25 seats in Bihar. The state has suffered this fate due to Tejashwi's arrogance. If you are dreaming of becoming the Chief Minister, then you should have a big heart," Pappu Yadav said while interacting with the media persons in Muzaffarpur. He said that so many seats were lost in Bihar because of one person. "We lost even those seats on which the INDI alliance candidates were winning. Because of him, the INDI alliance lost the Siwan seat. If Kanhaiya Kumar had been given a ticket in Begusarai, he would have probably won from there. Wherever NDA candidates have won, their winning margin was very small." Pappu Yadav said that Rahul Gandhi could not become the Prime Minister because of Bihar and Delhi (INDIA bloc's poor performance in both states). "If the leaders of the INDI alliance had not shown their arrogance, Rahul Gandhi would have been the Prime Minister today," he added. On Bihar CM Nitish Kumar touching the feat of PM Narendra Modi during the NDA meeting in Delhi, Pappu Yadav said that this is not surprising. New Delhi, June 8 : Thanking Beijing for congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the BJP-led NDA's win in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, India said on Saturday that it would continue to pursue efforts towards normalisation of ties between the two nations "based on mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity". Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning had extended congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP and the National Democratic Alliance on the election victory while holding a regular media briefing in Beijing, on Wednesday. "A healthy and stable China-India relationship is in the interest of both countries and conducive to the peace and development in this region and beyond," she said. "China stands ready to work with India to act in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, bear in mind the overall interest of our ties, look to the future and advance bilateral relations on a healthy and stable track," the spokesperson mentioned. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) thanked the Chinese Foreign Ministry (MFA) for its wishes on Saturday. "Thank you MFA China for congratulating PM Narendra Modi on his election victory. Will continue to pursue efforts towards normalisation of India-China ties based on mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. Earlier this week, Xu Feihong, China's new Ambassador to India, had also congratulated PM Modi on the BJP-NDA's win in the elections. "Congratulations to Prime Minister Modi Narendra Modi, BJP and BJP-led NDA on the victory in the Lok Sabha election. Look forward to making joint efforts with the Indian side for a sound and stable China-India relationship, which is in line with the interests and expectations of both countries, the region and the world," he said in a post on X. Bengaluru, June 8 : Amid BJP's demand for his resignation over alleged scam in Karnataka Maharishi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation and the suicide of a Tribal Welfare Board employee, state Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil on Saturday denied involvement in the crime. Speaking to reporters here, Minister Patil claimed that only references to his office were being made. "I did not attend the office on May 26, in light of the model code of conduct. If there is an allegation that a meeting was held on that day, let there be an investigation," he said. "There is no reference to the Medical Education Minister. The references are made only to the office of the state Medical Education Ministry. Many people visit a minister's office. However, I did not go to the office on the said date. The CCTV footage will reveal the truth. When there is no connection, how can my resignation be demanded?" Patil said. "When I inquired, the office staff told me that no meeting occurred. If called for an investigation, I will attend. I work honestly. If the meeting was held in my office, initiate action. There is absolutely no role of mine," Patil said. It is alleged that after the scandal was reported, a meeting was held at Minister Patil's office with B. Nagendra, the former minister who stepped down following the allegations, and Corporation Chairman, Congress MLA Basavaraj Daddal, to manage the consequences and hush up the case. Suva, June 8 : Fiji's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change launched a clean-up campaign here on Saturday to mark World Oceans Day, which serves as a global call to action, emphasising the critical need to protect and sustain the world's oceans. The Fijian government said this initiative underscores its unwavering commitment to promoting conservation and building climate resilience, reinforcing the island nation's dedication to preserving its pristine marine ecosystems, Xinhua news agency reported. As Fiji continues to confront the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, the need for resilience and proactive measures becomes increasingly evident. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said it remains committed to expanding the network of biodiversity parks (BioParks) and fostering greater public and stakeholder engagement in environmental advocacy. Fiji has established three BioParks, which reflect the collaborative efforts between the government and local communities, recognizing the crucial role communities play in conserving, restoring, and managing natural resources, according to the ministry. This alignment with national commitments towards sustainability is not only beneficial to local communities but also strengthens Fiji's overall environmental resilience, the ministry said. New Delhi, June 8 : Seychelles Vice-President Ahmed Afif arrived in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the council of ministers. Afif was received by Muktesh Pardeshi, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) at the airport. Facing common security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), India and Seychelles have enhanced cooperation in several fields over the last few years. The partnership is founded on the principles of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region), 'Neighbourhood First' policy and the 'Five S' vision of Sammaan (Respect) a" Samvaad (Dialogue) - Sahyog (Cooperation) a" Shanti (Peace) and Samriddhi (Prosperity) articulated by PM Modi. As reported by IANS, Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan hoped that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term would not only strengthen bilateral relations but also help in strongly addressing the "multiple global and regional challenges" that confront both nations in the IOR. "On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Seychelles, as well as on my behalf, I extend our warmest congratulations on your re-election as the Prime Minister of the Republic of India," Ramkalawan said in his congratulatory message to PM Modi on Wednesday. "This outcome is a testament to the confidence that the Indian people place in your visionary leadership and the remarkable progress that India has made under your stewardship, as well as the high regard in which you are held," he added. Spotlighting the "special relationship" between the two countries which has strengthened over the years, the Seychelles President stated both nations are working "ever more closely" on a range of issues of mutual interest and concern. "India's role as a key development partner and strategic ally for Seychelles has been invaluable. Our joint undertakings have been marked by robust cooperation in various sectors of shared interest including the military, health, education, infrastructure development, among others. "Our collaboration in maritime security has been pivotal in ensuring the safety and stability of the Indian Ocean Region. In addition, through our collective efforts in enhancing collaboration in cultural exchanges and human resource development, we have been able to foster mutual respect and better understanding between the people of our two countries," he mentioned. Srinagar, June 8 : The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) government on Saturday sacked four employees for their involvement in anti-national activities. Officials said that of the four dismissed employees, two are police Constables, one is a schoolteacher and one is an employee of the Jal Shakti Department. According to the dismissal order, "The activities of these employees had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and Intelligence agencies as they found them involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the state such as involvement in terror related activities. "Abdul Rehman Dar, Selection Grade Constable in Police Department, son of Sona Ullah Dar of Larmooh, Tral, District Pulwama, was involved in the commission of offence of not only carrying illegal arms and ammunition from one place to another for their delivery to the terrorists, but also providing camouflage uniform cloth and other material to them, taking undue and criminal advantage of his being a member of the police force. "Gh. Rasool Bhat, Constable in J&K Police, son of Jawaid Hyder Bhat of Lalgam, Tral, District Pulwama, is also involved in the commission of offence of carrying illegal arms and ammunition from one place to another for delivery to the terrorists. "As Kote NCO in the Armoury of a district, he was supplying ammunition and weapons to the terrorists for a long time. He was linked to the terrorist ecosystem through a network of OGWs, who have been operating at the behest of terrorist outfits based in Pakistan. "Shabeer Ahmad Wani, teacher in the Education Department, son of Mohammad Ashraf Wani of Bungam, Damhal Hanjipora, District Kulgam, has been an active member of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), a proscribed separatist association having tangible links with a terrorist organisation. "He played a substantial role in strengthening JeI and creating a network of people among JeI sympathisers. "Various FIRs have been registered against him because of his direct involvement in inciting and leading an unlawful assembly of mob instigating rioting and violence in DH Pora, during the 2016 unrest. "He continues to be a hardcore OGW of banned terror outfits, in particular the HM and his affiliation has perpetually aided terrorist activities in and around Kulgam, collecting information for facilitating attacks, clandestinely. "Anayatullah Shah Pirzada, Assistant Lineman in the Jal Shakti Department, son of Abdul Rashid Shah Pirzada of Watergam, Rafiabad, District Baramulla, is a terrorist associate/OGW of Al-Badr Mujahideen, a proscribed terror outfit. "He has worked covertly in a variety of ways to support the agenda of terrorists. He had direct association with dreaded terrorists like Yousuf Baloch and Tameem, who were the Commanders of Al-Badr Mujahideen, operating at different times in Kashmir. "He has been involved in various FIRs pertaining to the recovery of satellite phone, hand grenades etc communicating with the terrorists of Al-Badr Mujahideen based in Pakistan." "The government has adopted a Zero tolerance policy towards anti-national elements who have been taking advantage of being in Government service", the dismissal order said. Jerusalem, June 8 : Israel on Saturday announced that its forces have in two separate special operations rescued four Israeli hostages, including 25-year-old Noa Argamani, held by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, last year. All four, including Argamani, Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40) were rescued in a special operation conducted by the Israel Defence Force (IDF), the Israel Security Agency (ISA) - also referred to as Shin Bet - and Israel Police from two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat. The four hostages were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival and held hostage for the last eight months. Argamani's chilling video of being kidnapped by terrorists on a motorbike during the horrifying attacks had generated massive criticism from all over the world. In the first images released by the country's defence forces after the rescue operation on Saturday, Argamani is seen meeting her father in an emotional reunion. "They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre for further medical examinations. We will continue to make every effort to bring the hostages home," the IDF said in a statement. Seoul, June 8 : Medical doctors and professors in South Korea may stage a walkout later this month in protest against the government's recent decision to hike medical school admissions, sources said on Saturday. As per the sources, Korean Medical Association (KMA), the largest doctors' organisation with over 1,29,000 members, may stage a walkout on June 20, pending the outcome of a recent vote, Yonhap news agency reported. More than 70,000, or 54.8 per cent, of KMA members, took part in the vote held for four days since Tuesday, they said. The KMA is yet to disclose the outcome of the vote, saying it will be revealed at a meeting to be held on Sunday. However, the association has noted that Sunday's meeting will mark "the largest collective action in history" where professors, paid doctors, and practitioners will agree to act with the same purpose. Sunday's meeting also comes after doctors at four major hospitals affiliated with Seoul National University decided to stage a walkout from June 17. The potential walkout by doctors comes after the government finalised its plan to raise admissions quotas at medical schools by some 1,500, marking the first such hike in 27 years. Thousands of trainee doctors have stayed away from their jobs since the government announced its plan to hike the medical school admission quota earlier this year. President Joe Biden is seeking a new perspective on cannabis. No one should be incarcerated for using marijuana, he said recently. On his recommendation, the U.S. Department of Justice has proposed reclassifying the drug. Currently, the plant is considered just as dangerous as heroin, a highly addictive drug. With reclassification, it would be in the same category as substances such as ketamine or anabolic steroids, with less potential for addiction. There are several reasons behind this proposal, among them the greater acceptance of cannabis by U.S. citizens, as many support its legalization and regulation. On the other hand, the change in classification would help experts to conduct research and medical studies on the dangers and benefits of the plant without facing legal obstacles. The proposal was born after Biden asked the Department of Health and Human Services and the attorney general, who oversees the DEA, to review how marijuana was classified and why. Biden has been in favor of legalizing cannabis for medicinal use, and has stressed the importance of consistent evidence of its benefits. What does the proposal mean? The Department of Justice is considering moving marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug classification, which would represent a major change in federal policies related to cannabis. Being classified as a Schedule I substance, it is considered to have a high potential for abuse, in addition to no medical use, as is the case with heroin, LSD, quaaludes and ecstasy, among others. By entering Schedule III classification, its potential medical uses will be recognized and it will be considered to have a low potential for dependence. However, it will continue to be considered a controlled substance. Will this make marijuana legal? No. The proposal to reclassify marijuana does not legalize it in all states. What it would do is relax restrictions on cannabis at the federal level, making it easier for states that wish to regulate it. Each state will continue to have the authority to decide whether to legalize it for medical or recreational purposes. In addition, it will remain legal in territories that already have legislation in its favor. What is certain is that, with more medical research and greater awareness of its potential benefits, some states may become more open to the possibility of legalizing the plant. Will it help reduce prison sentences for cannabis-related crimes? Current anti-cannabis laws have been shown to create injustice and inequity, particularly when it comes to racial disparity in the application of laws and the imposition of prison sentences. However, this reclassification would not change anything for people in prison for cannabis-related crimes. David Culver of the U.S. Cannabis Council made this clear in a statement to the AP: Put simple, this move from Schedule I to Schedule III is not getting people out of jail. Nor will it change the way marijuana-related crimes are prosecuted. Recent years have seen a reduction in the number of federal possession cases, so no major changes are expected. When will the change be made? The proposal is only the first step. It must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, after which it will have a public comment period and review by an administrative judge. The process could take months or even years, plus it could face legal challenges, further delaying implementation. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Vadodara, June 8 : Vadodara is gearing up for the annual Rath Yatra to be organised by the ISKCON temple on July 7 during the auspicious occasion of Ashadi Bija Parva. As part of the preparations for the event, which attracts lakhs of devotees each year, the city's top police officers, including the Commissioner, DCP, and ACP, on Saturday visited the ISKCON temple to discuss the security measures after offering prayers to Lord Jagannath. The ISKCON temple also hosts several religious activities leading up to the event, including Jalabhishek, Mahabhog, and Aarti Puja, scheduled for June 22. The temple will then close for final preparations and reopen on July 7 for the Rath Yatra. "The meeting which Mahant Nityananda Maharaj also attended focused on the logistics and safety aspects of the Rath Yatra. With the event drawing closer, the city's law enforcement agencies are making special arrangements to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the festivities." sources said. Affirming that detailed planning for the Rath Yatra is underway, Commissioner Narasimha Komar said, "We have received God's blessings and are now focused on finalising the arrangements. More details will be shared as we approach the festival day." IANS janvi/arm Bhopal, June 8 : Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari on Saturday took the responsibility of party's humiliating washout in the Lok Sabha elections in the state. Patwari, who along with other senior party leaders was in New Delhi to attend the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, said being the state unit head, he won't run away from accepting the responsibility. "Being the state president, I can't make excuses. Whatever the situation was, but I was state president, so I take responsibility for it (loss)," Patwari said talking to the Press in Delhi. After the Congress witnessed a complete washout in Madhya Pradesh in the Lok Sabha elections, the infighting of the state unit came to the fore as some of the leaders raised questions about Jitu Patwari's working pattern. Senior party leader Ajay Singh (Rahul) has demanded the All India Congress Committee (AICC) leadership to review the tenure of state party chief Jitu Patwari. However, at the Press conference held following the CWC meeting in New Delhi, AICC general secretary (organisation), KC Venugopal said, "Congress president has decided to form a committee that would visit the states where the party's performance was very poor." Notably, the Congress in Madhya Pradesh lost all 29 Lok Sabha seats to the BJP, including Chhindwara, which it retained for the last 40 years. New Delhi, June 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that he was "deeply concerned" with the news of the attack on Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen. "Deeply concerned by the news of the attack on Mette Frederiksen, Denmark's Prime Minister. We condemn the attack. Wishing good health to my friend," PM Modi posted on X. It was reported that Frederiksen, who suffered a minor injury after a man hit her in central Copenhagen was "safe but shaken" by Friday's incident. Several top leaders of the world have also severely condemned the attack on the Danish PM which took place as the voters in the country are getting ready to elect members of the European Parliament on Sunday. With both countries working extensively together in several fields, Frederiksen has in the past hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "an inspiration for the rest of the world" for having set some very ambitious targets when it comes to providing clean water and renewable energy to millions of households. Denmark is also the only country in the world with which India has a Green Strategic Partnership. PM Modi has also highlighted the role that Danish expertise and Danish technology can play in the scale and speed at which India wants to move forward. Copenhagen, June 8 : European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday called the assault on Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen a "despicable act which goes against everything we believe and fight for in Europe". The Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was assaulted in a central Copenhagen square following which she has been hospitalised. Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, said he was "outraged" by the "cowardly act of aggression." Frederiksen, 46, was left "shocked by the incident" on Friday evening in which she was hit while in Kultorvet square, her office said, but further details on possible injuries were not provided. Police said they arrested a 39-year-old man after the assault and that he would appear in a Copenhagen court on Saturday. They have not said how the attack unfolded. Witnesses told Danish media that the prime minister was able to walk away from the scene. The incident comes as the EU's 27 countries elect hundreds of members of the European Parliament during four days of voting that began on Thursday. Voters in Denmark go to the polls on Sunday. There has been a spat of attacks on elected officials at all levels in neighbouring Germany. Mayors, members of the national parliament and local councils, as well as candidates, have been punched, stabbed, spat at and harassed, prompting Chancellor Olaf Scholz to say the country's democracy was under threat. Last month the EU was stunned by the shooting of Slovakia's prime minister, Robert Fico, in an assassination attempt. The gravely injured leader was taken home from hospital a week ago to continue his recovery there. --IANS/DPA dan/ New Delhi, June 8 : Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Maharashtra, coastal and northern Karnataka during the next five days while a fresh spell of heat wave conditions is likely to commence over Northwest India from June 9, according to an IMD forecast issued on Saturday. Heat wave conditions are likely to continue over parts of East and East-Central India, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh during the next five days, the IMD said. The weather bulletin also said that the Southwest monsoon on Saturday advanced into some more parts of Central Arabian Sea, southern Maharashtra, Telangana, and some parts of southern Chhattisgarh, southern Odisha, and coastal Andhra Pradesh. Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest monsoon into the remaining parts of Central Arabian Sea, some more parts of Maharashtra (including Mumbai), and Telangana during the next 2-3 days, the IMD forecast said. Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) are likely over Konkan and Goa, central Maharashtra, Marathwada, Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep, while isolated light to moderate rainfall is likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry during the next five days. Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds (30-40 kmph) are likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the next seven days. Isolated heavy rainfall is very likely over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim from June 8-12, the IMD said. Patna, June 8 : One person was killed and two others injured in indiscriminate firing by assailants in Jitwarpur Panchayat Bhawan in Bihar's Samastipur district on Saturday. The deceased was identified as 70-year-old Devnarayan Rai, a resident of Jitwarpur village. The injured were identified as Devnarayan's son Surendra Kumar Rai and ABVP student leader Mulayam Singh Yadav of Korbadha village. Upon getting information, senior officers of the district reached the spot and started the investigation. "During preliminary investigation, it came to the fore that land dispute could be the reason behind the crime," Mufassil police station SHO Pinki Prasad said. "The incident is being investigated. A manhunt has been launched to arrest the accused," the SHO said. Mumbai, June 8 : Telugu star Ram Charan landed in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday for the final leg of his shooting schedule for the political action thriller film 'Game Changer'. Mumbai, June 8 (IANS) Telugu star Ram Charan landed in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday for the final leg of his shooting schedule for the political action thriller film aGame Changera. This leg of the shoot will see Ram Charan working alongside Sunil and Naveen Chandra, who play substantial supporting roles in the film. The film also stars Kiara Advani, Jayaram, and Anjali in pivotal roles. Sources said that the Rajahmundry schedule of the film is expected to mark the completion of Ram Charan's portions in the film. Following this, he is expected to shoot for a couple of days in Hyderabad. These final scenes may be filmed towards the end of June or early July as per a new development. With Charan wrapping up his role, director S Shankar will then have approximately 20-25 days to complete the remaining shoot, indicating a swift pace towards the film's release. aGame Changera is directed by the renowned S Shankar, and is touted to be a cinematic spectacle with an estimated budget of Rs 240 crore. Ram Charan will be seen in a triple role, adding another layer of intrigue to the film's narrative. Dil Raju, known for his production excellence, is backing the project under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations. Patna, June 8 : Reacting to Congress leader Pawan Khera's new definition of NDA, JD-U senior leader Lalan Singh on Saturday said that after Congress failed to win the required seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election, they are now saying that the 'grapes are sour'. "After Congress failed to achieve its set target in the Lok Sabha election and did not get grapes, they have started to say that grapes are sour," JD-U's Munger MP Lalan Singh Singh said. He said that during the run-up to the Lok Sabha election, Congress used to say that the country's constitution was in danger. "But when Prime Minister Modi reached the Central Hall (old Parliament), he bowed to the Constitution of India," Singh said. Earlier, Congress leader Pawan Khera attacked the NDA, saying that the new full form of NDA is the 'Naidu-Nitish Dependent Alliance'. After the BJP failed to win 272 seats, the party has become dependent on its NDA partners. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's party JD-U, which won 12 seats, and Chandrababu Naidu's TDP, which won 16 Lok Sabha seats, have become an important ally for the BJP. Bengaluru, June 8 : BJP MLA Suresh Gowda on Saturday claimed that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his team ensured the defeat of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's brother, D.K. Suresh, in Bengaluru Rural against BJP candidate C.N. Manjunath in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to reporters in Tumakuru, Gowda said that the 'Ahinda' team is working to ensure the dominance of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in state politics. "The Ahinda team and Siddaramaiah together orchestrated the defeat of D.K. Suresh," he said. "I had warned that ministers Satish Jarkiholi, G. Parameshwar, K.N. Rajanna, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would strategise together to ensure the defeat of D.K. Suresh. This proved to be correct as Suresh lost the election by more than 2 lakh votes," Gowda said. He said that the defeat of D.K. Suresh was part of a conspiracy to prevent Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar from undermining his moral courage. "Shivakumar will not become the Chief Minister and the incumbent government will not survive. The polarisation politics within the Congress will begin from this point," Gowda said. He said that infighting in Congress has already begun in the Belagavi district and with the defeat of Congress in Bengaluru Rural, the infighting will emerge here as well. "The Congress government is going to collapse soon," he said. Kolkata, June 8 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed on Saturday that the opposition INDIA bloc might stake claim to form the government at the Centre in the near future. "Today the INDIA bloc has not made any claim (to form the government). But that does not mean that it will not stake claim in the future. Right now, we have taken a wait-and-watch stand. The country needs change. "The NDA will now have to accommodate so many partners. I think the INDIA bloc will form the government in the near future. Till then, this government can continue," the Trinamool Congress supremo told mediapersons after meeting the newly-elected MPs of the party. Explaining why she feels that the INDIA bloc can be in a position to form the government at the Centre, the Chief Minister said, "The allies in the NDA have too many demands. Whereas the allies in the INDIA bloc do not have any demand." According to Banerjee, after the 'poor show' in the Lok Sabha elections, PM Narendra Modi should have left his chair for someone else. "I said the NDA will not cross the 200 mark. However, the gain in numbers for the NDA was helped by the Election Commission of India," the Chief Minister claimed. During the meeting with the newly-elected MPs, the Chief Minister outlined the roadmap for Trinamool on the floor of the 18th Lok Sabha. The three issues that the party MPs will be vocal about will be the non-release of central funds to the state, misuse of central agencies against the opposition parties, and opposing the CAA and NRC. The Chief Minister also claimed that Trinamool's tally in the Lok Sabha polls would have gone beyond the 29 seats it won if not for the 'manipulations' by the polling officials on certain seats. "The results in both the constituencies in East Midnapore -- Kanthi and Tamluk -- were manipulated," she claimed. KYODO NEWS - Jun 8, 2024 - 15:58 | All, Japan, World Japan and the United States are considering holding talks involving their foreign and defense chiefs in Tokyo on July 28, sources familiar with the matter said Saturday. The two countries may also convene a meeting of foreign ministers of the Quad, which also includes Australia and India, the following day, they said. The itinerary will be finalized depending on the schedule of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. It would be the first "two-plus-two" talks for Japan and the United States since January 2023, when the four Japanese and U.S. officials gathered in Washington. Among the expected agenda items is a review of the Japan-U.S. alliance's command and control frameworks to allow for greater interoperability between their forces in peacetime and during contingencies. Regional security challenges, such as an increasingly assertive China, are driving the need for more cooperation. Aimed at enhancing their alliance's deterrence and response capabilities, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed at a summit in Washington in April to direct their representatives to discuss the topic at the following two-plus-two talks. Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who was visiting Singapore to attend a security forum, said he is looking "very closely" at an idea to put a four-star general in charge of U.S. Forces Japan. The USFJ, headquartered in Yokota Air Base in the suburbs of Tokyo, is currently led by a three-star lieutenant general. The possible upgrade comes in conjunction with the establishment of a joint headquarters to unify the command of Japan's ground, maritime and air forces. The Quad foreign ministerial meeting, meanwhile, was last held in September in New York, with officials reaffirming their steadfast commitment to realize a "free and open Indo-Pacific" and condemning North Korea's ballistic missile launches and its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Related coverage: Japan PM mulls talks with Ukraine's Zelenskyy next week Japan PM mulls Mongolia trip to ask support for North Korea talks Japan, Italy eye action plan to forge ties in diplomacy, defense Bengaluru, June 8 : Karnataka Congress MLA H.C. Balakrishna on Saturday said that the guarantee schemes have not helped the party to garner votes in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. "There are many reasons for our defeat. The guarantee schemes have not helped us much in the elections. The people have decided that our guarantees are not needed. I am not in a position to decide whether to continue or stop the guarantees," Balakrishna told media persons. He said that the Cabinet would take the decision on whether to continue the guarantee schemes or not. "In Bengaluru Rural, people voted for the BJP, considering the new face. Leaders such as late former PMs Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee have also suffered defeats," he said. He added that PM Modi also was facing a setback in the first few rounds on the day of counting. "Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar ensured our victories in the assembly election. However, we failed to make his brother win in the Lok Sabha polls," he said. Meanwhile, the Ramnagar Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain said that women voters did not support the party in the Lok Sabha elections. "We did not expect the defeat in Bengaluru Rural. The voters will realise only in a few months," he said. The Congress could only manage to win nine out of the total 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka. --IANS mka/dan New Delhi/Ayodhya, June 8 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister for the fourth time in 2029. On Saturday, Sarma visited Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. He first went to the Hanuman temple for blessing and then had a "darshan" of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. "Narendra Modi will become Prime Minister for the third time and he is the only person after Jawaharlal Nehru to achieve this feat. He will again become Prime Minister for the fourth time after the 2029 Lok Sabha elections," the Assam Chief Minister said. He added that there are 543 Lok Sabha seats in the country and every party is set to win somewhere and lose other seats. "BJP is forming a government at the Centre for the third time in a row. This is important," Sarma said. He also mentioned that the Assam government will send at least 1 lakh people to visit Ayodhya's Ram Mandir this year. Bengaluru, June 6 : Congress leader and Karnataka Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil said on Saturday that it is not possible to pin the responsibility on one person for the party's setback in the Lok Sabha elections in the state. Speaking to reporters here, Patil also asserted that there will be no evaluation of the ministers and legislators over the election results, as discussions will focus solely on the future strategy of the party. Out of the 28 Lok seats in Karnataka, the Congress won nine seats as the BJP walked away with the lion's share of 17 seats. The JD-S won the remaining two seats "We expected to win at least 14 seats in Karnataka. We will introspect on the reasons for the setback. Over the past year, the state government has implemented many pro-people schemes and ensured that they reach the public. We will see where we went wrong. We also know that a few more seats could have been won," Patil said. "While Narendra Modi is becoming the Prime Minister for a third time, BJP's strength has decreased compared to the last two terms. It is not possible to say how long will this government survive. We know how difficult it is to run a government with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar as an alliance partner," he added. When asked about the allegations against Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil in the alleged tribal welfare board corruption scandal, Patil said, "Sharan Prakash is an honest person. He will never engage in acts like destroying evidence or indulge in corruption. So let us not drag his name in this case." New Delhi, June 8 : Ahead of the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Cabinet at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said that this is a historic moment for the nation and all the allies of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are happy and elated over it. Speaking exclusively to IANS, the Maharashtra CM said the Shiv Sena party has extended full support to Modi government because of its tremendous work in the last 10 years. Below is the full interview: IANS: PM Modi has been chosen as the leader of the NDA Parliamentary party. What do you have to say about this? Eknath Shinde: It was a historic and happy moment for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). A crucial NDA meeting took place under the leadership of PM Modi at the Central Hall of Parliament, where all the alliance parties including our Shiv Sena supported him for the Prime Minister post. Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister for the third consecutive time. This is a historic moment for India. Over the past decade, the development works undertaken by Modi government and the Prime Minister's forward-thinking approach has resonated well with the public. Despite the Opposition spreading rumours and false narratives, including claims that the Constitution would be amended, the nation has dismissed these claims and given a majority to PM Modi-led NDA. IANS: What do you have to say about the Lok Sabha poll results in Maharashtra? Eknath Shinde: Rumours and false narratives have been spread among the people on a large scale. Vote bank politics has been done. Confusions were deliberately created. There were talks of changing the Constitution and decreasing the reservation quota. But those who indulged in vote-bank politics will be exposed before the people soon. The late Bal Thackeray never liked such vote-bank politics. Our strike rate in this election has improved. We got 2 lakh more votes in Mumbai than our rival faction. We have 14 per cent of the total 19 per cent vote share for the Shiv Sena. We contested 15 seats and won seven... the UBT camp contested 22 and won nine, which proves that our strike rate is better and the people are with us. IANS: INDIA bloc was not able to stop PM Modi from becoming Prime Minister one more time. What do you have to say? Eknath Shinde: The reason behind INDIA bloc's failure is their lack of a credible agenda and relying only on the slogan 'Modi hatao' (remove Modi). They had no vision, whereas PM Modi had a clear agenda focused on the development and progress of the nation. Their attempts to stop PM Modi from becoming the Prime Minister again turned out futile because the public supported PM Modi and his leadership. Robin Hibu becomes first IPS officer from Arunachal to be promoted as DGP. Image Source: IANS News Itanagar, June 8 : Arunachal Pradesh's first Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Robin Hibu, who is currently serving as the Special Commissioner in Delhi Police, has been promoted to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) by the Union Home Ministry, officials said here on Saturday. A 1993 batch IPS officer of AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories) cadre, Robin Hibu had previously served as the Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police. The senior officer has held various important positions throughout his career, including the Chief Security Officer of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He is also the founder-president of the NGO 'Helping Hands', which provides support to people from the northeastern states facing distress. Congratulating Robin Hibu, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said in a post on X: "Shri Robin Hibu, IPS, hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, has several achievements up his sleeve. And now his promotion as DGP, the first officer from the state to achieve this rank, comes as heartening news. Warm congratulations! Keep serving the nation with devotion and dedication. My best wishes." Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said in his post on X: "Congratulations to Shri Robin Hibu on being promoted as Director General of Police (DGP). He is the first Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from Arunachal Pradesh to be promoted as DGP. "His dedication, commitment, and exemplary service stand as a testament to his devotion to public service and law enforcement. His journey reflects the spirit of perseverance and excellence that will inspire countless young men and women in our state to pursue their dreams and serve our country with honor and integrity. My best wishes for his journey ahead." Mumbai, June 8 : Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Ambedkar on Saturday pointed accusing fingers at the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra for his party's disastrous showing in the just-held Lok Sabha elections. While accepting the people's verdict humbly and without complaints about the voters, Ambedkar said in a statement that now the VBA -- which contested solo in around 40 Lok Sabha seats -- will concentrate on the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections due in October. "We shall introspect on our failures. But, it is not rocket science to understand that some elements in the narrow-minded MVA deliberately did not include the disadvantaged VBA into their alliance. We were invited to some meetings for publicity. We fell into their trap and miserably failed to convince the voters of our humiliation," admitted Ambedkar. He pointed out how the VBA had led the Ambedkarite movement and the struggle to save the Constitution, "but some of the major parties practiced soft Hindutva and remained silent on the constitutional amendments affected during NDA-1 and NDA-2 regimes". "When the INDIA bloc realised that it had no real agenda to confront the NDA-BJP, it used the name of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the fight to save the constitution, which was our philosophy and campaign. The INDIA-MVA convinced the voters that Dalits, tribals, Muslims, OBCs could help the fight against the BJP, but in reality they only used their votes to save themselves," said Ambedkar. The INDIA-MVA parties have taken the votes of all deprived and minorities, but only time will tell whether they will justify the support they got from these oppressed masses, the VBA chief added. Hinting at discrimination right from the start, Ambedkar recalled how during the initial seat-sharing discussions, the MVA was willing to offer only 2-4 such seats where the VBA did not get more than one lakh votes in 2019. He said that given the kind of results, no party will dare to change the constitution or indulge in any other discriminatory practices as the deprived sections of society have expressed their sentiments against it, due to the great struggle on their behalf led by the VBA. In the coming months ahead of the Assembly elections, Ambedkar said that the VBA will engage in a greater way to build stronger relationships with the voters, and the party would rebound with great strength. New Delhi, June 8 : Shambhavi Choudhary has scripted history by becoming one of the youngest Members of Parliament (MP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. She contested the elections from Samastipur Lok Sabha constituency of Bihar on a Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) ticket. The 25-year-old Parliamentarian won by a margin of over five lakh votes, defeating the Congress candidate Sunny Hazari. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Shambhavi Choudhary talked about the special category status for Bihar and said that the LJP-RV will make a renewed effort to get special status for Bihar. IANS: How do you feel becoming an MP at such a young age? How will this benefit the youth? Shambhavi Choudhary: I, along with my family, always dreamed of this. I am the third-generation politician in my family and I consider myself fortunate and privileged that the people have chosen me for this position. Every moment, I feel grateful for this opportunity and realise the responsibility I have towards my constituency. Representing this area as a symbol of youth power and women's power, I aim to become the voice of the youth in Parliament and will do my best to serve them. IANS: You contested on an LJP-RV ticket. What role do you see for your party chief Chirag Paswan in the NDA government? Shambhavi Choudhary: I have repeatedly said that LJP-RV is the only party with a 100 per cent strike rate, not only in these elections but also in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. We won all the seats we contested. This demonstrates the trust that the public in Bihar has placed in our party's ideas and principles. Our leader, Chirag Paswan, is loved in the state and has consistently supported the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), unconditionally. We are delighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been elected for the third time, and we will stand by Chirag Paswan if he takes on a crucial responsibility. IANS: Bihar has always demanded a Special Category Status, but this promise has never been fulfilled. How committed is LJP-RV to this demand? Shambhavi Choudhary: The public has been demanding Special Category Status for a long time, and we are hopeful that all the parties in the NDA will come together to discuss this. The demand existed during the Planning Commission era, but it never came up before the NITI Aayog. Once we form a government, all the parties of NDA and members of NITI Aayog can discuss this with PM Modi. We have full faith in our Prime Minister. We will take all necessary steps to take Bihar forward. IANS: You are part of the NDA and forming a government with the BJP. There are many promises that the BJP has made. Does the LJP-TV stand with the BJP on all those issues? Shambhavi Choudhary: We will ensure that all the promises made are fulfilled. Our party has worked hard in the elections. We received immense support from people, and we won by large margins in almost all seats. Hence, we will represent and fulfill their demands to the best extent. IANS: Would you like to see Chirag Paswan as the Chief Minister of Bihar in 2025? Shambhavi Choudhary: NDA has a clear mandate from the public, and we are only focusing on forming a government at the Centre and feeling happy that PM Modi is taking oath for the third time. For the 2025 Assembly elections, we will have a discussion later and whatever decision Chirag Paswan takes will be the correct one. IANS: Both JD-U and LJP bagged a remarkable number of seats. Is the relationship between two parties like that of a younger and elder brother? Shambhavi Choudhary: All the parties in this alliance have an equal status, and everyone has an equal right to put forward their demands. No one is bigger or smaller in the NDA. Jaipur, June 8 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said on Saturday that the state government is working with determination to build a bright future for the young generation. To free the youth from the clutches of unemployment, it is the priority of the state government to complete all recruitment fairly and transparently within the stipulated time, he said. "In just a few months after coming to power in the state, the BJP government in Rajasthan has made appointments in more than 16,500 posts in different departments. On June 29, appointment letters will be handed over to the successful candidates of the recruitment examinations held for more than 7,000 posts in various departments," he said while addressing a review meeting on the vacant posts and the ongoing recruitment process at the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) here. The Chief Minister also said that all the departments should set recruitment targets and send a proposal to the recruitment agencies every year in December. "The recruitment agencies should issue a calendar and conduct the exams in a time-bound manner. With the release of a recruitment calendar, the candidates will get adequate time to prepare for the exams," he said. CM Sharma also said that the results of all the exams already conducted should be released soon, and the successful candidates for more than 11,000 posts should be appointed at the earliest. During the review meeting, the Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to organise district-level employment festivals to hand over appointment letters to the successful candidates. CM Sharma also accused the previous Congress government of playing the future of the state's youth. Emphasising that special training is necessary to increase the efficiency of the new recruits, he directed all the concerned departments to organise training sessions and workshops for this purpose. New Delhi, June 8 : The historic hat-trick of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) paved the way for the swearing-in of PM Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister for a third straight term on Sunday. However, the truncated strength of the BJP in 2024 has given its allies an elbow room to exercise and assert their choices not just in policymaking but also in allocation of ministries. The BJP, being the largest party in the alliance, will have to accommodate the demands of allies but is unlikely to be 'generous' enough to cede top ministries and also the ones linked with infrastructure. N. Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United), the second and third biggest alliance partners of NDA and also the kingmakers, on whose support the government's survival hinges, are learnt to have set their sights on Railways, one of the most plum portfolios of the Union Cabinet. According to sources, both parties, JD-U with 12 seats and TDP with 16 seats, are hankering for three-four portfolios, based on their respective numbers. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena (7) and LJP-RV (5) have also put forth their demand. The LJP-RV reportedly wants the Food and Public Distribution ministry, held by the late Ram Vilas Paswan in Modi 1.0 and Modi 2.0, to be handed over to his son and party chief Chirag Paswan. The top portfolios like Home, Defence, Foreign Affairs and Finance are non-negotiable as the BJP (with 240 seats) will retain it and will also seek to keep control of the key ministries that either became the hallmark of Modi government in the past two terms or the departments that saw the focused and personal attention of Prime Minister. Railways is believed to be one ministry for which the two big allies of NDA are haggling about. The JD-U is pitching for the Railway Ministry, twice helmed by Nitish Kumar in 1998-99 and again in 2001-2004 during Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government, to give a 'glimpse of the good works' done under its watch, to the GenNext. TDP has its own reasons to stake claim over the plum portfolio. Sources suggest that the other ministry that N. Chandrababu Naidu's party is pressing for is Information Technology. One underlying reason for such 'bargain' is its potential to unleash economic growth and also to build connect with the masses, of all classes. As the Railways mostly remained with the NDA allies and primarily with the leaders from the East, including Mamata Banerjee and Lalu Yadav (UPA regime) and Nitish Kumar (Vajpayee era), the JD-U would like to see going into its kitty. Some sources from the LJP-RV also concur with the belief that JD-U has the edge over TDP in seeking Railways portfolio. However, the biggest question is -- will the BJP agree to this demand and part ways with the Railways, that has seen heightened activity and slew of reforms in the last few years? Modi government set the Railways as well as highways on a fast track growth by bringing in reforms and would not want to slow down this pace. From intensified electrification of Railways to refurbishing of railway stations to manufacturing of Vande Bharat and Vande Metro trains, the nation's largest carrier is headed for immense infrastructure push. The infrastructure development will also go a long way in catering to the four voter groups, as outlined by the Prime Minister -- poor, farmers, youth and women. And, with Prime Minister's dream project Bullet train on the anvil, handing it over to a new ally would be fraught with risks, making it prone to missing deadlines. The swearing-in of PM Narendra Modi-led Cabinet, slated for Sunday, will settle the speculation for once and all, as the ministries will be allotted soon after. However, the bottomline is that under Modi 3.0, BJP does not have the absolute majority as it existed in Modi 1.0 and Modi 2.0. The largest party will have to follow the 'coalition dharma' by giving 'respectful' representation to allies, as demanded by JD-U leader and Bihar minister Shrawan Kumar recently. This implies the party cutting down on its number of ministers and accommodating more from its allies, not just to minimise frictions in governance but also to stall the Opposition's attempts from wooing the two kingmakers, whose support will remain crucial in surviving a full five-year term. Imphal, June 8 : After the fresh violence in Manipur's Jiribam district, Meitei and tribal organisations on Saturday accused each other of triggering the ethnic hostilities. Amidst serious tension in Jiribam district since Thursday night over 100 houses of both Meitei and tribal communities have been burnt in a large number of villagers, while one person has also been killed. The district administration has imposed a curfew in Jiribam and adjoining Tamenglong districts for an indefinite period after protests erupted over the killing of 59-year-old Soibam Saratkumar Singh in Jiribam on Thursday. Officials in Imphal said that Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey met Chief Minister N. Biren Singh at the Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi on Saturday and took stock of the prevailing situation in Jiribam district, and urged the CM to take all possible steps to bring the situation under control. The Governor also asked CM Singh to provide essential commodities to the flood-affected people currently staying in the relief camps in Imphal. Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an apex body of the Meitei community, on Saturday accused the Kuki community and militants of "triggering" the violence. It said that the recent violence appears to be an orchestrated and provocative action "by immigrant Kuki groups", aiming to further their demands for separate administration through terror tactics. "Despite the Kuki Inpi Jiribam's attempts to defend their position, evidence points to the involvement of Kuki Narco-Terrorist groups in the abduction and murder of a Meetei man," COCOMI said It urged the central government to take immediate and sincere actions to resolve the crisis. Indigenous Tribes Advocacy Committee (ITAC) has called a total shutdown in the trouble-torn areas to protest the violence and said that the tribals will no longer remain silent in the face of "such aggression". The ITAC warned Manipur police forces and commandos not to operate in the areas. "Failure to comply with this warning will be retaliated as deemed appropriate and ITAC will not be responsible for any untoward incidents in this regard," it said. Another tribal organisation the Kuki Inpi dismayed at the "provocative attitude and action of burning Kuki -Zo-Hmar houses by suspected members of Arambai Tenggols and Meetei militants" at Uchathol Hmar veng, Vengnuam Paite Veng and Songkoveng. It said that the Kuki Inpi is also greatly dismayed as to how Kuki Zo houses could be attacked and burnt the whole night in spite of imposing a curfew and appealed to the concerned authority to be stringent upon miscreants creating havoc in the area so that further escalation of violence may be prevented. To prevent the violence additional security forces including Manipur police commandos were deployed in the Jiribam district, officials said on Saturday. A police official in Imphal said on Saturday that the houses of a particular community were burnt at Lamtai Khunou, Dibong Khunou, Nunkhal and Begra villages in the Jiribam district allegedly by 'armed attackers'. More than 200 people, mostly belonging to the Meitei community, have taken shelter in a newly set up relief camp after violence broke out following the killing of Soibam Saratkumar Singh, who belongs to the Meitei community. Bordering Assam, Jiribam is a mixed-populated district inhabited by Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis, Muslims and non-Manipuris and the district had so far largely remained unaffected by the ethnic violence which ravaged Manipur since May 3 last year. The ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kuki-Zomi in several districts of Manipur has so far claimed over 220 lives in both communities. Over 1,500 people in both communities and over 70,000 people have been displaced from their homes and villages in the over-a-year-long ethnic violence. The rioting also has left thousands of houses, government and non-government properties, and religious structures destroyed or damaged. Major electric vehicle (EV) battery makers CATL and Gotion High-Tech have rejected U.S. lawmakers' allegations of connections to "forced labor." A group of U.S. Republican lawmakers has said that the two firms should be added immediately to an import ban list known as the "entity list" under the so-called Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), alleging that the companies' supply chains use "forced labor," the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. In a statement posted online on Friday, CATL said it is in strict compliance with all applicable laws and regulations with respect to its operations and business activities in the United States. "A June 5 letter by U.S. Members of Congress, accusing CATL of having connections to forced labor, is groundless and completely false," the battery maker said, noting that its business relations with some suppliers quoted in the letter had ceased long ago. Gotion High-Tech said that any allegations suggesting it engages in forced labor or is related to forced labor are completely unfounded and absolutely false. "Gotion High-Tech has consistently upheld the values of respecting human rights and protecting employee rights," the company said in a statement. "Our selection of partners is also based on a rigorous audit mechanism and evaluation standards." China has made clear time and again that the allegation of "forced labor" in Xinjiang is nothing but a monumental lie propagated to smear the country's image, as it goes against the fact that the rights and interests of people of all ethnic backgrounds in Xinjiang are effectively protected. Since the U.S. signed the UFLPA into law in December 2021, 65 Chinese companies have been listed for sanctions, covering industries such as textiles, apparel, agriculture, polysilicon, plastics, chemicals, batteries, household appliances, electronics and food additives. A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said the UFLPA "might as well be called the most notorious and egregious law against human rights in the 21st century." The act not only imposes illegal sanctions on Chinese companies, but also forces companies around the world to join the U.S. attempt to contain and suppress China, and tries to create a coalition for economic coercion, the spokesperson told a press conference on May 21. According to new data from SNE Research, CATL accounted for 37.7 percent of the market during the January-April period this year, remaining the world's largest battery manufacturer, while Gotion, which is partially owned by Volkswagen, ranked ninth globally. KYODO NEWS - Jun 8, 2024 - 08:00 | All, World, Japan Representatives from 10 Japanese companies including startups held discussions with potential Ukrainian business partners on ways to help rebuild the country ravaged by the Russian invasion, during a two-day networking event in Kyiv through Friday. The Japan External Trade Organization coordinated the event, which was attended by officials from some 50 corporations and groups from Ukraine, following a similar event in Tokyo in February led by the Japanese government. Sagri Co., a startup based in Hyogo Prefecture, promoted its technology for the remote analysis of farm soil using data from satellites, saying it hopes to help revitalize agriculture in the country where landmines and unexploded bombs from the conflict pose a significant risk. Mebiol Inc., a venture company in Kanagawa Prefecture, pitched its transparent films used to cultivate plants in locations believed to be unsuitable for traditional agriculture to a tomato growing and processing company whose lands were partially seized by Russia. Gennadiy Chizhikov, president of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, thanked the Japanese businesses and government Friday for their efforts to help rebuild the country's economy. Related coverage: FOCUS: Private sector participation key for Japan's support for Ukraine Japan vows to continue supporting war-torn Ukraine's reconstruction Japan to pledge 15.8 bil. yen for Ukraine's reconstruction Shillong, June 8 : Meghalaya Congress leader and three-time MP from Shillong Lok Sabha constituency, Vincent Pala, has said that he will work towards strengthening the party organisation at the 2028 Assembly polls. Pala lost to the member of a new regional outfit -- Voice of People's Party candidate Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon -- by a huge margin of more than 3.71 lakh votes. Before his loss in the 2024 polls, Pala had been representing the Shillong constituency in the Lower House of Parliament since 2009. Talking to IANS, Pala said: "Voters may have chosen a better alternative for them in the Lok Sabha polls. In democracy, people have the right to accept or reject a candidate. They blessed me for 15 years and this time, they have picked another person as an MP." The Congress leader, however, disagreed with the "theory" of anti-incumbency against him. "I don't think there was anti-incumbency against me. It was just they wanted to go with another option," he said. Pala has decided to return to state politics, and he wants to lead the Congress party in Meghalaya for the next Assembly polls. He said: "I will give my best to bring Congress back to power in 2028. We will prepare the grounds accordingly." Pala contested the Assembly elections in 2023 but lost. "At that time, almost everybody left us. The situation was very unfavourable. But we have enough time before the next Assembly elections and the (overall) results of the Congress were good in the Lok Sabha elections. We are hopeful to bounce back in Meghalaya," the Congress leader said. The Congress was ousted from power in Meghalaya in the 2018 assembly elections and an alliance government was formed under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma-led National People's Party. Jaipur, June 8 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said on Saturday that the state government is set to develop the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit at Rs 100 crore. The Chief Minister added that Maharana Pratap is a source of inspiration not only for Rajasthan and the whole country but for the whole world. "His (Maharana Pratap's) valour, bravery and patriotism can't be limited by time and geographical boundaries. Maharana Pratap's life inspires us that we should not step back even in adverse circumstances and follow the path of truth, religion and national interest. Our government's goal is to spread Maharana Pratap's message to the whole world and in this direction, Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit is being developed for Rs 100 crore." Chief Minister Sharma on Saturday addressed the inaugural session of Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Jayanti celebrations held at Pratap Gaurav Kendra in Udaipur's Tiger Hill as the chief guest. He said that it is impossible to describe in words the pride that is being felt by coming to Pratap Gaurav Kendra. "June 9 is written in golden letters in the history of India. Tomorrow is the birth anniversary of Mewar crown, the pride of Sanatan Dharma, Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap ji." Paying his homage to Maharana Pratap, Chief Minister Sharma said that it is a coincidence that Narendra Modi is set to take oath on June 9 (Sunday) as the Prime Minister of the country for a third consecutive term. The Chief Minister also recalled the valour of Maharana Pratap's horse 'Chetak', the sacrifice of Panna Dhai, and the dedication and valour of Bappa Rawal, Maharana Kumbha and Maharana Sanga. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Joint General Secretary, Krishna Gopal, the chief speaker of the programme, narrated the glorious saga of sacrifice and self-respect of Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap. Chief Minister Sharma said: "The life of Maharana Pratap teaches us to protect sovereignty and independence at any cost. Such values should be inculcated by the new generation. We want to spread the message of Maharana Pratap to the whole world. Any tourist who comes to the state should take with him the story of Maharana Pratap's bravery. Keeping this in mind, the government has made a provision of Rs 100 crore to develop Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit by including various places related to the life of Maharana Pratap." He also added: "We should be proud of our culture, history, and heritage and should learn how our great men did not compromise on their self-respect and their freedom despite all the adverse circumstances. That glorious heritage should be preserved and passed on to the coming generations." Gaza, June 9 : At least 210 Palestinians were killed and more than 400 others injured in Israeli airstrikes in the central Gaza Strip, while the Israeli forces rescued four hostages in the same area. Khalil Al-Dakran, Director of Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, told Xinhua news agency that a large number of wounded Palestinians were sent to the hospital due to the intense Israeli bombing on the Nuseirat camp and the city of Deir Al-Balah, some of whom have been confirmed dead, Xinhua news agency reported. Wounded Palestinians were still being sent in, overwhelming the hospital amid a severe shortage of beds, medicines, medical consumables, and fuel to run the main emergency generator, Al-Dakran said. Palestinian eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli aircraft targeted the area with intensive firepower, and local civil defence and ambulances were unable to reach some injured people in time. Smoke rose from all parts of central Gaza amid unprecedented air and artillery bombardment targeting these areas, according to local sources and eyewitnesses. Palestinian security sources said deadly clashes broke out on the ground between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops raiding the Nuseirat camp under the cover of artillery and aerial bombardment. Meanwhile, Palestinian security sources said clashes broke out on the ground between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops raiding the Nuseirat camp under the cover of artillery and aerial bombardment. The troops withdrew, leaving several militants killed. Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau Hamas, said in a statement that Israel's strikes targeted children and women, stressing that the Palestinian people "will not surrender, and the resistance will continue to defend their rights". Palestinian Presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said the attack on the Nuseirat camp is a continuation of the "genocidal" war against the Palestinian people, for which the American administration should be held "fully responsible". This war will "destroy everything and push things towards a dangerous stage that will not achieve security or peace for anyone," Abu Rudeina said in a press statement published by the Palestinian News Agency WAFA. He called on the United Nations Security Council and the international community to stop the "bloody" war on Gaza. The Israeli army, police, and intelligence body Shin Bet said in a joint statement that their fighters have been "attacking a terrorist structure" in the region and freed four Israeli hostages. It noted that the kidnapped persons were rescued alive by Shin Bet fighters and the Special Police Unit from two separate areas in the heart of Nuseirat. The rescued personnel had been transferred to Tel Hashomer Hospital in Israel for medical examinations, it noted. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks in the enclave has risen to 36,801, with 83,680 people injured, updated the Gaza health authorities on Saturday. The Israeli army has been conducting a large-scale offensive on Gaza since October 7, 2023, after Hamas carried out an unprecedented attack on the Israeli towns adjacent to the strip, during which nearly 1,200 people were killed and about 250 others were taken hostage. Following the rescue of the four, 120 Israeli hostages remain in the Gaza Strip, with 43 of them considered by Israel as dead. Baghdad, June 9 : A Shia militia in Iraq has claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a site in Israel. The militia, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, said in an online statement that its fighters launched a drone attack at dawn on Saturday "on a vital site in the occupied territories" as quoted by Xinhua news agency report. The military claimed the attack was carried out "in solidarity with the people of Gaza," pledging more targeting of "the enemy's strongholds". The statement did not provide additional details about the targeted site 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. Banned Book Club, a fictionalized account of Hyun Sook Kims experiences growing up in South Korea and becoming radicalized after forming a club to read forbidden literature, rendered as a graphic novel with art by Hyung-Ju Ko, struck a chord when it was released in 2020. Per PWs starred review, its messages of hope are universal, as are the poignant reminders that change can happen when people are willing to speak up. The title has also, ironically enough, been challenged in several U.S. school districts, accused of anti-police sentiment and creating dangerous anarchists in our schools (per a challenge filed in Clay County Schools in North Carolina). We didnt intend for Banned Book Club to be a metaphor for what was happening to the U.S., but it accidentally became that, says Ryan Estrada, Kims coauthor (and spouse). Estrada has become an outspoken advocate for libraries, in one case flying 7,000 miles from South Korea to Kentucky to address a challenge. (He was successful.) A follow-up, No Rules Tonight, is due from Penguin Workshop in October (this time drawn by Estrada). PW talked with the married coauthors about their advocacy and what fans can look forward to with No Rules Tonight, which returns to 1980s South Korea and joins the high schoolers on a getaway field tripwhere romance blossoms away from constant adult (and government) oversight. Hyun Sook, how did it feel to be a student living in a repressive society? Kim: If you criticized the president, they put you in jail. In my university, there were undercover policemen, so we always had to be careful if we discussed the books that we read. They tortured people, and many of my friends were beaten or taken away to the army and then disappeared. I realized the world that I knew was a lie, and I wanted to learn the truth about the history of our country and the outside world. Why did you seek out these banned books? Kim: I thought, okay, why are those books banned? Its just that the books talk about the world, about society, about justice. But South Koreas leader at that time, the dictator Chun Doo-Hwan, didnt want the people to know the truth. Has Banned Book Club been banned in South Korea? Estrada: No. Korea learned so much from what they went through. Theres a lot of movies on the same types of topics as Banned Book Club, and former president Park Geun-hye, whose father was the one that started all the censorship, tried to blacklist any filmmakers or authors that were writing about that kind of thing. But the people were like, oh no, weve seen what happens, youre not doing this, and they rose up and removed her from power and put her in jail. How did you feel when Banned Book Club was challenged in the U.S.? Kim: Shocked. How can it be happening in America? How does No Rules Tonight relate to Banned Book Club? Estrada: When your life is controlled so much and you have one night of freedom, what do you do with it? After we wrote Banned Book Club, we had a lot of stories left over. We set them all during one night, Christmas Eve, and show that one of the best things you can do to make the future world a better place is to be your real, true authentic self and lead by example. Did your editors try to tone down the book to hold off possible challenges? Estrada: No. All the editing was feedback that made the story better. No one was saying, This is going to offend people. They encouraged us to explore diverse stories. In Banned Book Club theres a queer character, Suji, but because everythings so repressed, shes afraid to talk about it. So, in No Rules Tonight, we got deeper into her story. Theres also a trans character. We wanted to reflect on the parts of society that are affected by these bans, so we had these characters learning about Korean history and famous Korean folk heroes that were trans. Return to the main feature. In 2006, British Turkish novelist Elif Shafak stood trial in Istanbul for the crime of insulting Turkishness. What that meant, exactly, was anybodys guess. The charges carried with them a maximum three-year prison sentence and were based not on something Shafak said or did but on words spoken by a character in her novel The Bastard of Istanbul, who refers to the Ottoman Empires massacre of Armenians during WWI as genocide. Though dozens of historians and journalists had been prosecuted under the same article of the Turkish penal code, it was the first time such charges stemmed from a work of fiction. Shafaks ordeal lasted nearly a year, until she was acquitted the day before she gave birth to her daughter. During that whole time, there were groups on the streets, burning E.U. flags, spitting on my pictures, calling me traitor, betrayer, Shafak says over Zoom from her home in London, where she moved not long after the trial. Though she describes these scenes with a wry smile, the hurt in her voice is unmistakable. I wish I could I say its been a long time and weve made progress since then. But I cant say that. I think its become more and more difficult for writers. Indeed, 13 years after Shafak faced prison over The Bastard of Istanbul, she was investigated by Turkish prosecutors for crimes of obscenity related to depictions of sexual violence and child abuse in her novels, including the Booker-shortlisted 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World. As Shafak pointed out in a 2019 Guardian interview, the irony was that Turkish courts were not taking action to prevent sexual violence against women and children. Instead, theyre prosecuting writers, she told the paper. It has become like a witch-hunt. Given those circumstances, it comes as little surprise that Shafak has not been back to Turkey for almost eight years. But the intimidation shes faced has not prevented her from speaking out against president Recep Tayyip Erdogans nationalist policies. Nor has it kept her from visiting the country in the pages of her books, including her latest, There Are Rivers in the Sky (Knopf, Aug.). Like her 10 previous novels, it weaves serious political issues with a transportive story of love, longing, and the wonders of art, science, and nature. For Shafak, who describes herself as a storyteller without any adjectives, there is no line to be drawn between her political activism and her fiction. Where Im from, if you are interested in the stories of women, minorities, people who are not necessarily in positions of power, you have to dig deeper, she says. You have to look at what has been excluded, forgotten, abandoned, and sometimes systematically suppressed and silenced. So, it is the art of storytelling that takes me in that direction. Its not some rational decision that I make in my mind. Shafak credits her vocation in part to her unusual and very lonely upbringing. Born in 1971 to two Turkish parents in Strasbourg, France, she moved with her mother to Ankara following her parents separation. Though Shafak says most Turkish divorcees would have been immediately married off by their families to older men, her mother went back to college, leaving Shafak in the care of her grandmother. This is a woman, Shafak says, who would be reading coffee cups and burning lead to ward off the evil eye. From her grandmother, Shafak inherited a connection to the regions oral tradition. But most importantly, she says, I thought my life was incredibly boring. And it was books that showed me there were other worlds. Still, to this day, if you ask me what literature means, for me, its freedom. Distinguishing between herself and writers who start from a more autobiographical point of view, Shafak says shes more interested in becoming someone elseand then someone else and then someone else. That might serve as an especially concise description of There Are Rivers in the Sky, which links the story of a 19th-century British Assyriologist to the tales of a Yazidi girl on a trip from Turkey to Iraq in 2014 and a hydrologist in 2018 London. Of course, as Shafak herself admits, every story contains echoes of its writers life. Squint and youll find traces of Shafak in the character of the Yazidi girl, Narin, whose grandmother, an illiterate and innumerate water dowser, has a parable for every question her granddaughter asks. They are also visible in the story of the hydrologist, Zaleekhah, who leaves her marriage and finds an unexpected new love with a female tattoo artist. (Shafak came out as bisexual in a 2017 TED talk, provoking much online vitriol in Turkey.) But the deepest resonances can be found between Shafak and her central character, Arthur Smyth, a self-taught expert on cuneiform script whos based on the real-life George Smith (18401876), the first person to translate the ancient Mesopotamian clay tablets containing the Epic of Gilgamesh. In Shafaks telling, Arthur is a character straight out of a Dickens novel. Born on the banks of the River Thames to impoverished parents, he ascends to the antiquities department at the British Museum thanks to his extraordinary memory and herculean work ethic. From there, he travels to Nineveh (in modern-day Iraq), in search of fragments missing from the Flood Tablet, a kind of holy grail for Victorians probing the origins of man and the history of world religions. Though Arthurs talents expand his horizons in nearly miraculous ways, he remains a man with immense loneliness in his heart. Talking with Shafak, who comes across as both gracious and guarded, one senses that Arthurs melancholy is not entirely unfamiliar to his creator. With shelves of hardcovers arranged behind her like a fortress wall, it is not hard to picture the lonely girl in Ankara, who sought in literature both a means of escape and protection against forces beyond her control. But as dear as Arthur may be to Shafak, There Are Rivers in the Sky did not start with him. Aware of the devastating threat that water scarcity poses to the Middle East and North Africa, and especially to the women, children, and minorities of those regions, Shafak says she kept coming back to this thought of building an entire novel on a single small drop of water. In the books opening pages, the drop in question falls on the head of King Ashurbanipal, whose vast library housed the clay tablets on which the Epic of Gilgamesh was inscribed, in ancient Nineveh. From there, it evaporates into the atmosphere, returns to Earth as a raindrop, and eventually ascends to the atmosphere again, starting a cycle that will see the same drop of water touch each of the novels three main characters. If that sounds like a complex way to structure a storywell, it is. It was a little bit crazy, Shafak says. I have maybe eight or 10 notebooks, just full of notes and drawings. But it was based on a simple yet awe-inducing fact. We tend to assume that when we talk about the River Thames, or the Mississippi River, or the River Tigris, that these are completely separate rivers. But actually, the water that has been circulating inside these rivers is the same. Its the same water that we cry, its the same water that we drink. For a writer who has been effectively exiled from land of the River Tigris to the land of the River Thames, that idea holds obvious appeal. But there is a deeper resonance, as wellone that speaks directly to Shafaks project, as she describes it, of dismantling walls through the art of storytelling. We like to have boxes in our minds: this is what East is, this is what West is, this is us versus them, Shafak says. But when you follow the journey of water, us versus them dissolves. As executive director of Pittsburgh early literacy nonprofit Reading Ready Pittsburgh, Mary Denison knows the ABCs of helping families share the joy of reading and prepare their children for kindergarten. A, of course, is for access. Theres all sorts of research about how the number of books in the home correlates with how successful children are in school, she says. And one of the biggest impacts on early literacy is how much time adults spend reading with their children. Every child should have access to a full bookshelf. With that mission in mind, Denisons organization opened B Is for Books on February 1 in Homestead, Pa., just southeast of Pittsburgh, an absolutely, 100% free bookstore where kids and families can browse, read, and select up to three books at a time to take home and keep. The stores wooden shelves contain an array of new and gently used books obtained via donations and various funding sources. Staff librarian Kathy Koltas curates the collection, aimed at kids age 18 and under, which consists of everything from board books to graphic novels to YA titles. Comfy furniture, including a rocker ideal for book sharing, a storytime area featuring a large mural of a tree and available tree-stump-shaped floor cushions, and a cozy, treehouse-like reading nook replete with leafy-looking beanbags make up the locations family-friendly decor. Like most childrens bookstores, B Is for Books also hosts events. A grand opening on February 17 showcasing crafts and snacks drew roughly 100 kids and their families; on April 20, more than 60 kids and their families turned out for two puppet show performances. The storefront initially came to me as an idea when I was visiting my family in Milwaukee and I stopped into a bookstore I always go to, Denison says. Inside the store was this big bucket filled with books and it said, Donate. When she inquired about it, a bookseller informed her that the donated books were going to a free childrens bookstore run by local organization Next Door, which supports under-resourced children and families through early childhood education and other services. I ended up contacting them, and eventually scheduling a trip to visit, Denison recalls. When I went in and toured what they did, I thought, We could definitely do this in Pittsburgh. B Is for Books soon became the newest project under the Reading Ready Pittsburgh umbrella. Denison founded the nonprofit in 2018, inspired by her 35 years of experience as a school psychologist. I loved working with the kids, she says. But school psychology is a reactive field. We wait until people are having problems and then we help. I feel like school psychologists should be more proactive. We should be working at making sure problems dont occur. Early literacybuilding vocabulary and language, playing with words, being engaged with literature, having conversations, playing games with sounds, and having books in the homethats the beginning of it all. I wish more parents knew how simple and easy it is to build that kind of skill before you hit kindergarten, and then how much better prepared the children are to be successful in school. From its inception, Reading Ready Pittsburgh has partnered with national early literacy organization Raising a Reader to offer that groups book-sharing programs locally via preschools, daycares, and home visits. There are currently 41 childcare or Head Start sites participating, with 1,000 children enrolled. We provide them with the books and we do trainings with them to make sure everyone is moving forward, Denison says. Reading Ready Pittsburgh has placed 13 Little Giveaway Libraries in neighborhoods where childrens books are most needed. At our little libraries, were not expecting people to trade books, Denison points out. We have a sign on them that says, Take these home and add them to your home library. And now the storefront is the exact same thingits a big little library. Another outreach program Denison hopes to build is Community Space Reading Nooks, something shes been working on in partnership with the Clinton Foundations Too Small to Fail initiative. The idea is to provide books in bright and cozy corners for sharing within places like laundromats or under-resourced community centers, where kids and families might have to wait around. So far, Reading Ready Pittsburgh has installed nooks in two local laundromats and a family center. In addition to other local and national partnerships, Reading Ready Pittsburgh also coordinates Dolly Partons Imagination Library for Pittsburgh and in several additional zip codes that make up the nearby Monongahela Valley, serving 6,700 children in total. Across the spectrum of Reading Ready Pittsburghs programming, care is taken to provide kids and families with books that reflect their community. Recent requests have included bilingual board books in Arabic, Bengali, Nepali, and Spanish. Because those titles are harder to come by, Reading Ready Pittsburgh recently hired one of the mothers in a program to translate several board books by adding the Nepali words. Denison positioned B Is for Books as part of a larger grant she submitted to Allegheny Countys Department of Children Initiatives. In the grant, I said that Id like to add kindergarten readiness programming and education for early childcare centers about books, and Id like to do work around how books can be used to teach social emotional skills in preschool programming, she says. Then I threw in, And what about if we had a free bookstore? And they loved the idea. As a result of Denisons grant proposal, Allegheny County provided the bulk of the startup funds for what is now known as the Mon Valley Early Literacy Hub, which encompasses B Is for Books, all of Reading Ready Pittsburghs programs, and more. Additional funding comes largely from grants awarded by local and some national philanthropic foundations, but community book drives and individuals who donate books or money are important sources, too. Denison and Koltas say they were surprised and pleased to learn that one of B Is for Books early donors was Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry (author of The Giver and Number the Stars); she filled out one of the forms on the organizations website. The bricks-and-mortar B Is for Books location also houses workspace for Denison and her team, which in addition to Koltas includes program director Megan Chips, outreach coordinator Mark Sepe, and program coordinator Hannah Zibert. Theres plenty of room for the organization to keep up with its steady flow of books, as well, whether its incoming donations, sorting and evaluation of materials, outgoing giveaways, promotional posters and materials, or the traveling tote bags containing Raising a Reader titles. Aside from its more traditional bookstore functions, B Is for Books additionally serves as a resource for early childhood educators and other community organizations who work with children. Educators can find continuing education opportunities or meet with in-house librarian Koltas to select books for classroom use. And the store will fill requests for books to be used in other spaces as well. We have a form on our website where any educator in Allegheny County, or somebody whos community-facing like a social worker or a pediatricians officeor we had a parole officer that has done thiswho wants to have books that they can share with kids and families can make a request for up to 50 books, Denison explains. B Is for Books has filled more than 50 such requests since opening in February. I wish more parents knew how simple and easy it is to build early literacy skills before you hit kindergarten. Denison notes that the fast-approaching summer will be a busy one for Reading Ready Pittsburgh and B Is for Books, kicking off with nearby Braddock Literacy Day on June 1, and then filled with several book fairs, as well as a slate of outreach and in-store events. During the summer, Raising a Reader is supplanted by Reading Ready Pittsburghs eight-week Read with Me! program, wherein children at those sites will receive a brand-new book each week to keep. Each child enrolled in Raising a Reader also receives a library bag at the end of the school year to bring to their local branch where librarians offer further reading readiness support and programming. And for summer and beyond, the hope is that even more people discover the free bookstore. The feeling, which I now get to share with my granddaughter, of wandering around the bookstore and checking out the books, talking about which one you likethat whole experience is so nurturing, Denison says. And then the child gets to leave with a book that belongs to them. Its really impactful. Slice of Life Caitlin Rozakiss fantasy debut, Dreadful, opens on a bewildered amnesiac waking up with no eyebrows and no idea how hed gotten into such a position, according to our review. Hes dismayed to learn of his true identity as a fearsome dark wizard, the Dread Lord Gavarax. Adding a surprising dose of heart to her quick-witted tale, the review said, Rozakis demonstrates her excellent comedic timing and keen ability to keep readers guessing. No need to guess at the authors other abilities: she baked her own themed cakes for a pre-party at her home before the June 1 book launch event at Word in Jersey City. Her novel lands at #14 on our trade paperback list. Change of Scenery Two new armchair travel books hit our extended bestseller lists. A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko, #17 on our hardcover fiction list, is the conservation writers account of his year-plus, 750-mile trip through the Grand Canyonon footwith his best friend, National Geographic photographer Pete McBride. In You Deserve Good Gelato, #17 on our trade paperback list, social media personality Kacie Rose (1.1 million TikTok followers) reflects on life as an American living in Italy. Cage Match Southern Man by Greg Iles debuts at #5 on our hardcover fiction list. In this outing, former attorney turned Natchez, Miss., mayor Penn Cage is grappling with his mothers terminal illness, his own cancer, and a dark moneyfunded third-party U.S. presidential candidate. This is a high water mark in a strong series, according to our review. Two release-week events were held in the authors home state of Mississippi, and the book was #2 in the East South Central region, beaten out only by the #1 book in the country (see New & Notable). NEW & NOTABLE Camino Ghosts John Grisham #1 Hardcover Fiction #1 Overall Grishams third Camino thriller sees bookseller Bruce Cable and novelist Mercer Mann once again teaming up, this time against unscrupulous developers looking to cash in on a property solely inhabited by an elderly descendant of enslaved people. Half-Blood Jennifer L. Armentrout #4 Children's Fiction Armentrout originally published this YA romantasy with Spencer Hill Press in 2011. Its the first in a five-book series set at a boarding school for half-mortals and the pure descendents of gods. Bloom is relaunching one volume each month through October. It's about time. A year after first hearing the case, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has finally ruled on a key book banning case from Llano County, Texas. By a 2-1 margin, the court largely upheld Judge Robert Pitman's preliminary injunction, ordering the return of eight library books to shelves, a significant win for freedom to read advocates. "The majority opinion, authored by Judge Jacques L. Wiener, said the district court came to the reasonable conclusion that the defendants targeted and removed booksincluding well-regarded, prize-winning booksbased on complaints that the books were inappropriate," Bloomberg Law reports. Not surprisingly, conservative justice Stuart Kyle Duncan issued a blistering dissent calling the majority opinion a trainwreck and arguing, astonishingly, that libraries decisions are protected government speech. Meanwhile, another key appeals hearing is coming up in Iowa. On June 11, the Eighth Circuit will hear the state's appeal of Judge Stephen Locher's 49-page opinion and order, blocking two key portions of SF 496, the recently passed Iowa state law that sought to ban books with sexual content from Iowa schools and to bar classroom discussion of gender identity and sexuality for students below the seventh grade. The American Library Association and Unite Against Book Bans have announced that Hanif Abdurraqib will deliver the keynote address at the second annual Rally for the Right to Read, to be held on the opening Friday of the upcoming ALA Annual conference, set to run June 27-July, in San Diego. Abdurraqib is an award-winning poet, essayist and cultural critic from Columbus, Ohio, and a recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Genius grant. His most recent book, Theres Always This Year, was an instant bestseller, and his previous work, A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance was a PW Best Book of 2021, a National Book Award Finalist, and the winner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction. The rally will take place at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront on Friday June 28, and all ALA attendees are invited to attend. Admission is free, and donations to the Unite Against Book Bans campaign are encouraged. In addition to a slate of speakers, the event will recognize the 2024 recipients of the Freedom to Read Foundation's Roll of Honor Award, the Eli M. Oboler Award, the John Phillip Immroth Award, and the Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award. As Publishers Weekly reported, last year's inaugural rally was a highlight of the ALA Annual Conference. In Pennsylvania, local affiliate WGAL reports on one librarian who will be honored at the Rally for the Right to Read: Lancaster County school librarian Matthew Good, who will receive the John Phillip Immroth Award. Good left the Donegal School District in Lancaster County for standing up to a policy requiring students to get parental consent before accessing young adult books. Ethically, it was an easy decision. But there was a lot that I struggled with as well because I love teaching. I loved working with students. But this was restricting the ability to do the job that I had chosen to do, he told reporters. Also in Pennsylvania, Lancaster Online reports on another school librarian who will also be celebrated at ALA. The American Association of School Librarians, a division of the American Library Association, will give its 2024 Intellectual Freedom Award to Cathi Fuhrman, who fought revisions to library policy in the Hempfield School District, where she formerly worked. I felt like I needed to speak up for intellectual freedom and for best practices when it comes to selection policy," she said. And in Philadelphia, PBS affiliate WHYY reports on the sudden departure of the staff of Free Library of Philadelphia's Author Event program. "Sources inside the library staff say there was a culture of disrespect from leadership," the report states, adding that "the departed staff have the support of visiting writers, including bestselling novelist Jennifer Weiner, who has been featured in the Author Event series at least a dozen times." What gives us hope is knowing that the extremists truly are just a very loud minority. Rocky Mountain PBS reports that Colorado ranks among the top 17 states in the nation for book bans, with more than 100 titles targeted for public libraries across the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. We have seen the largest rise in attempts to remove or restrict library resources, not just books. So its digital resources, its programs, its exhibits, its speakers. Its almost everything a library does, James LaRue, former director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom, who spent 24 years as director of the Douglas County Public Library District, told the outlet. Meanwhile, the Denver Post reports that Colorado governor Jared Polis has signed the state's anti book banning bill into law. The law prohibits the exclusion of books and other resources on the basis of ethnic background or gender identity. At Book Riot, Kelly Jensen leads her typically excellent roundup of censorship news with a deep dive on how freedom to read advocates in Alabama are fighting back, including a Q&A with reps from Read Freely Alabama. "What gives us hope," reps for the group told Book Riot, "is knowing that the extremists truly are just a very loud minority and that the vast majority of people, even here in such a traditionally red state, see the danger inherent in these pushes for censorship and erasure and are pushing back." Local affiliate WXOX in Wisconsin reports that the La Crosse Public Library received a $10,000 grant from the American Library Association to help the library better assist incarcerated individuals by expanding its programs and services. In a jail where there are conditions of isolation and there just arent a whole lot of opportunities there for meaningful social connection, the library has some really amazing services and programming that can help each other just get connected, Kam Hartfield, library assistant for the librarys department of access and engagement, said. And finally this week, WKMS in Tennessee reports on a survey of public libraries conducted by the Tennessee Library Association, which found that more than half of 63 respondents reported receiving some type of book challenge in 2021 or 2022. "The state-level survey included informal challenges, like when a patron verbally asks a librarian to remove or restrict a title, without filing any official paperwork. Large national datasets often dont capture these kinds of challenges," the report states. "Written responses to the survey also revealed that many librarians feel scared to do their jobs. Some reported facing threats and verbal harassment at work, leading to fears of being fired or physically harmed." The Week in Libraries is a weekly opinion and news column. News, tips, submissions, questions or comments are welcome, and can be submitted via email. Previous columns can be viewed here. KYODO NEWS - Jun 8, 2024 - 18:31 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism Critical fuel shortages for commercial flights at airports across Japan have led to difficulties in increasing the number of international flights and adding new routes, industry and government sources said Saturday. A surge in demand for flights due to increasing inbound tourism has outpaced the supply capacity of petroleum refiners, with the issue further compounded by labor shortages in the distribution phase. With the problem threatening to dampen efforts to revitalize regional economies through international tourism ahead of the peak summer holiday season, relevant government ministries are assessing the situation to consider countermeasures. According to the Hiroshima prefectural government in western Japan, a foreign airline had to revise plans to increase Asia flights to and from Hiroshima airport due to insufficient fuel supply. Another airline is also encountering challenges securing fuel for summer and beyond, it said. New Chitose, Asahikawa, and Obihiro airports in Hokkaido have been similarly affected by fuel shortages as they planned to increase flights. Meanwhile, the operator of Sendai airport in northeastern Japan said it has not been affected, but airlines have expressed concerns about fuel shortages. The National Governors' Association is considering requesting the central government take action as airports in parts of the Kansai, Shikoku, and Kyushu regions also face difficulties in increasing the number of flights, according to local government sources familiar with the matter. In Japan, petroleum wholesalers contractually supply passenger aircraft with fuel refined from crude oil. They cannot suddenly increase production as they have been consolidating facilities in anticipation of a medium- to long-term decline in demand for petroleum products. There is also the option of selling imported fuel as a temporary measure. But they face the risk of not being profitable that way. "We are prioritizing the increased demand from existing customers and cannot adequately respond to (plans for) new international routes or sudden increases in flights," a source at a petroleum refiner said. There has also been a shortage of drivers and airport workers involved in the process of transporting fuel from refineries to airports and pumping it into the aircraft. Related coverage: Record 19.1 million international passengers used Haneda airport in FY 2023 Some 40% of skilled foreign workers choose to remain in Japan: OECD Japan begins 40,000 yen tax cut to help inflation-hit households At a time when graphic novels in libraries are under fire like never before, Shira Pilarski has chosen to focus on the positive. Pilarski, the incoming president of the American Library Associations Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table (GNCRT), is focusing their Presidents Program on queer joy in comics. We have so many conversations about bans, lets remind ourselves why were doing this in the first place, Pilarski says. Im particularly thinking about uplifting the celebrations, the things that make us feel good. As chair of the ALAs Stonewall Book Awards Committee, they spent the past year reading comics and manga by and about LGBTQ people. They found that the comics publishing industry has produced so much good stuff by queer and trans people, and about queer and trans characters in recent years. Then looking at the news, I thought, we need to talk about the good stuff. Graphic novels continue to be among the most popular titles in libraries. When Pilarski was assistant manager of the Detroit Public Library, from 2022 to 2023, they found that graphic novels had a higher circulation rate than prose; Dog Man is a perennial favorite among middle grade readers, and teens have a voracious appetite for manga. But the visual aspect that makes graphic novels so popular with readers also makes them popular with pressure groups, says Daniel Patton, cochair of the GNCRTs Addressing Challenges Committee. You can just look at a page, he says. You dont have to read a bunch of words. Indeed, Maia Kobabes Gender Queer was again the most challenged book in libraries in 2023, according to the ALA, and two other graphic novels were also in the top 10: Mike Curatos Flamer and Erika Moen and Matthew Nolans Lets Talk About It: The Teens Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human. And, Patton notes, not all challenges are through official channels. He cites a librarian who has been forced to repurchase numerous copies of Gender Queer because they keep disappearing. Additionally, it is often the case that challenges are issued by people who have not even read the book theyre targeting. When Daviess County Citizens for Decency in Daviess County, Ky., demanded that Ryan Estrada and Hyun Sook Kims Banned Book Club be removed from the YA section of the local public library, Estrada attended the meeting of the Daviess County Fiscal Court and learned that same group had also tried to remove P.D. Eastmans picture book Are You My Mother?, which the groups members had confused with Alison Bechdels adult graphic memoir Are You My Mother?. Similarly, a county official insisted Lets Talk About It, a teen sex-ed book, was found in the childrens section of the library. It wasnt; the book shelved in the childrens section was Lets Talk About It: A Sesame Street Guide to Resolving Conflict. (No sex, just diplomatic Elmo.) Patton points to the Addressing Challenges Committees resources for librarians on the GNCRT website, which include a toolkit to aid comics librarians in preparing for and dealing with challenges. The committee also recently launched a zine project, inviting comics creators, readers, and library workers to create zines about the importance of libraries and the freedom to read. The committee plans to display the zines digitally and physically at the ALA Annual 2024 and is hoping to publish an anthology. Defensive strategy One strategy libraries can use to minimize problems is carefully curating their collections, according to Jeff Trexler, interim director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Publishers target graphic novels to specific ages, but libraries often shelve them in broader age categories, such as YA, which the ALA defines as ages 1218. The people who are challenging the books, Trexler says, will come in and say, Oh, look, theres this thing with sex in it. I cant believe that my 12-year-old has access to this because its shelved in the same section. The answer, he says, is to shelve books in a way that corresponds with the age groups to which publishers market books. This could require adding a teen or tween section or rearranging current categories. The first library I ever worked at had adult and teen graphic novels intermingled, Pilarski says. Thats problematic. Books that are intended for adults should not be in the teen section. When Pilarski arrived at the Landsdale, Pa., public library, where they are currently the director, all graphic novels were in a single section: Everything from Sandman to The Baby-Sitters Club, they say. The library is now working on shelving graphic novels by age group, and Pilarski often checks where other libraries have placed titles, adding that expansion is needed when titles are likely to spark controversy simply because branches dont have an adult graphics collection in their library to place adult comics in, or they end up on the teen shelf by default. As a librarian, I want things to be in the right place where theyre going to hit the right audience, Patton says. A patron once challenged an adult graphic novel, which was shelved in the adult section, because their child had looked through it. We didnt even have to follow through on it, Patton notes. We had it in the right place, and it fit our collection policy. In a case like that, it is up to the adult to monitor the childs behavior. Publishers are resolute With so many challenges, there is a concern that publishers are scaling back on acquiring and developing graphic novels that fall into categories most likely to be banned. Trexler suspects this is likely. You have challenged books that have sold in the stratosphere, like Gender Queer, but there are a lot of books where sales are smaller, and thats where a wave of librarians across the state deciding its not worth stocking such books can make the difference between profitability and running at a loss, he says. And that can make a difference in terms of whether an author is going to be picked up, or the next book. Its difficult to track whether theres been a chilling effect from bans on general library buyingbecause statistics on library sales are not available to the publicbut the publishers PW spoke with countered that scaling back is not their agenda. We are not changing what we do, says Sean Tulien, editorial director of Lerners Graphic Universe imprint. Lerners sales are split near evenly between school libraries, public libraries, and general trade, so legislation restricting library purchases would have an inordinate effect on its business. Its obviously meant to target and harass book publishers and make it hard for us to put out stuff that kids need, he adds, but we have to continue to do that. Tulien cites Melanie Gillmans Stage Dreams, a backlist title from 2019, as an example of the success of publishing controversial topics against censorship pressures. A Western adventure with LGBTQ characters, the graphic novel still consistently sells 50100 copies a month. Its very obvious that it fits the criteria to be banned by conservative districts, and still, theres demand for it, he says. That should be the single driving factor as to what were doing and why were doing it. Liz Francis, founder of Street Noise Books, publishes exactly the kind of books any publisher would expect to be challenged. We have a clear mission to provide a platform for the voices of marginalized people, she says, and to create books that are unapologetic, authentic, and politically relevant. The publishers list is geared toward readers in their late teens and early 20s; upcoming titles include Djuna: The Extraordinary Life of Djuna Barnes by Jon Macy (Oct.), a biography of the lesbian novelist. We havent had a problem, she says, because I think the librarians always know what theyre getting with our books. The answer is always resoundingly Yes, we obviously need these books. Andrea Colvin, editorial director of LB Ink, the graphic novel imprint of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, agrees that pushing back and championing projects by marginalized creators is of paramount importance. Im always going to bring in these projects, Colvin says. The queer stuff, and the stuff with non-cis-white-male leads, about all sorts of different experiences. In acquisitions meetings, she adds, the question will be, This puts librarians in a tough position. Is this what we want to do? And the answer is always resoundingly, Yes, we obviously need these books. Colvin also says she would never tone down the content of a book because of potential challenges. But she does talk to librarians about books content to make sure they are reaching readers of the intended age level. Books like Flamer or Stage Dreams are particularly important for LGBTQ young people living in communities where they are not supported, Colvin notes. They give you a window into another world thats not your own, she says. In a way, each one is like a little It Gets Better campaign. And for readers who have comfortable lives, graphic novels can serve as a valuable reminder that not everyone is so fortunate. Its important to open your mind to what other people might be feeling, Colvin says, and I think books are the best way that that happens. Brigid Alverson is a regular comics contributor to PW, a columnist for SLJ, a contributing editor at ICv2, and editor of the Good Comics for Kids blog. Read more from our Graphic Novels in Libraries feature: Comics Thrive in Libraries Through Digital Lending Comics Plus and other digital lending platforms are a growing area for the discovery and circulation of graphic novels in libraries. Why Would A Comic About Censorship Get Banned? When a graphic novel about censorship was challenged in libraries and schools, creators Ryan Estrada and Hyun Sook Kim fought back. Now theyre releasing a sequel. In Defense of Comic Books: PW Talks with Jeff Trexler The interim director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund offers an update on the challenges libraries are facing in keeping comics on the shelf. Immigration is often portrayed as a grassroots phenomenon driven mostly by the spontaneous human agency of individuals in the pursuit of better opportunities and higher living standards. It is believed that the involvement of states in the governance structure of international migration should be limited so that formal migratory restrictions are either abolished or substantially diminished. Based on this logic, the opinions of NGOs, activists and companies that need either cheap unskilled labor or a qualified workforce matter more than what governmental authorities have to say. In todays interconnected world, widespread immigration is a benign hallmark of globalization, a solution for the issue of manpower shortages and a source of cultural syncretism. The idea that migrations are somehow apolitical is historically illiterate. For centuries, the proliferation of migratory waves has been symbiotically interwoven with conquests, wars, the organic conformation of national states, the development of international mercantile networks, the management of imperial bureaucracies, the diffusion of religious beliefs at gunpoint, expansionist ideological projects, the rise of distinctive collective identities and the exchange of populations. Throughout recorded history, intrepid migrants have left their mark as settlers, merchants, soldiers, statesmen, invaders, pioneers, innovators and frontiersmen. And in this age, this demographic phenomenon is indeed for better or worse a key vector of complex interdependence as a result of its sheer volume and dynamism. A deeper assessment of international migratory flows reveals a complex dual reality that entails not just some utilitarian benefits, but also potentially dangerous implications which transcend the orbit of crimes like human trafficking. Just like with other linchpins of complex interdependence including energy, trade, finance, money, currencies, infrastructure, information, cyberspace and digital platforms the control of migratory flows can be manipulated, contested, co-opted or even weaponized. In the post-Cold War era, migratory flows confer potential advantages worth harnessing to bolster national power, develop political influence, seek unconventional deterrence measures, demand concessions from a position of asymmetric strength and target rivals through acts of hybrid warfare. The contemporary understanding of migratory flows needs to be recalibrated through the lens of statecraft, security, intelligence, foreign policy, and strategic foresight. Belarus mobilizes weaponized migration in the EUs Eastern flank As a retaliation against the EUs support for regime change in Minsk and the implementation of economic sanctions by Brussels, Belarus smuggled thousands of undocumented Iraqi and Afghan migrants and dumped them in close proximity to the border with Poland and Lithuania (both EU and NATO members) back in 2021. Apparently, the migrants were promised that they would be eventually transferred to Germany. In turn, Belarusian border guards simultaneously prevented said migrants from remaining in Belarus so that they had no choice but to persist in their attempt to cross forcefully. With this unconventional strike, the Belarusian state intended to encourage mass illegal crossings as a potential spearhead to pierce the border of these neighbors, provoke Polish and Lithuanian law enforcement into skirmishes with the migrants that could lead to casualties and fuel political discord within the EU. The resulting fallout triggered the declaration of states of emergency, as well as reactive pushbacks. It must be noted that, as a consequence of geopolitical conditions, historical patterns and fear of militant jihadism, Eastern European states like Poland in contrast to much of Western Europe are not eager to accept a migratory overflood that could lead to unpredictable or counterproductive outcomes. Warsaw does not share the inclination of Paris, Berlin, Rome, or London to follow a policy of open borders and welcome large numbers of illegal immigrants, regardless of their irregular status, unvetted backgrounds and unknown affiliations regarding ideological, political or religious preferences. This event demonstrated how a state can organize vast covert transnational corridors and logistical capabilities to manufacture an artificial migratory crisis as a nonmilitary instrument of aggression against adversaries. Although the attempted breach masterminded by Belarus ultimately failed, its impact highlighted meaningful diplomatic, political, strategic, tactical, and operational challenges. Despite incremental Polish countermeasures, Minsk seems undeterred in its continuous strategic weaponization of extra-regional migration against Warsaw. Ankara intervenes in foreign states through the Turkish diaspora Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan strongly urged members of the Turkish diaspora in Germany who hold German citizenship to vote in the 2017 German elections in accordance with the interests and necessities of the Turkish state. Said blatant act of intervention by a foreign state in the sovereign domestic political affairs of another state took place in a context shaped by deteriorating bilateral diplomatic ties between Berlin and Ankara. The impact of Erdogans message was limited, but the resonance of its echo must not be overlooked. From a long-range perspective, this episode must be understood in the backdrop of Turkeys reassertion as a neo-Ottoman power whose sphere of influence can reach the very heartland of continental Western Europe. After all, the Turkish community in Germany has become a stronghold of popular political support for President Erdogan. In this case, Turkey must have studied the paradoxical condition of Germanys strategic cluelessness despite its position as a major but dormant European heavyweight. Berlins lack of a worldly navigational compass was reflected in the empty rhetorical complaints of the German political elite. Finally, the Turkish government is sharply aware of the full potential offered by the threat to unleash the weaponization of unrestricted migratory flows. In exchange for containing the transit of immigrants from the MENA region to EU states, Ankara has repeatedly received diplomatic and economic bribes from Brussels. Mexico and the U.S. are headed towards a conflict sparked by mass migration With the rise of intensive bilateral interconnectedness in the last few decades trade deals, industrial nearshoring, economic linkages, security co-operation, business connections, investment projects, cultural bridges, binational families, remittances it was believed that conflict between the U.S. and Mexico would be unthinkable, despite existing asymmetries. The transition from a marriage of convenience towards deeper integration was even championed by power brokers in both sides of the border until not long ago. Nevertheless, interdependence increases the potential eruption of tensions. In this regard, the unresolved issue of migratory flows originating in Mexico or in transit through its territory towards American soil has become one of various contentious matters in relations between both countries. Until now, Mexico out of fear under American pressure has reluctantly collaborated with Washington through the dispatch of its security forces to suppress the quantity of Central and South American immigrants who want to cross into the U.S.. In exchange for such concessions, Washington has relatively restrained its discontent towards Mexico, despite the widening cracks in their declining partnership. Yet, this increasingly uneasy cold peace is not likely to endure forever. The changing demographic balance in the U.S. as a result of the growing presence of Mexican immigrants there is likely to foster a heightened rivalry in the long run. Conclusions For statecraft and national security, the pivotal phenomenon of mass migratory flows requires a pragmatic approach based on the prism of high politics. From a defensive perspective, states that receive large inflows of people cannot afford to remain passive vis-a-vis the potential risks which could be harnessed by their state and nonstate enemies. Embracing capitulation, neglect, acquiescence or laissez-faire policies would facilitate the weaponization of migration against them. The deployment of law enforcement, riot police, border guards or nonlethal weapons will not suffice. They will need enhanced border protection capabilities, smart technological solutions, the introduction of buffer zones, the comprehensive reassessment of migratory standards, intensive intelligence work focused on these threats, the investment of resources in the discouragement of immigration through the incentive of economic carrots and the coercive ability to disrupt the operations of those who might wield the movement of people for hostile purposes. Another possibility is to control or interdict militarily or otherwise the chokepoints of migratory gateways. States in a position to orchestrate, commandeer, harness or even hijack large outflows of people will formulate innovative strategies once they learn how to wage migratory warfare. This category includes middle powers and small countries from the so-called Global South close to prosperous nations with porous borders. For these states, the emerging tradecraft of weapons of mass migration offers instrumental assets to further their interests, seek strategic benefits and attack neighboring rivals that are unprepared to respond to the proliferation of this unconventional expression of low-intensity conflict. In turn, great powers can even rely on military interventions or covert destabilizations launched purposefully in order to instigate a massive exodus of refugees as a strategy to profit from the ensuing chaos. Finally, it is theoretically conceivable that even transnational or subnational nonstate actors such as criminal organizations, terrorist groups, insurgent forces, private paramilitary units or even ideologically charged NGOs could engage in migratory warfare through threats and blackmail or as a way to corner states that refuse to comply with their demands. Jose Miguel Alonso-Trabanco is an international relations professional who holds a Masters Degree in Strategic Intelligence and National Security. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Defence and Security Studies at Massey University, New Zealand. Property details: No Reserve Auction. Beautiful 0.06 acres of land lot in Mohave County, Arizona. Lot 3, Block 35 of Superba's Boulder Addition. Please see the pictures of the general area and of the lot. Parcel Number 30814476B. It is located close to West 3rd Street, Kingman, AZ 86401. A dirt road access. Beautiful real estate with many homes in the area. 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Nearby Arizona By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/07/2024 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 Kalani Faagata has welcomed Baby No. 3, her first child with boyfriend Dallas Nuez, after a secret pregnancy."Meet our daughter," Kalani, 35, wrote alongside a carousel of photos of the newborn on Tuesday, June 4.Kalani tagged Dallas' Instagram handle in her post, which featured the sweet newborn girl wrapped in a lilac woven blanket with a matching hat.Many alums commented on the photos."Congratulations so beautiful. God bless your princess," Anny Francisco wrote. David Toborowsky added, "Awww congratulations to you guys."And Kenny Niedermeier gushed, "Soooo adorably beautiful, congrats guys!!"Kalani had not publicly announced her pregnancy, and so many fans called it the "best kept secret."When one person wrote to Kalani in the comments, "Damn you did a good job hiding your pregnancy congratulations," Kalani responded, "Had to keep my baby safe from stress."Kalani initially starred on 's sixth season with Asuelu Pulaa , whom she met in 2016 and married on the series finale.Kalani welcomed two kids , sons Oliver and Kennedy, with Asuelu, but she often complained about how she felt alone in her marriage and didn't receive much help from Asuelu with their children.In Summer 2020, Kalani and Asuelu returned to TV as part of : Happily Ever After's Season 5 cast, and then they also reprised their roles on the show's sixth season.Kalani and Asuelu's highs and lows were documented for the TLC, and they hoped to work through their biggest issues -- namely infidelity on Asuelu's part -- on Season 1 of 90 Day: The Last Resort in Summer 2023.Kalani and Asuelu split while filming 90 Day: The Last Resort, and then Kalani moved on with Dallas, 29.Kalani told her fellow cast members during the spinoff that Asuelu had cheated on her during a Fall 2022 trip to Samoa by having oral sex with another woman at a bar, In Touch Weekly reported In attempt to even the score, Asuelu reportedly gave Kalani a "hall pass" to kiss someone else outside of their relationship. During this time, Kalani met -- and kissed -- Dallas, but their relationship progressed into oral sex and then intercourse.As 90 Day: The Last Resort continued, Kalani reportedly dropped the bombshell that the Samoa native had actually cheated on her at least a dozen times during their relationship, which included the years when Kalani was pregnant with both of their boys.Kalani ultimately decided her relationship with Asuelu couldn't be fixed, and so she opted to spend a night away from the resort with Dallas.Kalani and Asuelu broke up by the end of the process, and then Kalani pursued a more serious romance with Dallas.Kalani and Dallas continued to date after the show, and in February, they celebrated their first anniversary.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage! ABC/Craig Sjodin & Disney/Richard Middlesworth By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/07/2024 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. Bachelor Nation alums Rachel Nance and John Henry Spurlock have sparked dating rumors with a flirtatious TikTok video.Rachel recently posted a TikTok video appearing to show John Henry and herself on a date at a waterfront restaurant in her home state of Hawaii.In the video, Rachel and John Henry were sitting at a table with a dock behind them, and they were just wrapping up their pasta meals.Rachel lip-syncs to a voiceover, "How much do I owe you?" to which John Henry responds, "It's okay, it's on the house."Rachel, applying lip gloss, subsequently mouths, "Really?!"The ICU nurse, who currently lives in California, captioned her video, "My wallet was not harmed in the making of this video."The Bachelor fans quickly started shipping Rachel and John Henry as a couple, including Daisy Kent , and many people questioned if this was a "hard launch" for the pair's relationship.Rachel did not answer fans' questions, allowing speculation about the apparent couple to continue.Rachel's ouster aired during the second half of The Bachelor: The Women Tell All on March 18, during which she shared how she had been subjected to a lot of hurtful and racist comments online The Bachelor's Season 28 star Joey Graziadei had eliminated Rachel after Fantasy Suites."I k new that I was going to go home ," Rachel told spouses Serena Pitt and Joe Amabile on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast in March.She added, "I think towards the end, he and I definitely knew that that's as far as our relationship was going to go."Although Rachel called her love for Joey "platonic" on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast, she told The Bachelor host Jesse Palmer at The Women Tell All taping earlier that month that she was "in love" with The Bachelor star.Rachel said a part of her wishes she had told Joey that she was in love with him sooner, but she was also proud of herself for being vulnerable and putting her heart on the line after being cheated on twice in past relationships.While Rachel confessed she "wouldn't do" The Bachelor again, she suggested earlier this year that she'd possibly be open to starring on The Bachelorette or looking for love in Mexico on ."I am open to whatever feels right in the moment. As of right now, I'm enjoying everything settling down. I'm enjoying seeing the way things are unfolding, and it's looking amazing for my future," Rachel told Us Weekly."So we'll see what the future holds, but until then, I'm just going to go home, back to Hawaii and relax on the beach."John Henry, for his part, competed on Charity Lawson 's season of The Bachelorette and then appeared on 's ninth season last year.John Henry got engaged to Kat Izzo on 's Season 9 finale, which aired December 7 on ABC."We couldn't be any more different. I knew that, she knew that, and everybody [knew that]... But it just worked," John Henry explained during an April episode of the "The Ben and Ashley I: Almost Famous Podcast" co-hosted by Ben Higgins and Ashley Iaconetti "She's very vocal, she's loud, she's always all over the place, and I'm grounded. It just worked... It fit."After filming the show, Kat moved to North Carolina to be closer to the underwater welder, but she had been hoping they'd eventually relocate to San Diego, CA, together. The idea of potentially moving and changing jobs apparently overwhelmed John Henry.But John Henry and the registered nurse from Tampa, FL, announced their split on December 11 with a joint Instagram statement."I started thinking to myself, 'Is this really it? Is this really what I want?' Once I started thinking that, it just kind of started spiraling for me, and then everything else just started getting more stressful," John Henry explained on the podcast."And then, I started to see our differences a lot more. So, things just really got hard for me."John Henry said he was also struggling with depression at that time and he "wasn't there" for Kat like he "should've been" or wanted to be."It got to a point where it was just extremely hard for the both of us," he recalled. "And then basically, I called it quits . I said, 'This doesn't feel right. I think this should be a lot easier than what it is,' and it just, it wasn't the case."John Henry revealed that Kat was "shocked" by his decision to break up with her and the situation "wasn't really fair" to her."Because at the time, I was her fiance and I was supposed to be her rock... I think the hardest thing for her was the fact I'm supposed to be her guy and I'm supposed to be there for her, and I was struggling with that because of all the issues I was dealing with myself," John Henry shared.To this day, however, John Henry said he and Kat remain friends and have an amicable relationship.The alum concluded, "I'm happy with my experience, and I wouldn't change it for anything... Someone is going to be very lucky to have [Kat] ."Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group KYODO NEWS - Jun 8, 2024 - 19:20 | All, Japan A 35-year-old man was arrested Saturday for allegedly killing a neighbor who was serving as his probation officer in Otsu, western Japan, in May, police said. Kohei Iitsuka was on probation after being convicted of robbery in 2019. According to Justice Ministry records, the last time a probation officer was killed by someone they were overseeing was in 1964. Iitsuka has denied the allegation, the police said. The 60-year-old victim, Hiroshi Shinjo, had been a volunteer probation officer since 2006. He had supported Iitsuka's rehabilitation and met him at his home in Otsu for interviews. Shinjo, a restaurant owner, returned home at around 6:30 p.m. on May 24 and was scheduled to interview Iitsuka there at 7 p.m., the police said. A security camera captured the suspect entering through the front door. An autopsy has found that Shinjo died the same night, they said. He was stabbed at least 10 times in his upper body. Iitsuka was arrested on May 28 after being found in possession of a knife on a street in Otsu late at night, two days after Shinjo's body was discovered at home. The suspect then told investigators he had the knife to use while hiking, according to the police. On Saturday, he was served with a fresh arrest warrant for allegedly stabbing Shinjo multiple times in the upper body with a knife, resulting in his death, between 7 p.m. on May 24 and 4 p.m. on May 26, the police said. In June 2019, the Otsu District Court sentenced Iitsuka to three years in prison, suspended for five years with probation, stemming from an incident where he pointed a survival knife at a convenience store clerk and stole money. India is planning to soon sign new and updated mineral pacts with about a dozen countries in Africa. Photograph: Steve Marcus/Reuters The Ministry of Mines is in discussions with Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Business Standard has learnt. Negotiations are ongoing with around a dozen countries, and more will be added to the list soon. "We aim to secure Indias mineral supply chain, and African countries have all the minerals we require, said a senior government official. The aim of these mineral agreements will encompass not only meeting the demand for critical minerals, but also addressing all of Indias mineral requirements, the official added. Cobalt, nickel, graphite, diamonds, platinum, and uranium are among the major minerals found in Africa. Currently, India has memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with six African countries Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. So far, India has courted several African nations under multilateral initiatives, such as the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuel Alliance. Senior government officials stated that alongside central agencies, private players will also be invited to take part in exploration, mining, and mineral trading within these countries. Beyond public sector undertakings (PSUs), private players will also be encouraged to engage with these countries. "Mining firms such as Vedanta and Jindal already have a presence there. We aim to leverage their expertise and assist in expanding their operations in Africa, another official said. According to Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), there are many Indian private players like Vedanta Group, Jindal Steel & Power, Samta Mines & Minerals, Ashapura Group of Companies, among others. Spectre of China A successful trade deal with Africa will assist India in meeting its mineral requirements. But industry executives believe that Indias pursuit of minerals will face challenges due to Chinas significant presence in the continent. The Centre may face challenges in navigating any trade alliances with Africa particularly in view of the prevailing local socio-political issues. "Chinas dominance in African countries may also impede our progress. "We need to address these issues at the government to government (G2G)-level before entering into such alliances", said B K Bhatia, additional secretary general, FIMI. China has built import supply chains for multiple minerals from Africa over the past 10 years through the Belt and Road Initiative. According to the US Congress' Executive Commission on China, 80 per cent of DRC's cobalt output is owned by Chinese companies. They are refined in China, and then sold to battery makers around the world. The DRC has the largest cobalt reserves in the world, at around six million metric tonnes, as of 2023. Meanwhile, Chinese-funded new lithium plants in Zimbabwe are set to begin operations in 2024. Others in the pipeline are Mali, Ethiopia, the DRC and Namibia, according to S&P Global. China is currently pivoting away from Australia, from where the country gets more than 60 per cent of its lithium requirements. Chinese company Tshingshan, the worlds largest supplier of nickel, has announced it is constructing a $1 billion iron ore mine and carbon steel plant in Zimbabwe with a capacity of 1.2 million tonnes. To meet its mineral demand, India has accelerated the pace of auctioning mines, with a particular emphasis on critical minerals. The Centre released its first critical minerals list in June 2023 and announced the first round of critical minerals auctions in November of the previous year. Currently, 38 critical mineral blocks are up for auction. Since 2015, a total of 354 mineral blocks have been successfully auctioned, according to the Ministry of Mines data. Additionally, there are 201 ongoing notice inviting tenders, the ministry data shows. Politely decline to be prime minister, and hand the baton to someone else in the BJP -- like Sonia did to Manmohan Singh -- advises Krishna Prasad. IMAGE: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra D Modi speaks during the National Democratic Alliance parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi, June 7, 2024. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bharatiya Janata Party India/X Now that Narendra Damodardas Modi has been 'elected' leader of the National Democratic Alliance and addressed the NDA parliamentary party to the choreographed cries of 'Modi, Modi, Modi', he should do what Sonia Gandhi did in 2004. Politely decline to be prime minister, and hand the baton to someone else in the BJP -- like Sonia did to Manmohan Singh. Repeat, politely decline to be prime minister, and hand the baton to someone else in the BJP -- like Sonia did, to Manmohan Singh. Of course, he won't. There is too much ego, too much pride, too much arrogance, too much self-esteem. And, there are too many hot cakes in the oven -- Adani, Ambani, China, Covid, DeMo, Electoral Bonds, exit polls, Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi, Pegasus, PM Cares, Rafale, Ramdev, Vedanta, Vijay Mallya alphabetically speaking -- that can burn. Plus, there is that indescribably divine feeling that God (obviously a Hindu one, and a male) has only sent him and him alone to beat Jawaharlal Nehru's record of three terms as PM and no one else is qualified to rewrite his Wiki entry to send to the Guinness folk, except his minions at IT Cell. Apres moi, le deluge. Or, (Deluge after me). IMAGE: Modi with N Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar during the NDA meeting in New Delhi, June 7, 2024. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bharatiya Janata Party India/X Moreover, having surrounded himself with chamchas and chamchis whose IQ can be measured on the Richter Scale, it is unlikely anyone would counsel Modi to not go for a third serving. After all, they have EMIs to pay, even if it is by using UPI. Still, when he presses the remote control to switch off the electric products tonight, Vishwa Guru-turned-Vishwa Mitra-turned-Vishwa Bandhu should ask himself a simple question: Is he really cut out for this new role? Repeat, is he really cut out for it? As the first Twitter handle in the world to ask 'Will Narendra Modi be PM?' in 2007, permit yours truly to say he is not. IMAGE: A view of Modi speaking at the NDA meeting. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bharatiya Janata Party India/X And here are ten reasons why: He is a loner as leader. He has no record of working alongside or collaborating with partners either in Gujarat or Delhi. Except maybe his image consultants. His new partners are not the rootless wonders he prefers as ministers (like Ashwini and Jai and Nirmala; they experienced grassroots politicians. They know how to squeeze, how to extract. They also know how to serve. He does not have the skills to consult, discuss, negotiate, compromise. Nor has he demonstrated any of those skills at any time in these 10 years. He doesn't how to accept defeat and retreat. Example: Farm laws. He is not used to give-and-take that is crucial to keeping everybody happy in a coalition arrangement. It might surprise his devotees, he is not Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Ask Nitin Gadkari. He is comfortable with yes men; he is not used to facing questions. He is certainly not used to hearing a 'no' or a 'nahi' from colleagues. Remember: 'Is aadmi ko kya takleef hai, bhai?' He is incapable of facing dissent and rejection in a crowded room. Not in a press conference, certainly not in Parliament, where minus his fantasy of 400, fire will now be met with fire. He cannot share space (or limelight) with others, least of all those from rival parties who are partners. What if Nitish babu or Chandrababu ask why he alone should host 'Mann ki Baat'? Or, why their photos should not appear in advertisements and hoardings? He can no longer control the flow of information that is so crucial to his image. Ministers were asked to deposit their mobile phones before the Cabinet meeting ahead of demonetisation in 2016 to prevent news from leaking out. It is unthinkable in a coalition setup. His unilateral, top-down decision-making style will be hampered by the periodic tugs and pulls of non-BJP elected representatives who have ideas of their own, perhaps better ones, and constituents to pander to. He cannot have his 'legacy', or what he thinks is his legacy, built over 10 years, sullied or ruined by the premature collapse of his government. After all, Nehru did 17 years as PM, and he is never going to match that. IMAGE: Modi during the NDA meeting in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo Of course, it is impossible that these thoughts would not have crossed Narendra Modi's mind since June 4. But it is unlikely he would have found it in him to listen to his 'inner voice' as Sonia Gandhi did 20 years ago. Unless, his alma mater, the RSS, makes him hear it as they did L K Advani. All those who think he is a miracle man who will magically reinvent himself when coalition push comes to shove haven't clearly heard Maneka Gandhi's favourite proverb, that you cannot teach an ageing Husky new tricks. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com India on Friday announced that leaders of seven countries from India's neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region including Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on June 9. IMAGE: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being received by Muktesh Pardeshi, secretary (CPV & OIA), as she arrives to attend Prime Minister designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony, in New Delhi, June 8, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Hasina and Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif have already arrived in Delhi. Besides Hasina and Afif, the other leaders attending the ceremony are Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, according to the ministry of external affairs. "The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision," it said. India has been cooperating with the countries of the Indian Ocean region under the broader policy framework of SAGAR or Security and Growth for all in the Region. "The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers following the General Elections 2024 is scheduled on June 9 2024. On the occasion, leaders from India's neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have been cordially invited as distinguished guests," the MEA said. In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, it said. The swearing-in ceremony is slated to take place at 7:15 pm on Sunday at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Shortly after Hasina arrived in Delhi on Saturday, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X: "This visit of one of our most valued partners will further strengthen India-Bangladesh close and deep-rooted bonds of friendship." Jaiswal also welcomed the visit of Afif to India. "The visit will impart further momentum to India-Seychelles bilateral ties," he said. The invitation by New Delhi to Muizzu to attend the swearing-in ceremony assumed significance as it came amid frosty ties between India and the Maldives. The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since November last year when Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge as Maldivian president. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. The Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians earlier this month. The leaders of regional grouping South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries attended Modi's first swearing ceremony when he took the reins as the prime minister after a massive electoral victory for Bharatiya Janata Party. Leaders of the BIMSTEC countries attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony, in 2019 when he became prime minister for the second consecutive term. Though the BJP could not get a majority on its own in the recent Lok Sabha polls, the party-led alliance secured 293 seats out of 543. The majority mark in the lower house is 272. Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi is set to take oath on Sunday for a third straight term as the head of a coalition government after two full tenures in which the Bharatiya Janata Party enjoyed a majority on its own. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the media after meeting with President Droupadi Murmu and staking claim to form the government as leader of the NDA parliamentary party, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi, June 7, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Modi, 73, will be equalling the feat of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who won in 1952, 1957 and 1962 general elections. Leaders from India's neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean Region are among the dignitaries and special invitees expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7.15 pm. Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu, Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay have accepted invitations to the ceremony. "The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision," the ministry of external affairs said. The leaders of the regional grouping SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) attended Modi's first swearing-in as the prime minister after a massive electoral victory for the BJP in 2014. Leaders of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony in 2019 when he became prime minister for the second consecutive term. Also invited to the ceremony are people from different walks of life. Surekha Yadav, the pilot of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus-Solapur Vande Bharat train in Maharashtra, is among 10 loco pilots of the Indian Railways who have been invited. Necessary arrangements have been made for the guests, including designated enclosures for the council of ministers to be sworn in and the VVIPs, the officials said on Saturday. The Rashtrapati Bhavan shared visuals of the preparations for the grand ceremony in the forecourt with chairs, red carpet and other paraphernalia being set up. Security has been stepped up with Delhi police imposing prohibitory orders and the national capital has been declared a no-flying zone for June 9 and 10 for the ceremony. Modi has retained power but with a surprising below-par show by the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls as its seat tally fell to 240 from 303, considerably short of the majority mark of 272. Principal opposition Congress said this evening that its leaders are yet to receive invitations for the swearing-in ceremony, while Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee announced that her party would not attend the event. "Neither we have got any invitation nor are we attending it," Banerjee said in Kolkata. Meanwhile, hectic parleys involving BJP leadership and allies were on over the share of berths of different constituents of the National Democratic Alliance in the new government. Senior BJP leaders such as Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh besides party president J P Nadda have been consulting the allies, including Telugu Desam Party's N Chandrababu Naidu, Janata Dal-United's Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde, to finalise their share of representation in the government. There is a view that heavyweight portfolios like home, finance, defence and external affairs besides education and culture, two ministries with strong ideological hues, will be kept by the BJP, while its allies can get anywhere between five to eight cabinet berths. While leaders like Shah and Singh are seen within the party as a certainty in the new Cabinet, former chief ministers who have won the Lok Sabha polls like Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Basavaraj Bommai, Manohar Lal Khattar and Sarbananda Sonowal are strong contenders for joining the government. Ram Mohan Naidu of the TDP, Lalan Singh, Sanjay Jha and Ram Nath Thakur of the JD-U, and Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) are among the allies who may be a part of the new government, sources said, adding that either Singh or Jha will be accommodated from the JD-U quota. Maharashtra, where the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance has fared poorly, and Bihar, where the opposition has shown signs of revival, maybe in the focus during the government-formation exercise. Assembly polls are due in the western state in October, while polls will be held in Bihar next year. Impending changes within the BJP's organisation will also be on the mind of its brain trust in finalising the names of ministers from the party. Nadda's term was extended due to the Lok Sabha polls, and organisational imperatives will be an important consideration for the party as the poll results have sent signals that all may not be well within its vast machinery. This opens the possibility of some seasoned hand being sent to the party and Nadda being given a berth in the government, the sources said. The desertion by a section of voters, especially from the Scheduled Castes and other deprived sections of society, may also be a guiding factor in government formation even though Modi had made a point to increase their relative representation in his outgoing term. Nehru is the only prime minister who held the post after three consecutive elections after Independence. The Congress, however, claimed that the results were a "moral, political, and personal defeat" of Modi and questioned the comparison with Nehru, with party general secretary Jairam Ramesh saying the country's first prime minister had got two-thirds majority in all three terms. The BJP hit back, saying Nehru had "no challenge" and was only "losing to himself". "That is how bad he was. Now sit down. The oath ceremony is tomorrow. You can either join the celebration at Rastrapati Bhavan or watch it on TV. "In the meanwhile, console Rahul Gandhi. Tell him that 240 is greater than 99," BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya said on X while reacting to the post by Ramesh. The Congress Working Committee on Saturday unanimously urged Rahul Gandhi to take on the mantle of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha to which he told the party's top brass that he will take a decision on it "very soon". IMAGE: Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, party MP Rahul Gandhi, party's general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other party leaders during the extended party's working committee meeting, in New Delhi, June 8, 2024. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo At a meeting of the CWC, the party's highest decision-making body, chaired by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others, the party's Lok Sabha polls showing was hailed but it was also decided that separate committees would be set up in states where the performance was not good or below expectations, to take corrective measures. Kharge said the Lok Sabha poll mandate is a "decisive rejection" of the politics of divisiveness and hate, and stressed that the INDIA bloc must continue functioning cohesively both inside and outside Parliament. Two resolutions were unanimously passed by the CWC, including one requesting Rahul Gandhi to assume the position of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Asked if had agreed to take on the position, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said Gandhi took note of the sentiments of the CWC members and told them that he would take a decision on it "very soon". In the other resolution, the CWC congratulated the people for voting so powerfully to preserve democracy, protect the Constitution and enhance social and economic justice. "They have decisively rejected both the substance and style of governance over the past decade. The verdict of the people is not just a political loss but a personal and moral defeat for the Prime Minister who sought the mandate in his name and ran a campaign anchored in lies, hate, prejudice, divisiveness and extreme bigotry," the resolution alleged. The verdict of the people is clearly against the undermining of democracy and democratic institutions that has taken place since 2014, it said. In his opening remarks at the meeting, Kharge asserted that while celebrating its "revival", the party should pause a little as it did not perform to its abilities and expectations in some states. "Further, we could not repeat our performance in states where we had previously done well in Vidhan Sabha elections and formed the government," he said. Separate discussions on each such state will be held soon, the Congress chief said. "We have to take urgent remedial measures. These are states which have traditionally favoured the Congress, where we have opportunities which we have to harness not for our own advantage but for the benefit of our people. This exercise I propose to hold very soon," he said. Kharge further said whether the party is in power or not, its work continues amongst people "24 hours, 365 days", and raise their issues. "People have spoken against the dictatorial and anti-democratic ways of the ruling party. It is a decisive rejection of the politics of the last 10 years. It is rejection of the politics of divisiveness, hate and polarisation," Kharge said. "I want to draw your attention to the fact that wherever Bharat Jodo Yatra went we saw an increase in the vote percentage and number of seats for the Congress party," he said. Kharge also hailed INDIA bloc partners, saying each party played its designated role in different states, and each party contributed to the other. "Our determination is that the INDIA group must continue. We must function cohesively and collectively both in Parliament and outside," he said. The issues that we raised in the election campaign are issues that are bothering the people of India. We have to continue to raise them both in Parliament and outside, Kharge said. In its resolution, the CWC noted that the people of the country had placed the party "firmly on the path of revival". "The party fought a superb campaign the heart of which was a vigorous defence of our republic's Constitution and the provisions for reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs. We provided a clear alternative political, economic and social vision," it said. "The campaign had a distinctive pro-poor focus and highlighted the urgent need for a nation-wide socio-economic caste census to deepen social justice and empowerment and for addressing the demands of youth and farmers immediately," the CWC resolution said. The CWC also hailed the roles played by Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi during the Lok Sabha polls. The CWC said that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has to be singled out largely because of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that he designed and led. "Both these Yatras that reflected his own thinking and personality were historic turning points in our nation's politics and instilled hope and confidence in lakhs of our workers and crores of our voters," the resolution said. Rahul Gandhi election campaign was single-minded, sharp and pointed and more than any other individual it was he who made the protection of our republic's Constitution the central issue in the 2024 elections, the CWC said. Briefing the media after the meeting, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the committees would carry out a thorough review after which they would submit their respective reports to the Congress president. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was assaulted by a man in Copenhagen, according to a statement from her office to CNN. IMAGE: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen attends a press conference at NATO's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium April 17, 2024. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters "Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was hit by a man Friday evening on Kultorvet [public square] in Copenhagen. The man was subsequently arrested," the prime minister's office said. In response to the distressing event, Frederiksen's office said that she "is shocked by the incident", while refraining from providing further details about any potential injuries sustained during the altercation. Minister of Environment Magnus Heunicke urged for national unity in the wake of the assault, emphasising the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding one another, irrespective of "political disagreements, election campaigns." "Something like this must not happen in our beautiful, safe and free country," he said on X. "This is ugly and unacceptable. Let's show that Denmark is much better." "Deeply shocked by the outrageous attack on my colleague and friend, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen," Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina said in a post on X. "All our thoughts are with you and your loved ones. Wishing you a speedy recovery," she added. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack, calling it a "despicable act, which goes against everything we believe in and fight for in Europe." She went on to wish the prime minister strength and courage, saying she has plenty of both, CNN reported. The incident unfolded against the backdrop of Denmark's upcoming participation in the European Union elections, adding an additional layer of significance to the event. Frederiksen, a prominent figure in Denmark's political landscape, has led the center-left Socialist Democratic party since 2019, assuming the role of prime minister. The attack on Frederiksen comes amidst heightened concerns surrounding political violence, notably underscored by the recent assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. Analysts and lawmakers have pointed to a growing sense of political polarisation across Europe, reflecting an increasingly volatile climate within the continent's political sphere, CNN reported. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's remark terming a priest as "ignorant" for criticising the ruling Left on its defeat in the Lok Sabha polls was strongly condemned by the Opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday. IMAGE: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Photograph: ANI Photo While Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala mockingly called the CM as "the most knowledgeable" person in the state who has the habit of terming priests "wretched creatures" and "ignorant", BJP leader V Muraleedharan said that Vijayan's remarks indicate that he continues to be intolerant towards those who disagree with him. The Marxist veteran, when he was the state secretary of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, had called the former Bishop of Thamarassery diocese Mar Paul Chittilappilly a "wretched creature", Muraleedharan claimed. Meanwhile, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief K Sudhakaran demanded that Vijayan should apologise to the priest and the Christian community for his remarks. Earlier in the day, Chennithala said that those in the political field will always be criticised and therefore, they should analyse the criticism and deal with it in a calm and balanced manner. "Is it appropriate to call a priest or bishop ignorant if he expresses his view on something? How can you call those who criticise the government or the CM a wretched creature or ignorant? It is not right to do so," the Congress leader said. Muraleedharan said that Vijayan's remarks indicate that he has not changed, despite being a CM for eight years, from the time when he had called a bishop a "wretched creature." "He is intolerant towards those who disagree with him. That is what he showed back then and even yesterday," the BJP leader said. Sudhakaran too was of the view that Vijayan has not changed from the time when he had called a bishop a "wretched creature" Muraleedharan further said that what the priest said about the Left Democratic Front is what the people of Kerala were also thinking. Geevarghese Coorilos -- former Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese of the Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church -- in a Facebook post had said that "floods and epidemics do not always come to the rescue and people in Kerala will not fall more than once in 'kit politics." The priest, known for his pro-Left views, had made the remarks on Facebook in connection with the LDF's loss in the LS polls. Hitting back, the CM on Friday had said that the priest's post shows "that even among priests there are sometimes some ignorant persons". On Saturday, when reporters asked the priest as to why he had put up the post, Coorilos said he has nothing to say on the matter as all that he had to say he has mentioned in his Facebook page and it is still there. "That topic is closed. I have said what I had to say on the issue. I am not going to say anything more," he said. When his reaction was sought to the CM's remark calling him "ignorant", the priest said, "I have never reacted to personal remarks and that is not going to happen ever". He also made it clear that his heart was always with the Left front and it shall continue to be so. Coorilos, in his social media post, had also said that one of the main reasons for the LDF's defeat in the Lok Sabha polls was the anti-incumbency sentiment among the people. The priest had also criticised the Left for allegedly attacking the Congress and Rahul Gandhi more than the BJP. Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B Rajeev has become the Indian Navy's first woman helicopter pilot after she received the prestigious "Golden Wings" following completion of a rigorous training at a naval air station in Tamil Nadu's Arakkonam. IMAGE: Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B Rajeev (second from left) receives the prestigious "Golden Wings" in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, June 8, 2024. Photograph: Courtesy Indian Navy on X In another feat, Lt Jamyang Tsewang, the first commissioned naval officer from Ladakh, also successfully graduated as a qualified helicopter pilot, according to the Indian Navy. Sub-Lieutenant Rajeev and Lt Tsewang were among 21 officers awarded the "Golden Wings" by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, at a passing-out parade ceremony at naval air station INS Rajali, the Navy said on Saturday. The parade on Friday marked the successful culmination of an intensive 22-week training programme, encompassing rigorous flying and ground training at the Indian Naval Air Squadron 561, the alma mater of all helicopter pilots of the Indian Navy, it said. "Highlighting Indian Navy's commitment to gender inclusivity and expanding career opportunities for women, Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B Rajeev created history by graduating as the first woman naval helicopter pilot," the Navy said in a statement. "Lt Jamyang Tsewang, the first Commissioned Naval Officer from the Union Territory of Ladakh, also successfully graduated as a qualified helicopter pilot," it said. The Navy has already deployed women pilot for its Dornier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft. Sub-Lieutenant Rajeev became the first woman pilot who will be allowed to fly helicopters such as Sea Kings, ALH Dhruvs, Chetaks and MH-60R Seahawks. The newly qualified pilots of the 102nd helicopter conversion course will be appointed to various front-line operational units of the Indian Navy where they will take on diverse missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance, search and rescue, and anti-piracy, the Navy said. In the last few years, the three services have been focusing on deputing women personnel in key roles. Late last year, the Navy appointed the first woman commanding officer in a naval ship in sync with its philosophy of "all roles-all ranks" for female personnel. In 2018, flying officer Avani Chaturvedi of the Indian Air Force scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo. She flew a MiG-21 bison in her first solo flight. Chaturvedi was part of a three-member women team commissioned as flying officers in July 2016, less than a year after the government decided to open the fighter stream for women on an experimental basis. The Indian Army is also progressively opening new domains for women personnel. The helicopter training school at INS Rajali is known for its professional excellence. In its rich heritage spanning more than five decades, the school trained 849 pilots of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard as well as friendly foreign nations. Richard Mutingwende, an acupuncturist, treats a patient at his clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe, June 6, 2024.(Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua) by Tafara Mugwara HARARE, June 7 (Xinhua) -- At an acupuncture clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, Charity Karekwaivanane remained calm as acupuncture needles pierced her body. "It's a mystery that I got healed by those needles. I did not know what they would do to my body. I don't have any pain anymore. I am okay," the 69-year-old grandmother who had suffered from back pain for more than a decade told Xinhua after receiving the treatment. The acupuncturist, Richard Mutingwende, a Zimbabwean licensed acupuncturist, opened the clinic after witnessing first-hand the wonders of ancient Chinese medical treatment. With acupuncture, Mutingwende has a tool to fulfill his passion for relieving others from pain. "Chinese treatment works wonders, it's like magic," Mutingwende told Xinhua. "It gives instant results, especially to conditions that don't have solutions when it comes to other systems of medicine. So you find many people come here as a last resort after trying quite several medical systems." Mutingwende is among a group of 10 medical professionals who graduated from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture personnel training course by Chinese doctors in Zimbabwe in 2022. The training program, the first of its kind in Zimbabwe, was held at the Zimbabwe-China TCM and Acupuncture Center at the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH) in Harare. It comprised theory and practice and included components of TCM such as acupuncture and moxibustion as well as diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In November 2023, Mutingwende started his private practice to provide alternative medication at a lower cost. Word of mouth has spread fast about the wonders of acupuncture, and he now treats about 20 patients each day at the clinic located in the Harare south suburb of Stoneridge. He hopes to increase the number to 50. Mutingwende said people with conditions such as arthritis, sciatic nerve pain, back pain, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and even infertility and digestive disorders have received treatment. "I started this center so that many people get healed at a very low cost considering the high cost of drugs," he said. Acupuncture is a component of TCM, a medical system with a history of over thousands of years that has been used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses. TCM also employs techniques such as moxibustion, and cupping, and uses herbal products and mind-body practices. "The biggest advantage of acupuncture is that it makes the body heal itself. So it means there are no side effects as compared to other systems of medicines because it's just a matter of stimulating the natural healing process in the body, then the body will heal itself," said Mutingwende. For many patients, such as 32-year-old Vimbainashe Siziba, who was diagnosed with arthritis, acupuncture is proving to be the last resort. "Before receiving the acupuncture for arthritis treatment, I was struggling to walk, but now I can walk nicely, I can wear different types of shoes, even heels, so I can confidently say that acupuncture has helped me to treat arthritis," said Siziba. Gearly Madziva, 68, said she struggled with mobility for over a decade after developing a heart condition. She could not walk when she came for her first acupuncture session. "When people saw me coming back home walking unaided, they were surprised. Even my husband was shocked to see me walking. He immediately decided to come and get treatment himself," said Madziva. While TCM treatment is still new in Zimbabwe, people are slowly embracing it, said Mutingwende. "There were certain misconceptions when it comes to acupuncture but many people are now testifying that this is one of the greatest medicines," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi guarantees stability not only in India but in the entire South Asia region, a prominent Pakistani American businessman said Friday as he congratulated the people of India on the peaceful and successful conduct of the world's largest democratic exercise. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the media at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after meeting with President Droupadi Murmu and staking claim to form the government in New Delhi on June 7, 2024. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo "I have always said that Modi's leadership is necessary for India's future stability, preventing multiple parties from coming and destabilizing the constitution. Modi's leadership is a guarantee of India's stability and future of India," Pakistani-American businessman Sajid Tarar told PTI in an interview. With Modi coming to power for a third term, people in Pakistan hope that this will result in an improvement in its relationship with India, he said. Responding to a question, Tarar said he was expecting that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Modi and added that it was "disappointing" that so far there has been no congratulatory message from him. "...Modi is not only good for India, but he is also good for Pakistan as well. The allegations against him that he is anti-Islam and anti-Pakistan is politically motivated," he said adding that the relationship with Pakistan would improve and there would be an increase in trade between the two South Asian nations. "Today, Pakistan is facing political instability and is in the midst of an economic crisis. Observing that Pakistan has been China's proxy against India, he hoped that Islamabad would try to move away from that and improve its ties with New Delhi," Tarar said. He said like India, Pakistan also needs strong leadership to handle political instability and economic issues. No Prime Minister has completed a full term, contributing to the country's problems, Tarar added. "Modi is a seasoned and experienced leader who has dealt with various international forums like BRICS and G20," he said, adding that Modi's continued leadership could help steer India towards greater economic and political stability, which would, in turn, have positive implications for regional stability. Calling for a pragmatic approach to resolving issues between India and Pakistan, he said, "The most crucial step is to open up trade. When products and cultures exchange, misunderstandings and historical grievances can begin to heal," he said. Congratulating India on the successful completion of its elections, he said, "This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the strength and resilience of Indian democracy." The elections have silenced critics who doubted the robustness of India's democratic process, he added. "India's democracy has proven to be strong, even more robust than that of the United States," he said. Tarar praised Modi for his respect for the Indian Constitution and the nation's democratic institutions. "When Modi lifted the Constitution and kissed it, it was a powerful gesture that underscored his commitment to democratic principles," he said. BJP will find it tougher to push contentious Bills, especially those that would require Constitutional amendments, without the support of its allies and cooperation from the Opposition. IMAGE: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra D Modi respectfully touches the Constitution of India with his forehead as he arrives for the National Democratic Alliance Parliamentary Party meeting at Samvidhan Sadan, June 7, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo With the Bharatiya Janata Party short of a majority in both Houses of Parliament, it will find it tougher to push contentious Bills, especially those that would require Constitutional amendments, without the support of its allies and cooperation from the Opposition. These would include the 'One Nation One Election' proposal. The former President Ram Nath Kovind-led committee, which submitted its report on March 14, had suggested that the government must develop a legally tenable mechanism for accomplishing 'one nation one election.' It advised a total of 18 Constitutional amendments to achieve the objective. Apart from the Uniform Civil Code, where allies, such as the Janata Dal-United, have suggested that the government talk to all stakeholders, the Electricity Amendment Bill is also pending. It would require the government to reach out to the Opposition and some of the parties that are not aligned to either of the two blocs -- the NDA and the Opposition INDIA bloc. In the Rajya Sabha, the BJP-led NDA will have to rely upon seven political parties who together have 32 MPs in the Upper House. These are the YSR Congress Party (11 MPs), Biju Janata Dal (9), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (5), AIADMK (4), Bahujan Samaj Party (1) and a couple of smaller parties from the North East. Of these, the BJD, BRS, AIADMK and BSP no longer have any representation in the Lok Sabha, while the YSRCP has four members. In the Rajya Sabha, where the BJP is currently 97-member strong, three of its members are set to resign as they have been elected to the Lok Sabha. These are Union Ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia, Piyush Goyal and Sarbananda Sonowal. It will also lead to the BJP finding a new Leader of the House instead of Goyal. BJP national President J P Nadda is a member of the Rajya Sabha. With Goyal, Scindia and Sonowal quitting the Rajya Sabha, the BJP's strength will reduce to 94 and that of the National Democratic Alliance will be 106. The Congress-led INDIA bloc has 88 MPs. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com Two supporters of former Tamil Nadu chief minister and ousted All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader O Panneerselvam, announced they were quitting his faction on Saturday, and faulted him for "choosing a wrong path." IMAGE: File image of Tamil Nadu ex-CM O Panneerselvam (left) and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami. Photograph: Anantha Krishnan/ANI Photo They teamed up with a former AIADMK leader KC Palanisami and appealed to the AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and Panneerselvam to merge their factions and strive for the united AIADMK's victory in the 2026 assembly election. Former Villivakkam legislator JCD Prabhakar, a key aide of Panneerselvam, and another supporter V Pugazhendhi, said they have decided to quit the AIADMK Workers' Rights Retrieval Committee launched by Panneerselvam. Along with KC Palanisami, they would start a coordination committee to unite the AIADMK factions, they said while addressing a joint press conference in Chennai. "No one had the guts to criticise late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa when she was alive. Now they (the BJP) are going overboard in criticising her," Pugazhendhi said. He asserted that there was an imperative need to retrieve the party's image and be united in order to reinstall its rule in the state. "We don't agree with the path chosen by Panneerselvam. We want the party to become a strong political force in the state," he said and appealed to Edappadi Palaniswami to reconsider his decision and amalgamate the various groups. "Our cadres cannot tolerate defeat anymore. Edappadi Palaniswami should bring about unity without allowing his stature to come in the way," Pugazhendhi appealed. Palanisami, a former MP, said the Lok Sabha election results landed like "a thunderbolt" on the AIADMK cadres. "Though the party has lost elections in the past, the AIADMK never saw such a major decline in its vote share as it witnessed now. The people have taught a lesson to the AIADMK to remain united," he said. Announcing the decision to quit Panneerselvam's committee, Prabhakar said the three of them would launch a coordination committee to ensure unification among the groups. "We will attempt to speak to Palaniswami, Panneerselvam and VK Sasikala to bring about a merger as our sole objective is to unite AIADMK and make it the ruling party in the 2026 Assembly elections," he said. Calling the mandate of the Lok Sabha polls a "decisive rejection" of politics of divisiveness and hatred, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee on Saturday, stressed on continued cohesiveness in the INDIA bloc, both inside and outside Parliament. IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and other leaders attend the Extended Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi, June 8, 2024. Photograph: ANI on X The Congress leaders also urged Rahul Gandhi to take the role of Leader of Opposition. In his opening remarks at the Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi, Kharge asserted that while celebrating its "revival", the party should pause a little as it did not perform to its abilities and expectations in some states. The people have reposed their faith in the Congress and given a strong reply to the "autocratic forces" and those who were against the Constitution, he said. "People have spoken against the dictatorial and anti-democratic ways of the ruling party. It is a decisive rejection of the politics of the last 10 years. It is a rejection of the politics of divisiveness, hate and polarisation," Kharge said. He congratulated the newly elected Congress MPs for winning the elections in adverse situations and said the vote share and seats of the Congress increased in areas where the Bharat Jodo and Bharat Jodo Nyay yatras passed through. "I want to draw your attention to the fact that wherever the Bharat Jodo Yatra went, we saw an increase in the vote percentage and number of seats for the Congress party," he said. Kharge also hailed the INDIA bloc partners, saying each party played its designated role in different states and each party contributed to the other. "Our determination is that the INDIA group must continue. We must function cohesively and collectively both in Parliament and outside," he said. He said the issues raised in the election campaign are issues that are bothering the people of India and they should continue to raise them both in Parliament and outside. "Further, we could not repeat our performance in the states where we had previously done well in the Vidhan Sabha elections and formed the government. Separate discussions on each such state will be held soon," he said. "We have to take urgent remedial measures. These are states which have traditionally favoured the Congress. Where we have opportunities, which we have to harness not for our own advantage but for the benefit of our people. This exercise I propose to hold very soon," the Congress chief said. Kharge said whether the party is in power or not, its work continues amongst the people "24 hours, 365 days", and raises their issues. "Whether we are in power or not, the Congress party's work continues. We have to work amongst our people 24 hours, 365 days and raise their issues," Kharge said. The Congress president thanked party workers and leaders for working tirelessly, and specially mentioned Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Noting that the Congress won both the seats of Manipur, Kharge said the party also won seats in Nagaland, Assam and Meghalaya. "In Maharashtra, we emerged as the single-largest party. People from all walks of life supported the Congress party to save the country's democracy and Constitution," he said. Kharge said the party also saw an increase in the seats dominated by SC, ST, OBC and minority voters, as well as seats in the rural areas. Going forward, the Congress has to make its presence felt in the urban areas as well, he added. "We must be disciplined, must be united. The people have reposed their faith back in us in substantial measures and we must build on it. We accept this verdict with genuine humility," Kharge said. He also thanked the farmers, the organisations working for the backward classes, civil society groups, NGOs, small groups of traders, lawyers, intellectuals, independent media and others. The Congress chief also cautioned leaders that the discussions in the CWC should remain within the party forum and there should not be a "running commentary" on what is being deliberated at the meeting. The extended meeting of the party's top decision-making body was held at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi. Senior party leaders and members of the CWC, along with Congress Legislature Party leaders and Pradesh Congress Committee presidents from various states will analyse the party's performance and suggest measures to strengthen the organisation. The Congress' top brass, including party chief Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, party general secretaries KC Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh, besides other leaders were participating in the deliberations. Kharge, who has convened the meeting, will also host a dinner for all the extended CWC members and party MPs at the hotel. A meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party comprising all newly-elected MPs of the Lok Sabha and those of the Rajya Sabha will be held in the Central Hall of Parliament at 5.30 pm. COLOMBO, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's irrigation department withdrew on Saturday all flood warnings issued from June 1 near five major rivers of the country, according to a statement from it. The rivers are Kelani River, Kalu River, Attanagalu Oya, Gin River and Nilwala River, according to the department. The department said it is constantly monitoring the changes in the rainfall conditions across the country and those of the water levels of major rivers. All the arrangement has been made to issue prior warnings and information of flood situation as necessary, the department said. The meteorological department said in its latest forecast that the prevailing rainy condition in the southwestern part of the island is expected to enhance to some extent in the next few days from Saturday. According to the disaster management center, 282,797 people still remain affected by the adverse weather conditions due to rain related disasters. The Rakhine force, the most effective rebel army fighting the junta, vents its grievances on the battlefield. Evidence of Arakan Army culpability in mass arson attacks on Rohingya homes in western Myanmar's Buthidaung township where satellite imagery has confirmed that more than 400 homes were burnt to the ground poses a serious challenge to the anti-junta opposition. While such attacks have ceased since the Arakan Army captured the majority Rohingya town, the rebels' double-speak both weakens the prospects of an inclusive federal democracy, and is very shortsighted for the ethnic armys leadership. As it is said, the truth is the first casualty in war, and so far heres what we know happened: On May 18, the Arakan Army captured the last remaining four light infantry battalions and two border guard police camps in Buthidaung, following a multi-month siege. Immediately, over 400 homes in Rohingya residential neighborhoods were set ablaze. There is a chance of course that some of the fires were set by the retreating junta military, who had waged a genocidal campaign against the Rohingya in 2017-18. The military seems determined to stoke inter-communal tensions as it retreats from northern Rakhine state, and false flag operations are part of the militarys modus operandi. In a bizarre irony, the army has been conscripting Rohingya men into its depleted ranks to fight the Arakan Army, while at the same time, relying on radical groups, such as the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) and the Arakan Rohingya Solidarity Army (ARSA), operating in the refugee camps in Bangladesh to recruit fighters. Despite the militarys own culpability in ethnic cleansing, they are trying to paint themselves as defenders of the Rohingya community, as the Arakan Army settles old scores. If the Arakan Army continues such attacks, they are making an alliance between the military and radical Rohingya groups including ARSA and the RSO, inevitable. Flames from burning homes in Buthidaung in Rakhine state, are seen above the treetops in this image provided by a Rohingya refugee, May 17, 2024. (Image from video via AP) While this is not surprising, it is exceptionally short-sighted in its thinking and undermines the effort to defeat Myanmars military and establish a federal democracy. This should not come as a surprise. The Arakan Armys position on the Rohingya has been two faced. Its leader, Tun Mrat Naing, has a decade-long track record of referring to them as Bengalis, parroting the Myanmar militarys own term for the Rohingya. The arson attacks have also increased tensions between the Arakan Army leadership and the National Unity Government (NUG). Following the military coup in February 2021, the Arakan Army made a very important, if not surprising, statement in support of the NUG position that the Rohingya were a persecuted minority who were entitled to full citizenship, and that the one million refugees in Bangladesh should be repatriated. More intransigent after military gains But with military gains since the Three Brotherhood Alliance launched its offensive on October 27, 2023, the Arakan Army has become far more intransigent. Its leadership has signaled this change to their constituents, whether in social media or simply by greenlighting attacks by local units. The Arakan Armys military gains are significant. They now claim to have seized 180 military camps and taken full control of eight of Rakhines 17 townships. While they have not moved on the state capital of Sittwe or the Chinese special economic zone in Kyaukphyu, they are controlling the roads in and out of them. Should the Arakan Army complete their capture of Maungdaw, they will have driven the military out of the entire northern region of Rakhine. While the ethnic Rakhine army has stated their intention to liberate the entire state, for now they are trying to control the three main entry points into the northern part of the state in order to consolidate their power. The military has scant deployments in southern Rakhine, meaning that the Arakan Armys takeover of the entire state is not unthinkable. Arakan Army troops pose in Buthidaung, Myanmar, in an image posted to social media May 18, 2024. (AA Info Desk via VKontakte) The Arakan Army has proven itself to be amongst the most effective fighting forces among the ethnic armed organizations. Their battlefield advances have spread the military thin and not allowed the junta to redeploy troops to Kachin, Kayah or northern Shan states, where regime forces have suffered serious setbacks. Likewise, in eastern Myanmar, though opposition forces had to give up the border town of Myawaddy, the military has not been able to regain full control of the key Asia Highway. In short, military success has given the Arakan Army the opportunity to advance their short-term and parochial political interests at the expense of the national agenda to defeat the military. The Arakan Armys stated commitments to the anti junta oppositions long-term political goals, as stated by the NUG, should always be taken with a grain of salt. They are the only ethnic army that has flirted with independence, and their authoritarian leanings show they are hostile to democracy and any political system that would force them to share power. Prejudice with huge implications The United League of Arakan, the AAs political arm, issued a statement on May 20 that denied any culpability for the Rohingya village torchings, apportioning the blame solely on the military. Its statements since then have been largely dismissive and continue to deny the attacks, while criticizing media reporting on civilian casualties. But evidence of their culpability is mounting, underscoring the reality that the Arakan Army does not like the Rohingya population, nor does it want to see large-scale resettlement from Bangladesh. The Arakan Armys politics capitalize on Rakhine Buddhist prejudice against the Muslim community. The Arakan Army leadership is under intense pressure to renounce any violence towards the Rohingya. But the reality is that many of their troops were involved in the communal violence against them. This is simply a return to their default setting. The Arakan Armys position has larger implications. While they might have moved on from the 2017 ethnic cleansing, the international community, including the United States, has not. Earmarked in the recent $121 million in U.S. support for Myanmar, are still funds to support the quest for accountability for abuses against Rohingya. The continued persecution of the Rohingya will undermine future international aid and support for Myanmars opposition in general, and cyclone-ravaged Rakhine in particular. What is so frustrating is that Arakan Army chief Tun Mrat Naing is arguably the most charismatic and competent of the ethnic army leaders in Myanmar. Major General Tun Myat Naing, right, commander-in-chief of the Arakan Army, attends a dinner commemorating peace-building efforts, in Pangkham in Myanmar's eastern Shan state, April 16, 2019. (RFA) Were he to better coordinate his efforts with the NUG and wholeheartedly endorse their political aims, he would be a commanding figure in a post-conflict Myanmar. His parochialism augers poorly for a post-conflict Myanmar and puts the NUG in a very awkward position. The NUGs statement in response to the mid-May arson attacks was exceedingly diplomatic, never referencing the Arakan Army and largely pinning the blame on the junta military for stoking communal violence. But behind the scenes the frustration is clearly mounting. With such heavy strategic implications to this sectarianism, the Arakan Army has to get its priorities straight and prove themselves as responsible stakeholders. Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or Radio Free Asia. Kim Chol Ok in 2022, before being forcibly repatriated to North Korea. Holding back tears, Kim Kyu-li spoke into the microphone to share her sisters story, pleading with China to stop sending back captured North Korean escapees. Both were raised in North Korea and fled the country as teenagers but wound up in starkly different places, she told people gathered at an event hosted by the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 15 one of a series of meetings about North Korean escapees. Kyu-li escaped to China in 1997 and eventually settled in the United Kingdom. But her younger sister Chol Ok only 15 when she fled North Korea a year later was sold by human traffickers to a Chinese man 30 years her senior to be his wife. She lived with him for 25 years, bearing him one daughter. In 2023, she tried to flee to South Korea, which welcomes North Korean escapees, but was captured by Chinese police, Kyu-li said. In October, Chol Ok was among 600 North Korean escapees who were forcibly repatriated back to North Korea where she almost certainly faces punishment, prison or possibly even execution. Her marriage was not enough to save her because escapees in China are undocumented, and barred from registering life events like marriages and births. When my sister decided to escape, I believed she could succeed. I tried to support her in every way, said Kyu-li. I thought about going to China and bringing her back (with me to the U.K.), and now I feel bad that I couldnt do that. I cry every day, and I dont know what to do. China is the problem Chol Oks plight illustrates Chinas refusal to recognize North Korean escapees as refugees fleeing persecution. Instead, Beijing maintains that they are illegal migrants who must be sent back to their country of origin, and that they are bound by two agreements with Pyongyang. China is the problem, Kyu-li told Radio Free Asia. We need to negotiate with China. I want to say, If you dont want to accept North Korean escapees coming to China, send them to a third country, dont send them back into danger. Several diplomats present at the event and officials from human rights organizations said China and North Korea share responsibility for human rights abuses. They urged Beijing to embrace non-refoulement, or the refusal to send asylum-seekers back to countries where they may face persecution. We also call on member states, including the PRC, which shares a land border with the DPRK to uphold their respective international legal obligations, and to respect the principle of non-refoulement, Michelle Taylor, U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council said at the event, using abbreviations to refer to China and North Korea. No one representing North Korea was present. Chinas representative, Xie Chenchen, walked into the conference late though it was the first time a Chinese official attended such an event. Kim appealed for help in front of Xie, saying that her younger sister was at the crossroads of life and death, as would likely spend time in a North Korean prison. Kyu-li said her older brother lost his life due to torture while imprisoned, and she still doesnt know where he is buried. She fears the same thing will happen to her sister. North Korean jail is very poor, she said, addressing the conference in English. People struggle with harsh punishments and starvation. Id like to get them some help. I came here because of my sister and all North Korean people. Please help them for their freedom. She sought permission to continue her remarks in Korean, and appeared to hold back tears every time she spoke. As the event came to an end, Xie, the Chinese representative, suddenly asked to speak. He read from the two sheets of paper in front of him. Persons from DPRK who come to China illegally for economic reasons are illegal migrants, not refugees, he said. The principle of non-refoulement under that context does not apply to them. There is currently no evidence of torture or so called massive human rights violations in DPRK. So, the principle of non-refoulement under that context does not apply to them. Xie gave no recognition of her testimony about her sister, and scurried out of the event as soon as it ended. It hurts. But it was expected, given Chinas stance, she said. I want to ask how they plan to address Chinas illegal acts against North Korean escapees. Chinese people are trafficking North Korean people. North Korean escapees have married Chinese people and started families. Most of those forcibly repatriated to North Korea have family in China. What is China going to do about their children? We reject this attack A couple days later, on March 18, international delegates in a U.N. conference room in Geneva discussed the situation in North Korea. Representatives of several states called on China to observe the principle of non-refoulement. Chinese representative Shi Qi, who attended the meeting, said that mentioning China in the issue of forced repatriation to North Korea is considered an attack on Beijing. China is concerned about the report where it mentions the entry into China by the people of DPRK. These people are by no means refugees, said Shi. They have violated Chinese law and Chinese immigration control order. We reject this attack by countries, including the USA. The next day, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to Geneva hosted an event to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea. Kim Eunju (second from left), a North Korean escapee, was invited to testify at a UN Human Rights Council event hosted by the South Korean Permanent Mission to Geneva, March 19, 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland. (RFA) Kim Eunju, a North Korean escapee, said that in 1999, at the age of 12, she escaped to China with her mother and older sister and immediately became victims of human traffickers. In 2002, they were discovered by police and repatriated to North Korea. While in prison, Kim was subjected to hard labor and witnessed the suffering of other inmates, she said. But she managed to escape to China that same year, then made her way to South Korea in 2006. Meeting other escapees such as Kim Kyu-li has given her the courage to tell her story, she said. She said she felt a special bond just from the way they looked at each other. As someone who experienced forced repatriation to North Korea, I felt so empathetic to what Kyu-lis sister is going through, she said, adding that it made her cry. There is a bond of sympathy. When you look at the people who were forcibly repatriated to North Korea, there is a common anger toward the North Korean regime. Forced repatriation is not just a problem in the past, but still an ongoing problem, Kim Eunju said. Thats why I will speak up. Mind your own business On March 20, North Koreas acting ambassador to the UN Office at Geneva, Bang Kwang Hyuk, who was absent during discussions on North Korean human rights issues, entered the conference room as the general debate on human rights began. He read a four-page-long prepared statement saying the U.N. Human Rights Council must pay attention to the serious human rights situation in the United States and Western countries. He mentioned the United States 11 times, saying that it is the main culprit of the crimes against humanity where all sort of social evidence and institutional human rights abuse is talked about, including deep-seated racism and incurable gun-related crimes. He was also critical of Japan and South Korea, and said that the criticism of North Korea or China was an attempt to use the human rights council as interference in the internal affairs such as Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong in China as well as Belarus, Iran, Nicaragua, Russia, Syria and Venezuela. North Koreas acting ambassador to Geneva, Bang Kwang Hyuk, remained silent in response to questions from Radio Free Asia reporters about the situation of North Korean escapees who were forcibly repatriated to North Korea, March 20, 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland. (RFA) As he exited the conference room, RFA reporters repeatedly asked Bang about the situation facing the forcibly repatriated North Koreans as they followed him to his car outside the building, but he did not acknowledge them and drove away without responding. Kim Eunju told RFA that the refusal of China and North Korea to acknowledge the forced repatriation issue angers escapees. Forced repatriation starts in China and ends when China stops, she said. By stopping forced repatriation, many of the human rights issues of North Korean women who are trafficked and sexually assaulted in China could be addressed. Unmailable letters On the weekend, the sunny weather drew Kim Kyu-li into Genevas streets. Entering the International Red Cross Museum across from the United Nations building, the first exhibit she saw was on Restoring Family Links. Human beings are social beings who are defined by their links with others, the plaque describing the exhibit said. When those links are broken, they lose part of their identity and their bearings. Giving and receiving news and finding ones loved ones again are elements of stability that are even more essential during crisis situations. As she read the description, tears welled up in her eyes. Im glad I came, she said. Amid the faces of countless people separated from their families by war, her gaze stops at the handwritten letters to the loved ones they long to see. Kyu-lis cellphone is filled with Cheol-oks videos. Kyu-li said she watches videos of her sister whenever she misses her. (RFA) I wish I could write a letter to my sister and that she could receive it, she said. I think shell cry if I say, I miss you. So, theres nothing else but to say endure ... survive. She must survive so we can meet again. She probably feels like dying right now. In her heart, she writes hundreds of thousands of letters that cannot be sent, she said. If she meets her sister again, her only wish is to travel around the world and eat lots of delicious food together. She reminisced about how when they were young, their mother made mandu, Korean dumplings, for them, and how happy they were to eat them together. When I meet my sister, the first thing I want to feed her is mandu, she said. The exhibit makes her long to see her sister, so she scrolls through her cellphone to find the last texts, pictures and videos they sent to each other. Every time we talked, she would always sing a song and send it to me, she said, showing a video of Chol Ok singing in Chinese. She said she sings to ease her loneliness. This video was taken two years ago. She sings so well and her voice is lovely. Translated by Claire S. Lee and Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. Hungarians go to the polls on June 9 for European Parliament and municipal elections in a test of the strength of authoritarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his right-wing populist Fidesz partys nearly 15-year grip on power in the face of one of the strongest challenges in many years. Peter Magyar, a 43-year-old lawyer and once an ally of Orban, has gained an increasing number of supporters since earlier this year with accusations of corruption and mismanagement by the Orban government. A rally on June 8, organized by the 43-year-old Magyar -- who is the founder of the new Respect And Freedom (Tisza) party -- told tens of thousands of supporters that if you want itHungary will be the country of justice, honor, and laws." "Hungary wont be the wedge, but the link, between East and West," he added. Orbans Fidesz party is not affiliated with groups in the European Parliament, but it hopes to benefit in the election from a rise in far-right sentiment across the continent. The number of far-right lawmakers in the European Parliament is expected to grow after the vote. Magyars party has presented itself as a more centrist alternative to Orbans brand of illiberal populism and is likely to gain several seats in the EU legislature. Orban has angered many leaders in the European Union for his authoritarian policies, his opposition to aiding Ukraine, and his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Orban, however, has claimed that casting ballots for his opposition would draw Hungary directly into the war in neighboring Ukraine and precipitate a global armed conflict. Support for Fidesz in the latest polls ranges from 44 to 48 percent. The center-right Tisza party has 23 to 29 percent -- but many observers say Fidesz's victory is not assured given the strong showing for a movement that only came into being a few months ago. Gabor Toka, a research professor at Central European University and author of the Vox Populi election guide, told RFE/RL that surveys may not be totally accurate and that pollsters "ask people who respond in one way but may not vote accordingly later." "There are many people who decide at the last minute who they will vote for. "When the political situation really changes from week to week, it is of great importance exactly when the snapshot -- i.e. the survey -- was taken," he said. The election will also be a test for the controversial Sovereignty Protection Office (SZH), established in February and which has waded into the campaign to publicly denigrate individuals and groups and criminalize candidates over accusations of foreign funding and influence. "This agency is all set up to prevent nasty surprises for Orban in the upcoming elections," Kim Lane Scheppele, a Princeton professor and expert on authoritarian regimes and Hungarian politics and law, told RFE/RL. Orban said victory in the elections "is needed" and predicted that Fidesz would receive "reinforcements" from every European country and be able to form a pro-peace European coalition in Brussels. He also commented on the U.S. presidential election, saying that Americans in November will have "a chance to elect a pro-peace president," referring to presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Orban, who has repeatedly said Ukraine cannot win, said the war "has no solution on the battlefield" and reiterated his call for negotiations to end the full-scale invasion Russia launched in 2022. Magyar, a longtime political insider in the Fidesz party, has served in the Foreign Ministry and in Hungary's permanent representation to the EU. Until 2023, he was married to Judit Varga, a prominent Fidesz member and the former justice minister. He gained attention in February when his ex-wife became embroiled in a case in which a man was pardoned after being found guilty of being an accomplice in a case involving child sexual assault. The scandal claimed the political careers of the president, Katalin Novak, and Varga, who announced that she was retiring from political life. Magyar in early May told supporters that changes were coming to the country that current leaders will be unable to prevent. "Change can be stopped for a few days, a few weeks, but no one in history has ever stopped it and neither can they," Magyar said on May 4. With reporting by RFE/RL's Hungarian Service, AP, and Reuters "We don't need more walls, but new models of collaboration." Violeta Bulc, vice-chair of the Europe-Asia Center & former EU commissioner for transport spoke out against protectionism, as the European Commission's investigation into Chinese electric vehicles advances. Produced by Xinhua Global Service FEJER COUNTY, Hungary-- "Do you want to take a picture with him?" a woman asks her partner. There is already a crowd in Dunaujvaros, an industrial city in central Hungary, and an orderly line of people are waiting to see Peter Magyar, the new star of the Hungarian opposition. Out on the campaign trail ahead of Hungary's June 9 local and European Parliament elections, it takes Magyar a few minutes to reach the small stage. He walks slowly, pausing to greet the crowd while receiving warm hugs and pats on the shoulder. The 43-year-old is an unlikely opposition candidate. A longtime political insider in the ruling Fidesz party, he has served in the Foreign Ministry and in Hungary's permanent representation to the European Union. Until 2023, he was married to Judit Varga, a prominent Fidesz member and the former justice minister. His star began to rise in February when his ex-wife became embroiled in a case in which a man was pardoned after being found guilty of being an accomplice in a case involving child sexual assault. The scandal claimed the political scalps of the president, Katalin Novak, and Varga, who announced that she was retiring from political life. Magyar seized the moment, publishing a scathing Facebook post about the scandal and those involved, accusing the government of corruption and smearing its opponents. Doubling down, he then published a recorded conversation with his former spouse, in which Varga appeared to discuss a plan by the staff of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's cabinet chief to meddle in a corruption investigation. For many in Fejer County, one of the most developed and industrial areas in Hungary, the boyish-looking Magyar is a breath of fresh air. His new Respect And Freedom (Tisza) party is pledging to fight corruption, revitalize public services, and address Hungary's stultifying brain drain. On stage, his performance is polished and seemingly well-rehearsed. He is dressed in the uniform of Fidesz: a tight, but not too tight, white shirt and white sneakers. But there are also little personal touches: rosary beads with a wooden cross hanging from his wrist, something you would normally see on an elderly person or a nun. Well-versed in the brand of populism that has sustained Fidesz for 14 years, Magyar knows exactly how to work the crowd. His language is carefully vague and sometimes a little loose with the facts. "We can't get everything back, but we can get some of it back.... Step by step, brick by brick, we're taking the country back," he says. In every place Magyar visits, he brings up the local grievances -- the broken promises on bypasses and hospitals -- and this goes down well with the crowd, with some locals angrily cursing those in power. He mocks the Fidesz government's plan to send a Hungarian into space: "I suggest that before we start building a launchpad in [Orban's hometown of] Felcsut, we start small. Let's get to the level of Romania so we can have disinfectants in hospitals and soap in schools." Sometimes Magyar's solutions sound a little too good to be true. He mentions Istvan Tiborcz, a prominent Hungarian businessman who is also married to one of Orban's daughters. After accruing a fortune by the age of 36, Tiborcz's business activities have attracted the attention of the European Anti-Fraud Office. If he were in power, Magyar says, Tiborcz would "receive a letter from the NAV (National Tax and Customs Administration) to pay 400-500 billion [forints] in tax debts, plus the interest, within 15 days." In an interview in Pusztaszabolcs, a small city in Fejer County, I ask him about corruption, saying that Hungarians have learned to live with it since the era of Janos Kadar, Hungary's longtime communist leader. "Forty trillion forints came here from the EU," he tells me, "but there is no money for toilet paper in the hospital, or there are not enough doctors and nurses, because these funds simply disappear." Magyar also wants talk about Hungarian foreign policy, an area where he has professional experience from his time in Brussels. There are aspects of EU policy where he agrees with the government, he tells me, "even if the left-wing opposition doesn't like it." Hungary under Orban has had a famously combative relationship with the European Union, which it joined in 2004. Brussels and Budapest have repeatedly locked horns over immigration, judicial independence, and the rule of law. Magyar says he believes in a strong Europe based on strong nation-states. What Hungary should do, he says, is have a normal relationship with the EU but still remain critical. The difference to Fidesz, Magyar suggests, is that he would not only "argue with it for domestic political purposes...but would formulate a substantive critique. Because Europe is currently shooting itself in the foot, either in industrial policy or in environmental protection policy." During our brief conversation, he also addresses the right-wing Orban's alleged friendships with the Russian, Chinese, and Turkish leaders, along with former U.S. President Donald Trump. These ties, he says, "should not be overestimated." "It [shouldn't be] a problem if such a country, located between East and West, tries to establish good relations with the great powers of the world," he says. However, he adds, it's a problem if these relationships can't be converted into economic benefits. "Diplomacy -- something that the prime minister does not usually use or like -- is about arranging things behind closed doors and not banging on the table with his shoes," he says, referring to an incident in 1960 when Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev is rumored to have pounded his shoe on his desk at the UN General Assembly. There are also enough salacious tidbits from his time spent in the heart of the Fidesz to keep his supporters interested. While Magyar was out on the campaign trail, Orban was quoted in an interview with Blikk, a popular daily tabloid, as saying that he had only ever spoken a couple of sentences to Magyar. The new opposition challenger was quick to respond. "Don't you remember, Mr. Prime Minister, when we played Romany music all night, and then you got into the car after drinking half a liter or a bottle of wine?" he said. That night, according to Magyar, he even managed to spill some red wine on Orban's shirt. These types of details are catnip for the supporters of Hungary's opposition. With Magyar, there is always the implicit and tantalizing promise of more: that, if he wanted, he could blow the whole Fidesz system apart. And therein lies the contradiction of Magyar. While he is happy to milk his role as a political insider -- "I know them, I know the system, the tactics, the propaganda," he told Euronews recently -- he also tries to downplay his role inside the Fidesz machine. This leads to inevitable questions about his sincerity. There are concerns that he is just an opportunist, exploiting his connections to Fidesz but ultimately cut from the same cloth. His image is also tainted by allegations from his ex-wife Varga that, during their marriage, Magyar was physically and verbally abusive, allegations he denies. More conspiratorial Hungarians believe Magyar's rise is all part of a dastardly Fidesz plan: merely a plant, a superficial change of the opposition guard, designed to let disgruntled citizens blow off a little steam. The big question is whether Magyar's support in places like Fejer County can translate into votes nationwide. In a survey conducted at the end of April by Budapest-based pollster Median, Magyar's Tisza Party was supported by 24 percent of people voting in the European Parliament elections, making it the strongest opposition party. Fidesz, however, will be hard to beat. Deeply entrenched in power and with a strong grip on Hungary's media, the ruling party garnered 46 percent in the same poll. In Dunaujvaros, I speak to several people at the rally who are supporters of one of the main opposition parties: the left-wing Democratic Coalition (DK). One of them says that a mix of Klara Dobrev, a leading DK figure, and Magyar would be good. When I asked how the two politicians compared, the man was clear: "Magyar's] more credible, he sees things in a better way." For now, at his well-attended rallies, most people seem satisfied with what they hear from Magyar. "He pulled people out of their armchairs," says an elderly lady, who had been an active member of Hungary's opposition for years. Another elderly woman and her daughter tell me that they have never been to a political rally before. And why now, I ask? "We want change." 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. At least 22 people were killed and 117 others injured in Israeli strikes on Beirut, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported on October 10 after an Israeli strike on a school sheltering Palestinians in Gaza killed dozens of people. Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported two evening air raids in central Beirut. The first targeted an eight-story building and the second a four-story building that completely collapsed as a result of the strike, NNA said. A Lebanese security source quoted by Reuters said at least one senior Hezbollah figure was targeted in the attacks, which were the third on Beirut since Israel started a military campaign in southern Lebanon last month targeting the Iran-allied Hezbollah militia and sparking fears of an all-out regional war. Hezbollahs Al Manar TV reported after the strikes that an attempt to kill Wafiq Safa, a top security official with the group, had failed. It said that Safa had not been inside of either of the targeted buildings. Hezbollah kept up rocket fire into Israel on October 10. The military said several drones heading toward Israel were intercepted. Earlier on October 10 an Israeli strike on a school in the Gaza Strip killed at least 27 people, Palestinian medical officials said, while a separate Israeli strike hit UN peacekeeper headquarters in southern Lebanon, prompting Italy to summon the Israeli ambassador. The Israeli military said it carried out a "precise strike on terrorists" who had a command and control center embedded in the school. "This is a further example of the Hamas terrorist organization's systematic abuse of civilian infrastructure in violation of international law," a military statement said. The Palestinian militant group Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the EU, has denied such accusations. People who had been sheltering at the school said the strike hit a meeting of aid workers and injured 54 other people. Israel has continued to strike at what it says are militant targets across Gaza as it battles Hamas militants even as the war broadened to include Hezbollah in Lebanon amid rising tensions with Iran. In a separate incident on October 10 the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon said an Israeli tank fired on its headquarters in the town of Naqoura, hitting an observation tower and wounding two peacekeepers. The nationality of the injured peacekeepers was not released. The UN peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL said in a statement that Israeli forces also fired on a nearby bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, damaging vehicles and a communication system. The Italian Defense Ministry summoned Israel's ambassador in protest, and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told a press conference that "hostile acts committed and repeated by Israeli forces against the base...could constitute war crimes." Crosetto added that Italy has asked for an official explanation "because it was not a mistake." The French Foreign Ministry said that while no French solider was injured in the incident, it also demanded an explanation. The Israeli military announced earlier on October 10 that it had eliminated another important Hezbollah member as it kept up its attacks against the Iran-backed group. Adham Jahout, a member of Hezbollah's Golan Terrorist Network was killed in an air strike in the area of Quneitra in Syria, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said. Jahout was relaying intelligence from Syrian regime sources to Hezbollah and facilitating operations against Israel in the Golan Heights, the IDF said. Israel annexed the Golan Heights after capturing them from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war. The annexation has not been recognized by most countries. Separately, the Israeli military said on October 10 that it had eliminated two Hezbollah commanders in southern Lebanon and its warplanes attacked munitions depots in the Beirut area and in southern Lebanon. It did not immediately reveal the identities of the two commanders. Hezbollah, a militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon, is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union blacklists its armed wing but not its party, which has seats in the Lebanese parliament. The latest strikes came as the United States, Israel's main ally, warned against bombardments in Lebanon similar to those that caused large-scale destruction in Gaza as Israel retaliated against Hamas following the U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist group's deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, that left more than 1,100 people dead. Israel's bombardment of central and northern Gaza in recent days has killed dozens of people and trapped thousands in their homes, Palestinian officials say. "There should be no kind of military action in Lebanon that looks anything like Gaza and leaves a result anything like Gaza," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told journalists on October 9. The warning came after U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized in a call on October 9 with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the need for a diplomatic arrangement for the return of both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to their homes on both sides of the border. The United States warned Israel on October 9 against launching a military action in Lebanon like the one it has conducted in Gaza, and U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the need for a diplomatic arrangement for the return of both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to their homes on both sides of the border. Biden also condemned Iran's ballistic-missile attack on Israel on October 1, a White House statement said. Biden "affirmed Israel's right to protect its citizens from Hezbollah, which has fired thousands of missiles and rockets into Israel over the past year alone, while emphasizing the need to minimize harm to civilians, in particular in the densely populated areas of Beirut," the statement said. View results from your area Carlow County Council Cavan County Council Clare County Council Cork City Council Cork County Council Donegal County Council Dublin City Council Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Fingal County Council Galway City Council Galway County Council Kerry County Council Kildare County Council Kilkenny County Council Laois County Council Leitrim County Council Limerick City and County Council Longford County Council Louth County Council Mayo County Council Meath County Council Monaghan County Council Offaly County Council Roscommon County Council Sligo County Council South Dublin County Council Tipperary County Council Waterford City and County Council Westmeath County Council Wexford County Council Wicklow County Council Almost 40 council seats have been filled in the local elections as the counting begins to wrap up on Saturday The Government parties are doing much better than expected, while it has been a disappointing campaign for Sinn Fein Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are battling each other to be the largest party in local government The Greens are also doing better than expected, and Independents are seeing gains Ballots for the European and Limerick mayoral elections will be counted on Sunday and Monday 21.50 Minister for Finance Michael McGrath said there has been no massive breakthrough for the far right in these elections based on the tallies to date. That can only be a good thing, the Fianna Fail TD said. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the Independent candidates that get elected will be varied and diverse and not all will be far right, but he urged them to make sure that councils run efficiently and effectively. Theres been too much of people having a free lunch on councils for far too long, he said. Read more: No massive breakthrough for the far right in elections 21.45 Some more seats filled as the vote counts continue into the night. Naoise O Muiri of Fine Gael and Deirdre Heney of Fianna Fail, two long-standing councillors in Dublin City, have been comfortably elected on the first count in Clontarf. Meanwhile, Fianna Fails Bernard Moynihan has been elected on the first count in the Kanturk LEA in Cork after getting slightly over 3,000 votes. 21.10 Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty has told RTE that the party will make gains in some counties, but they would have to dust themselves down and look at the lessons that can be learned. Its Cork North Central TD, Thomas Gould, said that the party still has a chance of increasing its seats across Cork city and county. Its just that we dont know how much yet, he said at the Cork City Hall count centre, adding that despite poor turnout in some core areas, were hopeful. As things stand at 9pm, Sinn Fein has taken only one council seat, compared to nine for Fianna Fail and 12 for Fine Gael. 20.50 Conamara North in Co Galway and Corca Dhuibhne in Co Kerry are the first LEAs to fill all their seats. An Independent candidate, Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Independent Ireland won council seats for Conamara North. While Sinn Fein, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail took the seats in Corca Dhuibhne. 20.35 Michael Healy Raes son, Jackie Healy Rae junior, has been elected on the first count in the Castleisland LEA of Kerry County Council. Jackie Healy Rae elected in Castleisland with almost a quota and a half pic.twitter.com/qUDjO7Sebd Sean Mac an tSithigh (@Buailtin) June 8, 2024 Check our dedicated results page to get the latest on the results in Kerry. 20.10 Fine Gael's Tommy Kinsella has been returned to the Bagenalstown LEA of Carlow County Council. While Tom Brabazon of Fianna Fail has been elected to the Donaghmede LEA of Dublin City Council with 2,759 first preference votes. 19.40 Independent candidate Paddy Holohan may win two seats on South Dublin County Council. Tallies suggest the former MMA fighter will top the poll in Tallaght South but he also looks likely to take a seat in Tallaght Central after deciding to stand in both local electoral areas. If Mr Holohan does win a second seat, he can nominate his preferred candidate to co-opt. Mr Holohan was elected as a Sinn Fein councillor in 2019 but left the party after making comments about then taoiseach Leo Varadkar in his weekly podcast. 19.23 Independent candidate Declan Meehan is set to become the first ever openly gay man to serve on Donegal County Council. Tally figures seen by RTE show that the community worker is in line to top the poll in the Milford LEA. Speaking to RTE, Mr Meehan said he hopes to be an inspiration for other members of the LGBTQ+ community who may be reluctant to enter local politics. Donegal is also set to elect councillors from the 100% Redress party, which is campaigning for 100 per cent redress for homes affected by mica and defective blocks. 18.50 The first councillors have been elected to Dublin City Council. Fine Gael's James Geoghegan and Hazel Chu from the Green Party were elected on the first count in Pembroke. James Geoghegan (FG) and Hazel Chu (Green) both elected on the first count in Pembroke - the first elected to Dublin City Council for 2024-2029. pic.twitter.com/E0OBfLajjo Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) June 8, 2024 View our dedicated results page for Dublin City Council to get the latest updates. 18.25 Minister for Finance and senior Fianna Fail politician Michael McGrath said it was early days but the tallies give some encouragement that the party has done well and has certainly defied opinion polls. He said online polls in particular seem to underestimate the strength of Fianna Fail. Overall, Im satisfied the early signs are that we will have a reasonably good outturn in Cork city and county and around the country, he said while at Cork City Hall. Asked whether the party would retain its position as the largest party in local government, Mr McGrath said the party would be there or thereabouts. It looks like it will be between us and Fine Gael, he added. 18.00 Labour leader Ivana Bacik said it is likely that party colleague Aodhan O Riordain could win a seat in the European elections. Asked whether she believes he will pick up a seat in the Dublin constituency, Ms Bacik said: It looks like it certainly. Its early days and obviously we dont have anything like a decent tally but certainly, yeah hes in the mix. We are delighted in Labour to see positive signs across the country. We ran a lot of new candidates and we were delighted at how strong the campaigns were that we ran. Weve got some gains likely it seems, though its early days yet. Weve got some great new faces, like Darragh Moriarty, in the south west inner city in Dublin. 17.48 Fine Gael's Tommy Griffin has been elected on the third count in Corca Dhuibhne. For more details of the vote in Kerry, view our dedicated results page. Tommy Griffin of Fine Gael has been elected in Corcha Dhuibhne pic.twitter.com/jUlIgcfNKi Radio Kerry (@radiokerry) June 8, 2024 17.10 Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has said his party is doing far better than predicted. The idea that Fianna Fail would be coming in a distant third is completely disproven, Mr Martin said at Cork City Hall this afternoon. Ive been looking at opinion polls now for the last three years, this internet panel polling having Fianna Fail at 14 per cent and 15 per cent. Clearly Fianna Fail will be well ahead of that and will be over 20% by the time all of these counts are collated and put together. We put up a very robust performance and were holding our own compared to our performance in the general election of 2020. Weve had a great result here in Cork so far it seems on the tallies, although an awful lot will be determined by the the transfers and by the later counts. I think this will go well into the early morning. Tanaiste Micheal Martin speaks to the media at Cork City Hall. Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA He thanked outgoing councillors for the partys robust performance and to Jack Chambers as the partys director of elections for the local elections. A tremendous comprehensive approach by Jack as director of elections, and that clearly has yielded results. 16.55 Minister of State and Fine Gael TD Colm Burke has said he is very happy with how the party is faring in the local elections in the north Cork area. Asked about the impact of new Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, Mr Burke said: In fairness to Simon Harris, hes put in a new energy, hes done everything possible to get a positive view out there for Fine Gael. The European elections is a challenge, its such a big constituency. When I ran in 2009, we had only Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, five counties, there were still 11,000 ballot papers with no mark of any description on them because people who came out to vote in the local elections had no interest in the European elections, he said. Therefore, when the constituency runs all the way from Wicklow to the Dingle peninsula, then youre bound to have a problem in relation to name recognition. I think its interesting to watch the ballot papers this morning for the Euro elections where, I think, most ballot papers had only marked a maximum of five names, they didnt go beyond five names. He added: I saw some ballot papers where they marked, 1 John Mullins, 2 Billy Kelleher, or 1 Billy Kelleher, 2 Sean Kelly. I didnt see the ballots, but my understanding is that Michael McNamara did very well up in Clare, that may benefit him when the first count results come through. Counting staff at Cork City Hall sort ballots. Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA 16.21 Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has said the idea that Sinn Fein will inevitably be in the next Government has been shattered. The Fine Gael stalwart said: The early tallies show that there is a large majority of people who are willing to vote in a very different way to how extremists and the far right will make the case for. Mr Donohoe added: I think there is a very compelling narrative to be made at a very early stage in this that Fine Gael has been successful in getting out its votes, that our campaign has made a difference, and that the approach of the Government parties has been recognised by voters. Paschal Donohoe (right) looks at a tally sheet at the RDS in Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Asked about Fine Gaels performance compared to Sinn Fein, he said: Overall, the portrayal that some have offered of Fine Gael as a tired party that narrative, that claim has been shattered by the results that were seeing potentially coming through at the moment. And the other narrative that theres anything inevitable about Sinn Fein being in government thats been shattered too. He said he believes that, regardless of the results, the Government would go the full distance before a general election must be called by March at the latest. 15.35 Independent Thomas Welby has become the first councillor to be formally elected. He took a seat on Galway County Council for the Conamara North LEA. A serving councillor, he topped the poll after the first count with 1,758 votes exceeding the quota of 1,591. For more details of the first count, view our dedicated results page for Galway County Council. Toradh an 1 Comhaireamh do Thoghlimistear Aitiuil Chonamara Thuaidh. Results of the 1st Count for the Conamara North Local Electoral Area. #LE24 #Gaillimh #Galway pic.twitter.com/PuNv016It4 Galway County Council (@GalwayCoCo) June 8, 2024 15.25 The counting of local election ballots has begun at Cork City Hall after rough early tallies indicated strong support for Fine Gael and Fianna Fail candidates. Returning officer Paul Moynihan said that for the five local electoral areas in the city, it appeared turnout had been maintained since the last local elections in 2019. Count staff sorted through postal votes under lamps before opening the giant wooden boxes holding votes from Fridays poll. People with anxious expressions and holding scribbled tally notes surrounded the five count spaces for the citys five electoral areas as the sorting began just after 3pm. 14.58 A mouse was among the surprises in ballot boxes as counting for the elections got underway this morning. Staff in Mayo were warned that the rodent may have got into a particular box and to tip it out very carefully. Three rings were also apparently lost in boxes as people voted yesterday, with two recovered in Wicklow and Wexford, and one still missing in Galway. 14.50 Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said early indications show there wont be a wipe out of his party. He also said that his candidates Claire Byrne and Michael Pidgeon had the potential to top the polls in their Dublin city regions. Speaking at the RDS count centre in south Dublin, he added: My eyes are on the country, I think we have a chance in Dingle [with] Peadar O Fionnain. Its very tight to call but hes not out of the running. If we win a seat in Dingle Ill be celebrating as much as Dublin Bay South, if not more because that would send a really strong signal about the whole country. So far, we are hopeful but obviously we have to wait and see what happens. We look forward to see the next two days. Green Party Minister Roderic O'Gorman looks at the latest tally information at the RDS in Dublin. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins 14.28 In the Limerick mayoral election, a cross-party tally indicates that Independent candidate John Moran is in the lead with around 25 per cent of the tallied votes. The former secretary general at the Department of Finance is ahead of Independent candidate Helen ODonnell, who is polling in second place. 13.43 Transfers are likely to be key to deciding the final seats. According to Fianna Fail's Barry Cowen, who is an MEP candidate, "the transfers are not as predictable as they normally would be, so that means we are moving into a new era or a new phase of election trends that we are not well versed in. So we just have to await that and see how that emerges." His view is echoed by several commentators who have been talking to the tallies from various parties. 13.25 Partial tallies show that Luke Ming Flanagan and Fine Gael's Maria Walsh are polling well in MidlandsNorth-West. The separating of votes is well underway at the TF Royal in Castlebar. As expected, its a slow process, given that there are 27 candidates. It is taking count staff five seconds just to unfold the 28-inch-long ballot paper. Tallies are limited at this stage, but Luke Ming Flanagan is polling well across a number of counties and in particular Donegal, where he will have the backing of many Mica campaigners. Maria Walsh is also understood to be polling well in Mayo and Galway. But at this stage, it is too early to say who will take any of the five seats in MidlandsNorth-West. 13.15 Partial tallies show Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are in the running for a seat in the Dublin constituency. However, Sinn Fein could be dragged into a fight for the remaining two seats. Tallies across Dublin city and county show Barry Andrews of Fianna Fail and Fine Gaels Regina Doherty polling well and likely to hold their respective partys seats. Independent Irelands Niall Boylan could well be in the running for a seat also, with good numbers across the four council areas. Sinn Fein has been putting up strong performances in Dublin Mid West and in areas of Dublin Fingal, however they could fall into the scrap for the last two seats. Aodhan O Riordain of Labour, Brid Smyth of People Before Profit and incumbent MEP Clare Daly will also be in the mix however Ms Daly's vote could be down significantly on 2019. Ciaran Cuffe and the Greens appear to be holding well in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and in city areas. However, with only a very partial tally being conducted, Dublin is still very much up in the air. 12.35 There is only a partial tally being conducted for the Dublin constituency. Former Labour TD and Senator Kevin Humphreys believes there are some trends emerging, which at this early stage could worry Sinn Fein. Mr Humphreys told Newstalk: "What I'm seeing is Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are doing quite well. I think [Niall] Boylan, Independent, does well across all the boxes, especially in working-class deprived areas where there is a very strong vote for him. "He certainly is in a running for a seat at this stage, that may change throughout the day, and there's going to be a battle royale for the last seat." Sinn Fein's Eoin O Broin is also watching as count staff sort the ballots in Simmonscourt RDS this morning. 13.00 Partial tallies show Luke Ming Flanagan and Fine Gael's Maria Walsh are polling well in MidlandsNorth-West. 12.30 Count centre staff are continuing to process boxes in Cork before counting begins in the local elections. There has been no huge surprise yet, with the tallies suggesting the main government and party and opposition candidates are doing well. As part of the Age Friendly Programme, delivered on behalf of the Older Persons Councils network, the irrepressible barber Paddy Joe Burke has been appointed as a Roscommon Ambassador. Every local authority in Ireland has its own Age Friendly Ambassador, Roscommon is privileged to have the ever affable and wonderful Paddy Joe Burke a man with a big stature and a heart to match. This role is carried out by a local high profile person in each county who represents the local Age Friendly Programme on behalf of the Older Peoples Councils. This is an honorary position that has the potential to have a big impact. Paddy Joes role will include promoting the need to be Age Friendly and support the local Age Friendly Programme to raise awareness of Age Friendly initiatives. As unquestionably Roscommon GAAs most passionate fan, Paddy Joe is expected to bring an energy and profile to the role, celebrating and empowering the lives of our older persons. Recently, a national event was held in Slane Castle, County Meath to bring together the network of Age Friendly Ambassadors and simultaneously launch the Ageism Awareness Campaign aligned to the WHOs Global Report on Ageing. Paddy Joe Burkes preliminary introduction to the Older Persons Council at their February 2024 meeting in Aras an Chontae, Roscommon County Council. In becoming Roscommons very own Age Friendly Ambassador, Paddy Joe joins a very illustrious list, which includes Clannads Moya Brennan representing Donegal; TV personality Francis Brennan representing Kerry and stage and TV actress, perhaps best known for her in Glenroe and Fair City, Geraldine Plunkett. Those wishing to get involved in Age Friendly Ireland can join their Older Peoples Councils, running in every local authority area. Alternatively, one can reach out to the local Age Friendly programme manager in your Local Authority to learn more or visit agefriendlyireland.ie. At a recent Older Persons Council (OPC) meeting in Roscommons County Library, Paddy Joe Burke and Roscommon OPC members presented the Roscommon Libraries Age Friendly Charter to Lorraine Keane, Librarian. The meeting was held in the County Library in Roscommon. Prior to the handover Lorraine delivered an excellent presentation to the group outlining the changes Roscommon Libraries had made to become more Age Friendly. She also spoke of the benefits of being a member and gave information on upcoming training and events in the libraries. A Chinese envoy on Friday called for strict, independent and effective long-term international supervision over Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean. #XinhuaNews With all boxes tallied, the Independent vote, as in 2019, is holding up very strongly in Roscommon, and outperforming the main parties with a 35% share of the vote. Fianna Fail has garnered 25% of the vote, Fine Gael are on 18% with Sinn Fein on 13%. An official first count is not expected for several hours. Roscommon Local Electoral Area In the six seat Roscommon electoral area, it looks very probable that Fianna Fail will hold on to their three seats. With more than 1200 first preference votes, Larry Brennan is set to join his colleagues on the council, outgoing Fianna Fail councillors Paschal Fitzmaurice, who is set to top the poll again with almost 1900 votes or 18% of the vote, and Marty McDermott currently coming in second on more than 1600 votes ((15%). Earlier tallies had suggested outgoing Independent councillor Tony Waldron was in a spot of bother but has gained significant momentum over the last number of hours to put himself firmly back in contention. He has polled an impressive 1400 votes, with 13% of the vote, and is in third place. Outgoing Independent Ireland councillor Nigel Dineen, in fourth on 13%, has garnered more than 1300 votes and looks safe. Fine Gael newcomer Gareth Scahill, on 1173 votes, will be hoping to fend off his Fine Gael colleague Robert McConn, on 745 votes, and Sinn Feins Christine McDonagh on 654, for the final seat. Athlone Local Electoral Area Its an Independent tour-de-force in the six seat Athlone Local Electoral Area with the three outgoing councillors Emer Kelly, Tony Ward and Laurence Fallon looking safe, along with Fine Gael councillor John Naughten. Its a particularly impressive performance from 24-year-old Ms Kelly, who was co-opted onto the council in 2021, replacing Ivan Connaughton. With 1,948 votes (20%), she looks set to top the poll ahead of long serving councillor, Tony Ward on 1,787 votes. On 18%, Cllr John Naughten has also polled well again with 1,737 first prerfence votes. Cllr Laurence Fallons work on the Lough Funshinagh crisis has served him well, and has significantly increased his first preference vote to 1,203 (12%). Outgoing Cllr John Keogh, on 933 votes, will be hoping that sufficient transfers will help him secure the fifth seat. A battle for the sixth and final seat looks primed between three candidates. Fianna Fail candidate James Murray on 550 votes, 18-year-old Sinn Fein candidate Sam Brooks on 512, and Fine Gaels Dominic Connolly on 481. It will be interesting to see how much Mr Connolly, a former councillor, will benefit from the surplus of his colleague Johh Naughten. Boyle Local Electoral Area It is looking very likely that we will see three Independents elected here: sitting councillors Valerie Byrne, who is set to top the poll with more than 1500 votes or 14% of the vote, Tom Crosby on 1057 (9%), along with newcomer Micheal Frain on 1,357 votes (12%). It may have been a difficult day for Sinn Fein nationally but one positive story in Roscommon has been the performance of Leah Cull, their Arigna based first-time candidate. With 12% of the vote, she has polled an impressive 1,410 first preference votes and, in second place, looks very likely to take a seat Another newcomer, Fianna Fail newcomer Sean Moylan has also put in a very credible display with 1,274 votes (11%), and is set to become another new face on the county council. The battle for the final and sixth seat appears to be between new Fine Gael candidate Dympna Daly Finn on 8%, her colleague and outgoing councillor Liam Callaghan on 6%, and Paul Forde, the Independent Ireland candidate on 7%. About 150 votes separate the three candidates. Tributes have been paid to the late Deacon Martin Reidy who passed away earlier this week. The popular and well respected Mr Reidy, Hodson Bay, Kiltoom, Athlone, County Roscommon and formerly The Windmill, Cloughjordan, County Tipperary, passed away on Thursday, June 6th, peacefully, under the loving care of the staff at Roscommon Hospice. He was predeceased by his parents John and Mary and niece Ellen Moylett. Martin will be sadly missed by Anne, John and Orlaith, John's fiancee Tay, Orlaith's husband Darragh, brother Sean, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, ex-army colleagues, fellow deacons, and his many friends and neighbours. House private please. His remains will arrive at the Church of the Risen Christ, Ballybay, Kiltoom (N37 NY36) on Sunday evening, June 9th, at 4.45pm for evening prayer of the church followed by reposal until 7pm. Mass of the Resurrection will take place on Monday morning (June 10th) at 11am. with burial afterwards in Kiltoom cemetery. The Kiltoom and Cam Parish offered it deepest condolences to Mr Reidys family. Martin was a true friend to all. He loved our community, and one of the greatest pleasures he had was to service our parish as a deacon, Fr Michael McManus wrote. He always said it was a privilege to baptise, to share God's word through preaching and just sharing God's love with all those he came into contact with. On behalf of our Bishop Kevin Doran, the priests and deacons of our diocese we offer once again our condolences. Martin, may you hear the words of Christ, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, enter the kingdom prepared for you'. That is the promise of our faith. Martin rest in peace. The Diocese of Elphin also offered its condolences. Martin served eighteen years in the Irish Defence Forces. The words officer and gentleman are often used in the same sentence, and Martin was certainly a gentleman. In 1996, Martin set out on a new career path, which led to his becoming a solicitor. The experience he gained in his two careers contributed to the gifts he was able to place at the service of the Diocese of Elphin as a Deacon. Following four years of formation, Martin was ordained Deacon in the Church of the Risen Christ, Kiltoom, on December 17th 2017. Following his ordination Bishop Kevin assigned Martin to assist in the parish of Kiltoom and Cam, and also asked him to undertake further studies. Just two years ago, he completed a Licentiate in Canon Law, which was awarded by St. Paul's University, Ottawa. Martin undertook to serve at the Regional Marriage Tribunal, assisting couples to resolve their canonical situation following marriage breakdown. New films featuring actor Bogdan Dumitrache One of the most talented and awarded actors of the new wave. "Good Guys Go to Heaven", a new film by Radu Potcoava Corina Sabau, 08.06.2024, 14:00 Bogdan Dumitrache, one of the most talented and awarded actors of the new wave, is the lead actor in two recent films: Good Guys Go to Heaven, directed by Radu Potcoava and Three Kilometers to the End of the World, directed by Emanuel Parvu. The latter received the Queer Palm 2024 of the Cannes Film Festival. Since its inception in 2010, the Cannes Film Festival Queer Palm has rewarded memorable films that reflect the diversity and importance of the themes addressed. The award was handed to director Emanuel Parvu by filmmaker Lukas Dhont who also read the jurys motivation: A harsh and precious breakdown of a system of violence. His perspective slowly reveals the patriarchal world in which our characters grew up where the space to fully exist is made impossible by deeply rooted idea structures. In this mesmerizing film, people seem to be held by strings that pull them away from the light, until some of them begin to break free. Along with director Emanuel Parvu, actors Bogdan Dumitrache, Valeriu Andriuta, Ciprian Chiujdea and Ingrid Micu-Berescu also walked the red carpet. If the Romanian premiere of the film Three Kilometers to the End of the World will take place at TIFF Transilvania International Film Festival (June 14-24, Cluj-Napoca), Good Guys Go to Heaven has already been seen by the Romanian audience. In this romantic comedy, Bogdan Dumitrache plays the role of a man who dies and ends up in Paradise, on a deserted beach, where he reunites with Laura, the girl he was in love with in high school. Bogdan Dumitrache told us more about his film career, about how he chooses his roles and also about the mark that the New Romanian Wave left on him: Good Guys Go to Heaven is a film that asks the audience some questions in an accessible, yet deep way. At the same time, it is a film that tries to bring the audience back to the theaters, inviting them to an escape from this reality that often does not suit us. I could say that it is also a film that uses an American recipe which it tries to adapt in a Romanian context. Radu Potcoava is an artist, and his film is an honest attempt to use the cinematic language to address in a pleasant way an uncomfortable and unpleasant problem like death. In terms of how I choose scripts, the first read is essential, its when I filter the story through my lens. It is when I understand if there are problems, if the character is coherent and his actions are normal, natural. This is the first filter I apply. When I read the script of Good Guys Go to Heaven, written by Radu Potcoava, I really liked this logic of the character, which is so alive and human. He does not want to accept that he has died, and moreover, he cannot believe that he has arrived in another world that is so similar to the one he just left. Even the mistakes, and the small understandings that can ease his situation are about the same. So I can say that this film is a nice bet to bring the audience back to the theaters, a bet that I accepted. I think that the presence of this new type of cinema that has appeared on the market a film for the audience, as we call it has managed to bring people back to the theaters, and I think thats a very good thing. It is wonderful that this has been achieved, that people come to see Romanian films, it is also a very pleasant way to spend time with family and friends, so I hope we can restore this social habit of going to the cinema. Bogdan Dumitrache is the winner of three Gopo trophies: in 2011 for Portrait of the Fighter in his Youth (directed by Constantin Popescu), in 2012 for Best Intentions (Adrian Sitaru) and in 2019 for Pororoca (directed by Constantin Popescu Popescu). For Poroca, the actor also won the Best Actor Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival. The roles in Double (directed by Catrinel Danaiata) and Dog Man (directed by Stefan Constantinescu) brought him two more nominations. From his filmography of over 30 roles, most of them lead ones, Bogdan Dumitrache believes that the role in Portrait of the Fighter in His Youth was essential, and he says he is lucky that he was formed with the new wave of Romanian cinema: I find this role vital, because I rather relate to the times I played and the times I didnt, than to the roles I had. I started acting ten years after graduating from college and in Portrait of the Fighter in his Youth I had my first role of substance. And even though it was a supporting role, I managed to create a living and authentic character. It was also the role for which I got my first award, and after that other roles and opportunities to play and develop myself emerged, to show others what I can do. Related to the New Wave in Romanian cinema, I consider myself lucky to grow as an actor together with this movement, to be lucky enough to make a film at the very moment when Cristi Puius film Stuff and Dough came out. I was very happy at that time that my friend, actor Dragos Bucur, was cast in the film and was involved in this new movement, which wanted to change things and really did. I am excited and grateful. Bogdan Dumitrache is also one of the founders of the independent Apollo 111 Theater and played in the HBO productions In drift (2010) and Ruxx (2022). June 8, 2024 UPDATE Click here for the latest news from RRI Newsflash Newsroom, 08.06.2024, 19:30 Elections More than 40,000 employees of the Romanian Interior Ministry will be mobilized throughout the country to maintain order and public safety and to ensure protection measures at polling stations, on Sunday, when local and European Parliament elections are scheduled. According to the Interior Ministry, the electoral campaign took place under normal conditions, without serious events. The polling stations will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m. The presidents of the polling stations can decide to extend the vote until 23:59, if there are people who did not have the time to exercise this right, but are inside or in the immediate vicinity of the station. Approximately 19 million Romanians are called to the polls in the nearly 19,000 polling stations in the country. Abroad there will be 915 polling stations, twice as many as compared to the EP elections five years ago, most of them being opened in Italy, Spain and Great Britain. Romania will send 33 representatives to the EP. For the first time, the data on the voter turnout will be presented in real time, online, on the election day, for each separate election, on the website of the Permanent Electoral Authority. We remind you that this year the presidential election is scheduled in September and the legislative elections in December. European elections Tens of thousands of people demonstrated, on Saturday, in Germany, the day before the European elections, against the extreme right, AFP informs. Germany is diverse!, Stop the hate!, Down with racism!, were the slogans written on the placards of the demonstrators in Berlin. Demonstrations also took place in Stuttgart, Leipzig, Dresden, Munich, and Frankfurt. Despite the scandals that marked its campaign for the European Parliament, the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) hopes to achieve its best performance in this election on Sunday. The elections for the 720 members of the European Parliament are already taking place in several states of the EU. In the Netherlands, the vote took place on Thursday, and in Ireland the electoral process took place on Friday. The Czech Republic voted on Friday and Saturday. Voters from Italy, Latvia, Malta and Slovakia also went to the polls. At the level of the European Union, more than 370 million voters are expected to go to the polls. Weather Areas in southern Romania, including the capital Bucharest, will come under a Code Orange alert for scorcher and severe thermal discomfort on Sunday, and the warning is valid until Tuesday morning. Particularly high temperatures will be recorded for this time of the year, with highs ranging between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius. The weather will be scorching which leads to a heightened thermal discomfort, and the temperature-humidity index (ITU) will exceed the critical threshold of 80 units. Meteorologists warn that temperatures will remain particularly high in the coming days, especially in the southern and southeastern regions. Also, the National Meteorological Administration issued for the same period a Code Yellow alert for thermal discomfort and high temperatures in the east, south-east, south-west and center. On Sunday, the sky will be variable, with temporarily heavy clouds, showers, electrical discharges and short-term intensification of the wind, in the northwest and center. There will be torrential rains, storms and hail. The maximum temperatures will generally range between 26 and 37 degrees C, and the minimum between 11 and 22 degrees C. Denmark Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksens office said on Saturday that she suffered a slight cervical strain following an assault on Friday evening when a man punched her in a market in Copenhagen, Reuters reports. Apart from this, the prime minister is fine, but she is shocked by the incident, the official statement said. After the incident, Frederiksen was taken to the hospital for a check-up. All the official events that the Danish PM was supposed to attend on Saturday have been cancelled. The attacker, a 39-year-old man, was detained. The incident took place two days before the Danes went to the polls in the European Parliament elections. Three weeks ago, the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was seriously injured in an assassination attempt. I am shocked by the news of the attack on the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Violence has no place in our societies, the Romanian Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, wrote on the X platform. (LS) MG Hector Snowstorm and Desertstorm will be more formidable rivals to Harrier, Safari, XUV700, Scorpio N, Alcazar and Compass JSW MG Motor India seems to be on a product offensive in the recent past launching new vehicles or special editions of them for sales prospects. In that regard, the company just launched the Desertstorm and Snowstorm, two special editions for its flagship, Gloster. Similar treatment will be given to Hector as well, as suggested by the recent spy shots. New MG Hector Snowstorm What we know so far MG has been on the verge of pushing sales across its portfolio in India. Where Hector is concerned, it falls in the mid-size SUV segment where Mahindra XUV700, Scorpio N, Tata Harrier and Safari take the cake. Rivals like Hyundai Alcazar and to some extent, Kia Carens are comparable too. Once the leader of this segment, MG Hector has stepped down from the top positions and intends to regain it. Company is prepping a Snowstorm version for Hector as seen in the recent spy shots. When these spy shots were first leaked, MG hadnt launched the Gloster Snowstorm and we called it Hector Whitestorm. Pretty close, huh? However, now that MG has launched Gloster Snowstorm, thats what Hectors special edition will be called too. Alongside the Snowstorm, MG is highly likely to launch a Desertstorm edition of Hector as well. Currently, Hectors special edition offerings include Blackstorm and 100 Year Edition. Like Gloster, MG will add Snowstorm and could add Desertstorm to Hectors lineup. As seen in the spy shots, Hector Snowstorm will get an all-white exterior colour in a monotone format. The red highlights seen on Hector Snowstorm are subtler when compared to Gloster Snowstorm. We can see these red contrast highlights in headlight housings and ORVMs. For Hector, the Snowstorm edition seems to be based on a lower-end trim to further push sales envelope and thats what we see in this test mule. It misses out on red brake callipers, chrome shoulder line, 360 camera and gets monotone alloy wheels like in lower trims. Features, engines, specs Where features are concerned, MG Motor India is likely to push Hector Snowstorm with a panoramic sunroof and premium interior attributes. So, better audio equipment, infotainment experience and a decent range of creature comforts are expected. We can expect a few accessories bundles in with Hector Snowstorm too. Where powertrains are concerned, MG Hector Snowstorm and Hector Desertstorm are likely to get both engine options along with all gearbox combinations possible. So, the 141 bhp 1.5L Turbo Petrol engine with 6MT and CVT along with 170 PS 2.0L Diesel engine with 6MT. Peter Thomson, United Nations secretary-general's special envoy for the ocean, speaks at a press conference on the preparations for the 2020 UN Ocean Conference at the UN headquarters in New York, on Feb. 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Jiangang) "I have been very inspired by (Chinese) President Xi Jinping's call for an 'ecological civilization' and the need for unity between humans and nature," said United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thomson. by Xinhua writer Wang Jiangang UNITED NATIONS, June 8 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thomson said he is inspired by China's call for ecological civilization and commitment to ocean conservation. Thomson recalled a memorable story from his experiences with marine ecological management in Xiamen in southeast China's Fujian province in a recent interview with Xinhua. In 2018, Thomson visited the Xiatanwei Coastal Wetland Park of Xiamen, where planting of mangrove saplings was underway. "Hailing from a mangrove coast in Fiji, I was impressed by the scale of the planting and the plans for integrating the park with Xiamen's ecotourism," he said. Thomson was thrilled when he returned to Xiamen in 2023 to see the park in its "full and flourishing form." The establishment of the park "sets an example of how cities can make peace with nature," he said. An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 24, 2024 shows the mangrove forest beside the Yundang Lake in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong) As a UN official dedicated to the protection of the blue water, Thomson said his daily mantra is that "we cannot have a healthy planet without a healthy ocean, and the health of the ocean is currently measurably in decline." "I have been very inspired by (Chinese) President Xi Jinping's call for an 'ecological civilization' and the need for unity between humans and nature," Thomson said. Thomson recalled his meeting in Geneva with Xi on Jan. 18, 2017 when he was president of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly. He shared the photo he took with Xi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, saying that "At that time, I was serving my 2016-17 term as president of the General Assembly. All three of us addressed the assembled UN member states in Geneva on this occasion." Xi delivered a keynote speech entitled "Work Together to Build a Community of Shared Future for Mankind," calling for global efforts to maintain harmony between man and nature and pursue sustainable development. "Man coexists with nature, which means that any harm to nature will eventually come back to haunt man," Xi said in Geneva. "Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14), with its call for us to conserve and sustainably use the ocean's resources, is our best tool to stop and reverse the decline in the ocean's health," said Thomson. The special envoy stressed that waterfront cities and coastal communities "have a major role to play in the faithful implementation of SDG14." "It is very rewarding for me to observe Xiamen working hard to fulfill its coastal responsibilities in a nature-positive way," the envoy said. This aerial photo taken on Aug. 20, 2022 shows Saihanba National Forest Park in Chengde City, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo by Liu Mancang/Xinhua) Thomson praised Chinese ecological projects like Saihanba in northern Hebei Province and Green Rural Revival Program of Zhejiang, both laureates of the UN's Champions of the Earth Award. Regarding the progress of China's ecological civilization in recent years, Thomson noted that "to arrive at good places, we need to follow reliable pathways." In the days of climate change and biodiversity loss, he said, "We must follow pathways that swiftly guide us towards achieving the ecological civilization we all now desire for our children and grandchildren," adding that lucid waters and lush mountains are "invaluable assets," as are vibrant coral reefs and pristine shorelines. "They are eminently achievable destinations that can be reached within our lifetimes. They exist in a world in which humans and nature coexist in harmony," said the envoy. "To get there we must follow the path of renewable energy and circular economies, turning quickly away from our current path of linear exploitation and the burning fossil fuels for our energy," he added. STOCKHOLM, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was hit by a man in central Copenhagen on Friday and the man has been arrested, Ritzau news agency reported. Frederiksen was reportedly "shocked" by the incident. Copenhagen police has confirmed the incident but refused to give more comment, Swedish Television (SVT) reported. The attack took place in a square not far from Frederiksen's home, the report added. But the identity of the attacker and the motive behind the attack are not known yet. Shortly after the incident, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billstrom condemned the attack. PHNOM PENH, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The representatives of media and think tanks from Southeast Asia have made a joint appeal for combating fake news, saying that it has fueled societal divisions and obstructed informed public discourse. Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia (IRIC), an arm of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said on Saturday that the joint call was made during a gathering titled "Third Mekong Journalism Training Workshop on The Role of Media in Combating Disinformation and Fake News in (Artificial Intelligence) AI Context for Regional Peace, Stability, and Prosperity" in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on June 5-6. The workshop, organized by the IRIC in partnership with the Club of Cambodian Journalists, was attended by more than 70 media practitioners and academics from several Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, he said. "Seeing that social media platforms have unfortunately become fertile grounds for the proliferation of fake news, the representatives of media and think tanks from Southeast Asia, who participated in the workshop, have called for joint effort and collaboration to combat disinformation and fake news," Phea told Xinhua. "They understand that disinformation and fake news have fueled societal divisions and obstructed informed public discourse," he added. According to a joint statement released after the workshop, the participants appreciated the role played by the media and think tanks in combating disinformation and fake news in the AI context and collective efforts in promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity. They agreed to jointly call upon journalists, media platforms, governments, and other stakeholders to adhere to the highest ethical standards, prioritizing fact-checking and verifying all information before publishing to ensure accuracy and credibility in the content, the statement said. They also encouraged social media companies and platforms to develop solutions using advanced technology to identify fake content. They called for the strengthening and updating of the regulations related to AI to prevent fabricated and manipulated "news" sites, the statement said, adding that countries should assign spokespersons to disseminate accurate information according to countries' context. The statement said an ASEAN platform to combat disinformation and fake news should be established. You are here: Business A high-speed train runs along a section of the Guiyang-Guangzhou high-speed railway in Congjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] China will see a boom in railway trips during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday travel rush, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway) said Friday. Some 74 million railway trips will be made from Friday to Tuesday, with average daily railway trips reaching 14.8 million, the group confirmed. Passenger flow will peak on Saturday, with about 17 million railway trips expected to be made. China's railways are elaborating holiday transport plans, increasing capacity, implementing measures to facilitate and benefit the people, and striving to provide guarantees for passengers to travel safely and orderly, the group said. Nearly 70.38 million railway passenger trips were made nationwide during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday travel rush last year, according to China Railway. The Dragon Boat Festival, also called Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. BAGHDAD, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A Shiite militia in Iraq on Saturday claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a site in Israel. The militia, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, said in an online statement that its fighters launched a drone attack at dawn on Saturday "on a vital site in the occupied territories." The military claimed the attack was carried out "in solidarity with the people of Gaza," pledging more targeting of "the enemy's strongholds." The statement did not provide additional details about the targeted site 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. SANAA, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Friday claimed responsibility for launching missile and drone attacks against two commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement that the attacks targeted two ships belonging to companies that violated the Houthi decision to ban entry to Israeli ports. He identified the ships as Elbella and AAL GENOA. In the statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, Sarea said the attacks were "carried out with a number of drones, ballistic and naval missiles, and the hits were accurate." He also vowed to launch more such attacks until "Israel stops the war on Gaza." Earlier in the day, al-Masirah TV reported that "the U.S.-British coalition launched multiple airstrikes against the capital Sanaa and the port city of Hodeidah." The airstrikes targeted Houthi military positions in both cities, according to local residents. 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 region has conducted air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets since January to deter the group, but only led to an expansion of Houthi attacks to include U.S. and British commercial vessels and naval ships. The Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) has recently inaugurated its East Africa Representative Office in Nairobi, marking a significant step towards expanding Indias business presence in the resource-rich and demographically young continent. This strategic move is anticipated to enhance engagement with industry stakeholders, private and public sector companies, as well as financial institutions in the region, thereby bolstering trade and investment between India, Kenya, and the broader East African region. Merchandise trade between India and East Africa has experienced notable growth over the past decade, increasing from USD 9.7 billion in 2013 to USD 12.9 billion in 2022. India's exports to East Africa rose from USD 8.6 billion in 2013 to USD 9.4 billion in 2022, highlighting the robust economic ties between the two regions. India Exim Bank, a leading financial institution dedicated to financing, facilitating, and promoting India's international trade and investment, plays a crucial role in policy formulation and project export finance under India's economic diplomacy. With existing offices in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, and Johannesburg, South Africa, the new Nairobi office underscores the Banks commitment to fostering economic development in Africa. The African continent has been a focal point of India Exim Banks strategy to promote and support bilateral trade and investment. This commitment is reflected in the Bank's extensive activities and programmes aimed at building strong economic relationships with the African region. Under its Overseas Investment Finance Programme, India Exim Bank has financed 77 ventures by over 50 companies in 14 African countries. Since 2022, the Bank has supported 76 transactions worth nearly USD 800 million across 18 African countries, assisting 22 Indian exporters, including 10 MSMEs, based in 14 cities across 9 states of India, through its Trade Assistance Programme (TAP) and other trade facilitation initiatives. Furthermore, India Exim Bank has extended over 200 Lines of Credit, on behalf of the Government of India, to 42 African countries, totaling more than USD 12 billion. These credits support socio-economic development by facilitating access to essential infrastructure, improving livelihoods, boosting agricultural productivity, enhancing industrial output, and promoting sustainable development. The new representative office in Nairobi is expected to provide substantial opportunities for companies in both Africa and India across traditional and emerging sectors, benefiting a multitude of MSMEs in the value chain and creating and sustaining jobs. The office aims to foster closer economic ties, promote investment, and enhance trade, thereby contributing to the economic growth and development of both regions. SUBSCRIBER BENEFIT: This graduation season, SILive.com is offering a perk exclusively for subscribers: Log in, click on the photo gallery to see if we photographed your favorite graduate and choose GET PHOTO to download free print-quality images. Plus, get 50% off the purchase of graduation-related keepsakes. If youre not already a subscriber, sign up here. Note to mobile app users: To download high-resolution photos, please access this story from a standard mobile or desktop/laptop web browser. 51 1 / 51 Graduation 2024: Miraj Islamic School graduates 9 students (51 photos) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Family members, loved ones and excited educators gathered at the Miraj Islamic Schools 2024 commencement ceremony to celebrate the successes of nine deserving graduates on Friday, June 7. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Giant Joro spiders are likely heading our way, but there is at least one bonus to their predicted arrival on Staten Island their appetite for pesky spotted lanternflies. The spiders, described by environmentalists as being as big as a human hand have an even bigger appetite, and annoying spotted lanternflies will likely wind up on their menu, those who study the creatures say. The spiders are more than eight inches in length and balloon through the sky on long, silky webs. And according to experts, theyre headed toward NYC. Yet, nobody is exactly sure when well see them. They might not be here for quite some time, said Jose R. Ramirez-Garofalo, of Fort Wadsworth, an ecologist in the Lockwood Lab at Rutgers University and the vice president of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods on Staten Island. Ramirez-Garofalo said hes quite certain the spiders will eat any spotted lanternflies, currently being identified on Staten Island, that come into their path. Joro spiders will eat anything that falls in their web, he said. If its stuck in their web, they can definitely eat them. Since we had a more standard winter, this year in terms of temperatures, Ramirez-Garofalo said the numbers of spotted lanternflies will surely grow. I think well probably bounce back to a normal year this year, said Ramirez-Garofalo, who is also director of science and research development at Fresh Kills Park. I would expect a return to typical numbers that we were seeing two years ago. Back in 2021, and especially in 2022, residents told the Advance/SILive.com that the lanternflies numbering in the high hundreds were destroying their trees and plants and making outdoor life miserable as they swarmed around. Some said theyd spent the entire summer indoors, because the pests constantly flew into their faces and clung onto their clothing. Spiders arrival unpredictable Native to East Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China, giant Joro spiders are thought to have arrived in the United States around 2013 (via cargo ships) when they were discovered in Georgia. Since then, theyve spread across much of Georgia into Tennessee and the Carolinas, with additional sightings in Maryland, and even as far west as Oklahoma, according to a study by Clemson University. But while their arrival in NYC is inevitable, the timing is much less predictable, Ramirez-Garofalo said. Though it might sound like a chapter in a science fiction novel, the giant Joro spiders are very real, and a study earlier this year by the University of Georgia found that they will build enormous nests anywhere, even right beside the road. Though no Joro spiders have yet been reported in New York, the state Department of Agriculture is on the alert, a spokesperson recently told SILive.com, and its Division of Plant Industry is watching closely to understand its spread and its impacts in other states. Lanternflies have arrived The lanternflies, on the other hand, are definitely here, Ramirez-Garofalo said, adding that he predicts that their numbers will surely grow compared with what we experienced on Staten Island last year. The lanternflies are active, and I think itll probably be a return to normal numbers,' he said. Well probably see the same thing this year as the rest of the city saw last year,' he said. Dont worry Ramirez-Garofalo said residents should not worry about the Joro spiders arrival. They dont sting people, and they dont bite,' he said. Despite their size, to humans they are harmless. And the spread has been very slow, he said. Its just very unpredictable in terms of when they show up. It depends if theyre transported on the ground or are dispersed via air. Things are very random. Now that were heading into summer, they will be reproducing and spreading to other states, Ramirez-Garofalo recently told the Advance/SILive.com. Thats when theyll hitch a ride north, spreading and reproducing in Delaware, New Jersey and eventually New York, it is predicted. As of right now, I havent seen any additional records north of Maryland, but thats something to keep an eye on, said Ramirez-Garofalo. It is a matter of when, not if, he predicted last fall in an interview with the Advance/SILive.com. And though they will eat virtually any creature they can snare in their enormous webs, Joro spiders likely are not a threat to agriculture, Ramirez-Garofalo said. . With the onset of warmer weather comes the inevitable variety of outdoor events that drivers should be aware of. This weekend will see multiple parades and festivals close down New York City roads. On Saturday, the 39th Immigrants Parade-International Cultures Celebration will shutter numerous city streets. Then, on Sunday, the New Dorp area of Staten Island will accommodate this years SSG Michael Ollis Memorial 5K Run/Walk. According to an advisory from the NYPD, the closures will be at the discretion of police. Expected closures include: Saturday, June 08, 2024 39th IMMIGRANTS PARADE-INTERNATIONAL CULTURES CELEBRATION Manhattan: At the discretion of NYPD Formation: - 44th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue - 45th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue Route: 6th Avenue between 44th Street and 55th Street Dispersal: 55th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue Miscellaneous: 51st Street between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue HARE KRISHNA FESTIVAL & PARADE 2023 Manhattan: At the discretion of NYPD Formation: 45th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue Route: 5th Avenue between 45th Street and 8th Street (East sidewalk & Parking Lane) Dispersal: - 5th Avenue between 8th Street and Washington Square North (East Sidewalk & Parking Lane) - Washington Square North between 5th Avenue and Washington Square West 8TH AVENUE MIDTOWN FAIR Manhattan: At the discretion of NYPD Location: 8th Avenue between 42nd Street and 55th Street 116th STREET FESTIVAL Manhattan: At the discretion of NYPD Locations: - 3rd Avenue between 106th Street and 122nd Street - 116th Street between Lexington Avenue and 2nd Avenue 2024 MASTERCARD NEW YORK MINI 10K Manhattan: At the discretion of NYPD Location: Central Park West between 95th Street and 72nd Street BROOKLYN PRIDE PARADE AND FESTIVAL Brooklyn: At the discretion of NYPD Formation: - 5th Avenue between Union Street and 9th Street - 4th Street between 5th Avenue and Dead End ST JOHN VILLA ACADEMY WAY Staten Island: 1100 Location: NWC of Cleveland Place and Landis Avenue Closure: None Sunday, June 09, 2024 NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE Manhattan: At the discretion of NYPD Formation: - West/East 44th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue - West/East 45th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue - West/East 46th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue - West/East 47th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue - West/East 48th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue Route: 5th Avenue between 42nd Street and 79th Street Dispersal: - 5th Avenue between 79th Street and 86th Street - East 79th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue - East 80th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue - East 81st Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue - East 82nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue - East 83rd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue - East 84th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue - East 85th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue Miscellaneous: - Madison Avenue between East 42nd Street and East 86th Street - 6th Avenue between West 42nd Street and West 49th Street - West/East 43rd Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue - West/East 42nd Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue - West 51st Street between Rockefeller Plaza and 5th Avenue - West 58th Street between Grand Army Plaza and 5th Avenue - East 60th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue - East 63rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue - East 64thStreet between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue - East 66th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue - East 69th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue - East 70th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue - East 72nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue - East 74th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue THE 8th ANNUAL SUNSET PARK PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE AND FESTIVAL Brooklyn: At the discretion of NYPD Formation: 5th Avenue between 59th Street and 60th Street Route: 5th Avenue between 59th Street and 44th Street Dispersal: 5th Avenue between 43rd Street and 44th Street KNICKERBOCKER AVENUE PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE Brooklyn: At the discretion of NYPD Formation: Menahan Street between Wilson Avenue and Knickerbocker Route: Knickerbocker Avenue between Grove Street and Jefferson Street Dispersal: Flushing Avenue between Knickerbocker Avenue and Wilson Avenue SSG MICHAEL OLLIS MEMORIAL 5K RUN/WALK Staten Island: At the discretion of NYPD Formation: New Dorp Lane between North Railroad Avenue and 10th Street Route: - New Dorp Plaza between New Dorp Lane and Ross Avenue - Ross Avenue between New Dorp Plaza North and New Dorp Plaza South - New Dorp Plaza South South Railroad Avenue between Jacques Avenue and Jefferson Avenue - New Dorp Plaza between New Dorp Land and Jacques Avenue - Jefferson Avenue between North Railroad Avenue and South Railroad Avenue - New Dorp Plaza between Cloister Place and New Dorp Lane - North Railroad Avenue between Jefferson Avenue and Cloister Place Dispersal: New Dorp Lane between 8th Street and 9th Street NEW YORK CITY EXPO (FESTIVAL) Manhattan: At the discretion of NYPD Location: 3rd Avenue between 23rd Street and 34th Street DOMINIQUE ALEXANDER WAY Manhattan: 1500 Location: Pole on the West Side of Arden Street and Broadway (On the park Side) Closure: None A 6-year-old New Jersey girl has died days after the aluminum shaft of a badminton racquet pierced her skull while she was playing with her brothers and sister during a vacation at a lake cottage in Maine, authorities and the family said. The Morgan family, who live in Stockholm section of Hardyston in Sussex County, were enjoying their last full day of vacation in Limerick on Saturday afternoon when tragedy struck, according to the girls father Jesse Morgan, a pastor at Green Pond Bible Chapel in Rockaway Township. After the family finished eating lunch by the lake just before noon, the children went to the front yard to play badminton, Morgan said. Lucy was sitting on the sidelines when the racquet being used by her 10-year-old brother broke on a downward swing, dislodging the aluminum shaft from the wooden handle, Maine State Police said. The shaft then entered Lucys skull, causing a traumatic brain injury, the family and authorities said. Lucy was brought by ambulance to an area hospital before being flown to a hospital in Portland, Maine. She died of her injuries four days later early Wednesday morning. This is such a sad, tragic situation, Maine State Police said. Our hearts break for the family. Jesse Morgan shared details about Lucys fight for survival this week on his blog, New Creation Living. Lucy is survived by her parents Jesse and Bethany Morgan as well as her 10-year-old brother, 8-year-old sister and 4-year-old brother. The family has since returned to New Jersey. Lucys funeral is planned for June 15. A GoFundMe.com established to support the Morgan family has raised more than $87,000 as of Friday morning. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New Yorkers have nearly two dozen chances to turn a few bucks into tens of thousands of dollars. The New York Lottery has various $3 scratch-off games with top-prizes of $60,000. As of Friday, there are 22 tickets across four different $3 scratch-off games with guaranteed top prizes of $60,000. Here are the $3 scratch-off games with top-prize tickets of $60,000 still in circulation as of Friday, June 7, according to New York Lottery data: LINE EM UP Top prizes remaining: 1 Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 2,072,160 LOTERIA Top prizes remaining: 2 Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 2,676,933.33 LUCKY LINES Top prizes remaining: 17 Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 484,066.67 MATCH FOR CASH Top prizes remaining: 2 Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 2,036,880 MORE INFORMATION For more information about the New York Lotterys scratch-off games, visit nylottery.ny.gov/scratch-off-games. The New York Lottery continues to be touted as North Americas largest and most profitable lottery, contributing $3.7 billion during fiscal year 2022-2023 to support education in New York state. New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education. It takes into account both a school districts size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of lottery school funding. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Staten Island Community Boards will host several public meetings this week to address various topics, including liquor applications and building permits. Details of the meetings are listed below: Community Board 1 Community Board 1 will host a full board meeting on Tuesday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in-person at St. Marys Episcopal Church at 347 Davis Ave. There will be a presentation on the Andrew J. Barbieri Memorial by Department of Transportation Deputy Director of Urban Design Nicholas Pettinati. Community Board 2 Community Board 2 will have its Youth Services Meeting on Wednesday, June 12, at 7 p.m. It will be held at 900 South Ave., in the third-floor conference room. The primary focus of this meeting will be to discuss budget items for the Fiscal Year 2026 that the board could request during its budget meetings. Agenda items will include: Identifying key areas of need within our schools and youth programs Proposing budget requests to address these needs Discussing potential collaborations and initiatives to support our youth Community Board 3 Community Board 3 will host a Land Use Committee Meeting/Public Hearing in-person at its office on Wednesday, June 12, at 7 p.m. The office is located at 1243 Woodrow Rd. on the second floor. On the agenda is the request for an appeal to permit development of a one-story storage use building at 23 Zarelli Court that does not front on a mapped street. Additionally, an applicant is requesting City Planning authorizations and certification to facilitate the development of 18 semi-detached, single-family homes within the Special South Richmond District Avenue on East Perkiomen and East Reading avenues. Additionally, an applicant is requesting City Planning authorization to develop the site at 107 Bloomingdale Rd. (formerly 81 Bloomingdale Rd.) with a two-story detached two family dwelling, where 75% of the floor area of one dwelling unit is not located directly above or below the other dwelling unit. Also on the agenda is an upgrade of Richmond Avenue Pumping Station. It involves the proposed modification to the previously approved special permit, which would facilitate upgrades to the existing Pumping Station and bring the equipment/systems to compliance with New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requirements and regulatory-required safety systems, as well as increase capacity to accommodate periodic high sewage flows during major flood events. On Thursday, June 13, at 7 p.m., there will be a virtual Community Alliance Committee Meeting/Public Hearing. An application for new and temporary retail permits by the New York State Liquor Authority for several businesses will be discussed. These include: ZaRa Mediterranean Cuisine 854 Arthur Kill Rd. Killmeyers Old Bavaria Inn 4254-4256 Arthur Kill Rd. The Rock House Bar & Grill LLC 507 Seguine Ave. Bite Burger 331 Hillside Terrace Interested participants must register for virtual meetings by 9 a.m. the day of the meeting by visiting the board website at www.nyc.gov/site/statenislandcb3. MOSCOW, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Russian forces have destroyed an Abrams tank and a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle in the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, TASS news agency reported Saturday, citing the Russian Defense Ministry. The artillerymen of the Center group, using a high-precision Krasnopol artillery shell, damaged an M1 Abrams tank of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the direction of Avdiivka, the ministry said. The ministry noted that the Krasnopol shell was fired from a Msta-S self-propelled howitzer, with an Orlan-30 drone guiding the shell and controlling the target engagement. An M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle was destroyed by an FPV drone operated by a special forces unit within the Center group, it added. NEW YORK, N.Y. Tesla is readying to lay off parts of its New York working base, according to MassLive.com, an Advance/SILive.com sister site. Telsa Inc. has been suffering in 2024, with Kelley Blue Book divulging that Elon Musks electric car company had its market share slide down to 51.3% in 2024s first quarter compared to the 61.7% it boasted the year prior, as detailed on MassLive.com. Despite the over 10% decline, American consumers purchased 268,909 electric vehicles (EVs) in the first three months of 2024 a 2.6% increase compared to 2023s opening quarter, according to KBB. As Tesla battles the waning market share, The New York Times reported that Musk declared in April that 10% of the companys employees would be axed, totaling a staggering 14,000 people. Unfortunately, New York Tesla workers wont be able to escape the chopping block. According to the MassLive.com report, 345 employees in Buffalo will be laid off on five staggered dates throughout the summer months, according to the New York Department of Labor WARN database. WARN notices are federal regulations requiring employers to give 60 days notice to employees and the state of operation when mass layoffs are planned. In the first round of layoffs, 285 employees will be affected, with employee separations beginning July 15, with 280 employees at the 1339 South Park Ave. location, and five employees from the 1216 South Park Ave. location, the media outlet reported. WARN specified that 26 employees at 1339 South Park Ave. will face separations on July 30. The third series of layoffs will hit the 1339 South Park Ave. location again on Aug. 1, claiming another four workers, according to the database. Four days after that, on Aug. 5, three more personnel will face layoffs at 1339 South Park Ave. The final layoffs conclude on Aug/ 11, claiming 27 workers: 26 at 1339 South Park Ave., and one at 1216 South Park Ave. Of the 345 workers, none were represented by a union, WARN said. Workers in other states like California, Nevada and Texas have or will feel the same tightening as their New York counterparts, according to the report. Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, introduces a draft resolution to establish the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations at the UN General Assembly plenary session at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie E) UNITED NATIONS, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by China to establish the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. The resolution states that all civilizational achievements are "the collective heritage of humankind." It advocates respecting the diversity of civilizations, emphasizing "the crucial role of dialogue" among civilizations in maintaining world peace, promoting common development, enhancing human well-being, and achieving collective progress. The resolution calls for "equal dialogue and mutual respect" among different civilizations, fully reflecting the core essence of the Global Civilization Initiative. It decides to designate June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, introduced the draft resolution at the UNGA plenary session, stating that in the current context of multiple interlocking crises and challenges, the world has entered a new period of instability and change, placing human society once again at the crossroads of history. Against this backdrop, China proposed the establishment of the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations to fully leverage the importance of civilizational dialogue in "eliminating discrimination and prejudice, enhancing understanding and trust, promoting people-to-people connectivity, and strengthening solidarity and cooperation." This initiative injects positive energy into the global effort to address common challenges. It demonstrates "China's firm support for multilateralism" and the work of the United Nations, highlighting China's responsibility as a major country in a century of unprecedented changes, the ambassador said. Fu Cong (at the podium and on the screens), China's permanent representative to the United Nations, introduces a draft resolution to establish the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations at the UN General Assembly plenary session at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie E) Williams-Brown said she knew who the US perpetrator is, but legally in Australia she had no way to effectively counteract the content which ranges from offensive and spurious blog posts to defamatory YouTube comments. She tried to use the US court system but lost faith when the judge issued a warning to the creator to stop, which he ignored. The [Australian] eSafety Commissioners office has been helpful, but again, more [content] just gets created, she says. Ive been successful in taking content down, but as you might imagine, it takes a toll and I dont want to see it or deal with it. Its like playing Whac-A-Mole. I am resigned to the fact it is probably always going to exist somewhere and that my family and I have to live with it. Ive tried to counteract that by publishing my own denials and explanations over the years Ive paid thousands of dollars to online reputation management companies. You need to have realistic expectations about what can be done. What the law says The Online Safety Act came into force on January 23, 2022, and expanded the scope of content the eSafety Commissioner can remove on behalf of Australians experiencing online bullying or abuse. US-based website database Lumen monitors requests to remove mainstream news stories from Google. Each year thousands are from Australia, including those alleging defamation. Among those recently published on Lumen is one from August 2023 on behalf of property heir Ross Makris, whose family is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion. In 2021, the Federal Court dismissed attempts to bankrupt Makris, however, the petition generated national media coverage. Makris hired RepGuard.Online to lobby Google to have his stories deindexed, claiming they were defamatory and damaged his reputation. The family of Ross Makris (above) is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion. Credit: David Mariuz Makris did not respond to queries about the application, nor did Repguard.Online. So far his claims appear to have limited success, with stories still available on websites including The Australian, Adelaides The Advertiser and Brisbanes Courier Mail. Hiding a criminal conviction It has been almost four years since Manisha Patel left prison after serving part of an 18-year sentence for the 2013 murder of Purvi Joshi. Her conviction was quashed when she won an appeal in 2017. She was subsequently found guilty in 2018 of manslaughter by means of excessive self-defence. She became eligible for parole in 2020. The Heralds 2015 coverage of her initial murder conviction is among a slew of media articles Patel is now attempting to have deindexed from Googles search function, however, the story would remain on its original site as Google has no power over what news outlets publish. She hired Queensland firm Internet Removals to lodge a claim in 2023 alleging the articles were defamatory because it was inaccurate to call her a criminal and a murderer. It is unclear why she and Internet Removals complained to the search engine rather than local media outlets including the Herald carrying the stories given the local legal limitation period for defamation had expired and her criminal conviction remains facts that were fatal flaws in her claim to Google. When asked about Patels claim, Internet Removals reputation manager Kavita Sharma said she was unable to comment on individual clients, but added we conduct extensive checks with clients before taking on work. With some articles that are written, the initial allegations are never corrected to match the actual outcome We do our best to investigate the veracity of each and every request of our clients, but cant always determine whether their complaints are supported by fact or not. While the Herald and The Age stand by its journalism in this case, like most mainstream media outlets, the mastheads adhere to a policy on updating or removing historic online stories when issues such as material being obtained unethically, a court order being obtained or publication placing someone in harms way can be shown. Each application is determined on its merit. Any updates usually appear as an Editors Note. A scene from viral video showing Karen Ridge attempting to remove the Aboriginal flag in2019. Credit: Twitter In Patels case, such a note could have said on the original story that her murder conviction had been quashed after publication, and she was subsequently found guilty of manslaughter. However, the story about her conviction would remain findable on the Heralds website and via a search engine, rather than being deindexed from Google completely, which is what she and Internet Removals requested from Google. Not a racist Almost five years after going viral, Mildura travel agent Karen Ridge says she wants Google to forget her and for the world to know she is not a racist, despite an unfortunate encounter her Aboriginal former neighbour captured on a video, which surfaces every time she types her name into a search engine. Its pretty ordinary when the whole world hates your guts and wants you dead; I dont really want to stir that up again, Ridge says when recalling the media frenzy around the video shot by her former neighbour Robby Wirramanda Knight in 2019. The neighbours had been feuding for months over a roaming cat. In the footage, Wirramanda Knight can be heard saying this is going viral when Ridges former partner, McDonalds franchisee Robert Vigors, questions his Aboriginality. Wirramanda Knight then calls Ridge a drunken racist pig and Ridge attempts to take down his Aboriginal flag. She can be heard telling him to go live in ya f---ing humpie. Just talking about it now, nearly five years later, makes me feel physically sick, she told this masthead, saying the public only saw one side of the dispute and there had been months of build-up, with restraining orders between the neighbours. (They no longer live near each other.) The video remains online, attached to stories from mainstream news sites including The Daily Mail, SBS and The Age. Both Vigors and Ridge initially launched defamation proceedings against 30 media outlets over the stories, but have since dropped the lawsuit. Vigors lawyer, Mark Stanarevic, said his client was now focusing his resources on suing McDonalds after he was removed as a franchisee following the story, while Ridge confirmed she had hired an online reputation management specialist. Such specialists first emerged in Australia less than a decade ago. Today, many are run as clandestine operations such as Miles ORMA. However, others like Internet Removals have grown into large firms made up of IT specialists and lawyers who take on clients across Australia and internationally. According to Googles latest Transparency Report, the platform has more than 8.8 billion requests for content to be removed. Most commonly the notices allege either copyright infringement or defamation as the reason to have content deindexed from the search engine. OnlyFans content stolen Melbourne-based OnlyFans content creator Nova Hawthorne said her livestreaming and webcam content was constantly being copied and sold without her permission. Since January 2023 she has issued 26,000 copyright infringement notices via her ORM firm. A never-ending battle: OnlyFans content creator Nova Hawthorne. This is a never-ending battle for me. The stolen content has generated 13 million views since January 2023 and I estimate thats about $50,000 in lost earnings for me, she said. Google investigates each claim based on the evidence presented, but it is not clear what percentage of requests are successful as the platform does not publish this information. In Australia, hiring an ORM company is a cheaper alternative than going to court, particularly if the claim is about defamation, especially given the emotional and monetary costs in the recent unsuccessful Bruce Lehrmann and Ben Roberts-Smith defamation cases, both of which generated huge publicity. Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus is yet to finalise how the government will implement the findings of a review of the Privacy Act. However, a European style right to be forgotten law is being considered, effectively allowing individuals to request the removal of personal information about them from online platforms if specific criteria are met, such as it being outdated or offensive. Critics say such laws could have a significant and negative impact on Australian journalisms ability to report legitimate, public interest news stories. The right to have material delisted from Google search results was recognised by the European Court of Justice in 2014. This raises a tension between the protection of a persons right to privacy and reputation and the right to freedom of expression, including the publics right to access historical online media archives, explained Melbourne University Law School Associate Professor Jason Bosland. In Australia, which does not currently recognise a privacy cause of action, the issue is one of defamation law. Back in Mildura, Ridge said she had paid $2166 to Internet Removals, which boasts it has had nearly half a million URLs removed from the internet since launching five years ago. Internet Removals Kavita Sharma said she was constantly trying to manage client expectations when it came to delivering achievable results. Sydney surgeon Dr William Mooney paid Internet Removals $40,000 to ensure Herald stories about an investigation, which ultimately found him guilty of professional misconduct and unsatisfactory conduct in relation to the deaths of two patients, were not the first thing prospective patients saw when they searched his name online. However, the stories remain online, while Mooney, struck off for one year in 2022, also sued the Herald for defamation. His claim was later dismissed by consent. In Karen Ridges case, Internet Removals issued Google with multiple take-down notices on her behalf citing a multitude of allegedly defamatory stories, despite none of the defamation claims being tested in any Australian court. Long wait times for mental health appointments are pushing more people onto online services, but experts say smartphone apps can play an important role in providing care provided they are backed by evidence. Clinical psychologist Dr Aliza Werner-Seidler, a researcher at the Black Dog Institute, said surveys conducted by the institute suggested teenagers were waiting an average of three months for a first mental health appointment, leaving them vulnerable to poor quality online advice in the interim. After initial wariness, more mental health professionals are encouraging patients to use apps. Credit: Digital Vision Maybe an influencer is sharing their experience of anxiety or depression, but that might not really helpful, or it may just contain misinformation, she said. Despite attempts by social media companies to clean up their platforms, Werner-Seidler said there continued to be ample content glorifying or normalising self-harm and eating disorders on social media. The number of NSW properties placed on platforms such as Airbnb has hit 50,000 as the states housing minister considers major changes to the rules governing short-term rental accommodation in a bid to fix the states housing crisis. Measures under consideration include slapping a levy on holiday homes on the short-term rental market and placing a cap on the number of days properties may be let out for. Regional property owners have bristled at the prospect of a tax or levy, saying properties rented out to tourists were often not suitable for long-term rental accommodation. An industry group representing the short-term accommodation sector says capping the number of days a property can be let out has failed to boost the supply of housing. Data obtained by the Herald shows the number of short-term accommodations on the states official register increased by 10 per cent in a year to 50,079. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has signalled he will scrap the nations legally binding 2030 climate target and risk Australias membership of the Paris Agreement on climate change, following his vow to deploy nuclear energy to reach net zero by 2050. Dutton declared on Saturday that a Coalition government would not pursue Australias legally binding climate target to cut emissions by 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 a significant escalation of Australias long-running climate policy war ahead of the next federal election due by May next year. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in Canberra this week. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Dutton told The Australian on Saturday that the governments renewable goal was unattainable and theres no sense in signing up to targets you dont have any prospect of achieving. The opposition has said if it forms government it would build up to seven emissions-free nuclear power plants to replace the energy supply from Australias dirty coal plants, which have begun to shut down across the country. He would also pause the rollout of wind and solar farms. The oppositions nuclear energy plans would force Australia to fall massively short of the nations emissions target and generate more than 2 billion tonnes of extra greenhouse gas by 2050, breaking Australias commitment to the Paris Agreement. New analysis revealed the emissions blowout following Opposition Leader Peter Duttons declaration he would ditch Australias legally binding climate target to cut emissions 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is expected to name seven possible sites for nuclear power plants in the coming weeks. Credit: Louie Douvis, Getty Dutton told The Australian on Saturday that the governments renewable goal was unattainable and theres no sense in signing up to targets you dont have any prospect of achieving, and pledged only to meet a goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Solutions for Climate Australia calculated the extra emissions that would be generated by coal and gas plants while waiting for the first nuclear plants to be built, which CSIRO reported last month could not be achieved until 2040 at the earliest. It was only years later, and only after Hearder joined the foreign service, that he would learn his father Roblin was one of three founders of Australias overseas spy agency, ASIS. A young Jeremy Hearder in 1959 in Melbourne. Resources were scarce in Laos. There were just four Australians in the embassy and cars were not available to the diplomats, so they had to ride everywhere. Occasionally, the RAAF would fly in frozen food for the Australians on post, but because the fridge at home was so basic, the familys cook would arrange for the food to be stashed in the freezers of US diplomats. The only English-language newspaper available in the country was The Times of London, and the BBC World Service was an information lifeline to the outside world. It was regarded as a difficult post You did have, once per posting, a holiday trip to Hong Kong. And I think there were two or three trips a year to Bangkok they were basically holiday trips. It was just nice to get down there and have a milkshake, for example, he remembers. But it was just a fascinating place to be. Once I happened to be able to join a friend of mine, who was from the BBC working in Laos, and a couple of friends of his, who decided to take a trip on elephants up through the middle of Laos and then up a little hill. The BBC journalist was trying to track down a white tiger for a documentary, and while they failed in their mission, Hearder loved the adventure. Australias first High Commissioner to Zimbabwe, Jeremy Hearder, and his wife Kay meeting Robert Mugabe. After flying solo for the first year, his wife Kay joined him once she finished her medical degree at the University of Sydney. Laos was the first of nine postings for Hearder, Kay and a brood that would eventually grow to five children. From suburban Canberra, they also spent years posted to Tanzania, Thailand, Belgium, Fiji, the United States, Kenya, Zimbabwe, New Zealand and even Sydney. In Belgium, a young Alexander Downer later Australias longest-serving foreign minister was a more junior third secretary on the same diplomatic mission for about a year. Loading Hearder recalls wondering if the junior Downer might have a look at my father attitude his father Alick had been Menzies immigration minister and overseen the dismantling of the White Australia policy but he just wanted to do the job. Downer for his part, is shocked to hear Hearder is finally retiring at 87. A quiet, dutiful and thoughtful colleague who could keep the office calm in a crisis. An oil-on-troubled-waters sort of guy! Also very loyal and thoughtful for the welfare of others, he recalled. In Kenya, in 1971, he worked with a young Dennis Richardson, who would go on to become one of Australias most storied public servants. Hearders biography of James Plimsoll. Hearder recalls an intense young man who liked to talk to people and often used to come into my office and close the door and tell me really what he felt about things. Richardson, for his part, says Hearder is an extraordinarily fine person, he and and his wife Kay are two of the most decent people youll ever meet. Very compassionate, with a great capacity to cross cultural boundaries. I remember after one particular issue, which I wont go into, I went to see him and talked to him about leaving the post to come back to Canberra and perhaps leave the department, but he was just very measured with his advice and kept me in the service. Richardson would later go on to be head of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Ambassador to Washington and ASIO chief. In 1980, Hearder was sent to open a diplomatic mission to Zimbabwe, and serve as Australias first High Commissioner to the newly independent nation. This was an extraordinary one because I had 15 minutes with Malcolm Fraser as the prime minister [before leaving], because hed had a big role through the Commonwealth system to get peace, a Constitution, elections, the whole thing starting to work, he recalls. The main thing that stuck in my mind was, as I was going out the door [from meeting Fraser] he said, If you dont think were giving enough aid, just say so. Not long after, a group of Australian secondary school teachers were on their way to Zimbabwe to help improve education standards in the country. Some would stay for years. Later, as the new nation grappled with disarmament and the end of a civil war, Hearder asked Canberra for tents as the rainy season approached and guerrilla armies disarmed. A plane load of tents soon arrived. Loading The job of High Commissioner brought him into close contact with Robert Mugabe, at that time a revolutionary independence leader and the countrys widely hailed first prime minister. Mugabe in later years would be accused of corruption, human rights abuses, anti-white racism and even genocide. But back in 1980, when Mugabe initially embraced racial reconciliation, the world welcomed his elevation to leader. Hearder chooses his words carefully when describing Mugabe, mindful of the former dictators stained legacy and trying to balance that against his early promise. He really liked what Australia had done. He liked Malcolm Fraser; he liked, as a former teacher the way we produced all these teachers. And I remember we had a party at the residence, we got as many of the teachers as we could and they all came from all over the country and we got Mugabe to come along, Hearder remembers. Loading He was eventually persuaded to [make a speech] and he just made a wonderful speech. Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Hearders six decades of distinguished public service have been remarkable. During that time there have been great changes and challenges in the world, but the role of diplomats like Jeremy has remained paramount. I know he will be missed by the team at DFAT and I thank him for his service, she says. A Brunswick house that last sold for $75,000 in 1979 has fetched $1,553,000 after a bidding war erupted at auction on Saturday. A young family looking to upsize beat out four other bidders to secure 16 Canberra Street some $253,000 above its reserve. It was one of 414 auctions scheduled in Melbourne on Saturday. By evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 55.9 per cent from 261 reported results, while 45 auctions were withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold properties when calculating the clearance rate. The auction began with an opening bid of $1.2 million. The price was slowly driven up in $20,000 increments before being declared on the market at $1.3 million. When the other horse came at us, I thought he had us cold, Collett said. But he dug in and found another gear and was strong. Astute buy Eliyass takes Lord Mayors Cup on Australian debut Astute Bloodstock principal Louis Le Metayer went to last years Arc De Triomphe with his family and was looking for stayer at the horses in training sale run in conjunction with Europes biggest race when he found Eliyass. The import, which possessed a brilliant record in France of six wins from eight starts, began his Australian career with an impressive Lord Mayors Cup win at Randwick on Saturday. Eliyass kicks clear in the Lord Mayors Cup. Credit: Getty I got him for 350,000 euros and I couldnt believe it, Le Metayer said. He was an Aga Khan horse that won a race as a two-year-old and then missed a year because of a hind fetlock injury. He came back as a four-year-old and won five from seven and in stakes company, and when we vetted him, he was perfect. I was really surprised when we got him for that price. He was easy to sell. Gai Waterhouse called me almost straight away and said she wanted to train him, so that was an easy decision. Waterhouse and Adrian Bott had Eliyass ready to go first up at 2000m, and when Tim Clark asked him sprinted he put a gap in his rivals. Eliyass started at $7.50 and quickly put away stablemate and favourite Sir Lucan in the straight and went away to score by 1 lengths from Hopeful ($8), with Williamsburg ($4.40) another 1 lengths away third. He got himself into a good spot just back off the speed, so he had an economical run throughout. When he peeled out from the 600, he towed me into the race nicely and won with some authority, Clark said. Youd like to think there is a bit more to come from him in the future, and he could potentially have a really light campaign now and a quick turnaround to the spring. You never know what races he could end up in. Up to a mile-and-a-half [2400m] will be no problem for him. There are plenty of options for him and they do a great job with their horses, so theyll find the right races. Fleetwood has Magic Million aim Godolphin have a long-term eye on the Magic Millions with smart sprinter Fleetwood after he made it back-to-back wins this preparation at Randwick on Saturday. Kerrin McEvoy settled just off the speed on Fleetwood ($5.50) and rolled through the inside to take the front at the 200m and held on to beat $2.20 favourite The Black Cloud by 1 length, with Jambalaya ($8.50) a closing third a further half-length back. He is by one of our stallions in Encryption, and he is building a very good record, Godolphin assistant trainer Darren Beadman said. James [Cummings] has him in at this time of year to get him through the grades and is already thinking of getting him back to the Magic Millions. McEvoy, who had earlier won on Bright Red, believes there is more to come from Fleetwood. He just has a sharp sprint, which is going to take him a long way, McEvoy said. He relaxed so well behind them and then when I asked him [to go] he was very good. Mahers Sock Nation wins Queensland Oaks at $101 Ciaron Maher got his second $101 group 1 winner of his career when Socks Nation caused a boilover in the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Mahers first group 1 winner, Tears I Cry in the 2007 Emirates Stakes, also started $101, but Sock Nation was arguably a bigger shock. The Sioux Nation filly repelled a challenge from Our Gold Hope ($16) to win by a long neck, with Miss Joelene ($19) two lengths away in third in a trifecta that left most punters reeling. The race couldnt have panned out any better for me, winning jockey Ryan Moloney said. I was surprised nobody came to put any pressure on us. I knew shed stay, and you just cant rule out any of Ciarons horses, even though she was a big price. I was confident at the 600m mark. When I pressed the button, we put a bit of a margin on them. I didnt want them to outsprint me, so I went a bit earlier than I wouldve done usually. When Craig [Williams on Our Gold Hope] came up to me, I thought we might be passed, but she was so tough. Hannah nips in to win at headquarters Goulburn apprentice Hannah Williams rides Nipotino every morning for trainer Danielle Seib and was delighted to get her first Randwick win on him in Saturdays Highway Handicap. Williams bided her time midfield on Nipotino ($6.50) and came with a charge to hold off Syrian Star ($14) by a half-length, with Ticklebelly ($10) another three-quarters of a length back in third. He is only small, but he has a big heart, Williams said. It is good to get that first Highway win for Danielle because she has been a good supporter of mine and is someone who puts me on a lot. I ride him every day, so it is good to have a city win with him. It was Williams fourth city winner after twice winning Highways on the speedy Penthouse. McLucas in cruise control on Madrina Tulloch Lodge apprentice Amy McLucas only went as fast she had too early on Madrina and left plenty in the tank for the two-year-old filly to produce a strong win at Randwick on Saturday. Wilmington, Delaware: Hunter Bidens daughter has testified in her fathers defence saying he seemed to respond well to drug treatment in the weeks before he bought a gun that prosecutors say he obtained illegally by failing to disclose his addiction. Hunter Biden, US President Joe Bidens son, has pleaded not guilty in federal court to felony charges that include lying about his addiction when he applied for the Colt Cobra revolver in 2018 and illegally possessing the weapon for 11 days. Naomi Biden departs from federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, on Friday. Credit: AP Naomi Biden, 30, told the jury at Hunter Bidens criminal trial she saw her father in California then and he seemed really great. He seemed hopeful. On cross-examination, Naomi was shown that she had been messaging and calling her father and unable to reach him for hours after she messaged him about switching cars. At 2am, Hunter texted Naomi asking where the keys to his truck were and whether her boyfriend could meet and swap vehicles. The bronze sculpture Non-Violence is displayed outside UN headquarters in New York. Made by Swedish artist Carl Reutersward in 1980 after the killing of John Lennon, who he knew, it was later bought by the government of Luxembourg which gifted it to the UN. Credit: Getty Images, digitally altered What is the point of a United Nations resolution? What power does the UN have to enter a conflict like this? What is its role these days? Yet, despite these speeches, rulings and stern admonitions, the war continues unabated: no permanent ceasefire, no mass release of hostages, and ongoing problems delivering aid. Indeed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to fight until the flag of victory is raised. In April, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of an existential crisis . The Middle East is on a precipice, he said. One miscalculation, one miscommunication, one mistake, could lead to the unthinkable: a full-scale regional conflict that would be devastating for all involved and for the rest of the world. In May, the UNs International Court of Justice ruled Israel must immediately halt military 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. In March, the UN Security Council the body with the jurisdiction to deploy military peacekeepers passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and urgent humanitarian assistance for civilians. Finally, the Security Council is shouldering its responsibility, said the UNs delegate for Algeria. This bloodbath has continued for far too long. Its not the first time the UN, with its $5.4 billion annual budget and 37,000-odd employees, has been accused of sitting on its hands while a catastrophe unfolds. But recent events, not only in Gaza but in Ukraine and the increasingly lawless Caribbean nation of Haiti, have once again raised questions about its capabilities and relevance. After a deadly Israeli strike on a refugee camp in the Gazan city of Rafah on May 26, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had some choice words for the organisation supposed to be the worlds peacekeeper. I am calling out to the United Nations, he said. What do you even do What are all those giant buildings for? Why bother spending that much money or employing that many people? He concluded, somewhat dramatically: The UN, along with its spirit, has died in Gaza. It was not particularly successful (exhibit A: World War II). At its peak, only 58 nations were members and, critically, the US never joined. Its structure was tortuous: important decisions required levels of unanimous agreement that were sometimes impossible to attain. A key philosophy called collective security required states to go to war at a moments notice to quash aggression, which proved unworkable in practice, such as when appeasement-era Britain chose to overlook Germanys occupation of its neighbouring territories in the 1930s. Roosevelts brainwave aside, the UN did not come out of the blue. A similarly internationalist organisation called the League of Nations had already existed since the end of WWI, charged with maintaining peace through disarmament, negotiation and arbitration, and ensuring there was never another global conflagration. More talks follow and on June 26, 1945, 50 founding members sign the Charter of the United Nations and Statute of the International Court of Justice . The UN and its legal offsider are formally born. Today, it has grown to represent 193 member states. The only countries that arent members are typically those with disputed or unclear status as independent nations, such as Vatican City and Kosovo. Roosevelts brainwave aside, the UN did not come out of the blue the League of Nations had already existed since the end of WWI. It was not particularly successful (exhibit A: World War II). A few days later, on New Years Day 1942, some 26 of the countries then at war with the Axis powers, including the US, Britain, China and the Soviet Union, agree to the establishment of a wider and permanent system of general security in a document that becomes known as the Declaration by United Nations . Its December 1941. The Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbour, bringing the United States into what is now a global conflict. British prime minister Winston Churchill has sailed across the Atlantic on the battleship Duke of York, risking attack by German U-boat, to meet president Franklin Roosevelt. Now a guest at the White House , Churchill has just stepped out of the bath and is towelling down when Roosevelt bursts into his bedroom. The president says hes had an idea that cant wait: a name for a global cooperative of countries allied against evil the United Nations. Churchill, reportedly as naked and pink as a cherub , replies: Good. Then there are its numerous agencies, which include the International Monetary Fund, UNESCO (which, among other things, confers World Heritage Site status), the World Health Organisation and the World Bank, and countless associated deliverers of education, development, famine relief and welfare programs. Today, the UN is a vast apparatus headed by six key bodies, five of which, including the General Assembly and the UN Secretariat, are based at the iconic UN headquarters on the banks of New Yorks East River (what Turkeys Erdogan calls those giant buildings). It was mainly set up to address international conflict, Charles Hunt, a senior fellow at the United Nations University, tells us from New York. Conventional warfare on a battlefield between two states over territory, and questions around disarmament. They were the big issues of the day. Its adapted quite a lot over the years, building up its human rights architecture, co-ordination of humanitarian assistance and the sustainable development agenda, as well as the extensive infrastructure around those. Its also increasingly sought to respond to conflict within states or civil wars in the post-Cold War era. The nascent United Nations offered a chance to reboot the whole idea with the same basic goals but more effective mechanisms. Its founding document runs to many pages but boils down to these key principles: saving future generations from the scourge of war; ensuring equal rights for all people and nations large and small; practising tolerance; maintaining and respecting international law; and employing international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples. Yet, the Leagues ideals were sound, Churchill observed in 1946. It failed because those principles were deserted by those states which brought it into being because the governments of those states feared to face the facts and act while time remained. Often, the failures get highlighted rather than the successes, says Lisa Sharland, defence policy adviser at the permanent mission of Australia to the UN from 2009 to 2014 and now a director at the Stimson Centre, a think tank in Washington DC. I think there are very high expectations for the UN. Sometimes those expectations need to be measured in terms of what it can do, and the fact that a lot relies on countries to invest in and support it. Its an outmoded structure, and theres a lot of talk about Security Council reform, but its a bit like asking the turkeys to vote for Christmas. Toothless and bogged down in diplomatic posturing it may sometimes appear; yet, says Hunt, it remains perhaps the only place where great powers those in decline, those rising, whoever it may be can still meet to discuss the major crises facing the world. The UN is not a world super-government. It does not have a standing army (its blue-helmeted peacekeepers have to be rustled up from member states as required) and has only rarely intervened in an ongoing conflict without the permission of the combatants ( its campaign in the Korean War being a notable exception ). Everything it does depends on the will of nations to agree on a course of action and to supply funding and personnel for subsequent UN missions. Australia, for example, has a history of deploying troops in their thousands to hotspots but presently has just a few dozen in the field. Of greatest relevance to us today are the three bodies most empowered to intervene in conflict: the General Assembly (composed of the hundreds of national representatives who meet in a vast hall), the Security Council (five permanent and 10 temporary members) and the UNs legal arm, the International Court of Justice, headquartered in The Hague in the Netherlands (and not be confused with the International Criminal Court, or ICC, a different body that can prosecute individuals for international crimes including genocide). Meanwhile, the General Assembly and the Security Council elect judges to the International Court of Justice, the only world body charged with adjudicating legal disputes between nations. UN members are bound to accept its rulings, but and its a big but the court has no mechanism to enforce rulings in the event they are disputed or simply ignored. When great power interests are at play, says Hunt, the Council structure means that it will be gridlocked. Its an outmoded structure, and theres a lot of talk about Security Council reform, but its a bit like asking the turkeys to vote for Christmas. The veto provision can seem needlessly crippling but it has also been considered a necessary evil, ensuring rival superpowers have continued to show up to the negotiating table, even during the Cold War. In the Security Council, the body responsible for maintaining peace and deploying peacekeepers, all 15 members can vote on resolutions but, critically, each of the five permanent members (France, Russia, China, the US and the UK; a legacy of World War II) also has the power to veto any substantive resolution. (The United Nations originally recognised Chiang Kai-sheks Kuomintang government as Chinas legitimate leadership, even after it departed the mainland to Taiwan in 1949. In 1971, the UN voted to recognise the Peoples Republic of China, then led by Mao Zedong, instead.) Its decisions are made by discussion, resolutions and voting. In the General Assembly, each nation gets one equal vote. Leaders can make speeches, usually limited to 15 minutes, although Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi memorably hijacked the podium in 1990 for over an hour and a half. He complained about being jet-lagged, tore up a copy of the UN charter, demanded $12 trillion compensation for colonialism in Africa, suggested swine flu had been grown in a military laboratory as a weapon and called for an inquiry into the assassination of John F. Kennedy. (His was by no means the record; Cuban leader Fidel Castro spoke for four-and-a-half hours in 1960.) What has the UN done about Gaza and Ukraine? The UN has a long history in Palestine. In 1947, it recommended that Mandatory Palestine (a former Ottoman territory then managed by the British) be divided into Arab and Jewish states, with international status given to the city of Jerusalem. Palestinians and neighbouring Arab countries did not agree with the plan, which led to the Arab-Israeli war of 1948 and a major dislocation of between 700,000 and 800,000 Palestinian refugees, many of whom ended up in the Gaza Strip, a wedge of land between Egypt, Israel and the Mediterranean Sea. Numerous resolutions followed over the years as the UN attempted to improve the refugees plight, which only worsened following the Six-Day War of 1967 when Israel occupied the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula up to the east bank of the Suez Canal. Loading In 1975, the UN founded an organisation pledged to the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People that was charged with helping them return to their homes and property from which they had been displaced. The 1980s and beyond saw multiple UN resolutions concerning living conditions and human rights of the Palestinian people, including in 1989 an expression of profound shock over the Israeli killing of Palestinian civilians in the militarily occupied West Bank village of Nahalin. There needs to be this willingness to strike a peace agreement amongst the parties in order for peacekeeping to play its role. Since the war in Gaza, following the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians and military, the UNs Guterres has made several demands for a ceasefire. He has condemned bloodshed on both sides, called for the release of hostages and described relief that has reached refugees as a drop of aid in an ocean of need. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has been attempting to provide essential services in Gaza amid what it has called increasing challenges, particularly in the border city of Rafah, where it says conditions are unspeakable. In May, the UNs General Assembly recognised Palestine as an observer state and urged the Security Council to consider recommending its admission as a full UN member. What the UN has not done, though, is to send peacekeeping troops into Gaza to stop the fighting, as some nations have demanded. Such a mission would be only very, very, very hypothetical, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said in May. He said several criteria would have to be met first: a ceasefire, an agreement from combatants to accept UN troops as referees, and a resolution to act from the UN Security Council. The term peacekeeping is quite important here, says Charles Hunt, who is also professor of global security at RMIT. Theres all sorts of different types of UN operations that are called peacekeeping or peace operations. But the fundamental premise for them is that there is a peace agreement in place or a ceasefire struck, and what is required is a security guarantee so that the parties could de-escalate, stand down and allow the political space for agreement. There needs to be this willingness to strike a peace agreement amongst the parties in order for peacekeeping to play its role. Australian UN peacekeepers during a flag-lowering ceremony ending Australias police officer contribution to the UN Cyprus mission in 2017. Credit: AP, digitally tinted The UN has had some success, notably in Cyprus, where peacekeepers including, until 2021, a contingent from Australia have kept a lid on simmering tensions between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities since 1964. It maintains a large presence in several African nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it has deployed some 14,000 military personnel to, among other things, protect civilians displaced by civil conflict and support the beleaguered government. But it is also clearly wary of rushing headlong into new conflicts. I would say very bluntly that there are good reasons to be hesitant, former UN peacekeeping boss Jean-Marie Guehenno told the Financial Times in 2008 after the organisation had limited success experimenting with more forceful peacekeeping missions in some parts of Africa. Theres an overemphasis on what force can achieve. The fundamental error is to think of UN forces as if they were the world police, he said. The danger is that you do something, and then if you go into a failure, you compromise an instrument that could make a real difference in other places. And so you havent helped, really, those you meant to help, but you have done a disservice to all those where peacekeeping could make a real difference. The UN has made the prevention of mass atrocities a priority in recent decades, says Josie Hornung, a PhD researcher with the Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect at the University of Queensland. A huge amount of work has been done on early warning and structural prevention, she says. But it hasnt really translated into early action or any sort of consistent response when atrocity is imminent or ongoing. The 1994 Rwandan massacre the genocide of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Tutsis by their Hutu countrymen happened under the UNs nose: critics say it ignored warning signs. The UN subsequently accepted it was too slow to raise an adequate peacekeeping force to intervene. A year later, in Bosnia, Serbian forces swept into what was supposed to be a UN-protected enclave in Srebrenica and massacred some 8000 Muslim men. It was a real reckoning moment for the UN, says Hunt. Displaced people watch a UN helicopter land with the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean Pierre Lacroix in eastern Congo in 2022. Credit: AP, digitally altered Somalia, 1993, started out as an aid operation but escalated into military action when the US dispatched its troops to assist with UN famine relief. A local warlord objected, shooting down two Black Hawk helicopters and killing 18 US soldiers (later chronicled in the hyperactive Ridley Scott movie Black Hawk Down). President Bill Clinton pulled the plug on the operation four days later and subsequently severely restricted the criteria under which US forces could be deployed in future UN-associated operations. The UN has certainly trodden carefully over the current unrest in Haiti, whose police force has been overrun and outgunned by organised gangs. UN agencies have attempted to supply aid, including drinking water, and in 2023, approved deploying a force of peacekeepers to be led by 1000 Kenyan police officers. Nine months later, they have yet to arrive. Confusion over who might supply medevac helicopters is one factor, CNN has reported. In general, says Hornung, It still remains very difficult to get states to respond to crises in which they dont have a vested interest in the outcome. Any calls for specific action would always hit the brick wall of the Security Council veto. Then theres that (infamous) Security Council veto: getting the US, Israels chief supporter, to back such an action in Gaza would be unlikely. Primarily, the US would veto it in defence of its ally [Israel], says Hunt. But its not clear that the rest of the council would think that was a good idea either. Its not entirely clear what that would achieve in the longer term. The US vetoed UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza three times before itself presenting a resolution calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza ... which Russia and China then vetoed possibly because they didnt want to support the US. Eventually, a much-tweaked resolution calling for a ceasefire for the month of Ramadan and the immediate release of hostages did pass the council on March 25, after the US abstained from voting (a diplomatic tool that can be used to support a resolutions passage without being seen to actually support it). Nothing happened. Then, in early June, the Security Council passed another, more substantive, resolution supporting a staged ceasefire plan drafted by the US. It called for an immediate ceasefire, a swap of hostages and prisoners and, once that had happened successfully, the eventual reconstruction of Gazas destroyed buildings and infrastructure. The task then remained, however, to get both warring sides around the negotiating table and to agree to terms. Volodymyr Zelensky implores the Security Council to take steps to halt Russias war against Ukraine. Credit: Fairfax Meanwhile, in 2023, the UN hosted Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, who travelled to New York to address its member nations, imploring them to ensure that aggression against your state, if it happens, God forbid, will end not because your land will be divided, and you will be forced to submit to military or political pressure, but because your territory and sovereignty will be fully restored. Yet any calls for specific action would always hit the brick wall of the Security Council veto. Indeed, in September 2022, Russia had already blocked a UN call for it to immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from Ukrainian territory. In one of the more bizarre episodes in UN history, Russia also took the extraordinary step of inviting former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters to address the Security Council in February 2023, following his controversial claim that Russias invasion of Ukraine had been provoked. Waters appeared on a large screen, accompanied by his dog, repeated his claims that provocateurs were responsible for the conflict and, in what was probably a surprise to the Russian delegate, called for an immediate ceasefire. The Ukrainian ambassador called Waters speech another brick in the wall of Russian disinformation. South Africa delegates are among those present in a courtroom at the International Court of Justice at The Hague in May. Credit: Getty Images, digitally altered What about the International Court of Justice ruling? In May, the UNs international court made a ruling that was widely seen as an order for Israel to halt its military assault on Rafah. This was part of a still-ongoing case, brought by South Africa under the Genocide Convention, concerning alleged violations by Israel (which it denies) of its obligations in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. (South Africas African National Congress party has a long history of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Any UN member state can bring a case against any other, says the UN, when the common interest of the international community is at stake.) Israel argued it was already in compliance with the ruling, whose precise meaning was scrutinised by legal experts. The country has not and will not conduct a campaign that would destroy the Palestinian people in Gaza, said an Israeli spokesperson. Hunt says rulings like the ICJs can turn up diplomatic pressure and lead to reputational damage. And it may be that states like the US who provide military aid and weaponry to Israel may have to change their stance. In general, notes Hornung, ICJ rulings are binding but if theyre not complied with, they then go back to the UN Security Council, but that can be vetoed. Yet, she says, its rulings are not without moral force. Legitimacy is really important here. States want to be seen to be doing the right thing. Not only just to be seen to be good, but because it can affect future co-operation with other states. Loading Lisa Sharland agrees. That theres no enforcement measures is not the only measure of relevance. Theres been a lot of media coverage of decisions made by the ICJ, which has drawn attention to the issues, whats been taking place in Gaza and Rafah recently. That there isnt necessarily the ability to enforce the rules doesnt mean that the rules themselves dont have some power in terms of the messaging that they send. This is a major challenge in international law, says Sharland. It largely relies on custom, the idea that different measures of compliance are reciprocated, that you have that compliance in place, but it is largely voluntary. Indeed, it is easy to characterise the UN as stymied by diplomatic bureaucracy, at least in terms of its role as international peacekeeper. But, as is often asked, whats the alternative? You cannot cure everything, former UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura told The Economist in 2020. Some diseases are difficult but would you abandon the patient? You try to reduce the pain until the treatment is found. This Explainer has been updated to reflect events since its original publication. Get fascinating insights and explanations on the worlds most perplexing topics. Sign up for our weekly Explainer newsletter. GAZA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 55 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on the Nuseirat camp and some other areas in the central Gaza Strip, according to medical sources. Khalil Al-Dakran, director of Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, told Xinhua that a large number of wounded Palestinians were sent to the hospital due to the intense Israeli bombing on the Nuseirat camp and the city of Deir Al-Balah, some of whom have been confirmed dead. Wounded Palestinians were still being sent in, overwhelming the hospital amid a severe shortage of beds, medicines, medical consumables, and fuel to run the main emergency generator, said Al-Dakran. Palestinian eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli aircraft targeted the area with intensive firepower, and local civil defense and ambulances were unable to reach some injured people in time. Meanwhile, Palestinian security sources said deadly clashes broke out on the ground between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops raiding the Nuseirat camp under the cover of artillery and aerial bombardment. The Israeli army, police, and intelligence body Shin Bet said in a joint statement that "our forces are attacking a terrorist structure" in the region and freed four Israeli hostages. It noted that the kidnapped persons were rescued by Shin Bet fighters and the Special Police Unit from two separate areas in the heart of Nuseirat. The statement confirmed that the health condition of the hostages was good, and they were transferred for medical examinations to Tel Hashomer Hospital in Israel. New York: Elephant seals in South America died in massive numbers because the bird flu virus acquired mutations that allowed it to spread among mammals, according to a new study. The research offers the first genetic and epidemiological evidence of bird flu virus transmission among mammals. And the findings hold a warning: the virus, called H5N1, may similarly transform to cause large-scale infections in other mammalian species, including people. The bird flu virus is responsible for an ongoing outbreak in dairy cows in the United States. Since March, it has been detected in cows in 11 states and in wastewater from several others. Young elephant seals in Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. Credit: Getty The virus may already be spreading from cow to cow, too, but federal officials have said that the more likely explanation for the outbreak is that it is spreading through contaminated milk. PHILIPSBURG:--- On Tuesday, June 6th, 2024, the Sint Maarten Library is inviting the public to join us in celebrating literacy with acclaimed authors Mary Romney-Schaab, Ed.M, and Drs. Linda Richardson. Both authors will be hosting a book signing event for their latest books, titled An Afro-Caribbean in the Nazi Era: From Papiamentu to German and Trilingual Terminology in Criminal Proceedings: Dutch, English, and Spanish at the Sint Maarten Library from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. This event is open to the public. An Afro-Caribbean in the Nazi Era: From Papiamentu to German is the true story of Sint Maartener Lionel Romney, an Afro-Caribbean merchant sailor, and his wartime experiences, narrated by his daughter, Mary L. Romney-Schaab. Trapped in World War II's chaos, he was imprisoned in the Nazi concentration camp system, spending four years in Italy and a year in Mauthausen camp in Austria, enduring inhumane treatment and witnessing atrocities. How was it possible for a Black civilian to end up in a concentration camp? What did he witness? How did he survive? For decades, Lionel remained silent about his trauma until Mary conducted a series of oral history interviews. This non-fiction book answers these questions in Lionel Romneys own words through the oral history recorded by his daughter, the author. The book combines these interviews, her visits to Mauthausen and Italy, and reflections on her father's Caribbean origins, offering a blend of oral history, memoir, and historical account. For more information, visit [www.AfroCaribWW2.net](http://www.AfroCaribWW2.net). Mary Romney-Schaab was born in New York City. A retired educator with over 40 years of experience, she has taught in the United States of America and Spain and is descended from many generations of Sint Maarteners. Trilingual Terminology in Criminal Proceedings: Dutch, English, and Spanish has been praised as an essential tool in the criminal justice system in the Dutch Caribbean. It is a valuable resource not only for legal professionals but also for the entire community, helping to bring the judicial system to the people it serves in our multilingual society. Drs. Linda Richardson, a renowned translator and courtroom interpreter, writes this bestselling book. Author, translator, and educator Linda Richardson is a former Minister of Education and Culture of the Netherlands Antilles. She brings over 40 years of experience as an interpreter/translator in the judicial system and many other areas. The upcoming book signing for Mary Romney-Schaab and Linda Richardson offers a unique opportunity for readers to connect with the authors. Meeting Mary Romney they will gain insight into the life journey of Lionel Romney in An Afro-Caribbean in the Nazi Era. In addition, attendees will learn about the process behind why the author of Trilingual Terminology in Criminal Proceedings, Linda Richardson, created this book for better understanding the languages used during judicial proceedings. Both books will be available for purchase at the event. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own copies of the aforementioned titles for signing. There will be a brief Q&A session following the signing, allowing one to engage directly with Mary Romney-Schaab and Linda Richardson. For more information about the event, please contact the Sint Maarten Library at 1721-542-2970. Israel 'disgusted' at inclusion on new UN human rights blacklist United Nations, United States, June 7 (AFP) Jun 07, 2024 The upcoming inclusion of Israel on a UN list of countries and armed forces determined to be failing to protect children in war prompted a furious Israeli response Friday. The annual "Children and Armed Conflict" report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is not due to be published until June 18, but Israel's UN ambassador, Gilad Erdan, spoke out after receiving private notification of the inclusion. "I am utterly shocked and disgusted by this shameful decision," Erdan said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on his X social media account that the UN "put itself today on history's blacklist when it adopted the absurd claims of Hamas." "The IDF is the most moral military in the world and no 'flat earth' decision by the UN secretary-general can change that," he wrote, referring to the Israel Defense Forces. The Palestinian envoy to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, said adding Israel to the "list of shame" would not restore the lives of children killed or left permanently disabled in Israeli military attacks. "But it is an important step in the right direction towards ending the double standards and the culture of impunity Israel has enjoyed for far too long and that left our children vulnerable," he said on X. A diplomatic source told AFP that Hamas and another Palestinian militant group, Islamic Jihad, would also appear on the list. Erdan lashed out at Guterres personally, saying: "The only one who is blacklisted today is the secretary-general." "Now Hamas will continue even more to use schools and hospitals because this shameful decision of the secretary-general will only give Hamas hope," he said. - 'Long overdue' - Gaza is suffering through a war which broke out after Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 36,731 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Of those, some 15,000 have been minors, according to Gaza's government press office. Israel has also delayed the entry of aid into Gaza, depriving the territory's 2.4 million people of clean water, food, medicines and fuel. Last week, the World Health Organization said that more than four in five children had gone a whole day without eating at least once in 72 hours. According to the Hamas government media office, at least 32 people, many of them children, have died of malnutrition in Gaza since the war began. Much of the violence is occurring in built-up areas, packed with fleeing Palestinians and, according to the Israeli military, being used at the same time by Hamas forces. In one of the bloodiest recent single incidents, the Israeli army says it killed 17 militants with an air strike on a UN-run school in Gaza on Thursday. The nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital said that at least 37 people were killed in the strike. The UN report highlights human rights violations against children in around 20 conflict zones. Last year, Russia's military and armed entities linked to Russia were included on the list. Rights groups have long pushed for Israel's inclusion and in 2022, the United Nations issued a warning that Israel would need to show improvements in order not to be added. In last year's report, the UN noted improvements in the situation between 2021 and 2022, with a "meaningful" drop in deaths of children in Israeli strikes. Louis Charbonneau, from Human Rights Watch, called Israel's inclusion "thoroughly justified, albeit long overdue." "It's something we've long called for, along with listing Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups." Israel says strike on UN Gaza school killed 17 militants Jerusalem, June 8 (AFP) Jun 08, 2024 Israel's army said on Friday it had killed 17 militants the day before in an air strike on a UN school in central Gaza, raising its previous toll from nine. Thursday's Israeli strike hit a school operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza where thousands of displaced people were sheltering. The nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital said that at least 37 people were killed in the strike. "Since the targeted strike the (Israeli army) has confirmed the identity of 17 terrorists that were operating from the school," the military said in a statement. The Hamas media office accused the Israeli army of spreading "false information", claiming that three people presented as dead by Israel were still alive and that at least two had been killed in other strikes, adding the attack on the school had also killed 14 children. Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari had said Thursday that nine militants were killed when fighter jets attacked three classrooms in the school. About 30 militants from Islamic Jihad and Hamas were hiding there, he said. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said the strike had been carried out "without prior warning". He added that UNRWA "shares the coordinates of all its facilities (including this school) with the Israeli army and other parties in the conflict". "Attacking, targeting or using UN buildings for military purposes are a blatant disregard of International Humanitarian law," Lazzarini said. The bloodiest-ever Gaza war was sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 36,731 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. NEW DELHI, June 8 (Xinhua) -- At least three persons died and six were injured, some of them seriously, after a fire broke out at a factory in northwest Delhi on Saturday, confirmed a local cop. The fire broke out inside the factory located in the Narela industrial area. Cooking gas leakage reportedly led to the fire. The fire was extinguished and rescue work was carried out. A total of nine persons were taken out from the factory by the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) personnel and rushed to a local hospital. "Three persons died on the way to a local hospital. The remaining six persons are undergoing treatment, out of whom at least three are in a serious condition," said a DFS official. * 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. There are rooms and suites to suit every guests. Opt for a Graceful Deluxe Signature room and relax under the rainfall shower as your feet are warmed by the heated tile floor in your spacious bathroom, before rolling into a king-size bed with crisp white sheets and sumptuous feather pillows. Every room includes complimentary Diptyque toiletries, which I missed so much after departing that I added the body lotion to my birthday wish list on the flight home. Bank Hotel is one of only 540 hotels on the globe that meets the highest standards for independent boutique hotels, which translates to an experience feels exclusive and super personal. Guests can use the rooftop pool from 7am until 7pm, so its ideal for a bracing swim before hitting the sights, or to chill the whole day while enjoying 360 degree views of the city out to the Alps. The Cayo Coco Cuban bar adds retro appeal and serves up rum cocktails and cold beers. Theres no spa or gym, so it may not be for you if you are partial to a holiday workout. Lili asked me for a couple of bikes together for his funeral, which I did. Some of the guys that are here today were there as well. They got to the funeral, had a few beers as you would do. And then the idea came up during the conversation of lets do a memorial ride. Firefighters were seen using umbrellas to protect themselves as there is no shade or path near the top of the hill that sits between Pedi bay and Agia Marina, where they suspect Mosley may have walked. I want to thank all the people that have made the effort to come today, some of them from Malaysia, some of them really struggled in different ways to make their way here but they did, they are with us tonight. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin in Beijing on Friday. Xi said China and Brazil are like-minded good friends, and good partners walking hand in hand. "In April last year, President Lula and I reached an important consensus on leading and opening up the new future of China-Brazil relations in the new era." With joint efforts in the past year, the two countries have continuously deepened strategic mutual trust, steadily advanced pragmatic cooperation, and closely coordinated on the international stage. This has not only promoted their respective development, but effectively safeguarded the common interests of all developing countries, Xi said. Both as major developing countries and key emerging market economies, China and Brazil share broad and common strategic interests, and their relationship goes far beyond the bilateral scope to have exemplary significance for promoting solidarity and cooperation among developing countries as well as world peace and stability, Xi said. By grasping the strategic nature of their ties, the two countries should make the ties more mutually beneficial and comprehensive, continue to enhance strategic coordination, and add new dimensions to the China-Brazil friendship, Xi said. He said that China is willing to work with Brazil to continue to make strategic plans for bilateral relations with more forward-looking vision, give full play to the role of the China-Brazil High-level Coordination and Cooperation Committee, consolidate cooperation in traditional areas, expand cooperation in emerging fields such as green economy, digital economy and innovation, and explore greater synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Brazil's reindustrialization strategy and the "Routes for South American Integration" initiative. As the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, they should strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including legislative bodies, political parties, local governments, culture, education, tourism and youth, Xi said. China backs Brazil's greater role on the international stage and its hosting of the G20 Leaders' Summit this year. China is also ready to enhance communication with Brazil and other members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States for further development of China-Latin America relations in the new era, Xi added. Alckmin conveyed President Lula's cordial greetings to President Xi. He said that in recent years, hundreds of millions of Chinese people have been lifted out of poverty, which is a miracle in the world, and the relevant experience is of great significance for Brazil. Alckmin said the Brazilian government is committed to inclusive and sustainable growth and is willing to enhance the synergy of development strategies with China. Brazil welcomes more Chinese companies to invest in Brazil and enhance cooperation in infrastructural construction, agriculture, mining, new energy vehicles and climate change response, he said. Both Brazil and China are committed to upholding multilateralism and free trade, share the same views on many major issues, and enjoy huge potential and broad prospects for cooperation, Alckmin noted. He added that Brazil is willing to work with China to enhance bilateral and multilateral strategic coordination, upgrade bilateral relations to a new level, and make contributions to building a more peaceful, just and sustainable world. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) The electoral campaign, which began on May 10, ended on Saturday, 8 June, at 7:00 a.m. Romanians with the right to vote are expected on Sunday at the polls to choose their representatives in the European Parliament and those in the local administration. This year, 207,389 candidates were registered for the local elections, and 494 candidates entered the electoral race for the European Parliament elections, according to agerpres.ro. For a month, the candidates competing for a seat in the European Parliament or in the management of local administrations sent their messages through electoral posters or through meetings with voters. After the end of the electoral campaign, electoral propaganda materials of any type must be removed from the building of the polling station headquarters in the country. According to a decision of the Central Electoral Bureau, the removal of electoral propaganda materials of any kind from the building of the headquarters of the polling station in the country and from the respective building shall be ordered by the chairman of the electoral bureau of the polling station and shall be carried out by the persons designated by the mayor within two hours from the communication. It is forbidden to continue electoral propaganda after the end of the electoral campaign, namely from June 8, 7:00 a.m., until the end of voting. After June 8, at 7:00 a.m., on the day of the election and until the end of voting, the organizers of events of any kind and their participants may not carry out electoral propaganda actions. As regards the powers of the chairman of the electoral bureau of the polling station in the country regarding the provision of necessary measures for the elections to take place in good conditions, they also extend outside the polling place, in its courtyard, in the entrances to the courtyard, around the polling place, as well as on the streets and in public squares up to a distance of 500 meters. To maintain order, the president of the electoral office of the polling station has at his/her disposal the necessary means of order provided by the mayor and the prefect, together with the representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, whom he/she informs about the situations that attract actions on their part. On June 9, starting at 7:00 a.m. and until the end of voting, the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited within a distance of 500 meters around the polling station premises. According to the Central Electoral Bureau, by organizing events of any kind, people's access to the polling stations cannot be obstructed before voting, between 18:00 and 19:00, and on voting day, between 6:00 and 23:59. Almost 19 million voters are expected to vote on Sunday in European and local elections in approximately 20,000 polling stations organized in the country and abroad. *Harbin generously opened its arms to foreign cultures and innovatively integrated them. The vibrant tapestry of European traditions and Oriental culture is being well preserved, honored and celebrated today. *Harbin, like many Chinese metropolises, has seen significant cultural development in recent years, which reflects the city's growth and increasing global outreach. Such development has further shaped the city's identity and enriched the lives of residents. HARBIN, June 8 (Xinhua) -- While many Chinese cities are awash with tourists wearing traditional Chinese costumes posing for travel snapshots, visitors to Harbin in northeast China opt for Western-style aristocratic attire, fitting in well with the city's distinct Western heritage. Also known as Ice City, the capital city of Heilongjiang Province is embracing its long-awaited summer after an extended period of cold days that could last until mid-April. Now Harbin's centerpiece tourist attraction Sophia Church, a centuries-old Byzantine-style building, provides an ideal setting for ladies wearing seemingly opulent attire for a marvel moment in their excursions. Tourists pose for photos near Sophia Church in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) "Harbin's buildings combine Chinese and Western elements. A photo-shoot here gets similar images like those taken abroad, so many people are coming for immersive experiences," said photographer Zheng Yi, who has recently opened up a photo shop in the downtown. Iconic buildings such as Sophia Church stand as evidence of European migration, trade and culture that dated back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries after the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway in 1898. Records show Harbin was once home to people from over 30 countries. The city, with over 9 million residents, now boasts 16 different architectural styles -- Byzantine, neo-classical, art deco, baroque -- and its number of historical buildings accounts for over 1,000. Yang Weidong, a researcher in city history, believes that the biggest difference between Harbin and other Chinese cities lies in its openness to foreign cultures. Yang, who grew up in the city, is exhibiting over 500 artifacts dated from 1900 to 1940 at the Harbin Museum. The exhibits capture fading city memories through copies of building leases, film posters, an American raisin wrapper, and a 1931 newspaper ad declaring the opening of the "only modern hotel in town." "Harbin generously opened its arms to foreign cultures and innovatively integrated them. The vibrant tapestry of European traditions and Oriental culture is being well preserved, honored and celebrated today. Such cultural identity has been part of the fabric of our daily lives," he said. Tourists visit a baroque style historical and cultural block in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, May 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) Harbin's historical buildings, a majority of which are found along the Central Avenue, are subject to a city-wide project that aims to create a digital database for the buildings. As part of the project, QR codes will be generated for each building so that the public can have access to its history and recent developments. To date, data on more than 580 historical and cultural buildings have been collected, according to the city's natural resources and planning bureau. The cultural fusion and diversity is also reflected in the city's culinary scene. A summer walk down the Central Avenue would not be complete without an ice cream, or gulping down a bottle of refreshing kvass, a traditional Eastern European bubbly beverage made from fermented bread. Tourists buy ice cream in Central Avenue of Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, May 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) "When I was a kid, a bottle of kvass and a piece of bread were probably the best meal," said Bian Jiang, now a marketing manager at Harbin Qiulin Beverage Technology Co., Ltd. The company's production techniques of kvass have been listed as intangible cultural heritage in Heilongjiang. Bian said the kvass for Chinese buyers is probably milder than those made for Eastern European consumers. Banking on increased demand for health benefits in drinks, sales of the beverage increased in the past few years. In 2023, the company sold 53,000 tonnes of kvass and generated 300 million yuan (about 42.2 million U.S. dollars) in revenue. "We are expanding our market outside Harbin and northeastern China to cities like Beijing and Shanghai to woo more young people," he said. Harbin's dozens of private and public museums, galleries, and cultural institutions are also dedicated to preserving and promoting its heritage. The Harbin Music Museum, home to over 1,500 western and Chinese musical instruments, testifies to decades of inter-cultural interactions. Museum curator Miao Di said the Harbin Symphony Orchestra, established in 1908, is considered the country's first orchestral music body. "This reflects that the Chinese culture has a high level of inclusiveness and our culture has developed through blending with different cultures," Miao said. Harbin, like many Chinese metropolises, has seen significant cultural development in recent years, which reflects the city's growth and increasing global outreach. Such development has further shaped the city's identity and enriched the lives of residents. An aerial drone photo shows a light show in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, May 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) On the eve of China's Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, which falls on June 8 this year, young dancers from Harbin Ballet Troupe graced the auditorium of the Harbin Institute of Technology with renditions of Swan Lake, Le Corsaire and modern Chinese dance. The performance is part of the troupe's High Art into Schools project to showcase free high art into elementary, middle schools and higher institutions. Tarasova Aleksandra, 29, a Russian student studying for a doctorate in architecture at the Harbin Institute of Technology, said that in Harbin, she feels at home especially with the familiar ballet, art, foods, architectures, and culture. "When I finish my PhD, I plan to stay in China and work as an architecture teacher, or probably in an architecture company. By then, I would have been very familiar with the Chinese culture, too," she said. (Video reporter: Wang He; Video editors: Zhang Nan, Hui Peipei, Wang Houyuan) The JazzU Allstars of Jazz St. Louis became the first student ensemble to perform at the Historic New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on May 4, 2024. The young musicians of JazzU were surprised to find out they are the first student ensemble ever to perform at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Hopefully, we have paved the way for groups after us to go on to get that same experience. Not only down in New Orleans, but at places all around, said Issac Dessau, bass player for JazzU. Jazz St. Louis is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the uniquely American art of jazz through performance, education, and community engagement. Each year, Jazz St. Louis presents over 270 performances in its internationally acclaimed concert series. Jazz St. Louis Education programs cultivate leadership and cultural appreciation in the next generation of musicians and listeners through training, educational resources, and engagement with local and touring professional musicians. The organization provides field-trip experiences, hands-on training programs, in-school clinics and masterclasses, and curricular resources for teachers. For more information about Jazz St. Louis, visit jazzstl.org. The positive impact that Jazz St. Louis has on young artists is life changing. It certainly was for Ryan Cooper, trumpet player for JazzU. The trip was really interesting to me because I have never traveled out of the state of Illinois, Cooper said. So, being able to go to a new scene and see the people there and hear so many different things was really a grade A experience. Jason Schlote, who plays saxophone for Jazz U, had a similar but different experience from his peer/bandmate with the trip to the festival. The trip was kind of like an adventure because I have never gone out of the state to a performance so it was like a good experience for me, said Schlote. On the other hand, Issac Dessau had a surreal experience at the festival in New Orleans. It was kind of surreal in a way, New Orleans kind of felt like a different world compared to St. Louis and the community down there was just amazing, said Dessau. Tonnie Kamkwalala Jr., who plays drums, was grateful to be part of this group and festival. The experience was very nice, I was extremely grateful to have been there and to be able to do this. Especially at this young age not everyone gets to go to a jazz festival let alone play in it, said Kamkwalala Jr. Kamkwalala Jr. mentioned that he and his bandmates got a chance to meet some jazz icons. Danilo Perez, Brian Blade, John Patitucci, and Chris Potter. Calio Grant, pianist for JazzU, had sort of an uneasy experience on the trip because of nerves. It was very intense I was not used to playing in that many high stakes situations, but overall this experience was good, said Grant. Philippines soldiers with the 7th Infantry Division scan the horizon for enemy forces during an air assault maneuver as part of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Exportable exercise on Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, on June 1, 2024. (Carleeann Smiddy/U.S Army National Guard) Philippine soldiers are training on their home turf using U.S. Army Pacifics premier wargaming technology. The training, which began June 1 and wraps up Monday, marks the first time the Army has exported its Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center to the Philippines. It employs monitors, video and other digital information to provide real-time feedback to soldiers on the ground. Almost 2,000 soldiers from both nations are participating in the exercise. Under the scenario, two battalion-sized elements of U.S. and Filipino soldiers seized ground and defended it, Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans, commander of the 25th Infantry Division, said in a phone interview Friday from Fort Magsaysay. Those battalions then had to work through a deliberate attack, and then move into a defensive posture that they executed last night, he said. Currently, theyre preparing for their final operation, which will be another offensive operation against the opposing force in the next 48 hours. Army Pacific launched its readiness center concept in 2021, with permanent centers now located in Hawaii and Alaska. A U.S. Army C-47 Chinook stands by before an air assault maneuver at the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Exportable exercise on Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, on June 1, 2024. (Thomas Moeger/U.S Army National Guard) They provide personnel and equipment that rival the kind of realistic combat training soldiers get at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, La., or the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. An exportable version of the center called JPMRC-X is sent into the region to help soldiers of partner nations hone their combat skills. JPMRC-X has been deployed to Indonesia for Garuda Shield and to Australia for Talisman Sabre. The combat training now underway in the Philippines focuses on a brigade from the Philippine armys 7th Infantry Division and a brigade from the Hawaii-based 25th ID. The center rotations are run by the 196th Infantry Brigade, the Armys training support brigade in the Indo-Pacific. Deploying the center to Fort Magsaysay, about 60 miles north of Manila, required an immense logistical operation in and of itself, Evans said. Towers that enable data collection were shipped from Hawaii. U.S. Army CH-47 helicopters flew the towers into the jungle via sling load, Evans said. New roads and trails were cut through the jungle to allow rapid movement of supplies, observer teams and opposition forces. U.S. soldiers with the 8th Theater Sustainment Command partner with Philippine soldiers to build a line of communications bridge on Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, on May 28, 2024, in preparation for Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Exportable exercise. (Devin Davis/U.S. Army) Planning for this exercise began about a year ago, and Philippine army leaders had a twofold goal in hosting the readiness center, Evans said. The first objective, he said, was one shared by the 25th ID, which was to deepen the ability to operate together personally, procedurally and digitally. Procedurally, that meant combining division-level staffs from the 25th ID and 7th Infantry Division and also from the two U.S. and Philippine brigades being trained. If you would walk into our Joint Operations Training Center right now, you would see U.S. soldiers sitting alongside Philippine army soldiers, performing functions such as mission command, clearance of fires, preparing intelligence products, preparing and maintaining a common operational picture to support the training, he said. We find we do it best when we are physically co-located, working shoulder-to-shoulder along with our partners. Most challenging has been the digital aspect of connecting mission command systems and sharing graphics used for fire support, Evans said. That is one of the areas we have to continue to work to improve, he said. Philippine army officials also want to better understand how to set up and execute a complex training scenario such as the one now taking place. Weve been very fortunate to work closely with their Training and Doctrine Command throughout the duration of this exercise, Evans said. Supporting soldiers in the field in such austere conditions has been a valuable lesson for both forces. If you can imagine, the soldiers have been in the field for almost 10 days, Evans said. They are working through carrying varying loads, and every day temperatures reach almost 100 degrees with almost 100% humidity. So, the strain on the sustainment warfighting-function its something that we have both learned a tremendous amount from. Medecins Sans Frontieres team members retrieve dead bodies from the Mediterranean Sea on June 7, 2024. (Frederic Seguin/MSF handout via REUTERS) ROME Another body was spotted off the coast of Libya on Saturday, a day after a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) rescue ship recovered the bodies of 11 migrants in the same area of the Mediterranean Sea and said it had saved more than 160 people from boats. Non-profit organisation Sea Watch said on social media platform X that its plane had spotted the corpse on Saturday. Yesterday our aircraft crew sighted 11 bodies, and so far one more has been discovered on todays flight. The flight and the search continue, the Germany-based non-profit group said. The United Nations has registered more than 20,000 deaths and disappearances in the central Mediterranean since 2014, making it the most dangerous migrant crossing in the world. MSF said its Geo Barents search and rescue vessel picked up 146 migrants in two operations and then found a further 20 in a separate boat. They also retrieved the bodies of 11 people who were seen by the Sea Watch plane. We do not know the precise cause of this tragedy, but we know that people continue to die in a desperate attempt to reach safety. This slaughter must end, MSF said on X. The 11 bodies should be transferred onto a ship of the Italian coast guard and then disembarked temporarily at the island of Lampedusa, Italian media reported on Saturday. Italy has urged Tunisia and Libya to do more to stop would-be migrants from putting to sea. It has also clamped down on the operations of rescue ships, saying they encourage people to head to Europe - something the charities deny. Underscoring the restrictions, Italy on Friday told Geo Barents to take its latest group of migrants to the northern port of Genova, more than 650 nautical miles away and far from the more convenient ports in nearby Sicily. This will significantly delay assistance for the ... survivors who endured a lot already, MSF said. Reporting by Crispian Balmer in Rome, Francesca Landini in Milan; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Alexander Smith Sea anemones and a clownfish are pictured in the Wuzhizhou Island's marine ranch in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a collective effort among governments, businesses, investors, scientists, and communities "to defend our oceans." UNITED NATIONS, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Friday celebrated World Oceans Day, observed annually on June 8, at its headquarters in New York, focusing on "opening minds, igniting senses, and inspiring possibilities" for global marine life protection. The event featured a powerful video that echoed the day's theme, urging immediate action against the complacency of an "out of sight, out of mind" attitude. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement emphasizing the ocean's crucial role in sustaining life on Earth and highlighted the human-induced problems it faces. "Climate change is triggering rising seas and threatening the very existence of small island developing states and coastal populations," Guterres stated. He also addressed the severe impacts of ocean acidification on coral reefs and how rising sea temperatures have led to extreme weather events. Overfishing and other detrimental practices are accelerating the destruction of the world's marine ecosystems. The top UN official called for a collective effort among governments, businesses, investors, scientists, and communities "to defend our oceans." Dennis Francis, president of the UN General Assembly, attended the event and shared concerns about the deteriorating condition of the oceans. He underscored the importance of reversing the damage to this essential resource, stating, "There is so much still to learn about oceans -- and, importantly, to reverse the damage being caused to our precious lifeline resource." Echoing the UN chief's call, Francis emphasized the need to redouble efforts to support and advance ocean action, build capacity in small island developing states, and promote innovative financing solutions that drive transformation and scale up resilience. Both UN leaders emphasized the ocean's vital role in combating climate change, calling for a joint effort to "course correct -- and recommit to sustainably manage the ocean's precious resources -- so as to ensure their availability intergenerationally." People dive around corals in the Blue Hole in Dahab, Egypt, on Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai) The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) also contributed to the dialogue earlier in the week by releasing a State of the Ocean report, which presses policymakers to consider "the ocean we need for the future we want." The report detailed the increasing threats to marine life, noting that ocean warming rates have doubled in the last 20 years and that coastal species are suffocating from reduced oxygen levels. UNESCO's report advocates for enhancing ocean literacy to optimize resources, accelerate behavioral change, and improve the implementation of ocean conservation programs and sustainability practices. During the event, prominent marine biologist and oceanographer Sylvia Earle highlighted the importance of sharing the necessity of ocean protection worldwide, which can catalyze essential actions to preserve both marine and coastal wildlife. World Oceans Day is an international day that takes place annually on June 8. In December 2008, the UN General Assembly passed a declaration to officially recognize the day. "Awaken New Depths" is the theme for World Oceans Day 2024. Ukrainian servicemen of the 92nd Assault Brigade fire BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher toward Russian positions, in the Kharkiv region, on May 15, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey/AFP/Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) For months, Russias army has made only limited gains on the battlefield against Ukrainian troops starved of weapons and ammunition. Thats a growing challenge for President Vladimir Putin as his militarys advantage starts to erode. With Kyiv now taking delivery of billions of dollars in fresh arms from its U.S. and European allies, the window for a Russian breakthrough is narrowing even as it continues to fire missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities including energy infrastructure. A Russian attempt to open a new front in Ukraines northeast Kharkiv region already appears bogged down without achieving Putins goal of creating a buffer zone along the border. Ukraine claims to be inflicting very high losses on Russian troops in battles around the town of Vovchansk. Russian forces advanced only marginally since taking the strategic eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka in February at the cost of huge casualties in months of fighting. Theyve been trying for weeks to take the key settlement of Chasiv Yar in the eastern Donetsk region. Russias strategy of attrition to exhaust Ukraines forces is very expensive and bloody for the Russian army itself, said Ruslan Pukhov, head of the Moscow-based Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies. It can lead to excessive exhaustion of forces on the Russian side, which in turn, gives Ukrainians a chance to counterattack. While Russia is mounting attacks at several points along the front line, we have chances to change the situation in our favor, Ukrainian armed forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said Wednesday on Telegram. Putin insists his war goals are unchanged and that Russia will fight for as long as needed to win in Ukraine, regardless of mounting casualties in a war thats in its third year with no end in sight. Ukraine and its allies face the challenge of sustaining resistance in a war thats largely reached a stalemate. While Ukrainian officials raised the alarm about the threat of a Russian breakthrough during months of delays over U.S. arms deliveries, Kyivs troops mostly held the line despite being outgunned as much as 10-1 by Moscows invading army. With President Joe Bidens administration rushing U.S. arms to Ukraine after Congress finally approved $61 billion in funding in April, the balance of firepower is beginning to shift. Ukraine was in a deep hole due to the delay in sending U.S. weaponry and theyve been digging out of that hole, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Tuesday on board Air Force One. We have seen them withstand the Russian assault, and in a situation thats developing dynamically weapons arriving on the battlefield at scale and quantity in the last few days and weeks have made a difference, he said. European Union nations are also ramping up aid and weapons supplies to bolster Kyiv, even as Hungarys Russia-friendly government continues to block billions of euros in wider military support. Russias President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting in Moscow on June 1, 2024. (Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik, Pool/AFP/Getty Images/TNS) Putin must also now contend with a shift in attitude from Ukraines allies, with the U.S. and Germany joining nations including the U.K. in authorizing Kyiv to use their weapons to strike targets in border areas inside Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said hes working on sending a coalition of instructors to train thousands of soldiers in Ukraine, despite threats of retaliation from Moscow. Group of Seven leaders will meet next week in Italy to weigh plans to provide loans to Ukraine using windfall profits from about $280 billion in frozen Russian central bank assets. The prospects of Russia achieving victory this year have greatly reduced as a result of the resumption of weapons supplies and aid, said Ben Barry, senior fellow for land warfare at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. Russia might have the largest number of soldiers, but a lot of their first rate armored vehicles have been destroyed and itll take years to rebuild the army to its 2022 level, he said. Putins decision to appoint Andrey Belousov, an economist, as defense minister last month in place of his long-serving ally Sergei Shoigu underscored Russias need to squeeze more from the stretched resources of an economy thats overheating, even if unprecedented international sanctions failed to trigger a collapse. Defense spending as a percentage of gross domestic product is nearing levels last reached at the height of the Cold War in the 1980s under the Soviet Union, limiting Russias ability to continue ratcheting up military production. While Russia massively increased output of missiles, artillery, tanks and munitions since the February 2022 invasion, building an effective economy for the Armed Forces is essential today, Putin told a May 25 meeting with defense industry officials. It must generate returns on every ruble we invest in it. To be sure, both sides face formidable challenges, particularly in recruiting replacements for killed or wounded troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a new mobilization law lowering the age of the draft, though manpower remains a problem for the military. The Kremlin is determined not to repeat Putins September 2022 order to draft 300,000 reservists, a mobilization that shook public support and triggered an exodus of as many as a million Russians from the country. Its relying instead on offering generous pay and signing bonuses to attract recruits as the Defense Ministry aims to enlist at least 250,000 more soldiers this year. While the policy avoids social tensions inside Russia over the war, its unlikely to allow the army to amass enough troops for a successful offensive in Ukraine, according to Pukhov, the Moscow-based military analyst. For a real breakthrough the Kremlin would need far more people, he said. Putin said in December that Russia had 617,000 troops deployed in Ukraine. At a meeting with foreign media in St. Petersburg late Wednesday, he appeared to imply that some 10,000 Russian troops a month were being killed or wounded, by claiming the total was five times lower than Ukrainian losses he put at 50,000. Ukraine rejects such estimates of its casualties. Zelenskyy said in February his military had lost 31,000 soldiers since the start of the war. The U.S. in December put the number of killed and wounded Russian troops at 315,000, close to 90% of the original invasion force. The U.K. Defence Ministry last week raised its estimate of total Russian casualties to 500,000 and said losses were running at 1,200 per day in May. Russia hasnt translated its battlefield advantages into major gains because its commanders waste manpower in pursuit of their goals and Ukrainian forces are effective on the defense when they are supplied with men and materiel, said Dara Massicot, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. There are still meaningful limits to Russian military power. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A combination picture shows (clockwise from top left) former hostages Almog Meir Jan (center), Noa Argamani (left), Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv (left), who were held by Hamas in Gaza and rescued more than eight months later in a special operation by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, after their arrival in Ramat Gan, Israel June 8, 2024. ( Israeli Army/Handout) JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) Israeli forces rescued four hostages held by Hamas since October in a raid in Gaza on Saturday that Palestinian officials said killed more than 200 people, one of the single bloodiest Israeli assaults of the eight-month-old war. The hostage rescue operation and an intense accompanying air assault took place in central Gazas al-Nuseirat, a densely built-up and often embattled area in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian territorys ruling Islamist group. An Israeli military spokesperson said the operation took place in the heart of a residential neighbourhood in Nuseirat where Hamas had kept the hostages in two separate apartment blocks. Israels forces came under intense fire during the assault and responded by firing from the air and from the street, the spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said. We know about under 100 (Palestinian) casualties. I dont know how many from them are terrorists, he said in a briefing with journalists. An Israeli special forces commander was killed during the operation, a police statement said. Gazan paramedics and residents said the assault killed scores of people and left mangled bodies of men, women and children strewn around a marketplace and a mosque. Almog Meir Jan, a released hostage reacts, after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip on Saturday, in Ramat Gan, Israel June 8, 2024. (Marko Djurica/REUTERS) Israel named the rescued hostages as Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41. They were taken to hospital for medical checks and were in good health, the military said. They were all kidnapped from the Nova music festival during the deadly raid by Hamas-led Palestinian militants on Israeli towns and villages near Gaza on Oct. 7, which precipitated the devastating war. Hamas raid killed some 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities, and Israels subsequent bombardment and invasion of Gaza has killed at least 36,801 Palestinians, according to an updated tally by the territorys health ministry on Saturday. CALL TO PRESIDENT Gunmen took around 250 hostages back to Gaza on Oct. 7, more than 100 of whom were released in exchange for about 240 Palestinians held in Israeli jails during a week-long truce in November. There are 116 hostages left in the coastal enclave, according to Israeli tallies, including at least 40 whom Israeli authorities have declared dead in absentia. The spokesperson for Hamas armed al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Ubaida, said some hostages were killed during the rescue operation. Its a blatant lie, Israeli military spokesperson Peter Lerner told CNN. Asked about news reports that U.S. intelligence supported the rescue operation, Lerner said Israel and the U.S. had a close, intimate working relationship as relates to intelligence but declined to elaborate. Attempts by the United States and regional countries to forge a deal that would release all remaining hostages in return for a ceasefire have repeatedly failed as Israel presses its assault in Gaza. Fresh airstrikes in the southern city of Rafah hit homes later on Saturday, residents and Hamas officials said. Noa Argamani, a rescued hostage embraces her father, Yakov Argamani, after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip, in Ramat Gan, Israel, in this handout image obtained by Reuters on June 8, 2024. (Israeli army/Handout via REUTERS ) Israeli News 12 broadcast footage of Argamani reunited with her father, smiling and embracing him. Video of Argamanis kidnapping, showing her shouting Dont kill me! as she was driven into Gaza on a motorbike, had circulated soon after she was taken on Oct. 7. A smiling Argamani was shown speaking by phone to Israeli President Isaac Herzog from hospital surrounded by family and friends, in footage released by the presidents office. Thank you for everything, thank you for this moment, she said. I am so excited to hear your voice, it brings tears to my eyes ... Welcome home, Herzog said. Shlomi Ziv, a rescued hostage embraces his sister, Revital Nasi, and his cousin, Liat Ariel, who struggled for more than 8 months to bring him home, and after the military said that Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip, in Ramat Gan, Israel, in this handout image obtained by Reuters on June 8, 2024. (THE FAMILIES FORUM/Handout via Reuters ) Poland praised the rescue of the hostages and said that one was a dual Israeli-Polish citizen. U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed the return of the four Israeli hostages rescued in Gaza. We wont stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached, Biden said at a news conference in Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. Following the hostage rescue, Israels centrist war cabinet minister, Benny Gantz, delayed a statement on Saturday in which he was widely expected to announce his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus emergency government. Gantz had presented the conservative premier a June 8 deadline to come up with a clear post-war strategy for Gaza. BLOODY SCENES A different picture unfolded back in Gaza, where Palestinian health ministry officials and local medics said an Israeli military assault in Nuseirat had killed scores of people. The ministry did not say how many of the fatalities were combatants. The Hamas-run government media office in Gaza said later the death toll had risen to at least 210 Palestinians with many more wounded, after medics and health officials gave earlier tolls of up to 100 dead. There was no immediate confirmation of the highest figure from Gazas health ministry. Social media footage that Reuters could not immediately verify showed bodies spilling entrails onto blood-stained streets. It was like a horror movie but this was a real massacre. Israeli drones and warplanes fired all night randomly at peoples houses and at people who tried to flee the area, said Ziad, 45, a paramedic and resident of Nuseirat, who gave only his first name. The bombardment focused on a local marketplace and the al-Awda mosque, he told Reuters via a messaging app. To free four people, Israel killed dozens of innocent civilians, he said. Emergency response teams sought to ferry the dead and wounded to hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah but many bodies were still lying in the streets, including around the market district, Ziad and other residents said. Nuseirat, a historic Palestinian refugee camp, has been subjected to heavy Israeli bombing during the war and there has also been fierce ground fighting in its eastern areas. Late on Saturday, an Israeli airstrike killed five Palestinians in the Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, Palestinian medics said. The war has destabilized the wider Middle East, drawing in Hamas main backer, Iran, and its heavily armed Lebanese ally Hezbollah, which Israeli officials are threatening to go to war with on Israels northern border. Reporting by Maayan Lubell and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem, Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Nayera Abdallah in Dubai, Karol Bahodal in Warsaw. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Pentagon in May. (Ricky Carioti/Washington Post) When Charles Q. Brown Jr. took command of U.S. air forces in the Middle East, the campaign against the Islamic State was moving slowly. It was 2015, and millions of people remained trapped in the militant groups brutal grip as U.S. and partner forces struggled to chip away at its vast pseudo-state. Brown, then a three-star general, thought it was time to refocus away from the wars front lines, where scattered airstrikes were picking off only small numbers of militants. Instead, he wanted to prioritize targets deep within the caliphate, where oil sales and taxation fueled the extremists reign. If you want us to be more effective, heres what weve got to be able to do, he recalled telling the Army general commanding the campaign. Military commanders saw the shift as a turning point, one that led to the liberation of the Islamic States twin capitals, Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in neighboring Syria. Yet it also coincided with a push by U.S. and partner forces into crowded cities, resulting in a soaring number of civilian deaths and revealing a stark reality about the limitations of precision weapons and military safeguards. Now, as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - the nations highest-ranking military officer - Brown is a key figure guiding Americas support of Israel as it battles Hamas militants in Gaza, where eight months of war have wrought staggering destruction and exposed deep divisions between the two longtime allies over Israels overwhelming use of force. Palestinian authorities say at least 36,000 people, most of them civilians, have died since Hamass bloody Oct. 7 attacks in Israel ignited the violence. More than 1 million others face famine. Those tensions were visible again in recent days after an Israeli strike killed dozens of people sheltering in a Gaza school. Like President Bidens defense secretary, retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, Brown brings to the moment an extensive record overseeing counterinsurgent wars in environments similar to Gaza. Those experiences have both familiarized the men - the Pentagons top two leaders - with the challenges inherent to urban combat and informed the Biden administrations dissatisfaction with Israels handling of its war. Brown and other top officials have cited American operations in places like Mosul, where they believe the United States held itself to a higher standard than Israel is using in Gaza, as they voice frustration with Israel. But while the death toll of the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State was smaller relative to Gaza, experts say the Pentagon was dogged by some of the same problems, including a failure to acknowledge civilian deaths when they occurred. I hear Western politicians shaking their fists at Israel, and I wonder if they have an understanding of how their own forces have fought, said Chris Woods, founder of the watchdog group Airwars. Its far easier to point at others than take a proper look at your own actions. Brown, in an interview at the Pentagon, said he has repeatedly urged Israel to exercise greater restraint, though he acknowledged possessing limited insight about its procedures for balancing military advantage and civilian harm. For Brown and other leaders, navigating the Gaza conflict is one of their most challenging assignments: Israel, surrounded by historical adversaries, is the United States closest ally in the Middle East, and President Biden has staked his political future on defending the Jewish state. At the same time, debate has intensified over U.S. military aid to Israel, which critics allege has enabled the carnage and, potentially, Israeli war crimes. Asked if Israel was failing to uphold U.S. principles, Brown gave a careful response. Not everybody can follow our example, he said. But we hold ourselves to a standard, and those that we work with, we want to help them achieve those same standards to the best of their abilities. Dismantling ISIS In 2014, after the Islamic State surged out of Syria and seized a third of Iraq, President Barack Obama directed the Pentagon to dismantle the groups so-called caliphate - a mission that faced immediate obstacles. Iraqi forces, which Washington was helping to rebuild following an embarrassing collapse, encountered punishing opposition as they attempted to liberate the smaller cities of Ramadi and Baiji. Ideally, U.S. airstrikes would have helped weaken the enemy before Iraqi units plunged in, using what military officials call shaping operations. That had yet to happen. It was a knife fight, said Sean MacFarland, the Army general then commanding the war. It was eyeball to eyeball, and there was no shaping, no deep fight, no attrition of enemy forces out of contact whatsoever. MacFarland said Brown, a former F-16 pilot who goes by C.Q., suggested they rebalance the air campaign, which then consisted mostly of attacks responding to skirmishes involving partner forces and small numbers of militants. Instead, the coalition could target arms factories, banks or oil rigs, whose destruction would do more to erode the Islamic States power. That shift was one of the consequential changes during Browns tenure overseeing the Islamic State campaign. Another was a gradual loosening of regulations governing coalition strikes, which military officials said was needed to kill more militants but which many experts believe contributed to a spiraling death toll during its final battles. When the war against the Islamic State erupted, the Obama administration already was under pressure to rein in the civilian toll generated by Americas ongoing counterterrorism wars, by then more than a decade old. In 2015, Obama publicly apologized after a drone strike killed an American held hostage by al-Qaeda in Pakistan. In 2016, the White House issued an order committing to exceed civilian-protection requirements set out in the laws of war. Against the Islamic State, the administration initially granted only a handful of high-ranking ground commanders the ability to authorize airstrikes, and set to zero the number of civilian casualties a strike could be expected to generate without seeking higher approval. While ground commanders said they shared the goal of minimizing civilian harm, they chafed at restrictions imposed by higher headquarters, rules they believed would make it harder to defeat the militants. Brown, MacFarland and others thought that without embracing greater risk in the air campaign, the coalition would be unable to take out key Islamic State infrastructure. Eventually, after repeated appeals, military leaders eased those constraints. Suddenly, an array of new targets was fair game. Take extra precautions By early 2016, all airdropped arms used against the Islamic State relied on guidance technology, Brown said at the time. He called it the most precise air campaign in history. To minimize unintended harm, U.S. pilots dropped bombs with lower yields and employed delayed fuses. Throughout the war, the coalition struck hospitals and mosques a handful of times. Brown supported the changes, but he said the loosening of rules in the Islamic State war required military commanders to take extra precautions to mitigate tragedy, as he has urged Israel to do. Our goal still was to get to zero civilian casualties on any given strike, he said. Brown also cited the importance in urban battles such as in Gaza of moving civilians out of harms way, which the coalition did with mixed success before the battle for Mosul in 2016-2017. In some cases, those residents were able to flee and reach United Nations refugee camps. In others, Iraqi authorities urged residents to stay put, or militants prevented them from leaving. When the coalition turned to Raqqa, tens of thousands of residents were trapped as militants made their final stand. When you get into an urban environment its a bit more challenging, but you still try to take every effort, Brown added. We werent perfect Nevertheless, the peril facing remaining residents skyrocketed. According to Airwars, at least 1,300 civilians probably died in Mosul because of coalition actions in the city, and at least 1,600 in Raqqa. Overall, Airwars found that coalition strikes probably killed at least 8,000 civilians over nine years, far more than the roughly 1,300 acknowledged by the Pentagon. Experts said mistaking civilians for legitimate targets and other intelligence problems, like elsewhere, were primary drivers of civilian deaths. Most military officials saw the bloodshed as a lamentable inevitability when battling an enemy that wove itself into the populace and used civilians as human shields, as Israel has accused Hamas of doing. Scott Efflandt, who spent hundreds of hours watching drone footage when he led a strike cell during the Mosul operation, said he saw militants holding babies above their heads as they dashed between buildings, knowing coalition aircraft were unlikely to fire. He recalled the aftermath of one botched strike in Mosul, when U.S. forces hit a building where roughly 100 civilians were sheltering, hidden from view. All died. It just weighs on your soul when youre done, but what are you going to do? Efflandt said. Theres no perfect solution for this. Those experiences, and the public pressure they generated, led to new steps to prevent such loss of life. In 2017, the Pentagon commissioned a study to scrutinize its track record on civilian casualties. A plan to embed new practices across the military was approved in 2022. Woods, of Airwars, said the United States had done far more to acknowledge harm and institutionalize lessons learned than its coalition partners had. Britain, he noted, has acknowledged just one civilian death in the Islamic State campaign. For Brown, the experience underscored the importance of preventing conflict to begin with. We want to be so good at what we do that our adversaries never want to go to conflict with the United States, he said. But if they do, were going to have capability to take out the enemy, but were also going to have the capability to protect the civilians. Weve got to be able to do both. How we do things When Brown received a call before dawn on Oct. 7 alerting him of the Hamas assault in Israel, he had been Joint Chiefs chairman for a week. Washingtons message was clear: The United States would back Israels response to the attacks, in which Hamas killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages. But officials soon grew dismayed as they watched the humanitarian crisis and death toll mount, quickly surpassing the scale of the Islamic State war. Through the Gaza wars first seven months, Airwars has identified more than 4,500 attacks that it suspects are responsible for civilian death or injury, though work to verify those figures is ongoing. The group identified about 3,000 incidents for the entire Islamic State campaign. According to an analysis by Larry Lewis of CNA, a research firm, Israel as of late February appeared to have killed an average of 54 civilians per 100 attacks. The ratio in Raqqa, by comparison, was 1.7 civilian deaths per 100 attacks based on Pentagon casualty estimates, or seven deaths based on Airwars data. While a recent administration report found that it was reasonable to assess that Israel has violated global laws using U.S. weapons, Bidens reaction has fallen far short of critics demands; he has paused just one shipment of large bombs as he urges Israel to forgo a full-scale offensive in the southern city of Rafah. The response has entirely failed to live up to - and actually undermined - the civilian protection efforts the U.S. has made in recent years, said Annie Shiel, U.S. policy director of the Center for Civilians in Conflict, calling on the Pentagon to unequivocally reject Israels conduct. U.S. defense officials say that Israel briefed them on the precautions its forces take to minimize civilian harm - including legal reviews, proportionality tests and, when possible, advance warning to those in danger - and that Israels system resembles their own. Why those safeguards have not prevented the staggering loss of life is unclear, they say. While Brown acknowledged having a broad understanding of Israels process for mitigating civilian casualties, when pressed he said he lacked information about whether Israeli forces use a casualty cutoff, as the U.S. military does, or how they approach proportionality. And like other U.S. officials, he pointed out Hamass practice of embedding in schools and other protected sites. Retired Gen. Joseph Votel, who led U.S. Central Command when Brown served as the deputy commander there, said he wonders about the tone set by leaders in Israel, where early in the war Defense Minister Yoav Gallant cited the battle against human animals, and some members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus cabinet continue to urge the complete destruction of Gaza. U.S. leaders, at the outset of the Islamic State war, telegraphed the importance of keeping noncombatants safe, Votel said. He recalled flying in a B-52 bomber over Syria and observing how pilots felt empowered to call off a planned strike if they detected something amiss. Thats the kind of thing that C.Q. put in place, Votel said. Its not flashy, but it goes back to this idea of tone about how we do things, and [saying], If it doesnt look right, then dont do it. The Alto Lee Adams Sr. United States Courthouse, where U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon is holding a hearing regarding former President Donald Trump, on May 22, 2024, in Fort Pierce, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images/TNS) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Tribune News Service) Its been a year since former President Donald Trump was indicted on charges of mishandling classified U.S. government documents and attempting to block its efforts to retrieve them. But U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has postponed a trial she had set for May 20 indefinitely, citing a broad spectrum of legal issues to be resolved. In three weeks, one of the most prominent of those will focus on the constitutional authority of the governments top prosecutor in the case, Special Counsel Jack Smith, to investigate and bring charges against Trump. On June 21, in Cannons Fort Pierce federal courtroom, an unusual daylong series of legal arguments will unfold over Smiths appointment. They are arguments, legal analysts say, that would rarely see the light of day in a trial court; they are usually reserved for the appellate courts. Nonetheless, speakers representing Trump and the government wont be the only ones appearing before Cannon. The judge has allotted 90 minutes for third-party lawyers representing nonprofit legal groups led and supported by past U.S. attorneys general, ex-elected officials including governors, and prominent law professors. Two groups will support Trumps position that Smith has been investigating Trump as an unauthorized prosecutor. A third will argue U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland had the authority to name Smith to lead the classified documents probe. The groups include the nonprofit conservative Landmark Legal Foundation of Kansas City, Missouri, which is being led in this instance by former Attorney General Edwin Meese III, and Citizens United, another conservative group based in Washington that gained prominence for winning the U.S. Supreme Court decision that political spending is a form of protected free speech under the First Amendment. The Landmark foundation is expected to argue that Smith is not a U.S. government officer but an employee whose appointment fails to comport with the separation of powers under the Constitution. The primary purpose of the Special Counsel regulations which were modeled on the Independent Counsel statute, was to avoid conflicts of interest when the executive branch investigates itself, the foundation wrote the court. But here, Attorney General Garland appointed Mr. Smith not to investigate someone connected to the United States Department of Justice, the President, or the Biden Administration as was the case with Hunter Biden but to investigate the Biden Administrations leading political opponent. The naming of Smith, who was not with the government at the time he became special counsel, violated the appointments clause of the Constitution, the Meese group argues in its brief. Improperly appointed, he has no more authority to represent the United States in this Court than Bryce Harper, Taylor Swift, or Jeff Bezos, the group argues. Attorney Gene Schaerr, a former clerk to the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia who represents Citizens, will argue that Smith required Senate confirmation to serve as special counsel. The government is supported by a group of prominent law professors, including Harvard Universitys Laurence H. Tribe, and former elected officials, including two former Northeast governors Christine Whitman, of New Jersey, and William Weld, of Massachusetts, as well as a group known as State Democracy Defenders Action. Matthew Seligman, a Washington-based constitutional lawyer and fellow at Stanford Law School who clerked at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, will argue their position. Defendant Donald J. Trump and his amici contend that the appointment of Special Counsel John Jack Smith is unlawful, Seligman wrote in his brief to the court. That contention is demonstrably incorrect. The Appointments Clause of the Constitution authorizes Congress to vest the power to appoint inferior officers in the Attorney General as the head of the Department of Justice. As the Supreme Court has confirmed, a special prosecutor empowered to investigate and prosecute a particular criminal matter is such an inferior officer. None of the groups has had any previous involvement in the Trump case. The Court anticipates starting with argument from counsel for the parties; proceeding to hear argument from amici and rebuttal from the parties as necessary; and then accommodating any presentation of evidence, if deemed necessary by the Court, Judge Cannon wrote in a recent order scheduling the hearing at the Alto Lee Adams Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Fort Pierce. Outsized discretion? Legal critics assert the exercise of allowing outside friends of the court to argue the issue is not only rare, but yet another act of delay by the judge to help Trump avoid a trial before the presidential election in November. All judges have the inherent power to control their dockets and set their calendars, said Robert Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University in Davie. This principle has been reconfirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court many times. What is happening in this case which is highly unusual, even unprecedented is that Judge Cannon has decided to slow walk the case to make sure that the trial cannot possibly start until after the presidential election, so as to help Donald Trump, the man who put her into office. This is a complete perversion of justice, but, unfortunately, the Eleventh Circuit has decided to let her proceed. Amicus briefs, he added, are the province of appellate courts. Revised timetable of Trump hearings in Florida, New York Cannon, citing new motions brought by the prosecution and defense, has again revised the cases hearing schedule. Here is a snapshot of what June and July will look like, according to court files and open court announcements. This list does not include filing deadlines for motions. June 21: In Fort Pierce, a non-evidentiary hearing will be held before Judge Aileen Cannon on a defense motion to dismiss the indictment based on alleged unauthorized appointment and funding of special counsel. Arguments will start from lawyers for both sides. Then third parties will address the court, followed by rebuttals from the government and defense and if necessary, the court will hear any presentation of evidence. June 24: Also in Fort Pierce, the Court will hear argument on the following: Morning: Trumps motion to dismiss the indictment based on the purported unlawful appointment and funding of Smith as special counsel. Afternoon: Special counsels motion to modify Trumps conditions of release over the former presidents public remarks alleging the FBI posed a threat to him during its search for classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. June 25: Arguments on Trumps motion related to the FBIs Mar-A-Lago search and an alleged unlawful piercing of attorney-client privilege. Argument will focus primarily on the privilege / work product issues raised in the motion, which will be heard in sealed session to protect potentially privileged information and grand jury material. July 11: In New York, Trump is to be sentenced by Acting New York State Supreme Court Justice Judge Juan Merchan after a jury convicted the former president on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. July 22: In the documents case, a morning status conference and a closed afternoon hearing regarding classified materials. Unscheduled: Date for the start of the documents trial. 2024 South Florida Sun Sentinel. Visit at sun-sentinel.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Joseph Smith of New Bedford, Mass., is facing charges in which prosecutors allege he stole a Marine veterans disability checks totaling more than $450,000. (Drivers license image.) (Tribune News Service) A New Bedford man is facing multiple criminal charges in connection with a scheme in which prosecutors say he stole more than $450,000 intended for a 20-year veteran of the Marine Corps suffering from Lou Gehrigs disease. Joseph Smith is charged with one count each of theft of government benefits and conspiracy to steal government benefits, acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office announced Friday. Smith is in federal custody on unrelated charges and will appear in federal court in Boston on Tuesday. In August 2015, shortly after the Marine veteran was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, the Veterans Benefits Administration approved his application for disability benefits, awarding him about $8,300 in monthly payments, according to Levys office. The administration began the payments the following month, in September 2015, through monthly checks mailed to the mans former residence in New Bedford, where he had lived with Smiths relative and others before he was hospitalized. Between 2015 and 2020, while the man was hospitalized, prosecutors say Smith and others received the monthly disability checks intended for the man and deposited the money in bank accounts they controlled. Smith is accused of first depositing the checks in an account in his own name and then beginning to deposit them in an account he and others opened in the name of the man the checks were for, according to federal prosecutors. Shortly after depositing the checks, Smith is accused of withdrawing the money as cash, which he used for personal expenses, federal prosecutors said. In all, between 2015 and 2020, Smith and others are accused of stealing more than $450,000 in disability benefits intended for the man, Levys office said. Levy called the allegations against Smith beyond the pale. The immorality exposed by the criminal justice system is, at times, simply stunning, he said in the statement. Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division Ketty D. Larco-Ward said it is difficult to imagine a financial crime more despicable than one alleged to have targeted a vulnerable member of our community. If he is convicted on both charges, Smith could face up to 15 years in prison, according to Levys office. 2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit masslive.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Prior to launching the attack, the two men who knew each other had been chatting An alcoholic who stabbed a man in the neck with a piece of broken glass in a pub was handed a four-year sentence today. Christopher Donnelly, whose address was given as no fixed abode, was handed a two-year custodial term followed by a two-year licence period. Belfast Crown Court heard that after smashing a bottle in the gents toilets, Donnelly used it as a weapon to attack a fellow customer. CCTV footage of the incident, which occurred in Jacq's Bar in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim on the evening of June 10, 2022, was played in court. Prior to launching the attack, the two men who knew each other had been chatting and at one point Donnelly offered to buy the injured party a drink. Towards the end of the evening, the injured party was approached by Donnelly. He thought Donnelly was trying to give him a hug until he felt a sharp pain to the left side of his neck. He was initially unaware he'd been stabbed until Donnelly was pulled away by other people in the pub. Police were called and when Donnelly was cautioned, he made no reply. Around 10 minutes later, he told officers: "The fact is, I wanted to kill that guy. "I broke it in the toilet. I'm sorry I missed my opportunity. People like that don't deserve to breathe." Further comments made by Donnelly to police included him saying "I walked straight up to him and tried to stick it in his neck but it didn't work." The injured party was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he received stitches for a one-cm laceration. Judge Donna McColgan KC said that given the circumstances "the injury sustained was entirely fortuitous". The wounded man spoke to police in the aftermath of the attack and said he believed he would have been killed if Donnelly hadn't been pulled off him by others in the pub. Following his arrest and despite earlier admissions, Donnelly gave a 'no comment' response when interviewed by police. He continued to maintain his innocence before entering a guilty plea to a charge of wounding with intent at a subsequent court appearance. Crown barrister Natalie Pinkerton cited several aggravating factors which included the use of a weapon and the attack occurring in a public place. Defence barrister Neil Connor KC said his 53-year-old client has been diagnosed with alcohol dependency syndrome which he said was a "serious medical condition" and which was highlighted in various defence reports. This, he said, was sparked by traumatic and adverse childhood experiences which have also resulted in serious mental health issues. Regarding the offence, the barrister added that whilst his client did go into the gents toilets and smash a bottle which he then used as a weapon, there was a "limited degree of pre-meditation". Mr Connor added that Donnelly was mentally ill at the time. As she sentenced Donnelly, Judge McColgan said she had taken into account his mental ill health which stems from childhood issues, his dependence on alcohol and the remorse he has now expressed. UNITED NATIONS, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Friday celebrated World Oceans Day, observed annually on June 8, at its headquarters in New York, focusing on "opening minds, igniting senses, and inspiring possibilities" for global marine life protection. The event featured a powerful video that echoed the day's theme, urging immediate action against the complacency of an "out of sight, out of mind" attitude. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement emphasizing the ocean's crucial role in sustaining life on Earth and highlighted the human-induced problems it faces. "Climate change is triggering rising seas and threatening the very existence of small island developing states and coastal populations," Guterres stated. He also addressed the severe impacts of ocean acidification on coral reefs and how rising sea temperatures have led to extreme weather events. Overfishing and other detrimental practices are accelerating the destruction of the world's marine ecosystems. The top UN official called for a collective effort among governments, businesses, investors, scientists, and communities "to defend our oceans." Dennis Francis, president of the UN General Assembly, attended the event and shared concerns about the deteriorating condition of the oceans. He underscored the importance of reversing the damage to this essential resource, stating, "There is so much still to learn about oceans -- and, importantly, to reverse the damage being caused to our precious lifeline resource." Echoing the UN chief's call, Francis emphasized the need to redouble efforts to support and advance ocean action, build capacity in small island developing states, and promote innovative financing solutions that drive transformation and scale up resilience. Both UN leaders emphasized the ocean's vital role in combating climate change, calling for a joint effort to "course correct -- and recommit to sustainably manage the ocean's precious resources -- so as to ensure their availability intergenerationally." The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) also contributed to the dialogue earlier in the week by releasing a State of the Ocean report, which presses policymakers to consider "the ocean we need for the future we want." The report detailed the increasing threats to marine life, noting that ocean warming rates have doubled in the last 20 years and that coastal species are suffocating from reduced oxygen levels. UNESCO's report advocates for enhancing ocean literacy to optimize resources, accelerate behavioral change, and improve the implementation of ocean conservation programs and sustainability practices. During the event, prominent marine biologist and oceanographer Sylvia Earle highlighted the importance of sharing the necessity of ocean protection worldwide, which can catalyze essential actions to preserve both marine and coastal wildlife. World Oceans Day is an international day that takes place annually on June 8. In December 2008, the UN General Assembly passed a declaration to officially recognize the day. "Awaken New Depths" is the theme for World Oceans Day 2024. The bureau alleged the pair were in league with other Chinese nationals involved in operating cannabis grow houses, the judge said. Yan Yan Fan said she liked to spend money on clothes and shoes The High Court has deemed various luxury goods and funds linked to two Chinese nationals the proceeds of crime. Mr Justice Alexander Owenss ruling came in a case brought by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) against Yan-Yan Fan (47) and Guang Ying Wang (49), who came to Ireland in the early 2000s. He made orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act in relation to funds of some 146,000 and various luxury items. Mr Wang, also known as Richard, did not contest the case. Ms Fan, who also uses the name Ivy, represented herself in court and denied any involvement in crime. The bureau alleged the pair were in league with other Chinese nationals involved in operating cannabis grow houses, the judge said. It pointed to large amounts of cash that passed through Irish bank accounts of Ms Fan, Mr Wang and her parents over the years and claimed the accounts were used to launder illegitimate income in the black economy, he said. The bureau alleged Ms Fan, a mother, used the daigou or surrogate shopping method of sending luxury goods to China. The CAB claimed these outflows were matched by money transfers by her parents to Ireland, which helped pay for one of her apartments. The judge said she had a significant link with 7A Henrietta Place in late 2012 when a grow house with 1,490 cannabis plants valued at 1.1 million was found to be operating from there. She was a tenant of the property in 2012 and 2013 but when interviewed by gardai in 2014 she claimed her business partner had put a sub-tenant in who was responsible for the operation, he said. He found it hard to credit her evidence that she was unaware of what was going on upstairs at 7A. He said she has a significant link with Mr Wang who was involved in money laundering and the commercial growing and distribution of cannabis in 2020. Her regular lodgements to bank accounts of large sums in cash over the years were consistent with laundering of cash receipts from drug dealing and cash receipts from activities which involved tax evasion, the judge said. However, he found some of the information the CAB relied on to link Ms Fan with criminality was unconvincing. The judge said Mr Wang was arrested on March 19th, 2021, and questioned about his suspected involvement in a grow house in Phibblestown, Co Dublin, where cannabis worth 400,000 had been discovered. Yan Yan Fan said she liked to spend money on clothes and shoes As a result of the find, gardai searched Ms Fans apartment at Cedarhurst Road, Ashtown, Dublin, where Mr Wang was also living at the time, and an apartment she leased in Dublin City Centre but which was by then occupied by her sub-tenants, the judge said. During these searches, conducted in spring/summer 2021, gardai seized 96 items of designer-label fashion goods, stated to be worth 119,000. From her Ashtown home gardai also seized 14,000 cash. The Sunday World previously obtained the list of the jaw-dropping designer goods that were seized during the raid. The items include a Chanel Petite Timeless Tote Black Caviar Leather valued at 2,500, a Louis Vuitton On-the-Go Tote MM valued at 2,000, a Chanel Medallion Bag with Grained Calfskin valued at 4,400 and a Louis Vuitton Petite Malle Trunk valued at 3,950. Other items include a Chanel Gold Vinyl Chain Shopper valued at 1,000, a Louis Vuitton Passport Cover Monogram valued at 245, Jimmy Choo shoes as well as 229,000 in a solicitors client account. The judge was persuaded that most of the designer items were purchased, directly or indirectly, with crime proceeds and 129,231 of the balance in her current account derives from crime proceeds. The same could be said for the 14,255 cash seized from Ms Fans apartment and 3,000 used as a booking deposit, he said. Mr Justice Owens said the bureau did not persuade him about all of its claims related to transactions to Ms Fans bank account. He was not convinced regarding the full proceeds arising from the sale of one of her apartments and said some 90,000 should be returned to her parents. Some parts of the bureaus case against Ms Fan were not supported by satisfactory proof, including in relation to its valuation of the designer items, which he accepted were presents that should be returned or were valueless, he said. He was not prepared to entertain an aspect of the bureaus application related to items seized from the apartment Ms Fan had sublet to tenants. However, the judge was not convinced by Ms Fans claim that her parents wealth and pension income was the source of her funds over the years. He found to be wildly improbable her claim that the vast sums spent in Brown Thomas between 2016 and 2020 from two of her accounts were transactions on behalf of Chinese friends and tourists. He noted there were no tourists in Ireland for most of 2020 and that China was then in lock-down. Antoinette Hopkins had 33 previous theft convictions when she was arrested for stealing more than 300 worth of clothes. A grandmother caught shoplifting clothes was among the thieves who are ruining Dublin city centre shopping by fleecing stores, a judge said. Antoinette Hopkins (56) had 33 previous theft convictions when she was arrested for stealing more than 300 worth of clothes. Judge John Hughes referred her case to the drug treatment court. Hopkins, of Gloucester Place, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to theft at Penneys, OConnell Street. Dublin District Court has heard she went to the shop on November 11 last year and stole 362 worth of clothing. Hopkins had 52 previous convictions, including 33 for theft. The accused, a mother of six and grandmother of nine accepted she had a bad record, her solicitor Conor Ruane said. She had struggled with alcohol and drug addiction all her adult life. Judge Hughes said Hopkins had introduced her grandchildren into her mitigation but she should be aware of the shame this brings to her grandchildren, that their granny is up for stealing. City centre retail is a facility on peoples doorsteps but it is being ruined by a small group of shoplifters who are fleecing the stores, Judge Hughes said. You are in that group and you have been for a long time, the judge told Hopkins. The judge warned him that if he committed further offences, he would face six months in prison on top of any other punishment A Co Down man may be facing a prison sentence after he admitted a revenge porn offence. Alan Robert Kerr pleaded guilty to disclosing a private photograph of a woman with the intention of causing her distress on November 2, 2022. Newry Crown Court was told the 47-year-old had been given a suspended prison sentence in 2022 after he admitted possessing and distributing images of children being sexually abused. Kerr, from Ballymacormick Road in Dromore, was handed six months in prison, suspended for two and a half years, for those offences. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for seven years. The judge warned him that if he committed further offences, he would face six months in prison on top of any other punishment. Revenge porn offences carry a maximum sentence of two years in jail. Substantial damage was caused to both the exterior and interior of Beans and Leaves eatery in Athlone, Co Westmeath Much of the restaurant's interior was ransacked, causing several thousand euros worth of damage in the process. Several items of documentation and other items were left strewn across the restaurant's floor in the wake of the raid. The damaged front door of Athlone's Beans & Leaves restaurant which fell foul of a burglary during the early hours of Tuesday morning. The owners of a restaurant have paid tribute to the public who helped them re-open their doors after raiders caused several thousand euros worth of damage during a brazen burglary. Substantial damage was caused to both the exterior and interior of Beans and Leaves eatery in Athlone, Co Westmeath during the early hours of Tuesday morning. The front door of the restaurant, which is located along the Lloyds Lane area of the midlands town, was shattered with shelves and various items pulled from the walls and left strewn across the floor. Several items of documentation and other items were left strewn across the restaurant's floor in the wake of the raid. Its owners Steven Linehan and his wife Martina enlisted the help of a number of businesses both from within the locality and further afield. I rang Athlone Windows at 10am that morning and spoke to Liz, one of the owners and they had people out to measure straight away and went back to cut the glass and they had everything installed by lunchtime that day, Mr Linehan said. Then there was JBM Merit, a cash register company, based in Claregalway and like Athlone Windows I rang at 10am, spoke to Michael the owner and he sent me a message saying : Dont worry, I will get you sorted. At 6pm, he rang and said: I have all the equipment, I am sending one of my guys up. He came up at 8pm from Tuam and installed everything on Tuesday night. Damage caused to the restaurants computer systems following the raid saw the well-respected chef having to reach out to locally based office supply firm Recharge. They bumped me ahead of other people in the queue and said they would get it done asap, said Mr Linehan. They rang me yesterday at 2pm and I went back down, collected the computer got it back running again which means I can pay wages again. Much of the restaurant's interior was ransacked, causing several thousand euros worth of damage in the process. The husband and wife team are one of Athlones longest established business double acts, having opened their first restaurant, Le Chateau back in 1989. Mr Linehan reserved a special mention for the umpteen messages of support and goodwill which has flooded the business Facebook page since news of the break-in emerged on Tuesday morning. There was has been a great sense of everyone pulling together, he said. Everyone has been so nice and we have had so many customers passing on their thoughts to us which has been so nice to see. A garda spokesperson has confirmed a woman in her 30s has since been arrested and charged over the incident ahead of a likely court appearance over the coming days. Gardai attended the scene of a burglary on Lloyds Lane, Athlone in the early hours of Tuesday 4th June, 2024. Following investigation into the matter a female, early 30s was arrested and was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. She has since been released from custody and charged and bailed to appear before court at a later date. Investigations ongoing. In welcoming that news, Mr Linehan said the economic ripple effects brought about by the events of Tuesday morning had, nonetheless, taken its toll. Between the doors, the tills, the safe we are talking the guts of 2,500 at the moment on just equipment that has to be replaced, he added. And dont talk to me about what was in the safe. Its a lot of money, but as the way I look at it, nobody was injured. Money can be made back again. It just means I have to work twice as hard for six months of this year. "Given Chico Makamda criminal background this deportation was a priority operation for GNIB. A man with a string of convictions for sexual assault is to be deported home to Africa, gardai have confirmed. Chico Makamda was jailed in 2019 for a horrific attack during which he trapped and attacked a woman before beginning to masturbate in front of her. In July 2022, Makamda was returned to jail for two years after failing to leave the country as a condition of his sentence. Makamda has 15 previous convictions, including for an offence of indecency and for the false imprisonment of a woman in a laneway. He had been in Ireland since 2009. Makamda was deported on Friday, gardai have confirmed. Gardai attached to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and with the assistance of Department of Justice successfully executed a Deportation Order of Chico Makamda to Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday 7th June, 2024, a spokesperson said. Chico Makamda was serving a custodial sentence in the Midlands Prison for Failing to Notify a Change in Details in contravention of the Sex Offenders Act 2001, and has nineteen (19) recorded previous convictions in the state for numerous Sexual offences, False Imprisonment and Theft. "Given Chico Makamdas criminal background this deportation was a priority operation for GNIB, the spokesperson added. This is the first removal by An Garda Siochana to Democratic Republic of Congo and comes after a significant amount of engagement between officials from Democratic Republic of Congo and GNIB, which facilitated obtaining travel documents, visas and the coordination of escort arrangements. Chico Makamda had been sentenced in 2019 to seven and a half years with the final two and a half years suspended on condition that he leave the country within 14 days of his release. Chico Makamda Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard in July 2022 that Makamda failed to leave the country as required after being released in January that year and in the mean time accrued two convictions for failing to notify gardai of his address as required for registration under the Sex Offenders Act. Taking the stand, Makamda told the court he had been waiting for gardai to return his wallet and phone. Gardai said Makamda did not have these in his possession when originally arrested. Garda Ruth Finnegan said the Garda National Immigration Bureau had attempted to make several appointments with Makamda to assist him in leaving the country, but the information he gave them was incorrect and they do not know his nationality. His defence counsel, Keith Spencer BL, told the court Makamda was willing to leave the country. I am sure he is willing to leave now, said Judge Melanie Greally, before reactivating the entire two and a half year suspended portion of the sentence I was not aware when I suspended such a significant part of the sentence on one simple condition that it was a condition that would be so difficult to implement, she said. I dont believe he has made any genuine effort to comply. She noted he has accrued further convictions and said he had no intention of complying with any other conditions attached. I am quite satisfied there was an intentional decision on his part not to comply with the order, said Judge Greally. She ordered the sentence to run from today's date. Makamda, formerly with an address at Viking House, Coffee House Lane, The Quay, Waterford, had pleaded guilty at to sexual assault, false imprisonment and robbery at Adare Lane, Dublin, on April 16, 2018. Judge Greally originally sentenced him in March 2019. At the original sentence hearing in 2019, Garda Finnegan told the court that in the early hours of the morning, a woman in her early fifties was on her way home after a night out when she stopped in Adare Lane to relieve herself behind some bins. Makamda approached her and blocked her in beside the bins. He punched her three times in the stomach and she fell onto the ground, hitting her head on the concrete. He attempted to pull her jeans down and kept trying to lie on top of her while the woman tried to stop him. He then stood up, took out his penis and began masturbating. The woman managed to stand up and pull her jeans fully up. Makamda put his penis away but continued to block her from escaping. Makamda fled when another man arrived and said he would call the gardai. After he was gone, the woman realised that her wallet and phone were missing from her handbag. Sentencing him in 2019, Judge Greally said it was clear from the victim impact report that the woman had been completely traumatised and that she now fears to go outside. She said each of the offences were aggravated by the impact they had on the victim and by the level of violence. Gardai at the home of Jonathan Dowdall in March 2016 THIS is the stunning home owned by shamed supergrass Jonathan Dowdall which can be yours for a price of 795,000. The house on Dublins Navan Road was placed on the market last week, as ex-Sinn Fein councillor Dowdall comes towards the end of his prison sentence for his role in the Regency Hotel murder. Following his release, Dowdall will be placed under witness protection and relocated to a new country with a new name and identity and told to cut all ties with Ireland. Kitchen in the stunning home His house, described as wonderfully presented and in turn-key condition, has been put up for sale to help fund Dowdalls new life. On a property website, the four-bed house is described as an oriental inspired haven, perfect for entertaining or a relaxing escape. But despite the chilled-out ambience described by the real estate agents, images from inside the home show some of the places that featured heavily during the murder trial of Gerry The Monk Hutch. A huge fish-pond can be seen in a covered area at the back of the home where Dowdall indulged his expensive hobby of collecting oriental fish such as koi. When the house was raided in 2016 as part of the Regency probe, a Garda Diving Unit searched the pond for firearms. Picturesque back garden Photographs of the kitchen, where Dowdall met an innocent man who he believed was trying to scam him, can also be seen on the property website. After meeting in the kitchen in January 2015, Dowdall blindfolded Alex Hurley and brought him to the garage before water-boarding him and threatening to have him killed during an eight-hour torture session. In the brochure, the kitchen is described as having plenty of natural light and additional worktop space, perfect for all of your culinary needs. Bathroom in the house A spacious garage provides secure parking for your vehicles and additional storage space, along with a home office space or can be used as an additional living room. Dowdall is currently approaching the end of a four-year sentence he received for facilitating the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel. A giant fish tank in the luxury home He has been kept in a high-security unit by the Irish Prison Service to protect him from the Hutch or Kinahan factions. Following his release, likely to be next year, he will join a small group of people in the Witness Security Programme, which remains shrouded in secrecy. There are probably just a few dozen people on the programme, which would also include the likes of Charles Bowden and Russell Warren, who gave evidence against John Gilligan. The programme is run by An Garda Siochana, who would have agreements with forces in other jurisdictions and is likely to see foreign protected witnesses setting up a new life in Ireland. Under the guidelines for the Witness Protection Programme, Dowdall will be set up by the Irish State in a foreign country with the same means he had here. The home contains a den Dowdall was first named in connection with the investigation into the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel murder, effectively by himself, after he went onto Joe Duffys Liveline to complain about his home being raided by gardai in 2016. He told Joe: The house was raided under Section 9 as being a suspected member of the IRA and they were in search of firearms and explosives. I dont know why that is, it was a complete shock to me. The first I seen and knew of it was a lot of armed Guards coming to the house... and they didnt burst through the door and then I was held at gunpoint in the house. Bedroom in the house He also describes gardai searching his fish tank which he insisted he had built himself. I was always fascinated by fish; its a hobby. Im actually good at keeping them. During the interview, Dowdall insisted he was not involved in criminal activity though he did admit he knew the Hutch family. Ive no links or connections to criminality or any crime organisations in any shape or form. Like many claims Dowdall made in the public arena, this would prove untrue. The property contains a fish pond The then-Dublin City councillor had just recently been involved in a savage and brutal crime which would shortly come to court. During the raid, gardai seized a USB key from Dowdalls home which contained a video of the torture of Alex Hurley. The footage showed Dowdall wearing a balaclava and holding a tea-towel to the mans face before pouring water over his head. Dowdalls father, Patrick Dowdall, was heard threatening to pull off Mr Hurleys fingers one-by-one with a pliers. Mr Hurleys wrists, chest and legs were tied to the chair with cable ties. Mr Hurley told gardai he was petrified and Jonathan Dowdall called him a lying b**tard from the sewer. Gardai at the home of Jonathan Dowdall in March 2016 Jonathan Dowdall was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and Patrick Dowdall eight years imprisonment in June, 2017. During the Regency trial, the ex-politician was repeatedly quizzed about how he could afford such a luxurious and expensive home as an electrician. Dowdall claimed he bought his first house in his early twenties with money he saved and the proceeds of a compensation claim. Dowdall would continue to insist he had no connection with organised crime in the Special Criminal Court despite admitting to playing a role in the Regency Hotel murder plot. Sitting room in the house Both Jonathan and Patrick Dowdall pleaded guilty to participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the murder of David Byrne, by making a room available at the Regency Hotel, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, for that criminal organisation. Under cross-examination, Dowdall admitted being reckless in booking a hotel room for the Hutch clan but continued to insist he did not know it was to be used to target their rivals. Patients were being left in soaked and soiled beds much longer than they should have been Joan Corrigan Fermanagh woman Joan Corrigan, a campaigner on mental health and learning disability issues, lodged a complaint with the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO) three years ago, received an apology from the Department of Health (DoH) after it banned her from communicating with its staff. A whistleblowing former nurse auxiliary says shes been offered 15,000 to settle an industrial tribunal on condition she agrees to shut-up and go away. Joan Corrigan says she blew the whistle on standards of care at Altnagelvin Hospital but says a following report by the Western Trust into her claims was a whitewash and she was eventually forced out of her job. The 44-year-old was working for a care agency in the Derry hospital in January 2019 when, during a night shift, she became alarmed at the level of care of patients. Specifically, she claims that patients ringing call bells for help were being ignored and therefore patients were left for long periods without anyone to help them. It was a ward filled with mainly elderly patients and the call bells werent being answered, which can be really dangerous, she told the Sunday World. Staff were taking too long on smoke breaks, leaving the building for these breaks often, and often at the same time leaving the ward dangerously understaffed. There was an issue with some of the care assistants, which is what I was, and their attitude towards the nurses. I noticed some of the care assistants were on a go slow-type policy and spent a lot of time chatting and taking smoke breaks, which meant call bells werent being answered in the proper time. A call bell can be for something small like just needing a bedpan or it can be something more serious like a heart attack or a fall from bed, and so its essential they are answered as quickly as possible. Patients were being left in soaked and soiled beds for much longer than they should have been. But there was also a shocking culture where some care assistants were refusing to do the jobs they were being paid to do and the nurses were scared of them. Joan decided to make a whistleblower disclosure after she felt her initial raising of concerns were ignored by senior staff, but said she faced mockery and disbelief for speaking out and was hounded from her job. This is typically how whistleblowers are treated across the globe. Its a pattern, says Joan. We are treated as the problem, not those we report. Joan adds, I made the whistleblowing complaint and it took them three months to interview the staff, there were a lot of excuses and protocols werent properly followed. Instead of taking the complaint seriously I was subjected to a number of counter-complaints and told I wasnt wanted back on the ward. All I cared about was how the patients were being treated. I couldnt believe what I was seeing. I felt all doors in the health service in Northern Ireland were closed on me so I have actually left to live in Spain. Altnagelvin Hospital I have been forced to leave a job I loved. They wanted me to shut up, end my legal proceedings against them and basically go away. Ive had to sue both the Trust and the agency and they have made a joint offer of 15,000 total in a potential settlement, but only if I sign a type of non-disclosure agreement which states for example that I couldnt publicly criticise the Trust again, or apply for jobs with them again. And that I would drop proceedings. I wont sign it. Im a health campaigner and I would never sign up to something like that. The tribunal will be heard later this year and it will come out, and I look forward to it as this has dragged on for five years. She has now lived in the south of Spain for the past four years but will return for an explosive tribunal hearing in September. Joan had worked in Altnagelvin for four years and during that time she says there had not been any complaints about her work. But that suddenly changed when she made the whistleblowing complaint. On the day following the alleged incidents, an email was sent to the agency she worked for, saying she was no longer required on the ward she had worked in. The trust went behind my back to my agency and claimed I was no longer wanted due to her poor attitude and being unable to work with the team, says Joan. Its in an email, in black and white. Those complaints are invented and no examples were given. The complaints against me were also never investigated, had no conclusions and I got no apology. The Western Health and Social Care Trust commissioned an investigation into her complaints. That investigation denied that patient care was at risk. However, recommendations, obtained by Freedom of Information requests, at the end of the report then echoed some of the complaints Joan made. The second report recommendation was: All staff should be reminded that call bells need prioritised over other aspects of non-urgent care. Importantly, the report recommended, consideration to reviewing the culture and practice within the ward should be taken. The investigator also recommended, Manual handling training is to be given priority for all ward staff. Significantly, the report further recommended consideration to reviewing the rotas, particularly on night shift, to ensure the composition of teams are not static for lengthy periods, which may provide an opportunity for complacency. And Joan says in disclosure she has received copies of interview notes made while interviewing the staff who worked on the ward that night. According to Joan they detail many of the issues raised by her, including call bells not being answered, care assistants refusing to answer them and instead leaving nurses to do the job, and nurses too scared to ask some care assistants to carry out certain tasks. Joan says she believes the gagging clause in the proposed settlement is directed at other possible whistleblowers to deter them. The NHS has a tried and tested response to serious complaints and it is simply deny and deflect, says Joan. The complaints they made about me are preposterous, baseless and retaliatory. They have even complained that I was making notes and on that basis made them uncomfortable so they wanted me off the ward. You couldnt make this up. It is about protecting the reputation of the Trust, she said. A Spokesperson for the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) said: We do not comment on individuals due to confidentiality reasons. The Western Trust encourages all staff to make management aware of issues giving them concern through the whistleblowing process. Any concern we receive is subject to a process of investigation. Whistleblowing investigations are of a fact finding nature and all relevant learning is shared as appropriate and taken forward by the Trust. Kevin Barry Artt became a household name as he withstood repeated attempts to have him extradited to the UK. MAZE escapee Kevin Barry Artt had only one thought when he was chained up in a San Diego jail how do I get out? It was 1992, nine years after the most dramatic jailbreak in British history. Kevin Barry was a hunted man, Margaret Thatchers government was desperate to get him back. He shuffled into the visitors room in the Metropolitan Correctional Centre for his first meeting with Dan Lawton, who would be his lawyer in an eight year extradition battle. Its like I was looking at Hannibal Lecter, Dan told the Sunday World this week. Here he was shackled by hand and foot escape must have seemed the least likely option, but I asked him anyway. Ive already thought about it he said without missing a beat. I put my hand up. I dont want to hear it, I said. Youd just need some explosives up here. Blow a hole through the wall, then shinny down a rope ladder to the street. Someone on a motorcycle, waiting. Good night I said, pretending that I hadnt heard him, said Dan. Kevin laughed. That was Dans first meeting with the one-the-run convicted killer who would become a brother to him. It took two decades for Kevin Barry Artt to clear his name for the murder of prison officer Albert Miles. In that time Artt became a household name as he withstood repeated attempts to have him extradited to the UK. On September 26 1983 he was one of 38 prisoners who broke out of the most secure prison in Europe to begin a life on the run. He had only served six weeks of a life sentence for the Miles murder. The west Belfast taxi drive wasnt even a member of the IRA but had been taken on to the Provo sin. The day before the escape he was summoned to a meeting and told he was to be one of those making the break. The moment he stepped outside the walls of the Maze, Kevin Barry Artt walked himself into history and on to a path that would lead to Dan Lawtons door. Kevin Barry Artt and James Brosnahan his US attorney From life as a hardworking man, the name Kevin Barry Artt would become notorious as the British tried to repair the damage and embarrassment of the Maze escape. When I asked him about the murder he said I didnt do it and I asked him why he was convicted and he said I confessed. I dont know why but I believed him, simple as that, said Dan. I knew nothing about the Troubles in Northern Ireland, so it was the start of a very long journey. Its a journey that is detailed in Dans newly published book Hunted: The Kevin Barry Artt Story, which details a wrongful conviction, a daring escape and a long fight for justice. Its a compelling read which details one of the most infamous legal battles of the Troubles. I worked for a big San Diego law firm who did a lot of pro-bono work [no win no fee] for asylum seekers coming to the States from Central and South America. I went to see Kevin and thats how it started, Dan said. To me, it was a clear human rights case. There was, and is, huge interest in the States with what happens in Northern Ireland and I became very embroiled in that. Kevin Barry Artt Kevin was wary of me at the start, he had been living in the country illegally and to an extent had put everything that happened behind him and then he found himself in chains and facing a return to jail in Northern Ireland and the torture that would come with that. The British government threw everything at the Kevin Barry Artt case it became a cause celebre and Kevin Barry became a figure of hate for the British. The ironic thing is the IRA didnt treat him like one of their own, because he wasnt! He made it to Sweden with a couple of other escapees, the IRA gave them money to get by not Kevin, they [the IRA] hit up his family for the money, he was never fully accepted by the IRA, said Dan. For eight years, Kevin Barry Artt fought to defend his name. In 2020 the Court of Appeal in Belfast cleared him of the murder. In a unique gesture, he paid for a headstone for the grave of the man he was wrongly convicted of killing. Thats Kevin, hes a good man, I believe in him, hes a good man, said Dan. Having freed his client from his chains, Dan recalls the day Ken Barry was cleared a victim of the skewed Diplock and Supergrass system. He said his wife told him: Theres been a ruling. The judges have quashed the conviction. Its over. Crying The court had found that detectives had altered their notes of Kevins supposed confession and then lied about it at his trial. He started crying, hunched over the kitchen table, the phone pressed to his ear, his shoulders heaving up and down. Inside his cells in the Maze and the Crumlin Road Jail, he had been alone, the book details. Hiding from British Army troops during his escape from the Maze, he had been alone. And now he was alone again. He felt a tsunami of forgotten, pent-up emotion. Now it all erupted in one beautiful moment. Kevin? Are you there? Kevin couldnt speak. He couldnt see through the river of tears coursing out of his eyes. He felt like his heart was going to explode with intense gratitude and pure joy. Kevin thanked his lawyers and hung up. After taking a moment to compose himself he went upstairs. The kids were still asleep. Kevin told his wife, Fiona. The two shared a long embrace as they cried together. My cell phone chimed at 7:21am. It was a text from Kevin. Thank you. The story has a bitter ending. Dan and Kevin Barry havent spoken for a year. He was unhappy about elements of the book and we havent spoken since last July, Hes my brother. I hope we can repair it, said Dan. Kevin Barry Artt, Maze escaper, lives in San Francisco with his wife and kids where he runs a successful construction company. He remains an Irish citizen. n Hunted by Dan Lawton (Merrion Books) is available now. The whistleblower has named the officers alleged to have destroyed the video evidence Colin Bell took his own life Video evidence of prison officers sleeping on night duty when they should have been watching vulnerable inmates was destroyed, according to a whistleblower. The whistleblower, a former prison officer, claims senior staff at Magilligan Prison wiped incriminating CCTV footage after an inmate took his own life at a separate prison in Northern Ireland in 2008. At the time, Colin Bell was on suicide watch at Maghaberry Prison, which meant guards were required to check him every 15 minutes. However, CCTV footage taken from a camera in his cell showed Bell made three suicide attempts before finally succeeding in taking his own life. His body then lay undiscovered in the cell for almost another 40 minutes. His death sparked a major investigation into practices within the Co Antrim prison. Colin Bell took his own life While the focus of the Bell investigation was on the regime within Maghaberry Prison, the whistleblower says the scandal rocked the prison service throughout Northern Ireland. The former officer claims that during the inquiry into Bells death, senior officers at Magilligan destroyed video evidence which showed staff sleeping on duty at night when they should have been monitoring vulnerable prisoners and other inmates. The whistleblower has named the officers alleged to have destroyed the video evidence in a submission recently sent to the Justice Minister Naomi Long. When contacted by the Sunday World this week about the claims made in the whistleblowers submission, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice said: All concerns/whistleblowing raised with the Department are considered under the Raising a Concern policy. The policy includes a commitment that concerns will be treated in the strictest confidence. It is therefore not appropriate to comment on whether any concerns/whistleblowing have been raised with the Department. At the time of his death on July 31, 2008, Colin Bell was serving a life sentence following the death of Michael O'Hare in a flat in Bangor, Co Down, in 2003. A court was told that Bell had set fire to the Dufferin Avenue flat in March 2003 after a two-day alcohol and drugs binge with a group of people. He broke into a downstairs flat in the house and when O'Hare returned home they moved to a flat on the middle floor that the deceased occupied. After consuming a large quantity of alcohol and ecstasy tablets, Bell returned to the downstairs flat and set fire to it in an effort to conceal the burglary. O'Hare, who was asleep in the flat above, died in the blaze. At the time of his death, Bell was being held at Lagan House in Maghaberry Prison, which has a special unit for at-risk prisoners. He died on the night of July 31, 2008. A report into his death by Prisoner Ombudsman Pauline McCabe, which was published in January 2009, outlined the circumstances around the tragedy. Ms McCabes report said CCTV footage from his cell showed Bell making ligatures in the cell on the morning of his death. There was no evidence this was noted by prison staff or of any attempted intervention. That evening, CCTV footage from Bells cell showed that over a period of 14 minutes commencing at 10.57pm, he was holding a ligature and made three attempts to hang himself. His fourth, successful, attempt to take his own life was at 11.41pm. Even before his first attempt and between his third and fourth attempts, Bell could be seen walking around his cell with a ligature in his hands. The report said prison officers did not carry out the required 15-minute checks on Bell. CCTV footage from a room in which officers were supposed to be monitoring the camera link to Bells cell showed the officers chatting, smoking, watching television and using the computer. One officer in the room was observed making and using a makeshift bed. The report said it was 38 minutes after Bell took his own life before his body was discovered by prison officers. Ms McCabes report was damning of the practices within Maghaberry Prison and made 44 recommendations on how things needed to be improved. The Ombudmans investigation found video footage which showed prison staff lying in bed or watching television when they were supposed to be checking on Bell and other vulnerable inmates. The probe also established Bell tried to contact the Samaritans 73 times in a 30-hour period before his death via a link-up facility in his cell. Almost all of these calls resulted in an engaged tone. Around 20 officers at the prison were subject to disciplinary investigations as a result of Bells death. The governor and deputy governor at Maghaberry were replaced after a review into the prisoners death, but did not face disciplinary action. A week after Ms McCabes report was published in 2009, a review into the Northern Irelands prison system was launched by Paul Goggins, Minister of State in the Northern Ireland Office, and Robin Masefield, Director of the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS). Launching the review, Mr Goggins said he hoped the circumstances around Colin Bells death would be a watershed for NIPS. I am determined that the Prison Service will instill a consistent culture of care for all prisoners, but especially those who pose a danger to themselves, he said. In April 2014, a prison officer sacked after Bells death was given a suspended sentence at a court in Belfast after admitting a single charge of misconduct in public office. Daniel Barclay, then aged 34, was supposed to be monitoring Bell on CCTV but was seen watching television, chatting with colleagues, and making himself a snack. At one stage, Barclay was seen on a rolled out mattress on which he was trying to sleep. A court heard that over the course of almost 90 minutes night duty officer Barclay "glanced" twice at CCTV screens showing what Bell was doing in his cell. As part of his duties, Belfast man Barclay was supposed to monitor CCTV footage from the cell and make observations every 15 minutes. A judge said that by failing to watch CCTV monitors Barclay had been "grossly negligent". Barclay was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment but the sentence was suspended for three years, after the judge took his guilty plea, remorse, clear criminal record and good work record into account. He was only person brought before a court in relation to Colin Bells death. In a statement released after the Ombudsmans report was published, Colin Bells family said his death could easily have been prevented. When we left Colin for the last time, we were assured by prison staff that he would be looked after when we saw him again he was dead. This report amounts to a damning indictment of the entire prison system from the governor... to the prison staff who fell asleep while Colin tried to kill himself three times before ending his life. The Bell family were represented by Belfast solicitor Joe Rice. Speaking to the Sunday World this week, Mr Rice said it had been a shocking case. Colins family had been told he had been moved to a safe cell where he would be monitored every 15 minutes. The evidence showed this didnt happen and that his body lay undiscovered for almost 40 minutes. Mr Rice welcomed any new evidence being brought forward in relation to how vulnerable prisoners in Northern Irelands jails are treated. A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon surveillance crew has clocked up around 9000 nautical miles monitoring fishing activities in the exclusive economic zones of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvalu. Predominantly crewed by No. 5 Squadron Training Flight instructors and students, they were part of a multinational contribution to the illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing monitoring Operation Tui Moana for the Forum Fisheries Agency. Thirty-eight vessels - fishing vessels, merchant vessels and pleasure craft - were recorded by the Poseidon crew and reported to the FFA. Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott says it was a great opportunity to have the students working on the Poseidon in a real-world operation. Airborne surveillance and reconnaissance for maritime security, fisheries monitoring and search and rescue are key tasks for No. 5 Squadron, and the new P-8A provides even greater range and capabilities for these tasks. The flight instructors and students joined the operation as part of our training to ensure the squadron is at full strength in qualified aircrew. Nine FFA Members (Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvalu) participated in the operation alongside technology partners, assets and personnel from the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (QUAD), which is made up of Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States), in an area of around six million square kilometres. The covered an area approximately the size of Australia. The operation placed an emphasis on boarding activities, cooperative surveillance engagements amongst FFA Members and the Pacific QUAD countries, and the use of remote sensing information to drive the intelligence-led operation. There were more than 500 vessel contacts during the operation using air, surface and remote-sensing platforms, with 80 boardings carried out in port and at sea. Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) has denied rumors of withdrawing from the European market, despite announcing the closure of a subsidiary office in Germany. "The allegations of our withdrawal from Europe are completely unfounded," said Xu Lin, managing director of GWM Netherlands Investment Holdings B.V., in an exclusive interview with Xinhua. She emphasized that the company highly values the business autonomy of its existing dealer partners and will continue collaborating with them to maintain sales and services across Europe. "We are currently adjusting our future European strategy and modifying our European market configuration with plans to expand and enter new markets," she said. Regarding the reasons for closing the German office, Xu cited numerous upcoming uncertainties. She emphasized that increasing protectionism and the European Commission's use of unfair measures to pressure Chinese new-energy vehicle companies were significant factors. GWM established its European operation headquarters in Munich, Germany, in 2021, with the intention of using it as a base to tap into the potential of the European market. The closure of GWM Deutschland GmbH will result in the layoff of over 100 German workers. "It is heartbreaking for me, as I have seen my European colleagues grow alongside the company over the past few years," Xu said. "We hope that the new European Commission will listen to companies' concerns and take measures to stabilize its investment environment," she said. KABUL, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Two people died and four others were injured in a highway accident in northern Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported on Saturday. The traffic accident took place when a car veered off the road due to overspeeding and overturned along the highway linking Jawzjan with neighboring Balkh province, the report said. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital. Similarly, four commuters lost their lives and three others sustained injuries in a road accident in the eastern Nangarhar province on Thursday night. Reckless driving on congested roads and lack of traffic signs on dilapidated highways, according to Afghans, often claim the lives of travelers in Afghanistan. No other radio-emitting neutron star, out of the more than 3000 discovered so far, has been discovered rotating so slowly. The results are published today in Nature Astronomy. Lead author Dr Manisha Caleb from the University of Sydney Institute for Astronomy said: It is highly unusual to discover a neutron star candidate emitting radio pulsations in this way. The fact that the signal is repeating at such a leisurely pace is extraordinary. This unusual neutron star is emitting radio light at a rate that is too slow to fit with current descriptions of radio neutron star behaviour. This provides new insights into the complex life cycles of stellar objects. At the end of their life, large stars about 10 times the mass of the Sun use up all their fuel and explode in a spectacular blast we call a supernova. What remains is a stellar remnant so dense that 1.4 times the mass of our Sun is packed into a ball just 20 kilometres across. Matter is so dense that negatively charged electrons are crushed into positively charged protons and whats left is an object made up of trillions of neutrally charged particles. A neutron star is born. Given the extreme physics with which these stars collapse, neutron stars typically rotate mind-bendingly fast, taking just seconds or even fractions of a second to fully spin on their axis. Now, astronomers at the University of Sydney and CSIRO have discovered a compact object repeating its signal with a comparatively leisurely period just shy of one hour. The discovery was made using CSIROs ASKAP radio telescope on Wajarri Yamaji Country in Western Australia. The ASKAP radio telescope can see a large part of the sky at once, which means it can capture things researchers arent even looking for. CSIRO scientist Dr Emil Lenc, co-lead author on the paper, said they wouldnt have found this strange object if it wasnt for ASKAPs unique design. Join NY Cannabis Insider for its next industry meetup in Lafayette on June 13, 2024. Tickets available now. Happy weekend, everyone! We hope everyone has been getting outside for the first few weeks of summer weather. Weve been busy covering the twists and turns in New Yorks weed industry. Lets take a look at what we wrote about last week. NY Cannabis Insider is hosting a live event on Thursday, June 13 just outside Syracuse at Beak & Skiff home of ayrloom. Details and tickets available here. The get-together will feature a discussion panel focused on microbusiness licenses, and how they could change New Yorks legal weed market. Last week we ran a piece detailing what we have planned for the event. In addition to the live panel and networking opportunities, there will be an opportunity for attendees to purchase tickets to tour the ayrloom production facility and campus grounds by UTV ride. Sign up for the NY Cannabis Insider Newsletter Enter your email address to get exclusive reporting on NY's cannabis market delivered to your inbox: Reporter Mel Hyman contributed a story about a cannabis tax reform bill, which just passed the Senate and is awaiting the governors signature. Relief for licensed cannabis farmers is just a signature away with a bill authorizing product producers to file electronic tax returns annually instead of quarterly. It may not truly be what the farmers wanted or even needed to keep their heads above water, but it will help, Hyman wrote. But theres always a possibility that the bill could fall through the cracks during the last-minute crush to wrap up business and get out of town. We checked in with Anthony Bannister, CEO of licensed cannabis dispensary The Plant, to talk about how business has been during the companys first month of operating the first legal dispensary in Yonkers. In a Q&A with NY Cannabis Insider, Bannister answered questions about what customers are buying, what its like to operate in Yonkers and challenges in New Yorks legal weed industry. In another story, NY Cannabis Insider analyzed retail licensing data, and talked to some dispensary owners about how long it takes to open a dispensary, and whether worries about market oversaturation associated with a planned expansion of retail licensing are valid concerns. The analysis revealed a more nuanced situation. Data show its been taking people between six months to one year to open their doors after getting licensed and a heavy majority of CAURD licensees never opened at all. We ran a guest column by Ngiste Abebe, co-founder of KND Group, vice chair of Virginias Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council, and a past president of the NY Medical Cannabis Industry Association. Abebe wrote that cannabis stakeholders in New York should shift from explaining problems with the states legal marijuana system and start coming up with solutions. At this point OCM needs to embody consistent communications reliably backed by actions in public (and behind closed doors), Abebe wrote. Licensees and applicants should not fear selective enforcement from their regulator. Program changes, like this weeks news about DASNYs loan fund ending, should come with guidance about next steps from the OCM. Lastly, we posted a new edition of attorney Jeffrey Hoffmans Ask Me Anything segment, in which Hoffman interviews Eli Northrup of the Bronx Defenders. Have a great weekend everyone, well be back with plenty more next week. ISLAMABAD, June 8 (Xinhua) -- One man was killed and six others were wounded in an explosion in a chemical tanker in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Saturday, police said. The explosion happened when some welding work was underway in the parked tanker, the local police told media. The windows of nearby buildings shattered due to the impact of the explosion, and another tanker parked nearby was also partially damaged in the incident. The deceased and the injured had been shifted to a nearby hospital. sh3lby BHPian Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 135 Thanked: 736 Times View My Garage NTA jeopardizing the careers of medical students? 1. Score Discrepancies: The cutoff has been following a steady trend for the last few years. An increase of cutoff by 10-20 marks is expected, and we were all expecting a rank jump of a few thousands. However, this year a jump of 50 marks in the cutoff has been observed. People getting 650 out of 720 will not get a seat, with a rank of 40k! Last year it was 6k rank at the same marks! Inflation of over 6 times. This abnormality demands immediate attention and investigation. 2. Unusual Perfect Scores: 6-12 students from a single exam centre in Haryana achieved perfect scores of 720/720. The probability of that is so small it nears zero! This is almost certainly a case of cheating. 3. Spike in Perfect Scores: Unlike previous years, where only a 2/3 MAX achieved a perfect score, this year saw an alarming surge, with 67 students attaining the highest possible marks. NTA released a cover-up statement saying that grace marks have been given to some students, resulting in 44 students with 715 marks jumping to a perfect 720. 4. Ranking Anomalies: Anomalies in ranking, such as a student with a perfect score of 720 obtaining an AIR of 1.54. 5. Grace marks: Numerous students have reported scores of 718/719 in the NEET exam, which contradicts NEET's scoring system. The NTA attributes these anomalies to "grace marks" and "normalization,". In recent statements, they have even said it is to combat coaching mafia influence, which makes no sense and raises suspicions of a cover-up. The criteria, basis, and extent of these adjustments remain unclear. 6. Paper Leak Allegations: The NEET exam has been marred by allegations of paper leaks, with the recent Patna case revealing a definite leak. This raises serious concerns about the integrity of the exam process and demands a thorough investigation. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/.../109993668.cms 7. Suspicious Timing: The release of the results 10 days earlier than expected (June 14), suspiciously coinciding with the Indian election results, has raised eyebrows, especially considering NTA's history of not releasing results so soon. They know the media houses and general population will be preoccupied. The Supreme Court too is out of session and will not resume until July 7th. By that time counselling would have started. If they had released the result on the 14th there would still be a chance of cases to be heard. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...pniAi6ZKFmxvod Please help raise awareness about what's going on. Tens of thousands of careers are at stake. If any of you are lawyers/activists or have experience in such cases tell us what we can do. Please bring to the attention of journalists. NTA has time and time shown itself to be an organization that does not care about the students and one we cannot trust. The pleas of students are never heard. Similar incidents happened in JEE main this year yet all they did was deny. For instance, the All India Ranker Cheating Case in JEE Mains. Now, one would expect an All India Ranker to score decently in the IIT exam (JEE Advanced) held on May 26th too, right? However, he remained absent on the day of the exam, likely shirking respsonibilty knowing that he won't be able to copy this time. I'm sure cheating is very rampant in both examinations, but someone cheating their way to a top, All India Rank is just shameful and a disgrace to the conduction of the exam. Kindly dont let this get swept up under the rug too. I'm sure many of you must've been swept into the Engineering/Medical dilemma in your time as well, but this year NTA is making things seem fishy. Views? NEET, the only exam for medical school admissions in India, is currently embroiled in a controversy due to significant irregularities detected this year. The widespread opinion is that the National Testing Agency (NTA) is at fault, atleast partly.1. Score Discrepancies: The cutoff has been following a steady trend for the last few years. An increase of cutoff by 10-20 marks is expected, and we were all expecting a rank jump of a few thousands. However, this year a jump of 50 marks in the cutoff has been observed. People getting 650 out of 720 will not get a seat, with a rank of 40k! Last year it was 6k rank at the same marks! Inflation of over 6 times. This abnormality demands immediate attention and investigation.2. Unusual Perfect Scores: 6-12 students from a single exam centre in Haryana achieved perfect scores of 720/720. The probability of that is so small it nears zero! This is almost certainly a case of cheating.3. Spike in Perfect Scores: Unlike previous years, where only a 2/3 MAX achieved a perfect score, this year saw an alarming surge, with 67 students attaining the highest possible marks. NTA released a cover-up statement saying that grace marks have been given to some students, resulting in 44 students with 715 marks jumping to a perfect 720.4. Ranking Anomalies: Anomalies in ranking, such as a student with a perfect score of 720 obtaining an AIR of 1.54.5. Grace marks: Numerous students have reported scores of 718/719 in the NEET exam, which contradicts NEET's scoring system. The NTA attributes these anomalies to "grace marks" and "normalization,". In recent statements, they have even said it is to combat coaching mafia influence, which makes no sense and raises suspicions of a cover-up. The criteria, basis, and extent of these adjustments remain unclear.6. Paper Leak Allegations: The NEET exam has been marred by allegations of paper leaks, with the recent Patna case revealing a definite leak. This raises serious concerns about the integrity of the exam process and demands a thorough investigation.7. Suspicious Timing: The release of the results 10 days earlier than expected (June 14), suspiciously coinciding with the Indian election results, has raised eyebrows, especially considering NTA's history of not releasing results so soon. They know the media houses and general population will be preoccupied. The Supreme Court too is out of session and will not resume until July 7th. By that time counselling would have started. If they had released the result on the 14th there would still be a chance of cases to be heard.Please help raise awareness about what's going on. Tens of thousands of careers are at stake. If any of you are lawyers/activists or have experience in such cases tell us what we can do. Please bring to the attention of journalists. NTA has time and time shown itself to be an organization that does not care about the students and one we cannot trust. The pleas of students are never heard. Similar incidents happened in JEE main this year yet all they did was deny.For instance, the All India Ranker Cheating Case in JEE Mains. https://jeeneetards-research.vercel....e-air-14-fraud Now, one would expect an All India Ranker to score decently in the IIT exam (JEE Advanced) held on May 26th too, right? However, he remained absent on the day of the exam, likely shirking respsonibilty knowing that he won't be able to copy this time. I'm sure cheating is very rampant in both examinations, but someone cheating their way to a top, All India Rank is just shameful and a disgrace to the conduction of the exam.Kindly dont let this get swept up under the rug too. I'm sure many of you must've been swept into the Engineering/Medical dilemma in your time as well, but this year NTA is making things seem fishy. Views? Last edited by sh3lby : 7th June 2024 at 11:44 . The upcoming AI offers from Apple will still be called "AI," as the company will refer to its technology as 'Apple Intelligence,' a playful yet ingenious take on the renowned term. As the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 is right around the corner, the talks behind Apple's foray into AI are growing, with the event set to answer the rousing questions of the public. From iOS 18 down to different integrations for Apple in the iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and its other apps and services, AI will play a massive role in new developments according to earlier analyses. Apple Intelligence Will Be Cupertino's Take on AI A new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has an interesting suggestion on what Apple will call its upcoming developments featuring the latest tech, and it would be called "Apple Intelligence." This new name also uses artificial intelligence's initials, and this presents a clever association of Apple's upcoming developments in the world of AI. Gurman said that this "redefines the term AI," should Apple use it, and it would feature Cupertino's development of the technology, alongside the rumored OpenAI collaboration that will integrate its advancements. Apple Intelligence will also help power its different features and tech that already offers AI, with Siri getting a spotlight this WWDC 2024 for a massive revamp. Are You Ready for Apple Intelligence (AI)? The report noted that Apple Intelligence will focus more on the broad spectrum of artificial intelligence and not what others have delivered which focuses more on generative AI. It was regarded to be more "practical" in a sense, centering on both on-device and cloud-based artificial intelligence experiences available on the eligible devices, with WWDC unveiling it. Apple's AI Plans: WWDC 2024 The upcoming WWDC 2024 is one of the most talked about Apple events in its history, and this is because this will deliver Cupertino's first take on generative artificial intelligence, the tech that already took over the industry. It is believed that these AI features will be most prominent on iOS 18, an operating system that is shared between the iPhone and iPad. Apart from the self-made AI features from Apple coming to its different systems, there would also be a rumored integration of OpenAI's GPT, the tech that powers ChatGPT, for the different OS. More recently, OpenAI's release of GPT-4o was rumored to be a massive part of iOS 18's offers that would be revealed at WWDC, marking the first Apple and OpenAI collaboration. The upcoming Apple WWDC 2024 event will take place next week, from June 10 to 14, to deliver the latest developments from the company for its systems, experiences, and apps. However, the public will look closely at Cupertino's take on AI and what they have to show for it, with Apple Intelligence being its name, redefining the technology yet again. The Department of Transportation's (DOT) recent move to finalize the updated fuel economy standards marks another step in President Joe Biden's efforts to address climate change and promote cleaner energy practices. Despite regulatory adjustments made that were softer than it had initially sought, the Biden administration still promises significant environmental and consumer benefits in the near future. Revised Fuel Economy Standards of DOT The DOT's newly approved Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards are designed to gradually enhance fuel efficiency across many vehicle types, spanning model years 2027 to 2031. By mandating a 2% annual increase in fuel economy, Electrek reported that the government aims to mitigate pollution and reduce reliance on fossil fuels while offering substantial savings on fuel expenses for American households. These revised standards set ambitious targets for light-duty vehicles, striving for an average fuel efficiency of 50.4 miles per gallon by 2031. Additionally, heavy-duty pickups and vans face more demanding objectives, with a planned 10% improvement from 2030 to 2032 and an 8% rise from 2033 to 2035, aiming for a 35-mile-per-gallon average by 2035. While the adjustments may not be as aggressive as initially proposed, they represent a pragmatic approach to balancing environmental goals with industry considerations. The decision to proceed with these softened regulations underscores the administration's commitment to achieving meaningful progress in sustainability while recognizing the practical implementation challenges. DOT asserted that the updated regulation will result in significant savings for both car and truck owners, amounting to $600-700 over the lifespan of their vehicles. Additionally, the country stands to save a substantial $23 billion in fuel expenses overall. Moreover, these measures are projected to slash carbon emissions by 710 million tons and conserve approximately 70 billion gallons of gas by 2050. Softened Regulations vs. Initial Proposals However, these regulations represent a softer approach than the Biden administration's initial proposals. The original plan aimed for a higher target of 55.7 miles per gallon (mpg), whereas the finalized standards settled at 50.4 mpg. The impact of these figures pales in comparison to the recently finalized emissions regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The administration claimed that these regulations would result in annual savings of $100 billion in fuel and health expenses and a reduction of 7 billion tons in climate pollution. Each vehicle is also expected to save $6,000. It is worth noting that these standards were also relaxed from the initial proposal due to pressure from automakers. The response to the latest CAFE rule was met with mixed opinions. Environmental and health organizations generally expressed approval, with endorsements from the Sierra Club and the American Lung Association. However, Dan Becker from the Center for Biological Diversity criticized the rules, saying they fall short of expectations and suggesting the administration yielded to pressure from automakers. On the other hand, automakers, represented by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, welcomed the changes. Developers have been using PHP on Windows Servers for decades. Judging by its popularity, PHP is considered secure to run on a Windows Server or other infrastructure. A cybersecurity team named DEVCORE has revealed that a critical security flaw in the PHP system can be used to execute code on vulnerable Windows Server systems remotely. This vulnerability is currently tracked as CVE-2024-4577 and is described as a CGI argument injection vulnerability. Within 24 hours of public exposure to this vulnerability, several attacks were made against PHP servers in Egypt. More importantly, the CVE-2024-4577 vulnerability can affect all versions of PHP installed on Windows. Following this update from DEVCORE, PHP has released a new version, 8.3.8, to fix the vulnerability. PHP has asked everyone to update their web server PHPs to the latest version. According to the blog post that the security research team has published, this vulnerability can affect XAMPP for Windows by default, allowing attackers to access remote XAMPP servers. According to a security expert named Orange Tsai, the Best-Fit feature on Windows is responsible for the vulnerability. They added that the Best-Fit feature causing the vulnerability could cause further issues. The DEVCORE team added that the PHP team overlooked the encoding conversion system within the Windows operating system. This lack of encoding has allowed attackers to access the server arbitrarily. Security researchers say this vulnerability may allow a threat actor to remotely access sensitive information from a server with zero authentication. It could also cause a denial-of-service attack and run arbitrary code on the web server. It has also been noticed that some locale versions of PHP are more vulnerable to this issue. Therefore, if you have installed traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese or Japanese locales for PHP on your Windows server, you may have to look for immediate mitigation options. It needs to be noted that the particular vulnerability is straightforward, and it is unclear how the team overlooked such a larger issue. Regardless, the cyber security team has also recommended using Mod-PHP, FastCGI, or PHP-FPM instead of the outdated PHP CGI. You can refer to the full mitigation document from DEVCORE here. LOS ANGELES, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Academic workers at the University of California (UC) on Friday voiced readiness for "a long fight" after a judge ordered their union to halt its strike over the university's handling of pro-Palestinian protests. The strike by United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 4811, which represents 48,000 academic workers across the UC system, has expanded to six of UC's 10 systemwide campuses. An Orange County Superior Court judge in the U.S. state of California granted the temporary restraining order against the union, ordering academic workers to return to work until June 27 while final exams are taken. The action comes after UC filed a lawsuit and requested injunctive relief Tuesday against UAW for breach of contract. The first UC campus that stood up and withheld labor was UC Santa Cruz, where academic workers walked off the job on May 20. The walkout spread to UC Los Angeles and UC Davis on May 28, and further expanded to three more campuses, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine this week. "Having twice failed to secure an injunction against the lawful strike from the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), the university today succeeded in their search for a more favorable outcome," said UAW Local 4811 in a statement, adding that this comes after PERB issued a thorough complaint against UC alleging serious unfair labor practices. The union pointed out that the temporary restraining order does not mean that the strike has been ruled "illegal." "The strike is in response to UC's serious unfair labor practices, which began on May 1 when the university allowed an angry mob to beat peaceful protesters at UCLA, calling in riot police the next night to arrest those protesters who remained," explained the union, noting that UC "has since then made unilateral and dramatic changes to long-standing policies on protest and use of force, then used these changed policies to arrest and discipline hundreds of students and academic workers across the state." "UC academic workers are facing down an attack on our whole movement," said Rafael Jaime, president of UAW 4811 in the statement. "PERB, the regulatory body with the expertise to rule on labor law, has twice found no grounds to halt our strike. I want to make clear that this struggle is far from over," he said, adding that the union is prepared to keep defending its rights. UC officials applauded the judge's restraining order, saying it is "an important victory critical to support student success." "We are extremely grateful for a pause in this strike so our students can complete their academic studies. The strike would have caused irreversible setbacks to students' academic achievements and may have stalled critical research projects in the final quarter," said Melissa Matella, associate vice president for Systemwide Labor Relations at UC, in a statement. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been spreading at colleges and universities across the United States amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Hundreds were arrested in crackdowns on pro-Palestinian protests and encampments on UC campuses across the state last month. CAIRO, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Secretary-General of the League of Arab States (AL) Ahmed Aboul-Gheit has spoken highly of the 10th ministerial conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, praising the unprecedented high level of development of China-Arab relations. This year's ministerial meeting has achieved ideal results, Aboul-Gheit said during a recent meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang in Cairo, appreciating China's consistent emphasis on developing relations with Arab countries. The Arab side attaches great importance to Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the meeting, Aboul-Gheit said, adding that it is willing to work with China to jointly implement the consensus of heads of state of the Arab countries and China as well as the results of the ministerial meeting, build "five cooperation frameworks" and host the second China-Arab States Summit. For his part, Liao said that current China-Arab relations are at a historic high and a model of China's relations with developing countries. In the next stage, China is willing to work with the Arab side to further strengthen and improve the construction of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, fully implement President Xi's proposal to jointly build the "five cooperation frameworks" between China and Arab countries, host the second China-Arab States Summit, and accelerate the building of a China-Arab community with a shared future, the Chinese ambassador said. Five hurt as police, activists, clash at French motorway protest Puylaurens, France, June 8 (AFP) Jun 08, 2024 Police and masked activists clashed at a protest over a motorway project in southern France Saturday, leaving five people hurt, local officials said. Thousands of demonstrators ignored a ban on the gathering to turn out for the protest at the site of the A-69 motorway between Castres and Toulouse in the southwest. A police officer hit by a Molotov cocktail, two paramilitary gendarmes and two protesters were injured during the clashes, said the regional authorities. Ecologists and left-wing activists are trying to stop the building of an extension of the motorway, which scientists say will destroy wetlands, farmlands, trees and underground water sources. The first clashes broke out at around 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) when "radicalised protesters... determined to commit acts of violence" tried to reach a main road, said a statement from local officials. Riot police used tear gas to try to disperse the demonstrations and keep them from the road leading to the construction site. Some of the protesters fired fireworks and hurled Molotov cocktails at security forces. The prefecture of the Tarn region denounced "extremely violent attacks with catapults" and said the crowd contained "1,200 radical individuals". They had "clearly come to cause damage with no link to the issue" of the motorway, said a statement from the prefect, Michel Vilbois. "We have a duty to step in," said one activist from climate campaign group Extinction Rebellion. "As long as we are there, the motorway will not go ahead," she added. Organisers of the protest near the village of Puylaurens, which was called by the Roue Libre group, said 7,000 activists had turned up. The prefecture put the figure at 1,600. Some 1,600 police and gendarmes were deployed to deal with the protest. The project, started at the beginning of 2023, has the backing of most local elected officials and is due to come into service at the end of 2025. VIENNA, June 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday called for strict, independent and effective long-term international supervision over Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean. Japan's wastewater discharge has continued to raise deep concerns among the international community, and the strong opposition from Japan's neighboring countries has never subsided, Li Song, China's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told a meeting of the agency's board of governors. Noting that Japan has recently started its sixth round of the Fukushima wastewater release, Li raised doubts about the long-term reliability of Japan's wastewater purification equipment, the effectiveness of the current monitoring arrangements, the weak supervision from the Japanese government, and the chaotic management of the Tokyo Electric Power Company, the Fukushima plant's operator. These doubts highlight the importance and urgency of establishing a long-term international supervision mechanism for wastewater discharge, Li said, adding that strict, independent and effective international supervision should be put in place as an addition to the regulation of the Japanese government and monitoring by Japanese nuclear power regulators, rather than to replace them. Li stressed that only through such an arrangement can Japan dispel the concerns and panic caused by the Fukushima nuclear accident and wastewater release, and effectively address the serious concerns of the people of China and other stakeholder countries. Such an arrangement is also conducive to further strengthening the authority and function of the IAEA in the field of international nuclear security and serves the fundamental interests of Japan and the Japanese people, he added. Meanwhile, the Chinese envoy said China and Japan have agreed to find an appropriate solution to the issue of the Fukushima wastewater discharge through consultation and negotiation in a constructive manner. Li said China hopes that Japan will show sincerity, seriously address the legitimate concerns from home and abroad, earnestly fulfill its responsibilities and obligations, and join hands with China, the IAEA, and the international community to work out more effective supervision measures to ensure that the Fukushima wastewater release will not cause long-term harm to the marine environment and the humankind. A woman who tried to have a protection order placed on her former partner has been forced to appeal to a higher court after a magistrate dismissed her application, ruling that parts of her allegations did not amount to domestic violence. The woman, who was self-represented in court, sought the order after a series of alleged domestic violence incidents, including claims her former partner pushed her into a wall, and another where he pulled out a knife in front of her and threatened to slash her car tyres. The Queensland Government says it has delivered 72 of the 277 recommendations from the Womens Safety and Justice Taskforce, which aim to resolve problems with police and the justice system. Credit: Kate Geraghty She also alleged the man held and would not return her wallet, leaving her without access to her bank cards. She also alleged he held her passport, which would have stopped her from visiting her family overseas. The man also allegedly changed the locks to the house without her knowledge or consent and failed to give her a copy of the new keys, the woman claimed. A man jailed over a Frankston bar fight has had his conviction overturned and a new trial ordered after one of the jurors repeatedly fell asleep during his trial. Hayden Doyle was convicted of recklessly causing serious injury after punching Alex Van Staveren outside the Deck Bar in Melbournes south-east in October 2019, and was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison. County Court of Victoria. Credit: Darrian Traynor But that sentence was overturned and a new trial ordered in May after the Victorian Court of Appeal found the jurors somnolent or slumbering condition was no minor blemish on the verdict and that a miscarriage of justice had occurred. Court documents show County Court judge Kevin Doyle revisiting the issue of the sleeping juror numerous times in the original trial in September 2021 with prosecutor Joanne L Piggott and defence barrister Amit Malik. Islands are at the forefront of extinctions in Australia and have been for the last couple of hundred years because they are restricted environments, Invasive Species Council advocacy director Jack Gough said. When an invasive species like a cat or a fox, or weeds take over that area, they can wipe out the native species that arent used to having those predators or that competition. The Lord Howe woodhen faced extinction, but its population has since boomed. Government-backed eradication programs, which typically take years of painstaking trapping, culling and groundwork since 1980, have eradicated feral populations of rodents, cats, pigs, goats and even the myrtle rust fungus from the World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island. For example, the unique Lord Howe woodhen population had shrunk to less than 100. But for just $25 million over a decade, rats and mice were eradicated by 2021 and the number of woodhens has boomed to more than 1000. Locals are now so overwhelmed by the numbers of woodhens that some are complaining theyre actually stopping traffic on the island, which just shows you the extent of that rapid recovery of a bird that could have gone extinct, Gough said. If we can remove invasive species, not only will we see the recovery of these island environments, but we can also start to reintroduce animals or plants that have been wiped out. Red crabs can migrate again on Christmas Island now that the ant problem has been tackled. Lord Howe Island is a remote territory in Pliberseks Sydney electorate. She has visited 25 times and witnessed it bounce back after ferals were removed. The ground is now carpeted with the endemic palms which had been non-existent when the rodents were eating the seeds. Its transformational, she said. Plibersek did not commit to a dedicated island fund, but said the Albanese government had pledged $550 million for conservation and feral eradication. Loading I would love to see islands that have eradicated feral and invasive species reintroduce native species that have become locally extinct, she said. For Christmas Island, the government has committed $4 million for cat eradication and $2 million to control yellow crazy ants. Controlling the ants has helped double the islands red crab population to more than 100 million, while the removal of 300 feral cats has saved an estimated 11,00 giant geckos, 4000 threatened birds and about 400 critically endangered flying foxes. The worlds largest fox eradication program was completed on Victorias Phillip Island in 2015 to save little penguins. On Macquarie Island, in Australias Antarctic territory cats, black rats and rabbits were banished a decade ago to protect a multitude of endangered seabirds and restore the native vegetation that is crucial to their survival. Kangaroo Island is a haven for an array of unique species like Rosenbergs goanna, the local dunnart and echidna, as well as the bush stone-curlew, glossy black cockatoo and southern brown bandicoot. Goats, deer and pigs have been eradicated, but removing cats is a work in progress. Norfolk Islands endemic green parrot is on the brink of extinction due to predation by black rats and feral cats. The worlds largest cat eradication program was completed on Dirk Hartog Island, in Western Australia, in 2018, after feral sheep were eradicated in 2005 and goats in 2017. Together, these animals had wiped out 10 of the islands 13 ground-dwelling mammal species. Now, some of those mammals are being reintroduced from the mainland to add to the Dirk Hartog populations of seabirds, turtles, rufous hare-wallabies, banded hare-wallabies, Shark Bay bandicoots, greater stick-nest rats, Shark Bay mice, dibblers and western grass wrens. Norfolk Island is one of the most prominent examples of an Australian island facing the threat of more species extinctions due to invasive pests. As well as a dozen plant and reptile species, the islands endemic green parrot is on the brink of extinction due to predation by black rats and feral cats, and competition for nesting hollows with the crimson rosella. The rosella was introduced from the mainland. Loading Biodiversity Council member Professor Sarah Legge said once an invasive pest was wiped from an island, the cost of preventing its return with biosecurity measures to ban people bringing cats, foxes and other pests ashore was relatively cheap. She said the cost of island biosecurity was far cheaper than the alternative on the mainland, where huge fences are erected around bushland reserves to create a sanctuary for endangered species. Island eradication is a really great way to secure the future of populations of mammals and seabirds, and its very cost-effective. Once the eradication is complete the ongoing cost to maintain it is minimal, said Legge, a professor of wildlife ecology at the Australian National University. Victoria has quietly shelved a plan to axe the states disability commissioner on July 1, representing the Allan governments sixth major policy walk-back in six months. The about-face is the result of outrage from disability groups who had complained about a lack of proper consultation after the plan to replace the role with an overarching position was suddenly revealed in February. Disability Minister Lizzie Blandthorn (left) with Premier Jacinta Allan in March. Credit: Justin McManus The state opposition says the allegations show Labor has ignored a guiding principle from Victorias disability plan: Nothing about us without us. But government insiders say retaining the disability commissioner into the new financial year is a sign Labor ministers are actively listening to stakeholders. An architecturally designed house on a rare block size in Chatswood has fetched $2.02 million after 17 buyers registered to compete for the home at auction. The three-bedroom property at 2 Fairyland Avenue had a guide of $1.55 million a price point as rare as its block size of 266 square metres for a house in the suburb. The sheer interest in the home highlighted buyers desperation to find an affordable middle ground in the area. Its asking price was closer to the suburbs unit median at $1,155,000 than the house median at $3.18 million on Domain data. Only five of the 17 buyers, almost all young families hoping to upsize, were able to get a look in as bidding started straight away at $1.45 million and rose quickly in large increments of $100,000 and $50,000. When a 23-year-old Sam Altman took the stage at Apples annual developer conference in 2008, he gushed about being able to use the companys new App Store to promote his software, a friend-locating service called Loopt. We think this is a new era of mobile, and were thrilled to be part of it, Altman said. Now, 16 years later, Apple is calling upon the entrepreneur again but with a twist. This time, the company needs his help as much as he needs Apple. OpenAI chief Sam Altman has become the biggest name in AI. Credit: Bloomberg Altman currently runs OpenAI, the leading start-up in generative artificial intelligence. And Apple, racing to catch up in that area, has forged a partnership to integrate OpenAIs ChatGPT into the iPhones operating system. Though the controversial Altman is unlikely to take the stage at the event, the agreement will be a key focus of Apples Worldwide Developers Conference next week and it shows just how much the power in Silicon Valley has shifted over the past few years. The deal gives OpenAI access to hundreds of millions of Apple users, including ones that might have been hesitant to try ChatGPT otherwise. For Apple, the arrangement brings the company the hottest technology of the AI era a chatbot with eerily powerful abilities that it can pair with its own services. Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi speaks during an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Bucharest, Romania, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) BUCHAREST, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Moldova is keen to strengthen bilateral cooperation with China for the mutual benefit of both countries, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi said in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua. "The Republic of Moldova has been consistent in its recognition of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China," Popsoi told Xinhua during his visit to Romania, reiterating Moldova's consistent stance on the Taiwan question. He also expressed appreciation for China's recognition of Moldova's sovereignty. Popsoi said that Moldova-China relations are based on mutual respect and international law. He praised the long-standing positive dynamics in bilateral relations and expressed the desire to enhance cooperation, especially in the economic and cultural fields. Decent progress has been made in economic and trade relations between Moldova and China, said Popsoi, noting that Moldovan exports to China have increased in recent years. He expects bilateral economic cooperation to further boost trade, especially in the export of Moldovan agricultural products and wine to China. China is one of the most important importers of Moldovan wine, importing 6 to 8 million bottles per year, Popsoi said. The deputy prime minister and foreign minister also welcomed Chinese investment in Moldova, particularly in energy, transport and infrastructure, with a view to making Moldova a regional logistics hub and building a resilient economic system. "We look forward to seeing how ... we can benefit to reduce our carbon footprint and have a more resilient economic system, especially when it comes to energy resilience," he said. "China is a huge market," said Popsoi. "For Moldova, strong cooperation with one of its regions, or even one of its big cities, means an important step forward." He praised cultural interactions between China and Moldova and expressed hope for more people-to-people exchanges, looking forward to more cultural activities in both countries. Finally, he expressed eagerness to expand tourism and youth exchanges, and invite more Chinese visitors to experience Moldova's unique gastronomy, culture, and wine. Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi speaks during an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Bucharest, Romania, May 23, 2024. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) Jerusalem/Cairo: Israel has carried out its largest hostage rescue operation since the latest war with Hamas began, taking four to safety out of central Gaza in a heavy air and ground assault. At least 210 Palestinians, including children, were killed, a Gaza health official said. Israelis were jubilant as the army said it freed Noa Argamani, 26; Almog Meir Jan, 22; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 41, in a daytime operation in the heart of Nuseirat, raiding two locations at once while under fire. All were well, the military said. They were taken by helicopter for medical checks and tearful reunions with loved ones after being held for 246 days. Andrey Kozlov (left) and Almog Meir Jan were among four hostages rescued by Israeli forces. Credit: AP Argamani had been one of the most widely recognised hostages after being taken, like the three others, from a music festival. The video of her abduction showed her seated between two men on a motorcycle as she screamed, Dont kill me! Her mother, Liora, has brain cancer and had released a video pleading to see her daughter. Israels Channel 13 said Argamani was moved to the hospital where her mother is treated. In a message released by the government, Argamani told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu she was very excited, saying she hadnt heard Hebrew in so long. Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi oversaw the mission shoulder to shoulder with Ronen Bar, the head of Shin Bet, the domestic intelligence agency. Noa Argamani being driven away from the music festival in Israel by Hamas fighters on October 7. The air was thick with tension in the joint command room of the Israel Securities Authority as dozens of computer screens flickered to life, displaying in real-time one of the most complicated missions ever undertaken by Israeli forces. For weeks, hundreds of highly trained IDF, Shin Bet, police and special forces officers had game-planned the rescue, using models of two buildings deep inside Nuseirat in Gaza, where precise intelligence indicated Argamani and the three male hostages were being held. Satisfied with the accuracy of the information, the green light was finally given by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday evening. The hostages, code-named diamonds, had all been kidnapped from the now-infamous Nova music festival and were being held by armed guards in locked rooms in low-rise apartment blocks just 200 metres apart from each other. The high-risk rescue was made more complex by the cruel and cynical decision to embed them within the dense civilian population in flats occupied by families, IDF spokesman Rear-Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a post-operative media briefing. Israeli hostages Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Almog Meir Jan and Andrey Kozlov were rescued by the IDF. The Israeli forces had taken a call to launch the operation in broad daylight to maximise the element of surprise in a residential area that was swarming with Hamas militants. The proximity of the two buildings added to the intense pressure on the front-line commandos, who were backed up by hundreds of soldiers who had entered Gaza by air, land and sea. Hagari said the two squads had to enact their raids on the separate premises at 11.25am with the precision of a brain operation, acting simultaneously to reduce the chances of harm to any of the hostages. Unsuspecting guards in the building where Argamani was imprisoned were quickly overwhelmed. There was a knock on the door. A voice said: Its the IDF. Weve come to take you home, Noa later recounted from the safety of an Israel hospital. People wave Israeli flags as a helicopter carrying the rescued hostages lands in Israel on Saturday. Credit: AP But a fierce shootout took place in the apartment holding the three men. In the crossfire, Arnon Zmora, 36, the commander of an elite police squad and a married father of two, was killed. Netanyahu said the rescue operation would be referred to as Operation Arnon in tribute to the slain officer. As the operatives were forced to shoot their way out of buildings to whisk the diamonds to military helicopters waiting on the beach, scenes of chaos erupted in the crowded streets, said Hagari, who was watching the screens in the command centre. As we started to go out of the buildings, a lot of fire was around us. Running terrorists in the streets with RPGs [rocket-propelled grenades] to the cars, to the warriors, he said. Palestinians at the site of an Israeli strike on buildings in Nuseirat refugee camp. Credit: Bloomberg At one point, the rescue vehicle of the three male hostages reportedly got stuck in the middle of the raging gunfire because of a technical fault. Amid the intense extraction, the Israeli Air Force also conducted heavy airstrikes on planned Hamas targets in Nuseirat. Sources in the Nuseirat refugee camp claimed Israeli special forces entered the market using a vehicle used to move the furniture of displaced Gazans. The IDF, when asked if its operatives had dressed as civilians, refused to disclose confidential operational details. At least 210 dead Palestinians were brought to local hospitals, a Hamas health official said. Images and footage of their bloodied bodies flooded local media. Hagari said the IDF was aware of about 100 Palestinian casualties but did not yet know how many were terrorists. He accused Hamas of endangering civilians by hiding the hostages within the population and shooting at the Israeli forces as they rescued them. None of the Israeli hostages was injured during the rescue. Grainy footage shows Argamani being led across a beach into a waiting helicopter, followed by the three men in a second helicopter. Footage from inside the helicopter shows Noa being quickly bundled inside and flown to safety. All four hostages were transported to Israels Tel Hashomer hospital in Tel Aviv for a check-up and to be reunited with their relieved and overjoyed families. Argamanis homecoming was particularly poignant, offering her a precious final chance to see her dying mother, Liora, who has stage-four brain cancer. People celebrate in Tel Aviv as they hold photos of released hostages Noa Argamani and Almog Meir Jan. Credit: Getty Images Earlier this year, her mother had pleaded with world leaders to enable her to have a last hug with her child. I am asking you, President Joe Biden, I dont have a lot of time left in this world. It may be my last wish. Im really begging you. Please help me, she said in an emotional video plea. On Saturday, her father praised God, Israels leaders and her rescuers for the gift of bringing his daughter home safely on his birthday. Loading Thank you very much, thousands of thanks, to each and every one who had a hand in this matter, he said. Noa is fine, thank God. She looks wonderful, looks excellent. In a video of Argamani speaking on the phone with Netanyahu, she said: I am very moved. I havent heard Hebrew for so long. During an early evening press conference, the families of the other freed hostages also thanked the security forces and expressed their condolences over the fallen counter-terrorism officer. Theres a lot of happiness today, a lot of tears, said Anna, Kozlovs aunt. Andrey Kozlovs aunt, Anna Kozlov, speaks at a press conference with family members of the rescued hostages. Credit: Getty Images Orit, Jans mother, said: Almog asked to say: We have a strong nation, thanks very much. I support the soldiers. I hope all the hostages come home safely. The Hostages Families Forum praised the heroic operation but called for renewed international commitment to pressure Hamas to accept a proposed ceasefire deal that would return the remaining 120 captives to Israel. On Saturday, Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said that regaining four captives after nine months of fighting is a sign of failure, not an achievement. The world of shinobis, epic battles, and unwavering friendshipNaruto, the anime adaptation of Masashi Kishimotos successful manga, has left a lasting impact on a generation of fans and continues to shine in the landscape of Japanese animation. Recently, persistent rumors of a potential remake have reignited the passion among enthusiasts, and TV Tokyo has announced that this highly anticipated remake will be released before March 31, 2025. But what exactly can we expect from this project? A Breath of Modernity in Konoha Animation, a constantly evolving art, has made significant strides since Naruto originally aired between 2002 and 2007. A remake presents the opportunity to refresh the series aesthetics with smoother, more detailed, and immersive animation. Imagine the combat techniques of Naruto, Sasuke, or Kakashi enhanced by cutting-edge animation, with the landscapes of Konoha brought to life with breathtaking realismtruly a visual feast! Returning to the Roots, But Better While the original anime captured hearts worldwide, it was not without its flaws. Certain story arcs, such as the Land of Rice Fields and the Search for Tsunade, were criticized for uneven pacing and unnecessary filler episodes. The remake wouldnt just be a visual upgrade. Writers could refine the storyline, trimming the fat and focusing on the most impactful arcs. Complex relationships, character motivations, and internal conflicts could be explored more deeply, offering a richer and more immersive experience. The epic battles could be choreographed with meticulous attention to detail, showcasing the unique fighting styles of each ninja. Nostalgia Meets Renewal A Naruto remake wouldnt just appeal to longtime fans; it would also introduce the ninja world to a new generation of viewers. Modern anime fans, accustomed to current animation standards, could discover this foundational work with visuals that meet their expectations. Who knows, perhaps new ninja enthusiasts will emerge? Fans: Between Excitement and Apprehension The idea of a remake, especially with TV Tokyos announcement of a release before March 2025, has generated mixed reactions among the fan community. On one hand, theres the excitement of reuniting with Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and the rest of the gang in new adventures with stunning animation. On the other, theres the fear that the original work could be compromised by questionable artistic choices or unnecessary plot changes. Expectations are high: top-tier animation, faithful adherence to the original work, a more streamlined pace, and a refreshed soundtrack. The challenge is significant for the studios embarking on this endeavor. A Promising Future With TV Tokyos announcement, the future of the Naruto remake is beginning to take shape. Fans can now eagerly anticipate the release of this ambitious project, which is poised to delight nostalgic viewers and attract new audiences. In the meantime, fans can revisit the original anime, available on various streaming platforms, or explore Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the sequel featuring the new generation of ninjas. For those interested, the complete Naruto and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations series are available on Netflix. As someone who has followed the series since its early days, I remember the thrill of watching the original episodes and the anticipation of each new release. This remake promises to bring back that excitement, with the added bonus of modern animation techniques that will undoubtedly enhance the viewing experience. Are you excited about the Naruto remake? Share your thoughts and lets discuss what we hope to see in this new version of a beloved classic. by Xinhua writer Wang Jiangang UNITED NATIONS, June 8 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thomson said he is inspired by China's call for ecological civilization and commitment to ocean conservation. Thomson recalled a memorable story from his experiences with marine ecological management in Xiamen in southeast China's Fujian province in a recent interview with Xinhua. In 2018, Thomson visited the Xiatanwei Coastal Wetland Park of Xiamen, where planting of mangrove saplings was underway. "Hailing from a mangrove coast in Fiji, I was impressed by the scale of the planting and the plans for integrating the park with Xiamen's ecotourism," he said. Thomson was thrilled when he returned to Xiamen in 2023 to see the park in its "full and flourishing form." The establishment of the park "sets an example of how cities can make peace with nature," he said. As a UN official dedicated to the protection of the blue water, Thomson said his daily mantra is that "we cannot have a healthy planet without a healthy ocean, and the health of the ocean is currently measurably in decline." "I have been very inspired by (Chinese) President Xi Jinping's call for an 'ecological civilization' and the need for unity between humans and nature," Thomson said. Thomson recalled his meeting in Geneva with Xi on Jan. 18, 2017 when he was president of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly. He shared the photo he took with Xi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, saying that "At that time, I was serving my 2016-17 term as president of the General Assembly. All three of us addressed the assembled UN member states in Geneva on this occasion." Xi delivered a keynote speech entitled "Work Together to Build a Community of Shared Future for Mankind," calling for global efforts to maintain harmony between man and nature and pursue sustainable development. "Man coexists with nature, which means that any harm to nature will eventually come back to haunt man," Xi said in Geneva. "Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14), with its call for us to conserve and sustainably use the ocean's resources, is our best tool to stop and reverse the decline in the ocean's health," said Thomson. The special envoy stressed that waterfront cities and coastal communities "have a major role to play in the faithful implementation of SDG14." "It is very rewarding for me to observe Xiamen working hard to fulfill its coastal responsibilities in a nature-positive way," the envoy said. Thomson praised Chinese ecological projects like Saihanba in northern Hebei Province and Green Rural Revival Program of Zhejiang, both laureates of the UN's Champions of the Earth Award. Regarding the progress of China's ecological civilization in recent years, Thomson noted that "to arrive at good places, we need to follow reliable pathways." In the days of climate change and biodiversity loss, he said, "We must follow pathways that swiftly guide us towards achieving the ecological civilization we all now desire for our children and grandchildren," adding that lucid waters and lush mountains are "invaluable assets," as are vibrant coral reefs and pristine shorelines. "They are eminently achievable destinations that can be reached within our lifetimes. They exist in a world in which humans and nature coexist in harmony," said the envoy. "To get there we must follow the path of renewable energy and circular economies, turning quickly away from our current path of linear exploitation and the burning fossil fuels for our energy," he added. China has stepped up its construction of "beautiful bays" in an effort to conserve its marine ecology and environment. #XinhuaNews Every moment of my life dedicated to upholding noble values enshrined in Constitution NEW DELHI, PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed his unwavering dedication to the principles enshrined in the Constitution, which, he said gives crores of people hope, strength, and dignity. Modi, who has often spoken about his humble beginnings, took to X to emphasize the transformative power of the Constitution. Every moment of my life is dedicated to upholding the noble values enshrined in the Constitution of India given to us by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, he said in a post on the mincroblogging site and shared a photo of him bowing to the Constitution in a meeting in Parliament with his allies. Highlighting the inclusive nature of the Constitution, Modi added, It is only due to the Constitution that a person like me, born into poverty and in a backward family, is able to serve the nation. Our Constitution gives crores of people hope, strength, and dignity. Modi was endorsed by his allies as the leader of the NDA to become prime minister for the third time. He acknowledged this support with deep gratitude, stating, It is with utmost humility that I accept the responsibility of leading the NDA to yet another term of development-oriented governance. I am grateful to our fellow NDA allies and MPs for their trust in me. In response, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Modi bowed to the same Constitution which he has continuously ignored for 10 years and for which the RSS-BJP had sought 400 seats to execute their decades-long conspiracy to dismantle it. Modi will take oath as Prime Minister for the third time on Sunday, senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi said at the NDA parliamentary party meeting. The NDA has 293 MPs, comfortably above the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. AICTE to offer stipend to students opting for core Engg courses By Vikas Vaidya In last 2-3 years, a sudden boom is seen in emerging branches of technical education. many are inclined to opt for courses like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Sciences etc. This has affected admissions in core engineering branches like Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Chemical, Electronics etc. Taking serious cognisance of the same, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has decided to introduce attractive scheme for students opting for core engineering so that these courses too would be well taken. AICTE will give stipend to the students choosing core engineering branches. Chairman of the AICTE, Prof T G Sitharam, launched the Young Achievers Scholarship and Holistic Academic Skills Venture Initiative (YASHASVI) Scheme 2024 for Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Electronics, and Mechanical Engineering (CCEEM) degree/diploma students. Prof Sitharam emphasised the schemes goal of promoting core engineering branches, highlighting their pivotal role in the growth of manufacturing industries. He said, The YASHASVI initiative is designed to support meritorious students pursuing technical education in core branches of engineering. This scholarship aims to encourage talented students to enroll in Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Electronics, and Mechanical Engineering programs at AICTE approved technical institutions. According to AICTE, the core engineering sector has to play a major role in the development of India. Core engineering courses have the potential to turn India into a global leader in technology. AICTE is working to strengthen the core engineering courses. The council is taking efforts to boost core engineering education and improve job opportunities for students. The event was also attended by Vice-Chairman Dr Abhay Jere and Member Secretary Prof Rajive Kumar. BJP celebrates PM Modis hat-trick Staff Reporter A number of senior leaders and workers of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated unanimous selection of Narendra Modi as leader of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Parliamentary party for third consecutive term and landslide victory of the party in Madhya Pradesh, at the partys divisional office, on Friday. Party leaders, workers burst firecrackers, distributed sweets and dance to the beats of drums to celebrate the achievements. Speaking on the occasion, City President Prabhat Sahu said today is a day of happiness for every party worker. The fact that our Prime Minister, who is the most popular leader in the world, will be assuming charge at the Centre for third consecutive time is a matter of pride for the countrymen. We are considering this day as a festival. BJPs performance is outstanding. He said those who are questioning BJPs victory should consider that the BJP has won more seats alone than total seats of INDIA bloc. He said that the BJP is forming a government with its alliance. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the NDA Government is set to come to power for the third time. Modiji is making history by becoming the Prime Minister for the third time. Sahu said the success is truly a manifestation of the immense love and blessings of people of the country, which they have continuously showered upon the BJP. BJP workers expressed their happiness by distributing sweets, bursting fire crackers and chanting slogans like Long live PM Modi. They also decorated the party office and roads with BJP flags. The workers also danced vigorously to the beats of drums for hours. Those present were MLA Ashok Rohani, former Mayor Swati Godbole, Sadanand Godbole, Rupa Rao, Sharad Agrawal, Vinay Amlathe, Raj Kumar Patel, Dr. Shubham Avasthi and hundreds of party workers. Congress did not reject EVMs: PC CHENNAI, SENIOR Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday said his party did not reject Electronic Voting Machines and the party is for improvement of VVPAT and asserted that he has never blamed the EVMs. Answering a question at a press conference here, Chidambaram said that in the Congress partys manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, we did not reject EVMs. Chidambaram was answering a question on PM Narendra Modis comment on the silence of the Opposition bloc on EVMs. Please read the manifesto, what we say is, the VVPAT slip, in order for us to read, displays for about 4-5 seconds and then the slip falls inside the box. What we say in the manifesto is that there should be one more improvement, he told reporters. Rather than the slip automatically falling inside the VVPAT box, the voter should be able to receive it, see that and then deposit it into the box and with this improvement, there will be no doubt for anyone as regards the EVM-VVPAT system. Even now, if opinion is sought on EVMs, four out of ten or three out of ten people doubt the EVMs and I am not saying if the suspicion is just or not; as far as I am concerned, I have never blamed the EVMs. The Congress partys stand is to further improve and reform the EVM system. I am not denying that one or two party leaders are opposing the EVM system, but that is not the partys stand. Modi flayed the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders for casting suspicions on EVMs and the EC throughout the poll process, alleging that they wanted to stoke fire across the country if the results did not suit them. However, the EVMs silenced them by June 4 evening. FRIENDS FIRST MR. NARENDRA Modi is all set to be sworn in as Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive term. The heads of the friendly countries in Indias neighbourhood have been invited to attend the historic swearing-in ceremony, and they have accepted the invitation happily. Strengthening the ties with the neighbouring countries has been a hallmark of Mr. Modis foreign policy and this outreach is going to continue in Modi 3.0 too. When Mr. Modi became the Prime Minister for the first time in 2014, then also the heads of member-States of regional grouping South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) had attended the swearing-in ceremony. In 2019, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Co-operation (BIMSTEC) countries had attended Mr. Modis second swearing-in. Now, as he is set to take oath as the Prime Minister for the third time, Mr. Modi has again focussed on the Neighbourhood First policy. Bangladesh Prime Minister Ms. Sheikh Hasina, Bhutan Prime Minister Mr. Tshering Tobgay, Nepal President Mr. Pushpakamal Dahal (Prachanda), Mauritius Prime Minister Mr. Pravind Jugnauth, Maldives President Mr. Mohamed Muizzu, Sri Lanka President Mr. Ranil Wicremesinghe, and Seychelles President of Indian Origin Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan are going to attend Mr. Modis swearing in. The significance of this continued emphasis on strengthening ties with the neighbouring countries cannot be missed by the close observers of geopolitics. For any country, a friendly neighbourhood helps in creating and maintaining an atmosphere of trust, peace, economic co-operation, and shared prosperity. Gradually, it helps the region assert itself as a multi-sectoral grouping having own position of strength in the global order and supply chain. This, ultimately, paves way for growth-oriented collective effort and respect for the spirit of multilateralism. India has always been thinking and acting along this line. Hence, on umpteen occasions Mr. Modi has emphasised on the virtue of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). Being well aware of its responsibility of being the geographically, culturally, economically, and strategically biggest power in the region, India has extended co-operation to its neighbours through Look East policy. Also, in the pursuit of ties deeper than those of transactional nature, India has not shied away from asserting her right by keeping a distance from the hegemonistic Communist China and terror-harbouring Pakistan. During COVID-19 pandemic, India acted as pharmacy for the neighbours as well as the world. When hegemonistic Chinas debt trap landed Sri Lanka in crisis, India proved to be the first responder. Similarly, India has been helping Bangladesh, Mauritius, Nepal. If the co-operation is in the domain of Blue Economy in case of Bangladesh, it is in the domain of Mountain Economy in case of Bhutan. With Nepal, cultural ties and tourism play a major role. Each of the neighbours has its own strength. India happily extends co-operation to power each others growth. At the same time, India under Mr. Modi is not afraid of sending out right message as she did to Maldives when it tried to damage relations with India at the behest of China. But, as is proven from Mr. Modi inviting Maldivian President Mr. Muizzu to swearing-in ceremony, India does not want conflict. This relationship with neighbours stands on strong foundation of mutuality of relationship, commonality of cultural context, and cordiality of shared civilisational history. The invitation to the neighbours sends out the positive message that this bond will be strengthened in Modi 3.0. GIS survey of city roads begins in rural areas for Master Plan 2047 By Ankita Garg Catching a pace towards Bhopal Master Plan 2047 (geographical information system ) GIS survey of city roads has begun in rural areas. All these areas coming under the plan are being surveyed for the second time. For urban areas, data has been recovered from municipal corporation while for rural areas, Town and Country Planning (T&CP) team is surveying along with the engineering students. Earlier, draft prepared for Master Plan 2031, was presented in May 2020, and survey in year 2018. Experts said that after year 2018 there were no survey and during this period geographical structure of city has been changed. Concerned over the changes made on ground level, survey work is being done for the second time to decide the layout of roads and land use can be fixed without any dispute. Officials of T&CP said that for Master Plan 2047, population estimation will be changed and then residential, commercial and other provision will be made. They said that in the plan, focus will be given towards vertical development instead of horizontal. According to reports, effort is being made to present the Bhopal Master Plan 2047 by December 2024, considering the over 3,000 objections that had been received against draft of previous master plan. Sources said that Government has planned to arrange hearing session for the old 3,005 objections received against the draft of previous master plan. One of major objections, farmers were aggrieved over proposal of including agriculture land in catchment area and few other points. The plan 2047 will be including new limitations of Bhopal border as its working area will be extending. Last Master Plan for Bhopal was released way back in the year 1995 and that was expired in year 2005. Since then, no master plan can be executed yet. However, two or three efforts were made in the middle to make a new master plan but final decision could not be taken. Mohammed Ismail Khan, Urban and Research Development, said, In the year 2021, claims and objections were invited for the master plan and various amendment were proposed. There were objections related to Upper Lake catchment area, tiger movement area, road stretching, etc but final draft could not be released. Investigation begins in allegation of VIP treatment to inmates in Raipur Jail Staff Reporter RAIPUR, Investigation has begun into an allegation of VIP treatment being given to prisoners lodged in Raipur Central Jail. The prisoners availing the facilities include the names of the accused in the coal-liquor scam and those involved in betting through the Mahadev app. They are being provided with facilities ranging from liquor, cigarettes to fridge, TV and microwave. They are also playing betting through mobile from the jail itself. A prisoner Rakesh Singh Bais, who was released from jail about 2 months ago, had complained about the matter to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court, Home Minister of the state, Deputy Chief Minister, Director General of Prisons and Jail Superintendent. Now the Jail Superintendent has written a letter and called Bais to give a statement. In fact, Saumya Chaurasia, Suryakant Tiwari and other accused are lodged in different corruption cases. The hearing of their case is still going on. Rakesh Singh Bais has accused that the accused are getting VIP facilities. According to Rakesh Singh Bais, Saumya Chaurasia, Ranu Sahu, Suryakant Tiwari, Laxmikant Tiwari, Sunil Agrawal, Satish Chandrakar, Arvind Singh, Bhim Singh Yadav, Nikhil Chandrakar and Mineral Department officer SS Nag were being given the facilities. Bais had also alleged that extra time was being given to the visitors of these people. The complainant had alleged that there are more prisoners in the jail cell than its capacity. In such a situation, prisoners have to pay separately to get space in the cell. For this, space is given by making a circle on the basis of tiles placed on the ground. 2 to 3 thousand rupees are taken in lieu of two tiles. Those prisoners who do not pay have to face trouble. Bais himself went to jail in a case of fraud. He is also a former Congress leader. According to him, the police took action against him at the behest of the former Chief Minister and an MLA from Raipur. He was harassed in jail as well. When he was released from jail after 11 months, he gave a written complaint about the matter. Raipur Central Jails Superintendent Amit Shandilya has confirmed that an investigation has been initiated in the case. Jail officials informed that a notice was issued to the complainant to give a statement. Further process will be done after recording the statement. The complainant Rakesh Singh Bais, who has accused the jail management, has now raised questions on this investigation itself. He said that, if the person, against whom the complaint has been made, does the investigation himself? Then how will the investigation be fair. The complainant has reiterated his allegations on social media. The Jail Department received a complaint to this effect over a month ago that certain inmates lodged in Raipur Central Jail, allegedly received undue treatment during the previous Congress regime. The complaint has been handed over to Raipur Central Jail Superintendent for initiating an in-depth probe, which is currently underway, Director General, Jail and Correctional Services, Rajesh Mishra (IPS) told The Hitavada. Modi meets Advani, Joshi, Kovind NEW DELHI, PRIME Minister Narendra Modi met BJP veterans L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi at their residences here on Friday, before staking claim to form the Government at the Centre for a third consecutive term. Modi visited Advani soon after being chosen as the leader of the NDA parliamentary party, leader of the BJP parliamentary party and leader of the BJP in the Lok Sabha. After meeting Advani, he went to the residence of Joshi, a former President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Subsequently, Modi also met former President Ram Nath Kovind. While the BJP has got 240 seats, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has got 293 seats and enjoys majority in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Narendra Modi is likely to take oath as the Prime Minister for the third consecutive time on June 9, according to sources. According to the results announced by the Election Commission of India on Tuesday, the BJP won 240 seats and along with its allies, it stands at 293 seats. Chandrababu Naidus TDP and Nitish Kumars JDU, having won 16 and 12 seats respectively in their respective states, have extended support to the NDA. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday congratulated Narendra Modi on being elected as the leader of the NDA Parliamentary Party. On behalf of all the people of Uttarakhand, hearty congratulations and best wishes to the worlds most popular leader Shri @narendramodi ji on being elected as the leader of the NDA Parliamentary Party, Dhami said in a post on X. Both Indias self-respect and its respect on the global stage has increased unprecedentedly under Modis leadership over the last ten years, he said. Dhami said India is going to become the third strongest economy in the world in Modis third term. Certainly, with your foresight, the country will move forward rapidly on the path of development and achieve the vision of a developed India, he said. Dhami said Modi has also taken many revolutionary decisions in national interest, as a result of which the path has been paved for upliftment and empowerment of youth, women and the elderly. NDA is strongest alliance Govt: Modi NEW DELHI, PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he would strive to ensure unanimity in running the next Government and asserted that the NDA is not a combine of some parties to get power but an organic alliance committed to the principle of nation first. Chosen by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance as its leader to become Prime Minister for the third time, Modi said the ruling combine is committed to the constitutional principle of sarva panth sambhava (interfaith harmony) and mutual trust was at the core of this bloc. If we look at numbers, then this is the strongest coalition Government in the history of coalitions, he said, asserting that the NDA has been the most successful pre-poll alliance since its existence for nearly 30 years, out of which it has served out three full terms and is set to start the fourth. We have never lost. Our conduct following June 4 shows that we know how to digest victory, the Prime Minister said at the meeting of the NDA Parliamentary Party. For me the NDA stands for New India, Developed India, Aspirational India, he said, Students pose for a group photo with their teacher after the exam at a national college entrance examination site in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 8, 2024. China's annual national college entrance examination, also known as Gaokao, started on Friday. The exam in some regions has ended on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Peng) Students walk out from a national college entrance examination site in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 8, 2024. China's annual national college entrance examination, also known as Gaokao, started on Friday. The exam in some regions has ended on Saturday. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) Students walk out from a national college entrance examination site in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 8, 2024. China's annual national college entrance examination, also known as Gaokao, started on Friday. The exam in some regions has ended on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Peng) Students walk out from a national college entrance examination site in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 8, 2024. China's annual national college entrance examination, also known as Gaokao, started on Friday. The exam in some regions has ended on Saturday. (Xinhua/Wang Peng) Family members of students wait outside a national college entrance examination site in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 8, 2024. China's annual national college entrance examination, also known as Gaokao, started on Friday. The exam in some regions has ended on Saturday. (Xinhua/Mao Zhu) Family members of students wait outside a national college entrance examination site in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 8, 2024. China's annual national college entrance examination, also known as Gaokao, started on Friday. The exam in some regions has ended on Saturday. (Xinhua/Mao Zhu) Students walk out from a national college entrance examination site in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 8, 2024. China's annual national college entrance examination, also known as Gaokao, started on Friday. The exam in some regions has ended on Saturday. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) Passenger tries to open emergency door of IndiGos Raipur-Delhi flight Staff Reporter Raipur, In a high-voltage drama that pressed panic button among the air flyers aboard IndiGo flight (6E-2205) from Raipur to Delhi on Friday, an unruly individual attempted to open the emergency exit door, when the plane was almost about to take-off from Swami Vivekananda Airport (SVA) here in State Capital. The alarming act prompted swift action from crew members, who overpowered the rogue passenger and averted a major tragedy. The whole episode, however, delayed the scheduled take-off of the flight while the passengers were also put into a tense situation. The flyer, Aalok Sundrani, was seated in seat 18B on the Indigo flight 6E-2205. Barely a few moments before the plane was to go air-borne, he allegedly attempted to open the over-wing exit starboard side flap located on the aircrafts right wing. Thankfully, the alert crew members onboard the flight saw Sundrani fiddling with the emergency door handle, which even panicked the other passengers on the plane, knowledgeable sources in Airports Authority of India (AAI) manning the operations at SVA told The Hitavada. Sources further informed that the incident took place, when the crew members were delivering and demonstrating a pre-flight safety briefing, a detailed explanation given before take-off to airline passengers about the safety features of the aircraft they are aboard. However, during the middle of this briefing, the alleged passenger stood up from his seat and attempted to open the emergency exit. The passengers identity could be ascertained from his Aadhar Card, which affirmed that Aalok Sundrani, son of Prem Chand Sundrani, is a resident of Ward-12, near Satyanarayan Temple in Nawapara-Rajim, Gobra Nawapara in Raipur district, they added. A passenger travelling on flight 6E-2205 from Raipur to Delhi, tried opening the flap of the emergency exit. As per Standard Operating Procedure, the passenger was declared unruly and handed over to the local authorities on arrival. The safety of the flight was not compromised at any stage and we regret any inconvenience caused to other passengers, IndiGo said in a statement. Sources, in the IndiGo airlines, also averred that the Pilot-inCommand (PiC) looking into the gravity of the incident declared the passenger as unruly and handed over to the local police. All security procedures were followed, the sources said and further revealed that a senior official of the airlines, Deepika Deen, Assistant Manager (Security) also furnished a detailed report about the incident to Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and as well as other stakeholders of SVA. Meanwhile, unconfirmed sources also hinted that the low-cost airline IndiGo has asked an internal committee to put the unruly passenger on no fly list. The airline has reportedly also formed an internal committee to address the incident and the matter has been referred to the committee. However, when this newspaper tried to contact Raipur Airport Director Dr S D Sharma, he denied giving any comments about the incident and straightaway asked to approach the airlines officials. People of Action: Champions of Impact Rotary International Award to Dr Rita Aggarwal By Vaishnavi Pillay A silent pandemic in mental health is brewing, asserts Dr Rita Aggarwal, well-known psychologist of the city, who has been honoured with Rotary People of Action: Champions of Impact Award at Rotary International Convention held recently in Singapore. She also received the Self Above Service Award for her commendable efforts in emphasising volunteerism. Dr Aggarwal, a member of the Rotary Club of Nagpur District 3030, is awarded for her project Wellness in a Box which works with an objective of counselling students who show signs of anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems, and brings about a change in the existing mindset by creating awareness and building curriculum to train students, parents and teachers. To date, through the initiative, more than 2,200 students and 2,000 parents have been benefited. She is among six Rotarians across the world whose projects were awarded. I feel honoured to receive this prestigious award. I am content the project got recognised. My team hopes that people will come forward to take this ahead, expressed Dr Aggarwal. She founded the Rotary Action Group on mental health initiatives in 2016. She says it was amidst 2023 -2024 that these initiatives got a boost, and adds, The Rotary International President Gordon McInally, a Scottish dental surgeon, prioritised mental health, and when the President puts his spotlight on a subject, then Rotary clubs across the world listen to him and work on it. Talking about Wellness in a Box, she says, It is well structured, evidence-based, measurable, scalable and sustainable with a lot of impact. It is a project which has evolved, and has been implemented earlier in different countries before I did it in India. It is doable and replicable by different Rotary clubs and districts. To date, it has been done in five schools of Nagpur. After training and conducting sessions, we expect people to realise the need to consult because with awareness comes the confidence to seek help, states Dr Aggarwal. She says that she realised that only few schools have a counsellor, most schools in the city do not want them. She adds, The focus is on Class VIII students because according to the Indian statistics, the higher suicide rates is among the age group 15 to 29 years. So, instead of starting it with 15-year-olds, we decided to prevent the issue and started with 13-year-old students. A law enforcer handles a package of garbage on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 25, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A law enforcer overhauls equipment in the engine room on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 29, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A law enforcer practices controlling a drone on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 9, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Law enforcers line up to get meal on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 21, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Law enforcers attend a training session on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, May 6, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A boat of China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returns to the vessel after a drill in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, May 1, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A law enforcer carries the garbage generated at sea from China Coast Guard vessel Huayang after patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao and returning to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province, May 15, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) This photo taken on April 8, 2024 shows China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A chef takes vegetables from the preservation area on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 30, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) This photo taken on April 3, 2024 shows a China Coast Guard law enforcement vessel patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Law enforcers are on duty on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 23, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Law enforcers attend a course on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 30, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Silhouette of law enforcers are seen on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 2, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Law enforcers watch a movie on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 6, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) An aerial drone photo taken on May 21, 2024 shows China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel Huayang (R) conducting a drill with another CCG vessel in the South China Sea. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A law enforcer has a video call with his family on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 14, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) This combo photo shows a view of the South China Sea on May 23, 2024 (above), and a view of Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province on May 15, 2024, as seen from the window of China Coast Guard vessel Huayang. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Law enforcers lift a boat to the sea for training on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 2, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Law enforcers of China Coast Guard inspect a nearby fishing boat in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 2, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) This photo taken on April 3, 2024 shows the star trails seen from China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Law enforcers attend a training session on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 22, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) This photo taken on May 5, 2024 shows China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Law enforcers of China Coast Guard take a boat to a designated sea area to carry out tasks in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 5, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Law enforcers are on duty on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 22, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Law enforcers perform at a celebration party on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 26, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Law enforcers go through routine checks on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang in Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province, March 29, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A law enforcer overhauls equipment in the engine room on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 29, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) A law enforcer practices tying knots on China Coast Guard vessel Huayang patrolling the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, May 2, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) Law enforcers participate in a training session at sea in an assault boat in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, April 9, 2024. In May 2024, China Coast Guard vessel Huayang returned to Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province after completing a patrol task in the waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao. During this round of patrol, the law enforcers worked continuously for weeks in a high temperature, high humidity and high salinity environment, firmly safeguarding China's territorial sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) China's exports grew better than expected in May, with analysts pointing to improved external demand and strong resilience in foreign trade, providing a solid base for achieving its annual economic target. Despite challenges in the global economic climate, they expected to see robust export growth this year a key driver for economic growth stabilization, saying the successful implementation of the ongoing supportive policies will help tackle structural issues and prop up the world's second-largest economy. Their comments came as data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Friday that exports last month rose 7.6 percent from a year earlier to $302 billion, marking a significant improvement from the 1.5 percent rise in April. Imports, meanwhile, rose 1.8 percent to $220 billion in May, down from an 8.4 percent gain in April. For the January-May period, China's foreign trade expanded 2.8 percent to $2.46 trillion, while its exports rose 2.7 percent to $1.4 trillion. Zhou Maohua, a researcher at China Everbright Bank, said that China's export growth beat expectations due to the continued recovery of overseas demand, optimization of China's foreign trade structure, increased support for policies promoting domestic demand and stabilizing foreign trade, and rapid growth in exports of new energy and high-tech equipment manufacturing. "China's foreign trade growth is gaining a firmer footing with resilient export growth, which will be a key driver of economic stabilization in the second quarter and lay a solid base for achieving an annual growth target of around 5 percent this year," he said. Zhou's views were echoed by Robin Xing, chief China economist at Morgan Stanley, who said that resilient exports and manufacturing capex are likely to be the key growth drivers this year, backed by a global trade recovery and a policy push to upgrade supply chains. Xing said that China's export volume growth is likely to stay robust at 8 percent year-on-year in 2024, benefiting from global trade recovery. Meanwhile, Xing said his team believes the latest United States tariff hike is more symbolic and is likely to have limited economic impact because the affected products only account for 0.5 percent of total exports. "We, therefore, continue to expect strong exports this year a key driver of our 4.8 percent real GDP growth forecast (for China) this year," he said. Louise Loo, lead economist at British think tank Oxford Economics, said: "On the external front, despite rising tariff risks, our baseline incorporates a healthy 6.3 percent goods exports growth (in real terms) this year, which will likely contribute to a smaller, but still sizable, current account surplus of around 1.1 percent of GDP." "If external demand conditions turn out to be weaker, we expect domestic policy stimulus to provide a buffer," she added. LILONGWE, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The Malawian government said Friday that it is optimism about the upcoming cross-border market, set to be constructed at the Mchinji-Mwami border between Malawi and Zambia by December 2024. Spokesperson of the Ministry of Trade and Industry Patrick Botha told Xinhua that the market will feature a market shelter, shops and a warehouse, among other facilities. This market will play a crucial role in boosting trade between Malawi and Zambia by increasing the number of formal small-scale cross-border traders, thereby enhancing revenue collection for both countries, Botha said. Steven Yohane, president of the Cross-Border Traders Association of Malawi, praised the project, saying that it will strengthen connections between traders and customers, ultimately improving income generation for the traders. The cross-border market will be constructed with a grant of 900,000 euros (about 972,000 U.S. dollars) from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat. COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe said that the support aims to maximize small-scale cross-border trade between the two countries and promote regional integration within the Southern African Development Community region. VIENTIANE, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The 23rd "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Lao university students concluded its final in northern Laos' Luang Prabang province on Saturday. The competition, themed "We are one family," comprised three sections -- a speech, a knowledge quiz and a talent show. A total of 18 contestants from universities across Laos showed their knowledge of the Chinese language and culture while performing Chinese art shows. After fierce competition, a 23-year-old student from Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang province won the first prize and will travel to China as the representative of Laos to participate in the global finals. "I am very happy. I did not expect that I would win first place! But since I won, I will take this opportunity to experience life in China and feel the charm of Chinese culture," he said excitedly when talking about his winning. "China also has many advanced technologies, and I will bring back what I learned during this trip and introduce it to the Lao people," he added. Speaking at the event, Secretary General of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union Central Committee Monexay Laomouasong expressed his hope that this competition will further promote exchanges and cooperation between the youths of the two countries and deepen mutual understanding and friendship. "I believe that as long as we continue to work together, the exchanges between the youths of China and Laos will surely bear more fruitful fruits," he said. Gaza, June 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 210 Palestinians were killed and more than 400 others injured in Israeli airstrikes on Saturday in the central Gaza Strip, while the Israeli forces rescued four hostages in the same area. Khalil Al-Dakran, director of Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, told Xinhua that a large number of wounded Palestinians were sent to the hospital due to the intense Israeli bombing on the Nuseirat camp and the city of Deir Al-Balah, some of whom have been confirmed dead. Wounded Palestinians were still being sent in, overwhelming the hospital amid a severe shortage of beds, medicines, medical consumables, and fuel to run the main emergency generator, said Al-Dakran. Palestinian eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli aircraft targeted the area with intensive firepower, and local civil defense and ambulances were unable to reach some injured people in time. Smoke rose from all parts of central Gaza amid unprecedented air and artillery bombardment targeting these areas, according to local sources and eyewitnesses. Palestinian security sources said deadly clashes broke out on the ground between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops raiding the Nuseirat camp under the cover of artillery and aerial bombardment. Meanwhile, Palestinian security sources said clashes broke out on the ground between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops raiding the Nuseirat camp under the cover of artillery and aerial bombardment. The troops withdrew, leaving several militants killed. Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau Hamas, said in a statement that Israel's strikes targeted children and women, stressing that the Palestinian people "will not surrender, and the resistance will continue to defend their rights." Palestinian Presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said the attack on the Nuseirat camp is a continuation of the "genocidal" war against the Palestinian people, for which the American administration should be held "fully responsible." This war will "destroy everything and push things towards a dangerous stage that will not achieve security or peace for anyone," Abu Rudeina said in a press statement published by the Palestinian News Agency WAFA. He called on the United Nations Security Council and the international community to stop the "bloody" war on Gaza. The Israeli army, police, and intelligence body Shin Bet said in a joint statement that their fighters have been "attacking a terrorist structure" in the region and freed four Israeli hostages. It noted that the kidnapped persons were rescued alive by Shin Bet fighters and the Special Police Unit from two separate areas in the heart of Nuseirat. The rescued personnel had been transferred to Tel Hashomer Hospital in Israel for medical examinations, it noted. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks in the enclave has risen to 36,801, with 83,680 people injured, updated the Gaza health authorities on Saturday. The Israeli army has been conducting a large-scale offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, after Hamas carried out an unprecedented attack on the Israeli towns adjacent to the strip, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed and about 250 others were taken hostage. Following the rescue of the four, 120 Israeli hostages remain in the Gaza Strip, with 43 of them considered by Israel as dead. BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A combination of tailored policies targeting home transactions and home inventory destocking was announced by Chinese authorities in mid-May, and it has led to a resurgence in sales and growing recognition of the sector's transition to a new development model. Over more than a decade, city-specific measures were implemented in China to place strict rules on home transactions to curb rapidly rising home prices. A major pillar of the Chinese economy, the sector is gearing up for readjustment amid a market cooldown and industry policy change. China on May 17 announced new policies to prop up the property market, including policies to cut minimum downpayment ratios, abolish the commercial mortgage rate floors for first and second homes, and establish a re-lending facility that supports local state-owned enterprises to use those funds to buy commercial homes for affordable housing. A white list mechanism also seeks to help cash-strapped developers access credit, complete housing projects, and ensure homes are delivered to buyers. SALES UPTICK The market has responded quickly to the new policies aimed at boosting home sales. In big cities in east China's Jiangsu Province, popular housing projects have seen numbers of potential home buyers return. In Jiangsu's Changzhou city, a local kindergarten caretaker who provided his surname as Si just bought his first home in the city's Zhonglou District. Si acquired a 30-year loan of 840,000 yuan (about 118,133 U.S. dollars) to buy the home, which cost a total of 1.33 million yuan. Thanks to lowered mortgage rates, he said he would save more than 40,000 yuan on loan interest. "Now that I've bought the apartment, my next plan is to register my hukou (permanent household residency registration) in Changzhou, and then my child can enroll at a school here and stay with me," he said. In Shanghai's Jiading District, property sales director Xiao Xianxing told Xinhua that his company's new property project saw its client numbers return on May 28, the day Shanghai implemented revised measures aimed at propping up the property market. And on the day the project opened its sales, 85 percent of homes were sold. Shanghai's specific measures included easing home-purchase restrictions for non-Shanghai residents, allowing families with two or more children to purchase an additional home, and lowering the minimum downpayment ratio for individual commercial housing mortgages. Xiao said that these measures increased buyer demand for bigger or additional homes, leading to a rise in sales. Market data from GF Securities shows that from May 1 to 29, second-hand home transactions increased 31.1 percent year on year in 74 cities in China, with a particularly notable increase from May 17, from which point daily transactions rose 15 percent day over day. "The policy adjustments, especially the lowered downpayment ratio and mortgage rates, make purchasing homes easier and reduce the financial burden for home buyers," said Yu Xiaofen, head of the real estate research institute at the Zhejiang University of Technology. WHITE LIST MECHANISM FOR DEVELOPERS Among efforts to stabilize a property sector weighed down by debt problems and boost confidence in an industry that accounts for nearly 6 percent of the country's GDP, the white list financing mechanism China launched in late January is oriented toward high-quality property projects and works mainly to address the financing needs of qualified developers. Under the mechanism, local authorities recommend real estate projects eligible for financial support to financial institutions. They also coordinate with financial institutions to fulfill the requirements of these projects. The mechanism has been implemented in all cities above the prefecture level across the country. By May 16, commercial banks had approved loans totaling 935 billion yuan for white list projects through internal approval processes. Dong Jianguo, vice minister of housing and urban-rural development, said that the mechanism's role in financing coordination should be given further play to meet the reasonable financing needs of property projects, and banks should do their best to provide lines of credit to projects on the white list. MOVING TOWARD NEW DEVELOPMENT MODEL Analysts say the policy package stemmed from the need to rebalance the supply of homes and market demand, and the need to mitigate risks. They also say that these policies point to a new development model for China's property sector in the long term. "The new policy package seeks to boost real housing demand, stabilize market expectations, invigorate transactions and boost confidence in the market going forward," said Yu Xiaofen, noting that the refined policies also speak to the sector's development cycle and indicate the future driving force of the sector's longer-term development. Du Xianghui, deputy director of the housing and urban-rural development department in Changsha, the capital of central China's Hunan Province, believes that the continuously increasing urbanization rate will continue to support the growth of China's real estate market in the long term. "People have a desire to live in good houses, and real estate as an industry has room for development." "In China, more than 10 million college students graduate every year and a large number of rural residents migrate to cities, and increasing the supply of affordable housing is important to meet their basic housing needs," said Liu Lin, a researcher at the Academy of Macroeconomic Research under China's National Development and Reform Commission. One of the highlights of the policy package is a 300-billion-yuan re-lending facility. Local state-owned enterprises use the facility to obtain funds, which they are encouraged to use to purchase reasonably priced, completed commercial homes for affordable housing. It is expected that this process will fast-track the destocking of the commercial housing inventory. Official data shows that 65 cities in China have already unveiled their affordable housing construction plans and relevant projects for this year. Liu Lin said that affordable housing, along with the construction of dual-use public infrastructure that can accommodate emergency needs and the redevelopment of urban villages, will promote investment and consumption. "They will attract a large amount of direct investment, as well as upstream and downstream investment, and boost consumption directly in sectors such as home decor materials, furniture and home appliances." Ni Hong, minister of housing and urban-rural development, said that the government is working hard to help more people live in better homes, and that it will work to build livable, resilient and smart cities through improved planning, construction and management. A drone photo taken on April 26, 2023 shows a section of the Yangtze River at sunset in Ruichang of Jiujiang, east China's Jiangxi Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been striving to construct modernized transportation system based on geographical advantage, industrial foundation and resource endowment. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi) A drone photo taken on Jan. 23, 2024 shows a view of the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge in Jiujiang, east China's Jiangxi Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been striving to construct modernized transportation system based on geographical advantage, industrial foundation and resource endowment. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang) A drone photo taken on Jan. 23, 2024 shows a train running on the Yangtze River Bridge in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been striving to construct modernized transportation system based on geographical advantage, industrial foundation and resource endowment. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) A drone photo taken on June 4, 2024 shows a bullet train running through fields in Yingtan, east China's Jiangxi Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been striving to construct modernized transportation system based on geographical advantage, industrial foundation and resource endowment. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang) A drone photo taken on June 1, 2024 shows ships sailing in the water area of Yangluo Port in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been striving to construct modernized transportation system based on geographical advantage, industrial foundation and resource endowment. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) An aerial drone photo taken on March 28, 2020 shows a China-Europe freight train bound for Duisburg of Germany pulling out of the Wuhan terminal of China Railway Intermodal in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been striving to construct modernized transportation system based on geographical advantage, industrial foundation and resource endowment. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) Passengers are pictured at the waiting hall of Zhengzhou East Railway Station in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, Jan. 26, 2024. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been striving to construct modernized transportation system based on geographical advantage, industrial foundation and resource endowment. (Xinhua/Li An) This photo taken on June 2, 2024 shows a view of the Ezhou Huahu Airport in Ezhou, central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been striving to construct modernized transportation system based on geographical advantage, industrial foundation and resource endowment. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) A drone photo taken on May 29, 2024 shows a view of the International Container Terminal of Hefei Port in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been striving to construct modernized transportation system based on geographical advantage, industrial foundation and resource endowment. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) A drone photo taken on May 29, 2024 shows cargo ships berthing at the International Container Terminal of Hefei Port in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been striving to construct modernized transportation system based on geographical advantage, industrial foundation and resource endowment. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) A drone photo taken on June 1, 2024 shows a view of the Yangluo Port in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been striving to construct modernized transportation system based on geographical advantage, industrial foundation and resource endowment. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) This photo taken on Jan. 25, 2024 shows a bullet train maintenance base in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been striving to construct modernized transportation system based on geographical advantage, industrial foundation and resource endowment. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan) A cargo plane of Cargolux prepares to take off at Xinzheng International Airport in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, Aug. 1, 2023. In recent years, provinces in China's central region have been striving to construct modernized transportation system based on geographical advantage, industrial foundation and resource endowment. (Xinhua/Li Jianan) A rescued Israeli hostage who was abducted by Hamas from the Nova festival on Oct. 7 last year arrives at a medical center in Ramat Gan, Israel on June 8, 2024. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua) JERUSALEM/GAZA June 8 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces on Saturday rescued four Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas into the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7 last year, while at least 94 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes in the same area. The hostages, 25-year-old Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, 40, Almog Meir Jan, 21, and Andrey Kozlov, 27, were abducted while attending the Nova festival, an outdoor music event in a rural area near the Gaza-Israel fence. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that the four were located in proper medical condition in two buildings at the heart of Gaza's Nuseirat refugee camp. The IDF said the operation, which has been planned for weeks, was jointly carried out with the police's elite National Counter Terror Unit and the Israel Security Agency. One fighter was seriously injured during the operation. In videos released by the government, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Argamani on the phone. Following the rescue of the four, 120 Israeli hostages remain in the Gaza Strip, with 43 of them considered by Israel as dead. "We will do everything to get them back as well," Hagari said. Meanwhile, local medical sources said that at least 94 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on the Nuseirat camp and some other areas in the central Gaza Strip. Palestinian security sources said deadly clashes broke out on the ground between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops raiding the Nuseirat camp under the cover of artillery and aerial bombardment. A rescued Israeli hostage who was abducted by Hamas from the Nova festival on Oct. 7 last year arrives at a medical center in Ramat Gan, Israel on June 8, 2024. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua) A helicopter carrying the rescued Israeli hostages who were abducted by Hamas from the Nova festival on Oct. 7 last year arrives at a medical center in Ramat Gan, Israel on June 8, 2024. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua) This photo released by Israeli media on June 8, 2024 shows images of the four rescued Israeli hostages who were abducted by Hamas from the Nova festival on Oct. 7 last year. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua) AR rescues 5 | IMPHAL, Jun 8: Assam Rifles rescued five youths who were misled to join underground outfits and handed them over to their families today. AR rescued the five youths from the Indo-Myanmar border area in Tengnoupal district. They were handed over to their families at IGAR (South) Headquarters today in the presence of Imphal East SP K Meghachandra. At the event, IGAR South IG Major General Ravroop Singh said it was a happy moment for the AR to have helped reunite the youths with their families and bring them to the mainstream. The AR is friends of the NE people and is here to protect them, he said. TEHRAN, June 7 (Xinhua) -- A senior Iranian official said on Friday that Bahrain has requested to normalize relations with Iran after an eight-year diplomatic freeze. Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president's deputy chief of staff for political affairs, made the remarks in a live televised interview, while commenting on the incumbent administration's foreign policy. He said Bahrain had sent a direct message to Iran asking for the resumption of bilateral relations and made the same request in a meeting with Russia. According to the Bahrain News Agency, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in May that there was no reason to postpone the resumption of ties between his country and Iran. The king added that Bahrain was looking forward to improving its relations with Iran, said the report. In 2016, Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Iran following Saudi Arabia's decision to cut ties with Tehran. The move came in response to attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, which occurred after the execution of a Shiite cleric by Saudi Arabia. In March 2023, Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a groundbreaking agreement in China to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies and missions. The two countries formally declared in April of last year the resumption of diplomatic relations with immediate effect. Nepal Police have arrested Siyam, a key suspect in the murder of Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim, in Kathmandu. The Dhaka Detective Division had previously acknowledged his arrest. Now, West Bengal CID is making arrangements to bring Siyam from Kathmandu to Kolkata. Anwaruls body has not yet been found. The Indian Navy has also been involved in the search for his body, which CID suspects was dumped in the Bagjola Canal in Bhangar. Consequently, state detectives have conducted multiple search operations in the canal. It is alleged that the body of the MP from Jhenaidah, Bangladesh, was dismembered after the murder and then disposed of. Investigators believe the pieces may have been thrown into the Bagjola Canal. Previously, CIDs disaster management team had searched the Bagjola Canal in the Satulia and Krishnamati areas for Anwaruls body parts. This information was obtained after interrogating Jihad Howladar alias Zuber, who was arrested in connection with the murder. However, despite various searches, CID has not yet found any parts of Anwaruls body. Advertisement Meanwhile, CID teams also travelled to Nepal to locate other criminals involved in this murder case, working in coordination with the local police there. The special investigative team conducted searches in various areas along the India-Nepal border to capture Siyam, a key suspect and a Bangladeshi citizen. According to CID sources, the prime suspect in this murder case, Akhtaruzzaman alias Shaheen, is still at large. It is believed that Shaheen fled to America via Nepal from Kolkata. Shaheen is an American resident, and efforts are being made to contact the American authorities to take him into custody. Siyam, a main accomplice of Shaheen, along with butcher Jihad, had been staying in a flat at Chinar Park for several months. This flat was rented in Shaheens name in 2018. Investigators have learned that Siyam played a crucial role in various stages of executing the plan to murder the MP. On the other hand, the Bangladeshi Detective Division has also shown interest in taking Siyam into their custody. Dhaka Police Detective chief Harun Al Rashid had previously stated, The Bangladeshi authorities have already sent a letter to Nepal informing them about Siyams whereabouts. A significant shift in politics is taking place when members of the gram panchayat, who were initially affiliated with the BJP, joined forces with the Trinamul Congress. The TMC now holds power over Bhetaguri-II gram panchayat, having secured the support of nine BJP members. Today, the BJPs elected representatives of the gram panchayat received party flags from newly-elected Member of Parliament Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia. Advertisement The region of Bhetaguri was previously governed by ex-MP and ex-Union minister of state for home affairs Nisith Pramanik. However, since Mr Pramanik lost his position in the Lok Sabha, his followers from the Bharatiya Janata Party have now transferred their allegiance to the ruling party. Nisith Pramanik has left for Delhi yesterday. After the election outcomes in Cooch Behar, there was an increase in political aggression between the BJP and TMC. There were reports of BJP workers being targeted by the ruling TMC and some had to seek medical treatment in hospitals. Notably, numerous BJP members were allegedly forced to leave their homes. According to sources within the political realm, many BJP workers sought refuge at their partys headquarters yesterday, citing attacks from the TMC. Despite these allegations, officials in the ruling party have ignored them. A number of individuals, who sustained serious injuries, have been admitted to hospitals. Interestingly, in 2021, numerous members of the BJP sought refuge in Assam as a result of violence following the election. According to political insiders, the Trinamul Congress is expected to gain control over the BJP-led Gram Panchayat boards in Cooch Behar in a gradual manner. A part of West Bengal, especially South 24-Parganas was severely affected by cyclone Remal. The state administration has taken the initiative to provide compensation for the damages. Remal caused widespread destruction not only in West Bengal but also in several other states. However, due to the enforcement of the model code of conduct for the elections, no government could offer immediate assistance to the victims. But starting Wednesday, right after the vote counting concluded on Tuesday, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) began coordinating with the administrations of all affected states. According to sources at Nabanna, a nodal officer must be appointed to oversee the disbursement of insurance money for damages caused by Remal. Information about these officers must be provided to chief secretary B P Gopalika. In districts, where the damage is extensive, district-specific officers will be appointed to expedite the process. The means of communication will be advertised through websites and other media. A 247 helpline will be established to maintain contact with customers, and the insurance money must be disbursed as quickly as possible, as directed by the regulatory authority. Notably, neither political parties nor the central or state governments could effectively support the victims immediately following cyclone Remal. Advertisement Although chief minister Mamata Banerjee and All India Trinamul Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee made a special appeal to the Election Commission for temporary relief arrangements for the affected, funds could not be disbursed. With the elections concluded, Nabanna is now in favour of providing compensation to the victims starting in June. Dilip Ghosh, former state BJP president, continued his diatribe against his partys central leadership for his defeat. He came in support of his party colleague and former MP of Raiganj Debasree Chowdhury, who too had to suffer defeat from Kolkata South. Mr Ghosh raised questions on the rationale behind the partys strategy of swapping Lok Sabha constituencies. Continuing his dig at the party leadership, Mr Ghosh, the former Midnapore MP wondered that to win a lost seat, one has to do planning but here the strategy was just the opposite to ensure a loss. Advertisement The outcome has proved this. For the last one year, I had spent most of my time in Midnapore. But I was denied the seat. There are so many MPs and MLAs of the party, yet why have the votes dwindled for the party, Mr Ghosh wondered. He even went on to say that the Prime Minister too had canvassed in each constituency but despite that the candidates had to face defeat. He added: I did not go to any party programme for the last four years as I was not invited. I like to be with party workers and love to be among them and will try to continue like that. Debashree Chowdhury too lost against Trinamul candidate Mala Roy from South Kolkata constituency. On her defeat, the former BJP state president said that he had advised her to dig in her heels at her Raiganj constituency. But at Raiganj the person who won was merely a councillor, whom people hardly knew. Bengal voted its lawmakers for the Parliament on issues mostly raised during Assembly elections or civic body polls. Social analysts feel if Trinamul manages to clinch votes based on local issues for the Lok Sabha polls, it augurs well for the ruling party to win 2026 Assembly polls. Sucheta Kundu, senior lecturer of political science with a state aided college, said, The Opposition failed to convince voters on issues like Sandeshkhali and job scam. Of course, the Opposition would have to introspect in the next two years. Advertisement Its not a vote to judge the state government, its rather a vote to throw away the anarchist Modi government in Delhi, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said from her poll rallies. The voters believed her and voted in her partys favour. Centrally, the national parties like the BJP floated the issues like prospering economic development, Hindu reawakening putting Ayodhya temple on the forefront, and strengthened international relations. The Congress and its ally CPM propagated unemployment, price rise, electoral bond, inequality, besides threat perception to the Constitution of India as its key issues. They stressed on Sandeshkhali terror, teachers job scam, ration scam, bad road conditions, drinking water crisis etc. The BJP kept stressing on toppling the Mamata Banerjee government, which the people did not approve of. Whereas, local civic issues didnt have a bearing on the parliamentary election as the civic inefficiencies couldnt sway the mandate. While the parties fought on local issues, the voters voted for Kirti Azad, Shatrughan Sinha, Yusuf Pathan, overlooking their outsider tags. Local issues are definitely important, which we failed to focus on, said Mohammed Selim, state secretary of the CPM, adding, Surely, the elected lawmakers have a much bigger role in the Parliament adding value to the discussion. The Pradesh Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury explained, We couldnt take the issues properly to the voters. This was a decisive vote but we strayed from local issues. Still, I dont accept that the same mandate can be predicted for 2026. Both the party chiefs were defeated in Murshidabad district that once had witnessed the defeat of Bengals last Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah in July, 1757. Naushad Siddiqui, lone ISF MLA in the Assembly, said We insulted the voters and even intended to term them as beggars mocking Lakshmir Bhandar, Swasthya Sathi, which the common people rejected vehemently. But, this wont lead TMC to triumph in the Assembly Election, Im sure. BJPs national committee member Debashree Chowdhury said, To ascertain the key reasons behind our defeat needs a true introspection, but Im sure, the issues would change by 2026 leading to more anti-incumbency for the TMC. Panchayat minister Pradip Majumdar said, Two years is not a big time. This is obviously an indication of what is going to happen in 2026. By that time, our MPs will deliver many effective jobs. QUITO, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said on Friday that the militarization of the country's violent coastal city of Manta had a positive effect on containing homicides. Earlier this week, Noboa directed the joint command of the armed forces and the general command of the national police to temporarily operate in Manta to address the surge of violence following a series of armed attacks that left several dead. Noboa added that the armed forces and the national police have recognized the "severity" of the security crisis. Manta has seen more than 150 homicides so far this year due to the growing presence of organized crime gangs linked to drug trafficking, according to police statistics. The military has been deployed nationwide since the president declared an "internal armed conflict" against organized crime on Jan. 9. Delhi Police have arrested a 19-year-old criminal following an exchange-of-fire that took place at Jheel park in North East Delhis Welcome Colony area, a senior police official said. The accused, identified as Imran alias Kala, has several cases registered against him that include, two cases of murder, two of attempt to murder, one case of robbery, one case of snatching and one case of alleged sodomy (POCSO). The police had received an intel that he would be coming in the area to meet an associate and is likely in possession of a handgun. Advertisement On seeing the police team, the accused tried to flee and when he was challenged by the police team, he opened fire, and ended up shooting two rounds on the police party. Luckily, no police personnel got injured and in retaliatory fire by the cops, Imran sustained a bullet injury on his right leg, and he was rushed to hospital for treatment. A good quality 7.65 mm pistol with two live bullets was recovered from him and efforts are also being made to find the source from where he procured the weapon. According to DCP North East Delhi, Dr Joy Tirkey, Imran alis Kala is a desperate criminal who had come out on bail in murder case about two weeks ago. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Saturday reiterated claims that the negligence of Delhi government was responsible for the ongoing water crisis in the city. Sachdeva, taking a dig at the AAP government in Delhi alleged that it calls for assembly sessions over its political agenda on minor issues, but while the people of the city are reeling under a water crisis for several days, the Kejriwal government is merely playing a blame game, he added. Sachdeva challenged the Delhi Water Minister Atishi for an open debate with the Haryana government and the Delhi unit of the saffron party, and to call an all-party meeting over the water supply to the city from the said neighboring state. Advertisement Sachdeva alleged that the water minister who inspected the Wazirabad barrage on Friday and the Munak-Bawana canal on Saturday today, has falsely claimed that Haryana is not sending enough water. Taking a dig at the minister, BJP leader said that the Delhi Minister, however, did not mention that silt has not been removed from the Wazirabad barrage for the past ten years, which has resulted in reducing its storage capacity, he claimed. Sachdeva stated that disproportionate water distribution in many areas of Delhi has led to people fighting over water, and added that now people are falling victim to the arbitrary behavior of tanker mafias. He further claimed that a game of extorting money under the patronage of Kejriwals MLAs and municipal councilors is ongoing in exchange for water. The Delhi BJP chief pointed out that in the scorching heat, the citys residents who are already struggling with the water crisis, are now forced to wait for water tankers for hours. Sachdeva said that the Delhi government must answer all the questions regarding the problems that citys residents are facing. He further hit out at the Arvind Kejriwal Kejriwal government, alleging that it has not taken any concrete steps to resolve the water crisis in Delhi and is now misleading people daily. Even today, water theft and wastage are the biggest causes of the water crisis in Delhi, he claimed. Sachdeva further noted that after the intervention of the Supreme Court, Himachal Pradesh is now ready to supply water to Delhi, but before this, the Delhi minister is seen blaming the Haryana government for shortcomings. A team of Delhi Polices Special Cell and the Special Task Force (STF) has arrested two members of Himanshu alias Bhau gang, the police said on Saturday. The two have been identified as Rohit and Rambir, both hailing from Jhajjar, Haryana. Cops also recovered two semi automatic pistols from their possession along with three live bullets, and it is said that the weapons were to be provided to the other associates of the crime syndicate and were to be used in commission of crimes. Advertisement According to an official, it was found that gangster Himanshu alias Bhau is operating his gang from abroad and mobilizing his associates to arrange arms, ammunition and transportation for the foot soldiers working for his syndicate. The cops got an input which said that on the instruction of Rambir, who is a key gang member of the Bhau syndicate, the other member Rohit managed the supply of arms and ammunition to the foot soldiers who were allegedly going to commit crimes on the behest of Bhau. Working on the intel, it was on May 31, the Special Cell Northern Range team succeeded in apprehending Rohit, and a semi automatic pistol loaded with three bullets was found on him. A case was registered under relevant provisions of law in this connection and a probe was initiated. During further investigation, Rambir was arrested with a semi-automatic handgun. According to Delhi Police, in view of the increasing use of firearms in recent crimes reported in Delhi NCR, the Special Cell launched a special drive against activities of various gang members using illegal arms. Concerted efforts put in by the special unit of the Delhi Police have yielded results in arresting several such active gang members of Delhi and NCR. According to an official, dedicated teams were deployed to collect intelligence about members of Bhau gang, involved in the incidents of threat, extortion and murders. In the ongoing efforts, it was the team of the Northern Range of Special Cell that identified members of the gang in the present matter. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has congratulated all the newly elected MPs of the party for their victory but said that due to the massive public support to the party, their responsibility has increased a lot. The struggle of socialists to raise the problems of the people and present their views in their interest will continue in the Lok Sabha. The era of positive politics has started. Samajwadi Party will continue to struggle for the interests of the people, he said. Mr Yadav was addressing the newly elected Lok Sabha members of Samajwadi Party at state headquarters here on Saturday. Advertisement The SP President said that all the MPs have worked very hard. In this scorching heat, we worked continuously day and night, due to which the result was good. We raised public issues and the public understood. Today, Samajwadi Party has become the third largest party in the country by winning the maximum number of seats, he said. He said in his address that the Lok Sabha election results have made communalism irrelevant forever. The will of the people has prevailed against the arbitrary will of the BJP. Now we have to prepare for the assembly elections of 2027, he said. Mr Yadav said that the PDA of Samajwadi Party is the real agenda which has the concept of social justice. Samajwadi Partys fight is long and the socialist system is determined to follow the path of change, he said. Targeting the BJP, Mr Yadav said that BJP has no faith in democratic values and has weakened constitutional institutions while in power. The BJP considers it as its right to misuse power. It hates the opposition and ridicules its leaders and implicates them in fake cases, he said. Mr Yadav said that the work of BJP is to create distance and spread hatred in the society. BJP works like a gang. This is an organised gang which has nothing to do with public concerns, he added. All the new Lok Sabha members of the party were present in the meeting. SP had won 37 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. Megastars Amitabh Bachchan on Friday unveiled his intense Ashwatthama look from the upcoming science fiction action film Kalki 2898 AD. Taking to social media, Big B shared his character poster from the film, wherein we can see him with white long hair and a beard look. He has wrapped around a brown cloth on his upper half and is wearing matching loose pyjamas. His hands are covered with bandages. On one hand, Big B is holding a long stick, while on the other hand, he is holding an astra. There is a white gem on his forehead, and the actor looks battle-ready with a massive tank in the backdrop, and some men lying on the ground. Advertisement Amitabh captioned the post as: T5034 (i)-Waiting yes for this great honour of being in the company of GREATS!! His wait is ending 3 days to go for #Kalki2898 AD trailer, out on June 10th. His son and actor Abhishek Bachchan took to his social media and shared Big Bs poster. In the caption, he dropped a fire emoji. The film is directed by Nag Ashwin, and produced by C. Aswani Dutt under Vyjayanthi Movies. It stars Prabhas as Bhairava, alongside Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani. The film is set to release on June 27. In a momentous occasion, Kartik Aaryan was awarded the Best Actor award at the Movified Screen Awards for his performance in the popular film Satyaprem Ki Katha. Aaryans victory highlights his remarkable talent and the appreciation he has garnered from both critics and audiences alike. The Movified Awards, known for their authenticity and genuine recognition of talent, have once again set a high standard in the industry. Established in 2012 and acquired by Neekeeta Singh, Movified has been a dedicated platform providing in-depth coverage of international films and digital content. Advertisement It celebrates not only traditional cinema, but also the innovative intersection of cinema and digital content, focusing on how new media formats are revolutionising storytelling and audience engagement. Kartik Aaryan expressed his heartfelt gratitude upon receiving the award, acknowledging the support of his fans and the Movified platform. Thank you Movified and to all the people who voted for me. Winning the Best Actor award for Satyaprem Ki Katha is a true honour, especially from a platform that values genuine talent and contributions to the industry, Aaryan said. Directed by Sameer Sanjay Vidwans, Satyaprem Ki Katha, a film that has resonated with many, showcases Aaryans versatility and depth as an actor. His portrayal of the character Satyaprem has been widely praised for its authenticity and emotional depth, making this win a well-deserved recognition of his hard work and dedication. He extended his thanks to the director, writer, and co-actors who played significant roles in bringing the movie to life. I would like to thank the director, the writer, and my co-actors for their incredible support and collaboration. This award is as much theirs as it is mine, Aaryan said. The Movified Awards continue to be a beacon of genuine recognition in an industry often flooded with accolades, ensuring that the hard work and dedication of artistes like Aaryan do not go unnoticed. This award not only celebrates Aaryans talent but also highlights the evolving landscape of cinema and digital content, where platforms like Movified play a crucial role in shaping the future of storytelling. As the film industry continues to evolve, the Movified Awards remain a significant marker of true excellence, celebrating artistes who push the boundaries of creativity and performance. Kartik Aaryans win for Satyaprem Ki Katha is a shining example of the enduring impact of authentic recognition in the world of cinema. India and Bangladesh share a rich tapestry of historical, cultural, and political ties, rooted in their shared heritage and mutual support. Over the years, this relationship has evolved significantly, reflecting a deepening bond based on trust, cooperation, and shared aspirations. Abhijit Deb from The Statesman, in an interview with Awami League Foreign Affairs Secretary Shammi Ahmed talks about the Indo-Bangla relationship and the way ahead. Q: What are the steps that can be taken to strengthen the India-Bangladesh partnership? A: The relationship between India and Bangladesh has been nurtured by pivotal moments in history. Indias support during Bangladeshs liberation war in 1971 laid the foundation for a lasting friendship. This bond was further cemented when India provided asylum to Sheikh Hasina, the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh, during periods of political turmoil. Such acts of solidarity underscore the mutual trust and respect that define Indo-Bangla relations. Advertisement Q: What do you think is Indias role in strengthening bilateral ties in South Asia? A: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas assurance that Bangladesh will not allow its territory to be used for activities against India is a testament to the strong political will to maintain and enhance this relationship. This commitment has paved the way for collaborative efforts to address common challenges, from regional security to climate change. Q: What should be done to enhance economic cooperation and cultural exchanges? A: To further strengthen their bond, India and Bangladesh have prioritized enhancing economic cooperation and cultural exchanges. Trade between the two nations has grown steadily, with both sides exploring new avenues for economic integration. Joint initiatives in infrastructure, technology, and education are seen as vital steps towards fostering deeper ties. Cultural exchanges play a crucial role in this relationship, bridging people-to-people connections that have historically been the bedrock of Indo-Bangla ties. Festivals, academic exchanges, and tourism are avenues through which both nations celebrate their shared heritage, fostering goodwill and understanding among their people. Q: What can the countries do to address their shared challenges? A: India and Bangladesh face several shared challenges, notably climate change and regional security. Collaborative efforts in these areas can significantly enhance bilateral relations. Joint initiatives to combat climate change, such as developing sustainable energy sources and protecting the Sundarbans, can serve as models for regional cooperation. Regular high-level dialogues between the two nations are essential for addressing regional security concerns. These dialogues can facilitate better coordination in counter-terrorism efforts and border management, ensuring that both countries remain safe and secure. Q: Your comments on Indias leadership role in South Asia. A: Indias role in strengthening bilateral ties in South Asia extends beyond its relationship with Bangladesh. As a regional leader, India is expected to foster positive relationships with its neighbors, including Nepal and Bhutan. By adopting a supportive and inclusive approach, India can enhance regional cooperation and integration. Revitalizing initiatives like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and promoting infrastructure development and trade facilitation are steps in the right direction. Collaborative projects, capacity building, and addressing common regional issues can help India solidify its position as an international power, backed by the support of its neighbours. Q: Is there anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh due to the proximity between Awami League and NDA? A: Despite the strong ties between the Awami League government in Bangladesh and Indias National Democratic Alliance (NDA), there is some anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh. This sentiment is largely fuelled by a small anti-Bangladeshi and pro-Pakistani lobby with historical roots against Bangladeshs independence movement. However, the overall impact of such sentiments remains minimal. Continuous engagement, transparent communication, and addressing mutual concerns are crucial for mitigating these sentiments. Strengthening people-to-people ties and ensuring that bilateral initiatives are inclusive and beneficial to all can help counter negative narratives and reinforce the positive aspects of IndoBangla relations. Q: What do you have to say on Chinas growing influence in Bangladesh? A: Bangladeshs engagement with China, similar to Indias, is primarily driven by economic interests. While China is a significant economic player, Bangladesh maintains a balanced approach in its international relations. The country collaborates with a diverse set of partners, including Russia, France, Europe, and Japan. The narrative of China exerting undue influence in Bangladesh is often overstated. Bangladeshs commitment to balanced and diversified international relations ensures that no single country, including China, dominates its foreign policy. Q: India and Bangladesh are grappling with illegal migration and the issue of Rohingiya refugees. How do we tide over this situation? A: The Rohingya refugee crisis is a significant humanitarian issue that both India and Bangladesh are navigating. Bangladesh hosts about one million Rohingya refugees under stringent security measures, ensuring minimal impact on neighboring countries. The claim that refugees are sneaking into India through Bangladesh is largely unfounded, with most refugees entering through the Myanmar border. India and Bangladesh can work together to manage the refugee situation, advocating for a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the crisis and ensuring that the humanitarian needs of the refugees are met. Q: What are the challenges we need to overcome in the IndoBangla relationship? A: One pressing issue in IndoBangla relations is the delay in granting visas to Bangladeshi citizens, particularly medical patients seeking treatment in India. Streamlining the visa process would not only strengthen bilateral relations but also boost medical tourism in India. Addressing this issue promptly can enhance goodwill and trust between the two nations. Q: Can you talk about the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement and its impact on South Asia? A: The Bangladesh-BhutanIndia-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement is poised to revolutionize regional connectivity. By facilitating free movement of goods and people, this agreement will boost trade and strengthen people-to-people connections. Implementing a visa-on-arrival policy within these countries could further enhance regional cooperation and economic growth. Q: Your comment on Teesta water sharing agreement and how Bangladesh looks at it. A: The Teesta River water sharing agreement remains a critical issue for Bangladesh. Successful negotiation of this agreement is essential for equitable water distribution and maintaining bilateral trust. Continued dialogue and cooperative water management strategies are necessary to resolve this long-standing issue and ensure the sustainable use of shared water resources. Q: Lastly, your thoughts on the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha polls in India. A: We have a relationship with India and people-to-people connect. Whichever party comes to power, our relationship will remain the same. Two police constables were among four employees dismissed by the Jammu and Kashmir Government on Saturday on the charges of links with Pakistan backed terrorist outfits. These employees had links with the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), Al-Badr outfits and over ground workers (OGWs) of various terror outfits, reports said. The other two employees included a government teacher and an assistant lineman of the Jal Shakti Department. A government spokesman said these terminations have been done under the Article 311 of the Constitution of India for their involvement in anti-national activities. Advertisement The activities of these employees had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they found them involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the State, such as involvement in terror related activities. Police constables, Abdul Rehman Dar and Ghulam Rasool Bhat, residents of south Kashmirs Pulwama district, have been dismissed for allegedly ferrying arms and ammunition for terrorists and also supplying camouflage uniforms to them. Being posted in the police armoury, Bhat was allegedly supplying weapons and ammunition from there to terrorists. He was linked to the terrorist ecosystem, through a network of OGWs, who were operating at the behest of terrorist outfits based in Pakistan. Shabeer Ahmad Wani, a teacher in the Education Department, has been an active member of Jamat-e-Islam (JeI), a proscribed separatist association having tangible links with terrorist organizations. He played a substantial role in strengthening JeI and creating a network of people among JeI sympathizers. Various FIRs have been registered against him because of his direct involvement in inciting and leading an unlawful assembly of mob instigating rioting and violence in DH Pora, during the 2016 unrest, said the government spokesman. He continues to be a hardcore OGW of banned terror outfits, in particular the HM and his affiliation has perpetually aided terrorist activities in and around Kulgam, collecting information for facilitating attacks, clandestinely. Anayatullah Shah Pirzada, Assistant Lineman in the Jal Shakti department is accused to be a terrorist associate/OGW of Al-Badr Mujahideen, a proscribed terror outfit. He worked covertly in a variety of ways to support the agenda of terrorists, the spokesman said. Pirzada had direct association with dreaded terrorists like Yousuf Baloch and Tameem, who were the Commanders of Al-Badr Mujahideen, operating at different times in Kashmir. A satellite phone, hand grenades etc were recovered from his possession. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday held a meeting with all its Councillors and discussed the partys performance in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections in Delhi. The meeting was attended by AAP National General Secretary (Organisation) Sandeep Pathak, AAP Delhi State Convenor Gopal Rai, AAP MCD in-Charge Durgesh Pathak, Mayor Shelly Oberoi, and others. Sharing the details of the discussions held at the meeting, Pathak said in the first meeting held with all the Councillors of Delhi after the Lok Sabha elections, there was a discussion about the general elections results. Advertisement The kind of mandate the people of the country have given, the people have certainly formed Modi jis government, but his pride has been completely shattered, he said. Pathak alleged the Modi government is constantly playing games with the rights of Delhi. Despite the Supreme Courts order, the rights of the elected government were completely abolished by bringing an ordinance. We hope that the Prime Minister will learn a lesson from this mandate and return the rights to the people of Delhi, he added. Pathak said it was decided in the meeting that the partys organisation needs more strengthening at the grassroots level. Everyone decided that even though the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister are still in jail, we will fight the ongoing battle to save the Constitution and democracy together with the people of Delhi, he said. In the recently concluded LS polls, the AAP drew a blank in Delhi . Preparations at Rashtrapati Bhavan for Sundays swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term as Prime Minister were in full swing throughout Saturday, with arrangements for utmost security and comfort of guests. President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Modi in the open and spacious forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7.15 pm. Several thousand chairs were installed at the venue on Saturday. Mr Modi will be sworn-in along with a sizable number of his Council of Ministers, including senior Cabinet Ministers likely to be assigned positions as Home, Defence, Finance and External Affairs Ministers. Advertisement The Prime Minister was unanimously elected leader of the NDA and was invited to form the next government by the President. Mr Modi said he was thankful to the President for entrusting him with a major responsibility. Since the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of Mr Modi will be a coalition government, the swearing-in ceremony will see oath-taking by representatives of several alliance partners like the Telegu Desam Party, the Janata Dal (U), the Lok Janshakti Party, the Janata Dal (S) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). There was speculation the whole day on the different parties nominees likely to be included in the new Council of Ministers. There could be 12 to 15 nominees from the alliance partners in the new government. Since the Telugu Desam and the Janata Dal (U) are major allies of the BJP in the NDA, they will be getting their due share of the Ministers posts. Janata Dal (U) leader Nitish Kumar and Telugu Desam leader Chandrababu Naidu have been keen on the speedy development of their States and they are believed to be seeking Ministries which can push development projects of their States. Mr Naidu has been seeking funds for Amaravati, the new Capital of Andhra Pradesh. Among those likely to be included in the new Council of Ministers is Rajya Sabha member Ram Nath Thakur of the Janata Dal (U), and son of legendary Bihar leader and Bharat Ratna awardee Karpoori Thakur. The Janata Dal (U) MP from Munger Lalan Singh is also likely to be included in the new Modi-led government. Son of late Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Mr Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party, which has secured five Lok Sabha seats in alliance with the BJP in Bihar, is also likely to be made a Minister. Others whose names were in circulation in reports were Mr Jitan Ram Manjhi of Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) of Bihar; Mr Ram Mohan Naidu of Telugu Desam, son of late Union Minister K Yerran Naidu, a close associate of late Telugu Desam founder N T Rama Rao; and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Jayant Chaudhary from Uttar Pradesh, son of late Union Minister Ajit Singh and grandson of late Prime Minister Charan Singh. Janata Dal (S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, NCP leader Praful Patel , Apna Dal leader Anupriya Patel could also be included in the Ministry being sworn-in on Sunday. Along with distinguished foreign leaders, a large number of influential persons from Ayodhya and Varanasi, rat miners who helped in the rescue of workers trapped in Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand, labour associated with Central Vista project in Delhi and the Bullet Train project have also been invited for the ceremony. Leaders from Indias neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have been invited for the swearing in ceremony. Some of them including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were already here to attend the ceremony. The other dignitaries invited are President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe; President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu, Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif; Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth; Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda; and Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay. In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the same evening. The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Mr Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision. NEW DELHI, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Local government in India's northeastern state of Manipur has imposed an indefinite curfew following worsening in law and order situation over the killing of a man, officials said Saturday. The curfew was imposed across villages in Jiribam district, about 217 km west of Imphal, the capital city of Manipur. Authorities have also evacuated over 200 people belonging to the Meitei community from their villages in Jiribam and shifted them to a newly set up relief camp. Reports said tension gripped the district over the beheading of a 59-year-old man who went missing from his farm. Following his death, an irate mob allegedly set ablaze three abandoned villages belonging to the Kuki-Zo community in the district, triggering clashes between members of the two communities. Several police outposts were also targeted. Manipur has been on edge since May 3 last year when large-scale violence broke out in the state during a tribal protest over the inclusion of the non-tribal Meiteis community for a scheduled tribe status designated for disadvantaged socio-economic groups which gives them reservations in education and government jobs. Last year, ethnic clashes between the majority Meitei group and the tribal Kuki minority displaced over 60,000 people. The state has been witnessing gunfights and killings between these rival armed groups, which claimed over 200 lives and injured over 1,100. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati has sought report from its coordinators and district presidents on the reason for partys poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. Party sources said here on Saturday that the blame for the defeat on all the seats can be placed on the zonal coordinators, because they were entrusted with the responsibility of candidate selection. At the same time, the district presidents of those seats where BSP has not achieved even Dalit vote bank can be removed. If sources are to be believed, Mayawati will soon hold a meeting with senior officials of UP and other states to review the defeat. Advertisement BSP has got less than 50,000 votes on 14 seats of UP in the Lok Sabha elections. These include Allahabad, Amethi, Barabanki, Deoria, Dumariyaganj, Faizabad, Farrukhabad, Kaiserganj, Kanpur, Lucknow, Maharajganj, Varanasi, Rae Bareli and Nagina. Dalit voters completely rejected BSP candidates on these seats. Now preparations are on to find out its reasons. Sources also hinted that , National Coordinator Akash Anand, who was kept away from the party activities during the elections, may also return again, so that the inclination of Dalit youth towards Azad Samaj Party can be stopped after victory of Chandrashekhar Azad. During the early stage of campaigning Akash, nephew of Mayawati and was declared political heir of the BSP supremo, had attracted a lot of youth with his attitude in his election rallies and after the ban on his campaigning, there is a continuous demand for his return. Besides, there are preparations to start a new campaign to connect the youth and women with the party, sources said. According to political experts, not forming an alliance with any party by BSP inbthis elections was the prime reason for its debacle. Lack of alliance led to the party almost lost its cadre vote bank. In many seats, traditional Jatav voters of BSP also did not vote for the party candidate. BSP, which had secured around 19 per cent votes in the last Lok Sabha elections, was limited to only 9.39 per cent votes this time, which may require a lot of effort to regain, they opined. State Units of the Congress party pushed for Rahul Gandhi as Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the 18th Lok Sabha as top Congress leaders gathered in Delhi on Saturday for the extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, party MP Rahul Gandhi, partys general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other party leaders were present at the meeting being held at Ashoka Hotel in the national capital. Ahead of the meeting, Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said that it was their demand Rahul Gandhi should come forward and handle everything. Advertisement It has been our demand that Rahul Gandhi should come forward and handle everything but the final decision is of the leadership. Rahul Gandhi has to decide himself, Warring said. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy echoed the Punjab Congress chief and demanded Rahul should accept the post of LoP. We dont know about the agenda of the CWC meeting yet Our demand is the same as that of 140 crore Indians. Rahul Gandhi has to take the position as the leader of the Opposition. Rahul Gandhi has been fighting for women and the unemployed, CM Reddy said. Another senior Congress leader and MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also favoured Rahul Gandhi for the role of Leader of Opposition. Yes, we want the country to get such a face who can reply to the Prime MinisterI think the entire country wants this, he said, adding the Congress will play the role of a strong Opposition in the Parliament. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially kickstarted the process of holding Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by deciding to accept applications for the use of common symbols for their candidatures. The commission has decided to accept applications seeking allotment of the common symbol under Para 10B of election symbols (Reservation & Allotment) order 1968 for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with immediate effect, said Jaydeb Lahiri, Secretary of the Election Commission of India through a notification. The last Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections were held in 2014. On 19 June 2018, Mehbooba Mufti led PDP-BJP government fell leading to imposition of Governors rule, followed by Presidents rule in the region. Advertisement On 5 August 2019, the BJP government abrogated Articles 370 and 35A, reorganising the former state of J&K into two union territoriesJammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. We will very soon start the process of assembly elections in J&K. We are very enthused. It is one of the most satisfying moments, the CEC Rajiv Kumar had said on Monday. In December, the Supreme Court had directed the ECI to hold assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by 30 September. This will be the first assembly election after August 2019 when the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was abrogated. While announcing the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections in March, Rajiv Kumar had said that holding assembly and parliamentary elections simultaneously was not practical due to logistical and security reasons. Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) said the ECI was very enthused by the voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir during the Lok Sabha elections, which showed the eagerness of the people to participate in the democratic process. The voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir during the Lok Sabha elections was 58.58 per cent, the highest in four decades. The voter turnout in Lok Sabha seats in the Kashmir valley was 51.05 per cent, he said. Following a delimitation exercise, the number of assembly seats in the union territory has gone up from 83 to 90, excluding those reserved for Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). India on Saturday thanked China for congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the NDAs victory in the Lok Sabha elections, and said it will pursue efforts towards normalisation of ties between the two nations based on mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. Thank you @MFA_China for congratulating PM @narendramodi on his election victory. Will continue to pursue efforts towards normalisation of India-China ties based on mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a social media post on X. He was responding to the Chinese Foreign ministry congratulating Mr Modi and the NDA on election victory. Advertisement We look forward to a healthy & stable China-India relationship, Beijing said. India-China relations have been far from normal since April 2020 when a military stand-off between the armies of the two countries began in eastern Ladakh. Despite umpteen meetings, the two nations have not been able to resolve the military stand-off satisfactorily. Meanwhile, China on Friday objected to the exchange of messages between Taiwan President Lai Ching-te and Mr Modi over the poll outcome in India. On Wednesday, Mr Lai, who was elected Taiwans President last month, in a post on X, said: My sincere congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi on his election victory. We look forward to enhancing the fast-growing #Taiwan-#India partnership, expanding our collaboration on trade, technology & other sectors to contribute to peace & prosperity in the #IndoPacific. Replying to the message, Mr Modi said: Thank you @ChingteLai for your warm message. I look forward to closer ties as we work towards mutually beneficial economic and technological partnership. China said it opposes all forms of official interactions between the Taiwan authorities and countries having diplomatic relations with China. There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the Peoples Republic of China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Seychelles Vice-President Ahmed Afif arrived here on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Narendra Modi government on Sunday. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay will also be attending the the swearing-in ceremony to be held tomorrow evening. The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers following the General Elections 2024 is scheduled on 9 June 2024. On the occasion, leaders from Indias neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have been cordially invited as distinguished guests, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday. Advertisement In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the visiting leaders will attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the same evening. They may also have bilateral meetings with Mr Modi before leaving India. The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision, the MEA added. Significance is being attached to the visit of the pro-China Maldives President since Indias relations with Male have been under strain ever since he took charge in November 2023. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has reportedly accepted an invitation to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modis upcoming swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi on Sunday, as per a local media report. Maldivian news portal Edition.mv quoted its sister publication in Dhivehi, Mihaaru News, as confirming his attendance at the ceremony, along with several other senior government officials. However, there has been no official confirmation yet from the Maldives Presidents Office regarding Muizzus first official visit to India. PM Modi is set for a third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerging victorious in the parliamentary elections. With PM Modi registering his win for the third consecutive term, wishes from global leaders also came pouring in at the speed of light. In an earlier statement on Wednesday, President Muizzu congratulated PM Modi and expressed his willingness to collaborate to enhance bilateral ties. Advertisement He posted on X, Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term. I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries In a reply to the post, Prime Minister Modi thanked Maldives President and said he looks forward to closer cooperation for further strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations. Thank you President @MMuizzu. Maldives is our valued partner and neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region. I too look forward to closer cooperation for further strengthening our bilateral ties, PM Modi posted on X. This would mark President Muizzus inaugural official visit to India since assuming office on November 17 last year. Notably, Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, diverged from his predecessors protocol by choosing to visit Turkey first and subsequently China for his first state visit in January. Shortly after he was sworn in, President Muizzu stirred bilateral tensions by demanding the removal of approximately 88 Indian military personnel from the Maldives. These personnel were repatriated from three aviation platforms and replaced by Indian civilians by the May 10 deadline set by President Muizzu. The counting of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was held on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, and with its allies has 292 seats in the Parliament. The Congress, on the other hand, registered a strong growth winning 99 seats. Other leaders also congratulated PM Modi and the BJP-led NDA government on their third consecutive victory in the Lok Sabha polls. The swearing-in ceremony is anticipated to host leaders from neighbouring countries, such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and Mauritius, in addition to the Maldives, aligning with Indias Neighbourhood First policy. Amid allegation of irregularities in NEET exam, Subodh Kumar Singh, Director General, National testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday categorically said the integrity of the exam was not compromised. Addressing a press conference, Singh said, NTA conducted the NEET exam on 5th May, 2024. We conducted this exam in 571 cities at 4,750 centres. We declared the result on 4th of June. This year there were certain issues raised by the candidates like higher marks and so many toppers. The issue concerning the NEET exam is pertinent to 6 centres and 1,600 candidates. We had formed a committee of experts, analysed the issue and addressed the grievances. To allay the fear of 1,600 candidates especially, and other 23 lakh candidates, NTA has decided that a high powered committee will analyse the recommendations by the grievance redressal committee. Thereby, addressing all the issues again, he said. Advertisement Elaborating about the panel, the DG said, The committee will look into the issue of compensatory marks which has been recommended by the grievance redressal committee. So, this committees mandate is limited to six centres and 1600 candidates. Stating that NTA is a very transparent organisation and at every stage it shares information with the candidates, the DG said, The whole exam process has been very transparent. The integrity of the exam was not compromised at all. We assure all the student community that the exam has been done with full integrity. Notably, the Congress on Friday demanded a Supreme Court monitored probe alleging irregularities in the NEET exam conducted by the NTA. Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar said the government should address the concerns and complaints of the aspirants. Top officials from Delhi Police conducted a thorough security review at Rashtrapati Bhavan as part of the preparation for Narendra Modis swearing-in ceremony for the third term as Prime Minister on June 9. Special security measures have also been arranged for foreign dignitaries attending the swearing-in ceremony, including enhanced protocols at three designated hotels where the dignitaries will be staying. In addition to on-ground security, Delhi Police issued a public advisory on Friday announcing a No-Fly Zone over the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The advisory prohibits the operation of sub-conventional aerial platforms, which aims to prevent any potential threats from criminal, anti-social elements, or terrorists during the swearing-in ceremony. Advertisement Delhi police said in a tweet on X, With effect from 09.06.2024, there will be a prohibition on flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang-gliders, UAVS, UASS, microlight aircrafts, remotely piloted aircrafts, hot air balloons, small sized powered aircrafts, quadcopters or para-jumping from aircraft etc. over the jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi in view of swearing-in ceremony in the National Capital Territory of Delhi to thwart criminal, anti-social elements or terrorists inimical to India from posing a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries and vital installations by using them, the advisory read. The public advisory further said that the prohibition will be effective from June 9 to June 10, 2024. Violators will face penalties under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. The security measures follow the formal appointment of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister by the President of India on Friday. Meanwhile, letters of support from NDA constituent parties were also given to the President. Earlier on May 7, a BJP delegation from Varanasi handed over the 2024 Lok Sabha victory certificate to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. They arrived from Varanasi to New Delhi on Thursday to present the certificate to PM Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had his first meeting with the people of Kashi on Thursday evening after winning from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency. He was overwhelmed with emotion during this time. BJP leaders from Varanasi presented him with the certificate of victory upon reaching Delhi, as per a BJP press release. After the vote count on June 4, the Varanasi District Magistrate presented the certificate to BJP leaders. Notably, PM Modi has defeated Congress candidate Ajay Rai with a margin of 1,52,513 votes, according to the Election Commission of India. Prime Minister Modi received 6,12,970 votes while Ajay Rai received 4,60,457 votes. Bahujan Samaj Party candidate Ather Jamal Lari was in the third position with 33,766 votes. PM Modi respectfully accepted the certificate, calling it a mandate from the people, the release said. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, much lower than its 2019 tally of 303. The Congress, on the other hand, registered a strong improvement, winning 99 seats. While the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won 292 seats, the INDIA bloc crossed the 230 mark, posing stiff competition, and defying all predictions. Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was on Saturday re-elected as the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP). The name of the former Congress president was proposed by the incumbent president Mallikarjun Kharge at the CPP meeting at the Central Hall of Parliament here. Congress leaders Tariq Anwar and Gaurav Gogoi seconded the proposal. The meeting unanimously elected Gandhi as the Chairperson of the CPP. Advertisement Speaking on the occasion, she said, Kharge ji and fellow MPs, I am deeply conscious of the great responsibility all of you have placed on me yet again. Congratulating all the newly elected party MPs, Gandhi said, You have fought a tough election under the most challenging of circumstances. You have surmounted many obstacles and campaigned so very effectively. Your success has given us a much greater presence in the Lok Sabha and a more effective voice in its proceedings, both of which will help give greater strength to our participation. In a veiled attack on the BJP, she said, The Indian National Congress has once again demonstrated its resilience. It was up against a mighty and malevolent machine that was doing its utmost to destroy us. Our numbers in Parliament have increased significantly. Not only is the Indian National Congress a large contingent in the Lok Sabha but we are bolstered by the strength of our INDIA partners, some of whom have themselves come back impressively, Gandhi said. Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said, The Prime Minister who sought the mandate solely in his name to the exclusion of both his party and its allies has suffered a political and moral defeat. In reality, he has lost the mandate he sought and thereby lost the right to leadership as well. Yet, far from taking responsibility for failure he intends to get himself sworn in again tomorrow. We do not expect him to change the substance and style of his governance, nor take cognizance of the will of the people. That is why, as members of the CPP, we have a special obligation to be watchful, vigilant and proactive in holding him and his new NDA Government accountable. No longer can and should Parliament be bulldozed like it has been for a decade now, Gandhi said. She assured that she will do her best to fulfill the trust and confidence they have continued to place in her. MOSCOW, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian forces bombed a store in the village of Sadovoye in Russia's Kherson region twice on Friday, killing 22 civilians, the region's Governor Vladimir Saldo said. Saldo said that at the time of the attack, there were a significant number of customers and staff inside the store, according to a TASS report. "The first (strike) was delivered by a guided French aerial bomb, and the second by a well-known American HIMARS projectile," Saldo was quoted as saying in the report. "After the first arrival, people from neighboring houses ran out to help the victims; after a short period of time, a HIMARS missile arrived. Among the dead were two children," Saldo added. detained by Tripura po. district of Tripura on Friday night. During interrogation, the detainees revealed their Rohingya ident investigation is underway to determine how they entered Indian territory in Tripura and their intended destination. This incident comes shortly after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) apprehended Jalil Miah, a key suspect in a major trafficking network involving Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas. The network exploits the porous northeastern borders to facilitate illegal entry into India. Advertisement According to a recent report by the Border Security Force (BSF), 1,018 individuals were arrested between January 2023 and April 2024 for illegally crossing the border in various parts of Tripura. Among those detained were 498 Bangladeshi citizens, 396 Indian nationals, and 124 Rohingyas. Tripura shares an 856-km-long international border with Bangladesh, parts of which remain unfenced due to local disputes. Efforts to secure the border have seen some progress, with fencing completed on six out of the eleven unfenced patches. The remaining sections are expected to be fenced by next year, enhancing border security and reducing illegal crossings. The apprehension of the two Rohingya nationals in Khowai highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing illegal immigration and trafficking. The states strategic location and extensive border with Bangladesh make it a critical area for monitoring and enforcement. The 2024 Lok Sabha Elections were markedly different from earlier ones. The tone of the elections was unique; more presidential than parliamentary, with the Prime Minister guaranteeing welfare and prosperity to the electorate, and projecting himself as a candidate on every seat. Campaigning was intense and bitter; relevant issues took the back seat while divisive utterances, appeals to religion, personal attacks and uncouth language predominated. With the last hurrahs yet to die down, it may be somewhat premature to comment on the election results, but the main trends had become obvious during the prolonged voting schedule, except to the so called psephologists. Barring a few outliers like Yogendra Yadav, who were mercilessly trolled, no one had the courage to proclaim that BJP was not getting a clear majority, and the INDIA alliance was in the reckoning. Deliberately or otherwise, all pollsters got it wrong; which may be a manifestation of the poor state of psephology in India, or more plausibly, deliberate fudging for the lure of chai paani. Sad to say, except for a few honourable exceptions, like the present journal, throughout the election campaign, the press played a totally partisan role. The run-up to the elections deserves special mention. All parties brushed aside civil societys concerns about the fielding of tainted candidates. Turncoats were shamelessly fielded by all parties, making up a fourth of the ruling partys candidates. Two of the three Election Commissioners (ECs) were appointed hardly a week before the Elections, with no meaningful participation by the Opposition. Notably, the Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on the ECs appointment process. Another watershed event was the unanimous Supreme Court judgement in the Electoral Bonds case, which shattered the Governments carefully cultivated image of staying away from big ticket corruption. The manifestos of the main rivals were a study in contrast; while the BJP focused on Modis guarantees, Hindutva and national security, the Congress promised economic Valhalla, and salvation for the backwards and deprived. But not mentioned in any manifesto were plans of garnering votes on the basis of caste and religion. The BJP sought votes on the basis of Hindutva, while the Congress Party pitched its appeal to the minorities and Dalits. Advertisement Regional players like the Bahujan Samaj Party, were even less circumspect. An election promise of the Congress party was the Mahalakshmi scheme which promised a dole of Rs.1,00,000 per annum to all poor families, which may have ensured the votes of the really poor for the Congress party, enabling it to make a comeback. The election proved that social justice and bread and butter issues were more important for the deprived; religion and nationalism are luxuries to be enjoyed on a full stomach. Also, it would appear the protracted efforts of the BJP to dent the personal popularity and trustworthiness of the Gandhis have not succeeded fully. A mistake committed by the BJP in the 2004 Elections was repeated in the 2024 Elections; a narrative of India Shining Version 2024 was presented, which was at odds with the situation on the ground. Significant issues like unemployment and agricultural distress, were simply brushed under the carpet. Any one doubting the achievements was publicly labelled as a victim of the Governments anti-corruption drive or an Urban Naxalite or a Khan Market elite, though the meaning of these terms was never clarified. The tragedy for the BJP was compounded by overconfidence, which resulted in side-lining of the RSS that had provided selfless dedicated workers for the BJP. Also, party cadres wholeheartedly believed the spiels spun out for the benefit of the general public. Consequently, mistakes committed by the Government were seldom acknowledged and little effort was made to commiserate with voters reeling under economic distress. The media also must shoulder some of the blame for the downfall of the BJP. Quoting the official party line and painting a rosy picture of BJPs prospects, media reports lulled the party into complacency, preventing it from re-strategizing in light of the emerging opposition challenge. As an election strategy, before elections and during campaigning, the BJP tried its utmost to polarise the electorate on religious lines, but did not succeed because the same strategy had been tried out one time too many. Construction of the Ram Mandir, supposed to be a game-changer, did not pull votes, except of the really devout. Another disadvantage the BJP faced was its failure to develop a really inclusive character. Minorities and Dalits felt left out of the mainstream. People who had voted for BJP in 2014 and 2019, believing in sabka sath sabka vikas felt disenchanted because while in power, the BJP had ridden roughshod over them; no wonder the minorities and Dalits saw election as payback time. The disillusionment of the minorities and the Dalit community cost the BJP dear because these two groups, taken together, account for a large chunk of voters in any given constituency. The BJP almost completely lost uncommitted voters who had supported it for a better future; the extra votes cast in the 2014 Elections almost entirely went to the BJP, giving it a vote share of 31.3 per cent as against 18.8 per cent in the 2009 Elections. This was repeated in 2019, when BJPs vote share increased to 37.8 per cent. The BJPs incremental votes in Hindi-speaking States roughly corresponded to the increased turnout in these States. Therefore, the fall in voting percentage in 2024 led to a loss of seats for the BJP, in states like UP and Rajasthan The key to understanding the current Election Results is that in many ways the BJP and Congress Party are complementary to each other, with the Congress party being slightly left of the centre, and the BJP being right of the centre. Considering earlier election results, we find that put together BJP and Congress secured around 50 per cent of the total vote in all elections since 1996. In this period, the sum of seats won by the two parties has hovered around 310 with a high of 355 in the 2019 and a low of 283 in 2004. So, a fall in the fortunes of the BJP is accompanied by a concomitant rise in the fortunes of the Congress and vice-versa. The 2014 and 2019 Elections threw up a verdict decisively in favour of the BJP which had got more than 90 per cent seats in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh and all seats in Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Of the 303 seats of the BJP in the Lok Sabha in 2019, most were from these States; a slight loss of seats in these states has upset BJPs applecart. Being a cadre-based party with a strong centralised command structure, and with Mr Modis preference of the un-elected over the elected, Rajya Sabha MPs became ministers and bureaucrats exercised real power in the BJP Government, marginalising Lok Sabha MPs. Sensing the public disaffection with their dis-empowered MPs, Mr Modi and Mr Shah canvassed for votes in the name of Mr Modi alone. This was probably the best that could be done under the circumstances but it did not prove good enough. Sensing the ground slipping from under its feet after the first few rounds of polling, the BJP became desperate, with its leaders trying to polarise the electorate on religious lines. To its credit the Congress party ran a comparatively sober election campaign, mainly focused on its manifesto. A particularly acrimonious and bitterly fought election has concluded. One hopes that the divisions created during the election are bridged quickly, and the new coalition Government that is formed, most probably by the BJP and its allies, avoids the angularities of the last Government. It is the electorates fond wish that the Government and Opposition sit down together to work for welfare of the public. Being perpetually in election mode for the last many years has caused immense loss to the country, governance has suffered and aberrations have emerged in the economy. Lastly, the election results have proved the power of the voter. As Franklin D. Roosevelt, former US President had said: Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country. (The writer is a retired Principal Chief Commissioner of Income-Tax) As the 2024 election approaches, President Joe Biden faces a formidable challenge in addressing voter concerns about immigration and border security. His recent executive action to significantly restrict asylum at the US-Mexico border marks a dramatic pivot from his 2020 campaign promises and highlights the shifting political landscape he must navigate. However, the effectiveness of these measures in changing voter sentiment remains uncertain. Immigration has emerged as a top issue for voters, often surpassing economic concerns. This shift underscores the anxiety many Americans feel about the perceived chaos at the southern border. A recent poll indicated that a majority believe Mr Bidens presidency has negatively impacted immigration and border security. This perception is particularly troubling for an administration that campaigned on restoring humane and orderly immigration policies. President Bidens decision to adopt stricter asylum measures can be seen as a strategic move to address these concerns. By taking a tougher stance, he aims to reassure voters who feel overwhelmed by the influx of migrants. This shift reflects a broader trend of political pragmatism, as leaders adjust their policies to meet the evolving priorities of their constituencies. However, the approach has generated significant controversy within Mr. Bidens party. Progressive lawmakers and immigration advocates argue that these measures betray the values Mr Biden championed during his campaign. They view the restrictions as a regression to the harsh policies of the Trump era, which drew widespread condemnation for their inhumanity. This internal division poses a risk for Mr Biden, as it could alienate key segments of his base who feel disillusioned by his shift to the right. Moreover, the impact of Mr Bidens new measures on Hispanic voters is a critical factor. Hispanic adults have shown a notable shift in perception, with many believing that Mr Donald Trumps presidency was more effective in handling immigration and border security. This trend is particularly alarming for Democrats, who have traditionally relied on strong support from Hispanic communities. If Mr Bidens policies fail to address their concerns or appear to mirror the previous administrations approach, it could erode this crucial voter base. The Republican campaign, spearheaded by Donald Trump, has seized on these issues. Mr Trumps rhetoric, which often includes alarmist claims about the dangers of illegal immigration, resonates with voters who are anxious about crime and economic competition from newcomers. Advertisement By promising unprecedented deportation operations and stringent border controls, Mr Trump aims to portray himself as the definitive solution to the immigration crisis. In this context, Mr Bidens efforts to balance voter concerns with humanitarian principles are fraught with complexity. His administration must demonstrate tangible improvements at the border while also addressing the root causes of migration. Economic instability, violence, and political corruption in Central America drive many to seek asylum in the US. Without addressing the underlying issues, restrictive border policies alone are unlikely to produce lasting solutions. The decision by the INDIA bloc to refrain from staking a claim to form the government is a commendable and strategic move that reflects a mature understanding of the current political landscape. This decision underscores the blocs realisation that any such move would have been seen as an opportunistic power play, one that was likely to fail in the given circumstances. The blocs strategy of waiting for a more favourable political climate before making any moves suggests it is aware of the complexities inherent in coalition politics. For now, the grouping has decided to play the role of a robust opposition, rather than make a bid to foist an unstable administration on the country. But without doubt it shall bide its time until it can challenge the current regime. The alliances emphasis on continuing back-channel talks with key players like the TDP and JD (U) is also a positive sign. It demonstrates a readiness to engage in dialogue and build consensus, whilst using this route to ensure that the government led by Narendra Modi is restrained from any excessive measures. This approach is crucial in a diverse and multi-faceted democracy like India, where building bridges and forging alliances is often more important than immediate electoral gains. The INDIA blocs recent joint statement positions the grouping as defenders of the Constitution and opponents of issues such as price rise, unemployment, and crony capitalism. While these are an extension of campaign rhetoric, they align with the concerns of a significant portion of the Indian electorate. The commitment to fight against what they describe as the fascist rule of the current government is a stance that will resonate with those who are disillusioned with the status quo. This decision not to rush into government formation also provides the INDIA bloc with the opportunity to strengthen internal cohesion and policy platforms. It allows them to consolidate their gains, iron out any differences, and present a united front. This period of preparation can be used to formulate coherent policies that address the pressing issues facing the country, thereby increasing their appeal to the broader electorate. In a healthy democracy, a strong opposition is as crucial as a capable government. Advertisement The role of the opposition is not merely to oppose but to offer constructive criticism and present viable alternatives. The INDIA blocs decision to wait for the right moment to act suggests that they are, for now, committed to fulfilling this role. While the optics look good, the bloc will have to demonstrate its commitment to these principles once Parliament convenes. Thinking Indians will wait to see if members of the bloc play their parliamentary roles with finesse, or indulge in the unseemly skirmishes that have tainted legislative practices in recent years. As they prepare for future opportunities, the bloc offers hope for a more balanced and dynamic political landscape in India. This is a positive sign for the health of Indian democracy, emphasising the importance of a robust and principled opposition On a bright Sunday morning of 2 June, Kolkata vibed with the rhythms of western classical music under the auspices of the Southern School of Music (Garia) at the packed ICCRs Satyajit Ray auditorium. There is a truism that music works as therapy for a troubled mind, especially the evergreen compositions of Bach and Handel. Fortunately, their works were featured in this concert, which marked the 29th annual concert of SSOM. Shakespeares conviction, If music be the food of love, play on and play on it did for more than seven hours, taking listeners down memory lane. The Southern School of Music has grown from strength ever since its inception in 1992, with the consciousness of western classical music evolving over time in a big way, gauging from the ever-growing numbers of music students, which has expanded considerably over the years. Credit should go to Sujit Sarkar, the principal of the school and a composer and pianist in his own right, who coordinates music classes with regular practice by the students to hone their musical prowess. Of course, behind it all was the inspiration provided by Sam Engineer, Sujit Sarkars musical mentor, to build a music school dedicated to him. The Southern School of Music has given its undivided attention to dedicating its work towards grooming students to reach professional heights and setting standards of performance at concert halls. To add a bit of spice to the occasion by way of variety, a pop ensemble and ghazal were arranged as part of the musical repertoire showcased for the benefit of listeners. There were far too many musical items for inclusion here; however, it requires mentioning the ones that really caught the musical imagination and the ones that did not on account of inept renditions. Advertisement The concert unfurled with the string instruments: piano, EI, keyboard, violin duet, guitar ensemble and pop ensemble during the first half before the interval. The violin duet that performed the Minuet by Bach with Bedatroyee Das and Gopal Sarkar at the helm groped in the darkness without a thought spared in synchronising the melodic line. It was more than redressed by the piano renditions of Ishan Khan Banik, Deeptangshu Das and Khusbu Kamat in their musical interpretations of Sunrise, In a Goldfish Bowl and The Fairys Harp that managed to set the right mood of the melody line. The guitar ensemble with Sourish Naskar, Ananmoy Sengupta, Shreeja Saha and Suprabuddha Das were competent in their rendition of Satyajit Rays composition Maharaja Tomare Selam. Prasun Majumdar and Pramit Sarkars renditions of Mozarts Fantasia in D minor and the 3rd movement from Beethovans Moonlight Sonata gave a very sensitively seasoned account of the original works. Next, the pop ensemble, with guitar by Aditya Goyal, Suprabuddha Das and Saroj Sonowal and vocals by Biswadeep Dutta and Srija Bhattacharya, was adequate. The ghazals Saat Suron Ka Behta Dariya and Pyar Ka Pehla Khat, rendered in the voice of Sujit Sarkar with excellent orchestral support, gave some credence to the meaning of the Urdu lyrics. The curtains of the musical soiree were drawn with the string orchestra comprising of violin, viola, and cello playing selected movements from GF Handels Die Wassermusik (Water Music), which gave a well-coordinated orchestral music that captured the essence of the Baroque genre conducted by Pramit Sarkar. Sujit Sarkar also gave a commendable performance on the piano with the rendition of his own original composition, Conversations. Deserving students were given trophies in recognition of their musical merits. The writer is an independent contributor Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked by a man in central Copenhagen on Friday evening. The attack which took place in a square not far from Frederiksens home left the Prime Minister shocked. Copenhagen police have confirmed the incident but refused to give more comment, Swedish Television (SVT) reported. Advertisement Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was beaten on Friday evening at Kultorvet in Copenhagen by a man who was subsequently arrested. The Prime Minister is shocked by the incident, the Prime Ministers office was quoted as saying by the BBC. The attacker was arrested following the incident. However, his identity and the motive behind the attack are not known yet. The attack comes two days before Denmark votes in the EU election. Frederiksen (46) became Prime Minister in 2019 after taking over as leader of the centre-left Social Democrats four years earlier. This made her the youngest prime minister in Danish history. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen called the attack a despicable act. European Council President Charles Michel said on X that he was outraged. I strongly condemn this cowardly act of aggression, he said. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billstrom also condemned the attack. Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has accepted the invitation to attend BJP leader and PM-designate Narendra Modis swearing-in ceremony on June 9, his office said in a press statement on Saturday. President H.E. Dr Mohamed Muizzu has accepted the invitation from Prime Minister H.E. Narendra Modi, to the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers of the Government of India, the statement read. Indias high commissioner to Maldives, Munu Mahawar, had extended the invitation to President Muizzu during a courtesy call earlier. Advertisement The President expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the invitation, adding that he would be honored to attend this historic event, his office added. The ties between New Delhi and Male has seen a downfall ever since Muizzu took over as the archipelago nations president. Muizzu, seen as a pro-China leader, had won the countrys elections riding on his India out campaign. After assuming office, he asked India to recall its military personnel deployed in Maldives. This and derogatory remarks against Modi from some of his government leaders resulted in a diplomatic row between the countries. After BJP-led NDAs victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Modi invited several regional leaders, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth, Nepal PM PK Dahal and Srilankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe among others. Muizzu name was also included in the list of foreign leaders invited for the historic swearing-in ceremony. Notably, after Modi-led NDA coalitions victory, Muizzu has congratulated Modi for winning his successive third term. Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi, and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term. I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries, he said. The AC311A civil helicopter prepares for a sling-load flight test in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, May 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] China's independently-developed AC311A civil helicopter has successfully completed a major plateau sling-load flight test in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The light helicopter recently underwent this sling-load operation flight test by slinging freight weighing 325 kilograms at a general airport at an altitude of 3,680 meters in Lhasa, said the AVIC, the country's leading aircraft manufacturer. Lifting and slinging the freight, the AC311A smoothly conducted a series of flight test activities, such as climbing, turning, level flight, and gliding, before landing safely. During the whole process, the AC311A helicopter showed good flight controllability and stability in plateau conditions, said the AVIC. The six-seat AC311A is a two-tonne light single-engine civil helicopter. It has a maximum take-off weight of 2,250 kilograms, a maximum cruise speed of 240 kilometers per hour, a maximum range of 630 kilometers, and a service ceiling of up to 6,000 meters, according to the developer. It is a challenging task for helicopters to conduct external sling-load operations in high altitude areas as such operations place high demands on helicopters. It is also very important for them to be able to carry out emergency rescue and other missions, especially in plateau environments. The latest plateau sling-load flight test confirmed the capability of the AC311A helicopter to apply diversified applications in plateau conditions, ranging from supply delivery, aerial seeding and afforestation, to forest protection and fire prevention, among others, said the AVIC. AC311A can rapidly respond to emergency rescue missions in the event of natural disasters. It is capable of more precise delivery of relief materials to disaster-affected areas via an external sling, and thus it can help win valuable time in rescue operations. This helicopter is installed with a highly integrated avionics system and a digital stability augmentation system. It has also reserved a variety of device interfaces for optional mission equipment, making it possible to adapt to the requirements of other future missions. Vast potentials lie ahead. AC311A can serve missions in cold, high altitude, and other complex environments. It can also be widely used in fields such as police law enforcement, emergency rescue, agricultural and forestry spraying, medical rescue, power line patrol, cargo delivery, and more, according to the developer. Even more Chinese homegrown civil helicopters will be developed for missions on the plateau and in other regions across the vast country, highlighting the unique roles and vitality of aeronautical equipment, said the AVIC. This photo taken on June 5, 2024 shows a bamboo-weaving artwork composed of a cartoon dragon pattern and a mask inspired by the renowned gold mask unearthed at the Jinsha site, at the Chongzhou culture and art center in southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua) BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) -- In the Chinese popular mobile game "Honor of Kings," a character has been molded into a puppeteer, gaining acclamation from fans for its traditional beauty. The shadow puppet gaming skin was launched earlier this week by tech giant Tencent and was inspired by Huaxian shadow plays, a main branch of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Chinese shadow puppetry originating from Huaxian County in Shaanxi Province in northwest China. "In my eyes, innovative transformation with respect for tradition is the key for intangible cultural heritage to survive and thrive in the modern era," said Dang Feihua, an inheritor of the Huaxian shadow plays whose family participated in the design of the skin. This online gaming skin is an epitome of China's creative efforts to protect and promote intangible cultural heritage among the younger generation. Saturday marks Cultural and Natural Heritage Day in China. Around this day, more than 12,000 related events are in full swing across the country, including 9,642 offline activities, ranging from live performances to themed lectures and photography exhibitions, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. These promotion activities are aimed at enhancing the visibility of intangible cultural practices while renewing protection efforts. Born into a shadow puppet inheritor's family in 2000, Dang in 2017 began exploring how to integrate this traditional artistry with modern elements. Dang was inspired to do so when he witnessed a performance combining projection technology and a traditional Chinese shadow puppet show, which drew enthusiastic applause at the Venice Biennale. Part of a team featuring several young people in their 20s, Dang has designed bookmarks, earrings and hanging decorations based on puppets and runs related accounts on social media. "The impact of shadow puppetry has gone well beyond the cultural field as it allows us to connect with our roots and strengthen a sense of identity," Dang added. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the ratification of China's entry into the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Figures show that by the end of 2023, China had over 100,000 intangible cultural heritage items of various levels, including 1,557 featuring on the national intangible cultural heritage list. Notably, a total of 43 items from China have been added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. At the Chongzhou culture and art center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, a bamboo-weaving artwork with a height of nearly 4 meters caught the audience's attention. The work was composed of a cute cartoon dragon pattern and a formidable-looking mask resembling the renowned gold mask unearthed at the legendary Jinsha site. Having been on exhibition for almost 4 months, it has attracted over 700,000 visitors. According to Jia Yanqin, one of its authors, the artwork represents an exquisite blending of Daoming bamboo strips weaving -- a national intangible cultural heritage, and the civilization of the ancient Shu Kingdom, which had its heyday around 3,000 years ago. "The design has symbolized a new endeavor to build greater public awareness of protecting cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible," said Jia. "I hope that in the future we can employ different traditional handicrafts and iconic artifacts to make more innovative products." Lu Yingchuan, vice minister of culture and tourism, said that China has been strengthening efforts in the systematic protection of intangible cultural heritage. Workshops and demonstration bases have been mushrooming across the country, stimulating the innovative development of various intangible cultural heritage items. "The trendy newly-developed products have breathed new life into the ancient heritage and also wooed consumers, unleashing market demand," he said. This undated photo shows a gold mask unearthed at the Jinsha site, now displayed at the Jinsha Site Museum in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Chengdu Jinsha Site Museum/Handout via Xinhua) Thousands of employees have been laid off between January 2024 and May 2024, as job cuts continue across industries. According to Layoffs.fyi, 90,916 employees have been let go by as many as 317 tech companies, so far this year. A former employee at Wipro, who was laid off, recounts her harrowing experience. She was pressured into leaving her job without a formal notice. No official letter or e-mail was provided. The information about layoffs was communicated through the HR team and the managers. We were barely given any time to find a new job. Most employees had to put their papers down within two weeks. Beyond the headlines: The rise of silent layoffs Companies across the world are implementing something that has come to be called silent layoffs or quiet layoffs. This is the process of employees being pressured to leave the company voluntarily without making much noise. Silent layoffs are mostly happening in the IT sector. IT firms largely resorted to silent layoffs in a bid to cop with the setbacks suffered due to the pandemic-induced recession. According to a Moneycontrol report, in March 2024 alone, approximately 500 employees were laid off in India as part of operational streamlining. In 2024, Infosys reportedly asked nearly 200-500 employees to voluntarily resignan allegation that the company denied. Silent layoffs vs quiet firing Although the words 'silent layoff' and 'quiet firing' are synonymously used to refer to the phenomenon of employees being forced out, there are subtle differences between the two, particularly from the employer's point of view. Silent layoff is the practice of giving employees a notice period so that they have sufficient time to plan for the future. Quiet firing, meanwhile, refers to the practice of making the role of an employee undesirable by either giving them a huge amount of work, assigning them insignificant tasks that undermine their position, or giving poor performance reviews. These, in turn, may prompt an employee to quit the company. Employees who face quiet firing would be requested to leave their office space within two weeks, depending on the organisation. How silent layoffs are affecting employees When a company starts the process of silent layoff or quiet firing, the employees are pressured to either tender their resignation or be in the PIP (performance improvement plan) period wherein they are forced to prove their abilities through multiple projects and refined skills within a stipulated time. Earlier, companies used to lay off freshers as they had little to contribute to the company and received lower wages compared to their more experienced seniors. However, this trend appears to have reversed now as companies are targetting more experienced and higher-paid employees as they would possibly be stagnant despite being paid generously. When your employer does not anymore assign a project to you, it may mean that your employment is at stake because a non-contributing employee is a financial burden on an organisation. Besides, employees who are unable to work on-site in unfamiliar locations may also be pressured into leaving. The other side of the story Employers value the growth of their company and accord it more importance than individual employees. In India, the court favours the employee. When the issue is taken up legally, the employers will have no support and will face consequences that leaves the company in an undesirable situation observes the director of a leading IT company headquartered in Bengaluru. If an employee with a niche skill, which they acquired during their course of employment with a company, resigns, the employer finds it hard to replace him/her. Such employees are paid high if they continue with the company. For the employer what is more important is the value from the employee. Depending on whether you play a direct revenue role, an indirect revenue role or cost-centric role in the revenue generation team it is easy to decide who we must keep in the company and who must be laid off, says the IT firm director. Many companies also follow a policy of laying off employees who were hired last or first. When it comes to the firsts, they are normally told directly to leave the company. In the case of employees hired last, companies make their positions insignificant, forcing them to leave as it would help them reserve their position and experience. When an employee is being laid off, they are not sent at random. If an employee is 45 years and he retires at 55 then the cost of keeping them for 10 years and what revenue will be generated from them in that period is strategically calculated. In a team of 20, if the cost of using artificial intelligence or machine learning is far lesser than sustaining manpower in the company then they will be replaced and only the most efficient employees will be retained. Even if an employee exhibits low performance, consistency is more important. For a good company sustainable performance and levels of dependency are significant when deciding on who to retain and who to let go. Several Bollywood celebrities, including veteran actor Anupam Kher, expressed solidarity with actor-politician and newly-elected BJP MP Kangana Ranaut who was slapped by a woman constable of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Chandigarh airport. The incident happened when Kangana Ranaut, who was elected to Lok Sabha from Mandi Constituency in Himachal Pradesh, was on her way to Delhi. Condemning the incident, Kher, who was speaking on the sidelines of an event, said the way the woman constable slapped Kangana Ranaut, abusing her position of power, is wrong. Demanding an investigation into the incident, the actor said a person can have grievances, and such issues can be dealt with in a more democratic way. "But to do something like this is very unfortunate. Not only because now Kangana Ranaut in an MP or actor, she is a woman. I think any kind of violence towards anybody, forget about women, isn't right." Shekhar Suman condemned the incident, saying, "No one has the right to do this. This is illegal what she has done. She should get punished for this. I understand that she might have some anger or protest in her mind but the way it was expressed was very wrong. It could also have been said in a decent manner...You can't raise your hand on anyone like this." "I have no love lost for #Kangana Ranaut. But I can't find myself joining this chorus of celebrating "the slap". If security personnel start taking law into their hands none of us can be safe," Shabana Azmi tweeted. Director Vivek Agnihotri tweeted: This incident with @KanganaTeam must be condemned by every sane person. Why do I say 'sane'? Because only sane people understand how dangerous it is for a democracy. Those who are laughing at Kangana must know that many people don't like your tweets either. And you fly too. Don't agree with Kangana Ranaut politically but I still feel it ain't right to physically assault someone when you disagree with them. Not cool. Violence is never the answer, Bollywood celebrity Uorfi Javed wrote in a social media post. On Friday, two days after the election results, as he was talking at the NDA meeting, Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi was all in praise for his partymen in Tamil Nadu for putting up a spirited fight. He said the BJPs vote share has increased and NDA has performed well in Tamil Nadu. While Narendra Modi was hailing his party colleagues in Delhi, dissent voices began growing against the Tamil Nadu leadership. IPS officer-turned-politician K. Annamalai is facing the ire within and outside the party for the debacle. Guns are out against Annamalai, saying he was the sole reason for the partys dismal show in the elections. Annamalai, who contested from Coimbatore, lost to DMKs P. Ganapathy Rajkumar by a margin of 1.5 lakh votes. We are well-known faces in the state who will not lose an election. We would have certainly won if the strategy was right. It was strategised by the state leadership which he thought would work in our favour, former Telangana governor and BJPs candidate from South Chennai constituency Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan told the media. Tamilisai was visibly upset against her party colleagues for being trolled on social media. She asked the netizens to stay controlled. Not just the DMK and other party men, I am telling my own party men. Stay controlled. I am warning you, she said. She said stern disciplinary action would be taken against those who try to portray..... Tamilisai was trolled for her hairstyle and looks by her own party colleagues, allegedly Annamalais war room, calling her parattai (slanderous description of coarse curly hair, in Tamil, often used to discriminate based on caste and creed). Apart from Tamilisai, one of the senior leaders, Kalyana Raman, took to X, formerly Twitter, saying that Annamalai had deceived the party's high command about the BJPs growth in Tamil Nadu. He called Annamalai a pathological liar. He said the BJPs vote share has actually come down. 5.56 per cent vote share in 2014 was by contesting 9 seats and 11.24 percent vote share in 2024 was by contesting 23 seats. In other words, on a pro-rata basis, BJP should have got about 14.25 per cent to equalise its 2014 performance. The BJP had only lost its deposit in two seats in 2014, as against 11 seats in 2024. Huge loss of face before common man and bad perception management and pathetic political misadventure, he noted in his X post. He also blamed Annamalai for curtailing the growth of seniors like Pon Radhakrishnan and Tamilisai Soundararajan in the party. All the decision-making powers have been held by Annamalai and his war room thugs, he noted. Kalyana Raman is a staunch RSS sympathiser who was jailed for his derogatory remarks against DMK leader and Chief Minister Stalin earlier. On the other side, BJPs former ally AIADMK, which helped the national party win four MLAs in the 2021 assembly polls too alleged, If Annamalai had controlled his mouth, there would have been a better result, AIADMKs former minister and Madurai strongman R.B. Udhayakumar said. Addressing a press conference in Coimbatore, AIADMK senior leader and Edappadi K. Palanisamis lieutenant S.P. Velumani blamed Annamalai for the loss of both parties. "Our ties with the BJP were strong when Tamilisai Soundararajan and L. Murugan were heading the party in Tamil Nadu. The rift came after Annamalai took charge, because of his speeches. He made derogatory remarks about our icons, C.N. Annadurai and J. Jayalalithaa, Velumani said placing the blame squarely on Annamalai. However, Annamalais supporters called this tantrums to displace him from the state president post. Narendra Modis words of appreciation seem to add strength to Annamalai. A section of the party's office-bearers in the state unit, who back Annamalai, are of the opinion that the central leadership will in no way react to the statements made by Tamilisai and the AIADMK leaders. Annamalai is here to exist for the next few years. The high command believes that he was the sole reason for the party increasing its vote share, said a senior leader who backs Annamalai. His supporters feel that Annamalai is being attacked by the party seniors and others as he might be rewarded for his performance and that he could be accommodated in the Modi 3.0 cabinet as a Minister of State or even as a minister. Earlier, after the poll debacle in 2019, Tamilisai was elevated as the Telangana governor while her successor L. Murugan was made the MoS in Modi 2.0. The BJP central leadership has always recognised the performance of everyone in the party. This is because the others do not want Annamalai to grow above them," the senior leader said. Yet, another section of the party feels that, if not immediately, at least before the assembly general elections in 2026, the high command will definitely realise the need for a change in the state leadership. "Annamalais style of politics might help the party show its presence in social media. But it will not reflect on the ground. It will be very difficult for an IPS officer-turned-politician like him to understand the political calculations in a state like Tamil Nadu, said one of the senior office-bearers on conditions of anonymity. But, even before Modi could appreciate the performance of the state BJP, Annamalai called it a victory saying that that party has increased its vote share pushing the AIADMK to the third position. We have performed very well in the election. Our vote share has grown to a double-digit number. If AIADMK had stayed in the NDA, they would not have lost this badly. They have been pushed to third place in many constituencies and have lost deposits in many others. BJP is a force to reckon with in Tamil Nadu, Annamalai said. Annamalai had been vociferous for the past two years, since he took over as the party leader, claiming that the BJP is a force in Tamil Nadu. A team of people working for Annamalai within the party, and also on social media, have worked towards building Brand Annamalai, only to get more space for the BJP in the state. In September 2023, the AIADMK walked out of the NDA as Annamalai called Jayalalithaa corrupt. Incidentally, in the 2021 general election, he lost from Aravakurichi, one of the assembly segments in his hometown Karur, to the DMK. It remains to be seen if the BJP which has come to power for the third time in a row under Narendra Modi, will stay calm believing that their vote share has increased or bring changes in the party hierarchy to retain its tally in the state assembly. A crucial Congress Working Committee meeting post the Lok Sabha polls is progressing in Delhi. The Congress party, which has emerged as the largest party among INDIA bloc allies post election, will pick its opposition leader today. Led by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, the CWC will review the partys performance in this polls and elect the Congress Parliamentary Party leader for the 18th Lok Sabha. The committee might also discuss the seat Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would have to forgo as he has won from both Rae Bareli and Wayanad constituencies. The CPP meeting is expected to happen at 5.30pm. CWC committee member and Congress MP from Tamil Nadu Manickam Tagore said, In the CWC meeting, we are going to review the performance of the Congress party in the 2024 elections. In the CPP meeting scheduled at 5.30pm, the Congress party will elect the CPP chairperson. For the Congress's leader in the Lok Sabha, we all feel Rahul Gandhi should be given charge. Tagore said the BJP has lost the majority as the single largest party in the election and the party is dependent on Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar to form government. INDIA alliance leaders have decided to wait and watch and we will take a decision at the right time, ANI reported quoting the MP. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy met CPP leader Sonia Gandhi ahead of the meeting at her residence. TOKYO, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A nearly finished 10-story condominium in western Tokyo will be demolished after local residents complained it obstructs views of Mount Fuji, Japan's renowned landmark, local media reported on Saturday. The "Gurandomezon Kunitachi Fujimi-dori" building, located in the Naka district of Kunitachi city, was promoted as the first condominium for sale on Fujimi-dori street in a decade, but will not be completed due to local objections, reported Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun. Sekisui House Ltd., the developer, informed city officials on Tuesday of their decision to discontinue the project. The company said it "did not adequately consider the impact of the project on the surrounding area, and the landscape," and has been explaining the situation to prospective buyers and residents. The controversy began shortly after construction started, with residents expressing concerns about the building's impact on views of Mount Fuji and sunlight on nearby homes. In June 2021, an urban development council concluded that the condo would spoil the view of Mount Fuji from Fujimi-dori street and recommended changes. Although Sekisui House reduced the building from 11 to 10 stories, residents demanded further reductions to four stories and smaller overall dimensions. The developer stated that such changes would affect the project's profitability and eventually decided to demolish the structure. President Droupadi Murmu offered a spoonful of sweetened curd to Narendra Modi as she handed her certificate listing the latter as PM designate. The symbol of good luck before starting any new project came sent out a message of Modi honouring familial traditions. In fact, Modis public appearances since the June 4 results have been closely scrutinised for possible meanings. We look at some of these gestures. During the NDA parliamentary party meeting held in the central hall of old parliament building, Modis arrival was met chants of Modi, Modi. A few moments earlier, Alwar MP Bhupender Yadav holding the proceedings called the house to raise BJP campaign slogans Abki baar, Modi Sarkar. However, soon enough releasing the changed reality, a new slogan was raised: 'Abki Baar, NDA Sarkar'. The gesture which caught everyones eye the most causing a mini-shock of sorts, and political taunts in Bihar, was state chief minister and JDU chief Nitish Kumar bowing to touch Modis feet after his brief speech endorsing his name as the Prime Minister. Modi held Nitishs hand to prevent him from touching his feet. But the moment caught on camera and watched by those in the press gallery and hall decipher meaning of this deference. In the central hall, the gathered audience were the winners from the BJP, and ally parties, BJP office bearers, and chief ministers of NDA-ruled states. After Modis name was endorsed, leaders came in row to greet him. Modi patted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths back as an apparent gesture of support. The warmth in Modis gesture meant that Yogi was supported even after unsatisfactory performance for the party in the state. A much more enthusiastic pats on New Delhi seat winner Bansuri Swarajs head were seen as a blessing for the rising star of the party in Delhi. Bansuri is already talked about as possible counter to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in the state elections next year. During the NDAs endorsement, all key allies who had won elections were seated along with Modi to endorse latters announcement as Prime Minister. However, NDA ally Jayant Chaudhary, who heads RLD and won two seats, was not part of it. It set the tongues wagging and set off a chain of taunts for Jat leader on the social media. The government has picked up Sunday, 7.15 pm as the suspicious time of swearing-in ceremony of Modi and his cabinet colleagues. The invitation of elected heads of neighbouring countries is meant to signal, neighbourhood first, emphasis by the Modi government. Who eventually is called to take oath would then decide the graphs of many leaders and the contours of the NDA government. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin in the third week of June with the oath-taking by the newly elected candidates as members of the House. The oath-taking is likely to continue for two days, following which a new Speaker will be elected, say media reports. Following this, President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. During the session, Prime Minister Modi will also introduce members of his Council of Ministers to both the Houses. The Parliament session is expected to conclude on June 22. The Cabinet is likely to meet soon after the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday evening at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Meeting today to finalise list of ministers Meanwhile, ahead of the oath-taking ceremony of Modi as prime minister for the third time on Sunday, the newly-elected NDA MPs are set to meet on Saturday to finalise the cabinet ministers. The BJP is expected to keep key ministriesHome, External Affairs, Defence, and Financewith itself. Senior saffron party leaders Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh and BJP chief J.P. Nadda had been holding discussions with the alliance partners on seat sharing on Friday. Media reports suggest that three Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MPs would be given cabinet berths in the new NDA government. There is also speculation that the party may be offered the position of the deputy speaker. President Murmu appointed Modi as the prime minister-designate on Friday after Nadda handed her a letter on Modi's election as the leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party and NDA leaders submitted their letters of support. "The President, having satisfied herself on the basis of the various letters of support received, that the BJP-led NDA alliance, which is also the largest pre-election alliance, is in a position to command majority support of the newly-constituted 18th Lok Sabha and to form a stable government, appointed Shri Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India, exercising powers vested in her under Article 75(1) of the Constitution of India," a communique from the Rashtrapati Bhawan stated. With agency inputs In a development that has huge strategic implications for Chinas ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a Chinese-Singaporean consortium has bagged the rights to construct and manage Georgias Anaklia deep-sea port, situated on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. The port will be developed by the consortium, which holds 49 per cent share in the project, in partnership with the Georgian government with 51 per cent share. Just last week, Georgias Economy and Sustainable Development Minister Levan Davitashvili had said that the China Communications Construction Company Limited would be the Georgian governments private partner for the Anaklia port project in the coming days. Davitashvili said: We have received proposals only from the Chinese consortium. They have submitted a detailed application proposal along with relevant bank guarantees. Therefore, in the coming days, we will declare the Chinese consortium as the winner and begin negotiations on the partnership agreement. The consortium comprises China Communication Construction Company and China Harbor Investment while China Road and Bridge Corporation and Qingdao Port International will operate as sub-contractors. Interestingly, the China Communication Construction Company was blacklisted by the US Department of Commerce on August 26, 2020 for its role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize the internationally condemned artificial islands in the South China Sea. India may view the development with concern because like China, New Delhi is also looking to develop new trade and logistics routes across Central Asia. The signing of the Chabahar Port long-term agreement on May 13 is a move towards that strategic aim. China has already ramped up its presence in Djibouti, on the Horn of Africa, Gwadar in south Pakistan, and Ream in southern Cambodia. What is noteworthy in Georgia is that China is gradually replacing western powers that were seen as a bulwark against Russian influence. It follows the declaration of a strategic partnership between China and Georgia that was signed last year. Moreover, Russia is reportedly building a naval base just a few kilometres away from Anaklia, in the port of Ochamchire, in occupied Abkhazia. The ports role will be very vital in significantly strengthening the cause of the Middle Corridor, a logistics route that connects China through the landlocked Central Asia countries to Europe via the South Caucasus. The port, expected to cost around $600 million, will handle about 78,00,000 tonnes of cargo. These developments are instrumental in enabling China to overcome the Malacca Dilemma or the unavoidable route that Chinese ships have to take through the narrow Malacca Straits which has the potential of being a choking point for Chinese ships during times of hostility. Actor and newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut called out those backing the suspended Central Industrial Security Force constable for slapping her and likened the attack to rape. The Mandi MP tweeted, Every rapist, murderer or thief always have a strong emotional, physical, psychological or financial reason to commit a crime, no crime ever happens without a reason, yet they are convicted and sentenced to jail (sic). Ranaut said, If you are aligned with the criminals strong emotional impulse to commit a crime violating all laws of the land, remember, if you are ok(ay) with breaking into someones intimate zone, without their permission touching their bodies and assaulting them, then deep down you are ok(ay) with rape or murder, also because thats also just penetration or stab only what big deal. The BJP leader said persons who back the constable must look deeper into their psychological criminal tendencies. I suggest, please take up yoga and meditation or else, life will become a bitter and burdensome experience, dont carry so much grudge, hate and jealousy please, free yourself, she said. The new-elected BJP MP was allegedly assaulted by a CISF woman constable during a security check at the Chandigarh airport on Thursday. A scuffle had occurred at the security check between the actor-turned-politician and the suspended CISF personnel Kulwinder Kaur when the former, reportedly, refused to put her phone in the tray. Kaur was arrested on Friday. Addressing the Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi on Saturday, party president Mallikarjun Kharge said India has spoken against anti-Constitutional forces. "People have spoken against the dictatorial and anti-democratic ways of the ruling party. It is a decisive rejection of the politics of the last 10 years. It is rejection of the politics of divisiveness, hate and polarisation," the Congress chief said. Kharge began his speech, pointing out that while celebrating the party's resurgence, Congress should also look into why it failed to live up to expectations in some states. "Further, we could not repeat our performance in states where we had previously done well in Vidhan Sabha elections and formed the government," Kharge said, adding that separate discussions on each such state will be held soon. "We have to take urgent remedial measures. These are states which have traditionally favoured the Congress, where we have opportunities which we have to harness not for our own advantage but for the benefit of our people. This exercise I propose to hold very soon," he said. Kharge said whether the party is in power or not, its work continues among people "24 hours, 365 days". We accept this Lok Sabha poll verdict with genuine humility, Kharge added. We must remain disciplined, united; people have reposed faith back in us, we must build on it. "I want to draw your attention to the fact that wherever Bharat Jodo Yatra went we saw an increase in the vote percentage and number of seats for the Congress party," he further said. He said the party added seats in SC, ST, OBC, minority and rural areas but must work to create impact among urban voters. Kharge pointed out that the Congress won both seats in Manipur besides victories in Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya. "We emerged as the single-largest party in Maharashtra," he said. Kharge lauded the victories recorded by fellow members of the INDIA bloc allies, saying the alliance should continue and that the Congress will work with allies inside and outside Parliament. "INDIA bloc allies worked as a team, must remember we can defeat any opponent with diligence, determination, said the Congress chief. Preparations are in full swing for the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi as prime minister for a third term, on Sunday. The ceremony will take place at 6 pm at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital and will be attended by thousands of guests, including foreign dignitaries. The guest list Top leaders of neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan, Bhutans King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck are expected to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Modi. The guest list of foreign leaders was primarily guided by India's 'Neighbourhood First Policy' and its strategic focus on island nations considered important in the Indian Ocean region. The media division of Wickremesinghe's office said Modi invited him to the swearing-in ceremony. It said Wickremesinghe accepted the invite. ALSO READ: First session of 18th Lok Sabha to begin in third week of June: Sources Maldivian officials confirmed that Muizzu along with the country's foreign minister and a few leaders will be travelling to New Delhi to attend the ceremony. This will be Muizzu's first visit to India as president of Maldives. Sheikh Hasina and Nepal PM too have confirmed their presence. Other dignitaries who will be attending the oath-taking ceremony of Modi include nearly 50 religious leaders from various faiths, Padma awardees, Viksit Bharat ambassadors, and people whose contributions Modi acknowledged during his 'Mann Ki Baat' speeches. Security arrangements A multi-layered security will blanket the Rashtrapati Bhawan ahead of the oath-taking ceremony of Modi. Five companies of paramilitary personnel, NSG commandoes, drones and snipers will be deployed to ensure the safety of visiting dignitaries. It will be a three-layered security both inside and outside the premises of the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Commandoes from Delhi Police's SWAT and NSG will be deployed around the President's house and various strategic locations on the event day. READ MORE: Will form growth-oriented govt, wont lack in effort to fulfil peoples aspirations: Modi after meeting Prez Murmu "Around 2500 police personnel, including five companies of paramilitary and Delhi Armed Police (DAP) jawans, have been planned to be deployed around the venue," police officials have been quoted as saying. Snipers and armed police personnel will keep watch on the routes of the dignitaries and drones will be deployed at the strategic locations, according to a police officer. Many roads leading to the central part of Delhi may be closed on Sunday or there may be traffic diversions since morning. There will be increased vehicles checking at the borders of the national capital from Saturday itself. Delhi turns no-flying zone Delhi Police imposed prohibitory orders and declared the national capital no-flying zone ahead of the oath-taking ceremony. The prohibitory orders will remain imposed for two daysSunday and Monday. "It has been reported that certain criminal, anti-social elements or terrorists inimical to India may pose a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries and vital installations," Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora said in an order. He further said, "In exercise of the power conferred upon me by section 144 of the CrPC prohibiting flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, UAVs, UASs, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or even by para jumping from aircraft etc over Delhi during the swearing-in ceremony and doing shall be punishable u/s 188 of the Indian Penal Code." Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi was re-elected unanimously as chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party this evening at a meeting of the party's MPs from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in the central hall of Parliament. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge proposed Sonia's name as CPP chairperson. The proposal was seconded by party leader Gaurav Gogoi and senior leader Tariq Anwar. In her acceptance speech, Sonia congratulated the newly elected MPs and noted that they had fought a tough election under the most challenging of circumstances. You have surmounted many obstacles and campaigned so very effectively. Your success has given us a much greater presence in the Lok Sabha and a more effective voice in its proceedings, both of which will help give greater strength to our participation, she said. Sonia said the Congress has once again demonstrated its resilience as it was up against a mighty and malevolent machine that was doing its utmost to destroy the party. It tried to cripple us financially. It carried out a campaign against us and our leaders that was full of lies and defamation. Many wrote our obituaries! But under the determined leadership of Kharge ji we persevered. He is an inspiration to all of us, she said. The former Congress chief, who moved to the Rajya Sabha a few months ago after giving up her Rae Bareli seat, referred to the two yatras undertaken by Rahul Gandhi since 2022. She described the yatras as historic movements which rejuvenated the party at all levels. Rahul deserves special thanks for his tenacity and determination to fight on in the face of unprecedented personal and political attacks. He also shaped our narrative on guarantees and protection of the Constitution very sharply, she said. Referring to the enhanced strength of the opposition, Sonia said not only is the Congress contingent in the Lok Sabha bigger, it is also bolstered by the strength of the INDIA partners. She also reiterated the emphasis placed during the meeting of the Congress Working Committee earlier in the day on the need to improve the party's position in states where its performance has been below its expectation. Sonia said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sought the mandate solely in his name and he has suffered a political and moral defeat. In reality, he has lost the mandate he sought and thereby lost the right to leadership as well. Yet, far from taking responsibility for failure, he intends to get himself sworn in again tomorrow. We do not expect him to change the substance and style of his governance, nor take cognisance of the will of the people, she said. She further said that this is why the members of the CPP have a special obligation to be watchful, vigilant and proactive in holding him and his new NDA government accountable. No longer can and should Parliament be bulldozed like it has been for a decade now. No longer will the writ of the ruling establishment be permitted to disrupt Parliament, whimsically mistreat members or push through legislation without due and proper consideration and debate, she said. The mood was upbeat as the party's newly elected MPs of the Lok Sabha arrived in the central hall of Parliament for the CPP meeting. AICC General Secretary Organisation K.C. Venugopal opened the proceedings by congratulating and welcoming the Lok Sabha MPs. He noted that 69 out of the 99 party MPs in the Lok Sabha are first time MPs. West Bengal chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the INDIA bloc was waiting for the right time to make a move on government formation. She further claimed that the BJP-led NDA government wont be able to run for long. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo was addressing a press conference at the end of a meeting she chaired with the partys Lok Sabha candidates, district presidents and leaders. In the meeting, she praised the 29 winning candidates of the TMC and encouraged others to continue fighting against the BJP. In the seats where the party lost, she asked district presidents and leaders find out the reasons for the defeat and start working to overturn the situation in 2026 assembly polls. We are watching and waiting for the right situation. Ultimately INDIA will form government but let them [NDA] try for some days. Lets see how many MPs they can satisfy before the alliance breaks, Banerjee told the press. She further said that the NDA government might not last for even 15 days. Just because INDIA hasnt staked claim to form the government it doesnt mean we never will. We are waiting for the right time. Banerjee said results of the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP emerged as the single-largest party but failed to win majority on its own, reflects the countrys mood for a change. The country needs a change. No one wants Modi. After such a big defeat, Modi ji should have left it to someone else to run the government, she said. Mamata Banerjee also attacked the BJP over rumours that the saffron party was trying to poach MPs to strengthen NDAs number in the Parliament. She said that the BJP should first try to keep its own house in order. I will ask everyone to keep your party intact. Again, the [Bharatiya Janta] Party is trying to break other parties. If it goes on like this, the BJP will be broken from inside. Its clear that everyone is not happy in your party [the BJP]. The TMC chief alleged that the election commission, in cahoots with the BJP, deliberately ensured the defeat of several TMC candidates. Our number could have gone up to 35, she said. Meanwhile, she also pointed out that West Bengal will continue demanding that the Centre pay its due to the state. The chief minister said if the need be her party will bring a stronger movement to recover the states dues. With the guessing game continuing around the new Odisha chief minister, BJP has called in several of its MPs and MLAs for separate meetings in Delhi. The saffron party has won 78 out the 147 seats in the recent state assembly polls, ousting the government led by five-time Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The MLAs and MPs will meet Amit Shah and BJP National President J.P. Nadda on Saturday to discuss the possible face of the new government in Odisha. The oath-taking ceremony, which is scheduled for June 10, is expected to see attendance of more than 30,000 people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah and BJP CMs from other states are expected to be present at the Janata Maidan ceremony. With the BJP cashing in on the Odia asmita (pride) during its election campaign in an appararent dig at "outsider" V.K. Pandyan, Modi has hinted that the new CM will be a native who speaks Odia. With the BJP bringing in freshers as chief ministers in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan following the December assembly polls, many feel that any of the 78 MLAs or even some of the MPs could lead the new BJP government in the state. State party chief Manmohan Samal who is already in the capital said the BJP's central parliamentary board will finalise a name, which is likely to be announced by two central observer next week. The British electorate has been more volatile than ever in recent years. The elections of 2015 and 2017 saw the highest number of voters switching parties in modern history. And current polling suggests we're about to see more of the same. Understanding what's happening in people's brains when they are making decisions helps us understand why certain political messages appeal to them and why they might decide to switch parties. Political scientists talk about Pedersen volatility, named after the distinguished Danish scholar Mogens N. Pedersen. There is a forbidding mathematical equation for this, but it all amounts to the net change within the electoral party system resulting from individual vote transfers. In plain English, volatility is simply the number of people who change party in an election. In late 1960s Britain, the Pedersen index stood at just over 10%, now it is closer to 40%. There has been much talk about the increased use of social media and its influence on election outcomes. A recent study by Professor Hanspeter Kreisi, a Swiss election expert, reported that a steady stream of argument and voting cues [are] allowing voters to make enlightened choices that are in line with their preferences. This might well be true, but a recent study found that while politicians post more on social media during election campaigns, overall the number of posts with policy content is lower not higher. The voting brain One of the more interesting developments in electoral studies is that we are now able to use social neuroscience methods to understand voting behaviour. In the past decade, neuroscience has enabled us to identify the parts of the brain that get activated when you watch political adverts. What these results show is that most people are driven by fear and emotion rather than by rational argument in election campaigns. In practice, this means that voters are more susceptible to messages that stress the negative rather then the positive. Researchers found that negative images and statements about products led to heightened activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is also associated with decision making. For example, negative information about a brand of cola made subjects more likely to buy the competing brand. However, when this experiments was repeated with political parties rather than soft drinks, the negative effect was three times higher. Negative political advertising works, and we now have the fMRI scans to prove it. Politics is a bare-knuckle fight, and our brains reflect that. Evolution has conditioned us to be driven by fear when we are under threat. We want to survive above all. By playing on our fear and anger, those who devise election slogans are producing perhaps deliberately messaging that triggers parts of the brain associated with revenge and pent up rage, including the so-called anterior cingulate cortex (or ACC), deep in the front part of the fissure that separates the two brain-hemispheres. So, if I am furious that Rishi Sunak has not brought NHS waiting lists down, it is likely that the ACC has gone into overdrive. Older people who tend to vote in higher numbers are particularly interesting here. This is because as we age, we become more prone to activating the so-called dorsolateral prefrontal cortex an area of the brain associated with caution. It is unlikely that Rishi Sunak has delved into the finer points of neuropolitics but his strategy is consistent with what we know from social neuroscience. His emphasis on need to stick to the plan and not gamble on the opposition appeals to those with oversensitive dorsolateral prefrontal cortices namely the older voter cohort he most needs to convince. But more broadly, people of all ages have a strong tendency to activate the amygdala a part of the brain associated with fear. Only rarely do we activate the parts of the brain associated with ethical evaluation such as the so-called ventromedial prefrontal cortex. No wonder the two main parties in the British election are focusing on fear and caution. Maybe Machiavelli got it right when he observed that voters are avoiders of danger? Appealing to this fear, we see Rishi Sunak repeatedly warning in a very unspecified way that the world is more dangerous than ever. And clearly realising that voters respond to promises of security, the two parties are labelling policies as a triple lock, be it on pensions or the nuclear deterrent. The age of economic voting The other rich seam of academic research on why voters change their minds relates to the knowledge that since the 1970s or so, voters have been more prone to base their decisions on macroeconomic performance. Thus, political parties that have presided over significant financial downturns get blamed. This explains why the Conservatives lost in 1992 and Labour lost in 1979. Voters even change their minds based on recent economic performance even if the economic downturn is beyond the control of the government, as was the case for former Conservative prime minister Edward Heath, who lost power after the 1973 oil crisis (precipitated by a war in the Middle East). Once a government has been associated with economic ills increases in mortgage rates, cost of living and the like they get blamed even if the economy is in recovery. The current government's slogan that the plan is working might be economically correct, but history suggests it will not prevent voters from changing parties. (The Conversation: By Matt Qvortrup, Coventry University) TEHRAN, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Friday urged the United States and certain European countries to "fully and practically" stop their support for Israel in order to put an end to the "reckless and brutal" violence against Palestinians. He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, while responding to European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell's comments on Thursday. In a post released on X Thursday, Borrell expressed concern over reports of violence and suffering endured by civilians in Gaza and called for an independent investigation into a deadly Israeli attack on a school of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) earlier in the day. In his post, Borrell emphasized that an enduring ceasefire was the only way forward to protect civilians in Gaza and get to the immediate release of all captives, calling on both parties, Hamas and Israel, to agree on the U.S. three-phase plan. Kanaani said mere words were not enough to end the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, adding the only way to end "this painful tragedy as well as the reckless and brutal violence" against Palestinians was the complete and practical cessation of support by the United States and Europe for Israel. 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. Israel has so far killed 36,731 Palestinians and injured more than 83,530 others in the enclave, according to the figures released by the health authorities in Gaza on Friday. Kate, the Princess of Wales, wished the Irish Guards good luck on their final rehearsal on Saturday before the Trooping of the Colour parade in honour of the king's birthday. Kate, who has been recovering from cancer, apologised for not being there in her capacity as the guards' honorary colonel. Being your colonel remains a great honour and I am very sorry that I'm unable to take the salute at this year's Colonel's Review," she wrote in the letter shared by the Irish Guards on the social media platform X. "Please pass my apologies to the whole regiment, however I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. The review is a dress rehearsal for the annual military parade held each June to mark the monarch's official birthday. King Charles III will oversee the ceremony June 15. It's still unclear if Kate will attend the ceremony next week. She's been treated for an unspecified type of cancer she announced in March after speculation proliferated on social media about her wellbeing because she had not been seen in public for several months. She has revealed few details about her illness or treatment. The king has eased back into public duties while continuing to undergo his own treatment for cancer. He attended commemorations this week for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe on June 6, 1944. 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 ceremony seated on a dais, rather than on horseback as he did last year. The Irish Guards said they were touched by the letter from Kate and wished her well in her recovery. Amid ongoing bilateral tensions, the invite to the Maldives President to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony was welcomed by the Mohamed Muizzu. Muizzu on Saturday said that he would be honoured to attend PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony. It will be Muizzu's first visit to India after assuming office on November 17 last year. Muizzu accepted the invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi in Delhi formally and thanked the Indian High Commission for personally delivering the invitation. Modi will be administered the oath of office on Sunday. After taking charge as president, Muizzu had travelled to Turkey first and then to China in January. Munu Mahawar, India's Higher Commissioner to the Maldives, presented the letter of invitation to the President during a courtesy call at the President's Office. The High Commissioner extended greetings from Prime Minister Modi, stating that the PM is looking forward to having the president attend this momentous ceremony, the statement said. The president expressed his gratitude to the PM for the invitation, adding that he would be honoured to attend this historic event. He also stated that he looks forward to working with the PM to further strengthen the close relations with India, noting that the Maldives-India relationship is heading in a positive direction. Earlier on Wednesday, Muizzu had congratulated Modi and expressed his desire to work with him to advance the bilateral ties. "Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term. I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries," Muizzu posted on X. Pro-China leader Muizzu had demanded the removal of 88-odd Indian military personnel from his country, straining bilateral ties. In addition to the Maldives, the swearing-in ceremony is expected to witness the presence of top leaders from neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Mumbai, will now feature category call-outs and booklets in Braille, aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for visually challenged customers Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Business Wire India The Body Shop, the iconic British-born international ethical beauty brand, is commemorating its 18th anniversary in India with the introduction of Braille features at its Activist Workshop store in Palladium Mall, Mumbai. This innovative move, the first-of-its-kind by The Body Shop, will be a part of a phased approach across its stores countrywide, representing a significant milestone in the brands ongoing efforts toward inclusivity and accessibility in India. Inspired by suggestions from Disability Rights Activist and Youth Collective Council (YCC) member Virali Modi, the Braille features include category call-outs across the store, unlocking a holistically inclusive shopping experience. The YCC was launched in August 2023 to incorporate the voices of Indias emerging changemakers into The Body Shops business strategy, fostering a more youth-centric, sustainable, and inclusive approach. This new initiative expands the ambit of The Body Shops inclusivity beyond its gender-neutral product range and diverse staff. Given The Body Shops value system and the YCCs directive strategy discussed early this year at the organisation, the brand is also prioritising gender inclusivity based on suggestions by Ankita Mehra, an activist for the LGBTQA+ community. This is reflected in the brands gender-sensitive approach to hiring, training, and management, ensuring the head office and store staff embody this ethos as well. The brand, which is a changemaker and a pioneer in the beauty industry, has 10 staff members who are a part of the LGBTQA+ spectrum and embrace gender sensitivity at all levels. Additionally, The Body Shop recently hosted an immersive Diversity and Inclusion workshop for all its employees. Through this, the brand enabled its staff to explore and understand what it means to be inclusive, encouraging them to create a space that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all, creating an equitable workplace. Ms. Harmeet Singh, Chief Brand Officer, The Body Shop- Asia South, shared her thoughts, Were very excited to announce Braille integration at our Mumbai Activist Workshop store, and this coincides with our 18 years celebration in India. From inclusive hiring to Braille incorporation, we're making ethical beauty accessible. Our goal is to gradually ensure inclusive in-store experiences for all, aligning with The Body Shop's vision. About The Body Shop Founded in 1976 in Brighton, England, by Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop is a global beauty brand. The Body Shop seeks to make a positive difference in the world by offering high-quality, naturally-inspired skincare, body care, hair care, and make-up produced ethically and sustainably. The Body Shop India operates in India through its partner Quest Retail, A leading Beauty Specialist Omni Channel Retailer and Brand development company in India. Quest Retail has been a pioneer in bringing Beauty Retail and Brand concepts to India since 2006. To View the Image, Click on the Link Below: (L-R) Ankita Mehra - The Body Shop's Youth Collective Member and an activist for the LGBTQA+ Community & Harmeet Singh- Chief Brand Officer, The Body Shop Asia South (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR BEIJING, June 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 6, CNPC's "Generation Z" Youth Dialogue, revolving on the theme of "Bridging Pipelines, Hearts Aligned: Young Vibes along the Energy Silk Road," was grandly held at the CNPC Science and Technology Exchange Center in Beijing Foreign employees from SINO-Pipeline International in Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, together with Chinese employees, shared their stories of mutual learning, growth, and development during the construction and operation of energy cooperation projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese and foreign young employees also performed wonderful cultural programs. This event, hosted by SINO-Pipeline International, aimed to promote exchanges and cooperation among the youth of countries along the Belt and Road, showcasing the development achievements of energy cooperation projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. The event was held in a hybrid format with a main venue in Beijing and multiple video sub-venues, and was live broadcast in Chinese, Russian, and Burmese. To ensure extensive participation by Chinese and foreign employees, sub-venues were set up in joint venture/wholly-owned companies in Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as Xinjiang Company, and Yunnan Branch. Shen Zhong, Deputy Director of the Corporate Culture Department of CNPC delivered a speech. While promoting international cooperation, CNPC consistently strengthens people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, deepening exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations in the journey toward high-quality development. He expressed hope that young friends would leverage the stage of energy cooperation, continuously surpass themselves in cultural exchanges and insights sharing, and inject fresh blood into energy cooperation along the Belt and Road. Zhong Fan, Executive Director of SINO-Pipeline International, pointed out that over the past decade, SINO-Pipeline International has continuously improved its integrated investment, construction, and operation based on win-win cooperation, focused on cultivating a team of international talents with a global vision, and actively promoted international people-to-people exchanges under the Belt and Road Initiative. He hoped that young friends would link their destinies to the progress of human civilization, "build a golden bridge together," and demonstrate personal value in advancing high-quality development along the Belt and Road. The event consisted of two parts: youth dialogues and cultural performances. A total of 33 Chinese and foreign youth participated in the event. In the youth dialogue segment, six pairs of "one Chinese, one foreign" youth engaged in live dialogues in Chinese around the theme "Building a Golden Bridge Together: Energy Youth on the Silk Road." The speakers were all outstanding young employees recommended by their respective enterprises to share their exciting personal experiences. The event commenced with a dance performance titled "Ode to the Silk Road" by employees of Xinjiang Company, setting the stage for the youth dialogues. Subsequently, young representatives from various countries took the stage to share their touching stories. Aigerim Akhmetova and Jiang Tao from Asia Gas Pipeline LLP exemplified dedication and perseverance in lighting up thousands of homes. Avezov Rasulbek and Wang Weijian from JV"Asia Trans Gas"LLC reminisced about the brotherhood forged while handling compressor failures in the freezing cold. Yi Meng and Zhang Yunliang from Trans-Tajik Gas Pipeline Company Limited spoke about overcoming workplace challenges and chasing dreams along the New Silk Road. Gulina Sailanbek and Lei Qimeng from Beineu-Shymkent Gas Pipeline LLP shared the tremendous changes in local residents' lives after the commissioning of the pipeline project. Ryskulov Mirrakhim and Lu Ming from Trans-Kyrgyz Gas Pipeline Company Limited recounted supporting Kyrgyz students in overcoming difficulties to complete their studies. Kyaw Thu Yan Aung and Cui Shanglin from South-East Asia Crude Oil/Gas Pipeline Company Limited showcased the economic and cultural integration and deep friendship in China-Myanmar energy cooperation. Kazakh employees Aigerim Akhmetova and Gulina Sailanbek expressed in their narrations: "After the pipeline was commissioned, we witnessed firsthand how residents along the pipeline route transitioned from the traditional 'coal and wood era' to the brand new 'blue-gold era.' This is not just a green pipeline transporting clean energy but also a friendship pipeline conveying Chinese-Kazakh friendship." Chinese and foreign young employees performed wonderful dances and songs, showcasing the cultural integration achievements of "Generation Z" youth. Yunnan Branch's original song Against the Current demonstrated the spirit of perseverance and teamwork. The company's band, Concentric Circles, adapted and performed Glorious Years, pushing the event atmosphere to a climax. Their performance fully reflected the vitality and passion of "Generation Z" youth along the Belt and Road, and brought the youth dialogue event to a successful conclusion. SINO-Pipeline International, along with local partners, has jointly constructed and operated several transnational crude oil and natural gas pipelines, including the Trans-Asia Gas Pipeline, the Myanmar -China Oil and Gas Pipeline, and the Kazakhstan- China Crude Oil Pipeline, along the Belt and Road in Central Asia and Myanmar. Among the over 4,000 Chinese and foreign employees, young employees from both China and abroad are active on the front lines of pipeline project construction and operation. They have been jointly tackling risks and challenges, deepening mutual learning and cultural exchange, and ensuring the safe and stable operation of transnational pipelines. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR PWR L to R Disha Gupta, Dr. Bruce Philp, Professor Eileen McAuliffe, Professor Vikas Kumar, Robert Hurlbutt. The programme aimed to empower and equip students with the global standards of education and related opportunities BCU is at the forefront of Business, Law, and Social Sciences Faculty, with employability central to all its courses New Delhi (India), June 8: Birmingham City University (BCU), a large and diverse institution in Birmingham, UK, organised a guidance programme on career opportunities available globally for students in various fields in New Delhi on Friday, June 7. The universitys professors and faculty shared information about the various courses offered by the institute and the opportunities for career advancement. The session aimed to empower and equip students with the global standards of education and related opportunities. It was immensely useful for prospective Management students, as the top brass, including the Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Eileen McAuliffe, guided the students with their global experience. Introducing the university, Professor McAuliffe said the BCU is a large and diverse institution, home to around 31,000 from over 100 countries. She said that their student-centric approach ensures that they place students at the heart of everything they do, providing them with the best opportunities for future success. We are immensely proud of our inspiring alumni community, whose members are making significant impacts across various industries. At BCU, our Faculty of Business, Law, and Social Sciences is at the forefront of innovative thinking and practice. We specialize in business, law, criminology, sociology, and psychology, and maintain a strong track record in teaching, research, and consultancy., she said. Speaking about the opportunities at BCU Business School, Professor McAuliffe said that it offers over 1,000 contemporary and flexible courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. More than 400 million have been invested in facilities to ensure industry-relevant learning experiences. The institute has 2,300 teaching staff with strong industry connections and offers 50 courses accredited by respected professional bodies. She further said that Employability and Entrepreneurship is central to all its courses, which extend beyond the classroom through industry connections, career support, and practice-based learning. For aspiring entrepreneurs, BCU boasts the highest number of student and graduate business start-ups of any university in the West Midlands (HESA, 2022), she said. Why Indian Students Are Important to BCU? BCU has a long and warm association with India and it eagerly welcomes Indian students to the UK. The university has an active Indian Society through its Students Union, along with a Sikh Society, ensuring that Indian students feel at home. Birmingham, known as one of Europes most diverse cities, is home to nearly 65,000 residents of Indian ethnic origin. Indian students can enjoy the vibrant Balti Triangle, famous for Asian cuisine, shopping, jewellers, and sweet shops, creating a comforting and familiar environment away from home. Why consider BCU specifically for Management? Everybody presents at the event appreciated the fact that Birmingham City University works closely with local, national and international businesses to enhance student learning through placements, workshops, live briefs and guest lectures from industry professionals. Another most loved aspect by the audience was stress on Learning in a hands-on environment and professionals that have a wealth of knowledge allows students to be as prepared as possible once they leave the University. All future entrepreneurs were hooked by the opportunities like Birmingham Skills for Enterprise and Employability Network (BSEEN), STEAMhouse Pre-Incubator, STEAMhouse Hatchery to get funds and hone their skills as a budding entrepreneur. The core team who looks after the Management courses in totality candidly shared their experience and the universitys vision for students across the globe. Here is a brief about the core team: Professor Eileen McAuliffe, Pro Vice-Chancellor Executive Dean for the Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences, who obtained her PhD in International Taxation has been the guiding light behind the universitys rapid growth. In November 2018, she was recognised as a BBC Expert Woman for her contributions to the narrative around tax morale and corruption. She is a sought-after guest in esteemed global organisations like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Economic Forum (WEF). She is also a member of the prestigious United Nations for the collaboration of Tax Policies. Professor McAuliffe is a member of the United Nations Platform for the Collaboration on Tax. She was awarded Professor of International Taxation in 2020 and is currently engaged with Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and Association to Advance Collegiate School of Businesses (AACSB) on a World Economic Forum project to develop Business Education Driving Societal Impact. Introduction of other key speakers: Prof Vikas Kumar is an Associate Dean for Research Innovation and Enterprise at the Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences, BCU. He is also a Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management. Prof Kumar has over a decade of teaching and research experience. Prof Kumar holds the title of Chartered Management Business Educator (CMBE) and is a fellow of HEA. He has also worked in India, Ireland and Hong Kong. Dr Bruce Philp who heads the Graduate School of Management, shared how he was able to combine the practical experience he had with the industry, with the Management courses he teaches at the university. Dr Philps has applied the techniques of game theory to study work time and distribution. His research continues to contribute in this area, as well as examining business and societal sustainability, productivity and distribution of income. Robert Hurlbutt, the Head of International Recruitment at BCU, supports recruitment and diversity from across the globe. Robert's tremendous efforts in guiding the students and guardians about the swift procedures of migration and upkeeping his team to cater to the ever-evolving geopolitical scenario, has made BIRMINGHAM City Univeristy, the largest Univeristy in terms of qualitative strength. Ms Disha Gupta, Head of Operations & Recruitment - India, UAE, Nepal & Sri Lanka, BCU, is the pivot who has successfully been able to cater to students across Asia and the world with a world-class institution like Birmingham City University. BCUs Vision: To create a culture of social justice through an inclusive, diverse, and challenging learning environment. To be a change agent in peoples lives, impacting professionals and their organisations. To be a leading centre in education and social work, inspiring students, staff, and partners to be active agents of change locally, nationally, and globally. To change lives, inform practice, and challenge perceptions through world-leading research and critical thinking. BCUs Mission: We commit to learning with enthusiasm and passion through relevant and responsive curricula, developing resilience, confidence, and risk-taking in our staff, students, and partners. We offer learning spaces that promote and nurture positive attitudes toward equality, inclusion, and diversity, celebrating uniqueness, individuality, and community. We are change agents working in partnership through leading near-to-practice research, knowledge production, and transfer. We connect diverse individuals and communities, actively promoting leading research and critical thinking in our fields. Ms Disha Gupta, Head of Operations & Recruitment - India, UAE, Nepal & Sri Lanka, BCU, presented the vote of thanks. The session was an excellent opportunity for academics, students and other stakeholders. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Islamabad, Jun 8 (PTI) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping in their meeting have affirmed consensus on the upgradation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and advancing high-quality development of the multi-billion dollar project in the second phase. The two leaders held an in-depth discussion at the historic Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday during the five-day official visit of Sharif which began on June 4. The two leaders were accompanied by the ministers and senior officials. This was the first meeting of Sharif with President Xi since assuming office in 2024. According to the state media, the two leaders showed consensus on up-gradation of the CPEC and advancing the development of the mega project in the second phase. The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI is seen as an attempt by China to further its influence abroad with infrastructure projects funded by Chinese investments across the world. China has also invested billions in various power projects and road networks in Pakistan under the USD 65 billion CPEC plan, but the implementation of various projects has slowed in recent months. Associated Press of Pakistan reported that Prime Minister Sharif briefed President Xi on Pakistans policies for economic reform and sustained growth, industrial development, agricultural modernisation and regional connectivity and the critical role played by the CPEC in Pakistans development. The prime minister recalled the historic visit of President Xi Jinping to Pakistan in 2015 when the CPEC was formally operationalised, marking a new chapter in the bilateral relationship. He asserted Pakistans commitment to high-quality development of the CPEC and to foster synergy between the development strategies of the two countries through close coordination. Commending President Xis Belt and Road Initiative and Global Development Initiative (GDI), the prime minister underscored that as the flagship project of BRI, the CPEC had significantly contributed to Pakistans socio-economic development. He underlined that the governments agenda for people-centric, socio-economic development resonates with the concept of shared prosperity embraced by China. The two leaders reaffirmed the time-honoured All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and expressed the resolve to further deepen cooperation across diverse domains ranging from political and security to economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments including Afghanistan, Palestine and South Asia, including Kashmir. President Xi Jinping also hosted a banquet in honour of the prime minister, where another round of discussion on different matters of mutual interests was held. Radio Pakistan reported that Sharif in the meeting reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment for safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan. The two sides reiterated their longstanding support for each other's issues of core interest. Kathmandu, Jun 8 (PTI) Nepals House of Representatives has passed a proposal seeking ratification of a framework agreement related to the membership of the International Solar Alliance that will help the Himalayan nation increase usage of solar power in its effort to combat the impact due to changing climate. The House of Representatives (HoR), or the Lower House on Thursday endorsed the proposal tabled by Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet through a majority vote. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilise efforts against climate change through the deployment of solar energy solutions and announced on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Paris in 2015. With the amendment of its Framework Agreement in 2020, all member states of the United Nations are eligible to join the ISA. At present, 119 countries, including Nepal, are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement, of which 98 countries have submitted the necessary instruments of ratification to become full members of the ISA. Responding to queries raised by lawmakers from various political parties, Basnet said that the agreement was tabled in keeping with the national interest of the country as clean energy is essential for minimising the impacts of climate change. The installation of solar energy will be important for Nepals development, he pointed out and informed the House that the government has already moved the process for the generation of 1,000 MW through solar power in the next couple of years. A competitive bidding for Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) has already started for the same and bidding for PPA of 800 MW has already opened, he added. Rajendra Khatrichhetri, a lawmaker belonging to opposition Nepali Congress, welcomed the governments move as he said, This is a good proposal as it will provide cheap and affordable energy to the general public and also helps to minimise the impacts of climate change. Currently, Nepal has 13 projects generating 68.38 MW of solar power, according to Nepals Energy Development Department. In September 2023, Nepal announced that it plans to develop 30,000 MW of electricity by 2035 and would club hydropower and solar power. New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage's "Paradise" will be released in theatres across India and worldwide on June 28, the makers announced on Saturday. The film narrates the story of an Indian tourist couple, played by Darlings star Roshan Mathew and Darshana Rajendran of Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey fame, who arrive in the crisis-ridden country to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary as it costs less. But when things take an unexpected turn and the conflict deepens, cracks appear in their relationship. Also starring Shyam Fernando and Mahendra Perera, the movie is produced by Newton Cinema. It has dialogues in English, Malayalam, Tamil, Sinhala, and Hindi. Presented by Indian veteran Mani Ratnams Madras Talkies, "Paradise" had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival 2023, where it won the prestigious Kim Jiseok Award for Best Film. 'Paradise' is my first Indian film. This is, for the first time, a Sri Lankan director has a worldwide release. I want to thank Newton Cinema for opening the world to me," Vithanage said in a statement. Anto Chittilappilly, CEO of Newton Cinema, said he is confident that Paradise" will resonate with audiences worldwide. "I fell in love with the script from the very first time I read it. It's a great honour to produce a film of the master director, Prasanna Vithanage, and to work with such a talented cast and crew whose efforts made this film successful. Newton Cinema, a young production studio founded during the pandemic, is proud to have Paradise as our fourth project. "We are deeply humbled by the accolades we have received so far including the Busan award, and the four nominations to Asian Film Awards. Paradise is a film that must be experienced in theaters to fully appreciate its exceptional audio-visual elements," he added. The film's crew members include Rajeev Ravi as the cinematographer, Sreekar Prasad as the editor, Tapas Nayak as the sound designer, and K, the music director. Lahore, Jun 8 (PTI) Over 800 Sikhs from India arrived here on Saturday to take part in Jor Mela, a three-day festival commemorating the death anniversary of the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji. The Jor Mela will be held from June 15 at Gurdwara Dera Sahib Lahore. Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) officer Ghulam Mohayuddin told PTI that Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president and Punjab Minorities Minister Ramesh Singh Arora and the ETPB senior officers welcomed the 846 visiting pilgrims at the Wagah border. The Sikh pilgrims expressed great joy upon their arrival. We will have the darshan (blessing to witness) of our Guru's land. I feel very happy, Gurbachan Singh, who heads the delegation, said and added there is a sense of belonging here. Arora, the first Sikh minister in Pakistans Punjab province, said all the arrangements for the Sikh pilgrims have been made by the ETPB, which looks after the affairs of the minorities in the country. Special arrangements have been made for the security, transport and medical facilities of the pilgrims, he said. Soon after their arrival, the pilgrims left for Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasanabdal, about 400-odd kms northwest of here. During their 10-day stay, the Indian Sikhs pilgrims would also visit Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak; Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Farooqabad; Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, Narowal; and Gurdwara Rohri Sahib, Aminabad. They will return on June 17. Prague, Jun 8 (AP) Voters in Slovakia, Italy and other European Union nations are casting their ballots Saturday on the third day of elections for the European Parliament, with populist and far-right parties looking to make gains across the 27-member bloc. In Slovakia, the election was overshadowed by an attempt to assassinate populist Prime Minister Robert Fico on May 15, sending shockwaves through the nation of 5.4 million and reverberating throughout Europe. Analysts say the attack could boost the chances of the premier's leftist Smer (Direction) party, the senior partner in the governing coalition, to win the vote. Fico, who took office last fall after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform, has been recovering from multiple wounds after being shot in the abdomen as he greeted supporters in the town of Handlova. He recovered in time to address the nation in a prerecorded video, his first public statement since the attack, just hours before the start of the preelection silence period on Wednesday. Although Fico didn't talk directly about the vote, he attacked the European Union, suggesting he was a victim because of his views that differ sharply from the European mainstream. Fico strongly opposes support for Ukraine in its war against Russia's full-scale invasion. He ended Slovakia's military aid for Ukraine after his coalition government was sworn in on October 25. He also opposes EU sanctions on Russia and wants to block Ukraine from joining NATO. Mainstream media, non-governmental organisations and the liberal opposition were also to blame for the assassination attempt, according to Fico, an allegation repeated by politicians in his governing coalition. Sona Szomolanyi, a political science professor at Comenius University in Bratislava, said the timing of Fico's message was "no coincidence. It only confirms that the ruling coalition has been using the assassination (attempt) expediently and apparently effectively, Szomolanyi said. As a result, a mobilisation of the supporters of Smer (at the election) can be expected, she said. In Italy, citizens aged 18 and above are casting ballots over two days to fill 76 European parliamentary seats, starting Saturday. Premier Giorgia Meloni is expected to be the big winner, reflecting her far-right Brothers of Italy's growth, mostly at the expense of her coalition partners, the populist, anti-migrant League and the centre-right Forza Italia. While the vote is not expected to affect the balance in the governing coalition, the result could expand Meloni's influence in the European Union, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has not ruled out a coalition with her group. Capitalising on her popularity, Meloni is running as the preferential candidate, even though she has no intention of taking a European parliamentary seat. Voters in Latvia, Malta, and the Czech Republic were also casting ballots Saturday. Final results will not be released until Sunday night, once every country has voted. The main voting day is Sunday, with citizens in 20 European countries, including Germany, France and Poland, casting their ballots for the 720-seat European Parliament. Seats are allocated based on population, ranging from six in Malta or Luxembourg to 96 in Germany. In Slovakia, Fico's Smer party is in a close race against the main opposition Progressive Slovakia, a pro-Western liberal party. Fico's government has made efforts to overhaul public broadcasting a move critics said would give the government full control of public television and radio. That, along with his plans to amend the penal code to eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor, has led opponents to worry that he would lead Slovakia down a more autocratic path, following the direction of neighbouring Hungary under populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Fico's policies. Aneta Vilagi, an analyst from Comenius University, said that Smer's possible victory will be interpreted by the coalition parties as evidence that a majority of voters still agree with the direction they're offering to the country. (AP) GRS GRS RAMALLAH, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has instructed Palestine's envoy to the United Nations (UN) to request an emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss the repercussions of the Israeli attacks on the central Gaza Strip, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported on Saturday. Abbas is engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts with Arab and international stakeholders to convene the emergency session, the aim of which is to address the "ongoing Israeli aggression" against the Palestinian people and compel Israel to comply with the resolutions of international legitimacy, WAFA said. Abbas emphasized the urgent need for international intervention to halt the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank, adding that Israel continues to exploit "international silence and U.S. support" to "perpetrate crimes," according to the report. On Saturday, at least 210 Palestinians were killed and more than 400 others injured in Israeli airstrikes on central Gaza. Since its onset last October, the deadly conflict between Israel and Gaza-ruling Hamas has led to 36,801 Palestinians killed and 83,680 others injured in the strip, local health authorities said in an update earlier in the day. Copenhagen, Jun 8 (AP) A man reportedly assaulted Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in central Copenhagen, local media said. Police confirmed there has been an incident with the prime minister and that a 39-year-old man was arrested Friday. He is expected to face a custody hearing Saturday, police said. Authorities didn't provide further details and it was not clear if Frederiksen was hurt. Two eyewitnesses, Anna Ravn and Marie Adrian, told the daily BT that they saw a man walking toward Frederiksen and then pushing her hard on the shoulder so she was shoved aside. They stressed that the premier did not fall down. Another witness, Kasper Jorgensen, told the Ekstra Bladet tabloid that a well-dressed man, who seemed part of Frederiksen's protection unit, and a police officer took down the alleged assailant. Soren Kjrgaard who was working at a local bar on Kultorvet Square where the incident happened told the BT that he saw Frederiksen after the incident and she had no visible injuries to her face but walked away quickly. The prime minister's office told the Danish state broadcaster DR on Friday that Frederiksen was shocked by what happened. Politicians in the Scandinavian country and abroad condemned the reported assault. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that an attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy, while Charles Michel, president of the European Council, condemned on X what he called a cowardly act of aggression. European Union parliamentary elections are currently underway in Denmark and the rest of the 27-nation bloc and will conclude on Sunday. Frederiksen has been campaigning with the Social Democrats' EU lead candidate, Christel Schaldemose. Media reports said the attack was not linked to a campaign event. Violence against politicians has become a theme in the run-up to the EU elections. In May, a candidate from Germany's centre-left Social Democrats was beaten and seriously injured while campaigning for a seat in the European Parliament. In Slovakia, the election campaign was overshadowed by an attempt to assassinate populist Prime Minister Robert Fico on May 15, sending shockwaves through the nation of 5.4 million and reverberating throughout Europe. Assault on politicians in Denmark is rare. On March 23, 2003, two activists threw red paint on then-Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen inside the parliament and were immediately arrested. Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller also suffered some splashes that day. (AP) GRS GRS Copenhagen (Denmark), Jun 8 (AP) A man who reportedly assaulted the Danish Prime Minister in central Copenhagen will appear in a pre-trial custody hearing on Saturday, authorities said. Police confirmed there has been an incident with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Friday and that a 39-year-old man was arrested. They didn't provide further details and it wasn't clear if Frederiksen was hurt. The man is expected to arrive at 1100 GMT at the Copenhagen District Court in Frederiksberg, a municipality enclave within the Danish capital. The prime minister's office told the Danish state broadcaster DR on Friday that Frederiksen was shocked by what happened. Two eyewitnesses, Anna Ravn and Marie Adrian, told the daily BT that they saw a man walking toward Frederiksen and then pushing her hard on the shoulder so she was shoved aside. They stressed that the premier did not fall down. Another witness, Kasper Jorgensen, told the Ekstra Bladet tabloid that a well-dressed man, who seemed part of Frederiksen's protection unit, and a police officer took down the alleged assailant. Soren Kjaeargaard who was working at a local bar on Kultorvet Square where the incident happened told the BT that he saw Frederiksen after the incident and she had no visible injuries to her face but walked away quickly. Politicians in the Scandinavian country and abroad condemned the reported assault. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that an attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy, while Charles Michel, president of the European Council, condemned on X what he called a cowardly act of aggression. European Union parliamentary elections are currently underway in Denmark and the rest of the 27-nation bloc and will conclude on Sunday. Frederiksen has been campaigning with the Social Democrats' EU lead candidate, Christel Schaldemose. Media reports said the attack was not linked to a campaign event. Violence against politicians has become a theme in the run-up to the EU elections. In May, a candidate from Germany's centre-left Social Democrats was beaten and seriously injured while campaigning for a seat in the European Parliament. In Slovakia, the election campaign was overshadowed by an attempt to assassinate populist Prime Minister Robert Fico on May 15, sending shockwaves through the nation of 5.4 million and reverberating throughout Europe. Frederiksen, 46, is the leader of the Social Democratic Party and has been Denmark's prime minister since 2019. She has steered Denmark through the global COVID-19 pandemic and a controversial 2020 decision to wipe out Denmark's entire captive mink population to minimize the risk of the small mammals retransmitting the virus. Assaults on politicians in Denmark are rare. On March 23, 2003, two activists threw red paint on then-Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen inside the parliament and were immediately arrested. Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller also suffered some splashes that day. (AP) PY PY Kathmandu, Jun 8 (PTI) Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal 'Prachanda' will leave for New Delhi on Sunday to attend the swearingin ceremony of Narendra Modi, who is assuming the post of Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive term. Modis swearing-in ceremony would take place on Sunday evening. Prime Minister Prachanda is paying an official visit to India starting from Sunday at the cordial invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the swearing-in ceremony to be held on June 9 in New Delhi, read a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Prime Minister will be accompanied by his daughter Ganga Dahal, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri, and high-ranking officials of the Government of Nepal, the statement said. Prachanda will return on June 10, it added. Earlier on Tuesday, Prachanda congratulated Modi on the electoral success of his party-led alliance. Congratulations to PM @narendramodi on the electoral success of BJP and NDA in the Lok Sabha elections for the third consecutive term. We are happy to note the successful completion of the worlds largest democratic exercise with enthusiastic participation of the people of India, he said in a post on X. Prachandas earlier official trip to India was from October 4 to 7 last year. Modi's swearing-in ceremony is expected to witness the presence of leaders from other neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Mauritius, and Seychelles, in addition to the Maldives, as part of Indias Neighbourhood First policy. Islamabad, Jun 8 (PTI) Incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi on Saturday petitioned the Islamabad High Court seeking suspension of the sentence and subsequent release in the fake marriage case. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and his wife Bushra Bibi have been convicted in what has come to be known as the iddat case, for their marriage allegedly during the iddat period. "It is imperative to decide the suspension of sentence of the petitioner (Bushra) as early as possible in the interest of justice," The News International cited the plea filed by the former first lady as saying. Bushra Bibi filed the plea through her lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar. Lamenting Bushra's "prolonged incarceration", the petition underscored her right to the suspension of her sentence. Khan, 71, lodged at Adiala Jail at Rawalpindi after conviction in multiple cases and Bushra Bibi, 49, also at the same jail, were each sentenced to seven years in prison in February this year after a trial court found their nikah to be fraudulent after Khawar Maneka, the former first lady's ex-husband, had moved the court against their marriage, stressing that it was solemnised during her iddat period. In its 51-page detailed verdict, the court maintained that their marriage reflected dishonesty and also imposed a fine of Rs 5,00,000 each, with the failure to pay would attract additional four months of incarceration. The couple had then filed appeals against their conviction in a district and sessions court. This case has been transferred to Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majuka after Maneka expressed no confidence in Judge Shahrukh Arjumand. In her plea, Bushra has complained of "miserable conditions" while being incarcerated in Adiala jail, and "political victimisation" aimed at her and Khan. The petition further underscores contradictory evidence and unsustainable evidence, stressing that it cannot be a basis for a conviction. "The petitioner is previously non-convict and is ready to furnish surety bonds to the entire satisfaction of this honourable court for her release," said the petition. Meanwhile, the IHC Registrar's Office has raised multiple objections to the former first lady's plea stressing how a petition can be filed when a case involving the suspension of sentence is already pending in a district and sessions court. The objections also inquire about which order of the subordinate court has been challenged and how the same type of relief can be taken from two courts. Bushra Bibi had previously moved to a district and sessions court in the federal capital, seeking an early hearing of her appeals filed against her conviction in the iddat case. Judge Majuka during Friday's hearing adjourned the case till June 11. Beijing, Jun 8 (PTI) China and Pakistan on Saturday opposed any "unilateral action" for the resolution of all outstanding issues in South Asia as the visiting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed the Chinese leadership on the situation in Kashmir and discussed close ties enjoyed by their militaries. Sharif concluded his four-day visit, the first after his second stint started in March, focussing on shoring up Chinese investments and assistance as his country faces an acute economic crisis. A joint statement at the end of his trip said, Both sides underscore the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia, the need for resolution of all outstanding disputes, and their opposition to any unilateral action. The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements, it said. India has previously rejected such joint statements by China and Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs has said that "all parties concerned are well aware of our clear position on these matters." "The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh are and always will be integral and inalienable parts of India. No other country has a locus standi to comment on the same," the MEA had said previously. Pakistan downgraded its ties with India protesting the abrogation of Article 370 granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019. India has always maintained that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment that is free of terror and hostility for such an engagement. During his four-day visit, which coincided with the announcement of the results of the general elections in India and the formation of the new government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sharif met Chinese President Xi Jinping besides Premier Li Qiang and other officials. Modi would be sworn in on Sunday for the third consecutive term in New Delhi in the presence of Indias all South Asian neighbours except Pakistan, and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations such as Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius at a time when China seeks to expand its footprint in India's neighbourhood. Besides Kashmir, political and strategic developments related to India figured in Sharif's talks with Chinese leaders as the two all-weather allies closely coordinated their policies. The joint statement also spoke about the close ties enjoyed by their two militaries as it said: The two sides expressed satisfaction that the armed forces of the two countries maintained a high level of strategic mutual trust, developed close coordination and promoted cooperation in the long term. The two sides underscored that stronger strategic defence and security cooperation between Pakistan and China plays an irreplaceable and critical role in maintaining peace and stability and ensuring strategic balance of the region, the statement said and added, the two sides agreed to maintain high-level military-to-military visits and exchanges and promote cooperation in areas of joint training and exercises and military technology. China, in the last two decades, has emerged as a major supplier of military equipment to Pakistan. It includes advanced fighter aircraft, naval ships and submarines. Earlier, the two sides signed 23 agreements and MOUs covering cooperation on USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), agriculture, infrastructure, industrial cooperation, inter-governmental development assistance, market regulation, surveying and mapping, media, film, the joint statement said. The two sides agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on the Afghanistan issue. Pakistan, which sheltered the Afghan Taliban for decades, now accuses the Taliban government in Kabul of fomenting terrorism in its soil and blames militant groups based in Afghanistan for the recurring terror. It included the recent attacks on scores of Chinese personnel in Pakistan. Both sides encourage the interim government of Afghanistan to build an inclusive political framework, adopt moderate policies, pursue good-neighbourliness, and firmly combat terrorism, including not allowing its territory to be used for terrorist acts, the joint statement said. Meeting Sharif on Friday, Xi spoke of solid public support with a strong internal driving force and broad prospects for development for the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. China stands ready to work with Pakistan to firmly support each other, strengthen cooperation, deepen strategic coordination, accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and make greater contributions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, Xi told Sharif. Sofia (Bulgaria), Jun 8 (PTI) Indias election turnout and speed of coalition formation have impressed European countries like Bulgaria as they conclude their voting processes this weekend, the Indian envoy to Sofia has said. In an interview with PTI ahead of the countrys two-in-one elections on Sunday where voters will elect members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and also members of their own National Assembly (MPs) Ambassador Sanjay Rana expressed the hope that the outcome would enhance bilateral cooperation and lead to a greater two-way flow of high-level visits. The elections, which come days after India completed its own multi-phased general election, are undergoing a day of reflection on Saturday as Bulgarias Election Code prohibits canvassing from 24 hours prior to polling day. Bulgaria, like many European countries, has been facing the issue of low turnout in elections and they all congratulate me on the high turnout we see in Indian elections, shared Ambassador Rana. A voter turnout of 65.79 per cent was recorded in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections in India. Everyone is highly impressed by this mammoth election exercise which we have and there is a great deal of appreciation for the Indian voter and the nuanced messages they send. This general election has underlined our position as the greatest and the biggest functioning democracy today in the modern world, he said. Bulgarian politics has been dominated by coalitions in recent times, with varying degrees of success, ending in another set of snap polls called earlier this year. People here are also surprised how quickly the coalitions form in India and how stable our politics tends to be. Though we have a large number of parties and electorate, the government formation is relatively quicker, and our governments tend to be very stable compared to what we see here in Bulgaria, reflected the envoy. Also, this time the elections in Bulgaria will be coinciding with the European Parliament election, so there is more enthusiasm in the sense, he said. Bulgaria will be electing 17 MEPs to the European Parliament, a relatively simpler process than the coalition formation at the national level. The mandate that comes out has been fractured but this time, hopefully, it will be much more clear and a coalition will be quickly formed. This will also give a boost to relations between our countries," Rana said. "We have very close and warm relations between India and Bulgaria and once we have a stable government here, we hope to see more exchanges of high-level visits and delegations, both political and business delegation, and more signing of the many MoUs and agreements which we have been planning, said Ambassador Rana. So, we hope that the coming elections here, and the recently concluded elections in India would both give a big fillip to our bilateral exchanges and cooperation, he noted. On exchanges in the field of business and trade, the envoy pointed to Indias top IT companies setting up offices in Bulgaria and also recruiting a large number of local talent. Indian companies are interested in making investments here because in a way, many of our companies see Bulgaria as an entry point into the European market. If you see geographically, Bulgaria is one of the closest to the Indian subcontinent. It is well connected to the Indian ports, and they have developed their two ports in Burgas and Varna, which provides good connectivity, he shared. There are some challenges because of recent events in the Red Sea, increasing insurance costs, but still Bulgarias importance as a gateway into the European market remains, he said, adding that a lot of untapped potential remains even though India-Bulgaria business has more than doubled in the last five years. The ambassador, who has been based in Sofia for over three years, described warm and friendly Bulgarians as having a great affinity to India. He added: A major aspect of friendship between India and Bulgaria is also the close cultural relations. Bulgarian people have a high appreciation for Indian culture, especially Yoga and Ayurveda. When we mark International Day of Yoga (June 21), it is celebrated in almost 40 cities with many events, seminars and conferences. I try to travel around the country and meet the various Yoga groups and join them in the Yoga sessions. Unlike many other European nations, the Indian diaspora in Bulgaria is rather compact estimated at around 1,000 and made up of Indian students and IT professionals but the appetite for greater two-way exchanges remains extremely high. We are in talks with the Bulgarian government on a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement. Such agreements streamline the movement of people, and the process does need to be streamlined as it still takes a lot of time to recruit people and bring them here from India. But we are working on it because there is a great deal of demand for Indian workers by Bulgarian businesses, he said. Thane, Jun 8 (PTI) Police have arrested 28-year-old man from Taloja in Navi Mumbai for allegedly carrying mephedrone drug worth Rs 6.5 lakh, an official said on Saturday. The action against the accused, Mobin Mehboob Khan, who is an electrician by profession, was taken around 10 pm on Friday. "A team of the Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Navi Mumbai police found Khan moving in a suspicious manner on a ground in Patale village on Friday night. When the police personnel frisked him, he was found possessing 65 grams of mephedrone (MD) worth Rs. 6,50,000," the official said. A case was registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act at the Taloja police station on Saturday, he said. Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) A 24-year-old man was killed and three others injured after their relatives attacked them following an argument in Kurla here, police said on Saturday. The police have arrested seven persons, three of them women, in connection with the incident that took place in the Indira Nagar locality of Kurla on Friday night, an official said. Adnan Salim Qureshi was killed in the attack, while Aarif Umar Khan (29), Imran Salim Qureshi (19) and Asif Umar Khan (26) sustained injuries, he said. The accused, who are related to the victims, came to the home of Aarif's uncle and attacked them following an argument, the official said. The victims were rushed to Sion Hospital, where one of them died during treatment, he said. A case under sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the accused, the official said. Damoh (MP), Jun 8 (PTI) An unidentified man attacked a couple and killed their two-and-half-month-old baby at Damoh railway station in Madhya Pradesh in the early hours of Saturday, the Government Railway Police (GRP) said. A case of murder has been registered in connection with the incident that occurred around 5 am, said Mahesh Kori, in-charge of the GRP post. The complainant, Lekhram Adivasi, had travelled from Delhi on Gondwana Express with his wife and baby, he said. The official said the couple were heading to Madiadoh village but alighted at Damoh station as the infant was unwell, and they wanted to take him to the district hospital. Adivasi's wife was giving water to the baby when an unidentified man started hitting them, and the complainant picked up a brick from the spot to scare the attacker away, he said. The baby died in the attack, the official said. The complainant alleged that the GRP personnel had not come to the family's rescue, and he had to call the police helpline. The police have launched a search for the accused and are examining the CCTV footage from the area, the official said. Gangtok, Jun 8 (PTI) The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) on Saturday invited its workers and public to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prem Singh Tamang and his council of ministers on June 10 at the Palzor stadium here. Tamang will take oath as the chief minister of Sikkim for the second time on June 10 as the SKM won a landslide mandate in the recently concluded assembly polls by winning 31 out of 32 seats. "All party workers... various frontal organisations/wings, primary members are hereby informed that the swearing-in ceremony of Hon'ble Chief Minister P S Golay along with his new cabinet is scheduled to be held on June 10 at 4 pm at Palzor Stadium, Gangtok," SKM general secretary (Headquarters) Pawan Gurung said. "We request all party workers, supporters, and respected 'janata' (public) to be present at this historic event," he said. The invitation is open to all and there is no requirement for entry pass for the function, the SKM official said. The Education Department has ordered the closure of all educational institutions within the boundary of Gangtok Municipal Corporation on June 10 as part of security measures for the swearing-in ceremony of the chief minister and his council of ministers on June 10. A circular issued by the Education Department's Additional Chief Secretary R Telang said: "In view of security arrangements and restrictions on movement of vehicles for the swearing-in ceremony of the Hon'ble chief minister and council of ministers on June 10 at Palzor Stadium, Gangtok, it has been decided that all government and private schools, colleges and academic institutions falling within the boundaries of GMC shall remain closed on June 10." TEHRAN, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The second meeting of the regional contact group for Afghanistan was held in the Iranian capital Tehran on Saturday, the official news agency IRNA reported. Special representatives of Iran, China, Russia and Pakistan attended the meeting held at the Iranian Foreign Ministry's Institute for Political and International Studies, the report said. In a message sent to the meeting, Iranian Caretaker Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani said that the United States should release Afghanistan's assets, which had previously been frozen. He added almost three years had elapsed since the U.S. troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan, the country was still struggling to solve outstanding problems in economy and development. Bagheri Kani noted that although Afghanistan's caretaker government had managed to attain achievements in tackling certain challenges, the freezing of the country's assets had hindered post-war recovery. Speaking at a press conference following the meeting in Tehran, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, the Iranian president's special envoy on Afghanistan affairs, said the participants highlighted the necessity to resolve Afghanistan's issues through regional dialogue and cooperation. He noted that addressing issues such as fighting terrorism and improving humanitarian conditions relied on regional cooperation. Among the other issues discussed during the meeting were ensuring common borders' security and those about Afghan refugees, said Kazemi Qomi. He added the United States, "which faced a failure in Afghanistan after 20 years of occupation," should be held to account for the country's current problems. The U.S. troops pulled out of Afghanistan in August 2021 after 20 years of occupying the country following waging a war against it in 2001 on the pretext of fighting terrorism. Bhubaneswar, Jun 8 (PTI) The BJP's parliamentary party is likely to select the chief minister of Odisha after Narendra Modi takes oath as the country's prime minister for the third term on Sunday, a saffron camp leader said here. After returning to the state from New Delhi on Saturday, Odisha BJP chief Manmohan Samal said, "Wait for two more days". The BJP secured a majority in the elections by winning 78 of the 147-member Odisha assembly. The parliamentary party of the BJP would select the chief minister at its meeting, Samal said, adding that he does "not have any idea on the next chief minister of the state". I had gone to Delhi to attend a meeting to select the NDAs parliamentary party leader and Lok Sabha leader. All newly elected MPs from the state were present there. We also attended other party programmes arranged in Delhi, he said at the airport here. The BJP won 20 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha. Samal also said he, as the president of the Odisha BJP, has been coordinating with all stakeholders in making arrangements for the oath-taking function. The BJP leader claimed that its parliamentary party is yet to select the next Odisha CM. On several requests by reporters, he said, Wait for two more days and you will be informed about the party's decision on the new chief minister. There are highly experienced leaders of the party at the Centre and they will take the decision keeping the interest of the state in mind. Asked whether he was in the race for the chief ministers post, Samal said, I am not...I am just executing whatever responsibility is assigned to me. said Samal, who was defeated in Chandbali in the recently concluded Odisha assembly elections. Several names such as Sambalpur MP and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Samal, former state BJP president and newly elected MLA from Patnagarh KV Singh Deo, tribal leader Mohan Majhi, who has been elected from Keonjhar seat, are doing rounds. Pradhan is considered the BJPs face in the state and he belongs to the OBC category, while Singh Deo is a five-time legislator and worked as minister in the Naveen Patnaik Council of Ministers for nine years between 2000 and 2009. During this period, the BJD-BJP coalition government ruled the state. Though Samal was defeated in the assembly polls, his supporters claimed that Pushkar Singh Dhami lost the assembly election in Uttarakhand but was chosen as the CM. During the election campaign in the state, Modi had said the party would make a "bhumi putra (son of soil)" the Odisha chief minister. New Delhi, Jun 7 (PTI) IAF chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari flew a sortie in a Eurofighter aircraft at a German airbase on Friday, officials said. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari is currently on a visit to Germany. The IAF later also posted some pictures from his official visit. "CAS Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari is on an official visit to Germany on invitation by his German counterpart Lt Gen Ingo Gerhartz, Commander of the German Air Force. During the tour, the CAS also visited the ILA 2024 and took to the German skies in a Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft. "IAF is looking forward to hosting @Team_Luftwaffe in its first multinational Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024 in India, later this year. May the bonds of friendship and trust between the two countries continue to flourish," the IAF posted on X. Srinagar, Jun 8 (PTI) The State Investigation Agency on Saturday raided the residence of a timber dealer in the old city here in connection with an 11-year-old terror attack in Sopore which left four policemen dead, officials said. The SIA sleuths carried out the searches at the residence of Ahmadullah Malla in the Nawab Bazar area of the city in the early hours and seized some material and documents, the officials said. They said the raid was carried out as part of the investigations into the April 2013 terror attack in the Hygam area of Sopore in Baramulla district. Four police personnel were killed in the attack when terrorists, waiting in an ambush, opened fire on them. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI) Solan, Jun 8 (PTI) A 19-year-old student of National Law University, Delhi, died after he was hit by a shooting stone in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district, police said on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Akshat Dev, a resident of Gandhinagar in Rajasthan's Jaipur district. The mishap took place on Friday evening when a group of 13 students of the National Law University had come to Ashwani Khad from where they went towards the waterfall. While they were enjoying at the waterfall, a stone fell from the cliff and hit Akshat on his head leaving him unconscious due to excessive loss of blood. He was rushed to the Government Regional Hospital, Solan, where he was declared brought dead. Solan Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh confirmed the report and said investigation into the matter is underway. The United Nations has added Israel and Hamas to its annual list of shame for committing grave rights violations against children in armed conflict. This marks the first time a democratic country has been included on the list, which also features Russia, the Islamic State, al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and other countries with notorious human rights records. The inclusion of Israel and Hamas in the annex of the Secretary-Generals report has sparked outrage from Israel, with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu blasting the move. Today the UN added itself to the black list of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers. The IDF is the most moral army in the world; no delusional UN decision will change that, Netanyahu said. Gilad Erdan, Israels Permanent Representative to the UN, received the formal notification from Secretary-General Antonio Guterress chief of staff and condemned the decision. Erdan stated, This immoral decision will only aid the terrorists and reward Hamas. The only one who is blacklisted today is the Secretary-General, whose decisions since the war started and even before are rewarding terrorists, incentivizing them to use children for terror acts. Erdan warned that the decision would embolden Hamas to continue using schools and hospitals for military purposes, prolonging the war and suffering. Shame on him, Erdan declared, addressing the UN Secretary-General. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. Ms I.A. writes: My two siblings and I inherited 320,000 from my father when he died in 2017. He employed Abacus Wills & Trusts Limited to prepare his will and set up a family trust, and he asked the company's owner, Ms Tehsin Aslam, to be the executor. Eventually, she distributed 120,000 to us, with more due last December. But we heard nothing and believe we are still owed 200,000. Tony Hetherington replies: Since you contacted me in January, there have been more twists and turns to this tale than you could expect from a barrel full of rattlesnakes. And more stings in the tail than you would get from a nest of wasps. I have never seen such a complete, confusing, contradictory mess made of a deceased's estate. Estate of chaos: Tehsin Aslam, above left, put her will writing firm into liquidation Sheffield-based Abacus Wills & Trusts Limited no longer exists. Its director, Ms Tehsin Aslam, put it into liquidation in 2018 when it faced debts of about 68,000. I found an unsatisfied County Court Judgment against the company for 2,250. In 2019, Aslam set up the similarly named Abacus Wills & Trusts Global Limited, now based in High Wycombe. It also has an unsatisfied court judgment against it, for 1,682. Aslam was named as your father's executor in the will she drafted in 2015, and her new firm took over obtaining a Grant of Probate and then distributing bequests. Applying for a Grant of Probate involves making a tax declaration. Aslam valued your father's estate below 325,000, so less than the starting point for inheritance tax. But she left out completely the value of a house your father owned in Wembley, North-West London, now said to be worth around 600,000. Aslam told me: 'Mr A was divorced from his former wife. As part of the financial settlement, Mr A was ordered to give his wife the property.' True, except that the court order made this conditional on a payment to your father of 70,000, which your mother refused to pay. The transfer was never filed with the Land Registry. And if Aslam believed the 2008 divorce meant your mother owned the Wembley house, then why did she include it in your father's will in 2015? Or, if your mother still owes the 70,000, then why did Aslam fail to declare this in the probate application? I asked, but she failed repeatedly to produce her tax calculations. Your father's will leaves the bulk of his estate to a family trust, with Aslam as the trustee. But your father guided by Aslam set up two different trusts. Why, I wondered, and had your father signed both? Aslam told me two separate deeds were sent to your father. She added: 'He decided to keep all trust documents in his possession. He did not send them to my office for storage as we would have checked to see if the documents had been executed correctly.' Garbage. You and your family held a certificate confirming the firm was storing both deeds. The certificate was signed by Aslam herself. Then there is an Expression of Wishes, signed by your father, listing his investments and saying which beneficiaries should receive them. Such letters are not legally binding, but executors often honour them. However, your father's wishes contradicted his will. Aslam claimed ignorance. She told me she met your family after your father died, and she said: 'They did not mention the existence of an Expression of Wishes document.' And she protested: 'The Expression of Wishes is prepared by the client personally, we are not privy to that.' Garbage again. When I told her I had a copy of the document, laid out in the same way as other Abacus documents and printed in the same typeface, Aslam finally admitted it had been prepared by her company. Then there is the massive delay in paying bequests. Aslam blamed delays on Covid. This really is like saying the dog ate her homework. Your father died in 2017 and we are now in 2024. Just one final example of this mess is that Aslam admitted that your father's estate still holds premium bonds. This is ridiculous! Bonds can only win prizes for one year after the holder's death. So any prizes since 2018 should be disallowed, and the money tied up in bonds should have been earning interest. At the heart of all this is the fact that anyone can set up a will-writing company, draft wills, name themselves as executor and then create a mess for the family of the deceased. No legal qualifications are needed. Aslam is not going to step aside. Please, please, hire a proper solicitor to get a court order to kick her out, appoint a replacement and then consider suing her and her company for wasting seven years. Amazon in a muddle on missing MacBook D.W. writes: I ordered an Apple MacBook Air from Amazon, costing 1,444. When it arrived, the package contained not a computer but stationery. I returned this, and Amazon said a refund should take two weeks. No refund arrived, so I called Amazon and answered questions about the returned package. Weeks later Amazon asked the same questions again. I replied, but Amazon's response has been to send me identical questions. Disappearing act: An Apple MacBook Air from Amazon turned out to be nothing stationery Tony Hetherington replies: I contacted Amazon, which promptly said it would refund you. But bizarrely, it threatened to snatch back the refund unless you returned the stationery, which you had already done. And next, Amazon decided your computer had been stolen and with impeccable American terminology it asked you to contact the 'Police Department' for your 'zip code'. I told Amazon that the police would ignore a theft report from you as you never had the computer. Amazon was the real victim and should report the theft. This worked. Amazon told me: 'We are sorry that customer experience in this case did not meet the high standards we expect.' Amazon has now repaid the full 1,444 to your bank account. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. Concern: Top investors have warned that courting Shein reeks of desperation The British Fashion Council (BFC) has warned Shein's planned 50 billion float on the London Stock Exchange is a 'significant concern' to the industry. In a snub that could dent the Chinese online fashion giant's efforts to woo the City, the influential trade body said 'questions remain' about the group's controversial business practices. Shein has been criticised for using suppliers who exploit low-paid garment workers in China in order to sell its clothes at knockdown prices. The BFC's intervention comes at a critical time for Shein as it reportedly finalises plans to list London in what would be this year's biggest flotation. A backlash from the BFC's US equivalent, the National Retail Federation, was one of the reasons that Shein had to ditch its original plans to float in New York. Shein is not part of the BFC, whose members include Mulberry, Burberry and Jimmy Choo, while patrons include River Island and Jigsaw. The BFC did not comment on whether Shein would be allowed to join in future. Caroline Rush, chief executive of the trade body, said: 'At a time when global fashion leaders are rightly focused on making our sector more socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable, the Government's courting of Shein to list on the London Stock Exchange, and Shein's decision to do so, is of significant concern to UK fashion designers and retailers. 'Whilst we appreciate that Shein has committed to meeting acceptable industry standards, questions remain about the ethicality and sustainability of a business model and supply chain that consistently undercuts British designers and retailers, and these still need to be answered.' The BFC wants the Government to do more to support an ethical fashion economy and pledge to strengthen clothing market regulation. Ministers must act to 'ensure a level playing field for all businesses in the sector,' Rush said. High Street retailers are also unhappy because Shein is able to dodge hefty custom taxes as it ships directly to online shoppers from China. Due to its size, the Chinese group would automatically join the ranks of the FTSE 100 alongside other British fashion staples such as M&S and Frasers Group. Many in the City have been hoping it will revive the beleaguered stock market, which has grappled with an exodus of companies and a dearth of blockbuster listings. But top investors have warned the LSE that courting Shein reeks of desperation. Shein has hired top PR firms and joined the British Retail Consortium in a bid to win over the business community. Chairman Donald Tang has also met with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and discussed a listing with the Labour Party in recent weeks. A Shein spokesman said: 'Shein is investing millions of pounds in strengthening governance and compliance across our supply chain.' The spokesman said that regular audits of suppliers are showing a 'consistent improvement in performance and compliance' and that includes making sure workers are paid 'fairly'. Shein is based in Singapore but its main manufacturing operations are in China. As a result, it needs approval from Beijing regulators to list its shares in London. They blocked Shein's plans to float in New York amid worsening US-China relations. On a recent, blustery evening at the Oval I found myself among a group of South African finance executives who had moved HQ from Johannesburg to London. As early results came in from Africa's most sophisticated nation showing the post-Mandela era of African National Congress rule was endangered, there was huge anxiety about what that would mean for the country's fragile economy. If the ANC were to align itself with the progressive parties of the Left then free markets, including dealing on the vibrant Johannesburg Stock Exchange, could be threatened. A better choice was seen as a coalition or working deal with the centrist Democratic Alliance, the successor to the anti-apartheid Progressive Party. Mexican wave: Claudia Sheinbaum will hope to build exports to US Elections in three of the world's largest emerging markets India, South Africa and Mexico have each, in their own way, produced unexpected results. They have shown democracy to be alive and well on three continents. They also offer the prospect of revived investment opportunities in a world torn apart by conflict, geopolitics, fragmented trade and diminishing buying opportunities. India has long offered the most intriguing possibilities. China's fall from grace in Western chanceries has revived interest in South Asia. A UK frustration has been failure to secure a British-India free trade deal. The Hindu nationalist BJP, led by Narendra Modi, dramatically failed to secure the 273 majority which would allow it to rule alone. The loss of control by the BJP led to a 1.2 billion sell-off as the results became known. Indeed in the last month some 3.4 billion of value has been wiped out. But some analysts see a silver lining. In a government more inclusive of opposition voices there may be less focus on nationalism and more chance of spreading the benefit of a dynamic 7 per cent growth rate. Nonetheless, the Indian market premium, achieved as a result of government stability, is dissipating. Global fund managers are likely to hold off and bosses of the world's leading financial groups, who have flocked to Mumbai in recent times, may take a breather. But many remain underweight in Indian investments. And it is possible that in an effort to shore up confidence restrictions could be eased on foreign funds. In contrast to South Africa and India, the result in Mexico has, if anything, strengthened the hold of the ruling party. The landslide victory of Nobel-prize winning scientist Claudia Sheinbaum, the country's first female president, produced optimistic headlines and images in the Western Press. She promises a government 'honest, without influence and corruption'. Markets were less happy and the peso plunged with the key stock market index falling 5 per cent. With a population of 130 million and membership of the US-Mexico-Canada trade group, the country is the second-largest economy in Latin America after Brazil and the 15th largest in the world. Sheinbaum wants to continue the pro-worker, populist policies of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. But as the Right-wing US Heritage Foundation noted, it will take more than fine words to end a 'dangerous course that has empowered drug cartels and brought skyrocketing overdoses and uncontrolled migration to the US'. Mexico should be well placed to benefit from its proximity to the US and the efforts by American multinationals to disentangle production from China. Last year Mexico overtook China as the biggest exporter to the US, selling $593 billion (474 billion). But inward investors are wary, knowing the strength of cartels and widespread extortion and protection rackets. Overcoming such ingrained obstacles will be tricky. Amid the furore of Britain's own Election campaign and this weekend's elections to the European Parliament, with fears of a right wing sweep, attention on the South African, Indian and Mexican outcomes has been scant, and market reaction broadly negative. In the long run, the triumph of moderation in India and South Africa should be a force for economic stability and expansion, and a net plus for inward investment. Mexico's struggle with violence makes its future an enigma. But the significance of three of the new world powers to global output and investment should not be ignored. KINSHASA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Recent deadly attacks attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels have resulted in the deaths of at least 50 civilians in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), local media reported on Saturday, citing local officials. According to local sources, the ADF carried out two overnight assaults in the Beni region of North Kivu province, killing at least 50 civilians on Tuesday and Friday. Several civilians were reportedly abducted by the rebels. The ADF, an affiliate of the Islamic State in Central Africa, has been notorious for its violent activities in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces, which have been under a state of siege since May 2021, with military and police authorities replacing the civilian administration. Through its propaganda channels, the Islamic State Central Africa Province claimed responsibility for the deaths of over 60 "Christians." Since November 2021, Ugandan troops, alongside their DRC counterparts, have been engaged in joint operations to combat the rebel group in eastern DRC. UNITED NATIONS, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Facing a web of complex crises, 32.8 million people in Africa's Sahel region, stretching from Senegal to Eritrea, need lifesaving assistance and protection, UN humanitarians said on Friday. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) put the warning in its 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Requirements Overview for the Sahel, highlighting the nature of the humanitarian crises faced, what this means for those living in the region, and how humanitarians are responding to these crises. The report said some critical areas of concern are the Liptako Gourma region (covering Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger), and the Lake Chad basin (including Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria), with spillover effects increasingly felt in the Gulf of Guinea's coastal countries and Mauritania. "Across the Sahel, growing violence and conflict threaten lives and livelihoods, forcing families to flee their homes and preventing access to basic social services -- 2.2 million children are deprived of their right to education due to school closures, and close to 1,300 health centers are closed," OCHA said. The report pointed out that the region hosts 2 million refugees and asylum seekers and 5.6 million internally displaced persons, many of whom have faced multiple displacements. "In the June to August lean season, 16.7 million people will struggle to feed themselves," OCHA said. The United Nations and partners need 4.7 billion U.S. dollars this year to support 21 million people in Burkina Faso, Cameroon's Far North Region, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria's Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. So far, only 16 percent of the funding, or 761 million dollars, has been received. A contestant performs Chinese martial arts at the 23rd "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency contest in Accra, Ghana, on June 7, 2024. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) ACCRA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The 23rd "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency contest in Ghana concluded on Friday, with 12 Ghanaian contestants from three public universities competing in the grand finale. The contestants took exams, delivered speeches and performed various art forms to demonstrate their understanding and mastery of the Chinese language and culture, which captivated the audience. Lilian Ama Serwa Tobias, this year's champion, expressed her excitement about her achievement, saying the Chinese language opens up limitless opportunities. "I am thrilled that I brought success to my school, my teachers and those who supported me. This award means a lot to me. I had an interest in learning Chinese, so I decided to study it. I even got a job doing translation work entirely in Chinese, and they paid me well," said Lilian. She encouraged other Ghanaian students to seize the opportunities offered by the Chinese language and culture and explore more possibilities in their lives. "Chinese businesses are establishing themselves in Ghana, providing opportunities to work for these companies, which helps reduce Ghana's unemployment rate," she added. Tu Santang, a Chinese teacher at the Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Coast, expressed his satisfaction with the competition's outcome. "My students and I worked very hard for this competition, so I'm delighted to see the excellent results. The Chinese language is becoming an international language, and I'm thrilled to be a Chinese teacher helping Ghanaian students learn it." The "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency contest is an international competition organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation in China. It provides a platform for Chinese learners worldwide to showcase their Chinese language skills, share their learning experiences, evaluate their learning outcomes, and build bridges of friendship across the globe. A student (L) receives an award at the 23rd "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency contest in Accra, Ghana, on June 7, 2024. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) A contestant plays a traditional Chinese musical instrument at the 23rd "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency contest in Accra, Ghana, on June 7, 2024. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) A contestant (R) sings at the 23rd "Chinese Bridge" language proficiency contest in Accra, Ghana, on June 7, 2024. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) A Tipperary man is seeking for help after being diagnosed with Lyme disease. Fionn Cleary was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2021, after experiencing chronic fatigue for the past decade. Lyme disease is an illness caused by borrelia bacteria. Humans usually get Lyme disease from the bite of a tick carrying the bacteria. Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, as well as joint stiffness and swollen lymph nodes. This year, Fionns health has been declining and he is looking to get treatment at the Neomed Institute in Cyprus. In a GoFundMe campaign, Fionn explained he is seeking help to be able to afford six weeks of treatment. For the past decade Ive been dealing with worsening symptoms of chronic fatigue, sleep issues and cognitive issues. Its been particularly bad since a major crash of health in 2019, and since then I live with a constant exhaustion and inability to focus on anything. In 2021 I got diagnosed with Lyme disease and some of its coinfections through the Armin Labs test. Some treatments that Ive been able to access here have worked a little, but this year my health is really declining and Ive had to cancel everything Ive wanted to do in the last six months, said Fionn. Most days, Fionn says he cannot concentrate on anything and he experiences exhaustion. It takes me three or four hours to feel fully awake and that exhaustion and fogginess just doesnt lift for the rest of the day. After my major crash five years ago, there were days where the brain fog was so intense I could hardly speak. As someone who was trying to be a comedian and a writer, it was really scary and heart breaking to be experiencing such a cognitive decline in my early 20s - a time where most of my peers were thriving into their healthy adult bodies and I was just getting weaker and getting stuck back home where I have absolutely no community, he said. Despite the fact he is someone who tries to push ahead, Fionn says his illness keeps knocking him back. Ive made several attempts to go back to university throughout the years, but Ive never had the consistent health to do so. Im a comedian and a writer, but Ive had to cancel every creative project Ive wanted to do this year. Last year I was lucky enough to be able to perform a one-man-show about the experience of being chronically ill, and while it was incredible to realize one of my major goals in life, the brain fog made that whole process so challenging. As Ive said Ive had to cancel everything Ive wanted to do for the past six months, Ive been living with these symptoms for so long and I need proper specialized treatment and I need to have my case taken seriously, so it feels urgent that I seek whatever treatments I can. At the end of this month, he is hoping to travel to Cyprus and get help. Recently, trusted insiders explained how the dearth of city-owned jail space is putting more criminals on local streets. Sadly, this effort has been tragically downplayed by KC media and local politicos given an ongoing beef with law enforcement and the recent anti-crime effort to find "alternatives" beyond incarceration. Here's the main takeaway: KANSAS CITY JAIL FAIL SENDS CRIMINALS BACK ONTO LOCAL STREETS SIMPLY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE SPACE TO KEEP THEM LOCKED UP FOR LONG!!! Here's the word that provides more context . . . "In the vast majority of circumstances, most people who would have been arrested are being given a summons with a court date. It's absolutely insane. At one point this week there were only 24 spaces available North of the river and they were all occupied. At that point, everyone arrested was turned loose." Clarification because we know that we'll get push back on this . . . For the most violent offenders, KCPD works to find space to keep suspects locked up. However . . . EVERYTHING short of the most violent assaults and/or homicides aren't even getting a few hours of "shock time" in the city lock up according to insiders. Property crime, lower level drug offenses and even the most serious traffic violations aren't earning arrests because there simply isn't anywhere to put them. But it gets worse . . . Insiders in support of police offer a big picture perspective to our www.TonysKansasCity.com blog community . . . "This is really a result of the agenda of Mayor Quinton Lucas. He doesn't seem to support incarceration as a critical tool used by law enforcement. It's obvious that he'd rather use MILLIONS in taxpayer funds to search for 'alternatives' and 'intervention' than use that money to build a jail, rent out emergency space and get to work on an immediate solution to this problem." The insider continued . . . "It's really a matter of perspective . . . Police want to arrest, detain and help prosecute criminals but the leadership at 12th & Oak MISTAKENLY BELIEVES that more 'services' to all but the most violent offenders will help reduce crime overall. Obviously, a quick look on local streets will reveal that this strategy IS NOT WORKING. What's worse is that the situation is only going to get worse as more criminals find out that we're now an 'Open City' and the threat of arrest and legal consequences for misbehavior is becoming increasingly rare." Developing . . . The fight against local crime gets tougher this Summer. However, in this report we take a look at police keeping pace with local crooks on wheels and the traditional uptick in local shooting. Check TKC news gathering . . . Neighbors share why there's hope for KCMO neighborhood despite deadly shooting Neighbors are devastated to hear about Thursday morning's homicides, but they also wanted people to know there's still love in the neighborhood, even amidst tragedy. Victim hospitalized with serious injuries, multiple suspects in custody after robbery in Overland Park A victim was hospitalized and multiple suspects are in custody after a robbery in Overland Park on Wednesday, police said. USPIS offering $150k for arrests in armed robbery of postal carriers USPIS posted a bulletin about an armed robbery of a postal carrier that happened on May 29, in Midtown Kansas City at 39th and Warwick Police identify man killed by speeding, possibly impaired, driver in Kansas City Law enforcement officials have identified the man killed by a speeding and possibly impaired driver in Kansas City. Vehicle torn in half after police chase ends in crash Tuesday in Independence, Highway Patrol involved Independence Police said the Missouri State Highway Patrol was involved in the pursuit Kansas City man arrested following lengthy police chase that began in Belton, ended in KC The pursuit began when a Cass County deputy saw a driver committing a traffic violation near the intersection of Highway 58 and South Mullen Road in Belton, according to the sheriff's office. Arraignment date set for man charged with murdering his wife in Independence hospital Ronnie Wiggs, 76, is alleged to have fatally strangled his wife on May 3. His arraignment has been set for June 27. Overland Park search for suspect accused of carjacking ride-share driver Overland Park Police hope to make the community safer by finding a person accused of carjacking a ride-share driver Wednesday evening. For second straight day, Cass County Sheriff's Office uses grappler to end police chase For the second consecutive day, the Cass County Sheriff's Office deployed a grappler to halt a police chase. Is it legal to 'brake check' a driver following you too closely? What Missouri law says See what MO law says about suddenly applying brakes & following closely. Drivers can pay a fine or go to jail if actions cause a car crash. 'I got my life back': Platte County's DUI Treatment Court provides second chance for drunk drivers Platte County's DUI Treatment Court program is an opportunity for a second chance. The 14-month program is aimed to help individuals who have been arrested while driving under the influence. Man allegedly holds 2 women at gunpoint and ties them up after breaking into Blue Springs home A 31-year-old man is in custody after allegedly breaking into a Blue Springs home and terrorizing two women early Monday morning. After being kicked in the back on video, Independence woman's life has fallen apart | Opinion A dispute with neighbor and former friend Danny Thomas over her dog Ham led to Terri Golding losing her home, possessions and vehicle. Kansas City-area nonprofit shares warning after nearly being scammed The founder of Midwest Animal ResQ says someone tried to scam them out of $1,000, posing as a reputable company. Kansas City-area organizations, survivors bring awareness to gun violence, need for gun safety Friday kicked off Wear Orange Weekend, which honors survivors of gun violence and brings awareness to the need for gun safety. Developing . . . First let's share some context on pride celebration targeting students . . . It's worth noting that there was a recent ruckus over the US Department of Education sending out a pride month message . . . Now . . . This week we notice a SOMEWHAT CLANDESTINE SIGN from the KCPS that might raise a few eyebrows given recent controversy . . . Don't get it twisted . . . We're not arguing this one either way, but just noting the politic public message amid Pride Month controversy. We'll conclude with www.TonysKansasCity.com link to US Dept. Of Ed message on X AND a screenshot . . . You decide . . . Not everything is set in stone, but when it comes to Florence, the path through its storied streets certainly seems to be. What makes Florence the champion of walkable cities? It's simple: you can stroll from one masterpiece to another, and all it takes is a leisurely ten-minute walk. Florence is a breath of fresh air-literally. Ranked highly for its air quality, Florence offers a refreshing break from the hassle of typical tourist traps. Here, you can soak in Renaissance beauty without needing bus tickets or taxi hails. Aside from these things, how did Florence, Italy, become the "most walkable city in the world"? Florence Leads as a Pedestrian Paradise In Florence, every road, alley, and boulevard invites you to explore on foot. The city's design ensures that major sites like the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery are just a short walk from each other. This means you spend more time enjoying the sights and less on transport. Florence saves you time and lets you experience the essence of the Renaissance as you move around. Tourists and locals prefer walking, filling the streets with a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Clean Air for a Pleasant Walk Florence ranks highly for air quality compared to other major cities. Walking here means breathing cleaner air, which makes your visit more enjoyable. This is crucial in a city where most of the exploration is done outdoors. High air quality also contributes to the overall appeal of spending more time outside, whether it is enjoying a coffee in Piazza della Signoria or watching the sunset over the Arno River. Related Article : Italy's Sambuca Puts Dream Homes for Sale Starting at 3 Euros Feel Secure on Florence's Streets Low crime rates in Florence add to its appeal as a walkable city. You can explore its historic sites and charming cafes without worrying about your safety. This sense of security is essential for a city that hosts millions of tourists each year. Even if you are walking back to your hotel at night or enjoying the local nightlife, Florence makes sure you feel safe and relaxed. Seamless Connections Enhance Your Experience While walking is the best way to see Florence, the city's public transport is there when you need it. Buses and trams are easy to use and integrate well with the areas you will explore on foot. It makes it simple to visit places just outside the central walking zones, like the beautiful town of Fiesole. Therefore, you never feel limited, even if you want to explore beyond the usual tourist spots. Discover More with Every Step Walking in Florence means discovering something new around every corner. One moment you could be enjoying a famous artwork, and the next, you might be trying the best pizza of your life at a local eatery. These experiences enrich your visit, making it more than just seeing the typical sites. Florence encourages you to slow down and enjoy the smaller, yet equally enriching parts of Italian culture and hospitality. GARISSA, Kenya, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Gunmen, believed to be terrorists, shot and killed two construction workers in Garissa County near the Kenya-Somali border, police reported on Saturday. The incident occurred on Friday night in Dadaab town while the workers were resting after a busy day constructing a dispensary. Police are investigating the possibility that the attack was carried out by al-Shabab terrorists operating in the area. The victims, who were non-locals, were shot at close range, according to officers who visited the scene. However, the motive behind the attack remains unclear. The border area faces frequent security challenges due to repeated attacks by al-Shabab terrorists. This latest incident comes amid ongoing operations to combat terrorist activities in the region. The recent surge in attacks has forced the government to suspend plans to reopen the Kenya-Somalia border. Ukraine's defense forces have repelled three Russian attacks on the southern axis, including two in the Orikhiv area and one near Krynky. The Southern Defense Forces reported this on the Telegram messaging app, Ukrinform reports. "The occupiers carried out two assaults in the Orikhiv sector. They had no success. On the left bank of the Dnipro, in the temporarily occupied Kherson region, the enemy launched an unsuccessful assault outside the settlement of Krynky. Having suffered losses, the enemy retreated to original positions," the post reads. On the night of June 7-8, Ukraine's air defense forces destroyed five Shahed-131/136 drones in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. "The occupiers are pressing with artillery fire, carrying out airstrikes, using a large number of strike drones of different types, and continuing aerial reconnaissance. Over the past day, the flight of 240 reconnaissance UAVs was recorded in the operational zone [of the Southern Defense Forces]," the post said. The United States and France are supporting Ukraine in its war against Putin's aggression, showing the world the power of allies. U.S. President Joe Biden said this at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "This week, we have shown the world once again the power of our allies - what we can achieve when we stand together," Biden said. "That's what the relationship between France and the exemplifies. And now we see it in Ukraine: our two countries are standing with the Ukrainian people, as they fight up Putin's brutal aggression." Biden recalled that on June 7 he announced $225 million in new security assistance to Ukraine. This is the sixth package the U.S. has provided since national security legislation was passed earlier this year, he said. "I wish we could have done it six months earlier, but we got it done with $61 billion in additional aid to Ukraine," he added. Biden commended France and European allies for their leadership in supporting Ukraine, recalling that the EU has allocated more than $107 billion in assistance to Ukraine since the full-scale war began. "We know what happens if Putin succeeds in subjugating Ukraine. And we know Putin isn't going to stop at Ukraine it's not just Ukraine, it's about much more than Ukraine. All of Europe will be threatened. We're not going to let that happen. The United States is standing strong with Ukraine," Biden said. In France, Biden took part in a ceremony dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. On Friday, June 7, he held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. | By Holly Moody-Porter A drug approved to treat eczema provided significant improvement in the symptoms of patients with severe itching diseases that currently have no targeted treatments, according to a new study published in JAMA Dermatology. The drug, abrocitinib, was found to cause minimal side effects during a small 12-week study led by University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) researchers. It was beneficial for those with an itching disease called prurigo nodularis as well as for those with chronic pruritus of unknown origin, a condition that causes chronic unexplainable itching symptoms. Very few treatments exist for prurigo nodularis and chronic pruritus of unknown origin; patients often suffer for years in horrible discomfort, which can lead to anxiety and depression, severely impacting their quality of life, said Shawn Kwatra, MD, the Joseph W. Burnett Endowed Professor and Chair of Dermatology at UMSOM and chief of service dermatology at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). The rationale for this study came from my laboratorys studies findings of altered inflammatory mediators in these conditions that all function through JAK1. Through this trial, we hope to continue to move the needle toward personalized therapies that can provide sustainable relief for coping with these debilitating conditions." Shawn Kwatra, MD Affecting at least 130,000 Americans, prurigo nodularis causes dozens of extremely itchy and disfiguring bumps, usually on the chest, arms, and legs. Kwatras previous research indicates that prurigo nodularis occurs more than three times as frequently in Black patients than white patients, tends to be more common in women, and is associated with depression, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and HIV. Chronic pruritus of unknown origin is most prevalent among older adults and causes severe itching lasting longer than six weeks. Current therapies used to help manage symptoms include over-the-counter and prescription itch relief ointments and anti-inflammatory drugs such as antihistamines and corticosteroids. None of these medications, however, provides sustained relief. The study involved a total of 20 patients, half of whom had prurigo nodularis and half of whom had chronic pruritus of unknown origin. They were all given a 200-milligram pill of abrocitinib once a day for 12 weeks; the patients knew they were being given an experimental treatment, and the study did not include a placebo group. Abrocitinib was found to reduce itching and pain symptoms by 78 percent in the prurigo nodularis patients. Patients with chronic pruritus of unknown origin experienced a 54 percent reduction in itching and pain symptoms. Patients in both groups also reported an improvement in their quality of life and in their sleep habits. None of the patients experienced serious adverse events. The most common side effect, in 10 percent of patients, was small acne-like bumps. Abrocitinib is a JAK1 inhibitor drug that works to suppress inflammation, specifically pro-inflammatory chemicals called cytokines that are involved in an overactive immune system. The drugs appear to slow down immune activity by suppressing intracellular signaling of these cytokines. This is not only an encouraging study but also sets the stage for a Phase 3 clinical trial, said Mark T. Gladwin, MD, who is the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and dean of UMSOM, and vice president for medical affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. It holds promise for introducing a novel treatment to patients in underserved communities disproportionately affected by prurigo nodularis, a condition historically overlooked by dermatology. Since beginning his position at UMSOM, Kwatra has created the Maryland Itch Center at UMMC and is continuing his research there. Study co-authors included faculty from Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, and George Washington University. Pfizer, Inc., manufacturer of abrocitinib, provided funding (as well as the drug) for the study. When employed at Johns Hopkins University, Kwatra served as a paid consultant for Pfizer, and he also is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Aerial photo taken on June 5, 2021 shows an artificial beach resort at Dongjiang Port in the Binhai New Area of north China's Tianjin. [Photo/Xinhua] China has stepped up its construction of "beautiful bays" in an effort to conserve its marine ecology and environment. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has issued a plan to build more than 110 bays across the country by 2027. These bays will achieve harmony between people and the marine environment, with the ministry noting that "clear water and clean beaches, and shoals of fish and flocks of seabirds" will be seen. The 110 figure will account for about 40 percent of China's major bays, according to the ministry. The plan also sets the goal of transforming seven cities, including Xiamen, into model zones where all coastal areas can be classed as beautiful bays. It details three tasks, including the protection and restoration of typical marine ecosystems, and the improvement of key sewage outlets that empty into the sea. The ministry said that China's long-term goal is to build all 283 of its major bays into beautiful bays by 2035, with that figure including the 110 outlined in the plan. In recent years, China has channeled increased energy into the protection of its marine ecology and environment as part of its efforts to promote the construction of a beautiful China. The revised Marine Environment Protection Law came into force on Jan. 1, 2024, strengthening the accountability of local governments and creating new systems, including zoning management and comprehensive control systems. NANNING, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Two medical teams departed Nanning, capital city of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Saturday for medical aid missions in Niger and the Comoros, respectively. Among the 41 medical professionals selected from 12 hospitals in the region, 30 will work in Niger, while others are bound for the Comoros. They will work in the African nations for one and a half years. Guangxi has been dispatching medical teams to Niger since 1976 and to the Comoros since 1994. So far, 726 medical personnel in 23 teams have provided medical services to more than 1.71 million people in Niger. A total of 161 medical workers have provided services to over 624,000 local residents in the Comoros. The Biden administration's new income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, known as Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), has ignited a fierce debate. According to a report from the conservative think tank, the Defense of Freedom Institute, the plan is "far more generous and costly" than what Congress originally intended. As legal battles ensue, with eleven states currently suing to block the plan, the future of SAVE hangs in the balance. The controversy highlights a significant divergence in interpretations of legislative intent and fiscal responsibility. Legal Challenges and State Opposition The SAVE plan, which offers borrowers more generous repayment terms, a quicker pathway to loan forgiveness, and other benefits, is currently under intense scrutiny. Parts of SAVE took effect last fall, and the remaining provisions are set to kick in next month. However, the plan's implementation faces substantial legal hurdles, with eleven states suing to block it. A recent hearing in one of these lawsuits suggests that a ruling will come within two weeks, potentially reshaping the landscape of federal student loan repayment. The lawsuit argues that the Biden administration overstepped its authority by introducing a plan that significantly deviates from the original legislative framework. Critics, such as Jason Delisle, the report's author and a nonresident senior fellow at the Center on Education Data and Policy at the Urban Institute, contend that Congress envisioned IDR as a flexible repayment option with a minimal cost to taxpayers. Delisle's examination of the legislative history indicates that lawmakers did not anticipate the current scope and fiscal impact of SAVE. Financial Implications and Borrower Impact More than 8 million borrowers have already signed up for SAVE, and the Biden administration has forgiven $5.5 billion for 414,000 borrowers, thanks to a new provision that offers forgiveness to those who took out less than $12,000 after 10 years of making payments. This provision is a stark contrast to other income-driven repayment plans that typically offer forgiveness after 20 or 25 years. The Defense of Freedom Institute's report underscores the significant financial implications of this shift, estimating that the annual cost of the federal student loan program has ballooned to nearly $42 billion under the SAVE plan. Delisle argues that the Biden administration's interpretation of the law exceeds what Congress had envisioned. His review of public statements, legislative proposals, and hearing transcripts suggests that lawmakers expected IDR to impose negligible costs on taxpayers and did not foresee loan forgiveness playing a central role. "Congress intended income-driven repayment to be a flexible repayment option with a last-resort loan forgiveness benefit that imposed negligible costs on taxpayers," Delisle wrote. "The Biden administration's SAVE plan runs roughshod over those intentions." The Future of Income-Driven Repayment Plans The ongoing legal battles and mounting state opposition raise critical questions about the future of income-driven repayment plans in the United States. If the courts side with the states suing to block SAVE, it could result in significant changes to how the federal government administers student loans and potentially revert to a more conservative interpretation of IDR. Delisle's analysis points to a broader debate about the role of the federal government in providing financial assistance for higher education. The discrepancy between the original legislative intent and the current implementation underlines a need for clearer guidelines and potentially new legislation to address the evolving landscape of student debt and repayment. As the Biden administration defends its plan, the outcome of these legal challenges will have profound implications for millions of borrowers and the federal budget. A ruling against SAVE could force a reevaluation of student loan policies and potentially lead to more restrictive repayment options. On the other hand, a decision in favor of the administration could cement SAVE as a permanent fixture in the student loan system, reshaping the financial futures of countless Americans. The controversy over the SAVE plan highlights the complexities of balancing legislative intent, fiscal responsibility, and the financial well-being of student loan borrowers. As the legal process unfolds, the future of income-driven repayment plans remains uncertain, with significant implications for both policy and practice in the realm of federal student loans. The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has introduced temporary protest guidelines, marking a significant change in its approach to campus demonstrations. For the first time, the Ivy League institution has explicitly banned encampments. This move, reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, is seen as the initial phase in a broader effort to revise the university's long-standing "open expression" guidelines, which have remained unchanged since 1989. A task force has been appointed to review and recommend permanent changes over the next academic year. A New Era of Protest Regulation The newly implemented guidelines emphasize safety and the protection of health and property. "To ensure the safety of the Penn community and to protect the health and property of individuals, encampments and overnight demonstrations are not permitted in any University location, regardless of space (indoor or outdoor)," the guidelines state. The regulations clearly define unauthorized overnight activities as trespassing, which will be addressed accordingly. Additionally, for the first time, the guidelines prohibit light projections on buildings without prior permission from university officials. These changes come in the wake of significant campus unrest, with students across the nation engaging in large-scale protests, particularly in response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The move to ban encampments is a direct response to such activities, aiming to balance the right to protest with the need to maintain campus order and safety. READ MORE : UPenn Professors File Lawsuit Against University To Block Release Of Antisemitism Inquiry Documents Historical Context and Recent Events The decision to revise protest guidelines at Penn is rooted in a series of events that have heightened tensions on campus. Back in September, the Palestine Writes literary festival was held at Penn, sparking considerable controversy. The situation escalated in December when then-President Liz Magill resigned following intense scrutiny from Congress over antisemitic incidents on campus. The pro-Palestinian encampment established on April 24 was a culmination of these tensions, which saw university and city police dismantle the encampment 16 days later, resulting in the arrest of thirty-three protesters. This pattern of escalating protests mirrors similar actions at other universities. Notably, students at Columbia University inadvertently set off a wave of overnight protests when their encampment on the campus lawn was forcefully removed by city law enforcement in mid-April. These events highlight the growing need for institutions to find a balance between upholding free expression and maintaining campus safety and order. Task Force and Future Revisions The establishment of a task force to review Penn's open expression guidelines indicates the university's commitment to a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to policy revision. This task force will spend the next academic year analyzing the current guidelines and considering how best to update them to reflect the evolving landscape of campus activism. The goal is to ensure that the new policies effectively balance the rights of individuals to express their views with the university's responsibility to maintain a safe and orderly environment. The temporary guidelines are a proactive step, designed to provide clear rules and expectations for protests in the interim. They reflect a broader trend in higher education, where institutions are increasingly called upon to navigate the complexities of free speech and campus safety in an era of heightened political and social activism. By taking these steps, Penn aims to create a framework that supports constructive dialogue and protest while safeguarding the well-being of its community. Penn's new temporary protest guidelines mark a significant shift in the university's approach to managing campus demonstrations. By banning encampments and unauthorized overnight activities, the university is taking a firm stance on maintaining safety and order. The appointment of a task force to review and recommend permanent changes to the open expression guidelines signals a commitment to thoughtful and comprehensive policy development. As the university navigates these changes, it will be crucial to strike a balance that respects the right to free expression while ensuring the safety and well-being of the campus community. This development at Penn may well set a precedent for other institutions facing similar challenges in the future. Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa on Saturday emphasized the need for adopting environment friendly measures and a healthy lifestyle to cope with the prevailing climate-related challenges ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jun, 2024) Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa on Saturday emphasized the need for adopting environment friendly measures and a healthy lifestyle to cope with the prevailing climate-related challenges. The Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan hosted a conference titled Conference on Climate Change: Navigating Climate Governance: Executive Action and Judicial Oversight in the building of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The Conference was graced by Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa and also attended by members of the Judiciary, diplomats, representatives of international organizations, lawyers, media and civil society. Addressing the conference the chief justice said that whenever we consult doctors, they advise us to stop smoking and do walk. He said that a rise in the human bodys temperature indicates illness. Similarly, today earth is also facing ailment like a fever as it was absorbing a lot of smoke into it, he said. The chief justice highlighted that that plastic products were being manufactured across the world but we lacked a solid mechanism to dispose of it. The CJP emphasized on returning to a healthy lifestyle which is close to nature, adding that every physician is now advising people to prefer eating vegetables instead of meat. The earth is sick, ill and telling us its condition and on the other hand the world is emitting a lot of smoke, he said. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa said that earth is a living organism but unfortunately it was not treated that way. The spiritual crisis is also the cause of climate crisis, he said, adding that wastage is a sin in the religion of islam. He said that we are depleting natural resources and diminishing ourselves. He emphasized to bring change in our behaviors to conserve environment by reducing reliance on fuel intensive for travels and activities. Science can guide mankind beyond horizons, the chief justice maintained. He said that we need to walk. Bicycles can be provided to all judges if they want, suggested CJP. The natural environment can be saved from further destruction by avoiding wastage of resources, he said. He said that Pakistan has been facing severe impacts of climate change like devastating floods, flash droughts, scarcity of water resources and excessive heat despite the countrys total contribution to the global emissions being less than 1%. SCs Senior Puisne Judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that climate change deeply affecting our societies and marginalized communities. The Pakistan made global headlines after millions of people effected due to 2022 floods, which also caused a financial loss worth $15 billion. He said that Pakistan fifth most vulnerable country due to climate change and Pakistan is a 15th most water stressed country. The 26 districts in Punjab have faced extreme heat waves and 15% increase water scarcity, he added. Justice Shah said that the climate change has increased health risk, induced migration and displacement. It also developed food and energy security in the region. He said that climate change intricately linked to human rights , increases intensity and frequency of disaster and aggravates air quality and infectious diseases. Marginalized groups are having less access to healthcare facilities and also losing their family heritage which was irreplaceable, he said. He said that it wants inclusive climate policies and ensure of rights and justice to the people. But it's not possible without climate finance which is not an aid but the right to ensure climate resilience. The COP-28 also demanded parties to join funds to support developing nations for this, he said. It demands executive and judiciary to come together to address multidisciplinary challenge that should be addressed by legislature, executive, judiciary to holistically assess the existential threat. Secretary Law and Justice Commission Riffat Inam Butt said that Pakistan is facing adverse effects of climate change. We as policy makers and legislators and civil society will have to come up with effective governance strategy. The climate disruptions could displace up-to 200 million people by 2030. Glacial Lake Outburst (GLOF) is forcing 3 million people from homes and numerous fatalities are demanding effective strategies, she said, adding that Climate change is not an environmental but human rights issue. A contestant takes part in the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition in Yangon, Myanmar, June 8, 2024. Students from Chinese schools across Myanmar competed in the competition held here on Saturday. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) YANGON, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Students from Chinese schools across Myanmar competed enthusiastically in the Chinese proficiency competition held here on Saturday. The competition has three categories: college level (ages 18-25), middle school level (ages 13-18) and primary school level (ages 6-12), according to an event organizer. "Many participants from Chinese schools across Myanmar competed in the competition. Among them, 15 from the college level, 15 from the middle school level and 19 from the primary school level reached the finals. We choose first, second and third prizes in each level among the finalists," she said. Myo Min Han, 18, said, "This is my first time competing, encouraged by my teacher to gain experience. In the past, I struggled with communication, but now it's much easier, and performing on stage has boosted my confidence." "Having watched other people's performances last year, I was inspired to participate this year," Hnin Yu Aung, 24, said, adding the competition includes presentations, performances and a quiz. "Through this event, I've made many new friends and expanded my network," Hnin Yu Aung went on to say. Moe Myint Phyu, 22, said that "this was my second time competing, the last being three years ago. Compared to previous years, the performances are much more competitive and impressive. Though I thought I was proficient in Chinese, this competition showed me that there are many others who speak the language very well." The first-prize winners in each level will compete in China against winners from other countries and may receive scholarships to study there, the event organizer said. "This competition not only promotes Chinese language skills but also enhances performance and cognitive abilities," she added. "The event gave me the opportunity to showcase Chinese culture and traditions. In addition, I made friends with new people and witnessed their fantastic work," said Nyan Ye Hein, 18, who got first prize and best presentation award in the competition. A contestant takes part in the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition in Yangon, Myanmar, June 8, 2024. Students from Chinese schools across Myanmar competed in the competition held here on Saturday. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) A contestant takes part in the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition in Yangon, Myanmar, June 8, 2024. Students from Chinese schools across Myanmar competed in the competition held here on Saturday. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) A contestant takes part in the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition in Yangon, Myanmar, June 8, 2024. Students from Chinese schools across Myanmar competed in the competition held here on Saturday. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) Participants attend the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition in Yangon, Myanmar, June 8, 2024. Students from Chinese schools across Myanmar competed in the competition held here on Saturday. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) Contestants take part in the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition in Yangon, Myanmar, June 8, 2024. Students from Chinese schools across Myanmar competed in the competition held here on Saturday. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jun, 2024) The Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah while taking notice of a scavenger boy's death by a security guard of a private security company has ordered to arrest the culprit immediately and submit a report to him in this regard. According to a CM's Spokesman, the Chief Minister had ordered to take action against private security companies that hand over arms to under-training or recruited new guards. The Sindh Chief Minister directed the Home Department to inspect private security companies. Murad said that the companies should also work on mental health and development of security guards during and after recruiting process. He said that arms should not be given to a person, who was recruited as a new security guard. He said that the criminal record of the guard should also be checked during the recruitment and his deployment. The CM said that such incidents were painful and unbearable. He had also expressed his sorrow and showed sympathy to the family members over the death of the boy. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Acting Foreign Minister of Iran Ali Bagheri on Saturday discussed the situation arising out of ongoing Israeli bombardment and targeting of refugee camps in Rafah in the Gaza Strip ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jun, 2024) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Acting Foreign Minister of Iran Ali Bagheri on Saturday discussed the situation arising out of ongoing Israeli bombardment and targeting of refugee camps in Rafah in the Gaza Strip. They called for urgent measures to bring an immediate end to Israeli aggression, its incessant crimes against humanity and violation of international humanitarian law. The deputy prime minister and foreign minister met Iranian acting foreign minister the on the margins of the Extraordinary Meeting of the D-8 Council of Foreign Ministers held in Istanbul, Turkiye, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release. The deputy prime minister and foreign minister reaffirmed Pakistan's strong commitment to the people of Palestine and their right to self-determination. The two ministers expressed satisfaction over the trajectory of bilateral relations marked by increased high-level exchanges in political, economic, defence and security and intelligence spheres. They reaffirmed commitment and resolve to continue strengthening of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation and dialogue between the Pakistan and Iran. The acting foreign minister of Iran congratulated Deputy Prime Minister Dar on Pakistans election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Dar expressed Pakistans appreciation for Irans support and the desire for working together to uphold international law and the UN Charter. He also fondly recalled the successful visit of late President Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi to Pakistan in April this year and the important understandings reached during the visit. He also commended the role played by President Raisi and late Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in further deepening Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations. (@FahadShabbir) PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jun, 2024) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Saturday condemned attack on Police mobile in Dera Ismail Khan wherein two policemen were injured. In his message Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the incident and expressed his best wishes for the recovery of the injured policemen. The Governor expressed concern and regret over the successive attacks on police personnel in Dera Ismail Khan Khan and other districts. It is worth mentioning here that some unknown terrorists attacked the police in Dera Ismail Khan. Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur also condemned the attack on Police mobile, injuring two policemen. The Chief Minister expressed his best wishes for the recovery of the two policemen injured in the firing. The CM Directed the district administration to ensure timely provision of medical aid to the injured officials. Police have made eternal sacrifices for the protection of people's life and property, Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur said in his separate message. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police has fought terrorism with great courage and bravery, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said. The government and people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are with the forces in this war, Ali Amin Gandapur added. Such cowardly incidents will not demoralize the Policemen, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur said. The war against terrorism will continue until the establishment of complete peace, Ali Amin Gandapur said. The current provincial government is spending huge resources to strengthen the police, Ali Amin Gandapur said. All the resources required by the police to effectively deal with terrorism will be provided on a priority basis, said the Chief Minister. The experts on Saturday said the country needed to utilize the indigenous technology resting at the shelves of its research departments alongwith improved governance would help enhance climate resilience amid growing environmental crises ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jun, 2024) The experts on Saturday said the country needed to utilize the indigenous technology resting at the shelves of its research departments alongwith improved governance would help enhance climate resilience amid growing environmental crises. The panelists during panel discussion titled Climate Change Challenges for Pakistan during the climate change conference titled Navigating Climate Governance: Executive Action and Judicial Oversight organised by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan here at the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Chairing the panel discussion, Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, Chair Loss and Damage Fund Asia Pacific Group said dignity, equity and justice were the guiding terms that needed to preserve the countrys diverse ecosystem spanning from mountains to coastal areas. Sheikh said Pakistan has one of the diverse ecosystems intricately connected with each other and the risks and problems emanating from it were impacting the nation directly or indirectly due to environmental degradation. Dean Geosciences, University of Punjab, Dr Sajid Rashid Ahmed said before 2015 there was no discussion on air pollution as there was no smog onset. However, China, and the US during 18th and 19th centuries were facing smog issues but they ultimately developed solutions to overcome the problem. He added that the smog issue in Punjab was not limited to transport sector but rather included farmers, industries and the communities behaviour driving air pollution which had become an individual issue. Chairperson Hisaar Foundation, Simi Kamal said the colonial era reforms replaced the local traditional water and crop distribution practices that resulted in current injustice and climate crises. Water needs to be taken holistically as a source of development, dignity, equality and justice, she added. VC University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Dr Iqrar Ahmed Khan said one million acre feet (MAF) water could be transformed into one billion Dollar GDP whereas this ratio was halved in our context due to weak governance and uneven water distribution, no land reforms and water wastage. He mentioned that two crops, wheat and rice, were eating 75% water and were water inefficient crops, whereas wheat had a political economy that needed to be replaced to promote crop diversity among farmers. The technology resting on the shelves is sufficient to achieve climate resilient agriculture. The lack of trust of investor is impeding the endeavour as there is evidence and species existing to adapt to salinity and rigidity in the soil impacting agricultural lands, he added. He said the farmers should be enabled to adopt those technologies to achieve climate adaptation. Director IBA, Dr Nausheen Hafizah Anwar said the climate impacts not only include population effects but also that on vulnerable communities and population groups, where marginalised people remained underserved in terms of access to critical infrastructure. She added that there was less effective response strategy due to disconnect in terms of governance at the municipal level whereas heatwave was stealth killer that demanded more proactive response. Former DG Met office, Dr Ghulam Rasool said mountain ecosystems of Pakistan were very fragile in terms of cryosphere areas in Hindukush and Himalayan region under its political jurisdiction. Moreover, water supply issues were emerging in glaciated zone due to thinning of the glaciers as recession of glaciers was causing glacial lake outburst floods, he added. Bhutan, he said was glaring example of success in tackling climate and have gone climate neutral and organic country promoting organic agriculture where communities were using sustainable practices, adding, Pakistan can also achieve it and should work on it. Federal Minister for Board of Investment, Communications & Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan on Saturday held an important session with China's 60-year-old CZK Huarui Group in Beijing ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jun, 2024) Federal Minister for board of Investment, Communications & Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan on Saturday held an important session with China's 60-year-old CZK Huarui Group in Beijing. In these negotiations attended by the delegation from Pakistan and it was decided by high ups of China business group to invest in Pakistan in Artificial Intelligence, Science & Technology, Modern Agriculture, Healthcare, Logistics, Infrastructure while expertise will be made in supply chain market sectors, said a press release issued here. It was also on the main agenda in the session to enhance E-Commerce in Pakistan through cooperation of China which is the dire need of the hour. Federal minister assured the Chinese Authorities for providing a favorable and congenial environment in Pakistan, and said that as neighbors trade relations like China and Pakistan are of great importance in the region which has positive effects on both the countries. Chinese group Chairman Liu Yafie, General Manager Sophia Lee, Davi Dong, Chen Wenlong and Shi Jie also assured the Pakistani delegation that their group will play a major role in increasing import and export goods in Pakistan as well as bilateral collaboration in Industry Academia Research and Asset Management will also be focused. In the meeting, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan assured the Chinese Authorities of full cooperation in trade terms and appreciated the interest of the Chinese Authorities in investing at big scale in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the delegation of Tangshan Donghua Iron and Steel Group from Beijing also held a meeting with Abdul Aleem Khan and discussed with him the investment opportunities in various sectors. Pakistan Steel Mills and field of Iron came under discussion in this meeting. Senior Advisor to Chairman Donghua Group Ms. Luo Shu briefed Federal Minister Aleem Khan on the possibilities of investment in Pakistan by her organization and discussed bilateral trade issues. (@FahadShabbir) XI'AN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jun, 2024) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday underlined the need to leverage sister-city relationships of Xian with Lahore and Multan through practical cooperation at city-to-city level to promote bilateral cooperation in trade, technology, agriculture, and tourism. The prime minister, along with his delegation met Party Secretary of Shaanxi province in Xian, China Zhao Yide. In the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz and Party Secretary Zhao discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including trade, technology, agricultural and cultural exchanges. They reaffirmed commitment to further deepen Pakistan-China strategic cooperation, including through promotion of B2B linkages and cultural exchanges. They agreed to strengthen local and provincial level cooperative partnerships between Pakistan and China for mutual prosperity. Underscoring Xians historical significance as a center of cultural and economic exchanges between the East and the West in the Ancient Silk Road, the prime minister emphasized continued collaboration between Pakistan and Shaanxi province in people-to-people exchanges particularly in the culture, tourism and education domains. The prime minister said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was growing from strength to strength with a focus on high quality development in the second phase. The two sides agreed to strengthen economic cooperation through joint ventures in agriculture, bio-pharmaceuticals, automobile manufacturing, mining, chemicals and textiles sectors. Secretary Zhao briefed the prime minister on the historical significance of Shaanxi province and provided an overview of Shaanxis economic and social development highlighting its status as one of the fastest growing regions of China. The prime minister said that Chinas phenomenal development and support to the developing countries was an inspiration for Pakistan. He invited the state owned and private enterprises from Shaanxi province to benefit from the investor friendly policy framework and regulatory measures in Pakistan. He thanked the leadership of the Shaanxi province and the Xian city for facilitating Pakistani citizens during the Covid-19 pandemic. (@FahadShabbir) Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the Punjab Livestock Card project which will grant Rs250,000 interest-free loans for animal feed LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jun, 2024) Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the Punjab Livestock Card project which will grant Rs250,000 interest-free loans for animal feed. The CM presided over a meeting here on Saturday relating to livestock in which important projects were granted approval. The chief minister directed to simplify the stages to acquire loans for the livestock farmers along with formulating a scheme for dairy farming in South Punjab. The CM said, "We want to put livestock farmers of Punjab on the path to economic independence. The participants were apprised during the meeting that prospects to provide loans on soft instalments to males and females for dairy farming in the rural areas of South Punjab will be reviewed. Over 40,000 farmers will be granted loans through the Punjab Livestock Card. Over 400,000 animals will be available for meat export through the Punjab Livestock Card scheme. The farmers will be provided with facilities to undertake free tagging of animals, free insemination services along with wanda (feed) and silage quality testing facilities. The farmers will be provided with a soft loan worth rupees 270,000 through the Livestock Card for wanda, silage and mineral mixture facilities in Punjab. The farmers can pay their loan in 90 days through the Punjab Livestock Card. The livestock care will be facilitated through Animal Identity Traceability System in Punjab. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Provincial Minister for Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain, Special Assistant Rashid Nasrullah, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Secretary Livestock and other relevant officers attended the meeting. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jun, 2024) Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, MNA Romina Khurshid Alam said as the world celebrates World Ocean Day, the present government has firmly reaffirmed its commitment to the global efforts for preserving and protecting marine ecosystems in the country and anywhere in the world. In a press statement issued here on Saturday, MNA Romina Khurshid Alam said that this year's theme, "Ocean: Life and Livelihoods," very much resonates deeply with Pakistan's coastal communities, whose lives and livelihoods are intricately connected with the health and sustainability of the oceans. She said that as a coastal nation, Pakistan is committed to playing its part in advancing marine conservation efforts. As a nation with a rich maritime heritage, we recognise the vital role that oceans play in supporting life on Earth, regulating our climate, and providing resources that sustain livelihoods, Romina Khurshid Alam said. The initiatives of Mangroves restoration in Pakistan has resulted in 300% increase of mangroves since 1992, which drew global appreciation for the governments conservation efforts, the PMs coordinator highlighted. Through initiatives such as marine protected areas, community-based conservation projects such as national mangroves restoration initiative, and public awareness campaigns, the present government was striving to safeguard our oceans and promote their sustainable use, she highlighted. She also said that the present government was very much aware of the national and global environmental and climate change-related challenges facing the oceans and efforts are being made to address marine pollution, promote sustainable fisheries management, and conserve marine biodiversity. Pakistan is blessed with a resource-rich coastline of about 1,046 kilometers along the Arabia sea, which harbours a diverse array of marine life and ecosystems. From the bustling ports of Karachi to the tranquil shores of Gwadar, Pakistan's coastal areas are not only vital hubs of economic activity but also rich reservoirs of unique biodiversity of global repute. The PMs coordinator said that pollution, overfishing, climate change, and habitat destruction threaten the delicate balance of marine ecosystems worldwide, jeopardising the well-being of millions of people who depend on the oceans for their sustenance and livelihoods. Oceans globally are facing grave challenges, including pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction and the impacts of climate change. Besides, growing amount of plastic waste dumping in oceans is a major environmental threat to oceans sustainability, Romina Khurshid Alam highlighted Highlighting further the plight of rapidly pollution oceans around the world, mainly because of untamed dumping of plastic waste, Romina Khurshid Alam said that around 9.5 million tons of plastic waste is dumped into oceans worldwide, which poses risk to the fish and other oceanic biodiversity. She, however, underlined the urgent need for collective action by all government and non-governmental stakeholders and communities to address the myriad challenges facing the countrys oceans. We urge all nations to strengthen cooperation, implement effective policies, and adopt sustainable practices to ensure the health and resilience of marine ecosystems for present and future generations, she said. Romina Khurshid also reaffirmed her governments commitment to the the global efforts for preservation and sustainable use of our oceans. ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jun, 2024) The Ministry of the Interior of Saudi Arabia held a press conference here on Saturday for the commanders of the Hajj security forces 1445-2024 at the Unified Security Operations Center (911) in Makkah to highlight the ministrys security, traffic, and organizational plans for the Hajj season 1445. Director of Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Security Committee, Lieutenant-General Mohammad bin Abdullah Al-Bassami; the Commander of the Special Emergency Forces at the Presidency of State Security, Major General Mohammed Al-Omari; the Commander of Security Aviation, Major General Pilot Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al-Duraijan; the Director of the Civil Defense Forces, Major General Dr. Hamoud Sulaiman Al-Faraj; and the Commander of Passports Forces for Umrah, Major General Dr. Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba were present in the press conference. Lt. Gen. Al-Bassami emphasized that the security of the country, pilgrims, and holy sites is a red line, stressing that safeguarding the safety and security of pilgrims while they perform their Hajj rituals until they return to their home countries is a top priority for the Hajj security forces. He added that preventing violators of Hajj regulations and those who have not obtained Hajj permits is central to this endeavor. Al-Bassami noted that the security authorities in various regions of the Kingdom are monitoring misleading advertisements aimed at defrauding those wishing to perform Hajj through irregular Hajj offices or those who claim to perform Hajj on behalf of others. He stated that all caught in violation of Hajj regulations will be arrested and referred to the competent authorities for necessary proceedings. Additionally, security forces will arrest transporters of violators of Hajj regulations who lack permits and will hand them over to the ad hoc administrative committees of the General Directorate of Passports to apply penalties against them. He highlighted that one of the tasks and responsibilities of the Hajj security forces is to intensify the field security presence to accelerate the monitoring of all types of security cases and observations, respond swiftly with appropriate measures, prevent crime, combat pickpocketing, and address any negative phenomena that affect the security and safety of pilgrims at the Grand Mosque. Lt. Gen. Al-Bassami indicated that Public Security has seized 140 fake Hajj campaigns and 64 carriers violating Hajj regulations, in addition to returning 97,664 violating vehicles and 171,587 non-residents of Makkah. Furthermore, they have apprehended 4,032 violators of Hajj regulations and instructions (Hajj without a permit) and 6,105 violators of residency, work, and border security regulations, while holders of visit visas for the purpose of Hajj number 153,998. Maj. Gen. Al-Omari explained that the Special Emergency Forces work to maintain security and order in Makkah and Madinah, provide protection for the Kingdoms guests, prevent violators of Hajj regulations from reaching the holy places, manage crowd movement, and organize the stoning ritual in accordance with security plans. For his part, Maj. Gen. Al-Duraijan explained that Security Aviation conducts reconnaissance sorties to ensure the smooth flow of traffic for pilgrims to the Grand Mosque, ensure the safety of the roads leading to the holy sites from unauthorized Hajj intruders, support the security sectors, and provide humanitarian services in medical evacuation, rescue, and firefighting. Maj. Gen. Al-Faraj emphasized that the forces are working to intensify preventive supervision in Makkah, the holy sites, and Madinah by implementing and applying preventive, awareness-raising, and operational measures, providing humanitarian services, and managing the situation through the Center for Operations of the Holy Sites. This includes activating the role of volunteers and the Haram Support Forces, and cooperating with government agencies in addressing emergency situations in accordance with the general emergency plan, using modern technologies and artificial intelligence techniques. Maj. Gen. Al-Murabba stated that the General Directorate of Passports continues to provide services to pilgrims through air, land, and sea ports using mobile devices, security documentation cameras, document verification devices, and simultaneous translation devices. He confirmed that the administrative seasonal committees of the General Directorate of Passports are working to impose penalties on transporters of violators of Hajj regulations who do not hold regular Hajj permits, with penalties including imprisonment for up to six months and fines of up to SAR 50,000, with fines multiplying according to the number of violators transported. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called for a collective effort among governments, businesses, investors, scientists, and communities "to defend our oceans," as the world body celebrated World Oceans Day at UN Headquarters in New York UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jun, 2024) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called for a collective effort among governments, businesses, investors, scientists, and communities "to defend our oceans," as the world body celebrated World Oceans Day at UN Headquarters in New York. The activities marking the Day focused on opening minds, igniting senses, and inspiring possibilities to protect marine life worldwide. A powerful video was shown echoing the theme, awaken new depths, warning of immediate protection needs and cautioning that there is no time for an out of sight out of mind sense of complacency. In a statement marking the occasion which falls on Saturday - UN chief also said the ocean sustains life on Earth and the problems are essentially man-made. Climate change is triggering rising seas and threatening the very existence of small island developing states and coastal populations, he said. Guterres also mentioned that ocean acidification is destroying coral reefs, with sea temperatures reaching record levels leading to extreme weather events. Overfishing and other factors are contributing to the destruction of the worlds marine ecosystems. The President of the General Assembly, Dennis Francis, attended the event and voiced similar concerns about the current state of the ocean. There is so much still to learn about oceans and, importantly, to reverse the damage being caused to our precious lifeline resource. Francis said that the ocean is our strongest ally against climate change and therefore it is our joint responsibility to course correct and recommit to sustainably manage the oceans precious resources - so as to ensure their availability intergenerationally. The Secretary-General and General Assembly President said they are expecting reflections on and actions toward ways to restore and protect our oceans as the Summit of the Future in September 2024 and next years UN Oceans Conference approach. The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) released a State of the Ocean report earlier in the week pushing policymakers to think about the ocean we need for the future we want. The report detailed threats to the ocean and trends that could help identify drivers of change. It warned that the rate of ocean warming has doubled in 20 years and that coastal species are suffocating due to decreased oxygen levels in the ocean, among other things. One of its conclusions is that ocean literacy practice and research is a strategic ally to optimize resources, accelerate behavioural change and improve the implementation of ocean conservation programmes and sustainability practices. Speakers at at an event in UN Headquarters on Friday included marine biologist and oceanographer Sylvia Earle, who said finding ways to share the importance of protecting our ocean with the world can lead to vital action to also preserve coastal wildlife. Now is the time for governments, businesses, investors, scientists and communities to come together in defence of our ocean, UN Secretary-General Guterres said. In a similar call to action, General Assembly President Francis said we should redouble our efforts to support and advance ocean action, build much-needed capacity in [small island developing states]and other developing countries and promote innovative financing solutions that drive transformation and scale up resilience. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) Securities Sdn Bhd announced the launch of its first mutual fund managed from Brunei, local media reported on Saturday. According to local daily Borneo Bulletin, the newly introduced mutual fund, the Lion-BIBDS Islamic Enhanced Liquidity Fund, is designed to preserve capital and enhance income, maintaining high liquidity. Jason Wong, managing director of BIBD Securities Sdn Bhd, said the fund represents "a culmination of our commitment to developing local talent and expertise in financial management." BIBD is a state-owned firm and the largest bank in Brunei, which was formed in 2005 through the merger of Islamic Bank of Brunei and Islamic Development Band of Brunei. Its stakeholders include Brunei's Ministry of Finance and Economy, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation, Brunei Investment Agency and individual Bruneian investors. Artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT could soon run out of what keeps making them smarter the tens of trillions of words people have written and shared online. A new study released Thursday by research group Epoch AI projects that tech companies will exhaust the supply of publicly available training data for AI language models by roughly the turn of the decade -- sometime between 2026 and 2032. Comparing it to a "literal gold rush" that depletes finite natural resources, Tamay Besiroglu, an author of the study, said the AI field might face challenges in maintaining its current pace of progress once it drains the reserves of human-generated writing. In the short term, tech companies like ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and Google are racing to secure and sometimes pay for high-quality data sources to train their AI large language models for instance, by signing deals to tap into the steady flow of sentences coming out of Reddit forums and news media outlets. In the longer term, there won't be enough new blogs, news articles and social media commentary to sustain the current trajectory of AI development, putting pressure on companies to tap into sensitive data now considered private such as emails or text messages or relying on less-reliable "synthetic data" spit out by the chatbots themselves. "There is a serious bottleneck here," Besiroglu said. "If you start hitting those constraints about how much data you have, then you can't really scale up your models efficiently anymore. And scaling up models has been probably the most important way of expanding their capabilities and improving the quality of their output." The researchers first made their projections two years ago shortly before ChatGPT's debut in a working paper that forecast a more imminent 2026 cutoff of high-quality text data. Much has changed since then, including new techniques that enabled AI researchers to make better use of the data they already have and sometimes "overtrain" on the same sources multiple times. But there are limits, and after further research, Epoch now foresees running out of public text data sometime in the next two to eight years. The team's latest study is peer-reviewed and due to be presented at this summer's International Conference on Machine Learning in Vienna, Austria. Epoch is a nonprofit institute hosted by San Francisco-based Rethink Priorities and funded by proponents of effective altruism a philanthropic movement that has poured money into mitigating AI's worst-case risks. Besiroglu said AI researchers realized more than a decade ago that aggressively expanding two key ingredients computing power and vast stores of internet data could significantly improve the performance of AI systems. The amount of text data fed into AI language models has been growing about 2.5 times per year, while computing has grown about 4 times per year, according to the Epoch study. Facebook parent company Meta Platforms recently claimed the largest version of their upcoming Llama 3 model which has not yet been released has been trained on up to 15 trillion tokens, each of which can represent a piece of a word. But how much it's worth worrying about the data bottleneck is debatable. "I think it's important to keep in mind that we don't necessarily need to train larger and larger models," said Nicolas Papernot, an assistant professor of computer engineering at the University of Toronto and researcher at the nonprofit Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence. Papernot, who was not involved in the Epoch study, said building more skilled AI systems can also come from training models that are more specialized for specific tasks. But he has concerns about training generative AI systems on the same outputs they're producing, leading to degraded performance known as "model collapse." Training on AI-generated data is "like what happens when you photocopy a piece of paper and then you photocopy the photocopy. You lose some of the information," Papernot said. Not only that, but Papernot's research has also found it can further encode the mistakes, bias and unfairness that's already baked into the information ecosystem. If real human-crafted sentences remain a critical AI data source, those who are stewards of the most sought-after troves websites like Reddit and Wikipedia, as well as news and book publishers have been forced to think hard about how they're being used. "Maybe you don't lop off the tops of every mountain," jokes Selena Deckelmann, chief product and technology officer at the Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia. "It's an interesting problem right now that we're having natural resource conversations about human-created data. I shouldn't laugh about it, but I do find it kind of amazing." While some have sought to close off their data from AI training often after it's already been taken without compensation Wikipedia has placed few restrictions on how AI companies use its volunteer-written entries. Still, Deckelmann said she hopes there continue to be incentives for people to keep contributing, especially as a flood of cheap and automatically generated "garbage content" starts polluting the internet. AI companies should be "concerned about how human-generated content continues to exist and continues to be accessible," she said. From the perspective of AI developers, Epoch's study says paying millions of humans to generate the text that AI models will need "is unlikely to be an economical way" to drive better technical performance. As OpenAI begins work on training the next generation of its GPT large language models, CEO Sam Altman told the audience at a United Nations event last month that the company has already experimented with "generating lots of synthetic data" for training. "I think what you need is high-quality data. There is low-quality synthetic data. There's low-quality human data," Altman said. But he also expressed reservations about relying too heavily on synthetic data over other technical methods to improve AI models. "There'd be something very strange if the best way to train a model was to just generate, like, a quadrillion tokens of synthetic data and feed that back in," Altman said. "Somehow that seems inefficient." Standing alone atop a concrete bunker dug into a 100-foot cliff overlooking the cold, choppy waters off Normandy's coast, U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday explained why he came to the French countryside to deliver a forceful speech drawing a straight line from the past to the present. "Where we stand was not sacred ground on June 5th, but that's what it became on June the 6th," he said, referring to the battle that Allied forces launched that day in 1944. "The Rangers who scaled this cliff didn't know they would change the world," he said of the U.S. unit that played a pivotal role in the D-Day invasion that led to the defeat of Nazi Germany. "But they did. I've long said that history has shown that ordinary Americans can do extraordinary things when challenged. There's no better example of that in the entire world than right here at Pointe du Hoc." Biden thus capped his French tour of American wartime nostalgia, which included a dramatic day of events at the battle's main American cemetery, with this point: This tale of autocratic aggression can happen again. In fact, he argued, it is happening again, in Ukraine. That nation has spent the past two years, with substantial American military help, holding its ground against a fierce Russian assault. Biden has argued, repeatedly, that Russia will not stop at Ukraine's borders, and he has urged NATO members to show a strong front. As Biden spoke under a cloudless blue sky, he regularly met eyes with a man huddled in a wheelchair in the front row: 99-year-old John Wardell, one of the dwindling number of survivors of the Ranger battalion that scaled those rocky cliffs. "As we gather here today, it's not just to honor those who showed such remarkable bravery that day, June 6, 1944," Biden said. "It's to listen to the echo of their voices. To hear them. Because they are summoning us. They ask us, what will we do. They're not asking us to scale these cliffs. They're asking us to stay true to what America stands for." But the people Biden needs to convince are back in Washington, holding the American government's purse strings in Congress. It took six months for U.S. lawmakers to approve a package of about $61 billion in military aid for Ukraine, and some Republicans have warned that this was the last American handout to help Ukraine fend off Russia's two-year invasion. Biden referenced that fact when he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier in the day in Paris, as he announced another $225 million in funding. "You continue to fight in a way that is remarkable, just remarkable," Biden told Zelenskyy. "And I'm not going to walk away from you. I apologize for the first weeks of not knowing what's going [on] in terms of funding. Because we had trouble getting the bill, we had to pass, to have the money in. Some of our very conservative members who were holding it up. But we got it done, finally." 'You saved Europe' A day earlier, Zelenskyy attended D-Day commemorations and had emotional meetings with U.S. veterans of that 1944 battle. At one meeting, 99-year-old Melvin Hurwitz, speaking from his wheelchair, grabbed the Ukrainian leader's right hand and pulled him down, into a bear hug. "You're the savior of the people," Hurwitz said. "No, no, no," Zelenskyy replied. "You [are]. You saved Europe." A day later, Zelenskyy thanked Biden for American support. "It's very important that you stay with us," he told Biden. "This bipartisan support with the Congress, it's very important that in this unity, the United States of America, all American people, stay with Ukraine, like it was during World War II. How the United States helped to save human lives, to save Europe. And we count on your continuing support and standing with us shoulder to shoulder." But Europe, too, realizes it has a role to play here. "There is definitely a common belief in Europe that we need to step up for our own defense and security," said Leonie Allard, a visiting fellow at the Atlantic Council's Europe Center and a former French defense official. "But of course, European security and the future of the architecture in Europe cannot be without the U.S. So whatever steps are taken, I know that the U.S. is in the room and there is some form of coordination." Historians note that the diminishing number of World War II survivors means that the next American president will have even fewer ways to highlight the nation's well-regarded role in establishing peace. History professor Jeremi Suri said that for the undergraduates he teaches, World War II is "ancient, ancient history." "So it will mean we're more distant and the heroism, the defense of democracy, the Greatest Generation stories we've told ourselves for so long, those will be less compelling. They already are becoming less compelling," he said. But, said Suri, who teaches at the University of Texas at Austin and who acknowledged that few conflicts pack the narrative punch of World War II there are other stories to tell. "We do have many legitimate, honest stories of heroism from the Cold War, those who defended dissidents, those who participated in civil rights marches, those who stood up for solidarity workers who were striking in Poland and elsewhere," he said. "They're not the stories that have the same heroic varnish, and they don't have the same cinematography associated with them. But I do think they're compelling, and I think presidents will start to evoke those as much as they do the D-Day," he said. "It's a made-for-Hollywood moment," Suri said. That's a fact that Biden, who walked onstage accompanied by a piece of music from a popular TV series about World War II, "Band of Brothers," surely knows. Just seconds after Biden completed his speech, he made a beeline to the front row. Wardell, with help from his caretaker on one side and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the other, struggled to his feet. Atop that cliff that Wardell first scaled at the tender age of 18, he clasped hands with the president. VOA's Kim Lewis contributed to this report. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. President Joe Biden stressed the need for transatlantic unity during his speech at the monument overlooking the beach where, 80 years ago, Allied troops fought a battle that delivered a decisive blow to Nazi aggression. VOA White House Correspondent Anita Powell reports from Pointe du Hoc, France. U.S. President Joe Biden capped his visit to France by being feted with a tres-chic state visit Saturday finishing with a flourish a trip that launches a frantic six-week diplomatic push that analysts say could radically alter Europes security architecture, right as the continent holds parliamentary elections that could shift the politics sharply inward at a time when Biden is stressing the need for global unity. Leonie Allard, a visiting fellow at the Atlantic Council's Europe Center and a former French defense official, told VOA, I believe that we are in a very significant sequence, not only for Ukraine, but really the future of European security, the future of the European architecture. With the NATO Summit coming, with the G7 summit coming, with European elections, U.S. elections it's definitely a turning point for the future of the architecture in Europe. Complicating things further: In the coming days, hundreds of millions of European voters will elect members of the 720-strong European parliament. If voters choose right-leaning representatives, analysts say, it could shift the continent inward at a critical time. I mean, youll have a lot of far-right members that will complicate things, but they may not necessarily be united, said Matthias Matthijs, a senior fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations, or CFR. So, in that sense ... theres going to be a lot of navel-gazing in both the EU and in the U.S. rather than focusing on the rest of the world. And, said Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at CFR and professor of international affairs at Georgetown School of Foreign Service, Europes faith in Washington is also at risk. Even if Biden were to win Americans Europeans are asking difficult questions about American reliability, and we did have a seven-month pause in the flow of aid to Ukraine even with an Atlanticist and a multilateralist in the Oval Office, and now were in a situation in which the likely next president, the leader in the polls, is a convicted felon, and that now is getting, you know, a lot of play in Europe and causing a lot of Europeans to scratch their heads, he said. French President Emmanuel Macron, who addressed Biden as cher Joe dear Joe said the leaders indeed discussed the need for unity on Ukraine and the impact of U.S. support, and the importance of the upcoming international summits. Overall, the two leaders trod over their areas of agreement, leaving aside any topics where they may not entirely see eye to eye. Thank you for being at Europes side, Macron said. He also addressed the divisive conflict in Gaza, speaking in support of the U.S.-backed cease-fire plan that Hamas and Israel have rejected and urging the militant group to release all hostages taken during their October 7 assault on Israel. But now: Fashion In this visit to a nation that prides itself as the beating heart of global fashion trends, both couples leaned heavily on couture to underscore their unity. That was clear when the Bidens arrived at the sun-splashed Palace Elysee on Saturday for a state visit he in a soft-shouldered navy pinstriped suit and jacquard tie the color of a stormy sky, and Jill Biden in a midi-length dress of a soft rose shade tied with a high black sash under the ribcage. Her pointy-toed black and white slingbacks and quilted boxy handbag were a nod to one of Frances best-loved fashion houses, Christian Dior. And she topped off the ensemble with a crystal-laden Georgian-style collar necklace of the type often sported by the fashion editor who has been credited with radically reshaping the sartorial archetype of powerful American women, Vogue editor Anna Wintour. The Macrons skewed darker, both in blue as well he was in a deep suit a few shades short of black with a matching tie, she in a knee-grazing bright cobalt dress with a matching coat and pointy-toed stiletto pumps. And for dinner, the presidents stuck to deep blue suits. The first ladies both wore straight-line, floor-grazing gowns. Macron wore an all-white shift a color the French first lady often reaches for, including at the 2022 state dinner held for the Macrons at the White House. Her gown, with a high neck and long tulle sleeves, also featured chunky silver buttons down the left side. Biden chose a deep blue velvet off-the-shoulder gown with a wide, dramatic white sash that tied in a bow in the back and trailed behind her. At dinner, both men delivered effusive toasts. We are allies and allies we shall remain, Macron said, followed immediately by Biden, who described his visit to France as the most remarkable trip Ive ever made. France and the United States have always been there for one another, Biden said. We stand together to defend the very values that are the soul of our two nations. Those choices, fashion experts say, speak volumes when leaders are often reluctant to speak about their differences publicly especially at these types of visually impactful events. And these are noticed in France, where the presidential palace sits on a tiny street in central Paris lined with some of the nations top fashion houses like Chanel, Givenchy, Hermes and St. Laurent. VOA floated a theory to Rachel Tashjian, fashion writer at The Washington Post: That the American presidents mood can be gauged by the blueness of his suit, which can vary from deep and dark at formal events, to almost ultramarine for more lighthearted occasions. Indeed, Biden wore blue of varying hues throughout his visit to France, including, for the somber and emotional commemorations of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a deep navy suit. Thats an interesting theory, Tashjian replied. I think it's a color that he feels confident in. And I think for him it also sort of promotes an image of stability, probably, you know, we're seeing him looking the same all of the time. And the stability is something that seems very important and central to his messaging. As for the first lady, Tashjian said, I look at a lot of the dresses that she wears, which are very often floral dresses in pretty conservative or classic silhouettes or cuts. And you feel like you understand what she's trying to say ... I am relatable, I'm a force of joy and happiness. ... You can also see, I think, her background as an educator. Very often she reminds me, her clothing choices remind me of things that my teachers wore when I was growing up. And I do think that that is a big part of what she does, and again, there's a sense of utility even when she's wearing high heels. A Zambian court on Friday sentenced 22 Chinese nationals to long prison terms for cybercrimes that included internet fraud and online scams targeting Zambians and other people from Singapore, Peru and the United Arab Emirates. The Magistrates Court in the capital, Lusaka, sentenced them for terms ranging from seven to 11 years. The court also fined them between $1,500 and $3,000 after they pleaded guilty to charges of computer-related misrepresentation, identity fraud and illegally operating a network or service on Wednesday. A man from Cameroon also was sentenced and fined on the same changes. They were part of a group of 77 people, the majority of them Zambians, arrested in April over what police described as a "sophisticated internet fraud syndicate." Director-general of the drug enforcement commission, Nason Banda, said investigations began after authorities noticed a spike in the number of cyber-related fraud cases and many people complained about inexplicably losing money from their mobile phones or bank accounts. Officers from the commission, police, the immigration department and the anti-terrorism unit in April swooped on a Chinese-run business in an upmarket suburb of Lusaka, arresting the 77, including those sentenced Friday. Authorities recovered over 13,000 local and foreign mobile phone SIM cards, two firearms and 78 rounds of ammunition during the raid. The business, named Golden Top Support Services, had employed "unsuspecting" Zambians aged between 20 and 25 to use the SIM cards to engage "in deceptive conversations with unsuspecting mobile users across various platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, chat rooms and others, using scripted dialogues," Banda said in April after the raid. The locals were freed on bail. Gunmen in northern Kenya fatally shot four construction workers at a hospital site near a refugee camp and the border with Somalia where a militant group is active, police said Saturday. A group of eight workers were resting Friday when they were attacked, leaving four shot dead at close range, a police official who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue told The Associated Press. The other four workers escaped unharmed, the official said. The hospital construction site is near Kenyas largest refugee camp, Dadaab, and the border with Somalia where the al-Shabab militant group is based. Garissa county has in the past been attacked by al-Shabab militants who cross through the porous border. Local police say the Friday attack may have been staged by an armed group that had warned the contractor to stay away from the area, which they consider their turf. Northern Kenya has in recent days seen violence that has left several people dead in different locations. On Wednesday, police at the Mandera border point recovered an improvised explosive device that was about to detonate. Last week, two herders were killed at a watering point, also in the Mandera area, by gunmen. In April, five people were killed in a donkey cart explosion in Elwak town. The government says security operations in northern Kenya have been increased. The recent attacks have forced the government to suspend plans to reopen the 698-kilometer (434-mile) Kenya-Somalia border that was closed in 2011, although illegal crossings are still rampant. Another body was spotted off the coast of Libya on Saturday, a day after a Doctors Without Borders, or MSF, rescue ship recovered the bodies of 11 migrants in the same area of the Mediterranean Sea and said it had saved more than 160 people from boats. Nonprofit organization Sea Watch said on social media platform X that its plane had spotted the corpse on Saturday. "Yesterday our aircraft crew sighted 11 bodies, and so far, one more has been discovered on today's flight. The flight and the search continue," the Germany-based nonprofit group said. The United Nations has registered more than 20,000 deaths and disappearances in the central Mediterranean since 2014, making it the most dangerous migrant crossing in the world. MSF said its Geo Barents search and rescue vessel picked up 146 migrants in two operations and then found a further 20 in a separate boat. They also retrieved the bodies of 11 people who were seen by the Sea Watch plane. "We do not know the precise cause of this tragedy, but we know that people continue to die in a desperate attempt to reach safety. This slaughter must end," MSF said on X. The 11 bodies should be transferred onto a ship of the Italian coast guard and then disembarked temporarily at the island of Lampedusa, Italian media reported on Saturday. Italy has urged Tunisia and Libya to do more to stop would-be migrants from putting to sea. It has also clamped down on the operations of rescue ships, saying they encourage people to head to Europe something the charities deny. Underscoring the restrictions, Italy on Friday told Geo Barents to take its latest group of migrants to the northern port of Genova, more than 650 nautical miles away and far from the more convenient ports in nearby Sicily. "This will significantly delay assistance for the ... survivors who endured a lot already," MSF said. Retired Major General William Anders, the former Apollo 8 astronaut who took the iconic "Earthrise" photo showing the planet as a shadowed blue marble from space in 1968, was killed Friday when the plane he was piloting alone plummeted into the waters off the San Juan Islands in Washington state. He was 90. His son, Greg Anders, confirmed the death to The Associated Press. "The family is devastated," Greg Anders said. "He was a great pilot, and we will miss him terribly." Anders said the photo was his most significant contribution to the space program, given the ecological and philosophical impact it had, along with making sure the Apollo 8 command module and service module worked. A report came in around 11:40 a.m. local time that an older-model plane had crashed into the water and had sunk near the north end of Jones Island, San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter said. Only the pilot was on board the Beech A45 airplane at the time, according to the Federal Aviation Association. William Anders said in a 1997 NASA oral history interview that he didn't think the Apollo 8 mission was risk-free but there were important national, patriotic and exploration reasons for going ahead. He estimated there was about a one-in-three chance that the crew wouldn't make it back and the same chance the mission would be a success and the same chance that the mission wouldn't start to begin with. He said he suspected Christopher Columbus sailed with worse odds. He recounted how the Earth looked fragile and seemingly physically insignificant yet was home. "We'd been going backwards and upside down, didn't really see the Earth or the sun, and when we rolled around and came around and saw the first Earthrise," he said. "That certainly was, by far, the most impressive thing. To see this very delicate, colorful orb which to me looked like a Christmas tree ornament coming up over this very stark, ugly lunar landscape really contrasted." The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating the crash. COLOMBO, June 7 (Xinhua) -- About 80 percent of the school uniform materials in Sri Lanka in 2024 was covered by Chinese grant, said Sri Lankan Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha on the handover ceremony of China's grant school uniform material on Friday. "China is a friendly country and always our friends in need, and this kind of supply had been done before many years. I would take this opportunity once again to say thank you," said Premajayantha. Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said China has never been absent when Sri Lanka needs help, and children are not only the future of the country and the hope of the nation, but also the inheritors and promoters of China-Sri Lanka friendship. "I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Sri Lanka for its endeavors to revive the economy. Chinese government and people will always be the best partner, friend and neighbor to Sri Lankan brothers and sisters in the hour of need," he said. In 2022, the Chinese government pledged to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka when it encountered an economic crisis, including a school uniform materials aid project. The first batch of school uniform fabrics arrived in Sri Lanka in January, 2023. So far, about 3.5 million Sri Lankan students have benefited from the program. Russia's top diplomat pledged help and military assistance while on a whirlwind tour of several countries in Africa's sub-Saharan region of Sahel this week, as Moscow seeks to grow its influence in the restive, mineral-rich section of the continent. Russia is emerging as the security partner of choice for a growing number of African governments in the region, displacing traditional allies like France and the United States. Sergey Lavrov, who has made several trips to Africa in recent years, this week stopped in Guinea, the Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso and Chad. Moscow has aggressively expanded its military cooperation with African nations by using the private security company Wagner and its likely successor, Africa Corps, with Russian mercenaries taking up roles from protecting African leaders to helping states fight extremists. The Polish Institute of International Affairs said in a study this month that in "creating the Africa Corps, Russia took an assertive approach to expand its military presence in Africa. Moscow is also seeking political support, or at least neutrality, from many of Africa's 54 countries over its invasion of Ukraine. African nations make up the largest voting bloc at the United Nations and have been more divided than any other group on General Assembly resolutions criticizing Russia's actions in Ukraine. Russia-linked entities also spread disinformation to undermine ties between African states and the West, the Africa Center For Strategic Studies, an academic institution within the U.S. Department of Defense, wrote in a March report. Moscow has been "sponsoring 80 documented campaigns, targeting more than 22 countries," it said. Here's a look at how Russia is expanding its influence in Africa. Why are African nations turning to Russia? Russia has taken advantage of political unrest and discontent in coup-hit nations, capitalizing on popular frustration and anger with former colonial power France. Military coups have ousted governments seen close to France and the West and doing little to alleviate grinding poverty, unemployment and other hardships. Russia offers security assistance without interfering in politics, making it an appealing partner in places like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, all ruled by military juntas that seized power in recent years. In return, Moscow seeks access to minerals and other contracts. Violence linked to extremists allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group has been on the rise in Sahel for years, despite efforts by France, the U.S. and other Western allies to help fight the jihadi groups there. In 2013, France launched a near decade long operation in Mali to help fight militants, which expanded to Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad. The operation ended nine years later but the conflict did not, contributing to anger with the West. The U.S. has further lost its footing with key allies for forcing issues including democracy or human rights that many African states see as hypocrisy, given Washington's close ties to some autocratic leaders elsewhere. While the West may pressure African coup leaders over democracy and other issues, Russia doesn't meddle in domestic affairs, Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, told The Associated Press. What is Russia's interest in African countries? Africa is rich in minerals, oil and other resources, which come with political and legal challenges. Its resources are increasingly central to economic and national security, such as cobalt, which is used in electronics like mobile phones, or lithium, which is used in batteries. Russia has thrived in countries where governance is limited, and has signing mining deals through companies it controls. An EU parliament study showed that Russia secured access to gold and diamonds in the Central African Republic, cobalt in Congo, gold and oil in Sudan, chromite in Madagascar, platinum and diamonds in Zimbabwe, and uranium in Namibia. The U.S. based non-profit Democracy 21 group said in an analysis last December that Wagner and Russia may have made about $2.5 billion through the African gold trade alone since invading Ukraine in February 2022. Though Russia is increasingly a partner to African countries in the oil and mining sector, it lags far behind as an overall trading partner. For example, data by the International Monetary shows less than 1% of Africa's exports go to Russia, compared with 33% to the European Union. Where do Russian contractors operate in Africa? The first reports of Wagner mercenaries in Africa emerged in late 2017, when the group was deployed to Sudan to provide support to then-President Omar al-Bashir, in exchange for gold mining concessions. Wagner's presence soon expanded to other African countries. In 2018, Russian contractors showed up to back powerful commander Khalifa Hifter in eastern Libya who was battling militants. They also helped Hifter in his failed attempt to seize the capital of Tripoli a year later. In the Central African Republic, Russian mercenaries have been providing security since in 2018 and in return have gained access to some of the country's gold and diamond mines. Coups in Mali in 2020 and 2021, in Burkina Faso in 2022 and in Niger in 2023, brought military juntas critical of the West to power. All three eventually ordered French and other Western forces out, and instead turned to Russia for military support. Niger ordered the U.S. to withdraw its troops and close its multimillion dollar flagship investment in a sprawling military and spy base in Agadez earlier this year, after a meeting with a U.S. delegation ended poorly. The decision has upended U.S. counterinsurgency operations in Africa's Sahel. Weeks later, Russian trainers arrived in Niger with new defense equipment. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in a new setback to his election campaign, apologized Friday for leaving D-Day commemorations early to give an interview in which he attacked the main opposition party. Sunak's decision not to stay at the event in northern France alongside other world leaders on Thursday was met with dismay in his Conservative Party, which opinion polls suggest faces the prospect of a heavy defeat in the national election on July 4. The leader of the opposition Labour Party, Keir Starmer, remained in Normandy for the duration of events marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and was seen talking to leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay longer, and I've apologized for that, but I also don't think it's right to be political in the midst of D-Day commemorations," Sunak told reporters. "The focus should rightly be on the veterans." Sunak said his plans had been set long before the start of the election campaign. U.S. President Joe Biden, Britain's King Charles and other leaders gathered at the events in Normandy. Sunak spoke at a British-led event but delegated other duties to ministers including Foreign Secretary David Cameron, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. "What happened was completely wrong, and the prime minister has rightly apologized," senior Conservative politician Penny Mordaunt said during a televised debate on Friday. One usually loyal Conservative politician, who asked not to be identified, said: "I can't explain it and I won't." The lawmaker said it could become the "Gillian Duffy moment" a reference to 2010 when Gordon Brown, who was then prime minister, apologized for being caught on tape calling a voter "a bigoted woman," a moment seen as a turning point in a campaign he lost. Sunak's Conservatives are lagging about 20 points behind Labour in opinion polls. His campaign had an inauspicious start last month when he announced the election date under a downpour of rain, competing to be heard against Labour supporters blaring a pop song associated with their party's crushing 1997 election victory. In another blow, Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage took over leadership of the right-wing Reform UK party and said this week he would stand in the election. 'Shabby move' Sunak has said he is the person best placed to look after Britain's security and that he will introduce mandatory national service if he stays in power. But the wealthy former hedge fund executive has often been portrayed as out of touch with ordinary people during a campaign in which a cost-of-living crisis is a big issue, and he was asked repeatedly about the decision while campaigning Friday. Chris Hopkins, political research director at the polling company Savanta, said the prime minister's "political misjudgment seems almost laser-guided in causing Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party as much political pain as humanly possible." A Savanta poll of more than 1,000 British adults showed that 68% viewed Sunak's behavior as "unacceptable," including 61% of people who said they had voted Conservative in 2019. "It's a shabby move, to be honest," British pensioner Mark Bartlett, 73, told Reuters. Senior Labour spokesperson Jonathan Ashworth accused Sunak of "choosing to prioritize his own vanity TV appearances over our veterans," and "it is yet more desperation, yet more chaos." Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey accused Sunak of a "total dereliction of duty." Farage said Sunak's decision "was a complete and utter disgrace" and showed he was "a very unpatriotic prime minister." In the interview with ITV on Thursday, Sunak doubled down on assertions that Labour would raise taxes by 2,000 pounds ($2,500) per household if it took power. Labour denies having such a plan and accused Sunak of lying for saying the estimate came from the civil service, which has said it did not endorse it. Parts of the north side of Montgomery are defined by what it has lost: restaurants, grocery stores and a convenient pharmacy, the latter of which closed five years ago. People who still live in the historically Black neighborhood of Newtown, like Sharon Harris, are frustrated. She goes to a different location of the same pharmacy chain, which is four miles from her home. "You have to come back sometimes," she said, "and then they wait so long to fill the prescription." In cities across the U.S., major retail pharmacies have closed hundreds of stores over the past few years and independents can't always afford to stay open. That can leave residents of color without easy access to a business that provides not only prescriptions but also fundamental public health services like vaccinations, over-the-counter medicines and even food. Closures create "a situation where there's not just (a lack of) investment in terms of pharmacy development and expansion, but there's no incentive to stay in those neighborhoods," said Dima Qato, a professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Southern California who has studied pharmacy access. And an Associated Press analysis of licensing data from 44 states, data from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs and the American Community Survey shows residents of neighborhoods that are majority Black and Hispanic have fewer pharmacies per capita than people who live in mostly white neighborhoods. MAC Pharmacy is the only one serving about 20,000 people in a majority Black ZIP code in Cleveland. George Tadross, the part-owner and pharmacy manager, said he is adamant about making things as as easy as possible for his mostly older customers sometimes by organizing their medications by day for them. "You have to have a pharmacist to talk to," he said. "My philosophy in the pharmacy business is you know your doctor, he knows everything about you. You need to know your pharmacist as well (because) the pharmacist is the only one that sees the whole medical treatment plan you have." Pharmacists play a role in managing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart-related issues, which Black and Hispanic people are more likely to be diagnosed with. And when pharmacists or pharmacy technicians reflect their customer base by speaking the same language or understanding the community it can be easier to build a strong rapport and trust, said Jasmine Gonzalvo, who teaches at Purdue University's College of Pharmacy and has researched the needs of Spanish-speaking patients at pharmacies. She noted that if people don't feel comfortable asking questions about the medication, then it might mean they don't take it or don't take it correctly. "You don't get a refill," Gonzalvo said, "simply because there were barriers in the way of your communicating and feeling safe in that relationship with your pharmacist." That's why Bert's Pharmacy in Elizabeth, New Jersey, has "Spanish- and English-speaking staff all the time," said owner and pharmacist Prakash Patel said. His business is located in an ZIP code where nearly 70% of the residents are Hispanic. "We want to make sure, too, they understood everything," Patel said. "We have Spanish-language labels for them, we print all the instructions in Spanish for them." In Montgomery, where Harris lives, the city is working on a development plan for the north side. A retail analysis in the plan shows a small pharmacy could generate $1.5 million in sales a year. "There's an opportunity there because you have what I call a captive market," said Bob Gibbs, the director of Gibbs Planning Group, which did the analysis. "People that live in a lot of these neighborhoods have limited access to transportation and they're very loyal to local businesses that will treat them with respect. "They will go out of their way just to go there. And they just don't like having to drive two miles to go to a drugstore. That's unfair." Harris, though, doesn't have much hope a new pharmacy will open. "I don't see it," she said. "As long as they have (that CVS) they think it's OK. Everybody is waiting for them to do something on this side." By the time Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi boarded his window seat on a helicopter ferrying him, the foreign minister and six others, thick clouds already had begun forming around the mountaintops along the Azerbaijan-Iran border. Despite the worsening weather, the helicopter lifted off for a trip about 145 kilometers southwest to a new oil pipeline near Tabriz. Within an hour, the Bell 212 helicopter had crashed into a cloud-covered mountainside. While the cause of the May 19 crash remains unknown, the sudden death of the hard-line protege of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei exposed the contradictions and challenges facing the country's Shiite theocracy. The Iranian military investigators probing the crash have previously faced international criticism over their report on troops shooting down a Ukrainian airliner in 2020. The hourslong desperate rescue attempt after the helicopter crash saw Tehran even reach out to the United States for help, just weeks after launching an unprecedented attack on Israel and as it enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. Even the type of helicopter that crashed links back to Iranian history, both before and after the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. "Iran is a culture of dualities," said Farzin Nadimi, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near-East Policy who studies Iran's military. "Some aspects, they seem so good and well-managed, well-oiled and very capable. ... In many levels, it's quite lacking." Iranian military investigators have released two statements on the crash, largely ruling out possibilities rather than offering a suspected cause. They've rejected the possibility of an onboard "explosion caused by sabotage" or a "cyberattack" targeting the Bell 212, a two-blade, twin-engine helicopter more widely known as the Huey for its use by the U.S. military in the Vietnam War. "The recorded conversations between the flight crew show that the last contact with the pilots up to the time of the incident and when they stopped responding lasted 69 seconds," the investigators said, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. "No emergency declaration was recorded during that time." In conspiracy-minded Iran, some officials still insist foul play could have caused the crash. However, some other officials have begun to ask why the helicopter took off from the site of the new Giz Galasi Dam when the weather had started to turn. Mostafa Mirsalim, a member of the country's Expediency Council, wrote on the social platform X that he had asked prosecutors to "address the mistakes that led to the loss of the president and his delegation," without elaborating. Abbas Abdi, a prominent journalist, also wrote on X that the flight path taken by Raisi's helicopter suggested the pilot didn't follow a standard Iranian practice of shadowing main roads in rural areas. That can both help navigation and provide a safe landing area in an emergency. Former Iranian Presidents Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Abolhassan Banisadr both survived helicopter crashes while in office. The helicopter involved in the crash, nearly 30 years old, came directly from a Bell manufacturing plant in Montreal, Canada, to the Iranian air force, according to data from the firm Cirium. It counts 12 Bell 212 aircraft registered in Iran that are still in service. Bell Textron Inc., based in Fort Worth, Texas, said it "does not conduct any business in Iran or support their helicopter fleet, and we do not have knowledge about the active state of the helicopter involved in this accident." But despite being decades old, the Bell 212 and its military counterpart the Huey still are flown around the world. In the United States, Hueys still fly as part of America's nuclear forces to support its silos and for some VIP missions, said Roger D. Connor, an aeronautics curator at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Over 440 still fly worldwide, according to Cirium. "It's a simple aircraft to fly by medium helicopter standards. It doesn't typically have much automation which can have both positive and negative implications for operators," Connor said. "More automation means more opportunities for pilot confusion in certain circumstances, but also better capabilities in low-visibility conditions." Iran's use of the Bell 212 remains pervasive, in part due to the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who struck deals to purchase hundreds of the helicopters and had plans to build a local variant, Nadimi said. Those already in the country at the time of the Islamic Revolution ended up being a key component of Iran's bloody war against Iraq in the 1980s. But as Western sanctions dried up the supply of parts, fewer of the aircraft were airworthy, despite efforts to locally overhaul them. That saw Iran engage in covert means to secure parts, sparking several U.S. criminal cases for those involved, who sought everything from safety equipment to full engines and night-vision goggles for the aircraft. Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sought to blame sanctions for the crash. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller responded by saying America was "not going to apologize for our sanctions regime at all" as Iran has used aircraft to "transport equipment to support terrorism." "Ultimately, it's the Iranian government that is responsible for the decision to fly a ... helicopter in what was described as poor weather conditions, not any other actor," Miller said. Meanwhile, questions remain over why Iran couldn't find the helicopter for hours, even though one of the victims reportedly talked by cellphone with officials. Such calls, in theory, can be triangulated by security services. Also, it remains unclear if the helicopter had any emergency tracker, which are common on aircraft. While the investigation continues, Nadimi said he believed that the Bell 212 that flew Raisi did not have advanced avionics that could have been useful for low-visibility flight. However, he stressed that the major issue in the crash likely involves who allowed the flight to take off as the weather turned poor and whether the pilot faced pressure from his VIP passengers to make the journey no matter what. "Pilot error, human error might be to blame, but there was a chain of events that caused this crash, not just pilot error," Nadimi said. "That helicopter should have been able to clear that terrain and fly safely to its destination. They should not have been dispatched for flying." Israel pressed its bombardment of Gaza on Saturday as a war Cabinet minister looked set to carry through on his threat to quit a government under mounting pressure over its conduct of the military campaign. Strikes rattled various parts of the Gaza Strip and appeared to be focused on central areas of the Palestinian territory, witnesses and AFP journalists reported. The onslaught persisted, despite scrutiny on Israel after its warplanes carried out an attack Thursday on a U.N.-run school that a Gaza hospital said killed 37 people. The Israeli military acknowledged it conducted the strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp, saying it targeted a base of the Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas and killed 17 "terrorists." Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, accused the army of providing "false information." The group said three people Israel listed as dead were actually still alive. UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees that ran the school, condemned Israel for striking a facility it said had been housing 6,000 displaced people. In a post on social media platform X, the agency said the "school turned shelter" had been hit "without prior warning." "Targeting U.N. premises or using for military purposes cannot become the new norm. This must stop and all those responsible be held accountable," it said. Israel accuses Hamas and its allies in Gaza of using civilian infrastructure, including U.N.-run facilities, as operational centers charges the militants deny. 'Defenseless' The war, now in its ninth month, has brought widespread devastation to Gaza, with one in 20 people dead or wounded, according to the Hamas-run territory's Health Ministry. Most of Gaza's 2.4 million inhabitants are displaced. This grim reality was underscored by a strike whose aftermath, depicted in an AFP video, saw men salvaging what they could from a bombed-out Gaza City building and carrying away a shrouded body in a debris-strewn alley. Maher al-Mughair, who lives nearby, recounted the attack Friday, saying: "We heard what sounded like a drone firing a missile, followed by another coming from an F-16 fighter jet." "So we checked and found women and children in pieces. What did the children and women do wrong? They are defenseless people, merely civilians," he told AFPTV. In the same city Saturday, five people were killed and seven wounded when an Israeli warplane bombed the Mhana family's home in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, Gaza emergency services said. Elsewhere, medics at Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital said six people were killed and others wounded in an Israeli rocket attack on the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, where witnesses said gun battles raged. The Israeli army said it struck "dozens of terrorist cells and infrastructures" in Deir al-Balah and Bureij in the past day. Troops were also carrying out operations in Rafah. The war was sparked by Hamas' October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Militants from Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups also took 251 hostages, 120 of whom remain in Gaza, including 41 the army says are dead. Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 36,731 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Health Ministry. Political fallout Israel faced growing diplomatic isolation, with international court cases accusing it of war crimes and several European countries recognizing a Palestinian state. Israel's U.N. envoy, Gilad Erdan, said Friday he was "disgusted" that the Israeli military would be on an upcoming United Nations list of countries and armed forces that fail to protect children during war. A diplomatic source later told AFP that Hamas as well as Palestinian Islamic Jihad would also be included in the annual U.N. report, which highlights human rights violations against children in conflict zones and is expected by the end of June. Hamas and Islamic Jihad are designated as terrorist organizations by several countries, including the United States and the European Union. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is due to address the U.S. Congress next month, also faces pressure from within his right-wing government. The office of war Cabinet member Benny Gantz has announced a news conference for Saturday, the deadline he gave Netanyahu last month to approve a post-war plan for Gaza. Israeli media have speculated that Gantz, a centrist former military chief who had been one of Netanyahu's main rivals before joining the war Cabinet, was likely to carry through on a threat to resign. However, any such move is not expected to affect the stability of Netanyahu's government, a coalition of his right-wing Likud with far-right and ultra-orthodox Jewish parties. U.S. diplomacy The latest efforts to mediate the first cease-fire in the conflict since a weeklong pause in November appear to have stalled a week after U.S. President Joe Biden offered a new road map. Biden, under pressure for the war to end ahead of a November presidential election, said the plan was to halt the fighting for six weeks while hostages are exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The plan would also involve the stepped-up delivery of aid into Gaza. The G7 group of world powers, and Arab states, have backed the proposal, with 16 world leaders joining Biden's call for Hamas to accept the deal. Hamas has yet to respond to Biden's proposal. Israel has expressed openness to discussions but remains committed to destroying the Islamist group. Major sticking points include Hamas insisting on a permanent truce and full Israeli withdrawal demands Israel has rejected. In a new diplomatic push, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Israel and key regional partners Egypt, Jordan and Qatar beginning Monday on his eighth Middle East trip since the war began. The top U.S. diplomat would "emphasize the importance of Hamas accepting the proposal on the table" which "would benefit both Israelis and Palestinians," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will not give in to terror after Israeli troops rescued four hostages Saturday who had been held by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip after they were abducted during the October 7 Hamas terror attack on southern Israel. "Israel does not surrender to terrorism, Netanyahu said. "We will not let go until we complete the mission and return all our hostages home both the living and the dead," he said while speaking after the rescue operation in the situation room. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the rescue operation Saturday was challenging. "Our troops showed so much courage operating under heavy fire in the most complex urban environment in Gaza," he said in a statement. Gallant called it "one of the most heroic and extraordinary operations" he has witnessed during his 47 years of service in Israels defense establishment. Israeli forces rescued four hostages from central Gaza on Saturday. They had been held since the Hamas October 7 attack on Israel. More than 200 Palestinians died during the accompanying air assault, according to Hamas officials, one of the bloodiest Israeli assaults of the war. The rescue operation took place in a densely built residential neighborhood of al-Nuseirat, an Israeli military spokesperson said. "We know about under 100 (Palestinian) casualties. I don't know how many from them are terrorists," Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a briefing with journalists. One Israeli special forces commander was also killed, he said. "Israel does not surrender to terrorism," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. "We will not let go until we complete the mission and return all our hostages home both the living and the dead," he said, speaking after the rescue operation in the situation room. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the rescue was challenging. Israeli troops operated "under heavy fire in the most complex urban environment in Gaza," he said in a statement, calling it "one of the most heroic and extraordinary operations" he has witnessed during his 47 years of service in Israel's defense establishment. Medical officials in Nuseirat called it one of the bloodiest since the war began, Reuters reported. "It was like a horror movie, but this was a real massacre. Israeli drones and warplanes fired all night randomly at people's houses and at people who tried to flee the area," said Ziad, 45, a paramedic and resident of Nuseirat, who gave only his first name. "To free four people, Israel killed dozens of innocent civilians," he said. The bombardment targeted a local marketplace and the Al-Awda mosque, he told Reuters via a messaging app. Social media footage showed the carnage, though Reuters could not independently verify it immediately. The rescued hostages are Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40. They were taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation and were in good health, the military said. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said Saturday in a statement that "our people will not surrender, and the resistance will continue to defend our rights in the face of this criminal enemy." Al-Qassam Brigades' spokesperson Abu Ubaida said that Israel "by committing horrific massacres, was able to free some its hostages, yet it killed some others during the operation." Abu Ubaida made the statement on Telegram, and it could not be verified. Biden, Macron discuss Middle East U.S. President Joe Biden hailed the return of the four Israeli hostages. Speaking at a news conference in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, Biden said he joined his host in welcoming the return of the hostages. "We won't stop working until all the hostages come home and a cease-fire is reached," he said. In a joint news conference at the Elysee presidential palace, the two leaders pledged to work harder to prevent a regional escalation from Israel's war with the militant group Hamas in Gaza and to focus on easing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. "We are redoubling efforts together to avoid a regional explosion, particularly in Lebanon," Macron said. Hezbollah is an Iran-backed political movement and militia in Lebanon. In a statement Saturday, the White House also expressed its support of all efforts ensuring the release of the remaining hostages, including American citizens. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized the significance of ongoing cease-fire negotiations. "This deal has the full backing of the United States and has been endorsed by countries from around the world, including the G7, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, UAE, and Qatar, as well as the sixteen countries with their citizens still being held by Hamas. They all must be released now," the statement reads. Pressure on Israel The rescue comes amid international pressure on Israel to protect civilians in Gaza. In an effort to revive the stalled cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to the Middle East on Sunday. His three-day trip will include stops in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Qatar, where he will emphasize the importance of Hamas accepting the cease-fire proposal on the table that is nearly identical to one Hamas endorsed last month. Netanyahu is facing growing demands to embrace the deal Biden endorsed last month to end the fighting in Gaza, though Israel's far-right is threatening to collapse Netanyahu's government if he does. The October 7 terror attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures. Hamas militants took 251 hostages, 116 of whom still remain in the Palestinian territory, including 41 the army says are dead. So far, Israel's offensive has killed at least 36,801 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its figures. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Israeli strikes on Saturday killed two people and sparked wildfires in southern Lebanon, state media said. The Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah announced the death of one fighter. Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, has traded near-daily fire with Israeli forces in the eight months since the Gaza war began, triggered by the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attack. The deadly clashes have intensified in recent weeks, causing multiple brush fires on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said on Saturday that "an Israeli drone carried out an air attack with two guided missiles, targeting a cafe in Aitarun and killing the cafe's owner, Ali Khalil Hamad, 37, and a young man named Mustafa A. Issa." The agency also reported a "violent airstrike" on the border village of Khiam. Shortly after, Hezbollah said it launched Katyusha rockets on a town across the border "in response to the Israeli enemy's attacks against southern villages and safe houses, and the targeting of civilians, notably in Aitarun where two people were killed." The Shiite Muslim movement later announced that one of its fighters was killed by Israeli fire. It identified him as Radwan A. Issa, without providing further details. The Israeli army said in a statement that "one of its planes struck a Hezbollah terrorist in the Aitarun region," adding that they also struck targets in the area of Khiam. More than eight months of border violence, which began on October 8, has killed 458 people in Lebanon, mostly fighters but including about 90 civilians, according to an Agence France-Presse tally. On the Israeli side of the border, at least 15 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed, according to the army. "Israeli artillery bombarded today the outskirts of the town of Alma al-Shaab with incendiary phosphorus shells, causing fires in the forests that spread to the vicinity of some homes," NNA reported earlier on Saturday. Lebanese authorities and several international rights groups have accused Israel of using white phosphorus rounds in its strikes on its northern neighbor. White phosphorus, a substance that ignites on contact with oxygen, can be used as an incendiary weapon. Its use as a chemical weapon is prohibited under international law, but it is allowed for illuminating battlefields and can be used as a smokescreen. Further east, the NNA reported that "a large fire broke out at positions belonging to the Lebanese army and UNIFIL," the United Nations peacekeeping mission, near the border village of Mais al-Jabal and near the U.N.-demarcated Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel. In a statement, the U.N. peacekeepers reported a "bushfire near one of their positions in Hula," which was put out with help from Lebanese troops and civil defense forces. "The fire didn't cause any damage to UNIFIL assets or personnel," it said. The NNA said "several landmines exploded, and firefighting operations are still continuing" in the area. Its easy to get overwhelmed by the EU elections. Voters are casting ballots in two dozen languages in 27 countries with scores of different campaign issues. Heres a look at some key places to watch in the June 6-9 elections for a new European Parliament. Hungary Long-serving Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is expected to extend his partys nearly 15-year streak of election victories when the Central European country votes in European Parliament elections Sunday but is facing one of the most formidable challenges of his career from a former ally. Orban's right-wing populist Fidesz party has taken more than 50% of the vote in the last three EU elections and looks poised to take the most votes again this year. But a new opposition force, headed by a former Fidesz insider-turned-critic, has in a matter of weeks grown to become Hungarys largest opposition party and will likely cause Fidesz to lose at least one seat in the parliament. Peter Magyar, a 43-year-old lawyer who was once married to Hungarys former justice minister and Orban ally Judit Varga, has shot to prominence since February on his public accusations of corruption and mismanagement within Orbans government. Magyars party, Respect and Freedom, has presented itself as a more centrist alternative to Orbans brand of illiberal populism and is likely to gain several seats in the EU legislature. It has also capitalized on an economic crisis and disaffection with Hungarys traditional opposition parties to siphon away much of their support. Still, the social Democratic Coalition, as well as the liberal party Momentum, could retain some of their seats, while the far-right Our Homeland party may send its first delegate to Brussels after the Sunday vote. Orban has cast the election as an existential struggle between war and peace, telling voters that casting their ballots for his opposition would draw Hungary directly into the war in neighboring Ukraine and precipitate a global armed conflict. He has been in power since 2010. Italy Premier Giorgia Melonis Brothers of Italy party, which has neo-fascist roots, is forecast to sharply expand its number of seats in the European Parliament from seven in the last election, which could extend her influence in the EU. Her pro-Ukraine and Israel policies have proven reassuring to centrist American and European allies, but she is leading culture wars at home that preserve her far-right credentials. In Italy, the vote is not expected to destabilize the government, even if Melonis advantage will be at the expense of her partners in the governing coalition, the populist, anti-migrant right-wing Lega, led by Matteo Salvini, and the center-right Forza Italia, led by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Polling data forecasts that Brothers of Italy will get about a quarter of the vote, on par with the results of the 2022 national elections but well ahead of the last European parliamentary vote in 2019. The center-left Democratic Party is polling to come in second, followed by the opposition 5-Star Movement. Italians ages 18 and over are eligible to cast ballots to elect 76 European parliamentary seats over two days, on June 8-9. France French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and the anti-immigration, nationalist ideas she has long championed are expected to be big winners in the EU elections. Pollsters expect her National Rally party to win the most of France's 81 seats, well ahead of President Emmanuel Macrons moderate pro-business party. The National Rallys lead European Parliament candidate, Jordan Bardella, promises to limit free movement of migrants within the EUs open borders and dial back EU climate rules. The party no longer wants to leave the EU and the euro, but to weaken it from within. Many French voters will use the EU election to express dissatisfaction with Macrons management of the economy, farming rules and security. That could hurt him as he tries to lead Europe-wide efforts to defend Ukraine and boost the EUs own defenses and industry. On the left, polls show a surprising resurgence of Frances Socialist Party behind lead candidate Raphael Glucksmann, who pledges a more ambitious climate policy and protections for European businesses and workers. Some left-wing voters are frustrated with the staunch pro-Palestinian stance of the influential far-left France Unbowed party. France has the largest Jewish community in Europe, as well as one of the largest Muslim populations, and the Israel-Hamas war has been a flashpoint in the election campaign. Germany In Germany, which will have the largest number of the new European Parliaments 720 seats at 96, the three parties in center-left Chancellor Olaf Scholzs unpopular governing coalition risk being punished by voters because of persistent squabbling and a weak economy. The mainstream center-right opposition hopes to benefit and maintain its position as the strongest German party in Brussels as it looks ahead to a national election expected in the fall of next year. But much attention will be on the performance of the far-right Alternative for Germany, which has enjoyed strong support over the past year despite a string of setbacks going into the European election. Among those are scandals surrounding its top two candidates for the EU legislature. The party can expect to make gains on its performance in 2019, but perhaps not as much as it hopes. Leaders of the United Methodist Church expressed regret over last week's decision by the branch in Ivory Coast to leave the union following the church's decision to repeal a long-standing ban on LGBTQ+ clergy but pledged to accept it. The developments were the latest in a series of ripple effects in conservative Africa, which is home to the vast majority of United Methodists outside the United States, amid disputes on sexuality and theology that have shaken the Methodist churches. In early May, delegates at the church's first legislative gathering in five years voted overwhelmingly to remove a rule forbidding "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" from being ordained or appointed as ministers. It was a sharp contrast to past General Conferences of the United Methodist Church, which had steadily reinforced the ban and related penalties amid debate and protests. The change doesn't mandate or even explicitly affirm LGBTQ+ clergy, but it means the church no longer forbids them. But each member church was free to decide for itself and while some bishops favored staying on, others pushed to disaffiliate. On May 28, Ivory Coast's church voted to split from the United Methodists. With over 1.2 million members, the West African country's church has one of the denomination's largest overseas followers. The United Methodist Church has about 5.4 million members in the United States, and about 4.6 million in Africa, Europe and the Philippines, according to church figures. In its first reaction following last week's vote, the church's Council of Bishops said on Wednesday that "while we grieve" Ivory Coast's decision, "we commit to work with them through the process of becoming an Autonomous Methodist Church." "While we are not all of one mind in all things, the strength of our connection is love, respect, compassion and a shared commitment to faith in Jesus Christ," the council said in a statement. Elsewhere in Africa, hundreds of United Methodist Church members gathered at the church's local headquarters in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, last Thursday to protests the church's move to welcome LGBTQ+ members. They sang religious songs, held placards with messages saying homosexuality is a sin and an abomination. "Africa is not for sale. No to homosexuality," read one placard held by an elderly woman. Church member James Kawaza reminded the gathering that "homosexuality is unlawful in Zimbabwe." "The church has aligned with the Rainbow Movement, and this is also a threat to our African traditions and human existence at large," read a petition by church members, calling on their Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa to act. Nhiwatiwa was not available for comment. Zimbabwe's Christian denominations and others in Africa have been vocal against any moves to welcome gays into the church. In January, Catholic bishops in Africa and Madagascar issued a unified statement refusing to follow a declaration by Pope Francis allowing priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples, asserting that such unions are "contrary to the will of God." Chester Samba, director of GALZ, which represents the LGBTQ+ community in Zimbabwe, said he was not so hopeful for Zimbabwe and much of the continent to change their conservative stand. "It is my hope that platforms for dialogue are created and supported to enhance understanding so that all may be welcome in the house of worship regardless of sexual orientation," said Samba, whose members have over the years been targets of harassment and stigmatization. The largest dam removal project in U.S. history was completed Wednesday, marking a major victory for tribes in the region who fought for decades to free hundreds of miles of the Klamath River near the California-Oregon border. Through protests, testimony and lawsuits, local tribes showcased the environmental devastation due to the four towering hydroelectric dams, especially to salmon, which are culturally and spiritually significant to tribes in the region. The dams cut salmon off from their historic habitat and caused them to die in alarming numbers because of bad water-quality conditions. Without the tribes' work "to point out the damage that these dams were doing, not only to the environment, but to the social and cultural fabric of these tribal nations, there would be no dam removal," said Mark Bransom, chief executive of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, the nonprofit entity created to oversee the project. Power company PacifiCorp built the dams to generate electricity between 1918 and 1962. But the structures halted the natural flow of the waterway that was once known as the third-largest salmon-producing river on the West Coast. They disrupted the life cycle of the region's salmon, which spend most of their life in the Pacific Ocean but return to the chilly mountain streams to lay eggs. At the same time, the dams produced only a small fraction of PacifiCorp's energy at full capacity enough to power about 70,000 homes. They also didn't provide irrigation, drinking water or flood control, according to Klamath River Renewal Corporation. Since breaching the dams, salmon regained access to their habitat, water temperature decreased and its quality improved, said Michael Belchik, senior water policy analyst for the Yurok Tribe. But tribal advocates and activists see their work as far from finished, with some already refocusing their efforts on revegetation and other restoration work on the Klamath River and the surrounding land. Here's a look at just a few of the many tribal members at the center of this struggle for dam removal: 'I really felt an urgency' When Karuk tribal member Molli Myers took her first major step into the fight for Klamath dam removal, she was six months pregnant, had a toddler in tow and was in a foreign country for the first time. It was 2004 and she had organized a group of about 25 tribal members to fly to Scotland for the annual general stockholders meeting for Scottish Power, PacifiCorp's parent company at the time. For hours, they protested outside with signs, sang and played drums. They cooked fish on Calton Hill over a fire of scotch barrels and gave it out to locals as they explained why they were there. "I really felt an urgency because I was having babies," said Myers, who was born and raised in the middle Klamath in a traditional fishing family. "And so for me I was internalizing the responsibility to take care of their future." The initial trigger for her to act came two years before that when she saw some of the tens of thousands of salmon die in the river from a bacterial outbreak caused by low water and warm temperatures. "Looking back on it now I wonder where would we be if that hadn't happened," said Myers, 41. "Looking back on it now I can say, 'Was this our creator's call to action?' " She spent the next two decades protesting and flooding state and federal meetings with tribal testimony, including waiting with other tribal members at the doors of a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting at 4 a.m. in 2007 to ask Warren Buffett what he was going to do about the dams. PacifiCorp was at that point part of Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. conglomerate. Today, those same children with her in Scotland are 21 and 19, and with the dams gone Myers said she sees the hope they and her other three children have about the future. "They can do whatever needs to get done because they saw it happen, they lived it, so now there's no impossible for them," she said. 'His vision became reality' For Yurok elder Jacqueline Winter, her feelings on the newly free-flowing river are more complicated. The 89-year-old's son, Troy Fletcher, was the tribe's point person for dam removal for two decades, testifying in front of the U.S. Congress and presenting to state and federal regulatory committees. But his true power came through his ability to bring people with radically conflicting viewpoints from farmers to commercial fishers to tribal members together. Winter said that came from his belief that everyone living along the river are relatives and deserve to be heard. "We're all family. None of us can be left hurting and all of us have to give a little," she said was his message. But at 53, the former executive director for the Yurok Tribe died unexpectedly from a heart attack, nearly a decade before that vision of a free-flowing river would finally be realized. Winter said when she saw the dams breached last month, it felt like his spirit was there through those he touched and she could finally let him go. "His vision became reality and I think he never doubted it," she said. "He never doubted it. And those who worked closely with him never doubted it." 'Protect those fish' Former Klamath Tribes Chairman Jeff Mitchell's work since the 1970s for dam removal came out of the belief that the salmon are their relatives. "They were gifted to us by our creator and given to us to preserve and to protect and also to help give us life," said Mitchell, chair of the tribe's Culture and Heritage Committee. "As such, the creator also instructed us to make sure that we do everything in our power to protect those fish." The Klamath River's headwaters lie on the tribe's homelands in Oregon, and members once depended on salmon for 25% of their food. But for more than a century their waters have not held any salmon, he said. Mitchell and other tribal members' fight to bring them back has cycled through several forms. There were the years of protesting, even gathering carcasses of fish after the 2002 fish kill and leaving them on the doorsteps of federal office buildings. There were his days of walking the halls of the state Legislature in Salem, Oregon, meeting with lawmakers about the millions in funding needed to make dam removal happen. Today, he said he feels like they achieved the impossible, but there's still more work to do. "I'm happy that the dams are gone and we have passage," he said. "But now I'm thinking about what are those fish coming home to. And that's really the focus now, is how do we get the parties to start taking restoration actions and making that the top priority in all of this?" ISLAMABAD, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Seven security personnel were injured in a blast in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday, police said. The incident occurred when roadside-planted explosives hit a vehicle of paramilitary troops Frontier Corps in Khyber district of the province, police sources in the area told Xinhua. The forces' vehicle was on a routine patrol in the area when the explosion happened, said the police sources, adding that at least two security personnel sustained critical injuries in the explosion. Following the incident, rescue teams, police and security forces rushed to the site and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital. Police and security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to arrest the culprits. No group or individual has claimed the blast yet. Nearly five decades after Uruguayan security forces seized Amelia Sanjurjo from the street, disappearing the newly pregnant woman into the maw of the military's prison system, she received a proper burial Thursday in her hometown of Montevideo. The bone fragments of Sanjurjo described as a kind, patient and disheveled-looking employee at a publishing house and member of Uruguay's Communist party were exhumed exactly a year ago from a military base in a small southern town in Uruguay. She was finally identified last week after investigators took DNA samples from her maternal aunt and nephews in Uruguay, Spain and Italy in hopes of finding a match. The revelation was as thrilling as it was grim. Forensic teams have only recovered the remains of five other disappeared people in Uruguay since excavations began in 2005. The vast majority of the nearly 200 people kidnapped and killed during the country's dictatorship remain unidentified. The search for bone fragments, teeth and shreds of clothing, investigators say, is the hardest part, given that members of the dictatorship deliberately destroyed DNA in an effort to deny that detainees were tortured and killed. "Each new identification is a joy. It's a recognition of a great task that is carried out quietly by a whole group of professionals, archaeologists, anthropologists, geneticists, historians," said Carlos Vullo, the genetic lab director of the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team, which assisted with Sanjurjo's identification. In downtown Montevideo on Thursday, somber crowds thronged the small wooden box that held Sanjurjo's remains outside Uruguay's Republic University, home to the forensic investigators that identified her using genetic testing. Some hugged. Others wept. Representatives of the relatives of Uruguay's disappeared paid tribute to Sanjurjo's late father and sister, who they said devoted their lives to searching for Sanjurjo and died without getting answers. "Today means we have found Amelia and are able to say goodbye to her, which was the right thing to do for many years," said Ignacio Errandonea, a member of the group whose relatives were disappeared. Sanjurjo's surviving relatives, today scattered around Europe, sent a message to be read aloud at her wake, where supporters placed red and yellow roses on her box. From the building's facade, Sanjurjo's smiling face stared down at the sea of people. Mikaela Mall, a representative of the relatives, delivered the family statement, saying Sanjurjo's loved ones were "excited to receive this news." "The dictatorship was cruel to her as it was to so many others, making her pay dearly for the simple and brave act of dreaming of a more just and supportive world," the statement read. "She dedicated her entire life to her activism, and was consistent until the very end." Sanjurjo was 41 years old and pregnant when she was abducted from the streets of Montevideo on November 2, 1977. Prosecutors said that she died after being beaten and tortured at a military detention center six days after her arrest. The identification of victims is part of a broader effort to deliver justice and accountability 40 years after the end of the dictatorship in Uruguay, a traumatic chapter of history as violent authoritarian rule swept through South America. From 1973 to 1985, Uruguay's military unleashed a campaign of repression after having largely defeated a guerrilla uprising, disappearing 197 people, according to the government's count. An untold number of Uruguayans abducted by the military dictatorship ended up detained in Argentina as a result of Operation Condor, a secret plan carried out by several South American dictatorships to eliminate their left-wing opponents. Forensic teams have so far identified 31 disappeared Uruguayans based on remains recovered elsewhere in the region, including Argentina's clandestine detention centers. Argentina's reckoning with its particularly brutal past has been far more extensive than that of Uruguay and other neighboring countries. After power returned to civilians in Uruguay, the government enacted an amnesty covering the crimes of the dictators as well as their guerrilla opponents, delaying the judicial process. In Argentina, where human rights groups estimate 30,000 people were disappeared, courts have handed down over 300 verdicts and delivered sentences to thousands of military officials over dictatorship-era crimes. In Uruguay, less than 30 trials have occurred. Recent legal changes seek to speed the justice process along. Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou said Sanjurjo's identification shows "the government's commitment to the search for the disappeared." The Philippines will continue to maintain and supply its outposts in the South China Sea without seeking permission from any other country, the country's national security adviser said. The Philippines national security council said Saturday it reaffirmed its commitment to uphold its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the Second Thomas Shoal. "Our operations are conducted within our own territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, and we will not be deterred by foreign interference or intimidation," said National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Ano. The Philippine agency issued a statement in response to China's suggestion that the Philippines must first notify Beijing over access. China's foreign ministry said Friday it will allow the Philippines to deliver supplies and evacuate personnel if Manila notifies Beijing in advance. Ano described such suggestions as "absurd, nonsense and unacceptable." He added: "We do not and will never need China's approval for any of our activities therein." But the Philippines remains open to dialogue and peaceful negotiations to resolve disputes in the entire South China Sea, the council said. The Philippine coast guard accused its Chinese counterpart Friday of blocking efforts to evacuate a sick member of its armed forces in the South China Sea. It was the latest dispute in a longstanding territorial spat with China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual shipping commerce. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague said China's claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected. Pro-Palestinian activists demanding an end to the war in the Gaza Strip and to U.S. support for Israel plan to surround the White House during a weekend protest, prompting additional security measures, including anti-scale fencing. Advocacy and activist groups such as CODEPINK and the Council on American Islamic Relations said Friday that demonstrations are planned on Saturday, marking eight months of Israel's war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands while causing a humanitarian crisis with widespread hunger and destruction. The United States, Israel's key ally, has seen months of pro-Palestinian protests ranging from marches in Washington and vigils near the White House to the blocking of bridges and roads near train stations and airports in multiple cities, as well as encampments on many college campuses. At least eight officials have quit the administration of President Joe Biden, citing their opposition to his policy. Protesters have also disrupted some of Biden's reelection campaign events. Biden is currently in France for an official visit. "In preparation for the events this weekend in Washington, D.C., that have the potential for large crowds to gather, additional public safety measures have been put in place near the White House complex," a U.S. Secret Service spokesperson said. Biden and the White House have previously said they support peaceful protests but not "chaos" and violence. University protests have had occasional violence while police have made arrests on campuses to clear encampments. Anti-war activists encamped at the University of California, Los Angeles, were violently attacked by a mob weeks ago. There has also been concern about a rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia amid the conflict. The war began when Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 and taking 250 people as hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed over 36,000, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, displaced nearly the entire 2.3 million population and led to genocide allegations, which Israel denies. A renewed cease-fire push seemed stalled as of Friday. A man accused of assaulting the Danish Prime Minister in central Copenhagen will appear in a pre-trial custody hearing on Saturday, authorities said. Police confirmed "there has been an incident" with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Friday and that a 39-year-old man was arrested. They didn't provide further details and it wasn't clear if Frederiksen was hurt. The man is expected to arrive at 1100 GMT at the Copenhagen District Court in Frederiksberg, a municipality enclave within the Danish capital. The prime minister's office told the Danish state broadcaster DR on Friday that Frederiksen was "shocked" by what happened. Two eyewitnesses, Anna Ravn and Marie Adrian, told the daily BT that they saw a man walking toward Frederiksen and then "pushing her hard on the shoulder so she was shoved aside." They stressed that the premier did not fall down. Another witness, Kasper Jrgensen, told the Ekstra Bladet tabloid that a well-dressed man, who seemed part of Frederiksen's protection unit, and a police officer took down the alleged assailant. Sren Kjrgaard who was working at a local bar on Kultorvet Square where the incident happened told the BT that he saw Frederiksen after the incident and she had no visible injuries to her face but walked away quickly. Politicians in the Scandinavian country and abroad condemned the reported assault. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary-general, said he was shocked to hear what happened to Frederiksen, whom he called a friend. "NATO allies stand together to protect our values, freedom, democracy and our rule of law," Stoltenberg wrote on the social media platform, X, on Saturday. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that "an attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy." Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said he strongly condemned "all forms of violence against the democratically elected leaders of our free societies." Charles Michel, president of the European Council, condemned on X what he called a "cowardly act of aggression." European Union parliamentary elections are currently underway in Denmark and the rest of the 27-nation bloc and will conclude Sunday. Frederiksen has been campaigning with the Social Democrats' EU lead candidate, Christel Schaldemose. Media reports said the attack was not linked to a campaign event. Violence against politicians has become a theme in the run-up to the EU elections. In May, a candidate from Germany's center-left Social Democrats was beaten and seriously injured while campaigning for a seat in the European Parliament. In Slovakia, the election campaign was overshadowed by an attempt to assassinate populist Prime Minister Robert Fico on May 15, sending shockwaves through the nation of 5.4 million and reverberating throughout Europe. Frederiksen, 46, is the leader of the Social Democratic Party and has been Denmark's prime minister since 2019. She has steered Denmark through the global COVID-19 pandemic and a controversial 2020 decision to wipe out Denmark's entire captive mink population to minimize the risk of the small mammals retransmitting the virus. Assaults on politicians in Denmark are rare. On March 23, 2003, two activists threw red paint on then-Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen inside the parliament and were immediately arrested. Foreign Minister Per Stig Mller also suffered some splashes that day. American forces destroyed four drones and two anti-ship ballistic missiles in areas of Yemen controlled by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, the U.S. military said Friday. The Houthis have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023 in attacks they say are conducted in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The attacks pose a significant security threat to a key international shipping lane, and the United States and Britain have carried out strikes since January aimed at degrading the Houthis' ability to target shipping. "U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed four UASs and two ASBMs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen," the military command said in a social media post, using abbreviations for unmanned aircraft systems and anti-ship ballistic missiles. "USCENTCOM forces also successfully destroyed one UAS launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen into the Bab al-Mandab Strait," CENTCOM said, adding that American forces also destroyed a Houthi patrol boat. The Houthis launched four anti-ship ballistic missiles over the Red Sea within the past 24 hours, but "there were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships," the military command said. Houthi attacks have sent insurance costs spiraling for vessels transiting the Red Sea and have prompted many shipping firms to take the far longer passage around the southern tip of Africa instead. Houthi television channel Al-Massirah, meanwhile, said there were airstrikes in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and elsewhere in the country on Friday, but the reports could not be independently confirmed, and it was unclear if they were related to the incidents described by CENTCOM. JOHANNESBURG South African opposition parties were meeting Friday and will continue crunch talks into next week to consider the ruling African National Congress offer to become part of a government of national unity. ANC failed to secure a majority in last weeks highly contested election, but some opposition parties are already rejecting the partys offer because of deep-seated divisions. Senior officials of the main opposition Democratic Alliance, or DA, will meet on Monday to discuss the centrist partys approach to the negotiations. The top leadership of the the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters, or EFF, party were holding talks on Friday. Parties are under pressure to conclude negotiations and reach an agreement by June 16, because South Africas constitution requires them to do so within 14 days after the declaration of the election results. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is ANC leader, announced on Thursday that the party had decided to form a government of national unity and had invited all parties to join, a process that is expected to be complex considering vast divisions among the opposition parties themselves. Most of the opposition parties dont differ only with the ANC on various socioeconomic policies, but are also at extreme odds with each other on economic policies like land redistribution and affirmative action. Opposition party ActionSA has already declared it wont be part of the negotiations, saying that it refuses to work with the ANC. In what looks likely to be a government of national unity reminiscent of a path taken by the Nelson Mandela-led ANC after the countrys first democratic election in 1994, the party has decided to invite a myriad of opposition parties to be part of the government. While Mandela insisted on a unity government despite the ANC having won by an overwhelming majority with nearly 63% of the national vote, the ANC has been forced into the current situation by its worst electoral performance ever, dropping from the 57.5% it got in the 2019 election to 40% this year, a decline of 17.5%. Shortly after Ramaphosas announcement, the EFFs leader took to X to reject Ramaphosas proposal of a government of national unity and accused the ANC of arrogance despite failing to win a majority. The EFF is among the top five parties after the election with just over 9% of the national vote, having declined from the 11% it garnered in 2019 but is expected to form a crucial part of the eventual outcome of the negotiations. The arrogance continues even after the South African voters issued warning signs. You cant dictate the way forward as if you have won elections, EFF leader Julius Malema said. We are not desperate for anything, ours is a generational mission. We cant share power with the enemy, Malema said. In 2023, DA declared the Economic Freedom Fighters as its No. 1 enemy. DA, which got just over 21% of the national vote to remain the second-biggest party, said its highest decision-making body, the Federal Council, would meet on Monday to consider its options. I cant say now what the position of the DA is, we have a whole negotiation team and we are meeting as the federal council on Monday. We will have a framework for negotiations that we will release this weekend, Democratic Alliance federal chairperson Helen Zille said Friday. The fifth-biggest party with nearly 4% of the national vote, the Inkatha Freedom Party, on Friday expressed willingness to be part of the government of national unity, but was also set to discuss the matter with its party structures over the next few days. In principle, the IFP is not averse to a GNU (government of national unity). However, the devil is in the details, which will become clearer in the coming days ... enabling the IFP to make a well-considered decision, IFP spokesman Mkhuleko Hlengwa said. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party led by former President Jacob Zuma, who left the ANC, was the latest to enter the negotiations, with the party confirming on Thursday that it had begun talks with the ANC after initially failing to respond to the partys invitation. The party has raised objections about the election results to the countrys electoral body, citing alleged voting irregularities and threatening to boycott the first sitting of Parliament to swear in the countrys new lawmakers. Economists say that the markets are keenly awaiting the outcome of the negotiations to see the composition of the next government of Africas most developed economy, and the economic policies it will pursue. ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday cast President Vladimir Putin as "my dear brother" and said Russia was a consistent ally of Zimbabwe. Mnangagwa, speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, praised Putin for defending the independence and territorial integrity of Russia. "Zimbabwe considers the Russian Federation as a consistent global ally," Mnangagwa said on a stage shared by Putin in St Petersburg. "Strength lies in our unity, adaptability and innovation." "It is regrettable and unacceptable that the collective West continues to peruse hegemonic tendencies that blatantly violate the sovereign equality of nations, justice and fairness," Mnangagwa told the forum. Mnangagwa called for an end to sanctions on his own country that he said were imposed for the "crime" of Zimbabwean people claiming their own land. Still Zimbabwe, he said, was "open for business." (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila) CHISINAU, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 China-Moldova Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum, held here from Thursday to Friday, highlighted opportunities to strengthen partnerships in new energy and infrastructure development. Hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Moldova and co-organized by the Invest Moldova Agency and the Moldova Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the forum has attracted over 200 representatives from government agencies and businesses from both countries. Discussions centered on economic development, industrial characteristics, and future cooperation prospects, culminating in a broad consensus on future collaboration directions. Chinese Ambassador to Moldova Yan Wenbin highlighted the strong bilateral relations, but noted the need for greater mutual investment and support from large enterprises. To this end, the Chinese embassy organized a delegation of 19 major Chinese companies to explore investment opportunities in Moldova. Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean praised China's economic and technological achievements, encouraging Chinese companies to invest in Moldova. Victor Parlicov, minister of energy of Moldova, praised Chinese firms' international capabilities and detailed Moldova's energy development plans and major projects, inviting Chinese companies to participate in sustainable energy projects. Natalia Bejan, the general director of Invest Moldova Agency, showcased Moldova's geographic, economic, and policy advantages, particularly in renewable energy, digital economy, and agriculture, encouraging Chinese investors to leverage these opportunities. The Chinese delegation expressed optimism about Central and Eastern Europe's market potential and the prospects for mutual benefit through enhanced cooperation. Supporting activities included visits to green energy and environmental protection exhibitions, as well as on-site assessments of Moldova's investment environment and market potential. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni casts her vote at a polling station in Rome, Italy, June 8, 2024. The voting for the European Parliament elections started in Italy on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Jing) ROME, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Polls in Italy have opened at 3 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) on Saturday, as Italians are taking part in the European Union (EU) election aimed at choosing the next parliament. Over 51 million people here (including some 3 million new young voters) are eligible to cast their ballot to choose 76 Italian lawmakers out of total 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) making the European assembly. Italian voting stations will close at 11 p.m. local time on Sunday. Overall, the process across the 27 EU member states is taking place over 4 days (June 6-9), involving an estimated 360 million voters. After being elected, the MEPs will have to choose the next president of the European Commission, which is the block's executive body. As such, the results of this vote will shape the EU's political path for the next five years. RIGHTWING FAVORITE The result of the Italian vote is seen as among the crucial ones, as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing party Brothers of Italy (FdI) is projected to be the favorite in the country, and major opinion polls at EU level forecast a historic surge of rightwing forces across the continent. The largest political families in the EU are the conservative European People's Party (EPP), center-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), liberal Renew Europe, and center-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, to which Meloni's FdI belongs. The ECR group is however expected to break from far-right parties that include France's National Rally, and German Alternative for Germany among others, and back moderate conservative forces. In this case, ECR's lawmakers will be crucial in order to forge a stable majority in the next assembly in Brussels. MAIN TOPICS IN DEBATE In Italy, the other main parties running are center-right Forza Italia, center-left Democratic Party, far-right and euro-sceptic Lega, and the populist Five Star Movement. Global geopolitical issues, and especially the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, have been at least as important as domestic and European topics in the debate this time. Meloni confirmed Italy's position in favor of supporting Ukraine, and the same was for the Democratic Party, which is projected as the likely second-largest Italian force in this vote. Other key issues dominating the Italian campaign have been migration, the need for more investments in the national health system, and a proposal by the government to amend Italy's constitution to allow citizens to directly choose the prime minister. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni casts her vote at a polling station in Rome, Italy, June 8, 2024. The voting for the European Parliament elections started in Italy on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Jing) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni casts her vote at a polling station in Rome, Italy, June 8, 2024. The voting for the European Parliament elections started in Italy on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Jing) A woman casts her vote at a polling station in Rome, Italy, June 8, 2024. The voting for the European Parliament elections started in Italy on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Jing) This photo shows ballots and a ballot box at a polling station in Rome, Italy, June 8, 2024. The voting for the European Parliament elections started in Italy on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Jing) This photo shows ballots at a polling station in Rome, Italy, June 8, 2024. The voting for the European Parliament elections started in Italy on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Jing) A man prepares to vote at a polling station in Rome, Italy, June 8, 2024. The voting for the European Parliament elections started in Italy on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Jing) This photo shows ballots at a polling station in Rome, Italy, June 8, 2024. The voting for the European Parliament elections started in Italy on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Jing) People prepare to vote at a polling station in Rome, Italy, June 8, 2024. The voting for the European Parliament elections started in Italy on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Jing) People prepare to vote at a polling station in Rome, Italy, June 8, 2024. The voting for the European Parliament elections started in Italy on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Jing) A few weeks ago, Christians throughout the world celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. In the liturgy the Church, the People of God gave praise and worship to the Holy Spirit, identified in the Creed as the Lord, the Giver of Life. Eco and feminist theologians are leading us to a deeper appreciation of the Spirits presence and activity in our beautiful world. They remind us that we are speaking of the Spirit of the living God, who is the source, the sustainer and goal of the whole evolutionary process that began with the Big Bang over 14 billion years ago. Christianity teaches that the Spirit is the creative power who dwells at the heart of our world sustaining every moment of its evolution. The Creator Spirit dwells at the heart of the natural world, energising its evolution from within. As such we affirm that the natural world is also a sacrament of the divine presence. Physicist Stephen Hawking poses a famous question at the end of his brilliant book, A Brief History of Time: What is it that breathes fire into the equations and makes a universe for them to describe? Hawking, as a committed atheist, leaves the question open. But Christians dare to believe that it is Gods own Spirit who breathes life into the equations and, according to eco-feminist theologian Elizabeth Johnson, thereby bringing forth this exuberant universe. The Spirit is the creative power who dwells at the heart of the world sustaining every moment of its evolution. Eco theologians have fostered this new consciousness, the new cosmic awareness of the divine presence. Reflecting on this, I began to appreciate the enormous implications of this awareness. First of all, it means that the whole living earth as Gods beloved creation is deserving of care. If the earth is indeed the sacrament of divine presence, its ongoing destruction through ecocide or biocide is a deeply sinful desecration. It means that Jesus' great command to love your neighbour as yourself extends to all of life. The neighbour is not just the Samaritan', or the outcast but also the whale, the dolphin, the rain forest. The most radical implication is that every living thing has its own intrinsic value. This was perhaps the most radical claim made by Pope Francis in his groundbreaking document On Care for Our Common Home: All creatures have intrinsic value in themselves, independent of their usefulness... Each organism as a creature of God is good and admirable in itself... so we must be attentive to all living systems so that we as humans and all other creatures can thrive on earth. But what more can we do to protect all forms of life on earth? How about recognising that nature has rights and that such rights be incorporated into the Irish Constitution through a referendum. This radical move was proposed by Cliona Kimber SC at a conference here in Waterford recently. Presenting a talk on the Constitutional rights for Nature and the Environment, she reminded us that the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Loss recommended people be asked to vote in a referendum advocating an amendment to our Constitution recognising the rights of nature. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action in a report published in December 2023 accepted in principle the recommendations of the Citizens Assembly. Rather than approaching this radical concept in the abstract, Cliona asked the audience, Should the River Suir and Suir Estuary have the same rights as people? She suggested that the Suir could be given legal personality to protect its own interests of fishing, water quality, pollution, navigation and sailing rights and that the interests of the River Suir be looked after by an elected council or board of governors. The granting of legal personality to rivers and lakes etc is happening in many areas of the world. Cliona gave examples from many countries. In 2017 an act of Parliament in New Zealand granted the whole Whanganui River rights as an independent entity, as part of the treaty settlement between the government and the Maori people. Ecuador has incorporated rights of nature into its constitution. Because of that, Vilcabamba River, through its council, was able to take an action against a construction company, which was causing pollution in the river. The court ruled in favour of the river. I would strongly support the idea of incorporating the rights of nature into Bunreacht na hEireann. More than this I would argue that all Christians should demand a referendum on this issue. Reflecting on the exciting development in the theology of the Holy Spirit as outlined above and Pope Francis' formal recognition of the intrinsic value of all creatures and the ecological ethic that flows from this, surely it is the only way forward. The three-month curated summer festival, Summer in The City, will return to Waterford in June, running until August. The festival offers a diverse array of performative arts and events across various locations in Waterford City, including The Apple Market, John Roberts Square and OConnell Street. Featuring free outdoor music concerts and activities, the family-friendly festival aims to showcase an entertaining array of local and national talent. A summer of original music will play each weekend in the Cultural Quarters, with free classes in the WCQ on Saturdays. Markets, activities, theatre, food, dancing and more is planned. Rising costs Festival Director and Programmer at Summer in the City, Anna Jordan, has organised an online fundraiser this year, to help support the festival. Writing on the GoFundMe page, she said: Summer in the City is a three month summer music and community festival in Waterford City. Each weekend the city streets comes alive with free music, theatre, science and history talks, umbrella festivals, poetry and literature, dance, children's activities and that's only a few aspects. We really are the place to visit each year." She added that the festival has become increasingly difficult to maintain due to rising costs. Unfortunately our overheads are rising but our budget stays the same. Each year we like to open up community inclusiveness where we support artists and Acts financially. Unfortunately we are struggling. Your donation could help cover transport, artist fees, a t-shirt being printed, the promotion of original artists, advertisement, accommodation, stages being built, sound technicians, water for acts to merely name a few things. Summer in the City is an entirely free festival for three whole months. Please help support this magic. Every donation will go back into the project and will be entirely appreciated. The fundraiser has a 2,000 goal, with 500 raised at time of publication. June Programme Despite cost concerns, the festival officially gets underway this month. Next week, Penny Royal and Visa Required will be playing at The Apple Market and John Robert Square on Friday June 14. On Saturday, acts include the High Hopes Choir, Apple Art Sale, Street Sounds, Mark Atkins, Conor Clancy, Brass & Co, Sal, Gaeilge Le Spraoi, High Definition and DJ John Keane. On Sunday June 16, Steve & Fergal will play at 5pm at the Apple Market. Additional programme details are available to view via the Summer in the City Facebook page, or at www.gofundme.com/f/summer-in-the-city-2024 When the Beatles arrived in Adelaide in 1964, half the citys population about 350,000 people turned out just to watch them wave from their motorcade. The streets from Adelaide Airport to the Town Hall were lined with fans. Many sat on tree branches for a better view. Police formed human chains to control the crowds, and many fans fainted and had to be carried away. It was the biggest fan gathering ever witnessed by the Beatles before or since. Think about it. Melbourne saw similar scenes, with decoy cars and police escorts on horseback trying to manage the throng of humanity crammed into Exhibition Street outside their hotel. Fifty were hospitalised. A policeman on the scene described it as the second battle of Flanders. (I dont recall hearing of a single traffic cone being toppled in honour of Taylor Swifts visit.) Amazingly, the genuine mania that the Beatles brought to Australia occurred before they became the culture-defining phenomenon they went on to be. For the remainder of the 60s, the Beatles redefined popular music, not to mention songwriting in general, with hits so numerous, so all-pervasive and so imprinted on the collective human consciousness, it seems gratuitous to list any of them here, so Ill let it be. Equal to that was their impact on the very business of how music was made and marketed from pioneering stadium rock to their revolutionary use of multi-track studio recording, plus their groundbreaking work in film that what would eventually become music videos. Their influence extended beyond music into fashion, social commentary and politics. They rode the wave of the cultural zeitgeist and became the most written-about and documented cultural figures in history. 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 The Instagram posts often begin much the same. To our most valued customers, after taking some time to reflect on how far we have come in our brand journey, as well as the current conditions affecting the fashion industry, we have made the heartbreaking decision to close our business. Yet for each Australian fashion brand that has shuttered in 2024 first a trickle, now a wave the path to closure has its own set of circumstances. We have too many brands, too many restaurants, too many choices, and were all cannibalising each other, says Kerry Pietrobon, founder of size-inclusive brand Harlow. There had to be a shift at some point, but it came bigger, harder and stronger than anyone knew. Tough trading conditions have forced Marissa Ganino, of Tunik, and Kerry Pietrobon, of Harlow, to rethink their businesses. Credit: Jason South In April, Pietrobon told customers of her 11-year-old label, which makes sizes 12 to 26, of her decision to close this July. Since the pandemic, her customers are buying fewer items per person, and she can no longer compete against constant promotions by larger brands. We are saying its a break, but I cant see us coming back, she says. Pietrobons former colleague, Marissa Ganino the pair worked together at denim retailer Westco 20 years ago isnt closing her brand, Tunik, but has paused production indefinitely on her Melbourne-made printed dresses to focus on jewellery, which is still selling reasonably well. I didnt create this brand for nothing, but I cant bear to create more clothes until something ticks over, she says. Advertisement A flickering flame in a storm Many smaller fashion proprietors, including Pietrobon, say trading conditions are the worst they have been in more than 25 years. Three times [since the pandemic], I thought things were getting better, then the rug would literally pull itself from under you, she says. Loading If the corporate world had its great resignation immediately after COVID-19, now the fashion industry is facing its own great reckoning as the tally of brands shuttering (or pausing) climbs each week. Already this year, sustainable brands Arnsdorf and Nique have closed. Last month, Dion Lee went into voluntary administration, to the shock of the industry. International closures include Mara Hoffman and The Vampires Wife, whose owner Susie Cave, the wife of musician Nick Cave, says the brand fell victim to the collapse of e-tailers such as London-based Matchesfashion. Another cause is that spending on clothing and footwear is falling new ABS figures showed consumers spent $76 million less this April than in April 2023. Then there is perpetual discounting by the major players, like department stores, including an earlier than usual start to the annual winter sales. Smaller brands in particular are left feeling like theres nowhere to go. Surviving as a small independent brand in a sea of heavy discounting from big brands during a cost-of-living crisis is like trying to be a flickering flame in a storm, Pietrobon wrote last week on Instagram. Advertisement Its not just challenging creatively, but economically suffocating Witnessing the devaluation of fashion and the lure of rock-bottom prices is a battle against the tide, where the undercurrent favours giants over small fish like us. Nessie Croft announced the closure of her label, Corepret, last week. She says with Australians now the largest consumers per person of fast fashion globally, its harder than ever for smaller, ethical brands to succeed. Were competing with fast fashion, a social media landscape that promotes over-consumption and distorts our value of fashion, she says. Croft, whose pieces mostly sell between $500 and $800, says making Corepret more profitable required too many ethical compromises. It didnt sit well with me that the only way I could grow the brand was to pump out product. Buy or beware Fashion consultant and agent Phoebes Garland says confusing messages in the marketplace are fuelling a retail recession. Advertisement The messaging out there [to consumers] is stop buying so much; that is true for fast fashion, but unless we start selling some [locally produced] product, there wont be any fashion labels left, she says. Garland, who has 35 years experience, says the fashion industry is broken on two fronts: climate change has delayed the start of the traditional seasons, so stock in store does not match the weather; and an addiction to discounting, especially during events such as Black Friday, has narrowed the window for brands to sell stock at full price. Ganino summarised the impact of perpetual discounting in a social media post: These larger companies have devalued our creations, clothing and everyone that works so hard to produce them. We need to come back to reality. There is nowhere left even for the large retailers to go now that they have created this constant sale frenzy which is actually falling on deaf ears as no one is spending. But thats not entirely true. People are still shopping, particularly at the extremities of the market. While the luxury sector has slowed following huge gains during the pandemic Kering, owner of Gucci and Saint Laurent, reported an 11 per cent dip in earnings for the first quarter of 2024, while at LVMH (Dior, Louis Vuitton), earnings rose a tiny 2 per cent in the fashion division the ultra-fast fashion category, dominated by Chinese company Shein, is booming. Not only are Australian brands unable to compete on price on Shein, dresses sell for as little as $6 they are also penalised when it comes to issues such as import duties and tax, says boss of the Australian Fashion Council, Jaana Quaintance-James. Its harder than during COVID at least then you had a framework, everyone was in the same situation and there was some government support, she says. Now, its just very hard to predict whats going to happen. Advertisement Over-production and over-supply is also contributing to Australians producing 300,000 tonnes of textile waste every year. Whereas the message for consumers to buy less, buy better carries some weight, most people agree brands need to adopt a make less strategy. I look at brands, theres one thousand things on the clearance area of their website and this is not a fast fashion brand, says Tuniks Ganino. And I think, shit, what has gone on there? It kind of collapsed Seasoned public relations executive Libby Hutton started Monte, a brand selling luxury slippers, in 2018 (when it was known as Bertie). While not technically a COVID-19 brand, Monte took off during the pandemic, when sales of loungewear exploded. But the success didnt last. On Tuesday this week, Monte via an Instagram post penned by Hutton announced its closure. We grew too quickly, then it kind of collapsed, then people werent buying luxury items like slippers, and they [had already] bought them over COVID-19 so it was the last thing on their list, she says. Advertisement 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 This story is part of the June 8 edition of Good Weekend. See all 20 stories . It took a lot to get me to Antarctica the first time. I realise its on countless bucket lists, but as a lover of heat and light, sun and beach, the prospect of weeks at sea to reach what I envisaged as a white and empty refrigerator lacked appeal. But my husband Andrew had made a TV program there and returned in a state of dazzle and elation. We must go. I must go. After a great deal of debate and shrewd deployment of wildlife photos I got my thermals and waterproofs in order and agreed to spend the best part of the Australian summer journeying to the white continent with him. It was, of course and perversely, the longest, most weather-beaten route we were taking: due south from Hobart into the tumult of the Southern Ocean, via Macquarie Island, heading for Australias Casey Base more than 3000 kilometres away. After some five to six weeks at sea revelation. Far from empty, the continent pulses with life in sea, air, and especially on land, where the penguins nest in massive colonies stretching from beach to mountain-tops, as far as the eye can see. Millions of them. And as in a Disney movie, they know no fear; theyre so intensely curious, we had to back away from their advances rather than the other way round. In the sky, predator birds waited for their chance to snatch a chick, while the frigid water teemed with seals of all sizes. Whales cruised by, puffing loudly. As for the blank, white landscape Id expected, Antarctic ice turned out to be shafted with blue and jade, carved by wind and ocean into strange and wondrous shapes. It felt like wed landed on a faraway but benign planet, utterly unlike anywhere wed been before. Kayakers paddle in for a closer view of the abundant sea life. A Zodiac waits nearby should anyone capsize in the freezing water. Credit: Courtesy of Chimu This was back in the mid-1990s, and it marked the start of a long love affair. Ive just returned from my seventh journey a quicker one this time, just short of three weeks, taking in the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula the (relatively) warm bit that protrudes some 1300 kilometres north from the continent towards South America, and is the richest breeding ground for Antarcticas penguins, seals and seabirds. With so much of our glorious world still to see, we planned it as our last trip to the Great White and unusually, a group of close friends came along with us. To see a place we knew and loved so deeply through their eyes was exhilarating. The 200 or so passengers for the voyage on the Ocean Endeavour gathered at the port of Ushuaia, at the southernmost tip of Argentina, surrounded by the vast and spiky Andes so towering and perfectly pyramid in shape, they remind you of a young childs drawing: these be mountains. Ushuaia has grown rapidly since I first came here 30 years ago; it now bursts with cafes and trekking gear shops and a fine, newish museum focusing on Antarcticas early explorers. But really, its all just a happy preamble to the journey south, summed up by the sign on the waterfront: El Fin del Mundo (The End of the World). Some were eating, others dancing when the call went up: Whales! Advertisement I was as excited to watch our ship come in, see the bags loaded, and file on board, as Id been the first time. But wed scarcely left the dock when news came through that the first cases of avian flu had been detected at South Georgia, so the whole itinerary was reversed. The unexpected happens constantly in Antarctica it always has, and more so now that our world is warming. Of course, everyones conscious of it. Companies like the one I travelled with, Chimu, are working on ways to minimise their environmental impact, such as alternative fuels and differently designed ships. But the changing climate is the key issue and the argument for being there has always been that every traveller to Antarctica becomes its advocate. The ships team of zoologists, geologists and historians give daily lectures, which are well attended except when the swell and winds rise and the tender-stomached retreat to their cabin. Passengers on the Ocean Endeavour. Credit: Courtesy of Chimu My good fortune is that my dad, a British Navy man, reared me on tales of Scuppers the Sailor Dog born at sea in the teeth of a gale which somehow by osmosis meant that I, too, love the spray and swell of the wild water. But it calms abruptly once we reach the ice; its always a bit of a surprise when passengers not seen before appear for their first breakfast. So the itinerary must respond to conditions. Weve never travelled on the big cruise ships, only smaller and more adaptable craft; it makes for bouncier voyages when the weather turns, but given strict rules governing numbers going ashore a maximum of 100 passengers at a time you do get more time with your boots on the ground. On the last two trips, we found a new and special joy: kayaking. The sturdy Ocean Endeavour carries about 10 kayaks, both singles and doubles, which come out only when conditions allow but when they do, its a life high. To paddle gently through that still, chill water and to enjoy penguins and seals porpoising around you, to hear barnacle-snouted whales come up for air with a loud whoosh just metres away, to see two different species of birds sharing their nesting grounds, their young chicks peeping for more food, well, these are all such magic moments. Yes, a little nerve-wracking knowing that should you capsize, your blood would freeze within minutes, but theres always a Zodiac nearby ready to haul you out. Antarctica teems with wildlife, including emperor penguins. Credit: Getty Images These Zodiacs are the ice equivalent of desert camels. Sturdy, a little tricky to get on and off, but essential. They ferry travellers to and from the shore in relays, and as the hours of light lengthen, we land more often. We visit the hulking, rusty remnants of old whaling stations, where slaughtered whales and penguins were boiled in vats known, ugh, as digesters, their oil used to light lamps and lubricate machines. Advertisement Climbing aboard the Sol Ana, skippered by amiable Gianis Papadogeorgos, I am shown to my room. The 15-metre yacht, named after the skippers two daughters, has eight cabins, four double berths and two windowless singles (ideal for teenagers). A huge soft bed fills my room, which is lined with shelves, built-in USB sockets and (European) power points on both sides. Storage consists of a cupboard with a hanging rail and two shelves, plus another open set of three shelves and a huge drawer under the bed if you need it (I didnt). Small boats can reach parts of Zakynthos others cant. Ive packed a roll-ons worth of clothes and it all fits beautifully. I could have fit twice the amount of toiletries Id brought on the bathrooms five shelves. The shower pressure is firm, the water blissfully hot, and the ensuite is larger than some bathrooms in Airbnbs Ive stayed in. Two waterproof jackets with hoods for the cooler nights and faster pace at sea hang in the cupboard. Im delighted and grateful to discover them as it was the only item of clothing Id been advised to bring that I didnt have. Bright light pours through the hatch above the pillows and to the side is a long horizontal window, from which I watch the sky turn various shades of pink one morning when I wake early and the rest of the boat sleeps. With its neutral colour scheme, theres a laid-back luxury feel to the entire boat. But it also feels lived-in, thanks to a kitchen equipped with proper cooking gear including smoothie-makers and two types of coffee machines (along with the traditional pot required to concoct Greek coffee). Australian-Greek chef Noah interrupted his year-long backpacking tour around Greece with his girlfriend Eve and their friend Tyanna (both also Australian Greeks) to crew our voyage. He loves the set-up, which shows in the delectable but simple food he whips up. Relaxing on deck on Luxe Sailings luxury yacht. Sol Anas top and front decks provide plenty of lounging options and even space for some modified yoga and pilates. Setting sail is a journey into simplicity and a reminder that the best things in life are nature, food and rest and perhaps we should add, being afloat. The Ionian Sea, a gentle body of water, hosts many remote and uninhabited islands. This not only makes it ideal for novice sailors wanting to try their hand (something guests are encouraged to try if they feel like it I most certainly do not) but also for close encounters with nature. This happens one day as we sail towards our next island for lunch when the cry of dolphins rings out. We scramble to the front deck, part of which is covered in netting only, making for an over-water hammock. A pod of dolphins joyfully curves in and out of the water, by the side and underneath the boat. The cetaceans play for a good 30 minutes and come right below the netted deck, seemingly within touching distance. Its a magical experience and, I remind myself, the kind that only comes with travelling this way. The close encounter with the silver mammals is just one, albeit a blockbuster, of the many joys travelling on water brings. Sol Ana comes equipped with a runabout, paddleboards, snorkels and an underwater scooter. The toys make for much fun when we anchor off the remote coastlines of the islands that can be reached only by water. The beaches, set against stunning backdrops of sheer rock cliffs, might be pebbles, not sand, but they are pristine and wonderfully desolate. Some dont even have names; Papadogeorgos just knows them in his mental map. Their isolation can only be broken by those able to swim onshore. Its not much of a surprise, at one beach, to come across nudists who exploit the open-air privacy. This is a trip to practise your technique before you set sail. No sooner am I standing on a paddleboard than skipper Gianis lets loose his latest acquisition a 4K drone that busily buzzes overhead while we swim and land on deserted beaches. Loading Many of the Ionian islands began forming during the Triassic-Jurassic age and the limestone cliffs that rise from the sparkling aquamarine waters were, millions of years ago, underwater. Many of the beaches that embellish the coastline are inaccessible, or damned hard to reach. This also applies for the natural and breathtaking formations that form where land meets sea. Then there are the caves natures cathedrals. To swim out to them is a spiritual experience in itself. Floating, Im joined only by a seagull whose belly is lit up a brilliant blue, reflecting the turquoise water below. Papadogeorgos ferries us to and from the famous blue caves, reflecting the colour of the water below. Mesmerising, spectacular and unforgettable. These are very much the images that return when I close my eyes and recall the trip. No day is spent entirely on the water. This is, after all, a journey to the Ionian islands. From Paleros, we headed to Vathy on the largest of the Ionian islands, Ithaca. The bulk of our sailing was to Ithaca, Lefkada and Kefalonia and Zakynthos. The smaller and more humble the island, the cheaper and usually better the food, the views and the greater the peacefulness. Picture perfect Assos village in Kefalonia. Credit: iStock Theres nothing quite like the narrow gangway being lowered onto a promenade between tables of diners to make you feel instantly connected to a new island. Each island has its own distinctive charms. Fuchsia-coloured bougainvillea spills from balconies and rooftops, cats roam streets and seem to pose in front of buildings painted in glowing, warm colours. Its an Instagrammers delight. But happily, there is nothing pretentious. Just like the food, its local, bursting with local personality and at many points, the rustic merges into downright dilapidated. I sip an espresso sitting on the edge of a dock, feet in glistening water, viewing an old stone lighthouse atop the cliff. It feels as if these places have another decade left before they are full-blown tourist hot-spots or the next party destination. Its well worth stopping in at the tiny boutiques filled with local fashions, jewellery, art, homewares, natural cosmetics and speciality foods (think oils, spices, salts and olives). Detour to the mainland for a day trip to Ancient Olympia. It was a joy to see the tags of beautifully knitted dresses and clothes proudly claiming Made in Greece (although theres plenty of cheap polyester Made in China garb available as well). There is no chance Ill go stir-crazy. We abandon Sol Ana for a day and head to the mainland to tour Ancient Olympia. (Did you know the ancient Greek Olympians mixed dust with olive oil for sunscreen?) As I discover over the course of the week, all the islands have beautiful hiking trails that twist between ports several times, we drop off at one port and arrange to be picked up at another. This is not just a trip to bring your swimsuits and sunscreen but also your activewear. One morning, after traversing Ithaca, Im delighted to find Filiatro Beach completely empty and the shaded yoga deck unoccupied. I can safely say Ive never planked in a more beautiful spot. Filiatro Beach on Ithaca Island is a beautiful spot. Credit: iStock This is when Kokkinos arrives in the runabout to pick me up. If I die having only ever come back to Greece, thats fine with me, he tells me. As I grudgingly extract my feet from water so clear that glass is an inadequate comparison, it is hard to disagree. Gaia, spirit of the Earth, must surely have been Ionian. THE DETAILS Visa Australians can travel to Greece visa-free for 90 days but your passport must have six months validity and one blank page. An Indonesian people smuggler who helped transport 39 men on a boat to mainland Australia in February has revealed how he was caught by Australian authorities only to be released and sent home without charge. The fisherman turned people smuggling foot soldier, who this masthead and 60 Minutes tracked to a remote village in Indonesias South East Sulawesi province, has described his relief in escaping criminal charges in Darwin. He struck a deal with authorities in Jakarta to trace the organised criminals running the networks, who are stepping up their efforts to test Australia border security. People smuggler Ali Sarwano (not his real name) was arrested and detained in Australia before being sent home without charge. Credit: Amilia Rosa Acting director-general of Marine Resources and Fisheries Supervision Pung Nugroho Saksono also revealed that Australian authorities have urged their Indonesian counterparts to crack down on surging illegal fishing operations deep in Australian waters, amid concerns the ability of some fishers to operate with impunity risks fuelling people smuggling. LOS ANGELES, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Four people were injured in a small plane crash Friday morning in the U.S. state of Colorado, authorities said. The small passenger plane crashed around 9:30 a.m. local time in Arvada, a city located around 14 kilometers from the state's capital city, Denver, according to the Arvada Fire Protection District. Arvada Fire and several agencies responded to the aviation emergency and crews immediately performed fire suppression and patient care to four victims, who have been transported to a local hospital, the agency said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The Arvada Police Department also confirmed on X that two adults and two juveniles have been transported to local hospitals with injury. A photo shared by the department on X shows firefighters were spraying water on the plane wreckage in the front yard of a home. One witness was quoted as saying by local KDVR television station that he was driving in Arvada when he saw a plane flying extremely low, weaving back and forth and dipping wings. Witnesses told the news outlet that neighbors helped pull people out of the plane. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said on X that it "is investigating the crash of a Beech 35 airplane near Arvada, Colorado." Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has confirmed his attendance at the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers on Sunday. The invitation was formally extended by Prime Minister Modi, and it was delivered by Munu Mahawar, the Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives, during a courtesy call at the President's Office. Leaders from neighboring countries and those in the Indian Ocean region have been invited as distinguished guests to Prime Minister Modi's swearing-in ceremony. Among these invited leaders are the heads of state from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Nepal, and Bhutan. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed in an official statement on Saturday that President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka, President Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives, Vice-President Ahmed Afif of Seychelles, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth of Mauritius, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' of Nepal, and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan have all accepted the invitation to attend. During the meeting, the High Commissioner conveyed Prime Minister Modi's greetings and expressed his eagerness to have President Muizzu attend this significant ceremony, marking Modi's third term as Prime Minister of India. President Muizzu expressed his gratitude to PM Modi for the invitation, stating that he would be honored to attend this historic event. He also emphasized his commitment to strengthen the close relations between Maldives and India, noting that bilateral ties are on a positive trajectory. In an earlier statement, President Muizzu congratulated PM Modi on his victory in the 2024 Indian General Election and expressed his willingness to collaborate to enhance bilateral ties. PM Modi, in response, thanked President Muizzu and expressed his eagerness for closer cooperation to further strengthen bilateral relations. This visit will mark President Muizzu's first official visit to India since taking office in November last year. Notably, Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, visited Turkey and China for his first state visit earlier this year. The invitation to President Muizzu is part of a broader outreach to leaders in the Indian Ocean region, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Nepal, and Bhutan, who have been invited as distinguished guests for the swearing-in ceremony. Narendra Modi Oath-Taking: Celebrations Planned Across 22 US Cities by Overseas BJP Supporters Elon Musk Looks Forward to "Exciting Work" in India, Congratulates Modi on Election Victory NDA Unanimously Appoints Narendra Modi as PM for Third Term, President Murmu Confirms Many billionaires are active on Wall Street and largely built their wealth that way. So, paying attention to their moves and the stocks they invest in can teach us a lot. Of course, blindly following the lead of anyone -- billionaire or not -- isn't an advisable strategy when looking to grow wealth. It's essential to do some research of our own. With that said, let's look at two dividend stocks that at least a couple of billionaires bought during the last quarter: Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Merck (NYSE: MRK). 1. Pfizer Pfizer hasn't performed well recently. Despite its important role in developing effective vaccines and medicines for COVID-19 -- efforts that were handsomely rewarded -- the company's shares have significantly lagged the market over the past couple of years. Still, some billionaires are going against market sentiments with this drugmaker. Two Sigma Investments, a hedge fund managed by billionaire John Overdeck, added 10.5 million shares during the first quarter. Elsewhere, Citadel Advisors, headed by billionaire Ken Griffin, bought just under 880 thousand shares of Pfizer. So should investors follow suit here? In my view, the answer is yes. True, Pfizer's revenue and net income have been dropping as its coronavirus-related tailwind has now mostly subsided. However, the pharmaceutical giant was able to significantly expand its pipeline thanks to its success in the COVID-19 market. The result is that Pfizer is quickly developing newer products that will eventually replace not just its coronavirus vaccine and medicine but also other therapies that will run out of patent protection soon. That includes anticoagulant Eliquis, whose patent will expire by the end of the decade. Eliquis is currently one of Pfizer's top-selling products. It generated about $2 billion in revenue in the first quarter, an increase of 9% year over year. Still, by the time generics enter the U.S. market, Pfizer's portfolio will look entirely different. Last year alone, the company earned seven brand-new approvals, more than twice that of any of its peers. Thanks to a rejuvenated pipeline, investors should expect more than the one or two new approvals per year the company used to dish out, at least for a while. Let's not forget the acquisition of Seagen for $43 billion, which significantly expanded Pfizer's capabilities in oncology. Pfizer's dividend streak looks attractive, too. It has consistently raised its payouts over the past decade to the tune of 61.5% over this period. Pfizer's forward yield of 5.86% is well above average, too. Story continues The stock is still an excellent income pick for long-term investors despite lagging the market of late. 2. Merck Merck is another major drugmaker that found a few billionaire buyers during the first quarter. Citadel Advisors, already mentioned above, added 1.26 million shares. Millennium Management Holdings, another hedge fund headed by a billionaire named Israel Englander, bought 4.02 million shares of Merck. Once again, long-term investors should follow the lead of these billionaires on this one. Merck currently has one of the best-selling therapies in the world in its portfolio. That is none other than Keytruda, which has earned a slew of indications in treating various types of cancer. Keytruda continues to be Merck's biggest growth driver by some margin. In the first quarter, the drugmaker's total sales increased by 9% year over year to $15.8 billion. Keytruda's revenue was $6.9 billion -- or just under 44% of the company's total sales -- an increase of 20% year over year. Some could perceive Merck's reliance on Keytruda as a problem, especially since it will run out of patent exclusivity by 2028. The company is working on a subcutaneous formulation of its crown jewel (it is currently administered intravenously). Management thinks there is a market here as the subcutaneous formulation could have some advantages, including a longer-lasting effect. Beyond its main franchise, Merck can count on other products, such as its HPV vaccines Gardasil and Gardasil 9. The company's latest brand-new approval, Winrevair, looks promising. Winrevair is a treatment with a novel mechanism of action that targets pulmonary arterial hypertension. Some analysts say Winrevair's peak sales should exceed $2 billion. Elsewhere, Merck remains active in the M&A field to boost its pipeline further. The company recently announced it would acquire EyeBio, a privately held clinical-stage biotech focusing on developing medicines for sight-related conditions. Merck will pay $1.3 billion upfront in cash and up to $1.7 billion in development milestones. Whether through acquisition or internally developed products, Merck will likely move past the massive patent cliff ahead. What about the company's dividend? It has raised its payouts by 75% in the past decade, and its forward yield tops 2.45%. Income seekers can't go wrong with this one. Should you invest $1,000 in Pfizer right now? Before you buy stock in Pfizer, 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 Pfizer 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 $741,362!* 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 June 3, 2024 Prosper Junior Bakiny has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Merck and Pfizer. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2 Dividend Stocks Billionaires Are Buying: Should You? was originally published by The Motley Fool Participants attend a youth forum on the Great Wall in Yanqing , Beijing, June 7, 2024. [Photo by Yuan Yi] China should enhance its protection of the Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through more innovative and collaborative approaches, according to a youth forum held on June 7 in Beijing's northwestern Yanqing district, home to the Badaling section of the Great Wall. The youth forum, part of this year's Beijing Great Wall Cultural Festival, brought together experts and scholars to discuss methods of protecting the Great Wall and promoting its cultural heritage. The forum emphasized the importance of youth involvement in preserving the Great Wall, as young people are at the forefront of innovation. Zhao Chen, president of the China Great Wall Research Institute, presented his digital project, which has digitalized and archived representative sections of the Great Wall. The project allows people to take virtual tours of the Great Wall and access expert commentary on its history through mobile devices. Forum participants agreed that the Great Wall, a representative symbol of the Chinese nation and civilization, requires common responsibility, especially youth participation, to pass on this historical and cultural heritage. The Great Wall, one of China's world heritage sites and the largest man-made project, is a series of ancient fortifications built in northern China. Like a gigantic dragon, it winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains, and plateaus, stretching approximately 21,196 kilometers from west to east in China. Badaling is the most representative and magnificent section of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644). Sometimes, long-term outperforming stocks just have stunning stock performance charts. Two excellent examples are home improvement juggernaut The Home Depot (NYSE: HD) and resale goods franchisor Winmark (NASDAQ: WINA). With annualized total returns of 22% and 25%, respectively, over the last 15 years, these two compounders have stock charts that border on art. HD Total Return Level Chart This unstoppable up-and-to-the-right movement of the stocks' share price over time correlates nicely with each company's slow-and-steady compounding ways. While these two businesses have only averaged mid-single-digit sales growth annually over the last decade, they have been fantastic investments thanks to their immense profitability, declining share counts, and increasing dividends. Best yet for investors, despite Home Depot and Winmark's incredible runs over the last 15 years, the stocks' share prices are currently 16% and 22% below their 52-week highs. Following this recent dip, now is as good a time as any to consider buying and holding these magnificent compounders for decades. Home Depot's numerous outperformance indicators Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement retailer, generating over $151 billion in sales from its 2,337 stores last year. Despite its size, the company estimates that it only has a 17% share of its $1 trillion target addressable market across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. As it gradually adds to its store counts of 138 and 182 in Mexico and Canada, respectively, Home Depot should have plenty of opportunity to continue pushing its market share higher. Similarly, the company plans to grow its share of the market further by focusing on specialty trade groups (think electricians, painters, plumbers, or roofers, for example) among its pro customers. A clear example of this was Home Depot's recent $18 billion acquisition of SRS Distribution, which serves professional roof, landscape, and pool contractors. By bringing in over $10 billion in annual sales, SRS will be a needle-moving acquisition right away for Home Depot, immediately expanding the company's presence among pros in the specialty trade group. In addition to the potential provided by growing its market share, the company has long-term megatrends working in its favor. First, 53% of homes in the U.S. are 40 or more years old -- up from 32% in 1995. Simply put, old houses need more upkeep, and Home Depot should inevitably capitalize on this notion. Second, the owner-occupied vacancy rate in the U.S. remains near 1% -- its lowest level in 40 years. In an oversimplification, this means new home construction will increase at some point soon in America, and Home Depot will be there to serve the pros who do the building. Story continues On top of these factors, the company has an array of financial indicators that often point to the potential for a stock to beat the market. With a 34% return on invested capital (ROIC), Home Depot generates outsize profitability compared to its debt and equity. HD Return on Invested Capital Chart Historically, high-and-rising ROICs such as this have led to outperforming stocks. Furthermore, Home Depot has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years, now yielding 2.6% while only using 57% of its net income to fund these payments. But the shareholder returns don't stop here. The company has also repurchased over 3% of its total shares outstanding annually since 2009, lowering its share count by 42% over that time. Companies with declining share counts and well-funded dividends, such as Home Depot, have also been proven to provide higher returns than the broader market over the long term, according to numerous studies. Thanks to these promising financial indicators and the clear megatrends supporting Home Depot's long-term growth, the company looks like a fantastic buy at a below-market valuation. Image source: Getty Images. Winmark: Powering the circular economy megatrend Home to over 1,300 resale franchises across its Plato's Closet, Play It Again Sports, Once Upon A Child, Music Go Round, and Style Encore brands, Winmark is a shining example of the effect that circular economies can have on the world. Thanks to its operations, the company estimates that since 2010, it has put over 1.7 billion items back to good use, helping them avoid landfills, storage units, garages, or the top shelves of closets. While this feel-good purpose alone makes Winmark an exciting stock, the company's long-term partnerships with its franchisees could prove to be the true magic. Since it's thinking decades ahead (sometimes even multiple generations ahead), Winmark isn't overly concerned with what happens quarter to quarter. What it wants to do is build a lasting legacy alongside its franchisees. Speaking to Jim Gilles with The Motley Fool, Chief Executive Officer Brett Heffes expounded upon this notion: Because what happens, is our most successful franchisees, they understand that their business is a legacy asset in the community. They manage the business for themselves, the community, but more importantly, the next generation. This legacy mindset leads to continued investment on our part, whether it's technology, whether it's marketing, whether it's operations, and it just allows us to fulfill our mission. In operating over this generational time frame, Winmark takes a slow and steady approach to its growth, inching sales higher by 4% annually over the last decade. By taking its time to vet new franchisees and scout new potential store locations, the company has generated a ridiculous 188% ROIC and a free cash flow margin of 51%. Armed with this cash generation, Winmark always looks to reward shareholders, as it typically pays out almost all excess cash to shareholders in the form of special dividends in many years. However, if Heffes deems the company's shares to be trading below intrinsic value, he'll also swoop in to repurchase shares, which led to a 4% annualized decline in share count since 2014. With Statista projecting the circular economy to nearly double its sales between 2022 and 2026, Winmark is well-positioned to continue rewarding investors for decades -- if not generations -- to come. Should you invest $1,000 in Home Depot right now? Before you buy stock in Home Depot, 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 Home Depot 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 $740,688!* 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 June 3, 2024 Josh Kohn-Lindquist has positions in Home Depot and Winmark. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Home Depot and Winmark. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 2 Dividend Stocks to Double Up on Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool Dividend-paying utility stocks were once viewed as the cornerstone of a conservative investor's income portfolio. The market is much larger today than when utilities were called "widows and orphans" stocks, but more dividend stock options don't actually change the desirability of adding some boring utilities to your portfolio of dividend stocks. As June gets underway, you might want to take a look at NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE), Brookfield Renewable (NYSE: BEPC)(NYSE: BEP), and, for those with a contrarian bent, Dominion Energy (NYSE: D). Here's why. 1. NextEra Energy is a dividend growth machine NextEra Energy has grown its dividend at around 10% a year, on an annualized basis, over the past decade. That's a good figure for any company, let alone a boring utility. To put that number into perspective, a mid-single-digit dividend growth rate would normally be considered strong for a utility. But here's the thing: NextEra is projecting 10% dividend growth out until at least 2026, as well. If you are a dividend growth investor or a growth and income investor, you will love NextEra Energy. NextEra Energy achieves its dividend growth with a unique approach. The core of the business is a large regulated utility operation, largely made up of Florida Power & Light. This division provides slow and steady growth. On top of the regulated utility operations, NextEra layers on one of the largest solar and wind companies on the planet, which is where the overall company's growth is coming from. By 2026 or so, NextEra plans to build as much as 41.8 gigawatts of renewables, which is a huge sum and suggests that there's plenty of growth ahead for the business as a whole. While the stock's yield is modest at 2.6%, the dividend growth story is the real draw here. Brookfield Renewable is focused on clean energy That said, some investors might be looking at the utility sector and thinking that clean energy is the real future, which is why NextEra is investing so heavily in the space. If you want to ditch the old technology and focus only on the new, Brookfield Renewable is a great option, in either limited partnership form or via the corporate share class. Both provide a growing income stream and attractive yields. The partnership class is yielding around 5% today, while the corporate class has a dividend yield of roughly 4.5%. (Demand from institutional investors that may not be allowed to own partnerships is the likely cause for the yield difference, since the two classes pay identical distributions.) Brookfield Renewable owns a globally diversified portfolio of clean energy assets, including hydroelectric, solar, wind, and storage. However, it is important to understand that Brookfield Renewable is managed by Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM). It is a way for small investors to invest alongside a giant asset manager with a long history in the infrastructure sector. This changes the story a little bit, because Brookfield Renewable's focus isn't on simply buying and running renewable power assets. Its goal is to buy assets at attractive prices, increase their value through strong operations, and then sell them if it can get an attractive price. That's a bit different from a traditional utility, but it has worked out well for income-focused investors so far. Dominion Energy is in turnaround mode The last stock up is Dominion Energy, one of the largest regulated utility companies in the United States. It has a yield of around 5% today (for reference, the average utility yields around 3.3%). And it recently cut its dividend after selling off a large midstream business to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. Following that event, management decided to undertake a business review that has resulted in three natural gas utilities being sold to Enbridge. Today, the utility is basically a pure play electricity generator. So the real attraction here is to be found in the future. Right now, Dominion is working on strengthening its balance sheet (at least partly through asset sales) and lowering its dividend payout ratio back in line with the peer group. It will take a few years for these efforts to play out, but once Dominion has gotten its fiscal house in order, dividend growth will likely track higher with earnings growth. The earnings growth story here is fairly reliable, given the regulated operations that underpin Dominion's business. Add in material exposure to one of the highest-demand data center markets (data centers use a huge amount of energy), and there's another reason to be positive. Although this story is all about the turnaround, for long-term investors with a contrarian bent, this high-yield utility could be attractive right now. Plenty of dividend options in utility land Don't move past utilities because they are just boring stocks -- that's not the case at all. If you are a dividend growth maven, you'll really like NextEra Energy. If you want to move with the world toward clean energy, while collecting an attractive and growing income stream, Brookfield Renewable will be of interest. And if you like a good turnaround story, then you'll appreciate Dominion Energy and its lofty yield. Should you invest $1,000 in NextEra Energy right now? Before you buy stock in NextEra Energy, 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 NextEra Energy 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 $741,362!* 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 June 3, 2024 Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Dominion Energy and Enbridge. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway, Brookfield Asset Management, Brookfield Renewable, Enbridge, and NextEra Energy. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Renewable Partners and Dominion Energy. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 Utility Dividend Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist in June was originally published by The Motley Fool ABM Industries (NYSE:ABM) Second Quarter 2024 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: US$2.02b (up 1.7% from 2Q 2023). Net income: US$43.8m (down 16% from 2Q 2023). Profit margin: 2.2% (down from 2.6% in 2Q 2023). EPS: US$0.69 (down from US$0.78 in 2Q 2023). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period ABM Industries EPS Beats Expectations Revenue was in line with analyst estimates. Earnings per share (EPS) surpassed analyst estimates by 4.4%. Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 1.8% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 6.7% growth forecast for the Commercial Services industry in the US. Performance of the American Commercial Services industry. The company's shares are up 7.8% from a week ago. Risk Analysis It's necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with ABM Industries (at least 1 which is significant), and understanding them should be part of your investment process. 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 renowned architecture firm has for the first time named a woman as its top executive. Detroit-based Albert Kahn Associates announced this week that Kimberly Montague has been appointed chief executive officer. She is the 12th CEO in the firm's 129-year history and the first female in the position. Kimberly Montague is the first female CEO of Detroit-based Albert Kahn Associates. Montague replaces Alan Cobb, who has been the firm's president, CEO and chairman of the board for the past decade, the firm said. Its impossible not to see Kims similarity to Albert Kahn in her approach, Cobb said in a news release. Montague started her career at Albert Kahn Associates in the mid-1990s and worked at the firm for 13 years. After stints at various other firms, she returned to Albert Kahn Associates in March of last year for the job of president. "This is an overwhelming honor," Montague said in the news release. The privilege of leading Albert Kahn Associates and of being the first woman to have that distinction is simultaneously humbling and thrilling." More: Former Free Press building to be transformed into residential housing with rooftop pool She added, "Mr. Kahn was an industry icon, and I am eager and determined to carry on his legacy of hard work, innovation, people-focused principles and visionary practices." Montague holds bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture from the University of Michigan. Albert Kahn Associates is headquartered in Detroit's Fisher Building and reports 80 full-time employees. Albert Kahn, who died in 1942, designed numerous Detroit buildings during his life, including the Fisher Building, Cadillac Place, the Packard Plant and the original Detroit Free Press building. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Albert Kahn Associates names first female CEO An aerial drone photo taken on June 1, 2024 shows the Great Wall and the Shixia Village in Yanqing District of Beijing, capital of China. [Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao] BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) Braving the scorching summer sun, Liu Hongyan, 44, wearing an orange vest and carrying a litter picker, treks through waist-high bushes across rugged terrain for about 20 minutes to reach her destination: a 10-km stretch of the Great Wall. Liu and her fellow villagers in Shixia Village, located at the foot of the iconic Badaling section of the Great Wall, are among thousands of Great Wall rangers across the country dedicated to protecting this UNESCO World Heritage Site. They pick up trash along the Great Wall and inspect bricks for cracks caused by weathering or damage from human activities. Recently, Liu and her fellow villagers wrote to Chinese President Xi Jinping, telling what they had done to protect the Great Wall and the changes taking place in their village. In his reply, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said he was pleased to learn about the villagers' commitment over the years to protecting the Great Wall, passing on the Great Wall culture, and leveraging its resources on their way to prosperity. Protecting the Great Wall is a long tradition in Shixia. The baton of Great Wall protection was passed on to Liu from her 80-year-old uncle, who had devoted himself to the cause as a volunteer since four decades ago. The Great Wall is the largest-scale existing cultural heritage in China, consisting of walls scattered across 15 provincial-level regions, with some sections dating back 2,000 years. In China, safeguarding the Great Wall is a collective responsibility that spans from the top leadership to citizens at the grassroots level. "When people mention China, they think of the Great Wall, and when they talk about Chinese civilization, they also think of the Great Wall," Xi once said. It embodies the great resilience of the Chinese nation, which is united as one, like a fortress, and ceaselessly pursues self-improvement, he added. Since assuming the Party's top office in late 2012, Xi has paid close attention to activities that celebrate and protect the cultural value of the Great Wall, and issued multiple instructions to guide the establishment of a Great Wall national cultural park. In 2019, a plan to build the cultural park was approved at a leadership meeting chaired by Xi. During an inspection tour to the northwestern province of Gansu in the same year, Xi visited the Jiayu Pass, the starting point of a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) section of the Great Wall. He ascended to the rostrum of the pass to view the layout and terrain of the fortress, which underwent a major renovation in previous years. "We must salute efforts to keep our history and culture alive and strong and strive to preserve our roots for a prospering Chinese spirit," Xi said. Over the years, new progress has been made in the conservation of the Great Wall. In Beijing, an all-encompassing system that includes regular repair, emergency reinforcement, preventive measures and daily maintenance has been established. In addition, high-tech means, such as drones and satellite images, have played an important role in discovering damage with greater speed and accuracy. For the Great Wall rangers, their endeavors in preserving this iconic cultural heritage also benefit them and fellow villagers. Leveraging its resources related to Great Wall culture, Shixia Village, like many other villages nestled near the wall, has transformed into a popular destination for rural tourism with homestay and restaurants. In his letter to villagers in Shixia, Xi expressed the hope that they will continue to protect the Great Wall with the same dedication as they protect their own homes. He emphasized the importance of passing on this precious heritage to future generations. "We will double down on our efforts to protect the Great Wall, promote its culture and better tell its captivating story as required by General Secretary Xi," said Liu, the villager. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Ye Shan Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 7, 2024. [Xinhua/Shen Hong] BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin in Beijing on Friday. Xi said China and Brazil are like-minded good friends, and good partners walking hand in hand. "In April last year, President Lula and I reached an important consensus on leading and opening up the new future of China-Brazil relations in the new era." With joint efforts in the past year, the two countries have continuously deepened strategic mutual trust, steadily advanced pragmatic cooperation, and closely coordinated on the international stage. This has not only promoted their respective development, but effectively safeguarded the common interests of all developing countries, Xi said. Both as major developing countries and key emerging market economies, China and Brazil share broad and common strategic interests, and their relationship goes far beyond the bilateral scope to have exemplary significance for promoting solidarity and cooperation among developing countries as well as world peace and stability, Xi said. By grasping the strategic nature of their ties, the two countries should make the ties more mutually beneficial and comprehensive, continue to enhance strategic coordination, and add new dimensions to the China-Brazil friendship, Xi said. He said that China is willing to work with Brazil to continue to make strategic plans for bilateral relations with more forward-looking vision, give full play to the role of the China-Brazil High-level Coordination and Cooperation Committee, consolidate cooperation in traditional areas, expand cooperation in emerging fields such as green economy, digital economy and innovation, and explore greater synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Brazil's reindustrialization strategy and the "Routes for South American Integration" initiative. As the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, they should strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including legislative bodies, political parties, local governments, culture, education, tourism and youth, Xi said. China backs Brazil's greater role on the international stage and its hosting of the G20 Leaders' Summit this year. China is also ready to enhance communication with Brazil and other members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States for further development of China-Latin America relations in the new era, Xi added. Alckmin conveyed President Lula's cordial greetings to President Xi. He said that in recent years, hundreds of millions of Chinese people have been lifted out of poverty, which is a miracle in the world, and the relevant experience is of great significance for Brazil. Alckmin said the Brazilian government is committed to inclusive and sustainable growth and is willing to enhance the synergy of development strategies with China. Brazil welcomes more Chinese companies to invest in Brazil and enhance cooperation in infrastructural construction, agriculture, mining, new energy vehicles and climate change response, he said. Both Brazil and China are committed to upholding multilateralism and free trade, share the same views on many major issues, and enjoy huge potential and broad prospects for cooperation, Alckmin noted. He added that Brazil is willing to work with China to enhance bilateral and multilateral strategic coordination, upgrade bilateral relations to a new level, and make contributions to building a more peaceful, just and sustainable world. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 7, 2024. [Xinhua/Shen Hong] (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Ye Shan Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 7, 2024. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen] BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Friday. Pointing out that China and Pakistan are good neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, good friends who share faith and righteousness, good partners who help each other, and good brothers who share weal and woe, Xi said the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership had continuously deepened and enjoyed solid public support with a strong internal driving force and broad prospects for development. China stands ready to work with Pakistan to firmly support each other, strengthen cooperation, deepen strategic coordination, accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and make greater contributions to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity, Xi noted. Xi stressed that the key to the ever-strengthening ironclad friendship between China and Pakistan lies in mutual understanding, high trust, and firm support between the two sides. He thanked Pakistan for its long-term and firm support for China on issues related to China's core interests and major concerns. China will, as always, firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, and in resolutely combating terrorism, he noted. Xi said that China is ready to promote the alignment of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Pakistan's development plans, carry out cooperation in agriculture, mining, and social livelihood in light of local conditions, make the high-quality development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) go deeper and be more concrete, and help boost Pakistan's economic and social development. It is hoped that Pakistan will continue to create a safe, stable, and predictable business environment and earnestly guarantee the safety of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan, Xi said. China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Pakistan in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and other multilateral mechanisms, jointly promote an equal and orderly world multipolarization and an economic globalization that is inclusive and benefits all, focus on the development agenda, address security challenges, improve global governance, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice, he said. Shehbaz said that under the leadership of President Xi, China has made great achievements in poverty alleviation, anti-corruption and development, which have attracted worldwide attention. Pakistan highly appreciates and fully supports the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi, which have provided strategic guidance for solving the problems facing the world today and promoting the building of a more peaceful and better world, he said. He said the CPEC has strongly promoted Pakistan's national development and brought tangible benefits to the Pakistani people. He noted that Pakistan will learn from China's experience in governance, continue to work with China on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and deepen practical cooperation in various fields. Shehbaz reiterated that no force can stop China's development and growth or shake the iron-clad friendship between Pakistan and China. He noted that Pakistan will continue to firmly support China's position on all issues concerning its core interests without hesitation. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 7, 2024. [Xinhua/Shen Hong] (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Ye Shan Key Insights Significantly high institutional ownership implies Angel Oak Mortgage REIT's stock price is sensitive to their trading actions 50% of the business is held by the top 2 shareholders Using data from company's past performance alongside ownership research, one can better assess the future performance of a company If you want to know who really controls Angel Oak Mortgage REIT, Inc. (NYSE:AOMR), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. We can see that institutions own the lion's share in the company with 53% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk). Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Angel Oak Mortgage REIT. Check out our latest analysis for Angel Oak Mortgage REIT What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Angel Oak Mortgage REIT? Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Angel Oak Mortgage REIT. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Angel Oak Mortgage REIT's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story. Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. Our data indicates that hedge funds own 30% of Angel Oak Mortgage REIT. That worth noting, since hedge funds are often quite active investors, who may try to influence management. Many want to see value creation (and a higher share price) in the short term or medium term. The company's largest shareholder is Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP, with ownership of 30%. Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. is the second largest shareholder owning 21% of common stock, and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board holds about 8.4% of the company stock. After doing some more digging, we found that the top 2 shareholders collectively control more than half of the company's shares, implying that they have considerable power to influence the company's decisions. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There is some analyst coverage of the stock, but it could still become more well known, with time. Insider Ownership Of Angel Oak Mortgage REIT The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO. Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own some shares in Angel Oak Mortgage REIT, Inc.. In their own names, insiders own US$4.6m worth of stock in the US$306m company. It is good to see some investment by insiders, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 15% stake in Angel Oak Mortgage REIT. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For example, we've discovered 3 warning signs for Angel Oak Mortgage REIT (2 shouldn't be ignored!) that you should be aware of before investing here. Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Calls for more investment into North Wales bus services This article is old - Published: Saturday, Jun 8th, 2024 A North Wales MS has called on a Welsh Government minister for assurances that more money will be invested into the regions bus services. Plaid Cymrus Llyr Gruffydd, who represents the region in the Senedd, pointed to the 1 billion plus that has been allocated to the South Wales Metro to upgrade services. He argued it was in contrast rather ambiguous candy floss concoction thats been branded a north Wales metro that merely links up existing rail and bus services. Passenger numbers for public transport have yet to return to their pre-pandemic levels leading to a substantial gap in viability for bus services. Speaking in the Senedd this week the Plaid Cymru politician asked for an assurance that North Wales will get its fair slice of the cake. In response Rebecca Evans MS, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance said that she couldnt say anything about the budgets at that time. Llyr Gruffydd MS said: What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with the Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport regarding additional funding for bus franchising? Rebecca Evans MS replied: Decisions about the funding available for bus franchising will be a matter for the budget-setting process in the appropriate years, noting the challenging fiscal outlook that were facing. Llyr Gruffydd then said: Many of us in north Wales look jealously at the investment going into the South Wales Metro, the 1 billion plus upgrade of services, which, of course, is welcome, but, by contrast, we have a rather ambiguous candy floss concoction thats been branded a north Wales metro that merely links up existing rail and bus services. Bus services, as we know, have long been a poor relative of rail, with services in decline since before COVID. I welcome Government proposals around bus franchising and ending the grip that private bus firms have on those services, but for it to work properly, it obviously has to be funded properly. So, can you assure us today that you will be investing more money in bus services to ensure that the proposed bus legislation is as effective as we all hope it to be? And can you also assure us that north Wales will get its fair slice of the cake? In response Rebecca Evans MS said: I cant say anything about the budgets for the years that we dont have a settlement for at this point. Cultural exchange sees Maasai community swap plains of Kenya for banks of River Alyn This article is old - Published: Saturday, Jun 8th, 2024 Members of a Maasai community swapped the plains of Kenya for the banks of the River Alyn in Rossett when they visited the UKs largest shooting and conservation organisation as part of a cultural exchange. The Maasai spent time meeting staff at BASCs (The British Association for Shooting and Conservation) head office and got to see conservation in action by joining in with building duck nest tubes, which will be put up around BASCs historic Mill building as part of efforts to encourage biodiversity. Also in attendance were students from Coleg Cambria in Wrexham who came along to cook a range of game canapes for the Maasai to try. The visit came about after BASC answered a call for help issued by Jason Ingamells, trip organiser and director of the Woodland Ways Bushcraft Foundation. Mr Ingamells had asked for help to transport the group around the UK and BASC sponsored a minibus for the duration of the two-week trip. Mr Ingamells said the aim of the trip was to raise funds for the development of a school in Kenya and to further develop and nurture a cultural exchange of help, assistance, ideas and raising awareness of what it is to be a Maasai and what it is to work in partnership with people who are trying to make a small difference in their own part of the world. Mr Ingamells explained that his organisation had been working with the group for about 10 years. He said: We have been helping a community to help themselves by providing financial input and logistical help in order for them to undertake projects that would be much harder to achieve without that assistance. Its a group of friends we have been working with for years. They lead on projects, we just provide assistance to make them happen. Garry Doolan from BASCs communications team said: When we saw a post on social media we knew we had to help. The visit gave us a fantastic opportunity to get together to swap knowledge and ideas and enjoy the company of likeminded conservationists. Later in the day, the Maasai group visited a school on the Wirral and BASC staff accompanied them to help build birdboxes which will be put up by members of the schools eco and conservation clubs. Welsh Government urged to act on Welsh Ambulance terror attack response concerns This article is old - Published: Saturday, Jun 8th, 2024 The Welsh Government has been urged to act to ensure ambulance crews can respond to major incidents such as terror attacks. It follows a stark warning recently issued by senior Welsh Ambulance Service officials that their ability to reach serious incidents could be hindered by hospital handover delays. A report to members of the NHS trusts board published last month highlighted the risk of catastrophic harm to members of the public if crews are tied up outside emergency departments. Concerns were raised after the service carried out a mass-casualty simulation exercise, which found it would have failed to provide an adequate response in three out of four scenarios. The tests were conducted in the wake of the public inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing, which identified a catalogue of failings by emergency services in the aftermath of the attack. The issue of handover delays and their impact on the Welsh Ambulance Services ability to respond to major incidents was raised with ministers in the Senedd on Wednesday (June 5, 2024). Speaking in the chamber, Altaf Hussain, Conservative MS for South West Wales said: Last week, the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust warned that handover delays, which are in part due to a lack of social care staff, will impact the services ability to respond to major incidents, including terrorist attacks. Whatever the problem with our NHS, we could always rely upon it in a national emergency, but now, even that is not certain. What steps are you taking to eliminate handover delays and allow ambulance crews to respond to major incidents? In its report, the ambulance service questioned the effectiveness of procedures in place to release crews from outside hospitals during major incidents. Members of the Senedds health committee were told last month that some ambulance crews are often only able to see one patient per shift. The services chief executive Jason Killens said up to 30,000 hours of emergency response time are lost every month in Wales due to long waits in transferring people to hospital. He said it was harming patient safety, with average handover times standing at more than two hours, compared to the target of 15 minutes. The Welsh Government said it expected health boards to reduce handover delays as a priority in response to the concerns. Replying to Mr Hussain, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Eluned Morgan said ambulance staff numbers had increased, but system blockages still remained. The minister said: When it comes to the ambulance service, we have 13 per cent more people than we had three years ago, so significant additional numbers. Youre quite right that, when it comes to handover delays, theres a real issue, and it is an issue that we are constantly going at. It is about where the responsibilities are within those health boards, who need to move people on, but also local government. That constant conversation we have with them, being able to really identify where the problem is, what is the blockage, and whose responsibility is the blockage, is absolutely critical. She added: When it comes to the terrorist attack, youre quite right, theres an assessment at the moment of what the recommendations were as a result of that (Manchester) attack. That is being assessed at the moment, and, obviously, Ill wait for some advice as a result of that. By Liam Randall BBC Local Democracy Reporter BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine state oil firm YPF said in a statement on Friday that it had received more than 60 offers for some of its mature hydrocarbon fields. The company has previously said it is looking to generate more cash by exiting some 55 conventional mature blocks as it looks to focus on its more-profitable shale operations. (Reporting by Maximilian Heath and Eliana Raszewski; Editing by Kylie Madry) U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris, Friday, June 7, 2024. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci] The day after the official commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Allies D-Day landings in Normandy during World War II, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron for continuing ceremonies in France. These meetings come at a dangerous point in the two-year-old war between NATO and Russia in Ukraine. As the NATO-backed Ukrainian regime faces military collapse, NATO is giving long-range missiles to Ukraine to strike Russia and threatening to send troops directly to Ukraine. Yesterday, aided by Zelensky, Biden and Macron cynically tried to invoke the US-British-Canadian landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944 to legitimize their escalation against Russia that threatens to plunge Europe into a new world war. The invocations of the Normandy landings to justify the NATO war with Russia are political lies based on historical falsifications. This began yesterday with the speech Zelensky gave in the morning to the French National Assembly. Baldly equating Russian President Vladimir Putin with Hitler, Zelensky claimed his regime was the inheritor of the battles in Normandy. Zelensky told the Assembly: It is truly this battle that was won that we are commemorating here, and we are proud to be the inheritors of those who participated in it. Asking whether Putin can win this battle today, Zelensky replied to his own question: We do not have the right to lose. This war may spread, just like the war 80 years ago. In the 1930s, Hitler crossed one line after the other. Putin is doing the same. Zelensky denounced Putin who, he said, has already destroyed Syria, is disrupting the Sahel. He concluded by praising French arms deliveries to Ukraine, including Macrons pledge to send French soldiers and nuclear-capable Mirage 2000 fighter jets. Thank you to France for having chosen without hesitation the side of humanity in this war, that of culture and international law. This is far-right war propaganda. The parallels Zelensky drew of Putin with Hitler, and of NATOs war against Russia with the Allies war against Nazi Germany, falsify the entire course of European history. In the current war, it is not Russia, but the NATO imperialist powers that play the most aggressive, reactionary role. Russia, unlike Nazi Germany, is not an imperialist power that has conquered all of Europe in a series of acts of military aggression costing the lives of tens of millions. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the NATO alliance aggressively expanded up to Russias borders, violating pledges made to Russian officials not to do so. Now, NATO is set to launch its missiles from Ukraine for strikes on Russian soil and is threatening to deploy its armies to Ukraine to fight Russia. Zelenskys references to Putins role in Syria and the Sahel point to some of the reasons why French imperialism embarked on this monumentally reckless policy. After the wars NATO and France launched in Syria in 2011 and Mali in 2013 failed to achieve their objectives of regime change, these countries governments have invited Russian troops to assist them. This outrages French imperialism, which believes itself entitled to control these countries in its former colonial empire. Zelenskys claim that France supports culture and international law is a transparent lie. Macrons government has relentlessly backed the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza. Moreover, however bankrupt and reactionary Putins 2022 invasion of Ukraine was, it does not change the fact that Zelenskys regime is based on neo-fascist descendants of Nazi-collaborationist forces led by Stepan Bandera in Ukraine. Not only are many top officials in Zelenskys government followers of Bandera, but many of the Ukrainian militias fighting the Russian army in Ukraine are neo-Nazi units. The neo-Nazi loyalties of Ukrainian shock troops, routinely denied in French media propaganda, surfaced last month when reports emerged that the French army base in the Creuse region is training neo-Nazis in Ukraines Azov Battalion who sport large SS tattoos. The sympathies of the Azov Battalion, were they transported back to 1944, would not be with, but against the troops landing in Normandy. The Azov Battalion has as its symbol the Wolfsangel, the symbol of the Nazi SS Das Reich division. This division carried out the June 10, 1944 massacre of the French village of Ouradour-sur-Glane, modeled on SS massacres in the Soviet Union, as it passed north through the Limousin region, near the Creuse, on its way to fight the Allied troops who had just landed in Normandy. Nevertheless, over the course of yesterday, Biden and Macron announced vast new grants of weapons to the Ukrainian army to escalate the war with Russia. Washington will send a raft of anti-aircraft missiles, artillery and shells, as well as anti-tank missiles and small arms. Paris pledged to send an air defense system and also to set up production facilities of the Franco-German arms manufacturer KNDS inside Ukraine. Russian officials responded by again warning that NATO is on the verge of provoking a direct conflict between nuclear-armed powers. Macrons remarks showed, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said, that France is ready to participate directly in the conflict. Let us say that Mr. Macron is showing absolute support to the Ukrainian regime and is declaring that the French Republic is ready to participate directly in the military conflict. The conclusion of the days events were Bidens remarks at the Pointe du Hoc, in Normandy, which was scaled by US Army Rangers during the landings. Biden claimed that soldiers who fought at the Pointe du Hoc were summoning us to support the policies of his administration. Biden said, Theyre not asking us to scale these cliffs. But theyre asking us to stay true to what America stands for. Theyre not asking us to give or risk our lives. But they are asking us to care for others in our country more than ourselves. Theyre asking us to do our job, to protect freedom in our time, to defend democracy, to stand up to aggression abroad and at home to be part of something bigger than ourselves. This empty invocation of democratic traditions and of opposition to Nazism is directly contradicted by the actual content of the policies the imperialist powers are carrying out. In reality, Washington and its NATO allies are backing far-right forces in Ukraine and the far-right regime in Israel to wage imperialist war and support genocide. Recent weeks have seen successive rises in reported COVID infection numbers across Australia, with figures in some states indicating virus levels not seen since early 2023. The growing wave of COVID, along with high rates of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), has increased pressure on the already dangerously under-resourced public hospital system. Amid an influx of additional patients and a surge in staff illness, authorities in some parts of the country have been forced to cancel elective surgeries and temporarily reinstitute masking in health facilities. Australia is right in the middle of another big wave of COVID, according to Professor Adrian Esterman, chair of biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of South Australia. Former Australian Medical Association (AMA) president, Dr. Andrew Miller, speaking on WAMN News about the massive surge of COVID, said governments prefer to believe the lie that its all just gone away and we can forget about it. That is putting it mildly. State and territory governments, all of them Labor except Tasmania, and above all Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses federal Labor administration, have consciously and deliberately eviscerated COVID testing and reporting, along with all mitigation measures, in order to promote the criminally reckless conception of living with the virus. Victorian State Premier Dan Andrews (left), Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Queensland State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at National Cabinet meeting on September 30, 2022 that ended compulsory isolation for those infected with COVID-19. [Photo: Anthony Albanese Facebook] Precisely quantifying the growing spread of COVID is therefore impossible, because officially reported data is dated, incomplete, inconsistent, and reflects only a tiny sliver of the real state of affairs. Esterman told the Guardian, Were looking at six to ten times as many people actually infected as the case numbers are showing. This estimate would indicate that between 86,000 and 145,000 people were infected with COVID in the past seven days alone. But what is inarguable is that, in virtually every state and territory, by every measure that exists, infection numbers are rising. In Victoria, more than 3,000 COVID infections were reported last week, with 412 hospitalised, up from 319 a week earlier, and 160 at the start of May. The most recent published data show 104 COVID deaths in a four-week period, but as this ended on May 21, before the impact of the current surge of infections, the figure is likely to rise sharply in the coming weeks. Partly as a result of the surge in COVID cases and a 65 percent increase in influenza infections in the second half of the month, the Victorian ambulance service declared code orange 20 times in May, and every day in the last week of the month. Under a code orange, the second most serious emergency classification, the whole health system is warned about ambulance demand and staff are called upon to work extra shifts. Last Monday, the Victorian Department of Health raised its caution level across the public health system, advising hospitals that they can mandate mask wearing if they wish, and warning that they may need to discharge patients earlier in order to free up beds for the anticipated influx. The fact that such a basic precautionary measure as requiring masks in hospitals was removed in the first place, not just for patients and visitors, but for staff, is a damning indictment of the state Labor governments and health authorities. This could not have been carried out without the collaboration of the bureaucrats in charge of the health unions, who not only allowed this attack on staff and patient safety, but cheered it on. Esterman noted that the continuing surge in COVID cases was a major concern, especially since many hospitals have stopped mandatory face masks for their staff. The Australian Capital Territory government announced on Tuesday that mask mandates for patients and visitors would be temporarily reinstated, along with restrictions on visitor numbers, under an amber alert. This was as a result of surging weekly COVID infection numbers, which have quadrupled to 270 since last month, and seen 53 people hospitalised with the virus. As well, 231 cases of RSV were recorded in Canberra last week, more than half in children under five. In South Australia (SA), 2,429 COVID infections were recorded in the week ending June 4, the highest since November last year. A code yellow was declared for the states hospitals last week, meaning the cancellation of some elective surgery. With 200 more patients than this time last year, and 237 health workers off sick with COVID, SA Health Chief Executive Robyn Lawrence said pressure on the health system was the worst shed ever seen. On June 1, every public emergency department was rated as busy or very busy, with wait times of up to 4.5 hours. In New South Wales (NSW), 5,220 COVID cases were recorded in the week ending June 1, a 22 percent increase over the previous week. This is the highest level recorded in more than 12 months, a particularly significant fact given that recorded infection numbers dropped sharply last October with the shutdown of the rapid antigen test reporting portal. Around 800 patients presented to NSW emergency departments with COVID in that week, and just under 300 were admitted to hospital. These are also the highest figures in more than a year. Meanwhile, influenza infections rose by 30 percent to 5,230 last week, with the test positivity rate increasing 9.6 percent, while 2,627 cases of RSV were recorded, more than 1,000 among children under five. In Queensland, 1,895 people contracted COVID and 283 were hospitalised in the week ending June 2. In the same period, 1,242 RSV infections were recorded, with 76 requiring hospitalisation, along with 948 cases of influenza, 46 of them requiring hospital care. In Western Australia, 1,191 cases of COVID were recorded in the fortnight ending May 26, a 9 percent increase on the previous reporting period and the highest figure recorded since January 2023. In the week ending June 2, 129 COVID infections were recorded in the small island state of Tasmania, along with 95 cases of RSV and 66 of flu. Throughout the country, vulnerable elderly aged care residents continue to be subjected to infection and reinfection with COVID. There are currently 499 outbreaks in aged care facilities, with 3,051 residents infected, as well as 1,362 staff. These are the highest infection figures since early 2023. In the week ending June 6, 49 new resident deaths from COVID were recorded. More than 5,700 COVID deaths have been recorded in aged care facilities since December 2021. Despite the federal governments claim that aged care residents are a high priority for COVID vaccination, just 41.6 percent have received a booster dose in the past six months. SA Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier sought to blame this on the families of aged care residents. She said: I actually find it difficult to understand if you have a loved one in an aged care facility, why people are not being a bit more proactive about protecting them. This statement exemplifies the position of all the governments and health authorities, that the time for a public health response is long gone, and avoiding infection by the forever pandemic is entirely a matter of personal responsibility and choice. This is totally at odds with the interests and needs of ordinary people, and instead represents the demands of big business that nothing, including protecting human health and lives, can be allowed to stand in the way of profit. It is on this basis that more than 24,500 peopleaccording to understated official figureshave been allowed to die from COVID, more than two-thirds of them under the Albanese government. This social murder, overseen by Labor governments at state and federal level, has been supported without question by the entire political establishment, including the Greens. Also complicit are the corporate media, in which news of the ongoing pandemic is almost totally suppressed, in line with the fraudulent position that the deadly virus is something that can be lived with. Critical to this conspiracy are the trade union bureaucracies, in health and all other sectors. Since the earliest stages of the pandemic, the unions have opposed any public health measures that could possibly impact the profits of big business, and ensured workers have remained on the job, whatever the risk to their health and lives. That is one expression of their role as a police force of big business, continuously enforcing attacks to workers jobs, wages and conditions. What the working class confronts is a line-up of class forcesLabor, the media and the union bureaucracies. They represent a capitalist system that is hurtling towards catastrophe, starkly expressed in the evisceration of public health measures based on scientific knowledge going back more than a century. To combat this, workers need to take matters into their own hands. Rank-and-file safety committees must be built in hospitals, schools, workplaces and communities. Through such committees, workers can fight for the implementation of critical public health measures, including N95 masking, air filtration and systematic COVID testing, aimed at ending the pandemic. Above all, what is required is the development of a mass socialist movement of the working class, directed against a capitalist system that subordinates everything to profit and wealth accumulation for big business and the rich. Picketers hold up a banner at UC Santa Barbara, June 3, 2024. A judge has granted the University of Californias request for a temporary restraining order to halt the strike by tens of thousands of UC academic workers against the police crackdown on campus protests over the US-backed genocide in Gaza. On Friday afternoon, Orange County Superior Court Judge Randall J. Sherman, an appointee of former Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, ordered workers to return to work until June 27 while final exams are taken at many campuses. The county judge intervened as the strike spread to six of UCs 10 campuses this week and 30,000 of the 48,000 grad students, researchers and other academic workers employed by the USs largest state university system. The strike, which began on May 20, was initially limited to one campus by United Auto Workers Local 4811 officials, but threats of wildcat strikes by rank-and-file workers forced the UAW to expand the strike. The judge hypocritically ruled that the strike appeared to be causing damage to students education while saying nothing about the violent attacks on protesting students by Zionist thugs and riot police. The state intervention is part of a national crackdown on anti-genocide protesters, overseen by the Biden administration and implemented by Democrats and Republicans at every level, which has already seen the arrests of more than 3,000 students and the destruction of protest encampments throughout the country. UC officials hailed the judges action. From the beginning, we have stated this strike was illegal and a violation of our contracts mutually agreed upon no-strike clauses, Melissa Matella, UC associate vice president for Systemwide Labor Relations, said in a statement. We are extremely grateful for a pause in this strike, Matella said. The states Public Employment Relations Board rejected two previous requests by UC administrators for an injunction, preferring instead to rely on the UAW apparatus to isolate the strike and wear down the resistance of academic workers. The UAW bureaucracy has imposed an information blackout on the strike and limited the scope of the struggle to appeals for the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) to rule that the suspension of free speech is an unfair labor practice. Having already endorsed the reelection of Biden, UAW President Shawn Fain and his leading staff members from the Democratic Socialists of America are doing everything they can to prevent a direct political clash between the working class and the Democratic Party. In their response to the ruling, UAW Local 4811 posted a brief statement on Twitter/X making it clear officials were preparing to capitulate to the judges strikebreaking order. Having twice failed to secure an injunction from the PERB, the university today succeeded in their search for a more favorable outcome. The law is on our side, and were prepared to keep defending our rights. Socialist Equality Party candidate for US president Joseph Kishore denounced the decision of the California judge and called on UAW members and all workers to oppose the strikebreaking decision and defend the democratic rights of strikers and their students. It read in part: The injunction is completely illegitimate from a legal standpoint. Similar injunctions have historically been used by the ruling class and its courts against every effort of the working class to assert its fundamental rights... The court decision underscores the bankruptcy of the UAW apparatus stand-up strike, which has been aimed at blocking an all-out strike of all academic workers in the UC system. The union apparatus has also enforced a virtual information blackout, refusing to even inform auto and other workers in the UAW that the strike is taking place. UAW President Shawn Fain endorsed genocide Joe Biden, who has hands that can never washed clean of the blood that stains them. Biden has overseen US support for the genocide in Gaza and the attack on the free speech rights of protesters. And the Democrats and Republicans have jointly invited the butcher of Gaza, Netanyahu, to address Congress next month... The entire working class must be mobilized to stop the genocide and defend democratic rights! This requires the development of rank-and-file committees, independent of the apparatus, to organize all sections of the working class, connecting the fight against the genocide with the fight against imperialism, inequality and capitalist exploitation. Prior to the judges intervention, WSWS reporters spoke to striking academic workers and protesting students at UC San Diego and UC Merced. In San Diego, a striking academic worker said the UAWs stand-up strike strategy has not been effective. Students want change. But a sharply worded letter to a senator wont change the course of what they are doing. There needs to be a halt to the fundamental mode of production. He added, Anyone that claims these protests are antisemitic is simply lying. Its politically convenient to make such a claim and a way to weaponize a term against any opposition to war. What about all the Jewish students protesting the genocide? What about the long history of Jewish/Israeli reporters or activists who have been murdered in Israel or Syria or elsewhere by Zionists for speaking out? A UC San Diego student added, It seems theres this desire for the United States to colonize and exert its power over everyone. I want an end to all colonialism. Im here in support of the students that have been facing repression by police. The student added, I was angered by the response of the police to the protesters at the encampment [on May 6]. The police violence and the Zionist violenceone seems to perpetuate the other. He concluded, I want to see the students continue on and not let up in their struggle to end war! A UC Merced academic worker said that he had been protesting in support of Palestine for over twenty years. In contrast to unsubstantiated claims by Israeli and US officials that Hamas had beheaded babies, he said, there is photographic proof that Israeli bombs have brutally killed babies. Upon hearing of the UAWs maneuvers to isolate and muzzle the current strike, another academic worker said, That sounds like the UAW. He then recounted his experience with the UAWs betrayal of the 2022 strike, in which he participated. It felt like someone above the local leadership in the UAW told them to wrap up the strike quickly, and thats what they did.' A broad alliance, ranging from the campaign organisation Campact to the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), the charity umbrella Paritatischer Gesamtverband and the Protestant Church to Fridays for Future and Greenpeace, has called for protests against right-wing extremism in Berlin and several other cities on the day before the European elections. These protests will not stop right-wing extremism. They are a shabby attempt to convert the resistance to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which drove millions onto the streets across Germany in the spring, into votes for the discredited parties of government. These parties are expecting massive losses in the current European elections. According to polls, the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and Liberal Democrats (FDP) who form the federal government together account for less than a third of all votes. The organisers are open about what they want to achieve with the demonstrations. The aim is to stop the percentage increase in votes for right-wing extremist parties and to motivate first-time voters aged 16 and over in particular to vote for democratic parties, reads a press release from the Stop Right-Wing Extremism alliance. The idea that right-wing extremists can be stopped by convincing first-time voters to vote for the parties in the present government, the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU), the Left Party or Wagenknechts BSW breakaway on Sunday, is absurd. In reality, Chancellor Scholz (SPD), Foreign Minister Baerbock and Vice Chancellor Habeck (Green), Finance Minister Lindner (FDP), CDU leader Merz, Wagenknecht & Co. are the AfDs best election helpers. Ever since an Afghan refugee killed a police officer in Mannheim last Friday following a right-wing extremist provocation, they have been competing with each other in their slogans about the need for harsher deportation measures. The AfD can sit back and reap the rewards. Chancellor Scholz declared in the Bundestag (parliament) on Thursday: Without security, there is nothing. This sentence is very important to me. Security uber alles is the motto of a police and military state. The Chilean coup general Pinochet would agree with it, as would Donald Trump. Even Hitler would be delighted. The rise of the fascists and the adoption of their policies by the supposedly democratic parties is not limited to Germany. In Italy, Mussolini admirer Giorgia Meloni heads the government, while in the Netherlands the party of Islam-hater Geert Wilders will soon hold office. In Argentina, the fascist Javier Milei is in power and in the USA, Donald Trump has a real chance of winning the presidential election. Under EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU), the European Union has implemented the inhumane refugee policy of the fascistswith the full support of Berlin. Since 2014, almost 30,000 people have drowned in the Mediterranean alone while trying to reach Europe. Von der Leyen is working closely with Meloni, who she hopes will help her win a second term in office. The right and fascists are not growing because individual voters are disorientated and confused, but because the entire bourgeois political system is swinging to the right. As in the 1920s and 1930s, they are supported and encouraged by the ruling elites because the capitalist system is stuck in an economic and social impasse from which they know no other way out than more exploitation, dictatorship and war. Nothing shows this more clearly than their unconditional support for the slaughter of the Palestinians in Gaza and the ruthlessness with which they are intensifying the war against Russia, even if this means risking a nuclear catastrophe. There is not a word about either in the call for the demonstrations because the organisers support the policy of genocide and war or refuse to take a stand against it. However, right-wing extremism cannot be stopped without draining the reactionary swamp in which it thriveswithout fighting against war, militarism, anti-immigrant agitation, social cuts, social inequality, increasing state powers and political oppression. Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei posters against the genocide in Gaza, demonstration in Berlin, November 2023 The cruelty with which the Netanyahu regime is persecuting the Palestinians in Gaza defies description. According to the Palestinian health authority, over 36,000 people have been killed and 83,000 injured since October 7mostly children and women. Entire neighbourhoods, hospitals, schools and universities have been razed to the ground, hundreds of journalists, doctors and paramedics have been deliberately killed and almost the entire population of over 2 million has been forced to flee several times and face being starved to death. Children are now dying of malnutrition every day. The silence of the Stop Right-Wing Extremism alliance about this genocide exposes it as an accomplice. The German government, for which it wants to collect votes, not only supports the genocide politically and with weapons, but also takes action against anyone who protests this. The extent of the censorship, harassment and police violence used to suppress expressions of sympathy for the Palestinians is unprecedented in recent history. The right-wing extremists are rejoicing. Even if they continue to regard the Holocaust, in the words of one AfD leader, as just so much bird shit in a glorious German history, they see Netanyahu and his fascist ministers as brothers in spirit. They welcome the genocide of the Palestinians as confirmation of their own fascist plans of violence. Whilst the German government calls everyoneincluding many Jewswho protest against the slaughter of the Palestinians anti-Semites, it supports a regime in Ukraine that honours Nazi collaborators such as Stepan Bandera as heroes, even though they were responsible for the murder of tens of thousands of Jews, Poles and communists. The claim that NATO is defending democracy and freedom in Ukraine is an outrageous lie. In reality, the military alliance is waging a proxy war in Ukraine against Russia. Ukraine, the Middle East and the deployments against China in the Indo-Pacific region are three different fronts in an escalating third world war, which is about the redivision of the globe among the imperialist powers. Berlin is building on its war aims in the two world wars. It wants to bring Ukraine under its control and subjugate Russia in order to appropriate the enormous natural resources in the east. It therefore wants to make Germany fit for war, in the words of the SPD defence minister, reintroduce compulsory military service and establish a war economy. The regime of Zelensky, which it finances with tens of billions of euros, provides the cannon fodder for this. It suppresses every publication and every political tendency that promotes a peaceful solution. Most recently, the Trotskyist Bogdan Syrotiuk was imprisoned, and the World Socialist Web Site banned for advocating the unity of Ukrainian and Russian workers against Putin and Zelensky and calling for an end to the war. The German government and NATO have crossed one self-imposed red line after another in Ukraine. With the recent decision to permit attacks on targets in the Russian heartland with NATO weapons, a spiral of military escalation is accelerating that will lead to the nuclear annihilation of Europe if it is not stopped in time. There is only one way to do this: to build a powerful, independent anti-war movement among young people and the working class. War and fascism are two sides of the same coin. One cannot be stopped without fighting the other. If you really want to stop right-wing extremism, you have to fight against the SPD-FDP-Green coalition and all the other establishment parties that are paving the way for war and fascism. The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) is the only party that consistently fights against militarism, fascism and war. As the German section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, it stands for the perspective of international socialism, for the unity of the international working class against war, oppression, social inequality, the destruction of the planet and its root cause, capitalism. We call on all those who really want to stop right-wing extremism: study our election statement, read the World Socialist Web Site, sign the petition for the release of Bogdan Syrotiuk, vote for the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei on Sunday and join our party! On Thursday, US congressional leaders announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress on July 24. This invitation, one of the highest honors that can be extended to a foreign head of state, identifies the entire US political establishment and both imperialist political parties with genocide. In this May 24, 2011 file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington. Then-Vice President Joe Biden, left, and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, right, listen. [AP Photo/Susan Walsh] The formal invitation dated May 31 was addressed to His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu on behalf of the bipartisan leadership of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. It was signed by Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. We join the State of Israel in your struggle against terror, the joint letter states, going on to highlight Americas solidarity with Israel, which is allegedly in the process of defending democracy. Underscoring the analysis made on the World Socialist Web Site of the violence in Gaza as one front of an expanding global imperialist war, the brief joint letter goes out of its way to identify Israel as a key ally against the growing partnership between Iran, Russia, and China. The bipartisan invitation to Netanyahu was extended exactly one week after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an emergency order under the 1948 Genocide Convention for Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah. The ICJs ruling was issued just days after the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) sought arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, accusing them of extermination of civilians. Netanyahus regime responded to these decisions by accelerating its war of annihilation against Rafah. More than two-thirds of Gazas population, 1.7 million people, have now been compressed into an area of less than a fifth of the Gaza Strip, where they face constant bombardment and lack basic civilian infrastructure or necessities. In this context, the invitation to Netanyahu has an especially impudent character. Rolling out the red carpet for an infamous war criminal who is dripping from head to toe with fresh blood, it is as if to say, Yes, were carrying out a genocide; and no, youre not going to stop us. On Tuesday, to this end, the US House of Representatives passed a bill to sanction ICC officials in retaliation for the proceedings against Netanyahu. On Thursday, the same day that the details of Netanyahus July 24 address were formally announced, the Israeli government carried out yet another massive war crime, bombing a school run by the UN Agency for Palestinian refugees in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, massacring at least 40 people. The Netanyahu regime and its US backers are not only in open defiance of the highest judicial body of the United Nations, but they have effectively responded to its ruling by bombing a UN building directly. Defending the massacre, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller subsequently claimed that Hamas militants were hiding inside a school, and Israel has a right to try and target those civilians. Also Thursday, the New York Times released the findings of its three-month investigation into the conditions at the Sde Teiman complex in the Negev desert which can be characterized without exaggeration as a concentration camp. Thousands of Palestinians abducted from Gaza, including children, have been held there without charges or trial, where they have been subjected to systematic torture, humiliation and starvation by their Israeli captors. Buried in the Times report are accounts of torture that rival the worst crimes revealed at the Abu Ghraib torture center in Iraq under US occupation, including sodomy and electrocution. A CNN report based on whistleblower accounts last month had already described how doctors sometimes amputated prisoners limbs due to injuries sustained from constant handcuffing, and the air is filled with the smell of neglected wounds left to rot. With his July 24 speech, Netanyahu will hold the record for the most invitations to address a joint meeting of Congress in US history. His previous addresses were in 1996, 2011 and 2015, all during Democratic presidencies. Eight months into Israels war of annihilation, Netanyahu has now secured his permanent historical reputation as the butcher of Gaza, alongside his American partner in crime Genocide Joe Biden. This is the person the bipartisan leadership of Congress and US imperialism is preparing to honor. It doing so, it has administered another irreversible blow to its own credibility, including its claims to be bombing and sanctioning its way around the world in an effort to uphold freedom, democracy and a so-called rules-based international order. Netanyahus invitation also thoroughly exposes all of the dishonest efforts to present the Biden administration as a critic of the number of civilian casualties in Gaza, as concerned about the humanitarian situation or as advancing one or another peace plan. This includes Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders, who are in the midst of a public relations offensive to boost Biden as a progressive in the 2024 US elections, in particular, following Bidens contrived gesture of withholding certain bombs destined for Israel last month. Against this backdrop, the announcement by Sanders that he will not attend Netanyahus speech lacks any integrity. While the details of Netanyahus visit were being finalized, Biden was in Europe arguing for the removal of restraints on the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine. In Eastern Europe, in the Middle East, in Southeast Asiaand at home, in the form of the ferocious repression of student proteststhe inherent historical tendency of capitalism towards dictatorship and war is expressing itself. Netanyahus visit will and should be met with mass protests. But any illusions that the policies of the US government will be changed by massive displays of popular anger have already been given a decisive answer by the invitation itself. The American political establishment is not only isolated and alienated from the sentiments of the population, it is impervious and hostile to those sentiments. Attempts to exert pressure are met with tear gas, rubber bullets, zip ties, slander, layoffs and expulsions. As Socialist Equality Party presidential candidate Joseph Kishore wrote yesterday, The fight against the genocide requires the development of a movement in the working class. It is a question of mass struggle, connecting the fight against war with the fight against exploitation and the capitalist system. This development has already been given an initial expression by the ongoing political strike of University of California academic workers against genocide and attacks on democratic rights. But as the experience of that strike has already demonstrated, the working class must consciously break free of the narrow framework of protest politics and appeals to the Democratic Party, which is thoroughly implicated both in the repression and in the genocide itself. If Netanyahu, Biden and their accomplices are going to be stopped, it will be by the international working class, acting with its own independent leadership, program and methods, including mass strikes to shut down production, stop the war machine, and challenge the dictatorship of the capitalist class over the economy. Caterpillar workers: Wed like to hear from you. Fill out the form at the end of this report to share your experience about any workplace or safety issues at your facility. Comments will be published anonymously. Caterpillar Mapleton foundry / Daulton Simmers [Photo: Caterpillar/Facebook] A 28-year-old worker and father, Daulton Simmers, died from thermal burns when molten metal fell on him on June 6 at Caterpillars foundry in Mapleton, Illinois. This is at least the third death reported in less than three years at the facility. The most well-known incident took place almost exactly two years ago when 39-year-old Steven Dierkes suffered a horrific death from thermal annihilation after he fell into an iron crucible after just a few days on the job at the foundry. In December 2021, a 50-year-old contractor, Scott Adams, died after falling through a hole at the site. In the latest case, emergency personnel were called at 5 p.m. on Thursday evening when a fire and a fatality was reported. On Friday, the Peoria County Coroner put out a statement: Autopsy on the gentleman in the fire, Daulton Simmers, 28, of West Peoria demonstrates that he unfortunately suffered severe thermal burns throughout his entire body and likely died within a matter of seconds from onset of the incident. The cause of the fire in the incident remains under investigation by the Peoria County sheriffs department, and OSHA. Simmers was transferring molten metal from a furnace to a pot, according to a statement released by Peoria Sheriff Chris Watkins to local news media Friday morning. The metal spilled and he was consumed by fire and molten metal, WEEK-TV reported Watkins as stating. In a perfunctory statement, Caterpillars public relations spokesperson said, We are deeply saddened by the death of a colleague at our Mapleton, Illinois, facility on June 6, and are working with authorities as the incident is investigated. We will have counselors onsite for our facility employees, and our thoughts are with the affected family, friends and colleagues. United Auto Workers officials, for their part, have released no statement about Daulton Simmers death as of this writing. Following the death of Steven Dierkes in 2022, Caterpillar was given a wrist-slap fine of a mere $145,027 by the US Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a pittance compared to the companys more than $50 billion in revenue in 2021. OSHA acknowledged then: A workers life could have been spared if Caterpillar had made sure required safety protections were in place, a fact that only adds to this tragedy. The horrific death of Daulton Simmers, like Steven Dierkes before him, continues to demonstrate that factories and workplaces in America regularly function as industrial slaughterhouses, with necessary safety precautions ignored in the pursuit of corporate profit. Steven Dierkes, who died at Caterpillars Mapleton, Illinois, foundry on June 2, 2022 [Photo by Family obituary] In 2022 there were over 5,486 fatal workplace injuries, a 5.7 percent increase from 2021, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over 50,000 workers die from chemical exposures each year and 190,000 suffer from workplace illnesses that cause cancers as well as diseases in multiple organs, according to OSHA. The death toll of more than 1.1 million in the US from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemicwith countless more suffering from Long COVIDis perhaps the most glaring demonstration of the ruling class contempt for workers lives. The UAW apparatus has played a critical role keeping workers on the job without adequate protections, producing immense profits for the companies. Last year, the UAW bureaucracy imposed a sellout deal on thousands of rank-and-file Caterpillar workers as it maintained an information blackout during their contract fight. The deal was opposed by the Caterpillar Workers Rank-and-File Committee (RFC), which not only demanded significantly higher pay, but also improved safety conditions in response to unsafe working conditions. The founding statement of the Caterpillar Workers Rank-and-File Committee stated, Managements disregard for safety, their relentless pursuit of profit and shareholder value above all else, has already resulted in the conditions which enabled the tragic and needless death of Steven Dierkes last year. Life was just starting to look up for him for once, and now its over Daulton Simmers (right) [Photo: Facebook] A close friend of Daultons spoke about his life and tragic death with the WSWS. He was quiet, collected, an observer and thinker. We grew up on the south end of Havana which is the poor end of a poor town. He only cared about a few things which were being with his friends, settling down and having a family, and taking care of them. There were a lot of people making bad choices and using drugs back then around us, even in his family, but he never participated. He was disciplined and had a singular goal. To make a family. Eventually he did, and after a few low-paying jobs he got on at Caterpillar and it was supposed to be a new chapter to his life and he could get his family a better life. Now that dream is destroyed and he will never get to see his baby grow up, and to be honest, thats all he really cared about. He was just a simple, reliable and dedicated guy. He had just started at CAT. He was still a supplemental worker. He was just a guy who was dealt the poor end of the stick, worked hard to get himself and his family out of it, and looked like he was finally gaining some ground on that, and it was snatched from him. Life was just starting to look up for him for once, and now its over. He went to heaven for sure. Not a fair shake by a long shot. Loving, family oriented, and would help anyone if they needed it. The guy was a walking self-sacrifice basically. A GoFundMe has been set up by Simmers family and friends. There has also been an enormous outpouring of support on social media for Simmers and anger at the conditions facing workers at Caterpillar and at the Mapleton foundry. Nobody in management gives a crap about safety A former worker at Caterpillars Mapleton facility told the World Socialist Web Site: These deaths happen because nobody in management gives a crap about safety there. Workers will continue to die there until the foundry is shut down. It is literally cheaper for CAT to let workers die and pay the minimal OSHA fine for it than it is for them to implement any sort of safety measure there that might hinder production. Three employees died in two years, and they havent paid fines on the other deaths yet because theyre still fighting it in court. So three workers are dead and there are zero repercussions. And they still break production records every quarter. The supplemental worker added about the conditions he faced: You have no rights there. If you bring up safety concerns citing the exact OSHA guidelines the only thing that will happen is youll get a talking to from somebody in management and theyll say theyre working on it and then nothing happens. I was threatened regularly for refusing to do unsafe work. I had brought up a safety concern in my department back in July. We had ladders leading up to platforms on top of machines that wed use to get up on top and clean. I brought up that the ladders were flimsy and not very structurally sound and they were barely high enough to get us to the platform to conduct our work. I filled out continuous improvement cards citing the exact OSHA guidelines for elevated platforms and ladders, and brought it up to engineers and my supervisor. The following week my friend fell off one of those ladders and broke his leg in three places. Those ladders have not been fixed and there have been no efforts made to improve the safety there. Last year in August before my previous supervisor was fired, during a heat advisory day, we were told by our supervisor that if we went to medical for heat exhaustion wed be fired. I have nine years working in different factories, doing maintenance work, and steel fabrication work in central Illinois. I know my way around a factory, I know a thing or two about safety guidelines. Ive worked nuclear circuit outages as a boilermaker as well. The blatant disregard for safety by Caterpillar towards their employees is egregiously irresponsible. More whitewash, smoke, and mirrors to come, no doubt. A sign at the Caterpillar Mapleton foundry declaring safety is in your hands Another veteran worker and member of the Caterpillar Workers Rank-and-File Committee stated, It happened after I left work. All I know at this point is what little, very little, is in the news. The local stations were just calling it a fire, which no doubt there was one, but no mention of an iron spill. Thus they called it an incident. Theyre notorious for not asking unpleasant questions of the largest and wealthiest employer in the area. We were told not to report today or this weekend. Cant have us around when the coroners asking questions, you know? Now, we have another fatality in melting. To my knowledge, no criminal charges have even been mentioned, let alone filed, regarding the last fatality in melting, which OSHA pointedly called a result of negligence. More whitewash, smoke and mirrors to come, no doubt. He added of Daltons death and the poor safety conditions: There are an astonishing number of people with only a few months experience training someone just off the street, including some of the most inherently dangerous jobs in the building. Management has repeatedly denied it, but you can go anywhere in the facility and see it. In line with the Peoria sheriffs description of the incident, he said the death could have happened while workers were transferring the iron, possibly from the furnace to a holder, or to be poured into a mold in a ladle. The ladle itself is huge, tall as a man or two, and suspended from an overhead gantry crane. If it moves too fast and stops suddenlythe iron is nearly as fluid as water, rememberthe ladle will swing on its cables and the iron will slosh over the sides. Or the ladle may have struck or glanced off something while moving. Think of carrying a full bucket of water anywhere in your house. Stop too quickly or bump into something, and youve got a wet leg. The weight of the iron would have been crushing in addition to nearly vaporizing anything it lands on. Thermal annihilation as the coroners report put it last time, he added, speaking of Steven Dierkes death. Commenting on the death, Jerry White, the Socialist Equality Partys candidate for US vice president and the labor editor of the WSWS, said, The death of Simmers is a crime of capitalism. Every 96 minutes a worker is killed in America. While billions are being spent for war and for the profits of companies like Caterpillar that grow rich off the war economy, the lives of workers are treated like disposable parts. I urge Caterpillar workers and all industries to form rank-and-file committees at their plants to fight for safety and better working conditions. The billions and trillions spent on war and enriching Wall Street must be transferred to meet the needs and safety of the working class in the United States and internationally. Caterpillar workers: Wed like to hear from you. Fill out the form at the end of this report to share your experience about any workplace or safety issues at your facility. Comments will be published anonymously. asda Mohsin Issa could hand the new chief executive of Asda a total pay package of up to 10m, City sources have said, as the billionaire owner scrambles to find someone to take charge of the supermarket. A lucrative package of between 8m and 10m has been touted in a bid to end the supermarkets drawn-out search for a new chief. Mr Issa, the billionaire minority owner of the chain, has been managing the business since 2021 after the departure of Roger Burnley, who left ahead of schedule after a disagreement over strategy. Previous attempts to find a new boss failed in 2022. Headhunters at Spencer Stuart are overseeing the current recruitment process although it is understood a candidate has not yet been identified. While no firm pay deal has been settled, a 10m package would make the next Asda chief the joint-highest paid supermarket boss in Britain. Currently, the highest-paid boss is Ken Murphy, the chief of Tesco, who was paid 10m last year. Concerns over Mohsin Issa's level of involvement in the business is said to be prolonging recruitment - Jon Super A senior industry source said: Theres always been a very attractive offer for [the Asda] job in terms of financials and they interview lots of people first-time round. The issue has quite simply been working with Mohsin Issa and that hasnt been overcome to date. One senior industry executive said the prospective 10m package was still not enough to take on the job. Mr Issas involvement is believed to be an obstacle given the lack of clarity around how involved he would be in the running of the business after a chief executive is hired. An entrepreneur who built his wealth running a petrol station empire with his brother Zuber, Mohsin Zuber has a hands-on management style. Asda said on Friday it was undertaking an extensive international executive search to find a permanent CEO. The supermarket said it was a priority for the board but stressed they were taking a deliberate and thoughtful approach to hire the best possible candidate. Mr Issas running of Asdas day-to-day operations has raised questions among industry experts given the supermarkets ailing market share. Asda currently accounts for 13.1pc of the grocery market in the UK, compared to 14.2pc in August 2021 when Mr Issa took over from his predecessor. It is understood that Mohsins involvement in the business has proven to be an obstacle in finding a successor, with some retail bosses ruling themselves out until his position is clarified. Asdas search for a new boss comes amid a period of significant change in the business, after private equity company TDR Capital gained majority control on Friday. TDR was able to increase its stake in Asda from 45pc to 67.5pc after buying out Zuber Issas 22.5pc share in the business. The Issa brothers bought the business with TDR for 6.8bn in 2021. Story continues Mohsin has been responsible for running Asda from Leeds since then, while Zuber has remained in Blackburn to focus on their petrol forecourt empire. Asda declined to comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. This statement was delivered by Barbara Slaughter, a leading member of the Socialist Equality Party in the UK and a fighter for socialism for nearly 80 years. Slaughter calls for the release of Bogdan Syrotiuk, the Ukrainian socialist who was arrested by the Zelensky government last month. Sign the petition to demand freedom for Bogdan at wsws.org/freebogdan. My name is Barbara Slaughter. I want to protest in the strongest possible terms against the arrest of Comrade Bogdan Syrotiuk and to demand his immediate release from the high security prison in Ukraine. He is the victim of the trumped up charge of being an agent of Vladimir Putin. The truth is that hes been accused of high treason and threatened with life imprisonment because he dared to oppose the war in Ukraine, which has already cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people on both sides. He has demonstrated exemplary courage in a time of war by opposing the capitalist governments of both Zelensky and Putin and calling for the unity of the Ukrainian and Russian working class. In doing so, he has given living expression to one of the fundamental principles of the socialist movement, revolutionary internationalism. This is clearly set out in the program of his own organization, the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists (YGBL), which calls for the organization of an international movement of workers and young people against war. Bogdan is the victim of the Big Lie, not unlike the lies perpetrated by Joseph Goebbels in the Second World War. Im 96 years of age and lived through that terrible period. The sufferings of the Soviet people in that conflict were incalculable. Well over 20 million died, including Russians and Ukrainians fighting side by side to defend what remained of the gains of the Russian Revolution. And now, these young people are pitted against each other in a deadly conflict to defend the oligarchs of both Russia and Ukraine, and the spoils they shared when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The arrest of Bogdan is part of a brutal crackdown on all opposition to war, which has caused thousands of Ukrainian youth to flee the country in order to avoid the draft. This conflict has been correctly characterized as a NATO proxy war. Today, with a decision made by President Biden that Ukraine can use American weapons directly on Russian territory, the danger of escalation to a nuclear conflict grows ever greater. That is why the Zelensky regime must silence the ideas and principles which Comrade Bogdan represents. That is why the World Socialist Web Site and the ICFI have also been accused of being puppets of Putin. We must take inspiration from Bogdans example. We must mobilize wide support in the international working class for the campaign to achieve his release and, in doing so, deliver a blow against all the forces of reaction, not only in Ukraine and Russia but internationally. Sign the petition to demand freedom for Bogdan! Over the past week, the Labor government has joined hands with the Liberal-National Coalition opposition to ramp up a campaign targeting opposition to the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Rhetoric condemning protests has been dialed up to a new level, with daily assertions that pro-Palestinian activity and sentiment are dangerous, based on misinformation, and linked to extremism. Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton [Photo: Anthony Albanese Facebook / Peter Dutton Facebook] The immediate target is the Greens. Senior Labor figures, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his key cabinet ministers, have accused them of complicity and collaboration in protests and of inflaming community tensions. The sole basis for these allegations is that the Greens are the only party in parliament to have condemned the killing of tens of thousands in Gaza and to have denounced Labors support for the Israeli regime. There is no doubt that one element is a fear that widespread anger over Labors involvement in the genocide will have consequences at the federal election, due next year at the latest. Media articles over recent months have repeatedly cited unnamed Labor figures warning of a backlash over the genocide, particularly in working-class electorates with large Middle Eastern and Muslim populations. Hostility to the Israeli onslaught intersects with widespread anger over the cost-of-living. Recent polling has indicated that Labors electoral support is even lower than in the 2022 election, when it scraped into office with less than a third of primary votes in its worst showing since the 1930s. If the polls were to be repeated at an election it would lead to a minority governmenta disaster for the ruling class in this country. More is at play, however. The hysterical attacks on the Greens are part of a bipartisan effort to outlaw opposition not only to the genocide, but to war more broadly. In this, the Greens serve as something of a placeholder for popular opposition. A capitalist party of the upper middle-class, the ruling elites are well aware that the Greens pose no threat, with their primary aspiration being to form a coalition with Labor that would implement the same pro-war and pro-business program currently in place. Albanese has played the leading role at each major turning point in the assault on opposition to the genocide. That included frothing declarations in October that protests were antisemitic and Hamas-inspired, coupled with declarations of Israels right to defend itself. Over the past month, Albanese has spearheaded the demonisation of protesting students and university encampments, branding them as divisive displays of hatred and ignorance that do not have a place in this society. That was a direct instigation of the Zionist and far-right forces who have repeatedly physically attacked the students, as well as the university administrations that are taking disciplinary measures and even referring their own students to the police. Again, Albanese is at the forefront. Speaking in parliament on Thursday, he thundered that the Greens had consciously and deliberately spread what he called misinformation. They had engaged in demonstrations outside Labor electorate offices. All of this was unacceptable, he declared. Every one of us has a responsibility to keep our community safe. Social cohesion is a national asset to all of us. All of us have a responsibility to uphold and defend. Labor cabinet ministers and their Coalition counterparts then repeated the charges. Bland and colourless career politicians spoke more passionately than ever before, some shouting as though at an enemy. As is so often the case with official claims of misinformation, there is no clear factual basis for Labors allegation. The hysterical cries of misinformation, are thus themselves an expression of inaccurate or baseless information being promoted. Albanese and others expressed particular agitation over the misrepresentation of motions in parliament. At the beginning of the month, the Greens moved a motion for token recognition of Palestinian statehood. Labor and the Coalition voted it down. Labor has asserted that their vote was not on the issue itself but on a procedural motion that would have facilitated such a vote. They have stated that opposing such procedural motions is standard parliamentary practice. This is fairly thin gruel. So is Labors claim that the Greens are spreading misinformation when they accuse the government of exporting weapons to Israel. Labor MPs have asserted that no such exports have occurred over the past five years. However, figures obtained by Declassified Australia under a freedom of information request showed that in the 202223 financial year, Labor approved 62 defence exports to Israel, a sharp rise from the previous years figure of 38. In the current financial year, up to the end of January, 18 exports were recorded. Labor and the Department of Defence have sought to obfuscate the figures. They no longer provide a breakdown of dual-use items versus those listed as munitions. When such data was provided in previous years, munitions accounted for 80 percent or more of approved defence exports. Labor has also confused the issue by implying that arms exports are only fully assembled machine guns, rocket launchers, and the like, as opposed to parts and other crucial components. In other words, the Greens statements are true, and the Labor government is lying to the public. Albanese and the Labor government have particularly bemoaned the protests outside their electorate offices. Albaneses own has been the subject of a continuous protest since January. The generally small and peaceful protests have been slandered as violent, largely based on a few incidents in which unknown individuals have put up graffiti and engaged in other minor vandalism. No serious incidents have occurred. Albanese and his ministers have improbably presented their electorate offices as citadels of democracy. The prime minister claimed that disruptions to the offices would hinder members of the public from seeking assistance with welfare and immigration matters. This is particularly rich, given it is the Labor government that is overseeing brutal attacks on those receiving welfare and is engaged in a frontal assault on the rights of immigrants. More generally, the offices are a means of funnelling public funds to the major parties. They function as campaign headquarters and are staffed by cynical careerists. While presenting themselves as the victims, the major parties are deliberately trying to whip-up a lynch-mob atmosphere. Coalition leader Peter Dutton, emboldened by Albaneses intervention on Thursday, declared on 2GB radio: I think that people need to have a conversation with their kids and their grandkids, with their next door neighbours, just about how evil the current Greens party is Similar unhinged rhetoric has poured forth from the Murdoch media. Inevitably, such rhetoric is accompanied by claims that opposition to the genocide is antisemitism. This line, equating anti-Jewish bigotry with opposition to state war crimes, is always a fraud. It is particularly grotesque coming from forces that peddle anti-immigrant chauvinism, bigotry and other forms of backwardness that have always been the kin of genuine antisemites. The frenzy in parliament underscores Labors ongoing commitment to the genocide and its determination to suppress opposition. That itself refutes the posturing of the Laborites, who have, over recent months, claimed to have limited involvement in the genocide despite having backed Israel politically, diplomatically and materially throughout. Replying on Thursday to the volley of attacks, Greens leader Adam Bandt declared he would not be lectured from a prime minister and opposition leader who back the invasion of Gaza. But the Greens entire strategy throughout the genocide has been to subordinate opposition to moral appeals to Labor. Week after week, they have insisted that pressure must be applied to the government to reverse course. That line is now exposed as a bankrupt dead-end. In reality, Labors support for the genocide is one component of its participation in a broader eruption of imperialist militarism threatening a new world war. That includes boosting Australias contribution to the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine to more than a billion dollars, most of it in arms. And above all, it has entailed completing the countrys transformation into a frontline state for a US-led conflict with China. Such a program is incompatible with democratic rights. The government has repeatedly insisted that the military build-up must be a whole-of-nation effort, which means the suppression of opposition. For their part, the Greens have explicitly backed the US war against Russia, while legitimising its aggression against China. This is an international phenomenon, with the German Greens, for instance, holding the foreign ministry in a government centrally involved in the Ukraine war, which has also outlawed most opposition to the Gaza genocide. To defend democratic rights and to fight against genocide and war, it is necessary to build a movement of the working class independent of all the parliamentary parties, including the Greens, and directed against the source of conflict, the capitalist system that they defend. MERA25, the German offshoot of the European DiEM25 movement led by former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, focuses on the question of the Gaza genocide in the European election campaign. In its statements and election broadcasts, the party condemns the genocide of the Palestinians, castigates the complicity of the German government and allows Palestinian doctors to speak out, describing the horrific conditions on the ground. Their representatives regularly participate in anti-genocide demonstrations and are therefore, like other opponents of genocide including Jewish organizationsexposed to massive state repression. For example, MERA25 was involved in the organisation of the Palestine Congress on 12 April in Berlin, which was brutally suppressed by the police. Varoufakis himself was initially banned from entering Germany by the German authorities, who then imposed a general political ban on him. In a statement from MERA25, it is stated that Varoufakis has therefore sued the German authorities for violation of his fundamental rights and defamation and announced that, if necessary, he would also sue in the European courts. The Socialist Equality Party condemns the ban on Varoufakis in the strongest possible terms. Obviously, this is not just about the former finance minister, with whom the German state worked closely at the time to enforce the EU austerity diktat against the Greek working class. The action is part of a sweeping assault on democratic rights and aims to suppress any social and political opposition. Under conditions in which the ruling class is resorting to the extreme method of genocide, preparing a direct NATO war against Russia, massively arming and planning historic attacks on the working class, the ruling class is establishing a police state. MERA25 castigates this development in words but has no perspective to oppose it. On the contrary, its criticism of genocide and its phrases about internationalism, peace, democracy and social justice are aimed at preventing an independent socialist movement against fascism and war, and at saving capitalism and its institutions. A closer study of the program and the history of MERA25 and its European parent party DiEM25 underlines the thoroughly reactionary and anti-worker character of this project. Varoufakiss past This can be seen first and foremost in the origins of the tendency that Varoufakis, like all political charlatans and opportunists, is trying to cover up. When MERA25 denounces oligarchic power structures in its election program and declares: What we are experiencing today is the result of political decisions that favor the few in our society and forget the many, this is the height of hypocrisy. As finance minister of the pseudo-left Syriza government, Varoufakis himself was responsible for these political decisions that strengthened oligarchic power structures, favored the few, i.e., the financial elites, and at the same time plunged the many, i.e., the working population, into abject poverty. The Syriza government under Alexis Tsipras, of which he was a member for almost half a year, was elected in early 2015 because it promised to end the austerity measures dictated by the troika of the European Central Bank (ECB), the EU Commission and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In power, Syriza betrayed this mandate within a few weeks and signed a new EU memorandum that went far beyond the austerity measures of the previous social democratic and conservative governments. When an overwhelming majority of 61 percent voted against the austerity dictate in a referendum in July 2015, Syriza not only ignored this, but again intensified the austerity measures and increasingly suppressed the resistance with police violence. Varoufakis was at the heart of this conspiracy, which Syriza implemented in alliance with the far-right Independent Greeks (Anel). He did not appeal to the broad opposition to austerity in the European and international working class, but conspired behind the scenes with the European elites to hold talks on a slightly modified austerity policy. Later Varoufakis boasted to the British Observer that he had proposed normal, Thatcher and Reagan-oriented economic measures at those meetings. He even praised the German Chancellor at the time, Angela Merkel (Christian Democrats), who pushed for the social destruction of Greece in the interests of German and European finance capital, as the smartest politician in Europe. And the notoriously right-wing German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble, who was even more aggressive, was described by Varoufakis as possibly the only European politician with intellectual substance. Gaza genocide There is no doubt that Varoufakis and MERA25 would betray the Palestinian masses, just as Syriza betrayed the Greek workers, if they had the opportunity to do so as a ruling party. Just as it was not possible to end the austerity dictates against Greece by appealing to Brussels and Berlin, it is not possible to stop the genocide in Gaza by appealing to the leading imperialist powers. Their support for Israels genocide is not an oversight but has deep objective causes. As the WSWS pointed out in its New Years perspective, it can only be understood and explained in the context of the collapse of the imperialist and [capitalist] world system divided into rival nation-states. For Washington, Brussels and Berlin, Israel acts as an extended arm to assert their economic and geostrategic interests throughout the Middle East and beyond. The annihilation and expulsion of the Palestinians by the Israeli army is ultimately part of the goal of also eliminating Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Iran, escalating the war offensive against Russia and China, and redividing the world among the imperialist powers. The fight against genocide therefore requireslike the fight against the constant escalation of the Ukraine war by US-NATO and the associated attacks on social and democratic rightsthe independent mobilization of the working class on the basis of a socialist program. The Socialist Equality Party writes in its election programme for the European elections: Such a movement must be directed against capitalism itself. The Ukraine war shows that the peaceful unification of Europe under capitalism is a reactionary illusion. The EU is arming itself to the teeth, waging war against Russia, supporting the genocide in Gaza and serving as an instrument for attacks on workers across the continent. Workers must oppose the EU of the banks and corporations, mass death and war with the perspective of a United Socialist States of Europe. The war cannot be ended, human lives cannot be saved, and wages cannot be defended without breaking the power of the banks and corporations and putting them under democratic control. Instead of shooting at each other, Russian and Ukrainian workers and workers throughout Europe must fight with this perspective against the warmongers at home. MERA25 and Varoufakis vehemently reject this only viable and progressive perspective. They do not oppose imperialism but formulate an alternative program for it and foster the illusion that capitalism can be reconciled with the needs of the masses. Militaristic agenda Their election program is an explicit commitment to the capitalist EU and to an independent European foreign policy. We want an independent and non-aligned European Union that is committed to global peace, it says. Europe must stand up courageously against all aggressors from every bloc and, based on the UN Charter, work for peaceful conflict solutions. Sentences such as these could be similarly found in the election program of the established parties or come from the mouth of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz or French President Emmanuel Macron. They all disguise their goal of making Europe an independent or sovereign power with phrases about peace and international law. In fact, they are working to rearm Europe and make it war-ready (Defense Minister Pistorius) in order to enforce the interests of European imperialism against Russia and China, and increasingly against the US. MERA25 essentially supports this militaristic agenda. In a recent interview with the pseudo-left Jacobin magazine, the partys leading candidate for the European elections, Karin de Rigo, describes the idea of a European army as initially good. At the same time, she urged: If we were to build a European army, the member states would have to give up their national defenses. We dont need double armies. She also criticises the fact that all defence spending is also demanded by NATO, which is not necessarily in our interest. In other words, MERA25 calls for a truly European force that could then intervene independently of US-led NATO. In the same interview, de Rigo leaves no doubt that MERA25 fully supports the NATO war against Russia. Russia must, of course, be seen as an aggressor, Rigo explains, supporting the official narrative that Putins invasion of Ukraine was unprovoked. Not a word is uttered about the systematic encirclement of Russia by the NATO powers and the aggressive escalation policy in the Ukraine war. Putins war is reactionary, but it is the desperate response of the Russian oligarchs to NATOs aggressive policy aimed at annexing Ukraine and subjugating Russia. They use the Ukrainian people as cannon fodder for their imperialist goals. These goals are largely supported by MERA25. An article entitled When and how will the war in Ukraine end?, which appeared on the Diem25 website in May 2022, not only expresses solidarity with the NATO war offensive but also with the war goal of overthrowing the Putin regime and replacing it with a pro-Western puppet regime. A profound solution to the military and economic crisis cannot be achieved as long as Putin is in power in Russia. The abandonment of devious expansionist projects can only take place through a replacement of the Russian leadership, it says. It continued: The unmistakable attitude of the West towards Putin leaves no room for accommodation. Therefore, the number of victims and the extent of the destruction in Ukraine, as well as the suffering and deprivation that will affect the entire planet, will depend on the speed with which Putin will be replaced by the Russian elites. DiEM25 conceals its support for the imperialist war and regime change project with the same propaganda lies as the NATO governments themselves. If, in the current historical and political context, the Ukrainian people have decided to defend their freedom to choose their own destiny, and if the destiny they want to build at the moment is to join the West and NATO, then we can do nothing but take note of this and ultimately support it. While NATO crosses one red line after another to defeat the nuclear-armed power Russia, DiEM25 participates in downplaying the danger of a nuclear-led third world war. This is central to further escalating the NATO offensive and suppressing resistance to it. In the same DiEM25 article, there are phrases such as: An escalation of the conflict in other parts of Europe or the world is unlikely. And The risk of a nuclear attack also seems low. Civic interests By backing the EU and NATO aggression against Russia, MERA25 also makes it clear that it will not engage in a serious fight against the genocide in Gaza, which is being instigated by the same powers. The war in Ukraine and the genocide in Gaza are two fronts of a global conflict over the imperialist redivision of the world. MERA25 operates entirely within the framework of this war offensive and the capitalist system that produces it and merely expresses criticism of the tactical orientation of one of the war fronts in Gaza. Just as Varoufakis defended the EU with Syriza and claimed that it could end austerity, today he defends imperialism with MERA25, fomenting the illusion that it could be organized without genocide and nuclear war. The spreading capitalist barbarism proves the opposite and also exposes the political bankruptcy of MERA25. Its social and humanitarian phrases are merely a cover for the aggressive warmongering against Russia and the call for an independent European great power policy. Just like the betrayal of Syriza in Greece, the positions have their roots in the class interests of the layers for which MERA25 speaks. Despite some radical demands, MERA25 is a thoroughly bourgeois party, based on wealthy layers of the petty bourgeoisie. Under conditions of genocide and war and the rapidly developing opposition to it, they are desperate to defend their privileges by trying to save capitalism from itself, as Varoufakis once put it. In other words: from a socialist revolution of the working class. Anyone who seriously wants to fight against genocide, world war and the associated attack on social and democratic rights must take up this very struggle for international socialism, vote for the SGP on 9 June and build the International Committee of the Fourth International as the new revolutionary leadership. A clear political reckoning with the essentially pro-militarist and pro-capitalist orientation of pseudo-left opponents of the working class such as MERA25 is urgently needed. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Sri Lanka will hold an online public meeting on June 14, at 7 p.m. via Zoom, to discuss the way forward for the university non-academic workers strike, which has come to an impasse. Click here to register. The Non-Academic Trade Union Collective (NATUC), an umbrella organisation of unions covering non-academic university employees, earlier this week met with State Minister of Higher Education Suren Raghavan. While the talks are reported to have ended inconclusively, the striking workers have not been told what was discussed. Nearly 13,000 non-academic employees from the countrys 17 state universities have been on an indefinite strike since May 2 to demand a 25 percent increase in the monthly compensation allowance (MCA) and a 15 percent pay rise to eliminate salary anomalies. Forced to call the strike due to growing pressure from rank-and-file members, the union leadership is desperately seeking a face-saving promise from the government. This would be used to call off all industrial action as quickly as possible. The government has made its stance clear. On May 28, government minister and cabinet spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena declared that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had said that the government had insufficient funds to rectify salary anomalies this year. The government would instead appoint a committee to look into workers demands. Echoing ruling elite demands for a crackdown on the strike, the main print media has published articles slandering workers and accusing them of sabotaging the education of university students. Notwithstanding its crocodile tears for the students, the media is silent on the role of successive governments that are responsible for deteriorating conditions in the universities as a direct result of budget cuts. Under these conditions, striking non-academic workers can not have any faith in the union leaders. They need to take matters into their own hands by establishing their own action committees independent of the union bureaucracies and all parties of the capitalist political establishment. Through these committees, workers can democratically discuss and decide on their demands and how to conduct a struggle for them. Non-academic workers need to unite in a common fight with their class brothers and sisters in other sectors throughout the island. This must include other public sector workers now facing severe attacks on their jobs, salaries and working conditions as part of the brutal austerity measures being imposed by the Wickremesinghe government under the dictates of the International Monetary Fund. The SEP/IYSSE meeting will discuss in detail the program and perspective workers need to adopt for this struggle. We invite non-academic workers, university students, academics and workers from other sectors to attend this important meeting and join the discussion on how to fight the governments savage attacks. Date and time: Friday, June 14, 7 p.m. Register through the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrfu2gpjMsHNTsx_9SN-sooWdau9IvP92g After a brutal pandemic, the cruise line industry has not only recovered but also benefited from record bookings. This has been a boon, especially to the second- and third-largest cruise line stocks, Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NYSE: NCLH), which are locked in a competitive battle with the largest company in this space, Carnival Corp. Although both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian face similar challenges, one probably holds greater potential to sail to higher returns. Let's take a closer look to see how each company compares. Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian The cruise industry appears to have bounced back from the worst period in its history, the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 15-month shutdown induced by the pandemic, each company had to let most of its staff go and borrow money to keep their businesses afloat while they earned almost no revenue. And even when they sailed again in mid-2021, it took several quarters to fill ships back to capacity. Fortunately, both companies have moved on from that time, and their customers have returned. Admittedly, neither company matches the 37% revenue share claimed by Carnival. Still, each owns more than one brand and stands out over smaller cruise lines such as Disney, Viking Cruises, and Switzerland-based MSC Cruises, the fourth-largest cruise line. Royal Caribbean includes its namesake cruise line, as well as Celebrity and Silversea. These three cruise lines claim about 24% of the industry's revenue, according to Cruise Market Watch. Norwegian operates its flagship cruise line and owns two smaller lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas. Cruise Market Watch says it generates 14% of the industry's revenue. Moreover, both companies have benefited from record bookings. The industry defines 100% booking as having two passengers in every cabin. By that definition, Royal Caribbean claimed a 107% load factor in the first quarter of 2024, while Norwegian's cabins were 105% occupied during the same period. How they compare financially This recovery has dramatically boosted the financials of both companies. In Q1, Royal Caribbean reported $3.7 billion in revenue, a 29% yearly surge. That increase far exceeded the growth rate, allowing it to report $360 million in net income attributable to the company, well above the $48 million loss in the year-ago quarter. Norwegian did not grow as fast, but its $2.2 billion in Q1 revenue rose 20% over the previous year. As with Royal Caribbean, slower growth in operating expenses allowed it to earn $17 million in profits, up from the $159 million loss in the same quarter last year. Story continues Still, the major difference between the two is debt loads. Royal Caribbean holds a total debt of around $20.5 billion, far above its $5.3 billion in stockholders' equity. Norwegian's total debt is $13.7 billion, but its shareholders' equity is $362 million, making its debt burden much heavier in relative terms. That may explain why Royal Caribbean plans to spend $3.4 billion in capital expenditures, versus just $575 million for Norwegian. That means Royal will add more ships to its fleet, which should help it grow its market share faster. Valuations seem to offer a mixed picture of which stock is more expensive. Despite its larger size, Royal Caribbean stock sells for 20 times earnings, lower than Norwegian's 26 price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio. Conversely, from a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio perspective, Royal trades at a 3.0 P/S ratio versus just 0.9 for Norwegian. Since profits can vary more than sales, one would have to assume Norwegian is the lower-cost stock. Still, the relatively lower debt burden and the greater capacity to add new ships could make Royal Caribbean stock worth the premium. A solid choice for setting sail Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have recovered from the pandemic and will probably continue to benefit from record bookings. Still, Royal Caribbean is likely the more solid choice for investors. Admittedly, Royal Caribbean's debt level is higher, and its stock is more expensive when measured by P/S ratios. Nonetheless, its greater capacity to add ships makes it more likely to increase its market share. That situation should allow it to generate more profit and pay off more debt, which should ultimately lead to higher returns for shareholders. Should you invest $1,000 in Royal Caribbean Cruises right now? Before you buy stock in Royal Caribbean Cruises, 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 Royal Caribbean Cruises 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 $741,362!* 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 June 3, 2024 Will Healy has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Walt Disney. The Motley Fool recommends Carnival Corp. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Better Cruise Line Stock: Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian was originally published by The Motley Fool During an hourlong interview with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, daytime talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw, a psychologist who goes by Dr. Phil, repeatedly expressed sympathy for the former president over the criminal cases brought against him by local and federal prosecutors. McGraws first question to Trump was prefaced by him saying the former president was fighting this fight and standing up for the rights of due process and fighting against prosecutorial misconduct and prosecutorial abuse. They need to stop pursuing you. Since you started your campaign in 2015 to run for office, there have been so many attempts to get you off the board, even before you started your campaign, he said to Trump, including Trumps two impeachments and other investigations into alleged misconduct in the list of things he considered a never-ending pursuit of the former president. I really wonder how that affects you, McGraw said, which was just one of the questions framed to get at Trumps state of mind. At one point, Trump said the interview was like a visit with a psychiatrist. Trump accused those who oppose him of having Trump derangement syndrome, and complained about the gag order put in place by New York Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the hush money trial that ended with Trump convicted of multiple felonies for falsifying business records while running for president. Think of it. Im the Republican nominee. I was the president, and Im leading the current Democrat by a lot, and I have a gag order from a local judge that was appointed by the Democrat Party, Trump said. Much of the interview was spent discussing the criminal cases against Trump, which also include charges for his handling of classified documents, and his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Will Trump seek revenge? Toward the end of the interview, McGraw asked Trump if he would seek revenge against Democrats if he wins the 2024 election. There are headlines out there that say, when you win your second term, that you are going to make the people that have come after you pay retribution and revenge, McGraw said. And let me ask you this, before you even respond to that, I want to play what if with you for a minute. What if, when you win this election, you said, Enough is enough? Too much is too much. This is a race to the bottom, and it stops here. Im OK with it. I am. Im OK with that, Trump said. Sometimes, Im sure in certain moments, I wouldnt be. You know, when you go through what Ive been through they spied on my campaign. You know, they spied on my campaign. Remember, I announced it. They did things that people dont even talk about. ... What theyve done is bad. With all of that being said, we have to unite the country, Phil. The country has to be united. The country is a mess. Trump wondered aloud what would have happened if he had followed through on pursuing criminal charges against former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, who was his Democratic opponent in the 2016 presidential race. I didnt want to do that, he said. I could have done that pretty easily. She busted up her phones, and she busted up her her laptops. ... Retribution is going to be through success, Trump said. Were going to make it very successful. We have to bring the country together. McGraw followed up by saying, We are all brothers and sisters, and there must be no resentment ... and forgiveness is necessary, otherwise, what will follow is not justice, but revenge. Trump responded by saying, Sometimes revenge can be justified, though, I have to be honest, sometimes it can. Why would Trump run? McGraw also asked Trump repeatedly why, as a wealthy older man, he would run. What do you say to yourselves when the crowds arent cheering, alone, youre riding in the car, youre by yourself. What is the hardest, darkest moment that you can think of in this journey youve been on the last several years? he asked. You have to be very strong, Trump replied. Youre fighting off very evil forces. Trump said hed watched McGraws show, and hed watched people cry after being asked a similar question. I said, thats never happening to me. If that happens to me, thats the end of my political career, he said. I think people actually, maybe people would like me better but Ill tell you what, you need strength. You have to have strength, and people dont want to see that. McGraws new network Merit+ The interview was broadcast on Merit+, a new online network started by McGraw, a network offering traditional family content and news that is unbiased and unfiltered. In his intro, McGraw said he wouldnt endorse a presidential candidate, and said hes reached out to President Joe Biden and to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to see if they would also sit down for an interview with him. Five Fingers (2006) is a gripping thriller that plunges you into a desperate fight for survival. Martijn, a Dutchman with a heart of gold, travels to Morocco on a mission of hope. Hes there to set up a food program for underprivileged children. However, his dreams of making a positive difference quickly turn into a harrowing nightmare. Heres how you can watch and stream Five Fingers (2006) via streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video. Is Five Fingers (2006) available to watch via streaming? Yes, Five Fingers (2006) is available to watch via streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Martijn is abducted by a ruthless terrorist group who suspect his funding is ill-gotten. To extract a confession, they subject him to a brutal torture tactic systematically severing his fingers one by one while demanding the source of the money. As the agony escalates, Martijn is forced to confront his mortality and the lengths people will go to in the face of unimaginable pain. Five Fingers (2006) stars Ryan Phillippe as Martijn and Laurence Fishburne as Phillippe. The cast is rounded out by actors like Mimi Ferrer, Touriya Haoud, and Colm Meaney. Watch Five Fingers (2006) streaming via Amazon Prime Video Five Fingers (2006) is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video. Heres where Prime Video truly shines: it seamlessly integrates with your Amazon account. This unlocks the power of free one-day shipping on many Amazon purchases, making it a game-changer for frequent shoppers. You can watch via Amazon Prime Video by following these steps: Go to Amazon Prime Video Select Sign in and Create your Amazon account Sign up for a Prime Video membership: $14.99 per month or $139 per year with an Amazon Prime membership $8.99 per month for a standalone Prime Video membership Amazon Prime is the online retailers paid service that provides fast shipping and exclusive sales on products, so the membership that includes both this service and Prime Video is the companys most popular offering. However, you can also opt to subscribe to Prime Video separately. The synopsis of Five Fingers (2006) is as follows: Martijn, an idealistic Dutch pianist, travels to Morocco to help start a food program for malnourished children. Within moments of his arrival, however, Martijn is abducted by a group of terrorists, injected with a debilitating drug, and imprisoned. Under threat of death, the young man engages in a mental chess match with Ahmat, trying to learn his captors true objective and avoid a horrible fate. NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing. Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trailer Sets Release Date for Spin-off Series Paramount+ has finally shared the full Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trailer, teasing fans what to expect from TV Maggie Dela Paz 10 hours ago Despicable Me 4 Clip Features Grus Minions Becoming Super Soldiers A brand new Despicable Me 4 clip from Illuminations upcoming animated sequel has dropped, featuring everyones favorite yellow henchmen in Movies Maggie Dela Paz 12 hours ago The Thing: Remastered Trailer Reveals 4K Support and Updated Models Nightdive Studios announced The Thing: Remastered on Friday, confirming that a remastered version of the cult-classic survival horror game based Games Anthony Nash 12 hours ago The Watchers Review: A Shyamalan Suspense Film Ishana Night Shyamalan has a bright future ahead of her. The recent NYU graduate has had a strong start in Movies Jonathan Sim 12 hours ago Read more The post Five Fingers (2006) Streaming: Watch & Stream Online via Amazon Prime Video appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. An Oklahoma teen and her family are speaking out after the 19-year-old was attacked by a shark last month in Galveston, Texas. Damiana Humphrey, 19, told "Good Morning America" she was wading in the water about waist-deep when a 4 to 5-foot shark latched onto her hand. She says she started punching the shark until she was freed. "When I finally saw my hand, that's when I started freaking out," she told "GMA." PHOTO: In this undated file photo, a bull shark swims off the coast of Florida. (STOCK IMAGE/Getty Images) Humphrey's father, Troy, also spoke to "GMA." "I noticed that she had her hand held up and that it was bleeding down her arm," he said. The teen was rushed to the hospital, where she had surgery on her hand. "I severed four tendons. And then I basically had a big hole on the top of my hand that they had to sew together," she said. "That shark was looking for food for prey, and in murky water, all they see is a flash of movement, and so that shark came in to investigate, and this was just a case of mistaken identity," Dr. Kesley Banks, a research scientist at the Harte Research Institute, told "GMA." PHOTO: Galveston Island Beach in Texas is shown in this undated file photo. (STOCK IMAGE/Getty Images) With summer approaching, several shark attacks have recently made headlines across the U.S. Three swimmers, including two teens, were attacked by sharks in two separate incidents while they were at beaches in Walton County, Florida, on Friday. In Hawaii, a 25-year-old woman was taken to a hospital following a shark bite incident off Oahus North Shore on Friday at around 2 p.m. local time, the Honolulu Emergency Services reported. "EMS responded to the Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor where the patient had been brought ashore. EMS treated her for multiple serious lacerations before transporting her to an emergency room," the agency stated. A 46-year-old man was left with "significant" injuries after being bit by a shark in Southern California earlier this month, officials said. While experts and officials advised beachgoers to take precautions, including avoiding swimming at dusk or dawn, Damiana Humphrey said the shark attack hasn't stopped her from getting back in the water. 19-year-old speaks out after surviving shark attack in Texas originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com The Nepalese army has embarked on annual clean-ups to Mount Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse since 2019. Its estimated theyve removed an astonishing amount of trash and even bodies from the Himalayan peaks over those five years: 119 tons of trash and 14 human corpses. Still, theres believed to be more than another 50 tons of trash and more than 200 bodies to go. The most recent cleanup took 55 days and returned more than 11 tons of trash, four human corpses, and one skeleton between the three peaks. All of these numbers can be pretty staggering, of course. Logic would tell anybody that circling back to clean waste and recover human bodies after theyve all been left behind is a fools errand. So, according to the BBC, the Nepalese government is implementing steps that can mitigate the problem at the source. The outlet is reporting a drop in the number of permits issued to climbers this past year, from 478 last year down to 421 for this year. They do attribute the drop to outside factors around the globe for now but also say that number will go down more moving forward after Nepals Supreme Court ordered a limit on permits in May. Although they havent set a limit yet, Nepals Department of Tourism director of mountaineering Rakesh Gurung told the BBC that the government will coordinate with experts to determine a safe number of climbers. Without the scientific study, it cant be said what will be the perfect number for Mount Everest, he told them. A major challenge lately has been the large backups that occur near the summit, where climbers find themselves in long queues just to complete their expedition. The long waits contribute to the overall danger for each climber and base camps have become de facto junkyards over the years. Even human poop poses a threat on Everest, where people are now required to bring their waste down with them as opposed to leaving it behind and risking getting other climbers sick. Our mountains have begun to stink, Mingma Sherpa, chairman of Pasang Lhamu rural municipality told the BBC earlier this year. We are getting complaints that human stools are visible on rocks and some climbers are falling sick. This is not acceptable and erodes our image. The post The Amount of Trash Being Removed from Everest Is Wild first appeared on The Inertia. A historical clock was suggested by Aldred Stern, a New York City planner of world's fairs and international exhibits, about ways of enhancing the Fourth Street pedestrian mall, said Wilson W. Wyatt, Jr. of Louisville Central Area. This "historical clock" would be "one of the most unique designed features in the world the towering clock would have moving pieces that would come out on the hour or half-hour and show some historical aspect of Louisville, Wyatt further clarified. This brief mention of a "historical clock," toward the end of a Nov. 3, 1972, Courier Journal article regarding the design of "Federal Square," (a new downtown plaza), began a Don Quixote-like process that spanned more than four decades, with multiple relocations, multiple reconstructions, and multiple malfunctions for this beloved civic sculpture. The Louisville Clock, with its automated Derby race, has become a fixture on the Fourth Avenue mall in Louisville since its dedication in 1976. The clock may be moved next year, May 4, 1984. Sign of the Time: Mall to get Spectacular Racing Clock was a Jan. 23, 1975 headline on page C1 of the Courier Journal, below the fold. Staff writer Mike Brown provided this description: Plans for a 40-foot-high River City Mall clock tower featuring an animated horse race at noon each day were announced yesterday as a joint undertaking of a private Louisville foundation and local government. A fun thing. That's what Henry V. Heuser Sr. called the glockenspiel-like construction. He is president of the Henry Vogt Foundation, which is said to be providing the bulk of the funds. Louisville sculptor Barney Bright, who was responsible for designing, sculpturing and overseeing the work described it as "Just like an old-fashioned mechanical toy." "Something to bring people off the expressway." That was the guarantee of Wilson W. Wyatt Jr., executive director of Louisville Central Area, Inc., a private, downtown development organization, that coordinated the planning. The Derby Clock was moved to the main gate at Kentucky Kingdom amusement park yesterday from south of the Galleria with help from electricians Pete Fahey, left and Billy Jones, July 10, 1987. The goal was to have the Clock up and running by the summer of 1976. An artists detailed rendering of the Clock was accompanied the report. The Clock completion deadline was delayed per a small article in the Jan. 8, 1976, newspaper. It would not be ready by the Derby nor for the July 4th Bi-Centennial celebration. The location of the Clock was planned just north of Walnut Street (later renamed Muhammad Ali Boulevard) on the River City Mall (now Fourth Street.) The figures who will do the racing are King Louis XVI, the Belle of Louisville, Thomas Jefferson, George Rogers Clark and Daniel Boone. Wyatt noted the project was going smoothly. An update on the Clock was reported Aug. 8, 1976, with an anticipated fall completion date. Bright stated: "I hope that once people have seen it work, they'll come away happy." The noon race of the Louisville Clock on Fourth Street near Broadway, May 2, 2013. If you haven't got the time, stop by the 400 block of River City Mall in early October and check out Louisville's Derby Clock is how legendary reporter Sheldon Shafer began an Aug. 31, 1976, update on the Clock. Shafer was a Clock aficionado and reported continuously on the Clock for forty years. And, he called it the "Derby Clock," which most locals came to refer to it by, instead of using the official name "Louisville Clock." Figuring Time was the photo caption of the Clock being installed Oct. 23, 1976, on the River City Mall. Ed Hamilton, now a noted sculptor himself, was Bright's assistant and is shown helping install the Clock. On Bright's unfinished Derby Clock sits the grandstand with four prominent figures from Kentucky's past: actress Mary Anderson, President Zachary Taylor, newspaper editor Henry Watterson and movie director D.W. Griffith, as described in an Oct. 28, 1976, account with the headline: Time has finally told: Mall Statue is of Oliver Cook, a Black Trumpeter." Reporter Dick Kaukas explained how Bright incorporated Cook into the Clocks viewing grandstand. For several dozen spectators, yesterday was a good day at the track, the weather was balmy, and nobody was selling Racing Forms, programs and tip sheets. And nobody lost any money. The only disappointment was Daniel Boone and his big, brown bear. They may be in a little trouble when daily races officially begin on the track of the Derby Clock on River City Mall, was the newspaper report of the Clocks first trial run Nov. 18, 1976, and foreshadowed the recurring technical issues with it as one of the figurines failed to operate. The Louisville Clock in this undated 1990 photo. Friday, Dec. 3, 1976, was the big day when the "Inaugural Stakes" race of the Clock was won by the Belle of Louisville. A large photo on the front page of the Courier-Journal featured a smiling Wilson Wyatt, Jr., Henry Heuser, Sr. and Jefferson County Judge Todd Hollenbach, about four years after it was proposed. During the next forty years, the Clock was famous or infamous for technical glitches and being relocated at least five times: to Fourth and Guthrie (due to Galleria construction); to the Fairgrounds (due to Mall conversion to street), to Bowman Field (where it was rebuilt), to Theater Square (where it briefly operated from 2012 to 2015), and then, because of Kindred Building expansion, it was finally moved to a city storage facility where it currently resides. Steve Wiser, FAIA, is a local historian, author, and architect. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Clock sculpture Hundreds of Kansas Citians many dressed in colorful costumes swarmed Westport Saturday morning setting up floats for the citys 47th Pride Parade. Fanning themselves in the heat, they prepared to walk the route down to PrideFest at Theis Park to celebrate and support KCs LGBTQ community. Thousands of people attend the festival to check out the music and drag performances, and walk through booths of LGBTQ-friendly vendors, nonprofits and local businesses. The energy was buzzing as Trish Ellis was working the volunteer tent. Shes lived in KC for years, and this is her third Pride Parade. Ellis said shes seen the crowds grow bigger each year, with this one having the most businesses involved. Kansas Citys annual Pride Parade and festival took place Saturday in Westport. Robert Verdiman, sporting a magenta fringe top and rainbow skirt, was preparing his float for his first KC Pride Parade. My favorite thing about the KC (queer) community is that everybody is so welcoming. Like theyre so open and so honest and everybody is willing to take you under their wing if you need assistance, he said. Everybody is so true to themselves and theyre so brave, its really a community where you can be yourself, and thats the most important thing. Kansas Citys annual Pride Parade and festival took place Saturday in Westport. Zanny Ex Uchawi and KiYanna Uchawi are regular drag performers at Missy Bs in Westport and performing at PrideFest this year. Zanny Ex Uchawi is originally from Mississippi and said they found a really supportive and loving community here in Kansas City, despite what some might perceive as a hostile political climate at the state level. They said seeing bills proposed and passed attempting to restrict their rights is frightening to them, but it also inspired them to become more politically educated. Zanny Ex Uchawi (left) and KiYanna Uchawi (right) stand next to their parade float Saturday morning. It is forcing a lot of people, including myself to know who Im voting for... I didnt know this in high school, so if it wasnt for this moment, I would not be educated, and it has given me a lot of excitement to be involved in politics. This session, Missouri lawmakers filed the most bills out of any state that threaten the rights of LGBTQ people, according to the ACLU, which continues to track those 39 bills. The organization opposed one bill that passed in Kansas this session, and also opposed 15 anti-LGBTQ bills that were introduced in the Kansas Legislature this session but not passed into law. KiYanna Uchawi said they struggle with seeing lawmakers move to ban drag performances as well as with the sexualization of their profession. It is hard right now with just all the different laws, but like Zanny was saying, we are very resilient. We do fight back, we are intelligent, we know what we want and so itll be all worth it at the end. Kansas Citys annual Pride Parade and festival took place Saturday in Westport. Vardiman, however, was more confident in the future of LGBTQ rights in Kansas City and beyond. Ill never have concerns. Gays aint never going anywhere, (weve) been here since the beginning of time. They can make any laws they want, baby, were gonna prevail, he said. Kansas Citys annual Pride Parade and festival took place Saturday in Westport. Being scared is part of being human, Vardiman said, but whats part of being brave is realizing you are more than your fear. Love yourself, be yourself, and continue to show your pride honey. Brandywine Valley SPCA's Mega Adoption Event is back in Newark. Here's what to know One of the country's largest adoption events is coming back to Newark. The Brandywine Valley SPCA is hosting its Mega Adoption Event weekend June 15 and 16 at the Bob Carpenter Center at 631 S. College Ave. Hundreds of dogs and cats of all breeds and ages will be available for adoption and ready to take home on the spot. Nearly 16,000 homeless cats and dogs have been placed nationally during these events. This is a chance to gain a new furry friend and support a good cause at the same time. For the upcoming event, the Brandywine Valley SPCA is partnering with 11 other shelters and rescues based in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Alabama. Here's what to know about the event. When is the Mega Adoption Event? Qamar Muhammed adopted a 6-month-old mixed breed during the Brandywine Valley SPCA's sixth annual Mega Adoption event Saturday, June 29, 2019, at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark. Over 1,000 dogs and cats will be available for adoption at the event. The adoption process is simple, and staff members and volunteers will assist attendees in finding the best fit for the animals and their forever families. The Mega Adoption Event will take place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days. According to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, younger and smaller animals are the quickest to be adopted. To get access to a wider selection of animals, Fast Passes are available for $75. The Fast Pass can be used only during Saturday's event from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. Every animal adoption will cost $35 (credit card purchases only), which doubles as a donation to the Brandywine Valley SPCA's locations. The adoption fee also includes spaying and neutering, microchipping and age-appropriate vaccines for all animals. How can I adopt an animal at the Mega Adoption Event? Individuals must be aged 18 or older and be able to provide a valid driver's license to adopt an animal. To take an animal home from the event, make sure to bring a leash and collar for dogs, which are also available for purchase at the event. A carrier for puppies, kittens and cats is also recommended, but cardboard cat carriers have been donated by Petco Love and will be available free of charge. The Brandywine Valley SPCA is hosting its Mega Adoption Event weekend June 15 and 16, 2024 at the Bob Carpenter Center at 631 S. College Ave. It is not recommended that families bring their own animals to the event to introduce them to their new pet. Staff members and volunteers will be on-site with information about acclimating your pets with each other, and behavior support services are available to all Brandywine Valley SPCA adopters. SUMMER CONCERTS: 18 fiery Delaware concerts that will heat up this summer How to volunteer for the Mega Adoption Event The Brandywine Valley SPCA is hosting its Mega Adoption Event weekend June 15 and 16, 2024 at the Bob Carpenter Center at 631 S. College Ave. Volunteer help is needed for many tasks at the event, including setup, teardown, potty walks for the animals and feeding. Volunteers can sign up individually or as groups and will be tasked with various 2.5-hour shifts that are available throughout the day. Training will be conducted via a manual and on-site. Sign-ups for volunteering for the Mega Adoption Event are available on the Brandywine Valley SPCA website. Molly McVety covers community and environmental issues around Delaware. Contact her at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Brandywine Valley SPCA's Mega Adoption Event will have over 1,000 pets Central Coast New Tech graduates 54 students in Class of 2024. See photos from ceremony In the final major San Luis Obispo County graduation of the school year, Central Coast New Tech High School celebrated the achievements of 54 graduates of the Class of 2024 in its commencement ceremony Saturday. That represented a 100% graduation rate for the Nipomo class that started online as freshmen during the COVID-19, Principal Sarah Butler told The Tribune ahead of the ceremony. Central Coast New Tech High School held its graduation ceremony on June 8, 2024. They had eight valedictorians. Nicholas Heiland waves to the crowd. This year there were eight valedictorians, she said. They are: Cole Aguirre, Skyler Cross, Lily Gash, Leo Ramirez, Lillyanna Ramirez, Victoria Reece, Katie Szlauko and Leila Zavala. Butler said the class earned amazing academic achievement on state test scores in their junior year, including 91% who met/exceeded standard in English language arts, 70% met/exceeded in science and 44% in mathematics. In addition, many are athletes, performers, artists, social reformers, environmentalists and science-minded, Butler said. Central Coast New Tech High School held its graduation ceremony on June 8, 2024. Wyatt Buley takes a selfie on stage. The graduating class is expected to go on to a range of destinations in the fall. Twenty-one will go to Cuesta Community College, 13 will attend Cal Poly, three Alan Hancock Community College and two will go to UC Santa Barbara, while one student each will go to UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University, Reed College, Tufts University, Mount Mercy University, Long Beach State, Cal State Monterey, Cal State LA, Cal State University Maritime Academy, Rogers State University in Oklahoma and Santa Rosa Junior College. One student planned to enter the Air Force, one will go to SLO Beauty College and another will enter the workforce. The graduating class earned a total of $110,000 in scholarships. Central Coast New Tech High School held its graduation ceremony on June 8, 2024. Butler characterized the class of graduates as a resilient and deeply supportive and empathetic group of students. They truly care about each other, our school and the greater community, she said. Central Coast New Tech High School held its graduation ceremony on June 8, 2024. Jason Michael Hall takes a bow on the stage. California woman billed $11,640 for solar panels she never received, joining others who claim they were scammed Sacramento homeowner Andrea Bokreta recently received an invoice billing her $11,640 for solar panels she claims she never signed off on nor received. "I thought that's a mistake because I knew I didn't sign anything," Bokreta told CBS13s Call Kurtis. Don't miss Commercial real estate has beaten the stock market for 25 years but only the super rich could buy in. Here's how even ordinary investors can become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger Cost-of-living in America is still out of control use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today, no matter what the US Fed does or says These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024 and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how A year ago, she had met with a representative for solar company Freedom Forever, but ultimately decided against getting the solar panels for her home. She was told she needed to give the company her Social Security number to get an estimate. Aside from the loan, CBS13 discovered lender Solar Mosaic filed a lien against Bokreta's home last year as well, unbeknownst to her. Other Cali homeowners say they were also scammed More than 180 complaints have been filed against the lending company, Solar Mosaic, since 2019, according to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In April, a group of nearly 100 people drove from Los Angeles to protest outside Solar Mosaics headquarters in Oakland, alleging the lender colluded with contractors to issue fraudulent loans for home improvement work that was never completed. They claim they've collectively been scammed out of around $3 million. Geraldin Alvara says she hired Viridi Construction in 2021 to convert a garage into an accessory dwelling unit at her Los Angeles family home. The company reportedly told her the project would cost $150,000 and that shed been approved for loans by Solar Mosaic the same day but the payment details would only be released to Viridi after the work was completed. Alvara says the company didnt do any work for six months and, a year later, she discovered Solar Mosaic had already released three payments totaling $54,000 to Viridi. Alvara and her family dont have the funds (since they had planned to use the rental income from the ADU to pay off the loan), which means debt collectors are coming to their door regularly and Alvara is getting rejected from credit cards. My fear is were going to end up homeless, she told the Oaklandside. This house is our livelihood. Story continues In the meantime, Solar Mosaic has issued a statement stating that the company takes homeowner safeguards seriously and sued Viridi for a breach in contract. Read more: Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market and are betting on these assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds Still pursuing justice Freedom Forever told CBS13 there were some significant factual errors in Bokretas claim to the news division, providing documentation of her digital signature through DocuSign. Audits from both Freedom Forever and Solar Mosaic show Bokreta viewed the contract and loan documents and signed or left her initials in various spots although Bokreta insists she didnt sign anything. CBS13 reports that the California Contractors State License Board has fined Freedom Forever more than a dozen times since 2017 for breaking multiple regulations and now the state is going after the company's license. Two Attorneys General are also suing Solar Mosaic for concerns over its lending practices. Freedom Forever says it worked with Bokreta's lender to cancel the loan and Mosaic has since sent Bokreta the confirmation. Still, many other homeowners have yet to see their accounts settled and some say theyve lost their entire savings. Bokreta says the stress of the situation spiked her blood pressure and wants to see both companies held accountable. "Somebody needs to stop them," she says. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Congrats, grads! See photos as 3 more SLO County schools hold commencement ceremonies Three more large San Luis Obispo County high schools held graduation ceremonies Friday night, celebrating the achievements of a grand total of 1,000 seniors. See photos from the ceremonies below: Nipomo High School Adelina Josefina Andrade smiles during her graduation from Nipomo High School on June 7, 2024. Nipomo High School held a commencement ceremony, awarding diplomas to 195 seniors on Friday night. The ceremony included speeches from Principal John Denno, Senior Class President Itzel Gutierrez and co-valedictorians Erick Castellanos Castaneda and Haylee Knollenberg. Forty seven of the graduates are expected to go on to four-year universities, while 114 will attend community colleges in the fall, 13 plan to enter the workforce, 10 will enlist in the military and six will go to trade schools, according to Lucia Mar Unified School District spokesperson Amy Jacobs. The graduating class accumulated more than $507,000 in scholarships, spread across 43 students. Paso Robles High School Cameron Henry landed a backflip after picking up his diploma at Paso Robles High School. Paso Robles High School awarded diplomas to 434 graduates during its commencement ceremony Friday marking a 95% graduation rate, according to counseling secretary Katelyn Myers. This is an impressive accomplishment for our bearcats, as this class began high school during the pandemic, Myers told The Tribune ahead of the ceremony. Valedictorian for the Class of 2024 was Gabriella Silva, who graduated with a 4.89 GPA, followed by salutatorian Kalani Gaviola, with a 4.88 GPA. According to Myers, the graduating students were awarded over $340,000 in scholarships, with values ranging from $500 to $16,000. During the schools Senior Awards Night, Paso Robles High School presented 241 students with 835 awards, which included 89 students awarded for having a 4.0 or higher GPA, Myers added. Scholar Athletes of the Year were Peyton Bedrodsian and Nicholas Woodard, while Athletes of the Year were Elie Chavez and Connor Bowman. According to Myers, 55 students were awarded the Seal of Biliteracy and 81 students completed coursework that earned them a full year of college credits during their four years in high school. We are incredibly proud of our Bearcats!, Myers wrote. San Luis Obispo High School San Luis Obispo High School celebrated the achievements of its graduating Class of 2024 during a commencement ceremony on Friday, June 7, 2024. ASB president, Lyla Merk, gives her address in front of her classmates. San Luis Obispo High School graduated 371 seniors during its commencement ceremony on Friday. The graduating class included valedictorian Chloe Jordan and salutatorian Camilo Baltodano. According to San Luis Obispo High School college and career center specialist Colleen Martin, the senior class included 113 students who earned between a 3.5 and 3.99 GPA, 90 students with GPAs of 4.0 to 4.39 and 26 who ended the year with GPAs of 4.4 or above. Students in the Class of 2024 will go on to a range of destinations following graduation: roughly 27% will go on to schools in the California State University system 17% going to Cal Poly specifically while 11% are expected to attend University of California schools, 8% will attend private universities and another 8% will attend a public university out of state. Additionally, 135 students planned to attend Cuesta College and other community colleges, four said they planned to enter the workforce and three planned to enter the military. The class also earned more than $300,000 in local scholarships, split between 100 students, according to Martin. One resort in Greece has captured the attention of travelers due to its striking resemblance to the lush landscapes of the Maldives. Dubbed the unofficial Maldives dupe, this resort offers a unique and accessible alternative for travelers seeking a luxurious getaway. The Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa provides an affordable option without compromising the experience, making it a desirable destination for many. Where Is the Greek Dupe for the Maldives? photo credit: Elena Dimaki/Unsplash The popular Greek hotel, known for its similarity to the Maldives, is located in Aposelemis, Crete. This coastal village is part of Crete, the largest Greek island. Crete boasts vibrant landscapes, beautiful beaches, and lively cities. Recently, one of its standout features has been the Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa. Conveniently situated just 9.3 miles from Heraklion International Airport, the resort is easily accessible for travelers. The Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa is a five-star accommodation. This adult-only resort brings the ambiance of French Polynesia to Greece. The unique hotel has plenty to offer to travelers on top of the tropical vibe it has. There are five restaurants, a spacious pool and even a state-of-the-art spa that offers top-notch wellness treatments. So travelers who are seeking a relaxing and high-quality vacation will enjoy their time at the resort. Amenities at the Greek Resort The Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa is a five-star, adult-only resort that brings the ambiance of French Polynesia to Greece. With five restaurants, a spacious pool, and a state-of-the-art spa offering top-notch wellness treatments, the resort ensures a relaxing and high-quality vacation experience. A highlight of the resort is its impressive overwater bungalows, designed to mimic the iconic bungalows of the Maldives. While these accommodations sit over a pool rather than the ocean, they still offer the unique experience of stepping directly into the water from your doorstep. The resort also features an overwater walkway, allowing guests to easily navigate the property, enhancing the tropical vibe. The Greek overwater bungalows at Stella Island differ from the traditional ones found in the Maldives and Tahiti with their modern design and wider layout. Guests will appreciate the outdoor couches and jacuzzis on the front side of their bungalows, which provide additional comfort and luxury. Benefits of Staying at the Maldives Dupe There are many reasons why travelers may choose to travel to Greece instead of the Maldives. For one, there is a cheaper price tag for a trip to Greece. Although this may be surprising to some, the cost of accommodations in the Maldives makes a world of a difference. Some luxury accommodations in the French Polynesian islands, including overwater bungalows, cost nearly $3,000 a night. This makes Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa a more affordable option since it will cost travelers around $1,500 a night. Travelers can enjoy a great Maldives dupe at around half the price with a similar ambiance. Your guide to parking at the Delaware beaches this summer Ah, summer at the Delaware beaches. Sun, sand, saltwater and ... parking. Like it or not, parking is something every beachgoer has to deal with. Before you get to that blissful beach, you have to not only find parking among all the other summer denizens, but figure out to pay for it and then hoof it from wherever you ended up finding space on the blacktop. The process has been known to keep more than a few people (but clearly not too many) from going to the beach altogether. The News Journal/Delaware Online has come up with this guide to parking at the Delaware beaches to make the process as smooth as possible. Read on for tips and what to know about parking in every town from Lewes to Fenwick Island this summer. Do's and don'ts of parking at Delaware beaches No matter where you're parking, there are some general guidelines to follow. Do go early. The earlier you arrive at the beach, the easier parking will be. Don't be impatient. Nothing ruins a beach day like a meltdown over parking. Do park and ride. The DART bus is cheap, convenient, makes frequent trips and air-conditioned. Don't bring more than you can easily carry. You will likely have to walk several blocks to the beach. Do download Parkmobile and enter your information ahead of your trip. Don't back into parking spaces. Nearly all beach towns require head-in parking only. Don't wait to pay parking tickets. The longer you wait, the higher the fee gets. Lewes has parking meters in downtown areas, as well as its two municipal beaches. Lewes parking Lewes has metered parking in two areas: downtown and at the beaches. Meters are in effect May 1 through Oct. 14 downtown. From 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., parking is $1.50 per hour, with a three hour maximum at most spaces. At Savannah and Johnnie Walker beaches, meters are in effect May 1 through Sept. 30. From 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., parking is $2.50 per hour, with an 11-hour maximum. All meters accept credit cards via ParkMobile. Street meters accept quarters, beach parking lots accept cash. Lewes offers free parking lots at: Franklin and Schley avenues Roosevelt Inlet (at the end of Cedar Avenue) Beebe Healthcare at Market and 4th streets, on evenings and weekends only Otis Smith Park, next to the Daily Market on Savannah Road Lewes Little League fields, July through March Lewes Public Library at 111 Adams Ave. Rehoboth Beach's 2024 parking map. Rehoboth Beach parking In Rehoboth Beach, parking meters and permits are in effect May 15 to Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., respectively. Meters are $4 per hour citywide and have a 12-hour limit, except for 30-minute spaces and at Grove Park. Meters can be paid using quarters or by credit card using the Parkmobile app. All parking meters have a 12-hour maximum limit with the exception of 30-minute spaces and at Grove Park.Meter rates are $4/hour citywide. Meter payments may be made using quarters or a credit card or via Parkmobile. All non-metered parking spaces require a permit, which can be obtained at 1 City Hall Dr. or at kiosks located throughout the city. Parking permits are $25 per day, $120 per week and $325 per season. Scooters can be parked only in areas designated as "Scooter Only" and with a permit. The $55 seasonal permit acts as a parking permit in non-metered areas, but meters must be paid in metered areas. When searching for a space, don't forget about the metered parking lots at City Hall and on Chrisitan Street. Dewey Beach's famed "Running of the Bull" at The Starboard. Dewey Beach parking There are a mix of metered and parking permit spaces throughout Dewey Beach, all of which are in effect May 15 to Sept. 15. Parking meters cost $3.50 per hour, payable via Parkmobile or with quarters. Parking permits can be purchased at town hall at a cost of $30 per day, $55 per weekend, $100 per week and $300 seasonally. Seasonal passes can also be purchased online at townofdeweybeach.com, and a 24-hour permits can also be purchased via Parkmobile. Parking permits are not applicable at metered spaces. Bonus: Parking in Dewey Beach is free every Monday from 5 to 11 p.m. More taxes at beach: Rehoboth Beach commissioners adopt $38 million budget, raise taxes and fees Beer at the beach: 12 breweries to visit at the Delaware beaches or on the way Bethany Beach parking All Bethany Beach parking spaces require a permit or meter permit May 15 to Sept. 15, beginning at 10 a.m. daily. and ending at varying times throughout town. Garfield Parkway has a 2-hour limit. Parking meters are $3 per hour and payable with quarters or via Parkmobile. You can also opt to use a parking permit in metered spaces (except on Garfield Parkway and in residential permit areas), which are available at the police station (214 Garfield Pkwy.) for $30 per day, $90 for three days and $210 per week. Bethany Beach property and business owners can get special parking permits. Get more information at townofbethanybeach.com. South Bethany parking South Bethany does not have metered parking. All parking spaces require a parking permit May 15 to Sept. 15, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and, where posted, 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. Annual, residential parking permits for property owners are $30 and can be purchased at southbethany.delaware.gov or at town hall (402 Evergreen Road). The only option for visitors is a $20 daily permit, purchasable via credit card only at the kiosk outside town hall. Fenwick Island's 2024 parking map. Fenwick Island parking Fenwick Island requires parking permits May 15 to Sept. 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hourly ($3), daily ($24) and weekly ($150) permits are available for purchase through the Parkmobile app. Seasonal visitor permits ($500) are available at the police station (800 Coastal Hwy.) during regular business hours. Visitors may not park in marked residential parking areas, which require a residential permit. Residential permits are provided to property owners by the town. Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: When, where and how to park at the Delaware beaches this summer Joro spiders: What to know as the colorful invasive species moves up the East Coast It was the summer of the cicada but now, Joro spiders may be swooping in to claim their spot in the headlines. Researchers say these black and yellow arachnids are making their way up from Southern states like Georgia to New York and beyond. Should you be concerned? Heres what you need to know about Joro spiders. Why are we talking about Joro spiders now? Scientists who have studied these spiders say they are moving north though exactly when theyll reach the U.S. Northeast remains to be seen. Experts say it could be a year, or even a decade, before the spiders become prevalent there. While these spiders may seem large and scary, the scientists arent concerned about any risk to humans. Instead, as with species like lanternflies, experts are worried that the increasing prevalence of this invasive species could harm agriculture and ecosystems. Where are Joro spiders right now? The website JoroWatch monitors where Joro spiders have been spotted around the United States. According to the site, they have appeared in states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and West Virginia. Spiders have been reported as far north as Maryland and as far west as Oklahoma, but they are mostly clustered in the Southeast. How big are Joro spiders? What do they look like? Joro spiders are big, with females being around 1 to 1.5 inches long (excluding their legs), but some can grow up to 3 inches. Male Joro spiders are generally smaller than females, typically ranging from about 0.5 to 0.8 inches in body length, excluding their legs. These crawlers stand out with their black or dark gray bodies and typically have bright yellow on their bellies. They have round bodies and long, skinny legs. They typically arent hard to identify. Where do Joro spiders come from? Joro spiders are not native to the United States and originally come from East Asia. However, in 2013, they were spotted in Georgia. Researchers have followed their patterns closely and believe they are making their way up the East Coast due to their preference for colder climates. Experts believe it will be possible to spot Joro spiders in states like New York, New Jersey and Ohio as early as this year. Can Joro spiders fly? Not exactly. Instead, they use a technique called "ballooning" in which they release silk threads that catch the wind, allowing them to travel through the air to new locations. This helps them spread to different areas and find new habitats. How venomous is the Joro spider? Do Joro spiders bite? Technically, yes the Joro spider is mildly venomous. The good news? Its venom is not harmful to humans and is mainly used to subdue its prey. Its worth noting that Joro spiders are shy and would normally only bite a human if they feel threatened. But the Joro spider does pose a threat to other insects. Joro spiders typically eat a variety of insects, such as flies, mosquitoes, beetles, moths and other small flying insects that get caught in their webs. They can also indulge in a butterfly if they happen to catch one. OK, but what if I get bitten by a Joro spider? If you're unlucky and get bitten, the bite may cause minor irritation similar to a bee sting. Unlike a bee sting, however, there arent widespread reports of Joro spiders causing major allergic reactions. MARSHALL - Sherrye Perry has made it her life mission to advocate for older-aged residents in Western North Carolina, and Perry was recognized for that work last month. Perry 62, of Marshall, received the Carol McLimans Trailblazer Award, which was established in 2016 to honor professionals serving in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania Counties who are pioneering innovators in aging and adult services. For Perry, working with older-aged residents has always been her passion. "It's not a burden. To me, it's a privilege that I get to do this, and maybe I'm talented in that respect," Perry said. "And if I'm talented in that respect, then shame on me if I don't do it. "That's just to say, I love what I do. If I can help somebody else grow to love this journey with our aging population, then that's what I'm tasked to do." Since 2018, Perry has served as director of client relations at Brightstar Care, an Asheville-based home health care service for older residents. Perry is a board-certified patient advocate and leads a monthly networking and educational group, Senior Care Professionals. In 2017, Perry was appointed Delegate for Madison County, her home county, with the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature, which works with Land of Sky Regional Council. On June 4-5, county delegates throughout the state met for the Tar Heel Legislature's monthly meeting in Raleigh. In April, she became a Land of Sky Regional Council Board of Delegates at-large member representing Madison County. County Manager Rod Honeycutt presented Perry the Carol McLimans Trailblazer Award in a May 22 regional Land of Sky Board of Delegates meeting. The county could not ask for a more dedicated advocate for our seniors," Honeycutt said. "Sherrye continues to accept increased roles of responsibility. Our seniors are her passion." Perry said she's witnessed a renewed enthusiasm and focus on taking care of the county's older residents, as Madison County's residents aged 60 and up comprise 32% of the population. "I'm very encouraged. Let's continue on, and we have our county manager who is obviously showing his support," Perry said of Honeycutt. But representatives throughout the county are stepping up to the table for older residents too. According to Perry, 73 Western North Carolina providers were on hand last month at the Madison County State of Aging annual meeting. "When you got that many people together that are engaged in the same focus, the energy was palpable. It was so encouraging," Perry said, who added that Elderberry Health Care administrator Karen Cutshall was one of the providers in attendance. "She said, 'I have to tell you, I have been here all of my life, and I have learned things today, and was informed about services for our seniors that I had absolutely no idea about,'" Perry said. "To me, that was the biggest compliment that we could've gotten because that's what it's all about. It's collaborative work. It is working cooperatively, not in a little silo trench." Other presenters included Lord's Harvest founder Bill Welsh Community Housing Coalition Executive Director Chris Watson, County Child and Protective Services Director Connie Harris and Veteran Services Officer Dan Jackson. More: County holds 1st veteran fair Madison County holds first veterans health benefits fair in county's history More: Marshall honors veterans Town of Marshall honors local veterans on Memorial Day as 'witnesses' of heroism More: Veterans Park coming to Madison Co New veterans park coming to Madison County thanks to Mars Hill VFW, county commissioners While the Trailblazer Award is gratifying and she's encouraged by the work done by the county so far, Perry conceded that there's always more room to grow. "We've got to have and present a localized voice to help our seniors," Perry said. "It goes back to what I feel is imperative: getting in front of as many people as you possibly can. I don't think we're representing that demographic as well as we could. And I just want to be a part, whatever that is, to be more of a voice and advocate for that demographic. "But we have got to do it, because the state of North Carolina is one of the more aging states of older adults. We've got to serve them." But Perry said Madison County, especially, has an inherent reverence for their elders, so the path to providing for that demographic is already in place. "Just because somebody is elderly does not mean they don't have anything to offer," Perry said. "Madison County, I believe, has a greater respect for their elders than other places. We're more of not only an agrarian situation, but we're communal. There are strong family ties. "I just feel like maybe that's why I'm doing what I'm doing. Maybe this was the time that I was supposed to be doing what I'm doing." Johnny Casey has covered Madison County for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel for more than three years. He earned a first-place award in beat news reporting in the 2023 North Carolina Press Association awards. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@citizentimes.com. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Marshall resident gets Trailblazer Award for adult services innovation OIA ready to celebrate an early July 4th with a free concert Travel in style as the Orlando International Airport get ready to welcome the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS I preparation for the Fourth of July holiday, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority will celebrate its traditional Liberty Weekend concert featuring the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. The Aviation Authority invites the community to attend the free event. Read: Beating the heat wave: 20 ways to keep cool as the weather turns hot The Colonel Joe Kittinger Award will be presented to a distinguished local veteran for service and contributions to aviation, the country and the Central Florida community, prior to the show. The musical program will include patriotic favorites and American classics, stated a news release. Read: Red Lobster bankruptcy: New filings show which locations may be closed next The Central Florida Community Arts Choir will sing a selection of familiar tunes during before the orchestra take the stage. The festivities being at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, in Terminal C on level 2 at departures. Those attending the event will receive three hours of complimentary garage parking. Read: Volunteers help to fill backpacks with school supplies for local students in need Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Here's how you can improve your health by stopping negativity and embracing optimism Prince Bhojwani sits on Charlies Bunion mountain along the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee on April 17, 2022. (Nita Bhojwani via AP) Prince Bhojwani never thought of himself as a negative person, until three trips to the hospital in one month forced him to reconsider. Before May 2018, he was a healthy but chronically worried start-up founder who regularly did 20-mile (32-kilometer) bike rides. When he suddenly became barely able to walk, with blurry vision and spiking blood pressure, emergency room doctors suspected a stroke, but couldn't pinpoint the cause of his illness. A close friend, however one of the most optimistic people I know, he said pointed out Bhojwani often lacked faith that things would work out, and suggested that had pushed him to burn out. I started looking at the world very differently, literally the next day, said Bhojwani, who lives in New York City. He started meditating and taking a moment every morning to feel grateful to be alive. He also found purpose by co-founding a nonprofit, Asana Voices, a South Asian advocacy organization. In the years since, he hasnt had any similar health crises, despite working longer hours. He credits his newfound positive outlook. After there was a life-changing event, it kind of forced me to become optimistic, he said. I cant even imagine living life the way I did back then. Optimism in itself is hardly a cure-all, but numerous studies over the decades have demonstrated a link between a positive outlook and good health outcomes. A longer, healthier life? Experts say a standard for measuring someones relative optimism has long been the 10-question Life Orientation Test-Revised, published in 1994. (Sample question: On a scale of 1 to 5, respondents are asked how strongly they agree with the statement, In uncertain times, I usually expect the best?) Generally, optimism is defined as the expectation that good things will happen, or believing the future will be favorable because we can control important outcomes, said Hayami Koga, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies. She was the lead author on a 2022 study that found optimism associated with longer life spans and a greater chance of living past 90. In another study, published in May in JAMA Psychiatry, she and other researchers said optimists generally maintained better physical functioning as they aged. They looked at 5,930 postmenopausal women over a 6-year period. We know that more optimistic people are more likely to live a healthier life, with healthier habits, eating healthier, having more exercise, Koga said. Can I learn to be an optimist? Some people are born more optimistic but it can definitely be learned, too, said Sue Varma, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at New York University and author of Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being. Optimism training, she said, can improve life satisfaction and lessen anxiety. Even if you were not born with this natural disposition to anticipate favorable outcomes and see the glass as half full, there are skills that you can learn, Varma said. Begin by noticing how you deal with uncertainty, she said. Do you tend to worry? Assume the worst? Try to reframe the thought in an objective manner. Is there a silver lining? Is this a problem to be solved or a truth to be accepted? Try to envision the best possible outcome and a step-by-step path to get there. Varma asks her clients to describe the path in detail until the problem is resolved, and encourages them to bask in their success. Then you are already approaching your day and your life as if things have worked out, she said. And you tend to be more proactive, more positive, more resilient, more buoyant in the face of obstacles. Finding a sense of purpose also can help. Volunteering would be beneficial, but for those who can't find the time, Varma suggested trying to remake your role at work to align better with your interests. That could be as simple as a very social person organizing outings with co-workers. Trying to master a skill, whether a sport, a musical instrument, a language or a hobby such as knitting or chess can help prevent you from ruminating on negative possibilities. Even with these and other interventions, its not easy to change your mindset, Varma noted. But practice helps. Its a toolset, its a mindset, she said. I have to practice it every day in my mind. ___ Albert Stumm writes about food, travel and wellness. Find his work at https://www.albertstumm.com The community is invited to SAL Community Services Family Fun Festival on Saturday, June 8, a news release says. The event is open to all families, especially those with children under the age of 4 from Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer counties. SAL exists to meet some of the most urgent needs for families from the Quad Cities to central Illinois, said Marcy Mendenhall, president and CEO of SAL Community Services. Our Family Fun Festival is an opportunity for families to learn more about the wide range of resources they can access through SAL. SAL staff will be on hand to talk with parents about available programs and child care options. Children and families will enjoy a fun day at the park with food, family fun activities, and giveaways. Additional community partners will also be a part of this fun-filled day. The Family Fun Festival will be held at the Longview Park shelter, 1300 17th St., Rock Island, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. ABOUT SAL COMMUNITY SERVICES SAL Community Services provides Support, Advocacy, and Learning in communities from childhood to adulthood. Its mission is to strengthen children, families, and individuals to build and enhance thriving communities. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Theres a vast expanse in New Mexico where you can hike barefoot, sled any time of the year and feel like you're on another planet. Welcome to White Sands National Park. A national monument until 2019, White Sands National Park is home to the largest gypsum dune field in the world gypsum being a soft sulfate mineral used in materials like plaster. The 275-square-mile dune field was once underwater of the 1,600-square-mile Lake Otero, which dried up 10,000 years ago and left minerals on the seafloor of whats called the Tularosa Basin. Through cycles of evaporation and wind erosion, sand built up into dunes. Now people can be amongst huge, pristine rippled white sand dunes as far as the eye can see. Visitors also flock to the powdery dunes to sled down on plastic saucers, which can be purchased at the gift shop, for a thrilling desert adventure. Of course, there's hiking and backcountry camping too. Its a place that has a little bit of everything or something for everyone, and it also feels like youre on another planet, said Brian Powers, White Sands National Park Public Information Officer and Interpretation program manager. It really does, like you are somewhere else. Its truly a special environment. A visitor sleds down a sand dune with their hands in the air. Heres what travelers should know about White Sands, the latest national park in USA TODAYs yearlong series. What is so special about the White Sands National Park? No matter what time of day or even night youre visiting the park, visitors can expect a different experience of natural beauty, said Marie Sauter, Superintendent of White Sands National Park. In the early morning, the park offers gorgeous sunrises, and at dusk, equally stunning sunsets. At night, the park offers beautiful night skies and stars. And then, of course, the playing of the light and the shadows within the white dunes are spectacular, she said. Its just drop dead gorgeous. What's the most visited national park? Answers to your biggest park questions Aerial of at least two fossilized human footprint tracks. Besides the scenic vistas, theres also a 23,000-year-old human history in the park, with the footprints of mammals like humans, saber-toothed tigers and giant mammoths dating back to the Ice Age Pleistocene epoch built into the layers of the gypsum dune system the largest collection of Ice-Age fossilized footprints in the world. Its just a take-your-breath moment, its one of the highlights of my career, honestly, she said. How much does it cost for one vehicle to enter White Sands? The entrance fee for one car to enter White Sands is $25. Can you just drive through White Sands National Park? The dunes provide a spectacular view at any time of the day. Starting at the Visitor Center, Dunes Drive is an eight-mile scenic drive of the park, and its one way in, one way out. The first five miles are paved, but the final three miles consist of a hard-packed gypsum sand road, which is bumpier and has more potholes. Can you walk barefoot at White Sands National Park? Hikers make their way through a five mile loop trail in the heart of the dunes. Not only can you sled in the sand, but you can walk on it barefoot, depending on the time of year and where you are in the park, said Powers. For example, if youre on an inner dune, which has more vegetation, you may come across pokey plants that wont be too friendly to bare feet. As the weather gets warmer, the top layer of sand dries out so its not as cool. However, since gypsum reflects the heat of the sun rather than absorb it, its not as hot as the sand found at the beach. Sauter said she often hikes in socks just so the tops of my feet dont get burned from the hot sun. What movies were filmed in the White Sands? Quite a few. White Sands National Park has been the backdrop to several major movies since 1950 starting with King Solomons Mine. The 1968 western movie Hang Em High was filmed in the park as well as the 1991 crime drama White Sands featuring Samuel L. Jackson and Willem Dafoe. The hit action movies Transformers and Transformers 2 were also filmed at the White Sands Visitor Center. The 2009 movie Book of Eli, which featured Denzel Washington and Mila Kunis also took place in the scenic park. When filming the desert scenes taking place in the Middle East in The Men Who Stare at Goats, actors George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges were in White Sands National Park. Who are the Native people of White Sands National Park? The park formally consults with dozens of Native American tribes and pueblos across the Southwest, but Sauter notes there may be others with historic ties to the land, for instance in northern Mexico. These political boundaries that we've created now just simply didn't exist (back then), she said. The park has partnered with several of the tribes and pueblos to learn more about ancient human trackways preserved in White Sands. From what I understand, from our conversations with our tribal and puebloan affiliates, these footprints represent the people who are their ancestors, Sauters said, adding that it warms her heart to continue caring for the land along with them. Contributing: Eve Chen, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This national park's powdery white sand dunes feel otherworldly Sandy Farrers first day on the job at Jewel-Osco started a bit, well, sticky. She bagged groceries alongside a cashier who liked to move quickly. But when two liter glass bottles of pop bumped together, exploding all over her, Farrer said she spent her first shift soaked in the drink. But Farrer overcame the bumpy start, recently celebrating her 50th anniversary with the grocery chain. Oh, and that cashier hes now her husband. I said this to my husband, God Ive known you for 50 years. It was like, wow, she said. They began dating a few years after they met and married in 1981. Its kind of nice that we met there. If he wouldnt have broke those bottles. Farrer started out as a service clerk at the supermaket chain when she was 16 and through the years, has also worked as a cashier, an assistant manager and more at eight different stores. Now, at 66, shes a part-time personnel coordinator in Glenview, where she does payroll, explains employee benefits and organizes anniversary parties the fun part, she said. Ive met a lot of nice people, nice customers, and its just a good company to work for, she said. Im happy. While Farrer didnt initially plan to stay with the company that gave her her first job a half a century ago, the mother of three and grandmother to six said she appreciated the jobs flexibility, which allowed her to switch back and forth from full time to part time based on the needs of her family. Her husband is now the vice president of purchasing at a manufacturing company. When her kids were little, she was able to pick them up from school, and she didnt miss plays or games, she noted. She now babysits her grandkids two or three days a week, which she said keeps me young. You never know the future, and you never know what tomorrow brings, she said. I want to do it (watch my grandchildren) as long as I can. I want to be with them and spend time with them as long as I can. To celebrate Farrers 50 years at Jewel-Osco, the store hosted a party last month (which she didnt have to plan). Farrers family as well as current and former co-workers attended the party, which was complete with cake, balloons and Portillos catering. When we were at the anniversary party, a co-worker came up to me and she said, Oh, Sandy, we love her. She takes care of all of us. And I couldnt help but say out loud that she takes care of all of us too, said Farrers daughter, Rachel French, 36, of Norwood Park. Because she really does. She takes care of my dad, her siblings, her kids, her grandchildren, French continued, adding that her mom is a very special person. We all feel so very lucky to have her in our lives. Farrers one-woman grocery delivery is just one example, French said. When Farrer leaves work, she always makes sure to text her kids and ask them if they need groceries. Whether its apples or lunchmeat for the grandkids lunch, French said shes always helping them out (and making good use of her employee discount). Though a representative from Jewel-Osco did not respond to multiple requests for comment, Farrer said the 50-year milestone is not hers alone. She knows of at least four other employees who have worked there for just as long. When asked about retirement, Farrer said she gets that question a lot. The first thing she does is find some wood and knock on it, she jokes. As long as my health allows me to work, I will work, she said. And then I continue to knock on wood. Daryl Ng, deputy chairman of Sino Group and director of the Ng Teng Fong Foundation, delivers a speech at the stele launching ceremony in Beijing, June 7, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn] A stele bearing the inscription "Love China and Protect the Great Wall" was unveiled at the Badaling section of the Great Wall in Beijing's northwestern Yanqing district on June 7, acknowledging the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation's contributions to preserving the iconic structure. The Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation has donated 20 million yuan ($2.76 million) to the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation since 2019 to support the preservation and protection of the Great Wall. The funds have been allocated for repairing and restoring lookout towers No. 2, 3, 4, 67, 68 and 69, as well as reinforcing the side walls near these towers. The Great Wall, a national icon and the world's largest natural and cultural heritage site, stretches over 2,000 kilometers across 404 counties in 15 provinces and regions in China. "I would like to express my respect towards Yanqing's locals who have taken the initiative over the years to protect the Great Wall and promote its culture," said Daryl Ng, deputy chairman of Sino Group, director of the Ng Teng Fong Foundation, and standing committee member of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, at the stele unveiling ceremony. "We must carry forward Great Wall culture, tell its story well to more people, and encourage concerted efforts to protect it." In addition to financial support, Ng said he would act as a bridge between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, aiming to foster a greater sense of national identity by encouraging more Hong Kong youth to participate in conservation work and gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and history. His foundation has organized regular visits for young people in Hong Kong to the Great Wall and other historical and cultural heritage sites in China. University students from Hong Kong attend the stele launching ceremony in Beijing, June 7, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn] Lau Wing Tung, a Chinese University of Hong Kong student, embarked on her first trip to Beijing this June to experience the national cultural treasures firsthand, alongside other university students from Hong Kong, thanks to the program. "Although climbing the Great Wall was no easy feat, this experience has a compelling analogy with the journey of learning," Lau Wing Tung told China.org.cn at the ceremony. "The harder it is to get through the process, the greater the satisfaction one can get when they reach the summit. When I finally arrived at a beacon tower, I was impressed by the spectacular and breathtaking landscapes. By imagining how my ancestors fought against foreign invaders over the Great Wall, I felt touched by their sacrifices in protecting our motherland." The Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation, established in 2010 in memory of Sino Group founder Ng Teng Fong, is dedicated to supporting China's social undertakings in education, medical care, culture and sports. Chinese media outlets have published footage from Chinese coastguards in response to claims that they had blocked the evacuation of a sick Philippine servicemen in the South China Sea. It follows the Philippine release of other videos on Friday accusing China of "barbaric and inhumane behaviour" for stopping its navy evacuating the serviceman stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal last month despite telling the Chinese side what it was doing. Manila said it had not been able to transport the serviceman that day as a result of China's action, but he had been evacuated the following day. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. But on Saturday, Global Times, a nationalist tabloid, accused the Philippines of "lying" about the incident, saying it had sent high-speed boats to take part in "illegal transport and repair" operations on the BRP Sierra Madre, a second world warship grounded on the reef. The footage appeared to show the Philippine military and its coastguard transferring supplies instead of personnel while being surrounded by two Chinese coastguard ships. The video also shows what appeared to be Chinese vessels shadowing the Philippine military's high-speed boat during the supply mission. There were around 10 people on board, all of whom were in "good condition", according to Global Times. Another video posted by a news blog associated with state broadcaster CCTV also captured the Philippine ships transferring what appeared to be a fuel tank with a logo from the American company Valvoline, which the blog said could be used to stop the ship's hull corroding. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that China would allow the Philippines to transport food and other necessities to the reef and allow the evacuation of service personnel if given advance notice, but it would not allow this to be used as an excuse to transport construction materials to help make its occupation permanent. In response to Mao's comments, the Philippine coastguard spokesman Jay Tarriela said on Saturday that "the Philippine government is under no obligation to seek permission from a country that has illegally and provocatively deployed their forces within our exclusive economic zone". The reef falls within that area. The Philippines has taken a tougher stance to its long-running territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea since President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr came to power two years ago. Story continues It has stepped up supply missions to the Sierra Madre, which was deliberately grounded in 1999 to tighten Manila's hold over the reef, and Congress has allocated funding for a permanent structure there. China insisted that the Philippines promised it would not send construction materials to repair the grounded ship under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, who later admitted he had made an "unwritten" agreement. Macros said he had not known about any such deal, adding that he was "horrified" and would repudiate it. Last month, China provided an audio transcript to Philippine media of a phone meeting with a senior Philippine navy official in January, in which he agreed to a "new model" for the Philippines' supply missions that will require China to be informed in advance. The official later denied making any concessions to Beijing. The Philippines was accused of "illegal" resupply missions following the release of the footage. Photo: Global Times alt=The Philippines was accused of "illegal" resupply missions following the release of the footage. Photo: Global Times> China and the Philippines have been caught up in increasing confrontations over their disputed territories in the South China Sea over the past year, which have included collisions and China using water cannons against Philippine ships. Earlier this week Beijing also accused Manila of cutting fishing nets it placed around the Second Thomas Shoal. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. SHEBOYGAN Sharing similar experiences and dealing with generational challenges as young Hmong women, South High junior Jansunee Moua and her friends decided they wanted to create a support group. To foster multigenerational understanding and create a space to share personal experiences for Hmong girls and women, they formed Hmong Women For Hmong Women. It was created through a South High leadership program called the Red Team during the 2023-2024 school year. Because were all Hmong women and because we're all Hmong daughters of immigrants, we feel the same way about how our generation is treated and the generational trauma that's passed down to us, Moua, HWFHW president, said about the founding members. The team also included Vivian Yang, junior and HWFHW vice president; Angela Lee, junior and HWFHW secretary; and Ava Yang, junior and HWFHW public relations. The group met almost every month at Nyob Zoo Cafe throughout the school year, holding conversations and connecting with the Hmong Women Society. Topics covered generational differences, immigration challenges from Laos, and refugee camps, traditional values and aspirations. Hmong Women for Hmong Women founding members at the Red Team presentation, as seen May 29, 2024, in Sheboygan. Ava Yang said she learned unexpected things from people at the meetings, even her younger siblings. They've answered some questions that I didn't know about, so it was really helpful to connect with them, Yang said. Different experiences, values and beliefs also emerged among younger and older Hmong women at the meetings. Moua and Yang said younger generations of Hmong women may push against traditional values and expectations of them, like learning to cook and clean as preparation for family life. "You learn to grow up to take care of your family and as a woman, become a wife, Moua said. Hmong organization honored veterans: Sheboygan South High students to honor Hmong veterans, culture with community presentation She said, however, some families dont put those expectations on Hmong daughters, especially younger parents. With an immigrant father and a mother born in the U.S., Moua said she gets both worlds of it. While there are different views of a woman's role within the Hmong community, there are also misconceptions from others about the culture. For example, some ideas generalize that every Hmong person's experience is the same, whether it's living by traditional values or living in families that aren't close. Moua said she feels these are "extreme" ideas of how everyone is treated in the Hmong community. I feel like that's a misconception because people are choosing to change," Moua said. "People are picking and choosing what parts of the culture they want and what parts of the culture they don't want, which is completely fine because it's just how you want to carry that into your future. Yang and Moua said theyd like to focus more on sharing the Hmong culture and language in HWFHW. Theyre proud of Hmong culture, but younger people in the community may feel embarrassed to claim it and be bullied by their peers, Yang said. When I was younger, I lost touch of speaking Hmong because I used to be fluent, but people would just talk about it and laugh, Yang said. That plays a big role. Through HWFHW, Moua said she learned to be more considerate of the experiences of other people in her life, like her parents and grandparents. She gained more insight into their actions and behaviors. "Knowing that their experiences have hurt them, too, Moua said. And that doesn't justify that they've hurt me as well, but it's really hard to unlearn something once you've learned it. HWFHW hopes to collaborate more with the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association and Hmong Women Society and explore the Hmong culture further, possibly with meetings geared toward learning language and wearing traditional dress. Have a story tip or public interest concern? Contact Sam Bailey at sgbailey@gannett.com or 573-256-9937. To stay up to date on her stories and other news, follow her on X (Twitter) @SamarahBailey. Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner. Hmong Women for Hmong Women founders speak at the Red Team presentation May 29, 2024, in Sheboygan. This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan South High students create Hmong Women For Hmong Women group BRIGHTON A war dog memorial in South Lyon has given 73 military animals a formal, honorable sendoff. A dozen of those memorials were funded by a single Brighton business that identifies with the message. Linda and Craig Suter, owners of Big Frog Custom T-Shirts in Brighton, has partnered with the Michigan War Dog Memorial for some time now. In total, the business has donated nearly $10,000 through its online store. The Michigan War Dog Memorial is located in South Lyon. Big Frog is located at 9690 Village Place Boulevard in Brighton. Linda and Craig learned about the memorial when a volunteer offered them a tour. Related: Old pet cemetery in metro Detroit is prestigious resting place for military, police dogs Related: Michigan War Dog Memorial Cemetery to allow mounted division horse burials Craig and Linda Suter, owners of Big Frog in Brighton, (left) have partnered with Michigan War Dog Memorial founders Barb and Phil Weitlauf (right). The couple owned dogs, but they've recently passed away. Craig said he and Linda loved their dogs, but added handlers who lose their dogs also lose their partner. (The memorial) provides a respectful place to honor not only the dog but the handlers whove lost their best friends to show them the community really appreciated all they did and share in their grief of the passing of these service animals, Craig said. The Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon honors dogs (and horses) who've served in the military, including a seven-dog u0022howling teamu0022 salute. Six years ago, after learning the memorial had been vandalized, the Suters helped the organization acquire security cameras and lights. This led to a partnership with Phil and Barb Weitlauf, who founded the memorial. (It's) a local community bootstrap project its an American gem right now, as far as Im concerned, Craig said. Theyve done such a great job with it. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage Handlers can bring their military working dogs to the memorial for an official ceremony. The organization offers a seven-dog howling team that howls for 21 seconds to provide a send-off. Theres never a dry eye in the house, Linda said. Its one of the most emotional ceremonies Ive ever been to. The Michigan War Dog Memorial conducts ceremonies nearly every weekend throughout the summer. It also created a Path of Honor and a memorial wall reminiscent of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. What theyre doing there has been a great thing for all service animals, Linda said. Learn more at mwdm.org. Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan. This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: War Dog Memorial in South Lyon gives pups a formal sendoff UPDATE @10:08 P.M. Three people are on the run after shooting and killing one person in Northwest Oklahoma City. When officer arrived at Express Gas and Grocery they found one person dead inside. This morning at approximately 11:40 officers were dispatched to the 6600 block of West Wilshire here to the gas station you see behind me, to a shooting, said Captain Benjamin Weir with The Oklahoma City Police Department. Oklahoma City police said they believe the victim and three other people were in some sort of altercation before the shooting happened. Police said multiple guns were fired off during the shooting. At one time guns were produced, and the victim was shot and killed, said Weir. The identity of the person killed has not been released, however investigators said they believe the shooting was targeted. We just know we have three unidentified males, black males, that walked into the store that were involved in an altercation and are still outstanding at this time, said Weir. People that live nearby said the area is typically pretty quiet. Its kind of sad seeing something like this happen, said Toby Hogg, a neighbor. Neighbors said they dont understand why violence like this has to happen. I dont see why someone would want to harm or hurt them, said Hogg. Prayers out to them. I hope yall can get through this. UPDATE @ 1:10 P.M. Police say three suspects were allegedly involved in the shooting, no one is in custody at this time. Investigators are arriving at the scene. No further details on the identity of the victim or how the shooting occurred. One person shot and killed at a convenience store in NW OKC. Police are searching for three suspects involved in the shooting. One person shot and killed at a convenience store in NW OKC. Police are searching for three suspects involved in the shooting. ORIGINAL STORY OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma City Police Department are reporting a person was shot and killed at a convenience store in NW OKC on Saturday. Authorities say the shooting happened near West Wilshire Boulevard and Northwest Expressway. No suspect information or further details have been released at this time. This is a developing 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. A woman was killed and two men injured in Russian strikes on Kherson Oblast on Saturday, 8 June. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, the Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration (OMA); Kherson OMA Details: According to Prokudin, the Russians targeted the village of Dudchany in Beryslav district on Saturday, claiming the life of a woman, 60. The Kherson Oblast Military Administration reported that two local residents had been injured in the Russian attack on the village of Bilozerka. They had been outside at the time. One injured man, 81, sustained a blast and head injuries and shrapnel wounds to his neck, shoulder blade, shoulder, thigh and shin. The second man, 69, was diagnosed with a penetrating chest and abdominal wounds and multiple shrapnel wounds to his limbs. Support UP or become our patron! (FOX40.COM) Two Northern California law enforcement agencies recently worked together to bust an illegal marijuana clone nursery that was worth nearly $10M. Around 8:30 a.m. on Monday, the Calaveras County Sheriffs Office and Yuba County Sheriffs Office executed a search warrant in the 1400 block of West Forty Road in Railroad Flat. Deputies said they found a sophisticated and extensive illegal marijuana operation used to produce young plants for distribution to other cultivation sites. Northern California cities report unusual locust infestations The facility operated from indoors and outdoor and contained 34,467 marijuana plants worth between $6,893,400 and $10,340,100, according to law enforcement. During the search, deputies said they also discovered guns, ammo, code violations, including unsafe electrical wiring and improper waste disposal that presented environmental and public health risks. One 42-year-old suspect was arrested on multiple charges related to the illegal operation. The case is still 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 FOX40. This postal worker needed 16 stitches after a dog attack. In her state, this is far from unusual USPS worker Tara Snyder (pictured) didnt realize she was in danger when she went about her usual 10-mile delivery route in Pennsylvania (USPS) Theres a golden rule that every mail carrier follows: if you dont feel safe, dont deliver. Tara Snyder didnt realize she was in danger when when she went about her usual 10-mile mail delivery route in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania on April 15. Snyder was working overtime on a heavy mail day, when she walked up to the porch of a home that required a signature at around 4pm. As she neared the door, a mixed-breed shepherd suddenly pushed out the screen door and came right at me, Snyder said. This was the only dog attack Snyder had endured in the seven years that she has been delivering the mail but dog bites in her profession are not uncommon, and theyre increasing. In 2023, there were 5,800 dog attack incidents against USPS employees, up from 5,300 in 2022, according to agency data. It jumped so aggressively on her that it broke the metal buckle on her satchel. She instinctively used her bag as a shield, lodging it in front of her, but her right hand was badly bitten and gushing blood. The homeowners called an ambulance and Snyder was taken to the hospital, where she was sewn up with 16 stitches and joined the statistics of injured postal workers. By a large margin, California topped the list of states with the highest number of dog attacks against mail carriers, with 727 incidents reported in 2023; five cities in the state also ranked within the top 20 cities where dog attacks against USPS occurred. California was followed by Texas, with 411 incidents, and Ohio, with 359. Snyders home state of Pennsylvania is ranked fourth. The statistics were released as part of the USPSs National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, an effort to urge dog owners to secure their dogs before the mail carrier approaches. Snyders canine encounter serves as a cautionary tale for other mail carriers. The incident put her out of work for a month, Snyder recalled. Due to her hand injury, she couldnt drive so she worked light duty shifts which still entailed eight-hour-long work days training new carriers. She finally returned to full duty on May 24, although she noted: Im a little more cautious. Physically and emotionally scarred, she told The Independent that my guard is up with all dogs right now. A mixed-breed shepherd attacked Snyder, leaving her needing 16 stitches (pictured) (USPS) She isnt the only one. Fellow USPS carriers documented their gruesome experiences online. One worker lived through an attack on their first day on the job as a mail carrier. I got dog bit three times by a German Shepherd. It was complete with me losing my pants bleeding profusely, and standing there trying to pull my pants up because I didnt want to be found dead with my butt hanging out, the carrier wrote in the USPS Community Facebook group. Im ok, just still shocked. Another carrier lamented the horrors of delivering mail to the homes of incautious dog owners. Im honestly so sick of hearing my dog is friendly or he/she wont bite. Whether or not your dog is friendly, its policy not to get out of the car with an unrestrained dog especially if they are barking and growling. The carrier added, Just because the dog wont bite you doesnt mean it wont bite me. Im not risking it. Snyder also mentioned this USPS policy: If theres an animal out, you dont have to deliver it. The USPS website issued a list of Dog Attack Prevention Tips for Mail Carriers, suggesting everything from rattling the gate before entering a fenced-in property to bringing dog repellent which Snyder described as dog pepper spray. On top of these preventive measures, the federal agency also has a warning system in place in order for carriers to report any dog attacks, including close calls, to their supervisors. Once the carrier gets within a certain distance from the property with a dog, she gets an alert on a handheld scanner notifying there is a possible aggressive dog in the area, Snyder explained. She said the system allows her to approach those particular properties with more caution. Defying these precautions could come at a cost for dog owners too. USPS noted that if a dog injures a postal worker, the owner could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering for the employee. An insurance claim for a dog bite averages $58,545, according to the Insurance Information Institute. For her own peace of mind, Snyder has been creating some safeguards of her own. She said she has been instructing dog owners to put their mailbox outside their fence, if they have one, and to make sure your dog is secure at all times even when its in the house. She added: And maybe put a second lock on the screen door. June 7 (UPI) -- Warning: This article contains criminal allegations involving the alleged torture and mutilation of animals. Two people were charged this week for their alleged involvement in creating and distributing videos showing graphic abuse of monkeys, according to the Justice Department. An indictment on Friday named Nicholas T. Dryden, of Ohio, and Giancarlo Morelli, of New Jersey, who were charged with conspiracy to create and distribute "animal crush videos" and with distributing the videos. The videos allegedly depicted acts of extreme violence and sexual abuse against baby, adolescent and adult monkeys, the Justice Department said. Dryden also was charged with production, distribution and receipt of a visual depiction of the sexual abuse of a children, because the defendants allegedly paid a minor in Indonesia to abuse the monkeys. Court documents state that the two men allegedly conspired in March and April 2023 to create and distribute the videos. They allegedly funneled money through Dryden, who then paid the minor to commit the acts Dryden and Morelli requested on camera. Among those acts were sodomy and genital abuse, according to the Justice Department. Conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The charges related to the creation and distribution of animal crush videos carry a maximum of seven years. The charges of of producing and distributing depictions of the sexual abuse of a minor carry a maximum of 20 years. Former President Donald Trump in 2019 signed into law the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, which criminalizes the creation and distribution of animal crush videos, as well as the acts being filmed. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis Police are investigating two separate shooting incidents that left two people critically injured Friday evening at a Midtown car wash and a home in the Hickory Hill area. According to Memphis Police, the first shooting happened around 4:30 p.m. in the 3900 Block of Lacewood Drive. Officers say when they arrived at the scene a male victim was found suffering from a gunshot wound. He was then taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition. Two dead in Westwood double shooting MPD says they responded to the second shooting just before 5:30 p.m. at a car wash located at 29 North Avalon Street. A man was found shot at the scene, police say. He was then taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition. No arrests have been reported at this time. This is still an ongoing investigation. If you have any information regarding this incident, call Memphis CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. 2024 primary: What to know about Tuesdays election in York, Lancaster, Chester counties Primary elections are Tuesday in South Carolina, with voter turnout expected to be higher than past primaries in York County because of a hotly contested Republican race for sheriff. Tuesdays results for York County sheriff will determine who emerges from a five-person field for a potential runoff. If none of the five sheriff candidates gets over 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will go head-to-head June 25. Political observers in York County say a sheriff runoff is likely. Republicans Michael Belk, Chris Blevins, Tony Breeden, Heath Clevenger and Beth Bryant Tolson are seeking York Countys top law enforcement job as sheriff. York County sheriff candidates. top row, left to right: Heath Clevenger, Beth Bryant Tolson, Chris Blevins. Bottom row, left to right: Michael Belk and Tony Breeden Current sheriff Kevin Tolson, husband of Beth Tolson, initially filed for reelection but dropped out the last day of filing April 1. Thats when his wife filed. Republicans balked at the surprise shift and asked for filing to reopen. The five candidates spent the past two months in a sprint for endorsements, voter support and name recognition. Officials say the sheriffs race turned the York County primary season from a normal political year into a drama watched around region. With no Democrat running for sheriff, the Republican winner will take over the top law enforcement job in 2025. The interest out there is high for the primary, and that comes from the sheriffs race, said Larry Barnett, York County Republican Party chairman. It has the publics attention. Who can vote, where and when South Carolina has open primaries. Any registered voter in South Carolina can vote in one political primary in the county where they live. But voters must choose. They cant vote in Republican and Democratic primaries, for example. Voters in South Carolina, unlike North Carolina and some other states, do not register by political party. Polls are open Tuesday 7 a.m to 7 p.m. A few polling places have changed locations for the Tuesday primary, York County elections officials said this week. Most precincts and polling places remain the same. Check your registration or voting precinct, see your sample ballot and find where you vote at scvotes.gov. For questions on election day, call your county elections office. Those numbers are 803-684-1242 in York County, 803-285-2969 in Lancaster County, and 803-385-2562 in Chester County. Turnout: Early voting, Republican interest This years election has already seen 5,734 people vote in York County cast early voting ballots in the Republican primary, York County Voter Registration and Elections officials said. York County has over 187,000 registered voters, statistics show. Because of votes cast so far and whats on the ballot, elections officials expect a higher turnout than the last primary in a presidential year. We expect it (turnout) to be a little bit higher than 2020, York County elections director Alan Helms said. Early voting is new in South Carolina. It became law in 2022. Early voting ran for two weeks and ended Friday. In 2020, 32,660 people voted in the primary election in York County. The 2020 primary almost doubled from 2016 when 16,795 people voted in the York County primary vote when both parties had candidates for some races. Republican David ONeal, outgoing House District 66 member, said the sheriff race could cause turnout to rise because law enforcement, crime, and public safety are core issues. The job pays extremely well $209,000 per year. But it also carries the responsibility for public safety for York Countys almost 300,000 residents. The office has more than 400 employees. Theres so many races that are competitive - and thats a good thing for the public, said ONeal, who did not seek reelection. Barnett, the county Republican party chairman, said people who identify as Democrats are likely to choose a Republican ballot because of the countys public safety interest in the sheriff and solicitor elections. (Democrats) are going to come over and vote, Barnett said. There is no doubt. In Lancaster County, there are no countywide primary races, so turnout could be lower than York, officials said. The county has three Republican primary elections, including a county council seat in the fast-growing Indian Land area, said Mary Ann Hudson, the countys election director. Other York, Lancaster, Chester Republican primaries Tuesday In the race for the top prosecutor job in York and Union counties, 16th Circuit solicitor, longtime incumbent Kevin Brackett faces a challenge from assistant public defender Tyler Bratton. 16th circuit solicitor Republican candidates Tyler Bratton, left, and Kevin Brackett, right. The York County Council District 2 race is between incumbent Allison Love and challengers Andrew Litten and Jason Amentler. The area represents Lake Wylie and parts of western York County. If none of the three receive more than 50% of the vote Tuesday, a runoff for that seat would be June 25. Lancaster County Council District 7 has a race between incumbent Brian Carnes and challenger Jarrika Coutchure. That district is one of three serving the Indian Land panhandle. It covers most of the eastern side of U.S. 521. S.C. House of Representatives District 43 that covers southeastern Rock Hill and eastern Chester County has a race withincumbent Randy Ligon facing challenger Elias Irizarry. Michele Branning and Jackie Terribile face off in House District 66. That district covers Tega Cay and surrounding areas west of I-77. House District 26 has a race between Elizabeth Enns and David Martin. Workers Party candidate Kiral Mace and Democrat Matt Vilardebo will be on the November ballot. The area has Fort Mill between I-77 and Lancaster County. Tibi Czentye, Tripp McCoy and Everett Stubbs are running in Senate District 17. The winner gets Democrat Mike Fanning in the Nov. 5 election. That district includes southeastern Rock Hill, the bottom of Lancaster Countys panhandle and all of Chester and Fairfield counties. If none of the three candidates gets over 50% of the vote Tuesday, a runoff for that seat would be June 25. Allen Blackmon and Penry Gustafson face off in Senate District 27. Democrat Yokima Cureton awaits the winner this fall. The district covers all but the panhandle of Lancaster County, plus most of Kershaw and Chesterfield counties. House District 45 has a primary between Vic Dabney and Brandon Newton. The winner faces Democrat Nicole Ventour in November. The district covers western Lancaster and Kershaw counties, below the Indian Land panhandle. Democratic primary in Chester Chester Countys race for clerk of court is the sole Democratic primary in the three counties. Incumbent Sue Carpenter faces challenger A. Tenna Thompson Cook. (Reuters) - Cineworld is in talks over a possible sale as part of a strategic review that could lead to a wholesale restructuring of its business, Sky News reported on Saturday, citing unidentified sources. The operator and owner of brands such as Regal, Cinema City, Picturehouse and Planet has lined up AlixPartners as a consultant to work on a potential disposal of its UK operations, the report said, adding that the sale process was expected to run for several weeks. The company surfaced from Chapter 11 bankruptcy less than a year ago after filling for U.S. bankruptcy in 2022 to restructure debt. It is also considering alternative options, including a company voluntary arrangement which could put an unspecified number of its UK cinemas at risk of closure, Sky said. A spokesman for Cineworld told the news outlet: "Like many businesses, we are continually reviewing our UK operations." Cineworld and AlixPartners did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. (Reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru) The 28 sodas, juices and other drinks recalled by the FDA over harmful chemicals revealed Think before you drink. The FDA has recalled 28 beverages so far in 2024, The Daily Mail reported. All but four of the drinks were recalled because they had drugs, bacteria or harmful chemicals in them that the company didnt disclose. Drinks have been recalled for having harmful or undisclosed ingredients. Rawpixel.com stock.adobe.com The recalled drinks include a pain-relieving tea called Himalayan pain relief tea, which didnt disclose an anti-inflammatory medication ingredient on its label. Martinellis Apple Juice was also recalled because it contained arsenic, a toxic metal that may increase the risk of bladder and skin cancer. Around 1.9 million bottles of Fiji Water, made by Natural Waters of Viti Limited, were recalled after three types of bacteria were found in the water in addition to the mineral manganese, which in high amounts can cause brain damage. Cola Flavoring Base was recalled over undeclared sulfites. Daisy Daisy stock.adobe.com And just recently, four drinks produced by Charles Boggini Company called Pink Lemonade, Yellow Lemonade and Yellow Lemonade X, as well as the flavoring Cola Flavoring Base were recalled over food dyes linked to cancer risk. Those dyes, which were not disclosed by the company as an ingredient, include Red40 and Yellow 5. The dyes have benzidine, which is carcinogenic to humans and animals. Some of the recalled beverages contained potentially carcinogenic dyes. monticellllo stock.adobe.com The Cola Flavoring contained undeclared sulfites, preservatives that can cause allergic skin reactions, digestive issues, and asthma in people with sulfite sensitivity, according to Cleveland Clinic. A former FDA and USDA advisor and food safety expert at Northeastern University in Boston said that drinks are sometimes sold to the public before proper checks are done on them. There are a lot of drinks that have been scrutinized of late and a lot of it has to do with labeling and undeclared ingredients, Dr. Detwiler told the Daily Mail. Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder was also recalled. FDA The FDA faces pressure to crack down on food and beverage companies, Detwiler explained. Heres a list of some of the beverages recalled so far this year: Schweppes Zero Sugar Gingerale PepsiCos Mug Root Beer Martinellis Apple Juice Natural Waters of Viti Limiteds Fiji Water Charles Boggini Companys Cola Flavoring Base Charles Boggini Companys Pink Lemonade Charles Boggini Companys Yellow Lemonade Charles Boggini Companys Yellow Lemonade X The Wiedemann Companys Tapee Tea Rise Brewing Organic Original Oat Milk Rise Brewing Organic Vanilla Oat Milk Nordic Naturals Babys Vitamin D3 Liquid Barsotti Organic Carrot Juice Trader Joes 100% Juice Organic Carrot Juice Powerade Zero Mixed Berry Powerade Zero Fruit Punch Powerade Mountain Berry Blast Waiakea Hawaiin Volcanic Water Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder House of Coffee Beans bags Longreen Reishi Coffee Longreen Cordyceps coffee Xlim Express Coffee Yogi Echinacea Immune Support Tea Sammys Milk Goat Milk Toddler Formula Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder Crecelac Powdered Goat Milk Infant Formula Mt.Capra Goat Milk Formula Recipe Kit A shooting in Uptown Charlotte early Saturday morning has left four people injured, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. outside of a business on N. Tryon Street, near W. 10th Street. Police said one victim had life-threatening injuries, while the other three victims only sustained non-life-threatening injuries. All four victims were taken to area hospitals for treatment, according to police. The victims in the shooting havent been identified. ALSO READ: Mother celebrates sons graduation after deadly crash Police said initial reports indicate that an argument occurred before a man went to his car, retrieved a gun, returned to the area, and started shooting. That man then left the scene before officers arrived, according to police. Channel 9s Glenn Counts spoke with residents who were visiting the area for the Taste of Charlotte. Many said the news about the shooting was very unsettling. Well, it really makes me want to go back home because I got my little kids here with me, and you know I care about their safety and wellbeing, and parking right here, Im thinking, should we stay here or go home? visitor Mike Alexander said. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Crimestoppers at 704-334-1600. This is a developing story; check wsoctv.com for updates. (WATCH: Mother celebrates sons graduation after deadly crash) Three swimmers, including two teens, were attacked by sharks in two separate incidents while they were at beaches in Walton County, Florida, on Friday, the authorities said. A 45-year-old woman was swimming just past a sandbar with her husband at Watersound Beach when she was bitten by a shark around 1:20 p.m., South Walton Fire District Chief Ryan Crawford told reporters. The unidentified woman sustained "significant trauma" to the midsection of her body, and part of her left arm had to be amputated, Crawford said. She was transported to HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital in critical condition. Around 90 minutes later near Seacrest Beach, which is just four miles from Watersound Beach, a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old girl were with a group of friends near the first sandbar in waist-deep water when they were injured by a shark, according to Crawford. MORE: 24-year-old speaks out after falling into shark-filled marina: 'I got very lucky' One victim was bitten by a shark and sustained "significant injuries," and was flown to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Hospital in critical condition, Crawford said. PHOTO: A shark is seen in the waters of Watersound Beach in Florida, June 7, 2024, shortly after an attack. (Barrett Grant) The second victim sustained flesh wounds to her foot and was transported to Ascension Bay Medical Center in stable condition. Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. told reporters that officials ordered beaches to be closed after the first incident, however, the order was not fully enacted in time before the teens were attacked. Authorities also said that the process of changing the beach warning flags along the coastline would have taken about an hour and a half to complete. Sheriff Adkinson Jr. said the last shark attack in the county was back in 2021 and the last shark-related fatality was in 2005. MORE: Man suffers shark bites during weekly swim at San Diego's Del Mar beach "This is an anomaly ... everything from it being three victims, to where it's at," the sheriff said. "All we can do is respond control, and mitigate what we can." Walton County authorities have reached out to ocean wildlife experts at Mote Marine in Pensacola, Florida, to help in the investigation of the incident, Sheriff Adkinson Jr. said. Walton County officials reopened the beaches Saturday with extra patrols in the water and red and purple flags to warn swimmers. "It is important to us that beach patrons recognize and understand the risk of the open water as it pertains not just to surf hazards, but marine life. We ask you to remain situationally aware at all times," South Walton Fire District said in a statement. The Bay County Sheriff's Office also announced double red flag warnings for its beaches Saturday and had more information on what may be attracting the sharks. "Sheriff Tommy Ford has been in conversation with [the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission] and has learned that bait fish are schooling near the shore at this time of year which may have been a contributing factor in the attacks," the office said in a statement. Florida's shark attacks weren't the only incidents reported Friday. A 25-year-old woman was rushed to a hospital after she suffered a shark bite off Oahus North Shore around 2 p.m. local time, according to Honolulu Emergency Services. "EMS met the patient at the Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor, where she was brought to shore. EMS treated her multiple serious lacerations and transported her to an emergency room," the agency said in a statement. The unidentified victim's condition was unknown as of Saturday afternoon ABC News' Erica Morris and Amanda Morris contributed to this report. 3 swimmers attacked by sharks off Florida Panhandle originally appeared on abcnews.go.com 4 hostages rescued by IDF special forces from Gaza, including Noa Argamani, whose motorbike abduction went viral Israeli special forces rescued four hostages from Gaza on June 8. Noa Argamani, whose abduction via motorcycle was captured on video, is among the rescued hostages. The operation in the Nuseirat refugee camp also rescued Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv. Four hostages were rescued from Gaza in an Israeli operation on Saturday morning, according to a joint statement by the Israeli army and police. The operation in the Nuseirat refugee camp rescued Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv. The four hostages were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on October 7. They were among 40 people taken hostage from the festival. Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage, reacts with his mother, Orit Meir, after the military said that Israeli forces had rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip, in Ramat Gan, Israel, in this handout image obtained by Reuters on June 8, 2024. IDF Hamas gunmen killed 364 people at the Nova festival. Noa Argamani's abduction went viral when she was taken hostage via motorbike eight months ago. Footage of her capture circulated on social media in the days after October 7. In the video, she is seen begging her captors for her life. "Don't kill me!" she says while reaching for her boyfriend, Avinatan Or. Or is still in captivity, his mother said in a Ynet interview in April. Argamani, whose mother is Chinese, turned 26 during her first week in captivity. Noa Argamani, a rescued hostage, embraces her father, Yakov Argamani after the military said that Israeli forces had rescued four hostages alive from the central Gaza Strip, in Ramat Gan, Israel, in this handout image obtained by Reuters on June 8, 2024. IDF Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari called the operation "daring," per The Times of Israel. The rescuers included the elite Yamam counter-terrorism unit and one of its officers had been seriously wounded in the operation, said the Israeli news outlet. Two days ago, an Israeli attack on Gaza's Nuseirat camp, from which the hostages were rescued, killed 40 people, according to Al Jazeera. Business Insider contacted the IDF for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Clark County Commissioner Ross Millers decision against seeking re-election opened an opportunity that attracted five candidates for the June 11 primary with two advancing to the general election. Democrats Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod and Hunter Cain will compete for a spot on the ballot. On the Republican side, April Becker, Gail G. Powers and Thomas Wags Wagner are on the primary ballot. The winners in each party will face off in the Nov. 5 general election to represent District C, west of U.S. 94 and north of Charleston Boulevard. It contains a few neighborhoods south of Charleston and east of Rainbow Boulevard, as well as extending to the Mt. Charleston area. Bilbray-Axelrod is serving her fourth term in the Nevada Assembly. Getting on the county commission represents a change of direction for her into local politics. Cain is a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran and a single foster parent. Hes trying to become the commissions first openly LGBTQ member. Democrats have held all the seats on the county commission since 2008. Becker, a top-rated business litigator, was a strong Republican challenger for U.S. Rep. Susie Lees seat in Congress two years ago, and she nearly took down Nicole Cannizzaro in the Nevada Senate in 2020. But the strong showings havent resulted in a win yet. Powers is a businesswoman who has never held public office, but she has lived in the area since 1956. I know the area better than anybody, she told 8 News Now. Wagner is a 25-year veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. He lists responsible growth as one of his priorities. Thats one of the big issues in the northwest valley as growth creeps closer and closer to Mt. Charleston. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A number of high-profile Republicans have been floated as prospective running mates for former President Trump, but as he inches closer to a decision, it remains unclear who he will ultimately pick. While Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) are considered some of the leading contenders, strategists say the former president could end up going with an unexpected choice. The fundraising, the media savviness, the loyalty to the America First agenda, I think those are the most important things, said one Republican strategist. But you know Trump, he is unpredictable and he will keep you guessing all the way until the convention. Former New York Rep. Lee Zeldins (R-N.Y.) name has come up this week, while some argue that Trumps former rival, ex-U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, could strike a unifying tone among Republicans and expand the partys base. Here are five potential dark-horse candidates Trump could choose as his running mate. Nikki Haley Haley and Trump battled head-to-head through Super Tuesday earlier this year, despite Trump being the favorite to win the nomination. While the race turned bitter and personal, Haley has been seen as a figure who could help grow Trumps base inside and outside the GOP. On your dark horse list, Nikki Haley is probably the most likely because of what she brings, the Republican strategist told The Hill. Despite dropping out of the race, Haley has continued to win significant portions of the vote in subsequent Republican primaries. In some states, Haley has garnered close to or more than 20 percent of the vote. While Haley and Trump share many policy similarities, they are seen as representing very different wings of GOP and have very different brands. Haley said last month she would vote for Trump, but its unclear what her role in a Trump campaign would look like or if she would even have one. Trump said in a Truth Social post earlier last month that Haley is not under consideration to be his vice-presidential pick, but later in the month, he said he believed Haley would be on his team in some form. We have a lot of the same ideas, the same thoughts, Trump said, following Haley saying she would vote for him. I appreciated what she said. You know, we had a nasty campaign, it was pretty nasty. But shes a very capable person, and Im sure shes going to be on our team in some form, absolutely. Lee Zeldin While Zeldin ultimately lost his bid to challenge New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in 2022, he has continued to enjoy a high profile among Republicans due to his performance in the Democratic stronghold. Hochul defeated Zeldin 53 percent to 47 percent, but Zeldin received the highest share of votes seen by a New York Republican gubernatorial nominee in years. Zeldins role in helping make New York more competitive has caused some to float him as a potential vice-presidential pick. That is nothing to sneeze at, the Republican strategist said, referring to Zeldins 2022 campaign. If you can push the envelope in blue states, then youre showing that youre somebody who can expand the map on the campaign trail. Additionally, Zeldin is seen as strong at raising funds, which is always an asset for running mates. Lee Zeldin raised a ton of money in New York, the strategist added. You need money to expand the map. The reason why things are looking good for Trump right now is basically because Biden is retreating on the map. Wesley Hunt Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt (R) has emerged not only as a rising GOP star, but also as a vocal Trump supporter. Hunt, along with Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) who has also been floated as a potential running mate were in deep-blue Philadelphia this week in an effort to appeal to Black men. Recent polls have suggested enthusiasm for Biden among the voting bloc could be dimming, presenting an opportunity to Hunt and Donalds to reach out to the group on behalf of Trump. This is not 1964. This is 2024, Hunt said at the event, billed as Congress, Cognac and Cigars. Do you know whens the best time to be Black in America? Right now, tomorrow! Hunt also spoke at the opening of a Trump campaign office in Philadelphia during the same trip. The Texas congressman has also taken to the cable news airwaves to tout the former president, something Trump appreciates in his supporters. Maria Elvira Salazar Like Hunt, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) is also considered a rising star within the GOP. The Miami-area congresswoman was elected in 2020, flipping Floridas 27th Congressional District, which was considered likely Democratic at the time by the Cook Political Report. Prior to serving in Congress, Salazar was a well-known broadcast journalist with Univision. Political observers point out her identity as a Latina could play well for Trump as the GOP looks to continue to make inroads among Hispanic and Latino voters and improve their standing among women voters. And like the majority of the other floated vice-presidential picks, Salazar has been a vocal defender of the former president in the face of legal woes. The congresswoman was among numerous Republicans to travel to New York City to support Trump during his hush money trial. However, because Trump is now a resident of the Sunshine State, the 12th Amendment which states that presidential and vice presidential candidates on the same ticket must be from different states could present a roadblock for her. And even then, many say Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) would be first in line. If there is a way around the 12th Amendment, then that puts Marco Rubio legitimately in the top two, the strategist said. Greg Abbott Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has also been floated as a potential pick, given his high profile within the Republican Party. As the governor of a state with the largest border with Mexico, Abbott has been a leading Republican voice on the southern border. The governor has gone head-to-head with the Biden administration on the issue, making national headlines. In March, Trump said Abbott was absolutely on his list of vice-presidential contenders. Following Trumps guilty verdict last week, Abbott said the trial was a persecution not a prosecution. Theres every reason to expect this decision to be overturned. But also, most Americans view this as a miscarriage of justice, Abbott told CNBC. And you can see it in the fundraising numbers, the polling numbers, that Trump has been able to receive in the aftermath of it. And also, maybe in part because this, maybe for other reasons, youre seeing Trump gain more support in the Black community, in the Hispanic community, in all communities across the United States of America. This is not a prosecution, this is a persecution. Still, observers note that Abbotts chances of being chosen by Trump as a vice presidential candidate appear to be relatively low compared to other potential contenders. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 5-day-old landfill fire in Tijuana affecting residents on both sides of the border SAN DIEGO (Border Report) For five days now, a fire has been burning in a Tijuana landfill and its smoke is becoming a hazard for people on both sides of the border. Marisol Montano, director of Hagamos Conciencia, an environmental group in Baja California, says the smoke and tiny particles filtering into the air represent a danger, especially for people with respiratory issues. Exposure to the smoke, even in the short term, could have adverse reactions in peoples lungs, make it hard to breath, and could lead to cardiovascular problems, said Montano. Its been five days already, if this goes for a longer period, were talking a lot of lung problems and throat irritations. These cities have the dirtiest air, new report finds Montano says the carbons coming from burnt plastic and synthetics can get into peoples lungs and bloodstream. The biggest concern is in the areas immediately around the landfill, but these particles are spreading throughout the city and beyond. People who live in communities just north of the border report seeing a constant film of smoke and a strong odor like an electrical fire. Tijuanas air quality as poor as Mexico City, environmental group says Montano is recommending people who live near the fire cease all outdoor activities and seek medical attention immediately if they are having trouble breathing. The Tijuana Fire Department says it has not been called to the landfill to put the fire out because the company that operates the facility, Ecowaste, has decided for the time being, to let the fire burn itself out. Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District says it has not received any calls from residents, but it has promised to see if anything unusual is showing up in its gauges and air-quality monitors near the border. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (BCN) Land is Californias new gold, and the rush for a piece of it online might raise eyebrows when browsing the real estate listings. This month, a seven-bed, two-bathroom home on a 4,000 square-foot lot is on the market for nearly $700,000 in San Joses Burbank Neighborhood. It may sound like a bargain, but thats because the home has been condemned by Santa Clara County unsafe to live in by government standards. And while its multiple kitchens, exterior staircase and neon teal paint job amused locals online, realtors say its not nearly the most expensive condemned home one can find in Silicon Valley. Rather, its just an example of how hot the market has become for investors looking for land value in one of Californias most expensive and housing-strapped locales. Youre basically thinking of land value at this point, Robert Gosalvez, the real estate listing agent, told San Jose Spotlight. Whats the cost of rebuilding? How big can I rebuild? How many units? Caltrain service suspended this weekend: what you need to know The price doesnt surprise Tammie Peters, a Los Gatos real estate agent. Honestly, thats not high for a condemned home, Peters told San Jose Spotlight. Its just in the numbers. Many years ago homes were selling for $700,000 in decent shape. The home at 2161 Elliott St. appears to have a buyer. We cant disclose the final price yet, but did get three offers above the asking price. Were due to close on the sale next week, Gosalvez said. It was kind of a mixed conversation of buyers hoping they could remodel or rent out, but in the end, it looks like its going to need the help from a general contractor. Condemned home purchases cant be financed with loans. There were a number of violations that needed to be addressed to make it habitable, Gosalvez said. Gosalvez said one could easily find condemned homes going for up to $2 million if surrounded by $3 million or $4 million homes in more expensive neighborhoods a couple of miles away. It just shows the demand of the Bay Area, he told San Jose Spotlight. Its just the number of people that want to buy into Silicon Valley versus the people that want to leave. It shows what people really want at the end of the day nice weather, good schools, parks, colleges nearby. The U.S. News and World Report ranking for the 25 best places to live puts San Jose in the No. 4 spot. The ranking is based on a wide range of factors according to the reports methodology, including resident well-being and the job market. San Jose has been mulling over ways to add to the citys housing stock and has keyed into streamlining the approval process for property owners to build accessory dwelling units, also known as granny flats. The city has 23 pre-approved construction contractors to help residents fast track approvals within an estimated three months after submission. The projects must start construction within 12 months of approval, or the permit will expire. City officials say less than 1% of permits expire. Story continues San Joses program has seen roughly 1,400 backyard homes built in the last five years representing about 23% of San Joses new housing stock over that time frame, Mayor Matt Mahan said in a letter to county supervisors. With the new ADU options, someone could very well put two of them on the property, Peters told San Jose Spotlight. Land is the new gold rush. Were not making any more of it. Copyright 2024 Bay City News, Inc. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Who are the 5 Russian propagandists accused of hate crimes against Ukraine? Several Ukrainian human rights groups have submitted a report to the International Criminal Court (ICC) detailing alleged hate crimes perpetrated by Russian propagandists against Ukrainians. The report, prepared by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Center for Civil Liberties (CCL), the Kharkiv Human Rights Group, and an undisclosed Russian NGO, focuses on hate speech violations under Article 7 of the Rome Statute. Volodymyr Yavorsky, program director at the Center for Civil Liberties, said it was "important for the ICC to show that this is a crime." "Because now it is presented as freedom of speech, that they [Russians] are not doing anything wrong, that they are just expressing their opinion," he said. "This presentation is one of the important steps that shows that this is 'freedom of speech' that leads to tens of thousands of crimes." #HateSpeech : @fidh_en has submitted an Article 15 Communication to the @IntlCrimCourt against 6 key Russian media figures Dmitry Medvedev, Vladimir Solovyov, Margarita Simonyan, Dmitry Kiselyov, Sergey Mardan, and Alexey Gromov for hate speech as the crime against pic.twitter.com/UOXfYfiaSN FIDH (@fidh_en) June 6, 2024 The five Russian propagandists in the report are: Vladimir Solovyov Sixty-year-old Solovyov is one of Russia's most famous TV personalities, and has hosted the show "Evening with Vladimir Solovyov" on the state-owned TV channel Russia-1 since 2012. "Once a critic of Kremlin policies, broadcaster Vladimir Solovyov now shills for Russian President Vladimir Putins policies," the U.S. Embassy in Georgia wrote in a March 2022 profile. In 2008 he said that anyone who started a war between Russia and Ukraine would be a criminal, but 14 years later he was fully behind the Kremlin's full-scale invasion. "When a doctor is deworming a cat for the doctor, its a special operation, for the worms, its a war, and for the cat, its a cleansing," he said in July 2022. More genocidal rhetoric on Russian state TV: hosts and pundits repeatedly assert that Ukraine no longer exists, Ukrainians who refuse to see themselves as Russians and fight back against the invasion are described as Nazis and compared to insects (bugs, worms). Here's an example: pic.twitter.com/8hLO6Ni71T Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 19, 2022 He's been paid handsomely by the Kremlin for his work he owns several villas but two were vandalized shortly after the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion. Italian authorities seized property belonging to Solovyov totaling $8.7 million in 2022 following the imposition of EU sanctions. In 2022, YouTube took down Solovyov's channel on the platform as it violated the company's guidelines. Margarita Simonyan Simonyan is the editor-in-chief of Russian state-controlled media channel RT and has long been a central figure in the Kremlin's propaganda machine. Since 2022, the 40-year-old has been sanctioned by the European Union, the U.K., Ukraine, and Armenia. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced on April 1 that she had been charged in absentia with promoting genocide and other crimes against Ukraine. On public television appearances since the full-scale invasion, Simonyan has made countless inflammatory statements about the need for an escalation of Russia's war. "Nobody is fighting against Ukrainians! Were liberating Ukraine!" she said on Feb. 27, 2022. "No one is bombing peaceful Ukrainian cities!" Dmitry Kiselyov Kiselyov is the head of Russian state media group Rossiya Segodnya. "Kiselyov's conspiratorial, almost coquettish grin and over enthusiastic hand gestures have made him a recognizable staple of Russian television," an Associated Press (AP) article said when he got the job in 2013. "But it's his toxic cocktail of punditry and sensationalism that has gained him his reputation as one of Russia's most famous and reviled news anchors." Since the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion, he has on several occasions threatened Western nations with the threat of nuclear weapons. He's also infamous for his homophobia. "I think they should be banned from donating blood or sperm, and if they die in a car crash, their hearts should be burnt or buried in the ground as unsuitable for the continuation of life," he said in 2013. Kremlin propagandist Dmitry Kiselyov has predictably attacked France after Macron appointed gay men to the posts of prime minister and foreign minister The best bit is when Kiselyov - on his *eighth* wife no less - gloats that lifelong gay relationships are "extremely rare" pic.twitter.com/V7vICKybme Francis Scarr (@francis_scarr) January 15, 2024 Dmitry Medvedev Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev regularly makes headlines for his rants on social media, most recently describing President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "legitimate military target" and threatening to use nuclear weapons against the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and Ukraine if Moscow loses all occupied Ukrainian territories. Medvedev had previously portrayed himself as a liberal but has become one of Russia's most aggressive pro-war hawks since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. "The existence of Ukraine is fatally dangerous for Ukrainians," he wrote in January of this year. "They will understand that life [with Russia] in a large common state, which they do not want very much now, is better than death. Their deaths and the deaths of their loved ones. "And the sooner Ukrainians realize this, the better." Olexander Scherba, Ukraine's former ambassador to Austria, described the post as "Russias most genocidal statement so far." Sergey Mardan Mardan is a blogger for the Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda and often appears on Solovyov's talk show where he regularly justifies Russian aggression against Ukraine. In July 2023, the SBU accused him of calling for the genocide of the Ukrainian people. "From the very beginning of Russias full-scale invasion, he publicly supported the aggressive war against Ukraine and justified the war crimes of Russian occupiers," it wrote. "In one of his live broadcasts, Mardan proposed to create concentration camps for residents of the temporarily occupied Ukraine who resist the [Russians]." Read also: He Came Back Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. 500 people show up on 1st day of mobile Mexican Consulate services in Pasco Hundreds of Mexican citizens and Mexican Americans with dual citizenship living in Washington were turned away this week at a mobile office in Pasco of the Mexican Consulate from Seattle. Demand far exceeded the number of appointments offered daily to help with renewing existing passports, getting new passports and other document services for traveling and voting. People from Pasco to Yakima to Moses Lake lined up at the offices provided temporarily by a local business. Others needing help came from as far away as Oregon and Idaho. Itd been a year since consulate officials had come to the Tri-Cities. Its not clear what was driving this years local surge. Statewide, Latinos make up 13% of the population and are the states second largest racial group. Of Washington Latinos, 80% are of Mexican descent. Maria Pinedas business, MP Family Services, hosted the consulate this week. She said many people often cant afford the cost or time off work to travel to the consulate office in Seattle. Appointments there are only offered on Thursdays and are notoriously difficult to get scheduled. There is also limited staff at the consulate office. The mobile consulate in Pasco planned for 80 appointments a day for four days this week. On the first day, 500 people showed up for services. By the end of the week, 400 people had been served. Those who were turned away planned to return another day. Appointments could be booked online. After the MTA agreed to spend $507 million to install scanners and other infrastructure for the controversial congestion pricing toll plan for part of Manhattan, Gov. Hochul is facing the grim reality of seeing that money go to waste unless she can up with alternative ways to use it. The Hochul administration is staring at the grim prospect of having to flush a half-billion dollars in taxpayer money down the toilet over the botched congestion pricing scheme. The boondoggle couldve been avoided had Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority seriously studied what the economic impact on New York residents and businesses would be by charging drivers $15 to enter parts of Manhattan, critics said. One-hundred percent they shouldve done an economic analysis, said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fosella, a plaintiff in one of many pending lawsuits trying to permanently kill the tolling plan. Gov. Hochul on Wednesday shockingly halted the congestion pricing toll programs planned June 30 rollout, saying shes pausing it indefinitely because its not the right time. ZUMAPRESS.com They couldnt wait until all the Ts were crossed and Is were dotted, he added. Its just emblematic of the arrogance and desire to push this through, and look what happened? Not only are they not getting their money but they wasted a half-billion dollars. E-Z Pass readers, license plate-scanning cameras and other infrastructure needed for the program are already mounted on traffic poles at 110 locatons south of 60th Street. TransCore, a Nashville, Tenn.-based company, completed the bulk of the work the past year as part of a six-year, $507 million contract the MTA awarded in 2019 to design, build and operate the wildly unpopular program. Hochul on Wednesday shockingly slammed the brakes on the programs June 30 rollout, saying shes pausing it indefinitely because its not the right time with New Yorkers facing a cost-of-living crisis. The governors sudden flip-flop left the MTAs budget in limbo: the cash-strapped agency was banking on the new tolls to raise another $1 billion in yearly revenues to help fund $15 billion in capital projects for NYCs dilapidated transit system. The move raises serious questions about what to do with the sensors and other infrastructure TransCore installed. In their rush to jam through this war-on-cars cash grab, the Biden Administration rubber-stamped it and issued a Finding of No Significant Impact allowing MTA to bypass a full and thorough study of the environmental, social and economic impact of congestion pricing, said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island), who also joined a lawsuit fighting the plan. Likewise, in their rush to grab more money from hardworking New Yorkers, the governor and MTA put up these sensors. When it comes to actual capital improvements, the MTA is always delayed and over schedule, but when it comes to tolling infrastructure, all of a sudden they can get things done in record time. Congestion pricing toll gantries like this one in Manhattan currently have little use with plan indefinitely put on pause. Christopher Sadowski Reps for the MTA and Hochul refused to say if they have contingency plans for the new infrastructure, and both TransCore and NYC Mayor Eric Adams office deferred all questions on the matter to the MTA and governor. Sources said the deafening silence is in part due to state and city leaders having no idea what to do with the infrastructure which for now amounts to a very expensive municipal art project. Councilman Keith Powers (D-Manhattan), who supports congestion pricing and represents part of the targeted tolling zone, said the equipment could be used to expand the citys red-light and speed camera programs. He also said it could potentially be used to help track down owners of vehicles using obstructed or ghost plates to avoid tolls and tickets and to install newly approved noise cameras that detect souped-up cars. Workers last July installing E-Z Pass and license plate readers on West End Avenue for the now-paused congestion pricing toll plan. Robert Mecea [The state] certainly should take advantage of this very expensive infrastructure in Midtown, said Powers, who drafted the legislation creating the new noise camera program. Andrew Albert, an MTA board member who represents riders, also said the existing tech should be used to track down drivers with covered or fake plates provided they have an E-Z Pass to scan. Fossella on Friday wrote MTA boss Janno Lieber a letter demanding the new toll readers be taken down immediately if congestion pricing is truly shelved. The GOPer claimed many commuters are concerned Hochuls change of heart is politically motivated to help Democrats and that the tolls will implemented following this years [presidential] election. NJ commuters who drive through the Holland Tunnel into NYC have dodged a bullet with the congestion pricing toll plan being put on hold indefinitely. AP Both he and Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island) said they wouldnt mind using the tech to catch rogue drivers with obstructed or ghost plates but the more likely scenario is the high-priced equipment being sold off at bargain-basement rates. These are brand new machines, Borelli said. Put them on the government version of Facebook Marketplace and try to convince some dope in California to buy them. The problem is theyre selling them second-hand, so no one is going to pay the bloated price the MTA seems to pay for everything. Gwinnett County police have arrested a woman they say targeted at least two homes with Molotov cocktails. Investigators say Hong T. Huynh, 61, is responsible for two house fires that were started on purpose over the weekend. Huynh was arrested on Friday and is being held without bond in the Gwinnett County Jail. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Fire crews were dispatched to a home on Buckingham Court at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday morning. At 6:04 a.m., firefighters were called to a home on Turners Ridge Drive more than three miles away for another house fire. Channel 2s Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson in Norcross Wednesday, where neighbors discovered a Molotov cocktail in the front yard of the damaged home. Gabriela Cisnero told Johnson she woke up to flames shooting from her neighbors house early Saturday morning. Thats when we saw the cocktails and all that and were like, Yeah, it had to be personal, Gabriela Cisnero said. TRENDING STORIES: She shared pictures showing what appears to be a Molotov cocktail and bags filled with a liquid in front of the home near Norcross. There were plastic bags filled with gasoline, then there were wrapped-up napkins, she said. One person sustained serious injuries in the fire. Police havent commented on what led up to the homes being targeted. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: 71-Year-Old Arrested After Allegedly Stealing More Than 2,800 Boxes of Rare and Expensive Legos Richard Siegel and 39-year-old Blanca Gudino allegedly stole LEGO toys from retailers across California Los Angeles Police Department View of LEGO toys recovered by LAPD The Los Angeles Police Department recovered more than 2,800 boxes of stolen LEGO toys from a 71-year-old man's home on Wednesday. The department shared in a press release that Richard Siegel and 39-year-old Blanca Gudino allegedly stole the toys each with a retail value of $20 to well over $1,000 from stores across California. According to police, while issuing a search warrant at Siegel's Long Beach residence on June 5, "potential buyers of the toys arrived, lured by advertisements placed by Siegel on internet sales sites." Los Angeles Police Department View of LEGO toys recovered by LAPD Related: All About Case of Cherrie Mahan, Missing Since 1985, and Theories that Have Surrounded Disappearance The investigation into the pair began after a retailer in San Pedro reported a series of theft cases to officers in December 2023, and loss prevention personnel identified Gudino as the suspect. "On June 4, 2024, members of the Los Angeles Police Department observed Gudino steal items from the same retailer in Torrance and Lakewood before providing Siegel with the LEGO toys at his residence in Long Beach," the department states in its press release. Siegel was charged with organized retail theft, and Gudino was arrested and charged with grand theft. According to jail records reviewed by PEOPLE, Siegel has been released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court on June 26. Gudino is currently being held on a $20,000 bail. Los Angeles Police Department View of LEGO toys recovered by LAPD Related: FBI Releases 475 Pages of Documents on O.J. Simpson 2 Months After His Death While police didn't identify the retailer Siegel and Gudino allegedly targeted, The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this week that more than $100,000 in LEGO products had been stolen from six Bricks & Minifigs stores across Southern California. The alleged thieves were described as "two men" who "worked as a team" to target the LEGO resale stores between April and June. Were a specialty store for people trying to find the Lego set from when they were younger the things that we do have cant be easily replenished. Theyre not stealing big box sets. Theyre stealing mini-figures, and those individual guys go for $500 to $600 apiece, so theyre easily stolen and resold for a quick profit," Katie Leuschner, owner of Bricks & Minifigs Whittier location, told the outlet. 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. It is unclear if the two cases are connected. PEOPLE has reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department for comment. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit has arrested and charged Thomas McKeown, 75, of Charlton County, Georgia, with three counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children. The arrest occurred on Tuesday, June 4. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The GBI CEACC Unit investigated McKeowns online activities following a Cyber Tipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The report indicated possible online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. This investigation led to a search warrant at McKeowns residence, resulting in his arrest. The GBI Southeastern Regional Drug Enforcement Office and the Charlton County Sheriffs Office assisted in executing the search warrant. McKeown is currently booked into the Coffee County Jail. This investigation is part of the ongoing efforts of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Housed within the GBIs Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit, the ICAC Task Force aims to identify and apprehend individuals involved in the trade of child sexual abuse material. The ICAC Program, established by the U.S. Department of Justice, addresses the rising number of children and teenagers using the Internet, the spread of child sexual abuse material, and the increased online activities of predators seeking unsupervised contact with underage victims. Anyone with information regarding other cases of child exploitation is encouraged to contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Unit at 404-270-8870 or report via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTipline at CyberTipline.org. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or through the See Something, Send Something mobile app. [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. Up to 90% of POWs subjected to various kinds of torture in Russia, Ukrainian authorities say Andrii Kostin, Ukraine's Prosecutor General, has stated that, based on the testimonies of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) liberated from Russian captivity, up to 90% of them have been subjected to physical and mental torture. Source: Interfax-Ukraine news agency, citing Kostin during a media workshop on the international law on armed conflicts and bringing Russia to justice for international crimes Quote: "The first screening an informal conversation with POWs who are now coming back [from captivity] reveals that up to 90% of our people suffer from various kinds of torture, inhuman treatment, physical [violence], including sexual, and mental violence." Details: Kostin emphasised that "the system that Russia has created is a system of torture and inhuman treatment of those who are in their hands in the occupied territories or the territories of the Russian Federation". Support UP or become our patron! Image source: Getty Images One of the best parts of shopping at Costco is getting to visit the food court on the way out. And after spending an hour pushing a heavy, overloaded shopping cart around the store, you deserve a quick, easy meal to make up for all the calories you burned navigating your local warehouse club. But some of Costco's food court offerings are better deals than others. Here are the top and bottom three. The winners Some of Costco's food court offerings are truly outstanding for the price point. Here are the top three. 1. The $1.50 hot dog and soda combo These days, you'll be hard-pressed to find a meal for as low a price point of $1.50. To be clear, Costco isn't making money off of its hot dog deal. Rather, that ultra-low price is a gimmick to get customers in the door and ensure that they maintain their memberships. But if you're shopping at Costco and suddenly find your stomach rumbling, this is one meal you can buy on a whim without guilt. It's hard to make a meal that's comparable in size in your own kitchen for less money. 2. The pizza Whether it's a large slice for $1.99 or a whole gigantic pie for $9.95, if you happen to enjoy Costco pizza, then this is one of the better deals you'll find at the food court. Not only do you get a lot of slice for your buck, but you won't be charged extra for pepperoni. Best of all, you can call in a whole pizza order ahead of a shopping trip and pick up a piping hot pie on your way out the door. 3. The chicken bake Costco's chicken bake is a gooey, cheesy mix of chicken and bacon in a thick, chewy dough. While its $3.99 price point makes it more expensive than a slice of pizza, it's way more filling. It's the sort of meal you could easily eat half of and save the remainder for lunch the following day. The losers Some of Costco's food court specials aren't as tempting or worth the price point as the items above. Here are three that don't scream "bargain" like the items above. 1. The chocolate chip cookie If you're familiar with the chocolate chip cookies in the Costco bakery section, then you should know that the food court offering is basically an oversized version of one of those. The nice thing is that the food court serves its giant cookie warm, so you get the gooey, melty chocolate chip experience a lot of people love. But the cookie is also incredibly sweet, and you might struggle to finish it by yourself. Also, the $2.50 price isn't that great because ultimately, you're getting a snack, not a meal. And since you can buy 24 chocolate chip cookies from the bakery for under $10, shelling out $2.50 for a single cookie doesn't seem to make financial sense, even if it's larger in size. Story continues 2. The turkey swiss sandwich It's not the taste of Costco's turkey swiss sandwich that's landed it on this part of the list. It's that the $6.99 price point doesn't seem consistent with most of the store's food court offerings. Also, it's not a particularly unique concept. It's turkey, cheese, and some lettuce on a roll with some spreads for extra flavor. You can save money by making your own version at home, and it's really not such hard work. 3. The rotisserie chicken Caesar salad This is perhaps one of Costco's healthier food court offerings. It's a salad loaded with lettuce, Parmesan cheese, classic Caesar dressing, and rotisserie chicken breast. But for $6.99, the price doesn't seem to add up. Why buy a single serving of salad when you could buy an entire rotisserie chicken for $4.99 and a giant, freshly made Caesar salad for roughly $10 that, when combined, you can easily get four meals out of? Also, if you don't like the taste of Costco's rotisserie chicken, you may not like it all that much more in salad form. Ultimately, it's up to you to form your own opinion on Costco's food court offerings. But you should know that some items are a better deal financially than others. You should also know that Costco has begun cracking down on food court access, so that it's available to members only. But if you're a paying member, that could be a good thing, as it may mean shorter lines. You probably don't want to join Costco for the food court access alone. But it's definitely a nice perk that comes with a paid membership. Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!) If youre shopping with a debit card, you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. These versatile credit cards offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco, and are rated the best cards of 2024 by our experts because they offer hefty sign-up bonuses and outstanding cash rewards. Plus, youll save on credit card interest because all of these recommendations include a competitive 0% interest period. Click here to read our expert recommendations for free! We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Here Are Costco's 3 Best -- and Worst -- Food Court Deals was originally published by The Motley Fool In this photo provided by U.S. Central Command, humanitarian aid arrives in Gaza, Saturday, June 8, 2024. (U.S. Central Command via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) The first aid from an American-built pier arrived in Gaza on Saturday since storm damage required repairs to the project, the U.S. military said, relaunching an effort to bring supplies to Palestinians by sea that had been plagued with problems. The pier constructed by the U.S. military was operational for only about a week before it was blown apart in high winds and heavy seas on May 25. A damaged section was reconnected to the beach in Gaza on Friday after being repaired at an Israeli port. About 1.1 million pounds (492 metric tons) of humanitarian aid was delivered to Gaza through the pier on Saturday, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. It reiterated that no U.S. military personnel went ashore in Gaza. The U.S. Agency for International Development works with the U.N. World Food Program and their humanitarian partners in Gaza to distribute food and other aid coming from the U.S.-operated pier. The deliveries came the same day that Israel mounted a heavy air and ground assault that rescued four hostages, who had been taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack that launched the war in Gaza. At least 210 Palestinians, including children, were killed, a Gaza health official said. Pushing back against social media claims, U.S. Central Command said in a tweet that neither the pier nor any of its equipment, personnel or other assets were used in the Israeli operation. It noted that Israel used an area south of the pier to safely return hostages. The temporary pier on the coast of Gaza was put in place for one purpose only, to help move additional, urgently needed lifesaving assistance into Gaza, the U.S. military said. USAID said in a separate statement that no humanitarian workers were involved in the Israeli operation. Humanitarian aid workers in Gaza are operating in extremely difficult and insecure conditions and must be protected, the agency said by email. Aid workers operate under the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. The movement of aid through the pier brings back online one way to get desperately needed food and other emergency supplies to Palestinians trapped by the eight-month-old Israel-Hamas war. Israeli restrictions on land crossings, and fighting, have greatly limited the flow of food and other vital supplies into the territory. The damage to the pier had been the latest stumbling block for the project and the persistent struggle to get food to starving Palestinians. Three U.S. service members were injured, one critically, and four vessels were beached due to heavy seas. Early efforts to get aid from the pier into the Gaza Strip also were disrupted as crowds overran a convoy of trucks that aid agencies were using to transport the food, stripping the cargo from many of them before they could reach a U.N. warehouse. Officials responded by altering the travel routes, and aid began reaching those in need. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters on Friday that the lessons learned from that initial week of operations made him confident greater amounts of aid could be delivered now. He said the goal was to get to 1 million pounds of food and other supplies moving through the pier into Gaza every two days. To date, about 3.5 million pounds of humanitarian aid has been delivered through the maritime route, Central Command said Saturday. Relief agencies have pressed Israel to reopen land routes that could bring in all the needed aid. Israel says it has allowed hundreds of trucks to enter through a southern checkpoint and pointed the finger at the U.N. for not distributing aid. The U.N. says it is often unable to retrieve the aid because of the security situation. U.N. agencies have warned that over 1 million Palestinians in Gaza could experience the highest level of starvation by the middle of next month if hostilities continue. President Joe Bidens administration has said from the start that the pier wasnt meant to be a total solution and that any amount of aid helps. Biden, a Democrat, announced his plan for the U.S. military to build a pier during his State of the Union address in early March, and the military said it would take about 60 days to get it installed and operational. It took a bit longer than planned, with the first trucks carrying aid for the Gaza Strip rolling down the pier on May 17. The initial cost was estimated at $320 million, but the Pentagon said this past week that the price had dropped to $230 million, due to contributions from Britain and because the cost of contracting trucks and other equipment was less than expected. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) An Albuquerque man facing a murder charge is now accused of robbing a store at knifepoint multiple times the month before. Joshua Dickens, 19, was arrested in May after police say he killed a homeless man near Central Ave. and Louisiana Blvd. Story continues below The Albuquerque Police Department now believes Dickens is the same man who stole several hundred dollars from an Uptown business at knifepoint twice in April. According to a criminal complaint, police searched Dickens car and found clothing from the robberies and the knife they believe was used as well as a large amount of cash. Dickens is now facing an armed robbery charge in addition to 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Alex Jones speaks to the crowd gathered in front of the Supreme Court to the Million MAGA March goers in Washington, DC on November 14, 2020. File hoto by Ken Cedeno/UPI June 8 (UPI) -- Infowars owner Alex Jones will have to liquidate his ownership of the controversial website and other assets to help settle his $1.5 billion debt to the families of Sandy Hook Elementary School victims. Jones on Thursday agreed to liquidate his assets to help pay the $1.5 billion judgment in favor of Sandy Hook families. Jones initially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection but asked a Texas bankruptcy court to convert it to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which requires him to liquidate his assets. Those assets include Free Speech Systems, which is a media company that owns Infowars. He can keep his home and other belongings exempt from bankruptcy liquidation. Alex Jones, banned by many social media platforms, records testimony at the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence at a public hearing on September 5, 2018. File photo by Pat Benic/UPI The move means Jones and Infowars will part ways. Jones founded Infowars in the late 1990s. Legal representatives for Free Speech Systems also filed for bankruptcy protection, but the Sandy Hook families this week filed an emergency motion to order the liquidation of the media company. Alex Jones appears at a rally ahead of Congress's upcoming Electoral College election vote certification, in Washington on January 5, 2021. File hoto by Kevin Dietsch/UPI A hearing on that motion is scheduled next week. A Texas bankruptcy judge last year ruled Jones can't eliminate the legal judgments against him by filing for bankruptcy. Infowars owner Alex Jones is pictured protesting in Dallas on Feb. 28, 2014, and on Friday announced he will have to sell Infowars to help pay a $1.5 billion settlement for defaming the families of victims murders in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School attack in Newton, Conn. File Photo by Sean P. Anderson/Wikimedia Commons So far, he hasn't paid any money to the Sandy Hook families. Jones told his Infowars listeners on Friday that he has no assets and only can pay the $1.5 billion judgment against him with money earned by continuing to broadcast and promote nutritional supplements. The supplements "are worthless if I don't promote them," Jones said Friday. "The rest of the story is I will not sell out or be compromised to stay on the air here and be a puppet." The families of elementary school children massacred on Dec. 14, 2012, by Adam Lanza successfully sued Jones for defamation after he called the elementary school attack a "hoax" and a "false-flag operation." Lanza, 20, murdered his mother to steal her AR-15 rifle and used it to murder 20 students and six adults at the elementary school in Newton, Conn., before shooting himself. Jones in 2022 admitted the Sandy Hook attack really occurred. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) The Israeli military launched an airstrike killing at least 94 Palestinians, including children and babies, and took four hostages to safety on Saturday. Israelis were jubilant as the army said it freed Noa Argamani, 25; Almog Meir Jan, 21; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 40, in a daytime operation in the heart of Nuseirat, raiding two locations at once while under fire. Israeli aircraft hummed overhead as the bodies of nearly 100 Palestinians killed were taken to Al-Aqsa Hospital, where spokesperson Khalil Degran told The Associated Press more than 100 wounded also arrived. AP reporters saw dozens of bodies brought from the Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah areas, as smoke rose in the distance and armored vehicles rolled by. A baby was among the dead. Small children wailed, covered in blood. Bodies were placed on the ground outside, their feet bare, as more wounded were rushed in. My two cousins were killed, and two other cousins were seriously injured. They did not commit any sin. They were sitting at home, one relative said in the chaos. As Palestinians explored the newly destroyed buildings, a small child sat on a collapsed metal door, overwhelmed. A U.S. hostage cell provided advice and support throughout the process of locating and rescuing the hostages, according to a Biden administration official. The official, who was not authorized to comment and requested anonymity, declined to offer further detail on the American involvement. The hostage cells are multi-agency teams. We wont stop working until all the hostages come home and a cease-fire is reached, U.S. President Joe Biden said. Many Israelis urged Netanyahu to embrace a cease-fire deal Biden announced last month, but far-right allies threaten to collapse his government if he does. International pressure is mounting on Israel to limit civilian bloodshed in its war in Gaza, which reached its eighth month on Friday with more than 36,700 Palestinians killed, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Palestinians also face widespread hunger because fighting and Israeli restrictions have largely cut off the flow of aid. Israel is intensifying operations across central Gaza, where the hostages were rescued. On Thursday, an Israeli airstrike hit a U.N.-run school compound in Nuseirat, killing over 33 people inside the school, including three women and nine children. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. During the Vilnius conference, international powers supported the initiative to promote the recovery of Ukraine's culture. Stock photo: NURPHOTO/CONTRIBUTOR/GETTY IMAGES On 7 June, nearly 30 nations committed to increasing support for artists and cultural workers as well as to rebuilding cultural landmarks and cultural life in Ukraine through UNESCO coordination. Source: The intentions of the countries of North America, Asia and Europe were announced during the International Conference for the Recovery of the Cultural Sector of Ukraine, which took place on 7 June. Details: "There can be no healing of the wounds of war without culture. There can be no sustainable growth and prosperity without culture. This has been the purpose of UNESCO's work in Ukraine since February 2022. This is why the commitment made today by nearly thirty of our Member States will go down in history," said Ernesto Ottone R., UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture UNESCO's cooperation with over 40 international and Ukrainian institutions will involve the implementation of the medium- and long-term action plan already developed. The next meeting of the Vilnius Conference, where participating countries will work on implementing the plans, is scheduled for 11-12 June in Berlin. The number of cultural landmarks damaged by UNESCO exceeded 400 as of 6 June, including the following objects: 191 historical and artistic buildings; 137 religious sites; 31 museums; 25 monuments; 15 libraries; 1 archive. The organisation's latest assessments indicate that an average of US$680 million is needed for recovery every year until 2033. Background: Earlier, we reported that, based on data from Ukraine's Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, the Russians had damaged 1,946 cultural landmarks over the two years of the full-scale invasion. Support UP or become our patron! ALTON, Ill. The Alton Police Department is investigating an incident that left one male dead early Friday morning. According to police, dispatchers received a call from the 200 block of W. 19th St. around 3 a.m. before it was disconnected. Officials arrived to the residence, where they found two males in the front yard. One of the males was not breathing or conscious when officers, along with the fire department, attempted life-saving measures. The individual was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Alton Police say their preliminary investigation show that the incident was domestic-related and that there is no danger to the public. Police are continuing to investigate the homicide. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has agreed to give testimony before a House Judiciary Committee panel regarding Donald Trumpshush money trial. Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying documents in 2016 to cover up a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels over an alleged 2006 affair. The former president has maintained his innocence despite his convictions. He is expected to appeal the courts ruling, and has also sought refuge by arguing he has presidential immunity even though the crimes in question took place before he became president which will be argued before the US Supreme Court. Bragg's testimony comes at the demand of House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, who sent a letter last month stating that the DA and Matthew Colangelo, a prosecutor on the case, participate in a House panel on 13 June. Jordan, long a Trump loyalist, described the trial as an act of "unprecedented political prosecution" against the former president, according to The Hill. Leslie Dubeck, an attorney representing Bragg, responded on Friday, saying the DA's office was "committed to voluntary cooperation," and that he would participate, though potentially not on 13 June due to scheduling conflicts. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has agreed to give testimony to the House Judiciary Committee regarding Donald Trumps hush money trial (AP) The prosecutors also noted that Trump's trial is still ongoing, as they have yet to give the court their recommended sentencing for the former president. Trump's sentencing hearing is set for July 11, which is four days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where he is expected to be named at the party's presidential nominee for the upcoming general election in November. The trial court and reviewing appellate courts have issued numerous orders for the purpose of protecting the fair administration of justice in People v. Trump, and to participate in a public hearing at this time would be potentially detrimental to those efforts, they wrote in the letter. Dubeck also asked Jordan to provide more information about the "scope and purpose" of the hearing, and for a chance to discuss a different date. While the letter specifically stated that Bragg would participate, it also said Colangelo might attend, though only after the prosecutors examined the "propriety" of the hearing, noting that the trial was still ongoing. Jordan has threatened to withhold funding from the US Justice Department for investigation into Trump, and kept to the party line by calling the trial a "travesty of justice." Anatomy of a Smear Campaign: Why Trumpworld Said Biden Pooped Himself The 2024 campaign hit another new level of absurdity on Thursday, but as one Trumpworld strategist put it, This is how its gonna be: 2016 on steroids. It all started with S p r i n t e r F a m i l y, a pseudonymous X account whose posts about President Joe Biden have been debunked numerous times by the news agency AFP. The account also appears to be the first major one on the platform formerly known as Twitter to share a video showing Biden reaching for a chair in such a way that, within hours, MAGA accounts and random internet observers alike had come to the conclusion that the President of the United States pooped himselfon the 80th anniversary of D-Day, at a public ceremony on the beaches of Normandy, no lessfor the whole world to see. RNC Research, the GOPs hub of clips trying to show any and all Biden slip-ups, gaffes and stumbles, posted one of the most widely shared versions of the clip, titled awkward [teethgrinding emoji]. The slight problem was, the rest of the world, including the French press, didnt see it that way at all. While Biden grabbing for a chair in deceptively edited videos may not be the explosive story some of the MAGA faithful think it should bewhether out of genuine belief or out of revenge for pro-Biden accounts, sharing rumors of Donald Trump farting in court or wearing diapersit is unfortunately a reality both campaigns must deal with. Biden is 81 and Trump 77. Both men must deal with attacks based on their age, fitness for office and, evidence suggests, control or otherwise of their bodily functions. This is the era of political content consumed via Elon Musks X, its new spinoff competitors, and importantly young people gravitating to TikTok, where both Biden and Trump now have campaign accounts. The Trumpworld strategist, requesting anonymity to speak about a topic Republicans would rather let marinate, said their 2016 on steroids framework pointed to the wild west nature of the 2024 landscape compared to the last two elections. Last time out, in 2020, there was more content moderation on social media and the big tech platforms employed sizable teams dedicated to the complicated practice. I dont know what Biden was doing. It looked weird, but was he shitting his pants? I dont know, the strategist said. This is the influencer internet wars of spreading disinformation or semi, half-truths. As viral clips, some deceptively edited, continue circulating online at the speed of light, as part of the GOPs disinformation obsession, fact checkers inevitably struggle to catch up. In Normandy, Biden sat back down and appeared to be under no kind of discomfort. Right-Wingers Claim Biden Pooped Himself at D-Day Ceremony Because Everythings So Dumb The Biden campaign declined to comment for this story. Predictably, the top level of the Trump campaign found the saga amusing. At the end of a long day running both the Trump campaign and much of the Republican National Committee, Chris LaCivita shared a story from the satirical Babylon Bee site with the headline Biden Drops First Bomb On Normandy In 80 Years. Then, on Friday, Trump went there himself, saying of Biden: He goes over to France and something happened and its not good, I dont know what it is. Fittingly, Trump was speaking in an interview posted on TikTok by the right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Whether or not a clip fiasco can make any material difference in the race, by energizing the base or somehow persuading undecided voters, the Trumpworld strategist said it was just an unfortunate cost of doing business when hard news does not reach as many people as it used to. The good news, the strategist said, is voters dont make their decisions in a vacuum, especially on Twitter. 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. In this article, we look at the country with the strongest army in the world. We recently released a list of the most powerful ground troops in the world, to view the full free list, head over to the Top 20 Countries with the Strongest Armies in the World. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), an estimated $2.44 trillion were spent on military expenditure across the world in 2023, a record-high, with a 6.8% increase compared to the previous year. This was the ninth successive year during which global military spending had risen, and the steepest rise in expenditure since 2009. The United States spent $916 billion during the year, which accounted for 37.5% of all global military spending, and represented 68% of NATOs overall defense expenditure in 2023. The amount was 2.3% more than what Washington incurred in 2022. Europe spent $588 billion on defense, which was equivalent to one-fourths, or 24%, or the worlds defense spending. The figure rose 16% from last year, and was 64% higher than a decade ago in 2014. On the other hand, countries in Asia spent $560 billion on defense, which was 40% higher than in 2014. The major chunk of this expenditure came from South Asia and East Asia, whereas countries in the Middle East especially members of the GCC also spent hefty amounts of their GDP on defense during the year. The surge in defense spending has resulted in a booming defense industry. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)s stock price has spiked 29% since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The company posted $67.6 billion in revenue in 2023, which represented a 2.4% increase from 2022. Its net earnings also significantly rose from $5.7 billion in 2022 to $6.9 billion in 2023, which helped Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)s earnings per share (EPS) to climb from $21.66 to $27.55 per share. In the first quarter of 2024, however, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) reported its EPS at $6.39, which beat expectations but was 3.3% lower year-on-year. This is likely to have happened due to its cost overruns while being part of several ongoing classified military programs. On the whole, the companys financial position remains solid, and is set to profit further during 2024, especially after Washington in late April announced fresh military aid worth $61 billion for Ukraine and $26 billion for Israel. Another company that has consistently been beating earnings estimates is Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), which in Q1 2024 posted an EPS of $6.32 per share, surpassing Zacks estimate of $5.83 by 8.40%. This was the fourth straight quarter in which Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) had gone past analyst estimates. 2023 remained a stellar year for the company, in which it generated $39.3 billion in revenue. Seeing a sustained demand for its weapons, especially in Europe, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has projected its sales at $41.3 billion for 2024, which is 4.3% higher than last year. Story continues RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX)s numbers are soaring as well, having generated $68.9 billion of revenue in 2023 nearly three-fifths of which came from defense-related sales. Since the start of the Ukraine war, the company has received orders worth $3 billion for its AMRAAM rockets which have been pivotal in pushing back advancing Russian forces. RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) has also been providing essential military supplies to other countries in the region, including Germany, which in March last year, entered into a $1.2 billion deal with the company to develop Patriot air and missile defense systems. Later in November of the same year, Hungary received the first two units of the NASAMS air defense system it ordered from RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The Country with the Strongest Army in the World Methodology We have considered several weighted metrics to list the top 20 countries with the strongest armies in the world. These include GDP (10%), defense spending (10%), manpower (10%), battle tanks (10%), armored fighting vehicles (5%), self-propelled artillery (5%), towed artillery (5%), rocket projectors (5%), attack helicopters (15%), nuclear weapons (15%), and technological capabilities (10%). We observed where countries ranked on each metric, and then multiplied their ranking with the weight for that metric. That gave us a weighted ranking for that country on a particular metric. For example, if a country ranked 1st on a metric weighed at 10%, it received a weighted ranking score of 0.1 (1x10%). This was done for all metrics considered in our research. Finally, all weighted ranking scores were aggregated to get an overall weighted ranking. Data related to GDP, manpower, and battle tanks was sourced from the Top 25 Powerful Countries in the World by Military Strength, while Artillery Strength by Country: Top 20 Militaries was consulted for figures related to self-propelled artillery, towed artillery, and rocket projectors. 15 Militaries with the Most Armored Fighting Vehicles in the World was referred for armored vehicles fleet size, and 15 Countries with the Most Attack Helicopters in the World for the number of attack helicopters for each country in the list. Fresh numbers related to defense spending in 2023 were obtained from SIPRI, whereas Power Atlas was used for information on the nuclear arsenal of countries. Lastly, the Global Innovation Index 2023 was used to determine the technological capabilities of countries. At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here). The country with the strongest army in the world is the United States! 1. United States GDP (2023): $26.9 trillion Defense Spending (2023): $916 billion Manpower: 1,328,000 Tanks: 4,657 Armored Fighting Vehicles: 360,069 Self-propelled Artillery: 1,595 Towed Artillery: 1,269 Rocket Projectors: 694 Attack Helicopters: 1,000 Nuclear Weapons: 5,550 Technological Capabilities: 3/132 Weighted Ranking: 2.75 The United States has the strongest army in the world. The country spent $916 billion in defense expenditure during 2023, which represented 37% of the global military spending. It is the third most technologically advanced country in the world, which reflects in its massive defense industry at home. Another significant, strategic strength of the US Army is the access it enjoys to Americas military bases spread across 80 countries, which allows them to strike enemy targets anywhere at will. To learn about other powerful armies, check out our detailed report Top 20 Countries with the Strongest Armies in the World. At Insider Monkey, we delve into a variety of topics, ranging from military affairs to business aspects; however, our expertise lies in identifying the top-performing stocks. Currently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology stands out as one of the most promising fields. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NVDA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: Michael Burry Is Selling These Stocks and Jim Cramer is Recommending These Stocks. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published on Insider Monkey. Labour's deputy leader is not the first MP to make a compelling case for solving Britain's broken housing market - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Europe Last week, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting was in these pages, promising to embrace the private and independent sectors as part of his NHS overhaul. This week it was deputy Labour leader Angela Rayners turn, promising to revolutionise the housing market. Healthcare and housing are, by a long way, the two areas where Labour seems most serious about reform. They are well-selected, as they happen to be the areas where reform is most needed. But the electoral propositions are different. The Tories should be worried if Streeting succeeds. They should be absolutely terrified if Labour makes good on its pledge to build more homes. Addressing the NHSs woeful inadequacies would do a world of good for the millions of patients who are treated by the system and the 1.5 million people who work within it, who are being let down by understaffing, terrible hours and poor compensation. But this will be a painful process. Expect more strikes, more backlash, and major stand-offs if Streeting really does overhaul the UKs biggest institution, which has not been made to produce meaningful efficiency gains for a long time. Labour would eventually get credit for reforming the NHS if they are willing to do what needs to be done but they may face polling wobbles and electoral challenges long before that day arrives. Housing is different: it is the good news story that has been waiting for decades to be realised. Yes, there will be many instances of local backlash, but the benefits of building on a massive scale would quickly be felt. If done correctly, that could be enough to transform younger voters into life-long Labour supporters. If you didnt read Rayners piece in this paper yesterday, you must go back and take a look. Its not just the promises the deputy leader makes her pledges stem from an analysis of the housing crisis that is, frankly, spot on. Its the kind of piece you usually read from a policy analyst who has been tracking the consequences of Britains stifled housing market for many years or, on occasion, from a backbench MP who sticks their head above the parapet to point out that there are people in their 40s who still dont know when their deposit will be big enough to afford a small flat. No, Rayner is not the first MP in her party to make such a compelling case. Back in the Theresa May years, Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh would make a point of turning up at the Conservative Party Conference to talk to the partys grassroots about the housing crisis. Tory MPs werent taking this issue seriously, she felt, so why not not let them hear the case for more housebuilding from a Labour MP? Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has spent months adopting the Yimby (Yes In My Back Yard) label. Its a direct confrontation and warning shot to the anti-building coalition, which has had huge success while the Tories have been in power, ripping up planning permissions and stopping new building projects before they can even get off the ground. Starmer has spent months adopting the Yimby label in direct confrontation to the anti-building coalition - Labour Party But a real acknowledgment of how much the housing crisis is setting young people back, and how reform of the planning system is needed: its not something weve heard from such a senior politician for a very long time. Before I get carried away, there are plenty of holes in Labours plans and indeed yellow flags that suggest they are not fully prepared to do what is needed to deliver 1.5 million new homes. This weeks emphasis on a Freedom to Buy scheme is a worrying sign that Labour may fall into the same trap as the Tories of making the housing crisis worse. The scheme which extends the Conservatives mortgage guarantee by making it easier to get a mortgage with a 5pc deposit is likely to have the side-effect of stoking more demand in the market while doing nothing about supply. In this scenario, some lucky first-time buyers will manage to get on the property ladder but many more could be further priced out, as prices just rise further. Meanwhile, the partys intention for many of these homes to be built in new towns suggests a lurch towards state planning that fails to take into account where people actually want to live. While the ambition to level up areas outside the South East has plenty of merit, there is a danger that housebuilding becomes part of this strategy, and homes are ultimately built in areas with far less demand. New homes have to follow the market: its simply not going to happen the other way around. But despite boasting some plans that are unlikely to move the dial, its significant that Rayner also mentions building on grey belt land pieces of the green belt that are anything but green. Its something Labour has talked about before: a willingness to override housing and planning rules to build homes on intensively-farmed agricultural land or abandoned car parks that somehow got classified as green belt. But they didnt need to intentionally refresh memories of the idea during an election not least because it is one of the most controversial aspects of planning reform. The decision to do so, again, suggests a seriousness on Labours part about recognising how important it is to add to the UKs housing stock and shows a willingness to fight on behalf of younger generations to do whats necessary to get homes built. And perhaps only Labour can have this fight. The partys electoral base is not dominated by those who would prioritise, above almost anything else, seeing the value of their home surge. Of course, if the polls are anything like correct, Labour MPs may soon be finding themselves representing some Nimby areas once deemed comfortable Tory seats. If that day comes, it will be a real test for the leadership of the party, to stick to the promises they made to get to such a position. If theyre savvy, they wont be thinking about the frustration with the status quo that got them into No 10; theyll be thinking about what kind of legacy might keep them there. The most powerful one, by far, would be to become the new party of home ownership. 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. Its a strange picture: todays breed of keffiyeh-sporting omni-activists poring over the investment portfolios of the financial institutions that sponsor cultural festivals until they identify links not just to fossil fuels but to the far bigger bogeyman: Israel, and specifically its defence infrastructure. Its an even stranger picture thinking of the dozens of well-to-do, sometimes stinking rich artists and writers who instantly take these bizarre, often obscure business research findings as sacrosanct, and declare they can have absolutely nothing to do with the the tarnished event until the polluting Israeli element is removed. Thus under threats of boycott, the Hay Festival severed its sponsorship deal with investment firm Baillie Gifford. Then came the Edinburgh and Cheltenham literary festivals. As well as pop stars and comedians, more than 700 publishers and writers wrote an open letter demanding the cessation of Baillie Gifford sponsorship. All in all, not a bad days work for Fossil Free Books, the anti-capitalist, anti-Israel and now clearly anti-culture lunatics that nobody would have paid the slightest attention to a few years back. But now: Somehow it has managed to wrap in just about every one of these causes and many more which meant it became unsolvable, said Jenny Niven, shellshocked director of the Edinburgh Book Festival. Most egregious is the allegation, made falsely, that Israel is committing genocide, and that therefore British firms investing in Israel are profiting from genocide. To students of past purges, there is a sense of inevitability to the collapse of funding for the nations flagship literary festivals, once the envy of the world. Cultural vibrancy and freedom is always the first to take the hit. Its true that in the early 20th century, artists and writers in Europe tended to be more on the side of progressivism and thus more inclined to oppose the world-structuring anti-Semitism proffered by the fascists in power. But we also know that the arts at times of especially heightened anti-Semitism tend ultimately to be associated with Jewishness and degeneracy. We know that book burnings, of Jewish books or books deemed to be associated with Jews, were reflexive and widespread. And we know that a key street-level part in the rise of the authoritarian regimes that would send six million Jews to the camps was the enthusiasm of ordinary people as well as intellectuals, academics, and captured artists for smashing up Jewish businesses, alleging intolerable connections to the Jewish toxin or cause, bullying and ostracising of those businesses and businesspeople, finally enshrining Jewish exclusion in law, and then in murder. The case of Baillie Gifford is different, of course. Fossil Fuel books is grassroots and going to stay that way. The main target is links to Israel, rather than output by Jewish artists and thinkers. But the similarity is about the convergence of the ganging up on the worlds only Jewish state through business. To Jews like me, its hard not to see a potent admixture of the age-old themes of smashing Jewish shops, boycotting Jewish businesses, and despising filthy lucre, finance and banking in general because those are also somehow a result of Jewish greed and nefariousness. Sadly, while insurance can repair smashed windows, arts funding is harder to fix. As Baillie Giffords statement put it: The activists anonymous campaign of coercion and misinformation has put intolerable pressure on authors and the festival community. We hold the activists squarely responsible for the inhibiting effect their action will have on funding for the arts in this country. The slow death of arts festivals at the hands of these deranged and destructive egomaniacs is sad enough. But ordinary people are increasingly going to be hurt by the actions of pro-Palestine/eco activists because prosperity in general is a target of their madness. Across the West, with that forensic zest for sniffing out companies that can be tarred by the Israel brush, protesters have made all sorts of companies suffer, especially those on the high street, from Starbucks to Google to the private cancer hospital Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre on Manhattans Upper East Side. McDonalds is bending over backwards to regain its Muslim and woke customer base because at the start of its campaign, its Israeli franchisee offered free meals for Israeli soldiers serving in Gaza. Spanish clothing chain Zara has faced boycott threats for having briefly run an ad campaign that the pro-Palestine lot said reminded them of war (it had nothing to do with it, as any sane person could see), and thus glamorised Palestinian bloodshed, and so on. There are many casualties of the ongoing post-October 7 boycotts: the normalisation, and even embrace, of jihadi Islam in the West, the climate of artistic endeavour, freedom of speech and thought for artists, and the economy and morality in general. Unless we begin to stand up to business and culture destroyers however small fry they seem we will have nothing left to defend. 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. Front page of a protest guide from a George Soros-funded nonprofit which says Antisemitic hate is thriving in some of the citys most elite public high schools. At Brooklyn Tech, Stuyvesant and Bronx Science three of the citys nine specialized high schools students have been tormented by peers giving Nazi salutes and accusing them of being part of a genocide of Palestinians, while school administrators and teachers also spew pro-Palestine propaganda, according to students and evidence obtained by The Post. Students and teachers at Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Tech and Bronx Science are spewing pro-Palestine propaganda. ZUMAPRESS.com Stuyvesants business manager said that the protest guide was sent on behalf of Principal [Seung] Yu (pictured). Last week, Stuyvesants business manager Dina Ingram blasted out an email containing an anti-Israel protest guide from a George Soros-funded nonprofit to the entire school community on behalf of Principal [Seung] Yu. The Schools Out for Palestine toolkit encouraged students to sign up for the May 31 walkout calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza & an end to U.S. support for Israels genocide of Palestinian people. The eight-page guide included resources for the youngsters to prepare for & respond to backlash and noted they didnt need their schools permission to participate. An hour later, Principal Yu emailed an apology and claimed the materials were mistakenly included instead of a letter about the walkout itself. We are deeply apologetic about this mistake, read Yus email. I want to reiterate that we do not endorse the walkouts and protests. The Department of Education also reiterated that it was a clerical error. The Schools Out for Palestine toolkit encouraged students to sign up for the May 31 walkout. Obtained by The New York Post Jewish families at Stuyvesant were disturbed, one parent said. There are a lot of upset parents. Students at Brooklyn Tech said they have been subjected to antisemitism since even before Oct 7. This week, one senior recalled an ugly episode two years ago where students in her sophomore history class boo-ed and threw pennies at her while she gave a presentation on Israeli scholar Mordechai Kedars Eight State Solution. Shayna, now a 17-year-old senior, said that another student gave the Hitler salute during her speech. I was kind of afraid to go to school after that, but more than fear, I feel disappointed that this is so normalized that there are no consequences, she told The Post this week. When she reported the disgusting behavior to school administrators, Shayna claimed their response was, Its not that serious. Students at Brooklyn Tech said they have been subjected to antisemitism since even before Oct 7. Paul Martinka Antisemitism in the school has only gotten worse since Hamas vicious attack on Israel on Oct. 7, according to Shayna and other Brooklyn Tech students. One freshman said a teacher told him Shut up, you Zionist during a classroom conversation about the Israel-Hamas conflict, during which the 15-year-old was refuting a classmates claim that Israel kills babies. I was taken aback and I just shut up, he said of the January incident, which scared him so much that he stopped letting his Star of David necklace show. When a group of Jewish students including Shayna and the freshman confronted Brooklyn Tech principal David Newman about the rampant hate, Newman arranged for them to share their experiences during a faculty-wide meeting. But the principal forbid the students from using the words Israel or Zionism at the May 6 meeting lest they trigger certain teachers, according to five students who were involved. Ignorance about Jewish identity, Zionism and Israel is no excuse for antisemitism directed at students and inaction among the adults in the room. The necessary response is increased education, Daniel Brooks, the lead educator of Club Zs New York chapter, said in response to the situation at Brooklyn Tech. This week, a two-page letter by pro-Palestine students posted on the walls of Bronx Science pressured the school community to join them in spewing anti-Israel rhetoric. With disregard to the genocide occurring and the lack of attention to the suffering of millions in Palestine, [Bronx Science] has decided to support Israel, a letter circulated by students laments. LP Media for NY Post With disregard to the genocide occurring and the lack of attention to the suffering of millions in Palestine, the school has decided to support Israel, the letter laments. Another flier circulated by students called for Taglit Birthright Israels headquarters on Third Avenue to be shut down during a June 15 rally. The organization provides free trips to young people with the aim of fostering Jewish connection and giving immersive Israel experiences. The hateful students wrote in a post on Instagram that the organization instead aims to deepen Israeli settler colonialism. A spokesman for the DOE said the incidents are disturbing and being looked into. Students and staff deserve to be safe and respected in their school and we encourage students, staff, and families to report incidents expeditiously so that they can be quickly investigated, and action taken, he added. Additional reporting by Susan Edelman The message was clear at the Texas Democratic Convention: "Apathy is deadly, hopelessness is deadly" when it comes to fighting against gun violence and demanding stricter gun control laws. "It's obviously very difficult to advocate for it, but our numbers are growing," said David Hogg, a gun control activist and survivor of the 2018 Parkland, Fla., high school shooting. "Democrats are no longer running (away) from gun control. They're running on it in most instances. We're showing that it's a winning issue. It's going to take time, though." In the past decade, Texas has experienced some of the nation's most horrific mass shootings. Those attacks have occurred in a Uvalde elementary school, an El Paso Walmart and even a Sutherland Springs church. "Apathy is deadly, hopelessness is deadly. Not just for people, but for our country and our democracy," says David Hogg, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland, Fla., high school shooting, at the Texas Democratic Convention in El Paso on Friday. Hogg was one of several speakers at a "Stop Gun Violence" panel Friday at the Texas Democratic Convention, which wrapped up Saturday, at the El Paso Convention Center. Hogg received a standing ovation when he entered the conference room. After his speech, he was mobbed by attendees asking for photos and to continue discussing gun control laws with him. Ongoing struggle for stricter gun control laws Hogg talked about the success he and other gun control activists have had in helping get gun control laws passed in his home state of Florida, a mostly Republican-led state. "Over the years since I've gone out to these state legislatures, I've met with Democrats and Republicans, and too often, even from some Democrats in other states, not in Texas of course, but in other states, I hear, 'Gun violence is a terrible thing. What happened in Parkland is terrible. But this type of thing doesn't happen here.' "I hear people say all the time that criminals just don't obey laws. 'So there's no point in having gun laws,' which is one of the most illogical things I've ever heard. Why have any laws at all? Why have a government at all? We know that these laws work. I know that they work because I've been personally impacted by them." Attendees talk to David Hogg, a gun control activist, after Friday's "Stop Gun Violence" panel. He and gun control activists found success in Florida as the state passed gun control laws, including raising the age to buy a gun to 21 years old and a law that can help authorities disarm people who are at risk of hurting themselves and others, Hogg said. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland resulted in the deaths of 17 people and another 17 injured. Most of the victims were students. The shooting was the deadliest mass shooting at a high school in U.S. history. Hogg became a nationally known leader in the battle for stricter gun laws. That notoriety led to him and his family receiving death threats from National Rifle Association members, he said. More: What's in store for the 2024 Texas Democratic Party Convention in El Paso this week? "If we as young people in Parkland listened to the pollsters and the pundits and the consultants and everybody like that that said, 'It's great kids care, but this is Florida. Things don't change here,'" Hogg said. "If we listened to that, and we participated in a self-fulfilling prophecy that is hopelessness and apathy that is destroying our country. If we bought into that, I may have had to bury my own mother. Don't buy into that. Apathy is deadly, hopelessness is deadly. Not just for people, but for our country and our democracy." 'Don't lose hope' El Pasoan and gun control activist Sarah Ronda, who is attending Texas Tech University, also spoke at the gun violence panel about the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso. The shooting left 23 people dead and dozens more injured. "El Paso will always be my home, and, growing up here, I always acknowledged that El Paso was a generally safe city," Ronda said. "Before Aug. 3, 2019, I would've never expected to see it as the target of one of the deadliest attacks on Hispanics in modern U.S. history. Sarah Ronda attends the Texas Democratic Convention's "Stop Gun Violence" panel Friday. Ronda, an El Paso native, spoke about the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart that killed 23 people and injured dozens of others. "It still doesn't feel real to say that day shattered our sense of security here. Like many others, I remember exactly where I was and who I was with when I found out (about the El Paso shooting). I had gone out to eat breakfast with my cousin and that's when the initial news reports started to roll in. Watching my hometown be thrusted into the national spotlight like that was very surreal." In the nearly five years since the El Paso Walmart shooting, it seems to have been forgotten on the national stage, Ronda said. The racist gunman admitted to targeting Hispanics. This attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas, the gunman posted on a website popular with white supremacists before the attack. More: What's in store for the 2024 Texas Democratic Party Convention in El Paso this week? "Having lost 23 people five years ago seems to be swept under the rug a lot of the times," Ronda said. "I think a lot of it is because these events, these mass shootings, just happen all too often. El Paso already being in this corner of Texas seems to just get left out of the conversation a lot whether that be maybe racial bias or other reasons. We need more advocates for El Paso. We are really quiet people, and we don't like the attention, but we just need more people to be outspoken and to represent El Paso the way that we want to be represented." Hogg and Ronda called for all Texans to take a stand and fight for stricter gun safety laws. "My message to Texans when it comes to passing gun laws, being from Florida where we were able to, is don't lose hope," Hogg said. "In this state, there are great young people that are running on this issue. There are great older people, people of all ages, that are running on this issue," he said. "And it's impossible until it isn't. If you don't try, if we didn't try after Parkland, it never would've changed." This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Gun control activists urge Texas Democrats to fight for stricter laws Bill Anders, who as an Apollo 8 astronaut was one of the first people to fly to the moon in 1968, was killed on Friday (June 7) when the vintage plane he was piloting crashed off the coast of the San Juan Islands in northwest Washington State. Anders, 90, was confirmed to be the pilot of the downed Beechcraft T-34 Mentor single-engined aircraft by his son in a statement to the media. "The family is devastated," said Greg Anders. "He was a great pilot. He will be missed." "He traveled to the threshold of the moon and helped all of us see something else: ourselves. He embodied the lessons and the purpose of exploration. We will miss him," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a statement. The plane crash occurred at about 11:40 a.m. PDT (1840 GMT) off the coast of Jones Island in San Juan Channel, near Orcas Island where Anders resided. The aircraft was one of three such Air Force trainers owned and operated by Anders' Heritage Flight Museum in Burlington, Washington. Video of the accident taken by local residents appeared to show Anders failing to pull up at the bottom of a loop and impacting the water. Related: 50 years after 'Earthrise,' a Christmas Eve message from its photographer a man in a gray suit holds a model of a rocket A member of NASA's third group of astronauts chosen in 1963, Anders' only flight into space was as lunar module pilot on the Apollo 8 crew. On Dec. 21, 1968, Anders, together with mission commander Frank Borman and command module pilot James Lovell, became the first people to launch on NASA's Saturn V rocket on a six-day mission to circle the moon. Three days later, Anders and his crewmates entered lunar orbit, where they were the first to see our home planet emerge from beyond the moon's horizon. Anders' now-iconic color photo of "Earthrise" was credited with inspiring the environmental movement and was reproduced on a U.S. postage stamp. "The most impressive aspect of the flight was [when] we were in lunar orbit," said Bill Anders in a 1997 NASA oral history. "We'd been going backwards and upside down, didn't really see the Earth or the sun, and when we rolled around and came around and saw the first Earthrise. That certainly was, by far, the most impressive thing, to see this very delicate, colorful orb which to me looked like a Christmas tree ornament coming up over this very stark, ugly lunar landscape." Anders was also one the first people to see in person the far side of the moon. Splashing down in the North Pacific Ocean, Anders logged a total of six days, three hours and 42 seconds in space, including 20 hours completing 10 orbits of the moon. black and white photo of a man wearing a spacesuit, with his helmet off William Alison "Bill" Anders was born on Oct. 17, 1933, in Hong Kong, where his father was then stationed by the U.S. Navy. As a child, Anders relocated with his family to Annapolis, Maryland and then to China until 1937, when Japan invaded. He and his mother fled to the Philippines and then were reunited with his father, who was injured in the war, in San Diego, California. Anders graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1955. He was then commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, where he underwent flight training, in part, on the T-34 Mentor. He earned his wings in 1956 and served as a fighter pilot with the 84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Hamilton Air Force Base in California and the 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in Iceland. In 1962, Anders received a Master of Science degree in nuclear engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Anders then applied to both the U.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilots School (ARPS) for test pilot training and to NASA to become an astronaut. photo of earth in the distance with the moon's gray dirt in the foreground Prior to flying on Apollo 8, Anders served with Neil Armstrong on the backup crew for Gemini 11. He was then assigned to the third Apollo mission, which was planned as the second test of a lunar module in Earth orbit. When development of the moon lander ran long, NASA proposed sending Anders and his crewmates around the moon instead, ensuring the U.S. was ahead in the space race with the Soviet Union. After returning from the moon, Anders served as backup to command module pilot Michael Collins on the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. Feeling his chances of walking the moon were low, Anders left NASA in 1969 to become the executive secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council. In 1973, he was appointed to the five-member Atomic Energy Commission, where he led all nuclear and non-nuclear power research and development. He was also named the U.S. chairman of the technology exchange program for nuclear fission and fusion power with the Soviet Union. In 1975, Anders was named the first chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. At the end of his term, he was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Norway, a position he held until 1977. After briefly serving as a fellow of the American Enterprise Institute, Anders joined General Electric (GE) as its vice president and the general manager of its nuclear products division. In 1980, he became general manager of GE's aircraft equipment division. In 1984, Anders left GE and joined Textron first as its executive vice president for aerospace and then two years later, senior executive vice president for operations. In 1988, Anders retired from the Air Force reserves with the rank of major general. In 1990, Anders became vice chairman of General Dynamics and, in 1991, its chairman and chief executive officer. He retired as CEO in 1993 and the left the company in 1994. Related: The Apollo Program: How NASA sent astronauts to the moon view from inside the cockpit of a pilot flying a small jet RELATED STORIES: Earth Day at 50: How Apollo 8's 'Earthrise' photo helped spark the first celebration Apollo 8: Everything you need to know Apollo 8 changed humanity's vision of Earth forever In retirement, Anders founded the William A. Anders Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit for educational and environmental issues, and the Heritage Flight Museum, where he and his family not only curated a collection of historic aircraft, vehicles, artifacts and photographs, but also operated the planes, flying them at air shows and other venues. For his contributions to the space program, Anders was awarded with the NASA Distinguished Service medal, the Collier Trophy and Michael Collins (formerly National Air and Space Museum) Trophy, among other honors. He was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1983, the International Air & Space Hall of Fame in 1990, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1997 and the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2004, NASA named Anders an Ambassador of Exploration and awarded him (in name only) a moon rock. Anders also has two craters named for him on the far side of the moon. "Anders" crater lies to the southeast of the outer rim of Apollo basin and "Anders' Earthrise," which is visible in the astronaut's photograph of "Earthrise." Anders was portrayed by actor Robert John Burke in the Emmy-winning HBO miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon" and appeared as himself in the 2018 documentary "First to the Moon." Anders was married to Valerie Elizabeth Hoard in 1955 and they had six children together, Alan, Glen, Gayle, Gregory, Eric and Diana. Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2024 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved. Maj. William Anders, a member of the Apollo 8 Genesis Flight crew, which successfully completed the first manned space mission to orbit the moon in 1968, died on Friday at the age of 90 in an airplane crash northwest of Seattle. According to CBS News, Anders was solo piloting a Beech A45 airplane when an incident occurred that caused it to plunge into the water near Roche Harbor, Washington. The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating what led to the crash, and as of 9:22 PM EDT, San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter told CBS News that crews were searching the area but had not yet recovered a body. During the Genesis Flight, Anders captured a now famous photo referred to as the "Earthrise" photo, which he had often spoke of as his most significant contribution to the space program. In a 2023 discussion with Dr. Katherine Calvin, NASA's Chief Scientist and Senior Climate Advisor, Anders detailed his emotional attachment to the iconic photo, with the Earth rising over the lunar surface as they orbited the Moon, saying, "It was Christmas time, and it was like a fragile Christmas tree ornament. And I thought to myself that it's too bad that we don't treat it more like a Christmas tree ornament . . . it's really too bad we're shooting missiles, rockets and whatnot at each other on this tiny little place we call home. It's the only home in the universe." Earthrise. On Christmas Eve of 1968, the Apollo 8 crew photographed Earth rising over the lunar surface as they orbited the Moon. We came all this way to explore the Moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth." William Anders https://t.co/Xp9vUDbyfe pic.twitter.com/wwYjkRF3ps NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) December 24, 2022 Anders' son, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Anders, confirmed his death to AP News saying, The family is devastated. He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly. Apollo 8 astronaut Maj. General William Anders, who took the famous Earthrise photo showing the Earth from space in 1968, died on Friday when the plane he was piloting went down in the waters off the San Juan Islands in Washington State. He was 90. He was the only person on board the Beech A45 airplane at the time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The family is devastated, his son, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Anders, told the Associated Press. He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly. San Juan county sheriff Eric Peter said a report came in around 11:40 a.m. Friday that an older-model plane had crashed into the water and sunk near the north end of Jones Island. The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating the crash. During the Apollo 8 mission, Anders was the lunar module pilot along with Frank Borman, who was the commander, and James Lovell Jr. After two or three orbits around the moon, he and the crew began shooting photographs. Wed been going backwards and upside down, didnt really see the Earth or the sun, and when we rolled around and came around and saw the first Earthrise, he said. That certainly was, by far, the most impressive thing. To see this very delicate, colorful orb, which to me looked like a Christmas tree ornament coming up over this very stark, ugly lunar landscape really contrasted. The Earthrise photo from 1968 which William Anders described as his biggest achievement as an astronaut. Bettmann Anders said the Earthrise photograph, the first color image of Earth from space, was his most significant contribution to the space program, after it sparked the global environmental movement. Life magazine listed it as one of its 100 photos of the century. He married his wife, Valerie, in 1955 and the couple had six children together. They moved to Orcas Island, in the San Juan Islands, in 1993 and kept a second home in their hometown of San Diego. Retired Nasa astronaut and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly was among those to pay tribute to Anders. Bill Anders forever changed our perspective of our planet and ourselves with his famous Earthrise photo on Apollo 8. He inspired me and generations of astronauts and explorers. My thoughts are with his family and friends, he wrote on X. Bill Anders forever changed our perspective of our planet and ourselves with his famous Earthrise photo on Apollo 8. He inspired me and generations of astronauts and explorers. My thoughts are with his family and friends. https://t.co/duYdSbSZ0C Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) June 8, 2024 Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. FILE - Hunter Biden departs from federal court, June 7, 2024, in Wilmington, Del. The judge presiding over Hunter Biden's federal gun trial in Delaware is a former corporate civil lawyer with a background in biology who was nominated to the bench by former President Donald Trump. But even while that might raise partisan eyebrows and questions of political pressure in the highly watched case, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika was recommended for the bench by the two Democratic senators from one of the country's smallest states. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) The judge presiding over Hunter Biden's federal gun trial in Delaware is a former corporate civil lawyer with a background in biology who was nominated to the bench by the Biden family's chief political antagonist: former President Donald Trump. But even while that might raise partisan eyebrows and questions of political pressure in the highly watched case, District Judge Maryellen Noreika was recommended for the bench by the two Democratic senators. She has a brief history of political donations to both parties mostly Republicans and had not worked on criminal cases or presided over a courtroom before getting the nod as a federal judge. The New York Times reported she was registered to vote as a Democrat from 2000-2020 until changing her registration to no party affiliation. She has presided over a trial that has laid bare some of the president's son's darkest moments, including drug addiction. Outside her courtroom, international media strain to get a glimpse of members of the first family as they come and go. In her Senate confirmation hearing, Noreika said she admires judges who are prepared and willing to listen and give litigants an opportunity to be heard. ... They want to make people feel like they've been listened to and been given a fair shot." If convicted, Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison, though first-time offenders do not get anywhere near the maximum, and its unclear whether the judge would give him time behind bars. In a written answer to questions about sentencing from now-Vice President Kamala Harris, Noreika said she "would listen to arguments from the parties, including requests for leniency, and consider statements made by victims. If confirmed, I would do my best to impose a sentence that is sufficient, but not greater than necessary.' Born in Pittsburgh, the 57-year-old Noreika graduated from Lehigh University in 1988 before earning her masters degree in biology from Columbia University in 1990. She earned her law degree in 1993 from the University of Pittsburgh with magna cum laude honors. Noreika spent the next 25 years at the Delaware law firm of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell, where she earned partner in 2001. According to her Senate confirmation questionnaire, most of her work was in federal civil litigation involving intellectual property. It said she tried at least 30 cases to verdict or final decision and most were nonjury trials. She also listed no criminal law experience. Asked to list all professional business, fraternal scholarly, civic or charitable organizations she had belonged to since law school, Noreika answered, None. For pro bono work, Noreika wrote she had spent 15 years as a guardian ad litem for children in Delaware Family Court. These cases have involved difficult custody issues, including allegations of sexual and physical abuse, neglect and abandonment, Noreika wrote. She described taking children out to lunch and to dinner and fun activities to get them to engage with me and trust me. Her position as judge in the Hunter Biden criminal trial put her in the national spotlight and made her a target of speculation over political partisanship. It was Noreika who torpedoed a plea deal that would have settled the gun case when she raised concerns about the terms of the agreement in 2023. Noreika has presided over a Biden-related case before: In March 2023, she dismissed part of a defamation lawsuit brought by the owner of a Delaware computer repair shop where Hunter Biden left his laptop in 2019. Federal campaign finance records show she had donated at least $15,000 to political candidates between 2005-2014, most of it going to Republicans, including current U.S. Sens. Tom Cotton and Mitt Romney. But she also donated to the presidential campaigns of both Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican John McCain in 2008. Key Insights Ralco Corporation Berhad to hold its Annual General Meeting on 14th of June CEO Heng Tan's total compensation includes salary of RM1.20m The overall pay is 447% above the industry average Over the past three years, Ralco Corporation Berhad's EPS fell by 118% and over the past three years, the total loss to shareholders 41% The results at Ralco Corporation Berhad (KLSE:RALCO) have been quite disappointing recently and CEO Heng Tan bears some responsibility for this. At the upcoming AGM on 14th of June, shareholders can hear from the board including their plans for turning around performance. This will be also be a chance where they can challenge the board on company direction and vote on resolutions such as executive remuneration. From our analysis, we think CEO compensation may need a review in light of the recent performance. Check out our latest analysis for Ralco Corporation Berhad How Does Total Compensation For Heng Tan Compare With Other Companies In The Industry? At the time of writing, our data shows that Ralco Corporation Berhad has a market capitalization of RM37m, and reported total annual CEO compensation of RM1.5m for the year to December 2023. Notably, that's an increase of 41% over the year before. Notably, the salary which is RM1.20m, represents most of the total compensation being paid. For comparison, other companies in the Malaysia Packaging industry with market capitalizations below RM939m, reported a median total CEO compensation of RM267k. Hence, we can conclude that Heng Tan is remunerated higher than the industry median. What's more, Heng Tan holds RM6.4m worth of shares in the company in their own name, indicating that they have a lot of skin in the game. Component 2023 2022 Proportion (2023) Salary RM1.2m RM850k 82% Other RM263k RM187k 18% Total Compensation RM1.5m RM1.0m 100% On an industry level, roughly 68% of total compensation represents salary and 32% is other remuneration. According to our research, Ralco Corporation Berhad has allocated a higher percentage of pay to salary in comparison to the wider industry. If salary is the major component in total compensation, it suggests that the CEO receives a higher fixed proportion of the total compensation, regardless of performance. Ralco Corporation Berhad's Growth Over the last three years, Ralco Corporation Berhad has shrunk its earnings per share by 118% per year. It saw its revenue drop 1.6% over the last year. Overall this is not a very positive result for shareholders. This is compounded by the fact revenue is actually down on last year. These factors suggest that the business performance wouldn't really justify a high pay packet for the CEO. We don't have analyst forecasts, but you could get a better understanding of its growth by checking out this more detailed historical graph of earnings, revenue and cash flow. Story continues Has Ralco Corporation Berhad Been A Good Investment? Few Ralco Corporation Berhad shareholders would feel satisfied with the return of -41% over three years. So shareholders would probably want the company to be less generous with CEO compensation. In Summary... Not only have shareholders not seen a favorable return on their investment, but the business hasn't performed well either. Few shareholders would be willing to award the CEO with a pay raise. At the upcoming AGM, they can question the management's plans and strategies to turn performance around and reassess their investment thesis in regards to the company. CEO compensation can have a massive impact on performance, but it's just one element. We've identified 3 warning signs for Ralco Corporation Berhad that investors should be aware of in a dynamic business environment. Important note: Ralco Corporation Berhad is an exciting stock, but we understand investors may be looking for an unencumbered balance sheet and blockbuster returns. You might find something better in this list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt. 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. Attorney J.P. Tribell (left) speaks against a proposed Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration rule that would require drivers licenses and state-issued IDs to reflect the gender listed on a persons birth certificate on Friday, June 7, 2024. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) Nearly a dozen Arkansans, many of whom are transgender or nonbinary, asked the state Department of Finance and Administration not to reverse the states gender-neutral drivers license policy at a public hearing Friday. The department in March rescinded a policy that had been in place since 2010 allowing drivers license holders to change their gender marker with no questions asked or to use an X in place of male or female. The Arkansas Legislative Councils executive subcommittee later approved DFAs emergency rule that required drivers licenses and state-issued IDs to reflect the gender listed on a persons birth certificate. Paul Gehring, the finance departments assistant commissioner of revenue policy and legal, conducted Fridays hearing. No elected officials or cabinet members were present. Eleven people spoke against the rule while no one spoke for it. Several speakers said the existing gender marker policy that has been in place since 2010 has never caused anyone any harm. DFA Secretary Jim Hudson told lawmakers in March that the new rule is meant to prevent threats to law enforcement officers safety, though he also said he was not aware of any threats that had occurred over 14 years. The real emergency that exists [is] when trans people are forced to falsely represent ourselves on drivers licenses and state IDs, said Tien Estell, Intransitive Arkansas policy coordinator. The new rule has already caused problems for the transgender community, said Estell and several others, including Hazel Pleskac, who said her legal name change was finalized the same day the rule was announced. All this has done for me so far is create an absolute bureaucratic nightmare, Pleskac said. I have dealt with so many issues [such as] having to update documents multiple times because the names mismatched, and now the genders mismatch. At the end of the day, really, gender is irrelevant as far as the state or agencies such as law enforcement identifying a person. Attorney J.P. Tribell Hannah Grimmett said updating an expired drivers license with an X gender marker became a hassle in light of the new rule. The DMV employee had no idea how to deal with it and had to fax Grimmetts birth certificate somewhere in order to change the IDs gender marker, Grimmett said. When I first got my drivers license, it was as simple as saying, Hello, can you please change this to an X? Grimmett said. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Patricia James blocked the emergency rule Wednesday in response to a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas. The injunction gives Arkansans a short window of time to change the gender marker on their IDs if they so choose before lawmakers vote on the permanent rule discussed Friday, said John Williams, the ACLU of Arkansas legal director and the plaintiffs attorney in the lawsuit. The Arkansas Legislative Council and its Administrative Rules Subcommittee must approve the permanent rule in order for it to go into effect. The deadline for public comment on the rule is June 27, and the council and its subcommittees are scheduled to meet in mid-July. In addition to Washington D.C., Arkansas has been one of 22 states that allows an X designation on a drivers license in addition to M and F. Legal issues The rule states that the gender information on drivers licenses and state-issued IDs must denote M (male) or F (female) consistent with information contained on the persons birth certificate, passport, or identification document issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The federal government allows X as a gender marker on passports, and birth certificates can be legally amended. The rule allows for amended birth certificates to be used as identifying documents while obtaining or renewing a drivers license. Exhibit B.01 - DFA Proposed Emergency Rule - Gender on DL and ID Cards.3.7.2024 J.P. Tribell and Richelle Brittain, both attorneys, said at the hearing that the rule would likely violate the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The final section of the proposed rule says the state Office of Driver Services may amend its records of unexpired drivers licenses with the male or female gender marker instead of X, using other records the office has on file, and notify the license holder accordingly. This appears to be an attempt to retroactively strike the X gender marker from state records, Brittain said, and it goes against the stated purpose of presenting correct information to law enforcement. The rule would create confusion if someone presents as male or female while their ID has the opposite gender marker, said Tribell, whose legal work includes helping LGBTQ+ people change the names and gender markers on legal documents. At the end of the day, really, gender is irrelevant as far as the state or agencies such as law enforcement identifying a person, Tribell said. Many of Fridays speakers, including Brittain and Estell, also spoke against the variety of laws introduced in the state Legislature last year that restricted the activities of transgender Arkansans, including the uses of pronouns and bathrooms in public schools and transgender minors access to health care. Braelyn Smith and Maggs Gallup, who also have both testified before the Legislature, said it is important to repeatedly speak up even if they are unlikely to change the minds of decision-makers. Speaking on behalf of those who are not able to advocate for themselves [and] having the privilege to be able to do that is a responsibility that we hold, said Gallup, a nonbinary parent of a gender-nonconforming child. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The post Arkansans urge state finance department not to reverse gender-neutral drivers license policy appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. Armed robbery suspect speeds away from police at 100 MPH, takes them straight to his house An armed robbery suspect thought hed gotten away from Athens police, so he decided it was time to head home. Unfortunately for him, deputies were there waiting for him. Police say on Wednesday they pulled over a car that had been involved in an armed robbery. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When the driver got out of the car, the passenger, 23-year-old Shakur Thomas, hopped into the drivers seat and sped off. Thomas led police on a chase going more than 100 miles per hour down Danielsville Road. Officers stopped chasing him for the safety of the community and Thomas passed into nearby Madison County. TRENDING STORIES: Madison County deputies found Thomas as he was pulling into his home and trying to get inside. Thomas eventually surrendered and was arrested. When they searched his home, investigators found the gun used in the robbery. He is currently being held in the Clarke County Jail on charges of aggravated assault, armed robbery, possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, fleeing and attempting to elude, theft by taking motor vehicle and obstruction. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Details on the armed robbery itself are unclear at this time. Police did not comment on if the initial driver who was pulled over was involved in the armed robbery. IN OTHER NEWS: David Beauchesne is a member of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Arts and executive director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. Rhode Islands arts and culture sector is still fighting to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite growth in 2022 and 2023, we are losing that fight because the state has excluded arts and culture from its pandemic recovery strategy. The sectors 18,000 jobs, $2.4 billion in economic impact, $32 million in annual state tax revenue, and 3.4% of GDP are at stake. The state shut down completely in March of 2020; 23 months later, the last restriction was lifted. The impact on the arts sector was devastating. For two years, we could not fully serve the public and generate revenue. We could not develop new audience. As a result, arts and culture saw more revenue and job losses than any other sector of the state and national economies from 2020 through 2022. We survived thanks to federal relief dollars from the Small Business Administration and the IRS. Grants were based solely on how badly we were impacted, how many people we employed, and how much we benefited the economy. When restrictions were lifted, the federal government left the responsibility for rebuilding impacted sectors of the economy to individual states and gave them American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to do it. More: Supporting Rhode Island's cultural community is critical | Opinion Rhode Island received over $1.2 billion in ARPA funds. The state has used ARPA to support critical sectors including education, transportation, infrastructure, health care and housing. Rhode Island has failed to adopt proposals to help arts and culture organizations recover. It has already lost jobs and revenue as a result. For instance, WaterFire reduced its number of full lightings this season to five from as many as 15 pre-pandemic. This will cost the state $6 million to $10 million in taxes and local businesses $75 million to $100 million in lost revenue. The $14-billion state budget about to pass the General Assembly once again leaves out arts sector recovery. It does not include a proposed $18-million RI Creative Futures Fund modeled after a $60-million fund in Massachusetts and similar funds in more than a dozen other states. It does include a $10-million Arts Facilities Bond, which, if passed by voters in November, would be available in January of 2025. While meaningful, this is not the pandemic relief the sector needs or asked for. It is limited to construction, mostly benefits three organizations, and comes too late. Funding cuts have led WaterFire to reduce its number of full lightings this season to five from as many as 15 pre-pandemic. If you believe Rhode Island should have a vibrant economy and you believe the state should direct federal disaster funds to businesses damaged by that disaster, then you believe in the RI Creative Futures Fund. Data shows the arts sector is building back. But we have reached the edge of a fiscal cliff. We are running out of cash. In response, we have cut expenses. We have cut programs. We have borrowed to stay open. This undermines our rebuilding efforts. Without the RI Creative Futures Fund, many organizations will be forced to shut down or file for bankruptcy. The state budget office recently reported a projected surplus of $243 million for the fiscal year that ends June 30, thanks to ARPA dollars. In addition, each quarter, the state identifies ARPA dollars that will not be spent. The Pandemic Recovery Office has confirmed that the funds are there. The state can afford to help the arts sector recover. And it cant afford not to. More: Bills aim to ensure arts in school are not just for well-off districts | Opinion Its not too late. Were asking Gov. Dan McKee and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi to partner with us to get the arts sector the operating funds we need to recover. We need you to join us. Contact the governor and the speaker, along with your state representative and senator to thank them for the Arts Bond but let them know its not enough. Ask them to support the RI Creative Futures Fund. For more information, go to RI4Arts.org. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Without the RI Creative Futures Fund, many organizations will be forced to shut down or file for bankruptcy. Assault on Danish prime minister is the latest in a recent spate of attacks on European politicians FILE - Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen attends a ceremony at the Danish monument outside of Sainte Marie du Mont, Normandy, Thursday, June 6, 2024. Frederiksen has been assaulted by a man on a square in the capital of Copenhagen, according to a report on Friday, June 7, 2024 by the state news agency Ritzau. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez, File) WARSAW, Poland (AP) Slovakia's prime minister was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt last month and still faces a long recovery. The Danish prime minister was assaulted by a man Friday evening in downtown Copenhagen. German politicians have faced a wave of physical and verbal attacks for months. Political violence appears to be rising across the Europe, where societies are deeply polarized in the face of widespread migration from the Middle East and Africa and are badly shaken by the war in Ukraine, the largest conflict on the continent since World War II. The recent violence has come in the runup to elections taking place this weekend to the European Parliament, the legislative branch of the 27-member bloc. In general, EU elections do not arouse the same kinds of passions as elections in the individual nations, and to what extent the violence is driven by the campaign climate is not clear. But the backdrop of migration pressure has awakened strong feelings, and is expected to lead to a political shift to the right in the EU legislature. The most serious attack so far has been that against Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who struggled for his life after multiple shots were fired on him on May 15 as he greeted supporters. Fico, who took office last fall after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform, suggested in a prerecorded video this week that he was targeted because of his views that differ sharply from the European mainstream. Now some critics worry that Fico, who already faced accusations of eroding democratic norms before the attack, is trying to use the assassination attempt to mobilize support for his populist left-wing Smer party. The attack on Fico followed a wave of violence elsewhere, most recently on Friday evening on the streets of Copenhagen, when a 39-year-old man assaulted Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Frederiksen, the leader of the Danish Social Democrats, was rushed to a hospital for a check-up, and though unharmed, she was shaken by the incident, according to her office. She canceled campaign events on Saturday, the eve of voting in her country. Details of the incident remain unclear but local media reported that the man seems to have forcefully walked toward Frederiksen and pushed her hard. To some, the assaults on elected leaders add to the growing sense of democracy itself being under attack. An attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Saturday. In France, the lead Socialist candidate in the EU elections, Raphael Glucksmann, was pelted with eggs and paint-filled projectiles at a May Day event last month and was exfiltrated by security agents, followed by angry demonstrators. Extreme-right figure Eric Zemmour hit a woman who threw an egg at him while campaigning in Corsica in early May. In Germany both government and opposition parties say their members and supporters have faced a wave of physical and verbal attacks in recent months. Last month, Berlins deputy mayor was attacked at an event in a local library by a man who approached her from behind and hit her with what police described as a bag containing a hard device. Before that, a candidate from Chancellor Olaf Scholzs party was beaten up in Dresden while campaigning for the European election and had to undergo surgery. This week, a far-right candidate campaigning for local elections being held the same day was stabbed and hurt in Mannheim. We have seen in recent weeks that readiness to use violence to pursue political aims or to muzzle people has increased, Lars Klingbeil, one of the co-leaders of Chancellor Olaf Scholzs party, told parliament on Thursday. Representatives of all political parties have been physically assaulted in recent weeks Violence must have no place in our society. There is no yes, but, there is no playing it down. In the UK, which holds its own national election on July 4, pro-Brexit, anti-immigration campaigner Nigel Farage was pelted with a milkshake this week after he stepped back into frontline British politics, announcing he will take the helm of the right-wing party Reform U.K. and run for Parliament. A 25-year-old woman was charged with assault. ___ Geir Moulson in Berlin, Jari Tanner in Helsinki, Angela Charlton in Paris and Brian Melley in London contributed. Atlanta police are searching for a man they say robbed a gas station clerk after he was emptying gaming machines. On Sunday, June 2, police say they responded to 1683 Lakewood Avenue in Southeast Atlanta just before midnight to a larceny call. The address corresponds with a Amoco gas station. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When they arrived, police say they spoke with the manager of the gas station who said while one of the clerks was collecting money from gaming machines and putting it in a bag, an unidentified black man walked over to the bag filled with money and while the attendant wasnt looking, the man snatched the bag and ran. TRENDING STORIES: The suspect is a black man with a slim build, wearing a grey t-shirt with black skinny jeans, white sneakers and a black skullcap. Anyone with information on this case can submit a tip anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online at here, or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). Persons do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for the reward of up to $2,000. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: My thoughts and prayers are with all that were impacted by last nights senseless act of violence. The safety of Augusta-Richmond County residents and visitors remains my upmost concern and priority. To that end, the Office of the Mayor, in conjunction with Sheriff Richard Roundtree, have spoken with Governor Brian Kemp and requested additional state resources, including Georgia State Patrol Officers and the Department of Natural Resources, to assist the Richmond County Sheriffs Office with increased patrols and crowd control efforts. I am thankful for the swift actions of Richmond County Sheriffs Office. The responding officers prevented potential loss of life. I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Augusta is a safe place to visit, work, play and pray. Law enforcement is seeking eyewitnesses. Please contact Georgia Bureau of Investigation or Richmond County Sheriffs Office if you witnessed or have any information regarding this incident. Mayor Garnett Johnson, Augusta AUSTIN (KXAN) People signing up to speak on items at Austin City Council meetings will get at least two minutes after the city faced a lawsuit tied to how much access the public should have to its officials. The lawsuit was brought forward by Save Our Springs Alliance Director Bill Bunch, a City Hall regular. He threatened to sue the council several months ago, while speaking to them during public comment and followed through. Bunch: Do I get my 8 minutes? Watson: No sir. Bunch: I get two minutes for my four items? Watson: And youre down to 1:01. Bunch: Okay, and I will see you in court promptly. And we will have this foolishness put to an end. 10 reasons to pay attention to Thursdays massive Austin City Council agenda In short, two judges sided with Bunch, placing a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the City of Austin. It required city council to give every speaker three minutes per item. A second judge noted that the City of Austin simply needed to codify speaking rules by passing an ordinance to come into compliance with the law, which is what the Austin City Council did late last month. Part of that ordinance says that the presiding officer will set an amount of time for people to speak. That will be of course based upon number of items, it will be based upon number of people signed up to speak, those sorts of things so that we can operate an efficient meeting, Watson said. But we expressly stated, and I feel pretty strongly about this, that in no instance would it be less than two minutes. Longer speaking rules at Austin City Council meetings stand, for now, after ruling Bunch thinks three minutes is a more appropriate amount of time. And the mayor noted that in some instances, he may get it. Two minutes is only the floor. Certainly appropriate that you take this step to make your procedures comport with the Texas Open Meetings Act as well as the City Charter. Appreciate you moving in that direction, Bunch told city council members. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. With darn near everything being recalibrated when it comes to the auto sector fueled by the technology tsunami sweeping the industry and ongoing movement from gas powered vehicles to EVs it should not come as a surprise that MichAuto, the statewide advocacy organization for the industry, has just gone through a reboot, too. It is exactly how Glenn Stevens Jr., executive director of MichAuto, wanted it. MichAuto Executive Director Glenn Stevens said the organization is expanding its efforts across the state. MichAuto has also debuted a new logo, as pictured. With so many changes taking place, Stevens knew it was time to check in with members, or investors as he calls the companies and organizations belonging to MichAuto, to gauge what they thought mattered and would need in the future. MichAuto started as a volunteer grassroot initiative in 2007 to promote and retain the auto industry when it was on the precipice of an economic meltdown, along with the rest of the world. The industry survived that crisis and MichAuto did, too. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in June 2023 joined state officials and anti-distracted driving leaders to sign three bills aimed at reducing distracted driving and saving lives by ensuring that drivers have their full attention on the road with the use of hands-free technology. From left to right: Lisa Lunsford, board chair of MichAuto and co-founder of GS3 Global, Steve Kiefer, founder and chairman of Kiefer Foundation, Gov. Whitmer, state Rep. Matt Koleszar and Brad Wieferich, director of MDOT. Stevens, who has led MichAuto since 2014, held its annual industry executive event the day before the Mackinac Policy Conference opened on May 28 to update its investors. MichAuto has been part of the Detroit Regional Chamber since 2012. Stevens announced at its northern Michigan gathering that MichAuto has strengthened its mission statement and has a new logo to reflect that. There is no other voice that represents all the various stakeholders of the industry in Michigan like MichAuto, said Lisa Lunsford, CEO of GS3 Global and chair of MichAutos board of directors. With its reenergized mission, brand and focus areas of advocacy, talent, economic development, and industry transition, they are well situated to continue to make an impact and continue to promote, retain, and grow our leadership in the global automotive industry. Lisa Lunsford, co-founder and CEO of GS3 Global. The auto industry matters to Michigan. According to MichAuto, there are 26 original equipment manufacturers that have headquarters or tech centers here, the auto and mobility industry contributes $304 billion to the states economy each year and 13 assembly plants and 96 of the Top 100 auto suppliers in North America have a presence in Michigan, to mention a few stats. Stevens and his team conducted meetings, roundtables and sessions with MichAuto investors across the state. I asked what he heard and a few more questions. Answers have been edited for length and clarity. Glenn Stevens, Jr. Question: Tell me about the genesis of MichAuto? Answer: It formed because there was not a unified and state-focused association voice for the stakeholders of Michigans largest industry. Other states like Tennessee and Alabama had statewide auto associations and remarkably Michigan did not. Along with Tom Manganello (partner at Warner Norcross + Judd) and other industry professionals, I helped found MichAuto. Back then, we focused on educating policy makers and, particularly, on talent development for the industry. Q: Why reboot MichAuto now? A: Ours is an industry that is in transition and faces evolving challenges. We wanted to make sure that our work and mission reflected the leadership Michigan has on the global stage, as we promote, retain and grow our signature automotive and mobility industry. We undertook an in-depth project with our partners at Franco and listened to our investors and industry stakeholders through meetings, panels and roundtables. Q: Who are your investors or members? A: Our investor community is unique from other associations and groups. We utilize the word investor rather than member because it signifies the relationship we have with them. They invest funding and resources to support MichAuto and we are invested and committed to being a voice for them. Our investors include OEMs, suppliers of all sizes, professional service firms, universities, community colleges, economic development agencies and startups. MichAuto stakeholders are all members of the Detroit Regional Chamber, except for companies located outside of the Detroit region. Q: Sounds like you are making your reach more across the state, not just Detroit? True? A: We heard several key messages from our stakeholders as we went through this process. We were told that our advocacy efforts are greatly appreciated. We heard that our willingness to speak up for the industry on critical issues, like the UAW contract talks with the Detroit Three last year, was also appreciated, and that stepping up as the voice for Michigans signature industry is what our stakeholders need. Our work on developing and retaining high-tech talent is critical. Most importantly, we heard that we need to do more of these things and more on a statewide basis. So we will be extending our reach and relationships to as many communities where our industry is present as we can. One thing we do know is that this industry touches every corner of this state and we want to make sure we are doing all we can to positively impact it. Q: How do you describe the state of the auto sector in Michigan now versus five years ago? A: We face more global, political, regulatory and climate challenges now than ever before in the history of this 120-year-old industry. The challenges are immense but so are the opportunities. We must meet the technical talent needs of the industry. We must be able to compete with any company on the globe. Now is the time for Michigan to lead in innovation, research, testing, engineering and advanced manufacturing. Q: What is your takeaway about our state and its future on the global auto stage? A: It is going to come down to leadership, competitiveness and mindset. Are we going to have the leadership to radically transform our education system performance, to commit to investing in innovation and to ensure we have strong communities and infrastructure that are attractive to people? We must have leaders that work together to advance Michigan. More than anything else, we need to have the will to change and adapt, otherwise we will be a victim of the impact of the inflection point that is the mobility industry transformation. I remain optimistic about Michigans future. MichAuto exists to focus on the transition of our states signature industry and help develop the talent and future of our population. More: Departing BCBS Michigan CEO following the lead of his predecessor, Gov. Whitmer's dad More: Michigan Central Station buzz goes beyond Detroit Contact Carol Cain: 248-355-7126 or clcain@cbs.com. She is senior producer/host of Michigan Matters, which airs 5:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS Detroit and noon Sundays on Detroit 50 WKBD. See U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, Denise Ilitch, Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett and Susy Avery on this Sundays show. "Michigan Matters" can also be found on those stations listings on FUBO, Pluto TV, Youtube.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Auto industry organization looks to grow its reach in Michigan The BBC said Samir Ragheb 'has previously been interviewed as a military expert across media including on BBC News Arabic' The BBC has defended giving airtime to a retired Egyptian army general who hailed the Oct 7 Hamas attacks on Israel as a month of victory. Samir Ragheb has been interviewed by BBC News Arabic nine times since the war in Gaza began, despite sharing anti-Semitic material and pro-Palestinian posts online, analysis by the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera) claimed. They included mocking Israeli civilians for seeking shelter during Hamas rocket attacks and claiming that Sinai returning to Egypt in 1982 was an act of purifying it from the Jews filth. Critics accused the BBC of becoming a propaganda outlet, but on Saturday the broadcaster defended its decision to host the retired general, insisting that it challenged the views of contributors. A spokesman said: BBC News Arabic is committed to hearing from a range of contributors to offer a variety of views and perspectives across our output. Samir Ragheb is a retired senior officer in the Egyptian army and has previously been interviewed as a military expert across media including on BBC News Arabic. As with all our interviews, we challenge the views provided by contributors on air, as our audiences would expect. Of the nine times Mr Ragheb was hosted by the broadcaster, eight were on strictly Israel-related issues, according to the Camera analysis. The ninth appearance was a broader overview on Egypts strategy, which is also about its other neighbours, it said. Camera, which lobbies for accurate and balanced coverage of Israel, analysed Facebook posts made by the retired general. On Facebook on Oct 7, Mr Ragheb wrote: For the first time in half a century, the legend of the military that is never defeated is shattered it is defeated in six hours. A new military miracle by all criteria strategic, operational and tactical. October is the month of victory. Previously, Mr Ragheb had shared a link to download the anti-Semitic The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and suggested questioning the Holocaust was not allowed in the West because these people are quietly fooling us. A spokesman for Camera Arabic said: Part of the problem with BBC Arabic inviting these dubious characters is that they then have the BBCs seal of approval in the eyes of other outlets with self-professed Western journalistic standards. For example, after Ragheb appeared repeatedly on BBC Arabic, he was interviewed last week by the LA Times. Courts controversy on a regular basis The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism accused the BBC of courting controversy on a regular basis. A spokesman said: Some views like praising the biggest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and propagating the anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that Jews control the world are not the sort of views that the BBC, our national broadcaster, can justify as simply part of a the variety of views and perspectives that they must broadcast. BBC Arabic courts controversy on a regular basis, and these scandals have metastasised since Hamas carried out its barbaric attacks on Oct 7. They have related to anchors, employed and freelance journalists and partiality, bias and inaccuracies in content. We are rapidly approaching the point when the BBC must conduct an audit of the entire department. BBC Arabic risks becoming more of a propaganda outlet than a news service. The discovery comes weeks after The Telegraph revealed BBC Arabic had repeatedly used a commentator who was jailed for his role in the murder of an Israeli without disclosing his conviction. Ismat Mansour was interviewed by BBC Arabic at least seven times in the first seven months of the war in Gaza, billed as a Palestinian political analyst and Palestinian author and researcher, according to Camera. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. In an unexpected turn amid high bilateral tensions, European Union officials are to visit Tibet this month as a side outing to their annual human-rights dialogue with China. The dialogue will take place on June 16 in Chongqing, an EU spokeswoman confirmed. Brussels is understood to have requested a field visit to the Tibet autonomous region to examine human-rights conditions there, having given Beijing the names of some prisons it hoped to see. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. "As it stands now, a side visit to Tibet is also being organised by the Chinese authorities for a small group of officials from the European External Action Service who follow human rights issues," said Nabila Massrali, the bloc's foreign-affairs spokeswoman. The long-running EU-China exchange had been an annual fixture in the diplomatic calendar for years. Photo: Shutterstock alt=The long-running EU-China exchange had been an annual fixture in the diplomatic calendar for years. Photo: Shutterstock> The EU team will be led by Paola Pampaloni, the second-in-command on its Asia desk within the union's diplomatic corps. Brussels can be expected to raise the many concerns it has about human rights in China, including hot-button issues in Tibet, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and Hong Kong. The Tibet trip will be sure to raise eyebrows. It is rare for a European delegation to be granted access to the secluded region. For years, Brussels has pummelled Beijing for breaching human rights there. Last year, in a statement to mark human rights day, the EU pointed to practices including "obligatory boarding schooling and DNA sampling" as "further indications of the dire human-rights situation". "The EU continues to call for meaningful, unrestricted and unsupervised access by independent international experts, foreign journalists and diplomats to Tibet, Xinjiang and elsewhere in China," the statement read. In a report published last month, global advocacy group Human Rights Watch said the Chinese government since 2016 "has dramatically accelerated the relocation of rural villagers and herders in Tibet". Beijing has described the relocations, "often to areas hundreds of kilometres away", as voluntary, the group added, noting authorities justify them as improving people's livelihood and protecting the ecological environment. Story continues An aerial drone photo taken on October 12, 2023, shows machines harvesting cotton in Korla in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in northwestern China. Photo: Xinhua alt=An aerial drone photo taken on October 12, 2023, shows machines harvesting cotton in Korla in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in northwestern China. Photo: Xinhua> Beijing denies all charges of human-rights violations in Tibet. It has long rejected allegations of curbing religious freedoms in the region, while also contending that Tibetan Buddhism should adapt to the Chinese context. The situation in Xinjiang will also feature on the agenda in Chongqing. Last year, in a statement after the human-rights dialogue held in Brussels, the EU "referred to the report issued by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human-rights situation in Xinjiang, underscoring the urgency of implementing the recommendations included in the report". During that meeting in the Belgian capital, the bloc also raised the "deterioration in the situation of freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of expression in Hong Kong", according to an EU statement on the talks. China, the statement said, "focused on the situation and treatment of refugees and migrants in the EU and manifestations of racism and xenophobia in the EU". The long-running exchange had been an annual fixture in the diplomatic calendar until a tit-for-tat sanctioning blitz put it on ice during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, 2021 and 2022. At 2022's EU-China summit, a pledge was made to restart the talks. The sanctions, still in place, pertain to human-rights conditions in Xinjiang, where the Chinese government has been accused of conducting widespread persecution targeting Uygurs and other ethnic Muslim groups across the region in northwestern China. Since then, the EU has finalised a new law making big companies responsible for human rights and environmental abuses in their supply chains. Lawmakers have said that if the businesses are unable to perform the requisite due diligence on suppliers - as can often be the case in Xinjiang, where most Western auditors do not operate - they should leave the region in question. A second law, banning the use of forced labour, was formulated with the situation in Xinjiang in mind. However, to comply with World Trade Organization rules, it bans products made using forced labour anywhere in the world from the EU market. The UN's human-rights chief in 2022 accused China of committing "crimes against humanity" in Xinjiang in a blockbuster report. Beijing countered that the allegations were "based on the disinformation and lies fabricated by anti-China forces and out of presumption of guilt". Human rights, often a thorny issue in the Sino-EU relationship, have slipped down the agenda in recent years, supplanted by geopolitical concerns over China's relationship with Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Economic concerns have also risen up the priority list, with the EU set to slap import tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles next week. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Visitors at a nature reserve in India recently witnessed an incredibly rare sight, when a bear and a tigress confronted each other in a standoff that very nearly broke into a fight. The scene unfolded in April at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, a protected area in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state. Visitors on a safari filmed the encounter and posted a video to the social platform X April 30. The video shows a tigress (Panthera tigris) sauntering down a dirt road and then stopping in her tracks when a bear , which appears to be a sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), emerges from the trees ahead. The bear wanders across the road and disappears behind long grass as the tigress watches. Moments later, as the tigress strolls on, the bear reappears and chases after her. "A rarest of rare sight of a bear charging toward a tigress, captured today at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve," Rajiv Kumar Gupta , a retired government official with the Indian Administration Service who witnessed the encounter, wrote in the post. In the video, the tigress whips around when she hears the bear charging after her, but she does not attack and instead stands her ground. After a few seconds of the two predators facing off, the bear retreats back into the trees. Related: Huge cheetah that roamed China 1 million years ago would have stood face to face with a tiger "Apex predators usually have a mutual respect for each other especially if they are of a similar size," Tara Pirie , a lecturer in ecology and conservation at the University of Surrey in the U.K. who was not on the safari at the time of the encounter, told Live Science in an email. "The tiger took time to watch the bear, sizing it up possibly to understand more about it. The bear did not show a particularly aggressive charge from the video so the tiger must have decided it was big enough to stand its ground." RELATED STORIES Is the Javan tiger back from extinction? New study ignites controversy. Why are tigers orange? Indian giant squirrel: The 'rainbow' rodent that is also the world's largest squirrel Predators of similar strength and size tend to avoid unnecessary fights, as fighting wastes energy and puts both parties at risk of injury, Pirie said. In this case, the tigress may have been particularly reluctant to engage in a struggle because she was nursing three young cubs at the time of the encounter and could not "afford any injury," said Jitender Govindani , a professor and member of the academic council at ICBM School of Business Excellence in Hyderabad, India, who witnessed the standoff. Govindani noted the tigress appeared to surrender when the bear charged. "The tigress lowered her guard and surrendered when the bear got into attack mode," Govindani told Live Science in an email. "Once the tigress surrendered the bear left immediately, as [it] was also not keen to fight and showed aggression just [to] show its readiness to take on the tigress head on if provoked to a fight." Earlier in April, another tigress and her cubs ambushed and killed a crocodile in Ranthambore National Park, in India's northwestern state of Rajasthan. A video taken by visitors showed the four tigers feasting on the crocodile's carcass . SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A bicyclist was killed last week while riding on the side of a major freeway, authorities said. The crash occurred on May 29 around 7:40 p.m. on southbound Interstate 805 and Palm Avenue off-ramp in Chula Vista, per the California Highway Patrol. Crews knock out brush fire near homes in East County; evacuation order lifted A 66-year-old man was riding a bicycle on the shoulder of I-805 south exiting onto the Palm Avenue off-ramp when a Toyota sedan turned to the right for unknown reason and slammed into him, according to authorities. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The San Diego County Medical Examiners Office identified the bicyclist as Victor Keith Fields. The manner of his death was determined as an accident. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. President Bidens reelection campaign launched a quick response digital ad Saturday that features former President Trump kissing former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio on stage. The kiss came at a rally Thursday where the former president brought out the 91-year-old Arpaio onstage, hugged him and blew an air kiss in the vicinity of the former law enforcement officers right ear. I dont kiss men, but I kissed him, Trump told the crowd at the Dream City Church in Phoenix, a church that advocates marriage as between a male and a female. The new Biden ad ends on Trumps kissing remarks, leading up to that moment with news coverage about Arpaios most controversial actions as sheriff in a 30-second supercut sharing a split screen with a loop of the onstage kiss. The digital ad is set to target Latino voters in Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Arpaio gained notoriety as a bogeyman for immigrant communities, with aggressive immigration enforcement policies that included construction of an open-air prison tent city that the sheriff himself likened to a concentration camp in 2008. In 2011, the Justice Department (DOJ) found that Arpaio had engaged in the worst pattern of racial profiling by law enforcement in U.S. history. That determination was based on a series of police actions in Maricopa County, from deputies pulling over Latino-operated cars at a much higher rate, to a refusal by jail guards to accept written requests written by inmates in Spanish. The DOJ report was presented by then-Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Tom Perez, now a senior advisor to Biden. In 2012 the DOJ filed a lawsuit against Arpaio to stop discriminatory and unconstitutional law enforcement practices after he failed to comply with the recommendations in the report. Trump ultimately pardoned him in 2017 for the accusations. The two have been aligned on their approach to immigration enforcement, but also in their quest to prove that former President Obama was not born in Hawaii. Trump in 2011 began questioning Obamas birthplace in TV interviews, promoting a false claim that Arpaio pushed for years, including by publicly claiming that Obamas birth certificate was false. While Arpaio is popular with Trumps base, the Biden campaign is looking to spotlight the ongoing relationship between Trump and the former sheriff, who is deeply unpopular among Latinos. You are the company you keep, and Trump has made his bed with the most racist, anti-Latino people our country has seen in modern history, Biden-Harris Hispanic Media Director Maca Casado released the following statement. Palling around with the guy who illegally rounded up and abused Mexicans and Latinos every chance he got should surprise no one Trump has made attacking and vilifying Latinos his political brand. If Trump thinks he can kiss the ring of this criminal and get away with it, he has a whole other thing coming for him. Trump doesnt know our communitys political power, Casado added. Together, Latinos will prove him wrong by making him a loser once again this November. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Biden celebrated Israels successful rescue of four hostages from Gaza, vowing that the U.S. wont stop until all of the hostages are returned and a cease-fire is reached in the enclave. Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron praised the operation during their joint international press conference on Saturday in Paris. Both leaders touted the cooperation between the U.S. and France, along with ensuring that both Western countries will continue to support Ukraine as the country fends off Russias invasion. We wont stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached, Biden said before diving into the latter part of his remarks which lasted less than five minutes in total. That is essential to happen. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it along with two other units Israel Police and Israel Securities Authority had rescued four hostages in a special operation from two locations in central Gaza. All four of the individuals were kidnapped by the Palestinian militant group Hamas during the Nova music festival, according to the IDF. The military said all of them were in good medical condition and were sent off to a medical center for additional tests. Macron, who delivered his remarks right before Biden, welcomed the liberation of the hostages and he, again, called for an immediate cease-fire that, in his view, would bring lasting peace in the area. We want to achieve an immediate ceasefire and open up the prospect of a political solution, which is the only one that can bring about a fair and lasting peace and meet the security concerns of both people, Macron said in the nations capital. The French leader said France is supportive of the U.S. comprehensive proposal which Biden detailed last week at the White House. The proposal, which Biden said was Israel-led, would include a six-week cease-fire and trigger a withdrawal of the IDF from populated areas, while all of the hostages would be released. The plan, which is still being evaluated by all negotiators, has gotten some flack from China and Russia at the United Nations. Biden also touted the $61 billion defense package for Ukraine and, again, apologized for it being delivered late as the legislation was passing through both chambers of Congress. You know Putins not going to stop at Ukraine, he said. All of Europe will be threatened. The United States is not going to let that happenwe will not walk away. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Biden and Macron meet in Paris to talk, among other things, about Israel and Ukraine Reuters Just after commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, French President Emmanuel Macron will host US President Joe Biden on Saturday (8 June) for a state visit marked by a parade, as well as talks on trade, Israel and Ukraine. Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda Details: Both presidents, who have warm relations despite past tensions over a submarine deal with Australia, will attend a welcoming ceremony with their wives near the iconic Arc de Triomphe and a parade on the Champs-Elysees, followed by political talks and a dinner. Biden hosted Macron for a state visit at the White House in 2022. "France is ... our oldest and one of our deepest allies. And this will be an important moment to affirm that alliance and also look to the future and what we have to accomplish together," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said to reporters earlier this week. Sullivan noted that talks between the two presidents will touch on Russia's war against Ukraine, Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza, cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and political issues ranging from climate change to AI and supply chains. White House spokesperson John Kirby stated that the countries will announce plans for joint work on ensuring maritime security. Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard and the French Navy will discuss enhancing cooperation. Biden and Macron are also expected to discuss strengthening NATO. They both pledged their countries' support for Ukraine, although they have not yet agreed on a plan to use frozen Russian assets to assist Kyiv. Background: On 7 June, US President Joe Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris, where he apologised for the months-long delay by the US Congress in approving the latest aid package, and Zelenskyy addressed the French National Assembly. Biden called on Western countries to continue supporting Ukraine during a speech at the American cemetery in Normandy on Thursday, 6 June, the anniversary of the Allied landings on the French beaches in World War II to fight the Nazi occupiers. Zelenskyy also met with Macron in Paris on Friday. The presidents signed agreements to provide help for the repair of Ukrainian essential infrastructure. Macron stated that at least five other countries have agreed to send instructors to Ukraine to train Ukrainian troops. Support UP or become our patron! US President Joe Biden (L) reacts as he is welcomed by France's President Emmanuel Macron ahead of a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP/dpa President Joe Biden pledged continuing US support to Ukraine on meeting French President Emmanuel in Paris on Saturday at the start of a state visit. The United States was firmly at the side of Ukraine and other allies, Biden said. Macron also said France would continue its support for Ukraine for as long as it was necessary. Before the two leaders met, the US administration had however made clear that the US would not participate in Macron's plan to send military trainers to Ukraine. Speaking on Friday evening, Macron said he had held discussions on NATO leaders on sending military trainers to Ukraine and that several had agreed with his plans, which would be finalized "in the days ahead." Biden has said that no US personnel will be sent to the war zone, and the White House made clear on Friday evening that nothing had changed in this regard. The issue was not mentioned when Biden and Macron met on Saturday. Brief statements were issued, and no questions were allowed. An official White House statement said: "Reflecting on their historical relationship and recalling the price for peace and freedom paid by past generations in both countries, the presidents reaffirm their commitment to a Europe, whole, free, and at peace." Macron expressed confidence that agreement on the use of interest earned on frozen Russian assets to support Kiev. France and the US are aiming for all G7 members to approve a loan of $50 billion. While the US has backed the idea, European members of the G7 have shown caution, amid hopes that a decision could be taken at a pending G7 meeting in Italy. Biden and Macron welcomed the announcement from Israel that four more hostages had been freed in the Gaza Strip. Biden said that the US would not cease working until all the hostages were released and a ceasefire arranged. Macron said that the number of dead and injured after nine months of war were unacceptable. He added that the fact that Israel was not opening all border crossings to humanitarian aid could not be tolerated. Earlier, Macron welcomed Biden with full military honours at a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. A military choir and a band provided by the National Gendarmerie played as aircraft flew overhead. The two leaders laid a wreath and held a minute of silence at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which lies under the national monument in the centre of the French capital. A state banquet is scheduled for the evening. Macron was Biden's first guest on a state visit in 2022. The US president has been in France since Wednesday, attending ceremonies in Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. US President Joe Biden (C), flanked by US First Lady Jill Biden (L), France's President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R) and French president's wife Brigitte Macron (R), waves as he participates in a ceremony as part of a state visit to France, at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Saul Loeb/AFP/dpa US President Joe Biden (L) reacts as he is welcomed by France's President Emmanuel Macron ahead of a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP/dpa US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the rescue of four hostages from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, who were freed in an Israeli special forces operation earlier in the day. Biden, speaking at a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, said the United States would keep working until all hostages returned home. His national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, praised the Israeli military in a statement. "We commend the work of the Israeli security services that conducted this daring operation," Sullivan said. He used the occasion to push for a hostage-ceasefire deal, saying it "would secure the release of all the remaining hostages together with security assurances for Israel and relief for the innocent civilians in Gaza." Macron spoke out in favour of these goals, but criticized that the situation in the southern city of Rafah. He said the number of people killed and injured after nine months of war were unacceptable. It was also unacceptable that Israel was not opening all border crossings for humanitarian aid, as the international community had been demanding for months. Joint efforts would be stepped up to prevent a regional conflagration, especially in Lebanon, said Macron. There was an urgent need to make progress on de-escalation in the Lebanese-Israeli border region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre, in Ramat Gan. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had rescued four Israeli hostages on Saturday in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Jack Guez/AFP pool/dpa A woman drapped in the Isareli flag celebrates the rescue and arrival of four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa The helicopter that was carrying the rescued Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, stands outside the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa People wave Isareli flags as they celebrate the rescue and arrival of four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa People wave Isareli flags as they celebrate the rescue and arrival of four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Biden pledges to stop Gaza war escalating in region as hes given state visit to France President Joe Biden vowed on Saturday to push for a ceasefire stop the Israel-Hamas war from escalating into a regional crisis during a state visit to France. "We wont stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached," Biden said at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris. We are redoubling efforts together to avoid a regional explosion, particularly in Lebanon, French presiden Emmanual Macron added. Since October, Israel and the Iran-backed militia movement Hezbollah in Lebanon have been trading cross-border strikes. The comments came as Israel announced it freed four hostages taken by Hamas at a music festival during the militant groups suprise attack on October 7 that ignited Israel-Gaza war. More than 210 Palestinians were reported killed in fighting around Nuseirat, where the rescue occured. The White House has continued to push for a ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza. Brigitte Macron, Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron,share a toast during a state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris (AP) In late May, President Biden unilaterally revealed what he said was an Israel-backed proposal to stop the conflict, seen by observers as an attempt to ratchet up pressure on Israel and Hamas to make a deal. The proposal called for a six week temporary ceasefire, the release of some hostages, and the withdrawal of the Israeli military from populated areas of Gaza, with mediators to seek an eventual permanent end to hostilities. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in response to the proposal, said he wouldnt agree to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza unless Hamas is no longer in military or government power, a position the group considers a non-starter. The US has consistently voiced its concern over the war effort and the staggering civilian death toll of Israels operations in Gaza, but has continued to arm the US ally, which seems little impacted by White House rhetoric. In May, the State Department concluded it was reasonable to assess Israel used American arms in ways that are inconsistent with international law. The International Criminal Court has also called for the arrest of Netanyahu, one of his government ministers, and the leaders of Hamas, accusing them of war crimes. The White House, earlier this month, warned Israel it might pause weapons shipments if Netanyahu crossed Bidens red line and initiatied a full-scale invasion of Rafah, a southern city where over 1 million Palestinians were forced to flee to as Israel invaded northern Gaza. The US did pause a weapons shipment over its Rafah concerns, but has continued to provide materiel to Israel as its Rafah offensive got underway. As The Independent has reported, the Biden administration also ignored persistent internal and external warnings that Israel was creating a famine in Gaza. The UN warned this week that over 1 million people in Gaza could face famine-like conditions by the middle of this month. Israel has reportedly killed at least 36,000 Palestinians in the conflict so far, the majority of them civilians. Contract workers often struggle to save for retirement. And there are droves of them now making up more than 1 in 10 US workers, according to research from MIT Sloan professor Paul Osterman. The number of independent or gig workers has nearly doubled since 2020, according to data from MBO Partners, a platform for contract workers. These include both temporary workers as well as workers on longer-term projects through staffing firms. There are, however, several relatively painless saving options to help workers get traction on their own. If you have earned income, you can save for retirement in a tax-advantaged saving option, like an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), even if youre starting with a small amount. Self-employment brings freedom and flexibility, but it also requires a do-it-yourself approach when it comes to saving and investing for retirement, Catherine Collinson, CEO and president of Transamerica Institute, told Yahoo Finance. "Without an employer and employer-sponsored retirement benefits, its easy to procrastinate, she said, especially if you feel like you cant afford to save. A pressing question is: Can you afford to not save? Last year, Gen Xers accounted for 3 in 10 independent workers, millennials made up 33%, and Gen Zers were 19%. In addition, about a quarter of women workers are not offered any retirement benefits by their employers, compared with only 16% of men. That discrepancy is due in part to the fact that women are twice as likely as men to work in part-time contract jobs, and many employers dont offer retirement benefits to their part-time employees. Read more: Retirement planning: A step-by-step guide If you have earned income, you can save for retirement in a tax-advantaged saving option, like an Individual Retirement Account, even if youre starting with a small amount. (Getty Creative) (Kiyoshi Hijiki via Getty Images) Thats a sticky problem. Unfortunately, when workers do not have access to an employer-sponsored plan, they often dont act on their own, Angela M. Antonelli, executive director of the Center for Retirement Initiatives at Georgetown University, told Yahoo Finance. Only a fraction of workers take the steps to open up a retirement savings account if their employer does not provide one. If a worker has access to an employer-sponsored plan, participation jumps to 72%. And, if theyre auto-enrolled, it jumps to more than 90%, according to Antonelli. Saving for retirement when you're on your own Whether you're a newly minted college graduate, a baby boomer not quite ready to retire completely, or a worker over 50 still wanting to work full-time, not having an employer-provided retirement account can have serious consequences for retiring comfortably one day. I know this trap firsthand. When I was self-employed, I resisted setting money aside to fund my retirement accounts for fear of unexpected bills. Then, some clients were notoriously slow in paying my invoices, so cash flow could be erratic. I frequently pushed saving for retirement as far down the road as I could each year. Story continues And when I was right out of college and freelancing, retirement seemed like a lifetime away, and it was easier to not think about it at all. I convinced myself that I wasnt making enough to save. Thats still the classic refrain I hear from younger workers. The biggest hurdle is the fear of getting started and the paralyzing judgment that you're doing something wrong, Ashley Russo, founder of Russo Wealth Management in San Diego, told Yahoo Finance. No 401(k), no problem There are ways of saving for retirement that are relatively easy to set up. There are five basic options: a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, a simplified employee pension (SEP-IRA), a solo 401(k), and a health savings account (HSA). Read more: What is the retirement age for Social Security, 401(k), and IRA withdrawals? Ask yourself: How much you can spare for retirement savings each month? (Getty Creative) (jayk7 via Getty Images) Your potential choices with IRAs The first thing to think about is really what's your capacity for savings, Justin Smith, a fee-only certified financial planner with Savant Wealth Management in Phoenix, told Yahoo Finance. Most contractors opt for a traditional IRA for the up-front tax break. Tax-advantaged accounts can make it more affordable to save because youll be lowering your tax bill, Collinson said. Contributions to traditional IRAs are often tax deductible, but withdrawals in retirement are taxed at the same rates as ordinary income, like wages. This year, you can contribute up to $7,000 in an IRA either traditional or Roth, and if youre over 50, you can do a $1,000 catch-up in addition. So if that is within the capacity for your savings, that's the easiest way to do it, Smith said. If youre self-employed, you can put more of your income away by contributing to a tax-deductible Simplified Employee Pension plan, or SEP-IRA. The contribution limit for a SEP-IRA for 2024 is 25% of your compensation or $69,000 whichever is less. Youre going to have to have a significant amount of earnings, well over a couple hundred thousand dollars, to get that much, though, Smith said. A solo 401(k) is a retirement plan for self-employed people without employees (a spouse is an exception). This is the option with the most bells and whistles, Smith said. You can usually sock away pre-tax, up to 25% of your pay, with a cut-off contribution limit that fluctuates annually. Total contributions to a participants account, not counting catch-up contributions for those age 50 and over, cannot exceed $69,000 for 2024. There is a catch-up contribution of an extra $7,500 for those 50 or older, pushing the total allowed to 76,500. This can be either a pre-tax or Roth arrangement. This one is if you are really thinking about how can I sock away the most amount of money, Smith said. You can open any of these retirement accounts through your local credit union, bank, as well as mutual fund companies and brokerage firms. Theyre simple to set up online: enter your bank information, how often you want to invest, and the amount you want to transfer. Also, states are increasingly offering IRA programs that are open for self-employed people to enroll in. These include Oregon, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Illinois, California, and Virginia. While these workers can set up any kind of IRA, there are a lot of choices to make in the private market, John Scott, director of Pew Charitable Trusts retirement savings project, told Yahoo Finance. In contrast, the state programs provide a simple, easy option so they can start saving quickly. A key retirement tool linked to your health insurance As a self-employed freelancer or business owner, you probably have a high-deductible health plan for your medical coverage which opens the door to setting up a health savings account, or HSA. Health savings accounts can be a way to hike savings for retirement. Its the only account that lets you put money in on a tax-free basis, build up tax-free, and come out tax-free for qualified healthcare expenses. The 2024 annual contribution limit for individuals is $4,150. For family coverage, the HSA contribution limit is $8,300. If you are an eligible individual 55 or older, your contribution limit is increased by $1,000. Your contributions roll over year after year and are yours to take along when you retire or change employers. Bonus tip: You might also consider using some or all of your tax refund to bump up your nest egg. You can include your retirement account routing information on your 1040 tax return. "Don't worry about saving large sums, instead focus on consistency and the power of compounding savings over time. (Getty Creative) (Erstudiostok via Getty Images) Think cruise control When it comes to hassle-free tax and retirement planning for self-employed workers, repeat this mantra: automate, automate, automate. Even with the precarious nature of a freelancers finances, when youre disciplined and automate the withdrawals, you can save for retirement one paycheck at a time. The most powerful tool we have in finance is time, Russo said. For those at the start of their careers, the key is to start saving now, she said. Don't worry about saving large sums; instead, focus on consistency and the power of compounding savings over time. A little-known credit The savers credit, a tax credit for eligible retirement savers who save in a 401(k) or similar plan or IRA, is another option. The credit lets you get back some of your retirement contributions as a reduction in your tax bill. Its worth up to $1,000 ($2,000 if married filing jointly) for taxpayers who contribute to a retirement account. Your eligibility and the size of your credit vary depending on your income, your filing status, and the amount of your retirement contribution. The 2024 income limit for the savers credit is $76,500 for married couples filing jointly, $57,375 for heads of household, and $38,250 for singles and married individuals filing separately. Stay tuned for a new twist on this choice. In 2027, the savers credit will be replaced by the savers match, which will provide matching funds from the federal government, which will be deposited directly into savers retirement accounts. For now, if you qualify, go for it every little bit counts. Many people are overlooking this tax credit that makes it easier to save for retirement because it sounds too good to be true, Collinson said. Kerry Hannon is a Senior Columnist at Yahoo Finance. She is a career and retirement strategist, and the author of 14 books, including "In Control at 50+: How to Succeed in The New World of Work" and "Never Too Old To Get Rich." Follow her on X @kerryhannon. 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 President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk in the Normandy American Cemetery following a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Normandy. via Associated Press President Joe Biden on Sunday is set to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, the burial place for 1,800 U.S. Marines, whom Donald Trump famously called suckers and losers and had refused to honor with a visit in 2018 because it had been raining. Trump, president at the time, had been scheduled to visit the cemetery about 60 miles from Paris but canceled because of the rain. He told his then-chief of staff John Kelly: Why should I go to that cemetery? Its filled with losers. Later on the same trip, he called servicemembers who died for their country suckers. Kelly, a retired Marine general whose son, also a Marine, died in Afghanistan, went to the cemetery in Trumps place. Photos from the visit show no rain falling as he walked amid the gravestones. Its unclear whether Biden will mention Trumps failure to pay his respects at the cemetery, which largely holds the remains of Marines and Army soldiers killed in the key World War I Battle of Belleau Wood, during Bidens own visit there Sunday. The president has been in France since Wednesday for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion in Normandythat brought on the collapse of Nazi Germany. Still, Biden has been using Trumps suckers and losers comments against the coup-attempting former president now for months in campaign appearances, arguing that a person who believes such a thing has no business being commander-in-chief. On Jan. 5, in remarks marking the third anniversary of the Capitol insurrection, Biden said of Trumps insults: How dare he? Who in Gods name does he think he is? They asked him to go visit American gravesites. He said no. He wouldnt do it. Because they were all suckers and losers, Biden said four months later, in a speech in his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Im not making that up. And at a fundraiser in Connecticut last week: He said theyre losers and suckers. Losers and suckers. Who in the hell does he think he is? This guy does not deserve to be president, whether or not I was running. Trump campaign officials did not respond to HuffPost queries about Bidens planned visit. Trump, for his part, appears to have clearly understood from the outset how damaging his disrespect for American service members could be for him. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly visits the Aisne Marne American Cemetery near the Belleau Wood battleground, in Belleau, France, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Francois Mori via AP Two days after refusing to visit Aisne-Marne, Trump was posting on social media that he wanted to go but just couldnt. By the way, when the helicopter couldnt fly to the first cemetery in France because of almost zero visibility, I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO, too far from airport & big Paris shutdown, he first wrote on Nov. 12, 2018, repeating the false story that his press staff had been putting out. In fact, the Marine 1 helicopter, a Sikorsky VH-3D, can fly in precipitation, and on multiple occasions carried Trump through light rain and drizzle from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland back to the White House. Further, Secret Service advance teams always make contingency travel plans for bad weather. During the 2018 Armistice Day events marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, both French President Emmanuel Macron and then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel traveled to Compiegne just as far from Paris as Aisne-Marne for a ceremony there that same afternoon while Trump remained indoors at the U.S. ambassadors residence in Paris, tweeting. Following critical news coverage of the canceled Aisne-Marne trip, though, Trump visited the American military cemetery in Suresnes, on the outskirts of Paris, just before leaving France to head back to Washington, D.C. And two years later, when the Atlantic published its account of the true reason for skipping Aisne-Marne including Trumps suckers and losers comments, descriptions of which it attributed to unnamed sources Trump emerged from Air Force 1 after a campaign trip and raged about it to traveling reporters for seven minutes, claiming the article was a complete fabrication. If they really exist, if people really exist that would have said that, theyre low-lifes and theyre liars. And I would be willing to swear on anything that I never said that about our fallen heroes. There is nobody that respects them more, Trump said on the Andrews tarmac. Kelly last year publicly stated that the Trump quotes were accurate. Trump late last month became the first former president to become a convicted felon after a New York state jury found him guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in order to hide a hush money payment to a porn actor, which was meant to keep her story from hurting his 2016 presidential campaign. Separately, he faces both a federal and Georgia state indictment for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election, including his actions leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of his followers actions that, had they succeeded, could have effectively ended American democracy. He also faces a second federal indictment for refusing to turn over secret documents he took with him to his South Florida country club upon leaving the White House. Notwithstanding the criminal conviction and the outstanding felony charges against him, Trump is set to be nominated as the Republican presidential nominee next month in Milwaukee. Related... Big Oil executives spark controversy after calling efforts to phase out dirty energy a 'fantasy' can the world stay on track? Despite agreeing to phase out polluting fuels at a recent global climate summit, oil executives are now backtracking on that promise, calling it a "fantasy" to transition to cleaner energy sources. What's happening? At the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP28, nearly 200 countries reached a historic agreement to accelerate the move away from oil and gas so the world could achieve its critical pollution-reduction goals by 2050, per Reuters and the World Economic Forum. "We are moving away from fossil fuels and we are not turning back," then-top U.S. climate negotiator John F. Kerry said at the conference, as reported by the Washington Post. As the WEF noted, COP28 was the first UN climate change conference at which representatives officially admitted that dirty fuels are the main culprits behind the planet's dangerous overheating. While oil interests agreed to deep pollution cuts, the deal wasn't legally binding, making it difficult to hold them accountable, the Post detailed. At an energy conference in Houston earlier this year, oil and gas companies seemed to forget about the agreement entirely, citing soaring demand as proof their products are still necessary. "We should abandon the fantasy of phasing out oil and gas," Amin Nasser, CEO and president of the world's largest oil producer, Saudi Aramco, said at the Houston meeting, per the Post. Why is it concerning that Big Oil isn't reducing production? Climate experts agree that we need to limit rising global temperatures to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels to avoid the worst impacts of the warming planet. However, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said that for this to be achieved, the release of polluting gases must peak before 2025, which isn't likely to happen in part because the United States is pumping record amounts of oil. According to the Post, citing the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the U.S. averaged 12.9 million barrels of crude oil production per day in 2023, beating a prior record set in 2019. Meanwhile, Nasser predicted that worldwide demand for oil would skyrocket to 104 million barrels per day this year, even though clean energy such as solar and wind are making up a larger part of the energy mix. While it's unrealistic to stop using oil and gas overnight, the longer society relies on these polluting fuels, the more it puts communities at risk of facing extreme weather, disease outbreaks, and other hazards of a hotter planet. What's being done about this? Despite the alarming news, the International Energy Agency estimates that demand for oil and gas will peak by 2030 as electric vehicles, solar, and wind power start to dominate the energy landscape, per the New York Times. "The agreement to transition away from fossil fuels in Dubai is as strong as ever," John Podesta, President Biden's senior adviser for climate policy, said, as quoted by the Post. "The trajectory is clear. The question is speed and scale." With solar, wind, geothermal, and wave energy experiencing explosive growth, it's clear there's no stopping the clean energy transition. We can also support the switch to non-polluting power sources by electrifying our homes and cars and educating ourselves about greenwashing to ensure our hard-earned money is going to eco-friendly brands. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Bill Anders took his "Earthrise" photo out the window of Apollo 8 on Dec. 24, 1968. (Bill Anders / NASA) Bill Anders, the Apollo 8 astronaut who was one of the first humans to orbit the moon and who took the iconic first photo of Earth rising over the lunar surface, died Friday when a plane he was piloting crashed near the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state. He was 90. He was flying alone when the plane, a Beechcraft T-34 Mentor, crashed into the water near Roche Harbor, Wash., about 11:40 a.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said. The family is devastated, his son, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Anders, told the Associated Press. He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly. After a search with helicopters and boats, a state dive team recovered the pilot's body, said Petty Officer Annika Hirschler, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson. The crash is under investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board. Bill Anders, center, with Apollo 8 crewmates Jim Lovell, left, and Frank Borman before their 1968 mission. (NASA) On Dec. 24, 1968, Anders and two other astronauts aboard Apollo 8, Frank Borman and Jim Lovell, became the first people to orbit the Moon. Anders famously read from the Book of Genesis on a live Christmas Eve broadcast from space. Anders and his crewmates were also the first humans to witness the blue Earth rising over the moon's gray surface. As the spacecraft was rotating, Anders looked out the side window and was taking photos when the Earth emerged from behind the moon. "Oh, my God, look at that picture over there!" he exclaimed in a recorded exchange. "There's the Earth comin' up. Wow, is that pretty!" That moment, captured on film, was the iconic photo "Earthrise." The image captivated people worldwide and became a profound symbol of the environmental movement, showing the fragility of life on Earth in the vastness of space. Read more: Capturing the big picture on Earth Day Looking out from the spacecraft, Anders said later, the Earth seemed "like a fragile Christmas tree ornament. And I thought to myself, you know, it's too bad we don't treat it more like a Christmas tree ornament." The photo has had a major influence on society. Drawing on the perspective captured in the photo, environmentalists organized the first Earth Day in 1970. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said Anders "offered to humanity among the deepest of gifts an astronaut can give." "He traveled to the threshold of the Moon and helped all of us see something else: ourselves. He embodied the lessons and the purpose of exploration. We will miss him, Nelson wrote in a social media post. The International Astronomical Union commemorated the taking of the photo in 2018 by naming one of the moon's craters Anders Earthrise. In a NASA video interview in his later years, Anders reflected on how seeing Earth from that perspective influenced his thinking about people and the planet. Read more: For the Apollo crews, a small world Its really too bad, you know, were shooting missiles and rockets and whatnot at each other on this tiny little place we call home. Its the only home in the universe for us humans, he said. Its too bad we dont treat it a little better. When he snapped the image with a Hasselblad camera, he saw the Earth emerging not over the moon but to the side of it. In the photo's original orientation, the moon is on the right side. But the image has typically been framed with the lunar surface at the bottom, making the Earth appear to be rising. In one interview, Anders said the photo gave a jumpstart to the environmental movement." "It helped point out that not only is the Earth delicate and fragile, but it's also very finite," he said. All of the views of the Earth from the moon have let the human race realize that we're all jammed together on one really kind of dinky little planet. And we'd better treat it and ourselves better, or we're not going to be here very long. Anders was the lunar module pilot on the Apollo 8 mission. In a 1997 interview about the space program, he said that before his flight, he'd guessed there was "one chance in three wed have a successful mission." William A. Anders was born in 1933 in Hong Kong to a military family. His father was a U.S. Navy officer. Anders attended Grossmont High School in El Cajon in San Diego County. He went on to the Naval Academy, then was commissioned by the Air Force. He retired from the Air Force reserve as a major general. But he never stopped flying, even decades after he returned from space. Anders at San Diego County's Ramona Airport in 2006. ( John Gastald / San Diego Union-Tribune) After Apollo, Anders carved out an executive career that spanned the public and private sectors. Known for a gruff manner and exacting attention to detail, he served as executive secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council, a commissioner on the Atomic Energy Commission and the first chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Later came stints as ambassador to Norway, vice president of General Electric Co. and executive vice president at Textron Inc. In the early 1990s, he served as chairman and chief executive officer of General Dynamics, overseeing belt-tightening at the defense contractor. In 1996, Anders and his wife co-founded the Heritage Flight Museum, now located next to Skagit Regional Airport in Burlington, Wash. In early October, Anders and his son Greg who is now the museum's executive director flew a pair of T-34 aircraft in a formation demonstration above the museum. Anders and his wife, Valerie, divided their time between Washington and the San Diego community of Point Loma. He is survived by six children and more than a dozen grandchildren. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a former astronaut, said that through the "Earthrise" photo, Anders forever changed our perspective of our planet and ourselves. He inspired me and generations of astronauts and explorers. My thoughts are with his family and friends, Kelly wrote in a social media post. The Associated Press 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. Dearly Departed After promising eight artists and musicians that they'd get free flights around the Moon on a SpaceX Starship, the Japanese billionaire behind the dearMoon space tour has completely let down his would-be crew. Last week, e-commerce billionaire Yusaku Maezawa announced on X-formerly-Twitter that he was canceling the dearMoon tour due to SpaceX missing deadlines, a move that's left his crew including famed DJ Steve Aoki blindsided. "I cant plan my future in this situation, and I feel terrible making the crew members wait longer, hence the difficult decision to cancel at this point in time," Maezawa, the CEO of Japan's Zozotown e-commerce platform, wrote in his tweet thread. "I apologize to those who were excited for this project to happen." As Space.com reports, crew reactions to the surprise decision have ranged from understanding to criticism with much more verbosity in the latter category. "Im sorry, but as a crew member this doesnt wash," Irish photographer Rhiannon Adam, one of the members of the erstwhile dearMoon crew, responded on X. "You didnt ask us if we minded waiting or give us an option or discuss that you were thinking of [canceling] until youd already made the decision." "I can only speak for myself," she continued, "but Id have waited till it was ready." Feeling Frenzy Brendan Hall, a 29-year-old filmmaker who was also slated to travel aboard the SpaceX rocket around the Moon, posted his own lengthy statement condemning the seemingly-abrupt decision. "Our crew, from the many conversations we've had together, were ready to wait as long as it took for this flight to happen," the youthful documentarian wrote. "As many of us know, shifting timelines are the inherent nature of spaceflight. Every day the space industry is achieving a milestone that at one time was thought to be impossible." "Through these years, our crew has stayed well informed of Starship's development through publicly available information and discourse, and were well aware that we would potentially be investing many years into this mission," he continued. "The cancellation of this mission was sudden, brief, and unexpected." Multi-disciplinary artist Yemi A.D., meanwhile, tweeted that although news about the dearMoon cancellation was "unfortunate," his "commitment to space-exploration projects and supporting young, disadvantaged individuals in achieving their own Moonshots remains unwavering." It's certainly a sad ending to an otherwise inspirational story but given that Maezawa essentially said "let them eat cake" during his last spaceflight at the end of 2021, it's not all that surprising, either. More on failed space tourism: NASA Slaps Down Billionaire's Plan to Fly Up and Fix Hubble Space Telescope The Americans with Disabilities Act protects service dogs and their owners and lets them go to all sorts of places, including places that don't allow pets, such as restaurants and shops. Sadly, the ADA states that religious institutions and organizations are specifically exempt from the ADA. One owner who uses a service dog discovered this when she was denied entry into a church in Texas. Mari Ramos and her guide dog Betty were denied entry into a church. KFVS reports, "I had somebody say to me on Sunday, well Im not denying you. Im denying your service animal. Well by extension you are denying me because Betty and I are a cohesive unit, Ramos said.Ramos learned religious institutions are specifically exempt from ADA compliance. Shes sharing her story because she wants to ensure no one is left feeling the way she was feeling on Sunday. There was just this feeling of being turned away, this feeling of embarrassment, this feeling of being excluded from something, she said." That is just heartbreaking that she felt that way. I'm not sure it's very Christian of any church to deny entry to someone. Related: Blind and Deaf Dog's Reaction to Mom Coming Home Is Just the Best People on Facebook are pretty riled up about this terrible story, and one person said, "This both angers and saddens me. Christians should be more welcoming to any who want to come to church. God Bless them." Another person added, "This is not a Christian thing I promise you that. Im a Christian, and the church I go to would never do this." Someone else explained the sad facts with, "Although it is not Christian like, and I would recommend going to a different church...by law churches are exempt from having to allow service dogs or guide dogs into the church...I wish the law was different...there are many other churches that would happily allow you and your service guide dog inside." I really hope another church in the community reached out to this dog owner to welcome here and Betty to attend. Here's the ADA Law Regarding Religious Institutions Religious institutions and organizations are specifically exempt from the ADA. However, there may be State laws that apply to religious organizations. I really hope that they find a new church that welcomes them with open arms. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. LIVINGSTON, Texas (KETK) Lake Livingston Water Supply Corporation has issued a boil water notice for Sandy Ridge, Harbor Lights and Sandy Creek subdivisions. Boil water notice dos and donts According to a release, due to a line break in the system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the company to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption. To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes for drinking, cooking and making ice should be boiled and then cooled prior to use for human consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, people can purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public system officials said they will notify customers that the water is safe for human consumption. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Attorneys for the state squared off this week with lawyers for immigrants and an advocacy group after an unusual twist in a challenge to a Florida law aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration. The lawsuit, filed in July by The Farmworker Association of Florida, Inc. and individual plaintiffs, centers on part of a 2023 law that threatens felony charges for people who transport into Florida an immigrant who entered the United States in violation of law and has not been inspected by the federal government since his or her unlawful entry. Siding with the plaintiffs on May 22, U.S. District Judge Roy Altman issued an injunction prohibiting enforcement of that part of the law statewide. But the following day, the judge issued an order appearing to second-guess his decision and asked for further briefing on the proper scope of the injunction. Altmans May 23 order pointed to national conversation taking place in both the legal academy and the judiciary concerning the propriety of courts using universal injunctions as a matter of preliminary relief. Read: Immigrant mother speaks out after man accused of sexually assaulting her daughter was arrested The judge gave lawyers for the plaintiffs and the state until Thursday to file briefs on whether the injunction should apply statewide; throughout the federal Southern District of Florida, where the case was filed; to plaintiffs who have established legal standing; or to all plaintiffs who remain in the case. In a brief filed Thursday, lawyers for the plaintiffs urged Altman to keep his initial decision to block the law throughout Florida. Statewide relief is necessary to provide complete relief to the plaintiffs here, because there is no viable way to structure and enforce a more limited injunction that would fully protect the nearly 12,000 members of plaintiff Farmworker Association of Florida, the plaintiffs lawyers argued. While there has been recent debate about the propriety of systemwide injunctions, every court to address the issue has agreed that they are appropriate when necessary to redress the plaintiffs harms. The practical need for a statewide injunction, they added, is bolstered by the legal context of the lawsuit. The context includes an argument by the plaintiffs that the Florida law is preempted by federal immigration laws. Read: City will form committee to decide on permanent Pulse Memorial In cases like these, statewide injunctions advance the basic purpose of preemption doctrine, which is to protect Congress prerogatives and ensure the smooth functioning of the federal immigration scheme. A narrower injunction would fail to do that, Paul Chavez, an attorney with the Southern Poverty Law Center, wrote in the 19-page brief. Plaintiffs also are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Florida, Americans for Immigrant Justice, the American Immigration Council, and the ACLU Immigration Rights Project. Attorneys for the state, however, argued that no universal injunction is warranted here. At best, only the individual plaintiffs have standing and a cause of action. The injunction therefore should not apply beyond them, whether nationwide, statewide, or even district-wide, lawyers in Attorney General Ashley Moodys office wrote in a 16-page brief. Also, the states lawyers argued that the farmworker association lacked a valid cause of action under the federal Immigration and Naturalization Act and is not entitled to relief. Read: Florida toll relief program sees over $40 million in savings in the past month Courts have been skeptical of statewide and nationwide injunctions, the states brief said, pointing to recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court that blocked statewide injunctions. But the plaintiffs lawyers argued that courts have narrowed injunctions in cases involving a small number of individuals, not an organization with thousands of members facing arrest and prosecution from hundreds of law enforcement agencies throughout the state. The state also on Thursday filed a motion for reconsideration that, in part, said Altman overlooked the states argument that the plaintiffs lack a cause of action to bring the preemption claim. The 2023 law is among a number of steps DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature have taken in recent years to target undocumented immigrants. In issuing the May 22 preliminary injunction, Altman cited previous court rulings that he said consistently established immigration is a matter governed by federal not state law. By making it a felony to transport into Florida someone who has not been inspected by the federal government since his or her unlawful entry, Section 10 (the disputed section of the law) extends beyond the states authority to make arrests for violations of federal immigration law and, in so doing, intrudes into territory thats preempted, Altman, who was appointed as a federal judge in 2018 by former President Donald Trump, wrote. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Man with assault weapon opens fire on Broad St. in downtown Augusta, Sheriff Roundtree responds Update, June 10th The Georgia Bureau of Investigations has released the name of the suspect in Fridays shooting on Broad Street. 19-year-old Amazing Lee Blessed Brigham is charged with 2 counts of aggravated assault and 1 count of possession of a gun during the commission of a crime. Update, June 8th, 5:05 p.m. Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree held a press conference Saturday morning regarding the early morning shooting. Sheriff Roundtree says that the gunman was shot, along with two other bystanders in front of Sole Augusta on the 10,000 block of Broad Street. Everyone is in stable condition. He says a massive amount of rounds were fire. As of this update, one suspect is in custody and law enforcement is actively looking for others. The RCSO and the GBI are asking the public to share any information or video with the GBI to help in the investigation. AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) At least one person has been shot in downtown Augusta. According to information from the Richmond County Sheriffs Office, Deputies were called to the 10th block of Broad Street at 1:13 a.m. on Saturday. Upon arrival, Deputies say they found a man with an assault weapon shooting into a crowd of people. First Responders say an unknown number of people were hit during the shooting. Reportedly, Deputies returned fire and shot the suspect. ALSO ON WJBF: Richmond Co. Sheriffs Candidate, Gino Rock responds to downtown Augusta shooting That person was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. The GBI is currently investigating. As of 9:57 a.m. Saturday, no deaths have been reported. Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree, Mayor Garnett Johnson, and Commissioner Jordan Johnson were all on scene Saturday morning to alert business owners of potential damages. The street may be reopened around noon. MORE RESPONSES: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Have British Europhiles really woken up to what is happening in Europe? Their attitudes towards the EU have always been woefully naive, informed more by their summer holidays in Tuscany and their enjoyment of sophisticated European culture than by any real knowledge of how politics on the continent works. They have spent years criticising Britain as some sort of bigoted backwater, a world apart from that supposed bastion of liberal values, Brussels. Now, however, they may be about to get a massive wake-up call. Across the EU, people are increasingly voting for hard-Right parties. The European elections began in the Netherlands on Thursday morning and will carry on across the 27 member countries until Sunday night, with the final results known early on Monday. All the polls are predicting huge gains for Right-wing parties, including some worryingly extreme ones. The Alternative for Germany party one of whose candidates recently suggested there were good people to be found in the Nazi SS could come out ahead of Olaf Scholzs Social Democratic Party. In France, Marine Le Pens National Rally party is expected to trounce president Emmanuel Macrons Renaissance; in Italy, prime minister Giorgia Melonis Brothers of Italy party, which has its roots in the countrys fascist past, is due to increase its number of seats in the European Parliament. The nationalist Law and Justice party is looking to make a comeback in Poland after losing power last December. It follows a shock win for populist Geert Wilders Party for Freedom in last Novembers Dutch general election. Yet still Europhiles want to rejoin the bloc despite some of these European hardliners making Nigel Farage look like Ken Clarke. We know that, if Labour gets into power, arch-Remainer Sir Keir Starmer is going to push for closer alignment with the EU because shadow foreign secretary David Lammy has hinted as much. Yet if Right-wing groups do end up substantially increasing their share of the seats in the European Parliament, Starmer and co might want to be careful what they wish for. This is the truth of the lie about the EU: even post-Brexit, Britain has always been much more tolerant than some of its continental cousins. (NEXSTAR) Are you saving as much as youd like? Keeping extra money in the bank for emergencies or expenses is one of the wisest things you can do but depending on where you live, it can be difficult. Recently, personal finance outlet FinanceBuzz analyzed data for 125 U.S. cities with populations greater than 200,000 to rank them based on several metrics, including cost of living, median income and debt-to-income ratios. The cities were then ranked based on ease of saving to difficulty and California owned the top 10 worst cities, with only one being outside of the Golden State. Costco recalls Tillamook cheese due to plastic pieces in Monterey Jack slices And theyre not just the major cities you might expect. Coming in at number one in FinanceBuzzs ranking of the U.S. Cities Where Its Hardest To Save Money is Oxnard, California. The Ventura County city is the no. 1 worst city nationwide when it comes to saving money. FinanceBuzz notes Oxnards high cost of living, in addition to having one of the five worst mortgage-to-income ratios nationwide and one of the five worst debt-to-income ratios of any city on the list. Heres a look at the full bottom 10. Rank City Median income Mortgage as % of income Debt-to-income ratio Median credit card debt 1. Oxnard, California $46,191 63% 2.51 $2,684 2. Santa Ana, CA $41,861 65% 1.966 $2,480 3. Moreno Valley, CA $47,898 50% 3.124 $2,816 4. Riverside, CA $50,648 52% 2.51 $2,998 5. San Bernardino, CA $40,119 59% 2.51 $2,500 6. Anaheim, CA $49,467 70% 1.925 $2,665 7. Chula Vista, CA $61,942 57% 2.042 $3,508 8. Honolulu, Hawaii $51,668 55% 2.285 $2,826 9. Los Angeles, CA $54,251 68% 1.925 $3,068 10. Fontana, CA $93,894 56% 2.226 $3,010 In addition to Oxnard, other California cities rounding out the top five worsts are Santa Ana (second), Moreno Valley (third), Riverside (fourth) and San Bernardino (fifth). Video shows bear walk across football practice at Northern California school FinanceBuzz explains that many of the same factors are the reasons for these cities being ranked how they are, as California is generally more expensive than many other states. The outlet explains that though Moreno Valley has a slightly more affordable cost of living, its debt-to-income ratio is among the worst seen from any city on the list. Nationally, Toledo, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, nabbed the no. 1 and no. 2 spots, respectively. FinanceBuzz found Toledo to have the second-lowest cost of living of all cities, not to mention having low rent and mortgage costs compared to income. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE 6/8/24, 9:40 a.m.: Rockville Fire in Washington County is 20% contained as of Saturday morning, according to Utah Fire Info. Firefighters are working hard in record temperatures and steep, rocky, difficult terrain to secure the perimeter of the fire line, fire officials said. Courtesy of Utah Fire Info Courtesy of Utah Fire Info No further information is available at this time. UPDATE 6/7/24, 6:05 p.m.: Washington Countys Rockville Fire is now estimated at 30 acres. Forward progression of the flames has been stopped by firefighters and fire resources. Evacuations have been lifted. Firefighters will continue to work the area. Please avoid the area if possible and use caution, Utah Fire Info posted on social media. No further information is available at this time. ORIGINAL STORY: WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A brush fire has kicked up in Washington County, causing authorities to close roads from Springville to La Verkin, as well as issue evacuations, according to Hurricane Valley Fire & Rescue. The fire is situated in the Rockville area, fire officials said, in between Rockville and Springdale. The blaze is affecting the both directions of SR 9 closed at milepost 29 (Anasazi Way, Springdale) in Washington Co. West Valley strip mall engulfed in flames, firefighter injured Courtesy of Utah Fire Info We do have the roads completely shut down from Springdale heading back towards La Verkin as well, Chief Ames, Hurricane Valley Fire, stated. The fire is currently estimated at 10 acres and is growing, according to Utah Fire Info. Both ground and air responders are en route. There are reports of structures being threatened and evacuations are underway. For the safety of the public and firefighters, please avoid the area, Utah Fire Info stated. The cause of this fire is under investigation. Please be considerate of fire personnel who are working to contain this fire. Resources from Hurricane Valley and Zion are on scene with more resources coming from Color Country, Hurricane Valley Fire posted on social media. 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. Business in brief: Drury honors distinguished alumni, new vision tech comes to Springfield Drury University celebrates distinguished alumni at awards ceremony Recipients of the 2024 Drury University Distinguished Alumni Awards. On May 11, Drury University hosted the 72nd annual Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony for the Alumni Weekend. The Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize individuals who have achieved personal and professional success and demonstrated service to their community. Selected alumni become recipients for the awards under one of several categories. This year, the following alumni were honored for their contributions: Edwin "Cookie" Rice ('52/H/'20), Lifetime Achievement Wes Pratt ('73), Lifetime Achievement Basil "Trent" Webb ('89), Career Achievement Michael "Mike" White ('61), Community Service Kelly Sitzman ('10), Young Alumni Lynn Chipperfield ('73), University Engagement Rita Baron ('99), Special Merit Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards. Nominations received after March 1, 2024, will be considered for the following year. Mattax Neu Prater Eye Center brings new vision technology to southwest Missouri A new eye care technology has arrived in Springfield at Mattax Neu Prater Eye Center. Called a light adjustable lens (LAL), the high-performance lifestyle lens implant is designed to permanently replace the eye's natural lens and correct near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism. This can eliminate or reduce a patient's dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Unlike other artificial lenses, LAL technology can be customized with a special ultraviolet light after surgery has been completed. This allows patients to achieve the best possible vision based on their needs and lifestyle. Other lenses are fixed, meaning they are not adjustable after implantation. LALs can be adjusted multiple times after surgery before becoming fixed. Missouri Broadcasters Association presents annual awards The Missouri Broadcaster Association presented 264 awards, inducted six people into the MBA Hall of Fame, and presented the Distinguished Broadcaster Award at its annual convention May 30-June 1 in Osage Beach. The Distinguished Broadcaster Award was presented to KSNF-TV General Manager John Hoffman. John has spent 40 years in broadcastingall in his hometown market. He has done so much for Joplin and the region, MBA president and CEO Chad Mahoney said. Serving the community is what local broadcasting is all about and John has certainly embraced that role. Im very pleased that he was selected for this award. Inducted into the MBA Hall of Fame were: Bryan Busby , chief meteorologist at KMBC in Kansas City Mike Claiborne , Cardinals Radio Network Steve Grant , anchor at KY3 in Springfield Bob Moore , owner of Broadcast Communications Engineering in Lebanon Anne Peterson , anchor at KCTV in Kansas City from 1979 until 2003 Wendy Wiese, host of the Jennifer and Wendy Show on KTRS in St. Louis Arvest Bank promotes Morbeck, Crain to executive leadership roles Arvest Bank announced Amy Morbeck and Brad Crain have been promoted to new leadership positions within the organization effective June 10. Amy Morbeck Morbeck has 28 years of experience in the banking industry and currently serves as executive vice president, sales manager for the bank's Benton County market. She has been named Chief Product and Innovation Officer. In the new role, she will provide executive oversight of the sales, service, and support areas. She will also oversee marketing, customer experience, the product team, and go-to market execution. Brad Crain Crain, who has served as president of Arvest Bank in Benton County since 2020, will become Regional Executive for Enhanced Banking Services. In the new role, he will provide executive oversight to Arvest Wealth Management, Arvest Equipment Finance, treasury management, WACO Title, consumer lending, and Arvest Credit Card. He will also oversee the bank's two industry verticals, Healthcare and Food Value Chain. Crain has been with Arvest for 18 years. The two executive positions are new for Arvest, but effectively combine previous roles held by former executives. Springfield Southeast Rotary honors three local heroes with awards The Springfield Southeast Rotary Club has announced three law enforcement officials as recipients of the 2024 Vocational Excellence Awards. The honor is awarded to individuals who exemplify the Rotary motto of "service above self" through professional achievements and community service. The Rotary Club honored: Cpl. Travis Sanders of the Greene County Sheriff's Department; Master Sgt. Chase Stallcup of the Missouri State Highway Patrol; and Detective Lee Walker of the Springfield Police Department. "Corporal Sanders, Master Sergeant Stallcup, and Detective Walker have demonstrated unwavering dedication and selflessness in their service to our local community," a press release says. "Their exemplary work ethic, leadership, and commitment to protecting and serving the community make each individual a deserving recipient of this award." This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Drury honors alumni; new vision tech comes to Springfield clinic OPINION: We fact-checked Republican Byron Donalds claims about Black families, conservative values and progress during Americas racial apartheid era. Heres what we found. Editors note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the authors own. Read more opinions on theGrio. Byron Donalds is usually wrong. To be fair, as one of only five African-American Republican members of Congress, being wrong is part of his job. In 2023, Donalds (R-Fla.) appeared on Joy Reids MSNBC show to be wrong about critical race theory and woke history. He was wrong when he believed his fellow Republicans would support his candidacy for speaker of the House. He was wrong when he voted to overturn the results of the 2020 election. So it wasnt unusual when people accused the two-term congressman of valorizing the era of government-approved racism known as Jim Crow. This is what Donalds does. But instead of accusing Donalds of performing anti-Blackness in exchange for praise and pats on the head from his white colleagues, theGrio decided to fact-check Donalds actual statements. Was the Black family better off under Jim Crow? Heres what we found. What Byron Donalds actually said On Tuesday, Donalds appeared at two Trump campaign events organized to garner the Black male vote, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. During the Congress, Cognac and Cigars gathering, Donalds explained how Black people benefitted from institutional racism. During Jim Crow, the Black family was together, Donalds explained to the crowd at the white-owned business in one of the whitest and most conservative parts of the city where Donalds and his GOP colleagues unsuccessfully asked elections officials to toss out Black voters ballots. During Jim Crow, more Black people were not just conservative Black people have always been conservative-minded but more Black people voted conservatively. And then H.E.W., Lyndon Johnson you go down that road, and now we are where we are. Pressed by CNN host Abby Phillip on Wednesday, James Crow Jr. doubled down on his remarks. All I was doing was referring to the time periods, the American apartheid advocate explained. Frankly, what that is, is about the empirical fact that before the Great Society before Lyndon Johnsons policies, there was more Black families united. The marriage rate in Black America was significantly higher before the Great Society. The period of time that coincides with that, obviously, is the Jim Crow era. What was Jim Crow? After the 1876 presidential election, 15 white men gathered in a room to figure out a solution to the first Stop the Steal Movement. Known as the Wormley Agreement or the Compromise of 1877, five Supreme Court justices, five senators and five representatives awarded the presidency to Rutherford B. Hayes in exchange for ending the Reconstruction Era. The concessions included a specific accommodation that the federal government would stop forcing former confederate states to recognize the constitutional rights of Black citizens. Legislatures in Northern and Southern states immediately created a series of racially discriminatory policies that became known as Jim Crow laws. For 100 years from the end of race-based slavery until the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 every Black person in America lived under this constitutionally enforced, government-approved system of white supremacy. Because of Jim Crow, the Black codes created after emancipation were now the law of the land. Segregated schools were mandatory under Jim Crow. Under Jim Crow, it was perfectly fine to disenfranchise Black voters and ban non-white people from living wherever they wanted. Jim Crow excluded Black taxpayers from using facilities built and maintained with their tax dollars. And according to Byron Donalds, Black people thrived. Were Black voters more conservative? Most Black people couldnt vote under Jim Crow. According to the U.S. census data, between 1880 and 1960, the majority of Black Americans lived in the South. Specifically, they lived in states that disenfranchised African-American voters, which is why the Civil Rights Act of 1964s preclearance requirement banned these states from changing their voting laws without permission from the Department of Justice. It is literally impossible to know what the majority of Black Americans wanted under Jim Crow if they couldnt vote. Even if one counted the votes of the Black people who did vote, there was never a moment in the history of this country when the majority of Black voters supported conservative politics. Shortly after the Civil War, Southern Republicans started the anti-Black Lily White movement to prevent Black voters from gaining control of the party. Meanwhile, conservative Democrats didnt even allow Black people to attend the partys conventions in an official capacity until 1924. Although a majority of Black voters supported Franklin Roosevelts presidential campaign, it wasnt until 1948 that most Black voters (77%) considered themselves Democrats. By then, white voters had fled the Democratic Party, precisely because the party was no longer conservative. So, when Donalds said, Black people voted more conservatively during Jim Crow, either he was lying or he didnt know what he was talking about. Did Black families fare better? First, lets look at wealth. In 1900, white households had about nine times the wealth of Black households. This disparity in wealth essentially remained unchanged throughout the Jim Crow, according to The Wealth of Two Nations: The U.S. Racial Wealth Gap, 1860-2020. In 2022, the average white family had $100 for every $15 held by Black households. And while the Black-white employment gap began during the Great Depression, which coincided with Jim Crow, this still doesnt tell the complete story. Under Jim Crow, tax dollars from Black families were used to fund segregated education systems that increased the generational wealth of white families. Take Jim Crow South Carolina, for instance, where Black citizens made up 48.9% of the population in 1940. Because the state constitution made integrated schools illegal, Black K-12 schools were worth an estimated $12.9 million while white schools were worth nearly five times that number. Recommended Stories Jim Crows legalized theft wasnt limited to education. Under Jim Crow, Black families were forced to foot the bills for libraries, hospitals, parks and public facilities they couldnt use. Their federal tax dollars funded scholarships and home loans for white veterans while Black veterans were excluded from the G.I. Bill. New Deal programs used Black taxpayers money to give white people jobs, build redlined neighborhoods and create whites-only suburbs. Maybe Byron Donalds believes robbing Black families of their generational wealth and opportunity and giving it to white families is good for African America. Donalds is partially right that the rate of Black marriages has declined since the Jim Crow era. The percentage of Black children born to unmarried mothers has also dramatically increased. However, those statistics hold true for every racial demographic. While Donalds would like to attribute this to the Democrats, government handouts and welfare programs, people who know things understand that out-of-wedlock births correlate with poverty, education and income more than race. Plus, first-time white moms are more likely to have a shotgun wedding when they get pregnant. Furthermore, Donalds entire definition of family is based on marriage statistics, but researchers who actually cite facts found no significant differences between how unmarried Black fathers interact with their children compared to other races. The only difference they noted is that White fathers spend significantly fewer days per month with their children than Black fathers. To be fair, heres what Donalds said about the downfall of the white family:* *Ill insert Byron Donalds quote about white families here when I find it About those conservative values The biggest problem with Byrons status as the Black Bull Connor is that everything he believes is based on a commonly accepted myth. For more than 200 years, both parties have managed to bamboozle their constituents into believing in the false premise of political conservatism. Whether Donalds is a shameless liar, a well-meaning ignoramus or a political prop intentionally misinterpreting history, facts and data for his own political gain, one thing is abundantly clear: There is no such thing as conservative principles. Before Strom Thurmond led an exodus of conservative white Dixiecrats to the GOP, the states rights Democrats were considered the conservative party. Today, the Republican coalition consists of evangelical Christians, anti-abortion pro-lifers, small government proponents and ideologues who want to preserve their Judeo-Christian beliefs of gender, sexuality and individual freedoms. Conservatism is just white supremacy wrapped in an American flag. If Donalds party actually believed in fiscal conservatism, they would want to repay this countrys debt to Black Americans. To be fair, if they were fiscally conservative, the national debt would not increase when Republican presidents are in office. And while conservatives blame the downfall of the Black family on welfare, Democrats and LBJs Great Society programs, Governing reports that eight of the 10 most federally dependent states were Republican, while seven of the 10 least federally dependent states were Democratic. A small government conservative who believed in personal and religious freedom wouldnt want politicians weighing in on reproductive choices, gender identity and sexuality. A social conservative wouldnt support a lying, racist, xenophobic convicted felon. Wouldnt an evangelical Christian do something about generational theft, inequality and poverty? Instead, they have chosen a lying, thieving, corrupt adulterer as their lord and savior. A real pro-lifer would at least pretend to care about police brutality, Black maternal mortality rates, the death penalty, access to health care and gun violence. A states rights conservative wouldnt disenfranchise Black voters or ask the federal government to toss out certified election results. Interestingly enough, Donalds marriage would be illegal under Jim Crow. When conservative North Florida Democrats took control of Floridas legislature in 1885, their new constitution prohibited all marriages between a white person and a negro, or between a white person and a person of negro descent to the fourth generation. Then again, if Byron Donalds was an actual conservative, he would hate the progressive laws that created the diversion programs that benefitted him when he was arrested for marijuana distribution and when he pleaded no contest to felony theft. Anti-Blackness is the only conservative principle The only logical conclusion that anyone could gain from Donalds argument is that Black people were better off when their votes, tax dollars, education, economic well-being and most importantly their humanity were controlled by white people. In his whitewashed, conservative brain, white people are more intelligent, have better values and are more responsible than Black people. According to Donalds, the fact that Black people survived the most brutal period, most undemocratic era of physical violence, institutional racism and government-approved anti-Blackness is proof that white people are right and Black people are wrong. This is the conservatism that Byron Donalds wants Black people to embrace. Unfortunately for Byron Donalds, his belief in white peoples fictionalized version of history is disproven by history, facts and factual evidence. Before Black people strangled Jim Crow to death, America was not a democracy. This nation murdered, raped, tortured and pillaged its poorest, most oppressed citizens until Black people gave this country some family values. We are the patriots whose blood, sweat and tears conserved the ideas that founded this land of opportunity. I dont judge Byron Donalds for insinuating that Black people were better when white supremacy was the law of the land. For the last 60 years, most white voters have cast ballots for candidates who espouse the same beliefs. This is their American dream. Donalds is just part of their ongoing effort to convince Black Americans that they were better off when their votes, tax dollars, jobs, health, generational wealth, education, homes and their very lives were subject to the whims of white supremacy. In their minds, this was when America was at its greatest. And, as the Republicans leading Jim Crow advocate, Byron Donalds has one job: Make America great again. Michael Harriot is a writer, cultural critic and championship-level Spades player. His NY Times bestseller Black AF History: The Unwhitewashed Story of America is available in bookstores everywhere. More must-reads: FILE - Austro-Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach of his party Team Stronach arrives at the parliament for a TV discussion during national elections in Vienna, Austria, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013. Canadian police have charged Stronach with sexual assault dating back to the 1980s. Peel Regional police said in a statement that Stronach, 91, was arrested Friday, June 8, 2024, and charged with five crimes including, rape, indecent assault on a female, sexual assault and forcible confinement. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File) TORONTO (AP) Austrian-Canadian auto parts billionaire Frank Stronach was arrested on sexual assault charges spanning decades, police said. The 91-year-old was charged Friday with five crimes including rape, indecent assault on a female, sexual assault and forcible confinement, Peel Regional Police said. He was released with conditions and will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, Ontario, at a later date, the police statement said. Peel Regional Police Constable Tyler Bell said there is more than one accuser but declined to say how many. Obviously, this is a high-profile case. Our special victims unit is bound to protect the victims and in doing so thats why were are being vague, Bell said. There is more than one victim but we wont confirm that number yet. Police allege the sexual assaults occurred from the 1980s to as recent as 2023. Bell said they are appealing for people to come forward if they have information or have been victims. Stronach didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. He has hired prominent Canadian defense lawyer Brian Greenspan. Mr. Stronach categorically denies the allegations of impropriety which have been brought against him, Greenspan said in an e-mail. He looks forward to the opportunity to fully respond to the charges and to maintain his legacy both as a philanthropist and as an icon of the Canadian business community. Stronach, born in Austria, became one of Canadas wealthiest people by creating Magna in his garage in 1957 and building it into one of the worlds largest suppliers of auto parts. He also founded The Stronach Group, a company specializing in horse racing. He made a brief foray into Austrian politics more than a decade ago and has been named to the Order of Canada, one of the countrys highest honors. A Magna spokesperson said Stronach has had no affiliation with the company since relinquishing control in 2010. We have recently been made aware of the charges filed against Frank Stronach, Dave Niemiec said in an email Friday evening. Magna has no knowledge of the investigation or the allegations that have been raised beyond what has been reported in the media. Niemiec said the company would not comment further on the ongoing legal matter. In 2018, Stronach sued his daughter, two grandchildren and former business associate Alon Ossip for over $500 million in Ontario Superior Court alleging they mismanaged the familys assets which he wanted to take back control of. Belinda Stronach, a former Canadian Member of Parliament, countersued her father, saying in a statement of defense that he lost vast sums of money on pet projects. The case was later settled. Car crashes with motorcycle at entrance to Huntersville country club HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) One person has is hospitalized after a car crashed with a motorcycle in northeast Huntersville Friday evening, local authorities say. According to the Huntersville Fire Department, the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. June 7 at the corner of McCord Road and Northstone Drive, at the entrance to NorthStone Country Club. Medic officials say the victim has life-threatening injuries and transported to Novant Health Presbyterian. FIND CHEAP GAS NEAR YOU with the Queen City News Gas Price Tracker Firefighters are asking drivers to use caution in the area. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK STATE (WETM) Carpenters are looking for apprentices around New York State, including the Southern Tier. The North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund is now recruiting apprentices until June 5, 2025, and has 50 open positions, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Those interested in becoming carpenters through this program must live in one of the New York State counties within the organizations jurisdiction, and all of the Southern Tier falls within the jurisdiction. Those interested in becoming apprentices must be at least 17 years old, pass a drug test, and attest in writing that they can physically perform all of a carpenters duties. Carpenters often work on scaffolds, in confined spaces, and in inclement weather, like snow, rain, cold, and heat. They also perform constant repetitive motions, climb and work from heights, lift items weighing upwards of 50 pounds, and stand and stoop for long periods of time. Interested apprentices will also need to attend required classes and have reliable transportation to classes and job sites. Construction laborers recruiting apprentices in Southern Tier Potential apprentices who meet all of the requirements must attend an in-person information session before applying. Sessions are held on the first Monday of every month at 6 p.m. sharp. If the first Monday is a holiday, the session will be held the following Monday. Southern Tier residents can attend sessions at Carpenters Local 227, located at 181 Latta Brook Industrial Park Road in Horseheads. Be sure to arrive early; spaces are limited and late entry will not be allowed. Preregistration isnt required, and attendees dont need to bring anything. At the end of each information session, attendees will get a passcode thats required to complete the online application. Those interested in becoming carpenter apprentices who need help with the online application or who have questions should call the North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund at 585-436-1110 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. "It was a very safe city." So said Mike Waters, owner of a pub in D.C.'s long-gentrified Dupont Circle area, in a neighborhood Zoom meeting this past January, neatly encapsulating a seemingly sudden deterioration in public safety. Violent crimes rose 39 percent in Washington, D.C., last year, including a 67 percent jump in robberies. Homicides increased a stunning 35 percent. Property crime rose 24 percent, with 3,756 motor vehicle thefts in 2022 becoming 6,829 in 2023. The city's 911 system struggled to handle 1.77 million calls, more per capita than anywhere else in the country. The trend did not spare the powerful. In February 2023, an attacker in an apartment elevator grabbed Rep. Angie Craig (DMinn.) by the neck. In October, three masked gunmen carjacked Rep. Henry Cuellar (DTexas) in the trendy Navy Yard neighborhood. And in February, a former D.C. election official, Mike Gill, was shot dead in his car while picking up his wife just off K Street. Business owners citywide deal with brazen thefts. This did not reflect a national trend. The rest of the country saw a 13 percent drop in homicides in 2023, a reduction evident in many major cities: New York (down 11 percent), Chicago (down 13 percent), Los Angeles (down 16 percent), Atlanta (down 18 percent), Philadelphia (down 21 percent), Baltimore (down 25 percent). But in Washington, crime went up and up and up, peaking in summer 2023 and now declining somewhat but still elevated. If your image of Washington was shaped by the urban decline of the 1970s, the crack trade of the 1980s, or the municipal bankruptcy of the 1990s, you might not realize that until recently the city has been generally prosperous, growing, and safe. Construction cranes dotted the city as population grew from 572,059 in 2000 to 689,545 in 2020. Neighborhoods that burned in the riots of the 1960s became places to be. Zip codes 20002 and 20003 recently topped the country for new apartment construction. D.C.'s budget went from basket case to record surpluses and rainy day funds, even enabling some income and business tax cuts. What caused this crime spike? Several narratives are competing, some more compelling than others. One year on, there is now strong evidence of two things that didn't cause itand two things that did. Criminal Justice Reform Didn't Cause the Crime Spike Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat now in her 10th year on the job, oversees 40,000 government employees alongside a 13-member D.C. Council (11 Democrats, two independents). The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the local police force, reports to her. But the city is also home to the U.S. Capitol Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Secret Service, Park Police for National Park Service jurisdictions, the Metro Transit Police, various university police forces, and even the Smithsonian Office of Protection Services and U.S. Mint Police. Juvenile prosecutions are handled by the local elected attorney general, but adult prosecutions are the job of the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, who is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate with no involvement by the local population. The mayor's narrative on the crime crisis goes like this: She's doing everything she can to be tough on crime, but a series of D.C. Council actions since 2016 have changed the public safety "ecosystem"her favorite word herefor the worse. Among the actions: shifting the focus of juvenile facilities toward rehabilitation (2016), reducing nonviolent offender sentences (2016), changing fare evasion from a criminal to a civil matter (2018), allowing release of adults convicted as juveniles after they served 15 years (2019), prohibiting police chokeholds and removing restrictions on officer discipline (2020), a cut in proposed MPD funding (2021), an aborted effort to pull police officers out of schools (2021), reducing mandatory minimum sentences (202223), and easing street vendor licenses (2023). As crime took hold in 2023, the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives persuaded Senate Democrats and President Joe Biden to overturn the sentencing reform and officer discipline measures. (Because the District of Columbia is a federal jurisdiction, the U.S. government has tighter control over it than it does over other cities.) This theory has gained traction, spurring two ongoing recall efforts of sitting council members. But left unanswered, to quote the D.C. crime blogger Joe Friday, is "why laws passed in roughly 20162020 would have no effect until 2023." Also, other U.S. cities have passed many similar laws, even more sweeping ones, and not seen a crime spike. Sentencing reform advocates, perhaps stung that years of their Revised Criminal Code effort were reversed in one congressional vote, have argued that there is little evidence that carjackers will be more deterred by a 45-year maximum sentence than a 20-year maximum sentence. They said their reform merely aligned statutory sentences with the actual sentences being given by judges, and they pointed out that D.C. still had longer carjacking sentences than many of the states that sent the objecting Republicans to Congress. Even the 2021 MPD budget "cut" was a classic government sleight-of-hand: $559 million in 2020 spending was proposed to be cut to $545 million in 2021, but after later adjustments actual MPD spending that year was up to $575 million. Indeed, as the public opinion pendulum swung in favor of tough-on-crime measures in 2023, Bowser's wish list of changes was very limited. Her "Safer Stronger" bill in May asked for more surveillance cameras, enhanced penalties for assaulting bus drivers, and a crackdown on guns. By October, Safer, Stronger 2.0 wanted to criminalize loitering, create a new crime category for organized retail theft, expand pretrial detention, and prohibit mask wearing. The Secure DC law, which she signed with fanfare in March 2024 after a cowed D.C. Council passed it unanimously, included Safer Stronger 2.0; it also eased police vehicular pursuit rules, expanded DNA collection from arrestees, and changed when police officers can review their body camera footage. These sound more like a scattershot grab bag of ideas than any fundamental reworking of what caused the 2023 crime wave. Ignoring 'Root Causes' Didn't Cause the Crime Spike Fare evasion on Washington's WMATA subway system jumped along with other crimes, increasing fivefold in the early months of 2023. WMATA has been sensitive about enforcement of nonviolent crimes since transit cops searched, handcuffed, and booked a 12-year-old girl for eating french fries on a station platform in 2000, earning them national condemnation for overkill. In 2018, the D.C. Council (along with some other cities) changed fare enforcement from a criminal matter (like robbery) to a civil matter (like a parking ticket). As the sight of people hopping faregates became common in 2023, reaction polarized. One group pressed for enforcement. The anti-crime tweeter Potomac Fever wrote that otherwise, the "rest of us were suckers for following the rules and paying our fares everyday." WMATAboth wanting the fare money and hoping to persuade suburban jurisdictions to increase subsidiessuccessfully pressed the D.C. Council to tweak its law, began installing tougher faregates, and deployed Metro Transit Police at some exits. On the other side of the issue, progressive activists argued that stronger enforcement would likely cost more than the uncollected fares, that it would primarily target people of color, and that a better approach would be enhanced social programs such as making Metro free of charge. The dynamic plays out in D.C. repeatedly. Is the answer to grocery store theft more police or more food stamps? Should teens awaiting trial for violent crimes be jailed or counseled? Should the first responders to many incidents be police officers or social workers? Perhaps the difference is overstated: Both "root cause" policies such as job training and "enforcement" policies such as more police win more than 80 percent support in polls. But by September, crowds were anxious for action and less interested in underlying long-term causes. "They did not want to hear another word about how I was going to fix crime in five years," observed Democratic Councilmember Robert White. Part of the frustration likely stems from the fact that D.C. already spends a lot on "root cause" solutions. In every fare-evasion crackdown announcement, WMATA made sure to note that it offers reduced fares for low-income individuals. The Brookings Institution ranks D.C.'s cash assistance to needy families to be ninth-most generous among the states. D.C. Medicaid spending per enrollee is fifth-highest. Overall, the city spends $7 billion a year on human support services, for a place of just under 700,000 people. If spending on poverty solved crime, D.C. should be one of the best-performing states. One prominent "root cause" public safety effort is violence interruption, modeled after a successful program in Oakland, California. This identified the 1 percent of people driving much of the violence and located individuals (clergy, former gang members, community leaders) best positioned to intervene and offer resources for those interested in an alternative path. D.C.'s spending on violence interruption grew sharply from $2 million in 2018 to $27 million in 2023. But again, sharply rising crime rates meant, at best, that the program was not impactful enough. The Kids Helped Cause the Crime Spike On July 12, 2022, TikTok user @robbierayyy uploaded a video showing how to use a USB cable to bypass the ignition and start certain Kia car models. The video quickly went viral, and the "Kia challenge" sparked a nationwide rash of thefts of Kias (and also Hyundais) not otherwise equipped with immobilizers. In D.C., carjackings began to spike in late 2022 into early 2023, at a pace of three a day. This was followed by a spike in robberies and other crimes. Joe Friday, the anonymous crime blogger, hypothesizes that "violent criminals (adults and juveniles) realized that they could easily use stolen cars to move around undetected, escape from robberies and even use them to facilitate carjackings of other vehicles." D.C. carjackings finally eased after the summer, after new MPD Chief Pamela Smith adopted a more proactive strategyand after manufacturers distributed immobilizers and steering wheel locks. By then, carjacking and other crimes had become normalized for many D.C. juveniles. MPD officers say most carjackers were younger than age 20sometimes much younger. An MPD lieutenant reported that most arrested suspects say they did it for fun with friends, often using them to commit other crimes. A viral Instagram video showed two D.C. teens arguing about whether committing carjacking and armed robbery was worse than murder, clearly not worried about the consequences. Truancy also rose in the same time period, with 43 percent of students chronically absent (missing 10 or more days) in 202223, up from 27 percent in 201920. At the high school level, 60 percent were chronically absent; in the poorest schools in Wards 7 and 8, the rate was more than 75 percent. An October 2022 study of D.C. children found that above-average unexcused school absences is a risk factor highly associated with future criminal arrest, and in early 2024 neighborhood commissioners began pressing the mayor for better monitoring of this "early warning sign." (Photo: Sabel Harris, an advisory neighborhood commissioner, pictured next to broken auto glass from break-ins in Washington, D.C.; Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post/Getty) Government Mismanagement Helped Cause the Crime Spike In D.C., mismanagement has plagued the U.S. attorney's office, the crime lab, and the city police departmentand this may deserve the lion's share of blame for the crisis. Let's start with the prosecutor. When congressional Republicans complain that "woke" D.C. is "soft on crime," they usually leave out that all adult prosecutions in the city are done by the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Matthew Gravesa federal appointee that local residents have no role in hiring, firing, or overseeing. In most other cities, elected district attorneys or attorneys general have this job, and they must follow public demands or face consequences. In the first decade of the 2000s, the U.S. attorney for D.C. prosecuted more than 70 percent of arrests. In 2016 the percentage began to slide downward, falling below 50 percent in 2021 (Graves took the job that year) and hitting 33 percent in 2022. After some attention was drawn to the decline, the number recovered a bit to a still-low 44 percent in 2023. Felony prosecutions fell from more than 80 percent to about 50 percent in 2022, then rose to 60 percent in 2023. The U.S. attorney declined to prosecute 58 percent of all arrests for theft in 2021 and 2022, which as Joe Friday said "undermined the certainty of punishment for theft in DC." Precisely why the prosecution rate has been falling is less clear. Graves has variously claimed that the statistic is unimportant, blamed the crime lab or the MPD, noted that victims do not always press charges, or referenced tough case law or defendant-friendly D.C. juries and judges. But Graves usually offers no explanation at all, even in brazen cases. For example, a man arrested after exposing himself to 24 preschoolers on a public street and bloodily assaulting their two teachers had been arrested three weeks earlier for indecent exposure, two months before that for punching a restaurant employee, the year before that for trespassing, and in 2018 for attempted murder. The system keeps freeing him. Graves has yet to explain why. But just as the drop in prosecution rate coincided with the rise in crime, the stepped-up prosecution rate after mid-2023 did coincide with the decline in crime. Increased or decreased likelihood of being charged has an impact. David Muhammad of the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform said lack of consequences came up "over and over again" in interviews and "needs to be taken seriously." D.C. is an outlier on its low prosecution rate: Philadelphia's is 96 percent, Chicago's is 86 percent, Manhattan's is 84 percent, Detroit's is 67 percent, and so forth. Unless Congress is willing to let the city assume control of prosecutions, D.C. citizens will have little recourse to change Graves' mind beyond public pressure and media attention. Now consider the city crime lab. In April 2021, it lost its accreditation and stopped processing evidence for prosecutions. It has yet to fully regain it. The loss of accreditation came after years of endemic problems, including faulty results, prosecutors interfering with test results, and firings of whistleblowers. The Bowser administration promised to promptly pursue reaccreditation, but it then got bogged down in a dispute with the D.C. Council about whether the lab should be part of the MPD (Bowser's view) or not (the council's). That matter was not resolved until June 2023the peak of the crime surgeand the lab finally regained its biology and chemistry accreditations in December. Firearms accreditation remains in work. During this entire period, processing of evidence for the MPD and the U.S. attorney has had to be outsourced to other labs, public and private. Many of these labs had little spare capacity, so the result has been backlogs, and probably dropped prosecutions. As of April 2023 770 DNA samples from violent crime cases sat in a backlog. Fingerprint "hits," one measure of testing, fell from 1,828 in 2020 to 601 in 2022. The number of rape kits tested within three months dropped from 98 percent to 81 percent. The 2023 crime wave arguably ended the political dysfunction that held up the crime lab's reaccreditation. But the lack of a functioning crime lab likely contributed to the sense that you could get away with crimes. Prosecutions are hard, after all, without evidence. Then there's the MPD. Bowser has attributed some of the crime wave to the long-term drop in MPD staffing, which fell from 4,010 sworn officers in 2013 under her predecessor to 3,337 in 2023. But again, the most considerable drop (in 2021, from 3,799 to 3,580) predated the spike in crime. To identify the more important problems at the MPD, look at what changed for the better when Smith took over. When Smith took the job in June 2023, the crime spike was already apparent. Word quickly spread through the force that the new chief wanted to see changes. Area commanders were expected to do weekly walks in the community with residents, patrols would be proactive rather than just waiting in cars for a call, and greater efforts would be made to deter repeat offenders. Smith unveiled a Real-Time Crime Center connecting D.C.'s myriad federal police forces with hers. Arrests per officer nudged upward after halving in 2020. These perhaps feel like obvious actions for a city police force, especially one in the middle of a crime wave. But they were not happening before June. One lingering issue may be one of the hardest to tackle: The best officers with the most seniority can choose to stay in the "easiest" parts of the city (Wards 1 and 3), leaving the greenest or least proactive officers to get sent to where crime is heaviest (Wards 7 and 8). This leads to skills mismatch and a community sense of being neglected. We in D.C. now wait to see what 2024 will bring. No one wants to see yet more death and mayhem. But that means asking serious questions of all our officials and insisting on thorough answers, enabling us all to learn the right lessons from the recent spike in crime. The post What Caused the D.C. Crime Wave? appeared first on Reason.com. This article was provided by HappyValley Industry, an online platform that amplifies Happy Valleys success and opportunities in business, industry, talent and quality of life. Read more and sign up for the weekly newsletter at happyvalleyindustry.com. According to an April article from McKinsey & Company, the skilled labor shortage that American industry has been facing for a while doesnt seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, due to a variety of factors. Theres the aging workforce and lack of young replacements. Meanwhile, changes in industry, such as the clean energy transition, are spurring increasing demand for talent. In Happy Valley, Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI), is filling these gaps, inspiring the Gen Z workforce to meet increasing demand and replace an aging workforce. The school is also working to engage parents and the community in making career paths more appealing for students. For CPI, its important to show young talent their options sooner rather than later. The majority of its students are high school students. CPI instructs nearly 500 high school students and just over 100 post-high school students, across its 16 program areas and for those high school students, the CPI tuition, which is quite affordable, is covered by their high schools, making CPI an even more attractive option. We want students to come in early and learn a career or a trade, so that if they choose not to continue their post-secondary education, theyre able to enter the workforce at a good, high-paying, life-sustaining wage, said CPI President MaryAnn Volders. College isnt for everyone. Post-secondary institutions arent for everyone We can have 18 and 19-year-olds coming out of CPI and going to work for $75,000-$100,000 based on the skills they learned (here). (McKinsey noted that some trades have witnessed wage increases of more than 20% since 2020, due to labor shortages and increasing competition for talent.) CPI is also remaining current with students and industrys needs through initiatives like its recent joining of the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), which allows students to earn SACA Industry 4.0 certifications, prepping them to work in Industry 4.0 and IIoT sectors. CPI likewise partners with more than two dozen other educational institutions, so that students can transfer their credits elsewhere and pursue further education, if desired. Overcoming obstacles to choosing technical education is a community effort While CPI is excelling at equipping its students for the Happy Valley workforce, it still faces some challenges. I think a lot of parents are afraid that if they send their student to a career and tech school, theyre not going to have an academic background, that they need to go to college. Thats not true, Volders said. We need more parents to send students here to learn a trade. Maybe they use it while theyre in college, maybe they make it a career path, maybe its just a skill they learn ... But I really think it boils down to people being afraid to say, Im a career and tech student. It doesnt have the same appeal as saying Im an academic student and am going to apply to Penn State. This is something that the McKinsey article touched on as well. A survey found that, despite increased enrollment in career and trade schools, 74% of students reported a perceived stigma associated with choosing vocational schools over traditional four-year universities, and nearly 80% of students reported that their parents preferred they pursue a traditional college education, with only 5% of parents pushing their children to a vocational school. Vocational schools in the 80s and 90s had a different atmosphere. Now, were much more academic and much more student-centered, and much more technical in natureWeve upped our game a lot in the last 20 to 25 years, in career and technical education. However, I do think a lot of parents remember the old vo tech, added Volders. Were still fighting that stigma. Theres also the fact that many members of the Gen Z workforce highly value flexibility, but its difficult to provide a large degree of flexibility in a workplace that requires one to be physically present in a dedicated workspace, such as in a dentists office or mechanics garage. That, though, is not an insurmountable challenge. Volders posed, Can we give people (in skilled trades) more flexibility in their time? Can we give them more personal days? Can we give them more vacation days? Can we help them put family first and not necessarily put the job first when not necessary? Those are the things we have to look at. All of the above, Volders noted, these challenges can be solved with a community effort that combines schools, parents, employers and students and Happy Valley might just be the community to pull it off. We are so fortunate to be a career and technical education school in Centre County, she said. We have three amazing school districts Penns Valley, Bald Eagle and Bellefonte who absolutely support careers in technical education. They send as many students to us as they can. They promote it within their schools. Insiders who acquired CA$10.1m worth of Rome Resources Ltd.'s (CVE:RMR) stock at an average price of CA$0.25 in the past 12 months may be dismayed by the recent 24% price decline. Insiders purchase with the hope of seeing their investments increase in value over time. However, due to recent losses, their initial investment is now only worth CA$5.96m, which is not great. Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. View our latest analysis for Rome Resources The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Rome Resources Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by insider Klaus Eckhof for CA$2.5m worth of shares, at about CA$0.25 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of CA$0.14. Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. We always take careful note of the price insiders pay when purchasing shares. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price. Notably Klaus Eckhof was also the biggest seller. In the last twelve months insiders purchased 41.08m shares for CA$10m. But they sold 1.08m shares for CA$242k. In total, Rome Resources insiders bought more than they sold over the last year. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of undervalued small cap companies that insiders are buying. Insider Ownership Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. It's great to see that Rome Resources insiders own 63% of the company, worth about CA$14m. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders. What Might The Insider Transactions At Rome Resources Tell Us? It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Rome Resources shares in the last quarter. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. It would be great to see more insider buying, but overall it seems like Rome Resources insiders are reasonably well aligned (owning significant chunk of the company's shares) and optimistic for the future. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 6 warning signs for Rome Resources (of which 5 are potentially serious!) you should know about. Story continues Of course Rome Resources may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality 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. A New York Times report on the treatment of individuals held at Israels Sde Teiman base, which serves as a detention center for Gazans held by the Israeli Defense Forces, has peeled back the layers of a crisis of conscience moment for Israel and its allies, MSNBCs Chris Hayes said on Friday. And like reports that revealed the horrors of the prison at Abu Ghraib 20 years ago, this moment requires that we not look away. On Fridays installment of All In, Hayes addressed the Times lengthy expose on Sde Teiman and drew parallels to the prison operated by the United States during the years of the invasion of Iraq, where use of torture was heavily reported and criticized. To be clear here, this is not an accidental targeting of civilians in the fog of combat, Hayes said of the actions at the Sde Teiman base. This is a detention facility that the Israelis control, that they run. Crisis of conscience: 20 years after the Abu Ghraib report, The New York Times published their investigation into the Sde Teiman military base in southern Israel, where the Israeli military has detained thousands of Palestinians, and describes the abuse taking place there. pic.twitter.com/GrqnrPhuS5 All In with Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) June 8, 2024 According to reporting from the New York Times, Palestinians taken to the detention center are first stripped nearly naked and herded into open-air trucks like cattle. Photos have indicated many detainees are left blindfolded, handcuffed, and sitting in stress positions and enclosures. Former detainees told the Times they were beaten if they spoke, slept or attempted to look out of their blindfolds. The IDF allowed the Times to tour parts of the base and interview commanders and officials who would remain anonymous. The outlet also interviewed former detainees. A soldier told the Times his colleagues regularly boasted of beating the detainees, Hayes added, and eight former detainees told the outlet they were punched, kicked, beaten with batons, rifle butts, and a handheld metal detector while in custody. Others were forced to wear only a diaper while being interrogated and three received electric shocks during their interrogations. One detainee, a former nurse at Gaza Citys Al-Shifa hospital, said he was lifted by two soldiers and his rectum was penetrated by a metal stick in the ground, leaving him with unbearable pain.' At least 12 soldiers have been dismissed for use of excessive force. While Israeli authorities have denied that there are systemic abuses in Sde Teiman, they didnt point to any tangible benefit from this system of essentially extra-legal detention, he added. It doesnt seem to me that it is defeating Hamas or eradicating terror. The military base was partially converted into a detention camp in December 2023. Israeli law allows the IDF to detain people without a warrant for 45 days before they are transferred to the Israel Prison Service. According to a report by CNN, there are at least two similar detention centers in the occupied West Bank: the Anatot and Ofer military bases. The outlet also reported that guards regularly send unleashed dogs into spaces where detainees are sleeping. As Hayes pointed out, many of the Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib were guilty of no crime, other than being so-called military age males.' We wanted Iraq to stop things like this from happening, and indeed, here they are happening under our tutelage, he said. The exposure of the horrors of Abu Ghraib were a moral reckoning for the country but it remains to be seen how Israel will respond to the reports coming out of Sde Teiman. Watch the segment with Chris Hayes in the video above. The post Chris Hayes Calls Reports of Abuse at Israel Base A Crisis of Conscience Moment | Video appeared first on TheWrap. MEMPHIS, Tenn. An aunt relives the harrowing moments she received a call about her nephew being badly burned while working for the city of Hughes, Arkansas. Sylvia Robinson says this all could have been avoided and doesnt think she is getting the full story. Wrapped arms, hands, thighs, and back cover 44-year-old Randy BoBo. Underneath them, raw skin from severe burns. Robinson says she received the call Monday afternoon that BoBo was badly burned while working as a garbage man for the city of Hughes, Arkansas. Two dead in Westwood double shooting Every morning we have to wake up and see that his whole life, his life has changed tremendously, Robinson said. I think there should be consequences for whoever is responsible for this. This is something that is a long-term situation that he has to deal with. She says he was told by a city employee that the mayor requested a dumpster full of tree limbs and leaves be burned. This was a request, that she says she was told, is usually handled by someone else. My question is to Hughes City, is that part of the job description? Is that what hes supposed to do? Do they just send their employees out there, dont put them in no gear, and leave them wide open like that? Those are the answers I want to know, Robinson said. WREG had the chance to talk to BoBo, but he didnt want to show his face due to the severity of the burns. 2 men left critical following 2 separate shootings He says hes never been asked to do this in the two years hes worked for the city but that day, he says he was given a can of gasoline and instructed to get rid of the debris. I didnt want to do it, Bobo said. She brought the mayors name into it. Robinson says she has been desperate for answers about what really happened all week. She doesnt think the city is being totally honest and its not clear who made the order. Not one person has even reached out to see about him, she said. He didnt get a flower, he didnt get a card, or nothing. Not that he needs it, but at least show some type of concern. WREG has reached out to the City of Hughes and has yet to hear from them. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. The city has asked a judge to toss out a sweeping ageism lawsuit filed by a group of FDNY chiefs against Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, arguing that it fails to show that seasoned fire officials were targeted or suffered discrimination because of their age. A half dozen experienced FDNY brass say in the lawsuit that they were harassed, maligned and ultimately demoted because they seemed too old in Kavanaghs eyes. Each one was between 54 and 62 years old when the complaint was filed in March 2023. Asking Judge Patria Frias-Colon in Brooklyn Supreme Court to dismiss the case, city attorney Hayley Bronner said on Wednesday the complaint fails to show the chiefs were specifically targeted due to their age. There is nothing in the allegations that (the chiefs) were replaced by anyone younger or that they were targeted because of their age, Bronner said. Representing the chiefs, Attorney Jim Walden accused the city of playing whack-a-mole with the complaint, smacking down sections of the lawsuit it claims are not specific enough to show ageism when the entire complaint shows what he called a pattern of behavior. The city is arguing that there is a lack of specificity, but I dont understand how there could be more specificity, Walden said. The story of this complaint, the arc of the behavior is a wide-ranging conspiracy that is one of the most detailed stories that I have ever seen in a complaint. The lawsuit was filed by Assistant Fire Chiefs Michael Gala, Joseph Jardin, Michael Massucci, Frank Leeb, EMS Computer Aided Dispatch Programming Manager, Deputy Director Carla Murphy and retired EMS Chief James Booth, who has since been removed after it was found that his claims went beyond the four-year statute of limitations. Kavanagh, who is in her early 40s, is New Yorks first woman fire commissioner. She is also one of the citys youngest fire commissioners. Walden argued that the fire officials filing suit were all qualified to do their job and all suffered adverse actions. Beginning in 2018 and continuing to the present, the most senior people within the FDNY were demoted, taken off medical leave, had their benefits cut, had their computer access cut off, were disparaged and had false claims filed against them, Walden said. City attorneys say the lawsuit is filled with allegations involving other FDNY employees to bolster the ageism argument, but they have not alleged an inference of discrimination for any or all of them. The lawsuit is trying to claim that an inference of age discrimination for any FDNY employee over 50 would exist by pointing to any other employee over 50 who has ever been subject to any kind of unfavorable treatment, the city attorney wrote in her motion. It is not enough for the plaintiff to say: I belong to a protected class; something bad happened to me at work; therefore, it must have occurred because I belong to a protected class, she wrote. Walden disagreed and said all the allegations show an undercurrent of discrimination against older members of the department. We have 20 people all experiencing similar acts of adversity and discrimination, Walden asked. In cases of intimidation and discrimination, the employer doesnt often say, Hey were demoting you because we dont like you because of your age. If that was the case, it would be much easier to plead a case. The judge is expected to render her decision on the citys dismissal motion in coming weeks. Over the past year, she has ordered parts of the wide-ranging lawsuit be excised, including allegations that one of the chiefs was ordered to fast-track fire inspections for companies and businesses friendly with the Adams administration. Colon determined that the allegations about a list of deep-pocketed developers whose inspections were to be bumped up on fire inspectors to-do lists did not belong in the suit because they didnt get to the heart of the ageism complaint. Allegations of Adams fast-tracking the opening of the Turkish consulate in 2021 have become a focus of an FBI investigation; Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing. The judge also ordered that scandalous and prejudicial claims against Kavanagh be stricken. Outside court, Walden called the dismissal motion a delay tactic. Were hoping that the real takeaway here is not just that the complaint is upheld, which it should be, but that the court says Enough is enough to the city and put us on a discovery schedule so we can find the actual underlying evidence, he said. Thats going to show theres even more misconduct. The department has repeatedly labeled the chiefs lawsuit as baseless and just an attempt to undermine the authority of the Fire Commissioner. The chiefs sued Kavanagh about a month after she demoted Gala, Jardin and Assistant Chief Fred Schaaf to deputy chief. Their demotions sparked a protest by FDNY chiefs who criticized Kavanagh and asked to be demoted in rank and moved out of department headquarters. So far, she has not signed off on any of the demotion requests, FDNY officials said. Bonneville County residents cast their votes during the May 21, 2024, primary election at The Waterfront Event Center in Idaho Falls. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) How do we know elected officials actually represent us? The recent primary election will push the Idaho Legislature even further toward political extremism, but do legislators truly reflect the people they were elected to represent? As a constitutional law professor, I often repeated the now hackneyed phrase that the right to vote is preservative of all other rights. But the devil dwells in details. So, a more specific query: what voting system produces candidates who most accurately represent their constituents? A host of political scientists characterize closed primaries as a voting system that facilitates extreme candidates, particularly in states like Idaho where one party has a supermajority. Closed primaries bar voters who are not formally affiliated with a political party from participating in that partys primary. Indeed, its a system that effectively truncates the right to vote itself for many Idahoans. There are approximately 270,000 independent voters in Idaho. Two weeks ago, when independent voters went to the polls in the primary election, they could only vote for three races. All three were judges. All three were running unopposed. Conversely, voters formally affiliated with the Republican party decided who will be state senators, state representatives, our U.S. congressional representative, county commissioner, sheriff, and county prosecutor. The number of independent voters is growing nationwide, and as a result, states like Idaho that shut out independent voters produce elections that are more and more insular and candidates who are less and less representative. Back to the original question: How do we know that our elected officials accurately represent us? According to the Idaho Policy Institutes annual survey, Idahoans trust public libraries and librarians (69%) to choose the books that are made available in them. And yet, the Idaho Legislature passed a law exposing libraries to civil liability for providing books that the Idaho Legislature deems harmful. Even hot button issues like abortion demonstrate a gap between what Idahoans want and what the legislature is doing. The same survey revealed that only one-third of Idahoans favor Idahos existing abortion law, while 58% favor expanding exceptions to it. Partisan closed primaries motivate legislators to cater to a narrow and extreme slice of the electorate rather than govern in the public interest. The Idaho Freedom Foundation, for example, publishes score cards for each legislator as a purity test to determine fealty to a partisan agenda. The Idaho Republican Party censured several Republican lawmakers for not following the platform closely enough, including House Majority Leader, Megan Blanksma, who was ousted from her leadership post for failing to perfectly follow the will of party leaders. By contrast, candidates in an open primary have less fealty to their partys agenda, and can run based on the issues facing their constituency. States that have open primaries allow all citizens to vote in all elections, regardless of party affiliation, and as a result, elect leaders who focus on solving real problems rather than manufacturing controversies that turn us against each other. Most of Idahos legislators are beneficiaries of the closed primary system and have no appetite to change it. But Idahoans can do so themselves. A voter initiative will likely be on the ballot this November. It proposes open primaries and is endorsed by a number of prominent Democrats and Republicans. Open primaries do not give more power to Republicans or Democrats; they give more power to voters, and they represent a better way to ensure that our representatives are indeed representative. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The post Closed primary elections like Idahos fuel extremism appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun. SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (AP) The 689-foot bulk carrier Michipicoten has safely anchored in Thunder Bay, Ontario, after combating flooding in Lake Superior on Saturday morning. The Coast Guard Great Lakes district received reports about 6:53 a.m. that a 689-foot-long (210-meter-long) ship called the Michipicoten had collided with something about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southwest of Isle Royale, which is part of the state of Michigan. The ship was carrying taconite, which is a low-grade iron ore, and had 22 people aboard. Water pumps onboard began displacing water, authorities said, and there were no signs that anything spilled from the ship. By 9:15 a.m., water pumps had reduced the listing of the freighter from 15 degrees to 5 degrees, the Coast Guard said. The collision occurred in the northwest part of the lake, which straddles the U.S.-Canadian border and is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. Helicopter and boat crews responded Saturday morning, the Coast Guard said. As of 12:30 p.m., Canadian search-and-rescue boat Cape Chaillon had reached the Michipicoten and half of the crew had been removed for safety. Although no injuries were reported on the vessel, the coast guard coordinated with a national park service boat from isle royale to transfer 11 of the 22 crew members aboard the Michipicoten. All U.S. Coast Guard assets have been released from the scene, and the Coast Guard remains closely engaged with Canadian counterparts. The cause of the flooding and any other damage to the bulk carrier will be investigated once the vessel has moored in Thunder Bay. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com. DENVER (KDVR) The Colorado Office of the State Public Defender issued a letter denouncing the process leading to the release of a recent internal affairs report from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation regarding a former forensic scientist who was reported to have anomalies in her DNA analysis casework. The report details numerous investigations dating back to 2014 about casework conducted by CBI DNA scientist Yvonne Missy Woods for criminal cases that were prosecuted around the state. She worked at the agency for 29 years and investigators say upward of 3,000 cases could be impacted by issues. Report: Ex-CBI scientist cut corners but did not falsify DNA matches The report shows that many people at CBI knew about these problems and that some consciously chose to cover it up, which let it continue, Colorado Public Defender Megan Ring wrote, also calling the misconduct discussed in the report outrageous and shocking. It could and should have been stopped years ago, but it wasnt, Ring wrote. Woods actions were partly to blame for a plea deal accepted Thursday in Boulder, according to courtroom reports. It was the first prosecution in the state believed to be impacted by Woods work. She is accused of tampering with test results, and the internal affairs report issued Wednesday showed coworkers called her work into question several times during her career. However, one coworker said Woods was the golden child of CBIs forensic laboratories and that leadership thought her to be amazing. In another statement provided to the internal affairs investigation, a coworker said Woods was a star analyst, who got accolades for working many cases. One CBI scientist noted examples of Woods deleting data or failing to include the proper controls in certain experiments. The scientists said that deleting data increases the number of cases the scientist can work on because they are not spending time troubleshooting. Man takes murder plea in first Colorado case impacted by embattled DNA analyst Ring said this indicates a larger issue at CBI than the agency has indicated. This has become about more than just one long-standing analyst tampering with evidence and deleting data, but it is also about the system failures of an accredited state crime lab, the people, and the processes that should have stopped this from happening over and over for years, Ring wrote. CBIs comprehensive failure to address these issues within its DNA program means there have likely been hundreds of public defender clients who were given intentionally manipulated data and who were prosecuted with unreliable evidence. Ring additionally said that the state public defenders office has been seeking transparency about what happened and why, but said CBIs refusal to release the IA report has delayed and frustrated the process. The state defender argued that the lab scandal can only be fairly addressed if clients and their lawyers can be apprised of the process. The post-conviction process that many clients will now urgently need to navigate is complex and requires clients to have experienced counsel with resources, Ring wrote. While the state has provided millions of dollars to prosecutors and CBI, we trust the state will soon provide resources to the defense side to seek justice for our impacted clients. State provided millions in funding to CBI for review In January, the Colorado Department of Public Safety requested nearly $7.5 million to review and retest DNA samples Woods processed during her tenure. As FOX31 has previously reported, Woods has been connected to some high-profile cases in Colorado, including the Kobe Bryant sex assault case that was eventually dropped in 2004 and the Alex Ewing hammer killings case, which was prosecuted in 2021. She also was recognized by the Polis administration in March 2022, receiving the Tom Clements Award for Outstanding Service in Government. CBI said in January that this incident is isolated to Woods and is not a systemic issue, but the IA report calls that into question, as many coworkers appeared to have concerns about Woods work. Woods was subject to quality reviews in 2014 and 2018, and one section of the IA report stated that the 2018 incidents paperwork was not completed until 2021. A coworker told investigators that it is her belief that Woods data manipulation was intentional and her notes on the matter were not added to the 2018 report until 2021. Denver human trafficker sentenced to 448 years in prison At least 656 cases were identified with an issue. Some cases had multiple issues, for about 784 total issues identified, and the report stated that there were 227 independent, intentional actions recorded that were intended to manipulate, change or delete data. The report concluded that Woods conduct is very likely to bring CBI in disrepute, reflects discredit upon Woods as a (former) CBI member, and impairs the operation, effectiveness, or efficiency of the CBI as it has and will require additional fiscal expenditures for extensive additional examination and analysis to rectify. 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 FOX31 Denver. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso County Commissioners Court will consider the early appointment of Christina Sanchez as county attorney during its regular meeting on Monday morning, June 10, the El Paso County Attorneys Office said in a news release. Sanchez to take over county attorney, EPCC looking to fill District 4 trustee vacancy The County Attorneys Office said Sanchez will be immediately sworn into the position if the commissioners vote in favor of her appointment. Sanchez, whos currently an assistant county attorney, won the Democratic nomination for county attorney with nearly 70 percent of the votes during the March primary. Although Sanchez will appear on the November ballot, she is running unopposed as there is not a Republican candidate for the position. If the Commissioners Court votes in favor of Sanchezs appointment, she will fulfill the unexpired term of Jo Anne Bernal which runs until Dec. 31. She will also serve her elected four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2025, according to the County Attorneys Office. As we previously reported, longtime El Paso County Attorney Bernal announced her early retirement and resigned her post as county attorney effective June 7. Bernal to retire early, allowing Sanchez to take over as county attorney With extensive experience as an assistant county attorney, Sanchez brings a wealth of legal knowledge and a commitment to public service to the role, read the press release. I am honored to be considered for this appointment, Sanchez stated. And look forward to continue serving the people of El Paso 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 KTSM 9 News. U.S. Rep. Tom Cole was approved as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee by the GOP Steering Committee earlier this year. In this photo, he leaves during a break in a House Republican caucus meeting at the Longworth House Office Building in 2023. In 2002, Oklahomans elected Tom Cole to represent the 4th District in Congress. In 2002, the national debt was $6 trillion. Every two years since then, as a ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, Mr. Cole has told us why its not possible to cut government spending, so that, now, in 2024, we have a national debt of around $35 trillion. Now, Mr. Cole has been chosen to fill the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, and, sure enough, is telling us he will "address" the problem. I wonder how thats going to work out. As an entrenched member of the congressional elite, Mr. Cole has surely prospered during his time in office. The nation? Not so much. I wonder if there are enough Oklahomans who are disappointed enough in Mr. Coles leadership to vote for a change for real leadership, for a stronger dollar, for a smaller, less-intrusive government, and for a stronger America. We can surely hope. Lance Bohannon, Frederick, OK 'It is time we WOKE UP!' I see this week where the state Legislature noticed that our State Superintendent of Public Education committed over $100,000 of our tax money to advance himself on the national stage. I also read they have recommended giving the Education Department an additional $25 million for next year. One can only assume they feel $100,000 is not enough to advance the superintendents career on FOX, or possibly a position within the Trump administration, if he is elected, so why not give him a little extra to help out. More: Ryan Walters outside PR contract should be banned, GOP lawmaker says The Democratic Party has asked the speaker of the House on several occasions to investigate the Education Department and the use of our tax dollars to no avail. To expect a Republican to investigate another Republican in this state is a joke. Mr. Walters ran on the platform that WOKE in our schools was the major threat to our children. The problem with that is he and he alone gets to decide what WOKE is. WOKE is a catch phrase intended to scare the people in our state into following a flawed leader. Since Mr. Walters has taken office, over 130 people in his department have left, all of his legal staff quit and now we find that he is using our tax dollars for personal gain. Since this does not seem to alarm the speaker of the House, I would ask him if he would allow an employee of his family's bank in Atoka to take bank money for personal gain with no consequences. The governor says he wants our state to be a top 10 state. On behalf of the citizens of this state, I would ask the governor and our elected politicians to act like we are a top 10 state and deal with corruption when it is exposed regardless of party affiliation. We keep telling ourselves new corporations are coming to the state because we are likable, yet we are failing miserably in the education and funding of our children. For those that are not aware, we rank 48th out of 50 states in funding for public education, yet our state superintendent failed to take some additional federal funding because he thought it was coming from President Biden. I cant begin to tell how impressed I am with that comment. No respectable corporation will be coming as long as we continue to fail our children and now we are willing to allow state leaders to spend tax dollars on what appears to be illegal actions and turn our heads because they happen to be in the same political party. It is time we WOKE UP! Donald D. Meyer, Yukon Bill would have provided education about voting right I am writing to advocate for felon voting rights. A bill was proposed this year by Rep. Mauree Turner, House Bill 4143, Charlottes Law, which aims to educate felons on their voting rights and streamline renewals of rights once out of prison. While this bill may not pass, it does highlight the importance of voter disenfranchisement and the misinformation surrounding this issue. Currently in Oklahoma, people convicted of felonies may vote once out of prison and off parole and probation. Many may not be aware of this and once convicted of a felony feel they are unable to ever vote again. This can prevent a large portion of Oklahoma voices from being heard, as they are not participating democratically even after completing their sentence. More: Every eligible citizen should have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote | Opinion As of 2022, over 40,000 Oklahomans have been disenfranchised, 76% of whom were no longer incarcerated. Taking away voting rights makes those who are disenfranchised feel they are not a citizen in their community; those with voting rights feel empowered and confident, and are more likely to contribute to their community in a prosocial way. Voting acts such as HB 4143 will not only help to foster a sense of citizenship in those no longer incarcerated but will also prevent judicial racial inequalities that occur daily in Oklahoma. We must empower those who feel voiceless. Democracy thrives on inclusion, NOT exclusion. This act may not be voted into law, but it is a step in the right direction for a better, more inclusive Oklahoma. Mattie Landers, Tulsa This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Letters on Tom Cole/national debt; Ryan Walters; felony voting rights The competition between India and China is about more than raw power India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi had his power pegged back in elections this week. It was also the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in China. It's a week that highlighted the contrasting political journeys of Asia's major powers. Narendra Modi's strongman ambitions suffered a setback this week. His Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party fell short of the landslide victory many had predicted in the Indian elections. As Modi becomes India's prime minister for a third time, his party will have to enter into a power-sharing agreement with alliance partners. It's a chastening lesson from the Indian electorate for Modi, who, while boosting India's global standing, has been accused of stoking division and weakening India's democracy. On the same day as the Indian election results, the world marked the 35th anniversary of the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, which saw a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing. In the decades since, China has slid back into Maoist-style authoritarianism. The events this week highlighted how the competition between India and China is about more than raw power. It's also a competition between two very different political ideologies. India is a flawed but thriving democracy India is the world's largest democracy. Its first elections were held in 1951-52 after it gained independence from Britain. Free elections have been held in nearly every election cycle since, with a coup in 1975 briefly threatening India's democratic status. It is a rare bright spot in a world where democracy seems to be in retreat. Even in the US, the global champion of democracy, former president Donald Trump is accused of launching an attempt to cling to power illegally after losing the 2020 election. Indian newspaper sellers queue to collect papers to sell the morning after the country's general election results were announced on June 5, 2024, in New Delhi. Rebecca Conway via Getty Images "India isn't a perfect democracy but it is still a role model for developing nations, large or small. And given trends in some Western democracies, I would have to say that there are several things they, too, should be learning from India," said Jabin T. Jacob, an expert on India-China relations at Shiv Nadar University, India. India's democracy, though, faces a stern test under Modi, say critics. Global democracy watchdog Freedom House in 2021 downgraded India's democratic status, saying Modi's Hindu nationalist movement had menaced journalists, attacked Muslims, and corroded civil liberties. Jacob said this week's results showed India's democracy remained resilient despite the pressures, while dealing a blow to a leader seen to have overstepped his authority. "We have just seen an election in which the Indian electorate decided that their interests are best served by power shared more evenly among a set of political formations that represent diverse interests and aspirations. That is the essence of democracy," he said. "The Indian electorate is a very mature one, and it has always intervened in a timely fashion against authoritarian tendencies in its rulers." It's unclear whether Modi will now double down on the nationalism he's championed or seek a more moderate path based on economic reform. China's rise comes at a high cost There are those in India, though, who have been astonished at the speed and efficiency of China's rise to economic superpower status. China has become the world's second-largest economy, and the lives of millions of ordinary Chinese people have been transformed. Though India has made huge economic progress under Modi, it still lags behind. Technicians examine a bullet train at a maintenance base in preparation for the Spring Festival travel rush on January 6, 2023 in Zhengzhou, Henan Province of China. VCG via Getty Images "Perhaps the greatest challenge democracy faces in India is that is has failed to deliver the kind of sustained economic development enjoyed by neighbors like China over the last four decades. It has also failed to eliminate extreme poverty," wrote Chatham House analyst Gareth Price in 2022. But with prosperity in China, has come reduced freedom. Since Tiananmen Square 35 years ago, China's Communist Party has rolled back many of the freedoms its citizens once had. Its current leader, Xi Jinping, has imposed a draconian surveillance state and is considered China's most authoritarian ruler since Mao Tse Tung. Dominic Chiu, an analyst with the Eurasia Group, told Business Insider that China's system had given it an economic advantage but at a cost. "China's one-party rule in the reform era enabled consistent long-term policymaking and economic planning," he said. "This benefited China's economy immensely when the leadership decided to liberalize markets, privatize industries, and open the country up to foreign investment." But, he said, China's repressive one-party system was also deterring investors. And with China's economy experiencing a steep downturn, this poses a serious problem for its future growth. China and India vie for dominance Having achieved economic superpower status, China is now seeking to assert its power more aggressively both regionally and internationally. Tensions with India are increasing. In 2020, clashes along the countries' Himalayan border resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese. An Indian army convoy drives towards Leh, on a highway bordering China, on June 19, 2020 in Gagangir, India. Yawar Nazir via Getty Images Analysts told BI that building stronger alliances to counter Chinese aggression will be one of the core aims of Modi's third term. And its commitment to democracy hands it an important advantage, said Jacob. "India's democratic status is critical for its international standing. It is an opportunity to develop a model of economic and political development that is both equitable and democratic and thus distinct from the aggressive capitalism of the US or the authoritarianism of the PRC," he said. In 2021, India entered into the "Quad" partnership with democracies the US, Japan, and Australia, to counter what is perceived as growing Chinese aggression in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. It's a political alliance that would've been more difficult to broker if India was ruled by an authoritarian government, say observers. Competing nationalist visions Some analysts, though, say that the competition between India and China is not, at its core, about competing political systems but about competing nationalist visions. According to this interpretation, both Xi and Modi are committed to restoring what they see as their nation's rightful place at the top of the global order. But in his quest to strengthen India, critics are warning Modi not to undermine the commitment to democracy and pluralism they believe is at the heart of its post-independence success. Jacob said those in India jealous of China's economic might should look more closely at the reality. "Indians who argue against democracy using the China comparison clearly don't understand anything about the reality of China and the Chinese people," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider Whats happening After years of political maneuvering, lawsuits and heated debate among residents, New York was on the brink of becoming the first city in the United States to institute congestion pricing as a way to combat the traffic that routinely clogs its streets. But on Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that she is blocking that plan from going into effect indefinitely over concerns that it would be too much of a burden on the city and its residents. Congestion pricing works in a similar way to typical road tolls, but rather than asking drivers to pay a fee to cross a bridge or use a certain highway, it imposes an extra cost on anyone driving into heavily congested areas. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Under New Yorks plan, which was slated to kick in at the end of this month, cars entering the most chronically gridlocked parts of lower Manhattan would have been charged a $15 fee. For trucks and buses the cost would have been as much as $36. The city estimated that the policy would have kept 120,000 cars off its overburdened streets every day and generated $15 billion to help improve and expand public transportation. In a speech announcing her decision, Hochul said she agrees with the goals of the congestion pricing plan but believes that the plan could stunt the citys economic growth and hurt its vulnerable residents. I cannot add another burden to working- and middle-class New Yorkers or create another obstacle to our continued recovery, she said. While New Yorks plan would have been groundbreaking for the U.S., several major cities around the world most notably London, Stockholm and Singapore have had congestion pricing in place for decades. All three of those cities have reported reductions in traffic along with other benefits like lower levels of air pollution. A handful of other U.S. cities, including Boston and Los Angeles, have at least begun studying whether congestion pricing would work for them as well. Why theres debate Supporters of congestion pricing say its long past time for the U.S. to finally take serious action to reduce traffic, which not only robs millions of Americans of their precious time but also causes a wide range of harms to residents and the planet. Advocates say reducing the number of cars clogging the roads would lead to safer streets, less noise pollution, cleaner air and fewer climate-warming emissions and bring in a major influx of funding to help improve other modes of transportation. Others make the case that its simply a matter of fairness, because the drivers who flood into cities impose real costs on the people who live there, but currently pay nothing to help mitigate those harms. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Critics of the idea say the truly unfair thing would be forcing people to fork over extra money they cant afford when many have no other option but to drive. They also express serious doubts that the plan would actually reduce traffic. London, for example, still has the some of the worlds worst gridlock despite more than 20 years of congestion pricing. There are also concerns that the plan would merely reroute traffic out of rich city centers and into poorer communities that are ill-equipped to take on the extra burden. Many skeptics add that whatever merits the policy might have in a metropolis like New York, congestion pricing simply wont work in most other parts of the country, where the population is less densely packed and alternatives like public transit are sparse or even nonexistent. Whats next Its unclear at the moment whether Hochuls move to block congestion pricing in New York City means that the policy is merely on pause or if its entirely dead. Part of the answer could depend on the presidential election. The Biden administration signed off on New Yorks plan last year, but former President Donald Trump said recently that he would immediately kill it if he returns to the White House. Perspectives Drivers impose a cost on cities, they should have to pay for it The concept is simply that by driving into a congested area, you are harming the other people who have to deal with that congestion and you should be charged for your negative externality. Its hard to argue with that. Peter Coy, New York Times ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Congestion pricing is being sold on empty promises The lie is that the tax will solve the congestion problem while paying for mass transit. It cant do both at the promised levels. If the levy sharply reduces the number of cars and trucks entering Midtown, the pledged money will come up short. If the tax doesnt reduce traffic, congestion will remain a problem. Michael Goodwin, New York Post Cities need high-quality alternatives in place before trying to get people out of their cars For congestion pricing to work public transit needs to be good enough to present a viable alternative to the $15 toll. Liza Featherstone, New Republic We dont have time to wait for the ideal circumstances Delaying congestion pricing until transit meets some ill-defined, bad-faith standard ignores the health impacts of living near freeways. It would be like not charging for electricity, w./ blackouts from overuse, until everyone has a solar panel. Jacob Wasserman, public transit researcher at UCLA ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Any extra expense will be too much for a lot of people Most folks who live and work in and around Boston are trying to get by, keep a roof over their heads and put food on the table. They arent the city's or states ATM Editorial, Boston Herald Anything that reduces the number of cars on the street is worth pursuing Keep your polluting, traffic-snarling, crash-causing cars out of the most crowded place in the United States. Editorial, Daily News Drivers benefit from congestion pricing too Just like highway tolls, those who pay (to drive) should also see some benefit (less traffic) and better mass transit alternatives. Jim Cameron, CT Mirror The last thing struggling cities need is policies that deter people from coming in to spend their money Its a fragile economic ecosystem into which congestion pricing is now being introduced. This is a dangerous experiment one that almost certainly will have unintended economic consequences. Paul H. Tice, Wall Street Journal ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The plan wont work in most of the country Which cities will follow on New Yorks heels? No U.S. urban area comes close to our trifecta of gridlock, transit and wealth. Charles Komanoff, Washington Spectator The plan would force people to pay a lot of money to get nothing in return You get no service or product for this fee, mind you, nothing tangible. As bad as electricity, food, water and heating costs can be, at least youre getting something for your money. And at least when you fork over money to see a movie or a concert, youre getting some kind of experience, even if you cant take that experience home with you. Not with congestion pricing. Its truly money for nothing. Tom Wrobleski, Staten Island Advance Flash A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday urged the United States to revoke its plan to sell arms to China's Taiwan region, and to cease arming the region with weapons in any form. Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media query on the U.S. Department of Defense's recent approval of arms sales worth approximately 300 million U.S. dollars to Taiwan. The U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region have severely violated the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, particularly the August 17 Communique, Zhang said. The move has seriously undermined China's sovereignty and security, and posed a grave threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region, he added. Zhang said that the Taiwan question is the first red line that shall not be crossed in China-U.S. relations, and that supporting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces will only escalate tension in the region, push Taiwan into a dangerous situation, and ultimately harm the United States itself. The Chinese People's Liberation Army has intensified military training and enhanced combat preparedness to resolutely safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Zhang said. Florida voters will decide this November whether to pull the plug on a program that for a quarter-century has allowed candidates seeking the states highest offices to subsidize their campaigns with public money. Amendment 6, one of six ballot measures that Floridians will consider this fall, aims to end the public financing of campaigns for governor and cabinet positions like attorney general. Voters shot a similar proposal down in 2010. But the state Legislature voted this year to see if, given a second chance, Floridians would end a practice that since 2010 has steered more than $33 million in taxpayer money to political campaigns. Archive: Florida state Sen. Travis Hutson, during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting on Jan. 24, 2017. The committee advanced his bill on a party-line vote with Republican support. READ MORE: What you need to know about the six constitutional amendments on Floridas 2024 ballot Sen. Travis Hutson, a Palm Coast Republican, sponsored the resolution that pushed the proposed constitutional amendment onto this years ballot. Hutson, who did not respond to multiple requests for comment, said during this years legislative session that repealing public campaign financing would allow taxpayer dollars to be put toward other needs. This is money coming out of general revenue and I believe we should put the question back to the voters to see if they would like us to spend general revenue on things other than advertising for statewide office, Hutson said during an Ethics and Elections Committee meeting. According to a Senate bill analysis, over $13 million of taxpayer dollars went to the candidates running for governor and the three state Cabinet positions in 2022, the last time those positions were on the ballot. Gov. Ron DeSantis received over $7 million in public funds to boost a campaign that raised around $200 million. His Democratic opponent, Charlie Crist, received over $3 million in public money. RELATED CONTENT: What to know about Floridas Amendment 1, the school board ballot question But critics of the amendment worry that doing away with public campaign financing would discourage people from running for office. Ben Wilcox, a board member of Common Cause Florida, told the Miami Herald that if Amendment 6 passed it would be bad for the integrity of elections and public policy. Corporations and wealthy individuals that make campaign contributions would have more ability to influence our elections, said Wilcox. Candidates that are not able to access that kind of funding and that rely on smaller donations from individuals, it would hurt those candidates chances to win and empower the big campaign donors to have more influence on public policy. READ MORE: What to know about Floridas Amendment 2, the hunting and fishing ballot question How does public campaign financing in Florida work? In 1998, Florida voters enshrined into the state constitution the ability for candidates running for governor and other state cabinet positions to qualify for public money to subsidize their campaigns. Story continues The program makes available to candidates matching funds from state coffers, under the condition that they place some modest restrictions on the amount of money spent by their campaign. Archive: Gov. Ron DeSantis appears in Hialeah on Nov. 7, 2022 during his reelection campaign. Candidates for governor, for instance, must agree to spend no more than $2 per registered voter, though they can spend more if a candidate who does not receive public money blows past that same limit. Only personal contributions from Florida residents to a candidates official campaign account are eligible for matching funds, capped at $250 per person. Contributions from corporations and political committees are not matched. HIGHER EDUCATION: What does the marijuana amendment that Floridians will vote on actually say? What do critics say about Amendment 6? Wilcox says that public campaign financing has allowed a wider range of candidates to run for office in Florida and has given candidates with fewer resources a way to be competitive in elections. When you have a candidate who is able to access large campaign contributions versus a candidate who doesnt have that kind of funding, public campaign financing acts as a way to even the playing field between those two candidates, said Wilcox. In 2010, the last time Floridians considered ending the program, a majority of voters wanted it gone, but the ballot question failed because it did not receive 60% support. READ MORE: What you need to know about Floridas Amendment 5, the property-tax ballot question Wilcox believes that Floridians will vote against Amendment 6 again this fall, saying that there has been no public outcry to do away with public campaign financing. He can only guess why lawmakers have once again brought this issue to the ballot. I think there are some lawmakers who are just philosophically opposed to spending public dollars in elections for campaigns and theyre probably the ones who benefit from a system where there is no public campaign financing, said Wilcox. Theyre probably benefiting from large campaign contributions that are coming from wealthy individuals and corporations so they dont see a need to level the playing field with candidates who dont have access to that kind of funding. While the initiative to repeal public campaign financing has been pushed by Republican lawmakers, Wilcox says that both Democratic and Republican candidates have benefited from public funds for their campaigns. Wilcox says as Floridians are deciding on how they will vote on Amendment 6, he hopes they will ask themselves if public policy should be based on public interest or the influence of wealthy corporations. Typically in a Florida election there are corporations in the state that spend hundreds of thousands of dollars supporting candidates and those corporations want something in return for that money. Theyre not giving a $100,000 contribution in the interest of good government, theyre hoping the government is going to be good to them, said Wilcox. In the 1952 case Wieman v. Updegraff, the Supreme Court struck down an Oklahoma law requiring state employees to certify that they had not belonged to a subversive organization in the previous five years. That included college professors, then among the preferred punching bags of anti-Communist politicians. In his concurring opinion, Justice Hugo Black described the Oklahoma law as, but one manifestation of a national network of laws aimed at coercing and controlling the minds of men during the Red Scare. Today, some state legislatures are back at it, attempting to control what teachers say in the classroom and how they say it. Floridas 2022 Individual Freedom Act, to take one notorious example, considers teaching to be unlawful discrimination if it espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels [students] to believe certain concepts. The concepts, though ill-defined, likely include reparations, affirmative action, and collective responsibility for national crimes. Florida isnt alone: Similar laws have been proposed or enacted in several states. Keith Whittingtons superb new book, You Cant Teach That: The Battle over University Classrooms, explores how the courts should think about the surge of such laws. For Whittington, a Princeton University politics professor, todays legislative attempts to curtail academic freedom constitute perhaps the most substantial attack on public universities since the early days of the Cold War. Though not necessarily more consequential than ongoing efforts to abolish tenure or shutter diversity offices, these attempts nonetheless raise distinctive constitutional challenges. You might think such challenges have long been resolved. As Whittington explains, the Supreme Court has incorporated a view of the importance of academic freedom into its jurisprudence. Concurring in Wieman, Justice Felix Frankfurter called teachers the priests of our democracy. Democracies thrive, he argued, only if teachers foster habits of open-mindedness and critical inquiry which alone make for responsible citizens. To do so, they themselves must have the freedom of responsible inquiry into the meaning of social and economic ideas. In subsequent cases, the court built on this claim. In 1957, in Sweezy v. New Hampshire, Chief Justice Earl Warrens plurality opinion said that teachers and students must always remain free to inquire, to study and to evaluate otherwise our civilization will stagnate and die. In 1967, writing for the majority in Keyishian v. Board of Regents, Justice William Brennan declared academic freedom a special concern of the First Amendment, which does not tolerate laws that cast a pall of orthodoxy over the classroom. This precedent would seem to settle the unconstitutionality of laws like Floridas Individual Freedom Act. What casts a pall of orthodoxy over the classroom more than threatening teachers with discipline for advancing such concepts as members of one race, color, sex, or national origin cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race, color, sex, or national origin? (Say what?) Such murky language left university lawyers so confused as to what could and could not be said in classrooms that one advised professors at the University of North Florida to open discussions with a disclaimer, The opinions stated by your fellow students do not reflect those of the College. Its no surprise that a Florida district court judge put the Individual Freedom Act, as it pertains to higher education, on hold in late 2022, noting the courts history of shielding academic freedom from government encroachment. But Whittington asks fellow academic freedom proponents to put our celebration on hold as well. Yes, he explains with admirable clarity and brevity, the court gives academic freedom constitutional weight under the First Amendment. But it has not provided much guidance for what that should mean in practice. That leaves specific constitutional limits on state control of public university classrooms far from clear. Consider a case decided a year and a half after Keyishian. In Pickering v. Board of Education, Justice Thurgood Marshall wrote for the majority that the state has an interest in promoting the efficiency of the public services it performs through its employees. That interest may include maintaining either discipline by immediate superiors or harmony among coworkers, or ensuring the teachers proper performance of his daily duties. But it must be balanced against a teachers First Amendment interest in speaking about matters of public concern. In Pickering, the balance came out in the teachers favorbut it neednt always. Pickering concerned a teachers speech outside of the classroom. One might think that a teachers speech inside the classroom, being at the core of the courts concerns in Keyishian, is better protected. Not necessarily. In the 2006 case Garcetti v. Ceballos, Justice Anthony Kennedys majority opinion denied that the First Amendment forbids managerial discipline based on an employees expressions made pursuant to official responsibilities. That makes sense. How, for example, could a mayors office run if his press secretary felt free to denounce him during press conferences? When fulfilling his official duties, a press secretary isnt a citizen commenting on matters of public concern. He is a talker for hire. Garcetti was about a district attorneys office, not a university, and Justice Kennedys opinion did not decide whether [Garcetti] would apply in the same manner to a case involving speech related to scholarship or teaching. But lower courts, Whittington informs, have applied Garcetti in a manner most unfriendly to public K-12 teachers, treating them in the classroom as hired verbal guns. Take a 2007 case from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as an example. In it, an elementary school teachers contract was not renewed becauseduring a current-events lesson and in response to a students questionshe mentioned that she had honked her car horn for peace as she drove past an anti-Iraq War demonstration. In a ruling against the teacher, Chief Judge Frank Easterbrook wrote for the court that K-12 teachers hire out their own speech. School districts can dictate not only the prescribed subject matter to be delivered in classrooms, but also the prescribed perspective on it. Still, Judge Easterbrooks opinion explicitly left unresolved the open question of how much room is left for constitutional protection of scholarly viewpoints in post-secondary education. Whittington thinks this question should be resolved by building on existing doctrine. First, as some lower courts have recognized, there must be an academic freedom exception to Garcetti, a possibility contemplated in that decision. The claim that the Constitution does not tolerate laws that cast a pall of orthodoxy over college classrooms cannot be reconciled with the claim that professors are government mouthpieces. Second, when weighing the governments interests against the First Amendment interests of professors, as Pickering requires, the distinctive character of universitiesassumed in the courts academic freedom decisionsmust be considered. K-12 schools have long been, Whittington observes, under the direct political control of public bodies. In contrast, the court has recognized the relative independence from direct political control that modern universities have by now long enjoyed. Professors cannot be effective pursuers and transmitters of knowledge if politicians tell them what to say. In the classroom, they are different from other kinds of public employees. The state has a legitimate interest in mandating aspects of the curriculum, ensuring that professors are competent, and demanding that their classroom speech be germane to the course. (A physics professor can be disciplined for turning Quantum Mechanics 101 over to the Peoples University for Gaza.) But beyond these and a few other matters, the states legitimate interest in sanctioning professors for [classroom] speech is quite low. Indeed, laws like the Individual Freedom Actalthough presented as mere employer-employee relations by Floridas lawyersare best understood as attempts by the state to control what citizens can think by controlling what young people are taught. But preventing political control of universities for this purpose is at the heart of Keyishian and related cases. When the Supreme Court recognized the idea of academic freedomwhose emergence accompanied the emergence of modern universitiesit contributed much to the excellence of public higher education in America. But there is a weak spot in the legal case for academic freedom. Whittingtons claim that there are meaningful limitations on the authority of legislatures to control their universities classrooms includes an escape clause: at least as those universities are currently constituted. The Constitution, Whittington concedes, does not say what kinds of universities states have to have or prevent them from deciding to run them more like primary and secondary schools. Indeed, modern universities, though they serve the advancement of knowledge, also practice civic educationwork that may justify a higher degree of state control than the simple pursuit of the truth. Even so, as Whittington observes, no state has chosen to conduct higher education in anything like the same manner as they conduct K-12 schools. Whittingtons analysis suggests that they will have to be upfront about any decision to do so. In the AAUPs 1915 Declaration of Principles on Academic Freedom and Academic Tenure, the authors acknowledge that propagandizing colleges exist. But they insist that such institutions, in pleading for public support, should not be permitted to sail under false colors, to pretend to be genuine universities. The gamble of the argument Whittington makes is that states have enough to gain, economically and reputationally, from housing modern universities, that they will not want to pay the cost of openly converting them to Sunday schools. That is probably a good bet. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador has appealed a federal decision that allows a controversial Idaho wind turbine farm proposal, located near the historical site of Japanese incarceration camps, to move forward. Labrador asked the Federal Aviation Administration to revisit its decision that the Lava Ridge Wind Project near Jerome poses no hazard to aviation, according to a news release from the Attorney Generals Office. The project initially called for 400 750-foot wind turbines to generate renewable energy, but the Bureau of Land Management announced in a final environmental review Thursday that it favors an alternative proposal to slash that number to 241 turbines at a maximum 660 feet. Even with the proposed changes, the wind turbines would still be among the tallest in the country and pose an obvious hazard to local aircraft and airports, the Attorney Generals Office said in its news release. The office also criticized the proposal for sending some of the power the turbines would generate to California. An FAA finding of potential hazards could delay or derail the project. Strong words are just not enough, Labrador said in the release. The people of Idaho have overwhelmingly demanded action and deserve better than to be ignored by federal bureaucracies. Yesterdays appeal is my offices first of many steps in fighting this ill-conceived project that threatens Idahos agriculture, wildlife and waterways. The project, which was first proposed in 2021, has faced opposition from Idaho political leaders, ranchers, conservationists and advocates for the Minidoka National Historic Site where thousands of Japanese Americans were incarcerated at the site during World War II. Farmers and ranchers have said they worry installation near their properties could impact groundwater or terrain, disturbing grazing and crop production. Many have joined environmentalists in their concerns over birds and bats who may be struck by the turbines blades. Friends of Minidoka, a nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation and education on the incarceration camp, said the view of the turbines from the remote camp would disturb the somber landscape and alter its historical context. Labradors office said the FAA didnt consider low-level flights, which include over 13,000 agricultural flights a year and crop-dusters that spray pesticides or herbicides as low as 10 feet. In its aeronautical study, the FAA responded to concerns raised by local pilots and aviation officials in public comments. The FAA said that because crop dusting occurs below the minimum elevation outlined in its general flight rules, agricultural operations arent considered when the agency assesses potential adverse effects. In Labradors appeal to the FAA, he said wind turbines could impact the safety of an already-risky activity, potentially forcing farmers to forego aerial applications altogether. The Attorney Generals Office said it expects the BLM to issue a final decision on the project in the coming weeks. Convicted killer Zachariah Anderson seeks $10 million from Mequon Police Department, claiming he was wrongfully arrested Zachariah Anderson has filed a $10 million claim against the Mequon Police Department, alleging he was wrongfully arrested during the investigation into the disappearance of Rosalio Gutierrez Jr. Anderson was later convicted of killing Gutierrez. Convicted killer Zachariah Anderson is seeking $10 million from the city of Mequon, alleging he was wrongfully arrested in May 2020 in connection with the death of Rosalio Gutierrez Jr. Anderson was convicted in March 2023 of four felony charges in the homicide and disappearance of the Kenosha man. Mequon Common Council records show that Anderson filed a claim with the city late last month alleging wrongful arrest, negligence and more by the Mequon Police Department. "No reasonable grounds or probable cause existed for my arrest at the time I was taken into custody," said Anderson. City Attorney Brian Sajdak recommended the Mequon Common Council deny Anderson's claim. He noted that, under Wisconsin statutes, such a claim must be filed within 120 days of an incident; it's been over four years for Anderson. Sajdak also said the claim should have been filed against the Kenosha Police Department, since Mequon officers were only assisting that department through a mutual aid agreement. "When a police officer is acting in a mutual aid capacity at the request of another department, the requesting department is legally responsible for claims resulting from the officer's actions in that mutual aid capacity," according to a Wisconsin statute Sajdak referenced. Anderson's attorney, Nicole Muller, was not immediately available to provide information on the delay in filing the claim or why it was filed against Mequon. Mequon's finance-personnel committee is expected to vote on the claim Tuesday, June 11. Anderson was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide Anderson was convicted in March 2023 of first-degree intentional homicide of Gutierrez, hiding his corpse and two counts of repeat stalking. Anderson's ex-girlfriend had been in a relationship with Gutierrez, who went missing on May 17, 2020. The ex-girlfriend told police she had concerns that Anderson was jealous of her relationship with Gutierrez. Police discovered a smoldering burn pit on Anderson's property on May 19, 2020. A cadaver dog discovered remnants of clothing, a charred bleach bottle and steel-toed boots. A search of second burn pit at Anderson's property in Saukville turned up remnants of clothing and other fabric that matched the color and fabric of a shirt frequently worn by Anderson. Investigators also discovered surveillance footage showing Anderson purchased garbage bags, latex gloves and Clorox bleach wipes the day before police found the first burn pit. Chesnie Wardell can be reached at CWardell@gannett.com or 414-766-4471. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Zachariah Anderson seeks $10M damages from Mequon for 2020 arrest NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Markal Cook, 18, of Norfolk has been held in Virginia Beach City Jail since his May 29 arrest in connection to a shooting at Mount Trashmore. And while he maintains his innocence, Virginia Beach Police say they have video of him firing a handgun into a crowd there on May 25. That incident resulted in the death of 15-year-old Jeyani Upshur. Cook, who was also hit by gunfire in the altercation, is not charged with shooting anyone. Instead, he has been charged with possessing a concealed weapon third offense, which is a felony. Now, court documents are shedding light on his prior two concealed weapons charges. If the evidence police have is accurate and he did fire a gun May 25, the documents also show that that incident would not the first time he fired a gun into a crowd. On Nov. 20, 2021, Cook was stopped by police along with about 10 other minors near the 1000 block of East Indian River Road in Norfolk. While talking with Cook [an officer] asked him to lift his jacket. Cook lifted his jacket while holding on to something in both pockets, a sworn police statement describing the incident reads. When Cook lowered his jacket he bent over at the waist in an attempt to conceal what he had. Officers eventually uncovered two handguns in his pockets a Taurus G2C 9mm and a Glock 16 9mm along with a 31-round extended magazine. One of the guns was identified as stolen in August 2021. He was originally charged with larceny/receiving a stolen firearm, minor possessing a handgun or assault rifle and two counts of carrying a concealed weapon in relation to that incident. Its unclear if he was found guilty of any of the charges. Less than two years later, on July 6, 2023, Cook was arrested in relation to a shooting that left a person seriously injured in Norfolk. Court documents describe police seeing him running from area of gunfire, jumped fence, and then reentered area. [H]e was ordered to stop and appeared to be repeatedly attempting to reach in front of pants while being detained and physically struggled with officers, it reads. A firearm was found tucked into front of pants. Approx 30-40 rounds were recovered at scene, and accused admitted to firing shots during the incident, though he claims he fired in self-defense. Cook was charged with obstruction of justice, carrying a concealed weapon and trespassing after being forbidden. He had been previously banned from all Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority properties. On Aug. 25, 2023, he pleaded guilty to the charges and was given a suspended 12-month sentence for each one. Just 10 days prior, police had once again discovered a gun in his waistband. The accused told officers that he was given the handgun for protection in the neighborhood/safety, a court document related to the incident reads. The accused also does not have a criminal history; however, he is pending the same charge that occurred a month ago, it continues. He was charged with carrying a concealed weapon on November 6, 2023 and sentenced to 12 months in jail with all but four days suspended. In January 2024, Cook was arrested again this time for failing to report to jail on 11/16/23 on underlying concealed carry violation, according to court documents. He was arrested while on the street during school hours. He seemed to have no understanding that he had 5-6 days of jail service that he needed to serve, court documents stated. On March 14, Cook was arrested for violating the trespassing order that banned him from NRHA properties. Officers observed the accused getting out of vehicle in Oakleaf Forest where he is banned, a court document reads. The accused was cooperative with officers and magistrate, it explains a theme repeated in multiple arrest documents. Prior to the Mount Trashmore incident, Cook was apparently last arrested in Norfolk in April for missing a court date related to a trespassing charge. In a jailhouse interview on June 5, Cook told 10 on Your Side that he didnt know any of the participants in the shooting at Mount Trashmore. Yes, Im charged with a concealed weapon, but at the scene, I had no weapon on me, he told 10 On Your Side, reiterating that he was only there to spend time with his cousin and girlfriend. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE: SATURDAY 6/8/2024 7:05 a.m. (COLORADO SPRINGS) According to CSPD, as of Friday, June 7, around 9 p.m., Kenneth Simmons has been located and is safe. ORIGINAL STORY: CSPD seeks publics help in locating missing 68-year-old ORIGINAL STORY: FRIDAY 6/7/2024 8:47 p.m. The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is seeking assistance locating a 68-year-old who went missing on Friday, June 7. Kenneth Simmons, 68, was last seen on Friday at around 1:30 p.m. in the 4200 block of Morning Sun Ave. Simmons is described as having gray hair, weighing 120 pounds, and standing at 56. He may be driving a silver Toyota Corolla with Colorado plate #BTAH13. If you have any information or have seen Simmons, contact CSPD at (719) 444-7000. Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Legal & General lead Antonio Simoes has big shoes to fill. The Portuguese former banker took over from Sir Nigel Wilson as the chief executive of Legal & General (L&G) in January, succeeding an executive whose 11-year tenure was so significant it earned him a knighthood. Sir Nigel forged a doctrine of inclusive capitalism at the 188-year-old insurer, using its financial heft to back projects L&G believed delivered social good as well as returns. What Simoes plans to do will become clear on Wednesday when he is scheduled to give a two-and-a-half-hour presentation to L&G investors in the City, following a root-and-branch review. Its the first time hes going to really be talking to the market, says Abid Hussain, analyst at Panmure Gordon. He needs to have a plan but he doesnt need to reinvent the wheel. The business is not broken but they need to do something to get the share price going. L&G, which has 14 million retail customers, is a reliable company for many investors but shares have flatlined over the past decade. While inclusive capitalism won plaudits from politicians and ESG advocates, doubts have emerged about the strategy. L&G shut down its affordable modular housing business last year after losing almost 100m. With Sir Nigel gone, investors are hoping Simoes can bring a fresh perspective to the staid giant. Central to the revamp is likely to be L&Gs business buying assets from shuttered defined benefit pension schemes, which promise retirees a set income. The market for so-called bulk annuities is booming, with 50bn worth of deals struck last year and another 80bn estimated this year. Insurers take on the obligation of paying pensioners in return for being given the potentially lucrative stocks and bonds portfolios that fund the pension payments. Bulk annuities are attractive to insurers because it allows them to acquire billions of pounds worth of assets at a small discount. They can liquidate the stocks and bonds and funnel the cash into higher yielding investments such as property and infrastructure, which pay better returns. L&G, which has 11,000 employees, is considered the biggest and best in the field, having done 14bn worth of bulk annuity deals last year, including a 4.8bn swoop for a Boots scheme covering 53,000 former shop workers. Shareholders want Simoes to go deeper into this market. We think the new chief executive should be capitalising on the strength of L&Gs market position, know-how, and balance sheet to take advantage of the opportunities presented, Ambrose Faulks, Artemis fund manager, says. Story continues At the same time as pushing deeper into the pensions market, investors also want Simoes to sell-off or shut down some of Sir Nigels more adventurous bets. Investors are hoping Simoes can bring a fresh perspective to L&G Due to the large numbers of pensioners L&G has to pay, Sir Nigel spent years moving the groups money into more esoteric areas such as housebuilding and heat pumps, balancing liabilities with higher returning investments. However, that has led to something of an identity crisis for the group. While insurers traditionally put money into boring old gilts, low rates have meant L&G has expanded into increasingly novel areas including private credit and property. That has made the business harder to understand. Today, Legal & General is a four-headed monster: a bulk annuity business, known as L&G Institutional; a 1 trillion fund manager called L&G Investment Management (LGIM); a infrastructure and property manager called L&G Capital (LGC); and a retail business which sells workplace pensions and life insurance. Simoes is being urged to trim the insurers bloated investment businesses, including L&G Investment Management (LGIM) and L&G Capital (LGC). Prime for a sale is Cala Homes, the 10th largest housebuilder in the UK. Cala is largely disliked by investors because the group sits on L&Gs balance sheet and investors have to understand the dynamics of the property market. Rothschild has reportedly been lined up to run an auction that is likely to value Cala at around 750m. Theres a bit of pruning to be done within LGC and that could roll into the bigger beast that is LGIM, says Hussain. Cala Homes is an obvious candidate for them to exit and there probably are going to be others in their start-up ecosystem, where they invest directly into early stage start-ups. More immediately, Simoes could launch a share buyback to keep investors happy. Nearly every financial services company in the UK, from Aviva to Barclays, is currently using the buyback tactic to push shares up and reward investors. Analysts expect L&G will join them, buying up between 250m and 400m of its stock. Described as charismatic with a self-deprecating sense of humour, 49-year-old Simoes is considered something of a financial services prodigy. In 2012, he became the youngest chief executive ever to run HSBCs UK business at just 37, and was once tipped to become the banks overall boss but was overlooked by chairman Mark Tucker. He was lured to L&G by chairman Sir John Kingman, having worked at Spanish bank Santander where he was also considered a candidate for the chief executive role by Ana Botin, the banks chair. Married to husband Tomas with whom he has two children, Simoes is the first openly gay FTSE 100 chief executive and once joked it was rarer for a short, bald, Portuguese man to become the chief executive of a bank than a gay man. Simoes will present his new strategy this week at Landing Forty Two, the highest event space in the UK, which sits inside the Citys Cheesegrater building. L&G shareholders will be hoping Simoes ambitions match the sky-high venue. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Czech Republic may train up to 4,000 Ukrainian soldiers this year, but will not send instructors to Ukraine, Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova said in an interview with CTK published on June 8. The day before, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that Paris is forming a coalition of countries to send military instructors to train Ukrainian soldiers in Ukraine. France is reportedly planning to initially send a limited number of personnel to assess the modalities of a mission before involving several hundred trainers, Reuters reported in late May, citing two unnamed diplomats. Cernochova voiced support for the initiative, but said that unlike Czechia, such a move is practical for France and some other countries due to their distance from Ukraine. "There are a few hundred kilometers to our Libava from the Slovak-Ukrainian border. So I can say for the Czech Republic that we are not planning anything like that at the moment," the minister said. Kyiv has asked the U.S. and other NATO countries to help train 150,000 soldiers closer to the front lines, according to the New York Times. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that the presence of French military instructors in Ukraine would be deemed a "legitimate target." "We are not at war with Russia, we do not want an escalation, but we want to do everything we can to help Ukraine resist. Is it an escalation when Ukraine asks us to train mobilized soldiers on its sovereign soil? No, Macron said on June 7. "We already know that we will not be alone, and we will use the next few days to organize a broader coalition to respond to Ukraine's request." Read also: Paris says it will respond to Russia after remarks about French instructors in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. D.A. will not charge deputy seen on camera appearing to slam inmate's head into wall Two years after a Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy was seen on camera appearing to bash a handcuffed inmates head into a concrete wall, prosecutors have decided not to charge either of the jailers involved. The district attorneys office explained the move in a memo last month, saying prosecutors couldnt tell whether the violence was intentional since one of the deputies alleged it was the inmates own momentum that caused his head to make contact with the wall. The decision comes one year after video of the incident at Mens Central Jail was made public by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, which posted a 15-second clip of it online. The graphic surveillance video showed two deputies chatting as an inmate emerged from his cell with his hands cuffed behind him. One deputy appeared to grab the inmate from behind and slam him into the wall, seemingly without provocation. Photos of his injuries show the man sustained a deep 3-inch head wound. This week, Peter Eliasberg, the ACLU chief counsel involved in two long-standing class-action lawsuits against the jails, denounced the district attorneys decision not to prosecute the deputies. Standing alone, it is nothing short of pathetic, he told The Times. But its outrageous when you tie it back to the history of the D.A.s office coddling criminal behavior by the Sheriffs Department. Read more: Video shows deputy slamming handcuffed inmate into concrete wall at Mens Central Jail He said the ACLU plans to ask the U.S. Department of Justice to take up the case, noting that federal prosecutors have previously obtained convictions against other jail deputies prior district attorneys declined to prosecute. The Los Angeles County district attorneys office told The Times in an email that it takes allegations of misconduct by jail deputies extremely seriously and reviews each case based on the evidence. This office thoroughly reviewed the allegations in this case, the email said, adding that prosecutors concluded that the allegations could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The Sheriffs Department said in a statement Friday that both deputies are still with the department. Now that the district attorneys office is done with the case, sheriffs officials will decide whether the deputies violated any policies or procedures. The department expects that custody personnel will perform their responsibilities in a professional manner with integrity and compassion, the statement said. Any individuals who fail to uphold our standards of care and violate Department policy will be held accountable. The deputies did not respond to emailed requests for comment, and it was not immediately clear whether they had attorneys. The 2022 incident took place in a high-security unit at Mens Central Jail, where all prisoners are handcuffed through a door slot before theyre allowed to leave their cells. Whenever they come out, policies dictate that they be escorted by two deputies who are required to maintain a firm grip on the inmate. Its the same unit, ACLU attorneys said, that has since been the scene of other problems. On Wednesday, The Times reported that oversight inspectors caught eight deputies in the high-security unit watching a sexually explicit video instead of tending to a suicidal inmate. Read more: Inmate hung a noose. Jailers too busy watching 'explicit video' to intervene, inspectors say One inspector described the unit as moldy and humid and said the men living there have no books or pens. They have absolutely nothing, and its completely dark, oversight commissioner Haley Broder said in an interview. Being down there for 30 minutes, I dont know how anyone could survive this. According to the D.A.s memo, the inmate in the surveillance video whose name was redacted had been housed in that high-security unit because hed previously threatened to stab deputies and had an extensive history of assaulting people. On July 4, 2022, the memo said, Deputies Jose Peralta and Johnathan Gutierrez walked up to the inmates cell to escort him to the shower. After they cuffed him and he exited the cell, the deputies said he told them: Dont touch me. Because the surveillance video does not have sound, its not possible to tell what if anything the three men said. But according to the D.A.s memo, Peralta claimed the inmate threatened to headbutt Gutierrez. By Gutierrezs account, once the inmate exited his cell he quickly turned toward the shower with a sudden movement that caught the deputy off guard, according to the memo. Gutierrez reacted by grabbing the inmates forearm and reaching for his shoulder. Then, he alleges, the inmate lunged his upper body forward. It all happened so fast, Gutierrez said, that he was focused only on controlling the inmate. According to the memo, the deputy said his right hand ended up behind the inmates head as the man was moving forward. It was his own momentum that caused his head to make contact with the wall, Gutierrez wrote in a use-of-force report that prosecutors quoted in their memo. Eliasberg characterized that description as patently false. When investigators interviewed the inmate a few hours after the incident, he seemed to dispute the deputies description, too, and said nothing about threatening to headbutt them but said they had previously threatened him. Im walking out, the cops pulled me out, and I went forward, and he hit me right in the forehead, he told them, according to the memo. Thats all I remember. Because the cop told me yesterday that once they get me out of the cell, they were going to get me. The memo said he went on to tell investigators that he is on psychiatric medication and believes he has telepathy. When he couldnt stay on topic, investigators cut the interview short. The deputies did not provide voluntary statements to investigators, the memo said, though both men wrote use-of-force reports that prosecutors analyzed when evaluating the case. To prove the deputies committed a crime, prosecutors wrote, theyd have to show that the force was willful, unlawful and not in self-defense. But they said the video appears to confirm the inmate made some sudden movements and began moving his body in the direction of the wall before Gutierrez grabbed him by the back of the neck. It cannot be determined from the video footage whether Gutierrez deliberately slammed the inmate into the wall or whether it was accidental, prosecutors continued, concluding they didnt have enough evidence to move forward with a case. Corene Kendrick, another ACLU attorney involved in the jail lawsuits, called that reasoning mind-boggling, saying that whether the slam was intentional should be left up to a jury. Whether or not the officers willfully smashed the mans head into the wall or whether his head somehow just hit the wall like they contend, that is something a jury should determine, she said. Its really stunning they would think there was no crime committed here. If an incarcerated person had smashed an officers head into the wall and caused those injuries, somehow I dont think that the district attorneys office would refuse to prosecute. Read more: Feds did what the L.A. prosecutors didn't do: bring deputies in jail visitor's beating to justice Nearly a decade ago, the ACLU raised similar allegations in a scathing July 2015 letter to then-D.A. Jackie Lacey. The letter focused on local prosecutors failure to charge a group of deputies who beat and pepper-sprayed a visitor they claimed attacked them in 2011. Initially county prosecutors charged the visitor Gabriel Carrillo with battery on a peace officer and other crimes but said there was no evidence to suggest that the deputies acted inappropriately. After the U.S. attorneys office took over the case, federal prosecutors secured criminal convictions against five deputies, including two who admitted in court that Carrillo had been handcuffed during the attack. Carrillo sued, and the case settled for $1.2 million . According to the ACLUs letter, the Carrillo case was part of a larger pattern. The district attorneys office was quick to file charges against inmates often without reviewing video evidence but almost never filed charges against deputies, the civil rights organization said. Eliasberg said this week that little has changed. This is just more evidence of the D.A.s unwillingness to provide accountability for criminal behavior by law enforcement, he said. The ACLU will be expeditiously asking the U.S. DOJ to investigate this incident and prosecute as it did in 2011 and 2012. Currently, the Sheriffs Department is subject to several consent decrees stemming from federal lawsuits. One, a case known as Rosas vs. Luna, began in 2012 when inmates alleged degrading, cruel and sadistic deputy attacks on inmates had become a common occurrence. Many of the beatings meted out by deputies, the suit alleged, were far more severe than the infamous 1991 beating of Rodney King. After three years of legal wrangling, in 2015 the inmates represented by the ACLU and the county came to an agreement about specific changes the Sheriffs Department would make to reduce the number of beatings behind bars. Nearly a decade later, there have been some signs of improvement, as county data show that jailers punch inmates in the face far less frequently than they used to. But the department has yet to comply with all of the terms of the agreement. The case continues. 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. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks during a press conference of the Nordic Prime Ministers on the occasion of the Nordic Summit. -/Ukrainian Presidency/dpa Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was taken to the hospital with a minor whiplash injury after a man hit her in central Copenhagen, her office said. Frederiksen is "safe but shaken" by Friday's incident, the office said, adding that her scheduled engagements on Saturday were cancelled. Eyewitnesses told Danish media that the 46-year-old prime minister had been able to walk away from the scene. Police quickly arrested a 39-year-old man in connection with the assault on Kultorvet square in the capital's historic centre. He later appeared in a pre-trial custody hearing in a Copenhagen district court. The man denied that he had anything against Frederiksen, saying she was "a really good prime minister" and that he had been surprised to run into her on the street. Police investigating the assault do not believe that the attack was politically motivated. The Danish news agency Ritzau reported that the man was drunk and under the influence of other drugs at the time and that he was a Polish citizen who had been resident in Denmark for a long time. Condemnation poured in from across Europe. "Shocked to hear about the violence against my friend Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of our ally Denmark. I strongly condemn all violence against our political leaders," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg wrote on the social media platform X. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it a "despicable act which goes against everything we believe and fight for in Europe," while French President Emmanuel Macron denounced it as "unacceptable" and wished the leader a quick recovery. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted a get-well message on X. "Dear Mette, I wish you a speedy recovery," he said. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak posted on X: "Democracies must be free from intimidation and threats." "I strongly condemn any form of violence against democratically elected leaders in our free societies," Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said. "An attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy," wrote Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on X. The incident comes as the EU's 27 countries elect more than 700 members of the European Parliament during four days of voting that began on Thursday. Voters in Denmark go to the polls on Sunday. There have been at least two attacks on politicians in Germany in the immediate run-up to the elections. And on May 15, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and seriously injured. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks at a press conference with Chancellor Scholz after their meeting. Michele Tantussi/Getty Images Europe/Pool/dpa About a dozen people gathered at Vander Veer Park in Davenport today to raise awareness about gun violence. Vander Veer Park (File photo) The Wear Orange campaign started as a tribute to Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old girl who was shot and killed in Chicago just two weeks after she performed at President Obamas inauguration. Saturdays event at Vander Veer park honored those effected by gun violence whether through violent crime or suicide. About three in five Americans have been touched by gun violence in some way shape or form, Quad Cities Moms Demand Action member Kaleigh Rogers said. That could be having survived an incident of gun violence or intimate partner violence involving suicide by gun. The Quad Cities Moms Demand Action group is also focused on gun legislation, particularly red flag laws. These laws allow for guns to be temporarily taken from people who are a risk to themselves or others. Illinois currently has this type of law, but Iowa does not. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. police arrested a man for carjacking someone and driving under the influence Friday. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said that around 9:09 a.m., the suspect assaulted the victim in a parking garage which was located in the 200 block of Tingey St. in Southeast. Community members meet for annual End Gun Violence City Wide Conference and Festival in DC The man took the victims car keys and then took off in the car. Not long after, MPD officers found the suspect and the car in Northeast D.C. and arrested him. He was identified as 28-year-old Raymond Davese, of Northeast D.C. He was charged with armed carjacking and driving under the influence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ADRIAN Evidence presented in Lenawee County District Court shows Dee Ann Warner is dead and the open murder and evidence tampering charges against her husband, Dale Warner, should advance to circuit court for further proceedings, a judge ruled Friday. Visiting Judge Anna M. Frushour's ruling came at the conclusion of the preliminary examination in the case against Dale Warner, 56, of Franklin Township. He was arrested in November, accused of murdering his wife, who was reported missing by her adult children on April 25, 2021. She was last seen alive by any of her friends or family on April 24, 2021. Dee Warner of Franklin Township has been missing since the morning hours of April 25, 2021. Anyone with information that may be helpful in locating Warner is asked to contact the Michigan State Police tip line at 855-MICHTIP (855-642-4847) or submit their tips online at www.michigan.gov/MICHTIP. The ruling is not a conviction. It is a finding that the prosecution has shown it has enough evidence to support the charges against Dale Warner. The standard of probable cause at a preliminary exam is lower than the beyond reasonable doubt standard that is required to convict someone at a criminal trial. Dale Warner, center, looks back at family and friends in the gallery of a Lenawee County District Court courtroom Friday as he is returned to the Lenawee County Jail following the preliminary examination of the open murder and evidence tampering charges against him. He is accused of murdering his wife, Dee Ann Warner, who was reported missing in April 2021 and has not been seen since. The open murder charge allows a jury to decide the degree of murder, first or second, should the case go to trial. First-degree murder involved premeditation and has a mandatory life sentence without parole. Second-degree murder is punishable by up to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Statements made by Dale Warner presented during the hearing showed he told police and others that he and Dee had an argument late that night, he calmed her down, and she fell asleep in the living room while watching TV. He said he last saw her sleeping on a couch when he went out to work their fields at about 6 the next morning. Dee was not at their Munger Road home when her adult daughter, Rikkel, stopped by at about 9 a.m. for their usual Sunday breakfast. Dee and Dale's young daughter had spent the night with a family friend, who said she offered to host the girl so Dee could tell Dale she wanted to end their marriage and sell their farming and trucking businesses. Reviewing testimony given during the four-day hearing, which began May 1, Frushour said the prosecution had met its burden of showing a crime had been committed and that there is probable cause to believe Warner committed it. In particular, she noted the timeline of cellphone data and Dale's statements to police do not line up. Dale's phone was used to unlock Dee Warner's Cadillac Escalade, access the Warners' farm's security cameras and look for Dee's iPhone between 7:14 a.m. and 8:49 a.m. April 25, 2021, Frushour said. "When Dale was asked about these searches, he told the police he was looking for Dee, but according to his other statements, she wasn't missing yet," she said. Dale told investigators he learned Dee was missing when Dee's assistant at her trucking business, Stephanie Voelkle, called him at about 10:31 a.m., Frushour said. Visiting Judge Anna M. Frushour reads her ruling to bind over to Lenawee County Circuit Court the open murder and evidence tampering charges against Dale Warner in the disappearance of his wife, Dee Ann Warner. Frushour issued her ruling Friday at the conclusion of the case's preliminary examination in Lenawee County District Court. Text messages from Dee and statements by relatives and friends about the Warners' deteriorating marriage, abuse and controlling behavior by Dale also support probable cause to believe Dale murdered Dee, Frushour said. "The prosecutor has shown Dee Warner could not be located, has not been heard from by anyone in over three years, has had no activity or signs of life anywhere," Frushour said. "This was a woman who had a very active lifestyle, filled with family, friends and work. She was in constant contact with the people in her life. There was nothing in the evidence that suggested she would disappear intentionally, especially from her children, which included a minor child who Dee specifically said in her text message to (friend Amy) Alexander that she didn't want to leave her minor child with Dale, not even for a weekend." The evidence presented did not support theories that Dee died by suicide, that someone picked her up from their home or she had traveled anywhere, Frushour said. While there was testimony about financial problems, it was not flushed out enough for the court to ascertain any financial motives to kill Dee, Frushour said, but she did not need to make a determination on that. In arguing for the charges to be dismissed, Dale's lead attorney, Mary Chartier, said there was an absence of evidence that Dee was murdered or that Dale killed her. She cited a Michigan Court of Appeals case where a murder conviction was reversed in a case where the body was not found because there wasn't enough evidence to convict. That case also had allegations of domestic violence and a victim who had a close relationship with her family and devotion to a minor child. There is another similar "no body" murder case where the Michigan Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction, Lenawee County Prosecutor Jackie Wyse countered. Chartier said that case was ultimately reversed and remanded to the circuit court for a new trial. According to the Michigan Court of Appeals ruling in Michigan v. Nelson from 2014, both the prosecution and defense in that case asked to have a new trial due to new evidence being found. In the Warner case, Chartier said, there were ample police searches of the Warners' property and other properties they had access to, and no evidence of Dee's death or her being murdered had been found. A video compiled by the FBI from the farm's security cameras corroborated statements Dale made to the police about what he did on the morning of April 25, 2021. She said there is no evidence to support the prosecution's assumptions. "Whatever happened to Mrs. Warner, it was not at the hands of Mr. Warner," Chartier said. After the hearing, Chartier said the judge made the wrong decision. "In this case, the prosecutor presented no view of what they think happened to Ms. Warner's body," she said. "Moreover, the timeline just does not match. "We believe he's innocent. We believe he's been wrongfully accused. He's wrongfully in jail, and we'll keep fighting for." Warner is being held on a $15 million bond. He was required to give his and his young daughter's passports to the court in case he posts bond and is released. The next step is an arraignment in Lenawee County Circuit Court. Chartier said she intends to file a motion to quash the bindover. "We believe the court improperly bound Mr. Warner over, and then, if we win that, that's great. He will be released," she said. "If we lose that, then we'll keep fighting and we'll keep getting ready for trial. There's a lot more evidence to exonerate Mr. Warner that obviously isn't applicable at an preliminary examination but that will be brought up at trial." Frushour, a Washtenaw County district judge, was appointed to hear the case after Lenawee County's judges disqualified themselves. The case's original judge, Lenawee County District Judge Laura J. Schaedler, removed herself after disclosing past professional and personal contact with the Warners and their families over the years. The county's probate and circuit judges also disqualified themselves, using the standard disqualification form provided by the Michigan State Court Administrative Office and selecting the option that states, "based on objective and reasonable perceptions, my continued assignment would create an appearance of impropriety." Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Daniel Drewyor, center, listens as Lenawee County Prosecutor Jackie Wyse, standing asks a question Friday in Lenawee County District Court during the preliminary examination of open murder and evidence tampering charges against Dale Warner. Drewyor is the lead investigator into the disappearance of Warner's wife, Dee Ann Warner. Two witnesses testified Friday. Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Daniel Drewyor completed his testimony about the investigation. It including the playing of portions of video recorded during two interviews of Dale Warner, one on April 29, 2021, at the Warners' home by Detective Kevin Greca of the Lenawee County Sheriff's Office and another in December 2022 by Drewyor and another detective at the state police post in Monroe. Warner was not represented by an attorney at the April 2021 interview. He had one at the 2022 interview. He reviewed what happened April 24-25, 2021, in both interviews. The other witness was Ryan Heethuis, a U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to an international cybercrime task force based in the Netherlands. He appeared by video and described his work in doing periodic reviews of commercial and government databases, including facial recognition, looking for any signs that Dee Warner might be alive. He said one address appeared after April 25, 2021, but it was because it was associated with Dee's son. They also identified a domestic airline passenger named Dee Ann Warner, but she turned out to be a different woman with the same name. The prosecution called 14 witnesses, including relatives and friends of Dee and Dale, former Warner employees, the Warners' information technology consultant, state police data analysts, and an expert from General Motors who reviewed data related to the OnStar system. The defense did not call any witnesses. Contact reporter David Panian at dpanian@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @lenaweepanian. This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Judge binds over murder case against Dale Warner to circuit court Demand for food delivery has skyrocketed. So have complaints about some drivers A delivery driver on a scooter rides the pedestrian crosswalk through traffic on a delivery in the Seaport District, Friday, June 7, 2024, in Boston. A soaring demand for food delivered fast has spawned small armies of couriers in a growing number of cities where delivery scooters, motorcycles and mopeds zip in and out of traffic and hop onto sidewalks alongside startled pedestrians racing to drop off salads and sandwiches. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) BOSTON (AP) A soaring demand for food delivered fast has spawned small armies of couriers and increasing alarm in big cities where scooters, motorcycles and mopeds zip in and out of traffic and hop onto pedestrian-filled sidewalks as their drivers race to drop off salads and sandwiches. Officials in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C., have started cracking down on delivery companies by issuing warning letters, seizing illegally registered or driven vehicles, and launching special street patrols to enforce speed limits. The pushback is not limited to the U.S.: There have also been a series of crackdowns in London and other British cities. For their part, the delivery companies have pledged to work with city officials to ensure that all of their drivers operate both legally and safely. In a letter this week to food delivery companies DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber, Boston officials cited an alarming increase in unlawful and dangerous operation of motorcycles, mopeds and motorized scooters that they said put the drivers, other motorists and pedestrians in imminent danger. The letter alleged that some drivers were operating unregistered vehicles and breaking traffic laws, and warned of an imminent crackdown on the vehicles. It also demanded that the companies explain how they can ensure their drivers are operating safely. The Massachusetts State Police said they identified dozens of mopeds and scooters that were improperly registered or being operated by unlicensed drivers. Fourteen illegal mopeds and scooters were seized Wednesday in one Boston neighborhood alone. In New York City, authorities have seized 13,000 scooters and mopeds so far this year; on Wednesday, they crushed more than 200 illegal mopeds and other delivery vehicles. Authorities in Washington, D.C., meanwhile, launched a program Wednesday called Operation Ride Right to ensure drivers of two-wheeled vehicles are complying with the law. Since it began, authorities have made five arrests and impounded 17 mopeds. They have terrorized many of our pedestrians, particularly our senior and older adults, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Wednesday at an event in which motorized two-wheeled delivery vehicles were destroyed. Riders who think the rules dont apply to them, theyre going to see an aggressive enforcement policy thats in place." When food delivery services had their major resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, most drivers used cars to deliver their fare. That led to increased traffic congestion, prompting a shift to motorcycles and other two-wheeled modes of transportation. The drivers, many of them immigrants from Latin American countries but also from West Africa and South Asia, say they are just trying to earn a living and are providing a service that gets customers their food fast. Were not all bad, said Luis Lopez, a delivery driver from the Dominican Republic who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday from his motorcycle in an area of multiple fast-food restaurants near the Boston Public Library. We come to work, to earn a living, pay the rent and send something to our families. Lopez, who came to the U.S. about three years ago, acknowledged that some drivers are unlicensed or driving unregistered vehicles, and hes seen them running red lights and onto sidewalks, menacing pedestrians. Some people are so reckless that theyre also putting other delivery drivers at risk, he said. He said he was among a group of 10 delivery drivers outside a Chick-fil-A on Thursday night when a police officer approached them with a flyer describing how to register their scooters and mopeds. The whole group agreed to do just that. We have to respect the law, he said, speaking in Spanish. We are going to respect the law so that they let us work here. Drivers of motorized two-wheeled vehicles are coming under much more scrutiny than was faced years ago by other gig workers in cars, such as Uber and Lyft drivers, because they can more easily violate traffic laws, said Hilary Robinson, an associate professor of law and sociology at Northeastern University. The switch to the vehicles "is really an attempt to make low-wage, high-risk labor available so that all of us can have cheap goods and services, Robinson said. Its perhaps one of the reasons why people are starting to realize that there really is no such thing as a free lunch. William Medina, a delivery worker in New York who is also an organizing leader with the Los Deliveristas Unidos Campaign, blames the delivery companies. This is a problem that started because the companies force you to complete the deliveries from far distances, he said in a telephone interview Friday. Medina started out delivering food on a bicycle, switched to an electric bike, and now is using a moped to make the longer trips. If you have to complete the delivery 6 miles, 7 miles, you have to complete it, he said. Among those advocating for tougher enforcement in Boston is City Councilor Edward Flynn, who said on Facebook that it can no longer be the Wild West on the streets of Boston. Everyone using city roads needs to abide by the rules of the road. If youre able to go 25 mph like a car you should be licensed, registered, and carry liability insurance in the event of an accident and injury," he wrote. Some Boston residents are supportive of tougher action against the scooters. I get frustrated when they don't follow the traffic laws, said Anne Kirby, a 25-year-old student having lunch in a Boston neighborhood within a few hundred feet of several scooters. I feel like I almost get hit every day when they go through the crosswalk when it's not their turn to go. But Jaia Samuel, a 25-year-old hospital worker from Boston, was more conflicted. She said she agreed that delivery scooters can be dangerous, but she also acknowledged that she relies heavily on delivery services for her food. I do think it's unsafe to an extent, the weaving in between cars and the not stopping for red lights, she said. But I feel like everybody should be able to make a living, so who am I to say anything? It would be unfortunate for me. I would be taking a hit with the crackdown on them. I order a lot of Uber Eats, DoorDash. Three major food delivery services have pledged to work with officials and neighborhood advocates to address the problem. The overwhelming majority of Dashers do the right thing and like all drivers must follow the rules of the road. If they dont, then they face consequences just like anyone else, DoorDash said in a statement Wednesday. Grubhub said its employees already agree to obey all local traffic laws. While enforcement of the law is best handled by the police, we take safety seriously and will take action to address any reports of unsafe driving, the company said in a statement Thursday. ___ Associated Press writers Michael Warren in Decatur, Georgia, and Lisa J. Adams Wagner in Evans, Georgia, contributed to this report. Key Insights Using the Dividend Discount Model, Deufol fair value estimate is 1.24 Current share price of 1.48 suggests Deufol is potentially trading close to its fair value Deufol's peers are currently trading at a discount of 42% on average Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Deufol SE (HMSE:DE1) as an investment opportunity by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for Deufol The Calculation As Deufol operates in the logistics sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. This often underestimates the value of a stock, but it can still be good as a comparison to competitors. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a company's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In this case we used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.7%). The expected dividend per share is then discounted to today's value at a cost of equity of 5.5%. Relative to the current share price of 1.5, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate) = 0.06 / (5.5% 0.7%) = 1.2 dcf The Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Deufol 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 5.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.054. 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. Story continues Looking Ahead: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Deufol, we've compiled three essential elements you should look at: Risks: You should be aware of the 2 warning signs for Deufol we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! Other Environmentally-Friendly Companies: Concerned about the environment and think consumers will buy eco-friendly products more and more? Browse through our interactive list of companies that are thinking about a greener future to discover some stocks you may not have thought of! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every German stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Democracy begins with each of us, Biden says at site of D-Day invasion in Normandy U.S. WWII veteran PFC John M. Wardell, of New Jersey, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken watch President Joe Biden deliver a speech on June 7, 2024, at Pointe du Hoc, near Le Bavent, France, where U.S. Army Rangers scaled cliffs over 100 feet high on D-Day to destroy a heavily fortified German position. Biden is in France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy and to emphasize the continued role of the United States in helping to protect democratic values in Europe. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) President Joe Biden, speaking from the site of the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France, said Friday that those who support democracy must remember what World War II soldiers sacrificed and live up to those ideals. Bidens remarks came during commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day and sought to tie the threats to democracy in the 1940s to those that exist today in the United States and Europe. American democracy asks the hardest of things to believe that were part of something bigger than ourselves, Biden said. So democracy begins with each of us. Biden spoke from the Ranger Monument at Pointe du Hoc, where former President Ronald Reagan in 1984 delivered a memorable speech on the invasions 40th anniversary. The monument, constructed by the French, sits eight miles west of the Normandy American Cemetery and was built to honor the members of the American Second Ranger Battalion. Biden walked in to give the speech alongside Scott Desjardins, the superintendent of the Normandy American Cemetery, who later told reporters that he spoke with the president about the battle. I explained to him that when the Rangers were still living, they would tell us climbing up the cliff was not the difficult part, Desjardins told White House pool reporters. Holding onto this terrain for two and a half days, being outnumbered, is really the amazing thing about Pointe du Hoc. First Sergeant Gavin Stith, U.S. Army, 2nd Ranger Battalion, and his spouse, Kourtney Stith, attended the speech alongside about 150 other people. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken both attended as well. Pfc John M. Wardell, 99, from New Jersey, who landed in France on June 18, 1944, was seated in the audience as well and spoke with Blinken, according to pool reports. Standing up to dictators Biden said during the 12-minute speech the soldiers who stormed the beach in 1944 had decided that it was necessary to stand up to a dictator who threatened democracy in Europe and that people today must live up to that benchmark. Does anyone doubt that they would want America to stand up against (Russian leader Vladimir) Putins aggression here in Europe today? Biden asked. They fought to vanquish a hateful ideology in the 30s and 40s, Biden added. Does anyone doubt they wouldnt move heaven and earth to vanquish the hateful ideologies of today? These rangers put mission and country above themselves. Does anyone believe they would expect any less from every American today? Biden met earlier in the day with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and announced a $225 million aid package for the country to assist in its war against Russias invasion. Biden told Zelenskyy during the meeting that his countrys efforts to win the war are remarkable and apologized for how long it took Congress to approve the latest round of military and humanitarian assistance. I apologize for the weeks of not knowing whats going to pass in terms of funding because we had trouble getting the bill that we had to pass that had the money in it, Biden said during the Zelenskyy meeting. Some of our very conservative members were holding it up. But we got it done finally. Be part of something bigger than ourselves Biden said during his speech at Pointe du Hoc the Allied soldiers who scaled those cliffs on D-Day, all of whom are deceased, would ask every American today to stay true to what America stands for. Theyre not asking us to give or risk our lives, but they are asking us to care for others in our country more than ourselves, Biden said. Theyre not asking us to do their job. Theyre asking us to do our job; to protect freedom in our time, to defend democracy, to stand up to aggression abroad and at home, to be part of something bigger than ourselves. If Americans wish to honor the sacrifices of our countrys WWII soldiers, they must ensure that our democracy endures and the soul of our nation endures, he said. Biden did not mention the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, by name, but Democrats have repeatedly stressed the danger they believe Trump poses to democracy. Biden spoke Thursday at the Normandy American Cemetery near Omaha Beach about the bravery of the soldiers who stormed the beaches on D-Day and the allied forces who worked together to defeat Nazi Germany and end the Holocaust. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Democracy begins with each of us, Biden says at site of D-Day invasion in Normandy appeared first on Maine Morning Star. Democracy begins with each of us, Biden says at site of D-Day invasion in Normandy U.S. WWII veteran PFC John M. Wardell, of New Jersey, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken watch President Joe Biden deliver a speech on June 7, 2024, at Pointe du Hoc, near Le Bavent, France, where U.S. Army Rangers scaled cliffs over 100 feet high on D-Day to destroy a heavily fortified German position. Biden is in France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy and to emphasize the continued role of the United States in helping to protect democratic values in Europe. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) WASHINGTON President Joe Biden, speaking from the site of the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France, said Friday that those who support democracy must remember what World War II soldiers sacrificed and live up to those ideals. Bidens remarks came during commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day and sought to tie the threats to democracy in the 1940s to those that exist today in the United States and Europe. American democracy asks the hardest of things to believe that were part of something bigger than ourselves, Biden said. So democracy begins with each of us. Biden spoke from the Ranger Monument at Pointe du Hoc, where former President Ronald Reagan in 1984 delivered a memorable speech on the invasions 40th anniversary. The monument, constructed by the French, sits eight miles west of the Normandy American Cemetery and was built to honor the members of the American Second Ranger Battalion. Biden walked in to give the speech alongside Scott Desjardins, the superintendent of the Normandy American Cemetery, who later told reporters that he spoke with the president about the battle. I explained to him that when the Rangers were still living, they would tell us climbing up the cliff was not the difficult part, Desjardins told White House pool reporters. Holding onto this terrain for two and a half days, being outnumbered, is really the amazing thing about Pointe du Hoc. First Sergeant Gavin Stith, U.S. Army, 2nd Ranger Battalion, and his spouse, Kourtney Stith, attended the speech alongside about 150 other people. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken both attended as well. Pfc John M. Wardell, 99, from New Jersey, who landed in France on June 18, 1944, was seated in the audience as well and spoke with Blinken, according to pool reports. Standing up to dictators Biden said during the 12-minute speech the soldiers who stormed the beach in 1944 had decided that it was necessary to stand up to a dictator who threatened democracy in Europe and that people today must live up to that benchmark. Does anyone doubt that they would want America to stand up against (Russian leader Vladimir) Putins aggression here in Europe today? Biden asked. They fought to vanquish a hateful ideology in the 30s and 40s, Biden added. Does anyone doubt they wouldnt move heaven and earth to vanquish the hateful ideologies of today? These rangers put mission and country above themselves. Does anyone believe they would exact any less from every American today? Biden met earlier in the day with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and announced a $225 million aid package for the country to assist in its war against Russias invasion. Biden told Zelenskyy during the meeting that his countrys efforts to win the war are remarkable and apologized for how long it took Congress to approve the latest round of military and humanitarian assistance. I apologize for the weeks of not knowing whats going to pass in terms of funding because we had trouble getting the bill that we had to pass that had the money in it, Biden said during the Zelenskyy meeting. Some of our very conservative members were holding it up. But we got it done finally. Be part of something bigger than ourselves Biden said during his speech at Pointe du Hoc the Allied soldiers who scaled those cliffs on D-Day, all of whom are deceased, would ask every American today to stay true to what America stands for. Theyre not asking us to give or risk our lives, but they are asking us to care for others in our country more than ourselves, Biden said. Theyre not asking us to do their job. Theyre asking us to do our job; to protect freedom in our time, to defend democracy, to stand up to aggression abroad and at home, to be part of something bigger than ourselves. If Americans wish to honor the sacrifices of our countrys WWII soldiers, they must ensure that our democracy endures and the soul of our nation endures, he said. Biden did not mention the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, by name, but Democrats have repeatedly stressed the danger they believe Trump poses to democracy. Biden spoke Thursday at the Normandy American Cemetery near Omaha Beach about the bravery of the soldiers who stormed the beaches on D-Day and the allied forces who worked together to defeat Nazi Germany and end the Holocaust. The post Democracy begins with each of us, Biden says at site of D-Day invasion in Normandy appeared first on Virginia Mercury. Proposition 8, the one-sentence ban on same-sex marriage that became California law in 2008, may no longer be in force, ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court more than a decade ago. But within the headquarters of the California Family Council, an official sponsor of the amendment, its passage is still recalled with a sense of awe. Prop 8 was perhaps the greatest state-level victory that American social conservatives have ever known and one that appeared to reshape the movements political prospects. A huge groundswell of volunteer support trying to qualify for the ballot, and also the financial resources imported from all across the country I dont think wed seen anything quite like that in California until 2008, Jonathan Keller, the councils president, said recently. People of faith, whether youre talking about evangelicals, even some mainline Protestants, especially African-American churchgoers, the LDS church, Catholic Church none of those constituent groups have really activated remotely in the same way. Its surreal in a lot of ways to see how dramatically things have shifted in the last 16 years. Now it is the left that sees opportunity in state-level organizing around marriage ballot measures. In California, gay-rights activists have launched a Freedom to Marry California campaign to banish the dormant language banning same sex marriage from the state constitution. Its a move they describe as both a symbolic opportunity to undo the injustice of 2008 and a hedge against future action by an unfriendly Supreme Court, where multiple conservative justices have expressed interest in reconsidering Obergefell, the case that established marriage equality as the law of the land. Backers of the California campaign, and similar ones in Colorado and Hawaii, are hoping to establish a template that can be repurposed nationwide, including in purple and even red states. In the 2000s, Republicans sought partisan advantage in putting same-sex marriage bans on state ballots, viewing it as a wedge issue that would split the opposition while galvanizing their own coalition. But now that a plurality of adults in every state supports equal marriage rights, according to Public Religion Research Institute surveys, Democrats are looking to invert the formula. They aspire to bait the right into high-profile cultural conflict, much as they have with ballot measures for abortion rights and marijuana legalization, in a way that gives left-leaning voters a reason to turn out even when they are unenthused about Democratic candidates. But as the nations largest state gears up for a November rematch over one of its most emotionally fraught political debates in a generation, just one thing is missing: those who launched Prop 8 in the first place. Interest groups that helped to assemble a $39 million budget to pass the amendment in 2008, including the once-formidable National Organization for Marriage, have moved on to policy areas where they see greater political opportunity, like those around gender identity and parents rights. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members supplied much of the volunteer push behind Prop 8, has become a cautious supporter of gay-rights causes. Many of those who masterminded the campaign, both religious leaders and campaign professionals, are not involved this time around. Sacramentos most reliable voices about the states supposed backsliding on moral issues are already preparing to concede defeat in November. I dont know if theres a whole lot of folks out there willing to invest in this endeavor, said Greg Burt, the California Family Councils vice president and director of capitol engagement. It wont make a difference. Social conservatives are in a stronger position than they have been in years, with their priorities to restrict or ban abortion access and curtail the recognition of transgender identity, most notably at the forefront of policy debates nationwide. But recent success before the Supreme Court on abortion and other issues has not emboldened them to push forward on other issues that were once central to their movement. In fact, the inability of their movement to manage the aftermath of a favorable abortion ruling has left some religious conservatives rethinking their most fundamental assumptions about politics. This years vote will be only the latest pull in a long tug-of-war over the status of same-sex families under California law. In 2000, 61 percent of voters approved Proposition 22, an initiative that declared, Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. In February 2004, then-San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom defied that law by ordering his city clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in what he described as a Winter of Love. All were eventually voided by state judges, but Newsom had helped to move a cause that had failed to gain legislative traction into the courts. The city of San Francisco sued to challenge Prop 22 as discriminatory, and in the spring of 2008 the state Supreme Court ruled that the measure unfairly targeted same-sex couples on the basis of their sexual orientation, ordering they be permitted to marry. The decision gave new urgency to an effort to place the Prop 22 language beyond the reach of judges by putting it in the constitution. A group of San Diego evangelical pastors had set that campaign in motion and through the National Organization for Marriage were introduced to likeminded backing from Catholic leaders. After the court decision, they won unexpected new allies across political and doctrinal differences: Mormons, whose church officials instructed they support the cause with time and money. Nonetheless polls consistently showed a majority of Californians opposed the measure, which was identified on the November 2008 ballot as Proposition 8. The Yes on 8 campaign settled on a message that aimed at the impact that validation of same-sex families had on educators who would be forced to teach their acceptance and parents who objected to it. As the California Family Councils Ron Prentice wrote in the argument appearing in the official voter guide, with the overzealous typography that is a hallmark of the genre, If the gay marriage ruling is not overturned, TEACHERS COULD BE REQUIRED to teach young children there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage. The message caught opponents flatfooted, helping to reverse Nos 14-point lead in September and deliver a five-point victory in November, halting marriages in California after five months. The moratorium on same-sex marriage in California lasted for less than five years, when the issue came before the U.S. Supreme Court. Litigators challenging the ban failed to convince a majority of justices that the measure violated the Constitutions equal-protection and due-process guarantees, but it fell when no statewide official, including Attorney General Kamala Harris, was willing to defend it. On June 26, 2013, couples again began to marry in California, and two years later, in 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell that similar bans by one point, 36 states had enacted their own versions of Prop 8 denied same-sex families equal dignity in the eyes of the law. In California, the political forces that had awakened a silent majority against same-sex marriage largely went quiet about it. The National Organization for Marriage, which had brought together the novel cross-denominational coalition behind Prop 8, saw its donors flee, partly due to boycotts and other public pressure from gay and lesbian activists. In 2010, as it worked to replicate its California strategy in other states, the organization reported raising $9.2 million; in 2020, the most recent year for which it has made its tax returns available, contributions totaled $222,000. The traditional marriage side may face a challenge in raising the funds needed to reach voters, said Frank Schubert, who served as chief strategist after the Prop 8 campaign and then became the National Organization for Marriages political director but is playing no role this year. If I were involved in the campaign, which I am not, I would spend a good deal of time sorting out how to overcome that challenge. A framed poster showing newspaper front pages from the June 2022 day when the Supreme Court issued its opinion overturning Roe v. Wade hangs prominently in Kellers California Family Council office across from the capitol in Sacramento. Not long after returning from this years March for Life, Keller sat on a couch beneath the celebratory poster and reflected on the divergent paths his movement took after landmark court rulings on abortion and same-sex marriage a spirit of unflagging resistance in one instance, a defeated acquiescence in the other. I remember hearing this original discussion as far back as 2015, just looking and saying, OK, is there any sort of a path forward? I dont know that there is at this point; I have not heard anything of the same scope or focus that there was with Roe, Keller said. The pro-life movement really had to spend multiple generations of really clearly developing a philosophical, ideological public-opinion case about life in the womb. That paid off in June 2022, when the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, reversing Roe and returning the question of abortion regulation fully to the states. In Sacramento, Democratic legislators responded by rushing a measure onto the November 2022 ballot to codify abortion rights in the state constitution. The amendment passed by a two-to-one margin alongside similar amendments in Vermont and Michigan; when lawmakers in Kentucky and Kansas passed amendments that would ban abortion in their state constitutions, the proposals were rejected by voters. What followed a win at the Supreme Court is a seemingly irreversible series of political and policy defeats. Obviously, its been a little bit of a Pyrrhic victory so far with the abortion issue, Keller said. That was a real shock to a lot of conservatives and a lot of pro-lifers. In a lot of conversations Ive had with both state and national groups around the country, its been a real kind of wake-up call to say, OK, what is our strategy moving forward? Indeed it is the left that appears to have alighted on the viable post-Roe strategy. Liberals have found they can assemble majorities in even the most conservative states to maintain the status quo on reproductive rights. For Democrats, it has turned into the best kind of political issue: a wedge that splits the opposition in their favor while stimulating parts of their base coalition, potentially boosting turnout among the types of voters who would cast a ballot for Democrats but might not be motivated to do so by candidate contests alone. There are now efforts underway in more than a dozen other states to do the same this fall, revising state constitutions to prevent future legislatures or state courts from banning the procedure. It has become the template for a similar push to remove constitutional language about who can marry. Here, too, Democrats point to Dobbs not the majority opinion, which took pains to argue the courts thinking on abortion is fundamentally different from its ruling on marriage, but a solo concurring opinion. In it, Justice Clarence Thomas argued that the majoritys view of privacy rights should apply beyond abortion and serve as the basis for reversing a pair of seminal gay-rights decisions: Obergefell, which legalized same-sex marriage, and Lawrence v. Texas, which outlawed bans on private sexual activity between consenting adults. Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the Dobbs majority opinion but did not sign on to Thomas concurrence, has indicated elsewhere he has other reasons for wanting to revisit the 2015 marriage case, on which he cast one of four dissenting votes. Remember the reasoning of this decision has an impact much beyond Roe and the right to privacy generally, Biden warned in the summer of 2022. Marriage equality, contraception and so much more is at risk. Later that year, Biden signed into law the Respect for Marriage Act after it passed Congress by large majorities that included 39 Republicans in the House and 12 in the Senate. The bill unwound the Defense of Marriage Act, which had become law in 1996 and ruled unconstitutional in part in 2013. Nonetheless it had remained on the books, its legal force likely to become an issue were the Supreme Court to reconsider its marriage rulings. Since then, attention has shifted to slumbering state marriage laws that could be similarly awakened, as happened in some states with abortion laws dating to the 19th century. Nevada became the first state to repeal its marriage ban, in 2020, with 62 percent of voters in favor; the measure received over 100,000 more votes than Biden did on the same ballot. A similar amendment will be on Hawaiis ballot this fall. Activists in Missouri have worked to qualify their own measure that would do the same. Legislators in Arizona, Indiana, Nebraska, Virginia and Wisconsin have all introduced bills to remove marriage language from their state constitutions. None are as far along as the California measure, which was introduced last Valentines Day by Assemblymember Evan Low and state Senator Scott Wiener as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. The bills Democratic authors waver in how they characterize the imperative to act. At times they describe Obergefell in jeopardy, with a risk of immediately snapping back to the Prop 8 restrictions. At others they claim that the mere symbolism of the enduring language Wiener called it this scar on our Constitution, Low a black mark is harmful even if it never regains legal power. Even while facing down Democratic supermajorities in Sacramento, the California Family Council has found sporadic if meager success. In 2018, Low had introduced a bill that would classify so-called conversion therapy, a widely discredited practice that promises to change an individuals sexual orientation or gender identity, as a form of consumer fraud under California law. The family council pressured Low into a statewide listening tour with clergy, who insisted the law as drafted would interfere with basic pastoral-counseling functions; afterward, he withdrew the proposal. In 2023, the council would see Newsom veto a bill that would have required family-court judges to consider whether parents encouraged a transgender childs desire to transition as a potential factor when granting custody. But when it came to Prop 8 repeal, the same lobbyists who claimed those victories quickly concluded that mounting anything beyond a half-hearted effort to sway other legislators against it would be pointless. Opponents did win one concession from Low: a letter explaining that his measures legislative intent was to ensure clergy would not be forced to conduct same-sex marriages against their religious beliefs or punished for refusing to do so. But when the amendment reached the Senate and Assembly floors last summer it passed both unanimously. There were notable absentees, though: Nine Republicans in the Assembly skipped the vote and seven in the Senate. They just thought it wasnt worth the fight, the effort. I think a few of them were worried that it might be used in an election year, said Brandon Campbell, a pastor who travels weekly to the capitol from his small church in exurban Sacramento to represent the interests of independent evangelical pastors through the California Capitol Connection network. The fight is not pointless, and we need to stay in the battle. Getting our side to see that does seem to be a lot more difficult than the abortion issue. A few months later there were signs that at least some on the right were still willing to fight over who should be allowed to marry. The Log Cabin Republicans, the leading group of LGBT+ conservatives, made a push to moderate the California Republican Partys platform, largely by shedding its language opposing same-sex marriage and abortion. But party activists rejected the proposed change by a three-to-one margin at the state party convention in September. They stuck to old language, a version of which well precedes Prop 8, which the party formally endorsed in 2008: We support the two-parent family as the best environment for raising children, and therefore believe that it is important to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Beyond party politics, few of the institutions that came together in 2008 to pass Prop 8 appear to have an interest in defending the language. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which suffered aggressive backlash for its prominent role in the original campaign, has negotiated an effective truce on gay-rights issues nationwide. The Catholic Church in California, too, seems to have moved beyond Prop 8. The bishops of California are currently focused on newly proposed legislation and have not taken up any proposed ballot measures as a body at this point, said Kimberly Nickols, communications director of the California Catholic Conference. The National Organization for Marriage still exists but relegates the current conflicts over marriage to its history. Its website makes no apparent mention of the ballot conflict looming in California, choosing instead to collect signatures on petitions chastising Disney and Burger King to stay out of the culture war and oppose federal proposals for a transgender bill of rights. The California Family Council intends to register its opposition to the constitutional amendment but is unlikely to dedicate any serious resources to defeating it. A USC-Dornsife survey conducted in late January found 73 percent of California likely voters wanted to repeal Prop 8. Keller insists such a vote would provide valuable lessons for his side about the salience of the issue today. Number one, it is an educational opportunity. But it really is also, I think, an MRI of the state of the culture. The amendment sitting on the November ballot goes a little bit farther than simple repeal of the Prop 8 sentence, articulating that the right to marry is a fundamental right. Backers say it helps to ensure not only that same-sex marriage will be protected in the state constitution, but interracial marriage, as well. Social conservatives warn that the language still fails to define the word marriage and could later be used as a basis for legal challenges to other configurations now taboo cousin marriage, for example, or polyamorous throuples. But Keller acknowledges his side has failed to articulate what it believes marriage should be, not as a narrow legal matter but in terms of values. If we, as original proponents of Prop 8, dont have a clear, positive definition of what marriage is, and why marriage is what it is, Keller said, then its going to be a lot harder. That represents perhaps the most notable shift since 2008 in how Californias most prominent evangelical organizers talk about their place in politics. Back then, few appeared bashful about the consequences of espousing biblical convictions in the public square; their job was spreading Gods word, hurt feelings among non-believers be damned. Maybe there wasnt enough account taken the first time around regarding that, Burt said. We didnt address what the opposition was saying. It gave them an opportunity to redefine the whole issue as related to love like, what is the loving thing to do? So that was a mistake. We should have explained what love really looks like. That may be the bigger lesson from the right's post-Dobbs losing streak, a recognition that the arguments that carry sway with judges might do little to win over voters. I do think that conservatives have, unfortunately, dropped the ball a little bit on some of our persuasion angles, Keller said. The legal strategy that the pro- life movement pursued for the last 40 years I think it was probably necessary, but I dont think it was sufficient. Demonstrations in Germany against right wing ahead of EU elections Participants demonstrate against right-wing extremism and to call for a democratic, open and diverse society, at the Victory Column, a day before the European elections in Germany. Carsten Koall/dpa Thousands of people gathered across Germany on Saturday to voice opposition to right-wing extremism the day before the European Parliament elections, organizers and police reported. In Berlin, a peaceful protest drew 15,000 people, according to police estimates. The organizers had registered a demonstration for 10,000. The protesters held up placards reading "Rights for people instead of right-wing people" and "Diversity without alternative." The organizers in Leipzig put the numbers there also at 15,000, while the police estimate was 12,500. A protest in Dresden also drew thousands. One of the speakers to speak at the Berlin rally was Matthias Ecke, a candidate in the elections, who was beaten up as he was putting up election posters for the Social Democrats (SPD) in Dresden a month ago. "We want to wake people up to go and vote and give a clear signal for democracy and human rights one day before the European and municipal elections," Irena Rudolph-Kokot, one of the Leipzig organizers, said. Sandra Huller, who was nominated for an Oscar this year for her lead role in "Anatomy of a Fall," addressed the Leipzig rally, calling on people to vote. People should not allow themselves to be infected by the "coarse tone from the right, by the inaccuracy and violence in the language that has the sole aim of creating uncertainty and division," she said. A broad alliance of civil society organizations in major cities, including Hamburg, Munich and Cologne, had called for the demonstrations under the rubric "Halt right-wing extremism. Defend democracy." Participants demonstrate against right-wing extremism and to call for a democratic, open and diverse society, at the Victory Column, a day before the European elections in Germany. Carsten Koall/dpa Participants hold placards during a demonstration against right-wing extremism and to call for a democratic, open and diverse society, at the Victory Column, a day before the European elections in Germany. Carsten Koall/dpa Participants demonstrate against right-wing extremism and to call for a democratic, open and diverse society, at the Victory Column, a day before the European elections in Germany. Carsten Koall/dpa Participants demonstrate against right-wing extremism and to call for a democratic, open and diverse society, at the Victory Column, a day before the European elections in Germany. Carsten Koall/dpa Participants demonstrate against right-wing extremism and to call for a democratic, open and diverse society, at the Victory Column, a day before the European elections in Germany. Carsten Koall/dpa Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked in the nations capital Copenhagen Friday evening by a man who was subsequently arrested, according to her office. The Prime Minister is shocked by the incident, her office said, adding she was hit while in a public square in central Copenhagen. Police confirmed Friday on social platform X that the man was arrested and they are investigating the incident. They did not provide further comment on the situation. The attack on Frederiksen occurred just two days before Denmark citizens go to the polls to vote in the EU election. Several European politicians condemned the incident. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala also said he was shocked by the attack and added violence has no place in politics and must not be normalised! Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was appalled by the incident. Such acts of violence constitute an attack on democracy itself. They cannot and will not be tolerated, he said Friday on X. My thoughts are with @Statsmin. Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times on May 15. He has since recovered from the attack. In his first public remarks after the attack, he said he feels no hatred toward the person who shot him. Matthias Ecke, a member of Germanys Social Democratic Party, was beaten up while campaigning in Dresden in early May. Danish Minister of Environment Magnus Heunicke said Friday on X that Frederiksen is naturally shocked by the attack. I must say that it shakes all of us who are close to her. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday vetoed a bill that wouldve banned some hemp products, but urged the legislature to revisit the issue during the next session. In vetoing SB 1698, DeSantis said the bill had commendable goals, but would impose debilitating regulatory burdens on small businesses and almost certainly fail to achieve its purposes. The bill wouldve banned delta-8 THC products, such as vapes and edibles. The cannabis plant contains hundreds of cannabinoids. Delta-9 is a psychoactive compound the thing that makes you feel high and is commonly referred to as just THC. Under Florida law, it can only legally be sold at state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries. Similar cannabinoids like delta-8 and delta-10 mimic the effects of the main psychoactive compound, but are allowed to be sold in Florida through something of a legal loophole. The 2018 farm bill permitted the production of hemp and hemp-derived products, but only if they have less than 0.3% delta-9 THC. DeSantis said the legislature should revisit the issue during the next session and create a comprehensive regulatory framework for the manufacture and sale of hemp and hemp-derived products. Sensible, non-arbitrary regulation will provide businesses and consumers alike with much-needed stability safeguarding public health and safety, allowing legitimate industry to flourish, and removing bad actors from the market, DeSantis wrote. DeSantis added that the legislature should focus on quality control; labeling, marketing, and packaging; and retail sales. Senate Bill 1698s effort to address those limitations misses the mark, DeSantis said. Opponents of the bill included people who use hemp-derived products for medical reasons, business owners who said the bill would eliminate jobs, and those who thought the bill would lessen competition if recreational marijuana which is on the Florida ballot in November were to become legal. As hemp production and use continue to increase, we must ensure that such products are safe and that adequate measures exist to protect children, DeSantis said, adding that existing law already prohibits the sale to anyone under 21, bans the sale of anything mislabeled or attractive to children, and requires hemp processing facilities to meet safety and sanitation standards. Rachel Tucker contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. TALLAHASSEE, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed a bill that sought to bring new restrictions to Floridas rapidly growing hemp industry, saying the new regulatory controls would have strangled small businesses that have opened because of hemp. What happened: The bill, SB 1698, would have restricted sales of hemp-derived products that include alternative forms of THC, which are marketed to provide the same effects as marijuana. DeSantis wrote in a transmittal letter about the veto that the goals of the bill were commendable but the burden on small businesses would be too much. The bill would, in fact, impose debilitating regulatory burdens on small businesses and almost certainly fail to achieve its purposes, DeSantis wrote. Senate Bill 1698 would introduce dramatic disruption and harm to many small retail and manufacturing businesses in Florida. DeSantis went on to write that the Legislature should propose a similar measure during the next legislative session, with input from all relevant stakeholders. Sensible, non-arbitrary regulation will provide businesses and consumers alike with much-needed stability safeguarding public health and safety, allowing legitimate industry to flourish, and removing bad actors from the market, DeSantis wrote. Why it matters: The veto is a major win for the hemp industry, which has grown rapidly after Congress gave states permission to regulate hemp in 2018. With little federal regulation, hemp stores began selling products infused with chemicals known as Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC, which are marketed as providing euphoric effects similar to pot. State Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson also pushed for hemp restrictions last year that DeSantis signed into law, requiring someone to be at least 21 years old to purchase products, banning the sale of products that appear to be marketed to children and creating a potency cap on hemp products. In a statement, Simpson wrote the state already has strong restrictions on the books. We still have strong laws on the books to protect children from these harmful drugs thanks to the bill sponsored by Senator [Colleen] Burton and approved by Governor DeSantis last year. The department will continue to aggressively implement the law, Simpson wrote in the statement. The veto was a huge win for the hemp industry, which went to great lengths to encourage DeSantis to reject the bill, including dual billboard messages pasted on either side of a major roadway on the way to the Governors Mansion. In a statement, the Florida Healthy Alternatives Association, a trade association for the industry, wrote the bill would have single-handedly killed the states hemp industry. The legislature heard our concerns, but didnt fully appreciate the impact of their legislation, Healthy Alternatives wrote in the statement. Governor DeSantis understands that everyday Floridians rely on hemp and CBD products to stay away from harmful and addictive medications, and that thousands of Floridians have built local businesses to serve this critical need. Michigan Central Station's grand opening on Thursday was epic. That's been established. Its opening, after over 30 years of vacancy, was a historic display of pride Detroiters have for their city. And, according to Detroit Police Chief James White, it showed the impact that community pride can have on crime: There were no arrests and no significant incidents as of Saturday afternoon. From a public safety and community policing standpoint, White said the opening was "fantastic." "I could not be prouder of the men and women of the Detroit Police Department," White said. "I have to say that. I know it seems like I'm supposed to, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart." Detroit Police Chief James White described the Michigan Central Station reopening concert as "fantastic." He's shown here at Campus Martius in Detroit in December 2023. The historic train depot's grand opening drew thousands who came to celebrate and watch Detroit legends perform, like Diana Ross, Jack White, Eminem and Big Sean. White said his department developed a strategy that balanced police visibility to deter crime and community engagement in a way that wouldn't be intrusive, or make people feel "over-policed." Detroit police officers outside of the concert were focused on community engagement, White said. They helped direct traffic, helped people with directions and were "pleasant and positive about the city and the experience," White said. Inside of the concert and among the crowd were non-uniformed officers "so you didn't feel this over-police intimidation from the police, but at the same we have that layer of security," White said. People stand in line for food toward the end of the night during the Live From Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit on Thursday, June 6, 2024. Preparing for the event, White said, the department had swept the area for bombs and partnered with federal law enforcement to assess any potential threats. During the event, Detroit police monitored video surveillance and had ground assistance from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and aerial assistance from Michigan State Police. Thankfully, however, "no arrests, no incidents of note. Everyone was so proud ... it was just a different vibe," White said. "This is a great moment for our city. This train station (had) served as a beacon of decay and what can happen to a city over time," White continued. "But now it's like a microcosm of what a city can be." White went to the grand opening and watched the performance. Among his favorite acts were Jack White "The way he shredded that guitar ... Oh my God, he was good!" and of course, Diana Ross. "I felt like I was amongst Detroit royalty, watching her perform," he said. Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at 313-264-0442 or asahouri@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: City police chief: Pride deters Michigan Central Station opening crime Insiders were net buyers of Luminor Financial Holdings Limited's (Catalist:5UA ) stock during the past year. That is, insiders bought more stock than they sold. 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. Check out our latest analysis for Luminor Financial Holdings Luminor Financial Holdings Insider Transactions Over The Last Year Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Non-Executive Director Chee Seng Kwan for S$237k worth of shares, at about S$0.07 per share. That means that even when the share price was higher than S$0.065 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock when an insider has bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price. Chee Seng Kwan was the only individual insider to buy during the last year. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! Luminor Financial Holdings 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. Insider Ownership Of Luminor Financial Holdings I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Luminor Financial Holdings insiders own 49% of the company, currently worth about S$5.4m based on the recent share price. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders. So What Do The Luminor Financial Holdings Insider Transactions Indicate? There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. Judging from their transactions, and high insider ownership, Luminor Financial Holdings insiders feel good about the company's future. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 5 warning signs for Luminor Financial Holdings (of which 4 can't be ignored!) you should know about. Story continues If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. 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. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) The State of Florida has shut down Lake Academy, a residential treatment program meant to help troubled teens, just days after 8 On Your Side reported on the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of a teenage girl who was staying at the Academy. Its been nine days since Zykiria Bell died while in state custody. Her family still has no answers as to how it happened, but whatever happened sparked the state to shut down the facility. God, our hearts are filled with pain, we pray justice be served, a family member said. Bells family held each other tight, lit candles and prayed during a vigil in Arcadia on Thursday night. Bell died while in state custody on May 29. We love you and we miss you, said Elita Bludsaw, Bells aunt. The family said Bell was placed at Lake Academy in Hillsborough County for behavioral issues. She was scheduled to be released in August. I miss my grandbaby, said Dianetta Thompkins, Bells grandmother. Shes supposed to be coming home to us before her birthday or on her birthday and thats been stolen from her. Lake Academy is one of the states high-risk residential facilities where kids, who are ordered by a judge to stay in the states care, live for an extended time. TrueCore Behavioral Solutions is the contracted provider that runs the Academy. The DJJ shared this statement with 8 On Your Side a day after Bells death: DJJ residential programming staff is onsite and the DJJ Office of Inspector General is currently conducting a full and comprehensive investigation. Its a hard one, but were going to get through it, were going to get answers, said Sophia Bing, Bells aunt. Even the family is having a hard time getting answers. They still dont know how Bell died. Now, the state transported the girls out of Lake Academy, shutting down the site. Deputy Communications Director, Elaine Guiler, sent 8 On Your Side this statement: While this investigation is underway, out of an abundance of caution, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice has removed all youth currently residing at Lake Academy in Tampa. They will be temporarily moved to juvenile detention centers in surrounding counties and then relocated to residential commitment programs that can meet their specialized treatment needs. Having been at the dorms in multiple times and been with the kids in there, I dont know how something like this couldve happened, said Barbara Wishart-Harley, an HCPS teacher. Wishart-Harley began teaching at Lake Academy in 2021. Wishart-Harley said Bell was one of her students. I taught that student and she was a lovely child, she said. Wishart-Harley said Lake Academy was short-staffed and fights would often break out. In October 2021, she was physically assaulted more than once by another one of her students. As I was walking back behind my desk, she sucker punched me right in the temple, which then propelled me into a steel cabinet and I dropped and everything went blurry, Wishart-Harley said. She said her vision permanently changed and she underwent cataract surgery, but despite the injuries, she still went back to work. I know the students that Im working with, and I believe they deserve the best of everything and one incident does not define a student and their future, Wishart-Harley said. Wishart-Harley said she asked TrueCore for the students written discipline plan, but to this day she says has never seen it. I couldnt always guarantee that the TrueCore staff had their employees looking out for the teacher safety, she said. And what about Bells safety? I think its the whole system, Wishart-Harley said when Investigator Brittany Muller asked who should be held accountable. The family deserves answers. I think TrueCore ultimately did not have discipline plans. Now a family is left in the dark, while mourning a teenagers death. Shes gone way too soon, Bludsaw said. TrueCore Behavioral Services has not yet responded to 8 On Your Sides request for information. TrueCore is a for-profit corporation and it oversees four different DJJ facilities in Hillsborough County, one of them being Lake Academy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Donald Trump speaks outside court in New York on 29 May 2024. Donald Trump speaks outside court in New York on 29 May 2024. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images Democrats will target Donald Trumps first full-scale campaign rally since his criminal trial with a billboard that brands him a convicted white-collar crook. Related: Rigged: Trump attacks judge and courts in first post-conviction rally The ad, paid for by the Democratic National Committee (DNC), is the latest indication that the party is ready to become more aggressive in capitalising on last months guilty verdict in New York. Trump was a disaster for Nevadas economy, says the billboard, which will be displayed in Las Vegas, where Trump is due to speak on Sunday. Now hes back. A convicted white-collar crook. Coddling billionaires, leaving workers behind. A Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his hush-money criminal trial, making him the the first former US president to be convicted of a felony. Judge Juan Merchan set a sentencing hearing for 11 July. But Democrats have been unsure how far to go in hammering home the verdict to voters in this years presidential election campaign. Some fear it could fuel a narrative that the trial was politically motivated and backfire by generating sympathy for the presumptive Republican nominee. However, this week there have been signs of a more direct approach. On Monday, at a campaign reception in Greenwich, Connecticut, Joe Biden referred to his opponent as a convicted felon. The Las Vegas billboard attempts to tie Trumps criminal record to his economic one, portraying him as a white-collar crook who ripped off Nevadas working class when he was president. The phrase also has echoes of the Crooked Hillary label that proved effective for Trump during the 2016 campaign. Stephanie Justice, a DNC spokesperson, said: As Donald Trump returns to Nevada this weekend for the first time as a convicted felon, voters will remember this crook left Nevadas workers out to dry as president. After promising to take care of Nevadas middle class, he implemented a tax scam that made the ultra-wealthy and corporations wealthier off the backs of working families, repeatedly attacked unions and sat back as Nevada bled tens of thousands of jobs. Justice added: Now hes promising tax handouts to his billionaire donors instead of putting the interests of working Nevadans first. Nevada voters know that Trump is too corrupt and unfit to serve, and will reject him again in 2024. The political impact of Trumps conviction remains uncertain, but a post-verdict analysis of nearly 2,000 interviews with voters who previously participated in New York Times/Siena College surveys found that Trumps lead over Biden narrowed from three points to just one point. Students at the University of Cambridge have been told to stop flirting with staff under a new policy that will ban sexual relationships with professors. The university has published a new set of rules due to come into force on July 1, which includes a warning against behaviour that could be interpreted as flirtatious towards members of staff. Under the new code, university staff should report such behaviour or any actions that could be perceived as a student making advances towards a personal, particularly intimate relationship with them to the head of department or HR team. Records of flirtatious behaviour by students will be kept if appropriate following discussions with the universitys Office of Student Conduct, Complaints and Appeals (OSCCA), Cambridge has warned. Measures may also be put in place to separate and protect students and staff in such incidents and to minimise the possibility of conflicts of interest, concerns or complaints over academic integrity or professional behaviour. Month-long amnesty for staff The new rules form part of Cambridges updated relationships policy, which will prohibit all sexual relationships between staff and students from next month. Staff will also be strongly discouraged from forming close personal friendships with students over whom they have any academic or professional responsibilities. University employees will be granted a one-month amnesty until Aug 1 to admit any current or past liaisons with students, or close friendships with pupils, after which they could face the sack. It will replace the universitys existing relationships policy, which says student-staff relationships should be avoided, but does not ban them outright. The policy will prohibit Cambridge staff from entering into an intimate relationship with any student for whom they have any direct or indirect academic responsibilities, or other direct professional responsibilities. The guidance will apply to all employees of the university, including professors, tutors, visiting academics, and postgraduate students who teach as part of their degree. Students may feel pressured Cambridge said the policy was designed to protect staff and students from conflict of interest allegations, and to ensure safeguards are in place to prevent sexual misconduct. It added that this could apply even within seemingly consensual relationships between students and relevant staff members. The university said this might include a student feeling pressured to enter a relationship, go further than they might otherwise wish, or not feel able to end such a relationship, on the basis that doing so may harm their academic performance. The change brings Cambridge into line with the University of Oxford and other leading institutions including University College London (UCL), Nottingham and Exeter, which have already banned sexual relationships between staff and students. Universities UK (UUK), the lobby group for the sector, urged universities in 2022 to update their relationships policies in a bid to change the culture of higher education. UUK, which represents 140 universities across the UK, said it was concerned over reports of sexual misconduct by staff and that it took such cases extremely seriously. The Office for Students, the universities regulator, has also called for a clampdown on relationships between staff and students amid concerns that power imbalances can often be exploited. The body is consulting on a range of proposals, from a relationships register logging student-staff liaisons to an outright ban. Universities are not required to publish data on sexual assault or misconduct, meaning the scale of potential abuses of power by staff is unclear. A National Union of Students survey in 2018 found that around 80 per cent of students were uncomfortable with staff having romantic or sexual relationships with pupils. Risk of a power imbalance Cambridges updated policy goes beyond Oxfords, introduced last year, which urges staff to report flirtatious messages or other behaviours by students, but does not say that a record of such actions should be kept. Older staff at Cambridge who have close personal relationships with students have also been warned that they may be at a heightened risk of being accused of a power imbalance. The updated policy says that the risks of such accusations are likely to be heightened where there is a significant age difference between the staff member and the student or if the student is vulnerable. Non-compliance with the new policy will be treated as a disciplinary matter, which could result in staff members being dismissed in the most serious cases. A university spokesman said: The new policy on staff and student relationships follows an extensive consultation across the university involving staff and student representatives, departments and colleges. It also takes into consideration the views of the regulator, the Office for Students, and Universities UK. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Former President Donald Trump visited Southern California Friday during his first major campaign fundraiser swing happening this weekend. Trump held a Beverly Hills event Friday night hosted by businessman Lee Samson before heading to Newport Beach on Saturday night for another event. Tickets to the private Beverly Hills fundraiser started at $5,000, a photo opportunity with Trump was priced at $40,000, roundtable seating was $100,000 and to become an event chair required $250,000, according to the Los Angeles GOP website. On the heels of his conviction on 34 felony charges on May 30, the Republican presidential candidate announced his campaign received over $34 million on the same day. On Thursday, Trump held an event in San Francisco hosted by David Sacks, a venture capitalist and former PayPal executive, along with his wife, Jacqueline Sacks, and venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya. He reportedly raised around $12 million at that event. Trump will head to Newport Beach for Saturdays event which will be hosted by John Word, the co-founder of a health insurance company. Tickets for that event range from $3,300 to $100,000 per person. Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Supporters waiting outside as Donald Trumps motorcade arrives at a Beverly Hills home for a campaign fundrasiing event on June, 7, 2024. (KTLA) Attendees enter a private Beverly Hills residence on North Elm Drive for Donald Trumps campaign fundraising event on June, 7, 2024. (KTLA) Supporters of Donald Trump await his motorcades arrival in a Beverly Hills neighborhood on June, 7, 2024. (KTLA) Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) NEW YORK, NEW YORK MAY 30: Former U.S. President Donald Trump appears in court for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 30, 2024 in New York City. Judge Juan Merchan gave the jury instructions, and deliberations are entering their second day. The former president faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Photo by Steven Hirsch-Pool/Getty Images) Former President Donald Trump appears at Manhattan criminal court during jury deliberations in his criminal hush money trial in New York, Thursday, May 30, 2024. (Steven Hirsch/New York Post via AP, Pool) Donald Trump, far left, watches watches as jury foreperson #1 delivers guilty verdicts with judge Juan Merchan listening on the bench in Manhattan Criminal Court, Thursday, May 30, 2024, in New York. (Elizabeth Williams via AP) Former President Donald Trump sits in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, on May 20, 2024. (Dave Sanders/The New York Times via AP, Pool) Former President Donald Trump appears at Manhattan criminal court during jury deliberations in his criminal hush money trial in New York, Thursday, May 30, 2024. (Michael M. Santiago/Pool Photo via AP) Former President Donald Trump attends his trial at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool) Donald Trumps plane arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on June 7, 2024. (KTLA) Outside of a private home on North Elm Drive in Beverly Hills where Donald Trump is holding a presidential campaign fundraising event on June 7, 2024. (KTLA) Supporters waiting outside as Donald Trumps motorcade arrives at a Beverly Hills home for a campaign fundrasiing event on June, 7, 2024. (KTLA) Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, days before he is expected to be formally announced as the GOPs presidential nominee at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. This trip marks Trumps first visit to Southern California since the Anaheim GOP Convention in September 2023. President Joe Biden is set to visit Southern California the following weekend for a major fundraiser at the Peacock Theater in downtown L.A. that will include appearances by former President Barack Obama and celebrities including George Clooney and Julia Roberts. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The door is staying shut on Ukraine joining NATO because it would weaken Biden's chances of getting reelected The door is staying shut on Ukraine joining NATO because it would weaken Biden's chances of getting reelected Biden has rejected Ukraine's NATO membership bid as part of a peace agreement. It would weaken Biden's reelection chances, a foreign policy expert said. Ukraine's accession to NATO would be perceived as an escalation by Russia. US President Joe Biden appears to have drawn a line beneath Ukraine's bid for NATO membership. In an interview with Time Magazine this week, the US president said he was not prepared to support the "NATOization of Ukraine," adding that he had witnessed "significant corruption" in Ukraine when he visited as vice president. "Peace," Biden said, "doesn't mean NATO." Rather, a part of the condition for peace in Ukraine was building relations with Kyiv, including security guarantees which would lead to a situation "where we supply weapons so they can defend themselves in the future." Biden said, "Peace looks like making sure Russia never, never, never, never occupies Ukraine." It comes as a blow to Ukrainian officials who have consistently pushed for a swift entry to NATO after the war's conclusion. Earlier this week, a report by the Financial Times revealed that Ukraine's lack of progress toward NATO membership was a key issue creating tension in US-Ukrainian relations. Ukrainian hopes are now pinned on the NATO meeting in Washington, scheduled for July 9-11, to bring a more definite signal for Ukraine's post-war membership. Biden won't weaken his chances of getting reelected The US ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, told reporters last month that Kyiv is unlikely to receive a membership invitation at the alliance's July summit, promising to offer a security package as a "bridge" to membership. This bridge "will be well-lit and made of steel, and we will do everything we can to help our friends from Ukraine, step by step, walk across that bridge to membership eventually." However, refusing to move forward with an accelerated membership plan leaves Ukraine's hopes for NATO membership in the lurch. Leo Litra, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told Business Insider, "Biden is trying to solidify the idea for the US public that the US is not getting involved so he doesn't weaken his chances of getting reelected." Referring to Biden's TIME Magazine comments, Litra said, "No one in NATO and especially not in the US, wants to have to test Article 5." NATO's Article 5 upholds the principle of collective defense and would compel the US and Western nations to commit their military forces to defend Ukraine. For now, Ukraine has to settle for a range of "security guarantees." NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference on September 28, 2023 in Kyiv. Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images In addition to a G7 Joint Declaration made at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July last year, Ukraine has signed 15 bilateral security agreements with NATO member countries. All the agreements contain various pledges for the current year as well as boilerplate provisions for the duration of the deal. Stefan Meister, head of the Eastern Europe program at the German Council on Foreign Relations, told BI that the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive last summer was a major wake-up call for the international community. Meister said these packages will provide Ukraine with "more reliable long-term military and security support by NATO member states." Some Ukrainian officials believe these guarantees are a "game changer." Just after Ukraine signed a security agreement with the UK in January, Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Ukraine's security council chief, wrote in The Economist, "Agreements on security co-operation are gradually moving Ukraine into the Western security space, without requiring the presence of Western troops on Ukrainian soil." He added: "Such agreements create the basis for Ukraine's accession to NATO, which was decided on back in 2008 in Bucharest," when NATO welcomed Ukraine's aspirations to join the alliance. A US State Department spokesperson confirmed to BI that a US-Ukraine security agreement was in the works. "Our bilateral security arrangements will be focused on supporting Ukraine's defense in Putin's war of choice, building the credible deterrence capabilities of Ukraine's future force, and providing emergency response options in the event of future Russian aggression," the spokesperson said. One confirmed offer that will come at this year's July summit will be an agreement from NATO to Ukraine to expand cooperation in defence technology and intelligence exchange regarding Russia's electronic warfare capabilities, NATO Assistant Secretary General David van Weel told reporters Tuesday. However, Meister said that the lack of stable military aid commitments beyond 2024 "reflects the current challenges faced by Ukraine and its allies and divisions within NATO." He said these packages are a reaction to the situation that there is no agreement among the member states for NATO integration. Each NATO member state has to do "more planning for long-term support for Ukraine" on its own back. Zelenskyy's office did not respond to a request for comment from BI. Ukrainian servicemen fighting off Russian troops in Donetsk Oblast, April 7, 2024 Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu via Getty Images Although there have been strong demonstrations of support for Ukraine from NATO allies, experts warn that these guarantees carry little weight without the promise of full membership. "Without NATO membership for Ukraine, security guarantees for Ukraine are blatant lies," Canadian analyst Michael MacKay wrote on X. "Keeping Ukraine out of NATO serves the interests of the Russian terrorist state only." Litra said, "Ukraine relied on a similar 'guarantee' without legal mechanisms under the Budapest Memorandum," Litra said, referring to the 1994 security assurances in which Ukraine was required to hand over its nuclear arsenal in exchange for protection from the United States, the UK, and Russia. "But this Memorandum did nothing to prevent the war." While Ukraine and some NATO members see these agreements as "instruments to prepare Ukraine for NATO membership in the future," Litra said that "the overall feeling, especially in the US and Germany is that Ukraine's accession to NATO would be an escalation for Russia." According to Meister, "There is no alternative to NATO integration." These guarantees are "the second best options Ukraine can get at this moment. They could lead to a NATO integration, but we are still far away from this," Meister said. Read the original article on Business Insider Driver seriously injured after crashing into water near exit 15 on I-264 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) An early morning crash in Virginia Beach sent one person to the hospital with serious injuries. Just before 6 a.m. Saturday, a vehicle traveling east on I-264 ran off the road, crashed through a guardrail and landed in a body of water near Exit 15, according to Virginia State Police. Courtesy: VSP Troopers said the 20-year-old woman driving was able to get out of the vehicle on her own. She was transported to Virginia Beach General Hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries. She was cited with reckless driving. The Virginia Beach Fire Department and Swift Water Rescue divers assisted with removing the vehicle from the water. Divers also confirmed no one else was in the vehicle. This crash 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 WAVY.com. Drones attack North Ossetia for first time; MiGs take off there A drone attack on Russias North Ossetia was recorded for the first time on Saturday, 8 June. Aircraft used for attacking Ukraine take off from an air base there. Source: Russian Defence Ministry; RBC; Sergey Meniaylo, Governor of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania Details: The Russian Defence Ministry reported that one UAV had been destroyed over the territory of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania in the morning. Meniaylo clarified that air defence forces had downed three UAVs in the town of Mozdok. Early reports from the authorities indicate that the UAVs came "from the Ukrainian side". They were targeting the airbase. For reference: The MiG-31K and Tu aircraft used in many attacks on Ukraine usually take off from the Mozdok airbase. North Ossetia is located at a considerable distance from the combat zone, with approximately 900 km separating the region from Zaporizhzhia, as an example. Support UP or become our patron! Tacoma Mall was the site of at least one drug deal that led to a 2022 federal smuggling, human trafficking and money laundering indictment for a 28-year-old California man. He was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to more than five years in prison. The sentence also includes four years of supervised release, the Department of Justice said in a press memo. Investigators with the Department of Homeland Security determined that Andre Jackson had been in direct contact with a Mexican drug supply known as Pacheco, managing drug delivery from California to Washington state specifically to distributors in Kitsap and Pierce counties. He also used social media to recruit drivers to smuggle non-citizens across the border, authorities discovered in the course of the drug investigation. In August 2021, court documents revealed, Jackson headed to Tacoma Mall to hand-deliver 3500 fentanyl pills to an undercover law enforcement officer. He then drove 30 miles north to a Bremerton grocery store to drop off a smaller stash of pills to a co-defendant in the case. Jackson also used multiple locations in Bremerton and Silverdale to wire proceeds of these drug sales back to his contacts in Mexico, investigators found. From August to October 2021, money flowed through Money Gram, CashApp and Western Union outposts in Kitsap and Pierce counties to the accounts of individuals living in Mexico. In addition to the drug smuggling and illegal wire transfers, Jackson was also accused of facilitating illegal border crossings. His recruits would pick immigrants up in Mexico or near the border and transport them north, investigators determined after a number of the cars were pulled over and their drivers apprehended by law enforcement. Jackson was indicted and arrested in November 2022. He pled guilty in February to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and to commit money laundering, as well as conspiracy to transport certain non-citizens for profit, the release said. The investigation also led to federal charges for three others: Jason Baker was sentenced to five years and one month in prison and Ashley Chico and John Irias-Mejia to 18 months. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hobbs, who prosecuted the case for the Justice Department, told the court that Jackson helped distribute significant quantities of fentanyl pills and likely other drugs. Importantly, he added, Jackson was not just a street dealer or simple courier. He was in direct contact with the DTO [drug-trafficking organization] leader in Mexico and played a knowing and significant role in transporting drugs from California to Washington, distributing the drugs in this State, and sending the proceeds back to Mexico. The judge in Tacoma, Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo, emphasized that drug dealing is of course dangerous and the human smuggling component meant that Jackson was making money off of vulnerable people. Easing federal marijuana rules: Theres still a long way to go In this photo illustration, marijuana joints and buds, also known as flower, are viewed on May 24, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Photo Illustration by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Nearly three weeks after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration proposed loosening a federal prohibition on marijuana, the next phases of policy fights over the drugs status are starting to take shape. Public comments, which the DEA is accepting on the proposal until mid-July, will likely include an analysis of the economic impact of more lenient federal rules. Administrative law hearings, a venue for opponents to challenge executive branch decisions, will likely follow, with marijuanas potential for abuse a possible issue. Congress, meanwhile, could act on multiple related issues, including banking access for state-legal marijuana businesses and proposals to help communities harmed by the decades of federal prohibition. U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from Oregon and longtime advocate for legalizing marijuana whos retiring at the end of the year, is encouraging his colleagues to build on the administrations action by taking up bills on those related issues. The politics of the issue should favor action, even in the face of an upcoming campaign season that typically slows legislative action, Blumenauer said in a May 17 interview, noting the popularity of a more permissive approach to the drug. Congress may not do a lot between now and November, but they should, the 14-term House member said. Because its an election year, theres no downside to being more aggressive. Economic impact In a proposed rule published in the Federal Register last month, the DEA specifically asked commenters to weigh in on the economic impacts of moving the drug from Schedule I to the less-restrictive Schedule III list under the federal Controlled Substances Act. That will likely mean the agency will consider the impact of allowing state-legal marijuana businesses to deduct business expenses from their federal taxes, Mason Tvert, a partner at Denver-based cannabis policy and public affairs firm Strategies 64, said in an interview. Under current law, no deductions are allowed. That issue is seen by advocates, including Blumenauer and fellow Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden, who chairs the tax-writing U.S. Senate Finance Committee, as paramount for the industry. Thousands of state-legal businesses struggle to earn a profit or operate at a loss under the current system, Blumenauer said. Potential for abuse The DEA typically looks at three factors when assessing how strictly to regulate a drug: its medicinal value, potential for abuse relative to other drugs and ability to cause physical addiction. A 2023 analysis by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that looked at data from states where medicinal marijuana is legal showed that there exists some credible scientific support for the medical use of marijuana. That finding could lead DEA to look at other factors, Tvert said. The battleground that well see will be around how we define potential for abuse, he said. Agencies split? But the DEA proposed rule revealed a divided view among government agencies about the drugs potential harms, Paul Armentano, the deputy director for the longtime leading advocacy group National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, told States Newsroom. The text of the proposed rule shows a lack of consensus among HHS, the Attorney Generals Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration, he said. There are several points in the DEAs proposed rule where they express a desire to see additional evidence specific to concerns that the agency has about the potential effects of cannabis, particularly as they pertain to abuse potential and potential harms, Armentano said. The HHS addresses those issues, but the DEA essentially says, Wed like to see more information on it. Kevin Sabat, the president and CEO of the anti-legalization group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, agreed that the DEA did not appear to agree with the HHS conclusion that medical uses exist. The proposed rule just brings up all these issues with the HHSs determination and it basically invites comment on all those issues, he said. Administrative law hearing Sabats group will also be petitioning for a DEA administrative hearing, he said. An administrative law judge could rule that the proposal should not go through or that it should be amended to remain stricter than the initial proposal described. Were going to highlight the fact that, first of all, this does not have approved or accepted medical use, he said. Tvert said the accepted medical value question is likely not to be a major factor in an administrative law hearing. Several medical organizations and states that allow medicinal use have already endorsed its medicinal value, he said. Instead, the focus will turn to the drugs potential for abuse, he said. What will be critical is looking at cannabis relative to other substances that are currently II or III or not on the schedule, and determining whether cannabis should be on Schedule I when alcohol is not even on the schedules and ketamine is Schedule III. As of June 6, nearly 12,000 people had commented on the proposal in the 18 days since its publication. While opinion polls show that most Americans favor liberalizing cannabis laws a Pew Research Center survey in March found 57% of U.S. adults favor full legalization while only 11% say it should be entirely illegal the public comments so far represent a full spectrum of views on the topic. This rule is a horrible idea, this should remain in Schedule I, one comment read. Marijuana is a gateway drug and ruins lives. There are no negative side effects to its use, another commenter, who favored fully legalizing the substance, wrote. Its not harmful. The only harm is what the government has done to me and America. Shame on the people that continue to oppose this. Seriously shame on anyone that would stand in the way of this change. Congressional action? Blumenauer authored a memo last month on the path forward for reform as the rescheduling process plays out. He listed four bills for Congress to consider this year. One, sponsored by House Democrats, would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substance Act schedule entirely and expunge prior offenses. A bipartisan bill would make changes to the banking laws to allow state-legal businesses greater access to loans and other financial services. Another, cosponsored with Florida Republican Brian Mast, would allow Veterans Administration health providers to discuss state-legal medicinal marijuana with veteran patients. Blumenauer has also co-written language for appropriations bills that would prevent the Department of Justice from prosecuting marijuana businesses that are legal under state or tribal law. All of these things are overwhelmingly popular, theyre important, we have legislative vehicles and supporters, he said. Still, there may be disagreements about what to pursue next. Recent years have seen disagreements among Democratic supporters of legalization over whether to prioritize banking or criminal justice reforms. A banking overhaul has much greater bipartisan support, and advocates on all sides of the issue agree its the most likely to see congressional action. But some who support changes to banking laws in principle object to focusing on improving the business environment without first addressing the harms they say prohibition has caused to largely non-white and disadvantaged communities. As recently as 2021, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer described banking reform legislation as too narrow. Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, called it a common-sense policy but said that he favored a more comprehensive approach. Ive gone around with Cory on that, Blumenauer said. More than anybody in Congress, Im in favor of the major reforms, and weve been fighting for racial justice and equity but (racial justice and banking reforms) are not mutually exclusive. In September, Booker agreed to co-sponsor the banking reform bill after winning a promise from Schumer that a separate bill to help expunge criminal records would also receive a vote. Neither measure has actually received a floor vote. In a statement following the administrations announcement on rescheduling, Booker praised the move, but called for further action from Congress. That includes passing a bill hes sponsored that would decriminalize the drug at the federal level, expunge the records of people convicted of federal marijuana crimes and direct federal funding to communities most harmed by the failed War on Drugs, according to a summary from Bookers office. We still have a long way to go, Booker said in the statement on rescheduling. Thousands of people remain in prisons around the country for marijuana-related crimes. They continue to bear the devastating consequences that come with a criminal history. Blumenauer said Congress should act on the proposals that have widespread support from voters. This not low-hanging fruit, this is having them pick it up off the ground, he said. There is no other controversial issue that has as much bipartisan support thats awaiting action. The post Easing federal marijuana rules: Theres still a long way to go appeared first on SC Daily Gazette. Steve Bannon, the relentless right-wing operator and provocateur whos dedicated his career to advancing the cause of an American version of fascism, has been ordered by a federal judge to serve out his four-month prison conviction. The sentence is from years ago when a jury convicted Bannon on two counts of contempt of Congress, but Bannon managed to tie things up in appeals. Now, he will have to join fellow former Trump aide Peter Navarro in serving the same sentence for defying Congress. It really does seem that many of these people simply expected not to have to face any consequences for their actions. The possibility of an actual criminal process and penalties up to and including incarceration for their conduct seemed impossible, because they believed themselves to be special, untouchable by something as pedestrian as the laws that constrained everyone else. This belief didnt come out of nowhere, reinforced as it was by decades of getting away with everything and then having their proudly unaccountable leader in the Oval Office. Bannon, charged in a scheme to rip off Trump fans who thought they were contributing to building a border wall, was pardoned by Donald Trump on Jan. 20, 2021 Trumps last day in office and two weeks after the insurrectionist mob that Bannon and Trump had sack the Capitol. It was Congress effort to investigate that attack that led to Bannons conviction on contempt charges, after he refused to honor a congressional subpoena. Congress had good reason for the request; Bannon has long prided himself for being something of an ultra-right organizer and agitator, and had a direct hand in strategizing on the push to invalidate the election. His assertion of executive privilege is laughable, and both Congress and a jury were right to reject it. MAGA-in-chief Trump himself has now of course also joined the ranks of the convicted, having been found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records for his efforts to cover up his affair with an adult actress in the run-up to the 2016 election. It turns out that he, too, was not untouchable, although its very likely that these are the only charges that voters will get to see through before they cast their ballots in November. The multiple other cases related to Trumps mishandling of classified documents and attempts to subvert American democracy have been delayed and derailed. Theres a tendency to describe this as due to procedural issues, and while that may be technically true, this makes it sound like these are natural and unavoidable obstacles as opposed to intentional meddling. Case in point, inexperienced Trump appointee Federal Judge Aileen Cannon, whom the former president got the good fortune of having assigned to his classified documents case, has been all too happy to lean on bizarre legal maneuvering to keep delaying the trial. Its clear that, MAGA rhetoric aside, voters do care very much about these criminal proceedings. New polls have shown that more than half of independents now think Trump should end his campaign in the wake of his conviction. This is the impact of accountability, and the clearest evidence that holding Trump accountable wont make the sky fall or give him more power. This was an illusion that he long relied on, and now it is falling apart, bit by bit. ___ Editorial: Review Trumps right to vote, just like any other felon Donald Trump is a registered voter in in Florida. Hes now also a convicted felon. Together, those two facts trigger a mandatory review under Florida law to determine his eligibility to keep voting. The law must be applied in this case, fully and transparently, to reassure the people of Florida that Trump is treated no differently than any other voter with a felony conviction. But troubling signs of favoritism toward Trump have already emerged. Soon after Trumps conviction on 34 counts, Gov. Ron DeSantis went on social media and prematurely claimed that Trumps status as a voter was not in question. DeSantis, a supporter of Trump and his former rival for the GOP presidential nomination, claimed that Trump would be an easy case to qualify for restoration of rights per the Florida Clemency Board, which I chair. It was outrageous for DeSantis to claim that he alone would safeguard Trumps right to vote when tens of thousands of men and women wait, some for decades, to have their clemency petitions heard. Only Trump matters The board is scheduled to meet only three times this year. At the last hearing in March, 43 cases were on the agenda. DeSantis cancelled a meeting that is usually held in June. Hes clearly in no hurry to restore the voting rights of other convicted felons in Florida. Another troubling sign: Within hours of news bulletins confirming Trumps 34-count guilty verdict for falsifying business records, Floridas chief elections official, Secretary of State Cord Byrd, phoned Wendy Link, the supervisor of elections in Palm Beach County, where Trump is registered to vote. Two sources with knowledge of the content of the telephone call told the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board that after Link explained her duty to fully research Trumps voting eligibility, Byrd asked her why she cant get on board. Byrd did not respond to an interview request. Link confirmed that Byrd phoned her, and neither confirmed nor denied that Byrd made the remark, saying she would not discuss details of the call. Were doing our research, theyre doing their research, Link said Wednesday. Byrd must not exert any influence, however subtle, over how a supervisor of elections handles the voting eligibility of any felon especially Trump. In fact, the state should have already provided Palm Beach County with plenty of information about Trumps guilt. State review is required Hes a voter. Hes a felon. His case must be reviewed. State law on the rights of felons, revised repeatedly by DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature, requires the state to closely review every case in which a registered voter is guilty of a felony. That includes Trump. In the section of law on ineligibility determinations (chapter 98.075), its the job of Byrds Department of State to identify felons through credible and reliable information. The state then must notify the county election supervisor, who must take a series of specific steps, starting no later than seven days after notification. That review, required by the Florida Legislature, includes sending a certified letter warning the voter that he could be removed from the rolls if he doesnt respond within 30 days. A close reading of the law shows that Palm Beach County does not have to wait for the state to provide confirmation of Trumps guilt. The law allows a supervisor in his or her duty to act upon direct receipt of, access to, or knowledge of information from any governmental entity. The official press release from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, dated May 30, would be sufficient. Convicted felons in Florida lose the right to vote. Voters in 2018 approved Amendment 4, which restores voting rights to felons, but only after they fulfill all terms of a sentence. Wendy Link could also ask the state Division of Elections for an advisory opinion on how to handle Trumps case. That is the equivalent of dumping this highly controversial issue in the lap of DeSantis which is what Trump himself might want. Selective enforcement Two years ago, in a heated re-election campaign, DeSantis and his Office of Election Crimes and Security made a sensation out of arresting 20 people, all of them accused of voting illegally after felony convictions. Police body cam video showed officers arresting a Miami man who was ordered out of his house at gunpoint, clad only in his underwear. Several cases were later dismissed by judges on procedural grounds; others are on appeal. News outlets have cited a long-standing statement on the state Division of Elections website that may apply to Trumps case. The statement says a felony conviction in another state makes a person ineligible to vote in Florida only if the conviction would make the person ineligible to vote in the state where the person was convicted. But thats not a law. Its in the rules of executive clemency, which also say that in cases of exceptional merit, any member of the Clemency Board may place a case on an upcoming agenda for consideration. No Florida voting rights case is as exceptional as this one. But DeSantis, his Secretary of State and the Palm Beach County supervisor of elections owe it to the people of Florida to treat Trumps eligibility to vote the same as they would for any other felon. Because no one is above the law. ____ The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board includes Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson, Opinion Editor Krys Fluker and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Editorial Page Editor Dan Sweeney, editorial writer Martin Dyckman and Anderson. Send letters to insight@orlandosentinel.com. Effingham County Sheriff's Office provides protocol for using deadly force on animals A deputy shot and killed a pit bull after being bit by the dog while conducting an investigation Tuesday in Guyton. A deputy working for the Effingham County Sheriffs Office was justified in using deadly force when he shot a pit bull during an investigation Tuesday, according to the sheriff's office. After being attacked, the deputy had a reasonable belief the dog would cause serious injury to him or others if deadly force was not used, said Brian Bailey, public information officer for the Effingham County Sheriffs Office. ECSO provided proper protocol per Georgia state law for officers to use when determining if and when deadly force is necessary. It reads in part, Deputies may use deadly force to destroy an animal that represents a physical threat to the deputy or others or as a humanitarian measure when the animal is seriously injured. More: The Savannah Bananas are shipping out to Boston for a sold-out game at Fenway Park The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon but details surrounding the investigation have not been released. When deputies approached the home in Guyton, a male subject fled inside the residence. Deputies then followed and one was bitten by the homeowners pet. In all, three individuals were taken into custody. Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: A deputy shot and killed a pit bull after dog bite An elderly woman was seriously injured after she was gored by a bison last week at Yellowstone National Park. The unidentified 83-year-old from Greenville, South Carolina, was near the Storm Point Trail at Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming on June 1 when she encountered the wild bison, the National Park Service said in a statement. Park officials said the bison was defending its space when it came within a few feet of the woman and lifted her about a foot off the ground with its horns. The woman sustained serious injuries and was taken to a nearby medical clinic, and then flown by helicopter to a hospital across the state line in Idaho, according to park officials. Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal, according to the NPS. Last month, an Idaho man was injured after he allegedly kicked a bison. Authorities charged 40-year-old Clarence Yoder with being under the influence of alcohol following his arrest near a park entrance in Montana. And in 2023, another woman was gored at the park. The parks service warned that bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans. Related... Election workers worry that federal threats task force isnt enough to keep them safe Some elections professionals say federal law enforcement still isnt doing enough to deter bad actors and ensure that those on the front lines of democracy are protected this fall. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) Aiming to send a message, the Biden administration recently spotlighted its indictments and convictions in cases involving threats to election officials or workers. But with no letup in reports of attacks, some elections professionals say federal law enforcement still isnt doing enough to deter bad actors and ensure that those on the front lines of democracy are protected this fall. Election officials by and large have no confidence that if something were to happen to them, there would be any consequences, said Amy Cohen, the executive director of the National Association of State Election Directors. It is very clear that we are not seeing a deterrent effect. A U.S. Justice Department spokesman declined to comment for this story, instead directing States Newsroom to a webpage for the departments Election Threats Task Force. Launched by the Justice Department in 2021 in response to the wave of harassment of election officials that followed the 2020 election, the Election Threats Task Force works closely with local law enforcement and U.S. attorneys offices around the country to investigate threats. In going after those who make threats against election workers, the Justice Department is honoring a foundational purpose: The department was created in 1870 in part to protect the voting rights of southern Blacks during Reconstruction. Run by John Keller, a top official in the Justice Departments Public Integrity Section, the task force also includes the Criminal Divisions Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and the FBI. It also works with several other government agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Department of Homeland Security. Since its launch, the task force has brought charges in 17 cases, according to the departments tally. Eight cases have resulted in prison time, with sentencing scheduled in several more. In one case, brought in Nevada, the defendant was acquitted. In March, a Massachusetts man received a three-and-a-half-year sentence the longest won by the task force to date for sending an online message to an Arizona election official warning her a bomb would be detonated in her personal space unless she resigned. A Texas man received the same sentence last August for posting threatening messages targeting two Maricopa County, Arizona officials and their families, and separately calling for a mass shooting of poll workers in precincts with suspect results. Each of these cases should serve as a warning Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted these convictions and others in a May 13 speech at a task force meeting. Each of these cases should serve as a warning, declared Garland. If you threaten to harm or kill an election worker, volunteer, or official, the Justice Department will find you. And we will hold you accountable. But those prosecutions amount to only a tiny share of what the Justice Department has said is over 2,000 reports of threats or harassment submitted by the election community to the FBI since the task force was launched in 2021. Around 100 of those were investigated, according to the Justice Department. The small number of investigations and prosecutions is largely due to free speech concerns. Legal experts say that anything short of a direct and explicit threat to cause physical harm may well be protected speech under the First Amendment. A true threat is a serious expression of an intent to commit an act of unlawful violence, Keller has said. If they dont cross that line into invoking violence, they are generally not going to constitute a criminally prosecutable threat. Still, as the 2024 vote approaches, theres little evidence that the volume of attacks against the people who run elections has declined, or that election workers feel safer. A recent Brennan Center survey found that more than half of local election officials said they were concerned about the safety of their colleagues or staff around the same number as in 2022, the year of the last federal election. Around a quarter worry about being assaulted at home or at work. This is a widespread issue in the elections community, said Tammy Patrick, the CEO for programs for the National Association of Election Officials, and a former election official in Maricopa County. Its happening all across the country. Its not just a question of it being in swing states, or just being in the city or whatever. Its happening in a way that is a concerted campaign to create and sow chaos. There is some feeling that the task force is a political tool, said another election expert, that allows the administration to say they care and theyre doing something. Troubling episodes but little followup In March 2022, anti-fraud activists, accompanied by the local GOP chair, showed up at the office of Michella Huff, the election director for Surry County, North Carolina. Huff said the activists tried to pressure her to give them access to county voting machines, citing what they said were flawed voter rolls. The group repeatedly threatened to have Huff ousted from her job if she didnt cooperate, and said they planned to return with the local sheriff, though they did not do so. Huff declined to provide access to the machines, and reported the episode to the state election boards investigations unit. A spokesperson for the board did not respond to an inquiry about whether the report was forwarded to federal law enforcement. Election security advocates have urged the FBI to do more to probe efforts by supporters of former President Donald Trump to gain access to voting machines in other states, warning that the breaches could have allowed for voting machine software to be compromised. Huff said she never heard from law enforcement on any level, despite speaking publicly about the episode. Though Huff wasnt physically threatened, she said shed still like to have seen federal authorities do more to respond. If it is truly a threat, I think every threat needs to be looked at serious(ly), and it needs to be considered as to what the intent was, if it was successful, and what the repercussions would be if it had been successful, said Huff. A threat is a threat. More overt efforts to physically intimidate election workers also have at times spurred little law enforcement followup. The night before South Carolinas 2022 primaries, a Republican candidate who has promoted lies about the 2020 election posted a message on the conservative social media site Telegram, to a group of anti-fraud activists. For all of you on the team tomorrow observing the polls, Good Hunting, the message said. We have the enemy on their back foot, press the attack. Forward. During the voting period, groups of activists showed up at multiple polling places to verbally harass, photograph, and film election workers as they did their jobs, recounted Isaac Cramer, the executive director of the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. The activists called the police to at least one polling site, falsely alleging evidence of fraud by election staff. The police came, but made no arrests though the episode left the sites lead poll manager shaken, Cramer said. Cramer said his office provided detailed reports on both the Telegram message and the harassment at polling sites to the Department of Homeland Security, as well as to the state election commission. We took that threat pretty seriously, he said, referring to the Telegram message. He said he received a response from DHS saying the report was being looked into, but heard nothing after that. I dont know what the conclusions were, or what occurred after submitting that information, Cramer said. But Cramer added that the experience produced a successful effort to increase collaboration with local, state, and federal authorities with the result that the county is much better prepared to respond to, and anticipate, similar incidents this year. When youre on the defense, youre kind of reacting to everything, and I think thats how the past was, said Cramer. And now were being proactive. I dread November for you guys Patrick, of the National Association of Election Officials, said that while she understands the need to avoid running afoul of the First Amendment, authorities must balance legitimate free speech concerns with their urgent duty to protect those conducting elections. And, she suggested, they may not always be getting that balance right. We need to be really careful that were not allowing people to yell fire in a crowded theater, Patrick said. And that were not allowing people to use what they are potentially claiming as their freedom of speech as a way of creating chaos in a system, or to threaten individuals who are just trying to do their job. In addition, election professionals say theyve complained for years that after they submit reports about threats and harassment to the FBI, theres often a lack of follow-up beyond an acknowledgment of receipt. Of course, law enforcement frequently cant share details about their work, even with those who were targeted, in order not to compromise an investigation. But Patrick said even basic information could be helpful. Even letting them know that the report is being worked, so it doesnt just go into the void, and a victim knows theres going to be a knock-and-talk, gives the individual who made that report some sense of closure, Patrick said, referring to when federal agents show up to speak with a suspect at their home. The problem may be exacerbated by a lack of understanding among some in the elections world about what federal law enforcement can and cant do. Many election officials, said Cohen, of the National Association of State Election Directors, want front-end help with steps like bolstering physical security to better prepare for incidents. Law enforcement, and especially federal law enforcement, is only coming at the back end, said Cohen. Their goal is not prevention or recovery, their goal is prosecution. And it has taken our community, I think, a long time to understand what we should be expecting from DoJ. Ultimately, said Cohen, the prosecutions brought by the Justice Department appear to have done little to reduce the number of threats election workers are subject to today. Im really grateful that DOJ has secured convictions in Arizona, said Cohen. But I dont think securing convictions in Arizona three years later has actually deterred anything in Arizona. Indeed, Arizona has been a hotbed for election misinformation, and its election officials continue to be targeted by a consistent stream of threats, according to multiple reports. Huff, the county election director in North Carolina, said that with a major election approaching, members of the public often express sympathy for her and her staff an acknowledgement that the vitriol theyve been facing is only likely to get stronger. Out in public, I get that, Huff said Boy, I dread November for you guys. This story has been updated to reflect the correct name of the executive director of the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. The post Election workers worry that federal threats task force isnt enough to keep them safe appeared first on North Dakota Monitor. Election workers worry that federal threats task force isnt enough to keep them safe Some elections professionals say federal law enforcement still isnt doing enough to deter bad actors and ensure that those on the front lines of democracy are protected this fall. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) Some elections professionals say federal law enforcement still isnt doing enough to deter bad actors and ensure that those on the front lines of democracy are protected this fall. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) Aiming to send a message, the Biden administration recently spotlighted its indictments and convictions in cases involving threats to election officials or workers. But with no letup in reports of attacks, some elections professionals say federal law enforcement still isnt doing enough to deter bad actors and ensure that those on the front lines of democracy are protected this fall. Election officials by and large have no confidence that if something were to happen to them, there would be any consequences, said Amy Cohen, the executive director of the National Association of State Election Directors. It is very clear that we are not seeing a deterrent effect. A U.S. Justice Department spokesman declined to comment for this story, instead directing States Newsroom to a webpage for the departments Election Threats Task Force. Launched by the Justice Department in 2021 in response to the wave of harassment of election officials that followed the 2020 election, the Election Threats Task Force works closely with local law enforcement and U.S. attorneys offices around the country to investigate threats. In going after those who make threats against election workers, the Justice Department is honoring a foundational purpose: The department was created in 1870 in part to protect the voting rights of southern Blacks during Reconstruction. Run by John Keller, a top official in the Justice Departments Public Integrity Section, the task force also includes the Criminal Divisions Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and the FBI. It also works with several other government agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Department of Homeland Security. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Since its launch, the task force has brought charges in 17 cases, according to the departments tally. Eight cases have resulted in prison time, with sentencing scheduled in several more. In one case, brought in Nevada, the defendant was acquitted. In March, a Massachusetts man received a three-and-a-half-year sentence the longest won by the task force to date for sending an online message to an Arizona election official warning her a bomb would be detonated in her personal space unless she resigned. A Texas man received the same sentence last August for posting threatening messages targeting two Maricopa County, Arizona officials and their families, and separately calling for a mass shooting of poll workers in precincts with suspect results. Each of these cases should serve as a warning, said Attorney General Garland Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted these convictions and others in a May 13 speech at a task force meeting. Each of these cases should serve as a warning, declared Garland. If you threaten to harm or kill an election worker, volunteer, or official, the Justice Department will find you. And we will hold you accountable. But those prosecutions amount to only a tiny share of what the Justice Department has said is over 2,000 reports of threats or harassment submitted by the election community to the FBI since the task force was launched in 2021. Around 100 of those were investigated, according to the Justice Department. The small number of investigations and prosecutions is largely due to free speech concerns. Legal experts say that anything short of a direct and explicit threat to cause physical harm may well be protected speech under the First Amendment. A true threat is a serious expression of an intent to commit an act of unlawful violence, Keller has said. If they dont cross that line into invoking violence, they are generally not going to constitute a criminally prosecutable threat. Still, as the 2024 vote approaches, theres little evidence that the volume of attacks against the people who run elections has declined, or that election workers feel safer. A recent Brennan Center survey found that more than half of local election officials said they were concerned about the safety of their colleagues or staff around the same number as in 2022, the year of the last federal election. Around a quarter worry about being assaulted at home or at work. This is a widespread issue in the elections community, said Tammy Patrick, the CEO for programs for the National Association of Election Officials, and a former election official in Maricopa County. Its happening all across the country. Its not just a question of it being in swing states, or just being in the city or whatever. Its happening in a way that is a concerted campaign to create and sow chaos. There is some feeling that the task force is a political tool, said another election expert, that allows the administration to say they care and theyre doing something. Troubling episodes but little followup In March 2022, anti-fraud activists, accompanied by the local GOP chair, showed up at the office of Michella Huff, the election director for Surry County, North Carolina. Huff said the activists tried to pressure her to give them access to county voting machines, citing what they said were flawed voter rolls. The group repeatedly threatened to have Huff ousted from her job if she didnt cooperate, and said they planned to return with the local sheriff, though they did not do so. Huff declined to provide access to the machines, and reported the episode to the state election boards investigations unit. A spokesperson for the board did not respond to an inquiry about whether the report was forwarded to federal law enforcement. Election security advocates have urged the FBI to do more to probe efforts by supporters of former President Donald Trump to gain access to voting machines in other states, warning that the breaches could have allowed for voting machine software to be compromised. Huff said she never heard from law enforcement on any level, despite speaking publicly about the episode. Though Huff wasnt physically threatened, she said shed still like to have seen federal authorities do more to respond. If it is truly a threat, I think every threat needs to be looked at serious(ly), and it needs to be considered as to what the intent was, if it was successful, and what the repercussions would be if it had been successful, said Huff. A threat is a threat. More overt efforts to physically intimidate election workers also have at times spurred little law enforcement followup. The night before South Carolinas 2022 primaries, a Republican candidate who has promoted lies about the 2020 election posted a message on the conservative social media site Telegram, to a group of anti-fraud activists. For all of you on the team tomorrow observing the polls, Good Hunting, the message said. We have the enemy on their back foot, press the attack. Forward. During the voting period, groups of activists showed up at multiple polling places to verbally harass, photograph, and film election workers as they did their jobs, recounted Isaac Cramer, the executive director of the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. The activists called the police to at least one polling site, falsely alleging evidence of fraud by election staff. The police came, but made no arrests though the episode left the sites lead poll manager shaken, Cramer said. Cramer said his office provided detailed reports on both the Telegram message and the harassment at polling sites to the Department of Homeland Security, as well as to the state election commission. We took that threat pretty seriously, he said, referring to the Telegram message. He said he received a response from DHS saying the report was being looked into, but heard nothing after that. I dont know what the conclusions were, or what occurred after submitting that information, Cramer said. But Cramer added that the experience produced a successful effort to increase collaboration with local, state, and federal authorities with the result that the county is much better prepared to respond to, and anticipate, similar incidents this year. When youre on the defense, youre kind of reacting to everything, and I think thats how the past was, said Cramer. And now were being proactive. I dread November for you guys, election official says Patrick, of the National Association of Election Officials, said that while she understands the need to avoid running afoul of the First Amendment, authorities must balance legitimate free speech concerns with their urgent duty to protect those conducting elections. And, she suggested, they may not always be getting that balance right. We need to be really careful that were not allowing people to yell fire in a crowded theater, Patrick said. And that were not allowing people to use what they are potentially claiming as their freedom of speech as a way of creating chaos in a system, or to threaten individuals who are just trying to do their job. In addition, election professionals say theyve complained for years that after they submit reports about threats and harassment to the FBI, theres often a lack of follow-up beyond an acknowledgment of receipt. Of course, law enforcement frequently cant share details about their work, even with those who were targeted, in order not to compromise an investigation. But Patrick said even basic information could be helpful. Even letting them know that the report is being worked, so it doesnt just go into the void, and a victim knows theres going to be a knock-and-talk, gives the individual who made that report some sense of closure, Patrick said, referring to when federal agents show up to speak with a suspect at their home. The problem may be exacerbated by a lack of understanding among some in the elections world about what federal law enforcement can and cant do. Many election officials, said Cohen, of the National Association of State Election Directors, want front-end help with steps like bolstering physical security to better prepare for incidents. Law enforcement, and especially federal law enforcement, is only coming at the back end, said Cohen. Their goal is not prevention or recovery, their goal is prosecution. And it has taken our community, I think, a long time to understand what we should be expecting from DoJ. Ultimately, said Cohen, the prosecutions brought by the Justice Department appear to have done little to reduce the number of threats election workers are subject to today. Im really grateful that DOJ has secured convictions in Arizona, said Cohen. But I dont think securing convictions in Arizona three years later has actually deterred anything in Arizona. Indeed, Arizona has been a hotbed for election misinformation, and its election officials continue to be targeted by a consistent stream of threats, according to multiple reports. Huff, the county election director in North Carolina, said that with a major election approaching, members of the public often express sympathy for her and her staff an acknowledgement that the vitriol theyve been facing is only likely to get stronger. Out in public, I get that, Huff said Boy, I dread November for you guys. Correction: This story has been corrected to reflect the correct name of the executive director of the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST The post Election workers worry that federal threats task force isnt enough to keep them safe appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun. Election workers worry that federal threats task force isnt enough to keep them safe Some elections professionals say federal law enforcement still isnt doing enough to deter bad actors and ensure that those on the front lines of democracy are protected this fall. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) Aiming to send a message, the Biden administration recently spotlighted its indictments and convictions in cases involving threats to election officials or workers. But with no letup in reports of attacks, some elections professionals say federal law enforcement still isnt doing enough to deter bad actors and ensure that those on the front lines of democracy are protected this fall. Election officials by and large have no confidence that if something were to happen to them, there would be any consequences, said Amy Cohen, the executive director of the National Association of State Election Directors. It is very clear that we are not seeing a deterrent effect. A U.S. Justice Department spokesman declined to comment for this story, instead directing States Newsroom to a webpage for the departments Election Threats Task Force. Launched by the Justice Department in 2021 in response to the wave of harassment of election officials that followed the 2020 election, the Election Threats Task Force works closely with local law enforcement and U.S. attorneys offices around the country to investigate threats. In going after those who make threats against election workers, the Justice Department is honoring a foundational purpose: The department was created in 1870 in part to protect the voting rights of southern Blacks during Reconstruction. Run by John Keller, a top official in the Justice Departments Public Integrity Section, the task force also includes the Criminal Divisions Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and the FBI. It also works with several other government agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Department of Homeland Security. Since its launch, the task force has brought charges in 17 cases, according to the departments tally. Eight cases have resulted in prison time, with sentencing scheduled in several more. In one case, brought in Nevada, the defendant was acquitted. In March, a Massachusetts man received a three-and-a-half-year sentence the longest won by the task force to date for sending an online message to an Arizona election official warning her a bomb would be detonated in her personal space unless she resigned. A Texas man received the same sentence last August for posting threatening messages targeting two Maricopa County, Arizona officials and their families, and separately calling for a mass shooting of poll workers in precincts with suspect results. Each of these cases should serve as a warning Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted these convictions and others in a May 13 speech at a task force meeting. Each of these cases should serve as a warning, declared Garland. If you threaten to harm or kill an election worker, volunteer, or official, the Justice Department will find you. And we will hold you accountable. But those prosecutions amount to only a tiny share of what the Justice Department has said is over 2,000 reports of threats or harassment submitted by the election community to the FBI since the task force was launched in 2021. Around 100 of those were investigated, according to the Justice Department. The small number of investigations and prosecutions is largely due to free speech concerns. Legal experts say that anything short of a direct and explicit threat to cause physical harm may well be protected speech under the First Amendment. A true threat is a serious expression of an intent to commit an act of unlawful violence, Keller has said. If they dont cross that line into invoking violence, they are generally not going to constitute a criminally prosecutable threat. Still, as the 2024 vote approaches, theres little evidence that the volume of attacks against the people who run elections has declined, or that election workers feel safer. A recent Brennan Center survey found that more than half of local election officials said they were concerned about the safety of their colleagues or staff around the same number as in 2022, the year of the last federal election. Around a quarter worry about being assaulted at home or at work. This is a widespread issue in the elections community, said Tammy Patrick, the CEO for programs for the National Association of Election Officials, and a former election official in Maricopa County. Its happening all across the country. Its not just a question of it being in swing states, or just being in the city or whatever. Its happening in a way that is a concerted campaign to create and sow chaos. There is some feeling that the task force is a political tool, said another election expert, that allows the administration to say they care and theyre doing something. Troubling episodes but little followup In March 2022, anti-fraud activists, accompanied by the local GOP chair, showed up at the office of Michella Huff, the election director for Surry County, North Carolina. Huff said the activists tried to pressure her to give them access to county voting machines, citing what they said were flawed voter rolls. The group repeatedly threatened to have Huff ousted from her job if she didnt cooperate, and said they planned to return with the local sheriff, though they did not do so. Huff declined to provide access to the machines, and reported the episode to the state election boards investigations unit. A spokesperson for the board did not respond to an inquiry about whether the report was forwarded to federal law enforcement. Election security advocates have urged the FBI to do more to probe efforts by supporters of former President Donald Trump to gain access to voting machines in other states, warning that the breaches could have allowed for voting machine software to be compromised. Huff said she never heard from law enforcement on any level, despite speaking publicly about the episode. Though Huff wasnt physically threatened, she said shed still like to have seen federal authorities do more to respond. If it is truly a threat, I think every threat needs to be looked at serious(ly), and it needs to be considered as to what the intent was, if it was successful, and what the repercussions would be if it had been successful, said Huff. A threat is a threat. More overt efforts to physically intimidate election workers also have at times spurred little law enforcement followup. The night before South Carolinas 2022 primaries, a Republican candidate who has promoted lies about the 2020 election posted a message on the conservative social media site Telegram, to a group of anti-fraud activists. For all of you on the team tomorrow observing the polls, Good Hunting, the message said. We have the enemy on their back foot, press the attack. Forward. During the voting period, groups of activists showed up at multiple polling places to verbally harass, photograph, and film election workers as they did their jobs, recounted Isaac Cramer, the executive director of the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. The activists called the police to at least one polling site, falsely alleging evidence of fraud by election staff. The police came, but made no arrests though the episode left the sites lead poll manager shaken, Cramer said. Cramer said his office provided detailed reports on both the Telegram message and the harassment at polling sites to the Department of Homeland Security, as well as to the state election commission. We took that threat pretty seriously, he said, referring to the Telegram message. He said he received a response from DHS saying the report was being looked into, but heard nothing after that. I dont know what the conclusions were, or what occurred after submitting that information, Cramer said. But Cramer added that the experience produced a successful effort to increase collaboration with local, state, and federal authorities with the result that the county is much better prepared to respond to, and anticipate, similar incidents this year. When youre on the defense, youre kind of reacting to everything, and I think thats how the past was, said Cramer. And now were being proactive. I dread November for you guys Patrick, of the National Association of Election Officials, said that while she understands the need to avoid running afoul of the First Amendment, authorities must balance legitimate free speech concerns with their urgent duty to protect those conducting elections. And, she suggested, they may not always be getting that balance right. We need to be really careful that were not allowing people to yell fire in a crowded theater, Patrick said. And that were not allowing people to use what they are potentially claiming as their freedom of speech as a way of creating chaos in a system, or to threaten individuals who are just trying to do their job. In addition, election professionals say theyve complained for years that after they submit reports about threats and harassment to the FBI, theres often a lack of follow-up beyond an acknowledgment of receipt. Of course, law enforcement frequently cant share details about their work, even with those who were targeted, in order not to compromise an investigation. But Patrick said even basic information could be helpful. Even letting them know that the report is being worked, so it doesnt just go into the void, and a victim knows theres going to be a knock-and-talk, gives the individual who made that report some sense of closure, Patrick said, referring to when federal agents show up to speak with a suspect at their home. The problem may be exacerbated by a lack of understanding among some in the elections world about what federal law enforcement can and cant do. Many election officials, said Cohen, of the National Association of State Election Directors, want front-end help with steps like bolstering physical security to better prepare for incidents. Law enforcement, and especially federal law enforcement, is only coming at the back end, said Cohen. Their goal is not prevention or recovery, their goal is prosecution. And it has taken our community, I think, a long time to understand what we should be expecting from DoJ. Ultimately, said Cohen, the prosecutions brought by the Justice Department appear to have done little to reduce the number of threats election workers are subject to today. Im really grateful that DOJ has secured convictions in Arizona, said Cohen. But I dont think securing convictions in Arizona three years later has actually deterred anything in Arizona. Indeed, Arizona has been a hotbed for election misinformation, and its election officials continue to be targeted by a consistent stream of threats, according to multiple reports. Huff, the county election director in North Carolina, said that with a major election approaching, members of the public often express sympathy for her and her staff an acknowledgement that the vitriol theyve been facing is only likely to get stronger. Out in public, I get that, Huff said Boy, I dread November for you guys. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the correct name of the executive director of the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. The post Election workers worry that federal threats task force isnt enough to keep them safe appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. When you buy shares in a company, it's worth keeping in mind the possibility that it could fail, and you could lose your money. But on the bright side, you can make far more than 100% on a really good stock. For example, the Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM) share price has soared 146% in the last half decade. Most would be very happy with that. It's down 3.7% in the last seven days. Although Martin Marietta Materials has shed US$1.3b from its market cap this week, let's take a look at its longer term fundamental trends and see if they've driven returns. See our latest analysis for Martin Marietta Materials To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. During five years of share price growth, Martin Marietta Materials achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 34% per year. The EPS growth is more impressive than the yearly share price gain of 20% over the same period. Therefore, it seems the market has become relatively pessimistic about the company. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). It is of course excellent to see how Martin Marietta Materials has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. This free interactive report on Martin Marietta Materials' balance sheet strength is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. 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. In the case of Martin Marietta Materials, it has a TSR of 155% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective It's nice to see that Martin Marietta Materials shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 30% over the last year. Of course, that includes the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 21%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. Someone with an optimistic perspective could view the recent improvement in TSR as indicating that the business itself is getting better with time. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Martin Marietta Materials (of which 1 doesn't sit too well with us!) you should know about. Story continues But note: Martin Marietta Materials may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Two people were arrested while attempting to scam two families in far East El Paso, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office said. Dannia Gonzalez and Jonathan Ambriz were arrested Thursday, June 6 in far East El Paso, according to the Sheriffs Office. Deputies were sent out to the 13000 block of Sky Harbor Avenue on Thursday and detained two people who were attempting to escape using public transportation, the Sheriffs Office said. The suspects, later identified as Gonzalez and Ambriz, were both arrested on outstanding criminal warrants regarding theft of service. The Sheriffs Office said that both suspects are known for being scam artists in the El Paso area and have been featured on social media about their actions, the Sheriffs Office said. Both were apprehended as they were attempting to scam another two families at the address on Sky Harbor, the Sheriffs Office said in its news release. Both suspects were recognized by members of the community, who then called the Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Estonia's Interior Ministry has proposed new rules that would seek to limit the ability of non-citizens to buy property near military facilities, the Estonian media outlet ERR reported on June 7, citing a memo by Interior Minister Lauri Laanemets. The measure is reportedly largely directed toward Russian and Belarusian citizens. The proposal follows similar moves by Finland, which has also prevented the acquisition of certain types of property by Russian nationals on the grounds that it could "hinder" national defense. "In Estonia, for example, there are apartments next to some very important sites where monitoring can be carried out," said Laanemets. The memo cited a few specific examples, such as an apartment complex in Tallinn owned by a Russian businessman which is located a few hundred meters from the headquarters of Estonia's Defense Forces and another important military base. Laanemets said that the ministry aims to produce a draft law by the end of the year to prevent "third-country nationals from buying real estate in Estonia around defense sites." The measures will be less strict when it comes to Belarusians or Russians who have a permanent residence permit, Laanemets said. "In general, we trust everyone who lives permanently in Estonia. We know who they are, we know their behavior," he added. "But there could always be a situation where somebody from this country is cooperating with Russia or another country." The specifics of what would be considered an area sensitive to Estonia's defense have not been ironed out yet. "The simplest version here is to apply the authorization procedure," Laanemets said. "That is, every time a person from a third country wants to carry out a (real estate) transaction (near a sensitive defense site), he or she has to obtain authorization." Estonia's already strained relations with Russia have further deteriorated since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Estonia is also ranked first in terms of financial contributions to Ukraine as a percentage of its GDP. At the same time, Russia has engaged in a number of aggressive actions toward Estonia since February 2022, such as an incident in May in which Russian border guards unilaterally removed border markings from a river that separates Russian and Estonian territory. Read also: Opinion: Estonia leads the charge on using frozen Russian assets Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. EU Elections: Voter turnout was just 50% last time - will it rise? EU Elections: Voter turnout was just 50% last time - will it rise? Over 350 million voters are eligible, but how many will actually vote this time? In 2019 the majority of them voted, but only just. The official figure was 50.66 percent across all the 27 states, which was the highest since the 1994 elections. The abstention rate is closely followed as, to some extent, it can indicate what the level of apathy and disenchantment with EU politics might be. And if it falls below the all-important 50 percent figure this year it would be a blow to the EU and those who support it. We can't forget that we're not talking about one European election, but 27 national ones," Tomasz Kanievcky, a Euronews Polling Center analyst, told Euronews. "Therefore, the approach to abstentionism will certainly differ according to the countries in which these elections occur, and according to the current issues at stake." According to the Euronews Polls Centre, young voters could raise the turnout in France and Germany. But these young voters could be tempted to vote for the far right. Another example is Italy, where abstentionism could be significant. Voters in six European Union countries were casting their ballots on Saturday: Italy, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, and Malta the EUs smallest member. Voting has now finished in the Netherlands, and Ireland but the first results will only begin to come in from Sunday evening. The Netherlands' public broadcaster NOS's poll of 20,000 voters has already predicted that the centre-left alliance would secure eight out of 31 European Parliament seats in the country. Observers say approach to abstentionism will 'certainly differ' In Cyprus, concern is growing over people who are not voting as well as an increase in blank and invalid ballots from those who do vote. The issues are linked to a local government reform that requires voters to cast between six to ten ballots, a complexity that has frustrated both voters and election participants. In response, Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides encouraged voters to turn out. The European elections concern us all. A massive turnout will send a strong message about the importance we attach to a stronger, more resilient, more strategically autonomous, more united, and of course more efficient Europe," he stated. In the last European elections in 2019, the highest abstention rate was recorded in Slovakia. It remains to be seen whether, following the assassination attempt on anti-European left-wing populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, the trend will be reversed. Far-right, populist parties set to see significant gains? The elections are set to be one of the most controversial and contested in its history by Eurosceptic, populist, and far-right parties. It will be an existential fight, said Guy Verhofstadt, a former Belgian prime minister and outgoing free-market liberal member of parliament who has been in the thick of EU politics for over a quarter century. It will pit those who want less Europe and, then, those political forces who understand that in the world of tomorrow, you need a far more integrated European Union to defend the interests of the Europeans Verhofstadt added. Since the last EU election in 2019, populist, far-right, and extremist parties have taken over governments in three EU nations and are part of governing coalitions in several others. Far-right parties in France, Belgium, Austria, and Italy are seen as frontrunners in the EU elections. The vote is the second-biggest exercise in democracy behind the elections in India, as the 27-nation bloc will be picking 720 parliamentarians to serve them over the next five years with decisive votes. Germany A shift in German law has granted voting rights to Germans as young as 16 which is a two year drop in the age requirement. This expands the pool of potential voters by roughly 1.5 million. Traditionally, the Greens and the Free Democratic Party performed best with younger voters. However, a shift has been underway of late in Germany, as in much of Europe, which has seen young voters move towards right-wing parties. The shift and trove of new voters could give AfD a boost after scandals have dropped them in recent polling. Munich, Germany, Friday June 7, 2024 - Sven Hoppe/(c) Copyright 2024, dpa (www.dpa.de). Alle Rechte vorbehalten Many speculate that EU and domestic issues will increase voter turnout in Germany. The polarized political situation, if it drives turnout, will likely negatively affect the government-leading SPD, as well as the Greens, while boosting the opposition CDU-CSU. Turnout for EU elections has traditionally been lower than national elections in Germany. Many expect a significant increase in participation but still dont expect it to match the 2021 national vote. France In France, the vote is between Europe and Francea uniquely French perspective for a European Parliament election. More than half of French voters will be casting ballots based on domestic issues, largely a product of motivations from the right. Meanwhile, President Macron has been a key voice in the greater pro-European movement, putting him drastically at odds with many French voters. People walk past a row of campaign posters for the upcoming European election in Courbevoie, west of Paris, Thursday, June 6, 2024. - Michel Euler/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved. Key to the turnout count will be young French voters, who have polled consistently in favour of Macrons rival RN. If the youth vote turns out, then expect RN to match what the polls have been telling us: a resounding victory with double the support of Macrons Renew list. Italy Italy has one of the fastest-growing rates (relative to previous elections) of voter abstention from EU elections, after Portugal. Increased Euroscepticism in Italy could further lower the vote count. However, the position of Prime Minister Girorgia Meloni as a European force could slow the rate of decline among right-wing, Europe-hesitant voters. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, left, speaks with Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni during a round table meeting at an EU Summit in Brussels, on March 21, 2024. - Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved Hungary Relative to National votes in Hungary, lower participation is expected for the EU vote. Lower turnouts in Hungary traditionally benefit Prime Minister Viktor Orbans Fidesz party, who maintain a motivated base with strong mobilisation capabilities. The centre and left, however, could see a boost from Budapest, home to more than 10 percent of the population. Budapest voters will be also casting ballots for their mayor. Greece While Greece has compulsory voting, the law is unenforced. How Greeks plan to vote is not clear. The postal ballot implementation was not a success in Greece, casting doubts on participation rates. A man stands at an election kiosk of the ruling party of New Democracy in Athens, Greece, Friday, June 7, 2024. - Thanassis Stavrakis/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved One set of voters to track in Greece are young voters, who have lately broken out strongly in favour of the centre-right (ND/EPP). If their turnout continues to grow, ND could be in for another successful election. Portugal Portugal had Western Europes lowest turnout rate in 2019, just 30% Following a snap parliamentary election in March in which only 59% participated, weary would-be voters may stay at home. But those who voted for the Socialist party's last time, and only narrowly lost, might just be more motivated to vote. The Democratic Alliance won with 80 seats and the Socialist party was a close second with 78 seats. Poland Poland is set to vote for the third time in less than a yearfollowing national and regional elections since October. In the more recent regional elections, voter turnout was lower than expected, especially in urban districts. If this trend continues, it could most negatively impact the centre-right, government-leading Civic Coalition (KO). Any blow in turnout to the KO is an automatic boon for their far-right rival, the Law and Justice party. PiS barely edged out KO in the regional elections voting share. With polls showing a neck-and-neck race, any drop in turnout could give PiS the boost it needs. Slovakia Slovakia had the lowest share of voter turnout in 2019, with just 22.7% of voters participating. But in 2023s Slovakia's parliamentary election, more than 68% of eligible voters turned out. With polarisation at a peak in Slovakia following the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico, many expect turnout to be higher than the 2019 mark. Still, given the subdued nature of the campaigns following the assassination attempt, voter excitement isnt very strong in Slovakia. Dont expect over 60% participation but expect a better showing than 2019. A woman prepares her ballots for the European Parliament elections at a polling station in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, June 7, 2024 - Katerina Sulova/AP Czech Republic Czech voters have historically not turned out well for EU elections. The country is largely considered a Eurosceptic one, leading to a drop in turnout relative to their national votes. However, 2024 could shift things in Czechia. Campaigns are reporting stronger than usual interest in European affairs and politics. Meanwhile, opposition campaigns are launching strong attacks on ruling coalition parties, trying to make the European vote a referendum on the national leaders. Romania Interest in European politics is at an all-time high with young voters in Romania. According to the EUs barometer survey this spring, more than 75% of under 30-year-olds in Romania intend to votethe highest rate of any country in Europe. Right-wing parties have become social media focal points in Romania. If young voters do indeed turn out as expected, it could be a massive gain for the far-right AUR and other right-wing parties. The victim of a fatal two-vehicle crash last Friday in Roxbury has been identified by authorities as Jacob Davis, 18, of Mount Olive. A scholar, animal rescue volunteer and experienced world traveler at a young age, Davis had just completed his first year at Northeastern University, where he was studying behavioral neuroscience. After spending his first Northeastern semester studying in Dublin, Ireland, he was scheduled to embark on a summer trip to Japan later this month. Jacob Davis of Mount Olive was killed in a car crash in Roxbury on May 31, 2024. "He was ready to change the world, and he would have done it," his mother, Deborah Davis, said Friday. Davis, a resident of the Flanders section of town, was driving on Howard Boulevard when his Mazda 3 was involved in a crash with a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck at 10:30 p.m. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Silverado was taken to Morristown Medical Center with serious injuries. His present condition is unknown. Police have not yet released additional details of the crash, which is still under investigation, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. 'Amazing guy' Friends and family paid tribute to his memory during a prayer service on Monday that can be viewed on YouTube. His friends from Livingston High School, where he graduated in 2023, described him as "an amazing guy" and "a leader." His Northeastern friends described him as a "kind soul" who "truly listened to everything you said" and made everyone feel "like his best friend." "He was unbelievably bright," his mother said. "He made high honor roll throughout high school. Northeastern was his first choice. He didn't even apply anywhere else." Jacob asked his mother to accompany him to Japan for a Northeastern summer program. He self-taught himself how to proficiently speak Japanese, she said. "How many kids want their mom [to travel with them]?" Davis recalled. "But he said 'I'm going to show you Japan.' He'd never been, but he studied it and knew exactly where we should stay and things like that." Morris County NJ Route 15 update: One lane reopens to local traffic as Jefferson issues state of emergency A "Travel For Teens" trip to Japan had been planned for last June, but a spate of stormy weather scuttled that adventure. He would not be denied a trip to Asia and ended up on a three-week summer excursion to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Part of the trip included the traveling teens participating in public service, bonding with local children studying English and volunteering in an elephant sanctuary. His five years of volunteer work elsewhere included working with animal rescue groups. "He cast a wide web," his mother said. "I think his best friend at college, Austin, said it best. He said Jacob said 'You only die when you're forgotten.' He will never die." This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Roxbury NJ crash victim identified as Mount Olive college student The first recipients of dozens of new full-ride health science scholarships will attend classes at Old Dominion University this fall, but they havent been notified yet. They havent even been selected. Thats because the primary support for these scholarships, two gifts totaling $40 million, was just announced Friday afternoon at a celebration of the long-awaited merger of Eastern Virginia Medical School and Old Dominion University, which will officially take place on July 1. Leaders unveiled the name of the program: Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University. It will be the largest health sciences center in Virginia, with more than 50 degrees offered, several of which are not available anywhere else in the commonwealth, said Cathy Lewis, community engagement liaison for ODU. Sentara Health, a longtime EVMS supporter and key partner in the merger process, is committing $350 million to the combined health sciences program over 10 years, Lewis said. After the event, EVMS President Alfred Abuhamad and ODU President Brian Hemphill spoke about the long road to integration, support from their boards and their own work together. From day one, we shared the vision of doing this collaboratively, Abuhamad said. Hemphill called it a perfect storm. We are obviously two very complex organizations, he said. It took leaving the ego out of the room and just coming together. Speaking at the ceremony, Sentara Health President and CEO Dennis Matheis said hed received a note recently that framed the integration discussion as sometimes intense. Thats a mild way of putting it, Matheis said to laughs from the packed conference room on the third floor of The Main in Norfolk. But we got to where we needed to go. In addition to funding, Sentara has committed to doubling its medical residency slots in Virginia, recognizing that many doctors end up practicing medicine where they complete their training. A state-funded model provides the combined ODU-EVMS institution a solid foundation for future generations, Matheis said. This integration is critical to improving health care services for a region that has long struggled to reduce disparities in health outcomes and find its economic footing, Matheis said. The $40 million announced Friday consists of a $20 million endowment from Dennis and Jan Ellmer and a $20 million gift from philanthropist Joan Brock, wife of the late Macon Brock, a co-founder of Dollar Tree. Lewis said some funds from the latter are earmarked for the expansion of the Barry Art Museum. Dennis Ellmer is the founder of Priority Automotive. There will be some differences among the scholarship programs the Dennis and Jan Ellmer Health Scholars Program, the Dennis and Jan Ellmer Nursing Scholars Program and the Brock Opportunity Scholarship but they are all intended to provide opportunities to promising students with ties to the region and the intention to remain after graduation. Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU will include the EVMS School of Health Professions, the joint School of Public Health, the Ellmer College of Health Sciences, the Ellmer School of Nursing and the Eastern Virginia School of Medicine at ODU. Not all of the 56 degrees will be available immediately, because the schools are still working through requirements with various accrediting bodies, Abuhamad and Hemphill said, but none of the roughly 5,000 students enrolled for the fall will be affected. Have a health care or science story, question or concern? Contact Katrina Dix, 757-222-5155, katrina.dix@virginiamedia.com. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School are joining forces in an effort to grow local medical talent where theres a great public need. Together EVMS and ODU are now the Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU. The merger creates the largest health sciences program in the Commonwealth. Come July 1, the integration will develop a larger pipeline for healthcare professionals in Hampton Roads by attracting and retaining homegrown talent and doubling the number of residency slots. All youve heard today is to better the community, better health care in the region, said EVMS President Alfred Abuhamad, so this is why theres tremendous excitement on campus with EVMS about coming together with ODU. A 10-year agreement with ODU, EVMS and Sentara provides $350 million in total support for the new academic health sciences center. The merger expands healthcare capabilities while reducing disparities in Hampton Roads. Previously: Virginia lawmakers allocate funds for ODU, EVMS integration A $20 million endowment from the Ellmer family and a $20 million endowment from the Brock family will provide scholarships for local students who want to go into health sciences but are held back by financial hardship. ODUs School of Nursing and College of Health Sciences were renamed the Ellmer School of Nursing and Ellmer College of Health Sciences. Those scholarships are encouraging students to stay and be here, said ODU President Brian Hemphill. Their residencies, our students that are going into nursing and physical therapy, we want them here. The integrated Virginia Health Sciences program will collectively serve 5,000 students. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Like the F-16, French Mirage 2000-5 fighters are good planes, but they aren't the best Western jets for Ukraine France announced this week it would send Ukraine Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets. It's the second warplane that NATO has promised Kyiv, after American-made F-16s. The Mirage is a good aircraft, but it may not be the one that's best suited for Ukrainian forces. Ukraine is slated to receive Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from France in the coming months, adding another aircraft to Kyiv's coming arsenal of Western combat planes. French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France will provide Kyiv with the Mirage fighter aircraft after training pilots how to fly the warplanes through a program that will begin this summer. He added that Paris will build a coalition with other countries to supply the jets and that Ukraine could even be flying them by the end of the year. Macron's announcement comes as Ukraine eagerly awaits the seemingly imminent arrival of American-made F-16s, which will be Kyiv's first Western fighter jet. Four NATO countries promised to send these fighters. The Mirage 2000-5, like its F-16 counterpart, is a good fourth-generation fighter jet that will bring some additional capabilities to Ukraine's fleet of aging Soviet-era warplanes. But neither aircraft is necessarily the best fit for Kyiv given the current battlefield conditions. With next-gen systems not even up for discussion, the plane that is most suitable for Ukraine remains Sweden's JAS 39 Gripen. But it is also out of reach, at least for the time being. Limited air-to-air reach The Mirage is a multi-role, delta-winged fourth-gen fighter jet manufactured by French company Dassault Aviation. Around 600 of these aircraft have been produced since it was designed in the late 1970s, and they are currently operated by a small number of militaries, including Greece and Taiwan. Mirage 2000-5F jet fighters prepare to take off from Luxeuil-Saint Sauveur air-base 116, in Saint-Sauveur, eastern France, on March 13, 2022. SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images Like the F-16, the Mirage 2000s are combat-proven aircraft, having flown sorties in conflicts across the Middle East and in the Balkans. The 2000-5 variant, which is what France has promised to send Ukraine, first flew in 1990 and, compared to previous versions of the aircraft, features an upgraded radar system. The jet can be equipped with air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, as well as laser-guided bombs. Macron told French broadcasters on Thursday that the pilot training will begin this summer and take place in France. The program typically lasts around five to six months, he said, and an undisclosed number of Mirage jets will be transferred to Ukraine following the completion of that training. Under normal conditions, the French Mirage 2000-5 would be perfectly suitable for a country like Ukraine, but that's just not the situation right now, Justin Bronk, an airpower and technology expert at the UK-based Royal United Services Institute think tank, told Business Insider. The effectiveness of the Mirage 2000-5 is primarily limited by the MICA beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, which has a much shorter range than the AIM-120 AMRAAM variants that Kyiv could use with its F-16s, Bronk said. A Mirage 2000 of the Hellenic Air Force HAF of Greece as seen in a flying demonstration during the Athens Flying Week Air Show 2019 Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images And the AMRAAM is already an unsatisfactory tool to address Russian air threats near the front lines because Moscow's formidable ground-based surface-to-air missile systems force Ukrainian fighters to fly at relatively low altitudes, putting limitations on the effectiveness of their missiles, Bronk said. Investing resources to get Ukraine another Western fighter that has an even shorter air-to-air reach won't necessarily improve this dilemma. The Mirage can carry powerful long-range cruise missiles like the French-made SCALP-EG, but those can also be launched from Ukraine's existing fighter fleet and have already been used to great effect. Additionally, Bronk said, Ukrainian pilots who are able to be trained quickly on operating and maintaining a system as complex as a fighter jet are also in extremely limited supply. Many of these individuals are already training on the F-16 at sites in Europe and the US. Doug Birkey, the executive director of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, told BI that the Mirage is an "older capability" on par with what Ukraine is getting out of the F-16. Rather than split the focus between aircraft, creating new supply lines, maintenance processes and diverting resources, some NATO partners have argued it might make more sense to simply stick to the F-16. A F-16 aircraft is pictured after the first delivery of Norway's old F-16 fighter aircraft to Romania at Rygge Air Force Base in Norway on Nov. 28, 2023. Photo by OLE BERG-RUSTEN/NTB/AFP via Getty Images Like the F-16, the French fighter jet's effectiveness, he said, will ultimately come down to how it's used and whether Kyiv can strike inside Russian territory. Last month, Macron said Ukraine should be allowed to use Western weapons to do so, a stance more NATO countries are taking. "It's very difficult to try to win and succeed in the campaign when you're largely stuck to defense," Birkey said. A fighter designed for the Ukraine war Air warfare experts like Bronk have argued throughout the conflict in Ukraine that the most suitable Western combat aircraft for Ukrainian forces would be Sweden's JAS 39 Gripen. Built by Swedish defense and aerospace firm Saab, the Gripen is a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter aircraft that has been in production since the 1980s. The Swedish fighter jet was designed with the idea of a dispersed fighter force taking on Russia without having the benefits of being in NATO and facing a very dangerous surface-to-air missile threat. Essentially, it was designed for the exact conditions in which Ukraine is fighting. Sweden's Gripen is considered by experts to be a highly capable, effective, and efficient fighter. It is relatively inexpensive to operate, easy to maintain, and requires less runway space than some other aircraft for taking off and landing. The jet also features advanced electronic-warfare capabilities that were specifically designed to be able to counter the radars on Russian aircraft and ground-based air-defense systems. Saab JAS 39 Gripens taxi during the NATO exercise Loyal Arrow outside Lulea in northern Sweden on June 10, 2009. PATRICK TRAGARDH/AFP via Getty Images Furthermore, the Gripen can be equipped with various air-to-surface missiles and bombs, as well as longer-range air-to-air missiles. Among the latter is the Meteor air-to-air missile, which, with a range of up to 80 miles, delivers a much longer reach than the French MICA and even some Russian weaponry. Compared to the F-16 and Mirage, the Gripen is far more flexible in terms of operational requirements especially when it comes to cost and maintenance and is more resource-efficient. The downsides of the Swedish aircraft are that it has yet to see combat and is rather limited in availability, unlike the F-16 and its support systems, which are available across Europe. Sweden previously explored sending Gripens to Ukraine, but those considerations were recently put on hold to allow Kyiv to focus on the F-16. But France has announced its intention to send the Mirage, seemingly contradicting this rationale. "Why you would then have another non-F-16 fighter being supplied that is less effective for Ukraine's requirements and less well-suited in every way than the Gripen seems slightly odd," Bronk said. Ukrainian officials have long pushed for the West to provide fighter aircraft, and regardless of any drawbacks, they have expressed their delight publicly over both the F-16 and Mirage pledges. Sweden's Saab Gripen in flight. Oleg V. Belyakov - AirTeamImages "French combat aircraft brilliant fighter jets that, under the control of Ukrainian pilots, will prove that Europe is stronger," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a Friday speech to France's National Assembly, referring to the Mirages. Until these aircraft arrive, though, Ukraine will have to continue making do with its Soviet-era fleet. For Kyiv, any Western deliveries may prove valuable regardless of the type of aircraft. "The best fighter they can get are the ones they can get," Birkey argued. "It still remains that." France's announcement on its plans to send Mirage fighters comes as Kyiv's partners step up their support for the country in the wake of Russia's new offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Macron on Thursday also revealed plans to train and equip a brigade of 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers, which will be a significant development and a notable break from some previous training schemes. "One of the biggest problems that Ukraine is currently facing is a lack of training capacity, particularly the capacity to train at a larger unit level, so battalions and brigades, rather than companies and smaller," Bronk said. French President Emmanuel Macron meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Elysee Palace in Paris on June 7, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah McKay Instead of offering lots of short courses for smaller numbers of troops a strategy that showed its limitations during Kyiv's failed counteroffensive last summer because it didn't generate officers the French plan offers a way for Ukrainian troops to train as a unified formation with standardized equipment, Bronk said. That, he added, "is an incredibly useful and an incredibly well-thought-out way of increasing and stabilizing long-term support. That's really potentially impactful." Read the original article on Business Insider Stock splits have been all the rage in recent years and have become a calling card among many of the market's most successful companies. The group of stocks collectively known as the "Magnificent Seven" has handily outperformed the S&P 500 since the start of last year. Here's how the member companies have performed since the beginning of 2023: Nvidia : Up 686% Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META): Up 297% Amazon : Up 112% Alphabet : Up 96% Microsoft : Up 72% Apple : Up 49% Tesla: Up 43% Stock splits are historically preceded by a long period of strong business and operating performance, which gives rise to a surging stock price. It's also no coincidence that over the past several years, most of these companies have initiated at least one stock split. Investors might be surprised to learn, however, that just one of the Magnificent Seven companies has never split its shares. However, given the company's recent performance, the prevailing tailwinds, and ongoing macroeconomic recovery, the final holdout -- Meta Platforms -- might finally consider a stock split. Image source: Getty Images. Unparalleled social media reach Normally, when you see the word "unparalleled," it tends to be hyperbole, but in the case of Meta Platforms, it happens to be true. The company has unparalleled reach with its suite of social media platforms, which includes three of the world's largest when measured by monthly active users. In the first quarter, Meta's family of apps reached 3.24 billion people or roughly 40% of the worldwide population. That extensive reach, combined with the company's massive treasure trove of user data, allows Meta to more effectively target the advertising that generates the bulk of the company's revenue. Marketing demand dried up in the face of the downturn, but a rebound in ad spending has already begun. Furthermore, estimates regarding market growth have begun to ratchet higher, with digital ad revenue expected to grow by 11% this year, according to estimates by S&P Global. As the world's second-largest digital advertiser, Meta Platforms is well positioned to benefit from the increase in ad spending. The AI wildcard Another factor that could fuel Meta's fortunes is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). The company tapped into the aforementioned treasure trove of data to train its Llama (Large Language Model Meta AI), the model that forms the foundation for its Llama 3, which Meta describes as "one of the world's leading AI assistants." The company charges large cloud providers to include Llama in their offerings, but it's free to users. Story continues CFO Susan Li said on an earnings call in April, "We continue to see compelling investment opportunities to both improve our core business in the near term and capture significant longer-term opportunities in generative AI and Reality Labs." Meta has been integrating generative AI into a broad cross section of its offerings, including providing AI-powered tools to advertisers on its platform and using AI to surface more relevant content for users. It's still early days for AI, so we don't yet know the full extent of how Meta will leverage the technology to boost its business and financial performance -- but the potential is there. Is a stock split on the horizon? History shows that stock splits tend to come in waves, a point highlighted by Bank of America analyst Jared Woodard. The analyst noted that Nvidia is "another large-cap tech pursuing shareholder-friendly policies." The chipmaker is the fourth of the Magnificent Seven stocks to pursue a stock split since 2022, preceded by Alphabet, Amazon, and Tesla. "Big Tech is going bite-sized," the analyst wrote in a note to clients. Woodard went on to point out that companies begin to consider enacting a stock split once their share price surpasses a threshold of about $500. There's more good news on the stock split front. Companies that pare their shares tend to outperform the S&P 500 in the year following the split. "Stocks have notched 25% total returns in the 12 months after a split is announced, compared to 12% for the broad index. Splits have boosted returns in every decade including the early 2000s when the S&P 500 struggled," the analyst wrote. Meta Platforms has a sterling track record of long-term growth. Over the past decade, its revenue has grown 1,150%, while net income has soared 1,460%. This has driven its stock price up more than 656%, more than 3 times the return of the S&P 500. Yet the stock is currently selling for 27 times earnings, on par with the S&P 500, despite its superior performance. With a stock price of roughly $475 (as of this writing), Meta is approaching the threshold at which companies begin considering a stock split, according to the research. While this is all speculation on my part, I wouldn't be surprised if Meta were to announce a stock split later this year, if for nothing more than to get investors excited about its stock once again. Should you invest $1,000 in Meta Platforms right now? Before you buy stock in Meta Platforms, 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 Meta Platforms 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 $741,362!* 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 June 3, 2024 Bank of America is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Danny Vena has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Bank of America, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Meet the Only "Magnificent Seven" Stock That Has Never Had a Stock Split. That Could Be About to Change. was originally published by The Motley Fool Fairfield PD asks for community help in finding an alleged thief (KRON) The Fairfield Police Department is asking for community assistance in finding a man who police believe stole an expensive item from a community member. According to Fairfield PD, the theft occurred around 5 p.m. on Wednesday in the parking lot of a business in the 1300 block of Nelson Road. Fairfield PD told KRON4 that while a resident was in a gas station, the man pictured below, stole her trucks transformer. The transformer is valued at around $6,000. Photo: Fairfield Police Department Photo: Fairfield Police Department SF man who fell off scooter while evading police arrested The suspect was seen on camera wearing a Los Angeles Lakers jersey, blue jeans, grey shoes and a cowboy hat. Anyone with information regarding this theft is asked to contact the Fairfield PD at (707) 428-7300, option 8. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Should faith groups have a say in the future of space travel? This Dec. 24, 1968, file photo made available by NASA shows the Earth behind the surface of the moon during the Apollo 8 mission. | William Anders With Wednesdays Starliner launch, the U.S. space travel industry fully established itself in a new frontier, one in which commercial companies play a major role in both manned and unmanned missions to outer space. NASA celebrated the milestone flight, which was the culmination of years of collaboration between public and private space experts. It has sought out deeper connections with companies like SpaceX and Boeing in hopes of expanding research opportunities and accruing more resources to put toward a planned return to the moon. But the space industrys new era comes with new challenges, including new conflicts involving people of faith. For example, when NASA recently partnered with Astrobotic on an unmanned mission to the moon, it became caught up in a fight between Navajo Nation and Astrobotic over the companys plans to bring human remains along for the ride. Native leaders argued that leaving the ashes of dozens of people on the moon would desecrate a sacred space. The Peregrine 1 mission ultimately moved forward over the Navajo Nations objections, but it didnt make it to the moon due to a propellant leak. The question of what commercial space companies will be allowed to do in the future remains unanswered. One thing thats clear is that there are many public, private and faith-based interests at stake, said Joanne Pierce, a professor emerita of religious studies for the College of the Holy Cross. Religious freedom conflicts in space Past space missions werent free from religious freedom conflict, but addressing it was more straightforward, Pierce said. Religious groups or individuals could raise their concerns with NASA, which ran the show. If that approach failed, they could file a federal lawsuit. Atheist activist Madalyn Murray OHair took that latter approach in the late 1960s in response to the Apollo 8 mission, the first manned trip to enter the moons orbit. On Christmas Eve, Commander Frank Borman had read from Genesis during a broadcast back to hundreds of thousands of viewers on Earth. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good, he said, in part. In her lawsuit, Murray OHair argued that the Bible reading violated religious freedom law, since the government cant use public funds to promote faith. In media appearances, she encouraged people to write to NASA and criticize it for violating the separation of church and state. Although the lawsuit was eventually dismissed, it made NASA more careful about public displays of faith. When Buzz Aldrin brought bread and wine with him to the moon in 1969 to celebrate communion, he was asked to keep the religious ritual low-key, Pierce said. Lingering religion questions Today, raising a faith-related concern about space exploration requires more than contacting or suing NASA. While the agency is still involved in some way in most major missions out of the U.S., it often wont be able to overrule commercial interests, especially not when the ethics of the situation are unclear. While space travelers must obey broad prohibitions on placing weapons of mass destruction into orbit or contaminating the moon, there are no detailed rules about what you can or cant send into space or what commercial companies can offer to the highest bidder, according to Scientific American. Before a mission like Peregrine 1, federal officials will confirm that a private companys plans wont jeopardize national security interests, but they likely wont weigh whether the mission creates religious freedom conflict. Perhaps the most that faith groups can expect is for NASA to facilitate a dialogue about the issue, as it promised to do when Navajo Nations Buu Nygren spoke out against Astrobotics plan to work with space burial companies like Celestis. Celestis CEO Charles Chafer defended his company at the time, arguing that no faith group should control the moon, just like no country should control it. What theyre asking for is basically ownership of the moon for purposes of their sacraments, and thats a giant black hole to walk into, he said, per Scientific American. Familiar conflict Chafers comments likely sound familiar to those who follow religious freedom conflicts involving earthly affairs. In faith-related legal battles, theres often a question of what we owe to religious objectors, as well as a question of whether religious groups or individuals are asking for too much. In some ways, space exploration is enflaming old debates about faith, rather than starting new ones, Pierce said. Religious groups have fought over burial practices for centuries. Its also not new for commercial interests to interfere with whats seen as sacred land. Space-related debates reflect issues and conflicts that are still occurring here on Earth, Pierce said. One main difference is that faith groups generally have a more tenuous position in outer space affairs. Mission norms are worked out between international leaders, not individual religious groups in the U.S. Faith leaders can certainly speak up, but they wont necessarily be listened to, Pierce said. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The estate for a man killed by security guards outside a Demonbreun Street nightclub last summer has filed suit against the club, the security guards and their employer for the his death. Court documents stated that he and an unnamed man got into a brief physical and verbal altercation at Vibes Bar Lounge the night of June 10, 2023, after which Patrick Charles legally defended himself and his family with a firearm. The document claimed Charles only fired the weapon after the man, identified only as John Doe #3 in court documents, began firing first toward Charles, his family and friends. Family of armed man shot, killed outside nightclub want justice Shortly after that gunfire, the suit claimed that the two security guards on duty at the time of the shooting, named John Doe #1 and #2 in the lawsuit, began firing at Charles. According to Metro Nashville police, the security guards said they only fired at Charles after he began shooting in order to defend others at the bar. Upon information and belief, Doe #1 and Doe #2 were trained on how to observe threats appropriately and properly, react to gunfire, and deescalate potentially violent encounters, the documents stated. Upon information and belief, the Security Defendants never warned Patrick to drop his weapon or otherwise comply with their orders to deescalate this encounter. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The lawsuit made the following claims: liability against Vibes negligence and both negligence gross negligence against Vibes and the two security guards negligent hiring practices against Blueline Security, who hired the guards personal injury and damages against the unnamed bar patron all damages under Tennessees Wrongful Death Statute, which include emotional and mental anguish and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, funeral and burial expenses, and more News 2 reached out to Vibes and Blueline Security for comment, but has yet to hear back. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The family of Michael Mosley, 67, continues to look for him after he went missing earlier this week. Michael Mosley is a British television journalist, producer, and presenter who has worked for the BBC since 1985 after graduating from medical school. He is known for "The Human Face" (2001), "Leonardo" (2003), and "Pompeii: The Last Day" (2003). The search for Michael Mosley continues after he was last seen going on a walk from St. Nicholas Beach on the island Symi, Greece. Michael Mosley Goes Missing These CCTV images bear a striking resemblance to a photo of Michael Mosley taken earlier in the day. Not just the cap, but the white socks and, crucially, the detail on the shorts. Even the timing matches when he should have arrived in Pedi. It seems he made it this far pic.twitter.com/rbPBDf9nJa Joe Inwood (@BBCJoeInwood) June 7, 2024 Last seen at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dr. Michael Mosley was leaving Saint Nikolas beach and is thought to have taken the coastal path back to Pedi. The 67-year-old did not return from his hike on Wednesday, June 5. According to his agent, a search and rescue mission remains ongoing for the TV doctor and columnist who went missing while vacationing on the Greek island of Symi. Its like a deep system of tunnels, but it is full of water and can spread for kilometers. There is a reason they call it The Abyss. There is something very strange going on, a waiter told The Daily Telegraph. Dr. Michael Mosley Remains Missing The public was made aware of Michael Mosley's disappearance thanks to a post in a Facebook group, which read, Have you seen this man? alongside a photo of the TV health expert, per The Independent. He set off to walk back from St Nicks at about 13.30 and failed to make it home," the post added. "His friends are concerned as it is six hours since they last saw him. His name is Dr Mike Mosley and he is a familiar face for many British people. According to The Sunday Times, one of the rescuers said, The path is not easy to follow. If he took a wrong turn, he would be lost. He could be anywhere. It is a race against time." Footage Of The Doctor Released View this post on Instagram A post shared by Clare Bailey Mosley (@drclarebailey) CCTV footage from a restaurant in the village of Pedi confirms that the television producer arrived in the area roughly 20 minutes after leaving the beach, per The Guardian. We now know that he made it to the other side of the path, an officer noted, per the outlet. But in some ways the mystery has only deepened. Now we have to ask where did he go from there and if he took another unexpected route [to the port town] did he slip and fall? Were still no nearer to solving this. The Search Continues A popular walk in Symi is to the Life Giving Fountain Monastery, which is an easy road walk. Attempting it from the Kamares cafe (where Dr Michael Mosley was alledgedly last spotted) is difficult. Here is some of my roughly edited footage above Pedi beach showing the terrain pic.twitter.com/VcQOOqbRZz The Horse - @NotLostExploring on youtube (@notlostfilms) June 7, 2024 The search for Dr. Michael Mosley is now a race against time," per The Independent. Firefighters are searching a cave system residents call the abyss. The doctors wife told the Sunday Times, It has been three days since Michael left the beach to go for a walk. The longest and most unbearable days for myself and my children. Michael Mosley's Family Is Not Giving Up Hope Surveillance footage shows some of the last known movements of British television personality, Dr. Michael Mosley, who is currently missing on the Greek island of Symi. Mosley vanished on Wednesday, June 5th. He was last seen leaving Saint Nikolas Beach for a solo walk towards pic.twitter.com/9BhQoA529c Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) June 8, 2024 Despite the fact that Dr. Michael Mosley has been missing for several days, his wife said she would not lose hope over the search for her husband. The search is ongoing, and our family [is] so incredibly grateful to the people of Symi, the Greek authorities, and the British Consulate, who are working tirelessly to help find Michael. We will not lose hope, Dr. Clare Bailey Mosley said, per The Independent. Greek police have said that nothing at this stage can be ruled out." We are focusing on the area of the path we believe Michael would have taken from the beach in Ayios Nikolaos [St Nicholas] to Pedi, but as so much time has elapsed since he went missing, we have also expanded our search to other parts of the island, the police said according to the outlet. An Eerie Similarity To Another Missing Person's Case ?????WIFE OF MISSING TV PRESENTER ON GREEK ISLAND: WE WILL NOT LOSE HOPE Michael Mosley, 67, vanished after setting off on a walk on Wednesday on Symi Island, Greece. The search and rescue operation resumed on Saturday, involving Greek authorities, friends, family, and the pic.twitter.com/bLBfktAUYT Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 8, 2024 According to The Independent, Michael Mosley's case is similar to another missing persons case from five years ago. John Tossell, a 78-year-old man from Bridgend, south Wales, went missing on the Greek island of Zakynthos, vanishing in similar circumstances. More than 100 rescuers have been involved in the search, per the Sunday Times. AfD election posters hanging on a lamp post in the city center. Robert Michael/dpa A member of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party was punched in the face on Saturday by a man at an information stand in Dresden, the party said. Hans-Jurgen Zickler, 70, a member of the AfD state parliament in Saxony, was suddenly assaulted, according to AfD Saxony spokesman Andreas Harlass. Dresden police confirmed the incident. The attacker was detained until the police arrived and criminal charges were filed. The suspect is a 47-year-old man who is being investigated on suspicion of assault, after punching a 70-year-old man at a voting booth, they said. German voters go to the polls on Sunday as part of the EU-wide European Parliament elections. The Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert about a brand of microdosing chocolate edibles linked to some users having bad reactions, including seizures, loss of consciousness and vomiting. Eight people in four states have reported illnesses after eating Diamond Shruumz-brand Microdosing Chocolate Bars, the FDA said Friday. All reported seeking medical care and six were hospitalized, the agency said. No deaths have been reported, the agency said. The microdosing chocolate bars can be purchased online and nationwide at retailers that sell products made with hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC). The full list of retailers is currently unknown, the FDA said. The edibles are made with soy, milk and Diamond's "proprietary blend of nootropic and functional mushrooms," according to the company's website. It's unclear why the chocolate bars have been sickening people and the investigation is ongoing. FDA and CDC are investigating illnesses associated with eating Diamond Shruumz-brand Microdosing Chocolate Bars. Do not eat, sell, or serve any flavor of this product. https://t.co/UeixUyO7rh pic.twitter.com/OdYLyojrme FDA FOOD (Ctr for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition) (@FDAfood) June 7, 2024 What states did people live in who've gotten ill eating microdosing edibles? The FDA says the eight people live in Arizona (four), Indiana (two), Nevada (one), and Pennsylvania (one). The most recent of the illnesses happened on June 3. All eight became ill after eating the edibles. Symptoms included seizures, central nervous system depression (loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness), agitation, abnormal heart rates, high blood pressure and low blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting, the FDA said. The FDA recommends people not purchase or consume any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand Microdosing Chocolate Bars from any retail or online locations at this time. Aiding in the investigation is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other state and local officials. The Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert eight people having bad reactions including seizures, loss of consciousness and vomiting after eating Diamond Shruumz-brand Microdosing Chocolate Bars, the agency said. Health officials concerned about kids consuming edibles The FDA warned parents and caregivers that the chocolate bars could appeal to children and teenagers because they look like candy similar to gummies and other edibles made with cannabis. "Parents and caregivers should consider discussing the information in this advisory with their children and take extra care to avoid this product being consumed by younger people," the agency said in the alert. What to do if you get sick from edibles If you get sick consuming these chocolate bars or another substance you can contact your health care provider or call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222. Let them know if you have recently consumed the Diamond Shruumz-brand Microdosing Chocolate Bars, the FDA said. Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider. What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FDA: Diamond Shruumz Microdosing Chocolate Bars sicken 8 people FDA approves first RSV vaccine for use in at-risk adults over 50 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved an expansion of a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for use in at-risk adults over the age of 50. GSK, the vaccines maker, announced the approval Friday, making it the first vaccine rubber-stamped for adults ages 50-59 to protect against the virus. Todays approval reflects the importance of broadening the benefits of RSV immunization to adults aged 50-59 who are at increased risk, Tony Wood, GSKs chief scientific officer, said in a statement. For those with underlying medical conditions, RSV can have serious consequences, so we are proud to be the first to help protect them from RSV-LRTD. The pharmaceutical company requested the expansion in early February, saying their trial showed an immune response and acceptable tolerability profile in adults in their 50s. Now, GSK needs the vaccine to get a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) immunization advisory committee for those in that age group. Other than GSK, Moderna and Pfizer also produce RSV vaccines that are approved for adults older than 60 years. The FDA approved Modernas RSV vaccine late last month, making it the third vaccine greenlighted to fight against the disease, behind GSKs Arexvy and Pfizers mRESVIA. The CDC panel will also have to weigh the possibility of a need for RSV booster shots. GSK has also filed a regulatory submission to extend the vaccines use in adults aged 50-59 with increased risks in some European countries, Japan and others. When it comes to the risks associated with RSV, age is just a number, an important number, but not the only factor to consider, Ann R. Falsey, a professor at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, said in the statement. Many adults in this age group have underlying health conditions that place them at increased risk for serious illness with RSV infection compared with those without these conditions, Falsey added. Now there is a vaccine approved that can help protect them. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Mitie Group (LON:MTO) Full Year 2024 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: UK4.45b (up 13% from FY 2023). Net income: UK126.3m (up 39% from FY 2023). Profit margin: 2.8% (up from 2.3% in FY 2023). The increase in margin was driven by higher revenue. EPS: UK0.098 (up from UK0.068 in FY 2023). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Mitie Group EPS Beats Expectations Revenue was in line with analyst estimates. Earnings per share (EPS) surpassed analyst estimates by 17%. The primary driver behind last 12 months revenue was the Business Services segment contributing a total revenue of UK1.49b (34% of total revenue). Notably, cost of sales worth UK3.95b amounted to 89% of total revenue thereby underscoring the impact on earnings. The largest operating expense was General & Administrative costs, amounting to UK335.0m (90% of total expenses). Explore how MTO's revenue and expenses shape its earnings. Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 6.3% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 4.8% growth forecast for the Commercial Services industry in the United Kingdom. Performance of the British Commercial Services industry. The company's shares are down 1.8% from a week ago. Risk Analysis It is worth noting though that we have found 1 warning sign for Mitie Group that you need to take into consideration. 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 a major case on public library censorship, a federal appellate court ordered officials of a rural Texas county to replace eight books that had been removed from public libraries, including those on transgender teens, social caste, and the Ku Klux Klan. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans found that library officials cannot remove books "with the intent to deprive patrons of access to ideas with which they disagree," but that some children's books can be removed over concerns about sexual content or nudity. "The dirtiest book in all the world is the expurgated book," begins the majority opinion, quoting American poet Walt Whitman. Though a preliminary injunction, the decision slammed by one of three judges in a biting dissent will affect future litigation over conservative-led book removal efforts in several Southern states. More court proceedings are likely to follow. The dispute at the heart of the case is the removal of 17 titles from Llano County public libraries, which took place at the request of a group of community activists in 2022. In emails to county officials, the leader of the effort said she sought to have books with "CRT (Critical race theory) and LGBT content" removed. While officials claimed this was part of a routine procedure for removing outdated, dilapidated and low-demand content known as "weeding," the books did not meet those criteria for removal. After a group of Llano County library patrons sued the county in April 2022, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman issued a preliminary injunction ordering all the books that were removed to be restored to library shelves. Pitman was nominated to federal court by former President Barack Obama. Attorney Iris Halpern, right, looks through one of the books that was removed from the Kingsland Branch Library in Llano County where her client Suzette Baker, left, was the head librarian before being fired in 2022. The new 5th Circuit ruling, which came down Thursday evening, affirms Pitman's finding that Llano County officials removed eight books based on their content and that this "likely violated" residents' First Amendment rights. "Although a public library does have discretion to consider books content in shaping its collection, when such discretion is exercised via unconstitutional motivationsi.e., a desire to 'prescribe what shall be orthodox,'the protections of the First Amendment necessarily come into play," Judge Jacques Wiener, an appointee of former President George H.W. Bush, wrote in the majority opinion. Judge Leslie Southwick, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, agreed. The order states that eight of 17 books that were removed must be returned to shelves and made available in library catalogs, including "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent" by Isabel Wilkerson, "Called Themselves the K.K.K: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, and "Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen" by Jazz Jennings. However, the judges found that the lower court abused its discretion in ordering the county to restore some children's books, with Southwick writing that "the motivations behind some of the removals here are likely defensible." Those books include "In the Night Kitchen" by Maurice Sendak, "I Broke My Butt" by Dawn McMillan, and "Its Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health" by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley. "I would have no difficulty in allowing the removal of a book from the childrens section on the basis that it encourages children to engage in sexual activity with adults or includes sexually explicit content," Southwick wrote in a concurring opinion. To take any books out of circulation, however, the county would first need to provide the plaintiffs with documentation showing which individual removed or concealed the book as well as "the reason or reasons for that removal or concealment." Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, railed against the majority opinion in a 46-page dissent that accused his colleagues of becoming the "Federal Library Police." "We can look forward to years of litigation testing whether a librarians 'substantial motivation' for removing Gary the Goose and His Gas on the Loose was her (unconstitutional) 'desire to deny access to certain ideas' or rather the (constitutional) belief that the book was 'vulgar' or 'educationally unsuitable.'" Suzette Baker, former head librarian at the Kingsland Branch Library in the Llano County Library System, holds some banned books. She is suing the county for firing her after she refused to remove books with content related to race and LGBTQ+ experiences. Her case has not yet been heard. According to Duncan, library curation constitutes "government speech," which means collection decisions are not constrained by the Constitution's Free Speech Clause. "Imagine if a library had to keep just any book in circulationno matter how out-of-date, inaccurate, biased, vulgar, lurid, or silly," he writes. "It would be a warehouse, not a library. By definition, libraries curate what they offer." He continued: "No one thinks the Constitution requires public libraries to shelve books promoting quackeries like phrenology, spontaneous generation, tobacco-smoke enemas, Holocaust denial, or the theory that the Apollo 11 moon landing was faked. ... The First Amendment does not force public libraries to have a Flat Earth Section." In Duncan's view, the way to keep public officials' decisions on topics like library curation in effect is to vote them in or out of office, writing that "the most effective constraint on public officials' speech" is "the good sense of the citizens who elected them." People hold a "read-in" in the Capitol Rotunda on April 19, 2023, to protest a bill to ban sexually explicit materials from school libraries. History of the lawsuit According to the lawsuit, tension over library materials in Llano County began when a group of community activists demanded that the library remove several specific titles from the children's and teens' sections during the summer of 2021, deeming them "inappropriate." In November 2021, community member Bonnie Wallace sent a spreadsheet with about 60 books to Llano County Library Director Amber Milum and asked that librarians remove "all books that depict any type of sexual activity or questionable nudity." The group's efforts to have books on racial or LGBTQ+ topics removed from the public library continued to escalate. Some were children's books they deemed inappropriate, such as "I Broke My Butt." Others were award-winning adult nonfiction books, including "They Called Themselves the KKK: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group and Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents." Another was Gender Queer, a book recommended for ages 15 and above. The library serves community members of all ages and books are labeled to indicate the reader's recommended age range. In January 2022, the Llano County Commissioners Court voted to dissolve the county's Library Advisory Board and appoint 12 new members, all of whom were part of the activist group pushing for book removals, the lawsuit states. A group of Llano County residents who opposed the removals filed the lawsuit in April 2022 against the county, the county Commissioners Court, County Judge Ron Cunningham and several community activists who were appointed to the Library Advisory Board during the push for book removals. Going forward Notwithstanding the ruling, free access to information remains an issue in Llano County, a Texas Hill Country region about 80 miles northwest of Austin. The county has frozen library book purchases since 2021 and has blocked access to more than 17,000 digital titles. More: Llano County libraries will remain open amid ongoing lawsuit over certain banned books A former librarian at one of three Llano County libraries sued the county in March for firing her after she refused to remove books with content related to race and LGBTQ+ experiences. Her case has not yet been heard. That librarian, Suzette Baker, now works as a cashier at a hardware store in the nearby town of Burnet. The county has not hired a new librarian to replace Baker and the facility operates with one full-time and one part-time librarian, compared with three full-time librarians in 2021. And though the libraries used to be open Saturdays, they are now closed on weekends. "The library cannot function with the skeletal staff that it has now," Baker told the American-Statesman in March. Jonathan Mitchell, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs along with the Trump-aligned America First Legal, and the plaintiffs' lawyers did not respond to requests for comment. Llano County residents Michael McDavid and Emily Decker protest outside a Llano County Commissioners Court meeting April 13. The commissioners were fighting a judge's order to return several controversial books to the county libraries' shelves. Books back by the court The eight books the 5th Circuit ordered to be restored are: "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent" by Isabel Wilkerson "Called Themselves the K.K.K: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti "Spinning" by Tillie Walden "Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen" by Jazz Jennings "Shine" by Lauren Myracle "Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale" by Lauren Myracle "Gabi, a Girl in Pieces" by Isabel Quintero "Freakboy" by Kristin Elizabeth Clark This embedded content is not available in your region. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Federal court finds some Texas book removals violated First Amendment Federal grand jury reviewing evidence as part of probe into Mayor Adams campaign, sources say NEW YORK A federal grand jury is reviewing evidence as part of the Manhattan U.S. attorneys investigation into Mayor Eric Adams 2021 campaign ties to Turkey, and at least one person linked to the mayor has received a subpoena in recent weeks, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The evidence being reviewed by the grand jury focuses on allegations that Adams 2021 campaign received illegal donations from the Turkish government, two of the sources told The New York Daily News on Friday. A third source noted that in the past three weeks at least one person connected to the mayor has received a federal subpoena from the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office with specific instructions prohibiting the recipient from speaking publicly about its contents. A spokesman for Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, whos leading the Adams campaign probe, declined to comment or confirm or deny anything about the investigation late Friday. Asked about the grand jury development, Adams spokesman Fabien Levy said: City Hall has said since the beginning that it will cooperate fully with this review and it has by making individuals available to discuss any details necessary in order to reach a just and timely conclusion. Levy didnt elaborate further. Adams campaign and personal lawyers did not respond to messages. When asked outside City Hall on Friday afternoon whether she has heard about a federal grand jury reviewing the Turkey matter, Adams chief counsel Lisa Zornberg declined to directly respond. Federal grand juries have the power to bring indictments and issue subpoenas seeking documents, testimony or both. The mayor hasnt been accused of any wrongdoing in the probe. He maintains he hasnt engaged in any wrongdoing and says his team is in contact with the investigators leading the probe. I follow the law. I sleep well at night, he said last month when asked if hes concerned about legal exposure in the federal probe. The probe into Adams and Turkey came into public view last November when federal investigators raided the homes of City Hall aide Rana Abbasova, top Adams campaign fundraiser Brianna Suggs and Cenk Ocal, a former Turkish Airlines executive and member of the mayors 2021 transition team. Days after those raids, the feds seized the mayors electronic devices on a Manhattan street, and Abbasova has since started cooperating with investigators. According to a search warrant first reported by The New York Times last year, the feds are looking for evidence that Adams campaign conspired with Turkeys government to funnel illegal foreign money into the campaigns coffers via straw donors. The feds are reportedly also investigating whether the mayor, his campaign or people close to him secured any favors for Turkish government officials or associates. The probe has reportedly honed in on free upgrades the mayor received on Turkish Airlines flights. Sources have confirmed the feds are also scrutinizing whether the mayor, while still Brooklyn borough president, helped expedite fire safety inspections for Turkeys consulate in Manhattan so it could open in time for a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in fall 2021. (Molly Crane-Newman contributed to this report.) A fireball rises into the sky over Nevada in the dark. A fireball rises into the sky over Nevada after the U.S. government detonated a 61-kiloton device on June 4, 1953. Nuclear weapons experiments at the Nevada Test Site spread fallout to other states, including Arizona, research and records show. (Getty Images) Kathleen Tsosie was in Washington, D.C., mere weeks ago, advocating for expanding the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, sharing her story about growing up in the Navajo Nation in hopes of getting congressional leaders to support the program known as RECA. Tsosies father, grandfather, and uncles all worked as uranium miners on the Navajo Nation near Cove, Arizona, from the 1940s to the 1960s. Her family has been harmed by the effects of radiation and mining for generations. RECA is a program that compensates individuals who become ill because of exposure to radiation from the aftermath of the United States development and testing of nuclear weapons, including uranium mining. She witnessed her grandfather and father suffer from cancer, and eventually, she felt their suffering when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. People are still dying, Tsosie said. People are still sick, and theyre still fighting. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Tsosie and many others shared their experiences with congressional leaders about growing up and living in communities deeply affected by the governments actions. They saw the emotions, she said. They heard it. However, it wasnt enough to sway congressional leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives to hear and vote for a bill extending and expanding the RECA program past its sunset date. The program officially expired on June 7. After decades of existence, RECAs end leaves thousands of people impacted by the aftermath of nuclear testing with no access to health screenings or financial reimbursement for medical debt from radiation-related illnesses. Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley introduced S. 3853 The Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act, which would fund RECA for another six years. The bill passed the U.S. Senate on a bipartisan 69-30 vote on March 7. However, it hasnt moved in the U.S. House of Representatives. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) reversed their support for RECA at the end of May. GOP objections centered on the costs of expanding the program. No further discussion of RECA has occurred in the House, despite calls from their Missouri Republican colleagues for a standalone vote to keep it. Im very disappointed in our government and especially our local elected officials, said Ken Davis, an Arizonan who grew up downwind from the Nevada Test Site. We sent them to Washington to represent us, Davis said. They have failed. Ken Davis and his wife, Rita, grew up in Camp Verde, in Yavapai County. He recalled how it was common knowledge among people living in the Verde Valley that there was the potential of getting sick because they lived downwind from the Nevada Test Site. We were both exposed back in the 50s and the 60s, Davis previously told the Arizona Mirror. Rita developed breast cancer and died at the age of 66 in 2020. He blames radiation exposure, though proving that is often near impossible, experts say. From 1945 to 1992, the U.S. conducted a total of 1,030 nuclear tests, according to the Arms Control Association. Many of these nuclear tests were conducted at the Nevada Test Site, with 928 nuclear tests conducted at the site between 1951 and 1992, according to the Nevada National Security Site, about 100 of which were atmospheric and 828 underground. According to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, atmospheric tests involved unrestrained releases of radioactive materials directly into the environment, causing the largest collective dose of radiation thus far from man-made radiation sources. The U.S. Department of Justice will accept RECA applications postmarked by June 10. Navajo leaders express disappointment in RECA expiration The Navajo Nation has been vocal in its support of the expansion and extension of the RECA program because of the long legacy of uranium mining that continues to plague the Navajo people and their land. Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley said it is disappointing to see RECA expire, but the fight is not over. The Navajo Nation fully supports the expansion and extension of RECA and we will continue to press our congressional delegation to step up and fight for our Navajo people, who showed their unwavering commitment to this country during the Cold War, she said in a statement to the Mirror. In recent months, Curley said she has stood shoulder to shoulder with victims and advocates on Capitol Hill, calling on congressional leaders to act. Time is up and we need Speaker Johnson to bring the RECA expansion and extension bill before the House for a vote, she added. The legacy of uranium mining has impacted the Navajo Nation for decades, from abandoned mines to contaminated waste disposal. From 1944 to 1986, nearly 30 million tons of uranium ore were extracted from Navajo lands, according to the EPA, and hundreds of Navajo people worked in the mines, often living and raising families near the mines and mills. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said he is gravely disappointed at Johnsons failure to act and allowing RECA to lapse. This inaction is an egregious injustice to the Navajo people who continue to suffer from the devastating health and environmental impacts of uranium mining, Nygren said in a statement to the Mirror. An expansion of RECA, not just an extension, is necessary to bring justice and hope to Navajo families. As of December 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice stated that 7,704 claims from tribal citizens representing 24 tribal nations had been filed with the RECA program, 5,310 had been granted and more than $362.5 million had been awarded. Navajo people make up 86% of the claimants, according to the DOJ, and they have received awards totaling more than $297 million. RECAs downwind affected area covers land within multiple federally recognized tribal nations, including the Navajo, Hopi, and White Mountain Apache. In allowing RECA to expire, Speaker Johnson has not only betrayed our veterans and blue-collar uranium miners and their families, who were unwitting victims of our nations nuclear weapons program, but has profoundly wronged the Navajo people who have given so much to this country, Justin Ahasteen, the executive director of the Navajo Nation Washington Office, said in a statement to the Mirror. The government made a sacred promise to care for those harmed by its nuclear actions, Ahasteen added. By abandoning this commitment, Speaker Johnson has chosen to value dollars and cents over the lives and well-being of our people. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST I feel sick to my stomach that this is still an issue: Looking into the impact, data of DWI crashes in NC RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) More than 8,000 people were injured in alcohol related crashes in North Carolina last year, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The crashes can change peoples lives forever. Stephanie Ronan said a drunk driver crashed into her car head-on in 2018. The physical impacts range from impaired vision, to limited mobility and chronic pain, but Ronan said none of that has been the toughest part. Florence mayor under investigation over breach of trust allegations Probably emotionally, what my kids have gone through, what they were feeling when I was in the ICU and when I was heavily medicated, Ronan said. Even now, just riding in a car, if Im not driving, just the anxiousness. According to data from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, there were 12,146 alcohol-related crashes in North Carolina last year. That is up 2.5% from 2022 when there were 11,850, according to the data. When Ronan hears about these crashes, she said it feels like she was gut punched. I feel sick to my stomach that this is still an issue, that people arent being responsible, Ronan said. North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers made 18,386 driving while impaired arrests last year. Steven Burritt is MADDs Regional Executive Director for the Carolinas. He said progress is being made on stricter ignition interlock device laws, but more could be done. Going all the way to saying all convicted DWI offenders will have one for some period of time, thats when you know well really see the state taking it as seriously as they should, Burritt said. Union County mom arrested on child abuse charges says she was following doctors orders As for drivers impaired by drugs, he said its tough to understand the full scope. Everyone kind of knows .08 means drunk when it comes to alcohol, Burritt said. Theres really no corresponding level like that where, say, you know, your jury can just look at a certain number and know that theres a drug, you know, impairment. Burritt and Ronans message for drivers is plan your way home before you leave the house. That one decision, one more drink could alter the trajectory of someone elses life and families, Ronan 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 Queen City News. Public Utilities Commissioner Kristie Fiegen participates in a hearing July 25, 2023, in Fort Pierre on a permit application for the proposed Heartland Greenway carbon dioxide pipeline. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) Public Utilities Commissioner Kristie Fiegen participates in a hearing July 25, 2023, in Fort Pierre on a permit application for the proposed Heartland Greenway carbon dioxide pipeline. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) Challenges mounted by a faction of the state Republican Party largely fizzled Saturday in Pierre as delegates to the state convention picked a nominee for the Public Utilities Commission and several party officers. Kristie Fiegen, an incumbent member of the PUC, won the partys nomination for the office and will seek reelection in November. Republicans chose Fiegen over challenger Amber Christenson. Meanwhile, Gideon Oakes has declared his intent to seek the Libertarian Partys nomination for PUC at that partys convention June 29 in Pierre, and Democrats may nominate a candidate at their state convention next weekend in Oacoma. A challenger for the state Republican Party position of national committeeman, state Rep. Phil Jensen, of Rapid City, withdrew from that race, and convention delegates chose Watertown mayor and former legislator Ried Holien, who also won the position at a previous convention. In the race for national committeewoman, delegates chose Heidi Engelhart of Aberdeen over Amber Hulse of Hot Springs. Hulse won the District 30 Republican nomination for state Senate on Tuesday, beating incumbent Julie Frye-Mueller. Delegates nominated Gov. Kristi Noem, Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden and Attorney General Marty Jackley as the partys three presidential electors. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Fiegen wins Republican PUC nomination at state convention appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight. Hot Springs Fire Chief Josh Norton is hoping to work with the county commissioners to introduce a Hot Springs rural fire tax on the ballot in November. HOT SPRINGS - Hot Springs Fire Chief Josh Norton is hoping to work with the county commissioners on putting a Hot Springs rural fire tax on the ballot. In the Hot Springs Town Board's June 3 meeting, Norton said the Hot Springs Fire Department was approved for a grant this year for a substation in the Firefly Mountain community, a small upscale residential community with what Norton estimates is 14 to 22 residents. "They are the only area, for the most part, with the exception of I think one house down River Road, all the way at the end, that exceeded our 6 miles," Norton said. "So, that's a $37,000 project that we're paying nothing for. We have that entire community covered. It's growing up there. There's more and more houses going in, and they're a large area that exceeds 6 miles, which, if you know anything about insurances, once you exceed 6 miles, it's hard to get. "That way, we have a rated substation for them, and they're more likely to even send more donations, this that and the other. So, I will need some help, some chirping, from the town board to the county commissioners about getting this on the ballot as soon as I can get the petition signed in November to be voted on." As laid out in the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal, "A rural fire district may extend its boundaries to more than five road miles but within six road milesfrom a responding fire department if, in addition to the requirements of Paragraph (a) of this Rule, the fire department enters a written automatic aid contract with another jurisdiction that requires the responding party to respond with at least one piece of fire apparatus capable of carrying at least 1,000 gallons of water." The Hot Springs Fire Department was awarded a grant for a new substation earlier this year, according to Chief Josh Norton. "So, Mars Hill, Marshall and Ebbs Chapel, they have full-time employees," Norton said. "Mars Hill does have a rural district, and outside that rural district the town governs all their money. You can do it a couple different ways: The county can do it, and you can have a board of directors like Spring Creek and Country does, or the town can do it. "The way that the town would be responsible for doing it is when that money comes into the town, there's a specific line item that would be Hot Springs rural fire tax. That's where that money would go, and that money would be used for nothing but that specific district." North Carolina General Statutes authorizes county boards of commissioners to create fire service districts and rural fire protection districts once approved by ballot to levy property taxes and set tax rates within those districts. The districts' governing body is the board of commissioners and they contract with fire departments to provide fire services within the district. Also in the June 3 meeting, Norton emphasized to attendees to spread the word about the department needing volunteers. "We just had another that's possibly moving out of town step away from the department," Norton said. "We're always looking for help." Hot Springs resident and Madison Medics Director Mark Snelson appeared before the board to discuss the issue of the town's planned placement of its automated external defibrillator, or AED, as the town board and mayor deliberated in a meeting earlier this year about where to place its AED, which was issued to the town by Madison Medics in partnership with RACE-CARS, a seven-year trial led by a team of researchers at the Duke Clinical Research Institute in partnership with participating EMS agencies, hospitals, 911-dispatch, fire, rescue, law enforcement agencies, and communities throughout North Carolina. In the town board's earlier deliberations, board members wondered whether placing the AED in the vestibule in the town welcome center would be an appropriate spot, but questioned whether the device would be tampered with there, as the lobby is not locked. Furthermore, board members wondered whether the town would face liability if the device was tampered with. "We shouldn't have any liability on this," Snelson said. "It will not shock unless you're in a defib situation. You cannot override these. A fire extinguisher is more dangerous than these. About the only way to hurt someone with this is to hit them over the head with it." But Mayor Abby Norton stressed the concern about potential vandalism at the welcome center. "We work with Duke Hospital on these, and we had about 30 or 32 that have been given out throughout the county, and they did tell us if they got stolen that they would replace them," Snelson said. "It needs to be placed somewhere that everybody knows, kind of like the church on Spring Creek, the community center in Laurel, where the majority of the community knows where that place is." Board member Daniel Myers said he felt the welcome center was the best place in town for the AED. "It's centrally located, it's not locked," Myers said. More: County receives more than 30 AEDs Madison County's 9 fire departments receive automated emergency defibrillators More: Madison EMS workers spotlight Madison County EMS workers 'bear witness' to residents' tragedies Norton announced the state Department of Transportation's upcoming upgrades and installations, which include proposed impact ramps, driveway connections and a push-button crosswalk sign system at either Meadow Lane or the post office, located on Bridge Street. "The only problem I see is they're talking about the driveway connection for Park Avenue, and he (Jacob Evans, an engineering technician with the DOT) said they'd be going back and have to cut in, I think he said 4 feet, and he's going to make that grade steeper at the bottom." Board member Jeanne Caldwell Gentry said the area already had a steep grade there. "Those residents already complain about that hill anyway," Gentry said. According to the mayor, the DOT contact said scrapping the Park Avenue driveway connection was a possibility, too. The town will also hold a special meeting June 26 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall to discuss its proposed budget and hold a public hearing. Johnny Casey has covered Madison County for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel for three years. He earned a first-place award in beat news reporting in the 2023 North Carolina Press Association awards. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@citizentimes.com. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Chief hoping to bring Hot Springs rural fire tax to ballot in November First drone attack on airbase in Mozdok is special operation by Ukraine's Defence Intelligence UP source in DIU The 8 June drone attack on an airbase in Russia's North Ossetia, from which the planes used to attack Ukraine usually take off, was a special operation by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU). Source: Ukrainska Pravda source in DIU Quote: "This has been the work of DIU and the successful use of improved domestic assets." Details: The source confirmed that this is the first attack on the airbase in Mozdok and added that the zone of destruction on the territory of the aggressor state is expanding, and that the assets mentioned earlier were Ukrainian ones. Quote: "Enemy military facilities that are involved in Russia's genocidal war against Ukrainians should not be safe." For reference: MiG-31 and Tu aircraft used to attack Ukraine often take off from the Mozdok airbase. Russian airbase in Mozdok Screenshot: Google Map This news has been updated since publication. Support UP or become our patron! Like pilgrims in a cathedral, thousands of visitors from metro Detroit and beyond trekked to the Michigan Central Station on Friday to marvel at the restored beauty of the longtime eyesore. They took in every detail from the polished floors to the majestic ceilings to the craftsmanship that went into the original clock. The mood was festive as people moved through the building. Dramatic music played in a loop ending with a voice telling them that trains were pulling into the station. "You see the work they did out here: They re-created everything the right way, said Tom Toft, as he waited outside for his tour to begin. "It's spectacular." Toft toured with his wife, Renee, and her cousin, Sylvia Ross-Schultz and her husband, Tom Schultz. The families had relatives who worked in the building back in the day. Were so glad to see it getting so much better, and it's beautiful. Its just in my heart, its been the neatest thing, said Ross-Schultz. Its another crown jewel in the renovation of Detroit. Her husband agreed. I made the statement, and I was wrong, that (the comeback) would never happen in my lifetime, said Schultz. The rebirth is off the charts. 'People are coming in here awestruck' By midafternoon, about 1,800 people had toured the building and that number was expected to grow to about 5,000 by the time the tours ended at 10 p.m., Michigan Central spokesman Dan Austin said. Paul Wilson, 42, of Detroit, said hes just thought of the station as a ruin his whole life until now. Its so cool how they refurbished everything and still kept a whole lot of the building intact, Wilson said. Algeria Calloway, of Detroit, takes photos while looking over the main lobby during tours of the Michigan Central Station in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood on Friday, June 7, 2024. John Martin is a new Michigan Central ambassador after an advertising career and a couple years working part-time gigs. He snagged the job just in time for the station's reopening and Friday was just his second day of work. Martin grew up in Lincoln Park, later worked in downtown and spent most of his life watching the city up close. He toured Michigan Centrals open house back in 2018 after it was acquired by Ford and has since been stunned by Detroits numerous and gorgeous renovations. On Friday, Martin stood at the doors of the Grand Hall, greeting people as they entered with smiles widening and eyes lighting up at their first sight of the hall. People are coming in here awestruck, theyre not complaining, he said. More: Michigan Central Station tours: How to visit Ford's renovated train depot More: Michigan Central Station: What you'll see on the tour Christina Roki, of Sterling Heights, and Grant Sloan, of West Bloomfield, are two automotive content creators who were invited to opening day by Ford. They said they were brought to tears by the stories preserved inside Michigan Central Station. What we appreciate about it most is how much detail Ford cared to preserve to show the story. They kept part of the graffiti on the walls, they preserved a lot of the tickets they found. Even the brick, all the chisels we see on the brick, they didnt try to make fine cut lines, they still want to show all the history that this building has, said Roki. People look over sections of the Michigan Central Station building, including a section of saved graffiti, during tours of the Michigan Central Station in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood on Friday, June 7, 2024. As they walked from room to room, they remained at a loss for words. The inside was literally mind-blowing. I feel like I was walking in on such a big piece of history thats been preserved for so long, so its crazy to think that this is something theyve been working on in the past few years, said Roki. But the pair said one of the most significant parts was just to see how Michigan Central had been given new life, narrowly dodging demolition. Sloan remembered times passing the station with friends just before the renovation began. He saw graffiti and decay. Now, to see the modern history meshed with its historical past was an awesome experience. Members of the public and media get tours of the Michigan Central Station in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit on Friday, June 7, 2024. Any Detroiter will agree that this building was such an eyesore for such a long time. Growing up in Detroit and knowing its history but never seeing it operational. But now seeing it up in running, its really touching to see that Ford took on such a large project, said Sloan. Its early but I think its safe to say that the investment already paid off. 'Not enough wonderful words to describe it' Bob and Shari Bilkie, of Northville, have deep family ties to Detroit. They often went on dates downtown before marrying almost 41 years ago. On Friday, they walked the side streets surrounding Michigan Central Station as they waited for the public tours to begin at noon. They parked at 10 a.m. and took in the sights of the Corktown neighborhood on the cool, cloudy day. It is so cool, the fact that they took something decrepit, falling apart, an eyesore and turned it into something absolutely beautiful, Shari Bilkie said. Joseph Susin, 88, of Grosse Ile, and his daughter Nancy Martinelli, of Grosse Ile, talk while looking over a large story of the Michigan Central Station with others during tours of the Michigan Central Station in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood on Friday, June 7, 2024. Susin traveled by train from Ellis Island to Michigan Central Station after arriving in the United States at the age of 19 from Arten, Italy. Susin still works in construction and came from a job to see the station with his daughter. Southwest Detroit resident Jennifer Serra set an alarm in hopes of scoring tickets to see the train station on its first day of public tours. There's just not enough wonderful words to describe it, Serra, 45, said after taking the tour. Her only problem? She had somewhere else to be Friday afternoon and wanted to spend more time in the station. She has already made plans to come back for another tour in a few days. Pro tip: How to get into a popular Berlin bar I feel like it's like a symbolic representation of what goes on in our city, she said of Michigan Central Station. I feel like there's just these landmarks in certain cities that just really kind of embody the overall history of what's going on. I feel like this helps us bring a little bit of closure to some tough times and shows renewal. People's excitement was obvious, even before they got inside. NPR reporter Bobby Allyn, 35, walked quickly toward Michigan Central Station as he prepared to interview President Joe Bidens director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Arati Prabhakar, at Newlab, which is next door to the station. He said he was super excited to be in Detroit, having heard so much about the city when he lived in Berlin. Berliners are obsessed with Detroit because of techno music, Allyn said. Its the birthplace of techno. Look up Jeff Mills, of Detroit, and techno. Youll see. When you go to Club Berghain in Berlin, its impossible to get in but if you wear a hat that says, Detroit, they let you in. Allyn, a technology correspondent, reports on startups, artificial intelligence, privacy issues and tech litigation. While he was directed to the neighboring building, the whole site is part of the mobility hub led by Ford Motor Co. Allyn said he couldnt wait to see the inside of the restored train depot after the interview. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Central Station draws rave reviews from first visitors The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the arrest of five people who allegedly schemed to bilk Medicare for more than $15 million. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press) Federal officials announced that five people were arrested this week in Los Angeles over an alleged scheme to bilk the Medicare program of more than $15 million. The U.S. Department of Justice said three of the San Fernando Valley residents who were arrested Petros Fichidzhyan, also known as Peter; Juan Carlos Esparza; and Karpis Srapyan, also known as Tony Levy were accused of running "sham hospice companies" and turning in fraudulent claims to Medicare for hospice services. In an indictment unsealed this week, federal prosecutors alleged the three had sought Medicare payments for patients who were not terminally ill and hadnt been cared for at the sham hospices. In some cases, the men claimed that the same patient had received care from more than one of the fake hospices, prosecutors alleged. As part of the alleged scheme, the three defendants misappropriated the identifying information of doctors to claim those physicians had deemed hospice services necessary for patients, federal prosecutors said. They also allegedly used the names and Social Security numbers of Russian and Ukrainian citizens who had left the U.S. to open bank accounts and sign leases, indicating that the "impersonated identities" were the owners of the hospice companies that they in fact controlled, according to the federal indictment. Read more: End-of-life care has boomed in California. So has fraud targeting older Americans The alleged scheme took place roughly between February 2019 and January 2023, the indictment said. Two other San Fernando Valley residents Susanna Harutyunyan and her spouse Mihran Panosyan, who was also known as Mike Hope were accused of working with the other defendants to launder the money. Federal officials said that if convicted, all five defendants would face a maximum penalty of at least 40 years in prison. Fichidzhyan, Esparza and Srapyan would face an additional mandatory minimum of two years in prison for alleged identity theft. An attorney representing Fichidzhyan did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Times was unable to immediately identify representatives for the other defendants in court filings. The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Federal officials said the arrests were part of a larger effort to crack down on hospice fraud in the L.A. area. A Times investigation 3 years ago found "audacious, widespread fraud" in the hospice industry. A state audit in 2022 echoed those findings, concluding that weak oversight had opened the door to "large-scale fraud and abuse." It warned of "hospice agencies using possibly stolen identities of medical personnel." 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. Five Minnesota residents were convicted on Friday in a $250 million COVID relief scheme where they misused funds designated to help feed kids during the pandemic. The jury acquitted two others over their involvement in a $40 million scheme to defraud the Federal Child Nutrition Program. After three days of deliberating, the jury found five defendants, Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, 35, Mohamed Jama Ismail, 51, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, 23, Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff, 33, and Hayat Mohamed Nur, 27, guilty of most crimes related to the scheme, according to a Friday Justice Department (DOJ) news release. I am extraordinarily proud of the prosecution team and our law enforcement partners who have spent years investigating this highly complex and widespread fraud scheme, said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. With todays convictions, a total of 23 individuals have been held accountable for their roles in this egregious conspiracy to steal millions of taxpayer dollars. Two defendants, Said Shafii Farah and Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin, were acquitted of all charges according to NBC News. The convicted defendants misappropriated and laundered millions of the programs funds that were intended as reimbursements for the price of getting meals to kids during the pandemic. They provided false documents and exploited changes in the food program. While the defendants claimed they still fed kids, they provided fraudulent meal count sheets and false invoices, and utilized fake attendance rosters. Officials said that 70 defendants have been charged by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Minnesota, across 14 indictments and six criminal informations. They said 18 people have pleaded guilty. This investigation is not over, and todays verdict highlights the fact that a large-scale fraud of this scope and nature will not be ignored, and those who engage in fraud schemes like this will not evade justice, said Jason Bushey, Special Agent in the IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago 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. Most bosses are defeating attempts so far this year to tamp down their pay. The question now is whether Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk can do the same. Just two companies out of 340 that held shareholder votes on CEO pay as of June 6 had their executive pay packages rejected, according to ISS-Corporate, a business that is separate from the ISS unit that recommends votes for or against such proposals. That failure rate of 0.6% is lower than any full year since 2020, when pay rejections ranged from 2% to nearly 5% of all companies holding such votes. No pay vote in 2024 has received more public attention than the one happening June 13 at Tesla, where shareholders will decide whether the boss gets to keep a record-breaking $56 billion compensation package that was awarded in 2018 and then voided this year by a Delaware judge. Critics say the outsized compensation should be voted down, given that it eclipses the highest US CEO pay last year 300 times over and would dilute shareholder value. It received support from 73% of Tesla's independent shareholders when it was first granted six years ago. Tesla CEO Elon Musk faces a critical stockholder vote June 13 on his pay. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Top proxy advisers ISS and Glass Lewis have recommended shareholders vote against the pay package. One big shareholder, billionaire Ron Baron, has argued for approval because Musk "earned his pay." Shareholder satisfaction Musk might take some solace from the fact that many CEOs have been successful so far this year at keeping their compensation awards intact despite some pushback. This increased shareholder satisfaction with executive pay comes as compensation continues to rise. The median pay for S&P 500 CEOs jumped to $16 million in 2023 from $14 million in 2022. It may seem counterintuitive that support for these "say-on-pay" proposals is so low in 2024 amid historically high executive pay, said ISS-Corporate vice president Stephanie Hollinger. "One possible explanation is that, unlike the preceding two years where the pandemic caused a shift in traditional compensation practices, fewer issuers provided one-time awards and other discretionary adjustments in 2023," Hollinger said. Two companies where CEOs kept their pay despite aggressive challenges were money management firm BlackRock (BLK) and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (AZN). Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton) (REUTERS / Reuters) Roughly one-third of AstraZenecas shareholders opposed an 11% pay bump along with performance-based perks for CEO Pascal Soriot. Soriots compensation, which reached $23.5 million in 2023, had faced opposition from ISS and Glass Lewis, as well as institutional investors, over the past several years. Story continues At BlackRock, the vote was much closer. Just 58% of stockholders voted in favor of awards for CEO Larry Fink and other executives. The same didnt hold true at 3M (MMM) or Zebra Technologies (ZBRA), the rare examples of companies that weren't able to win enough shareholder support. During 3M's annual stakeholder meeting last month, 54% of investors voted down management proposals to increase certain C-suite pay, including a raise for former CEO Mike Roman from $14 million to $16.4 million. ISS and Glass Lewis also put their weight behind that "no" vote, citing 3Ms ongoing legal and financial entanglements tied to "forever chemicals." At Zebra, 60% of investors said no to a bump in pay for CEO William Burns. Mike Roman, former CEO of 3M, in 2019. (Fang Zhe/Xinhua via Getty Images) (Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images) 'Motivating someone like Elon' At Tesla, Musks supporters are lobbying hard in the final days before the vote June 13. Baron, the billionaire investor and prominent Tesla stockholder, wrote in an open letter asserting that Musks $56 billion pay package should be approved because of his accomplishments for the company and appreciation of Teslas stock price over the years. "Elon is the ultimate key man of key man risk," Baron wrote. "Without his relentless drive and uncompromising standards, there would be no Tesla. Especially considering how he slept on the floor of Teslas Fremont factory when the company was going through what he called production hell!'" Had Musk failed to satisfy the pay deal's escalating revenue and market cap requirements, his stock-option-based CEO compensation would have been zero. Baron noted that when Musks original pay package of stock and stock options was approved by shareholders in March 2018, Teslas market cap stood at $53.5 billion. As of June 4, Teslas market cap is $550.75 billion and hit a high of $1.24 trillion in November 2021. Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm. (Alex Ellinghausen/Sydney Morning Herald via Getty Images) (Fairfax Media via Getty Images) Baron also took aim at the lawyers who successfully sued in Delaware to void Musks compensation, pointing out that they asked the court to approve $5.6 billion in fees paid in Tesla stock. "Does anyone honestly believe the motivation of the plaintiff and his lawyers was to serve the best interests of Tesla and its shareholders?" Baron wrote. On Friday, Tesla filed court documents arguing that the shareholder's lawyers should receive as little as $13.6 million in fees instead. Teslas board chair, Robyn Denholm, also made her final pitch to shareholders this past week, asking them in a June 5 letter to contemplate what it takes to "motivate" Musk. "If Tesla is to retain Elon's attention and motivate him to continue to devote his time, energy, ambition, and vision to deliver comparable results in the future, we must stand by our deal," Denholm wrote. "Motivating someone like Elon requires something different," she added. Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance (The Hill) Five Minnesota residents were convicted on Friday in a $250 million COVID relief scheme where they misused funds designated to help feed kids during the pandemic. The jury acquitted two others over their involvement in a $40 million scheme to defraud the Federal Child Nutrition Program. After three days of deliberating, the jury found five defendants, Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, 35, Mohamed Jama Ismail, 51, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, 23, Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff, 33, and Hayat Mohamed Nur, 27, guilty of most crimes related to the scheme, according to a Friday Justice Department (DOJ) news release. I am extraordinarily proud of the prosecution team and our law enforcement partners who have spent years investigating this highly complex and widespread fraud scheme, said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. With todays convictions, a total of 23 individuals have been held accountable for their roles in this egregious conspiracy to steal millions of taxpayer dollars. Two defendants, Said Shafii Farah and Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin, were acquitted of all charges according to NBC News. The convicted defendants misappropriated and laundered millions of the programs funds that were intended as reimbursements for the price of getting meals to kids during the pandemic. They provided false documents and exploited changes in the food program. While the defendants claimed they still fed kids, they provided fraudulent meal count sheets and false invoices, and utilized fake attendance rosters. Officials said that 70 defendants have been charged by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Minnesota, across 14 indictments and six criminal informations. They said 18 people have pleaded guilty. This investigation is not over, and todays verdict highlights the fact that a large-scale fraud of this scope and nature will not be ignored, and those who engage in fraud schemes like this will not evade justice, said Jason Bushey, Special Agent in the IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago 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 Queen City News. FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) Florence Mayor Teresa Myers-Ervin is under investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division over breach of trust allegations. SLED was alerted by Florence police about a possible conflict of interest stemming from an incident involving a neighbor in mid-April. According to an April 19 police report, Molette Jackson, the granddaughter and caretaker of the neighbor, claims that Myers-Ervin and her husband withdrew $9,000 from her elderly grandfathers bank account on the same day they obtained power of attorney over his estate. Jackson moved to Gladstone Street in February to take care of her grandfather, who recently died. When she learned about the power of attorney, she sought answers from another relative. I asked why they were power of attorney, and she just told me thats the way granddad wanted it, Jackson said. They said they had it like that for years, so I didnt think to question anything. I just knew he needed to come out of that nursing home. Jackson also mentioned that household repairs werent being done, and at one point, they had no clean drinking water. This led her to question the Ervins about the $9,000. Although Jackson was able to gain power of attorney over her grandfather, she said the Ervins still control his financial accounts. Myers-Ervin defended her actions, saying that they became power of attorney at the request of Mr. Buck Smith, a lifelong friend. He knew me before I was even born, the mayor said. We have lived next door to each other for about 40 years. My husband has been managing his account for years. Myers-Ervin added that she has receipts to account for the $9,000 withdrawal, saying it was used for everything Smith asked her to do. While she initially said she would provide copies of these receipts, a representative for the mayor has since said they no longer plan to do so due to the ongoing 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 Queen City News. Its hurricane season, and state officials are urging residents to prepare during the sales tax holiday. They say people should stock a disaster supply kit with at least a weeks worth of food and two weeks worth if they live in a rural area. Emergency officials are also working with utility companies on plans to restore power if and when a hurricane passes through. Read: Floridas 2-week hurricane sales tax holiday continues Officials say they are confident after the states response during the 2022 hurricane season. If you are a resident of southwest Florida and you could have been in another part of the country and have that cat five hit I think you wouldve had a lot more problems, said Gov. Ron DeSantis. Read: 2024 Atlantic hurricane season could be among most active on record, experts say Floridas Disaster Preparedness tax holiday runs through June 14. You can stock up on items from pet food to generators without paying a sales tax. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Florida man accused of abusing dogs returns to animal shelter to get them back: deputies Florida man accused of abusing dogs returns to animal shelter to get them back: deputies Related video: In February, a teen was charged with animal cruelty after fatally shooting the dog in its face in Tampa. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida man who was accused of abusing 10 dogs attempted to retrieve them from an animal shelter just days later, according to the Broward County Sheriffs Office. On Monday, detectives responded to the outside of a storage facility in Pompano Beach regarding animal abuse. Officials heard whimpering and barking coming from the unit. 3 rescued, 2 hospitalized, after boat sinks near Egmont Key Ten dogs were found inside the non-ventilated unit in distress. Inside were four dog cages, one holding two puppies and another holding six. The third cage had an adult female dog, and the last cage had an adult male dog with a metal chain around its neck. According to officials, the cags were encrusted with feces and filth and the unit had a foul odor. The animals had no food and their water was brown. That day, the dogs were taken to the Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Center. However, on Thursday, the suspected owner of the dogs, 34-year-old Cassius Ali Cooper, of Fort Lauderdale, went to the animal shelter and tried to get those dogs back. Deputies took Cooper into custody and booked him at the sheriffs offices main jail. Cooper faces 10 crimes of animal cruelty involving torment, animal cruelty resulting in deprivation and mutilation of animals. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FILE - Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., speaks, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 14, 2024. Scott says his decision to vote against a proposed amendment to legalize marijuana in Florida is deeply personal due to his family's long history of addiction. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, file) WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida says he'll be voting in November against a ballot amendment to legalize recreational marijuana in his state, a deeply personal decision based on his brother's long history of addiction. The senator and former Florida governor said he watched his brother Roger Scott begin smoking marijuana as a teenager and then struggle with substance use for the rest of life. People end up with addictive personalities, and so he did, Scott said in an interview. It messes up your life, and so thats why Ive never supported legalization of drugs. When Roger Scott died in April at 67, the cause wasn't substance abuse, but rather a life of drugs and alcohol catching up with him, the senator said. He had lived in an apartment in Dallas, Texas, where he served jail time in 1990 on a misdemeanor conviction of possessing dangerous drugs, court records show. Rick Scott became wealthy as a lawyer and health care industry executive before entering politics. Now running for reelection, he lamented that his brother had a tough life and says it all began with marijuana. Scotts no-vote on marijuana falls in line with other state and national Republicans who question whether marijuana leads to using other riskier substances. The National Institute of Drug Abuse included in a 2019 webpage that most cannabis users dont go on to use harder substances, but a statement from the agency also said using THC, marijuana's psychoactive compound, may cause brain changes that could make a person more likely to develop an addiction to other drugs. Amie Goodin, who researches marijuana safety at the University of Florida, said studies have found those who use riskier drugs often previously used marijuana, but that research hasn't established whether marijuana is actually the cause for someone to seek more powerful substances. Florida's voter initiative would legalize recreational marijuana use if the amendment receives 60% or more yes votes this November. That would also obligate the Florida Legislature to establish regulations and a framework for production and sales. Florida is among 38 states that have legalized medical marijuana, and would join 24 others that have legalized recreational use. Scott opposes this change alongside Florida's Republican Party, which formally announced its opposition in early May. They contend the amendment would benefit powerful marijuana special interests, while putting children at risk and endangering Floridas family-friendly business and tourism climates. The amendment's sponsor, Smart & Safe Florida, said on its website that approval would enable Floridians to have accountability, transparency, and regulations in place. Among other benefits, this could ensure legal cannabis won't be laced with unknown and potentially dangerous chemicals, it said. Voters approved medical marijuana when Scott was governor, but Scott and the Legislature placed tight restrictions on its use, including banning smokable marijuana. Cannabis advocates then sued and a court agreed to allow smokable medical marijuana just before Scott left office. His successor, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, chose not to appeal. ___ Brendan Farrington contributed to this report from Tallahassee, Florida. The former Apollo 8 astronaut died on Friday, June 7 J.B. Spector/Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago/Getty William Anders Retired Maj. Gen. William Anders, the former Apollo 8 astronaut, was killed on Friday, June 7, after the plane he was piloting crashed into the ocean off the San Juan Islands in Washington state. He was 90. His son, Greg Anders, confirmed the death to The Associated Press. The late astronaut is also known for taking the 1968 Earthrise image of the planet shadowed by space during Apollo 8 the first successful mission to take astronauts to the Moon and back. The family is devastated, Greg said. He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly. He also confirmed the loss to The New York Times. The FAA shared in a statement with PEOPLE that only a pilot was on board a Beechcraft T-34 Mentor plane, that "crashed into the water near Roche Harbor, Washington, around 11:40 a.m. local time Friday, June 7." ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty William Anders in 1968 The U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest confirmed the incident on X (formerly Twitter), posting: "#BREAKING: @USCG units along with San Juan County Sheriffs are responding to reports of a plane crash between Orcas and Jones Island. Air Station Port Angeles and Station Port Angeles are on-scene conducting search and rescue efforts. Updates to follow." PEOPLE reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard for comment. The late astronaut previously stated that the "Earthrise" image was his most significant contribution to the space program, as well as ensuring the Apollo 8 command module and service module worked. Anders told Forbes in 2015 that the image helped kick start the environmental movement, and the view points out the beauty of Earth, and its fragility. Its curious to me that the press and people on the ground have kind of forgotten our history-making voyage, and whats symbolic of the flight now is the Earthrise picture, he added. Here we came all the way to the moon to discover Earth. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty "Earthrise" December 1968. Anders was born on Oct. 17, 1933, in Hong Kong, but he grew up in San Diego. By 22, he graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the United States Naval Academy, per the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) site. Seven years later in 1962, he received his master of science degree in nuclear engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Two years later, at 31 years old, he was selected by NASA to be an astronaut with responsibilities for environmental control, radiation effects and dosimetry. He was also a backup pilot for NASAs ninth crewed spaceflight mission, Gemini XI, as well as Apollo 11, the first official moon landing in July 1969. Notably, he was a lunar module pilot for Apollo 8 in 1968. He operated the Apollo 8 mission alongside Air Force veteran Frank F. Borman II and Navy veteran James A. Lovell, Jr. During this mission, their command module (Anders, Frank F. Borman II and James A. Lovell Jr.) floated above the lunar surface, where he snapped the iconic Earthrise image. In a 1997 NASA oral history interview, he shared that he thought it was important [for] national, patriotic and exploration reasons to go on the mission, which, at the time, he believed was not risk-free. AP Photo Frank Borman ,William A. Anders and James A. Lovell on Dec. 21, 1968. Shortly after his mission, in 1969, he retired from NASA and the Air Force and served as executive secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council, a presidential advisory unita position he held until 1973. Later that year, he became the first chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a member of the Atomic Energy Commission, and an Ambassador to Norway. After leaving the government sector, he worked for General Electric and Textron and served as chairman and CEO of General Dynamics. Anders retired from Air Force Reserves in 1988 as a major general, and throughout his career, he logged more than 6,000 hours of flying time. NASA/Getty Frank Borman, James A. Lovell Jr., and William A. Anders on October 9, 1968 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. He is survived by his wife Valerie (Hoard) Anders; his sons Alan, Glen, Greg and Eric; and his daughters, Gayle and Diana. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating the crash. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the newly appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK, has almost completed preparations for the beginning of his diplomatic work in the United Kingdom. Source: Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in an interview with Ukrinform Details: "This process is approaching its finish line," Kuleba said in response to the question of when the new ambassador will start working in London. Kuleba said he "understands the heightened interest" in this matter. Quote: "But I would remind [everyone] that all ambassadors are evaluated equally: on their results. So I wish our new ambassador to the UK success and results in his diplomatic work for our state." More on this story: An army without Zaluzhnyi: Who is General Syrskyi, Ukraine's new Commander-in-Chief? Background: On 8 February, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, replacing Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Mykhailo Podoliak, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said that the need to review military tactics and prevent stagnation at the front was one of the reasons why Valerii Zaluzhnyi had been dismissed as commander-in-chief. On 7 March, Zelenskyy approved the candidacy of Valerii Zaluzhnyi as Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry sent a corresponding request to the UK. On 9 March, it was reported that General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Lieutenant General Serhii Shaptala, former Chief of the General Staff, had been released from military duty for health reasons. Support UP or become our patron! Riska / Getty Images If youre eyeing a state university but worry about the cost, spending your first two years at a community college can help ease the burden in some states more than others. The delta between community college costs and state university costs varies widely across the nation. Starting at community college is consistently a money-saver, but those savings range from less than $10,000 to more than $50,000 over the course of four years, depending on where you are. Explore More: The 50 Happiest States in America and How Much It Costs to Live There Try This: 4 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money Using data from the Institute of Education Sciences National Center for Education Statistics, GOBankingRates has compiled a state-by-state list of potential savings. The numbers reflect the average costs of state universities for in-state students. The full methodology is included at the end of this story. Other potential advantages for community colleges include flexible schedules and easier access, if your grades could use some work. Potential cons include lingering beliefs by some that community colleges lack prestige and usually less of a campus life than four-year schools. If you do start at a community college, youll have plenty of company. Last fall, about a quarter of all recent high school graduates enrolled in college were attending a community college, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Just over 50% of these community college students were also in the labor force. Heres a look at how much community college might save you, from the state where youll save most to the state where youll save least. shironosov / Getty Images/iStockphoto 1. California State university-only total cost: $119,772 Community college/state university total cost: $67,994 Amount saved by starting at community college: $51,777 Check Out: Heres What the US Minimum Wage Was the Year You Were Born Learn More: How Much Does the Average Middle-Class Person Have in Savings? Jim.henderson / Wikimedia Commons 2. New Jersey State university-only total cost: $133,007 Community college/state university total cost: $83,688 Amount saved by starting at community college: $49,320 Discover More: Heres How Much the Definition of Rich Has Changed in Every State kali9 / iStock.com 3. Virginia State university-only total cost: $126,238 Community college/state university total cost: $77,483 Amount saved by starting at community college: $48,755 JohnnyGreig / Getty Images 4. Delaware State university-only total cost: $122,700 Community college/state university total cost: $74,440 Amount saved by starting at community college: $48,260 Daderot / Wikimedia Commons 5. Massachusetts State university-only total cost: $123,580 Community college/state university total cost: $76,199 Amount saved by starting at community college: $47,381 Story continues DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com 6. Rhode Island State university-only total cost: $120,440 Community college/state university total cost: $73,320 Amount saved by starting at community college: $47,120 Trending Now: Heres How Much the Definition of Middle Class Has Changed in Every State Amy Li / Getty Images/iStockphoto 7. Vermont State university-only total cost: $122,417 Community college/state university total cost: $77,049 Amount saved by starting at community college: $45,369 AJ_Watt / iStock.com 8. Arizona State university-only total cost: $122,605 Community college/state university total cost: $77,496 Amount saved by starting at community college: $45,109 Spiderplay / Getty Images 9. Tennessee State university-only total cost: $107,542 Community college/state university total cost: $65,630 Amount saved by starting at community college: $41,913 Berea College 10. Kentucky State university-only total cost: $103,801 Community college/state university total cost: $63,355 Amount saved by starting at community college: $40,447 Try This: Net Worth for US Families: How To Tell If Youre Poor, Middle Class, Upper Middle Class or Rich GCShutter / Getty Images 11. South Carolina State university-only total cost: $114,072 Community college/state university total cost: $73,864 Amount saved by starting at community college: $40,207 jacoblund / Getty Images/iStockphoto 12. Connecticut State university-only total cost: $103,736 Community college/state university total cost: $64,257 Amount saved by starting at community college: $39,478 Quadrahex / Wikimedia Commons 13. Illinois State university-only total cost: $119,124 Community college/state university total cost: $81,857 Amount saved by starting at community college: $37,267 Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons 14. Louisiana State university-only total cost: $103,048 Community college/state university total cost: $66,964 Amount saved by starting at community college: $36,084 Be Aware: 5 Unnecessary Bills You Should Stop Paying in 2024 Drazen Zigic / iStock.com 15. North Carolina State university-only total cost: $88,412 Community college/state university total cost: $53,062 Amount saved by starting at community college: $35,350 insta_photos / iStock.com 16. Oregon State university-only total cost: $115,425 Community college/state university total cost: $80,265 Amount saved by starting at community college: $35,160 St. Johns College 17. New Mexico State university-only total cost: $93,250 Community college/state university total cost: $59,231 Amount saved by starting at community college: $34,019 SrdjanPav / iStock/Getty Images 18. West Virginia State university-only total cost: $95,887 Community college/state university total cost: $62,225 Amount saved by starting at community college: $33,662 Find Out: How Can You Withdraw Money From a Bank Account? 3 Ways To Know whitebalance.oatt / Getty Images 19. Michigan State university-only total cost: $112,737 Community college/state university total cost: $79,688 Amount saved by starting at community college: $33,049 Eduard Figueres / Getty Images/iStockphoto 20. Washington State university-only total cost: $117,044 Community college/state university total cost: $84,229 Amount saved by starting at community college: $32,815 skynesher / Getty Images 21. Georgia State university-only total cost: $92,209 Community college/state university total cost: $59,885 Amount saved by starting at community college: $32,324 shapecharge / Getty Images 22. Alabama State university-only total cost: $104,261 Community college/state university total cost: $72,692 Amount saved by starting at community college: $31,569 For You: Nearly Half of Americans Struggle To Pay Their Utility Bills: 5 Ways To Save Phynart Studio / Getty Images 23. New Hampshire State university-only total cost: $112,970 Community college/state university total cost: $81,818 Amount saved by starting at community college: $31,152 Brothers91 / iStock.com 24. Minnesota State university-only total cost: $98,071 Community college/state university total cost: $67,133 Amount saved by starting at community college: $30,938 aimintang / Getty Images 25. Pennsylvania State university-only total cost: $113,829 Community college/state university total cost: $82,901 Amount saved by starting at community college: $30,927 Cryostasis / Flickr.com 26. Utah State university-only total cost: $98,128 Community college/state university total cost: $67,251 Amount saved by starting at community college: $30,877 Check Out: Im a Financial Advisor: Heres Why My Rich Clients Identify With the Middle Class aceshot / Getty Images 27. Ohio State university-only total cost: $97,246 Community college/state university total cost: $67,195 Amount saved by starting at community college: $30,051 skynesher / Getty Images 28. Arkansas State university-only total cost: $92,801 Community college/state university total cost: $63,225 Amount saved by starting at community college: $29,576 skynesher / Getty Images 29. Colorado State university-only total cost: $105,328 Community college/state university total cost: $76,411 Amount saved by starting at community college: $28,917 monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images/iStockphoto 30. Florida State university-only total cost: $86,081 Community college/state university total cost: $57,778 Amount saved by starting at community college: $28,302 Read Next: 6 Valuable Everyday Items You Should Never Throw Away SeventyFour / iStock.com 31. Maryland State university-only total cost: $98,076 Community college/state university total cost: $70,158 Amount saved by starting at community college: $27,918 monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images/iStockphoto 32. Hawaii State university-only total cost: $80,807 Community college/state university total cost: $53,034 Amount saved by starting at community college: $27,772 Dmiat / Wikimedia Commons 33. Nevada State university-only total cost: $82,812 Community college/state university total cost: $56,024 Amount saved by starting at community college: $26,789 ShengYing Lin / Getty Images 34. Texas State university-only total cost: $97,744 Community college/state university total cost: $72,384 Amount saved by starting at community college: $25,360 Trending Now: 6 Reasons the Poor Stay Poor and Middle Class Doesnt Become Wealthy Dave M. Shumway / Rocky Mountain College 35. Montana State university-only total cost: $87,969 Community college/state university total cost: $62,869 Amount saved by starting at community college: $25,100 Robby Followell / Wikimedia Commons 36. Mississippi State university-only total cost: $100,203 Community college/state university total cost: $75,349 Amount saved by starting at community college: $24,854 knowlesgallery / Getty Images 37. Idaho State university-only total cost: $94,435 Community college/state university total cost: $70,074 Amount saved by starting at community college: $24,361 Christine_Kohler / Getty Images 38. Missouri State university-only total cost: $99,223 Community college/state university total cost: $77,201 Amount saved by starting at community college: $22,022 Read Next: Im a Frugal Shopper: 4 Items I Always Buy Secondhand To Save Money Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons 39. Wisconsin State university-only total cost: $77,265 Community college/state university total cost: $56,451 Amount saved by starting at community college: $20,814 mizoula / iStock.com 40. New York State university-only total cost: $97,163 Community college/state university total cost: $76,500 Amount saved by starting at community college: $20,663 Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons 41. Nebraska State university-only total cost: $94,327 Community college/state university total cost: $73,888 Amount saved by starting at community college: $20,438 Kzollman / Wikimedia Commons 42. Kansas State university-only total cost: $94,666 Community college/state university total cost: $75,439 Amount saved by starting at community college: $19,227 Explore More: 7 Popular Clothing Brands the Middle Class Cant Afford Anymore Mount Marty College 43. South Dakota State university-only total cost: $84,989 Community college/state university total cost: $67,006 Amount saved by starting at community college: $17,983 Jennifer Yakey-Ault / Getty Images 44. Maine State university-only total cost: $98,670 Community college/state university total cost: $81,617 Amount saved by starting at community college: $17,053 skynesher / Getty Images 45. North Dakota State university-only total cost: $89,655 Community college/state university total cost: $73,225 Amount saved by starting at community college: $16,430 FreeTransform / Getty Images 46. Iowa State university-only total cost: $96,457 Community college/state university total cost: $80,660 Amount saved by starting at community college: $15,798 Be Aware: Toilet Paper to Discontinued Items: 7 Ways Shrinkflation Has Come to Costco Thecoldmidwest / Wikimedia Commons 47. Wyoming State university-only total cost: $91,260 Community college/state university total cost: $78,817 Amount saved by starting at community college: $12,443 AntonioGuillem / iStock.com 48. Oklahoma State university-only total cost: $88,688 Community college/state university total cost: $76,591 Amount saved by starting at community college: $12,097 Susan Vineyard / Getty Images 49. Indiana State university-only total cost: $78,392 Community college/state university total cost: $67,331 Amount saved by starting at community college: $11,061 Vladimir Vladimirov / iStock.com 50. Alaska State university-only total cost: $103,976 Community college/state university total cost: $95,568 Amount saved by starting at community college: $8,408 Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the cost of state universities and community colleges across the United States to find the amount of money saved by attending a community college for the first two years before attending a state university for two years. GOBankingRates found the total cost of attending state universities and community colleges from the Institute of Education Sciences National Center for Education Statistics Price Trend Summary Table. The total cost of college includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other expenses. By assuming 30 credits per year, a cost per credit hour can be calculated. By assuming 60 credits for two years, the total cost for two years of community college and the total cost for two years at a state university can be calculated. GOBankingRates was able to compare the cost of two years of community college and two years of state university with four years of state university to find the amount of money saved by attending community college for the first two years. All data was collected on and is up to date as of May 22, 2024. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Heres How Much Money Community College Can Save You in Every State The four hostages freed after 245 days Families of Israeli hostages have hailed the rescue of four captives as a miraculous triumph. They were rescued in a complex special daytime operation in the heart of Nuseirat in central Gaza on Saturday. All four were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists at the Supernova music festival on Oct 7 last year. Who are they? Noa Argamani Noa Argamani, 26 Noa became one of the most high-profile hostages in the immediate aftermath of Oct 7, as the moment of her capture appeared on countless newspaper front pages. In a video that showed her being kidnapped, she screamed dont kill me! as Hamas fighters dragged her away. A student at Ben-Gurion University in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba, Ms Argamani loves life, according to her friends on social media. Her Chinese-Israeli mother has brain cancer and in a public video she spoke of her despair at the possibility she may not see her daughter before she dies. Almog Meir Almog Meir Jan, 22 Almog, a resident of Or Yehuda in the Tel Aviv area, left a voice message just before 8am on Oct 7 on the mobile phone of his mother Orit Meir. Mum, rockets are (falling) everywhere. I dont know what is going on, he said. Mum, I love you. Orit told reporters in Athens in November that her life had become a nightmare. The last glimpse she had of her son was a Hamas video released shortly after the attack. He was lying on the ground, she said at the time. He was terrified, terrified. Andrey Kozlov Andrey Kozlov, 27 The Russian-Israeli was a security guard at the Supernova music festival. During the attack, he was in touch with his father and friends, saying he had nowhere to hide. His family was informed three weeks later that he had been taken hostage. Born in Saint Petersburg, he had recently arrived in Israel and was living in Rishon Lezion, south of Tel Aviv. Shlomi Ziv Shlomi Ziv, 41 Shlomi was part of the security team at the festival. One of his two sisters spoke to him at 7.30am on the day of the attack. He told her there had been shooting and rocket fire and there was a bottleneck of cars trying to leave the site. His last conversation took place within the hour. Out of breath and running, he told his other sister he would call back. Shlomi lived with his wife in the town of Elkosh near the Lebanese border. He worked as a wholesale distributor but had recently studied to become an interior designer. A video showed Noa Argamani sitting on the back of a militant's motorcycle, with her outstretched arms pointing towards her helpless boyfriend, pleading for her life Yakov Argamani embraces daughter Noa in Ramat Gan, Israel, after her rescue - Reuters Almog Meir Jan celebrates his freedom - Marko Djurica/Reuters 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. Friends, family of Johnny Wactor call for change in Los Angeles, organize march in his memory Citing crime rates in the city of Los Angeles, the family and friends of General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor are calling for change after he was shot and killed in downtown L.A. by alleged catalytic converter thieves. Wactor, 37, was walking back to his car with a co-worker after a bartending shift at Level 8 Restaurant & Lounge around around 3:15 a.m. when they noticed his car on a jack in the area of Pico Boulevard and Hope Street. Los Angeles store cashes in after lottery player hits multi-million dollar jackpot Wactor, who thought his car was being towed at first according to co-worker Anita Joy, wasnt confrontational or aggressive when he realized three men were attempting to steal his catalytic converter. It was then when one of the men fired a deadly shot into Wactors chest, just after he stepped in front of Joy. Witness to slaying of 'General Hospital' actor speaks out I grab him, and I go, Johnny, honey, are you okay? and he goes, Nope, shot. He just says those two words, Joy said. Once I saw his chest, I just started screaming for help. Wactor was pronounced dead at a local hospital, authorities said. The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be identified. Now, a group of Wactors family and friends are calling for justice. Unfortunately, what happened to Johnny can, and is likely to, happen again, reads a news release from the group. Southern California mom defends shopping cart stance after video goes viral The group cited crime rates in the city of L.A. from NeighborhoodScout, which claims that L.A. is safer than only 7% of U.S. cities. The group said theres a 1 in 119 chance of being victim of a violent crime in L.A. Johnnys family and friends are urging local community leaders to explore legislative and municipal actions that will hopefully not only lead to breakthroughs in Johnnys case, but that will also help make the city that Johnny chose to call home safer, the news release reads. This should be important to us all According to the Los Angeles Police Department, violent crimes were down 3.2% in 2023 compared to 2022. Witness to slaying of 'General Hospital' actor speaks out The group also called for officials to issue a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects responsible for killing Wactor. Video: Southern California police save choking 8-year-old boys life Johnny was not only an accomplished actor, he was also a son, brother, and friend, the release reads. Humble, selfless, and hardworking, Johnny is described by friends as everything good about a man, a man of his word, and someone who showed up for you no matter how difficult or undesirable the job. He led by example, and to those who knew him, it came as no surprise to learn that his last act was one of self-sacrifice. The group said that Wactors friends and family will be available for questions from the media in L.A. on Wednesday. Afterwards, the group will lead a march to City Hall in his honor. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gabby Petito, 22, disappeared on a cross-country journey with her fiance Brian Laundrie, 23, in the summer of 2021. The Petito & Schmidt Families Gabby Petito Gabby Petitos name first appeared in headlines across the nation and around the globe when the budding YouTube blogger disappeared on a cross-country journey with her fiance Brian Laundrie, 23, in the summer of 2021. The desperate search for Gabby, 22, started after her worried parents filed a missing persons report on Sept. 11 after more than a week of failed attempts to contact her, and ended eight days later when her body was discovered near a campground in Wyoming. Her death was ruled a homicide by a coroner, who determined that she had died of manual strangulation at least three weeks earlier. Laundrie, who died by suicide, was found in a nature preserve near his familys home in North Port, Fla., on Oct. 20, along with a backpack containing what the FBI described as a notebook claiming responsibility for Gabbys death. Some activists and news reporters responded to the attention that Petitos case received with outcry that it represented Missing White Woman Syndrome where White crime victims get more public attention than non-White ones. Chris Porter/The sun The phrase initially upset Joe Petito, who quickly realized that it touched upon a sad truth. Theres a hierarchy when it comes to missing person fliers being shared, he tells PEOPLE. Kids go first, then White women and then women of color. In an effort to change that, the Gabby Petito Foundation has championed the work of the Black and Missing Foundation and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Relatives, along with the National Domestic Violence Hotline to which they donated $100,000 in 2022 to help build the groups capacity. Diana King Joseph and Tara Petito and Nichole and Jim Schmidt Related: Gabby Petitos Parents Want to Change the Way Domestic Violence Is Treated in the U.S.: 'Laws Are Changing' (Exclusive) We want to help all missing people, says Joe. If the media doesn't continue doing this for all the people then that's a shame because it's not just Gabby that deserved that." For more on Gabby Petito's legacy, subscribe now to PEOPLE, or pick up this week's issue, on newsstands Friday. In recent months Joe Petito and his wife Tara along with Gabbys mom Nichole Schmidt and her husband Jim have begun using their platform to raise awareness about the thousands of unsolved murders of Indigenous persons whose cases rarely attract the media spotlight. 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. During their recent appearance at CrimeCon, they family invited Vangie Randall-Shorty, 49, to speak about her efforts to bring attention to her 23-year-old son Zachariahs unsolved 2020 murder on a Navajo reservation in New Mexico. FBI Albuquerque Zachariah Shorty was found fatally shot on July 25, 2020 on a dirt pathway in a field in Nenahnezad, New Mexico. Their support means so much to me and all the other families like mine, says Randall-Shorty, who has spent years trying to get investigators to do more to bring her sons killer to justice. It gives me so much hope. Zachariahs story is just one of many cases involving Native Americans that have languished. According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, there are some 4,200 unsolved missing and murder cases involving Indigenous people. It's not a crisis, it's genocide, says activist and attorney Darlene Gomez, who works on pro bono cases for the murdered, missing Indigenous women and their relatives in New Mexico. Generally, Native American people dont get justice. Because if you look at the numbers of missing murdered Indigenous women and relatives to include boys, men and children, and our transgender and LGBT community, for Native Americans being such a small population, the numbers of the missing far outweigh that of any other nationality. Gomez, whose childhood friend Melissa Montoya, 42, disappeared in 2001 on the Jicarilla Apache Nation, says she doesnt find hope in law enforcement but with the communities and the advocates and the families who advocate for themselves. Every day, if we can just get one story out, and if we can find justice for one family at a time, that's what I hope for every day. Anyone with information about Zachariah's murder is asked to contact the FBI at (505) 889-1300 or go online at tips.fbi.gov. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Galesburg Police are investigating a shooting that took place this morning, Friday, June 7, leaving one person dead and one injured. At approximately 11:12 a.m., the Galesburg Police Department responded to the 900 block of E. South Street in reference to shots being fired. Upon arrival, a gunshot victim was located inside the residence at 949 E. South Street. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene with an apparent gunshot wound, police said Friday. A few minutes later, the Galesburg Police Department learned that a second gunshot victim was transported to OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg by an unknown person. The second gunshot victim was subsequently transported to OSF St. Francis to be treated, a department release said Friday. This investigation is ongoing, and at this time, the names of the victims are not being released. This appears to be an isolated incident and there are no identifiable threats to the general public. Anyone with information should contact the Galesburg Police Department at 309-343-9151, or the Galesburg Area Crime Stoppers at 309-344-0044. Tips can also be left using the P3 mobile app or by clicking on the submit a tip on the Galesburg Police Department Facebook page. The Galesburg Police Department was assisted by the Knox County Sheriffs Department and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Curtis Bashaw, a pro-choice gay Republican, has won his partys nomination for U.S. senator from New Jersey, leading GOPers to think they could pick up a seat that has long been held by Democrats. Bashaw, a hotel developer, won Tuesdays primary over Mendham, N.J., Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner, who had been endorsed by Donald Trump and is married to former Trump adviser Michael Glassner. In November, Bashaw will face Democrat Andy Kim, currently a member of the U.S. House, and the incumbent senator, Bob Menendez, who is a Democrat but will run as an independent if he is acquitted of federal bribery charges for which hes now on trial. Menendez could draw votes away from Kim. I believe in New Jersey, I believe in its people, and I believe in freedom. And thats why I believe its time for change, Bashaw said after his win, according to the Associated Press. Its time for a political outsider who can deliver results. (@) Bashaws nomination may impede Democrats efforts to hold on to their 51-49 Senate majority (including independents who caucus with the Democrats) or increase their numbers. But New Jersey hasnt elected a Republican U.S. senator since 1972, when Clifford Case was reelected. Good luck trying to label me, he added in his post-election remarks. I am Curtis Bashaw. A lifelong Republican. I am gay. I have been with my husband for 20 years. I am a small-business person. I am for freedom and domestic tranquility in our homes. I am pro-choice. I am pro-parent. I support law enforcement. I support Israel. I support Ukraine but know that America needs to be strong at home to be able to help others, and that means securing our border. He dubbed Kim and Menendez both machine Democrats and called Kim a far-left D.C. insider. He criticized Kims vote against the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, but the bill was opposed by some civil rights groups on the basis that anti-Semitic discrimination is already illegal and that it would likely chill free speech of students on college campuses by incorrectly equating criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism, as the American Civil Liberties Union put it. Some political observers consider Bashaws victory over a Trump-endorsed candidate a blow to the former president and presumptive GOP presidential nominee, but Bashaw did endorse Trump in April, the New Jersey Globe notes. Kim told the Globe he is confident of beating Bashaw. I have a particular expertise in beating Republican multimillionaire self-funding businesspeople from South Jersey. Thats literally all Ive done in politics when it comes to elections, he said. Ive only run against Republican multimillionaire self-funders from South Jersey, and I beat them every single time. Kim has perfect 100 scores from the Human Rights Campaign for his tenure in the House so far. Hes been a member since 2019. (NewsNation) The United States intensely polarized political climate is fueled by myriad cultural issues, but a few topics including race, gender and immigration stand out, new Pew Research suggests. In early April 2024, 8,709 adults 7,166 of whom were registered voters participated in the survey. The survey, meant to gauge opinions from Donald Trump and Joe Bidens registered supporters ahead of the 2024 election, looked into the sometimes jarring disconnect between Americas political parties. Steve Buscemi puncher attacked another person minutes earlier: DA Race and legacy of slavery When asked whether the legacy of slavery impacts the position of Black people in the modern United States, 79% of registered voters in support of Biden agreed it had lasting impacts. A remaining 20% chose that slavery has little to no effect. Share of Black Americans planning to vote drops: Survey On the other hand, 73% of registered voters who support Trump said it had not too much or no effect. Only 27% of registered voters supporting Trump believe slaverys legacy impacts Black people a great deal or a fair amount today. Immigration Trump voters support for a national effort to deport all who are in the United States by illegal means has risen. A majority of Trump supporters, 63%, support deportation compared to Bidens 11%. Biden recently announced an executive action on immigration that closes the southern border when the average daily border crossing exceeds 2,500 between ports of entry. Gender identity Nationwide, 65% of registered voters believe gender is determined by the sex a person was assigned at birth, while a third roughly 34% believe that gender can differ from the birth sex. The issue is a divisive one, with a recent Gallup poll finding Americans nearly evenly split over the morality of identity changes. Trump supporters have a clear opinion: 90% of his voters believe gender is determined by sex at birth. Bidens supporters, however, are more mixed. Nearly 60% believe gender can differ from sex at birth, with 39% believing the opposite. Same-sex marriage Overall, Bidens supporters believe that same-sex marriage is good for society 57% voted so, compared to only 11% of Trump voters. More than 1M Methodists leave church over same-sex rule change That means Bidens advocates are nearly five times as likely to think of same-sex marriage as a net positive than his Republican counterparts. Abortion Overall, the right to an abortion has gained support since the 2022 Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Still, the numbers are a stark contrast between Democrats and Republicans. An impressive 88% of Biden voters support abortion in all or most cases, and 38% of Trumps supporters agree. The survey also touched on topics of criminal justice, family structure and the teaching of American history. Click here to read the full research. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Flash A Chinese envoy on Friday called for strict, independent and effective long-term international supervision over Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean. Japan's wastewater discharge has continued to raise deep concerns among the international community, and the strong opposition from Japan's neighboring countries has never subsided, Li Song, China's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told a meeting of the agency's board of governors. Noting that Japan has recently started its sixth round of the Fukushima wastewater release, Li raised doubts about the long-term reliability of Japan's wastewater purification equipment, the effectiveness of the current monitoring arrangements, the weak supervision from the Japanese government, and the chaotic management of the Tokyo Electric Power Company, the Fukushima plant's operator. These doubts highlight the importance and urgency of establishing a long-term international supervision mechanism for wastewater discharge, Li said, adding that strict, independent and effective international supervision should be put in place as an addition to the regulation of the Japanese government and monitoring by Japanese nuclear power regulators, rather than to replace them. Li stressed that only through such an arrangement can Japan dispel the concerns and panic caused by the Fukushima nuclear accident and wastewater release, and effectively address the serious concerns of the people of China and other stakeholder countries. Such an arrangement is also conducive to further strengthening the authority and function of the IAEA in the field of international nuclear security and serves the fundamental interests of Japan and the Japanese people, he added. Meanwhile, the Chinese envoy said China and Japan have agreed to find an appropriate solution to the issue of the Fukushima wastewater discharge through consultation and negotiation in a constructive manner. Li said China hopes that Japan will show sincerity, seriously address the legitimate concerns from home and abroad, earnestly fulfill its responsibilities and obligations, and join hands with China, the IAEA, and the international community to work out more effective supervision measures to ensure that the Fukushima wastewater release will not cause long-term harm to the marine environment and the humankind. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaks at a ceremony to mark 125 years of Opel vehicle production at Opel's headquarters. Opel has produced more than 75 million vehicles since 1899. Andreas Arnold/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has described the release of four Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip on Saturday as an "important sign of hope." Writing on X, he said this was "especially true for the many families in Israel who continue to fear for their loved ones. "Four hostages are now free. Hamas must finally release all hostages. The war must end," he said. Earlier in the day, Israeli special forces rescued four hostages in broad daylight from two locations in the centre of the Gaza Strip. Andrey Kozlov (C), 27, one of the four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives by a helicopter at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa A helicopter carrying the rescued Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Andrey Kozlov (2nd L), 27, and Almog Meir (C), 21, two of the four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrive by a helicopter at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz makes a government statement on the "current security situation" in a plenary session of the German Bundestag. Kay Nietfeld/dpa German carmaker Opel plans to celebrate the 125th anniversary of its plant at Russelsheim in western Germany on Saturday. The occasion is to be celebrated with an open day, with some high-profile guests in attendance, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Visitors will be able to gain an impression of how the manufacturer is helping to shape the transition to electromobility, the company said. In 1899, the then sewing machine and bicycle manufacturer built its first car, the Patentmotorwagen System Lutzmann. Opel had previously taken over the works of pioneer Friedrich Lutzmann and relocated it from Dessau to Russelsheim. After almost 90 years as part of the US group General Motors, Opel was taken over by the Peugeot parent company PSA in 2017, which has since merged with Fiat-Chrysler to form Stellantis. The only German brand in the US-European group returned to profitability several years ago after thousands of job cuts and a downsizing programme for its sites elsewhere in Germany. Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Suspect: Who Is Rex Heuermann & Where Is He Now? Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised. Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann, a 60-year-old architect, now faces six murder charges. In July 2023, Authorities arrested Heuermann in connection with four murders. Initially, he faced charges in the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. These found Gilgo Beach serial killer victims had disappeared between 2007 and 2010 and were escorts. Their remains were discovered in December 2010. The case of the Gilgo Beach serial killer made headlines for the way the victims remains were found. The killer had bound them with duct tape or leather belts and wrapped them in burlap. After the discovery, detectives resorted to DNA evidence and phone records to link suspect Rex Heuermann to the murders. Later, authorities found more sets of remains near beaches in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, including those of Shannan Gilbert and Jessica Taylor. Rex Heuermann now faces charges in the deaths of victims Jessica Taylor (2003) and Sandra Costilla (1993). He remains in prison at the time of his indictment on the new murder charges. Gilgo Beach serial killer: Which prison is Rex Heuermann in? According to People Magazine, Rex Heuermann remains in Suffolk Countys Riverhead Correctional Facility. The Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect now faces six murder charges, including Sandra Costillas 1993 murder. Moreover, Heuermann pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting trial for the murders of six women. Heuermanns arrest after the discovery of the first set of human remains in December 2010 triggered a widespread search. Then, in March and April 2011, investigators unearthed at least 10 more human remains along a half-mile stretch of Ocean Parkway in Long Island, New York. They later identified some of the Gilgo Beach serial killer victims Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, and Karen Vergata. CNN reported that detectives found critical evidence that linked Rex Heuermann to the serial killings. This included a Microsoft Word document dated 2000 that was found on a laptop. They believed the Gilgo Beach murder suspect created the document and then modified it several times over the years. It consists of information on the disposal of a body, avoiding apprehension, and not leaving DNA evidence. He allegedly also wrote about the supplies one may need while committing serial killings. There have been several true-crime episodes that have explored the crimes of alleged Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann, which span across decades. In a press release, Netflix revealed that an untitled documentary series will further shed light on the murders. The post Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Suspect: Who Is Rex Heuermann & Where Is He Now? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. TOPEKA (KSNT)- A man accused of fraudulently representing himself as a party chair in Kansas is speaking out. Kris Van Meteren defended himself, doubling down on his status as chair of No Labels Kansas on Friday. Nexstars Kansas Capitol Bureau first reported Wednesday that the Kansas Secretary of States Office (SOS) invalidated two candidates that Van Meteren filed to represent the party on the General Election ballot this year. Van Meteren claims his filings are valid, after he registered as party chair, and provided notice of a nominating convention he held for himself. As the new incorporator and director of No Labels Kansas Party, Inc., I issued a call to convention, called that convention Monday morning, elected myself as Chairman, and nominated two candidates for the Kansas Senate: Marci Francisco and Echo. I was careful to document all of this and made sure I did everything in the right order. Following Kansas law, I then drove to Topeka, Certificates of Nomination in hand, and filed those nominations with the Kansas Secretary of State. Bryan Caskey, of the Elections Division, kindly gave me certified, time-stamped copies of the filings and, voila, No Labels Kansas now has real nominees in a real election following real Kansas law. Van Meteren posted on social media Van Meteren sent documents to Nexstars Kansas Capitol Bureau showing that he filed the Formation of a Domestic Not for-Profit corporation with the Kansas Secretary of States Office. One of the corporations No Labels Party of Kansas, Inc. was formed on June 3, the filing deadline for candidates, at 4:30 a.m. The other corporation he formed No Labels Kansas Party, Inc. was filed Thursday at 10:39 a.m. The filings can also be found on the Kansas Secretary of States website under business records. Van Meteren also said in his post that the original party chair, Glenda Reynolds, is in hospice. Nexstars Kansas Capitol Bureau spoke with Trisha Macy, who said shes Reynolds daughter, after calling the number found on the No Labels Kansas Facebook page on Friday. Macy confirmed that Reynolds is in hospice and is not lucid. A spokeswoman from the SOS said Friday, June 7 that they have no further comment at this time. Meanwhile, national No Labels party officials sent a statement Friday, blasting Van Meterens move as a sham. No Labels Kansas did everything it was supposed to do according to state law: party leadership was designated and adopted; bylaws were submitted to the Secretary of State at the outset along with petition signatures. Unfortunately, this person now appears to be shamefully impersonating a No Labels official. We dont know him, have no affiliation with him and we hope Kansas state election officials hold him fully accountable for any violations he has committed. This is the kind of nonsense that undermines voters faith in our democracy and it has to stop. No Labels Chief Strategist Ryan Clancy Van Meteren claims the national party is making wild-eyed claims without understanding Kansas law. One of the candidates Van Meteren filed to nominate was Echo Van Meteren, his wife. The other candidate was long-time democratic Senator Marci Francisco, who said she was nominated as a third-party candidate without her knowledge. To be perfectly clear, neither Echo, Senator Francisco, nor anyone else had any foreknowledge or participation in my decision to switch my own party registration, file the necessary paperwork to legally own the No Labels Kansas Party name, call a convention for the purpose of selecting No Labels nominees, and file those nominees with the Secretary of State, Van Meteren said on social media. In his post, Van Meteren is also asking the SOS to reinstate his filings. Meanwhile, Im calling on Secretary of State Schwab to reverse course once again and immediately reinstate these filings to avoid the appearance that he is, himself, engaging in election interference by disqualifying the No Labels Kansas Partys nominations of Senator Francisco and Echo, he stated. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Despite the doomsday rhetoric and wild hyperbole coming from both sides, the reality of the Trump trial and conviction is that it will likely have close to zero impact on the race for president. This isnt even the first time a presidential candidate faced trial for using campaign funds to conceal an extramarital affair. That honor goes to former Democratic senator John Edwards who was indicted on felony charges resulting from use of campaign funds to keep his affair secret during his 2008 presidential campaign. Edwards case was later dropped after it ended in a mistrial. Matt Wylie Sure, this time was different because it involved a former president. However, Trumps image with suburban women was solidified long before the hush money trial. Voters already heard the stories of Trump paying off Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. Voters also heard the Access Hollywood tape and saw the E. Jean Carroll trial. Trump being convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records by a jury of 12 New Yorkers does little to change many opinions. Trump supporters have become more energized, and their cries of election interference have grown louder. However, the hush money trial like the trials before it has mainly provided Trump with an unprecedented opportunity to raise millions of dollars. Without question, the series of indictments early in the campaign cycle had an impact on the election by bolstering Trumps support with the base and securing his primary victories. But Democrats dont fear Trump electorally he is the opponent they wanted. After all, Trump is a deeply flawed candidate that Joe Biden defeated once already. Democrats hoped that making Trump a convicted felon would create an easier path to victory by dislodging law-and-order Republicans and persuading swing voters to vote for Biden. If it was a different Democrat at the top of the ticket someone who looked competent the verdict probably would have done exactly that and effectively ended Trumps campaign. This election will be decided by traditional issues like the economy, immigration and the ability to do the job. The real fallout of the verdict might be control of the U.S. House and Senate. With Senate Republicans in the minority, its crazy that a post on X by Marylands Republican Senate nominee, Larry Hogan, which called for Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process, triggered such intense backlash from Republican leaders. As a former two-term governor, Hogan has a strong chance of winning the senate race. Trump lost Maryland, securing only 32% of the vote in 2020. In fact, the last time Maryland voted for a Republican presidential nominee was in 1988. In blue states in particular, its important for Republicans to get behind the most conservative candidate who can win even if they dont always agree with everything Trump does or says. Republicans have become so obsessed with defending Trump at any cost that weve lost sight of what it takes to win other important races. I know that many Republicans think Biden will be easy to beat in November, but what if the electoral math doesnt work out that way? If Trump loses and Republicans lose both the House and Senate, Congressional Democrats will work to transform America, starting with increasing the number of Supreme Court justices from nine to 13. We cannot put the future of America in the hands of just one political race. Instead of attacking Republicans like Hogan, the party should be doing everything to ensure his victory. The Republican Party has historically been a big tent party unified in a shared belief that the greatness of America comes from unlimited opportunities built upon a foundation of our rights, individual liberties and personal freedoms. Now is our time to reclaim that mantle. If we dont, we will continue to lose seats and risk relegating ourselves to political insignificance. Matt Wylie is a South Carolina based Republican political strategist and analyst with over 25 years of experience working on federal, state and local campaigns. Governor: Rescued woman dies in hospital after Russian strike on Poltava Oblast A woman rescued from under the rubble after a Russian missile strike in Poltava Oblast died in the hospital, regional governor Filip Pronin said on June 8. "Doctors fought for her life until the last minute," Pronin said in a Telegram post, sending condolences to her family. On June 7, Russian forces struck a house near the city of Poltava in central Ukraine, injuring a woman who was later hospitalized in serious condition. More than two years into the full-scale war, Russia continues to attack residential areas and energy infrastructure sites across Ukraine far from the front line killing civilians and violating international law. Earlier in April, at least one person was reportedly killed and 16 injured, including four children, after Moscow struck a two-story apartment building and damaged several others in the region. Read also: With all eyes on Kharkiv, Russian troops take one Donbas village after another Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia has reduced offensive operations in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast despite still regrouping troops in the area and eyeing a further advance, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on June 8. The statement comes nearly a month after Russia opened a new front in Kharkiv Oblasts border areas. Heavy fighting rages on for Vovchansk, a town occupied by Russian troops in 2022 and now largely reduced to ruins by intense glide bomb attacks. Speaking on television, Syniehubov said Russian troops were still conducting constant assaults in the villages of Synkivka and Andriivka, which border largely Russian-occupied Luhansk Oblast. The shelling doesnt stop either, Syniehubov said, as quoted by Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. Since launching a new offensive on May 10 in Kharkiv Oblast, Russian forces control a handful of villages on two seperate axes, one near the town of Vovchansk and the other towards the village of Lyptsi, where they have advanced a maximum of just 10 kilometers from the state border. Ukrainian forces control about 70% of the town as of May 31, Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson of the Khortytsia group of forces, told Hromadske Radio. 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. Plaza Mariachi, Nashville's family-friendly community hub for Hispanic food and culture in southeast Nashville, is in foreclosure. First Financial Bank, Plaza Mariachi's lender, appointed a trustee to auction off the property to the highest bidder on July 2 in front of the Davidson County Courthouse. According to a June 6 public notice, Plaza Mariachi has defaulted on its payments but Plaza Mariachi owner Mark Janbakhsh refutes this. In a written statement to The Tennessean, Janbakhsh said Plaza Mariachi has never missed a payment to First Financial bank and is not behind on payments to any other lender. He added that the business is operating on a "positive cash-flow basis and does "not need additional funding" to cover operational expenses. "We hope to sell the exterior properties surrounding Plaza Mariachi as part of a restructuring and new mortgage to continue operating under terms that are attractive from a different lender," Janbakhsh said. "The real estate appraisal that we have received on our property is far greater than the debt that is owed on the property." Janbakhsh said the venue is "not going anywhere." For now, bands, DJs, flea markets and the popular loteria night remain on the venue's online calendar through August. The entertainment venue with restaurants and shops opened seven years ago, after three years and millions of dollars were spent redeveloping the site of the former 60,000-square-foot former Kroger grocery store. Mark and Diane Janbakhsh founders of Plaza Mariachi pose for a portrait Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Longtime Nashville residents Mark and Diane Janbakhsh, who worked together to build the business, both grew up in immigrant families. They initially created Plaza Mariachi to be a space where anyone can feel welcome to dance, eat, enjoy each other's company and celebrate their heritage. I wanted to bring the beauty of the culture, the history," Diane Janbakhsh told the Tennessean in 2022. "We wanted to give people something that they could feel good and safe coming to and bringing their families. This is not the first time that Mark Janbakhsh has faced financial troubles with his businesses. In the fall of 2022, he was indicted on federal fraud charges. The government claims that, when Janbakhsh owned Auto Masters used-car dealerships and finance companies, he and his team falsified their finances and artificially inflated the value of the company. Essentially, he is accused of attempting to defraud two banks, Capital One and First Tennessee Bank, which is now as First Horizon. In 2018, prior to the indictment, Janbakhsh filed for bankruptcy, and another auto group purchased Auto Masters. Story continues Janbakhsh faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine on the charges of bank fraud and witness intimidation for attempting to bribe witnesses to not testify. He and former chief financial officer Steven Piper both pleaded not guilty to the charges, and they are currently awaiting trial. Hadley Hitson covers trending business, dining and health care for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Hispanic cultural hub Plaza Mariachi in foreclosure Governor's new proposal could spark dramatic shift in America's energy policy: 'We will set our own cap' In a move signaling a bold step toward managing pollution, Gov. Josh Shapiro introduced a state-led initiative aimed at cutting pollution from power plants in Pennsylvania. As reported by Inside Climate News, the two new proposals were presented as the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act and Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard. Earlier plans for Pennsylvania were to continue participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative with 10 other Northeastern states. Now, Shapiro wants Pennsylvania to take charge of its energy future, setting its own standards independent of regional influence. "We will not take direction from anyone outside of this Commonwealth," Shapiro said in a news conference. "We will set our own cap and price for those carbon credits, and we won't have any other state determining what is right for us here in Pennsylvania." PACER, the cornerstone of Shapiro's plan, involves setting caps on carbon pollution by power plants and requiring them to purchase credits to offset excess pollution. Crucially, 70% of the revenue generated would be returned to residents, ensuring that no one faces increased electricity bills, with the remainder allocated to clean-energy projects. PRESS, on the other hand, mandates a shift toward renewable sources, aiming to pull 50% of electricity from such sources by 2035. These proposals promise not just environmental benefits but also significant economic advantages. Shapiro estimates the creation of 14,500 energy jobs and utility bill savings totaling $252 million over five years. Initial reactions to Shapiro's plans reflect the political divide in Pennsylvania's legislature. While some Republican lawmakers express skepticism, citing concerns about job losses and higher energy prices, others, including Robert Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building & Construction Trades Council, voice support for the governor's proactive stance. Bair's endorsement signals a broad backing among trade unions, previously torn over Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative membership. The path ahead is not without challenges. Shapiro faces an uphill battle in securing legislative approval. Nevertheless, advocates such as David Masur of PennEnvironment emphasize the necessity of exploring multiple avenues for pollution reduction, especially amid legal battles over RGGI membership. By prioritizing local control, these initiatives have the potential to make meaningful progress in the fight to fix our warming world. As the debate unfolds, one thing remains clear: The time for action is now. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Thousands of people flock to the streets of Portland every year to see the floats and splendor of the Grand Floral Parade, but while everyone is having fun, safety remains top of mind for parade organizers and local police. The Portland Police Bureau said they have been strategizing for months thinking and planning for anything that could happen hoping for the best and planning for the worst. Potential largest-ever, rare fish washes ashore on Gearhart Beach Its really a great opportunity for us to connect to the community, but it also is an opportunity for us to show presence there so that if there is any kind of disruption or issue, well have the resources there to address it, PPB spokesperson Sgt. Kevin Allen said. Last year, a vehicle broke through the barriers and drove into the parade route. Dashcam video shows the driver nearly missing people on the street as he worked his way down the road lined with spectators. Dashcam footage shows the shocking scene as a truck drives through the Grand Floral Parade in NE Portland (MultCo. DA) A man was arrested Saturday morning after ramming a truck through the barriers blocking off parade route in downtown Portland, a festival spokesperson said. June 6, 2023. (KOIN) Officers were able to get the driver off the parade route and into custody, but now theyre left to prevent the incident from happening again. There on motorcycles, as they always are, and in vehicles as well. When we close down the parade route, well have police cars there. We have officers on bicycles. We have officers on ATVs, and side-by-side vehicles as well, Allen said. We also know that therell be barricades set up, strategically around for the closure. Former Reynolds High School teacher sentenced to prison for enticing, coercing minor Nick Brodnick, the chief operating officer for the Portland Rose Festival Foundation, said they are increasing volunteers to aid in the safety of the parade. Just like you do when youre anywhere in the city, just be aware of your surroundings, Brodnick said. Were all here to celebrate, and we want everyone to enjoy themselves and feel safe. Organizers said the 2024 parade is on a modified route to be on the east side of the Willamette River due to permitting, but they hope to have the parade return to downtown Portland in the future. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Groveport power restored after more than 2,500 customers had outages GROVEPORT, Ohio (WCMH) A large power outage in Groveport left more than 2,500 AEP Ohio customers without power but it has since been restored. AEP Ohio said the outage affected customers in the area near Ebright and Groveport roads. AEP Ohio and a spokesman with Groveport police said the cause of the outage is unknown at this time. As of 9:45 a.m., nearly all power was restored in the area. People from these metros are finding new jobs in Columbus Among the buildings that lost power is the Groveport Recreation Center, which had to move a morning swimming meet outdoors. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Georgetown, Kingstree, Andrews and Lake City voters go to the polls June 11, 2024, to elect their state senate representative candidate from the Democratic party. With no Republican primary, the winner of the Democratic election will probably decide who represents parts of Berkeley, Florence, Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg Counties in Columbia, S.C. Incumbent Ronnie Sabb faces challenger Prinscillia Sumpter to determine who will represent the 32nd district from 2025 onwards. Sabb is a 10-year veteran of the state senate and house and attorney with his own practice. Sumpter is a healthcare worker with 20-plus years of experience. The two agree on some issues. Both agree that South Carolina needs hate crime legislation, as the state is one of the few to lack such. They concur that South Carolinas current abortion laws are too restrictive and take away healthcare options from women. Sumpter added she supports legalized abortion up to 20 weeks, and Sabb said he is currently trying to pass legislation to protect in-vitro fertilization in the Palmetto State, although the bill stalled. Both also agree that South Carolinas new gun law is too loose and adds danger to local communities; however, Sabb said rolling back the legislation is highly unlikely. For Sumpter, a gun owner herself, the legislation makes her community less attractive to live in. In our local areas, you have the young people coming in with the gun and flashing them, Sumpter said. Its an unsafe practice at this point. Despite their agreements, Sumpter is critical of Sabbs tenure in office. She claims that Sabbs record lacks legislative successes and that he hasnt introduced legislation. She said she doesnt believe Sabb will propel growth and change within the district, adding that the area needs small businesses and opportunities so young residents dont feel the urge to leave due to a lack of future. Our roads are terrible. Our EMS lag time in Williamsburg County alone, 30,000 plus residents share two EMS, and at one time, it was broke, and they only had one, Sumpter said. Sabb, who sponsored at least 100 bills in the Senate every session during his tenure, acknowledged that he doesnt frequently introduce bills, he said his work co-sponsoring bills and advocating for legislation has helped with pressing issues for his constituents. Who was at the well? Ronnie Sabb was, Sabb said. Thats the voice of District 32. Thats the promise I made to my constituents. He cites his work improving statewide infrastructure and establishing the free Williamsburg Technical College and a hospital in the area as proof of his success. Sabb also said that if re-elected, hed focus on increasing teacher pay and creating an education infrastructure bank to build more schools. He added that addressing mental health services and improving the Department of Health and Environmental Control were issues he would focus on if re-elected. As a member of the judiciary committee, he would also look to add diversity to the states supreme court. Haley argues against Israel-Hamas cease-fire: The same as defeat Former United Nations ambassador and GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, in an op-ed published Friday, argued against a cease-fire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The article, published in The New York Post, is critical of President Biden and other Western politicians who, Haley said, have apparently forgotten what happened on Oct. 7. Haley, also former governor of South Carolina, recently visited Israel, a trip she drew criticism for after writing Finish them on an Israeli artillery shell. The former U.N. ambassador detailed her recent trip in the op-ed and said its important that Israel continues its counteroffensive against Hamas. Its crucial that Israel finish the job in Gaza, defeat Hamas and return every hostage back home to their families, she wrote. She was critical of Biden and members of Congress who are attempting to withhold weapons from Israel and not doing what the country needs for security against Iran. Worst of all, theyre demanding a cease-fire, Haley wrote. A cease-fire is the same as defeat. It would give the terrorists time and resources to complete their mission, which is the total destruction of Israel, she continued. Haley also slammed the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, which are calling on Israel to stop the fighting. Any country or entity that attacks Israel emboldens Americas enemies. Punishing them is key to protecting ourselves, she said. Since Israel launched its counteroffensive more than 36,000 Palestinians have died, the Gaza Health Ministry reports. International cries for Israel to stop its mission have increased as the military continues into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are taking refuge. The Israeli military maintains that the last Hamas stronghold is in Rafah. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Fox News host Sean Hannity has been called out for pushing a myth concerning Trumps hush-money trial that has been debunked, claiming that the 34-time convicted former presidents trial may have been rigged. During the commentators show Friday night, Hannity brought up a very bizarre, unusual letter that Judge Juan Merchan sent to attorneys involved in the case about a May 29 social media post. The post was shared on the New York State Unified Court System Facebook page from someone who claimed to be a cousin of a juror. The person behind the post labeled himself on the social media platform as a professional shitposter, and Merchan did not appear to give any credibility to the post. My cousin is a juror and says Trump is getting convicted. Thank you folks for all your hard work!!!! the post read. But despite it being debunked earlier, Hannity still ran with it. This is, by far, a very alarming development, Hannity said. Was the fixing from the beginning? Is this cause for a mistrial? However, mistrials only happen when trials are still active. Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett joined Hannity on the campaign to push the validity of the post. It also suggests that, perhaps before deliberations even began, the jurors had already decided to convict, Jarrett said. Impartiality is the centerpiece of our constitutional right for a fair trial. Hannity added that he does not trust Judge MerchanAT ALL. Social media users were quick to dunk on Hannity for taking the post seriously. Watching Sean Hannity babble about the cousin post hours after it was debunked is funny, wrote a user on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. MAGA got punked and theyre so big mad about it. Sean Hannity explaining to his brain dead audience about trumps trial pic.twitter.com/vKdC8zb0Px PCali68 (@SCRCali68) June 8, 2024 @seanhannity HEY MORON, IT WAS A HOAX, another user wrote. The shitposter who put that up there got you, and a few others too. maybe you have a department where u work who's [sic] job is to confirm facts? Lawyer George Conway, the ex-husband of Trump consultant Kellyanne Conway, also commented on the post, sarcastically labeling it totally legit with an eye-rolling emoji. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. An officer accused of repeatedly using a Taser on a man without authorization was on probation with the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council (POST) for a previous incident. According to the GBI, Officer Shevoy Brown of Hampton was charged with battery and violating his oath after the Hapeville Police Department asked them to investigate a use-of-force incident. Channel 2s Tom Jones learned that Brown had been placed on two years probation by POST for an alleged attack on a teenager during his previous job in Clayton County. Brown was still on probation when he arrested Robert Martin Jr. at an apartment complex on Sims Street in Hapeville on June 3. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to Martins friends, the incident began when Brown was called to the apartments. Iesha George, who lives in the same unit and is friends with Martin, said, All I know is he got escorted from these apartments because they didnt want him on the property. Once at the police headquarters, body camera footage showed Officer Brown deploying several Taser stuns on Martin without authorized cause. Investigators said Brown tased Martin once, left the cell, and then returned to repeatedly tase him all over his body, causing him to fall to the floor. Medical staff evaluated Martin following the incident. TRENDING STORIES: Hapeville police say Brown, who was hired in January 2022, was immediately placed on administrative leave. The next day, June 4, Hapeville police asked the GBI to investigate Browns use of force. On Friday, Brown was arrested and taken into custody at the Fulton County Jail on two charges of battery and violating his oath of office. He was also relieved of duty following the investigation. The safety and well-being of all are of paramount importance to the City. The use of force by this officer was clearly outside of the guidelines of departmental Standard Operating Procedures. Brown operated alone during this incident and must be held accountable for his actions. The Hapeville Police Department is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards of conduct and accountability among its ranks, the department wrote in part. Brown received a $15,000 bond. When Jones called Brown for his side fo the story, someone hung up on him. The investigation remains ongoing, according to the GBI, and anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI Atlanta Regional Investigative Office at 770-388-5019. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Just over a month after his conviction was overturned in New York, attorneys for disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein filed an appeal Friday to overturn his Los Angeles conviction from December 2022, when he was found guilty on three sexual assault charges and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Weinstein was convicted on charges of rape, sexual penetration by a foreign object and forcible oral copulation associated with Jane Doe 1, one of four women who testified in the trial. Weinsteins attorneys are now seeking a new trial, according to court documents filed in Californias Second District Court of Appeal. The appeal filing says Weinstein did not receive a fair trial because evidence was excluded regarding the whereabouts of Jane Doe 1 on the date of the alleged assault, prosecutors didnt disclose a romantic affair Jane Doe 1 was in at the time of the incident, and uncharged alleged criminal assaults by Weinstein were included in evidence. Defendants trial was a free-for-all where the prosecution offered evidence of a dozen uncharged sex crimes and other offenses related to the mistreatment of women, the filing says. But the jury was misguided about what they could do with the highly prejudicial information. The jury was sent to deliberate with a match and barrel of explosive evidence. Prosecutors in the Los Angeles trial said Weinstein was a powerful figure in Hollywood who used his influence to lure women into private meetings, assault them and then silence any accusations. CNN has reached out to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys office for comment on the appeal. The appeal comes after Weinsteins 2020 rape conviction in New York was overturned in April by a New York Appeals court. The court ruled the testimony of prior bad acts witnesses should not have been allowed because it was unnecessary to establish defendants intent and served only to establish defendants propensity to commit the crimes charged. The ruling sent shockwaves through communities of sexual assault survivors, particularly the more than 100 women who have accused Weinstein of assault and harassment. A new trial was ordered and prosecutors in Manhattan say they plan to retry him. Ahead of retrial, additional accusers have come forward with claims against the Hollywood producer. We will do everything in our power to retry this case, and remain steadfast in our commitment to survivors of sexual assault, said Emily Tuttle, deputy director of communications and senior advisor for the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. Weinsteins attorneys argued in the Los Angeles appeal that prosecutors brought up his New York conviction during jury selection and violated his right to a fair and impartial trial. Defendant is entitled to a new trial where his constitutional rights are safeguarded, where he is permitted to present evidence of his innocence, and where his conduct is on trial - not his character, the filing says. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The appeal comes six weeks after Weinstein's 2020 New York convictions were overturned Etienne Laurent-Pool/Getty Harvey Weinstein pictured in court at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on October 4, 2022 Harvey Weinstein's legal team is reportedly arguing that he did not get a fair trial when he was sentenced to 16 years behind bars in February 2023 after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault in Los Angeles. According to multiple outlets, including the Associated Press, CNN and NBC News, lawyers for Weinstein, 72, filed an appeal on Friday, June 7, in Californias Second District Court of Appeal, requesting a new trial. The move comes less than two months after the disgraced media mogul's separate 2020 convictions in New York State for rape and sexual assault were overturned. Weinstein was found guilty in February 2020 of criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree in a New York City courtroom. Three years later, he was sentenced to an additional 16 years in prison after another guilty verdict in a Los Angeles court. Now, per the AP, Weinstein's lawyers are calling the L.A. conviction "a miscarriage of justice," claiming that the judge denied him "his constitutional rights to present a defense." A spokesperson for Weinstein, and a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday. Related: Harvey Weinsteins 2020 Rape and Sexual Assault Convictions in New York Overturned Scott Heins/Getty Harvey Weinstein leaves New York City Criminal Court after a bail hearing on December 6, 2019 in New York City. The guilty verdict concerned a woman previously identified as Jane Doe #1, who NBC News reported claimed that Weinstein raped her for over an hour while she was in town for the Los Angeles Italia Film Festival in 2013. At the time, Weinstein was acquitted of a sexual battery charge relating to a Jane Doe #2, and the jury was hung on charges relating to a Jane Doe #3 and Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The new appeal claims that the judge excluded evidence that the individual Weinstein was convicted of raping reportedly had a relationship with the director of a film festival that brought them both to Los Angeles at the time. Weinstein is now requesting a new trial, according to NBC News. Harvey Weinstein was tried by a system devoted to getting him at all costs. This appeal demonstrates nearly a dozen areas of brazen legal missteps that violated his right to a fair trial, Weinsteins publicist, Juda Engelmayer, told NBC News. We know he has a solid case here. Weinstein's lawyers argue in the new appeal that the jury was misled about [Jane Doe 1's] truthfulness and precluded from considering game-changing evidence that pointed to Defendants innocence and contradicted the prosecutions theory of guilt," per NBC News. Dave Ring, a lawyer for Jane Doe #1 told the AP and CNN on Friday that Weinsteins appeal makes the same tired arguments that he previously made multiple times, without success, to the trial court." We are of the strong opinion that the trial court vetted the evidence appropriately and made all the correct decisions in its evidentiary rulings," he continued. "We are confident that Weinsteins appeal will be denied and he will spend many years in prison. Ring did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. 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. Weinstein's crimes initially came to light at the height of the #MeToo Movement, when sexual assault victims began sharing their experiences on social media. During that time, several celebrities spoke out about Weinstein, including Lupita Nyong'o, Ryan Gosling and Salma Hayek. Per USA Today, 87 people have accused Weinstein of inappropriate behavior and/or assault. Back in April, Rose McGowan shared her thoughts following the overturning of Weinstein's New York convictions stating in an Instagram Reel that she was "proud of how far we've come" as she shared encouragement for those "out there fighting the good fight." The 50-year-old actress first accused Weinstein of rape in October 2017. "No matter what they overturn, they cannot take away who we are, what we know, what we've gone through and what we can achieve in this life," continued the Jawbreaker star. "We are not victims. We are people that were injured by evil. And the evil sticks together, as witnessed and evidenced today, but we are better." "To everyone out there fighting the good fight against this evil, these entities, these dark beings: You are light. You are beautiful. You matter. I'm with you," she concluded. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. By Louise Rasmussen and Gwladys Fouche OSLO (Reuters) -Norway's $1.7 trillion sovereign wealth fund said on Saturday it will vote against ratifying Tesla CEO Elon Musk's $56 billion pay package, which is up for a shareholder vote next week, after a Delaware judge invalidated it earlier this year. The fund is Tesla's eighth-biggest shareholder, according to LSEG data. Musk's pay, the largest for a chief executive in corporate America, was approved in 2018, but voided by a judge earlier this year, who said the amount was unfair to shareholders, calling it an "unfathomable sum". The fund said it appreciated "the significant value generated under Mr. Musk's leadership since the grant date in 2018". Still, "we remain concerned about the total size of the award, the structure given performance triggers, dilution, and lack of mitigation of key person risk," Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), the operator of the fund said. In 2018, the fund had voted against the package. "We will continue to seek constructive dialogue with Tesla on this and other topics," NBIM added. The fund, which holds a 0.98% stake worth $7.7 billion according to fund data, has been critical of excessive CEO pay. Responding to a post on social media platform X, Musk said the fund's decision is "not cool", adding that if the fund actually surveyed the constituents, they would discover "overwhelming support in favour." Last year it voted against more than half of U.S. CEO pay packages above $20 million, warning they did not align with long-term value creation for shareholders. UNIONS The fund also said it would vote for a shareholder proposal calling on Tesla to adopt a freedom of association and collective bargaining policy, a win for labour unions seeking to assert their influence over the U.S. car maker. The vote comes as Tesla continues to face industrial action in Sweden, with its mechanics on strike since Oct. 27, in one of the country's longest labour disputes. Norway's wealth fund, which owns 1.5% of all the world's listed stocks, also in 2022 backed a shareholder proposal calling on Tesla to adopt a policy of respecting labour rights such as freedom of association and collective bargaining. The electric vehicle producer faces a backlash in the Nordic region from unions and some pension funds over its refusal to accept the demand from its Swedish mechanics for collective bargaining rights covering wages and other conditions. TEXAS The wealth fund voted for transferring the EV maker's state of incorporation to Texas from Delaware, a vote Musk sought after the Delaware judge invalidated his pay. Story continues The fund also said it would vote for a proposal to elect Musk's younger brother Kimbal, 51, to Tesla's board of directors. The fund had voted in favour of his election in 2018, according to fund data. Tesla shareholders will vote on Musk's pay, as well as the re-election of directors, including Musk's brother, at their annual meeting scheduled on June 13. (Reporting by Louise Rasmussen and Gwladys Fouche, Editing by Terje Solsvik and Tomasz Janowski) Heat brings out Washingtons biting bugs. How to protect yourself, pets from summer bites The weather in Washington is finally warming up, which means more people are seeking outdoor adventures to soak in the sun. But Washingtonians arent the only ones getting out now that its warm. Biting insects are also beginning to make their appearance. Scott Phillips, executive and medical director at the Washington Poison Center, said in an interview that there may be more biting insect activity this year since the Evergreen State experienced a mild winter. Here are the kinds of common biting insects in Washington and how to repel and prevent getting bit by them. Types of biting insects in WA There are three common biting insects in Washington: mosquitoes, biting flies and ticks. Phillips said each of these insects live in different kinds of environments including tall grassy areas. Mosquitoes Mosquitoes prefer to live near areas with tall grass and standing water. Phillips recommends that people get rid of any standing water and keep their homes and yards tidy in order to avoid having a mosquito problem. Although mosquito bites can be uncomfortable, there isnt the risk of being infected with any significant illness. Most mosquito bites in our area just cause local irritation and small red bumps, Phillips said. If you scratch those areas enough, you can get infections in the skin, so those are really the risks. Its not like the southeastern part of the United States where theres significant illnesses that go with with mosquitoes sometimes or Africa or parts of Asia. We we dont have those types of illnesses here. Biting flies Similar to mosquitoes, biting flies also cause local irritation and red bumps on the skin which can become infected if itched enough. Phillips said there are different types of biting flies and each like to live in different environments. Theres different kinds of flies and they can live in different areas, but they tend to like grassy areas. There are some that like to be in sandy areas that you might see on the beaches, some like to be around animals and livestock, Phillips said. Ticks Ticks wont only stand to be a problem for your four-legged friends, they can also latch on to you. Phillips said ticks tend to live close to their hosts, usually in tall grassy environments and will jump to latch on to their desired host. One of the characteristics of them is they like to be near their host, Phillips said. They like to be near dogs or deer or things like that because theyll they travel with them, and particularly if youre off hiking, ticks are common along game trails where game animals and all animals might be walking and hiking along. Although uncommon, ticks can carry tick-borne illnesses such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick-borne relapsing fever, and tick paralysis and tularemia, according to the Washington Department of Health. Phillips recommends checking yourself, children and pets for ticks before entering your home. There are different ways to get ticks to release easily including agitating them and covering the tick in petroleum jelly to reduce airflow. If the ticks are embedded into the skin and are not releasing, Phillips suggests carefully using medical tweezers to remove them. You have to be careful if theyre attached. We dont want to squeeze any of the bacteria that may live inside of the ticks, we dont want to squeeze that into the body of the person, Phillips said. You have to be really cautious how you remove them, so if its really embedded and not coming out easily, you should go to urgent care or hospital and have them do it. Types of bug repellent and insecticides The best way to help prevent bug bites this summer is to cover up, use DEET and permethrin, an insecticide, as added protective measures against biting insects, Phillips said. DEET is the active ingredient in repellent products that has been around since the 1950s and is safe to use. DEET has been around since World War II and has been available to the public since 1957, so you know, we have decades and decades and decades of experience with that substance and you know how it can harm people, under what circumstances and the same is true for many of the other things, Phillips said. I look at DEET as being fairly safe when you follow the directions and you do it in a safe manner. According to the Washington Poison Center, DEET is considered the gold standard for insect repellents and has not been found to cause environmental damage or health damage. Phillips said treating clothes with permethrin or buying clothes that are infused with permethrin can also help kill any insects that may land on you while outdoors. DEET can be applied directly to exposed skin according to the directions on the label, but permethrin should only be used on clothes. Phillips also says that there are organic or plant-based products such as oil of lemon eucalyptus that can be used as repellents, but these options are not as potent. They have shown they have some repellent effect, but they may not be as potent as deed would be, and you know theyre not an insecticide like permethrin, so they dont kill insects they just sort of repel them, Phillips said. Field of hemp. Credit: Rene Nijs via Flicker Quality Journalism for Critical Times The hemp community in Florida is breathing a collective sigh of relief this weekend following Gov. Ron DeSantiss veto of a bill that they say if signed would have presented an existential threat to their livelihoods. The measure (SB 1698) would have imposed regulations on intoxicating hemp-derived products in the state, including strict limits on THC levels and a complete ban on the sale of delta-8 THC. In the nearly three months since the bill was passed, the governors office was inundated with calls for him to veto it. In his letter explaining his veto, DeSantis appeared to respond in part to warnings it would deal a blow to tens of thousands of people working in the industry. Small businesses are the cornerstone of Floridas economy, he wrote. While Senate Bill 1698s goals are commendable, the bill would, in fact, impose debilitating regulatory burdens on small businesses and almost certainly fail to achieve its purposes. Senate Bill 1698 would introduce dramatic disruption and harm to many small retail and manufacturing businesses in Florida businesses that have emerged due to recent legislation paving the way for the commercial use of hemp. The law would have imposed a cap on delta-9 THC levels in hemp products, restricting them to 5 milligrams per serving and 50 milligrams per container. A last-minute amendment upped those limits from the original proposal of 2 milligrams per serving and 10 milligrams per package. It would have banned all delta-8 THC products in the state. It would have been a massive, massive blow to the industry, said Zack Kobrin, a Fort Lauderdale attorney with the firm of Saul Ewing who works in the cannabis and hemp industry. The bill did not attempt to regulate the product. It just wanted to stop sales. Total sales from hemp businesses totaled more than $10 billion in Florida in 2022, according to a 2023 analysis from Whitney Economics. That report said that the industry employs approximately 104,000 workers earning in excess of $3.6 billion in annual wages. If this bill had been signed and gone into law, a number of these companies would have picked up and moved to another state, Kobrin said. I know that for a fact from talking to [hemp entreprenuers]. They were looking at where are the states that are potentially not as antagonistic to the hemp industry. It would have been pretty bad for the industry, and we would have lost a lot of jobs and a lot of businesses. Were definitely happy that the governor listened to the many small businesses and voices that reached out to him directly for him to veto 1698, said Vinnie Seudath with Kushy Pies in Tampa. Were feeling good today. Carlos Hermida owns smoke shops in Tampa and St. Petersburg. He said the bill would have been bad for his business. Hemp products are my second best-selling product, and since Ive been selling hemp for so long it kind of dominates my shelves, he wrote in a text message on Saturday morning. I estimate that I would have had to remove about 75% of my hemp products off my shelves. Unsympathetic Republicans Despite the concerns voiced by those who work in the hemp industry over the past two legislative sessions that the proposal sponsored by Lakeland Republican state Sen. Colleen Burton would have been extremely detrimental to their business survival, Republicans have been relatively unsympathetic. I think it was a measured bill, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo told reporters in February. It was well thought out. You can tell that Sen. Burton spent a lot of time on it and listened to the stakeholders who appeared in committee, and she ended up with a good bill. So, I am not concerned about it. Manatee County Republican Tommy Gregory, sponsor of the bill in the House (HB 1613), was dismissive during one committee meeting when colleagues said they had been besieged with thousands of emails from constituents warning that if the bill passed, they would have no choice but to go to drug dealers to get pain relief. That statement answers the question for you what these products are, Gregory said. Theyre drugs. Theyre recreational drugs. And yes, if we say if you cant buy them, and youre a drug user, then sure, maybe youll go to a drug dealer. Maybe youll do the right thing and stop using drugs. This was only the third bill that DeSantis has vetoed out of the more than 230 measures sent to his desk since the legislative session ended in early March. The governor announced the veto in a press release issued early Friday evening, a time known in journalism circles as the Friday night news dump, when fewer people pay attention to the news. And although the news may be surprising for some, CBS Miami reported on May 30 that the governor was moving toward vetoing the measure. Had he signed the bill, it would have gone into effect in October. But some hemp industry members remain concerned about what might take place next year. In his veto letter, DeSantis said he wants the Legislature to reconsider the topic when it convenes in 2025 to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for the manufacture and sale of hemp and hemp-derived products. He went on to make specific recommendations regarding quality control, labelling, marketing, and packaging. These shops should not present themselves as medical offices, and the Legislature should consider measures to prevent the ubiquity and concentration of these retail locations in communities across the state, he wrote. Sigh of relief That alarms Seudath. It is a sigh of relief, until you read the full two-page letter that the governor put out with that veto, because if your read his recommendations for what the Legislature should do for the next session, its actually worse than what Burton had originally put out. Kobrin says he understands that sentiment but believes there is certainly a place for real regulation ensuring that were not just putting any product out in the marketplace. Burton filed similar legislation during the 2023 session, but that bill was watered down to banning the sale of such products to individuals under age 21. It also would have prohibited marketing that targeted children and banned packaging resembling candy that could be attractive to kids. She said last summer that she hoped Congress could address hemp-derived products in the U.S. farm bill. But that didnt happen, which is why the bill came back before the Legislature this year. DeSantis veto of the hemp bill came approximately five months before Floridians will vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 or older a proposal that DeSantis has publicly adamantly opposed. That has led to speculation that in helping out the hemp industry by vetoing this measure, he will expect the hemp folks to now spend resources and energy to oppose the cannabis initiative. Hermida calls it a good strategy. The hemp industry is tired of big businesses controlling cannabis in Florida and, after this attempt to take us out of business, I wouldnt be surprised if some larger hemp companies contribute to stopping the amendment, he said. Seudath cant get behind that. That seems to be the reasoning or the line of thinking that we have heard, he said. Theyre going to want us to help them stop Amendment 3, which as an activist I cant see why we would do such a thing. The post Hemp industry officials express relief after DeSantis veto for now appeared first on Florida Phoenix. After overcoming the mid-flight malfunctions of Boeing's commercial spacecraft, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore finally reached the safety of the International Space Station on Thursday. A decade in the making, Cape Canaveral's Wednesday launch was Boeing's third attempt after aborting two prior launches, due in part to helium leaks in the service module of its Starliner-series capsule, named Calypso by Williams. Though deft handling and scientific precision prevailed, the astronauts were beset by further helium leaks throughout the flight, including one known pre-launch and three discovered after their capsule was already in orbit. The earth had held on tight to Calypso. Even strapped to the Atlas V's combined 90,250 pounds of rocket fuel, the Starliner capsule fought hard to break away firing up its own thrusters in a final burn in order to stabilize its elliptical orbit. Free from gravity, Williams and Wilmore were just about to get some shut eye when mission control piped up. "Looks like we picked up a couple more helium leaks," NASA said from the ground. "Butch, I'm sorry. We're still getting the story together." "We're ready," said Wilmore. "Give it to us." Back on the clock with a quickness, the two veteran astronauts got to work stoppering two culprit valves spotted by the hawk-eyed public scientists below. Leaks sealed, Boeing chimed in to tell NASA its astronauts were "safe to fly." Just as the astronauts were finally in reach of the station, a ship-saving belay came from NASA engineers watching over the capsule: something was wrong, five of Starliner's 28 control thrusters were dead. With the jets stalled out, it was too dangerous to dock. Just 850 feet away, the ISS glinted a meteoroid-battered patchwork of rad-hard space experiments held together by a network of indomitable ground-nerds 240 miles below. A hulking metal canary in the Ruso-American policy mine, the station was filled with spacewalking scientists from both nations, leveraging the last wisps of international accord in a bid to defy the impossible. Mercury, Gemini, Apollo's Saturn since Alan Shepard's 1961 flight, crewed U.S. spacecraft have always invoked crossroad guardians when breaching the threshold of the impossible. Then came the Space Shuttle, and the Dragon and by NASA's count, after being blasted into orbit on the deafening roar of diehard Russian rocket engines, Williams and Wilmore were aboard the sixth inaugural voyage of an American spacecraft. Packing a stash of curry with her Ganesh statue, veteran spacewalker Williams was now the first woman to take to the stars in such a mission. In the 63 years of tangled space-time between Shepard's Mercury launch and her own voyage, and in the span of her 322 days in space a record no one but space juggernaut Peggy Whitson could beat an impossible number of things could have stopped Williams. With her tin-can stalled out in the stone's throw of dead space between Calypso and the station, they still could. But not this time. Not today. The duo had already switched the capsule's thrusters over to manual control by the time NASA gave them the green light. With manifolds cranked wide open and helium reserves online, Suni and Butch punched it unleashing a surge of celestial power through the capsule with a hot-fire test that kick-started four of the dead jets back to life. Dropping the clutch for a Tokyo space-drift, the intrepid duo cut the engines and piloted the capsule manually to take a second crack at the ISS rendezvous. With surgical precision, Williams and Wilmore's Calypso maneuvers became a slow-motion ballet toward the forward port of the ISS Harmony dock where they stuck the landing in a historic first. A sigh of relief later, NASA and Boeing confirmed Calypso was safely anchored. Nice to be attached to the big city in the sky, Wilmore said. Suni agreed bounding out of the capsule and straight into a dance party with the international space crew she calls family. Wilmore and Williams now join Expedition 71 crew members aboard the ISS Roscosmos cosmonauts Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, and Oleg Kononenko, and NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matt Dominick, Tracy Dyson and Jeanette Epps. The intrepid duo are expected to stay aboard the space lab for eight days before returning to earth. The beachfront in Redington Shores, Florida, was more robust in earlier years. Today the federal government is refusing to restore eroded sections of the beach until homeowners grant access. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images-Grist.) Lisa Hendrickson is almost out of sand. Hendrickson is the mayor of Redington Shores, Florida, a well-heeled beach town in Pinellas County. Her town occupies a small section of a razor-thin barrier island that stretches down the western side of the sprawling Tampa Bay metro area, dividing cities like Tampa and St. Petersburg from the Gulf of Mexico. Many of her constituents have an uninterrupted view of the ocean. The towns only protection from the Gulf of Mexicos increasingly erratic storms is a pristine beach that draws millions of tourists every year but that beach is disappearing fast. A series of storms, culminating in last falls Hurricane Idalia, have eroded most of the sand that protects Redington Shores and the towns around it, leaving residents just one big wave away from water overtaking their homes. This story was originally published by Grist. Sign up for Grists weekly newsletter here. This perilous situation is the result of a standoff between local residents and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the federal agency that handles flood prevention and protects many of the nations beaches. The Corps often rebuilds eroded beaches by hauling in thousands of tons of sand, but the agency is refusing to deliver $42 million of new sand to Pinellas County unless the areas coastal property owners grant public access to the slivers of beach behind their homes. Hundreds of these property owners, however, are in turn refusing to sign documents that grant these points of access, which are known as easements. The face-off has brought the areas storm recovery to a near standstill. This standoff highlights growing tensions between the federal government and homeowners in coastal areas that are threatened by climate change. As sea levels have risen and strong storms have caused greater damage than ever before, the costs of protecting and insuring beach fronts in Florida and other states have increased rapidly. Agencies like the Corps have had to weigh these costs against the interests of property owners in places like the Tampa Bay region. When those interests come into conflict, populated coastal areas can be left exposed or uninsured, making them sitting ducks for the next climate-fueled storm. Our coastlines are the first line of defense against storms, and our Gulf beaches are just eroding away, Hendrickson told Grist. I dont know where we go with it now, or how we come together to work through it. The Corps put the easement policy in place decades ago to ensure that it didnt spend public money to restore private beaches, but the agency didnt begin enforcing the rule in earnest until after Superstorm Sandy in 2012. When the Corps tried to replace disintegrated beaches in New Jersey, it discovered that it didnt have all the easements it needed. Local governments spent years trying to obtain them, and the state government had to use eminent domain to seize portions of the beach in order to satisfy the agency. In the years since, the agency has warned Pinellas County and other local governments that they wont get any more sand unless they get easements from all the property owners on their beaches. The Corps says it first raised the issue with Pinellas back in 2017, but tensions started rising last year after Idalia eroded the areas beaches to a dangerous degree, creating a desperate need for new protective sand. The Corps requires that easements be perpetual, which means that the public will always be able to access the beach area behind an owners property. The agency says this is only so that it has the ability to help out after future storms: When a hurricane wipes out a beach, the Corps often swoops in to pay for an emergency beach replenishment just weeks later, ensuring homes dont wash away. The agency says that it cant commit to doing this emergency work unless it can be sure that beach access will remain public for good. It also says that it needs easements from all property owners in a given area, because nourishment projects dont work unless theyre continuous along an entire stretch of sand. Pinellas County officials tried their best to obtain these easements, even going from door to door and pleading with residents to sign for sand. Nevertheless, around half of the 461 property owners along the barrier island have refused to grant them. County officials are still urging residents to submit, but they have obtained few new easements since late last year. The strange thing about the easement controversy is that these waterfront residents dont fully own the beaches behind their homes in fact, most of the countys beaches are already public. State law provides that all Florida beaches with artificial sand are public up to the erosion control line, which is about the same as that which marks high tide. In other words, everything from the water to the high tide line is open for anyone to walk, tan, or spread a blanket. The land in dispute between the Corps and the homeowners is only the section of sand between the backside of a beach house and the high tide line, which in many cases is just a few dozen feet. For most of the project, the beach is wide open to the public, said John Bishop, Pinellas Countys coastal management coordinator. A lot of the easement areas arent even on the beach, theyre in the dune behind the beach. Owners reasons for refusing easements are numerous, but most cite a fear that granting public access to the sand behind their property will encourage tourists to venture up on their dunes or sit on the sea walls behind their homes. Sure, they cant stop tourists and beachgoers from using the beach that sits between the erosion line and the water but they dont want them coming any closer. Even those property owners who have granted their easements havent yet seen any benefit from doing so, since the Corps wont deliver sand until everyone complies. Construction crews restore a beach in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, following erosion from hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Andrew Youngman, the property manager at the Sea Oats resort condominium in Redington Shores, says the board of his 40-unit building was initially eager to grant the Corps an easement for beach nourishment last year. But when residents learned they wouldnt get new sand unless the county secured easements from all property owners, they figured it would never happen, so they never finished the paperwork. Since then, Youngman has watched the area around his property erode. Were probably in the best shape in the vicinity, because we have a dune of our own out there, Youngman told Grist. Everyone else is just flat from their building to the water. The local government and the Army Corps of Engineers have kept up this staring contest for almost a year now, and some political heavyweights have gotten involved on the countys side. Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio and Representative Anna Paulina Luna, all Republicans, have accused the Corps of holding up the beach project on bureaucratic grounds. Last month Scott sent a letter to the Corps saying that his constituents have seen enough inaction. The letter urged the Corps to relax its easement policy and said that further delays on these projects could cause catastrophic damage to coastal communities. In response to questions from Grist, a spokesperson for the Corps gave no indication that the agency will budge on its policy, which it has begun to enforce elsewhere in Florida and in other coastal states like South Carolina. Even when Pinellas County tried to obtain separate temporary easements to build new emergency dunes at the top of its beaches, many residents still refused, in part out of a concern that new dunes would block their ocean views. This further stalemate with homeowners has forced the county to build a piecemeal dune behind coastal properties, leaving holes in front of the homes and hotels where the owners didnt want to grant an easement. This broken dune wont do much come storm season, according to Rene Flowers, a Pinellas County commissioner who has been pushing the Corps to deliver the sand. When you have a break in the chain, then all of the work that youre doing is not as impactful in protecting as it would be, she said. Rob Young, a professor of geology at Western Carolina University and a frequent critic of beach nourishment projects, says Pinellas County should fund the nourishment itself through sales tax increases rather than relying on the federal government to pay for new sand. He pointed out that some beach towns on the Outer Banks of North Carolina have taxed tourism to pay for sand after the federal government stopped covering the costs. For a lot of people, the privacy is more important to them than the risk of destruction, he said, referring to residents who refused to grant easements. The solution is very easy pay for your own risk. Young added that many nourishment projects dont seem to be worth the money they cost. He pointed to the Jersey Shore, where a $1 million beach nourishment project washed away in just one year. The knowledge that beach nourishment might not be a good investment doesnt do much to help local leaders like Flowers, the Pinellas County commissioner, who is bracing herself for a hurricane season that meteorologists predict will be one of the most active in decades. Im very concerned for those homeowners out there who will be impacted because perhaps their neighbor has opted not to allow access, she said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE This article originally appeared in Grist, a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Learn more at Grist.org The post The homeowner mutiny leaving Florida cities defenseless against hurricanes appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) A Honduran man was sentenced in Norfolk on Friday to 10 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, a release states. Delvin Antonio Cruz-Melgar On June 20, 2023, Virginia Beach Police Department found 25-year-old Delvin Antonio Cruz-Melgar asleep behind the wheel of a red Dodge that was involved in a hit-and-run accident of another vehicle about 90 minutes earlier. After observing a meth pipe in plain view, VBPD searched the Dodge and located a second meth pipe, a plastic bag containing 4.57 grams of meth, and a black bag containing 225.44 grams of meth. During a search of Cruz-Melgars person, officers discovered a loaded Walther PPX 9mm handgun in his waistband, as well as $760 in cash. Detectives with the VBPD Special Investigations Unit were called to the scene. The detectives located a stolen Akkar Churchill Model 612 12-gauge shotgun, a digital scale, multiple cellphones and ammunition in the vehicle. Continue to check 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. People wave Hungarian national flags during a demonstration, where Peter Magyar, a challenger to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, adresses his supporters on the eve of European Parliament elections on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) A rising political newcomer hoping to deal a blow to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban mobilized tens of thousands of supporters in Budapest on Saturday in a final show of strength on the eve of a European Parliament election. Peter Magyar, a 43-year-old lawyer who in a matter of months has built up Hungary's strongest opposition party, hopes to use a good showing in Sunday's EU elections to propel himself and his movement toward defeating the nationalist Orban in the next national ballot scheduled for 2026. Once an insider within Orban's Fidesz party, Magyar has gained quick prominence through publicly accusing the prime minister and his allies of corruption and anti-democratic tendencies. He has drawn thousands of curious spectators on a tour of nearly 200 Hungarian cities, towns and villages in the last two months. In the blazing heat on Saturday, Magyar addressed the sprawling crowd that filled Budapest Heroes' Square, saying that he and his movement would build a more beautiful, peaceful and happy country and bring an end to Orban's 14 years in power. I was a spark that started the motor of change, he said. Recent polls show that Fidesz is likely to take a relative majority of votes in Sunday's election, but that Magyars party, Respect and Freedom (TISZA), could gain up to 30% and cause a loss of seats for Fidesz among Hungarys 21-member delegation in the EU legislature. TISZA has gained its base of support among voters disillusioned by both Orban's illiberal form of governance and Hungary's traditional opposition parties, which have proven unable to mount a serious challenge to the populist leader's rule since 2010. One Magyar supporter, 69-year-old Budapest resident Maria Nemeth, said on Saturday that she hasn't voted in any election since 2010, when she supported Hungary's right-wing Jobbik party. But now, she said, she plans to vote for TISZA because of the filth and lies in Hungarian politics that she attributes to Orban particularly about the war in Ukraine. If Peter Magyar hadn't come around, I wouldn't vote, Nemeth said. They tell so many lies about the war. Everyone wants peace, whether on the left or the right, everyone wants peace. Orban, known as the EU's closest Kremlin ally, has cast the stakes of Sunday's election as nothing less than peace in Europe if his party wins, or a global conflagration if it loses. He has blamed pro-war politicians in Washington and Brussels for escalating tensions with Russia over its war in Ukraine, and portrayed his refusal to supply Kyiv with military aid and other support as a pro-peace position unique in Europe. During his campaign, Orban has claimed that a vote for those running against him would risk Hungarian youth being sent to the front lines in Ukraine. Magyar has pushed back on the claim, and on Saturday lifted a slogan Orban has used to promote his own party. Those who vote for peace vote for TISZA, he said. A staunch opponent of immigration, Orban has also campaigned on a promise that he will preserve Hungary as a migrant-free country, and has correlated past armed conflicts in Europe with what he sees as a deficit of white Christians on the continent. In the two (world) wars, 57 million Europeans died, and people are amazed that there aren't enough Christian, white, traditional Europeans in Europe, he said at a campaign rally on Thursday. Instead, there's a vacuum filled by migrants. Magyar has dismissed accusations by Orban that he or any other Hungarians are pro-war. In an interview with The Associated Press in May, he was unequivocal in pointing out the potential risks if Russia was permitted to retain the Ukrainian territories that it has occupied including the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014. In his final message to voters before the election on Saturday, he said he would to bring an end to Orban's fear-mongering propaganda, and work for a country where there's no left, no right, there's only Hungarians. TISZA aims to ensure that Hungarian families can live in peace and security, and that our children can live without the fear of war. The future is up to you now," he said. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Republicans have their eye on Democratic U.S. Rep. Steven Horsfords seat in Congress, and the GOP primary is shaping up as an interesting contest as the Tuesday, June 11, primary nears. Former North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee picked up big endorsements from former President Donald Trump and Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo. And David Flippo has raised more money than Lee (through May 22). Horsford has outearned them both, pulling in $3.38 million in contributions with $1.85 million cash on hand. Flippo has raised $927,333 and has $48,666 on hand, while Lee has raised $851,322 with $100,392 on hand. Frazey had reported no contributions. When Lee took over as leader in North Las Vegas, things were grim. The city was facing bankruptcy and the state was ready to step in. But the turnaround credited to lee and outgoing City Manager Ryann Juden was remarkable and Lee surfaced as a strong candidate in Congressional District 4. Flippo could present a challenge for Lee, attracting strong support from veterans groups. Republicans took the seat from Horsford in 2014 when Crescent Hardy won, and now theyre looking to do it again. Horsford defeated Hardy in 2018 and has reeled off two more victories against Jim Marchant (2020) and Sam Peters (2022). Horsford has gained national notoriety as leader of the Congressional Black Caucus. CD4 includes parts of the northern Las Vegas valley, and areas extending north to include Nye and Lincoln counties. Heres a look at the Republican candidates in the CD4 primary. Click on the candidates name to see their campaign website: David A. Flippo A retired U.S. Air Force colonel, Flippo has a background strong in national security and energy issues from working for BP in Alaska for 10 years. Hes also the owner of two small businesses. He failed to advance in the 2022 primary when he ran for a Nevada Assembly seat. He said people asked him at the time why he wasnt running for a higher office because of his knowledge of national issues. His platform centers on strong leadership, smaller government, protecting national security, securing energy independence, free market, no new taxes and term limits. Bruce Frazey A business owner, Frazey is a strong advocate for responsible spending. His website says hes a moderate conservative, not a Trump supporter. He would work through collaboration rather than division. His platform emphasizes his experience in job creation, equal opportunity and fiscal responsibility. He will propose practical solutions for transforming District 4 into a prosperous, sustainable district that benefits all residents. Bruce will reduce wasteful spending while serving as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, the website says. John Lee With a long record of public service, Lee served in the Nevada Assembly from 1997 to 2001, and the Nevada Senate from 2004 to 2012. He won election as mayor of North Las Vegas in 2013 and served there until 2022. His platform includes pro-business policies to boost the economy, safer neighborhoods, resources for mental health programs, addressing affordable housing, school choice, Second Amendment rights, support for Israel and stopping illegal immigration. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A hot and humid weekend is underway across the Tampa Bay area. Temperatures will be in the mid-90s with feels like temperatures between 100 and 105 both today and Sunday. Limited shower chances will continue with mainly afternoon and evening downpours south of -4. The marine forecast looks good this weekend with a light onshore wind continuing out of the west at 5 to 10 knots for most of the day, with a stronger afternoon onshore breeze as the sea breeze develops. Tropical moisture is still expected to move in next week increasing rain chances area wide. Theres still some uncertainty with how much rain we could see but heavier downpours are likely with 2 to 4 in of rain possible starting Tuesday through Friday. At this time, tropical development is not expected but it is something well watch as the moisture moves into the Gulf of Mexico. Either way, most areas need the rain with the severe drought expanding north. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Weather Forecast Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CROCKETT, Texas (KETK) The Houston County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help in searching for a man reported missing from Crockett on Wednesday. Trinity County Deputy dead after fatal crash Patrick White, 53 of Crockett. Photo courtesy of the Houston County Sheriffs Office. The Sheriffs Office said that they received a call to do a welfare check on Patrick White, 53 of Crockett on Tuesday. When a deputy arrived at Whites home he reportedly found no one there and no vehicle parked nearby. On Wednesday, a family member of Whites filled a missing person report and told officials that the last time she spoke with him was May 17. One other family member had reported speaking to him on Sunday and that was the last anyone heard from him, officials said. White is a Black man, is 5-foot 5-inches tall and weighs around 140 pounds. His vehicle is a 2018 black Chevrolet Silverado pick up with the Texas license plate 4RVCY. Anyone with information about White or his vehicle are asked to contact their local law enforcement agency or the Houston County Sheriffs Office at 936-544-2862. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) received a lot of attention from a substantial price movement on the NYSE over the last few months, increasing to US$54.52 at one point, and dropping to the lows of US$43.57. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether Las Vegas Sands' current trading price of US$45.02 reflective of the actual value of the large-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at Las Vegas Sandss outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. See our latest analysis for Las Vegas Sands What Is Las Vegas Sands Worth? According to our price multiple model, which makes a comparison between the company's price-to-earnings ratio and the industry average, the stock price seems to be justfied. In this instance, weve used the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio given that there is not enough information to reliably forecast the stocks cash flows. We find that Las Vegas Sandss ratio of 21.39x is trading slightly above its industry peers ratio of 19.15x, which means if you buy Las Vegas Sands today, youd be paying a relatively sensible price for it. And if you believe Las Vegas Sands should be trading in this range, then there isnt really any room for the share price grow beyond the levels of other industry peers over the long-term. So, is there another chance to buy low in the future? Given that Las Vegas Sandss share is fairly volatile (i.e. its price movements are magnified relative to the rest of the market) this could mean the price can sink lower, giving us an opportunity to buy later on. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for share price volatility. What does the future of Las Vegas Sands look like? Future outlook is an important aspect when youre looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Buying a great company with a robust outlook at a cheap price is always a good investment, so lets also take a look at the company's future expectations. With profit expected to grow by 80% over the next couple of years, the future seems bright for Las Vegas Sands. It looks like higher cash flow is on the cards for the stock, which should feed into a higher share valuation. What This Means For You Are you a shareholder? LVSs optimistic future growth appears to have been factored into the current share price, with shares trading around industry price multiples. However, there are also other important factors which we havent considered today, such as the track record of its management team. Have these factors changed since the last time you looked at LVS? Will you have enough confidence to invest in the company should the price drop below the industry PE ratio? Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on LVS, now may not be the most advantageous time to buy, given it is trading around industry price multiples. However, the optimistic forecast is encouraging for LVS, which means its worth further examining other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to take advantage of the next price drop. If you want to dive deeper into Las Vegas Sands, you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Las Vegas Sands you should know about. If you are no longer interested in Las Vegas Sands, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. 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. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) made a case Saturday against the Biden administrations support for a cease-fire deal in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. Well, theres no valid reason to have a cease-fire with Hamas. Theyre not capable of having an honorable negotiation, he said Saturday in an interview with NewsNations Hena Doba. And every time something is put on the table, they pretend that theyre gonna listen to it, they pretend that theyre for it and then they always reject it. The former governor argued that theres only one solution to ending the war in Gaza: Hamas surrendering. This is like trying to negotiate with the Nazis in World War II. You just dont, he said. You beat them. You defeat them. You eradicate them. Huckabee also noted that Hamass surprise attack on Israel in October, which sparked the ongoing conflict in the region and led to the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and over 240 people taken captive, was unconscionable and theres no way to work with them toward a cease-fire deal. So, I think all this pretense about Weve got to work with Hamas, weve got to talk to them, two things ought to happen: Hamas surrenders unconditionally, and all the hostages are released, he told Doba. The former governors statements come about a week after President Biden announced the terms of a three-part Israeli-led cease-fire proposal. Despite Bidens announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the conditions for ending the war have not changed, adding that the hostages must be released, and bodies be returned for a cease-fire to come to pass. They also follow news Saturday morning from the Israeli military that four hostages were rescued from Gaza. The White House is counting on the Israeli public to help push for the cease-fire deal with Hamas, even though his criticism of the Israeli military has caused some controversy. As the months until the election count down, the president has put his full weight behind the cease-fire deal, which will likely win over a chunk of his voter base in the U.S. who have been opposed to his support for Israel. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) In a Kent County courtroom Thursday afternoon, a woman sat anxiously in the gallery, a relatives protective arm cradling her shoulders. I feel like I needed to hear it to get started on putting him in my past, the woman told Target 8, referring to her ex-boyfriends plea hearing. Jonathan Didyk in court for a plea hearing on June 6, 2024. Jonathan Didyk, 45, pleaded guilty Thursday to two felonies, including prostitution/pandering and prostitution/accepting earnings. Both counts are 20-year felonies, but under a plea agreement and state sentencing guidelines Didyk should get 12 to 24 months in jail when a judge sentences him in early August. Im relieved I finally got to hear him say he did it, Didyks ex-girlfriend, who did not want to be identified, told Target 8. Man accused of forcing girlfriend into prostitution In November, Grandville police arrested Didyk in the parking lot of the Rodeway Inn off Chicago Drive. Theyd received a tip that the Hudsonville man was forcing his long-term girlfriend into prostitution to pay their bills. Didyk, according to court records, posted intimate photos of his girlfriend on skipthegames.com, an online escort service. He would then pose as her to set up dates with men and direct her where and when to meet the customers. A probable cause affidavit filed in Grandville District Court said the prostitution happened over a nine-month period. Didyks victim told police she feared Didyk, who was regularly aggressive toward her and the couples children. In one alleged text exchange between Didyk and his girlfriend, Didyk warned her that if they didnt make rent, it would be her fault. Didyks lawyer, Charles Clapp, told Target 8 his client would have no comment on the case. Angelica Ferrer, a victim witness coordinator with the Kent County Prosecutors Office, said the Didyk case shows that Michigan has made progress in a system that didnt always treat sex workers as the victims they often are. Before, we were only punishing the person who was engaging in the prostitution and not looking at the dynamics and the totality of circumstances that brought them to that place, explained Ferrer from her office in the downtown Grand Rapids courthouse. And I think that is still a conversation a lot of people have a hard time with because they dont understand the dynamics of power and control. I think its still difficult for people to understand that, even if you dont have a gun to your head or even if someone isnt physically assaulting you every day, you still have that force on you, that pressure on you, and you get into a situation that you dont feel like you can get out of, Ferrer continued. But I think our hospitals, law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, people they understand those dynamics a little bit more, especially in the last five years. If you or someone you know is being victimized, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888.373.7888. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Magyar, former government insider and leader of the Respect and Freedom (TISZA) Party attends an interview with Reuters in Budapest Magyar, former government insider and leader of the Respect and Freedom (TISZA) Party attends an interview with Reuters in Budapest By Anita Komuves BUDAPEST (Reuters) - EU election results will show Hungarians that Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government can be replaced, political newcomer Peter Magyar told Reuters after a campaign rally attended by tens of thousands on the eve of the polls. Sunday's European Parliament election is the first such test for Magyar, an ex-government insider who turned against Orban's rule over what he said was corruption and state propaganda and burst onto Hungary's political scene just four months ago. Latest surveys put support for Orban's right-wing Fidesz at 44% to 48% of the vote, with Magyar's right-of-centre Tisza polling in a 23% to 29% range. Whether his party gets 20% or 30% of the vote, "everyone will believe that the government can be replaced, even those who have not believed it until now", Magyar said. Although his name is the first on the Tisza party list, he does not intend to take up a seat in the European Parliament if elected, preferring to remain in Hungary and lay the groundwork to defeat Orban in the next national election due in 2026. Magyar said he will start building a party from what is now practically a "one-man-show". The 43-year-old lawyer said that his party's European Parliament members will first concentrate on "bringing home" European Union funds for Hungary that are currently frozen, although the government has most of the tools to do so. The EU has suspended a large chunk of funds for Hungary over concerns Budapest had damaged democratic checks and balances. "That money is really needed, for small- and mid-sized enterprises, farmers, for the healthcare system and education," he said. His party would propose a mechanism that checks where EU funds are spent before, and not after they are paid, in order to prevent any misuse. According to polls, Tisza can expect 6 or 7 seats in the European Parliament. Magyar said that Tisza's MEPs will aim to join committees important for Hungarians such as agriculture, competitiveness, finance, environmental issues or healthcare. "This is also why we are headed to the European People's Party, because that is the biggest parliamentary group and that is where it is easiest to work for our interests," Magyar said. EPP leader Manfred Weber was quoted as saying by Politico this week that he would be "very glad" to cooperate with Magyar. (Editing by xxxxxx) WILMINGTON, Delaware Hunter Bidens gun case will soon be in the hands of a jury, but first, he and his lawyers must make a crucial decision: whether hell take the stand in his own defense. If he does, Biden could seek to win sympathy from jurors and persuade them that in October of 2018, when he purchased a handgun that led to the criminal charges in the case, he was in a period of sobriety and truly believed he was not a drug addict. But testifying would also bring significant risk for the presidents son, as prosecutors have signaled that they would ask him both about his long struggles with addiction to crack cocaine and about his alleged failure to pay more than a million dollars in taxes on time. Bidens taxes are at the center of a separate criminal case, set for trial in September in Los Angeles. Special counsel David Weiss brought both cases. For now, Biden's immediate legal jeopardy is the federal gun case in Delaware, where prosecutors have accused him of lying about his drug use on a gun-purchase form and illegally possessing a gun as a drug user. The three felony charges in the case carry a maximum total sentence of 25 years in prison, though Biden, if convicted, is unlikely to receive anywhere close to that amount. Before court adjourned on Friday afternoon, Bidens lead defense lawyer, Abbe Lowell, indicated that Biden and his team would decide over the weekend whether Biden will testify. Prosecutors rested their case on Friday, followed by a short presentation from the defense. Over four days of testimony this week, the jury of six men and six women heard from members of the Biden family and other people who provided intimate and at times stomach-churning details of the presidents sons difficult past. His ex-wife and two other former romantic partners testified for the prosecution about his drug use in 2018. And his daughter Naomi testified for the defense, offering an emotional account of how she felt optimistic about her fathers recovery around the time he bought the gun. Biden has now been sober for years. But prosecutors have introduced text messages suggesting that he was still using crack during the critical period in October 2018. Lowell has argued that Biden had completed a treatment program just before that period and genuinely believed he was not addicted at the time so indicating that he was not a drug user on the gun form would not have been a lie. The jury has heard many of Bidens own words during the trial, as prosecutors have played audio excerpts of him reading his own memoir about his struggles with addiction. But the jurors have not heard Bidens own account of what happened in the small Wilmington gun shop on Oct. 12, 2018 or his state of mind when he bought a Colt revolver. If Biden chooses to take the stand, he will likely be the final witness before closing arguments, and then the jury will begin its deliberations. Lowell had planned to call James Biden, the defendants uncle (and the presidents brother), but he indicated on Friday that he had jettisoned that plan. It appears to have been a last-minute decision, as POLITICO spotted James Biden outside a Wilmington hotel shortly after defense lawyers revealed he would not testify. Members of the Biden family have been in court throughout the week to support the presidents son, including on various days First Lady Jill Biden; Ashley Biden, his half-sister; Valerie Biden Owens, his aunt; John T. Owens, Valeries husband and his uncle; Peter Neal, his son-in-law and Naomis husband; Cuffe Biden Owens, his cousin; and Melissa Cohen-Biden, his wife. UPDATE: NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) Missing 9-year old has been found safe. ORIGINAL STORY: NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) The New Iberia Police Department is asking for the publics assistance with locating a missing child. Just after 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024, The New Iberia Police Department was notified of a missing 9-year-old. Malachi Johnlouis NAME: Malachi Johnlouis HEIGHT: 5 feet 1 inch WEIGHT 85 pounds HAIR: Brown EYES: Brown MARKS: Scar over left eye Malachi was last seen at 10 a.m. this morning in the 400 block of Dodson Street wearing Nike shoes, blue jeans, and an unknown-colored shirt. Anyone having information on the whereabouts of Malachi should IMMEDIATELY contact the New Iberia Police Department at (337) 369-2306. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. During another special operation in the metro-east this month, Illinois State Police made 26 arrests leading to 61 criminal charges, the agency announced Friday. The names of the people arrested were not provided in the new release announcing the results of the operation. These cases bring the total number of arrests in the region to 333 in eight special operations since last summer. The latest operation occurred June 3-5 in St. Clair and Madison counties. Troopers recovered one stolen vehicle and seized 18 guns and 206 grams of drugs, most of which was cannabis. Of the charges, 48 were felonies. Troopers in the special detail use information and technology to target high crime areas, violent offenders and structured criminal groups, according to the agency. The news release included six examples of notable arrests that resulted from investigations into traffic violations. Troopers stopped vehicles or pedestrians and found drugs or guns, some of which were stolen. Among the guns found were a loaded firearm with a machine gun conversion device and an extended magazine. Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly, the former states attorney for St. Clair County, told the BND in March that the agency was trying to focus on areas where the data indicates police activity is needed and welcome. We make our strategic and tactical decisions based upon evidence, based upon facts, Kelly said. Where do the statistics indicate where theres a higher level of criminal activity and the potential for criminal activity? Does the community need us? Previous special operations in the metro-east were conducted May 15-17; April 9-11; March 11-13; Dec. 7-9; Oct. 2-5; Aug. 1-3; and June 26-29. An independent bookstore in Indiana is struggling to survive because of challenging conditions created by Republican lawmakers. In the heart of South Bend, Brain Lair Books is a beloved sanctuary for readers seeking diverse and inclusive literature. Founded by Kathy Burnette in 2018, the independent bookstore has made a name for itself by promoting books that reflect the experiences of marginalized communities, particularly LGBTQ + individuals and people of color. However, Burnette told The Advocate in an interview that recent waves of book bans and censorship in schools have put the bookstores future in jeopardy. The impact of book bans Burnette, a former classroom teacher and school librarian, opened Brain Lair Books to fill what she sees as a critical gap in representation. I have a biracial daughter who wasnt seeing herself in books, she said. I noticed what teachers were teaching and realized that if you dont see yourself in literature, you have a hard time understanding your place in society. Related: The queerest education in America: How LGBTQ+ kids thrive at this Indiana school She said Brain Lair Books quickly became a safe haven for young readers, especially LGBTQ+ youth. The stores emphasis on inclusive literature built empathy and fostered understanding in the community. However, the increasing number of book bans by conservative leaders targeting diverse voices has severely impacted the bookstore, she explained. Critics argue that the law, which can result in felony charges for school librarians found in violation, has led to preemptive self-censorship. Many schools have stopped purchasing books that could be seen as controversial, impacting suppliers like Brain Lair Books. All the bans on books really hurt us, Burnette said. Schools just stopped buying books from us because they didnt want to have the appearance of supporting controversial literature. According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, recent legislation in Indiana, House Enrolled Act 1447, has intensified public scrutiny of school library catalogs, leading to more challenges against what books students can access. The law, which took effect on January 1, mandates that school districts establish procedures for handling complaints about library materials deemed obscene or harmful to minors. Opponents of the law argue that it has a chilling effect because of its penalties. A community in crisis The financial repercussions of these book bans have been devastating. Were just hanging on by a thread, Burnette admitted. I have a threshold where I need to get out of the business if I dont have this much money. Were unfortunately at that point. She said that the stores doors will likely close if things dont change before the end of July. The loss of school accounts, which once formed a significant part of Brain Lair Books revenue, has been tough to bear. Burnettes store has always been vocal about its mission to uplift marginalized voices, making it a target for those pushing censorship. Schools just stopped buying books from us, Burnette said. They didnt even want to have the appearance of supporting controversial literature. That hurt a lot, and Ive been trying to recover from that. We have been doing a lot these past few months to get back, but it just hasnt been enough. Fundraiser brings hope Recently, the community came out for a fundraiser at River Montessori High School, another bastion of inclusivity in South Bend. The event featured Chasten Buttigieg , husband of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg , the citys former two-term mayor, who spoke passionately about supporting LGBTQ+ youth and communities. Related: Chasten Buttigieg calls Republican politicians bad actors during South Bend book event River Montessori High School, which co-hosted the fundraiser, exemplifies the inclusive environment that Brain Lair Books champions. The school is a private micro-school where most teachers and nearly half the students identify as LGBTQ+. It provides all students with a safe and affirming space, promoting hands-on learning, self-direction, and collaborative freedom. Eric Oglesbee, co-founder of River Montessori High School, highlighted Brain Lair Bookss impact on the community. It is hard to overestimate the value of Brain Lair Books to our local community and the world at large, Oglesbee said. What Kathy has created transcends the term bookstore; it is so much more than that. Brain Lair Books brings together marginalized voices into a chorus that cant be ignored. The way she tirelessly brings author after author to our area and curates an ever-growing collection of diverse works in her shop helps everyone be seen and known. Oglesbee also acknowledged Burnettes contributions to the school. On a personal level, Im deeply grateful for Kathys work as an early board member at River Montessori High School. She, before many, saw what was possible and did everything she could to help us succeed. Losing Brain Lair would make the world a dimmer place. Burnette said she plans to launch a GoFundMe campaign and explore other fundraising opportunities to keep Brain Lair Books afloat. As the store fights for survival, Burnette, Oglesbee, and Buttigiegs message is clear: building empathy and supporting marginalized voices is more crucial than ever. With continued support from the community and allies, there is hope that this vital bookstore will remain a place of thriving inclusivity in South Bend for years to come. NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) Though it may not look like it, the regions economic outlook is trending up, according to Old Dominion Universitys annual regional outlook released Friday by the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy in Newport News. Employees continue to add jobs across Virginia and in Hampton Roads. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4%, but in Virginia, its below 3%. Were creating more jobs, said Dr. Vinod Agarwal, ODUs director of the economic forecasting project. We have the lowest unemployment in the last 20 years. We have more job openings than we have people unemployed. So, if youre looking for work, the jobs are there. As far as the military, Department of Defense spending makes up 40% of the areas economic activity. And thanks to an appropriations bill being approved after having been held up, that spending is once again flowing. But when you look at housing, food and fuel, its easy to see why consumer confidence is low. If we want to see this economy grow, we need to create more affordable housing for the working class, Agarwal said. For fireman, for policeman, for high school teachers, for teachers, for city employees, they cant seem to afford to live here anymore. Single-family mortgages are at an all-time high. And since people cant afford to own a home, theyre renting, which is causing monthly rents to increase. We need to look at how we permit housing developments and streamline that and encourage the development of more housing in Hampton Roads, said ODU Department of Economics chairman Bob McNab. Also, the Port of Virginias market share is rising due in part to extra cargo and ship traffic in the wake of the Key Bridge collapse. Experts add our regional economy is on par to grow at the same rate as the national economy, saying consumer sentiment should rise in 2025. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In a world that often feels like it has no more mysteries to discover (at least on land), scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) have recently proven otherwise. The garden of Earthly delights that is Panamas Barro Colorado Island. Courtesy of Smithsonian It happened on Barro Colorado Island in Panama, home to a one-of-a-kind rainforest laboratory thats celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. During a geological expedition, visiting scientists uncovered hundreds of fossilized mangrove wood specimens, perfectly preserved in lava and estimated to be over 22 million years old. In their findings published in March, researchers revealed almost unimaginable details about this long-lost prehistoric forest, where trees grew 130 feet tall and long-extinct animals once thrived. Carlos Jaramillo, a Colombian geologist who was involved in the studyand has worked as a staff scientist for the STRI for 19 years is amazed that a petrified forest had gone unnoticed for so long. It just tells you how little we know about the tropics, he told The Post, even in the most-studied tropical rainforest in the world. A towering crane overlooking Gamboa forest is one of the STSIs most-thrilling research facilities. steven Paton Discoveries like this are what continue to attract thousands of anthropologists, ecologists, ethologists, evolutionary biologists, paleontologists and physiologists from across the globe to the BCI, as the island is known. They come to live and study in this rainforest haven, home to some1,400 plant species, 500 tree species, and more than 100 types of mammals. The STRI is the only bureau of the Smithsonian Institution based outside the US, and its work in Panama isnt confined to the island. They have laboratories near Panama City in the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve with an amphibian rescue center, insectaries, and an experimental greenhouse that tests tropical plant response to elevated carbon dioxide and several facilities near the entrance to the Panama Canal. In Panama Citys Natural Metropolitan Park, the STRI uses towering cranes to study forest ecology literally among the treetops. Recent research has also demonstrated that two out of every five of the worlds amphibians are threatened with extinction and just last year, the Institute lobbied the Panama government to expand the countrys protected marine area by 557%. Mike Guillen/NY Post But the BCI remains its biggest draw for scientists. You eat, breathe, drink science, ecologist Erin Spear says of her experiences on BCI, where shes conducted research for almost two decades. Everyone around you is a scientist and everything youre doing is science. Biologist Sharon Martinson, who spends three months every year at the institute, says visiting the island for the first time is like stepping into Conrads Heart of Darkness, she tells The Post. It was sensory overload to fly here from Wyoming and realize this is on the same planet. STSI Director Joshua Tewksbury out in the field. Courtesy of Smithsonian Despite being a wonder of nature, the island itself is man-made. It was formed in 1914, when the Chagres River valley was flooded to create Gatun Lake, the main channel of the Panama Canal. Now surrounded by water, BCI was one of the hilltops that remained, and in April of 1923 it was declared a tropical forest reserve for scientific study. The research station officially opened to scientists on March 29, 1924, with the only cost being the $50 ticket ($913 in 2024 dollars) for the six-day voyage from New York City. The Smithsonian took the reins in 1946, and renamed it the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in 1966, making it the institutes first federally-funded bureau located outside the United States. A Smithsonian scientist climbs into the treetops at Barro Colorado Island. Courtesy of Smithsonian The accommodations havent changed much since the research station first opened as a sort of little America amid the heat and humidity Central America. The only transportation to the island is by boat, and then theres the 200-plus-step climb from the base of the island to the dormitories and laboratories above. Visitors and residents have access to a cafeteria and research facilities overlooking the lake and Panama Canal, and modest housing units theres room for around 50 researchers and staff that feel like a youth hostel. The islands boat for the quick ride from the shoreline. Courtesy of Smithsonian But what the island lacks in luxury it more than makes up for with freedom. Getting access to the island lab involves submitting a research proposal and permit application. If accepted, what a researcher does with his or her time there is pretty much up to them. The staffs scientists are free to pursue what they want, says Nancy Knowlton, a coral reef biologist who worked at the STRI for much of the 80s and 90s. Without the need for really large research grants. This freedom has resulted in a staggering array of research, with over 13,000 studies published on the Islands biology ranging from primate behavior to the effects of climate change on tropical ecosystems. A research site at the STRIs laboratory in Gamboa near Panama City. Courtesy of Smithsonian There are very few other locations worldwide . . . where we have 100 years of data to help us understand how forests change, how nutrient cycles work, and how populations of animals change through time, Joshua Tewksbury, the institutes current director, tells The Post. While the intent has always been noble, the STRIs history hasnt always been a welcoming scientific melting pot. David Fairchild, an American botanist and one of the first scientists to call the island home in the 1920s, fought to keep women away from Barro Colorado. Let us keep a place where real research men can find quiet, keen intellectual stimulation, freedom from any outside distraction, he wrote. It wasnt until after World War II that female scientists and administrators were finally invited to the island. Despite being located in Panama, English was also the STRIs predominant language well into the 21st century only changing in the years following the Canals shift to Panamanian rule back in 1999. American ecologist Erin Spear, who has been conducting research at the STRI for almost two decades. Courtesy of Smithsonian More recently, 16 female scientists shared stories of sexual misconduct from their male colleagues at the STRI, according to a 2021 BuzzFeed report. Within a year, the institute launched a full investigation, with director Tewksbury posting a detailed summary of the STRIs commitment to institutional reform. The STRI has persevered, likely because it offers a unique scientific experience. Here, it isnt necessary to bring samples back to a laboratory. Because the island, six square miles (Manhattan is 22 square miles by comparison), is the laboratory. Martinson, the director of the Listening Lab at Colorado State University, travels to the STRI to track the mating songs of male katydids. Its really, really hard to find a katydid, says Martinson, who would venture through the thick tropical forest at 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., when katydids are most active. Theyve had millions of years to get really good at hiding. But on a good night on BCI, wed find hundreds of them. An archival image from Barro Colorado Island, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Courtesy of Smithsonian Martinson also plays banjo professionally shes recorded several albums with her band the Littlest Birds and she sometimes brings her banjo to the island, playing along with the sounds of the rainforest. I think its important to keep both the science side of the brain and the creative arts side of the brain equally in tune, she says. Its a sentiment shared by anthropologist Clarence Carpenter, who did groundbreaking studies of howler monkey behavior on the Barro Colorado Island in the 1960s, and described the BCI as a place mixed with both poetry and science. Among the trees and reptiles and amphibians of Barro Colorado Island are hundreds and hundreds of stairs. Courtesy of Smithsonian Martinson and Carpenter werent the only eccentrics drawn to the institute. Rodolfo Flores, a Panamanian botanist and STRI intern, discovered 10 new species of plants on the island over the last decade, four of which hes had tattooed for prosperity on his body. Its a quirk thats landed him in a Panama jail at least once, when authorities confused him for a gang member. Tattoos in Panama are still a taboo and the police can easily arrest you under that pretext, he explains. The rich biodiversity on Barro Colorado Island may be what attracts researchers, but its people like Flores and Martinson that make it such a fascinating place to live and work. And not just because of their idiosyncrasies. A White-Faced Monkey on Barro Colorado Island. Courtesy of Smithsonian You go to dinner and all you talk about is science, says Spear, whose research focuses on tree disease and mortality. Once, while dining with fellow scientists at the BCI cafeteria, she mentioned that she had no idea how to grow fungi in petri dishes. Can you teach me how to do it? she asked the group. Several of them volunteered. The focus on collaboration is one of the main things that keeps Martinson coming back. Its rare in science to have people from disparate areas coming together, living together, working together, she says. And with that comes the higher likelihood that something really creative and different is going to be figured out. The relationships formed on Barro Colorado Island including a handful of marriages have often been as significant as (and beneficial to) the research itself, so much that one of the biggest events of the STRI centennial is the upcoming alumni reunion, scheduled for this June. Rodolfo Flores, a Panamanian botanist and STRI intern, discovered 10 new species of plants on the island over the last decade, four of which hes had tattooed for prosperity on his body. Courtesy of Smithsonian In the end, the secret to why the STRI hasnt just survived but thrived over the last century goes beyond its bountiful biodiversity and reputation as the greatest rainforest laboratory in the world. Although regular folks can visit the island with a bit of advanced planning, its the scientists whove fostered a community on this island. I think everybody here is super passionate about science, says Spear. Theyre all curiosity-driven, which sounds kind of simplistic but its true. All of us want to make a positive change in the world. Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding, is pictured on the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Republican gubernatorial candidate and outgoing state Rep. Phil Lyman was accused of being misogynistic, verbally abusive and using expletives during a meeting with state employees earlier this year, according to an investigative report obtained Friday by Utah News Dispatch. The investigation, conducted by the law firm Parsons, Behle & Latimer, found that Lymans conduct was unprofessional and inappropriate, and satisfied several of the hostile-work-environment elements. However, it is also my conclusion that Rep. Lymans conduct was not sufficiently severe in its nature to create an abusive working environment, the investigator wrote in the report, concluding that Lyman did not violate any of the Utah Legislatures policies or federal, state or local laws or state policies. The investigation stemmed from a Jan. 25 meeting between Lyman and the Utah Trust Lands Administration, known colloquially as SITLA, an independent state agency that manages state trust lands to raise funds for Utah public schools. During the meeting, investigators say talks got tense as Lyman and SITLA employees discussed the Bears Ears land swap, a now failed proposal to exchange land between the state and federal government. In the weeks following the meeting, Utah backed out of the exchange over concerns about how the federal government planned to manage Bears Ears National Monument. According to the report, Lyman called female SITLA employees idiots, used expletives and mimicked them in a way that both women considered to be a gendered verbal attack. Once Lyman began using expletives including the f-word, the SITLA employees walked out of the meeting, the report states. On Friday, Lyman, a Blanding Republican and the lone remaining GOP challenger to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, defended his conduct in the meeting. In an initial, more tempered statement, he told Utah News Dispatch that environmental groups are colluding with federal and state agencies, which impacts his district. In a later statement, he added: Yes, I said it and I will say it again. Theyre taking all of the f land. According to the investigation, the meeting was originally scheduled to discuss HB320, a bill Lyman sponsored but never passed. It would have prohibited state employees or contractors from getting a financial bonus for overseeing the sale of trust lands while giving the Legislature more power over SITLA. According to the report, Lyman accused SITLA staff of making up the fiscal note attached to the bill. A finance officer then suggested Lyman and SITLA meet in person in his office, per the investigation. The names of the SITLA employees are redacted in the investigation. Investigation Report (SITLA) During the meeting, it quickly became clear to (the SITLA employees) that Rep. Lyman was not actually interested in talking about the financial numbers in the fiscal note, the report states. Rep. Lyman said he didnt care about the numbers. He just wanted to make SITLA do things it was supposed to be doing anyway, the investigation notes. He claimed that (redacted) and the people at SITLA were either idiots, or they had been duped by the Red Rock Wilderness conspiracy. He said (redacted) and her colleagues dont know what [theyre] doing. He said SITLA is a failed agency and that if he had his way, he would dissolve SITLA except for the fact that he did not trust the Utah State Legislature to take over. The investigation notes that a SITLA employee tried to redirect the conversation, but Rep. Lyman just got more and more aggravated. Thats when one of the female SITLA employees told Lyman, Were going to have to agree to disagree, the report states. According to the investigative report, Lyman parroted back what the SITLA employee said, In a high-pitched voice while gesturing with his hands and tilting his head in a manner that made it clear to both (female employees) that Rep. Lyman was mocking based on her gender. One of the employees later told an investigator she considered the representatives conduct to be misogynistic. Lyman then continued discussing the Bears Ears Land Swap, which is when he began to use explicit language, according to the report, telling SITLA employees: Youre trading out the f lands or Youre trading out of f land in Bears Ears. The SITLA employees began to leave Lymans office, and one of them told the representative his conduct was unprofessional. Lyman asked how, to which the employee responded, You just yelled the F-word at us, according to the report. Lyman denied doing so, the investigation states. The SITLA employees said they had all heard it. Rep. Lyman then said he was not saying it at them; he was merely talking about the land, according to the report. As they were trying to leave the office, Lyman went back to accusing SITLA of taking kickbacks and receiving commissions on land sales. A SITLA employee disputed the accusation, telling him she was certain that was not happening. Again, Lyman mimicked what (the female employee) had just said, using a high-pitched voice and gesturing with his hands. The two employees then left Lymans office. As they exited, Rep. Lyman said, Im not done with you yet, the investigator reported. In an attempt to memorialize their recollection of the meeting and out of fear that Lyman would harm SITLAs reputation, the employees wrote a bullet list of the events, according to the report. A copy of the bullet points obtained by Utah News Dispatch detail exactly what is noted in the investigation, including a claim that Lyman spent about 10 minutes being verbally abusive, accusing us of being incompetent and not doing our jobs, saying we are either stupid or being duped into the Red Rock Wilderness conspiracy, telling us SITLA is a failed agency and that he would dissolve it if he trusted the legislature more. Both female employees told investigators that they were hesitant to attend another private meeting with Lyman. One said she would not meet with him unless there were men with her the other said she would decline any invitation unless it was in conjunction with a public hearing. However, both employees said they never felt physically threatened by Lyman, according to the investigation. As part of the investigation, the investigator wrote that he interviewed three people who were present at the Jan. 25 meeting, but he did not interview Lyman. Lyman told House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, he didnt want to be interviewed, which is why Schultz instructed the investigator to draft the report without speaking to him, according to House staff. After interviewing the three other people present in the meeting and in response to a question from Speaker Mike Schultz, I opined that it was unlikely that anything Rep. Phil Lyman might say in an interview would alter my answers to the questions identified above, the investigator wrote. Accordingly, Speaker Schultz instructed me to draft my report without speaking with Rep. Lyman. Mike Schultz was advised by attorneys to hire external counsel to conduct the investigation. In a Friday statement to Utah News Dispatch, Schultz acknowledged Lymans behavior was unprofessional but the investigation concluded he did not break any laws. Earlier this year, a complaint was brought to our attention against one of our House members. We followed all processes and procedures to address the concern in a timely, professional, and fair matter including hiring outside counsel to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, Schultz said in the statement. A request for comment from SITLA officials was not immediately returned Friday evening. Contributing: Katie McKellar Clarification: This story has been updated to include more information about why House Speaker Mike Schultz told the investigator to draft his report without speaking with Rep. Phil Lyman. Lyman told Schultz he didnt want to be interviewed, according to House staff. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Investigation: State employees accuse Phil Lyman of unprofessional, misogynistic conduct in meeting appeared first on Utah News Dispatch. Investigation underway after 2-year-old boy drowns in Brockton pool, DA says Detectives are investigating the apparent drowning death of a 2-year-old boy in Brockton on Saturday morning, authorities said. Emergency crews responding to a report of a child found in a backyard swimming pool at 111 Ardsley Circle around 9:15 a.m. rendered care to the unresponsive toddler before transporting him to Good Samaritan Hospital, according to Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz and the Brockton Police Department. The victim, who hasnt been identified, was pronounced dead at the hospital. Some neighbors placed flowers on a chair outside of the home. I was watching TV and then I saw the police and the fire trucks, said a neighbor, Oh just such a tragedy I just cant imagine what the family is going through. The neighbor didnt want to share her identity but said the family was very loving with their children. Another neighbor said hes devastated. Theyre like family to me so I walk across the street just to find out what was going on, said Daniel Burton, neighbor, She was too distraught. Massachusetts State Police troopers assigned to the DAs office are assisting Brockton police with the investigation. 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 The Iowa Supreme Court ruled four to three to uphold a former teacher's sexual exploitation conviction on Friday. (Photo by Peter Dazeley/Getty Images) The Iowa Supreme Court upheld a former high school teachers conviction for sexual exploitation by a school employee in a 4-3 split decision released Friday. Kari Jean Schwartz was an art teacher in 2009 at Independence High School, where she had repeated inappropriate interactions with a female student referred to as A.S. in court documents. Schwartz confronted A.S. one day about why the student was being quiet and withdrawn in class, according to court documents. Schwartz guided A.S. to the stairwell, where the student sat down on a step and Schwartz sat on the step immediately behind her. Schwartz then held A.S. in a bear hug and began to sexually assault the student, court records state. Schwartz wrapped one arm around her face and the other kind of down towards [A.S.s] hip, proceeded to move her hand above A.S.s clothes to the chest and then down to [A.S.s] pants line, and went below [A.S.s] clothing towards [her] pubic area, according to A.S. in the court documents. Schwartz only stopped when two students began walking up the stairs as Schwartz and A.S. were at the top, according to court documents. A.S. eventually reported the incident to police in 2020. Schwartz would later be convicted in district court and sentenced to five years in prison and a special 10-year sentence. Schwartz appealed her conviction to the Iowa Court of Appeals and later the Iowa Supreme Court. Her appeal claimed her case was prejudiced by the jury being mistakenly instructed that hugs are a form of sexual conduct and by the exclusion from evidence of the initial findings of a school investigation. She also argued there was insufficient evidence that her behavior elicited a pattern of sexual conduct. Records: Conduct included chest-to-chest hugs According to court documents, Schwartzs interactions with A.S. began as a normal teacher-student relationship but after the first month, A.S. noticed Schwartz giving her an unusual amount of attention. Schwartz would talk to A.S.s table in the classroom more than others, go to other teachers rooms to talk to A.S., repeatedly compliment A.S.s appearance, give chest-to-chest hugs and invite herself to places outside of school where she knew A.S. was, which once included A.S.s home, court records state. Following a series of texts to the student where she said she loved her, Schwartz sent two emails detailing how the student could always tell her anything. I am probably not suppose[d] to love my students, but I do you, Schwartz said in an email sent to A.S., according to court documents. At the time, A.S. printed out and reported the emails to a teacher who promised to send them to the principal. The incident at the stairwell came shortly after reporting the emails. While A.S. did report the emails to the school, she never told anyone at the time about what happened in the stairwell, according to court records. During the schools investigation, Schwartz admitted to texting, emailing and hugging A.S. more than once, according to court documents. Schwartz left her position at the school shortly after the investigation began. The court wrote that the findings of this investigation were not wrongly excluded from the case as the conclusions from it were unclear. In 2018, A.S. emailed the school district where Schwartz worked at the time to warn them to fully investigate any complaints made against Schwartz. Two years later, A.S. said she finally had the courage to do what should have been done 9 years ago and report Schwartzs sexual abuse of her to the police. A.S. said after learning Schwartz was teaching middle school special education at a new school, she felt a little responsible for never having reported Schwartz. Arguments focused on hugging The Iowa Supreme Court majority disagreed that the trial judge had wrongly included hugging in a list of sexual conduct. Schwartz argued that unlike other examples of sexual conduct, hugging requires context to determine whether the conduct was sexual. The majority opinion stated that the law and the disputed jury instruction provide that sexual conduct includes touching of the clothed or unclothed inner thigh, breast, groin, buttock, anus, pubes, or genitals. But one can imagine a variety of circumstances (responding to a medical issue at school, treatment of an athlete, patting a player on the backside upon entering or exiting a game) where the other identified acts are not sexual in nature. In other words, almost all the listed acts are sexual in nature only when considered in context. The majority of justices found that even if the jury instruction was incorrect, it was not enough to overturn the conviction. This court will not reverse the jurys verdict unless the error was prejudicial, Iowa Supreme Court Judge Christopher McDonald wrote for the majority. The dissenting opinions agreed with the majority on all the facts of the case except for how prejudicial the jury instruction was. I am not convinced that the record before us affirmatively establishes that this instructional error did not prejudice the defendant, Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen wrote. Justices Edward Mansfield and Thomas Waterman joined the dissent. I agree that Schwartz at a minimum used poor judgment and had inappropriate communications with A.S. But the case came down to hugs and the touching incident on the stairwell. Schwartz admitted hugging A.S., but she insisted that she was merely attempting to comfort A.S. through these hugs or posing for pictures at the prompting of others, Christensen wrote. When A.S. was interviewed by police in 2020, she said that the hugs did not feel sexual in nature. Thus, there was evidence the hugs were nonsexual. Christensen also pointed out that there was conflicting testimony about the incident in the stairwell and the jury could have found reasonable doubt as to whether the sexual touching on the stairwell occurred, while finding that the hugging took place. She added, Having been told that the hugging was per se sexual conduct under Iowa law, i.e., that it was no different from kissing and touching the genital area, the jury could have concluded that Schwartz committed sexual exploitation without determining beyond a reasonable doubt that Schwartzs hugging was actually sexual in nature. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Iowa Supreme Court upholds former teachers sexual exploitation conviction appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. Iran helicopter crash shows Tehran's reliance on an aging fleet as well as its challenges at home FILE - The helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi takes off at the Iranian border with Azerbaijan after President Raisi and his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev inaugurated dam of Qiz Qalasi, or Castel of Girl in Azeri, Iran, on May 19, 2024. While the cause of the May 19 crash remains unknown, the sudden death of the hard-line protege of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei exposed the contradictions and challenges facing the country's Shiite theocracy. (Ali Hamed Haghdoust, IRNA via AP, File) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) By the time Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi boarded his window seat on a helicopter ferrying him, the foreign minister and six others, thick clouds already had begun forming around the mountaintops along the Azerbaijan-Iran border. Despite the worsening weather, the helicopter lifted off for a trip about 145 kilometers (90 miles) southwest to a new oil pipeline near Tabriz. Within an hour, the Bell 212 helicopter had crashed into a cloud-covered mountainside. While the cause of the May 19 crash remains unknown, the sudden death of the hard-line protege of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei exposed the contradictions and challenges facing the country's Shiite theocracy. The Iranian military investigators probing the crash have previously faced international criticism over their report on troops shooting down a Ukrainian airliner in 2020. The hourslong desperate rescue attempt after the helicopter crash saw Tehran even reach out to the United States for help, just weeks after launching an unprecedented attack on Israel and as it enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. Even the type of helicopter that crashed links back to Iranian history, both before and after the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran is a culture of dualities, said Farzin Nadimi, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near-East Policy who studies Iran's military. Some aspects, they seem so good and well-managed, well-oiled and very capable. ... In many levels, it's quite lacking. Iranian military investigators have released two statements on the crash, largely ruling out possibilities rather than offering a suspected cause. They've rejected the possibility of an onboard explosion caused by sabotage" or a cyberattack targeting the Bell 212, a two-blade, twin-engine helicopter more widely known as the Huey for its use by the U.S. military in the Vietnam War. The recorded conversations between the flight crew show that the last contact with the pilots up to the time of the incident and when they stopped responding lasted 69 seconds, the investigators said, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. No emergency declaration was recorded during that time. In conspiracy-minded Iran, some officials still insist foul play could have caused the crash. However, some other officials have begun to ask why the helicopter took off from the site of the new Giz Galasi Dam when the weather had started to turn. Mostafa Mirsalim, a member of the country's Expediency Council, wrote on the social platform X that he had asked prosecutors to address the mistakes that led to the loss of the president and his delegation, without elaborating. Abbas Abdi, a prominent journalist, also wrote on X that the flight path taken by Raisi's helicopter suggested the pilot didn't follow a standard Iranian practice of shadowing main roads in rural areas. That can both help navigation and provide a safe landing area in an emergency. Former Iranian Presidents Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Abolhassan Banisadr both survived helicopter crashes while in office. The helicopter involved in the crash, nearly 30 years old, came directly from a Bell manufacturing plant in Montreal, Canada, to the Iranian air force, according to data from the firm Cirium. It counts 12 Bell 212 aircraft registered in Iran that are still in service. Bell Textron Inc., based in Fort Worth, Texas, said it "does not conduct any business in Iran or support their helicopter fleet, and we do not have knowledge about the active state of the helicopter involved in this accident. But despite being decades old, the Bell 212 and its military counterpart the Huey still are flown around the world. In the United States, Hueys still fly as part of America's nuclear forces to support its silos and for some VIP missions, said Roger D. Connor, an aeronautics curator at the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Over 440 still fly worldwide, according to Cirium. Its a simple aircraft to fly by medium helicopter standards. It doesnt typically have much automation which can have both positive and negative implications for operators, Connor said. More automation means more opportunities for pilot confusion in certain circumstances, but also better capabilities in low-visibility conditions. Iran's use of the Bell 212 remains pervasive, in part due to the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who struck deals to purchase hundreds of the helicopters and had plans to build a local variant, Nadimi said. Those already in the country at the time of the Islamic Revolution ended up being a key component of Iran's bloody war against Iraq in the 1980s. But as Western sanctions dried up the supply of parts, fewer of the aircraft were airworthy, despite efforts to locally overhaul them. That saw Iran engage in covert means to secure parts, sparking several U.S. criminal cases for those involved, who sought everything from safety equipment to full engines and night-vision goggles for the aircraft. Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sought to blame sanctions for the crash. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller responded by saying America was not going to apologize for our sanctions regime at all as Iran has used aircraft to transport equipment to support terrorism. Ultimately, its the Iranian government that is responsible for the decision to fly a ... helicopter in what was described as poor weather conditions, not any other actor, Miller said. Meanwhile, questions remain over why Iran couldn't find the helicopter for hours, even though one of the victims reportedly talked by cellphone with officials. Such calls, in theory, can be triangulated by security services. Also, it remains unclear if the helicopter had any emergency tracker, which are common on aircraft. While the investigation continues, Nadimi said he believed that the Bell 212 that flew Raisi did not have advanced avionics that could have been useful for low-visibility flight. However, he stressed that the major issue in the crash likely involves who allowed the flight to take off as the weather turned poor and whether the pilot faced pressure from his VIP passengers to make the journey no matter what. Pilot error, human error might be to blame, but there was a chain of events that caused this crash, not just pilot error," Nadimi said. That helicopter should have been able to clear that terrain and fly safely to its destination. They should not have been dispatched for flying. ___ Associated Press writer Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. By Padraic Halpin DUBLIN (Reuters) -Ireland's two main coalition parties soundly beat Sinn Fein in local council elections on Sunday, a surprising and potentially devastating blow to the left-wing party's hope of its first victory in national elections due by March. Sinn Fein, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army, has recently seen a commanding three-year opinion poll lead disappear as more voters came to see immigration as their top concern rather than affordable housing, an issue which Sinn Fein dominated. With most of the 949 seats filled, the outcome was far worse for Sinn Fein than polls suggested. Prime Minister Simon Harris' Fine Gael and his main coalition partner Fianna Fail each had 23% of the first-preference votes, with Sinn Fein getting 12%. Sinn Fein was also well behind its two main rivals in the first of Ireland's three European election areas to declare partial results. "There was a sense over the last number of weeks that there was a drop coming. To be quite frank nobody saw these results," senior Sinn Fein lawmaker Matt Carthy told RTE radio, adding he did not know what went wrong. While Sinn Fein improved on the 9.5% its candidates secured at the last local poll in 2019, it landed nowhere near the poll-topping 25% won at the 2020 general election or the 35% it hit in opinion polls as recently as October. Failing to enter government for the first time would be a setback to Sinn Fein's ambition of seeking a referendum on unifying with Northern Ireland, the British region where it is already the lead party. "The idea that there's some kind of inevitability about Sinn Fein being in government is being shattered in these elections," Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe of the centre-right Fine Gael told reporters on Saturday. Sinn Fein lawmakers expressed confidence in doing better in a national election, but their problem is that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail want to govern together again without them. Disrupting that plan would likely require Sinn Fein to achieve closer to 30% of the vote. 'SOUL SEARCHING' While the coalition has struggled to deal with record levels of refugees, prompting Harris to toughen the country's stance since taking over as prime minister in April, Sinn Fein's Eoin O'Broin said the public were not clear where his party stood on the issue. Sinn Fein has been caught between its traditional working-class voters who are more sceptical on the issue, and its newer, younger middle-class supporters concerned about migrants' rights. O'Broin, the party's housing spokesperson, also said the lower turnout of 49% versus the 63% at the 2020 general election suggested Sinn Fein failed to get its voters out and had "an awful lot of work to do" to convince them to turn up next time. Ireland's already large block of disparate independent candidates, many of whom have staked out the hardest lines on migration, captured 21% of the vote, a slight improvement on five years ago. Analysts said the results may tempt Harris to call an election before March and seek to capitalise on Sinn Fein's struggles. Harris told reporters he had no such plans. "We should show great caution into extrapolating anything into the future other than more volatility," said Theresa Reidy, senior lecturer in politics at University College Cork. "But I suspect there will be a lot of Sinn Fein soul searching because they are not going to be a credible leader of an alternative government based on these figures." (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, David Holmes and Lisa Shumaker) Israel rescues 4 hostages taken in Hamas Oct. 7 attack. At least 94 Palestinians are killed Israel rescues 4 hostages taken in Hamas Oct. 7 attack. At least 94 Palestinians are killed DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Israel on Saturday carried out its largest hostage rescue operation since the war with Hamas began, taking four to safety out of central Gaza as heavy fighting continued there. At least 94 dead Palestinians, including children, were brought to local hospitals, a health official said. Israelis were jubilant as the army said it rescued Noa Argamani, 25; Almog Meir Jan, 21; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Shlomi Ziv, 40, in a daytime operation in the heart of Nuseirat, raiding two locations at once and under fire. All were well, the military said. They were taken by helicopter for medical checks and reunions with loved ones after 246 days held. Argamani had been one of the most widely recognized hostages after being taken, like the three others, from a music festival. The video of her abduction was among the first to surface, with her between two men on a motorcycle as she screamed, Dont kill me! Her mother, Liora, has stage four brain cancer and in April released a video pleading to see her daughter before she dies. An elated Argamani spoke by phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a video message released by the government, she tells him she is very excited, saying she hasnt heard Hebrew in so long. Netanyahu in a statement said Israel does not surrender to terrorism and acts with creativity and boldness that knows no bounds to bring home our abductees. He vowed to continue the fighting until all are freed. The operation was daring in nature, planned brilliantly, and executed in an extraordinary fashion, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said. The bodies of nearly 100 Palestinians killed were taken to Al-Aqsa Hospital, where spokesperson Khalil Degran told The Associated Press more than 100 wounded also arrived. AP reporters saw dozens of bodies brought from the Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah areas, as smoke rose in the distance and armored vehicles rolled by. A baby was among the dead. Small children wailed, covered in blood. Bodies were placed on the ground outside, their feet bare, as more wounded were rushed in. My two cousins were killed, and two other cousins were seriously injured. They did not commit any sin. They were sitting at home, one relative said in the chaos. Israels military said it had attacked threats to our forces in the area. The military said one commando died from his wounds. A U.S. hostage cell provided advice and support throughout the process of locating and rescuing the hostages, according to a Biden administration official. The official, who was not authorized to comment and requested anonymity, declined to offer further detail on the American involvement. The hostage cells are multi-agency teams. We wont stop working until all the hostages come home and a cease-fire is reached, U.S. President Joe Biden said. Hamas took some 250 hostages during the Oct. 7 attack that killed about 1,200 people. About half were released in a weeklong cease-fire in November. About 120 hostages remain, with 43 pronounced dead. Survivors include about 15 women, two children under the age of 5 and two men in their 80s. Saturdays hostage recovery operation brings the total of rescued captives to seven. Two men were rescued in February and a woman was rescued in the aftermath of the October attack. Israeli troops have recovered at least 16 bodies of hostages, according to the government. The latest rescue was expected to lift spirits in Israel at a time when the war is dragging on and divisions are deepening over the best way to bring hostages home. It was unclear what effect it might have on apparently stalled cease-fire efforts. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to the Middle East next week, seeking a breakthrough. The hostage release and cease-fire deal that is now on the table would secure the release of all the remaining hostages together with security assurances for Israel and relief for the innocent civilians in Gaza, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement. Netanyahu faces growing pressure to end the fighting in Gaza. Many Israelis urge him to embrace a deal Biden announced last month, but far-right allies threaten to collapse his government if he does. International pressure also mounts on Israel to limit civilian bloodshed in its war in Gaza, which reached its eighth month on Friday with more than 36,700 Palestinians killed, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Palestinians face widespread hunger because fighting and Israeli restrictions have largely cut off the flow of aid. Israel is intensifying operations across central Gaza, where the hostages were rescued. On Thursday, an Israeli airstrike hit a U.N.-run school compound in Nuseirat, killing over 33 people inside the school, including three women and nine children. Israel said some 30 militants were inside at the time and on Friday released the names of 17 militants it said were killed. However, only nine of those names matched with records of the dead from the hospital morgue. One of the alleged militants was an 8-year-old boy, according to hospital records. Israels military on Saturday asserted that Hamas is a terror organization that often uses fake documents disguising terrorists as women or children. Mednick and Jeffrey reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report. Follow APs coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Shlomi Ziv (L), 40, Andrey Kozlov (C), 27, and Almog Meir, 21, three of the four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrive by a helicopter at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a complex daytime operation in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, after 246 days in captivity. The hostages were named as Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27 and Shlomi Ziv, 40. The four are in "good medical condition" and were taken to hospital for further medical evaluations, the military said. The three men and one woman were kidnapped by the Palestinian Hamas terrorist organization from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7, the IDF said. "We are overjoyed to have you back home," Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said, according to his office. He spoke of a "heroic operation." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog spoke with Argamani by phone according to the Haaretz newspaper, which published a photo of the young woman smiling on a couch in a hospital room. The IDF, together with the Israeli Security Agency and the Yamam police counter-terrorism unit, carried out the operation involving hundreds of troops on Saturday morning, the IDF said. Palestinians are reporting dozens of deaths in Israeli army attacks on the Nuseirat refugee camp and the town of Deir al-Balah in the centre of the Gaza Strip. Fifty people were killed and dozens more injured, according to Gaza medics. It was initially unclear whether the people were killed during the army operations to rescue the hostages. It was also unclear whether those killed were civilians or Hamas militants. According to the IDF, those kidnapped from Israel were freed from two different locations in the centre of Nuseirat. The army had previously announced that it was attacking terrorist infrastructure in the area. For Israel this has been the first bit of good news in weeks, as the country has come under severe international pressure over its operations in the Gaza Strip. Right-wing leader Netanyahu has also faced domestic political divisions over his handling of the war. The Times of Israel reported that centrist war cabinet minister Benny Gantz, who was expected to resign from the role in a speech on Saturday evening, cancelled his address after the news of the hostage rescue broke. The war started on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack in southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 people as hostage. In November there was a temporary ceasefire in which Hamas released more than 100 hostages in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinians held in Israeli jails. There are believed to be about 120 hostages from Israel still in Gaza but it is unclear how many of them are still alive. Andrey Kozlov (C), 27, one of the four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives by a helicopter at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa A helicopter carrying the rescued Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa A helicopter carrying the rescued Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Bark Air, the charter airline for pampered pooches, could be locked in the kennel just days after its first flight. New York's Westchester County has sued the company behind the charter service, alleging it violated airport-use restrictions. Officials are hoping to prohibit the carrier from operating in the private jet area and require it to operate out of the passenger terminal, where space is much more limited. Commercial flights make up a small portion of Westchester's airport's traffic, where nearly 60% of flights are corporate aviation, according to its website. The county also named Talon Air, the private jet service thats working with Bark (whose main business is monthly treat-and-toy subscription boxes for dogs) on the flights. Bark told Fortune it doesn't comment on litigation, but we don't believe this will impact our operations. Bark Air plans to offers flights from New York City to Los Angeles and London with one-way flights costing roughly $6,000 to $8,000. The pricing will vary based on routes and time of year. Humans dont pay anything for their ticket. Bark Air has said it hopes to offer lower prices as demand increases and more flight routes are added. The Westchester County lawsuit could hamper that. Once a flight is booked, Bark Air contacts the owner to collect information about their canine passengers, including size, temperament, and any preferences. There are typically 10 to 15 seats on each flight but the total number of passengers (human and otherwise) varies depending on the size of the dogs. Westchester County says the carrier is violating county law by operating an aircraft with more than nine seats from the private jet terminal. The county, though, is facing legal action of its own, as three other airlines have sued it, saying the airport-use restrictions on charter flights violate federal law. To date, there has been no ruling on those claims. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Andrey Kozlov (C), 27, one of the four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives by a helicopter at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Israeli special forces rescued four hostages in broad daylight on Saturday from the Nuseirat refugee district in the centre of the Gaza Strip after 246 days in captivity, the army said. Following the hostage liberation, the Palestinian director of the al-Aqsa hospital, said at least 94 people were killed and a further 200 injured in the course of the Israeli rescue operation. This information could not be independently verified. The Israeli army, on enquiry, said it was checking the reports. The freed Israeli hostages were named as Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27 and Shlomi Ziv, 40. They were all abducted from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7, the army said. "They are alive. They are fine," said Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari. Israeli media showed pictures of the happy reunion of Argamani with her family. She is especially well known in Israel as she was seen being kidnapped by Hamas on a motorbike, desperately crying out for help. The four were rescued in two operations that had been planned for weeks, Hagari said. Meanwhile, the director of the al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah said in a press release that 94 Palestinians had been killed and around 200 others injured in Nuseirat. Earlier, medical circles and the Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza Strip spoke of 55 deaths in army attacks on the Nuseirat refugee camp and the town of Deir al-Balah. It was not initially stated whether the people were killed in the army operations to rescue the hostages. It was also not clear how many of those killed were civilians or Hamas fighters. The information could not initially be independently verified. The army said on enquiry that it was checking the reports. There were reportedly heavy airstrikes and artillery fire in the area. Footage purporting to show scenes from the treating hospital shows bloodied victims, dead bodies and injured children. According to reports, complete chaos broke out at the al-Aqsa hospital. The Hamas-controlled media office spoke of "an unprecedented, brutal attack on the Nuseirat refugee camp" and said that the al-Aqsa hospital was in a catastrophic situation. In Doha, Ismail Haniyeh, the top Hamas official, described Israel's recent operations in Gaza as a "massacre" of the Palestinians. "The enemy is continuing its massacre against our people, our children and women, in Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah," Hanija said on Saturday. Earlier in the day Israeli special forces freed four hostages from this area., Haniyeh declared that Israel had "failed militarily, politically and morally." As for the still unsuccessful negotiations on a possible ceasefire, Haniyeh declared that Hamas would not agree to any agreement that did not "first and foremost provide security for our people." Haniyeh did not mention the four released hostages in his statement. The Israelis were rescued from Gaza after 246 days in captivity from two different buildings in a "complex, high-risk mission," IDF spokesman Hagari said. The special forces, who had reportedly been preparing for the mission for weeks, carried out the operation under fire. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Argamani on Saturday, according to his office. She was happy to be able to speak in Hebrew again after such a long time, according to the media. Her mother is suffering from terminal cancer and wanted to see her daughter before she died. Israeli media said Saturday is her father's birthday. According to the Forum of Hostage Families, Argamani's boyfriend, who was also kidnapped and seen on that October 7 video of the kidnapping, is still being held by Hamas. According to a media report, spontaneous cheers and applause broke out on the beach in Tel Aviv after a lifeguard announced the rescue operation. "We are overjoyed to have you home," said Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, according to his office. He spoke of a "heroic operation." Benny Gantz, a minister in Israel's war cabinet, said after the hostages were rescued that his "heart was full," according to the media. At the same time, he cancelled a speech planned for the evening. It was expected that he would announce his party's withdrawal from the government. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has described the release of four Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip on Saturday as an "important sign of hope." Writing on X, he said this was "especially true for the many families in Israel who continue to fear for their loved ones. "Four hostages are now free. Hamas must finally release all hostages. The war must end," he said. According to Israeli police, a high-ranking official was also killed during the operation in Nuseirat. No additional information was immediately available. The war started on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack in southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 people as hostage. In November there was a temporary ceasefire in which Hamas released more than 100 hostages in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinians held in Israeli jails. There are believed to be about 120 hostages from Israel still in Gaza but it is unclear how many of them are still alive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre, in Ramat Gan. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had rescued four Israeli hostages on Saturday in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Jack Guez/AFP pool/dpa Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre, in Ramat Gan. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had rescued four Israeli hostages on Saturday in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Jack Guez/AFP pool/dpa Shlomi Ziv (L), 40, Andrey Kozlov (C), 27, and Almog Meir, 21, three of the four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrive by a helicopter at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Andrey Kozlov (C), 27, one of the four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives by a helicopter at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa A helicopter carrying the rescued Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa A helicopter carrying the rescued Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Israel says it rescued four hostages alive from Gaza Relatives of released hostages arrive to Tel Hashomer (Sheba) hospital. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The hostages are Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27 and Shlomi Ziv, 40 They were kidnapped by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas terrorist organization from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7, the IDF said. The IDF, together with the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) and the Yamam police counter-terrorism unit, carried out the operation on Saturday morning, the IDF said. The four are in "good medical condition" and were taken to the "Sheba" Tel-Hashomer Medican Center for further medical evaluations. The IDF said it will continue to make every effort to bring the hostages home. Relatives of released hostages arrive to Tel Hashomer (Sheba) hospital. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Israel says it rescued four hostages alive from Gaza Andrey Kozlov (C), 27, one of the four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives by a helicopter at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The hostages were named as Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27 and Shlomi Ziv, 40. The three men and one woman were kidnapped by the Palestinian Hamas terrorist organization from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7, the IDF said. "We are overjoyed to have you back home," Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said, according to his office. He spoke of a "heroic operation." The IDF, together with the Israeli Security Agency and the Yamam police counter-terrorism unit, carried out the operation involving hundreds of troops on Saturday morning, the IDF said. They were freed from two different locations in the centre of Nuseirat. The army had previously announced that it was attacking terrorist infrastructure in the area. The four are in "good medical condition" and were taken to the "Sheba" Tel-Hashomer Medical Center for further medical evaluations. The IDF said it will continue to make every effort to bring the hostages home. For Israel this has been the first bit of good news in weeks, as the country has come under severe international pressure over its operations in the Gaza Strip. The Times of Israel reported that war cabinet minister Benny Gantz, who was expected to resign from the role in a speech on Saturday evening, cancelled his address after the news of the hostage rescue broke. The war started on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack in southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 people as hostage. In November there was a temporary ceasefire in which Hamas released more than 100 hostages in exchange for Israel releaseing Palestinians held in Israeli jails. There are believed to be about 120 hostages from Israel still in Gaza but it is unclear how many of them are still alive. Andrey Kozlov (C), 27, one of the four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives by a helicopter at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa A helicopter carrying the rescued Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa A helicopter carrying the rescued Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Noa Argamani is reunited with her father after being rescued from Gaza in a special operation on Saturday. Screengrab via Israel Foreign Ministry/UPI June 8 (UPI) -- Israel Defense Forces freed four hostages from two locations within the Nuseirat refugee camp in Central Gaza on Saturday, the IDF announced. Shlomi Ziv, 40; Almong Meir Jan, 21; Andrey Kozlov, 27; and Noa Argamani, 25; were liberated from Hamas captors who kidnapped them during the Oct. 7 attack on the Nova Music Festival in Israel. Three other hostages were previously rescued. Argamani's Hamas captors posted a viral video of Argamani being placed on the back of a motorcycle and taken into Gaza by her kidnappers during the attack. She was attending the music festival with her boyfriend, who also was kidnapped. Last month, Hamas published video featuring the voice of Argamani in which she urged Israel to bring about her release. On Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Argamani, who said in the call: "I haven't spoken Hebrew in a very long time," after Netanyahu asked how she was feeling. People enjoy a sunny day near a torn poster with a photo of Israeli hostage Noa Argamani held captive in Gaza by Hamas, on a street in Tel Aviv, on April 13. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI "For one moment, we haven't given up on you. I don't know if you believed it, but we had full belief," Netanyahy said. The IDF, special forces and Israeli intelligence rescued the four hostages during the operation as heavy artillery fire occurred. Freed Israeli hostage Andrey Kozlov, center, exits an Israel Defense Forces helicopter after being rescued from Hamas captors in Gaza on Saturday. Photo by Gidon Markowicz/Israel Out/EPA-EFE "They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Center for further medical examinations," the IDF announced. News of the successful rescued was greeted with cheers in Israel, including on a beach in Tel Aviv when a lifeguard announced the rescues and then the names while using a loudspeaker. Noa Argamani, 25, is reunited with her father after being rescued from Gaza in a special operation on Saturday along with hostages Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40. Photo by Israel Foreign Ministry/UPI A friend of Argamani, Yan Gorjaltsan, told NBC News he and a group of her friends were going to Tel Aviv to visit her. "This is the happiest days of our lives," Gorjaltsan said. "You can't believe how we're feeling." A Palestinian sits in the rubble of destroyed building following a hostage rescue operation by Israeli Special Forces in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday. Photo by Hatem Al-Rawag/UPI At least 107 were killed while the rescue operation was underway, a spokesperson for the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al-Balah said. IDF forces have conducted three successful hostage rescue operations. Almog Meir Jan, 21, is reunited with his family after being rescued from Gaza in a special operation on Saturday. Photo by Israel Foreign Ministry/UPI An IDF corporal, Ori Megidish was rescued from northern Gaza in October, and Fernando Marman and Louis Har were rescued from southern Rafah on Feb. 12. More than 1,200 Israeli citizens were killed in the Oct. 7 attack, including women, children and the elderly. Andrey Kozlov, 27, is reunited with his family after being rescued from Gaza in a special operation on Saturday. Photo by Israel Foreign Ministry/UPI The four hostages rescued Saturday were among 250 kidnapped and taken to locations throughout Gaza. The United States officially designated Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization on Oct. 8, 1998. Shlomi Ziv, 40, thanks a member of the IDF after being rescued along with three other hostages from Gaza in a special operation on Saturday. Photo by Israel Foreign Ministry/UPI In Paris, President Joe Biden spoke about the hostage operation during a news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris. "I want to echo President Macron's comments welcoming the safe rescue of four hostages that were returned to their families in Israel. We won't stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached. That is essential to happen," he said. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have noted that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is trying to promote his "theory of victory", which is focused on a war of attrition in Ukraine. Source: ISW Details: On 7 June, Russian leader Vladimir Putin articulated a theory of victory in Ukraine that relies on several key assumptions: that Russian forces can continue making gradual advances indefinitely, that Ukraine will be unable to conduct successful, significant counteroffensive operations, and that Russia can ultimately win a war of attrition against Ukrainian forces. Following his speech at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin stated that Russia does not need to conduct another call-up of reservists similar to the partial mobilisation in September 2022. He explained that this is because Russia is not attempting to rapidly achieve its military objectives in Ukraine. Putin acknowledged that the current Russian military contingent committed to the war in Ukraine reportedly the entire combat-capable ground force as of January 2024 would be insufficient for a swift victory. However, he suggested that Russian forces are instead pursuing a more gradual approach. Putin asserted that Russia's ongoing recruitment efforts, which he referred to as "crypto-mobilisation", are sufficient for this gradual strategy. He noted that Russia has recruited 160,000 new personnel so far in 2024, a figure that aligns with reports indicating the Russian military recruits between 20,000 and 30,000 new soldiers per month. Putin's belief that gradual Russian gains will allow Russia to achieve its goals in Ukraine is based on the assumption that Ukrainian forces will be unable to reclaim any significant territory seized by Russian forces. Additionally, he assumes that the Russian military will be able to sustain offensive operations and achieve incremental tactical gains despite incurring heavy losses. This assessment has been reinforced by recent months of delayed Western security assistance and corresponding constraints on Ukrainian materiel. These delays have allowed Russian forces to seize and maintain the initiative across the theatre and to conduct consistent offensive operations throughout Ukraines east, resulting in gradual tactical gains. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 7 June: Russian leader Vladimir Putin articulated a theory of victory in Ukraine on 7 June that assumes that Russian forces will be able to continue gradual creeping advances indefinitely, prevent Ukraine from conducting successful operationally significant counteroffensive operations, and win a war of attrition against Ukrainian forces. Putin's theory of victory rests on Russia's ability to outlast and overcome pledged Western security assistance to Ukraine and Ukrainian efforts to mobilise more of its economy and population for the war effort, indicating that Putin likely assesses that Russian forces will be able to leverage their advantages in manpower and materiel to overwhelm on Ukrainian forces. Putin's theory of victory hinges on a critical assumption that the West will abandon Ukraine to Russian victory, either on its own accord or in response to Russian efforts to persuade the West to do so, and it is far from clear that the West will do so. Putin indirectly indicated that Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory with Western-provided weapons do not cross a supposed Russian "red line" that would result in Russian nuclear escalation. Putin heavily focused on proposals to solve Russia's labour shortage issues during his speech at SPIEF on 7 June. Putin attempted to frame Russia's economic issues in a positive light, likely to prepare Russian citizens to make more personal sacrifices as Russia sustains a protracted war in Ukraine at the expense of Russian citizens standards of living. Putin continued efforts to portray Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as an illegitimate president and identified the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (parliament) as a legitimate actor with which the Kremlin can negotiate instead of Zelenskyy. Putins recent statements are the latest in a series designed to obfuscate the legality of Zelenskyy's extended term by misrepresenting the Ukrainian Constitution and Ukrainian laws. Putin attempted to introduce his children and the children of other senior Russian officials to the public sphere at SPIEF, likely to set conditions for them to eventually assume high-profile and powerful roles in the Russian government. Pranay Vaddi, US National Security Council Senior Director for Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation, stated that the US has prepared a new nuclear weapons policy specifically to deter Russia, the People's Republic of China (PRC), North Korea, and Iran. The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced a US$225 million security assistance package for Ukraine on 7 June. French President Emmanuel Macron announced on 6 June that France will provide Ukraine with an unspecified number of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets and equip and train a brigade of 4,500 Ukrainian soldiers. The Russian Supreme Court declared an organisation that does not exist as "extremist" on 7 June, consistent with previous ISW assessments that Russia seeks to expand the legal definition of "extremism" to increasingly prosecute domestic anti-war sentiment. Russian forces recently advanced near Svatove, near Chasiv Yar, and north-west of Avdiivka. Support UP or become our patron! Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, speaks at a press conference after her talks with Chancellor Scholz at the Federal Chancellery. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa Italy's firebrand Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is polling well ahead of her rivals as Italians, Estonians, Latvians, Maltese, Czechs and Slovakians go to vote in the European Parliament elections on Saturday. Meloni could be poised to act as kingmaker for the next European Commission president if her Brothers of Italy (FdI) makes major gains. Incumbent Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been openly courting Meloni in the hope of winning the confirmatory votes of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, a pan-European soft-eurosceptic bloc that Meloni now leads and whose ranks FdI candidates aim to join if elected to the European Parliament. As the EU's third-most populous country, Italy can send a total of 76 delegates to the 720-seat European Parliament, putting anyone who wins big there in a powerful position at EU level. According to a "poll of polls" compiled by the news website Politico, the conservative FdI is in first place with 27%, six points ahead of the centre-left Democratic Party. Saturday marks the third day of four in the EU-wide elections, in which different countries vote on different days. It's polling day for Latvia, Malta and Slovakia; the second and final day of polling for the Czech Republic, and the first of two for Italy and Estonia. Slovakia's left-wing nationalist Prime Minister Robert Fico has come out fighting on Wednesday after surviving an assassination attempt on May 15 that shocked Europe. Fico was shot multiple times in an attack that appears to have been politically motivated. The recovering prime minister published a video on Wednesday in which said "an activist of the Slovak opposition" had carried out the attempt on his life," adding there was no reason to believe the attack was the act of a "lone lunatic." He cast his vote in a hospital in Bratislava. The 59-year-old posted a photo on Facebook on Saturday of himself leaning on a crutch and inserting his ballot paper into a mobile ballot box. "We must elect MPs who support peace initiatives and not the continuation of war," he wrote in regard to Ukraine. After he took office in October, Slovakia halted state arms deliveries to Ukraine, which has been fending off a full-scale Russian invasion for more than two years. Fico's party SMER is leading in the polls at 23%, two points ahead of the liberal Progressive Slovakia party. The first preliminary results indicating the composition of the next European Parliament will only come late on Sunday night, after every member of the 27-nation bloc has voted. These will be updated during the early hours of Monday. LANSING, N.Y. (WETM) An Ithaca man and a Lansing woman were arrested early on Friday morning after police say they found a gun and drugs during a traffic stop. Terri L. Meddaugh, 60, and Michael C. Gilmore, 29, were arrested on June 7 in the Village of Lansing. According to the Tompkins County Sheriffs Office, deputies were patrolling in the village and conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Malibu on Sheraton Drive at 1:15 a.m. Meddaugh was the registered owner of the car, and authorities say that she was known to be in the company of Gilmore, who was wanted. Deputies quickly determined that Gilmore was inside the vehicle. While they were arresting Gilmore on his warrants, the deputies noticed .380 ammunition and drug paraphernalia inside the car. They then searched the vehicle and found an unlawfully possessed Ruger LCP .380 semi-automatic pistol, a vial that they suspected contained methamphetamine, a crack pipe, and more .380 ammo under the seat Gilmore was sitting in. Authorities say they also discovered that Gilmore was hiding three plastic vials of suspected heroin/fentanyl in his underwear. Ithaca man arrested following incident involving baseball bat, walking stick Gilmore and Meddaugh were both charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon- loaded firearm (a class C felony) and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (a class A misdemeanor). Gilmore and Meddaugh were taken to the Tompkins County Jail for Centralized Arraignment. They are both being held on $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond bail. The Village of Cayuga Heights Police Department assisted the Tompkins County Sheriffs Office with these arrests. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Maha El Dahan DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia placed over half of an $11.2 billion share sale in Aramco with foreign investors, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Saturday. Saudi Arabia has been seeking to lure international investment to pour tens of billions of dollars into projects to diversify away from its reliance on oil. Yet foreign investment has repeatedly missed targets. "There were multiple orders from the U.S., UK, Hong Kong and Japan," one of the sources said. International demand for the secondary share sale was greater than for Aramco's IPO in 2019, sources had previously told Reuters. Aramco said on Friday shares were priced at 27.25 riyals ($7.27) after the company set a price range of 26.70-29.00 riyals. The secondary offering, codenamed Project Bond by the banks involved, took months of planning. As a result of the transaction, more than 120 new international investors will be added to Aramco, one of the sources said. "The overall demand for the offering was greater than $65 billion across global blue chip institutions and the domestic retail offering," he said. Saudi de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 is funding endeavours as diverse as electric vehicles to building futuristic cities in the desert, mainly via its Public Investment Fund (PIF). The $925 billion sovereign fund, after scaling back some of its flagship giga-projects, aims to sharpen its focus to drive forward the vision. Proceeds from the share sale are likely to be funneled to the PIF, sources and analysts have said, though funds could also help plug the kingdom's budget deficit which has risen as the oil price has weakened. (Reporting by Maha El Dahan; Editing by Tomasz Janowski) A New Jersey school high school has hired a law firm to investigate why both the names and a photo of members of a Jewish student group were left out its 2024 yearbook, in an incident local leaders called blatant antisemitism. The investigation into East Brunswick Public Schools by Brisman Law began on Friday. Im confident the independent counsel investigation will reveal the truth, superintendent Victor Valeski told ABC News. Theyve been given complete authority to investigate whatever they need to investigate. Community members were shocked on Tuesday when hundreds of high school yearbooks were distributed, only with the names of members of the Jewish Student Union blank, and their photo replaced with an image depicting apparently Muslim students. The yearbooks were condemned by local leaders, as well as leaders in the Jewish and Muslim communities. Valeski, in a statement on June 5, said he was devastated and frustrated that the yearbook took away from an inclusive school environment for all EB students. Above all, I personally, along with the entire East Brunswick Board of Education, sincerely apologize for the hurt, pain and anguish this event has caused our Jewish students, their families and the impact this continues to have on the entire EB community, he said. I want to offer sincere apologies to our Muslim students and families, as well, he added. I am aware that the picture placed in the yearbook has caused pain for our Muslim students and for that I am deeply sorry. East Brunswick mayor Brad Cohen described the yearbook incident as a blatant anti-semitic act. Hate has no place in East Brunswick and Anti-Semitism will not be tolerated, he wrote in a statement this week. "Unfortunately, this has been a year in which antisemitic acts have grown exponentially, and our Jewish teens in public schools have been as inundated as the college campuses we see regularly on the news," Devora Simon, national director of JSU, and Rabbi Reuven Lebovitz, director of New Jersey JSU, said in a statment to local news outlet My Central Jersey. The New Jersey office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said the yearbook incident had prompted a deluge of hateful online comments against Muslim students whose photos were used in the yearbook edit without their knowledge. It is crucial that school officials ensure their investigation is transparent, fair and thorough so those responsible are held accountable, CAIR-NJ interim communications manager Aya Elamroussi said. This incident has triggered heinous backlash against some Muslim students who had no knowledge on their photo being misused. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has prompted a surge of antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents on school campuses across the US. On May 29, as jurors in Donald Trumps hush-money case began their deliberations, Biden campaign senior adviser T.J. Ducklo took to Twitter to plead with news organizations: Please stop covering the trial of Bidens main political rivala trial that reveals him to be a liar and a fraud, and one in which he has repeatedly attacked the presiding judge and his familyso much. The President just spoke to approx 1,000 mostly black voters in Philly about the massive stakes in this election, Ducklo tweeted. MSNBC, CNN, and others did not show it. Instead, more coverage about a trial that impacts one person: Trump. Then theyll ask, why isnt your message getting out? This is, to put it mildly, a strange thing to complain about. For one thing, the criminal trial of a former president is a legitimate news event in obvious ways that a campaign speech is not. Campaign events like the one Biden was holding in Philadelphia rarely receive wall-to-wall news coverageand shouldnt. (Democrats were right to complain of the insane amount of coverage Trump rallies received in 2016, for instance.) For another, its hard to think of a bigger gift to a stumbling presidential campaign than the criminal trial of its opponent. For weeks, the medias attention wasnt on Bidens struggles to convince voters that he deserves a second term: Instead it was on Donald Trumps status as a criminal, a huckster, and a fraud. With less than six months to go in the electionand with Biden running as a historically unpopular incumbentthe best path for reelection seems to be a referendum about his historically unpopular incumbent, who is now a convicted felon. But Ducklos tweet was also in keeping with the Biden administrations increasingly whiny approach to the media. As the presidents reelection campaign remains mired with problemsparticularly surrounding concerns about the presidents age or the state of the economyhe and his advisers have increasingly hit out at the media with desperate and incoherent critiques. Most of the Biden administrations criticism of the media feels like blaming the press for the presidents own messaging failures. For months, the administration has been in a petty feud with The New York Times over what it sees as unfair criticism of the presidents age. Biden has refused to grant an interview with the papereven though it could help ease concerns about his mental faculties and push his messagein retaliation for its supposedly negative coverage of him. While emotions are undoubtedly very high, its not entirely clear what exactly Biden and his team want from the Times or the media more broadly, beyond jubilant headlines about every minor success the administration trumpets. Indeed, Bidens recent decision to grant a lengthy interview with Time magazine could be seen as a shot at the Times, which has been seeking a sitdown for monthsthe president snubbing the countrys most prominent print news outlet for a glossy alternative. The weirdest part of the administrations obsession with coverage of the presidents age is that the Timeslike other mainstream outletslargely left the presidents advanced age undercovered until relatively recently, even though voters have long been concerned about it. Voters do not think that Biden is old because the media started covering concerns over his age over the last six months. They think hes old because he is, at 81, by far the oldest person to ever occupy the White House and because he, unsurprisingly, moves and speaks like an 81-year-old. Some criticisms of media coverage have been fair, if also whiny and misdirected. In February, the spokesperson for the White House Counsels office sent a letter to the White House Press Corps blasting the medias coverage of the Hur report, which ostensibly cleared the president of misconduct in his handling of classified information but also included a number of exaggerated (and unrelated) criticisms of his mental acuity. Similarly, there has been a great deal of hand-wringing from the administration over coverage of the economy: Unemployment is low, wages are upbut voters are still unhappy about price increases that have remained stubbornly high after the pandemic. The administration can make a reasonable argument that it has managed the shocks of the post-Covid economy with extraordinary deftnessand that its done a far better job than other comparable governments. But the idea that people are worried about the state of the economy because of press coverage is ridiculous. People are upset because prices have risen dramatically over Bidens presidency. Blaming the media here feels like a classic bit of misdirected anger: They cant exactly blame voters for not being grateful for the so-so economy, so they blame the media. Biden does, to be fair, have a critique of the media that is compelling. Speaking at last months White House Correspondents Dinner, Biden made a plea for the press to focus on the stakes of the electionnot just on minor shifts in polling or inconsequential gaffes. Speaking about Trumps increasingly overt authoritarianism, Biden made the case that things were different now. Eight years ago, you could have written [it off] as just Trump talk. But no longer. Not after January 6, he said. Im sincerely not asking of you to take sides but asking you to rise up to the seriousness of the moment, he continued. Move past the horse-race numbers and the gotcha moments and the distractions, the sideshows that have come to dominate and sensationalize our politics; and focus on whats actually at stake. I mean, sure. The stakes of this election are high. Donald Trump is threatening to deport millions of people, to criminalize dissent, to end democracy as we know it. But the media is covering those aspects of Trumps candidacyjust as they covered the trial, they have covered his pledge to be a dictator and other aspects of his nascent agenda. But an argument for covering the stakes of the election doesnt mean that the media get to be a propagandistic arm of the administration. That is, unfortunately, what Biden and many of his advisers seem to want. It means covering the complexity of the economy. It also means covering the oldest president in American history as ... the oldest president in American history. (It also fairly covers Trump as the most dangerous political figure in recent American history.) It certainly doesnt mean turning their cameras and column inches to whatever bridge Joe Biden is opening that day. Yes, Donald Trump represents a unique threat to American democracy. But the idea that that should preclude negative (or even just complex) coverage of the current administration is absurd. To be fair, the Biden administration has struggled to trumpet its successes. It has struggled to sell significant but multifaceted legislation to the public. It has struggled to convince voters that the economy is better than it could be. It has struggled to explain why the president has embraced parts of Trumps draconian immigration program. It has struggled to sell the fact that American bombs are being used to kill children in Gaza. None of that is the medias fault, however. The problem isnt with the messageits with the messenger, in this case an octogenarian president who only has himself to blame for his current woes. President Joe Biden was celebrated by wife Jill Biden and daughter Ashley Biden at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Despite dropping out of the 2024 presidential race on July 21, the president, 81, made an appearance on day one of the DNC in Chicago on Aug. 19. From left, President Joe Biden, first lady Dr. Jill Biden, Finnegan Biden holding Beau Biden, Hunter Biden, Melissa Cohen and Naomi Biden's husband, Peter Neal, watched fireworks on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2023. Jill Biden first delivered a moving speech, before Ashley Biden made her father tear up with her words. After giving him a warm introduction, Joe Biden was seen wiping away a tear as he hugged his daughter. Joe Biden is the OG girl dad. He told me I could be anything and I could do anything, Ashley Biden said. ...And he wasnt just a girl dad. I could see that he valued and trusted women. President Joe Biden wipes away a tear as daughter Ashley Biden greets him onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Later in her speech, she said, Dad, you always tell us, but we dont tell you enough: That you are the love of our lives and the life of our love. Ashley Biden also recalled her father crying at her wedding, saying, Before he walked me down the aisle, he turned to me and said he would always be my best friend. Adding, All these years later, dad, you are still my best friend. President Joe Biden and First Daughter Ashley Biden during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 19, 2024 in Chicago. When it came to his wedding day, in 1975, Joe Biden, then a Delaware senator, met his future wife after they were fixed up by his brother Frank Biden. The future president famously proposed to Jill Biden five times before they tied the knot in 1977. Prior to meeting Jill Biden, Joe Biden had been living as a single dad for five years after his wife, Neilia, 30, and their 13-month-old daughter, Naomi, were killed in a car crash a week before Christmas in 1972. The young politicians sons, Beau and Hunter Biden, ages 4 and 3, were critically injured. In April 2024, Biden opened up to Howard Stern about his struggle with intense grief following the loss of Neilia and Naomi. I used to sit there and just think, Im going to take out a bottle of scotch, he recalled. Im going to just drink it and get drunk. At one point, Joe Biden said he contemplated suicide. I thought, Let me just go to the Delaware Memorial (Bridge) and jump, he told Stern. He has opened up about grappling with grief before. At a 2012 event organized by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Biden reflected on his experience with loss. There will come a day, I promise you, when the thought of your son or daughter or your husband or wife brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye, Joe Biden said. It will happen. My prayer for you is that day will come sooner or later. But the only thing I have more experience than you in is this: Im telling you it will come. In 1972, Joe Biden was sworn in as the U.S. Senator from Delaware in a Wilmington hospital where Beau Biden was recovering from a fatal car crash. Joe and Jill Biden completed their family in 1981, when they welcomed daughter Ashley Biden. Read on to learn more about Joe Biden's family: Naomi Biden Naomi Biden and her mom, Neilia Biden, were killed in 1972, after their station wagon was broadsided by a tractor-trailer. Naomi Biden's brothers, Beau and Hunter Biden, were seriously injured, but survived the crash. The toddler and Neilia Biden are both buried at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery in Delaware. To lose a child is like having a piece of your soul ripped away. Theres a hollowness in your chest, you feel like youre being sucked into it, Joe Biden said in 2022. Its suffocating. And its never quite the same. Beau Biden Joseph Beau Biden III was 46 when he died of a glioblastoma brain tumor in 2015. He is survived by wife Hallie Biden, 51, and their two children, Natalie Biden, 20, and Robert Biden II, 18, who often goes by Hunter. A former Delaware attorney general and member of the Delaware National Guard, who was awarded a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq in 2008 and 2009, Beau Biden was diagnosed with brain cancer in August 2013. Beau Biden was the acting attorney general when he went to serve in Iraq, and he later refused a bid to run for his fathers seat in the U.S. Senate to handle his obligations as attorney general. Beau was in the middle of prosecuting one of the largest child abuse cases in American history and felt that his duty to see that case through to the end was more important than his personal ambition, Ron Klain, a former chief of staff for Biden, told TODAY's Savannah Guthrie in 2015. That kind of character is just extraordinary, and thats the kind of person Beau was. Joseph R. "Beau" Biden (seen here in 2008) died in 2015 of brain cancer. Joe Biden announced his sons passing in a touching statement. His absolute honor made him a role model for our family. Beau embodied my fathers saying that a parent knows success when his child turns out better than he did, Joe Biden, then vice president, wrote in part. In the words of the Biden family: Beau Biden was, quite simply, the finest man any of us have ever known. In President Barack Obamas statement, he compared Beau Biden to his father. Like his dad, Beau was a good, big-hearted, devoutly Catholic and deeply faithful man, who made a difference in the lives of all he touched and he lives on iour hearts, Obama wrote. Hunter Biden Robert Hunter Biden, 54, is an attorney and businessman. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in history from Georgetown University and earned his law degree at Yale Law School. Hunter Biden shares three daughters with ex-wife Kathleen Buhle: Naomi Biden, 30, Finnegan Biden, 23, and Maisy Biden, 23. Hunter Biden married South African filmmaker Melissa Cohen Biden in 2019, and the following year, they welcomed son Beau Jr., 4. He is also dad of Navy Joan Roberts, 6. Hunter Biden initially denied paternity of Navy, but a DNA test confirmed that he was the father. Hunter Biden posed with his dad, President Joe Biden, in 2016. In Hunter Biden's book, Beautiful Things, he wrote about his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. "Ive bought crack cocaine on the streets of Washington, D.C., and cooked up my own inside a hotel bungalow in Los Angeles. Ive been so desperate for a drink that I couldnt make the one-block walk between a liquor store and my apartment without uncapping the bottle to take a swig. In the last five years alone, my two-decades-long marriage has dissolved, guns have been put in my face, and at one point I dropped clean off the grid, living in $59-a-night Super 8 motels off I-95 while scaring my family even more than myself," he said. When Hunter Biden appeared on the the musician Moby's podcast in 2023, he shared that he is sober and that he paints eight hours a day as a form of meditation. If I had my druthers, I would be an artist and then, you know, life interrupts those kinds of dreams for some people," Hunter Biden told Moby. In September 2023, Hunter Biden was indicted by federal prosecutors on three counts tied to the possession of a gun while using narcotics. He was found guilty on all three counts in June 2024. Ashley Biden Ashley Biden at the Elysee Palace, the official residence of French president Emmanuel Macron, on July 25, 2023, in Paris. Ashley Biden, a social worker, graduated with a bachelors degree from Tulane University and a masters degree from the University of Pennsylvanias School of Social Policy and Practice. In 2012, she married Dr. Howard Krein, a otorhinolaryngologist and plastic surgeon. Ashley Biden, 43, preferred to stay out of the spotlight but has been stepping out to praise her father. It took about two years to get into the groove of being in this position, she told Elle in 2023. Im doing my work as I always have been, but kind of figuring out the role as first daughter, and how can I use it in the most positive way, where its not about me, its about Americans. And what Ive learned is, I want to tell the story of others I want to lift up organizations and share this information. CORRECTION (July 21, 2024, 12:00 pm): An earlier version of this article misstated the year of Neilia Biden's fatal car accident. It occurred in 1972, not 1982. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Journalists identify two Russian soldiers involved in rape during occupation of Kyiv and Kherson oblasts video Nadbit Dabayev, a Russian soldier from Buryatia and one of the suspects. Photo: Screenshot from documentary He Came Back Kyiv Independent journalists have identified two Russian soldiers who were involved in raping two women during the occupation of Kyiv and Kherson oblasts in March 2022. Source: investigative documentary He Came Back by Kyiv Independent Details: One of the men is Nikolai Senenko, a soldier of the 109th Motorised Rifle Regiment belonging to the so-called "Armed Forces" of the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast. He took part in the occupation of the village of Krasnivka (Kherson Oblast). The film also features Nadbit Dabayev, a yefreytor (OR-4 in the NATO-rank system) in the 8th Company of the 37th Separate Motorised Rifle Brigade. He took part in the occupation of the village of Havronshchyna (Kyiv Oblast). The journalists found that neither of the identified Russian servicemen have been punished for the crime. In June 2022, Ukrainian law enforcement officers served Nadbit Dabayev with a notice of suspicion in absentia for a number of other war crimes committed during the occupation: carjacking, death threats and murder of a civilian. Dabayev refused to answer direct questions from journalists about his involvement in the crimes, including sexual violence. He continues to post photos of himself in military uniform and with weapons on his social media accounts. Based on information from Nikolai Senenko's comrades-in-arms, to whom a journalist of Kyiv Independent spoke to under the guise of being a Russian investigator, the soldier is currently in the occupied city of Horlivka (Donetsk Oblast). Additionally, the investigation uncovered the names of the commanders to whom the Russian soldiers reported and under whose control they operated. The 37th Brigade was led by Colonel Yuri Medvedev. His brigade committed some of the most brutal war crimes during the occupation of Kyiv Oblast. Ukraine served the brigade's soldiers with notices of suspicion in absentia for murder, rape, torture, and threats to shoot civilians. Medvedev was injured in March 2022. But a few months later, he delivered a speech at the 9 May Victory Day parade in Buryatia and subsequently received one of Russia's highest state awards, the Order of Courage. [9 May is when Russia celebrates Victory Day, a holiday commemorating the 1945 victory over Nazism ed.] The 109th Regiment of the so-called "Armed Forces" of the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast may have been subordinated to the 11th Air Assault Brigade of Russia's Armed Forces, led by Colonel Denis Shishov. Shishov participated in the capture of Kherson Oblast and was wounded. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of major general and awarded the title of Hero of Russia. Support UP or become our patron! This aerial photo taken on Nov. 13, 2023, by Archaeology Southwest with a volunteer pilot and Lighthawk, a nonprofit organization, shows new access roads and tower pad sites west of the San Pedro River, near Redrock Canyon, in Arizona. A U.S. district judge has dismissed claims by Native American tribes and environmentalists who sought to halt construction along part of a $10 billion energy transmission line. (Archaeology Southwest via AP) A U.S. district judge has dismissed claims by Native American tribes and environmentalists who sought to halt construction along part of a $10 billion energy transmission line that will carry wind-generated electricity from New Mexico to customers as far away as California. Judge Jennifer Zipps said in her ruling issued Thursday that the plaintiffs were years too late in bringing their challenge. It followed an earlier decision in which she dismissed their requests for a preliminary injunction, saying the Bureau of Land Management had fulfilled its obligations to identify historic sites and prepare an inventory of cultural resources. The disputed stretch of the SunZia transmission line is in southern Arizonas San Pedro Valley and passes through an area that holds historic, cultural and religious significance for the tribes. The Tohono Oodham Nation along with the San Carlos Apache Tribe, the Center for Biological Diversity and Archeology Southwest sued in January in hopes of stopping the clearing of roads and pads so more work could be done to identify culturally significant sites within a 50-mile (80-kilometer) stretch of the valley. California-based developer Pattern Energy called the ruling a win for the region, citing the jobs and billions of dollars in economic development and investment that will result from the project. This decision provides assurance moving forward that projects that follow permitting processes and obtain proper approvals will not be threatened years later by baseless legal claims, Pattern Chief Development Officer Cary Kottler said in an email to The Associated Press. We remain committed to carrying out our work with the same integrity and dedication that has always defined us, including in a manner that is respectful of tribal sovereignty and cultural resources protection. The tribes did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Tohono Oodham Nation vowed in April to pursue all legal avenues, and environmentalists said an appeal is likely. This power company has been working really hard to pretend they can moot the issue by destroying as much as possible as fast as they can, said Robin Silver, co-founder of the Center for Biological Diversity. That doesnt work. SunZia is among the projects that supporters say will bolster President Joe Bidens agenda for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The planned 550-mile (885-kilometer) conduit would carry more than 3,500 megawatts of wind power to 3 million people. The tribes asked a federal appeals court to intervene in April, arguing that the federal government has legal and distinct obligations under the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act and that the Bureau of Land Managements interpretation of how its obligations apply to the SunZia project should be reviewed. The U.S. Interior Department, which oversees the Bureau of Land Management, declined to comment on the ruling. A state judge has ordered graduate student workers at the University of California to temporarily stop their strike at six campuses across the system, delivering a win to UC regents in their legal effort to force strikers back to work. Both the university system and the academic workers union, United Auto Workers Local 4811, said late Friday that the judge in Orange County had granted a temporary restraining order against the work stoppage. UC had argued that the strike would cause irreparable harm by disrupting classes and research as finals loom. The strike began last month in response to the administrations crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests at the Los Angeles and Irvine campuses, part of a wave of college demonstrations across the country against Israels military campaign in Gaza. The union accused the university system of authorizing brutal arrests and violating workers right to peaceful protest. After starting at UC Santa Cruz, the strike spread to five other campuses: UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego. It now appears to be the largest U.S. work stoppage of the year so far, involving up to 31,500 of the unions 48,000 members. The injunction orders graduate student instructors and researchers temporarily back to work while the underlying case moves through a state labor board. The union has accused UC of committing various unfair labor practices stemming from its protest response. Academic workers protest at the University of California, Irvine, on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in Orange County, California. When workers there recently walked off the job, they joined their counterparts at other campuses on strike in response to UC's handling of pro-Palestinian protests. Zeng Hui/Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images Melissa Matella, UCs associate vice president for labor relations, said in a statement that the university system was extremely grateful for the judges order. The strike would have caused irreversible setbacks to students academic achievements and may have stalled critical research projects in the final quarter, Matella said. UC had asked the state labor board twice to seek an injunction and was rebuffed both times. It then took its case to Orange County Superior Court. Local 4811 cautioned that the judge did not rule the strike to be illegal, as the university system has argued. It also criticized UC regents for going outside of the labor board process in search of a more favorable outcome in state court, and vowed to defend the legality of the strike. The university system has said that the justifications for the strike are purely political and social rather than work-related and therefore the stoppage is against the law. But the grad students have maintained that the fight is about their rights as employees to protest without fear of arrest or retaliation. UC academic workers are facing down an attack on our whole movement, Rafael Jaime, the unions president, said in a statement. In the courtroom, the law is on our side and were prepared to keep defending our rights and outside, 48,000 workers are ready for a long fight. Veena Dubal, a law professor at UC Irvine, said on social media that it was pretty darn brazen of the university system to take its injunction request to court after the labor board had twice decline to pursue it. UCs actions are not unlike what Starbucks and Amazon are doing in the private sector: attempting to undermine the bodies governing labor law, Dubal said. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) An East Lansing woman has been convicted by a Clinton County jury of Vulnerable Adult AbuseSecond Degree, related to the freezing death of an 82-year-old woman in December 2022. Colleen Kelly OConnor, 58, of East Lansing was a caregiver at Vista Springs Imperial Park at Timber Ridge, an assisted-living facility in Clinton County, when the 82-year-old woman was in her care, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement Friday. AG Nessel said she admitted evidence during OConnors trial demonstrating that in the very early morning of Dec. 23, 2022 OConnor twice saw the elderly woman try to go outside without proper clothing into a single-digit temperature blizzard. Booking photo of Colleen Kelly OConnor (image: Clinton County Sheriffs Office.) There was a subzero windchill, along with blowing and drifting snow, Nessel said. As a caregiver, OConnor recklessly failed to act to prevent the victim from going outdoors into the storm, resulting in her death, the AG said in the news release. The AG reports that a snowplow driver had found the 82-year-old woman in the parking lot around 7 a.m., partly buried in snow. An ambulance transported her to a nearby hospital, but she died from hypothermia soon after. OConnors sentencing is scheduled for July 29 at 10:30, by Judge Cori E. Barkman of the 29th Circuit Court. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Rishi Sunak recently accusing Sir Keir Starmer of planning to raise taxes by 2,000 per household - Jonathan Hordle/ITV Households are already facing 800 of stealth tax rises over the next four years, economists have warned, even before a possible raid by the Labour Party. Analysis by the Resolution Foundation shows that hidden post-election tax hikes worth 23bn a year will be locked in by 2028, piling further pressure on households. A large part of this stems from fiscal drag, as the six-year freeze to income tax and National Insurance thresholds mean workers are expected to pay an extra 9bn a year by 2028 to 2029. A separate freeze on employer National Insurance will raise a further 2bn. In spring 2025, a series of major temporary cuts to business rates, fuel duty and stamp duty, which is paid on the purchase of properties in England and Northern Ireland, will also come to an end, bringing the total extra cost to 23bn a year by 2028. It comes as the issue of tax dominates the election debate, with Rishi Sunak recently accusing Sir Keir Starmer of planning to raise taxes by 2,000 per household. Labour has denied the claims. Resolution Foundation economist Adam Corlett said: Politicians should level with the public, and admit that taxes are already set to rise whoever wins the election. History tells us that tax rises often come after general elections and it is already very clear that there is an enormous strain on public services though this will be made harder if the parties continue to box themselves in on tax changes. Figures from the Resolution Foundation, formerly run by current Labour candidate Torsten Bell, show that after the past eight elections, successive governments have raised taxes by an average of 21bn a year. Stealth taxes alone are already poised to take the national tax burden up to a new post-war high. Since 2019, the UK tax take has climbed from 33.2pc of GDP to 36.5pc, the highest on record since 1949. This means the average household is paying an extra 3,000 per year in tax. These tax increases have disproportionately hit businesses and higher earners, while cuts to child benefit payments have reduced cash support for families with children. Overall, higher earners and families with children have seen the biggest reductions in disposable income since 2010, according to a separate analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). The richest 10pc of households have lost 2,100 in disposable income in the last 15 years, while households with children have lost benefits entitlements worth 2,200 per year. Single earners with children have also been disproportionately hit, as child benefits are based on individual incomes rather than combined household income. Story continues If one parents earnings exceed 60,000, the benefits start to be removed. A single parent with two children on average earnings of 35,000 has lost 5,200 a year in benefits since 2010. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to reform the system so that benefits only start to be removed when combined household income exceeds 120,000. 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) A juvenile suspect has been arrested in connection to an incident at the Newberg Public Library in which a window that displayed an LGBTQIA+ Pride flag was shattered by a BB gun. According to the Newberg-Dundee Police Department in a post on Facebook, police were originally dispatched to investigate the incident on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. No one was injured and it was initially investigated as a vandalism complaint. However, police said that due to concerns that the suspect possibly had a biased intent because a pride flag was displayed directly behind the vandalized window, the case was referred to Newberg detectives. Then on Friday, police said they identified the person allegedly responsible. VIDEO: Authorities rescue dog stranded on boulder along Sandy River Police said the suspect was acting alone. The juvenile cooperated with detectives and was arrested, police said. A window with a Pride flag on display was damaged at the Newberg Public Library in a vandalism incident. June 7, 2024 (courtesy Newberg Public Library). Its unclear what charges may brought to the juvenile, including whether or not they may include bias crime charges. However, police said the case is being referred to the Yamhill County Juvenile Department for prosecution. Officials said the suspect hasnt been identified as it is prohibited in Oregon law for juvenile offenders. Though police did not specify what projectile was used to shatter the window, Newberg Public Library Director Korie Buerkle specified in a statement that it was a BB gun. Buerkle said that even though no one was injured in the incident, and no one was seated at the table beneath the window, the room was occupied by people at the time and it happened during regular library hours. The glass that was shattered was a recent installment covering the original historic 1912 window, which remains intact. The Pride flag itself is also still intact, Buerkle said. Chair Vega Pederson says $4 billion Multnomah County budget will help overhaul behavioral health system In the face of adversity, weve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our community for the library, our staff, and the LGBTQIA+ community at large, Buerkle said. The library stands as a beacon of inclusivity, offering materials that reflect the diversity of our community. Each month, our displays celebrate various interests, cultures, and themes. Since 2019, in honor of Pride Month, weve proudly displayed the Pride flag in our window, alongside curated Pride book displays. This tradition will continue, with the Pride flag remaining in place until the end of Pride Month or until the window is fully repaired, whichever comes last. In a statement on Thursday, before the juvenile suspect was identified and arrested by police, Newberg Mayor Bill Rosacker condemned the act of vandalism, acknowledging it happened to a window where a Pride flag was displayed. Whether or not the coward who performed this act had an ulterior motive, misses the point. The act was an attack on the citizens of Newberg and will not be allowed to pass without consequences, the statement read in part. In Newberg all people are treated equally. We will not tolerate acts against any legal display of any sort. The simple fact that this attack was perpetrated against our library, which only exists because of and to protect our first amendment right to express our opinions without the fear of retribution, is abhorrent. The Newberg Public Library said they are offering support for the LGBTQIA+ community in the wake of the vandalism, including hosting a Pride Storytime and quiet reading session during a Newberg Pride event at the Chehalem Cultural Center on June 22 from noon to 4 p.m. In addition, the library is accepting donations that can be specifically designated to curate more LGBTQIA+ materials by including the word Pride in the donation memo at the Newberg Library donation link. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In a new letter, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, apologized to the Irish Guardsa Foot Guards regiment of the British Armyfor missing todays final rehearsal of the annual Trooping the Colour event and wished the regiment good luck. I wanted to write and let you know how proud I am of the entire Regiment ahead of the Colonels Review and Trooping the Colour, Middleton wrote in the letter. I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practicing for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate. She continued the letter by saying that her role as the Colonel of the Irish Guards is an honour and that she hopes to be able to represent the Regiment again very soon. The British Army had originally included Middleton on their website as an attendee of today's parade, which is called the Colonels Review. Its a prestigious event which forms the final rehearsal ahead of the Kings Birthday Parade, which takes place this year on June 15. Middletons role as Colonel typically results in her attendance. The Colonel's Review parade, which is the part of the "Trooping the Colour," was celebrated in London, U.K. on June 8, 2024. Rasid Necati AslimGettyImages In early March, though, before news of Middletons diagnosis had been made public, the U.K. Army removed its claim that she would attend, after much speculation on whether or not the Princess would appear. The Princess of Wales absence comes as she continues to take a break from public-facing duties since her announcement that she was diagnosed with cancer following a planned abdominal surgery. In a video message shared on March 22, Middleton said the diagnosis came as a huge shock and that she and her family had needed time to process the news. The mother-of-three said she would be undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy. The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales this morning. We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send Her our very best wishes. Quis Separabit@KensingtonRoyal @ArmyInLondon pic.twitter.com/y95rbmaeOS Irish Guards (@irish_guards) June 8, 2024 The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales this morning. We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send Her our very best wishes. Quis Separabit@KensingtonRoyal@ArmyInLondon pic.twitter.com/KQUgB1RmBE Irish Guards (@irish_guards) June 8, 2024 The Irish Guards official X (formerly Twitter) account posted earlier today, in light of the royals correspondence. The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales this morning, they said. We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send Her our very best wishes. Accompanying the X post is video of the regiment listening to Middletons letter aloud, and clapping at the end. In Middletons place, Lieutenant General James Bucknall, the former commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps instead took the salute. King Charles III, who in February announced his own diagnosis with an undisclosed form of cancer, is set to attend the final Trooping the Colour parade on June 15. Contact us at letters@time.com. I still cant get past what Sir Keir Starmer said about private healthcare. It should have been the biggest story of the week, far bigger than Rishi Sunaks slip-up in missing a meeting of world leaders after he had attended the commemoration for British veterans in Normandy. To remind you, the moderator of the first head-to-head debate, ITVs Julie Etchingham, asked both party leaders for a one-word answer to the following question: If you had loved ones on a long waiting list for surgery, would you, if you felt that was the only way forward, use private healthcare? Yes, said Sunak. No, said Starmer. Surprised, whether by Sir Keirs uncharacteristic clarity or by the reply itself, the presenter gave him a second chance: Absolutely no? If your loved ones were on a waiting list for surgery? No, repeated Starmer a touch impatiently. I dont use private health. I use the NHS. Im not sure which is more alarming, the prospect that he was telling a cynical lie, or the horrifying possibility that if, God forbid, a close relative of his needed surgery, he really would be so cold-hearted. Dishonesty might at first seem the more plausible explanation. A lot of politicians have a propensity to say what they think their audience wants to hear, and Starmer has more flexible opinions than most. As recently as March 2020, he was describing Jeremy Corbyns 2017 manifesto as our foundational document. Six months later, he had kicked the old boob out of the party. Which was the real Keir? The Corbynite or the anti-Corbynite? The former editor of the Trotskyist magazine Socialist Alternatives, or the dullsville centrist dad? The answer is that he was saying what he thought his target electorate wanted to hear at the time. When he was rising through Labours ranks, he was a man of the Left. When he was trying to win the party leadership, it suited him to suck up to Momentum activists. After he had won, he wanted to show that Labour had moved on from Corbynism, and so picked fights with them. Who was he trying to impress on Monday night? Not the electorate as a whole who, according to YouGov, would give the same reply as Sunak by 74 to 17 per cent. Indeed, many of those in the 74 per cent must have shuddered at Starmers response. Could he really be so inhuman as to deny care to a loved one, even if it were one of his children, on some abstruse ideological principle? Perhaps Starmer was aiming his answer at the NHS trade unions, whose members wield disproportionate power in Labour. But I think the likelier and, frankly, creepier explanation is that the Labour leader was telling the truth. For one thing, his answer was unwontedly emphatic. He did not sound like a man weighing his words. For another, he repeated it the next day, and in doing so recalled his mother, who had tragically suffered from a chronic illness. Starmer has spoken before of his mothers aversion to the private sector. You couldnt say a word against the NHS to my mum, in any shape or form, he told the BBCs Nick Robinson in November 2021. An abiding memory I have [is] of being in an intensive care unit, and it was very touch and go, and she just held my hand and said You wont let your dad go private, will you? Now people can hold all sorts of odd positions out of conviction. Sometimes, we can respect their conviction while disagreeing with it. All religions come across as bizarre to non-adherents. And Starmers position on healthcare is more religious than practical. There is no utilitarian justification for refusing to pay for surgery for a family member who needs it. It is not as if, by doing so, you are helping anyone else. On the contrary, you are taking up a place on the NHS and so lengthening the queue for others. Should we none the less respect his strength of principle, much as we might respect the piety of someone who is prepared to suffer for a faith that we ourselves dont profess? Well, that depends on the faith. The Aztecs, for example, believed that the only way to ensure that the sun would keep rising was to cut peoples hearts out and offer them to the god Huitzilopochtli. Sincere as they undoubtedly were, it is hard to feel much sympathy. Being prepared to prolong someones pain out of a dogmatic commitment to equality of outcome strikes me as another faith with which we should feel no sympathy. Starmer, remember, is not a private citizen imposing his cultish dogmas on his own family. He aspires to run our healthcare system. It will be all of us mounting those gory pyramids to satiate his egalitarian deity. You might think it preposterous to write of grisly Mesoamerican rites in the same article as the NHS. But only a religious analogy captures the way our underperforming healthcare system is treated. When Starmer says he would let a family member suffer in the name of state healthcare, he is stating, in its purest form, the impulse that leaves Britain as a whole with lower survival rates than comparable countries. We could keep more people alive if we moved towards the mixed healthcare systems that are taken for granted in almost every other European nation. But doing so would be seen as blasphemy against the NHS. Sorry, RNHS. If you think I am laying this on a bit thick, cast your mind back to the lockdown, which was defended in expressly sacrificial terms: Stay home, protect the NHS. We were servants of RNHS rather than the other way around. When we refuse to ask for meaningful reform in return for the record sums being spent on the system, we assume a similarly votive attitude. We are there to pay up, not to ask awkward questions. Huitzilopochtli is to be fed, not bargained with. Starmers convictions, whether born from socialism or filial loyalty, make a nonsense of the hope that Labour might spend some of its political capital on reforming healthcare. To the extent that it had a plan, it had been promising to use the private sector to bring waiting lists down. But how could Starmer, feeling as he does, preside over such a scheme? An analogous argument could be made about Labours hostility to private schools. European countries do not tax education, because they recognise it as a public good. Imposing VAT on private school fees will, ironically, be Labours sole use of our Brexit freedoms. If we wanted to reduce inequality while increasing standards, we would not drive private schools into bankruptcy, but make all schools private in other words, give parents an education voucher to take to a school of their choice. But, whether from envy or deference to public sector unions, Labour wont go near the idea. It would rather cram more kids into state schools than allow them to go elsewhere, easing the pressure. Here, in truth, is Labours Huitzilopochtli, the irrational principle to which the rest of us are expected to offer up sacrifices. If pushed, it prefers equality of misery to prosperity for some. It would rather that we all lived in 400 sq ft homes than some of us in 1,200 and others in 6,000 sq ft homes. Before the campaign began, there were vague hopes that Starmer might be different. Now we know better. 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. Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) argued the recent hostage rescue in Gaza, where four Israelis were recovered, would have never happened had a cease-fire been in place. Barr praised Israels efforts in the operation and slammed extreme far-left anti-semitic voices who have been calling for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. This good news would have never happened with a ceasefire, Barr said in a Saturday morning post on social media platform X. Thank God Israels leaders have ignored the extreme far-left antisemitic voices on Americas college campuses, at the United Nations and even in Congress calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The operation must continue until every hostage is rescued or recovered. The Israeli military said Saturday that it, along with two other entities Israel Police and Israel Securities Authority rescued four hostages in a special operation from two locations in central Gaza. All four hostages rescued were kidnapped by the Palestinian militant group Hamas from the Nova music festival, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The Israeli military said the recovered hostages were in good medical condition and were transferred to a medical center for further examination. Pro-Palestinian supporters have for months been calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, pointing to the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza and the overall destruction of the enclave from Israels continued bombardment. President Biden shared a three-step Israel-led proposal last week that included a six-week cease-fire. The proposal, if accepted by all sides, would prompt a withdrawal of the IDF from Gazas populated areas and the release of all hostages. The plan, while still being deliberated by all sides, has gotten some pushback from U.S. adversaries, Russia and China, at the United Nations, with Moscow asking for amendments in the resolution. The war started following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel which left nearly 1,200 dead and saw the Palestinian militant group take more than 200 people hostage. Israels forces retaliated with a ground and air campaign, now in its eighth month, that has killed over 36,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. The death count does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kenya is experimenting with universal basic income. Here's what the US could learn about no-strings payments. A woman at a market in Nairobi, Kenya. The country is currently piloting one of the world's largest basic income programs. JohnnyGreig / Getty Images Kenya's basic income trial has grown to 20,000 participants in 200 rural villages. The program, which began in 2018, provides no-strings-attached cash payments for up to 12 years. Researchers found long-term UBI supports economic stability. US leaders are taking note. Kenya is running one of the world's largest basic income trials. The country's program has grown to include 20,000 participants in 200 rural villages, and US leaders are taking note. The no-strings-attached cash payment model has been tried over 100 times across America, with participants reporting that basic income allowed them to secure housing, afford food, pay off debt, and support their children. GiveDirectly a nonprofit that has helped administer basic income programs around the world is leading Kenya's pilot, which began in 2018. Unlike most government assistance, basic income allows individuals and families the freedom to spend money where they need it most, instead of programs like SNAP and Medicaid which have specific spending categories. Dustin Palmer, US country director for GiveDirectly, said that trusting families with cash is the best method to "help people get on their feet." "This is a way of thinking about how we support families, children, all sorts of folks in a way that meets them where they are," Palmer previously told Business Insider. Kenya's program is considered to be universal basic income because families don't have to meet specific income criteria to participate. In guaranteed basic income programs run in the US, participants must have a household income at or below a certain percentage of the federal poverty line. However, about half of Kenya's participants are living below the country's extreme poverty line, per GiveDirectly, which means surviving on less than $33 a month or $400 a year without government assistance. Participants were sorted into three randomized groups: the first group received $22.50 a month (2,925 KES) for 12 years; the second group received $22.50 a month for two years; and the third group received one $500 lump-sum payment (65,000 KES) at the start of the program. Researchers are also studying a control group of similar villages that did not receive cash. GiveDirectly plans to survey participants through 2030, when the long-term UBI participants are set to receive their final payment. GiveDirectly researchers are looking to understand the impacts of long vs. short-term UBI support, as families aim to afford basic needs and build sustainable wealth. Community leaders in the US are noticing the lessons of Kenya's pilot. Michael Tubbs, chair and founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, visited Kenya in December 2023. Tubbs' 2019 GBI pilot in Stockton, California, began the wave of cash aid programs in America, and he said Kenya's pilot is a successful model for helping families escape extreme poverty. "Whether at home or abroad, we need to recognize that dignity is a human rightand a right that poverty directly violates," Tubbs wrote in an essay about the UBI pilot. "But by trusting people to do right by their families and communities because we know they will we can ensure that right is secured." UBI pilot helped families in Kenya meet basic needs and begin building wealth GiveDirectly's initial report on the Kenya UBI pilot captures participant experiences in their first two years of receiving payments, from 2018 to 2020. All participants said basic income improved their housing and food security, mental health, and household savings. Participants also reported net growth for village businesses and lessened inequality in their community. UBI made participants over 6% happier and more satisfied with their lives, per the GiveDirectly report, and lessened household stress by 10% despite most participants maintaining the same work schedule as they had before the pilot began. Families were also able to buy more nutritious food, invest in more assets, and spend money at local businesses, which likely contributed to an overall 23% increase in average consumption among all participants. Still, some results vary between specific UBI groups. Families in the lump-sum payment group said they were able to make strong investments, while the families enrolled in the full 12 years of UBI felt more comfortable building savings and taking financial risks. Families receiving long-term support experienced lower rates of domestic violence and better educational outcomes for their primary school-age children. For participants enrolled in the two-year group, UBI allowed them to cover basic expenses in the short term, but they weren't able to build savings or lasting wealth. Kenya's long-term approach to basic income could help more families in America Although most basic income pilots around the world provide participants with support over a set time period, Kenya's is one of the first to study the impacts of long-term cash aid. Short-term basic income which is the most common model used in the US was the least successful among Kenyan participants, as it didn't allow families to build lasting financial security. "Policymakers wanting to reduce poverty by creating wealth and independence should rethink using this popular design, as both a long-term UBI and a large lump sum were found to be significantly more transformative," per the results report from GiveDirectly. With lump sum and long-term basic income, participants were able to both meet their immediate needs and begin building assets and savings for the future. These forms of UBI dramatically improved families' economic outlook, and the researchers said it is the best way to help participants facing extreme poverty. To be sure, the researchers said more data is needed to fully understand how lump sum or long-term UBI could work in high-income countries. It would be more costly to run longer basic income programs in the US, and it's unclear if the benefits to families would outweigh the costs. Kenyan participants will complete their next UBI survey in 2025, and the program is set to continue for another six years. GiveDirectly is trying other basic income programs in Africa. In Kampala, Uganda and Nairobi, Kenya, the nonprofit gave about $1,000 to refugees. And families in Malawi who survived 2023's Cyclone Freddy received a total of $750 over three months beginning in December. Have you benefited from a guaranteed basic income program? Are you open to sharing how you spent the money? If so, reach out to allisonkelly@businessinsider.com. Read the original article on Business Insider In Kharkiv, at last children return to the classroom an underground bunker Children enter their new bunker classroom for the first time in Kharkiv on June 7 - David Rose for The Telegraph The children exploring their new classroom in a village outside Kharkiv can barely remember the last time they had face-to-face lessons. Covid lockdowns kept them out of school for two years; Russian bombs have done the same for a further two. Their education has suffered and they have missed their friends as they slogged away at solitary online schooling. Their isolation should end and classes resume in the coming months, but it will be with a wartime twist: they will be in an underground bunker. Authorities in the bombarded Ukrainian region of Kharkiv are trying to move schools underground, by building hundreds of classroom shelters so teaching can resume, protected from the Russian onslaught. Classes are due to be rolled out from September, but already schools are holding catch-up lessons in preparation. Lessons have been disrupted first by Covid, then war - David Rose for The Telegraph When they have been coming back for the first time, they hug each other and hug their teachers, says Svetlana, the schools director, as pupils arrive for a holiday class in their new underground classroom. You can feel that they were missing everything. Underground schools are one precaution Kharkiv is making as it shifts normal life to a prolonged war footing, for a conflict that may drag on for years more. Ukraines second city is a hostage to its location. It is only 19 miles from the Russian border and a regime that has attacked it repeatedly. Twice Putins forces have invaded the Kharkiv region, once at the start of the war, and again a month ago. More than 200,000 have fled their homes. Towns like Vovchansk have been destroyed and the region has been battered by missiles, drones and bombs. The new bunker school is secured by heavy steel doors - David Rose for The Telegraph Kharkiv cannot be moved, so somehow daily life and local governance must adapt to the predicament of living with such a neighbour. This neighbour [Russia] will not suddenly disappear, says Larisa, a teacher at the school, who declined to give her full name. We need to be ready at any time with projects like this shelter to protect ourselves. Schools have not been spared in the invasion. In total, some 30 per cent of Kharkiv regions educational institutions have already been damaged in the fighting. Missiles just 40 seconds away Kharkiv is so close to the Russian border that the flight time of a devastating S-300 missile from the Russian city of Belgorod is estimated to be only 40 seconds. That is too little time to warn residents, or schoolchildren. By the time the citys air raid sirens go off, any incoming missile has already struck. Olga Bespalova, director of education in the Kharkiv region, said: The main issue is we need to build a chain of shelters in the Kharkiv region to restore the education process. The necessity is to have children in shelters already. We need to organise the study process underground, because obviously they dont have enough time to go to a shelter. More than 300 school shelters have already been prepared. Some are new, some are refurbished and some adapted from basements. For classes to resume across the board, another 1,200 are needed. We want to create normal life for children, says Oleh Syniehubov, the regions governor. Thats why we are creating new schools underground and kindergartens, so children can study not only online. Vital to the life of the region Education is not the only priority to give the city a semblance of normal life, he says. Keeping businesses up-and-running in difficult circumstances is vital to the life of the region, and to Ukraines finances. Mr Syniehubov said he had recently spent a lot of time trying to persuade a major supermarket chain not to quit the region. Faced with air raids, patchy electricity and the threat of further invasion, investors and businessmen are understandably wary. He said: We are persuading them to stay because its a big part of keeping our economic situation healthy. Cheap lines of credit and insurance will help, he says. Better security is the top priority. Officials believe the threat from S-300/400 missiles has lessened in the past week after strikes across the border with Himars rocket launchers, but all say the city needs more air defences. Power plants destroyed Electricity is another worry. All of Kharkiv regions power plants have been destroyed and, nationwide, the Russian onslaught on Ukraines power generation and grid is taking its toll. Black-outs for power rationing The country had extensive black-outs last week to ration power. We are catastrophically short of electricity for our needs, said Serhii Kovalenko, chief executive of the Ukrainian private electricity distributor Yasno. Both residents and businesses are hard hit. The situation is very difficult, because we have a huge lack of power, says Ihor Terekhov, the citys mayor. Deadly strikes, such as one on a shopping centre late last month which killed at least 18, have worried the citys inhabitants, he admitted. Yet while some have left, many remain. The city is subdued, but far from deserted. Many shops and restaurants are open. Mr Terekhov said: We dont have any panic in the city. We have some pressure, maybe some worries with the people. We have a clear confidence in our military in what they are doing and this is our daily job: to work. Mr Terekhov was elected mayor only a few months before Russias 2022 invasion. At the time no one foresaw war, he said. He said: I had my own plans, ambitious plans, but unfortunately due to the war, we have had to postpone them all. A poignant sign Across the city, in Kharkhivs No 18 cemetery, is another poignant sign of wartime reality. Hundreds of recent graves in the military section are adorned with national flags and brigade insignia. By a rough count there are around 1,200 such graves and there are new funerals each day. Only a handful of relatives and friends could grieve over the open coffin of a soldier called Vladimir last week, after he was killed serving with the 110th Territorial Defence Brigade on the Kupiansk front. Vladimirs home was in Luhansk, in Russian-occupied territory over the 620-mile front line which runs across Ukraine like a scar. He could not be buried at home and his Luhansk relatives could not cross the front to attend. Mr Terekhov said: Our main task is to ensure that these lives were not paid for nothing. The Russians can return Despite the apparent slowing of the most recent offensive, residents are aware the Russians can come back. Mr Terekhov: They will only not be able to return when we have victory. During war there is always some possibility that they can return. We need to have a really good understanding of that. The war is ongoing and we need to be prepared. Teachers at the school with the new underground classroom hope that however proud they are of the facility, it is only temporary. Svetlana says: We are dreaming of our victory and of peace. Children cant continue their education underground. 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. Who Killed Harvey Milk? How the Politician Risked His Life Fighting for LGBTQ+ Rights Harvey Milk's legacy is still celebrated today Bettmann Member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Harvey Milk on December 4, 1977. Harvey Milk made history as the first openly gay elected official in California, and his efforts to advance LGTBQ+ rights impacted the movement, including his death. Although he grew up in New York, Milk made his way into politics in San Francisco. He helped pass the first gay protection ordinance in the city, working on the Board of Supervisors alongside political figures like Dianne Feinstein. Milk became a fixture in the San Francisco community, speaking out on equality opportunities for all city residents. He introduced an anti-discrimination bill and worked on providing working mothers with daycare centers, transforming the city's military facilities into low-cost housing and reforming the tax code to reuse deserted warehouses and factories, amongst other important campaigns. While he was beloved in the community, Milk knew he was taking a risk by being out openly as a gay man in politics. He recorded a message on tape as his final last words in case he was assassinated. Though the gay rights movement was on the rise, homophobia was serious. In the recording, he said, "All I ask is for the movement to continue, and if a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door." Sadly, Milk was killed in November 1978 at the age of 48 by a gunman, per The New York Times. Although the politician was tragically murdered, his memory and mission live on. Here's everything to know about Harvey Milk's death and legacy. Who was Harvey Milk? Bettmann Harvey Milk sits outside his camera shop in San Francisco, November 9, 1977. Milk was born on May 22, 1930, and grew up in the small town of Woodmere, N.Y., with his parents, William and Minerva, who were Lithuanian, and his brother, Robert, per the Milk Foundation. He attended the New York State College for Teachers (now State University of New York) in Albany, N.Y., where he studied math and history and contributed to the school's paper. Following his graduation in 1951, Milk enlisted in the Navy and worked as a diving instructor, but four years later, he was forced to resign after being questioned about his sexuality. Upon his return to New York, he held various positions, including public school teacher, stock analyst and associate producer on Broadway. However, he eventually left the Big Apple again and entered politics after moving to San Francisco. In 1972, after Milk relocated to California, he opened a camera store in the historic Castro neighborhood. The Castro would become the epicenter of the city's LGBTQ+ community, and Milk was at the heart of it. After living in the location for a year, he announced his candidacy for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He lost his first race but continued to work in local politics, eventually winning a position on the Board of Supervisors with district elections in 1977 and was sworn into office in January 1978. Milks fight for equality, including his work to help defeat Proposition 6, which would require LGBTQ+ teachers to be fired for their sexuality, led to an increase in attendance at pride parades from the city to Los Angeles. He made an impact with his eloquent speeches and activism within his community. "This is not my victory, its yours. If a gay man can win, it proves that there is hope for all minorities who are willing to fight," Milk said after the win. How did Harvey Milk die? Terry Schmitt/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Harvey Milk at the Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco on June 23, 1978. Milk was popular within the San Francisco queer community, but being out posed risks. While working with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone on initiatives supporting the LGTBQ+ community and people of color, Milk encountered other employees in City Hall, including Dan White, who was also on the Board of Supervisors. According to NPR, White was a Vietnam veteran who later became a policeman and fireman. In 1977, he was elected to represent a blue-collar district, but within a year, he resigned, citing difficulty earning a living to support his family. Shortly after, though, White changed his mind about his job when local businesses pointed out that they would be losing a conservative voice, and he went back to City Hall to try to resume his role. The New York Times reported that White was intent on being reappointed because Moscone was only an hour away from naming a successor. But it didn't go as planned: Although Moscone considered working with White again, he ultimately said no, and that's when White shot the mayor, then walked down the hall and did the same to Milk. According to the Milk Foundation, Whites crime was calculated. He snuck in through an open basement window, able to avoid metal detectors and entered the building with the weapon. When did Harvey Milk die? Bettmann Harvey Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone in April 1978. Harvey Milk died on Nov. 27, 1978. Where did Harvey Milk die? Jerry Telfer/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Harvey Milk on August 2, 1978. Milk was assassinated in his San Francisco City Hall office. Feinstein, the late California senator, was serving as the president of the Board of Supervisors and was nearby when the murders took place. Speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle in 2008, Feinstein recalled seeing White after he killed Moscone and heard him shoot Milk a few seconds later. After smelling the cordite, she left her office to investigate and made the tragic discovery. "I went down the hall. I opened the wrong door ... [Milks] door, she said. I found [him] on his stomach. I tried to get a pulse and put my finger through a bullet hole. He was clearly dead. This moment would shape Feinstein's career: Following Moscones death, she became the mayor of San Francisco, eventually leading to her time in Congress, which lasted until she died in 2023. A strong proponent for gun control legislation, Milks death was a driving force in her political ideology throughout her career, per The New York Times. What were Harvey Milks last words? Janet Fries/Getty Harvey Milk speaks during a Police Community Relations meeting in San Francisco, California in September 1974. Before Milk was assassinated, he recorded a message on a tape recorder, and it would be the last words he'd speak to the world. The tape was made public by his associates shortly after his death. This is Harvey Milk speaking on Friday, 18 November, 1978. This tape is to be played only in the event of my death by assassination," he said. I fully realize that a person who stands for what I stand for, an activist, a gay activist, becomes the target or potential target for a person who is insecure, terrified, afraid or very disturbing." He continued, Knowing that I could be assassinated at any moment, at any time, I feel its important that some people know my thoughts, and why I did what I did. Almost everything that was done was done with an eye on the gay movement." "All I ask is for the movement to continue, and if a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door," Milk concluded. How did the public react to Harvey Milks death? Roger Ressmeyer/CORBIS/VCG/Getty Mourners hold a candlelight vigil for Mayor George Moscone and Harvey Milk. Following his death, the LGBTQ+ community gathered in mourning. They held a candle-lit march from Castro Street to City Hall, according to NBC News. The march was led by Jennifer Moscone, the daughter of Mayor Moscone, and Cleve Jones, Milk's intern, who saw his body following the assassination. The reaction to his death was mostly peaceful, with the community gathering together. However, when White was sentenced to only seven years in prison for manslaughter instead of murder, protests ensued, per History. As the crowds marched through the city, the numbers swelled from 1,500 to 5,000, and when the police arrived, they were outnumbered and retreated to City Hall. By this time, it was 10 p.m., and protestors were breaking the building's windows, setting police cars on fire and throwing tear gas, according to The New York Times. When backup showed up, the police made numerous arrests, and over 140 injuries were reported, in addition to $250,000 worth of estimated damages. The event would later become known as the White Night Riots. The day after the verdict was released and the riots occurred, 20,000 Milk supporters gathered again in the Castro to honor Milk's birthday. These gatherings inspired massive marches in Washington D.C. later that October, further promoting the gay rights movement. Where is Dan White today? Bettmann Dan White. After killing Milk and Moscone, White went on trial but claimed he had "diminished capacity" due to eating too many Twinkies the night before, later dubbed the "Twinkie Defense." Psychiatrist Dr. Martin Blinder took the stand in defense of White, stating, Whenever he felt things were not going right, he would abandon his usual program of exercise and good nutrition and start gorging himself on junk foods: Twinkies, Coca Cola, according to court transcripts. Blinder continued, Mr. White has always been something of an athlete, priding himself of being physically fit. But when something would go wrong, he'd hit the high sugar stuff. He'd hit the chocolate, and the more he consumed, the worse he'd feel, and he'd respond to his ever going depression by consuming ever more junk food." Due to the defense regarding his mental health, a jury found him guilty on the lesser charge of manslaughter, and White was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison. Per The New York Times, White served about five years and was released in January 1984. When he got out, Feinstein advised White via San Francisco Police Chief Con Murphy not to return to the city, as his chances of survival were not good, per CBS News. The following year, he died by suicide from carbon monoxide poisoning on Oct. 21, 1985. What legacy did Harvey Milk leave behind? JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Ronald Stroman and Stuart Milk unveil the Harvey Milk Forever stamp during a ceremony in Old Executive Office Building in Washington, DC on May 22, 2014. Milk's legacy continues to be felt today: A few months before his death, he encouraged artist Gilbert Baker to create a new symbol for the gay movement, and he designed the original Pride Flag with eight colors. Today, the flag features six colors representing the diverse groups within the LGTBQ+ community. Milk also helped pass the country's first gay rights ordinance, which prevented discrimination in housing and employment settings. This will be the most stringent gay rights law in the country, he said at the time, per The New York Times. This one has teeth; a person can go to court if his rights are violated once this is passed. In the years since, numerous laws and initiatives supporting the LGTBQ+ community have been enacted: The Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy was repealed in 2011, the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal across the U.S. in 2015, the Stonewall National Monument opened in 2016, the Respect for Marriage Act was signed in 2022. Milk's election into San Francisco's political scene also opened doors for other queer politicians to enter the scene, per Out magazine. Most notably, President Barack Obama awarded him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, and a Navy ship was named after him in 2021. "Harvey Bernard Milk dedicated his life to shattering boundaries and challenging assumptions. As one of the first openly gay elected officials in this country, he changed the landscape of opportunity for the nation's gay community," Obama said at the 2009 event. Apart from politics, Milk's memory has been integrated into Hollywood with different projects. He was the subject of the 1984 Oscar-winning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk and the 2008 film Milk. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. What you need to know about the giant, 'flying' spiders spreading over the eastern US Joro spiders are an invasive species in the US, but they aren't as scary as they seem. David Madison/Getty Images Get ready for flying spiders the size of your palm. They could be coming to your neighborhood soon. Joro spiders have been rapidly spreading across the southeast US, and are now moving north. Though venomous, Joro spiders aren't harmful to humans and prefer to stay outdoors. It sounds like the stuff of nightmares: venomous, monster-sized spiders floating through the air and invading the northeastern US this summer. But some experts say invasive fruit flies can do more damage than the colorful Joro spider, AP News reported. It's easy to understand why the spider sounds terrifying, though. They can measure up to 3 inches with their legs spread, about the size of your palm and far larger than a quarter-inch house spider. Giant spiders migrating to the Northeast US Scientists say Joro spiders are adapted to colder climates like in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Cheri Sundra--Guerrilla Historian/Getty Images Originally native to Asia, they've been rapidly moving across the southeast US since first appearing in Georgia around 2010, according to a study published last year in the journal Ecology and Evolution. And the invasive species has been heading north, according to the study's authors. Once they arrive, people are likely to spot their webs a distinctive golden color in trees or on their porches, according to UGA Today. "This spider is going to be able to inhabit most of the eastern US," David Coyle, a professor at Clemson University who worked on the research, told Clemson News in 2023 adding that "their comfort area in their native range matches up very well with much of North America." Colder temperatures don't seem to bother them. The black-and-yellow spiders survive just fine in northern Honshu, Japan, where winter temperatures can reach between 25 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Penn State Extension. "Barring some unforeseen circumstance, we expect the range of these things to continue expanding, likely to the north, and we've already seen that with some populations in Maryland," Coyle added. Experts from NJ Pest Control predict that the spiders could arrive in New Jersey and New York this year, potentially as soon as this summer. "It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when," Russell Sieb, an entomologist and the owner of NJ Pest Control told Business Insider. "They are going to make it up to the northeast at some point, and we think that they're going to be up here sometime this year," he said, adding that they've already been spotted in Baltimore. A shy spider who prefers the outdoors While Joro spiders are invasive, their full impact on ecosystems in the US isn't yet known. Alex Sanz/AP Photo Though the massive creatures are venomous, they aren't dangerous to humans beyond potentially causing a swollen, red bite, Sieb told BI. And they don't want to take a nibble out of you, anyway. "They aren't looking to bite things they can't eat if they can help it," Jonathan Larson, University of Kentucky entomologist, said in 2022. They're also not a danger to pets, and researchers have found they may be the "shyest" spiders ever documented. Beyond their size, there's another characteristic of Joro spiders that makes them a little creepy: They can fly. Well, kind of. 'Flying' Joro spiders Joro spiders can travel far by using their silk as a wind-sail. It's similar to flying. Jean-Philippe Tournut/Getty Images The orb-weaving arachnids don't have wings, but they can travel by "ballooning," a technique where they release a strand of silk that allows the wind to carry them. Sieb said they can travel around 3 miles using this method. Luckily for arachnophobes though, Joro spiders typically don't want to go inside homes they're outdoor pests that usually opt to form webs in open spaces like parks, ball fields, or suburban properties, though they may also seek out wooded areas or the doorways to buildings, Sieb said. And, although the species is invasive, you probably won't be fighting off bazillions of them right and left. "It's not going to be like any Alfred Hitchcock movie or anything like that with them all over the place," Sieb said. Though they do live close to each other, Joro spiders don't seem to interact much with other individuals, per UGA Cooperative Extension. "This is a predator," Sieb told BI. "So there's going to be a carrying capacity for the area. So you might have two on a property maybe, or not even two." Just how these spiders will impact the ecosystems they invade is still an open question. Joro spiders love to eat another invasive species, lanternflies. However, there's no chance the spiders will help eradicate the plant-eating pest, per AP News. "A lot of people think that this spider is destroying the ecosystem, and we actually don't think that, at least not yet," Andy Davis, an assistant research scientist at the University of Georgia, told UGA News. Read the original article on Business Insider CBD Kratom employees Ariel Nielson (middle) and Alex Taykowski-Schmitt (right) in St. Louis voted in favor to unionize in the election held the first week of June. Garrett Farley, an organizer for Union Local 655 (right) visited the polling location at the Cherokee Street store in St. Louis on Thursday (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent). CBD Kratom employees have become the first Missouri workers in the industry to unionize, following a Friday election. The election spanned across 17 stores in eastern Missouri and Illinois operated by the St. Louis-based CBD Kratom, which sells largely kratom and hemp-derived THC products. Employees voted 23 to 6 to unionize, with 75% of the eligible employees participating. Im so excited and so proud of everyone, said Taylor Moore, sales associate. Im encouraged to know that our voices as workers are and will be heard. Sales associate Nina Sykes said, This opens the doors for CBD Kratom employees to be more successful in their role. The employees join more than 15,000 cannabis industry workers nationwide as members of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Of the 17 locations that voted to organize, 14 are located in St. Louis and will be represented by UFCW Local 655. The remaining 3 in Illinois will be represented by UFCW Local 881. The win was expected because the company signed a neutrality agreement with the union in April. Following the vote, Chief Operating Officer Jason Brandi issued this statement: CBD Kratom cares about its workers and respects their legal rights to organize a union in their workplace. We look forward to working with the UFCW to negotiate a union contract that meets the needs of our employees and our business. When the employees from two stores first filed the petition in December, CBD Kratom leaders responded by essentially saying that the process doesnt have to be so contentious, we can work together, said Garrett Farley, an organizer for Union Local 655. The agreement states the company will remain neutral as best it can, he said. It was even the company leaders idea to hold the election for 17 stores instead of just two. So, thats how its been, Farley said. None of my workers have been harassed. They havent been fired. They havent been saying things like, Oh, the union is the worst thing. Its been really nice. Its been a stark difference from other companies, he said. In December, Local 655 held a massive campaign to unionize cannabis workers across eastern Missouri, which is the area the local represents. A dozen organizers visited every one of the approximate 100 marijuana dispensaries twice. A unionization attempt by post-harvest workers at BeLeaf Medicals Sinse cultivation facility in St. Louis has been blocked by their employers continuous legal challenges this year. In April, BeLeaf filed an appeal, asking the five-member National Labor Relations Board. If the company wins the case, it could have national ramifications on labor law. CBD Kratom sales associate Ariel Nielson hasnt seen any harassment related to the election at her location in St. Louis, but shes heard of some tension at a few other stores. Its more related to the personalities of some supervisors, she said, and not a united pushback from company leaders. For her, she hopes unionizing will improve everyday working conditions. The stores lack security, she said, and she cant afford the health insurance. They just told us, Guys, were offering you pet insurance now, Nielson said. Okay? But like, I cant afford my insurance. Alex Taykowski-Schmitt, a sales associate, said she and her colleagues are treated like theyre disposable, and thats why she wanted to unionize. Since the election was announced, shes noticed that shes been given a little more respect at work. She said her supervisors seem to understand employees are organizing, whereas beforehand, the respect for me as a person was kind of like the bare minimum. The post Kratom workers across eastern Missouri vote to unionize appeared first on Missouri Independent. vladans / iStock.com Whether youve recently benefited from Bidens student debt discharges or are on a payment plan that will lead to forgiveness, wiping a large student loan balance can be a big financial relief. But depending on the timing and your situation, the forgiven debt could leave you on the hook for a big tax bill from the IRS and/or your state. For You: Billionaires vs. the Middle Class: Who Pays More in Taxes? Try This: 5 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work) Heres what you must know to prepare your finances. Will I Pay Federal Taxes? Because of the American Rescue Plan Act, you shouldnt have to pay federal taxes on any canceled student debt if its forgiven by the end of 2025. This temporary exemption could potentially save you thousands, especially if your remaining student loan balance is high. However, once 2026 begins, most forgiven federal and private student loan debt is set to be taxable at the federal level again. According to the IRS, the amount will be part of your gross income for the year its forgiven. While you might receive Form 1099-C (Cancellation of Debt) from your lender, youll need to report the information even if you dont. However, you could still avoid paying federal taxes in certain situations. For example, youre exempt if you receive forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program or are considered permanently disabled. The same can be true if your school had shut down or defrauded you. Plus, theres the potential for an extension to the current exemption. Will I Pay State Taxes? Even if you can avoid paying federal taxes, you could still face a state tax bill. While most states follow the federal tax codes exemption through 2025, Wisconsin, Indiana, Mississippi and North Carolina are among the states taxing forgiven student loans as income. Other states, including California and Arkansas, may eventually decide to tax forgiven student debt as well. Keep an eye on updates since state tax laws could change before you receive student loan forgiveness. You should also check for any special state exemptions on canceled debt. Planning Ahead for Your Potential Tax Bill Preparing now is crucial if you expect an eventual tax bomb for canceled student loan debt. You can run your student loan, income and tax details through a student loan repayment calculator, which may show the expected canceled amount and tax bill. You can use this information to set aside cash for the potential tax bill. Just keep in mind that tax laws and your financial situation could change, especially if forgiveness is years away. Story continues If you do face an unaffordable state or federal tax bill, consider meeting with a tax professional about your options. For example, you might qualify for an insolvency exclusion, try to settle for a smaller amount or set up a payment plan, which often involves penalties and interest. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Reasons You Can or Cant Be Taxed on Student Loan Forgiveness Kupiansk mayor who betrayed Ukraine in critical condition after assassination attempt in Russia Ukraine's Defence Intelligence Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has reported that there has been an assassination attempt in Russias Belgorod Oblast on Hennadii Matsehora, a former mayor of the town of Kupiansk who betrayed Ukraine and collaborated with the Russians. He is currently in a critical condition. Source: DIU Quote: "On 7 June 2024, there was an assassination attempt in the Russian city of Stary Oskol on Hennadii Matsehora, a traitor to Ukraine who served as mayor of Kupiansk (Kharkiv Oblast) for the [pro-Russian] Opposition Platform for Life (OPFL) party... The traitor to the Ukrainian people is in a critical condition." Details: DIU noted that Matsehora voluntarily cooperated fully with the Russians. In June 2022, he signed and publicly announced a so-called protocol establishing the Kharkiv occupation administration. After Kupiansk was liberated by Ukrainian forces, Matsehora fled to Belgorod Oblast with the Russians, "where his Russian masters assigned him heavy security, but it was unable to protect the collaborator mayor". Update: The Russian Telegram channel Mash reported that Matsehora was shot near his home in Stary Oskol. He was rushed to hospital in Moscow and is in a "serious condition". Mash said Matsehora had recently been working as the director of the Georgievsky sport and recreation facility. Background: Kupiansk Mayor Hennadii Matsehora, who was elected in 2020 from the OPFL party, made an agreement with the Russians to transfer power in the city to them. The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office served the Kupiansk mayor with a notice of suspicion charging him with treason and encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine committed by a government representative. Matsehora later fled to Russia where, according to reports from the Ukrainian authorities, he was arrested. Support UP or become our patron! The Richland County Land Bank voted Wednesday to move forward with cleanup of the former Westinghouse site using $1 million Ohio Department of Development brownfield application funds, but members struggled with the decision to withdraw state funds needed for a demolition project of a dilapidated building in Shelby during its monthly meeting. Contractors at the former Westinghouse site between East Fourth/East Fifth streets have dug up Baxter Stove parts in the site cleanup. The stove factory operated at the site before Westinghouse was built in 1919. Labeling the PowerPoint slide the "Ugly Decision," board members voted to withdraw designated ODOD funds for the Shelby project, deciding the Westinghouse project should be first to utilize the full $1 million set aside. The land bank set in motion the demolition and cleanup in August 2021, landing a $3 million state grant to help cover the $4 million project. Demolition began in December 2022. Contractors have had many delays and a few surprises, including deep pits filled with water and a lot of thick concrete. The Ohio Department of Development needed a decision Wednesday, Amy Hamrick, land bank manager, told the board. "ODOD has $175 million in brownfield money for the calendar 2023. Each county got $1 million set aside, 88 counties," she said. "The balance of that money was available on a first-come, first-served basis. So we put in our grant application for Broadway and Main as our first choice for the set-aside money because there was no match and I had match (funds) for Westinghouse." ODOD told the land bank that "previously funded remediation projects that require additional funding to complete the remediation work are eligible through their county's $1 million set-aside only. The lead entity must submit a new application for this funding, referencing the original project scope and grant agreement number; the combined total of funding requests cannot exceed the $10 million maximum for remediation projects." Hamrick provided the options ODOD gave regarding the order of the projects the land bank hoped to use the money for and which were specified chronologically in the brownfield grant application paperwork to the state. Land bank members said it doesn't mean the land bank won't try to assist Shelby officials with the project in the future; funds will probably be available in the 2024 ODOD grant. "There's another $175 million available on a first-come, first-served coming up, we just don't know when," Hamrick added. The estimated cost breakdown for work yet to be done at the former Westinghouse appliance factory includes $400,000 to $500,000 for storm sewer; $200,000 for covenant not to sue; and $200,000-plus for environmental cleanup and additional possible demolition change orders, the latter which is the big unknown. The Westinghouse site cleanup is expected to cost $6.5 million when completed, according to the Land Bank: original R&D Contract, $3,995,000; R&D change order (not to replace sidewalks, $225,000); Jamison Well drilling, $18,600; R&D change order, $725,280; plus estimates to fix infrastructure (ground water) $500,000; estimate to abate contaminated soil, $550,000; and contingency, $750,000. Pits were filled with groundwater and possible contaminants at the former Westinghouse site where demolition is underway. Three waterlines had been running nonstop for about 12 weeks, delaying demolition work, the Richland County Land Bank reported earlier. The cleanup has recently unearthed old Baxter Stove Company parts beneath the concrete at the site between East Fourth and East Fifth streets at the former Westinghouse factory, which has been demolished with hopes to develop the site. Westinghouse was built in 1918. The site was initially home to Baxter Stove. The Baxter Stove Company parts were given to the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum. Hamrick said there are a lot of unknowns at the former Westinghouse site when it comes to cleanup and she doesn't know if the $1 million will finish work there. "This section of concrete has not been pulled up yet. It was so hard they (contractors) could not do any testing underneath it. Their drill bits couldn't go through it. We don't know what's under that," Hamrick said. "We don't know if there's contamination. We don't know if there's another building there or five. We've got all of this concrete up. They just found this stuff. They got a portion of this up. There's a lot of unknowns which is why we put so much contingency in our next grant," she said, referring to a map of the site. The land bank has match money for the former site, she added. She said contractors have spent $10,000 in fuel trying to pump out the areas beneath the ground filled with water from underground springs. Before the vote, board member Jeff Parton said the land bank can't quit work on the site now. "We are literally in the bowels of Westinghouse," he said. Demolition on the former Westinghouse building on East Fifth Street began on Dec, 19, 2022. The historic doorframe at the Westinghouse "A" Building is being proposed as a monument at the site to honor Westinghouse, manufacturing in Mansfield, the history of women in the workforce,and the "Westinghouse Girls" who worked there. The Westinghouse 'A" building was demolished, leaving a concrete jungle nearby for contractors which has netted many surprises during the ongoing cleanup. In April 2022, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was in Mansfield to announce the first round of the ODOD Brownfield Program awards, providing funds for demolition and remediation of the f"A" building and the concrete slab along West Fifth Street. DeWine announced the project would get $3 million for cleanup of petroleum tanks and hazardous materials and demolition. City and county funds, in the amount of $500,000 each, also were made toward the project. lwhitmir@gannett.com 419-521-7223 X (formerly Twitter): @lwhitmir This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Land bank prioritizes ODOD funds for Westinghouse site cleanup LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Collisions, injuries, and death plague the Las Vegas valleys most dangerous intersections. Those intersections are now are the focus of monthly enforcement operations targeting drivers that could cause this destruction. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department traffic officers are focused on the central valleys Sahara and Decatur during the month of June. Decatur and Flamingo, the agencys last intersection of focus, saw nearly 300 violations throughout May. Junes hotspot of violations has already seen 21 collisions since the beginning of 2024, according to LVMPD Traffic Lieutenant Tony Cavaricci. Distracted driving is only a slice of the problem, as speeding and running red lights have become the most prominent breaches of state law here. Ive even seen people reading the newspaper while theyre driving, Cavaricci said Friday morning amidst rush hour traffic at a nearby gas station where an officer of his was stationed to scan for violators Friday morning. They may already be late. Theyre like, op, red light changed and Im just going to try to make it through there, is usually what happens. Those speeders and red-light runners frequently inflict injury, he says. Those parked at the stop light with a cell phone or makeup in their hands are also a target. Someones looking down at their phone. They glance up. Oh, its green. They punch through it. Now you have someone whos crossing the street that they didnt see, Cavaricci said. To add to early-morning and end-of-day commuter angst, drivers are surrounded with construction cones and reduced lanes in all four directions outside this intersection. LVMPD said they administered 39 citations on Friday morning alone, a majority of which for those disobeying a steady red light and others distracted while at a stoplight. Wayne Posner said he was one of them. He shared dashcam footage with 8 News Now of him entering the intersection on a yellow light before exiting it as the signal turned red and an officer turning their lights on behind him. He was cited until he shared the same video to another officer. Fortunately, I had a ring cam, Posner said after speaking with a traffic officer. They were able to void the citation on the spot. Drivers like him support the enforcement to prevent tragedy, which has soared from the same time last year. The most recent LVMPD traffic report from May 31 shows collisions themselves are down from the same time last year by over 700 incidents. Conversely, fatal collisions are significantly higher: the 55 recorded within the first five months of 2023 are trampled by the 72 recorded thus far this year. Reckless driving, which includes running steady red lights, and pedestrians crossing when and where theyre not supposed to remain leading causes in these fatal crashes in 2024. It could be Las Vegas Boulevard, Boulder Highway, any of these big, heavily congested streets. We see the same things, Cavaricci said. We really need continuous enforcement activity to make (these efforts) successful. The citations can cost up to $500 each, per state 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 KLAS. Las Vegas U.S. 95 shifts name to Interstate 11 on GPS services LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Its a sign of the times, U.S. 95 signposts have been changed to Interstate 11 at one Las Vegas intersection so far, but more alterations are coming. Drivers merging into westbound and eastbound traffic at the Spaghetti Bowl might notice their GPS will inform them they are on I-11, the designation stretching from the Henderson Interchange to Kyle Canyon Road. The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) responded to 8 News Now and noted the department does inform app services like Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze of upcoming restrictions and closures, but changing the name of an interstate is new. There is currently no established framework for communication on something like this, Kelsey McFarland, an NDOT spokesperson, wrote in an email to 8 News Now. Because changing the name of an interstate is a brand-new effort. McFarland noted that although the GPS services have redesignated the freeways name, NDOT did not directly inform Google or Apple. A public information campaign is expected to be launched by NDOT to clear up any confusion about the name redesignation and will consist of updates to GPS service providers. The Federal Highway Administration accepted the redesignation in late 2023, according to an NDOT spokesperson. Physical signage has been redesignated to reflect the correct designation on Charleston Boulevard, however, many other locations in the Las Vegas valley are still in need of alterations. Theres much more to be done, McFarland wrote. With hundreds of signs awaiting replacement, especially across surface streets and other highways in Southern Nevada. McFarland wrote the initiative does not come without a need for analysis as NDOT is also using this as an opportunity to discover possible improvements to meet Interstate Standards. Were actively engaged in a feasibility study to identify necessary upgrades, she wrote. Upgrades also pertain to the next section of road to be reclassified, as NDOT seeks to further stretch I-11 from Kyle Canyon Road to Mercury, Nevada. NDOT has scheduled a public meeting for the project on June 25, located in Indian Springs, and a virtual session on June 10. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Hours before convicted murderer Jamie Mills became the latest man to be executed in America, he was granted a special last request: What would he like to eat on his final day on Earth? The man convicted in the beating deaths of an elderly couple in told Alabama prison officials he wanted a seafood buffet of sorts, with three large shrimp, two catfish filets, three oysters, three onion rings and one stuffed crab. Mills got that meal before he was taken to the death chamber to die by lethal injection. But the choice of a last meal is no guarantee in U.S. prisons. The age-old tradition is shrouded in controversy, ethical disagreement and even concern over how much the meal may cost taxpayers. Food is a focal point for all of us. It's a point of enjoyment and pleasure and comfort, and that's sort of its reputation," said Deborah Denno, law professor and founding director of the Neuroscience and Law Center at Fordham University. It seems that we would provide this for somebody whos going to eat for the very last time, and that makes us feel better about ourselves. At the same time, it does seem very strange. Of the 19 states where capital punishment is legal and practiced, a USA TODAY analysis found 12 allow special last meals and two of those impose a price limit. Six serve only prison food, no matter what a condemned person asks for in other words, nothing outside what is in the prison kitchen. Kansas Department of Corrections spokesperson David Thompson said the death row meal policy in that state is "under review" and noted the state has not carried out an execution since 1965. Last month, hours before convicted murderer Brian Dorsey was executed over the objections of dozens of correctional officers and Missouri's governor, the state served him two bacon double cheeseburgers, two orders of chicken strips, two large orders of seasoned fries and a pizza with sausage, pepperoni, onion, mushrooms and extra cheese. The infamous final meal that a condemned prisoner chooses before execution has fascinated the American public and is a source of controversy within the already controversial topic of the death penalty. Some criminal justice advocates say it serves as a final act of compassion before inflicting the most severe punishment, while others argue it is a disgrace to the people forever hurt by their crimes and to taxpayers picking up the tab. USA TODAY spoke with government officials and experts to find out how the debate has played out in the 19 states where capital punishment is practiced. Brian Dorsey was put to death by lethal injection in April for the 2006 murders of Sarah Bonnie, 25, and her husband Ben Bonnie, 28, in New Bloomfield, Missouri. Final meal shines spotlight on conflicted emotions over death penalty How the last-meal ritual originated in the United States has not been confirmed, but some researchers trace it back to historic final feasts, from the famous Last Supper that Christians believe Jesus shared with his apostles before his crucifixion to ancient Greece, where people on death row were fed before their execution out of fear that they would return as hungry ghosts. In the U.S., experts say the last meal represents the nations own ambivalence toward capital punishment, as well as a shared interest about the end of life. Were human beings we all fear death. It's something we're all going to face, Denno said, noting most people won't know how or when. The fact that your last meal is documented in a way that, for the great majority of us, is probably not going to be, is something of fascination. The special meal also is a recognition of a persons humanity before their end, Denno said, and a means to assuage the guilt of bystanders. Though even the most lavish final feasts ultimately amount to a pittance when compared with the overall cost of convicting and executing a death row prisoner, the idea that taxpayer dollars could be spent on their pleasure is "horrifying to even think about" for the victims, Denno said. There are going to be people who look at the death penalty and think that any measure beyond bread and water is too much for somebody who may have killed someone." Death row prisoners discuss last meal before execution In the years leading up to their final breath, prisoners on death row often discuss what they will request for their final meal, said Sarah Gerwig, a law professor at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, who as a post-conviction attorney has been visiting people in prison since 1998. The Bureau of Justice Statistics found prisoners executed in 2020 had been on death row for an average of about 19 years. "The men and women who are in prison are longing for normalcy and their memories of a time that felt more normal when they could have a craving for food and just go get it. That becomes a luxury, and longed-for luxury," Gerwig told USA TODAY. A lot of prisoners requested last meals that would have felt like home-cooked meals that they had in their childhood or food that was evocative for them or memorable in meaningful ways. Gerwig, who wrote a 2014 paper examining special last meals after Texas abolished the practice, said that prisoners know their requests will be described in news reports and that some take the opportunity to make a final statement." Victor Feguer ordered a single olive with the pit intact for his final meal, symbolizing peace, the Telegraph Herald reported. Tennessee death row inmate Donnie Edward Johnson declined a special meal before his execution in 2019, instead requesting that his supporters donate meals to the homeless. Being able to participate in your own funeral A chosen last meal may be a centuries-old tradition, but it's not a federally protected right. The rules vary by state; some have banished the practice, and others have imposed restrictions after an outcry from lawmakers. South Dakota allows condemned inmates to request a last meal from items that are accessible to the facility food service provider, said Department of Corrections spokesperson Michael Winder. Charles Rhines, executed in 2019 for the murder of Donnivan Schaeffer, requested fried chicken, cantaloupe, the Norwegian flatbread lefsa, strawberry and cherry yogurt, butter, black licorice, cookies and cream ice cream, root beer and coffee with cream and sugar, Winder said. Nevada limits inmates to the prison systems menu, but it doesnt have to be the meal of the day, a Department of Corrections spokesperson said. For your last meal, you can choose anything from that menu, said spokesperson Teri Vance. You can mix and match. Daryl Mack, the last person executed in the state, requested a fish sandwich, fries and lemon-lime soft drink for his final meal in 2006, according to the Reno Gazette Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. In Wyoming, at the discretion of the Warden, the condemned inmate may be permitted a last meal of the inmates choosing, said Department of Corrections spokesperson Stephanie Kiger. But they have to choose from food items available to the general population through the correctional facilitys food service department, although adherence to the scheduled menu and/or recommended portion sizes will not be required." The moment of a last meal has symbolic significance for some. Carey Dean Moore, the last person executed in Nebraska, ordered Pizza Hut, cheesecake and soda a request he originally made in jest, said the Rev. Robert Bryan, who shared Moore's final meal in 2018 after coming to know him as his spiritual adviser. Moore got the pizza and cheesecake and shared the meal with about eight friends and family in an infirmary room at the state penitentiary in Lincoln the night before the execution, said the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America pastor. It was a sacred moment, but not a sappy teary-eyed thing, Bryan said, recalling how Moore asked one person to stop crying. It was not that kind of meal for him, the former prison minister said. It was, 'Hey, Im having a meal with my friends. Sort of like being able to participate in your own funeral meal. Notorious killer's extravagant meal in Texas leads to abolishment Texas, which has performed more than one-third of all executions in the U.S. since 1976, famously outlawed special last meals after then-state Sen. John Whitmire expressed outrage over a 2011 death row prisoner's request. Kristin Houle Cuellar, executive director of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, said Whitmire was reacting to what was perceived as a very extravagant meal requested by Lawrence Brewer, who along with two co-defendants were convicted of torturing and killing a 49-year old disabled Black man in Jasper County in 1998. Brewer requested for his last meal: Two chicken-fried steaks with gravy and sliced onions A triple-patty bacon cheeseburger A cheese omelet with ground beef, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and jalapenos A bowl of fried okra with ketchup One pound of barbecued meat with half a loaf of white bread Three fajitas A meat lovers pizza One pint of Blue Bell Ice Cream A slab of peanut butter fudge with crushed peanuts Three root beers Not long after his execution, amid growing outcry, Texas abolished last meal requests in 2011. Whitmire, now the mayor of Houston, did not return USA TODAY's requests for comment. Fixed price menus Florida limits prisoners to $40 for a last meal and the food must be purchased locally. Oklahoma has a $25 limit. Gilbert Postelle, executed in 2022 for shooting four people to death, had a McDonald's-style meal, said Oklahoma Department of Corrections spokesperson Kay Thompson. The meal was 20 chicken nuggets with Ranch, BBQ, and honey mustard dipping sauces, two large orders of fries with ketchup, two chicken sandwiches, a caramel frappe and a large cola. The total for the same meal at an Oklahoma McDonalds in 2024 was about $27. The Arizona Department of Corrections has published a list of last meal requests of the 40 prisoners it has executed since 1992. Maryland abolished the death penalty in 2013. But condemned prisoners before then were given regular prison kitchen meals, the state's former prison spokesman told USA TODAY. The sense was considering these individuals had all been convicted of heinous murders, in many cases multiple homicides the state was not going to go out of its way to provide special meals, said Leonard Sipes, who now runs a website on law enforcement issues. The former director of public information for the states Public Safety department recalled John Thanos saying he enjoyed killing. At one point leading up to his 1994 execution for a murder spree, Sipes said Thanos told him, "Hell, Id kill you, if I had the opportunity. Loved ones of his victims also preferred he get no fancy meal, Sipes said. He recalled being asked, You're not giving him anything special for dinner, are you? Feasting on 'The Lord of the Rings'? Some states have given condemned prisoners broad leeway not just for food but other unusual requests. Utah granted Ronnie Lee Gardner, in 2010, the last person the state executed, a smorgasbord of food and other requests, according to the Department of Corrections. But he had the meal two days before the execution to spend his final 48 hours fasting, aside from an occasional soda, the document said. Agency spokesperson Karen Tapahe said moving the meal forward to allow for fasting probably was a religious accommodation. Gardner also spent the last day watching the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. In those final hours, its not uncommon for them to watch certain shows, something to bring them some sense of calm, said Tapahe, with a nod to prison staff. Theyre pretty accommodating." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Should America give murderers a special last meal? Law enforcement never filed charges over bouncer working at NoDa pub without license A transgender woman who got into a scuffle with a bouncer last year had her criminal charge dropped recently, court records show. Lynette Matusik previously told The Charlotte Observer and other news outlets that she was the victim of a hate crime at NoDa pub Billy Jacks Shack in November. She provided some footage of the incident, which showed her being pulled from the bar and onto the floor by a Gridiron Protection Services employee. In the video, she asked him to stop choking her. Pictures she provided showed her with a black eye and bruising. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police charged her, not the bouncer, and said that she bit his thigh. That simple affray charge was dismissed on April 22, according to court records. The State did not have the witnesses to proceed and the case was dismissed, Mike Stolp, a spokesperson for District Attorney Spencer Merriweather, confirmed in a message Friday. Companys owner, guard never charged The states Private Protective Services Board found that the bouncer and his employer were working without credentials meaning they never went through a state-sanctioned criminal background check or training. Thats an oft ignored crime in North Carolina. The Private Protective Services Board has limited authority. It used that authority to issue and uphold a cease-and-desist order telling Gridiron to stop the unlicensed work, Director Paul Sherwin said Friday. But any criminal charges for unlicensed security work must be filed by law enforcement. With the boards database of registered guards and companies, its a straightforward crime to prove or disprove, and a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bouncer and the companys owner havent been charged, though, a search of Mecklenburg County court records shows. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Departments in-house ABC unit investigates unlicensed security, but bouncers technically dont fall into that category, CMPD spokesperson Mike Allinger said. The case went to a local division that declined to press charges, he said. ALE, a state law-enforcement agency that often arrests people who do security work illegally, did not respond to a request for comment by press time. Unlicensed guards often work at gambling arcades and strip clubs. Sometimes they get caught at county fairs, apartment complexes or places like Billy Jacks Shack. The pub faced no penalties, Sherwin said. Though maybe the bar should have known better than to hire unlicensed security, he added. Billy Jacks Shack didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. Sherwin said that no law enforcement agency reached out to the board about the NoDa incident, which was investigated following the Observers reporting. Its mostly ALE (filing those charges), Sherwin said. Greensboro PD does it a lot, Raleigh on occasion. We dont get much out of Charlotte. Do you have information about unlicensed security guards working in North Carolina? We want to hear from you. Email reporter Ryan Oehrli at roehrli@charlotteobserver.com. Law and order Missouri GOP wants to free killer cop, not innocent man on death row | Opinion I would like to take this moment to highlight and call out the hypocrisy shown by some of Missouris highest-ranking GOP officials, especially Gov. Mike Parson, a former Polk County sheriff. The GOP once stood for justice, law and order. These days, Republicans around this state seemingly pick and choose when to follow the letter of the law. How else to explain Parsons push for the execution of Marcellus Williams, who prosecutors in St. Louis County believe is innocent of the murder he was convicted for? Parsons incessant rush to put Williams to death lacks basic humanity, not to mention any apparent interest in making sure actual justice is served. Despite a pending court hearing to examine DNA evidence that could exonerate Williams in the 1998 murder of former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Felicia Gayle, neither Parson nor the Missouri Supreme Court seem concerned that Williams guilt is in doubt. Hes spent the past 24 years in prison. No physical evidence ties Williams to the crime, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell argued in legal filings to set aside Williams conviction. A hearing to examine newly discovered evidence that could absolve Williams of this horrible crime has not yet been scheduled. Post-trial DNA testing conducted on the murder weapon did not match Williams, according to Bell. Nor did hair fibers or shoe prints found near the crime scene, Bell argued. Only the questionable testimony of two unreliable witnesses who were motivated by cash rewards linked Williams to the crime, Bell said. None of us should ignore this blatant miscarriage of justice. Incentivized witness testimony has contributed to 14% of death penalty cases that later led to a DNA exoneration, according to the National Registry of Exonerations. Perhaps Missouri NAACP President Nimrod Chapel put it best in a direct message he sent to me on Facebook. When the innocent are not safe, the system is in danger, Chapel wrote Now contrast this callous disregard for Williams claims of innocence to a case closer to home. Parson is contemplating a pardon for former Kansas City police detective Eric DeValkenaere, a convicted killer. In March, Parsons office told reporters he was undecided about DeValkenaeres clemency request. If I was a betting man, the odds seem to be in favor of Parson commuting DeValkenaeres six-year prison sentence for the 2019 shooting death of Cameron Lamb of Kansas City. Otherwise, it seems to me the governor would have already come out and refuted the notion that he would free the former lawman. Keep in mind, this was the same governor who was not convinced of innocence claims brought forth on behalf of Kansas Citys Kevin Strickland, who wrongly spent four decades behind bars for a 1978 triple murder he did not commit. At the urging of Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, a judge overturned Stricklands conviction and he was freed after 42 years in prison. Candidates for governor would pardon ex-KCPD officer Even public officials running to replace Parson as governor are clamoring for a pardon for DeValkenaere that Parson himself has yet to rule out. In a recent statement, state Sen. Bill Eigel, a Weldon Spring Republican in the race for governor, said if hes elected, hed pardon DeValkenaere, the first white Kansas City Police Department officer ever convicted of killing a Black man. Today I make this promise in my first week as governor, I will pardon Eric DeValkenaere, Eigel said. Two other Republican candidates for governor Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe have also said theyd be willing to entertain a pardon for DeValkenaere, The Star reported June 3. Mind you, the former police detectives conviction for second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action for killing Lamb was affirmed by a three-judge panel for the Missouri Court of Appeals for Western Missouri. The same Missouri Supreme Court that set Williams execution for Sept. 24 has denied a request to review DeValkenaeres conviction. In Williams case, Parson has the power to stay this unjust scheduled execution. Although Williams was convicted of the first-degree murder, robbery and burglary in Gayles death, his case is a clear example of why The Stars Editorial Board philosophically opposes the death penalty. Since 1991, 75 people have been exonerated in Missouri, including six men with death sentences, according to the National Registry of Exonerations. Let that sink in. Last I heard, the GOP was supposed to be the party of justice, law and order. If you laughed out loud at that last sentence, or shook your head in disbelief, I cant say Id blame you. China should remain level-headed in assessing its strengths and weaknesses to navigate geopolitical shifts and its rivalry with the United States, according to a Hong Kong tycoon. Ronnie Chan Chi-chung, honorary chairman of Hang Lung Properties and chairman of the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre, said that the US has shown signs of retreating to isolationism. He added that the country is "at war with itself", with domestic political infighting and the uncertainties of Donald Trump's potential return to the White House next year. However, "the fact that the US may be moving toward isolationism does not in any way imply that America is waning. Absolutely not," Chan said, speaking at an event held by the Centre for China and Globalisation in Beijing on Friday. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. He said the US still had dominance and strength in research capabilities, tech prowess and entrepreneurship, along with a strong capital market and resilient economy. "A lot of people in this country [China] are now talking about the East rising and the West falling. I'd say be careful of what you say," he said. The phrase "the East is rising and the West declining" has gained traction in recent years to describe Beijing's view of the post-pandemic world as China has grown more confident in its ascent. But some experts have cautioned against the narrative, saying that China still faces headwinds as its rivalry with the US escalates. China has ramped up efforts to salvage its ailing property sector and minimise its drag on the overall economy. It is trying to revitalise private business, the backbone of job creation and innovation, and steer growth based on high value-added and advanced manufacturing. Additional uncertainties also arise from China's souring relations with the US and the European Union, two of its three biggest trading partners. Li Daokui, a professor of economics at Tsinghua University, said at the same event that top leaders were likely to unveil "big" policies to cure economic pains and drive growth. China is trying to salvage its ailing property sector and minimise its drag on the economy. Photo: AFP alt=China is trying to salvage its ailing property sector and minimise its drag on the economy. Photo: AFP> Communist Party elites will assemble in July for the third plenary session, a crucial political event to set out an economic and reform strategy for the next five to 10 years, which will be decisive for Beijing's grand plan to become an economic, technological and military superpower. Story continues Li, director of Tsinghua's Academic Centre for Chinese Economic Practice and Thinking, said economic growth was now below its growth potential of 5.7 to 5.8 per cent. Measures are needed to address real estate distress, and the government needs to find incentives for local governments to shift from production to consumption, he said. Chan cautioned against too much optimism about the global economic and geopolitical situation and suggested precautions were needed. "The world is in a considerably challenging position, and we'd better be ready for cascading changes," he said. "I feel for the next 10 years it will be a decade that is the most consequential in the world." Chan also said there would be no winner in a US-China conflict, but both sides could lose. "By not losing, you wait for the other to punch, and that is the sad game that they were playing. My personal assessment is that it is not how many punches you can throw, it is how many punches you can accept," he said. Describing himself as an internationalist, Chan said he wanted to see the US and China live together peacefully. "But if one side does not want it, there is nothing we can do, especially when one side is stronger and more powerful." This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. SIR When will politicians realise that tinkering measures to improve accessibility to the housing market, without massive increases in the availability of housing, are counterproductive (Locals should get first dibs on new homes, says Rayner, report, June 7)? Increasing demand in a scarce market serves only to raise house prices; and what good is a deposit if the repayments are unaffordable? The introduction of Right to Buy in the 1980s, Buy to Let mortgages in the 1990s and irresponsible lending by the banking sector have all pushed house prices up to the limit of affordability. This is a major contributor to the cost-of-living crisis. It leaves buyers and renters with no spare cash to cope with periodic fluctuations in mortgage rates, fuel and food prices. To fix the housing ladder we must start at the bottom rung. Right to Buy should end and councils need to build more social housing to take the pressure off the private housing sector. The current disastrous model started more than 50 years ago, and there is no quick fix. As with so many of todays problems, a solution is only possible with a stable, long-term strategy for recovery, rather than election bribes. Chris Mills Derby SIR Sir David Davis says that soaring property prices mean that young peoples only realistic hope of getting on to the housing ladder is inheritance (report, June 5). Does he not see that, with the increase in longevity, offspring are likely to be pensioners themselves before they inherit? The young people who could make use of an inheritance to get themselves on the housing ladder would likely be grandchildren or great grandchildren. My own parents are in their 80s and 90s, and so far they have had four children (now pensioners), seven grandchildren (now middle-aged) and eight great grandchildren. Even if there is a modest property and some savings left after care costs, these will not go very far at all. Helen Webster Pyrford, Surrey SIR Sam Ashworth-Hayes makes a credible argument regarding millennials funding baby boomers pensions (How Britain became a boomerocracy, Features, June 1). However, considering that roughly 39 per cent of millennials attended university compared to between 4 and 14 per cent of baby boomers, their earning power will be far greater. Yes, some boomers benefited from the housing market, but they were highly unlikely to have inherited from their parents and had to cope with mortgage interest payments of 16 per cent. Those in the 70-plus age group dont have the opportunity to increase their income, despite many continuing to work long after retirement age. The benefits system needs a complete overhaul. But to vilify pensioners for draining resources away from millennials is to appreciate only part of the problem. Susan Pritchard Swansea First past the post SIR The first-past-the-post electoral system is no longer fit for purpose. Based on recent opinion polls, Labour will win a landslide with only 27 per cent of the registered 48 million voters backing it. This picture gets even worse when unregistered eligible voters are accounted for. With the Right-of-centre vote split between the Conservatives and Reform UK, under the current system they will be barely represented in parliament. As a result the resentment felt by the country towards politicians will only increase after the election. It is time to adopt proportional representation and quickly, before we become an autocracy with disastrous consequences for all. Ian Forster Wrenthorpe, West Yorkshire D-Day harbours SIR My father was in a reserved occupation as a carpenter during the Second World War, and worked at Portsmouth docks. When he was quite old he told me that he and a team were told to build a wooden structure, and this he subsequently discovered was a small-scale model of a Mulberry Harbour (Letters, June 6). I like to think that he played a small but important part in the success of the Normandy landings. Jeffrey Gregory Swanage, Dorset SIR At an all-boys school in the early 1950s, our entire teaching staff was male, and almost all had been in one military service or another. My form master had been second in command of a landing craft. The commander was loathed by his crew and, in one of the landing exercises leading up to D-Day, they had beached at high-tide, bridged across a sandbar. As the tide receded, the craft slowly broke its back. The entire crew cheered. Philip Styles Cheddar, Somerset SIR Full marks to the BBC for its coverage of events at the wonderful British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer. It was an incredibly emotional and moving event, which will have brought tears to the eyes of those present and those watching from afar. For me, one of the stand-out moments was seeing the care and tenderness with which a much younger soldier guided a frail veteran as he lay his wreath on the monument. It was truly special. Patricia Reid Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire Trump the felon SIR Donald Trump broke the law (Comment, June 2). He was found guilty on all 34 counts by a 12-person jury of his peers. Editorials suggesting that the charges should not have been brought are entirely beside the point. The New York County District Attorney can bring a charge against anyone whom he has probable cause to believe broke the law. And Mr Trump did. He is now a convicted felon. In order to charge Mr Trump with a crime, the District Attorney had to present the evidence to a grand jury: 23 people who sit in a room and listen to testimony. They decided that there was probable cause to believe that Mr Trump broke the law. When the case went to trial, it was then up to a jury to decide if he broke the law beyond a reasonable doubt. If either the grand jury or the trial jury had decided that the charges should not have been brought, then they could have acquitted him. They did not. The lies put out by Mr Trump and his Maga supporters go to the very foundations of justice in America. A major reason for the American Revolution was the use of vice-admiralty courts, which had no jury, by the British to enforce the law. A jury 12 citizens picked at random is put between the defendant and the sovereign to safeguard the defendant from arbitrary charges. The jury, not the government, decides if a defendant is guilty. Imagine if a convicted felon is elected president. He will destroy the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. What law enforcement agency will deal with him? How would the military deal with him? Would anyone want to accept a medal from a convicted felon? Or have policy made by one? Mr Trump and his enablers are a clear and present danger to democracy. I hope Americans will see this and vote for Joe Biden. Mitchell E Ignatoff Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, United States SIR Publicly insulting the judge while awaiting sentencing does not strike me as being a particularly bright idea (Trump spares no enemies in raging attack on sham trial, report, June 1). Derek Wellman Lincoln Straight to streaming SIR In his article about the failure of Hollywood (May 30), Ben Lawrence used The Holdovers as an example of a film that streamed soon after release at the cinema. But at least The Holdovers received a cinema release; so many films now go straight to streaming. I recently saw The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare at the cinema while on holiday in America. I subsequently discovered that I was lucky to see it because, despite the fact that it has a British director (Guy Ritchie), a British star (Henry Cavill), a particularly British subject (a secret British military unit in the Second World War) and is based on a British authors book, it will not receive a UK cinema release, but will go straight to streaming. As a life-long lover of cinema and film, I despair that, unless I subscribe to every streaming platform, I am denied the ability to see so many films, especially as the streamers rarely release their films on DVD. It is disappointing that filmmakers such as Guy Ritchie do not insist in their contracts that their films are released on the big screen, which is where they were made to be seen. Jane Mitchell Rayleigh, Essex Tough French beef SIR Reading that the caterers at the Cannes Film Festival had eschewed beef on their menus (report, May 20) may come as some relief to many. Having lived in France for 17 years, and previously in the Vale of Belvoir in Leicestershire for 35, with superb local butchers, I can say categorically that French beef is mostly inedible. The breeds used seem to have been reared from what were originally draft animals, and therefore do not make for good eating. Moreover, the French dont hang the carcass after slaughter. The result is tough and flavourless beef. So there may be more to the festivals decision than meets the eye. Margaret Baker Juvigny les Vallees, Manche, France Generous dame SIR Vera Lynn (Letters, June 2) was a wonderful and generous person. We ran an art event in London and, as she painted, we inquired if she would exhibit at the event and also open it for us. When asked what she wanted, she said: Just send a car, and provide a quiet room. We sent the car, but she had to share the room with some of our noisy children. John Hope-Hawkins Towcester, Northamptonshire Trunks packed off ahead of their passengers Collected, conveyed, delivered: a British Railways poster from the 1950s - SSPL SIR I, too, remember my trunk travelling by train (Letters, June 2), both to and from boarding school and never accompanied. Address labels were clearly marked on the reverse side with the letters PLA, which stood for passengers luggage in advance. They never went astray. Malcolm Watson Ryde, Isle of Wight SIR In the 1950s I used Great Western Railways luggage-in-advance service. Trunks were sent a few days before the end of the holidays and before the end of term. Occasionally there was a delay in the arrival of trunks at school, which resulted in the joy of another few days of wearing home clothes. In my case, everything possible was sent to school in advance. Had this not been so I would have had to carry a heavy suitcase up a very steep hill. Charles Lane Warminster, Wiltshire 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. DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) Curtis Boykin says his journey has been tough after spending one year behind bars. It was really hard trying to start my life again and try to find a job, said Boykin. His stepfather recently encouraged him to call a hotline operated by the Raleigh based nonprofit, Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services. They told me what I needed to do, and I followed all of the leads they gave me. It came out very good because I finally found a job, said Boykin. After using the Recidivism Reduction Hotline, Curtis said it took only about a week or two before he was hired at a car detailing company. Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services Executive Director Kerwin Pittman has a similar story. Re-entry was really hard for me, and if this hotline would have been available when I came home, it would have put me on the right track, said Pittman. Pittman served more than a decade behind bars and was released on good behavior. He has since spent every day advocating for change through this nonprofit and new hotline. We had to pull a wide net of resources across the state of North Carolina, said Pittman. The hotline is available in all North Carolina counties. It helps individuals with education, essential needs, healthcare, housing, legal, religious services, safety and security and a support system. It is amazing to connect an individual coming home with resources they need, such as a job, immediately. We know this can guide them to a trusted source to make a difference, said Pittman. One month in, the hotline is now available on tablets in North Carolina Prisons. It is giving more access to thousands of individuals incarcerated to begin planning their re-entry into society and changing lives just like Curtis Boykin. This has totally changed my life. I get to wake up and look forward to something new, said Boykin. You can reach the hotline by calling 1-888-852-0004. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) A local chemistry teacher is highlighting a little know mission on D-Day with connections to Elmira. You say, most folks are not aware of this mission? asked 18 News reporter Nick Dubina. Theres nobody, theres nobody aware of Mission Elmira, said Greg Grund. It was the largest resupply mission for the 82nd airborne during D-Day. Grund told us he has been teaching chemistry for 42 years. First at Notre Dame High School and then at Southside High School. He currently teaches chemistry at Corning Community College for the STEM Academy. Grund is also a student of World War Two history. World leaders and veterans commemorate D-Day I went to Normandy the first time during Ronald Reagans presidency. I went into a museum, and I was interested in the airborne and they had all these missions written down. Mission Albany, Mission Boston, Mission Chicago, Mission Detroit, and then Mission Elmira, and it floored me, because how did mission Elmira get in with Chicago, Detroit and Boston? It blew me away. This was after the 13,200 paratroopers dropped that night. This mission Elmira brought in supplies for the 82nd airborne, and they didnt come in till about 10 oclock at night. But it was still light because they have double daylight savings time in France. They brought in 1,200 soldiers, about 25 Jeeps and 25 anti-tank guns. Grund said after doing some research he learned about the Schweizer brothers, Paul Bill and Ernie. In the 1930s, the brothers started making gliders in Elmira. In 1942, the Army Air Corps made a commitment to get gliders, and they said the Schweizer brothers can make 100 gliders. These are the gliders they made. These were sample gliders, and they were used to train the pilots to fly the Waco gliders that are downstairs. The Waco cargo gliders were made by other companies. The whole front of this would lift up and then you could put a Jeep in there, or an artillery piece or it could hold eight soldiers. Grund says the gliders were fast, silent and more accurate than parachute drops. But he says they were extremely fragile as they flew into enemy fire. They were landing in fields that were still held by the Germans, so youll see a pellet gun can go through those gliders, and the Germans had exceptional anti-aircraft artillery. Right when they were landing, they had to lock arms, and lift their legs up, because the whole floor would be ripped out when it landed. Grund says landing the gliders could also turn deadly if the grass was too slick. See the problem with these, they have skids. They dont have wheels. When they skidded on the ground in Normandy, if the grass was a little wet, they would skip right into a hedgerow, and the hedgerow would stop the glider. But if they had an artillery piece or Jeep in the back, it would come crashing forward and absolutely crushed the pilot and copilot. As people remember 80 years since D-Day, Grund says he hopes Elmiras role is not forgotten. I mean, I wasnt aware of it, and I know quite a bit. Weve been to Normandy 3 or 4 times. Nope, I had no idea. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. One person was killed and two were wounded by Russian attacks in southern Kherson Oblast, the local authorities reported on June 8. A 60-year-old woman was fatally wounded in the village of Dudchany at around noon, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said in a Telegram post. Two men were wounded by Russian shelling in the village of Bilozerka in southern Kherson Oblast, about 150 kilometers southwest of Dudchany, the regional military administration reported on June 8. In a Telegram post, the administration said that 81-year-old and 69-year-old local residents were outside when Russia attacked the village located a 20-minute drive from Kherson. Since Ukraine liberated Kherson and its surrounding areas on the western bank of the Dnipro River in November 2022, Russian troops have continued to regularly attack the territory. Areas near the river, such as Bilozerka, remain especially vulnerable, as Russian troops are only about 10 kilometers away, leaving the village in range of most Russian artillery and drones. The administration reported that both victims suffered injuries across the body. Currently, doctors are providing the victims with the necessary assistance, it said. Read also: Under deadly attacks, Kherson fights to keep life going 1 year after liberation Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Reducing recidivism requires relatability are the words one woman lives by as she works to lower the recidivism rate in Shelby County and help ex-offenders transition back into society. That woman is Portia Moore, the CEO and Founder of the Transitional Re-Entry Adult Program, also known as T.R.A.P. The goal of the organization is to offer life skills, workforce development, job readiness and etiquette to those recently released from prison. Contractors at Blue Oval City claim they arent being paid I just try to get them in those classes, skill them up and show them how to live with just employment working, Moore said. Those checks are able to take care of you even if you are used to a drug lifestyle or anything out of that. Try something new and watch how your life will change. On Saturday morning, T.R.A.P hosted the Walk 2 Reduce Recidivism, a special 5k hosted at Shelby Farms. Laughter and music filled the park but behind many of those smiles are dark pasts. Walk 2 Reduce Recidivism event. Walk 2 Reduce Recidivism event. Walk 2 Reduce Recidivism event. I was a serial bank robber, Leonard Love said. Made a lot and I come to prison and I barely got five dollars. In January of this year, Love, from Columbus, Ohio, told WREG that he finished a 22-year sentence for bank robbery. He was 26 when he was first incarcerated. During his time in prison, he wrote three books and through the help of Moore, he says all of them have been published. She pointed me in the right direction to get this published on Amazon because I didnt know what I was doing, Love said. So, she helped me. I give all the credit to her. AR city worker badly burned on job; family wants answers Moore says T.R.A.P. has an 80 percent retention rate. Its a better way of living, one man said. Theres more than selling drugs in life. Dante Hudson and Desi Taylor, both ex-offenders, told WREG there needs to be more resources for those transitioning back into society. I was down bad just getting out of prison, Taylor said. People were looking down on me as a felon. When you get out of prison, you dont have the resources, Hudson said. So, its like you stuck. You dont know where to begin or go. Moore said shes dedicated her life to helping others because shes personally been in their position and wants to show society what change can look like if only given a chance. I called out all my ex-offenders, my re-entry population. I just want to bring the city out to to let them know that all these people that you see out here that have a background and theyre trying, Moore said. They signed up for the program and just trying to change their mindset. Everybody deserves a second chance in life, a man said. Everybodys hurting and everybody makes mistakes, but everybody deserves a second chance in life. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. These local heroes serve selflessly. Here's why they were recognized Thursday. First responders who run to the crises most of us run from were recognized Thursday during the 8th Annual Public Safety Awards, hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony took place at the Community Volunteer Co. of District 12's banquet hall in Halfway. Award recipients include first responders and volunteers in fire, law enforcement, emergency telecommunications and EMS departments. The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is proud and honored to recognize the brave efforts of our public safety and health care professionals, Chamber President and CEO Paul Frey said in a statement. Everyday these professionals go above and beyond the call of duty to protect the lives of our citizens and the property of our homes and businesses. It is a pleasure to be able to publicly give them our sincere thanks and gratitude for all that they do on the behalf of others, often without public recognition. Hagerstown Police Chief Paul Kifer listens during the Public Safety Awards ceremony Thursday. Three levels of Medal of Valor awards were distributed. The gold award recognizes an act of bravery involving extreme personal risk that is clearly above and beyond the call of duty, or an incident of valor that results in serious injury or death. The silver award recognizes acts of bravery involving great personal risk beyond the call of duty. The bronze award recognizes acts of bravery involving unusual personal risk beyond expectation while performing the usual responsibilities of the job. Bronze-level recognition may also be awarded to a responder who demonstrates unusual judgement, zeal or ingenuity during an emergency situation when such an act is beyond that normally expected in the line of duty. This years recipient of the Gold Medal of Valor is Master Police Officer Cory Biden of Hagerstown Police Department, honored for preventing a suicide attempt in oncoming traffic in July 2023. Backstory: Hagerstown officer saves life of man trying to run into traffic on I-70 The recipient of the Silver Medal of Valor is Deputy Nikolas McKoy of Washington County Sheriff's Office, honored for preventing a suicide attempt involving arson and explosives in September 2023. Paramedic Zachary Culler of Community Rescue Service and Officer Spencer Nigh of the Hagerstown Police Department received the Bronze Medal of Valor for their quick actions treating an assault victim, which involved scaling a 10-foot metal gate, in June 2023. Firefighters Liam Harbert and Joshua Merani and Fire Apparatus Operator Charles Mundey of Hagerstown Fire Department received the Bronze Medal of Valor for rescuing an unconscious woman from an apartment fire in August 2023. The Hero Award honors an individual or team whose actions attempted to save or succeeded in saving a human life. Recipients demonstrate strong knowledge of medical and rescue efforts, quick action and a commitment to service on and off duty. Hagerstown Police Chief Paul Kifer, left, and Washington County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Paul Frey, right, present the Hero Award to Officer First Class Mark Morris of the Hagerstown Police Department during the Public Safety Awards ceremony Thursday. Officer First Class Mark Morris of the Hagerstown Police Department received the Hero Award for his quick action to treat and save a man with self-inflicted gunshot wounds in November 2023. Deputy Sara Sutton of Washington County Sheriff's Office received the Hero Award for her life-saving actions creating a makeshift arm tourniquet and providing CPR for a man in an ATV accident in May 2023. Capt. William Ball III, Firefighter Benjamin Gozora, Fire Apparatus Operator Rodney Guessford, EMT Stacy Lakin, Paramedic Jeremy Mackrell and Firefighter Jeremy Smiley of Williamsport Volunteer Fire - EMS Inc., and Capt. Joshua Eisenhower of the Washington County Division of Emergency Services are receiving the Hero Award for their life-saving response to a cardiac arrest patient in January 2023. The Unit Achievement Award is awarded to any bureau, division, section, unit or squad exhibiting extraordinary performance and attention to duty, and for an outstanding contribution to the department or to the welfare of our citizens. Trooper First Class Matthew Doyle, Trooper First Class Derek Harper, Sgt. Richard Kulina, Trooper First Class Zachary O'Neal and Trooper First Class Joshua Socks of the Maryland State Police are receiving the Unit Achievement Award for superior performance as a team and playing an active role in the community. Backstory: Two dead, three taken to hospitals following multi-vehicle crash on I-81 Six different companies responded to a fatal crash on Interstate 81 in September 2023, involving four tractor trailers, a passenger vehicle and a pickup truck, and there are 38 first responders receiving the Unit Achievement Award. The first responders operated as a team to locate and extricate victims. The award recipients include: Jeffrey Paules , Artie Raines , Deputy Chief Phil Ridenour, Fire Apparatus Operator Jeremy Smiley and Firefighter Daniel Taylor of Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Co. Inc. Engine 13-1 Jack Blair , Brandon Frazier , Chief Mark Miller , Firefighter Matt Munson and Fire Apparatus Operator Tommy Palmer of Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Co. Inc. Rescue Squad 13 Thomas Bricker , Michael McAtee , Donald McAtee and Payton Timmons of Rescue Hose Company #1, Engine 3-1 of Greencastle, Pa. Brian Barkdoll , Doug Bitner , Joshua Hulebak and Tyler Myers of Rescue Hose Company #1, Rescue Squad 3 of Greencastle Amber Beam and Matthew Brown of Rescue Hose Company #1, Ambulance 3-9 of Greencastle Mark Mentzer , Franklin County (Pa.) Medic 23-31 Sgt. Rob DePartee and Firefighter Rob Flint of Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company, Engine 27-1 Firefighter Bill Haines , Deputy Chief Adam Hopkins , Fire Apparatus Operator Kirk Mongan and Firefighter Zack Thomas of Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company, Rescue Engine 27-2 Firefighter Jimmie Lobley and Driver Quentin Tosten of Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company, Brush 27 Chief Donnie Bingaman , Firefighter Ben Gozora , Fire Apparatus Operator Steve Hurst and Capt. Levi Taylor of Williamsport Volunteer Fire and EMS Co., Rescue Engine 2 Capt. Joanna Bingaman, Paramedic Kevin Demmons, EMT Seth Granville, Paramedic Ashley Hess and Paramedic Adam Hess of Community Rescue Service Telecommunications professionals of the Washington County Department of Emergency Communications, including Emergency Communication Specialist III - Dispatcher Derek Bish, ECS I Donna Burcker, ECS II Dispatcher Ethan Grim, Supervisor David Litten, ECS II Dispatcher Rachel Miller, ECS III Dispatcher Todd Nesbitt, ECS Amanda Wagner and ECS III Dispatcher Mason White received the Unit Achievement Award for their response to the call reporting the shooting of a Washington County Circuit Court judge in October 2023. The Telecommunications Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional contribution to the improved delivery of emergency medical, fire and law enforcement services to the citizens and visitors of Washington County through their outstanding dedication and service. Emergency Dispatcher Diane Rosenthal of the Maryland State Police Emergency Dispatch is receiving the Telecommunications Award for continuously demonstrating professionalism and dedication to her role. The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a responder who is distinguished from all others of their rank or position, performs above expectation, demonstrates responsibility and initiated a credible accomplishment in the previous year. Trooper First Class Matthew Doyle of the Maryland State Police received the Distinguished Service award for demonstrating tenacity and a vigorous work ethic, with a passion for public service. The Community Service award is presented to an individual, group or organization who has worked to better the lives of those in Washington County, either inside or outside of normal job duties, or has performed a single outstanding prevention. Master Deputy Gerardo Cerda of the Washington County Sheriff's Office received the Community Service award for providing continuous service to Washington County citizens. He provides support for Spanish-speaking residents and volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County. He also assists with law enforcement training at Washington County Technical High School and the Washington County Public Safety Training Center. The Volunteer Achievement award is presented for volunteer dedication and initiative above and beyond the call of duty over a period of time that has affected and benefited the citizens of Washington County and beyond. Robyn Ford received the Volunteer Achievement Award for her contributions to Boonsboro Ambulance & Rescue Service, providing innovative ideas to help raise funds and ensuring the successful coordination of popular fundraising events. Del. William Wivell, R-Washington-Frederick, left, greets Lifetime Achievement award recipient Maj. Mark Knight of the Washington County Sheriff's office during the Public Safety Awards ceremony Thursday. President Nolan "Jay" Brandenburg of Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Company received the Volunteer Achievement award for 30 years of volunteer service in Washington County. He has been instrumental in securing more than $15 million in grants for Washington County fire and rescue departments. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who encompasses leadership and an exceptional work ethic. He or she has consistently performed above and beyond normal expectation throughout their career. President Mary Jane "MJ" Blickenstaff of Boonsboro Ambulance & Rescue Service Inc. received the Lifetime Achievement award in honor of her dedicated volunteering service for more than 40 years. Maj. Mark Knight of the Washington County Sheriff's Office received the Lifetime Achievement award recognizing his 39 years of service to Washington County. During his career, Knight worked his way through the ranks and led detectives in the Criminal Investigation Unit. He demonstrated strong leadership of the award-winning Washington County Special Response Team and received several personal awards and accolades as well. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Chamber recognizes first responders with Public Safety Awards Call it a dinomite discovery. A Long Island professor is among researchers who discovered a new dinosaur species in Zimbabwe the fourth ever uncovered in the African nation. Stony Brook University professor Kimi Chapelle played a pivotal role in finding fossils of this lengthy-necked herbivore, called a sauropodomorph dino, which inhabited the area 210 million years ago in the Late Triassic period. The prehistoric creature was named the Musankwa sanyatiensis in honor of the houseboat researchers who lived and worked on, as they island-hopped throughout the Mid-Zambezi Basin. Its the first dinosaur to be named from the region in more than 50 years, Stony Brook noted. Stony Brook University professor Kimi Chapelle played a pivotal role in finding the fossil. Courtesy of Kimi Chapelle They discovered a new dinosaur species in Zimbabwe the fourth ever uncovered in the African nation. Paul Barrett The lengthy-necked herbivore is called a sauropodomorph dino and inhabited the area 210 million years ago in the Late Triassic period. Atashni Moopen The findings were published this week in Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. The expedition took place during 2017 and 2018, but lab follow-through research was only recently completed on the single hind leg, which included the dinos thigh, shin and ankle bones. We could only work from but during very daytime hours because, if you go walk around at dusk and dawn, thats when the crocodiles and the hippos come out of the water, Chapelle, a lover of fieldwork, told The Post. Even during the day, you werent allowed to walk by the water because crocs tend to grab people from the shores, she added, calling it kind of weird. Researchers found a single hind leg, which included the dinos thigh, shin and ankle bones. X / @NHMdinolab Its the first dinosaur to be named from the region in more than 50 years, Stony Brook noted. Barrett et al. 2024 / Atashni Moopen Chapelle, 33, said that it was common for hippopotamuses to pop up while they were examining the fossils. Chapelle, 33, said that it was common for hippopotamuses to pop up while they were examining fossils, too. And while seemingly cute, Chapelle said they are quite extremely aggressive. Nevertheless, Chapelle helped unravel important details of the beast for the study led by Professor Paul Barrett from the Natural History Museum of London. They weighed about 850 pounds as one of the larger dinosaurs of its time, dwelled in swampy areas and most resemble sauropodomorphs found in South Africa, Chapelles native nation, and Argentina. The excited expert also noted that Zimbabwe has been under-scrutinized in the search for dinosaur fossils, which began exactly 200 years ago. She is hopeful this is going to change things. We have more fossils from the area that were still prepping and working on, she said. I think this has given us more of a boost to try and get that done soon. Naming a new dinosaur species is always a big career moment, and its something that will stay in the literature forever, no matter what happens, Kimi Chapelle said. Courtesy of Kimi Chapelle We have more fossils from the area that were still prepping and working on. I think this has given us more of a boost to try and get that done soon. For right now, though, shes enjoying the moment millions of years in the making. Naming a new dinosaur species is always a big career moment, and its something that will stay in the literature forever, no matter what happens. A member of a notorious group who robbed an armored car in 2022 has been sentenced to nearly 14 years in federal prison. James Russell Davis, 35, of Los Angeles was described by the United States Department of Justice as a lookout for the Chesapeake Bandits, who robbed an armored car at gunpoint on Feb. 14, 2022. The DOJ says Davis admitted to scouting out a credit union in Hawthorne with a co-conspirator and devising a plan to ambush the driver of an armored vehicle after he finished servicing an ATM. Davis and his accomplices returned to the site weeks later and executed their plan, with Davis operating as a lookout while his partners, armed with an assault rifle and a semi-automatic handgun, emerged from their vehicle and held the driver at gunpoint. One of the armed men pushed the driver to the ground and removed his service pistol and held him at gunpoint during the robbery, the DOJ said. At one point, a shot was fired from a handgun, possibly by Davis, although no one was injured. The robbery crew stole cash and customer checks from the ATMs and bags of cash nearby. In total, more than $166,000 was stolen in cash belonging to the armored car company. James Russell Davis is seen in a wanted poster displayed during a news conference on March 2, 2023. (KTLA) Davis was eventually arrested and has been in federal custody since March 2023. He pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of discharging a firearm during a violent crime. Imagine the terror of being pulled to the ground with a gun pointed at your head, said Krysti Hawkins, acting assistant director in charge of the FBI Field Office in L.A. Davis and his accomplices violently ambushed an individual just doing his job so they could make off with other peoples money. Hawkins added that the significant sentence Davis received cannot make up for the emotional and psychological damage inflicted on the victim, but the FBI hopes it sends a clear message to those who commit violent crimes. Armored car robbery suspects wanted by FBI Also charged and identified as a member of the Chesapeake Bandits is the lead defendant in the case, 38-year-old Deneyvous Jayan Hobson. Both Davis and Hobson are from the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles and have been identified by multiple media outlets as half-brothers. Hobson has pleaded not guilty to his charges and his trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 3. He faces similar charges to Davis, with an additional charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm. While the sentence handed down Friday relates only to the Hawthorne armed car robbery, the Chesapeake Bandits were also believed to be linked to several other armored vehicle robberies across Los Angeles County. Authorities previously said there were additional members of the group, but the DOJ confirmed Friday that there are currently no other defendants facing federal 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 KTLA. Ryan Amichettes biggest goal in life was to grow up, start working and be able to take care of his mother, who worked five days a week as a hotel maid. He would always tell me, Mommy when I get to 18 Im gonna work so you can stop working and rest, said his mother Figenie Dugard, 49. But the 8-year-olds life was tragically cut short Monday evening after he had wandered into the backyard of a neighbor in Fort Lauderdale, who found Ryan in the bottom of the pool behind his home. The Fort Lauderdale house, 1143 NW Fourth Ave., where 8-year-old Ryan Amichette drowned in the backyard pool on Monday, June 3, 2024, taken on Thursday, June 6, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The home belongs to a neighbor. Brad Laird, who lives at 1143 NW Fourth Ave., called 911 around 6:30 p.m. Monday, according to Fort Lauderdale police. He had awakened from a nap, noticed a pair of childrens shoes by the pool and saw Ryan submerged in the water, according to an audio clip released by police Wednesday. Ive never seen him before, said Laird, when asked by the police dispatcher if he knew Ryan. Weve never had a stray child in here. I see his clothes are right here by the gate, and his shoes are by the pool, and hes at the bottom floating, looking at the bottom. Laird, when reached Friday by the Herald, said he was too upset to talk about it and had no comment. Sitter was supposed to pick up Ryan, mother says Ryan was a third-grader at North Side Elementary, 120 NE 11th St., where his favorite subject was math, his mother said. The school is about a 10-minute walk from the house with the pool. His mother works cleaning the rooms at the B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale Beach, working a 2-to-10 p.m. shift five days a week. She said she hired a woman to pick up Ryan from school and take him home on the days she worked. On Monday, Dugard says she called the school and Ryan to let them know his babysitter would pick him up that day. Dugard says she met the sitter through the school as she would often pick up and drop off other students. She said the sitter told her that when she went to the school on Monday, she saw him walking away with other students. She couldnt get his attention, so she left, Dugard said. Ryans mother says she does not know the children he was with. The chain-link fence surrounding the pool in Fort Lauderdale where Ryan Amichette, 8, drowned on Monday, June 3, 2024. The photo was taken on Thursday, June 6, 2024. He liked to play a lot, said Gibson Severe, 28, Ryans older brother. He was mad friendly. Severe says Dugard called him around 3 p.m. letting him know that Ryan never came home. Severe searched the neighborhood for hours until he noticed police cars surrounding Lairds property and asked officers if they had found a little boy. Ryan lived with his mother in an apartment about two blocks from the house with the pool. His mother and brother say he had never been there before. Neighbors told the Herald that Laird usually rents out the house. Lairds property is connected to several duplexes that he rents, the neighbors said, which are enclosed by a chain-link fence. The pool is behind the duplexes. It is unclear how Ryan entered the property. Figenie Dugard, mother of Ryan Amichette, 8, looks through family photos taken in May on Thursday, June 6, 2024 , in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Ryan drowned in a neighbors pool on Monday. Loved strawberry ice cream Ryan and his mother had been living in Fort Lauderdale for nearly three years. Ryan was born in Nassau, in the Bahamas, where his mother had lived for 22 years after leaving Haiti in search of a better life, she said. Trips to the grocery store always saw him darting toward the strawberry ice cream section, his favorite treat, said his mother, who is devastated by his death. At home, Ryan loved watching Tom and Jerry cartoons and dancing. He would play music and jump on the bed and start dancing when I would lay down, said Dugard. Ryans affectionate nature was evident in the big hugs he gave his mother every morning before school. He would say, Mommy come here and give me a hug and I love you Mommy, said Dugard. He loved me and I loved Ryan. How to help Ryan would have turned 9 on June 17, and his mother would like to hold his funeral by June 22. Relatives of Ryan have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help yez,pay for his burial expenses. You can find out more information here. You are here: World Flash India's Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on Friday staked the claim to form the country's next government by submitting a list of lawmakers supporting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) before President Droupadi Murmu, confirmed an official source at the President's House. Modi is scheduled to take oath as the country's prime minister for the third consecutive five-year term on June 9. Earlier in the day, Modi was chosen as the leader of the NDA Parliamentary Party. Two days ago, Modi resigned from the prime minister's post as per the protocol, in order to pave the way for the next government's formation. President Murmu accepted the resignation, requesting him to act as the prime minister till the new government is formed. Results of the recently concluded general elections were announced on June 4. Tufan Erginbilgic says Rolls is improving, 'but we have a lot more to do' - Rolls-Royce If Tufan Erginbilgic succeeds in his mission, hell have worked himself out of a job. At least thats how the Rolls-Royce chief executive puts it himself, a year and a half into a business turnaround that has won rapturous praise in the City. I came with a purpose, he tells The Telegraph. I say to people, I want to be redundant. My vision is that you go into a meeting and people tell you the issues and what they are doing about it and you sort of look and say, Wow, OK, thank you. I really appreciate what youre doing, but you realise you cant contribute anymore because theyve done everything. This has happened to me in previous transformations but not at Rolls-Royce, yet. Pulling off a lasting culture change at Rolls, a 118-year-old engine manufacturer known for its bureaucracy, will be far from easy. But it has been at the heart of Mr Erginbilgics strategy from the start and has occasionally required him to administer shock therapy. Soon after taking charge in January 2023, the Turkish executive known as Turbo by admiring stock market analysts told the companys 40,000 employees they were standing on a burning platform. Later he described the Germany-based power systems business as grossly mismanaged after it allowed profits to slip even as sales rose. The blunt remarks ruffled feathers at first, with critics accusing him of scoring needless own-goals. During an interview in The Telegraphs offices in London, Mr Erginbilgic says the tough comments were necessary to shake the company out of its stupor. Rolls-Royce had a near-death experience during the coronavirus pandemic under ex-boss Warren East, but too many people were still complacent. Some people knew something was wrong and were frustrated and some people, not really, he says. So you have to change the mindset, change the culture, change the processes and, in some cases, change the people. But I shared my vision of where I think we can go and that energised people. You need a clear strategy if youre going to mobilise 40,000 employees. And to me, strategy is not about the boardroom. Mr Erginbilgics early comments have now been reassessed in the wake of his success. He has slashed costs and souped-up profitability. At the same time he spent much of last year renegotiating loss-making contracts with airlines and plane manufacturers, including Airbus and Boeing, that had been struck under previous management. Making engines is fine, Mr Erginbilgic says. But if they dont generate margins, one million times zero is still zero, right? Story continues So and Im not kidding we renegotiated every [original equipment manufacturer] contract last year. The last one, we signed on December 28. Then we renegotiated loss-making contracts with the airlines, some of which we concluded last year and some we are still working on. Previous Rolls management teams avoided putting prices up, fearing they would lose market share. Are they easy conversations? Of course not, Mr Erginbilgic says. But we went in saying we are a partner and we actually told them what the problem was. Any sustainable partnership needs to be mutually beneficial otherwise its not sustainable. Ive been on too-good sides of contracts in my career as well and, actually, they werent sustainable. They were good. But one day the other party says enough is enough. So these are tough conversations. But as long as theres mutual respect, I can assure you in every case theres a win-win. I will never overuse the Rolls-Royce position but I want us to get the strong value we bring to the table. And that wasnt the case before. Mr Erginbilgic has also ensured that all contracts signed since he arrived have been profitable something he hopes will break the vicious cycle that Rolls has long been stuck in. The approach is not just limited to the companys civil aviation arm either. He has also renegotiated deals in the defence and power systems divisions while relentlessly squeezing costs and centralising key functions such as procurement to spread best practice across the whole business. The result has been a doubling of profit margins overall, with Rolls reporting record free cash flow of 1.3bn in 2023. The healthier numbers have sealed Mr Erginbilgics hero status among Rolls long-suffering investors. However, he insists that this is only the start of his improvement plan. We are changing, but we have a lot more to do. And if youre sitting there thinking, these guys are done, were far from it. Every day were setting new expectations. Even yesterday, I can tell you, I was intervening in the way we think about things. Many long-suffering shareholders are now anxiously awaiting news about when they will finally get a payout. That could come in the form of the dividend returning or potentially a share buyback, though Mr Erginbilgic is coy about the precise timing. He has previously suggested it would only happen once the companys debts fall and all the big credit ratings agencies restore Rolls investment-grade status something S&P and Fitch have done so far, but not yet Moodys. Should investors dare to hope for a surprise this year? Shareholder distributions can come in different forms and we dont rule out any of them, he says. We have set out the criteria and we are making progress. If we can meet the criteria, it will be as soon as possible. I want a strong balance sheet and I cant tell you more than that. Early results from Mr Erginbilgics turnaround strategy have given the chief executive room to contemplate Rolls longer-term options. He rattles off a list of circumstances that bode well for the companys prospects: the fruits of a three-year, 1bn investment programme to improve its engines; rising UK defence spending on programmes including Aukus-class submarines and the Tempest fighter jet; and booming demand for back-up power generators from AI-focused data centres. The things we are doing now will impact beyond 2027, he says, referencing when current mid-term targets set out by the business come to an end. Im excited about what we are creating. The company is also mulling a return to the narrow-body planes market probably by partnering with another engine maker and sees big potential for its mini nuclear reactors business beyond 2030. It will even consider making acquisitions, Mr Erginbilgic says, before quickly adding that nothing is in the works today. Theres opportunity everywhere, in all our divisions. But it needs to be value-creating and we are not in a rush, he says. We dont need M&A to grow the company. Mr Erginbilgic, a father of two, rarely breaks eye contact through an hour-long conversation. His intensity and unyielding focus on results has given him a reputation as a steely operator even a corporate hard man. However, at times during the conversation he verges into the professorial. Who doesnt want to win? Who doesnt want to be successful? he says. Everybody uses the term transformation at their liberty. But for me, transformation is taking Rolls-Royce to a place it has never been. The ultimate goal is to create what I call a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing business. Im not here, frankly, for short term outcomes. Ive said that since day one. This is a holistic transformation, where all the stakeholders will benefit not only investors, but also employees and society. With such lofty ambitions, it will be a long time before Mr Erginbilgic is redundant at Rolls. But if he does succeed in putting himself out of a job, he neednt worry: hell be the most sought-after chief executive in the City. 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. Donald Trumps former lawyer Rudy Giuliani speaks at the ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) Thousands of people armed with bibles, Lets Go Brandon shirts and glittery red, white and blue cowboy hats on Friday poured into Grace Christian Church in Sterling Heights for the controversial, far-right ReAwaken America Tour. The event in Macomb County a stronghold for former President Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020 was organized by Trumps national security advisor, Michael Flynn. The tour, which continues Saturday, featured Trumps son, Eric Trump, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a former Trump lawyer. Eric Trump thanked Flynn for his commitment to the Trump presidential campaign. Flynn was convicted on criminal charges after he admitted to lying to the FBI about his communications with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. He was later pardoned by Trump. What theyve done since then they went after him [Flynn] they tried to destroy his life. They tried to destroy his family, they tried to keep him down, Trump said. The guy is still standing on this stage and I cant tell you how much courage that takes. The event featured dozens of other speakers including pastors, anti-vaccination advocates and individuals supporting QAnon conspiracy theories and selling books of prophecy. The Christian organization Faithful America said it has sponsored a mobile billboard near the conference calling attention to the dangers of the tour and its Christian nationalism. The group has also done so at other ReAwaken America events since 2022. Jesus teaches us a path of love, truth and peace, yet unholy Christian nationalism hijacks his name for bigotry, disinformation, and political violence, said the Rev. Nathan Empsall, executive director of Faithful America. The ReAwaken America Tour might feature baptisms and praise music, but dont let that fool you: The events real goal is spreading conspiracy theories, election denial and even political violence throughout Michigan and beyond in order to elect Donald Trump and other MAGA Republicans, no matter how much they have to drag the church through the mud to make that happen. Hands were raised and hymns were sung at the revival meeting-style event calling for donations for conservative causes. Speakers said Democrats had declared war on God and called for bringing back Donald Trump, who they said was Gods chosen president, to the White House. Last month, a New York jury found him guilty of 34 felonies related to a scheme during the 2016 election to cover up hush money payments to a porn star who had publicly said the two had an affair. Democrats are grasping at straws, making a farce of the legal system, indicting a billionaire for a $130,000 payment made to a lawyer as a legal expense years ago, Eric Trump said at the event. I was in that courtroom almost every single day and guys, you wouldnt believe the corruption that we have in this country? said Trump, who attended some of the trial. Im in that courtroom and you want to talk about a rigged system? A judge thats just sitting there, his daughters apparently making an absolute fortune. So many people have looked into her life, she raises a fortune for the Democrats in New York right. So this is the daughter of the judge. The judge isnt allowing any witness on the stand. Literally like denying every witness. The judge presiding over Trumps New York indictment, Juan Merchan, placed a gag order in Trumps case after he went after his daughter, Loren Merchan, who has done fundraising for Democratic political candidates. CNN reports that a screenshot asserting to be from her LinkedIn page said she had been the director of digital persuasion for now-Vice President Kamala Harris 2020 presidential campaign. Trumps attempts to disqualify the judge due to his daughters political affiliation were unsuccessful. The vitriol and weaponization of the legal system has been torture for the whole Trump family. And the case in New York, one of four total criminal indictments Trump is facing, is illustrating how rigged the judicial system has become, Eric Trump said. You would end the suffering and the torture and the weaponization of government ao damn quickly, if he just said, Im not going to run, Trump said. The problem is thats exactly what these crooked people want. If we let them get away with this stuff, this is going to be their game plan for the rest of eternity it probably is anyway. What theyre gonna do is theyre just going to politically crucify every single person that isnt a part of their little establishment, thats not part of their little ecosystem. And thank God that he [Donald Trump] had the backbone. Hes created the greatest political movement this country has ever seen. Theres no question about it. Both of Donald Trumps impeachments while he was president are badges of honor, Eric Trump asserted. His father is flicking the hornets nest in Washington, D.C., and is challenging government. Just the positive attitude that he kept, I mean, unbelievable. The guys unbelievable. Hes got backbone of absolute steel didnt faze him, Trump said. After the guilty verdict, Donald Trump raised $34.2 million by the end of the day, Eric Trump said. Sometimes when they kick you the hardest and Ive seen this time and time again and time and time again its the law of unintended consequences, Trump said. Who would have ever thought that out of 34 indictments, you could raise [a total of] over $300 million, which is more money than we raised in all of the 2016 campaign if you dont believe that that is God looking down? Another speaker was Giuliani, who ran a Michigan House Oversight hearing in December 2020 in which he told lawmakers they could overturn the presidential election that Donald Trump lost to President Joe Biden. Giuliani has been in hot water in numerous cases ranging from sexual assault to interfering with the 2020 election. But despite his own legal troubles, notably being ordered by a judge to pay $150 million to Georgia election workers he defamed, Giuliani still is calling attention to what he sees are injustices in Trumps indictments. Giuliani zeroed in on the judges instruction to the jury in the New York case that the jury didnt have to unanimously agree on how the crime was committed. There has been rhetoric that the judge instructed the jury that they did not have to be unanimous in their decision to convict. This is not true, as the jury was instructed that they didnt have to agree on some of the details of the case, but the verdict had to be unanimous. Ive tried and been involved in over 100 criminal cases; it was unthinkable to me that you could have not a unanimous verdict. Things have happened in the last four or five years, where I wake up in the morning, and I say, What do you mean? Giuliani said. Biden and Democrats are borrowing from communist philosopher Karl Marx on how to take over a nation, Giuliani said. First, Biden took God out of schools and government to establish loyalty to only him, Giuliani said. And now, in Bidens quest for a dictatorship, hes trying to keep parents out of medical decisions for minor children, referring to gender-affirming care for kids, Giuliani said. The next thing you got to do is you got to get those kids early. Hitler and Stalin preferred about two years old, because you want to make them property of the state. And havent they done that? When you can mutilate a minor child and the teacher and the doctor and the politician can decide, and the parent doesnt even get told, Giuliani said. Eric Trump and Giuliani both talked about America needing a fighter and a cheerleader. Giuliani said former President Barack Obama didnt love America, but Donald Trump is bringing back pride in America. To be a great president, even to be a good president, who has a hard job, you have to love America. You have to love the whole idea of America, the whole concept of America, Giuliani said. Former national security adviser Michael Flynn speaks at the ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) Eric Trump speaks at the ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) Donald Trumps former lawyer Rudy Giuliani speaks at the ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) Donald Trumps former lawyer Rudy Giuliani speaks at the ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) Donald Trumps former lawyer Rudy Giuliani speaks at the ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) Eric Trump speaks at the ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) Donald Trumps former lawyer Rudy Giuliani speaks at the ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) Donald Trumps former lawyer Rudy Giuliani speaks at the ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) Donald Trumps former lawyer Rudy Giuliani speaks at the ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) Eric Trump speaks at the ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) Former national security adviser Michael Flynn speaks at the ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) Donald Trumps former lawyer Rudy Giuliani speaks at the ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) ReAwaken America Tour in Sterling Heights on June 7, 2024. (Photo:Anna Liz Nichols) SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post In Macomb County, Giuliani and Eric Trump slam Donald Trumps guilty verdict appeared first on Michigan Advance. President Joe Biden heralded the close ties between the United States and France on Saturday, calling his current visit the most remarkable trip that hes made to the country as French President Emmanuel Macron hosted his US counterpart for an official state visit in Paris. This week, we have once again showed the world the power of allies, what we can achieve when we stand together. Thats what the relationship between France and the United States exemplifies, Biden said in remarks with Macron from the Elysee Palace. The visit comes as the US has strengthened its alliance with its oldest ally amid Russias war in Ukraine, even as some signs of fissures have emerged over the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East. When we stand as one, our countries are stronger and literally, the world is safer, Biden said during a state dinner later Saturday. We stand at an inflection point in history. The decisions we make now will determine the course of our future for decades to come. The state visit began with Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron welcoming Biden and first lady Jill Biden with a formal ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, a Paris landmark. The leaders paid their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and placed the end of a large sword into the eternal flame. A French military choir performed The Star-Spangled Banner followed by La Marseillaise. Biden and Macron observed a flyover before greeting officials from a French delegation as bagpipes played Amazing Grace. The Bidens and Macrons signed a guestbook before boarding their respective vehicles, which drove slowly down the Champs-Elysees, flanked by military personnel and American and French flags. The normally bustling Parisian thoroughfare was emptied of pedestrians, with significant road closures affecting the area. Biden described Saturdays arrival ceremony as a moving experience. It was a moving experience for a student of history to be at the Champs Elysee today that was a moving experience for us, the whole delegation, he said. Biden and Macron participate in a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe on June 8, 2024. - Evan Vucci/AP Upon arriving at the Elsyee Palace, the French presidents official residence, the leaders posed for photos before beginning a working lunch. In the evening, the Macrons welcomed the Bidens back to the palace for a state dinner. Macron is returning the favor to Biden, who hosted the French president for a state visit at the White House in December 2022, the administrations first. Biden noted that the US celebrates Independence Day, the Fourth of July, next month. That feat would not have been possible were it not for France coming to our aid. Were a nation because of France, in large part. You stepped up when we needed help, he said. France, Biden said, was our first friend. Remains one of our best friends. Today, I proudly stand with France and support freedom and democracy around the world. Thats what this spectacular week is all about, he said. There has been much for the leaders to discuss. Macron, like other US allies, has privately questioned the future of US leadership in the world should Biden lose the November election to former President Donald Trump, with whom he had a more complicated relationship. Biden has frequently recalled meeting with world leaders early in his term during a G7 gathering where he pronounced, America is back. And the French leader looked at me, and he said, For how long? Biden said to laughter at a March fundraiser in New York City. It wasnt humorous. He said he was serious, For how long? Biden has often pointed to those anxieties among his counterparts as he makes the case for a second term, though Europe has also had to contend with its own rising tide of populism. On the topic of Ukraine, both countries have touted their support for the war-torn country. Biden on Friday announced a new $225 billion aid package while apologizing to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the congressional delay. And for his part, Macron has been one of the key leaders in Europes response to Russias invasion of Ukraine. France has doubled its defense budget, announced it would surpass NATOs 2% defense spending benchmark and restarted domestic production of critical military inputs. Biden pointed to both countries support for Ukraine as an example of their close relationship. We know what happens if (Russian President Vladimir) Putin succeeds in subjugating Ukraine. And we know Putin isnt going to stop at Ukraine its not just Ukraine, its about much more than Ukraine. All of Europe will be threatened. Were not gonna let that happen, Biden said. On the Israel-Hamas war, Macron endorsed a ceasefire proposal laid out by Biden, writing in a post on X last week, The war in Gaza must end. We support the US proposal for a durable peace. But France broke with Western allies last month as its Foreign Ministry expressed support for the International Criminal Courts decision to seek an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Biden had called the ICCs decision outrageous. Both Macron and Biden on Saturday welcomed the news of the rescue of four Israeli hostages who were taken captive by Hamas on October 7, with Biden using the moment to press for the ceasefire proposal he detailed last week. We wont stop working until all the hostages are home and a ceasefire is reached, the president said. The US-French relationship has dramatically improved from a low point early in the Biden administration. In September 2021, Macron took the extraordinary step of recalling his ambassador to Washington over a US-Australia submarine deal that blindsided the French and cost them a multibillion-dollar defense contract. They have a warm and close relationship, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Friday evening. One of the things the president respects and admires about President Macron is hes as honest and forthright as President Joe Biden is. Thats what he wants to see in a friend, in an ally. Biden and Macron were also set to discuss deepening maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, with an announcement expected to build law enforcement capacity and increase US-France technical cooperation on port security, Kirby said. I think youll see that we are as close as we have ever been with our French allies, Kirby added. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Kayla Tausche and Xiaofei Xu contributed to this report For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com US President Joe Biden (L) reacts as he is welcomed by France's President Emmanuel Macron ahead of a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP/dpa French President Emmanuel Macron is due to receive his US counterpart Joe Biden as a state guest in Paris on Saturday. Following an official welcoming ceremony, the two are scheduled to hold bilateral talks in Macron's official residence, after which Biden and Macron are expected to appear before the press. A state banquet is scheduled for the evening. Unlike regular working visits, official state visits are accompanied by special pomp and protocol. The US president is currently on a visit to France lasting several days. He arrived on Wednesday and took part in commemorations in Normandy on Thursday to mark the D-Day landing of Allied troops 80 years ago. The White House said in advance that the state visit reflected the close ties between the two countries. Biden and Macron plan to discuss a wide range of global challenges and bilateral issues. The French government said that they would discuss further support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia. This would also serve to prepare for next week's G7 summit in the Italian city of Bari and the NATO summit in the US capital Washington in July. Biden received Macron as a state guest in Washington in 2022. At the time, the French leader was the first foreign guest to be honoured in this way during Biden's term of office. US President Joe Biden (C), flanked by US First Lady Jill Biden (L), France's President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R) and French president's wife Brigitte Macron (R), waves as he participates in a ceremony as part of a state visit to France, at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Saul Loeb/AFP/dpa French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed US President Joe Biden with full military honours at a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. A military choir and a band provided by the National Gendarmerie played as aircraft flew overhead. The two leaders laid a wreath and held a minute of silence at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which lies under the national monument in the centre of the French capital. They are then to proceed to the Elysee Palace, escorted by the French cavalry, for bilateral talks. A state banquet is scheduled for the evening. Emmanuel Macron has said the West cannot have dual standards over conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as he hosted Joe Biden in Paris. The French president spoke alongside his US counterpart at a press conference and drew parallels between the conflicts and Western efforts to end them. He said that while the US and France see eye to eye on Ukraine, their respect for international lawconcerns other crises as well. There should be no dual standards, and although there are many crises around the world, were still applying the self-same principles with the self-same determination in Gaza, he said. Mr Biden is on a rare foreign visit during the 2024 election campaign, and was hosted by Mr Macron for a state dinner at the Elysee Palace on Saturday night. He spent two days in northern France at commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, including at an international ceremony that Rishi Sunak controversially failed to attend. However, Mr Sunak will meet the pair next week at the G7 summit in Apulia, southern Italy, where Mr Macron said he hoped to reach agreement on a new 50 billion (42 billion) Solidarity Fund for Ukraine. The next major meeting, at the Nato leaders summit in Washington DC on July 9, will be attended by whichever UK party leader wins the general election five days earlier. Mr Biden welcomed the news of the rescue of four hostages in Israel, telling reporters: We wont stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached. That is essential to happen. Mr Macron called for an immediate end to Israels military operation in Gaza, which began after the Oct 7 Hamas terror attacks. After nine months of conflict, the situation in Rafah and the human consequences are unacceptable, he said. It is not acceptable that Israel should not open all checkpoints to humanitarian aid, as requested by the international community for months. Israeli operations should stop there. Mr Biden was welcomed to Paris by a parade from the Arc de Triomphe, along the Champs-Elysees to the Elysee Palace. He met military veterans and watched pipers and mounted cavalry process towards the palace. It is unusual for an American leader to spend so long outside of the country in the months leading up to a presidential election, although Mr Biden has used the trip to make coded references to Donald Trump, his Republican rival. On Friday, he gave a speech from Pointe du Hoc, the site of American troop landings on D-Day, and warned of the threat of authoritarianism abroad and in the United States. His approach is in sharp contrast to that of Mr Sunak, who attended D-Day commemorations on Thursday morning but left Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, to deputise for him at the main event on Omaha beach in the afternoon. Neither leader made reference to Mr Sunaks absence on Saturday but Mr Macron told Mr Biden: Our veterans and those of all the allies were honoured by your presence and that of other leaders on June 6. Mr Biden said in return that France was Americas oldest ally and that US independence would not have been possible without the assistance of France in its war against Britain. Were a nation because of France, in large part [because] you stepped up when we needed help, and you did it, he said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Representative Dan Bishop, a far-right Republican from North Carolina who is currently campaigning to be the states attorney general, is portraying himself as a champion for the little guy. Just this week, he promised a reckoning against the gangster government. But Bishops track record shows a tendency to side instead with the rich and powerfulno matter how bizarre the case. His gangster government comment wasnt about a federal government infringing on constituents rights but about Donald Trump being found guilty of felony business fraud by a jury of his peers. Bishop also doubled down on his position that the trial was rigged with a wildly offensive comment. They go into a place where they know the fight is unfair. Its as bad as it was in Alabama in 1950 if a person happened to be Black in order to get justice, and thats what they did in New York. So it was fundamentally rigged, he said on an episode of The Pete Kaliner Show. Bishop, who has only been a congressman since 2023, is seeking to replace his home states Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein. (Stein is running for governor against Hitler-quoting Republican Mark Robinson.) Bishop must defeat his congressional colleague, Democratic Representative Jeff Jackson, a former prosecutor. While Bishops own website touts his experience as a tenacious litigator, handling complex commercial cases, he has never served as a public prosecutor. And during his legal career, Bishop rarely, if ever, defended the very people he would be meant to protect as attorney general. Online recordsonly made available in recent months as North Carolina switches to an online court filing systemshow that while working as an attorney, the Republican lawmaker repeatedly defended the rights of shady corporations that had taken advantage of consumers in his home state. One of the most egregious cases began in 2002, when Bishop defended Fischer-Schindler, LLC, which was accused of stealing at least $1 million from plaintiff Larry Black through an invented investment scheme. In court documents, Blacks attorney described the alleged blatant theft: To say Defendants engaged in an elaborate Ponzi scheme is probably an insult to the late Mr. Ponzi. Six years later, District Judge Richard Vorhees sided with Black and ordered the defendants to pay him $1 million, plus interest. Its likely Black received even more in treble damages, a statute for certain cases that requires the court to triple the amount of damages owed to a plaintiff. Also in 2002, Bishop defended a company that was accused of racial discrimination toward one of its employees, allegedly denying her promotions due to her race. The parties eventually reached a private settlement, ending the case. In 2009, Bishop represented Charlotte Hanson, who, with her husband Sidney, was accused of operating a Ponzi scheme that targeted retirement-age people, raising around $32.5 million from approximately 500 clients. While the Hansons had promised high returns on supposed investments, court documents alleged that they instead used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle for themselves of resort vacations and private plane rentals, as well as making payments to agents who supplied their scheme with new customers interested in purchasing so-called private loan agreements. Two years later, a district court judge ordered the couple to pay $23 million in restitution, plus interest, to their victims, as well as a a $1.2 million fine to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Sidney was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison. In 2011, Bishop helped defend Fuzion Investment Capital, or FIC, which was accused of wrongfully terminating an employee, Jeffrey Stec, who was rendered destitute by the firing, according to the lawsuit. Stec alleged that after he sold his fitness center company to FIC as part of a bankruptcy deal, with FIC promising that he would be able to buy the company back, FIC underpaid him to the tune of $80,000 in owed wages and fired him and terminated his management rights without proper causecanceling his familys health insurance in the process. The case has not yet been resolved. That year, Bishop also represented a group of businessmen who were accused of engaging in an active conspiracy to defraud a 78-year-old woman who was recovering from heart surgery, according to the lawsuit. The New Republic contacted Bishops office for comment on his legal history, but he did not respond by time of publication. Although Bishop promises on his campaign website to defend the rule of law and protect North Carolina, his professional history indicates that, if elected, he would do anything but. Over the past two years, an increasing number of state attorneys generals have wielded outsize influence and power, protecting the privileged while pushing through cruel regulations that target some of the most vulnerable communities. They also have a tremendous influence over how laws are implemented and prosecuted. Its possible that Bishops career is merely the result of meeting the obligation of a good lawyer and representing all manner of clients. But it could also be a clear indicator of the people he actually intends to protect if elected attorney general. And if thats the case, then North Carolinians will pay the highest cost. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and late night host Bill Maher differed in their opinions on whether President Biden can win reelection on Mahers show Friday. Hes actually the only American thats ever beat [former President Trump] in an election, Fetterman said on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher when the host asked him about if Biden is the best one for Democrats to put forward, in a clip highlighted by Mediaite. Fetterman later added that he thinks Biden is the only Democrat that could win. I do believe Joe Biden has that ability to win, Fetterman said to Maher. And we have a great we have a great bench, but I think its a very distinct kind of situation right now. Maher then remarked that he was surprised at that, but that he would move on. Im not on the same page there, but okay, Maher said. I mean, its probably gonna be Joe Biden and Ill vote for him. The Pennsylvania Democrat has staunchly defended Biden ahead of this years presidential election, once pushing back against those in his own party who have heightened their criticism of the president ahead of November, stating that they might as well put on a MAGA hat. I dont understand why, Fetterman said on Morning Joe on MSNBC. I dont know whats in it for you to do that whether youre just chasing clout or you want to make it in the news or anything like that. But if youre not willing to just support the president now and say these kinds of things, you might as well just get your MAGA hat, because you now are helping Trump with this. Earlier in the MSNBC interview, Fetterman said Biden is going to win here in Pennsylvania, and Ive always believed that whoever wins Pennsylvania is going to be the next president as well, too. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian authorities defended their decision to evict hundreds of sea nomads from their homes off the coast of Sabah state this week, saying it was aimed at boosting security and combating cross-border crime. More than 500 people from the Bajau Laut, a mostly stateless sea-faring community who live on rickety houseboats or coastal huts built on stilts, saw their homes demolished or burned by enforcement officials this week, local activists have said. The operation in Sabah's Semporna district was criticised by rights groups, which called on the government to halt the evictions and ensure the safety and protection of the Bajau Laut. Sabah's minister of tourism, culture and environment Christina Liew said authorities were empowered to act against illegal activities, such as fishing, building structures and farming without permission, in protected areas controlled by Sabah Parks, a state conservation agency. "The sovereignty of the country's laws in this issue must be upheld," she said in a statement on Friday. Liew said evacuation notices were sent to 273 unauthorised settlements last month, with 138 structures demolished between Tuesday and Thursday in "hot spots" around the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, a tourism attraction known for its diving spots. Citing police sources, Liew alleged that some homeowners had burned their own houses to gain sympathy and go viral on social media. The operation was carried out taking into account security factors, including cross-border crime, she said. Semporna lies on the north-eastern tip of Borneo, bordering the southern Philippines. The Bajau Laut have been recorded living in the area for centuries, but many are born without nationality documents and are regarded by authorities as migrants. Rights group Pusat Komas called on the state to provide alternative homes and address documentation issues to ensure the Bajau Laut received fair treatment and access to essential services. "Their forced removal raises serious questions about the equitable treatment of ethnic minorities in Malaysia," the group said. (Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Kim Coghill) Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty Rudy Giuliani needs a little coffee moneyand so does the Miami-based roastery thats scooping out the once-beloved mayors new line of signature java blends. A very caffeinated-sounding Giuliani provoked online mockery on May 19 when he appeared on a computer-generated background to hawk Rudy Coffee, the latest in a steady drip-drip of odd products the suspended ex-Trump lawyer has promoted as his brewing legal and financial woes threaten to boil over. But it turns out that the famously unfiltered Republican isnt the only party in the new venture going through bankruptcy proceedings and hoping to get back into the black. 100 % Arabica coffee beans roasted right here in America You will taste the difference! Order today at. https://t.co/9ZXtDxyWdg pic.twitter.com/ViXVvdn2A3 Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) May 19, 2024 It wasnt long after Giuliani dropped the strange promo on Twitter, inviting viewers to visit the new coffee lines website, that The Daily Beast research team sprang into action and identified Rudy Coffee as a partnership with Burke Brands and its Don Pablo coffee. So, fun thing to do in a situation like this is check out the website and its Privacy Policy section, since that sometimes contains a corporate entity name or some other identifying info. In this case, its an address:https://t.co/dYicW4Vvr3 https://t.co/x83dGbKsN2 pic.twitter.com/XSnLpEGfaf Will Bredderman (@WillBredderman) May 21, 2024 So you pop that bad boy into Google, andvoila! Rudy Coffee shares an address with a roastery that sells its product in very similar packaging at Walmart and Target, among other fine retailers. pic.twitter.com/KShXMYht6A Will Bredderman (@WillBredderman) May 21, 2024 And the news soon percolated into the courtroom, as five days following the video posting, attorneys for the mayors creditors subpoenaed Burke Brands and demanded they spill the beans about the deal. Four days after that, the same lawyers filed a ream of documents that included the inked agreement between the ex-mayor and the roastery, which explicitly stated Giuliani will be entitled to 80% of net profit of each sale of Rudy Coffee. The money will pour into a Missouri-based bank account for Giuliani Communications LLC, according to the accord. Further, the April 23 contract estimates that every 32-ounce bag of coffee will mean $5.039 in green, while a four-pound bag will grind out $10.285 in profit, and the biggest 76 ounce sack will net $14.284. Meanwhile, The Daily Beast found that two days before Giuliani posted his surreal jamocha spiel, Burke Brands entered a new filing in its own bankruptcy case. The coffee maker first filed for Chapter 11 in December 2022, almost one year to the day before Giuliani, claiming between one and $10 million in assets and the same range in outstanding liabilities. The court approved a plan in December of last year that would see it pay one group of creditors $100,000 both this year and next, and then $200,000 in 2026, thus resolving the debt. But on May 17, Burke Brands requested to change this arrangement, paying on a month-by-month basis until January 2025, and pledging to fully discharge the debt in January 2026. The firms attorney gave no reason for this requested change, but the judge set a hearing for June 20. An attorney for Burke Brands maintained that the rough alignment between his motion to modify the debt discharge plan and the Rudy Coffee launchand both his client and its new partner being in Chapter 11 bankruptcywas completely coincidental. It had completely to do with the fact that we had scheduled all our general and unsecured creditor payments for the beginning of the year, and we wanted to have them spread out, lawyer Aaron Wernick told The Daily Beast. Its easier on cash flow to have monthly payments rather than big chunks. Meanwhile, Giuliani recently took his viewers on a video tour of what he described as Rudy Coffees roasting grounds, eager to prove what hes selling is no average joe. Rudy gives a tour of his coffee roasting facility for his new Rudy Coffee. pic.twitter.com/DKFpMLwYFV Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 25, 2024 Giulianis press team didnt answer repeated questions about how the kaffeklatsch came together. But a spokesman asserted that bags of the are already flying off the shelves. Asked about Burke Brands bankruptcy, the represented suggested that association with the abortive 2000 Senate candidate and failed 2008 presidential contender might perk up the companys prospects. Maybe some of the mayors past success will rub off on them, adviser Ted Goodman 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. VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man has been arrested after a carjacking at a CVS in Visalia, the Visalia Police Department said. Officers say they were called to the CVS on Caldwell Avenue for a report of a carjacking. The victim informed officers that a man pointed a gun at her and taken her vehicle. Patrol officers, along with the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) began searching for the vehicle. Investigators say they were able to locate the stolen vehicle in the area of Avenue 264 and Road 100. A traffic stop was initiated, and 39-year-old Miney Sado Carallo was taken into custody without incident. The reported gun, according to police, was found inside the vehicle. It was determined to be a replica. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) A man who was involved in recent vehicle break-ins at a Lebanon daycare has been taken into custody, officials said. According to the Lebanon Police Department, officers responded to Little Lamb s Childcare in the 100 block of McGregor Street on Friday, June 7 after receiving reports about three cars that were broken into. Spring Hill police searching for armed robbery suspect During the investigation, officials said officers were able to identify 56-year-old James Muncie as a suspect in the burglaries. Muncie was arrested and allegedly confirmed his involvement in the crime, police said. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee He was charged with three counts of burglary, theft and vandalism and remains in Wilson County Jail on a $15,500 bond, according to booking records. No other information was released about the 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 WKRN News 2. Man arrested in New York faces murder charge for shooting in Lexington A man arrested in Yonkers, N.Y., Friday will be extradited to Lexington to face a charge of murder in connection to a shooting that left a Lexington man dead. Kyshawn Owens, 28, is charged in the death of Chadrick Alexander Boone, 31, who died after being shot on the 900 block of Winchester Road early Feb. 3. Owens was arrested Friday by the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Task Force and the Yonkers Police Department, the Lexington Police Department said in a news release. He was being held in the Westchester County Jail in New York, police said. Owens arrest was one of two arrests in separate Lexington murder cases Friday. Police also announced Friday night that Shawnika Gill, 48, was arrested in Hamilton County, Ohio, and charged with murder in the death of Antonio Taylor, 48, who died after being shot on the 500 block of Newtown Pike Tuesday. In both instances, police said they used the Real-Time Intelligence Center, Flock license plate readers, and traffic cameras to identify the suspects. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A man was critically injured in a hit-and-run crash in Salt Lake Citys Glendale neighborhood early Saturday morning, according to Salt Lake City Police. At around 3:20 a.m., police received reports of a crash near 1040 South Redwood Road. Officers responded to the scene and found a man on the ground with critical injuries. Based on the initial investigation, police believe a car heading north on Redwood Road hit the man as he crossed the road. Utah hiker stumbles upon phone, sees recording of woman go missing in river Courtesy of SLCPD Courtesy of SLCPD The man hit did not appear to be in a marked crosswalk at the time of the crash. The driver who hit the man did not stop and likely continued north, SLCPD stated in a press release. Salt Lake City Fire and Gold Cross Ambulance assisted in taking the man to the hospital in critical condition. There is no description of the driver or the car they were driving at this time, police said. Authorities are currently working to determine the victims age and identity. There are no road closures at this time. Anyone with information on this crash, or the driver, is asked to call 801-799-3000. Callers can also submit anonymous tips online through the CityProtect website, SLCPD stated. No further information is currently available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A scary moment tonight for residents in St. Augustine when they heard gunfire off a busy highway. Deputies shot and killed a man on Old Moultrie Road at US-1 South, the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office announced on social media. Around 5:10 p.m. on Friday, a concerned family member contacted the SJSO about the man. Officials said the family member told them the man had been drinking alcohol, was making suicidal remarks and left his residence with a firearm. Deputies located his vehicle and tried to do a welfare check. According to deputies, he was armed and uncooperative. The man then began to ram one of the patrol vehicles. He was not cooperating, and yea, he made a choice, a witness told Action News Jax. Thats when four deputies fired their guns. Life-saving efforts were made, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Dennis Swanner lives right across the street and said he was shocked to see all this police activity. In St. Augustine, its a little bit of shock, Swanner said. But Im from Jacksonville, so Im kind of used to it. I moved here three weeks ago, to get away from all of this. Action News Jax Annette Gutierrez spoke with the suspects neighbor who said he was surprised and sad to hear about this. He said he saw his neighbors truck on TV with his business logo and knew it was him. Officials said the next of kin has been notified. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] SJSO said no other deputies or bystanders were hurt. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is going to be released at this time. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Watch FOX30 at 10 for a live report and to hear from witnesses and the mans neighbor. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man was found dead after a North Las Vegas house fire early Saturday morning, according to the North Las Vegas Fire Department. Around 5:30 a.m., fire crews responded to a residential structure fire in the 4200 block of Seth Drive near Craig Road and Simmons Street. When units arrived, they saw smoke coming from a single-story home. Firefights entered the home and found a 70-year-old man with second and third-degree burns lying on the ground. The man was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead, officials said. The cause of the fire is under investigation and damages are estimated to be $250,000. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) A man was found dead inside a Morningside Heights home early Saturday morning, police said. Police identified the man as 40-year-old Edgardo Guillermo Ortiz Palacious after he was found unconscious and unresponsive in his home at 3:15 a.m., according to the NYPD. First responders rushed him to Mount Sinai Morningside where he was declared dead. More Manhattan News The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the victims cause of death and the investigation remains ongoing. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Charline Charles is a digital journalist from Brooklyn who has covered local news along with culture and arts in the New York City area since 2019. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A man is in the hospital following an early Saturday morning shooting in Grand Rapids. Around 1 a.m., officers with the Grand Rapids Police Department were sent to Raus Party Store, located on Division Avenue S near Burton Street SE, after receiving reports that a man had been shot in the parking lot. The man was taken to the hospital, GRPD said. His condition has not been released. No suspect information has been released. Its unclear what led up to the shooting. This embedded content is not available in your region. The shooting remains under investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. (Bloomberg) -- A 39-year-old man has been jailed and charged with violence against an official after an attack on Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen that led her to cancel several election events. Most Read from Bloomberg The man allegedly hit the Danish premier with a clenched fist on her right upper arm in a central Copenhagen square on Friday, Ritzau reported, citing a court hearing. He will be jailed until June 20, the news wire said. The premier is suffering from a minor whiplash and received a check-up at a hospital, her office said in a statement on Saturday. Frederiksen, 46, is otherwise unharmed but is shaken by the incident. The man appeared in court around 1 p.m. local time Saturday after being arrested Friday evening immediately after the assault took place. The accused a Polish national who had a translator by his side pleaded not guilty to the charge, Ritzau said. The attack in Copenhagen comes less than four weeks after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot in an assassination attempt. Fico survived the assault and is currently recovering before returning to work later in June or in July. There appears to be no political motive to the attack on the Danish prime minister, Ritzau cited the accuseds lawyer as saying in court. Danish politicians, along with Frederiksen, are currently campaigning ahead of the European Parliament elections this weekend and the prime minister has been appearing with candidates from her Social Democrats party. She was due to attend events in five cities on Saturday, but they have all been canceled due to the incident, her office said. According to local media reports, the attack occurred as the prime minister was meeting a person at a cafe in Copenhagens shopping district. The prime minister was confronted by the man as she was walking with her security guards a few meters behind her, local media cited eyewitnesses as saying. Denmark is the safest country in the world after Iceland, according to the Global Peace Index, and the Nordic nation has had almost no recent history of political violence. President of the European Council Charles Michel was among global leaders who criticized the attack on Frederiksen, saying in a post on X that I strongly condemn this cowardly act of aggression. --With assistance from Christian Wienberg. (Updates with details from court hearing) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. DENVER (KDVR) A Routt County man pleaded guilty Tuesday to mail-in ballot/election fraud, according to the Routt County Clerk and Recorders Office. According to the Routt office, a person living in the county attempted to vote multiple times during the 2022 general election. Because the Clerk and Recorders Office takes steps to check the credibility of every election, the office was able to see that multiple ballots were returned for the same voter. Stolen pride flags in Arvada prompt questions about political climate In a release, the office said the offense is rare and this was immediately identified. The mans ballot was referred to the district attorney for investigation, according to the Clerk and Recorders Office. We want the citizens of Routt County to know that we are working hard every election to identify any type of election offense, and we have processes in place to catch this type of fraud, said Jenny Thomas, Routt County Clerk and Recorder. I appreciate the hard work of the Routt County Elections Division and the Office of the District Attorney. We will continue to work hard for the citizens of Routt County and prosecute anyone who violates our election laws. The individual was not named by the county release but pleaded guilty to a class 2 misdemeanor of mail-in ballot/election fraud and was sentenced to supervised probation and 20 days in jail. Possibility of ranked-choice voting in Colorado faces a hurdle with new law The sentence did not need to be served immediately, according to Steamboat Radios Shannon Lukens. Lukens said he has until Aug. 30 to complete his sentence. She also said after speaking with Thomas, she learned that the voter was registered unaffiliated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A North Carolina man was sentenced after he was arrested in Mobile County in January 2023 on a gun charge and cocaine trafficking charge, according to the United States Department of Justice. 65-year-old Preston Levonne Buie of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was sentenced by a federal judge to 240 months incarceration after he was convicted in January 2024 of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and illegally possessing a firearm. Woman found guilty of 2020 Prichard murder Preston Levonne Buie (Photo courtesy of the Mobile County Sheriffs Office). According to court documents and evidence presented in Buies trial, a Mobile County deputy stopped Buie in January 2023 on Interstate 10 near the Grand Bay exit. A drug detection dog alerted law enforcement, prompting a search of Buies vehicle. Law enforcement found 12 kilograms of cocaine and a 9mm pistol in Buies possession. 3rd arrest made in connection with Stockton mass shooting: Baldwin County Sheriffs Office Before this case, Buie was convicted of several federal offenses including bank robbery and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. A USDOJ release said U.S. Attorney Sean Costello of the Southern District of Alabama announced Buies sentence. The investigation included the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the Mobile County Sheriffs Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tandice Blackwood, Kacey Cahppelear and Beth Stepan prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that happened late Friday night in Northeast D.C. Officers responded to the scene just before 11:45 p.m. in the 1700 block of Benning Road NE. There, they found 45-year-old Darryl Williams, who had been shot multiple times. 3 hurt in Montgomery County crash He was taken to the hospital where he died. 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 leading 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. A man in Winder spent more than seven hours barricaded inside his home after police responded to a domestic dispute. Officers were called to a home on Alberta Lane in the Calgary Downs subdivision off of Hwy. 211 at 10 p.m. on Friday night. They say Patrick Ramon Cole, 50, had been arguing with his wife and tried stopping her from using her phone to call for help. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When he found out the police were on their way, he went inside and said he wouldnt go peacefully if officers showed up. For the next seven hours, he refused to leave the house or talk to officers. The Barrow County SWAT team came to the home since officers knew Cole had guns inside. TRENDING STORIES: Every once in a while, officers could see Cole through a window with a pistol in his hands and shouting for officers to leave. Cole surrendered at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. He was arrested and taken to the Barrow County Detention Center. He is being charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, obstruction, simple battery, simple assault and criminal property damage. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Man wanted after starting fires in Fresno, officials say Man wanted after starting fires in Fresno, officials say FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A 67-year-old man has an arrest warrant and is being sought by the Fresno Fire Department after officials say he was responsible for starting grass fires around Fresno. The Fresno Fire Department identified the man as Curtis Carlton Evans. Firefighters say his arrest warrant is related to the arson fire that occurred on Thursday, on Cornelia Ave., in Fresno. Curtis Calrton Evans (image provided by the Fresno Fire Department) Officials say Evans is known to drive a 2003 Lexus ES, oasis-green-pearl color with the license plate number 5BSJ454. Suspect who set 5 fires wanted by Fresno Fire Department Anyone with information can call 911 or the Fresno Fire Department ARSON hotline at 559-621-2767 (ARSN). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MONROE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A man has been arrested after leading police on a chase in Union County, according to the Monroe Police Department. Just before 11 a.m. on Friday, June 7, a K9 officer saw a vehicle on Dickerson Blvd that he knew was owned by 43-year-old Kent Joseph Long. He had an active warrant for federal probation violation for a weapons possession offense. Four suspects linked to rash of vehicle break-ins faces dozens of felonies after Mooresville chase ends in crash The officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, officials said. After the officer was able to identify the driver as Kent Long, Long fled in the vehicle and led officers on a pursuit toward South Carolina. Police say officials with the Union County Sheriffs Office assisted in the pursuit when it reached their jurisdiction. Long reportedly drove his vehicle through a cornfield in the 5100 block of Old Pageland Marshville Road before fleeing on foot. K9 Bolo, Credit: Monroe Police Department Long was hiding in a thick, wooded area near the cornfield while yelling to officers that he had a gun and was going to shoot the K9 tracking him, officials said. K9 Bolo was able to apprehend Long in the woods after a short standoff successfully. Authorities say Long was treated at a local hospital for non-serious injuries he sustained during his arrest. After being released from the hospital, Long was booked into the Union County Sheriffs Office under a $150,000 secured bond for the charges of speeding to elude arrest and hit-and-run property damage. Hes being held without bond for federal probation violation. Records show Longs next court date is set for July 11, 2024. This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has agreed to testify before a House Judiciary Committee panel over former President Trumps recent hush-money trial which resulted in the first conviction of a former president. Braggs response comes after House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) demanded in a letter last month that Bragg and Matthew Colangelo, another prosecutor in the case, testify at a June 13 hearing on the unprecedented political prosecution of President Trump. Now, the prosecutors responded Friday saying the office was committed to voluntary cooperation, the district attorneys counsel Leslie Dubeck said in a letter obtained by The Hill. Dubeck told Jordan in a letter that Bragg would be available to testify at an agreed-upon date, but said the proposed time presented various scheduling conflicts. Everything is on the table as to what is next. Stefanie Farrell, Jordans spokesperson, said in a statement to The Hill. The former president was convicted by a New York jury last week on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 White House campaign to buy her silence over an alleged past affair, which he denies. Trumps sentencing was set for July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention takes place in Milwaukee and he is expected to be named the official GOP nominee. In their reply, the prosecutors noted that the case was not yet over. The office still had to provide the judge their recommended repercussions for the former president, per the letter. The trial court and reviewing appellate courts have issued numerous orders for the purpose of protecting the fair administration of justice in People v. Trump, and to participate in a public hearing at this time would be potentially detrimental to those efforts, they wrote in the letter. Dubeck also asked Jordans office for more information about the scope and purpose of the proposed hearing and a chance to negotiate a different date. In the letter, they also said Colangelos testimony was not out of the picture, but they wanted to evaluate the propriety considering the active status of the prosecution. The agreement comes as Jordan, who called the outcome of the case a travesty of justice, has threatened to hold back funding from the Justice Department that had been designated for Trump investigations. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. ROCHESTER Cheryl Tran wasn't even supposed to be at work the day union members picketed outside of St. Marys Hospital. A facilities worker at Mayo Clinic for more than 40 years, Tran had the week off but showed up to picket on May 28 as hospital support staffers negotiate their latest contract with Mayo. "It's time we get some fair wages, staffing, break times," Tran said. "It's been a struggle." Mayo Clinic is one of the world's top hospitals, but hundreds of Rochester workers say the medical system isn't treating its workers like they're world-class. About 1,600 unionized clinical technicians, personal care attendants, janitors and others are seeking at least $20-per-hour wages, in line with other hospitals around Minnesota. Rochester nurses are looking into unionizing, which would create a union with more than 6,500 members in Minnesota's third-largest city. Meanwhile, thousands more workers are set to come to Rochester as Mayo builds its $5 billion expansion downtown. "[Mayo officials] treat our physicians like royalty," said Tiffany Lawler of the Med City Nursing Alliance, a group of nurses spearheading the unionization effort in Rochester. "I wish they could treat their nursing staff as well." In a statement, Mayo said its leaders are continuing to address some staffing areas, but are proud of the medical system's recruitment and retention record, which includes hiring more than 750 nurses last year. "Nothing is more important to us than ensuring we provide the best possible care for our patients, supported by a workplace that remains a destination for top talent," said Mayo spokeswoman Andrea Kalmanovitz. Mayo, like other hospitals, was hit hard during COVID by mounting medical workforce shortages as staff burned out or retired. A 2022 report from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development found more than 45,000 job vacancies in the medical field alone. But there are early signs the shortages are turning around. The Minnesota Hospital Association's most recent annual jobs report found hospitals around the state added more than 1,100 new employees than staff who left in 2022 the first overall net worker gain since before the pandemic. 'They were venting, they were crying' The staffing rebound can't come soon enough for Mayo workers, who say the medical system doesn't have enough workers to maintain patient care standards. Karrie Ellingson, a personal care attendant and a member of the SEIU bargaining team at St. Marys, said her department needs 28 attendants to serve about 150 patients on average each day. "We consistently have been working 30 percent short every day, not including PCAs who may call in ill," she said. Ashley Rohwer, a certified surgical technologist at Mayo for almost two decades, said in her department at St. Marys, union and nonunion workers put in a combined average of 30 hours of overtime each day. "Most employees if they're [scheduled] at an eight-hour shift on a regular basis, most of them are working 12-hour shifts," she said. Lawler started to look into unionizing after Mayo Clinic threatened to move its multibillion-dollar expansion plans out of Minnesota during the Minnesota Legislature's 2023 session. A Mayo lobbyist emailed Gov. Tim Walz and warned that the project could have been in jeopardy if he signed state legislation regulating hospital nurse staffing and penalizing hospitals with excessive cost growth. The legislation would have required hospitals to set up committees with nurses making up 35% of the membership to set staffing levels and reduce nurses' workloads. Mayo officials told workers the bills would have hurt operations, but Lawler said she thought they would have helped nurses have more input and protections. "Our Legislature let us down just as much as the hospital," she said. A focus group on practice changes at Mayo gave Lawler a stark look at other nursing units inside St. Marys. As a labor and delivery nurse, Lawler said she saw few organizational issues staffing wasn't an issue and mandatory overtime only happened three or four times a year. That wasn't the case in other departments. The focus group of about 15 nurses revealed ongoing stress from staff shortages, an increase in events where patients become more ill or died, and a surplus of overtime across the board. "They were venting, they were crying, they were saying how broken they were, how they were leaving the profession," Lawler said. "The staffing situations they were in, the moral distress for not being able to care for patients they way they want in order to feel like they're doing their job as a caregiver, their needs were not being met." Mayo officials have in the past defended the Rochester hospital's medical record, emphasizing its reputation as a prominent health care center. A recent state report on preventable errors in hospitals across Minnesota showed Mayo Clinic's number of errors decreased in the last 12-month period surveyed ending in October 53 events in the most recent report compared to 63 events from October 2021 to October 2022. What the future holds In April, Mayo officials said in a letter to nurses that a union could lead to limited work flexibility and cause more workforce issues. Sherry Wolf, Mayo's chief nursing officer, said at the time the hospital system prefers to have a direct relationship with staff. "Working together directly helps our teams excel when caring for patients, improving processes or solving problems," Wolf said. "Each staff member plays a role in that meaningful work. In the union environment, many important decisions will be subject to negotiation. Union engagement does not guarantee a specific result." The Med City Nursing Alliance hosted a silent march last month to honor nurses. The group plans to collect more information this summer about organizing a union and potentially hold a vote this fall. Lawler said Rochester Mayo Clinic nurses will likely form their own union instead of going through the Minnesota Nurses Association, in part due to the number of nurses at Mayo. SEIU workers have been in bargaining for a new contract since February. Among their goals: wage increases, floating holidays for non-Christian or Jewish staff and more designated break times. Mayo has most recently proposed a 3.5% wage increase in the first year of the new contract, with another 1.5% in 2025 and 2.25% in 2026. That could mean slight wage increases of less than a dollar for some workers, according to Hallie Wallace, SEIU's lead negotiator. A bargaining meeting Thursday broke down as union officials and Mayo leadership couldn't find common ground on wage proposals, or even on how long the union's next contract should be. SEIU wants a two-year contract to renegotiate wages sooner, while Mayo reportedly won't budge on a three-year deal. SEIU members will vote next week on whether to enter arbitration. Mayo officials in a statement said they're committed to reaching "a mutually beneficial agreement." "We have reached tentative agreement on several topics, and we will continue to negotiate in good faith. We hope SEIU does the same, and we have historically been able to resolve our negotiations amicably," officials said. Union workers recently voted to abandon their arbitration agreement in favor of the right to strike during the next round of negotiations two to three years from now. The agreement has been in place between Mayo and SEIU since the 1970s. Wallace said that's due in part to worker frustrations around bargaining this time around. "It will give us an immense amount of pressure in our next round of negotiations in a way that we've never had," Wallace said. "I think even our members just saying the word strike terrifies them." MCSO arrests four in an undercover narcotics operation that sold meth, Xanax and hydrocodone MERIWETHER COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL) The Meriwether County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) announced four Warm Springs residents were arrested after authorities discovered an undercover narcotics operation that sold meth, Xanax, hydrocodone pills and liquid morphine. On Thursday, MCSO Narcotics agents and deputies along with the West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Upson County Narcotics Task Force and the Harris County Sheriffs Office searched a residence on the 6100 block of White House Parkway. Authorities also searched two other locations simultaneously. At the main residence, a single-wide trailer located behind the house was searched as well. MCSO says the search stemmed from an undercover narcotics investigation into the sale of meth from one of the residences that were eventually searched. During a search of all three locations, law enforcement found the following evidence: 8.5 ounces of methamphetamine 32.5 individual Xanax pills 31 individual hydrocodone pills 8.0 milliliters of liquid morphine Authorities also found drug paraphernalia including scales, pipes and residue at the locations. The following individuals were arrested and charged relating to the investigation: Brenda Marsh Fowler, 72 Offense of violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act Possession of methamphetamine Tara Michelle Staten, 52 Offense of violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act Trafficking methamphetamine Justin Lizama Taitano, 38 Trafficking methamphetamine Possession with intent to distribute of a Schedule II drug Possession with intent to distribute of a Schedule IV drug Possession of drugs not in the original container Obstruction of officers Felony violation of probation Brandi Dawn Waldrip, 32 Trafficking methamphetamine Possession with intent to distribute of a Schedule II drug Possession with intent to distribute of a Schedule III, IV, V drug Possession of drugs not in the original container MCSO said at the time of Waldrips arrest she had outstanding charges from Lamar County, Georgia, for trafficking methamphetamine. A hold has been placed on Wladrip for the Lamar County Sheriffs Office. All arrested individuals were taken to the Meriwether County Jail. MCSO said that Fowler did post a $5,000 bond. Staten, Tiatano and Waldrip are still being held at the jail without bond. Meriwether County Sheriff Chuck Smith released the following statement regarding the success of the search and investigation. I appreciate the work done by all personnel involved related to this case investigation. This has been a collaborative effort by all agencies in our continued effort to combat those that are distributing these poisons in our community and surrounding jurisdictions Chuck Smith Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. Opinion editor's note: Editorials represent the opinions of the Star Tribune Editorial Board, which operates independently from the newsroom. Here's a question: Will knowing that they might be caught on camera persuade Minneapolis speeders to slow down? We'd like to think so, but we're wary of trying to understand the minds of the most egregious speeders. Consider a few of the warnings, either literal or figurative, that they already ignore: the law, as expressed in posted speed limits. The risk to personal safety, vividly quantified by accident data. Risks to the safety of others, covered in the same data. The disapproval of their fellow drivers who stay relatively close to the speed limit. The potential impact on their insurance rates. If none of that can get through to these scofflaws, is there reason to believe that camera-aided enforcement can do better? We may soon find out. A measure passed in an omnibus bill late in the legislative session gave authority to Minneapolis, Mendota Heights and the Minnesota Department of Transportation to use cameras as a traffic-enforcement tool in a pilot program. Nearly 20 years after a similar program was shut down by a ruling of the Minnesota Supreme Court, drivers in those two municipalities and highway work zones will once again be confronted with the prospect of a citation and a fine if they drive 10 or more miles per hour over the speed limit. (The earlier program was found to be in conflict with state law; this one explicitly grants authority from the state. The new law also provides vehicle owners a means of declaring that they weren't driving at the time.) Like timid swimmers easing their way into a cold lake, Minnesotans will have time to adjust gradually. First there will be a public campaign to get drivers used to the idea. Then, first-time offenders will receive a warning letter. On their second offense, drivers will be subject to a fine but at $40, it likely won't hurt too badly, unless they exceed the posted limit by 20 mph. In that case, the fine jumps to $80. That still doesn't seem like much, considering that the fine for jaywalking in Minnesota can go as high as $100. The jaywalking statute is rarely enforced, however. And enforcement seems to be key. "The goal is to be effective at changing unsafe behavior," said Ethan Fawley, coordinator of the Vision Zero Program in Minneapolis, which works to reduce traffic accidents. "What we've seen from other cities is that with automated enforcement, where you have that certainty that you are going to get a citation if you are exceeding the limit by quite a bit, then you don't need to have [the fine] at the same level" as a citation handed out in a traffic stop. "There are other cities in the $40-$50 range, and I haven't seen any evidence to suggest that those cities are any less effective in improving safety than the ones that charge significantly more." Fawley explained to an editorial writer that "we don't want to be overly punitive" while pursuing the goal of changing drivers' behavior. If anything, the effort seems a bit underpunitive. Under the terms of the legislation that authorizes the pilot program, citations generated by the automated enforcement system will not become part of a driver's record and will not affect insurance premiums. Drivers can choose to attend a safety class instead of paying the fine. A formula based on population size will limit the cameras in Minneapolis to a maximum of 42, and they will all be within blocks of schools. And before the first camera is placed, Fawley and his colleagues in city government will conduct a program of public engagement to explain the system and determine the most appropriate locations for cameras. The earliest the program could begin operations is Aug. 1, 2025. In our view, the sooner the better. Speeding was cited as a factor in two-thirds of fatal crashes in Minneapolis in 2021. We'd like to see stepped-up enforcement in more areas of the city, including the interstates, and penalties with real teeth. But as a first step, we agree with Fawley: The most important task is to change the behavior. Editorial Board members are David Banks, Jill Burcum, Denise Johnson and John Rash. Star Tribune Opinion staff members Maggie Kelly, Kavita Kumar and Elena Neuzil also contribute, and Star Tribune CEO and Publisher Steve Grove serves as an adviser to the board. Explosions were heard across Sevastopol in occupied Crimea overnight on June 8, the Telegram channel Crimean Wind reported. At around 1:39 a.m. local time, residents of Balaklava, a settlement in the city of Sevastopol, reportedly heard explosions. The first explosion allegedly took place near the Balaklava Thermal Power Plant. Crimean Wind alleges that large-caliber weapons were heard before the explosion, possibly indicating a drone attack. A second explosion was heard closer to the coastline, near the Sevastopol port. The Russian proxy leader in Sevastopol in occupied Crimea, Mikhail Razvozhayev, later claimed that the "loud sounds" residents heard in the Striletska Bay were the Russian forces destroying an "unmanned boat." The Crimean Wind alleged that residents of Sevastopol had their windows blown out by the explosion in the coastal area. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims. Earlier this week, Ukraine's military carried out a naval strike in occupied Crimea overnight on June 6, destroying a Project 498 "Saturn" raiding tugboat. Ukraine has carried out a number of successful attacks against Russian targets in Crimea and its vicinity, heavily degrading the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Read also: Updated: Ukraines military intelligence destroys Russian tugboat in Crimea Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Jose Uribe, a New Jersey business person cooperating with federal authorities in the corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez, said Friday that he bribed the senator and his now-wife to "stop and kill" an investigation that was circling his insurance business. By early 2018, the state attorney generals office had indicted the head of one of the trucking companies Uribe worked with for insurance fraud and a detective had dropped by unannounced at the home of an employee so close to Uribe he considered her his daughter. Desperate to make the investigation and the prosecution go away, Uribe looked for an easy way out. Uribe testified that Wael Will Hana told Uribe he had friends who could help Bob and Nadine Menendez. Hana, an Egyptian-American business person also now accused of bribing Menendez, then shared an office space with Uribes attorney. There, Hana overheard Uribes legal troubles and pulled Uribe into a hallway. Hana said that for somewhere between $200,000 and $250,000 he had a way to make these things go away," Uribe testified. Uribe said he and Hana, plus two truckers atop companies being investigated, met at a bar in the lobby of a Marriott in Teaneck, New Jersey, to finalize the deal. The deal is to kill and stop all investigation, Uribe texted Hana in April 2018, a message Uribe said was meant to confirm the deal made during the Marriott meeting. Uribe was indicted last fall along with both Menendezes. Uribe, Hana and New Jersey real estate developer Fred Daibes were charged with a tangle of bribes. But, unlike the others, who maintain their innocence, Uribe pleaded guilty earlier this year to bribery and other charges and took the stand Friday as part a cooperation agreement with prosecutors. During two hours of testimony, which will continue Monday, he covered events through March 2019, just after he said he promised to buy a car for Nadine Menendez who was known as Nadine Arslanian at the time, before her fall 2020 marriage to the senator. She is also charged in the case but will stand trial separately after being diagnosed with breast cancer. During the period covered by his testimony so far, Uribe said hed had hosted a fundraiser for Menendez where he said $50,000 was raised. Uribe said he hosted the event to get "better standing" with the senator "for the deal." Jurors were shown a photo of Uribe and the senator at the fundraiser, along with Elvis Parra, the indicted trucker Uribe was trying to help. Uribe also said he'd had drinks or dinner with the senator that year. But he did not testify to any conversation with the senator where they discussed the bribes or specific cases Uribe wanted him to stop and kill, including Parra's. While Uribe pleaded guilty to bribing a public official, he testified that Nadine accepted the bribes he paid. Uribe and the senator had other in-person meetings later in 2019, which next weeks testimony is expected to detail. By fall 2018, Uribe was texting Hana in despair that a detective was still seeking to interview Ana Peguero, the employee Uribe considered his daughter months after he thought he had a deal with Hana. He texted Hana, I am fucked man. On the witness stand, federal prosecutor Lara Pomerantz asked Uribe to explain what he meant. I hate to repeat the word, Uribe said, but I was fucked. Thats how I felt. Still, nothing happened. So, in early March 2019, Uribe said, he talked directly with Nadine. He said he listened to her complain about the men in her life, including Hana, who had let her down. Uribe said Nadine told him Hana had promised her a car. Uribe said that instead he would buy her a car as soon as she helps me. Testimony is expected to resume on Monday, where Uribe will discuss the Mercedes-Benz he said he bought Nadine Menendez as a bribe. This week, prosecutors introduced evidence showing Nadine Menendez struggling to buy a Mercedes on her own, Uribe looking for cash just as she goes to make a down payment and that Uribe got her Social Security number to make further monthly payments for a new Mercedes. The former attorney general of New Jersey, Gurbir Grewal, also testified this week about two interactions with the senator where Menendez attempted to discuss specific insurance matters affecting Hispanic truckers in 2019. Grewal said he did not know the name of the cases or act based on the conversations with Menendez. Leaving the courthouse Friday, Menendez said his legal team was ready to cross examine Uribe when the time comes. An attorney for Hana said there was no testimony to show a conspiratorial agreement among the men. Uribe is perhaps the least known of the four people indicted along with Menendez last fall and his troubled legal history is likely to come up in cross examination. Uribe shut down one company he ran in 2011 after he lost his insurance license for fraud. But he opened another company in other peoples names that same year the company that was later investigated by the state attorney generals office. Uribe admitted on the stand that he ran that business, though in fact he did not have an insurance license and so was not allowed to be in the business. In a small, quaint building on the side of a gravel road, volunteers with the Kansas unit of the Mennonite Disaster Service build hardwood kitchen cabinet sets in an effort to help communities after disasters. The Cabinet Shop allows volunteers to complete each step of the process, such as cutting, assembling, staining and storing, all while in Goessel, Kansas, a town that can easily be missed driving down K-15. MDS Kansas project manager Cleo Koop said the cabinets ship all over the country, which is shown on a U.S. map inside, decorated with threads and push pins to all the delivery sites. A map held up in The Cabinet Shop at 604 E. Main St. in Goessel, Kansas. The threads and pins show the locations that the Kansas unit of the Mennonite Disaster Service have shipped cabinet sets to. That gives you an idea of all the different scopes of where weve delivered cabinets to, for different long-term rebuilding projects, or theyre also responses to asylum-seeking immigrants, Koop said, pointing to the map. The Kansas unit shipped around 70 sets of cabinet last year, and so far this year, theyve shipped 85 sets. While a niche area, Koop said MDS helps significantly reduce building costs; he said they save around $3,000 per cabinet set. $3,000 saved times 80 houses is almost a quarter of a million dollars, Koop said. Thats where were generating our savings that can go for other houses that were rebuilding. With each set built, Kansas MDS also sends a free cutting board to each house. While there are different sets of volunteers throughout the week, one group of volunteers, an army of Kansas retirees, come every Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. By 10 a.m., though, the men are on a coffee break. I remind the guys were retired, and we dont have to work 40 and 50 hours a week, Koop said. Harlan Bartel, who assembles corner cabinets for the project, said woodworking has always been a hobby for him. I dont really focus on one project that gets too boring, Bartel said. Ill usually have about three different things going. (I) build toys for the grandkids. I enjoy making wood puzzles, and once in a while, I have to do a job for my wife. Before retiring, Bartel helped engineer lawnmowers at Excel Industries in Hesston. While he has plenty of extra time on his hands, he said he has to pick and choose what to do. Realistically, you know, I dont have a lot of years left, Bartel said. Volunteering is one thing thats important for me. While the 10 or so volunteers are busy working on Monday and Tuesday, the camaraderie was a point that continuously came up. Ron Flick Flickinger talks and laughs with other volunteers at the Kansas unit of the Mennonite Disaster Service. Flickinger is a retired civil service worker, meat inspector and mailman. In his free time, he likes to work with wood. Ron Flick Flickinger called the group of volunteers one of the best crowds to be part of. Theres an attitude of humility that you dont see a lot of places, and thats a good company to be with, he said. Retired from working in civil service, Flickinger said while the volunteer work is different, its more fun. In his free time, the retiree likes to build wood games, puzzles and musical instruments. I just think its a worthwhile project on something that I can make a contribution, Flickinger said. (Woodworking has) always been my hobby; its always been my interest. And I would like to do what I can for the greater good. While some volunteers have training and passion for woodworking, Koop said theres work for all. Other people come whove never worked with woodwork, and we find places for them to work, Koop said. Weve got, you know, people like respiratory therapists, retired farmers. Weve got engineers Various different skills that they bring to The Cabinet Shop. Dedicating the shop While the Kansas unit has been in service for years and the shop for over two years, a dedication will be held on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Cabinet Shop at 604 E. Main St. The dedication will feature tours of the shop and warehouse. Family band September River will perform a fundraising concert to help the nonprofit continue to raise money for cabinet-building at 5:30 p.m. The Cabinet Shop at 604 E. Main St. in Goessel, Kansas. The shop is worked by a staff of volunteers for the Kansas unit of the Mennonite Disaster Service. Temperature records have already fallen in Miami, even before summer's official start. What's happening? Miami is not unfamiliar with high heat and humidity, but when those two measurements surge so early in the year, it piques the interest of even the most seasoned meteorologists. "It's completely crazy, what just happened," Brian McNoldy, a senior research scientist at the University of Miami, told The New York Times. "Even if they happened at what is normally the most uncomfortable part of the year, those days would have been extraordinary." McNoldy was referring to heat index values that soared to 112 degrees on May 18 and 19. The heat index is what it feels like when the air temperature and humidity are considered. That 112-degree heat index smashed a previous record by 11 degrees. Meanwhile, Miami's air temperature reached a high of 95 degrees on May 19, according to Weather Underground. Scientists have found our bodies have a much harder time coping with the heat when the air temperature climbs to 104 degrees, though effects can be felt below that, especially when there is high humidity. Why is record heat in Miami so important? Sweltering heat so early in the year in places like Miami can be a byproduct of a warming world. Record heat is on the rise. About 11,000 record-high temperatures had been set in the United States through the first five months of this year. The number of record highs had doubled the number of record lows set during this period. This year is off to a hot start globally. As of April, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported a 61% chance that 2024 would end up as the warmest year on record and a 100% chance it would rank in the top five. The heat is a serious threat to our health. A new study published in PLOS Medicine estimated that heatwaves between 1990 and 2019 were responsible for more than 150,000 deaths per year. Miami's surging heat isn't limited to land. The ocean waters around Florida are heating up, too, and that is one of the reasons NOAA's hurricane forecast is the most aggressive ever. In late May, NOAA issued a seasonal prediction for the Atlantic of 8 to 13 hurricanes, with 4 to 7 forecast to strengthen to Category 3 or stronger. Should insurance companies be allowed to refuse coverage to certain homeowners? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind What's being done about the heat? Miami residents know the drill when it comes to dealing with extreme heat. The National Weather Service says eating light; wearing lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothes; and minimizing direct exposure to the sun are just a few ways to keep cool. The bigger issue is how we can help cool an overheating world. Reducing our carbon footprint, or the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere as a result of our use of dirty energy, can help. Carbon dioxide is a toxic gas that absorbs infrared radiation and warms the earth. Changing how we get around is just one example of reducing the amount of this gas going into our atmosphere. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Firefighters in Pedi, a small fishing village in Symi, where a search and rescue operation is under way for TV doctor Michael Mosley - Yui Mok/PA Rescue workers searching for Michael Mosley, the missing British TV doctor on a Greek island were focusing on a marina as fears intensified for his safety on Saturday. The search for Dr Mosley is now concentrated on Agia Marina on Symi island. Firefighters and volunteers headed for Athe beach and jetties after retracing Dr Mosleys apparent steps through a treacherous and snake-infested mountain path offering no shade from searing temperatures. They had begun the day scouring a 6.5km stretch of mountain terrain near the port village of Pedi, close to where he was last spotted on CCTV. They then moved to the marina area in heat already so strong that a search dog was only able to work for an hour. New CCTV footage from a house at the edge of a small marina at the far end of the port village of Pedi showed the doctor and television presenter entering the path at about 2pm on Wednesday. It is a longer three-hour route back to where he was staying in the town of Symi. Rescue workers were previously searching the more direct road route between the two villages. Manolis Tsimpoukas, who organises searches for missing people on the Dodecanese Islands, said that so far there had been no sign of the Briton. Eleftherios Papakalodouka, who has been the mayor of Symi for 22 years, said there was no chance the search would be called off until Dr Mosley was found. He added: I believe they will conclude somewhere today. Speaking through a translator, he questioned how anyone could survive in heat that topped 40C on the day Dr Mosley disappeared, saying: There are only rocks, no shade, no trees. With 47 degrees heat, you cant survive. Dr Mosleys four children, Alexander, Jack, Daniel and Katherine, arrived on Symi on Friday night and are expected to assist with the rescue efforts. His wife, Dr Claire Bailey, has also been searching the island with British friends. More than 100 police and coast guard officers have been involved in the search for the presenter of Radio 4s Just One Thing. He disappeared after he was seen leaving the St Nicholas Beach restaurant at approximately 1.30pm on Wednesday, holding an umbrella, which investigators believe he could have been using to shield himself from the intense sun. He walked from the beach, known in Greek as Agios Nikolaos, along a clifftop path to the small holiday resort of Pedi. There, he was captured on CCTV outside the Blue Corner cafe in Pedi, holding the umbrella, about 20 minutes later. Michael Mosley was seen in the town of Pedi with an umbrella outside a cafe The footage shows him walking steadily, with no visible injuries, out of the village centre and towards the marina. However, he then appears to have turned up a treacherous mountainous path, in a move one of the rescuers said was inexplicable. She said: The path is not easy to follow. If he took a wrong turn, he would be lost. He could be anywhere. It is a race against time. Mr Tsiboukas, the coordinator of civil alert in Greece, said more than 100 police and rescuers have been involved in the search mission since Wednesday. Of Dr Mosleys four children, he said: They are stressing so much for their father. They want to find him as soon as possible. Dr Mosley and his wife had travelled by boat from Symi town, where they had been staying in a villa, to St Nicholas beach on Wednesday morning. The return service was not due until 4pm, and Dr Mosley opted to walk home on his own. His wife raised the alarm at 7.30pm on Wednesday evening when she realised that he had not returned to their villa. 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. Health departments in the Midwest are warning of the emergence of a new deadly animal tranquilizer thats linked to overdose deaths. The drug, medetomidine, is a powerful sedative used in veterinary medicine to keep dogs sedated and comfortable during exams and medical procedures, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said when it approved the drug in 2022. The Detroit Free Press reported that the drug is most often cut into fentanyl, which is then cut into what passes as heroin. This drug, however, cant be reversed by naloxone, or Narcan, which has been used to reverse overdoses for other drugs. The medicine causes a decrease in an animals heart rate, which increases the chance of developing an irregular heartbeat, the FDA said. According to The Detroit News, three overdose deaths in Michigan have happened since March and have been linked to the drug in toxicology scans. Other drugs like fentanyl have been found in the scans as well. Medetomidine is more potent, and we want to make sure Michigan residents are aware of this new and dangerous drug showing up in overdose deaths in our state, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the chief medical executive for the state of Michigan, said in a statement. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services urged local organizations and health care providers to raise awareness and distribute drug test strips. The Indiana Department of Health is also warning about the drug, noting that its also been mixed with heroin. According to Wane 15, no toxicology reports or the Indiana Prescription Drug Monitoring Program have detected the drug as of May 2024. The outlet reported that its been linked to an outbreak of overdoses and other adverse effects in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Chicago, the Indiana Department of Health said. Wane 15 is an affiliate station owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FILE PHOTO: Female migrants from South and Central America look towards U.S. from Mexico By Ted Hesson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of migrants caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border dropped on Friday, a senior U.S. border official told Reuters, saying it signaled a restrictive new Biden administration policy was deterring some illegal immigration. U.S. Border Patrol arrested around 3,100 people crossing illegally, down roughly 20% from the days before, the official said, requesting anonymity to discuss preliminary figures. "It's still too early to say this is a definitive trend," the official said. "But I think it is indicative of some possible early success." Immigration has emerged as a top issue for Americans in the months before Nov. 5 elections that will decide control of the White House and Congress. President Joe Biden, a Democrat seeking another term, faces Republican Donald Trump - an immigration hardliner - in a rematch of the 2020 contest. Biden took office in 2021 pledging to reverse many of Trump's restrictive immigration policies but has toughened his stance in the face of record migrant arrests at the border. Biden implemented a sweeping policy on Wednesday that generally bars migrants who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border from claiming asylum. The asylum ban has exceptions for unaccompanied minors, people who face serious medical or safety threats, and victims of trafficking. The new policy aims to maximize the number of migrants placed in "expedited removal," a fast-track deportation process. Since Wednesday, more than 2,000 people per day were put in expedited removal, more than double the previous rate, the U.S. official said. Questions still remain about whether border crossings will stay low enough to process people quickly and whether U.S. authorities have the capacity to meet their goals. The American Civil Liberties Union has vowed to sue to halt the measure, which resembles Trump-era curbs on asylum. (Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Mica Rosenberg and Daniel Wallis) Military intelligence: Collaborant ex-mayor of Kupiansk in 'critical condition' after assassination attempt in Russia A collaborant from Kharkiv Oblast is in "critical condition" after an assassination attempt in Russia, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) claimed on June 8. The life of Hennadii Matsehora, the former mayor of the city of Kupiansk in the country's northeast, was targeted on June 7 in the city of Stary Oskol in Belgorod Oblast, HUR reported in a Telegram post. It did not disclose further details about the incident. Moscow has not reacted to HUR's claim as of the time of publication. At the onset of the full-scale invasion, some local officials decided to side with Russia when their cities, towns, or villages especially in Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts were invaded by Moscow's forces. Ukraine has arrested its nationals who remain in Ukrainian-controlled territories and had worked for Russia's interests during occupation. According to HUR, Matsehora "voluntarily went into full cooperation" with Russian troops when they invaded Kupiansk shortly after the full-scale war began in February 2022, and the signed so-called protocol to establish proxy administration in the city. Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov has said in July 2022 that Matsehora provided Russian troops with transport, housing, fuel, and food. Many collaborators fled to Russia when Ukraine liberated swathes of territories in the northeast, including Kupiansk, during the successful counteroffensive of September 2022. HUR said that Matsehora fled to Russia's Belgorod Oblast, which borders Kharkiv Oblast, when Kupiansk was liberated, and was "under (Moscow's) heavy security." In February 2022, The Prosecutor General's Office accused Matsehora of treason, which could be punished by 15 years in jail, or life imprisonment with property confiscation. Matsehora had been the mayor of Kupiansk since 2020 as a member of the pro-Russian Opposition Platform For Life political party. Read also: Battlefield situation is difficult, but Ukraine has chance to change it, Syrskyi says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Missing TV Doctors Family Will Not Lose Hope as Rescuers Searching for Him Say It's a 'Race Against Time' "He could be anywhere," one rescuer searching for Michael Mosley said S Meddle/ITV/Shutterstock The search continues for a U.K. TV doctor who went missing on the island of Symi, Greece, earlier this week. Michael Mosley had gone on a walk from St. Nicholas Beach on the island a little after 2 p.m. local time on Wednesday, June 5, according to reports from The Sunday Times, the BBC and The Independent. However, when he didnt return to his lodgings in the town later that night, his wife, Dr. Clare Bailey Mosley, reported him missing. CCTV footage obtained by the BBC and the Times showed that Mosley, 67, was last seen entering a mountain path inland from a small marina in the coastal town of Pedi. Rescuers described the decision to walk there to PA news agency as inexplicable," as it would have taken three hours for a fit young person to walk. The path is not easy to follow. If he took a wrong turn, he would be lost. He could be anywhere. It is a race against time, one of the rescuers said, per the Times. Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty A member of the search team flying a drone in Symi, Greece, where a search and rescue operation is under way for TV doctor and columnist Michael Mosley. Related: Toddler Dead, Mom Critically Injured After Tornado Sends 'Massive' Tree into Home As They Slept Emergency crews began searching for the missing doctor with drones, though they later called off the search around 8 p.m. on Friday as it became too dark to continue. The search resumed again on Saturday morning. Mosleys four children flew in from the U.K. on Friday evening to provide aid. The doctors wife told the Times: It has been three days since Michael left the beach to go for a walk. The longest and most unbearable days for myself and my children. She said, however, that they will not lose hope," adding, The search is ongoing and our family are so incredibly grateful to the people of Symi, the Greek authorities and the British consulate who are working tirelessly to help find Michael. Related: Skeletal Remains Found in Tennessee Identified as Missing 20-Year-Old Georgia Woman More than 100 rescuers have been involved in the search, per the Times. Symis coast guard confirmed to The Independent that all of their patrol boats, in addition to private and commercial boats, were searching the Pedi area. The Greek fire service also told the outlet that it has seven firefighters, one drone checking the wider area, while the Hellenic Police Office sent officers with search dogs. The mayor of Symi, Eleftherios Papakalodouka, told the Times that the search for Mosley had shifted from the port and coastal town of Pedi to the Vroulias mountains, located on the northern coast of the island. 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. We are searching an area of around 6.5 km, which is in the mountains, and its very difficult to pass, the mayor said. There are only rocks, no shade, no trees. With 47 degrees [celsius] heat you cant survive. There is no chance we will call off the searches, but I believe they will conclude somewhere today, Papakalodouka added on Saturday. Mosley is best known for appearing in BBC shows including, Trust Me, Im a Doctor and Michael Mosley: Who Made Britain Fat?, in addition to ITVs This Morning, according to the Times. He has also written several health columns for The Daily Mail. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Generally speaking long term investing is the way to go. But along the way some stocks are going to perform badly. For example the SKY Network Television Limited (NZSE:SKT) share price dropped 80% over five years. That's not a lot of fun for true believers. More recently, the share price has dropped a further 11% in a month. Since shareholders are down over the longer term, lets look at the underlying fundamentals over the that time and see if they've been consistent with returns. Check out our latest analysis for SKY Network Television To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. During five years of share price growth, SKY Network Television moved from a loss to profitability. That would generally be considered a positive, so we are surprised to see the share price is down. Other metrics may better explain the share price move. We note that the dividend has fallen in the last five years, so that may have contributed to the share price decline. The revenue decline of around 1.2% would not have helped the stock price. So it seems weak revenue and dividend trends may have influenced the share price. The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). It's probably worth noting we've seen significant insider buying in the last quarter, which we consider a positive. On the other hand, we think the revenue and earnings trends are much more meaningful measures of the business. This free report showing analyst forecasts should help you form a view on SKY Network Television What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, SKY Network Television's TSR for the last 5 years was -57%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence! A Different Perspective We're pleased to report that SKY Network Television shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 1.1% over one year. And that does include the dividend. That certainly beats the loss of about 9% per year over the last half decade. This makes us a little wary, but the business might have turned around its fortunes. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for SKY Network Television (of which 1 shouldn't be ignored!) you should know about. Story continues There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of undervalued small cap companies that insiders are buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on New Zealander 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. (Bloomberg) -- In recent years, investors bullish on Indian equities have cited the promise of policy reforms and rapid economic growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to justify its record premium over emerging-market peers. Most Read from Bloomberg Now, with the leader facing coalition politics after a weaker-than-expected mandate in this weeks national election, the so-called Modi premium is under scrutiny. Investors want to see evidence that Modi can sustain his reforms with the same vigor, while keeping alliance partners happy and avoiding populist measures to regain public support. Policy continuity is now emerging as a crucial factor for global money managers weighing investments in the worlds fifth-largest stock market. Next months budget will be the new governments first test, as fiscal discipline has been a hallmark of Modis decade in power. People are still in a wait-and-see mode until we see what policies are likely to come up, how are they are going to fund them and whats the give and take the coalition has to make, said Rahul Ghosh, an equity portfolio specialist at T. Rowe Price in Singapore. Were evaluating our India positioning and considering whether we should add more. Skepticism from foreign investors is evident. They sold more than $2 billion of local shares on a net basis on Tuesday and Wednesday, even as buying by local funds and retail investors helped the benchmark NSE Nifty 50 Index climb to a new record Friday, recouping losses spurred by the stunning election result. Modis 10 years in office have ensured political stability and policy continuity, making India a preferred investment destination for global funds despite its expensive valuations. During this period, Indias equity market has grown over 250% and is now nearing $5 trillion in value. However, a forward price-to-earnings ratio of about 23 times for the MSCI India Index makes the market one of the most expensive globally. This leaves little room for disappointment when investor optimism toward beaten-down Chinese equities is returning. The Indian gauge trades at a premium of more than 80% to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and 130% to the MSCI China Index. A key risk is the potential slowdown in policy-making under a coalition government. Modi may need to make concessions to alliance partners, such as offering them key cabinet positions, to maintain their support. Ill adjust my playbook depending on growth assumptions, which will be dependent on certainty of policy, said Niraj Bhagwat, equity portfolio manager at Wellington Management in Singapore. Markets will keenly watch certain key ministries such as finance or roads and highways, and whether there are credible faces heading them. A reduced mandate has also sparked a debate among investors that Modi may announce populist measures, likely shifting focus away from upgrading infrastructure, which has been a top priority. For some global funds, any weakness in Indian stocks presents a buying opportunity in what they view as one of the worlds most-promising economies, driven by a rising middle class and strong demographics. Just days before the election result, S&P Global Ratings signaled a possible upgrade to Indias sovereign credit rating, citing stronger fundamentals. Economic growth topped 8% in the fiscal year that ended in March, beating estimates, official data showed two days later. Historically, Indian stocks have performed well under coalition governments. The MSCI India Index surged more than 180% during the 2004-2014 period more than twice the MSCI World Index when a Congress-led alliance ruled the nation. There can be a slowdown in policy making and potentially more populist policies, but we do believe that the BJPs pro-growth, investor-friendly agenda will continue, said Ashish Chugh, a portfolio manager at Loomis, Sayles & Co., an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers. India has many structural growth drivers that will continue to play out. However, some investors are becoming defensive and more selective as they await proof that growth-focused policies will remain in place. There was a perception of zero risk earlier, which is now gone, Sailesh Raj Bhan, a fund manager at Nippon Life India Asset Management Ltd. in Mumbai. Now the approach must be about buying good businesses at sensible prices. --With assistance from Chiranjivi Chakraborty. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Weve come to take you home: Noa Argamanis 245 days of captivity are finally over Yakov Argamani, Noa's father hugs his daughter and one of the soldiers who helped bring her home - ISRAELI ARMY/via REUTERS The plight of an Israeli woman who spent 245 days held hostage by Hamas ended on Saturday with the words Its the IDF. Weve come to take you home. Noa Argamani, who was ripped away from the Nova music festival by Hamas terrorists on Oct 7 and taken into Gaza on the back of a motorcycle was rescued on Saturday during a daring daytime raid by Israeli special forces along with three other captives. The three other hostages, all of whom were kidnapped at the music festival, are Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27 and Shlomi Ziv, 41. The four hostages were sent to hospital for an evaluation and were said to be in good health. Today is my birthday, and what a present I received...theres no army like this in the world, an elated Yaakov Argamani, Noas father, said as he was reunited with her. Ms Argamani herself said of the moment that the soldiers rescued her: There was a knock on the door. A voice said, Its the IDF. Weve come to take you home. Israeli forces meticulously prepared for the operation by training in replicas of the two houses in the central Gaza Strip where Hamas had been keeping the hostages. The hostages were referred to as diamonds by operation commanders. Israeli commandos had to simultaneously raid the two locations, which were 200 metres apart, to reduce the risk of hostages being killed once the attack started. It was described as being like a surgical operation, like a brain operation. The hostages were reportedly kept in locked rooms in apartments which contained both families and armed guards. The raid on Ms Argamanis building is said to have come as a complete surprise to Hamas but there was crossfire in the second building. Arnon Zmora, an Israeli officer was killed during the operation. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister said the rescue would be known as operation Arnon after the late father of two. Ms Argamani is now due to be reunited with her Chinese-Israeli mother, who is suffering from terminal brain cancer. Her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, is understood to still be held in Hamas captivity. The pair had been captured at the same time at the music festival. She spoke over the phone with Mr Netanyahu on Saturday from the hospital where she was being assessed, telling him: I am very moved. I havent heard Hebrew for so long. She also spoke with Isaac Herzog, the president of Israel. Mr Netanyahu has suggested that he will launch further operations into Gaza to bring the hostages home. We are committed to do so in the future as well. We will not let up until we complete the mission and return home all the hostages, both those alive and dead, he said. Noa Argamani is now due to go home and see her mother who is terminally ill - AFP Israeli media reports said the operation had been approved on Thursday evening, when a war cabinet and security cabinet meeting were cancelled to make time for preparing the operation. Mr Netanyahu watched it unfold from inside a Shin Bet security services war room. Israeli military officials said their intelligence officers worked for weeks laying the groundwork for the operation, which involved hundreds of Israeli troops. World leaders including Joe Biden, the US president, Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, and Emmauel Macron, French president, praised the rescue. A senior Hamas official claimed the operation was a Pyrrhic victory for Israel, stating that regaining four captives after nine months of fighting is a sign of failure not an achievement. At least 210 Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Saturday, many in Nuseirat where the hostages were being held, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry. Daniel Hagari, the IDFs commanding officer, said the force was aware of about 100 Palestinian casualties but did not yet know how many were terrorists. He accused Hamas of endangering civilians by hiding the hostages within the population and shooting at the Israeli forces as they rescued them. Dozens of bodies from the Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah areas were brought to overwhelmed hospitals. Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, described Israeli attacks in Nuseirat as a bloody massacre and called for an emergency UN security council session. Videos on social media, that appeared to be from Nuseirat but could not be immediately verified, showed severely injured men, women and children lying on blood-soaked hospital floors or being carried limp into the emergency room where infants wailed in distress. The al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital issued an urgent call for medical assistance to handle the mass casualty event and appealed for blood donations. 08:45 PM BST Thats all for today Thanks for following our live coverage as Israeli rescued four of its hostages from Gaza. This live blog is now closed. 08:45 PM BST Pictured: Noa Argamani is rescued from Gaza by IDF helicopter Noa Argamani is rescued by an IDF helicopter - https://x.com/i/status/1799487524621942865 08:23 PM BST Protesters call for release of hostages outside Netanyahus home Thousands of Israelis are holding protests across the country, calling on the government to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. In Tel Aviv, demonstrators held signs that read Bring them back at a spot that has become known locally as Hostages Square. Haaretz, the Israeli newspaper, reported that Paris Square in Jerusalem - near the residence of the prime minister - had been blocked off by protesters. 07:57 PM BST Sunak: Return of hostages is heartwarming Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, has said it is heartwarming to see the Israeli hostages returned to their families after an unimaginable ordeal. We will continue to strive towards an end to the fighting as well as safety and security for all, he wrote on social media. It is a huge relief to see hostages returned after their unimaginable ordeal and heartwarming to see the pictures of them reunited with their families. We will continue to strive towards an end to the fighting as well as safety and security for all. https://t.co/Ylb7OD3xXO Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 8, 2024 07:46 PM BST Cameron calls for release of all Israeli hostages Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, has welcome the return of the Israeli hostages and called for those remaining in Gaza to be released. He wrote on social media: News of the rescue of four hostages will be a huge relief to their families. My thoughts also with families of those still captive, and all the innocent lives affected by the conflict. We must secure the release of all hostages and end the fighting through a ceasefire deal. News of the rescue of four hostages will be a huge relief to their families. My thoughts also with families of those still captive, and all the innocent lives affected by the conflict. We must secure the release of all hostages and end the fighting through a ceasefire deal. David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 8, 2024 07:17 PM BST Hostage families thank IDF after four rescued in daring raid The families of the four rescued hostages have thanked the security forces for freeing their loved ones in a complex special daytime operation in central Gaza. Those rescued were Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40. Yaakov Argamani, Ms Argamanis father, thanked the IDF and, speaking about the other hostages, said: We must do everything, and as soon as possible to bring them home. Today is my birthday, and what a present I received, he added. Jennifer Master, Mr Kozlovs partner, thanked the army, while his aunt Anna said: Theres a lot of happiness today, a lot of tears. Mr Jans mother Orit said: Almog asked to say: We have a strong nation, thanks very much. I support the soldiers, I hope all the hostages come home safely. Israel believes that 116 of the approximately 250 hostages abducted by militants are left in the Palestinian enclave, at least 40 of whom have been declared dead in absentia by authorities. The families also expressed their condolences over the death of counter-terrorism officer Arnon Zamora, 36, who died due to injuries sustained during the mission. 06:50 PM BST Hamas claims Palestinians killed during rescue mission Gazas Hamas-run government media office has claimed that at least 210 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli operation to rescue the hostages. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israeli military, said the rescue mission took place in a residential neighbourhood in Nuseirat, with Hamas keeping the hostages in two separate apartment blocks. Israels forces came under intense fire during the assault and responded by firing from the air and from the street, he told reporters. He added: We know about under 100 [Palestinian] casualties. I dont know how many from them are terrorists. 06:28 PM BST Watch: Israel rescues four hostages in daring raid 06:16 PM BST Hamas: Devastating consequences for remaining hostages Hamas has claimed that Israel killed a number of hostages while mounting a rescue operation to save Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv. The enemy was able... to free some of its prisoners, but at the same time it killed some of them during the operation, a spokesman for the groups armed wing said. He added: The operation will pose a great danger to the enemy prisoners and will have a devastating impact on their conditions and lives. 05:50 PM BST Mother of rescued hostage will continue the struggle Orit Jan, the mother of Almog Meir Jan, pledged to continue the struggle until all the hostages in Gaza were returned to their families. We do not forget the hostages who are still in Gaza, and we will continue the struggle until they all return, the living and the killed, she said. 05:38 PM BST Watch: Netanyahu meets rescued hostages Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has met with rescued hostages and their families at Sheba Hospital near Tel Aviv. At a news conference afterwards, he said that it was the birthday of Noa Argamanis father, Yaakov, who called the return of his daughter the best gift I could ever expect. Mr Netanyahu also revealed that Andrey Kozlov, another hostage, had kept a diary during his months of captivity. Every day, he would write one line. Every day is a gift, he said. 05:24 PM BST Colombias president orders halt of coal exports to Israel Gustavo Petro, Colombias president, said the country will suspend coal exports to Israel. In a post on social media platform X, he said the exports would be halted until the genocide is stopped. 05:23 PM BST Israeli hostage Noa Argamani to be reunited with dying mother Noa Argamani, the 25-year-old hostage who was rescued from Gaza on Saturday, is soon to be reunited with her terminally ill mother. Ms Argamani was kidnapped along with her boyfriend Avinatan Or from the Supernova festival on the morning of Oct 7, and became one of the faces of the hostage crisis when footage of her abduction by two men on a motorbike emerged online. In the footage, she shouts: Dont kill me! Earlier this year, her 61-year-old mother Liora Argamani, who has stage four brain cancer, pleaded with world leaders to help bring home her daughter. I am asking you, president Joe Biden, I dont have a lot of time left in this world. It may be my last wish. Im really begging you. Please help me, she said in March. Ms Argamani has already reunited with her father, and is expected to meet her mother shortly. 04:57 PM BST Rescued hostage Shlomi Ziv is reuinted with his loved ones Shlomi Ziv, a rescued hostage embraces his loved ones - Israeli Army/Handout via REUTERS Shlomi Ziv. 41 years old, is one of four hostages who were rescued on Saturday in a complex joint operation by the IDF - Israeli Army/Handout via REUTERS 04:44 PM BST Israeli strike reported to have killed two people in southern Lebanon An Israeli air strike on the outskirts of Aitaroun in southern Lebanon killed two people, Lebanese state news agency NNA reported on Saturday. Israels IDF said in a statement that its soldiers had identified a Hezbollah militant in the area of Aitaroun and shortly afterward an Israeli aircraft had struck the individual. Israeli forces launched two missiles targeting a cafe at a petrol station which resulted in major damage to the shop, the station and the surrounding area, the NNA report said. 04:33 PM BST Palestinian president calls for emergency UN security council session on bloody massacre Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has called for an emergency UN Security Council session on the bloody massacre that was carried out by the Israeli forces at the al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, official news agency WAFA reported on Saturday. 04:32 PM BST Netanyahu speaks to rescued hostage Noa Argamani 03:56 PM BST Footage shows the take-off of the helicopter with three of the rescued hostages from the Gaza Strip 03:52 PM BST US national security advisor issues statement Jake Sullivan, the US national security advisor, has issued a statement on the Israeli hostage rescue operation. He said: Today, Israeli security forces conducted a successful operation to rescue four hostages from the grips of Hamas in Gaza. All four were taken from the Nova Music Festival on October 7, and Hamas filmed the horrific abduction of Ms Argamani for the world to see. Now they are safe and reunited with their families. We commend the work of the Israeli security services that conducted this daring operation. The United States is supporting all efforts to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas, including American citizens. This includes through ongoing negotiations or other means. The hostage release and ceasefire deal that is now on the table would secure the release of all the remaining hostages together with security assurances for Israel and relief for the innocent civilians in Gaza. This deal has the full backing of the United States and has been endorsed by countries from around the world, including the G7, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, UAE, and Qatar, as well as the sixteen countries with their citizens still being held by Hamas. They all must be released now. 03:44 PM BST Rescued hostage Almog Meir Jan reunites with his family Hamas hostage Almog Meir Jan, 21, is one of the four rescued by the IDF from central Gaza. He is reportedly in good condition, according to initial medical assessments. Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage embraces his mother, Orit Meir - Israeli Army/Handout Almog Meir Jan, 21, is pictured reuniting with his family - Israeli Army/Handout via Reuters 03:36 PM BST Details of the hostage rescue operation from IDF briefing The hostages were called diamonds for the operation. The Israeli forces practiced for the operation using models of the two houses where they were being held. The houses, which were 200m apart, had to be raided simultaneously like a surgical operation, like a brain operation, to reduce the risk of the hostages being killed in either one. The hostages were being held in locked rooms in apartments containing both families and armed guards. The raid on Noa Argamanis building came as a complete surprise but there was crossfire in the second building with the three men. 03:30 PM BST Biden reacts to hostage rescue news US president Joe Biden welcomed the return of four Israeli hostages rescued alive in Gaza. He said: I would like to welcome the safe rescue of hostages that were returned to their families in Israel. We wont stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached. That is essential. 03:28 PM BST Families hail miraculous triumph as four Israeli hostages rescued Israel hostage families have hailed the rescue of four captives as a miraculous triumph. Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40, were rescued in a complex special daytime operation in the heart of Nuseirat in central Gaza on Saturday. All four were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival on Oct 7 last year. The heroic operation by the that freed and brought home Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir Jan is a miraculous triumph, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement, adding it continued to call on the international community to exert pressure on Hamas to release other hostages. 03:18 PM BST Israel says forces freed Gaza hostages under heavy fire Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said that special forces operated under heavy fire and in a complex urban environment when rescuing the four hostages from Hamas. Our troops showed so much courage operating under heavy fire in the most complex urban environment in Gaza, Mr Gallant said in a statement from his office. This is one of the most heroic and extraordinary operations I have witnessed over the course of 47 years serving in Israels defense establishment, he said. 02:58 PM BST Israeli officer who died during rescue named Arnon Zamora, a commander of the elite counter terrorism unit, has been named as the Israeli soldier who died as a result of his injuries during the rescue operation. Chief inspector Arnon Zamora, who was killed in a mission to rescue hostages held in the Gaza Strip - Israel Police Zamora, aged 36 and a father of two, was taken to a hospital in Israel in critical condition, where his death was declared a short while later. 02:53 PM BST Turkey, Egypt and Iran demand full Palestinian membership of UN An alliance including Turkey, Egypt and Iran have demanded full Palestinian membership of the United Nations and greater international pressure on Israel amid the Gaza war. The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, which also includes Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria and Pakistan, called for an immediate ceasefire in the devastated Palestinian territory, where Israel has been battling Hamas militants for more than eight months. Foreign ministers from the group meeting in Istanbul called on the United States to lift its veto on full Palestinian UN membership and on all countries to exert diplomatic, political, economic and legal pressure on Israel. They also urged states to ensure Israel complies with the International Court of Justices decisions, withdraws from the southern Rafah governorate and guarantees the safe entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Denouncing an ongoing genocide and grave violations of international law, the group called on states to contribute to and join legal proceedings against Israel at international courts. The eight countries also demanded an end to arms and ammunition deliveries to Israel and that all measures be taken to protect Palestinian civilians, rejecting any attempted forced displacement. 02:32 PM BST Germanys Scholz says rescue of four hostages important sign of hope Israels rescue of four hostages alive in the Gaza Strip is an important sign of hope, German chancellor Olaf Scholz said. An important sign of hope in particular for the numerous Israeli families who continue to fear for those close to them. Four hostages are now free, Mr Scholz said on X, formerly Twitter. 02:21 PM BST One Israeli soldier died in rescue operation Israeli police have announced the death of an officer wounded earlier in the day during the operation to rescue four hostages from the Gaza Strip. The Israel Police and the Border Police announce with great sorrow and grief the death of the late officer Arnon Zmora... who was mortally wounded in the operation to return the hostages this morning in Gaza, the force said in a statement. 02:02 PM BST Netanyahu says Israel does not give into terror Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel does not give into terrorism and that it is operating creatively and bravely to bring home the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. We are committed to do so in the future as well. We will not let up until we complete the mission and return home all the hostages both those alive and dead, Mr Netanyahu said. Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre - JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images 01:58 PM BST Rescued hostage Noa Argamani reunites with family in hospital Source: Reuters 01:39 PM BST Footage of one rescued hostage being extracted from the Gaza Strip 01:20 PM BST Death toll in Gaza at 36,801, according to Hamas-run health ministry At least 36,801 Palestinians have been killed and more than 83,680 have been injured in Israels military offensive on Gaza since 7 October, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said in a statement on Saturday. More than 70 Palestinians were killed and 150 injured in the past 24 hours, the ministry added. 01:10 PM BST Watch: Statement by IDF Spokesperson about hostage rescue Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari's statement regarding our operation to bring Noa, Almog, Andrey and Shlomi back home: pic.twitter.com/Tt2wtE9121 Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024 Credit: X / Social media 01:03 PM BST Watch: Moment Almog Meir Jans family found out about his rescue Credit: X / Social media 12:59 PM BST Hamas calls hostage rescue a failure of Israel Senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, told Reuters that regaining four captives after nine months of fighting is a sign of failure not an achievement. Israel cannot force its choices on Hamas and the group will accept no deal that does not achieve security for Palestinians, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said on Saturday in response to an Israeli military offensive in Gazas al-Nuseirat area. 12:55 PM BST Watch: Cheers on Tel Aviv beache as lifeguards announce the rescue of four hostages Credit: X / Social media 12:51 PM BST Noa Argamani to reunite with dying mother Noa Argamani will soon visit her terminally-ill mother at the hospital. Earlier this year, Liora Argamani, who has stage four brain cancer, pleaded with world leaders to help bring home her daughter. Her renewed appeal to see her daughter came as her health deteriorated: I am asking you, president Joe Biden, I dont have a lot of time left in this world. It may be my last wish. Im really begging you. Please help me, she said in March. 12:50 PM BST Israels war cabinet minister delays statement after hostage rescue Israels centrist war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has delayed a statement he was due to give later on Saturday in which he was widely expected to announce his resignation from prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus emergency government. Last month, Mr Gantz presented the conservative prime minister with a June 8 deadline to come up with a clear day-after strategy for Gaza. But following news that Israeli forces had rescued four hostages alive from Gaza, the ministers spokespeople said his statement would be postponed. They did not give a new time for the address, in which political commentators in leading Israeli newspapers said he was expected to announce his resignation. The departure of Gantzs centrist party would not pose an immediate threat to Mr Netanyahus governing coalition, which controls 64 of parliaments 120 seats, but it could have a serious impact nonetheless. 12:43 PM BST 50 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on central Gaza At least 50 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Nuseirat and other areas in central Gaza, a health official in the Hamas-run enclave told Reuters on Saturday. 12:38 PM BST Hundreds of Israeli troops took part in the hostage operation Hundreds of Israeli troops took part in a special operation held under fire to rescue four hostages alive from Hamas captors in Gaza, Israels chief military spokesman has said. The operation was weeks in the planning and one police officer was badly hurt, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised news conference. The hostages were held in two houses in a residential neighbourhood of al-Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, according to Mr Hagari. 12:37 PM BST Pictured: Hostages Almog Meir Jan and Andrey Kozlov are released Almog Meir Jan, a released hostage - REUTERS/Marko Djurica Andrey Kozlov is rescued - REUTERS/Marko Djurica Family members of hostages walk to the health cente where those who have been freed are receiving medical attention - REUTERS/Marko Djurica 12:33 PM BST Former hostages escorted off a helicopter by the IDF Former hostages Andrey Kozlov (in red shorts) and Almog Meir Jan (in the black shirt) escorted off a helicopter by the IDF. 12:31 PM BST More on the release of hostage Noa Argamani A video of Noa Argamani receiving a telephone call from Israeli president Isaac Herzog was distributed by his office. I am so happy to be here. Thank you for everything, thank you for this moment, said a smiling Ms Argamani, sitting with her father in a hospital room. In another video, speaking on the phone with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ms Argamani said, I am very moved. I havent heard Hebrew for so long. Noa Argamani is reuinted with her father A screengrab of a video showing the moment Noa Argamani was kidnapped by Hamas in October Earlier video of Ms Argamani reunited with her father showed her smiling and embracing him. She was kidnapped along with her boyfriend Avinatan Or from the Supernova festival on the morning of Oct 7. Her boyfriend is still believed to remain in captivity. Ms Argamani became one of the faces of the hostage crisis when footage of her abduction by two men on a motorbike emerged online. In the footage, she shouts: Dont kill me! 12:24 PM BST IDF statement on hostage rescue Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40), were kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist organisation from the Nova music festival on October 7, the IDF said in a statement, adding the four were in good medical condition. The hostages were rescued... from two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat in central Gaza, the military added. 12:22 PM BST Hostage Noa Argamani meets her father after being freed by the IDF 12:20 PM BST Gaza pier reconnected The US-built pier designed to carry aid into Gaza by boat has been reconnected to the beach in the besieged territory after a section broke apart in storms and rough seas last month, The section that connects to the beach in Gaza, the causeway, was rebuilt nearly two weeks after heavy storms damaged it and abruptly halted what had already been a troubled delivery route. Food and other supplies will begin to flow soon, US Central Command said on Friday. Earlier this morning in Gaza, US forces successfully attached the temporary pier to the Gaza beach, Vice Adm Brad Cooper, deputy commander of US Central Command, told reporters. We expect to resume delivery of humanitarian assistance from the sea in the coming days. Vice Adm Cooper said operations at the reconnected pier will be ramped up soon with a goal to get 1 million pounds (500 tons) of food and other supplies moving through the pier into Gaza every two days. 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) -- Rishi Sunaks unlikely bid to remain UK prime minister after July 4 appears in tatters after a week bookended by crises: one he thought hed avoided but the other destined to go down as an historic self-inflicted blunder. Most Read from Bloomberg The governing Conservatives were stunned on Monday when Brexit architect Nigel Farage said he would stand as a candidate for his Reform UK party in the election. Thinking Farage was out of the picture, Sunaks Tories had built a campaign strategy to rally the right-wing vote that was tempted by Reform. Days after Farages entry, polls suggest Reform is gaining ground and hurting Sunaks chances of keeping Labour leader Keir Starmer from power. Yet even worse was to come. On Friday, Sunak compounded the Tory misery when he was forced to apologize for leaving events in France to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day early. It was a political and diplomatic misstep that Tory campaign officials fear will play into the hands of Farage, who has made a career out of an appeal to British patriotism that harks back to World War II. Surveys since Farage entered the fray this week showed growing support for Reform UK, with some predicting it will go past the Tories within days. If you had to design something that would cut through with voters in the most negative way possible, this D-Day fiasco would be it, said Scarlett Maguire, director at the pollster JL Partners. It makes Sunak look totally out of touch with the British public, and I suspect will fuel Reforms surge in the polls. Sunaks decision to skip an event in Normandy attended by US President Joe Biden and the leaders of France, Germany, Ukraine and others to return to Britain, where he filmed a television interview to launch more attacks on Labour is widely seen as the most significant moment of the election campaign. Starmer, for his part, was at the D-Day event and used a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskiy to reassure the Ukrainian president that a Labour government would not alter Britains support for Ukraine. Even before the D-Day gaffe, Labours poll lead was larger than at any point in the last 18 months, according to Bloombergs rolling average of surveys by 11 pollsters, which put the opposition party 22.3 points ahead of the Tories. The immediate concern among staff at Conservative headquarters is that Reform UK could soon surpass the Tories in some opinion polls this weekend. In Britains first-past-the-post electoral system, that crossover in the polls is unlikely to translate into more than a handful of seats in the House of Commons, but it would suppress the Tory vote further and raise the likelihood of a Labour landslide. The 1993 election in Canada, when the center-right Progressive Conservatives were pincered between the center-left and populist right and suffered the worst result by a governing party in the Western world, looms large in Tory minds. Sunak was despondent at the reaction to him missing the D-Day meeting, according to people close to the premier, who spoke on condition of anonymity. But hes getting little sympathy even among cabinet ministers, some of whom told Bloomberg the decision had exacerbated their concern about his judgment and competence. One who has previously been loyal to Sunak said they now regretted that the party didnt replace him as leader earlier this year. What is clear is that any lift that the Tory campaign got from the first televised debate on Tuesday night, which Sunak used to attack Starmer over taxes and one poll handed the premier a narrow victory, has already dissipated. Next week theres an opportunity to get some traction with voters with the publication of the partys manifesto of electoral promises. The main new announcement is a cut to the property stamp duty for first-time buyers, a person who has seen the document said. There is unlikely to be any pledge to cut inheritance tax or income tax, although it is possible they could be considered later in the campaign, they added. The Telegraph was first to report the stamp duty policy. But for now, the D-Day blunder remains at the fore of the news cycle. One minister said Sunak had drawn more attention to it by apologizing, and that his aides were naive to think the TV debate would affect the polls. Several ministers said Sunak made a catastrophic mistake by calling the snap election, rather than waiting to see if the economy improved. Much of the internal Tory vitriol was aimed at Sunaks strategy of using the opening two weeks of campaigning to target Reform UK voters to try to close the gap with Labour. Some officials said that had demonstrably failed and may even have provoked Farage into reversing his decision not to stand. Thats because the Tories and Reform UK are competing for the votes of older people on the right of politics, and news coverage of World War II veterans telling broadcasters that Sunak had let the country down by skipping a high-profile gathering in Normandy is likely to cut through to that demographic. A snap YouGov poll found 65% of Britons thought Sunak had behaved unacceptably. This political misjudgment seems almost laser-guided in causing Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party as much political pain as humanly possible, said Chris Hopkins, political research director at polling company Savanta. On Friday, Farage questioned Sunaks patriotism in a video posted on the social media platform X, claiming he doesnt really care, frankly, about our culture. It was a sign he is willing to use populist rhetoric reminiscent of his friend Donald Trump to attack the UKs leader of Asian heritage. With Labour so far ahead in the polls, few Tories expect to stay in power after the election. The Labour Party has had its campaign wobbles, especially over candidate selection, though so far nothing on a par with Sunaks struggles. That means much of the Tory focus is on Farage and the threat he poses to the Conservative Party. One minister said they thought Sunak should offer Farage whatever it takes to do a deal with him to stand down Reform candidates, as former premier Boris Johnson did ahead of his big win in the 2019 election. However, an ally of Farage insisted he would never agree a deal because the Tories had reneged on commitments they made as part of that pact. Farage looms large in the conversation about what happens after the election, too. Some moderate Tories worry he will enter Parliament and use it as a platform to pull the Conservative Party further to the right in opposition. Assuming the Tories lose and Sunak stands down or is ousted, candidates at the next Conservative leadership election would likely be asked if theyd welcome Farage into their party, one potential contender told Bloomberg. People on the right of the party such as Priti Patel or Suella Braverman may be in favor, while more moderate voices like Tom Tugendhat would not stomach it, people familiar with their thinking said. A survey of Tory members by the Conservative Home website found seven in ten wanted Farage in their party. If an election defeat precipitated Farage mounting a hostile takeover of the Conservative Party, Sunaks decision to call the election could go down as one of the great miscalculations in British political history, one minister said. Sunak might even come to be seen as worse than Liz Truss, they said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. More than $400,000 in grants funded by Protect Our Reefs license plates More than $400,000 raised through sales of Protect Our Reefs specialty license plates was recently awarded in grants to help restore the Florida Reef Tract. The plate created in 2003 through legislation sponsored by the late Nancy Detert when she was in the state Senate has raised more than $7 million for coral reef restoration and research. While Mote administers the fund, which receives $25 from each tag, the money is awarded through a competitive grant process. Where is the coral reef license plate grant money being spent? A unique component is the competitive grant program associated with this, said Kevin Claridge, Motes vice president for sponsored research and coastal policy programs. Any time you have that, you bring collaborators together. The goal is to help fuel the restoration of the Florida Reef Tract with heat and disease-resistant corals. The funding has gone to 300 projects and 100 partners. Kevin Claridge, vice president for sponsored research and coastal policy programs at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. Here is a sampling of award recipients for this year. Dr. Philip M. Gravinese and his students at Eckerd College are studying the effects of elevated temperature on the physiology of Caribbean king crab larvae. The crabs, bred in a complex at Mote Aquaculture Park, are a key component of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations $100 million plan to restore 3 million square feet of coral on seven iconic reefs in the Florida Reef Tract, dubbed Mission: Iconic Reefs. Florida's coral reefs valued at $8.5 billion Mote Coral Reef Restoration Research Program Manager Dr. Jason Spadaro holds a newborn baby Caribbean king crab during the ribbon cutting and grand opening for Motes Florida Coral Reef Restoration Crab Hatchery Research Center. On an economic level, NOAA attributes the assessed value of Floridas coral reefs at $8.5 billion, contributing to $4.4 billion in local sales, $2 billion in local income, and providing employment for 70,400 individuals in both full-time and part-time positions. The introduction of crabs, which are exclusively herbivores, along with long-spined sea urchins are meant to control the growth of nuisance algae that compete with corals. Dr. Kylie Smith, founder of I.CARE Islamorada Conservation and Education Restoration is studying sponge resistance and resilience during peak hyperthermal stress period. Sponges are key to water filtration. Dr. Matthew Gilg of the University of North Florida is exploring transgenerational environmental memory of thermal stress in brooding coral specifically Porites astreoides, more commonly known as Mustard Hill Coral. Motes state-of-the-art Climate and Acidification Ocean Simulator (CAOS) in the Florida Keys. The system is designed to test how climate change, including ocean acidification and warming temperatures, impact corals. Gilg will conduct his research at Motes Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration in Summerland Key, using the facilitys state-of-the art Climate and Acidification Ocean Simulator (CAOS). Access to that technology, designed to test how climate change, including ocean acidification and warming temperatures impact corals, was a key element of Motes partnership agreement earlier this year with two aquariums in Taiwan and the philanthropic foundation of a leading Taiwanese electronics manufacturer. Dr. James Locascio, a Mote-based scientist who has primarily studied sound related to fish courtship and spawning, will study the sound produced by coral reefs and the underwater community. Using sounds to look at the health of the coral reef is a novel idea that hes leading, Claridge said, adding its surprising to listen to the sound produced on several different reefs and determine why a click present on one reef is absent on another. Theyre different components of the reef system, Claridge said, calling the research recently funded as complementary pieces for the ultimate goal of reef restoration. For information on the Protect our Reefs plate, visit https://mote.org/reef-plate. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Protect Our Reefs funds pay for key reef restoration projects WEBER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A motorcyclist was critically injured in a crash on Trappers Loop Friday, according to the Mountain Green Fire Protection District. On Friday, day crew and volunteer firefighters along with Morgan A121 responded to a motorcycle crash on Trappers Loop which resulted in a medevac helicopter being summoned for life-threatening injuries, officials said. The individual was reportedly airlifted from SR-167 (Trappers Loop Road) in Weber Canyon. The identity of the victim and cause of the crash have not been released at this time. Utah hiker stumbles upon phone, sees recording of woman go missing in river Courtesy of Mountain Green Fire Protection District Courtesy of Mountain Green Fire Protection District This wasnt the first instance that firefighters with the district responded to this week. ts been quite a week for your volunteer and paid firefighters in Mountain Green. We started off the week on Monday with a slew of fire alarms at the Middle School, where the alarms were set off because maintenance was being performed. We also responded to what turned out to be a faulty Carbon Monoxide alarm in a residence in the afternoon, fire officials posted on social media. At night, our volunteer EMTs and firefighters responded to an overdose on psychedelic mushrooms which triggered a possible heart attack. Patient was transported and is doing well. On Tuesday our day crew firefighter/medics responded to a psychiatric/suicide threat, and rendered assistance. Additionally, officials said their firefighters responded to a report of structure fire, in detail, that had been fabricated by a young girl. Fire officials said that with school being out, kids can get bored, and for parents to talk with their children about the seriousness of such an action potentially pulling fire units away from a true emergency. No further information is available at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Motorcyclist dies after crashing into Tesla in Melbourne, police say A motorcyclist was killed in a crash early Saturday in Melbourne, police said. Officers said they responded to the area of West Nasa Boulevard and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard in response to a crash involving a Suzuki motorcycle and a Tesla. An initial investigation revealed that the motorcyclist was traveling eastbound on West Nasa Boulevard while the Tesla driver was traveling westbound on West Nasa Boulevard, attempting to turn onto MLK Jr. Boulevard. Read: Im here to remember 4.9k race honors 49 victims The motorcyclist struck the Tesla as it attempted to complete the turn. As officers arrived at the scene of the crash, they found the motorcyclist had sustained life-threatening injuries. Read: Deputies: Man dies after being shot in Orange County After life-saving measures were performed, the motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim was later identified as 34-year-old Benjamin James Fish Jr. Officers said the investigation is ongoing to determine if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. Read: Firefighters: Bicyclist struck by a car in Seminole County Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. University of Mount Union's doctor of physical therapy program has received a 10-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. University of Mount Unions doctor of physical therapy program has received a 10-year reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The program established in 2016 received the status effective April 30. It first was accredited in 2019. The doctor of physical therapy program boasts an overall National Physical Therapy Exam pass rate of 98.7%, with 100% of licensees employed in the field within six months of graduating. We have a devoted and gifted team whose vision and work enable our program success, a team who are already aiming for the next horizon and all that we have yet to achieve, said Dr. Sheryl Holt, associate professor and director of Mount Unions DPT program. Meanwhile, we celebrate six years of graduates already making a difference in the lives of those they serve." Mount Union is one of only six private institutions in Ohio to offer an accredited DPT program through CAPTE and one of only four private institutions with an early assurance pathway available to its universitys undergraduate students. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Mount Union physical therapy program nets 10-year accreditation WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Three women are recovering Friday evening after each of them was bitten by a shark while in the Florida panhandle. The two incidents happened 4 miles and 90 minutes apart in South Walton County. Around 1 p.m. Friday afternoon, Walton County first responders rushed to the scene of a shark-related incident. A 45-year-old woman was swimming with her husband between the first and second sandbar when she was bitten by a shark. She was transported in critical condition to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. As a trauma patient, she had significant injuries to her lower torso, as well as an amputation to her arm. And so last word, she was in critical condition, South Walton Fire District Chief, Ryan Crawford said. But the attacks didnt stop there. About an hour and a half later a second call came in for another shark bite. This time for two teenagers just four miles east of the first location. Officials said the two girls were about waist-deep in the Gulf with a group of friends. There was a lot of activity movement. And then they too were also bit by shark. They were rapidly brought out of the water. One of those young ladies was transported in critical condition to Ascension Sacred Heart of Pensacola as a trauma patient as well. She had severe injuries to her lower extremities. As well, also as an amputated upper extremity, Crawford said. Several events kicking off in the Panhandle this weekend The other teenager had superficial wounds to her foot and was taken to Ascension Sacred Heart Bay. Officials said shark incidents are not common but even more rare that there were two in such a short time frame. We always talk about the water at dusk and early in the morning, which are typical feeding time for some of these large marine predators. This is an anomaly, everything from it being three victims to where its at. All we can do is respond control what we can control, mitigate what we can, Sheriff Michael Adkinson said. At this time it is unknown what kind of shark or sharks bit the victims or if there are any underlying conditions as to why the sharks may be that close to the shoreline. But Walton County officials will work with experts to try to find a reason. There was a story just the other day about orcas in Destin. You know, I dont know whether the water temperatures warmer or, you know, currents. We dont we dont know what what if theres any kind of or this is just random, you know, circumstance. So try to understand that so that we can better be, you know, educators here for the community, Adkinson added. This is the first reported shark attack in Walton County within the last five years, the last fatal attack was in 2005. Officials also wanted to extend a thank you to bystanders who quickly jumped into action to help treat the victims before emergency officials were on the scene. Bay and Walton counties closed the beaches to the public with double red flags as an added precaution. Bay County will fly purple and single red flags on Saturday. Walton County officials will wait until Saturday morning to make a decision on their flag warning system. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso Branch of the NAACP is hosting a community forum on voter turnout on Saturday, June 8. The forum will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the El Paso Community College Administrative Services Center, Building A, 9050 Viscount. Other organizations that will be participating include: the El Paso County Elections Department; the League of Women Voters; League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC); and El Paso Community College. The purpose of the forum is to educate and inform the community about the importance of voter turnout and registration, according to news release. Every election cycle sees a heightened interest in registering voters. However, thats only the first step in increasing voter turnout. Our department likes to encourage voters to complete the three simple steps when it comes to elections, Register, Research, Remember to Vote, said Lisa Wise, El Paso County Elections administrator. This forum is being conducted to inform, educate, and equip El Paso County voters with the knowledge that they need to understand how important their vote is and why showing up to the polls is so important, according to a news release announcing the event. Our goal is not to tell voters who to vote for but to show how important each and every vote is in each and every election says Carl Dwyer, president of the El Paso NAACP Branch. Information: naacpelpaso@yahoo.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 KTSM 9 News. While not a mind-blowing move, it is good to see that the Singapore Post Limited (SGX:S08) share price has gained 26% in the last three months. But if you look at the last five years the returns have not been good. In fact, the share price is down 49%, which falls well short of the return you could get by buying an index fund. Since shareholders are down over the longer term, lets look at the underlying fundamentals over the that time and see if they've been consistent with returns. Check out our latest analysis for Singapore Post In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. During the five years over which the share price declined, Singapore Post's earnings per share (EPS) dropped by 15% each year. Notably, the share price has fallen at 12% per year, fairly close to the change in the EPS. This suggests that market participants have not changed their view of the company all that much. Rather, the share price change has reflected changes in earnings per share. The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). We know that Singapore Post has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? This free report showing analyst revenue forecasts should help you figure out if the EPS growth can be sustained. What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, Singapore Post's TSR for the last 5 years was -43%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. A Different Perspective It's good to see that Singapore Post has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 6.7% in the last twelve months. Of course, that includes the dividend. That certainly beats the loss of about 7% per year over the last half decade. This makes us a little wary, but the business might have turned around its fortunes. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Singapore Post you should know about. Story continues We will like Singapore Post better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of undervalued stocks (mostly small caps) with considerable, recent, insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Singaporean exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Hunter Bidens daughter Naomi Biden took the stand at his trial Friday. Her testimony came after an emotional three days in the courtroom. While Hunters ex-wife and former love interests painted a grim picture of his drug use before and around the time he purchased a .38 caliber revolver, as he allegedly lied on a federal background form to obtain the gun in October 2018, Naomi Biden painted a contrasting picture. She was the defenses first witness. The presidents granddaughter said Hunter just seemed really great when she had lunch with him at a rehab facility in California in the summer of 2018. I hadnt seen my dad in a really long time, she said, according to CNN. Naomi said she knew her father was battling addiction after the death of his brother, Beau Biden, in 2015. The prosecution questioned her about her visit to New York in October 2018, and whether she knew what her father was up to. Do you know what your father was doing at 2 a.m. and why he was asking for the car then? prosecutor Leo Wise asked her, to which she responded she didnt, per USA Today. He showed her text messages between her and her father from this time, where Naomi writes, I cant take this. I miss you so much. I just want to hang out with you. I am sorry Ive been so unreachable. It is not fair to you, Hunter replied. Still, Naomi maintained she felt hopeful about her dads efforts to get sober. Hunters daughter was teary-eyed when leaving the courtroom after her testimony was over. First lady Jill Biden and Melissa Cohen Biden, Hunters wife, also left shortly after her. She also testified she drove her fathers car in October 2018, but didnt find a gun or any drugs. Hallie Biden, Beaus widowed wife who was romantically involved with Hunter between 2015 and 2016, said in court Thursday she threw out drugs and a firearm from Hunters car. Although James Biden was expected to testify, he was not called and the prosecution rested its case. Earlier in the day, the prosecution called FBI forensic chemist Jason Brewer and DEA special agent Joshua Romig to the stand. Brewer said cocaine residue was identified on the pouch that Hallie Biden used to dispose of Hunters gun at a grocery store trash can. The sample wasnt tested for drugs until last year, and it has never been tested for fingerprints. The defense argued this pouch didnt belong to Hunter. Meanwhile, Romig in his testimony went through drug-related terms, like baby powder he found in Hunters tests. As per CNN, they are two of the 10 witnesses the prosecutors called. The defense continued arguing that there isnt any direct evidence that ties the presidents son to any drug use around the time he bought the gun. RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The race for North Carolina governor is projected to be one of the hottest contests in the country. Experts anticipate 10s of millions of dollars will be poured into the race between Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and Attorney General Josh Stein. According to nonpartisan Cook Political Report, it has become a toss-up. A last-minute change to a bill by state Republicans amends campaign finance laws in the state. The US is making its biggest push yet to get Israel and Hamas to halt fighting. Is it succeeding? This bill is nothing but one more step in a long journey to undermine the peoples faith and confidence in free and fair elections, said Democrat Sen. Michael Garrett, representing Guilford County. A new proposal from Republican lawmakers could change the way donations are made and spent. State Democrats walked out before the vote Thursday, leaving empty seats, and just 28 members remaining. It levels the playing field so that both Republicans, Republican and Democrat, national organizations can bring can actually donate money to state parties in the same way, said Republican Sen. Phil Berger (Guilford and Rockingham). State law currently bans corporations and labor unions from giving directly to a candidate, but added to House Bill 237, which primarily targets the use of facemasks during protests, in an amendment to political donations. NC Sen. Phil Berger. Well, the big deal is that it allows the state candidates to control how the money is spent and what the messages are with those ads, rather than allowing the outside organizations to run their own ads and say what they want, said UNC Charlotte political science professor Eric Heberlig. So, it gives North Carolina politicians control over how that money is used. Heberlig says the concern is that companies will be allowed to donate directly to an individual candidate, potentially putting pressure on those running. A primary concern with donors giving money to candidates is that then the candidate will do what the donor wants rather than what voters want, he said. The House was set to vote on this, but it delayed a vote until next 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 Queen City News. Republican governor candidates Tammy Miller and Kelly Armstrong. (Photos provided) Republican candidates for North Dakota governor said it was unacceptable for the Fargo school superintendent to not enforce a law that affects transgender students, but the candidates differed in how theyd respond. U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong and Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller were asked during the final debate ahead of Tuesdays primary about Fargo Superintendent Rupak Gandhis decision to not enforce a law approved by legislators in 2023. The law, House Bill 1522, prevents transgender K-12 students from using restrooms that align with their gender identity. It also prevents schools from withholding information about a students transgender status from parents and has provisions related to preferred pronouns. More election news For more coverage of the June 11 primary, visit our North Dakota Election 2024 page. Gandhi told the Fargo School Board the state law may be in violation of federal law and said the district planned to prioritize whats best for students, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead reported last year. Miller said, if she were elected governor, her office would definitely get involved, but was unsure on what her specific corrective action would be. A superintendent should not be allowed to make that decision, she said during the debate hosted by WZFG The Flag. This is a law that we have on the books and we have it on the books to protect our children and families. Armstrong said the best way to deal with a rogue superintendent is to call the Legislature and take away money from the district. You dont only get to follow the laws you like, Armstrong said. If a law is passed by the Legislature, it absolutely has to be followed. Miller said taking away funding from an entire school district would punish students and she didnt believe that was a viable option. I think there needs to be an approach for consequence with that superintendent and with the school board, not necessarily impacting the students, Miller said. Republican governor candidates Kelly Armstrong, from top left, and Tammy Miller debate June 7, 2024, in Fargo, with moderators Steve Hallstrom, bottom left, and Scott Hennen. (Screenshot) Armstrong said laws need consequences. Writing something into code that makes you feel better without any enforcement mechanism is actually bad policymaking, Armstrong said. The candidates also differed on grading North Dakotas COVID-19 response. Miller said she began working in state government on April 1, 2020 and, within her first week, she was embedded with National Guard units and working on the COVID-19 mission. She rated North Dakotas response to the pandemic evenly and said the states response wasnt as strict, or too loose, compared to other states in the region. It was a 100-year pandemic and no one gave us a playbook, Miller said. Our business closures, our school closures, were some of the shortest in the country. Armstrong said everyone in government deserved some leeway during the pandemics early months due to its novel nature, but the public lost trust in its leaders as the months dragged on. I do think that when you are a small town business owner and you are not allowed to have your business open, but you are allowed to go to Walmart, or Target we really created an animosity, Armstrong said. Civil liberties only matter when they matter. The candidates also debated how to address mental health challenges across the state at a time when its difficult to find licensed professionals to take those counseling positions. Armstrong said providers should expand tele-health offerings. We have to deliver these services with the services we have, not the services we wish we had, Armstrong said. There are not enough people going to college right now to fill the open mental health, addiction counseling, school counseling positions that exist in the entire country. He added a public-private partnership student loan buydown program with a three-year commitment to a rural community would incentivize the workforce. Miller said the state needs to address licensure requirements for mental health professionals. She added she knows several people in the mental health field who are working under supervision even though they have more than 20 years of experience. Why are they qualified to practice in Nebraska for 20 years and they cant practice in the state of North Dakota? Miller said. She said shed like to see universal licensure across an array of career fields to make it easier for professionals to relocate. In his closing statement, Armstrong highlighted how proud he was to be North Dakotan. This place is really special and we need to make sure we can continue to grow, continue to give those opportunities, he said. But we have to make sure we do it our way. Because our way is pretty damn good. Miller said shes traveled to more than 50 communities during the campaign and learned a lot from school teachers, business leaders and curious individuals at every stop. Weve listened, weve learned and well take that learning to the governors office, Miller said. Now is the time for voters to decide. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post NDGOP governor candidates show subtle differences in last debate before June 11 primary appeared first on North Dakota Monitor. Neanderthal genes seen in modern humans may have entered our DNA through an interval of interbreeding starting about 47,000 years ago that lasted nearly 7,000 years, new research finds. Neanderthals were among the closest extinct relatives of modern humans ( Homo sapiens ), with the ancestors of both lineages diverging about 500,000 years ago. More than a decade ago, scientists revealed that Neanderthals interbred with the ancestors of modern humans who migrated out of Africa. Today, the genomes of modern human populations outside Africa contain about 1% to 2% of Neanderthal DNA. Researchers are still unsure about when and where Neanderthal DNA made its way into the modern human genome. For instance, did Neanderthals and modern humans intermingle at one specific place and time outside Africa, or did they interbreed at many places and times? To solve this mystery, researchers analyzed more than 300 modern human genomes spanning the past 45,000 years. These included samples from 59 individuals who lived between 2,200 and 45,000 years ago and 275 diverse present-day modern humans. The scientists posted their findings on the BioRxiv preprint database. (As the study is currently under review for potential publication in a scientific journal, the study's authors declined to comment.) The scientists focused on how much Neanderthal DNA they could see in these modern human samples. By comparing how the level of Neanderthal ancestry varied in modern human DNA across different locations and times, they could estimate when Neanderthals and modern humans interbred, and for how long. Related: 'More Neanderthal than human': How your health may depend on DNA from our long-lost ancestors The best explanation for most Neanderthal DNA seen in the modern human genome was a single major period of interbreeding about 47,000 years ago that lasted about 6,800 years, the researchers found. As modern humans started leaving Africa at least 194,000 years ago, a likely place for them to encounter Neanderthals was western Asia, where Africa connects with Eurasia, Chris Stringer , a paleoanthropologist at the Natural History Museum in London who was not involved in the new study, told Live Science. Modern humans bearing Neanderthal ancestry could have then dispersed across the globe, he noted. The scientists also investigated how Neanderthal DNA persisted in the modern human genome over time. The longer a chunk of Neanderthal DNA lasted, the more likely it bestowed some kind of evolutionary benefit to modern humans. Conversely, Neanderthal DNA that got weeded out quickly likely conferred some type of evolutionary disadvantage. The researchers found the Neanderthal genes that lasted are linked to skin color, metabolism and the immune system , likely providing some kind of immediate benefit to modern humans as they encountered new evolutionary pressures outside Africa. Given the rate at which most Neanderthal DNA was eliminated from the modern human genome, the study estimated that when the newly identified period of interbreeding ended, more than 5% of the modern human genome was Neanderthal in origin. In other words, "about one in 20 parents in our ancestral population was a Neanderthal," Fernando Villanea , a population geneticist at the University of Colorado Boulder who did not take part in this study, told Live Science. Rajiv McCoy , a population geneticist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore who did not participate in this new work, told Live Science that interbreeding between Neanderthals and modern humans may have also taken place at other times, but that these did not leave any lasting traces in the modern human gene pool. For instance, a modern human jaw from about 37,000 to 42,000 years ago found in Romania in 2002 possesses Neanderthal DNA not seen in other modern human genomes, which may reflect an interbreeding event "that did not contribute to contemporary human diversity," according to McCoy. Stringer noted that prior research suggested that the interbreeding that introduced Neanderthal DNA into the modern human genome took place between 50,000 and 60,000 years ago. The new estimate of 47,000 years ago "has implications for Homo sapiens dispersals outside of Africa, because all extant [living] populations outside of Africa Chinese, Native Americans, Indonesians, Native Australians and so on carry the signs of this event, which therefore constrains when their ancestors began to disperse, to less than roughly 47,000 years ago," Stringer said. RELATED STORIES When did Homo sapiens first appear? Our mixed-up human family: 8 human relatives that went extinct (and 1 that didn't) What's the difference between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens? However, "there is archaeological evidence of human occupation in northern Australia about 65,000 years ago," Stringer said. "So either that evidence is wrong; the populations were Homo sapiens but they went extinct or were swamped by a later dispersal; or the population was not, in fact, Homo sapiens." The latter possibility "seems much less likely given the complex behavior implied by the evidence, but would be a huge bombshell, of course." Curiously, the exchange of DNA appears to have been one way meaning modern human DNA seems to have not entered Neanderthal genomes. "There is little evidence of gene flow in the reverse direction at this time that is, Homo sapiens to Neanderthal," Stringer noted. "Maybe it did happen but we haven't yet detected it. Or perhaps it did not happen, with implications for the behavior of the two populations." Or perhaps such hybrids were less successful for some reason, he noted for instance, perhaps they were less healthy, or less fertile. Rep Marvin Abney, House Finance chairman and Newport Democrat, introduces the revised fiscal 2025 budget articles to the House floor on Friday, June 7, 2025. (Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current) Finalizing the states annual spending plan is often a contentious, drawn-out process. Not this year. A $13.96 billion fiscal 2025 budget breezed through the Rhode Island House of Representatives Friday night. The 69-5 vote came after a mere 3 1/2 hours of discussion that included high praise for funding of critical and often contested issues like state pensions for retirees, K-12 education and health care provider rates. Through this budget, we are emphasizing education at every level and supporting children, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said in a statement Friday night. This budget is the result of a truly collaborative process between my colleagues here in the House, the dedicated members of the House Finance Committee, our partners in the Senate and Governor McKee and his team to carefully create a plan that meets Rhode Islands needs for education, students and children first, while addressing our challenges, such as housing and health care. The $13.96 billion spending plan falls just shy of the $14 billion high water mark that characterized fiscal 2024s approved spending plan, but is $271 million more than what Gov. Dan McKee proposed in January. Four of the nine Republican members, including House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale, also voted for the revised spending plan. Chippendale credited Shekarchi and the leadership team for giving deference, and a listening ear, to his partys priorities. House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale, a Foster Republican. (Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current) This has improved the process Ive come to know over the last 14 years, Chippendale, of Foster, said. While this is the work product of high times, I suspect we will have more challenges in the future. Indeed, the revised spending plan relies on the windfall federal pandemic aid to fill gaps at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections and Rhode Island Public Transit Authority while also making use of federal relief on urgent crises like homelessness and the estimated $400 million price tag to demolish and rebuild the Interstate 195 Washington Bridge. But with the federal deadline to commit American Rescue Plan Act dollars looming at the end of the calendar year, lawmakers and budget analysts have warned that tough choices lie ahead. For that reason lawmakers nixed some of the tax and borrowing proposals McKee pitched. Among the discards: a $50 reduction in the corporate minimum tax, which would have helped an estimated 70,000 business entities in the state. Also on the cutting room floor: a last-minute pitch by McKee to overhaul how the state calculates bank income taxes ostensibly aimed at keeping locally headquartered Citizens Bank from uprooting its employee base to tax-friendlier pastures across the border. No lawmaker attempted to resuscitate the Citizens Bank tax rewrite Friday, despite a dire warning from the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce that the state could and would lose one of its top employers if the tax change was not included. Speaking to reporters Friday night after the budget vote, Shekarchi said he was still in talks with bank leaders and state officials, with the possibility of returning ahead of the January 2025 legislative session to incorporate the tax change for Citizens. While the budget historically is not changed after the House vote with the subsequent Senate review more of a perfunctory stamp of approval Shekarchi also hinted that a last-minute policy update was still on the table. Its not over till the last gavel bangs, he said. Legislation introduced in March by Rep. Joe Solomon, a Warwick Democrat, offers the tax policy change to achieve the same end though without the necessary budget funding and remains under review in the House Committee on Finance as of Friday night. Republicans George Nardone, of Coventry, and Patricia Morgan, of West Warwick, insisted the revised spending plan did not go far enough to help small businesses and residents suffering the brunt of rising expenses. They were among the five Republicans to vote against the budget, joining Robert Quattrocchi, Brian Rea and Sherry Roberts. Despite Republican reluctance on the overall revised spending plan, several of the most hotly debated articles of the budget were met with unanimous support, including education, medical services and pensions. More money for education, Medicaid providers On education, the revised spending plan makes sweeping changes to the much-maligned education funding formula that determines state aid for K-12 schools, adding in money for multilingual learners along with extra funds to offset a decrease in federal aid. The $70.9 million increase in state education aid is $33.8 million more than what McKee proposed in January. The troubled Providence Public School District, which has remained under state control since 2019, will get an $11.7 million boost, compared with the $300,000 cut it would have seen under McKees budget proposal. PPSD cannot hide behind the excuse of having insufficient funding in order to ensure our schools are well-staffed, Rep. David Morales, a Providence Democrat, said Friday. Meanwhile, the updated budget adds $100 million to what McKee proposed for rate hikes to Medicaid providers who work in behavioral, community and at-home care settings. The full $160 million cost ensures that providers will get the long-awaited payment rates recommended by the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner in a single year, rather than the three-year phase-in McKee had planned. This is the first step, in my opinion, to really fixing our health care crisis, especially in a way that addresses some of our most vulnerable constituents, said Rep. Enrique Sanchez, a Providence Democrat. This body is treating it with the urgency it needs and deserves. Some state retirees see cost-of-living increases Karen Karten, a retired teacher, urges lawmakers to bring back cost-of-living increases for pensioners during debate on the fiscal 2025 budget on Friday, June 7, 2025. (Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current) The accolades parade marched on as lawmakers across the political spectrum heaped praise upon the advocates and policy team behind a partial reinstatement of cost-of-living increases for retired state workers and teachers. Rep. Charlene Lima, a Cranston Democrat and retired teacher, has been one of the most vocal critics of the 2011 pension reforms that suspended annual cost-of-living increases for retirees, accusing those who supported it of pension robbery. Lima adopted a decidedly different tone Friday in light of the spending plans inclusion of $27.5 million for pension plan revisions, including reinstating annual, compounded cost-of-living increases for the 19,000 retirees who stopped working before the 2011 reforms took effect. Ive been fighting for years to get retirees the justice they deserved, Lima said. Until today, weve not seen a substantial effort to correct this injustice. She continued, We will continue to do more to get retirees what they deserve next session. Shekarchi, however, told reporters in a later interview that he was making no commitments for next year, including additional money for retirees. The fiscal 2025 spending plan also reduces the target funding ratio at which time COLAs would be universally revived from 80% funding to 75% funding a change unlikely to affect the 2030 date of achieving this funding balance, according to the Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer. While Treasurer James Diossa said he supported the pension changes, he also cautioned that the projected $417 million increase in the pension shortfall and potential future debt service could weaken the states bond rating. Shekarchi dismissed Diossas concerns regarding state bond ratings Friday. On borrowing, the House spending plan calls for $343.5 million in state issued bonds to be put before voters on the November ballot across four questions. The largest, a $160.5 million borrowing proposal, would pay for a Biomedical Sciences Building for the University of Rhode Island, and a separate Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies at Rhode Island College. Meanwhile, a separate $120 million housing bond the largest in state history offers money for housing production, revitalization and home ownership, including up to $10 million for a state public housing developer. An amendment approved Friday shifts $10 million from the bucket for affordable housing production to unspecified home ownership programs, which could include the popular down payment assistance program created and quickly spent last year. A $53 million green economy bond was updated to give some green for state forest and farm preservation ($13 million) while money to help rebuild the Newport Cliff Walk was trimmed from $8 million to $3 million to account for a newly awarded federal grant. Secretary of State Gregg Amores wish for a $60 million bond to help pay for a new state archive building was axed entirely, but a new, $10 million arts bond was tacked on, though the proposal was met with mixed reviews by the arts community. Clouded conversation on flavored vapes Perhaps the most heated debate, though rising only to a slight simmer, was e-cigarette products, or vapes. The spending plan preserves (with some modifications) McKees proposal to tax vape products and increase cigarette taxes by 25 cents per pack. It also codifies language enacted under a 2019 executive order banning sale of flavored vapes. While technically already outlawed, a handful of lawmakers, including Morgan and Sanchez questioned whether the flavor ban would hurt smoking cessation efforts, echoing comments made by vape users and former smokers earlier this year. An attempt to revive flavored vape sales for adults over 18 was defeated, in part because it would conflict with the regulations already on the books though not yet incorporated into state law. I find it very disingenuous that the only salvation for individuals struggling to quit is through use of flavored vapes, Rep. Teresa Tanzi, a South Kingstown Democrat, said. The revised budget brings back menthol-flavored offerings, but keeps fruity options like bubble gum and cotton candy off-limits, while ramping up enforcement against retailers who flout the rules. Our kids will be safer tomorrow, or whenever the budget is signed, than they are today, Tanzi said. Several other Republican-backed amendments, including to add an inspector general within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and to end the contested motion picture tax credit program also failed, with votes mostly along party lines. Other key provisions of the revised spending plan include $84 million from various funds, including unspent federal aid and state long-term capital projects money, to cover the state share of the Washington Bridge rebuild $60 million to the Department of Children, Youth and Families including money to increase pay to contracted support providers $15 million for RIPTA, not enough to cover its entire $18.1 million shortfall but sufficient to stave off service cuts, as the state transit agency confirmed in its own announcement Thursday $1 million to start a new medical debt program helping low-income residents pay off longstanding medical debt $500,00 to pay for providing municipal fire and emergency services to Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, replacing money previously given by the Rhode Island Airport Corp. but no longer permissible following a federal audit $60,000 for the Rhode Island Fire Academy to provide training on dealing with lithium ion battery fires The Rhode Island Senate is expected to take up the revised fiscal 2025 spending plan the week of June 10. A new budget must be approved before the fiscal year starts on July 1. The post Nearly-$14B budget plan breezes through Rhode Island House on 69-5 vote Friday appeared first on Rhode Island Current. A thief stole a gold nugget worth $82,100, and the Long Beach Police Department is asking for the publics help in tracking down the culprit and recovering the precious metal. The nugget was stolen at about 11:45 a.m. Thursday from the Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., according to LBPD spokesperson Richard Mejia. According to the Convention Centers website, the 60th annual Long Beach Expo is being held at that location this weekend. The collectibles show caters to collectors of all kinds, the site added. stolen gold nugget Surveillance video captured a man apparently taking the gold from a display booth. Police did not identify the victim, but a flyer asking for the publics help said anyone with information should call Bob Campbell of Robert Campbell Rare Coins of Salt Lake City. Campbell can be reached at 801-467-8636 or 801-414-6623. A $10,000 reward is available for help in tracking down the precious metal. The nugget has a mass of 821 grams, which is more than 1.8 pounds, and it was reportedly found in the Yolo River near Weed, California years ago, according to documentation describing the nugget. It is just under 90% pure gold, 6% silver and 4% copper. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An elite mountaineer has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by at least two women, prompting calls to ban him from Mount Everest. Former Miss Finland Lotta Hintsa and April Leonardo from California have accused Nirmal Nims Purja, who was the subject of a 2021 Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible, of sexual misconduct during their expeditions with him. The allegations were reported by the New York Times last week and shook the mountaineering community. Mr Purja has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. They also led to calls by lawmakers in Nepal, where Mr Purja is originally from, to ban him from entering the country, thereby revoking his right to the Everest. Ms Hintsa and Ms Leonardo made allegations of unsettling incidents of sexual assault and harassment with the famous climber, who in 2021 embarked on a quest to summit all 14 of the worlds 8,000-metre peaks in seven months. In a statement posted on Instagram, the climber said he had instructed his legal team to move forward with the next steps in proceedings against the publication. After the allegations against Mr Purja, who is also known as Nimsdai, were published, the mountaineering community came out in support of the two women even as Nepali lawmaker Rajendra Bajgain called on his government to ban the climber from entering the country. Speaking in parliament earlier this week, Mr Bajgain alleged that Mr Purja had tarnished Nepals image, The Himalayan Times reported. We owe it to our visitors and everyone in Nepal to ensure they feel safe and can trust our authorities. I will be advocating for such investigations because no one is above the law. Ensuring safety and trust in Nepalese law is essential for our countrys reputation and the continued success of our tourism industry. Finnish model and Ms World Lotta Hinsta sharing her trauma of sexual harassment by Nepali Nirmal Purja of Elite Expd. Such incident by Nims with Dr Leonardo also happened on K2 in Pakistan. He should be banned in Pak @GovtofPakistan @csgbpk @KrisAnnapurna @aisha4climate pic.twitter.com/NbuqFlOaak The Northerner (@northerner_the) June 1, 2024 Mr Purja earlier accused Nepali sherpas of cutting ropes on expeditions and the mountaineering community of playing dirty politics. Nepals tourism ministry denied that ropes were cut on the way to the Everest summit and instead launched an investigation. Mr Purja reportedly lives in the United Kingdom and has British citizenship. Many climbers and organisations have demanded action against Mr Purja and urged his sponsors to cut ties. Celebrated American climber Alison Levine said she had been waiting for over a year for this story to break. A guiding company called AWE Expeditions, which is owned and operated by women, said they were deeply troubled by the reports of Nims perpetrating sexual violence against women in the mountains. MP Rajendra Bargain demanded to ban climber Nirmal Purja from coming to Nepal for his involvement in a few alleged crimes. The MP accused him of defaming Nepal by sexually harassing climbers, misusing Nepali citizenship card to climb mountains and defaming the Sherpa community. pic.twitter.com/FFGK8oPETF Bhadra Sharma (@bhadrarukum) June 4, 2024 One of his major sponsors, Osprey Packs, an American outdoor backpack company, has reportedly withdrawn sponsorship. Osprey is aware of the recent allegations made against mountaineer Nirmal Purja. He is no longer an Osprey ambassador, a company spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Himalayan Times. A prominent name in mountain climbing, Mr Purja has collaborated with several major brands like Red Bull and Nike, which released a clothing line called 8K Peaks inspired by him. He was also featured on a Manhattan billboard and received an honorary doctorate from Loughborough University. Other outdoor brands like Grivel and Scarpa have partnered with him on co-branded products. Scarpa said in a statement that it had suspended all marketing and promotional activities, both online and offline. We will monitor the situation closely and adopt business decisions as the matter develops, always in line with our values. @nytimes article reveals disturbing accounts of sexual harassment in climbing world. British climber Nirmal Purja @nimsdai faces allegations from women climbers for sexually abusing. #Climbing #SexualHarassment #NirmalPurja pic.twitter.com/ELND7rajAV Shressh (@shressh) June 6, 2024 Grivel removed all images and products associated with Mr Purja from their Instagram account. The company announced on Thursday that they had suspended their collaboration with Mr Purja and ceased promoting and selling related products. The Women of Mountaineering group also lent their support to the two women and said they were working towards changing the gender dynamics in the mountaineering community. Mr Purja is not new to controversy. A 2023 GQ profile titled The Controversial King of Hardcore Climbing detailed how his quest to scale all 14 of the planets 8,000-metre peaks in record time propelled him to global fame and sparked debate within the climbing community about his methods and impact. However, the allegations were not sexual in nature. Renowned professional mountaineer Adrian Ballinger took to social media in the wake of allegations against Mr Purja and demanded zero tolerance for sexual assault. Ive always believed our job is to mitigate risks in the mountains where we can and then honestly acknowledge risks we cannot control, and choose whether we continue, he said on Instagram. Sexual predation is a danger we can not only mitigate, we can join together to ensure we have zero tolerance for in our community. Mr Purjas team responded to The Independents request for a comment with the following statement: While many people have added their voices to this discourse we would like people to understand they have only heard half the story they do not know the full facts. The publications story makes allegations, these are NOT facts. Nims denies these allegations unequivocally. We maintain the investigation by the publication was biased and had a pre-determined narrative and outcome. The publication left out parts of key witness testimonies and information which would have rendered the allegations totally impossible. The context these testimonies would have given to the piece was not printed, and the publication left out Nims full statement and those of the witnesses, (who for the record included employees, but the majority were not employees.) This led to an article that shows unbelievable malice and bias against Nims. It presented allegations as fact this is incorrect and untrue. To be clear, Nims unequivocally denies the allegations. While we understand womens safety is an emotive topic and a hugely important one in all spaces not just the outdoor industry allegation, speculation and rumour should not be able to override the legal process. For society to function it must be fair and unbiased. The legal presumption is innocent until proven guilty the outcome should not be judged in the court of public opinion, or the arena of likes, shares and clickbait headlines. Nims is committed to championing diversity and inclusion in the Big Mountain environment and he has spent his professional mountaineering career doing just that. Safety is his key priority and he has devoted his climbing career to helping people achieve their mountaineering dreams. Nims would like to thank everyone who has supported him and stood by him we have full faith the truth will prevail. If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can contact your nearest Rape Crisis organisation for specialist, independent and confidential support. For more information, visit their website here. If social media is the equivalent of a weapon of mass destruction, then Jack Dorsey would be a contender for the digital eras Robert Oppenheimer. Speaking at the 16th annual Oslo Freedom Forum on Wednesday, the remorseful Twitter cofounder expressed how conflicted he felt at his own creation born out of the noble ideals of open-source protocols before becoming corrupted by the realities of needing to survive in a competitive marketplace. And he had a warning: Social media and internet companies that grew into trillion-dollar behemoths by discovering content in the vast, unorganized expanse of the internet and curating it to maximize user engagement are just the first manifestation of this danger. What Facebook and Google were for the Web, companies like OpenAI are for the coming era of artificial general intelligence. AI tools will know us better than we know ourselves and, either through design or default, influence our thinking at a subconscious level, even if their algorithms are made transparent. This is going to sound a little bit crazy, but I think the free speech debate is a complete distraction right now. I think the real debate should be about free will, he said in Norways capital of Oslo, home of the Nobel Peace Prize. We are being programmed. We are being programmed based on what we say were interested in, and were told through these discovery mechanisms what is interestingand as we engage and interact with this content, the algorithm continues to build more and more of this bias. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaZyXEU5XAg Dorsey, who left the board of microblogging platform BlueSky to endorse Elon Musks rival X last month, received moral support from the serial entrepreneur who purchased his creation for $44 billion in November 2022, only to refashion it in his own image, complete with mass firings and a total strategic rebranding. Yeah, Jack is right, the Tesla CEO posted on Wednesday. According to Dorsey, revealing the underlying code, as Musk has done with X, to create transparency and build trust wont help either. Even if an algorithm is open-source, it remains effectively a black box in his view. Not only is it impossible to model and predict how it works and what its going to show you in any given instance, but it can be changed at any time, the Twitter cofounder argued. Because people have become so dependent on it, its actually changing and impacting the agency we have, Dorsey warned. We can resist it all we want, but it knows us better than we know us, because we tell it our preferences implicitly and explicitly all the time, and it just feels super dangerous to continue to rely on that. Story continues Restore agency through a marketplace of algorithms The only answer, in Dorseys view, is to create a marketplace of algorithms that return choice to users about which black boxes they find the most trustworthy while granting them the ability to seamlessly switch from one to another at a moments notice depending on their needsor even build their own. This need to find a solution only becomes even more pressing as we move forward, since what a neural network like OpenAIs GPT-4 is at its most basic level is an algorithm harnessing data scraped from the internet using hundreds of billions of parameters. In the past, the risk was ameliorated through the constant publishing of AI science to benefit all of humankindopen-sourcing the research models, in other words. Yet these days have all but ended as OpenAIs November 2022 release of ChatGPT fired the starting shot in a race among a handful of corporations to commercialize the technology. Yup Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 7, 2024 Five companies are building tools that we will all become entirely dependent upon, Dorsey said. And because theyre so complicated, we have no idea how to verify the correctness, we have no idea how to verify how they work, [or] what theyre actually doing, Dorsey didnt name them, but he likely meant OpenAI along with partner Microsoft, Googles DeepMind, Meta, and Amazon-backed Anthropic. He may have also potentially included xAI, as he warned against becoming dependent on any one CEO, such as Sam Altmanbut, ironically, Elon Musk as well. Whether the owner of X and xAI meant to endorse that as well, however, is questionable. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com New Hampshires 26 hospitals stand to lose millions in state payments for uncompensated care with the collapse Thursday of negotiations between the governor, lawmakers, and the hospitals. With a deadline fast approaching and a legislative fix seemingly off the table, a frustrated Gov. Chris Sununu has ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to arrange even deeper cuts to the hospitals than he initially offered. By one estimate, the loss to hospitals could reach $35 million a year. Steve Ahnen, president of the New Hampshire Hospital Association, called Sununus plan a direct threat to the hospitals. Steve Ahnen, president of the New Hampshire Hospital Association. The governor scuttled a bipartisan solution on (Medicaid tax payments) in favor of massive, arbitrary and punitive cuts to hospitals, he said in a statement Thursday evening. In doing so, the governor is effectively raising the tax paid by hospitals, driving costs up for patients, and destabilizing our entire health care system. Ahnen did not say how hospitals intend to respond or whether they will take the state to court as they have twice before. Senate President Jeb Bradley, who shepherded the now-failed compromise through the Senate, warned the same. The viability of hospitals is at stake, he told his House counterparts Thursday. At the end of the day, our health care system, I think, is at stake. At issue is the nearly $320 million hospitals pay the state in Medicaid Enhancement Taxes (MET) annually. The state receives a federal match on that money and returns 91 percent of it to hospitals to help them cover primarily uncompensated medical care costs. This money is separate from the Medicaid reimbursements they get that cover part of their treatment costs. The current arrangement, which was reached in 2018 as part of a lawsuit filed by the hospitals, expires at the end of June. Hoping to avoid another lawsuit from the hospitals, Bradley began negotiating late last year with hospitals, the governor, and other stakeholders on a legislative fix. Those negotiations took far longer than expected, Bradley said, so much so that the Senate passed its legislation just two weeks ago without time to let the House review it and hold its own public hearing. Had that legislation succeeded, it appeared unlikely Sununu would have signed it. Sununu said he was willing to continue returning 91 percent of the MET revenue to hospitals but wanted to distribute it differently. Those changes would have allowed the state to get a more generous match from the federal government, money Sununu wanted to give to non-hospital providers who care for Medicaid patients but do not pay the tax, including community mental health centers and substance use disorder clinics. But Sununus plan would have left some hospitals with more money and some with less. For example, under one proposal, Lakes Regional General Hospital would have lost $2.5 million a year while Elliot Hospital would have gained nearly $2.9 million. The hospitals objected to Sununus proposal and reached a compromise with the Senate. Under that deal, they would continue getting the 91 percent and an additional $14.3 million to make up for the lost revenue. About $5.7 million of that would have been state dollars, the rest federal. Sununu said in a statement this week he was fundamentally opposed to using state money to boost the hospitals payments. That deal fell apart Thursday when House and Senate negotiators decided they could not reach an agreement before they meet a final time next week. For House members, it was largely because the Senates legislation, tacked onto House Bill 1593, reached them so late. Everybody knew this deadline was coming, Deputy House Speaker Steve Smith, a Charlestown Republican, said Thursday during negotiations. Why didnt you start working earlier so that it could have gone through the proper process and maybe Id be sitting here with a smile and a yes today. But thats not what happened. Like Sununu, Smith said the House could support much of the bill but not the measure giving hospitals an additional $5.7 million in state money. Bradley acknowledged Smiths complaint about the late hour but implored his House counterparts to sign on, warning them it would cost the state far more if the hospitals take it back to court. Its really nobodys fault that we are here on June 6 at the deadline (for negotiations), Bradley said. This is complicated. Its contentious. Its been subject to litigation. A lot of money is at stake. Sununu weighed in on the Senates proposal indirectly Wednesday in a letter to DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver, which he shared publicly. He directed Weaver to tell federal Medicaid officials that the state would be returning only 80 percent of the MET revenue to hospitals. He did so, he wrote, in anticipation of legislation failing. And as he has done consistently, Sununu blamed the hospitals for insisting on a deal that he said would prevent the state from giving non-hospital providers Medicaid funding and leveraging a higher financial match from the federal government. The hospitals have remained insistent upon an arrangement which crowds out other providers and greatly diminishes general fund savings. Ahnen responded in a statement late Wednesday. The proposal put forward by the governor results in an effective tax increase to those New Hampshire hospitals losing money over the current agreement, at a time when they are struggling financially, he said. This story was originally published by the New Hampshire Bulletin. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH hospitals, Gov. Sununu, lawmakers in standoff with big stakes New Hampshires top elections official is signaling his support for a Republican-backed measure that would alter how first-time voters register. The bill in question would mandate new voters in the state arrive at the polls with proof they are qualified to vote including documentation that they are U.S. citizens. At a hearing Wednesday where lawmakers were trying to find agreement on the final details of the legislation, Secretary of State David Scanlan said it is not an unreasonable change to the current process. I dont think that it is voter suppression or too much to ask voters to be able to give that confidence that theyre qualified to vote, Scanlan said. There are limits: I mean, it can go to an extreme in either direction, but I believe that asking for qualifications is not unreasonable. At the same time, Scanlan acknowledged that the changes which would take effect immediately, if they become law would require his office to quickly roll out a series of training sessions for local election officials. I agree that what is being asked is a significant new program, and it will require effort on the part of local election officials to be trained on this new process so that they understand it, he said. Until now, Scanlan had not spoken publicly about this and a related measure, which has passed the Legislature is awaiting action by Gov. Chris Sununu. Both proposals would end the process of allowing people to sign legally-binding sworn affidavits if they dont bring certain documents proving their qualifications to the polls, and both proposals would take effect for the upcoming state primary election in September. Republican lawmakers say the change is necessary to instill confidence in the election process, though the sponsors of the bill concede there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud under the current registration system. Democrats and some voting rights groups oppose the measure, saying that having to provide a passport, birth certificate or naturalization papers to prove citizenship is a burden that could disenfranchise eligible voters who arent aware of the new requirements. Under the bill still pending before lawmakers, Scanlans office would operate a hotline on election day that would field phone calls from local voting officials seeking to confirm someones qualifications to vote because they failed to bring certain documents. Though the proposal has limited details, backers of the hotline say state officials would be able to use a variety of databases to attempt to confirm someones qualifications, while they are inside of the polling location. The measure includes $100,000 in funding to get the hotline up and running. It will come up for a final vote before lawmakers next Thursday. The other bill that has already cleared the House and Senate also removes the use of sworn affidavits but doesnt include the election hotline. Sununu has previously said he is not seeking to make any major changes to New Hampshires voting laws, but hasnt said publicly if he will sign these particular bills into law. Voting rights groups are likely to challenge the measures in court, should either become law. A bill with some similarities, including that voters prove their citizenship with documentation, previously passed in Kansas, but was blocked by federal courts who deemed it an undue burden on eligible voters. These articles are being shared by partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information visit collaborativenh.org. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH secretary of state signals support for voter registration change After reviewing bodycam footage and other evidence collected by investigators, a grand jury in Webster County opted to not indict a Niangua police officer following a deadly on-duty shooting. Webster County Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin Berkstresser sent a press release Friday noting that the jury found no criminal action by Niangua officer Dwayne McAtee in the March 13 shooting death of Dylan Austin after the 28-year-old reportedly pulled a gun after a pursuit that ended inside his mother's home. Berkstresser said he will not pursue charges against McAtee as the result of the grand jury's decision, which followed a collective investigation by The Special Critical Incident Team consisting of Greene, Christian, Lawrence, and Webster counties sheriffs offices. "McAtee, serving as the interim police chief in the city of Niangua, shot and killed Austin after initiating a stop of an ATV in Niangua that was operated by Austin who fled on foot after he was told he was being placed under arrest, a pursuit ensued," Berskstresser wrote," then the fatal shot was fired when the chase ended at a Niangua home where Austin fled." McAtee had been placed on leave since the shooting pending a review of the incident. It's unclear if he has since returned to duty, as messages from the News-Leader to the city of Niangua were not immediately returned Friday afternoon. McAtee and the city continue to face a multi-million dollar civil lawsuit filed by Austin's mother, Melinda Austin, for a litany of allegations, including wrongful death, negligence in hiring, and failure to train. Police said Austin pointed gun at officer inside home Dylan Austin Around 9 p.m. the evening of March 13, authorities said McAtee and a Webster County deputy attempted to detain Austin for reportedly driving an ATV in the small Webster County town with a revoked/suspended license. After Austin asked the officers if he could smoke a cigarette, according to Friday's press release, he ran off, leading to a chase that ended at his mother's residence. Citing what Berkstresser said was mostly caught on body camera, McAtee reportedly followed Austin into the home. "Officer McAtee pursued Austin into the unknown residence, forcing entry immediately behind Austin. There was a lady in the residence shocked and alarmed by the sudden chase into her home," the prosecutor's press release said. "Austin went into a bedroom in the back of the home, McAtee approached the room to find Austin pointinga pistol at him, at which time Officer McAtee fired his weapon, striking Austin. Austin died on scene, despite CPR being administered by McAtee and others." The "lady" referenced appears to be Melinda Austin, who said she witnessed the shooting and that her son wasn't holding a gun, but a flashlight. Webster County Sheriff Roye Cole told local media that investigators found a gun near the deceased's body during their initial investigation as well as an empty holster on his waistband. Missouri court records indicate that Austin has one criminal case, a 2015 arrest in which he pleaded guilty to DWI-drug intoxication and being in possession of marijuana. He had also been cited in 2017 for driving without a license and in 2021 for driving with a suspended license. Melinda Austin said in her lawsuit that McAtee "waged an improper campaign of stalking and harassment against her son that was witnessed and reported by many in the community" and that he feared for his life. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Niangua police officer won't be charged in March 13 shooting death NEW YORK (PIX11) Thousands of commuters from New Jersey were late to work Friday morning because of delays on NJ Transit. It was the second time this week riders experienced major delays, and it comes just two weeks after hours-long delays prompted Gov. Phil Murphy to request a meeting with Amtrak and NJ Transit. Its a vital service that has been cripplingly underfunded, said rider Eric Blattberd. I would love to see it run properly. More Local News Gabi Mansour sat in the delays during her Friday morning commute. It was pretty easy going in, up until Newark, said Mansour. Thats kind of when all the delays started and we were sitting in traffic, waiting in the Penn Station tunnel for about 30 minutes and now Im late. In response to Fridays issues, Amtrak said crews were performing planned, non-emergency overnight maintenance work that continued into the morning because of an unplanned overage. Commuters blasted NJ Transit on social media for the delays, which came just weeks before a fare hike. Prices will go up by 15% on July 1 and 3% every year after, in perpetuity. NJ Transit provided the following statement about Fridays service delays: This mornings disruption was the result of Amtrak maintenance work being conducted overnight. We would refer you to Amtrak as to why that work impacted service. Repeated Amtrak infrastructure failures have a significant impact on our customers travel experience, including their ability to consistently meet their professional and personal obligations. NJ TRANSIT is just as frustrated as our customers and we continue to work with Amtrak as a tenant on their railroad, to address and mitigate the frequency and durations these incidents have on our customers quality of life. Reminder: Amtrak owns, operates, dispatches and maintains all aspects of the Northeast Corridor rail lines. While NJ TRANSIT is merely a tenant, we pay Amtrak approximately $100 million dollars annually to support the maintenance of the NEC between Trenton and New York. NJ Transit On Friday morning, a spokesperson for Murphy released an update, writing: On May 30, senior officials from NJ TRANSIT, Amtrak, and the Governors office met, per a request from Governor Murphy, to review recent rail incidents and establish a baseline for short-term, mid-term and long-term actions to minimize such episodes in the future. We look forward to continuing our dialogue to address how we can collectively make improvements to the commuter experience. Both Amtrak and NJ Transit told PIX11 News that they continue to work together to address the incidents and mitigate future problems. NJ Transit pays Amtrak approximately $100 million a year to use Amtraks rail lines and said it is just as frustrated as its customers. U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey said the issue is on his radar. Ive gotten so many phone calls into my office about people who have been stuck for hours, said Gottheimer. Ive reached out to Amtrak and New Jersey Transit to bring these issues up because were hearing about it from so many families. New Jersey Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese, who chairs the Assemblys Transportation Committee, said he is in ongoing talks with Amtrak and NJ Transit and wants to ensure that maintenance work is scheduled at minimally disruptive times. PIX11 News also reached out for comment from State Sen. Patrick Diegnan, who chairs the New Jersey Senates Transportation Committee. PIX11 is waiting to hear back. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Executive chef John Bordieri is photographed with a dish of calamari outside Iggy's Boardwalk restaurant Friday, June 7, 2024, in Warwick, R.I. This year, the "calamari comeback" chef might not be coming back. Bordieri became known as the "calamari ninja" for standing wordlessly, clad head-to-toe in black, and holding a platter of sauteed squid during a video roll call of states that nominated Joe Biden during the 2020 Democratic National Convention. But he now says he hasn't heard from state or national leaders about a repeat performance at this summer's party's convention in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Goldman) WASHINGTON (AP) The calamari comeback chef who delighted viewers of the last Democratic National Convention might not be coming back. John Bordieri was dubbed by some as the calamari ninja for standing wordlessly, clad head-to-toe in black, and holding a platter of lightly buttered, sauteed squid on a Rhode Island beach during a video roll call of states that formally made Joe Biden the party's presidential nominee in 2020. Bordieri said he's not heard from state or national leaders about a repeat performance when Democrats gather again this summer in Chicago. He is planning to start a vacation when their convention opens on Aug. 19. And more importantly, he prefers former President Donald Trump to Biden so organizers likely won't want him back, anyway. Im a Trump supporter, to be honest with you," Bordieri, 57, said in an interview during which he divulged for the first time publicly his true political sympathies and his plans to vote for the Republican in November. But I was told to tell everybody that Im independent. The Democratic National Convention has announced plans to again nominate Biden via a virtual roll call before the in-person event formally begins. That's so it can satisfy an early ballot deadline set by Republican-controlled Ohio, even though state lawmakers there have since eased their rules. The convention floor in Chicago will still feature an in-person nominating process. But the coronavirus pandemic offered numerous lessons about using virtual content to modernize often staid norms. That's left political junkies and at least some people who count calamari among their favorite foods asking about whether they'd see Bordieri again this year. Convention organizers said no programming decisions have been made. Our convention will pull in people across the country to showcase how President Biden and Democrats are delivering for Americans and lay out a vision for the future," said Emily Soong, a convention spokesperson. Rhode Island Democratic Party Chair Liz Beretta-Perik didn't respond to questions about whether Bordieri or calamari more generally will star in the Ocean State's plans at this year's convention. Bordieri said he's open to doing a video contribution similar to 2020's. But he's planning to be off during the convention and has no travel plans then, except to suburban Boston for an Aug. 25 concert by country star Kenny Chesney. His part in the 2020 convention was so memorable because many officials speaking for their states stuck to serious topics. They decried the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic or the virus-decimated economy under Trump, or otherwise promoted efforts to fight poverty or combat racial injustice. Rhode Island focused on squid meant to highlight how its fishing industry was finding innovative ways to boost sales after COVID-19 shuttered restaurants and saw prices and demand for fresh catches fall. Then-Rhode Island Democratic Party chair Joseph McNamara, a state lawmaker who successfully lobbied to make calamari Rhode Island's official appetizer, taped the state's 30-second video contribution on Oakland Beach in Warwick, near Iggys Boardwalk restaurant, where Bordieri is executive chef. Bordieri didn't speak. He only hoisted for the camera calamari with garlic, parsley and slices of cherry peppers. That's how it's most often served locally, sometimes with banana peppers as well. McNamara declared Rhode Island the calamari comeback state, prompting immediate, snarky proclamations online that the appetizer had clinched the Democratic nomination or that it had even won the entire 2020 election. Bordieri said he wasn't going for a ninja look, only wearing his normal black uniform, and I just happened to wear black gloves that day. When he arrived on the beach, he says, producers "looked me up and down and said, Youre going to be in the shot. He was instructed to wear a mask for filming and slipped on a black face-covering that only made him look more like a ninja. After the video aired on the 2020 convention's second night, the calls started coming by midnight, making Bordieri too excited to get much sleep. My wife says, Oh my God, youre trending! I said, Whats trending?' Bordieri laughed. He also quickly became acquainted with another term he'd not previously heard, blowing up online. When he went to work in the morning, he recalled: The phones ringing all day long. The business phone. My phone. Reporters, TV, newspaper, radio, the whole nine yards. I was talking to everybody." And, of course, their calamari sales spiked. The crispy snack remains popular at Iggy's three locations around Rhode Island, which sell around 400 pounds per week. If its done right, and you use a good product, people are going to love it," he said. The hubbub from four years ago has mostly subsided. But Bordieri said a few buddies still call him the calamari ninja. If we go out to dinner, if Im with these certain friends, they let everybody know that Im in the building," he said. "I get a little embarrassed sometimes. 'Nobody disliked her': Remembering Katelyn Markham, woman who disappeared in 2011 The poster serves as a reflection on who Markham was and a remembrance of her life before her disappearance. When Katelyn Markham's loved ones see butterflies, they think of her. Butterflies decorated Creekside Park in Fairfield on Saturday, just one day after Markham's fiance John Carter pled guilty to causing her death in Butler County Common Pleas Court. Supporters of Markham gathered at the park to receive butterfly pins to wear to Carter's July sentencing and to remember a daughter, sister and friend. "She was bright, vibrant, coming out of her shell, like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly," her father Dave Markham said. He described how Markham would always make new friends on vacation and never wanted anyone to be in a bad mood. "It's hard to imagine that somebody would've harmed her," he later added, "because nobody disliked her." What happened to Katelyn Markham? Markham was 21 years old when Carter reported her missing on Aug. 14, 2011. Friends, relatives, local authorities and a national mounted search group from Texas conducted dozens of searches for Markham. They combed local parks, waterways and areas in Butler and Hamilton counties but found no sign of her. Katelyn Markham of Fairfield disappeared in 2011. Markhams remains were found nearly two years later, on April 7, 2013, in a rural, wooded area at Big Cedar Creek in southeastern Indianas Cedar Grove. Carter was arrested and charged with her murder almost a decade later. Weeks before his trial was set to begin, Carter admitted guilt in causing Markham's death. In exchange for his plea to involuntary manslaughter, the two murder charges he'd previously faced were dropped. 'Just so goofy': Who was Katelyn Markham? To her loved ones, Markham is so much more than the victim of a convoluted case. Supporters on Saturday repeatedly spoke to the brightness Markham brought to others. "You would be in a crowded room," said Michelle Feist, "and she would always make eye contact and show she was listening." Katelyn Markham and her dad, Dave Markham. Feist, now 34 years old, said Markham was her best friend. They met at age 13 in the eighth grade and attended Fairfield High School together. They shared prom, sleepovers, homecoming and bus rides to Markham's home. Feist and her mom, Charma Rader, remember Markham as someone who made people laugh. "Just so goofy," Feist said. Rader pointed to a photo of Markham making silly faces. Nearby is a photo of the young woman and her father making fish-like faces. Rader said, "That's how I think of Katelyn." Dave Markham, 63, the father of Katelyn Markham. Markham is also remembered as being a talented artist. When she disappeared, she was just weeks away from finishing her graphic arts degree at the Art Institute of Ohio-Cincinnati. A call to action Carter faces a maximum possible sentence of three years in prison. Judge Daniel Haughey will announce Carters sentencing in Butler County court on July 18. Markham's loved ones have a goal before this date. "I understand that when we think about 36 months, that sounds like nothing," said Tina Barrett, Dave Markham's lawyer and co-organizer for Saturday's event. "Nothing for [Katelyn's] life. And that's true. There [are] not enough circles in hell for John Carter to visit." "But we need to take all of that feeling that we have and put it behind putting him in prison and keeping him there for the maximum number of days, hours, minutes and seconds that that court can impose." Tammy Ulreich ,64, wears a butterfly pin in her hair during Butterflies for Katelyn Markham. Barrett encouraged the crowd to wear and share the butterfly pins to show the court the impact Katelyn had on people. She also encouraged listeners to write victim impact statements for the court. "Probably the most powerful force on this earth is people caring," she said. "People caring is the only reason that this matter was brought before the court and John was forced to take responsibility." "John Carter has always underestimated the power of people caring," she said. "He thinks he's going to get probation. I promise you ... We can't let that happen." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who is Katelyn Markham, Fairfield woman who disappeared in 2011 REEDLEY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) The family locked out of the Kings Canyon High School graduation ceremony on Tuesday says Kings Canyon Unified has apologized to them but the family wants more from the school district. Members of the Reynosa family were among the approximately 50 people locked out of the Reedley High School Stadium where the Kings Canyon High School graduation was taking place. Family members have received an apology from the district, but they feel it is not enough. Ruined a day that was supposed to be hers: Family locked out of high school graduation in Reedley Janech Reynosa, the mother of one of the graduates, missed her daughters graduation despite having tickets. Kings Canyon Unified School District issued a statement accepting responsibility for the incident and apologizing to the family but Reynosa says apologies are only part of the answer. You need to think before you act so you dont hurt anybody, she said. On Thursday, Kings Canyon Unified School District sent a statement to YourCentralValley.com stating that locking the gates to the stadium is not a common practice. That was corroborated by Reynosa, who says she has attended five ceremonies so far and never had an issue like this before. In my experience, the times Ive been to graduations for my siblings and nieces, the doors have always been open. This will not happen: Kings Canyon Unified apologizes for spoiling graduation for families Reynosa said her father, the high school graduates grandfather, arrived at the stadium at 8:03 p.m. and was asked by one of the employees if he was waiting for somebody. Reynosa says that her father said he was waiting for someone, but employees still closed the gates. When they arrived at 8:10 p.m., the gates were closed and a crowd of around 50 people was trying to get in. I told my daughter Im sorry that I couldnt be there with you at your graduation.' Reynosa says she wants the district to meet with the other families who were locked out of the stadium and apologize to them too, telling Kings Canyon Unified Superintendent John Campbell that himself. I told him [Superintendent John Campbell] I want something. I want for all the people who got their names on the list to be called and apologized to, and the students, too,' she said. It is unknown if Kings Canyon Unified School District plans to meet with the other families impacted as well. District officials promised in their statement sent to YourCentralValley.com on Thursday that this action has been addressed internally and will not happen in the future. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. EAST HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11) Community leaders and gun violence interrupters from across New York City held an annual anti-gun violence event Friday in recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Month. It was a day filled with activities and camaraderie, but more importantly, the event served as a lifeline connecting the community with essential resources from cure violence organizations. Antoine Hill and Jaleel Robinson say they are proof of how these organizations can help people reclaim their lives. More Local News We got programs to do therapy to help people with their anger management, said Hill who is a part of the organization Stand Against Violence East Harlem. They help you get a job. They teach you stuff. I feel like its really essential for a lot of kids my age to join because it could really be a good future for them and impact on their lives. The Gun Violence Awareness Community Call for Peace event comes one night after a teenage boy was shot at a prom party in Brooklyn and after two young girls were shot at a park in that same borough Monday night. While police data shows that shooting incidents are down to 274 so far this year, compared to 325 at the same time last year, organizers say the recent gun violence in the city is senseless. Enough is enough, said Omar Jackson of Getting Out and Staying Out. One shooting is too many, so were here today to say that were denouncing gun violence. We no longer want any of us to go through that. We want to see our kids make it home at night. Nitty Greenlee, once burdened by a troubled past, has transformed his life. He now dedicates himself to the cure-violence organization Life Camp, Inc. He hopes to inspire the youth, showing them that overcoming their past is possible and within their reach. Ive done it, Greenlee said. Ive had my consequences. It didnt help. It tore my family up. So, now that my familys back in order, my life is back in order, I can give it back to them. Community leaders said that while the fight against gun violence is far from over, change is possible with unity and perseverance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NYC man dies after being struck in the head; person of interest in custody A 40-year-old man died from a blow to the head during a clash inside a Harlem apartment building early Saturday, police said. Cops called to the Frederick Douglass Blvd. building near W. 120th St. about 3:15 a.m. found the victim unconscious suffering from a massive head injury, police said. EMS rushed him to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, but he couldnt be saved. His name was not immediately disclosed as cops track down relatives. An autopsy has been slated to determine how the man died. Another man, identified by police as a person of interest was taken into custody at the scene and was being questioned Saturday. No charges were immediately filed. A year after it closed to students, the publicly funded Erie Rise Leadership Academy Charter School has lost control of its operations during its drawn-out financial dissolution. An Erie County judge has appointed an independent receiver to wind up Erie Rise's affairs and preserve its assets, which are to revert to the Erie School District. Erie Rise has about $1.9 million in the bank at the moment, according to evidence presented in court. Judge Marshall Piccinini, clearly exasperated with the pace of Erie Rise's financial dissolution and Erie Rise's handling of the process, appointed the receiver in an order he issued at a court hearing on Friday morning. "This is not just an issue of time," Piccinini said from the bench. "It is is an issue of confidence." A judge has appointed a receiver to oversee the financial dissolution of the Erie Rise Leadership Academy Charter School, which had operated at West 10th and Cascade streets until it closed to students a year ago. The order means that the receiver, William G. Krieger, of the Pittsburgh-based Gleason financial advisory firm, will take over the operations of Erie Rise from its staff and board of trustees. Krieger, a certified public accountant and a managing director and vice president at Gleason, will report to Piccinini and get paid with funds from Erie Rise. The rate for a managing director and vice president at Gleason is $420 an hour, according to a rate sheet that Piccinini attached to his written order on the receivership filed after Friday's hearing. Receiver appointed at request of Erie School District Piccinini issued the order at the request of the Erie School District, which filed a petition in Erie County Common Pleas Court in January for the appointment of a receiver to oversee Erie Rise's financial dissolution. The district said the dissolution was moving too slowly under the control of Erie Rise's staff and the charter school's outside consultant. Piccinini held off on ruling on the petition over several months as he convened a series of status conferences in his courtroom to monitor the dissolution of Erie Rise. He held the most recent status conference on May 29, where he renewed his dissatisfaction that Erie Rise was going to miss its self-appointed dissolution deadline of May 31. The judge's dissatisfaction remained evident on Friday. Piccinini after the May 29 status conference said he would revisit the school district's request for a receiver, but he granted the request on Friday morning at the end of an emergency hearing he called over a box truck. The Erie School District asked for the hearing out of concerns that Erie Rise planned to donate the box truck, valued at $20,000, to the private Community Country Day School without seeking approval from the Erie School District over the disposition of the asset. The lawyer for Erie Rise, Zainab Shields, of Philadelphia, said Erie Rise would not donate the box truck, which ended that dispute. Story continues But Piccinini said he was upset that the episode over the box truck showed that Erie Rise still was in the process of evaluating its assets nearly a year after the charter school closed to students on June 30. Piccinini said he had grown tired of Erie Rise's officials, including its Maryland-based consultant, Christian Anderson, "moving the goal posts on a regular basis" while continuing to spend public money to carry out a dissolution that Piccinini said should have been done months ago. Piccinini said he was concerned that Erie Rise had agreed to pay Anderson $10,000 a month through as long as December to continue to oversee the dissolution. Erie Rise paid Anderson another $110,000 in 2023. The new contract, the episode with the box truck and other evidence showed Erie Rise is "intent on continuing the slow process of dissolution," Piccinini said on Friday. At the status conferences, Piccinini had shared the Erie School District's concerns that Erie Rise continued to employ three regular employees, plus Anderson, even as the school had no students. According to statements in court on Friday, the Erie Rise trustees ended the employment of the regular employees that day, but only after Piccinini on May 29 directed the school to do so. One of the employees, Aubrey Favors, Erie Rise's director of human resources, had been earning $90,000 a year. Judge picks receiver from list that school district submitted Shields, the lawyer for Erie Rise, had argued for months that the charter school was dissolving as fast as it could. She cited Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations, which impose no timeline for the dissolution of a charter school. Shields appeared by video at Friday's hearing, and did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Piccinini's appointment of a receiver. The lead lawyer for the Erie School District in the case, Michael Musone, acknowledged that lack of statutory deadlines for the dissolution. But he argued the Pennsylvania law still authorizes a judge to appoint a receiver over a shuttered charter school under certain conditions. Erie County Judge Marshall Piccinini appointed an independent receiver to oversee the financial dissolution of the Erie Rise Leadership Academy Charter School. Piccinini said he found no other case in which a judge had appointed a receiver for a charter school in Pennsylvania. But he said he agreed with the school district that such an appointment was warranted to help preserve the assets of Erie Rise assets that are to devolve to the Erie School District instead of those assets dissipating during the dissolution. "Our main concern has been the preservation of public assets," the Erie School District's solicitor, Tim Wachter, said after Friday's hearing, which he attended with Musone. "The comments today showed the judge shared those concerns. "We are confident the receiver who has been appointed will take the appropriate steps to preserve the assets that are remaining." The school district included the name of the receiver, William Krieger, on a list of proposed receivers that Piccinini asked the district to submit. Wachter said Gleason, Krieger's financial advisory firm, has members who regularly serve as court-appointed receivers. Wachter said the district became acquainted with the Gleason firm through its members' work in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Piccinini said he had interviewed Krieger as he reviewed the district's petition for the appointment of a receiver. Wachter said Krieger first must examine Erie Rise's finances to determine how long the dissolution will take under his watch. However long the process now lasts, Piccinini and the school district said, it is expected to cost less under a receiver than under Erie Rise. Erie Rise facing two investigations as dissolution goes on Erie Rise, with about 300 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, closed on June 30, after the Erie School Board revoked its charter due to poor academic performance and other issues. The school had operated at the former Emerson School building at West 10th and Cascade streets. The bulk of Erie Rise's revenue came from the Erie School District. The district sent Erie Rise $3.4 million in 2023 to pay its students' tuition. The pace of Erie Rise's financial dissolution prompted the Erie School District to sue the charter school starting in December, when it sought court intervention to force Erie Rise to provide it financial documents and other records about its assets. Unsatisfied with the charter school's handling of the dissolution, the school district petitioned in January for the appointment of a receiver. The receiver-led dissolution of Erie Rise will occur as the charter school remains enmeshed in two other unresolved matters. A year ago, on June 7, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education searched the offices of Erie Rise. The department's Office of Inspector General was looking for records about a multimillion-dollar federal grant for after-school programs for students from low-income families, according to testimony at the status conferences before Piccinini. The U.S. Department of Education has given no indication that the probe has ended. And at an Erie Rise status conference on April 29, Shields told Piccinini that the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission is investigating Erie Rise. Shields said the commission had been looking at documents connected to the school and has interviewed Favors, its HR director, for information. No matter how those investigations end, Piccinini's order on the receivership puts Erie Rise on a different path toward dissolution. "We are pleased with the judge's decision," said Neal Brokman, the Erie School District's assistant superintendent for operations. He attended Friday's hearing as the district's liaison to charter schools. Piccinini's order, Brokman said, allows the school district to "finally have a close to the charter school and its assets." "And then we can move on," Brokman said. Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com or 814-870-1813. Follow him on X @ETNpalattella. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie Rise's assets assigned to independent accountant NYPD sets date for return of old school beard ban for all officers From now, on the NYPD will protect and shave. Bewhiskered New York City cops are dusting off their safety razors, as the departments ban on beards for officers is set to go into effect June 17. The updated facial hair policy, first reported by the Post in February, will apply to all police officers, school safety agents, and traffic enforcement agents as part of a department-wide effort to ensure that all uniformed members of the service reflect the departments high standards for professionalism, a police spokesperson said, according to the Daily News. Beard lengths for New Yorks Finest will soon once again be limited to a diminutive 1mm, about the length of a sharpened pencil point. AFP via Getty Images Beard lengths for New Yorks Finest will soon once again be limited to a diminutive 1mm, about the length of a sharpened pencil point. Goatees will remain taboo, as will chinstrap-style or designer beards with brand names, patterns or logos shaved in, the order reads in part. The NYPD scaled back its facial hair requirements in 2020, following a class-action lawsuit filed by Masood Syed, a Muslim officer who was suspended for refusing to trim his 1-inch beard down to the department-mandated maximum. The case was settled in 2018. The NYPD scaled back its facial hair requirements in 2020, following a class-action lawsuit filed by a Muslim officer (not pictured) who argued the prohibition was unconstitutional. The case settled in 2018. AFP via Getty Images The Police Benevolent Association told the outlet Thursday that determining which bearded officers qualify for a medical or religious exemption from the policy was too difficult to fairly administrate, which was one of the reasons the department changed the policy to allow beards without an exemption. Mustaches and sideburns mainstays on the faces of New York City cops since the departments founding in 1845 will still be allowed, but with limitations. Staches cannot extend beyond or droop below the corners of an officers mouth, while sideburns must reach no lower than the bottom of their earlobes. The move follows a series of efforts the NYPD has undertaken to clean up its act as department bosses have pushed to roll back the clock on the appearance standards of its officers. Chief of Patrol John Chell told department brass at a February meeting that the NYPD would be going back to some traditions when it comes to officers appearance. Paul Martinka Basically what Im telling everybody in this room is were going back to old school, Chief of Patrol John Chell told department brass at a February meeting in a video obtained by The Post. Were going to bring back some traditions that we kind of lost in the past couple years. Chell telegraphed some of the other coming changes at the time, including cracking down on open collars and knit caps. Rising human exploitation of the oceans is pushing ever further into regions that scientists increasingly suspect are full of conscious life. New research into creatures from sperm whales to octopuses, reef fish to hermit crabs, suggests that wide swaths of the undersea world may be populated by animals that have forms of consciousness something akin to those in humans. Those findings are coming alongside a broad increase in the impact of human society on the sea a rising tide of disruption driven by economic sectors as diverse as increased oil and gas exploration, record levels of fishing and floods of pollutant-filled runoff from agricultural and industrial buildouts into shallow coastal waters. The great tragedy of ocean intelligence, Macquarie University fish researcher Culum Brown told The Hill, is that the most intelligent sea creatures tend to be the most susceptible to human economic activity. Complexity is adjacent to land, and its in the places where there are most people, he said. Hubs of complexity like coral reefs are getting smashed, he said, because theres just so much pressure coming from human populations. Behind the immediate threat of direct coastal exploitation is the great pervasive threat of carbon pollution from global fossil fuel burning. That pollution is heating and acidifying the oceans a primary cause behind the global dieback in coral reefs, which recent research suggests may be hotbeds of sentient, or even conscious, life. So far, the impacts of scientific discoveries regarding ocean intelligence have been restricted to the slow growth of an international legal campaign agitating for better treatment or at least better deaths for animals now believed to be potentially sentient. In 2018, following a wave of research suggesting that crustaceans can feel pain and make considered choices, Switzerland banned the common practice of boiling lobsters alive. In 2021, the British government followed, officially defining crabs, lobsters and octopuses as sentient meaning they now must be treated, killed and butchered with the same level of care as mammals and birds. The new research also adds weight to an ongoing legal fight over the responsibility of terrestrial governments to the ecosystems of the ocean. In late May, the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea found that carbon in the atmosphere counts legally as pollution, and ordered the worlds governments to go further in restricting them. That decision comes alongside a series of grinding international debates over the ocean economy: how and whether to permit undersea mining; attempts to reverse the flood of plastics pouring into the oceans and to curb subsidies for fishing fleets that strip the tropical seabeds bare. Many ecologists say these debates must begin to reckon with the idea that life in the ocean is as complex and likely intelligent as life on land. From the language of sperm whales to the problem-solving skills of fish and crabs to the dreams of octopi, here are some of the new findings supporting that idea. Crabs pay to avoid pain When a British chef asked Queens University animal behaviorist Robert Elwood if crabs and lobsters experienced pain, the scientist was brought up short. In the literature he reviewed on the question, he told The Hill, the idea was being completely dismissed. Instead, the mainstream consensus was that crabs, shrimp and lobsters drew back from unpleasant feelings only because of reflex. Proving whether crabs felt pain or whether any animal feels any emotion was all but impossible, Elwood said. Take dogs and cats: most of us would accept that they feel pain, but in fact its only an accumulation of evidence that makes it likely rather than that absolutely proven. But what he could do, he realized, was question whether crustaceans were truly only capable of short-lived reflexes which lead to automatic responses in the moment, but generally not sustained learning. His team worked with hermit crabs, small crustaceans that put on the abandoned shells of other creatures as they grow. When Elwoods team used a hidden wire to give the crabs a small shock within a shell, they tended to be more likely to abandon it, even 24 hours after the initial shock far too long, they concluded, for the response to be based on reflex. You can see the animals will give up very valuable resources in order to avoid some stimuli, Elwood said. They will, in effect, pay to avoid those stimuli. The team also found that crabs let go of shocking shells only after considering a wider array of data. Hermit crabs were less likely to abandon a good shell however painful than a mediocre one, and they were far less likely to trade shells at all if the water smelled of a predator than if it was clear. A painful shelter, it seemed, was better than none at all. These findings on hermit crabs track those reached across a diverse sample of the nearly 30,000 species of decapod (ten-footed) crustaceans: species like saltwater prawns, freshwater crayfish and shore crabs, which are so distantly related that to find pain in all of them suggests the quality is widely shared, Elwood said. The idea that were cherry picking or just being completely lucky I think its not sustainable, he said. Octopuses dream Consciousness research often has a negativity bias. Alex Schnell, a Cambridge-trained marine biologist who hosts National Geographics Secrets of the Octopus and co-wrote the survey at the London School of Economics that ended up changing British laws on the treatment of crabs and octopuses, said that because of the urgent ethical questions surrounding seafood, a lot of the research we were looking at was negative emotions: pain, depression, anxiety, fear. And we found compelling evidence in all groups. But consciousness represents far more than just the ability to suffer and theres growing evidence that octopuses and other advanced mollusks represent an example of consciousness evolving separately on the tree of life. Schnell noted that confined octopuses in aquariums and research facilities need high amounts of cognitive stimulation like toys and objects to manipulate. They also build rapport with their keepers, who they can identify by touching and tasting, which for octopuses are linked senses. A 2023 study in Nature found that the patterns on the skins of octopuses shift as they alternate between modes of sleep. This may be suggestive of dreams, the authors wrote, or at least convergent features of complex cognition. Octopuses also hunt collaboratively with fish, which search the seafloor while the octopuses hunt prey through crevices in rock while sometimes punching fish that get too aggressive. Human activity broadly impacts the 650-plus different cephalopod species because cephalopods, like humans, are everywhere. They just went into every type of ecological niche, Schnell said. That means that theyre at risk from a wide array of threats: The changing acidity of the oceans, which changes levels of the copper that they need in their blood; overfishing and aquaculture; and nitrate and plastic pollution. (Octopuses are known to take bits of trash back to their dens to eat and play with or to shelter in with unknown results.) They are also, as a class, very sensitive to disruption: because most species only live one to two years, if something interferes with their ability to breed, they dont get another chance. The annual cuttlefish mating aggregation in Whyalla, New South Wales, once the worlds largest, has collapsed by more than 90 percent in the past three decades which may be related to brine discharges from a local desalination plant, or may have some other cause. Sadly, there isnt a single cephalopod species thats actually been listed as threatened or vulnerable, Schnell said. Its not because were certain that they are thriving, we just dont know enough. Fish pass the mirror test In 2018, a paper on fish intelligence shook the world of animal consciousness. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology found that the bluestreak cleaner wrasse a tiny reef fish that makes its living by eating dead tissue off the skins of larger fish had passed the mirror test, a benchmark of self-awareness. When the tiny fish were given a colored tag and put in front of a mirror, the scientists found, they tried to remove the tag. But [they] show no response towards transparent marks, or to coloured marks in the absence of a mirror. The mirror tests inventor, Gordon Gallup, wasnt having it. A lot of people, he told Quanta magazine, were using the test to devise ways to salvage the intellectual integrity of their favorite laboratory animals. So the fish were retested by a Japanese team and passed, according to findings published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. That just made the controversy more intense. The Mirror Test is Broken, a review in The Atlantic declared, adding that either fish are self-aware or scientists need to rethink how they study animal cognition. Brown, the Macquarie University ichthyologist, told The Hill that this response was odd. Rather than thinking, Oh well, fish smart, everybody thought, Oh no. Theres something wrong with this test. Its been the gold standard for 50 years, and a fish passes it, and now the test is broken. Brown argues that its not all that surprising that fish are potentially self-aware. They are far more closely related to humans, dolphins or corvids than octopuses or crabs are, and many live in complicated environments where intelligence and particularly social intelligence is an asset. He pointed out that there are lots of examples of fish showing behaviors more familiar in birds and mammals. In pursuing prey, they perform complex mental calculus and use tools. Members of many species can learn new skills from each other, recognize family members and jockey for social position. And the cleaner wrasse, in particular, is known to swim after client fish it has accidentally bitten and rub against them, possibly to entice them to come back. (They also spend more time with regular clients.) But when it comes to consciousness, there is this massive barrier, even today, about land animals versus things that live in the ocean, he said. Scientists talk to whales One principal reason consciousness research is difficult is that there is no way to truly tell if another species is conscious without their being able to tell you and so far, humans can only understand the speech of humans. But in the seas off the French Caribbean territory of Dominica, a team of whale scientists with the Cetacean Translation Initiative (Project CETI) are trying to decipher the communication of sperm whales. (Calling it language, like referring to animal culture in previous generations, tends to start fights.) We feel like were baby whales, CETI founder David Gruber told The Hill. Baby sperm whales, he said, go through a period where theyre kind of babbling, or theyre starting to [communicate], but then theyre not really doing the right but eventually they get it. Last year, a CETI team published a paper in PeerJ showing that it had carried out the first two-way exchange with humpback whales. But the groups main target is sperm whales, its leaders wrote in a mission plan published in iScience. The worlds largest predator, sperm whales, they wrote, have big brains, well-demonstrated cognitive abilities and complex social structures. They also communicate with a series of discrete clicks known as codas a feature that, unlike the songs of humpbacks, is sufficiently similar to computer code to make it well-suited to machine analysis. In a groundbreaking article published in Nature in May, the CETI team showed that these clicks were the basic parts of a more complicated communication structure Gruber compared it to a phonetic alphabet though the content of that structure remains opaque. While specific features of the sperm social and communicative system lend themselves to this approach, the teams ambitions are much grander. We believe itll have relevance to many other species like elephants, Gruber said. CETI cofounder Roger Payne who discovered humpback whalesong framed the goal of trans-species communication in urgent terms in a Time op-ed just before his death. The ability to communicate with animals, to ask them questions and receive answersno matter how simple those questions and answers might turn out to bethe world might soon be moved enough to at least start the process of halting our runaway destruction of life, Payne wrote a destruction, he warned, that threatened to kill human society graveyard dead. Gruber argues that listening to creatures far less complex than whales can signal the scale of that danger a devastation that in his fieldwork he has seen happening at alarming rates. I would go to reefs that were gorgeous and healthy, and then Id go back five, six years later, theyd just be like piles of rubble, he said. Its really distressing, he added, to see things happening on decadal timescales that shouldnt be happening on, you know, even 1000 year timescales. In a 2020 paper he co-wrote in Scientific Reports, he found that modern corals are deploying all the tricks their fossilized ancestors used to survive the cataclysm of the Cretaceous extinction, which killed off the dinosaurs. Gruber told The Hill this research was just a different variety of listening to nature than the whale project. Unlike primates, he said corals have been through several mass extinctions, and the good news is that theyre getting ready for this extinction that theyre experiencing. The bad news, he said, is that were not. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As anyone who has traveled by plane in the last decade can attest, one of the fewperhaps onlythings that make modern commercial flying tolerable is a strong onboard libation. For those lucky enough to travel internationally, the booze is sometimes even free. But could this last vestige of mile-high sanity be snatched from us like a water bottle at an airport security checkpoint? Newly released research argues that it should be. The study, published in Thorax by researchers from the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Germany, concludes that in-flight alcohol can increase the risk of heart attack. While the topline conclusion sounds concerning and compelling, the research itself is less so. The researchers used a sampling of a mere 48 people between 18 and 40 years of age, half of whom slept in a sleep lab that mirrored normal on-ground conditions while the other half slept in a lab that simulated high-altitude cabin pressure. On the first night of the test, everyone was instructed to go to bed. On the second night, each group was given the assignment of drinking booze and then passing out. (How one qualifies to become a test subject for a study of this kind is unclear at the time of this writing). The researchers then monitored each group's heart rate and sleep patterns. The results showed that those who consumed alcohol and slept in the high-altitude simulation experienced the most heightened heart rates and the lowest oxygen-blood levels while sleeping. The researchers conclude that those with existing cardiac and pulmonary conditions could be in dangeras well as those with sleep apnea and other respiratory ailmentsbut even healthy individuals were at risk. "Even in young and healthy individuals, the combination of alcohol intake with sleeping under hypobaric conditions poses a considerable strain on the cardiac system and might lead to exacerbation of symptoms in patients with cardiac or pulmonary diseases," the researchers state. "Our findings strongly suggest that the inflight consumption of alcoholic beverages should be restricted." One might be tempted to brush this off as merely the work of a few teetotalers from across the pond, but as students of the temperance movement know well, prohibitionary brush fires can start with the smallest of sparks. In fact, the in-flight booze ban movement has already begun to catch on in America. During the COVID pandemic, reports of unruly and intoxicated airplane passengers getting into physical altercations with flight attendants led several airlines to suspend their on-board alcohol service entirely. Despite this built-in market reactionafter all, no airline wants to be the arena for a drunken brawl in the cloudsnumerous federal lawmakers inevitably joined the booze ban chorus. Rep. Peter DeFazio (DOre.) called for a ban on to-go alcohol from airport bars in 2021 after he allegedly watched a fellow passenger order three shots of alcohol in a to-go cup from an airport bar and then board the plane. Sen. Ed Markey (DMass.), citing reports that anti-mask passengers were the ones creating the on-board ruckuses, went on record in support of banning the hard stuff at least temporarily. The study claiming to show heart and other health risks will likely further embolden the no-alcohol-on-planes crowd. Lost in all of this is the reality that, as Rep. DeFazio's anecdote shows, many of the unruly passengers that caught media headlines involved those who were already intoxicated upon boarding the plane or brought their own alcohol on board. Under Federal Aviation Administration regulations, it is already illegal for consumers to imbibe alcohol they bring onto a plane: "No person may drink any alcoholic beverage aboard an aircraft unless the certificate holder operating the aircraft has served that beverage to him." The rule goes on to state that airlines cannot permit already intoxicated passengers to board their planes or serve them more alcohol onboard. Therefore, a complete ban on in-flight alcohol would simply be another example of the government implementing more rules to address behavior that is largely already illegal. It also would clearly incentivize more passengers to sneak their own alcohol on boardsomething that already happened when airlines suspended alcohol service during the pandemic. It doesn't take a libertarian to understand that if you ban a legal productlike in-flight alcohol serviceyou will inevitably create a more robust black-market workaround. A better approach would be to allow airlines to continue selling and serving in-flight alcohol. Like servers at a bar, flight attendants can monitor how much alcohol each passenger has consumed, instead of supercharging an uncontrollable airborne BYOB free-for-all. As for potential health concerns, passengers should be empowered to make their own decisions based on knowing themselves best. Most people already do this in situations such as avoiding air travel after scuba diving or major surgery, and there is no reason they can't do the same in determining whether to drink before or during a flight. Some clever travelers have pointed out that the above-mentioned FAA regulation merely says that a person cannot drink alcohol on an airplane unless it is served by airplane staff. This technically suggests that you can bring your own alcohol on boardas long as it's in a mini bottleand simply ask your flight attendant to serve it. At least a few airlines appear to be open to this. Now might be the time to find one such airline, book a flight, and enjoy this Prohibition-era 12-Mile Limit cocktail in defiantbut technically still legalprotest: Prohibition-Era 12-Mile Limit Cocktail Ingredients: oz rye whiskey oz cognac oz rum oz grenadine (real grenadine, not red syrup) oz lemon juice Lemon wedges (for garnish) Ice Instructions: Obtain two mini bottles of liquor, each under the 3.4 oz TSA liquid carry-on limit. Fill one mini bottle with oz rye whiskey and oz cognac, topped off with your favorite rum. Fill the second mini bottle with oz grenadine and oz lemon juice. Store this bottle in the fridge until leaving for the airport. Bring both mini bottles on board with you in your carry-on. Ask your flight attendant to pour the contents of the liquor-filled bottle over a cup of ice. Add the grenadine and lemon juice mixture to the cup. Garnish with lemon wedges. Stir with the provided plastic stirring stick. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your cocktail (while you still can). The post Oh God, What If Congress Bans Drinking on Airplanes? appeared first on Reason.com. Oklahoma cops can still use training banned in other states: 'It involves no vetting' A medic for the Oklahoma and Canadian county sheriffs tactical team stood in front of nearly 1,000 officers from across the country in Atlantic City and explained his distaste for treating gang members. I dont like treating turds, right? Like (expletive) it, the ambulance can take care of them, right? I have a problem treating young gang bangers, the pieces of (expletive) of society, right, former Oklahoma County Reserve Deputy Sean Barnette said, according to video clips of the 2021 conference posted on YouTube. I had a great mentor that told me, well Sean, guess what, thats a live tissue lab, bro. Anytime you come into one of those (expletive)bags, absolutely do the best you can. The New Jersey-based company Street Cop Training hosted the six-day conference. Some Oklahoma police officers attended. One Street Cop trainer joked about pepper spraying and Tasering people. Another instructor told police officers to pull over and question drivers even if they didnt suspect they had committed any crime, a tactic that has been deemed unconstitutional by authorities in New Jersey. A spokesman for the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office said Barnettes comments dont reflect the views of the agency and that he no longer works there. Barnette did not respond to requests for comment. Nine states have banned officers from attending Street Cop training and seminars. But the Oklahoma state agency that oversees police training still allows officers to use Street Cop sessions to count towards continuing education requirements. The Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training doesnt review course materials before listing them in a catalog of training for officers in the state. Three Oklahoma police departments said they would stop using Street Cop training afterThe Frontier contacted them. The agencies said they rely on the Council on Law Enforcement Training for guidance on what materials can count toward training credits for officers. Opinion: Oklahoma Republicans passed a law that police chiefs don't want to enforce Michael Anderson, chief of the Warr Acres Police Department, said the lack of vetting for course materials concerns him. I think anytime youre going to have a course of instruction, especially when it comes to involving peoples issues of liberties and laws that instructions and courses need to be thoroughly looked at, he said. But the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training doesnt have the staff to review all materials before they get cataloged, said Preston Draper, general counsel for the agency. Granting a catalog number is simply providing a tracking number to anyone who completes the appropriate application, Draper said. It involves no vetting of course content by CLEET staff. The council does accredit some training. But Its the responsibility of the company that produces the training to submit a lesson plan to ensure it complies with the law. Street Cop Training sessions arent accredited in Oklahoma, but there is no requirement for training to be accredited for it to count toward continuing education credits. Street Cop tactics under fire Dennis Benigno, a retired police officer who founded Street Cop, said trainers remarks have been misconstrued. In this industry of police officers who are adults, we make jokes. If you believe that what you saw wasnt purposely taken out of context to try and make us look bad, it would be foolish, he said in an emailed statement to The Frontier. Before founding Street Cop, Benigno faced allegations of racism and use of illegal tactics as a police officer. Three Black women who claimed they were racially profiled after being arrested at a shopping mall sued Benigno in federal court in 2015 for false imprisonment and excessive use of force. The Township of Woodbridge in New Jersey paid $70,000 to settle the lawsuit, according to news reports. Authorities in New Jersey investigated Street Cop Training tactics and produced a scathing report in December 2023. The New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller found that the training promoted unconstitutional traffic stops, insubordination, racist and sexist remarks and glorified violence. More: Oklahoma task force on tribal reservation safety lacked tribal input. Here's how it went The Street Cop material was found to be so egregious that the New Jersey attorney general required all law enforcement in the state who attended the 2021 conference to participate in a retraining session this year that included information on Fourth Amendment rights and antidiscrimination laws. New Jersey, Minnesota, Missouri, Maryland, Illinois, California, Oregon, Nevada and Michigan have moved to ban the training. Street Cop instructors visited Oklahoma and garnered praise At least two Street Cop instructors who spoke at the 2021 Atlantic City conference have since traveled to Oklahoma for training sessions, according to Street Cops Facebook page. Zack Miller, one of the speakers at the 2021 conference, traveled to Oklahoma twice in 2023 to teach cops in Durant and Oklahoma City, according to Facebook posts. New Jersey officials also were critical of Millers teaching tactics and accused him of encouraging officers to listen to his interpretation of the law over prosecutors and judges. Miller did not respond toThe Frontiers requests for comment. Oklahoma Highway Patrol staff helped promote Street Cop training on an agency-produced podcast. Benigno was featured in 2021 on Train Like A Trooper, a podcast produced by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Benigno sat down with Sarah Stewart, the patrols communication director and Trooper Mystal Perkins. Perkins praised a Street Cop checklist for suspicious behavior and said she used it to train new officers. The New Jersey Comptroller found in its report that the checklist promoted unconstitutional traffic stops. Perkins declined to comment. Stewart confirmed that Oklahoma Highway Patrol employees have participated in Street Cop training. Oklahoma Highway Patrol has hosted 10 Street Cop Training sessions since 2020. The Frontierrequested payment records for troopers who had attended the training. But the agency said there were none because it doesnt reimburse troopers for Street Cop training. Stewart said in an email that the agency currently doesnt have any training planned with Street Cop but didnt have an answer on whether the agency would stop using Street Cop altogether. Some Oklahoma police drop Street Cop The Warr Acres Police Department had scheduled a Street Cop course in December promoted by trainer Tom Rizzo. But the agency canceled the training after the report in New Jersey surfaced. New Jersey officials accused Rizzo of mocking police reform efforts during the Atlantic City conference. Rizzo no longer works for Street Cop, according to the New Jersey Comptrollers report. He didnt respond to The Frontiersrequest for comment. The Shawnee Police Department, Sapulpa Police Department and Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office said they would no longer allow officers to attend Street Cops training sessions after The Frontier contacted the agencies. Three officers from the Shawnee Police Department attended the Street Cop conference in Atlantic City. Shawnee Police Chief Mason Wilson watched videos of the training after The Frontier contacted the agency. Hes decided Street Cop Training doesnt align with the values of the agency. I do find the methods of Street Cop concerning, Wilson said. We would never promote or intentionally attend training that contradicts the Constitution, laws, or our policies and procedures. The Sapulpa Police Department has paid Street Cop $7,677 for training sessions since 2020. The Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office paid Street Cop $3,739 between 2021 and 2023. The Norman Police Department stopped using Street Cop Training in January after evaluating the material, a spokeswoman for the agency said. Norman has paid Street Cop $9,047 since 2020. The Oklahoma City Police Department also has spent over $2,000 on two Street Cop training courses since 2020. The agency declined to comment on its use of the training. Street Cop filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Florida in February and attributed it partly to negative media coverage and the New Jersey Comptrollers investigation. The New Jersey report caused a significant disruption for Street Cop, leading to states banning the training and instructors quitting, an attorney wrote in a bankruptcy court filing. The Frontier is a nonprofit newsroom that produces fearless journalism with impact in Oklahoma. Read more at www.readfrontier.org. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma cops can still use banned training as continuing education Some Oklahomans may be eligible for a student loan payment pause. What to know Student loan repayments restarted last fall after President Biden's forgiveness plan was stopped by the Supreme Court. Still, the president and Department of Education are working to forgive as many loans as possible and with a new plan proposed, news around student loan forgiveness can be confusing. Here's the latest on who is eligible for student loan forgiveness, plus how some Oklahoma student loan borrowers may qualify for a forbearance on loan payments after recent severe storms. Oklahoma disaster relief student loan forbearance More student loan borrowers could see some debt relief if a new plan proposed by the Biden Administration is implemented. When a natural disaster is declared in your area, your student loan provider may grant a forbearance on student loan payments up to 90 days, and any interest that accrues during the period will not be added to the principal balance of your loan. Twenty-three Oklahoma counties have been declared disaster areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding between Apr 25 and May 9. If you're in one of the following counties, check with your student loan provider as you may be eligible for a forbearance on paying your student loans: Carter Craig Coal Cotton Haskell Hughes Johnston Kay Lincoln Love McClain Murray Nowata Okfuskee Okmulgee Osage Ottawa Pittsburg Pontotoc Pottawatomie Tillman Washington Washita Who is eligible for student loan forgiveness? In April, the Biden Administration announced new plans for student loan forgiveness. If implemented as proposed, the following borrowers would be eligible to have some or all of their student loan debt forgiven: Up to $20,000 in interest could be canceled for borrowers who have accrued or capitalized interest on their loans since entering repayment, especially those who owe more than their original loan amount thanks to "runaway interest." Borrowers who qualify for debt relief under income-driven repayment plans or public service loan forgiveness but are not enrolled in those programs. Borrowers who have been paying on undergraduate loans for at least 20 years, or graduate loans for at least 25 years. Borrowers who were enrolled in "low-financial-value programs." Borrowers who are experiencing hardship in their lives keeping them from fully paying off their loans now or in the future. How do I know if I qualify for student loan forgiveness? There are a variety of ways you could qualify for student loan forgiveness, outside of Biden's most recent proposals. The most common way to receive debt relief is through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which teachers, government employees, nonprofit employees and medical professionals can typically qualify for. Other reasons you may qualify for loan forgiveness include: If your school closed or misled you. If you're a Federal Perkins Loan borrower. If you're a parent borrower. If you're a victim of forgery. If you've declared bankruptcy. If the borrower or student for whom a loan was taken out dies. What to know about Navient private loan forgiveness While student loan forgiveness offered by the Biden Administration and Department of Education only applies to federally-owned or backed student loans, some private loan borrowers may have a pathway to debt relief. According to Forbes, private loan provider Navient has quietly released an application for private student loan forgiveness for borrowers who were defrauded by or experienced misconduct at theirs chools. The application is only open to those with Navient private student loans, and borrowers must provide supporting documents with their application. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Who is eligible for Oklahoma student loan pause, loan forgiveness? One person dead, another seriously injured after single-vehicle crash in Ross County CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) One person is dead and another has serious injuries after a single-vehicle crash in Ross County on Friday. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that took place at approximately 1:55 p.m. on June 7, according to a news release. It said Alexander Pollard, 22, of West Union, was killed as a result of the incident. Four arrested and charged with federal drug offenses after Pike County search warrants A 2005 Honda Pilot driven by Pollard, with a passenger in the vehicle, was traveling south on U.S. Route 23 when it traveled off the left side of the roadway, through the median, and traveled into northbound lanes. The vehicle overturned and ejected Pollard, before continuing off the left side of the roadway before coming to rest under the state Route 207 overpass. Pollard succumbed to his injuries as a result of the crash. The passenger was transported to a medical center for serious injuries. U.S. 23 was shut down for approximately three hours as a result of the crash. The crash 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. 1 flown to Nashville hospital following shooting in La Vergne LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WKRN) One person was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) via helicopter following a shooting in La Vergne. According to a Facebook post from the La Vergne Police Department, the incident occurred on Friday, June 7 around 5 p.m. on Miss Ellie Drive. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts The persons condition is not known at this time. At least one person was taken into custody. La Vergne Police said that there is no active threat to the public at this time. The incident is believed to be isolated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Ukrainian Ground Forces have reported that soldiers from the 47th Mechanised Brigade are holding back at least three Russian combat brigades on the Pokrovsk front. Source: Ukrainian Ground Forces Details: The Ukrainian Ground Forces noted that the Russians are not reducing the pace of their assault actions and the Pokrovsk front is the epicentre of the fighting. Quote: "Here, the enemy is trying to advance into the depths of our territory. Soldiers of the 47th Mechanised Brigade are holding back at least three Russian combat brigades. With huge reserves of manpower, the Russians quickly replenish their huge losses and throw [new soldiers] into battle again and again. The fighting does not cease for a moment." Support UP or become our patron! Based on his tears, Alex Jonesthe notorious conspiracy theorist and right-wing nutjobmay finally feel some regret for his actions. Jones has begun liquidating personal assets to cover the $1.5 billion he has been ordered to pay to the families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacrefamilies who spent years enduring the added trauma caused by the lies he told. Regardless, the penalty is not enough. To be honest, its difficult to imagine an amount large enough to compensate for the pain these grieving parents have endured, thanks to Jones. How Alex Jones Conspiracy Empire Has Kept Itself Going Even While Being Banned From Social Media As you might recall, in the wake of the horrific murder of 20 first graders and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut, Jones alleged that the shooting was a hoax that was, as The New York Times described, staged by the federal government as a pretext for confiscating Americans firearms. As if this allegation wasnt hurtful enough for families already going through hell, Jones comments incited his rabid followers to do things like confront grieving parents, issue death threats, harass them on social media, dox them, and desecrate their childrens graves. When one father, Neil Heslin, told Megyn Kelly in 2017 that he held his dead son after he was shot in the head, Jones made comments suggesting Heslin was lying. Aside from being a sicko who gets his kicks from tormenting grieving parents, you might be wondering why Jones did this. To be sure, he loves fame and attention. Why else would a 22-year-old man go on Austin public access TV to rant and rave about black helicopters and other conspiracy theories of the day? But it turns out that there was also a specific financial incentive for Jones. Thanks to emails and text messages Jones lawyers accidentally supplied to the prosecution, it is clear that Jones sales of supplements spiked whenever he would lie about Sandy Hook. And under oath, Jones father and business partner admitted, We like to emulate spikes. This is to say, he had a financial motive for spreading lies. These lies had real consequences, including inflicting emotional distress on people who were already suffering an unimaginable fate. (And despite their court victory, it seems likely that these parents will spend the rest of their lives guarding the burial grounds and reputations of their murdered babiesall because of Jones.) Pushing Total Bullshit Misinformation Is Not Healthy Skepticism of the Powerful And while my primary sympathy is with the families, its also true that Jones lies have taken a serious toll on America. For example, in the HBO documentary The Truth vs. Alex Jones, the jury is told that 24 percent of Americans believe Sandy Hook was either definitely or possibly staged. Its not just Sandy Hook. Several of the worst conspiracy theories of recent years were advanced by Jones. And while these lies have the potential to destroy individual lives, they also advance a worldview that is fueling the political agenda of right-wing politiciansincluding Jones friend and ally, Donald Trump. Despite his recent conviction in the New York hush-money trial, Trumps continued political success, coupled with his promise to pardon bad actors, including the Jan. 6 rioters, creates the impression that he is immune from accountability. When asked what she hopes her lawsuit will accomplish, Scarlett Lewis, whose son Jesse, 6, died at Sandy Hook, said, I hope to accomplish an era of truth. The only way to send a message to Jones (and his ilk), was to impose a serious penalty. In that regard, we can say, mission accomplished. But teaching Jones, and his imitators, a lesson wont be easy. Even after he was banned from most platforms, Jones continued profiting off of supplements and other forms of con-artistry. He put three shell companies under bankruptcy protection to try to protect his personal brand (and money). And despite his horrific behavior, he continued to be mainstreamed and embraced by the likes of Joe Rogan, host of the most popular podcast in the U.S. Thats why this huge penalty was so important. Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, and the Apocalyptic Centrists As one of the attorneys representing Sandy Hook parents Heslin and Lewis said in the HBO doc, The idea of [Jones] going back and starting this all over again he will. Thats why for a punitive damage verdict, you must take enough so that he can never re-enter public life. Because, if this isnt his exit from the American stage, his story is nowhere close to over. According to the Associated Press, Liquidation could mean that Jones would have to sell most of what he owns, including his company and its assets, but could keep his home and other personal belongings that are exempt from bankruptcy liquidation. Its a start. But $1.5 billion only scratches the surface in terms of what Alex Jones has done to these familiesand this country. If you ask me, hes getting off easy. 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. Joshua trees, such as this roughly 150- to 200-year-old specimen, are threatened with removal because of a solar project near Boron, Calif. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) It's been a while since we've had such an outpouring for something that doesn't have to do with Donald Trump: Dozens of readers wrote letters to the editor expressing dismay over the construction of a solar power project in the Mojave Desert reported by The Times' Melody Petersen that requires the destruction of 3,500 Joshua trees. This is understandable. Joshua trees mark the desert Southwest in a way that perhaps only the saguaro can match. Existing within a specific elevation window of the Mojave Desert a window that's closing because of climate change the plants act as a kind of unmistakable natural border between metropolitan Los Angeles and the high desert. Who doesn't take note of the first Joshua tree they see when driving out of L.A. on the Cajon Pass or the 14 Freeway? But we've gone far enough down the climate change road that we must now consider trade-offs, and this is one of them. Humanity must cut its carbon emissions, solar energy helps us get there, and there are fewer better places to generate solar energy than the sun-drenched Mojave Desert. Readers pleading for the survival of Joshua trees suggest alternatives such as more urban rooftop solar and conservation. This isn't the first environmental trade-off made in the battle against climate change. My hope is that the Joshua tree doesn't end up alongside the grizzly bear as iconic California species that have been killed off. To the editor: The photo of a 150-to-200-year-old Joshua tree with your article on the Aratina Solar Project caused my throat to seize up. Why aren't the 180,000 homes in the coastal neighborhoods that will receive the power installing rooftop solar? I have rooftop solar, and it doesn't detract from the beauty of my home. Why are threatened Joshua trees and endangered desert tortoises being sacrificed for homes so far away? The well-being of citizens in Boron and adjacent small towns will also be sacrificed for the benefit of wealthier neighborhoods. Why is discovery of a toxic fungus in the soil being ignored? This isn't "saving the planet." I believe in expanding renewable energy sources, but the quick fix bulldoze, shred and clear a large section of land for households miles away is lazy and thoughtless. Rooftop solar is the answer. Starflower Thomson, Joshua Tree, Calif. .. To the editor: Most of us environmentally concerned people in the desert Southwest knew from the get-go that this "save the planet" ethos was only going to go as far as NIMBYism and corporate greed would let it. An environmentalist in the Northeast who would be horrified at the removal of trees in a forest would not be so moved by mass destruction of cactus habitat in California's desert. An eco-concerned denizen of grizzly bear country is not going to become apoplectic about elimination of rattlesnake or tortoise habitat in Arizona. Too many Americans view the desert as a wasteland. Why do you think they built and tested nukes in New Mexico? Destruction of Joshua trees ostensibly to serve the greater good is immoral. It is a failure to recognize that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is not protecting the public, and that we have plenty of already developed (and therefore destroyed) habitats mainly in urban areas that are not being utilized for energy production. We need to incentivize rooftop solar so homeowners and others can afford solar installation costs. Why, exactly, does the CPUC exist? Denys Arcuri, Indio .. To the editor: Joshua trees, indeed most trees, deserve saving. So do desert animals. But let's be clear: If we hope to slow, and eventually stop, global warming, we must stop burning fossil fuels and transition to clean, renewable energy generated by wind, water and the sun. Building solar farms wherever we can is about saving humans, not killing trees or desert critters. The planet will survive global warming; human beings will not. Fortunately, scientists at Stanford University have created renewable energy road maps for all 50 states and, to date, more than 150 other countries to guide the world in making the transition. It's time to welcome clean energy infrastructure, not oppose it. Cort Casady, Palos Verdes Peninsula .. To the editor: I don't think destroying a natural habitat to provide electricity to human beings is a good trade-off. Conservation could be another path forward. The Joshua trees and the desert dwellers (including the human ones) have a right to exist too. Furthermore, as time goes on, we humans (8 billion of us) may end up missing what else this lovely planet of ours has to offer. John Muir had so much to say about the importance of wilderness to the human soul. For instance: "The battle we have fought, and are still fighting, for the forests is a part of the eternal conflict between right and wrong, and we cannot expect to see the end of it. ... So we must count on watching and striving for these trees, and should always be glad to find anything so surely good and noble to strive for." Erica Hahn, Monrovia .. To the editor: When you wander around Scotland and Germany, two of the least sunny locations on the planet, the ubiquity of rooftop solar installations is almost shocking. How is this possible? They take climate mitigation personally. California obviously does not. Here in sunny California, where there are thousands of acres of rooftops waiting to be solarized, private equity gets the go-ahead to destroy a pristine desert area with endangered plants and animals and only powerless poor people as neighbors. A private equity-owned developer is about to build this massive solar facility to serve wealthy coastal areas, and we are letting that happen? What is the matter with this state? Not one more massive solar project should be built until the solar potential of every single rooftop has been exhausted, right where the energy is needed. Sara R. Nichols, Los Angeles .. To the editor: As the late Huell Howser explained years ago, it's not just the Joshua tree that is endangered, but the habitat it provides to the reptiles, insects, birds and small mammals of the desert. Can't another site be found for the proposed solar plant? We need clean energy, but it takes many years for Joshua trees to grow and proliferate. If it were just a few trees, that might be acceptable but destroying thousands seems like a crime. Kathleen Trinity, Acton .. To the editor: The members of Kern County's Board of Supervisors should be ashamed of themselves and voted out of office for approving the profit-grabbing project that will destroy old-growth Joshua trees and protected wildlife habitat. Who is the private equity firm building the plant to claim that the benefits outweigh this horrible desecration of our natural treasures? The fact it plans to shred trees on site to avoid visibility and backlash proves the nefarious nature of this project. This type of development should not be part of California's path to clean energy, and the project should be stopped immediately. Peter Fennema, West Los Angeles 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. Generating dividend income can be an excellent way to put your cash to work. It can provide you with an extra stream of cash flow to diversify your income and help you pay bills, or perhaps fund a big purchase or vacation in the future. And investing in a safe, high-yielding dividend stock can make the most of your money. That's why a stock like Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) can be particularly attractive. Pfizer pays a quarterly dividend of $0.42, which amounts to $1.68 over the course of a full year. And with a share price of around $29, that puts its yield at around 5.83% -- more than four times what you would get with the average S&P 500 stock that yields just 1.4%. To collect $1,000 from Pfizer just in dividends, you would need to invest approximately $17,200. And over time, your dividend payments may climb higher; Pfizer has raised its payouts by 17% over the past five years. Since its growth has stalled, the pharmaceutical has fallen out of favor with investors. Pfizer's COVID-related revenue has been falling, but the business is still in good shape. The company has been focusing on growth initiatives through acquisitions (including its large $43 billion purchase of cancer treatment company Seagen last year) and the development of its pipeline. By the end of the decade, it plans to add $25 billion in new revenue. Up less than 2%, Pfizer still hasn't been attracting much interest from investors this year, but that could change. Buying the healthcare stock could not just lock in a great dividend, but potentially set you up for some great gains in the long run. Should you invest $1,000 in Pfizer right now? Before you buy stock in Pfizer, 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 Pfizer wasnt one of them. 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Here's How Much You'd Have to Invest in Pfizer Stock. was originally published by The Motley Fool On July 11, four days before he accepts the Republican nomination for president, Donald Trump will be in a New York City courtroom to learn his sentence for the 34 felony offenses of which he was found guilty last month. Justice Juan Merchan, who has presided over the case and has been the target of Trumps near-constant attacks, will face a historic choice: to sentence the former president to jail time or a lesser punishment, like probation or community service. Merchan should choose the former. Its a Bad Week to Be Named Michael Cohen. Trust Me, I Know. The reason is simple: Trumps behavior before, during, and after the trial has not only undermined the integrity of the criminal justice system, it risks creating a clear double standard in how criminal defendants are treated. Its important to note, at the outset, that 77-year-old first-time offenders rarely receive jail time for a nonviolent offense like the crime for which Trump was convicted: falsifying business records. However, rare does not mean neverand Trumps crimes are anything but ordinary. As Norm Eisen, who looked at close to 10,000 prosecutions for falsifying business records in New York, has noted, In the most serious of the cases, about 10 percent of the total, incarceration was imposed. And there is little question that Trumps crimes, which involved multiple misdeeds and played out over a year, qualify as a serious offense. By covering up his affair with a porn star, Trump attempted to deny the electorate critical information and, in the words of prosecutor Joshua Steinglass, pull the wool over [the] eyes [of voters] in a coordinated fashion. His actions were a fundamental and illicit attack on democracy. Trumps efforts to keep the Stormy Daniels story out of the news might have affected the final results of the 2016 electionand theres little question that the outcome of the presidential race directly impacted the lives of every single American citizen. Stormy Daniels Emotional After Trump Conviction For example, how many Americans would be alive today if Hillary Clinton had been commander-in-chief in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, rather than a president who covered up the deadliness of the coronavirus, refused to wear a mask in public, ignored rules on social distancing, and promoted discredited medical treatments? But there is another even more serious issue that requires Judge Merchan to impose the maximum penalty on Trump: his open contempt toward the criminal justice system. Donald Trump speaks during a Turning Point PAC town hall at Dream City Church on June 6, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Before and during Trumps trial, he was held in contempt of court on 10 separate occasionsand, in the process, demonstrated disrespect toward the court that would have landed practically any other criminal defendant in jail. He attacked Judge Merchan and members of his family, even openly suggesting that the judge hated him and that his animus toward Trump was informed by his Latino background. Trump also used his Truth Social feed to attack witnesses as well as the families of the prosecutors. During the trial, he was admonished by the Merchan for cursing audibly and shaking his head visually, which said the judge has the potential to intimidate the witness and the jury. According to one attorney I spoke to, Actively cursing during a witness testimony is an awesome way to watch that testimony from a jail cell. But Trump, who was told by Merchan that the last thing I want to do is put you in jail, escaped Rikers Island. We dont have to guess the reason. As Merchan said in court, it was because Trump was the former president of the United States and possibly the next president as well. For all of Trumps unending complaints about selective prosecution, theres little doubt that he has directly benefited from his status. Trumps Whining About a Rigged Judiciary Is Ridiculous A defense attorney with whom I spoke (and preferred to remain anonymous) has had cases before Judge Merchan. He said to me, What happens when my client goes on social media and goes after a judge or a judges family electronically? Does he or she get a pass because Trump got away with it? No way, but we will be banging the table. To me, that has been a big concern throughout the trial. I have 10 open cases in the courthouse right now. If my client wants to mouth off, whats to stop it? Whatever Trumps sentence is, he goes away, and he leaves a damaged system behind without a care for what he caused. People celebrate after former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all counts at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 30, 2024, in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images If Judge Merchan lets Trump get away with threatening the court, violating multiple gag orders, and ceaselessly attacking the integrity of the criminal justice system, it risks creating a virtual open season for other defendants to do the same thing and would make it far more difficult for judges to rein in such excesses. But its Trumps behavior after his felony conviction that is perhaps the best argument for incarcerating the former president. Trump and his allies have practically fallen over themselves in denigrating the criminal trial that decided his fate. He has baselessly said that the trial was rigged against him, lied about Merchans ruling, and claimed that This is all done by Biden and his people, an assertion for which there is simply no evidence. And he has demonstrated no remorse for his actions, as he continues to argue that he did nothing wrong and committed no crime. Heres Who Trump Should Blame: His Lawyers Even more ominously, Trumps allies are unabashedly promoting their plans to take revenge on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, including potentially seeking to imprison him. Not surprisingly, Trump has made no effort to tell his supporters to knock it off with such inflammatory rhetoric. Trumps behavior demonstrates a fundamental disrespect for the criminal justice system, a contempt for the rule of the law, and compelling evidence that a felony conviction without incarceration will not lead to a real change in his behavior. Sending a former president to jail would be a momentous decision and one that would only exacerbate the countrys deep divisions, but the integrity of the justice system deserves nothing less. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. 'An opportunity to grow and rebuild.' Stark Soil & Water recovering from employee exodus Stark Soil & Water Conservation District MASSILLON The Stark Soil & Water Conservation District continues work to hire new employees after the entire office quit their jobs. Some of the district's work is being outsourced to nearby districts and Stow-based EnviroScience, while the Board of Supervisors and the interim executive director, Janine Rybka, are working to fill open positions. Lindsay Short has been brought on as an office administrator, and Julie Berbari serves as an interim stormwater specialist. Starting Monday, Todd Clark will become the new stormwater inspector and Daniel Kunz will be the district program administrator, taking over the duties of the director. The new employees impressed the board with their years of experience and ideas, Rybka said. She sees their hiring as a new beginning for the agency, which handles drainage complaints, performs stormwater inspections and reviews development plans on projects of more than one acre across Stark County. "The new staff has an opportunity to grow and rebuild," she said. "And hopefully strengthening the district and making it better than it was before." More: 'Definition of a toxic work environment.' Every worker quits Stark Soil & Water District Stark Soil & Water employee exodus in 2023 and 2024 When Rybka joined the Soil & Water staff in the beginning of April, the previous staff of seven was gone. Running the office "has been a whirlwind," Rybka said. Her first priority was to pick up abandoned projects and do anything possible to avoid delays. Rybka was assisted by Rebecca ONeill and Tom Holmes with the Ohio Department of Agriculture Division of Soil & Water Conservation. "Day one, we were gathering information and figuring out where we are and top priority," she said. One of the major responsibilities of county conservation districts is to do inspections and review plans for stormwater before, during and after construction projects. For new developments of one acre or greater, the developer must submit a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan to be approved by the conservation district. Once submitted, the district has 30 days to review plans and respond. The time constraint made this a top priority. The district enlisted the help of soil & water conservation districts in Summit and Cuyahoga counties to get the reviews done. "This way, projects aren't being held up in Stark County," said Brian Prunty, district program administrator at the Summit County district. "They can continue to go through the process of submitting plans and starting the construction process." Summit is being reimbursed $75 per hour for the work. Prunty said it is typical for conservation districts to collaborate. "We just want to see everyone succeed and help each other out," he said. Stark County Assistant Prosecutor Gerard Yost is helping on the legal side. In that roll, Yost helped prepare and review the agreements with EnviroScience, Summit County and Cuyahoga County. What's next for Stark Soil & Water? The district will continue its search for new employees: another stormwater inspector at some point and possibly other positions as needed. Down the line, Rybka hopes the district will be in a comfortable enough position to stop outsourcing work. "We'll be getting people trained and fully transitioned so we won't have to rely on other districts or EnviroScience as much," she said. "That's going to take a little while." What are soil & water conservation districts? Each of Ohio's 88 counties has a district governed by a five-member board of supervisors. Their job is to promote conservation in the local community by improving land use in agriculture and in urban areas, said Janelle Mead, CEO of the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. "[Duties] depend on the area the district is in," she said. "Districts in Northwest Ohio are working a lot on H2Ohio and working with agriculture producers to reduce phosphorus runoff ... A lot of urban districts work on education programs, they work on stormwater issues, they work on construction in their communities, so it can vary." Size of district's staff also varies across the state. "We have some districts that have one employee and we have other districts that have a team," Mead said. Members of the governing board of supervisors can be anyone who lives in the county interested in conservation. "Some of our more urban districts have a lot of people that are interested in urban stormwater or pollinators," Mead said. "Some areas, depending on where they're located, might have five farmers on their districts because their land use is largely agricultural." Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@gannett.com. Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark Soil & Water hiring, outsourcing work after employee exodus (CBS DETROIT) A teen gunman who pleaded guilty in a 2021 deadly shooting at Michigan's Oxford High School has filed an appeal of his life sentence, arguing that new evidence questions whether he understood his guilty plea. In a statement Friday, the Michigan Appellate Defender Office, which is representing 18-year-old Ethan Crumbley, said a motion was filed requesting the trial court review new evidence and grant a resentencing, arguing that the sentence "for a child is unconscionable." Crumbley pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including murder and terrorism, in the Nov. 30, 2021, shooting at his high school that killed four people and injured seven others. In December 2023, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Records show he is housed in the Oaks Correctional Facility, an all-male facility. "Some of that new evidence includes seven witnesses who could have discussed Ethan's childhood struggles and his mother's alcohol abuse during pregnancy; the potential impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder on Ethan's life including the social and emotional maturity of a child younger than their chronological age; and an expert witness to properly present information about Ethan and his childhood rather than one who cut and pasted information from other reports and did not understand the indicia for evaluating a life without parole sentence for a child," the defender's office statement read. The shooter's parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, were each found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in separate trials earlier this year for their roles in the shooting, and were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison. During their trials, prosecutors argued that the shooting was preventable, and that James and Jennifer Crumbley ignored their son's mental health needs and bought him the gun that was used in the shooting. The Crumbleys have since obtained appellate attorneys in their cases, claiming that they were wrongly convicted. Attorneys say new evidence does not support life sentence The defender office argues that new evidence does not support the life without parole sentencing and is requesting the shooter is given a "constitutional sentence that is appropriate for a 15-year-old child." The shooter, who turned 18 earlier this year, was 15 at the time of the shooting. "Due process requires that every person who pleads must understand what they are doing, this is even more true when the person pleading is a child," read a statement from the defender office. Shooter asked for parents' pre-sentence reports to help with his appeal. They said no. In May, a judge denied the shooter's request to his parents' that their pre-sentence reports be used in his appeal. The shooter asked a state court for the reports that were used in his parents' trials, arguing that his family and home environment are relevant to his appeal. The sentencing court was required to consider his family background, including his home environment, because he was a minor at the time of the shooting. In response, prosecutors did not take a position on the matter, and noted the parents' pre-sentence reports were not created until months after the shooter was sentenced. An attorney for Jennifer Crumbley wrote in a court filing that the documents are "privileged and confidential" and she had "not waived her statutory privilege allowing the disclosure of her pre-sentence report." James Crumbley's attorney wrote that the shooter is "able-bodied" and "capable of advising his counsel about his childhood, his parents and his home environment. Counsel has failed to explain to this Honorable Court why they cannot learn this evidence from him directly." Pat Sajak takes final spin on "Wheel of Fortune" Polish general examines Putin threat to arm West's enemies Who will be Trump's 2024 VP pick? These are the contenders Paintings from Brauer Museum could be headed to auction after Friday court filing The auction of the three most valuable paintings in the collection of the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University appears to be edging forward after Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokitas office said in a Friday court filing that it would not object to the sale, with the expected proceeds from millions of dollars in artwork going to renovate freshmen dorms and establish a gallery for them. The university filed a petition in Porter Superior Court on May 28 seeking to modify a trust established by the late Percy H. Sloan, which provided the paintings or the funding for them, to allow for the sale. The paintings are Mountain Landscape by Frederic E. Church; Rust Red Hills by Georgia OKeeffe; and The Silver Veil and Golden Gate by Frederick Childe Hassam. According to appraisals received by the university, the fair market value of the OKeeffe is estimated at $10.5 million to $15 million; the Hassam, between $1 million and $3.5 million; and the Church at $1 million to $3 million. The Attorney General has received and reviewed many documents and other information from the University and those in the Valparaiso community opposed to the sale in the months leading up to this Petition and has conducted additional research on the gift and the constraints placed upon it pursuant to the Gift Agreement, Will, and Trust, the offices filing states. The Attorney General does not object to the Universitys requested relief as outlined in its Petition. Valparaiso University President Jose Padilla first announced the possible sale to the campus in February 2023, setting off a controversy on campus and drawing criticism from students, faculty and the greater university community, as well as opening the museum to censure or sanctions from other museums for lending or borrowing artwork. The proposal also drew the ire of Richard Brauer, the museums namesake and founder, who has threatened to remove his name from the building if the sale moves forward. The paintings were moved to a secure, off-campus location on Sept. 12. In an email to the campus community last week, Padilla said the university had filed the petition and pledged to update the campus once the court makes a ruling. We will continue to take steps that we believe are in the best interest of all our students, in support of our mission and the Universitys future our highest priorities, Padilla said in the email. The Attorney Generals Office got the weight of the decision on the paintings fate after Brauer and the late Philipp Brockington, a retired VU law professor and museum benefactor, filed a lawsuit to halt the sale of the artwork last spring. Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Thode ruled in October that Brauer and Brockington did not have standing in the case, leaving the matter up to Rokitas office. Brockington died in November. Brauer and John Ruff, a senior English professor at Valparaiso University who has been long involved with the museum and also is a close friend of Brauers, filed a notice to intervene in the universitys petition to auction the artwork on Thursday. The filing included an evaluation from Yale University-educated art scholar Wendy Greenhouse and the request that two or more art experts be heard on the petition before the universitys request is granted. The university has demanded the petition to intervene be withdrawn, said Portage attorney Patrick McEuen, who has worked with Brauer, Brockington and now Ruff to stop the sale The university claims that since Brauer and Brockington did not have standing in the lawsuit filed last year to stop the sale, an attempt to intervene now is therefore frivolous, McEuen said. Were discussing any and all available options to contest this sale now that the university has demanded we withdraw the petition to intervene, including whether we need to withdraw the petition, McEuen said. Rokitas office was tasked with determining whether the auction of the artwork to raise funds for dorm renovations for first-year students would be a violation of the tenets of the trust from Sloan. I dont think this proposed sale is consistent with this trust, period, said Boston attorney Nicholas ODonnell, an expert on art law and author on the subject. He added that as far as the universitys claim that two of the three paintings werent consistent with the intent of the trust to begin with, I think its about 60 years too late to make that argument. That seems a bit much to me. As to Valparaiso Universitys plans to use the proceeds from the auction to renovate the dorms and to construct the Sloan Gallery of American Paintings to display other, less valuable works from Sloans collection on a rotating basis, I think that is an acknowledgment that a restriction (on the trust) exists, which also means theyre bound by it. The university is the recipient of this charitable gift, and the university is bound by it, ODonnell said. When Brandeis University lost a huge portion of its endowment because the scheming of financier Bernie Madoff brought down several of its large benefactors, the university argued that it had to sell the artwork in its expansive collection to survive, ODonnell said, though Brandeis officials later backed down. While Valparaiso University officials note declining enrollment which they hope renovated housing can help rectify and a $9 million deficit for the 2023/34 fiscal year, as well as the cost of storing the paintings in a secure location off campus and the expense to protect them at the Brauer Museum, the two campuses differ, ODonnell said. Brandeis could credibly say, were facing an existential crisis because of the 2008 financial crisis and Madoffs actions, ODonnell said. He does not see the same thing at Valparaiso University, summarizing their argument: Were operating at a loss. We have important priorities. Thats not an argument for the cy pres doctrine, he said. Under Indiana Code, and according to the petition filed by Valparaiso University, if property is given to a charitable trust and it is or becomes impossible, impracticable, wasteful, or illegal to carry out the particular purpose, the court may direct the application of the property to some charitable purpose which falls within the general charitable intention of the settlor. In simpler terms, Valparaiso University argues that keeping the paintings is too expensive and impractical to follow the terms of the trust and is therefore asking the court to sell the paintings and use the proceeds for the dorm renovations and a gallery of other paintings from the Sloan collection. The OKeeffe, Hassam, and Church paintings have all substantially appreciated in value such that Valparaiso University can no longer, as a practical matter, securely display them in accordance with the Gift Agreement without incurring substantial capital improvement costs to its current art museum, the petition states. Renovating the museum to securely store the paintings would cost $50,000 to $100,000, with museum security guards and front desk staff costing $150,000 in salaries annually, according to the petition. Additionally, the university claims in the petition that its enrollment has dropped by nearly one-third over the past five years from 4,500 to less than 2,800 students. That and the operating deficit make it impractical and wasteful for Valparaiso University to spend funds on the capital improvements needed to securely display the OKeeffe, Hassam, and Church paintings. It is likewise wasteful for those three paintings to remain in storage. Part of the universitys argument is that keeping the paintings in storage does not serve the trusts intention of educational purposes but creating a gallery within the renovated dorms would do that. The university also argues that the new dorms will bring in more students, helping erase its budget deficit and also providing a larger audience to view the paintings in the collection. The university, according to its petition, proposes renovating its freshman dormitories, Brandt and Wehrenberg halls, as part of its strategic plan. The estimated cost of such renovations and capital improvements is between $12-20 million depending on final scope of work and material costs. The universitys argument for selling the paintings also hinges on its claim that two of the paintings, those by OKeeffe and Hassam, do not fit in with the conservative art movement that was at the forefront of Sloans collection, and therefore should be deaccessioned. Brauer and Ruff disagree, as does Greenhouse, who is familiar with the museums collection, Brauers work and the paintings in question. The universitys petition and the two art experts who provided supporting opinions claim that the OKeeffe painting is abstract art and the one by Hassam is Impressionist, and neither, therefore, fits the definition of conservative art. The petition also notes that Richard Brauer knew OKeeffes work was not a conservative painting and purchased it anyway. I think the petition grossly misrepresents the narrative and maligns Richard Brauer, the committee he served with and the trustee, Louis Miller, said Ruff, adding all of Brauers purchases for the museum were approved by Miller. The narrative they tell about the acquisition is false. Miller, who was Sloans trustee, was involved in every purchase and guided the museums committee. He expressed gratitude for how they did their work, Ruff said. If the trustee were alive today, he would have no tolerance for this idea of selling artwork and using the proceeds for a dorm with gallery space. Ruff also scoffed at the idea that Brauer was working outside the limits of the trust. His guidance was instrumental but he wasnt working alone, he said. Sloan talks a lot about the beauty of artwork in his trust and the value of art for educational purposes, said Greenhouse, of Oak Park, Illinois, who is familiar with the Brauer Museums collection. The paintings by OKeeffe and Hassam are beautiful, she said, also pointing out that the definition of conservative art has shifted over time, and therefore shouldnt be a factor in whether the paintings remain in the collection. How come nobody realized they violated the trust until they needed the money? she said, adding the Church painting, which is not under question for whether its a conservative painting, has been deemed too expensive to store or safely display. From the universitys standpoint, the only way to honor the trust is to sell the artwork, renovate the dorms and fulfill the educational mission of the trust with a gallery in the dorms, Greenhouse said. Even Miller, the executor of the trust, understood the value of the paintings. Their argument is so convoluted and misguided, she said of the universitys petition. In the long run, Greenhouse said, selling the paintings will undermine the universitys educational mission. This is such an example of cutting your nose off to spite your face, she said, and unfortunately, its going on across the country. alavalley@chicagotribune.com Body of a Palestinian girl, killed during simultaneous Israeli attacks on Nuseirat Refugee Camp, al-Bureij Refugee Camp and al-Maghazi Refugee Camp, arrives at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Israeli special forces rescued four hostages in broad daylight on Saturday from the Nuseirat refugee district in the centre of the Gaza Strip after 246 days in captivity, the army said. Omar Naaman/dpa Israeli special forces rescued four hostages in broad daylight on Saturday from the Nuseirat refugee district in the centre of the Gaza Strip after 246 days in captivity, the army said. The Palestinian director of the al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah said at least 94 people had been killed and a further 200 injured in the course of the Israeli rescue operation. The Hamas media office later said that 210 Palestinians had been killed and around 400 injured in Nuseirat. The information could not be independently verified. The Israeli army said it was checking the reports. The freed Israeli hostages were named as Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27 and Shlomi Ziv, 41. They were all abducted from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7, the army said. "They are alive. They are fine," said Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari. Israeli media showed pictures of the happy reunion of Argamani with her family. She is especially well known in Israel as she was seen being kidnapped by Hamas on a motorbike, desperately crying out for help. The four were rescued in two operations that had been planned for weeks, Hagari said. He again accused Hamas of using Palestinian civilians as shields. Families and armed guards had been present in both building from which the hostages had been freed, he said. The IDF forces had come under sustained attack with rocket-propelled grenades and had responded on the ground and from the air, Hagari said. Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida posted on the Telegram channel of the Al-Qassam Brigades that several hostages had been killed when Israeli forces freed the four hostages. The IDF responded said that Hamas was using psychological warfare and that its statements should be treated with caution. Hamas has in the past claimed that hostages have been killed in IDF operations. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss what the Palestinian Authority termed "the gruesome massacre perpetrated by Israeli forces this morning in the Nuseirat refugee camp," the Palestinian WAFA news agency reported. EU top diplomat Josep Borrell condemned reports of civilian deaths. "Reports from Gaza of another massacre of civilians are appalling. We condemn this in the strongest terms," he posted on X. "The bloodbath must end immediately." There were reportedly heavy airstrikes and artillery fire in the area. Footage purporting to show scenes from the treating hospital shows bloodied victims, dead bodies and injured children. According to reports, complete chaos broke out at the al-Aqsa hospital. Christopher Lockyear, general secretary of Doctors without Borders, told CNN: "The scenes that our teams are reporting from Gaza over the last couple of days are absolutely horrific. The only word that I can summon to describe it is apocalyptic." The Hamas-controlled media office spoke of "an unprecedented, brutal attack on the Nuseirat refugee camp" and said that the al-Aqsa hospital was in a catastrophic situation. In Doha, Ismail Haniyeh, the top Hamas official, described Israel's recent operations in Gaza as a "massacre" of the Palestinians. "The enemy is continuing its massacre against our people, our children and women, in Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah," Hanija said on Saturday. Haniyeh declared that Israel had "failed militarily, politically and morally." As for the still unsuccessful negotiations on a possible ceasefire, Haniyeh declared that Hamas would not agree to any agreement that did not "first and foremost provide security for our people." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Argamani on Saturday, according to his office. She was happy to be able to speak in Hebrew again after such a long time, according to the media. Her mother is suffering from terminal cancer and wanted to see her daughter before she died. Israeli media said Saturday is her father's birthday. According to the Forum of Hostage Families, Argamani's boyfriend, who was also kidnapped and seen on that October 7 video of the kidnapping, is still being held by Hamas. According to a media report, spontaneous cheers and applause broke out on the beach in Tel Aviv after a lifeguard announced the rescue operation. "We are overjoyed to have you home," said Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, according to his office. He spoke of a "heroic operation." Benny Gantz, a minister in Israel's war cabinet, said after the hostages were rescued that his "heart was full," according to the media. At the same time, he cancelled a speech planned for the evening. He had been expected to announce his party's withdrawal from the government. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the release of four Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip on Saturday as an "important sign of hope." Writing on X, he said this was "especially true for the many families in Israel who continue to fear for their loved ones. "Four hostages are now free. Hamas must finally release all hostages. The war must end," he said. According to Israeli police, a high-ranking Israeli official was also killed during the operation in Nuseirat. No additional information was immediately available. The war started on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack in southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 people as hostage. In November there was a temporary ceasefire in which Hamas released more than 100 hostages in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinians held in Israeli jails. There are believed to be about 120 hostages from Israel still in Gaza but it is unclear how many of them are still alive. A Palestinian man carries his injured little girl at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital following simultaneous Israeli attacks on Nuseirat Refugee Camp, al-Bureij Refugee Camp and al-Maghazi Refugee Camp. Israeli special forces rescued four hostages in broad daylight on Saturday from the Nuseirat refugee district in the centre of the Gaza Strip after 246 days in captivity, the army said. Omar Naaman/dpa Palestinian men carry the body of a dead person at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital following simultaneous Israeli attacks on Nuseirat Refugee Camp, al-Bureij Refugee Camp and al-Maghazi Refugee Camp. Israeli special forces rescued four hostages in broad daylight on Saturday from the Nuseirat refugee district in the centre of the Gaza Strip after 246 days in captivity, the army said. Omar Naaman/dpa Palestinian men carry the body of a dead person at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital following simultaneous Israeli attacks on Nuseirat Refugee Camp, al-Bureij Refugee Camp and al-Maghazi Refugee Camp. Israeli special forces rescued four hostages in broad daylight on Saturday from the Nuseirat refugee district in the centre of the Gaza Strip after 246 days in captivity, the army said. Omar Naaman/dpa Injured Palestinians receive medical treatment at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital following simultaneous Israeli attacks on Nuseirat Refugee Camp, al-Bureij Refugee Camp and al-Maghazi Refugee Camp. Israeli special forces rescued four hostages in broad daylight on Saturday from the Nuseirat refugee district in the centre of the Gaza Strip after 246 days in captivity, the army said. Omar Naaman/dpa A Palestinian man carries a little kid to receive medical treatment at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital following simultaneous Israeli attacks on Nuseirat Refugee Camp, al-Bureij Refugee Camp and al-Maghazi Refugee Camp. Israeli special forces rescued four hostages in broad daylight on Saturday from the Nuseirat refugee district in the centre of the Gaza Strip after 246 days in captivity, the army said. Omar Naaman/dpa Injured Palestinians arrive at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital for treatment following simultaneous Israeli attacks on Nuseirat Refugee Camp, al-Bureij Refugee Camp and al-Maghazi Refugee Camp. Israeli special forces rescued four hostages in broad daylight on Saturday from the Nuseirat refugee district in the centre of the Gaza Strip after 246 days in captivity, the army said. Omar Naaman/dpa Andrey Kozlov (C), 27, one of the four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives by a helicopter at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre, in Ramat Gan. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had rescued four Israeli hostages on Saturday in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Jack Guez/AFP pool/dpa Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre, in Ramat Gan. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had rescued four Israeli hostages on Saturday in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Jack Guez/AFP pool/dpa Shlomi Ziv (L), 40, Andrey Kozlov (C), 27, and Almog Meir, 21, three of the four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrive by a helicopter at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Andrey Kozlov (C), 27, one of the four Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives by a helicopter at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa A helicopter carrying the rescued Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa A helicopter carrying the rescued Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival on 7 October, arrives at the Sheba Medical center in Ramat Gan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four Israeli hostages in a "complex special daytime operation" in Nuseirat, a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) Dozens of Rutherford County parents expressed outrage over a policy at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy regarding a potential incoming student who doesnt adhere to gender norms. An online petition has racked up more than 1,300 signatures calling for TJCA to walk back its stance on allowing gender neutral bathrooms and having teachers and students use preferred pronouns. Tortoise Slow Poke rescued after dumped, abandoned in pond; NC officer to give him new home on farm This comes on the heels of a rumor circulating on social media claiming a potential incoming students parents contacted the school requesting the student be granted accommodations to use a gender-neutral bathroom and to be referred to using gender-neutral pronouns. Sister station 7NEWS was not able to verify the authenticity of this specific online claim, and Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy does not publicly disclose any accommodation requests made by parents. Following the publication of the petition, more than a dozen people spoke out against the schools policy at a TCJA board meeting Tuesday evening. Just one public speaker voiced an opinion that seemed to be in support of the school. Union County mom arrested on child abuse charges says she was following doctors orders 7NEWS reached out to TJCA for a request for comment and was sent this statement: TJCA follows all applicable state and federal laws. Facilities have available single-stall bathrooms for students who choose this option; Facilities also have available multi-stall gender-specific bathrooms; As a matter of best practices and in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), TJCA does not publicly reveal requests from any parents for accommodation for their child/children; and TJCA follows S49 115C-76.55 regarding parents legal rights for their childs (kindergarten-fourth grade) education, including the right to consent or withhold consent for participation in reproductive health and safety education programs, consistent with the requirements of G.S. 115C-81.30. (Instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality shall not be included in the curriculum provided in grades kindergarten through fourth grade, regardless of whether the information is provided by school personnel or third parties.) A few of the arguments some public speakers chose to voice in opposition to the schools stance were based on religious grounds and student safety. They live in a world of imagination. They dont understand the concept of sex until they are age eight or nine, said one speaker. If we cant push religion they shouldnt be able to push an agenda, said another. A third speaker claimed he would pull his children out of the school, to the chagrin of much of the audience, proclaiming, If this goes through, my kid is out. The safety issue is if you have one stall bathroom that locks from the inside, said a woman who claimed to be a nurse. But not everyone who spoke was against the policy. According to the TJCA handbookevery student has the right to an environment that encourages learning and is free of destruction, said one speaker in support of allowing the student to have special accommodations. You can find a statement from the childrens parent 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 Queen City News. One person died and another was injured in a Greenville County crash, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Just before 7:30 a.m., a driver from Greenville was traveling west in a 2005 Dodge pickup truck on State Park Road, about 2 miles east of Travelers Rest, Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway said. The truck drove off the road to the right, overcorrected and drove across the left side of the roadway before hitting a tree. The driver was taken to a Greenville hospital to be treated for their injuries. The sole passenger of the truck died on the scene. The passenger has not been publicly identified by the Greenville County Coroners Office. The collision remains under investigation. Through Saturday, 357 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, 33 of which have been in Greenville County. Last year, 1,030 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported. Permission to win: Ukraine needs more from Biden than weapons to defeat Russia, according to experts Soon after President Joe Biden announced a new $225 million package of desperately-needed weapons and ammunition for Ukraine during an in-person meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris Friday, he told Biden that to thwart the Russian invasion, Ukraine must be allowed to use the weapons to strike at its source: Inside Russia itself. Last week, Biden gave limited permission for Ukrainian forces to fire back at Russians attacking Kharkiv from just across the border with United States' weapons, but the administration has been emphatic that it still opposes strikes on key military targets elsewhere on Russian territory. "It should not be construed as a shift away from our broader policy that we dont encourage or enable U.S. weapons to be used against targets inside Russia," a U.S. official said. PHOTO: Ukrainian soldiers of the 55th Artillery Brigade load projectile into CAESAR self-propelled howitzer before firing on Russian position, June 1, 2024, in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. (Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) Zelenskyy has been vocal about the importance of using long-range Western weapons, like the U.S.-provided Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), against military targets in Russia. "There is no moral, legal, or military reason for restricting them from using ATACMS, or any other weapon that we give them across the border," said retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, who led all U.S. Army forces in Europe. As opposed to ethics, law or sound military strategy, the restrictive American policy for Ukraine is based on fear, according to Hodges and other experts on the region. PHOTO: The aftermath of the Russian attack on an 'Epitsentr' hypermarket in Kharkiv, May 25, 2024. (Jose Hernandez/Shutterstock) "I believe it is actually just fear of escalation," George Barros, leader of the Institute for the Study of War's Russia team, told ABC News on Friday. Since launching his invasion in February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin has deliberately cultivated such fear within the U.S. and NATO. Putin rattled the saber most recently on Friday while speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where he threatened to begin arming enemies of the West with precision weapons. If they supply these weapons to the combat zone and call for the use of these weapons on our territory, why then dont we have the right to do the same, to respond in a mirror way?" Putin said. PHOTO: Ukrainian soldiers prepare to fire 120mm mortar towards Russian position on the front line at undisclosed location in Donetsk region, Ukraine, June 4, 2024. (Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukrainian 24 Mechanized Brigade via AP) Biden and his cabinet members at the Pentagon and State Department have repeatedly vowed to assist Ukraine for "as long as it takes." However, Hodges and Barros believe the administration has been unduly cowed by the Kremlin into not doing "what it takes." Hodges sees the Biden administration's hesitant, incremental approach to supporting Ukraine -- seen in the pattern of refusing to send advanced equipment like Patriot air-defense systems, Abrams tanks and F-16 fighters before eventually relenting -- as a symptom of its failure to conceive and express a clear strategic vision for its support of Ukraine. MORE: After a year, will US strategy in Ukraine bring victory or stalemate? "It's all kind of wishy-washy, leaves all kinds of caveats," he said. "It's very difficult to develop good strategy and good policy if you don't have a clearly defined end state." Without a clearly defined objective, "You end up with bad policy, just as we did for 20 years in Afghanistan," he said. PHOTO: The M57A1 Army Tactical Missile System missile is fired over the cab of an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launcher. (U.S. Army) With its current restrictions, the U.S. is "giving Russia sanctuary from which they're murdering innocent Ukrainian people," Hodges said. Changing the policy to instead help deny Russian forces sanctuary on their home turf could have a major impact on how the war plays out, according to Barros. "One of the most decisive things that the administration can do, but that it really, earnestly, has not done, is unambiguously remove all the sanctuary space and allow the Ukrainians to conduct strikes in the deep and operational rears with all the U.S.-provided weapons," Barros said. "This is super, super important, because I actually do think that we are on the cusp of what could be a game changer for the Ukrainians and what they could do on the battlefield." MORE: US likely to send long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine for the first time: Officials Russia's dependence on centralized leadership orchestrating masses of poorly-trained troops might leave it especially vulnerable to long-range strikes on command centers and other targets behind the front lines. "The way you defeat their only advantage, which is mass, is with precision," Hodges said. "Precision out to 300 kilometers allows you to destroy headquarters, logistics, artillery, long-range fires if you can destroy those, then you completely emasculate the Russian army." PHOTO: Soldiers came to White Sands Missile Range, Dec. 14, 2021 to conduct live fire testing of old missiles to confirm the older weapons are still reliable and ready for use. (John Hamilton/White Sands Missile Range Public via DVIDS) A policy change from Biden could disrupt Putin's war machine even before Ukraine launched its first U.S. missile deep into Russia, according to Barros. Just the threat of use would force Russian commanders to make hard decisions on whether to move any of its limited air-defense systems away from the front lines to cover its rear areas, leaving one or both at least partially exposed. Those rear areas are "currently configured to maximize economic efficiency," Barros said. But a new, credible threat of attack could immediately deprive Russia of such luxury. With restrictions removed, Ukraine could also use U.S.-provided precision weapons to possibly destroy air-defenses within Russia, making it more likely Ukraine could overcome the current air-superiority stalemate and use its coming F-16s to good effect. Despite the limits being imposed, military aid approved by the Biden administration has been significant, and it is doubtful Ukraine would have retained so much of its territory without it. With the aid package announced on Friday, which included more artillery pieces and ammunition, as well as rockets for its High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), the U.S. has now committed more than $51 billion to Ukraine since Russia initiated the war. "It's better than not having it, for sure," Hodges said to ABC News, "But none of this is decisive." MORE: Biden gave Ukraine permission to strike inside Russia with US weapons: Official Helping Ukraine, and helping it achieve victory are not the same. "We haven't even tried to actually help Ukraine win yet," Hodges said. While the outcome will be undoubtedly consequential for Ukrainians, assisting them toward victory is no matter of altruism for Americans, according to Hodges and Barros. "If you want to keep NATO out of a fight with Russia, then we need to help Ukraine defeat Russia," Hodges said. Barros echoed that sentiment, going on to say he believes Putin would love to go down as the man who proved NATO to be a paper tiger in a future attack on Europe. "There's actually a real opportunity here for the Russians to achieve that in a conventional small-scale war in the future, if we're not careful," he said. But the way the U.S. handles the current conflagration in Europe could also have implications for a potentially higher-stakes war looming in the Pacific, argued Hodges. "I think the Chinese are watching closely to see if we have the political will, industrial capacity and military capability to help Ukraine defeat Russia, where it is a much, much simpler problem than it will be out in the Indo-Pacific region," Hodges said. "So this is about deterring China, also." Barros said that if the U.S. undermines its stated principle of supporting Ukraine due to nuclear threats from Russia, it would give the "greenest light you can give" to any other malign nation seeking leverage over America. "All you have to simply do is just get nukes, and you'll get a veto on our decision making," he said. He added, "If we're not willing to take that risk with Russia, why would it be any different with China?" And that risk is low, according to both Barros and Hodges. "Putin, he's evil, but he's not crazy," said Hodges, who argued that Russia has more to gain by threatening to use nuclear weapons than actually detonating them, which would likely bring a swift, destructive response. Barros pointed out the U.S. has already blown past several Kremlin warnings that proved toothless. "Even though we cannot 100% eliminate the risk, I think you can be really intellectual robust about this and say that the risk is extremely low, that we actually can indeed push back against the Russians, that we have, over the course the last two years collected sufficient evidence, and we know enough about Putin's reaction to our efforts to push back on him, that we actually can do this," he said. Permission to win: Ukraine needs more from Biden than weapons to defeat Russia, according to experts originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Person critically injured after being hit by car in Tampa, police say Person critically injured after being hit by car in Tampa, police say TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A person was critically injured Friday afternoon after they were hit by a car in Tampa, police said. The crash happened at about 4:30 p.m. in the area of North Nebraska Avenue and East 21st Avenue. Map shows approximate location This embedded content is not available in your region. The roadway around the area of the crash have been closed, police said. No other details were immediately available. This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Overview of the Recent Transaction On June 7, 2024, Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio)'s Berkshire Hathaway made a significant addition to its investment portfolio by acquiring 2,565,477 shares of Occidental Petroleum Corp (NYSE:OXY). This transaction, executed at a price of $59.75 per share, not only underscores the firm's confidence in OXY but also impacts its portfolio with a 0.05% increase, bringing its total holdings in the company to 250,583,605 shares. This move further solidifies Berkshire Hathaway's position as a major stakeholder in the oil and gas sector. Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio), often referred to as "The Oracle of Omaha," is a hallmark of success in the investment world. As the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett transformed a textile company into a powerhouse conglomerate. His investment philosophy, rooted in the principles taught by Benjamin Graham, focuses on acquiring undervalued companies with long-term growth potential. This strategy has consistently outperformed the market, making Buffett one of the most followed investors globally. Warren Buffett's Strategic Acquisition in Occidental Petroleum Corp Details of the Trade The recent purchase increases Berkshire Hathaway's stake in Occidental Petroleum to 28.26% of its portfolio, emphasizing its strategic importance. With a total investment position of 4.51%, this acquisition not only reflects Buffett's bullish outlook on the oil and gas industry but also aligns with his investment criteria of understanding the business, favorable long-term prospects, and competent management. Occidental Petroleum Corp Overview Occidental Petroleum is a leading entity in the oil and gas industry, with diversified operations across the United States, Latin America, and the Middle East. As of the end of 2023, the company boasted nearly 4 billion barrels of oil equivalent in net proved reserves, with a balanced production mix of oil and natural gas. The company's segments include Chemical, Midstream and Marketing, and Oil and Gas, contributing to a robust business model. Warren Buffett's Strategic Acquisition in Occidental Petroleum Corp Stock Performance and Valuation Currently, Occidental Petroleum's stock is modestly overvalued with a GF Value of $53.59 and a price-to-GF Value ratio of 1.11. Despite a slight year-to-date price decline of 0.39%, the stock has shown a significant increase of 932.64% since its IPO. The GF Score of 79 indicates a likely average performance in the future, supported by a strong momentum rank of 10/10. Sector and Market Analysis In the competitive oil and gas industry, Occidental Petroleum stands out due to its substantial oil reserves and balanced production capabilities. The company's strategic initiatives and operational efficiencies position it well against industry peers, aligning with market trends that favor energy companies with robust production and reserve metrics. Story continues Other Significant Investors Besides Berkshire Hathaway, other notable investors in Occidental Petroleum include Dodge & Cox, Prem Watsa (Trades, Portfolio), and Smead Value Fund (Trades, Portfolio). These investments highlight the company's strong fundamentals and the industry's attractiveness to value-oriented investors. Future Outlook and Analyst Insights Analysts remain cautiously optimistic about Occidental Petroleum's prospects, driven by its strategic asset base and operational efficiencies. Buffett's increased investment could signal a positive outlook, potentially influencing other investors' sentiments and the company's stock performance in the upcoming periods. This strategic acquisition by Berkshire Hathay not only reinforces its commitment to Occidental Petroleum but also reflects a well-calculated move based on extensive analysis and a bullish outlook on the energy sector. As the market continues to evolve, this investment may yield significant returns, aligning with Buffett's legendary investment strategy. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. FILE PHOTO: A Philippine flutters on BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that has been aground since 1999, on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea By Neil Jerome Morales MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines will continue to maintain and supply its outposts in the South China Sea without seeking permission from any other country, the country's national security adviser said. The Philippines national security council said on Saturday it reaffirmed its commitment to uphold its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the Second Thomas Shoal. "Our operations are conducted within our own territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, and we will not be deterred by foreign interference or intimidation," said National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Ano. The Philippine agency issued a statement in response to China's suggestion that the Philippines must first notify Beijing over access. China's foreign ministry said on Friday it will allow the Philippines to deliver supplies and evacuate personnel if Manila notifies Beijing in advance. Ano described such suggestions as "absurd, nonsense and unacceptable". He added: "We do not and will never need China's approval for any of our activities therein." But the Philippines remains open to dialogue and peaceful negotiations to resolve disputes in the entire South China Sea, the council said. The Philippine coastguard on Friday accused its Chinese counterpart of blocking efforts to evacuate a sick member of its armed forces in the South China Sea. It was the latest dispute in a longstanding territorial spat with China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague said China's claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected. (Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Alexander Smith) TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A rainbow perfectly complemented a lightning strike on the east coast of Florida on Friday. The drone video, captured by Greg Diesel Walck, shows what he referred to as a very photogenic storm on Ormond Beach. Florida authorities warn of shark dangers along Gulf Coast beaches after 3 people are attacked On Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of South Florida including Boynton Beach, Wellington, and Green Acres. Rainbow over Daytona Beach (WFLA) Storms continued through Saturday morning, bringing plenty of rain to accompany the Florida heat. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Supporters turned out, even on boats, for Donald Trump's fundraising visit to Newport Beach hosted by Palmer Luckey, and Kimberly and John Word on Saturday, June 8, 2024. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) More than 100 supporters of former President Trump gathered in Newport Beach early Saturday morning, cheering for the presumptive GOP presidential nominee and hoping to catch a glimpse of his motorcade en route to an exclusive fundraiser on gated Harbor Island. People waved flags that read Trump 2024 and a banner that read Never Surrender! and We stand united with Trump!" On Friday evening, Trump headlined a fundraiser at the Beverly Hills Italianate mansion of Lee Samson, a longtime philanthropist who is on the board of directors of the Republican Jewish Coalition. He has hosted many fundraisers for GOP politicians over the years, including one for Trump in 2019 that raised $5 million and another in 2020 with the then-presidents daughter Ivanka supporting his reelection that raised $2 million. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) Onlookers stand across the street from a home that held a fundraiser for Donald Trump in Beverly Hills on Friday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) Donald Trump leaves a home that held a fundraiser for his campaign Friday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) Donald Trump waves to fans as he leaves a home in Beverly Hills on Friday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) A Donald Trump supporter stands outside a home in Beverly Hills, California where the ex-president held a fund raiser Friday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) Demonstrator Robin Dominguez, right, argues with a Trump supporter in Beverly Hills on Friday. Trump supporters at Jamboree Rd and East Coast Hwy in Newport Beach on Saturday, June 8, 2024. The former president is attending a fundraiser in Newport Beach. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) Trump supporters gather at Jamboree Road and East Coast Highway in Newport Beach on Saturday. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The owner of a local pizza chain in Boston was found guilty Friday of forced labor after prosecutors said he physically abused and threatened to report six undocumented workers to immigration authorities. Stavros Steve Papantoniadis, 48, of Westwood, the owner of three Stashs Pizza restaurants in Boston, was convicted of three counts of forced labor and three counts of attempted forced labor, the U.S. attorneys office in Massachusetts announced. Papantoniadis was initially arrested in March 2023 following reports that he had been targeting undocumented employees for about 14 years, NBC affiliate WBTS-TV in Boston reported at the time. One of the three Stash's Pizza locations in Boston, shown on a Google Maps image. Google Maps After Papantoniadis was arrested, a man at one Stashs location who identified himself as the co-owner told WTBS, Everything is not true. Its all fake, and itll be resolved in court. Evidence presented at the trial showed that Papantoniadis purposely employed workers without legal immigration status and forced them to work 14-hour days for up to seven days a week, federal prosecutors said in the announcement. According to Boston.com, during an investigation of Papantoniadis by the U.S. Labor Department in 2017, authorities found evidence that he tried to intimidate at least one witness. Stavros Papantoniadis instilled fear in his employees. He underpaid and threatened them, some with fear of arrest and many with physical abuse, Michael J. Krol, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, said in Fridays announcement. Prosecutors said Papantoniadis would maintain control over some undocumented workers by making them believe he would physically harm them or have them deported, according to the announcement. Others reported they were physically abused at work. In all, the experiences of six victims five men and one woman were detailed in the trial. In one instance cited by prosecutors, Papantoniadis violently choked a worker after learning he intended to quit. Another worker who tried to quit and flee the pizza shop was chased down by Papantoniadis, who made a false police report to pressure him to return. According to court documents cited by WBTS, one victim who worked at Stashs Pizza from 2001 to 2015 was physically abused multiple times by Papantoniadis, who also made derogatory comments about the workers Muslim religion. Prosecutors said that the Islamic employee was pushed to the floor and kicked in the genitals and that Papantoniadis threatened to kill him if he sought medical treatment or did not return to work, according to WBTS. The employees teeth were broken in one attack, causing him to need dentures. Papantoniadis is facing up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each charge of force labor and attempted force labor. His sentencing is set for Sept. 12. Mr. Papantoniadis preyed on the desperation of those without immigration status, subjecting them to violence and threats of deportation, Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy said in the announcement. Forced labor is a serious violation of human rights, and no one in the United States should live in fear of abuse and coercion in their workplace. Related... HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A day after an attorney representing the family of Mica Miller urged South Carolina lawmakers to go to work on coercive control legislation aimed at helping victims of domestic violence, an Horry County Republican appeared to take offense to her comments. I was shocked and saddened at the news of Mica Millers death, and I join our community in mourning her much to short life, state Sen. Luke Rankin said in Facebook post. Now we await the results of any investigation by the proper authorities of possible wrongdoing. Timeline: Whats happened so far in the death of Myrtle Beach woman Mica Miller Disappointingly, yesterday the family law attorney who represented Mica before her tragic death chose to use Micas death to take a political cheap shot at me. For the record, there is no such bill pending before the House or Senate judiciary committee, and no bill has been introduced by any member of the House or Senate since 2021. During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, outside the Horry County Government building in Conway, attorney Regina Ward challenged Rankin to act on legislation. State Republican Sen. Katrina Shealy of Lexington filed the most recent bill in 2021. However, it failed to make it out of the Judiciary Committee, which Rankin now leads. What this family wants you to do is to help this, Ward said. We want the coercive control bill to be looked at, taken seriously. Put some time into it and somebody make an amendment to call it Micas Law. Getting this law on the books will help. Rankin responded in the Facebook post by saying that prior to Wednesdays news conference he had never been asked about the legislation. No law enforcement, victims advocate, family court judge or family law attorney including Ms. Ward has ever asked me to help make this bill a law, Rankin said. The statement or suggestion made otherwise is completely false. While I always seek ways to strengthen SC laws to protect the innocent, I realize for a bill to become law it requires action by the majority of the House, Senate, and the Governor. I stand ready to help continue to make SC and our community the place so many love to call home. Ward said during the news conference that Rankin has the power to get the ball rolling again on the legislation. [Rankin] has the ability to assign this bill to a subcommittee, Ward said. He has the ability to put it on the agenda and walk it all the way through. I challenge them to go back there and find it and bring it out. Lets get this done. It is important. It is extremely important. News13 reported that legislation filed four years ago would have criminalized coercive control and established punishments of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Since then, efforts to get such a law on the books have stalled in both chambers of the General Assembly. Prior to Micas death on April 27, Ward was working to finalize her divorce from John-Paul, the founder and senior pastor at Solid Rock church in The Market Common. He was served papers two days earlier. Since her death by gunshot at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, which authorities have deemed a suicide, News13 has reported multiple times about claims of abuse at the hands of John-Paul including him placing GPS trackers on her vehicle, slashing her tires and posting explicit photos of her online. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. From left, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and outgoing Florida Polytechnic University President Randy Avent shake hands entering a joint venture creating the new Sheriff's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, or SAIL, launched to use AI to help fight crime on April 1. Polk County Sheriff's Office is teaming up with Florida Polytechnic University in an effort to use the latest technological trend to fight crime. Polk Sheriff Grady Judd announced the launch of the Sheriff's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, or SAIL. The Sheriff's Office has started assembling staff and resources for a new investigative unit aimed at learning the latest technologies and artificial intelligence to keep people safe. "AI is the new uncharted universe that we must sail into and chart safe navigation for all of our community," Judd said. "We will protect you from the evils of AI." Judd said he thinks artificial intelligence can be used to prevent crimes, as his office is already seeing instances of AI-generated child pornography. The sheriff said it will be necessary to have the intelligence to disprove future creations, where a suspect or individual could potentially create a video of themselves to be used for an alibi. "There's no doubt the benefit of AI are widespread and growing stronger by the day, but so are its significant risks and dangers," said Randy Avent, outgoing president of Florida Polytechnic University. "It's crucial we develop and implement robust methods to combat these threats because the AI crime of tomorrow will be even bigger than the cybercrime of today." Avent said Florida Poly will provide essential technological expertise and support for the initiative through its students and faculty. The existing AI programs are capable of quickly sorting and analyzing vast quantities of data to search for common features and traits, finding patterns that may help solve crimes. As of April 1, Judd said he tapped a current sergeant in the Sheriff's Office who had a prior career in computer coding to help lead and shape the AI Lab. The individual was working in computer crimes, particularly focused on child victims. The Sheriff's Office will seek a civilian employee, a technician, who can serve as a conduit to the sergeant overseeing the unit and the Flordia Poly students who will be working with them to find creative solutions to problems. Avent said college seniors as part of their course of study are assigned a year-long problem to work on and come up with real-world solutions. TAvent said he envisions two- to three-member, multidisciplinary teams being assigned to work with the sheriff's AI Lab to provide advanced technological solutions. The first cohort of eight to 12 Florida Poly students will begin working with the AI lab this fall, he said. The new unit will not be a large expense for the Sheriff's Office, according to Judd. He said the Sheriff's Office can use its existing computers and the AI programming will be developed by students. When asked about a concern for bias in AI programming, Judd said the AI is "not capable of bias." Avent said the AI programs learn the algorithms and patterns they are taught, and it's a matter of making sure the important data is input while discriminating factors are not. Judd assured there will be human oversight on what AI Laboratory discovers to ensure it is factually accurate. "Nothing should be pushed out without a human check-and-balance," Judd said. "Our workforce while developing this will have a totally separate check-and-balance system out of administrative investigations and professional compliance group, that doesn't work in chain of command of operations and reports separately to the chief of staff and to me." Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on X @SaraWalshFl. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk sheriff creates AI Laboratory with Florida Polytechnic How did the Libertarian Party Convention become a campaign stop for candidates with wildly anti-libertarian views? This year's speakers included Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who once called for jailing so-called climate deniers, and former president Donald Trump, a rabid opponent of free trade who added $8 trillion to the U.S. debt. It's part of a strategy to transform the Libertarian Party (L.P.) into a major force in American politics that's largely the brainchild of political strategist Michael Heise, who viewed the 2016 presidential candidacy of Gary Johnson and Bill Weld as a colossal failure. "Gary Johnson, 4.3 million votes, highest vote total ever, no lasting movement, no return on investment on those votes," Heise told Reason in 2022 during the party's convention in Reno. "[Gary Johnson voters] didn't stay because they weren't what you might call 'true believers.' They didn't feel it in their bones. It didn't have that same animation to it [as did] the Ron Paul [movement]." The primary goal of the new Libertarian Party isn't winning national elections, which Heise considers delusional, but to leverage its ability to draw enough votes to swing the election. Through its "spoiler status," the hope is that the L.P. can extract concessions and gain influence. This year's convention, held in Washington, D.C., in July, was the first major test of the new strategy. The change in strategy began when a group called the Mises Caucus took over the leadership of the L.P. at the 2022 convention in Reno, Nevada. It modeled itself after Ron Paul's presidential campaigns by emphasizing a non-interventionist foreign policy that sets it apart from both major parties, as the podcast host Dave Smith told Reason. "The priorities of the Mises Caucus have always been, basically, the priorities of the Ron Paul Revolution: being anti-war, being sound on Austrian economics." The new L.P. invited in social conservatives by removing abortion rights from the party platform and attempting to do the same with open immigration. "When you put open borders, plus pro-abortion in [the platform]it kind of forms a cultural hegemony for one side that might not be indicative of the wider libertarian movement," says Heise. These changes alienated libertarians who view social freedoms as core to the political philosophy, as did the L.P.'s brazen new approach to social media, such as when the New Hampshire L.P. gloried in a photo of Megan McCain, the daughter of Senator John McCain (RAriz.), crying over her father's casket. The Mises Caucus leadership vowed to clean up its messaging and grow the party's membership and fundraising to unprecedented levels. But internal documents show that candidates, fundraising, and membership have plummeted since the takeover. And state affiliates have continued the online provocation. But supporters predicted that in 2024, we'd see a turnaround. "I think there's been there's been progress in a lot of ways," says Smith. "This convention represents something that never would have happened under the old guard, where we're making attempts to be involved in the broader political conversation." A prime example of the kind of outreach Smith is referencing was the presence of former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who made the case for libertarians to ally with Republicans to support Trump. Kentucky Republican House member Thomas Massiea favorite of libertarians for his opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns, regulation, the Federal Reserve, and debt-financed federal spendingalso attended the convention for a day. "I think the Libertarian Party is really smart to invite other people to their convention. It's going to be probably one of the closest watched Libertarian conventions in years," says Massie. "Politics is about messaging, and you've got to get your message out. If you don't have an audience, you can you can preach to an empty room. But this will be a chance for libertarians to give feedback to President Trump and to RFK Jr." The Mises Caucus' favored presidential candidate was Michael Rectenwald, a former self-described Marxist college professor and author of The Great Reset and the Struggle for Global Liberty: Unraveling the Global Agenda. He views politics through a populist lens whereby elites seek total control over the population by leveraging or even creating crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve such ends. "I'm the only candidate in the race that's actually talked about the new threats to liberty that we face," says Rectenwald. "Agenda 2030, the climate change tyranny, and what's been called the Great Reset, which is really just the project of the World Economic Forum and the U.N. to institute this new stakeholder capitalism model and to control and regulate the population through all kinds of climate change regulations and restrictions." It's a similar message to that of RFK Jr., who threw himself into the ring for the Libertarian Party nomination at the last minute before being knocked out in the first of seven rounds of presidential nomination voting. Although Trump was ineligible to seek the party nomination because of a GOP ban on running with multiple parties, that didn't stop him from opening his headline speech by proclaiming himself a libertarian and asking for the party nomination to a chorus of boos. Trump did garner some applause later in the speech when he began to address some of the L.P.'s demands. He promised to commute the life sentence of Ross Ulbricht, founder of the black market website the Silk Road. He also offered to appoint a libertarian to his cabinet in exchange for the party's endorsement and to protect bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies from federal regulation. Post-speech, three Libertarian presidential nominees delivered a response but most of the crowd and media had cleared out by then. Rectenwald walked out in the middle of the post-speech press conference and later admitted he was high on a gummy edible. The Mises Caucus has adopted a strategy of using the Libertarian Party's spoiler status as a bargaining chip. With Smith's encouragement, their Arizona senatorial candidate dropped out and endorsed Republican venture capitalist Blake Masterswho once said "libertarianism doesn't work"in a special election on the grounds that he was the lesser of two evils. Masters lost the race anyway. But on the third day of the convention, a central pillar of the Mises Caucus' professed strategy would crumble beneath them. In a surprising twist for a party controlled by the Mises Caucus, which had just reelected McArdle as chair the previous day, Michael Rectenwald was knocked out after six rounds of voting, leaving Chase Oliver as the last remaining candidate. Oliver, who rose to prominence within the party after forcing a crucial Georgia Senate race to a run-off in 2022 by drawing 2 percent of the vote, had clashed with candidates from the Mises Caucus faction when he defended free and open immigration during the presidential debate. In the final round of voting, Mises Caucus members attempted to whip votes for "none of the above" to ensure the party ran no candidate this year, but Oliver won with 60 percent of the vote. Since then, Smith and several other Mises Caucus members have made clear that they will not vote for Oliver, whom they believe didn't do enough to resist COVID-19 restrictions. Oliver concedes that the pre-Reno Reset Libertarian Party should have opposed lockdowns and government vaccine mandatesboth of which he publicly opposedmore vociferously. "I could say that there had been instances during COVID when [the party] maybe erred on the personal responsibility side as opposed to fighting mandated lockdowns. We should have been maybe a bit more forceful there," says Oliver. "My message is pretty simple to those voters out there who have not heard from Libertarian: It's that if you're not committing force, fraud, coercion, theft or violence, if you're just living in peace, your life is your life. Your body is your body. Your property is your property, and your business is your business." Oliver's victory complicates the Mises Caucus' strategy. They control the leadership positions but not the face of the party. Following his nomination, Oliver was attacked online by Mises Caucus members and Trump supporters for his alleged weakness on COVID policy, his view that parents and not the state should decide whether puberty blockers can be prescribed to minors, and because Oliver, who is openly gay, has appeared at pride events holding a rainbow flag. McArdle responded a week after the convention by hosting a livestream with rainbow imagery and donning a red clown nose. She gave Oliver the party's official endorsement and pledged to help him mostly in blue states where he'd be more likely to take votes from Biden. The Libertarian Party grabbed attention and obtained promises from Trumpbut if elected, will he follow through? Can a Libertarian Party so deeply divided on questions of strategy and ideology make a difference? "I think the most important thing that we need to do as a party to build our foundation," says Oliver. "I want to double our party's membership and hold it for the next four years." Camera: Justin Zuckerman Audio Production: Ian Keyser Editor: Chris Sowick The post A Power Struggle Consumes the Libertarian Party appeared first on Reason.com. Participants demonstrate against right-wing extremism and to call for a democratic, open and diverse society, at the Victory Column, a day before the European elections in Germany. Carsten Koall/dpa Several thousand people gathered in central Berlin on Saturday to demonstrate against right-wing extremism the day before Germany votes in European Parliament elections, police reported. The afternoon demonstration was so far peaceful, with many people joining, a police spokesman said as the protest was proceeding. The organizers had registered a demonstration for 10,000 participants. The protestors held up placards reading "Rights for people instead of right-wing people" and "Diversity without alternative." A broad alliance of civil society organizations in major cities, such as Hamburg, Munich, Cologne and Dresden, had called for the demonstrations under the rubric "Halt right-wing extremism. Defend democracy." One of the speakers scheduled to speak at the Berlin rally is Matthias Ecke, a candidate in the elections, who was beaten up as he was putting up election posters for the Social Democrats (SPD) in Dresden a month ago. Participants demonstrate against right-wing extremism and to call for a democratic, open and diverse society, at the Victory Column, a day before the European elections in Germany. Carsten Koall/dpa Participants demonstrate against right-wing extremism and to call for a democratic, open and diverse society, at the Victory Column, a day before the European elections in Germany. Carsten Koall/dpa People take part in the "Hand in Hand for Democracy and Human Rights" rally against right-wing extremism at Leuschner square in Leipzig, a day before the European elections in Germany. Jan Woitas/dpa Thousands of people demonstrated in the eastern German cities of Leipzig and Dresden Saturday against right-wing extremism and for democracy ahead of Sunday's vote for the European Parliament and local elections. "We want to wake people up to go and vote and give a clear signal for democracy and human rights one day before the European and municipal elections," Irena Rudolph-Kokot, one of the organizers, said. The organizers in Leipzig put the numbers there at 15,000, while the police estimate was 12,500. Sandra Huller, who was nominated for an Oscar this year for her lead role in "Anatomy of a Fall," addressed the Leipzig rally, calling on people to vote. People should not allow themselves to be infected by the "coarse tone from the right, by the inaccuracy and violence in the language that has the sole aim of creating uncertainty and division," she said. In central Dresden, a similar rally and subsequent march drew several thousand protestors against right-wing extremism, according to the estimates of organizers and the police. People take part in the "Hand in Hand for Democracy and Human Rights" rally against right-wing extremism at Leuschner square in Leipzig, a day before the European elections in Germany. Sebastian Willnow/dpa Participants demonstrate against right-wing extremism and to call for a democratic, open and diverse society, at Leuschner square in Leipzig, a day before the European elections in Germany. Jan Woitas/dpa Participants demonstrate against right-wing extremism and to call for a democratic, open and diverse society, at Leuschner square in Leipzig, a day before the European elections in Germany. Jan Woitas/dpa You are here: World Flash Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was hit by a man in central Copenhagen on Friday and the man has been arrested, Ritzau news agency reported. Frederiksen was reportedly "shocked" by the incident. Copenhagen police has confirmed the incident but refused to give more comment, Swedish Television (SVT) reported. The attack took place in a square not far from Frederiksen's home, the report added. But the identity of the attacker and the motive behind the attack are not known yet. Shortly after the incident, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billstrom condemned the attack. godiva assorted truffles - Susan Edmondson/Shutterstock The name Godiva is synonymous with luxurious chocolate all over the world. If you were lucky enough to stumble upon (or seek out) one of the brand's stores in the U.S. you could not just try decadent chocolate truffles, but you could also browse its selection of chocolate-dipped fruit, ice cream, and rich beverages. And yet, you may have noticed that this delicious experience hasn't been around in the U.S. for the past few years. In 2021, Godiva closed all of its cafes and stores in North America. What prompted the brand to shut down in-person visits in the U.S. all in one sweep? It turns out smaller restaurants weren't the only ones to struggle during the pandemic. In March 2021, Godiva closed 128 stores due to a declining number of in-person shoppers and a shift in consumer buying habits caused in part by the rise of Covid-19 in 2020. "We have always been focused on what our consumers need and how they want to experience our brand, which is why we have made this decision," said CEO Nurtac Afridi in a statement at the time (via NBC News). Read more: 25 Chocolate Brands, Ranked Worst To Best Godiva Planned A Massive Cafe Launch Shortly Before The Pandemic godiva storefront - PJjaruwan/Shutterstock Despite being a Belgian brand, Godiva has had a solid presence in the U.S. for a long time. The company first traveled to the U.S. in 1966, when it sold chocolates at Wanamaker's, a fancy Philadelphia department store at the time. Then in 1972, it opened its first international boutiques with locations in Tokyo, Paris, and on Fifth Avenue in New York City. As recently as 2019, Godiva announced a plan to launch a whopping 2,000 cafes (starting in Manhattan) with delicious offerings like chocolate-filled croiffles (croissants made with a waffle iron) and even prepared meals. And yet, just two years later, the North American stores closed as customers increasingly transitioned to online shopping. Despite the change, Godiva's presence in the U.S. didn't evaporate entirely. You can still find its products at a variety of retailers here, including Target, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. In 2022, the brand debuted a line of truffle-inspired ice cream flavors, which you can get at grocery stores like Vons and Albertsons. The same year, Godiva enlisted Chris Evans (aka the actor who played Captain America) in a global marketing campaign. And of course, U.S. residents can always buy truffles, bars, hot cocoa, and gift boxes on Godiva's website. But when it comes to its in-person locations, the company is leaning away from North America and into China and Japan, where it has seen more success. Read the original article on Tasting Table Prodded by fed up parents, some in Congress try to curb kids use of social media Members of Congress are seeking to set a minimum age to access social media and put more of the onus on social media companies and their algorithms, while also giving parents more controls in trying to protect their kids online. (Photo by Peter Cade/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Attempts to get kids off of their phones are ramping up in Congress, despite intense lobbying by social media giants and pushback by those worried about violations of First Amendment speech rights. Lawmakers are seeking to set a minimum age to access social media and put more of the onus on social media companies and their algorithms, while also giving parents more controls in trying to protect their kids online. A bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators, led by Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Brian Schatz of Hawaii, introduced a new version of a bill that would set a minimum age of 13 to access social media platforms. It would also block the use of addictive algorithms on social media platforms for those under 17 and limit social media use in schools. In late April, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, but the committee said it does not have a markup date. TikTok divestment Major social media platforms, such as TikTok and Metas Instagram, have been criticized for their algorithms that can influence kids and teens mental health. In late April, President Joe Biden signed a bill that forces TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance within the next year or face a possible ban in the United States. The law baked into a massive foreign aid package grew primarily out of privacy and national security concerns. The app and its parent company have both sued to block the potential ban. Responding to the unhappiness among parents, Metas CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized in January to distraught family members of social media victims during a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee surrounding child safety online. Yet Meta and ByteDance have also invested significantly in their lobbying efforts, according to an April report from the group Issue One. The nonpartisan nonprofit found that in the first quarter of 2024, Meta spent a whopping $7.64 million on lobbying and had one lobbyist for every eight Congress members. Similarly, ByteDance spent $2.68 million and had one lobbyist for every 11 members of Congress. Kids online safety bill Other bipartisan congressional efforts are also targeting the algorithms of social media companies to protect kids safety online. Sens. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, and Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, introduced a new version of their legislation, the Kids Online Safety Act, in May 2023. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved the bill, and in December it was placed on the Senate legislative calendar. Part of the revised measure, which has garnered the support of over half the U.S. Senate, would require platforms to give minors the option to protect their information, disable addictive product features, and opt out of personalized algorithmic recommendations and allow for certain parental controls to spot harmful behaviors. The bill would also provide a platform for parents and teachers to report such behavior. Lawmakers in the U.S. House introduced a companion bill in April. A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee forwarded the bill to the full committee in late May. Free speech worries But attempts to either tailor or limit minors interactions on social media have been met with objections tied to potential First Amendment violations. Any government limits on what we can say or see online are likely to be unconstitutional, said Aaron Terr, director of public advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a nonprofit that defends free speech rights. Terr said many of these types of bills hit an unconstitutional trifecta, where they threaten the First Amendment rights of the platforms to disseminate speech, the First Amendment rights of minors to access lawful content and the rights of adults to speak or access content anonymously because they may have to provide information about their identity in order to prove their age. Parents are in the best position to set rules about their kids social media use, and the government shouldnt usurp parental authority, Terr said. He also noted that when it comes to laws attempting to regulate social media or speech in general, one-size-fits-all approaches dont work. A problem with these laws, too, is who decides whats appropriate? Theres vagueness issues with these laws, and the problem with that is that it gives the government a lot of discretion to just insert its own subjective determination of what they consider is appropriate and substituting its judgment for that of private platforms and the people who use them, he added. Warnings about kids health In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy publicly warned that, despite more research needed to grasp social medias impact and some evidence outlining potential benefits for kids and teens, there are ample indicators that social media can also have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. Dr. Jenny Radesky, a developmental behavioral pediatrician and an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical School, told States Newsroom that the science is clearest around sleep. When kids are using media for long periods of time, or when its upsetting and kind of makes them more alert or kind of dysregulated or when its used in the evening hours all of those are linked with worse sleep, and sleep is so essential for child development, said Radesky, chair of the Council on Communications and Media at the American Academy of Pediatrics. The AAP is among the over 200 organizations supporting the Kids Online Safety Act. We dont want to pursue legislation that somehow is regulating the content that can show up online because thats a real First Amendment problem, so you dont want to have something thats a law that says this sort of content cant show up in kids feeds. But what we are asking is for some accountability, said Radesky. Radesky said so much of the work of making sure kids have safe experiences online falls on their parents. Thats exhausting, and its something we dont all know how to do, she said. She said parents should feel free to talk to their members of Congress and say: Listen, parenting is hard enough right now. Please do something to clean up the digital ecosystem, so that this can be easier, and the default experience for kids can lean more towards healthy and positive and less towards these risks that have been documented over the past five to 10 years. Phones in the classroom At the state level, there is also a push to get kids off their phones in the classroom, with several states either passing or introducing bills barring students from using their phones while in class, as Stateline reported in March. Last year, Florida became the first state to require public schools to prohibit students from using their cell phones in class. Indiana has also followed with similar action. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill into law earlier this year that with some exceptions requires schools to bar the use of wireless communication devices during class. Some lawmakers in Congress have also sought concrete studies regarding the use of cell phones in schools, including Sens. Tom Cotton, of Arkansas, and Tim Kaine, of Virginia. The two introduced legislation in November that would require the U.S. Department of Education to conduct a study regarding the use of mobile devices in elementary and secondary schools, and to establish a pilot program of awarding grants to enable certain schools to create a school environment free of mobile devices. In November, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The post Prodded by fed up parents, some in Congress try to curb kids use of social media appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivers her inaugural address on Jan. 10, 2023, standing at a lectern similar to one her office paid $19,000 for last summer. (Photo by Karen E. Segrave for Arkansas Advocate) Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders stands at a lectern during her inauguration that looks similar to one her office paid $19,000 for in June 2023. (Karen E. Segrave/Arkansas Advocate) A prosecuting attorney on Friday declined to pursue further action regarding potential violations of state law tied to the purchase of a $19,000 lectern by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders office. Members of the governors staff used a state-issued credit card to buy the lectern and carrying case in June 2023 from a Virginia-based company with political ties to Sanders. The Republican Party of Arkansas paid the cost of the lectern to the governors office three months later, just before the purchase came to light through a public records request and brought scrutiny to the governors office. The discovery prompted lawmakers to request an audit by Arkansas Legislative Audit, a nonpartisan entity that investigates government. In April, the audit agency released its report, which found several instances of potential noncompliance with state law, and sent it to the state attorney general and Pulaski Countys prosecuting attorney. After a thorough review of the report and supporting documents, we find that criminal charges are not warranted, Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones said in a letter Friday. Auditors said they consider the governors office an agency under the General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law, which regulates the financial behavior of the states agencies, boards, commissions, departments, and institutions. Just days before the audits release, Attorney General Tim Griffin released an opinion that the accounting law does not apply to the governors office because its a constitutional office, not an agency. Jones said in Fridays letter that Arkansas law is unclear as to whether the GABPL applies to constitutional officers like the governor. Penalties for violating the law are applicable to those who knowingly violate its provisions. Given the multiple interpretations of the GABPL and the ambiguity over whether it applies to the [Arkansas Governors Office], there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the statute was knowingly violated, he said. Legislative Audits report also noted that the governors office had three copies of the lectern invoice, two of which had handwritten notes on them about reimbursement, indicating staff altered public records. Jones said theres insufficient proof to show the notation was added to impair the verity, legibility, or availability of a public record. The Republican Party of Arkansas did reimburse the state for the purchase of the podium, so the notation was not false, he wrote. Auditors in their report found that the Department of Transformation and Shared Services excluded several requested documents from its response to state Freedom of Information Act queries related to the purchase. Although the number of pages provided to the original requester and auditors differed, Jones said theres no evidence that the employees failure to provide the additional thirteen pages to the original requester was a gross deviation from the standard of care. Additionally, Jones said theres no evidence to show the employees identity or if that person qualified as a custodian of records as required by state law. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the custodians exclusion of invoices rises to the level of criminal negligence, he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The post Prosecuting attorney declines to pursue charges over Arkansas governors purchase of $19K lectern appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. As a high school English and journalism teacher, I have always believed that reading, writing and education foster empathy, critical thinking and an understanding of our society and world. So when the Sacramento City Unified School District put me on administrative leave and ordered me to stay away from my campus and my students, I had to learn the hard way that the irony of my naivete would be yet another lesson for this years kids. Opinion I have been the advisor of C.K. McClatchys student newspaper, The Prospector, for nearly a decade. In this time, my students have pushed through fear of retribution and published award-winning, heroic pieces on issues including teacher absenteeism, funding diverted from classes without proper authorization, discussions on the handling of sexual assaults and security and safety issues on campus. This year, my students decided to include a list of notable statements heard around campus in a piece called What Did You Say? These statements were overheard by our writers and editors or submitted by students who overheard the statements. The students hoped to show the climate on our campus ranging from innocuous, silly and funny to hurtful and problematic. One quote on the list caused an uproar: Hitlers got some good ideas. The students did not expect the backlash caused by the casual framing of the list. When the student journalists posted a follow-up explanation about the list, adults on our campus began to argue with students and publicly shame, admonish and insult them on their student-run Instagram. Ridiculous certainly applies to The Prospector and beyond just the column in reference, one comment read. Joan Didion must be turning in her grave to think that her journalistic home is now an apologist for antisemitic speech. Another comment stated that students should formally apologize for printing antisemitic comments. I turned off comments to protect my kids from undeserved backlash. My students were bewildered that commenters were angered by their reporting of this statement rather than how kids on our campus say things like this every day without any accountability. Because I believed that teachers and other adults on my campus understood the laws of free press and student press, I was just as shocked as my students by the vitriol from individuals twice their age. I had to remind adults multiple times that these are kids navigating journalism, and mistakes are inevitable. Yes, my students could have made their intentions more clear in the introduction to the list. But students have rights that give them the first and last say in what is written, how it is edited and what gets published without prior restraint, censorship or punishment from me or any other adult so long as it is protected speech. The kids did nothing wrong. They were brave to include this. They held up a mirror to their community, showing not only the innocence, humor and childishness of our kids, but also the plague of apathy and ignorance that creates fear and hatred on our beloved campus. When C.K. McClatchy Principal Andrea Egan emailed me expressing her anger about the inclusion of the quote my students overheard, I responded by citing the California Education Code 48907, which guarantees the right of high school newspapers to publish any content they choose so long as it is not obscene or slanderous, protects their decision to publish the quote. I thought this would be the end of the problem. It was not. Egan then pointed to a 1988 court case, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, arguing there could be legal precedent to censor my students. In that case, the Supreme Court ruled that because student papers exist as larger community forums, the First Amendment rights of student journalists are not violated when school officials prevent the publication of certain articles in the school newspaper, according to U.S. Courts. This is when it hit me that most people do not understand student press laws. I sent a copy of the kids column to Steve ODonoghue at the Scholastic Journalism Initiative and to the Student Press Law Center to ensure my kids were legally protected. I have had several conversations since with the First Amendment Coalition and a professor of journalism at Sacramento State who all stand beside my students and me and are just as befuddled as I am about why this backlash on and off campus is happening. I was told by the Student Press Law Center that this situation mimics a well-known song and dance they have seen many times where a district realizes too late that they cant punish student reporters or journalism advisors for something like this, so they try to search for anything else they can use to stifle student voices and the teachers who try to protect them. Regardless of legal protections, my students were initially illegally cut off from writing and publishing work for The Prospector. They were put into a different class with a teacher who was supposed to give them sensitivity lessons. If that isnt punishment that actively disregards the First Amendment and California Education Code, I dont know what is. As someone whose life is dedicated to being a learner, to connecting with my students and making them feel safe, being placed on administrative leave and banned from communicating with my students is the ultimate insult. I know I am not perfect, but I also know the unjust behavior of the district is an ugly facade seeking to justify the violation of rights that make some adults uncomfortable: giving kids the freedom to write and publish the ugly truths about their lives as students on our campus. Samantha Archuleta is a tenth-year English teacher and journalism adviser. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A golden miniature dachshund puppy died on her first day at a San Francisco dog training school. The cute 9-week-old puppy, named Olive, weighed just four pounds. She immediately became my best friend and my world, Olives owner, Chloe Skelly, told KRON4. Skelly said she chose Prime Paw in the Mission District as Olives training school because it had received rave reviews. Prime Paw employees, according to Skelly, reassured her that the mini dachshund would be monitored and kept away from larger puppies at all times. Skelly dropped Olive off at Prime Paw on May 30. Less than three hours later, she received an urgent phone call from the dog school. Olive (Photo courtesy Chloe Skelly) I received a call from a Prime Paw employee that there was an accident with another puppy and I needed to come to the SPCA hospital. They wouldnt tell me what happened. When I arrived at the SPCA, a Prime Paw employee told me Olive had been playing with a nearly 20-25 (pound) bernedoodle puppy, unsupervised, Skelly told KRON4. An employee said, We dont know what happened. We didnt see it, according to Skelly. An after-death report concluded that Olive died from a collapsed lung caused by blunt force trauma, Skelly said, a presumably direct correlation to being hit by this other, much larger dog. Olives grieving owner posted photographs of her tiny puppy on Instagram and warned other dog owners about her experience. I am heartbroken her little life was cut so short, and so negligently. Its unfair, she wrote. According to Prime Paw, the May 30 incident began when an employee in charge of monitoring Olive heard her yelp. The employee immediately isolated Olive from the other dogs and noticed that the dachshund was acting irregularly and showing signs of lethargy. Following that, the employee immediately rushed Olive to a veterinarian, but she had already passed away, Prime Paw wrote in a statement. Prime Paw claims it does not know what happened to Olive that made her yelp, and the vet was unable to identify a specific cause of death. Prime Paw Owner James Baybayan told KRON4, We are heartbroken by the tragic death of a puppy named Olive. Veterinarians found that Olive had a pneumothorax a collapsed lung but that there were no signs of any trauma. Based on the determination by the veterinarians who received Olive, there is no identifiable reason for her death. The companys website describes the dog school on Alabama Street as a bustling dog training center and day school in San Francisco that provides positive-scientific based education. Over its nine-year history, the dog school has cared for thousands of dogs. A fatality has never happened before the May 30 incident, according to the company. Baybayan said, We pride ourselves on providing a safe, welcoming and secure environment for the dogs under our care, and Olive was given that as well. We have a rigorous screening and monitoring process to ensure those standards are met and those protocols were in place at the time of this incident. I have dedicated my lifes work to training, supporting and caring for dogs. This is my one true passion. Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences are with Olives owner. Skelly said she believes negligence at Prime Paw led to Olives death. Skelly told KRON4, She was my first ever puppy who should have had many more years with me. I only had 10 days. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin rarely make public appearances, but this week they took part in panels at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova, believed to be in their mid to late 30s, are Putins daughters from his marriage to former wife Lyudmila, whom he divorced in 2013 after nearly 30 years of marriage. Putin has said his daughters work in science and education and that he has grandchildren, but he has never confirmed their names. Katerina Tikhonova, Putin's daughter and the head of Innopraktika development initiative, virtually attended the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday. - Olga Maltseva/AFP/Getty Images Both of them have attended the annual St. Petersburg forum in the past, but only the younger daughter, Tikhonova, has been a speaker, according to the Russian independent outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe. Tikhonova, who is a tech executive, made a video appearance on Thursday at a forum about ensuring the technological sovereignty of the military-industrial complex. She was listed in the forums list of speakers as the general director of the National Intellectual Development Foundation (NIDF). The panel was moderated by television host and prominent Putin propagandist Vladimir Soloviev. Tikhonova was sanctioned by the US and UK in April 2022, after Russias invasion of Ukraine, for her work supporting the Russian defense ministry. In her remarks at the forum, she talked about innovation and eliminating the import of technologies related to the civil and military spheres. The older daughter, Maria Vorontsova, who was also sanctioned, spoke in person at a panel on Friday about innovations in biotechnology and bioproduction. Vorontsova, an endocrinologist, was listed as a member of the Russian Association for the Promotion of Science. Analysts believe some of Putins wealth may be hidden in the bank accounts of family members. The anti-corruption foundation of late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny said in January this year that according to their investigation, Vorontsova made more than $10 million between 2019 and 2022 as an employee of a medical company. CNN is not able to independently verify this claim. Putin is very secretive about his daughters and family life, with some analysts believing it is because he wants to appear powerful and not show vulnerabilities that can be exploited. The Russian president has previously said that his daughters are not involved in politics and live ordinary lives. Tikhonova reportedly once tried to pursue a career in acrobatic rock and roll. Vorontsova reportedly married a Dutch businessman and the couple is said to have lived in a $3.3 million apartment in the Netherlands. A multimillion-dollar, eight-bedroom villa in Biarritz, France has been linked to Tikhonova. It was bought by her former husband, Kirill Shamalov. The Kremlin has always denied rumours that Putin has more children outside of his former marriage who all appear to have lived in Western countries. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Families of victims killed during confrontations with police are calling for change. Alongside those families at the rally Friday at the Michigan Capitol, civil rights attorneys, state officials and other members of the community spoke about what theyre calling injustice in recent officer-involved deaths in Michigan. Mothers dont have to go through this, said Andrica Cage, the mother of 25-year-old Samuel Sterling. I dont care what color you is; shouldnt nobody run your child down. Cage lost her son, Samuel, on April 17 after a Michigan State Police detective ran into him with his care. The driver, Sgt. Brian Keely, was charged with murder just last week by the state Attorney Generals office. Families and supporters of police victims Samuel Sterling and Riley Doggett, Friday, June 7, at the Michigan Capitol (WLNS) Samuel Sterling, 25, died in 2024 after an MSP officer hit him with his car. (WLNS) Riley Doggett was hit and killed by a Kent County deputys car. (WLNS) Ben Crump is representing the families of Samuel Sterling and Riley Doggett. (WLNS) Families and supporters of Samuel Sterling and Riley Doggett spoke at the Michigan Capitol on Friday, June 7, 2024. (WLNS) Community members gathered at the Michigan Capitol for a march against police brutality, Friday, June 7, 2024. (WLNS) Community members led a march for justice to victims of police brutality, Friday, June 7, at the Michigan Capitol. (WLNS) Andrica Cage is the mother of 25-year-old Samuel Sterling, who was killed in 2024 by a police officers car. (WLNS) This officer took his car, pinned him to the wall at Burger King, and when they pulled that car back, he fell to the groundhe was not trying to hurt nobody; he was running away, Cage said. The Sterling family stood alongside the family of Riley Doggett, who was also hit by a police car last month during a chase. But the Kent County officer involved in that case has not been charged. Dont say no more, dont say no more; just watch the video, just watch the video, said civil rights attorney Ben Crump, whos representing both of these families, as he did with the case of Patrick Lyoya two years ago. Welcome to the state of Michigan, Attorney Crump, where we dont waste money on guns and bullets,' Crump said. We just line them up and run them over with police cars; its cheaper that way, apparently.' At Fridays march, Crump and the Doggett family were calling on Attorney General Dana Nessel to reevaluate the decision for the Kent County deputy. Shame on us if we look at that video and dont have accountability, Crump said. Fridays rally is a cry for help, directed toward state leaders, Cage tells us, in order for her sons death to not be in vain. He was the worldand hes about to change this world, Cage 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 WLNS 6 News. New red drum fishing rules in Louisiana starting June 20: Find out why. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has declared that new restrictions on Red Drum size and daily catch limits will be enforced starting June 20. The new regulations are: Daily creel: 4-fish daily limit per angler Size limit: 18-inch minimum and 27-inch maximum total length Bull reds: keeping Red Drum over 27 inch is prohibited The retention of Red Drum by captain and crew on charter or head boats while on for-hire trip will be prohibited. Photo of a red drum fish Charter captains and crew will still be allowed to engage in fishing on charter trips to demonstrate how to catch red drum, but will not be allowed to retain red drum towards any limit on the vessel, according to Wildlife and Fisheries. Why are there restrictions on Red Drum size and daily catch limits? The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported that despite the 2022 stock assessment showing an abundance of red drum, the population is declining at a rate that requires corrective measures. Here are some key points identified in the Red Drum stock assessment. Red Drum stock is not overfished, but overfishing is occurring. Overfishing has occurred frequently in the most recent decade at approximately 80 percent. The spawning potential ratio, or number of red drum available to spawn relative to the population if they were not fished, began trending downward 2005. Recent recreational landings are at the lowest level observed since the 1980s. Red Drum has been a recreational-only fishery since 1988. No commercial harvest exists. The current recruitment estimate is at the lowest level ever observed and has been declining since 1994. Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinsonand on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: LA issues new red drum fishing regulations, effective June 20 Susan J. Demas As Pride events are gearing up across Michigan, officials in Ottawa County arent entirely sure what to expect, but theyre doing their best to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. The goal here is to create a welcoming, fun, celebratory space for everyone, said Kate Leighton-Colburn, executive director of the Holland-based Out on the Lakeshore. Truly everyone. This is not the opposite of exclusive. Pride events For a full list of Pride events in Grand Haven and Holland, visit ghpride.org/festival or outonthelakeshore.org/holland-pride. Grand Haven, which will host its second annual Pride festival on Saturday, will feature live music, food trucks, vendors, a drag show and family-friendly activities. Despite pushback from the influential Ottawa County GOP, organizers say they arent fazed. Anyone who has been to any area of Pride has seen what that pushback looks like, Chelsea Folk, co-chair of the Grand Haven festival, told The Grand Haven Tribune this week. Weve not really felt it. We see it. We saw the letter that came out from the Ottawa County GOP, but we have a really great community in Grand Haven. The Ottawa GOP called Pride events devastating to the local community and inferred that children are victims of sexual solicitation at such events. Because what happened last year was devastating to the Grand Haven community and Ottawa County at large, we feel a responsibility to inform the public of what took place and are asking our responsible citizenry to please spread awareness, the GOP said in its May newsletter. If you find it important to protect children and preserve family values in Ottawa County, we encourage you to begin to do a deep dive on the candidates running for this years election primary on Aug. 6. Incidences, such as the sexual solicitation of children in our county will stop when the people who represent us make sure that it stops. The county party, along with the candidates its backing are members or supporters of Ottawa Impact, a far-right fundamentalist group formed in 2021 over frustrations with county and state COVID-19 mitigation measures. The group currently has a six-seat controlling majority on the 11-member board. County commissioners on the board have shared concerns about drag shows and other Pride-related events that all ages can attend. The OI-led board members have gone so far as to claim that Pride events promote sexual promiscuity and groom children. Theyve also repeatedly voiced their displeasure about the county health department having a presence at Pride events. At a time in our nations history where trust in healthcare systems are under question, I wonder why our department of public health is choosing to participate in Grand Havens Pride Festival, Commissioner Allison Miedema said at a meeting last June. By being in attendance, the (OCDPH) is promoting sexual promiscuity, which in turn, can contribute to future clients of public health who will be seeking positive STD testing along with mental health services. Administrative Health Officer Adeline Hambley who the board attempted to demote and later fire before agreeing to allow her to stay in her role earlier this year to settle a lawsuit said the department plans to have the same presence it always has at Pride events. We will have a booth to provide [monkeypox] vaccinations and education, as well as materials and information on our STDs and family planning clinic, Hambley told the Advance. Its just like all previous years were not a sponsor. The board, led by Chair Joe Moss and Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea, who jointly founded the Ottawa Impact political action committee three years ago, championed a resolution last year that claims to protect child innocence by prohibiting county staff and resources from being used for activities, programs, events, contents or institutions which support, normalize, or encourage the sexualization of youth. Its unclear if Moss and Rhodea plan to invoke the resolution in response to the OCDPHs participation in Pride events this year. As part of her settlement agreement with the county that was reached in February, Hambley has additional legal rights through the end of the year should the county attempt to fire her again. In the meantime, she said she plans to do her job to serve the entire community. Our plan is to move forward as we always have, Hambley said. We provide services to everyone. Leighton-Colburn said the Holland festival, which takes place on June 29, will feature a 5K walk/run, a party in Centennial Park as well as performances, a signature cocktail stuff and a speaker series. We have an intergenerational panel to talk about the similarities and differences between generations of queer communities and what we can learn from each other, she said, as well as a forum to discuss the AIDS epidemic that peaked in the 1980s and 90s. Well have some folks who were kind of in the thick of it during that time, and well have some folks there to talk through the medical advances, as well. She said Pride is important to the queer community to make sure everyone feels a sense of belonging. We want to make sure that Holland is a place where everyone can thrive, she said. I think celebratory events like this, they boost morale, they bring people together and, in the end, the community as a whole is all the better for it. The post In red Ottawa County, Pride festivals continue to blossom appeared first on Michigan Advance. Movado Group, Inc. (NYSE:MOV) 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 an important date to be aware of as any purchase of the stock made on or after this date might mean a late settlement that doesn't show on the record date. In other words, investors can purchase Movado Group's shares before the 12th of June in order to be eligible for the dividend, which will be paid on the 26th of June. The company's upcoming dividend is US$0.35 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of US$1.40 per share to shareholders. Last year's total dividend payments show that Movado Group has a trailing yield of 5.3% on the current share price of US$26.20. If you buy this business for its dividend, you should have an idea of whether Movado Group's dividend is reliable and sustainable. As a result, readers should always check whether Movado Group has been able to grow its dividends, or if the dividend might be cut. View our latest analysis for Movado Group Dividends are usually paid out of company profits, so if a company pays out more than it earned then its dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut. It paid out 77% of its earnings as dividends last year, which is not unreasonable, but limits reinvestment in the business and leaves the dividend vulnerable to a business downturn. We'd be concerned if earnings began to decline. Yet cash flows are even more important than profits for assessing a dividend, so we need to see if the company generated enough cash to pay its distribution. Fortunately, it paid out only 43% of its free cash flow in the past year. It's encouraging to see that the dividend is covered by both profit and cash flow. This generally suggests the dividend is sustainable, as long as earnings don't drop precipitously. Click here to see how much of its profit Movado Group paid out over the last 12 months. Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? When earnings decline, dividend companies become much harder to analyse and own safely. If earnings decline and the company is forced to cut its dividend, investors could watch the value of their investment go up in smoke. With that in mind, we're discomforted by Movado Group's 7.3% per annum decline in earnings in the past 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. In the past 10 years, Movado Group has increased its dividend at approximately 16% a year on average. The only way to pay higher dividends when earnings are shrinking is either to pay out a larger percentage of profits, spend cash from the balance sheet, or borrow the money. Movado Group is already paying out 77% of its profits, and with shrinking earnings we think it's unlikely that this dividend will grow quickly in the future. Final Takeaway Has Movado Group got what it takes to maintain its dividend payments? The payout ratios are within a reasonable range, implying the dividend may be sustainable. Declining earnings are a serious concern, however, and could pose a threat to the dividend in future. To summarise, Movado Group looks okay on this analysis, although it doesn't appear a stand-out opportunity. If you're not too concerned about Movado Group's ability to pay dividends, you should still be mindful of some of the other risks that this business faces. For example, we've found 2 warning signs for Movado Group that we recommend you consider before investing in the business. 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. A U.S. congressman with experience in real estate and agriculture and not medicine says that in vitro fertilization should be limited to married heterosexual couples. U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, a Montana Republican , is facing backlash for his recent comments on IVF and family structures, which critics argue reveal deeply entrenched anti- LGBTQ + and outdated beliefs. During a House Rules Committee hearing on Tuesday, Rosendale proposed an amendment to a Veterans Affairs funding bill to restrict federal funding for certain assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF for unmarried and same-sex couples. In his testimony, Rosendale equated the discarding of unused embryos to abortion, claiming, We are likely destroying millions of unborn children through this process, a number much larger than Planned Parenthood aborts on any given year. He also argued that taxpayer dollars should not fund fertility treatments for unmarried and same-sex couples, asserting, There is no question that children do best when raised by a father and a mother. Taxpayer dollars should not go to couples that, before their service, couldnt produce a child anyway. And I hate to break it to you, but same-sex couples cant produce a child. A recent BMJ Global Health study refutes Rosendales claims about family structures. The analysis of 34 studies conducted between 1989 and 2022 found that children with gay , lesbian , transgender , or other sexual minority parents fare as well as, or better than, children with parents of the opposite sex. The research indicated that children in families with sexual or gender minority parents performed similarly on various metrics, including physical health and educational outcomes. In some areas, such as psychological adjustment and child-parent relationships, children of sexual minority parents even outperformed their peers from traditional families. The researchers suggested that growing up with sexual minority parents may confer some advantages to children, possibly because they are more tolerant of diversity and more nurturing towards younger children than heterosexual parents. However, they also noted the significant risks associated with being part of a sexual minority family, such as social stigma and discrimination, and called on policymakers to provide better legal protections and social support for these families. In March, Rosendale co-authored a letter with three other GOP lawmakers criticizing the Biden administrations expansion of IVF coverage to unmarried and same-sex couples, Montana Independent News reports . The letter described IVF as morally dubious and criticized the creation and potential destruction of surplus embryos. Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern highlighted the inconsistency in Rosendales testimony, pointing out the disconnect between public Republican support for IVF and their private efforts to restrict access. Republicans love to go on TV & talk about how they support IVF. Heres what they say up in the Rules Committee when they think nobody is watching, McGovern tweeted, along with a video of Rosendales remarks. (@) Rosendales comments come at a time when LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive rights are increasingly under threat at both state and federal levels. The high costs associated with becoming a parent through IVF, adoption, or surrogacy present significant barriers for many LGBTQ+ individuals. According to a 2019 report by Family Equality, the financial burden on LGBTQ+ individuals seeking to start families can be substantial. The report highlighted that LGBTQ+ people face disproportionally high rates of poverty and that the cost of family-building can be prohibitive. The report revealed that 29 percent of all LGBTQ+ respondents reported an annual household income under $25,000 compared to 22 percent of non-LGBTQ+ respondents. It also showed that 45-53 percent of LGBTQ+ millennials are planning to become parents, despite significant income disparities. For LGBTQ+ households making over $100,000 annually, options like private adoption, foster care, and IVF are more accessible. The report underscores the financial challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, noting that surrogacythe most expensive path to parenthoodcan cost between $60,000 and $150,000 or more and is rarely covered by health insurance. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau in 2021 showed there were approximately 1.2 million same-sex couple households in the United States. Around 15 percent of these households include children, a much lower proportion compared to 40 percent of heterosexual couple households. Same-sex couples are also four times more likely to have adopted children or stepchildren and tend to have smaller families overall. DENVER (KDVR) Fallout from the Colorado Republican Party chair sending out hateful messages around LGBTQ pride continues to mount, including from members of his party. On Friday, a group of Republicans announced a plan to try to remove Dave Williams as party chair. As a chair and speaking on behalf of other chairs in the party here throughout the 64 counties we have here, that email was offensive to many of us, Jefferson County Republican Chair Nancy Pallozzi said. Colorados public defender calls CBI report on forensic scientist shocking, outrageous Pallozzi is leading the effort to remove Williams from his position as chairman following a series of harmful messages he released under the partys name about the LGBTQ community. We cannot let Mr. Williams send out messages to the public in such a way that shows hate. That is not what the Republican Party is about, and his responsibility as chairman is to unite the party and to get Republicans elected into offices, Pallozzi said. Pallozzi formally asked Williams to resign in a press release issued Friday, but she knows he likely will not leave the post on his own. So she and other party members are gearing up for formal action, gathering signatures from Republicans across Colorado to see who would be willing to vote him out. Pallozzi said they will have to call a special meeting of the Colorado State Central Committee for us to do it as a body, and we are OK with that. On Monday, I will send out another press release including all of the names and the counties of those that have signed on from the SCC to ask for his resignation. 111 license plate readers to be installed across Denver by mid-June The SCC is made up of about 400 party members. For a vote to remove and replace Williams to work, 60% of SCC members present at the meeting have to vote in favor. As of noon Friday, Pallozzi told FOX31 that 40 people had already signed the petition to start the process, and she expects to have more than 200 signatures by the end of the weekend. Will Republicans succeed in ousting Dave Williams? While Pallozzi is confident about the numbers, FOX31 Republican political analyst Michael Fields does not think this will work. I think there are going to be a lot of continued calls for him to resign, but hes not going to do that, and the State Central Committee is not going to ask him to leave, Fields said. I think the biggest statement is actually going to be his congressional primary. Hes in a primary right now, ballots are out, and I think thats going to be kind of a referendum on his term as chair as much as it is about wanting this person to go to Congress. I think that he is likely to lose that primary. Republicans fed up with Williams comments about pride said that was just the straw that broke the camels back. They said they are also fed up with his ethics regarding his alleged use of party resources for his own political endeavors. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Republicans own Texas. So, why is the state GOP acting like it expects to lose? | Opinion For a party that hasnt lost a statewide election in nearly 30 years, the Texas GOP sure is acting like it expects to start losing. First, there was the obsession with voter fraud, a serious issue but never so widespread or alarming to merit the paranoia it has stirred among some Republicans. Then, there was the push to close primary elections to only certain voters, as if Democrats and independents are flooding GOP nominating contests. The latest addition to the Texas Republican Party platform, while creative, is a wild overreaction to well, were not sure what, since Republicans are still dominating elections. The small, populist group that has taken over the state party apparatus wants Texas to require that candidates for statewide office win not just the most individual votes in the general election, but also a majority in each of the states 254 counties. The party would also require that amendments to the state constitution get majorities in two-thirds of the counties. Right now, most amendments that clear the Legislature are approved by voters. with healthy majorities anyway. These are the reactionary moves of a party that expects to struggle soon to win majorities, not one that has remade the states political scene in a little more than a generation. They would shift power to rural counties that strongly vote Republican. Its true that Texas big cities tend to vote Democratic. But this reads like a tacit acknowledgment that the suburbs are slipping away from the GOP, too. The ideas are constitutionally dubious, as they would violate the principle of one person, one vote. Some might compare them to the Electoral College, but thats a faulty reading of history. Our unique method of electing a president, whatever you think of it, was a compromise among sovereign states coming together to form a union, meant to protect small states from being overwhelmed by large ones. Texas is not a collection of counties that came together to form the state. The counties are subsets of the state. The comparison falls apart. The party is guilty of a faulty reading of politics, too. Republicans seem to agree with Democrats that if more people vote, especially in urban and suburban areas, it will hurt the GOP. Political science suggests otherwise. Daron Shaw, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, has analyzed decades worth of election data to show that even when voter turnout is high, the result tends to mirror the partisan breakdown in the electorate. Perhaps the small ultra-conservative group that runs the GOP has one good point, not that its making it explicitly. The hard-right turn on issues such as abortion doesnt match the larger population of Texas. The further the GOP wants to go, the more it may struggle. And yet, Texas is plenty conservative, especially on economics, immigration and even some of the social policies that the far-right focuses on. Persuading Texans to reject liberalism, especially higher taxes and more expansive state services, is not a challenge. Party platforms need not be taken too seriously. They are created in processes controlled by fire-breathing activists, and both parties tend to craft platforms that are more wishful than prescriptive. The voting changes the Texas GOP wants would require amending the state constitution, which is a high bar: two-thirds support in the Senate and House and a majority of voters in a statewide election. Curtailing the power of the majority is an important feature of American politics. We do not swing wildly between governments and policies because of the wise protections for minority views that the Founders placed into the U.S. Constitution and the American political culture. But at some point, anti-majoritarian becomes anti-democratic. The Texas GOP approaches that threshold. And it need not do so. Parties should broaden their appeal, not shrink it. That doesnt have to mean sacrificing principles. It means winning arguments and accepting incremental victories. Becoming and remaining a majority party is not easy; why not just change the systems to lock in your wins? But the hard work of voter persuasion and turnout is how Republicans have dominated Texas for years. The desperation of proposals such as requiring county majorities suggests at least some in the party are no longer confident that can continue. Do you have an opinion on this topic? Tell us! We love to hear from Texans with opinions on the news and to publish those views in the Opinion section. Letters should be no more than 150 words. Writers should submit letters only once every 30 days. Include your name, address (including city of residence), phone number and email address, so we can contact you if we have questions. You can submit a letter to the editor two ways: Email letters@star-telegram.com (preferred). Fill out this online form. Please note: Letters will be edited for style and clarity. Publication is not guaranteed. The best letters are focused on one topic. ROME (Reuters) -Another body was spotted off the coast of Libya on Saturday, a day after a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) rescue ship recovered the bodies of 11 migrants in the same area of the Mediterranean Sea and said it had saved more than 160 people from boats. Non-profit organisation Sea Watch said on social media platform X that its plane had spotted the corpse on Saturday. "Yesterday our aircraft crew sighted 11 bodies, and so far one more has been discovered on today's flight. The flight and the search continue," the Germany-based non-profit group said. The United Nations has registered more than 20,000 deaths and disappearances in the central Mediterranean since 2014, making it the most dangerous migrant crossing in the world. MSF said its Geo Barents search and rescue vessel picked up 146 migrants in two operations and then found a further 20 in a separate boat. They also retrieved the bodies of 11 people who were seen by the Sea Watch plane. "We do not know the precise cause of this tragedy, but we know that people continue to die in a desperate attempt to reach safety. This slaughter must end," MSF said on X. The 11 bodies should be transferred onto a ship of the Italian coast guard and then disembarked temporarily at the island of Lampedusa, Italian media reported on Saturday. Italy has urged Tunisia and Libya to do more to stop would-be migrants from putting to sea. It has also clamped down on the operations of rescue ships, saying they encourage people to head to Europe - something the charities deny. Underscoring the restrictions, Italy on Friday told Geo Barents to take its latest group of migrants to the northern port of Genova, more than 650 nautical miles away and far from the more convenient ports in nearby Sicily. "This will significantly delay assistance for the ... survivors who endured a lot already," MSF said. (Reporting by Crispian Balmer in Rome, Francesca Landini in Milan; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Alexander Smith) The search for British TV doctor Michael Mosley, who went missing Wednesday on the Greek Island of Symi, has reportedly been narrowed down to a cave ominously known by locals as The Abyss. Mosleys wife, Clare Bailey, began ringing the alarm bells Wednesday evening after Mosley didnt return at 7:30 p.m. from a walk he had departed on six hours prior. Authorities began searching for Mosley that evening, believing he may have fallen on his walk. Nothing at this stage can be ruled out, a police source told The Daily Mail, Thursday. Mosley was last seen on a Saint Nikolas Beach at 1:30 p.m., according to a user in a Symi Facebook group who posted a photo of him. Authorities and search parties scoured the coast but found no sign of him. Authorities now believe Mosley disappeared into the mountains, which harbor a vast network of dangerous caves. Its like a deep system of tunnels, but it is full of water and can spread for kilometers. There is a reason they call it The Abyss. There is something very strange going on, a waiter on the Island told The Telegraph. Despite the blistering heat, firefighters are reportedly searching the cave system for Mosley. Nikitas Gryllis, the deputy mayor of Symi, told local media the mountainous area where Mosley vanished is especially tricky to search. It is a strange area, a mountain with many blind and dangerous spots, which must be combed meter by meter, Gryllis said. Rescue workers reportedly fear that Mosley took a wrong turn somewhere, with one saying it is now a race against time to save him. Mosleys wife, meanwhile, has vowed not to lose hope and said the last three days have been the longest and most unbearable days for the whole family. Mosley is a weight loss diet-guru known for his popularization of the 5:2 diet. Mosley claims that five days of eating and two days of calorie cutting a week can lead to dramatic weight loss. Celebrities such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Jimmy Kimmel, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have used the 5:2 diet before. 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. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. went after President Biden Friday, after he invoked the Russia-Ukraine war in his D-Day anniversary remarks. In his speech Friday, Biden asked several hypothetical questions related to how the soldiers who fought in D-Day would react to the current situation in Eastern Europe. Does anyone doubt that they would want America to stand up against [Russian President Vladimir] Putins aggression here in Europe today? Does anyone believe these rangers would want America to go it alone today? he asked. Does anyone doubt they wouldnt move heaven and earth to vanquish hateful ideologies of today? Biden also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in France, where he apologized for a delay in funding for the war-torn country. Kennedy, who has been a vocal critic of the U.S. providing additional aid to Ukraine, went after the commander-in-chief, saying the current conflict in Ukraine is not the same as World War II. In a post on social media, the independent candidate argued that he is the only 2024 contender who makes peace a priority. As Jeffrey Sachs pointed out in his recent interview with Tucker, the United States and NATO have engaged in 30 years of provocation, where we could not take peace for an answer, Kennedy wrote on social media platform X. The situation in Ukraine today is not the same as World War II. A President of the United States cannot blithely engage in a historical saber-rattling with a nuclear power. It endangers the world, damages our moral and intellectual standing, and dishonors the sacrifice of our soldiers, he added. Peace goes arm in arm with the truth. I am the only candidate in this race who makes that a priority. Kennedy has been actively working to qualify for the debate stage alongside Biden and former President Trump later this month. He has also argued that the incumbent should drop out of the race, pointing to polls that suggest he has a better opportunity to beat the former president. The independent candidate has also argued that denying him access to the debates is a knock against democracy. Presidents Trump and Biden are colluding to lock America into a head-to-head match-up that 70% say they do not want, Kennedy wrote last month in a post on X, adding, They are trying to exclude me from their debate because they are afraid I would win. Keeping viable candidates off the debate stage undermines democracy. His campaign announced Friday they have submitted signatures needed to get ballot access in Minnesota and have surpassed eligibility for 270 Electoral College votes. The campaign said they are on the ballot in nine states and have collected enough signatures for ballot access in at least 10 others. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this article as more information becomes available. RANDOLPH, Utah (ABC4) While details are few, Rich County Sheriffs Office officials have confirmed that the shooting death of a 75-year-old woman in her Randolph home Friday was accidental. The woman, who has not been named pending notification of her family, was shot at around 4:30 p.m. Friday afternoon. Officials have not released information on who shot her or who was with her at the time, but they noted in a Facebook post that medical personnel were not able to resuscitate her. No further information has 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 ABC4 Utah. AUGUSTA (WJBF) Eugene Gino Rock Brantley, candidate for Sheriff of Augusta Richmond County, has issued a statement regarding the gunman who opened fire into a crowd in downtown Augusta. I extend my deepest gratitude to the deputies who were on the scene and acted swiftly to protect the public. My thoughts are with those affected by this senseless act of violence, and I sincerely hope for the safety and well-being of everyone involved. This is a crucial time. We are at the start of summer, a period historically associated with a rise in crime. The recent events underscore the urgent need for change in our approach to public safety. Brantley said. Its distressing that despite proactive measures and discussions, we still face such tragedies. ALSO ON WJBF: Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, issues statement about Broad St. shooting Brantley also noted that over 150 lives have been lost to violence in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) over the past two years, underscoring the need for immediate action. The gunman opened fire hours after the First Friday event, which regularly draws large crowds downtown. Local business owner Sean Wight commented, I feel like downtown Augusta as a destination is a safe place with a lower crime rate than most citys our size, however when there are known events that draw large crowds such as first Friday or other late-night events the lack of police presence and proactive crowd control is distressing, especially since this has been a recurring issue for several years. We must not passively accept these incidents as the norm. Its time for a proactive, preventative approach to keep our community safe, Brantley concluded. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Richmond Co. Sheriffs Office confirms man shot into crowd with assault rifle early Saturday morning The Richmond County Sheriffs Office responded to Broad Street in downtown Augusta early Saturday morning after a man fired an assault rifle into a crowd. Law enforcement officials said deputies responded to the area around 1:13 a.m. after reports came in of shots fired and at least one person down. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When deputies arrived, they found a man with an assault rifle, who they said had fired into a crowd, hitting an unknown number of victims. Deputies at the scene returned fire, hitting the suspect. TRENDING STORIES: According to officials, the man was taken to a local hospital for his injuries and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was heading to the scene for further investigation. The exact circumstances, and number of victims, for the incident are still unclear. Channel 2 Action News has reached out to the GBI for more information and are waiting for their response. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Ms Reeves has previously referred to the residence nil-rate band as 'regressive' and 'expensive' - Belinda Jiao Rachel Reeves once described an inheritance tax break for family homes as one of the Governments most blatantly unjust policies, The Telegraph can reveal. The remarks made before she was appointed shadow chancellor suggest an inheritance tax raid on property could be on the cards if Labour wins the general election. The party has said it has no plans to change inheritance tax. But many suspect that reforming death duties is exactly what Labour would do if it got into power, especially now it has ruled out increasing income tax, VAT or National Insurance. And previous comments made by Ms Reeves offer a clue as to how the party might do it. Writing in a report published by the Fabian Society in 2016, Ms Reeves urged the then-chancellor Philip Hammond to cancel his predecessors upcoming inheritance tax cut. She was referring to the residence nil-rate band, which she later described in an article written for LabourList as one of the Governments most blatantly unjust policies. First unveiled by George Osborne, this is an additional 175,000 allowance for homeowners passing on their main property to their children or other direct descendants. Combined with the 325,000 nil-rate band, it means couples can collectively hand down up to 1m to their children without paying death duties. Since it was introduced, the allowance has saved homeowners 9.3bn, according to official statistics and 1.8bn in the last year alone. But Ms Reeves has previously referred to it as regressive and expensive and said that it deepens wealth inequality. The home is usually a familys biggest asset. Soaring property prices have pushed many estates over the tax-free thresholds, which are currently frozen until 2028. According to estate agents Hamptons, over 340,000 homes sold for more than 325,000 in 2023 almost double the number 10 years ago. Axing the residence nil-rate band would therefore bring thousands more families into the inheritance tax net. Ms Reeves has not only said the residence nil-rate band is unfair. She also proposed a tax on lifetime gifts. Writing in a 2018 pamphlet called The Everyday Economy, she argued this would make tax on all gifts equal and thus avoidance more difficult. A gift tax would close the biggest loophole currently available to families at risk of paying inheritance tax. Any assets gifted more than seven years before death are excluded from a persons estate. Many parents therefore choose to pass on their wealth early to pay less tax or bring their estate below the 1m threshold. Andy Butcher, of wealth manager Raymond James, said a tax on lifetime gifts would be a further blow to younger generations, who have become increasingly reliant on the bank of mum and dad. Story continues Currently, many wealthy individuals will pass down their excess wealth early to avoid inheritance tax, providing a boost to younger generations who have been continually targeted by higher taxes and stalling real incomes, he said. If this incentive to pass on wealth is removed, huge amounts of wealth will remain locked up in investments and bank accounts, providing little to no benefit to society. The Conservatives have been urged by The Telegraph, along with senior Tories, to scrap death duties, which currently rake in over 7bn a year for the Treasury. Last month, Jeremy Hunt described inheritance tax as profoundly anti-Conservative. But Sir Keir Starmer has avoided saying what he really thinks about the 40pc charge beyond that he would reverse any potential cuts announced by the current government. This is unsurprising given inheritance tax is incredibly divisive up and down the political spectrum. By committing to raising inheritance tax, Sir Keir would risk alienating middle-class homeowners who have experienced massive house price growth. It may be that the shadow chancellor has changed her views since she wrote the Everyday Economy or that the party, if it gets into power, ultimately decides against targeting these specific reliefs. But there is no denying that Labour is under pressure to reform inheritance tax as part of its promise to fix wealth inequality in Britain. Billions of pounds are set to shift from baby boomers to the next generations over the coming years in the biggest wealth transfer in history. The cross-party think tank Demos in a report published in 2023 urged the Labour party not to let inheritance tax become a no-go policy area. If Labour wants to be the party of growth, it has to confront the present structure of UK inheritances, the authors wrote. 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. Rippling bans former employees who work at competitors like Deel and Workday from its tender offer stock sale Investor demand has been so strong for shares of hot HR startup Rippling over $2 billion worth of term sheets, it says that it is allowing former employees to also participate in its giant tender offer sale, the company told TechCrunch. But there is one big exception: It has banned former employees who work for a handful of competitors from selling their stock. A small group of ex-employees has been trying to get the company to alter this policy, TechCrunch has learned, but so far to no avail. Rippling has also told employees who have previously sold shares, particularly if those sales were outside its previous tender offer, that they would not be authorized to sell as many shares this time around. To recap: In April, TechCrunch broke the news that Rippling was doing a giant tender offer of up to $590 million for employees and existing investors, led by Coatue, along with a smaller $200 million Series F for the company. All told, the deal valued HR software startup Rippling at $13.5 billion, the company said. This wasnt the first and only sale that let employees and longtime investors cash out of some shares, but its by far the biggest and most profitable. Another smaller one took place in 2021, founder and CEO Parker Conrad told TechCrunchs GM and EIC Connie Loizos. The rules for this one, according to a summary of details seen by TechCrunch, were: The offer was open to both current and former employees. It involved options, not restricted stock units (the stock that employees had to buy, not the ones granted with restrictions as part of their comp packages). Employees were eligible to sell up to 25% of their vested equity but the company was including in that count any shares they sold in the previous tender offer. If an employee sold shares via any method outside of a company tender offer, the company warned it would double count those shares against the 25%. Former employees working for competitors were not eligible to participate Rippling tells TechCrunch that the employees who work for the following companies are excluded: Workday, Paylocity, Gusto, Deel, Remote.com, Justworks, HiBob, and Personio. Sources tell TechCrunch that employees at those companies received no information about the tender offer but heard about their exclusion through the grapevine. None of the former employees TechCrunch spoke to were surprised to hear one name on the list: Deel. Or, according to a post on Blind, Everyone who has options is eligible, even former employees. Except if you went to Deel then youre screwed lol. When some former employees realized they were being excluded from the sale, a few wrote a scathing letter to Conrad and Ripplings top lawyer, Vanessa Wu, imploring Rippling to change its mind. Rippling refused to do so. Indeed there was quite a bit of internal drama involving the letter, as well as the equally scathing letters, seen by TechCrunch, that Rippling sent to some of them in response. The drama involved some people distancing themselves from the letter and many allegations of wrongdoing on both sides that TechCrunch could not independently verify. One person who was reportedly dragged into the letter drama told TechCrunch they wanted nothing more to do with any of it. Why is Rippling excluding ex-employees at competitors? The company told TechCrunch it was omitting employees at competitors because it was concerned that the sensitive information including detailed financial information and risk factors disclosed in the offer paperwork could wind up shared with competitors. Rippling put together a tender offer for the benefit of its employees, ex-employees, and early investors. Rippling chose to be uncharacteristically broad in its approach to this tender offer (1) because Rippling wanted to be able to provide liquidity to its early employees and investors, and also, (2) because there was so much demand (received over $2B in term sheets), Rippling VP of communications Bobby Whithorne told TechCrunch in an emailed statement. However, tender offer rules require companies to share significant sensitive information, including private company financials, which reasonably are not materials that any company would want in the hands of its competitors. As a result, while most companies exclude former employees entirely, Rippling took the more measured approach of excluding only those former employees who currently work at a list of eight competitors with ambitions to build global HR and payroll products, Whithorne said. To be sure, as a private company, Rippling certainly has the freedom to place restrictions on participation in its stock sales. Rippling vs. Deel, a competitive feud? Several sources said that Deel is a particularly touchy subject at Rippling. Both companies play into the rivalry with marketing that touts their own tech stack is better than the other. Ripplings hard-charging CEO Conrad is internally revered as a product genius but is also known as a competitive guy who thrives on rivalry, these sources said. He built Rippling into a $13.5 billion HR tech success with a product that tightly integrates payroll, benefits, recruiting, and a whole bunch of other services. He also famously built a previous HR tech startup, Zenefits, into one of the fastest-growing startups of its time until it hit a world of trouble that ultimately led to his ouster. During his time at Zenefits, Conrad also had a very public spat with competitor ADP. Then he founded Rippling, which has also grown like dandelions under his care. Despite the rivalry, Deel was once a customer of Rippling, though it no longer is, sources tell us. One other thing to note about excluding ex-Rippling employees working at competitors is that its not just about making a profit on their stock. Stock options can be costly. In addition to the price of the stock, employees may face huge tax bills on options they exercise from the paper gains of the value of the stock. Sometimes selling a portion of their stake, if they can, is a way for them to offset such tax bills. When asked about this, Whithorne said that the company has tried to issue Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) wherever possible (all U.S. employees) which enable employees to defer tax obligations at the time of exercise. All employees, current or former, will be able to sell their stock one day, after a lockup period, after the company goes public. But its not clear when Rippling will stage an offering. The company isnt likely in need of more capital at the moment. It just raised that new $200 million infusion, on top of the emergency $500 million it famously raised in 2023 as part of the whole SVB crisis. For several of the people impacted by this decision, however, its not just the money. Its also about hurt feelings that their former company believes they would do illegal or unethical things and so they are being preemptively left out of a lucrative deal. Your company doesn't love you, or value you. They are always going to do what is in their best interest. So do what's in your best interest, one source said. Got a tip about a startup culture youve experienced? Contact Julie Bort via email, X/Twitter, or Signal at 970-430-6112. There are 6.3 million people now on NHS waiting lists in the UK - IZUSEK The president of the Royal College of Surgeons has accused Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak of a deafening silence on how they would tackle the woes of the NHS. Tim Mitchell, who represents surgeons across England, said the pair did not appear to grasp the scale of the challenges facing the health service and called for an extra 6 billion funding to shore up crumbling hospitals. The senior medic said that watching the first leaders debate, he was struck by the reliance of both Sir Keir and Mr Sunak on familiar soundbites about how cherished the NHS is. He said: When it came to hard facts about what they would do or what they will fund, there was deafening silence. The surgeon highlighted the 6.3 million (with the leaders at the debate quoting 7.2 to 7.5 million) people now on waiting lists, with too many dying while they wait, or waiting worried and in pain, for months on end, hoping they might get a date for often life changing or life-saving surgery before they get any worse. The specialist in Ear, Nose and Throat medicine, who has worked in the NHS for 35 years, said: I cant help but feel that political parties are either kidding themselves, or the public, about the scale of investment the NHS needs. We still have hundreds of thousands of patients waiting more than a year for treatment. Thats potentially hundreds of thousands of people unable to work or go about everyday life. Yet, I have heard very little in campaigns so far to convince me that any political party is willing to make the tough budget decisions that will free up the funds needed to return waiting lists even back to pre-pandemic levels. Writing for The Telegraph, he said the current mantra from politicians of all stripes seemed to be reform, reform, reform when it came to the NHS. But he said none of it would deliver the scale of transformation that is necessary saying waiting lists will not be cut in any meaningful way without significant additional investment. A survey of surgeons last year found more than half regularly struggle to operate, often for want of theatres or staff. Mr Mitchell said the Royal College is backing calls for an extra 6.4 billion annually, to increase capacity and help clear maintenance backlogs, and for an expansion in staff and beds. Royal College of Surgeons found a lack of theatres and staff prevented members from operating - NEIL SETCHFIELD /ALAMY STOCK PHOTO The UK has far around half the number of hospital beds of other organisation for economic cooperation and development countries, with 2.43 beds per 1,000 people, while France has 5.73 and Germany has 7.82. Mr Mitchell said: We can only get so far on reform, efficiency drives, political gimmicks and asking an already depleted and burnt-out workforce to work more weekends and evenings. Voters, many of whom currently sit on our abysmal waiting lists, deserve more honesty from politicians about how they will fund the grandiose claims they are making about cutting waits. Right now, our political leaders seem to be playing the wrong numbers game. Political parties need to wake up: Waiting lists need funding, not just reform By Tim Mitchell With the general election less than a month away, undying loyalty to the NHS is a key part of political rhetoric. There has been much scrutiny of NHS waiting lists and whether they are going up or coming down, debated like a verbal tug of war. But for those of us working as surgeons at the coalface, with roughly 6.3 million people on the waiting list in England, it is not just a number to be debated. It is patients dying while they wait, or waiting worried and in pain, for months on end, hoping they might get a date for often life changing or life-saving surgery before they get any worse. The first leaders debate of the general election campaign saw Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, and Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, go head-to-head on why their party is best placed to secure the future of the NHS. There were the familiar soundbites about the NHS: how cherished it is, how doctors and nurses are heroes, and how the NHS is enshrined in our national psyche. However, when it came to hard facts about what they would do or what they will fund, there was deafening silence. The frustration of the live audience was palpable. Tim Mitchell says Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer need to wake up and invest more to tackle NHS waiting times I am a surgeon who has worked in the NHS for 35 years. I cant help but feel that political parties are either kidding themselves, or the public, about the scale of investment the NHS needs. We still have hundreds of thousands of patients waiting more than a year for treatment. Thats potentially hundreds of thousands of people unable to work or go about everyday life. Yet, I have heard very little in campaigns so far to convince me that any political party is willing to make the tough budget decisions that will free up the funds needed to return waiting lists even back to pre-pandemic levels. The current mantra on the NHS from politicians of all stripes seems to be reform, reform, reform. Whether thats more weekend and evening working, virtual wards, or increasing access to pharmacy, none of this is going to deliver the scale of transformation that is necessary. No one understands more keenly the need to reform our health services and make them fit for modern needs, than the NHS staff that struggle through endless system challenges every day. However, political parties need to wake up: waiting lists will not be cut in any meaningful way without significant additional investment. Even reform will require sizable funding. Some days, the hardest part of our jobs as surgeons is having to face a patient who is living with excruciating levels of pain while waiting for a joint replacement, or waiting for life-altering surgery such as a cochlear implant, and say the only thing we can at the moment, I am sorry, you will have to wait. More than half (56 per cent) of respondents to the Royal College of Surgeons of Englands census last year said that access to operating theatres was a major challenge. How do we bring down waiting times and serve our patients, if we cannot even get into theatre? If its not a lack of theatre space, it is an excessive administrative burden, a shortage of theatre staff or broken IT that is keeping us from operating. That is why we are backing calls for increased capital investment of at least 6.4 billion annually in our NHS, as well as increasing the surgical workforce. The existing NHS estates maintenance backlog, the cost of fixing leaking roofs, broken lifts and outdated IT systems already stands at 10.2 billion. Then theres the problem of replacing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). If the next Government commits to this funding, it should be invested to increase capacity. This includes investing in more diagnostic machines and expanding existing initiatives such as surgical hubs. We also need more hospital beds. At 2.43 per 1000 population, the UK has far fewer hospital beds than countries like France (5.73) and Germany (7.82). The adage, invest to save, couldnt ring truer than when speaking about reforming our ailing NHS estate. We can only get so far on reform, efficiency drives, political gimmicks and asking an already depleted and burnt-out workforce to work more weekends and evenings. Voters, many of whom currently sit on our abysmal waiting lists, deserve more honesty from politicians about how they will fund the grandiose claims they are making about cutting waits. Right now, our political leaders seem to be playing the wrong numbers game. Tim Mitchell is the president, Royal College of Surgeons of England and consultant ENT surgeon 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. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, right, who often voices law-and-order views, supports Donald Trump's White House bid despite the ex-president's felony conviction. (Terry Pierson / Associated Press) Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a conservative firebrand known for voicing law-and-order views and fierce criticism of Gov. Gavin Newsom, is considering a run for governor in 2026. Bianco, who was first elected as sheriff in 2018 after a decades-long career at the Riverside County Sheriffs Office, hasnt formally announced his candidacy. However, he told The Times in an interview Friday that hes discussing with his family a run for the states top job. I live in the perfect place. I have the perfect job, and I would do this for the next 40 years if people would keep electing me here in Riverside County, Bianco said. So this is a huge thing for me to decide to just give up. The growing number of people that are trying to convince me to do this is a bug in my ear that, quite frankly, has given me something to think about. The sheriff, who has called attention to what he sees as deficiencies in statewide public safety laws, had a viral moment this month when he posted a video on Instagram which he says was tongue-in-cheek endorsing Donald Trumps presidential campaign. In it, the sheriff, sitting in a car wearing his uniform, says that after years of being critical of policies that have closed prisons or reduced jail sentences, he is going to change teams. I think its time we put a felon in the White House, he says. Trump 2024, baby. Lets save this country and make America great again. Read more: Guilty: Trump becomes first former U.S. president convicted of felony crimes Critics called him out for advocating for a candidate while wearing a taxpayer-funded uniform. State Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who is running for governor , called for an investigation into Biancos actions and accused him of breaking a state law that prohibits officers or employees of local agencies from participating in political activities while in uniform. We cant afford to have a criminal in the White House or a governor who doesnt follow the law, Thurmond said in a video posted on X. On Friday, Thurmond challenged Bianco to a debate about the issues, from [Biancos] misuse of taxpayer funds to the myriad of challenges facing the people of California. Bianco told The Times he has zero regrets about posting the video and was dismayed that his detractors failed to address the first portion of it, in which he points out the public safety challengesfacing the state. Its shocking that the only thing that would garner attention is me saying I support Trump. Its the epitome of the failure of the political system, Bianco said. Everyone just wants to talk about what they want to talk about and avoid the disaster theyre part of or that they have caused. In 2021, Bianco grabbed headlines for vowing not to enforce vaccine mandates for Sheriffs Office employees, saying he believes vaccination is a personal choice. A month later, Bianco faced scrutiny after it was revealed through a data leak that in 2014 he was a dues-paying member of the Oath Keepers , a violent far-right, anti-government group whose ranks participated in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. At the time, he said in a statement that like many other law enforcement officers and veterans who were members, I learned the group did not offer me anything and so I did not continue membership. Last year, Bianco was among a coalition of 90 sheriffs across the country who publicly endorsed the tough stance on border security taken by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination. More recently, Bianco has appeared on television news outlets to champion an initiative called the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act, which seeks to change Proposition 47 , the 2014 ballot measure that reduced some nonviolent property crimes and simple drug possession to misdemeanors. The initiative would toughen penalties for retail theft and require drug treatment for those charged with possession. Read more: New change coming to retail theft legislation could splinter support for tough-on-crime initiative A coalition of sheriffs across California, the Republican Party of Riverside County and a number of current and former lawmakers have called on Bianco to run for governor. Former state Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, who is leading a group called the Draft Bianco coalition, said in a statement this week that the sheriffs candidacy would provide a real alternative for California voters. In the face of Sacramentos failures on issues like crime and homelessness, Sheriff Biancos leadership has been an example for other communities to follow across the state, Hollingsworth said. Bianco would be the first high-profile Republican to enter the crowded race to succeed Newsom, who terms out in 2027. In addition to Thurmond, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis , state Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and former state Controller Betty Yee have announced their candidacies. I dont want to be just the Republican running for governor. I want to be the leader that people want to fix this state, Bianco said. And if I can get mentally to a point where I believe that California wants a leader to fix the state, then I will make the decision to do it. 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. Rosemary OHara: Despite turmoil, Florida needs the ACLU now more than ever | Opinion I have joined the board of the ACLU of Florida. When first asked, I declined, wary of recent discord. But I was encouraged to stand for election and help right the ship. Two months in, I feel good about my decision, especially after spending quality time with staff at a Saturday gathering in Miami. The American Civil Liberties Union is a controversial group, no question. But controversy is something I know something about from having led the opinion pages of two major Florida newspapers. I signed on because the ACLUs core values fighting government abuse and defending civil liberties, including the freedom of speech, religion, assembly, privacy, due process, voting, and equal protection are at my core, too. No matter your politics, the ACLU has probably annoyed you. For when it comes to defending peoples rights, its an equal-opportunity fighter, even if it means, as one former director said, defending my enemy. Im not a fan of the NRA, but Im proud that the ACLU represented the National Rifle Association in a case decided last week by the U.S. Supreme Court. The case involved a New York regulator who tried to coerce banks to blacklist the organization. By successfully defending the NRA, the ACLU reinforced everyones First Amendment protections against vengeful government leaders. Perhaps most famously, 47 years ago, the ACLU defended the free-speech rights of neo-Nazis to march in Skokie, Ill., where hundreds of Holocaust survivors lived. If government can squelch speech it finds offensive, it can prevent any speech it dislikes. This week, ACLU-Florida went to court to fight Floridas new book-ban law. Consider: if you want a book banned and the school district refuses, you can appeal to Tallahassee. But if you dont want a book banned, you get no appeal. Talk about viewpoint discrimination. Our lawyers also are fighting Floridas Stop Woke law, which restricts how college professors can discuss systemic racism and sex is crimination for fear students might be made uncomfortable. History is full of uncomfortable truths. The danger of government censorship is one of them. We are also fighting a new anti-immigrant law that says only citizens, not legal residents, can register people to vote. The law keeps Spanish-speaking residents from participating in voter registration drives. And were fighting the new law that defines street protests as riots and lets participants be charged with felonies. Im reminded of the civil rights protesters who walked across the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, Alabama, only to be beaten with billy clubs and sprayed with tear gas. If that were to happen in Florida today, those freedom marchers would become convicted felons. In the last year, the Florida ACLU has faced internal disruption and reorganization. The national organization dismissed the state board. Theres a lawsuit, so I cant say more. But from where I sit, the reboot has revitalized the organization. At our Miami gathering, I saw an energized staff engaged in a noble mission. Weve also hired a dynamic new executive director familiar to many South Florida residents: Bacardi Jackson, a seasoned litigator who graduated from Stanford University and Yale Law School, and spent the past four years at the Southern Poverty Law Center. She is the right leader at the right time. Jackson takes the torch from the legendary Howard Simon, who served as executive director for more than two decades before retiring in 2018 and returning as interim director last August. I am joined on the new 14-member board by doctors, lawyers, professors and administrators with a diversity of viewpoints who stand ready to support our executive director in defending your rights. I tell you all this because its a discouraging time in our country. People on both sides of the aisle believe our democracy is threatened and no one is working the halls of government for us. But you should know that ACLU staffers are there, trying to advance your rights. The ACLU is a nonpartisan, public policy membership organization supported by grants and donations. I hope you will join me in supporting the ACLU-Florida. Its a righteous cause. Rosemary Goudreau OHara is the former opinion page editor of the South Florida Sun Sentinel and The Tampa Tribune. She lives in Dunedin. I would assume this is a universal gasp. You hear that the CFO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy stands accused of embezzling $40 million and think, what the hell? And then, in the next millisecond, something more pointed: How the hell? Jeff Williams, an expert from Grand Valley State University, has some potential answers. He also has a handle on the upside, if there is such a thing in what's alleged to be a particularly jarring case of fraud. "I can tell you I've already fielded three phone calls from nonprofits in three days since the news came out," he said. "This is absolutely reverberating around foundations and nonprofits throughout the state," all wanting to make sure that the next blaring headline can't possibly include them. So donors' money might ultimately be a little more safe, and people who need help might be a little more certain to get it. But still ... How the hell? Part of the problem is that the conservancy's finances seem to have been handled like an every-other-Tuesday food pantry in a church basement, even as its total assets grew from $120 million to at least $175 million in the 11-year span where William Smith, 51, stands accused of treating it like an ATM. Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Chief Financial Officer William Smith after the groundbreaking ceremony as the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy expands the final piece of the East Riverfront at the former Uniroyal site along the Detroit River in Detroit on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Another part of the problem, said Williams, the director of the Community Data and Research Lab at the Johnson Center for Philanthropy, is that "the worst frauds tend to happen in the highest-trust environments." The conservancy isn't one of those sprawling operations that does a dozen quietly useful things and has a name that doesn't identify any of them. It has done one thing, brilliantly, turning Detroit's corroded industrial riverfront into 5.5 miles of scenic fun. Most every step has come with news conferences and riotous applause and choruses of angels. Its board chair, Matt Cullen, has done wizardly work for General Motors and the Dan Gilbert operation. He's so respected that his support for the QLINE left throngs of us willing to overlook that it stops at red lights. Now comes Smith, the star of a criminal complaint that says he spent other people's money on "airline tickets, hotels, limousines, household goods, lawn care, clothing, and jewelry," and ran up $14.9 million on an American Express Business Platinum account also accessed by his wife and other random family members. It's as though he walked a Van Gogh out of the DIA on a crowded Saturday afternoon while the museum board and the guards were brown-bagging their lunches in the gallery. More: Red flags about ex-Detroit Conservancy CFO show up in court records Divide, and not get conquered Riverfront Conservancy CEO Mark Wallace resigned May 31, the same day the board fired Smith and announced plans to rain damnation and possibly a lawsuit upon him. Story continues Wallace is a friendly, bearded, open-collar sort who always seemed five minutes from revving up a backhoe. He has not been accused of anything but inattention, though at $298,400 per year, that's a self-firing offense. Smith's salary was $200,200, according to the conservancy's 2022 IRS filing, while chief development officer Cassie Brenske (who is not implicated in the alleged embezzlement) makes a salary of $175,000. Those salaries are not out of line for running a big-money, big-impact operation that still has a four-star rating on Charity Navigator along with a brand-new bright orange advisory that suggests, "Proceed with caution." Beware, it might as well say, of giving the financial controls to one guy with expensive tastes and limited scruples. "If you're a five-person nonprofit," said Grand Valley's Williams, "it's hard to have one person opening checks, one person paying bills and one person auditing the books." If you're the darling of grant-makers and foundations with 44 heavy hitters on the board, including at least one auto dealer, a Stroh and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, it should be easier to divide the duties. The conservancy has accountants and committees and safeguards, of course. These are smart, committed professionals. But somehow, someone had $40 million worth of access and jurisdiction. From afar, Williams said, he could see how the conservancy might have grown so flush with success and back-patting that "it became easy to grow lax in controls." Combine that with multiple philanthropic partners and a similar number of complicated financial statements, and pretty soon your board chair is announcing the discovery of irregularities and your CFO is getting perp-walked in his sporty beige sweatsuit. From Freep opinion: Amid $40 million embezzlement probe, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has work to do | Editorial Ex-Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CFO William Smith walks out of Theodore Levin United States Courthouse in Detroit after pretrial hearing on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Trust, but verify frequently Five of the first seven defendants in a Minneapolis fraud case tied to feeding children during the pandemic were found guilty Friday, and prosecutors say as much as $250 million was pilfered in multiple schemes. Compared to that, the accusations against Smith are small potatoes. Where there are pots of money, there is the potential for larceny. Heck, someone in the Minnesota case tried to bribe a juror with $120,000 in cash, conveniently delivered in a gift bag with curly ribbon and pretty images of butterflies and flowers. Thievery "was a risk 2,000 years ago," Williams said, "and it's a risk today. This is not new." What's constantly updated is methodology. Smith, according to law enforcement, was basically playing three-card monte with wire transfers and bogus bank statements to help cover his high times and high-risk investments. Maybe a switch in auditors every few years would have caught the problem millions of dollars ago. That's one advisory in the nonprofit world. But other research, Williams said, has found that you lose more in experience and familiarity than you gain in fresh perspective. That conversation, he said, "is going on in other boards right now." There are surely other chats about the makeup of finance committees, though as Williams said, you don't need to be an accountant to ask penetrating questions. Pending more details, he said, he keeps coming back to high-trust environments. It's great to remember your colleagues' birthdays and have office potlucks and toast your successes after work. Since you're all friends, no one will mind if there are extra sets of eyes on the accounting. It's better to say, "Ahh, here's how," than how the hell. Reach Neal Rubin at NARubin@freepress.com. To subscribe to the Free Press at discount rates, click here. Dozens of cyclists bike next to the riverfront during the Uniroyal Promenade ribbon-cutting ceremony on Detroit's Riverwalk in Detroit on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. The new Uniroyal Promenade completes the 3.5 mile-long Riverwalk and provides access to Belle Isle. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Nonprofit expert finds upside in $40M Riverfront Conservancy theft Russia accuses Ukraine of shelling that leaves at least 25 dead in occupied east Russia accused Ukraine of shelling the Russian-occupied eastern territories of Kherson and Luhansk on Friday, leaving at least 25 dead. Kherson and Luhansk were among four Ukrainian territories Russia claimed to have annexed in September 2022 following its full-scale invasion. The international community, aside from North Korea and Syria, does not recognize the annexation. Vladimir Saldo, the Russia-appointed governor of the southern Kherson region, accused Ukrainian forces of killing 22 people, including a 9-year-old child, in the shelling of the small town of Sadove on Friday. Saldo claimed that Ukrainian forces did a double-tap missile strike on a grocery store and the civilian area in Sadove. The grocery store, he noted, was packed with customers and staff when it was hit. The first attack was carried out using a French-supplied aerial bomb and the successive one with an American-supplied HIMARS missile, he told Russia 24. Meanwhile, the Russian-appointed head of the self-declared Luhansk Peoples Republic, Leonid Pasechnik, said on Telegram a Ukrainian strike on Luhansk killed three people and wounded 35 others. A rescuer rests next to a destroyed residential building in Luhansk. - AFP/Getty Images A woman cleans debris from an apartment. - Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the strikes cynical and [a] bloody crime on Friday and blamed Washington for giving the green light to Kyiv to kill civilians with Western weapons. Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson region military administration, dismissed the Russian claims in a Telegram post on Friday, calling them a vivid example of how Russian propaganda works. Prokudin pointed to Saldo incorrectly citing the attack in Kherson region as happening on Saturday instead of Friday, in an insinutation the claim was made up. Artem Lysohor, head of Luhansk region military administration, said that the Ukrainian strikes were exclusively on the old and well-equipped military infrastructure of the occupiers and blamed Russian air defense systems for intercepting the rockets over civilian neighborhoods, suggesting the falling debris caused casualties. Russia has been pressing in the east, which it seeks to capture in full, as it continues its assault on Ukraines northeastern region of Kharkiv after launching a surprise offensive last month. Ukraine recorded its highest monthly number of civilian casualties in almost one year, with the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) recording a significant increase (31%) in civilians killed in Ukraine in May compared to April. Over half of the casualties in May occurred in Kharkiv city and region where Russian armed forces launched a new ground offensive on 10 May, the head of the HRMMU Danielle Bell said. Bell attributed the increase to Russias move to use air-dropped bombs and missiles in populated areas such as communities near the frontline and Kharkiv city. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Russian troops failed their Kharkiv Oblast offensive, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on June 8 after meeting with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Moscow launched a new offensive on May 10 in Kharkiv Oblast, where it reportedly managed to advance as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) before Ukraine halted the advance near the first line of defense. "A very significant result is that the Russian army failed. The direction is strengthened. And it will be strengthened more," Zelensky said. Read also: We took out so many of them: Ukraine stabilizes Kharkiv front after brutal Russian offensive Russia has reduced offensive operations in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast despite eyeing a further advance, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said earlier in the day. Ukrainian troops are restraining Russian forces "as much as possible" and destroying their units, according to Zelensky. Since launching a new offensive, Russia reportedly controls a handful of villages on two separate axes in Kharkiv Oblast, one near the town of Vovchansk and the other near Lyptsi village. Ukrainian forces control "most of Vovchansk" as of June 8, Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson of the Khortytsia group of forces, said on national television. The town is described by Ukrainian officials as almost destroyed, while Russia keeps attacking other neighboring settlements, inflicting civilian casualties. The most difficult battlefield situation is reportedly in Donetsk Oblast. Russia is continuing to push on multiple directions, Ukraine's General Staff said in its latest update. We are working to provide more reserves for our army, Zelensky added. Read also: With all eyes on Kharkiv, Russian troops take one Donbas village after another Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FILE - Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko speaks during her press conference in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, April 2, 2019. Russia has put former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on its wanted list, Russian state media reported on Saturday, June 8, 2024, citing the Interior Ministrys database. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, file) Russia has put former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on its wanted list, Russian state media reported, citing the Interior Ministrys database. Russian state news agency Tass said Tymoshenko was listed as wanted on unspecified criminal charges. She reportedly joins Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his predecessor, Petro Poroshenko, on the same list, which also includes scores of officials and lawmakers from Ukraine and NATO countries. Tymoshenko and her Batkivshchyna (the Fatherland) party did not immediately comment Saturday. Mediazona, an independent Russian news outlet, reported that both Zelenskyy and Poroshenko had been listed since at least late February. Amog others on the list is Kaja Kallas, the prime minister of NATO and EU member Estonia, who has fiercely advocated for increased military aid to Kyiv and stronger sanctions against Moscow. Russian officials in February said that Kallas is wanted because of Tallinns efforts to remove Soviet-era monuments to Red Army soldiers in the Baltic nation, in a belated purge of what many consider symbols of past oppression. Russia has laws criminalizing the rehabilitation of Nazism that include punishing the desecration of war memorials. Also on Russias list are cabinet ministers from Estonia and Lithuania, as well as the International Criminal Court prosecutor who last year prepared a warrant for President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges. Moscow has also charged the head of Ukraines military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, with what it deems terrorist activities, including Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian infrastructure. Ukrainian missile attacks destroy at leasst two Russian rocket launchers and several vehicles - X Himars strikes inside Russia are having an immediate effect in halting Vladimir Putins new invasion into northern Ukraine, officials have told The Telegraph. The high-powered precision missiles that the US finally gave permission to be fired across the border last week have destroyed key missile launch sites and forced Russians to redeploy. Russian troops have become bogged down in newly occupied villages north of Kharkiv where they are trying to break through towards Ukraines second city, according to reports. The governor of the city told The Telegraph that Ukrainian troops are now preparing to counter-attack Russian positions as the front lines have stabilised. Soldiers on the front lines meanwhile said that Ukrainian forces in the region were no longer only defending. The apparent stabilisation of the new northern front will come as a huge relief for Ukraine and the West, which have both been predicting a large-scale Russian summer offensive. However, analysts still caution that the new northern axis may be little more than a distraction for an offensive in the east, where progress for Russia has also been slow in recent weeks. In and around Kharkiv air raid sirens and accompanying mobile phone emergency alerts still regularly sound but airstrikes have slowed following the Himars strikes. Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of the Kharkiv region, told The Telegraph: You can feel the difference already. When we are sitting here, it feels quite safe right now, because we can see the first results. President Joe Biden last week bowed to pressure from allies and requests from Kyiv to relax restrictions on the use of US-supplied weapons to defend Kharkiv. The day after the about-turn, Ukraine reportedly used Himars launchers to hit targets including a Russian battery of S-300/400 missiles in the city of Belgorod. Ukraine soldiers in Kharkiv fire artillery at Russian troops - ANADOLU At 5am on May 10, Russian infantry battalions pushed forward under the cover of heavy artillery fire and glide bomb attacks, seizing several villages as they caught Ukrainian troops off-guard. After two weeks of grinding advances, Ukraines generals announced they had halted Russias progress, with the Kremlins forces largely bogged down around the city of Vovchansk. But Ukrainian troops and cities were still coming under constant attack by missiles launched with impunity from the safety of Russian territory. That now appears to be changing, with the strikes on Russias S-300 missile launchers deemed crucial. Its hard for Russians to use the S-300 missiles right now. That was the main weapon for them to attack the Kharkiv direction and now its harder for them to use it, Mr Syniehubov told The Telegraph. This will let the Ukraine army be more effective and the allies weapons will also help us to ruin their logistics. Moscows renewed assault on the Kharkiv region of north-east Ukraine was accompanied by a sharp increase in air and missile attacks. Kharkiv, a city of 1.4 million about 19 miles from the border, was hit 76 times in May, with glide bombs, missiles and drones, the mayor, Ihor Terekhov, reported earlier this week. That was three times as many strikes as in April. Mr Terekhov said there were now early indications the situation appeared to be improving. We are already feeling that the situation is different, he said. Now it is too early to speak about details, but what we are seeing is their systems, the S-300 and S-400, were completely destroyed. These systems were used to target residential buildings and official buildings and they were using that a lot. Throughout the conflict, Russian forces have used surface-to-air missiles such as the S-300 and its more advanced cousin against Ukrainian cities. While the strikes with Western weapons had improved the situation, city officials said Kharkiv still needed extra air defence systems for protection. Ukraine is also urging its allies to further loosen the restrictions governing the use of their weapons against Russia. Washington has agreed that Kyiv can use US weapons for counter-fire purposes in Kharkiv so Ukraine can hit back at Russian forces hitting them or preparing to hit them. Washingtons new stance is thought to allow for US-supplied weapons to be used to strike Russian forces that are attacking or preparing to attack. But Ukraine is still not allowed to use American-provided ATACMS or long-range missiles and other munitions to strike inside Russia, US officials have said. Meanwhile, the eastern front lines have moved very little in recent weeks after a string of Russian victories in the spring put key tactical cities like Chasiv Yar under threat. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Russian attack drones account for 90% of Ukrainian casualties around a key town in the last 6 months, medic says Russian attack drones account for 90% of Ukrainian casualties around a key town in the last 6 months, medic says Russian FPV drones injured 90% of wounded soldiers near Chasiv Yar, said a Ukrainian medic. Drone warfare dominates the fighting around the key town, a Kyiv-based journalist said. Russia is also using glide bombs to hammer other Ukrainian positions, the Kyiv-based reporter said. Russian attack drones have inflicted about 90% of war injuries suffered by Ukrainian soldiers around a key town in the past six months, according to a medic stationed on the eastern front. Kyiv Independent reporter Asami Terajima told Business Insider that she spoke to a medic called Oleksii who treats soldiers at a stabilization point near the frontline near Chasiv Yar before they are transported to hospitals. The majority of Oleksii's patients in the past six months were injured by FPV (first-person-view) drones , Terajima said. The strategic city of Chasiv Yar has been the target of a Russian offensive since December. Devastation in Chasiv Yar as of April 29, 2024. Ukraine Patrol Police via AP Photo Russian troops have steadily advanced westward from the ruins of Bakhmut and Avdiivka, seizing a dozen small villages and nearing Chasiv Yar and a key highway to the south. Terajima said that FPV drone warfare was a major feature of the fighting in the Donetsk Oblast, particularly in the Bakhmut area. She said that in other parts of the eastern front, Ukrainian soldiers were being overwhelmed with glide bombs. "The soldiers in the Avdiivka area were complaining a lot about the glide bombs that are now very intensively still being used," she told BI. Russia stepped up its use of glide bombs in October when it launched its offensive against Avdiivka. Powerful bombs are transformed into glide weapons by adding modified fins and guidance systems. They are launched at a distance from fighter planes and are difficult to spot on radar and shoot down. Terajima said that Ukrainian soldiers told her during the last days before the fall of Avdiivka in February, Russian forces were dropping about 60 glide bombs a day. "Ukrainian soldiers are barely able to visit their families, and it's really demoralizing when Russian forces intensify the use of glide bombs," Terajima said. "They're really, really scary." However, some NATO members recently lifted the restrictions on Ukraine using their advanced weapons to strike military targets inside Russia, giving Ukraine new battlefield options in combatting the glide bombs. "These policy changes will allow Ukrainian forces to use Western-provided systems to strike Russian firing and staging areas in Russia's border areas and airspace," conflict analysts at the Institute for the Study of War wrote. Another Ukrainian defeat could be imminent An armored fighting vehicle with Ukrainian troops inside fires on Russian trenches in the town of Ivanivske, to the west of Bakhmut. Ukraines 5th Separate Assault Brigade/Facebook Terajima recently reported on the difficult frontline situation for Ukraine near the Donestk village of Ivanivske in mid-May. The settlement, strategically located between Bakhmut and Chasiv Yar, is now under severe threat, she said. Russian forces began their assault on Ivanivske in February, and by April, they controlled the main roads. Despite fierce house-to-house fighting, Ukrainian troops are gradually being pushed out. She said that while the Ukrainian military is determined to present the ongoing battle as under control, holding Ivanivske would be difficult. "In Ivanivske, everything is destroyed, and there's nowhere to hide," Terajima told BI. "You can't build a trench because there's the concrete underneath that prevents you from digging further." Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn, a spokesperson for the Khortytsia grouping in the region, denied that Ivanivske was on the verge of falling. Terajima told BI that Ukraine is resolved to maintain a resilient image and that her coverage detailing Ukraine's losses is therefore considered "taboo" and "provocative" because it taints that image. "Russia's forces are sustaining heavy losses, but they are still advancing at a rate that we don't like," Terajima said. By downplaying these advances, "we're basically turning away from the reality, not allowing the public to understand what's going on," she said. "I think that no matter what, we need to always be honest and say it out how it is. And if we have heavy losses, then I think that has to be told." Read the original article on Business Insider Russia's Defense Ministry claimed on June 8 that air defenses in the southern Russian republic of North Ossetia-Alania downed a Ukrainian drone. Shortly after, Sergey Menyaylo, the head of the republic, claimed that air defenses had shot down three drones in the town of Mozdok. North Ossetia-Alania is a republic in Russia's North Caucasus region, bordering Georgia to the south and Chechnya to the east. Mozdok is located some 730 kilometers (453 miles) southeast of the Ukrainian border and is home to a Russian airbase. In the aftermath of the Second Chechen War in the early 2000s, there were several terrorist attacks in Mozdok that reportedly killed dozens of Russian soldiers. Menyaylo claimed that the target was the airbase, but said that only minor damage had been caused and that there were no casualties from the attack. As a precaution, Menyaylo said that all public events in the region would be canceled. Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the alleged attack at the time of this publication. The Kyiv Independent couldn't immediately verify the reports. Russia has been reporting drone attacks against its border regions for several months, but North Ossetia is significantly farther than the areas where most drone attacks are claimed. Ukrainian drones have nonetheless struck targets in Russia as far as the Tatarstan Republic, some 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) away from the Russia-Ukraine border. Read also: How Ukraine hit a Russian drone factory 1,300 kilometers away Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian forces attacked six border areas and settlements of Sumy Oblast on June 7, firing 14 times and causing at least 54 explosions, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported. The communities of Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Esman, Shalyhyne, Znob-Novhorodske, and Velyka Pysarivka were targeted. No casualties or damages to civilian infrastructure were reported. The Russian military struck the communities using artillery fire, drones, and mortar shelling. The town of Krasnopillia experienced the most attacks, with 20 explosions recorded in the area. Bilopillia, which had a pre-war population of about 7,769, lies just 15 kilometers from the Ukraine-Russia border. Russian strikes against Sumy Oblast have become increasingly destructive in recent months. A Russian rocket attack on May 29 on the village of Krasnopillia in Sumy Oblast killed two civilians and injured three others. Amid intensified attacks, Ukrainian authorities ordered evacuations from the region. Sumy Oblast borders Russia's Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts. Read also: Ukraine war latest: US announces $225 million aid package; France looks for partners to send military instructors Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian forces launch bombs on Kharkiv Oblast: one civilian killed, two injured, school destroyed photo A man has been killed, two more women injured, and a school building destroyed in a Russian bombardment of the village of Khotimlia (Kharkiv Oblast). Source: Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration (OMA); Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office , Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office Details: The Russians launched guided aerial bombs on the village of Khotimlia in Staryi Saltiv hromada at around 16:00 (A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories). Two local residents have been injured. Later, the Kharkiv OMA reported that one person had died of fatal injuries and another local resident had been hospitalised. In addition, two guided aerial bombs destroyed a school building and damaged a shop and several houses. Updated: The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office later reported that a man had been killed and two women, aged 35 and 43, had been injured in the Russian bombardment of the village of Khotimlia in Chuhuiv district. The attack took place at around 15:45 on 8 June. Support UP or become our patron! Russian troops attacked the village of Khotimlia in Kharkiv Oblast on June 8, killing one person and injuring two, Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office reported. Khotimlia in the Chuhuiv district, with a pre-war population of around 1,350 people, is located nearly 45 kilometers (28 miles) from the regional capital, Kharkiv. The village was reportedly hit with two Russian guided aerial bombs at around 3:45 p.m. local time. The attack damaged houses, cars, and school, according to the authorities. A man was killed and two women, aged 35 and 43, suffered injuries, the prosecutor said. Russian forces launched new offensive operations in the north of Kharkiv Oblast on May 10, exposing Kharkiv and a number of border settlements in the region to heavy attacks. As Moscow opened a new front, Kyiv urged allies to lift a ban on strikes inside Russia with Western weapons to prevent further attacks on Ukrainian territory. In late May, the U.S. gave Ukraine permission to use some American weapons to hit targets on Russian soil across the border from both Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts. Read also: Russia fails to fulfill its Kharkiv operation, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Russians have attacked the Kupiansk district several times in the evening of 7 June and on the night of 7-8 June, injuring a person. Source: Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration Details: The Russians started attacking Kupiansk at 22:00 on Friday evening. They damaged four buildings and injured one person. Within an hour, the Russian military attacked the village of Shevchenkove with UAVs, damaging a car. A house in the village of Senkove was damaged in a Russian attack at around 02:00. Support UP or become our patron! The Russians have dropped explosives from a drone on a medical team rushing to a call in Kherson Oblast, leaving the driver injured. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, the Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "Russian forces have attacked an ambulance in Kherson Oblast. The invaders dropped explosives from a drone on a team of medics who were rushing to a call in one of the settlements of Bilozerka hromada. (A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.) The driver has been diagnosed with a blast injury and contusion. The paramedic has not been harmed. Both have been evacuated to a safe place." Details: A man, 50, who came under Russian fire has also been hospitalised. He suffered a blast injury and a wound to his leg. Support UP or become our patron! A Russian flotilla including a modern nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine is bound for Cuba for a rare deployment. Cuban officials state that none of the Russian Navy vessels headed toward the Caribbean will be carrying nuclear weapons, in an apparent effort to reduce tensions between Moscow and Washington, but the development once again reinforces renewed Russian interest in the operations in the wider region. In a statement yesterday, Cubas Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces confirmed that the advanced Yasen-M class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Kazan and three other Russian naval vessels, including the Project 22350 frigate Admiral Gorshkov , the oil tanker Pashin, and the salvage tug Nikolai Chiker will dock in the Cuban capital from June 12-17. The Russian Navy frigate Admiral Gorshkov arrives in the port of Havana during a previous visit to Cuba on June 24, 2019. ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP via Getty Images None of the vessels is carrying nuclear weapons , so their stopover in our country does not represent a threat to the region, the ministry said. Visits by naval units from other countries are a historical practice of the revolutionary government with nations that maintain relations of friendship and collaboration, the statement added. The day before, U.S. officials said that they expected Russian warships and aircraft to arrive in the Caribbean for a military exercise that they said would be part of a Moscows broader response to American support for Ukraine. In particular, President Joe Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-provided weapons to strike inside Russia has angered the Kremlin. The first-in-class Russian Navy Project 22350 frigate Admiral Gorshkov was sailing in the Caribbean in June 2019. Alexander Galperin/Sputnik via AP As part of Russias regular military exercises, we anticipate that this summer, Russia will conduct heightened naval and air activity near the United States. These actions will culminate in a global Russian naval exercise this fall, a U.S. official said . The same official said that the Russian deployment was not seen as threatening but confirmed the U.S. Navy will monitor the maneuvers. We are not concerned by Russias deployments, which pose no direct threat to the United States, the official said. This is about Russia showing that its still capable of some level of global power projection. The Russian flotilla may be small in size overall, but its also larger than previous such deployments. Last July, for example, the Russian Navy sent the training class ship Perekop into Havana for a four-day visit. The nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Kazan at its base in the Northern Fleet in May 2021. Ministry of Defense of Russia Significant, too, is the fact that the Kazan and the Admiral Gorshkov are notably modern and capable assets. Both the Kazan and the Admiral Gorshkov are equipped with vertical launch system silos that can accommodate Kalibr long-range cruise missiles, which can be used for anti-ship strike and land attack, as well as Oniks supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles. Additionally, the Admiral Gorshkov was the first Russian Navy warship to operationally deploy with the new Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, at least according to official Russian claims . The frigate Admiral Gorshkov. Ministry of Defense of Russia Unlike previous-generation Russian SSGNs, the Yasen class and espeically the advanced Yasen-Ms are far more versatile than just cruise missile platforms, able to operate as general-purpose attack boats as well as intelligence gatherers and potentially as special missions platforms. A measure of the capability of these submarines was provided by U.S. Air Force General Glen VanHerck, the head of U.S. Northern Command and the U.S.-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command, who described the Yasen boats as being nearly on a par with U.S. Navy types in terms of quietness. He added that this growing class of submarines will soon present a persistent threat to the American homeland unlike any before. While U.S. and Cuban authorities are downplaying the Russian deployment, in terms of the threat that it poses, Moscow has warned that it could take asymmetrical steps elsewhere in the world in response to Washingtons backing of Ukraine. In particular, President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia could supply long-range weapons to regions around the world where they could be used for strikes against Western targets. You can read our reporting on this development here . One such region could well be Cuba, based on the historically close relationship between Havana and Moscow. Last month, Putin hosted Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel during the annual May 9 Victory Day military parade on Red Square. In general, ties between Diaz-Canel and Putin have become deeper since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Cuban counterpart Miguel Diaz-Canel on the sidelines of Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, 2024. Photo by MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images In Soviet times, Cuba was an important ally of Moscow and deployments by Russian Navy flotillas as well as long-range maritime patrol aircraft were commonplace. The deployment of Soviet nuclear weapons on the island triggered the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. More recently, Venezuela has also enjoyed close relations with Moscow, including on a military level . Earlier this week, a senior U.S. official suggested that the current Russian Navy deployment might also include a port call in Venezuela. A Russian Tu-160 strategic bomber aircraft is pictured upon landing at Maiquetia International Airport, Venezuela, in December 2018. Photo by FEDERICO PARRA/AFP via Getty Images We are expecting that Russia will temporarily send combat naval vessels to the Caribbean region and these ships will likely conduct port calls in Cuba and possibly Venezuela. There may also be some aircraft deployments or flights in the region, the official said. Also notable, perhaps, is the fact that the U.S. Coast Guard just released official photos showing operations involving the U.S. Coast Guard Legend class cutter Stone (WMSL-758) in the Atlantic Ocean, including working alongside the Arleigh Burke class destroyers USS Truxtun (DDG-103) and USS Donald Cook (DDG-75). The Stone is also seen during maneuvers with the Canadian Halifax class frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec (FFH-332). The photos, taken aboard the cutter Stone, date from between June 3 and June 6 in the 2nd Fleet area of operations and document what are described as maritime stability and security operations in the region. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) steams with U.S. Coast Guard cutter Stone (WMSL-758), June 5, 2024, in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Coast Guard While theres nothing to suggest the operations are specifically related to the upcoming Russian Navy deployment, the timing of their release, at least, is interesting, with the Russian flotilla due to visit Havana next week. Clearly, the Pentagon is monitoring the situation and some kind of response is to be expected. The U.S. Navy 2nd Fleet was specifically established in response to the renewed threat posed by the Russian Navy in the Atlantic, especially from new-generation submarines , something that we have discussed in detail in the past . We should expect more of this activity going forward, although we note these deployments incur a cost on the Russian Navy, which is struggling to maintain readiness and conduct deployments with an aged fleet, the U.S. official said of the upcoming Russian visit to Cuba. The Kazan underway on the surface. Ministry of Defense of Russia This last point is an important one and it remains to be seen whether Russia will scale back its future deployments to the Caribbean or whether the current one is indicative of a new and more robust posture. Whatever the case, the United States will keep a close eye on the movements of the Russian vessels, as well as any other additional military activities, which could involve more extensive drills in the Caribbean region. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Sacramento officials were elated this week when the results of a biennial point-in-time count showed that the observed local homeless population had declined by a whopping 29% the biggest decrease city and county leaders had seen in more than a decade. Although homelessness in the region is still higher than it was five years ago, the county's homeless population plunged from 9,278 in 2022 to 6,615. The region also saw a 41% decline in the number of people living outside in tents and makeshift shelters, from 6,664 to 3,944. Officials applauded the progress and expressed optimism in social media posts, news releases and at a news conference. There are still too many people who are homeless for us to declare victory, but maybe homelessness is not so intractable after all, said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. The 41% reduction in unsheltered homelessness is dramatic and affirms that the steady course we set seven years ago to address this state and national crisis is working. Read more: A Sacramento homeless encampment signed a lease with the city. The experiment is in jeopardy These results are truly outstanding and, undeniably, reflect Sacramento city and county all in approach to addressing this crisis, said Lisa Bates, chief executive of Sacramento Steps Forward, the nonprofit that administers the regions continuum of care and coordinates the homeless count and the regions homelessness response. But the decline was so dramatic that one of the largest nonprofit homeless services providers in the region questioned the count's accuracy. These numbers are incredibly difficult to believe and further highlight the trust issues with local government that our guests have consistently expressed over our many years of service, Loaves and Fishes said in a written statement. All campus programs have reported serving more guests daily than last year." The nonprofit said it saw a 6.4% increase in the number of homeless people seeking services from 2022 to 2023, including a 21% increase in meals served. Shannon Dominguez-Stevens director of Loaves and Fishes Maryhouse, a daytime shelter for women and children said she anticipates those numbers will further increase this year. Just anecdotally, on a day-to-day basis, were seeing more people come to us in crisis [mode], having just lost housing and unable to find shelter beds, she said. Its surprising, and frankly its absolutely unbelievable theres been such a decrease in the community. It doesnt make sense. Read more: Homelessness down in Long Beach, up in Orange County, latest counts find Dominguez-Stevens said she was skeptical of Simtech Solutions Inc., the new firm hired by Sacramento Steps Forward to help conduct the count and analyze the data. Previous homeless counts were conducted with assistance from Sacramento State University. She said the new firm used a different methodology to collect and analyze data. Additionally, she said, city and county leaders increased homeless encampment clearing activity over the last two years, causing homeless people to distrust government officials and go deeper into hiding. Dominguez-Stevens also worries the 2024 point-in-time numbers will negatively affect government funding for housing and supportive services. Read more: Sacramento, ordered not to clear homeless camps, did it anyway. 'Oversights,' city says The biennial point-in-time homeless count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is used to help determine how federal funding for services should be allocated. The data also help government entities like Sacramento County quantify and categorize their homelessness populations to determine what services and resources are needed in particular areas. Dominguez-Stevens said raising concerns about the results was not meant to create tension between the nonprofit and the county. But we are an organization that is dedicated to amplifying the voices of people who are experiencing homelessness in our community, Dominguez-Stevens said. And the only way to do that is continue to advocate even if our advocacy causes some feathers to be ruffled. County officials said they were anticipating a fair amount of healthy skepticism when the results came out. We double-checked, tripled-checked and looked at our methodology, Bates said. We went back to our national consultant, we were going every which way to see if theres anything here from a methodology standpoint that would warrant us to be concerned, and that led us to look at other data in our system, and so its those things that led us to conclude that these numbers stand. Trent Simmons, data analytics director for Sacramento Steps Forward, said Simtech Solutions was selected because it had conducted more than 300 point-in-time counts across the country. It used a census-tract methodology compared against the four-mile zones used in previous counts. I dont think theres anything defective to point in one direction over the other, he said. Read more: California spent billions on homelessness without tracking if it worked The firm also provided a mobile app for volunteers to input data, which it collected and analyzed. Simmons said there were no reports of any major glitches, and support staffers with the firm were on standby to address any issues. City and county officials said the drop in homelessness is a reflection of the partnership they established in 2022 after the homeless population shot up by 67% between 2019 and 2022, surpassing that of San Francisco. That partnership led both agencies to pool their resources to boost the number of outreach teams, shelter bed capacity and create a coordinated entry system to ensure people are accessing the homeless services they need, officials said. Additionally, officials said rents in the region have dipped by 3% and apartment vacancy rates have risen by 58% since 2022. Read more: Newsom calls for increased oversight of local homelessness efforts Steinberg said the doubts expressed about the results of this years homeless count do not dampen the celebratory mood surrounding the results. When the numbers went up in 2022, those of us in the trenches accepted that reality, he said. Now that we have some much more hopeful news, and by the way I have been measured about this, this is not a declaration of victory, but it does represent astounding progress. 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. (FOX40.COM) The 29-year-old man found dead at the Sacramento County Jail was identified by law enforcement sources as a suspect in the deadliest shooting in Sacramento history. Officials said Smiley Martin was found dead in his cell around 2 a.m. on Saturday. He was a suspect in the K Street mass shooting that happened near 10th and K streets on April 3, 2022. 18 people were shot and six people died. The area was well known for its busy nightlife. Sacramento County Sheriffs Office said his cause of death is under investigation. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. Hikvision's cameras have been banned from some government sites over security fears - Paul Grover for the Telegraph A Chinese CCTV giant labelled a security risk by the Government more than doubled sales of its surveillance cameras in Britain last year despite an official ban at sensitive locations. Hikvisions sales to UK and Irish customers rose to 32.6m in 2023 - the first full year of the companys cameras being banned from certain government sites. Oliver Dowden, the deputy prime minister, announced 19 months ago that Chinese camera companies would be banned from high-risk government properties amid a string of security and human rights concerns. However, departments have been given lengthy timelines to rip out the equipment and the order does not cover many public sites or the private sector. Hikvisions cameras are commonplace in schools, hospitals and local councils. Accounts for Hikvision UK Limited, which sells cameras directly to customers and provides technical support, rose 22pc to 50.8m. Direct sales from the company itself more than doubled from 14.8m to 32.6m. The figures do not give the total scale of Hikvisions UK business, since they do not cover sales by third parties reselling the companys cameras, but indicate increasing demand for its equipment. The figures come despite a string of high-profile British companies, including Tesco, Morrisons and Co-op, banning the companys cameras. Hikvision has been accused of human rights abuses owing to work for the Chinese government in Xinjiang, where persecution of the Uyghur minority has been widely documented. The company is the biggest CCTV maker in the world and its biggest shareholder is the state-owned China Electronics Technology Group Corporation. It has denied being complicit in abuses and says it takes human rights seriously. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader who has campaigned against the company, said the financials showed the need for a wider crackdown. He said: The Government should ban Hikvision from trading in the UK, the public has never had it explained how dangerous it is that they could have a whole map of your life. We seem to be so open to China. In November 2022, Mr Dowden said companies subject to Chinas national security law would be banned from sensitive sites. In April, the Cabinet Office said just 50pc had been ripped out and that the deadline for completing removal was not until April 2025. However, the requirement only applies to buildings with the most critical security requirements, including military and intelligence facilities, and does not cover buildings such as police stations. Despite this, a string of local councils have pledged to phase out Hikvision cameras. The Department of Health banned the cameras, one of which caught former health secretary Matt Hancocks affair, in 2022. The company is on a US trade blacklist because of security concerns. However, they remain widely available on websites such as Amazon. Andrew Elvish, the vice president of marketing at Genetec, a video software company that has warned of security risks associated with Hikvision, urged the next government to tighten controls on the cameras. He said: The UK faces a situation in which devices manufactured by Chinese state-controlled companies are banned in central government on national security grounds, yet continue to proliferate across critical national infrastructure, public spaces, hospitals and even schools. That is neither sustainable nor wise given that Ken McCallum, head of MI5, recently stated that China was spying on an epic scale. I would encourage the UKs next government to work as quickly as feasible to extend the scope of these restrictions to the point they can truly make a difference. It really is in nobodys best interest to adopt devices manufactured by state-owned companies that have a strategic interest in stealing data, intelligence, or intellectual property from our government, private businesses, and individuals. Demand for surveillance cameras in the UK has grown in recent months amid rising concerns over shoplifting. Hikvision has said it is categorically false to label the company a national security threat, claiming it plays an important part in protecting property and promoting public safety. The company did not respond to a request 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. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaks at a ceremony to mark 125 years of Opel vehicle production at Opel's headquarters. Opel has produced more than 75 million vehicles since 1899. Andreas Arnold/dpa Germany does not believe in closing its markets to foreign competition, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at an event on Saturday marking the 125th anniversary of carmaker Opel's Russelsheim plant. "We do not close our markets to foreign companies, as we don't want that in reverse for our companies after all," Scholz said during a ceremony at the plant, south-west of Frankfurt. Protectionism and customs barriers in contravention of trade rules "simply make everything more expensive and all of us poorer," he said. Expressing confidence in the German automotive sector, Scholz said he had no doubt that Germany would continue to lead in this century as well, "if we rely on progress and renewal." Free and fair global trade was needed for this, he said. Scholz's remarks contrasted with the special import duties of 100% imposed by the United States on Chinese electric vehicles, amid accusations that Beijing is distorting competition in electric vehicles through state subsidies. The European Union is also probing the impact of Chinese imports on the European market in the sector. Opel chief executive Florian Huettl said the company planned to expand electric vehicle capacity. "From 2025, every new Opel model will be purely battery electric," he told the event. At the end of April, Huettl set a target for Opel of offering only electric vehicles in its European range from 2028. But the sector was also dependent on policy decisions, he said, after Germany's subsidies on electric cars expired in December. The occasion was celebrated with an open day, with high-profile guests in attendance. Visitors will be able to gain an impression of how the manufacturer is helping to shape the transition to electromobility, the company said. In 1899, the then sewing machine and bicycle manufacturer built its first car, the Patentmotorwagen System Lutzmann. Opel had previously taken over the works of pioneer Friedrich Lutzmann and relocated it from Dessau to Russelsheim. After almost 90 years as part of the US group General Motors, Opel was taken over by the Peugeot parent company PSA in 2017, which has since merged with Fiat-Chrysler to form Stellantis. The only German brand in the US-European group returned to profitability several years ago after thousands of job cuts and a downsizing programme for its sites elsewhere in Germany. (L-R) Boris Rhein, Minister President of Hesse, Xavier Chereau, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Opel Automobile GmbH, Florian Huettl, Managing Director of Opel Automobile GmbH, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, and John Elkann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Stellantis, take part in a ceremony to mark 125 years of Opel vehicle production at Opel's headquarters. Opel has produced more than 75 million vehicles since 1899. Andreas Arnold/dpa Florian Huettl (L), Managing Director of Opel Automobile GmbH, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) inspect production at a ceremony to mark 125 years of Opel vehicle production at Opel's headquarters. Opel has produced more than 75 million vehicles since 1899. Andreas Arnold/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz makes a government statement on the "current security situation" in a plenary session of the German Bundestag. Kay Nietfeld/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz makes a government statement on the "current security situation" in a plenary session of the German Bundestag. Sabina Crisan/dpa One day before Germans go to the polls in the European Parliament elections, Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed his support for war-torn Ukraine. "Russia will not get away with its imperialist plans," the Social Democratic (SPD) chancellor said in his weekly video message published on Saturday. "Putin must realize that he cannot win his brutal campaign. That there can only be a just peace for Ukraine." Polls ahead of Sunday's vote show the SPD with about 15% of the vote - roughly the same as seen for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Besting the SPD would cement the AfD's status as Germany's second-most popular party, behind the conservative CDU/CSU opposition. Scholz on the international stage Ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy, which opens this Thursday, and a Swiss peace conference on Ukraine that begins on June 15, Scholz emphasized constant coordination with partners and allies. He said he would be promoting a common position towards Russia with representatives from Asia, Africa and South America at the Swiss confereence. It is important that nations stand by international law and the United Nations Charter, he said. "And that is why Russia must end its war of conquest." In a nod to some in Germany who worry about Russia's war in Ukraine expanding to other parts of Europe, Scholz repeated his stance that with German support for Ukraine "we are not jeopardizing peace here in Germany." Scientist proposes 'cathedral projects' to inspire hope for future: 'Audacious goals that everyone can contribute to' Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, has a new take on how to save the world from a changing climate: We need to approach it the same way communities in the Middle Ages approached cathedrals, the Washington Post explains. As an example, the Post cites Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. It's a soaring 10-plus-story building and was described by author Victor Hugo as a "symphony in stone." But like Rome, it wasn't built in a day. In fact, the construction of the exterior took place over centuries and several generations and the cathedral is still a work in progress. No one who started the building could expect to see it completed. Yet entire communities of skilled laborers and artists spent lifetimes pouring their best work into this structure. As Leiserowitz explained, we need "cathedral projects" in the modern world when it comes to our warming planet. The world has been dramatically altered by human industry over the last two or three centuries. Air pollution that has trapped heat inside the atmosphere has raised the Earth's temperature, affecting wildlife and even landscapes as glaciers and ice caps have melted. Other forms of pollution have overtaken the water, and the heat and toxic chemicals have had a devastating impact on wildlife. All of these factors damage human health and harm people's livelihoods. As the Post reveals, not all of these changes are reversible. Of the ones that are, many will take decades or more to resolve. To get there, we need people to buy in on climate projects that may not bear fruit in their lifetimes. "The climate needs big, public, audacious goals that everyone can contribute to," Leiserowitz told the Post. "Cathedrals were not completed in the lifetime of anyone starting them, but communities bought into these projects." The good news is that with that kind of sustained effort, recovery is possible. The Post highlights an analysis by the International Energy Agency, which estimated that it would take 2% of annual global GDP in added spending to switch to an eco-friendly energy system by 2050. In the United States, for example, we've started installing electric vehicle chargers nationwide to reduce our reliance on polluting combustion engines. International treaties have been created to protect natural areas and stop air pollution. Still, projects like reforesting the Amazon or restoring the ice caps will be measured in generations, not years. If you'd like to know how you can help, check out this guide for places to start. You can switch from gas appliances to electric, drive an EV, start supporting greener businesses, and even take local climate action. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Scientists discover 4 new species of octopus. Heres what we know about the creatures A mother octopus broods her eggs near a small outcrop of rock unofficially called El Dorado Hill. When a female octopus broods (which can be a timespan of multiple years), she does not eat and dies around the same time her eggs hatch. The dorado octopus is one of the newly identified octopus species found during the expedition. | ROV SuBastian, Schmidt Ocean Institute Scientists have recently discovered four new species of octopus. Off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, scientists noticed two octopus nurseries affiliated with hydrothermal springs, the Schmidt Ocean Institute announced. During an exhibition exploring seamounts off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, international teams found two octopus nurseries affiliated with hydrothermal springs and then several others during another exhibition, according to the release. One of the new species will be named Dorado Octopus, referencing the location of the discovery. Through hard work, our team discovered new hydrothermal springs offshore Costa Rica and confirmed that they host nurseries of deep-sea octopus and unique biodiversity, a leader of the exhibition, Dr. Beth Orcutt of the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, said. It was less than a decade ago that low-temperature hydrothermal venting was confirmed on ancient volcanoes away from mid-ocean ridges. These sites are significantly difficult to find since you cannot detect their signatures in the water column. According to Pop Science, More than 160 deep-sea specimens were collected during the December expedition. Brooding mother octopuses often curl themselves up, with tentacles and suckers facing out. Researchers believe this to be a defensive position, warning predators off. When a female octopus broods (which can be a timespan of multiple years) she does not eat and dies around the same time her eggs hatch. The dorado octopus is one of the newly identified octopus species found during the expedition. | ROV SuBastian, Schmidt Ocean Institute (L-R) Researchers Celeste Sanchez (Universidad de Costa Rica) and Maria I. Sandoval (University of Costa Rica) talk inside the main laboratory on board Research Vessel Falkor (too) as part of the "Octopus Odyssey (too)" expedition. | Conor Ashleigh, Schmidt Ocean Institute Schmdit Ocean Institute Shrimp feed on the carcass of a female octopus who had been brooding her eggs before she died. When a female octopus broods (which can be a timespan of multiple years) she does not eat and dies around the same time her eggs hatch. | ROV SuBastian, Schmidt Ocean Institute Research Vessel Falkor (Too) in the Pacific Ocean during the "Octopus Odyssey (too)" expedition off Costa Rica. | Conor Ashleigh, Schmidt Ocean Institute Brooding mother octopuses often curl themselves up with tentacles and suckers facing out. Researchers believe this to be a defensive position, warning predators off. When a female octopus broods (which can be a timespan of multiple years), she does not eat and dies around the same time her eggs hatch. This group was observed near a small outcrop of rock unofficially called El Dorado Hill of the coast of Costa Rica. The dorado octopus is one of the newly identified octopus species found during the expedition. All visual assets (Images, videos, etc) can only be used is stated by creative commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA Attribution You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. NonCommercial You may not use the material for commercial purposes. ShareAlike If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ | ROV SuBastian, Schmidt Ocean Institute The areas around the hydrothermal springs and outcrop features support a massive biodiversity of life. Seen here are sponges, crinoids, and crustaceans. | ROV SuBastian, Schmidt Ocean Institute The science team found a thriving deep-sea skate nursery at the top of Tengosed seamount in Costa Rican waters, nicknaming the site Skate Park. The three different hydrothermal springs found in this area separated by 10-30 nautical miles from each other have different fluid temperatures and chemistries, indicating different reaction processes. | ROV SuBastian, Schmidt Ocean Institute What we know about octopuses Scientists are constantly learning new information about the cephalopods. Here are some interesting facts scientists have learned: Octopuses have been around for a while the oldest known fossil of an octopus ancestor belongs to an animal that lived 330 million years ago, long before the dinosaurs, according to Smithsonian Magazine. The creatures have three hearts. One pumps blood through its organs; the two others pump blood through its gills, Live Science reported. The biggest octopus recorded measured 30 feet long and weighed 600 pounds, per National Geographic. Octopus arms are sensitive to touch because two-thirds of an octopus neurons are found in its arms. Some are capable of cracking open shellfish while the other arms do other things, per Smithsonian Magazine. Theyre extremely intelligent creatures. They can navigate mazes, solve problems, remember, predict, use tools and take apart just about anything from a crab to a lock, according to Shedd Aquarium. Disney+ is now streaming a fascinating miniseries that looks into the life of the octopus called Secrets of the Octopus. Radio Star A repeating radio signal from deep space has scientists puzzled, because they can't fully explain what's emitting it. Their working hypothesis, as detailed in a study published in the journal Nature Astronomy, is that the source is likely a kind of neutron star called a pulsar that fires off radio signals as it rotates on its axis. But if true, that only raises more questions. With an interval of 54 minutes, the object, called ASKAP J1935+2148, would be the slowest spinning neutron star ever documented by an astounding margin. It's so slow, in fact, that it should be impossible adding to a small but growing list of these apparent stellar remnants that defy explanation. "It is highly unusual to discover a neutron star candidate emitting radio pulsations in this way," said study lead author Manisha Caleb from the University of Sydney Institute for Astronomy in a statement about the work. "The fact that the signal is repeating at such a leisurely pace is extraordinary." Speed Demon Neutron stars are formed in the aftermath of a supernova, an epic explosion that occurs when a massive star runs out of fuel and collapses under its own gravity. Whatever mass doesn't get blasted into space gets compressed into a fraction of the star's original size, making them the densest objects in the universe that aren't black holes. Neutron stars also have ludicrously powerful magnetic fields, which send out streams of particles into space along their poles. In the case of pulsars, their rotation causes these particle streams to rotate, too, and to astronomers this looks like a repeating signal. ASKAP J1935+2148 would seem to fit that bill except it should be impossible for a neutron star to spin as slow as it does and still send out pulses. For an idea of just how abnormal this is, pulsars typically take no more than a few seconds at most to complete a rotation. (Meanwhile, the fastest known neutron star spins at a neck-breaking 716 times per second.) Stellar Spin-Off The mysterious object also has three different emission states, "each with properties entirely dissimilar from the others," Caleb said. There are the strong radio signals, which last between 10 to 50 seconds, then a weaker state where it emits a pulse 26 times fainter that lasts just a third of a second, and then finally a quiescent state. Over a period of eight months, the researchers noticed that the active emissions states were evolving, suggesting that there may be physical changes in the area that's producing the emissions. If it's not a neutron star, the researchers think it could be a white dwarf, the most common type of stellar remnant, that is highly magnetic. This possibility, too, is not without its quandaries: if the white dwarf really is that magnetized, astronomers should've already detected others like it nearby because of how powerful they are. But so far, none have been. Further investigation of the object, Caleb said, "might even prompt us to reconsider our decades-old understanding of neutron stars or white dwarfs; how they emit radio waves and what their populations are like in our Milky Way galaxy." More on space: Astronomers Struggle to Explain Why Ancient Black Holes Are Nowhere to Be Found Secret Service and Chicago police officials are ramping up preparations for the Democratic National Convention in August, with officers receiving training ranging from First Amendment rights to handling violent protests and mass arrests. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle visited Chicago this week to tour the United Center, where the televised prime-time convention speeches will take place, and McCormick Place, the convention center where the party will conduct business during the daytime. The convention, which takes place from August 19 to 22, is expected to draw a crowd of 50,000 visitors including delegates, media, vendors and more and is also sure to be met with huge protests. Democrats are poised to nominate President Joe Biden for reelection at their Chicago convention. But recent demonstrations across the country against Bidens support for Israels war in Gaza have raised the specter of a replay of the 1968 Democratic convention, which saw violent clashes between Chicago police and anti-Vietnam War protesters. On Monday, Cheatle addressed the almost 100 agents of the Secret Services Chicago field office in a closed-door meeting. The Chicago field office also covers Milwaukee, where Republicans are holding their convention in July, so the team has been planning for both gatherings. Cheatle said in an interview that law enforcement officials are preparing for a wide range of scenarios. The lone gunman, Cheatle said. Youve got folks who are radicalized, youve got demonstration that may pop up and, you know, obviously, we hope they remain peaceful here, but they could, you know, turn violent. The official security perimeter for this summers convention hasnt yet been detailed. The city of Chicago, meanwhile, is negotiating over protest routes with groups that filed a federal lawsuit after the city denied their protest permits. The Chicago Police Departments Crime Prevention and Information Center will serve as its command center to monitor all convention-related events citywide, including protests. The command center will also include representatives from the Secret Service, the Illinois State Police, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Federal and local authorities have been closely following the threat stream from both domestic and foreign extremist groups. A recent joint intelligence bulletin from the National Counterterrorism Center, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI warned that groups, including al Qaeda and ISIS, continue to generate propaganda urging followers to conduct lone wolf attacks on US soil using basic methods such as gunfire in crowded places or vehicles in ramming attacks. The bulletin cites an al Qaeda online propaganda article that highlighted the increased division between the American people, between the right and the left, and between the Republicans and their supporters, and the Democrats and their supporters, which could increase the impact of any attack. I think everyone has a sense that the threats are real. This is not an academic exercise that were running through. We are planning for real-world possibilities, said Jeff Burnside, the Secret Service coordinator for the Democratic convention. Meanwhile, Chicago police officers have been holding drills on a wide range of potential scenarios including violent protests, extracting individuals from hostile crowds, medical emergencies and more. Bicycle teams have prepared to move quickly through the city to form barricades if necessary. Officers are also receiving constitutional and legal training on First Amendment protest rights and procedures if mass arrests are necessary. However, Chicago police leaders say they hope the hundreds of hours of training, including tactics in de-escalation, will help to avoid clashes with protesters. We dont want to have conflicts with people if we dont have to. We dont want to clash with people if we dont have to, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said. If people come here to express themselves, by all means do it, but do it according to the law and do it peacefully. Its that simple. Once you start to break the law, then we have to restore the peace. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Renters in Michigan could organize tenant unions and deduct the cost of repairs they make from their rent under bills Democrats in the Michigan Senate introduced this week. The so-called "Tenant Empowerment Package" would also require renters to receive advance notice of any rent increases before the end of their lease to give them enough time to plan for a hike. State Sen. Sarah Anthony, who introduced the legislation, said the inspiration for the package comes from her hometown Lansing where the city has "red-tagged" hundreds of homes, deeming them uninhabitable due to unsafe living conditions and forcing out residents. "Lansing has a red-tag crisis happening right now," Anthony said. Tenants come home only to face a notice on their door and search for a temporary place to rest. "Simply because a landlord didn't do their part," she said. The right to repair Anthony's legislation would allow tenants to fix their units themselves without bearing the cost, keeping them in their homes when their landlords neglect to tackle needed repair work in a timely manner. "I'm trying to make the case that the onus shouldn't be on a tenant to make those repairs, but if they can and do have the resources to do these repairs, those repair costs should be deducted from the rent," she said. State Senator Sarah Anthony speaks before the signing of a bipartisan budget for the upcoming fiscal year by Governor Gretchen Whitmer at Wyandotte Fire Station 1 in Wyandotte on Monday, July 31, 2023. Senate Bill 902 to create the "right to repair" would give landlords 24 hours to address hazardous conditions in a rental unit such as bedbugs or mold, 72 hours to fix broken appliances and a week to make other repairs after receiving written notice. Tenants could withhold rent or deduct the cost of making the repairs themselves if those timelines aren't met. Tenants' right to organize Another bill in the package Senate Bill 900 would create a new "Tenants Right to Organize Act" to give renters the ability to form tenant unions. Tenant unions are organizations that advocate for the general rights of renters, often made up of people living in the same building or complex. The bill outlines potential functions of the union like responding to proposed changes in leasing agreements made by property managers. Residents at the Holmes Apartment complex were given until 5 p.m. to leave their units after the city deemed the building unsafe on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Lansing. The legislation would also bar landlords from retaliating against tenant unions and organizers such as delaying maintenance or restricting access to amenities. Landlords would face a civil fine of up to $1,000 for each violation. Notice of rent increases Senate Bill 901 would require property managers to give advance notice of a rent increase in lease renewals. The bill would require landlords to notify tenants of a rent increase three months before the end of a 12-month lease, and six months before the end of a lease of 13 months or more. Rental Property Owners Association Executive Director Erika Farley expressed concerns with some of the details in the package. For instance, she said the timeline for notifying tenants of rent increases may need to be shortened to allow property owners enough time to assess their own costs. Farley also said the estimates a renter must obtain to deduct repair costs from rent should include requirements for the sources of the quotes to ensure that they're legitimate. Farley said the association fully supports the ability for tenants to unionize. "A good landlord is not going to worry about their tenants unionizing because that property owner is taking care of their business, taking care of their properties," she said. But Farley called the provision in the legislation that would allow tenant unions to collect dues an unclear additional cost for renters. Housing Affordability in Michigan: Whitmer announces new Michigan housing, energy programs Michigan renters face high costs A little over a quarter or about 1.1 million Michigan households rent, according to the latest available census estimate. And data suggests the average monthly rental cost in the state is growing real estate marketplace website Zillow states the average monthly rent in Michigan is currently $1,350, $52 higher than it was in June 2023. Just less than 50% of Michigan renters paid more than 30% of their income on housing costs in 2022, according to the state's housing data portal. That means that under the federal definition of housing affordability, about half of renters in the state are cost-burdened, including a quarter deemed severely cost-burdened because they spend 50% or more of their income on housing. People listen to a speaker during a rally held by Rent Is Too Damn High coalition on the steps of the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, over renters rights and investment in affordable housing. Democratic state lawmakers have introduced legislation they argue will tackle those high housing costs such as repealing a state law that bans local governments in Michigan from enacting rent control policies. Anthony said her legislation will keep more money in renters' pockets for any costs they're currently incurring for repairs and keep more renters in their homes as the state tries to build more units to address housing affordability. The coalition of housing advocates who rallied at the steps of the Michigan Capitol last fall celebrated the introduction of the bills and want to see swift action. William Lawrence, the state coordinator for Rent is Too Damn High, said in a statement that he wants to see Anthony's bills on Gov. Whitmer's desk this summer. Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. Follow him on X (Twitter) @arpanlobo. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Housing bills would create new rights for Michigan renters Serbs rally in Belgrade with calls for unity in a volatile region as Russia gives its support Bosnian Serb political leader Milorad Dodik, left, speaks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during the prayer service for the All-Serbian Assembly in the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox temple in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, June 8, 2024. The All-Serbian Assembly carries the main message that Serbs, wherever they live, are one people, that they strive for the same goals. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Serbias populist president on Saturday called for peace and harmony in the Balkans even as he and the Bosnian Serb separatist leader organized a large nationalist gathering that featured calls for unity of all Serbs in the region a message that has raised eyebrows in neighboring states. The All-Serb Assembly with a slogan One People, One Gathering included thousands of Bosnian Serbs and those who traveled to the Serbian capital, Belgrade, from neighboring countries including Montenegro and North Macedonia. The meeting came only weeks after the United Nations General Assembly voted to designate July 11 annually as an international day of reflection and commemoration of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim boys and men by Bosnian Serb forces. Serbia and Bosnian Serbs strongly opposed its adoption. The rally on Saturday included Orthodox Church prayers and folk dancing and carried the main message that Serbs, wherever they live, are one people striving for the same goals. A resolution adopted at the assembly said, the All-Serb Gathering notes that the Serb people represent a single entity. The Serb people have had multiple states with different names through history and are entitled to cherish their rich tradition. The idea launched by Serb nationalists that all Serbs living in the Western Balkans should be part of the same political sphere and live in a joint state led to the breakup of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, many historians and analysts say. Such ideas are being floated again in Serbia, although its increasingly authoritarian President Aleksandar Vucic and Bosnian Serb President Milorad Dodik on Saturday tried to downplay any threats to the region from the gathering in Belgrade. Dodik, who arrived at the rally straight from one of his frequent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, has been continuously insisting that the Bosnian Serb-controlled half of Bosnia should split from the loose union and join neighboring Serbia. The multipolar world that is coming is something different from what used to be the world dominated by one side (the West), and we have to understand those relationships," Dodik said, adding that Vucic "understands this better than others. Vucic stated that Serbia will never leave Bosnian Serbs in the lurch. My only request for you is to try everything peacefully and in conversation with all other nations (in Bosnia), in accordance with the Dayton Agreement, to solve all the problems, said Vucic, referring to the U.S.-sponsored peace deal that ended the 1992-1995 war. The U.S., which has sanctioned Dodik in part for his separatist moves, has said that it will defend the Bosnian unity by all available means. In his message to the participants of the gathering in Belgrade, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gave a tacit support for the Bosnian Serb separatists. Lavrov said that Russia will never close its eyes to any injustice towards the brotherly Serbian people, and attempts to demonize them, trampling on their legitimate rights. Together with other freedom-loving nations, we will continue to build a new world order based on equality, dialogue, mutual respect and mutual appreciation of interests, Lavrov said. Western officials believe that Russia is trying to destabilize the Balkans to shift at least some of the attention from its war in Ukraine. Although formally seeking European Union membership, Serbia has refused to join Western sanctions against Russia. (KRON) A San Francisco resident with a felony warrant was arrested after attempting to evade police, according to the Colma Police Department. At 9:49 p.m. on May 28, Colma police officers conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a man riding an electric motorized scooter. The stop occurred in the 3600 block of Junipero Serra Boulevard. Photo: Colma Police Department SF man accused of retail heists, stealing over $16K worth of merchandise arrested in Colma According to Colma PD, the man initially complied by pulling over and giving the officers his name. While the officers conducted a records check, the man rode off in his scooter, fleeing from the scene. A pursuit ensued. The suspect reportedly fell off the scooter and proceeded to flee on foot. The officer located the suspect on the 100 block of D Street in Daly City and was detained. A search of the suspect yielded drug paraphernalia and credit cards that did not belong to him. The suspect was identified as 46-year-old San Francisco resident Angelo Anello. According to police, Anello had a $75,000 felony warrant from a neighboring agency. He was arrested and booked into the San Mateo County Jail for resisting arrest, having a controlled substance, misappropriation of found property and his felony warrant. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SFPD releases images of person of interest in case of racist items left at home SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) The San Francisco Police Department is searching for a person of interest in a case from April when racist items were left at a house. SFPD released images of the person on Friday. Image from the San Francisco Police Department The person of interest in the picture released by SFPD is carrying a paper bag and wearing all black. The crime happened on the 900 block of Grove Street. It was reported to SFPD at 7:10 a.m. on April 26. The crime happened in the same area where racist items were left at the home of Black San Francisco dogwalker Terry Williams. According to San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston, in that case, the victim received a package addressed to his name containing a Black doll with a noose around its neck, written racist slurs, and a toy grenade. He later received more items containing threats and slurs, telling he and his family to leave the area. On May 21, Williams house on the 900 block of Grove Street went up in flames. Both of his parents were there at the time of the fire and were hospitalized. I pray to God this has nothing to do with [the hate crimes,] Williams said, Im praying that no ones this crazy. If they did do it for those reasons, you are an evil and sick person. On May 11, Preston and other community members rallied with Williams family to call for action. SFPD would not confirm that the person of interest is related to the crimes targeting Williams. SFPD is asking for the publics help in identifying the person pictured in the images and video. Anyone with information is asked to contact SFPD at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Researchers in Australia believe they are the first people to witness a shark throwing up a whole echidna. The shocking incident occurred when marine biologist Nicolas Lubitz and his research team were tagging animals for monitoring off the coast of Queenslands Orpheus Island in May 2022, according to a Thursday press release from James Cook University. After they wrangled a tiger shark, they saw that it had regurgitated what turned out to be an echidna a quill-covered, egg-laying mammal native to Australia and New Guinea. An echidna is seen at Taronga Zoo's Wildlife Hospital in Sydney, Australia. Jenny Evans via Getty Images Lubitz said in the press release that after the shark spat it out, he exclaimed, What the hell is that? He noted that the deceased animal was fully intact ... with all its spines and its legs, suggesting that the shark had swallowed it fairly recently. The echidnas body can be seen under the water in a photograph taken by Lubitz. The form of the unfortunate echidna can be seen in the water alongside the tiger shark off the coast of Orpheus Island in Queensland, Australia. Nic Lubitz/James Cook University Though echidnas are land-dwelling, theyre also quite good swimmers, echidna expert Tahlia Perry told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. in 2019. As for this particular echidna, Lubitz told the Guardian that he thinks it was probably swimming between islands, looking for food or for mates, and just got unlucky and got snapped by a big tiger shark. Tiger sharks arent known for being discerning diners. Ive seen videos of them eating a rock for no reason, Lubitz said in the press release. The shark may have thrown up the echidna due to the stress of being grabbed by the research team. However, James Cook University said that the shark was unharmed by the experience and was released after being fitted with a tracker. Related... Remnants of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Photo from the Maryland Department of Transportation Flickr account. Maryland officials are moving ahead with an aggressive effort to replace the Francis Scott Key Bridge, while questions about how much it will cost and how to pay for the potentially multibillion-dollar structure remain unresolved. Those questions have not slowed work on the bridge, which collapsed into the Patapsco River when it was hit by a massive cargo ship, killing six, sending hundreds of tons of debris into the river and shutting down the channel into the Port of Baltimore. After months of work, officials said they expect to have the full 700-foot-wide and 50-foot-deep Fort McHenry Channel reopened to shipping by Monday, if not sooner. Next steps include rebuilding the bridge, a vital commuting and shipping route for Baltimore. State officials have set an aggressive timeline for rebuilding the bridge, issuing a request in late May for proposals to build a bridge that exceeds the 75-year initial life expectancy and has the fewest supports possible in the Patapsco, to reduce the potential of future ship collisions. Those bids are due by the end of this month. But questions remain about the cost of a new bridge built to modern federal standards, and on how a federal takeover of the Key Bridge, a Maryland toll facility, might affect the states ability to collect tolls that go into the states transportation funds. Senate Budget and Taxation Chair Guy Guzzone (D-Howard) said that while its important to review how federal aid could affect tolling and bond issued by the Maryland Transportation Authority, thats not a priority right now. Senate Budget and Taxation Chair Sen. Guy Guzzone (D-Howard). Photo by Bryan P. Sears. I think that regardless of what restrictions there may be or may not be, the bottom line is we need the help of the federal government, Guzzone said. He said his committee has not had time to get into the depths of the toll question. Im sure we will. Im sure the committee will at some point, he said. In March, the Dali, a 948-foot container ship, collided with support structure on the 47-year-old bridge over the Patapsco, causing the center section to collapse. Six workers on a road crew that was working on the bridge died in the accident. The bridge is a critical transportation link, connecting southeastern Baltimore City with Anne Arundel and southwestern Baltimore Counties and giving trucks a way around the Harbor and Fort McHenry tunnels, which prohibit hazardous materials. More than 30,000 vehicles use the bridge daily. The facility collected $56 million in tolls in fiscal 2023. Related Stories State lawmakers scrambled in the waning days of the legislative session to pass aid for workers and businesses affected by even a partial port closure. Within hours of the collapse, President Joe Biden was promising enough federal aid to pay the full cost of a replacement. But that would require congressional approval, which has not yet come. Quite frankly, my understanding is the last time that a bridge went down, Congress acted fairly quickly, Guzzone said. Again, confident that they will but the sooner the better. Within days of the 2007 collapse of the Interstate 35 bridge in Minnesota, Congress had authorized nearly all of the $300 million to rebuild it. This is a little bit unique in that, at least to my knowledge, it is the first grandfathered toll facility that has had this kind of manmade disaster, said John Porcari, who served as state transportation secretary under Govs. Parris Glendening and Martin OMalley. So, it is a little bit unique. The transportation authority said in a statement that the state would leverage insurance proceeds and available state and federal resources to keep the project advancing. The state has hired an outside team of lawyers to assist with bridge-related litigation and insurance claims. The MDTA was planning for roughly $15-$20 million of its capital program funds if needed to cover initial design and engineering of the new bridge, the agencys statement said. However, the MDTA will be receiving its $350 million in property damage insurance proceeds in the next 45 days, so these funds would be available for initial design and engineering. The Key Bridge, opened in 1977, was not originally part of the federal interstate system. It is also a toll facility part of a system of eight toll bridges, roads, and tunnels operated by the Maryland Transportation Authority. After the collapse, the Federal Highway Administration and the state moved to add the Key Bridge to the federal interstate system. Without the redesignation, the federal government and state could split the costs 80-20, but the change would allow the federal government to pay more of the tab. With this change, the formula will take care of 90%, said House Environment and Transportation Chair Marc Korman (D-Montgomery). I dont think it changes anything. I think the intention is still that it will be part of the toll authority. State transportation officials set an aggressive timeline for rebuilding the bridge. Bid proposals must be submitted to the state by the end of the month. Officials hope to choose a contractor in July. The hope is to complete the new span by 2028. Preliminary back-of-the-envelope estimates place the cost of replacing the structure between $1.7 and $1.9 billion. Itll be a four-year construction and that is that critical piece where Maryland will have the certainty that that federal funding will be available so that they can move forward with their procurement, Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt to a House panel in Washington last month when asked about the importance of 100% federal funding for a replacement bridge. Seante Minority Leader Sen. Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (R-Upper Shore). Photo by Bryan P. Sears. Some in Congress voiced concerns about federal dollars going to replace a toll facility and whether the aid should end tolls at the facility or, if tolling continued, if that money should be used to repay the federal government. Porcari said the use of federal emergency funds should not upset or preclude the existing toll arrangement on the bridge and then the existing use of tolls on the bridge. Now, some clarification may be required down the road. Thats something that the Maryland delegation will focus on if they need to. Not everyone is so sure. Senate Minority Leader Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (R-Upper Shore) expressed concern that full federal funding could result in even higher tolls. The transportation authority has already announced it will need to increase tolls by 2028. Are there any potential unintended consequences for this? asked Hershey. All of a sudden, by accepting money from the federal government, are we no longer able to toll this (the Key Bridge) and if thats the case, why would I go through one of the tunnels for $6 or $8 if I could go across the Key Bridge for zero dollars? Funds collected at all the states toll facilities are pooled and used to cover bonds issued for maintenance and upgrades at individual facilities. State transportation officials, speaking during a meeting of the transportation authority board, said the agency has enough revenue currently to make existing debt payments even with the absence of Key Bridge tolls. Moving the bridge into the federal interstate system may also run afoul of existing federal policy regarding tolls on federal interstates. I do think there is kind of a potential tolling issue, Korman said. Im not sure its related to this reclassification, but just to the feds paying in general, because the sort of basic federal policy is that tolls are to pay for whats being tolled. If you have surplus of that, you can sort of get federal highway permission to use it for other purposes. House Environment and Transportation Chair Del. Marc Korman (D-Montgomery). Photo by Bryan P. Sears. Typically, states are only allowed to add tolls when adding extra lanes that expand capacity, such as toll lanes on I-95 between Baltimore City and Harford County or those once proposed to expand the Capital Beltway. I think theres some discussion of like, how does that work here where 100% is going to be paid for by the feds? Korman asked. I think the answer is well, we still have to maintain it. Bridge building its great, but you have to do a lot of things to maintain it. Thats a sort of a discussion that Ive heard struggled about a little bit is whats going to happen to sort of its tolling status because of that issue. Not the reclassification, but you know, if the feds pay for 100%. In its statement Friday, the transportation authority said it expects to continue operating the new bridge as a toll facility if the federal government pays for the full replacement. To ensure that commuters and commerce move efficiently across all three Baltimore Harbor crossings and within the local roadway network, the Key Bridge must remain part of Marylands tolled transportation system, the statement said. Toll revenues would continue to support bridge operations and maintenance as well as capital expenditures related to the other 9 miles of the MDTA owned portion of I-695. including the bridges over Bear Creek and the Curtis Creek Draw Bridge. In the end, the federal government will decide all the open questions, Porcari said. The federal government can do what it wants, it can pay for a toll facility, he said. The post Shipping channel set to reopen as plans to rebuild Key Bridge press ahead appeared first on Maryland Matters. Sen. Penry Gustafson, left, and Sen. Katrina Shealy during the first day of session in Columbia, S.C. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (Travis Bell/STATEHOUSE CAROLINA/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Four years ago, Sen. Penry Gustafson stunned political observers when she narrowly beat long-time Democratic incumbent Vincent Sheheen to flip the Senate seat that spans the Midlands to the North Carolina border. Now, a year after voting to block a near-total abortion ban, shes fighting to fend off a GOP challenger. Gustafson, R-Camden, is among 16 incumbent senators just over a third of the 46-member chamber facing an opponent in the June 11 primaries. She faces a well-funded candidate whos better known in an area of her district thats grown since her 2020 upset. The Legislatures post-census redrawing of voting lines put more of Lancaster County in the district and reduced its share of Kershaw County, where shes from and previously served in the county GOP leadership. Allen Blackmon, of rural Heath Springs, is in his second term on the Lancaster County Council. Allen Blackmon, a Lancaster County Council member, is running against Sen. Penry Gustafson in the Republican primary on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 (Provided by Allen Blackmon) I have no idea whats going to happen on Tuesday, Gustafson told the SC Daily Gazette on Thursday. I think if anybody gets lazy and takes a vote for granted thats when they lose, and thats what happened to Sen. Vincent Sheheen. In 2020, Gustafson bested Sheheen a 16-year senator who was twice Democrats gubernatorial nominee by 2 percentage points, or less than 900 votes. She was among three Republicans that November who flipped Senate seats long held by Democrats, giving the Senate GOP caucus a 14-seat advantage over Democrats. She says shes built a conservative voting record in the four years since. Blackmon contends her constituent service is poor, and hell do a better job responding to requests. He also disagrees with some of her votes, he said, chiefly her vote against the so-called fetal heartbeat law that effectively banned abortions last year after the sixth week of pregnancy. Gustafson was among the chambers five female senators, who called themselves sister senators, who helped defeat the near-total ban passed by House Republicans that would have made abortions illegal from the moment a pregnancy is medically detectable. In 2021, Gustafson was among all but one Republican in the Senate who voted for the Legislatures first six-week ban, which temporarily took effect in summer 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and was thrown out in January 2023 as violating the state constitution. Then in February 2023, she initially voted for the Senate version of the next six-week ban, before helping defeat the House version and ultimately voting against the bill signed by Gov. Henry McMaster. Her opposition brought a censure from the local GOP leadership in her home county. The other two GOP sister senators who voted no to the law upheld by the state Supreme Court last August also face primary challenges. We all wanted to reduce abortion, Gustafson said. I think all of us wanted to. It was just a matter of when and how. Abortion foes pledge to try again next year with a bill banning abortion from the outset of pregnancy. Theyre hoping additional flips in the Senate will give them the necessary votes to overcome a filibuster in the upper chamber to push through a more restrictive law. Blackmon did not respond to questions from the Gazette on whether he wants to ban abortions from conception. On his campaign website, however, he promises to have the courage to protect the rights of the unborn. The first sentence of his online platform reads, All life is precious, formed in the image of God. Map of Senate District 27, currently represented by freshman state Sen. Penry Gustafson. (SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office) District 27, which covers much of Kershaw as well as Lancaster and Chesterfield counties along the North Carolina border, is considered safely Republican according to an analysis by the League of Women Voters. Whoever wins the primary will face Democrat Yokima Cureton in November. If re-elected, Gustafson said she wants to work on legislation addressing the states surging energy needs, and investments in water and sewer systems, particularly in rural Chesterfield County. As for Blackmons accusations of poor constituent services, Gustafson said she has done her best with the limited resources of the Statehouse. Senators who arent in leadership lack staff, and in a chamber where seniority rules, freshmen arent in leadership. She notes she shares a single administrative assistant. Constituent services is something I think most of us strive to do. I try to balance that with my legislative work, which is the number one thing about the job, she told the Gazette. And I do the best I can do. But my gosh, Im not perfect, and occasionally things slip by. I have loved every minute of being a state senator, and it truly would be an honor to me to keep serving, to keep doing what Im doing, and to get better at it, she said. Blackmon, who spent 33 years with the state Department of Revenue, said he wants to double down on constituent services if elected. That is one thing I do well. I take peoples phone calls. I return phone calls, and, people have problems, I try to help them solve them, he said. On the legislative side, Blackmon wants to look at ways to reform the tax system, support public schools and invest in roads. Blackmon was not the only person interested in challenging Gustafson. Rep. Richard Yow, R-Chesterfield, a friend of Blackmon, was also planning to run. I was running, without a doubt, Yow told the Gazette. Like Blackmon, he said Gustafson is not providing good constituent services and has not been visible in his area of the district. Yow said he has known Blackmon for a decade. After talking it over, the two agreed that Blackmon would challenge Gustafson, and Yow would seek re-election to his House seat. Im glad to support him, Yow said. No beef. No bone. I support him 100%. If money is any indication, Blackmon may have a shot. He has collected about $80,000 in donations plus took out a $50,000 loan. As of May 27, he had about $36,000 cash available. Gustafson has raised about $62,000. She had a $7,300 balance, as of the pre-primary filings. But Blackmon said his main campaigning is through direct contact with voters, knocking on doors and making phone calls. The path to victory is always direct voter contact, he said. The post Sister senator in GOP battle 4 years after flipping a seat long held by Democrats appeared first on SC Daily Gazette. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Salt Lake City police arrested a man Wednesday accused of selling fentanyl pills in Constitution Park along the Jordan River Trail. Denilson Castro Alvarez, 24, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, a first-degree felony, SLCPD said. READ NEXT: Bride-to-be thrown from truck bed on day before wedding while lying down to secure mattress Investigations began just before 10 p.m. on June 5, inside Constitution Park near 1300 West and 300 North an area officers said is known for drug distribution and possession. Officers reportedly saw Alvarez receive cash from another man. Both men were detained and searched, and officers said they found 12 plastic bags that contained approximately 1,200 fentanyl pills and $429 in cash on Alvarez. Alvarez allegedly told officers his friend had given him the bags containing the drugs for individuals in the area. Alvarez was booked into Salt Lake County Metro Jail on the charges previously stated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Prohibition is now widely seen as a failed social experiment. The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is the only one written to restrict rights rather than expanding or protecting them. It passed in 1919 and went into effect the following year. It would be repealed in 1933 after alcohol smuggling fueled the rise of organized crime and a host of other unintended consequences. One of the major voting blocs that supported the anti-saloon cause were Protestant churches. The Womens Christian Temperance Union was one of many national organizations. Women were especially hard hit in the era when their job and divorce options were extremely limited life was especially bleak for a family if the man was an alcoholic, especially in the era before the safety nets of Social Security or Medicare were created. The San Luis Obispo Telegram was founded in 1905 as a temperance newspaper. In the beginning, it did not have a traditional publisher/owner structure and went through a series of managers much like a corporate board or church committee. The paper in fact looked much like a church newsletter with sermons from temperance-minded pastors, cautionary tales of excess drinking and lobbying events. People knew what they were getting when they picked up the Daily Telegram, and that made it predictable and boring the bane of any publication. The paper almost went bankrupt by 1912 when it was bought by a Southern California journalist and transformed into a modern newspaper while toning down the scolding. The original heavy handed tone of the Daily Telegram can be seen in the cartoon that topped the front page of the Oct. 16, 1911, edition. It showed a saloon owner, a gambler, a robber with a gun and anarchist with a bomb most drawn to take advantage of racist and xenophobic stereotypes as all being in favor of alcohol. The San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram was founded in 1905 as an anti-alcohol, temperance newspaper. A front page cartoon captured the tone Oct. 16, 1911 showing a fat saloon owner, a crooked nosed gambler, a dark skinned robber and bomb throwing anarchist as being in favor of alcohol. Nativist demonizing of immigrants was part of the anti-saloon movement. Notably, one of the most unsavory aspects of the anti-saloon movement was the acceptance of nativist demonizing of others. As Daniel Okrent wrote in his book Last Call, often immigrants, Jewish people, Catholic Irish and Italians, Eastern Europeans and African Americans were all demonized as objects of fear and scorn, especially if they had access to alcohol. The 1911 Daily Telegram article continued that legacy, asserting anyone in favor of alcohol was to further the interests of the devil himself while the cartoon used racist imagery and stereotypes to scare its readers. Of the nine headlines on the front page of the Daily Telegram that day, five were anti-saloon plus a photo and the cartoon. The San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram was founded in 1905 as an anti-alcohol, temperance newspaper. A front page cartoon captured the tone Oct. 16, 1911 showing a fat saloon owner, a crooked nosed gambler, a dark skinned robber and bomb throwing anarchist as being in favor of alcohol. Nativist demonizing of immigrants was part of the anti-saloon movement. Under the cartoon was this story: THEYLL ALL BE THERE TONIGHT The Folly of Prohibition Although the saloon element have not as yet accepted the challenge issued on Saturday last by Hugh Gibson of the Anti-Saloon league, they have at least reared on their hind legs and obtained the services of a stereotyped lecturer who will appear tonight at the Pavilion and address the people of San Luis Obispo on the Folly of Prohibition. There will be a big house! The people want to hear what, if any, excuse this paid orator who has been imported to further the interests of the devil himself, can advance for the existence of the open saloon in this or any other city. Mounting the rostrum we can see him now as he soars to heretofore unknown heights of oratory and tells how everything will go to smash without the gin mill! How your taxes will raise until you cant pay them and the county will build free soup houses on the confiscated lots! He will tell you that the saloon has a humble mission (thats what they call sending men to perdition) to perform, in ministering to the humble wants of the humble laboring class, in its humble way, when the word HUMBUG would do better! The swabs, wits and boosters will be there to applaud as they listen to the words of wisdom as they fall from the lips of the imported advocate! The very insult contained in the title of the address of the distinguished and learned speaker is enough to create a thousand votes in favor of the cause of prohibition if it were the question! The folly of prohibition! By the time this question is settled and the votes counted it will be seen if all are fools but those who advocate the cause of booze! Folly indeed strange that San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Tulare, Long Beach, Redlands, Pasadena, Pomona, Santa Paula and all the other thriving prosperous cities are inhabited by fools! If folly is comprised of such, let us pray that we may be given a liberal coat of foolhardiness by all means. Dont forget the title, The Folly of Prohibition!. Slovakia, Italy and others go to the polls in EU elections under the shadow of an assassination attempt Slovakia, Italy and the Czech Republic were among five European Union nations casting their votes on the penultimate day of European Union elections, in a race held under the shadow of political violence. Populist and far-right parties are seeking to make gains across the 27-member union, with Italys Giorgia Meloni throwing down a gauntlet to the blocs centrist hegemony in warning that their time of European dominance would soon be up. This vote will decide our next five years, Ms Meloni said on Saturday, underscoring her campaigns push to curtail the reach of the EU institutions dominated by pro-business liberals, and to draw power back to national capitals a desire she shares with Robert Fico, the prime minister of Slovakia, and Hungarys Viktor Orban, among others. Italys far-right premier Giorgia Meloni, right, has been courted by both Ursula von der Leyen, left, and Frances Marine Le Pen (AP) As well as being dominated by the looming threat of the far right, with Geert Wilders in the Netherlands enjoying a strong showing on Thursday, voters have cast their ballots under the shadow of the recent assassination attempt on Mr Fico and an assault on Denmarks Mette Fredriksen. The Danish premier was forced to call off her final day of campaigning after suffering whiplash when she was assaulted in Copenhagen on Friday the latest in a series of incidents over recent weeks. In Slovakia, analysts said the attack on Mr Fico which sent shockwaves through Europe on 15 May could boost the chances of his leftist Smer party to win the vote. Mr Fico, who took office last year on a platform of cutting military aid to Ukraine, has been recovering from multiple wounds after being shot in the abdomen. But in his first public statement since the attack, he issued a pre-recorded video address just hours before the start of the pre-election silence period on Wednesday. Slovakia prime minister Robert Fico is recovering from an attempt on his life (AP) While he did not directly discuss the vote, Mr Fico attacked the EU, suggesting he was a victim because of his views which contrast with the European mainstream, and claimed the mainstream media and liberal opposition were also to blame for the attempt on his life. The timing of Mr Ficos message was no coincidence, said Sona Szomolanyi, a political science professor at Bratislavas Comenius University, saying: It only confirms that the ruling coalition has been using the assassination [attempt] expediently and apparently effectively. Latvia and Malta were also casting their votes on Saturday, with the final results of the EU-wide elections set to be announced on Sunday night. Some 20 countries, including Germany, France and Poland, will cast their ballots for the 720-seat European parliament on Sunday. Seats are allocated based on population, ranging from six in Malta or Luxembourg to 96 in Germany. Coaltion? Marine Le Pen, left, and Giorgio Meloni (AFP) Italy has 76 seats, and Ms Meloni is capitalising on her popularity by running as the preferential candidate, despite having no intention of taking a European parliamentary seat. EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has not ruled out a coalition with Ms Melonis group of European Conservatives and Reformists which is now also being courted by French far-right leader Marine Le Pen. But Ms Von der Leyen who will be hoping to use Sundays results as a launchpad for a second term at the head of the EU has stressed respect for the rule of law as a quintessential requirement for those seeking power. In Slovakia, Mr Ficos government has made efforts to overhaul public broadcasting, in a move critics warn would hand his government full control of public television and radio, and has plans to amend the penal code to undercut corruption prosecutors. With such policies sparking fears Mr Fico could lead Slovakia down a more autocratic path, thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across the country to protest against Mr Ficos policies. In Malta, European parliament president Roberta Metsola Ms Von der Leyens ally in the Christian Democrat centre-right European Peoples Party proudly proclaimed duty done as he cast his vote. Mr Metsola urged EU citizens to go vote, or others will decide for you. While in 2019, barely half of eligible voters took part, predictions have shown turnout this year could exceed 70 per cent. Additional reporting by agencies Pro-Palestinian protesters stretched a banner that was reportedly 2 miles long outside the White House on Saturday, as part of a protest against the Biden Administrations response to the war in Gaza. The protest, which brought out a reported 75,000 people, encircled the White House, according to the ANSWER coalition, one of the protests organizers. The banner, dubbed the Peoples Red Line, lists every Palestinian killed since Oct. 7, and was held by thousands of protesters, some of whom had traveled for 16 hours by bus to reach D.C.. The red line banner wraps around the blocks surrounding the White House at the pro Palestine protest. pic.twitter.com/vbDp1D2eZ9 Zach D Roberts - Photojournalist (@zdroberts) June 8, 2024 Roads around the White House were blocked and choked with protesters. The protest came the same day that Israel conducted a deadly raid on the Al Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza and rescued four Israeli hostages, according to Al Jazeera. Along with the ANSWER Coalition, the Council on American Islamic Relations, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and the anti-war group Code Pink helped organize the protest. NOW: Thousands of protesters are rallying in D.C. for Gaza chanting We are your red line! as they prepare to surround the White House. pic.twitter.com/wvzdjIseQq BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) June 8, 2024 President Joe Biden previously said that his red line for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was an invasion of the Gazan neighborhood of Rafah, which was crossed last month. Protesters are demanding the Biden administration live up to that promise and, further, end the war in Gaza. Bidens red line is nowhere to be seen, the ANSWER Coalition wrote on its website promoting the protest. We demand an immediate ceasefire, an immediate end to the siege on Gaza, the freedom of all Palestinian prisoners, and an end to the occupation of Palestine. Prior to the protest, a wall was erected outside the White House by the Secret Service. HAPPENING NOW: White House police have put up an extra layer of fencing barricade ahead of this weekends anti-Israel protest. pic.twitter.com/xdGW7F6d42 MONICA PAIGEOANN (@MonicaPaigeTV) June 7, 2024 Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. NEW YORK (PIX11) I am very proud of being a New York City Policeman, and I am equally proud of being gay. Those were the words of Sergeant Charles H. Cochrane, Jr., who became the first publicly gay New York City police officer in 1981. Four decades later, Lieutenant Ana Arboleda is proud to be an openly lesbian Latina police officer in the countrys biggest police department. More Local News Arboleda walks the hallways of 1 Police Plaza in Lower Manhattan with pride. Being who I am is always appreciated here in the NYPD and also outside of the NYPD because, at the end of the day, I am just me. Im going to be Ana internally and externally, said Arboleda. Being comfortable in her skin was not an easy road for Lieutenant Arboleda. She joined the NYPD in 2009 as a cadet. She tells us she wasnt open about being a lesbian back then because she didnt know if the organization was going to accept her. So many things have changed; not only has this department progressed, but society has changed. We literally have every representation within the department. We have transgender officers; we have non-binary officers, added Arboleda. PIX11 News asked her about the biggest challenge of being a gay police officer. The biggest challenge to being a gay police officer, the same challenges that I probably face outside for being a gay woman, is the same challenges I probably face here. I can have a challenge for being a woman, I can have a challenge for being Hispanic, and I can have challenges for being a gay woman, Arboleda responded. This Latina woman has faced adversity from a young age. At 16, she was kicked out of her house for coming out to her parents. My message to 16-year-old Ana keep pushing. It gets better, and every single day, I always push to be better, and Im grateful for that experience because it made me who I am today, stated Arboleda. Arboleda has since rekindled the relationship with her parents. It is sad to say, but it is very common in our community not to be accepted at first, rejected for being who we are. Is almost like the coming out story to many people, she added. LGBTQ+ advocacy at NJ cafe sparks support from Josh Gottheimer With a masters in public administration and as an FBI National Academy Graduate, she was appointed LGBTQIA+ Liaison to the Police Commissioner in 2021. Part of what I do is to listen to the community concerns and bring them internally with my partner and we figure out how we can make that better how can we make it as an agency better. It is no secret everything that is going on around not letting cops march is that balance that we need to find, and it is that balance that Im constantly seeking, and Im eager to find for the community to understand that at the end of the day, I am and Im also a police officer. She explained. In addition to being a police officer, she carries two other titles with pride: wife to Faidy, whom she married two years ago. Theyve been together for 11 years. Shes also a proud mother to twins Oliver and Bruno, who were born two months ago. Its a journey and, as you know is quite a journey to build a family. It is the most beautiful thing that our community could do. Now Im a very very happy to be a proud mom. Arboleda said joining the NYPD has been better than what she envisioned when she began her career. I know being inside this department, I can be all of that, I can be a mom, a police officer, I can be a woman, I can be a Hispanic woman, so it is actually better than what I envisioned. Arboleda wants to continue making the police department better and bridging the gap between the NYPD and the LGBTQ+ community. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. (KRON) A South San Francisco man was arrested on Friday after he held his grandmother hostage and barricaded the two of them inside a home, the South San Francisco Police Department said. SSFPD responded to the 200 block of Linden Avenue at 6:12 p.m. Thursday for the report of a woman calling for help. Upon arriving, officers learned that the 70-year-old victim was being threatened with a knife by her 30-year-old grandson, identified as Miguel Gutierrez. SF Chinatown strong-arm robbery caught on video As police were negotiating with Gutierrez, he forced the victim back into the home, prompting a SWAT response, police said. After six hours of SSFPDs Crisis Negotiation Team talking to Gutierrez, negotiations became stagnant and concerns for the victims welfare grew, police said. Just after midnight, SWAT executed a high-risk hostage rescue. The victim was brought to safety and Gutierrez was taken into custody without anyone getting injured. Gutierrez was booked into jail for counts of kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, welded abuse and brandishing a weapon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ms Gomez and Mr Sanchez cast their votes in Spain's general election last July - Javier Soriano/AFP When Pedro Sanchez became Spains prime minister in 2018, his wife was a little-known consultant with expertise in NGO fundraising who directed a business course at a Madrid university. Her academic career was transformed when her husband became her countrys leader, bringing Begona Gomez into contact with a slew of high-powered associates who, it has been alleged, tried to leverage her influence, creating a political storm. Ms Gomez was headhunted in late 2018 by IE, the top Spanish private university, to direct a newly created Africa Centre. The opposition Popular Party (PP) accused Mr Sanchez of plugging Ms Gomez into a prestigious role for which she had little relevant experience. She left the Africa Centre in 2022. In 2020 she became co-director of a business Masters course and professorship at the Complutense, Madrids leading public university, where she already headed another post-graduate programme. Connections between the 49-year-olds university departments and some of the companies and businessmen involved in their funding and management have recently come under intense public scrutiny. A protest against Mr Sanchez in Madrid in April - Oscar del Pozo/AFP In March the online newspaper El Confidencial ran a series of stories about Ms Gomezs relationship with executives from Globalia, a sponsor of Africa Center whose airline subsidiary Air Europa received 475 million (404 million) of pandemic bailout funds in 2020. Spains conflict of interest office cleared Mr Sanchez after the PP said he should have recused himself from the cabinet meeting at which the bailout was approved. It was also reported that Ms Gomez had given her signature as a referee in support of companies participating in public tenders in which a co-director of the Complutense professorship was a beneficiary. More than 10 million (8.5 million) in public funds were granted to the companies involved. In April it was announced that a Madrid court had opened a preliminary investigation into allegations Ms Gomez was involved in business corruption and influence peddling. Her husbands reaction to the judicial probe was to take five days off official duties to consider his future. In a letter to citizens, Mr Sanchez described his wife as hard-working and honest. Mr Sanchez has accused Right-wing politicians, media and the judge investigating Ms Gomez of actively conspiring to overthrow him. Alberto Feijoo, the main opposition leader, holds up headlines about Ms Gomez in the Spanish Parliament last month - Mariscal/Shutterstock At the end of his five-day retreat, Mr Sanchez said his wife had urged him to fight on as government leader. As Spains voters head to the polls in Sundays European elections, conservative leaders point to allegations of corruption against the prime ministers wife as proof of the governments decadence. The prime minister presented Sundays ballot as a choice between opposition sleaze-slingers and his government of progress and social advances. This week Mr Sanchez attended a Socialist electoral rally along with Ms Gomez, saying that he and his wife thanked the party faithful from the heart for their solidarity in the face of attacks from the Right and far-Right. Socialist supporters chanted Begona, Begona as the couple linked hands in the Malaga sunshine. The Spanish government has pointed out that a police investigation, carried out in response to the judges probe, found no evidence of wrongdoing by Ms Gomez. Madrids public prosecution authority appealed against the opening of the investigation, and a higher court has confined the probe to the letters of reference for public contracts, leaving the Air Europa bailout out of proceedings. The ultra-Catholic political group HazteOir filed a lawsuit against Ms Gomez last month - Matias Chiofalo/Getty Many legal experts have pointed out that there is no evidence of Ms Gomez receiving any illicit benefit in the dealings under consideration. The facts as presented may be true but still do not constitute a crime, said Elisa de la Nuez, a legal expert and member of anti-corruption organisation Hay Derecho. Ms De la Nuez said acting as a referee for a company seeking a public contract was not a good idea on Ms Gomezs part. Not because its illegal but because of who she is and the way it could be interpreted. A source from the prime ministers office told The Telegraph the countrys leading couple were relaxed about the probe. This is just fake news and they know the case will come to absolutely nothing. But the PP noted that neither Mr Sanchez nor Ms Gomez have offered public explanations to refute the accusations. Any other European leader would resign over something like this, a source from the PP executive said. Sanchez accuses judge of playing politics In another public letter Mr Sanchez this week accused Judge Juan Carlos Peinado of playing politics by announcing that he was summoning Ms Gomez to testify in court next month just days before the European elections. PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo said Mr Sanchez was cooking up a melodrama at the expense of 48 million Spaniards to cover up corruption that reaches the Moncloa [PMs residence]. Mr Feijoo has accused Mr Sanchez of betraying Spaniards after the Socialists came second to the PP in last years general election but held on to power by winning over Catalan nationalist parties with a controversial amnesty for leaders of Catalonias unlawful 2017 bid to secede from Spain. The political bad blood has become personal. Days after the first accusations against Ms Gomez were aired, a tax fraud case involving the partner of PP rising star Isabel Diaz Ayuso was leaked to Left-leaning media. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A Spencer woman accused of stabbing her neighbor to death in 2022 was found guilty of second degree murder on Thursday. Kayla McNeal. Photo courtesy Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office. Kayla McNeal was arrested in October 2022 after allegedly stabbing her neighbor, Vaneesa Wade, twice with a large kitchen knife. According to the Oklahoma County District Attorneys office, McNeals daughter and Wades cousin were involved in an altercation prior to the stabbing. Wades cousin told Oklahoma County deputies that she was hit with a metal pipe before McNeal cut her arm with a knife. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Its tragic, Spencer mom allegedly stabs neighbor to death after daughters fight Wade was reportedly on the phone with law enforcement when she began fighting with McNeal, who then pulled a 12.5-inch kitchen knife and stabbed Wade twice. Wade was pronounced dead from her injuries after being taken to the hospital. McNeal was found guilty of second degree murder, with a recommended sentence of 35 years in prison. Formal sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. In a time of such division in America, Juneteenth is about our future as much as it is a commemoration to honor our past. And at a time of political and philosophical polarization, Juneteenth gives us a moment to reflect on the realization that while racism and hatred may never end, at least we can make the effort every day to minimize it. Juneteenth this year comes on Wednesday, June 19. Since it became a federal holiday via the Juneteenth National Independence Act, it has grown in importance locally, statewide, and nationally. Portsmouth's website lists some of the local events scheduled for that day, and activities in preparation. See cityofportsmouth.com Jim Splaine President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect Jan. 1, 1863, ending slavery throughout the Confederacy. However, enforcement of that freedom for slaves was dependent on advancing Union troops throughout the southern states. Texas, being the most remote state of the Confederacy, was reached by Union forces two months after the rebellion ended, and on June 19, 1865, slavery in that state was officially ended. The effect of the Emancipation Proclamation was complete in the re-united United States of America. As we have painfully learned, however, no proclamation would end racism and hate, nor discrimination. No federal holiday, or a president's signature, can do so. No volumes of books, editorials, columns, speeches, or even prayers will end attitudes that continue to divide us. The antisemitism that has spread too wide in recent months is indicative of both ignorance about the past as well as a prejudice that is all too inherent in our nation and our world. Too often we forget that the most valuable assets on our planet are human beings. No, we're not more important than our planet itself, or the billions of other life forms on it. But human beings, and human beings alone, have the ability to determine how we can save Earth from destruction, and protect all the amazing diversity of life forms that Mother Nature and God have entrusted to us. And human beings alone have the ability, and the intelligence, to determine how we can better treat one another. How to learn to live together, respect each other, and love one another. Each of us has only a short time on this planet. There is nothing more important than the way we treat one another. If we cheered for our mutual success and happiness and treated each other as equals worthy of sharing the beauty of our world and our abundances, we could end not only hate but also defeat poverty and famine which affects more than half of the population on our continents, including our own. The real problem is figuring out how to get it right. But the shortage of precious time makes it difficult to get it right. Even those who live to be 80 years old only have 4,160 weeks to get it right. That may seem like a long time, or not much at all, depending on one's perspective, but it surely does mean that we don't have too much time to waste before an entire new world of people replaces us and have to learn how to hate, or how to love. None of us is prejudiced or racist the day we are born. Such attitudes are learned, and are taught to us by others. Then we teach our young about the attitudes we have acquired, good and bad. Too many of us have forgotten about the innocence of youth. Only we, as human beings, can do that. America and our whole world have troubling histories. But in the flow of time, we're still a young planet. Let's use our time to get it right. Juneteenth status in New Hampshire: Juneteenth has been an official federal holiday, signed by President Joe Biden in 2021. In 2019, Gov. Chris Sununu signed legislation that recognized Juneteenth as a state observance. This year, state Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka of Portsmouth was joined by Sens. Debra Altschiller, Stratham; Donna Soucy and Lou D'Allesandro, Manchester; David Watters, Dover; and Rep. Charlotte DiLorenzo, Newmarket, in sponsoring legislation to formally adopt the federal holiday. Their bill passed in the Senate, but was defeated in the House on May 9th, 194-154. Let's get that right real soon. Today's quote: "Love is so easy, it really is." - the Rev. Arthur Hilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, former Portsmouth Police Commission member. He said that during several meetings of the Police Commission. Next time: 10th annual Portsmouth Pride faces tough challenges ahead. Variously since 1969, Jim Splaine has been New Hampshire state senator for six years, representative for 24 years, Police Commission and School Board member, Portsmouth assistant mayor for 12 years and city councilor for 18 years. He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouthnh@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Splaine: Juneteenth is about our future SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WKRN) The Spring Hill Police Department is trying to track down a man who reportedly pulled a pistol on a store clerk and stole the stores money. The thief struck Thursday, June 6 in broad daylight at the Murphy Express Gas Station in the heart of Spring Hill. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a shaken 33-year-old store clerk who had just been robbed at gunpoint. You can hear their interaction on the body camera footage: Officer: There was something over his face? Clerk: He had a T-shirt over his head. Officer: What color was the T-shirt? Clerk: Black. Officer: And did he have another shirt on? Clerk: I think he had a wife beater on under that. Berry Hill police looking for customer accused of attacking McDonalds employee Store employees told News 2 the clerk is a mother of three. He kept saying, Im sorry, I dont want to do this,' the clerk recalled. According to police, the suspect is about 6-feet 2-inches tall and was wearing a black T-shirt over his face during the incident. It looks like a shirt, maybe, with a small opening, said Spring Hill Lt. Mike Foster as he watched the surveillance footage. Officials also released a picture of the gun that investigators said the bandit flashed at the clerk. Surveillance footage from Spring Hill robbery (Photo: WKRN) Surveillance footage from Spring Hill robbery (Photo: WKRN) Meanwhile, there were some odd elements in the surveillance footage. There was a Culvers bag and a Lululemon bag that authorities said the thief brought with him. The suspect also appeared to be on a cellphone while at the counter. If he is on a phone, we can do some investigative techniques to try to narrow down the owner of the phone, Foster said. While talking to the victim, a witness approached the first officer on scene, telling him that the suspect was seen running from the store toward a storage building. Based on that info, officers flooded the area, including a wooded section near a neighborhood. The Williamson County Sheriffs Office even sent up a chopper to help with the search for the robber. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Armed robberies are few and far between. We dont have a whole lot once a year, at the most. Yes, we have the resources and were not going to forget about this, and it is a big deal to us, its a big deal to the community, so, as I said, we have detectives working right now, following up on leads, and hopefully we can get him identified, Foster said. The lieutenant encourages the thief to surrender peacefully. If you recognize the person photographed above or know anything about Thursdays incident, you are asked to call Williamson County Crime Stoppers at 615-794-4000. Your information may make you eligible for a cash reward. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Shots fired old Moultrie and us1. #newsforjax #firstcoastnews Posted by James Hill on Friday, June 7, 2024 After having just one shooting by a St. Johns County deputy in each of the last three years, Times-Union records show the Sheriff's Office has already equaled that total so far this year with its third occurring Friday evening. Shortly after 5 p.m. a concerned family member contacted the Sheriffs Office about a man who had been drinking alcohol, was making suicidal threats and left his home with a firearm. Deputies located him in his vehicle on Old Moultrie Road at U.S. 1 South and attempted to communicate with him. He was uncooperative while armed with a firearm and began to ram one of the patrol vehicles, the Sheriff's Office said. Four deputies opened fire. The unidentified man did not survive. A witness James Hill posted a video on Facebook noting "This guy is trying to destroy this cop car," and then a flurry of shots can be heard. It ends with images of Sheriff's Office vehicles in front of and behind a white pickup truck, and the witness states, "Pretty sure this guy is dead." Hill approved the Times-Union sharing his video with readers. The white pickup truck included a landscaping business logo, name and U.S. Marine sticker. A 65-year-old St. Augustine retired Marine operated that business according to his profile. Court records show he was charged with DUI and resisting an officer in the same truck in 2022. The Times-Union is not naming him because the Sheriff's Office has not confirmed who was driving the truck Friday. St. Johns County sheriff's officers cordon off the area of U.S. 1 and Old Moultrie Road after a deputy shot someone Friday. What happened in this year's other two shootings by St. Johns County deputies? The first shooting that involved a St. Johns County deputy this year actually happened in Jacksonville. On May 21 the deputy was part of a U.S. Marshals Service task force including the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office surveilling a sexual battery suspect wanted in South Carolina who was spotted in Duval County, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters previously said. One of the Jacksonville detectives saw a parked vehicle at a North Main Street Circle K gas station that the suspect may have been in and then saw a man coming out of a business who looked like him. The driver then got out of the car, which was stolen, while a woman was still inside, Waters said. While the detective took that man into custody, a U.S. deputy marshal and the St. Johns County deputy then shot and killed the suspect. The sheriff did not say what the suspect did to prompt the use of deadly force or whether he was armed. This same unidentified rape suspect also was wanted in a May 16 stabbing murder in Jacksonville. The sheriff did not say what, if any, charges were made against the driver or if the woman was arrested. No names were released, with Waters saying he would leave that to the lead agency handling the investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The FDLE's policy is to not comment on a specific case until the investigation is complete, according to its website. Those investigations often take more than a year. The other shooting happened just three days later on May 24 when 29-year-old Matthew Ross Dalton was wounded following a traffic pursuit. It began about 11:30 p.m. when deputies attempted a traffic stop on a suspected impaired driver in the area of Florida 207 and Florida 312. The driver refused to yield and fled south on 207, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office previously said. Deputies utilized stop sticks and executed a ramming maneuver to bring the vehicle to a stop on the north onramp to Interstate 95 from 207. The vehicle at this point was facing toward the patrol vehicles. Deputies got out and began attempts to take the suspect into custody. But he instead drove toward them, and a deputy fired into the vehicle, the Sheriff's Office said. Police shooting: Body camera videos show events before and after St. Johns deputies kill suspect at Nocatee park The suspect continued to flee until deputies executed another ramming maneuver on 207 at Deerpark Boulevard where the suspect was taken into custody with a gunshot wound to his leg. No deputies or other citizens were injured. Dalton was charged with multiple DUI and traffic and other offenses including fleeing/eluding law enforcement after being treated at a hospital. He has since been released on $36,750 bond as of June 2, jail records show. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: St. Johns County deputies shoot and kill suicidal man Students walk by graffiti near university President Richard Saller's office at Stanford University on Wednesday. The university said 13 people were arrested as law enforcement removed pro-Palestinian demonstrators who occupied a campus building early Wednesday. (Nic Coury / Associated Press) Stanford University campus police arrested a group of pro-Palestinian protesters, who barricaded themselves inside the president's office, on suspicion of felony burglary charges. The 13 individuals were arrested shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday morning after briefly occupying President Richard Saller's office in an act of protest. The campus newspaper, the Stanford Daily, reported that one of the individuals arrested is a student journalist. Arrest records from the Stanford University Department of Public Safety confirmed that the arrests were made on suspicion of felony burglary. But the Santa Clara County district attorney's office has not received the case as of Friday afternoon and has not made a decision on what charges will be filed, D.A. spokesperson Sean Webby said. The series of events started sometime after 5:30 a.m. Wednesday when the group of protesters, made up of students and alumni, took over Saller's office, vowing they would not leave until administrators met their demands to divest from Israel. The incident was the latest of several protests on campuses across the country by pro-Palestinian protesters in response to the war between Israel and Hamas and the killing of thousands of Palestinians caught in the cross fire. Read more: Stanford protesters arrested, seniors won't be allowed to graduate, officials say By 7:30 a.m., police forced their way into the offices. Police arrested the 13 individuals and all were released from custody several hours later, Santa Clara County sheriff's spokesperson Brooks Jarosz said Friday. Most were released on no-cost bail, but a couple posted bail "because they didn't want to comply with the conditions" from the court's pretrial services, Jarosz said in an statement. The amount for those who posted bail was set at $20,000, according to the student newspaper. Students who participated in the protest were immediately suspended and seniors were notified that they would not be allowed to graduate, according to a statement from the university. In the joint statement, Saller and Stanford University Provost Jenny Martinez condemned the group's actions and said that a safety officer with the campus police was injured during the occupation. There was also "extensive graffiti vandalism on the sandstone buildings and columns" in a campus quad with "vile and hateful sentiments that we condemn in the strongest terms," according to the statement. "The situation on campus has now crossed the line from peaceful protest to actions that threaten the safety of our community," university administrators went on to say. Read more: UCLA taps LAPD, district attorney, FBI in investigation of attack on pro-Palestinian camp Editors with the Stanford Daily said in an opinion piece that the student journalist who was arrested was "falsely imprisoned" while reporting on the protest. "His arrest constitutes a threat to the freedom of the press, including protection from unreasonable search and seizure, and we are disappointed in the actions of officers and the University," the editors said. Senior Legal Counsel Mike Hiestand, with the 1st Amendment advocacy group Student Press Law Center, said California law bars police from intentionally assaulting, interfering with, or obstructing news gathering. "We urge President Richard Saller and Provost Jenny Martinez to recognize the free press interests at stake and immediately work to drop all charges against a student journalist doing their job," Hiestand said in a statement. Liberate Stanford, an autonomous group of Stanford University students that organized the occupation, accused law enforcement of violently assault[ing] a peaceful student protester as officers prepared to enter the building. It posted a video on Instagram showing a Santa Clara County sheriffs deputy in a helmet and tactical gear shoving back a student with a baton. After the students were arrested, the university shut down activists encampment at White Plaza, which officials had allowed to remain even though they said it violated university policies on overnight camping, equitable access to the plaza and use of amplified sound. Times national correspondent Jenny Jarvie 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. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) West Virginias natural beauty and outdoor recreation is world-class and the Mountain State is home to tight-knit families, but the state is steadily losing population as young people take their college degrees and move elsewhere to find work. Ascend West Virginia has introduced a program called Ascend First which aims to help college graduates stay in the state by helping them find opportunities to work remotely. Weve seen how so many people were remote workers before the pandemic, and were finding that a lot of companies are finding that its contributing to their employee productivity and employer morale, said Ascend Director Emily Huguenin on Thursday, June 6, 2024. She said Ascend First connects native West Virginians with companies which hire them to work remotely and stay in the Mountain State. However, the goal is to connect them with West Virginia based companies. Huguenin said more opportunities are needed with in-state companies. West Virginia welcomes nine new babies, thanks to Ascend WV Wed love to see more West Virginia companies kind of adopt either a hybrid or remote work policy to help those who may be seeking those opportunities elsewhere, help them to have another reason to stay in the state, said Huguenin. Michelle Rotellini, president of Beckley Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, said that a remote worker program in Beckley has settled five families in the area. She pointed out that population is vital to growing an economy. She said she sees the potential in companies offering remote positions, drawing and keeping workers in the state. Businesses have to have enough people coming into their store front each day to make it work, whether it is a goods or a service, so anything we can do here in West Virginia to try to attract people to move to the state is going to be beneficial, said Rotellini. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has abandoned plans to create a five-year military aid fund for Ukraine after facing opposition from Alliance members. Source: Bloomberg; European Pravda Details: According to a new proposal that could gain the support of NATO defence ministers when they meet in Brussels next week, Alliance members will commit to spending at least 40 billion annually on lethal and non-lethal aid for Ukraine. Sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said this aligns with the average annual contributions since Russia's invasion in 2022. NATO will set donation targets for each country based on their gross domestic product (GDP) percentage. NATO will likely publish these figures in an annual report. The aim is to provide greater transparency on what allies supply to Ukraine while also applying soft pressure on those who fail to meet their commitments. The US is expected to cover about half of the aid, with the rest coming from other Alliance members. Earlier, Stoltenberg had proposed a plan for a pooled US$100 billion contribution from Alliance members over five years. However, allies questioned its viability due to reluctance to commit to new funds and concerns about potentially misleading Ukraine. Although the new plan won't involve new funds, NATO hopes it will offer Kyiv more predictability regarding support levels in the coming years. According to sources, this proposal has great support from nearly all Alliance members. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has requested that his country be allowed to reject any deepened support for Ukraine. According to the sources, Turkiye has expressed concerns about other parts of the Ukrainian aid package that need to be agreed upon by leaders in Washington. NATO also proposes taking over the operational duties of the US-led Ukraine Defence Contact Group, which coordinates weapon supplies from around 50 countries to Ukraine. Turkiye has urged caution to ensure that any coordination of military aid does not give the impression of greater allied involvement in the war. Background: In April, under NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's proposal, NATO agreed to start planning long-term military support for Ukraine by creating a 100 billion fund. Support UP or become our patron! Storm chaser says his new Bay St. Louis home is so strong hell stay for Cat 5 hurricane On a rainy Saturday afternoon, dozens of people arrived at a parking lot on the Bay St. Louis beach and looked for the maroon golf cart with a HURRICANE PARTY sign. Theyd be shuttled a few blocks up the street, to a brand new home that doesnt look too different from the other New Orleans shotgun inspired cottages that dot Old Town, one of the trendiest and fastest growing cities on the Mississippi Coast. But Josh Morgermans house is anything but ordinary. Known as iCyclone to his thousands of online followers, the storm chaser travels to the corners of the world to document some of the worst cyclones and hurricanes in history. And after spending a few years during the COVID pandemic renting a beach cottage in Bay St. Louis, Morgerman decided to build a house of his own in a city thats often referred to as ground zero for hurricanes. Josh Morgerman, a worldwide storm chaser who travels to the eye of hurricanes, built a home in Old Town Bay St. Louis. The shotgun-style house has a New Orleans feel and is built to withstand hurricane-force winds. House built of Hardie siding The cream-colored house does not stick out like a sore thumb it has a large gravel driveway, a large front porch with a white rocking chair and a swing, and navy blue window shutters. But its built to withstand the strongest of severe weather events, so much so that Morgerman said hed ride out a Category 5 hurricane there. When I decided to build this here Hurricane House, I knew given the Coastal Mississippis unique history, that it needed to be hurricane tough, Morgerman told a crowd of residents, movers and shakers, and weather celebrities including Jim Cantore at his housewarming party on the first day of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Morgermans walls, gables, porch ceiling, columns and trim are all made with James Hardie siding. It looks like wood, but its not, he said. Its fiber cement. The stuff is rock hard and impact-resistant. It repels water. It doesnt mold or rot. Termites hate it, they dont find it appetizing. It doesnt even burn. Josh Morgerman, a worldwide storm chaser, is building a home in Old Town Bay St. Louis. The shotgun style house will have a New Orleans feel and the foundation is built 4 feet up from the ground. Morgerman said hell sleep easy this hurricane season knowing his home is encased in a coat of armor. It was also important to Morgerman that the house look historical, and he worked with Beau Ladner of Paramount Contracting to have his vision come to life. He managed to build a home for me and keep it in budget, Morgerman said. FORTIFIED Gold standard home Realtor Tesia Lee of HL Raymond Properties in Bay St. Louis helped Mogerman find the lot about two blocks from the Bay of St. Louis. And from the moment he began designing his Hurricane House, Morgerman said he knew he wanted to build a home of the highest standard that would also lower his insurance costs. This house is considered FORTIFIED Gold, Morgerman said. That means its built to a construction standard that makes it rock solid and resistant to hurricanes. The designation comes from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. Blueprints show a shotgun style house for Josh Morgerman, a world-renowned storm chaser. He is building the home one block from the Gulf of Mexico in Old Town Bay St. Louis. Im so glad I did this because one, it gives me piece of mind ... and two, I enjoyed a big insurance discount because of it. Morgerman implored coastal residents to work with a home inspector when building a new house or making renovations to an existing structure to meet the FORTIFIED standards. He worked with Geremie Hopkins of Hopson Inspections. A new weather station in Bay St. Louis Morgerman, like many people who showed up to see his new house, nerds out on the weather and also built a weather station in his backyard. Mississippi gets the craziest hurricanes, Morgerman said, citing Camille and Katrina, and we want to accurately and scientifically measure these events. James Hyde installed the custom weather station, which sits on a post 33 feet above the ground, thats made from Campbell Scientific parts. Morgerman said it is secure and can measure winds up to 224 mph. Many of the features and building materials used to construct Josh Morgermans new house in Old Town Bay St. Louis will make it safer against hurricane-strength winds and storm surge. Be prepared for a severe hurricane season As crowds enjoyed food and drinks and finished touring the inside of Morgermans beach oasis, he implored people to check out downtown Bay St. Louis, but also to prepare for the 2024 hurricane season. This is a celebration of hurricane awareness and preparedness, he said. And thats real important, especially this year. It could be a rough one. Cantore said he had a great time seeing Morgermans new place and seeing the growth of Bay St. Louis. What a sweet scene filled with wonderful people and eats, shops, and scene, The Weather Channel meteorologist said on Instagram. Almost 20 years after Katrina, this one of a kind coast will never be forgotten again. A Striking New Discovery in Pompeii Uncovers More Magnificence of the Lost City Archeologists discovered an ancient room in Pompeii brimming with distinctive artistry. The room is covered in painted female figures, and features a rare blue color adorning the walls. The rarity of blue meant the color was often reserved for locations with immense decorative importance. Blue was once a color reserved for the most special of occasions. One of those occasions was just unearthed in Pompeii in the south of Italy, highlighting how ancient Roman culture celebrated art and color in some of the most fanciful ways. During an ongoing archaeological excavation of more than 13,000 rooms in a Pompeii archeological parka location preserved by the Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79 ADresearchers found one room with blue walls, and frescoes of female figures showing the four seasons of the year. At the time it would have been painted, blues were typically reserved for the most decorative circumstances. Pompeii is truly a treasure chest that never ceases to surprise us and arouse amazement because, every time we dig, we find something beautiful and significant, said Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italian Minister of Culture, according to EuroNews. The room dwells within the Regio IX excavations in central Pompeiian area known for a wealth of archaeological history that continues to offer findings from throughout the areas history. The 86-square-foot room (dubbed a sacrarium, or a place for sacred objects), is highlighted by the rare-for-the-time color blue, the ministry said in a statement. The paint wasnt the only thing discovered in the room to invite intriguearchaeologists also found 15 tall jugs known as amphorae, which were often used for transporting goods. A pair of bronze jugs and two oil lamps added to the cache within the blue room. The ministry reported that a heap of empty oyster shells was also found near the threshold. Painters typically ground the shells into a fine powder to add to plaster and mortar. Earlier this year, Pompeii archaeologists discovered a banquet hall featuring frescoes that depicted scenes inspired by the Trojan War. The report from the ministry said that experts believe it to be one of the most striking discoveries made at the site. Within the last few weeks, CNN reports, archaeologists reportedly also found childrens sketches that depict violent scenes of gladiators and hunters locked in battles with animals. The sketches were located on the walls of a back room in a residential sector of the Pompeii archaeological park. The famous eruption of Mt. Vesuvius was tragic, but it helped capture a moment in ancient time. As the ministry wrote, everything from death and devastation to artistic beauty became trapped and guarded by the blanket of ash that erupted from Vesuvius, all helping to preserve stories about life in Pompeii. You Might Also Like Former President Trumps first campaign stop last week since his guilty verdict in the hush money trial took him to Arizona, a key swing state that went to President Biden in 2020 by less than half-a-point. The now-convicted former president was in the Manhattan courtroom most of last month and is heading out on the campaign trail to make up for lost time as November inches closer. The general election countdown is on, and it will likely be a focus of this Sundays talk shows. Trump has yet to announce his running mate, though he confirmed a shortlist in February. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), has emerged as one of the top choices for Trump and is set to join Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures. Vance will likely speak about his allegiance to Trump and weigh in on the hush money trial that made him the first former president with a felony conviction. The Ohio Republican was among the political figures who attended the trial so he could be a friendly face in the courtroom. Another one of Trumps rumored vice-presidential picks is South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R). Noem will join CNNs State of the Union, where she will likely talk about her continued support for the former president, who backed her during swirling controversy around a story in her upcoming memoir about shooting her dog. While Trump rallies voters in Vegas and urges them to vote by mail and use early voting options, an idea he contested and claimed rigged the last election against him, Biden is dealing with his own campaign-related issue: the Israel-Hamas war. The president spent much of the weekend, and Thursday, in France to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Along with French President Emmanuel Macron, Biden celebrated the news that four Israeli hostages were rescued alive Saturday. The continued negotiations for a cease-fire will likely also be a highlight of the Sunday talk shows since Israel has shown no signs of slowing down its counteroffensive, even after Biden announced there was an Israeli-led proposal for a pause in fighting. Despite growing international calls for a cease-fire, Biden said the U.S. wont stop until all hostages are returned and a deal between Israel and Hamas can be reached. Cindy McCain, the executive director of the United Nations World Food Program, is set to join CBSs Face the Nation. She will likely speak about the growing humanitarian concern for the people of Gaza, after warning last month that there is a full-blown famine happening. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan is set to appear on CNNs State of the Union where he is expected to speak about the Biden administrations continued efforts to reach a deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. After Biden announced the three-part plan, Netanyahu said conditions for ending the war have not changed, meaning the hostages must be released and bodies returned for a cease-fire to happen. Heres the full list of appearances on this weeks Sunday shows: ABCs This Week Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas NBCs Meet the Press Preempted by coverage of the French Open. CBS Face the Nation Executive Director of the U.N. World Food Program Cindy McCain CNNs State of the Union White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan; Govs. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich); Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) Fox News Sunday Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.); Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) Fox News Sunday Morning Futures Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio); Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas); Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.); Fox News Legal Analyst Gregg Jarrett; Fox News Contributor Miranda Devine; Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Pete Hegseth NewsNations The Hill Sunday Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.); Faith & Freedom Coalition Ralph Reed Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New suspect has been charged in hit-and-run death of Arlington police officer A new suspect has been arrested in the hit-and-run that killed Arlington police Officer Darrin McMichael in September 2023. Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown announced the arrest of 22-year-old Ryan Luckett in Jackson, Mississippi, Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV reported. Luckett will be transferred to Dallas County, Brown said. The arrest comes three months after a 26-year-old man was taken into custody, also in Jackson, Mississippi. He was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Task Force and was charged with accident involving death, but prosecutors soon dropped those charges. It was in an interest of justice that we dropped the charges on the one individual and pursued the second, Sheriff Brown said about the change in the case, according to WFAA. McMichael was killed on the morning of Sept. 21, 2023, when he was hit and run over by a car on Interstate 20 in Dallas. The 26-year-old man whose charges have been dismissed told investigators during a February interview that he was in the car but was not driving it, according to an affidavit. More top stories from our newsroom: Fort Worth wont consolidate these 7 middle schools. What happens now? Police fatally shoot gunman who shot woman in Arlington park Anthony Johnson Jr.s death in Tarrant jail ruled a homicide [Get our breaking news alerts.] McMichael worked with the Arlington Police Department for 24 years and with the motorcycle unit for 13 years. Hed also worked as a patrol officer and a detective in Arlingtons north patrol district. Investigators linked Luckett to the hit-and-run and issued a warrant for his arrest, according to the Sheriffs Office. At the time the warrant was issued, Luckett was in custody at the Hinds County Jail in Jackson on parole violations, WFAA reported. Although Brown did not specify how Luckett was identified as a suspect, she said Luckett and the man who was initially arrested knew each other. Luckett has been transferred to the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Dallas County Sheriffs Office has a detainer placed on him pending his release, the Sheriffs Office said. As part of my upbringing in Reform Judaism, including attending a Jewish Day School, I was taught that Zionism was an inherent part of our tradition. Israel was itself represented as a homeland and a miracle for our people following the horrors of the Shoah. But when I traveled there on birthright in 2017, what I witnessed was no homeland. What I saw instead, was a colonial occupation where I as a visiting American had more rights than the indigenous Palestinian people. As a child I was regularly exposed to racist sentiments from the adults around me, such as that Islam was a tradition of terrorism and that we couldnt give democracy to the Palestinians because they would outbreed us, and we would lose control. As a young person I struggled with what my Jewish identity meant to me, but as Ive grown into adulthood and rediscovered a love of my Jewish tradition, Ive been proud to practice Tikkun Olam (A Jewish value meaning repairing of the world) alongside many other voices for international human rights and a free Palestine in our community. Following the Oct. 7 uprising and the Zionist regimes campaign of collective punishment, consciousness around Palestinian liberation exploded across the US. Responding to this outcry against the genocide in Palestine, city governments across the nation quickly passed resolutions calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. In Western Washington, Seattle, Olympia and Bellingham had all passed ceasefire resolutions by early December, leaving Tacoma as one of the few major municipalities in the area to stay silent on the issue, with only District 3 representative Jamika Scott making public comment in support of a permanent ceasefire. Only after months of mounting pressure from anti-genocide community members and activists did, in early March, the council announce their plan to pass off work on a ceasefire resolution to Tacomas Jewish and Muslim religious leaders. This move by the council was repeatedly called out at community forums for trying to obfuscate the council from political responsibility for the resolution, while also having the effect of playing into the propagandist lie that the ongoing genocide in Palestine, rooted in the 1948 Nakba, is a result of some intractable religious conflict rather than settler colonialism. This process sharply departed from previous times that the council has weighed in on international issues. When Russia unjustly invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the council took just one week to pass a resolution that clearly condemned the invasion. Passing this resolution offered a correct recognition that it is important for our elected representatives to express solidarity with affected members of our community, and doing so did not require them to sit on their hands for months, nor to pass off responsibility to Orthodox ministers. For those who have criticized the current ceasefire resolution on the basis that the council should not weigh in on international issues, Id question where were these voices following the passage of the 2022 resolution? For myself and others who had spoken out for months in support of a ceasefire resolution, the final language felt deflating. Following its passage, my friend Aysha, a Palestinian American schoolteacher who had regularly attended council meetings to support a resolution, referred to the language as confusing and incredibly vague. As Gaza continues to be the target of incredible violence, it is a good thing to call for a permanent ceasefire, but Ayshas words cut to the heart of the issue. Whereas the councils resolution offered mostly empty platitudes that say nothing of on-the-ground realities, the situation in Palestine is actually quite simple: Israel is occupying Palestinian land and ethnically cleansing its people using our tax dollars. With over 35,000 Palestinians murdered in Gaza including over 15,000 children, it is a bare minimum to call this out honestly as a genocide and advocate for the divestment of our tax dollars supporting its continuation. This is a bar our representatives have failed to meet, but in contrast, it has been a beautiful thing to witness the outpouring of solidarity with the Palestinian cause that has come from our community. It is this energy that has made me ever more confident that we will see a free Palestine in our lifetimes. Zev Cook is a member of Jewish Voice for Peace and serves as both a co-chair of the Tacoma Democratic Socialists of America and as a member of Tacoma for Alls steering committee. She has worked to help win progressive campaigns in Tacoma.Iin 2023, this included serving as the campaign manager for city councilmember Jamika Scott and as a lead field organizer on Tacoma for Alls Tenant Bill of Rights campaign. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A group of Calvin University swim team members spent two weeks in Thailand this spring teaching English, water survival skills and CPR. But they had no idea they would use those skills at the airport. The students were on a mission to help others in Thailand. We were there teaching swim lessons and English curriculum to students in a village school, swimmer Ryan Halberg said. Calvin swim team teaches students in Thailand swim, survival skills They didnt expect to help someone on the flight back. We are getting in line to go through customs, and then all of the sudden, we hear, Halberg recounted. A woman just yelling for medical, medical, medical, said Nathan Kaestner, who is also on Calvins swim team. Kaestner and Halberg quickly ran to the man who had collapsed and got to work. The two, as well as another man, took turns performing CPR. At first I was like, Oh no, this isnt working, because I couldnt get his chest down, Kaestner said. And then it got easier and easier. Okay, Im starting to get the rhythm, its working.' They performed CPR for more than five minutes. We could see his chest rising and felt his heart beating when he came back, Halberg said. We all felt a sigh of relief, Kaestner said. Then the paramedics arrived. We saw them get him on a stretcher. He was conscious and alive, Kaestner said. We were thankful to be in the right place at the right time, Halberg said. And I think its something that I will definitely remember for the rest of my life, for sure. It was a good feeling to put their training to work and save a life. Knowing what we are teaching these kids in Thailand is really beneficial and that it works, and then being able to do it in real life, was definitely an experience, Kaestner 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 WOODTV.com. A teen charged in the killing of Preston Lord, 16, admitted to his part in "Gilbert Goons" beatings in juvenile court Friday. Jacob Meisner, 17, was charged with aggravated assault in connection with beatings in Gilbert and Mesa from November 2022 and May 2023. He is one of seven people Queen Creek police arrested after witnesses said they were involved in the fatal beating of Lord at an Oct. 28 Halloween party. All are charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in connection with the attack. Meisner and two others were charged with aggravated robbery in connection with a necklace authorities say was taken from Lord's friend as the beating unfolded. On Friday, Meisner wore a blue polo, which signifies good behavior in juvenile detention and sat alongside his parents and lawyer in Commissioner Keelan Bodow's Mesa courtroom. Bodow said Meisner had earned his high school diploma while in detention. But Meisner's charges in the Lord case, Bodow said, will influence his cases in juvenile court. "I am aware that there is an adult criminal case pending," Bodow said. "The reality is that's going to kind of rule a lot of what happens in this case, both for any release or detention orders as well as for disposition. That is the reality." Bodow said Meisner would remain in custody unless ordered by the court. She scheduled his disposition, which is similar to a sentencing, for June 28. 7 defendants in Preston Lord case, clockwise from top left: Talan Renner, 17; William Owen Hines, 18; Treston Billey, 18; Talyn Vigil, 17; Jacob Meisner, 17; Taylor Sherman, 19; and Dominic Turner, 20. Meisner's lawyer, Andrew Marcantel, declined to comment following the hearing. Meisner was first arrested in January in connection with an attack at a Mesa park. Two weeks later, he was arrested in connection with a beating at a Gilbert house party. A Dec. 14 investigation by The Arizona Republic detailed how Lord's death was tied to the Goons, whose members recorded their blitz-style attacks on teens in parks and parking garages, outside fast-food restaurants and at house parties. The group has since been classified as a hybrid criminal street gang by authorities, but Gilbert police Chief Michael Soelberg said there was not enough evidence to bring additional charges. Meisner is not the only Lord defendant charged in connection with Goons attacks: William "Owen" Hines, 18, also faces charges in connection with assaults in Gilbert. Lord defendant admits to filmed 'Goons' beatings in Gilbert, Mesa On Jan. 4, 2024, police in Gilbert and Mesa received delayed reports of assaults. Meisner was involved in both. The attack in Gilbert took place at a Nov. 22, 2022, house party near Higley and Riggs roads. The teen who was attacked had asked some people to leave but they attacked him instead. The beating, which took place outside the house, was filmed. It captured nine people surrounding the victim as they took turns hitting and kicking him. Meisner, according to court records, is wearing a white hat and dark-colored jacket in the video. In January, police arrested four people in connection with the attack: Tyler Freeman, 17, who is alleged in court records to have used brass knuckles, Hines, Meisner and Kyler Renner, 19. Kyler Renner is the brother of Talan Renner, 17, who is charged in the Lord case. Meisner's second case was linked to a May 29, 2023, beating at a Mesa neighborhood park near Val Vista Drive and Pueblo Avenue. Police responded to the area that night for reports of a fight involving 30 to 40 kids and young adults. But when officers arrived, police said, those who spoke to officials didn't mention a fight. A 10-second video clip of the attack showed a crowd of teenagers around a boy on the ground. The boy is being hit repeatedly by a teen standing over him. As the blows continue, another boy steps into the frame and stomps on the victim. Meisner, according to the police report associated with the assault, is the person in the video wearing a red shirt and tan pants. It was not until Jan. 4 that a man reported the assault to police, saying it was his stepson who was attacked, police said. The first person arrested in connection with the beating was Christopher Fantastic, 19. Fantastic has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in this case and an August 2023 beating, and was scheduled to be sentenced in July. Meisner declined to speak to police when he was arrested on Jan. 11 about his alleged involvement in the attack, according to the police report. Murder, robbery charges in Lord case linger Witnesses told Queen Creek police Meisner was one of the people who kicked off the events that led to Lord's fatal beating. The others charged in connection with the group attack are Treston Billey, 18, Hines, Meisner, Renner, Taylor Sherman, 19, Dominic Turner, 20, and Talyn Vigil, 17. All have pleaded not guilty to their charges. After a $10 necklace was yanked from the neck of Lord's friends by Turner, according to the police report, some of the attackers played hot potato with the item by tossing it from one to another. Meisner, at one point, the police report states, grabbed the chain and made fun of its value. "This chain is fake," Meisner said, according to the police record. The boy whose necklace was taken tried to walk away, but then, the boy told police, he "felt a boom" to the right side of his head. The boom turned out to be a punch by Meisner, witnesses told police. Prosecutors say that strike was a catalyst for the chaos and beating on Lord that followed. Lord and his friends started running, but the Goons gave chase, according to the police investigation. They caught up to Lord, knocking him to the ground with a punch to the head. The gang-style beating lasted seconds, and witnesses told police Meisner leaned over Lord's body and hit him multiple times like some of the other attackers, who also kicked Lord. Then they left Lord lying in the street. He died two days later, on Oct. 30. Elena Santa Cruz is a justice reporter for The Republic. Reach her at elena.santacruz@gannett.com. Follow her on X @ecsantacruz3. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Preston Lord murder defendant admits to other 'Gilbert Goons' attacks Tennessee's marriage law is fundamentally backward. The courts should strike it down. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee recently signed a bill into law that allows public officials to refuse to solemnize marriages. When I initially heard about the bill, I was under the mistaken impression that it applied only to ministers. However, upon further examination, I realized that it goes much further than that. Rather than simply reaffirming the right of ministers to refuse to perform marriages, the law also allows for discrimination by public officials in the solemnization of marriages. I believe this aspect of the law raises serious equal protection questions. I have been a strong supporter of the freedom of private individuals to associate or choose not to associate with whomever they please. While I fundamentally disagree with discrimination, I also believe that a free society must respect the rights of private individuals to choose their associates. But if we want to preserve the equally important principle of equal protection, then freedom of association cannot apply to public officials. Laws must be applied without discrimination, and lawful duties must be performed equally. Anything less represents a violation of equal protection. Lawmakers permitted unlawful discrimination People celebrate outside the Supreme Court after the court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015. The Supreme Court has consistently upheld the equal application of the law, as demonstrated in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). In the former, the court ruled that state laws establishing separate schools for Black and white students were unconstitutional under the equal protection clause. In the latter, the court held that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the due process clause and the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Public officials who knowingly seek a position in which they may violate personal ethics in the performance of their duties forfeit their right to freedom of association. They make the conscious decision to be associated with the money of every citizen in their jurisdiction, therefore, they should be expected to perform their duties without discrimination. If they cannot do so, they should resign. Dahron Johnson, who chairs the Nashville Committee of the Tennessee Equality Project, speaks to reporters during a news conference on Feb. 13, 2024. The Tennessee legislature should not pass laws that insinuate the sanction of discrimination, particularly when the matter has already been settled by the courts. Although the new law does not explicitly mention homosexuality as a reason for refusal (intentionally, the legislation is ambiguous), it doesn't take a rocket scientist to deduce what the aim of such vague legislation is. Tennessee has been legally allowing gay marriage since the Obergefell decision. However, the 2015 ruling invalidated the enforcement of an existing ban on same-sex marriage that was imposed in 1996. One could be excused for supposing that perhaps some members of our state legislature are nostalgic for the days when same-sex couples could be denied a license without consequence. Especially when they pass laws intentionally written in a vague manner, with a wink and a nod to officials who are reluctant to solemnize marriages that are objectionable to their religious beliefs. It seems that such officials can now refuse to do so with the sanction of state law (Defense of Marriage Act). Respect for Marriage Act is a triumph for families, freedom and American activism New marriage law just stokes division Despite what some politicians in Nashville may believe about the matter, the facts are clear: Most Americans in 2024 are either indifferent or in favor of same-sex marriage. What is the purpose of this law if not to dredge up a dead issue, fostering further division and discontent in a state that is foundering under an increasingly fractured and polarized political environment? Ezra Wyrick I contend that this law stands in opposition to the vital constitutional principle of equal protection. It is fundamentally backward from a moral as well as from a legal perspective, and I believe that it should be struck down in court. Ezra Wyrick is a writer and consultant from Tennessee who is focused on legislative accountability at the state level. He is also a contributing writer for Young Voices. This column first appeared in The Tennessean. You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee marriage law discriminates against LGBTQ couples Families and supporters of the hostages taken by Hamas, take part in a protest calling for their release. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Following the release of four hostages from the Gaza Strip, tens of thousand of people once again demonstrated in Israel in favour of an agreement with Hamas for the release of the 120 remaining abductees. Tens of thousands gathered at the main rally in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on Saturday, Israeli media reported. Thousands of anti-government demonstrators also gathered in Haifa and Jerusalem to demand a hostage deal and new elections. Protests also took place in Caesarea, Beersheba and many other places in the country. For months, there have been repeated mass protests in Israel against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and in favour of the release of the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip. In a speech, the son of a man killed in captivity asked his father for forgiveness for the failure of the country and of Netanyahu to free him and the other hostages from captivity. The army had recently announced his death and that of three other hostages. There were clashes with police in Tel Aviv when demonstrators attempted to block a motorway, according to reports. The police also used water cannon on the demonstrators. According to the military, there are still 120 Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip. However, it is feared that the majority of them are no longer alive. The USA, Qatar and Egypt have been indirectly mediating between Israel and Hamas for some time in order to achieve a ceasefire and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Last week, US President Joe Biden unexpectedly presented details of a draft agreement to end the war in three phases. Families and supporters of the hostages taken by Hamas, take part in a protest calling for their release. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Families and supporters of the hostages taken by Hamas, take part in a protest calling for their release. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa A Catholic nonprofit plans to buy Trinity Health's Livingston Hospital in Howell and may redevelop the hospital building to host the future Terri Schiavo Home for the Brain Injured. Trinity Health announced last week it had reached a deal with Missouri-based Catholic Healthcare International for the sale of its 42-bed Livingston Hospital, 620 Byron Road in Howell. The sale terms undisclosed is to happen in summer 2026, after Trinity Health expects to open a new four-story, 56-bed hospital in nearby Brighton that would replace the Howell hospital. A family photo of Terri Schiavo is seen on a placard of a demonstrator trying to prevent Terri Schiavo from being euthanized outside the Woodbrige hospice, Oct. 15, 2003, in Pinellas Park, Florida. According to medical examiners, Terri Schiavo died from marked dehydration and her brain profoundly atrophied at the time of death. (Photo by Matt May/Getty Images) Terri Schiavo was a Florida woman who, after collapsing from cardiac arrest in 1990 at age 26, entered a persistent vegetative state. Her plight became the subject of legal proceedings and intense national media attention. Her husband sought to remove her feeding tube, saying that would have been Schiavo's wish, while others, including her parents and Florida's then-Gov. Jeb Bush, fought to keep her alive. Schiavo died in March 2005 after the feeding tube was removed. While Catholic Healthcare International has yet to formally announce what it plans to do with the 1958 hospital building once Trinity Health hands over the keys, the nonprofit's leaders have talked for years about opening a center in Michigan in dedication to Schiavo. A representative for the organization told the Free Press in an email that such a facility is "in the exploratory stages" for the Howell hospital. Yet, Schiavo's brother, Bobby Schlindler, who is president of the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network, said this week in a video to his social media followers that it is his understanding a facility bearing his sister's name would indeed be situated at the Howell hospital. The reason why we are excited is because (Catholic Healthcare International), once this hospital is established, they are going to home the Terri Schiavo Home for the Brain Injured," Schlindler said in the video, "and that will be dedicated in my sisters memory and will serve people with brain injuries, and rehabilitation and all their services. In a phone interview Friday, Schlindler said he is excited about the plan. Thats been the plan from the beginning ... if the hospital was established, we would home a rehab center in there in my sister's memory," he said. "That is the hope, but its going to be a lot of work. Obviously, we have to raise the money, and a lot of questions still need to be answered before the doors open. A Trinity Health spokesman declined to discuss or comment on Catholic Healthcare International's future plans for the Howell hospital. Trinity has said that it intends to rent a small space within the hospital and offer yet to-be-determined medical services for the area. Trinity Health Michigan signed a purchase agreement with Catholic Healthcare International (CHI) to sell its legacy hospital Trinity Health Livingston, which is located at 620 Byron Road in Howell (pictured). St. Padre Pio Catholic Healthcare International is a small nonprofit with annual revenues under $1 million whose mission is to further the work of St. Padre Pio the patron saint of healing. A representative for the organization suggested in an email that more than just the possible Terri Schiavo facility could be going into the Howell hospital building. The representative, Ann O'Reilly, didn't offer further details or agree to an interview for this article. "We look forward to announcing the unique portfolio of services soon, crafted under the guidance of the Holy Spirit through thoughtful prayer and discernment," she said. "These services will center on addressing life issues, treating people from conception to natural death, meeting the needs of the community we serve and collaborating with Trinity and other health care providers, all while adhering to necessary government regulations that impose limitations on certain offerings." Back in 2020, Catholic Healthcare International issued a news release saying it planned to collaborate with Trinity Health to open the Terri Schiavo Home for the Brain Injured on the campus of what is now Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital. However, a Trinity spokesman said "no serious conversations materialized" after that announcement. Jere Palazzolo, president and founder of Catholic Healthcare International, said in a December video that they hoped to announce soon the location of their future medical center, which would be a replica of St. Padre Pio's Home for the Relief of Suffering hospital in Italy and contain the Terri Schiavo Home for the Brain Injured. The center will "care for patients like Terri, who, unfortunately, our culture of death does not deem worthy of life or worthy of the resources it takes to take care of them," Palazzolo said in the video. "It will be an incredible undertaking. Genoa Township litigation Pictures of Saint Padre Pio, shown Thursday, April 1, 2021, mark the entrance to property on Chilson Road in Genoa Township involved in a lawsuit Catholic Healthcare International filed against the township. Separately, Catholic Healthcare International is fighting in court with Genoa Township, also in Livingston County, over what it can build on 40 acres of wooded land that it acquired in 2020 from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing. The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in September granted a preliminary injunction allowing the Catholic group to reinstall a "prayer trail" and stone altar for outdoor worship that the township ordered removed. The organization has also sought to build a 95-seat chapel on the land, a proposal that the Genoa Township Board turned down in May 2021. Following that rejection, Catholic Healthcare International sued the township and a township zoning officer, claiming their zoning rules violated religious freedom. More: Time capsule for vanished Detroit bank opened 9 years early Contact JC Reindl: 313-222-6631 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on X @jcreindl This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Terri Schiavo rehab center considered for Livingston County Among El Paso Democrats, few are as familiar as Beto O'Rourke. A former presidential and gubernatorial candidate, as well as a former congressman, O'Rourke has reached nearly the highest peaks in Democratic Party politics. But as Democrats descend on El Paso for the 2024 Texas Democratic Party Convention, O'Rourke is mostly focused on being an ambassador for his city. "As an El Pasoan, we're very excited that all these great Democrats are in our community," O'Rourke said, noting that Democrats from all over the state have been hiking, visiting restaurants and meeting locals. "I think that's a huge positive." During the opening day of the convention June 6, O'Rourke said he met numerous Democrats who had never been to El Paso but commented continuously on how kind and welcoming the city is. The convention wrapped up this weekend. Democrat Beto O'Rourke speaks during a rally at UTEP on Nov. 3, 2022, before voting at the university. O'Rourke welcomed party faithful to El Paso for the 2024 Texas Democratic Party Convention on June 6, 2024. He plans to work to boost turnout for the upcoming fall general election. "It was so cool to meet people who have never been here before who are absolutely blown away by the staggering beauty of this community," he said. But O'Rourke has more on his mind than just being a cheerleader for El Paso with two high-profile elections on the horizon and a mountain of national issues to topple, he's hoping the convention will be a dynamic starting line for the races ahead. 'Bringing the energy' While a large part of the party's convention centers around the political business of electing leadership and setting caucus priorities, O'Rourke said it also stands as a way to fire up the Democratic base ahead of the November general election, which will feature a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. "They're bringing that energy we need right now ahead of one of the most important elections of our lifetime," he said. "Having everybody get fired up, committing themselves to the work of talking with voters and registering voters and getting the word out is just so important." But the presidential race isn't the only forthcoming election on O'Rourke's mind the coming showdown between U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, and US. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is also of chief concern. U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, speaks at a U.S. Senate debate in Austin on Jan. 28, 2024. The Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention hosted the debate ahead of the March 5 primary elections. Texas presents the biggest opportunity for Democrats to pick up a seat in the U.S. Senate and El Paso will play a "pivotal role," O'Rourke said. "These elections are going to be won not on money, but on the work that people do," he said. "These are volunteers, these are folks that have jobs or are in school or taking care of kids but are going to make time to knock on doors and meet voters and talk about why it's so important to win these races." Big issues for Democrats Democrats are looking to draw stark contrast between their party's priorities and those of the Republican Party, an effort made easier by the growing rift between the two parties. Among those key issues, O'Rourke said, are restoring women's reproductive rights and reducing gun violence, an important issue for Texans in the wake of the shootings in El Paso, Uvalde and elsewhere. "The only way these things are going to change, the only way they're doing to get better, is to replace the people that are in power with people who represent the people of Texas," he said. "We have so many opportunities to make this a better state," he continued. "Think about what would happen if we were able to expand Medicaid ... of if we could raise the minimum wage so people could survive on one job instead of two or three." Texas Democrats are also supportive of legalizing marijuana in the state so "we no longer see people being locked up for a substance" that is legal across most of the country. "These are the things Democrats are fighting for," he said. "These are things Democrats will change for the better if they're elected to office." Will Biden's executive action on asylum affect borderland support? The recent executive action from Biden has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle while O'Rourke is unsure how that will affect the president's support in the Borderland, he believes the playbook being employed by U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, presents a roadmap for how Democrats might lodge their opposition while still circling the wagons. "Veronica Escobar, our congresswoman, has done a phenomenal job on this issue," O'Rourke said, noting that Escobar, as a member of the president's reelection committee, has continually offered support to Biden but is "respectfully disagreeing" with his approach on asylum laws. More: El Paso leaders, advocates alarmed by Biden's executive action on immigration "There are just very few options to do this the right way," he said, "and it leaves people at the mercy of smugglers and cartels and that's not good for anybody." But presenting that alternative narrative on immigrants and the reality of life on the border, O'Rourke said, is just another crucial role for El Paso to play. "I want people to leave with that very positive vision of El Paso," he said. "People need to see with their own eyes that we are a very strong, kind and welcoming community. We have a lot to be proud of here and I love that the rest of the state is here to see it." This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: For Beto O'Rourke, state Dem convention chance to celebrate El Paso Three indicted in sex-trafficking case tied to teens 2018 death on Dallas tollway Three people were indicted in a sex trafficking case that led to the death of a North Texas teenager in 2018, according to the Collin County District Attorney Office. A Collin County grand jury indicted Alan Dailey, 51, of Plano, on charges of trafficking resulting in death, trafficking, and compelling prostitution. Also indicted were Nikki Jordan, 48, of Fort Worth, on trafficking and compelling prostitution charges and Anna Hudson, 42, of Mabank, on a trafficking charge. The three defendants were arrested on June 4. In April 2018, the three defendants were involved in the trafficking of young women, including 18-year-old Julia Wells and at least one other woman, according to the indictment. Wells died after she was lured into a prostitution trap and was pushed out of a car on the North Dallas Tollway, according to a report by KDFW-TV. Dailey and Jordan were involved in the compelling women into committing prostitution, the DAs office said in a news release. Trafficking, a first-degree felony, is the transporting, enticing, recruiting, harboring, providing, or otherwise obtaining another person by any means, according to state law. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Compelling prostitution is defined as causing another person by force, threats, coercion, or fraud to commit prostitution. Trafficking and compelling prostitution are second-degree felonies, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. These indictments and arrests mark the end of a years-long multi-agency investigation into the death of Julia Wells, and hopefully this will serve as the first step in seeking justice for Julia in a court of law, said Collin County DA Greg Willis. The cases are being prosecuted by the Collin County DA with assistance from the Texas Attorney Generals Office. The Texas Ranger Division/Special Operations and Dallas Polices Homicide Unit lead the arrests in the case. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A woman who fought tooth and nail to save an affordable housing complex in Tigard is being remembered Friday. KOIN 6 News covered the story extensively for years when more than 100 seniors were at risk of losing their homes. Now were shining a light on the legacy one woman has left behind. Lois Keck was an 81-year-old little lady who left a big impact with her fierce and tenacious personality. She wouldnt stand for the injustice of her senior living community being disbanded for the sake of an out of state developer. On the day Lois Keck learned all her hard work paid off, when a purchase and sale agreement for the Woodspring Apartments successfully went through, she declared, Were so blessed! Potential largest-ever, rare fish washes ashore on Gearhart Beach her son Jason Keck recounted how his mother organized the Woodspring Tenants Union amongst her neighbors after they learned theyd be losing their homes. If theres something you believe in and put your heart into it, Jason said. Thats what mom did. Neighbors said Lois naturally became the unions president, leading the charge. Lois was my bestest, bestest friend, said Jill Grossman, a Woodspring Apartment tenant and union member. Well never, ever forget her. KOIN 6 extensively covered the Woodspring Apartments in Tigard as seniors in 172 units were about to lose affordability protections, pricing them out of the place they called home for decades. Lois Keck is remembered for fighting for senior tenant rights in Tigard. June 7, 2024 (courtesy Jason Keck). Lois Keck (far right) is remembered for fighting for senior tenant rights in Tigard. June 7, 2024 (courtesy Jason Keck). Lois Keck is remembered for fighting for senior tenant rights in Tigard. June 7, 2024 (courtesy Jason Keck). Lois Keck is remembered for fighting for senior tenant rights in Tigard. June 7, 2024 (courtesy Jason Keck). Woodsprings Apartment Tenant Association leader Lois Keck, February 13, 2023 (KOIN) Lois Keck is a resident at Woodspring Apartments in Tigard, July 1, 2021 (KOIN) Hopefully, most people will not ever have the idea of losing your home, Grossman said. And, long story short, they got Washington County to buy the property, Jason added. This unbelievable accomplishment preserved the buildings affordability. Theyre able to age in place, and thats thats what mom did, Jason said. A year after the fight came to a close, Lois finally decided to step down as president of the Woodspring Tenants Association and enjoy her victory. 2 arrested after alleged armed robbery leads to police pursuit She was giving her resignation speech when she had her stroke, so she honestly gave her life to this cause, Jason said. I dont want that to be in vain. She wasnt just a resident of Woodspring. She made an impact on the whole community, Grossman said. Lois Kecks legacy will live on as her work will support families in this affordable housing community for generations to come. Her funeral was this week as she was surrounded by family and friends. Shell always be remembered for her dedication as the first President of the Woodspring Tenants Association. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 53-year-old time capsule that was stashed inside a wall of a then-new Detroit building for a now-gone Detroit bank was opened Thursday before a crowd of employees with the vanished bank's successor. The dusty black box had been behind wood paneling in the lobby of the Comerica Bank Center building, 411 W. Lafayette Blvd. in downtown, since Sept. 20, 1971. That was when the building opened with its original name the Manufacturers Bank Building and its original occupant, the Manufacturers National Bank of Detroit. Brian Tucker, left, assists as Mark Brannon, right, removes a 1971 time capsule from the wall inside the Comerica Bank Center building in downtown Detroit. Nearly all materials found inside the box on Thursday relate to the building. There were newspaper clippings about the building, several postcards of the building, photos of the original interior and exterior, coins commemorating the building, a pamphlet of building facts including details of a since-removed rooftop helipad and a Detroit City Council resolution honoring the bank for constructing the building. Comerica Bank Center building at 411 W. Lafayette There also was a booklet on the history of Manufacturers National Bank of Detroit, which was founded during the Great Depression in 1933 by the Ford family to serve local business interests. And there was a film reel in the box, its contents not immediately known. Obviously, a lot of interesting history in here that will be added to our archives that help document our longtime history here in Detroit," Steve Davis, Michigan market president for Comerica Bank, told the audience of several dozen onlookers. Some of the contents of the time capsule. A label on the time capsule says it was to be opened on Aug. 10, 2033. That would be the 100th anniversary of Manufacturers National Bank, which reportedly had its first office inside downtown's Penobscot Building. More: Michigan Central Station reopening: Everything you need to know about concert, renovation However, Comerica opted to open the capsule a little early, as this year marks the 175th anniversary of Comerica's own founding in Detroit in 1849 as the Detroit Savings Fund Institute. Curt Farmer, the chairman, president and CEO of Comerica Bank, and Jeremy Dimick, director of collections and curatorial at the Detroit Historical Society, sift through contents of the dusty black box. Chairman and CEO Curt Farmer said that Comerica is believed to be the 40th oldest publicly traded company in the U.S. and the 10th oldest bank. There arent a lot of companies that have been around for 175 years," Farmer said. This market is really home to us in so many ways. Our company was founded here, we have 4,500 employees in this market by and large the largest concentration of employees for our company." The building at 411 W. Lafayette is nine stories tall with three additional below-ground floors. It was designed by Louis G. Redstone Associates and adorned with 20 precast concrete stone exterior panels, each weighing 11 tons. Some of the contents of the time capsule. The panels are abstract art pieces, created by artist Robert Youngman, to represent Detroit's history of industrial design and production, according to a Comerica Bank history of the building. Manufacturers National Bank merged into Comerica Bank in 1992. The building has remained continuously occupied since then, and Comerica made it the bank's official Michigan market headquarters in 2012, following nearly $20 million in renovations and the end of Comerica's office lease in what is now the Ally Detroit Center building at 500 Woodward. Comerica says that of its roughly 4,500 Michigan employees, 800 to 900 are based in 411 W. Lafayette. In 2007, Comerica relocated its official headquarters out of Detroit and to Dallas, saying it was moving to where its business was growing and where it could attract talented employees. Comerica continues to own naming rights to Comerica Park home of the Detroit Tigers through 2034. The hole in the lobby wall that contained the time capsule. Comerica has a 11% market share in Michigan for banks based on deposits, which is the third largest, behind Huntington Bank (12%) and JPMorgan Chase (23%), according to the most recent Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. figures. Comerica executives also marked the occasion Thursday by presenting a $17,500 check to the Detroit Historical Society. More: Bedrock buys portion of Millender Center in Detroit from GM Contact JC Reindl: 313-222-6631 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on X @jcreindl This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Time capsule for vanished Detroit bank opened 9 years early A ton of aggravating factors: Experts say Trump not helping himself ahead of sentencing hearing With just over a month to go until Donald Trumps scheduled July 11 sentencing hearing, a legal expert told Salon the former presidents lack of remorse and findings of contempt could be grounds for a jail sentence. When I first started thinking about this case, I thought that the judge sentencing him to incarceration was very unlikely, said Adam Shlahet, director of the Brendan Moore Trial Advocacy Center at Fordham Law. I'm thinking it's more likely now. Former Manhattan prosecutor Arthur Middlemiss said he thinks Trump will probably not see prison time. The mitigating factors in favor of a lesser sentence and probably a non-jail sentence are Trump's advanced age, the fact that he's a first time offender, and whether you like it or appreciate it or not, he's got a history of public service, Middlemiss said. Still, Shlahet said Trumps put himself in an uncommonly vulnerable position ahead of sentencing because he hasnt expressed remorse and because Judge Juan Merchan found him in contempt of court 10 times for violating a gag order. He can take into account all of his civil fraud, can take into account all of his contempt, and so even though this is a guy with no record and he's an older gentleman, there are a ton of factors, aggravating factors that would lead a judge to give him some jail time, Shlahet said. Shlahet also pointed to Trump's conduct toward the judge. When the person who's going to be deciding your sentence is the judge, it's also a really good idea to not antagonize the judge at every opportunity," Shlahet said. "Every time he gets a microphone, he insults the judge and calls the judge crooked and calls the judge conflicted and shows no respect for the jury's verdict. And that is not the way a defendant who wants probation should be acting. Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of felony falsification of business records in a scheme that prosecutors said aimed to preserve his 2016 presidential bid through disguised hush-money payments to cover up alleged extramarital affairs. Trump faces sentencing by Merchan who also presided over the 2023 and 2024 sentencing of Trumps former chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg. In 2023, Merchan sentenced Weisselberg to five months behind bars and five years of probation after he pleaded guilty to charges that he participated in a tax fraud scheme cooked up by Trump Organization executives. Weisselberg ended up serving 100 days at Rikers Island last year. And in April, Merchan sentenced Weisselberg to five months behind bars after he was convicted of two counts of perjury in the first degree. Bennett Gershman, law professor at Pace University, pointed out that Weisselberg got sentenced to jail time despite his own mitigating factors. Weisselberg, 76, had no criminal record, like his former boss. Trump, Gershman said, has probably more aggravating circumstances than any white collar criminal in history. But Trumps case does differ from Weisselbergs in several key ways, said Middlemiss. Probably the most important mitigating factor is that the crimes that he was convicted of were the lowest level felonies in New York, Middlemiss said. Unlike a violent crime or a crime where you steal money from an individual, there's no real identifiable victim. Felony falsification of business records is a Class E felony the lowest level of felony in New York state. Meanwhile, Weisselberg was charged and convicted of falsifying business records along with more serious felonies, Middlemiss said. Weisselberg pleaded guilty to 15 felonies in all, including grand larceny in the second degree a Class C felony. Weisselberg agreed to pay $1.9 million in back taxes and penalties and to testify at the Trump Organizations trial. Which makes it a big tax case, Middlemiss said. You would consider that to be a definable victim in that the city and the state didn't get the taxes that it was owed because he didn't pay them, which is a more easily definable victim than the entire electorate writ large. Prosecutors had said Trumps scheme defrauded the voting public. This spring, Weisselberg pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury in the first degree concerning his 2020 deposition to the attorney generals office. Felony perjury in the first degree is a class D felony and has a maximum sentence of seven years in prison in New York. The Associated Press reported that prosecutors cited Weisselbergs age and willingness to admit wrongdoing in agreeing to the five month sentence. Middlemiss said Trump does face factors that would weigh in favor of a more serious sentence. Trump, on the other hand, was completely unrepentant, didn't admit guilt, never acknowledged that he was sorry, that he did these things, and was completely contentious of the court and the process by which he was convicted, Middlemiss said. Trump could face a fine of up to $170,000 if the judge fines him a maximum of $5,000 per offense for each of the 34 counts. He could also receive probation, community service, or whats known as a conditional discharge. Any sentence for Trump would pose logistical complications: community service would be tricky for a high-profile presidential candidate, probation raises questions about how Trump could campaign across the country, while the Secret Service would join him at jail. The judge could impose a sentence of conditional discharge if he decides neither the public interest nor the ends of justice would be served by a prison of imprisonment and that probation supervision is not appropriate. Conditional discharge would mean that instead of a jail sentence, the judge could impose restrictions on Trump including barring him from breaking the law for a period of time. The period of conditional discharge shall be three years for felonies, according to state law. Each of the 34 counts has a maximum four-year prison sentence, and hes expected to serve any sentence concurrently. Trump would serve time at a jail such as Rikers Island if he gets a sentence of less than a year while he could serve in a state prison if he gets more than a year behind bars. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. In a Fox News interview Wednesday, Trump called the legal system corrupt and said: I did nothing wrong in any of these things. I did nothing wrong. We did nothing wrong at all. Trump also said: They are doing it for the purposes of hurting a political opponent of Biden and trying to get him to win. Everybody said this is such a minor thing, you dont go to jail for this. Once Trump gets sentenced, an appeal would put any jail, probation, fine or community service sentence on hold for a potentially years-long appeals battle. Middlemiss said hed likely successfully request bail pending appeal if he is sentenced to jail time. Hell probably get it, and he probably should get it because he has no criminal history, Middlemiss said. Its not like hes going anywhere. Its not like hes going to flee the United States to avoid incarceration The risk of flight would be minimal for anyone in these particular circumstances based on the severity of the crime and the likelihood of incarceration, but it's particularly low when you got a guy who's running for president of the United States, we know where he's going to be every day. Ahead of the July 11 sentencing, Trump is expected to meet with the probation office, according to Shlahet. Either a probation officer or a social worker, someone who works for probation, and they're going to interview him and then make a sentencing recommendation, he said. Normally, this is to get kind of some vital information about the defendant: what their history is, what their criminal history is, what their community ties are, are they working, all that kind of stuff. Shlahet said hes interested in one question Trump will face: about his case, and whether he accepts responsibility. That's a really big thing that the judge looks at, he said. Shlahet said that a lot of the restrictions that are placed on people with a felony conviction are just not going to apply to him. Hes going to get waivers to any country he wants to visit if hes the president of the United States, he said. If he loses the election, then I think these collateral consequences may become inconvenient. Over the past week, Trump has complained that the July 11 sentencing data is unfair because its just days before he is expected to be named the GOP presidential nominee at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which begins July 15. Trump said on his social media platform that the July 11 date was set conveniently for the fascists." On May 30, Trump sat in the courtroom as his defense attorney asked for a date in mid-to-late July. The reason for that is, as the Court is aware, President Trump faces other charges in other jurisdictions, defense lawyer Todd Blanche said. In the case in Florida, there is a three-day hearing scheduled for late July. Blanche did not object when Merchan set sentencing for July 11. That is definitely a date that his attorneys agreed to in front of him, Shlahet said. Donald Trump didnt voice any protest at that time, but now he is. Shlahet said the quicker the sentence the sooner Trump can begin the appeals process. Tough decisions, great leadership have put Sarasota's school district on the right path Sarasota County School District Superintendent Terry Connor speaks to district arts teachers to kick off an Aug. 7, 2023, professional learning conference at Riverview High School. In November 2022, I made a formal motion to lead the Sarasota County school district on a different path. As a former teacher, principal and executive director in our schools, this community gave me enormous opportunities to learn and grow. Throughout those years, I held myself accountable for providing excellence in student performance results and academic programs and that required making tough decisions and leading change. None of those challenges were as difficult as the one in November 2022. When you have years of practice understanding local school district operations and are entrusted with your communitys most precious resource, do you look the other way when faced with a clear decision and an organized force of resistance? Getting to the silver lining of success requires driving through the storm. Even with 27 years of serving this community and gaining a deep understanding of systems for success, I was taken by surprise with a new force to be reckoned with in 2017. That variable quickly permeated our school system and community with sound bites, rhetoric, new priority ideologies and poison-pen articles. It didnt operate from objective data, trends in performance or research-based best practices. It posed the greatest threat to student achievement to date: politics in our schools and our board room and in organized public comment. Grade 3 reading performance is the greatest predictor of academic success through Grade 12 for every individual child. It paves the way for comprehending science, history and math. If you cannot read at grade level as a third grader, catching up and achieving academic success is nearly impossible. Graduates cheer as they are officially recognized by Superintendent Terry Connor at the conclusion of the Oak Park School Class of 2024 graduation ceremony on Friday, May 17, 2024, in the school's gymnasium. It is so important that the Florida Department of Education now has Grade 3 English Language Arts performance results as a stand-alone measure in the formula for calculating school grades. I am incredibly proud of our A school district grade since the inception of grades in 2004. However, that A grade camouflaged the fact that more than 30% of our Grade 3 students could not read at grade level. In 2020, when I started my tenure on the School Board, I immediately focused on student performance data and trends in achievement and particularly in Grade 3 reading. Data was difficult to access, and that made no sense. Meanwhile, reading for Grade 3 students was in decline and COVID was the fall guy. Why was our school districts relative ranking in state achievement results in decline when every school district faced the challenges of COVID? Why were other school districts able to maintain student performance achievement results and in some cases even improve their performance? More: The 'real' Sarasota County is warm and welcoming. Let's not allow extremism to define us. With reelected School Board Member Bridget Ziegler and newly elected board members Tim Enos and Robyn Marinelli supporting a change in November 2022, we embarked on a different path holding ourselves accountable for a laser focus on academic achievement. Karen Rose The results are coming in 10 months after new Superintendent Terry Connor took the lead role in our school district. Immediately after beginning his position in August 2023, the superintendent began a 100-day review of all district operations, and several executive-level staff members were required to reapply and interview for their positions. In addition: Reading programs were evaluated using data to assess their impact on student achievement. Systems of accountability were put in place and hardwired. Every school was placed on a schedule to meet with district staff to progress monitor student achievement using data and a continuous improvement model. Research-based science of reading programs were implemented. Thanks to new legislation, school choice was no longer seen as a threat to public education; instead, it was viewed as competition in the drive to make Sarasota County schools the top pick for our families. Exceptional Student Education services were analyzed, and results were embedded in the new strategic plan. Intervention strategies and discipline needs were revamped to support a data-driven model for improvement. The social issues that were emphasized in the previous strategic plan but were difficult to measure were removed as priorities. Our testing results under Superintendent Connor are in, and they have exceeded expectations. For example: Our third grade reading scores have increased by an unheard-of 7% in one year; if you exclude charter schools, the increase is 14%. Our new strategic plan prioritizes academic achievement using data and a continuous improvement model. Plans for Studer Training will increase customer service with measurable results for our schools, staff and community. There are innovative programs like the new Agriculture Academy, which will be a state and national model for emphasizing the importance of "farm to table." Career training programs for students have multiplied, and they have been designed to meet local workforce needs. Change is difficult, and leading it is a huge challenge. However, I could not be prouder of our students, staff and schools and I am most thankful for the leadership of Superintendent Connor. Let's drive through the political agendas and focus on the silver lining! Karen Rose represents District 2 on the Sarasota County School Board and currently serves as the board's chair. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County's school district is making a commitment to excellence The Tower of London is already dwarfed by the City skyline - Alexander Spatari/Moment RF The Tower of Londons official World Heritage status is under real threat, according to Historic England. The warning has come from the heritage watchdog in the wake of the City of London Corporations draft policies for tall buildings. Concerns have been raised over the draft City Plan 2040, which the watchdog said was unsound in its current form because of its wider heritage impacts. The consultation on the corporations guiding document to aid the development of the Square Mile will conclude on June 17. Concerns have been raised over the draft City Plan 2040 for expansion - DBOX/A DBOX for Eric Parry Architects It is not the first time that concerns have been raised as officials from the United Nations cultural heritage organisation (Unesco) took the decision to visit the site previously over fears it was being overshadowed by skyscrapers. Shravan Joshi, the chairman of the City of London planning and transportation committee, told the BBC the policies would have an impact in terms of supporting economic growth and celebrating heritage assets as they will shape future planning decisions. Historic England wrote: We believe that policies relating to tall buildings and the City Cluster in the draft plan represent a real threat to the World Heritage Site status of the Tower of London. The quantum of development proposed would result in severe harm to the significance of St Pauls Cathedral and the outstanding universal value of the Tower of London. In a submission seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), dated May 24, which is yet to be made public, Historic England said policies on offices and tall buildings were likely to severely harm assets such as St Pauls and the Tower of London. Unesco has long-standing fears that the Tower of London is being overshadowed by skyscrapers - Michael Foley / Alamy Stock Photo/ALAMY Historic England said there was a very serious inherent conflict and incompatibility between its aspirations for the historic environment and its target of adding 1.2 million sq m (13 million sq ft) of office floorspace. The watchdog underlined it wished to work with the City to find ways to accommodate growth while conserving the historic environment. A spokesman for Historic Royal Palaces, which manages the Tower of London, said it had raised similar concerns as Historic England. Mr Joshi said the aim of the plan takes a bespoke and exhaustive approach to tall buildings and heritage and recognises the exceptional significance of the World Heritage Site and the Cathedral. Historic England believes St Paul's is also being 'severely harmed' by the tall buildings policy - VV Shots/iStock Editorial The Plan will ensure development protects and celebrates all our heritage assets while continuing to support the economic growth of the capital, he added. In the City, growth and conservation combine to define what is unique about the Square Mile, and this is ultimately at the heart of the plan. The communities secretary will consider the plan when the consultation ends and it will also be looked at by an independent planning inspector. It is expected that the City of London Corporation will adopt the plan in 2025. A further response has been requested from the City of London along with the Historic Royal Palaces. 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. Trial delayed for Marion man accused in deadly roadside ambush of New Mexico State police officer MARION COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A federal judge has delayed the trial date for a Marion man facing charges of killing a New Mexico State Police officer in March. U.S. District Court Judge James O. Browning on Tuesday granted a request by Jaremy Smiths defense team to push the trial back nearly a month to July 8. It was originally set to start on June 10. Smith, 33, is facing charges including carjacking resulting in death and kidnapping resulting in death stemming from the March 15 shooting death of Ofc. Justin Hare along Interstate 40 outside of Albuquerque. Smith-trial-orderDownload Smith was arrested March 17 by Bernalillo County sheriffs deputies in an Albuquerque neighborhood, who shot him several times following a brief foot pursuit. Timeline: Whats happened so far in the case of slain Pee Dee paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore Smith was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 9, and prosecutors said they were considering the death penalty if hes convicted. Smiths attorneys said in court documents a mitigation presentation is expected in early July that could take the death penalty off the table. Preparing for that alongside a criminal trial, they say, is too much of a burden. There is still a great deal of work to be done, which cannot be accomplished by the current deadlines set by the court, Smiths attorneys said in their motion. He pleaded not guilty April 18 to charges including carjacking resulting in death, causing death by the discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, kidnapping resulting in death and interstate transport of a stolen vehicle. Smiths legal team last week also asked a U.S. District Court judge to delay the start of his trial, citing a voluminous amount of evidence that includes more than 7,700 individual items. The court finds that granting the continuance will strike a proper balance between the ends of justice and the best interests of the public, Browning wrote in his June 4 decision. He also said pushing back the trial was necessary because defense counsel anticipates plea negotiations with the government will begin shortly. Smith is also facing 17 charges in the death of Pee Dee paramedic Phonesia Machcado-Fore. Authorities found her body March 15 outside of Lake View in Dillon County. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Trial for former state lawmaker accused of corruption pushed back to September ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A former state lawmaker accused of swindling millions out of Albuquerque Public Schools has been granted a motion to push her trial further out. Sheryl Williams Stapleton pled not guilty to 35 charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States and multiple counts of bribery and money laundering. Albuquerque man accused of murder now facing charges for Uptown robberies Stapletons original trial date was scheduled for this Monday but the court has rescheduled it for September 9. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. You are here: World Flash People inspect a damaged residential building after an Israeli attack in Deir al-Balah city in central Gaza, June 7, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 36,731, the Hamas-run health authorities said in a press statement on Friday. During the past 24 hours, Israeli forces killed 77, and wounded 221 others, bringing the total death toll to 36,731 and injuries to 83,530 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in October last year, the statement said. The statement noted that some victims remained under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of rescue crew. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 were taken hostage. Jason Lupo and Jarvis Caldwell are facing off in the Republican Primary for House District 20, which covers northern El Paso County and northern Colorado Springs, including Monument, Palmer Lake and the Air Force Academy. Caldwell and Lupo are running for the seat vacated by Rep. Don Wilson, who is running for El Paso County commissioner. The Gazette asked candidates to set themselves apart from the competition, explain how they would work across the aisle, and work to address any political overreach they have seen by the state legislature. Jason Lupo Website: lupoforcolorado.com What is your top priority for the next session? It doesn't cost a dime to reduce regulations and improve our economic outcomes. It doesn't cost a dime to reduce the drastic cost of illegal immigration at a cost of $851 per Colorado household. It doesn't cost a dime to hold accountable the publicly funded K-12 schools and higher education that have prioritized radical ideology over education. Our legislature has a bad habit of passing bills that hinder the financial stability of Coloradans. What sets you apart from your opponent? I am a true constitutional conservative who will fight hard to secure my constituents' constitutional rights. I will stand firm in matters affecting liberties, reducing government's reach, reducing government spending and will fight to toughen penalties for violent and sex crimes and will work hard to end Colorado's sanctuary state status. As the only small-business owner in the race, I understand the impact that legislation has on our local businesses, workforce and everyday lives of consumers. Jarvis Caldwell Website: jarviscaldwell.com Featured Local Savings What would be your top priorities next session? We are taxed, feed, and regulated to death. My No. 1 priority for House District 20 is getting legislation passed that gets our costs down. Im supportive of further addressing the current property tax crisis and positive legislation like senior property tax exemption portability. Protecting TABOR, the money we overpaid and is owed back to us, is a piece of that priority. What we see now is billions of dollars owed back to us taxpayers being diverted for more and more Democrat pet projects. The Colorado Chamber of Commerce has endorsed me in this primary due to my strong stance against added taxes, fees and regulations. Law and order is also a major priority for me, and I am endorsed in this primary by Sheriff Joe Roybal. Colorado was recently ranked the No. 3 unsafest state in the nation and No. 2 in the nation for property crime. We have a fentanyl crisis that is destroying our younger people, thanks to the open border and free rein of drug cartels coming into our country. The soft-on-crime policies coming from the state Capitol right now have to stop. I have a criminal justice background from my time as an Air Force JAG Corps member, and I plan to use that experience to hold criminals accountable while getting victims the justice they deserve through legislation. What sets you apart from your opponent? There is a massive experience gap between myself and my opponent. Not only am I the only veteran in the race, but much of that time serving was spent in the Air Force JAG Corps holding criminals accountable for their actions. Im also endorsed by Sheriff Joe Roybal, and plan to work with him closely on anti-crime legislation. Parental rights and school choice are important issues in House District 20. Im a father of two elementary school boys and serve as the vice chairman on the board of directors of a District 20 charter school. Ive testified at the state Capitol against radical anti-parental rights legislation and raised awareness before the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners regarding the attacks on school choice from legislators. During the 2022 and 2023 legislative sessions, I served first as an aide to a House representative and then as the communications director for the House Republican Caucus. I know how to navigate the chaos of the Capitol while getting great things accomplished. I focused on bringing transparency to our constituents and raising awareness of the radical bills proposed in the legislature. My opponent has none of this experience. How will you work with the Democratic majority on legislative goals? There are issues that benefit Coloradans, no matter what their political affiliation is. While I will fight with all of my power against the horrendous bills weve seen recently, I also want to focus on getting bills passed that help the people of House District 20. With the numbers we have at the state Capitol currently, that will require working across the aisle to get bills passed as a Republican. An example is expediting the process for teachers certified in other states by making it cheaper and easier when they move here. This is especially important for spouses of military members, who are often only here for two to three years and could begin teaching right away. This can help alleviate the teacher shortage were experiencing. Another bill that needs to be passed is senior property tax exemption portability. There are many senior citizens in our communities who would like to move for various reasons but are often on fixed incomes and cant afford to lose their tax-exempt status. Theyve earned it, and they should be able to take it with them, no matter where they move in the state. Do you think the state has overstepped its authority? If so, how would you work to restore more local control? The state government has overstepped its authority regarding local control in nearly every aspect. What is good for Boulder and Denver is often not good for Monument, Palmer Lake, Black Forest, or Falcon. At a state level, we have to continue fighting against the assault on our local control by bringing representatives from our local governments and citizens to the Capitol to speak out. At a local level, we must continue to pressure our local elected officials and hold them answerable to us on the issues at hand. If the state oversteps its authority, as it has so many times recently, our local governments should take legal action against the state. Weve seen this recently with El Paso County and Douglas County suing the state government over its horrendous illegal immigration sanctuary policies. I fully support that lawsuit. MCGEHEE, Ark. A tribute was held Friday for the former mayor of McGehee, Rosalie Santine Gould, not to honor her time in office but for her dedication in recognizing the Japanese American history here in Arkansas. Gould fought to have a national historic landmark title placed on a small, abandoned cemetery in 1992. Her efforts shined a light on the Japanese American community who were imprisoned in the Natural State during World War II. McGehee Japanese internment museum commemorates 10 years of preserving history If you want to follow the legacy of Rosaline Santine Gould, embrace democracy but also embrace history teaching. We need a hundred more of Rosaline fast, David Stricklin, former director of the Butler Center, said. Gould became mayor of the town in 1983 and served until 1995. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Trump administration vets blast him for claiming Putin will release US prisoner if he wins WASHINGTON Former Trump administration national security officials are blasting the ex-president for interfering in delicate hostage negotiations over Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was imprisoned in Russia last year. Donald Trump has promised that Gershkovich would be released upon his election, which veterans of his own White House say could delay the reporter's freedom and undermine U.S. democracy by encouraging Russia to hold Gershkovich until after the election to aid Trump's campaign. Russia has accused the journalist of spying, which his family, employer, and President Biden say is false. In a campaign ad released Tuesday, Trump boasts that if he beats Biden in November Russia will promptly return Gershkovich. Evan Gershkovich, the reporter for the Wall Street Journal who is being held by Russia, will be released almost immediately after the election, but definitely before I assume office, Trump says, talking directly into the camera and flanked by two American flags. He will be home. He will be safe. Jun 13, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; Fans display a banner in support of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained by authorities in Russia during the third inning of the MLB game between the New York Mets and the New York Yankees at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, will do that for me and I dont believe hell do it for anyone else, Trump adds. And we will be paying nothing. Biden likes to pay massive numbers. We will be paying nothing. That statement could signal to Putin that Trump wants to use the imprisoned reporter as a campaign issue. Trump's comments killed any negotiations to get (Gershkovich) released until after the election, said Alexander Vindman, the former director for Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Russia on the White Houses National Security Council during the Trump administration. Putin wont release Gershkovich for free to anyone, including Trump, predicted Vindman, who also served as the political-military affairs officer for Russia for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as an attache at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Putin will only do it in quid pro quo for people he wants freed from prisons in the U.S. or allied countries, Vindman said. Trump, Vindman added, would likely meet Putin's wish list hostage swap demands to deliver on this brag. 'So many things wrong with this' Fiona Hill, another Russia expert on Trumps National Security Council, said Trumps comments undermine U.S. national security in a number of ways. There are so many things wrong with this, said Hill, who said she worked on negotiations with Russia for the release of falsely imprisoned Americans during her time in the Trump White House. Its classic braggadocio of him, claiming to have a special relationship with Putin," Hill said. "But it's playing favorites, she added, with the potential release of one detainee, Gershkovich coming at the expense of other Americans unjustly detained in Russia like former Marine Paul Whelan. Potentially more serious, Hill said, is that Trumps own claims show that hes looking at this as a kind of a personal favor, rather than an issue related to U.S. national security. It begs the question of whether hes been told this by Putin somehow behind the scenes? Is Russia having outreach again with a putative candidate? This gets us back to 2016 all over again. Echoes of Trump's 2016 'Russia, if you're listening' invitation Hill, Vindman and other Trump watchers say Trumps new claim has echoes of a comment he made publicly during the 2016 campaign asking Russia to find rival Hillary Clinton's missing emails. Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing," Trump said on July 27, 2016. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press. Let's see if that happens. That was followed almost immediately by a Kremlin hack of the Democratic National Committees email servers and subsequent leak of embarrassing Clinton campaign emails. After Trumps election but before he took office, one of his top national security advisors, retired Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, also had back-channel discussions with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak while the Obama administration was urgently investigating and sanctioning Moscow for its interference in the U.S. presidential election to help Trump. According to federal law, any private citizen who tries to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States faces criminal charges that are punishable by up to three years in prison. Trump tapped Flynn as his first White House National Security Adviser but fired him after the back-channel negotiations became public. Flynn ultimately pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about the nature of his discussions with Kislyak and agreed to cooperate in the ongoing Russia investigation before being pardoned by Trump. What does Trump say about his new claim? Trump campaign spokesman Steve Cheung told USA TODAY that Trump is merely comparing his ability to get things done on a global stage with his likely rival for the White House, President Joe Biden. While in office, President Trump had a strong record of bringing detained Americans home without having to pay or compromise our nation's principles to do so, Cheung said. Evan's situation and inability of Biden to secure a release is a demonstration of national weakness that is offensive to President Trump and those of us who believe in security for American citizens. Cheung declined to answer specifics about Trumps claim, including whether he has had any contact with Russian officials, or why he thinks he will be successful where protracted and often intense Biden administration negotiations have not. But, Cheung said, President Trumps commitment to a release is because he wants the world to respect our nation again. What do Russia and Biden say? In recent months, Trump has made similar claim about bringing Gershkovich home on his social media platform Truth Social and in an interview with Time magazine. In his Time interview, Trump said his relationship with Putin would allow him to be more successful in freeing the reporter. I get along very well with Putin, Trump said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov has said Putin has had no contact with Trump. Russias discussions with Washington about Gershkovich and other Americans detained in the country are being conducted through a specialized closed channel, Peskov told the New York Times. I know the United States administration is indeed taking vigorous steps to free him, Putin told foreign news agencies in St. Petersburg on Wednesday. But such issues are not resolved through the media. They like a quiet, calm, professional approach and dialogue between intelligence agencies. And, of course, they should be resolved only on the basis of reciprocity. Biden White House and campaign officials criticized Trump for interfering in U.S. negotiations over Gershkovich and for claiming that he turned down a deal to free Whelan, who is serving a 16-year prison sentence in Russia on what U.S. officials say are false espionage charges. "Donald Trump doesn't give a damn about the innocent Americans unjustly imprisoned by Vladimir Putin," Biden campaign spokesperson T.J. Ducklo said. "Trump has called journalists 'enemies of the people' and pledged to imprison reporters whose coverage he doesn't like not all that dissimilar to what's happening right now to Evan Gershkovich in Russia. In fact, when he was in office, Trump passed up an opportunity to bring Paul Whelan home, who was detained on Trumps watch. For Donald Trump, these wrongfully imprisoned Americans are political weapons and props to use for his own gain -- for Joe Biden, they are human beings whose loved ones and family members he has spent time with. Their release remains an urgent priority, just like it was for the 60 Americans who were wrongfully detained or taken hostage that President Biden has already brought home since taking office." Like Whelan, the Biden administration has designated Gershkovich as being wrongfully detained, which means the U.S. considers the charges against him fabricated in order to use him as a political hostage or negotiating chip. The Wall Street Journal, which has also been lobbying hard for Gershkovichs release, declined to comment when asked about Trumps claims. It's Trump's privilege 'if he does win re-election' John Hardie, deputy director, Russia Program at the nonpartisan Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said Trump has the right to claim he'll be able to bring Gershkovich home. "It's a free country, so I guess it's okay" for Trump to make such claims, Hardie said. "I don't think it's necessarily accurate. He's said a lot of things about being able to get deals, whether it's on a settlement to the war in Ukraine or this." But in my opinion, if he is communicating with somebody in Russia about a potential hostage, and I don't know that he is, he should not be doing that. He should let the current president run that, Hardie said. And if he does win reelection, then it'll be his privilege to try to handle that issue as he sees fit. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump admin alums attack his claim Russia will release US prisoner During just this week, two of Donald Trumps friendliest interviewers handed him big prime-time opportunities to unequivocally renounce any intention to retaliate against Democrats for his criminal conviction by a jury of his peers in Manhattan. Both times, Trump demurred. Sometimes revenge can be justified, Trump told Dr. Phil McGraw, after he suggested that seeking retribution for Trumps criminal charges would harm the country. Though Trump graciously said he was open to showing forbearance toward Democrats, he suggested revenge would be tempting, given what Ive been through. Trump voiced similar sentiments to Sean Hannity after the Fox News host practically begged him to deny hed pursue his opponents. I would have every right to go after them, Trump said. Though Trump nodded along with Hannitys suggestion that weaponizing law enforcement is bad, Trump added, I dont want to look naive, seemingly meaning that if he doesnt seek revenge, hell have been victimized without acting to set things right. These moments have been widely mocked as a sign that even Trumps media pals cant help him disguise his true second-term intentions. Thats true, but theres another point to be made here: The exchanges should awaken us to what a monstrous scam it is when Trump and his allies talk about unleashing prosecutions of foes as revenge and retribution. We have to stop letting Trump get away with this. Its actually spin, and we should all say so. The idea that Trump should pursue revenge and retribution for prosecutions is everywhere on the right. After a federal judge ordered Steve Bannon to surrender to prison, numerous MAGA influencers, including the MAGA God King himself, angrily vowed such payback. Republicans have said Trump should fight fire with fire (Senator Marco Rubio) and that GOP district attorneys should declare open season on Democrats (Stephen Miller). Trump, of course, has offered many versions of this, including to Dr. Phil and Hannity. In the media, this story tends to be framed as follows: Will Trump seek revenge for his legal travails, or wont he? But that framing unwittingly lets Trump set the terms of this debate. It implies that he is vowing to do to Democrats what was done to him. But thats not what Trump is actually threatening. Whereas Trump is being prosecuted on the basis of evidence that law enforcement gathered before asking grand juries to indict him, he is expressly declaring that he will prosecute President Biden and Democrats solely because this is what he endured, meaning explicitly that evidence will not be the initiating impulse. You might think this distinction is obviousone most voters will grasp instinctually. But why would they grasp this? Its not uncommon to encounter news stories about Trumps threatssee here, here, or herethat dont explain those basic contours of the situation. Such stories often dont take the elementary step of explaining the fundamental difference between bringing prosecutions in keeping with what evidence and the rule of law dictate and bringing them as purported retaliation. Why would casual readers simply infer that prosecutions against Trump are legally predicated while those he is threatening are not? To appreciate the challenge this poses to the discourse, imagine an ordinary voter watching Trumps exchanges with Dr. Phil and Hannity. Both interviewers treated it as self-evident that the prosecutions of Trump are illegitimate. Amusingly, they cast Trumps dilemma as a profoundly weighty cross to for him to bear, suggesting that if his foes are granted forbearance, it might be deeply unfair to Trumpgiven what they put him throughbut would showcase his boundless magnanimity in sparing the country from tit-for-tat escalation. Trump, of course, played along with this framing effortlessly. Speaking to Dr. Phil, Trump sagely agreed that displaying magnanimous forbearance would be better for the country but noted that he really has been treated unfairly, so who could begrudge his musing about retaliatory prosecutions? Similarly, Trump somberly told Hannityagain displaying his profound concern for our countrythat the cycle of prosecutions has to stop. But he left the door open to seeking out his due: What Ive gone through, nobodys ever gone through. Will you pledge, Hannity implored Trump, to end this practice of weaponization? Trump again assured Hannity that he sees the wisdom of this. But he added, I dont want to look naive about how badly hes been treated, as if to say: How can such an injustice stand unanswered? Watch these interviews, and Trumps real mission becomes clear: to obliterate the distinction between legitimate prosecutions and purely baseless, politically malicious ones. Trump is threatening something wholly unlike what he has experienced. He and his allies are laying the groundwork to undertake the persecution of Democrats that they have wanted to unleash for a long time: Note that Trump has already sought to wield law enforcement against enemies during his presidency by trying to initiate investigations of Hillary Clinton but was thwarted by internal resistancelong before getting indicted himself. The whole idea that Trump is seeking revenge is itself spin. There is nothing for Trump to legitimately seek revenge in this manner for, as Biden and Democrats did not unjustly victimize him with these prosecutions; he brought them upon himself. So whats the proper response to such elaborate levels of deception and propaganda? One is to ask media figures to lay down a marker for themselves. If casual readers will come away from their coverage without being informed as to what a given news organization itself knows to be truethat the prosecutions of Trump are thoroughly in keeping with the rule of law, while what Trump is threatening would be deeply destructive to itthen something is wrong, and more clarity is called for. Another response is to urge Democrats to follow in the spirit of Brian Beutlers excellent advice that they explain to voters why Trumps criminal travails render him unfit to be president. This would entail stating more clearly that Trumps threats to prosecute his enemies without cause are themselves wholly disqualifying. Here, some theorizing on Trumps form of lawless politics might offer guidance. John Ganz, in a piece adapted from his new book, suggests that Trump is functioning as a mob boss, which isnt meant just polemically: He is offering his followers the spoils of his corruption and the thrill of feeling viscerally bonded to the MAGA clanboth as deliberate alternatives lying outside the liberal democratic order. And Jamelle Bouie explains that for Trump, the charismatic bond between him and his supporters trumps democracy and the law as the true wellspring of political legitimacy: Any outcome produced by our institutions is inherently illegitimate if it fails to maintain MAGAs supremacy over non-MAGA America. Democrats, then, can argue: You cant be president if you treat the law as presumptively invalid when it is applied to you and your supporters (as Trumps pledge to pardon January 6 rioters makes explicit). You cant be president if you openly vow to extend the fruits of our political order only to your supporters while arbitrarily designating countless other Americans a traitorous class within, one that deserves to live in fear of lawless persecution and organized political thuggery. You cant be president if you treat the rule of law as secondary to, in the words of David French, the destruction of your enemies. Trumps exchanges with Dr. Phil and Hannity are alarming in no small part because they show how thoroughly committed he is to proving all those assertions wrong. The judge overseeing former President Trumps hush money criminal case informed the parties Friday that a person on Facebook claimed to have advance knowledge of the verdict in the case. Judge Juan Merchan wrote to Trumps attorneys and the Manhattan district attorneys office that on May 29 the day 12 New Yorkers began deliberating Trumps case and a day before he was convicted a Facebook user left the comment on the New York State Unified Court Systems page. My cousin is a juror and says Trump is getting convicted, the comment read, along with a celebrating emoji. Thank you folks for all your hard work!!!! Its unclear whether the user was being facetious or speaking truthfully about their relation to one of Trumps jurors, but on their personal page, they described themself as a professional s poster a term that generally refers to trolling on the internet. The Hill identified a second comment by the Facebook user, made on May 29, that celebrated hard (work) against the MAGA crazies and again suggested that the users cousin was a juror and planned to convict. A commenter in that exchange wrote that, if true, the Facebook user had implicated their cousin in a crime, to which the user replied: Now we are married, in apparent reference to their supposed cousin. The Hill has requested comment from the Facebook user in question. In a statement, court spokesperson Al Baker said the court notified the parties about the comment once it learned of it as appropriate. Take it easy, Im a professional sh**poster, the user wrote Friday in a social media post. They also added a definition of the word, which the user said means to post content that is aggressively, ironically and trollishly poor quality. Sh**posts are generally intentionally designed to derail discussions or cause the biggest reaction with the least effort, they wrote. Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records on May 30 after the jury deliberated for about 11 hours. Jurors were instructed not to discuss the facts of the case with anyone including the judge once the trial was underway. Under New York law, a breach of that agreement could serve as grounds to set aside the jurys verdict. Trump, who pleaded not guilty, has vowed to appeal his conviction. His sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just days before hes set to become the Republican Partys official presidential nominee. The Hill requested comment from Trumps attorneys and the Manhattan district attorneys office. This story was updated at 5:41 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Editor's note: This story was updated to correct the date that former President Donald Trump was convicted by a Manhattan jury in his hush money trial. The judge in Donald Trumps Manhattan hush money case notified lawyers on both sides about a social media post alleging that one of the jurors who convicted the former president may have spoken about the verdict two days before it was rendered. New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan's letter, sent both to Trumps primary defense lawyer Todd Blanche and Manhattan District Attorney Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass, is brief and essentially notifies them of a comment posted to the Facebook page of the New York state court system. The judges letter did not comment on the veracity of the post. Today, the Court became aware of a comment that was posted on the Unified Court System's public Facebook page and which I now bring to your attention. In the comment, the user, Michael Anderson, states: My cousin is a juror and says Trump is getting convicted. Thank you folks for all your hard work!!!! The posting also included a party emoji and a heart emoji, suggesting that the purported poster was happy with the verdict. The comment, now labeled as one week old, responded to a routine UCS notice, posted on May 29, 2024, regarding oral arguments in an unrelated case in the courts Appellate Division, Merchan wrote. The Manhattan jury voted unanimously on May 30 to convict the former president of falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president convicted of a crime. In his letter, Merchan did not comment on the veracity of the posting or say whether he believes Anderson is a relative of one of the jurors or even a real person. He also did not say whether his description of the posting as one week old meant it was actually posted after the verdict, which came down on a Thursday, a week and a day before his letter. And Merchan did not say if court officials were taking any steps to address or investigate it. Some journalists and former prosecutors immediately shot down the premise that the poster was related to a juror and had heard information about a pending verdict. MSNBC legal correspondent Katie Phang posted on X, formerly Twitter, that someone identifying himself as Michael Anderson admitted to being a professional sh*tposter, or someone who likes to use social media posts to cause trouble, derail discussions or cause the biggest reaction with the least effort. Former federal prosecutor Joyce White Vance said Merchan was "smart to advise the parties about the issue now. Former President Donald Trump is being arraigned in court Tuesday afternoon after surrendering to the Manhattan District Attorneys Office earlier in the afternoonApr 4, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Former President Donald Trump appears in court for arraignment before Judge Juan Merchan following his surrender to New York authorities at the New York County Criminal Court. Trump appeared in court to answer charges from a grand jury investigation into payments made during the 2016 campaign to bury allegations of extramarital sexual encounters. Mandatory Credit: Curtis Means-Pool Photo via USA TODAY If it's someone posting with no basis for it as it appears, the record will be clear ... & if there's something to it, good to get it out & do justice," Vance posted on X. "Why does a clear record matter? Because Trump will raise this on appeal to argue for reversal," Vance wrote. "Now, both sides have notice of this issue & there's an opportunity to get all of the details & facts out so that if there is nothing to this, it won't affect the appeal." Some Trump supporters immediately circulated news of the posting to claim, without evidence, that Trump didnt receive a fair trial. Right-wing agitator Laura Loomer included a screenshot of Merchan's letter in a post on X, formerly Twitter, saying that the news means Trump could now be entitled to a mistrial because the jury pool was tainted and compromised. Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a staunch Trump supporter, wrote on X that the incident suggested that, "The fix was in from the beginning" for Trump. Utah GOP Sen. Mike Lee described it as "Mistrial fodder" on X. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump judge flags social media post claiming to be from juror's cousin Trumps lawyers in suits claiming he won in 2020 are getting punished for abusing courts A New York disciplinary authority found that Trump campaign attorney Rudy Giuliani communicated demonstrably false and misleading statements and ordered him suspended from practicing law. A New York disciplinary authority found that Trump campaign attorney Rudy Giuliani communicated demonstrably false and misleading statements and ordered him suspended from practicing law. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Over the past four years, U.S. courts and state bar associations have taken action to protect the integrity of the U.S. judicial system by penalizing attorneys who filed meritless lawsuits claiming without evidence that the 2020 presidential election results were invalid. Despite aggressive litigation by attorneys denying wrongdoing, over time the U.S. legal community has exercised the oversight needed to hold most of them accountable for misusing U.S. courts. Most lawsuits challenging the 2020 presidential election results were filed in federal courts. Federal judges not only dismissed the claims for lack of evidence, but some also penalized the attorneys who filed them. Judge Linda Parker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan acted first, ruling in August 2021 that a lawsuit filed by nine lawyers was a historic and profound abuse of the judicial process. In a 110-page opinion, she wrote that the abuses included: proffering claims not backed by law; proffering claims not backed by evidence (but instead, speculation, conjecture, and unwarranted suspicion); proffering factual allegations and claims without engaging in the required prefiling inquiry; and dragging out these proceedings. Print, television, and social media are where the attorneys could have made their protestations and conjecture, Parker wrote. But such expressions are neither permitted nor welcomed in a court of law. The judge imposed three penalties on the attorneys: $175,000 in defendant legal costs; 12 hours of mandatory instruction on pleading standards and election law; and referrals to the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission and their home state disciplinary authorities for possible suspension or disbarment. Appeals to the 6th Circuit and Supreme Court to reverse the sanctions failed. After three years of litigation, the Michigan-ordered penalties still stand. A federal court ordered Donald Trump and his lawyer in a 2016 election-related lawsuit, Alina Habba to pay defendants attorney fees totaling $938,000. Both are appealing. Fantastical claims Courts in other states have taken similar action to hold accountable attorneys who filed abusive or frivolous lawsuits challenging presidential election results: Colorado: A federal district court penalized two attorneys, Ernest Walker and Gary Fielder, for filing a complaint seeking $160 billion in damages from 19 defendants for alleged misconduct related to the 2020 presidential election. After finding its claims were fantastical and filed in bad faith, the court ordered Walker and Fielder to pay defendants attorney fees totaling $187,000. Appeals to the 10th Circuit and Supreme Court failed. Arizona: A federal district court imposed similar sanctions on three attorneys Andrew Parker, Kurt Olsen and Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz who challenged the 2020 presidential election results in Arizona. The court found their complaint contained false, misleading, and unsupported factual assertions and did not have an adequate factual or legal basis. It ordered the attorneys to pay defendants attorney fees totaling $122,200. The attorneys have appealed. Florida: One federal district court even confronted a 193-page lawsuit filed by Donald Trump in 2022, claiming 31 defendants disseminated false information about him to rig the 2016 presidential election. The court wrote: This case should never have been brought. No reasonable lawyer would have filed it. The court ordered Trump and his lead counsel, Alina Habba, to pay defendants attorney fees totaling $938,000. Both are appealing. These cases create a solid body of precedent for inflicting penalties on attorneys who file abusive pleadings challenging election results. Suspension and disbarment In addition to courts penalizing attorneys for inappropriate filings, bar association disciplinary authorities in multiple states have initiated proceedings to suspend or disbar those attorneys from practicing law in their jurisdictions. Despite lengthy procedures involving multiple steps met by aggressive litigation in opposition, those disciplinary proceedings are nearing final action. In New York, the key disciplinary authority found uncontroverted evidence that Rudy Giuliani, who served as legal counsel to President Trump and his campaign, communicated demonstrably false and misleading statements to courts, lawmakers and the public. It ordered his immediate suspension from the practice of law in New York pending further proceedings. The D.C. Bar Association, relying on the New York action and without conducting its own fact-finding, did the same in the District of Columbia. While no further proceedings occurred in New York to permanently disbar Giuliani, the D.C. Bars disciplinary authority issued a 2024 report recommending his disbarment in that jurisdiction. Focused on his actions in Pennsylvania, the 2024 report states that he violated the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Responsibility by filing a lawsuit seeking to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania voters without the slightest factual basis for doing so. It concludes disbarment is the only sanction that will protect the public, the courts, and the integrity of the legal profession, and deter other lawyers from launching similarly baseless claims. The disbarment recommendation is now under review by the D.C. Bars final disciplinary authority. In similar proceedings against another attorney, the D.C. Bars disciplinary authority issued a preliminary finding that Jeffrey Clark, former acting head of the Justice Departments Civil Division, also violated D.C. ethics rules and should be sanctioned. The move was in response to Clarks alleged efforts to help Trump overturn the 2020 election results. The California Bars disciplinary authority recommended disbarment of John Eastman, a law professor who filed abusive pleadings and engaged in other unethical conduct while representing President Trump and the Trump campaign. Comparable disciplinary actions have taken place in other states. The California Bars disciplinary authority recommended disbarment of John Eastman, a law professor who filed abusive pleadings and engaged in other unethical conduct while representing President Trump and the Trump campaign. When the Georgia State Bars Disciplinary Board asked Trump campaign attorney Lin Wood to undergo a mental health evaluation, he sued to prevent it. A federal district court dismissed his suit, and his appeal failed. In 2023, Wood announced his permanent retirement from the practice of law. The Michigan Attorney Disciplinary Board denied multiple motions by the attorneys who filed abusive suits there to dismiss pending disbarment proceedings. Not all state disciplinary authorities prevailed. Sidney Powell, who represented Trump and his campaign, won dismissal of ethics charges brought against her in Texas. However, she still faces possible disbarment in Michigan and pled guilty to criminal charges in Georgia relating to the 2020 presidential election there. Judicial system integrity Many attorneys who filed abusive pleadings challenging the 2020 presidential election have paid a price, incurring litigation costs, judicial condemnation and reputational damage. Some no longer practice law. The legal communitys tough oversight should make attorneys think twice before misusing U.S. courts, but still unknown is whether past disciplinary efforts will deter any potential misconduct following the 2024 presidential election. What is known is that the integrity of the U.S. judicial system is only as strong as its commitment to the facts. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Elise Bean is director of the Washington Office of the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy, Wayne State University. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. The post Trumps lawyers in suits claiming he won in 2020 are getting punished for abusing courts appeared first on Kansas Reflector. Trump's hush-money judge alerted lawyers about a Facebook comment claiming Trump would be convicted 24 hours before it happened. The commenter describes himself as a 'professional s---poster.' Trump's hush-money judge alerted lawyers about a Facebook comment claiming Trump would be convicted 24 hours before it happened. The commenter describes himself as a 'professional s---poster.' A self-described "professional" troll posted that their cousin, a juror in Trump's hush money trial, predicted his conviction. The Facebook post became the subject of a letter from the judge to prosecutors and Trump's lawyers. While it wouldn't be grounds for a new trial, the post may raise questions, a former prosecutor told BI. About 24 hours before a Manhattan jury made Donald Trump the first-ever former president to become a convicted felon a person going by the name "Michael Anderson" made a little-noticed Facebook comment. "Thank you for all your hard against the MAGA crazies!" he wrote in a comment on an unrelated post on the official page of the New York State Unified Court System. "My cousin is a juror on Trumps criminal case and they're going to convict him tomorrow according to her. Thank you New York courts!!!! " In a Friday afternoon letter, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, alerted prosecutors and Trump's defense lawyers about the comment. "Today, the Court became aware of a comment that was posted on the Unified Court System's public Facebook page and which I now bring to your attention," Merchan wrote. A portion of the Friday filing from New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan. New York courts But it's far from clear that the comment is genuine. Anderson if that is his real name claims to be a troll. Business Insider located the Facebook comment, which was timestamped 4:39 p.m. on May 29, a day before the jury verdict. It was made in response to an unrelated Facebook post about a program from the New York state court system to promote diversity. "Now we are married ," he posted in response to another Facebook comment, which criticized his purported cousin. A screenshot of Michael Anderson's Facebook comment. Facebook On his Facebook page, Anderson describes himself as "Transabled & a professional shit poster." His profile picture is an image claiming his account is restricted. His cover photo broadcasts the slogan: "Facebook: Wasting peoples lives since 2004." Few posts are publicly visible on Anderson's page. Visible ones appear to be food videos and comedic Reels, a product from Facebook owner Meta that seeks to emulate TikTok videos. Michael Anderson's Facebook page describes him as a "professional shitposter." Facebook "As appropriate, the Court informed the parties once it learned of this online content," Al Baker, a spokesperson for the New York State Unified Court System, told Business Insider, declining to comment further on the incident. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles, as well as representatives for the Manhattan District Attorney's office, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider. Anderson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI sent through Facebook, but in a public post added to his profile shortly after BI reached out, he wrote, "Take it easy, I'm a professional shitposter," along with a laughing emoji and the Wikipedia definition of shitposting. While it remains unclear how significant the Facebook post will become during the proceedings leading up to Trump's sentencing, it could complicate things. Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, told BI that the social post, though apparently trolling, could raise questions about whether outside influences managed to find their way into the jury deliberation room, which is one of the few times the defense could use jury deliberations as grounds to appeal for a new trial. However, he said, the burden for a new trial is high and would require the defense to show an outside influence prejudiced the jury enough that the outcome may have been different without exposure to it. "A stray comment on social media is not enough for a new trial," Rahmani said. "But if the defense can get a declaration from a juror that they discussed the case with family members, then Judge Merchan would hold an evidentiary hearing to examine the juror to determine whether the improper influence and prejudice took place. I don't think a statement from the family member is enough if it's not supported by a juror affidavit." Read the original article on Business Insider Trump's mail-in ballot reversal: As he backs it, GOP lawyers are still fighting against it WASHINGTON - Donald Trump and his 2024 presidential campaign team are now fans of mail-in voting - never mind all the allegations and lawsuits they've backed in the past seeking to restrict or end the practice. Mail-in balloting, a key factor in Trump's defeat during the 2020 election amid a deadly global pandemic, is part of a new Republican plan to promote early voting weeks ahead of Election Day, even after years of Trump attacks on the idea and attempts to roll it back. "We will use every appropriate tool," Trump said in a change-of-tune statement earlier this week announcing a new program called "Swamp The Vote USA." Said Trump: "Whether you vote absentee, by mail, early in-person or on Election Day (Nov. 5), we are going to protect the vote." Democrats, including aides to President Joe Biden, quickly pointed out that Trump and his team have filed a string of lawsuits - some still pending - to restrict mail-in voting and other programs designed to make voting easier. "Theyre trying to kick eligible voters off the rolls and intimidate who is left out of voting," said Biden campaign spokesperson James Singer. "Trump thinks mail in ballots are totally corrupt and last September proposed eliminating mail-in voting completely." 'A lot of people cheat' The "Swamp The Vote" program is the nicest thing Trump has said about early voting in years. In April of 2020, as some states expanded the use of mail-in ballots because COVID lockdowns made it harder to vote in person, Trump told reporters: "I think a lot of people cheat with mail-in voting." Trump and his team discouraged Republicans from mail and other early forms of voting, with predictable results: Democrats racked up huge advantages in early voting and won crucial states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. During a May 11 rally in Wildwood, N.J., Trump encouraged voters to vote by mail if they want, but also said: You know mail-in voting is largely corrupt." Singer, with the Biden campaign, said: "Trump has spent years saying early and mail-in voting was fraudulent, 'cheating, and crooked. Apparently his campaign feels otherwise. Trump should own up to the lies about voting and elections hes been telling for years and admit the truth: Voting is safe, fair, and effective." Protesters hold signs and chant slogans at supporters of President Donald Trump outside of the Philadelphia Convention Center as the counting of ballots continues in the state on Nov. 06, 2020 in Philadelphia. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) All those lawsuits Over the years, Republican organizations have filed lawsuits in important battleground states seeking to disrupt a host of early voting procedures, particularly mail-in balloting. Most have failed. Still-pending lawsuits are in various stages of litigation in closely contested states like Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. The Trump forces are seeking to disqualify mail-in ballots received after Election Day with no postmark. They also want to eliminate mail-in ballots that are not filled out property or have alleged issues about signature verification. This week, as the party announced its "Swamp The Vote" program, the RNC filed a third lawsuit in Nevada over election procedures. This one seeks to stop ballots without postmarks from being counted. RNC chairman Michael Whatley said "counting ballots received after Election Day without a postmark creates a concerning and potentially fraudulent impact on Nevadas elections." Justin Levitt, a law professor at Loyola Marymount University who specializes in elections, said the various lawsuits don't seek to end mail-in balloting; instead, the GOP wants to chip away by making it easier to disqualify certain ballots. It could be self-defeating, Levitt said: Rules that count more ballots generally benefit infrequent voters, a group Trump is trying to appeal to. The more Trump attacks mail-in voting, he said, "the more he is likely hurting his own supporters." 'It's extremely important' During the 2020 campaign, Trump often discouraged Republicans from voting by mail, a decision that may have cost him the election. Biden racked up huge margins over Trump in mailed ballots and early voting in general. Republicans in Pennsylvania said mail-in balloting has made the difference in a series of elections, including the 2020 Biden-Trump race and the 2022 Senate race won by Democrat John Fetterman over Trump-backed Republican Mehmet Oz. "It's not only extremely important for Trump," said Tom Eddy, chairman of the Erie County (Pa.) Republican Committee. "It's extremely important for every Republican candidate." How committed Trump is to mail-in voting is open to question. During an event Thursday in Phoenix, Trump discussed the "Swamp The Vote" program as an important part of overcoming any Democratic advantages in mail-in voting. Urging supporters to contact the program's web site, Trump said: "That's where you go to get the information to request your ballot or pledge to vote early in person or even on Election Day." He did not use the word "mail." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's mail-in voting flip-flop: How it factors into GOP's strategy Colorado Springs police on Thursday released body-cam footage of a police shooting that left a man dead last month. Michael Hurst, 40, died May 18 after an encounter with police on the 4200 block of Deerfield Hills Road. Police said shortly after 10:30 p.m. they received reports of a suicidal man with a gun at a residence. According to a 911 call released by police, the reporting party told dispatch that her son was seemingly high on meth and had taken a gun by breaking into the home's gun safe. The reporting party told the dispatcher she didn't believe the firearm was loaded. However, a gunshot can be heard in the background of the call, prompting the woman to vacate the home by crawling through a window. Police arrived at the residence at roughly 10:48 p.m., according to dispatch. Officers can be heard asking Hurst to exit the home safely when another gunshot flash is seen and heard, striking a department drone. In the body camera footage released by the department, Hurst can be heard threatening to shoot and kill the police repeatedly, calling them "pigs." Featured Local Savings About 17 minutes following police arrival, Hurst exited the home with a firearm in hand. "Put the gun down buddy," one officer on the scene is heard saying to Hurst. "Nope, not putting it down," Hurst is heard saying in response. "Y'all are going to die." Through the bodycam footage, officers are heard repeatedly attempting to deescalate the situation, telling Hurst he's scaring the neighbors and asking him to safely exit the home. Five minutes into negotiations with officers, Hurst continued to make threats, saying he would shoot at the officers. Hurst continued to make movements indicating intent to use the firearm again, police said. In response, Officer Nicholas Cassalia fired his weapon four times, striking Hurst twice. According to department officials, officers located a firearm on the scene and gave emergency medical aid before Hurst was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died. Per Colorado state law, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office has take the lead in the investigation. The 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office will eventually determine whether the officer's use of force complied with Colorado law, police said. Two victims in hospital after Friday evening shooting in Lafayette Two victims in hospital after Friday evening shooting in Lafayette LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) Lafayette Police are on the scene of a shooting near University Ave. According to Lafayette Police, officers responded to a shooting in the 400 block of Daffodil Loop just after 5:30 p.m on Friday. On arrival, officers found two male victims with a gunshot wound. Officers said a car was passing by a home where the victims were at and started shooting in their direction. The victims have been transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The victims are now in stable condition, according to the Lafayette Police Department. The shooting is still being investigated. Latest Stories Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Two Wisconsin men arrested after large amount of narcotics found during traffic stop CALEDONIA, Wis. (WFRV) Two 26-year-old Wisconsin men were taken into custody on Friday morning after deputies found a large amount of narcotics inside a vehicle during a traffic stop. According to the Columbia County Sheriffs Office, a deputy observed an equipment violation on a vehicle traveling east on Wisconsin Highway 33 near Main Street Road in Caledonia shortly after 11:00 a.m. Relatives of inmates who died in Wisconsin prison shocked guards werent charged in their cases The deputy conducted a traffic stop and contacted the vehicles occupants. During the contact, the Columbia County Sheriffs Office says the deputy detected an odor of marijuana coming from the inside of the car. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, and several illegally controlled substances were located. The driver, identified as Dashaun A. Winslow of Madison, was arrested and transported to the Columbia County Jail on the following charges: Possession with Intent to Deliver Fentanyl Possession of THC Second Offense Possession of Narcotic Drugs- Schedule 2 Violation of Probation The passenger, identified as Desmond L. Watkins of Sun Prairie, was also arrested and transported to the Columbia County Jail on the following charges: Possession of Narcotic Drugs Schedule 2 Possession of THC Second Offense Carrying a Concealed Knife Violation of Probation Altercation at a Wisconsin bar turns into deadly shooting, dozens of shell casings found Officials say that over 80 counterfeit oxycodone blue M30 pills were seized that were laced with fentanyl during the traffic stop. The Wisconsin State Patrol assisted the Columbia County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. TxDOT: Buffalo Gap Road construction project scheduled to be completed fall 2024, could be pushed back again ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The estimated completion date for the ongoing construction of Buffalo Gap Road remains on track to be completed this fall, but could be pushed back to 2025. Last update: Buffalo Gap Road construction to be completed fall 2024 KTAB/KRBC reached out to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for a construction update as its original date of completion approaches. In that update, TxDOT said construction on Buffalo Gap Road is still scheduled to be completed this November, but there is a more pessimistic completion timeline of early 2025. If that timeline does get pushed back, were looking at three years of construction on a busy Abilene thoroughfare. TxDOT began the major project on a 1.27-mile stretch along Buffalo Gap Road in South Abilene in January 2022. The project was planned to have a 2-and-a-half year turnaround, making summer 2024 its estimated completion timeline. However, if youve gone that way recently you could tell theres still a lot of work to be done. Buffalo Gap Road construction affects residents & local business In our last update on this project in February, the department disclosed that the project remains within its original budget of $23,883,729.94. According to the TxDOT Project Tracker, 75% of that budget has been used. While this may not be the best news, we can remain optimistic for clear, new roads in November. BigCountryHomepage.com will continue to check in on this project as the estimated date of completion approaches. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FORT MOORE, Ga. (WRBL) The U.S. Army Garrison for Fort Moore released information through social media regarding another non-credible 9-1-1 report about a shooting incident. This incident comes two days after Ft. Moore authorities dealt with a false report where the caller claimed that they shot two individuals and barricaded themselves in a duplex residence. According to the U.S. Army Garrison, the directorate of emergency services has confirmed that there is no threat to the Ft. Moore community. At this time, authorities are still investigating the false 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 WRBL. Uber grants and EV discounts give drivers up to $22,000 off new electric vehicle see if you're eligible Driving responsibly has taken on a whole new meaning. With the transportation sector accounting for around 20% of the global air pollution released annually, the most coming from road travel, there is much opportunity to drive safely and efficiently with electric vehicles. Ride-hailing company Uber has taken its plans for clean transport international. In the United Kingdom, the company has partnered with policymakers, automotive manufacturers, and EV charging port distributors to make the switch to an EV much easier. Fleet News reported Uber is offering U.K. drivers 5,000 (almost $6,400) in grants through the company's Clean Air Plan plus up to 17,000 (nearly $22,000) in discounts to make the transition more affordable and efficient. As London stays committed to its goal of becoming a net-zero city by 2030, Uber has unveiled incentives to help make its presence in the city all-electric by the end of 2025, per Fleet News. "We cannot reach our collective zero-emission goals without continued action from policymakers and investment across the industry," Uber UK general manager Andrew Brem told FleetNews. The push for electrification throughout London is already felt. The city is Uber's example for EVs globally, with 25% of Uber miles being fully electric, as the outlet reported. This reduction in harmful pollutants means cleaner air for all residents. Uber's initiative to promote cleaner air and cheaper, efficient vehicles is not new. In fact, the company teamed up with Tesla to pledge a zero-emission platform globally by 2040. In the United States, many brands are launching eco-friendly initiatives to benefit the planet. For example, Walmart, Target, and Subway have pledged to build EV charging stations nationwide. Even when it comes to search engines, companies such as Ecosia use their profits to plant trees as users browse the web. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, EVs provide many benefits, such as avoiding 93,000 asthma attacks and 416,000 lost work days annually. In addition, with regenerative braking, EVs produce less brake dust pollution than conventional vehicles. Through Uber's Clean Air Plan, which established a fund of 145 million ($185.4 million), others can see the transition to EVs as a close reality. "This is an admirable step from Uber who are clearly doubling down on their commitment to fully electrify their rides in London," said Oliver Lord, U.K. head of campaigns for Clean Cities. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron held a video call with someone impersonating former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, the BBC and other media outlets reported on June 7, citing comments from the U.K.'s Foreign Office. Bolstered by the advent of new technology, deep-fakes and impersonations of public figures have become commonplace in recent years. An investigation by the Kyiv Independent in January revealed that a suspected Russian disinformation group had also posed as Poroshenko in doctored video-calls, with the apparent aim of sowing distrust toward President Volodymyr Zelensky. A foreign office spokesperson said that Cameron had also exchanged messages with the individual, but ended his communications after the conversation became "suspicious." The foreign office decided to make it public to allay concerns that the communication could be "manipulated." "Whilst regretting his mistake, (Cameron) thinks it important to call out this behavior and increase efforts to counter the use of misinformation," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson did not specify what Cameron spoke about with the individual, when the call occurred, or how the individual was able to directly communicate with Cameron in the first place. There was also no information provided about the individual's identity or if they were linked to any other actors. Poroshenko served as president from 2014 to 2019, and remains a member of Ukraine's parliament. Read also: NYT: Russian disinformation campaign targeting Paris Olympics, experts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. UK Defence Intelligence has drawn attention to the latest Russian measures put in place to protect the Crimean Bridge from Ukrainian attacks. Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 13 May on Twitter, as reported by European Pravda UK Defence Intelligence analysed satellite images and identified the appearance of eight barges on the southern side of the Crimean Bridge. The installation of barges began on 10 May and ended on 22 May. "These barges were placed by Russian forces in an attempt to defend the bridge and shipping channel, reducing the angles of approach for Ukrainian Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV)," the review says. It is noted that previous structures were damaged by storms, which reduced their effectiveness. Background: In previous reports, the UK intelligence service suggests that Ukrainian strikes on the Russian ferry crossing in occupied Crimea near Kerch have greatly hindered their logistics, in particular for military purposes. One of the UK Defence Ministry's previous reviews was devoted to the situation at the line of contact in Donbas. Support UP or become our patron! A federal judge this week concluded Colorado's universal pre-kindergarten program impermissibly infringes on the rights of two Catholic parishes with its treatment of students' religious affiliation, while at the same time rejecting large swaths of their challenge to a related LGBTQ+ non-discrimination requirement. Two Catholic institutions, St. Mary Catholic Parish in Littleton and St. Bernadette Catholic Parish in Lakewood, filed suit against the state, alleging their preschools cannot participate in the publicly funded program because the church's religious views on sexual orientation and gender identity run afoul of the requirements. Two parishioners of St. Mary with a preschool-age child are also parties to the litigation. U.S. District Court Senior Judge John L. Kane held a trial in January, hearing from witnesses who helped develop the program, experts in psychology and parenting, and employees of the Catholic church. Ultimately, Kane rejected the parishes' core claim that Colorado had violated their constitutional rights by requiring providers to give students an equal opportunity to enroll regardless of sexual orientation. "When the State is footing the bill, it has a compelling interest in deciding that children may not be denied this experience based on specified discriminatory factors," he wrote on June 4. "The requirement applies to UPK providers, regardless of their religious or non-religious character. The purpose of the requirement is not to invade religious freedom but to further the implementation of a strongly embraced public value." Kane, a Jimmy Carter appointee, reached a different conclusion than one of his colleagues who also recently evaluated a challenge to the pre-K program's non-discrimination requirement. In October, U.S. District Court Judge Daniel D. Domenico, a Donald Trump appointee, granted an injunction to a Chaffee County Christian school that brought similar claims. Unlike Kane, Domenico waved off Colorado's argument that it has a compelling interest in eliminating discrimination in educational programs. "Even assuming that this is true, such an interest is not 'of the highest order' such that the anti-discrimination rules can survive," Domenico wrote. Although Kane referenced Domenico's conclusions in his own decision, he cautioned the two cases were not identical. Approximately 40,000 children enrolled in the state's pre-K program in its first year. The expanded access came after Colorado voters approved funding in 2020 for a "mixed-delivery" system of private and public providers, a step toward one of Gov. Jared Polis' key campaign promises. Included in the program are 40 faith-based preschool operators that enroll more than 900 children. The plaintiff preschools, however, abstained from signing up out of concern that their faith-based views on personal pronouns, bathroom usage and same-sex marriage all related to LGBTQ+ status disqualify them from the state-funded program as long as the nondiscrimination requirement is in effect. Featured Local Savings The plaintiffs also were worried the state would enforce the nondiscrimination requirement against the schools' hiring practices, which the state disavowed. Kane accepted the state's promise as resolving the parishes' employment concerns. As for the LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination requirement more broadly, Kane concluded it did not target religious beliefs, applied across the board to all providers, and met even the highest degree of scrutiny used to assess alleged constitutional violations. "The compelling nature of the States interest in ensuring LGBTQ+ children and their families do not face discriminatory barriers is supported by the evidence in the record," Kane wrote. "The testimony at trial established the positive impact preschool attendance, and in particular quality preschool services, can have on students and their families." Kane did, however, determine the related requirement that providers not discriminate on the basis of religion violated the plaintiffs' rights. The state permits faith-based providers to give a preference to members of their congregation with Catholic or Lutheran schools reserving seats for Catholics or Lutherans, respectively, for instance. The effect, he noted, was to allow religious providers to discriminate in practice, while being bound by a nondiscrimination requirement on paper. "Defendants have provided no compelling interest for their course of conduct," Kane concluded. He awarded the plaintiffs $1 in damages and ordered the Colorado Department of Early Childhood to refrain from enforcing the religious affiliation component of the nondiscrimination requirement. "Because of the courts ruling, Colorado can no longer punish Catholic schools for caring about their students faith," said Nick Reaves, an attorney for the plaintiffs. "Catholic schools must be free to ensure that their students and families are open to and supportive of the Catholic Churchs religious teachings. Religious schools and families should never be excluded by the state for their beliefs. Kane added he did not know whether the parishes would want to enroll in the pre-K program given the narrowness of his ruling, but "the injunction remedies the specific constitutional violation found." There are conflicting reports about what was struck in Luhansk City during an ATACMS attack. There are conflicting accounts rising after a deadly attack on the Russian-held city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine amid fighting raging in that oblast. The Russians say civilian targets were hit by U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System ( ATACMS ) short-range ballistic missiles while Ukrainian sources say military targets were struck. There were several claims that Ukraine used the unitary warhead (single high explosive) variant of the ATACMS, which would mark one of its first such uses. Video of the strikes show unitary warheads being used. Previous ATACMS strikes have used versions loaded with cluster munitions , aside from possibly one we know about. Video emerged on social media showing explosions erupting from a large building and people running for safety, some screaming. Russias Defense Ministry on Friday accused Ukraine of using five ATACMS on residential buildings and other civilian structures in Luhansk, Reuters reported . "The air defense forces managed to shoot down most of the shells," Leonid Pasechnik, the Russia-installed governor of the region, said on his Telegram channel. "But, unfortunately, some of the missiles reached their target and destroyed civilian infrastructure. There were civilian casualties and damage to buildings." At least three people were killed in that attack and 35 wounded in the strike, said Pasechnik. He added that 33 high-rise buildings in the eastern part of the city were damaged. Two schools, three kindergartens and the Luhansk College of Information Technologies and Entrepreneurship were also damaged during the shelling. Ukrainian sources, however, say the attack was on a military installation in that city, hitting a building being used by the Russian military as a barracks. One thing both sides agree on is that ATACMS were used. It's not the first time they've been launched onto targets in the oblast. Last month, we reported that a volley of four ATACMS striking over about 95 seconds on a Russian training and coordination center near the town of Kuban. That's located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Ukrainian lines. The War Zone cannot independently verify any of the accounts about today's strike, but as the video showed, Luhansk was once again caught in the crosshairs as it often has been since Russia first invaded in 2014. Before we roll into the rest of the news, you can catch up on our previous reporting here . The Latest Russian forces are continuing to make incremental gains across the battlefield. Their troops recently advanced near Vovchansk (northeast of Kharkiv City) amid continued fighting in the area on June 6, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) stated in its latest assessment . Geolocated footage published on June 6 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced within Starytsya (southwest of Vovchansk). The Russians also recently advanced southeast of Kupyansk in Kharkiv Oblast amid continued ground attacks along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line on June 6, ISW reported. Geolocated footage published on June 6 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced southeast of Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast, ISW stated. They also advanced near Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast amid continued Russian offensive operations in the area. Elsewhere in Donetsk, the Russians made a confirmed advance northwest of Avdiivka, likely within the past week, amid continued Russian offensive operations in the area. Moscows forces were less successful in the southern portion of the battlefield, making only small gains on the east bank of the Dnipro River near Krynky. They continued limited ground attacks in western Zaporizhia Oblast on June 6, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline, ISW explained. U.S. President Joe Biden for the first time issued a public apology to Ukraine on Friday for a long congressional holdup in American military assistance that let Russia make battlefield gains . The apology came as Biden met in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who appealed for bipartisan U.S. support going forward like it was during World War II. You havent bowed down, you havent yielded at all, you continue to fight in a way that is remarkable, and were not going to walk away from you, Biden said. I apologize for the weeks of not knowing what is going to happen in terms of funding. We had trouble getting the bill passed. Some of our conservative members were holding it up. Biden was referring to the six-month holdup in Congress to a $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine. Biden announced new aid packages, including $225 million to help Ukraine rebuild its electrical grid, repeatedly hit by Russian missiles and drones . I can assure you, the United States will stand with you. I actually said this all through this debate and I continue to say it. The United States is standing with you. You are the bulwark against the aggression that is taking place. We have an obligation to be there, so I am looking forward to having a detailed discussion with you. But we are still in, completely and thoroughly. Pressing Americans to support his countrys defense against Russias invasion, Zelensky also thanked U.S. lawmakers for eventually coming together to approve the weapons package, which has allowed Ukraine to stem Russian advances in recent weeks. Biden also signed the 59th tranche of Presidential Drawdown Authority equipment that will be given to Ukraine. This package, valued up to $225 million, includes badly needed Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions for M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS , artillery ammunition, howitzers, air defense systems and armored vehicles. The capabilities in this announcement include: Missiles for HAWK air defense systems; Stinger anti-aircraft missiles; Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); 155mm Howitzers; 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds; 81mm mortar systems; M113 Armored Personnel Carriers; Trailers to transport heavy equipment; Coastal and riverine patrol boats; Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles; Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems; Small arms ammunition and grenades; Demolitions munitions; Night vision devices; and Spare parts, maintenance, and other ancillary equipment. Kuzia, the commander of the unit, shows the rockets on HIMARS vehicle in Eastern Ukraine on July 1, 2022. (Photo by Anastasia Vlasova for The Washington Post via Getty Images) Japan delivered more than 100 vehicles to Ukraine, including tracked HMV off-road vehicles, Mitsubishi Type 73 Kogata light trucks and PC-065B tracked engineering vehicles. They arrived in Poland on June 5 and were turned over to the Ukrainians, according to the Japanese Embassy. Ukraine wants the U.S. to train more of its pilots on F-16 Vipers , but here are limited spots and too many customers from other nations, Politico reported on June 5 , citing Ukrainian and U.S. officials. "Ukraine says it has 30 pilots who are eligible to start training in the U.S. immediately," the publication reported. "Yet the Biden administration has told Kyiv it lacks the school seats in its Arizona-based program to accept more than 12 pilot trainees at a time, according to three people with direct knowledge of the request. Two other facilities in Denmark and Romania have a similar issue with available training spots." Russia is continuing to face drone attacks on its energy infrastructure A suspected Ukrainian drone strike early on June 6 set Russian oil installations on fire in two regions, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported A drone attack on an oil refinery in Novoshakhtinsk in Russia's Rostov region early on June 6 caused a fire, prompting a temporary halt of operations, regional governor Vasily Golubev said, according to RFE/RL. Belgorod regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov also reported that a drone attack on an oil depot in Stary Oskol, less than 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, started a fire, the outlet reported. Video emerged on social media of what appears to be a First Person-View (FPV) drone attack on an electric substation in Russia's Kursk region. Of note is that in addition to the strike drone, another drone was hovering over the substation to capture the impact. This could have either been a cross-border attack or locally generated. We just don't know. A Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 Frogfoot ground-attack aircraft at Dolgintsevo Air Base being was captured on video being struck by a Russian Lancet drone. Reportedly, electronic warfare measures at the base, nearly 50 miles from the border, interfered with the drone, resulting in damage, not destruction to the Frogfoot. However, as we reported Dec. 1, 2023 , a Lancet strike on the base resulted in an elaborate decoy, not a Frogfoot being hit. The amazing pinpoint accuracy of FPV drones is on display in the video below showing one slip past the cope cage of a damaged Russian T-90 tank, go into the hatch and explode in a huge ball of flames. FPVs have been so successful for both sides in Ukraine that now they are being developed by other nations. The German Donaustahl company introduced its Maus FPV drone earlier this week at the ILA 2024 Air Show in Berlin. The Maus has interchangeable munitions, including a 30mm VOG grenade, a 40mm NATO grenade and an 85mm Sonyashnyk, according to the company website . After reportedly being struck by a Ukrainian FPV drone, this Russian T-90M tank rumbled down a road with fire spewing from around its right front track wheel. Ukraine's 46th Airmobile Brigade posted a compilation of FPV drone hits on Russian armor, including the so-called Turtle Tanks . It's hard to say exactly what happens, because the video feed ends upon impact. Ukraine's 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade released video of one of its U.S. donated Bradley Fighting Vehicles destroying a Russian BTR-82A infantry fighting vehicle in an extremely close duel near Avdiivka. You can see the Brad's Bushmaster M242 25 mm automatic cannon light up the BTR. During a recent fight in Donetsk Oblast, the Ukrainian 425th Assault Battalion reportedly used FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles to repel a Russian mechanized assault. Of the three Russian tanks in the column, two were hit and Russian troops can be seen running from one of them engulfed in flames. Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) released a video of what it says were its uncrewed surface vessels (USV) motoring past barriers in Crimea and sinking a Project 498 class Saturn tugboat. The attack took in Lake Panske, which is near the village of Chornomorske, GUR said. The drone broke through the lines of defensive barriers and hit the vessel, which can be seen in the video below. The War Zone could not independently verify the results of that engagement. In the wake of repeated Ukrainian attacks on its base at Novorossiysk, Russia, the Russian Navy is changing how it operates in and around that Black Sea port. The Russian Navy is "moving warships from berths in the naval base to positions in the bay. Other ships sailing to Crimea in formation," naval researcher H. I. Sutton (@CovertShores) posted on Twitter. A photo posted on the "warhistoryalconafter" Telegram channel June 5 showed two UMPB D-30SN glide bombs affixed to racks under the port wing of Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) Su-34 Fullback strike aircraft. You can read more about these bombs in our story about them here . After the Biden administration approved the use of longer-range weapons on Russian soil near Kharkiv, images began to appear on social media of what appeared to be the rocket motor of an M30 Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) that are packed with submunitions. The motor was found in Belgorod, where Ukraine had targeted with GMLRS . A U.S. donated M1A1 Abrams tank was recently seen being transported on a road in Ukraine by a German MAN HX81 tank transporter somewhere in the east. The tank is outfitted with Soviet-designed Kontakt-1 Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) tiles as well as cage armor. Another Abrams was spotted with a large amount of additional armor, and U.S.-standard M19 Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles (ARAT) and Contact-1 ERA tiles added to the turret. The crew of a U.S.-donated M1224 MaxxPro Mine-Resistant, Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicle was recently observed by a drone making a miraculous escape, surviving at least three hits as it rumbled across an open field. Not all the MRAPS have been so lucky. Of more than 1,000 provided to Ukraine, at least 68 have been destroyed, 13 damaged, seven damaged and abandoned and two captured, according to the Oryx open source tracking group . Those figures are likely higher, because Oryx only tabulates losses for which it has visual confirmation. The video below shows a "cemetery" of dozens of MaxxPros waiting to be repaired after being dragged off the battlefield An image of a Russian T-72B3 tank emerged on social media with the latest iteration of so-called cope cages designed to ward off drones. In addition to the screening that covers most of the tank, it is also equipped with anti-drone electronic warfare stations and an RP-Z77UVM1L Lesochek jamming station. A Russian electronic warfare technician claimed he can spot FPV drones by looking at a spectrum analyzer, a device which monitors radio frequencies. In the case of drones, these devices can pick up the burst signal emissions between the controller and drone. The unnamed technician claims he can tell the difference between Ukrainian and Russian FPVs by the signals they emit, but would not say how. There are claims being reported in Russian media that the 1009th Motorized Rifle Regiment withdrew from Vovchansk because it was nearly all wiped out, with a 90% casualty rate. The War Zone could not independently confirm that. The survivor of the battle of Mariupol , who goes by the call sign "Krym" and lost an eye in the fight for that beleaguered port city, recently spoke with Yuriy Butusov, editor of the Ukrainian CENSOR.net news outlet . During the interview, he talked about capturing a brand new Russian T-72B3M tank. With a beaming smile, he says the tank wasn't a "lend-lease" but was taken in battle after assaulting his position and being hit in the turret with an FPV drone. While added armor provided protection for the crew, they were unable to steer and the tank ran into a BMP. Not knowing what to do, the crew fled. Unfortunately for them, they were tracked down and killed by FPV drones, Krym said. The tank itself was the first modern trophy of the war, he added, loaded with new Russian electronic warfare equipment that was taken away for analysis. Two Russian soldiers were captured on drone video fleeing down a dirt road after the tractor pulling a wagon they were on was struck. They were spotted running away, one limping after being injured by the blast, being held up by his comrade. At one point, the uninjured soldier tries in vain to fire his rifle at the drone buzzing overhead. They narrowly miss getting hit by another drone-dropped munition and the video cuts out with them both running, leaving the viewer to wonder what ultimately happened to them. In a move reminiscent of WWII German flak towers, Russia has installed a Pantsir air defense system on a platform several stories above the ground in Russia. And finally, with tens of thousands of dead on both sides, it is not always easy or even feasible to recover the fallen. The video below shows Ukrainian soldiers risking their lives to bring back one of their own. That's all for now. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Ukraine has stabilized the northern Kharkiv front after Moscow launched an offensive a month ago, thanks to more weapons and permission to use them to target positions within Russia. But its forces are being stretched elsewhere along the 1,000km (620 miles) long front line and are defenseless against Russias deadly aerial glide bombs. A senior officer in Ukraines Security Service (SBU), who goes by the call sign Bankir, and is currently fighting in the Kharkiv region, told CNN the ability to hit Russian targets across the border was already having a positive impact. It is now possible to conduct local counter-attack operations and recapture the territories that, for example, were captured by the enemy a week ago, the SBU officer said. For much of the war, Ukraine has been constrained when it comes to using powerful Western weapons against Russia. Kyivs allies have long been adamant that their fighting machines must not strike within Russian territory for fear of provoking Moscow, limiting their use to targets within Ukraine, including in occupied areas. But that changed in the wake of the Kharkiv offensive. First, European countries including France and Germany allowed Ukraine to strike targets within Russia, then, most significantly, the US gave the go ahead for Ukraine to use its weaponry around Kharkiv. Our policy using long-range strike weaponry to go into Russia hasnt changed, but what we have done is provide Ukraine the ability to counterfire, to fire back at those Russian troops that are firing at them and to be able to take out their artillery batteries as theyre firing at the Ukrainians and I think thats going to prove to be very, very helpful to Ukraine going forward, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told CNNs Wolf Blitzer. Smoke rises after a Russian missile strike in Kharkiv on May 17. - Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters The US HIMARS system has become the go-to weapon system to hit the Russian positions, according to Yehor Cherniev, deputy chairman of the Ukrainian Parliaments Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence. Due to the threat of being hit by HIMARS, the Russians have begun to use S-300 and S-400 missile systems much less to fire at the Kharkiv region but glide bombs remain an issue. These are dropped from so high they are out of range of Ukrainian defenses. Unfortunately, we do not yet have permission to hit Russian aircraft at airfields with American weapons and we do not have permission to use ATACMS missiles on Russian territory, said Cherniev, referring to a long-range missile system. Because of this, we have not yet been able to resolve the problem of glide bomb strikes on our territory. Kharkiv and other border areas are still suffering from bombing attacks, and a lot of civilians die. While the Russian advance has slowed as assessed by the US and Ukraine, Moscows forces continue to press along the new front line in the north. Russians are focusing on trying to push through the village of Hlyboke north of Kharkiv. If Russian forces manage to take hold there they could push through to the village of Lyptsi which sits 30 kilometers north of Kharkiv bringing the city with historic, cultural and industrial importance within artillery range. Ukrainian soldiers of the assault brigade defend the front line, which passes through the Ukrainian border city of Vovchansk, in Chuhuiv Raion, Kharkiv Oblast, on May 20, 2024. - Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images Northeast of Kharkiv, Russian forces continue to maintain a foothold in the town of Vovchansk. The fighting has turned to close combat, with units fighting street by street, according to Nazar Voloshyn, a Ukrainian military spokesman in the east. But most of the city is under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces Voloshyn told CNN. To disperse the forces and means of our defense forces, the enemy launched an additional Kharkiv campaign they partially succeeded, but the defense forces stabilized the situation, said Yurii Fedorenko, a company commander with the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade currently fighting in the Kharkiv region. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) recorded a significant increase (31%) in civilians killed in Ukraine in May compared to April. According to HRMMU, more than half of the casualties occurred in the new northern front and because of air-dropped bombs and missiles in populated areas such as communities near the front line and Kharkiv city. To counter the Russians in Kharkiv, Ukraine has to divert men and arms from other parts of the front line in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. A main goal for Russia has been to exert complete control over the two eastern regions. And thats exactly where Russia has been pressing quite actively, according to Voloshyn. In the east, Moscow had set its sites on on the town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region. Russian troops have made some advances. Further south along the eastern front line, Russians have made advances to the west of the city of Avdiivka which fell to Russian forces in February. The Russian army is trying to do everything possible on the front line before the arrival of US aid to Ukraine and is trying to use this window of opportunity in all possible ways, according to Voloshyn. Russians are trying to seize the momentum as the weather and daylight hours make conditions more conducive to ground operations. They are also in race against the clock before more arms arrive from Ukrainian partners, particularly as the West is slowly coming around to allowing Ukraine to use the weapons on Russian territory. NATO F16s are expected to arrive shortly and France has pledged to equip Ukraine wih its Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets. Western weapons and a new push to draft more soldiers in to the Ukrainian military could give Ukraine the boost it needs. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has announced preliminary plans to hold an intergovernmental conference, which is considered the beginning of the EU accession talks, on 25 June in Luxembourg. Source: European Pravda; Dmytro Kuleba in an interview with Ukrinform The minister stressed that Ukraine has implemented seven recommendations of the European Commission, which is the basis for the adoption of the framework for negotiations on Ukraine's membership of the EU by the Council of the European Union. Quote: "As evidenced by the results of internal negotiations in the European Union and the EU-Ukraine dialogue, the approval of the negotiation framework and the holding of the first intergovernmental conference, which is to begin accession negotiations, look quite achievable in June, under the Belgian presidency. Unless, of course, there is some kind of force majeure," Kuleba said. Kuleba said the first intergovernmental conferences with Ukraine and Moldova are tentatively planned for 25 June in Luxembourg after the meeting of the Council of the European Union on general issues. "First with Ukraine, then with Moldova. They will be held at the level of ministers for European affairs of the member states with the participation of representatives of the European Commission at the level of commissioner Oliver Varhelyi," the minister said. Read also: Kyiv will take the Albanian path to EU membership: details of Ukraine's negotiating framework emerge Background: On 7 June, the European Commission confirmed that it had provided a positive oral assessment of the progress of the European integration reforms of Ukraine and Moldova, outlined in the November report on EU enlargement. Meanwhile, media reports indicated that permanent representatives of the European Union member states had again failed to decide on the European Commission's recommendations to start EU accession negotiations with Ukraine, as Hungary had raised objections. Another senior diplomat says Hungary "made the same complaint as last time about the lack of progress made by Ukraine on national minorities". The German government recently stated that Ukraine fulfilled the requirements regarding the reforms necessary to start negotiations on joining the European Union. Support UP or become our patron! Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has spoken about the actions taken to ensure that ambitious decisions regarding the use of frozen Russian assets are made at the G7 summit. Source: Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in an interview with Ukrinform, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kuleba expressed his understanding regarding Ukrainian allies' concerns about the consequences of using frozen assets. Quote: "But we believe that there are all international legal grounds for using not only the profits but also the assets themselves in the interests of Ukraine. International law defines them clearly enough." Kuleba stated that concerns about the stability of reserve currencies or the observance of the rule of law are also significantly exaggerated. "Overall, we see that our partners are moving step by step toward this decision. The steps towards using the profits are already quite significant and we are grateful for them," Kuleba said. He also mentioned the example of Estonia, which recently adopted legislation that de jure allows for the use of these assets. "I am grateful to our Estonian partners for having the courage to set precedents. We are working to ensure that other partners also take ambitious steps. They will have to adopt them sooner or later," Kuleba emphasised. Background: Earlier, it was reported that the G7 leaders at the mid-June summit are still hoping to reach an agreement on using the profits from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, but consensus has not yet been achieved. The US proposal suggests that the G7 provide Ukraine with a US$50 billion loan, which will be repaid with the proceeds from frozen Russian assets. Meanwhile, the European Union has put forward an alternative proposal to provide a loan to Ukraine using its seven-year budget of 1.2 trillion as collateral. During this week's discussions, EU countries did not decide which proposal to support. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian President's Office chief explains philosophy of Ukraine's Peace Formula to Pope in Vatican Andrii Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian President's Office. Stock photo: Office of the President of Ukraine Pope Francis has received Andrii Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian President's Office, at the Vatican. Source: Yermak on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: According to Yermak, the meeting took place during his working visit to Italy. "It was an important conversation. I informed His Holiness about the philosophy of the Peace Formula of President Zelenskyy, told [him] why the Formula is the only way to a just peace," Yermak tweeted. The parties also discussed preparations for the Global Peace Summit to be held in Switzerland. "Particular attention was paid to the issue of returning Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported from our country," Yermak added. During his visit to the Vatican, Yermak also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See. "[We] Discussed the Cardinal's participation in the Global Peace Summit and the role of the Holy See in the implementation of the humanitarian points of the Peace Formula," Yermak tweeted. Background: In May, Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation, said Pope Francis had been invited to the Global Peace Summit. Earlier, the Pope's words that Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag" and be ready to negotiate caused a major stir and criticism. In a subsequent comment, a Vatican representative noted that the pontiff's remarks were not a call for Ukraine to surrender. Subsequently, the Vatican, commenting on the Pope's words, acknowledged that the Kremlin should take the first steps to negotiate peace. Support UP or become our patron! Meeting regarding Ukraine's accession to the Rome Statute of the ICC. Photo: UPO An inter-ministerial meeting regarding Ukraine's accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been held at the Ukrainian President's Office (UPO). Source: UPO, as reported by European Pravda Details: The meeting, moderated by Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the UPO, and Andrii Kostin, Ukraine's Prosecutor General, was attended by representatives from the ministries of defence, justice, foreign and internal affairs, the Security Service, Defence Intelligence, and the National Police. The participants discussed the need to ratify the Rome Statute to increase Ukraine's efforts to bring Russian criminals to justice, strengthen Ukraine's diplomatic position, and implement European integration and bilateral agreements. "Participants agreed that there are no risks associated with ratification, as Ukraine has already recognised the jurisdiction of the Court. Moreover, the International Criminal Court complements national criminal justice systems, accepting cases only when national courts are unable or unwilling to ensure accountability for certain crimes," the UPO noted. Background: Notably, in August last year, Andrii Smyrnov, Deputy Head of the UPO, stated that Ukraine should only consider ratifying the Rome Statute of the ICC after winning the war against Russia. The Rome Statute has been ratified by 124 states. China, India, Belarus, Turkiye and Kazakhstan, among others, have not signed or ratified it. Russia, like the United States, was a signatory to the statute but later withdrew its signature. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's civilian death toll rose to 174 last month, the highest level in almost a year, amid increased missile and bomb attacks on population centers around Kharkiv, the U.N. human rights office announced on June 7. Over half of the casualties in May occurred in Kharkiv city and region where Russian armed forces launched a new ground offensive on May 10, the statement reads. The main reason for the high number of civilian casualties is the use of air-dropped bombs and missiles in populated areas such as communities near the frontline and Kharkiv city. Russian forces launched new offensive operations in the north of Kharkiv Oblast on May 10, exposing Kharkiv and a number of border settlements in the region to heavy attacks, particularly among civilian areas. Ukraine saw a 31% increase in civilian deaths in the month of May and the highest number of civilian casualties since June 2023. On May 23, Russian forces attacked a printing house in Kharkiv, killing seven people and injuring 21 others. Two days later, a Russian aerial attack destroyed a large home improvement shopping center, killing at least 19 people and injuring 54 others. Another nine civilians were killed after multiple missiles struck a residential area in the city of According to the U.N. report, the vast majority of civilian casualties (92%) and damage to educational and health facilities (96%) during the month of May continued to occur in Ukrainian-controlled territory. As of May 30, Russian forces continued to control a handful of settlements on two separate axes, one near the town of Vovchansk and the other towards the village of Lyptsi, where they have advanced a maximum of just 10 kilometers from the state border. 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. The United Nations secretary-general is set to describe Israel and Hamas as waging a war that violates childrens rights, moving the country to the bodys blacklist in an upcoming report to the Security Council. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Friday that the head of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres office informed Israels U.N. ambassador, Gilad Erdan, in a phone call that the nation would be in his report when he presents it to the council next week. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad will also be listed, according to a report by the Associated Press. Israel was outraged by the UNs decision, reportedly sending news organizations a video of Erdan blasting the head of Guterres office during a phone call. Erdan also released a statement after the announcement. Hamas will continue even more to use schools and hospitals because this shameful decision of the Secretary-General will only give Hamas hope to survive and extend the war and extend the suffering, Erdan said. Shame on him! Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reacted to the news in a post on X, saying that the UN put itself on the black list of history today. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a ceremony marking Memorial Day for fallen soldiers of Israels wars and victims of attacks at Jerusalems Mount Herzl military cemetery on May 13, 2024. (Gil Cohen-Magen/Pool Photo via AP) On the other side, Palestinian U.N. ambassador Riyad Mansour said adding Israel to the list is an important step in the right direction, but made it clear in a statement to AP that the decision will not bring back tens of thousands of our children who were killed by Israel over decades. Meanwhile, in a statement shared with Al Jazeera, senior Palestinian official Riad Malki said the move was overdue. Now, faced with the catastrophe in Gaza that the world sees with its naked eyes with the genocide that specifically targets children and women, the UN secretary general no longer has excuses not to place Israel on the blacklist, Malki said. Israel has faced strong international criticism over the number of civilian deaths in the eight-month war with Hamas. Questions have been asked about whether the country is doing enough to prevent civilian deaths. An Israeli airstrike at a school in Gaza Thursday left at least 40 people dead and 74 others injured, according to the United Nations, Hamas and Palestinian officials. President Bidens cease-fire bid further divides Israeli public opinion Israel defended the attack, but the Palestinian Ministry of Health, led by Hamas, said in a Facebook post that those killed in the strike included 14 children and nine women. Meanwhile, Israel claimed the attack was a precise strike on a Hamas compound inside the school. More than 36,000 Palestinians have died since the war began, and despite continuing to face pressure to halt its campaign to destroy Hamas, Israel has continued military operations, renewing focus on the central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip. The UNs decision to include Israel in this report comes before Netanyahu is set to address a joint session of Congress on July 24th. The top four congressional leaders invited him to speak and top Republicans announced the upcoming address Thursday. Progressive Democrats have expressed intense disapproval of the decision to invite Netanyahu, with some already vowing to skip the address. Even the thought of an invitation enraged progressives, including Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), who claimed Netanyahu appears hell-bent on wiping out the population of Gaza. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. More than 42,000 New Jersey Democrats voted "uncommitted" instead of for President Biden Tuesday to protest his support of Israel. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) More than 43,000 New Jerseyans cast a ballot for uncommitted in the Democratic presidential primary Tuesday in a protest vote targeted at the Biden administrations pro-Israel policies. President Joe Biden received more than 88% of the vote, but supporters of the uncommitted movement say that by winning 9%, theyve shown the Biden administration how many New Jerseyans disapprove of his handling of the war in Gaza. Former Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer, a vocal critic of the Biden administrations policy on the war, said the vote total sends an unequivocal message that Democrats are dissatisfied. We know that New Jersey is a state where very few people make a habit of voting in primaries because they usually are not contested, so the fact that a significant number of people did make that choice is powerful, and it was a good opportunity for people to express their perspective, said Jaffer, a Democrat. Uncommitted earned 43,758 votes, according to projected counts from the Associated Press. Thats a bit fewer than the 50,000 vote target organizers had before the election, said Isaac Jimenez, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. But his takeaway is that plenty of Democrats are not in lockstep with the Democratic Party at all. This is a national movement and Id say 40,000 people voting, its no small feat, said Jimenez. Its a very clear warning that they are failing to recognize that many young voters, many Arab or Muslim voters, especially in swing states, are not along for the ride in November until theres a cease-fire. The movement to vote uncommitted was spawned in Michigan by progressives who wanted to protest Biden for supporting continued military aid to Israel and his initial hesitancy to call for a cease-fire. So far, the campaign will send 36 delegates from nine states to the Democratic Partys national convention, though Biden is expected to be named the partys presidential nominee (he has 3,872 delegates). The uncommitted option was on 18 of the 20 delegate districts in the state. In order to send representation to the convention, candidates must receive 15% of the partys vote statewide or 15% in the district. New Jerseys districts combine two legislative districts into one, and each district has between three and six delegates for a total of 146. One of those delegates will be from New Jersey because uncommitted won more than 15% of the vote in a single delegate district, one that includes voting districts in Essex and Passaic counties. Nearly 20% of Democrats chose uncommitted in the delegate districts that include parts of Paterson, a city with a large Muslim and Arab population. Some Paterson voting districts saw uncommitted nab more than 60%. Jimenez said delegates from different states are coordinating to continue to call for an anti-war agenda at the convention. I think there is definitely a lot of energy for Gaza across the state, and its just going to take time to organize so more people can hear about it, Jimenez said. Prospect Park Mayor Mohammed Khairullah challenged Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. in the 9th Congressional District, running a campaign largely focused on criticizing Pascrell for his support of Israel. He did not topple Pascrell Khairullah won 23% to Pascrells 77% but Khairullah suggested the 14-term congressman is losing support. The last time Pascrell faced a challenger in 2020, he won nearly 81% of the vote. Khairullah noted that he announced his candidacy in March and the uncommitted movement landed on the ballot in April, giving both campaigns little time to reach everyone they wanted. But he believes they both sent a strong message, and in the five months between now and the November election, that message is going to be magnified, he said. Khairullah said he vowed that in his concession call, hed demand Pascrell to call for an immediate and sustained cease-fire instead of the conditional cease-fire Pascrell supports. Without a change in Pascrells stance, he said the Muslim and Arab community will not vote for him in November. Khairullah said he wouldnt be surprised if voters turn to Trump, despite the racist rhetoric he has spewed about Muslims. At this point, people are watching their loved ones being massacred. I think their response is out of pure emotional desire to take action against the president who is allowing it to happen, he said. Jaffer also echoed that, saying young people are soul searching and questioning whether the Democratic Party represents them. I feel like the Democratic Party really risks losing an entire generation of voters because of the way theyve treated not only Gaza, but students on campuses, faculty members, the freedom of speech of young people, she said. I think it goes beyond just this particular moment issue or this particular moment. An earlier version of this story misidentified where Sadaf Jaffer lives. The post Uncommitted supporters say results are clear warning to Biden appeared first on New Jersey Monitor. Three candidates are running in the El Paso County Commission District 4 primary election this year, each vying to replace term-limited Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez. Fountain City Councilman Cory Applegate, Colorado Hispanic Republicans chair Raymond Garcia and political newcomer Brenda Delgado Miller each will appear on the June 25 Republican Primary ballot. The winner will face sole Democratic candidate Detra Duncan, a Fountain City Council member, in the November election. The position is a four-year term. District 4 includes southeast El Paso County, including Fountain, Security-Widefield, Fort Carson and rural communities to the county line. The candidates answered questions for The Gazette's primary election voter guide about road funding, growth and wildfire concerns, and what makes them stand out from their opponents. Cory Applegate Do you think funding for roads for the county is adequate? Why or why not? Yes. I was asked awhile back if I would run a ballot initiative if it funded the El Paso county roads. I said no. I do not want to burden the taxpayers of this county anymore. However roads are a priority and should be better funded out of the existing budget. How do you plan to balance growth and development with wildfire concerns? The easiest solution is proper fire mitigation. Whenever you can have fire districts, do controlled burns. Fire lines near highways or main thoroughfares will serve as a good break, as well. How can the county better handle growth? I have worked in construction as a blue-collar, journeyman electrician and I understand you should make sure you have the water, utilities and emergency services in place before building. The neighborhoods need to match. We shouldn't put apartments and townhomes in neighborhoods where citizens have 5- to 40-acre lots for their homes in the same zoning proximity. What sets you apart from opponents in the race? I have more legislative experience than anyone in this race. I have been on Fountain City Council for almost three years. I have experience helping constituents and getting things done to help Fountain. Before I was on City Council, I was a planning commissioner for the city. The majority of what we did was land annexation. About 40% of what our county commissioners do right now is land annexation. I have the experience I need to do this job to help El Paso County. Raymond Garcia Garcia had not replied to The Gazette's questionnaire as of publication time. Brenda Delgado Miller Featured Local Savings Do you think funding for roads for the county is adequate? Why or why not? All someone needs to do is drive on our roads to know how much they are in need of repair. Even with a $40 million budget, the commissioners must reevaluate their targeted road projects. By focusing on essential projects, we can maximize the value of taxpayer dollars. By balancing fiscal efficiency with an excellent road maintenance plan, we can maintain our standing as the county with the lowest tax base in the state. How do you plan to balance growth and development with wildfire concerns? The most crucial part of any development is ensuring that fire mitigation and evacuation routes are in place. We must collaborate with the various relevant agencies to ensure adequate planning. How can the county better handle growth? We must balance housing needs, infrastructure, and environmental impact. El Paso County has a robust master plan that considers land use, transportation and water resources. We must collaborate with experts at both the state and local levels. And the County Commission must take taxpayers' input seriously. In summary, El Paso County must balance growth with responsible planning, ensuring a thriving community while preserving its natural beauty and resources What sets you apart from opponents in the race? I bring skills to the job that no other candidate has: A doctorate in homeland security; expert in emergency management planning. A certified project management professional, managing multimillion-dollar budgets. Supported all declared emergencies at Northern Command for seven years. Volunteered for seven years in the County Office of Emergency Management. Over 10 years budgeting experience, a key function of the Board of County Commissioners. Retired Army, Bronze Star recipient. The only candidate who served in combat. Member of Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition. Division and precinct leader. Lifetime VFW and DAV member. Colorado native. The scene of a gruesome West Kendall murder-suicide was still fresh with the remnants of the aftermath as newly placed flowers, balloons and candles adorned the Chase Bank ATM where a woman and child lost their lives Friday. Bullet holes still marked the walls and small spots of blood stained the shattered teller machine. An armed security guard watched as local residents paid respects and placed flowers or meaningful trinkets. The Chase Bank branch quickly took corrective steps after the tragedy. The guard was patrolling the bank by nights end of the shooting, and a contracted worker quickly plastered the remaining bullet holes in an attempt to bring the bank to its past form Saturday morning. A worker fixes the damages of a shooting at a West Kendall Chase Bank that was the scene of a murder-suicide that left two adults dead and a child. One West Kendall resident who was paying respects at the scene said she was shocked when she heard of the shooting so close to home. She was mortified to learn a 3-year-old child was involved in an act of senseless violence. Around 7:40 a.m. Friday, 43-year-old Odalys Bancroft and Theodore Couto, who would soon be 4 years old, sat in a minivan in the Chases ATM lanes. An ATM was shattered by a bullet at a West Kendall Chase Bank that was the scene of a murder-suicide that left two adults dead and a child. An unidentified man pulled up next to her in an SUV and opened fire, killing them. He then shot and killed himself. READ MORE: Child in car seat and 2 adults dead in a shooting at Kendall shopping center, police say Its unclear how many times he shot the gun, but at least five bullet holes littered the bank. Bullet holes mark the wall of a West Kendall Chase Bank that was the scene of a murder-suicide that left two adults dead and a child. Police have not confirmed the trios relationship. The boys father, Vicente Couto, is Bancrofts ex-husband. He and the Couto family have declined to speak to the Miami Herald. A GoFundMe was created for Theodore to gather funds for funeral expenses and family assistance. Today, our family is facing an unimaginable tragedy, wrote Jennifer Couto. Vicente Couto has lost his only son, Theodore Couto. There are no words to express the depth of our sorrow. Theodore was a bright light in our lives, and his sudden departure has left us shattered. A GoFundMe was created to pay for the funeral expenses of Theodore Couto (pictured), a 3-year-old a month away from turning 4. By early Saturday afternoon, the fundraiser had reached over $18,000. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers, she wrote. Hold your loved ones close, and cherish every moment together. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Friends and colleagues remembered Bancroft as being a wonderful person to know and work with. A few messages were left on her Facebook page offering condolences and honoring her. A picture of Odalys Bancroft posted on her Facebook. Karina Pratt told the Miami Herald shes had a long past with Bancroft, a friendship that lasted 14 years. She was just overall a great person, so kind and humble, she said. Bancroft had worked at Jackson Health System since 2015, moving through several positions as a valued team member, read a statement from Jackson Health President and CEO Carlos Migoya to employees. ...Odalys has been a valued member of our team, known for her unwavering dedication, kindness, and exceptional talent, Migoya said. She started her career as a clinical staff nurse in the operating room, the statement read. She then went onto leadership positions at Holtz Childrens Hospital and, most recently, was the director of regulatory affairs. Odalys believed deeply in the work we do, and never shied away from showing off her Jackson pride, Migoya said. Jackson is better because of Odalys and the indelible mark she made on our organization. A memorial was created at a West Kendall Chase Bank where two adults and a child were killed in a murder suicide. A string of murder-suicides The West Kendall tragedy was just one of three similar, seemingly domestic-related murder-suicides in Miami-Dade in the last week. On Thursday, a murder-suicide in a Coral Gables apartment complex left a man and woman dead and her 20-year-old son wounded. READ MORE: Man kills woman, injures her son before taking his own life in Gables apartment, police say Coral Gables, Florida, June 6, 2024 - Coral Gables police officer J. Coleman directs passersby away from the scene at the Gables Ponce apartment building, 310 Granello Ave., where Miami-Dade police say three people were shot inside an apartment, two fatally, in Coral Gables, Florida, June 6, 2024. The shooting was a murder-suicide, police say. On June 2, two men and two women were killed in a murder-suicide at a West Kendall home. READ MORE: Four found dead after a murder-suicide in Kendall area home, police say. What we know When Miami-Dade police officers performed a wellness check on the home, they discovered the four bodies. One of the men, believed to be around 60 years old, was found in a room by himself with a gun and is suspected to be the shooter. Police said it appears he killed the three other people who were scattered inside the home before killing himself. Miami-Dade police detectives investigate a murder-suicide at a home in Kendale Lakes on Sunday, June 2, 2024. One of the women killed was a hospice patient in her 80s. The age of the second woman is unclear, though the man killed was around 80 years old. At the time, Det. Angel Rodriguez, a spokesperson for Miami-Dade police, emphasized that there are resources offered for those who are going through a mental health crisis. We always stress to the community the importance of mental health. its a part of our overall well-being, Rodriguez underscored. Please, if you are in a position where you are not feeling well or need someone to talk to, there are plenty of services within the county. If you or someone you know is thinking about self harm, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). Its available 24/7. Annual report reflects continued progress and commitment to long-term goals with Tribal Nations Rebuilding and strengthening the University of Minnesotas relationships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities is a priority included in MPact 2025, the five-year strategic plan launched by the University in 2021. At its June meeting, the Board of Regents will review progress in this work during the past year, as well as actions and future considerations stemming directly from the landmark TRUTH Report. The Towards Recognition and University-Tribal Healing (TRUTH) Report, produced by Minnesotas 11 Tribal Nations and other contributors, provides a thoroughly researched, analyzed and consulted report on the shared history of the U of M and Minnesotas Indigenous people. While documenting how the University and its work have affected Tribes throughout its history, the report also outlines how the University can solidify lasting relationships with Tribes and Indigenous peoples. Regular engagement with the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, Tribal leaders and community members to listen, collaborate and take meaningful action toward open and respectful relationships has been a priority for this Board and University leadership in recent years, said Board Chair Janie Mayeron. After we received the TRUTH Report last spring, my Board colleagues and I asked Interim President Jeff Ettinger and his leadership team to fully review the report and recommend next steps for us to consider as part of our ongoing commitment to working in partnership with Tribal communities. I look forward to discussing this important mission-related work. 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. Karen Diver, senior advisor to the President and head of the Office of Native American Affairs, will update the Board on new and existing initiatives that serve Native American learners and communities, emphasizing activities aligned with TRUTH Report recommendations. Divers report highlights the value of relationships with Tribal leaders, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and American Indian Advisory Boards across the University System to receive feedback and shape priorities. The Universitys commitment to open dialogue and listening has focused on student support, research guidance and Native American education, including: Transitioning the Universitys Native American Promise Program from its original focus on tuition assistance to address another barrier identified by Tribal leaders: student housing costs. The housing aid provided through the Universitys program supported 38 incoming first-year students in the 2023-2024 academic year. Creating the Universitys Indigenous Research Policy, which is anticipated to have final approval by the end of June. This policy will inform U of M research practices that ensure respect for the rights of Tribes as sovereign nations. Once approved, this will make the U of M the first of Americas leading research universities to have such a policy guiding community-engaged scholarship for Tribes and Indigenous peoples. Adding a doctoral program in the American Indian Studies department a first for the 55-year-old program thats the oldest of its kind in the nation. The University anticipates the American Indian Studies program and other resources available to Native American students will move to a renovated space in Pattee Hall on the Twin Cities campus ahead of the fall 2025 semester. Divers report cites a number of systemwide examples, reflecting the University's focus on commitments to Native American communities. More details on this work can be found on the U of Ms Office of Native American Affairs website. 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 Phillip McClain, on the deck of one of the nine residences he developed as the Curtis Corner project, looks at progress on other residences. It was his first "full-on, new construction project," he said, giving credit to Spark Developer Academy for helping him launch his company. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) OMAHA A busload of budding developers snaked through some of the citys oldest neighborhoods this week, guided by an urban planner who pointed out abandoned lots freshly prepared for new housing thanks to a state shovel-ready grant. Jeff Spiehs of Lamp Rynearson, who specializes in urban planning, guides a bus tour of several North Omaha lots that have been cleared of construction barriers and are ready to build upon. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) The tour group went on to participate in a first-of-its-kind conference aimed at preparing emerging developers, particularly those with ties to North and South Omaha, for what it takes to transform such infill properties. The two-day Reignite 2 Unite symposium, organized by Omahas Municipal Land Bank and the nonprofit Spark, came on the heels of a separate unusual undertaking. In that situation, the City of Omaha sold 50 vacant lots it has been maintaining some for as low as $1. The developer buyers in turn have a deadline to build on the land. Described as unprecedented, the efforts are aligned in that theyre expected to produce what city and state officials say is a precious commodity: affordable housing. Mayor, DED director Both Nebraskas economic development director, K.C. Belitz, and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert spoke at the Reignite conference sharing perspectives and progress on what local and state officials have called a crisis level shortage of workforce housing. The nine-house residential development called Curtis Corner at 49th Street and Curtis Avenue is to be completed by the summers end. It is developed by Phillip McClain, a graduate of the Spark Developer Academy thats designed to boost emerging developers from minority populations. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) In Omaha alone, Stothert said, more than 55,000 households spend at least 30% of their income on housing, rendering them cost-burdened. Among the citys biggest strides on affordable housing, she said, is a partnership formed two years ago with Front Porch Investments that will lead to about 1,500 units, some newly constructed and others renovated. The future housing was spurred by a $20 million federal grant the city directed to Front Porch, which secured another $20 million in philanthropic matching funds. Stothert also highlighted Tuesdays approved sale of the 50 undeveloped North Omaha lots priced as low as $1, saying they offer a chance for the 10 developer groups involved to build new single or multi-unit housing projects. There will be more opportunities, the mayor said, to buy city lots in the future for a low amount of money. Land near 37th Street and Fowler Avenue is now rid of barriers that might inhibit homebuilding and the property is to be up for bid by the Omaha Land Bank, which received a $1.25 million award to help transform at least 20 vacant lots into buildable areas. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) On a broader statewide level, Belitz, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, told the 160 participants at the conference that Nebraskas relatively lower cost of housing historically has been a main selling point in recruiting businesses and talent. But he said the rising cost of housing has shrunk the states competitive edge and hampered the ability to fill what he counts as 50,000 to 80,000 open job positions across the state. Nebraskas median housing prices have gone up almost $100,000 in the last five years thats a dramatic change, all across the state, not just Omaha, Belitz said, saying that doesnt even include increases related to mortgage and insurance costs. The question is, he said: How are we going to make progress, reinvigorate this marketplace so that we get that competitive edge back? Innovation Belitz cited as an example of innovation Ashland-based DekmX Homes, which offers a nontraditional technique that includes transporting precast walls from a Lincoln production plant to the construction site. He said their model accelerates a build and reduces costs. Kyle Bland owns a North Omaha barber shop wants to delve into real estate development. He said he hopes to improve not only the look of his customers, but his broader neighborhood. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) To be sure, Belitz said, Nebraska is not idle. Last year, he said, more people worked in construction trades across the state than at any time in history. We just arent building fast enough. He said Nebraska needs tens of thousands of new units of all housing sizes. Until we solve that, it will be very difficult indeed to make real progress on the opportunity we have to bring more people to Nebraska. A large part of conference-goers were entrepreneurs seeking to ramp up housing development in the community in which they live. Kyle Bland, a North Omaha resident who owns Unique Cuts barber shop, said he already owns an existing fourplex and wanted to better understand how to develop a project from the ground up. I have visions of what the neighborhood should look like, said Bland, 36. I know I can make a change. Sonia Macias of Luna Construx is a South Omaha native who participated in the Reignite 2 Unite conference that drew about 160 budding real estate developers and others involved in housing and community development programs. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) A co-founder of Luna Construx, Sonia Macias, has rehabbed and flipped numerous houses and now aims to develop land for a multifamily housing venture in South Omaha. She is a recent graduate of the more intensive Spark Developer Academy, which offers a deeper dive into real estate development. At the conference she sought to reconnect with bankers, architects and other partners helpful in assembling real estate deals. My goal is to improve housing and our neighborhoods, and leave Omaha better for the next generation, said Macias. $1.25 million to get shovel-ready She and Bland are among those interested in bidding on shovel-ready lots that organizers showcased in conference materials and during the bus tour. A $1.25 million state grant to the Land Bank will be used to prepare for residential development at least 20 lots in its roughly 300-parcel inventory. The award came from federal COVID-19 funds administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Developments Qualified Census Tract Affordable Housing Program, which are to be focused in low-income areas of North and South Omaha disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. All selected project sites are in former redlined communities that have faced ongoing negative consequences of past housing discrimination practices, said Jeff Spiehs of Lamp Rynearson engineering firm, which is helping with site cleanup and development. Nearly 60 passengers, many of them emerging real estate developers, took a bus tour of transformed lots that are to be sold by the Omaha Land Bank for housing construction projects. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) To date, five pilot sites have been cleaned up, barriers have been removed and they are ready for building, said Spiehs, who led the bus tour. Unlike the properties recently sold by the City of Omaha for as low as $1, the cost of the Land Banks first wave of transformed lots range from $14,200 to $33,900. The higher-priced site is a larger area that could hold a townhome-style project. (The Land Bank, created by the Nebraska Legislature, follows a different set of guidelines than the city). Bidding is to begin soon on that initial phase. Spark an interest Land Bank executive director Leslie Smith expects the lot transformation project to be replicated in the future with other funding. Shown here is one of the Curtis Corner houses intended to be affordable in North Omaha. that is to be turned over to buyers this month. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) Community benefits are expected beyond the initial affordable housing thats produced. She said a Memphis project upon which the Omaha project was modeled saw surrounding real estate values increase by up to 15%. Smith said the Reignite symposium was a way to whet appetites and provide more resources, financing and other tips to real estate-minded community members interested in building up inner city neighborhoods. Organizers hope the event drives more affordable housing development. Said Smith: People walked away understanding that what before seemed inaccessible and mysterious is attainable. Emerging developer winds down first big project Phillip McClain watched the flurry of activity at his first ground-up construction project. He said he was pleased by the accomplishment, and already is thinking about his next venture. It feels good to see it come to life, he said of the nine-house development that broke ground early this year and already is 80% complete. The areas growing. Theres more value in the neighborhood. Its looking sweet. Phillip McClain of the Mensch Group won a Development of the Year award from nonprofit Spark for a cluster of nine new construction homes in North Omaha. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) McClain, a graduate of the Spark Developer Academy, was among speakers at the Reignite conference this week, offering fellow emerging developers tips on what he has learned in the two years since. He launched the Mensch Group company in 2022 and focused his sights on infusing a new housing style into a North Omaha pocket at 49th Street and Curtis Avenue. This month he is poised to turn over keys to the new owners of two of the nine houses in the $3.2 million Curtis Corner project. He expects work on the entire development to be wrapped up by summers end, with the average appraised value for each three-bedroom home at about $285,000. Buyers will pay less than that, however. Designed for workforce families making 60% to 120% of the area median income, McClains plan, according to city records, is to sell the homes at about $225,000. Developer costs are defrayed with the help of City of Omaha-approved tax-increment financing of $551,000. And as long as the homes are restricted for the designated income-qualified population, the buyer can access gap funding from nonprofit sources such as the local Spark Capital program to bridge the cost between construction and sale price. McCain said his buyers are assisted also by Omaha Habitat for Humanity, which offers homebuyer assistance. Sudbeck Homes is building the houses. McClain said a lasting benefit of the multi-week developer academy is making contacts, from general contractors to private engineers, bankers and city planning officials. As Curtis Corner comes to fruition, McClain, who won a Spark development of the year award for 2024, said he is exploring Omaha Land Bank properties for a future venture he expects might be in North Omaha. Its still a good time to give back and make sure we take care of the area, he said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Unprecedented moves seek to ramp up affordable housing options in Omaha appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. The United States may have to increase its deployment of strategic nuclear weapons amid growing threats from China, Russia, and other adversaries, a White House official said on June 7. Pranay Vaddi, the White House's senior director for arms control, was speaking at a meeting of the Arms Control Association when he warned that "absent a change" in the nuclear strategy of Russia and China, the U.S. may be forced to expand its nuclear arsenal. "Absent a change in adversary arsenals, we may reach a point in the coming years where an increase from current deployed numbers is required," Vaddi said. "We need to be fully prepared to execute if the president makes that decision. If that day comes, it will result in a determination that more nuclear weapons are required to deter our adversaries and protect the American people and our allies and partners." Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly made nuclear threats against Ukraine and the West since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The threats have failed to materialize; however, Russia publicly stages exercises simulating the use of tactical weapons. According to Russia's Defense Ministry, the drills are in response to "provocative statements and threats of individual Western officials against the Russian Federation" - although the ministry did not specify which Western officials were making threats or provocative statements. In February, the U.S. told allies that Moscow could deploy a nuclear anti-satellite weapon or a mock warhead into space as early as this year. Vaddi emphasized that the U.S. remains committed to international arms control and non-proliferation, although, he said, Russia, China, and North Korea "are all expanding and diversifying their nuclear arsenals at a breakneck pace, showing little or no interest in arms control." Alongside Iran, these countries "are increasingly cooperating and coordinating with each other in ways that run counter to peace and stability, threaten the United States, our allies and our partners and exacerbate region tensions." The senior White House official said Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are sharing advanced missile and drone technology. He pointed to Moscow's use of Iranian drones and North Korean artillery and missiles in Ukraine, as well as Chinese support for Russia's defense industries. Read also: Opinion: Much ado about Russias nuclear rumblings? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The U.S. has begun a slow transition of its exit from Niger in in preparation for a troop withdrawal, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of National Defense of the Republic of Niger. The U.S. Department of Defense and the Nigerien Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Niger announce that the withdrawal of U.S. forces and assets from Niger has progressed from initial preparations to redeployment, the statement reads. This significant transition began with the departure of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from Air Base 101 in Niamey on June 7, 2024. This flight exemplifies the productive cooperation between the U.S. and Nigerien armed forces through the Joint Disengagement Commission, which is tasked with overseeing and coordinating the orderly and safe withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger, the statement continues. Last month, the Pentagon announced that the U.S. military will pull all of its assets in Niger out by the middle of September. That announcement followed a coup in the northern African country last year by a group of military leaders that formed a military junta government which has aligned itself with Russia. The Americans stayed on our soil, doing nothing while the terrorists killed people and burned towns, Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine said to The Washington Post in a report from last month. It is not a sign of friendship to come on our soil but let the terrorists attack us. Prior to negotiations with the U.S. about a withdrawal agreement, Niger ordered France to withdraw its troops. The looming withdrawal is one of multiple disappointments for the U.S. in the region that has gone through many coups in recent years which have been a plus for Russia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Precision warfare has been a central tenet of American strategy. But perceptions that precision weapons are effective is a myth, a retired Army officer argues. "Accurate strikes do not inherently mean effective," the officer told BI. America loves smart bombs. Ever since World War II, precision warfare has appealed to what America sees as its strengths: High technology, efficiency and the ability to strike down its enemies with a minimum of harm to innocents. But that's actually a myth argues Amos Fox, a retired US Army lieutenant colonel. Precision-guided munitions, or PGMs, are no more effective than conventional munitions in limiting collateral damage, and in some cases can make the damage worse. Fox calls this the "precision paradox." Or, "the incongruence between precision strike theory and the fervent enthusiasm of precision ideologues," he wrote in an essay for the Royal United Services Institute, a British think tank. Precision warfare is associated today with guided missiles, but the concept dates back to the 1930s, when the US began to embrace high-altitude daylight bombing by heavy bombers such as the B-17 Flying Fortress. Swayed by Italian airpower theorist Giulio Douhet, American planners were convinced they could cripple an adversary by bombing its factories, without the need for a costly ground war. This contrasted with Britain's night area-bombing strategy in World War II that targeted entire German cities. Even if factories weren't hit, residential neighborhoods would be destroyed and workers "de-housed," which was expected to collapse the public's morale. In practice, the distinction between precision and area bombardment proved blurry: bombing through cloudy European skies that obscured targets, while under fighter and flak attack and relying on pencil-on-paper navigation plotting and rudimentary bomb sights meant the majority of American bombs failed to hit their target. PGMs were supposed to solve this problem. Why drop a dozen bombs when a single GPS-guided missile can destroy a bridge or a command post? Fox sees several flaws in modern precision strike theory. For one, "decapitation" strikes intended to defeat an enemy by eliminating its leaders and command posts have not worked. Nor does Fox believe that the precision strike strategy has actually shortened wars. But most significantly, Fox questions the essence of US precision warfare: the belief that smart bombs spare a need for boots on the ground. "Accurate strikes are not equivalent to effective strikes," he wrote. In other words, a strike can land on the intended area, selected based on intelligence, and yet fail to achieve the goal of, say, killing a militant leader or stopping a factory from making more bombs, hence necessitating follow-on strikes. When PGMs don't accomplish the mission, "then precision-based warfighting requires additional strikes and, likely, a subsequent use of land force activities to offset the shortcomings of precision strikes." More than half of the buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed in Israel's bombing campaign since the Oct. 7 terror attacks. Doaa Albaz/Getty Images This can actually result in higher civilian casualties than if conventional weapons had been used in the first place because it requires repeated attacks. "If precision strikes are often accurate, but ineffective, and additional strikes or land operations are required to create the effect intended with the initial precision strikes, then precision strategies do not decrease civilian casualties and collateral damage in conflict zones." Fox points to the extensive use of American PGMs during the ferocious battles of Raqqa and Mosul in 2016-2017. In trying to root out heavily fortified Islamic State positions dug into civilian neighborhoods, many buildings were destroyed and thousands killed. Israel faces a similar situation today as it hunts Hamas in Gaza. Thus the paradox: an individual PGM may be more accurate than a dumb bomb. But if a PGM fails to knock out a target whether due to poor intelligence or the pure chance that reigns on battlefields more guided weapons have to be launched, thus defeating the whole purpose of precision. "Accurate strikes do not inherently mean effective," Fox told Business Insider. "Therefore, more strikes are required when a strike does not effectively accomplish its intended purpose. Thus, in the aggregate, if a PGM isn't 100 percent effective, it can often result in similar outcomes to ballistic artillery, or other non-precision munition employment." Fox doesn't believe that smarter bombs will solve the paradox. "Better PGMs isn't really the problem," he said. "PGMs are currently about as accurate as can be. For that matter, although artillery is an area fire weapon, it is still very accurate." But what about the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, in which massive amounts of PGMs are being employed? In Ukraine, both sides are using massive numbers of guided weapons, at a rate that is depleting stockpiles and factory capacity, yet neither side has managed to achieve decisive results. Israel carried out strikes in Gaza against 29,000 targets in the first four months of the war, often with guided weapons, but that has failed so far to destroy Hamas. "The lesson is that Hamas is a land force," said Fox. "The inconvenient truth about war is that it still requires a land force to defeat a land force. Precision warfare, which isn't really a thing, augments a land force in defeating another land force. It doesn't replace it." Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn. Read the original article on Business Insider Utah hiker found dead after phone showed her being swept into river near Horsetail Falls UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A missing hiker whose phone was found Friday afternoon near Horsetail Falls, which had a video showing her being swept away in a river, has been found dead, according to the Utah County Sheriffs Office. The deceased woman has been identified as a 19-year-old woman. She was found below the waterfall at Horsetail Falls, according to Sgt. Garrett Dutson, Utah County Sheriffs Office. PREVIOUSLY: Utah hiker stumbles upon phone, sees recording of woman go missing in river The search began Friday after the sheriffs office received a report of the finding around 3 p.m. A hiker was reportedly in the Dry Creek Canyon area of Horsetail Falls. Dutson said a hiker had found a phone that had been set up to record. The hiker viewed that footage and reportedly saw a woman get swept away in the river. A Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter responded to the scene along with a full search and rescue team. Dutson said officials are not recommending people get into the water due to the fast waterflow. No further information is available at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Utah hiker stumbles upon phone, sees recording of woman go missing in river UPDATED STORY: Utah hiker found dead after phone showed her being swept into river near Horsetail Falls UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) Searches are underway after a hiker stumbled upon a phone that had recorded a woman drifting away in a river. The hiker was in the Dry Creek Canyon area of the Horsetail Falls. The identity of the missing woman is not currently known. READ NEXT: Bride-to-be thrown from truck bed on day before wedding while lying down to secure mattress Sgt. Garrett Dutson with the Utah County Sheriffs Office said responders received the report at about 3 p.m., and learned the hiker had found the phone that it had been set up to record. The hiker viewed that footage and reportedly saw a woman get swept up in the river. That woman is nowhere to be found, deputies said. Dutson said the river into which she fell is swollen with water and is flowing quickly. Dutson said officials are not recommending people get into the water, due to how fast it is flowing. The search is ongoing, and deputies said a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter is on-scene, along with a full search and rescue team. There is no further information available at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Utah hiker found dead after phone showed her being swept into river UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A missing hiker whose phone was found Friday afternoon near Horsetail Falls, which had a video showing her being swept away in a river, has been found dead, according to the Utah County Sheriffs Office. The deceased woman has been identified as a 19-year-old woman. She was found below the waterfall at Horsetail Falls, according to Sgt. Garrett Dutson, Utah County Sheriffs Office. The search began Friday after the sheriffs office received a report of the finding around 3 p.m. A hiker was reportedly in the Dry Creek Canyon area of Horsetail Falls. Dutson said a hiker had found a phone that had been set up to record. The hiker viewed that footage and reportedly saw a woman get swept away in the river. A Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter responded to the scene along with a full search and rescue team. Dutson said officials are not recommending people get into the water due to the fast waterflow. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sheriffs deputies in Ventura County arrested a pair of students on Wednesday after they allegedly set off a small incendiary device on a high school campus, authorities say. Deputies responded to reports of the incident at about 9:15 a.m. on the campus of Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard. The investigation revealed that students ignited a small aerosol can in a trashcan at the school. According to authorities, a staff member with the school was in the area at the time the can was ignited and suffered minor injuries as a result. The staff member was later treated at a local hospital. 4th grader shows off loaded gun at Los Angeles elementary school The two suspects, both identified as 16-year-old boys and students at the school, were arrested on suspicion of possession of a destructive device, explosive with intent to injure/intimidate, arson of property, assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm and conspiracy. Its not currently known whether theyll be formally charged with those crimes. The Sheriffs Office said its clear that the incident was isolated and there was no further threat to the campus. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. State Sen. Larry Liston, a longtime state politician, is facing Rex Tonkins and David Stiver in the Republican Primary for Senate District 10, an area that covers a north-central portion of Colorado Springs and a dense portion of El Paso County. The challengers have both faced Liston before in public conflicts in recent years. Liston alleged Tonkins "chest-bumped" him after the two exchanged words near the end of a tense 2021 party meeting at a Colorado Springs church. Tonkins denied he had acted aggressively in any way and a jury acquitted Tonkins on misdemeanor harassment charges, Colorado Politics reported. Rex Tonkins is married to El Paso County Chairwoman Vickie Tonkins. The other challenger, David Stiver, a longtime party activist, waged a court battle to make the ballot to run against Liston for the same seat in 2020 but lost, Colorado Politics reported. He claimed he was treated unfairly during the El Paso County GOP assembly that was held online. In that assembly, Liston captured most of the votes. For this voter guide, The Gazette asked candidates to set themselves apart from the competition, explain how they would work across the aisle, and work to address any political overreach they have seen by the state legislature. Larry Liston Website: friendsoflarryliston.com What would be your top priorities next session? As a business-friendly legislator and ranking member of the Business and Labor Committee, I will continue my efforts to support business interests here in Colorado by working with the Colorado Chamber to reduce onerous regulations on businesses and work to keep higher fees placed on them by the majority party. Another priority of mine in 2025 will be to continue my efforts to move nuclear energy forward here in our state. I proposed legislation in 2024 that would have signaled that Colorado is open and interested in exploring the possibility for nuclear energy to return to Colorado. In that vein, I started the "Nuclear Caucus" in the legislature, which is bipartisan in membership and was very well-received by both parties. Last but not least, I will continue to be a strong voice to defend TABOR. What sets you apart from your opponents? I bring vast experience in legislative matters and a wealth of knowledge in the legislative process garnered over 16 years in both chambers. My opponents have no legislative experience, and both lack the temperament to be successful legislators. I am widely known in Senate District 10 as an approachable and effective senator who will listen to various viewpoints to craft effective legislation. I am proud that I have been endorsed by the Colorado Chamber, the Fraternal Order of Police and in 2023 was named the "Champion of the Colorado Medical Society." In addition, I have been recognized three times by the American Conservative Union and the Centennial Institute for their "Faith, Family and Freedom" award for my outstanding legislative record. I am known as an effective senator in SD 10; the people know me, they trust me and appreciate my service. How will you work with the Democratic majority on legislative goals? Over the past four years, Senate Republicans have unfortunately been in the minority. I have learned that if you want to get something done, you have to be able to work with the majority party, which I have been able to successfully do. For instance, I worked with the majority party and passed legislation to benefit young adults with prosthetic devices, legislation that helped the many "special districts" in our state and bills that will help wildfire mitigation. Even in defeat of my nuclear bill this year, I was able to significantly raise awareness that many of the majority party see that it will benefit Coloradans. I did all of this and more without sacrificing my core beliefs and conservative principles. Do you think the state has overstepped its authority? If so, how would you work to restore more local control? Yes, I do think that the state and the Democratic Party have overstepped authority in several areas as a result of one-party control of all the levers of power in this state: the executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch since 2020. There was legislation this year to dictate the size and scope of dwelling units, legislation to gut Colorado's oil and gas industry, increases on lodging property taxes, increased fees on all types of alcohol, not to mention all of the anti-Second Amendment bills rammed through by the majority party. Quite frankly, if Coloradans want more local control, which I support, then we need to bring some balance back to the legislature! One-party control with huge majorities is hurting Colorado and turning our state into "California East." My sense is the many citizens in our state are tired of being told what to do by the legislators from the Denver-Boulder corridor. David Stiver Website: david4coloradosenate.com Featured Local Savings What would be your top priorities next session? Government overreach/regulations (administrative state). Judicial reform (justices/magistrates) (former judicial employee/judicial administration). Taxation (Senate Bill 233). What sets you apart from your opponents? Military veteran/disabled veteran. Small-business owner. Signed both sides of the check. Proven record of service: appeared and testified before numerous boards, commissions, agencies and legislative bodies on a wide variety of issues. Crime victim advocate: assisted with the drafting and passage of Colorados Crime Victim Bill of Rights. Professor: adjunct professor (undergraduate/graduate- accounting/economics/finance); bachelor's degree, University of Colorado Colorado Springs; master's, University of Phoenix. Colorado judiciary: Former employee of the 4th Judicial District Court. Project director of the Crime Victim Restitution Collection Program. Custodian of record for the Victim Assistance and Aid to Law Enforcement Program (VALE), Victim Compensation Fund (state), Victim Compensation Fund (federal). Endorsements: Douglas Bruce, author of TABOR (Taxpayers Bill of Rights). Administrative state: Experience in all three branches of government. Colorado registered investment adviser (Series 63/65); (1998-present). CMCA: Certified manager of community associations (CAI). Expert witness (Community Association Management-4th Judicial District Court). How will you work with the Democratic majority on legislative goals? Since 1876, the Colorado Republican Party has only controlled the House, Senate, and governorship (trifecta) a total of four times. Republicans last controlled the House in 2010 by one seat, and last controlled the Senate in 2018, by three seats. The last (Republican) governor was Bill Owens (1998-2006). Today, the Democrats enjoy a 46-19 majority, the largest in Colorado history. However, if the Democrats operated under a tyranny of the majority concept, every vote would end as 46-19. This has not been the case. As such, one need merely look at what votes did a Democratic legislator oppose their own party and seek support on those issues? For example, there are Democratic legislators who have higher liberty scorecard ratings than our own Republican legislators. Do you think the state has overstepped its authority? If so, how would you work to restore more local control? Yes. For example, Senate Bill 2024-159 would have shut down all oil and gas production in Colorado during the months of March through September. It would have begun in 2030. However, nearly all if not all oil and gas production in Colorado would have ceased by 2032. This would have adversely affected 210 companies, 30,000 employees and would have indirectly impacted approximately 300,000 Coloradans. Similarly, the administrative state has sought to shut down the meatpacking plants and stockyards. As well as instituting compulsory carpooling for anyone traveling more than 2.5 miles from their home and place of business. Title 24 of the Administrative Procedures Act grants to bureaus, departments and agencies the authority to provide taxpayer funds to nongovernmental organizations and nonprofits. This includes providing taxpayer-funded agency funding and benefits to illegal immigrants (food, shelter, education, etc.) All zoning should be at the local level. Rex Tonkins Website: electrextonkins.com Tonkins had not replied to The Gazette's questionnaire as of publication time. Vietnam government authorities arrested prominent journalist and political commentator Truong Huy San for abusing democratic freedoms through a series of posts he shared on Facebook that infringed on the interests of the state and the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals. New York Times reported. San had over 350,000 followers on the platform, according to the New York Times, before his account was deactivated on June 1. San is known by many as Huy Duc. He was taken into custody last week, according to reporting by the Times. Vietnam authorities confirmed Sans arrest Friday night. Vietnamese media indicated Sans home and workplace were both searched. The Communist Party have targeted journalists in Vietnam for years. Ben Swanton, director of the 88 Project which advocates for free speech in Vietnam told the Times, Huy Duc is the most influential journalist in Vietnam. His arrest represents an alarming attack on freedom of the press and is the latest in an ongoing crackdown on reformers. Lawyer Tran Dinh Trien was also taken into custody for the same alleged crime at the time of Sans arrest. Screenshots shared by the 88 Project with the Times indicated San wrote a post about the countrys police titled A COUNTRY CANNOT DEVELOP BASED ON FEAR. On May 28, San posted an article that was critical of Vietnams Communist Party chief, Nguyen Phu Trong. In terms of press freedoms, Vietnam is ranked 174th out of 180 countries in the world by Reporters Without Borders two spots worse than China, ranked 172nd, and two spots above Irans repressive regime, which ranks 176th. In 2022, Facebook user Dang Nhu Quynh who had over 300,000 followers on the platform was arrested for posts that were found to have abused democratic freedoms and rights to undermine the legal rights of the State, organisations, and individuals under the Penal Code, the same broad distinction used to target San. The one-party system in Vietnam has strict regulations and restrictions on freedom of expression. Since 2016, the secretary general of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, has intensified punishments against journalists in the country. On Friday, Reporters Without Borders tweeted, According to RSF sources, political commentator #HuyDuc, who has been missing since June 1st, is being held by the police in #Hanoi after publishing several articles on the political instability of the regime. We call for his immediate release! San worked for several Vietnamese newspapers until he was fired in 2009. He began publishing articles about politics in Vietnam on Facebook soon thereafter. His 2012 book The Winning Side retells the political history of the country. The post Vietnam Arrests Journalist Truong Huy San for Articles Posted on Facebook appeared first on TheWrap. Steve White is celebrating victory for his microbrewery, which is at the back of his home in Middleton-in-Teesdale - Charlotte Graham for The Telegraph A microbrewery in the North Pennines has won a David and Goliath legal battle with drinks giant Campari following a bitter trademark row. Steve White, a retired police officer and keen amateur astronomer, set up Dark Sky Brewery two years ago, naming it in honour of the dramatic beauty of his picturesque surroundings. But after registering the name of his fledgling firm, he was astonished to receive a legal threat from Campari, accusing him of infringing the trademark of its Skyy Vodka. The company, which was founded in Italy in 1860 and has a global turnover of 1.7 billion, warned Mr White that if he wanted to avoid a legal fight, he should stop using the Dark Sky name. Lawyers for the global brand claimed consumers might get confused between its vodka and Mr Whites beers, which are only available in a handful of pubs in rural County Durham. Campari argued the Dark Sky branding on the beers could lead to confusion with its Skyy Vodka - Charlotte Graham for The Telegraph But Mr White, from Middleton-in-Teesdale, decided to fight on, and in submissions to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), he argued that it was ludicrous to suggest anyone would mix up the two products. He pointed out that one was a spirit distilled in the United States, while the other was a beer brewed in a village in North East England. He also dismissed suggestions from Campari that the two logos were similar, pointing out that Skyy was even spelt differently. Now following an 18-month legal battle in which Mr White largely represented himself against a top City law firm, officials from the IPO have thrown out Camparis objection and have allowed Mr White to register Dark Sky Brewery as a trademark. In its ruling, the IPO said it did not consider that the common element, being the word Sky is so strikingly distinctive that the average consumer would expect only one undertaking to be using it. Low degree of similarity The ruling went on: Beer is a long drink with lower alcohol content, whilst vodka is a short drink with a higher alcohol content. In my view, they will be perceived as relating to different sub-categories of alcoholic beverages. In terms of the purpose, they may all be consumed by the same users for a pleasurable drinking experience (which may include the intoxicating effects of alcohol). The method of use will also overlap at a very general level to the extent that they are all drunk. However, the applicants goods are a long drink, likely to be consumed slowly, whereas the opponents goods are a short drink, likely to be consumed as a shot or mixed with a soft drink to create a long drink. There may be some degree of competition between the goods, but given the differences between them, I do not consider that the competitive choice between beer and vodka is commonly made. Taking all of the above into account, I find that there is a low degree of similarity between the goods. Steve White says he hopes to expand to supply a few more pubs but adds 'It's not a global takeover' - Charlotte Graham for The Telegraph Mr White, who has spent several thousand pounds of his own money fighting the case, is now celebrating a stunning victory. He said: I couldnt believe it when I first discovered they were seriously objecting to the name of Dark Sky Brewery. They were claiming customers would get confused between a global vodka brand and a pint of bitter which is only for sale in a handful of places in the north east of England. A principle at stake It made no sense at all but they are a multinational company with a billion dollar turnover and so the odds were stacked against me. But there was a principle at stake, and I am a very stubborn person and so I decided I had to fight on. It has cost me a few thousand pounds, it has been stressful, and my business has effectively been on hold for 18 months, but I am so pleased that common sense has prevailed. I am now looking to expand my business and start supplying more pubs in the area but it is not a global takeover. I will still only be going as far afield as Barnard Castle at least for now, but who knows? 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. Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity space plane fires its rocket engine to launch two pilots and four passengers to suborbital space and back on the Galactic 07 mission on June 8, 2024. Virgin Galactic launched six people to suborbital space on Saturday (June 8), launching a Turkish astronaut and three space tourists on what was the final voyage of the VSS Unity space plane. Unity, attached to the belly of its carrier plane Eve, took off from runway at Spaceport America in New Mexico at 10:31 a.m. EDT (1431 GMT) and carried to an altitude of 44,562 feet (13,582 meters) over the next hour, where it was dropped and ignited its rocket engine to carry two pilots and four passengers to space and back. The mission, called Galactic 07, reached an altitude of 54.4 miles (87.5 km) and marked the seventh commercial spaceflight by Virgin Galactic on Unity, which is being retired to make way for the company's new "Delta" class of spacecraft rolling out in 2026. "I will need much more time to try and process what just happened," Tuva Atasever, the Turkish Space Agency astronaut on the flight, said in a post-flight press conference, adding that the view of Earth was indescribable. "It's not something you can describe with adjectives. It's an experiential thing you just feel it in your gut." Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity space plane fires its rocket engine to launch two pilots and four passengers to suborbital space and back on the Galactic 07 mission on June 8, 2024. Atasever's trip on on Galactic 07 was brokered by Axiom Space, a company that also flew a Turkish astronaut to the International Space Station with SpaceX on the private Ax-3 mission earlier this year. Atasever was a backup astronaut on the Ax-3 flight and oversaw three different experiments on Galactic 07. Joining Atasever on the Virgin Galactic flight were VSS Unity commander Nicola Pecile and pilot Jameel Janjua. Virgin Galactic pilots Andy Edgell and C.J. Sturckow, a former NASA astronaut, flew the VMS Eve carrier plane. Related: Virgin Galactic launches 1st Ukrainian woman to space on Galactic 06 The four Galactic 07 astronauts on Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity. After Unity landed, Virgin Galactic unveiled the identities of the three paying passengers on the flight. They were: Anand "Andy" Harish Sadhwani of California; Irving Izchak Pergament if New York; Giorgi Manenti of Italy. Sadhwani was born in Houston and been fascinated with space since he was 5 years old after a tour of NASA's Saturn V rocket. He has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and dual master's degrees in mechanical engineering and aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford. He works as a principal propulsion engineer at SpaceX. He wore the flags of the U.S. and India on his flight suit to honor both his home country and that of his parents, according to a mission profile. A view inside VSS Unity showing private astronauts floating and looking out the window on June 8, 2024. Pergament is a New York-based real estate developer who grew up in Israel and has had a lifelog dream to reach space. "My life is a blend of my love for my family, my professional success and philanthropy, and a continual chase after the thrill of flight, now reaching for the stars," he said in a statement. He wore the flags of the U.S. and Israel on his flight suit. Manenti is a London-based hotel and resort investment strategy advisor who prefers travel experiences over material possessions, according to a mission profile. Seeing Earth from space was a surreal experience, he said. "The feeling of being on the other side is tremendously exciting, this time looking down, admiring Earth in its [majestic] splendor," Manenti said in a statement. He wore the flags of Italy and the European Union on his flight suit. Unity's last flight A view of the Earth behind Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity on the Galactic 07 mission. The VSS Unity space plane landed back at Spaceport America at 11:41 a.m. EDT (1541 GMT), marking only its seventh commercial spaceflight for Virgin Galactic and 12th crewed spaceflight overall. In all, Virgin Galactic flew the space plane just 32 times, including non-space test flights. But Unity will fly no more. Instead, Virgin Galactic is grounding Unity's SpaceShipTwo design in favor of its new "Delta Class" of spacecraft that are designed to fly more often. "This vehicle was revolutionary," Virgin Galactic president Mike Moses said in the post-launch press conference. "We tested it, we flew it, we demonstrated and prove to the world that commercial human spaceflight is possible with private funding for private companies." Unity's first fully-crewed suborbital spaceflight launched Virgin Galactic's founder, the billionaire Sir Richard Branson, and others in July 2021 on the Unity 22 mission, which followed three previous skeleton-crewed test flights. By 2023, the company was flying monthly flights for space tourists and research customers. "So, seven commercial space flights, a single vehicle flying six times in six months last year, that's groundbreaking," Moses said. "The fact that we can take this vehicle back to back to back on a monthly basis is is really revolutionary." The new Delta class of spacecraft will be able to fly at least twice a week, about eight times the rate of SpaceShipTwo, with Virgin Galactic planning to build at least two to start its new fleet. "We're going to field in 2026 two spaceships, our mothership Eve, that's 750 astronauts a year going to space," Moses said of the new fleet's flight capacity. "That's more than have gotten to space in the 60 year history of spaceflight to date." A pricey ride for thrills ... and science A view inside VSS Unity showing private astronauts floating and looking out the window on June 8, 2024. Galactic 07 was Virgin Galactic's second mission of 2024. Its first flight of the year, Galactic 06, saw the first Ukrainian woman reach (suborbital) space. Tickets for these flights are quite the investment, typically selling for $450,000. Passengers on Virgin Galactic's spaceplane experience a few minutes of weightlessness and get to see a view of Earth that very few get to see in a lifetime. The suborbital spaceflight will also carried research payloads from Purdue University and University of California, Berkeley. According to the company's statement, Purdue's experiment focused on the "propellant slosh in fuel tanks of maneuvering spacecraft" while U.C. Berkeley tested out a new type of 3D printing in microgravity. Since 2018, Virgin Galactic has flown payloads as part of NASA's Flight Opportunities program and most recently was selected to be a contracted flight provider for NASA for the next five years. Axiom Space, a Houston-based private spaceflight company, has completed three crewed trips to date to the International Space Station, and has its fourth mission, (Ax-4), targeted for October at the earliest. The company has partnered with Virgin Galactic on several previous flights. The NASA and UC Berkeley experiment payloads on Galactic 07. RELATED STORIES: Virgin Galactic launches researchers to suborbital space on 5th commercial flight (video) Boeing files lawsuit against Virgin Galactic over development of new mothership aircraft Virgin Galactic mothership loses alignment pin during space plane launch, FAA investigating "Axiom Space's commitment to enabling access to space and providing opportunities for scientific discovery beyond Earth aligns closely with Virgin Galactic's mission," Tejpaul Bhatia, chief revenue officer of Axiom Space, said in Virgin Galactic's statement. "We are very excited about this upcoming Galactic 07 flight." The Galactic 07 mission follows the previous in January where an alignment pin detached unexpectedly from VMS Eve after VSS Unity separated. Although no one was in any danger on the flight, the company notified the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so that both entities could conduct an investigation of the issue to prevent a repeat for future missions. Corrective steps were taken by Virgin Galactic to ensure there will not be a repeat on Galactic 07. Editor's note: Space.com Editor-in-Chief contributed to this report. This story was updated at 5 p.m. ET to include details about the final flight of VSS Unity and its launch success. Voting in Harmony: A Wisconsin township sets itself apart and has a knack for picking winners HARMONY, Wis. (AP) It's hard living in harmony during these politically divisive times. But residents of a tiny Wisconsin town say they have the simple answer: actually live in Harmony. Residents of Harmony Township spread out on rich farmland and residential subdivisions on the outskirts of Janesville tend to live up to the name of the 24-square-mile town near the Illinois state line. They also offer a reliable barometer of the political leanings of the swing state of Wisconsin. Since 2000, Harmony voters have sided with the winner in all 13 presidential and gubernatorial races. I do believe that the country is quite divided, said town board Chair Jeff Klenz, sporting a long white goatee and wearing a Harley-Davidson T-shirt. I dont believe that same thing in Harmony Township. You dont get the feeling of people being against each other. Klenz repeats a saying heard frequently around the town of 2,500: Everybody lives in harmony in Harmony Township. Demographically, Harmony has the same percentage of white people as the state about 86%. Almost 12% identified of Harmony residents identified as multiracial, above the statewide average of 2.2%. But there's no Black population to speak of, in a state that's 6% Black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Still, given Wisconsin's recent political volatility, Harmony's knack for picking winners is uncanny. Four of the past six presidential elections in the swing state of Wisconsin have been decided by less than a point. The only other of Wisconsin's 1,800 towns, villages and cities that share the distinction is Merrimac, a village of about 500 people roughly 75 miles (121 kilometers) from Madison, according to research by Marquette University professor John D. Johnson. Donald Trump carried the town of Harmony by just 36 votes in 2016 on his way to winning Wisconsin by 22,748 votes and becoming the first Republican since Ronald Reagan to take the state. Four years later, President Joe Biden won the town by 78 votes and carried Wisconsin by just under 20,682 votes. Retired General Motors worker and 53-year Harmony resident Loren Hanson, 79, voted for Trump in both 2016 and 2020 but doesnt know if he can stick with him a third time this November. He's having a hard time coming to grips with Trump's felony conviction. I think our politics are a mess, quite frankly, Hanson said. "And really bad this year. Ive never been a solid Republican or Democrat. And sometimes you vote for the lesser of two evils, and this year I dont know which is which. Hanson said hes hesitating on Trump because of his personal troubles, calling him an outlaw. It would be really hard for me to vote for Mr. Trump right now, he said, referring to his hush money conviction. But Hanson has reservations about Biden as well. I think hes old, Hanson said. Hes got some problems this way or that. Personally, Id like to see both of them booted out and Im disappointed that the parties cant come up with someone younger. Klenz, a 68-year-old retired police officer, said after voting for Trump twice before, he's sticking with him despite the conviction. Being in law enforcement for over 30 years, I never had a problem with our judicial system, but as I've gotten older and maybe wiser, I've seen that we certainly do have some problems, Klenz said. He said the Trump conviction showed that the judicial system has been used really different than it should be used. Despite the deep divisions in Harmony, both Republicans and Democrats say they don't let politics drive how they treat one another. There are roots here that go down very deeply and they are roots of acceptance, respect and cooperation, said 85-year-old retired nurse and Biden voter Lucille Vickerman, seated next to Trump voter Klenz. We vote almost half and half," Vickerman said. "But we dont hate each other. We dont get into massive to-dos. But why? For starters, people talk to one another to understand where the other is coming from, Klenz said. Politics isnt a driving force in Harmony because most of the people around here are used to taking care of themselves, Klenz said. And when people do talk, it doesnt tend to be about national politics, Vickerman said. They talk about whats going on in the school system or whats going on with the road repair, she said. Town clerk Tim Tollefson, whose job is to run elections, said politics just doesn't divide people in Harmony the way it seems to in much of the rest of the state and country. I don't think people take that part of politics and put it into whether people can be friends or not, Tollefson said. The signs out in the yard? You don't see that many in Harmony Township." Vickerman said she was struck last fall after seeing a plethora of signs, including some painted on the sides of barns, during a drive through northern Wisconsin. Coming from here it was a little unnerving, to be honest, she said. Hanson said he avoids talking politics in Harmony because I have friends on both sides and some are pretty extreme. Harmony is in southeastern Wisconsin, about a 15-minute drive from the Illinois border. It consists of farms that the town boasts are on some of the best farmland in the U.S. and houses built by people who work in the adjacent city of Janesville. Thats the home to former House Speaker Paul Ryan and also the former home of the countrys oldest General Motors plant, built in 1919. But when the plant shut down during the Great Recession in 2008, the city and region went through an economic and social upheaval, forced to readjust without a longtime major employer. Harmony was established in 1848, the same year Wisconsin became a state. It carries the distinction of being one of the first in the country to construct its own town hall building. Built in 1876, the building was moved about 30 miles northeast and is now part of the living history museum Old World Wisconsin. Coincidentally, the presidential election in 1876, the year Harmony residents set about building their town hall, was one of the most contentious in U.S. history. Taking place during post-Civil War reconstruction, there were widespread allegations of electoral fraud, violence and disenfranchisement of Black voters. Rutherford B. Hayes won Wisconsin by 6,141 votes, or just over 2 percentage points, in 1876. There are parallels between that period and the present day, including intense polarization with a shrinking kind of middle ground and a high level of rhetorical violence," said Stephen Kantrowitz, a history professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who specializes in the reconstruction era. In this time of deep division, Kantrowitz said it was wonderful that both sides in a place as evenly divided as Harmony can get along. But the larger question, he said, is what happens when communities like Harmony are presented with questions that cut to the heart of people's sense of security, dignity and fairness. It sounds like Harmony is not in the middle of such a struggle," he said. It behooves the people who say politics arent top of mind to think about what they will do when suddenly an issue arises that is not so easily finesse-able. Vickerman, who moved to Harmony in 1960 when Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, didnt vote in 2016. But she cast her ballot for Biden in 2020. This year she's soured on him and Trump: I wish neither of them was running. I'm not a Biden fan but I can't bring myself to be a Trump fan, she said. I'm fearful that Trump will refuse to leave office if elected. There's a part of me that does worry about our democracy surviving. Klenz voted for Trump in both 2016 and 2020 and said he will vote for him again. He thinks the Republican is better on the economy than Biden. And true to form for people from Harmony, Klenz adds, I'm not too concerned with how other people are voting." Tollefson, who has lived in Harmony since 1998, said other communities can learn from how people there deal with political differences. Chill out, he said. Deal with the cards you were dealt and be happy. We're only here a short time. Why waste your time being miserable? ___ Associated Press writer Michael Schneider in Orlando, Florida, contributed to this report. Incoming Washington Post editor Robert Winnett earned the moniker of rat boy for his reporting across London newspapers. But as hes set to take the helm of the storied D.C. newsroom later this year, the one where Woodward and Bernstein changed history by breaking Watergate, the shady methods he used to secure some of those scoops may come back to haunt him. They included placing a reporter undercover in a government department where she removed official secrets which Winnett used to break stories. The reporter was arrested and could have been jailed. Winnett was a reporter at the Sunday Times, a paper he joined in 1995 while still a student at Oxford. One of his colleagues at the time was David Leppard who, according to former Guardian reporter Nick Davies 2008 book Flat Earth News, tried to land the juiciest stories for Fleet Street by any means necessary. Those methods included having a reporter go undercover within the government and leak its secrets. According to Davies, Winnett and Leppard placed junior reporter Claire Newell within the U.K.s Cabinet Office, the British civil service unit that supports the Prime Minister and their cabinet, in 2003 to feed them a stream of government documents. She worked as a temp within the Cabinet Office for 15 months until October 2004. After an angered Tony Blair ordered an investigation into the leaks, the countrys elite counter-espionage police unit arrested Newell for alleged leaking. Newell was never prosecuted, and she and Winnett would later share bylines at the Sunday Times. WaPo CEO Will Lewis: Ask Me Anything Except About That Phone Hack Cover-Up Should Newell have been successfully prosecuted, Davies noted, she could have ended up in jail. From this vantage point, she was feeding back a succession of officially secret documents, any one of which could have landed her in jail if the government had chosen to prosecute Murdochs paper, Davies wrote. Winnett did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Post did not provide a comment, but executive editor Matt Murray noted the importance of our strong and independent journalism, immune to any outside pressures in a Thursday memo to staffers praising the papers reportingincluding the Posts own coverage of its internal drama. Undercover journalism is not foreign to U.K. or U.S. outlets, though its use is less common stateside. Newsrooms generally deploy journalists undercover as a method of last resort, and it is usually when a reporter could not unearth the information otherwise. The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) code of ethics states that the information must be of vital importance to the public, and not just interesting, or what readers might want to know. In other words, the ethics would prevent reporters from embarking on so-called fishing expeditions. The Posts own standards also indicate that journalists will not misrepresent their identity or their occupation and will not portray themselves as police officers, physicians or anything other than journalists. Its unclear, however, whether Newells quest started as a last-resort quest for vital information. In a 2004 Guardian report detailing Newells arrest over the leaks, a Sunday Times journalist told the paper they saw reporters digging through documents in the newsroom in the apparent hope of finding a nugget of news. During Newells secret operation, stories emerged from the Cabinet Office on everything from Tony Blairs attempts to forge relations with British Muslims to how some officials tried to secure themselves large pay raises. Nor was it clear whether Newells operation should have gone so far. The Guardian reported in October 2004 that Newell was granted a security clearance, an unusual distinction for someone apparently acting in a journalistic capacity. It was unclear at the time what security clearance she was given, though a clearance at all suggests the governments vetting never revealed her work at the Sunday Times, nor her previously expressed interest in journalism. Winnetts role in managing Newell, whom he eventually worked with at the Telegraph, has largely flown under the radar since Will Lewis announcement on Sunday that he would lead the Posts main newsroom after the 2024 election. The episode was often overshadowed by Winnetts work at the Telegraph, including how, in 2010, heunder the guidance of Lewispaid a source at least 100,000 for a trove of documents exposing how large numbers of Britains Parliament abused their expenses. Another Winnett story involved undercover reporters posing as a cabinet members constituents and covertly recording him. Three Strikes So Why Is WaPo CEO Will Lewis Not Out? The use of so-called checkbook journalism has largely been disavowed by journalism ethics organizationsincluding the SPJ, which noted in its code of ethics that, while the practice has been used in the U.K., it can be ethically perilous. That issue, however, was dismissed by Lewis in a 2020 Telegraph documentary, where he outlined why he personally authorized the departure from the newspapers long-held practice. The payment thing is a red herring, he said. This is one of the most important bits of journalism, if not the most important bit of journalism, in the postwar period. I cant think of a more impactful bit of journalism for Britain and British society, highlighting such profound wrongdoing and systematic abuse. But in 2011, another brewing scandal in British journalism, the hacking of cellphonesincluding those of Princes William and Harryby journalists from Rupert Murdochs News of the World exploded. Davies revealed that reporters had deleted the voicemail message of a missing 13-year-old girl, potentially impeding the search for the teenager, who was later found murdered. Murdoch turned to Lewis, who had just left the Telegraph, to run the so-called Management and Standards Committee, to oversee News Corps response to the scandal. Lewis alleged attempts to cover up the hacking scandal have thrown him into potential legal peril more than a decade later and have roiled the Washington Post newsroomthe one Lewis has now hired Winnett to lead. 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. French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting President Biden and first lady Jill Biden for a state visit Saturday in Paris, as the two nations seek to reveal a partnership over global security issues. Both leaders attended ceremonies over the past couple of days in Normandy and Paris to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. In separate meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden and Macron also reupped their vows to help the embattled nation in its war with Russia. During his meeting with Zelensky, Biden had drawn common cause between the allied forces that helped free Europe from Nazi Germany and todays effort to support Ukraine against Russias invasion. He also apologized for the months-long delay of new U.S. military aid to Ukraine, which Washington and Kyiv have both said led to Russian advances across the battlefield. Macron and Biden also discussed their efforts to bring about a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Watch clips from the joint press conference above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. UPDATE: The Colorado Springs Police Department reported on social media at around 6:15 a.m. Saturday that the young girl, Chelsea Garrett and her sister, Audrey, have been found safe. The Colorado Springs Police Department asked for community assistance in locating missing 12-year-old Chelsea Garrett. According to a social media post made by police, Garrett was reported missing on May 24. Garrett was last seen with her 15-year-old sister, Audrey Garrett, near the Circle K at 7492 Black Forest Road. Both sisters were reported as runaways. U.S. Senate Candidate Hill Harper shames U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) for declining to participate in a Senate candidate debate previously scheduled for the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference. | Kyle Davidson The Michigan congressional delegation currently has one African-American member, U.S. Rep. John James (R-Sterling Heights). But neither seat encompassing Detroit, the nations largest Black city, is held by an African-American representative. The 12th District seat is represented by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), who is Palestinian-American, and U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit), who immigrated from India, holds the 13th District seat. Michigan also has never had a Black U.S. senator. Those facts were on the minds of two candidates who held press conferences at last weeks Mackinac Policy Conference, Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters, who is challenging Thanedar, and actor Hill Harper, who is seeking the open U.S. Senate seat. Waters, a former state House member who is Black, told the Advance in a May 30 interview at the conference that representation for Black Michiganders is very important. Weve got to have somebody there who understands the unique needs of African Americans. Because we do have some unique needs some of the things that we should be fighting for, when it comes to voting rights, for example, Waters said. She said that insurance redlining is an example of an issue that impacts African Americans and needs to be addressed by policymakers. So some of our issues are very unique, but we can also find a way to pull everybody together, so that we are addressing everybodys needs, Waters said. Thats why I want to arm myself with the type of staff, too, who understands that everybody in the 13th Congressional District is important. Waters added that she wanted to take a page out of John Dingells book in representing the district. Dingell was the longest-serving member of Congress in history who died in 2019. John Dingell was the kind of congressman who had the ability to just bring this whole Downriver community together. He talked to the local municipalities [and asked], What is it that you need? Im in D.C.; what should I be doing? You know. thats the kind of leadership that we need, she said. When asked which members of Michigans congressional delegation she would work closest with, Waters said, I can work with all of them. I mean, Ive known [U.S. Sen.] Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) a long time. I know Debbie [Stabenow] wont be there anymore. Ill get to know [U.S. Rep.] Elissa [Slotkin] (D-Holly) or Hill Harper, with whoever wins [the Senate race]. Ive known Hill for about nine years or something like that. So I dont meet strangers. Waters was endorsed by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan during a press conference that day, with Duggan touting Waters ability to represent Detroit. Several other officials joined him, including Reps. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit), Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe) and Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn). Duggans endorsement was so wonderful and will help with fundraising, Waters told the Advance. I so appreciate it and I appreciate the fact that Ive been able to work with him, Waters added. He wasnt sure if he was going to be able to work with me when I first got elected to [the Detroit City Council], but it turns out Im like one of his best partners in terms of getting some things done. Thanedar defended his record on delivering for Detroiters in a text message to the Advance and said hes confident they will send me back to Washington for another term. He noted that hes won the Detroit vote in every election hes run in. Detroit has always stood with me and I remember that everyday in Congress, he said. Former state Sen. Adam Hollier (D-Detroit), who is African American, also was challenging Thanedar in the Democratic primary, but was disqualified from the ballot. Martell Bivings, who lost to Thanedar in 2022, is the sole Republican running. Meanwhile, the race for Michigans U.S. Senate seat, which is being vacated by retiring U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing), has already gotten somewhat heated. Harper, who is African American, and Slotkin, who is white, are facing off in the Democratic primary, after businessman Nasser Beydoun was kicked off the ballot, although hes filed a lawsuit. Two other Black candidates, Michigan School Board President Pamela Pugh and former state Rep. Leslie Love (D-Detroit), both dropped out of the race. At the conference, Harper, an attorney and actor best known for the show, The Good Doctor, criticized the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce for canceling the bipartisan U.S. Senate debate after former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake) and Slotkin said they werent participating, but aimed most of his fire at Slotkin. Theres so many people out here across Michigan Ive been to all 83 counties folks that dont feel represented by their federal delegation, Harper said during a May 30 press conference. The fact that Elissa Slotkin pulled out of this debate is yet another example of the lack of representation that folks feel. On the GOP side, physician Sherry ODonnell, former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (I-Cascade Twp.) and businessman Sandy Pensler also are running. Harper sought to draw distinctions between his positions and Slotkins record. She may have pulled out because she didnt want me to talk about the fact that she didnt co-sponsor the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act. Maybe she pulled out of the debate because she didnt want me to talk about that. She didnt co-sponsor the Cannabis and Expungement Act, he said. Slotkin voted for the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act, which stalled after the U.S. Senate didnt act on reforms. She also voted for the Cannabis and Expungement Act. On Friday, Harper spoke at a rally at the Michigan Capitol against police brutality in Grand Rapids alongside attorney Ben Crump and the families of those killed at the hands of police Samuel Sterling, Patrick Lyoya and Riley Doggett. Harper also made the case that he was more progressive than Slotkin on other issues, including student loan forgiveness and the Israel-Hamas war. And he challenged Slotkin to four debates before the Aug. 6 primary. In his press conference on Mackinac Island, Harper noted hes the only Detroiter in the U.S. Senate race and touted his endorsements from African-American leaders, including Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, former U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield), state Rep. Stephanie Young (D-Detroit) and state Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit). Detroit has one the highest percentages of African Americans in the country. And Im very proud of that. Im very proud when our country is represented by the diversity that we have, Lawrence said at the news conference. She noted that Harper talked to her for a long time before she endorsed him about his goals in the Senate. The fact that I have opportunity and my legacy to say that I promoted and get one of the few African Americans [elected to the U.S. Senate] is important to me. But its important to me what he stands for and his commitment to children and his commitment to medical issues. Please, Lord, send someone to the Senate and to Congress thats not trying to fit the political prototype and has fallen in line that would have the courage to stand up and fight for the things that we need in this arena. I feel and I stand firmly that I feel that Hill Harper would be the best candidate. In a Monday interview with Slotkin, the Advance noted Michigan has never had an African-American senator, and asked her about some leaders stressing the importance of representation in their support for Harper. I think theres absolutely going to be African-American senators and governors. We have a lieutenant governor [Garlin Gilchrist] [and have had a] secretary of state [Richard Austin]. The days where it was common wisdom that an African-American person couldnt win statewide are gone, and I think weve obliterated that, Slotkin said. Slotkin, who was first elected in 2018 and has won all her elections in GOP-leaning districts, emphasized her record. I just think in this particular race, I have the receipts. Ive been working in the job and can demonstrate what Ive done, not just for my congressional district but for the state. When we think about a Senate that could be 50-50 that literally if Michigan doesnt win the election, we could turn the entire Senate Republican and then we just cant take any chances, she said. Then secondly, when I think about being in the job, how do you deliver results? Having some background in working the system to bring home things for Michigan is important. That, to me, is the difference between someone who has never worked in any policy realm on any substantive legislative issue versus someone whos been nugging it out as a congresswoman, bringing things home for her community. Advance reporter Kyle Davidson contributed to this story. The post Waters, Harper say Black representation in Congress matters for Michigan appeared first on Michigan Advance. CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico Yoneyda Villegas stood on the riverbank under the light of a three-quarter moon and looked northward. "We tried to cross two nights ago," said Villegas, a 32-year-old Venezuelan migrant, in late May, "but they were tough on us tough, tough." As she and dozens of other migrants weighed their chances of successfully crossing the dry Rio Grande and giving themselves up to U.S. Border Patrol agents, Texas troops watched them through a blanket of concertina wire. On that night, Villegas stood at the center of a tug-of-war between President Joe Biden and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over who controls the border and its political narrative. A group of migrants grow desperate to cross into U.S. territory from Ciudad Juarez after multiple failed attempts and being pushed back into Mexico by Texas National Guard troops on June 6, 2024. With many Americans viewing immigration as a top issue in this fall's hotly contested election, both Republicans and Democrats are vying to claim they are cracking down the hardest. Biden unveiled new border restrictions on Tuesday, effectively cutting off the path to asylum between ports of entry, in places like this riverbank in Ciudad Juarez across from El Paso, Texas. But along a stretch of this city's urban borderline in late May, Abbott's troops were already trying to physically block asylum-seekers' path north. "The Biden administration's asylum restrictions already offer such a narrow basis for relief that people have to pass through the eye of a needle," said David Donatti, senior attorney for the ACLU in Texas. "What Texas is doing is just assuring that even those who would have meritorious claims don't ever get the opportunity to present themselves to federal officers." Migrants allege Texas authorities are unlawfully forcing them back into Mexico between ports of entry, firing pepper balls and using scare tactics. USA TODAY documented the allegations in interviews with more than a dozen migrants in May and numerous hours spent at the border. The governor's office, Department of Public Safety and Texas Military Department didn't respond to multiple emailed requests for a response to allegations of mistreatment. A Texas Military Department official confirmed Texas troops have recently been trained to deploy pepper balls. "We saturate the ground," said the official, who is unauthorized to speak publicly. "Its like climbing through a jalapeno bush. Apparently that is a good, strong deterrent. The immediate goal with the pepper ball-launching is obviously to deter. You want to deter them to the point of them (coming across the border) the right way, through a port of entry, or they go to some other state." U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed Biden's asylum restrictions were implemented the day he signed the executive order, but it wasn't clear how migrants of different nationalities will be processed. While the administration has also provided "lawful pathways" for some asylum-seekers, those pathways can take months and leave penniless people vulnerable to criminal elements who rule the Mexican border region. Asylum-seekers like Villegas are cornered at the U.S.-Mexico border as never before: by Mexican authorities and cartel operatives to the south; by Biden's asylum restrictions and Texas military muscle to the north. Brian Elmore, an El Paso emergency department doctor and chief medical officer for the Catholic nonprofit Hope Border Institute, recently led a roving clinic among asylum-seekers on the Mexican side of the border. "Ive been working for two years in Juarez with migrants and it was the most desperation I have ever seen," said Elmore, who in May treated "concertina wire injuries, a couple of kids with their flesh torn, a broken arm, and a guy with a lower extremity sprain from being pushed back." "They are hemmed in," he said. "They're just completely vulnerable to predations by the Texas National Guard and the cartel." Texas National Guard soldiers patrol the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, in May 2024. Night after night in this area, economic migrants and asylum-seeking men, women and children shuffle down into the dry riverbed. There are fewer families than there were at this time a year ago, but still they come. They climb up to squeeze through the reams of concertina wire; try to make it past camouflaged Texas troops carrying pepper ball guns; and reach the steel U.S. border wall. Among them, inevitably, are men with wire cutters. Increased tension, aggression on both sides of the border More: Hacked data reveals which US gun sellers are behind Mexican cartel violence At 2:30 a.m., a drone buzzed overhead as Villegas and other migrants from Venezuela, Honduras and El Salvador considered whether to sleep under the cover of a mesquite tree or make another crossing attempt. The murmur of Texas soldiers chatting in English carried to the south side. "The idea is that they let us pass without aggression or mistreatment," Villegas said. "For the women carrying their children, it's dangerous. (The soldiers) don't care anymore; they fire pepper balls even if they hit the children. When that happens, we have to go back, because we can't cross this way." U.S. laws governing the border are contradictory. Crossing between ports of entry is illegal under Title 8, but under the same U.S. code, migrants still retain the right to seek asylum even if they do cross between ports. Even before Tuesday's executive order, the Biden administration had tried to reconcile the contradictions with an asylum policy passed last year that presumes ineligibility for migrants "who neither avail themselves of a lawful, safe, and orderly pathway to the United States nor seek asylum or other protection in a country through which they travel." The administration has created new lawful pathways through its CBP One application and humanitarian parole programs, which are available to people of certain nationalities. Illegal crossings have plummeted at the Southwest border from a year ago, including in El Paso where Border Patrol reported a 29% decline in migrant encounters in April year over year. Border crossings between ports barely budged higher this spring bucking the usual trend of seasonal spikes. Abbott launched his $11 billion border strategy, Operation Lone Star, in early 2021, but he didn't send National Guard troops to El Paso until two years later. A Texas National Guard soldier shoots pepper balls towards a group of migrants on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande as they were preparing to cross the international boundary and turn themselves over to U.S. Border Patrol in early June 2024. The majority-Democrat city had historically viewed the Republican governor's hard-line policies as antithetical to its stance of welcoming immigrants. But after the city declared a state of emergency in December 2022 during the wave of migration that preceded the end of the pandemic-era's Title 42 restrictions, Abbott sent in his troops. Texas highway troopers and National Guard troops initially provided support to overwhelmed Border Patrol agents. They installed miles of concertina wire and stationed their vehicles every quarter mile or so along El Paso's urban borderline. Yet, in May, migrants said they're enduring increasingly aggressive tactics by Texas authorities. "We've suffered abuses," said Gabriela Soteldo, 38, who had spent four days camped on the Mexican bank of the Rio Grande with her husband Ulises Perez, 12-year-old son, her brother, his wife and their baby. "It's been violent," she said. "That's the truth. We've tried to cross, but they fire pepper balls. It doesn't matter if there are children." It's not clear why Texas is dominating this stretch of borderline. But observers say the situation in El Paso is unlike the one in Eagle Pass, where the Biden administration is suing Texas over its standoff at Shelby Park. Federal and state agencies may be working "at odds" but there is still cooperation, said Todd Bensman, a Texas-based senior national security fellow for the right-leaning Center for Immigration Studies and former Texas state trooper. Texas special response teams "are in the channel hunting down the wire-cutting crews," Bensman said. That's because "if the men and women and children get through the wire and find themselves standing next to troops, theyll be turned over to Border Patrol, which will just let them in." Border Patrol agents don't "let people in," but they are required by federal law to apprehend and process anyone who crosses the border unlawfully. Once in custody, migrants may be offered a "voluntary return" to their country; they may be deported or they may be processed to present their asylum claim to an immigration judge. It's against U.S. law and international treaty to force back into Mexico migrants who aren't from Mexico, attorneys say. Many of those crossing to seek asylum in this region are from Central and South America. "The United States has an obligation to exercise operational control of the border," Donatti, the ACLU attorney, said. "That means not only to prevent migrants from entering the country but also to ensure that those who are here have the lawful processes afforded to them." A mother and child sleep on the southern embankment of the Rio Grande in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, as they await an opportunity to breach the concertina wire in order to enter U,S. territory and seek asylum. U.S. Customs and Border Protection didn't respond to multiple emailed requests for comment regarding Texas' operations in El Paso. Soteldo, Villegas and the other migrants interviewed by USA TODAY all said they made attempts to use the Biden administration's CBP One application to make an appointment to arrive at a port of entry, but either they never received an appointment or grew frustrated and increasingly desperate after months of waiting without work in a no-man's land controlled by Mexican cartels. The Texas Military Department official said the state's National Guard along with support from the Iowa, Indiana and Florida guards have been trained in pepper ball deployment because they've faced large numbers of migrants and perceived threats from the cartel members embedded among them. The official described a high level of tension, referring to the presence in Mexico of criminal organizations involved in illegal activities from drug running to migrant smuggling. More: The real migrant bus king of North America isn't the Texas governor. It's Mexico's president. A harrowing journey At a migrant shelter in El Paso in May, Elisaul Mora and his 5-year-old daughter waited in a cool cafeteria for a white-bread sandwich and bag of chips. It was a dramatic shift from the day before, when he had held on to the rusted steel border fence, hugging his daughter between his body and the rusted steel bars for hours. Elisaul Mora and his 5-year-old daughter eat lunch in the cafeteria of a migrant shelter in El Paso, Texas. Mora described a dangerous experience after having crossed into the U.S. from Ciudad Juarez on May 7, 2024. They had made it across the dry river channel, after pushing through a hole in the concertina wire in the same area where Villegas and dozens of other families now waited for their chance. "We made a small hole in the wire and we crossed, just us," he said. "I saw a patrol vehicle coming and she went running toward the wall and I still hadn't gotten through. I ran after her. The patrol vehicle didn't stop for nothing. I managed to jump and grab her and hold on to the wall." Mora and other migrants said they believed they had to get past the Texas authorities and touch the border wall in order to seek asylum; that if they did, they were somehow home-free. Biden's new asylum restrictions are triggered whenever the number of unlawful crossings between ports of entry tops 2,500 which is nearly every day. It's not clear whether asylum seekers who run the Texas gauntlet will be given the chance to make their claim. Migrants are now caught between the Texas concertina wire, Biden's new restrictions and the lawlessness of the criminals who control much of the Mexican territory on the other side. As he sandwiched his daughter against the border wall and held on, Mora said, "The guard put us through a couple of hours of psychology." Mora said the guard told him, "'Let go. We're going to return you the way you came. We're going to expel you. It doesn't matter that you have a child.' I asked them for water because she hadn't had a drink all day, because I didn't have any money left to buy her anything. And the guard told me, 'We'll give you water if you let go.' And they showed my daughter the bottle. "They were wearing camouflage as if they were soldiers," he said. "They weren't wearing green. The ones in green are 'migracion,' right? They weren't migration." The night Villegas sat watching the borderline, she decided against crossing. There were two holes in the concertina wire, she knew; but the Texas guards were watching. She pulled up her hoodie against the dampness and curled up on a blanket with other migrants and slept. The yellow moon set in the south. As daylight broke, birds began chirping in the mesquite tree, briefly masking the sound of wire cutters snipping the concertina wire in the riverbed below. Contributing: El Paso Times photographer Omar Ornelas and special contributor Aline Corpus. Lauren Villagran can be reached at lvillagran@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Migrants face tougher, more dangerous route across US border Harvey Weinstein appealed his sexual assault conviction in California after New York overturned his rape and sexual assault conviction, multiple outlets reported on Friday. The appeal was filed in Californias Second Appellate District. His attorneys claimed that the former movie mogul stands wrongfully convicted of sexually assaulting Jane Doe 1. Weinstein was convicted in late 2022 in the Los Angeles case where he was found guilty on three sexual assault charges and was sentenced to 16 years in jail. Weinsteins legal team argued in the appeal that the former movie producer did not get a fair trial because evidence regarding Jane Doe 1 on the day when the alleged assault took place was excluded. They also said that the prosecution did not disclose Jane Doe 1s romantic affair and they also included alleged criminal assaults as evidence, that at the time, Weinstein was not charged yet. The prosecutions case as to JD1 was weak and premised, in part, on evidence it knew was false, his lawyers said in the appeal, according to NBC News. The jury was misled about JD1s truthfulness and precluded from considering game-changing evidence that pointed to Defendants innocence and contradicted the prosecutions theory of guilt. His attorney also said they were not allowed to cross-examine Jane Doe 1 regarding her finances. They said the jury was left with another false impression of JD1, namely that she had no financial interest in the outcome of the case. Weinsteins appeal makes the same tired arguments that he previously made multiple times, without success, to the trial court, Jane Doe 1s attorney told CNN. We are of the strong opinion that the trial court vetted the evidence appropriately and made all the correct decisions in its evidentiary rulings. We are confident that Weinsteins appeal will be denied and he will spend many years in prison. The appeal on the West Coast comes as Weinsteins 2020 sexual assault and rape conviction was overturned by New Yorks highest court in April in a 4-3 decision. We conclude that the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes, the courts decision from late April said. The remedy for these egregious errors is a new trial. Shortly after, he was hospitalized for a variety of tests as he was on his way to a New York jail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. I went to the only US McDonald's that sells items from its international menus. The super speedy table service was even more impressive than my spicy Thai sandwich. I went to the only US McDonald's that sells items from its international menus. The super speedy table service was even more impressive than my spicy Thai sandwich. McDonald's has a restaurant in Chicago that sells items from its international menus. When I visited, the lineup included dishes from Spain, Thailand, Hong Kong, Finland, Japan, and Canada. My Thai spicy chicken sandwich was delicious, but the speedy table service was even more impressive. McDonald's has more than 40,000 restaurants across the world. But one of its Chicago locations has a menu that makes it stand out from the rest. The McDonald's in Chicago's West Loop looks unassuming from the outside. It's sleek, modern, and very clean, but there's nothing to set it apart from the chain's other modern-image restaurants. The restaurant looks like a normal McDonald's from the outside. Grace Dean/Business Insider But the restaurant, located underneath the burger chain's headquarters, is actually a one-of-a-kind McDonald's that sells menu items from the chain's vast empire of restaurants around the world. The restaurant sells McDonald's items from restaurants around the world. Grace Dean/Business Insider As well as items from McDonald's regular US menu, the restaurant has a rotating range of "global favorite" dishes. You don't just have to order international items. Grace Dean/Business Insider These were advertised heavily on digital screens throughout the restaurant. McDonald's advertised the items on screens throughout the restaurant. Grace Dean/Business Insider This was the global line-up when I visited the restaurant in mid-May. The menu featured three burgers, a portion of fries, an ice cream, two doughnuts, and three flavors of McPops. The items came from McDonald's menus in Spain, Thailand, Hong Kong, Finland, Japan, and Canada. Items included McShaker Fries with taco seasoning from McDonald's Finland. Grace Dean/Business Insider I opted for the Samurai McSpicy chicken sandwich from Thailand. Like with other burgers and sandwiches, you could turn it into a meal. You could upgrade your sandwich to a meal. Grace Dean/Business Insider You could also customize the sandwich. I added pickles and tomato, the latter of which came with a $0.39 price tag. The sandwich came to $7.38, or $8.25 after tax. My sandwich, with added pickles and tomato, came to $7.38 pre-tax. Grace Dean/Business Insider The global menu burgers were priced similarly to the items from McDonald's core US menu, which surprised me. I had expected higher prices I'm sure that diners would have paid a few extra dollars to be able to sample the chain's international cuisine. The global menu burgers were priced similarly to McDonald's core US menu. Grace Dean/Business Insider When I completed my order at the digital kiosk, I was told to take a number and place it on my table. I don't eat at McDonald's often, and I'd never been to one with table service before. I had to take a table number. Grace Dean/Business Insider While I waited for my food, I looked at the decor. The restaurant seemed quiet for a Saturday night and was impressively clean. The restaurant was quiet when I visited. Grace Dean/Business Insider There was a range of seating options, and I liked these sleek light fittings. The restaurant's decor was very modern. Grace Dean/Business Insider One part of the restaurant contained a long table with 18 stools and a door so that it could be closed off. I wondered if McDonald's used this for private company events. There was a long table with 18 stools. Grace Dean/Business Insider Though you could order at a cashier, there was an emphasis on digital kiosks, which typically bring in bigger revenues for restaurants. There were QR codes on each table so you could order from your phone, too. The restaurant had more than a dozen order kiosks. Grace Dean/Business Insider Source: Business Insider There were also dedicated shelves for customers to collect mobile orders they'd placed in advance. There was a dedicated pickup station for mobile orders. Grace Dean/Business Insider On one wall, McDonald's had a large world map, with Golden Arches that the chain previously said were lit up to indicate which countries were included in its current global menu. When I visited, all the Golden Arches were lit up apart from the one over Russia. McDonald's sold its Russian business in 2022 after the country invaded Ukraine. Russia wasn't lit up on McDonald's world map. Grace Dean/Business Insider Sources: McDonald's, Business Insider It took less than five minutes from me placing my order for it to arrive at my table. I was very impressed by the speedy service. Though I hadn't ordered a drink, it was served with a cup of water. My food arrived very quickly. Grace Dean/Business Insider Sadly the sandwich was served in a plain ol' box. For many products, McDonald's has custom packaging. The packaging was lacklustre. Grace Dean/Business Insider The only part of the presentation advertising my meal as anything out of the ordinary was this piece of paper covering the tray. Only the paper gave away that it wasn't a normal McDonald's restaurant. Grace Dean/Business Insider This is what my sandwich looked like. My first thoughts were "that's a lot of lettuce" and "this is going to be messy." The sauce had already oozed onto the box. The box was packed full of lettuce. Grace Dean/Business Insider The sandwich was made up of a McSpicy patty, teriyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and lettuce, served in a sesame seed bun. I'd added on pickles and tomato. The sandwich had a generous portion of teriyaki sauce and mayonnaise. Grace Dean/Business Insider The sandwich was dripping with teriyaki sauce. I have a low spice tolerance, but the sweet and sticky sauce and mayonnaise meant that the McSpicy patty wasn't as hot as I'd expected. The sandwich was delicious. Grace Dean/Business Insider It was a delicious burger. I really enjoyed it, but it was perhaps a bit too messy thanks to all the sauce and there was simply too much lettuce to hold in the bun. A lot of the lettuce escaped from the sandwich. Grace Dean/Business Insider I decided to get a dessert, too. Sadly, quite a few of the desserts from the McCafe menu were out of stock. I opted for a pack of three White Chocolate McPops from McDonald's Spain for $3.99, or $4.46 after tax. Some of the desserts were out of stock. Grace Dean/Business Insider This time, there was just two minutes between me placing my order and it arriving at my table. And, once again, it was served with a glass of water. My McPops were brought to my table, too. Grace Dean/Business Insider The McPops were slightly smaller than the palm of my (pretty small) hand. They were essentially doughnut dough with a gooey filling inside. The McPops were fun-sized. Grace Dean/Business Insider They tasted fine but, if I'm honest, quite boring. I would have liked them to contain more of the white chocolate filling, too. I regretted not ordering the Boston Cream Donut from the Canadian menu or the Hot Fudge Waffle Cone from Japan. I regretted my choice of dessert. Grace Dean/Business Insider Overall, visiting the global menu restaurant was a fun experience. I would have liked to have seen a wider range of international items perhaps some drinks or another side in place of some of the desserts. McDonald's France, for example, sells a range of company-branded flavored water and McDonald's Germany sells chili-cheese pops. The restaurant looked like a normal McDonald's from the outside. Grace Dean/Business Insider The Samurai McSpicy tasted great, but what blew me away was the speedy table service. It was a new experience for me and I was very impressed. I enjoyed my Samurai Spicy sandwich. Grace Dean/Business Insider Read the original article on Business Insider One of the hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and members of the alt-right who marched during the Unite the Right rally Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Southern Poverty Law Center reports that the number of white nationalist groups in the U.S. rose to a record high in 2023. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Quality Journalism for Critical Times WASHINGTON Emboldened by the mainstreaming of hard-right politics ahead of a presidential election cycle, white nationalist and anti-LGBTQ+ groups increased to record levels in the United States last year, according to the Southern Poverty Law Centers latest annual report on hate and extremism. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which has published the annual report since 1990, documented 835 active anti-government groups, up 133 from 2022s count, and 595 hate groups, an increase of 72 over the previous years figure. Accounting for a large portion of the increase was a 50% surge in white supremacy hate groups in 2023, the highest jump ever recorded by the SPLC, growing to 165 over 109 in 2022. White power and neo-Nazi rallies across the U.S. totaled 143 in 2023, down from 191 in 2022. SPLC saw a 33% rise in anti-LGBTQ+ organizations over last year, bringing the total to 86. The group said the growth was largely attributable to the anti-trans movement on the far-right. What were seeing now should be a wake-up call for all of us, Margaret Huang, SPLCs president and CEO, said on a call with reporters on Tuesday. Our 2023 report documented more hate and anti-government extremist groups than ever before. With a historic election just months away, these groups are multiplying, mobilizing, and making, and in some cases already implementing, plans to undo democracy. Hate groups have increased in-person events and leafleting, according to the report. The SPLC tracked nearly 7,000 flyering incidents last year, many including language derived from racist and antisemitic conspiracies. The groups launched campaigns to gain influence in mainstream politics, according to the report, namely through the conservative Heritage Foundations Project 2025 manifesto, which outlines aspirations for anti-abortion, anti-free press, and anti-LGBTQ+ priorities should presumed GOP presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump win in November. Nine of the anti-government and hate groups tracked by the SPLC are part of the coalition that supports Project 2025, the organization reports. Florida a leader in anti-government, hate groups Among the states leading in numbers of anti-government and hate groups are California, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Washington, and Ohio. California topped the list with 51 hate and 66 anti-government groups. The SPLC recorded the second-most groups in Florida, which has become a leader in book-banning incidents and restrictive policies on teachers. The Sunshine State is home to 43 hate and 71 anti-government organizations, according to the report, and is the birthplace of recently influential parental rights group Moms for Liberty. Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice was invited in March 2023 to testify before a U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary subcommittee then chaired by Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana, who is now House speaker. The annual survey of hate groups tracked 116 hate-leafleting incidents in Florida, in which antisemitic groups rallied and flyered on multiple occasions, including over Labor Day, when groups named the Goyim Defense League, The Order of the Black Sun, and the Maine-based Blood Tribe marched in Orlando wielding flags with swastikas, making Nazi salutes. Antisemitism, already on the rise, became more pronounced following Israels continuing offensive on the Gaza Strip following the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Antisemitic conspiracies seeped into mainstream narratives at an alarming pace in 2023. Specifically, after Hamass Oct. 7 terrorist attack, the far right blurred the lines between legitimate criticism of the Israeli governments actions and outright antisemitism, R.G. Cravens, SPLCs senior research analyst for its Intelligence Project, said during Tuesdays call with reporters. Following the Hamas attack, the so-called Goyim Defense League distributed a flyer online and in person that read FREE PALESTINE, as a not-so-thinly-veiled attempt at stoking more antisemitism and using Palestinian people to further their own aims, according to the report. Christian dominionism The SPLC report cites the expanding influence of extreme Christian nationalism as a driver for the growing number of anti-government organizations. The report expresses concern over the rise in the Republican ranks of Johnson, a former senior lawyer for the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian legal advocacy group behind the U.S. Supreme Court case that precipitated the overturning of the federal right to abortion. Johnsons far-right politics, including his anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ positions and his advocacy to blur Christianity and the state, are well documented. Spokespeople for Johnson did not immediately return an email seeking comment. The Alliance for Defending Freedom describes SPLC as a discredited and scandal-ridden group, and denounces the organizations hate map. The SPLC publishes an interactive U.S. map pinpointing locations of anti-government and hate groups. Eventually, their definition of hate included huge swaths of well-respected, mainstream, conservative America, according to a post on the Alliance for Defending Freedom website. The SPLC report specifically warns about the rise of the National Apostolic Reformation, a Christian movement made up of dominionist leaders that aim to seize control of seven areas of society, including government, education, and business. Decline in militias One area in which the report documented a decline is in the militia, or paramilitary, movement, which suffered after the hundreds of Department of Justice prosecutions following the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The numbers of these groups dropped to 52 in 2023, from 61 in 2022. One of the most prominent paramilitaries, the Oath Keepers, significantly diminished its presence following the 2023 conviction and sentencing of its leader Stewart Rhodes for seditious conspiracy leading up to and during the Jan. 6 attack. The Oath Keepers active chapters dropped to 10 in 2023 from 79 in 2022. The post White nationalist, anti-LGBTQ activity on the rise, annual hate report shows appeared first on Florida Phoenix. Theres little chance at present of rational or disinterested debate on immigration to Britain. So many on the Right are infected with paranoiac prejudice and downright nastiness on the matter, as witnessed by the baying over the Rwanda scheme, while the Left often turns dewy-eyed, seemingly impervious to the reality that an open-door policy would bring enormous social problems in its wake. Emotions run to fever pitch, and justice is nowhere. But here is a very fine book that puts the current crisis, with all its complexities, into a longer perspective. Matthew Lockwood is not a tub-thumper or an ideologue but an enthralling story-teller: This Land of Promise, his history of refugees and exiles in Britain, doesnt analyse the statistics of faceless masses or lash out at Home Office policies. Instead he keeps the focus on human individuals, taking five centuries of passages from violent persecution and extreme deprivation as the context. Following the continual invasions of the first millennium of the Christian era, Britains population was a melting pot in which national origin meant little all that signified in the Middle Ages was subscription to a universal Catholic faith. Only with the Reformation did a concept of selectivity take hold: according to Edward VIs lawgivers, afflicted persons banished because of their religion were welcome, but those whose loyalty was to the Pope were not. The result was an influx of tens of thousands of European Protestants, notable among them Huguenots from Flanders, whose expert craftsmanship had a transformative economic impact on cities across southern England and areas of London such as Spitalfields. Despite protectionist measures enforced by anxious native guilds, they assimilated quickly and peaceably. Lockwood explores this phenomenon through the Houblon merchant dynasty, which by its third generation produced Sir John Houblon, Governor of the Bank of England and Lord Mayor of London. After the French Revolution, equally generous welcome would be given to Catholic emigres, including clergy and nuns, and to defenceless black people such as Mary Prince escaping slavery on the sugar and cotton plantations. Throughout the 19th century, Britain became a beacon of liberty in which according to the American abolitionist campaigner Frederick Douglass prejudice against colour was unknown, a nation that felt honour bound to give asylum even to liberals and radicals Mazzini, Herzen, and Marx, for example whose views might be incendiary. 'Prejudice against colour was unknown': abolitionist Frederick Douglass - Bettmann The Jews were the one race treated as problematic. Although they re-established themselves after being banished en masse in 1290 and families such as the Rothschilds had prospered mightily, they continued to be regarded with suspicion. In the 1880s, when the assassination of Tsar Alexander II led to pogroms and a large Russian Yiddish community growing up in Whitechapel, that suspicion turned to outright hostility as the terms immigrant and terrorist, refugee and revolutionary, Jew and criminal became toxically synonymous. Jack the Ripper was widely assumed to be a Fagin-like figure. But even in the face of this backlash, a quarter of a million Jews were firmly settled here by the beginning of the 20th century. In 1906 a restrictive Aliens Bill was defeated in Parliament, the young Winston Churchill vociferously opposing its insular prejudice against foreigners. To the victims of war the British have always been receptive, as the current charitable welcome given to Ukrainians still proves. Over a quarter of million Belgian refugees came to Britain after the German invasion of 1914 (one of them incidentally inspiring Agatha Christie to the creation of Hercule Poirot), and here are moving stories of fugitives from Nazism such as the novelist Stefan Zweig and the beneficiaries of Kindertransport. Bringing the shutters down on Empire brought not only the Windrush Caribbeans and Ugandan Asians fleeing Idi Amin, but also Parsis hounded out of Zanzibar one of them being a shy teenager called Farrokh Bulsara, later known as Freddie Mercury. Who knows what talents the more recent waves of Syrian, Sudanese and Somali children will throw up? Lockwood writes a vivid, fluent prose and moves all these remarkable tales along at a cracking pace. Most importantly, without hectoring, he does what historians are nobly meant to do give us pause, and allow consideration of the past to inform and enlarge our hasty opinions and myopic judgments. This Land of Promise is published by William Collins at 30. To order your copy for 25 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. Meloni has positioned herself as a Brussels kingmaker ahead of the scrabble for EU positions - Roberto Monaldo/LaPresse Europe is following Italys lead, a black-clad Giorgia Meloni declared in the bright sunlight beating down on the new migrant processing facilities in Albania. The Italian prime minister has struck a Rwanda-style deal with Tirana, which is expected to be operational and housing 3,000 people a month, by August. The timing of her visit was calculated and clever, like Ms Meloni herself. It was just days before this weekends European Parliament elections, where her Brothers of Italy party, the heirs to Mussolinis fascists, is predicted to triumph. With Giorgia, Italy is changing Europe, was the ubiquitous motto at a final rally before the June 8-9 vote. Italys first female prime minister has positioned herself as a Brussels kingmaker ahead of the scrabble for EU positions and power after the elections. The 47-year-old is courted by ardently Europhile centrists and hard-Right Eurosceptics alike. It is an astonishing turnaround for an outcast decried as a populist, neo-fascist when she replaced the internationally respected technocrat Mario Draghi as prime minister in October 2022. In her inaugural speech to Italys parliament, she described herself as an outsider and underdog. Less than two years later, she has taken internet-breaking selfies with Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, visited Joe Biden in the White House, swapped jokes with Rishi Sunak and is now fronting Italys G7 presidency. Ms Meloni swapped jokes with Rishi Sunak during the NATO summit - LUDOVIC MARIN/via REUTERS Giorgia Meloni was dwarfed by her 6ft 7in Albanian counterpart Edi Rama - AGF/Shutterstock At 5ft 3 inches tall, the Italian premier was dwarfed by her 6ft 7in Albanian counterpart Edi Rama during their press conference in front of the flags of Italy, the EU and Albania this week. But in the world of European politics, it is Ms Meloni who is the big beast and her influence is reaching a peak. This agreement could be replicated in many countries and could become part of a structural solution for the European Union, Ms Meloni said. The majority of the EU, 15 of 27 member states, had written to the European Commission calling on it to follow the Italian model, she said. Even Germany was interested, she added. Ms Meloni had offered herself as a bridge between non-EU Albania, a candidate country to join the bloc, and the EU states. Mr Rama, frustrated at Albania being kept in the waiting room for ten years, had leapt at the chance to get the support of a founder member of the bloc, which is bearing the brunt of Europes migrant crisis. Unlike the Rwanda Plan, which has been bedevilled by legal issues, asylum seekers whose fast-tracked applications are successful will be allowed to enter Italy. Unsuccessful migrants from those picked up at sea and taken to Albania for processing will be deported. Ylva Johansson, the migration commissioner, said last year: The preliminary assessment by our legal service is that this is not violating EU law, its outside EU law. Brussels was in a difficult position. Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President, has gone to great lengths to get the eurosceptic Ms Meloni onside. Just a few months earlier, Mrs von der Leyen, with great fanfare, had hailed a new migration deal with Tunisia - one of several similar EU agreements with North African countries. Standing on either side of her was Mark Rutte, the pro-EU veteran Dutch prime minister, and Ms Meloni. We are here as team Europe, the centre-Right Mrs von der Leyen declared, placing Ms Melonis hard-line approach to migration firmly in the mainstream. It was another pragmatic alliance from a leader who has skilfully held together her Right-wing coalition in Rome, where governments rarely last long. The coalition includes the centre-Right Forza Italia, a member of Mrs von der Leyens European Peoples Party (EPP), which was founded by the late Silvio Berlusconi. Its third member is the hard-Right League, led by the combustible, pro-Putin, eurosceptic Matteo Salvini, whose jealousy of Ms Melonis higher profile is an open secret. Rise to Brussels kingmaker So how did a woman who flirted with fascism and recently accused Brussels of wanting to force people to eat insects to fight climate change get the keys to the EU establishment? She had, after all, described the EU as rotten to the core and called on Italy to, Brexit-style, quit the bloc. Her first trip abroad as prime minister was to Brussels. I want to give a signal about our will to collaborate with the EU and to defend our national interest she told the leaders of its institutions. She emphasised migration but also backed the EU on Ukraine and the cost of living crisis. Ms Meloni has since forged a reputation as a constructive partner at EU summits, and as a centrist sellout among some of Europes far-Right parties. At a June summit last year, the Italian premier tried to broker a compromise deal between anti-migrant Poland and Hungary and the other member states on migration policy. It failed, but her worth as a bridge to the populist Right was demonstrated. After her first 100 days in power, Charles Michel, the European Council president, thanked her for the responsibility she has shown in office. Her occasional bouts of Brussels-bashing are now largely forgiven or ignored by her fellow prime ministers and presidents. As a result, Ms Meloni can swap kisses with the ardently-europhile Emmanuel Macron at a European Council, while appearing at rallies for Spains hard-Right Vox urging national sovereignty. This year, she forced anti-net zero tractor protests onto leaders summit discussions. After pulling Europe to the Right on migration, she hopes to do the same with what she calls its holy war on climate change. Support for Ukraine Such influence would have been impossible without her support for Ukraine and her rejection of Vladimir Putin, who she had expressed admiration for before the invasion. Only then could Mrs von der Leyen, a staunch supporter of Ukraine and Europes centre-Right, reach out to her. The women travelled together to Kyiv, with Justin Trudeau, Canadian prime minister, and Alexander de Croo, Belgian prime minister, for the wars two-year anniversary. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, later said of Ms Meloni: We have a very strong relationship on a human level. The Italian premier met with Zelensky on the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine - FILIPPO ATTILI/Shutterstock Not many European politicians can embrace both Mr Zelensky and Putin-ally Viktor Orban - but Ms Meloni can. The Hungarian prime minister is a Brussels pariah for his opposition to EU sanctions on the Kremlin. But he is an unabashed fan of Ms Meloni, who he has urged to join forces with Marine Le Pen after the European elections. Mr Orban hopes that a new sovereigntist supergroup of anti-EU parties could hold unprecedented influence in a new European Parliament. On the campaign trail, the Italian premier talks the eurosceptic talk, accusing the EU of being a paradise for bureaucrats, warning against Brussels overreach and describing the elections as a sort of referendum between two opposing visions of Europe. Europes Right After the elections, there will be intense horsetrading over the EU top jobs for the next five years, including the European Commission president, and the formation of parliamentary groups. Groups of like-minded parties form cross-border alliances to qualify for funding, parliament speaking time and influence over EU legislation. Europes Right is currently fragmented into three groups. Mrs von der Leyens EPP, which includes Forza Italia, has long operated in an informal grand coalition with other pro-EU parties to make EU law. Ms Melonis European Conservatives and Reformist (ECR) group, which includes Polands Law and Justice, is eurosceptic, anti-Putin and, according to some estimates, votes with the EPP seven times out of ten. The hard-Right Identity and Democracy (ID) group includes Marine Le Pens National Rally, Mr Salvinis League and Geert Wilders Freedom Party and is subject to a cordon sanitaire keeping it from any real influence in Brussels and Strasbourg. As well as in Italy and France, eurosceptic parties are predicted to win in another five member states and come second or third in another 10 countries. The ID and ECR are predicted to gain about 20 MEPs each and become the fourth and fifth largest groups after the votes of about 370 million people across 27 countries are counted on Sunday. Ms Le Pen has called on Ms Meloni to form a new alliance, which could become the second largest group behind the EPP. I believe that she and I are in agreement on the essential issues, including taking back control of our countries, she told Italys Corriere della Sera. Taking a leaf from Ms Melonis playbook, Ms Le Pen has disavowed her past admiration for Putin when Germanys far-Right AfD, which is pro-Russian, was recently expelled from ID. Mr Orban, who hopes to join the ECR, noted: The future of the sovereignist camp in Europe, and of the Right in general, now rests in the hands of two women. Ms Meloni, who admits she has points in common with Ms Le Pen, is keeping her cards close to her chest. Agnese Ortolani, of the Economist Intelligence Unit, predicted the supergroup would not emerge, saying: [She] would lose political influence by being associated with parties that are perceived as toxic. The EPP would welcome Ms Meloni into their political family, which has increasingly adopted her tone on migration and net zero. Mrs von der Leyen wants her support to shore up her bid for a second term as Commission boss. The Socialists and Democrats, Greens and Liberals remain anxious over a possible EPP-ECR coalition that would shift the parliament firmly to the Right. The Greens have warned Ms von der Leyen they will oppose her nomination for a second term if she forms the conservative alliance, which she has not ruled out. But Ms Meloni may opt to stay put and keep the leverage she has accrued in under two years in power. Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President, has gone to great lengths to get the eurosceptic Ms Meloni onside - Roberto Monaldo/LaPresse Karel Lannoo, the chief executive of the Centre for European Policy Studies think tank, said Ms Meloni would demand an influential role for her party in the new Commission as the price for her support for Mrs von der Leyen. Shes a good political navigator, but she stands for an extreme Right programme, he said. Ms Melonis plan is to once more act as a bridge. The real challenge is to build a different majority than the one we have seen in the last five years, which is an unnatural majority between the European Peoples Party and the Socialists, Ms Meloni said on Monday. I want to attempt a challenging but fascinating task: to replicate in Europe what has been done in Italy, uniting parties compatible in their vision despite having completely different nuances and sending the Left into opposition. 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. Slates guide to the most important figures in politics this week. Welcome to this weeks edition of the Surge, a newsletter whose 150 meals a year at Mortons the Steakhouse suddenly look like childs play. Speaking of childs play, weve got an actual child in the Surge this week. Also, the antithesis of a child, in Joe Biden. And the rapper 50 Cent!! Its almost like its summer. Plus: Another update from the United Kingdom, a land of horrors. Lets begin, though, with a sneaky good primary in Virginia, featuring all of the Surges favorite friends. Photo illustration by Slate. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images. 1. Bob Good An intra-MAGA civil war in Virginia (just like the real Civil War!). The Virginia primary for Rep. Bob Good, the chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, is fast becoming one of the most delightful of the cycle. If youll recall from last weeks edition, Trump had endorsed Goods opponent, John McGuire, likely in retaliation for Goods endorsement of Ron DeSantis (and leaked private criticism of Trump) in the presidential primary. But this has expanded beyond a one-on-one feud between Good and Trump. A host of Freedom Caucus(adjacent) members and typical Trump ride-or-dies, including Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, have endorsed and are campaigning for Good. Trump, meanwhile, has sent Goods campaign a cease-and-desist letter instructing it to stop giving out yard signs that suggest that Good has Trumps backing. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has endorsed McGuire, released a video this week standing next to one of the (indeed, very deceiving) yard signs on the side of a road. Trump, in a video of his own this week, reiterated his support for McGuire, saying that Good will stab you in the back like he did me. The primary is June 18. Lets hope that it continues to get uglier until then, for the purposes of having fun on the internet. 2. Joe Biden A marginal polling improvement? A marginal polling improvement! Last week, we wrote about how no one could immediately predict how the Trump guilty verdict in New York would affect the election given the unprecedented nature of the situation, and that anyone who made a confident prediction was a liar who should go to jail. (More on jail later.) But now seven days have passed, and the Surge is officially lifting the embargo on gabbin about polls. Several surveys showed Biden picking up a point or two on Trump in the week after the verdict. New York Times polling freak Nate Cohn, after poring through raw strands of code, gave an equivocal yes mmm, sweet, sweet equivocationto the question of whether the verdict had changed anyones mind. In a New York Times/Siena College poll, which reinterviewed those who had previously taken the poll, Trumps margin of support over Biden dipped from 3 points to 1. Thats not an especially handsome difference, but there was a good sign for Biden under the hood. Among those most likely to shift were young, nonwhite and disengaged Democratic-leaning voters, whose soft support for Biden relative to 2020 has been a major factor in Trumps polling leads this year. This is not to say that the conviction particularly stunned these voters into thinking that Trump may not be such a swell guy after all, but the news coverage may have jolted them a bit from disengagement to engagement. That this will happen more and more down the stretch is, essentially, the Biden teams theory of the campaign. So it may be not that the verdict itself changes the trajectory of the election on its own, but that its the first in a series of events over the next five months that could provide the Holy shit, Trump could be president again! moments the Biden campaign needs. 3. Guy Rose Kidz Surge. The hottest new celebrity in Washington this week was 6-year-old Guy Rose, the son of Tennessee Rep. John Rose. (We believe that this makes Rose the youngest-ever entrant on the Surge, perhaps with the exception of one of Bidens psychotic dogs.) On Monday, while the elder Rose was delivering a House floor speech lambasting the criminal conviction of Donald Trump, his son was seated behind him, making silly faces for the camera. Guy Rose then went on something of a press tour after getting some media training from a Rose staffer. He told the Washington Post that his fathers speech had been so boring and Fox News that it was boring stuff. He also tried to explain that his gestures had been intended to spell the letters S-A-M as a message to his younger brother and to make him laugh. The paparazzi also caught him rolling around on the White House lawn during the annual congressional picnic on Tuesday. He did an interview with the Wall Street Journal. He was, within a couple of days, significantly more famous than his father. 4. 50 Cent A newsworthy visit to the Capitol. 50 Cent was at the Capitol this week! You will know this if you follow any congressional reporter, because they all got their pictures taken with the rapper. Mr. Cent was there to take meetings with both Democrats and Republicans to talk about growing Black entrepreneurship in the spirits industrybut also to tweet a ton of pictures with lawmakers, including Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. His thirstiest post, though, was with Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, who, he wrote, was making the white house look good, with a smirking emoji. He later followed that up with another post, which we will simply copy-paste: Wait, wait, guys, i took pictures with everyone and all you seem to care about is Lauren what she do in a dark theater that hasnt been done, my God ! Hey I dont have chlamydia by the way. LOL. Just name the week, 50 Cent, and youre guest-writing the Surge. He also made some headlines, telling a CBS News reporter that he sees Black men identifying with Trump in the upcoming election because they got RICO charges. Dum dee dum, next entry 5. Ronny Jackson and Scott Perry Hmm? Youre on what committee, now? Speaker Mike Johnson made an eye-popping personnel decision this week, when he appointed Reps. Scott Perry, a former Freedom Caucus chairman whose phone was seized by the FBI in 2022, and Ronny Jackson, a former White House doctor with a colorful history in that position and the sort of person who has a 2023 Texas rodeo incident section on his Wikipedia page, to the House Intelligence Committee. Further, Johnson didnt tip off the committee chair, Rep. Michael Turner, about his decisions before he announced them, and he skipped over other, more normal-brained members for the appointment. Appointing two members not particularly known for their levelheadedness to a committee charged with serious work has not gone over well on either the Republican or Democratic side of the aisle. So why did Johnson do it? For the same reason any House Republican does anything: because Trump wanted him to, as Punchbowl News reported. But thats probably it, right? Trumps a modest guy. He doesnt like to ask for too many favors from the people he controls. 6. Steve Bannon A surprise summer vacation! (To jail.) Steve Bannon, the former Trump White House aide turned Trump enemy turned Trump friend and MAGA media maven, got some poor news this week: He might have to go to jail after all. Just a tough break. Bannon had been convicted of contempt of Congress in 2022 for his refusal to cooperate with the House Jan. 6 committee and was sentenced to four months in jail. The judge had paused his sentence while Bannon appealed, however, giving him more time to spend in the podcast booth. This week, though, the same federal judge determined that Bannon would have to report to jail by July 1 after a circuit court rejected Bannons arguments. Bannon vowed to keep fighting his sentence, to take it all the way to the Supreme Court if we have to. Well, we hope he has a nice time with that. But he should really just go now so he can be back in action just in time for the closing month of the election! Think of all the #content he would miss if he didnt leave jail until the beginning of November. 7. Rishi Sunak Another update from His Majestys Surge. For the second time in three weeks, His Majestys Surgethat cheeky buggerhas artfully dodged its way into this edition. As we know, the Tories, after being in power for 14 years, are a few short weeks away from losing by 1 million points in the July 4 general election. Among their problems is a complete and unbreakable disdain among the British public for everything they do. And this week, they fucked up a photo op. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak left the international celebration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day early to return home and film a television interview. That left the U.K. governments foreign secretary, the right honorable Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, to stand in for him in photos with fellow world leaders Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Olaf Scholz. Sunaks premature departure irritated everyone in Britain and earned him the reprimand, from a 98-year-old D-Day veteran, that Sunak had let the country down. Thats very poor press a few weeks ahead of a general election. Sunak apologized and added, Its important, though, given the enormity of the sacrifice made, that we dont politicize this. Do not make political hay out of the political leaders mistakeunless you hate the troops. (From left) Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Anders suited up with Cape Kennedy rocket gantry in the background before the mission - Ralph Morse/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images William Anders, who has died aged 90, was an American astronaut who flew on what is often regarded as Nasas most daring space mission; as a crew member of Apollo 8, he became one of the first three men to travel to the Moon, where they lingered in orbit for a day and captured Mankinds first close-up view of the battered lunar surface. Anders was the photographer on the flight, and he took the historic picture of the blue and white Earth rising above the barren grey surface of the Moon an iconic image which is credited with starting the environmental movement. Although their lunar circumnavigation was eclipsed by the first Moon landing (Apollo 11) seven months later, Apollo 8 made arguably the more challenging voyage, and certainly it was the essential prelude. It was only the second Apollo flight and had originally been planned to test Nasas brand-new lunar landing module in the relative safety of close Earth orbit. However, the lander, beset by technical problems, was not yet fit to fly. Adding to Nasas angst, the Soviet Union had sent the Zond 5 crew capsule to the Moon and back safely, albeit carrying only animals (including two tortoises). A Russian manned flight around the Moon was clearly imminent. Earthrise, taken on Christmas Eve 1968 by William Anders - Heritage Space/Heritage Images via Getty Images Anxious to avoid being beaten to yet another space record by their Cold War enemy, the Americans made the bold decision to send Anders and his crewmates to the Moon without the originally planned lunar module. This would have offered the safety net of a duplicate engine and life support should anything go wrong a facility that would later save the lives of the moon-bound Apollo 13 crew. On December 21 1968, Anders, along with two highly experienced astronaut colleagues, commander Frank Borman and command module pilot James Lovell, lay in the cramped Apollo 8 capsule atop their steaming black-and-white Saturn V rocket at Cape Kennedy. The rookie Anders was so relaxed about the imminent launch only the third flight of Americas giant Saturn V and the first with a crew aboard that he fell asleep during the countdown. The biggest rocket ever built departed Florida with a shattering roar that shook spectators, the astronauts families among them, watching three miles away. After a short check-over while in Earth orbit, the engine re-started and accelerated them to the unprecedented velocity of 24,200 mph towards the Moon. The human altitude record, then 850 miles, was quickly smashed as they set off on their 235,000-mile outward journey. The giant Saturn V rocket blasting off - Rolls Press/Popperfoto via Getty Images The crew, with Anders as cameraman, transmitted the first black-and-white television pictures showing the Earth as a ball hanging in the black void, astonishing earthly viewers. Their home planet shrank rapidly in the cabin window, and after a voyage of three days the crew fired their engine to successfully enter lunar orbit. They were the first human beings to be captive to the gravity of a planetary body other than Earth. Anders had trained to fly the lunar module, but with no craft ready, had been allocated the role of mission photographer. On their fourth revolution of the Moon, Anders spotted an extraordinary sight which they had missed three times previously, the colourful Earth rising above the lunar wasteland. Moving between windows as the craft slowly rotated, he shot off several images which would be reproduced endlessly in publications around the world. He would later reflect: We came all this way to explore the Moon, and the most important thing we discovered is the Earth. The crew had quietly planned to mark their historic achievement with a solemn speech from lunar orbit, but now, gazing at the bleak cratered mountains, words failed them. Instead, they settled for taking turns reading from the Book of Genesis. As the sun set on Apollo 8 during their ninth orbit, Anders read out: In the beginning, God created the Heaven and the Earth. And the Earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep Broadcast a quarter of a million miles to Earth from the three remotest human beings in history, as they plunged through the Moons dark shadow on Christmas Eve, the words had an extraordinary resonance with Earth-bound viewers. But the gesture also provoked outrage and a lawsuit from the militant atheist Madalyn Murray OHair, who asserted the separation of church and state, and that Nasas budget should not promote the Bible. The US Supreme Court later rejected this, citing lack of jurisdiction over the location of the offending reading. Anders, 1968 - ullstein bild via Getty Images Their hazardous mission ended with a blazing re-entry into the atmosphere and a pre-dawn splashdown in the Pacific Ocean north of New Zealand. It effectively marked the end of the Moon race with the USSR. William (Bill) Alison Anders was born on October 17 1933 in Hong Kong, where his father Arthur, a US Navy Lieutenant, was stationed with his wife Muriel, nee Adams. When Bill was four, Arthur Anders became the hero of the notorious USS Panay Incident as Japanese aircraft provocatively targeted his Navy gunboat on the Yangtze River in China. With a shrapnel wound to the throat, he was reduced to issuing orders in writing as his ship sank, earning him the Navy Cross and Purple Heart. The family returned to California where young Bill was educated in El Cajon and San Diego, followed by the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. After graduation, he switched to the US Air Force, gained his wings in 1956, and flew interceptors from California and Iceland the latter to counter the Soviet bombers which were challenging US air defences. Anders joined Nasa in 1963 as part of the third intake of astronauts. Apollo 8 was his only spaceflight, and after serving as back-up to Michael Collins on the Apollo 11 Moon landing, he left the agency in 1969. Next, he ran the National Aeronautics and Space Council, advising the US President on space policy. He went on to chair national nuclear bodies and was appointed ambassador to Norway, after which he had a successful and remunerative business career in engineering and aviation. Anders (2004): a lunar crater was named after him - AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta In 1970, the prohibition against naming lunar features after living individuals was briefly suspended in the case of Anders and his colleagues, as well as the crew of the first Moon landing, Apollo 11. A 25-mile-wide crater on the far side of the Moon is now named Anders. He was alone piloting a small aircraft when it crashed in waters near the San Juan Islands, Washington state, on Friday. Anders married Valerie Hoard in 1955, and they had four sons and two daughters. Latterly he settled in Washington state. William Anders, born October 17, 1933, died June 7 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. Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders, who snapped one of the most iconic images of the space age a mesmerizing view of the blue-and-white globe of Earth rising above the moon's cratered horizon in the deep black of space died Friday when a small plane he was piloting crashed off the coast of Washington state. He was 90 years old. His son, Greg Anders, confirmed the death to CBS News, saying that the plane which crashed belonged to his father. Maj. Gen. William Anders arrives at the 6th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 22, 2009, in Beverly Hills, California. / Credit: Kevin Winter / Getty Images The Federal Aviation Administration told CBS News in a statement that the Beech A45 with only the pilot aboard went down in the waters off Roche Harbor, which is located on San Juan Island, at about 11:40 a.m. local time. San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter told CBS News that crews were searching the area, but had not yet recovered a body. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. Anders, who was born in Hong Kong on Oct. 17, 1933, attended the U.S. Naval Academy and the Air Force Institute of Technology before being selected as an astronaut in the NASA space program in 1964, logging more than 6,000 hours flying time, according to his NASA biography. Along with serving as a lunar module pilot for Apollo 8, he was also a backup pilot on the Gemini XI and Apollo 11 flights. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson wrote on social media Friday night that Anders "traveled to the threshold of the Moon" in the Apollo 8 mission "and helped all of us see something else: ourselves. He embodied the lessons and the purpose of exploration. We will miss him." Photographed on Christmas Eve 1968 as Anders, Apollo 8 commander Frank Borman and Jim Lovell orbited the moon, the image is known today simply as "Earthrise," a first-of-its-kind look at planet Earth suspended in the immensity of space that quickly became a symbol of the environmental movement. This view of the rising Earth greeted the Apollo 8 astronauts as they came from behind the Moon after the fourth nearside orbit. The photo is displayed here in its original orientation, though it is more commonly viewed with the lunar surface at the bottom of the photo. Earth is about five degrees left of the horizon in the photo. The unnamed surface features on the left are near the eastern limb of the Moon as viewed from Earth. The lunar horizon is approximately 780 kilometers from the spacecraft. Height of the photographed area at the lunar horizon is about 175 kilometers. / Credit: NASA/ Headquarters "The most impressive aspect of the flight was [when] we were in lunar orbit," Anders said in a NASA oral history interview. "We'd been going backwards and upside down, didn't really see the Earth or the sun, and when we rolled around and came around and saw the first Earth rise, that certainly was, by far, the most impressive thing." He described the home planet as a "very delicate, colorful orb, which to me looked like a Christmas tree ornament, coming up over this very stark, ugly lunar landscape." Anders, Borman and Lovell were the first humans to leave Earth orbit, completing 10 trips around the moon in a Christmas-season flight that helped set the stage for the Apollo 11 moon landing the following year. Many space insiders and historians view Apollo 8 as the most daring of all the Apollo missions. The astronauts were the first to launch atop a huge Saturn 5 rocket, the most powerful in the world, and the first to visit another world, even if at a distance. Mike Collins, the Apollo 11 command module pilot, once said Apollo 8 was the more significant mission. "Well, I've thought about that, and I try to be objective," Anders said. "I certainly think it was very significant. I think landing on the moon was very significant...We were the first to leave our home planet, they were the first to go to...another planet...To say that Apollo 8 is more significant, I'm not ready to say that. They were both significant." Pat Sajak takes final spin on "Wheel of Fortune" How Robin Doan keeps her brother close Spree killer Levi King: Were signs missed? Bloomberg has noted that Russian forces only have limited gains on the battlefield in Ukraine in recent months, and they are beginning to lose ground. Source: Bloomberg in an article titled Putin Is Running Out of Time to Achieve Breakthrough in Ukraine Details: Bloomberg reported that Ukraine had managed to stop the Russian offensive when the flow of weapons from its partners began. Quote: "With Kyiv now taking delivery of billions of dollars in fresh arms from its US and European allies, the window for a Russian breakthrough is narrowing even as it continues to fire missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities including energy infrastructure. A Russian attempt to open a new front in Ukraines northeast Kharkiv region already appears bogged down without achieving Putins goal of creating a buffer zone along the border." More details: Bloomberg further noted that Russian forces have made little headway since capturing the strategically important city of Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast in February at a price of enormous casualties over months of fighting. They have been trying to capture the critical town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast for several weeks. The news agency quotes Ruslan Pukhov, Head of the Moscow-based Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, as saying that Russia's strategy of depleting Ukraine's forces is "very expensive and bloody for the Russian army itself". "It can lead to excessive exhaustion of forces on the Russian side, which in turn, gives Ukrainians a chance to counter attack," he believes. "The prospects of Russia achieving victory this year have greatly reduced" due to the resumption of arms supplies and aid to Ukraine, as reported by Bloomberg, quoting Ben Barry, a Senior Fellow for Land Warfare at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. "Russia might have the largest number of soldiers, but a lot of their first rate armoured vehicles have been destroyed," and rebuilding its Armed Forces to the levels of 2022 will take years, he added. Support UP or become our patron! Wisconsin boaters help to rescue woman hit by train, found unresponsive in lake MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) Boaters who overheard screams and calls for help, helped to pull an unresponsive woman from a southern Wisconsin lake after she reportedly got hit by a train. According to the Madison Fire Department, first responders and Dane County Sheriffs Office deputies responded to Lake Farm County Park after multiple 911 callers reported someone being hit by a train. Help was sent to the area of Upper Mud Lake as people on a nearby boat heard screams and calls for help. Those people approached the area and found a woman unresponsive in the water. Two Wisconsin men arrested after large amount of narcotics found during traffic stop This embedded content is not available in your region. The bystanders were able to get the woman out of the water and onto a dock, where Madison Fire paramedics and EMTs took over. Authorities say that the woman was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. No additional information has been provided. Local 5 will update this story when more details are 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. MEXICO CITY Sundays presidential election held special significance, especially for women in Mexico and across the United States. Standing in the middle of the square, Victoria Martinez looked on to the majestic scene in front of her. Mexicos grand Cathedral on one side and the National Palace in front of her. She missed her family, especially those living in California and elsewhere in the United States. I wish they were here to witness history, said Victoria Martinez, who sold corn-on-the cob from her makeshift stand in the middle of Mexicos giant public square, known as El Zocalo. This is what we all dreamed of, to someday see a woman leading the country. Victoria Martinez stood to the side of the Zocalo and also hoped to catch a glimpse of history. She grew nostalgic and emotional talking about the importance of having a woman lead Mexico into the future. Mexicans on Sunday elected Claudia Sheinbaum by a landslide as their first woman president, replacing her mentor, the outgoing populist leader, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Sheinbaums family fled the Holocaust and later found a haven and built a new life in Mexico where Sheinbaum was born. Known as La Doctora, Sheinbaum, the former mayor of Mexico City, is a former university professor who once studied energy engineering at the University of California, Berkeley where she earned a Masters degree. She later returned to Mexico City to get her doctorate at National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Fluent in English, Sheinbaum's immigrant story resonates across borders and into Central California and Texas where women traditionally play a key role in supporting their families, sacrificing to give the next generation an opportunity. For Suzie Azar, the first and so-far only woman to be mayor of El Paso, Sheinbaum's election represents an opportunity to truly root out the corruption that has plagued Mexico for so long. "I am really excited to see a woman in that office," she said. "I think, over the years, during every Mexican presidential election, they all profess to get rid of the corruption and, being a woman, she is not as tainted as the men in years gone by." Leading presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum arrives at Mexico City's main public square on May 29, 2024, to close out her presidential campaign ahead of the June 2 presidential election. Sheinbaum could become the first woman to lead Mexico. Still, Azar expressed concern over Sheinbaum's political connections to the outgoing Lopez Obrador. "The fact that she's pretty much a follower of the former president, who was pretty left-wing, I think there's some concern that she's going to be a puppet," Azar said. "I hope she moves from that narrow, left-wing ideology closer to the middle ground." Adair Margo, a former First Lady of El Paso who for decades has led tours of Juarez and has a fondness for its history, including its famed namesake Mexican President Benito Juarez, said she has "high hopes" for Sheinbaum's transition to power. Margo said Sheinbaum is an impressive, educated leader who "shows the strength of women" in Mexico. "Though great to have a woman in Mexicos highest post, its the character of a leader that matters most," she said. "Lets hope Mexico changes course to build a stronger constitutional country where all people are educated with the ability to rise." With its predominantly agricultural landscape, the San Joaquin Valley in California is home to a thriving community of Mexican citizens and their descendants. For many, their lives straddle two countries, maintaining strong bonds with their homeland while embracing opportunities in the United States. Agricultural workers in California are an essential part of the US economy. Many come from Mexico. Within this dynamic cultural tapestry, women emerge as influential leaders, particularly in roles like promotoras de salud, where they advocate for the well-being of migrants and farmworkers. These leaders hope that the election of Mexicos first woman president will bring progress in gender equality and empowerment. They said its a symbol of change and potential for inclusivity in politics while acknowledging the challenges she may face as a pioneer in breaking traditional gender walls. Anabel Serna coordinates a team of 20 promotoras in Merced County for the nonprofit organization Cultiva Central Valley. Under her organization's guidance, these women navigate existing systems, striving for better lives for themselves and their families. Women are the ones that are most involved in the changes that happen in the community, she said. They have that connection with Mexico and the hope to return to their homeland, said Serna. Having a woman president will have a very positive impact in the valley. Indeed, the prospect of a female president in Mexico sparks hope and introspection among women like Rosa Nuno and Antonia Sierra-Martinez, both promotoras for Valley Onward. Raised in Mexico amidst a political landscape dominated by the PRI and PAN parties, they migrated to the United States seeking new opportunities. Sierra-Martinez, reflecting on her upbringing in Mexico, which was marred by machismo and gender inequality, expressed astonishment at the possibility of witnessing a woman president in her lifetime. Traditionally, men controlled leadership and decision-making solely, she said. The barrier has been slowly breaking as weve seen women reach other positions of power. A woman in power, Serna said, will show Hispanic women that the status quo is changing and women are being recognized more for their contributions to society. For generations, men have controlled everything, starting at home, she said. The results of the elections show that women have influence. Its very empowering for women. Serna said she expects social change in recognizing and including all members of society due to the innate sensibility of women towards families, minorities, Indigenous people, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We, as mothers, believe that a woman in power is going to make great change, she said. I can feel the excitement as Ive seen girls as young as 13 have high expectations for the future. We know that women have historically been put down under macho culture, and were realizing that we as women have power in politics, society, economics, and family life. As a woman president takes power, Sierra-Martinez said some questions have risen for her, such as what factors allowed two women to be at the forefront of the presidential race. I dont really know how it happened, but this is setting the standard that women can lead a country, she said. Sierra-Martinez said having a woman as president will bring very positive changes to the Valley due to women's innate qualities, such as intelligence, sense of love, protection, emotional connection, and advisers. Theres also the fear that this is the first time women will be in charge of the country, she said. No woman is going to say theres any doubts. If we see a woman get ahead and succeed, it sets the standard for others to follow, and we can do it in our own country. Women and girls march for the 8M march to the Paso del Norte International Bridge on International Women's Day Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Juarez, demanding justice for women and an end to femicides. The most significant impact of this election for Sierra-Martinez is the advancement of gender equality in a country often viewed as a patriarchy. It opens the door for us to expand our horizons and seek to be more, she said. I hope she properly uses her feminine common sense, charisma and emotional maturity to run the country and create accords. The only fear Sierra-Martinez has is that as the first woman president, she will experience a lot of pioneering pressure that might affect other women if not appropriately handled. She has to take advantage of the opportunity and make sure she doesnt disappoint anyone, especially the women of her country, she said. There is an emotional connection even for us women in the U.S. even though we are here. Our heart is still in Mexico. Having a woman president brings excitement for Nuno, who said the potential of women can be used in larger projects where the heart can be used to have empathy while also fearing that emotions can take over and cause difficulties. It can serve as motivation as long as we dont get overly feminist, she said. A woman can be in power, but her cabinets should also have men and women working together to have true equity. Leticia Presa Herrera dressed up in her Sunday best and went to the Zocalo, the biggest public square in Mexico City, and prepared to witness history: The election of Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's first woman president. Back at the Zocalo, Leticia Presa Herrera was dressed in her Sunday best, munching on a corn-on-a-cob. As the sunset, the giant Mexican flag waved in a gentle breeze. Two children flew kites, as their mothers looked on. Presa Herrera spoke of the violence that has gripped Mexico for decades, particularly the attacks against women. She took in the moment and took a deep breath. For the first time the most powerful people here are women, said Herrera, who cleans homes and other odd jobs. I want her to move the country forward, rather than sink it even more. Alfredo Corchado, executive editor and correspondent of Puente News Collaborative reported from Mexico. Christian Betancourt reported from the San Joaquin Valley. Angela Kocherga, news director for KTEP 88.5 public radio, contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Mexico did something US hasn't: Elect a woman as its next president BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Summer is right around the corner and pretty soon crowds will be looking to cool off at one of several state beaches in Western New York. We are looking forward to a smooth summer so visitors can come and just have a safe recreational experience, said Andrew Chouinard who works in the NYS Parks Safety Department. Thats what were most looking forward to. Popular places to go for a swim this summer include Beaver Island, Woodlawn, Evangola and Fort Niagara State Parks. Park officials say they see an increase in visitors to state parks each year. They anticipate this summer to be just as busy. If last year is telling at all, every year seems to get more and more busy, Chouinard said. Were trying to match that with the same amount of lifeguards. The state is currently recruiting lifeguards to man the beaches this summer. Chouinard said they are looking to fill positions at Woodlawn and Evangola beaches. He says while lifeguards do their job, hes reminding people to follow the rules and guidelines and swim only in designated swimming areas. The lifeguards do a really good job being the backup but even under lifeguard supervision it is possible to miss things. The other most important thing is to stay within that designated swim area. If youre going outside the buoy line, youre outside the designated swim area, he said. Chouinard recommends visitors download the NYS parks app when planning their day at any of the parks. If you want to plan a day at the park, what I would do is check the state parks app, you can download it on the app store, he said. Whats really cool about that, specifically to beaches, is you can see what amenities are available here, you can see if we have food, if we have picnic areas, playgrounds, you can map out your hike. More importantly you know what youre getting into. If youre interested in working for New York State Parks as a lifeguard, you can click here for more information. Latest Local News 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. Woman has arm amputated after being bitten by shark in Florida A woman had to have part of her arm amputated after being attacked in one of two shark attacks in Florida on Friday. Both of the attacks occurred in Walton County, which borders the Gulf of Mexico in Florida's panhandle. McKenzie McClintock, the South Walton Fire District Public Informations Officer, told reporters that officials currently do not know how far from land the attacks occurred. They do know that they did not occur near a boat. According to officials, the incidents happened approximately 4 miles apart within a 90-minute span. Three people were hurt in the attacks, South Walton Fire District Chief Ryan Crawford said, per NBC News. During an evening news briefing, he said it was "extremely unusual" for two shark bite incident to happen in the same afternoon. In the first around 1:20pm on Friday a 45-year-old woman was severely injured while swimming with her husband just past the first sandbar. Beaches were closed in Walton County, Florida after back-to-back shark attack incidents in June (stock image) (City of Del Mar) "She received significant trauma to the midsection, the pelvic area, as well as amputation of her left lower arm," Mr Crawford said. The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. After the first attack, the beaches in the area began flying double red flags to warn swimmers of the potential threat in the water. However, around 2:56pm, sheriff's deputies and fire fighters were called to deal with another shark bite at the Sandy Shores Court area near Seacrest Beach. Two people were injured in that incident, both teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 17. The girls were swimming with friends "just inside the first sandbar" when the attack occurred. Crawford noted the first victims were also attacked near the sandbar. One of the girls was seriously injured, with wounds to one upper and one lower extremity. She was rushed to a trauma center in critical condition. The second girl suffered less severe wounds to her right food. She was listed in stable condition, according to Crawford. Officials said during a press briefing on Friday that they would re-assess the situation at the beach on Saturday, but offered no concrete information concerning when the beaches would be re-opened. Shark bites are quite rare, and bites like these make headlines specifically because they are so uncommon. According to the University of Florida's Shark Attack File, there were 59 unprovoked shark bites last year worldwide. Of those, 10 were fatal. Woman rescued from rubble near Poltava dies in hospital Attack on Poltava Oblast on 7 June. Photo: Oblast Military Administration A woman rescued from the rubble in Poltava district on 7 June has died in hospital. Source: Filip Pronin, Head of Poltava Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote from Pronin: "Unfortunately, the woman who was rescued from the rubble yesterday has died. Doctors fought to save her life until the last minute." Background: On 7 June, the Russian army launched a missile attack on a residential building in Poltava Oblast, and a woman was rescued from the rubble. Support UP or become our patron! About one-third of women (33%) ages 15 to 19 who take birth control pills do so for reasons other than preventing pregnancy, according to one study. Mindful Media via Getty Images An estimated 6.5 million people in the United States have endometriosis, a painful condition in which the uterine lining spreads and grows outside of the uterus. The first step for treatment of painful periods associated with the disease, according to gynecologists? Hormonal birth control. Thats what Bella, a 21-year-old New Yorker, has taken since age 13 to treat the often-debilitating symptoms of endometriosis: painful, heavy periods; gastrointestinal issues; and intense fatigue. I know that sounds very young to be on birth control, but I have been experiencing these symptoms since my first menstrual cycle at age 12, said Bella, who, like others in this story, asked to be identified only by her first name to protect her medical privacy. Birth control changed my life, she told HuffPost. Before the pill, my period was so heavy and so painful I was missing school, sports, extracurriculars even just hanging out with friends was impossible. I would never be able to live independently, attend college, work a job or have meaningful relationships without it, she said. It alleviates my symptoms and makes it possible for me to function. Reproductive health care encompasses so much more than just preventing pregnancy.Dr. Allison K. Rodgers, an OB-GYN Given how indebted she feels to the pill, she was disheartened earlier this week when Senate Republicans blocked the Right to Contraception Act, legislation that would enshrine a federal right to access contraception. I may take it mostly for my endometriosis, but women are also 100% justified in taking it to prevent pregnancy, she said. It shouldnt matter why someone is taking it, and its no politicians business. If right-wing politicians are sick of abortions, itd be stupid to ban access to birth control or the morning-after pill, like Plan B, Bella said. Theyre so hypocritical. Democrats brought the bill to the floor out of fear that reproductive rights will be further threatened after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the national right to an abortion two years ago. Just last month, former President Donald Trump said that hed be looking at restricting contraception access should he win back the presidency in November, though he later backtracked. On Wednesday, the vote on the Right to Contraception Act was 51-39, falling short of the 60 votes needed to defeat a filibuster and move the bill forward. Republicans argued that access to contraception is already protected by the U.S. Supreme Court but Democrats scoffed at the idea, noting that access to abortion was protected by the high court, too, before Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022. Prior to that, plenty of Republicans lawmakers gave the same assurances about abortion rights, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) argued. And within that 2022 ruling, Justice Clarence Thomas argued that the court should reconsider several other rights, with access to contraception among them. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) joins Democratic Sens. Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) and Ed Markey (Mass.) at a Wednesday news conference on the Right to Contraception Act. The Washington Post via Getty Images Whats often missing from the conversation on contraceptives is how many people like Bella take hormonal birth control for non-contraceptive reasons. Countless women and gender-fluid, nonbinary and transgender people want contraceptive care to be codified, too, just like those who depend on it primarily to prevent pregnancy. A 2011 study from the Guttmacher Institute found that 14% of women who used a hormonal birth control pill or 1.5 million women took the medication exclusively for non-contraceptive reasons. And 58% of birth control pill users took the pill at least in part for purposes other than contraception. Among teens, that percentage was higher: About one-third of respondents (33%) ages 15 to 19 who took a birth control pill did so for reasons other than preventing pregnancy, according to the study. That was the case for Katie Ann, a 36-year-old from North Carolina, who started taking the pill at 16. When Im off the pill, I get debilitating cramps, she told HuffPost. I passed out in a Macys when I was 16, and thats when my mom decided to take me to the doctor. Once, Katie Ann went off birth control for a year and a half. In that time, she had to take eight sick days at work. Id wake up at 4 a.m. doubled over in pain and by 6 a.m. could still barely get off the floor, she said. When I say birth control changed my life, I truly mean it. Dr. Allison K. Rodgers, an OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist at Fertility Centers of Illinois, said its often difficult periods like that which bring people to her office to discuss taking birth control. As mentioned before, for the symptoms of fibroids and endometriosis, hormonal birth control is the go-to treatment since there can be significant risk to surgical options, Rodgers said. "When I'm off the pill, I get debilitating cramps," Katie Ann, 36, told HuffPost. "I passed out in a Macys when I was 16, and thats when my mom decided to take me to the doctor." LaylaBird via Getty Images Heavy periods can also cause anemia, and the treatment is hormones to lighten the cycles to prevent anemia, she said. Thats what happened to Elise, a 33-year-old from Texas who started taking birth control at 16, long before she was ready for sex, she said. I knew I had a problem when one day I passed out while going for a walk in a public park, Elise said. Bystanders assumed I was on drugs and ignored me. It was totally unsafe. I was scared to go on birth control because, as a woman of faith, I had heard awful things about women that use contraception, but my period symptom left me lightheaded all the time. Ultimately, being able to use birth control as a hormonal therapy meant reducing the amount of pain Elise experienced and reducing the amount of blood she was losing every month. Birth control dramatically improved my health, safety and quality of life. It fixed my anemia, so now I have more energy, she said. Im married now and might start a family some day, but for now Ive been prescribed two types of hormonal birth control. Elise said she knows a lot of people men and women alike who have no idea that hormonal birth control is used in such a way: Its isolating and scary when others shame birth control users just because they dont know what the medication can really do for womens health. People undergoing fertility treatment are prescribed birth control, too. Cris Canton via Getty Images Years ago, Cheryl, a 54-year-old from New Jersey, was put on birth control after being diagnosed with bilateral endometrial ovarian cysts. She stayed on it for eight years. I had two treatment options: Have surgery, which would have been invasive, expensive, terrifying, and would have kept me out of work for two weeks, or pop a pill every morning, she said. I didnt want to risk the cysts growing larger or worse, having an ovary torsion, so birth control was a no-brainer, she added. Rodgers, the OB-GYN, said birth control is also prescribed to people with polycystic ovary syndrome, who are at risk of developing uterine cancer if not treated with hormones. Birth control actually reduces risks of ovarian cancer, and for many patients who are at high risk, this can be a very important long-term treatment, she said. People undergoing fertility treatment are prescribed birth control, too, Rodgers said. Its used to control cycles before in vitro fertilization or frozen embryo transfer cycles and to keep the uterine lining thin in preparation for a hysteroscopy, an exam of the inside of the cervix and uterus. Reproductive health care encompasses so much more than just preventing pregnancy, Rodgers said. Supporters of the Right to Contraception Act, which Senate Republicans blocked this week, hold a press conference on June 14, 2023, outside the U.S. Capitol. SAUL LOEB via Getty Images For intense period pain, one alternative is an anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, that can be purchased over-the-counter but isnt generally as effective as hormonal birth control, said Dr. Karen Tang, a gynecologist and the author of Its Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (But Were Never Told). If someone is experiencing severe pain that is not controlled by birth control, Tang suggests discussing further evaluation and different treatment options with their doctor. Tang said shes unnerved when lawmakers weigh in on contraceptive and abortion care. I always say, imagine if lawmakers were deciding on someones right to access chemotherapy, diabetes or blood pressure medication, surgery for hip replacement, she said. Or imagine if senators who were Jehovahs Witnesses could impose their beliefs about blood transfusions on all Americans and say that they were illegal and subject to criminal penalties if a doctor were to give someone a blood transfusion, Tang said. Thats how many doctors and other medical professionals see arguments about abortion, birth control and gender-affirming care, Tang said. Its debate by politicians who have no medical expertise making essentially medical decisions on behalf of people without understanding the ramifications, she said. Related... World Health Organization sounds alarm as cases of mosquito-borne illness hit new record: 'We are definitely worried' Dengue fever, an unpleasant and sometimes fatal mosquito-borne illness, is hitting new records in the Americas. The World Health Organization reported that, while there were about 4.5 million recorded dengue cases in the Americas in 2023, those numbers had already surpassed 7 million by the end of April 2024. What's happening? Central and South America are currently experiencing what is likely "the worst dengue season" they've ever had, the head of the Pan American Health Organization, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva, said in a press conference reported on by Reuters. Brazil alone has reported over 6 million cases, per the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and the continent's case numbers for early 2024 are comparable to the rest of the world's cases combined during the same period. "They've reached this tipping point where there are enough infected humans that they're subsequently infecting other mosquitoes that are continuing to transmit disease," Michael von Fricken, director of a health research center at the University of Florida, told NBC. Epidemiologists also speculate that it's only a matter of time before the disease becomes widespread elsewhere. It's particularly "concerning for places where dengue hasn't occurred before in recent history: North America and Europe," Dr. Albert Ko, an epidemiology professor at Yale University, told NBC. "We are definitely worried." Dengue symptoms may include fever, vomiting, headaches, rashes, and muscle and joint pain; occasionally, cases can lead to internal bleeding and death. Why is this surge worrying? The rise of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks is particularly concerning because it paints a grim future, considering that the continued warming of the planet fosters an abundance of mosquitoes. As the planet's temperatures continue to rise, the prevalence of hot, humid air and tropical storms also increases. Unfortunately, hot and humid and damp conditions are precisely the ones in which mosquitoes thrive. Because of this, more regions will become hospitable breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and the breeding season will be longer in areas with already sizable mosquito populations. One study found that transmission seasons for dengue and malaria in certain regions could lengthen by up to an additional four months per year by the end of the century, putting more people at risk. Even effective vaccination programs could not tame the ongoing outbreak immediately, Barbosa warned, as quoted in a separate Reuters report. What's being done about this? In an effort to maintain accurate disease surveillance and tracking, the World Health Organization launched the Global Arbovirus Initiative, which, according to a statement, aims to "ensure efficient response, evidence-based practice, equipped and trained personnel, and engagement of communities." Additionally, taking steps at a local level to curb planet-heating pollution and reduce waste can help prevent mosquitoes from breeding and stop disease transmission in its tracks. If you live in or are traveling to a mosquito-prone area, always check the vaccination recommendations and be prepared with tools like bug spray, bed nets, and long-sleeved clothing. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. U.S. Marines take part in the Memorial Day ceremony at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery on May 26, 2013. The cemetery is located outside the woods of Belleau, the historic battlegrounds of The Battle of Belleau Wood. The U.S. Marines and their French counterparts marked the 95th anniversary of the battle that year, commemorating their fallen comrades. (Sgt. Tatum Vayavananda | U.S. Marine Corps) Machine gun fire, sharpshooters, barbed wire, bayonets, bombs of every kind and finally, fist-to-fist fighting. That was the Battle of Belleau Wood where the German infantry and U.S. Marines clashed outside Paris a little more than a century ago. It was a turning point in World War I, a key component of Marine Corps lore, and the final resting place of 2,289 Americans, now buried in the nearby Aisne-Marne Cemetery. One hundred and seventeen Wisconsinites are there beneath peaceful, well-kept graves. On Sunday, as part of a commemorative D-Day trip to Europe, Americas current president will visit. The president before him skipped a trip to Aisne-Marne, choosing instead to slander the heroes. More than 100,000 courageous Marines, soldiers, sailors, nurses and other military personnel who sacrificed their lives for freedom during World War I and World War II are laid to rest in sacred sites like Aisne-Marne. Overall, there are 25 overseas American military cemeteries, with 4,595 Wisconsinites commemorated. As veterans of the 9/11 wars, we reflect on these distant deaths from the comforts of our homes in America. How do we honor those who fell in a French forest, a Pacific Island or an Iraqi alleyway? Often those who go to war say with their actions what they do not say with their words. Throughout our nations history, American brothers and sisters have spoken by fighting battles abroad so we could live in a country free of such threats. We try to honor them, first by recognizing that their sacrifice can never be repaid. Then we try to accept the Sisyphean task of living a good life and accepting the challenge of being citizens who honor the fallen by at least trying to live with moral courage. This means speaking truth not only when difficult, but especially when it is clearly hard, when it is not in our interest, and when it makes us reevaluate prior loyalties. For these reasons we have forged a coalition of veterans from different political parties and diverse backgrounds to ask Democrats, Republicans and Independents for a simple pledge honor the 2024 election results and renounce violence in what is shaping up to be the most consequential campaign season in our lifetime. In Wisconsin, where our organizations have more than 1,400 members combined, we veterans are a force at the polls and comprise about 5% of the state overall. We and our military families seek a commander in chief who will have a steady hand at the helm and who is guided by humanitarian values. Late last month in North Carolina, which houses Americas largest military base, we attended the Republican state convention and requested their pledge. The GOPs presumed presidential candidate, Donald Trump, is actively condoning and promoting violence on the campaign trail. They did not pledge and threw us out of their gathering. Which circles us back to the sacred resting place of Aisne-Marne Cemetery. In 2018, bad weather stopped Trumps helicopter trip there. The Secret Service, according to accounts of those in attendance, told him they could drive instead. Trump is alleged to have said he didnt want to visit the cemetery because it was filled with losers. The more than 1,800 Marines who died at Belleau Wood, he added, were suckers for getting killed. That Trump has repeatedly disregarded the rule of law and disparaged veterans and the concept of service is well known. What is unknown is what the fallen heroes at Belleau Wood might have said about a man like Trump. The post What a WWI cemetery in France means to every Wisconsinite appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner. A World War II veteran has married his bride on the 80th anniversary of D-Day near the beaches of Normandy, France. Harold Terens a 100-year-old US Army Air Force veteran living in Florida tied the knot with 96-year-old Jeanne Swerlin on Saturday, June 8 during a ceremony in Carentan-les-Marais, in the Normandy region of northern France. The ceremony was officiated in English by Carentans mayor, Jean-Pierre LHonneur, according to the AP. The couple exchanged rings inside the town hall and waved through an open window to people outside who were commemorating the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France. To everybodys good health. And to peace in the world and the preservation of democracy all over the world and the end of the war in Ukraine and Gaza, Terens said in a toast, per the AP. The WWII veteran originally from the Bronx, New York visited France as an Air Force corporal shortly after D-Day, when he was just 20 years old. Terens had enlisted in 1942 and was stationed in England, where he worked as a radio repair technician for a four-pilot P-47 Thunderbolt fighter unit. WWII veteran Harold Terens, 100, ties the knot with Jeanne Swerlin, 96, on 80th anniversary of D-Day (AP) On D-Day, which took place on June 6, 1944, Terens helped repair planes returning from France to rejoin the battle. That day, more than 150,000 troops from the US, UK and Canada stormed Normandys beaches, marking the start of Europes liberation from the Nazis. However, more than 4,000 Allied troops also died during the invasion. Terens himself went to France 12 days later, helping transport freshly captured Germans and newly-freed American prisoners of war to England. Following the Nazi surrender in May 1945, Terens again helped transport freed Allied prisoners to England before he was shipped back to the US a month later. For the wedding, Swerlin reportedly wore a long pink dress while Terens donned a light blue suit and matching pink kerchief in his breast pocket. Following the nuptials, the newlyweds were treated to a state dinner at the Elysee Palace with French president Emmanuel Macron and US president Joe Biden, LHonneur told the AP. Terens and Swerlin celebrate their wedding at the town hall of Carentan-les-Marais in Normandy, northwestern France, on Saturday, June 8, 2024 (AP) While the ceremony was legally non-binding and purely symbolic, the mayor maintained that love is eternal. Speaking to attendees at the wedding, Swerlin proudly declared about her husband: Hes the greatest kisser ever, you know? All right! Thats it for now! Terens said, to which his wife quipped: You mean theres more later? King Charles II, Joe Biden, and UK prime minister Rishi Sunak also paid tribute to the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Ver-sur-Mer, France. Meanwhile, French president Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron welcomed heads of state and government in Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer, and awarded Legion of Honour medals to veterans. The Prince of Wales joined King Charles and Queen Camilla in France, where he attended the Canadian commemorative event at the Juno Beach Center in Courseulles-sur-Mer. Even actor Tom Hanks who starred in Saving Private Ryan, Steven Spielbergs 1998 war film set against the backdrop of the 1944 landings was in attendance at the memorial in France. Were it not for their choice to come and do the right thing 80 years ago, you and I would not be standing here, Hanks said. Additional reporting from AP. Jose Uribe testified he paid for a luxury car in hopes New Jersey's senior senator would force investigators to halt a prosecution and related probe. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images) A failed insurance broker from New Jersey told jurors in Manhattan Friday that he bribed Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife in exchange for the senator killing the prosecution of a friend and stopping an expanding criminal investigation that threatened to ensnare his own company. The afternoons bombshell testimony riveted the packed courtroom, as federal prosecutor Lara Pomerantz got straight to the point after Jose Uribe, a co-defendant who pleaded guilty in March in a cooperation deal, approached the stand under the steady gaze of New Jerseys senior senator. Have you ever committed a federal crime? she asked. Yes, I have, Uribe responded. Does that include bribery of a public official? she asked. Yes, I did, Uribe said. Uribe then told the hushed court Menendez was that public official; his wife, Nadine, accepted the bribes; and a co-defendant, Egyptian American halal meat exporter Wael Hana, was in on it, too. I agreed with Nadine Menendez and other people to provide a car for Nadine in order to get the power and influence of Mr. Menendez, Uribe said. Uribes testified his goal was twofold. He wanted to stop the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office from prosecuting his friend Elvis Parra, a trucking company owner who had been indicted for insurance fraud. He also wanted to derail the expanding investigations into the company, Prestige Trucking Express, that Parra created afterward with his business partner Bienvenido Hernandez, as well as Uribes insurance brokerage, Phoenix Risk Management. Phoenix secured insurance for both of Parras firms. Menendez whispered to his attorney throughout Uribes testimony. Outside after court, the Democrat told reporters in Spanish: Wait for the cross-examination, and youll see what the truth is. Youre going to see this has been prepared for weeks, for weeks. From insurance fraud to bribery Uribe spent two and a half hours laying out how he came to meet the Menendezes and play a pivotal role in the senators second corruption trial in the past decade. The Dominican Republic native and divorced father of four told jurors he began working in the insurance industry around 1989 after he immigrated to Union City in 1985. He started his own insurance brokerage, Inter-America Insurance, in 2001, where he specialized in securing insurance for transportation and construction companies, he testified. His family worked for him, he said. He got charged with insurance fraud and theft by deception, lost his license, and closed the agency in 2011, he testified. He started Phoenix Risk Management soon after illegally, because his conviction didnt allow him to continue working in the industry, he said. The new company had much of the same staff as the shuttered one and inherited all its clients, and Uribes son Omar got a license and became its agent of record, while Uribe continued as its general manager, he testified. When his son left two years later to go to law school in Seattle, Uribe promoted his daughters friend Ana Peguero to the firms agent of record, he said. Uribe and his son transferred ownership to Peguero in 2018, and Uribe told jurors they became so close he considers her a daughter. He told jurors he met Hana around 2007 when Uribe secured insurance for a trucking company Hana owned at the time. Their bribery scheme started in early 2018, when Hana who shared an office with Uribes attorney, Andy Aslanian overheard Uribe talking with Aslanian about Parras case and subpoenas Uribes firm had received in relation to the states expanding investigation. Parra faced jail time, and Uribe told jurors he was worried about him. Parra was a good friend he met after he helped Parra obtain intermodal motor transport insurance, which allowed Parras company to work in the port. Hana pulled Uribe into the hallway, Uribe said, and told him for something like $200,000, $250,000 I dont remember the amount he got a way to make these things go away. Hana told Uribe he could go to Nadine Menendez, and she would go to the senator, Uribe said. Uribe shared details of the conversation with Hernandez because Prestige was under investigation, too, and he figured Parra and Hernandez also could benefit from Hanas offer, Uribe testified. Uribe then scheduled a meeting at a Marriott hotel lounge in Teaneck for the men to talk, he said. While Hana didnt outline how exactly the senator and his wife would end their criminal troubles, Uribe said, he, Parra, Hernandez, and Hana agreed to proceed with their scheme. The deal is to kill and stop all investigation, Uribe texted Hana later, to confirm terms. Uribe told jurors he organized a fundraiser, at Hanas suggestion, in July 2018 in Cliffside Park to support Menendezs reelection campaign. The event, with a suggested donation of $5,000 per person, raised $50,000, he said. I wanted to be in the good grace of the senator, he said. Things looked to be on their way. Failed promises Several months later, a state detective named Suzanna Lopez reached out to Peguero and requested an interview. Uribes frustration and desperation were growing, according to texts prosecutors presented earlier this week and again Friday. I am f***ed man, Uribe texted Hana in October 2018. The whole thing is going. Bad. I have no face to talk to my family Please be sure that your friend knows about this, just as a last favor. In court Friday, Uribe confirmed that your friend in that text meant Menendez. All I wanted was to protect my family and this woman to leave them alone, Uribe testified Friday, referring to the detective. Uribe met Hana and the Menendezes for dinner, but he didnt bring up his request for the senators help in the criminal cases out of respect for Hana, who he later concluded was looking to kiss a** to Mr. Menendez. It was pointless, he told jurors of the dinner. The states investigation proceeded, so by March 2019, Uribe decided to take matters into his own hands, he testified. He got Nadine Menendezs number from Aslanian and reached out to her, he told jurors. She put a line of complaints about how her life is not going well. Most men who promised her things in the past never come through, he testified. Hana had promised her a car but never delivered, she told Uribe. Hana had planned to pay for the $67,000-plus Mercedes-Benz convertible Nadine wanted out of the $200,000 to $250,000 Parra and Hernandez promised to pay for Menendezs influence, Uribe testified. Its unclear if that money was ever paid or to whom. Uribe saw a solution he offered to buy Nadine Menendez the car in exchange for her help with the senator, he told jurors. She agreed to the terms, Uribe testified. I was willing to do anything in my power, and if that was to buy a car for Nadine to help me, I would get it done. Gurbir Grewal, New Jerseys former attorney general, took the stand Thursday to confirm that Menendez called him twice and met with him once in 2019 to intervene in an insurance fraud case involving the trucking industry, but he told jurors he ended their conversations before the senator provided details and did not intervene. Parra eventually pleaded guilty and got probation. As the dinner hour approached Friday, Stein dismissed the jury for the weekend. Uribe is expected to take the stand again Monday morning. Fingerprint evidence Earlier Friday, jurors heard from Kira Glass, a fingerprint examiner based at the FBIs Quantico, Virginia, headquarters. She testified that the FBI identified eight of Sen. Menendezs prints on five cash-stuffed envelopes in the couples Englewood Cliffs home in June 2022, when investigators seized gold bars, gold coins, nearly $500,000 in cash, and other items they say were bribes. Investigators also found prints belonging to Nadine Menendez on envelopes seized from her bank safe deposit box, as well as the prints of co-defendant Fred Daibes and several other men prosecutors have associated with the bribery scheme. One envelope found in the locked bedroom closet that defense attorneys have insisted belonged to Nadine Menendez alone had the prints of both Menendez and Daibes on it, Glass said. That is significant because it dents defense arguments earlier in the trial that any evidence found in the closet had nothing to do with the senator because he had no access to that area. On cross-examination, defense attorney Adam Fee tried to weaken that evidence by questioning Glass about another fingerprint agents identified this year on a cash-stuffed envelope. It belonged to Yanik Fenton Espinosa, a Zumba instructor in Miami who once worked for former U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican. It was unclear how her fingerprints ended up on an envelope in Menendezs home, but under Fees questioning, Glass acknowledged that fingerprint examiners cant determine how, where, when, or why prints end up on objects. The post Yes, I did New Jersey businessman tells jury he bribed Sen. Menendez appeared first on New Jersey Monitor. A failed insurance broker from New Jersey told jurors in Manhattan Friday that he bribed Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife in exchange for the senator killing the prosecution of a friend and stopping an expanding criminal investigation that threatened to ensnare his own company. The afternoons bombshell testimony riveted the packed courtroom, as federal prosecutor Lara Pomerantz got straight to the point after Jose Uribe, a co-defendant who pleaded guilty in March in a cooperation deal, approached the stand under the steady gaze of New Jerseys senior senator. Have you ever committed a federal crime? she asked. Yes, I have, Uribe responded. Does that include bribery of a public official? she asked. Yes, I did, Uribe said. Uribe then told the hushed court Menendez was that public official; his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, accepted the bribes; and a co-defendant, Egyptian American halal meat exporter Wael Hana, was in on it, too. I agreed with Nadine Menendez and other people to provide a car for Nadine in order to get the power and influence of Mr. Menendez, Uribe said. Manhattan, NY October 18, 2023 -- Jose Uribe involved in the bribery case involving Senator Robert Menendez enters the Federal Courthouse in lower Manhattan for a hearing on corruption charges. Uribes testified his goal was twofold. He wanted to stop the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office from prosecuting his friend Elvis Parra, a trucking company owner who had been indicted for insurance fraud. He also wanted to derail the expanding investigations into the company, Prestige Trucking Express, that Parra created afterward with his business partner Bienvenido Hernandez, as well as Uribes insurance brokerage, Phoenix Risk Management. Phoenix secured insurance for both of Parras firms. Menendez whispered to his attorney throughout Uribes testimony. Outside after court, the Democrat told reporters in Spanish: Wait for the cross-examination, and youll see what the truth is. Youre going to see this has been prepared for weeks, for weeks. From insurance fraud to bribery Uribe spent two-and-a-half hours laying out how he came to meet the Menendezes and play a pivotal role in the senators second corruption trial in the past decade. The Dominican Republic native and divorced father of four told jurors he began working in the insurance industry around 1989 after he immigrated to Union City in 1985. He started his own insurance brokerage, InterAmerican Insurance, in 2001, where he specialized in securing insurance for transportation and construction companies, he testified. His family worked for him, he said. He got charged with insurance fraud and theft by deception, lost his license, and closed the agency in 2011, he testified. He started Phoenix Risk Management soon after illegally, because his conviction didnt allow him to continue working in the industry, he said. The new company had much of the same staff as the shuttered one and inherited all its clients, and Uribes son Omar got a license and became its agent of record, while Uribe continued as its general manager, he testified. When his son left two years later to go to law school in Seattle, Uribe promoted his daughters friend Ana Peguera to the firms agent of record, he said. Uribe and his son transferred ownership to Peguera in 2018, and Uribe told jurors they became so close he considers her a daughter. Manhattan, NY October 18, 2023 -- Wael Hana, involved in the bribery case involving Senator Robert Menendez enters the Federal Courthouse in lower Manhattan for a hearing on corruption charges. He told jurors he met Hana around 2007 when Uribe secured insurance for a trucking company Hana owned at the time. Their bribery scheme started in early 2018, when Hana who shared an office with Uribes attorney, Andy Aslanian overheard Uribe talking with Aslanian about Parras case and subpoenas Uribes firm had received in relation to the states expanding investigation. Parra faced jail time, and Uribe told jurors he was worried about him. Parra was a good friend he met after he helped Parra obtain intermodal motor transport insurance, which allowed Parras company to work in the port. Hana pulled Uribe into the hallway, Uribe said, and told him for something like $200,000, $250,000 I dont remember the amount he got a way to make these things go away. Hana told Uribe he could go to Nadine Menendez, and she would go to the senator, Uribe said. Uribe shared details of the conversation with Hernandez because Prestige was under investigation, too, and he figured Parra and Hernandez also could benefit from Hanas offer, Uribe testified. Uribe then scheduled a meeting at a Marriott hotel lounge in Teaneck for the men to talk, he said. While Hana didnt outline how exactly the senator and his wife would end their criminal troubles, Uribe said, he, Parra, Hernandez, and Hana agreed to proceed with their scheme. The deal is to kill and stop all investigation, Uribe texted Hana later, to confirm terms. Uribe told jurors he organized a fundraiser, at Hanas suggestion, in July 2018 in Cliffside Park to support Menendezs reelection campaign. The event, with a suggested donation of $5,000 per person, raised $50,000, he said. I wanted to be in good graces of the senator, he said. Things looked to be on their way. Failed promises Several months later, a state detective named Suzanna Lopez reached out to Peguera and requested an interview. Uribes frustration and desperation were growing, according to texts prosecutors presented earlier this week and again Friday. I am [expletive] man, Uribe texted Hana in October 2019. The whole thing is going. Bad. I have no face to talk to my family Please be sure that your friend knows about this, just as a last favor. In court Friday, Uribe confirmed that your friend in that text meant Menendez. All I wanted was to protect my family and this woman to leave them alone, Uribe testified Friday, referring to the detective. Uribe met Hana and the Menendezes for dinner, but he didnt bring up his request for the senators help in the criminal cases out of respect for Hana, who he later concluded was looking to kiss a** to Mr. Menendez. It was pointless, he told jurors of the dinner. The states investigation proceeded, so by March 2019, Uribe decided to take matters into his own hands, he testified. He got Nadine Arslanian Menendezs number from Aslanian and reached out to her, he told jurors. She put a line of complaints about how her life is not going well. Most men who promised her things in the past never come through, he testified. Hana had promised her a car but never delivered, she told Uribe. Hana had planned to pay for the $67,000-plus Mercedes-Benz convertible Nadine Arslanian Menendez wanted out of the $200,000 to $250,000 Parra and Hernandez promised to pay for Menendezs influence, Uribe testified. Its unclear if that money was ever paid or to whom. Uribe saw a solution he offered to buy Nadine Arslanian Menendez the car in exchange for her help with the senator, he told jurors. She agreed to the terms, Uribe testified. I was willing to do anything in my power, and if that was to buy a car for Nadine to help me, I would get it done. As the dinner hour approached Friday, Stein dismissed the jury for the weekend. Uribe is expected to take the stand again Monday morning. Special report: Jose Uribe flipped. Here's why he bribed Bob Menendez with a new Mercedes Fingerprint evidence Earlier Friday, jurors heard from Kira Glass, a fingerprint examiner based at the FBIs Quantico, Virginia, headquarters. She testified that the FBI identified eight of Sen. Menendezs prints on five cash-stuffed envelopes in the couples Englewood Cliffs home in June 2022, when investigators seized gold bars, gold coins, nearly $500,000 in cash, and other items they say were bribes. Investigators also found prints belonging to Nadine Menendez on envelopes seized from her bank safe deposit box, as well as the prints of co-defendant Fred Daibes and several other men prosecutors have associated with the bribery scheme. One envelope found in the locked bedroom closet that defense attorneys have insisted belonged to Nadine Menendez alone had the prints of both Menendez and Daibes on it, Glass said. That is significant because it dents defense arguments earlier in the trial that any evidence found in the closet had nothing to do with the senator because he had no access to that area. On cross-examination, defense attorney Adam Fee tried to weaken that evidence by questioning Glass about another fingerprint agents identified this year on a cash-stuffed envelope. It belonged to Yanik Fenton Espinosa, a Zumba instructor in Miami who once worked for former Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican. It was unclear how her fingerprints ended up on an envelope in Menendezs home, but under Fees questioning, Glass acknowledged that fingerprint examiners cant determine how, where, when, or why prints end up on objects. Editor's note: This story was originally published by the New Jersey Monitor, for which Dana DeFilippo is a staff writer. The New Jersey Monitor is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bob Menendez trial: Jose Uribe tells jury he bribed NJ senator FILE - Pedestrians cross Delancey Street as congested traffic from Brooklyn enters Manhattan over the Williamsburg Bridge, March 28, 2019, in New York. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is trying to raise taxes on businesses in the city to close a big budget gap that emerged after she halted a plan to charge drivers a toll to enter the center of Manhattan. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday defended her decision to block a plan to reduce New York City traffic and raise billions for its ailing subway system through a new toll on Manhattan drivers but offered little detail on how she would replace the program's financial and environmental benefits. In her first public appearance since announcing she was indefinitely pausing the congestion pricing toll, Hochul maintained the move was driven by economics and conversations with New Yorkers, particularly people at a Manhattan diner she frequents. I cant do anything right at this time that would also suck the vitality out of this city when were still fighting for our comeback," she told reporters at a news conference announced four minutes before it was set to start Friday night in Albany. Hochul this week suggested raising taxes on businesses to make up for the toll revenue. The proposal immediately sparked criticism that higher taxes would hurt the city's ongoing rebound from COVID-19 and run counter to her rationale for halting the program. Lawmakers eventually rejected the tax hike plan. The governor, who released a pre-recorded video statement on Wednesday pausing the program, had previously been a staunch advocate for the toll and had described it as transformative as of about two weeks ago. The program was set to begin June 30. It was signed into law by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2019 following years of work from transit and environmental advocates who argued it would result in better public transit and cleaner air in the city. Drivers entering the core of Manhattan would have had to pay a toll of about $15, depending on vehicle type. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which would oversee the plan, has already installed cameras, sensors and license plate readers for the program, and reached a contract worth more than $500 million with a private vendor to operate the tolling infrastructure, according to the New York City Independent Budget Office. Overall, revenues from congestion pricing were expected to reach $1 billion per year and finance $15 billion in capital projects for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, many of which are desperately needed upgrades to the city's beleaguered subways. It was not clear from Hochul's remarks how she planned to replace that money. But she told reporters, We gave a lot of thought to this." No one should question my commitment or the leaders' commitment to ensure that these projects are properly funded," the governor said. State lawmakers are set to end their legislative session Friday and do not appear poised to take up legislation to replace the congestion pricing revenue. Derailing this important program at the last possible moment and asking the legislature to come up with an alternative funding mechanism in less than 48 hours is irresponsible and inconsistent with principles of good governance," said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, a Democrat Hochul, at her news conference, said she had the legal authority to halt the law without the approval of the MTA board, saying it's not necessary for them to take action" because she was pausing the plan, not terminating it. She did not make clear if or when she would potentially reinstate the program. Some board members have said they were not briefed before the governor's announcement and were confused about how certain projects would now be funded with the toll on pause. This was not waking up one day and saying lets do this,' " Hochul said. "Thats not how I operate. By Jonathan Allen and Steve Gorman NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York state lawmakers on Friday passed legislation to bar social media platforms from exposing "addictive" algorithmic content to users under age 18 without parental consent, becoming the latest of several states moving to limit online risks to children. A companion bill to restrict online sites from collecting and selling the personal data of underage users also gained final legislative approval in the New York Assembly on Friday, a day after both measures cleared the state Senate. Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to sign both into law. She hailed the two measures as a "historic step forward in our efforts to address the youth mental health crisis and create a safer digital environment for young people." Social media companies such as Meta Platforms, whose platforms include Facebook and Instagram, could take a hit to their revenues. Supporters of the legislation pointed to a recent Harvard University study that found the six largest social media platforms generated $11 billion from advertising to minors in 2022. The bills' sponsors also cite studies linking higher rates of depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and other mental health woes to what they define as excessive social media use by adolescents. The industry association NetChoice condemned the legislation, calling it in a statement an "assault on free speech and the open internet" by "forcing websites to censor all content unless visitors provide an ID to verify their age." The organization said it had successfully challenged similar measures from three other states in court as unconstitutional. A spokesperson for the governor said the law would not censor a site's content and said it provides for using one or more age-verification methods that retains a user's anonymity. Meta, whose chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg co-founded Facebook, offered some support for the bill. "While we dont agree with every aspect of these bills, we welcome New York becoming the first state to pass legislation recognizing the responsibility of app stores," the company said in a statement. Under the bill dubbed the SAFE (Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation) for Kids Act, social media users under 18 must obtain parental consent to view "addictive" feeds. This is generally defined as content that comes from accounts they do not follow or subscribe to but is delivered by algorithms designed to keep them on a platform for as long as possible. Instead, minors on social media may receive a chronological feed of content from accounts they already follow or from generally popular content, the way sponsors say social media feeds worked before the advent of "addictive" algorithms. Young users can still search for specific topics of interest, connect with friends and join online groups, while non-addictive algorithms used for search functions or filtering unwanted or obscene content would still be permitted without a parent's consent. According to a bill summary from the New York attorney general, the legislation would apply to platforms whose feeds consist largely of user-generated content and material recommended to users based on the data it collects from them. The summary named Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Alphabet Inc's YouTube as among platforms that would likely be subject to the measure. The companion bill, called the New York Child Data Protection Act, would bar all online sites from collecting, using, sharing or selling personal data of anyone under 18 unless they receive "informed consent," or unless collecting and sharing such data is strictly necessary to the site's purpose. For users under the age of 13, informed consent would have to come from a parent. Violators could be subject to civil damages or penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. In March 2023, Utah became the first U.S. state to adopt laws regulating children's access to social media, followed by others, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio, Texas and Florida. (Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Leslie Adler) The NewsGuild of New York, which represents journalists at The New York Times, Reuters and Conde Nast, has now hired an outside law firm to investigate tweets from a staff member who called Zionists butchers and depraved monsters on social media. On a Wednesday call to discuss increased dues with members, representatives were instead inundated with questions about antisemitic posts by union leaders. One reporter on the call asked why she and fellow journalists were paying for staff that arent working for us. In a now-deleted social media post, Nastaran Mohit, organizing director of the NewsGuild of New York, said some of the worlds biggest criminals were at the Times Dealbook Summit. @NasMohit/X Theyre working against us, the unnamed reporter added, according to an audio recording reviewed by The Post. Is there a mechanism to receive a refund for those fees [that paid union salaries]? Others on the call expressed anger that, in addition to paying union representatives making anti-Israel comments, they are also paying attorneys to investigate those reps. The outside investigation was announced after The Post published an article highlighting the hateful comments on Tuesday. Since The Posts initial story, more controversial social media comments from Nastaran Mohit, organizing director of the NewsGuild of New York, have come to light. In addition to tweeting comments like Zionists know how to kill, Mohit also postedlast November that the 2023 New York Times Dealbook Summit which hosted high-profile CEOs including Elon Musk and Disneys Bob Iger was giving time to some of the worlds biggest criminals. The latter tweet has since been deleted. Top labor attorney Benjamin Dictor, whose firm Eisner Dictor & Lamadrid received $448,910 from the NewsGuild last year according to public filings, posted as recently as June 5 that Israel has genocidal intent. Top labor attorney Benjamin Dictor, whose firm NAME THE FIRM received $448,910 from the NewsGuild last year according to public filings, posted that Israel has genocidal intent. Benjamin Dictor, a union lawyer whose firm works with the NewsGuild, posted a Times headline about women and children reported killed in Gaza with the comment reported killed = murdered by Israel. @BenjaminDictor/X Dictor also posted a Times headline about women and children reported killed in Gaza with the comment reported killed = murdered by Israel. While much of the anger about the comments began at The New York Times, it has boiled over to other publications the NewsGuild represents including Reuters and Conde Nast, The Post has learned. The law firm of Cohen, Weiss and Simon which has been retained to investigate the tweets is expected to conclude an investigation in 30 days. The NewsGuild said it is being done partly to see if anything was taken out of context. Nastaran Mohit was previously an Occupy Wall Street supporter and is seen here (right) shouting at the motorcade of Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock But some journalists fear it wont change anything. Its obvious whats happening, one Times source told The Post. The union is obviously hoping to bury this so they can continue to spend our money on their partisan political pet projects. The Post previously reported that Mohit in response to a post from The New York Times celebrating winning a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the war in Gaza said it was utterly reprehensible that the publication would be given an award. Reposting a video in which former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says, Hamas cares nothing about the civilians, Mohit added her own caption: An objective lie, you bloodthirsty savage of a human being rot in hell. NewsGuild union representative Mohit previously tweeted that it was utterly reprehensible for the Times to win a Pulitzer for its Gaza war coverage. X/@NasMohit Mohit posted All these Zionist butchers know how to kill in response to a story about children killed in Gaza. X/@NasMohit The union-sanctioned antisemitism has turned internal newsroom politics at the Times into a slow-burning dumpster fire, an employee told The Post. This comes as the NewsGuild is asking Times staffers to vote on a permanent increase in union dues, from 1.4% to 1.75%. Employees received paper ballots this week and are in the process of voting. In a statement to The Post, a spokesperson for the Times said, We dont plan to comment on internal union matters. A spokesperson for the NewsGuild said, This is an internal matter and we will not be sharing further comments. Lets give them credit for something. Theyve united the New York Times newsroom in opposition to their specific brand of liberalism, the Times source said. Thats got to be something. Trial exposed Trump corruption Defense attorneys in the recent hush money trial criticize the testimony of Michael Cohen, claiming that he is a slimy liar. The solid base of evidence supporting the trials conviction, however, did not depend on Cohens testimony in the trial. It relied on documents such as emails and testimony of reliable witnesses (many of them Republicans). Cohens testimony simply provided a believable narrative that tied all the evidence together, and no better narrative was offered. For as long as Cohen had been loyal to Trump, Trump liked him and depended on him he was the fixer. When Cohen paid $130,000 to the porn star out of his own pocket, with Trumps approval, Trump was happy to pay him back with $420,000 for legal services. A reputable and ethical organization has no need for a slimy, lying fixer, but the Trump organization does Cohen filled a key role in the Trump organization as the fixer. This hush money trial put a bright spotlight on the Trump organizations corruption lets keep that corruption out of the White House. Do not cast a vote in November that will put that level of corruption into the Oval Office. Robert Scherpelz, Richland Migrants need aid more than ever COVID-19 had a profound impact on all communities within the United States. However, immigrant communities who had previously faced healthcare disparities, were overburdened with hardships brought on by the pandemic. Many immigrants, regardless of their documentation status, were unable to receive government aid or assistance. This is despite being less likely to have the ability to adequately social distance or quarantine due to their financial and housing situations. Increasing financial and community support for immigrants during this post-pandemic time is a necessary step toward lessening those burdens. Now more than ever, we must come together to support the members of our community who need it the most. Local initiatives, such as the Tri-Cities Immigrant Coalition have set up food banks, COVID-19 relief funds, created language justice tool kits and curriculum, and much more. Contributing in any way possible is a positive step toward creating substantial change in the lives of immigrants in the Tri-Cities. Reese Andrews, West Richland Theres no CRT in Kennewick schools At the Kennewick School Board meeting on May 8, a group of private school parents each addressed the board with their concerns about Kennewick schools. A dominant concern was teaching CRT in our schools. Following their comments, some board members addressed the private school parents to say that the board members agreed with many of their concerns and regretted that existing state laws hampered them from taking action. The board missed an opportunity to correct these misconceptions, and inform them that Kennewick teachers teach only factual history, and that Critical Race Theory has never been part of KSD curriculum. Some private parents and school directors shared concerns about KSD schools supporting transgender students. KSD strives to meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their ability, race, sex, creed or social standing, and providing transgender students. Providing equal treatment, is not, as one director suggested, special treatment. As their Code of Ethics states, board member must strive to ensure that the community is accurately informed about our schools, and to refuse to surrender to special interests, and be free from the influence of partisan political groups. Kathryn Schroeder, Kennewick YouTuber who helped ID first Son of Sam victim pushing very interested cops to find more bodies The citizen sleuth who recently help police identify the "Son of Sam" David Berkowitz's first true victim is now telling "very interested" cops to look for additional bodies around two key dates - Dec. 14, 1976 and Feb. 25, 1977, he told The Post this week. There may be others. The citizen sleuth who recently helped police identify the Son of Sams first true victim is now telling very interested cops to look for additional bodies around two key dates Dec. 14, 1976 and Feb. 25, 1977, he told The Post this week. Thats when serial killer David Berkowitz authored and dated two twisted letters part of the apartment writings found by police in Berkowitzs Yonkers digs following his Aug. 10, 1977 arrest according to YouTuber Manny Grossman. The Son of Sam killer authored and dated two twisted letters found by police in David Berkowitzs Yonkers digs following his Aug. 10, 1977 arrest, according to Manny Grossman. Getty Images It was Grossmans dogged detective work that led to the stunning revelation splashed across The Post front page last week that the 44.-caliber killer had one more victim than previously known, his first, and that his deadly spree had begun three months earlier than believed. NYPD cold-case detectives concluded last week that Wendy Savino, now 87, was the first official victim of the Son of Sam. I identified a pattern where Berkowitz would go crazy about dogs barking, he would write a letter and go absolutely nuts, Grossman told The Post. The 51-year-old Bronx resident added chillingly, Theres two letters in there. Both say Todays the day I will go and spill blood for Sam Carr. Berkowitz believed a demon lived in and spoke through a black Labrador retriever owned by his neighbor, Sam Carr. Grossman believes there is an established pattern of Berkowitz writing these letters, dating these letters and then going out and shooting. The YouTuber presented the letters to Bronx homicide detectives on May 28, the day before investigators interviewed Berkowitz at Shawangunk Correctional Facility in upstate Ulster County. A letter written by Berkowitz and dated Dec. 14, 1976 suggests the Son of Sam was set to strike again. Courtesy of Manny Grossman Citizen sleuther Manny Grossman told very interested cops to look for additional bodies around two key dates Dec. 14, 1976 and Feb. 25, 1977. Courtesy of Manny Grossman Berkowitz raged in a letter dated March 8, 1977 that the demon has not stopped for a moment. How much blood does he want me to spill for him? That night, he gunned down college student Virginia Voskerichian in Forest Hills, Queens. Courtesy of Manny Grossman They were very interested in the theory. They wrote down the dates for sure. What they did afterwards I do not know, Grossman said. The NYPD did not respond to questions from The Post regarding additional Berkowitz victims. Berkowitz previously left clues to his carnage in his letters. Virginia Voskerichian victim No. 9 and fatality No. 3 was 20 years old when she was shot and killed by Berkowitz around 7:30 p.m. on March 8, 1977 on a quiet street in Forest Hills, Queens. Sleuther Manny Grossman has been obsessed with Berkowitz and the Son of Sam case for decades. Getty Images The Post front page on Aug. 11, 1977 announces the Son of Sam arrest. In a letter dated that same day at 9:15 a.m., Berkowitz wrote, The dog is screaming for fresh blood and meat to quench his thirst and pangs of fresh blood and later rages, Today the demon has not stopped for a moment. How much blood does he want me to spill for him? Grossman pored over online files at thepeoplevsdavidberkowitz.com, which claims to be the largest public repository of investigatory files and documents relating to the Son of Sam case. The treasure trove of information was obtained through the Freedom of Information Act and public records, the website says. Berkowitz was denied parole for the 12th time last month, according to online records. AP Grossman cold-called a retired Berkowitz detective in Yonkers and subsequently teamed up with the lawmans son, Mike Lorenzo, also a retired Yonkers investigator. He started showing me his dads files and we just established a great working relationship and friendship and it led to a new analysis of the case, Grossman explained. It was really Mike Lorenzo who came up with the philosophical framework that Wendy Savino fit. That Berkowitz was a stalking sniper who had other victims. All I ever wanted to be was a rock drummer, Grossman laughed. J.C. Rice The Manhattan-born, Riverdale-bred Grossman said he grew up in a journalistic household. His dad, Jim, was a big New York City PR guy who had reporting stints with the Wall Street Journal, Charlotte Observer and San Juan Star. All I ever wanted to be was a rock drummer, Grossman laughed. The landscaper confessed he only started looking into the unsolved Savino shooting because he had time on his hands during COVID. Police released new sketches of the wanted serial killer days before the Berkowitz arrest. The 1970 cream-colored Ford Galaxie owned by David Berkowitz was issued a summons that helped crack the case. Bettmann Archive Mayor Abe Beame looks on at Police Headquarters in August 1977 as NYPD detective Edward Zigo holds up a .44 caliber revolver that belonged to David Berkowitz. Getty Images Grossman is content with his 15 minutes of fame. I dont expect to be part of their investigation, nor do I particularly want to, he said of NYPD probers. Im very happy with the way they handled the Savino case. In todays high-tech world, the Son of Sam would have had a limited body count, Grossman theorized. It could never happen today because he might be able to do one, maybe two, but he would get photographed everywhere . . . especially crossing the bridges of New York City. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the failure of the Russians to conduct the Kharkiv operation as a "very significant" result. Source: Zelenskyy's evening address Quote: "I spoke with the commander-in-chief [of Ukraine's Armed Forces] today about the situation in general. A very significant result is that Russian forces have failed to conduct their Kharkiv operation. We are now holding them back as much as possible and crushing the Russian units entering our land and terrorising Kharkiv Oblast. The [Kharkiv] front has been reinforced. And it will be further strengthened. There was a report on Donetsk [Oblast] fronts, where [the situation] is the most challenging." Details: Zelenskyy further stressed that work is underway to provide more reserves to Ukraine's defence forces. "We now have new solutions for Ukrainian defence from France and the United States thanks to the talks and meetings in France. Thank you, friends! There is progress in artillery [supplies], including the production of 155mm calibre shells in Ukraine, and we are preparing a new production platform. Our combat aircraft and electronic warfare will also have more capabilities. I am grateful to France and [its President] Emmanuel [Macron] personally for his initiative and support of our proposals to train our soldiers and supply our brigades. We are preparing a new systematic basis for training the Ukrainian units," the president said. Zelenskyy further stated that "there are already agreements with partners on additional air defence systems for Ukraine, and some of these decisions will be implemented sooner, and some closer to autumn". The president added that "new security agreements for Ukraine are almost ready" but did not specify the countries involved. Support UP or become our patron! Zelenskyy shares frank assessment with Biden about what's going on Senior White House official During the talks between the presidents of Ukraine and the United States in Paris, Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared a very frank assessment of the situation on the battlefield. Source: John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House, quoted by Ukrinform Quote: "I mean, he [Zelenskyy] shared a very frank assessment with President Biden about whats going on and the pressure that they [Ukrainians] remain under, particularly in the east, in Donbas." Details: Kirby noted that he would not discuss the conversation between the presidents in more detail and would not discuss things "that might make it harder for Ukraine to defend itself on the battlefield". At the same time, he stressed that the US assistance packages for the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already allowed the Ukrainian side to gain some advantages and have been able to hinder the advance of Russian troops, especially near Kharkiv. Nevertheless, Kirby said that considerable efforts were still needed to push the Russians back. "And the President, as you heard publicly, and he certainly did this privately, assured President Zelenskyy that theyll continue to have our support," Kirby said. Support UP or become our patron! Is it 2004 again? Flip phones are back, and theyre the perfect blend of retro and futuristic. Theres a beautiful nostalgia about the clamshell form, with its closing snap and Star Trek-like flip open. But at the same time, the technology that allows for a full screen to bend almost seamlessly in the middle is clearly some sort of futuristic black magic. Of all the smart flip phones currently available, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of the most polished and capable. Samsung has taken on the burden of bringing the foldable smartphone into the mainstream, and the results are some of the finest pieces of technology weve ever seen. If youre considering a flip phone, then the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 has to be at the top of that list. But its not the only smartphone on that list. There are many exceptional devices for sale at the moment, and there are many reasons you might prefer one of those instead of Samsungs latest. Here are five phones you should buy instead of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus Joe Maring / Digital Trends A phone doesnt have to fold in order to go up against the Galaxy Z Flip 5, as some can count as competitors simply by being in a word exceptional. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is one such device, with the middle child of the S24 range being a truly excellent smartphone and a strong alternative to the Galaxy Z Flip 5. The Galaxy S24 Plus doesnt fold in half at least, not without a considerable amount of strength and voiding your warranty but its very much still worth considering. The new flat sides are easy to grip, and they give the phone a polished and refined look. The 6.7-inch AMOLED 2X display is as large as the Z Flip 5s display and has the same dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, too but the S24 Plus has a sharper 1440p resolution and a higher maximum brightness of 2,600 nits. Performance on both phones will be strong and fast, but the S24 Pluss Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is undoubtedly the faster of the two processors. While both have the same storage options, the S24 Plus also has more RAM at its disposal, giving it a little bit of an edge when multitasking and juggling apps. Battery life gives the S24 Plus a massive advantage, though. Whereas the Z Flip 5 can just about make it through a single day, the S24 Pluss battery can make it through a heavy day with battery to spare. Take it a bit easier, and the phone can definitely stretch to last two days, which is truly exceptional for a flagship phone. Joe Maring / Digital Trends We havent even brought up the S24s camera, which is head and shoulders above that offered by the Z Flip 5. While the Z Flip 5s dual-camera system is a good set of shooters, it cant compete with the three lenses on the back of the S24 Plus. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus may seem like an odd alternative to a flip phone, but dive into the specs and read the reviews, and youll see its a truly excellent smartphone that betters the Galaxy Z Flip 5 in almost every way. Plus, it starts at the same $999 price, meaning both devices are on an equal footing. If the lure of a stunning phone is something you cant resist, then this is the best alternative choice. If folding is a must though, well, check out this next option. Buy at Walmart Motorola Razr Plus Joe Maring / Digital Trends While Samsung is undoubtedly the most prominent player in the foldable scene, there are other manufacturers worth considering. Motorola has a strong foldable pedigree, having made the legendary Razr, and its great that the company has chosen to make a full-throated return at the advent of folding smartphones. The Motorola Razr Plus is Motorolas best, most powerful flip phone, and its the device to consider if you want a similar folding phone to the Galaxy Z Flip 5. The first thing to note is the Razr Plus is gorgeous. Flip phones are naturally quite good-looking, but Motorola has taken it to another level with a selection of bold colorways and the inclusion of a vegan leather back on certain models. The hinge isnt as stiff as the Z Flip 5, which means it wont sit open in as many positions but it also means its easier to flip open and closed, which may appeal to you more. The cover screen is the biggest difference, though. Its 3.6 inches large and packs in a 144Hz refresh rate. But its not how it looks that makes the difference; its what it can do. Theres a useful panels system here for accessing information, but it also runs any Android app as well. Yes, any Android app will run on the Razr Pluss cover screen. Thats a big deal, and while you can do the same thing on the Z Flip 5, its not as straightforward a process as it is on the Razr Plus. The software is also a cleaner affair, and you wont find its anywhere near as large a departure from Android as Samsungs One UI. Joe Maring / Digital Trends All of this means the Razr Plus is just a better smartphone than the Z Flip 5, right? Unfortunately, no. It has some downsides, and they could be dealbreakers for you. The battery is a little weak, lasting just about a single day, and the cameras are nowhere near the quality Samsung is capable of. Despite being a phone with a $1,000 price tag, its also only running the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, a flagship chip from 2022. Granted, its still a powerful piece of silicon, but for four figures, you should expect more. Thankfully, you dont have to, as its common to find this phone at a solid discount now. A $700 price is fairly common, and youll probably see deeper discounts during sales. These price drops make it a much more tempting package, and a very strong competitor for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. Buy at Motorola Motorola Razr (2023) Andy Boxall / Digital Trends The Motorola Razr Plus is available at a strong discount, but that doesnt mean there arent more savings that can be had. The Motorola Razr (2023) is the cheaper version of the Razr Plus, and while that means you lose a few of the headline features, you still get a folding phone at an even lower price. How low? The Razr (2023) debuted at $700, with a launch discount price of $600. These days, its not uncommon to find it for just $500, making it a very attractive choice for those who want a folding phone at a bargain price. What do you end up losing for the discount? The most obvious loss is that of the 3.6-inch cover display. Instead, the Razr has a much smaller 1.5-inch display that sits at one end of the phone while folded. Its still an OLED panel, but theres not a huge amount of room to work, so its largely just for the clock, widgets, and notifications though the inclusion of the mascot, Moo, is fun and much appreciated. The inner display is a roomy 6.9 inches, and it has the same 144Hz refresh rate as the Razr Plus, which is a nice bonus. Instead of an older flagship chip, the Razr has a midrange chip, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. Its a good chip, chugging its way through all of our tests, and held up well when compared to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Razr Plus. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Z Flip 5 is objectively more powerful again, and you may notice a small difference in performance. But when youre looking at half the price, thats a small hit to endure. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends The camera is good enough for the price youre paying, and the battery lasted a solid day with some change left over. Two days does seem beyond it, but thats OK. The 30W charging isnt as good now as it was at launch, but its still more than acceptable and faster than a number of flagship phones. Wireless charging comes in at a paltry 5W, though, which is achingly slow. Yes, you only get three years of software support, and thats more like two now, but that was standard when the phone was released and forgivable as a result. With a price thats often found at just $500 and can sink even lower at sale periods, its hard to find a folding phone thats a better bargain than this. Buy at Amazon Google Pixel 8 Pro Joe Maring / Digital Trends One thing a few of these alternatives have in common is a camera thats not a showstopper. Dont get us wrong; a lot of them are good, but its clear the camera wasnt the focus. Thats very much not the case with the Google Pixel 8 Pro, which has one of the best phone cameras you can buy for a price similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 5. To be entirely fair, its not that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a bad camera it has a very capable pair of rear-facing shooters, and youre likely to be quite happy with most of what it produces. But its not the match of the Google Pixel 8 Pro, which takes some of the best photos youll see from a smartphone. The 50MP main lens takes some outstanding stills, while the 48MP ultrawide lens and 5x optical zoom lens also work extremely well. If having a great camera is important to you, then the Google Pixel 8 Pro has to be on your list of alternatives, especially at a similar price to the Galaxy Z Flip 5. The performance is solid, thanks to Googles Tensor G3 processor. Though the battery and charging speeds arent great, the gorgeous display helps to win back some major points. Its a 120Hz 6.7-inch OLED panel, and this year, it gets much brighter, peaking at 2,400 nits. Joe Maring / Digital Trends Another feather in its cap is how clean the software is. Pixel phones have one of the purest forms of Android youll find anywhere, and thats very much a positive. Of course, thats because Google creates Android, and that also means Pixels will get Android updates faster than any other smartphone on the market. The update record is exceptional, too, with Google promising seven years of support for the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8. The Pixel 8 Pro is also a testing ground for a lot of Googles new AI features. Itll get Google Gemini features first, and it also gets AI-powered abilities like Magic Editor, an AI wallpaper generator, the ability for Google Assistant to read out webpages or summarize them for you, and a bunch more. Its a peek into what an AI-supported phone could look like in the future, and its impressive. The price is the same as the Galaxy Z Flip 5, as mentioned, so really, all youre losing is the flip-ability of the Samsung phone. The Google Pixel 8 Pro is a stellar smartphone and an all-around upgrade for the Z Flip 5, to the point where Samsungs foldable is only really worth considering if you really want a folding phone. And well, if a folding phone is what you want, why not also consider the biggest, baddest foldable of all? Buy at Amazon Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends If you want a folding Samsung phone, why not go all out? The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 may not be in the same price range as the Z Flip 5, but good lord, its a stunning phone and an incredible piece of technology. If a folding phone is what you want, then the Z Fold 5 has that in spades. Well start with the obvious difference: the displays. The Z Fold 5 is formed of two displays: an outer cover display that measures 6.2 inches and an inner display that folds out to a massive 7.6 inches. Its a tablet in smartphone form, and a good tablet at that. Using a phone like the Z Fold 5 comes down to the activity at the time. Browsing social media? Youll probably use the cover display for that. Watching videos or reading a book? Then the large inner display is the one you need, and its excellent for those particular cases. The Z Fold 5 is the phone you need if youve ever wished your tablet could fold into a pocket. Some elements are similar. They both have the same processor, for one thing. Both have battery lives that are acceptable one-day affairs, even if theyre not particularly special. And obviously, both have Samsungs One UI software and the same update promises. The Z Fold 5 does have a lot more cameras at its disposal, including an extra lens in the rear and an under-display camera (UDC) beneath the inner display. Putting the UDC to one side because its not great, the Z Fold 5 is the stronger of the two when it comes to taking pictures, but largely because of its additional versatility. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Really, youll buy the Z Fold 5 because you prefer the form factor over that of the Z Flip 5. Want a phone you can fit into even the most shallow pockets and miss the clamshell phone of yesteryear? Then the Z Flip 5 should draw you in. But if youre a media-lover, gamer, or avid reader, then the Z Fold 5s tablet-like display should be the one you crave. But theres a catch here, and its the price. While the Z Flip 5 starts from $999, an already high price, the Z Fold 5 comes in at an eye-watering $1,799. Thats a lot of additional money and a big reason why you should look at the other alternatives on this list if you dont have a lot of money to spare. Buy at Samsung A handwritten sign posted at Lionhead on Capitol Hill stated the restaurant is closed until further notice," while a real estate listing shows that the business is for sale. (Lindsey Wasson / The Seattle Times, 2015) You are the owner of this article. You are here: World Flash France supports the "effective launch" of negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the European Union "by the end of the month," French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday. The French leader made the remarks at a joint press conference at the presidential palace alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a live broadcast by French media BFMTV. Macron also pledged that his country would soon "finalize a coalition" of countries to send military instructors to Ukraine. On the same day, U.S. President Joe Biden announced further 225 million dollars in aid to Ukraine during a meeting in Paris with Zelensky, the French media outlet reported. Earlier on Thursday, Marcon led a ceremony held at the Omaha Beach in Normandy, northern France, to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings that helped defeat Nazi forces in World War II. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in New Delhi this afternoon to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as prime minister on the evening of June 9. India on Friday formally announced that the leaders of seven countries from the neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region will attend the ceremony. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, his Maldivian counterpart Mohamed Muizzu, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' will attend the ceremony, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay and Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif have also accepted India's invitation to grace the swearing-in ceremony, it said. Hasina arrived in New Delhi this afternoon. Afif is scheduled to reach the national capital on Saturday. The other leaders will arrive on Sunday. Modi is expected to hold separate meetings with the visiting leaders. The invitation to Muizzu assumed significance as it came amid frosty ties between India and the Maldives. The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since November last year when Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge as Maldivian president. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. The Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians earlier this month. "The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers following the General Elections 2024 is scheduled on June 9 2024. On the occasion, leaders from India's neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have been cordially invited as distinguished guests," the MEA said. In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, it said. The swearing-in ceremony is slated to take place at 7:15 PM on Sunday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. "The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision. India has been cooperating with the countries of the Indian Ocean region under the broader policy framework of SAGAR or Security and Growth for all in the Region. Bhubaneswar: In his first comments on his aide V K Pandian after the shocking defeat in the elections, BJD supremo and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday said criticism of Pandian for the party's debacle was "unfortunate" and asserted that he did an "excellent job". "He (Pandian) is a person of integrity and honesty and should be remembered for that," Patnaik said amid widespread resentment among the party leaders and workers, who blamed the bureaucrat-turned-politicians from Tamil Nadu, for the party's poor showing in the elections. The five-term chief minister, however, in the same breath, reiterated that Pandian was not his successor and that the people of Odisha would decide who his successor would be. Patnaik said he gracefully accepted defeat in the recently concluded assembly elections and would continue to serve the people of the state in whichever way possible. Speaking to PTI Video, "There has been some criticism of Pandian. This is unfortunate. He joined the party and has not held any post. He did not contest the elections from any constituency. I have always clearly said when asked about my successor that it is not Pandian. I repeat that the people of Odisha will decide my successor." "As an officer, he (Pandian) did an excellent job in different fields in the last 10 years, be it during two cyclones or the COVID-19 pandemic. After this good work, he retired from the bureaucracy and joined the BJD. And contributed largely by doing excellent work. He is a person of integrity and honesty and should be remembered for that," Patnaik said. The BJP stormed to power in Odisha, ending the 24-year rule of the BJD, by winning 78 seats in the 147-member assembly. The Patnaik-led party, on the other hand, bagged 51 seats, while the Congress won 14 constituencies, the CPI (M) one. Three Independent nominees also emerged victorious. The BJD failed to win any of the Lok Sabha seats in the state, with the BJP bagging 20 and the Congress one. On his health condition, Patnaik said, "I want to say that my health has always been fine and will continue to be so. You have seen that I conducted a hectic campaign last month in the heat. And that should be enough to give a verdict on my health." On the party's defeat in the assembly polls, he said, "I think we have always tried and done an excellent job. We have much to be proud of in our government and the party. In a democracy, you either win or lose." "So having been defeated after a long time, we must always take the verdict of the people gracefully. I have always said that the 4.5 crore people of Odisha are my family. I will continue to serve them in whichever way I can," he said. He expressed deep gratitude to the people of Odisha and said they have showered him with blessings time and again. Early on Saturday morning, legendary media mogul Cherukuri Ramoji Rao passed away. According to ETV Bharat, Mr. Rao was brought to the hospital on May 5th due to his declining health. He passed away on Saturday at 4:50 a.m. On June 5, in the afternoon, he was admitted to Star Hospitals of Nanakramguda in Hyderabad because of high blood pressure and respiratory problems. For a considerable amount of time, the 87-year-old Ramoji Rao suffered from age-related health issues and chronic sickness. Prior to his passing, the renowned businessman had been experiencing health problems. Sources claim that plans are in place to relocate Mr. Ramoji Rao's remains to his Ramoji Film City residence. New Delhi: Days after the Lok Sabha 2024 results were announced, the Congress top leadership on Saturday convened with the working committee to devise the future strategy. The CWC meeting happened at Hotel Ashok here saw the participation of top leaders and members of the party including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, besides other leaders will participate in the deliberations. During this meeting, the party MPs will also choose the new chairperson for the Congress Parliamentary Party. Sonia Gandhi is expected to be re-elected to this position. As per reports, Rahul Gandhis name is being proposed for the position of Leader of Opposition. Rahul registered a landslide victory in both Wayanad and Rae Bareli constituencies in the Lok Sabha elections and he will have to decide within 14 days which seat he will hold and which he will vacate. Kharge, who called for the meeting, will arrange a dinner gathering for all the extended members of the Congress Working Committee and MPs from the party at the hotel. Jairam Ramesh, a Congress leader, announced that a gathering of the Congress Parliamentary Party, including newly elected Lok Sabha MPs and Rajya Sabha MPs, will convene at 5:30 pm in the Central Hall of Parliament. The Congress has become the second-largest party in the Lok Sabha, increasing its seat count to 99 from 52 in the 2019 elections. This marks the first time since losing power in 2014 that the Congress will secure the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. In both 2014 and 2019, the party failed to obtain this role as its seat count was below the required 10 percent of the total seats in the House. The Congress party on Saturday responded to the claims of Janta Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi about Nitish Kumar being offered the Prime Ministers position by the INDIA bloc. "We don't have any such information," stated Congress general secretary KC Venugopal in a press conference following the Congress Working Committees meeting in Delhi. The JD(U) senior leaders pointed fingers at the coalition for mistreating Nitish Kumar; he alleged that those who previously rejected Nitish Kumar as the INDIA blocs national convenor are now proposing to make him Prime Minister. He further said that this is the game of politics and the JDU will not run back to the INDI Alliance. With 12 seats in Bihar, Kumar's JD (U) has become a significant ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to reach the magic number of 272 seats in the Lok Sabha. JD (U) was crucial in the formation of INDIA bloc last year. However, it returned to the NDA in January after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges name was suggested as the potential prime ministerial candidate for the INDIA bloc. On Friday, while supporting the NDA proposal to name Narendra Modi as the leader of the coalition, Kumar expressed his confidence by saying, "Next time when you come, those who have won here and there this time will lose. I am confident about it. They never worked for the nation. They never served the country. The country will progress under your (PM Modi) leadership." He added that all the pending work in Bihar will be completed. It is very good that all of us have come together, and we will all work together with you (PM Modi). Kanagana Ranaut Slap Row: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) lady constable who allegedly slapped BJP MP Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport has not been arrested yet, according to police officials. An FIR, however, has been lodged against the constable under IPC sections 321 and 341, but no arrest has been made. "An FIR has been lodged with the IPC section 321 and 341 case by Mohali Airport police, not arrested till now. It's bailable offence," police said. Farmer Leaders Meet Punjab Police Farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal met with the Punjab director general of police, seeking a fair probe into the case of alleged slapping of Kangana Ranaut by a Central Industrial Security Force constable at Chandigarh Airport on Thursday. "We also believe that nothing happened there. It was just related to a security check and it should not have turned into a Hindu-Sikh thing," said Dallewal About The Incident Ranaut was allegedly slapped by a CISF constable while she was headed to Delhi to attend a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The incident took place on June 6 around 3:30 pm when Kangana was about to board a flight to Delhi to attend a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) which concluded on Friday. Why Did The Constable Slap Her? The CISF constable said that her mother was among the farmers holding a sit-in protest against the farm laws, which now have been repealed. "She stated that the farmers are sitting there for Rs 100. Will she go and sit there? My mother was sitting there and protesting when she gave this statement..." she said. Slap Symbolic Of 'Growing Terrorism' In Punjab? Kangana Ranaut leader took to her social media account on the day of the incident and asked how growing "extremism" and "terrorism" could be ended in Punjab. "I am safe. I am perfectly fine. The incident took place during the security check. After I was done with the security check, a woman constable of the CISF waited for me to pass through the cabin. Later, she came from the side, hit me in the face and started abusing me", Ranaut said in a post on 'X'. "When I asked her why she did this, she told me that she (CISF official) had supported the farmers' protest. My (Kangana) question is how we end growing extremism and terrorism in Punjab", the BJP leader added. Farmers Protest The 15-month-long farmers' protest was held against the farm laws (now repealed) including other issues. Modi Cabinet 3.0: The historic third consecutive victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has set the stage for PM Narendra Modi's swearing-in for a third term on Sunday. The reduced majority of the BJP in 2024 has provided its allies with leverage to assert their preferences in both policymaking and ministry allocations. As the largest party in the coalition, the BJP must negotiate the demands of its allies. This raises the pivotal question of how the Modi cabinet's portfolios will be allocated between the BJP and its allies. The criteria for the division of the Modi cabinet may include appeasing defeated state leaders and achieving caste-region balance. The allocation of posts becomes crucial specially in states where the BJP is facing resentment. The composition of Modi's cabinet 3.0 is determined by a formula that allocates ministerial berths based on the number of MPs each ally party has. This formula is particularly significant in the context of the caste-based division of seats for MPs from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. With several BJP leaders not securing their elections, it is anticipated that the representation of BJP ministers may decline, whereas the NDA allies are expected to have an increased share in the cabinet. Demands Made By Major NDA Allies TDP And JD(U) The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), led by N. Chandrababu Naidu, and the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), led by Nitish Kumar, are significant partners in the NDA and are considered kingmakers. Their support is crucial for the government's stability, and they are reportedly eyeing the Railways Ministry, one of the most coveted in the Union Cabinet. Sources indicate that both parties, the JD(U) with 12 seats and the TDP with 16 seats, are vying for three to four ministries each, proportional to their seat count. The JD(U) has proposed that Nitish Kumar, who previously managed the Railway Ministry during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government in 1998-99 and 2001-2004, should lead it again to showcase the 'good works' accomplished previously. The Shiv Sena, under Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde with seven seats, and the LJP-RV with five seats, have also made their demands known. The LJP-RV is said to be seeking the Food and Public Distribution Ministry, previously held by the late Ram Vilas Paswan during Modi's first two terms, for his son and party leader Chirag Paswan. Ministries That Will Stay With BJP In Modi Cabinet 3.0 Key ministries such as Home, Defence, Foreign Affairs, and Finance are considered non-negotiable, with the BJP planning to retain these portfolios. The party aims to maintain control over ministries that have been the Modi government's hallmark or have received the Prime Minister's personal attention. One Minister From One Caste Formula The BJP, mindful of the social engineering that impacted the 2024 election results, is meticulously forming the Modi cabinet team, considering the caste readiness for NDA in Bihar, where each caste may be represented by one ministerial post: Bhumihar, Rajput, Brahmin, Extremely Backward, Kushwaha, Yadav, and Dalit. The allocation of posts becomes crucial in states where the resentment against the BJP is growing, for example Haryana and Rajasthan. as the poll results. Speculation are rife whether Vasundhara Raje's son will secure a position in the Modi cabinet. 18 Ministers Of NDA Allies In Modi 3.0 Cabinet? Chirag Paswan's party LJP is likely to get a minister portfolio. While HAM(S) MP Jitan Ram Manjhi is likely to become a minister in the Modi-led NDA cabinet. Because both of them come from Dalit community and this formula has been decided to woo dalit voters. According to sources, the BJP is likely to get 18 ministers, while the rest of the NDA, other than the BJP, will get a total of 18 ministerial posts. This includes 7 Cabinet and 11 Ministers of State. There can be 2-2 ministers from TDP and JDU. The Shiv Sena, NCP, LJP, JD (S) and HAM are expected to get one ministerial berth each. As the new NDA cabinet takes shape, Himachal Pradesh is poised for significant political shifts. JP Nadda, the BJP national president from the state, is expected to join Team NDA. If Nadda becomes a Union minister, it would be essential to bring former Union minister Anurag Thakur from Himachal into the organization. Additionally, Kangana Ranaut, with her strong claim from the women's quota, is another key figure to watch. If Himachal does not receive due importance in the NDA cabinet, state leaders will turn their focus inward, potentially weakening the position of current Leader of the Opposition, Jairam Thakur. The clarity will come after tomorrow's swearing-in ceremony, but in Delhi's political corridors, Nadda and Anurag Thakur are seen as competitors. Despite the BJP not achieving a full majority during Nadda's tenure as president, Anurag Thakur managed to secure a lead in the parliamentary seat, although assembly seats lagged. This dynamic is fueling ongoing debates and claims. All four MPs from Himachal have been elected by the BJP, leading to speculations that both leaders will find roles in the new setup. The longstanding rivalry between JP Nadda and Anurag's father, former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, is well-known. In 1998, during Dhumal's chief ministership, the 'HIVINKA' government was formed with Sukh Ram's coalition, and Nadda was a cabinet minister. After resigning from the ministry, Nadda moved to Delhi, eventually becoming party general secretary, Union minister, and party president. Nadda, who previously contested elections from the Bilaspur assembly constituency, never ran for the Lok Sabha, opting instead for the Rajya Sabha. During his presidency, the party experienced both victories and defeats across states. Nadda has become one of Modi and Amit Shah's closest allies. Under Modi's tenure, Nadda wielded significant influence in Himachal, indirectly controlling the state. With his term now over and following a significant defeat in Uttar Pradesh, there is speculation that Nadda might be inducted into the cabinet. Whether Modi will make this decision imminently or later is uncertain, but political analysts believe Nadda holds a higher position and stature than Anurag. Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut, an outspoken celebrity, has entered Himachal politics. It is believed that Jairam Thakur introduced her to the elections to avoid contesting the Lok Sabha polls himself. However, Jairam's position in the state has become unstable. Despite issues with six Congress rebels and three independents, the BJP's grip on the state has weakened, and Sukhu's Congress government has strengthened. While attempting to take credit for Kangana's victory, Jairam failed to manage the state assembly effectively. With Himachal leaders feeling uneasy at the Center, Jairam faces a tough road ahead as the Leader of the Opposition in the state. He will face challenges from within his own party. Former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal's son, Anurag Thakur, has gained the trust of Amit Shah and Modi, focusing on nationalism and public outreach, which could work in his favor. Ultimately, these decisions will hinge on the coordination and wishes of the NDA's constituent parties. The selection of the new BJP president will also set a new direction for Himachal politics. New Delhi: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday mentioned that party officials are yet to receive invitations for Prime Minister designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, June 9, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Ramesh noted that only international leaders have been invited for the oath taking ceremony and none of the opposition leaders have received any invitations. He added that if Congress leaders receive invitations, they might attend the ceremony. Only international leaders have been invited for the swearing-in ceremony. Our leaders have not received the invitation yet. When our INDIA alliance leaders receive the invitation, we will think about it, ANI reported quoting Ramesh. #WATCH | On the swearing-in ceremony of PM-Designate Narendra Modi, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh says, "Only international leaders have been invited for the swearing-in ceremony. Our leaders have not received the invitation yet. When our INDIA alliance leaders receive the pic.twitter.com/jlkXZCnMGE ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2024 Narendra Modi will be sworn in as the Prime Minister of India tomorrow at 7:15 pm at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Alongside him, his council of ministers will also take their oaths. India invited Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka, Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, Ahmed Afif of Seychelles, Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth of Mauritius, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as "Prachanda," of Nepal, and Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi. India is on its way to welcome PM-designate Narendra Modi and his new cabinet to form the goverment. The swearing-in ceremony will take place on June 9. National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerged victorious in Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Now, all eyes are focused on this momentous occasion that ushers in a new era in Indian politics. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has secured a majority in the recently announced Lok Sabha election results, guaranteeing Modi's reappointment for a third term. Swearing-in Ceremony Date And Time The ceremonial beginning of the new government is set to take place with the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, June 9, at 6 p.m. Swearing-in ceremony is a significant event rich in tradition and symbolism. The ceremony is expected to be highly symbolic as the country excitedly anticipates the formation of the new government. Rashtrapati Bhavan will remain closed to the public from June 5 to June 9 in anticipation of the swearing-in ceremony of the Council of Ministers, according to a Tuesday announcement made by the President's Deputy Press Secretary. Where To Watch Swearing-In Ceremony? News channels will air the ceremony live. Additionally, it will be available on YouTube and other social media sites. Guest List PM Modi invited the leaders of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and Mauritius to attend the inauguration during separate phone conversations on Wednesday. Formal invitations were sent to all seven countries on Thursday, the people said. Modi is all set to take charge as the prime minister for a historic third consecutive term with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) winning 293 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. Congress Working Committee members on Saturday unanimously urged Rahul Gandhi to take the role of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, as it also credited his two Bharat Jodo Yatras for the party's performance in the general elections. At a press conference following the a meeting of the extended Congress Working Committee (CWC), party general secretary KC Venugopal said CWC members unanimously requested Gandhi to take the Leader of Opposition role. "Rahul Gandhi said he would take a decision on it very soon," Venugopal said. This will be the first time that the Congress, since its ouster from power in 2014, will get the post of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. It failed to get the position in the past 10 years as its tally was below the requisite 10 per cent of total seats in the House, both in 2014 and 2019. Venugopal also said the party's leaders and workers are charged up and asserted that the CWC sentiment is that the Congress' revival has begun. The CWC adopted two resolutions, one hailing the role of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for the party's performance in the Lok Sabha polls. It also credited the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatras for its good performance. The CWC resolution also said the people's verdict was not just a political loss but a personal and moral defeat for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had sought a mandate in his name. The Congress has emerged as the second-largest party in the Lok Sabha, improving its tally to 99 from 52 in the 2019 elections. Srinagar: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir Police raided a residential house in the summer capital Srinagar today, in connection with the case of the killing of four policemen in Hygam Sopore in the year 2013. Official sources said that SIA conducted a raid today morning in the residential house of Ahmudullah Malla at Dalal Mohalla, Nawa Bazar area of Srinagar. These searches were carried out in pursuance of search warrants issued by the Special Court, the official said, adding that the case was initially registered by Sopore Police and subsequently transferred to SIA Kashmir for further investigations. In April 2013, four policemen were killed in a deadly terrorist attack in the Hygam area on the outskirts of Sopore town. The police party from Churu, Sopore, was on its way to the area in a Rakshak vehicle when terrorists sitting in an ambush struck near Peer Mohalla that afternoon. The slain police cops were identified as constables Abd-ur-Rahim (of Tulla Mulla, Gandarbal) and Muddassir Ahmad (of Noor Bagh, Srinagar), and special police officers (SPOs) Gulshan Ahmad (of Kanispora, Baramulla) and Muddassir Ahmad Parray (of Kreeri, Baramulla). In the heart of Dubai, a YouTuber known as J.Sahab has been quietly making waves for the past five years, spreading joy and generosity through his unique approach to gifting and knowledge-sharing on the streets of the city. J.Sahab, whose real name is YASIR, has become a local legend for his heartwarming street giveaways that combine luxury surprises with insightful Islamic questions. What sets J.Sahab apart is not just his generosity but the fact that he manages to do this while holding down a 9-5 job at a semi-government office. Despite his demanding schedule, J.Sahab has made it a mission to give back to his community and inspire others to do the same. J.Sahab's journey began half a decade ago when he started his YouTube channel with the intention of creating content that was not only entertaining but also meaningful. Drawing inspiration from his faith, he decided to merge his passion for Islamic knowledge with his desire to spread happiness. His videos capture the essence of Dubai's vibrant streets, where unsuspecting strangers are approached by J.Sahab armed with both intriguing Islamic questions and extravagant gifts. From the latest gadgets to high-end fashion items, J.Sahab ensures that each gift is not just an item but a symbol of appreciation for the participant's willingness to engage in a conversation about their faith. J.Sahab's charitable endeavors extend beyond YouTube. He is actively present on various social media channels, where he engages with his growing audience, shares snippets of his giveaways, and encourages discussions around Islamic teachings. His presence on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook has created a community of followers who eagerly anticipate his next act of kindness. Male: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has reportedly accepted an invitation to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi on Sunday, as per a local media report. Maldivian news portal Edition.mv quoted its sister publication in Dhivehi, Mihaaru News, as confirming his attendance at the ceremony, along with several other senior government officials. However, there has been no official confirmation yet from the Maldives President's Office regarding Muizzu's first official visit to India. PM Modi is set for a third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerging victorious in the parliamentary elections. With PM Modi registering his win for the third consecutive term, wishes from global leaders also came pouring in at the speed of light. In an earlier statement on Wednesday, President Muizzu congratulated PM Modi and expressed his willingness to collaborate to enhance bilateral ties. He posted on X, " "Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term. I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries " In a reply to the post, Prime Minister Modi thanked Maldives President and said he looks forward to closer cooperation for further strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations. "Thank you President @MMuizzu. Maldives is our valued partner and neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region. I too look forward to closer cooperation for further strengthening our bilateral ties," PM Modi posted on X. This would mark President Muizzu's inaugural official visit to India since assuming office on November 17 last year. Notably, Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, diverged from his predecessors' protocol by choosing to visit Turkey first and subsequently China for his first state visit in January. Shortly after he was sworn in, President Muizzu stirred bilateral tensions by demanding the removal of approximately 88 Indian military personnel from the Maldives. These personnel were repatriated from three aviation platforms and replaced by Indian civilians by the May 10 deadline set by President Muizzu. The counting of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was held on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, and with its allies has 292 seats in the Parliament. The Congress, on the other hand, registered a strong growth winning 99 seats. Other leaders also congratulated PM Modi and the BJP-led NDA government on their third consecutive victory in the Lok Sabha polls. The swearing-in ceremony is anticipated to host leaders from neighbouring countries, such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and Mauritius, in addition to the Maldives, aligning with India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. Three of Iowas U.S. House members have requested more than $115 million in earmarks to be included in next years appropriations bills for local community projects. Republican Reps. Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn each submitted the maximum number of requests. Rep. Randy Feenstra didnt submit any for the fourth straight year. His office did not respond to a message seeking comment. Each House member can submit up to 15 eligible projects to receive federal funding for fiscal 2025. The sum of Miller-Meeks requests is the highest, at over $52 million. Hinson is second with over $38 million, while Nunn requested nearly $25 million. The project requests include funding for road work, water treatment facilities, flood control, airport improvements, buildings and hospital expansions. Some requests are focused on education and research, workforce development and health care access. I am proud to submit 15 community projects that would greatly benefit Iowas 1st Congressional District, Miller-Meeks said in a statement. These initiatives range from investing in expanding trained workforce resources for local hospitals, to rebuilding our aging infrastructure in the state and improving our wastewater facilities. Appropriations bills signed into law by Democratic President Joe Biden earlier this funding the government through the end of the current federal fiscal year on Sept. 30 included more than $82 million for designated projects in Iowa. That includes more than $74 million approved as part of the $67.5 billion minibus spending package Biden signed in law in early March that provides full-year funding for federal departments and agencies covered by six of 12 appropriations bills. A second tranche of six bills signed March 23 by Biden representing $1.2 trillion in government spending also includes $8 million for Dubuque flood mitigation gates and pumps. All four of Iowas Republican U.S. House members voted for the first minibus package. Miller-Meeks, Hinson and Nunn voted for the second package. Feenstra voted against. Hinson is the only Iowan now serving on the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee. Her projects received more than $27 million in earmarked funding out of $37.06 million requested. Projects submitted by Miller-Meeks received about more than $28 million in earmarked funding, out of more than $40 million requested. More than $26 million was approved in earmarked funding for projects Nunn submitted; he had asked for more than $41 million. Democrats and others have criticized House Republicans for demanding steep budget cuts across the federal government to nondefense discretionary spending while asking for millions of dollars to support projects in their own districts. As a Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am laser focused on cutting the Biden Administrations wasteful spending while delivering targeted and impactful investments for Iowa, especially in rural communities that have often been overlooked by the federal government, Hinson said in a statement to The Gazette. From improving clean drinking water infrastructure to helping law enforcement better protect our communities, and expanding maternal care access, Ill continue working to secure vital investments for Iowans and return as many taxpayer dollars as possible to the district. A full list of requested funding and projects are available on the members congressional websites. One of the 45 requests from the three lawmakers for the coming federal fiscal year was for a local project: Cerro Gordo County Project name: North Iowa Corridor Workforce Housing Initiative Requested amount: $2,500,000 Intended recipient: Cerro Gordo County Project location: Countywide Full street address of intended recipient: 220 N. Washington Ave, Mason City, Iowa 50401 The Danville School Board honored Galileo Magnet High School at Thursday evening's meeting. First, the school was praised for earning the 2023-24 Virginia Board of Education Highest Achievement Award. Also, Neil Shroff, a senior Galileo Magnet High School and student representative on the school board, was praised for his work. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation said it is investigating a shooting in Cut Bank that occurred early Saturday in a bar parking lot that left a person in critical condition and a police officer injured. A Cut Bank police officer saw a disorderly person in the street outside another bar about 1:20 a.m., but when approached, the man fled to a parked vehicle in the parking lot of the the Pioneer Bar at 13 N. Central Ave., state officials said in a news release. When he was ordered out of the car, the 42-year-old suspect drove over the officer, who fired his duty weapon at the man, authorities said. The suspect was struck by the gunfire and is in critical condition, authorities said. The officer was injured and received medical treatment. He is expected to make a full recovery. The officer has been placed on administrative leave as the investigation proceeds. Officials said the identity of the officer and the suspect will not be released at this time. Cut Bank Police Department officials said they requested that DCI investigate the incident in the interest of transparency. Once the investigation is complete, the results will be submitted to the Glacier County Attorney for consideration of appropriate charges, they said. Cut Bank Police Chief Mike Schultz said in a news release he was extremely thankful the officer survived this incident. This event unfolded rapidly and could have had fatal consequences for a valued public servant and his family, he said. DCI administrator Bryan Lockerby said he was glad to hear the officer survived the incident, noting the outcome could have been worse. Every investigation into officer-involved critical incidents takes considerable time as our agents are always responsive, intentional, and thorough when processing the scene and following up with interviews, ballistics, and toxicology, he said in the news release. DECATUR What does a boat racer do when the wind is causing whitecaps on Lake Decatur and it's too choppy to race? Scott Melowic of Dayton, Ohio, said with a chuckle, We sit here and talk." He's got engine trouble with his, he added, indicating the boat next to his 1-liter modified, and he's got a battery charger on it, so we try to help with that, and enjoy the day, and sit here and relax. Melowic got one race in with his own boat before the wind kicked up, and filled in as the second man on The First Flight, a Jersey skiff owned by Mike Probola of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Probola is a rookie racer at the age of almost 69 who started racing because of his memories of his father's fondness for the sport, but didn't have a second man. Boats like Melowic's are one-man boats, but the Jersey skiffs take two. Rookie racers have an X marked on their boats and have to take an outside lane for races so they don't interfere with more experienced racers, Melowic said. Saturday's Hardy's Highway Race for the Lake is one of an increasingly fewer boat races to enter, Probola said, and he was more than willing to make the long drive from Kitty Hawk to compete. The boat races were once a Memorial Day weekend tradition in Decatur, but it's been 20 years since the last one. In spite of cloudy skies on Saturday morning, which made for a slow start to the crowd, the skies cleared and people thronged the lakeside, which was lined with food trucks and arts and crafts vendors from the Beach House all the way down to the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater. Shayla Rossignol had pulled her boat up to the dock in front of the Devon and had a front-row seat. The early bird gets the worm, they say, she quipped about her parking spot, which she secured by getting up early. And while her friends watched from the dock due to the constant rocking of the boat from the wake caused by racers, Rossignol stayed aboard the boat getting seasick, she said. Decatur Park District Executive Director Clay Gerhard said the whitecaps that forced a pause in the racing action were the only issue on Saturday. So far things are going off without a hitch, he said. I wasn't worried about the weather. I was worried about getting everything ready to go. Members of Temple Baptist Church, wearing matching blue T-shirts reading Here to serve, had set up a little paper boat racing game for small children along the vendors' row. Volunteer David Jacobs said the boat racing is a family event, and the church had hoped to provide something for children so they'd feel a part of the festivities. There was a basket full of boats already made, but the youngsters could make their own if they wanted to, too. Our intention was, because it's a family event, that we wanted to do an outreach for our church, he said. We just want to be involved in our community and get out here and share a little something for the kids to do. Kids got a gift bag and parents were entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card to Texas Roadhouse. Cindy Shafer gathered up as much of her family as she could to attend the boat races, and had a large group of them cheering on the racers. It's just something we have wanted to do forever, she said. For 20 years. My mom (Shirley Johnson, sitting next to her) will be 94 in August, and she said, 'I hope I get to see the boat races one more time.' Roger and Ella Call found a bench along the lakeshore to watch the races. Roger Call said he remembered going to SummerStart, as the Memorial Day event was known, and was glad to see it come back. Rachel McAvoy's parents live on Lake Shore Drive, up on a hill, and she remembers watching the boat races as a child, with a bird's-eye view of the action, from the house. I'm glad I could bring the kids to see this, she said. Now a resident of the Chicago suburbs, she and her family were able to walk through the pit area during the downtime while the races were paused due to wind, and her daughters posed for photos with some of the racers and their boats. We are blown away, said Nikki Furlott, race committee chairwoman. When that first boat was out there in the water, it brought tears to our eyes. It was a long time coming, and we had so many people working with us to help us along with this, and it's just like a dream come true. Furlott was thrilled, she said, that so many boat racers came, and that the community attended and supported the event. It's just so awesome, she said. It's come full circle. It's exciting for all of us. The races return on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new sports and events you'll see at the 2024 Paris Olympics The new sports and events you'll see at the 2024 Paris Olympics Men in artistic swimming Marathon race walk mixed relay The new sports and events you'll see at the 2024 Paris Olympics JOLIET Months after surviving a knife attack in unincorporated Will County that killed a 6-year-old Palestinian boy, the childs mother has sued the alleged attacker, his wife and brother for wrongful death, battery and negligence. Joseph Czuba, 72, is currently awaiting trial in the Will County Adult Detention Facility for allegedly stabbing Wadea Al-Fayoume 26 times and seriously injuring his mother, Hanaan Shahin, over his anger about the war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023. In the days between Hamas initial attack on Israel and the Oct. 14 attack in unincorporated Plainfield, Czuba reportedly became heavily interested in the conflict through conservative talk radio and targeted the pair because they were Muslim and Palestinian, according to the Will County Sheriffs Office. Wadeas death drew condemnation from elected officials across the state and country. President Joe Biden named him in a national address shortly after he died and federal authorities launched investigations into the attack shortly after it occurred. Shahins attorney, John Simon, said the lawsuit, filed late last month in Will County Circuit Court, had been delayed due to the federal hate crime investigation that is currently underway and which has limited some discovery. We are welcoming the opportunity to get to the bottom of what caused this man to do this and who knew about it, he said. This is a racially and religiously charged incident and anyone who had any ability to stop it should have intervened. The complaint accuses Czubas wife, Mary Czuba, and his brother, Daniel Czuba, of failing to warn Shahin that Czuba had extreme and violent thoughts and opinions towards Palestinians and Muslims, including Hanaan and Wadea Al-Fayoume, and presented a risk of foreseeable physical harm to Hanaan Shahin and Wadea Al-Fayoume. The suit also accuses Czuba himself of wrongful death and battery and names his and his brothers rental corporations as defendants. The 39-page complaint states that Shahin had identified the rental property through Daniel Czuba and moved in about two years before the attack. According to the complaint, Joseph Czuba approached his tenants several times over the week between the start of the war and the attack to tell them he hated Muslims. When Shahin told Mary Czuba about those interactions, Mary Czuba allegedly assured her that she and Wadea were safe. Czuba also allegedly asked Shahin and her son to move out of the house and told Mary Czuba that he feared Shahins Palestinian friends would hurt them about three days before the attack. According to the complaint, Czuba first attacked Shahin while she was giving Wadea a bath and returned to stab Wadea after she had called 911 and before authorities arrived. The last words Shahin heard her son say were oh no, the complaint said. Simon said that should the jury find the case in Shahins favor, it would be up to them to determine how much she would be awarded in monetary damages. The public defender representing Czuba in criminal proceedings did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday night. Czubas next criminal court date is 9:30 a.m. June 14, according to Will County sheriff records. The BlackBasta ransomware group claims on the Dark Web it has breached major polymer additive and market-leading PVC stabiliser product company Akdeniz Chemson. The group claims to have stolen more than 500GB of financial and HR data and has given until 13 June 2024 for a ransom to be paid, or it will be released. Sadly, it's another day, and another breach. Cybersecurity expert and Dark Web watcher Caity Randall has picked up the activity of the BlackBasta ransomware group, who claim over the Dark Web they have penetrated the defences of Akdeniz Chemson, a major worldwide producer of PVC and polymer products. The company began life in England and is now headquartered in Izmir, Turkey. It has production plants in Eastern Creek, Sydney, Australia, as well as in Germany, and other locations. Randall, the founder and director of Sustainabil.IT and a CFSI senior fellow for ANZ, showed iTWire proof of the group's claims. BlackBasta claims to have taken more than 500GB of private data from Akdeniz Chemson, including corporate data, personal user data, and information from the finance and HR departments, as well as other departments. The group allege they have issued Akdeniz Chemson a ransom demand, with a deadline of 13 June 2024. If the ransom is not paid, BlackBasta states it will release the data. This breach follows news of Panasonic's alleged breach by a different ransomware group, Akira, only the day before. Panasonic Australia confirmed to iTWire a cybersecurity incident had occurred, but states there is no evidence any data has been taken at all. At the time of writing Akdeniz Chemson has not made any official comment on BlackBasta's claims. iTWire will continue to advise as developments occur. "BlackBasta is a notorious ransomware group that operates using a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, often employing a "spray and prey" approach. They typically leverage insider threat intelligence, phishing campaigns, and OSINT information scraping to gain access to Windows domain credentials. Once they infiltrate a network, they deploy their ransomware, exfiltrate sensitive data, and issue ransom demands," Randall explained. Randall says there are ways to combat BlackBasta, and groups like it: implement a strong Extended Detection and Response (XDR) and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solution to provide comprehensive visibility and rapid response capabilities to detect and mitigate threats early implement robust Identity and Access Management (IAM) controls to limit lateral movement within the network, and make it harder for attackers to escalate privileges microsegment the network into smaller, isolated sections, to contain breaches and prevent them from spreading regularly review network controls and configure them to detect Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) "As threats evolve, so must our strategies to counter them," she said. Nicole will be responsible for positioning Fortinet with key government stakeholders to contribute to the public policy debates critical to protecting the networks and data that are the foundation of our digital society. She will engage on the cybersecurity requirements of organisations within the APAC region and will also work closely with the local public sector team to provide insights into government programs and requirements. Nicole has more than 20 years of experience in advocacy and stakeholder engagement including working for federal ministers and parliamentarians and member-based organisations. Nicole joins Fortinet from Quinntessential GR, a Canberra-based government relations advisory firm that she founded. Prior to establishing Quinntessential GR, Nicole was director of government relations for Parker and Partners (part of Ogilvy PR), heading up the organisations Canberra office. Nicoles previous roles also include general manager and board member of The Institute for Regional Security, national convenor for Defence Families of Australia, director of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Commerce Centre for the State Chamber of Commerce (NSW) and various communication, marketing, and membership roles in both the private and public sectors. Nicole is currently a board member of The Sir Richard Williams Foundation and ACT Gift For Life as well as a member of the Australian Professional Government Relations Association. Hugh Carroll, head of government affairs, Fortinet, said, Nicole has worked extensively in and around the national security community. Her knowledge of policy and process will help better position Fortinet as a trusted partner to governments across APAC. With the significant uptick in cyberattacks and increased attention on cybersecurity laws and regulations, the time was ideal for Fortinet to make this important investment in the region. We look forward to Nicole being a key part of our growth story. Jon McGettigan, regional director Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, Fortinet, said, The cybersecurity landscape is changing rapidly with threats escalating every day. It is critical that government and business work together to ensure the security posture of the nation is protected. Fortinet is committed to playing its part in that, with Nicole playing an integral role of elevating Fortinets partnership with government to expand its contribution to the legislative and policy environment across APAC. Nicole Quinn said, Cybersecurity is at the forefront right now, touching everyones lives from consumers, enterprises and right up to the highest level of government. It is critical to ensure that the technology being used and the related policy settings and legislation are keeping up with the evolving cybersecurity demands. Coming to Fortinet at a time of rapid growth affords me with a great opportunity to elevate Fortinets position on the national security agenda. I look forward to sharing the insights and lessons that a company with global stature like Fortinet can offer the public sector. About Fortinet Fortinet makes possible a digital world that we can always trust through its mission to protect people, devices, and data everywhere. This is why the worlds largest enterprises, service providers, and government organisations choose Fortinet to securely accelerate their digital journey. The Fortinet Security Fabric platform delivers broad, integrated, and automated protections across the entire digital attack surface, securing critical devices, data, applications, and connections from the data centre to the cloud to the home office. Ranking #1 in the most security appliances shipped worldwide, more than 565,000 customers trust Fortinet to protect their businesses. And the Fortinet NSE Training Institute, an initiative of Fortinets Training Advancement Agenda (TAA), provides one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry to make cyber training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, or FortiGuard Labs. () If you are new to mainland Japan or Okinawa, local currency, and the conversion between dollars and yen, may leave you annoyed at the cash register. Its 3,240 yen, sir. When the cashier tells you the price, you may have no idea whether it is expensive or cheap. Well, the simple conversion is not hard if you remember the formula, $1 = 100 yen. The current exchange rate is about $1 = 110.00 yen, which indicates a dollar is more expensive than 100 yen by about 10 percent. Considering the 8 percent consumption tax and handling charges in exchanging currency, however, one dollar is much closer to 100 yen than the rate. So, as long as you are in Japan and use yen cash for your personal shopping or service, the formula can give you a clear idea of the value in yen at shops or eateries. So, according to the formula, that 3,240 yen tab is roughly $32.40. Bills Now, take out all the local bills you have in your pocket and lay them out on the table to compare. Since there are only three bills - 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen and 1,000 yen - commonly in use, its easy to remember them. There is also the less-common 2,000-yen note and you can read more about that to the right. While all the three bills have same height (76 millimeter), the width is different a 10,000-yen bill is the widest at 160 mm, and at 150-mm, the 1,000-yen bill is the shortest. The colors are different, as well. 10,000 yen is dark brown, while that of 5,000 yen is dark violet and 1,000 yen is dark blue. Interestingly, although $100 and 10,000-yen bills are almost same in value, $100 bills are not used nearly as much in daily shopping in the States as the 10,000-yen bill is in Japan. People often use 10,000-yen bills at the bar, flower shops and even taxis. Among the three bills, 1,000 is the most useful for daily use. Most vending machines accept it along with coins. Many eateries offer a lunch set for 1,000 yen or less, and most taxi rides within town can be managed with a 1,000-yen bill. So, I encourage you to possess as much yen cash in the form of 1,000-yen bills as possible for your convenience. Different bills are used for different occasions in Japan. When you are invited to a wedding reception, you are supposed to wrap new and unfolded bills in red and white envelope to congratulate the new couple. On the contrary, when you attend a funeral or any memorial service, you can enclose rather old and not clean bills in a black and white envelope to the deceased family, so that they can use the bills without hesitation. Coins Now, lets check out the local coins. There are six - 500 yen, 100 yen, 50 yen, 10 yen, 5 yen and 1 yen. Among the six coins, the 100 yen coin is the most useful for various vending machines, coin laundries and parking lots. You may notice that there are many 100-yen shops near your base. But, be aware, when you buy a 100-yen item in the shop, you have to pay 10t8 yen at the cashier thanks to the 8 percent consumption tax. When you visit Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples, be sure to bring coins for casting in front of the main halls. Japanese believe the sound of casted coins in the wooden box can remind gods of us and our wishes. A 5-yen coin is often cast, as it is pronounced go-en in Japanese, which is associated with good relations (goen) with gods or Buddha. With its high value, the 500-yen coin is often considered a saving coin. Some people, including my wife, will always put the coin in a piggy bank whenever they find one in their supermarket change. Save 200 of the coins, and youve got yourself a nice overnight package to a hot spring resort. So, make sure you check those couch cushions every once in a while its probably worth your time. Hunt for the 2,000-Yen Bill Besides the commonly used three bills, there is another bill 2,000 yen. Since being introduced in 2000, the year of Okinawa SUMIT, the 2,000-yen bill is rarely seen in daily transactions. In fact, I havent seen one in a normal transaction since the early 2000s. Of the four bills, the 2,000 makes up only 0.7 percent of all in use, according to 2016 data from Bank of Japan. Some didnt see the need for the relatively new 2,000-yen bills because of the common use of 10,000 and 5,000 notes in Japan. Plus, because of its scarcity, they are likely to be kept, instead of used, thus not helping to circulate it among the market. The bill is hard to find on Okinawa, as well, but its condition seems different from that of the mainland. While the issuance number of 2,000-yen bills for the entire nation was shrinking from 139 million (in 2000) to 99 million (2016), that of Okinawa nearly tripled from 2.081 million to 5.674 million, according to Bank of Japan. Some say Okinawans affinity for the bill and promotions by prefectural government work as driving force to spread it. The bill was introduced in the year of Okinawa SUMIT and the symbol of Okinawa, Shurei-mon Gate (Shuri Castle), is on the bill itself. Others say Okinawans were accustomed to $20 bill during the U.S. occupation period, and that helped them adjust to the 2,000-yen note. Although the bill is hard to find in shops and eateries, it is still one of the four official bills currently circulated in the nation, so you can acquire it at bank or post office anytime. Just ask a bank staffer to include some the next time you exchange your dollars into yen. Cash dispensers at some banks have the option to designate a 2,000-yen bill when you withdraw yen cash at the machine, as well. The next time youre grabbing cash from the bank, ask for a 2,000-yen bill for a cheap way to impress your friends. Agriculture companies are using new methods to change the genes of plants to produce more productive crops. The process of gene-editing is gaining attention from people interested in agriculture. It makes changes to the existing genes of a plant, such as wheat. That is different from genetic modification, which produces what are known as genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. That process introduces completely new DNA to a plants genetic information. Regulators and scientists believe gene-editing is less risky than genetic modification. They say it is closer to traditional methods of plant breeding. The process permits scientists to target several genes for editing. A state-run company in Australia is preparing for a major trial of gene-edited wheat. Australian seed breeder InterGrain recently imported thousands of wheat seeds created by the American agricultural technology company Inari. InterGrain chief Tress Walmsely said the wheat imports included hundreds of new genetic variations. Walmsley said the seeds are growing in a testing greenhouse in the state of Queensland. The plan is to create more seeds which can be planted across Australia in 2025. "Our job is to work out which gene combination gives the best results. Our goal is at least 10 percent yield improvement. These seeds have the potential to achieve that," she said. The company believes it could be selling seeds to Australian farmers starting in 2028. Inari uses artificial intelligence (AI) to consider a huge number of possible edits and then uses the CRISPR gene-editing tool to change more than one gene at a time. InterGrain and Inari believe the program could result in stronger wheat and bigger crops with a process 10 to 15 times faster than traditional plant breeding. Plant breeding happens when scientists mate two plants with desirable characteristics. It can take years for the best version of a plant to arrive. Some gene-edited crops already exist. Most of them offer small nutritional improvements or have an increased ability to resist disease. The new wheat plants in Australia will have many of those qualities. "We want to solve food security, climate change and farm profitability at the same time," said Inaris chief Ponsi Trivisvavet. Australia is working to ensure that it can export the gene-edited wheat. Some countries, such as the U.S. and Japan, have already said they believe gene-editing is not very different from plant breeding. Officials in those countries will be more likely to approve the Australian wheat. The European Union is expected to make a similar decision and China approved a gene-edited wheat plant in May. Inari said it is working with agriculture companies in the U.S. on a gene-edited soybean that will produce larger crop yields. Many countries have already accepted genetically modified soybeans because they are mostly used to feed animals. Officials, however, have been slower to approve the modification of wheat because much of it is used in products made for humans. Im Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by Reuters. _____________________________________________ Words in This Story edit v. to make changes to writing, video or genetic structures to get a desired effect variation n. (biology) a living thing that is different from the parent in some way greenhouse n. a glass-covered house in which plants are grown yield n. the amount of a crop that can be used achieve v. to get something or to reach a goal mate v. the union of two sexes to create offspring desirable adj. something that is wanted or sought after characteristic n. a quality that a thing has We want to hear from you. What would you think about eating bread made from gene-edited wheat? Would you mind? YORK David Hamling said he never thought much about how the parts he made during his nearly 40 years at the aerospace manufacturing plant in York were used. "We had a part number and a blueprint," he recalled. With lawsuits and protests happening around the globe against Israels use of American-made fighter jets in its war against Hamas, Hamling, who retired in 2020, says he still doesnt think about where the parts go after they leave town. He compared the question of what people do with the parts to debates about gun control. Its not the gun thats killing the people. Its the people behind it. The Collins Aerospace plant in York has parts on virtually every different type of military aircraft flown by the U.S. and its allies, according to Al Killeffer, a spokesperson for RTX formerly Raytheon Technologies which owns Collins Aerospace. Killeffer said the plant makes parts for the starter/generator of the F-35, an aircraft Israel has been using during the war. It also makes parts for F-15 and the F-16 fighter jets, earlier generation jets which Israel has also been using in the conflict. Former employees discuss their work The News-Times spoke over the phone with six longtime employees who recently retired from the Collins Aerospace plant in York to learn more about the military parts they helped manufacture and hear their perspective on the possibility that some of those parts have been used in Gaza and other conflicts abroad. The former employees expressed a range of views about the possibility that parts they worked on have been used in Gaza, with some expressing support, others uncertainty and one calling profits earned by defense companies from the war "blood money." Since Oct. 7, 2023 when Hamas-led gunmen killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped more than 240, Israels campaign has killed more than 36,000 people and injured approximately 81,000, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. The plant employs 225 people about 15 engineers, 60 support staff and 150 directly working on parts staff said during a plant tour. Everyone interviewed had worked on parts for some or all of their career. All six retired workers said their focus day-to-day at the plant was making sure the parts functioned as they were designed. Some parts are inspected at a level 40 times smaller than the width of a hair, staff said during a December 2023 tour. You had a job to ensure the safety of someone who could very well be in the outer stratosphere or 300 feet off the ground and going 600 miles an hour, said Richard Meyer, 61, who worked at the Collins plant in York for 37 years until 2020, first as a machinist and later as a supervisor. The former employees recalled manufacturing a variety of military parts over the years, including parts for B-2 bombers, Patriot missiles and Humvees used in Afghanistan. In addition, they recalled making parts for non-military uses, including the space shuttle and commercial airplanes emergency power systems, such as the ram air turbine deployed during the Miracle on the Hudson landing in New York City in 2009. Timothy Wellman, 68, who retired from the York plant in 2022 after 38 years as a machinist, said he is against large bombs being used in Gaza. But overall he supported sending parts to Israel as long as doing so maintains and keeps our freedom here for us. Hamling, who was working in assembly when he retired, said other workers who were more curious might have found out a little bit more about where the parts went, but said they didnt let us know a whole lot. Some former employees said they often didnt know if a given part they were working on was going to be placed in a military aircraft or a commercial one, nor if the U.S. or another country would use it. Approximately 30% of the parts made in York currently end up in military products, according to Killeffer. Its very possible they made it as streamlined as possible [so] that we didnt know what we were doing, Hamling said. Killeffer declined to answer follow-up questions, including if parts specifically made in York are used in Israeli fighter jets, but in an emailed statement he said the U.S. Department of Defense makes decisions on where defense equipment goes. The F-35 fighter jet is one of a dozen major platforms at the Collins Aerospace plant in York, according to a presentation by staff in December. Raphael Cohen, a program director at RAND Project Air Force, a research group sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, said there is little publicly-available information about what weapons Israel uses to launch strikes whether it is an F-35, for example, or another fighter jet, or a drone. He said the F-35, a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, is generally used for intelligence gathering and launching strikes. Though the extent of Israels use of its 39 U.S.-made F-35s is unknown, F-35 Program Executive Officer Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt in December described F-35s used in Israels fight against Hamas as absolutely outstanding. Rep. Rob Wittman of Virginia said in December the U.S. had increased the supply of spare F-35 parts to Israel since Oct. 7. Israel has also used its F-35s, which it modifies with unique Israeli technology, to defend against an attack from the Iran-backed military group Houthis in November and an attack by Iran in April, which specifically targeted Israels F-35 base. Good jobs, good money From the Bay Area to Australia, people have gathered outside the companies that make F-35 parts to protest how Israel has been using the jets in Gaza. Protesters have demonstrated in Vermont and Iowa outside of Collins Aerospace plants. In the U.K., protesting workers in December and March temporarily shut down factories that make F-35 parts. In February, a Dutch court blocked the export of spare F-35 parts to Israel over concerns they were violating international law, finding that Israel did not sufficiently take Palestinian lives into account in its campaign in Gaza. The Dutch court specifically found a clear risk that serious violations of humanitarian law of war are committed with the F-35, including the risk of war crimes and genocide, according to a translation of the ruling shared with the News-Times by Liesbeth Zevgeld, a Dutch lawyer representing the human rights groups that filed the lawsuit against the Dutch government. Thousands of Gazan children have been killed in the war, according to the Gaza ministry of health. The war has also displaced about 1.7 million Palestinians, about three-quarters of its population. U.S. military historian Robert Pape told the Associated Press, "Gaza is one of the most intense civilian punishment campaigns in history." He said in some respects it's more destructive than the U.S. bombing campaign in Germany during World War II. Part of why the F-35 fighter jet, as opposed to the F-15 or F-16, has received so much attention during the war in Gaza may inadvertently be the result of a political strategy adopted by Lockheed Martin, the aerospace and defense company that puts the F-35 together with parts from Raytheon and other defense companies. The F-35, also called the Joint Strike Fighter, is manufactured by eight countries, including the U.S., the U.K. and the Netherlands. There are also 10 countries, including Israel, which do not manufacture F-35s, but are able to purchase them. Lockheed Martin says it is the most economically significant defense program in history. A May 16 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found the cost to the Department of Defense of maintaining the F-35 program will now exceed $2 trillion dollars. All 50 states have F-35 suppliers. Of those, Nebraska ranks low in terms of economic impact from the F-35 program. According to a February 2024 snapshot with state-by-state data, which does not include data from Raytheon, Nebraska has two other F-35 suppliers, besides the York plant. Placing F-35 suppliers in numerous U.S. congressional districts gives all the legislators an incentive to vote for the program, Cohen said, because the program benefits their constituents. He suggested the industry may have pursued this strategy after seeing the B-2 bomber program truncated due to increasing costs. The F-35 program too has sparked criticism from members of Congress for its significant costs. Defenders say the rising costs are in part due to extending the service life of the F-35s, which will now be flying until 2088. Lockheed Martin declined an interview request. Jacqueline Lorenzetti, a spokesperson for Lockheed, said, "Israel's use of U.S. platforms is best addressed by the U.S. or Israeli government." She said the F-35 program has "mitigated the potential impacts" of the Dutch court's ruling. Lockheed has also sold itself as an engine of economic development overseas, such as in the Netherlands and the UK, which fly and build F-35s, too. When the F-35 becomes a home industry, the fighter jet becomes a whole lot easier to sell, Cohen said. Cohen said the fact that F-35 suppliers are spread around the U.S. and the globe may partly explain why the F-35, as opposed to the F-15 or F-16, has received so much attention since Oct. 7. By placing suppliers all over the U.S. and the globe, Lockheed Martins strategy may have inadvertently led to the conditions by which the F-35 can be protested or legally challenged all over the globe, as in the Dutch legal challenge. If the Dutch Supreme Court upholds the ban on the export of F-35 parts to Israel, other countries in Europe where the F-35 is made could see similar lawsuits, according to Jack Beard, director of the space, cyber and national security law program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Mike McClelland, 66, who manufactured parts for the defense industry for about 40 years including over a decade at the York plant, where he headed the bearings department until 2019 noted the financial importance the defense industry has for American communities. We have so many states that are manufacturing parts to build these planes, McClelland said. Three generations of his family that have worked at the York plant. The industry supports communities, he explained. They got good jobs, good money. McClelland, however, never liked the idea of us manufacturing for other peoples wars. He compared Israels response to Oct. 7 to Americas response to 9/11, which he said was a wake-up call. Were all living the dream here in America, which we as workers deserve. But now in order to better ourselves and make more money, were gonna make more stuff to kill other people in other countries, because we dont know who they are. Good or evil At the end of May, Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, who has represented York in Congress since 2007, toured the Collins Aerospace facility in York. In response to the Biden Administrations recent move to pause the shipments of larger and more destructive 2,000-pound bombs to Israel bombs that Israels F-35s have been armed with Smith joined his Republican colleagues in the House by passing a bill that would prevent the president from halting the delivery of weapons to Israel. He said in an interview with the News-Times outside the local plant that the U.S. needs to stand by Israel and that doing so will more likely and more quickly bring about peace. A May report from the Biden administration, which has continued to support the sale of more fighter jets to Israel, found that Israel has likely been violating international law with U.S. weapons. Smith, who is up for re-election on Nov. 5 against Democrat Daniel Elbers, has received at least $142,500 in campaign contributions from defense political action committees over the course of his tenure, including $34,500 from Raytheon and $30,000 from Lockheed Martin, according to Open Secrets, a nonprofit that tracks campaign finance data. Smith told the News-Times he wasnt aware of those contributions. He said that as a member of the Houses chief tax-writing committee, he wanted to create a tax policy that encouraged innovation in the defense industry. After nearly 40 years in that industry, McClelland sees things differently. He described the F-35 as a death weapon, and suggested that others making parts for these weapons would also be critical of exporting them abroad if they really understood how they were used. I think a lot of people that have any kind of degree of sense can pretty much understand its not good, he said. Thats why I say its blood money. A March Gallup poll found that of Americans who said they had been following the Israel-Hamas war very closely, 55% disapproved of Israels military action. While the six workers interviewed for this story varied in their views about the possibility that Israel was using parts made in York, all six said they supported producing weapons to defend America. Thats why they call it the Department of Defense, not the 'Department of Offense,' Meyer said. When other countries receive U.S. weapons, he said, I just pray that theyre thinking the same way. Meyer said the movie Oppenheimer, the recent Academy Award-winning biopic about atomic bomb inventor Robert Oppenheimer, resonated with him. Like Oppenheimer, Meyer said, working in the defense industry raises questions about whether what you do create and manufacture is actually good or evil. And sometimes its a mix of both. The University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman has been named the top university in the Philippines in the 2025 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings. UP moved up to the 336th spot in the world, improving from its 404th place in 2024. - Advertisement - UPs highest score was in Sustainability, with 67.7 out of 100, highlighting its commitment to sustainable practices. The university scored 65.6 in Employment Outcomes, indicating high graduate employability, and 65.3 in Employer Reputation, reflecting strong employer appreciation. Additionally, UP earned 60.9 for its network with international research institutions and 36.3 in academic reputation. Overall, the national university had a rating of 33.3. Following UP in the higher education rankings are Ateneo de Manila University at 516th and De La Salle University within the 641-650 bracket. The University of Santo Tomas landed in the 851-900 bracket, while the University of San Carlos ranked 1401+. On a regional scale, the National University of Singapore emerged as the top Asian university, followed by Chinas Peking University and Singapores Nanyang Technological University. The QS ranking system considers various factors, including a universitys sustainability efforts, graduate employability, and its international research network. QS is an international organization based in London that analyzes trends in higher education. The Department of Agriculture (DA) temporarily banned the importation of domestic and wild birds from Australia following outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains H7N3 and H7N9 in Victoria. The outbreaks were reported to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) on May 23, 2024, in Meredith and on May 25 in Terangboth in the state of Victoria in Australia. The Australian Center for Disease Preparedness confirmed the outbreak. - Advertisement - According to DA Memorandum Order No. 21, the ban applies to all live birds, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen. The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) will also suspend issuing sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) for these products from Australia. Shipments already in transit, loaded, or accepted at port before the official communication to Australia are exempt, provided those products were slaughtered or produced on or before May 9, 2024. Australia is a significant source of poultry for the Philippines, ranking fourth for chicken meat with aggregated imports of 5,365 metric tons (MT) and third for mechanically deboned meat (MDM) at 4,162 MT as of April 2024. The Philippines previously imported 46,987 day-old chicks and 30,780 hatching eggs from Australia. Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: Philippines temporarily halts entry of poultry products from Australia due to avian flu Toyota Motor Philippines expands its presence in Mindanao with the groundbreaking of a third dealership in Davao City (Toyota Tugbok). TMP president Masando Hashimoto emphasized Davaos economic growth and potential, stating the new dealership will improve mobility of people, goods, and services. The 3S dealership will offer sales, after-sales service, and spare parts, with a modern design creating an inviting atmosphere and providing high-quality service. This strategic expansion highlights Toyotas commitment to meeting the evolving transportation needs of the thriving Mindanao region. From left are: Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) vice president for vehicle sales operations Elijah Marcial, TMP vice president for dealer development Lyna Garcia, TMP marketing division senior Vice president Masahiro Haoka, Toyota Cagayan de Oro, Inc. (TCO) chairman Peter Lim Lo Suy, TMP marketing division executive vice president Jing Atienza, Tugbok Proper barangay captain Wilfredo Anfone, TMP president Masando Hashimoto, TCO president Betty Lu, Toyota Davao City, Inc. (TDC) chairman Boyet Lim, TCO executive Doc. Nancy Ramirez, TDC president Denise Lim, TCO executive Eric Uy, and TMP vice president for customer service operations Jeff Matsuo. Xi meets Pakistani PM Xinhua) 08:58, June 08, 2024 Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Friday. Pointing out that China and Pakistan are good neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, good friends who share faith and righteousness, good partners who help each other, and good brothers who share weal and woe, Xi said the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership had continuously deepened and enjoyed solid public support with a strong internal driving force and broad prospects for development. China stands ready to work with Pakistan to firmly support each other, strengthen cooperation, deepen strategic coordination, accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and make greater contributions to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity, Xi noted. Xi stressed that the key to the ever-strengthening ironclad friendship between China and Pakistan lies in mutual understanding, high trust, and firm support between the two sides. He thanked Pakistan for its long-term and firm support for China on issues related to China's core interests and major concerns. China will, as always, firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, and in resolutely combating terrorism, he noted. Xi said that China is ready to promote the alignment of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Pakistan's development plans, carry out cooperation in agriculture, mining, and social livelihood in light of local conditions, make the high-quality development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) go deeper and be more concrete, and help boost Pakistan's economic and social development. It is hoped that Pakistan will continue to create a safe, stable, and predictable business environment and earnestly guarantee the safety of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan, Xi said. China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Pakistan in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and other multilateral mechanisms, jointly promote an equal and orderly world multipolarization and an economic globalization that is inclusive and benefits all, focus on the development agenda, address security challenges, improve global governance, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice, he said. Shehbaz said that under the leadership of President Xi, China has made great achievements in poverty alleviation, anti-corruption and development, which have attracted worldwide attention. Pakistan highly appreciates and fully supports the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi, which have provided strategic guidance for solving the problems facing the world today and promoting the building of a more peaceful and better world, he said. He said the CPEC has strongly promoted Pakistan's national development and brought tangible benefits to the Pakistani people. He noted that Pakistan will learn from China's experience in governance, continue to work with China on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and deepen practical cooperation in various fields. Shehbaz reiterated that no force can stop China's development and growth or shake the iron-clad friendship between Pakistan and China. He noted that Pakistan will continue to firmly support China's position on all issues concerning its core interests without hesitation. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) In a tragic turn of events, at least 150 people are believed to have lost their lives in a massacre that took place in Wad al-Nourah, a village in Sudans Gezira state. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group engaged in a 13-month-long battle with the Sudanese army for control of the country, has been accused of carrying out the attack. Although the RSF has not addressed the accusations directly, they claimed to have attacked two army positions on Thursday. Social media footage from local activists showed the grim aftermath of the raid, with numerous bodies shrouded in white, ready for burial. The exact circumstances surrounding the killings remain unclear, with reports suggesting that the village was targeted twice by RSF fighters on Wednesday. Hafiz Mohamad, a representative from the prominent human rights organization Justice Africa Sudan, informed the BBC that many people are still unaccounted for. However, he noted that determining an accurate death toll is challenging due to the continued presence of RSF members in the area, who are allegedly looting. Sudans military government has called for international condemnation of the attack. The RSF took control of Gezira state in December and has been accused of numerous abuses against civilians, which they deny. The conflict between the RSF and the military, which began in April 2023 when the two generals leading the factions fell out, has claimed over 15,000 lives and sparked the worlds largest displacement crisis. UN agencies warn that millions face a hunger catastrophe, with up to five million people at risk of famine. 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 Fueled by the Supreme Court's June 2023 ruling that bans affirmative action in higher education, conservative lawmakers across the country have advanced their own state bans on diversity initiatives, especially those that might make students feel shame or guilt for past harms against people of color. This effort encompasses medical schools. Despite clear and persistent gaps between white and Black doctorsand recent efforts to reckon with racial disparities within the medical professionlawmakers have tried to advance policies to prohibit diversity initiatives in medicine. North Carolina Congressman Greg Murphy introduced one such bill to restrict diversity initiatives. "American medical schools are no place for discrimination," said Murphy, a Republican, in March 2024. "Diversity strengthens medicine, but not if it's achieved through exclusionary practices of prejudice and divisive ideology." But the gaps in racial representation in medicine go beyond a professional numbers game. Modern research shows that the lack of Black doctors helps explain why about 70% of Black people don't trust their doctors, and why Black people tend to die younger than their white peers. The evidence is clear: America needs more Black doctors. According to a 2022 survey of 950,000 doctors by the Association of American Medical Colleges, 63.9% reported their ethnicity as white, and just 5.7% Black or African American. But according to 2023 estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, Black people comprised 13.6% of the population, while white people represent 58.9%. These modern inequalities in medicine have deep roots. As a community health professor, I am always curious how today's racial health disparities formed in the first place. One window into this history is through the official physician directories published by the American Medical Association, or AMA. A limited landscape Starting in 1906, the AMA has published directories of all qualified physicians in the U.S. These directories were created to be comprehensive records that excluded "quack" physicians and unqualified graduates of fraudulent medical schools. Each physician's record included a variety of details, including their place of practice and when and where they completed medical training. Between 1906 and 1940, the AMA also insisted on publishing the race of Black doctors. Beside each entry appeared the label "col." for "colored." Based on this information, I created a digitized dataset of the 1906 directory and detailed geographic and demographic patterns associated with where Black doctors trained and practiced. Of the 41,828 physicians listed in the 1906 directory, only 746 were Blackor 1.8%. Most Black doctors in the South were trained by a handful of Southern medical schools established to educate African Americans. Over half57%of Southern Black physicians attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, or Howard University Medical School in Washington, D.C.schools that are still in existence. But nearly a third29%of Southern Black physicians attended schools that would be closed a few years after the 1906 directory's release. In 1910, at the behest of the AMA, educator Abraham Flexner released a report after studying the standards of medical schools in the U.S. and Canada. The results of the Flexner report was devastating to the number of Black doctors. Citing low admissions standards and poor quality of education, Flexner recommended closing five of the seven historically Black medical schools that trained the vast majority of Black doctors. By 1912, three Black medical schools were shut down. By 1924, only two remained in operationMeharry and Howard. The consequences of this extremely limited educational landscape for aspiring Black physicians are reflected in the data. In most Southern states, the distance between medical school and practice locations was significantly greater, even before the closings, for Black doctors compared with their white counterparts. The deep roots of inequalities To help interpret where Black doctors established practices in the South, I also linked directory data to other historical sources, including the U.S. Census. What I found was that places with larger Black populations were more likely to have a Black doctor, as were places that were closer to a Black medical school. Many contemporary scholars and activists are looking to the past in order to increase the public's understanding of how race has played a historical role in the health outcomes of Black Americans. For example, Dr. Uche Blackstock, a Black physician, illustrates many instances of medical racism throughout American history in her most recent book, "Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine," and shows their lasting impacts on how Black patients are treated and the quality of health care they receive. She was one of the first, for example, to warn health officials about the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color. As she wrote in 2020: Black Americans were more vulnerable during the pandemic "because of several manifestations of structural racism, including lack of access to testing, a higher chronic disease burden and racial bias within health care institutions." Without an accounting of how racial disparities in medicine were formed, it's much more difficult to determine which kinds of progressive measures are needed to provide redress. Future analyses will help unpack these racial disparities in greater detail. But for now, both academic researchers and the public can use our data to explore the importance of historically Black medical schools and the lives of Black physicians during the Jim Crow era. It's my belief that their legacies deserve to be a better-known part of the history of American medicine. 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: This handout picture courtesy of the Eye & Ent Hospital of Fudan University shows Dr Yilai Shu examining a young patient at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University in this image taken on April 17, 2024. Zhu Yangyang babbles away like a typical happy three-year-old, calling out for "mama" and "papa" and accurately naming colorsa remarkable achievement considering he was completely deaf just months ago. He is one of five children whose hearing was restored through a revolutionary new gene therapy in a clinical trial led by Chinese and American researchers, offering new hope for those born with a rare genetic mutation. Yangyang's mother Chang Yiyi says she was moved to tears when she realized, around three weeks after the treatment last September, that Yangyang could hear her knocking on the door. "I hid in a closet and called for him, and he still responded!" she told AFP in an interview from Shanghai. The results of the study, published Wednesday in the prestigious journal Nature Medicine, mark the first time the procedure was performed on both ears. This led to significant improvements in speech perception and the ability to locate the source of sounds compared to treatment in just one ear. "This is absolutely a turning point," Zheng-Yi Chen, the study's senior author at the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories at Mass Eye and Ear, told AFP, adding companies are now conducting clinical trials, including two in Boston, with the goal of moving towards regulatory approval. "If the results hold, without any complications, I think in three to five years, it may be a medically approved product," he added. Rare mutation There are around 26 million people globally with genetic forms of deafness, with this particular therapy focusing on people born with a mutation of the OTOF generoughly two to eight percent of inherited deafness cases. This defect means they are unable to produce the protein otoferlin, which is needed for hair cells in the inner ear to convert sound vibrations into electrical signals that can be sent to the brain. The treatment involves injecting a modified virus into the inner ear that smuggles in a working version of the OTOF gene, restoring hearing. When they realized that Yangyang could hear for the first time, "the whole family cried" including Yangyang's mother and grandmother, said lead study author Yilai Shu of the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai. Chang, a 26-year-old homemaker, said that taking care of her son has become much easier since he began developing language skills, and the family soon hopes to move him from a speech rehabilitation school to traditional kindergarten. More genetic targets Shu led the research team that delivered the very first OTOF gene therapy in 2022, pioneering a treatment that has since been administered to more children around the world, including in the United States and the United Kingdom. Treating both ears presented new challenges, he told AFP. Doubling the surgical procedures increased the risk of side effects. However, careful dosing minimized the immune response, and only mild to moderate side effectslike fever, vomiting and slightly elevated white cell countswere observed. All five children, who ranged in age from one to 11, saw major improvements. Two of them gained an ability to appreciate musica more complex acoustic signaland danced happily in videos recorded for the study. Surprisingly, even the 11-year-old has gained some capacity to understand speech and talk, even though it was expected it would be too late for the brain to acquire this ability if it had never before perceived sound. "That really shows our brain has a plasticity that maybe lasts much longer than we originally thought," said Chen. The clinical trial is ongoing, and the participants will be monitored for long-term follow up. Meanwhile, Shu and Chen said they are working on further animal testing to develop treatments for other causes of genetic deafness, including those related to the GJB2 genethe most common cause of deafness present at birth. More information: Wang, H., Chen, Y., Lv, J. et al. Bilateral gene therapy in children with autosomal recessive deafness 9: single-arm trial results. Nat Med (2024). doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03023-5 Journal information: Nature Medicine 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Colorized transmission electron micrograph of Avian influenza A H5N1 viruses. Credit: Public Domain A two-and-a-half-year-old girl tested positive for H5N1 bird flu and needed hospital intensive care treatment in Australia after traveling to India, the World Health Organization said on Friday. "This is the first confirmed human infection caused by avian influenza A(H5N1) virus detected and reported by Australia," the WHO said in a statement. "Although the source of exposure to the virus in this case is currently unknown, the exposure likely occurred in India" where the girl had traveled, and where this group of "viruses has been detected in birds in the past", the UN health agency added. The WHO assesses the current risk to the general population posed by the virus as low. The girl had traveled to Kolkata from February 12 to 29. She did not have any known exposure to sick people or animals while in the city. The girl returned to Australia on March 1 and was admitted to a hospital in the southeastern Victoria state the following day. On March 4 she was transferred to an intensive care unit in the state capital Melbourne for one week, due to worsening symptoms. She left hospital after two and a half weeks. The girl tested positive for influenza A while in hospital, and the samples were sent on in April for deeper characterization. "Virus genetic sequence obtained from the samples confirmed the subtype A(H5N1)... which circulates in southeast Asia and has been detected in previous human infections and in poultry," the WHO said. The girl is reported to be well while no relatives in either Australia or India have developed symptoms. The Indian authorities have been notified and have started an epidemiological investigation, the agency said. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Researchers at the University of Michigan are finding that many patients may be encountering significant barriers to cancer care, even from their first phone call to a clinic. Patients attempting to access cancer care must go through several different levels of communication, both before their initial appointment with a physician and throughout their treatment. Making those first calls to learn more about available cancer care services or to schedule an appointment at a clinic is an important step toward beginning their treatment journey. "Racial and ethnic disparities have been observed in the outpatient visit rates for specialist care, including cancer care. However, we know very little about patients' experiences at the critical step of attempting to access new clinic appointments for cancer care," said Debbie Chen, M.D. Researchers set up simulated patient calls and studied whether each caller was able to access cancer carethat meant whether the caller was provided with a clinic appointment date or scheduling information. Using standardized scripts, the simulated patients spoke in one of three languagesEnglish, Spanish, or Mandarinand inquired about a new clinic appointment for colon, lung, or thyroid cancer care. The simulated patients called 479 clinic phone numbers, which were provided by the hospital general information staff at 143 hospitals in 12 states. Researchers found that access to new patient appointments for cancer care was poor for all simulated patient callers in the studyonly 41.5% of the 985 total calls were successful. Even the simulated English-speaking patient caller encountered challenges and were successful in accessing cancer care in only 61% of calls. About one-quarter of the 985 calls ended early due to workflow barriers, which included calls going to a voicemail that did not provide adequate information, or being on hold for over half an hour. In addition, researchers found that access to new patient appointments for cancer care was worse for non-English speaking patients. The simulated Spanish- and Mandarin- speaking patient callers accessed cancer care in only 36% and 19% of the calls, respectively, far less than their English-speaking counterparts. Nearly 50% of the calls made in Spanish or Mandarin ended due to language barriers when simulated patient callers were hung up on in response to asking "Speak Spanish?" or "Speak Chinese?", or disconnected when the automated message did not provide language-specific instructions but required input to continue. Even after getting connected to interpreter services, some callers were unable to receive further assistance. "Our study highlights existing barriers that patients may encounter when attempting to access a new clinic appointment for cancer care and illustrates how this access point functions as a gatekeeper to cancer care services, with many patient populations, including patients with limited English proficiency, unable to even get in the door to see a physician for their cancer care" Chen said. "Thus, interventions focused on mitigating these barriers are necessary to increase access to cancer care for all patients." The paper is published in the journal JAMA Network Open. More information: Debbie W. Chen et al, Access to New Clinic Appointments for Patients With Cancer, JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.15587 Journal information: JAMA Network Open 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 Most people use Google Street View to find their way. Dr. Quynh Nguyen, an epidemiologist and statistician at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, uses it to locate spots where your journey might abruptly end. In a study published June 6 in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) of Injury Prevention, Nguyen identifies uses AI tools to identify key environmental elements impacting car-related collisions as well as cyclist-related and pedestrian-related accidents. "Car crashes are the leading cause of death for young people between 5 and 29 years old. So it's crucial to understand how the physical environment can increase or lessen fatal collisions and which communities are most affected by this," says Nguyen, a professor whose work leverages technology and big data sources to address health disparities. Nguyen and fellow researchers used Google Street View (GSV), an AI tool that offers 360-degree views of streets worldwide, to determine the relationship between car accidents and the built environment in locations where crashes occur. Using virtual mapping, researchers examined specific road features, such as streetlights or greenery, on a nationwide scale. "Because we could crunch such a large amount of GSV data from across the country, we got precise results on which built elements influence car crashes. It was clear that places with higher levels of greenery, streetlights, single-lane roads, and sidewalks were associated with fewer fatal car crashes," says Nguyen. Sidewalks had the greatest impact on reducing crashes. Places with more sidewalks had 70% fewer traffic accidents, and places with one single-lane road, often found in rural areas, had 50% fewer accidents. For pedestrians and cyclists, street lights and stop signs offered more safetythey were associated with fewer car accidents involving either group. Conversely, areas with road construction had an adverse effect with more collisions. "Many of the public health issues communities face are often solvable," said Xiaohe Yue, a data analyst in the UMD School of Public Health (SPH) and study co-author. "Emerging technologies and access to extensive data sources have been helpful in finding solutions to some of the public health issues that plague populations." Researchers hope the findings will inform transport and infrastructure policy by offering proven practical options for decision-makers to improve road safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. "We hope that our work will lead urban planners and developers to consider the built environment more carefully and so design safer streets and communities," said co-author Heran Mane, data analyst working with Yue in SPH. Nguyen sees a whole new research pathway emerging. "We are seeing a rise in leveraging data science and AI to enable larger, more efficient and more timely studies like this one," Nguyen said. "This research is one demonstration of how we can use AI to improve public health, and we know there's so much more to come." Nguyen and colleagues are looking to expand the types of built environment indicators examined across the United States, as well as exploring these features in other countries. 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 Socially connected older people had a sharper drop in their quality of life and life satisfaction and a greater increase in loneliness during the pandemic than their more isolated counterparts, according to a new study by UCL (University College London) researchers. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), looked at survey responses from 4,636 people in England (with an average age of 67) between 2018 and the end of 2020. Co-author Professor Andrew Steptoe, of the UCL Department of Behavioural Science & Health, said, "It might be expected that older people who were already socially isolated would be particularly vulnerable to the disruptions and restrictions of the pandemic. "In fact, our study suggests the oppositethat isolated older people were somewhat protected from the negative aspects of pandemic restriction, perhaps because they had less to lose in terms of social connections." The researchers analyzed data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a nationally representative population study in England. Participants were interviewed in 2018-19 and twice in 2020in June/July and November/December. Just under a third (29%) of respondents were classed as socially isolated, depending on frequency of contact with friends and family, whether they lived with a partner and whether they participated in clubs, organizations or societies. Prior to the pandemic, these socially isolated older adults had worse quality of life and life satisfaction and greater loneliness, but during 2020 their decline in these areas was less than their more socially connected peers. Life satisfaction declined about half as much, leading to isolated older adults having similar satisfaction with life during the pandemic as adults who were more socially connected. Lead author Claryn Kung, a senior researcher at the UCL Department of Behavioural Science & Health, said, "It is likely that socially connected older men and women experienced a greater disruption in their habitual routines and rhythms. In contrast, more isolated individuals may have experienced relatively fewer changes in their daily lives, with their usual routines and arrangements possibly being less prone to disruptions by restrictions during the pandemic. "Our findings highlight the need to care for isolated older adults, but also to be attentive in times of crises to the impact of major disruptions in social activity." In contrast to these effects, the study found that isolated adults experienced a greater decline in their levels of physical activity, widening the gap between the two groups, and remained more likely to be worried about their future finances. They did not on average change their likelihood of internet use, whereas more socially connected peers used the internet more. The study received support from the UK's National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as well as the US National Institute on Aging. More information: Claryn S. J. Kung et al, Changes in well-being among socially isolated older people during the COVID-19 pandemic: An outcome-wide analysis, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308697121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences In recognition of a new era in global missions with greater participation by the Global South, a recently formed group of mission, church and market-place leaders from Asia and Latin America issued a communique with recommendations for mission practice for the Majority World. Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, from May 1-3, 2024, the group called COALA which stands for Christ over Africa, Latin America and Asia emphasizes the importance of unity and partnership in missions and hopes the recommendations would start off conversations in the global Church. The Bangkok meeting that brought together 38 missionaries, mission leaders and pastors from 30 nations was a follow-up to an earlier gathering in June 2023 under the auspices of the Korea World Mission Association. Participants from Latin America included leaders from COMIBAM (Cooperacion Misionera Iberoamericana), a movement that brings together national mission groups or networks in twenty-five Latin American countries, as well as Spain, Portugal and Hispanics from the United States and Canada. Discussions focused on the changing shape of global mission from a Christendom model to a truly poly-centric mission, the group said, pointing to the recommendations towards some principles for healthy majority world mission engagement in a poly-centric era of missions as one of the key results of the meeting. With the heading Greetings to the Global Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, all mission movements & networks, the communique on COALA 2 begins by outlining the geographic shift in global Christianity towards the Global South, highlighting the role of Majority World missionaries, and then calls for unity and authentic partnership in missions within the global Church as a whole. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up The 20th century has witnessed a major shift in the shape of the global church. For the first time in the modern period, the center of gravity of the church has moved from the West into the non-Western or Majority World (MW: Africa, Asia, Latin America & MENA [Middle East and North America]). Today, two-thirds or more of global Christians reside in the latter, the preamble states. Side by side with this shift, we have also seen a relative numerical decline of cross-cultural missionaries being sent out from the West, with the gap increasingly being filled by those sent out from the MW. The overall result of the above is that some countries that were mission fields in the past are now increasingly being recognized as missionary sending nations. Further, some that used to be sending nations are now receiving missionaries back from formerly receiving nations. Given the above, many in the global church today recognize that we are now living in a new era of polycentric missions, wherein missions today is from everywhere to everywhere. The above have important missiological consequences for the global church, both the Western and the MW churches. As a group of missions workers from the MW, we have some real concerns over the involvement of MW churches in cross-cultural missions. We would like to propose some recommendations for further reflection and discussion by the wider church, the preamble concludes. Recommendations emphasize relationship with locals, address concerns about money in missions The recommendations begin by stating the centrality of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing, The primacy of the leading and power of the Holy Spirit in mission: In accordance with the Lord Jesus instruction (e.g. Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8) and the example of the Apostles in the New Testament, especially in Acts, we affirm that missionaries sent out must go under the leading of the Holy Spirit and in His power. It is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit which makes mission possible and fruitful. Among the primary concerns, the recommendations then go on to highlight the relationship of the missionary and the local church, the role of finances, and the general spirit of unity and partnership. Missionaries and related cross-cultural workers should always go with a servant heart and attitude, and with humility and respect towards the leaders of the local church and their indigenous co-workers. Their reliance should always be on God and not on their superior educational background or the resources that they bring from outside, one of the recommendations says. The following then continues along the same lines, saying, The goal of missions is to build the local indigenous church which is marked by self-government, self-support, self-propagation and self-theologizing. Therefore, missionaries should never build churches centered around themselves or their sending bodies, which remain dependent on them and the resources they bring. Regarding the relationship with existing local churches, the recommendations state, As far as possible, a missionary should work with local churches with a Kingdom mindset which is concerned to build the whole church of God in a particular region or nation. Churches should never be planted and built in isolation. Where possible, missionaries and church planters should become part of existing denominations or church networks, the recommendations say. They add that missionaries should always hold themselves accountable to the local church or body where they are working. Thus, missionaries sent out should know how to network with local believers and, and as far as possible, be willing to serve under local leadership. Emphasizing that locals are more effective in sharing the gospel because of their understanding of the context, the recommendations say that Missionaries should see themselves as midwives, and not mothers. They must therefore respect the local churches and allow them to make all important decisions in a contextual and culturally-sensitive manner, albeit based on scriptural teaching. The most effective witnesses of the gospel are indigenous believers and the local church. To this end, missionaries should encourage all indigenous believers and available local church-related institutions to take responsibility and initiative for the growth of the church. The missionarys major tasks are to train and work alongside local believers and institutions, they continue. Speaking about the critical issue of financial support, the recommendations acknowledge that money is a matter of crucial concern in missions. It can bring great blessings; it can also cause much damage in the long term. We therefore urge missionaries and their sending bodies to exercise extreme care in this matter. We need to avoid models which lead to a standard of living for the local Christian worker which is higher than the local average or to initiate expensive projects which the local church will find difficult to sustain long-term, the recommendations emphasize. Finally, the recommendations call for unity and partnership, saying we are called to unity in Christ (John 17:11,21), which should be expressed as genuine partnership in the work of the Kingdom of God. In order to achieve such partnerships, they call for serious consideration of two recommendations. Firstly, God has given us a clear mission mandate in Matthew 16:18 and 28:19-20. Together with this, we believe also that God has given all the resources needed for the advancement of the work of the Christs mission, be it spiritual, human and financial. Such resources are to be shared as much as practically possible by all involved: between the local church and the missionary; between the mission sending and the receiving churches; and between churches and mission agencies working across the world. And secondly, the recommendations conclude saying, In this era of polycentric missions, we affirm that genuine partnerships must be developed between all churches everywhere, between those in the West and the MW, as well as among all churches in the MW. The challenge before us to fuse all our God-given resources together into a powerful synergistic whole for world mission. Stretching out the hand for partnership between Global South and Global North In a soon-to-be published in-depth interview with Christian Daily International, Rev. Jonas Kang, Chairman of the Korea World Mission Association, shared how COALA emerged from the World Evangelical Alliances Mission Commission consultation in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2023. Dr. Gina Zurlos presentation on the shift of global Christianity to the South sparked conversations among a group of mission leaders from Asia and Latin America. In a follow up meeting in Korea a few months later, the Global South leaders came together to talk about a new paradigm in missions, without participation of mission leaders from the Global North at first. However, Rev. Kang emphasized that the Global South leaders recognize and are grateful for the centuries of Western missions that brought the gospel to the whole world. Therefore, they desire for collaboration with those in the Global North and wish that the whole Church together engages in missions united in partnership. As one of the first initiatives in pursuit of this new collaboration, Rev. Kang led a delegation of Korean mission leaders that participated in the European Leadership Forum (ELF) in Wisla, Poland from May 25-30, where they hosted a session titled How Can the European Church and the Korean Church Work Together?, as Christian Daily reported earlier. Lindsay Brown, who served with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) for many years and formerly led the Lausanne Movement as International Director, facilitated the session at the ELF. In his own comments to Christian Daily, Brown reflected on the changes in global missions and said the leaders of one of the largest missionary forces from Korea are saying that they would like to partner with Western churches as equals. Not as subservient cross-cultural workers, but as a body of people who have an equal say and an equal commitment to the advance of the gospel globally. They would like to dialogue together about the key theological and missiological issues that need to be addressed, and to be involved in active partnership. They are taking initiative in putting their hands out, offering to serve together, Brown said, and urged Western leaders to take note of that and respond. They are stretching out the hand of fellowship and partnership. So, the Western mission leaders and church leaders should say, yes, we want to partner! And they should rejoice in the invitation. Veteran actor Anupam Kher has come out in support of actor Kangana Ranaut as she was allegedly slapped by a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable at Chandigarh airport a few days ago. Speaking to a paparazzi at an event in Mumbai on Friday night, Kher shared his views about the incident, saying no one should not take the law into their own hands "Mujhe bada afsos hua. Ek mahila ke saath ek mahila ke dwaara jo apne position ka fayeda uthakar is tarah ki harkat ki, bilkul galat hai. Iski kanooni karwaayi honi chahiye. Unka koi bhi rosh hai, main yeh nahi keh raha hoon k inka rosh nhi ho sakta jisne aisa kiya, but yeh apne audhe ka ya position ka fayeda uthakar nahi karna chahiye (I deeply regret it. The way a woman slapped another woman by taking power of her position is wrong. This should be legally investigated. She can have grievances, but it shouldn't be done by taking advantage of one's power. It's very sad and unfortunate. Any kind of violence towards anyone is not right)," Kher said. The incident occurred Chandigarh airport on June 6 around 3:30 pm when Kangana was about to board a flight to Delhi to attend a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which concluded on Friday. Kangana was allegedly slapped by a CISF woman constable while she was headed to Delhi for the NDA meeting. An FIR has been lodged against the constable under IPC sections 321 and 341, but no arrest has been made. Hours after the incident, Kangana released a video on her official Instagram page, where she narrated the details and expressed concern over "rising terrorism and extremism in Punjab." In the video, Kangana said, "I am getting a lot of phone calls from the media and my well-wishers. Firstly, I am safe, I am perfectly fine. The incident that took place at Chandigarh airport with security staff. The moment I came out after the security check, a security staff member in another cabin came from the side and hit me on my face and started abusing me." "When I asked her (CISF jawan), why did she do this, she said that she supported the farmers' protest. I am safe but my concern is that jo aatankwad aur ugarwad Punjab mai bad raha hai (the terrorism and extremism that is rising in Punjab), how do we handle that?" she asked. On the day of the incident, another video went viral, where the constable said that her mother was among the farmers holding a sit-in protest against the farm laws, which have now been repealed. She was heard saying, "Isne (Kangana) byan diya tha na 100-100 Rs ke liye baith ti hai waha pe, ye baithi thi wha pe? Meri Maa baithi thi us time jab isne byan diya tha. Maa ki insult sehan nai huyi (She had given a statement that women farmers were sitting at the farmers' protest for Rs 100 each. My mother was also sitting there when she gave this statement. I could not tolerate the insult of my mother)." (ANI) A Christian lecturer fired by a Bible college in England for tweeting about human sexuality had his sacking upheld by a LGBT activist purporting to be independent, an employment tribunal heard. Dr Aaron Edwards, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, has taken legal action against Cliff College, publicized to be an evangelical Methodist Bible college in Derbyshire, after his sacking last March. The college claims to be an evangelical learning community which is rooted in Gods Word and Spirit. Homosexuality is invading the Church, tweeted Edwards in his original Tweet on social media site X/Twitter on Feb. 19. Evangelicals no longer see the severity of this b/c theyre busy apologizing for their apparently barbaric homophobia, whether or not its true. This *is* a Gospel issue, by the way. If sin is no longer sin, we no longer need a Savior. Employment Judge Jim Shepherd heard this week that Edwards, a dad-of-six, lost his job for allegedly bringing the college into disrepute and breaking social media policies with his Tweet, according to a statement by rights watchdog Christian Concern. He was investigated with a disciplinary hearing, then sacked and threatened with a referral to authorities under the UK Government Prevent Strategy, which identifies terrorists. The tribunal heard that The Rev. Michaela Youngson was brought in by Cliff College to adjudicate Edwards appeal against his sacking, but she ruled against him in March. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up However, evidence presented before Judge Shepherd by the Christian Legal Centre opined that Youngson is a LGBT activist, despite describing herself as independent in giving evidence, according to Christian Concern. Youngson is an ex President of the Methodist Conference and a senior member of the Methodist Church of Great Britains Connexional Team. In a statement, Christian Concern quoted Youngson saying that Edwards internal appeal should have been heard by the Director of Learning for Ministry within the Methodist Connexional Team, Jonathan Dean. However, Rev. Youngson says that this would have been potentially inappropriate as Mr Dean is in a same-sex marriage and had had in the past differences of opinion with Dr Edwards on the issue of same-sex marriage, quoted Christian Concern. For example, Dr Edwards appeal included grounds that the decision to dismiss him was disproportionate imbalanced , had not included the other side of the debate and failed to balance my freedom to express my Christian beliefs. I am content that the College acted appropriately and in good faith in reaching the conclusion to dismiss Dr Edwards, Youngson reportedly said when dismissing Edwards original appeal. The rights watchdog claimed "it was also completely inappropriate" for Youngson to hear Edwards' case, after examining her social media activity. Evidence brought before Judge Shepherd include that Youngson has supported Gay Pride events in London, holding a sign reading Nowt as Queer As Methodists. She is also a leading founder of the Global Interfaith Commision on LGBT+ Lives. On its website, the commission aims to: provide a strong and authoritative voice from religious leaders across the global faith community who wish to affirm and celebrate the dignity of all, independent of a persons sexuality, gender expression and gender identity. The choices we make now to treat each other well, to create space for difference, to recognise our own agency and our own privilege and to use power wisely, will profoundly affect future generations, says Youngson in a Tackling Prejudice filmed session publicly available on YouTube, related to sexism and misogyny for the Declaring the Sanctity of Life and Dignity for All series, created by the commission. Christian Concern also highlighted a same-sex marriage retweet by Youngson in Jan. 2023 supporting a post by activist Jayne Ozanne, who calls herself unashamedly gay, unashamedly Christian on her website. This related to a parliamentary speech by MP Chris Bryant, also a LGBT activist, who questioned biblical teaching on marriage, according to Christian Concern. The right watchdog also alluded to other evidence of Youngsons support for practicing LGBT rights such as various articles and videos aiming to stop so-called gay discrimination in churches. Christian Concern cited Youngson in her evidence for the original appeal, reportedly saying that Edwards controversial tweet wasnt part of an academic debateit was a standalone tweet that Dr Edwards had put into a public forum on Twitter. There was no academic framework. An academic debate would include the counterpoint, not inflammatory and hurtful language. The rights watchdog compared this to Youngsons own X/Twitter account, allegedly retweeting posts by former New Labour press chief Alastair Campbell swearing about Conservative prime ministers and also posts calling former U.K. Home Secretary Suella Braverman disgusting, inhumane, evil and repugnant. I considered Dr Edwards appeal on its merits, Youngson reportedly concluded at the original appeal. Had I considered that it was not appropriate to dismiss him I would have reinstated him. I actually considered that it was very generous to have paid Dr Edwards three months in lieu of notice and believed that this was done on the basis of pastoral concern for Dr Edwards and his family. Edwards has reported health problems since Youngsons ruling. He has been to hospital with heart abnormalities related to stress from the sacking and Christian Concern said he was unemployed with a damaged academic career. His family have also suffered. Giving his own comments before Judge Shepherd at the end of May, Edwards reportedly said the reactions against his Tweet had been severe and so had the colleges actions against me. It will have life-altering consequences for me and my family as a result, Edwards said. As I stated at the disciplinary hearing, these consequences extend not only to the loss of my job, and to my physical and mental health, but also to the significant and possibly irreparable damage to my academic career henceforth. There is now a strong possibility that many potential employer institutions may automatically believe me to be homophobic based upon the public reactions to my Tweet. This was exacerbated by the colleges public responses to those aggressive and defamatory reactions, the colleges unwillingness to defend me against the charges of homophobia, and in the final outcome of the dismissal for misconduct. Edwards pointed out that his dismissal came for expressing a particular view, which the Methodist Church said was possible to hold. I believe the charge of misconduct made against me by the college is grossly unfair, discriminatory, suppressive of my legitimate personal religious and academic freedom in my role as a missiological and homiletical lecturer at a professedly evangelical Bible college. Judge Shepherd allowed the new evidence to be admitted in court, after Edwards lawyers applied in court. Both sides are now giving closing submissions with a ruling likely to be reserved, according to Christian Concern. Outside of the hearing, Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, lambasted the treatment of Edwards by both Cliff College and the Methodist Church hierarchy. The evidence is an appalling demonstration of the bias and unfairness that Dr Edwards experienced at every level from Cliff College and the Methodist Church hierarchy in response to his tweet, Williams said. It is tragic that the structure of the Methodist Church has been taken over in this way which is in such stark contrast to the foundations which John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, put in place. It is wrong that his appeal was heard internally by a senior member of the Methodist Church who publicly campaigns against the beliefs he was sacked for. Williams called it deeply saddening that a known Bible college had allegedly lost its way by no longer upholding the truth about marriage. What message does Aarons sacking send to the next generation of leaders and pastors, and the future of Christian witness? This case exposes a collapse in confidence in biblical truth in one of the very places where the next generation of Christian leaders is being trained. Following his conviction of rape and sexual assault by a Los Angeles jury in late 2022, Weinstein's legal team has persistently vowed to appeal the decision. Finally, they have filed an appeal that intertwines with the recent overturning of Weinstein's 2020 convictions by a New York jury, according to Deadline. The recent order by the Empire State Appeals Court, which overturned Weinstein's previous convictions on the grounds of improper testimony, has reignited the legal battle. As per a report by Deadline, in a 4-3 ruling, the court deemed the trial judge's allowance of certain testimony prejudicial, leading to the vacating of Weinstein's sentence and the order for a new trial in New York. Now, as the focus shifts back to the West Coast, Weinstein's attorneys have filed an appeal in California's Second Appellate District. According to Deadline, they argue that Weinstein was denied a fair trial due to the jury's knowledge of his prior conviction in New York, which was not introduced as evidence during the trial. Weinstein's lawyers say this extrinsic information tainted the trial process irreparably. Meanwhile, Weinstein, currently serving time at Rikers Island, awaits his retrial in New York, scheduled to commence in September. The Manhattan Assistant District Attorney has hinted at the possibility of new indictments against the former film producer. Amidst these legal proceedings, Weinstein's spokesperson emphasized the defence's perspective, alleging that important evidence was withheld during the Los Angeles trial. The appeal document, reportedly spanning 163 pages, challenges the verdict of the LA trial, citing misleading information and the exclusion of crucial evidence. Weinstein's defence team is adamant about securing a new trial, arguing that his right to a fair trial was violated multiple times. However, as per Deadline, the office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta, responsible for representing the prosecution, has remained silent on the matter. (ANI) The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) lady constable who allegedly slapped BJP MP Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport has not been arrested yet, according to police officials. An FIR, however, has been lodged against the constable under IPC sections 321 and 341, but no arrest has been made. "An FIR has been lodged with the IPC section 321 and 341 case by Mohali Airport police, not arrested till now. It's bailable offence," police said. The incident took place on June 6 around 3:30 pm when Kangana was about to board a flight to Delhi to attend a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) which concluded on Friday. Ranaut was allegedly slapped by a CISF constable while she was headed to Delhi to attend a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Meanwhile, speaking on the matter, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal criticised Ranaut's behaviour and said that when one says stupid things and makes useless comments then there is always a reaction. "Kangana Ranaut should understand her responsibility instead of trying to please her High Command...Being an actress, she is followed by many people, when you say stupid things and make useless comments then there is a reaction. If someone says such words to your mother that you have said to other people's mothers, you too won't like it," Badal said. "Instead of looking at your mistake, you are calling them terrorists...Your party's policy is to spread poison... Instead of spreading poison, if you spread sweetness, you won't have to face such a situation," she added. The Central Industrial Security Force on Thursday suspended the lady constable. Kangana Ranaut leader took to her social media account on the day of the incident and asked how growing "extremism" and "terrorism" could be ended in Punjab. "I am safe. I am perfectly fine. The incident took place during the security check. After I was done with the security check, a woman constable of the CISF waited for me to pass through the cabin. Later, she came from the side, hit me in the face and started abusing me", Ranaut said in a post on 'X'. "When I asked her why she did this, she told me that she (CISF official) had supported the farmers' protest. My (Kangana) question is how we end growing extremism and terrorism in Punjab", the BJP leader added. Meanwhile, the CISF constable said that her mother was among the farmers holding a sit-in protest against the farm laws, which now have been repealed. "She stated that the farmers are sitting there for Rs 100. Will she go and sit there? My mother was sitting there and protesting when she gave this statement..." she said. The 15-month-long farmers' protest was held against the farm laws (now repealed) including other issues. Kangana Ranaut defeated Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi by a margin of 74,755 votes. (ANI) Minister of Finance of Chhattisgarh, OP Choudhary, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's achievement of being the second leader in Indian history to secure three consecutive terms in office. "The people of India have blessed PM Modi as he is going to become the second person after Pandit Nehru to be the PM in three straight terms," Choudhary said. Taking a jibe at the Opposition bloc, Choudhary said that their recent electoral outcome of the Lok Sabha elections is equal to a student passing exams with marginal success. Mocking at the Congress's seat tally, Choudhary suggested that the party's victories were akin to passing exams with supplementary papers or scraping through with a third division. "It's good that Congress is happy by winning seats in just two digits, they are like a child who passes by giving supplementary and that too by third division and sometimes mistakenly gets the second division. It seems unlikely for them to reach a majority for the next 4-5 years," Choudhary said. The BJP won nine out of 10 seats in Chhattisgarh in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls while the Congress won one seat and in 2019, BJP won nine out of 11 seats. Notably, PM Modi has defeated Congress candidate Ajay Rai with a margin of 1,52,513 votes, according to the Election Commission of India. Prime Minister Modi received 6,12,970 votes while Ajay Rai received 4,60,457 votes. Bahujan Samaj Party candidate Ather Jamal Lari was in the third position with 33,766 votes. "PM Modi respectfully accepted the certificate, calling it a mandate from the people," the release said. On Friday, the President appointed Narendra Modi to the office of Prime Minister of India.The President indicated the date and time of the swearing-in-ceremony to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 9. Meanwhile, special security measures have also been arranged for foreign dignitaries attending the swearing-in ceremony, including enhanced protocols at three designated hotels where the dignitaries will be staying. In addition to on-ground security, Delhi Police issued a public advisory on Friday announcing a No-Fly Zone over the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The advisory prohibits the operation of sub-conventional aerial platforms, which aims to prevent any potential threats from criminal, anti-social elements, or terrorists during the swearing-in ceremony. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, much lower than its 2019 tally of 303. The Congress, on the other hand, registered a strong improvement, winning 99 seats. While the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won 292 seats, the INDIA bloc crossed the 230 mark, posing stiff competition, and defying all predictions. (ANI) According to police, the encounter broke out between the police team and criminals in Jayanagar area at around 8.00 pm. Officials of Jaynagar police station received a tip-off about three wanted criminals heading to Dullipati via Jaynagar. Following the information, a police team launched an operation to nab the wanted criminals. At Narar Training Chowk, the wanted criminals were spotted, and when the police team asked them to surrender, they instead opened fire at the police personnel. Two police constables sustained bullet wounds during the exchange, identified as constables Mahmood Alam and Rahul Kumar. They were immediately rushed to the local sub-divisional hospital for treatment and were further referred to Cribs Hospital in Madhubani for better treatment. The injured constables are reported to be out of danger, said officials. Meanwhile, Jayanagar Police have launched a hunt to trace and apprehend the accused criminals involved in the incident. (ANI) As India gears up for Narendra Modi's third consecutive term oath-taking ceremony as Prime Minister on June 9, the Delhi Police has taken strict measures to ensure security during the event. According to Delhi police officials, multi-layered security arrangements have been arranged for the event. Five companies of paramilitary forces will be deployed for the security of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Apart from this, NSG commandos, drones, and snipers will also guard the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the mega event. Visuals from the Kartavya Path police station showed the officials keeping a watch on the areas through CCTV cameras. Meanwhile, as the day is set to witness the presence of dignitaries worldwide for the swearing-in ceremony, tight security arrangements have been made according to the protocol for each Head of state. Apart from this, security arrangements for the hotels, where the dignitaries will be staying, have also been enhanced. According to the police, the area around the Rashtrapati Bhavan has been made a 'controlled' area. In areas including, Sansad Marg, Rafi Marg, Raisina Road, Rajendra Prasad Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, and Sardar Patel Marg, vehicles having passes of the event will be allowed for the movement. According to the police, this programme will be monitored by more than 500 CCTVs. Section 144 has also been imposed in the entire New Delhi. Given the swearing-in ceremony, many restrictions have been imposed by the Delhi Police for June 9 and 10. Delhi has been declared a "no-flying" zone. During this time, the flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like paragliders, paramotors, hang gliders, UAVs, UAS, microlight aircraft, and remote-controlled aircraft has been banned in the national capital. The Delhi Police has also issued an advisory on X, stating, "With effect from 09.06.2024, there will be a prohibition on flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang-gliders, UAVS, UASS, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small sized powered aircraft, quadcopters or para-jumping from aircraft etc. over the jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi in view of swearing-in ceremony in the National Capital Territory of Delhi to thwart criminal, anti-social elements or terrorists inimical to India from posing a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries and vital installations by using them". Meanwhile, a checking campaign is being conducted around Rashtrapati Bhavan and the surrounding areas. The security measures follow the formal appointment of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister by the President of India on Friday. The letters of support from NDA constituent parties were also given to the President. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, much lower than its 2019 tally of 303. The Congress, on the other hand, registered a strong improvement, winning 99 seats. While the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won 292 seats, the INDIA bloc crossed the 230 mark, posing stiff competition, and defying all predictions. (ANI) The extended Congress Working Committee will hold a meeting on Saturday to review its performance for the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. The meeting will begin at 11 am. Congress General Secretary (Communications), Jairam Ramesh also informed that the Congress Parliamentary Party will also hold a meeting at 5:30 PM. "The 2024 elections have been a MORAL defeat for Narendra Modi and the BJP while being a MORALE booster for the Indian National Congress and the INDIA Janbandhan. The extended Congress Working Committee is meeting at 11 AM today and the Congress Parliamentary Party will meet at 5:30 PM," Jairam Ramesh posted on X. Congress leader Manickam Tagore said that there is a feeling among many party leaders that Rahul Gandhi should assume charge of Lok Sabha. "In the CWC meeting, we are going to review the performance of the Congress party in the 2024 elections. In the CPP meeting scheduled at 5:30 pm, the Congress party will elect the CPP chairperson... For the Congress' leader in the Lok Sabha, we all feel Rahul Gandhi should be given charge. If he accepts this role, he will be LoP leading the 234 INDIA bloc MPs," Tagore told ANI. Amid the Bharatiya Janata Party taking the support of its allies in the government formation, INDIA bloc leaders have decided to "wait and watch" before taking a future course of action. Ahead of the CWC meeting, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain said that proposals will come over multiple things. "I don't know what proposal will come before the CWC. The proposal will come over a lot of things. Since this is the new Lok Sabha - 18th Lok Sabha - fresh CPP will be formed. The CPP Chairperson will be elected. After that, the Congress President and CPP Chairperson will together form the new CPP team. LoP will have to be appointed. They will make the appointments," he said. "It was a very well-fought election, a long-drawn campaign. CWC - the highest decision-making body is having a meeting today. Results, the complete election process, strengths, and weaknesses. All of these will be discussed. The road ahead, State Elections, the stand to be taken ahead will be discussed too," said Hussain while adding that appropriate political action at the appropriate time over INDIA bloc future course of action. Congress leader Salman Khurshid expressed hope that the NDA alliance will prove good for the country's future. "Various people have described it in various manners. Clearly, it is an alliance. I believe this alliance will be good for the future of this country because up to now, the manner in which the BJP ran the government was unsatisfactory. Let's hope it gets better," Khurshid told ANI. The Congress has emerged as the second-largest party in the election and improved its tally to 99, from 52 in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll. Top Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others are likely to participate in the deliberations. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to take oath for the third successive term in office on June 9. BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a successive third term in office in the results of Lok Sabha elections declared on June 4. (ANI) Indian Medical Association (IMA) Junior Doctors Network has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2024. In a letter written to Pradeep Kumar Joshi, Chairperson, National Testing Agency (NTA), the doctors' body also requested for a re-examination "to ensure a fair and transparent evaluation process for all the students". IMA Junior Doctors Network raised concerns related to some students getting perfect scores, mismatch in the marks declared and as compared to OMR sheets, the concept of grace marks and the issue of paper leaks. "Some students have scored 718 and 719 marks, which is statistically questionable. There has been no defined logic for the grace marks given to these students. No list has been shared as per given grace marks to students. NEET 2024 paper was leaked in many locations but why no action has been taken yet? The provision for the grace marks due to time wastage should have been disclosed in the information bulletin before the exam. Why National Testing Agency come up withthe new rule after the examination?" the letter read. "Many students received different marks on their scorecards compared to their OMR sheets. These discrepancies were not due to grace marks, as these students were not from the centres where grace marks were purportedly given. A total of 67 students scored a perfect 720 out of 720, which is highly questionable. This has never happened. Usually, only three to four students score perfect marks. Also, six-seven of these students, out of the 67 students, come from one just one centre in Haryana," it added. Junior Doctors Network association alleged that the results of the NEET 2024 were declared prematurely. "Results were declared prematurely on a day when the media was occupied with broadcasting the results of general elections. What is the reason for this urgency? There has been an unprecedented increase in the cut-off. The AIR of the same score has increased three to four times compared to the previous NEET examination," the letter mentioned. "We demand a CBI inquiry into the above-said irregularities in the NEET 2024. We also request a re-examination to ensure a fair and transparent evaluation process for all students," it added. Dr Indranil Deshmukh who is the National Convener, IMA Junior Doctors Network claimed that it is impossible for the students to score 718-719 marks according to the negative marking system. "Last evening, IMA Junior Doctors Network sent a letter to NTA, raising questions on the NEET-UG results declared on 4th June. For the first time in the history of NEET, aspirants scored 718 - 719 marks, which is impossible according to the negative marking system. NTA claimed they have given grace marks to those whose time was wasted during the examination. Why was this rule of grace marks not given in the information bulletin? How was a new rule suddenly made after the exam? For the first time, 67 students got 720 (full) marks, and 6-7 aspirants who scored full marks came from the same test centre in Haryana," he said. He further announced that the IMA Junior Doctors Network would organise an all-India strike if demands were not met. "The country knew that the NEET exam paper was leaked, what action did the NTA take against it? For the first time, the cutoff has gone so high. We want a CBI enquiry into the matter and a re-examination should also be conducted. If our demands are not fulfilled, IMA Junior Doctors Network will organise an all-India strike," he said. Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also slammed the Modi government over the alleged irregularities and discrepancies in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam, on Friday. This criticism came after the buzz of controversies came to light regarding the conduct and the declaration of the results of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), In a recent NEET result declaration, 67 students bagged the top rank, including six from the same exam centre. She further demanded the government to investigate the matter properly by resolving students 'legitimate complaints'. However, the National Testing Agency (NTA) denied any irregularities and attributed record results to several factors, including an easier exam, a surge in registrations, a question with two correct answers, and grace marks due to a 'loss of examination time'. A total of 20.38 lakh students registered for the exam, out of which 11.45 lakh candidates qualified. The result was announced on Tuesday and 67 students have achieved an All India Rank (AIR) 1. (ANI) VD Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly, wrote a letter to the Union government, seeking an investigation into the "suspicious" results of the recently published NEET exam for 2024. "Many students from Kerala have personally expressed their concerns about the NEET exam results. The NEET results for 2024 have sparked severe concerns about the authenticity of the NEET tests, with many students casting doubt on the procedure," Satheesan said in his letter. He said that it was extremely alarming to see that 67 students received full marks, with eight of them coming from the same centre. "It should be noted that this figure is just two in 2023 and four in 2022. Furthermore, students received 719 and 718 marks out of 720, which is not theoretically achievable given the NEET exam format," he said. "As you are aware, the NEET valuation system assigns +4 marks for each correct answer and -1 for each incorrect attempt. If a student attempts all questions and gets only one wrong, he can receive a maximum of 715 marks; if one question is skipped, the maximum is 716 marks. The cut-off mark has also risen drastically to 660 from 610 last year. The fact that the results were announced 10 days before the proposed date casts considerable doubt on the validity of the valuation procedure," he added. However, the National Testing Agency (NTA) denied any irregularities and attributed record results to several factors, including an easier exam, a surge in registrations, a question with two correct answers, and grace marks due to a 'loss of examination time'. The Kerala LoP said that the "questionable" results have added credence to the earlier-surfaced allegations regarding the NEET question paper leak. "I regret to inform you that any malpractice in NEET results will undermine the hopes and dreams of thousands of qualified students. Above all, ineligible candidates would degrade the quality of our healthcare system in the long run, which is deemed to be a great injustice to the generations to come," he said. "Hence, I request your good self to order a comprehensive investigation into the suspicious results of the recently published NEET results for 2024," he concluded the letter. A total of 20.38 lakh students registered for the exam, out of which 11.45 lakh candidates qualified. The result was announced on Tuesday and 67 students have achieved an All India Rank (AIR) 1. Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Junior Doctors Network has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the NEET test. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also slammed the Modi government over the test. (ANI) In a shocking incident in Belawan village, Bihar's Kaimur district, a 23-year-old man was brutally murdered over an alleged love affair on Friday night. He was found dead with his throat slit at a temple in Sonara village near Belawan on Saturday morning, as confirmed by the police. The victim, identified as Pankaj Kumar, reportedly had an affair with a girl from the same village, who recently got married in Maharashtra. Family members discovered his body on Saturday morning after he failed to return home on Friday evening. Upon receiving information about the incident, the police arrived at the scene and took statements from the deceased's relatives, who demanded the arrest of those responsible and refused to allow the body to be removed. However, after intervention by senior officials, the body was taken to the Bhabua Sadar Hospital for a post-mortem examination, with assurances of action against the culprits. The victim's family learned about the incident from locals around 6 am on Saturday and alleged the involvement of the girl's family in the killing. "He left around 4 pm, bought vegetables, and sent them home with a child. When he didn't return, we searched for him until midnight, assuming he was with friends," said his paternal aunt. Bhabua SDPO Shiv Shankar Kumar stated that the youth was allegedly killed due to a love affair, and two individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder. "As per information received by us, the youth was murdered in the temple premises on Friday night. Two suspected individuals have been arrested by us. Further probe is underway," said the SDOP. More details are awaited. (ANI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday said that the southwest monsoon has advanced into some parts of the central Arabian Sea, south Maharashtra, Telangana, and some parts of south Chhattisgarh and south Odisha and some more parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh. "Southwest Monsoon has advanced into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, south Maharashtra, Telangana and some parts of south Chhattisgarh and south Odisha and some more parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh today, 8 June 2024," IMD said in a post on X. IMD reported favourable conditions for the Southwest Monsoon to advance into the central Arabian Sea, some parts of Maharashtra (including Mumbai), and Telangana over the next 2-3 days. "Conditions are favourable for further advance of Southwest Monsoon into remaining parts of central Arabian Sea, some more parts of Maharashtra (including Mumbai) and Telangana during next 2-3 days," IMD said in a post on X. Light to moderate rainfall lashed several parts of the country on Wednesday amid a fierce heatwave gripping several parts of the country in the last few days. Several parts of Guwahati reported waterlogging after the city received rainfall. Rain also lashed parts of Kullu and Manali in Himachal Pradesh. Chennai city also received heavy rain, while Hubbali in Karnataka saw light rain showers. 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 the monsoon. 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) The Austin Chamber Music Center (ACMC) has recently declared that violinist Sandy Yamamoto will take on the role of Artistic Director. She will step into the position in Sept 2024. Frank Jenkins has also been named the new Managing Director of the Center. A chamber musician, Yamamoto dedicated much of her professional life to performing with the Miro Quartet, touring Europe, Asia, South America, and North America. She was among the first chamber artists to earn an Avery Fisher Career Grant. She also won the Cleveland Quartet Award, the Naumburg Chamber Music Award, and the Banff International String Quartet Competition First Prize. Yamamoto received the Butler School of Music Teaching Excellence Award in 2016 for her teaching expertise. She currently holds an Associate Professorship at the University of Texas at Austin. Furthermore, she often performs with the Schumann Chamber Players and the Butler Trio in Austin. "It is a privilege and an honor to become the new Artistic Director of the Austin Chamber Music Center," Yamamoto said. "Chamber music, education, and performing are all very important in my life, and I am excited to be able to combine my passions to serve the community of Austin." The musician shared that she looks forward to collaborating with her new team, meeting more people, and sharing inspirational music from artists worldwide. She vowed to make Austin Chamber Music Center an even bigger hub for chamber music in Austin. Jenkins said the Center has been a driving force in the classical music scene in Austin for over 40 years. He claimed he is honored to join the impactful organization and looks forward to contributing to the next chapter of its history. He will be the Managing Director at the Center starting on Monday, June 10. Carl Caricari, ACMC Board President, said they are thrilled about the appointments of Jenkins and Yamamoto. He added that ACMC will have a strong and imaginative future, and they will continue to be a force in serving their community through chamber music performance, education, and community engagement. The bus, carrying around 55 passengers, was travelling from Vrindavan to Prayagraj when the incident occurred. The accident happened under the Nasirpur police station limits in Firozabad. Around 25-30 passengers were injured in the incident and have been admitted to a local hospital in Firozabad. "We received information around 3 a.m. today that a bus had overturned on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway under the Nasirpur police station limits in Firozabad. Upon receiving the information, we rushed to the spot. A woman and a child died, while 25-30 people sustained injuries and were admitted to a local hospital in Firozabad. Meanwhile, the families of the deceased have been informed," officials said. "There were around 55-60 passengers on the bus. The bus was heading to Prayagraj from Vrindavan. The rest of the people have been rescued. Further investigation is underway," they added. More details are awaited. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday offered prayers at the Hanumangarhi Temple in Ayodhya and said that the country is moving towards a golden India under the leadership of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi. "I wanted to do Ram Lalla's 'darshan' for many days... Today, I am happy to come here... I prayed that Modi Ji's next term should be very well, Assam and the whole country should be very well... In the history of India, this is the first time that any prime minister will take the PM's oath for the third time. This is historic... We are moving towards a golden India under the leadership of Narendra Modi," Assam CM told ANI. On the swearing-in ceremony of PM-designate Narendra Modi, Assam CM said this is a golden opportunity for our country. "This is a golden opportunity for our country. I hope and pray that God gives strength to Narendra Modi...The moment we will witness tomorrow will be amazing in itself," he said. He further attacked Congress and said that Congress has no accountability and that even after 10 years they could not reach even 100. "I had been in Congress, I would have held the Gandhi family accountable... Just to make sure that they are not answerable, some people are running propaganda and celebrating for a party that has lost," he said. On losing the Faizabad seat he said that there were 542 seats in which the party would win some and lose some seats. "There are 542 seats, we will win some and lose some. So what is the issue?... Narendra Modi is going to be the Prime Minister for the third time with the blessings of Lord Ram," he said. BJP's Lallu Singh lost the Faizabad seat to the Samajwadi Party candidate Awadhesh Prasad by a margin of over 54,000 votes. The counting of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was held on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the Samajwadi Party (SP) won 37 seats, the BJP won 33, the Congress won 6, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) won 2, and Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) and Apna Dal (Soneylal) won 1 seat each in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. In a major setback to the BJP, it gained only 33 seats against 63 in the 2019 LS polls, with the vote share being 41.37 per cent. Some of the most-watched seats which the BJP lost include -- Faizabad, Amethi, and Raebareli. The Samajwadi Party, on the other hand, secured 37 seats by itself, thus witnessing a massive improvement in the state. The vote share of the SP stood at 33.59 per cent. The BJP victory tally was much lower than its 2019 tally of 303 and the 282 seats it had won in 2014. The Congress, on the other hand, registered a strong growth, winning 99 seats compared to 52 that it had won in 2019 and 44 seats in 2014. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Minister and BJP leader Surya Pratap Shahi expressed his happiness over Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's re-election for a third consecutive term, saying it's historic for PM Modi to take oath for the third time. He also said that Narendra Modi would be the first time after 1962 to be elected to the Prime Minister's office. "This is a moment of happiness. It is historic that PM Modi is going to take oath as the Prime Minister for the third time. After 1962, this is happening for the first time," he told ANI. Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi is set to take the oath on June 9 at 7:15 PM. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will become the first PM after Jawaharlal Nehru to win three successive terms in Lok Sabha polls. As India gears up for Narendra Modi's third consecutive term oath-taking ceremony as Prime Minister on June 9, the Delhi Police has taken strict measures to ensure security during the event. According to Delhi police officials, multi-layered security arrangements have been arranged for the event. Five companies of paramilitary forces will be deployed for the security of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Apart from this, NSG commandos, drones, and snipers will also guard the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the mega event. As the day is set to witness the presence of dignitaries worldwide for the swearing-in ceremony, tight security arrangements have been made according to the protocol for each Head of state. Apart from this, security arrangements for the hotels, where the dignitaries will be staying, have also been enhanced. According to the police, the area around the Rashtrapati Bhavan has been made a 'controlled' area. In areas including, Sansad Marg, Rafi Marg, Raisina Road, Rajendra Prasad Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, and Sardar Patel Marg, vehicles having passes of the event will be allowed for the movement. According to the police, this programme will be monitored by more than 500 CCTVs. Section 144 has also been imposed in the entire New Delhi. Given the swearing-in ceremony, many restrictions have been imposed by the Delhi Police for June 9 and 10. Delhi has been declared a "no-flying" zone. During this time, the flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like paragliders, paramotors, hang gliders, UAVs, UAS, microlight aircraft, and remote-controlled aircraft has been banned in the national capital. The security measures follow the formal appointment of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister by the President of India on Friday. The letters of support from NDA constituent parties were also given to the President. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, much lower than its 2019 tally of 303. The Congress, on the other hand, registered a strong improvement, winning 99 seats. While the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won 292 seats, the INDIA bloc crossed the 230 mark, posing stiff competition, and defying all predictions. (ANI) Congress leader Jairam Ramesh voiced strong criticism against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term, stating that he would not have become the PM if TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and JDU chief Nitish Kumar had not supported him in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. "Narendra Modi, in the 2024 elections has suffered a devastating personal loss, political defeat and a moral debacle. He is a one-third prime minister because, without Naidu and Nitish Kumar, he would not have been Prime Minister," Ramesh said. He added, "He has become Prime Minister with 240 seats. Jawaharlal Nehru became Prime Minister three times in a row with a two-thirds majority and yet remained a Democrat. Narendra Modi is going to become the PM by not evening getting 270 on his own." Ramesh also commented on the foreign dignitaries, who have been invited to attend the PM's swearing-in-ceremony, which is set to take place at 9 am today, noting the absence of an invitation for Congress. "Well, clearly the self-styled Vishwaguru, who has now become self-styled Vishwa Bandhu is giving priority to getting international leaders. We have not received any invitation so far," Ramesh said. He added that even if invitation was extended, the Congress might still choose not to attend, citing the lack of legitimacy in Modi's leadership. "Even if we get an invitation, we'll talk about it. What's the point of attending this swearing-in ceremony? Because there is no legitimacy to Narendra Modi," Ramesh remarked. Furthermore, Ramesh expressed doubts about the attendance of other parties within the INDIA bloc, reiterating the Congress's position. "I have seen the statements from some parties of INDIA bloc saying that they will not attend the ceremony. I have very serious doubts if the Congress will also attend, even if it is invited. I am teeling you the reason it's been a personal loss, its political defeat, moral debacle and here has been no legitimacy for Modi, whatsoever. He some how managed to get his allies. Even the BJP MP's has not elected him as a leader of the BJP Parliamentary party. He got himself anointed as head of the NDA alliance and then had a meeting of NDA MPs in the central hall," Ramesh said. Ramesh did not hold back from further slamming the Modi's governance, accusing him of hypocrisy. "There is no limit to hypocrisy as far as Modi is concerned. He subverted the constitution. His governance is one of subverting the constitution," said Ramesh. Ramesh labeled Modi's government as illegitimate, alleging the use of coercive tactics to remain in power. "It is an illegitimate government. It has used money power, institutions, media, fear, intimidation and threat. I don't see this as a democratically elected government frankly because the mandate of the people is not for Modi," Ramesh Concluded. Narendra Modi is set to be sworn in as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term on June 9. Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi will take the oath at 7:15 PM. This is an extraordinary event as Narendra Modi is the only leader after former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who has been elected for a third consecutive term after completing the full tenure of each previous term. Alongside Narendra Modi, members of his council of ministers will also take their oath on the same day. The BJP got 240 seats and NDA has secured 292 seats out of 543 Lok Sabha seats. Congress fought the election as part of the INDIA bloc and the parties together were able to prevent BJP from getting a majority on its own in Lok Sabha. The Congress secured 99 seats. Samajwadi Party got 37 seats, while Trinamool Congress got 29. DMK managed to win 22 seats. (ANI) Nepal's PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal confirmed his visit following a telephonic conversation with PM Modi on Wednesday evening, during which PM Modi extended an invitation to his Nepali counterpart for the ceremony. The Nepali Prime Minister, in turn, confirmed his attendance, with a formal announcement expected soon. "During Wednesday evening's telephonic conversation between two leaders, the invitation was extended to the Nepali PM for attendance in the swearing-in ceremony. The Nepali Prime Minister also confirmed the attendance. A formal announcement will be made soon," the senior official told ANI seeking anonymity. This development comes after PM Dahal, commonly known as 'Prachanda', extended his congratulations to PM Modi on Tuesday for the "electoral success" of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the recent Lok Sabha elections, marking their third consecutive term. Prachanda also commended the enthusiastic participation of the Indian electorate, hailing the completion of the world's largest democratic exercise. On the same day, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe also accepted PM Modi's invitation to attend his swearing-in ceremony. Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe congratulated PM Modi on the BJP-led NDA's electoral victory over a phone call. During his conversation, PM Modi invited President Wickremesinghe to his oath ceremony, which the Sri Lankan president accepted. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave Dhaka on June 8 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi. "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave Dhaka for Delhi at 11 am on Saturday, June 8 and will return home at noon on June 10 after attending the swearing-in ceremony of PM Narendra Modi, due to the change in the oath-taking ceremony dates," said Bangladesh PM's Speech Writer, M Nazrul Islam. PM Modi will take the oath on June 9 after the BJP-led NDA surpassed the majority mark, winning 293 seats in the 18th Lok Sabha elections, while the opposition INDIA bloc secured 234 seats. Earlier, the swearing-in ceremony was scheduled to be held on June 8. The counting of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was held on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, much lower than its 2019 tally of 303. The main opposition Congress, on the other hand, registered a strong growth, winning 99 seats against 52 in 2019. (ANI) Aligning with India's steadfast commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and the 'SAGAR' vision, leaders from the neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have been invited as distinguished guests for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. These leaders include heads of State of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Nepal and Bhutan. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official statement on Saturday said, "President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe; President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu; Vice-President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif; Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina; Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth; Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'; and Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, have accepted the invitation to attend." The swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi and the Council of Ministers, following the General Elections 2024, is slated for June 9, 2024. Highlighting the significance of the event, the MEA emphasised, "The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision." Additionally, the MEA mentioned that besides participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will also grace a Banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, later in the same evening. A source familiar with the matter told ANI that because of the ensuing G7 meeting in Italy, the guest list has been kept compact as PM Modi will also leave to attend the summit in Italy later in the week. The seating arrangement has been done for over 8,000 guests who will be attending the ceremony. The list has been prepared and invitation cards have been sent. The guest list includes labourers, lawyers, doctors, artists, cultural performers, and influencers. There were speculations that the oath ceremony might be held at Kartavya Path but because of ongoing weather conditions, it was confined to Rashtrapati Bhavan. PM Modi's invitation to neighbouring leaders reflects India's ongoing efforts to engage with countries in the region. In 2014, he convened leaders from SAARC nations, and in 2019, he invited countries from the BIMSTEC group. PM Modi is set to be sworn in as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term on June 9, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Friday. Alongside him, members of his council of ministers will also take their oaths on the same day. Before this announcement, PM Modi met with President Droupadi Murmu and staked his claim to form the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government under his leadership. "Exercising powers vested in her under Article 75 (1) of the Constitution of India, President Droupadi Murmu today appointed @narendramodi to the office of Prime Minister of India," the President's office posted on X. "The President requested Shri Narendra Modi to: i) advise her about the names of other persons to be appointed members of the Union Council of Ministers; and ii) indicate the date and time of the swearing-in-ceremony to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan," the Rashtrapati Bhavan added. PM Modi's leadership of the NDA was formally endorsed, with crucial support from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal (United). The NDA commands a strong position in the Lok Sabha with 293 MPs out of 543. Among these, the BJP holds the largest share with 240 seats. In the 2019 elections, the BJP secured a total of 303 seats. (ANI) This comes at a time when the Pakistan PM and his delegation are on a five-day visit to China, marking Shehbaz Sharif's first visit to China following the February 8 general elections. The two leaders also affirmed their consensus on CPEC's upgradation and advancing the mega project's development in its second phase, according to Dawn. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif is likely to see the inauguration of CPEC's second phase. The trip, however, has led to a delay in the annual federal budget usually presented in the first week of June and is now expected to be presented on June 12, according to the government's tentative plan. The Pakistan prime minister briefed Chinese President Xi on Pakistan's policies for economic reforms, sustained growth, industrial development, agricultural modernisation, regional connectivity and the critical role played by CPEC in the country's development. He asserted Pakistan's commitment to CPEC's high-quality development and to fostering synergy between the development strategies of the two countries through close coordination, reported Dawn. Notably, this was the first meeting of PM Shehbaz with President Xi since assuming office. The meeting was marked by "traditional warmth reflective of the ironclad friendship and close strategic ties between the two countries", according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. The Pakistan PM commended President Xi's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Global Development Initiative, and further underscored that as the flagship project of BRI, CPEC had significantly contributed to Pakistan's socio-economic development. Meanwhile, the Chinese leader also called on Shehbaz Sharif to step up efforts to ensure the security of Chinese projects in Pakistan, Dawn reported. (ANI) The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urged the representatives of the Hong Kong Police Force to allow media to function freely to cover the commemorations of the Tiananmen Square Massacre held at Hong Kong's Causeway Bay. Hong Kong commemorated the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989 on Tuesday. Several media personnel have complained that they faced obstruction and harassment from authorities during that time and otherwise. In a statement released on Thursday, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urged the representatives of the Hong Kong Police Force to allow media to function freely, and ensure that the constitutional commitments of upholding press freedom are maintained. Referencing a video viral on social media, the IFJ stated that, a Swiss photographer Marc Progin and an unidentified woman were escorted by police away from a group of press members covering the commemorations of the Tiananmen Square Massacre held at Hong Kong's Causeway Bay. According to the report, Progin and his friend were transported to the Hong Kong Police Headquarters in Wan Chai, where they were questioned and searched, before being released at around 11 pm. The police however said that the photojournalist was brought into the headquarters because the police couldn't check their identification documents amid the group. Citing another incident, the IFJ report stated that, the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) and Channel C multimedia production director, Ronson Chan was obstructed by police on June 4 in Causeway Bay. Reportedly, a police superintendent had invited Chan to cover an interview, however later on a Chief Inspector accused the journalist of 'taking the lead' in disrupting order and intruding on a police line. Chan was threatened with arrest and asked to leave the area immediately. The IFJ report stated that the commemorations of the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989 have been restricted, and there is a heavy police presence in the Causeway Bay. Meanwhile, several activists, artists, and critical voices have been stopped by police, detained, or charged, while covering commemorations in 2023. Previously, the former HKJA Chair and Radio France International correspondent, Mak Yin-ting was detained, searched, and transported to the Wan Chai Police Station where she was held for five hours over the same matter of covering the Tiananmen Square massacre. Previously, Human Rights Watch also had raised a similar issue in one of its reports, stating that the Chinese administration has orchestrated several arrests of activists who sought to organise the commemoration ceremonies of the 35th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre to be held on Tuesday in China and Hong Kong. Maya Wang, acting China director at Human Rights Watch mentioned that "The Chinese government is seeking to erase the memory of the Tiananmen Massacre throughout China and in Hong Kong. But 35 years on, the government has been unable to extinguish the flames of remembrance for those risking all to promote respect for democracy and human rights in China." Earlier in April, the HRW report stated, that Xu Guang, a student leader from 1989, was sentenced to four years in prison for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" after he demanded that the government must acknowledge the Tiananmen Massacre holding a sign calling for redressal against the local police station in May 2022. Xu was reportedly tortured, shackled, and mistreated while in detention by the defence personnel. (ANI) William Anders, renowned NASA astronaut and member of the groundbreaking Apollo 8 crew, died in a plane crash in Washington state, as confirmed by his son, Gregory Anders, CNN reported. The 90-year-old space pioneer met his untimely demise in an aircraft incident in the San Juan Islands. My "dad passed in an aircraft incident in the San Juan Islands," Anders told CNN Friday evening. The San Juan County Sheriff's Office issued a statement disclosing that an aircraft had crashed off the coast of Jones Island. The initial report, received around 11:40 am PT, indicated that an "older model plane was flying from north to south then went into the water near the north end of Jones Island and sunk." San Juan Sheriff Eric Peter relayed to CNN via email that the dive team was deployed to conduct a search at the scene. In the wake of the tragedy, the Anders family is grappling with profound grief. "The family is devastated and grieving the loss of a great pilot," Gregory Anders expressed. The San Juan Islands are situated approximately 90 miles north of Seattle. William Anders, born on October 17, 1933, in Hong Kong, embarked on a remarkable journey marked by exemplary service and pioneering achievements. Graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1955, he was commissioned in the US Air Force the following year, earning his pilot's wings. Anders' tenure included serving as a fighter pilot in all-weather interception squadrons of the Air Defense Command in California and Iceland. His tenure at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory in New Mexico was characterised by his pivotal role in managing nuclear power reactor shielding and radiation effects programs. Selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1964, Anders' contributions to space exploration were significant and enduring. He served as backup pilot for the Gemini 11 mission in 1966 and the iconic Apollo 11 flight in 1969. With over 6,000 hours of flying time, his expertise and dedication were unparalleled. A pivotal moment in his career came in December 1968 when Anders, alongside Jim Lovell and mission commander Frank Borman, embarked on the historic Apollo 8 mission, becoming the first humans to orbit the moon. Anders assumed the role of lunar module pilot for this groundbreaking flight. During the mission, Anders immortalised a moment of profound significance with his iconic photograph titled "Earthrise," capturing Earth's beauty against the backdrop of the lunar surface. His poignant reflection on this moment resonates deeply: "We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth." This legendary image, described as such by NASA, encapsulates Anders' profound realisation of Earth's fragility and our place within the cosmos. "Suddenly I looked out the window, and here was this gorgeous orb coming up," Anders described of Earth. "For me, it made me realise that the earth was small, delicate and not the center of the universe," Anders said. Time Magazine recognised Anders, Lovell, and Borman as "Men of the Year" in 1968, acknowledging their extraordinary contributions to humanity's understanding of the universe. Following his illustrious career with NASA, Anders assumed leadership roles of national significance, including serving as Executive Secretary for the National Aeronautics and Space Council from 1969 to 1973. President Gerald Ford appointed him as the inaugural chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a position of critical importance for nuclear safety and environmental compatibility. NASA administrator Bill Nelson said in a post on X, on Friday: "Bill Anders offered to humanity among the deepest of gifts an astronaut can give. He traveled to the threshold of the Moon and helped all of us see something else: ourselves." Nelson continued: "He embodied the lessons and the purpose of exploration. We will miss him." In addition to his professional achievements, Anders cherished family life alongside his wife, Valerie, with whom he shared two daughters and four sons, CNN reported. (ANI) The arrival of distinguished guests for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony has begun with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina landing in the national capital on Saturday. Secretary (CPV & OIA), Muktesh Pardeshi received Prime Minister Hasina at the airport. PM Modi is set to be sworn in as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term on June 9, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Friday. Alongside him, members of his council of ministers will also take their oath on the same day. "First distinguished guest sets foot in New Delhi for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh warmly received by Secy (CPV & OIA) @mukteshpardeshi as she arrived in New Delhi. This visit of one of our most valued partners will further strengthen - close and deep-rooted bonds of friendship," said the Official spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X. Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka earlier in the day to attend the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi on Sunday. "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave Dhaka for Delhi at 11 am on Saturday, June 8 and will return home at noon on June 10 after attending the swearing-in ceremony of PM Narendra Modi, due to the change in the oath-taking ceremony dates," Bangladesh PM's Speech Writer, M Nazrul Islam said on Friday. On Wednesday, PM Modi invited his Bangladeshi counterpart to attend his swearing-in ceremony on Sunday. Sheikh Hasina accepted the invitation. In a post on X, the Press Minister of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, Shaban Mahmood, revealed that Prime Minister Hasina's visit is in response to an invitation extended by Prime Minister Modi. Over the years, India and Bangladesh have forged a multifaceted relationship, marked by a shared history, culture, and geographical proximity. Several leaders and State heads of neighbourhood region and Indian Ocean region have been invited for PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony as distinguished guests, a testament to India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official statement on Saturday said, "President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe; President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu; Vice-President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif; Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina; Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth; Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'; and Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, have accepted the invitation to attend." Highlighting the significance of the event, the MEA emphasised, "The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision." Additionally, the MEA mentioned that besides participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will also grace a Banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, later in the same evening. PM Modi's invitation to neighbouring leaders reflects India's ongoing efforts to engage with countries in the region. In 2014, he convened leaders from SAARC nations, and in 2019, he invited countries from the BIMSTEC group. (ANI) Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was assaulted by a man in Copenhagen, according to a statement from her office to CNN. "Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was hit by a man Friday evening on Kultorvet [public square] in Copenhagen. The man was subsequently arrested," the prime minister's office said. In response to the distressing event, Frederiksen's office said that she "is shocked by the incident", while refraining from providing further details about any potential injuries sustained during the altercation. Minister of Environment Magnus Heunicke urged for national unity in the wake of the assault, emphasising the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding one another, irrespective of "political disagreements, election campaigns." "Something like this must not happen in our beautiful, safe and free country," he said on X. "This is ugly and unacceptable. Let's show that Denmark is much better." "Deeply shocked by the outrageous attack on my colleague and friend, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen," Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina said in a post on X. "All our thoughts are with you and your loved ones. Wishing you a speedy recovery," she added. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack, calling it a "despicable act, which goes against everything we believe in and fight for in Europe." She went on to wish the prime minister strength and courage, saying she has plenty of both, CNN reported. The incident unfolded against the backdrop of Denmark's upcoming participation in the European Union elections, adding an additional layer of significance to the event. Frederiksen, a prominent figure in Denmark's political landscape, has led the center-left Socialist Democratic party since 2019, assuming the role of prime minister. The attack on Frederiksen comes amidst heightened concerns surrounding political violence, notably underscored by the recent assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. Analysts and lawmakers have pointed to a growing sense of political polarisation across Europe, reflecting an increasingly volatile climate within the continent's political sphere, CNN reported. (ANI) Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has officially accepted the invitation from Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi for his swearing-in ceremony and the Council of Ministers of the Government of India on Sunday, an official release of Maldives President's office read. "Munu Mahawar, Higher Commissioner of the Republic of India to the Republic of Maldives, presented the letter of invitation to the President during a courtesy call at the President's Office," the release also said. At the call, the High Commissioner extended greetings from Prime Minister Modi, stating that the Prime Minister is looking forward to having the President attend this momentous ceremony marking his third swearing-in as Prime Minister of India. President Muizzu expressed his gratitude to PM Modi for the invitation, adding that he would be honoured to attend this historic event. "He also stated that he looks forward to working with the Prime Minister to further strengthen the close relations with India, noting that Maldives-India relations are heading in the positive direction, as would be demonstrated by this visit," the official release said. The President also thanked the High Commissioner for personally delivering the invitation. PM Modi is set for a third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerging victorious in the parliamentary elections. With PM Modi registering his win for the third consecutive term, wishes from global leaders also came pouring in at the speed of light. In an earlier statement on Wednesday, President Muizzu congratulated PM Modi and expressed his willingness to collaborate to enhance bilateral ties. He posted on X, " "Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term. I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries " In a reply to the post, Prime Minister Modi thanked Maldives President and said he looks forward to closer cooperation for further strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations. "Thank you President @MMuizzu. Maldives is our valued partner and neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region. I too look forward to closer cooperation for further strengthening our bilateral ties," PM Modi posted on X. This would mark President Muizzu's inaugural official visit to India since assuming office on November 17 last year. Notably, Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, diverged from his predecessors' protocol by choosing to visit Turkey first and subsequently China for his first state visit in January. Shortly after he was sworn in, President Muizzu stirred bilateral tensions by demanding the removal of approximately 88 Indian military personnel from the Maldives. These personnel were repatriated from three aviation platforms and replaced by Indian civilians by the May 10 deadline set by President Muizzu. The counting of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was held on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats, and with its allies has 292 seats in the Parliament. The Congress, on the other hand, registered a strong growth winning 99 seats. Other leaders also congratulated PM Modi and the BJP-led NDA government on their third consecutive victory in the Lok Sabha polls. Leaders from the neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have been invited as distinguished guests for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi. These leaders include heads of State of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Nepal and Bhutan. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official statement on Saturday said, "President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe; President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu; Vice-President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif; Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina; Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth; Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'; and Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, have accepted the invitation to attend." (ANI) Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' along with his daughter and a delegation will arrive in New Delhi on Sunday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. "At the cordial invitation of Prime Minister of India His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' is paying an official visit to India to attend the former's swearing-in ceremony to be held on June 9, 2024, in New Delhi," the Ministry's official release said. "The Prime Minister will leave Kathmandu for New Delhi on 09 June 2024. He will be accompanied by his daughter Ganga Dahal, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Hon'ble Mr Padam Giri, and high-ranking officials of the Government of Nepal," it added. The Nepali Prime Minister will return home on Monday. PM Modi and Nepal PM 'Prachanda' held a telephone conversation on Wednesday evening, during which PM Modi extended an invitation to his Nepali counterpart for the ceremony. The Nepali Prime Minister, in turn, confirmed his attendance, with a formal announcement expected soon. "During Wednesday evening's telephonic conversation between two leaders, the invitation was extended to the Nepali PM for attendance in the swearing-in ceremony. The Nepali Prime Minister also confirmed the attendance. A formal announcement will be made soon," a senior official told ANI. This development came after PM Dahal extended his congratulations to PM Modi on Tuesday for the "electoral success" of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the recent Lok Sabha elections, marking their third consecutive term. Prachanda also commended the enthusiastic participation of the Indian electorate, hailing the completion of the world's largest democratic exercise. "Congratulations to PM Narendra Modi on the electoral success of BJP and NDA in the Loksabha elections for the third consecutive term. We are happy to note the successful completion of the world's largest democratic exercise with the enthusiastic participation of the people of India," said 'Prachanda' in a post on X. Several leaders and State heads of neighbourhood region and Indian Ocean region have been invited for PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony as distinguished guests, a testament to India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official statement on Saturday said, "President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe; President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu; Vice-President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif; Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina; Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth; Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'; and Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, have accepted the invitation to attend." (ANI) As part of its investigation into the murder of Bangladesh Awami League MP Anwarul Azim Anar, who was found dead at a flat in Kolkata, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police has arrested another prime accused, officials confirmed on Saturday. The arrested accused, identified as Siam Hossain, originally hails from Burhanuddin, Bhola district in Bangladesh. Hossain had fled to Nepal following the murder of the victim Bangladesh MP. According to official sources, Siam Hossain was intercepted by a CID team in Bangaon of North 24 Parganas district near the India-Bangladesh border on Friday night. He is believed to be closely connected to the heinous crime that claimed the life of MP Anwarul Azim Anar in New Town, Kolkata. While the main accused, Akhtaru Jaman Shaheen, remains at large, with reports suggesting he may be hiding in America, CID and the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police are actively collaborating to gather crucial details for the investigation. Interpol has been approached to assist in locating Shaheen. Meanwhile, CID is continuing its interrogation of Jihad Howlader, who has been dubbed "the butcher" in this case. It has been revealed that the recently apprehended Siam Hossain allegedly provided the tools used in the crime to Howlader. CID is set to produce the arrested accused, Siam Hossain, before the Barasat Court on Saturday to seek remand for further investigation. This arrest marks a significant stride forward in the quest for justice in the tragic murder case that has captured national attention. As the investigation continues in the Bangladesh MP murder case, the chief of the Bangladesh Detective Department, Harun-ur-Rashid, on May 28, had said that they have got circumstantial evidence, and further inspection would now take place into the sewage line connected to the duplex flat where the murder occurred. Bangladeshi Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan had said that Anar, who had gone missing in India, was found murdered in Kolkata on May 22, and three people have been arrested. "We inspected the sewage line which is connected with that duplex flat (place of occurrence of the murder) with the help of West Bengal CID. We took help from CID West Bengal to break the whole sewage line. We are already interrogating the accused butcher at the CID West Bengal headquarters," Harun-or-Rashid told media. The Chief of the Bangladesh Detective Department is currently in India to investigate the murder case of Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar. "We also got digital evidence and we will also record the statement of the accused butcher. After interrogation, we matched the statement with our accused in Bangladesh. We also got circumstantial evidence and we are matching it..." he added. Harun-or-Rashid arrived with a police team in Kolkata on Sunday afternoon and described the killing of Anar as "cold-blooded, barbaric murder." He said that he had never seen such a heinous planned murder. He said that the prime suspect in the murder case was identified as Akhtaruzzaman and they suspect he could have probably escaped to the United States via Dubai from Kathmandu. Bone-chilling details surrounding the murder of the member of parliament from Bangladesh, who had been missing since May 13 just a day after his arrival in Kolkata had come to the fore. According to the findings, the MP was allegedly killed in a Kolkata apartment, where his body was chopped and suspects proceeded to dispose of the remains by packaging them in multiple plastic bags. The West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said that one of the suspects in the case, a Mumbai-based butcher confessed during interrogation that he had taken off all the skin from the Bangladeshi MP's body, chopped it up and minced the cut parts in a bid to destroy its identity. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to investigate the killing of the Bangladeshi MP. (ANI) Former Prime Minister Imran Khan stepped forward to accept accountability for a controversial tweet likening the current political landscape to the fall of Dhaka in 1971, however, he distanced himself from an accompanying video shared on his social media account, stating his unawareness of its contents, Dawn reported. The contentious post, disseminated on Imran's social media platform on May 26, featured a montage alongside a quote attributed to Khan urging the populace to examine the Hamoodur Rahman Commission report to discern the true betrayer between General Yahya Khan and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Addressing journalists following a session at the accountability court in Adiala Jail, where he faces a 190 million Pounds corruption charge, Khan expressed remorse for his past references to Mujibur Rahman, conceding his failure to peruse the Hamoodur Rehman Commission Report at the time, as reported by Dawn. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder elucidated that the report delineated two objectives: averting the recurrence of similar errors and ascribing accountability for the debacle in Dhaka. He underscored the commission's indictment of General Yahya Khan for orchestrating actions to retain power, likening it to contemporary circumstances where the economy teeters on the brink of collapse. Attributing a staggering loss of PKR 1,100 billion to amendments in accountability laws introduced by the opposition coalition, Khan emphasised the dire consequences for a nation already grappling with economic challenges. Regarding his acquittal in the Cypher case, Imran called for an apology from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for baseless allegations. When queried about potential negotiations with political factions, prompted by a suggestion from the Supreme Court, Khan rebuffed the notion, asserting a preference for dialogue with genuine power brokers over intermediaries. Responding to criticism of his earlier stance on references to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Hamoodur Rahman Commission report, Khan clarified that he had since familiarized himself with the report, leading to a shift in perspective. In regard to the contentious video associated with the social media post, Khan expressed bewilderment, asserting his inability to view the video while incarcerated and consequently refraining from commenting. Meanwhile, during interrogation by the FIA, Khan reiterated his commitment to cooperation, contingent upon the presence of legal representation, according to Dawn. In a parallel development, objections were raised during the corruption case hearing regarding the presiding judge's tenure, necessitating further deliberation on the matter. Conversely, PTI leader Omar Ayub lambasted the FIA's summons pertaining to Khan's tweet, denouncing the agency's director general and questioning his jurisdiction. Accusing the agency of overstepping its bounds, Ayub demanded scrutiny of the FIA's conduct. Amidst these developments, concerns were raised regarding the treatment of incarcerated PTI members, including Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, Yasmin Rashid, and Aliya Hamza, alleging violations of their human rights and inadequate facilities. Ali Muhammad Khan, another PTI stalwart, lamented the humiliation inflicted upon the nation through the incarceration of its leaders, underscoring the need for a dignified resolution to their predicament, Dawn reported. (ANI) Vice President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif on Saturday arrived in New Delhi to attend Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony scheduled to be held on Sunday. Secretary (CPV & OIA), Muktesh Pardeshi received Ahmed Afif at the airport. https://x.com/meaindia/status/1799373098208428452?s=46 Commenting on Afif's arrival, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X, "Warm welcome to VP Ahmed Afif of Seychelles as he arrives in New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of PM @narendramodi and Council of Ministers." Further, he also said that this visit will impart further momentum to bilateral ties. Earlier in the day, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had already arrived in Delhi, She is the first distinguished foreign guest to arrive in India for the swearing-in ceremony. "First distinguished guest sets foot in New Delhi for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh was warmly received by Secy (CPV & OIA) @mukteshpardeshi as she arrived in New Delhi. This visit of one of our most valued partners will further strengthen - close and deep-rooted bonds of friendship," said the Official spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X. PM Modi is set to be sworn in as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Friday. Alongside him, members of his council of ministers will also take their oath on the same day. Several leaders and State heads of neighbourhood region and Indian Ocean region have been invited for PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony as distinguished guests, a testament to India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official statement on Saturday said, "President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe; President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu; Vice-President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif; Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina; Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth; Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'; and Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, have accepted the invitation to attend." Additionally, the MEA mentioned that besides participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will also grace a Banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, later in the same evening. (ANI) Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi thanked Yemen Prime Minister Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak and Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew for congratulating him on his win in Lok Sabha elections. In a post on X, Terrance Drew congratulated PM-designate Modi on his re-election as India's Prime Minister and wished him success in guiding the nation towards prosperity and greatness. "Honourable Narendra Modi, congratulations on your re-election as Prime Minister of India! Wishing you continued success in guiding the nation toward prosperity and greatness with wisdom and compassion," Drew posted on X. In response, PM-designate Narendra Modi thanked Terrance Drew and highlighted the old people-to-people ties between India and St Kitts and Nevis. In a post on X, he stated, "Thank you Prime Minister @TerranceDrewSKN. We are proud of centuries-old people-to-people ties with St. Kitts & Nevis. Looking forward to working with you to build a strong development cooperation as a key Carribean partner in the Global South." Yemen Prime Minister Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak congratulated PM-designate Narendra Modi on his recent victory in the Lok Sabha elections. He expressed eagerness to work with him to explore new avenues for deeply rooted historical ties between India and Yemen. In a post on X, Yemen PM stated, "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to @narendramodi, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, on his recent election victory and the renewed confidence placed in his leadership. My best wishes go to him as he steers India toward greater development and prosperity." "I eagerly anticipate working together to explore new avenues for the deeply rooted historical relations between our two friendly nations. I also sincerely appreciate India's unwavering and ongoing support for the Yemeni people and their legitimate government," he added. In response, PM Modi thanked Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak for his wishes and noted the "historic and friendly ties" between India and Yemen. "Heartful thanks PM @BinMubarakAhmed for your kind wishes. We value the historic and friendly ties with Yemen. We wish peace, security, stability and prosperity for the people of the country," PM Modi posted on X. As soon as the election results were announced, several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, UK PM Rishi Sunak and France President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Narendra Modi on securing a third consecutive win in the Lok Sabha polls. Coming to India's election results, the counting of the votes was held on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats. Combining the numbers of BJP ally parties, the number went comfortably above the halfway mark needed to form a government. Narendra Modi is set to be sworn in as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term on June 9, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Friday. Alongside him, members of his council of ministers will also take their oaths on the same day. Before this announcement, PM-designate Modi met with President Droupadi Murmu and staked his claim to form the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government under his leadership. "Exercising powers vested in her under Article 75 (1) of the Constitution of India, President Droupadi Murmu today appointed @narendramodi to the office of Prime Minister of India," the President's office posted on X. "The President requested Narendra Modi to - advise her about the names of other persons to be appointed members of the Union Council of Ministers; and indicate the date and time of the swearing-in-ceremony to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan," the Rashtrapati Bhavan added. PM Modi's leadership of the NDA was formally endorsed, with crucial support from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal (United). The NDA commands a strong position in the Lok Sabha with 293 MPs out of 543. Among these, the BJP holds the largest share with 240 seats. (ANI) Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking suspension of her sentence in the iddat case, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. Bushra Bibi registered the petition through her lawyer Salman Safdar. According to the petition, the hearing of her appeal against the conviction is pending. Criticising Bushra Bibi's "prolonged incarceration", the petition underscored her right to the suspension of her sentence, according to Geo News report. The plea reads, "It is imperative to decide the suspension of sentence of the petitioner [Bushra] as early as possible in the interest of justice." Earlier in February, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were each sentenced to seven years in prison after a trial court found their marriage to be fraudulent after Bushra Bibi's ex-husband Khawar Maneka approached the court against their marriage, stressing that it was solemnised during her iddat period. In its 51-page verdict, the judge stated that their marriage reflected dishonesty and also imposed a fine of Pakistan Rupees (PKR) 500,000 each, for which the failure to pay provisions additional four months of incarceration, Geo News reported. After the court's verdict, the couple filed appeals against their conviction in a district and session court. However, the case was transferred to Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majuka after Maneka expressed no confidence in Judge Shahrukh Arjumand. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf criticised the development, calling it a "deliberate delay in the provision of justice," Geo News reported. In the statement, PTI's core committee stated that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi deserved to be immediately released from prison. The party alleged that the pace of trials against the duo was being "deliberately delayed" by deferring the hearings with delayed dates. In her plea, Imran Khan's wife has complained of "miserable conditions" while being incarcerated in Adiala Jail and "political victimisation" against her and Imran Khan. The petition highlighted contradictory evidence, along with unsustainable pieces of evidence and added that it cannot be a basis for a conviction. The petition reads, "The petitioner is previously non-convict and is ready to furnish surety bonds to the entire satisfaction of this honourable court for her release," Geo News reported. Previously, Bushra Bibi had approached the district and sessions court in Islamabad, seeking an early hearing of her appeals filed against her conviction in the iddat case. During the hearing conducted by Judge Majuka on June 7, the court adjourned the case till July 11. (ANI) Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal thanked the leaders of Middle Eastern countries, including Oman and Saudi Arabia for wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his electoral win in the Lok Sabha elections. The MEA Spokesperson also thanked Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia for the greetings by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. "Thank @KSAmofaEN for the warm greetings extended by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince & PM of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to PM @narendramodi," he wrote in a post on X. Jaiswal said that PM Modi conveyed his gratitude and warmth to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, adding that India looks forward to achieving unprecedented heights in bilateral relations in future. "PM conveys his gratitude and warmth to HRH Crown Prince. Building upon the strong partnership & great momentum in India-Saudi ties in recent years, India looks forward to achieving unprecedented heights in our bilateral relations in the years to come," he added. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia congratulated PM Modi on his political party's victory on Friday. "HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulates the Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi on his political party's victory in the general elections," Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud said in a post on X. Meanwhile, Randhir Jaiswal also thanked the foreign minister of Oman for the wishes extended by the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq to PM Modi on winning the 2024 general elections. The MEA Spokesperson further stressed that India looks forward to working together with the Oman government to further deepen ties. Sharing a post on X, Jaiswal stated, "Thank @FMofOman for the wishes extended by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to PM @narendramodi on his election victory. PM conveys his gratitude to His Majesty. India looks forward to working together with the government of Oman to further strengthen and deepen our age-old civilizational bonds." The Sultan of Oman sent a cable of congratulations to PM Modi on winning his third term as Prime Minister of India. "His Majesty the Sultan has sent a cable of congratulations to Narendra Modi, on the occasion of winning a third term as Prime Minister of the Republic of #India," he said on X. Earlier today, Randhir Jaiswal thanked the Chinese Foreign Ministry for congratulating Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on his win in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Jaiswal noted that India will continue to pursue normalisation of ties between the two nations. In a post on X, Jaiswal stated, "Thank you @MFA_China for congratulating PM @narendramodi on his election victory. Will continue to pursue efforts towards normalisation of India-China ties based on mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. "Jaiswal's statement came after China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 5 extended wishes to Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, the BJP, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on their election victory in the Lok Sabha elections, adding that they are looking forward to a "healthy and stable" China-India relationship. Coming to India's election results, the counting of votes of the Lok Sabha elections was held on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats. Combining the numbers of BJP ally parties, the number went comfortably above the halfway mark needed to form a government. Narendra Modi is set to be sworn in as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term on June 9, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Friday. Alongside him, members of his council of ministers will also take their oaths on the same day. Before this announcement, PM-designate Modi met with President Droupadi Murmu and staked his claim to form the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government under his leadership. (ANI) US President Joe Biden and France President Emmanuel Macron emphasised their agreement with each other about the ongoing global affairs, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, however, both countries express different views on fighting in Gaza, The New York Times reported. US President Biden, who is currently on an official state visit to Paris, held meetings with his France counterpart. During a media presence, the two presidents declined to take any questions and papered over their stark differences about the Middle East. They both, however, asserted the enduring strength of the American-French partnership on climate, the economy, European security and cultural ties, The New York Times reported. "Today, I proudly stand with France to support freedom and democracy around the world," Biden said after a closed-door meeting at the Elysee Palace. Highlighting the Russia-Ukraine war, Macron said, "We see eye to eye on this war raging in Ukraine." He added that he hoped "all members of the G7 will agree to a USD 50 billion solidarity fund for Ukraine," referring to the Group of 7 industrialized nations. French President Macron's comments suggested that both leaders had reached a common ground over a plan to leverage proceeds from frozen Russian assets to provide an upfront loan of up to USD 50 billion to Ukraine, as reported by The New York Times. The American officials said heading into the meeting that France was the main holdout for such a plan and that they were hoping to win support during the Paris visit. Further, Macron, on Gaza, noted his government's support for an Israeli cease-fire proposal that US President Biden has strongly backed. The French president, however, also directly challenged Israel to do more to deliver aid to Palestinians suffering from the government's bombardment. "It is not acceptable that Israel should not open all checkpoints to humanitarian aid, as requested by the united international community for months," Macron said, adding that Israeli operations in Gaza "should stop." Earlier, France supported the International Criminal Court's decision to seek warrants for the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza. Meanwhile, US President Biden condemned that effort, calling it an unconscionable comparison of the two leaders. Moreover in May, France also voted in the United Nations to include Palestine as a full member of the organization, which the US has opposed, The New York Times reported. However, neither Biden nor Macron mentioned any of the disagreements about the Israel-Hamas conflict. The French president praised President Biden as "a partner who respects Europeans," a line that sounded like a distinction from former president Donald Trump, who often denigrated European leaders. "Thank you for being at Europe's side," Macron added. "You've become a good friend," Biden responded, according to The New York Times. (ANI) Himanshu Burte writes: On the afternoon of 13 May 2024, an unusually powerful sandstorm took Mumbai by surprise. The winds blew some light and loose accretions off the ramshackle crust of the concrete city. But tragically, they also felled a large hoarding erected at Ghatkopar along the busy arterial road, the Eastern Express Highway. The hoarding fell on a petrol pump on the same property, killing 17 people and injuring more than 70. The injured and dead included customers and workers of the petrol pump. The owner of Ego Media, the company that erected the hoarding, and the structural engineer who had given it a stability certificate were soon arrested. But the collapse of the hoarding (or billboard) was a big shock to the city: a clear-cut regulatory framework is thought to exist to prevent such a mishap, so how could this have happened? The details that emerged boggled the imagination: the fallen hoarding was one of four illegal ones erected near each other on a plot of land owned by the Government Railway Police (GRP), a state government body, for staff housing and amenities. No municipal permission had been sought for the hoarding. The petrol pump was also set up on the same plot, allegedly without municipal permission. In addition, as one of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) notices to the GRP reportedly mentioned, it exceeded the maximum permissible size for hoardings. It was, in fact, nine times bigger in area, measuring 120 feet by 120 feet, against the permissible 40 feet by 40 feet. In the media reports that followed, BMC, Indian Railways, and the GRP pointed fingers at each other till the story settled to some extent in the media at the time of writing this comment. The incident raises some general concerns about urban space and governance in contemporary India, beyond the issue of systematic corruption and cultures of negligence. Rather, though this is a developing story, from media reports, a key factor behind the regulatory failures leading to the tragedy is the fragmentation of urban governance. Equally, the incident calls attention to the increasingly problematic spatialisation of the attention economy through the rapid expansion of hoardings across Indian cityscapes. A 2017 Bombay High Court judgment reiterated the provision in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888 that hoardings on railway land lie outside the tax and regulatory jurisdiction of BMC. This effectively sustained the existing fragmentation of regulatory authority across the actual continuity of urban space. The intractability of this fragmentation became even clearer after the Ghatkopar incident. In response to the collapse of the illegal hoarding, the chief minister of Maharashtra called for all illegal and oversized hoardings to be removed from Mumbai. However, Central Railway reportedly refused to remove oversized hoardings on its property, citing the state governments lack of jurisdiction in the matter! Hoardings are only one instance, however: it is necessary to examine and address all such fragmentations of planning and regulatory authority, and their implications. Of course, the ambiguities of fragmentary governance may sometimes be used as a misleading distraction. Thus, in the Ghatkopar case, when the BMC sent a notice to GRP in April 2022, flagging the illegality of the now-fallen hoarding, its commissioner reportedly invoked the 2017 high court judgment to argue that BMC had no authority to regulate the hoarding since it stood on railway land. Of course, it now emerges that the land actually belongs not to the railways but to the Mumbai collector and was in the possession of GRP and the Maharashtra Police Housing and Welfare Corporation. The BMC appears to have believed the argument and failed to pursue the matter. If this account holds true, and considering the ubiquity of fragmentary governance in Indian cities, one lesson is worth considering: it is essential for the municipal body to possess and be able to operationalise, at the right moment, the knowledge required to navigate the patchwork of multiple jurisdictions (with the added possibility of undetected overlaps). What aggravates the Ghatkopar tragedy is the realisation that the urban artefact at its centrethe hoardingis not strictly necessary for everyday urban life. It serves no practical function for citizens while introducing nuisances and risks into their lives as anticipated in various regulatory provisions or recorded in media reports, police cases, and judgments. As their size and intensity of illumination increase, or when they become screens with moving images, hoardings can distract drivers and endanger road safety. As transport corridors are elevated, they are fixed atop older buildings that may not be designed to bear such loads, creating a new hazard. Residents near illuminated hoardings complain of disturbed sleep because of powerful lights that blaze through the night. Hundreds of trees have also allegedly been cut to increase the visibility of hoardings in Mumbai alone. These are relatively objective risks and costs, but more debatablethough realcosts and consequences are also known. Hoardings block the sky, disconnect us visually from our built and natural environment and add to the information overload that big-city residents already face. Arguably, they also distort the social character of public space by seeking to saturate it with the ideology of consumption. Despite this, legal and illegal hoardings are not only proliferating in number but also increasing in size to dominate the cityscape by dwarfing, cloaking or competing with buildingsfor a sense of scale, consider that the fallen hoarding was as tall as a 12-storied building. The proliferation and expansion of hoardings is not surprising. Urban space is clearly an enormous resource for the attention economy whether it be tied to political or commercial purposes. Commercial hoardings and advertising signs, in general, offer attractive formal and informal revenue streams for public and private actors, including urban local bodies. Yet, the Ghatkopar incident specifically calls for closer policy and scholarly attention to the myriad implications of the rapid spatialisation of the attention economy in cities. More importantly, it calls for greater skill and commitment in updating and implementing existing regulatory provisions at the municipal level. Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, left, raising her hand with Vice President Kamala Harris who traveled to Alsobrooks' jurisdiction June 7, 2024, to officially endorse the county executive for United States Senate. Photo by William J. Ford. She was there to speak to a crowd about gun violence on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, but the crowd at a Landover community center really lit up when Vice President Kamala Harris revealed her other reason for Fridays visit. Today, I proudly endorse Angela Alsobrooks for the United States Senate, Harris said to the cheers of more than 100 people at the Kentland Community Center. She will be an experienced leader on that issue when she is in the United States Senate and that matters. It was Harris first event in Maryland this year. Friday also marked the first major campaign event for Alsobrooks after her victory over Rep. David Trone (D-6th) in last months Democratic primary. Alsobrooks, the Democratic Prince Georges County executive, faces a general election race against former Gov. Larry Hogan (R), who was elected twice in the state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-to-1. While it was not unexpected, Harris endorsement was welcome in the unexpectedly tough race. Im so proud to support her when she was states attorney, and to endorse her when he was county executive, Harris said. Harris and Alsobrooks have been friends for more than 10 years, dating back to when Harris served as Californias attorney general. They have both spoken out about restorative justice, which holds people accountable who commit crimes, but also works to address the harm caused by a certain offense. Vice President Kamala Harris takes a selfie after her speech in Prince Georges County on June 7, 2024. Photo by William J. Ford. Both support stronger gun laws such as a universal background checks to acquire firearms, a ban on military-style assault rifles and holding gun manufacturers accountable. I wont back down from holding gun manufacturers accountable, Alsobrooks said. Its our right to hold this industry to account for the immense harm that they have caused our state and our country. Let me be crystal clear, she said. We will not accomplish these goals to keep Americans safe without a Senate majority. It has become the case that the path to the majority runs through Maryland. While Alsobrooks would be the first Black person to represent Maryland in the Senate, Harris and other Democrats point to her experience. Alsobrooks was Prince Georges first full-time prosecutor to handle domestic violence cases, the youngest woman elected as the countys states attorney and the first woman elected tobe county executive. During her nearly eight years as states attorney, Alsobrooks oversaw a 50% decline in violent crime that matched a national trend. That was challenged by the Hogan campaign, which issued a statement on the social media platform X, entitled Hogan Rapid Response on Friday about crime under Alsobrooks tenure. In noted certain percentages of increases in homicides, violent crime and carjackings, but didnt state where the data comes from, and used the occasion to tout a 10-point crime plan. While Angela Alsobrooks is campaigning today, instead of just offering more platitudes, we urge her to tell voters how she will address the skyrocketing crime on her watch in Prince Georges County, the post said. Governor Hogan has put forward a plan to address this out-of-control crime wave by funding law enforcement, taking repeat violent criminals off the streets, and getting guns out of the hands of violent criminals and the mentally illand Angela Alsobrooks has not. Back in Landover, some people wore orange T-shirts in support of gun violence awareness day and month. Some pinned Moms Demand Action buttons on their shirts. Alex Dillon, 19, of Richmond, Virginia, wore a blue T-shirt for March for Our Lives, the youth-led movement that started six years ago after the mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. Its mission: end gun violence. Thats what brought him out Friday. The Biden-Harris ticket is the only ticket thats going to help prevent gun violence, said Dillon, a student at American University in Washington, D.C. President Biden has called for an assault weapons ban. (Former ) President Trump has said he wants to repeal all these reforms. Thats why Im here to support the Biden-Harris ticket. The post In Prince Georges visit, Harris endorses Alsobrooks U.S. Senate bid appeared first on Maryland Matters. Liberal Republicans. TOO extreme. ESTABLISHMENT PUPPETS. Leading up to the June 11 South Carolina primaries, potential voters may have been reading phrases like those plastered across campaign mailers, fliers, social media and TV ads. The ads are primarily targeted at Republicans, but represent a larger battle trickling out of the state house and now into voters hands. A faction of South Carolinas Republican party has become increasingly active over the past three years, as hard-line conservative Freedom Caucus members and Republican House caucus members clash over the way legislating should be done and the states priorities. The Freedom Caucus claims the South Carolina Republican party is the most liberal Republican party in the U.S., while those not in the Freedom Caucus accuse the group of antics and not serious legislating. The Freedom Caucus, a group of about 17 lawmakers, has shown that obstruction can be an unexpected source of power, while gaining influence that a number of Republican leaders are reluctant to acknowledge. The friction will play out at the ballot box, where more than 30 seats feature candidates aligned with each group. This fraction plays a major role in campaigning, politicos say, especially for the primaries. The arguments on the House floor dont always reach the eyes and ears of everyday South Carolinians, but campaign materials do. Heres how some of the battle between the two factions looks like to voters. Anti-Freedom Caucus messaging RJ May, R-Lexington, vice chair of the Freedom Caucus, said he counted at least 19 messages against him among the numerous campaign fliers sent out targeting his group over the past few months. One flier in Mays district claimed he proposed a bill that defined an unborn child as a person at any stage of development. The bill said an unborn child who is a victim of homicide is afforded equal protection under the homicide laws of the state. Instead of protecting life, radical RJ MAY proposed a bill to sentence women our daughters and granddaughters to death who have abortions. RJ MAY is too extreme! the flier from the Palmetto Truth Project read. A note at the bottom of the flier read *Yes, even victims of rape and incest! Fortunately common sense Republicans said no to RJ May. May didnt propose the bill. According to state house records, Mays name was never on the bill. Multiple members of the Freedom Caucus, however, did sign onto the bill. One mailer with state Rep. Josiah Magnusons face on it and defund the police in the background read But radical JOSIAH MAGNUSON said NO to ... Raising pay for law enforcement officers, Raising pay for First Responders, Funding a School Resource Officer in every school. The flier was referencing Magnusons June 2023 vote on the budget. That budget included raising first responder pay and SROs in schools. Magnuson was one of 14 House members to vote no. However, Magnuson and Freedom Caucus members say that budget did not address what the state needs. Magnuson wrote, via text message, that he fought for more funding for law enforcement, and just because he voted no for the budget didnt mean he was against some initiatives in it. BUT RADICAL REP. JOSIAH MAGNUSON... Voted to enable convicted criminals to carry firearms, Blocked free firearms training provided by SLED and CWP instructors, Betrayed the NRA by fighting them during the bills passage to only try and fool you by touting his own NRA credentials, said a flier sent out about Magnuson from the Palmetto Truth Project. Magnuson, however, did vote for an amendment proposed by May and Rep. Thomas Beach, R-Anderson, which would have deleted a section of the constitutional carry bill making rules about convicted felons being able to carry. Anti-Republican messaging In late April, a few Republican lawmakers tweeted out their dismay at a text message potential voters across the state had received from Julia. In the text, Julia from American Action Fund, where different Republicans not in the Freedom Caucus were listed with a message that read voted for House Bill 4927 to create an Anthony Fauci-style Health Czar in South Carolina. The text message was about the vote on the Department of Health and Environmental Control restructuring bill, that would consolidate several state agencies with the new Division of Public Health. Rep. Jay West, R-Anderson, did vote in favor of the bill, but he and other Republicans did not consider it to be a Fauci-style Health Czar, bill, rather a more efficient way for government to run. Instead of eliminating burdensome health regulations Rep. [Jay] West voted to consolidate and give health powers to an unelected Anthony Fauci-style bureaucrat, the text message goes on to say. It then lists a number to call West and demand he reverse course and stand against medical tyranny. While this was during session, Republicans such as state Rep. Neal Collins, who was mentioned in one of the texts from Julia at American Action Fund, took to social media platform X to share that it was his sixth contested primary, and Julia thinks voters will be influenced by poorly photo shopped picture of us in front of things she thinks scares you.. he tweeted. Collins is facing Brandy Tarleton, who politicos have said is a Freedom Caucus-aligned candidate. Does Rep. Neal Collins know what a woman is? Rep Collins voted against properly defining genders into south carolina law, a mailer sent out about Collins read. On the back, a photo of a drag queen has the message Demand Rep. Collins Stop Caving to the Trans Agenda and lists his phone number. It was sent out by American Action Fund. The mailer references the womens hunting and fishing bill, which was widely supported in the House and Senate until May proposed an amendment to define what a woman was. Many Republicans saw it as part of the Freedom Caucus antics, and voted the amendment down. Candidates attack each other; but third party groups do more Walt Whetsell, President of Starboard Communications, the communications strategy firm for the House GOP Caucus, according to media reports, said the House GOP has taken a very aggressive approach back to protecting their caucus members and the misinformation that has been taken against members. That has manifested itself into a lot of money being spent on both sides of this, Whetsell told The State. Freedom Caucus candidates spent more than $562,000 on their campaigns through May 22, according to state ethics commission reports. But candidates aligned with the GOP caucus spent more than $1 million through May 22. Negative campaigning against House GOP members has been largely by mail, text and digital strategies, Whetsell said. Thats the tactical answer, Whetsell said. The strategic answer is utilizing some of the gotcha votes and gotcha amendments over the last couple of years that were intended at the time to set up the campaign. SC political strategist and consultant, Chris Slick, wrote via Twitter on June 2, Mail is still king in a SC legislative race, not digital and certainly not TVchange my mind. A majority of the fliers on both sides, candidates and politicos say, come from dark money groups. You wont find the term dark money group in any statute or law. Its a common term for describing Independent Expenditure Committees. In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled campaign spending is protected free speech and determined the monetary expenditures in a political race to be speech. Because the groups are not candidates, they arent required to disclose who gives them money and what they spend it on. South Carolinas law requiring committees to report that was struck down. That makes it the wild wild west of campaigning, politicos say, where anybody can be a committee. These committees use campaign mailers, especially. A number of groups have been more public about who they are, including Palmetto Gun rights and Americans for Prosperity South Carolina. There are a few notable groups from outside South Carolina, including the American Action Fund from Texas and Faith and Freedom Coalition from Georgia (with a South Carolina branch), which have gone after House Republicans. Groups like the Palmetto Truth Project have gone after Freedom Caucus members. While its largely unclear who runs these groups, some have issued apologies when they misrepresent the truth. The Palmetto Truth Project issued an apology via Twitter that stated It has been a top priority of this organization to maintain 100% accuracy in all our communications to votersunlike the @SCFreedomCaucus does. It has come to our attention that @FactCheck_SC has identified 3 instances where we have indeed miscommunicated. In efforts to be transparent, we would like to express an apology to @scfreedomcaucus members, @RJMayIII, @JosiahMagnuson and to all the Chris Terribiles in the world (Jackie Terribile: @TSTStylist ). The post listed three instances where they made false statements, one of which referenced the flier that said May supported the prenatal equal protection act. Do mailers really make a difference? It depends Karyn Amira, a political science professor at the College of Charleston, said while libel and slander laws governingwhat can and can not be said its very hard to prove intent and have a very high standard to meet in court, which allows for a lot of leeway about what people can say about other people, politicians especially. There is a line that can be crossed when it comes to defamation of character, but that is really difficult to accomplish, Amira said. So most people dont even try. Theres a lot of leeway for basically twisting the truth being misleading, saying something biased. Amira said you would need to prove that someone said something demonstrably false about you and they knew it was false. Thats where this becomes difficult. A lot of people misspeak even if they write it on a flier, they might misspeak because they believed that something was true when it wasnt. You cant say something like my opponent ate a baby knowing that that was false. Ultimately, the voter will need to be able to sift through that information and determine what is right, Amira said. Amira said during primary elections, people are actually more persuadable than general elections. If you think about a general election, usually its a Democrat versus Republican and people sort of already know which way theyre going to vote, and theres no information from a flier or you know, a radio ad that could move them, Amira said. In a primary, you cant necessarily rely on your partisanship to make a decision, Amira said. However, for voters to actually be affected, they have to read the mailer and have the motivation to determine its truth, she added. Even with this, most people will not remember what they saw. The effects are very short-lived, usually ranging from somewhere between an hour to two days maximum, Amira said. They are minimal, but they can move people at the margins who are not already decided. And usually that would take place right at this time period. Is it effective? One former senator thinks so Former state Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens was voted out of the state house in 2016 after a wave of negative campaigning came the last week before elections. While there were other factors, he said the dark money spent took a huge toll on his campaign. Theres no question that the amount of dark money that was spent prior to my election was very detrimental to my prospects, Martin said. There were a lot of issues that were cut in, that you didnt have to do much to exploit them, get people all riled up. Martin said while voters may have been ready to get rid of him, he does believe the messaging against him played a large role in him not being elected. Fliers, TV ads, calls, text messages and more were sent out against Martin, and he said many of the statements were misleading or not true. They directly attacked his record on guns and domestic violence prevention. You dont know its coming till its too late. There was quite a bit of money spent, and by whom, we dont know. Razor wire along the Rio Grande on the Texas side of the U.S.-Mexico border. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom) EL PASO, Texas Seventeen-year-old Karina Parababire gently rocked her three-month-old daughter as they waited in a migrant shelter before a Friday night bus ride to Chicago. I want my daughter to have everything that I didnt have, Parababire, who traveled up the extremely dangerous route of the Darien Gap while pregnant, said in Spanish. The Venezuelan, who is traveling with her family, had to stop in Honduras to give birth to her daughter, Avis, before continuing to the United States. Once in Mexico, she and her family were granted an appointment through the CBP One app a tool the Biden administration uses to grant migrants a meeting with an asylum officer. She had been at the Sacred Heart Church shelter with her family for four days. They planned to continue on to Chicago, where theyll be met by her cousin. Parababire hopes that after she gets to the Windy City, she can go back to high school and possibly enter college. Parababire and her relatives arrived in the U.S. just before President Joe Biden issued an executive order that partly bans asylum claims when unauthorized crossings exceed a daily threshold. Because the family was admitted using the CBP One app, they were allowed to continue their journey. As for other migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, local leaders said this week they are anticipating the effects of the order to be somewhat beneficial in limiting unauthorized crossings, though there was also plenty of skepticism. Immigration advocates expressed deep concern the order issued after Congress failed to take action on sweeping immigration legislation would lead to more harm to already vulnerable people. Ive come here today to do what Republicans in Congress refuse to do, take the necessary steps to secure our border, Biden said in announcing the order, referring to a bipartisan border security deal Republicans walked away from earlier this year. This action will help us gain control of our border. Uncertainty about a new policy The shelter at Sacred Heart Church that housed Parababire currently has a relatively low number of migrants about 70 compared to a capacity of 120. The director, Michael DeBruhl, said its unclear how the order will affect the number of migrants who arrive not only at the shelter, but at the many ports of entry along the southern border. The thing is that the Border Patrol is going to take the brunt of this executive order and that they will have to process everybody, he said. The difference is going to be that there are nuances regarding how everything can apply to asylum, so theyre going to make it more difficult for you to apply to asylum. The big question, DeBruhl said, is how exactly they are doing that. Youre gonna have all these Border Patrol agents making these decisions, all these nuances, of a policy thats just been implemented, he said. A Customs and Border Protection official declined to comment on the effects of the new executive order, but noted it would change the processing of noncitizens at the southern border. Local officials saw some positives. This is a start, but its just the beginning, the mayor of El Paso, Oscar Leeser, said during a Wednesday presentation to journalists with local border officials. Leeser was one of the several Texas mayors who attended the White Houses announcement of this weeks executive order. Leeser said he believes the order will stop unauthorized border crossings because the consequences are greater now and thats the difference. Presidential campaign The order, which is Bidens most drastic crackdown on immigration during his administration, comes five months before a presidential election in which its a top issue for voters and for his GOP rival, former President Donald Trump. The order is currently in effect because daily unauthorized crossings have reached a threshold of more than 2,500 encounters with migrants each day for a week at the southern border. Simply put, the Departments do not have adequate resources and tools to deliver timely decisions and consequences to individuals who cross unlawfully and cannot establish a legal basis to remain in the United States, or to provide timely protection to those ultimately found eligible for protection when individuals are arriving at such elevated, historic volumes, according to the text of the interim final rule from the executive order. The order goes away once government officials determine that fewer than 1,500 people a day have crossed the border in a weeks time span. Unaccompanied children are exempt, along with victims of human trafficking, people with visas, people with medical emergencies or those who report serious threats to their lives. Those migrants who arrive at ports of entry to claim asylum once the cap is reached and do not establish a reasonable probability of persecution or torture in the country of removal, will be removed and subjected to a five-year ban from applying for asylum in the U.S., according to the Department of Homeland Security. Returning to Mexico or home countries Leeser said the order will help manage high numbers of arrivals of migrants at ports of entry because it will allow the Biden administration to return those migrants either to their home countries or elsewhere in Mexico if their home country is deemed too dangerous. Leeser said because of this, he expects migrants to use more legal pathways, such as the CBP One app, through which appointments can be made with an immigration official to claim asylum. Through the CPB One app, more than 1,400 migrants are processed for appointments each day with an immigration official. The wait time for an appointment can take about five to eight months, according to a May report by the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law at the University of Texas at Austin, which documents asylum claims at ports of entry. But Juan Acereto Cervera, the adviser to the mayor of Juarez, Mexico, which borders El Paso, expressed skepticism that the new White House policy will stop people from trying to cross the border to claim asylum. Nothings going to stop this migration, he said. Its because something is happening in their other countries that make these people to try to find the best country in the world, that is the United States. Thats the truth. Jorge Rodriguez, the coordinator for the El Paso City & County Office of Emergency Management, said that its common for the number of migrants that arrive in El Paso to fluctuate, based on immigration policy changes from the White House. With time what well see is how this one will ultimately play out, he said. Legal action looms Under U.S. immigration law, for a noncitizen to claim asylum, they have to reach U.S. soil and then make that claim. They can stay in the U.S. and receive due process if they have a fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. The American Civil Liberties Union, which was at the forefront of many legal cases against the Trump administrations immigration policies including ones that restricted asylum has already stated it plans to sue the Biden administration over its executive order. Democratic U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, whose district includes El Paso, said in a statement that she was disappointed that the Biden administration focused its executive order only on enforcement. It is my sincere hope that administrative actions on immigration relief, like parole in place for the spouses of US citizens and designations of Temporary Protected Status for vulnerable populations, will also happen, she said. A very dangerous place Immigration advocates and attorneys in El Paso said during a separate Wednesday panel with journalists they fear for the impact the executive order could have on migrants. I think we do kind of know whats going to happen it creates a backlog, said Imelda Maynard, an attorney at Estrella Del Paso Legal Aid. Maynard said she can easily see how the executive order will be misinterpreted by migrants who will think the 2,500 threshold is a quota to allow people into the U.S. What the government is trying to do, right, lessen the amount of irregular entries, I think thats going to increase, she said. Father Rafael Garcia, a priest who serves Sacred Heart Church, said he expects the executive order will cause more migrants to wait in Mexico, which could burden Mexico and leave those migrants in dangerous situations. Its hard to know how this is gonna play out, but it doesnt look too good, Garcia said. The director of Sacred Heart Church, DeBruhl, said that he thinks it will take a few weeks to see the full impact of the executive order. The conservatives are saying that its not going to make any difference the (Biden) administration is saying this is going to have a specific (effect), and be quite impactful, he said. I dont think anybody really knows how this is going to play out. Aimee Santillan, a policy analyst at the Hope Border Institute, which advocates for solidarity and justice across the borderlands, said that the order will require many migrants to wait in Mexico, and right now, Mexico is a very dangerous place for migrants to be in. We think that this might exacerbate the situation, or push people to find other routes of entering the country that are less controlled, have less services, have less people receiving them and giving them assistance, she said. This story was reported through an El Paso-based fellowship on U.S. immigration policy organized by Poynter, an institute for the professional development of journalists, with funding from the Catena Foundation. The post On the U.S.-Mexico border, hopes and fears after Bidens order limiting asylum appeared first on Washington State Standard. Razor wire along the Rio Grande on the Texas side of the U.S.-Mexico border. (Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom) EL PASO, Texas Seventeen-year-old Karina Parababire gently rocked her 3-month-old daughter as they waited in a migrant shelter before a Friday night bus ride to Chicago. I want my daughter to have everything that I didnt have, Parababire, who traveled up the extremely dangerous route of the Darien Gap while pregnant, said in Spanish. The Venezuelan, who is traveling with her family, had to stop in Honduras to give birth to her daughter, Avis, before continuing to the United States. Once in Mexico, she and her family were granted an appointment through the CBP One app a tool the Biden administration uses to grant migrants a meeting with an asylum officer. Karina Parababire, 17, with her three-month-old daughter, Avis, waiting for a bus ride to Chicago. (Ariana Figueroa/ States Newsroom) She had been at the Sacred Heart Church shelter with her family for four days. They planned to continue on to Chicago, where theyll be met by her cousin. Parababire hopes that after she gets to the Windy City, she can go back to high school and possibly enter college. Parababire and her relatives arrived in the United States just before President Joe Biden issued an executive order that partly bans asylum claims when unauthorized crossings exceed a daily threshold. Because the family was admitted using the CBP One app, they were allowed to continue their journey. As for other migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, local leaders said this week they are anticipating the effects of the order to be somewhat beneficial in limiting unauthorized crossings, though there was also plenty of skepticism. Immigration advocates expressed deep concern the order issued after Congress failed to take action on sweeping immigration legislation would lead to more harm to already vulnerable people. Ive come here today to do what Republicans in Congress refuse to do, take the necessary steps to secure our border, Biden said in announcing the order, referring to a bipartisan border security deal Republicans walked away from earlier this year. This action will help us gain control of our border. Uncertainty about a new policy The shelter at Sacred Heart Church that housed Parababire currently has a relatively low number of migrants about 70 compared to a capacity of 120. When migrants first arrive at the Sacred Heart Church shelter, they are allowed to pick out their own clothes in the clothes closet, which has items for infants, children and adults, donated by the El Paso community. (Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom) The director, Michael DeBruhl, said its unclear how the order will affect the number of migrants who arrive not only at the shelter, but also at the many ports of entry along the southern border. The thing is that the Border Patrol is going to take the brunt of this executive order and that they will have to process everybody, he said. The difference is going to be that there are nuances regarding how everything can apply to asylum, so theyre going to make it more difficult for you to apply to asylum. The big question, DeBruhl said, is how exactly they are doing that. Youre gonna have all these Border Patrol agents making these decisions, all these nuances, of a policy thats just been implemented, he said. A Customs and Border Protection official declined to comment on the effects of the new executive order, but noted it would change the processing of noncitizens at the southern border. Local officials saw some positives. This is a start, but its just the beginning, the mayor of El Paso, Oscar Leeser, said during a Wednesday presentation to journalists with local border officials. Leeser was one of the several Texas mayors who attended the White Houses announcement of this weeks executive order. Leeser said he believes the order will stop unauthorized border crossings because the consequences are greater now and thats the difference. Presidential campaign The order, which is Bidens most drastic crackdown on immigration during his administration, comes five months before a presidential election in which its a top issue for voters and for his GOP rival, former President Donald Trump. The order is currently in effect because daily unauthorized crossings have reached a threshold of more than 2,500 encounters with migrants each day for a week at the southern border. Simply put, the Departments do not have adequate resources and tools to deliver timely decisions and consequences to individuals who cross unlawfully and cannot establish a legal basis to remain in the United States, or to provide timely protection to those ultimately found eligible for protection when individuals are arriving at such elevated, historic volumes, according to the text of the interim final rule from the executive order. The order goes away once government officials determine that fewer than 1,500 people a day have crossed the border in a weeks time span. Unaccompanied children are exempt, along with victims of human trafficking, people with visas, people with medical emergencies or those who report serious threats to their lives. Those migrants who arrive at ports of entry to claim asylum once the cap is reached and do not establish a reasonable probability of persecution or torture in the country of removal, will be removed and subjected to a five-year ban from applying for asylum in the U.S., according to the Department of Homeland Security. Returning to Mexico or home countries Leeser said the order will help manage high numbers of arrivals of migrants at ports of entry because it will allow the Biden administration to return those migrants either to their home countries or elsewhere in Mexico if their home country is deemed too dangerous. Leeser said because of this, he expects migrants to use more legal pathways, such as the CBP One app, through which appointments can be made with an immigration official to claim asylum. Artwork from migrant children who have temporarily stayed at the Sacred Heart Church shelter before heading to another destination in the U.S. (Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom) Through the CPB One app, more than 1,400 migrants are processed for appointments each day with an immigration official. The wait time for an appointment can take about five to eight months, according to a May report by the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law at the University of Texas at Austin, which documents asylum claims at ports of entry. But Juan Acereto Cervera, the adviser to the mayor of Juarez, Mexico, which borders El Paso, expressed skepticism that the new White House policy will stop people from trying to cross the border to claim asylum. Nothings going to stop this migration, he said. Its because something is happening in their other countries that make these people to try to find the best country in the world, that is the United States. Thats the truth. Jorge Rodriguez, the coordinator for the El Paso City & County Office of Emergency Management, said that its common for the number of migrants that arrive in El Paso to fluctuate, based on immigration policy changes from the White House. With time what well see is how this one will ultimately play out, he said. Legal action looms Under U.S. immigration law, for a noncitizen to claim asylum, they have to reach U.S. soil and then make that claim. They can stay in the United States and receive due process if they have a fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. The American Civil Liberties Union, which was at the forefront of many legal cases against the Trump administrations immigration policies including ones that restricted asylum has already stated it plans to sue the Biden administration over its executive order. Democratic U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, whose district includes El Paso, said in a statement that she was disappointed that the Biden administration focused its executive order only on enforcement. It is my sincere hope that administrative actions on immigration relief, like parole in place for the spouses of US citizens and designations of Temporary Protected Status for vulnerable populations, will also happen, she said. A very dangerous place Immigration advocates and attorneys in El Paso said during a separate Wednesday panel with journalists they fear for the impact the executive order could have on migrants. I think we do kind of know whats going to happen it creates a backlog, said Imelda Maynard, an attorney at Estrella Del Paso Legal Aid. Maynard said she can easily see how the executive order will be misinterpreted by migrants who will think the 2,500 threshold is a quota to allow people into the United States. What the government is trying to do, right, lessen the amount of irregular entries, I think thats going to increase, she said. The Rev. Rafael Garcia, a priest who serves Sacred Heart Church, said he expects the executive order will cause more migrants to wait in Mexico, which could burden Mexico and leave those migrants in dangerous situations. Its hard to know how this is gonna play out, but it doesnt look too good, Garcia said. The director of Sacred Heart Church, DeBruhl, said that he thinks it will take a few weeks to see the full impact of the executive order. The conservatives are saying that its not going to make any difference, the (Biden) administration is saying this is going to have a specific (effect) and be quite impactful, he said. I dont think anybody really knows how this is going to play out. Aimee Santillan, a policy analyst at the Hope Border Institute, which advocates for solidarity and justice across the borderlands, said that the order will require many migrants to wait in Mexico, and right now, Mexico is a very dangerous place for migrants to be in. We think that this might exacerbate the situation, or push people to find other routes of entering the country that are less controlled, have less services, have less people receiving them and giving them assistance, she said. This story was reported through an El Paso-based fellowship on U.S. immigration policy organized by Poynter, an institute for the professional development of journalists, with funding from the Catena Foundation. The post On the U.S.-Mexico border, hopes and fears after Bidens order limiting asylum appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. NAGASAKI, Jun 08 (News On Japan) - A shrine in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, with over a thousand years of history, has controversially banned Korean tourists. This decision has sparked widespread discussion. Watatsumi Shrine, located in Tsushima, Nagasaki, is a historic site known for its picturesque, oceanic torii gate. The shrine is a mere 50 kilometers from Korea, making it a popular destination for Korean tourists who can reach it in approximately an hour and a half by high-speed ferry. Recently, issues have arisen at the shrine. Several Korean tourists have been seen smoking within the shrine's grounds, an act prohibited by local ordinances, and disposing of cigarette butts carelessly. Confrontations have occurred when other visitors attempted to intervene, sometimes leading to verbal abuse. A Korean male tourist remarked: "What are you fussing about?" Cigarette butts are frequently discarded throughout the shrine and its surroundings, with shrine officials noting that eight out of ten Korean tourists engage in such nuisances. Past incidents of misconduct by Korean tourists have escalated to violence against shrine personnel, resulting in police involvement. 'No Plans to Lift the Ban' In response to these acts, the shrine took a decisive step by posting signs at the entrance stating, "Korean tourists are prohibited from entering," written in Korean. When asked about this decision, Watatsumi Shrine officials explained: "As a small shrine, it is challenging to host a large number of Korean visitors and control disrespectful behaviors. We have no intention of lifting the ban on Korean visitors anytime soon. As custodians of this sacred site, we are committed to maintaining our stance and protecting this place." This measure has led to mixed reactions among the local community. A Korean tourist stated: "We should respect the culture of the country we visit, so it's regrettable that some of us failed to do so. This incident should serve as a wake-up call for all tourists to act more prudently." A local resident in their 60s commented: "Perhaps a misunderstanding due to unfamiliarity on both sides. Maybe an additional buffer could have been helpful. It's disappointing to hear about the ban. It shouldn't have come to this." A younger local in their 20s added: "Not all Korean people behave this way; it's just a few who did, so while the ban is understandable, it might be lifted eventually." A Difficult Decision Elsewhere Similar issues have arisen at other locations. Foreign tourists have been seen roughly handling the bell ropes at shrines. A man who posted a video online said: "I asked them to stop. They didn't look happy about that. I hope visitors to Japan understand and respect Japanese etiquette." Source: ANN KOBE, Jun 08 (News On Japan) - In April last year, a ramen shop owner who was also a Yakuza leader was murdered in Kobe. The police have arrested five members from another Yakuza gang on suspicion of involvement in the killing. The five individuals arrested on suspicion of organized murder under the Organized Crime Punishment Act include Kanaruyuki Kin (55), a senior member of the Yakuza gang 'Kizuna-kai,' and Takamitsu Maeda (53), the second-generation head of Shitou-kai, a branch of 'Kizuna-kai.' According to the police, the five are suspected of shooting and killing Manabu Yoshima (57), the leader of a sub-organization of the sixth-generation Yamaguchi-gumi, at a ramen shop in Nagata Ward, Kobe, in April last year. Kin is believed to be the perpetrator. According to investigative sources, a handgun seized from Kin's home when he was apprehended in a separate case in February this year is believed to have been used in the killing of Yoshima. The police have not disclosed whether the five individuals have admitted to or denied the charges. Source: MBS Jun 08 (News On Japan) - In the upcoming version 2.3 update of the popular role-playing game(Honkai: Star Rail), titled 'Goodbye, Pinoconi, players are introduced to a compelling storyline where the protagonists must bid farewell to Pinoconi, a beloved character who has been a significant part of their journey. Set in a futuristic universe, Honkai: Star Rail follows a group of characters who travel through space on a starship called the Astral Express. Players take on the role of a captain and recruit various characters, each with unique abilities and backgrounds, to embark on an interstellar adventure. Source: Jun 09 (News On Japan) - In a recent program, Yoko Kumada released her 40th photo book, showcasing her toned body honed through pole dancing. At the launch event, she announced her intention to continue gravure work until age 50. Asuka Kishi, with 13 years of experience in the gravure industry, discussed emerging trends. She highlighted the 'giant women type,' characterized by tall and well-proportioned bodies, exemplified by Asayo Saito. Another rising trend is the 'mistress type,' featuring seductive and engaging gravure idols like Naomi Majima. Kishi noted that the gravure world remains popular, with many magazines transitioning to digital photo books, allowing for more experimental content. Cosplayers, such as Enako, have also found financial success, earning significant income from their work. The industry is competitive, with new categories constantly emerging, posing challenges even for long-established figures like Kishi. Support Us Your Support will ensure EPWs financial viability and sustainability. The EPW produces independent and public-spirited scholarship and analyses of contemporary affairs every week. EPW is one of the few publications that keep alive the spirit of intellectual inquiry in the Indian media. Often described as a publication with a social conscience, EPW has never shied away from taking strong editorial positions. Our publication is free from political pressure, or commercial interests. Our editorial independence is our pride. We rely on your support to continue the endeavour of highlighting the challenges faced by the disadvantaged, writings from the margins, and scholarship on the most pertinent issues that concern contemporary Indian society. Every contribution is valuable for our future. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Getty Images The 2024 election is odd in multiple ways. Joe Biden and Donald Trump both clinched their partys nomination way earlier than usual. Theyre the oldest major-party presidential candidates ever. This is the first rematch between two presidents in more than 100 years. Oh, and one of the candidates is now a convicted felon. The two candidates turned up the weird factor even more in May when Biden publicly dared Trump to debate him (using the phrase Well, make my day, pal.) Within hours, the two were set to debate in June and September. Weve never seen a debate process quite like this and yet, we also watched these two guys face off just four years ago. Heres what you need to know heading into the unprecedented-yet-very-precedented first presidential debate of 2024. . The first presidential debate of 2024 will be on June 27, 2024 at 9 p.m. ET. The debate will be hosted by CNN, and will be filmed at the networks studios in Atlanta, Georgia. . The 90-minute debate will air on various CNN properties, per the CNN press release: The CNN Presidential Debate will air live on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Espanol, CNN Max and stream without a cable login on CNN.com. CNN will make the debate available to simulcast on additional broadcast and cable news networks in the United States. Other networks can simulcast the debate for free, but they have to leave CNNs watermark on the screen. The debate will simulcast on CBS News, C-SPAN, NBC News, MSNBC, ABC News, Fox News, OAN, NewsNation, Newsmax, Telemundo, PBS, and Spectrum News, among other stations. . You can watch the debate online at CNN.com, C-SPAN.org, MSNBC.com, CNBC.com, and on those outlets streaming apps. . All previous televised presidential debates took place in late September or October. But the Biden team wanted to remind tuned-out Americans that theres a presidential election this year, and that it could put Trump back in the White House. Per the New York Times: The move was meant to jolt Americans to attention sooner than later about their consequential choice in 2024. Mr. Bidens advisers have long believed that the dawning realization of a Trump-Biden rematch will be a balm for the presidents droopy approval ratings. The earlier date also gives the two elderly, gaffe-prone candidates more time to recover from any debate missteps. . Commission on Presidential Debates had hosted the debates since 1988. But both Biden and Trump decided not to cooperate with the independent, nonprofit group this year. Instead, they agreed to two debates hosted by single media outlets. Per the New York Times: For the first time in decades, a single television network will have sole discretion over the look, feel and cadence of a general-election presidential debate CNN has picked the moderators, designed the set and will choose the camera angles that viewers see. . CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. David Chailian, CNNs political director, suggested that Tapper and Bash wont be doing much fact-checking during the broadcast. He told the New York Times that they will be facilitating the debate between these candidates, not being a participant in that debate. The Trump team has been playing up the former presidents conflict with the moderators, especially Jake Tapper, suggesting he wont be treated fairly. Both Tapper and Bash have criticized Trump on-air but their remarks arent particularly extreme for CNN anchors. . According to CNN: The candidates will not be able to interact with their campaign staff during the debate, which will be 90 minutes long with two commercial breaks. There will be no studio audience. The network says moderators will use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion. The candidates microphones will only be turned on when it is their turn to speak; and remain muted at other times. They will not be allowed to bring pre-written notes or props to the podium, but will be given a pad of paper and a pen (and a bottle of water). Which (identical) podium each candidate stands at will be decided by a coin toss. On June 20, CNN announced that Biden will stand at the righthand podium and Trump will speak last. This was hashed out after Biden won the coin flip: The coin landed on the Biden campaigns pick tails which meant his campaign got to choose whether it wanted to select the presidents podium position or the order of closing statements. Bidens campaign chose to select the right podium position, which means the Democratic president will be on the right side of television viewers screens and his Republican rival will be on viewers left. Trumps campaign then chose for the former president to deliver the last closing statement, which means Biden will go first at the conclusion of the debate. . The muted candidates interruption will barely be audible. CNN provided a demonstration: CNN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE Each mans microphone will be muted when its not his turn to speak. @Phil_Mattingly and I demonstrate what that will look and sound like. pic.twitter.com/u0uayKxZ7L Victor Blackwell CNN (@VictorBlackwell) June 27, 2024 . Trump has teased that his 2024 running mates may be at the debate. He sent out a fundraising email on Thursday morning that read: Do you want to see my Vice President at the debate? They could be there, but youll never know until I make the OFFICIAL VP ANNOUNCEMENT! Trumps VP definitely wont be in the room with him, as there is no debate audience. But Axios reported that several top VP contenders will be at the official watch party: Sens. J.D. Vance (Ohio), Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Tim Scott (S.C.) will join Reps. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.) and Byron Donalds (Fla.) as well as Gov. Doug Burgum (N.D.) and former HUD Secretary Ben Carson at the RNC fundraiser and watch party in Atlanta, according to an updated copy of an invite obtained by Axios, with some names not yet reported. . Only Biden and Trump which may be part of the reason both campaigns agreed to go around the Commission on Presidential Debates. Bidens public challenge was somewhat for show; the Times reported that the Democratic and Republican campaigns had hammered out debate terms beforehand, as they wanted to face off directly, without Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or other independent or third-party candidates. . No. CNN published an article on June 20 saying that only Biden and Trump were in: The debate qualification window closed at 12:00:01 a.m. ET on Thursday, with Biden and Trump meeting the constitutional, ballot qualification and polling thresholds set by the network. CNNs rules state that participants must qualify for the presidency under the Constitution and have filed a formal statement of candidacy to the Federal Election Commission. Five candidates have done so: Biden, Trump, Kennedy, Cornel West, and Jill Stein. The part where things got tricky for the Kennedy, West, and Stein was the requirements that their names appear on enough state ballots to potentially reach 270 electoral votes, and that they receive at least 15 percent in four national polls selected by CNN. West and Stein have been averaging less than two percent in the polls, so it was clear from the start that they wouldnt qualify. Kennedys RealClearPolitics polling average is just over 9 percent in a five-way race or 10 percent in a three-way race. So there was a slim chance that he could hit the 15 percent polling threshold. But as the New York Times reported, he was one poll short: To qualify, Mr. Kennedy needed to earn at least 15 percent support in four approved national polls. By Thursday, however, he had only three such polls one from CNN, one from Quinnipiac University and one from Marquette University Law School. While RFK Jr. had claimed that hes on the ballot in enough states to qualify for the debate. But a Washington Post analysis published on June 18 said thats not true, and the Times reached the same conclusion: Mr. Kennedy also needed to be officially on the ballot in enough states that he could win 270 votes in the Electoral College the threshold for winning the presidency. As of Thursday, Mr. Kennedy had less than a third of that number, according to an analysis by The New York Times. He is officially on the ballot in only six states California, Delaware, Hawaii, Michigan, Oklahoma and Utah totaling 89 Electoral College votes. Heres CNNs full criteria: To qualify for participation, candidates must fulfill the requirements outlined in Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution of the United States; file a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission; a candidates name must appear on a sufficient number of state ballots to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold to win the presidency prior to the eligibility deadline; agree to accept the rules and format of the debate; and receive at least 15% in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters that meet CNNs standards for reporting. Polls that meet CNN editorial standards and will be considered qualifying polls include those sponsored by: CNN, ABC News, CBS News, Fox News, Marquette University Law School, Monmouth University, NBC News, the New York Times/Siena College, NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist College, Quinnipiac University, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. The polling window to determine eligibility for the debate opened March 13, 2024, and closes seven days before the date of the debate. . Biden didnt publicly comment on debating Kennedy. Trump offered contradictory remarks on the subject. In a June 7 Fox News interview Trump claimed hed love to debate Kennedy, but suggested he didnt want the polling threshold lowered to let him in. Per the Daily Beast: And Id love to have Kennedy in the debate, too, he then said. I think its important to have him. The problem is, his poll numbers are terrible. So there should be a threshold for him? Hannity asked. Yeah, sure, Trump replied. It should be, probably I think they have it at like 20 or 25 percent or something. But his numbers are lousy and they seem to be getting worse. But I dont mind having him in the debate. I think it would be good. . Both Biden and Trump are doing less debate prep than youd expect (or at least, thats the message theyre sending). A Biden campaign official told Axios, The president will have less time for debate prep than four years ago given his day job, so prep will largely be confined to immediately prior. Politico reported that Biden started preparing on June 20, one week before the debate: Biden has not yet done a formal debate prep session, though he is slated to head to Camp David on Thursday night, where preparations are expected to begin in earnest. Ron Klain, Bidens longtime adviser and his first White House chief of staff, is involved in the preparations. Trump did not hold formal debate practice, in which someone plays Biden. Instead he has held a series of policy discussions to refresh himself on the issues. . The second debate is scheduled for September 10 and will be hosted by ABC News. This post has been updated. Trump advisor Russ Vought wants to push the button. Photo: Samuel Corum/Getty Images When people tell horror stories about Donald Trumps second-term agenda, they usually focus on his plans to seek vengeance against his political enemies via the Justice Department or perhaps special prosecutors. Others may fear the reactionary social policies he is likely to impose, or the sweeping destruction of climate change or workplace regulations. And the whole country may be shaken by the mass deportations of undocumented immigrants that Trump henchman Stephen Miller is planning. But arguably some of the most important second-term plans involve Team Trumps dark designs on the so-called swamp of the federal bureaucracy. Their interest in tearing down the civil service system is well-known, along with a scheme to fill vacant positions created by mass firings of non-partisan professional employees and their replacement via a so-called Schedule F of political appointees chosen for all the top policy-making jobs in the executive branch. The purpose of placing these MAGA loyalists throughout the bureaucracy isnt just to ride herd on such bureaucrats as remain in federal departments and agencies. These new commissars would also serve as Trojan Horses charged with advising the Trump high command on how to eliminate or disable executive branch functions the new order dislikes or can do without. A second Trump administration, you see, will be under a lot of pressure from Republicans in Congress and conservative ideologues to decimate non-defense discretionary programs, i.e., most of what the federal government does outside defense (which the GOP will definitely wish to expand) and the big middle-class entitlements like Social Security and Medicare (which Trump has repeatedly pledged to leave alone). Preserving or extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts will force major additional cuts. Non-defense discretionary programs are also where most of the social engineering and income redistribution that MAGA folk hate takes place, in areas ranging from education and environmental protection to health and human services functions. If Trump gets lucky and gets a workable Republican trifecta, perhaps he can go for deep cuts in all these disfavored areas via a vast budget reconciliation bill that Congress will be expected to approve on an up-or-down vote. Otherwise Team Trump plans to excavate a highly controversial device popularized by Richard M. Nixon called presidential impoundment. Impoundment involves a claim by the president of the power to override the spending authority consigned to Congress by Article I of the U.S. Constitution. In minor matters and in consultation with congressional appropriators, impoundment was used by most presidents to nip and tuck undesirable spending. But its aggressive deployment by Nixon was very much a leading feature of his imperial presidency that eventually led to his impeachment and resignation from office. Subsequently Congress enacted the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which governs the federal budget process even now, and that makes impoundment claims illegal (presidents do retain a limited power to propose rescissions and deferrals of some appropriations, but they are subject to approval by Congress). While presidents have invariably complained about the spending decisions of Congress, particularly when their party did not control it, Trump was the first president since Nixon to talk about impoundment as an inherent executive power that had been unconstitutionally usurped. And indeed, his effort to impound $400 million in money appropriated for aid to Ukraine is what led to his own impeachment in late 2019. Indeed, Trumps budget director Russell Vought was complaining about limits on impoundment literally the day before he left office. Thats significant now because Vought, founder of the Center for Renewing America, is heavily involved in preparations for a second Trump administration, and is generally thought to be the front-runner to become White House Chief of Staff. As the Washington Post reports, the Trump team is planning to make an assertion of impoundment powers central to the MAGA takeover of the federal government, beginning on Day One: Trump and his advisers have prepared an attack on the limits on presidential spending authority. On his campaign website, Trump has said he will push Congress to repeal parts of the 1974 law that restricts the presidents authority to spend federal dollars without congressional approval. Trump has also said he will unilaterally challenge that law by cutting off funding for certain programs, promising on his first day in office to order every agency to identify large chunks of their budgets that would be halted by presidential edict. So in order to reassert impoundment powers Trump and his advisors will push their new set of MAGA appointees in the federal departments and agencies to tell them exactly where to make the draconian cuts they will need. It could all hit Washington like a jack-hammer. That impoundment has an unsavory association with Nixon does not bother Trump and his minions; theres already a revisionist Nixon fan club among MAGA thinkers and writers, focused precisely on the 37th presidents efforts to expand presidential powers to the breaking point. And Vought, the likely architect and engineer of this quick 2025 Trump power grab, has few inhibitions, as the Washington Post explains: A battle-tested D.C. bureaucrat and self-described Christian nationalist is drawing up detailed plans for a sweeping expansion of presidential power in a second Trump administration. Russ Vought, who served as the former presidents budget chief, calls his political strategy for razing long-standing guardrails radical constitutionalism. [Steve] Bannon, the former Trump strategist ordered this week to serve a four-month prison term for contempt of Congress, touted Vought and his colleagues as madmen ready to upend the U.S. government at a recent Center for Renewing America event. No institution set up within its first two years [has] had the impact of this organization, Bannon said. Were going to rip and shred the federal government apart, and if you dont like it, you can lump it. Thats not a threat but a promise. This post originally appeared in Jonathan Chaits &c. newsletter, which you can sign up for here. Benjamin Netanyahus maneuvers always boil down to a combination of two motives. One is the prevention of a Palestinian state. The other is political survival. At times, the two motives tug against each other. More often, especially of late, they run in the same direction. That is the case now, when Netanyahu is the unpopular leader of a wartime government. His creaking political coalition includes far-right parties that will desert him if he makes even the slightest gesture toward Palestinian self-rule, and halting the war will trigger elections that will probably end his tenure. A CIA analysis predicts he will defy American pressure to commit to some kind of postwar plan for Gaza. If he can keep the fighting going past November, he can probably outlast the Biden administration, and a Trump presidency would give him the chance to reoccupy Gaza. He might even take the chance to undertake some horrific mass population transfer. All in all, his incentives are directly counter not only to American foreign policy, but also to the liberal Zionist project. In that light, Senator Charles Schumers decision to invite Netanyahu to address Congress is unfathomable. Schumer, who previously called on Netanyahu to resign, says he is inviting him anyway as a sign of Americas ironclad alliance with Israel. But Schumer had previously articulated why Netanyahus vision poses an existential threat to Israels long-term survival. Israel moving closer to a single state entirely under its control would further rupture its relationship with the rest of the world, including the United States, Schumer said. Support for Israel has declined worldwide in the last few months, and this trend will only get worse if the Israeli government continues to follow its current path. The same speech explained frankly why Netanyahu refuses to veer from this suicidal path. Schumer received harsh blowback for allegedly dictating to Israelis how they should choose their leaders, and maybe Schumer feels stung by that. But if the criticism is that he should put his thumb on the scale of Israeli elections against Netanyahu, the answer surely cant be to put his thumb on the scale for Netanyahu. Thats what inviting him to Congress does: It gives Netanyahu the grandest possible world stage to posture as a statesman. While his Israeli critics charge him with isolating Israel, his speech to Congress will give him an apparent answer. There he will be, basking in bipartisan applause. It will undercut the domestic critique of his ineffective and extreme policy toward the Palestinians and make the hard task of correcting Israels course even harder. It is hard for me to think of an explanation for Schumers action other than sheer spinelessness. Oh my god I am seeing red. Her professional language, "it's not a genocide", "everything will die down" as if insinuating people will just forget about the thousands of lives lost and the active attempts at destroying Palestinian culture. "put a pause on", "let's work with Sheila on some language you are comfortable with" legitimately every thing I hate about white collar work culture in one ignorant statement. I've said before that I'd truly love to just shake the people who didn't realize before this genocide happening that businesses will starve you out for speaking about social justice, even in the vaguest terms that everyone should agree on like "don't commit genocide". Edited at 2024-06-08 08:56 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link did she just gentle reminder a genocide? Reply Thread Link "Friendly reminder, let's touch base on phrases we can craft to promote israel sentiment :)" Reply Parent Thread Link right?! wtf we really do live in hell Reply Parent Thread Link Absolutely vile Reply Parent Thread Link Insane Reply Parent Thread Link Well then bitch i hope you get no clients but i bet she will because most celebs are dipshits Reply Thread Link that shithead genocidaire from stranger things has probably already signed a contract with her Reply Parent Thread Link Bella ramsey from got and last of us tv show supported noah so i'm like can we kill her in the show but the guy who wrote it is also a zionist so i'm so glad i never watched the last of us Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I hope she dies Kind regards Edited at 2024-06-08 09:59 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link it's truly wild how okay with genocide people are as long as the people being wiped out have noticeable amounts of melanin Reply Thread Link One tiktoker or whatever she is called middle east armpit of the world and yelled how she doesn't give a fuck Reply Parent Thread Link And then they have the gall to call the Zionist movement "a movement for indigenous peoples". I can't Reply Parent Thread Link that's beyond laughable like the delusion mixed with pure hatred & greed is something else Reply Parent Thread Link I don't want anyone being victim to anti-semitism, but right now only one group of people is being purposely blown up and starved to death. It's OK to be outraged about that. People can care about both! Reply Thread Link Yeah but the conflation of being pro Palestine with being anti semitic is incredibly insidious and shouldnt be repeated (like it is in your comment) anywhere. There is no more anti semitism in the pro Palestine movement than there is in the world itself. People who claim that anti semitism is a major feature of Palestine protest almost always ignore the anti Zionist Jews organizing the majority of these protests and continually conflate anti Zionism with anti semitism which is exactly what Israel wants Reply Parent Thread Link I hope my comment didn't come off as implying that being pro Palestine in any way means also being anti-semetic, because I vehemently do not believe that and was trying to say the opposite. Reply Parent Thread Link mte I'm a Jew and the hatred of Jewish people is ofc obscene and illogical, but I think one of the big issues is that so many Zionists are equating Judaism with Israel...which....no. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It's so scary to think that at any moment we could be surrounded by people like this. Also lol "war" ? don't make me laugh Reply Thread Link Right? One side is children without weapons, it's hardly a war Reply Parent Thread Link every time someone calls it "war" I just....cannot Reply Parent Thread Link it's a fucking siege Reply Parent Thread Link This email is a great illustration of how personal biases result in supremacy in systems & institutions: 1) the outright denialism across the board 2) the policing & suppression of accurate language 3) effectively black listing people from certain industries (Hollywood) https://t.co/JkMrEhxhKu pic.twitter.com/SSDT9I4Lf3 Nadia Rahman (@nadiarahmansf) June 8, 2024 Reply Thread Link Its pretty much textbook genocide denialism and follows the same playbook as every other form Reply Parent Thread Link If Id received that email my anger could never. Id Reply All, send some actual facts and then resign with immediate effect at the end of it. Disgusting. Reply Parent Thread Link absolutely soulless. Reply Thread Link Fuck this lady. What's going on in Gaza is a genocide. Reply Thread Link Stuff like this makes me admire Nicola Coughlan even more, God knows how much pressure she must have gotten to stop speaking out and wearing her ceasefire pin, yet she continues to wear it proudly and posts often about Palestine on social media Reply Thread Link Shes a boss. Doing so much to bring awareness at the height of the press tour for one of Netflixs biggest shows, she has my respect. Reply Parent Thread Link Bridgerton star, Nicola Coughlan, has raised $1.7 million for Palestine. pic.twitter.com/DXY9me63ll Pop Tingz (@ThePopTingz) June 3, 2024 not only bringing awareness, but raising funds as well! Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah. Mimis in a time out. For real pissing me off taking about portrait remix and what not . Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i literally thought this started with with "gentle reader" and thought it was bridgerton mention as a dig at nicola! then i realized it was "gentle reminder". Reply Parent Thread Link I read that as a child she used to live in Israel and has seen first hand what is going on there. Reply Parent Thread Link I saw fiddler on the roof a year ago on broadway and the main actor was from israel and i remember being disgusted about this and now there should be a rule that if you are a zionist you should be banned from being in fiddler on the roof because you are doing the very thing the russians did in that play also they should be banned from going to the anne frank house because how dare people who support genocide go to the house of a victim of genocide Am i going too far? Reply Thread Link I have some Israelis in my larger friend group. There are most definitely Israelis who are against genocide and occupation but Christ its horrifying how rare they are. 93% of non Arab israelis are in support of the genocide and the remainder mostly think it hasnt gone far enough. This has nothing to do with Israel or Israelis being uniquely evil. Its just a chilling reminder of how easy it is for a whole society to become indoctrinated into genocide Reply Parent Thread Link I hate this so much Reply Parent Thread Link AND YOU CANT EAT HALAL . Like thats not my call but too many (white) people I know saying nottt one peep this whole time, but talking about their halal truck. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I do think a lot of Israelis who just...happened to be born there likely keep quiet about their beliefs to avoid harassment and abuse that said, sadly I think many Israelis are brainwashed :( not all Israelis are Zionists though , sort of like how in the U.S. where not all of us support Trump or Biden's pro-genocide policiesI do think a lot of Israelis who just...happened to be born there likely keep quiet about their beliefs to avoid harassment and abusethat said, sadly I think many Israelis are brainwashed :( Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Yes, absolutely you are going to far. You sound absolutely insane. Being from Israel is not equal to being zionist. And jews being banned from Frank's house. The hell? Insane post. And not to mention that you seem rather ignorant, ready to accuse and flippant in your other comments (accused extremely pro-Palestine celeb of being zionist and don't even know why). So yeah. Not good at all. Reply Parent Thread Link The Thank you! at the end really ties it together Reply Thread Link This is while I respect and support smaller celebs voicing their support for Palestine. I also dont blame some for not speaking or being very careful about their support cause even though its better now than beforethe threat of blacklists havent stopped. Sara Ramirez and some have mentioned that big celebs should be fine but smaller celebs arent and are getting blacklisted. I remember hearing that it was reported that Tom Cruise backed his talent manager Maha Dakhil (whos considered a top talent agent in the industry) because she referred to the ongoing situation as genocide all over her social media. She got backlash from industry peers and client and got called antisemitic which lead her to delete her posts on IG and go private. She apologized and resigned from CAA. She managed to keep her clients but it mentioned that her backlash was mitigated a bit by Tom cause he personally stood up for her, so the fallout couldve been harsher for her. Bigger celebs I will dont hold as much mercy cause theyre financially well-off to take a hit in comparison. Reply Thread Link I made the mistake of reading the YouTube comments on an MSNBC video about the 4 hostages that were rescued and I just felt so depressed basically saying the 210 people that died were worth their rescue and they deserved to die for not helping the hostages. Reply Thread Link I saw that and went "Oh I'm surprised israel didn't kill those hostages too." Reply Parent Thread Link they probably will if the hostages speak positively about the palestines Reply Parent Thread Link Obviously not confirmed but Hamas have apparently said they killed other hostages during the rescue. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link see that's what I don't understand...all this indiscriminate bombing like...if their mission is to "rescue and protect the hostages" aren't they...potentially bombing the hostages? make it make sense Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The dehumanization of Palestinians is so infuriating. I'm glad that 4 families get to have their loved ones back with them, but Israel could have actually agreed to a viable ceasefire deal way before this. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link op please tell me the girls who are wearing very little clothing is how it is in the manga and not just a modern anime cliche? Reply Thread Link Those are true to the manga. Reply Parent Thread Link oh thank god that makes me feel better Reply Parent Thread Link Ngl the Sailor Moon artbooks may have contributed not insignificantly to my homosexuality lol. Edited at 2024-06-08 11:23 pm (UTC) Ngl the Sailor Moon artbooks may have contributed not insignificantly to my homosexuality lol. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Sis. Stop. I got off work and am brain dead. You scared me with that title. I cannot handle it lol. Ok @ it ending on Netflix, not elsewhere with the material source. *sigh of relief* Reply Thread Link wait sailor moon is on netflix?! Reply Thread Link Sailor Moon Crystal is..or at least the last 2 movies are. Reply Parent Thread Link all the versions of sailor moon need to be streaming somewhere legit Reply Parent Thread Expand Link If you're in Japan (or a non-American country but idk which ones) they at one point did have the entire OG series on, as well as the movies. Haven't checked in a while though. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link ooh the sailor starlights! i caught an episode on i think samsung tv's anime channel and the lyrics to "nagareboshi he" hit my brain like a mack truck. the chorus is seared into one of the folds, i think. Reply Thread Link Answer for meeeee! Imasugu. Answer for meeeeeeeeee! Reply Parent Thread Link kotaete (answer for meeeee) yasashiku (answer forrrr meeeee) search for your love... *saxophone solo* Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Is it both parts of Cosmos? I thought it was only the first part of Cosmos... Reply Thread Link no idea, just give us both and put us out of our misery. Reply Parent Thread Link Until they do yet ANOTHER adaptation and we're going through it all over again. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm happy that it's gonna be available to watch legally and I'll hit that repeat button as I did with the Eternal movies. Reply Thread Link They really fumbled the rollout for crystal. Reply Thread Link 10 years for what is essentially 42 episodes....most with half-assed animation, stock footage, retraces, and all of that...it's embarrassing how TOIE treated the reboot and franchise as a whole Reply Parent Thread Link 10 years SHUT UP OMG!! I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE IT'S BEEN 10 YEARS!! I feel like DragonBall got a better rollout which is wild. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Just in case these aren't typos, it's Toei, not Toie Reply Parent Thread Link Jesus. I didn't realize it took that long. Though in all fairness, Covid was the cause of the movie delays. Reply Parent Thread Link Used to watch the show as a child, dont remember anything other then the song. I need to do a rewatch. Reply Thread Link If you watched the DiC dub...it'll be a very different experience watching the Viz dub. Sadly it's a downgrade dub wise even though it's a "direct" translation. Reply Parent Thread Link nobody ever needs to rewatch the dubs in 2024 lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I had such a crush on Yaten, that catty bitch. Reply Thread Link Actually, my fondness for Woozi makes so much sense now. I like small grumpy idols. Reply Parent Thread Link lmfao me too Reply Parent Thread Link Unpopular opinion but I prefer the crystal version to the 90s and I say this as an ass old person who was getting the fansuvs from vkll as they were being released. The chibiusa being rescued from sharks by a baby dinosaur while avoiding an erupting volcano was just too much lol Reply Thread Link Maybe unpopular opinion but I absolutely loved season 5 of Sailor Moon aka the Stars arc (I adored Seiya/Usagi and the animation that season was gorg), but I was a little letdown by how the whole Galaxia thing eventually wrapped up. So Im so excited to see how Cosmos does the story!!!! I dont really know much about how it goes down in the manga. I binged all of Crystal recently and really enjoyed it although I prefer the 90s anime as I feel more connected to the characters in it. Reply Thread Link My biggest gripe with Stars is how the Inners are just thrown away as if they're nothing. Naoko failed them and their journey throughout the series. Reply Parent Thread Link so the order of watching is Sailor Moon Crystal + 2 other movies + this one? Reply Thread Link Correct. Sailor Moon Crystal S1-3 Sailor Moon Eternal pt.1&2 Sailor Moon Cosmos Pt.1&2 Reply Parent Thread Link I'll never get over how badly Toei handled Sailor Moon this time around Reply Thread Link I think I watched the previous Sailor Moon movies on Netflix but it's so hard for me to keep up with Sailor Moon Crystal. I prefer the 90s anime =[ Reply Thread Link Azerbaijan has launched the country's biggest renewable energy investment project to date: the construction of two solar plants and a wind power plant. It marks a major step in Baku's ambitious plan to generate 30 percent of its power needs via renewable sources by 2030. The three plants the 445 Megawatt (MW) Bilasuvar solar facility, the 315 MW Neftchala solar plant and the 240 MW Absheron-Garadagh wind farm are being developed by a consortium of UAE renewable energy company Masdar and Azerbaijan's state oil company Socar. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the three plants, held during Baku's "Energy Week" conference, Azerbaijan's energy minister, Parviz Shahbazov, said the projects were a signal of the country's "solidarity and commitment to energy transition" ahead of hosting the UN COP 29 Climate Change Conference in November this year. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE's minister of industry and advanced technology, said the Emirates were eager to "support Azerbaijan's journey toward energy diversification." The groundbreaking ceremony followed the signing of three agreements between the Azerbaijani government and Masdar, covering the leasing of land for construction of the three plants, enabling the transmission of the power they will produce via Azerbaijan's power grid and for the purchase of the electricity. No details were released about the three agreements. However, Masdar representatives confirmed to Eurasianet that the UAE company owns 75 percent of the three projects, with Socar possessing the remaining 25 percent. The Bilasuvar solar facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2026, Masdar representatives added. The other two facilities should be generating power by the end of the following year. Azerbaijan has been pursuing an aggressive replacement strategy to produce power, striving to reduce its dependence on natural gas-fired plants by upping renewalable sources, primarily wind and solar. Baku's motivation is not entirely green or altruistic. Azerbaijan is dependent on exports of oil and gas for as much as 95 percent of its export revenue, a situation not expected to change dramatically for the foreseeable future. The country's renewable energy strategy not only will help in the "greening" of the Azerbaijani power sector, but it will also make gas currently used to generate Azerbaijan's power available for export. That means extra revenues for state coffers. The three plants now being constructed alone are expected to reduce the country's annual gas demand by 500 million cubic meters. That volume will now be freed for export. Baku needs all the extra gas it can free up to help meet its commitments to the EU to double its supply of gas by 2027. Baku's progress in implementing its replacement power strategy has been slower than it originally hoped. The country's first grid-scale solar plant, the 230 MW Garadagh plant, only became operational last year. But the pace now appears to be picking up. The three plants now under construction are projected to generate 1 Gigawatt of power. And during the Energy Week, Shahbazov met with representatives of the Saudi energy group ACWA to discuss two new potential projects, the construction of onshore facilities with a total capacity of 1 GW, and a 1.5 GW off-shore wind farm and battery storage facility. ACWA's existing project, the 240 MW Khizi-Absheron wind farm, is due to start generating power in 2025. Shahbazov also met with officials from France's TotalEnergies to discuss both the Absheron gas field the company operates and explore ways to move forward with planned cooperation in development of projects in the Nakhchivan exclave capable of generating 500 MW of power. Separately, the Baku Energy Week also saw the signing of five new natural gas agreements with Turkey. One of the agreements extends an existing supply arrangement for five years between Azerbaijan's state gas export company AGSC and Turkey's state gas importer Botas. The agreement had been due to expire at the end of this year. Details of the extension were not disclosed, but under the existing agreement, Botas was expected to import around 13 bcm of gas over a three-year period ending 2024. The other four agreements signed between Azerbaijan's state oil company and Botas cover the transit of gas from Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan to Turkey and Europe, and, separately, to Azerbaijan's exclave of Nakhchivan. No details of those agreements were disclosed either. Officials have confirmed only that the agreement concerning Nakhchivan relates to a gas pipeline to connect Turkey and Nakhchivan. The project is slated for completion this year. This new pipeline will allow Baku to supply the enclave with its own gas via Turkey. The other agreements appear to reflect Turkey's desire to reduce its dependency on Russian gas by increasing its import options to include Turkmen energy, as well as Ankara's efforts to create a transit hub for Turkmen and Azerbaijani energy bound for Europe. By David OByrne via Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: After several decades of failed attempts, scientists believe they are finally edging closer to achieving nuclear fusion at the scale needed to produce abundant clean energy. Several successful tests in recent years have made energy experts optimistic about the future of nuclear fusion, although some believe we are still a long way off achieving commercial-scale fusion. Nevertheless, the achievements seen at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the U.S. and other labs around the globe have encouraged companies to invest heavily in the sector. Last August, U.S. scientists achieved net energy gain in a fusion reaction for the second time at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California. This marked a huge breakthrough in nuclear technology. The fusion reaction produced 3.15 megajoules of energy, which was more than that generated in the first successful attempt. Earlier this year, scientists at the U.K.-based JET laboratory achieved more energy production through a fusion process than ever before. The achievement came during the lab's final experiment after four decades of fusion research. While this is promising, scientists are quick to emphasize that this does not mean we are anywhere near achieving commercial-scale nuclear fusion. Dr Aneeqa Khan, Research Fellow in Nuclear Fusion, University of Manchester, explained, In order for the atoms to fuse together on Earth, we need temperatures ten times hotter than the Sun - around 100 million Celsius, and we need a high enough density of the atoms and for a long enough time. The JET lab experiment produced 69 megajoules of energy over five seconds, equivalent to the energy for around four to five hot baths. This means that researchers are still a long way off achieving the results needed to develop fusion power plants. However, this achievement brings the industry one step closer to attaining its fusion goals. Nuclear fission, the nuclear power process being used today, happens when a neutron collides with a larger atom, which forces it to excite and split into two smaller atoms. Additional neutrons are also released, which can start a chain reaction. When each atom splits, it releases a huge amount of energy. Uranium and plutonium are used to run nuclear power reactors as they are easy to initiate and control. The energy that is released in these reactors, using fission, heats water into steam, which is used to spin a turbine to produce carbon-free electricity. In contrast, nuclear fusion is the process that powers stars. It can be achieved by heating and forcing tiny particles together to create a heavier one, which releases energy. If scientists can figure out how to successfully scale up this process to commercial levels, it could produce vast quantities of clean energy with no carbon emissions. It would also offer a much more stable clean energy source than wind and solar power. While most scientists agree that we are still a long way from achieving fusion at the scale needed to power a nuclear plant, that is not discouraging companies from investing heavily in the sector. In 2023, Microsoft signed a power purchase agreement with Helion Energy, which states that the energy company will provide the tech giant with fusion energy in around five years. Helion hopes to bring a plant online by 2028, targeting 50 MW of power generation. Just 1 MW is enough to power around 1,000 U.S. households for a day. Helion expects its seventh-generation machine, Polaris, to come online next year to provide electricity using pulsed high-power magnet technologies to achieve fusion. It was the first private company to achieve 100 million degrees Celsius and has high hopes of scaling up its technology. David Kirtley, Helion's founder and CEO, stated, Fifty megawatts is a big first step of commercial-scale fusion, and the revenue feeds right back into us developing more power plants and getting fusion out on the grid both in the United States and internationally as fast as possible. Helion has so far raised $612 million in venture capital, with the potential of a further $1.8 billion in funding if it meets its promised deadlines. It has received a further $8.97 million in federal grants. OpenAI has also invested heavily in Helion, around $375 million to date. This month, OpenAI CEO and co-founder Sam Altman allegedly entered talks with Helion about purchasing fusion-generated electricity for its data centers. Altman stated at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier in the year, Theres no way to get there without a breakthrough... We need fusion or we need like radically cheaper solar plus storage or something at massive scale. While there is great enthusiasm around the potential to produce abundant clean energy through nuclear fusion, and this will undoubtedly take a great deal of funding, companies may be jumping the gun when making power purchase agreements. There is a general consensus among scientists that we will be unlikely to achieve commercial-scale nuclear fusion until the second half of the century. Researchers have repeatedly predicted that fusion will be available within 20, 30 or 50 years over the last few decades, with no real way of knowing how long it will take. Steven Cowley, the director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, explains Suppose we get a pilot plant that works by the end of the 2030s, although that would be going some, such a plant is unlikely to be a blueprint for commercialization, and so, he says, I think you'd have another stage of about 10 years from a pilot plant to the first commercial reactor. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russia has reportedly discovered colossal oil reserves in the British territory of Antarctica. According to documents presented to the UK House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee in early May, the discovery was made by Russian research vessels in the Weddell Sea, part of the Antarctic territory claimed by the UK. The reserves discovered are estimated to contain some 511 billion barrels of oil, around 10 times the production of the North Sea over the last 50 years. However, as Statista's Anna Fleck reports, the exploitation of hydrocarbons in Antarctica is strictly prohibited. Since the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959 (which came into force in 1961), the continent has been reserved for peaceful activities only, and may become neither the scene nor the object of international disputes. Antarctica is therefore mainly used for scientific purposes, in particular for research into climate change. The Russian discovery has raised concerns in the scientific community. Klaus Dodds, an Antarctic expert and professor at London's Royal Holloway College, reportedly told British MPs that Russian research could be a conscious decision to weaken the standards of seismic research in Antarctica, and ultimately a first step towards future exploitation operations. As this infographic, based on the most recent annual report of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), shows, the size of the oil reserves discovered in Antarctica is significant. You will find more infographics at Statista Estimated at 511 billion barrels, the area would rank as the second largest crude oil reserve by region in the world, behind only that of the Middle East, whose proven reserves stood at over 871 billion barrels in 2022. This also represents almost double the known reserves of Saudi Arabia, the country with the second-largest proven oil reserves in the world (behind Venezuela, whose reserves are dense and more difficult to process, and therefore less profitable). By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: "The Godfathers of climate chaos -- the fossil fuel industry -- rake in record profits and feast off trillions in taxpayer-funded subsidies," the secretary-general of the United Nations said this week in a speech on the occasion of World Environment Day. Antonio Guterres then went on to paint an apocalyptic picture of our immediate future, which features a mass extinctionall because of the oil and gas industryand suggested advertisers stop working with the industry and governments ban oil and gas advertising altogether. Yet advertising bans are unlikely to stop people from using oil products, including Guterres himself. The UN chief's impassioned speech condemning the oil industry, however, was not the only one this week. His bold demand for a ban on oil and gas advertising was also not unprecedented. Attacks on the oil and gas industry from various national and international officials have been on the rise recently amid a faltering transitioneven as reports come in that the buildout of low-carbon electricity generation capacity is breaking records. Earlier this week, before Guterres' speech and his suggestion that oil companies should be hit with a windfall profit tax, a group of Democratic Representatives wrote a letter to the Department of Justice urging the institution to open an investigation into Big Oil. The motive for the investigation was the claim that US oil companies had colluded with OPEC to keep fuel prices high and, more interestingly, had failed to share their profits with end consumers by using them to keep prices at the pump low. Related: Oil Exploration Firm: South Koreas Offshore Prospects Hold Great Potential The idea that would sound eccentric and not really embody the spirit of a free market in any other context apparently sounded logical enough to its authors, who then went on to urge the DoJ to "investigate rigorously to uncover and punish wrongdoing." "If U.S. oil companies are colluding with each other and foreign cartels to manipulate global oil markets and harm American consumers who then pay more at the pump, Congress and the American people deserve to know," the legislators said. What the US oil companies were, in fact, doing during the pandemic lockdown year of 2020 was curbing production in response to a massive slump in international prices that pushed many a smaller producer to the brink and some over it. Reducing production is what any company would do when faced with a market awash with it due to a sudden drop in demand. Yet for the Jerrold Nadler-led group of Representatives, the oil and gas is as special a case as it is for Antonio Guterres and the other attendants at the World Environment Day celebration. No other industry has been subjected to such pressure from legislative and international circles with the singular aim of squeezing it as much as possible to force it to essentially stop doing what it does. It is ironic in a sense because the authors of that letter to the DoJ, if they get what they wantpunishment for the industrymight inadvertently cause even higher prices at the pump as producers curb output to capture higher prices and make up for the hypothetical penalties. It seems to be a problem for some legislators in the US that there is still a free market in the country. The United Nations' Guterres and some Canadian legislators also seem to have a problem with the free market, hence the suggestion that governments ban oil and gas advertisingoblivious to the fact that people don't put gasoline in their cars because of advertising but because of basic needs to get from one place to another in the fastest and most comfortable way. Besides, if the idea is to ban any oil product advertising, almost any advertising would need to be banned because of the versatility of oil derivatives and their ubiquitous useincluding in transition industries such as wind and solar power and electric vehicles. In fairness, calls for the ban of advertising for the oil and gas industry don't seem to be getting a lot of traction. In Canada, after an MP tabled a bill for such a ban, other legislators from the same party, the NDP, criticized the proposal, saying, "We already have legislation around false advertising, and we are more interested in advancing ideas that can actually help people," and that "It is not helpful to pick fights that just polarize people and get in the way of the real solutions we need." The idea of a windfall profit tax specially leveled on the oil and gas industry to pay for alleged climate damages is another one that seems to have the favor of many in top political circles who are no doubt wondering how governments would foot the bill for the transition. Yet, the effect of actual windfall profit taxes, such as the one in the UK, seems to be discouraging wider adoption. Because this effect has been counterproductive, leading to lower investments and consequently lower local oil and gas production. In theory, this is exactly what windfall tax and ad ban proponents want: lower oil and gas production. What they don't want are the consequences of that lowered production such as a cost of living crisis compared to which the current one would look like a picnic and, as a result, riots. It seems those anti-oil activists need to reconcile their attitude to the energy industry with their future career plans. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Bettie Jennifer, the wife of popular Ghanaian actor, Chris Attoh, has been shot dead while leaving her office in Maryland in the United States of America. She was shot in the head by the gunman on Friday evening around 5pm and was pronounced dead when police arrived at the scene of the crime. Bettie Jenifer, according to the report left the office in the 6300 block of Ivy Lane and was walking to her car when a man armed with a handgun approached her. When she tried to run away, the man followed her and fired at her multiple times, with at least one shot hitting her. The gunman then fled in a vehicle and is still wanted by the Maryland Police. Police described the suspect as a black male with a think build and black hair, wearing a dark shirt and pants. NEW: victim of tonights fatal shooting in Greenbelt identified as Bettie Jenifer (44) of Bowie, MD. Story below references her 2018 marriage to a famous actor from #Ghana @nbcwashington https://t.co/DMaqwVaedr Jackie Bensen (@jackiebensen) May 11, 2019 Chris Attoh and Bettie Jenifer married at a ceremony in Accra October 2018. This was shortly after divorcing his first wife, Nigerian actor DamiloIa Adegbite, with whom he has a son. Last week, Chris Attoh sparked speculation on social media that all was not well with his second marriage after he deleted all of Betties pictures from his social media pages. It was alleged that they had broken up but neither of the two has publicly confirmed or denied the story. The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Isiaka Ayobami of No. 2, Ayo Ijaiye Street, Isheri, Lagos, for allegedly seizing a one-year-old girl, Aishat Isiaka, from her mother and hitting her on the ground. DSP Bala Elkana, Lagos Public Relations Officer, in a statement released to NAN on Sunday, said that the babys head was shattered and that she died on the spot. Elkana said that the father of the deceased, Alhaji Garuba Isiaka, of No. 7, Ayo Ijaiye Street, had earlier reported at Isheri Police Station about the crime by the suspect. The suspect was almost lynched by angry mobs from the area, if not for the timely intervention of the police. He will be charged to court for murder, Elkana added. PV: 0 The incumbent governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has won re-election for a second term. Mr Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was announced the winner of the governorship election, at about 12:27 a.m. on Monday, in Uyo by the state returning officer, Faraday Orunmwense, a professor and vice chancellor of the University of Benin. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, was present during the announcement. The state chairman of the PDP, Paul Ekpo, and the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Onofiok Luke, were present in collation centre. Mr Emmanuel defeated his main opponent, Nsima Ekere of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with 519, 712 votes. Mr Ekere, a former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) polled 171, 978 votes, and also lost in his Ikot Abasi Local Government Area. It was not really a tough election battle, as many people anticipated, as Mr Emmanuel won convincingly in 30 out the 31 local government areas in the state; he lost only in Essien Udim, where Godswill Akpabio, a senator from the state, comes from. It was not also a bloody election as many had feared, except for pockets of violence here and there, in some parts of the state; no life was lost. None has been made public, at least. The APC rejected the election and accused INEC of assisting PDP to rig the election. The APC representative at the state collation centre, Samuel Akpan, walked out of the centre after making known his partys rejection of the election. Mr Emmanuel, a former director with Zenith bank, is the fourth civilian governor of Akwa Ibom State. His campaign for re-election was anchored on his administrations industrialisation drive and a peaceful Akwa Ibom where everyone is guaranteed the freedom for self-actualisation. His campaign slogan, only God, had mass appeal, and almost became a movement in the state. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will not extend the Sept. 30, deadline for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Kogi and Bayelsa. Mr Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja. Okoye stressed that the commission had no reason to extend the deadline for the collection of the cards in the two states. He said that enough time had been given to owners of uncollected cards to collect them, adding that the commission adopted measures to reach them for collection. We held market outreaches, we called some of the card owners on phone and we also sent out SMS to some of them. We approached community leaders in all those places, we also cascaded them to all the places we believe the owners of those PVCs are. So, as at today (Monday), there is no reason whatsoever for extending the deadline for the collection of the PVCs. We have given people sufficient time to do that. We kept reminding them on daily basis and we were giving a countdown on the deadline in each of the states. We have also been informing Nigerians the number of PVCs collected and those yet to be collected. So, as at today the commission has not found any reason to extend the deadline. Okoye said that INEC needed to close the collection to ascertain the number of cards that would be used during the Nov. 16 elections in the two states. He added that the commission needed time to continue with its planning and other stages of the elections in both states. When the collection is over, we will recall all uncollected PVCs and make a return to INEC state headquarters. Then the final figure of what was collected during the period and the uncollected will be made available to all political parties contesting these elections, he said. (NAN) Companies and businesses in the country that are yet to file their annual returns have been urged to do so or risk having their names struck out from the register by the end of this month. This follows an ultimatum issued to over 500,000 firms, directing them to file their returns or face removal from the companies register. According to the Registrar General, Jemima Oware, the affected firms have been served with multiple notices and reminders over the past two years, with only a handful voluntarily requesting deletion from the register. She emphasized that companies must take advantage of the grace period and file their annual returns before the deadline. Failure to comply will result in the removal of their names from the register, rendering them unable to conduct business in Ghana. The Registrar General stressed that this would have serious consequences for the companies and urged them to take immediate action to avoid being struck off the register. When we started the exercise, we had close to 10,000 companies that had not filed any annual returns or financial statements. Thats why we put it out there in the first publication. We listed about 2,203 companies that we were intending to strike off. We gave them an opportunity to come and update us. I have 8,895 that have not filed, and those are the companies I have given until the end of June to come and update us. If they dont, then from July 1, well take their names off the register. When we take your name off the register, it means you cannot carry on business in Ghana. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Prosecutors have indicated their decision to call nine witnesses to testify in a case against Yahuza Osumanu, the man who allegedly robbed several individuals, including former Second Lady, Matilda Yaaba Amissah-Arthur. The Office of the Attorney General, last Thursday, filed a third and final batch of disclosures which they will be depending on to prove the guilt of the lone robber. The court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo has subsequently adjourned the case to June 20, 2024 to enable the prosecution to serve the documents on the defence counsels. The court will hold a case management conference on the next sitting date to set out modalities and timelines for the trial, including the manner in which the witnesses would be called, and how much time the defence lawyers would need to cross-examine prosecution witnesses. Yahuza Osumanu has been charged with 22 counts of robbery and four counts of money laundering, and he has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The lone robber who had been on the radar of the police for a series of robberies at Tesano, Airport Residential Area, Ridge and Cantonment, all in Accra, was arrested on December 13, 2023, following coordinated police efforts. Court documents say his modus operandi includes targeting wealthy individuals whose homes he breaks into and robs them at gunpoint. The accused, according to court documents, entered the home of the former Second Lady on December 5, 2023 wielding a gun, and threatened to kill her if she did not comply with his instructions. Yahuza Osumanu is accused of assaulting Mrs. Amissah-Arthur by strangling her and hitting her head repeatedly on the ground while demanding for more booty, leading her to lose consciousness momentarily. The accused, according to court documents, succeeded in robbing the helpless woman of her money totaling USD$2,200, GH3,000, and 50. He also made away with a gold watch valued at GH20,000 and necklaces valued at GH5,000. He also stole a safe from the room but could not carry it out of the house as he was spotted by a security guard on his way out, and he abandoned it. In all, he is accused of successfully robbing his five victims of jewelries, including Rolex watches, Cartier watches, gold watches, among others, all totaling $236,000 and GH25,000. He also made away with cash sums totaling GH6,500, 3,500, $2,200 and 50. All the robberies, according to court documents, were captured on CCTV camera, and the accused is said to have admitted to being the one in the footage. The court has denied a bail application filed by his lawyer on ground that it was not convinced the accused would avail himself for the trial if granted bail, given the gravity of the allegations against him. I am of the considered opinion that looking at the nature of the accusations against the accused and the nature of evidence, I am inclined to believe that he will not avail himself to stand trial when granted bail. At best, the initial stages he can appear in court but when the trial proceeds that is where he will jump bail, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo held. The judge assured an expeditious trial and ordered that the accused should remain in custody unless there appears to be a delay from the prosecution. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ghana Police Service has deployed personnel to Bole and its environs in the Savannah Region to assist the Regional Police Command in unravelling three reported death cases. According to the police, the deaths which they described as unnatural have been recorded over the last six months. In a statement released on Friday, June 7, the police said a team of experts comprising a crime scene management team, forensic experts, intelligence officers and homicide investigators are in the region to work with the Regional Command on the cases. It also revealed that police visibility and patrols have been intensified with more operational officers deployed to the town and its surrounding communities. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Ghana's Minister for Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye (MP), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Expressway Corporation, South Korea's state-owned entity responsible for expressway construction and operation. The signing ceremony, held at the Westin Josun Hotel in Seoul, aims to boost collaboration and development in the road and transportation sectors of both nations. The MOU focuses on strengthening cooperation between Ghana and South Korea in areas such as road and traffic policy, planning, operation, maintenance, and traffic management. Minister Asenso-Boakye's visit to Korea was part of his participation in the Korea-Africa Infrastructure Forum, organized by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport during the '2024 Korea-Africa Summit'. The Ghanaian government expects this agreement to significantly contribute to economic growth and improve regional connectivity. By effectively managing major road and transportation projects, Ghana aims to enhance access between urban and rural areas, fostering comprehensive national development. Hon. Asenso-Boakye expressed optimism about the MOU, highlighting the opportunity to leverage South Korea's innovative technologies, expertise, and experiences. He noted that the agreement would also facilitate exchange programs for technical experts, enhancing their capacity in their respective duties. Ham Jin-gyu, President of the Korea Expressway Corporation, remarked, "This agreement strengthens the friendly relations between our two countries and lays the groundwork for our business ventures in Africa. We will continue to pursue advancements in overseas road and transportation infrastructure projects." This collaboration marks a significant step for Ghana in improving its road and transportation infrastructure by utilizing international expertise to drive national progress. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Mrs Delese Mimi Darko, has urged individuals to stop smoking of Shisha, saying that just one hour of shisha use is equivalent to smoking about 200 cigarettes. She stated that eight million people die worldwide as a result of the use of tobacco products which could have been prevented. The World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is an annual event held on May 31 across the World to emphasise the harmful effects of tobacco and other tobacco products on health. The theme for this years commemoration is Protecting children from tobacco industry interference. The event which was organised by FDA in collaboration with Ministry of Health (MoH), World Health Organization (WHO), Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Vision for Alternative Development-Ghana (VALD), was to help raise awareness about the strategies employed by the tobacco industry to lure children and adolescents. Mrs Darko noted that, the tobacco industry, with its insidious marketing strategies, preys upon our youth, ensnaring them in a web of addiction and suffering. Earlier, Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Alexander Akwasi Acquah, said through the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Project 2030, there had been the successful development of a 5-year National Tobacco Control Strategy being implemented. He said there had been marked improvement in the strengthening of inter-agency coordination, revision of the smoke-free policy, implementation and enforcement on the ban on tobacco advertisement. The Head of Research Unit of GRA, Dr Alex Kombat, said Tobacco Excise Tax Revenue has grown from Ghc 66.98 million in 2017 to Ghc 936 million in 2023, however, it costs the country GH668 Million every year to fight the use of tobacco. Source: Ghanaian Times 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 We are at the beginning of the most exciting, and probably one of the most historic moments in technology. The era of mobile AI is here which for Samsung opened up by the introduction of Galaxy AI features on the Galaxy S24 series, our first AI phone. Revolutionizing Mobile Experiences with a Hybrid AI Approach To bring the real life benefits of generative AI technology to the Galaxy S24 series, we took a hybrid approach to our AI integration. AI offers so many possibilities, and we believe mobile devices are the primary access point for unlocking its potential as users around the globe continue to rely on their phone for most of their day to day needs. The essential role that mobile devices play in everyday life means they are very personal items that people use during many critical and memorable moments. We understand these behaviors and believe smartphones should work harder so that users can truly make the most of important moments in a just simpler, more intuitive, and more epic way. We also recognize the importance of privacy which is why we give users full control over what they share and what they keep private. We believe our hybrid approach is the most practical and reliable solution to meet all these needs and puts Samsung ahead of the curve. We are providing users with a balance between the instant responsiveness and extra privacy assurance of on-device AI, and the versatility of cloud-based AI through open collaborations with industry-leading partners in offering a variety of functions they need for daily life. Expanding Possibilities with On-device AI We made the Live Translate feature on-device AI based, because voice calls are the most basic feature of a smartphone, yet also an intimate and private means of communication. Samsung has committed to empowering users to communicate without language barriers, while at the same time ensuring every communication is safe and private. To make this feature a reality, our R&D team worked day and night as part of a collaborative process that truly brought out the best in our teams. From determining the right size of AI language models, to training and testing in real-life scenarios, our R&D organizations within the MX business challenged themselves and pushed beyond the limits of what we thought was possible to get this feature running entirely on-device. Samsungs global R&D networks around the world, which are in charge of growing the best talents and developing core technologies in each region, have also played a pivotal role. Samsung Research Centers around the globe, including Poland, China, India and Vietnam have dedicated themselves to developing and expanding the languages supported by Galaxy AI. Languages are very cultural, contemporary, and localized so to help people break down language barriers and communicate more naturally, the role of our local R&D offices is even more crucial in opening up new possibilities for users in more regions than ever before. All these efforts have enabled Samsung to offer something completely new which Im excited to share. Soon, Samsung is extending the power of Galaxy AI beyond Samsungs own native calling app by expanding Live Translate to other third-party message apps to support voice calls. So you can stay in contact with friends or colleagues, communicating on your favorite apps in multiple languages. And since this feature has been integrated into our on-device AI language translation model, users will be able to experience barrier-free communication without worrying about privacy issues like personal data being shared outside their phone when using Live Translate. I expect that more and more mobile AI features will be incorporated inside mobile devices as the intelligent computing power of the latest chips particularly NPUs advances at a blazing fast speed, along with other technologies. This will enable more people to embrace AI and make every day more convenient while offering greater peace of mind. Growing Galaxy AI for Tomorrows Needs, Today This exciting news is all part of the extension of our commitment to Galaxy AI and entering the next phase of the mobile AI era. The introduction of Galaxy AI on Galaxy S24 series was only the start. To deliver a completely new and unique AI experience, we will further optimize the Galaxy AI experience for the upcoming foldable devices. Our foldables are the most versatile and flexible form factor in Samsung Galaxy and when combined with Galaxy AI, these two complementary technologies will together unlock all new possibilities. Samsung is also committed to expanding Galaxy AI experiences across the broader Galaxy ecosystem in a way that only Samsung can. As the mobile AI era moves forward at a rapid pace, Samsung is accelerating mobile AI innovations to meet the needs of not only today, but tomorrow. Source: Won-joon Choi, EVP & Head of R&D Office, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics 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 Majority in Parliament is challenging the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to a debate between their respective presidential candidates, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and John Dramani Mahama, on issues to better inform the electorate ahead of the December general election. The caucus is of the view that with the 2024 presidential and parliamentary polls fast approaching, the opposition party has activated its propaganda machinery to confuse the voting public. Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, at a press conference in Accra yesterday said the governing New Patriotic Partys presidential candidate, Dr Bawumia, is ready to take on the NDCs Mahama on the big debate on the issues that affect Ghanaians. Let us argue and make statements based on facts. The NDC minority is engaged in political mischief (and they must be stopped in their tracts). What matters to the Ghanaian people is issues of their welfare. I challenge them to get on board and lets have the big debate. Our leader is ready to engage their flag bearer on issues of governance to better the lot of the Ghanaian, and that is what they should be ready for, Mr Afenyo-Markin, MP, Effutu, said. Mr Afenyo-Markins challenge was predicated on what he said had become the vile propaganda of the opposition party ahead of the December 7 polls; a propaganda he said was sabotaging the economy. The minority last week accused the government of signing multi-year contracts without recourse to the Public Financial Management Act. If you read Section 33 of the Public Financial Management Act, when you commit as a covered entity, when you commit to signing a multi-year contract, which is a contract that spans years, you first have to go to the Ministry of Finance and you have to come to Parliament. So let me use this opportunity to send a strong warning and signal to all these agencies that when you do so you breach the Public Financial Management Act and it comes with consequences including imprisonment, so I think that they should take note and follow the law and do what is proper, Minority spokesperson on Mines and Energy, John Jinapor, had alleged. But Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority had misread and misinterpreted the law. The contract in question must be an international transaction. That is where our colleagues should pay attention. It does not mean that every contract with a multi-year value should come to parliament. So they should stop misleading the public. They should stop peddling falsehoods. Every government engages the private sector. The object of that is to create space for economic growth. In his view, such posture scares away investors and Ghana would be the loser at the end. So if you recklessly scare off the businessmen and where you know that what you are putting out is not true, what you are trying to do is to sabotage the economy. So I would want to encourage them that we know its an election year but lets argue on facts. Lets put out the facts, he stated. Source: Ghanaian Times Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video China firmly opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan: defense spokesperson Xinhua) 09:14, June 08, 2024 BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday urged the United States to revoke its plan to sell arms to China's Taiwan region, and to cease arming the region with weapons in any form. Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media query on the U.S. Department of Defense's recent approval of arms sales worth approximately 300 million U.S. dollars to Taiwan. The U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region have severely violated the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, particularly the August 17 Communique, Zhang said. The move has seriously undermined China's sovereignty and security, and posed a grave threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region, he added. Zhang said that the Taiwan question is the first red line that shall not be crossed in China-U.S. relations, and that supporting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces will only escalate tension in the region, push Taiwan into a dangerous situation, and ultimately harm the United States itself. The Chinese People's Liberation Army has intensified military training and enhanced combat preparedness to resolutely safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Zhang said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Water flows out of a spring in New Braunfels Landa Park last year. The Edwards Aquifer Authority on Friday moved to Stage 4 drought restrictions. William Luther/Staff The Edwards Aquifer Authority has entered Stage 4 water restrictions, cutting pumping from the Central Texas groundwater system by 40%. The aquifer is a limestone cavern system that spans more than 3,000 miles and provides water for more than 2 million people. The authority, which manages the aquifer, said Friday that water flow levels at Comal Springs in New Braunfels prompted the heightened restrictions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Stage 4 restrictions are triggered when the 10-day rolling average falls below 100 cubic feet per second; that dropped to 99 cfs on Thursday, the authority said. Water levels at the J-17 index well in Bexar County have also been nearing Stage 4. The trigger is a 10-day average of 630 feet, and the average was 630.1 feet on Friday. Under Stage 4 conditions, permit holders must cut their pumping to 60% of their normal allocations. The reductions apply only to permitted users of the aquifer, such as municipalities, utilities and farmers with their own aquifer wells. That includes the San Antonio Water System, which gets more than half of its water supply from the aquifer, as well as cities including Alamo Heights, New Braunfels and San Marcos. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The authoritys reductions are separate from any water use restrictions implemented by those utilities and providers, which set their own rules in order to comply with the authoritys limits. SAWS has been in Stage 2 restrictions since April 2022, when the J-17 well dropped below 650 feet. Those rules call for SAWS customers to limit outdoor sprinkler irrigation to once per week on designated days. The city-owned utility is currently seeking permission from San Antonio City Council to change its drought restriction rules to better align the regulations with the aquifer authoritys. If the proposed rules were currently in place, SAWS and its customers would currently be in Stage 3. The aquifer authoritys move to Stage 4 comes just over two months after Stage 3 conditions were triggered on April 4. Since then, the water level in the J-17 well has dropped by almost 10 feet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The last time there were no restrictions on aquifer permit holders was March 8, 2022. Stage 4 restrictions were in place for much of 2023, from late July to early November. Joyce Bawah Mogtari, special aide to former President John Mahama, has called for the resignation of Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame following the trial judge's advice in the Ato Forson ambulance case. A High Court Judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, has advised the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, to recuse himself from the ambulance procurement case involving Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa. Reacting to this, Madam Mogtari took to her X handle and wrote: Should Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame not find refuge in the guidance of the Judge, having literally crossed the red line and brought the unusually mute Ghana Bar Association (GBA) into utter chaos. For the very first time in the annals of our nascent Democracy, an Attorney General of Ghana has been directed by Court to recuse himself from a trial. This must certainly be causing some serious ripples in the corridors of power. AG Dame should resign honorably, no dishonorably I beg your pardon. This dishonorable, deplorable conduct should not be tolerated MiLady. Should Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame not find refuge in the guidance of the Judge, having literally crossed the red line and brought the unusually mute Ghana Bar Association ( GBA) into utter chaos. For the very first time in the annals of our nascent Democracy, an Joyce Bawah Mogtari (@joyce_bawah) June 6, 2024 Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Managing Director of the InterCity STC and a member of the Dr. Bawumia campaign team, Nana Akomea has disclosed that the Vice President and the flagbearer for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia becomes jittery anytime his past tapes are replayed to him. According to him the Vice President becomes totally unhappy when his old videos are replayed to him. Speaking to 3 FMs Johnnie Hughes on Thursday, June 6, Nana Akomea said, Bawumia is not happy when he was asked, How does Dr. Bawumia feel when his tapes are being played back to him? Speaking further, he opined that, every politician who was unable to deliver on his mandate will be uncomfortable when his old tapes are played back to him. "But if we play John Mahamas tapes in 2012 and 2013 and so on he will not be happy, so Bawumia is not happy," he said. Speaking on the election 2024, Nana Akomea posited that, the main contender, John Dramani Mahama, who is the flagbearer of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), had the opportunity to serve as President, hence the next mandate should be given to Dr. Bawumia, because he has what it takes to transform Ghana, making it a safe haven for businesses to flourish. He further pointed that, Dr. Bawumia has life transforming and innovative policies that is best fit for the Ghanaian economy much more than the policies of the NDC and its flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama. But the difference is that, John Mahama was in charge, it was his government, and he had the mandate of the country as President. The Executive authority in this country is vested in the President. Bawumia has never been President, he clarified. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Upper West Regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Saanbaye Basilide Kangbere, popularly known as (Chairman Heavy Weight), has died at his home in Adjringano in Accra. Kangberee passed away on Friday, 7 June 2024. Dr Kangberee (76) has not been well in recent times. It is reported that he has been battling with a renal health issue. In 2022 as the incumbent Upper West Regional chairman of the NPP, he was reelected after beating his main contender, Alhaji Mahama Toyina, by a slim margin contrary to earlier concerns about his defeat. The Upper West Region delegates of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) two years ago (29 May 2022) retained Dr Saanbaye Basilide Kangbere, the incumbent regional Chairman to lead the party in the region for the additional four years (2022 to 2026). Dr Kangbere polled 130 votes out of a total of 242 valid votes cast, while his contender, Mr Mahama Toyiba had 112 valid votes. The first Vice Chairman position went to Mr Adul-Rahman Aziz who had 157 votes, while Mr Muhammed Aziz Gado had 84 votes to emerge second vice chairman. His death will come as a blow to the NPP as it prepares for the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections. The NPP lost some grounds in the Upper West Region during the 2020 elections and was looking forward to recovering the lost grounds in the December 2024 general elections. The first vice chairman of the NPP in the Upper West Region, Mr Adul-Rahman Aziz, is expected to assume the role of Chairman of the NPP in the Upper West region following the death of the incumbent regional chairman. Source: Asaaseradio 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 District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie South District, Clement Opoku Gyamfi has asked critics of Prof. Smart Sarpong, a Senior Researcher, to desist from insulting him due to his latest opinion polls regarding winner of the impending December 7 elections. Prof. Smart Sarpong's research study showed Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), leading the presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Ex-President John Dramani Mahama, in the polls. In the poll which was conducted in real time with him and his team engaging the citizens vis-a-vis to solicit their candid opinions and decision-making in the choice of Ghanas President in 2025 and with a total sample size of 59,547 voters, 23,432 eligible Ghanaians representing 38.9% said Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is their preferred candidate to become the country's next President. Mr. John Dramani Mahama came second on the survey table by having 21,237 representing 36.1% willing to vote for him. The other candidates fell short of the votes that will be any competitive to these two candidates, hence the survey indicated that only 2114 people noted they will vote for the other contestants. However, 12763 of the sample size representing 21.4% were undecided about their choice of presidential candidate. Joining Friday's "Kokrokoo" panel discussion programme on Peace FM, Clement Opoku Gyamfi, popularly referred to as "CID", justified the findings by Prof. Smart Sarpong, stressing he has on every occasion showed his "professional competence". Hon. Opoku Gyamfi explained that the Professor, in all his submissions in media interviews and research works, "places his professional competence first" and very careful not to discredit himself. To CID, these current findings are accurate and this is because, to him, Prof. Sarpong's research surveys over the time have all proven to either be the same or close to the real results on the election day. He alluded to his (Smart Sarpong) research during the New Patriotic Party's Regional executive elections which resulted in a massive victory for Bernard Antwi Boasiako alias Chairman Wontumi, the current Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, who before then was predicted to lose the election until Prof. Smart Sarpong proved the critics wrong through his research which gave a 100% accuracy of the figures in the Regional elections. "Every poll he has conducted has been accurate...This should not discourage Prof. Smart Sarpong," he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi. Although the NPP flagbearer leads in these latest polls, CID says the party is not complacent, therefore will work on those who are undecided to get their votes. "We are going to work on the 23.1% and add it to our results," he stated. Watch video below 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 Rev. Charles Owusu is in awe of the competence and fortitude of Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe in handling the ambulance purchase trial involving Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and Attorney-General, Godfred Dame. The former Head of Monitoring Unit of the Forestry Commission believed with no shred of doubt that Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe will let the truth prevail and administer justice appropriately. According to him, the Justice has proven her grit to continue with the case despite the brouhaha from the National Democratic Congress and other persons who took a stake in the trial by sharing a telephone recording of a conversation between Richard Jakpa, a third accused in the case, and the Attorney-General. The National Democratic Congress tried to implicate the Attorney-General but the leaked tape which was tendered in court, according to the Justice, has no evidence that incriminates lawyer Godfred Dame. Reacting to the determination of the Justice to deliver verdict on the case without fear or favor, Charles Owusu warned the parties not to joke with her. He therefore vouched for the integrity of Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe praying she becomes Ghana's next Chief Justice. "My prayer is for her to live long and become a Chief Justice in the country", he said on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Communications Professor, Etse Sikanku has applauded Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the significant transformation he has brought to Ghana's Office of the Vice President since 2017. Professor Etse Sikanku has written a book, "Dr. Bawumia and the Modern Vice Presidency" in which he analyzes the Vice Presidency of Ghana and how Dr. Bawumia has transformed it through his public activism and impact. At the launch of the book in Accra last night, Professor Sikanku praised Dr. Bawumia for not being an armchair Vice President and compared his transformational impact to former US Vice President, Walter Mundale, who is widely credited for transforming the American Vice Presidency. "The President is always the focus of media attention. However, the Vice President Office is just a step away. The institution of the Vice President is as important as the office of the President but office has largely been reduced to a ceremonial office", Prof Sikanku said. "He entered the office and took the position and run with it. He has transformed the office. We see his action and we see his passion. He has brought dignity to the Office of the Vice President and to some extent the office of the President", he added. The Professor continued; "Bawumia has used his office for social justice and social advocacy. He did this by pursuing what he is passionate about. He did this through digitalisation, which is pushing the world forward. He has done it in such a way that posterity will be kind to him." Professior Sikanku explained that the US Vice Presidency was reduced to a ceremonial office with Vice Presidents representing the President at functions and did not know much about what was happening in government until Mundale, under President Jimmy Carter, changed that by being impactful and bringing respect to the office, just as Bawumia has done. Dr. Bawumia has done in Ghana what Walter Mundale did in the US for the office of the Vice President. 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 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: An artists depiction of the heliosphere, the Suns region of influence in space. Little is known of the actual shape of the heliosphere. Credit: NASA The sun warms the Earth, making it habitable for people and animals. But that's not all it does, and it affects a much larger area of space. The heliosphere, the area of space influenced by the sun, is over a hundred times larger than the distance from the sun to the Earth. The sun is a star that constantly emits a steady stream of plasmahighly energized ionized gascalled the solar wind. In addition to the constant solar wind, the sun also occasionally releases eruptions of plasma called coronal mass ejections, which can contribute to the aurora, and bursts of light and energy, called flares. The plasma coming off the sun expands through space, along with the sun's magnetic field. Together they form the heliosphere within the surrounding local interstellar mediumthe plasma, neutral particles and dust that fill the space between stars and their respective astrospheres. Heliophysicists like me want to understand the heliosphere and how it interacts with the interstellar medium. The eight known planets in the solar system, the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and the Kuiper Beltthe band of celestial objects beyond Neptune that includes the planetoid Plutoall reside within the heliosphere. The heliosphere is so large that objects in the Kuiper Belt orbit closer to the sun than to the closest boundary of the heliosphere. Heliosphere protection As distant stars explode, they expel large amounts of radiation into interstellar space in the form of highly energized particles known as cosmic rays. These cosmic rays can be dangerous for living organisms and can damage electronic devices and spacecraft. Earth's atmosphere protects life on the planet from the effects of cosmic radiation, but, even before that, the heliosphere itself acts as a cosmic shield from most interstellar radiation. In addition to cosmic radiation, neutral particles and dust stream steadily into the heliosphere from the local interstellar medium. These particles can affect the space around Earth and may even alter how the solar wind reaches the Earth. Supernovae and the interstellar medium may have also influenced the origins of life and the evolution of humans on Earth. Some researchers predict that millions of years ago, the heliosphere came into contact with a cold, dense particle cloud in the interstellar medium that caused the heliosphere to shrink, exposing the Earth to the local interstellar medium. An artist's depiction of the heliosphere and its place in the local interstellar medium and in the Milky Way galaxy. An interstellar probe could travel farther than any previous spacecraft and help scientists get a good look at our heliospherethe Sun's influence in spacefrom the outside. Credit: JHU/APL An unknown shape But scientists don't really know what the heliosphere's shape is. Models range in shape from spherical to cometlike to croissant-shaped. These predictions vary in size by hundreds to thousands of times the distance from the sun to the Earth. Scientists have, however, defined the direction that the sun is moving as the "nose" direction and the opposing direction as the "tail" direction. The nose direction should have the shortest distance to the heliopausethe boundary between the heliosphere and the local interstellar medium. No probe has ever gotten a good look at the heliosphere from the outside or properly sampled the local interstellar medium. Doing so could tell scientists more about the heliosphere's shape and its interaction with the local interstellar medium, the space environment beyond the heliosphere. Crossing the heliopause with Voyager In 1977, NASA launched the Voyager mission: Its two spacecraft flew past Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in the outer solar system. Scientists have determined that after observing these gas giants, the probes separately crossed the heliopause and into interstellar space in 2012 and 2018, respectively. While Voyager 1 and 2 are the only probes to have ever potentially crossed the heliopause, they are well beyond their intended mission lifetimes. They can no longer return the necessary data as their instruments slowly fail or power down. These spacecraft were designed to study planets, not the interstellar medium. This means they don't have the right instruments to take all the measurements of the interstellar medium or the heliosphere that scientists need. That's where a potential interstellar probe mission could come in. A probe designed to fly beyond the heliopause would help scientists understand the heliosphere by observing it from the outside. An interstellar probe Since the heliosphere is so large, it would take a probe decades to reach the boundary, even using a gravity assist from a massive planet like Jupiter. An artists depiction of the heliopshere the true shape remains unknown. Labels have been added for the Sun, the heliopause and the nose and tail directions, as well as an example of the flank direction. The Voyager probes are believed to have crossed beyond the heliosphere during their decades-long journey. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech The Voyager spacecraft will no longer be able to provide data from interstellar space long before an interstellar probe exits the heliosphere. And once the probe is launched, depending on the trajectory, it will take about 50 or more years to reach the interstellar medium. This means that the longer NASA waits to launch a probe, the longer scientists will be left with no missions operating in the outer heliosphere or the local interstellar medium. NASA is considering developing an interstellar probe. This probe would take measurements of the plasma and magnetic fields in the interstellar medium and image the heliosphere from the outside. To prepare, NASA asked for input from more than 1,000 scientists on a mission concept. The initial report recommended the probe travel on a trajectory that is about 45 degrees away from the heliosphere's nose direction. This trajectory would retrace part of Voyager's path, while reaching some new regions of space. This way, scientists could study new regions and revisit some partly known regions of space. This path would give the probe only a partly angled view of the heliosphere, and it wouldn't be able to see the heliotail, the region scientists know the least about. In the heliotail, scientists predict that the plasma that makes up the heliosphere mixes with the plasma that makes up the interstellar medium. This happens through a process called magnetic reconnection, which allows charged particles to stream from the local interstellar medium into the heliosphere. Just like the neutral particles entering through the nose, these particles affect the space environment within the heliosphere. In this case, however, the particles have a charge and can interact with solar and planetary magnetic fields. While these interactions occur at the boundaries of the heliosphere, very far from Earth, they affect the makeup of the heliosphere's interior. In a new study published in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, my colleagues and I evaluated six potential launch directions ranging from the nose to the tail. We found that rather than exiting close to the nose direction, a trajectory intersecting the heliosphere's flank toward the tail direction would give the best perspective on the heliosphere's shape. A trajectory along this direction would present scientists with a unique opportunity to study a completely new region of space within the heliosphere. When the probe exits the heliosphere into interstellar space, it would get a view of the heliosphere from the outside at an angle that would give scientists a more detailed idea of its shapeespecially in the disputed tail region. In the end, whichever direction an interstellar probe launches, the science it returns will be invaluable and quite literally astronomical. 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: Ahmadi et al. In physics, nonreciprocity occurs when a system's response varies depending on the direction in which waves or signals are propagating within it. This asymmetry arises from a break in so-called time-reversal symmetry, which essentially means that a system's processes observed as they evolve over time will be different compared to those processes observed on rewind. Nonreciprocity is commonly leveraged when developing new quantum technologies, for instance, to enable the flow of signals in a specific direction and to suppress noise. So far, however, it had rarely been applied to the development of quantum energy storage solutions. Researchers at University of Gdansk in Poland and University of Calgary in Canada recently explored the possibility of using nonreciprocity to optimize the charging dynamics of quantum batteries. Their paper, published in Physical Review Letters, introduces new nonreciprocal quantum batteries that perform remarkably well, both in terms of energy capacity and efficiency. "Our recent paper emerged from our ongoing exploration of nonreciprocity and its applications in quantum technologies," Assistant Professor Shabir Barzanjeh, co-author of the paper, told Phys.org. "The foundational idea was inspired by the inherent advantages of nonreciprocal systems in directional signal flow and noise suppression, which are crucial in quantum information and computing. We aimed to extend these benefits to the realm of quantum batteries, particularly focusing on optimizing energy storage and charging dynamics." The primary objective of the study by Barzanjeh and his colleagues was to successfully use nonreciprocity to improve the efficiency and capacity of quantum batteries, potentially leading to innovations in how quantum technologies store energy. The batteries they designed leverage the breaking of time-reversal symmetry to create a direct flow of energy from a quantum charger to the battery, preventing energy backflow. "This is achieved through reservoir engineering, where a dissipative environment, like an auxiliary waveguide, facilitates effective energy transfer," Barzanjeh explained. "The nonreciprocal setup enhances energy accumulation by using an interference-like process that balances dissipative interactions with coherent ones. This approach significantly increases stored energy, even in overdamped coupling regimes, and is straightforward to implement using current quantum circuits in photonics and superconducting systems." The researchers assessed the performance of their nonreciprocal quantum batteries by running a series of calculations and attained highly promising results. In fact, they found that their nonreciprocal design led to a fourfold enhancement in energy storage efficiency compared to conventional quantum batteries. "Our findings demonstrate that nonreciprocal quantum batteries can effectively overcome local dissipation and maintain high energy transfer rates," Barzanjeh said. "The practical implications are extensive, potentially revolutionizing energy storage in quantum technologies, enabling more efficient quantum sensing, energy capture, and even advancing the study of quantum thermodynamics." The recent work by this research team opens new exciting avenues for the use of nonreciprocity to enhance the performance and reliability of both quantum batteries and other quantum systems. In their next studies, Barzanjeh and his colleagues plan to continue assessing the potential of nonreciprocal quantum batteries, while also optimizing their design and integrating their batteries into larger quantum systems. "We now aim to investigate the interplay between nonreciprocity and other quantum resources, such as entanglement and quantum catalysis, to boost energy storage capabilities further," Barzanjeh added. "Additionally, we plan to experimentally implement our theoretical models in practical quantum circuits, validating our findings and refining the technology for real-world applications. This includes exploring the chiral and topological properties of systems featuring lossy coupling, which could lead to new breakthroughs in quantum information processing and energy storage." 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: CC0 Public Domain On Aug. 24, in A.D. 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted, shooting over 3 cubic miles of debris up to 20 miles (32.1 kilometers) in the air. As the ash and rock fell to Earth, it buried the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. According to most modern accounts, the story pretty much ends there: Both cities were wiped out, their people frozen in time. It only picks up with the rediscovery of the cities and the excavations that started in earnest in the 1740s. But recent research has shifted the narrative. The story of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius is no longer one about annihilation; it also includes the stories of those who survived the eruption and went on to rebuild their lives. The search for survivors and their stories has dominated the past decade of my archaeological fieldwork, as I've tried to figure out who might have escaped the eruption. Some of my findings are featured in an episode of the new PBS documentary, "Pompeii: The New Dig." Making it out alive Pompeii and Herculaneum were two wealthy cities on the coast of Italy just south of Naples. Pompeii was a community of about 30,000 people that hosted thriving industry and active political and financial networks. Herculaneum, with a population of about 5,000, had an active fishing fleet and a number of marble workshops. Both economies supported the villas of wealthy Romans in the surrounding countryside. In popular culture, the eruption is usually depicted as an apocalyptic event with no survivors: In episodes of the TV series "Doctor Who" and "Loki," everyone in Pompeii and Herculaneum dies. But the evidence that people could have escaped was always there. The eruption itself continued for over 18 hours. The human remains found in each city account for only a fraction of their populations, and many objects you might have expected to have remained and be preserved in ash are missing: Carts and horses are gone from stables, ships missing from docks, and strongboxes cleaned out of money and jewelry. All of this suggests that manyif not mostof the people in the cities could have escaped if they fled early enough. Some archaeologists have always assumed that some people escaped. But searching for them has never been a priority. So I created a methodology to determine if survivors could be found. I took Roman names unique to Pompeii or Herculaneumsuch as Numerius Popidius and Aulus Umbriciusand searched for people with those names who lived in surrounding communities in the period after the eruption. I also looked for additional evidence, such as improved infrastructure in neighboring communities to accommodate migrants. After eight years of scouring databases of tens of thousands of Roman inscriptions on places ranging from walls to tombstones, I found evidence of over 200 survivors in 12 cities. These municipalities are primarily in the general area of Pompeii. But they tended to be north of Mount Vesuvius, outside the zone of the greatest destruction. It seems as though most survivors stayed as close as they could to Pompeii. They preferred to settle with other survivors, and they relied on social and economic networks from their original cities as they resettled. Some migrants prosper Pompeii: The New Dig highlights recent discoveries that have helped historians better understand life before and after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Some of the families that escaped apparently went on to thrive in their new communities. The Caltilius family resettled in Ostiawhat was then a major port city to the north of Pompeii, 18 miles from Rome. There, they founded a temple to the Egyptian deity Serapis. Serapis, who wore a basket of grain on his head to symbolize the bounty of the earth, was popular in harbor cities like Ostia dominated by the grain trade. Those cities also built a grand, expensive tomb complex decorated with inscriptions and large portraits of family members. Members of the Caltilius family married into another family of escapees, the Munatiuses. Together, they created a wealthy, successful extended family. The second-busiest port city in Roman Italy, Puteoliwhat's known as Pozzuoli todayalso welcomed survivors from Pompeii. The family of Aulus Umbricius, who was a merchant of garum, a popular fermented fish sauce, resettled there. After reviving the family garum business, Aulus and his wife named their first child born in their adopted city Puteolanus, or "the Puteolanean." Others fall on hard times Not all the survivors of the eruption were wealthy or went on to find success in their new communities. Some had already been poor to begin with. Others seemed to have lost their family fortunes, perhaps in the eruption itself. Fabia Secundina from Pompeiiapparently named for her grandfather, a wealthy wine merchantalso ended up in Puteoli. There, she married a gladiator, Aquarius the retiarius, who died at the age of 25, leaving her in dire financial straits. Three other very poor families from Pompeiithe Avianii, Atilii and Masuri familiessurvived and settled in a small, poorer community called Nuceria, which goes by Nocera today and is about 10 miles (16.1 kilometers) east of Pompeii. According to a tombstone that still exists, the Masuri family took in a boy named Avianius Felicio as a foster son. Notably, in the 160 years of Roman Pompeii, there was no evidence of any foster children, and extended families usually took in orphaned children. For this reason, it's likely that Felicio didn't have any surviving family members. This small example illustrates the larger pattern of the generosity of migrantseven impoverished onestoward other survivors and their new communities. They didn't just take care of each other; they also donated to the religious and civic institutions of their new homes. For example, the Vibidia family had lived in Herculaneum. Before it was destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius, they had given lavishly to help fund various institutions, including a new temple of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility. One female family member who survived the eruption appears to have continued the family's tradition: Once settled in her new community, Beneventum, she donated a very small, poorly made altar to Venus on public land given by the local city council. How would survivors be treated today? While the survivors resettled and built lives in their new communities, government played a role as well. The emperors in Rome invested heavily in the region, rebuilding properties damaged by the eruption and building new infrastructure for displaced populations, including roads, water systems, amphitheaters and temples. This model for post-disaster recovery can be a lesson for today. The costs of funding the recovery never seems to have been debated. Survivors were not isolated into camps, nor were they forced to live indefinitely in tent cities. There's no evidence that they encountered discrimination in their new communities. Instead, all signs indicate that communities welcomed the survivors. Many of them went on to open their own businesses and hold positions in local governments. And the government responded by ensuring that the new populations and their communities had the resources and infrastructure to rebuild their lives. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Sealed and organized by polling locations, ballot boxes are shown at the county warehouse in Brownsville in this 2016 photo. Texas top election official, Christina Adkins, has issued emergency guidance to counties aimed at protecting ballot privacy. Separately, Attorney General Ken Paxton released a legal opinion stressing that any disclosure of election records must be done in a way that preserves the privacy of a voters choices. Jason Hoekema/Associated Press This coverage is made possible through Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Texas top election official has issued emergency guidance to counties aimed at protecting ballot privacy, after Votebeat and the Texas Tribune confirmed that the private choices some voters make can later be identified using public, legally available records. It is imperative that we make every effort possible to provide protections to voters while balancing the publics interest in transparent elections, Christina Adkins, the election division director for the Texas Secretary of States Office, wrote in the memo to county election officials. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Separately, state Attorney General Ken Paxton released a legal opinion stressing that any disclosure of election records must be done in a way that preserves the privacy of a voters choices. Both Paxton and Nelson emphasized that Texas voters have an overarching right to a secret ballot. It is unacceptable for any voter to have their ballot choices publicized, Nelson said in a statement. In testimony to state lawmakers last week, Adkins confirmed reporting from Votebeat and the Tribune that found some voters could be tied to their ballots through a combination of publicly available information, which lawmakers and county officials have made easier to access in recent years in the name of election transparency. She also acknowledged that election officials had been worried that the states push for more transparency around elections would compromise ballot secrecy. The emergency guidance is an attempt to close off the publics ability to link some voters with their ballot choices. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Last month, an independent news site published what it said was the ballot of former Republican Party of Texas Chair Matt Rinaldi, cast in the March 5 GOP primary. The site didnt fully explain how it linked the ballot image to Rinaldi, who has neither confirmed nor denied that it was his ballot. Votebeat and the Tribune were able to verify and replicate a series of steps to identify a specific persons ballot choices using public records. But to protect the secrecy of the ballot, the two news outlets are not detailing the precise information needed or the process used to match ballot images with individual voters. Lawmakers made election records more accessible Soon after the November 2020 election, as former President Donald Trump and his allies promoted baseless theories that his reelection loss was caused by voting fraud, the number of election-related public record requests increased. Many of them came from people asking to inspect original voted ballots, ballot images and cast vote records, the electronic records of a voters choices. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During the 2023 Texas legislative session, lawmakers responding to pressure from conservatives seeking more access to election records overwhelmingly passed House Bill 5180, allowing public access to those records just 61 days after Election Day. That created a way for people to use public records to match different pieces of information about where, when and how voters cast ballots. In some circumstances, the combination of data points was enough to link a voter to their ballot. In her guidance to county officials Thursday, Adkins said the steps necessary to protect a voters identity could vary, depending on the type of election, the turnout and details of the request, because a voters identity can be deduced using a combination of data points through a process of elimination. When posting records voluntarily to the county website to make them publicly available, election officials should redact any information on the precinct election records or on the ballot image that identifies the location at which a voter voted before posting, Adkins wrote. When responding to a specific request to release election records, Adkins wrote, county officials will have to weigh the specific facts of the situation. The information election officials were told they should consider withholding includes where voters cast ballots, the dates early voting ballots are received and some pre-printed ballot numbers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad County officials would have to ask the requester to agree to the redactions or seek an open records ruling from the state attorney general authorizing them in those specific circumstances, Adkins said. The president of the states association of election administrators told Votebeat that the guidance formalizes short-term solutions election officials had previously discussed with the Secretary of States Office, but that lawmakers still should take additional steps. I definitely think that the Legislature will need to look at this and try to make more long-term changes to the law for ballot secrecy, said Jennifer Doinoff, the Hays County elections administrator and association president. Changes the Legislature could make to further protect ballot secrecy include aggregating information from smaller precincts into larger ones and expanding the number of voters in precincts, which could make it more difficult to link a ballot to a voter. Currently, county election precincts must have at least 100 but not more than 5,000 voters. However, in some large counties, a precinct can have as few as 50 voters. Paxton intervenes in Tarrant County records request The legal opinion Paxton released on Thursday is in response to a public records request submitted to the Tarrant County elections department seeking registered voters history over a 12-year period, including the voters ID, voter name, primary address and the precinct number or polling place where they voted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The county attorneys office sought an opinion from Paxton on whether such information was exempted from disclosure because it contains information that could threaten a voters ballot secrecy. After review, Paxtons office determined that election records custodians must redact such personally identifiable information to protect the constitutional right to a secret ballot in Texas. From a press release: The Police Benevolent Association (PBA) of the New York State Troopers, Inc (NYSTPBA) announced it has endorsed District Attorney Kristy Sprague for Essex County Judge ahead of the November 5, 2024 elections. It is with careful consideration that the NYS Troopers PBA is endorsing Kristy Sprague for Essex County Judge, Charles W. Murphy, President of the NYSTPBA, and his board members shared in a statement. The NYSTPBA is confident that Kristy Sprague is an ideal candidate for Essex County Judge. The New York State Troopers PBA formed in 1943 serves approximately 7,000 active and retired, uniformed members of the New York State Police from the rank of Trooper to the rank of Major. Essex County and New York State has some of the finest Law Enforcement Officials in the Country. Having worked with members of the NYSTPBA here in the North Country for over 25 years, I am extremely honored and proud to have their endorsement for Essex County Judge, Essex County District Attorney Kristy Sprague said. Keeping our citizens safe and protecting our quality of life has been one of my main priorities as District Attorney, Sprague added. I want to thank the Leadership and members of the New York State Troopers PBA for their support and their service, continued Sprague. The Texas Humane Legislation encourages pet owners to apply the five-second rule before walking their furry friends this summer. Elva Etienne/Getty Images With temperatures hitting triple digits in San Antonio, heres a rule to follow to protect your furry friends. Its called the five-second rule. Place the back of your hand on the pavement, and if you cant keep it there for five seconds, its too hot to walk your dog. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Texas Humane Legislation Network, an organization focused on addressing unjust state animal welfare laws, said testing the pavement before walking your dogs will protect them all summer. The Texas Humane Legislation encourages pet owners to apply the five-second rule before walking their furry friends this summer. Eric Hacke/Getty Images Over the next two years, dozens of cities and counties across Montana will review their local governments as called for by a voter initiative in Tuesday's primary elections. Once a decade, Montana's Constitution offers voters the chance to study and potentially change the structure of local governments. The measure appeared on primary ballots across all counties and incorporated cities or towns in the state. Voters in 12 counties and 42 cities and towns approved local government reviews on Tuesday. That's about one-third of incorporated municipalities in the state and one-fifth of counties. Dan Clark, director of the Local Government Center at Montana State University, said that these results are higher than the previous vote in 2014. But historically, Montanans have shown more support for the reviews. "We weren't sure what to expect," Clark said. "We figured there would be more engagement in this process than the previous cycle. We did get more, but not a whole lot more." In 1974, for example, all 56 counties and 128 municipalities approved local government review options. It was the first time voters had this opportunity after the 1972 Constitutional Convention. In 2014, the last time this was offered to voters, 11 counties and 39 municipalities underwent reviews. The vote on Tuesday doesn't immediately alter city councils, county boards or other institutions. Rather, it kicks off a process to assemble a study commission that will spend nearly two years taking feedback and proposing changes that will go before voters again in 2026. The changes can be big or small related to the election and powers of local government. Reviews passed both in population centers and far-flung Montana towns in nearly all corners. Lodge Grass had one of the highest approval percentages with 88 percent voting in favor of the review though just 24 votes were cast. Gallatin and Butte-Silver Bow are the largest counties by population to pass reviews. Bozeman will be the site of one such review after voters passed the initiative on Tuesday with 68 percent of the vote. A grassroots effort called Represent Bozeman, led by Bozeman Tenants United, is hoping to establish ward elections for city commissioners through this process. Organizer Emily LaShelle said securing Tuesday's vote was just phase one. She says the group hopes to vet potential study commission members, make endorsements and get involved in the process through the 2026 conclusion. She said the group has found a wide base of support. "One thing I will say is that this campaign has been just delightfully unifying in Bozeman," LaShelle said. "I think there are groups who we really disagree with on some things who wanted this vote to pass and wanted similar things from the city charter." Gallatin County and West Yellowstone will also undergo their own reviews. After Tuesday's vote, the town of Scobey will proceed with a local government review. Mayor Morgan Lekvold said there had been some chatter about passing a review, and the challenge for the town will be finding participants. "We've been talking about this for a year here locally," he said. "Our biggest concern is finding enough able-bodied people. We're really looking for four, five or six for the city and then four or five for the county." Daniels County, where Scobey is located, also passed a local government review. Lekvold said the review may likely focus on efficiencies between Scobey and Daniels County resources. With two-thirds of the county's small population located in Scobey, residents each bear a lot of public costs. "We have 1,500 people in the county paying for a lot of things," Lekvold said. "We're trying to build a new hospital here in Scobey without raising county taxes." Potential study commission members, who must be residents of the town or county, have until Aug. 12 to file for the nonpartisan position. State law says the commission must have an odd number of members not less than three. Study commission elections take place on Nov. 5 alongside the rest of the general election. ___ This story was originally published by Montana Free Press and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. Puerto Morelos wildfire slowing traffic along federal highway Puerto Morelos, Q.R. A wildfire along a section of the Federal 307 in Puerto Morelos is causing heavy traffic. The Puerto Morelos fire department has reported on the fire, which they say, is located at Kilometer 318 before the Pescadores Brewery. According to the fire department, local authorities including firemen and National Guard are working on extinguishing the fire, which is crawling along the highway under electrical lines. The fire has generated a lot of thick smoke, which is also affecting traffic. The fire began around noon and has grown due to wind gusts. The fire is located along the federal highway approximately 30 kilometers north of Playa del Carmen. Smoke from a wildfire is seen here along the federal highway in Puerto Morelos. Photo: June 7, 2024. There have not been any reports of injuries, however, officials are warning about heavy traffic in the area due to smoke and working emergency service crews. National Guard and Puerto Morelos firemen are working to contain the highway wildfire. Photo: Bomberos Puerto Morelos June 7, 2024. In a briefing, Bomberos Puerto Morelos has reported Caution, fire on Highway 307, lanes from Puerto Morelos to Playa del Carmen, at km 318, before the Pescadores Brewery. National Guard and Firefighters working, heavy traffic in the area. A Brownsville zoo is asking for donations to help care for 19 Mexican spider monkeys it received after smugglers were caught with them at the southern border. U.S. Border Patrol A Brownsville zoo is asking for the publics help in spreading awareness about the wildlife trafficking of Mexican spider monkeys. Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville has taken in 19 infant Mexican spider monkeys, most of which were seized from smugglers at the southern border. The smuggling is a direct response to the high demand for baby monkeys in the U.S. pet trading system. Zoo staff described the horrors that these baby monkeys face as victims of illegal wildlife trade, such as being taken from their mothers in the wild before being sold on the market. They also said poachers would kill the babys mother before taking them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As long as there is a demand for these animals as pets, these horrific acts will continue to occur, said a news release. Mexican spider monkeys are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Natures Red List of Threatened Species. Due to habitat loss, their population is extremely fragmented in the wild, and it continues to decrease because they are being captured and sold. Dr. Pat Burchfield, the zoos executive director, said they need the public to understand that while the animals may look cute and cuddly, the consequences of acquiring them as pets are far-reaching. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The babies are traumatized by the loss of their mothers. While they can be hand-raised, they can no longer be safely returned to their native habitats, Burchfield said. By making them household pets, people are directly contributing to the elimination of this species in the wild. The zoo has been busy around the clock as it continues caring for 1,500 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. As for the baby monkeys, each one receives a complete physical examination for wounds, fungal and bacterial infections, lacerations, lice and other parasites. Daily care for them includes bottle-feeding with human infant formula every three hours, even through the night; cleaning them; and administering medical treatments. Zoo staff have contacted the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to find future homes for the monkeys, but it will be a while before they are ready to travel. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SIOUX CITY The weather was overcast on Saturday, with occasional spots of rain, making the dunk tank a little colder for Sioux City Chief of Police Rex Mueller. Mueller wasnt fazed, though, and took the opportunity to splash cold water at the kids aiming to make him fall into the tank. "Im still having conversations, maybe teasing people that are throwing the balls a little bit and having fun," said Mueller. "The most fun part about the dunk tank is the kids." Mueller was one of many members of law enforcement who attended the eighth-annual Unity in the Community Block Party -- a celebration of community and open conversation. Unity in the Community Block Party Ann Trosper, 5, plays catch with officer Anthony Vondrak at the Unity in the Community Block Party on Saturday at Cook Park in Sioux City. "Its meant to bring the community and public safety together," said Mueller. "Its one of the best events we do each year because its so well attended. We have food, we have the dunk tanks, we have some community organizations that are here. Its just our opportunity to reach out to the community." The block party, run by Unity in the Community, happens at Cook Park in the heart of Sioux City. It was created with the goal of fostering a stronger, more trusting relationship between citizens and law enforcement. Monique Scarlett, Founder and President of Unity in the Community, says that their goal is achieved every year. Unity in the Community Block Party Sophie (left) and Finley Heins check if their raffle tickets have the winning numbers at the Unity in the Community Block Party on Saturday at "We have testimonies of individuals that did not trust law enforcement and did not like law enforcement," said Scarlett. "And after that day, they talk to an officer out of uniform. They get to see the human side, and be able to develop a relationship. Weve watched people go from not trusting, not liking or disliking, to now having a relationship with the officer." Building positive relationships with law enforcement is a core part of what Unity in the Community hopes to achieve. "Unity in the Community was formed in 2016 because of what was happening between law enforcement and citizens, mainly minority, young black men that were getting killed," said Scarlett. "It hit home. I had a young son at the time who fit the description: a young black male, six feet, and I thought, gosh, this could be my son. I wanted to make sure it wouldnt be." Unity in the Community Block Party Mythias McCoy, 10, aims to dunk Sioux City Police Chief Rex Mueller at the Unity in the Community Block Party on Saturday. Soon after the organization was created, Cliff Coleman, the Vice President at the time, proposed a block party in the heart of the city to make conversations between citizens and law enforcement easier. Scarlett said took some convincing, but the block party was up and running that same year. "One of my favorite quotes I always say is by Thomas Edison: 'vision without execution is hallucination,'" said Scarlett. "We have executed, and eight years later, were very humbled and elated that our community has truly begun to come together. We still have work to do, but we are better than what we were eight years ago." Unity in the Community Block Party Brian Huntley pushes his 5-year-old daughter Faith Cayou-Hundley on her new bike, a prize from the raffle, at the Unity in the Community Block After the second year of block parties, Unity in the Community realized that they had already outgrown Dale Street Park. "When we first started out we were at Dale Street Park, and thats fenced in, and we were just coming outside of the fence," said Scarlett. "We knew we needed to move it, and we thought, 'what about Cook Park?' I mean, what better park than right in the heart of the city?" The parties have continued to grow year after year, this year with even bigger donations bringing the celebration to reach a wider and wider audience. Donations make the entire event free for the public, including a free meal, free games and a free raffle with prizes like bikes and helmets, skateboards, scooters and more. "Its gone up an additional level with the city of Sioux City donating the stage," said Scarlett. "That took it to a whole nother level. We have the picnic tables and we have the splash pad. We are literally occupying every bit of this park." Now that Unity in the Community has established a strong foundation, they have big plans for the future. "We want to get in the mind of the younger generation so they can see what were doing, said Scarlett. Were laying a foundation, and theyre going to be the ones to carry it forward. Were just handing off the torch." PHOTOS: Unity in the Community Block Party 2024 Close Mythias McCoy, 10, aims to dunk Sioux City Police Chief Rex Mueller at the Unity in the Community Block Party on Saturday. Sioux City Police Chief Rex Mueller recovers from being dunked at the Unity in the Community Block Party on June 8, 2024, at Cook Park in Sioux City, Iowa. 3-year-old Georgia Simard places magnetic darts on a dartboard at the Unity in the Community Block Party on June 8, 2024, at Cook Park in Sioux City, Iowa. Dominik Smith, 3, tries to point out a dog to his mother Jannell (center) and brother Ty (right) at the Unity in the Community Block Party on Saturday at Cook Park. Tomas Gonzales grills free hamburgers and hotdogs at the Unity in the Community Block Party on June 8, 2024, at Cook Park in Sioux City, Iowa. Reserve Deputy Tom Prinsen picks a bag of chips at the Unity in the Community Block Party on June 8, 2024, at Cook Park in Sioux City, Iowa. Sophie (left) and Finley Heins check if their raffle tickets have the winning numbers at the Unity in the Community Block Party on Saturday at Cook Park in Sioux City. Jackson and Cooper Gralheer shoot baskets at the Unity in the Community Block Party on June 8, 2024, at Cook Park in Sioux City, Iowa. Unity in the Community President Monique Scarlett tosses free shirts into the crowd at the Unity in the Community Block Party on June 8, 2024, at Cook Park in Sioux City, Iowa. Cliff Coleman and Sioux City Police Chief Rex Mueller engage in conversation at the Unity in the Community Block Party on June 8, 2024, at Cook Park in Sioux City, Iowa. Anthony Vondrak speaks at the Sioux City Police booth at the Unity in the Community Block Party on June 8, 2024, at Cook Park in Sioux City, Iowa. Brian Huntley pushes his 5-year-old daughter Faith Cayou-Hundley on her new bike, a prize from the raffle, at the Unity in the Community Block Party on June 8, 2024, at Cook Park in Sioux City, Iowa. +11 +11 +11 +11 +11 +11 +11 +11 +11 +11 Defense attorneys Charles Bunk and Lindsey Shaw speak with Nickolle Cristina Aguilar on Friday. A judge postponed her sentencing, saying Aguilar had falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen when pleading guilty in the death of her son, and ordered lawyers to start over. Kaylee Greenlee Beal Nickolle Cristina Aguilar looks down at her restrained hands Friday after state District Judge Velia J. Meza questioned the claim of U.S. citizenship she made when she agreed to plead guilty in the death of her son. Kaylee Greenlee Beal State District Judge Velia J. Meza questions Nickolle Cristina Aguilar while postponing her sentencing for her part in the death of her son in 2021. Meza said Aguilar falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen when she pleaded guilty. KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL Nickolle Cristina Aguilar stands before state District Judge Velia J. Meza on Friday. The judge postponed her sentencing, saying Aguilar had falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen when pleading guilty in the death of her son, and ordered lawyers to start over. Kaylee Greenlee Beal Nickolle Cristina Aguilars attorneys Charles Bunk and Lindsey Shaw return to the courtroom after speaking to state District Judge Velia J. Meza in her chambers Friday. Kaylee Greenlee Beal Defense attorneys Charles Bunk and Lindsey Shaw speak with Nickolle Cristina Aguilar on Friday. A judge postponed her sentencing, saying Aguilar had falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen when pleading guilty in the death of her son, and ordered lawyers to start over. KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL Nickolle Cristina Aguilar holds her restrained hands after state District Judge Velia J. Meza postponed her sentencing, saying she falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen when she pleaded guilty in the death of her son. Kaylee Greenlee Beal The sentencing of a Florida woman for her part in the 2021 death of her 5-year-old son came to a sudden halt when the judge said she had lied about her immigration status when pleading guilty last month. Prosecutors had agreed that Nickolle Cristina Aguilar, 27, would get no more than 15 years in prison on a charge of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission for not protecting her son, Domenic Patrick Aguilar, from an abusive boyfriend. A jury convicted Daniel Garcia, 27, of murder on May 29 for killing the boy. Testimony at his trial established that Domenic died while in the couples care on July 24, 2021, as they and their kids lived in an extended stay hotel in San Antonio. He is to be sentenced at a later date and faces up to life in prison. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But state District Judge Velia J. Meza on Friday rejected Aguilars plea agreement, telling her attorneys, Charles Bunk and Lindsey Shaw, that her sentencing could not proceed because she had falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen when she pleaded guilty May 8 in exchange for her testimony against Garcia. Meza, irritated, told Bunk and Shaw that they needed to start over on the plea deal, to get an immigration attorney to advise Aguilar on how her immigration status might make her deportable as a convicted felon, and to do it before Aguilars next court hearing July 16. After conferring with prosecutor Oscar Salinas, Bunk and Shaw filed a motion to withdraw the plea. Meza accepted it, then admonished Aguilar, telling her, You better start telling the truth. Aguilars testimony at Garcias trial helped prosecutors convince the jury that he was responsible for beating injuries that likely killed the 5-year-old Domenic, though no cause of death could be determined. The body had been in a Colorado ravine for a summer month before Aguilar led FBI agents and San Antonio police there. The couple had moved to San Antonio so Garcia could share custody of his two children with a former girlfriend. Aguilar testified that Garcia beat Domenic and that the boy was dead when Garcia carried him to their car and she strapped him into a car seat in the back, next to his sister, for the drive to Colorado. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Garcia tossed Domenics body off a slope near the town of Fraser, she testified. Then, they drove through Mexico to Costa Rica, where Aguilar had been born and her father lived. It was her mother, who lived in Boca Raton, Fla., who first alerted authorities that Domenic might be dead. Aguilar told the jury that she was a U.S. resident, not a citizen, and that she and her young daughter had to smuggle themselves from Nicaragua to Costa Rica because she didnt have a passport. The four captives Israeli forces rescued Saturday in the Gaza Strip were abducted from a desert rave near the border during Hamas' wide-ranging assault into Israel on Oct. 7. One emerged as a symbol of the agonizing hostage crisis that is still far from over. Noa Argamani, 26, appeared in videos that captured the painful trajectory of their plight. In the first, filmed by the attackers, she is forced onto a motorbike by several men after being seized with her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, whose whereabouts are still unknown. "Don't kill me!" she screamed with one arm outstretched, the other pinned down. In another video released by Hamas in mid-January, she appeared gaunt and spoke almost certainly under duress of other hostages being killed in airstrikes months into Israel's massive offensive. Then there was a third video, in which she appeared in family photos in the background as her mother, a Chinese immigrant to Israel who has stage 4 brain cancer, pleaded with her captors to release her only child so she could see her before she dies. "I want to see her one more time. Talk to her one more time," Liora Argamani, 61, said. "I don't have a lot of time left in this world." On Saturday, after eight months of captivity, Israeli forces rescued Argamani and three men who were kidnapped from the Tribe of Nova music festival, where Hamas and other militants killed more than 350 people in the worst massacre in Israel's history. The rescue operation came amid a major Israeli air and ground offensive in central Gaza that killed and wounded hundreds of Palestinians, including at least 94 on Saturday. Less is publicly known about the other three hostages rescued Saturday. Almog Meir Jan, a 22-year-old from a small town near Tel Aviv, finished his army service three months before the Oct. 7 attack, according to the Times of Israel, an English-language Israeli website. Andrey Kozlov, 27, worked as a security guard at the festival. He immigrated to Israel alone a year and a half earlier, and his mother came to the country after Oct. 7, Israeli media reported. Shlomi Ziv, 41, from a farming community in northern Israel, worked as an usher and went to the festival with two friends who were both killed, the Times of Israel reported. The Israel Hayom newspaper said he and his wife of 17 years were trying to have children. Argamani began dating Or about two years ago after they met while attending Ben-Gurion University in her hometown, Beersheba, and were planning to move in together in Tel Aviv, his mother told Israel's Ynet news website. She said her son majored in electrical engineering and was hired by the international tech giant Nvidia. Yonatan Levi, a friend of Argamani, described her as a smart, free spirit who loved parties and traveling and was studying computer science. He said he met her at a diving course in the Israeli city of Eilat on the Red Sea, and a few months before her abduction she asked him for help navigating insurance claims for her mother's care. Hamas and other militants killed about 1,200 people in the Oct. 7 attack and captured about 250 others, including men, women, children and older adults. More than 100, mostly women and children, were freed in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel during a weeklong cease-fire last year. More than 36,700 Palestinians were killed since the start of the war, according to health officials in Hamas-run Gaza, who do not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Israeli authorities believe the militants are still holding about 120 hostages, with 43 pronounced dead. Survivors include about 15 women, two children under the age of 5 and two men in their 80s. War in Gaza marks grim 6-month milestone Francis Dellie Woodburn, 96, of Great Mills, MD passed away peacefully on June 2, 2024 at MedStar St. Mary's Hospital in Leonardtown, MD. Born on April 22, 1928 in Great Mills, MD, he was the son of the late Mary Ruth Norris Woodburn and Richard Dellie Woodburn. He was the loving husband of Jean Elizabeth Payne Woodburn, whom he married on September 24, 1955 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Morganza, MD. Together they built a life marked by 68 years of love and devotion. Francis is survived by his daughters Marjorie Woodburn Ludwig and her fiance Jeff Maiura of Great Mills, MD, and Laura Jean Woodburn of Great Mills, MD. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Sara Elizabeth Ballard and her husband Kyle of Callaway, MD, and Megan Kathleen Ludwig and her fiance Matt Bless of California, MD, and his adored great-grandchildren, Lane Houston Ballard and Eden Marjorie Ballard, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Francis was preceded in death by his sisters Janice Ann Hayden, Mary Ruth Bowles and Erva Mae Woodburn, and his brothers-in-law, Vincent Hayden and Ralph Bowles. Francis is a lifelong resident of St. Mary's County. He was a devoted Catholic and parishioner of Holy Face Church in Great Mills, MD. He graduated from Little Flower School in 1943 and pursued agricultural studies at Great Mills High School. He obtained his High School Diploma in 1975. Francis initially worked alongside his father in their farming business until 1965, after which he began his career as an Electrician working for John Lynch. He continued helping his father on the farm for many years. During this time Francis also owned and operated two school bus contracts with the St. Mary's County Board of Education. In June of 1974, Francis joined the Department of Defense Public Works Department at Patuxent River, MD as an Electrician. In 1986 he transferred to the Public Works Department at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head, MD. After 25 years of faithful service he retired from the Department of Defense on January 2, 1999. Francis had an unending curiosity and love for learning. His hobbies included photography, astronomy, music, and travel. He was often seen with a camera in hand capturing moments and developing black and white portraits in his darkroom. His travels took him across the United States, Ireland, and the Caribbean, with memorable trips to Alaska, Niagara Falls, Branson, MO, and Pigeon Forge, TN. He enjoyed country and bluegrass music and frequently attended the Tennessee Fall Homecoming Festival to enjoy the music. After retirement, Francis fulfilled his lifelong dream of driving across the United States visiting landmarks such as Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, Death Valley, and Four Corners. Known affectionately as "Mr. Fix-it", Francis was admired for his ability to repair almost anything. He was talented in his abilities including automotive repair, carpentry, electrical and mechanical work. He was always willing to lend a hand and help others. In his later years he learned to use a computer and was a frequent YouTube viewer of mechanical repair and travel videos. Family will receive friends on Monday, June 10, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Reverend Scott Holmer at 12:00 p.m., at Holy Face Catholic Church, 20408 Point Lookout Road, Great Mills, MD 20634. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Jeff Maiura, Kyle Ballard, Matt Bless, Walter Hayden, Bobby Rowand, and Jamie Thomas. Memorial contributions in Francis' name may be made to the Second District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20692 or Holy Face Catholic Church, 20408 Point Lookout Road, Great Mills, MD 20634 or Little Flower School, 20408 Point Lookout Road, Great Mills, MD 20634. Anne Marie Hobbs, "Mama Hobbs", 55. Of Great Mills, MD, formerly of Huntingtown, MD, passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Leonardtown, MD. Born on September 10, 1968, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late Delores Esak and the late Charles Esak. Anne was the ex-wife of the late John W. Hobbs, whom she married in Prince Frederick, MD, and who preceded her in death on October 11, 2015. She is survived by her children, Kelly A. Hobbs of Great Mills, MD and Cathy M. Tenhoff of Upper Marlboro, MD, her son-in-law, Russell Tenhoff of Upper Marlboro, MD, her sisters Mary Glenn (Esak) of Colonial Beach, VA and Debbie Redfern (Esak) of Martinsburg, WV, and her five fur grandchildren, Reagan the cat, Twilight the cat, and Baxter the tree frog, all of Great Mills, MD, Jack the dog, and Hugo the dog, both of Upper Marlboro, MD. Anne graduated from Northern High School in Owings, MD in 1986. She then went on to earn her associate's degree in accounting from Prince George's County Community College in 1989. Anne moved to St. Mary's County, MD from Lusby, MD in 2013 and was a Senior Accountant for New Horizons Supported Services, Inc. for ten years, retiring in July 2023. She found peace and comfort being by the water and taking trips to Ocean City, MD, where she shared many fond memories with her family. Anne was a former treasurer for Patuxent High School Band Boosters, enjoyed 80s musicBon Jovi was her favorite 80s band, attending shows for local bands, as well as bird watching and bird feeding. The family will receive friends on Monday, June 10, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. Interment will be private. Contributions may be made to A Community That Shares (ACTS), P.O. Box 54, Bushwood, MD 20618, American Diabetes Association (ADA) diabetes.org, Owl Moon Raptor Center, 20201 Bucklodge Road, Boyds, MD 20841, and/or the American Kidney Fund (AKF) kidneyfund.org. Anne was a beneficiary of ACTS and AKF, receiving mobility aides as well as monies towards medicare payments for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) during the last year of her life. European Commission president trusted by a third of Slovaks. A canvas promoting the European elections is seen on the European Parliament building on April 11, 2024 in Strasbourg, eastern France. (Source: AP) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share The European Council and the Council of the European Union are two different EU institutions, but people in Slovakia cannot tell the difference. Regardless, they trust them. They also trust European Union leaders, even though they do not know them well. The European Union remains too complicated and distant for many people in the country, despite the fact that Slovakia joined the EU 20 years ago. Information about how the EU works has been incorporated into the curriculum only in recent years. A recent NMS Market Research Slovakia poll shows that people are the most aware of the European Parliament of all EU bodies. But it is the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Prosecutors Office that people trust more, even if people are not as familiar with them as with the parliament. Heres another example: Only 10 percent of respondents knew the European Court of Auditors. It may have caught peoples attention in early 2023 when then Slovak lawmaker Martin Klus tried to become an auditor despite lacking the necessary qualifications in finances and audit. Nominated by the then Heger cabinet, the nomination was perceived as a political trade-off, since the offer came out of nowhere and at a time when the Heger administration no longer held a majority in parliament. The European Parliament did not approve the nomination. Today, auditor Katarina Kaszasova represents Slovakia in the European Court of Auditors, trusted by 63 percent of Slovak respondents. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/confident-putin-western-media-reflects-on-russian-presidents-spief-speech--1118859844.html 'Confident' Putin: Western Media Reflects on Russian President's SPIEF Speech 'Confident' Putin: Western Media Reflects on Russian President's SPIEF Speech Sputnik International Western media outlets react to Russian president Vladimir Putin's speech at a plenary session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). 2024-06-08T07:27+0000 2024-06-08T07:27+0000 2024-06-08T13:04+0000 world vladimir putin russia st. petersburg international economic forum (spief) spief 2024 https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/07/1118848762_0:0:3211:1807_1920x0_80_0_0_4354cdd261e8da41f4205a6106b42a1a.jpg Western media outlets have widely picked up on the confidence that Russias president projected as he addressed a plenary session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). They also homed in on the Russian leaders remarks regarding the use of nuclear weapons as the West continues to escalate the proxy conflict in Ukraine. The BBC ran with a headline that said a Confident Putin warns Europe is defenseless.The outlet quoted his comments aimed at European countries that have been propping up the Kiev regime, and that Russia has many more [tactical nuclear weapons] than there are on the European continent, even if the United States brings theirs over. Reuters singled out the essence of Putins message, which indicated that Russia does not need to use nuclear weapons for victory in Ukraine. This is the Kremlin's strongest signal to date that the conflict will not escalate into a nuclear war, Reuters stated. The New York Times also trotted out the words nuclear war in the context that Putin said the combined arsenals of Europe and the US would be no match for Russias in a nuclear confrontation. The publication also seized on Putins remarks that the scenario for such an exceptional case had not yet come, and that there is no such need." DPA also sought to allay fears, interpreting Putins remarks as indicating that, Russia not considering nuclear strike with West over Ukraine. At the same time, it cited the presidents comments that Russias nuclear doctrine is a "living instrument" that could change depending on circumstances. CNBC threw the focus on trade and the de-dollarization trend spearheaded by BRICS. It cited Putins statement that almost 40% of Russian trade turnover is now in rubles. The publication echoed the Russian presidents comments that Western sanctions had rendered the country more self-sufficient, with its economy expected to grow faster than all advanced economies this year. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240607/putins-4d-chess-west-losing-war-on-four-fronts-after-picking-fight-with-russia-1118851297.html 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 spief'24, vladimir putin's speech at a plenary session at the st. petersburg international economic forum, spief, spief 2024 forum, what is spief, what did putin say in spief speech, what did russia's putin say about nuclear war, will russia trgger nuclear war, does russia want a nuclear war https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/eus-russia-sanctions-satastrophic-for-greek-economy---former-greek-energy-minister-1118877015.html EU's Russia Sanctions 'atastrophic' for Greek Economy - Former Greek Energy Minister EU's Russia Sanctions 'atastrophic' for Greek Economy - Former Greek Energy Minister Sputnik International The European Union's sanctions against Russia had a "catastrophic" effect on Greece's economy, Panagiotis Lafazanis, a prominent Greek opposition politician and former energy minister, told Sputnik, adding that the EU country was already plunged into a crisis, including in the economic sector. 2024-06-08T16:58+0000 2024-06-08T16:58+0000 2024-06-09T16:57+0000 economy greece russia european union (eu) greek finance ministry international monetary fund panagiotis lafazanis sanctions russian economy under sanctions st. petersburg international economic forum (spief) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102561/07/1025610742_0:325:4000:2575_1920x0_80_0_0_061372fec832d138a524715c98819e1c.jpg "No one has ever asked the Greek public about the sanctions that Greece adopted together with the European Union against Russia. That is, the Greek government, despite the public opinion, accepted with closed eyes what the United States pushed through Europe. I would call these sanctions catastrophic for Greece, because Greece had already been in a big crisis before, especially in an economic crisis," Lafazanis said on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Russia. The politician said that the EU sanctions against Russia "delivered the last blow" to the Greek economy against the backdrop of an already dire economic situation in Greece caused by tough measures taken by the International Monetary Fund and other organizations since 2010. Lafazanis, who founded a new party called Democratic Movement of National Liberation in the beginning of 2023, also expressed disapproval over the EU sanctions against Belarus, saying that Greece used the logistics routes through Belarus for its exports to Russia. He noted that the change of Greece's policy was the only way to overcome the crisis caused by EU sanctions against Russia, adding that it was difficult to determine the exact period when Greek economy would be able to recover. The ex-energy minister said that Greece had been suffering from energy shortages, including gas supplies, amid constantly changing situation in the country's energy sector. "The situation with gas supplies is changing every day and we [the Democratic Movement of National Liberation party], as a political party, are making every effort to resolve this issue for the benefit of the peoples of Greece and Russia," he added. At the same time, the European Statistical Office (Eurostat) said that Greece ranked second to last in the European Union in terms of GDP per capita, ahead only of Bulgaria. Greece was 33% below the European average, while Bulgaria was 36% lower.Addressing the same issue at the concluding press conference of SPIEF-2024, Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation and responsible secretary of the organizing committee, stated:The Russian city of St. Petersburg is hosting the 27th edition of SPIEF from June 5-8. Last year, the forum drew 17,000 participants from 130 countries and saw the signing of more than 900 agreements. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240605/greek-epam-party-calls-for-lifting-sanctions-against-russia-dialogue-1118775075.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240215/europe-in-for-very-rocky-times-after-failed-sanctions-on-russia---expert-1116791959.html greece 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 eu sanctions against russia, anti-russian sanctions, greece, greek economy, how sanctions against russia affect eu states, st. petersburg international economic forum (spief), spief 2024 https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/iran-says-foreign-occupation-to-blame-for-most-of-afghanistans-woes-1118874352.html Iran Says Foreign Occupation to Blame for Most of Afghanistan's Woes Iran Says Foreign Occupation to Blame for Most of Afghanistan's Woes Sputnik International The reason for the majority of problems and challenges Afghanistan is facing is the previous occupation of this country and lack of attention to its economic development by the occupiers, Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri said in a statement on Saturday. 2024-06-08T14:12+0000 2024-06-08T14:12+0000 2024-06-08T15:08+0000 world afghanistan iran https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/08/1118874182_0:132:2800:1707_1920x0_80_0_0_c016afe46e308e29cbe210da020b7817.jpg On Saturday, representatives of Iran, Russia, Pakistan and China convened in Tehran for a meeting of the Regional Contact Group on Afghanistan. Despite the fact that the occupation forces have left Afghanistan, the country still faces developmental obstacles as its people's access to Afghan resources had been limited, the official said. The so-called occupation forces are therefore responsible for destroying the economic infrastructure of Afghanistan and should pay their share to compensate for the damage done to the country by its economic underdevelopment, the statement read. One of the problems which the Middle East is facing right now is the massive migration of Afghans to the neighboring countries, Bagheri said, adding there should be a UN-controlled mechanism established to help Afghanistan to return all the emigrants back, providing them with land and decent living conditions. Iran has always supported constructive initiatives aimed at reaching peace and stability in Afghanistan, including meetings of foreign ministers from countries neighboring Afghanistan and Moscow format talks, the minister said in the statement. The Tehran meeting is attended by Pakistan's Special Representative on Afghanistan Asif Durrani, Iranian presidential envoy for Afghanistan Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Chinese Special Envoy to Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong, and Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov. The Taliban movement (under UN sanctions for terrorism) came to power in August 2021, toppling the US-installed and financed government as US and NATO troops were leaving the country after almost 20 years of military presence there. The Taliban government is not recognized by the United Nations. Numerous countries and international organizations cut aid and ties with Kabul. https://sputnikglobe.com/20210823/red-line-taliban-warns-of-consequences-if-us-occupation-of-afghanistan-extended-1083689434.html afghanistan iran 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 afghanistan, iran, foreign occupation of afghanistan, iran, iranian acting foreign minister ali bagheri Police are investigating a hit-and-run wreck on NW Loop 410 that sent woman to the hospital. mbbirdy/Getty Images A 35-year-old man told police he stopped to give a panhandler some money when he was assaulted by the man, who then took his car. Police were able to quickly recover the stolen car, which was being driven by a 20-year-old man. The man was in police custody awaiting formal charges. According to a preliminary report, officers responded to a robbery in progress Friday around 11:14 p.m. in the 1400 block of North Zarzamora Street in the citys near Northwest Side. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police were able to stop and arrest the man without further injury, according to the preliminary report. But in a tweet on Saturday, police Chief William McManus said the panhandler assaulted two officers before he was finally arrested. There are safer ways to help the homeless, McManus tweeted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The issue of panhandling has been one the city has sought to address for years through its Change the Way You Give campaign, which encourages people to donate to groups that help those experiencing homelessness rather than to give directly to panhandlers, which can be dangerous. Just last week, Council Member Manny Pelaez placed signs throughout his district on the Northwest Side to encourage people not to give money to panhandlers. The signs, which state Panhandling Its OK to say no, have been placed in hot spot areas near intersections along Interstate 10. Pelaez believes that rather than giving panhandlers money, people should instead donate to area outreach services like Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army, the Battered Women and Childrens Shelter, and Haven for Hope or their church. Pelaez said he is trying to raise awareness on the complicated issue, but that the solution lies in funding nonprofits that serve the homeless community. He added that his office is collecting data based on how the program works in his district. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We know that by giving money out of windows, youre running the chance of helping people stay in the grips of these addictions, he said. But we also know if you give them to nonprofits like Haven for Hope or Salvation Army, those organizations will stretch those dollars and put them to work. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/israel-cant-win-all-out-war-against-lebanons-hezbollah-heres-why-1118878260.html Israel Cant Win All Out War Against Lebanons Hezbollah: Heres Why Israel Cant Win All Out War Against Lebanons Hezbollah: Heres Why Sputnik International Israels embattled prime minister has dropped hints that he doesnt feel he has enough on his plate with the faltering war in Gaza and protests inside his own country demanding his resignation, threatening to expand the Gaza conflict into Lebanon against Hezbollah. A leading Lebanese political observer tells Sputnik why thats a very bad idea. 2024-06-08T19:11+0000 2024-06-08T19:11+0000 2024-06-08T19:16+0000 analysis benjamin netanyahu middle east israel lebanon syria hezbollah hamas israel defense forces (idf) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107657/33/1076573331_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_f34e7b78f6039de2bb620f0dab16646e.jpg Israel is prepared for an extremely powerful action in the north against Hezbollah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Wednesday, citing the recent dramatic escalation of cross-border skirmishes, which have included Hezbollah drone attacks inside Israel and the shootdown of a heavy Israeli drone over Lebanese airspace last week.Iran is trying to choke us and encircle us and we are fighting back directly and with its proxies. We cant accept the continuation of the situation in the north, it wont continue. We will return the residents to their homes and bring back security, Netanyahu assured, referencing the Iran-led Axis of Resistance alliance, which includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria, Iraqi Shia militias, and Yemens Houthi fighters.Israeli Army Radio reported this week that the government had approved the call-up of an additional 50,000 reservists in preparation of a possible escalation with Hezbollah. US and Middle Eastern media have braced for a full-scale all-out conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militia.But whatever superficial similarities may appear to exist between Hezbollah and Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has managed to bog down Israels army using a Spartan combination of rifles, man-portable anti-tank missiles and simple rockets assembled in underground garages, political and military observers the world over agree that the Lebanese group is far, far stronger.Hardened by years of running battles against the Israeli military and with US-sponsored terrorist proxies in Syria beginning in 2012, Hezbollah, unlike Hamas, also has access to an array of sophisticated missiles and rockets, which observers in Washington estimate to number up to 200,000 enough to overwhelm Israels powerful air and missile defense network.Israel can attack many Hezbollah targets at once and cause significant damage, but cannot remove or even dramatically reduce the militias capabilities, which are widespread and mobile, the observer noted.On top of that, the academic warned that the threat of spillover is quite high, potentially implicating much of the Quds Brigade in Syria and Iraq, resulting in Israel fighting on multiple and wide fronts.The potential conflict will result in major losses on both sides without a decisive victory. However, Iran will likely emerge as a major winner, asserting its regional role in any future political settlements, Dr. Salamey believes.Hezbollah and Israel fought their last major war in July-August 2006, during which the IDF leveled much of Beiruts infrastructure and caused up to $5 billion in direct war damage and lost output and income. Hezbollah emerged largely unscathed, however, with about 1,000 of its fighters facing off against between 10,000-30,000 Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, losing about 250 men while killing 121 Israeli servicemen and injuring over 1,200 others.That conflict has been described even by Western mainstream observers as a loss for Israel, with Israels armed forces said to have been given a bloody nose and suffering reputational costs which Tel Aviv has proven unable to recover from to this day. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240605/israel-ready-to-take-decisive-actions-against-hezbollah---netanyahu-1118784934.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240603/hezbollah-employs-new-weapons-and-tactics-to-keep-israel-on-tenterhooks-1118756414.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/hezbollah-targets-israeli-iron-dome-battery-with-uavs-day-after-downing-idf-drone-1118747255.html israel lebanon syria 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 can israel beat hezbollah, who is stronger israel or hezbollah, can israel crush hezbollah https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/israeli-army-says-rescued-4-hostages-held-in-gaza---idf-1118872149.html Israeli Army Says Rescued 4 Hostages Held in Gaza - IDF Israeli Army Says Rescued 4 Hostages Held in Gaza - IDF Sputnik International The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had rescued four hostages, including a Russian national, who were kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7 and held in Gaza by the Hamas movement since then. 2024-06-08T12:22+0000 2024-06-08T12:22+0000 2024-06-08T13:52+0000 world middle east israel defense forces (idf) hamas nova intelligent speed assistance (isa) israel hostages palestine-israel conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0d/1117917238_0:0:2200:1239_1920x0_80_0_0_595f26a5842f14673827ebf9f9b1c863.jpg "This morning (Saturday), in a joint IDF, ISA [Israel Securities Authority] and Israel Police (Yamam) complex, special, daytime operation in Nuseirat, four Israeli hostages were rescued. Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40), were kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist organization from the 'Nova' music festival on October 7th," the Israeli army said in a statement. The hostages were rescued by the Israeli forces in two separate locations in the center of Nuseirat in Gaza, the military authorities said. "They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Center for further medical examinations," the IDF said.Israel has deployed hundreds of fighters from various services and units in the operation to free the hostages that has been under development for several weeks, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari told a briefing.The spokesman specified that the hostages were found in two different buildings located in the center of the Nuseirat refugee camp and a densely populated residential area of the central Gaza Strip, adding that the Israeli military was supported by the air and navy forces.On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted during the attack. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 36,500 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/20240226/israel-prohibits-civilians-from-returning-to-northern-gaza-until-all-hostages-freed-1117000206.html israel 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 israel, israel defense forces (idf), israeli hostages, hamas, gaza strip, palestine-israel conflict, israel-hamas conflict, gaza war https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/photos-exciting-highlights-from-spief-2024-1118863868.html Photos: Exciting Highlights From SPIEF-2024 Photos: Exciting Highlights From SPIEF-2024 Sputnik International The Russian city of St Petersburg hosted the 27th International Economic Forum (SPIEF) from June 5-8. The annual event brings together international experts, politicians and leaders to discuss key issues in business and economics. 2024-06-08T13:01+0000 2024-06-08T13:01+0000 2024-06-08T13:01+0000 russia spief 2024 st. petersburg international economic forum (spief) multimedia photo https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/08/1118864041_0:0:3124:1757_1920x0_80_0_0_ea99be5f792f7eb4ea4338ef7a3444d1.jpg The St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) closed its fourth day of business on Saturday June 8 with a final press conference. 21,300 thousand people took part in SPIEF 2024, with the total sum of contracts signed exceeding 6.4 trillion rubles, according to Anton Kobyakov, advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin.Check out Sputnik's gallery for exciting shots from this year's SPIEF! 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 spief'24 final press conference, st. petersburg international economic forum, spief 2024, spief 2024 program, spief 2024 topics, spief 2024 themes, spief 2024 discussions https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/prospect-of-ukraine-child-soldiers-shows-us-desperate-will-set-public-against-zelensky-1118858395.html Prospect of Ukraine 'Child Soldiers' Shows US Desperate, Will Set Public Against Zelensky Prospect of Ukraine 'Child Soldiers' Shows US Desperate, Will Set Public Against Zelensky Sputnik International The prospect of Ukraine lowering the mobilization age to 18 years demonstrates the desperation of both Washington and Kiev as the conflict with Russia grinds on, while the unpopular move will further stoke public anger against Zelensky, analysts told Sputnik. 2024-06-08T06:25+0000 2024-06-08T06:25+0000 2024-06-08T06:25+0000 analysis ukraine russia volodymyr zelensky vladimir putin children mobilization cia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/04/1117742349_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_2c7bb98b00ac2e9311a355acdbf4f77f.jpg Russian President Vladimir Putin told the world's leading news agencies this week he believes the United States will force Zelensky to lower the mobilization age to 18 and then get rid of him. It would take a year to implement it, Putin assessed. In April, Zelensky signed legislation into law to lower the minimum conscription age to 25 from 27. Weapons Are Complete Waste Without Manpower "This is clearly a sign of desperation," ret. US Army Col. and political commentator Earl Rasmussen said. Regardless of the equipment or funds provided by the West, if there are no soldiers to train and operate the weapons, then they are a complete waste and do little to even weaken Russian forces, Rasmussen observed. "Zelensky is already not popular, and this will only anger the public more who have watched generations eliminated for no reason other than to appease foreign geopolitical interests and potentially personal wealth," he said. A recent poll published by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology found that half of Ukrainians accuse Zelensky of failing to deliver on his 2019 campaign promises. "Zelensky is long overdue but may still be useful for the West until after the elections. Then well see," Rasmussen said. His safety is far from guaranteed but the threat to him is greater from within his own government and military, the expert noted. 'Child Soldiers' CovertAction magazine Managing Editor Jeremy Kuzmarov agreed that the reports of US policymakers urging tougher conscription laws in Kiev reflected "growing desperation on the part of the United States and Ukraine." It also shows the utter hypocrisy of US leaders, Kuzmarov emphasized. "They claim to be for human rights yet support the unethical use of child soldiers in this war. They know these soldiers will be used as cannon fodder in a war they provoked and that could have easily been ended," he said. Biden's policy on Ukraine is now reminiscent of Laos in the 1960s when the CIA recruited child soldiers for its Hmong clandestine army to fight the communist Pathet Lao in a secret war, Kuzmarov recalled. Former US diplomat and State Department consultant on relations with Russia James Carden also agreed that the reports revealed panic and desperation in the Biden administration. Martial law was introduced in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The next day, Zelensky signed a decree on general mobilization. The martial law and mobilization have been continuously extended since then. On May 9, the Ukrainian president signed bills to extend mobilization and martial law in the country for another 90 days. Under martial law, Ukrainian citizens aged from 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving the country. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240527/live-fast-die-young-west-hints-ukraine-should-mobilize-more-youth-amid-major-losses-1118652848.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International zelensky, mobilization in ukraine, mobilization age in ukraine, child soldiers ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/russia-has-never-broken-off-talks-with-nuclear-powers-1118862772.html Russia Has Never Broken Off Talks With Nuclear Powers Russia Has Never Broken Off Talks With Nuclear Powers Sputnik International Moscow will respond to Washingtons statements on its nuclear weapons deployment in accordance with the Russian nuclear doctrine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told Sputnik on Saturday. 2024-06-08T11:11+0000 2024-06-08T11:11+0000 2024-06-08T12:04+0000 world russia maria zakharova antonio guterres washington moscow the united nations (un) white house us new start treaty https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/1d/1115879805_0:0:3124:1757_1920x0_80_0_0_0a1b5bece541ad2d474c3c52588c2a70.jpg Russia has never refused talks with the US on nuclear weapons control despite Washington's ramping-up of the arms race, the Foreign Affairs Ministry's spokeswoman has said. A White House official said on Friday the US may increase deployment of strategic nuclear weapons in coming years to deter threats from China, Russia and other nations. "Yesterday the president [of Russia Vladimir Putin] said everything, there is a nuclear doctrine. If there is a need for its modification, some amendments will be adopted." Foreign Affairs Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). "There are relevant arsenals. I think that it was the White House's reaction to the questions of [the US] public on why the US possesses less of such arsenals." Washington is once again using Russia-related isues to solve internal problems, indicating US deficiencies, Zakharova noted.She added that Washington should make announcements based to their national interests rather than short-term political expediency.Russia never ceased to engage in dialogue with the nuclear states, the spokesperson said. "We have always declared that even in the most difficult situations there is room for a dialogue and have consistently demonstrated a similar approach in practice," Zakharova added "There is no point in calling on us to engage in dialogue; we have never refused to do it. This is part of our foreign policy concept.""Perhaps [UN Secretary General] Mr [Antonio] Guterres should call to engage in dialogue those who deliberately refused to do it and, what is more, prohibited others from conducting this dialogue," she continued. "Because the United States not only refused [to negotiate], it forces other countries to refuse negotiations."Guterres said on Friday during the annual meeting of the Arms Control Association in Washington that the world's nuclear powers must step back from the precipice and resume dialogue dialogue on arms control.We need to move back from the nuclear brink, Guterres said, stressing that disarmament must start immediately with all countries involved. But nuclear weapons states must lead the way. They must resume dialogue.In response to a question during the plenary session at SPIEF about the potential use of weapons of mass destruction, Putin referred to Russias nuclear doctrine. Everything is written there, he noted. Its use is possible in exceptional cases: in case of a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. I do not consider that such a case has occurred.Russia does not need nuclear weapons to achieve victory, the president asserted with confidence, when it has the Russian spirit.The president also expressed hope that the world will never reach the point of nuclear war. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240607/live-updates-plenary-session-in-full-swing-at-spief-2024--1118828231.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240606/us-military-vet-its-scary-how-west-pushes-world-to-precipice-of-nuclear-war-1118809778.html russia washington moscow Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, us, nuclear weapons, nuclear arsenals, nuclear race, nuclear doctrine, new start treaty, maria zakharova, vladimir putin https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/russian-sever-group-of-forces-advances-into-depths-of-ukrainian-defense-in-kharkov-region-1118871734.html Russian Sever Group of Forces Advances Into Depths of Ukrainian Defense in Kharkov Region Russian Sever Group of Forces Advances Into Depths of Ukrainian Defense in Kharkov Region Sputnik International Units of the Sever Group of Forces continue their advance into the depths of enemy defenses in the Kharkov region, the Ministry of Defense stated. 2024-06-08T12:03+0000 2024-06-08T12:03+0000 2024-06-08T12:03+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia ukraine kharkov armed forces of ukraine ministry of defense m113 army tactical missile system (atacms) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/08/1118871480_0:167:3049:1882_1920x0_80_0_0_e0bdcea2deaa2dc08fef54b3cbd40424.jpg Strikes were inflicted on the manpower and equipment of the 57th Motorized Infantry Brigade and the 125th Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of Granov and Konstantinovka in the Kharkov region, the statement said.Over the past day, the group also repelled six counterattacks by the 42nd Mechanized, 71st Jaeger, and 82nd Air Assault Brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the 13th Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard. In these battles, the Ukrainian army lost approximately 180 personnel killed and wounded, two armored combat vehicles, three other vehicles, a D-20 howitzer and two Bukovel-AD electronic warfare stations.In the meantime, Russia's Zapad group of forces have occupied more advantageous positions and repelled three attacks, while the Ukrainian military has lost up to 495 soldiers in clashes, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. "Units of the Zapad group of forces occupied more advantageous positions, defeating formations of the 14th, 63rd, 116th mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces and the 117th air defense brigade near the settlements of Sinkovka and Petropavlovka in the Kharkov Region, Stelmakhovka and Dibrova in the Lugansk People's Republic," the ministry said. In addition, the Russian troops repelled three counterattacks by an enemy assault groups. Ukraine has lost up to 495 military personnel, two US-made M113 armored personnel carriers, three vehicles, four US-made 155-mm 777 howitzer, a 152-mm D-20 howitzer and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer during clashes with Russia's Zapad group, the statement added. In addition, Ukrainian troops lost up to 180 soldiers in battles with the Sever (North) grouping of Russian troops, over 400 in battles with the Yug grouping of troops, up to 340 with the Tsentr grouping of troops and up to 135 with the Vostok grouping of troops, as well as up to 50 military personnel and a UK-made Braveheart self-propelled artillery mount in battles with the Dnepr battlegroup. Over the past day, the Russian air defense systems shot down a Ukrainian Mi-8 military helicopter, four ATACMS missiles, 71 drones and other targets, the statement added. Meanwhile, Russia's Black Sea Fleet destroyed five Ukrainian unmanned boats during the same period. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240526/russian-armed-forces-liberate-the-village-of-berestovoye-in-kharkov-region-1118641822.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 special military operation, kharkiv, sever battlegroup, northern group of forces, zapa battlegroup, wester group of forces, ukrainian conflict, ukranian crisis, war in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/scott-ritter-putin-seeks-resolution-with-nato-but-russias-future-is-in-brics-1118855216.html Scott Ritter: Putin Seeks Resolution With NATO but Russia's Future is in BRICS Scott Ritter: Putin Seeks Resolution With NATO but Russia's Future is in BRICS Sputnik International Russia is embracing a future beyond Western economic hegemony, the Russian President said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. 2024-06-08T01:16+0000 2024-06-08T01:16+0000 2024-06-08T04:39+0000 analysis vladimir putin scott ritter volodymyr zelensky russia ukraine brics multipolar multipolar world multipolarity https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/08/1118855661_28:0:1920:1064_1920x0_80_0_0_bf2852a59495aba194af0ac349345708.png President Vladimir Putin continues to hold the door open for a resolution of conflicts between NATO and Russia, said former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter, but the country will embrace a new multipolar world led by institutions like the BRICS economic bloc.The leader closed out the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) with a presentation where he stressed the countrys preparations for the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan this fall. The bloc doubled in size at last years summit, noted Ritter, and appears set to continue to expand as it challenges the Western-oriented G7 group.A recent report demonstrated that BRICS economies maintain higher average growth than G7 nations. "With continued higher growth rates and the potential to add more members, BRICS looks likely to overtake the G7 in economic size within two decades," concluded the analysis.The theme that Vladimir Putin painted was one that showed Russia to be in a sound place economically, a growing economy, a diversifying economy, an economy that was adapting to the new reality of a multilateral, multipolar world, an economy that is very much linked to the future expansion and success of BRICS, said Ritter of Putins closing comments at the 2024 SPIEF, which hosted representatives from 130 countries and saw the signing of more than 900 agreements.Ritter noted that Putin put the Istanbul solution back on the table for a resolution of the conflict with Ukraine, but it would be modified based upon the new reality. Ukraine and Russia were engaged in peace talks shortly after the launch of Moscow's special military operation in 2022, it was reported by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, but the United States interfered to end the negotiations. Another round of talks between the two countries that year was scuttled by former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, also at the behest of Washington, it has emerged.In October 2022, Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree making it unlawful for Kiev to engage in negotiations with Russia as long as it is governed by President Vladimir Putin.Zelensky must step down, Putin said, claiming he is a usurper as he rules beyond his elected mandate. The Russian president also sought to calm speculation about nuclear war and conflict with the United States, claiming that conditions have not been met for Russia to consider the use of its nuclear weapons. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240607/brics-considering-some-30-cooperation-requests-from-different-countries-1118830056.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240525/us-should-quit-sending-money-to-ukraine-try-to-negotiate-peace--congressman-massie-1118621187.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 President Vladimir Putin continues to hold the door open for a resolution of conflicts between NATO and Russia, said former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter, but the country will embrace a new multipolar world led by institutions like the BRICS economic bloc Sputnik International President Vladimir Putin continues to hold the door open for a resolution of conflicts between NATO and Russia, said former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter, but the country will embrace a new multipolar world led by institutions like the BRICS economic bloc 2024-06-08T01:16+0000 true PT5M46S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg russia multipolar future, russia brics multipolarity, russia brics growth, russia peace ukraine, russia resolution nato, russia kiev peace plan, spief, global south, multipolar world order, russian economy, russian development https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/spief-2024-final-day-press-conference-1118861529.html SPIEF 2024 Final Day: Press Conference SPIEF 2024 Final Day: Press Conference Sputnik International Final press conference at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). 2024-06-08T10:06+0000 2024-06-08T10:06+0000 2024-06-08T13:02+0000 spief 2024 st. petersburg international economic forum (spief) economy russia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/08/1118858746_0:132:3174:1917_1920x0_80_0_0_fe68b68df68221819cd4dc8ea7b5c618.jpg Sputnik comes to you live for the final press conference at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). Anton Kobyakov, advisor to Russias President Vladimir Putin, answers questions on the results of the 27th annual economic event that brought together international experts, politicians and leaders to discuss key issues in business and economics.SPIEF has been held annually since 1997. Since 2005 it has been held under the auspices of the President of the Russian Federation, who has invariably attended each event.Follow Sputniks live broadcast to find out more! 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 __ Sputnik International __ 2024-06-08T10:06+0000 true PT1S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International spief'24 final press conference, st. petersburg international economic forum, spief 2024, spief 2024 program, spief 2024 topics, spief 2024 themes, spief 2024 discussions https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/there-should-be-more-outrage-bibis-upcoming-address-to-congress-and-hezbollah-tension-1118853904.html 'There Should Be More Outrage': Bibi's Upcoming Address to Congress, and Hezbollah Tension 'There Should Be More Outrage': Bibi's Upcoming Address to Congress, and Hezbollah Tension Sputnik International The address comes at an awkward time, as the prime ministers government continues to wage an increasingly unpopular war in the Gaza Strip which has resulted in a humanitarian disaster. 2024-06-08T04:00+0000 2024-06-08T04:00+0000 2024-06-08T04:00+0000 world benjamin netanyahu jeremy kuzmarov volodymyr zelensky israel gaza strip lebanon congress hamas hezbollah https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/08/1118856178_0:96:3072:1824_1920x0_80_0_0_5d6988a3bb8539dc4208b243d98ba267.jpg Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhau is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress on July 24. The address comes at an awkward time, as the prime ministers government continues to wage an increasingly unpopular war in the Gaza Strip which has resulted in a humanitarian disaster. In addition, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas leader Yehiya Sinwar and other officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.On Friday, Jeremy Kuzmarov, the managing editor of Covert Action magazine, sat down with Sputniks The Final Countdown. He suggests that Netanyahus visit is to reaffirm US support, but added that the goal of destroying Hamas remains unrealistic.It's sad the major leaders invited to Congress are two of the worst leaders of modern times. Volodymyr Zelensky and Netanyahu are arguably both major war criminals, he suggested. At least 40 people were killed including 14 children and nine women in a strike on a UN school in the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, said the Gaza Health Ministry. The munitions used by Israeli fighter jets appear to have been US-made, said three weapons experts who examined and verified footage, a report from The Washington Post claims.The school, which is organized and operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) is located in the Nuseirat refugee camp where some 6,000 civilians were sheltering after being displaced by the war, said UNRWA. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed their aircraft attacked three classrooms with precision weapons while targeting a group of militants they say participated in the October 7 attacks.I think [Netanyahu] may be beating the drums of war with Iran. That's been the theme of Netanyahu throughout his political career; the evil of Iran, the development of their nuclear program, the threat of Iran, and that dovetails with some of the neoconservatives in the US who've long wanted regime change in Iran, the author explained. So, this visit may be the drumbeat for war in Iran. And he's doing everything to provoke that. He murdered an Iranian commander in Syria, besides bombing their embassy in recent months.In May, Netanyahu announced his governments inventions to take decisive actions against the Lebanese Hezbollah movement in the north, Sputnik reported at the time."At the beginning of the war, we said we would restore security in the south and the north, and we will We are ready for very strong actions in the north. One way or another, we will restore security in the north," the prime minister said.Hezbollah is essentially controlling the government of Lebanon, said Sputniks Ted Rall. and The group was considered a serious threat to Israel at the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. Israels allies did not want to open up another conflict with Hezbollah, but now it appears as if Israel is trying to do just that, added Rall.I think we have to recognize that Israel is controlled by hardliners and extremists, and seeing that they've been planning a wider war for a long time, probably with the neoconservatives in the US, that they've had their sights on Hezbollah in southern Lebanon for a long, long time, just like they've had their sights on Iran, said Kuzmarov.There's evidence that they wanted this attack, or somehow helped engineer it, knew it was coming, and that was, you know, the part. By design, they needed some 9/11-type incident to justify a regional war, which is what these extremists always wanted.Angie Wong then asked The Final Countdowns guest what he thinks the Israeli prime ministers end goal is, exactly, noting that the one thing he will not be asking Congress for is more money, unlike Zelensky. Netanyahu may instead be concerned about his legacy as he may be approaching the end of his power, she added.Whether it was engineered or allowed to go forward, October 7th was great for him because he was going to jail and he was facing revolt of his people. And that's a trick of a leader, you know, that they have to engineer a foreign war to save their skin, to divert the public's attention. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240607/us-made-munitions-used-in-deadly-strike-on-un-school-in-gaza-experts-say-1118820998.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240529/the-us-invites-wanted-criminal-netanyahu-to-dc-1118673283.html israel gaza strip lebanon Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg hamas, israel, hezbollah, gaza strip, netanyahu, us congress https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/turkiyes-first-foray-into-tank-building-what-we-know-about-the-altay-mbt-1118875388.html Turkiyes First Foray Into Tank-Building: What We Know About the Altay MBT Turkiyes First Foray Into Tank-Building: What We Know About the Altay MBT Sputnik International Spending most of its modern history relying on Western main battle tank designs, Turkiye began to explore the production of a domestic heavy armored platform in the late 2000s, as part of a broader push to increase the self-sufficiency of its military-industrial complex. 2024-06-08T16:16+0000 2024-06-08T16:16+0000 2024-06-08T16:16+0000 military turkiye south korea military & intelligence hyundai leopard 2 https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103143/94/1031439480_0:191:4001:2441_1920x0_80_0_0_80a018728c963ddb1a581b1f4093dd7d.jpg Turkiyes Defense Industry Agency recently announced the start of mass production of the new Altay main battle tank. Here's what we know about the tank and its stated capabilities.Before building the Altay, Turkiye spent decades relying on American M48 and M60 tanks, and West German Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 MBTs. The latter proved highly vulnerable to portable anti-tank missiles used by militants in southern Turkiye. Turkish Defense Industry Agency chief Haluk Gorgun has assured that the Altays design has been upgraded "in accordance with the conditions of the modern combat environment." https://sputnikglobe.com/20240530/abcs-of-abrams-weak-spots-detailed-list-of-problems-with-us-top-tank-revealed-in-ukraine-1118703632.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230726/turkiyes-first-main-battle-tank-to-be-put-into-serial-production-in-2025-1112148570.html turkiye south korea 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 altay tank good, what is turkey's altay tank, does turkey have its own tank Christopher Steele, former president of the San Antonio firefighters' union, has been charged with sending threatening message to members of the Fire Department command staff to discourage them from applying to become fire chief. Billy Calzada/Staff Photographer For years, Christopher Steele was a commanding force in city politics, unafraid to use hardball tactics to pursue his vision of what was best for the San Antonio firefighters' union. A week ago, the former union president was arrested and charged with stalking, a felony. He is accused of sending threatening emails and text messages to members of the San Antonio Fire Department command staff to discourage them from applying for the vacant fire chief's position. Steele allegedly posed as a private investigator when he told three fire department officials he had evidence of misconduct on their part and that if they pursued the chief's job, he would expose them. He even sent them mock news releases filled with purple language, which he threatened to distribute to local and national news media if they didn't abandon their candidacies, court records show. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Behind the public drama of the arrest lies a story of sophisticated cyber sleuthing by the San Antonio Police Department. The alleged harassment campaign, conducted from early to late March, involved aliases, fake phone numbers and bogus email accounts. To find out who was behind it, an SAPD detective subpoenaed and sifted through highly technical information from Google, T-Mobile, AT&T and other internet and telecommunications companies. Detective David Snow used the data to trace the emails and texts to Steele, records show. Snow's affidavit of probable cause, which prompted a Bexar County magistrate to sign a warrant for Steele's arrest, reads in places like an engineering manual. Steele, 57, was arrested May 31 and released a day later on $3,000 bail. He led the firefighters' union from 2004 to 2021, when he retired from the fire department. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He has made no public comment on the charges against him. Charles Hood was the first African American to serve as San Antonio fire chief. He retired in January to avoid being dismissed. A city investigation found that he had repeatedly made vulgar references to female genitalia. Kin Man Hui/Staff photographer 'Your cooperation ... is not optional' The fire chief's position became vacant when longtime chief Charles Hood retired in January to avoid being fired. A city investigation found that he had repeatedly made vulgar references to female genitalia. The city began accepting applications for the job in March. The alleged harassment campaign began the same month. Steele allegedly communicated with his targets using two phone numbers and bogus email accounts that incorporated phrases such as "goodhire," "hirewellsafd" and "hiresafed." In the messages, Steele posed as "Frank," an "independent investigator" who had been retained by a candidate for the fire chief's job to evaluate other contenders, according to the arrest affidavit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The messages, as quoted in the affidavit, were persistent and ominous: "As part of my due diligence, I have encountered some concerning allegations that I feel compelled to address with you directly," one message said, in part. "I am obligated to inquire whether you have ever engaged in physically abusive behavior or aggressive physical contact with any past partners." And later: "Failure to address these allegations promptly will not only jeopardize your candidacy but may also lead to further consequences, both professionally and legally. ... Your cooperation in this investigation is not optional; it is mandatory." An email with a mock news release that the sender threatened to make public had this subject line: "Urgent Media Advisory: Investigative Report Unveils Misconduct Allegation in Fire Chief Candidacy." One of the alleged targets of the messages, a female assistant fire chief, called police March 17 to file a complaint, records show. SAPD tapped Snow to investigate. He's assigned to the Southwest Texas Fusion Center, a local-state-federal intelligence hub managed by SAPD. It tracks terrorist threats and sophisticated criminal activity. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Snow determined that one of the phone numbers used to send the harassing messages was assigned to Bandwidth Inc., a North Carolina company that provides software interfaces for voice over internet communication. From Bandwidth, Snow learned that Google was the current customer for the phone number in question. The detective then "served legal process" on Google seeking information about the number, and, according to Snow's affidavit, the company told him it was a Google Voice number associated with a Gmail account that included the phrase "hiresafed." Snow learned that the Gmail account was created March 24 and was in use until March 27. That tracked with the time frame in which one of the victims received harassing messages from the associated phone number. Christopher Steele, then president of the San Antonio firefighters' union, holds a news conference in February 2020 to discuss collective bargaining. He was combative in pursuing the union's interests and painted city officials as arrogant and overpaid. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News 'Layers of anonymity' Any phone, computer or other device connected to the internet has to have an IP, or internet protocol, address to communicate with other devices. The latest generation of IP addresses is called IPV6. Snow traced the IPV6 addresses associated with the "hiresafed" email account to T-Mobile. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Next, he "served legal process" on T-Mobile and learned that the email was tied to an account with Ultra Mobile, a prepaid mobile phone plan. Snow went through the same process for the other phone number used by whoever was harassing the fire department officials. He traced it to Bandwidth and from there to Google and from there to an email account with an IP address assigned to Grande Communications, an internet service provider. Data also linked the email to AT&T Mobility and to T-Mobile. All this complexity was to be expected, Snow said in his affidavit: "Persons sometimes utilize methods such as creating multiple emails, aliases, using multiple digital and electronic devices, and computers when engaged in nefarious activity in an attempt to create layers of anonymity," he wrote. The detective pressed on, and T-Mobile provided data that showed that the IPV6 activity for the phone numbers originated with a customer named Christopher Steele, who had the same date of birth and Social Security number as the former firefighters' union leader, the affidavit states. The T-Mobile billing address was a home Steele owns in San Marcos, the affidavit says. That matched the customer information on file with Grande Communications. Hays County tax records list Steele as an owner of the home, the affidavit says. Still, to be on the safe side, police staked out the residence. Two cars registered to Steele were seen parked in the garage, and Steele was observed driving both at different times, according to the affidavit. 'Evidence, information, contraband' Snow was not done. The threatening messages "likely originated" with someone using the internet service at Steele's home and phone accounts linked to the people who live there, the detective wrote. But he couldn't say for certain which specific devices were used. To nail down that piece of the puzzle, Snow applied for a warrant to search Steele's home, garage and vehicles for "evidence, information, contraband or instrumentalities such as computers, mobile communication devices, storage media, SIM cards" and a long list of other items. Snow also asked the court to authorize police to search "all residents of the home" not just Steele "for any computers, cellular devices and items ... that may be associated with the activity being investigated." A magistrate signed the warrant May 30. Court records do not indicate whether police have conducted the search and if so what they found. Meticulous to the last, Snow foresaw one potential difficulty and framed the warrant so as to address it. He anticipated that some of the devices might have biometric security features that make it possible to unlock and operate them only with a scan of the owner's thumbprint, facial features or iris. The warrant says that if investigators run into that problem with anything found in Steele's house, police are empowered "to obtain from the aforementioned person(s) the display of any physical biometric characteristics ... necessary to unlock the device." The evidence assembled by Snow so far is not the final word. Far from it. If the case progresses to indictment and trial, Steeles defense lawyer almost certainly will try to poke holes in Snow's narrative and challenge the accuracy and admissibility of the data he gathered. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/us-waged-imperial-wars-were-pointless-and-genocidal-reflects-navy-veteran-1118871648.html US-Waged Imperial Wars Were 'Pointless and Genocidal,' Reflects Navy Veteran US-Waged Imperial Wars Were 'Pointless and Genocidal,' Reflects Navy Veteran Sputnik International Whether it is Joe Biden, the current incumbent of the White House, or those preceding him, like 44th president Barack Obama, manipulative militaristic rhetoric results in senseless wars waged and paid for by the US, a US Navy veteran told Sputnik, recalling his own rueful experience. 2024-06-08T16:59+0000 2024-06-08T16:59+0000 2024-06-09T07:57+0000 analysis us us military ukraine proxy war joe biden barack obama d-day iraq war afghanistan war https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106803/25/1068032596_0:50:1000:613_1920x0_80_0_0_80882d35dc7fa4834618576e4d92c410.jpg Joe Biden slipped into his default mode of manipulating historical facts and crowd emotions in his D-Day anniversary remarks on Friday.Russia was typically presented as the enemy, while the US on the 'right side of history' as it continues to fuel the Ukraine proxy conflict.Biden had no qualms about drawing a cynical comparison: if we do not help Ukraine against Russia, we will betray the memory of our grandfathers who fought the Nazis.We will not walk away. Because if we do, Ukraine will be subjugated and it will not end there. Ukraine's neighbors will be threatened, all of Europe will be threatened, claimed Biden. The Democrat added that to surrender would mean forgetting what happened here on these hallowed beaches. Make no mistake, we will not bow down. We will not forget.At the same ceremony, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was more blunt, saying that, if the troops of the world's democracies could risk their lives for freedom then surely the citizens of the world's democracy can risk our comfort for freedom now.Austin is an old hand at dissimulating when it comes to Washingtons true goals in pursuing the Ukraine project. Testifying in front of the House Armed services Committee, he claimed the long-term strategy for propping up the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev was to make sure Ukraine remains "a democratic, independent, sovereign country. He served up the batch of outright lies without batting an eye.With his recent rhetoric, Biden may as well have taken a page from the pretentious and meaningless language used by former president Barack Obama in his speech at West Point Military Academy in May 2010. Obama explained why it was necessary to send 30,000 more US troops to Afghanistan without any clear strategy.We toppled the Taliban regime, now we must break the momentum of a Taliban insurgency and train Afghan security forces. We have supported the election of a sovereign government, now we must strengthen its capacities, he said. We know only too well when and how the Afghan debacle ended for the US, with Americas humiliating withdrawal from Kabul in August 2021.Before entering the White House, then-Senator Obama had campaigned on a vow to give the US military a new mission: ending the war in Iraq.The US-led coalition invaded Iraq in 2003 without a UN mandate, falsely accusing then-Iraqi president Saddam Hussein of possessing weapons of mass destruction. That war cost the lives of over 4,700 US and allied servicemen, and hundreds of thousands or even millions of Iraqis.One of those who fell for Obama's campaign told Sputnik he later came to regret his decision to join the military.Mike James, a navy veteran and a Mass Communication Specialist Petty Officer who served in Iraq in 2008, told Sputnik he was "inspired by all of Obama's rhetoric to join the military.I was 25 years old when I joined the military. So I was a little bit older than most of my peers, he recalled.The gullible young man who set off to boot camp in 2008 was in for a rude awakening. He ended up witnessing both of the "pointless, genocidal wars."While he never fired a shot in combat, instead using his camera to document what was going on around him, the former naval officer said he felt "complacent," an "actor in these imperial genocidal projects.Turning to Washingtons current belligerent foreign policy, James speculated that the "age of the American military hegemony is over." Furthermore, he noted that from what he could see around him, the Western economy, built on its ability to inflict violence anywhere in the world at any given time was on a cliff edge.Everything is propped up on that... I mean, there's very little industry around me of all the people I know. I don't see factory workers like I don't see people going out and getting jobs and doing well," James noted. "Everybody I know, everybody I see is, is just barely hanging on in this economy. Everybody's piled on with debt with loans and car bills and just trying to get by."*organization under UN sanctions for terrorism.**Al-Qaeda is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries https://sputnikglobe.com/20240601/biden-letting-ukraine-strike-russia-risks-moving-from-proxy-to-real-war---ex-us-diplomat-1118735361.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240531/is-biden-escalating-towards-wwiii-to-improve-his-election-chances-1118708687.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko wests proxy conflict in ukraine, nato proxy war against russia in ukraine, joe biden announces more aid to ukraine, https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/watch-russian-fpv-drones-crush-ukrainian-militants-near-chasov-yar-1118786505.html Watch Russian FPV Drones Crush Ukrainian Militants Near Chasov Yar Watch Russian FPV Drones Crush Ukrainian Militants Near Chasov Yar Sputnik International Russian Airborne troops are actively using FPV-drones in special military operation. The footage provided by Ministry of Defense shows these drones in combat action near the town of Chasov Yar. 2024-06-08T17:14+0000 2024-06-08T17:14+0000 2024-06-08T17:14+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russian army russian armed forces drone warfare ministry of defense ukrainian crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/05/1118785619_10:0:1326:740_1920x0_80_0_0_135f5b00208d0cd7323a3a961bf7c4bc.png Russian airborne troops are actively using first-person view (FPV) drones in the special military operation. The footage provided by the Ministry of Defense shows these drones in combat action near the town of Chasov Yar. The ministry stressed that FPV systems are easier to control compared to regular drones, and that they are quite instrumental in hitting moving targets and fortified positions. These drones can chase the enemy at a speed up to 100 km/h - leaving it no chance to escape. 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 Russian FPV Drones in Combat Action Near Chasov Yar Sputnik International Russian FPV Drones in Combat Action Near Chasov Yar 2024-06-08T17:14+0000 true PT0M54S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International drone warfare, russian drones ukraine, russia drone wars, special operation ukraine, ukrainian crisis, drone war ukraine, drone clash, russian fpv drones https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/western-hypocrisy-exposed-by-support-for-gaza-holocaust--analyst-1118856390.html Western Hypocrisy Exposed by Support for Gaza Holocaust Analyst Western Hypocrisy Exposed by Support for Gaza Holocaust Analyst Sputnik International The United States and Europes backing of Israel, which has killed more than 36,000 in its ongoing operation in the Gaza Strip, is doing permanent damage to Western hegemony, according to one observer. 2024-06-08T04:20+0000 2024-06-08T04:20+0000 2024-06-08T04:20+0000 analysis middle east mohammad marandi donald trump iran israel international atomic energy agency (iaea) university of tehran jcpoa joint comprehensive plan of action (jcpoa) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/0f/1118461490_0:244:3072:1972_1920x0_80_0_0_e2c14f2038f51ba2a2a49273f90e311a.jpg A group of European countries spearheaded a vote by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to censure Iran this week, but Dr. Mohammad Marandi of the University of Tehran claims Western nations are increasingly isolated and without credibility due to their support for Israels deadly military campaign in Gaza.The analyst discussed the issue Friday on Sputniks The Critical Hour program.So, the European countries know quite well that it is not Iran's fault that we are in the current situation, he argued.Former US President Donald Trump suddenly ended the United States participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly referred to as the Iran nuclear deal, in 2018. The agreement had been reached by the administration of former President Barack Obama in 2015, offering Iran sanctions relief in exchange for restrictions on its critical nuclear facilities.Iran has historically held the title of the worlds most sanctioned country, with the US imposing coercive measures against the country since the Iranian Revolution of 1979. The United States has continued to consider Iran a primary adversary, with foreign policy neoconservatives long calling for a US invasion of the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also demanded Western action against Tehran, a strong public advocate of the Palestinian cause.China, Russia and Iran issued a joint communication before the vote calling for talks to revive the former nuclear deal after European countries joined the US in abandoning its provisions. The statement said it was time for the western countries to show their political will, to refrain from the endless cycle of escalation that has been going on for almost the last two years. Passing of the resolution was a mistake that will only lead to confrontation.As long as the Europeans and the Americans do not abide by their side of the bargain, they should have no expectations from the Iranians to abide by their side of the bargain, argued Marandi.After Trump pulled out of the deal, the Iranians continued to abide by their commitments in full for a full year after the Americans and the Europeans discontinued fulfilling their side of the bargain. And only after a year did Iran, in five stages, decrease their commitments until they reached where we are today.Marandi claimed that tensions over Taiwan, a loss of economic potency, and backing of Israel have contributed to the Wests loss of influence in the world as China and Russia spearhead the creation of alternative global institutions that undermine US attempts to impose political hegemony.Evidence is mounting that lockstep support for Israel, in particular, is contributing to the Wests loss of political legitimacy both internally and throughout the world. Recent polling reveals that half of Democratic Party supporters in the United States and one-third of Jewish Americans believe Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Yet US President Joe Biden has repeatedly proven incapable of challenging the US ally.Observers have argued that the West more broadly has lost credibility over the issue as the values of the liberal world order it purportedly presides are openly defied.A watershed moment occurred last month when the International Criminal Court announced it is seeking an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Critics have lambasted the intergovernmental organization as the International Caucasian Court for its reputation for primarily focusing on cases involving adversaries of European countries. The announcement that the court would pursue a case against Israel signaled that the international body was no longer able to ignore the conduct of a powerful Western ally.We have the genocide, the ongoing Holocaust going on in Gaza, which should be the top news every hour of every day, said Marandi. The West is on the losing side for all of these conflicts. And, of course, they are being disgraced because of their support for the Israeli regime. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240117/irans-top-diplomat-reiterates-tehrans-readiness-for-all-parties-to-return-to-jcpoa-1116212566.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240606/russia-china-voted-against-iaeas-resolution-on-iran-1118810330.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240606/top-journos-experts-discuss-role-of-brics-in-multipolar-world-order--1118801845.html iran israel gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg gaza holocaust, palestinian holocaust, israel genocide gaza, west loss of legitimacy over israel, iran iaea vote Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) action for three-year-olds will headline the week of racing at Harrington Raceway from June 10-12. The first leg will be completed with 12 $20,000 (U.S.) divisions being contested over the Monday through Wednesday schedule. Male pacers will kickoff the action on Monday June 10 with a trio of divisions. The major contenders all drew into the same division, which is the second race on the program and opening leg of the pick four (Races 2-5). As last years DSBF champion, Beat Cop (7-5, Tim Tetrick, pictured above) will square off with Stephen Messicks Papas Son (3-1, Art Stafford Jr.) and Captain Pete (9-5, Allan Davis), owned by Mulilgan and Calcutta Stables and Denise Davis. A son of Dragon King, Beat Cop is trained by Crissy Crissman-Bier and banked $165,225 as a freshman, while upstart Captain Pete a son of Roddys Bags Again was unraced at two and has won six of eight starts this season. The remaining divisions are also in the early pick four in races three and four. The filly pacing division is more contentious and will be contested Tuesday, June 11 in three divisions, all part of the early pick four. Bob Shahans Jett Propelled (7-5, Barton Dalious) and Jo Ann Looney-Kings Curtsyforpurrseco (3/2, Tim Tetrick) head the first division, carded as Race 2. Both are daughters of Roddys Bags Again. Co-owner/trainer Andrew Stafford will send out favoured Badlands Hanover filly Bad Nella Monella (7-5, Art Stafford Jr.) in pursuit of her fourth straight win in the second division, slated fourth on the 15-race program. Shawn Hanleys Grace O Malley (9-5, Corey Callahan), will no doubt be the favourite in the final division, the fifth race, after her most recent win. The Emeritus Maximus filly has been one of the more improved horses this season for trainer Crissman-Bier. Trotters will battle on Wednesday with three divisions apiece for males and females. One early non-wagering event will be held at 4:10 p.m. featuring five fillies, including two-year-old DSBF champ Going Platinum (Corey Callahan), a daughter of EL Platinum for trainer Nick Callahan and Breakaway Racing. On the wagering program (morning line odds not yet available), the first two races on the 15-race card will feature likely heavy favourites in James Craparotta and Pat Berry Racings Daburg (Berry) and Nanticoke Racing and Delbert Cains Platinum Proposal (Jim Morand). Daburg, a daughter of Anders Bluestone, is looking to atone for a break in stride in her last start for trainer Jason Skinner, while EL Platinum-sired Platinum Proposal has won two straight for trainer Les Givens and will head the second race. Male trotters will battle in races four, six and seven. Deborah Warnicks Royal Beep Beep (Driver TBA), will be the likely favourite in the first split. The Yankee Royalty filly banked $74,568 at two for trainer Skinner. Brett MacDonalds Workslikeacharm (Victor Kirby) won the DSBF late closer this season at Ballys Dover and will square off with familiar rival LGs Bluestone (Art Stafford Jr.) in the second split. Workslikeacharm is an EL Platinum gelding trained by Jim King Jr., while LGs Bluestone hails from co-owner/trainer Givens barn, who has experienced an abundance of success in the DSBF program with trotters over the years. Another Givens horse, LGs Jaxon (Jim Morand) stands out in the final division. The Rolls Blue Chip gelding has won two straight and was a two-year-old DSBF champ. First post time at Harrington is 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. (Harrington) Jim Marconi, left, and Teri Marconi view a wall of photos of famous people visiting the Alamo at the Ralston Family Collections Center on Thursday. The Alamo has launched a Treasures of the Alamo: A Call for Memorabilia campaign, seeking donations of pop culture artifacts going back to the 1940s for display in its new visitor center when it opens in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Your rusty old Alamo-themed lunch box, toy soldiers, movie posters, photos and other keepsakes could be part of the last exhibit visitors walk through before exiting the new museum set to open at the Texas battle site in 2027. The 160,000-square-foot Alamo Visitor Center and Museum will include a paid experience of 300 years of history packed into eight galleries, from Native Americans to San Antonios first permanent Spanish mission of the 1700s to the sites modern era in a bustling downtown. That visitor journey will end with a Pop Culture Gallery of mementos donated from far and wide, chronicling the Alamos evolution as a cultural icon especially if you have a tale to tell about it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Artwork in the current pop culture display at the Ralston Family Collections Center at the Alamo on Thursday. The Alamo has launched a Treasures of the Alamo: A Call for Memorabilia campaign, seeking donations of pop culture artifacts going back to the 1940s for display in its new visitor center when it opens in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News (From left) Chris Mitchell, Jackson Mitchell, 12, and Wyatt Mitchell, 10, view the pop culture display at the Ralston Family Collections Center at the Alamo on Thursday. The Alamo has launched a Treasures of the Alamo: A Call for Memorabilia campaign, seeking donations of pop culture artifacts for display in its new visitor center when it opens in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News We can get the personal connection when we get a donation from a member of the public, said Nathan Jones, the Alamos director of curation. We can talk about why it means something to them. When youre buying it off eBay, you get the stuff, but you dont get the story. We would love to know why these things are important to people, and what it means to them, added Tyler Taylor, vice president of collections. That helps us to understand better the history of the Alamo and how its being remembered. Advertisement Article continues below this ad An artists rendering shows a planned Pop Culture Gallery, the last of eight museum galleries visitors will see at the Alamo Visitor Center and Museum scheduled to open in 2027. Courtesy / Alamo Trust Coonskin cap worn by John Wayne in the 1960 movie, The Alamo, in the Ralston Family Collections Center. The Alamo has launched a Treasures of the Alamo: A Call for Memorabilia campaign, seeking donations of pop culture artifacts going back to the 1940s for display in its new visitor center when it opens in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News The sites recently-launched Treasures of the Alamo campaign is looking for toys, games, comics, celebrity photos and other cherished collectibles, knickknacks or kitsch well, OK, treasures dating no earlier than the mid-1940s. A photo of Roy Rogers on a visit to the Alamo at the Ralston Family Collections Center on Thursday, June 6, 2024 in San Antonio. The Alamo has launched a "Treasures of the Alamo: A Call for Memorabilia" campaign, seeking donations of pop culture artifacts and memorabilia related to the Alamo from the period after 1945 that will be displayed in the new Alamo Visitors Center and Museum to open in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Texas/Home of the President LBJ playing cards, 1966, courtesy of Alamo Trust, Inc. in the Alamo Collection at the Ralston Family Collections Center on Thursday, June 6, 2024 in San Antonio. The Alamo has launched a "Treasures of the Alamo: A Call for Memorabilia" campaign, seeking donations of pop culture artifacts and memorabilia related to the Alamo from the period after 1945 that will be displayed in the new Alamo Visitors Center and Museum to open in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Walt Disneys Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier, 1955, courtesy of Alamo Trust, Inc., in the Alamo Collection at the Ralston Family Collections Center on Thursday, June 6, 2024 in San Antonio. The Alamo has launched a "Treasures of the Alamo: A Call for Memorabilia" campaign, seeking donations of pop culture artifacts and memorabilia related to the Alamo from the period after 1945 that will be displayed in the new Alamo Visitors Center and Museum to open in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Teri Marconi views the current pop culture display at the Ralston Family Collections Center at the Alamo on Thursday, June 6, 2024 in San Antonio. The Alamo has launched a "Treasures of the Alamo: A Call for Memorabilia" campaign, seeking donations of pop culture artifacts and memorabilia related to the Alamo from the period after 1945 that will be displayed in the new Alamo Visitors Center and Museum to open in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Walt Disneys Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier, from 1955, The Alamo Band Music Library songbook from 1948, and a 1979 issue from the comic book artist Jack Jacksons serial biography of Juan Seguin, Recuerden El Alamo, are in the Ralston Family Collections Center. The Alamo is seeking donations of similar artifacts for display in a new visitor center. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News A family photo of your birthday cake thats shaped like the Alamo (Church) would be a powerful piece, Jones suggested. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Though most are likely to be tied to the 1836 siege and battle for Texas independence, there may be folk art or objects out there that celebrate other periods, including Spanish rule from 1724-1793 of the Mission San Antonio de Valero, which then became a military outpost and fort renamed El Alamo. Promotions and objects tied to movies, from the flag-waving 1960 film The Alamo starring John Wayne and the comparative realism of the 2004 Disney feature with the same title, to the irreverent 1985 treatment in Peewees Big Adventure, will be part of the gallery. The Alamo has the coonskin cap Wayne wore as Davy Crockett, but is looking for other cinematic souvenirs and the personal stories behind them. The Alamo means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, and we would like to capture the entire spectrum of it, Taylor said. Subject matter experts and consultants are quietly developing plans for the visitor center, part of a $550 million, public-private makeover of the state-owned historic site. The $235 million complex $185 million for the building and $50 million for its exhibits will incorporate portions of the 1882 Crockett and 1921 Woolworth buildings fronting Alamo Plaza and include a 4D theater with a high-sensory, 30-minute IMAX production. Construction will begin in September. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Teri Marconi views the pop culture display at the Ralston Family Collections Center at the Alamo on Thursday. The Alamo has launched a Treasures of the Alamo: A Call for Memorabilia campaign, seeking donations of more such artifacts going back to the 1940s for display in its new visitor center when it opens in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News A photo shows John F. Kennedy on a visit to the Alamo at the Ralston Family Collections Center. The Alamo has launched a Treasures of the Alamo: A Call for Memorabilia campaign, seeking donations of pop culture artifacts going back to the 1940s that will be displayed in its new visitor center when it opens in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News In a theme that mirrors the 2015 inscription of the Alamo and four other San Antonio missions as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the museums Indigenous Peoples' gallery will highlight Coahuiltecan and other Indigenous families that found refuge in the missionary-led communities and have continued living in the region. We want to convey the fact that many of our Indigenous descendants still live in the community today. So this is not an era of history. This is an ongoing history of a specific population, Alamo Trust Executive Director Kate Rogers told Bexar County commissioners during a recent update on the visitor center, which has been backed by a $25 million pledge from the county. The museum will feature a touch-screen wishing well where visitors can learn about the Native Americans and mission friars. A large gallery focused on the battle will depict the arrival of Santas Annas army in San Antonio and use an immersive projection experience to recreate the early morning fighting that ended a 13-day siege. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Popular culture items in the Ralston Family Collections Center. The Alamo has launched a Treasures of the Alamo: A Call for Memorabilia campaign, seeking donations of more such artifacts for display in the new visitor center when it opens in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News The visitor will experience the arrival from both perspectives, from the Mexican army as well as the Texians, Rogers said. Post-battle galleries will highlight the 1840s U.S. Army occupation, late-1800s commercialization of the site and its early 1900s rehabilitation by the state and Daughters of the Republic of Texas, followed by a final gallery, a bit more whimsical, on the popular culture of the Alamo in the modern era, she said. Theres no doubt that many people around Texas, around the U.S., around the globe, came to know the story of the Alamo through a movie, which may or may not have been exactly historically accurate. But it still holds fond memories for people. So we actually have a public call right now for people to submit objects that they want to see on display, films that theyd like to see depicted in this gallery, Rogers told county commissioners. Davy Crockett Far-West Story figurines, 1970s, in the Ralston Family Collections Center. The Alamo has launched a Treasures of the Alamo: A Call for Memorabilia campaign, seeking donations of pop culture artifacts going back to the 1940s for display in its new visitor center when it opens in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News The Alamo is giving everyone until Oct. 24 the 64th anniversary of the John Wayne movies world premiere to rummage through their display shelves, closets and storage units and offer up items. Visit thealamo.org/treasures or write to Collections@theAlamo.org to provide a description and download a photo. Donations will be recognized on the Alamo website and may be eligible for a tax deduction. The trust already has had about a dozen proposed submissions, including a board game and a package of tiny toy soldiers from the 1940s, based on an Italian comic book. Taylor, a San Antonian with a doctorate in American studies, wrote a dissertation on American West cultural influences on Italy after World War II. She knew of the comic but not the toy figures it inspired. Rhyma Castillo is a trending reporter for the Express-News and a member of its Digital Go Team. She can be reached at rhyma.castillo@express-news.net. A native of San Antonio and a Texas A&M University graduate, she is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience. She has reported on politics, immigration, climate change, gun violence, and workers rights. Additionally, she excels in lifestyle and entertainment writing, covering music, television, video games, technology, and relationships. In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, hiking, climbing, gardening, playing video games, cuddling with her cats, and making music with her band. Male tarantulas are out and about for a few weeks in the summer searching for a mate. NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images As the Texas heat gets into full swing, humans wont be the only ones looking for a summer fling. The summer months mean mating season for tarantulas, but should you be worried about getting bitten by the love bug? A total of 14 species of tarantulas has been recorded in Texas. The most common of these is the Texas brown tarantula, which mates from August to October. This is the time when males will scurry around searching for a mate, according to Texas A&Ms Field Guide to Common Insects. Starting in July, female tarantulas also will begin laying eggs, which can range from 100 to 1,000 in a web. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With a leg span up to 8 inches, the furry spiders might appear to be dangerous. They are venomous, but its unlikely that getting bitten by a North American tarantula will cause a severe reaction, according to Poison Control. Luckily, a tarantula will often warn you before it strikes by raising its front legs into the air. This is a threat pose, according to a Poison Control, and it means you should back off. If you get bitten by a tarantula, wash the area with soap and water. The bite will cause a throbbing pain and can sometimes result in swelling. Try over-the-counter pain relievers to manage or cool compresses to treat the pain. You also should consult the Poison Control website or call 800-222-1222. In rare cases, nausea, fever and vomiting also can occur. There is no antidote, but anyone bitten by a tarantula should verify that their tetanus immunization is up to date, said Poison Control. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tarantulas also may release a cloud of hairs, which can cause pain, irritation, swelling and redness to the skin. Poison Control recommends removing the hairs with sticky tape and applying topical anti-inflammatories. You also can try oral antihistamines. The hairs can cause especially painful symptoms if they get in your eyes, which Poison Control says requires immediate attention from an eye doctor. "Forced labor" lies bring "forced unemployment" in Xinjiang Xinhua) 09:19, June 08, 2024 URUMQI, June 7 (Xinhua) -- What Aminam Tulladin wants above all else is her old job back. Recalling her workdays just a few years ago, she described the moment she received her first pay check as "an elating moment." Now, the 26-year-old from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is a housewife struggling to make ends meet. "I'm yearning to go back to work," she said. Employees work at a factory of the Shache Xiongying Textile Co., Ltd. in Shache, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Su Chuanyi) Starting in 2017 as an intern at a textile processing company in Qingdao, a coastal city in eastern China, Aminam Tulladin was more than thrilled to hear that her boss, Xu Caifeng, decided to move their company to her home county, Shache, in southern Xinjiang. One year later, her hard work was rewarded with a promotion to team leader and a decent salary of over 3,000 yuan (about 421.9 U.S. dollars) a month. Back then, the company, Shache Xiongying Textile Co., Ltd., employed nearly 1,000 staff with orders mainly coming from Europe and the United States, logging an annual sales revenue of 15 million yuan. As their business continued to grow, Xu and her husband channeled more money into the company and built a second-phase workshop in the latter half of 2019. The future seemed bright and promising. Never could they have imagined that their fates would take a sudden turn just because of some lies fabricated by someone a million miles away. "FORCED LABOR" OR "FORCED LAYOFFS?" Soon after the completion of the new workshop, Xu became concerned when their incoming orders gradually dwindled, and eventually, their European and U.S. business nearly came to a halt, rendering the new workshop "idle from the moment it was built." It took them a while to finally discover the reason. "It turned out that our factory was mentioned in a report written by Adrian Zenz, who accused factories in Xinjiang of 'forced labor'," said Xu. Under the guise of an academic study, Zenz concocted a series of "research reports" related to Xinjiang, wantonly discrediting the region. In one report, he made the groundless claim that hundreds of thousands of ethnic minority workers in Xinjiang were "forced" to pick cotton by hand, urging the international community to issue temporary sanctions against any production containing cotton from Xinjiang. An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 12, 2023 shows machines harvesting cotton in Korla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Back in 2018, with a view to expand into the European and U.S. markets, Xiongying applied for and obtained a BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) human rights certification. BSCI representatives stayed at Xiongying for a week, conducting an extensive review of the company's daily production and the lives of its employees. "None of them raised any concerns," Xu recalled. Now the once bustling community with modernized workshops has almost turned into a ghost town. Only half of the machines on the second floor of the three-story factory remain operational, and fewer than 100 employees remain to fulfill the meager orders that trickle in. Aminam Tulladin and many other ethnic minority employees had to quit their jobs due to the decrease in orders. "We obtained this certification to secure more orders, but instead, what we got are production halts and sanctions..." Xu's voice trailed off as she fought back tears. Xiongying is just a microcosm of numerous companies affected by the U.S. sanctions against Xinjiang. More than half of the farmers in Xinjiang grow cotton to make a living, and the textile industry creates nearly one million job opportunities across the region. Shache, where ethnic minorities constitute over 95 percent of its population, used to have nearly 100 textile enterprises, but today fewer than one-fifth remain operational. In recent years, Western media has kept hyping Xinjiang-related issues, fabricating "forced labor" in its cotton industry, and Washington signed the so-called "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act" into law. Ostensibly to safeguard "human rights" under the guise of combating "forced labor," the law has only caused "forced unemployment" that led to poverty in and outside Xinjiang. Even outside the region, like in the central Chinese province of Hubei, about 1,000 natives of Xinjiang had to quit their jobs from the local non-woven fabric sector and move back home, though none of them had worked against their will. In a recent interview, a Chinese manufacturer-exporter who had to lay off all his Xinjiang employees because of the act, quoted a stark ultimatum from his American clients: "As long as you have one single worker from Xinjiang, we cannot work with you." "WHAT WILL OUR FUTURE BE LIKE?" Also starting as an intern, Aminam Iminniyaz, 26, has worked at Xiongying for six years. "The job is close to home and offers competitive wages, and has good benefits," she said. Aminam Iminniyaz works at the Shache Xiongying Textile Co., Ltd. in Shache, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Su Chuanyi) Though plummeting orders forced Xu and her husband to lay off the majority of their employees, the wages of those who stay have remained unchanged. "What will our future be like if the company doesn't thrive? I fear that our current livelihoods could be at risk," said Aminam Iminniyaz. "Many people have lost their jobs. I feel very angry." Also subject to sanctions is Hoshine Silicon Industry Co., Ltd., a world-leader in silicon manufacturing. In June 2021, Hoshine and four other solar energy companies in Xinjiang were included in the "entity list" by the United States and subjected to unjustified sanctions. The reason given was that these companies violated the human rights of ethnic minorities and engaged in the purported "forced labor." Its subsidiary in Ganquanpu Economic Development Zone in the regional capital Urumqi has also been affected. "It's a huge blow to us," said Cheng Yufeng, general manager of the subsidiary. "We lost almost all our customers in the United States and many customers in other regions such as Europe, racking up billions of yuan in losses." In Hoshine's project in Turpan, nearly 10,000 ethnic minority employees make up 70 percent of its total workforce. The proportion is 50 percent and 20 percent in its factories in Shihezi and Urumqi, respectively. The fate of companies subject to unfair sanctions is closely intertwined with the lives and incomes of the local ethnic minority group. "NO 'FORCED LABOR' AT ALL!" In 2020, 10 natives of Moyu County in Hotan came to work at Saurer Xinjiang Intelligent Machinery Co., Ltd., in Urumqi. Munarwan Nur, now 28 years old, is one of them. Recalling her initial days in Urumqi, Munarwan Nur said: "I wasn't used to it at first. I dared not talk too much as my Mandarin was not good." But now, this cheerful, cosmopolitan young woman, effortlessly switches between her native Uygur language and Mandarin. In July last year, Munarwan Nur and her husband purchased a home in Urumqi. They plan to bring their two children to the city for their schooling this summer. "Now, I've got a clear goal in life, and I'm highly motivated," she said. A technician works at Saurer Xinjiang Intelligent Machinery Co., Ltd. in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Feb. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Pan Ying) From Moyu to Urumqi, Munarwan Nur's journey is backed by the regional government's efforts from 2018 to 2020 to provide employment opportunities and facilitate poverty alleviation for those who are willing and capable to work in 22 deeply impoverished counties across the four prefecture-level regions in southern Xinjiang. Through technical training and employment, these individuals were given the opportunity to improve their lives. Unfortunately, these efforts have also been unjustly labeled as "forced labor." Zenz, the so-called German scholar, said in a report that poverty alleviation is an extremely intrusive combination of forced or at least involuntary training and labor, inter-generational separation and social control over family units. "Our decision to stay or leave is completely voluntary," said Munarwan Nur. Out of the 10 employees who initially joined Saurer, seven have already left. Some have chosen to find jobs near their home to better take care of their families, while others went back to farming. "Our contracts, benefits and salaries are exactly the same as our Han colleagues. We have weekends and holidays off, and get paid for extra working hours," said Abuduwali Abla, also from Moyu. Abuduwali Abla, 39, a father of four, is responsible for sorting goods at the factory. When asked about his income, he took out his phone and showed Xinhua his bank statements, which showed a deposit of 68,000 yuan for the year 2023. In comparison, the per capita disposable income of residents in Xinjiang that year was 28,947 yuan. When asked if he felt compelled to stay at the company, Abuduwali Abla said: "I won't leave unless they asked me to. Where can you possibly find 'forced labor' like this?" (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Nearly $500,000 has been raised for the family of Connecticut State Trooper Aaron Pelletier, who was killed in the line of duty last Thursday. Pelletier, 34, died when he was hit by a passing pickup truck on Interstate 84 East while standing outside a car he had pulled over. The well-respected member of the Connecticut State Police leaves behind his wife, Danielle, and two young sons, Troy and Zachary. Wake is being held today in Southington for Trooper Aaron Pelletier who was killed by a hit and run driver #wfsb pic.twitter.com/t8k7a7bZxV Susan Raff (@SusanRaff1) June 4, 2024 A Go Fund Me page set up for the family by the Connecticut State Police Troop describes the fallen officer as an amazing father, husband, and friend whose life was tragically cut short. "Aaron will never be forgotten and will be remembered fondly by everyone who knew him. Rest in peace, brother; we will take it from here," wrote his fellow officers. Nearly a dozen people were reportedly hospitalized for heat exhaustion at Donald Trump's town hall in Arizona on Thursday when temperatures soared into the triple digits. Eleven people were transported to a hospital from the Dream City Church near Phoenix as temperatures reached 110 degrees, KNXV-TV reported. The station said some Trump supporters fainted and others were carted off in stretchers as they waited in long lines to get inside the event. Inside, Trump didn't mention that his loyalists were taken to the hospital, but did note of the long lines outside waiting to get in. Ive seen so far at least 3 people carried off on stretches due to the heat as they wait in line in the sun to get into Donald Trumps event its 102 degrees out @abc15 pic.twitter.com/8jQeaXDugS Ben Brown (@bdbrown473) June 6, 2024 Trump recently downplayed the effects of global warning in an interview on "Fox & Friends Weekend," saying it would eventually lead to more "beachfront property." "The single biggest threat - not global warming. When they say that the seas will rise over the next 400 years - one-eighth of an inch, you know. Which means, basically, you have a little more beachfront property, OK? Think of it. The seas are going to rise. Who knows? But this is the big threat," he said. Temperatures hit 112 degrees at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Thursday, the Arizona Republic reported, breaking the previous daily record set in 2016. The Trump faithful had been lined up outside the church in the sun since Thursday morning to get a chance to see Trump. But many were disappointed when officials told the hundreds still waiting that the church was at full capacity - around 4,500 people - when Trump arrived at around 1 p.m., the Arizona Republic reported. Mike Petersen, of Phoenix, was among those who watched Trump's speech on livestream outside the church. "I got to mingle with fellow patriots," Petersen, 39, told the outlet. "It was nice and relaxed. You could tell it was a little disorganized, but it was still good to be out here with the fellow patriots." In a confusing apparent about-face, Donald Trump vowed at an Arizona town hall that he would reverse President Joe Biden's recent executive order cracking down on immigrant border crossings. "On day one of my administration, I will be rescinding 'Crooked Joe's' outrageous executive order," he said in Phoenix Thursday at the event organized by the conservative Turning Point Action, which has backed Trump's baseless claim that the presidential election he lost was rigged. Without explanation Trump characterized Biden's executive order as "pro-invasion, pro-child trafficking ... pro-drug dealers." At the same time Trump promised to terminate Biden's closing-door policy, he also vowed to rescind all "open border" policies. Biden on Tuesday announced that he was "securing the border" by signing an executive order capping asylum seekers to reduce illegal crossings. A White House statement blamed Congress for failing to act to address the "broken immigration system." Trump supporters in the House earlier this year at his urging stonewalled bipartisan Senate immigration legislation to hurt Biden in an election year. Trump on Thursday dismissed the president's executive order as a "concession" to Biden's "failed border policies." When Trump was asked in Phoenix how he would address the immigration situation, at one point he said he would rely on "economic measures," imposing huge tariffs on nations that failed to keep their residents at home. "We are going to be so tough and if a country is not going to behave, we're going to tariff the hell out of that country," he explained. But he then insisted: "I want to send Joe Biden's illegal aliens back home where they belong. They have to go back home because quite simply Joe Biden wants an invasion. I want a deportation. I want a deportation. On day one, I will seal the border." When ABC News host David Muir asked Biden in an interview later Thursday how he responded to Trump's attack on his order as "weak and pathetic," Biden shot back: "Is he describing himself?" He again blamed House Republicans for refusing to support the bipartisan legislation to strengthen the border. "Everybody knows what's happened," said Biden. "We had a deal, it was much broader than this [order], much better, much more accepted across the board, and he got on the phone and told the Republicans, don't support it. It will hurt me, it will help Biden." Thailand to launch national energy plan in September By Vietnam News Agency Sat, June 8, 2024 | 7:03 pm GMT+7 The Thai Energy Ministry is preparing the National Energy Plan 2024, expected to be launched in September, with key contents including plans for building nuclear plants and capping electricity costs at under THB4 ($0.11) per unit. The Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) said this master plan will form the guidelines for relevant public and private sectors to follow to ensure the countrys energy stability, achieve the net zero target in 2065, and comply with global regulations and trade agreements. Thailand will launch its National Energy Plan 2024 in September. Photo courtesy of The Nation. EPPO general director Weerapat Kiatfuengfoo said the national plan will incorporate five energy-related plans to ensure they progress along the same course, namely the Power Development Plan (PDP) for 2024-2037, the Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP), the Energy Efficiency Plan (EEP), the Gas Plan, and the Oil Plan. The PDP and EEP plans will be the first to undergo the public hearing process, which is scheduled for June 12-13, he said, adding the PDP 2024 will focus on promoting the countrys energy security, reducing environmental impact and capping energy cost at under 4THB per unit to reduce the financial burden on the public and entrepreneurs. The ministry will consider constructing power plants that use new technology, including pumped storage hydropower and small modular reactors. Weerapat pointed out that Thailand will need more power plants as projected power usage by 2037 will be around 55,000 to 56,000 megawatts, up from the current 36,000 megawatts. To help cope with increased usage while minimising environmental impacts, the ratio of power from renewable energy will be adjusted up from 36% of all power currently produced to 51% by 2037, he added. Transgender school shooter Audrey Hale had a death wish when he carried out last year's fatal attack at a Tennessee Christian academy. Hale, who later went by the name Aiden at the time of his death, shot and killed six people, including three elementary school children and three staff members, at the Covenant School in Nashville in March 2023. Hale was killed by responding officers. In a newly revealed manifesto, Hale wrote he wished "death on myself," blaming politicians and his gender at birth. "So now in America, it makes one a criminal to have a gun or, be transgender, or non-binary. God I hate those sh--head politicians," Hale wrote in a journal entry dated Feb. 20, according to the Tennessee Star, which obtained a copy of the manifesto. "So now [because] of you, I wish death on myself cause of the pure hatred of my female gender," he claimed. Hale made a final journal entry the day of the massacre, referring to March 27 as "Death Day." "The day has finally come. I can't believe it's here. Don't know how I was able to get this far, but here I am," the shooter wrote. "There were several times I could have been caught, especially back in the summer of 2021." According to NBC News, Hale may have felt a sense of "resentment" against the school he previously attended. Authorities determined the shooting was carefully planned after they discovered detailed maps and Hale's secret manifesto. Hale wrote the attack "might be 10 minutes tops. It might be 3-7. It's gunna [sic] go quick," in pages obtained by the Louder With Crowder talk show. "I hope I have a high death count," he wrote. (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. The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (Adrec) has announced that the sector has received record levels of foreign direct investment (FDI) with 487 individual investors injecting AED1.81 billion ($482 million) during the first quarter of 2024. The custodian and regulator of Abu Dhabis real estate sector Adrec said these investors, from source markets including India, Russia, Canada, the UK, Jordan, and China, significantly increased their investments compared to the same period last year. "The performance of Abu Dhabis real estate market in the first three months of the year underscores the sectors increasing appeal to international investors," Rashed Al Omaira, the Acting Director General at Adrec. "The robust growth on show offers encouraging signs for the remainder of 2024, and Adrec stands ready to provide seamless services and support to all stakeholders connected to Abu Dhabis globally competitive real estate sector," he noted. According to Adrec, Abu Dhabi real estate transactions surged to AED19.4 billion in Q1 across 6,070 transactions. "AED12.8 billion was secured through sales and purchases, representing 66% of the total volume with 3,724 transactions, and AED6.6 billion mortgage transactions with 2,328 transactions," stated Al Omaira. The latest update from Adrec illustrates strong investor confidence in Abu Dhabi real estate, and the increasing importance of the sector to the emirates wider vision for economic diversification, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Leading Zambian cable maker Neelkanth Cables has inaugurated its AED 130 million ($35 million) state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Tecom Groups Dubai Industrial City, one of the regions largest industrial and logistics hubs, a report said. The 503,000 sq ft facility and will accommodate 200 employees, and manufacture low- and medium-voltage conductors and instrumentation cables, with a throughput of 20,000 metric tonnes (MT) per annum, Emirate News Agency, WAM, said. This includes 13,000MT of copper and 7,000MT of aluminium power cables each year, by integrating cutting-edge technologies such as programmable logic controllers and supervisory control and data acquisition (Scada) systems to optimise production processes and enhance efficiency. Neelkanth Cables said it aims to serve power transmission and distribution, oil and gas, construction, cement, steel, infrastructure, and metal industry customers across the UAE, GCC, South Asia, and Africa through the facility at Dubai Industrial City. Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, said: We welcome industrial sector investors and provide them with incentives and enablers to grow and thrive, as well as enhance their competitiveness under the Make it in the Emirates initiative, National ICV and Technology Transformation Programmes, among others. Their appetite for expansion in the UAE reflects the countrys attractiveness to international companies. The ministry cooperates with strategic partners to create a business environment that helps manufacturers grow and compete in local, regional and international markets. He called on investors and industrial companies to explore competitive advantages at the third edition of the Make it in the Emirates Forum, organised by the ministry in cooperation with Adnoc and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Added), taking place from May 27-28 at the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre under the theme Invest. Innovate. Grow. Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President of Industrial at Tecom Group, said: Local manufacturing capacity wields a profound economic impact by not only producing essential infrastructure, but also acting as catalysts for economic growth, job creation, and global expansion. We are proud to welcome Neelkanth Cables to our growing industrial community, and its facility aligns with our vision of nurturing a home-grown manufacturing ecosystem that enables the manufacturing of essential items like cables, thereby driving growth in the industrial sector. Sanjeev Dubey, Chief Operating Officer at Neelkanth Cables Manufacturing LLC, said: We are committed to supporting the local community and the economic ecosystem of the UAE, intending to proudly contribute to Dubais growth and development for years to come. Dubai Industrial City was our first choice for the new facility due to its strategic location close to major transportation hubs facilitating efficient logistics and distribution, its modern infrastructure providing a conducive environment for various industrial activities, and excellent support services including business set-up assistance, licensing, and approvals. Neelkanth Cables new facility is implementing internationally recognised standards including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 for quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety management systems, respectively. Neelkanth Cables joins a community of more than 1,000 local, regional, and international customers, in addition to over 300 operational factories at Dubai Industrial City. Milrem Robotics, the world-leading robotics and autonomous systems developer and an EDGE entity, has announced the establishment of its Abu Dhabi office, strategically positioned to support local customers and capitalise on the growing tech landscape of the region. The new office in Abu Dhabi will serve as a centre of excellence in the UAE, providing a central location for R&D, product development and strategic collaborations with government entities, academic institutions and local businesses. Milrem Robotics said it will lead an experimentation and trial programme aimed at integrating unmanned ground capabilities into the UAE Armed Forces arsenal. This initiative is a significant step towards enhancing the Armed Forces combat capabilities by deploying THeMIS UGVs and tracked RCVs equipped with advanced autonomy features, third-party payloads and high-quality communication solutions, it stated. Managing Director and CEO Hamad Al Marar said: "The opening of Milrem Robotics office in Abu Dhabi is a significant moment for EDGE Group. By establishing a presence in the UAE, we underline our commitment to identifying and delivering top-of-the-line technology and defence capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our customers." "The new office will also expand Milrem Robotics global footprint, strengthen ongoing collaborations and place the company in a strategic position to forge new partnerships, foster greater international collaboration and support economic growth," he stated. Milrem Robotics CEO Kuldar Vaarsi said: "We are thrilled to announce the opening of our newest office in Abu Dhabi, marking an exciting milestone in Milrem Robotics journey." Chief of Operations Juri Pajuste said: "As a company at the forefront of robotics innovation, we recognise the immense potential of the UAE and the broader Middle East region. Our presence in Abu Dhabi will enable us to serve our existing clients better, forge new partnerships, and drive meaningful advancements in robotics technology." Milrem Robotics, he stated, is a major global player with offices in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the US. The company is known for its THeMIS and Multiscope UGVs, the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle, and MIFIK intelligent autonomous functionalities for defence platforms.-TradeArabia News Service Bahrain's Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) has partnered with Beyon Connect, a subsidiary of Beyon Group, to launch an enhanced eKey system. The iGA launched the single-sign-on eKey system in 2012 to enable secure access to eServices through Bahrain's National Portal (bahrain.bh) and other digital channels, eliminating the need for repetitive personal data entry. Additionally, the system underwent regular improvements to meet international security standards and improve user experience. This iGA deal comes as part of its commitment to fostering digital innovation and advancing eServices in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In alignment with IGA's efforts to improve the existing eKey, this partnership aims to integrate advanced features, advanced technologies, and artificial intelligence within the eKey system. The goal is to offer citizens and residents simpler, more secure, and private access to digital services, thereby enhancing their overall digital experience, it stated. The partnership was signed by Information & eGovernment Authority CEO Mohammed Ali Al Qaed and Beyon Digital CEO, Shaikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa at the iGAs premises in Muharraq in the presence of senior executives from both entities. The agreement outlines the launch of a new ekey single-sign-on system, providing users with secure and seamless digital services and identity verification. Additionally, a mobile app for the eKey will be launched and made available on the eGovernment App Store Bahrain.bh/apps as well as iOS/Android stores, stated Al Qaed. The app will use facial recognition and AI technology to enhance security, streamline registration processes, and eliminate the need for in-person visits to service centres, it stated. The enhanced eKey system will unify secure access to both public and private sector services that require digital verification, improving security and enhancing the user experience for customers, it added. Al Qaed said the partnership aligns with government directives to enhance public-private sector cooperation and invest in technology to improve government processes and service quality. He pointed out that this agreement marks a crucial milestone in the kingdom's journey toward building a comprehensive digital society. Al Qaed highlighted the system's role in enhancing security, enabling user control of their data, and consent of sharing, knowing what is shared and when its shared, promoting transparency and enhanced user experience. He emphasized the significance of digital systems and initiatives implemented by iGA and the private sector to support the Kingdom's comprehensive digital transformation. This includes the launch of the advanced and secure "Know Your Customer" system, improving security, trust, and reliability for all users, he added. Dubbing it as a momentous occasion, Beyon Digital CEO Shaikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said: "We are delighted to enter into this partnership with the iGA, to enable a national eKey system that adheres to the highest levels of efficiency and security, and will yield substantial advantages for citizens and businesses in both the public and private sector." "This is an important element for a flourishing digital society, and we believe this will provide a qualitative leap forward, providing a foundation for the next generation of digital services in Bahrain," he stated. Beyon Connect CEO Christian Rasmussen said: "We are excited to roll out the eKey system in collaboration with the iGA to support delivery of enhanced services through a user friendly, secure platform." "This project is very significant to us, and is in line with our strategy to deliver services with great innovation potential. We eagerly look forward to witnessing the pivotal changes that this will bring to help transform the range and caliber of digital services," he added. According to him, the new system will be launched by the iGA and Beyon Connect by year-end, following the completion of all necessary procedures. This will ensure that government entities, citizens, and private sector companies can benefit from this service, he added.-TradeArabia News Service A shocking video shows a burning kitten running down a Houston street after two children allegedly deliberately set it on fire in a sickening attack. Witnesses called 911 during the overnight incident early Thursday. Deputies arrived at the scene and the SPCA rushed the cat to a facility for treatment but had to be euthanized due to the injuries. "The video was terrible. I mean, that cat burned for a while and suffered greatly," Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen told KTKR-TV. Animal Cruelty Investigators and Houston SPCA both learned that the boys lived in a home with other animals. Concerned for the safety of the other animals, police obtained a warrant to seize of any animals located at the property. Nine animals, including seven puppies, were found in the backyard on Thursday. Five of the puppies were found in the same small cage. Rosen said the animals were all in bad shape. He said they were found locked up in cages without access to water or food. The Houston SPCA is now caring for the animals. It says the animals are "receiving the medical attention and care they desperately need. Authorities say the investigation into who actually tortured the kitten is ongoing. Once the investigation is complete, it will be handed over to the Harris County District Attorney's Office for possible charges. Air Arabia, a leading regional low-cost carrier, has announced the resumption of its first flight to Basra from Sharjah International Airport. Announcing the new flights, Air Arabia said Basra is its fourth direct route to Iraq from Sharjah, following Baghdad, Najaf, and Erbil. The new route connects the emirate and the Iraqi city with a frequency of four weekly flights, it stated. Upon arrival at Basra International Airport, Air Arabia aircraft was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute and a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives from Air Arabia and Basra International Airport. "Air Arabias new flights to Basra mark a significant milestone in our commitment to providing affordable travel options within the region," remarked Adel Al Ali, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia. "The new service offers our customers the opportunity to connect directly between both cities and benefit from our value-driven product and services while further contributing to strong travel and trade ties between both countries," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Casper Pride is a shared celebration of resilience and LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit joy. Everything is washed in cheery rainbow flags and fun. That festive atmosphere is customary for Pride celebrations, which serve as a reminder of the progress thats been made since the 1969 Stonewall Riots. However, this years events also call attention to progress thats being threatened. Since 2015, political attacks against LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit people have grown exponentially in state legislatures. In 2024 alone, the ACLU has tracked more than 500 discriminatory bills targeting freedom of expression, the safety of transgender students and access to health care for gender dysphoria across the country. The current climate is not a coincidence. Were seeing the results of a carefully engineered battle trying to appear organic although its anything but grassroots. The fearmongering against LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit communities is a result of a relentless, decades-long push by theocratic groups and affiliated billionaires and foundations. Its happening here in Wyoming, too. Lawmakers passed and Gov. Mark Gordon signed into law a bill banning life-saving gender-affirming health care for transgender youth. Gov. Gordon also allowed a bill that would require schools to out gay, transgender or gender-nonconforming youth to their parents to become law without his signature. These new laws represent a coordinated, hate-driven campaign to push LGBTQ+ people out of public life. Our bodies have become battlegrounds for political gain and community division. Self-righteously equipped with falsehoods, ardent hypocrisy and the hollow determination to uphold the power structures they benefit from, politicians, pundits and the droves they incite through hate and bigotry now feel entitled to arbitrate human nature and what should constitute an individuals being and medical care. Religion and morality are being manipulated to serve prejudicial, unconstitutional ends. Because of that, LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Wyomingites, particularly trans and gender nonconforming youth, no longer feel safe, seen or loved in our state. So now more than ever, we need to use our voices to protect and empower LGBTQ+ Wyomingites and to oppose future legislation just as loudly as we celebrate. Fighting for the society we want means not only persuading government officials, but also making our society safer for and more inclusive of LGBTQ+ people. To end discrimination, we must seek both to change the law and our societal norms to end discrimination on sexual orientation and gender identity. Although we love a good party, Pride isnt just about the parades, festivals and glitter. We must also be organizing, educating and pledging our time and efforts to the work of protecting our communities. After all, Pride is much more than just a festival. Its also about creating spaces to celebrate what makes us unique outside of the Pride season. After one hell of a legislative session in Wyoming and across the country, we know the fight for true equality is far from over. The ACLU will always fight for our right to determine our futures but we cant do it alone. Change in Wyoming isnt going to happen overnight, but it will happen if we do it together. Pride started as a protest and it still is inherently political. Dance in the streets, march with joy and never stop fighting! In a brazen display of violence, a dozen masked men jumped out of two SUVs and stormed a KFC in Baghdad, wrecking everything in sight before fleeing the scene, according to a report. Just days earlier, Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken and Chili House, also popular American brands in the Iraqi capital, faced a similar wave of violence. Though no one was seriously hurt, the attacks, allegedly orchestrated by Iran-backed anti-American militias in Iraq, reflect the growing anger against the US over the war in Gaza, according to the Associated Press. For years, Iraqi governments have navigated a tenuous path between Washington and Tehran, but the eight-month-long war in Gaza has dramatically heightened the stakes. The conflict intensified after the militant group Hamas stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing roughly 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel's retaliatory offensives have killed more than 36,000 Palestinians in the besieged territory. The assaults on US-linked businesses and brands in Iraq in late May and earlier this week mark a major shift intended to amplify anti-US sentiment over Washington's backing of Israel. In another incident, a sound bomb was thrown outside the Caterpillar company store, rattling the neighborhood and leaving a small pothole in the street, reported the AP. On Monday, Abu Ali al-Askari, spokesperson for the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah paramilitary group, called on supporters to target businesses and organizations considered to have links to the US and Israel, referring to them as "espionage affiliates covered in civilian garb." U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski condemned the targeting of American and international franchises in a post on X, saying it could impact foreign investment in Iraq's economy. Iraq's security spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Tahseen al-Khafaji, told the AP: "We are making significant efforts to safeguard investments and the progress achieved by the current government." Adding, "It is essential to protect these accomplishments and create a safe environment for investors." However, al-Askari still warned security officials not to interfere with efforts to "take out" American interests in Iraq. Audubon might be synonymous with birds, but the groups local chapter wants to distance itself from its namesake naturalist and his deeply problematic past. The board of directors for the Tucson Audubon Society has voted to drop the Audubon name, citing a legacy that causes pain, unease and distrust among partners and community members. The 75-year-old chapter of the national conservation group hopes to unveil its new name by early next year at the latest, after what it called a collaborative process to come up with something that encapsulates who we are and what we do, while being inclusive and welcoming to all. John James Audubon gained fame in the first half of the 19th century for his colorful and detailed avian artwork and his pioneering quest to document all the birds of North America, namely by shooting them so he could paint them. According to numerous historians and Audubons own writings, he was also a slave owner and an avowed white supremacist, who opposed abolition, desecrated Indigenous burial grounds to collect human skulls, and boasted about returning escaped slaves to their enslavers for their own good. Audubon had been dead for decades when the first societies were formed in his name in the late 1800s, some of them by women seeking to stop the wholesale slaughter of birds for the feathers used to decorate fancy hats and other garments. The National Audubon Society was founded in 1905 and now includes some 400 independent nonprofit chapters, making it one of the oldest and most-influential wildlife advocacy groups in the U.S. Part of a flock With its board vote last month, the Tucson chapter joined a growing list of two dozen other Audubon affiliates from San Francisco to New York City that have decided to rebrand themselves. The labor organization representing National Audubon Society staff members has also disavowed the old name, announcing in February that it would refer to itself, at least temporarily, as The Bird Union. But the national group has decided not to make a change, even after four years of public soul-searching that began in the midst of nationwide protests against racism and police brutality touched off by the murder of George Floyd. The (Audubon) name has come to represent so much more than the work of one person, but a broader love of birds and nature and a non-partisan approach to conservation, said National Audubon Society board chairwoman Susan Bell in an announcement in March. While the society must continue to reckon with the racist legacy of John James Audubon, Bell said the groups best chance of protecting birds and their habitat moving forward is by maintaining its familiar brand. Erica Freese is director of development and communications for the Tucson Audubon Society, which promotes birding, bird conservation and the protection of bird habitat at its Mason Center in northwest Tucson, its Paton Center for Hummingbirds in Patagonia and elsewhere. Freese said local members had hoped that the national group would opt for a new name so the entire network of affiliates could make the change together. When National Audubon declined to act, she said, the local chapter decided to move forward on its own. As the Tucson group explains on its website: We are changing our name because birds and their habitats are facing critical threats, and saving them requires everyones involvement. The Audubon name is a clear barrier for people who might otherwise become involved in or support our work and is detrimental to those already in our community, the group states. In order for our organization to have the greatest impact, we need the support of as many members, partners and the general public as possible. Whos who The reevaluation of John James Audubon comes amid a broader debate in the bird world about the use of any proper names in the common labels we affix to our feathered friends. In November, the American Ornithological Society keepers of the official list of English names for the continents birds announced plans to relabel all species named after people to correct what it called the historic bias in how such titles were handed out and for whom. As the ornithological societys executive director and CEO Judith Scarl put it: Exclusionary naming conventions developed in the 1800s, clouded by racism and misogyny, dont work for us today, and the time has come for us to transform this process and redirect the focus to the birds, where it belongs. The move came after a petition drive by a group calling itself Bird Names for Birds in 2020, the same year the American Ornithological Society declared that a small Great Plains songbird previously named in honor of a Confederate Civil War general would henceforth be known as the thick-billed longspur. The sweeping decision to drop proper names from all North American bird species has drawn criticism from some avian experts in the U.S. and triggered an outright revolt in South America, where nearly every member of the societys South American Classification Committee bolted to join another bird-naming organization, the International Ornithologists Union. The rift highlights the complexities involved in trying to name and rename winged creatures capable of migrating between continents and across hemispheres. The society has since scaled back its ambitions. The group originally announced plans to rename as many as 80 North American species during its first round of changes this year. Now its pilot program has been reduced to just six birds: the Bachmans sparrow, the Inca dove, the Maui Parrotbill, Scotts oriole, the Townsends solitaire and the Townsends warbler. Four of those species the dove, the oriole, the solitaire and the warbler can be found in Southern Arizona. Eventually, a host of familiar local birds could see their common names changed, including the Old Pueblos ubiquitous Gambels quail. Other candidates for new names are the Lucys warbler, the Coopers, Harris and Swainsons hawks, and the Annas, Costas and Rivolis hummingbirds. Whats in a name Rebranding can be tricky business, according to Carolyn Smith Casertano, a public relations professional and a professor with the University of Arizona Department of Communication. You hope that people will go along with you, but sometimes it doesnt really stick, Smith Casertano said. Your name is really your identity. She said Tucson Audubon will have to choose a new name that matches its mission and then communicate that change in a careful and thorough way. The birding and environmental advocacy nonprofit will also have to pay close attention to the details, such as making sure people searching online for Tucson Audubon are directed to the group under its new name instead. Certainly its a problem if people cant find you, she said. They will have to work very hard to make sure that people still know they exist. Though a few people might be upset by the change and disagree with the reasons behind it, Smith Casertano predicts that a greater number will respect the Tucson chapter for its principled stand. Dropping the name sends a very powerful message, she said. I cant imagine people walking away from the Tucson Audubon Society just because they changed the name. A Mississippi state trooper fired over a sex tape she allegedly sent to her male colleagues is now suing the woman who appears in the video with her. Authorities accused former MHP Trooper Ivana Williams of unprofessional conduct and misuse of state property. She was laid off in February after allegedly sending sexually explicit content of her and another woman to her coworkers from her state-issued cell phone sometime in 2022, according to WLBT-TV, The Independent, and the New York Post. The unidentified woman claimed the video was captured without her consent and sued Williams in November for $11 million, citing emotional distress, invasion of privacy, defamation, conspiracy, and civil battery. "Much of that night is a blur," the unidentified victim said in a complaint obtained by WLBT. "I became unusually and extremely intoxicated. The next morning I woke up in bed without my clothes on... I was aware a sexual encounter had taken place but had difficulty remembering any of what happened." The victim claimed she confronted Williams about the recording, to which Williams allegedly reassured her that her face was not shown. Months later, she discovered the video was allegedly circulating among the troopers. "I also sent [redacted] another text message informing her how violated I felt and that she had also violated my trust by sending this video out without my consent and exploiting me for no other reason than to sexually entertain her boyfriend," the victim alleged in the complaint. "That was the last contact I had with [redacted]." "At this point, I have no idea the exact number of people who have this video," she stated. "Based on what I've been told, a lot of our law enforcement community have it. MHP heads and officers are sharing it." Now, Williams is counter suing the victim on grounds her reputation and business relationships were damaged. She is seeking $20 million, according to the station. "At least they got my good side," Williams wrote on Facebook Thursday, captioning a screenshot of the Daily Mail's coverage of her firing, which she claimed was retaliatory. Two other state troopers Julius Hutson and Jeremy Lott were also let go in connection with the incident. Bella Casey Staff Writer Follow Bella Casey Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board awarded $11 million in grants to 71 cities, counties, school districts and trusts, including Tulsa, Jenks and Union public schools on Tuesday. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said the grants are the boards first distribution. The grants will fund opioid treatment and recovery programs, assistance with co-occurring disorders and mental health issues, opioid abuse education and prevention, proper prescription efforts and strategies to decrease narcotics supplies across the state. There were nearly 800 opioid-related deaths in Oklahoma in 2022, according to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Fentanyl was responsible for 619 of those fatal overdoses. The Opioid Abatement Board awarded the largest grant $700,000 to the city of Tulsa and Tulsa Public Schools, which jointly applied with Tulsa Fire Department, Tulsa Police Department and Healthy Minds Policy Initiative nonprofit with the goal of funding coordinated opioid abatement services. The Mayors Office of Resilience and Equity will oversee the funds. Luke Chitwood, communications director for Tulsa Public Schools, said depending on what Tulsa Public Schools are approved for, these funds could support student attendance and provide intervention for students. He said this could include purchasing curriculum for prevention and intervention for substance use and misuse, hiring positions to support students and families who have substance use and misuse related needs and offering additional training on overdose prevention. Comprehensive drug prevention and intervention programs for students can help improve grades and attendance, Chitwood said. Also training staff on warning signs of drug abuse or overdose could save lives. Union Public Schools were approved for a grant on a conditional basis and are awaiting details on those conditions. Our proposed project addresses opioid misuse and addiction through a multifaceted and hope-centered approach, strengthening protective factors and implementing evidence-based opioid use prevention strategies for both elementary and secondary students, said Chris Payne, chief communications officer of Union Public Schools. Protective factors include school connectedness, family-school-community collaboration, planning and goal setting, positive self-worth and positive relationships. Payne said the grant money will be used to fund educational material and curriculum, visits from experts and motivational speakers and purchasing materials for Community Circle time and family Hope sessions, which help guide students and families toward positive relationships and hopeful futures. Jenks Public Schools were also approved for a grant on a conditional basis and is awaiting additional information about what those conditions are. If approved, Jenks Public Schools will focus on education and prevention strategies for secondary students, said Rob Loeber, executive director of communications at Jenks Public Schools. We want to identify students who are exhibiting at-risk behaviors and put programs and resources in place to ensure those students have a full understanding and awareness of the dangers of opioids and other controlled substances." Grants will be distributed as soon as recipients return their award agreements. Thirty-one applicants that did not receive grants this round were invited to resubmit applications for future grants. The Tulsa World is where your story lives. The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the General Administration of Customs of China have agreed to ramp up cooperation in agricultural trade and open the door for more Vietnamese products to enter the Chinese market. A delegation of the General Administration of Customs of China led by Zhao Zenglian, vice minister of the administration, paid a visit to Vietnam and worked with the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Thursday. Following talks between Zhao Zenglian and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Trung, they signed a protocol on quarantine requirements for monkeys exported from Vietnam to China. Vietnam will export long-tailed macaques to the northern neighbor for research purposes. The two officials also witnessed the conclusion of negotiations on a protocol on phytosanitary requirements for Vietnamese fresh coconuts to be exported to China. The two sides will soon complete procedures to ink the protocol. Vietnam and China are expected to enter into another protocol on phytosanitary requirements for frozen durians as well. As for passion fruits and chilies that have been exported to China on a pilot basis, the two sides will accelerate the completion of procedures for signing protocols on the official export of the two products in the near future. They will coordinate to complete protocols on the export of crocodiles, raw bird's nests, poultry and seafood products from Vietnam to China as well. The Chinese side said they would assign relevant agencies to review and early handle export applications of Vietnamese enterprises. The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the General Administration of Customs of China also agreed on measures to remove obstacles to Chinas sturgeon exports to the Vietnamese market. China will support Vietnam in enhancing the capacity to quarantine sturgeon species. To date, Vietnam and China have signed 21 memoranda of understanding and protocols on the shipment of agro-forestry-fishery products between the two countries, proving their close cooperation. Vietnam has exported 12 kinds of vegetables and fruits, including watermelons, mangosteens, black jelly, durians, fresh bananas, sweet potatoes, dragon fruits, rambutans, mangos, longans, lychees, jackfruits, birds nests, fish powder, dairy products, seafood, and some products serving the animal feed production. In the first five months of this year, the two countries bilateral trade of agro-forestry-fishery products reached US$6.2 billion, inching up 2.9 percent year on year. The Southeast Asian country exported $4.6 billion worth of products to the Chinese market and spent $1.6 billion on imports from the neighbor. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has put forward three initiatives to promote economic links between countries in the Eurasian region at the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2024) in Russia. The four-day annual forum opened in St. Petersburg on Wednesday morning, with the theme of The Foundations of a Multipolar World - The Formation of New Areas of Growth, attracting more than 17,100 participants and 3,400 media representatives from 136 countries, according to the SPIEF Organizing Committee. At the events opening ceremony, Deputy PM Quang underscored the need for solidarity, cooperation and responsible actions of all countries to overcome common challenges. Affirming Vietnams consistent foreign policy, he said the country welcomes and actively participates in international economic cooperation frameworks and initiatives for peace, collaboration and development in the region as well as worldwide. The deputy PM emphasized the importance of cooperation based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, mutual respect, and compliance with the United Nations Charter and international law. The cooperation needs to be supported by an open, inclusive mechanism that encourages the participation of countries on the basis of considering the level of development and characteristics of each country and ensuring environmental sustainability, social harmony, and economic efficiency, he recommended. Deputy PM Quang also highly appreciated Russian President Putins Greater Eurasian Partnership initiative on connecting regional economic integration processes, including the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the benefits of all parties involved. In order to enhance the economic connectivity between countries in the Eurasian region, the Vietnamese official brought forward three proposals, with the first being the development of transnational transport corridors from east to west and from north to south to connect economic centers across the region. The opening ceremony of the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2024) in St. Petersburg, Russia on June 6, 2024. Photo: Reuters Secondly, it is needed to strengthen trade and investment cooperation by opening markets, expanding investments, removing barriers, and facilitating trade and travel for people and businesses. Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge for cooperation between the EAEU and ASEAN, hoping the two sides will soon consider the possibility of setting up a free trade agreement. Lastly, cooperation in green transition and digital transformation should be beefed up, in which countries leading in these fields share experiences and give support to developing nations, including Vietnam. Deputy PM Quang encouraged business communities of Vietnam and Russia to further cooperate in priority areas such as trade, high-tech, scientific research, renewable energy, digital transformation, green transition and education. He affirmed that the Vietnamese government always accompanies business communities and facilitates their operations in the Southeast Asian country. SPIEF has been held annually since 1997, and since 2006, it has been organized under the auspices of the President of the Russian Federation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Some of the world's major economies want to finalise a plan ahead of this year's U.N. climate summit to halt new private sector funding for coal projects, five sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. If approved, the draft proposal by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, would be the first move by a multilateral institution to curb financing for coal, one of the biggest causes of climate change, which produces more carbon dioxide emissions than oil or gas when it is burned for energy. The draft plan, which aims to set a "gold standard" policy for how financial institutions approach coal, instructs investors, banks and insurers to halt new financing to existing or planned coal projects, and end funding to companies building coal infrastructure, the sources said. Under the plan, financial institutions would fund the early retirement of coal plants, rather than divest from these assets. And early closures of coal-fired facilities should be matched with financing for clean energy to replace the lost coal capacity. Commercial banks' lending and underwriting to the coal industry totalled $470 billion between January 2021 and December 2023, the NGO Urgewald said in a report last month. OECD countries - whose 38 members include most of the world's biggest market-focused democracies - are preparing feedback on the proposal, which is set to be put out for public consultation before a formal adoption ahead of the U.N. COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan in November. The OECD policy would be non-binding, but would aim to set an international standard used by companies' boards and shareholders. Previous OECD guidelines - for example, on child labour - have been adopted by some multinational companies, setting a standard for dealing with countries where no formal child labour laws exist. France, the United States, Britain, Canada and the European Union are among backers of the proposal, part of a "Coal Transition Accelerator" initiative conceived by France at last year's COP28 climate summit, the sources said. That project, which also focused on reducing the cost of capital for clean energy investments, was backed by coal-reliant emerging economies including Indonesia and Vietnam - both of which have entered multi-billion-dollar deals with donor countries to reduce their coal reliance. The biggest push-back on the OECD proposal has come from Japan, three of the sources said. Japan is the world's third-biggest coal importer and gets more than a quarter of its energy from coal. OECD members approve new guidelines by consensus. Japan's ministry of economy, trade and industry did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for a comment. Some of the sources said the proposal could yet be watered down, potentially to halt project finance but not general corporate purpose lending, or it could target investments in power plants rather than all coal infrastructure. G7 country leaders - among them, France, the U.S. and Japan - are expected to debate their efforts to phase out coal at a summit in Italy next week. Two sources said the outcome of the G7 summit could influence the aims of any OECD deal. Governments, including the G7, have banned or limited public funding for coal power as they strive to meet climate goals, so most coal funding now comes from the private sector. Only a quarter of financial institutions currently have policies that restrict their coal financing, according to S&P Global. Global coal power capacity stands at more than 2,000 gigawatts - with another 500 gigawatts of new capacity in development, most of it in China. Coal project owners can face complex economics to close plants early. For emerging economies with young coal plants, like India and Vietnam, early retirement can be complex if the upfront investments needed to build the plant will only be paid back over a plant's full lifespan - typically, around 40-50 years. U.S. President Joe Biden has nominated American career diplomat Kin Moy to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Vietnam to succeed the current one, Marc Knapper, according to a recent White House announcement. President Biden has made his nominations for several key positions within the State Department, including ambassadors to various countries including Vietnam. Accordingly, Kin Moy, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Career Minister, who is currently Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, has been nominated to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Vietnam. He previously served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research; Chief of Mission of the American Institute in Taiwan; and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, with responsibility for China, Mongolia, and Taiwan. Overseas, Moy once served in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China; the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Republic of Korea; and the U.S. Consulate in Busan, Republic of Korea. He holds degrees from the University of Minnesota and Columbia University, both in the U.S., and can speak Chinese Mandarin and Cantonese. The ambassador nominee was born in 1966 in Hong Kong and later moved to the U.S. and grew up there. The approval process for a new U.S. ambassador to Vietnam is expected to take many months, during which the nominee will undergo hearings at the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. President Biden's nomination decision will then be put to a vote before the entire U.S. Senate. If endorsed by the U.S. Senate, Moy will become the ninth U.S. ambassador to Vietnam since the two countries normalized diplomatic relations in 1995. He will succeed his predecessor Marc Knapper, who began his term in Vietnam from February 2022. Marc Knapper, who can speak Vietnamese, once worked at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam as a political counselor from 2004 to 2007. His term witnessed great developments in Vietnam - U.S. relations with many high-level visits and meetings, of which the most prominent was the historic visit by U.S. President Joe Biden to Vietnam at the invitation of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in September 2023. During this visit, President Biden and General Secretary Trong jointly announced the upgrade of the two countries bilateral relations directly from comprehensive partnership to comprehensive strategic partnership, skipping the strategic partnership level. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A collision of a sleeper bus, a truck, and a container truck injured nine people in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam on Friday evening, the provincial traffic police said on Saturday. The accident occurred on a bypass of National Highway 1 in Huong Thuy Town, Thua Thien-Hue Province. The sleeper bus hit the container truck before crashing into the truck travelling in the same direction. It was raining at the time of the accident. The collision damaged the front ends of the three vehicles. The nine injured people were rushed to the Hue Central Hospital. Provincial traffic police officers are uncovering the cause of the accident. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Read what is in the news in Vietnam today: Politics -- U.S. President Joe Biden has announced his intent to nominate Kin Moy, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Career Minister, to be the next U.S. ambassador to Vietnam. Kin Moy is currently Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, according to a White House announcement. Society -- The administration in Ho Chi Minh City has approved a plan to organize the Cashless Day 2024, themed Promoting the Development of Safe Cashless Payments, on Nguyen Hue Walking Street in District 1 from June 14 to 16. -- A ride-hailing driver on Thursday night detected and filmed a foreigner spraying paint and scrawling graffiti on walls along Tran Hung Dao Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The video has gone viral on social media in Vietnam. -- A collision of a sleeper bus, a truck, and a container truck injured nine people in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam on Friday evening, the provincial traffic police said on Saturday. -- Authorities of Da Nang City in central Vietnam on Friday evening officially opened Bach Dang pedestrian zone along the iconic Han River. The pedestrian zone is the citys new tourism product ahead of the 2024 Da Nang International Fireworks Festival. -- Singapore has arrested six female Vietnamese and seven male Singaporeans, aged between 22 and 32, for suspected marriage of convenience, according to Singapores Immigration & Checkpoints Authority. Lifestyle -- Lee Kyoung Dock, charge d'affaires of the South Korean Embassy in Vietnam, at a meeting with representatives of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Thursday, expressed his excitement at the newspapers initiative of organizing the Vietnam Pho Festival 2024 in Seoul in early September and believed the event to be a success. -- The administration in Thua Thien-Hue Province held an art program to open the Hue Festival Week 2024 at Kien Trung Palace, part of the Hue Imperial City on Friday evening. World News -- Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen walked away following an assault by a man in central Copenhagen on Friday and had no outward signs of harm, a local resident told Reuters. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Work on a pedestrian bridge which carries a price tag of over VND1 trillion (US$39.3 million) across the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to begin on April 30 next year, according to the municipal Department of Transport. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport will submit the project to the municipal government for approval this month. In October last year, the city chose an architectural design featuring nipa palm imagery proposed by a consortium of Japanese-invested Chodai, Takashi Niwa Architects and Chodai Kiso Jiban Vietnam for the pedestrian bridge. The design got the highest score in a contest launched in 2019. The pedestrian bridge would be located between Ba Son Bridge and Saigon River Tunnel. One end of the bridge would lead to Bach Dang Wharf Park in District 1 and the other end to the Thu Thiem New Urban Area in Thu Duc City. In December 2023, dairy producer Nutifood signed an agreement to fully sponsor the development of the footbridge. Nutifood later chose the consortium of Chodai, Takashi Niwa Architects and Chodai Kiso jiban Vietnam as the consulting unit of the project. The consortium is experienced in architectural design, consulting, and supervision of the construction of many bridges and other projects in Vietnam and other countries, such as Tran Hung Dao Bridge, Can Tho Bridge, bridges spanning the Van and Duong Rivers in Vietnam, Iwagi Bridge in Japan, Neak Loeung Bridge in Cambodia, Gebze - Orhangazi - Izmir Expressway and Mrrmara - Odayeri - Pasakoi Road in Turkey. The administration in Ho Chi Minh City has issued a process of four steps to execute projects sponsored by local enterprises and individuals. The four steps include signing sponsorship agreements, seeking approval for investment plans, developing and handing over the projects, and establishing the ownership of the projects. Thus, Nutifood is undertaking the second step. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The United Nations has added Israel to the global list of states and armed groups that have committed violations against children. Israel's inclusion in the list follows eight months of war in Gaza that has killed 36,500 Palestinians, including more than 13,000 children. The announcement comes a day after Israel bombed a United Nations school in central Gaza that killed more than 40 Palestinians, including several children. A U.S. bomb provided to Israel was part of that attack, according to American Defense Department officials. Hamas is also named in the report for its killing and kidnapping of children in its Oct. 7 attack on Israel, in which nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed, according to human rights officials. Israel is also part of a global report on harm to children and armed conflict that includes killing, maiming, sexual abuse, abduction or recruitment of children, denial of aid access, and targeting of schools and hospitals that is due to be presented to the UN Security Council next Friday. The Israeli envoy to the UN, Gilad Erdan, said he was "shocked and disgusted" by the "shameful" decision to include Israel on this year's list. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement declaring that the UN has "added itself to the black list of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers." Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned that the decision would impact his country's already tense relations with the UN. UN staff have claimed that Israel was excluded from the list of offenders in previous years due to political pressure from Israeli officials, the Guardian reported. "There have already been a few years in which there have been verified violations by Israel government forces and by Palestinian armed groups, but they have never been listed," revealed Ezequiel Heffes, director of the of the human rights group Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict. "This is a big deal because this is a framework that is created to protect children from the effects of armed conflict," he added. Erdan, who said he was informed of the decision by the chief of staff to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, insisted that "Israel's army is the most moral army in the world, so this immoral decision will only aid the terrorists and reward Hamas." The UN envoy responded to the decision in a video on social media. Singapore has arrested six female Vietnamese and seven male Singaporeans, aged between 22 and 32, for suspected marriage of convenience related offenses, according to Singapores Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Each person was handed between one and 12 charges under Singapores Immigration Act. The Vietnamese women include Ngo Thi Thanh, 28; Hu Gia Phan, 30; Nguyen Thi Thuy Quyen, 30; Tran Ngoc Phuong Thao, 31; Nguyen Thi Minh Trang, 32; and Nguyen Thi Thu Giang, 32. Four out of the seven Singaporean suspects were reportedly given between 8,000 SGD (US$5,920) and 18,000 SGD (US$13,322) each to enter into such marriages. Two others were supposed to have received or been offered cash amounts but the amounts were not revealed. The remaining Singaporean man was reported to have arranged three such marriages. He also helped three Vietnamese women obtain a visit pass each between January 2023 and February 2024. The 13 suspects were nabbed in an enforcement operation on Wednesday, when the ICA conducted simultaneous raids on public and private residential premises in multiple locations in Singapore, according to the authority. The arrests were the outcome of investigations into a suspected syndicate arranging marriages of convenience. Apart from the probe into their marriage of convenience related offenses, Singaporean authorities will also investigate possible false declaration offenses in their visit pass applications. In Singapore, the penalties for marriage of convenience related offenses are a fine not exceeding 10,000 SGD (US$7,400) or a jail term not surpassing 10 years, or both. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Netherlands and Ho Chi Minh City can cooperate and share experience in urban flooding prevention as both sides are accelerating efforts in flood control, Vincent Karremans, vice mayor of Rotterdam, the Netherlands said on Thursday during his three-day working visit to the southern Vietnamese metropolis. The visit, starting on Wednesday by Vice Mayor Karremans and a group of leading Dutch businesses, is aimed to enhance collaboration on climate adaptation and port development, according to the Facebook page of the official Facebook page of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Vietnam. Vice mayor of Rotterdam, Netherlands Vincent Karremans (L, 2nd) and other officials are seen during their visit to the Sala Residential Area & Park in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam on June 6, 2024. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre The two sides will also share innovative solutions to strengthen cities resilience and sustainability. This is the first trip by the Rotterdam administration to the city since the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in climate change adaptation, water resources management and port development on July 31, 2023. As part of the visit, Karremans and his entourage made a field trip to the flood risk management project in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, on Thursday morning. They were accompanied by Dutch Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Daniel Stork and representatives of the Thu Duc administration. This important project is part of the Ho Chi Minh City-World Bank Cooperation Program, with financial support from the government of the Netherlands for technical analysis through the Water Partnership Program, according to the Facebook page. Vice mayor of Rotterdam, Netherlands Vincent Karremans (R, 2nd) looks at a sheet showing details of the flood risk management project in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam, on June 6, 2024. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre They also called at Tam Phu Wetland Park and Sala Residential Area & Park in Thu Duc. Meeting local officials during the visits, vice mayor Karremans commented that the Netherlands and Ho Chi Minh City are both making efforts to ease urban flooding, so the two sides can cooperate with and learn from each other in this field. The two sides can also share about climate change response, Karremans said, stressing that the Dutch delegation came here to share its expertise and learn experience from local concerned agencies. As the world is having to cope with climate change, the cooperation between Rotterdam and Ho Chi Minh City in this field is very important, the official said. He added that the Netherlands can learn a lot from climate change adaptation projects in Ho Chi Minh City given their large scales. Dutch Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Daniel Stork (L) and vice mayor of Rotterdam, Netherlands Vincent Karremans wearing non la, a Vietnamese traditional hat pose for a photo during their field trip to Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam, on June 6, 2024. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre Rotterdam has had to deal with water problems for centuries, as the city has 85 percent of its area located below sea levels. Every time there is heavy rain, water must be pumped out, he said, adding that Rotterdam also had to invest heavily in coastal reinforcement to prevent flooding. The Netherlands spends billions of dollars every year on coastal fortification, which is an important solution, otherwise Rotterdam and the Netherlands in general will be flooded. Therefore, investments in flood prevention must be made on time at the right time and in the right place to optimize their efficiency both in terms of timing and adaptability, Karremans advised. On Friday morning, vice mayor Karremans had a meeting with the Ho Chi Minh City administration to discuss the implementation of cooperation agreements in the aforementioned MoU. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Lee Kyoung Dock, charge d'affaires of the South Korean Embassy in Vietnam, at a meeting with representatives of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Thursday, expressed his excitement at the newspapers initiative of organizing the Vietnam Pho Festival 2024 in Seoul in early September and believed the event to be a success. At the meeting, a representative of Tuoi Tre said the organizer of the festival expects to contribute to promoting Vietnams traditional cuisine and improving the value of Vietnamese rice through pho, a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat usually beef or chicken. The Tuoi Tre representative stressed that the festival would be not only a culinary event but also an occasion for people-to-people and culture exchanges. The newspaper expects the Vietnam Pho Festival 2024 to help boost Vietnam-South Korea trade and enhance their comprehensive strategic partnership. For his part, Lee expressed his confidence in South Korean peoples support of the festival. He spoke highly of Tuoi Tres selection of the time to hold the festival as the weather is often cool in Seoul in September. He also recommended some venues for the Vietnam Pho Festival 2024. Representatives of Tuoi Tre newspaper and the South Korean Embassy in Vietnam at the meeting on the Vietnam Pho Festival 2024 on June 6, 2024. Photo: D.L. / Tuoi Tre Lee shared that he planned to open a pho restaurant in Seoul when he retires. It will be great If there is a pho festival held by Tuoi Tre newspaper in the next seven years. The South Korean Embassy in Vietnam committed to supporting and connecting the organizer of the Vietnam Pho Festival 2024 and relevant units in the coming time. I know that there are many difficulties to organize a large event abroad, but as a lover of Vietnamese food, I hope to have more opportunities to promote Vietnamese cuisine and help South Korean people understand Vietnams culture, especially pho, Lee said. Day of Pho (December 12) was initiated by Tuoi Tre newspaper in 2017 and has been held annually since then. The event went international for the first time in 2023 when Tuoi Tre held it in Japan under the name of Vietnam Pho Festival. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Sidra Fatima, TwoCircles.net Lucknow: The political landscape of Uttar Pradesh has taken a dramatic turn, with the Samajwadi Party (SP) surging ahead of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Defying expectations, the SP has taken over in a state where the BJP dominated the last two terms. This unexpected twist has set the state abuzz with reactions, putting the saffron partys ambitious yet faltering Abki Baar, 400 Paar pledge in the spotlight. Support TwoCircles Despite the Ram Mandir narrative, the BJP couldnt secure a win in Faizabad (the Lok Sabha constituency of Ayodhya where Prime Minister Narendra Modis helicopter unveiled the grandeur of the temple ahead of elections). The SP, on the other hand, won 37 seats on its own surpassing the BJP by four, while the INDIA coalition collectively outperformed the NDA. The BJPs loss in Faizabad sends a strong message: politics based on hatred and division is retreating in Uttar Pradesh. The electorates demand for development and inclusive governance is rising. Despite its rhetoric on consolidating Hindu votes, the BJP could not save the seat in Faizabad the district where Ayodhya is located. This defeat indicates that voters are more concerned with material issues such as employment, health and education, rather than religious and symbolic issues. It is a major upset for the BJP, which many had expected to win the elections with flying colours. The SPs sharp-edged campaigning and widespread use of social media have paid great dividends. With the SP again in the top position in UP, it will undoubtedly benefit in the upcoming state elections. It is a big win, said Hamza Ahmad, a resident of Uttar Pradeshs Moradabad district. Lucknow-based journalist Syed Ali Haider echoed similar sentiments. To defeat the BJP, a party needs a strong cadre which the saffron party has. However, the SP effectively challenged this in this election. The BJPs biggest mistake was underestimating Akhilesh Yadav (SP chief) and downplaying his role in the 2022 election, he told TwoCircles.net. In Uttar Pradesh, Dalit votes, alongside those of other marginalised groups, have been moving to the SP not out of loyalty but due to a lack of credible alternatives to counter the BJP, according to Anshul Kumar, a masters student at Delhis prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). This marks both the end of independent Dalit politics and an interesting beginning. Dalit votes, along with some from the most backward classes, shifted to the SP not out of allegiance but because they had no other option to tackle the BJP. I voted for change, not just slogans. The SP victory shows that our vote matters, and its high time our voices are heard. UP showed the BJP that we are not just vote banks; we are people who can think for ourselves, stated 24-year-old Priyal, a Dalit activist based in Bareilly district. Social media was also flooded with reactions, with people expressing their excitement and amazement at the SPs performance. Many condemned the BJP for its ambitious 400 paar pledge, while others pointed out the partys failure to win votes despite the Ram Mandir campaign. Even the Ram Mandir of Ayodhya could not unite the Hindus; they got divided into castes. Uttar Pradesh surprised everyone, one Radhika Chaudhary wrote on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter). Election Campaign Strategies The SPs campaign focused on issues of public interest like employment, healthcare and education. People rejected the divisive agenda that the BJP is promoting, said Javed, a social activist from the Students Federation of India (SFI) based in Delhi. Eliya Zaidi, an engineer from Lucknow, remarked, People are tired of BJPs hate politics. Elections in UP are majorly held on caste lines, and the SP understood this well and played along. This is where the BJP fell behind. This trend in UP has made the BJP very nervous. Ateek Ahmad, a student activist, explained how strategically and adeptly the SP handled various issues in the state, capitalising on issues such as examination paper leaks, unemployment and other concerns of students. Akhilesh Yadavs slogan of PDA (wherein P stands for pichda or backward classes, D for Dalits and A for Alpsankhyak or minorities) will defeat NDA resonated strongly. This was reflected in his selection of candidates from marginalised communities and new faces, including women. The SP had already created a wave in Uttar Pradesh, which was further enhanced by the strategic alliance with the Congress party. Rahul Gandhi entered this election with a vision for change. This election proved that the BJPs divisive agenda of temples, mosques and religion only works sometimes. The loss of key figures like Smriti Irani (former Union minister) shows that BJP leaders stature has been jolted, and the voters mindset has shifted, added Ahmad, a student of Jamia Millia Islamia. Future Implications While the BJP won the Lok Sabha elections, the polls have emerged as a game-changer in the Indian political landscape. The unexpected success of the SP testifies to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of voter sentiment in Uttar Pradesh. The BJPs debacle, especially in rural areas, underscores the need for the party to rework its strategies and address immediate issues of concern for the electorate. The SPs solid campaign, based on pragmatic issues and effective use of social media, sets a benchmark for future political campaigns in the state. This election has significantly altered the political landscape in the state, and its reverberations will be felt in the next state elections and beyond. M. I. Khan, TwoCircles.net Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars act of bowing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the June 7 parliamentary party meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in New Delhi has stirred a flurry of reactions and speculation. While some view it as a customary gesture, others see it as a strategic move in the political landscape of Bihar. Support TwoCircles Kumars history of bowing to Modi dates back to previous instances, including the oath ceremony of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in 2022 and a request for central university status for Patna University in 2017. However, his recent act during an election rally in Nawada parliamentary constituency reignited debates and attracted criticism from Opposition leaders like Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Despite the public spectacle, Kumars short address at the NDA meeting emphasized Bihars pending development projects, hinting at the leverage he holds in the current political scenario. With 12 JD(U) MPs crucial for the Modi-led NDA government, the Bihar chief ministers significance cannot be overstated. However, past encounters between Kumar and Modi raise skepticism. In 2017, Modi dismissed his plea for central university status, indicating a history of disregard for Kumars requests. The sudden shift in dynamics, with Kumar seemingly acquiescing to Modi, prompts speculation about the future of their relationship. Election strategist Prashant Kishors deleted tweets, showcasing Kumars deference to Modi, add intrigue to the unfolding narrative. In the aftermath of the Lok Sabha polls, Kumars role as a kingmaker amplified raising questions about his demands for Bihars special category status. While senior BJP leaders previously dismissed such demands, the post-election scenario demands Modis conciliation with Kumar. The possibility of Bihar gaining special status in exchange for the JD(U)s support looms large marking a potential turning point in the states developmental trajectory. Local sentiments echo the urgency for Kumar to secure Bihars interests, with widespread support for his demand evident in regional newspapers. As the chief minister navigates this delicate political terrain, the expectations of his states populace align with his quest for special category status. In the unfolding drama of Bihars political saga, Nitish Kumar holds the key to unlocking a new chapter in the states journey towards progress and development. (Reuters) -The European Commission will open a formal in-depth probe soon into Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Telecommunications' (e&) proposed acquisition of Czech PPF group's telecoms assets in Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia and Slovakia, the Financial Times reported on Saturday. While the precise timing remains uncertain, the announcement of the investigation is expected to come as early as Monday, the FT said, citing three people with direct knowledge of the case. The state-controlled e& had last year agreed to pay 2.2 billion euros ($2.38 billion) to acquire a controlling stake in Czech PPF Group's telecoms assets in Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia and Slovakia. The commission is concerned the company received state funds, amounting to unfair subsidies, in order to complete the deal, the FT report said. The report added that the commission has also questioned whether state funding could help e& outperform EU rivals. E& and the European Union did not immediately respond to requests for comment. ($1 = 0.9259 euros) (Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by Kim Coghill and Himani Sarkar) Families of hostages walk towards a hospital to meet with alleged released hostages, in Ramat Gan Families of hostages walk towards a hospital to meet with alleged released hostages, in Ramat Gan By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli forces rescued four hostages alive from two locations in the central Gaza area of al-Nuseirat on Saturday, the military said, eight months after they were kidnapped by Hamas-led militants in a deadly incursion into Israel. The four hostages, three males and one female who were abducted from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7 last year, were taken to hospital for medical checks, the military said, and were in good health. They were identified as Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40. After eight months of devastating war in Gaza triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, 116 of the approximately 250 hostages abducted by militants are left in the Palestinian enclave, according to Israeli tallies - at least 40 of whom have been declared dead in absentia by authorities. Israel's chief military spokesman said the rescue operation was held under fire in the heart of a residential neighbourhood, where he said Hamas had been concealing hostages among Gaza civilians under the armed guard of militants. In a televised news conference, spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said one Israeli soldier had been badly injured. Israeli forces returned fire, including with airstrikes, he said. The Gaza health ministry said that at least 55 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli operation. It did not say how many of the fatalities were combatants but said that women and children were among the dead. 'THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING' A video of Argamani receiving a telephone call from Israeli President Isaac Herzog was distributed by his office. "I am so happy to be here. Thank you for everything, thank you for this moment," a smiling Argamani said, sitting with her father in a hospital room. In another video, speaking on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Argamani said, "I am very moved. I haven't heard Hebrew for so long." Earlier video of Argamani reunited with her father showed her smiling and embracing him. She was kidnapped along with her boyfriend Avinatan Or from the Supernova festival on the morning of Oct. 7. Her boyfriend is believed to remain in captivity. Argamani became one of the faces of the hostage crisis when footage of her abduction by two men on a motorbike emerged online. In the footage, a distraught Argamani shouts: "Don't kill me!" (Additional reporting by Dan Williams in Jerusalem and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza; Writing by Maayan Lubell; editing by Alex Richardson and Mark Heinrich) The judge in Donald Trump's hush money case has informed lawyers about a potentially troubling social media post crowing about the former president's conviction on 34 felonies a day before it was announced. It was not immediately clear if the Facebook user, identified on the social media site as "Michael Anderson," had any relationship whatsoever to the case. The writer claimed in the message be a "cousin" of one of juror's, according to a short letter sent Friday to the defense and prosecution team by Judge Juan Merchan. A later message from one Facebook user identifying himself as Michael Anderson describes himself as a "professional s---poster," an indication his comments may not be reliable. "Anderson" added: "S---posts are generally intentionally designed to derail discussions or cause the biggest reaction with the least effort." Trump blurted out on Truth Social after news of the letter broke: "MISTRIAL." Merchan wrote to the attorneys that he "became aware" of the post stating: "My cousin is a juror and says Trump is getting convicted ... Thank you folks for all your hard work!!!!" The comment was posted beneath an unrelated post on the New York court system's Facebook page on May 29, the day before jurors found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to hide hush-money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep their relationship hidden from voters. If the post were true it could indicate a juror was leaking information to an outsider which could theaten the legitimacy of the verdit. New York Courts spokesperson Al Baker said in a statement that it's "appropriate" the "court informed the parties once it learned of this online content." Former federal prosecutor Joyce Alene said the judge took the appropriate action in the situation by alerting the lawyers ahead of a possible hearing to resolve any issues. "If it's someone posting with no basis for it as it appears, the record will be clear ... and if there's something to it, good to get it out [and] do justice," she wrote on X. The Justice is smart to advise the parties & hold a hearing on the record to resolve this. If it's someone posting with no basis for it as it appears, the record will be clear (his bio says "professional s***poster") & if there's something to it, good to get it out & do justice. https://t.co/Lb9YdQEsZA Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) June 7, 2024 There was no immediate reaction from the defense or prosecution teams. Israeli hostage Noa Argamani freed in time to see her terminally ill mother Former hostages rescued from the Gaza Strip on June 8 reunite with loved ones in Israel Former hostages rescued from the Gaza Strip on June 8 reunite with loved ones in Israel TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Hours after being rescued from eight months captivity in Gaza, freed hostage Noa Argamani arrived at a hospital in Tel Aviv to see her terminally ill mother. Argamani, 26, was one of the most recognized faces among the hostages abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7. Harrowing footage of her being taken into Gaza on the back of a motorcycle, pleading for her life and reaching desperately towards her boyfriend being marched alongside her on foot circulated across the globe. Argamani's boyfriend Avinatan Or is still in captivity. Argamani was rescued on Saturday, along with three other hostages, in an operation by Israeli special forces from an apartment building in central Gaza. "I'm so happy to be here," she said in a phone call with Israel's president upon her return, smiling and surrounded by friends and family. She was later met with cheers upon arrival at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center where her mother, Liora, was being treated for terminal brain cancer. Back in October, shortly after her daughter was abducted from a music festival turned killing field in southern Israel, Liora, sitting in a wheelchair, was asked in an interview with a local television station how she imagined their reunion. "At least to be able to hug her," Liora answered. Hospital CEO Ronni Gamzu said the mother's condition was "complicated and tough". He said Argamani was able to communicate with her mother, who they believe understood that her daughter had come home. "For the last eight months we are trying to keep her in a status that she can communicate," Gamzu said. Argamani's father, Yaakov, first met her after a military helicopter carried her back to Israel. "Today is my birthday, and a gift like this I never believed I would get," he said. More than 360 people were killed during the rampage at the Nova dance festival, and another 40 were taken hostage by Hamas, according to Israeli tallies. Nearby the hospital in central Tel Aviv, at what has become known as hostage square, thousands of Israelis rallied to commemorate the rescue of the four hostages and to demand the release of more than 115 that remain in Gaza. (Reporting by Miro Maman and Ari Rabinovitch, Editing by Louise Heavens) FILE PHOTO: Far right political party Chega leader Andre Ventura talks to the press after meeting with Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Belem Palace By Catarina Demony LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's far-right party Chega is facing accusations that it manipulated a video showing a migrant worker confronting its leader Andre Ventura, who went on to accuse him of fabricating his story to discredit the party ahead of the EU election. The anti-immigration, populist Chega is the third-largest political party in Portugal, having quadrupled its parliamentary representation in the March general election. Bangladeshi citizen Iqbal Hossain approached Ventura at an event on Thursday to denounce the poor conditions many migrants experience, particularly Indonesians in the fishing industry. In tears, the flower farm worker told Ventura he had sent his daughter back to Bangladesh due to the racism migrants often experience. Ventura took to social media on Friday to claim Hossain was "planted" at the campaign event and that he "fabricated" his story. He and other Chega lawmakers shared a video of the exchange which differed to the one broadcast by news outlets. SIC TV said that the video Chega shared was manipulated, with images taken out of context and subtitles altered to make it sound like the migrant had lied about his nationality and job. Ventura described the reporters involved in the coverage of the story as "enemies of the people". Around 800,000 migrants live in Portugal, nearly double from a decade ago. Police data shows hate crimes have jumped 38% in 2023 from a year before. New nationalist groups have also emerged. Far-right and conservative parties are expected to make gains in the June 6-9 European Parliament election but the latest poll shows Chega getting 12% of the vote, a drop from the 18.1% it received in the Portuguese election. Portugal's government announced on Monday a new plan that will toughen some migration rules, a plan that illustrates the rightward shift in politics in much of Europe, as governments try to fend off the rise of the far-right. (Reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by Louise Heavens) Welcome Guest! You are here: Home NASA examining affordable, faster Mars sample return methods American space agency NASA is working on ten studies to examine more affordable and faster methods of bringing samples from Mars' surface back to Earth. Saturday June 8, 2024 8:51 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies [NASA Perseverance Rover in a file image] Washington: American space agency NASA is working on ten studies to examine more affordable and faster methods of bringing samples from Mars' surface back to Earth. As part of the agency's Mars Sample Return Program, NASA has decided to award a firm-fixed-price contract for up to $1.5 million to conduct 90-day studies to seven industry proposers. Additionally, NASA centers, CalTech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Johns Hopkins' Applied Physics Laboratory are producing studies. Once completed, NASA will assess all studies to consider alterations or enhancements to the Mars Sample Return architecture. "Mars Sample Return will be one of the most complex missions NASA has undertaken, and it is critical that we carry it out more quickly, with less risk, and at a lower cost," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "I'm excited to see the vision that these companies, centers and partners present as we look for fresh, exciting, and innovative ideas to uncover great cosmic secrets from the Red Planet", he added. Over the last quarter century, NASA has engaged in a systematic effort to determine the early history of Mars and how it can help us understand the formation and evolution of habitable worlds, including Earth. "As part of that effort, Mars Sample Return has been a long-term goal of international planetary exploration for the past two decades. NASA's Perseverance Rover has been collecting samples for later collection and return to Earth since it landed on Mars in 2021", the agency said. In August 22, Perseverance rover had grabbed the 12th rock sample from the Mars surface . According to the mission team's sample log, the first eight rock samples that Perseverance collected -- from September 2021 to March of this year -- were volcanic in origin. But the last four, which were gathered between July 7 and August 3 -- all come from sedimentary rocks. NASA's Mars Sample Return is a strategic partnership with ESA (the European Space Agency). Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Postcolonial Resonances in Ghalibs Couplet 'Restrained by Faith, Called by Disbelief' Mirza Ghalibs couplet Faith restrains me, yet disbelief calls. / The Kaaba is at my back, the church before me stands as a remarkably prescient text for postcolonial theory. Saturday June 8, 2024 11:22 PM , Subzar Ahmad Iman mujhe roke hai jo kheenchay hai mujhe kufr Kabah mere pichhe hai kalisa mere age Faith restrains me, yet disbelief calls; The Kaaba is at my back, the church before me. ---- Mirza Ghalib In the context of postcolonial theory, Ghalibs couplet resonates powerfully with several key concepts. One is the notion of hybridity, prominently theorized by Homi K. Bhabha. Hybridity refers to the blending of cultures that occurs in colonial and postcolonial settings, resulting in new, mixed identities that are neither wholly indigenous nor entirely Western. Ghalibs speaker embodies this hybridity: positioned between the Kaaba and the church, he is a product of both Islamic and Christian influences, unable to fully belong to either world. This state of in-betweenness is another crucial theme in postcolonial studies. Theorists like Edward Said have shown how colonialism creates ambivalent subjects who feel alienated from both their native culture and the dominant colonial culture. In Ghalibs verse, the speakers positioningback to one faith, face to anotherperfectly captures this sense of dislocation. He is in a liminal space, a threshold between two worlds, experiencing what postcolonial theorist Gayatri Spivak might call a catachresis a misplacement or dislocation in the order of metaphors. The couplet also speaks to the concept of mimicry in postcolonial theory. Developed by Bhabha, mimicry describes the process by which colonized people adopt the colonizers cultural habits, assumptions, institutions, and values, but in a way that is never quite perfect, resulting in a blurred copy of the colonizer. In Ghalibs imagery, facing the church suggests a form of mimicryan attempt to align with Western values or Christianity. Yet the very acknowledgment of the Kaabas presence implies that this alignment is incomplete, disrupted by the persistent pull of the poets Islamic heritage. Moreover, Ghalibs verse illustrates the psychological effects of what Frantz Fanon termed cultural alienation. In his seminal work Black Skin, White Masks (1952), Fanon explored how colonialism induces a sense of inferiority in the colonized, leading them to devalue their own culture and aspire to the colonizers way of life. The speakers orientation away from the Kaaba and towards the church could be read as a manifestation of this alienationa subconscious turning away from his own traditions, deemed backward, toward the ostensibly advanced culture of the colonizer. However, the couplets structure suggests that this alienation is not complete. The balanced juxtaposition of Kaaba and church, each granted equal weight in the verse, implies a kind of equilibrium. This balance reflects what postcolonial theorist Bill Ashcroft calls interpolation the ability of postcolonial subjects to interpose their own cultural codes into dominant discourses, thereby asserting their agency. Even as the speaker faces the church, the Kaabas presence in his consciousness signifies a refusal to be wholly subsumed by colonial ideology. The internal conflict expressed in Ghalibs lines also echoes the concept of double consciousness, originally formulated by W.E.B. Du Bois in relation to African American experience but later applied to colonial contexts. Double consciousness refers to the psychological tension of having to see oneself through the eyes of another, dominant culture. In the couplet, the push-pull between faith and disbelief, between Kaaba and church, reflects this divided consciousnessthe struggle to reconcile ones self-perception with the image imposed by colonial discourse. Furthermore, Ghalibs verse can be seen as an early expression of what Edward Said later termed contrapuntal awareness. In his book Culture and Imperialism (1993), Said argues that experiences of empire create a kind of double perspective, allowing individuals to see things in terms of both their local context and the larger, global context shaped by imperialism. Ghalibs speaker, poised between Islamic and Christian symbols, embodies this contrapuntal visiona heightened awareness of how his personal spiritual dilemma is entangled with broader cultural and political currents. Its important to note that while Ghalib lived under colonial rule, he predates the formal articulation of postcolonial theory by over a century. His poetry does not explicitly engage with political resistance or anti-colonial nationalism themes that would become prominent in later Indian literature. Instead, his work reflects the more subtle, interior effects of cultural encounter and domination. This introspective quality makes his verse particularly valuable for postcolonial analysis, as it captures the psychological and spiritual dimensions of colonialism often overshadowed by more overt political struggles. In fact, the ambiguity of Ghalibs language his refusal to resolve the tension between faith and disbelief, Kaaba and church, can itself be read as a form of resistance. As Ashcroft, Griffiths, and Tiffin argue in The Empire Writes Back (1989), ambiguity in postcolonial literature often serves to subvert the binaries (civilized/savage, modern/traditional) that underpin colonial discourse. By presenting his spiritual crisis without clear resolution, Ghalib resists any simplistic categorization, asserting the complexity of the colonized subjects inner life. This complexity is further enriched by considering the specific religious symbols Ghalib employs. In colonial India, Islam occupied an ambivalent position. While it was the faith of the declining Mughal rulers, it was also, like Hinduism, subjugated to British Christian hegemony. Yet Islams global reach and its history of empires (Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal) complicated its status, making it both a local tradition and a transnational force. The Kaaba, as Islams universal center, evokes this dual identity rooting the speaker in Indian Muslim culture while also connecting him to a wider Islamic world beyond British control. Similarly, the church in Ghalibs verse is not just a Western imposition but a site of active engagement. Throughout the colonial period, many Indians interacted critically with Christianity, some converting, others synthesizing Christian ideas with Hindu or Islamic thought, and some using Christian concepts to reform their own traditions. The churchs frontal position in the couplet suggests this dynamic interaction not passive acceptance but a confrontation that could lead to rejection, adaptation, or creative reinterpretation. In this light, Ghalibs couplet can be seen as foreshadowing what postcolonial theorist Mary Louise Pratt calls transculturation the process by which subordinated groups select and invent from materials transmitted by a dominant culture. The speakers hesitation between Kaaba and church hints at the possibility of such creative synthesis, a hallmark of many postcolonial societies where indigenous and Western elements combine in unexpected ways. As we move further into the postcolonial era, Ghalibs verse takes on new resonances. In todays globalized world, where cultures increasingly interpenetrate, many individuals find themselves in positions analogous to Ghalibs speakercaught between traditional affiliations and the appeal of other worldviews. This is particularly true for diaspora communities and in nations still grappling with the long-term effects of colonialism. For them, the question Which way do I face? is not merely poetic but deeply personal and political. Moreover, in an age where religious identities are often mobilized for political ends sometimes in reaction to perceived Western domination, Ghalibs nuanced portrayal of spiritual doubt feels strikingly contemporary. His verse reminds us that beneath the surface of seemingly rigid religious or cultural allegiances, there may be profound uncertainties, hybridities, and possibilities for change. This insight is crucial in postcolonial nations where the quest for authentic, precolonial identities can sometimes lead to oversimplified, even fundamentalist, assertions of tradition. In conclusion, Mirza Ghalibs couplet Faith restrains me, yet disbelief calls. / The Kaaba is at my back, the church before me stands as a remarkably prescient text for postcolonial theory. Through its concise yet multi-layered imagery, the verse encapsulates key postcolonial concepts: hybridity, mimicry, cultural alienation, double consciousness, and the subversive power of ambiguity. It vividly portrays the psychological state of individuals caught between cultures, faiths, and value systems in the colonial encounter. Yet Ghalibs contribution goes beyond merely illustrating theoretical constructs. His poetry reminds us that the effects of colonialism were not just political or economic but profoundly personal, involving crises of faith, identity, and belonging. It shows that long before scholars formalized postcolonial theory, colonized subjects were already grappling with its central issues in deeply introspective ways. Furthermore, by leaving his spiritual dilemma unresolved, Ghalib points toward the open-endedness of the postcolonial condition. There is no simple return to a pure precolonial past, nor is there complete assimilation into Western modernity. Instead, there is an ongoing negotiation, a perpetual balancing act between old and new, familiar and foreign. In this sense, Ghalibs verse not only reflects the colonial past but also anticipates our contemporary global reality a world where many people, like his conflicted speaker, must continually navigate between diverse cultural forces, seeking coherence in the face of multiplicity. [Subzar Ahmad works as Lecturer urdu in the department of school education Jammu & Kashmir. He can be contacted via email at Subzarhussain7@gmail.com.] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. HA NOI The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam has asked carriers to focus on ensuring safety, as the shortage of available operational planes is forcing airlines to optimise aircraft flying times to meet peak transportation demand. Viet Nam is facing a serious shortage of planes due to the recall by Pratt & Whitney for their PW1100 engine on Airbus A 321 Neo aircraft. Airlines are being forced to optimise aircraft maintenance plans as well as prepare spare parts, equipment and tools for aircraft repair so that aircrafts can operate most efficiently, but also safely. At the beginning of May, Viet Nam had a total of 199 aircraft, 32 fewer than in 2023. Of them, 165-170 were air-ready, 40-45 fewer than the average in 2023. VNS THUA THIEN-HUE A traditional dance and royal performance at Ngo Mon (Noon Gate) in the imperial capital sparked the opening ceremony of the Hue Festival 2024 on June 7, marking one of the most successful cultural event that has been organised in Hue City for 24 years. Hue Festival has been known as an annual rendez-vous of art troupes and friends from the world and provinces and cities in Viet Nam in exchange of cross culture performance and friendship ties among countries in peaceful space for decades. The Hue Festival has helped promote culture and typical features of traditional Hue lifestyle and the country, channelling charm and beauty of nature and people of Hue City. Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee and Chairman of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for External Relations, Le Hoai Trung highly praised the efforts that the central province has developed the festival as an international level event after 24 years. The festival has seen as favourite destination for international friends showing off their typical culture for peace, friendship and co-operation as well as building together a world of peace and prosperity on the base of multi-culture from worldwide, Trung said at the festival opening ceremony. Hue Festival has helped boosted socio-economic development, but promoting the countrys traditional culture in the global comprehensive and deeply integration process, he said. Thua Thien Hue has been designed as a centrally-run city based on the conservation and promotion of the values of the imperial heritage and cultural identity of Hue in 2025, and the Festival City a centre of culture, education, tourism and health care in Asia in 2045, he added. To date, eight world heritages that have been preserved by the province have been recognised by the UNESCO. Chairman of the provincial peoples committee, Nguyen Van Phuong said the festival has been built as a traditional cultural brand of Hue for the past 24 years, creating it a favourite destination to international tourism and investors. Phuong said the festival 2024 was opened at Kien Trung Palace an amazing architecture and fine arts design of the royal citadel in boosting the brand of the festival to worldwide. The Festival entitled Cultural Heritage amid Integration and Development has drawn the participation of 30 art troupes from France, Belgium, Spain, Canada, Japan, China, Korea and Viet Nam, creating series of art performances and attractive stage space for local residents and visitors on June 7-12, Phuong said. Art performances from different countries will be staged in space of UNESCO-recognised world heritage sites, and open-door and street demonstrations. We hope that this years festival edition will be one of the most impressive event in the past two decades, he added. The Hue Festival 2024 will also feature performances of international and local art troupes, a food festival and shows of the world famous heritage of Hue royal court music and songs. An exceptional sound and light show will be demonstrated by the French art troupe on June 8, while Belgiums Royal Merchtem Stiltwalkers group will present a grand performance on five-metre-high stilts in the city. Other art troupes will also offer contemporary art performance, modern dances from Cergy (France), Flamenco Hispano (Spain), the Eisa Urakaji troupe (Japan), the Zhejiang theatre company (China), pianist Steve Barakatt (Canada), and two art groups from Korea. The province has resumed series of ancient art performances including the Ban Soc (royal calendar delivery) the event that kings under the Nguyen Dynasty organised to distribute calendars for royal mandarins at Noon Gate and promoting the UNESCO heritage including the ancient citadel relic complex, Hue royal court music, Nguyen Dynastys wooden blocks, Nguyen Dynastys royal administrative documents, and literature on Hue royal architecture. A night show will be dedicated to song-writer Trinh Cong Son, a Hue-born musician in combination with an ao dai show designed by his younger sister Trinh Hoang Dieu. A vegetarian festival organised by Hue's Buddhist monks and a beer festival from Carlsberg, along with a crazy music will be opened for all. The festival would help tourism industry growing dramatically and sustainably, according to festival organisers. VNS During the National Assembly sessions in the last week of May, deputies highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of administrative procedures. They stressed that reforming the procedures was essential for a significant breakthrough in state administration. Calls were made for the establishment of institutions to address bottlenecks, decisive reform of administrative processes, and solutions to encourage officials to be innovative. Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung highlighted that in the first four months of the year, more businesses dissolved than were established, with over 86,000 businesses dissolving compared to over 81,000 new ones set up. We have never seen such numbers before. Walking down the streets, many shops and stores are closed. Business difficulties mean that workers and people are also facing hardships, and bad debts are starting to rise," Dung said. Among many reasons for these difficulties, the minister noted the lack of a proactive and innovative spirit among the public sector. Referring to examples from China, Minister Dung noted that Teslas car factory in Shanghai took only 11 months from groundbreaking to operation, and a large shopping centre took only 6 months from construction to opening. They work at lightning speed, while we are mired in a request-and-approval process," he said. Deputy Nguyen Thi Ngoc Xuan from Binh Duong Province questioned why the central government and local authorities have continuously sought special mechanisms. She suggested that the current institutional and administrative procedures were outdated, cumbersome and time-consuming. Deputy Nguyen Thi Ngoc Xuan highlighted the need for radical reform in all fields, especially in investment, construction, public procurement, and internal administrative procedures among state agencies. Currently, there are many institutional aspects that need to be amended, but the personnel directly working on institutional tasks is still lacking, the conditions and incentives are not high, and the progress of implementation does not meet the requirements," Xuan said. "I respectfully recommend that the National Assembly and the Government clearly assess the situation, and invest in institutional work at the central level, especially in ministries and agencies and the National Assembly." Real estate market and credit Minister Dung said that production and business still faced many problems; industrial production recovery was slow; and some key localities had low or decreased growth compared to last year. Moreover, domestic purchasing power in the past five months increased less than in 2023 and in 2015-2019, while competition was rising in both export and domestic markets. Credit growth as of 20 May only increased by 2.41 per cent, and businesses still faced difficulties in accessing capital, while the on-balance-sheet bad debt ratio remained high. Dung noted that the real estate market had shown some changes, but many difficulties still needed attention. The progress of the VN120 trillion loan package for social housing had been slow and did not meet requirements. Currently, difficulties still lay in regulations on decentralisation and distribution of powers; management of the gold market and real estate; with airfare prices not meeting real requirements. Additionally, a tendency to "fear mistakes and responsibility" had not been resolved, and discipline and order were not strict, Dung said. A number of regulations, administrative procedures, and business conditions had not been reduced, remaining cumbersome and obstructive, causing difficulties for business. Policy coordination and response in some cases had not been timely, flexible, or effective. Fiscal policy mainly focused on tax and fee reductions and boosting public investment, while monetary policy primarily used the banking system's resources to support the economy. Policy implementation still faced difficulties for both management agencies, implementation units, and beneficiaries. Deputy Xuan proposed that from 2025, the National Assembly should add a specialised report on administrative procedure reform by the Government for the National Assembly to effectively supervise this issue. Minister Dung said: We need to promote decentralisation, remove unnecessary approval procedures, and encourage officials to be proactive and innovative. We need to develop solutions that encourage officials to be daring in their thinking and actions. If we don't accelerate reforms, investments could move abroad entirely. Theres no need to innovate from scratch. Just resolving the obstacles for stalled projects can significantly boost the economy, create confidence, and generate new resources. VNS HA NOI Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, on behalf of the President, presented a proposal to the National Assembly on Saturday to ratify the document on the United Kingdom's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). On February 1, 2021, the UK officially submitted its application to join the CPTPP. Following this, negotiations between the UK and the CPTPP member countries were conducted. Essentially, the negotiation for the UK's accession to the CPTPP was unilateral, with the UK making numerous commitments to open new markets and accepting all existing commitments within the CPTPP. On June 16, 2023, with the authorisation of the Government, the Minister of Industry and Trade, along with ministers from other CPTPP countries and the UK, signed the document on the UK's accession to the CPTPP, making it the twelfth signatory member of the agreement. Assessing the impact of the UK's accession to the CPTPP, the Vice President noted that Viet Nam and the UK already have a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The UK's accession to the CPTPP will further reinforce Viet Nam's role with the UK in the region, enhance Viet Nam's position in international economic cooperation, and strengthen bilateral relations with the UK. Significantly, the UK's recognition of Viet Nam's market economy status is important as it provides a basis for Viet Nam to continue lobbying other countries, including the US, to recognise Viet Nam as a market economy. From a multilateral perspective, the UK's accession to the CPTPP will help connect the Asia-Pacific, Americas, and Europe, elevating the CPTPP from a regional agreement to a global one. In terms of economic impact, the UK's accession to the CPTPP will help attract other economies to join this regional FTA, expanding market access opportunities for Vietnamese goods and increasing Viet Nam's appeal to foreign investors. The UK is one of the largest import markets in the world, and the negotiation results achieved will strongly boost trade and investment activities between Viet Nam and the UK, particularly facilitating Vietnamese exports to a market with substantial annual import turnover. Regarding labour, employment, and social impacts, sectors where the UK excels in exports, such as machinery, high-tech equipment, financial services, and banking, are complementary rather than competitive to Viet Nam's key sectors. Therefore, there will be no significant competition regarding employment; instead, it will help develop the labour market and increase job opportunities in corresponding fields in Viet Nam. However, the UK is one of the most demanding markets globally regarding domestic standards for goods circulation. Thus, Vietnamese exports to the UK face the challenge of meeting these stringent standards. Additionally, Viet Nam will also commit to opening its market for goods and services to the UK. This creates certain competitive pressures for Vietnamese businesses and their products and services. Nevertheless, this is healthy, selective competition with an appropriate roadmap. Importantly, given the high complementarity between the UK and Viet Nam's economic structures, the competitive pressure is expected to be minimal. Vice President Xuan stated that the Government proposes ratifying the document at the seventh session to make Viet Nam one of the first CPTPP countries to ratify the protocol. So far, three have been three CPTPP members: Singapore, Japan, and Chile, that have announced the completion of domestic procedures. "Based on the Government's proposal with the aforementioned contents and pursuant to the 2016 Law on International Treaties, the President respectfully requests the National Assembly to consider and decide on the ratification of the document on the UK's accession to the CPTPP at the 7th session of the 15th National Assembly," said Xuan. Presenting the verification report at the session, Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Foreign Affairs Vu Hai Ha stated that the Committee on Foreign Affairs agreed on the necessity of ratifying the document. Responding to concerns from many deputies about the challenges posed by the demanding European markets, including the UK, for Vietnamese businesses and exports, deputy Nguyen Van Than from the northern Thai Binh Province noted that recent surveys showed many localities and businesses have rapidly adapted to technological changes following agreements like the EVFTA and CPTPP, contributing to increased product value. He urged the Government to continue providing support to businesses to seize opportunities and advantages to upgrade their technologies. Deputy Thai Quynh Mai Dung from Vinh Phuc expressed strong agreement with the President's proposal, the Government's explanatory report, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs' verification report. Deputy Mai Dung hoped that in 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Trade would issue an annual FTA Index to evaluate the implementation results of FTAs by localities, serving as a benchmark and providing a standard process for implementation. This would also facilitate better monitoring and adjustment in the future. Also during the morning session, the National Assembly discussed in groups the draft Law on Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking (amended) and the draft Law on Juvenile Justice. VNS Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked Friday evening in a public square in Copenhagen's old town by a man who was quickly arrested. Frederiksen suffered "minor whiplash" when the man gave her a hard shove, according to her office. Two witnesses told the local newspaper BT: "A man came by in the opposite direction and gave her a hard shove on the shoulder, causing her to fall to the side." Frederiksen did not, however, hit the ground, and sat at a nearby cafe to recover, they said. It wasn't immediately clear if she required medical treatment. Frederiksen, the leader of Denmark's largest party, the Social Democrats, had taken part earlier in an EU election event with her party's lead candidate, Christel Schaldemose. The attack occurred just two days before two days before Danes head to the polls to vote in the European Union parliamentary elections. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen called it a "despicable act, which goes against everything we believe in and fight for in Europe." The Prime Minister is shocked by the incident," Frederiksen's office said in a statement. Danish Minister of Environment Magnus Heunicke wrote in a post on X: "Mette is naturally shocked by the attack. I must say that it shakes all of us who are close to her." Soren Kjergaard, a barista who works in the Kultorvet, the public square where the assault took place, told Reuters that Frederiksen appeared a "little stressed" after the incident.. What may have triggered the attack was not immediately known or revealed. Police are continuing to investigate. The 39-year-old man arrested is scheduled due to appear at a hearing at the Frederiksberg Courthouse Saturday afternoon in connection with the incident. HA NOI Viet Nam hopes its relations with Venezuela will achieve important progress, especially in economy, trade and investment, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son told his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil Pinto during their talks in Ha Noi on Saturday. Son also proposed that the two sides increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, including business delegations, and trade and investment promotion and business matching activities, facilitating market access by their key export products, and concretising cooperation and investment opportunities. Venezuelan minister Yvan Gil Pinto shared his good impressions of Viet Nam during his first visit, affirming that the Venezuelan Government always values and prioritises strengthening relations with Viet Nam, its important partner in Asia-Pacific. Venezuela wants to consolidate and expand cooperation with Viet Nam, both bilaterally and multilaterally, contributing to the construction and development of each country, the guest said. The two ministers expressed satisfaction with the positive developments in the two countries' relations over the past time, notably the results of the visit to Venezuela by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang in April 2024. They stressed that the two sides need to continue to promote the effectiveness, flexibly implement the mechanism of political consultation at deputy foreign minister level and accelerating the early organisation of the meeting of the Viet Nam-Venezuela Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee. The two sides should also review and promote negotiations on cooperation agreements, and create a legal framework for strengthening multifaceted ties. They agreed on a number of measures to deepen the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries in the coming time in the fields of politics, diplomacy, trade, agriculture, energy, culture, and people-to-people exchange. They also consented to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels and promote cooperation in new fields such as telecommunications, construction and pharmaceuticals. The two sides appreciated the potential for cooperation in energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and trade. The two ministers agreed to maintain coordination and support each other at international organisations and multilateral forums, especially the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. Discussing international and regional issues of mutual concern, they agreed that disputes need to be resolved by peaceful means on the basis of international law, with respect for the legitimate interests of the parties, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. During the June 7-8 visit, Minister Yvan Gil Pinto laid a wreath and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Ha Noi, visited the President Ho Chi Minh relic site and several historical and cultural sites in Ha Noi. VNS HA NOI The relationship between Viet Nam and Russia is a testament to the strength of time-tested friendship and cooperation that have continuously been strengthened and expanded across fields, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has said. He made the remarks at a banquet held by the Russian Embassy in Viet Nam on June 7 in celebration of Russia Day (June 12, 1990) and the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations between Viet Nam and Russia (June 16, 1994-2024). Viet Nam-Russia relationship is an invaluable asset of the two countries and peoples of Viet Nam and Russia that needs to be promoted and transmitted to future generations, he continued. Ha affirmed that for many generations of Vietnamese people, Russia holds a very important place in their hearts. This sentiment stems not only from Russias political and economic support and cooperation with Viet Nam but also from the mutual love and cultural connections between their people. According to the Deputy PM, the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations and the upcoming 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2025 mark significant moments for both sides to honour past achievements, seize present opportunities, and build a roadmap towards a future based on shared values, trust and mutual benefit. Addressing the function, Russian Ambassador to Viet Nam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko said that since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership, the traditional friendship between the two countries have developed robustly across all areas. Russia prioritises fostering its strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the ambassador said, elaborating that his country always treasures and wishes to further strengthen ties with Viet Nam, one of its key partners in Southeast Asia, for the sake of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on June 8 hosted a reception for visiting Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs Yvan Gil Pinto in Ha Noi on June 8. The PM affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership with Venezuela, and expressed his belief that the ministers visit will contribute to enhancing the bilateral ties in the time ahead, especially in the areas where both countries have potential and demand, for the sake of their people, and for peace, cooperation and development in the two regions and the world. Chinh suggested the two sides continue close coordination to step up all-level delegation exchanges, and implement measures to strengthen the bilateral relations as agreed during the Venezuela visit by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang in April, and the talks between the two foreign ministers on June 8. The Inter-governmental Committee should convene its next meeting soon to promote economic cooperation contents, he said, stressing the need to maintain mutual consultations at international organisations and multilateral forums, and push ahead with negotiations to reach cooperation agreements on consular affairs, trade, investment, education-training, digital transformation and cyberspace, locality-to-locality connection and people-to-people exchanges, thus creating a favourable legal corridor to deepen and further diversify the friendship and comprehensive partnership between the two countries. Noting the bilateral trade and investment relations are still modest compared to the potential, the PM asked the two countries agencies to actively promote the exchange of business delegations, organise trade and investment promotion and trade connection activities; create favourable conditions for the two countries' key products to access each other's markets and tap mutually beneficial cooperation and investment opportunities. For his part, Minister Ivan Gil Pinto congratulated Viet Nam on its achievements in all aspects, saying Viet Nam is an example in socio-economic development and foreign relations for Venezuela to follow. He affirmed that the Venezuelan Government attaches great importance to Viet Nams growing role and position in the region and the world at large. Venezuela hopes to further tighten relations with Viet Nam through all Party, Government, State, National Assembly and people-to-people exchange channels, he noted. Pinto also briefed the host on the results of his meeting with Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung and his talks with Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, saying that the two sides had extensive discussions on issues of mutual concern, suggested specific measures and agreed on the bilateral cooperation programme in the coming time, especially in the fields of energy, telecommunications, construction, agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Venezuela is willing to facilitate visa applications by Vietnamese citizens to promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, he said. The Venezuelan FM took the occasion to convey President Nicolas Maduro's regards to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and congratulations to President To Lam on his election. VNS VIENTIANE Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs o Hung Viet, head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam, attended the Senior Officials' Meetings of ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Vientiane, Laos, on June 7-8. The meetings reviewed cooperation, and agreed on directions for developing relevant frameworks in the coming time, and looked into preparations for the ASEAN+3, EAS and ARF Foreign Ministers' Meetings, along with ASEAN+3 and EAS Summits in Laos in July and October, respectively. The participating countries agreed on the need to promote practical and mutually beneficial cooperation, and effectively support ASEAN in building the community, for peace, security, stability and development in the region. Meanwhile, partners committed to supporting ASEAN's centrality in the regional architecture, and working together with the grouping to effectively respond to common challenges and shape a regional architecture that is open, inclusive and transparent, and in line with international law. Regarding regional and international issues, they shared concern over major risks to peace, security and stability in the region, especially escalating tensions in hot spots such as the East Sea and the Korean Peninsula, as well as emerging non-traditional challenges. They affirmed support for ASEAN's principled stance on the East Sea, and promoting efforts by all parties to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon achieve an effective and substantive Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). Addressing the meetings, Viet suggested countries prioritise consolidating and promoting the role of ASEAN+3, EAS and ARF frameworks with ASEAN playing a central role. Countries should promote consultation, dialogue, cooperation, and trust building, he said, calling on powers to carry forward their active and responsible role, contributing to efforts to ease tensions and find solutions to problems. The official stressed that Vietnam hopes to work together with other countries to build the East Sea into the waters of peace, stability, cooperation and development. On this occasion, Viet held bilateral meetings with representatives from China, the US, India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) to discuss coordination within the framework of ASEAN-led mechanisms, as well as a number of issues regarding their bilateral cooperation. - VNS In May 2024, the British University Vietnam (BUV) and the Centre for Foreign Affairs and Languages Training (CEFALT) of Vietnams Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined forces in an alliance to enhance language education and lifelong learning in Ho Chi Minh City. The collaboration, sealed with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Prof. Rick Bennett BUV Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President and Mr. Mai Anh Thai CEFALT Director, aims to elevate language teaching standards and foster continuous learning opportunities. The signing ceremony, graced by Ms. Emily Hamblin - the British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City - and Mr. Tran Phuoc Anh - Director General of the HCMC Department of Foreign Affairs - marked a significant a milestone in this endeavour. This partnership focuses on enhancing foreign language training and English education through innovative teacher training programs and exchange initiatives. The partnership will also spearhead joint research and development initiatives to improve educational approaches, including modern teaching methods and the incorporation of AI into education. Notably, BUVs School of Pathways, English and Lifelong Learning (SPELL) and CEFALT will jointly develop the BUV-HCMC Lifelong Learning Centre at CEFALT to promote British education, exchange knowledge between BUV and partners, organisations and businesses in Ho Chi Minh City. Witnessing the meaningful milestone, Ms. Emily Hamblin - the British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City said: BUV, known as the premium UK education hub in Vietnam, has been a beacon of British education excellence in Vietnam and since 2008. BUV has continually demonstrated its commitment to providing world-class education and fostering international partnerships. Likewise, CEFALT's dedication to enhancing language proficiency and professional skills aligns perfectly with BUV's vision for holistic education. The Consul General expressed a strong belief that the promotion of training programs for educators, staff and professionals in English language proficiency and essential skills is about more than just improving individual capabilities; it is also about uplifting Vietnam's capacity in human workforce development, empowering communities, driving innovation and fostering lifelong learning. Prof. Dr. Raymond Gordon - BUV Vice-Chancellor and President - said: BUV and CEFALT are committed to enhancing the quality of the workforce by implementing comprehensive train-the-trainer programs, ensuring that educators are well-equipped to inspire and educate future generations. This partnership embodies our shared vision of fostering a vibrant, knowledgeable, and skilled community. Mr. Mai Anh Thai - CEFALT Director - said: The collaboration between BUV and CEFALT extends beyond academic pursuits. Together, we envision the establishment of the BUV-HCMC Lifelong Learning Center at CEFALT, a testament to our commitment to promoting the British education system and fostering knowledge exchange within the vibrant landscape of Ho Chi Minh City. The collaboration between BUV and CEFALT aims to introduce innovative programs, facilitate knowledge exchange and improve learning opportunities for students, educators and professionals in Ho Chi Minh City and the surrounding areas. This initiative is the latest effort by BUV, a trusted partner of both the Vietnamese and UK governments, to bridge the nations and connect people and cultures through education, as it has done for the past 15 years. BUV is the first and only international university in Vietnam authorised to deliver university degrees from the UK. BUV is Vietnam's first and only 5-star Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) certified institution, as well as the first university in Vietnam and ASEAN to receive global quality accreditation by QAA, the Quality Assurance Agency for UK Higher Education. BUV's dynamic curriculum is designed to stay ahead of industry trends by combining theory and practice, ensuring that 100% of students are employed or pursuing higher education within three months of graduation. The expansive 6.5-hectare campus, with a total planned investment of 165 million USD, embodies sustainability and offers an enriching environment for academic and personal development. THUA THIEN-HUE The Knight of the National Order of Merit of France has been bestowed upon Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy, rector of the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy (HueUMP) under the Hue University in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, for his contributions to the bilateral relations. This is one of Frances two highest orders conferred on French citizens as well as foreign nationals for their contributions, commitments and support. At the award ceremony held on June 8, French Ambassador to Viet Nam Olivier Brochet lauded Huy's scientific research achievements and practical contributions to relations between the two countries, as well as between HueUMP and the Hue University, and universities and organisations in France, especially in medical and French language fields. For his part, Huy expressed his pride to receive such noble order, saying it also acknowledges contributions by the Francophone community and the Francophone medical community in Hue and Viet Nam at large over the past years, he said. Over the past 30 years, he has contributed to accelerating the establishment of relations with many partners including universities, hospitals, regions and non-governmental organisations of France and the international Francophone community. He has also played a role in promoting specialised French language courses and French-Vietnamese cultural exchanges, thereby creating opportunities for young doctors to study in France for at least one year. 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 China's top legislator meets with Pakistani PM Xinhua) 10:11, June 08, 2024 Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing, capital of China, June 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Friday. Noting that China and Pakistan are all-weather, strategic, cooperative partners and ironclad friends, Zhao said the two countries have maintained unwavering mutual trust and friendship since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than 70 years ago, serving as a model for the friendly coexistence of nations. Zhao said China is willing to work with Pakistan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, support each other firmly, enhance cooperation in various fields, and promote the deepening of bilateral relations, contributing to the accelerated construction of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. China's NPC is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with the Pakistani parliament, and deepen exchanges and interactions at various levels, in multiple fields and through diverse channels. It is also ready to work together to provide legal support for practical cooperation, enhance communication within multilateral organizations, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries, Zhao added. Hailing the Pakistan-China relationship as unbreakable, Sharif said that Pakistan supports the major visions and initiatives proposed by the Chinese leader, and upholds the one-China principle. Pakistan is also willing to promote cooperation between the legislative institutions of the two countries, he said. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing, capital of China, June 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Four hostages seized from a music festival during the Oct. 7 Hamas raid into Israel were freed from captivity Saturday in dramatic "complex" daylight operations at two buildings in Gaza by the Israeli military. Israeli counter-terrorism units and Shin Bet agents raided the buildings in a residential neighborhood in Nuseirat and came under heavy fire as they freed hostages Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40. Heavy airstrikes were conducted in the area against Hamas locations during the raids, which also involved hundreds of Israeli soldiers. Hamas health officials said about 50 Palestinians were killed. "During the operation we struck [attacked] ... threats to our forces in the area. These threats were struck from the land, air, and sea ... for us to extract our forces [and the hostages]," Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters at a press conference on Saturday, the Times of Israel reported. Argamani, whose voice was last heard on a Hamas propaganda video in May pleading for her life, was rescued at one building, while Meir Kozlov and Zin were found at the second site. 245 days. It has been 245 days since Noa hugged her father and her mother who is terminally ill. It has been 245 days since she was dancing with her friends at the Nova festival. For 245 days, Noa was held captive by Hamas terrorists who only seek to cause pain and suffering. pic.twitter.com/uNK2HqGg8a Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024 The four hostages, who all appeared to be in good physical condition, were transported to a hospital for further examination. Hagari said the operations had been sketched out for weeks and involved "quality intelligence and complex operational planning." The "intelligence for this operation was very complex to obtain," he said. Nora Schell has overseen the Lake Waco Wetlands through some 20 years of drought and flood and everything in between. But the last few weeks have given the wetlands coordinator a new appreciation of the power of water in a hurry. A series of floods on the adjacent North Bosque River in the last few weeks wrecked boardwalks, picnic tables and other improvements that have helped make the 180-acre preserve at 1752 Eichelberger Crossing Road a destination for nature lovers. The constructed wetlands upstream of Lake Waco remains covered with several feet of water due to floodwater from the lake, which was still 14.6 feet above normal Friday afternoon after days of aggressive water releases from the lakes dam. Eichelberger Crossing was closed this week, blocking normal access to the wetland. This is the worst Ive ever seen, in terms of being the most destructive, Schell said Thursday. All my boardwalks are askew. The floating boardwalks came unmoored from their anchors and ended up in the wrong parts of the wetlands. Schell said the segments will require significant repair, and tractors will ultimately have to reposition them once the wetland dries out again. Meanwhile, a viewing platform between two of the main cells of the wetlands is gone, and the fate of benches recently installed by an Eagle Scout candidate is uncertain, Schell said. Roads and paths around the wetlands have suffered both erosion and silting, and the pumps that normally divert a portion of the North Bosque River through the wetlands are submerged in water and mud and will likely need extensive work, Schell said. The wetlands effectively dried up during a prolonged drought in 2022 and 2023, when the North Bosque slowed to a trickle and the pumps were out of service. In late October, floodwaters from a massive storm in the North Bosque watershed filled the lake. The pumps were repaired around the same time, allowing the wetlands to begin to return to normal this spring. The wetlands were looking beautiful and the pumps were working, and then, boom, this happened, Schell said. Its famine to feast. The North Bosque River had three flood surges in late April, early May and the end of May, according to U.S. Geological Survey data. Schell said that in the May 4-5 incident, she got a call from the Lake Waco manager based on rising lake levels. She got out to the site in time to watch surges of stormwater fill the wetlands and flood surrounding roads. She and nature photographer Brian Boyd stood on a lookout platform just downhill from the visitor center and saw snakes swim by, followed by an otter. Boyd, who visits Lake Waco several times a week, said he has seen many displaced animals with the high water, including snakes and deer. Wildlife is coming in closer to all of us, he said. Lake Waco in early May rose to about 20 feet above its normal level of 462 feet above sea level. It has fluctuated since then as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released water or held new inflows back to protect downstream communities. It peaked again at 18 feet above normal on June 2, then fell to 14.2 feet by Friday afternoon as the Corps continued to release nearly 8,000 cubic feet of water per second. Lake Waco Park Ranger Taylor Christian said the Corps will continue to assess its parks and roads around the lake as the level drops. For now, he is expecting significant damage. He said the heaviest damage is at Airport Beach and Airport Park campground, followed by Twin Bridges and Reynolds Creek parks. Speegleville and Midway parks were less affected. RV sites, grills, electrical pedestals and playgrounds have been damaged at various parks. Restrooms have been submerged, along with their water heaters and other electric equipment. As roads emerge from the floodwater, they will have to dry for two weeks before park personnel and others can drive on them. The cost and time to repair the park facilities are still impossible to estimate, but Christian said the 11 lake staffers are an experienced team and ready to do the job. Weve been through it, he said. Were subject matter experts on flood cleanup. The NASA astronaut who snapped the iconic "Earthrise" photo from the Apollo 8 spacecraft in 1968 and was one of the first three people to orbit the moon, was killed in a plane crash in Washington state, his family has confirmed. William Anders was 90. His son, Gregory Anders, told CNN on Friday that his father "passed in an aircraft incident in the San Juan Islands." The "family is devastated and grieving the loss of a great pilot," he added. The San Juan Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Facebook that it recovered the body of a man who was piloting an "older model" plane that went down off the coast of Jones Island in the San Juan Channel on Friday morning. "This is a very somber and tragic incident, and the San Juan County Sheriff's Office sends its sincere condolences and prayers to the victim and his family," the sheriff's office said in the statement. Anders flew on the December 1968 Apollo mission with fellow astronauts Jim Lovell and Frank Borman. The three were the first to orbit the moon. "We mourn the passing of astronaut Bill Anders, lunar module pilot for Apollo 8, and backup pilot for the Gemini XI and Apollo 11 flights," NASA said in a statement posted on X. "One of the first three people to travel beyond the reach of our Earth and orbit the Moon, Anders took the legendary Earthrise photo," it added. Anders took the shot aboard the spacecraft that captured the Earth with the lunar surface in the foreground. "We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth," Anders said. Satellite photos reportedly show parking lots full of Tesla electric vehicles as the troubled auto maker struggles to sell off its stockpile of inventory. Images and analysis from the SkyFi data company revealed a dramatic increase in the number of battery powered cars stored outside Telsa's factory near Austin, Texas, the Sherwood news website said Tuesday. The photos, shot in October 2023 and March 2024, showed one small parking lot skyrocketed from 17% to 97% of capacity, while another, larger lot went from zero to 34%, according to Sherwood. The biggest lot was 100% full, up from 99%, and a medium-size lot was 92% full, down slightly from 98%. The parking areas in question hold finished Teslas before they're shipped off to dealers, Sherwood said. A May 2024 image also reportedly showed 465 Tesla vehicles stored in a parking lot at the Chesterfield Mall near St. Louis. Last month, local TV station Fox 2 reported that Tesla was renting space there before the planned Aug. 31 closure of the shopping center for demolition and redevelopment. Tesla didn't respond to request for comment, Sherwood said. The report came two days before CNBC reported that Hertz was offering to sell about 20,000 Tesla models from its fleet of rental cars for "no haggle" prices of about $25,000 each. Although EV sales in the U.S. increased by more than 400% from 2020 to 2023, the pace has slowed and automakers are now more focused on selling hybrid models, CNBC said. In March, the automotive research company iSeeCars said prices for used EVs fell 31.8%, from an average of $43,694 to $30,904, over the past year. ISeeCars executive analyst said the dramatic decline was "largely driven" by billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk's "aggressive price cuts on new Teslas." In April, Tesla said its first-quarter revenues fell by 9%, the steepest drop since 2012, with Musk blaming "several unforeseen challenges," including what he called pressure on the global "EV adoption rate" and other manufacturers "pulling back on EVs and pursuing plug-in hybrids instead." "We believe this is not the right strategy and electric vehicles will ultimately dominate the market," he said during an earnings call with investors, according to a transcript posted online by the Motley Fool website. Last week, Musk was accused in a shareholder lawsuit of reaping about $3 billion in illegal profits through insider trading of the company's stock late last year. The Manhattan district attorney who presided over Donald Trump's conviction in his hush money trial agreed Saturday to testify before a Republican-led House committee but said he would not do so until after the former president is sentenced in early July, according to a report. Rep. Jim Jordan, the Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, wrote to Alvin Bragg a day after Trump's conviction in May, blasting the trial as a "political prosecution," and calling on the DA to testify at a June 13 hearing. Leslie Dubeck, the general counsel for the Manhattan district attorney, said in reply that the office was "committed to voluntary cooperation," the Associated Press reported. Part of the cooperation involves making Bragg available to testify "at an agreed-upon date." But Dubeck noted that the day selected by Jordan "presents various scheduling conflicts." Dubeck's letter, according to the AP, noted that Trump's prosecution is ongoing. Prosecutors will be making recommendations to Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, about what kind of punishment Trump should receive. "The trial court and reviewing appellate courts have issued numerous orders for the purpose of protecting the fair administration of justice in People v. Trump, and to participate in a public hearing at this time would be potentially detrimental to those efforts," the letter said. Jordan is also seeking the testimony of Matthew Colangelo, a former Department of Justice official who joined the DA's office in 2022 and was one of the lead prosecutors in the Trump case. The Ohio Republican said in his letter that the June hearing will be before the Select Subcommittee on the "Weaponization of the Federal Government" of the Committee on the Judiciary. It "will examine actions by state and local prosecutors to engage politically motivated prosecutions of federal officials, in particular the recent political prosecution of President Donald Trump by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office," the letter said. Trump was found guilty in Manhattan criminal court of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 hush money payment to former adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Daniels alleges that she had a sexual relationship with Trump in 2006. Authored By: Vishal Ahankari, Business Development Lead at AutoVRse In the manufacturing sector, worker safety is paramount. Many massive manufacturing organizations invest heavily in training their workforce to ensure the performance and protection of their operations. However, traditional learning methods regularly involve risks associated with protection and safety. Enter Digital Reality (VR) learning an innovative method that promises to transform the way companies train their employees, delivering safer and more powerful learning. This article explores how VR training can alleviate safety issues and save lives in the manufacturing industry. Challenges of Traditional Training Safety risks in practical training: Traditional training methods in manufacturing usually involve hands-on practice, often in environments that can be dangerous. New employees must discover ways to operate heavy equipment, handle chemical compounds, and master complex strategies. Despite strict safety protocols, the possibility of accidents during training is massive. Workers are exposed to risks, including equipment failure, chemical spills, and human error that can cause injury or even death. Limited Real-World Simulation: Another challenge with traditional training is the problem of simulating real global scenarios. While theoretical knowledge and classroom learning are valuable, they cannot prepare workers due to the unpredictable nature of the manufacturing environment. This gap between training and day-to-day application can result in unpreparedness for critical situations, compromising safety and productivity. The Advent of Virtual Reality Training Safe and Controlled Environment Virtual reality (VR) training addresses these safety issues by providing employees with a safe and controlled environment to try out and practice. VR technology creates immersive simulations that reflect real-world manufacturing situations without the associated risks. Trainees can engage with virtual machinery, handle virtual chemicals, and perform complex procedures as if they were on the factory floor, but inside a completely secure virtual space. Realistic and Interactive Simulations One of the greatest advantages of VR training is its potential to provide reasonable and interactive simulations. VR applications can simulate a wide range of situations, from normal operations to emergency conditions. For example, trainees can practice responding to a machinery malfunction, fire outbreak, or chemical spill in a virtual setting. This hands-on experience in a non-hazardous environment allows employees to enhance vital skills such as problem-solving and disaster management, ensuring they are better prepared for challenging real-life situations. Increase Safety and Efficiency with VR Training Learning Without Risk The most obvious benefit of VR training is the elimination of physical risks. Trainees could make mistakes, analyze them, and repeat the exercises without risk of injury. This helps not only ensure safety for the duration of training but also builds confidence and competence as workers can grasp their responsibilities through practice and repetition. Better Engagement and Retention Traditional training strategies often need help to keep trainees engaged and rely on lectures, manuals, and videos that may not be as efficient. However, VR training offers interactive and engaging controls. The immersive nature of VR allows trainees to stay focused and engaged, leading to better retention of information and skills. Studies have shown that people recall VR experiences very vividly compared to traditional learning methods, improving long-term ability retention and alertness. Cost-effective and scalable solutions While the initial investment in VR technology can be extensive, it pays off over the years. Companies can reduce costs associated with physical learning materials, travel, and damage capacities due to training-related accidents. In addition, VR training is easily scalable, allowing companies to consistently and successfully train large numbers of employees. This scalability is especially useful for global manufacturers who need to adhere to uniform training requirements in more than one location. Data-driven statistics VR training systems often include data analytics capabilities that provide valuable insights into trainees performance. Companies can fine-tune progress, identify areas for improvement, and tailor training programs to meet specific needs. This data-driven method ensures continuous development of training effectiveness and workforce competence. Consequence Based Learning Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to revolutionize safety training by providing immersive, consequence-based learning experiences. For example, autoVRse, a company specializing in VR solutions, has developed training modules for factory workers. These simulations place workers in realistic, high-risk scenarios where they can experience the consequences of safety protocol breaches without any real-world danger. This method enhances learning retention and reinforces the importance of following safety procedures. In a broader context, consequence-based learning through VR is also being utilized in medical training. Surgeons can practice complex procedures in a virtual environment, where mistakes can be made and corrected without risking patient lives. This approach not only improves surgical skills but also enhances decision-making abilities under pressure, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and potentially saving lives In conclusion, Virtual reality (VR) training is revolutionizing training in the manufacturing industry by addressing critical safety issues and improving the overall learning experience. By providing a safe, realistic, and enjoyable learning environment, VR technology ensures that employees are better prepared for their jobs while significantly reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. As larger manufacturing sectors embrace virtual reality training, it will not only improve safety and performance but also save lives proving that technology can be an effective companion in creating a safer workplace. DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and Adgully.com does not necessarily subscribe to it. Fiona Harvey, a Scottish woman, is suing Netflix for $170 million over her portrayal in the hit miniseries "Baby Reindeer." Harvey claims the character "Martha," played by Jessica Gunning, is based on her and depicts her inaccurately as a violent stalker. "Baby Reindeer," a dark comedy created by and starring Richard Gadd, centers around Gadd's character being stalked by "Martha." The seven-part series claims to be "a true story" but includes disclaimers about creative liberties taken for dramatic effect. Harvey denies the show's portrayal, asserting she never stalked Gadd or anyone else. The lawsuit claims Netflix "told these lies...because it was a better story than the truth." Harvey provided documentation of a background check with no criminal convictions. In contrast, "Martha" is depicted as a convicted stalker who sexually assaults Gadd's character. The series portrays her sending a massive number of emails and voicemails, culminating in her arrest. Harvey alleges the show appropriated real comments and tweets from her, leading to death threats and social isolation. She claims Netflix failed to protect her anonymity despite Gadd's reported attempts to do so. Netflix maintains they will "defend this matter vigorously" and support Gadd's right to tell his story. The lawsuit casts a shadow over the show, previously lauded for its portrayal of trauma. Baby Reindeer, having gained around 60 million views in its first month, achieved the Breakthrough Limited Series award at the Authored by Akshaara Lalwani, Founder & CEO, Communicate India The global PR market surpassed 100 billion U.S. dollars in 2022 and is projected to grow by one-third within five years. Public relations, or "PR," involves the strategic communication efforts of an organisation to shape its public image and respond to public discourse. There's an old saying: "Advertising is what you pay for; publicity is what you pray for." But is it really about prayer, or is there a strategic process behind achieving great publicity? Well, this all comes down to one word- Networking! According to a recent survey, 80% of PR professionals believe that networking is crucial for their success. The PR industry flourishes on the strength of relationships, connections, and collaborations; and networking is the key element that brings these aspects together. Building Authentic Relationships Networking in PR is all about creating and nurturing genuine relationships. It goes beyond the surface-level exchange of business cards and LinkedIn connections; it's about developing deep, meaningful bonds with peers, clients, journalists, influencers, and other industry stakeholders. These relationships are essential for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support. When you have the right connections, you gain access to their expertise and resources, significantly boosting your PR efforts. For instance, strong connections with journalists and media professionals can greatly increase your chances of securing media coverage. A direct line to a trusted journalist can transform a typical press release into a featured story. Similarly, relationships with industry experts provide invaluable insights and advice, keeping you ahead of market trends. Gaining Access to Valuable Resources Effective networking opens doors to a plethora of valuable resources that can enhance your PR strategies: Media Databases: Personal connections with journalists and media professionals can give you access to media databases that are far more effective than impersonal pitches. Industry Reports: Networking with industry insiders can grant you access to exclusive reports, market insights, and competitor analyses that inform your PR strategies. Expert Advice: Attending networking events and conferences allows you to seek advice from experienced PR practitioners, gaining insights that guide your actions and decisions. These resources are helpful and often critical in crafting successful PR campaigns that resonate with your audience and achieve your goals. Gaining Industry Insights Networking is an essential means of gaining critical industry insights. By connecting with thought leaders and influencers at industry events or through online platforms, you gain access to firsthand knowledge about industry trends and best practices. This knowledge is crucial for tailoring your pitches to journalists and building stronger media relationships, ultimately increasing your chances of successful placements. Effective networking goes beyond mere conversation; it necessitates active listening. Understanding others' challenges and experiences can build genuine connections that position you as a supportive and insightful colleague. This empathy and mutual support enhance your reputation within the industry and make your network more effective. Advancing Your Career Networking is also a powerful tool for career advancement in PR. It can reveal unadvertised job opportunities and connect you with senior professionals who can provide mentorship and guidance. Strong professional relationships can lead to recommendations for promotions or new roles within your current organisation. Essentially, a robust network can significantly enhance your career trajectory by offering opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible, instilling a sense of achievement and inspiring further growth. Mentorship, in particular, is invaluable. Learning from those who have successfully navigated the PR industry's challenges provides insights and advice that are instrumental to professional growth. A mentor can offer guidance on strategic decision-making, crisis management, and career development. Conclusion In the evolving world of public relations, networking is beneficial and essential. It transforms good PR professionals into great ones by facilitating the building of authentic relationships, providing access to valuable resources, advancing careers, and offering critical industry insights. In a field where relationships are paramount, networking is the strategic process that ensures sustained success and growth. As the PR industry continues to expand, those who excel in networking will lead the way in shaping public perception and achieving lasting impact. DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and Adgully.com does not necessarily subscribe to it. Walton County Florida officials are patrolling the shoreline and urging beachgoers to use caution while in the water following two shark attacks Friday that injured three females, including two teens from Mountain Brook. Officials this morning posted an update following the attack. A woman and one of the teens were critically injured. One of the teens suffered minor injuries. Mountain Brook City Manager Sam Gaston told AL.com that the two the teens who were injured are from Mountain Brook. The teens were identified as Lulu Gribbin and McCray Faust by St. Lukes Episcopal Church. On Sunday, June 9 at 4 p.m. we will gather in the Pavilion for prayer for Lulu and McCray, their families, and their recoveries. All are welcome, the church posted on Instagram. South Walton Fire District lifeguards have erected red and purple flags this morning as a visible warning of caution. It is important to us that beach patrons recognize and understand the risk of the open water as it pertains not just to surf hazards, but marine life, officials wrote on the districts X account this morning. Will have a boat in the Gulf and will be monitoring the shoreline throughout the day. We ask beachgoers to be aware of their surroundings and remember we are guests in the Gulf. Stay vigilant. The first attack occurred around 1:20 p.m. Friday when a 45-year old woman was bitten by a shark as she was swimming past near Water Sound Beach. She suffered critical injuries on her hip and lower left arm and was airlifted to an area trauma hospital. HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital told WJHG TV on Saturday that the woman is now in stable condition. The second incident took place near Seacrest Beach less than two hours later and four miles east of the first incident. Officials said it involved two female patients who are about 15 years old. According to witnesses, the females were in waist deep water with a group of friends when the incident occurred. Saturday morning, Walton County deputies reported spotting from a boat a 14-foot hammerhead shark east of South County Highway 395 in Santa Rosa Beach. They stressed that the sighting was not uncommon. We want to reiterate that sharks are always present in the Gulf, the Walton County sheriffs department said in a post on X. Swimmers and beachgoers should be cautious when swimming and stay aware of their surroundings. The University of Alabama Systems Board of Trustees honored Vanessa Leonard, an alumna, at its June 7 board meeting. Leonard served as a trustee since 2002 and passed away March 11 at age 63. This system was fortunate to have had Vanessas devoted attention, and all of us were fortunate to have been a part of her life, said trustee Marietta Urquhart, her voice breaking. We miss her. Trustees Karen Brooks and Dr. Kenneth Vandervoort spoke of her commitment to family and faith. Born in Birmingham, Leonard earned her bachelors degree in healthcare management and a juris doctorate from the University of Alabama. She also received a masters degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi. She began her career as a financial analyst at Emory University. Then, she became a consultant for the higher education division at KPMG. She founded her law firm in Rockford in Coosa County, where she served as the general counsel at her church, New Home Missionary Baptist. She was also the assistant attorney general for the Department of Human Resources. Leonard opened a consulting firm in 2000, providing cost accounting services for colleges, universities and nonprofits. In addition to her career, she found meaningful, faithful and ethical service as a moral imperative, the board resolution states. The late Vanessa Leonard was honored with a resolution from the University of Alabama System's board of trustees. Leonard served since 2002 and passed away in March.Jonathan M. Norris (Contributed) She served on several local community boards and established two scholarships for undergraduate students. Leonard served on multiple board committees and was inducted into the Alabama School of Laws Hall of Honor in March. She was one of two Black women currently serving on the board, according to UA Systems communications department. We are all extremely fortunate to benefit from her leadership, diligence, and wise perspective, stated the resolution. The board presented a printed copy to members of Leonards family who were in attendance. A 91-year-old Canadian auto parts tycoon was arrested on rape and sex assault charges involving mutiple accusers, according to reports Saturday. The allegations against Frank Stronach date from the 1980s to 2023, and authorities in Ontario asked anyone with information or who claims to have been attacked to contact them. "Obviously, this is a high-profile case. Our special victims unit is bound to protect the victims and in doing so that's why were are being vague," Peel Regional Police Constable Tyler Bell said, according to the Associated Press. "There is more than one victim but we won't confirm that number yet." Stronach was arrested Friday in the tony Toronto suburb of Aurora and charged with five counts including rape and sexual assault, Reuters reported. He was released on conditions and is due to appear in court on an unspecified date. Stronach's defense lawyer, Brian Greenspan, said he "categorically denies the allegations of impropriety which have been brought against him." He "looks forward to the opportunity to fully respond to the charges and to maintain his legacy both as a philanthropist and as an icon of the Canadian business community," Greenspan said. Stronach, trained as a took-and-die maker, became one of Canada's wealthiest people by founding the Magna International company in his garage and building it into one of the world's largest auto parts suppliers. His personal fortune was once estimated as high as $1.7 billion, but Forbes removed him from its list of billionaires in 2019. A company spokesperson said he's had no affiliation with Magna since he gave up control in 2010. "Magna has no knowledge of the investigation or the allegations that have been raised beyond what has been reported in the media," spokesperson Dave Niemiec said. Stronach was born in Austria and returned there to found an eponymous political party, Team Stronach, and mount a bid for prime minister in 2012. But the anti-establishment party won just 6% of the vote in parliamentary elections the following year, and Stronach returned to Canada and retired from politics. Travelers entering Alabama on Interstate 65 from Tennessee will once again be greeted by a Saturn rocket in Ardmore. State Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Madison, said funding has been secured for a replica of the Saturn 1B rocket that stood at the Alabama Welcome Center there for more than four decades. But it may not be provided by NASA, which was the case with the one that was demolished last year. We are in the very early stages of that as far as planning where the replica will come from, Whitt told the Huntsville Times. Obviously, it will have to be fabricated. There will be an RFP (request for proposals) that is sent out that we are working on. Our biggest concern at first was trying to find the funding and secure the funding. We think weve done that. We know weve done that. Whitt said Gov. Kay Iveys office and legislators including State Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, and State Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, were instrumental in the effort to secure $2 million in funding during the 2023 legislative session and $5 million this past legislative session. We began working with the state legislature and the governors office, knowing that its just as important to north Alabama as it is south Alabama, Whitt said. Thats what really put north Alabama on the map. You look at the U.S.S Alabama. Thats the way we view the rocket in north Alabama. Generations have loved the rocket. While the goal is to have the replica up as soon as possible, Whitt said there is no timetable as to when one will be up. He said a board or commission will be formed with local stakeholders to oversee the process. He said that will be done before the RFP will be sent out. Were just beginning that process, Whitt said. Whitt called the rocket at the welcome center the welcome mat to Alabama. Unfortunately, it was not able to withstand the severe Alabama weather we have, he said. It stood for over 40 years in that weather. It was not intended to do so. Whitt said he met with structural engineers about what could be done to save the original rocket. One must remember is that rocket was owned by NASA, so it wasnt necessarily a state call, (U.S.) Space and Rocket Center call, he said. That was a NASA call. Weve done everything we possibly could do to feasibly restore or keep the rocket that was already in place. Whitt said once legislators saw that was not an option, then obviously the rocket needed to come down. It was a safety issue, he said. It was a hazard standing there. I was actually on site the morning that they brought the rocket down. The main fuselage of the rocket crashed down. State Sen. Tom Butler, R-Madison, sponsored legislation to try to save the rocket. He said he had not received official word about the replica. That will be great if that happens, Butler said. That was such an iconic symbol for the state of Alabama. The return of the rocket will not be the only change travelers will see when they cross the state line. The welcome center itself has been undergoing renovations. The welcome center renovations are going along very quickly, Whitt said. It looks good. It will be the newest rest stop here in Alabama to welcome our visitors. Its going to be a nice addition for travelers on Interstate 65. Officials at the Space and Rocket Center said progress in replacing the iconic rocket is welcome news. We are excited to hear the state will fund a replacement for the Saturn 1B at the Alabama Welcome Center, said Senior Director of Public and Media Relations Patricia Ammons. The Saturn 1B rocket was a beacon for travelers for many years and served as an important symbol of Alabamas role in space exploration. We look forward to talking with state leaders to see how we can support the effort to recreate this landmark. Scott Turner reports for the Huntsville Times. The latest Democrat Wile E. Coyote plan went as per usual. They convicted Donald Trump for a phony crime in New York City, causing him to raise a record bonanza of campaign cash, with more on the way. Beep, Beep! The backlash of disgust with all the lawfare will speed Pres. Trump back to the White House. Once there, he will have a mandate like no other to the address the cesspools of legal corruption across so many states and cities. Americas possibly worst judge, Juan Merchan, now has a choice. Give Trump a confinement sentence, home detention, Rikers Island, etc.; or levy a fine, like every other first-time offender of so insignificant a violation receives. He will probably ask his daughter first, to see what decision will bring in the most money to her consulting business. It should be noted that Trump was not so attentive, unfortunately, to the appointments he made at the beginning of his first term; none more costly than to the Department of Justice. Consequently, his own DoJ was eagerly working with the Deep State to frustrate his agenda, while his first AG looked on in bafflement. Trump 2.0 however, will be different. Trump already has the tools to clean house, promising to implement the Schedule F appointment regs, allowing him to replace 20,000 civil servants with his own people. Thousands of these would be DoJ lawyers. The area of the DoJ most needing new hires is the Civil Rights division. Currently, all this bunch seems to do is add pointless federal charges to high profile, racially charged state convictions. The Civil Rights division should instead be doing what it was intended for, investigating towns and states where the ordinary justice system is being perverted. For example, I write a lot about the mess in New Hampshire with its infamous sex abuse lawsuit racket. There was last year, a slight hope that the police detective at the center of this scandal would start to face official sanctions, but it appears not. His bipartisan protectors in the states establishment bailed him out once again. This is exactly the law enforcement failure at the state level that the federal civil rights laws were supposed to rectify. But since everybody in New Hampshire is very white, there is no interest, as of yet, in a federal investigation. Nor is anyone in the current DoJ at all bothered by the epic crime wave in our big cities. Trump can address this in two ways. First, order direct federal prosecutions of the most violent street thugs by the DoJ. And second, withhold federal funds for sanctuary cities and other jurisdictions that are uninterested in following the law. All those bad mayors around the country would start singing a different tune if their Washington money dries up. One would hope the FBI under a new director can also regain its bearings. Besides being weighed down with political weasels at the top, the FBI struggles to recruit new agents, and it assigns way too many agents to counter-terror programs that lead to few arrests. They spend all their time on stupid investigations of Latin Mass Catholics and moms who speak up at school board meetings. Meanwhile, all kinds of international gangs, from China to Somalia, are operating everything from sophisticated drug rings to computer financial scams the FBI cannot find time to investigate. Much the same exists for the Secret Service, U.S. Marshals, and ATF. I suspect the top people in federal law enforcement are afraid to look into any such international criminals, because it will invariably lead to massive violations of our immigration laws, so Team Biden cannot allow any of that. A lot of conservatives have also called for in-kind retaliation directly on the Democrats for what they did to Trump and his allies. Steve Bannon, as usual, is way too far ahead, promising revenge on virtually everyone with a D by their name. This is unnecessary and not productive. A Trump DoJ should simply make a good faith effort to enforce the laws fairly on these people and let the chips fall where they may. The massive exposure of Team Biden for their actions via years of investigations, special counsel reports, and public trials would be of inestimable value to our democracy, even if some deep-blue jury pools refuse to convict. The whole concept of 18 USC 242, the basis for the DoJ Civil Rights division, is about denying someone their rights under color of law. Its what is happening right now to Donald Trump. Its why Fani Willis was at the White House before her dud of an indictment and how Merrick Garlands Number 3 was sent down to run the Alvin Bragg prosecution. All one big criminal conspiracy to get Trump. This illegal lawfare should warrant a special counsel investigation, at least. A Trump DoJ must be a very busy place, finally prosecuting the Biden family for the millions of dollars they all received for influence peddling. And the massive Iranian spy scandal Tony Blinken is covering up. And the criminal misfeasance of everyone from Tony Fauci to Alejandro Mayorkas. These guys almost certainly have violated 18 USC 1001: false statements to Congress or to other persons in the government. If they received any kind reward or bonus for their work that disregarded the law (hint-they did) they are guilty of violating 18 USC 1834, the Honest Services fraud law. With true reform of DoJ, Americans could once again have hope and confidence that we are still a nation of laws, as the current reign of inequity is repaid with the simple application of authentic justice. Frank Friday is an attorney in Louisville, KY. Image: sundance Conservative media provide innumerable examples of Democrats shamelessly exhibiting hypocrisy and engaging in psychological projection the habit of ascribing Democrats behaviors to conservatives (e.g., Trump and the GOP are guilty of engaging in lawfare and election interference, destroying democracy). In trying to understand the shambolic, emotion-driven mentality of Democrats, it is noteworthy that psychological displacement is also a prominent feature of the progressive mindset. In psychology, displacement is when a person takes a negative emotion (anger, frustration) and redirects the emotion from its original source to a less threatening recipient. An example of displacement would be a work supervisor who refuses to confront a bad, lazy employee for fear of the employees reaction, and instead redirects the resentment to a good, high-performing employee whom the supervisor does not fear. We see psychological displacement when progressives transfer blame for crime from criminals onto cops, with demands to defund, abolish, or even kill (pigs in a blanket, fry em like bacon) the police. We also witness displacement when progressive white women or elderly Asians are assaulted or sucker-punched in the face by black males but refuse to blame or otherwise identify their assailants, whom they fear. Instead, in interviews or on social media, they often blame white males, white racism, or some other amorphous thing that they do not fear. With the Israel-Hamas conflict, we are witness to both progressive projection (ascribing Hamass empirically self-evident genocidal threats and behavior toward Israel to the Jewish state itself) and psychological displacement. Highly educated progressive white Jews, in particular, are consciously aware that hundreds of millions of Muslims worldwide wish violent harm upon Jews (based on edicts in the Koran mandating the murder of Jews). This is naturally and understandably fear-inducing for progressive Jews to contemplate. However, the emotional coping mechanism of displacement allows progressive Jews to redirect their fear of Muslims onto safer ephemera that they do not fear Christians, for example, who will turn the other cheek, or white male Gentiles, or Republican voters who have done them no harm and are no threat to Jews. Psychological displacement explains how director Steven Spielberg, a top supporter of Joe Biden, can make a morally ambivalent movie like Munich, which whitewashes the torture and mass murder of Israeli Jewish athletes at the 1972 Summer Olympics at the hands of Muslim Palestinian terrorists. Instead, Spielberg engages in displacement and moral cowardice, depicting the Israeli Mossads pursuit of the terrorist fugitives as morally equivalent to and perhaps even worse than the Muslim Palestinian terrorist provocation itself. Situational ethics is nothing new to Democrats. When Bill and Hillary Clinton used the FBI (Filegate) and IRS to persecute Republicans in the 1990s, the Democrat Media Complex (DMC) dismissed the criminal abuses as either conservative conspiracy theories or nothingburgers. (Then, as now, Republicans mounted nothing more than a meek letter-writing campaign in protest.) Similarly, when Bill Clinton committed and suborned perjury in the 1990s, progressives proclaimed that his crimes were trivial because they were really just about sex. Yet when Donald Trump (allegedly) paid a porn actress many years later to remain silent about a consensual one-night assignation, suddenly it was not just about sex, but rather a baffling series of felonies worthy of imprisonment to save democracy itself. As millions of African and Middle Eastern Muslim refugees (the overwhelming majority of them young males) overran much of Western Europe in recent years at the express invitation of the European Union (E.U.), countless young European women and children in Germany, France, England, and other countries were raped, assaulted, and murdered by the asylees. One of many females raped and murdered in Germany was Maria Ladenburger, a 19-year-old medical student. Unlike most other cases, which were hushed up by the media, Marias case became well known because her father was a national figure, a senior lawyer with the European Union, and a vehement, even vitriolic, open-borders advocate. After Maria was raped, tortured, and murdered by an Afghan refugee, the progressive Dr. Clemens Ladenburger (now the deputy director-general of the European Commissions legal division) did not rage against his daughters killer or the E.U.s suicidal refugee resettlement program. No, Herr Ladenburger coped with his grief through psychological displacement, inveighing at length against white Europeans alleged Islamophobia and xenophobia. Not content merely to sacrifice his own daughter on the altar of his progressive ideology, Ladenburger demanded that the refugee program be dramatically expanded, with unlimited numbers of African and Muslim refugees welcomed into Europe so that untold thousands more could be raped, assaulted, and killed, all for the greater moral good of Germany and the E.U. Although a minority of whites are progressives, a majority of progressives are whites. And progressive whites have a reductionist, racist view of blacks and other ethnic minorities as exotic but pitiable, helpless, and childlike, without personal agency, with no free will, no moral compass, no impulse control, and therefore no responsibility for their actions. However, mentally juxtaposing black skin color with rampant crime and other social pathologies causes cognitive dissonance, because progressive whites simply cannot abide, or even acknowledge, the suggestion that they as progressive white Democrats might be racist (!). White progs cope with the cognitive dissonance by displacing their negative perceptions about black behavior onto other whites, blaming and accusing those other whites of racism toward blacks. The self-loathing and redirected racism also explain progressive whites remarkable hostility toward their own race. When Democrats lecture in their incoherent, high-pitched voices that Trump will kill democracy and become a dictator, it is because Democrats have already been there, done that. When Democrats warn, without evidence, that Trump will weaponize the justice system to pursue political enemies...well, hello, McFly! If elections and societal outcomes were about policies, conservatives would win every election, every time. By an overwhelming majority, the American electorate, even blacks, are desirous of a border wall with illegal migration sharply curtailed. The public strongly favors mandatory voter ID. The public wants a stronger police presence to ensure less crime. A majority of voters prefer lower taxes; school choice; and a colorblind, meritocratic society, rather than the race and gender-obsessed, tribalistic caste and spoils system the Democrats have forced upon us. Unfortunately, a majority of the electorate vote on base emotion (is this candidate promising more freebies than the other or someone Id like to share a beer with?), not policy, and this largely explains why Democrats are more successful at winning elections. Democrats have made the personal political, injecting politics into all subject matter and all sectors of society, and know how to carve up the electorate by race, playing to ethnic voters fears and resentments, inflaming and then stroking each tribes erogenous zones. This emotion-based play is why outright kooks and racists like AOC, Rashida Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley are vastly more effective with the Democrat base than hapless and ineffectual Republicans are with the Republican voter base. Dry Republican policy prescriptions that would actually benefit the black community and greater society alike are no match for Democrats hysterical emotional appeals, nonstop ululating about racism, so-called white privilege, genocide, and other progressive tropes and faux controversies. Widespread prima facie evidence of displacement, projection, and other psychological coping mechanisms confirms the alarming reality that progressivism really is a mental illness. The Gregory brothers are previous contributors to American Thinker. Image: ElisaRiva via Pixabay, Pixabay License. In a most welcome display of candor, the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, which is a very credible well-run Arabic state with modern amenities, let the Palestinian authorities know that to them, they were "Ali Baba and the 40 thieves." He said that in an actual shouting match with According to Axios: A meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and a group of Arab officials about a month ago flew off the rails after an unusual shouting match between the UAE foreign minister and a senior adviser to the Palestinian president, according to five sources with knowledge of the incident. Why it matters: The heated spat reflects skepticism over the Palestinian Authority's planned reforms and disputes among Arab leaders, both of which could challenge the Biden administration's efforts to forge a post-war strategy for Gaza. Driving the news: The April 29 meeting took place in Riyadh on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum meeting. That's the boring stuff, here's the juicy stuff: Behind the scenes: According to the sources, during the meeting al-Sheikh said the Palestinian Authority is conducting reforms and created a new government as the U.S. and Arab countries asked, but it isn't getting enough political and financial support. Toward the end of the meeting the Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed pushed back and said he hasn't seen any significant reform inside the Palestinian Authority, the sources said. According to two sources, the Emirati foreign minister then called the Palestinian leadership "Ali Baba and the forty thieves" and claimed senior officials in the Palestinian Authority are "useless" and therefore "replacing them with one another will only lead to the same result." "Why would the UAE give assistance to the Palestinian Authority without real reforms?" he asked. Al-Sheikh shouted back at the Emirati foreign minister and said nobody will dictate to the Palestinian Authority how to conduct its reforms, the sources said. As I noted earlier, the United Arab Emirates are one of the best-run states in the world, with certainly the finest airline, Emirates, which I rode several years ago to Sri Lanka. They got at way because they don't steal everything that isn't nailed down the way the Palestinians do, and their wealth itself came about from earning it, providing things of value that others would like to buy. The Palestinian leaders never do that. The only thing we ever hear about them is how much foreign aid they stole, and as for selling things of value to the world, what a sad story in a culture that is famous for its rug merchant bargainers and history of trade. If they had any brains at all, they'd learn from their neighbors in Israel, who would gladly show them their ways, or else the Emirates themselves. The Emirati raised a question the rest of us have been wondering for a long time: If these creeps can't reform themselves and all they do is steal, why should they be allowed to remain in power at all? And why should any nation with money keep bankrolling them? Image: New York Public Library / public domain collection Two years ago, Texas Childrens Hospital (TCH) publicly announced that it would no longer use drugs and hormones and mutilating surgery to transform kids into broken simulacrums of the opposite sex. Dr. Eithan Haim, a surgeon, exposed that as a lie. Now, via some serious FBI intimidation, Dr. Haim finds himself facing four felony charges that could lead to ten years in prison. Reviewing the regulations he is alleged to have violated, though, indicates that this is Stasi-like terrorism, not justice. In a pre-regulatory age, people were arrested for obvious crimes: murder, rape, robbery, assault, etc. Now, though, the federal government has something around 188,000 pages of regulations. In the USSR, Lavrentiy Beria, Stalins mass murdering and raping head of the secret police, would have been envious. After all, hes the person who boasted, Show me the man, and Ill show you the crime, to explain how he used the illusion of a criminal justice system to destroy Stalins enemies. Image: Dr. Eithan Haim. YouTube screen grab (cropped). In Bidens America, the DOJ and its military branch, the FBI, are now Berias tactics. If you are an enemy of the Biden administration, someone in the DOJ will find a crime that youve committed, and the FBI will come after you. The latest victim of this trend is Dr. Haim. In 2023, a year after TCHs no-more-transgender-stuff promise, Dr. Haim anonymously gave Christopher Rufo documents showing that TCH was continuing to provide so-called transgender treatment to children, including implanting puberty blockers. The documents reveal nothing about the patients identities: For my own part, I can confirm that nothing in the information provided to me identified any individual; all the documents were, in fact, carefully redacted. Presumably, then, the documents showed only the patients' ages to prove that they were children and the procedures performed on them. Nevertheless, Dr. Haim found three heavily armed FBI agents at his door telling him hes being charged with four felonies: Not only his people. Had three heavily armed agents at my door 7AM Tuesday to inform me I was indicted with four felonies...for blowing the whistle about the largest children's hospital in the world lying to the public about their transgender program. https://t.co/u3cwHVuplH Eithan Haim MD (@EithanHaim) June 7, 2024 Apparently, all the charges are tied to Dr. Haims having allegedly violated privacy regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. That being the case, its time for a little HIPAA primer. HIPAA was primarily intended to protect people with preexisting or chronic conditions from losing their insurance when they switched jobs. However, the AIDS lobby saw HIPAA as an opportunity to address a longstanding concern, which was the stigma attached to people being treated for HIV/AIDS. In the 1980s, when AIDS first emerged as a deadly contagious disease, those infected feared getting treatment lest they find themselves socially shunned, homeless, and jobless. By keeping diagnosis and treatment secret, they could receive medical care without fearing economic and other consequences. Thus, you can see why the LGB lobby (long before the TQ and + were added) would push for HIPAAs privacy protections. Showing how tightly tied the privacy protections are to the LGBTQ+ lobby, HHSs Office for Civil Rights enforces these rules. Congress, however, never specified what the privacy protections would be. Instead, it mandated that if it couldnt agree after receiving recommendations from HHS, then HHS could just make the regulationsand thats what happened. The key point in the regulations is to protect individually identifiable health information. However, HHS recognized that some things are more important than an individuals privacy rights. Thus, The Secretarys 1997 recommendations recognized the importance of balancing the privacy rights of individuals and the amount of control they have over the use and disclosure of their health information, with the need to permit health information to be used not just for routine health care activities (e.g., treatment and payment) but also for other purposes related to health care that are in the public interest (e.g., oversight, research, law enforcement, public health and safety). (Emphasis added.) Certainly, concern about mutilating children would seem to fall within the public health and safety category. Impliedly, even patient identification can be revealed if public health and safety are at issue. However, as Christopher Rufo says, Dr. Haim didnt release the all-important individually identifiable health information. Instead, he apparently released only the patients ages to prove they were children and the treatments performed to prove that TCH was mutilating them. The question is whether those ages are the problem. According to 45 CFR 164.514, there are 18 specific patient identifiers that must be removed when disclosing healthcare information. The only identifier that seems to apply here is subsection (C): All elements of dates (except year) for dates directly related to an individual, including birth date, admission date, discharge date, date of death; and all ages over 89 and all elements of dates (including year) indicative of such age, except that such ages and elements may be aggregated into a single category of age 90 or older... The writing is gibberishy but, as best as I can tell, youre not allowed to include birth dates for anyone or actual ages for those 90 or older. If Dr. Haim included childrens birthdates rather than their ages, this is what theyll have tagged him onand for this, he faces up to ten years in prison. But of course, to the extent Dr. Haim was blowing the whistle on a public health issue, and the childrens ages are centrally relevant to the matter, that should be a defense. On the available facts, this is yet another outrageous example of the Biden administrations politically motivated lawfare. When Trump returns to office, he had better bring the actual law to bear on the people carrying out these abuses, or this will never end. You can donate to Dr. Haims legal fund here, as I did. We are seeing evidence that Senator Ted Cruz has learned his Beto lesson, i.e. don't underestimate your liberal opponent. Don't let him drive around the state in his version of the Beto-mobile telling everyone that he wants Texans to love each other. It looks like Cruz is learning from Governor Greg Abbott: unmask the moderate and go for it. Here is the story: The Democrat running in what could be one of this year's top Senate races is being accused of "pandering" to Black voters with taxpayer-funded reparations. The conservative Win it Back PAC announced Friday its launch of a new ad, part of a massive seven-figure media buy, targeting Rep. Colin Allred, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Texas, specifically calling him out for what it says are his ties to the movement for reparations for Black Americans. The ad will begin running Friday in the El Paso media market amid the Texas Democratic Convention, which is taking place in the city and will target Hispanic voters, a group research shows is largely opposed to reparations. The ad will run in both English and Spanish. There you go -- unmask the liberal pretending to be a moderate. To be fair, Allred has not been the screaming liberal that Beto was, i.e. he did not say that he wants to take your AR-15 away. Nevertheless, you will have a hard time finding Allred standing up to then-speaker Pelosi. Yes, he has cast bipartisan votes for COVID spending or infrastructure projects, but otherwise he has been an automatic and predictable vote for Pelosi. Attacking "reparations" in ads aimed at Hispanics is brilliant. It's not a winning issue with Hispanics, no matter how much Allred tries to dance around it. Brilliant move by Cruz. Keep it up. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: Gage Skidmore via Wilipedia Since October 7, Hamas has had the choice to return the hostages and end the war. It refused, and now its supporters are horrified that Hamas members, both in uniform and civilians. are paying a price. In 2005, Israel withdrew from Gaza, leaving the region Judenrein (Jew free, as the Nazis liked to say) and without an Israeli military presence. There was no occupation. Gazans promptlyand overwhelminglyelected Hamas, a designated terrorist group that Iran funds, to govern them. Hamass repeatedly stated goal is to erase the Nation of Israel. Gaza residents continue to love their terrorist government. For decades, Hamas has killed Israelis whenever possible, making clear that it desires another Holocaust. On October 7, Hamas upped the ante, entering Israel and slaughtering 1,200 people with horrific sadism, especially sexual sadism, as well as kidnapping 252 people, regardless of sex and age. Israels response was war. It has had two goals: to destroy Hamass operation effectiveness and to recover the hostages. To date, according to Israel, Hamas has killed 62 hostages and returned 116 alive. There are still 120 people in Gaza, although we dont know if theyre alive or dead. The hostages families, understandably, are desperate for their return, and keep begging Israel to end the war, even if Hamas remains a viable military force. Netanyahu, however, understands that unless Hamas is destroyed, there will always be more hostages and more raids. The only way to recover the hostages is through military victories and daring commando raids. The world learned today of one such raid, which brought home four of the captives who were hidden deep within Gaza among their civilian captors: DRAMATIC: Inside the hostage rescue.. The hostages were held in 2 apartments a distance of 200M between the buildings. IDF Special Forces simultaneously hit both apartments breaking inside and immediately eliminating the terror captors. Killed within seconds. IDF forces pic.twitter.com/6gN0ecdliG Ron M. (@Jewtastic) June 8, 2024 As the post notes, just as Yonatan Netanyahu, the prime ministers brother, died commanding the daring Entebbe raid to rescue hostages, this raid also resulted in one death. Also, as with Entebbe, the raid was meticulously planned and perfectly executed: One of the most complicated hostage rescue missions in history. The operation to rescue the hostages from Nusayrat was named "Summer Seeds" and is defined by the IDF as one of the most complex ever for hostage rescue. The hostages were held in a heavily civilian populated pic.twitter.com/GOVqaN3L1Y Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) June 8, 2024 Of the rescued hostages, the one most recognizable to the world is Noa Argamani, who was seen screaming for her life as she was kidnapped. Her boyfriend was also captured and remains in Gaza, although we dont know if he is alive or dead. Noas plight was made more tragic because her mother is dying of Stage 4 cancer and wanted desperately to see her daughter safe: Rescued Israeli Hostage Noa Argamani being reuinited with her father. Today is his birthday, and no gift is better than to see his daughter alive and safe. Noas mother has stage 4 terminal cancer, and her final wish was to see her daughter one last time. Now, her wish will pic.twitter.com/Y4Mdd3stRi Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) June 8, 2024 Other hostages had equally rapturous homecomings: Shlomi Ziv (40) was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 at the Nova festival. Shlomi was working as security director at the festival when he was brutally taken hostage for 245 days. We brought him home today back to his wife and family. We will continue operating to bring all our pic.twitter.com/DiVWUvL7Z0 Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024 No words to describe our joy. Rescued hostage Almog Meir Jan is reunited with his friends for the first time. pic.twitter.com/ua0wppiwpT Israel (@Israel) June 8, 2024 (Sadly, Meirs father died a few hours before his son was rescued.) The hostages return was greeted with joy wherever Israelis were gathered, whether inside or outside of Israel: LIFEGUARD ANNOUNCES HOSTAGE RELEASE TO BEACH CROWD This is the moment a crowd at a Tel Aviv beach got a mood booster with news of the hostage release as they were relaxing on the beach this morning. Source: Channel 12 https://t.co/YiyBf7LmK2 pic.twitter.com/tIFIyN39WR Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 8, 2024 Israelis travelling in Greece sing Israel's national anthem after hearing that hostages were rescued today pic.twitter.com/fESZ5HUZjq Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) June 8, 2024 However, not everyone was celebrating or even seemed aware of what happened. According to CNN, the hostages were released, as if Hamas voluntarily let them go: Come on @CNN - the four hostages were RESCUED not released. Do better. pic.twitter.com/jSh9RDtgMs StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) June 8, 2024 Meanwhile, the Hamas supporters, both within Gaza and in the West, were absolutely outraged that the civilians they used as prison guards and human shields were killed or injured during the rescue operation. (As always, assume that the claimed numbers of injured and dead are at least double the reality, something the UN recently learned.) Ill let these tweets speak for themselves: When Palestinians keep Israeli hostages in civilian homes, guarded by civilians, in the middle of a a civilian area, using civilians as human shields Palestinians intend for there to be civilians who you claim as k!lled when the hostages are rescued. pic.twitter.com/7J63ucHDpn Marina Medvin (@MarinaMedvin) June 8, 2024 Next time don't massacre Israelis and keep hostages in civilian homes. The best time to surrender was 8 months ago. The second best time is now. pic.twitter.com/y71M3NEKsm Nioh Berg (@NiohBerg) June 8, 2024 1. Your Hmas friends rejected the proposed deal. 2. Those innocent Palestinians kidnapped and held the hostages. 3. Not happy? Tell your friends to release the hostages. Until then, stop whining. pic.twitter.com/0qoncltZOK Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) June 8, 2024 When Hamas holds hostages in private homes, you can't complain when the IDF launches military operations against private homes. https://t.co/q9vuN5jDgX pic.twitter.com/nJSFt85oN3 Fusilli Spock (@awstar11) June 8, 2024 The Palestinian narrative to any IDF success is usually a toxic combination of overinflated casualties coupled with war crimes accusations. Today, its hilarious. I cant believe the IDF came here and shot people just to rescue 4 of the hostages we took, the bastards Andrew Fox (@Mr_Andrew_Fox) June 8, 2024 As evidenced by the fact that non-uniformed Gazans were affected by the raid, we must understand that the people in Gaza, with help from UNRWA, have been brainwashed for decades into hatred for Jews and support for Hamas. They are the equivalent of Germans from 1933-1945. In a heavily indoctrinated totalitarian world, there is no such thing as a civilian. This is especially true under Islam, which is binary. There are no protected categories of people, whether women, children, or the elderly. The only two categories are those who support Islam and those who dont. Within those parameters, everyone is a combatant, whether as a target or a fighter. The only way this ends is for Israel to defeat Hamas as completely as the Allies defeated the Nazis or the Bushido Japanese. Only then will the people be able to break free from the death cult and have some semblance of normalcy, human decency, and dignity. Meanwhile, the Hamas lovers are learning the FAFO principle, and they really dont like it. Image: X screen grab. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, also known as the New Worlds Pravda, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has signed a law prohibiting training for licensed police officers on excited delirium. You may well be asking yourself, Say what? Star Tribune: Excited delirium usually refers to a person possessed by a potentially deadly form of agitation, sometimes abetted by drug abuse, and displaying aggressive behavior, profuse sweating, public nudity, mouth foaming and superhuman strength. Well, just because a perp is on drugs, foaming at the mouth, possibly nude, displaying aggressive behavior and deadly agitation while exhibiting superhuman strength, thats no reason for law enforcement personnel to use force against that person! Or even to be trained in how to handle that situation! Why wouldnt any and all sane police officers tell Walz: O.K., you do this job! The Star Tribune noted that excited delirium is a diagnosis that national medical associations have rejected as pseudoscience. The far-left paper for the far-left Twin Cities also quoted Dr. Altaf Saadi, a neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital who has called for the end of the terms use in the United States, as saying: "Right now, there's not a single medical association that upholds excited delirium as legitimate. Pseudoscience? Legitimate? Medical associations in the U.S. and Canada recognize men who claim to be women as women, and women who claim to be men as men. They recommend the genital mutilation of young children. They were wrong about nearly everything pertaining to the coronavirus and the response thereto. They claimed that it was a necessary public health matter to allow Black Lives Matter and Antifa to riot in the streets and burn down buildings while the rest of us were told we must stay six feet apart and that we couldnt go to work, the gym, or to the funeral of a loved one. Some are pro-abortion and pro-medically assisted suicide. Doctors and nurses now assign a babys gender at birth as X. Or refuse to give a life-saving organ transplant to someone who hasnt had the full regimen of COVID-19 vaccinations. They claim alcoholism is a disease a la the common cold or pneumonia. (If so, how does one catch it?) and now they are buying into DEI at the expense of competence. So if Walz and his sycophants at the Star Tribune want examples of the belief in pseudoscience, they should look in the mirror. Or at a picture of Dr. Fauci. Excited delirium is real. Dont believe me? Just look at the actions of journalists reporting on Donald J. Trump. Image: Keith Allison, via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED The world has always been divided between decent and indecent, good and evil. Throughout history a battle has raged pitting the noble against the ignoble. All great literature is basically an illustration of the tension involved between the creative and destructive forces at work in society. Civilization itself is a creation of the noble and virtuous side of man. The first and most impressive works of any civilization are the churches, the places of worship, the architectural wonders that reflect a social yearning to please a benevolent God. All great civilizations represent the triumph of a social order bound by a common religion that acknowledges the flawed nature of man and seeks redemption from a Creator. Oswald Spenglers epic work The Decline of the West makes the point that all civilizations are organic outgrowths of a specific landscape and as mortal as any plant or animal. He identifies the stages of birth, growth, maturity, and decay in the Greco/Roman, Egyptian, and Chinese civilizations that preceded our Western civilization and predicted with eerie accuracy what we face today at the end of our civilization. He was most prescient with his forecast that the edifice of Western civilization would come crashing down under the weight of race hatred and class envy. Today we are witnessing the final stages of Western civilization. The agents of destruction (the Marxist Left) have seized control of all levers of power, social and institutional. One after another the avenues of redress of grievances have been shut down. Academia and the press, as well as Hollywood, have reshaped public opinion. The system of checks and balances, so precious to our freedom, has been dissolved into an all-powerful executive branch. The legislative branch is mere window dressing much like the Roman Senate under Caesar while the judicial branch has become another bureaucracy accountable only to the executive. The Marxist Left feels no need to hide its true intentions of fundamentally transforming our constitutional republic into a communist welfare state. The mask has come off because the transformation is complete. Political prisoners are held without trial while rival politicians are victims of show trials. The FBI, CIA, Justice and State departments are mere toys in the hand of the executive. The Supreme Court is neutered by outright physical threats from the unchecked mob. And so, the decent folks are left with some marginal media on fringes to get their message out. These outlets pose no threat to the Marxist juggernaut that has captured all the levers of power. The few voices of opposition are just that, voices in the wilderness. They have been shunted to the sidelines. Scribble away from the sidelines as they may they can only point to the egregious corruption that has overwhelmed the once noble system. The are an echo chamber of resistance that pose no threat whatsoever to the powers that be. The principal power resides in the hands of Barack Hussein Obama. He is the puppet master and might as well be a shadow monarch. The words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe sum it up very clearly. In his Maxims and Reflections #969 he says What Monarchs publish in newspapers doesnt read well for power should act not talk. What liberals put forward is always readable; for if a man has been defeated because he cannot act, he at least wants to air his views by talking. Let them sing if only they pay up said Mazarin when he was shown satirical songs about a new tax. So be it. Image: Pexels/Erofili Charkoftaki The 80th anniversary of D-Day caused me to reflect on those young men who gave the last full measure of devotion to come to the aid of so many others (whom they did not know and were not related to) that had been enslaved. And all those like them throughout the years and wars. Even sadder, it caused me to reflect on young people now, the majority of whom appear to be entitled, spoiled, and craven. And the many who are on college campuses, protesting for those that would kill or enslave them if they had the chance, and against the very freedoms bequeathed to them. Time is a fickle thing. Would those who sacrificed so much have done so if they had known this would someday be the case? Reparations? Dont those of us alive today owe them something? Particularly the kids from wealthy families attending elite schools and insisting their every demand be met and every protest be heard even as others end up paying for their privilege? I have never fully bought into the term greatest generation, as there have been several great generations. I think of the Founders in particular, or those who fought in the Civil War. However, the generation that victoriously fought in World War II, and came home to build a vibrant economy and thriving families, is certainly one of the greatest. But lets think of them as individuals, something leftists are loath to do. Let us think of the young man from Chicago who hated to leave his struggling family but was proud to serve his country. Or the one from Los Angeles who was sure he was on the way to becoming a movie star but followed a higher calling. Or the one from Alabama who wanted nothing more than to marry his childhood sweetheart and live quietly and happily ever after, and never got the chance. Or the 18-year-old from Iowa who loved the family farm, and the cool creek running through the north forty. Or the 20-year-old from Minneapolis who had never missed a summer at the familys northern Minnesota lake cabin. Their sacrifices, some ultimate, now rarely and barely get noticed, if at all. They did not protest. They did not make demands. They did not blame others for their fortunes. They did not scream, yell, cry, and dissemble. And they did not stick up for evil. They fought it. Greater love hath no man than this. Image: Expert Infantry, via Flickr // CC BY 2.0 DEED It's bad enough that actor George Clooney had the temerity to call the White House to complain about the U.S. foreign policy stance on the International Criminal Court's planned arrest warrant of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, a U.S. ally. The guy, after all, is an actor. He did it to make his wife happy, the wife apparently dispatching him to do it since she helped write the plans for the warrant, and faced sanctions. Perhaps the loudly liberated woman was too cowardly to call them up on her own. But now we learn that Biden actually caved to Clooney, changing U.S. foreign policy to suit Herodias, or rather, Amal Clooney. The GOP says there was a causal relationship. 1. ICC issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu led by Amal Clooney. 2. George Clooney husband of Amal calls top Biden aides. 3. Biden suddenly reverses position, opposes House effort to sanction ICC. Clooney is hosting a Biden fundraiser later this month. QUID PRO QUO? pic.twitter.com/W6IZzstoln RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 6, 2024 And yes, fundraising was involved. The Mercury News, or, Bay Area News Group, reports that yes, Clooney's still coming to that fundraiser for Joe Biden. George Clooney is still expected to attend a star-studded June 15 fundraiser for Joe Bidens re-election campaign, even after a report raised questions about the actors call to the White House last month to complain about the president criticizing work his wife was involved in the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants against Israeli leaders for the war in Gaza. The Washington Post, which reported on Clooneys call to the White House, said there were concerns among some Biden campaign officials that the actor would drop out of the marquee event in Los Angeles, which is also expected to include former president Barack Obama, late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel and actor Julia Roberts. That raises the possibility that the act a quid pro quo, or something resembling a bribe. If true, it would be consistent with Biden's other behavior, around, for example, Hunter Biden, where acts were exchanged for cash with foreign characters and phone calls were made. And yes, Amal is foreign, a U.K. citizen. This article from Al-Monitor, dated June 4, noted that Biden was vehemently opposed to sanctions on the ICC and is willing to defy 42 congressional Democrats in order to take that extremist position. US lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed legislation Tuesday that would sanction the International Criminal Court for seeking arrest warrants for senior Israeli leaders, setting up a potential showdown between the US president and congressional Democrats. The White House has previously said it strongly opposes new sanctions on the ICC. The stance pits President Joe Biden against Democrats in Congress who said they want a bipartisan response to ICC prosecutor Karim Khan's recent announcement that he is pursuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the war in Gaza. If Clooney made his phone call on or before that date, then the possibility of quid pro quo is even stronger. Right now, we don't have the timeline, but the GOP, for what it's worth, is arguing that there was a policy shift after the Clooney intervention. Yet favoring sanctions on ICC is a mainstream position, and a proper one for the U.S. to take. Wanting the warrant to go through is what the crazies of Hamas would like. While we know that Biden has been reportedly conniving to replace Netanyahu, it still would be normal to not want our U.S. allies to be arrested as war criminals when they are at war to defend themselves from terrorists who intentionally stick women and children out front as human shields and hog all the foreign aid food for themselves, as their big beer guts seen in pictures of surrendered Hamas fightes indicate. It's also self-preservation if nothing else from the U.S. point of view. If Israel's leaders are war criminals and we are helping Israel's leaders, the ICC, feeling high and mighty, will soon be issuing arrest warrants for U.S. leaders in the Biden administration next, and maybe reaching back to the Trump and Obama administrations, too. We can throw every world leader who resists terrorism in some way in jail by their logic, and all will be hunky dory. But that's not what we see from Biden, who seems to want to get through his fundraiser with Clooney first, changing U.S. positions on the ICC to oppose any sanctions on this overreach. Any questions as to why the U.S. has lost respect in the world? Terrorists themselves must be rubbing their hands together with glee at this sorry specter of venality and weakness, U.S. foreign policy being set by the likes of a Hollywood movie actor whose wife is complaining, instead of its own principles and self-interest. Image: Michael Vlasaty, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED (Image source from: Telugu360.com) Amaravati Capital City Project back on Track in AP:- After the Telugu Desam Party's landslide victory in the Andhra Pradesh assembly elections, the construction of the capital Amaravati, which was stopped by the YSRCP government, is expected to resume. As the first Chief Minister of the divided state from 2014 to 2019, Telugu Desam Party leader N Chandrababu Naidu made Amaravati the capital. The new capital must be environmentally sustainable and cover 29 villages between the cities of Vijayawada and Guntur. Naidu collected and acquired 30,000 acres of land from farmers to build the capital, Amaravati. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the foundation stone laying ceremony on 22 October 2015 along with former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. However, Naidu's idea suffered a setback in 2019 when the TDP lost power and the YSRCP led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy won a landslide victory. Naidu's successor poured cold water on the Amaravati capital plans and floated a new tri-capital theory, which may now become a dead concept after a humiliating defeat in the 2024 elections, as Naidu is expected to take over as chief minister. Soon. The landslide victory of the DMDK, BJP and the Janasena National Democratic Alliance has breathed new life into Amaravati, which is facing a surge of activity. When Naidu announced the election manifesto in Undavalli, Andhra Pradesh on April 30, he promised to make Amaravati the state capital. Nara Lokesh, general secretary of the Telugu Desam Party, which won the Mangalagiri seat, told the media that the new government plans to make Amaravati the state's only capital on June 4. Telugu Desam Party spokesperson Jyosthna Thirunagari said the first priority of the new government will be the construction of Amaravati. Rebuilding the Emirates is our top priority and there is no doubt that we have made great progress during our tenure (2014-2019). In fact, after Jagan Mohan Reddy came to power, he ruined everything and ruined many things. Thirungari told PTI. He claimed that roads were dug during the YSRCP regime and said that the reconstruction of Amaravati should be done from scratch in some areas except the Secretariat and Assembly buildings. According to a TDP spokesperson, Amaravati was already a priority during the first TDP government in the remnant state of Andhra Pradesh and now it will witness a revival of momentum. Meanwhile, farmers of Amaravati, who were given land in the capital, are pinning new hopes for Naidu. A farmer told a local news channel: Our slogan is: Build Amaravati, Save Amaravati. Chandrababu won and Amaravati was saved. After Babu's (Chandrababu's) victory, it became clear that the central government would also work with them." . He, however, noted that the farmers, who have been agitating for five years, are continuing their activities to recover their rent payments outstanding for three years, among other unresolved disputes. It was pointed out that despite various forms of agitation from farmers who had invested their land for the project, Mr. Reddy ignored their demands during his tenure. Two Union Cabinet berths from Telangana:- With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Saturday, the BJP has begun talks to win Cabinet seats from the two Telugu states. In the last five years, there has been only one representative of the two Telugu states in the Union Cabinet, Kishan Reddy. The party leadership wants to maintain a good balance between newbies and veterans while selecting ministers from among the eight BJP MPs in the state. The story goes that Telangana will have two cabinet seats. Party general secretary Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Kishan Reddy, who is seen as a booster of the BJP's rise in Telangana, have a good chance of getting a place in the Union Cabinet. However, according to sources, the party uses the services of one of these companies for organizational activities. Speculations suggest that Kishan Reddy could be chosen for the cabinet post given his experience as a Union minister and party leader in Telangana. Atala Rajendar, MP for Melakajgiri and a powerful leader in British Columbia, said that during the election period he was among Modi leaders and senior leaders Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Hardeep Singh Puri who praised Mr. and others. He appears to have a strong voice on provincial and political issues, and the support of the BC group is an added bonus. If Kishan Reddy enters the cabinet, the state leadership of the party will change. Since Telangana's population is 52% of BC's population, the party can elect a BC leader and another prominent personality from Telangana as chief minister. However, officials noted that Rajendhar, as party leader, did not have much influence in attracting leaders from other parties. When he was president, not a single other prominent party leader joined the BJP. These observers said Mr. Sanjay was popular across the state and could return as the party chief in the state. Other strongmen in the Union Cabinet include Mr. Aruna, who comes from Mr. A's home district. In 2019, Arvind had defeated BRS leader K Chandrashekhar Rao and K Kavitha. As far as Andhra Pradesh is concerned, the BJP's decision to choose Daggubati Purandeswari, the party's state president from Rajahmundry, seems obvious. He also served as a Union Minister in the UPA government. Another possible option is C.M. Ramesh, who was selected from Anakapalle. He served two terms as a member of the Public Accounts Committee and the Rajya Sabha. Samsung introduced its latest flagship smartphones called the Galaxy S24, S24+, and the S24 Ultra earlier in January. Among the new hardware, the Galaxy AI editing tools are the biggest highlights of the new flagship trio. One of these AI-powered editing tools is called Instant Slow-Mo. As the name suggests, it is capable of slowing down regular videos to make them look like they were shot in the slo-mo mode. At the moment, the Galaxy S24s instant slo-mo feature only works on non-HDR10+ videos. However, this is going to change soon as the company will soon roll out an update to fix it. The new firmware will allow Galaxy S24s instant slo-mo feature to offer HDR10+ video support. The upcoming software update will allow the instant slo-mo feature to offer HDR10+ video support While replying to a user on Samsungs community website, a moderator confirmed that the instant slo-mos HDR10+ support is in the works. The moderator said that the support for HDR10+ videos has been implemented in the slo-mo functionality on the Galaxy S24. The upgraded feature will be released to the users via a new software update. As of now, theres no word when this firmware update will be released. The moderator did mention that we will notify you when the SW update is provided. After the update, Samsung will improve the Instant Slow-Mo feature on the Galaxy S24 series devices by adding support for HDR10+ videos. The feature will let you use Galaxy AI and Instant Slow-Mo features to view and edit a regular HDR10+ video. Currently, to use HDR10+ footage with the Galaxy AI, you must convert it into the SDR quality. Several other improvements are planned for the Instant Slow-Mo feature Apart from support for HDR10+ videos, Samsung also has several other improvements planned for the Instant Slow-Mo feature. Soon, the brand will be adding .mov file editing support in the built-in video editor of the Gallery app. Also, you will soon be able to directly share the Instant Slow-Mo footage of any video by hitting the Share button. As of now, it is not possible as you first have to export the footage in order to share it with others. In an interesting turn of events, Google is not going to face a jury trial in the antitrust lawsuit brought by the US government. Reuters reports that the search engine giant has paid back the full amount of monetary damages sought by the Department of Justice in the lawsuit. Google pays back the monetary damages sought by the DOJ to avoid jury trial The antitrust lawsuit by the Department of Justice and eight states in the US sought to break up the search titans alleged ad tech monopoly. The Justice Department set a damages claim in the lawsuit and sought a trial by jury. However, Reuters reports that a jury trial wont take place as Google filed a copy of a $2.3 million check. It will be enough to cover the monetary damages sought by the government three times, including interest, if necessary. Its worth mentioning that the US government initially claimed over $100 million in damages in the lawsuit. However, the Justice Department later requested less than $1 million while seeking a jury trial. Google has allegedly paid the monetary damages without admitting any liability or wrongdoing. Contrived damages claim has disintegrated, the company said in a statement on Friday, calling the case a meritless attempt to pick winners and losers in a highly competitive industry, adds the report. The bench trial is scheduled for September 9th The US District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia ruled on the matter on Friday. She has now set a non-jury bench trial for the lawsuit, which will take place on September 9th. Now, she will hear arguments from both parties directly to decide further on the case. For the uninitiated, the DOJ and an alliance of states filed a lawsuit against Google last year. The lawsuit claimed that the search titan was unlawfully monopolizing the digital advertising market, apart from overcharging users. The case wants to end the companys alleged dominance in the digital advertising business to allow for more competition. Houston police investigate a shooting that left one teen dead in the 11600 block of Briar Forest, June 7, 2024. Onscene.TV A 17-year-old boy was shot and killed in a far west Houston apartment Friday evening. A Houston Police Department spokesperson Friday night said they believed the shooting was related to a drug transaction. The teen's mother said Saturday that police told her he was shot during a robbery because he owed $20 to someone. Tiffany Broussard said police reported her son had returned to their apartment in the 11600 block of Briar Forest near South Kirkwood after buying diamond earrings and a diamond necklace at a mall. He then went to a friend's home around the corner. When he left there, two people followed him home, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She said witnesses told police that the two went into the family home, robbed him of the jewelry and money and shot him twice, once in the arm and once in the torso. She said police, one a Houston Police Department homicide investigator and another from the gang division, told her the shooting was not related to a drug transaction. Broussard said her son was not in a gang. Houston Police Lt. Ronnie Willkens Friday evening told OnScene TV that just after 8 p.m., the 17-year-old and his 21-year-old girlfriend were in the apartment with two men who had showed up to conduct a drug transaction. The couple were in a bathroom trying to get some money together, he said. When they exited the bathroom, the men made it clear they didn't want the 17-year-old around and ended up shooting him, Willkens said. The teen, shot once in the arm, died shortly after. The shooters, who police suspect might be linked to other shootings, fled on foot, he added. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police spokesperson Jodi Silva said Saturday the initial information reported Friday evening by Willkens was preliminary information reflecting initial assessments. "It is too soon to be discussing motive or any evidence found at the scene," Silva said, though she said police believe that the crime was "targeted." Andrew Strauss took over as England one-day captain from the injured Andrew Flintoff on this day in 2006. Flintoff was advised to rest for four weeks rather than have surgery for his problematic left ankle. Strauss, who led England in Flintoffs absence for the final stages of their last limited-overs series in India, was the obvious choice to do so against Sri Lanka once it became clear Michael Vaughan was not yet ready to return to international cricket following his knee injury. Andrew Flintoffs absence paved the way for Andrew Strauss to take the captaincy (Rebecca Naden/PA) Test batter Alastair Cook was among six uncapped players in Strauss 15-man squad. Yorkshire seamer Tim Bresnan, Lancashires pace-bowling all-rounder Glen Chapple, Middlesex pair James Dalrymple and Ed Joyce and Warwickshires Alex Loudon were the others. Chairman of selectors David Graveney accepted it would not be an easy task for the new-look squad. He said: This will be a tough test for the team. Our first-choice captain is injured, and his nominated replacement Andrew Flintoff is also unavailable through injury as are a number of senior players. Andrew Strauss will again deputise as captain. He did an excellent job captaining the team in difficult circumstances in India, securing our only win in the series, and will bring his experience of leading Middlesex to the role. Strauss side were comfortably beaten by Sri Lanka (Rebecca Naden/PA) Before the sterner test of a one-day series against a strong Sri Lanka side, Strauss, then 29, led an under-strength team to face Ireland in their inaugural ODI at Stormont. England piled on 301, at a time when they were often content to settle for considerably smaller totals, and won the match by 38 runs. England were no match for Sri Lanka, whose engine room of Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga was simply too strong. Strauss duly presided over a 5-0 home whitewash. Wary of too much change at the top, with both Flintoff and Vaughan in recovery, Strauss was nevertheless appointed across formats for the forthcoming visit of Pakistan. Strauss steered England to their first Ashes win Down Under since 1986 (Gareth Copley/PA) A 3-0 series win in the Test series, plenty of runs and the calm navigation of a ball-tampering controversy at the abandoned match at The Oval marked out the Middlesex mans leadership skills. Strauss time in charge ended after disappointment at the Champions Trophy in India later that year, with Flintoff back to resume the reins. But Kevin Pietersens exit as captain in 2009 paved the way for Strauss second run at the job, taking the team to number one in the Test rankings and, in 2011, winning the Ashes Down Under for the first time since 1986. An 11-year-old girl was among four people injured after a funfair ride malfunctioned in south London. The incident happened at around 6.20pm on Saturday at the Lambeth Country Show in Brockwell Park. The girl, a man and a woman aged in their 40s, and a man aged in his 50s, were taken to hospital. None of the four is believed to be in a life-threatening condition, Lambeth Police said. Nobody is trapped on the ride and inquiries are under way to establish what happened. Cordons are in place and the Health and Safety Executive will be informed, police said. Emergency services responded at around 6.20pm on Saturday to a fairground ride having failed at the Lambeth Country Show in Brockwell Park. Four people have been taken to hospital. We await an assessment of their conditions. Nobody is trapped on the ride. Lambeth Police | Central South BCU (@LambethMPS) June 8, 2024 A council spokesperson said: Unfortunately, a serious incident occurred today at the Lambeth Country Show in Brockwell Park involving a malfunction on one of the funfair rides. The incident was reported at around 6.20pm today (June 8) and emergency services were quickly on the scene to treat four people who were injured. Paramedics and on-site teams cordoned off the area and those who were injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for further treatment. Im shocked to learn of the failure of a fairground ride at Lambeth Country Show earlier this evening My thoughts are with those who were injured & all who witnessed this horrific event Thank you to the emergency services who attended There must now be an urgent investigation https://t.co/CWDvn1vx3A Helen Hayes (@helenhayes_) June 8, 2024 Helen Hayes, the Labour parliamentary candidate for Dulwich and West Norwood, posted on X: Im shocked to learn of the failure of a fairground ride at Lambeth Country Show earlier this evening. My thoughts are with those who were injured and all who witnessed this horrific event. Thank you to the emergency services who attended. There must now be an urgent investigation. Gerwyn Price claimed revenge over Rob Cross with a 8-5 victory in the final of the Nordic Darts Masters on Saturday night. Cross had edged out Price in a 15-leg thriller in the US swing of the World Series in New York last week, but the Welshman had the last laugh in Copenhagen. Top seed Price sent down five 180s and averaged 96.47 to triumph at Forum Copenhagen after he finished runner-up to Peter Wright in this event in 2023. PRICE IS THE CHAMPION! Gerwyn Price is back in the winner's circle! He defeats Rob Cross in the final here in Copenhagen as he is crowned the 2024 Nordic Darts Masters Champion! pic.twitter.com/daUT0Aj525 PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 8, 2024 Defending champion Wright had crashed out on Friday night, but Price breezed past Madars Razma and started his Saturday work with a crushing 6-1 victory over Dimitri Van den Bergh despite a 164 checkout by the Belgian. It put Price through to the last four where he dismantled Michael Smith by a 7-3 score to set up another World Series final meeting with Cross. Cross had averaged more than 100 in comprehensive victories over Stephen Bunting and world number one Luke Humphries, but was immediately on the back foot against Price. Price established a 4-0 lead before an 88 finish earned him a 5-1 advantage at the first interval. While Cross was able to close the gap on Price, the number four in the world maintained his composure to claim the spoils in Denmark. Rishi Sunak said it is a huge relief to see the return of hostages who were kidnapped in Hamass attack on Israel on October 7. Israeli forces rescued four captives in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, in the largest such recovery since the militants assault triggered the conflict. The Prime Minister said on social media site X: It is a huge relief to see hostages returned after their unimaginable ordeal and heartwarming to see the pictures of them reunited with their families. We will continue to strive towards an end to the fighting as well as safety and security for all. News of the rescue of four hostages will be a huge relief to their families. My thoughts also with families of those still captive, and all the innocent lives affected by the conflict. We must secure the release of all hostages and end the fighting through a ceasefire deal. David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 8, 2024 Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said: News of the rescue of four hostages will be a huge relief to their families. My thoughts also with families of those still captive, and all the innocent lives affected by the conflict. We must secure the release of all hostages and end the fighting through a ceasefire deal. Labours shadow foreign secretary David Lammy wrote: Its now 245 days since October 7th, when these hostages were kidnapped from the Nova music festival by Hamas terrorists. Their rescue is a glimmer of hope in the darkness. We need an immediate ceasefire now, to get all the hostages released and a surge of aid into Gaza. The Princess of Wales has written a letter to the Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take the salute and wish them luck for The Colonels Review in London on Saturday. Kate, who is colonel of the regiment, spoke of her pride in them and added that being colonel remains an honour. The letter said: I wanted to write to you to let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonels Review and Trooping the Colour. I appreciate everyone trooping the colour this year has been practising for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate. Being your colonel remains an honour, and I am very sorry that Im unable to take the salute at this years Colonels Review. Please pass on my apologies to the whole regiment, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved. Quis separabit. (Who shall separate (us)?) The Colonels Review is held seven days ahead of the Trooping the Colour parade which has marked the sovereigns birthday for more than 260 years. It remains unclear whether the princess, who is undergoing chemotherapy after a cancer diagnosis, will attend Trooping the Colour, a major fixture in the royal calendar. The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales this morning. We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send Her our very best wishes. Quis Separabit@KensingtonRoyal@ArmyInLondon pic.twitter.com/KQUgB1RmBE Irish Guards (@irish_guards) June 8, 2024 She appealed for time, space and privacy for her family when she announced on March 22 she was being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer. The Prince of Wales gave a positive update about his wifes treatment during a visit to the Isles of Scilly earlier in May, saying shes doing well when questioned by a hospital administrator. The Irish Guards posted a video of the letter being read to the regiment on X saying: The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our colonel, Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales this morning. We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send her our very best wishes. Quis Separabit. The Regiment gave a round of applause after the letter was read out. Kate will be represented at the Colonels Review by General James Bucknall, who will act as the chief inspecting officer of the day in the princess absence. During the Trooping ceremony, held on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, it is understood the King will carry out the review of the Guardsmen and officers from an Ascot Landau carriage with the Queen. The change from last years ceremony, where Charles inspected the troops on horseback, reflects earlier Buckingham Palace briefings where it was highlighted that each engagement by the King would be reviewed and adaptations made when advised by doctors. Charles is likely to travel by carriage with the Queen during the traditional procession to and from Horse Guards Parade, and is expected to watch the Trooping ceremony seated on a dais, rather than on horseback. The colour which will be trooped past the massed ranks of guardsmen and officers will be from Number 9 Company, Irish Guards. Labour has vowed to pull up the shutters for small businesses with a series of policies to attract entrepreneurs. What do the plans entail? The proposals include guaranteeing small businesses access to high street banking services by accelerating the establishment of banking hubs, as well as an overhaul of the business rates system to help high street shops compete with online giants. Labour also wants to stamp out late payment of invoices to small businesses by forcing large firms to report on their payment practices, and to revitalise high streets by cracking down on antisocial behaviour. The party wants to unlock the supply of finance for businesses looking to grow, to require at least one small business to be shortlisted when smaller public contracts go to tender, and to publish a trade strategy to give businesses advice on exporting. The establishment of Great British Energy, a publicly owned sustainable power company, would slash energy bills for small business and create thousands of opportunities for tradespeople, Labour says. Why the focus on small companies? Sir Keir Starmer was setting out his partys plans on a visit to a small business on Saturday, flanked by Dragons Den star Deborah Meaden. At 3 Locks Brewing Company, a canal-side craft brewery in Camden, north London, he said: We want small businesses to thrive because they are the backbone of our economy. They drive economic growth and create jobs for local people, the Labour leader said ahead of the visit, as he accused the Conservatives of holding such firms back. Sir Keir Starmer with Dragons Den star Deborah Meaden at 3 Locks Brewery in Camden (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Conservative chaos over the past 14 years has inflicted a deep and lasting cost on small business owners through economic instability and sky-rocketing energy bills. Through no fault of their own, hard-working small businesses have been held back by a tired Tory party that has failed to provide the stability and certainty business needs to thrive. So what will happen to business rates? Sir Keir said Labours plan involves replacing business rates because they are a real drag on businesses. But it is not clear what Labour would replace business rates with, leading some to call for more clarity. The next Labour government with @RachelReevesMP as Chancellor will support business to thrive. pic.twitter.com/Vgsz5mRhNi The Labour Party (@UKLabour) June 8, 2024 Sir Keir told broadcasters in Camden: We want to replace them with a system that works better, because at the moment, theres not a level playing field between businesses that are online and those that are sort of bricks and mortar. Its been a problem for a long time. The Government hasnt fixed it and small businesses have all gone through a really hard time in recent years. Are late payments an issue? Yes. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said more than half of small businesses it surveyed in 2022 had experienced late payments in the previous three months. It said thousands of small businesses are being held back by a systemic poor payment culture and a lack of adequate protection. If late payments were made on time, 50,000 business closures could be avoided each year, according to previous FSB research. How will GB Energy help? The setting up of GB Energy is a key pledge of Labours election campaign. The clean energy firm will be headquartered in Scotland and funded through a windfall tax on big oil and gas firms, with an initial 8.3 billion capitalisation over the course of a parliament. Sir Keir said the plan is very popular with small businesses. (PA Graphics) Whats come up here comes up with all small businesses energy is too expensive. What you cant have if you run a small business is sort of costs that you cant control, so Great British Energy, a publicly owned company for renewables, is very, very popular with small businesses. What has the reaction been? Meaden told the PA news agency at the brewery: I think GB Energy is absolutely brilliant, I think it does everything that I care about. Businesses dont like being out of control of costs and energy is one of those costs that simply fluctuates beyond your control. Groups representing small firms also welcomed the proposals. Deal not sealed for small business votes, as our snap poll reveals more than half of small business owners and the self-employed could still be swayed in Election campaign 96% plan to vote, but more than half have not yet made a final decision on who they will vote for. Read Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) (@fsb_policy) June 7, 2024 Michelle Ovens, founder of Small Business Britain, said: It is really exciting to see small businesses take centre stage in the election campaign this weekend. Representing 99% of UK business, small firms bring immeasurable value to the UK economy, society and wider communities, as well as being at the cutting edge of innovation, creativity and disruption. The next government must focus on driving good growth which means putting the nations 5.5 million small businesses front and centre of powering prosperity for the UK that is sustainable, fair and inclusive. As part of this we are certainly keen to see interventions to empower small firms to start up and scale up, such as improving access to finance and tackling late payments and business rates. Tina McKenzie, policy chairwoman at the FSB, said it was good to see late payment addressed by Labour and eyes would turn towards its manifesto launch to see if the party takes a pro-small business approach. She said: Our snap election poll shows that the majority of the UKs 5.5 million small business votes are up for grabs. As the election gets into its final stage, its crucial political parties reassure small businesses on tax, on protecting small business apprenticeships, and on having the right legislative environment to support growth. Labour first put forward its plan to breathe new life into Britains high streets in April, drawing approval from trade bodies for its proposed overhaul of the business rates system. But the Tories claimed Labour would hammer small companies. Business minister Kevin Hollinrake said: Labour remain committed to imposing Angela Rayners French-style union laws that would hammer our vital small businesses. Labours policies would reduce flexible working and pile new regulations on to small companies, destroying jobs alongside their 2,094 tax raid on hardworking families. Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives have a record of taking bold action to support small businesses, including freezing business rates, helping small business owners gain the skills they need, and lifting more small businesses out of paying VAT. Labour talk tough on law and order as Tories seek to move on from D-Day debacle The Labour Party is talking tough on law and order and vowing not to hike taxes, as the Tories seek to move on from Rishi Sunaks D-Day debacle with a benefits overhaul plan. Sir Keir Starmers party has pledged to crack down on the antisocial use of off-road bikes and relieve pressure on overstretched prisons. Police will be given new powers to scrap noisy dirt and quad bikes within 48 hours, instead of having to keep them impounded for two weeks, if Labour wins the General Election. The Labour leader and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper are expected to promote the plans on a visit on Sunday. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper have promised strong action (Danny Lawson/PA) The party also promised to deliver 14,000 more prison places as it blamed Conservative inaction for the prison estate bursting at the seams. Classifying prisons as sites of national importance so ministers can take control of planning decisions would stop the powder keg waiting to explode behind bars, shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said. The Tories hit back that they are already overseeing the largest expansion to the prison estate since the Victorian era. Labours manifesto this week will also comprise pledges to set up 80 new specialist rape courts across and England and Wales, introduce specialist rape units in every police force, and introduce laws to crack down on violence against shop staff, according to Sunday newspapers. And in a bid to kill off the Tories much-disputed claim that Labour would hike taxes by 2,000, Sir Keir will include a cast-iron pledge in the manifesto not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT for five years, The Sunday Times reported. Meanwhile, the Conservatives are attempting to put a lid on the fallout from the Prime Ministers early return from D-Day commemorations. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride will tout a Tory pledge to halt the rising costs of welfare by reforming the benefits system on the Sunday morning broadcast round. The party claims it would help save some 12 billion a year by the end of the next parliament, although the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said this looks difficult in the extreme as the measures have been previously announced and have therefore already been incorporated into the Budget forecasts. Those already floated measures include a 700 million investment in NHS mental health treatment, a pledge to reform the disability benefits system and a tightening of the criteria for work capability assessments. Mr Sunak said: Work is a source of dignity, purpose and hope and I want everyone to be able to overcome whatever barriers they might face to living independent, fulfilling lives. But a Labour spokesperson said: These reheated pledges, old policies and vague promises will not get Britain healthy or benefits under control. IFS associate director Tom Waters said most of the measures are existing government policy and cannot be expected to deliver reductions in spending relative to the latest forecasts, since those forecasts are already predicated on most of these policies happening. He added: Delivering an additional 12 billion saving from this set of measures relative to what was forecast in the March Budget looks difficult in the extreme. Rishi Sunak visited a Big Help Out project in a walled garden in Bishop Auckland (Phil Nobel/PA) The Prime Minister is campaigning in Yorkshire without media on Sunday after facing accusations of dodging reporters questions the previous day amid continuing criticism over his D-Day snub. Mr Sunak, whose already challenging battle to stay in No 10 was dealt a further blow by the fiasco, told The Mail on Sunday we all make mistakes. In the interview on Friday, at the peak of the storm over his premature departure from Normandy, he told the newspaper: I havent had many days where there hasnt been something difficult going on. So youve got to have an inner strength and resilience. We all make mistakes. Were all human. But Im motivated to do what I can for this country to the best of my ability, and thats what keeps me going. Rishi Sunak has been criticised for leaving Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron to pose with world leaders (Abaca Press/Alamy/PA) As his party hopes to detract from the row, Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho attacked Labours pledge to convert Britain to clean power by 2030. She told The Sunday Telegraph that if Labour were to achieve its aim to decarbonise the grid by then it would either be through enormous costs, or it would risk blackouts in this country. The Tory manifesto will include a pledge to reform the remit of the official climate watchdog so it is forced to take account of the cost to households and the effect on energy security when advising ministers on carbon targets, according to the paper. Elsewhere, the Liberal Democrats are vowing to tackle ambulance delays as they turn their attention to health and care. Sir Ed Davey playing tennis at Victoria Park Tennis in Newbury (Will Durrant/PA) The partys manifesto pledge features an upfront capital investment of 280 million to expand urgent treatment centres and A&E wards, and an additional 400 million a year to add an extra 1,000 staffed beds in hospitals. The Kings Fund said it is a plan for incremental improvement, not rapid recovery as the amounts of money set out in this announcement are relatively modest and wouldnt fix the urgent and emergency care crisis in isolation. North of the border, Scotlands First Minister John Swinney urged Labour to be open with voters and admit where 18 billion in cuts predicted by the IFS will come from. The think tank has previously said tough decisions will be required after the election after it warned the latest Budget implied a real-terms cut to net public sector investment of around 18 billion between 2024-25 and 2028-29. In a letter to Sir Keir, the SNP leader describes Labours intentions as planning to take the axe to public services as a result of being wedded to Tory fiscal rules and a growth-destroying Brexit. Shadow secretary of state for Scotland Ian Murray insisted there will be no return to austerity under Labour. Ahead of campaigning in Edinburgh on Sunday, Mr Murray said the SNPs General Election campaign is built on empty rhetoric and accused his opponents of butchering the countrys public services. The voice actor of Donald Duck has said he feels the disgruntled Disney character is still entertaining audiences after 90 years because theres a little Donald in all of us. The cartoon duck, known for his semi-intelligible speech and ill-temper, is celebrating the 90th milestone anniversary on Sunday after making his film debut in 1934 in the short cartoon The Wise Little Hen. Tony Anselmo, who has voiced the Disney character since 1985, thinks Donald has become more relevant over the years due to there being more frustration than there used to be. Reflecting on the characters legacy, Anselmo told the PA news agency: I think its because most people can relate to him because theres a little Donald in all of us. If you watch Walt Disneys Donald Duck cartoons, hes really a pretty good-natured guy. He likes to have fun and he has ambitions. He sets out to do something and its only when something gets in his way that he gets mad. So he has to get triggered, and I think were all like that a little bit. If were in a hurry and were going somewhere and we end up in traffic, then we get just as mad as Donald. And when we see him throw a tantrum, it makes us laugh because we know what its like to be in that situation. The world has become a lot more fast-paced and technological since Donald entered it in 1934, which Anselmo feels makes his attitude more relatable. He said: Ive been around for 64 years myself and I can tell you, the last 10 to 20, theres a lot more frustration than there used to be. The voice actor teased some of Donalds upcoming storylines will see him navigating internet-related things, adding that he would enjoy seeing the character trying to set up WiFi. However, he confirmed that the characters namesake, former US president Donald Trump, will not feature in any upcoming episodes, adding: I think Donald Duck is a little bit more loved universally, I should say. Not quite so controversial. Donald Duck has gone on to feature in more than 150 short films since he first appeared on screens, more than any other Disney character, according to the company. The character can still be seen in Disney theme parks across the world and he has been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and has had his webbed footprints immortalised in cement outside the famed Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Anselmo feels the strong personalities within Disneys characters like Donald Duck and Mickey and Minnie Mouse have set Disney apart from other studios. He added: The reason these characters have lasted so long is that the integrity of their character is kept intact, we dont change them, but they can be put in relevant situations. So Donald is the same guy he was in 1934 but if you put him in a in a relevant situation, like having to deal with social media, which is frustrating, or technology, or all the frustrating things that we all have to deal with day-to-day, he would react to those situations the way he always has. Despite more Disney characters being added to the collection each year, Anselmo said he is recording for Donald Duck more than he was 30 years ago due to the creation of new platforms like Disney+. Donald Duck is celebrating his 90 year anniversary with the Walt Disney Company this month. Count Binface next to Boris Johnson during the count in Uxbridge at the last election in 2019 - AP Count Binface has announced he will be standing in the General Election and taking on the biggest fish of the lot as he sets his sights on the Rishi Sunaks constituency in North Yorkshire. The self-described intergalactic space warrior has since 2019 run in a number of high-profile seats, provoking awkward moments before the nations TV cameras as he stands alongside leading political figures. Binface caught the attention of the media when he stood against former prime minister Boris Johnson in Uxbridge and South Ruislip in the 2019 general election and placed seventh, below his rival Lord Buckethead of the Monster Raving Loony Party, with 69 votes. In his podcast Trash Talk, Count Binface confirmed on Friday that he will be standing as a candidate in Richmond and Northallerton, which has been held by the Prime Minister since 2015. It means Binface will likely be pictured alongside Mr Sunak on election night amid what could be a national Tory defeat, according to the latest opinion polls. Binface stood in the London Mayoral election last May. He did not win - AP Speaking from the County Hall in Northallerton, Binface said it would be like Fury vs Usyk times a billion in the July 4 election. He said: If you know Binface, youll know I always take on the biggest fish of the lot, although I should add this time, the biggest is only meant figuratively. Thats right, I am here right now in Richmond and Northallerton and I can announce that I will be taking on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in electoral combat on July 4. You shirked D-Day Rishi, you cant miss the B-Day. Thats right. Binface vs Sunak is going to be Fury vs Usyk times a billion. Bring it on! Binface recently came 11th in the London Mayoral Elections, where he earned 24,260 votes. Sharon Evans-Brooks and her husband Juan Brooks walk along the Columbia Tap Rail to Trail with their dog, Tom Brady, on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 in Houston. They are among many residents who have been asking officials for basic security lighting and benches for the trail for many years. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Sharon Evans-Brooks and her husband Juan Brooks pose for a portrait with their dog, Tom Brady, along the Columbia Tap Rail to Trail on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 in Houston. They are among many residents who have been asking officials for basic security lighting and benches for the trail for many years. The historic 4-mile trail that runs through Third Ward was once part of a nearly 50-mile rail line built by enslaved Black men to transport sugar and cotton from Brazoria County plantations to Houston. It was one of the first rail lines to be constructed in Texas before the Civil War and later used to transport Black leased convicts to work the plantations. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Sharon Evans-Brooks and her husband Juan Brooks walk along along the Columbia Tap Rail to Trail as a cyclist ride by on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 in Houston. They are among many residents who have been asking officials for basic security lighting and benches for the trail for many years. The historic 4-mile trail that runs through Third Ward was once part of a nearly 50-mile rail line built by enslaved Black men to transport sugar and cotton from Brazoria County plantations to Houston. It was one of the first rail lines to be constructed in Texas before the Civil War and later used to transport Black leased convicts to work the plantations. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Sharon Evans-Brooks and her husband Juan Brooks pose for a portrait with their dog, Tom Brady, along the Columbia Tap Rail to Trail on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 in Houston. They are among many residents who have been asking officials for basic security lighting and benches for the trail for many years. The historic 4-mile trail that runs through Third Ward was once part of a nearly 50-mile rail line built by enslaved Black men to transport sugar and cotton from Brazoria County plantations to Houston. It was one of the first rail lines to be constructed in Texas before the Civil War and later used to transport Black leased convicts to work the plantations. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Sharon Evans-Brooks and her husband Juan Brooks pose for a portrait with their dog, Tom Brady, along the Columbia Tap Rail to Trail on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 in Houston. They are among many residents who have been asking officials for basic security lighting and benches for the trail for many years. The historic 4-mile trail that runs through Third Ward was once part of a nearly 50-mile rail line built by enslaved Black men to transport sugar and cotton from Brazoria County plantations to Houston. It was one of the first rail lines to be constructed in Texas before the Civil War and later used to transport Black leased convicts to work the plantations. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Sharon Evans-Brooks and her husband Juan Brooks walk along along the Columbia Tap Rail to Trail as a cyclist ride by on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 in Houston. They are among many residents who have been asking officials for basic security lighting and benches for the trail for many years. The historic 4-mile trail that runs through Third Ward was once part of a nearly 50-mile rail line built by enslaved Black men to transport sugar and cotton from Brazoria County plantations to Houston. It was one of the first rail lines to be constructed in Texas before the Civil War and later used to transport Black leased convicts to work the plantations. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The historic 4-mile Columbia Tap Bike Trail that connects Third Ward to Brays Bayou and downtown looks no different now than a year ago when I wrote about the bleak hike-and-bike path. There are no security lights, historical markers, protected crosswalks or other amenities. The only improvements are new solar-powered lights and sidewalks on a portion of the trail near the Cuney Homes housing complex funded by the Houston Housing Authority. If it werent for big plans by city officials and community organizations to improve the trail, youd think no one cared. There have been numerous meetings of stakeholders and community engagement surveys. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Theres just no money to make it happen. So the trail continues to be a sad symbol of Houstons disparity. You dont have to look far to see the contrast. A few miles away, visitors flock to the new 26-acre Commons at Hermann Park, a $55 million project completed in April. Also, the Columbia Tap Trail north of Interstate 45 is a welcoming green space with ample lighting. Theres even a coffee shop along the path. Its frustrating that millions in funding can be acquired for certain safety and beautification projects in Houston, while other plans sit at the bottom of a shelf. In May 2023, five cyclists were attacked in separate incidents along the trail. The community was outraged and called for better lighting and safety measures, the same requests theyve been making for years. The Columbia Tap Trail was once part of a nearly 50-mile rail line built by enslaved Black men to transport sugar and cotton from Brazoria County plantations to Houston. Trains roared through the neighborhood until the mid-1980s when the tracks were removed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The hike and bike trail was finished in 2009, but there has been little investment in it despite 15 years of resident concerns about security issues, illegal dumping and other problems. Friends of Columbia Tap, a group of area residents, was formed to help advance those efforts. In the past year, Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz allocated $50,000 to pay overtime to Houston Police Department officers to patrol the trail and another $60,000 to purchase an all-terrain vehicle for police officers to use to travel the trail more effectively. HPD also has integrated the trail into the citys emergency system so that 911 calls along the path can be easily identified. Previously, there was no city address for the trail. City officials had hoped funding for security lighting would come through a federal grant by U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston, but it wasnt among those selected. The trail proposal was submitted for another grant through the Houston-Galveston Area Council. Fingers crossed. Council Member Shabazz is trying to find a pathway forward, and it looked like we had one, said Randy Macchi, chief operating officer of the citys Public Works Department. Now, we have to find alternative options. Im very confident we will have solutions for the lighting soon. The trail is considered a transportation corridor and owned by Public Works, which pays the citys Parks Department to mow the grass and maintain vegetation. But both city departments, however, are constrained by the citys budget woes. Macchi said a possible option is having CenterPoint Energy install basic street lighting, which isnt decorative but gets the job done. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Other entities such as the Southeast Management District and the OST/Almeda TIRZ have been involved in discussions about trail improvements, and there were even talks that Harris County Precinct 1 might fund a portion. That partnership would make sense given the county put in bike lanes on nearby Blodgett Street that many residents didnt want. I have made it clear to Mayor (John) Whitmire that the Columbia Tap Trail is a priority for me, said Evans-Shabazz, who lives near the trail and uses it regularly. I understand firsthand the importance of maintaining and improving this valuable community resource. Our efforts are not just about infrastructure but about enhancing the quality of life for all trail users. In March, University of Houston architecture and graphic design students, in conjunction with Friends of Columbia Tap, installed a series of temporary signs and maps detailing the significance of the trail and its connection to the community. With all of the players involved, it seems the funding for the trail would follow. That has yet to happen. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hairy Biker star Si King and event organiser Jason 'Woody' Woodcock at the start of the Dave Day motorbike ride - Clara Molden for The Telegraph The Ace Cafe, just off the North Circular in northwest London, was a sea of black leather and colourful Hawaiian shirts on Saturday morning, as an estimated 2,500 bikers prepared to set off on a commemorative 300-mile ride. Named Dave Day in honour of the late Hairy Biker Dave Myers, there was a jovial atmosphere as Si King, Myers best friend and fellow Hairy Biker, and Jason Woody Woodcock, a friend and the events organiser, commemorated a national treasure. He would be loving this, says Woodcock. Hed think its absolutely hilarious what were doing. Woodcock was speaking ahead of the remembrance procession from London to Myers hometown of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Popular biker's hangout the Ace Cafe was the starting point for the ride - Clara Molden for The Daily Telegraph One half of the Hairy Bikers duo, Myers died in February at the age of 66, an event which struck a chord among the nation. For 20 years Myers and King were ever-present on our televisions: their warm friendly banter, accessible recipes and enthusiastic journeys across the globe were smash hits, with more than 30 television series and some 30 cookbooks. Myers and King's cookery shows were instant hits thanks to the duo's down-to-earth nature - Heathcliff O'Malley The biking community welcomed them with open arms. A few weeks after Myers death, his widow Liliana Orzac, together with Woodcock and King, decided to organise the commemorative ride, expecting only a few hundred to join. Within weeks, 27,000 had signed up to the events Meta (formerly Facebook) page, with 30,000 raised for the charities NSPCC Childline and The Institute of Cancer Research, by the time the ride began. On Saturday morning, thousands turned out at the starting point the Ace Cafe, a legendary bikers hangout since the 1950s. Many had travelled a great distance one had driven down from Barrow. As many as 20,000 were expected to join en route, meeting the group at pit stops including Oxford and the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull. Something like this wont happen again, said Alan Standley, who travelled from Northamptonshire to take part, along with his friend Thain Burns, from Milton Keynes. Both were dressed in colourful Hawaiian shirts, in honour of Myerss famously flamboyant attire. He had an affinity with bikers, adds Burns. I watched them on TV. It was two guys, travelling the world together, were all like that. The weathers perfect, the stars have aligned. Si King stops for a break at the National Motorcycle Museum near Birmingham - Andrew Fox Mark Bayford and his partner, Susan Allen, left at 6am to travel from Hertfordshire to take part in the ride, although they were only planning to do half the journey. Weve got kids at home, says Bayford. He was at pains to stress how the Hairy Bikers exemplified the good-natured, welcoming biking community. Were not hooligans. Riding is good for mental health and wellbeing. You dont see car drivers doing this, he adds. The Hairy Bikers down-to-earth nature was a reason given by many when asked why they joined the ride. They were so relatable, said Ashley Ferno. The words Have a Dave Day the days motto were printed on the back of his shirt. Hopefully itll be a good ride, a good tribute, and raise a lot of money for charities. At 8am, after cups of tea and sausage baps, the bikers started beeping and revving their engines in a communal roar, before the convoy snaked onto the North Circular as the sun shone on London. Everything from Harley Davidsons to scooters and three-wheelers were present, many with stickers bearing Myers face, some flying British flags. A national treasure and a wonderful day combined, said Mark Wilsmore, managing director of the Ace Cafe. 'You don't see car drivers doing this': The bikers fuel up for the journey in the Ace Cafe - Clara Molden for The Telegraph On bridges along the M40 and M42, family, friends and well-wishers waved at the convoy, some unfurling banners reading Have a Dave Day. Woodcock was blown away by the reaction to the event. Woodcock met Myers around seven years ago, when he joined a group of bikers called Sons of Royalty. Its a group of music and TV industry people, invite only, and we go to America and Canada once a year, and ride across different areas, and raise money for Childline, he said. The pair quickly struck a friendship, bonding over their love of rock music. What you saw on telly, thats exactly how he was in real life, if not funnier, says Woodcock. The pair together bounced off each other, and cooked together on charity rides. I think thats why so many people feel touched. Family, friends and well-wishers gathered to cheer on the bikers - Andrew Fox The crowds swelled as they approached Barrow. King and Woodcock were the first to reach it at 3.45pm. All along the A590 people gathered on roadside verges and roundabouts, and on Abbey Road, the routes entry into the town, thousands lined up the outpouring of love for Myers was evident. Soon the atmosphere was carnivalesque, with live music playing and pubs full. Sandra Baker, who lives in Barrow her home just a few streets away from Myers was in high spirits. I knew Dave you would always see him in town, smiling. He was very talkative, she says. Its a great atmosphere, people have come from all over to show their support. Some bikers welled up when speaking about Myers. Brian Jones, who had organised a group to join the procession at Knutsford, explains: I just wanted to pay my respects to such a lovely bloke. Id never met him but hes somebody youd want to be friends with. Ive never seen such an outpouring of love for somebody many people have never met. A fitting send off for one of Britains most beloved TV personalities. As one rider put it, in a slogan on their jumper: What a difference a Dave makes. Mette Frederiksen is 'safe but shaken' after the incident, said a spokesman. She was taken to hospital after suffering a 'minor whiplash injury' - JEREMIAS GONZALEZ/AP A Danish man suspected of assaulting the countrys prime minister was due to appear in court on Saturday as world leaders condemned the despicable attack. Mette Frederiksen was attacked by a 39-year-old man in central Copenhagen on Friday evening, just days before the start of the European elections which will select a new cohort of MEPs in Brussels. The prime ministers office said she suffered a minor whiplash injury and had cancelled all public engagements for Saturday to recover. After being assaulted yesterday, prime minister Mette Frederiksen was taken to Rigshospitalet for a medical check-up, her office said. The assault has caused a minor whiplash injury... [she] is otherwise safe but shaken by the incident. Witness accounts suggest the prime minister was shoved by the man, who strode up to her and gave her a strong push. They have described the assailant as being of slim build with medium length blond hair. It remained unclear on Saturday what the attackers motive was and no words were exchanged between the man and the prime minister during the incident, Danish media reports said. A man came by in the opposite direction and gave her a hard shove on the shoulder, causing her to fall to the side, Marie Adrian told Danish newspaper BT. Tackled to the ground She said she was sitting by a fountain at around 6pm when the attack occurred. The prime minister then went to sit down in a cafe as the assailant attempted to flee but was quickly tackled to the ground by what appeared to be her security team. They had pacified him, and as he lay there, he looked confused and a little dazed, a witness told Danish media. Mette Frederiksen was hit by a man Friday evening on Kultorvet in Copenhagen. The man was subsequently arrested, the Danish prime ministers office said, adding that she was shocked by the incident. A Danish police spokesman said on Saturday: This morning, a 39-year-old man will be brought before the Copenhagen district court for questioning. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, led cries of condemnation from across the EU over the assault, which comes amid increased levels of violence against politicians. The attack is unacceptable. I strongly condemn this act and wish Mette a speedy recovery, the French leader said on Saturday morning. Deeply shocked by the outrageous attack on my colleague and friend, Prime Minister of #Denmark Mette Frederiksen. @Statsmin, all our thoughts are with you and your loved ones. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Evika Silina (@EvikaSilina) June 7, 2024 The assault was also condemned by Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general of Nato. Shocked to hear about the violence against my friend Mette Frederiksen of our ally Denmark, he wrote in a statement. I strongly condemn all violence against our political leaders. Nato allies stand together to protect our values, freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Nikos Christodoulides, the president of Cyprus, expressed my best wishes for your speedy recovery while Simon Harris, the Irish taoiseach, said: Violence has no place in politics and cannot be tolerated. Despicable act Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, said he was outraged by the assault, adding: I strongly condemn this cowardly act of aggression. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, called it a despicable act which goes against everything we believe and fight for in Europe. The incident follows a spate of attacks on politicians out campaigning ahead of the EU elections, notably in Germany where candidates for the AfD, SPD and Greens have all been assaulted. Earlier this week, an AfD candidate for local elections in Mannheim was attacked with a knife after confronting a man for tearing down campaign posters. Ms Frederiksen, 46, became Denmarks youngest prime minister when she was elected in 2019 and is serving her second term after securing an election victory in 2022. Magnus Heunicke, the environment minister, said he was particularly shocked that the incident had happened in a country like Denmark. I must say that it shakes all of us who are close to her...something like this must not happen in our beautiful, safe and free country, he said. Brandon Garretts pickup truck at the bottom of a ravine, in Baker county, Oregon, on 3 June 2024. Photograph: Baker county sheriff's office A dog ran four miles to get help for his owner who crashed his car into a ravine in Oregon and was ultimately rescued because of the animals heroics, according to authorities. The case unfolded as Brandon Garrett was driving with his four dogs north on US Forest Service Road 39 in Baker county, near where his family was camping. During the trip, Garrett failed to navigate a curve in the road and crashed over an embankment, according to a statement from the Baker county sheriffs office. Garrett survived the crash, but the accident left him stranded and forced him to wait and hope for help. Related: Connecticut rescue workers rappel into rock quarry to rescue missing dog Thankfully for him, one of his dogs ran back to the campsite, and the animals appearance led the Garretts family to realize something had gone wrong. The dog ended up running nearly four miles through the wilderness before tracking down the other campers on 3 June at 9.30am. The family quickly began searching for Garrett and eventually spotted his car. But they were unable to reach him because of the difficult terrain, prompting them to call emergency rescuers for help. The reporting party explained that his brother, Brandon Garrett, had not made it to his camp yesterday afternoon. Family members located his vehicle this morning but were unable to reach it due to the terrain, the statement from the sheriffs office said. First responders managed to reach Garrett by using chainsaws to make a path. They then used a rescue blanket and rope to retrieve Garrett from the ravine. Garrett was found about 100 yards from where the accident occurred with his three other dogs, who were also alive. Authorities provided Garrett first aid on the scene. He was later driven in an ambulance to a helicopter that flew him to a hospital in the area. Details about the extent of Garretts injuries or his medical condition were not immediately released. Angela Rayner and Penny Mordaunt taking part in the second live TV debate - JEFF OVERS/AFP Leading figures from the seven biggest political parties across Britain including Angela Rayner, Penny Mordaunt and Nigel Farage went head to head in Fridays first BBC televised debate. Following the debate, Telegraph columnist Sherelle Jacobs argued Nigel Farage may just have made real inroad, whereas writer Tom Harris suggested it was Stephen Flynn and Rhun ap Iorwerth representing nationalists in Scotland and Wales who fared best. Telegraph readers also weighed in with their verdict. An exclusive Telegraph poll showed 59 per cent of over 75,000 readers thought Nigel Farage came out on top, followed by Penny Mordaunt with 17 per cent of readers votes. Many readers were impressed by the leader of Reforms performance, arguing he was the only one who spoke sense when discussing important issues such as the state of the NHS, immigration and knife crime. Reader M.F. argued this has been an excellent night for Reform with Farage managing to get some good points across whilst everyone else was squabbling. Maggie Donnelly said: Nigel Farage, by far, won the debate. He is the only one, I feel, who actually spoke honestly. Reform will get my vote. On the NHS, Phil McClure wrote: It blows me away that nobody but Farage has the courage to say that throwing more money at the NHS is not the answer. Paul Witton echoed this sentiment, arguing that Nigel Farage is spot on in saying the NHS doesnt need more money and instead needs a complete restructure with a management structure fit for purpose. However, some readers did criticise the Clactons MP lack of promotion for his own party. Reader Richard Holmes questioned: Is it just me or is Nigel Farage not really selling the Reform brand enough? He seems almost reluctant to say its name. He should be namechecking Reform as much as possible in forums like this. Mordaunt was under orders to attack Rayner Readers also discussed Penny Mordaunts performance when representing the Conservatives during the debate. Reader John Dixon labelled her as a bit of a revelation tonight, describing her as utterly poised, confident, articulate and authoritative. She was head and shoulders above the other six-party representatives. An anonymous reader remarked: Penny did well despite the Conservatives self-inflicted wound that is Rishi Sunak. However, some readers were also critical of how the Leader of the House of Commons came across. Reader Jim Richardson argued she was doing herself no favours by looking so offended when someone disagrees with her and looking like a cold fish the rest of the time. Meanwhile, Steven McDonough thought Mordaunt was clearly under orders to just attack Rayner. Its made her look like a child throwing random tantrums when she keeps quiet for everyone elses answers, including Nigel Farage as he tore chunks out of the Tories. Cynical bias Nevertheless, one of the leading topics of conversation among Telegraph readers was the lack of bias arguably shown by the BBC. I know they always say audiences represent the voting public it seems yet again on this BBC model theres a bunch of Lefties in the audience, Paul Mickie said. I cant genuinely believe such a significant proportion clap the crazy over-population of the UK. This belief resonated with many readers. John Heaps, for example, reacted: The BBC is showing incredible, constructed, cynical bias. Its so appallingly obvious. An anonymous reader also weighed in: The BBC has excelled itself, such obvious bias has demonstrated its inability, or unwillingness, to be fair-minded. They continued: The audience was supposedly carefully selected, and in fact it was. Right-of-centre voters were not represented at all, which served to prove beyond doubt that the BBC cannot countenance anything other than its own Left-wing agenda. Cityshuttle also comes in a passenger-carrying variant, which will be available from next year - JULIAN SIMMONDS/FOR THE TELEGRAPH Thousands of half-ton electric cargo bikes that look like small articulated trucks are set to arrive in London next year despite concerns over public safety. Campaigners have warned that the vehicles, which will weigh up to 650kg when fully loaded, could lead to a rise in injuries among pedestrians. The ePack vehicle, which resembles a cross between a Fisher-Price toy car and a cargo bicycle, includes an enclosed cab and a hi-tech system of cameras and screens in place of mirrors all for towing a detachable trailer. Critics fear that electric motors over 250 watts could increase the severity of injuries compared to the traditional pedal bike - JULIAN SIMMONDS/FOR THE TELEGRAPH Tee Blackwood, Cityshuttles spokesman claimed the business already has orders for 1,500 vehicles. Transport for London hopes that 17 per cent of cargo delivery journeys in the capital will be made by bicycle by the year 2030. Despite concerns that the half-ton, electrically-propelled, articulated vehicle is not a bike, Keith Jones, Cityshuttles founder argued: Its predominantly a small, articulated truck its got pedals, and its got a 250 watt motor. So its a bike. And thats it. The Government website agrees with Mr Jones, adding only that the motors on an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC) must cut out at 15.5mph a speed that the Cityshuttle boss cheerfully estimated his vehicle can hit in under three seconds. The website states: An EAPC, which complies with the above is not considered to be a motor vehicle within the meaning of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Road Traffic Act 1988. A passenger-carrying variant of the bike, seats two people in surprising comfort, complete with heated seats and large windows through which passengers can enjoy the astonished stares of passers-by. Electric bikes must cut out at 15.5mph a speed ePack can hit in 'under three seconds' - JULIAN SIMMONDS/FOR THE TELEGRAPH The legally-required pedals are not connected to a chain or a sprocket. Instead they send an electrical signal to the motors, with the speed of pedalling being linked to the power delivered. Benjamin Wells, one of Cityshuttles design engineers, says: Were not pushing the boundaries of what a bike is, we are designing it within the rules. Officials are tight-lipped about whether the articulated truck, to use Mr Jones description, fits the definition of an EAPC. Benjamin Wells, a design engineer, insists the Cityshuttle is a bike - JULIAN SIMMONDS/FOR THE TELEGRAPH A Department for Transport spokesman would only say that it was up to police and the courts to make a decision, while both the Home Office and the Department for Housing and Communities, which oversees some council traffic enforcement powers, refused to comment. During a test ride around Cityshuttles HQ in Southwark, The Telegraph took the e-Pack around the block. Despite its size and weight the vehicle was intuitive to handle. A pair of cameras fitted where one would find wing mirrors, combined with two large tablet-sized screens in the cab, gave a clear view either side of the trailer. A digital gearbox operated by a simple push button selects one of five acceleration modes, and there is also a handbrake to keep the half-ton cargo carrier stationary during loading and unloading. Critics have called for legislation to keep up with the pace of these new electric bikes - JULIAN SIMMONDS/FOR THE TELEGRAPH Steve Cole, the policy director of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said that while electric-powered bikes can help reduce road traffic and pollution, we need the right regulatory framework in place to minimise potential risks. Our concern would be that large electric bikes with electric motors over 250 watts could increase the severity of injuries, in comparison to pedal-only cargo bikes, particularly if users were not aware how to operate them safely and the government does not set clear guidelines for use, said Mr Cole. He warned that the Cityshuttle vehicle could require extra regulation for public safety reasons. The potential of emerging technology is huge but the government needs to work at the same pace to put the right legislative framework in place to keep our communities safe. Yevgeny Prigozhin at a Wagner Group cemetery in Russia, months before his own death - AFP One day in 1990, a bullnecked ex-con stepped out of Russias prison colony AN-24/34, wearing a dated Soviet suit that showed hed been locked up for quite some time. Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin, a street hood and mugger, had just done 13 years for robbery, and had little going for him except a prison-issue train-ticket home to St Petersburg. With the old Soviet Union already collapsing, the prospects for such an ex-jailbird looked thin. Yet during Russias drift into lawlessness in the 1990s, the very traits that had landed Prigozhin behind bars would stand him in good stead as a businessman, paving his rise from hot-dog vendor to mercenary-group boss. Ambition, enterprise, cunning and a willingness to use violence and threats would be essential to prospering in this world, and Prigozhin had them all, write Mark Galeotti and Anna Arutunyan in Downfall, their new biography of Prigozhin. Its aptly named: their subject died last August in a mysteriously well-timed plane crash, two months after sending his mercenaries, the Wagner Group, to march on Moscow. As the authors drily note in their foreword, Prigozhins death came just a month after theyd signed the book contract, sparing them a ponderous only-time-will-tell ending. Ebury, their publisher, may also have felt relieved: Prigozhin routinely issued lawsuits and death threats to journalists. One Moscow hack inquired about doing a vanilla day-in-the-life piece on Prigozhins eldest daughter; the journalist was warned that she would be car-jacked and raped. Downfall is a psychological profile of a man who, even more than Putin himself, personified the ruthless gangster-capitalist class that rules Russia today. Born into a middle-class Russian family in 1961, Prigozhin initially hoped to become an elite Soviet skiier; but he fell in with a street gang as a teenager. While the book suggests he got mixed up with the wrong crowd, he quickly adjusted to underworld life. When he was sent to prison in 1981, he had, the authors say, a domineering inner cruelty that stopped even hardened criminals intimidating him. Prigozhin serves Vladimir Putin at the former's restaurant in 2011 - AP On return to freedom in St Petersburg, he sold hot-dogs, which was a far more significant gig than it sounds. Fast food, like Coca-Cola and denim jeans, was hugely profitable in the immediate aftermath of the Soviet Unions collapse. Prigozhins success as a Russian Colonel Saunders lay not in the secrets of his mustard mixed in his kitchen but in stopping other criminals muscling in on his pitches. Making money may have been easy, the authors observe. Keeping it (and your life) was not. He then expanded into fine dining, opening two of St Petersburgs best restaurants, where gangsters, oligarchs and politicians would mingle including one Vladimir Putin, then a rising City Hall apparatchik. Cannily, Prigozhin would make a point of personally serving food to his VIP guests, who also included visiting dignitaries such as George W Bush and Tony Blair. The genial waiter was less nice to his own staff. After a customer complained about their tomatoes, one employee was hospitalised for two months. Through playing maitre d to the elite, Prigozhin won lucrative government catering contracts, earning his nickname of Putins chef. His crowning success, though, was as an adhocrat, delivering whatever shadowy services the Kremlin couldnt be seen doing itself. Hence the troll farms that flooded the internet with pro-Trump propaganda ahead of the 2016 US election, and then Wagner, whose mercenaries became a deniable strong-arm of Russian foreign policy in broken states such as Syria and the Central African Republic then, fatefully, in Ukraine. Prigozhin with Wagner mercenaries in Bakhmut, Ukraine, in May 2023 - AFP As an ex-jailbird himself, Prigozhin was a popular commander-in-chief among the convicts brought in to boost Wagners ranks. Soon, though, the wars horrendous casualty rates saw him issuing extraordinary video rants against the inept b------s in Russian high command. At first, he claimed his problem was only with stuffed shirts such as defence minister Sergei Shoigu, who is said to have described Wagners boss and troops as gopniks (effectively chavs). But eventually, Prigozhin also referred with contempt to a certain happy grandpa in the Kremlin. The government hit back by ordering Wagners forces to sign official contracts, effectively disbanding it whereupon Prigozhin decided hed had enough. While diligently recreating the abortive June 24 coup, Downfall makes no claim to offer any insider details, beyond saying that Prigozhins subsequent plane crash was almost certainly a Kremlin hit-job. What it does instead is delve into Prigozhins motives: Watching his men die in droves, he was clearly thinking about a wider future for the country... and was horrified that he couldnt see one. Many may struggle see common ground between Prigozhin and the dissident Alexei Navalny, who perished three months ago in a remote penal colony. Galeotti and Arutunyan argue, however, that both men had a desire to see greater fairness come to Russia a desire that toppled first the tsars, then the Communists, and now threatens Putin too. That even a monster such as Prigozhin can be seen as a dissident shows how severe Russias own downfall has already been. Downfall is published by Ebury at 18.99. To order your copy for 16.99, call 0808 196 6794 or visit Telegraph Books Foxes often take and kill reproductive female turtles when they come out of the water to nest. Photograph: Narelle Black A wily red fox with a turtle in its jaws is a stark illustration of the catastrophic situation affecting Australias freshwater turtles. Along the Murray, foxes are digging up and eating entire nests of turtle eggs, and grabbing reproductive females. Related: Rambo part II: wildlife in the forest where the feral fox once roamed is thriving but is a comeback tour likely? The fact the reptiles live so long, while the young are so vulnerable to predators, has led to an ageing population that is masking the extent of problem, University of Sydney professor emeritus Mike Thompson says. Thompson, a professor of zoology whose turtle obsession began in the 1970s, has semi-retired to the Adelaide Hills where he works on the 1 Million Turtles citizen science project. He says the population of the most common species in the Murray, the eastern long-necked turtle, has declined by 90% since 1980 and possibly by more than that in South Australia. The federal government is now considering listing it as vulnerable. Thompson says the Murray short-necked turtle (which is listed as threatened in Victoria and vulnerable in South Australia) has declined by 69% over that same time. The catastrophic decline is largely due to predation by foxes, Thompson says. The foxes in some places dig up all the nests and eat all the eggs. Other native predators eat the eggs as well. Also, the foxes often take and kill the reproductive females when theyre coming out of the water to nest. Thats what happened just before the above picture of the fox carrying the turtle was taken. Research has found 170 million foxes across Australia kill about 300 million native mammals, birds and reptiles every year. A 2022 Australian National University study found foxes were spread across 80% of the mainland and have been recorded killing 108 different species of reptiles, including turtles. Thompson says the turtles take about a decade to reach reproductive maturity and can live for up to 100 years. The turtle population has been going down for a long time but its masked because they live for such a long time, he says, adding that fewer and fewer juvenile turtles are being spotted. Freshwater turtles are also at risk from habitat loss, fire, drought, pigs, some water infrastructure such as carp traps, and from being run over by cars or struck by boats. [And] carp have made big changes to the aquatic environment which we think has negatively impacted the nurseries of turtles, Thompson says. The aim of 1 Million Turtles is to hatch a million eggs and return the turtles to the water. The project uses TurtleSat to collect data and identify where turtles, their nests, or turtle remains are. The culling of foxes has increased and the project is working on building fox-proof fences around nesting rookeries and experimenting with artificial islands where females can nest out of foxes reach. An article by a group of academic and other experts (including Thompson) was published in Australian Zoologist earlier this year. Eleven of 25 freshwater turtle species are listed as threatened at some level by at least one state or the federal government, it noted. The authors wrote that long-term comparisons of population levels are scarce and limited to particular species and locations. Aside from the 90% reduction in the eastern long-necked turtle and the 69% in the Murray short-necked turtle, it said later assessments have found low numbers of turtles throughout most of the river basin. Citizen science projects aim to overcome the existing data and funding gap, the article said. My back of the envelope calculation suggests a million [turtles released] isnt nearly enough, Thompson sys. For the Murray, it might be 10 million. Jan AP Kaczmarek in 2005: he wanted to be a diplomat but 'quickly understood that to be a diplomat in a Communist country was very unromantic' - Frank Micelotta Jan AP Kaczmarek, who has died aged 71, won an Oscar for his charmingly nostalgic score to Mark Forsters biographical fantasy Finding Neverland (2004), starring Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet and Julie Christie in an exploration of JM Barries friendship with the family who inspired Peter Pan. The musics resonance was remarkable given that Barries work barely featured in the composers childhood. I was aware of it, but it had more of an exotic value, and thats why I became attracted to it, he said. He soon got the idea, using the theme of innocence as a leitmotif throughout the score. The commission did not come easily. Kaczmareks music was considered dark and other composers had eyes on the project. Determined to demonstrate his playful side, he wrote a three-minute work for symphony orchestra and boys choir and recorded it at his own expense. The filmmakers were convinced, although the demo piece did not make the final cut. Finding Neverland, which saw off competition from John Williamss music for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban at the Academy Awards, also picked up Bafta and Golden Globe nominations. Yet it was only one of more than 70 scores written by Kaczmarek for films and documentaries. The cast of Finding Neverland, including (from left) Julie Christie, Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet - Film Stills He had already composed for the vampire film Pale Blood (1990), the Drew Barrymore horror flick Doppelganger (1993) and the police action movie Felony (1994). But his big break came after meeting the Polish director Agnieszka Holland at Francis Ford Coppolas home. She invited him to produce a delicate score for her erotic drama Total Eclipse (1995) starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the French poet Arthur Rimbaud. They also collaborated on Washington Square (1997) and The Third Miracle (1999). She wasnt looking for easy sounds or conventional scores, he said. Lance Youngs erotic drama Bliss (1997) carried more risks. Notions such as vagina or orgasm demand a very emotional music, emotional chords, he explained. By contrast he brought a religious perspective to Janusz Kaminskis supernatural horror Lost Souls (2000), assembling members of the London Symphony Orchestra, the Sinfonia Varsovia and choirs from Poland, Ukraine and Britain at Abbey Road studios. Back in his native Poland he wrote politically charged concert music including Cantata for Freedom (2005), an expansive work celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Solidarity movement, and Oratorio 1956 (2006), marking the 50th anniversary of the anti-communist uprising in Poznan. A bearded and thoughtful figure with a large forehead, Kaczmarek insisted that there was no formula to his music. I simply attach myself to the creative process, he explained. I go and hunt a music that floats invisible in many places. It doesnt get out of my mind, it just penetrates into my irrational self. Jan Andrzej Pawel Kaczmarek, who used his middle initials AP, was born on April 29 1953 in Konin, Poland, where he was schooled in classical piano by Eastern European taskmasters until, despairing of his creativity, they encouraged him to pursue another calling. After studying law at Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, he intended to join the diplomatic service, but that too did not suit. I quickly understood that to be a diplomat in a Communist country was very unromantic, he told the Los Angeles Times. Kaczmarek: 'I go and hunt a music that floats invisible in many places' - NurPhoto Instead, he started composing for the avant-garde Teatr Laboratorium run by the director Jerzy Grotowski. He also formed the Orchestra of the Eighth Day, a jazz-folk duo that became part of the Polish anti-government movement. They performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, in 1988. Arriving in Los Angeles a year later, Kaczmarek sought work through the many contacts he had been given by friends back home. He overstretched himself, however, with Tower of Babel, his multimedia stage show that was dismissed by the LA Times as simply a woolly disaster pretentious. The only salvageable material, the review added, was his eerily insinuating music. Thereafter he stuck to composition, including for an off-Broadway revival of Tis Pity Shes a Whore. In 2004 Kaczmarek founded the Instytut Rozbitek, near Poznan, an Eastern European version of Robert Redfords Sundance Institute that helps with the development of new work in film, theatre, music and new media. He continued to compose for the big screen, including music for the biblical drama Paul, Apostle of Christ (2018) and Valley of the Gods (2019) with John Malkovich. His first marriage, in 1977 to Elzbieta Bieluszko, was dissolved and in 2016 he married the architect Aleksandra Twardowska. She survives him with their son and four children from his first marriage. Jan AP Kaczmarek, born April 29 1953, died May 21 2024 The proposals state: 'Labour will introduce statutory rights for trade union equality reps in order to strengthen equality at work for all' - Peter Nicholls/Getty Images Europe Labour is planning to force companies to pay for trade union equality officers in an expansion of wokery in the workplace. Sir Keir Starmers party would introduce new statutory rights for trade union equality reps who would be able to take time out from their normal duties to carry out union activities. The proposals are contained in its New Deal for Working People document. It says: Labour will introduce statutory rights for trade union equality reps in order to strengthen equality at work for all. But Conservative Party campaign sources argue that this will cut productivity and hike costs across both the public and private sectors. They say that these measures, along with others in the policy document, constitute a massive expansion in woke red tape for companies. Esther McVey has claimed Angela Rayner's 'socialist "wokeforce" will hammer productivity and make Britain less competitive' - Anadolu Esther McVey, a Cabinet Office minister, warned that Labour will waste taxpayers money on a massive expansion of wokery and virtue signalling, diverting time and money away from front-line police, doctors and teachers. She added: Under Angela Rayners bung to the unions, companies will be enveloped in French-style union laws, pushing up costs. Her socialist wokeforce will hammer productivity and make Britain less competitive. Conservatives will champion equality of opportunity, rather than divisive identity politics. We are cutting back this waste, so public servants can focus on delivering high-quality public services. Last month, just before the general election was called, Ms McVey announced plans to ban civil service diversity in a new crackdown on Whitehall woke spending. In an overhaul aimed at ending the back-door politicisation of the Civil Service, she announced that mandarins will be ordered not to hire any new staff dedicated to boosting diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI). Under the plans, there will no longer be any jobs in Whitehall devoted solely to diversity. Managers will be forbidden from hiring third-party DEI contractors, and officials whose jobs are currently focused solely on diversity will be transferred into human resources teams and given broader remits. Her announcement came after the Cabinet Office received an internal report that found that DEI spending cost the Civil Service 27 million in 2022-23. The New Deal for Working People was originally unveiled by Angela Rayner, the Labour deputy leader, in 2021 - HENRY NICHOLLS/REUTERS This included funding for 345 full-time dedicated DEI staff across Whitehall, alongside 548 diversity networks in the civil service. The New Deal for Working People was originally unveiled by Angela Rayner, the Labour deputy leader, in 2021 and was watered down once in July last year to allow for more consultation with businesses. A leaked document earlier this month suggested that Labour had watered down other key pledges to strengthen workers rights, in a move that has angered the unions. It suggested loopholes were being created in the ban on fire and rehire, and that granting employees the right to switch off would be voluntary. It also dropped a proposed complete ban on zero hours contracts in favour of a right for temporary staff to demand permanent terms after 12 weeks of work. Union leaders accepted that version, agreed at Labours National Policy Forum, but claimed that there had been further backsliding in recent weeks. But since the leak, Sir Keir has moved to reassure union bosses that proposals to ban fire-and-rehire tactics and give workers the right to switch off outside the office will be retained in full. Other measures in Labours plan include a requirement for public bodies to spend more time on producing equality paperwork, under proposals to strengthen equality impact assessments for public sector bodies. Shabana Mahmood said Labour 'will not allow delay and dither and ridiculous complaints to get in our way' - TONY BUCKINGHAM Labour will overrule local opposition from Nimbys to build more prisons to tackle the overcrowding crisis, the shadow justice secretary has said. Shabana Mahmood told The Telegraph crammed prisons were a powder keg that could explode into riots, with new jails necessary for public protection. On Saturday, Labour will announce that it would deliver 14,000 additional prison places by 2030 if it wins the election. Ms Mahmood has warned prospective Labour MPs that not in my back yard-style concerns about new prisons in their constituencies would be rebuffed. The party plans to designate all prison projects as nationally important meaning planning decisions are made by ministers, not councils, when projects are frequently held up by local opposition. Labour is also promising employment councils to link governors and local employers and cut reoffending rates by getting former inmates into work. England and Wales have a prison population of about 88,000, routinely running at about 98 or 99 per cent of prison capacity. Overcrowding has forced ministers to take the unprecedented measure of releasing certain types of offenders up to 70 days early, while police chiefs have been told to make fewer arrests. The Conservatives had pledged to create 20,000 extra places by the mid-2020s, but had to abandon the target date with only 6,000 of the places delivered. Labour will pledge to deliver the outstanding 14,000 places by taking control of the planning process, and will also promise to tackle nuisance quad bikers as part of a planned crackdown on antisocial behaviour. Speaking exclusively to The Telegraph, Ms Mahmood said: From day one, an incoming Labour government is going to designate all prison projects as being of national importance. She said the move would end a situation which had lasted for decades where the planning process essentially gets in the way and prevents prison capacity from being delivered in this country. Ms Mahmood said Labour was targeting delivery of the places by the end of the next Parliament, and that funding was no object because the Government had already allocated the necessary capital expenditure. The real tragedy in relation to the capacity crisis is its actually no longer a money problem, she added. The money is sitting there. Its just completely shocking that theyve failed to spend it. She claimed that the Tories had allowed planning complaints from their back benches to get in the way of delivering extra capacity. Setting out Labours approach, she said: Fundamentally, once a site is suitable, a prison is going to be built there. I have a prison [HMP Birmingham] in my own constituency, so while Im sympathetic to local concerns... I know that these are necessary public assets necessary for public protection. We will not allow delay and dither and ridiculous complaints to get in our way. Ms Mahmood said she was willing to consider a good suggestion by Lord Blunkett, the former home secretary, for the creation of a network of mini-prisons, but wanted to look at the costings. Some of the temporary measures that are taken actually end up being much more expensive in the long run, she added. I will consider whatever mix of types of prison places are necessary to get to that 20,000 as quickly as possible. Im almost certain we will need to identify new sites. On Saturday night, The Observer reported that Labour would also establish 80 new specialist rape courts across England and Wales to speed up cases. I believe in giving someone a chance Shabana Mahmood meets The Telegraph in a location that has a special place in Labour Party mythology. With Parliament dissolved, the usual stomping ground of the shadow justice secretary is out of bounds, and Labours new HQ in Southwark is deemed too hectic. Instead, an aide arranges a room at Westminsters Millbank Tower, which just happens to be the building where Tony Blair ran his 1997 general election campaign. With Labour still 20 points ahead in the polls, is she finally daring to dream that the party can replicate his victory after 14 years of opposition? Ms Mahmood who was Labours national campaign coordinator before being promoted to the justice brief last year shows New Labour-era levels of message discipline. Having run the campaign for two years, I was very much one of the absolute militants when it came to no complacency, she says. Nothing has changed. She bats away polls suggesting Labour is on track for a majority, which could even eclipse the 1997 result. The message in the HQ team at the campaign and for everyone else is to look straight past those polls, because not a single vote has yet been cast, she says. The minute you take your eye off that ball, I think thats when campaigns go wrong. Ms Mahmood is talking to The Telegraph to unveil Labours plan to address the crisis in prison capacity. The overcrowding in Britains jails is deemed so serious that it is reportedly on a risk register held by Sue Gray, Labours chief of staff, of issues that could explode in the early days of a new government. It has apparently been dubbed Sues s--- list. Ms Mahmood is coy about whether she has seen such a register. Im not going to get in the way of Sue Gray and any internal list that she has, she says. But she says she has discussed the crisis with Ms Gray and Sir Keir Starmer, and that they expect it to be right at the top of the in-tray of problems requiring urgent attention if Labour get in. To address the situation, Ms Mahmood is promising to face down local opposition to build more prisons. She also believes that cutting reoffending can help take strain off the system, with Labour planning new employment councils, which will bring together charities, third sector organisations and prison governors to make sure that the training and the skills that are on offer in our prisons match the local jobs market. Ms Mahmood, who has previously employed an ex-offender herself, says that Britain is a country where people believe in giving someone a chance. She believes that the nation will be less forgiving of Rishi Sunaks decision to leave D-Day commemorations early. Ms Mahmood says she was astonished by the Prime Ministers decision. I just thought, What is wrong with the guy? frankly. Loss of trust Ms Mahmood has known Mr Sunak for a long time. They attended Lincoln College Oxford together, where she reputedly persuaded the future prime minister to vote for her as the junior common room president. Asked whether his performance in the campaign is in line with the student she knew, she says: Nothing that I saw of Rishi when we were at university necessarily predicted his future career as a Tory politician. A barrister by trade, Ms Mahmood became the UKs first female Muslim MP when she was elected in 2010. She has previously said that Labour suffered a loss of trust with British Muslims over some of its early statements on the Gaza conflict but insists it is working hard to earn trust back. People can see that the partys stance has shifted, she says. Weve been calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and getting aid into Gaza, but also for that pathway to peace for a two state solution. While her constituency of Birmingham Ladywood is on paper one of the safest Labour seats in the country, she is facing a challenge from Akhmed Yakoob, a George Galloway-aligned candidate running against Labours policy on the Middle East. Ms Mahmood stands by her long track record of speaking on behalf of the Palestinian people. At a Clause V meeting on Friday, Labour signed off a manifesto that includes a commitment to recognise the state of Palestine before the conclusion of a peace process. We believe that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people, she says. Self determination, you know, thats not in the gift of any neighbour. No one gets a veto over whether the Palestinian people have their own state. Ms Mahmood is sworn to secrecy about the manifesto, but she says the Clause V meeting went well. Having attended the meetings for the 2017 and 2019 manifestos when Labour agreed long lists of expensive policies she observes that this one was shorter. A plus point, frankly, she says with a laugh. Ms Mahmood says the meeting was optimistic but marked with real realism not an epithet that you would imagine being used during the Corbyn years. With Labour fighting a safety-first campaign with a stripped down manifesto, commentators have revived the metaphor Roy Jenkins used in 1997 of the party carrying a priceless Ming vase across a highly polished floor. But Ms Mahmood rejects claims that Labour is running an uninspiring campaign. I dont think theres anything inspiring about making promises you know you cant keep. Thats actually deceiving yourself and the public. Were not going to play fast and loose with the nations money. With less than four weeks to go, has Labour progressed that fragile vase a bit further towards its destination? Ill simply say were fighting for every vote, she says with another laugh. Its, in the end, the British public that makes these decisions, vase or no vase. Sergio Franco, of Ecuador, holds his daughter as he waits to apply for asylum, near Dulzura, Calif. Gregory Bull/AP Go home, huddled masses Regarding "Biden orders immigrants caught illegally crossing border to be immediately sent home," (June 4): I am sitting here, reading your headlines and smirking: President Joe Bidens action moves to limit asylum seekers? The executive order kicks in only when with migrants crossing the border illegally exceed 2,500 people a day. Allowing 2,500 migrants to cross illegally a day equals roughly 72,500 each month. The executive order stops allowing Biden to try to curb illegal crossings when the seven-day average is down to 1,500 for two weeks. That's still a lot of illegal crossings. And he refers to this as limiting? It is just another one of Biden's political ploys for the upcoming election. Now the hard-working citizens in this country are on the hook for paying for these incoming migrants and the ones that have already come here without any documentation. Biden needs to retire to Delaware and allow someone who truly cares for this country to be voted in. A. Alaniz, Spring Advertisement Article continues below this ad On June 4, 2024, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to temporarily severely restrict processing asylum applicants at the Southern U.S. border when the seven-day average of apprehensions of unauthorized crossings exceeds 2,500. The United States is a signatory to the United Nations' 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, which expanded the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. The Convention was created and became effective after World War II. The United States has always been known and seen as a pioneer, as the protector of human rights. We, the United States, provide people an opportunity to apply for asylum to prove their case. We dont turn our backs on people. However, Biden is looking to shut the door on exactly those people. The American Civil Liberties Union will file a lawsuit against the Biden administration in response to this executive order and rightly so, as it is in violation of not only international law, but of our own statutes and regulations. As an immigration attorney, I am disappointed to see that Biden believes suspending the asylum process at the border would be a wise decision. On the contrary, it will bring much strife, confusion and further backlog to the immigration process. Biden needs to focus on immigration reform. Instead of creating polices based on fear, his efforts would be better spent gathering votes across the aisles to implement meaningful reform that benefits industries like construction and agriculture that need migrant workers while offering a pathway to residency and citizenship for immigrants. Rosemary Vega, Houston Advertisement Article continues below this ad Remembering D-Day Regarding "Why D-Day still matters | Opinion," (June 5): To all of you born after 1950, I hope you appreciate the horrors World War II the millions who died in the war, and the thousands who were killed on June 6, 1944, D-Day, the day our troops stormed ashore into France. These young boys quickly turned into men, and knew as they were landing that this could be their last day alive. Some were drafted. Many volunteered. We won both wars because of one word: United. Look at the troops we trained and the military equipment we produced. Were there problems, discussions, disagreements? Yes, but in the end the war came first. Today we are so divided that it causes border crises, financial strain, crime, broken families and much more. So 80 years after D-Day, find a way to get us back to our real values of being united. Say a prayer for all those who were killed and did not have the opportunities that you have today. James E. Muecke, Houston Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thanks to the Chronicle editors who have resumed remembrance of D-Day and the lasting importance of that massive military operation. Sixty-two years ago this month I began three years of duty in the 82nd Airborne Division, along with many of those remaining career veterans of that invasion 18 years earlier. What fantastic soldiers, mentors and role models! Our country is now globally in perilous times. Should the worst come to pass, hopefully there will be a sufficient number of those cut from the same bolt of cloth to enable the United States to again prevail. St Thomas' hospital in London is among those affected by cyber-attack on NHS pathology partner Synnovis. Photograph: Maureen McLean/Rex/Shutterstock Hospitals in London have had to cancel cancer operations this week because of a Russian cyber-attack that continues to cause serious disruption to NHS services in the capital. St Thomas and Kings College hospitals have postponed procedures that their surgeons were due to perform on cancer patients since the attack began last Monday, the Guardian can reveal. They have been forced to take the step because the hack meant they would not have been able to provide a blood transfusion for any patient who needed one. Russian hackers, thought to be the Qilin group, launched a ransomware attack on Synnovis, which supplies blood tests to St Thomas, Kings and other hospitals in south-east London. One senior NHS manager told the Health Service Journal (HSJ) that the attack, one of the biggest to hit the service, was everyones worst nightmare. NHS England has released few details of the impact of the cyber-attack, despite the fact that it continues to cause major disruption for six NHS trusts and dozens of GP practices in south-east London that between them provide care to about 2 million people. It refused on Friday to say how many operations, including cancer and transplant surgeries, had been put off this week as a result of the attack. Officials maintained that they did not have figures for the number of operations affected, even though managers in the hospitals involved have had to explain to patients why their procedures have been delayed. A spokesperson for NHS Englands London region, which is coordinating the response to the attack, said: Pathology services are integral to a wide range of treatments and we know that a number of operations and appointments have been cancelled due to this attack. We are still working with hospitals and local GP services to fully assess the disruption, and ensure the data is accurate. In the meantime our advice to patients remains, if you have not been contacted please do continue to attend your appointments. Dr Chris Streather, the medical director for NHS Englands London region, said : We are sorry to all those who have been impacted and staff will work hard to re-arrange appointments and treatments as quickly as possible. The same statement disclosed for the first time that no fewer than six NHS trusts four more than NHS England initially reported had been affected. They include the South London and Maudsley and Oxleas mental health trusts, Lewisham and Greenwich acute trust and Bromley community services trust, as well as the very large acute trusts that run Kings and St Thomas. The lack of transparency is causing unease among staff affected by the cyber-attack, which the HSJ reported was likely to keep causing problems for weeks, not days. Nigel Farage Lifelong Conservative voters have never been more disillusioned with their party. The surprise victory of David Cameron over David Davis in the leadership election of 2005 set the Tories on a course from which it may not recover. That is why this is the moment for Reform UK, my party, to replace the Tories for good. Fourteen years of David Camerons social democratic policies remember how he styled himself the heir to Blair have led the party into the electoral abyss. To keep small c conservative voters on side all this time, the Tories have presented themselves as a low-tax party and repeatedly promised to reduce net migration to tens of thousands a year. After fourteen years, not only have the Tories failed to deliver on these promises, but voters now understand that they never really meant it in the first place. If a party is elected for its conservative credentials, but governs from the social democratic Left, it should come as little surprise when once loyal supporters desert in their droves. I gave the Tories every chance to turn things around. With the Brexit Party victory in the May European elections of 2019, Theresa May was quickly removed from Downing Street. This opened the door for a Boris Johnson premiership, and then I stood aside in over 300 constituencies in the December general election. I did so in the national interest to keep out Jeremy Corbyn, and in spite of considerable opposition from my own party. Many of those new Conservatives voters in 2019 had already moved from the Labour Party via Ukip or the Brexit Party. They were motivated, first and foremost, by grave concerns about mass immigration. Since that time, immigration into the United Kingdom has rocketed to record levels. Its truly astonishing. Since 2022, arrivals have run at one migrant every minute. This is a betrayal of the trust placed in the Conservative party by common sense Britons, and millions of voters now feel this very deeply and personally. There is no going back now. I am committed to building Reform UK into a major force in British politics and believe that now is the right moment. Nothing works anymore in this country; we are truly Broken Britain. The population explosion has led to a chronic housing shortage, rising rents, and the inability to get a GP appointment. Those that get up early in the morning to go to work now labour under a tax burden that is at its highest in 70 years, whilst millions choose to live on benefits. In contrast to stagnation under the Tories and Labour, Reform is unveiling some radical solutions. Take the NHS, for example. In the seven-way leadership debate on the BBC on Friday night, the other parties engaged in a bidding war as to who could spend the most on the NHS. Not for a moment did anybody consider whether the money we were spending, which has massively increased in recent years, is leading to better results. Reform proposes a change to our model while keeping healthcare free at the point of delivery. In France, they have an insurance-based model, which through a system of mutuality means that those that can afford it pay in, whilst those that cant still get healthcare cover. The money is far better spent. It is much more efficient. If you look at the statistics on strokes, heart disease and cancer, the French are beating us, hands down. If our model isnt working, its time for a change. Yet Reform is the only party prepared to even contemplate this step. The 80th anniversary of D-Day has proved to be a pivotal moment in this campaign. I was in Normandy to raise money for the magnificent London Taxi Charity to help veterans to attend these events who otherwise could not afford it. Contrast that with the Prime Minister who couldnt even be bothered to attend the international service with other world leaders. Sunaks insult to our remaining veterans is unforgivable, and it shows that he has no connection with the people of our country. His instincts are those of the global elite. He is simply not a patriotic leader. The Prime Minister has campaigned so woefully that I believe that we are now approaching a tipping point as voters realise that the general election is effectively over. Labour has won. The Conservatives will be in opposition, but not the Opposition. In their place, Reform UK now intends to be that voice of opposition in parliament and the country. Reform is a patriotic party committed to ending the political establishments deadly addiction to mass immigration. We want to stop the poison of Left-wing identity politics in our schools and are on the side of millions of small businesses. If we can overtake the Tories in the polls in the coming days, it is possible, just possible, that something extraordinary could happen on July 4. As a child, I remember the despair and collapse of the 1970s when the UK was the Sick Man of Europe. Yet within a decade our national fortunes had been reversed. I know that we can do it again, provided that we have the courage and conviction to change course. There is no need for this to be more than a one-term Labour government. Reform is ready to grasp the centre-Right of British politics and lead the opposition against Starmers already unpopular Left-wing rabble. The Conservatives had their chance and blew it. Thats why Reform UK must not be underestimated. Yakov Argamani, Noa's father hugs his daughter and one of the soldiers who helped bring her home - ISRAELI ARMY/via REUTERS The plight of an Israeli woman who spent 245 days held hostage by Hamas ended on Saturday with the words Its the IDF. Weve come to take you home. Noa Argamani, who was ripped away from the Nova music festival by Hamas terrorists on Oct 7 and taken into Gaza on the back of a motorcycle was rescued on Saturday during a daring daytime raid by Israeli special forces along with three other captives. The three other hostages, all of whom were kidnapped at the music festival, are Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27 and Shlomi Ziv, 41. The four hostages were sent to hospital for an evaluation and were said to be in good health. Today is my birthday, and what a present I received...theres no army like this in the world, an elated Yaakov Argamani, Noas father, said as he was reunited with her. Ms Argamani herself said of the moment that the soldiers rescued her: There was a knock on the door. A voice said, Its the IDF. Weve come to take you home. Israeli forces meticulously prepared for the operation by training in replicas of the two houses in the central Gaza Strip where Hamas had been keeping the hostages. The hostages were referred to as diamonds by operation commanders. Israeli commandos had to simultaneously raid the two locations, which were 200 metres apart, to reduce the risk of hostages being killed once the attack started. It was described as being like a surgical operation, like a brain operation. The hostages were reportedly kept in locked rooms in apartments which contained both families and armed guards. The raid on Ms Argamanis building is said to have come as a complete surprise to Hamas but there was crossfire in the second building. Arnon Zmora, an Israeli officer was killed during the operation. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister said the rescue would be known as operation Arnon after the late father of two. Ms Argamani is now due to be reunited with her Chinese-Israeli mother, who is suffering from terminal brain cancer. Her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, is understood to still be held in Hamas captivity. The pair had been captured at the same time at the music festival. She spoke over the phone with Mr Netanyahu on Saturday from the hospital where she was being assessed, telling him: I am very moved. I havent heard Hebrew for so long. She also spoke with Isaac Herzog, the president of Israel. Mr Netanyahu has suggested that he will launch further operations into Gaza to bring the hostages home. We are committed to do so in the future as well. We will not let up until we complete the mission and return home all the hostages, both those alive and dead, he said. Noa Argamani is now due to go home and see her mother who is terminally ill - AFP Israeli media reports said the operation had been approved on Thursday evening, when a war cabinet and security cabinet meeting were cancelled to make time for preparing the operation. Mr Netanyahu watched it unfold from inside a Shin Bet security services war room. Israeli military officials said their intelligence officers worked for weeks laying the groundwork for the operation, which involved hundreds of Israeli troops. World leaders including Joe Biden, the US president, Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, and Emmauel Macron, French president, praised the rescue. A senior Hamas official claimed the operation was a Pyrrhic victory for Israel, stating that regaining four captives after nine months of fighting is a sign of failure not an achievement. At least 210 Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Saturday, many in Nuseirat where the hostages were being held, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry. Daniel Hagari, the IDFs commanding officer, said the force was aware of about 100 Palestinian casualties but did not yet know how many were terrorists. He accused Hamas of endangering civilians by hiding the hostages within the population and shooting at the Israeli forces as they rescued them. Dozens of bodies from the Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah areas were brought to overwhelmed hospitals. Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, described Israeli attacks in Nuseirat as a bloody massacre and called for an emergency UN security council session. Videos on social media, that appeared to be from Nuseirat but could not be immediately verified, showed severely injured men, women and children lying on blood-soaked hospital floors or being carried limp into the emergency room where infants wailed in distress. The al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital issued an urgent call for medical assistance to handle the mass casualty event and appealed for blood donations. 08:45 PM BST Thats all for today Thanks for following our live coverage as Israeli rescued four of its hostages from Gaza. This live blog is now closed. 08:45 PM BST Pictured: Noa Argamani is rescued from Gaza by IDF helicopter Noa Argamani is rescued by an IDF helicopter - https://x.com/i/status/1799487524621942865 08:23 PM BST Protesters call for release of hostages outside Netanyahus home Thousands of Israelis are holding protests across the country, calling on the government to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. In Tel Aviv, demonstrators held signs that read Bring them back at a spot that has become known locally as Hostages Square. Haaretz, the Israeli newspaper, reported that Paris Square in Jerusalem - near the residence of the prime minister - had been blocked off by protesters. 07:57 PM BST Sunak: Return of hostages is heartwarming Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, has said it is heartwarming to see the Israeli hostages returned to their families after an unimaginable ordeal. We will continue to strive towards an end to the fighting as well as safety and security for all, he wrote on social media. It is a huge relief to see hostages returned after their unimaginable ordeal and heartwarming to see the pictures of them reunited with their families. We will continue to strive towards an end to the fighting as well as safety and security for all. https://t.co/Ylb7OD3xXO Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 8, 2024 07:46 PM BST Cameron calls for release of all Israeli hostages Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, has welcome the return of the Israeli hostages and called for those remaining in Gaza to be released. He wrote on social media: News of the rescue of four hostages will be a huge relief to their families. My thoughts also with families of those still captive, and all the innocent lives affected by the conflict. We must secure the release of all hostages and end the fighting through a ceasefire deal. News of the rescue of four hostages will be a huge relief to their families. My thoughts also with families of those still captive, and all the innocent lives affected by the conflict. We must secure the release of all hostages and end the fighting through a ceasefire deal. David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 8, 2024 07:17 PM BST Hostage families thank IDF after four rescued in daring raid The families of the four rescued hostages have thanked the security forces for freeing their loved ones in a complex special daytime operation in central Gaza. Those rescued were Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40. Yaakov Argamani, Ms Argamanis father, thanked the IDF and, speaking about the other hostages, said: We must do everything, and as soon as possible to bring them home. Today is my birthday, and what a present I received, he added. Jennifer Master, Mr Kozlovs partner, thanked the army, while his aunt Anna said: Theres a lot of happiness today, a lot of tears. Mr Jans mother Orit said: Almog asked to say: We have a strong nation, thanks very much. I support the soldiers, I hope all the hostages come home safely. Israel believes that 116 of the approximately 250 hostages abducted by militants are left in the Palestinian enclave, at least 40 of whom have been declared dead in absentia by authorities. The families also expressed their condolences over the death of counter-terrorism officer Arnon Zamora, 36, who died due to injuries sustained during the mission. 06:50 PM BST Hamas claims Palestinians killed during rescue mission Gazas Hamas-run government media office has claimed that at least 210 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli operation to rescue the hostages. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israeli military, said the rescue mission took place in a residential neighbourhood in Nuseirat, with Hamas keeping the hostages in two separate apartment blocks. Israels forces came under intense fire during the assault and responded by firing from the air and from the street, he told reporters. He added: We know about under 100 [Palestinian] casualties. I dont know how many from them are terrorists. 06:28 PM BST Watch: Israel rescues four hostages in daring raid 06:16 PM BST Hamas: Devastating consequences for remaining hostages Hamas has claimed that Israel killed a number of hostages while mounting a rescue operation to save Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv. The enemy was able... to free some of its prisoners, but at the same time it killed some of them during the operation, a spokesman for the groups armed wing said. He added: The operation will pose a great danger to the enemy prisoners and will have a devastating impact on their conditions and lives. 05:50 PM BST Mother of rescued hostage will continue the struggle Orit Jan, the mother of Almog Meir Jan, pledged to continue the struggle until all the hostages in Gaza were returned to their families. We do not forget the hostages who are still in Gaza, and we will continue the struggle until they all return, the living and the killed, she said. 05:38 PM BST Watch: Netanyahu meets rescued hostages Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has met with rescued hostages and their families at Sheba Hospital near Tel Aviv. At a news conference afterwards, he said that it was the birthday of Noa Argamanis father, Yaakov, who called the return of his daughter the best gift I could ever expect. Mr Netanyahu also revealed that Andrey Kozlov, another hostage, had kept a diary during his months of captivity. Every day, he would write one line. Every day is a gift, he said. 05:24 PM BST Colombias president orders halt of coal exports to Israel Gustavo Petro, Colombias president, said the country will suspend coal exports to Israel. In a post on social media platform X, he said the exports would be halted until the genocide is stopped. 05:23 PM BST Israeli hostage Noa Argamani to be reunited with dying mother Noa Argamani, the 25-year-old hostage who was rescued from Gaza on Saturday, is soon to be reunited with her terminally ill mother. Ms Argamani was kidnapped along with her boyfriend Avinatan Or from the Supernova festival on the morning of Oct 7, and became one of the faces of the hostage crisis when footage of her abduction by two men on a motorbike emerged online. In the footage, she shouts: Dont kill me! Earlier this year, her 61-year-old mother Liora Argamani, who has stage four brain cancer, pleaded with world leaders to help bring home her daughter. I am asking you, president Joe Biden, I dont have a lot of time left in this world. It may be my last wish. Im really begging you. Please help me, she said in March. Ms Argamani has already reunited with her father, and is expected to meet her mother shortly. 04:57 PM BST Rescued hostage Shlomi Ziv is reuinted with his loved ones Shlomi Ziv, a rescued hostage embraces his loved ones - Israeli Army/Handout via REUTERS Shlomi Ziv. 41 years old, is one of four hostages who were rescued on Saturday in a complex joint operation by the IDF - Israeli Army/Handout via REUTERS 04:44 PM BST Israeli strike reported to have killed two people in southern Lebanon An Israeli air strike on the outskirts of Aitaroun in southern Lebanon killed two people, Lebanese state news agency NNA reported on Saturday. Israels IDF said in a statement that its soldiers had identified a Hezbollah militant in the area of Aitaroun and shortly afterward an Israeli aircraft had struck the individual. Israeli forces launched two missiles targeting a cafe at a petrol station which resulted in major damage to the shop, the station and the surrounding area, the NNA report said. 04:33 PM BST Palestinian president calls for emergency UN security council session on bloody massacre Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has called for an emergency UN Security Council session on the bloody massacre that was carried out by the Israeli forces at the al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, official news agency WAFA reported on Saturday. 04:32 PM BST Netanyahu speaks to rescued hostage Noa Argamani 03:56 PM BST Footage shows the take-off of the helicopter with three of the rescued hostages from the Gaza Strip 03:52 PM BST US national security advisor issues statement Jake Sullivan, the US national security advisor, has issued a statement on the Israeli hostage rescue operation. He said: Today, Israeli security forces conducted a successful operation to rescue four hostages from the grips of Hamas in Gaza. All four were taken from the Nova Music Festival on October 7, and Hamas filmed the horrific abduction of Ms Argamani for the world to see. Now they are safe and reunited with their families. We commend the work of the Israeli security services that conducted this daring operation. The United States is supporting all efforts to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas, including American citizens. This includes through ongoing negotiations or other means. The hostage release and ceasefire deal that is now on the table would secure the release of all the remaining hostages together with security assurances for Israel and relief for the innocent civilians in Gaza. This deal has the full backing of the United States and has been endorsed by countries from around the world, including the G7, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, UAE, and Qatar, as well as the sixteen countries with their citizens still being held by Hamas. They all must be released now. 03:44 PM BST Rescued hostage Almog Meir Jan reunites with his family Hamas hostage Almog Meir Jan, 21, is one of the four rescued by the IDF from central Gaza. He is reportedly in good condition, according to initial medical assessments. Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage embraces his mother, Orit Meir - Israeli Army/Handout Almog Meir Jan, 21, is pictured reuniting with his family - Israeli Army/Handout via Reuters 03:36 PM BST Details of the hostage rescue operation from IDF briefing The hostages were called diamonds for the operation. The Israeli forces practiced for the operation using models of the two houses where they were being held. The houses, which were 200m apart, had to be raided simultaneously like a surgical operation, like a brain operation, to reduce the risk of the hostages being killed in either one. The hostages were being held in locked rooms in apartments containing both families and armed guards. The raid on Noa Argamanis building came as a complete surprise but there was crossfire in the second building with the three men. 03:30 PM BST Biden reacts to hostage rescue news US president Joe Biden welcomed the return of four Israeli hostages rescued alive in Gaza. He said: I would like to welcome the safe rescue of hostages that were returned to their families in Israel. We wont stop working until all the hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached. That is essential. 03:28 PM BST Families hail miraculous triumph as four Israeli hostages rescued Israel hostage families have hailed the rescue of four captives as a miraculous triumph. Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40, were rescued in a complex special daytime operation in the heart of Nuseirat in central Gaza on Saturday. All four were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival on Oct 7 last year. The heroic operation by the that freed and brought home Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir Jan is a miraculous triumph, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement, adding it continued to call on the international community to exert pressure on Hamas to release other hostages. 03:18 PM BST Israel says forces freed Gaza hostages under heavy fire Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said that special forces operated under heavy fire and in a complex urban environment when rescuing the four hostages from Hamas. Our troops showed so much courage operating under heavy fire in the most complex urban environment in Gaza, Mr Gallant said in a statement from his office. This is one of the most heroic and extraordinary operations I have witnessed over the course of 47 years serving in Israels defense establishment, he said. 02:58 PM BST Israeli officer who died during rescue named Arnon Zamora, a commander of the elite counter terrorism unit, has been named as the Israeli soldier who died as a result of his injuries during the rescue operation. Chief inspector Arnon Zamora, who was killed in a mission to rescue hostages held in the Gaza Strip - Israel Police Zamora, aged 36 and a father of two, was taken to a hospital in Israel in critical condition, where his death was declared a short while later. 02:53 PM BST Turkey, Egypt and Iran demand full Palestinian membership of UN An alliance including Turkey, Egypt and Iran have demanded full Palestinian membership of the United Nations and greater international pressure on Israel amid the Gaza war. The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, which also includes Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria and Pakistan, called for an immediate ceasefire in the devastated Palestinian territory, where Israel has been battling Hamas militants for more than eight months. Foreign ministers from the group meeting in Istanbul called on the United States to lift its veto on full Palestinian UN membership and on all countries to exert diplomatic, political, economic and legal pressure on Israel. They also urged states to ensure Israel complies with the International Court of Justices decisions, withdraws from the southern Rafah governorate and guarantees the safe entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Denouncing an ongoing genocide and grave violations of international law, the group called on states to contribute to and join legal proceedings against Israel at international courts. The eight countries also demanded an end to arms and ammunition deliveries to Israel and that all measures be taken to protect Palestinian civilians, rejecting any attempted forced displacement. 02:32 PM BST Germanys Scholz says rescue of four hostages important sign of hope Israels rescue of four hostages alive in the Gaza Strip is an important sign of hope, German chancellor Olaf Scholz said. An important sign of hope in particular for the numerous Israeli families who continue to fear for those close to them. Four hostages are now free, Mr Scholz said on X, formerly Twitter. 02:21 PM BST One Israeli soldier died in rescue operation Israeli police have announced the death of an officer wounded earlier in the day during the operation to rescue four hostages from the Gaza Strip. The Israel Police and the Border Police announce with great sorrow and grief the death of the late officer Arnon Zmora... who was mortally wounded in the operation to return the hostages this morning in Gaza, the force said in a statement. 02:02 PM BST Netanyahu says Israel does not give into terror Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel does not give into terrorism and that it is operating creatively and bravely to bring home the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. We are committed to do so in the future as well. We will not let up until we complete the mission and return home all the hostages both those alive and dead, Mr Netanyahu said. Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre - JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images 01:58 PM BST Rescued hostage Noa Argamani reunites with family in hospital Source: Reuters 01:39 PM BST Footage of one rescued hostage being extracted from the Gaza Strip 01:20 PM BST Death toll in Gaza at 36,801, according to Hamas-run health ministry At least 36,801 Palestinians have been killed and more than 83,680 have been injured in Israels military offensive on Gaza since 7 October, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said in a statement on Saturday. More than 70 Palestinians were killed and 150 injured in the past 24 hours, the ministry added. 01:10 PM BST Watch: Statement by IDF Spokesperson about hostage rescue Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari's statement regarding our operation to bring Noa, Almog, Andrey and Shlomi back home: pic.twitter.com/Tt2wtE9121 Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024 Credit: X / Social media 01:03 PM BST Watch: Moment Almog Meir Jans family found out about his rescue Credit: X / Social media 12:59 PM BST Hamas calls hostage rescue a failure of Israel Senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, told Reuters that regaining four captives after nine months of fighting is a sign of failure not an achievement. Israel cannot force its choices on Hamas and the group will accept no deal that does not achieve security for Palestinians, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said on Saturday in response to an Israeli military offensive in Gazas al-Nuseirat area. 12:55 PM BST Watch: Cheers on Tel Aviv beache as lifeguards announce the rescue of four hostages Credit: X / Social media 12:51 PM BST Noa Argamani to reunite with dying mother Noa Argamani will soon visit her terminally-ill mother at the hospital. Earlier this year, Liora Argamani, who has stage four brain cancer, pleaded with world leaders to help bring home her daughter. Her renewed appeal to see her daughter came as her health deteriorated: I am asking you, president Joe Biden, I dont have a lot of time left in this world. It may be my last wish. Im really begging you. Please help me, she said in March. 12:50 PM BST Israels war cabinet minister delays statement after hostage rescue Israels centrist war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has delayed a statement he was due to give later on Saturday in which he was widely expected to announce his resignation from prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus emergency government. Last month, Mr Gantz presented the conservative prime minister with a June 8 deadline to come up with a clear day-after strategy for Gaza. But following news that Israeli forces had rescued four hostages alive from Gaza, the ministers spokespeople said his statement would be postponed. They did not give a new time for the address, in which political commentators in leading Israeli newspapers said he was expected to announce his resignation. The departure of Gantzs centrist party would not pose an immediate threat to Mr Netanyahus governing coalition, which controls 64 of parliaments 120 seats, but it could have a serious impact nonetheless. 12:43 PM BST 50 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on central Gaza At least 50 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Nuseirat and other areas in central Gaza, a health official in the Hamas-run enclave told Reuters on Saturday. 12:38 PM BST Hundreds of Israeli troops took part in the hostage operation Hundreds of Israeli troops took part in a special operation held under fire to rescue four hostages alive from Hamas captors in Gaza, Israels chief military spokesman has said. The operation was weeks in the planning and one police officer was badly hurt, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised news conference. The hostages were held in two houses in a residential neighbourhood of al-Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, according to Mr Hagari. 12:37 PM BST Pictured: Hostages Almog Meir Jan and Andrey Kozlov are released Almog Meir Jan, a released hostage - REUTERS/Marko Djurica Andrey Kozlov is rescued - REUTERS/Marko Djurica Family members of hostages walk to the health cente where those who have been freed are receiving medical attention - REUTERS/Marko Djurica 12:33 PM BST Former hostages escorted off a helicopter by the IDF Former hostages Andrey Kozlov (in red shorts) and Almog Meir Jan (in the black shirt) escorted off a helicopter by the IDF. 12:31 PM BST More on the release of hostage Noa Argamani A video of Noa Argamani receiving a telephone call from Israeli president Isaac Herzog was distributed by his office. I am so happy to be here. Thank you for everything, thank you for this moment, said a smiling Ms Argamani, sitting with her father in a hospital room. In another video, speaking on the phone with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ms Argamani said, I am very moved. I havent heard Hebrew for so long. Noa Argamani is reuinted with her father A screengrab of a video showing the moment Noa Argamani was kidnapped by Hamas in October Earlier video of Ms Argamani reunited with her father showed her smiling and embracing him. She was kidnapped along with her boyfriend Avinatan Or from the Supernova festival on the morning of Oct 7. Her boyfriend is still believed to remain in captivity. Ms Argamani became one of the faces of the hostage crisis when footage of her abduction by two men on a motorbike emerged online. In the footage, she shouts: Dont kill me! 12:24 PM BST IDF statement on hostage rescue Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40), were kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist organisation from the Nova music festival on October 7, the IDF said in a statement, adding the four were in good medical condition. The hostages were rescued... from two separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat in central Gaza, the military added. 12:22 PM BST Hostage Noa Argamani meets her father after being freed by the IDF 12:20 PM BST Gaza pier reconnected The US-built pier designed to carry aid into Gaza by boat has been reconnected to the beach in the besieged territory after a section broke apart in storms and rough seas last month, The section that connects to the beach in Gaza, the causeway, was rebuilt nearly two weeks after heavy storms damaged it and abruptly halted what had already been a troubled delivery route. Food and other supplies will begin to flow soon, US Central Command said on Friday. Earlier this morning in Gaza, US forces successfully attached the temporary pier to the Gaza beach, Vice Adm Brad Cooper, deputy commander of US Central Command, told reporters. We expect to resume delivery of humanitarian assistance from the sea in the coming days. Vice Adm Cooper said operations at the reconnected pier will be ramped up soon with a goal to get 1 million pounds (500 tons) of food and other supplies moving through the pier into Gaza every two days. Noa Argamani was returned to her family in time to celebrate her father's birthday - AVIVA KLOMPAS It was one of the defining moments of Oct 7. A terrified Noa Argamani desperately clawed at the air, reaching out for her boyfriend as Hamas terrorists swept her from Israel into Gaza on the back of a speeding motorbike. Dont kill me! the 26-year-old student screamed, terror etched across her face. On Saturday, Ms Argamani was once again on the minds of the Israeli people, but this time it was her return after 245 days in Hamas captivity they were seeing. Her beaming father, whose birthday it was, shared an emotional embrace with Ms Argamani after she was freed during a daring daytime rescue operation involving hundreds of Israeli troops. What a present I received, Yaakov, her father, declared. Israelis danced on the streets and cheered on the beaches of Tel Aviv to celebrate the successful daytime raid which rescued four captives Ms Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40. Their return was hailed by the hostage families support group as a miraculous triumph. With the command Go! from the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, the audacious rescue began at 11am on Saturday morning. Lt Gen Herzi Halevi oversaw the mission shoulder to shoulder with Ronen Bar, the head of Shin Bet, the domestic intelligence agency. The air was thick with tension in the joint command room of the Israel Securities Authority as dozens of computer screens flickered to life, displaying one of the most complicated missions ever undertaken by Israeli forces in real time. For weeks, hundreds of highly trained IDF, Shin Bet, police and special forces officers had game-planned the rescue, using models of two buildings deep inside Nuseirat in Gaza, where precise intelligence indicated Ms Argamani and the three male hostages were being held in two separate buildings. Satisfied with the accuracy of the information, the green light was finally given by Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, and Yoav Gallant, the defence minister, on Thursday evening. The hostages, code-named diamonds, had all been kidnapped from the now infamous Nova music festival and were being held by armed guards in locked rooms in low-rise apartment blocks just 200 metres apart from each other. The high-risk rescue was made more complex by the cruel and cynical decision to embed them within the dense civilian population in flats occupied by families, Rear-Adml Daniel Hagari, the IDF spokesperson, said in a postoperative media briefing. The Israeli forces had taken a call to launch the operation in broad daylight to maximise the element of surprise in a residential area that was swarming with Hamas militants. The hostages were known as 'diamonds' in the operation, which soldiers had been practising for two weeks - MARKO DJURICA/REUTERS The proximity of the two buildings added to the intense pressure on the front-line commandos, who were backed up by hundreds of soldiers who had entered Gaza by air, land and sea. The two squads had to enact their raids on the separate premises at 11.25am with the precision of a brain operation said Mr Hagari, acting simultaneously to reduce the chances of harm to any of the hostages. Unsuspecting guards in the building where Ms Argamani was imprisoned were quickly overwhelmed. There was a knock on the door. A voice said, Its the IDF. Weve come to take you home, Noa later recounted from the safety of an Israel hospital. But a fierce shoot-out took place in the apartment holding the three men. In the crossfire, Arnon Zmora, 36, the commander of an elite police squad and a married father of two, was mortally wounded. Mr Netanyahu said the rescue operation would be referred to as Operation Arnon in tribute to the slain officer. As the operatives were forced to shoot their way out of buildings to whisk the diamonds to Air Force helicopters waiting on the beach, scenes of chaos erupted in the crowded streets, said Mr Hagari who was watching the screens in the command centre. As we started to go out of the buildings a lot of fire was around us. Running terrorists in the streets with RPGs [rocket propelled grenades] to the cars, to the warriors, he said. At one point, the rescue vehicle of the three male hostages reportedly got stuck in the middle of the raging gunfire because of a technical fault. Amid the intense extraction, the Israeli Air Force also conducted heavy air strikes on pre-planned Hamas targets in Nuseirat. Sources in the Nuseirat refugee camp claimed Israeli special forces entered the market using a vehicle used to move the furniture of displaced Gazans. The IDF, when asked if its operatives had dressed as civilians, refused to disclose confidential operational details. At least 210 dead Palestinians were brought to local hospitals, a Hamas health official said, with images and footage of their bloodied bodies flooding local media. Mr Hagari said the IDF was aware of about 100 Palestinian casualties but did not yet know how many were terrorists. He accused Hamas of endangering civilians by hiding the hostages within the population and shooting at the Israeli forces as they rescued them. None of the Israeli hostages were harmed by the exchange of gunfire. Grainy footage shows Ms Argamani being led across a beach into a waiting helicopter, followed by the three men in a second helicopter. Footage from inside the helicopter shows Noa being quickly bundled inside and flown to safety. All four of the hostages were transported to Israels Tel Hashomer hospital in Tel Aviv for a physical check-up and to be reunited with their relieved and overjoyed families. Ms Argamanis homecoming was particularly poignant, offering her a precious final chance to see her dying mother Liora, who has stage four brain cancer. Earlier this year, her mother had pleaded with world leaders to enable her to have a last hug with her child. I am asking you, president Joe Biden, I dont have a lot of time left in this world. It may be my last wish. Im really begging you. Please help me, she said in an emotional video plea. On Saturday, her father praised God, Israels leaders and her rescuers for the gift of bringing his daughter home safely on his birthday. Thank you very much, thousands of thanks, to each and every one who had a hand in this matter, he said. Noa is fine, thank God, she looks wonderful, looks excellent. In a video of Ms Argamani speaking on the phone with Mr Netanyahu she said, I am very moved. I havent heard Hebrew for so long. During an early evening press conference, the families of the other freed hostages also thanked the security forces and expressed their condolences over the fallen counter-terrorism officer. Theres a lot of happiness today, a lot of tears, said Anna, Mr Kozlovs aunt. Orit, Mr Jans mother, said: Almog asked to say: We have a strong nation, thanks very much. I support the soldiers, I hope all the hostages come home safely. Orit Jan was reunited with her son Almog after he had been kidnapped by Hamas at the festival on Oct 7 - ISRAELI ARMY/via REUTERS The Hostages Families Forum praised the heroic operation but called for renewed international commitment to pressure Hamas to accept a proposed ceasefire deal that would return the remaining 120 captives to Israel. On Saturday, Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said that regaining four captives after nine months of fighting is a sign of failure not an achievement. Ismail Haniyeh, the groups political leader, said there would be no deal that does not achieve security for Palestinians. Back in Israel, Mr Netanyahu praised the creativity and boldness of the operations leaders. He said Israel will not rest until we complete our mission and return all of our hostages home both living and deceased. The 16th-century bronze statue had been on display at the universitys Ashmolean Museum. Photograph: Ashmolean Museum/University of Oxford Oxford University has announced it is to hand back a 500-year-old sculpture of a Hindu saint to India. The almost 60cm-tall bronze statue, which depicts Tirumankai Alvar, had been on display at the universitys Ashmolean Museum. A claim for the 16th-century sculpture of the Tamil poet and saint from south India was made through the Indian high commission. It is believed the bronze may have been looted from an Indian temple. A statement for the Ashmolean said: On 11 March 2024 the council of the University of Oxford supported a claim from the Indian high commission for the return of a 16th-century bronze sculpture of saint Tirumankai Alvar from the Ashmolean Museum. This decision will now be submitted to the Charity Commission for approval. Related: Turkey rejects claim Lord Elgin had permission to take Parthenon marbles Last May, the Queen Consort Camilla wore Queen Marys crown at King Charless coronation without the controversial Koh-i-noor diamond. The Koh-i-noor, one of the largest cut gems in the world, was seized by the East India Company in Punjab, northern India, after its victory in the Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1849. It was given to Queen Victoria and has been part of the crown jewels ever since and is on public display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. India has made several claims to be the rightful owner of the diamond, which was used in the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The governments of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan have also claimed ownership of the gem and have demanded its return since India gained independence from the British empire in 1947. In 2022, Oxford and Cambridge universities said that they could return collections of the Benin bronzes after Nigeria requested them. More than 200 artefacts were looted by British colonial forces in 1897 in response to a violent trade dispute. Several thousand brasses and other artefacts were taken by the British and sold in London to recoup the costs of the military mission. Last year, the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, was involved in a row with the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who used an interview to push for the return of the Parthenon marbles. Sunak accused Mitsotakis of trying to grandstand over the Parthenon sculptures after cancelling a meeting with the Greek leader. Athens has been campaigning for decades for the return of the artefacts. The country has long claimed they were illegally acquired during a period of foreign occupation. Vladimir Putin at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum - Artem Priakhin/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Vladimir Putin has warned that Europe is defenceless and unprepared for a nuclear conflict with Russia. In a typically bellicose speech at the St Petersburg Economic Forum this week, Putin also predicted that Nato would fail to protect Europe in a war with Russia. Europe does not have a developed early warning system. In this sense they are more or less defenceless, he said, sitting on stage alongside Luis Arce, Bolivias president, and Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwes president. Putin has previously boasted of Russias nuclear arsenal but he intensified his rhetoric this week at the forum, held as Nato allies marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings at Normandy. This included using one of his first interviews with Western media to claim that he had no intention of attacking Nato, although he also said that he was prepared to arm allies of Russia with long-range missiles to strike Europe. During his four-hour speech and question and answer session on Friday at the end of the business-orientated forum, the moderator asked Putin if he should hold a nuclear pistol to the West. A Russian RS-24 Yars missile launcher during the Victory Day parade at Red Square in Moscow, on May 9 - Getty Images Europe The use is possible in an exceptional case, in the event of a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. I dont think that such a case has come. There is no such need, replied Putin. The Russian president has unnerved commentators in the West by testing missiles that can be armed with a nuclear warhead. Russian media has also talked up the possibility of the Kremlin test-firing its first nuclear weapon since 1990, a threat that Putin repeated on Friday. If necessary, we will conduct tests. So far, there is no need for this, he said. With his forces on the offensive in Ukraine, Western politicians squabbling over military aid for Kyiv and the successful purge of Russias Ministry of Defence, blamed for the botched initial invasion of Ukraine, Putin has appeared more relaxed and confident in the past month. And Russians milling around outside the main forum hall said that Putin was a hero who had saved Russia. Many were queuing to buy T-shirts branded with his quotes justifying his war in Ukraine. Although economists have warned that Russian GDP growth is premised mainly on military spending, Putin boasted that Western sanctions had failed to dent Russias economy and he was strengthening Russias ties with countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Russian soldiers training to use nuclear weapons, in the country's southern military district, in May - Russian Defence Ministry/REUTERS Positive macroeconomic trends are gaining momentum, he said. This will allow our country to keep its place among the leading economies of the world. As well as pushing his nuclear threat, Putin used the forum to promote his two daughters who gave speeches on Thursday and Friday. Maria Vorontsova, 39, is a genetics researcher; Katerina Tikhonova, 37, is a tech investor. Putin has never publicly acknowledged the two women as his daughters and this was the first time they had both attended the business forum. Russia's missile forces holding a tactical nuclear weapons drill in the southern military district of the country - AFP Analysts said that the appearance of Putins two daughters did not mean that they were being groomed for power but did fit a pattern of promotion for the children of Kremlin insiders. Ksenia Shoigu, daughter of Putins loyal former defence minister, also took part in panel events at the forum and last month Putin promoted Dmitry Patrushev, son of former Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev, to become a deputy prime minister. The rise of the princess, children of representatives of the political elite has begun, said Yevgeny Minchenko, a political scientist whos worked with the Kremlin. Follow the latest updates below 12:40 PM BST Thats all for today Thank you for following our live coverage. The key developments were: Vladimir Putin has said Europe is defenceless against nukes and that his country has many more than the continent. The Ukrainian Ground Forces reported that soldiers from the 47th Mechanised Brigade are holding back at least three Russian combat brigades on the Pokrovsk front. The Ukrainian Ground Forces reported that soldiers from the 47th Mechanised Brigade are holding back at least three Russian combat brigades on the Pokrovsk front. Lord Cameron was the victim of a hoax video call and messages from someone claiming to be the former president of Ukraine, it has emerged. Ukrainian air defence and mobile drone hunters groups shot down nine out of 13 Russian drones over four regions of the country, the air force said on Saturday. 11:56 AM BST Ukrainian drones spotted over North Ossetia 11:43 AM BST Russia says not cutting off dialogue on nuclear arsenal Russia will keep dialogue lines open with nuclear powers, but will respond accordingly if the United States deploys more strategic nuclear weapons, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said. Her comments to state news agency RIA followed a statement from Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday that the country could make adjustments to its nuclear doctrine. That prompted a speech by a White House aide who said that the United States may have to deploy more strategic nuclear weapons in coming years to deter growing threats from Russia, China and other adversaries. We did not stop any dialogue with anyone. We did not cut ties. We did not, by the way, cut energy ties. We did not cut off dialogue platforms, Ms Zakharova said. We have always declared that even in the most difficult situations there is room for dialogue ... Therefore, there is no sense in calling us to dialogue, we have never refused it. Pranay Vaddi, the top US National Security Council arms control official, made his comments in a speech on a more competitive approach to arms control. 11:21 AM BST One Ukrainian brigade holds back three Russian brigades on Pokrovsk front The Ukrainian Ground Forces have reported that soldiers from the 47th Mechanised Brigade are holding back at least three Russian combat brigades on the Pokrovsk front. Here, the enemy is trying to advance into the depths of our territory. Soldiers of the 47th Mechanised Brigade are holding back at least three Russian combat brigades, the Ukrainian Ground Forces said. With huge reserves of manpower, the Russians quickly replenish their huge losses and throw [new soldiers] into battle again and again. The fighting does not cease for a moment. 10:52 AM BST Pictured: Aftermath of Lugansk attack Rescuers work at the site of a missile attack in Lugansk, Russian-controlled Ukraine - STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images A Ukrainian missile strike on the Russian-controlled city of Lugansk on June 7 ripped through a block of flats, killing four and injuring over 40, Russia-appointed officials said - STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images 10:35 AM BST Russia jails French citizen detained on charges of collecting military data A court in Moscow has ordered a French citizen accused of collecting information on military issues in Russia be held in jail pending investigation and trial. Laurent Vinatier was arrested in the Russian capital on Thursday as tensions have flared between Moscow and Paris following French president Emmanuel Macrons statements about the possibility of deploying the countrys troops in Ukraine. The authorities accused Mr Vinatier of failing to register as a foreign agent while collecting information about Russias military and military-technical activities, which could be used to the detriment of the countrys security. They did not provide details of the accusations beyond alleging that Mr Vinatier repeatedly travelled to Russia to collect this information. Under Russian law, it is a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison. The judge ordered Mr Vinatier to be remanded in pre-trial detention until Aug. 5. Vinatier is an adviser with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, a Geneva-based non governmental organisation, which said it was doing everything possible to assist our colleague Lauren. The charges against Mr Vinatier stem from a recently adopted law that requires anyone who collects information on military issues to register with authorities as a foreign agent. Human rights activists have criticised the law and other legislation adopted lately as part of a multi-pronged Kremlin crackdown on independent media and political activists intended to stifle criticism of its actions in Ukraine. 10:17 AM BST Russia destroys three Ukrainian drones over North Ossetia, local head says Russian air defence units destroyed three Ukrainian drones on Saturday in Russias town of Mozdok in the Republic of North OssetiaAlania, regional head Sergey Meniaylo said. It was the first drone attack on the region, Russian news agencies reported. Mr Meniaylo, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said that the attack had caused minor damage and fires, and that no one was injured. The drone was aimed to attack a military airfield, he added. 10:00 AM BST Listen: Russia opens new front in war on West 09:45 AM BST Lord Cameron victim of hoax call from former Ukrainian president By Nick Gutteridge, chief political correspondent Lord Cameron has been the victim of a hoax video call and messages from someone claiming to be the former president of Ukraine, it has emerged. The Government has made public what happened to stave off any attempts to manipulate video footage of the Foreign Secretary from the communications. A statement from the Foreign Office said a number of text messages were exchanged followed by a brief video call between the Foreign Secretary and someone purporting to be Petro Poroshenko, former president of Ukraine. Mr Poroshenko served as Ukrainian president between 2014 and 2019, and has remained a prominent figure in the country since leaving office. Lord Cameron is said to have become suspicious and terminated the call when the hoaxer asked for the contact details of fellow members of the Government. It is understood that the call took place in the last few days. The Telegraph understands that he was also keen to publicise the hoax to warn other of the risk. Read more 09:42 AM BST Ukrainian men abroad can now register for military service at foreign consulates Ukrainian conscripts and reservists living abroad for more than three months can now register for military service at foreign consulates, Ukraines Defense Ministry announced on June 7. Previously, military conscripts living abroad for more than three months needed to visit a military registration office inside Ukrainian territory. Ukraine has made steps to update the legal framework around conscription to ramp up mobilization over the past year, with Volodymyr Zelensky signing a new law on mobilization on April 16. 09:39 AM BST Ukraine air defence downs 9 out of 13 Russian drones over four regions Ukrainian air defence and mobile drone hunters groups shot down nine out of 13 Russian drones over four regions of the country, the air force said on Saturday. The Iranian-made Shahed drones were downed over the central Poltava region, southeastern Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions, and the Kharkiv region in the northeast, the statement said. One X-59 Russian missile launched from Russias Kursk region was also downed. Serhiy Lysak, Dnipropetrovsk regional governor, said the overnight drone attack damaged commercial and residential buildings and also a power line. Details of the damage in other regions were not immediately clear. Gavin Williamson may cash in votes that would have gone to a now-exited Reform rival - Geoff Pugh A Reform UK candidate who was due to contest Sir Gavin Williamsons seat has withdrawn from the race and endorsed the Conservatives. Tom Wellings had been confirmed to fight the new seat of Stone, Great Wryly and Penkridge in Staffordshire for the Right-wing party. But it has since emerged that, despite apparently submitting his nomination papers on Wednesday, he has withdrawn from the contest, saying he was concerned that his candidacy risked handing victory to Labour. According to a furious Richard Tice, the Reform chairman, Mr Wellings did so at the last minute without informing the party giving Sir Gavin, a former defence and education secretary, an easier path to victory. It means Reform which enjoyed a huge boost in profile last week with the return of Nigel Farage to front line politics looks set to fail in its ambition to field a candidate in every constituency. Reform is believed to be fielding 611 candidates, rather than the 630 it hoped for, with the deadline now having passed. In comments reported by The Mirror, Mr Wellings said: The polls indicate that Labour is close to winning the seat in our constituency. This is a matter of deep concern to me, and should be to anyone who supports the policies and agenda of Reform UK. Given the current political landscape, my continued candidacy risks splitting the vote, thereby increasing the chances of a Labour MP being elected. Therefore, I have decided to support Gavin Williamson, who has considerable experience in government. I am confident Gavin is well positioned to effectively challenge a Left-wing Labour government. However, Mr Tice accused the Conservatives of dirty tricks, telling The Mirror: Wellings put his papers in on Wednesday then in the last hour without telling us withdrew them. I am challenging Gavin Williamson to say whether money, jobs or a safe seat was offered to Wellings to do this. Sir Gavin told The Independent: This is certainly not the case, while a Conservative spokesman described the accusation as utter rubbish. There are fears at Conservative headquarters that some of the partys candidates might defect to Reform. Tom Hunt, the incumbent Conservative for Ipswich, put a message out on Friday suggesting he was sympathetic to Mr Farages party but would continue as a Tory. The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, being interviewed by Sky News about leaving the D-day commemoration event early. Photograph: Sky News Was this the week the wheels came off for Rishi Sunak? After two weeks of campaigning for a clear plan of bold action for a secure future the verdict in the polls is clear: voters dont like his clear plan, they dont want his bold actions, and they believe their future will be more secure without him. All of this was true even before the prime ministers calamitous Thursday afternoon decision to leave D-day commemorations early for a pre-recorded media interview. Make no mistake: the Conservatives are now staring down the barrel. Their campaign is failing on every front, with precious little time left. Voters are making their minds up, and what the prime minister offers is not what they want. A key theme of every recent Conservative campaign has been to build up the leader and sow doubts about their opponent. But a leader-focused approach only makes sense if voters like your leader, or at least prefer them to the alternative. The prime ministers three Tory predecessors all started their campaigns ahead, giving them an advantage to try to press home. Sunak has no such advantage. His leader approvals at the start of the campaign are among the worst ever recorded as bad as Jeremy Corbyn in 2019, or Gordon Brown in the depths of the financial crisis. His campaign trail choices have not improved things. Keir Starmer may not set hearts racing, but running against such an opponent he does not have to. Starmer began this campaign with the same leader ratings advantage as Tony Blair had over John Major in 1997. The campaign to date has not changed this picture, as Opiniums regular questions on leadership qualities confirm. Keir Starmer gets no stellar ratings, but he still outshines Rishi Sunaks dreadful ratings on every quality from being in touch to likability and competence. Governments can also run on their records. We see this in the Conservatives promotion of their bold actions on Covid furlough, energy prices, pensions and taxes on the campaign trail, and in debates. Framing a campaign around past successes can be a smart strategy when voters credit you for performing well. The problem for Sunak is that his partys reputation is now battered, and voters give his government poor marks across the board. The polling verdict on the outgoing government is damning. More than six in every 10 voters think the government has performed badly on every single issue except defence and security and Sunaks blunders last week will probably cloud that one remaining bright spot. Voters give the government even worse marks on the issues they care about most, with 80 or 90% giving them a fail grade on the issues that matter most to them. Other polling paints a similar picture more than four-fifths of voters polled by Ipsos last week are dissatisfied with the way the government is running the country (83%), and two-thirds do not think the Conservatives deserve to be re-elected (67%). Both of these figures are the highest recorded since Sunak took charge. The bad news doesnt stop there. In campaigns, established parties can typically lean into brand advantages, drawing on long-established strengths. Not this time. Sunaks Tories now trail Labour on every single issue in the most recent YouGov polling. Longstanding Tory advantages in areas such as immigration, crime and defence are gone, while Labour have opened up towering leads in traditional areas of strength such as health, education and housing. Crucially, Labour have opened up a lead on the economy, overturning an advantage the Conservatives held even in the 1997 landslide defeat. The legacy of Liz Truss cuts deep. If voters dont like the past, get them to look to the future. No wonder, then, that the Tory campaign has showered us with eyecatching new pledges and policies. While the new policies poll well in isolation, they havent changed the electoral weather. The problem once again is reputation. Voters who feel the government has failed on everything dont trust Sunak or his party to deliver anything new. A new restaurant can produce an eyecatching menu, but it wont succeed if the chef has health and safety violations and theres a fire in the kitchen. The Tory policy barrage was perhaps not expected to turn around fortunes across the board. The goal was narrower: win back disaffected Brexiters tempted by Reform UK. Announcements such as national service and the pensions triple lock plus were supposed to secure the right flank, even at the risk of further alienating moderate swing voters. Nigel Farage sent that strategy to the seabed on Monday when he returned as Reform UK leader. The Conservatives cannot hope to out-Farage Farage the Reform curious who distrust Rishi adore Nigel, who can trump any red meat offered by the Tory campaign with a bigger, juicier steak of his own. The Tories have wasted two precious weeks trying to see off a revolt on the right which is now all but guaranteed to hit them hard. Farage is certain to hurt the Conservatives. The only question is how badly. Related: Tax rises of 800 a year coming whoever wins UK election, thinktank finds Many of these disadvantages were baked in long ago. This was always going to be a campaign against the odds. Yet Sunak seems determined to make things worse with a campaign full of dubious claims and political pratfalls. This weeks Opinium poll for the Observer only adds to the bad news, with growing Labour leads on the biggest issues and more than half of voters saying the Tories had a bad week. Four in 10 of those polled said they thought it would be a good thing if the coming election entirely obliterated the Conservatives, as happened to their Canadian cousins in 1993, going from a majority to just two seats. Such voters may yet get their wish. Two weeks in, the dial has shifted from likely defeat to looming disaster. An electoral asteroid is streaking through the British atmosphere. Impact in the Tory heartlands is just weeks away. Brace, brace. Robert Ford is professor of political science at Manchester University and co-author of The British General Election of 2019 Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Spains hard-Left pile-on against Israel is a foretaste of dangerous things to come under a Labour government in Britain. Madrid is the latest capital to join South Africas obscene accusation of genocide at the International Court of Justice. This twisted charge comes straight out of the Soviet playbook which denounced the Jewish state for the same alleged crime in the 1970s. It is intended to taunt and vilify a country that was built to a large extent by survivors of an actual genocide, and is today fighting against a terrorist army whose very charter calls for the genocide of the Jews and the destruction of Israel. Indeed, Hamas demands the full and complete liberation of Palestine from the river to the sea, meaning the replacement of the State of Israel by an Islamic state. These words, often heard from the mouth of Yahya Sinwar, the terrorist leader who planned and led Hamass slaughter on October 7, were precisely echoed the other day by Spains deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz when she herself said from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. It is a sign of the depths to which Sanchezs government has descended that one of his ministers should be repeating such slogans. Here in Britain we can expect similar levels of depravity if Labour wins the election in July. The party manifesto is set to include recognising a Palestinian state, in the wake of Spains decision to do so along with other European governments. This has been hailed as vindication of its resistance. But what has Palestinian resistance entailed so far? The murder, torture, rape and abduction of Israelis. Just yesterday, Israeli hostages were freed in a reminder of Hamas brutality and vindication of Israels continued operations in Gaza. Labour recognition of a Palestinian state will achieve nothing whatsoever beyond mollifying anti-Israel voters and rewarding terrorism. It certainly wont bring any progress towards the two-state solution Starmer says he wants, something that can only be brought about by agreement between Israel and Hamas. But it will have immense costs. Contrary to any hope Starmer might have that appeasing Hamas in this way might lead to peace, it will in fact further embolden them to fight on, extending the bloodshed and reducing the prospects for any ceasefire negotiations, including the release of hostages. After all, why should Hamas make any concessions while the international community is piling the pressure on Israel to stop fighting? Labour might also be tempted to impose an arms embargo on Israel, something many of their MPs and supporters have long been baying for. In reality, that will have no practical effect as UK arms sales are minuscule. But together with Palestinian recognition, such measures will fracture relations between Britain and Israel and undermine our own defences. I know from my own experience in the intelligence world how many British lives have been saved by secret information passed to us by Israel. And our armed forces have benefited from vital equipment supplied by Israeli companies, including missiles, drones and tank defence systems. If we appease and reward the terrorist organisations, we will find ourselves facing the same debilitating constraints when we next have to fight such an enemy. If it succumbs, as it most probably will, to the anti-Israel venom of so many of its MPs, a Labour government is likely to do untold and lasting damage to our own national security. A Mexican girl at a migrant shelter at Agape Mundial. Photograph: Carlos Moreno/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock Every year, waves of people from around the world make their way to southern California to start a new life and find safe harbour. Along remote, isolated sections of the border between California and Mexico, many asylum seekers cross illegally, often fleeing violence or persecution in their home countries, and then surrender to border agents; migrant apprehensions in the San Diego region recently reached their highest level in decades. And the San Ysidro border checkpoint, connecting Tijuana and San Diego, represents the busiest land crossing in the western hemisphere. Asylum seekers and tens of thousands of citizens or visa holders pass northbound through the official port of entry every day. Now, in the wake of Joe Bidens executive order on immigration, which temporarily blocks the entry of most migrants who cross the US-Mexico border illegally such as through the California desert or mountains this bustling border region is filled with an ominous uncertainty. Migrant aid groups in the San Diego area are grappling with the abrupt changes, and are doubling down on efforts to educate migrants about their rights. Although the impact on legal ports of entry like San Ysidro may not be visible, some experts fear the rules wont deter people from making the dangerous journey to the US and crossing unlawfully through treacherous landscapes, and will instead sow confusion among an already vulnerable population. These restrictions on access to the asylum system and on asylum eligibility do not stop people, in the short and long term, from seeking protection in the United States, said Monika Langarica, a senior staff attorney with the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law. But they do cause a lot of confusion for people seeking asylum, and for the legal and humanitarian providers that serve them. Migrants waiting in shelters in Tijuana, for example, do not always have access to reliable information about their rights and about the current asylum process, Langarica said. Big changes to that process can very easily thrust them into the crosshairs of purveyors of disinformation, including smugglers and traffickers. In general, the new order allows for authorities to quickly remove most migrants who cross the border unlawfully at least during times when migrant apprehensions or encounters at the border are high. Certain types of asylum seekers, such as victims of severe trafficking and unaccompanied children, are exempt from the rule. Those who are ordered to be removed from the US could face a five-year ban on re-entering the country and potential criminal prosecution. Those measures went into effect on Wednesday, and will be in place until apprehensions at the southern border drop to a seven-day average of less than 1,500. Migrants can still seek to enter the country in a lawful way, officials have reiterated, specifically by scheduling an appointment at an official port of entry, such as San Ysidro, through a government app called CBP One. But the app has long been plagued by glitches, and migrants sometimes wait for months for an available appointment if they can get one at all. Experts worry that the new order could increase the backlog of people attempting to secure one of the coveted daily appointments through CBP One. Its devoid of due process, Langarica said, and its going to subject people to these rapid deportations. Forced to take desperate measures To combat misinformation, groups such as the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, a social justice law firm, are planning to meet directly with asylum seekers at shelters in Tijuana to inform them about the order. Immigrant Defenders has been giving know-your-rights presentations in shelters for years, said Margaret Cargioli, the organizations directing attorney of policy and advocacy. The law firm also represents asylum seekers in court based on a universal representation model, meaning that cases are taken as they come, rather than based on merit. But now, migrants who cross the border illegally might have a very small window of time before deportation, putting a strain on the few attorneys that handle those types of cases, Cargioli said. The firm was already getting calls on Friday from migrants seeking asylum who were affected by the order. People might think that [the journey] is easy, but its not easy at all. You play with your life Mujtaba, an Afghan migrant Desperate people are forced to take desperate measures to save their lives and the lives of their children, Cargioli said of migrants who will continue to make dangerous border crossings. And were going to see people who have valid asylum cases be removed, either to Mexico or their country of origin, because its not easy to prepare an asylum case within a few hours. There are still many unknowns about how the measures will impact every element of the complex asylum system. But after Bidens announcement, aid groups still had a job to do if not a bigger, and much more confusing, one. For Ruth Mendez, a volunteer with Immigrant Defenders, that job involved helping migrants who are dropped off at a San Diego trolley station a few miles north of the border, often without much information about where they are or where to go next. Scores of asylum seekers have been unloaded here since the citys migrant welcome center closed a few months ago. Mendez greeted a crowd of migrants at the station on Tuesday, giving them a rundown of important information: how far away the airport is, where they can exchange pesos to dollars, and simply what their current location is within the US. Many bewildered people, Mendez said, tell her that they need to get to California. I think about it like this: how would I want to be treated if Im arriving to a new country? Mendez said. Everythings a culture shock. Its unclear exactly how the order will affect street releases, like that of the migrants at the trolley station. For now, many asylum seekers on both sides of the border are trying to move forward with whatever piecemeal information they have. One man named Mujtaba, who is originally from Afghanistan and left to escape the Taliban, waited at the station on Tuesday, hoping to get a ride to the airport. He had just come from an immigration detention center and processing, he said. In the midst of the lengthy, perilous journey to the United States, Mujtaba, whose last name was withheld for safety reason, hadnt heard anything about Bidens order, which had been announced only hours before. He was just trying to put one foot in front of the other. Im very tired, he said. People might think that [the journey] is easy, but its not easy at all. Its very dangerous. You play with your life. Op-ed writer Jennifer Mathieu Blessington (center), an English teacher at Bellaire High School, protested May 25 outside Houston City Hall. Sharon Steinmann Writing this editorial feels like deja vu. In 2011, with six years of teaching experience in the Houston Independent School District under my belt, I penned an opinion piece for this newspaper about why I was leaving to work in a private school. Under then-Superintendent Terry Griers leadership, I felt micromanaged and disrespected, and I pleaded with my fellow Houstonians to listen to teachers. In 2016, shortly after Griers departure, and driven by a desire to serve children in the public system in which I live, I returned to HISD. For the past eight years Ive worked mostly quite happily as an English teacher at Bellaire High School. I regularly got to school well before the first bell to grade papers and craft lessons I loved to teach. I spent my summers writing letters of recommendation for my students sometimes upwards of 70. My pass rate on the AP Language exam was 30 percentage points higher than the global average. Im also a published novelist, and I brought my skills to the creative writing course I taught this past year. But sadly, Im leaving HISD again, this time for a neighboring district. Once again, its because I feel micromanaged and disrespected. And once again, the voices of teachers have been ignored. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As early as last summer, just a few weeks into Superintendent Mike Miles tenure a tenure triggered by a politically motivated state takeover of HISD and emboldened by a complicit board comprised of our fellow Houstonians teachers started voicing concerns about Miles plans for the district in community meetings and online. Those who remembered controversial administrations such as Griers sensed correctly that Miles plans for the district might make the past seem like summer camp. We were concerned because during Miles stint in Dallas, teacher turnover skyrocketed. We were frustrated that his chief academic officer had no classroom experience. We explained that Miles teacher observation protocols and prescribed (and sometimes error-ridden) lessons would limit our ability to best serve our students. We expressed frustration when we were written up for taking necessary sick days. We were angry when a District of Innovation committee was created without including a single teacher. On community Facebook groups that discussed Miles plans, other teachers and I expressed our concerns. While many Black and brown parents whose children would be immediately impacted by Miless agenda joined the fight early, too many well-resourced parents who thought their schools would never be touched told us that we should give the changes a chance. Some implied we were comfortable with low standards for children. The tone was often paternalistic at best, insulting at worst. In January, this newspapers editorial board pondered what sort of teachers the district could potentially lose under Miles, wondering if it was just the low-ambition desk sitters who would be leaving. Reading the piece, I wondered: If there were a potential exodus of doctors from the Texas Medical Center, would our first impulse be to assume the doctors leaving are incompetent? Or would we simply be concerned about what was happening at the Texas Medical Center? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Teachers are professionals, but over the course of my nearly two decades in the classroom, I have felt increasingly less like one. The nationwide teacher shortage suggests I am not alone. Desperate for high-stakes state test scores that serve as the only marker for success, administrators with little to no teaching experience regularly trot out shiny new methods that often strip successful teachers of autonomy. These methods promise a silver bullet for what are complex, difficult problems, and they take what at its best is an art form and reduce it to something soulless and factory-like. The worst part is that these methods rarely do more than produce a temporary, small bump in scores, not any real, sustainable growth. This administration has been especially egregious, approaching HISD as if it is a chain of fast-food restaurants that can be fixed with a better quality-control system. The problem is that the best teachers are French chefs, and they have no interest in working at a fast-food restaurant no matter how high the pay. Under Miles prescribed methods, I was forced to perform along with my students from a Miles-approved list of regimented strategies as an observer ticked off boxes. Ill never forget the young man in one of my classes who, upon the observers exit, said loudly, Finally! I can breathe! I understood how he felt. What matters is not a method but the person in the classroom. Everyone can remember their best teachers, as well as teachers who were terrible at their jobs. In teaching, the crucial factor is the teacher not a gimmick, a slide deck, a checklist or an office supply. When you deprofessionalize a profession, you risk losing your best. While many dedicated teachers are choosing to stay and fight, it seems to me that the majority of us who are leaving are among the strongest and most beloved. Many are veterans who continue to improve their practice, supporting the research that teachers effectiveness grows with their experience. But since veterans are often the most outspoken teachers, the cynical part of me wonders if pushing us out was the intention all along. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The growing number of critical speakers at monthly meetings of the board of managers suggests that the residents of Houston are not happy with Miles. Im grateful to every person who chooses to get involved in this fight, no matter their timing. But I cant help but think of the time lost to mobilize because not enough people listened to those of us on the front lines. As concerns about the future of HISD continue to grow, I can only say this: Teachers warned you. I hope that as this fight continues, teachers voices are finally listened to and believed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Tower of London is already dwarfed by the City skyline - Alexander Spatari/Moment RF The Tower of Londons official World Heritage status is under real threat, according to Historic England. The warning has come from the heritage watchdog in the wake of the City of London Corporations draft policies for tall buildings. Concerns have been raised over the draft City Plan 2040, which the watchdog said was unsound in its current form because of its wider heritage impacts. The consultation on the corporations guiding document to aid the development of the Square Mile will conclude on June 17. Concerns have been raised over the draft City Plan 2040 for expansion - DBOX/A DBOX for Eric Parry Architects It is not the first time that concerns have been raised as officials from the United Nations cultural heritage organisation (Unesco) took the decision to visit the site previously over fears it was being overshadowed by skyscrapers. Shravan Joshi, the chairman of the City of London planning and transportation committee, told the BBC the policies would have an impact in terms of supporting economic growth and celebrating heritage assets as they will shape future planning decisions. Historic England wrote: We believe that policies relating to tall buildings and the City Cluster in the draft plan represent a real threat to the World Heritage Site status of the Tower of London. The quantum of development proposed would result in severe harm to the significance of St Pauls Cathedral and the outstanding universal value of the Tower of London. In a submission seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), dated May 24, which is yet to be made public, Historic England said policies on offices and tall buildings were likely to severely harm assets such as St Pauls and the Tower of London. Unesco has long-standing fears that the Tower of London is being overshadowed by skyscrapers - Michael Foley / Alamy Stock Photo/ALAMY Historic England said there was a very serious inherent conflict and incompatibility between its aspirations for the historic environment and its target of adding 1.2 million sq m (13 million sq ft) of office floorspace. The watchdog underlined it wished to work with the City to find ways to accommodate growth while conserving the historic environment. A spokesman for Historic Royal Palaces, which manages the Tower of London, said it had raised similar concerns as Historic England. Mr Joshi said the aim of the plan takes a bespoke and exhaustive approach to tall buildings and heritage and recognises the exceptional significance of the World Heritage Site and the Cathedral. Historic England believes St Paul's is also being 'severely harmed' by the tall buildings policy - VV Shots/iStock Editorial The Plan will ensure development protects and celebrates all our heritage assets while continuing to support the economic growth of the capital, he added. In the City, growth and conservation combine to define what is unique about the Square Mile, and this is ultimately at the heart of the plan. The communities secretary will consider the plan when the consultation ends and it will also be looked at by an independent planning inspector. It is expected that the City of London Corporation will adopt the plan in 2025. A further response has been requested from the City of London along with the Historic Royal Palaces. Anders at a Nasa launch in 2004 - AP The former Apollo 8 astronaut who took the iconic Earthrise photograph in 1968 was killed in a plane crash on Friday. William Anders, a retired major-general in the US Air Force, died when the aircraft he was piloting alone plunged into the waters of the San Juan Islands in Washington state. He was 90. Mr Anders was onboard the first human spaceflight to reach the Moon and took one of the most famous photographs in history. His son, Greg Anders, a retired lieutenant-colonel in the US Air Force, said: The family is devastated. He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly. 'Earthrise' was credited with sparking an ecological movement - NASA William Anders has said the Earthrise photo was his most significant contribution to the space programme, given the ecological philosophical impact it had, along with making sure the Apollo 8 command module and service module worked. The photograph, the first colour image of Earth from space, is one of the most important photos in modern history for the way it changed how humans viewed the planet. The image is credited with sparking the global environmental movement for showing how delicate and isolated Earth appeared from space. Bill Nelson, Nasas administrator, said: Bill Anders offered to humanity among the deepest of gifts an astronaut can give. He traveled to the threshold of the Moon and helped all of us see something else: ourselves. He embodied the lessons and the purpose of exploration. We will miss him. Mark Kelly, the senator for Arizona who is also a retired Nasa astronaut, wrote on the social platform X: Bill Anders forever changed our perspective of our planet and ourselves with his famous Earthrise photo on Apollo 8. He inspired me and generations of astronauts and explorers. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Anders looks out from Apollo 8 in 1968 - NASA Emergency services were alerted at 11.40am local time (7.40pm BST) on Friday that an older-model plane crashed into the water and sank near the north end of Jones Island, San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter said. Only the pilot was on board the Beech A45 airplane at the time, according to the Federal Aviation Association. The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating the crash. William Anders said in an 1997 NASA oral history interview that he did not think the Apollo 8 mission was risk-free but there were important national, patriotic and exploration reasons for going ahead. He estimated there was about one in three chance that the crew would not make it back and the same chance the mission would be a success and the same chance that the mission would not start to begin with. He said he suspected Christopher Columbus sailed with worse odds. Anders, centre, with crew-mates Frank Borman, left, and James Lovell Jr celebrate Apollo 8's 25th anniversary in 1993 - AP He recounted how earth looked fragile and seemingly physically insignificant, yet was home. Wed been going backwards and upside down, didnt really see the Earth or the Sun, and when we rolled around and came around and saw the first Earthrise, he said. That certainly was, by far, the most impressive thing. To see this very delicate, colourful orb which to me looked like a Christmas tree ornament coming up over this very stark, ugly lunar landscape really contrasted. William Anders and his wife, Valerie, founded the Heritage Flight Museum in Washington state in 1996. It is now based at a regional airport in Burlington, and features 15 aircrafts, several antique military vehicles, a library and many artifacts donated by veterans, according to the museums website. Two of his sons helped him run it. The couple moved to Orcas Island, in the San Juan archipelago, in 1993, and kept a second home in their hometown of San Diego, according to a biography on the museums website. They had six children and 13 grandchildren. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James in New York on 11 October 2023. Photograph: Seth Wenig/AP New York state took novel legislative steps on Friday to limit childrens exposure to computer algorithmic social media feeds, passing two laws to protect children from addictive social media content and to protect their privacy. The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (Safe) for Kids Act requires social media companies to restrict addictive feeds on their platforms for users under 18 unless parental consent is granted, and prohibits companies from sending notifications regarding addictive feeds to minors from 12.00am to 6.00am. Related: New York governor to launch bill banning smartphones in schools The second law, the New York Child Data Protection Act, prohibits online sites from collecting, using, sharing or selling personal data of anyone under the age of 18, unless they receive informed consent or unless doing so is necessary for the purpose of the website. The laws authorize the state attorney general to impose civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. New York is leading the nation to protect our kids from addictive social media feeds and shield their personal data from predatory companies, Governor Kathy Hochul said, calling the legislation a historic step forward in our efforts to address the youth mental health crisis and create a safer digital environment for young people. Letitia James, the New York state attorney general, said that children are enduring a mental health crisis, and social media is fueling the fire and profiting from the epidemic. She added that she hoped other states would follow with legislation to protect children and put their mental health above big tech companies profits. Educators welcomed the move. Melinda Person, president of the New York state teachers union, said in a statement that educators see the harmful effects of social media on our kids every day, and this legislation is a tremendous first step toward ensuring these influences remain in their proper places. The Safe for Kids Act defines addictive feeds as those that are based on a users liked or followed content or other actions that the user may not be aware of, such as how long they look at a particular piece of media. These feeds make predictions about interests, mood, and other factors related to what is most likely to keep users engaged for as long as possible, creating a feed tailor-made to keep each user on the platform for longer periods, the law states. Since their adoption, addictive feeds have had a dramatic negative effect on children and teenagers, causing young users to spend more time on social media than they otherwise would, which has been tied to significantly higher rates of youth depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Comparable legislation protecting children from social media activities has been drawn up across the US on a shared belief that social media is contributing to increasing rates of mental illness among children. Connecticut, Vermont, Illinois, New Mexico, Maryland and Minnesota are all in the process of creating or updating parental-consent laws, with some requiring online platforms to conduct childrens safety assessments, make design changes to help kids avoid harmful material, and limit who can contact minors. Last year, 33 states sued Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, alleging it violated childrens privacy. A law passed in California to force social media companies to change website design changes is being contested in federal court. On a national level, lawmakers in Washington are moving at a glacial pace to draw up national standards. The Kids Online Safety Act (Kosa), introduced more than two years ago, reached 60 backers in the Senate earlier this year. But a number of human-rights groups oppose the legislation, underscoring ongoing divisions among experts, lawmakers and advocates over how to keep young people safe online. A one-size-fits-all approach to kids safety wont keep kids safe, Aliya Bhatia, a policy analyst at the Center for Democracy and Technology, told the Guardian in March. This bill still rests on the premise that there is consensus around the types of content and design features that cause harm. There isnt, and this belief will limit young people from exercising their agency and accessing the communities they need to online, Bhatia added. Prem M Trivedi, policy director at the Open Technology Institute, said that rather than protecting children, this could impact access to protected speech, causing a chilling effect for all users and incentivizing companies to filter content on topics that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. This is an emotionally fraught topic there are urgent online safety issues and awful things that happen to our children at the intersection of the online world and the offline world, Trivedi added. John Swinney has said former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has a huge contribution to make in the SNPs General Election campaign. Ms Sturgeon has kept a relatively low profile amid Police Scotlands Operation Branchform investigation, which saw her arrested and later released without charge as officers probe the spending of 600,000 of SNP funds. Her husband and former party chief executive Peter Murrell was charged with embezzlement as part of the probe. Former party treasurer and current MSP Colin Beattie was also arrested and released pending further investigation. Charges have not been brought against Ms Sturgeon or Mr Beattie, and Police Scotland say the investigation remains ongoing. In May, Ms Sturgeon was quizzed by journalists on why she had not yet joined her former deputy now First Minister to campaign for the party as part of the election. She announced a tentative campaign return, stating she would contribute in ways I think are helpful, and is set to endorse Glasgow South candidate, and former MP, Stewart McDonald later this month. Mr Swinney would not be drawn on why his former boss had not been seen alongside him on the campaign trail so far. The First Minister spoke as he visited the Reconnect Howden Park Centre where he met young performers. He told the PA news agency: I welcome very much Nicolas contribution to our election campaign. She is supporting a range of different candidates around the country and thats good. I work collaboratively and closely with Nicola, and welcome her participation in the campaign. I think Nicola has got a huge amount to contribute to the SNP and the cause of Scottish independence. The Scottish First Minister has previously acknowledged the challenging times facing the party following the investigation. In May, Ms Sturgeon said: I will be campaigning in the election from time to time, yes. Pressed on whether she will campaign alongside the First Minister, she added: John will have his own programme and I will campaign in ways that I think are helpful to candidates. Thousands call for immediate Gaza ceasefire during march in London Thousands of people have gathered along Whitehall for a protest in support of Palestine which called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Those who marched from Russell Square to Parliament included children, parents, elderly and the disabled. One speaker on stage estimated at least 150,000 people were there. Marching outside Downing Street, protesters waved flags and placards and chanted slogans including free, free Palestine and in our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians. Various speakers, including the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, gave speeches from a stage outside Parliament. Mr Zomlot said: I am running out of words not only to describe the horror we are witnessing every single day, I am running out of words to help me understand how world leaders, how mainstream media cannot see, cannot report, cannot act. People hold up placards (Jeff Moore/PA) I have questions. How do they sleep when they see the pictures of skeletal children shaking with fear? He added: I know I cant sleep, I know you cant sleep. Why are those pictures not on your front page every day? How do world leaders justify the starving of 2.3 million people? How do they justify support for a state that is forcing 2.3 million people into death? Thousands took part in the march (Jeff Moore/PA) Protesters could be heard chanting and clapping in agreement. He later said: Friends, I am angry, yes I am angry. I fear for my children. I rage, I rage at the world they will grow up in. But I also see hope I see hope in the unbroken spirit of our people in Gaza. The Metropolitan Police said the Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest and the static Enough is Enough counter-protest ended by 5pm and people had left the area. Four Israeli hostages taken by Hamas from a music festival during the group's October 7 terrorist attack were rescued alive Saturday during a raid on the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces, the security service Shin Bet, and the Israeli police announced in a joint statement. Noa Argamani, 26, along with 22-year-old Almog Meir Jan, 27-year-old Andrey Kozlov and 41-year-old Shlomi Ziv were all kidnapped at the Nova music festival. They were recovered after the IDF announced it was striking "terrorist infrastructure" in central Gaza. Noa Argamani is among four Israeli hostages that were rescued by Israeli forces from Gaza on Saturday, June 8 2024. / Credit: IDF Handout The joint statement said the hostages were rescued from two different locations during the operation, and that "their medical condition is normal." The Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said at least 274 Palestinians were killed and more than 400 injured in the operation. The Gaza ministry does not differentiate between fighters and civilians in its death tolls. Israeli officials acknowledged Palestinians casualties during the Gaza raid, but a spokesperson for the military put the figure at fewer than 100. Staff at Gaza's Al-Aqsa hospital were reportedly struggling to treat casualties. "Dozens of injured people are lying on the ground and medical teams are trying to save them with the simple medical capabilities they have," Gaza's health ministry said in a statement on social media. The freed Israelis were sent to the Tel Hashomer Sheba Medical Center for further medical examination, the joint statement said. Family members could be seen arriving at the hospital on Saturday to greet their loved ones. A hostage families forum said Argamani, Meir Jan and Ziv had marked birthdays in captivity. The army had earlier provided their ages when they were abducted. Freed Israeli hostage Shlomi Ziv is shown reuniting with his family after months in captivity in Gaze on June 8 2024. / Credit: IDF Handout Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel does not give in to terrorism and was operating "creatively and bravely" to rescue the hostages. "We will not let up until we complete the mission and return home all the hostages, both those alive and dead," Netanyahu said. "I followed the complex operation from the command and control center IDF, ISA and Special Forces operated with extraordinary courage under heavy fire, and succeeded in completing their mission," Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said after the announcement. "Israel's defense establishment will continue fighting until 120 hostages return home." "The heroic operation by the IDF that freed and brought home Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir Jan is a miraculous triumph," the Hostages Families Forum said in a statement. "Now, with the joy that is washing over Israel, the Israeli government must remember its commitment to bring back all 120 hostages still held by Hamas - the living for rehabilitation, the murdered for burial." Israeli hostage Andrei Kozlov, 27, disembarks with soldiers from an Israeli Air Force CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter which landed in the grounds of the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv on June 8, 2024, after his rescue by the Israeli army from captivity in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said its troops had rescued four Israeli hostages alive from Gaza after a IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that the four hostages were rescued by IDF soldiers from two separate buildings as part of a "high risk complex mission based on precise intelligence conducted in daylight." Hagari said the rescue took place "while under fire inside the buildings, under fire on the way out of Gaza," and that Israeli forces had been preparing for the mission for weeks. "They underwent intensive training. They risked the lives to save the lives of our hostages. This is what we do in Israel," Hagari said. Eyewitnesses in Gaza told CBS News that Israeli forces were disguised in civilian clothing before the raid, but were then discovered and violent clashes took place. Further Israeli forces then intervened by land, air and sea, bombing the area and killing and injuring a large number of civilians. The bodies of 109 Palestinians including 23 children and 11 women were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where spokesperson Khalil Degran told The Associated Press more than 100 wounded also arrived. He said that overall, 210 dead had been taken there and to Al-Awda Hospital, saying he had spoken to the director there. Al-Awda's numbers couldn't immediately be confirmed. One IDF fighter, Commander Arnon Zamora, was killed during the hostage rescue, Israeli police said in a statement on social media. Over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking some 250 people hostage. Egypt condemned "with the strongest terms" Israel's attacks on the Nuseirat refugee camp, with its foreign ministry calling it a "flagrant violation of all rules of international law." The United States provided support to the successful Israeli security forces raid, two U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News. The U.S. military did not participate in the operation, a U.S. official said. "We won't stop working until all the hostages come home and a cease-fire is reached," President Biden said on Saturday during a visit to Paris. In a statement Saturday evening, the State Department said it welcomed "the rescue of four hostages who after eight months of captivity have finally been reunited with their families in Israel. The United States will not rest until every hostage is returned home." The statement also referenced a cease-fire deal publicly outlined by Mr. Biden last week, saying that "the only thing standing in the way of achieving this ceasefire is Hamas. It is time for them to accept the deal." Marwan Al-Ghoul contributed to this report. D-Day: Eisenhower and the paratroopers' key to success Julia Louis-Dreyfus on "Tuesday," podcast "Wiser Than Me" Lionel Richie on the making of "We Are the World" Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked by a man, who has since been arrested, in the capital city of Copenhagen on Friday, her office said in a statement to CNN. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was hit by a man Friday evening on Kultorvet [public square] in Copenhagen. The man was subsequently arrested, the prime ministers office said. It added that Frederiksen is shocked by the incident and there was no further comment. It is unclear if the prime minister was hurt in the assault. Danish Minister of Environment Magnus Heunicke called for national unity after the attack, saying everyone has a responsibility to look after each other regardless of political disagreements, election campaigns. Something like this must not happen in our beautiful, safe and free country, he said on X. This is ugly and unacceptable. Lets show that Denmark is much better. European politicians expressed shock in the aftermath of the attack. Deeply shocked by the outrageous attack on my colleague and friend, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina said in a post on X. All our thoughts are with you and your loved ones. Wishing you a speedy recovery, she added. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack, calling it a despicable act, which goes against everything we believe in and fight for in Europe. She went on to wish the prime minister strength and courage, saying she has plenty of both. Denmark is due to vote in the European Union elections on Sunday. Frederiksen, the leader of Denmarks center-left Socialist Democratic party, has served as prime minister since 2019. Her attack comes weeks after Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and wounded in what was the first major assassination attempt on a European political leader for more than 20 years. Political analysts and lawmakers said at the time that exposed an increasingly febrile and polarized political climate both in Slovakia and across Europe. This story has been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com China hopes U.S. will do something concrete for Africa's development: spokesperson Xinhua) 10:56, June 08, 2024 BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) -- China hopes the United States will contribute real money to and do something concrete for the development and revitalization of Africa, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday. Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on U.S. President Joe Biden's negative comments on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Mao said the people of the BRI participating countries have the best say on the initiative. China has signed in excess of 200 Belt and Road cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations since the initiative was put forward over a decade ago. She noted that Belt and Road cooperation has brought tangible benefits to the people of participating countries and has been widely welcomed by the international community. Africa is one of the regions actively participating in the Belt and Road cooperation, Mao said. Thanks to the Belt and Road, many African countries have built their first highways, first sea bridges and first industrial parks, and Africa has seen the construction of its first disease control center with complete facilities, covering the whole continent, she added. "It is easy to criticize others in doing something, but the hard part is doing it better than others," Mao said. "We hope the United States will contribute real money to and do something concrete for the development and revitalization of Africa," Mao said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chaolan) Microsoft's controversial "Recall" feature will be an optional tool as safety and security concerns rise against its latest AI-powered feature. Microsoft announced that it is setting its Copilot+ PCs build for Windows 11 as an opt-in feature "to give people a clearer choice" on their device's safety and security. Microsoft reiterated that all screenshots recorded by the Copilot AI will be "stored locally" and will not be shared to any internet or cloud connections. A blog post from Google Project Zero safety researcher James Forshaw, however, indicated that the feature can be exploited to access people's computers even without administrative access. According to Forshaw, hackers can easily access all screenshots and personal data the "Recall" AI has recorded just by rewriting a few program files. This was after several security experts and Windows users called the feature "spyware" that can record everything "you have seen or done on your PC." Microsoft Still Wants People to Use its Copilot 'Recall' Feature While Microsoft will be allowing users to disable the feature, the tech giant is driving up the purpose of its "Recall" feature to make people choose to activate it. In the same blog post, Microsoft said that the Windows Hello feature, its latest system-wide log-in feature, will require the "Recall" feature to be enabled. The Windows OS developer claimed it added new decryption protection layers to protect users better when providing their account details and biometrics. The Microsoft Pluton security processor will also be enabled as default when people use the Copilot+ PCs system. This is after Microsoft published an article telling people that its Pluton processor really is a "trusted platform module." Microsoft to Prioritize Device Safety Amid Multiple Cyberattacks Microsoft's prioritization towards customer concerns on its product's security features followed after CEO Satya Nadella told employees to put cybersecurity measures at "No. 1 priority." This is amid growing federal scrutiny on the tech giant following a couple of major data breaches that resulted in Microsoft's source code being accessed. Microsoft claimed that the cyberattacks have only affected corporate data, not customer and product partners' private information. A week after a New York jury found former President Trump guilty of falsifying business records, Democrats are torn over whether the conviction will help President Biden in November. Trumps campaign announced a $35 million fundraising haul after the guilty verdict and more than $140 million raised in May. Establishment Republicans like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) are coming to his defense, supercharging the GOP support for him. Biden and his party are trying to use the conviction to rally Democrats and turn voters against Trump. Biden himself tested out calling Trump a convicted felon this week. But in what is expected to be a tight race that may be decided on the margins, Democrats arent sure the first ever conviction of a former president on criminal charges is a massive win for Biden. I think the prevailing view is it is an extremely close election and the conviction, while not a game changer, helps on the margins with a small group of voters, said Steve Elmendorf, a Democratic lobbyist and donor. It may temporarily juice enthusiasm on Trump side but doesnt gain any new voters for him. The New York jury found Trump guilty on all counts of falsifying business records to conceal alleged affairs during his 2016 campaign. When asked by ABCs David Muir on Thursday how important he thinks the conviction will be in the election, Biden said thats for the public to decide. The president called Trump a convicted felon at a fundraiser in Connecticut, and his campaign has blasted out emails and fundraising requests with the same label. Look, folks, this campaign has entered uncharted territory. Last week, for the first time in American history, a former president is convicted a convicted felon. Hes now seeking the office of the presidency, Biden told donors. Some though are skeptical the efforts will work given Trumps ability to deflect controversy and scandal. It seems intentional to call him a convicted felon, theres a stigma attached to it, sure. But, hows that any different from the stigma attached to Trump since the 1980s? American made their deal with Trump in 2016, warts and all. The question is whether theyll give him a chance again, one former Biden campaign aide told The Hill. Polling this week has found Trumps support remaining steady in the aftermath of his convictions. A poll Thursday from Emerson College showed his support among registered voters stayed at 46 percent, identical to where it was in April. The poll also found that a quarter of voters said the conviction means theyre more likely to support Trump. A New York Times/Siena College recontact poll showed Trumps lead over Biden taking a dip, with a group of voters before the verdict favoring him over Biden by 3 percent and only by 1 percent after the verdict. Polls show that there has been some movement away from Trump in the week following the trial. Whether this is a turning point in the race remains to be seen, said Jim Kessler, executive vice president for policy at Third Way. A source familiar with the Biden campaigns thinking said, its going to be close and its going to be decided on the issues at the ballot box between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, convicted felon or not. Biden is separately dealing with his son Hunter Bidens trial on gun charges, another potential factor in the election. The president reiterated this week that he wont pardon his son and he would accept the outcome of the trial, setting a contrast to Trump, who has claimed his trial was rigged. Biden has said it is irresponsible for Trump to say the trial was rigged. He also told ABC that Trump should stop undermining the rule of law, stop undermining institutions. All the MAGA Republicans are coming out saying this was a fix, this was a curated that this was a good judge that set up to get Trump. Theres no evidence of any of that. None, Biden said, adding that the verdict should be respected. Bidens message seems to resonate with independents, a critical voting block for both sides. The majority of independents in a recent CBS News/YouGov poll said Trump received a fair trial, aligning with Biden. Some point to Trumps conviction as a clear hit against him as a candidate, arguing that can only help Biden in the long run. Everyone knows this is going to be a razor-thin race, but being the candidate who isnt a convicted felon 34 times over with more criminal indictments hanging over his head is certainly helpful, to say the least, one former White House staffer told The Hill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 took to Truth Social to call for a mistrial - RICK SCUTERI/AP Donald Trump has signalled he would seek a mistrial after the judge overseeing his hush money trial alerted his lawyers to an online post by someone claiming to have had advance knowledge of the jurys verdict. Justice Juan Merchan, who presided over the case in New York, informed prosecutors and Trumps lawyers on Friday about the existence of a post on the courts Facebook page written by someone who claimed to be a relative of a juror. The court has since become aware of a comment left on its Facebook page by someone purporting to be a relative of a juror, Justice Merchan said in a letter on Friday. Michael Anderson said, in response to something unrelated the court had posted on May 29: My cousin is a juror and says Trump is getting convicted. Thank you folks for all your hard work!!!! On May 30, Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in a unanimous jury verdict, making him the first former president to be criminally convicted. MISTRIAL!!! Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform shortly after his team and the prosecution received Justice Merchans letter. Donald Trump could order the judge to interview each juror individually in the wake of a potential leak - MARK PETERSON/REUTERS The Republican is subject to a gag order, which bars him from attacking the jury or witnesses in the case, which likely prevented him from making a more specific comment. Trump complained about the order during his trial, and his lawyers are attempting to have it lifted. The move is being opposed by prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorneys office. Screenshots posted online of Mr Andersons Facebook account show he refers to himself as a professional s--- poster. The term is similar to that of a troll, and refers to someone who deliberately makes provocative claims online. The person behind the account is also an active member of a Facebook group for Trump supporters who routinely posts anti-Biden and pro-Trump memes, according to the Washington Post. Both the comment and account have since been deleted, meaning The Telegraph has been unable to independently verify either claim. Sabrina Shroff, a veteran New York defence lawyer, told The Telegraph that Trumps legal team could ask the judge to push back his sentencing hearing in July to investigate the claim. If I were the lawyer I would send my investigator to the commentator. Then Id evaluate the credibility of the commentator and then try and find the juror, she said. I would interview the juror, try and get an affidavit from the juror, and then follow the motion for a new trial. Then I would check, if at all possible, if any other juror had commented directly or indirectly about my client or his trial. Supporters of the former president were quick to leap on the news, arguing it supported Trumps repeated claims that he was the victim of a rigged trial coordinated by the White House. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Georgia congresswoman and Republican firebrand, said: If true, this is even further proof president Trump never had a chance of being innocent. It was a sham trial from the beginning and the guilty verdict came down from the Deep State and the Big Guy. Mike Lee, a Republican senator from Utah, wrote on Twitter: Mistrial fodder. Justice Juan Merchan informed prosecutors and Trump's lawyers on Friday about the post - SETH WENIG/AP Justice Merchan did not state in his letter whether Mr Andersons claim was being investigated or whether officials suspect any wrongdoing. Elie Honig, a legal analyst with broadcaster CNN, suggested Justice Merchan was simply being extra careful and that theres a long way though between this and any impact on the case. While the Facebook post is being treated with scepticism by most sections of US media, Donald Trumps legal team could push for an investigation. The former president could demand that Justice Merchan question the jurors individually to establish whether they were swayed by outside influence, or violated his order not to discuss deliberations outside the jury room. It may potentially push back the date of Trumps sentencing, which had been scheduled for July 11. He faces up to four years in prison if found guilty. An official with the Trump campaign told Fox News they were investigating the matter. The campaign has been independently approached for comment by The Telegraph. Todd Blanche, the lead lawyer on Trumps defence team, has also been approached for comment. Al Baker, a spokesman for New Yorks office of court administration, said that as appropriate, the Court informed the parties once it learned of this online content. At a rally on Friday in Arizona, a swing state in the forthcoming presidential election, Trump repeated claims that his trial was an act of political persecution by Joe Biden, the US President. Those appellate courts have to step up and straighten things out or were not going to have a country anymore, he told the crowd. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. An LGBTQ+ publication in Philadelphia has claimed the record for the largest attendance at a drag queen story time reading, according to Guinness World Records. Drag queens read books to 263 people at the citys National Constitution Center last Saturday during an event hosted by the Philadelphia Gay News and sponsored by tourism agency Visit Philadelphia, according to Guinness and the organizers. Considering the fact that there are so many negative pieces of legislation in various states, primarily against the trans community and drag community, we thought it was very important that Philadelphia showed (it) is quite different than all those other places, said Mark Segal, founder and publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News. I was thinking all the time, Here we are, doing this incredible record-breaking act and is exactly what America is all about: the pursuit of happiness, added Segal, an activist for LGBTQ+ rights who participated in the 1969 Stonewall riots. Adults and children who gathered on the first day of Pride Month at the event listened to several performers who read Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintick, Elmer by David McKee, The Family Book by Todd Parr and Kevin the Unicorn: Its Not All Rainbows by Jessika von Innerebner, organizers said. Brittany Lynn, an activist and performer who has led and organized a drag queen story time program in the city for nearly a decade, read Hello, Philadelphia! by Martha Day Zschock. Lynn said the books were curated to center around themes of love, diversity and acceptance. Our goal is to give the kids the fun of learning to read and make literacy fun. Thats our mission. People get it all twisted when they see drag queens reading (to) the kids but if they actually came to drag queen story time and saw what we were all about, I feel like there wouldnt be any animosity, Lynn said. A spokesperson for Visit Philadelphia said the event warranted additional safety precautions due to the events nature and the warnings issued by the federal government about LGBTQ+ events. Those precautions included careful consideration for when and how to promote the event, they said. Last month, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security issued a warning foreign terrorist organizations and their supporters may target LGBTQ+ events and venues as Pride Month approached, CNN previously reported. As hundreds of people waited for the drag performers to start reading, Lynn said it appeared they were 10 people short of the record and went through the story time not knowing what would happen. The confirmation didnt come until the last performer was reading their story. I think that the audience was just as excited as we were. You could hear the children clapping, and everybody was so proud that we did this, not just the girls that were in the show, not just us as performers but the entire audience. Everybody that worked so hard to make this happen. It was a shared moment that we all had collectively together, said Lynn of the moment when the performers stood on stage holding the Guinness certificate. For Segal, one of the organizers, the record proved to the world nothing can stop their pride. We came together anyway. We said in the face of adversity, we are here, we are visible, and that made me very, very proud. Now, my community, I would say, we stand against any type of violence, and we will be visible. You cant bully us, Segal said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A dangerous heat wave is expanding into new areas of the West and lingering in others Friday, bringing with it record-breaking temperatures and a serious risk of heat-related illness. The searing heat has already taken its toll. Since last weekend, multiple people in different parts of the US have died or have been hospitalized due to heat-related illnesses. The worst of the heat peaked Thursday for much of California and the Southwest, but unseasonably hot conditions will stick around in these areas and expand into the Pacific Northwest at least through the weekend. Heat alerts are in effect for more than 16 million people in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. Most will last through Friday but alerts in Las Vegas and Death Valley, California, last into Saturday. Several notable temperature records were broken Thursday in California, Arizona and Nevada. In California, a high of 122 degrees in Death Valley broke a daily record set in 1996. And in Fresno, a 121-year-old record was tied Thursday when the city maxed out at 107 degrees. Phoenix recorded its first high of 110 degrees or more this year when thermometers topped out at a daily record-setting 113 degrees Thursday. Las Vegas soared to 111 degrees Thursday, the earliest in the year the city has reached the mark, breaking the daily record of 110 degrees set in 2010. Several people across US have died from heat-related illnesses Six people believed to be migrants have died because of the heat in the past week along the US-Mexico border from southwestern Texas to New Mexico, according to US Border Patrol and the Sunland Park, New Mexico, fire department. Four people died from heat stroke and dehydration while triple-digit temperatures baked the area last weekend, the US Border Patrol, El Paso Sector said. Two more people were discovered in a desert area about six miles from the border in Sunland Park and were pronounced dead Wednesday, Sunland Park fire chief Daniel Medrano told CNN. Sunland Park is around 10 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas, along the New Mexico-Mexico border. Excessive heat is the leading weather related killer in the US, according to the National Weather Service. This is especially true in the urban centers, where population density, the urban heat island, and building construction exacerbate the effects of excessive heat, the weather service says. A combination of high heat and humidity can lead to heat related illness, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. In the East, a 59-year-old man died of heat-related complications in Prince Georges County, Maryland, officials said Wednesday. Additional details about the mans death, which was the states first heat-related death of the year, were not released. Heat proved challenging for firefighters battling a blaze in Californias Napa County Wednesday. Four firefighters were sent to area hospitals for injuries related to difficult terrain and hot summer conditions, according to CAL Fires Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit. All four are expected to make full recoveries. Phoenix emergency responders on Thursday say they hospitalized 11 people due to heat exhaustion while they were attending a Donald Trump rally at the Dream City Church. With the risk of heat-related illnesses increasing for millions across the country, officials in several states are trying to keep residents safe during the smoldering heat. In California, cooling centers have been set up for those affected by triple-digit heat. As Texas contends with both severe storms and excessive heat, a state disaster declaration remains active. Hazardous heat expected into weekend Heat will continue through the weekend before easing off a bit early next week. However, many typically hot areas in the West will still have to contend with temperatures up to 10 degrees above normal and warm nighttime lows will make it difficult for those vulnerable to extreme conditions to be able to cool off. The Las Vegas metro area is at extreme risk from the heat through Saturday, according to a scale from the National Weather Service that gauges heats potential impact on peoples health. The highest level on the heat risk scale means residents without enough cooling and hydration will be impacted, and impacts are likely in most health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure. Several more large metro areas in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas will face a major Level 3 of 4 heat risk. Summerlike heat will expand north and east Friday and reach the Northwest and parts of the Rockies. Records could be broken in parts of Oregon, Washington and Idaho from Friday through the weekend. While it wont be record-breaking, Seattle could come close to 80 degrees on Saturday, 10 degrees warmer than whats typical for early June. CNNs Mary Gilbert, Andy Rose and Joe Sutton contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A version of this story appeared in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. Theodore Roosevelt carefully crafted his image of rugged manliness. The wealthy heir became a Badlands cowboy and a volunteer Rough Rider and war hero. A populist and a reformer as president, Roosevelt enjoyed incredible popularity during his lifetime and he nearly remade the American political system when, frustrated by the direction of the Republican Party after his presidency, he splintered off as a third-party candidate and nearly won election as a Progressive Bull Moose in 1912. But that image is not complete, according to The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women Who Created a President, a new biography by Edward OKeefe, CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, which is constructing a new Roosevelt library in the Badlands of North Dakota. OKeefe is also a former colleague at CNN. The book argues that the women in Roosevelts life do not get the historical attention they deserve, something OKeefe proves with detailed research and engaging writing. I talked to OKeefe about the book and how Roosevelt and his definition of masculinity relate to today. Our conversation by phone, edited for length, is below: Col. Roosevelt of the Rough Riders in 1898. - Buyenlarge/Getty Images Notoriously masculine, but the product of unsung women WOLF: Your book is about the women behind the most notoriously masculine president. What were you trying to do here? OKEEFE: The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt argues that the most masculine president in the American memory is actually the product of unsung and extraordinary women. Theodore Roosevelt is chiseled in marble on Mount Rushmore, and the myth is that everything he did in his incredibly successful personal and political life was the product of his own will. That is true, but it also isnt the full story. His two sisters, Bamie (Anna) and Conie (Corinne); his two wives, Alice and Edith; and his mother Mittie (Martha) were an integral part of his success, and their stories have been almost entirely lost to history. Theodore Roosevelt with his second wife, Edith Carow Roosevelt, and his first five children in the mid-1890s. - FPG/Getty Images Frequently absent at times of emotional difficulty WOLF: That theme shines through that these women propped up this most famous of American men. But much of his life is built around leaving them. He was not there when his first wife gave birth. He left his second wife, who was critically ill, to go off with the Rough Riders. Hes on safari. Hes in the Badlands. Hes very absent. How do you reconcile that fact with the larger theme of the book? OKEEFE: Im so glad you noticed that. I had this fascinating conversation with Connie Roosevelt, who is the wife of Theodore Roosevelt IV (Teddys great-grandson). The first time I met her in 2019, we were at a fundraiser for the National Parks Conservation Association, and I had just started to work on the research for what would become The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt. And I said to Connie almost exactly as youre saying, that there is this pattern that Theodore Roosevelt is absent. He leaves in a lot of emotionally difficult circumstances. And she chuckled and said, When the going gets tough, the tough go hunting, which is a line that I do use in the book. Theodore Roosevelt, who is known for willing himself through physical pain that resilience of a cowboy and a rancher would really wilt when it came to emotionally difficult circumstances. He basically abandoned his daughter for the better part of three years, offered to give his daughter to his sister and have Bamie, his elder sister, raise her. He later said of his exploits in Cuba that he would have left his wifes deathbed to be there, and thats not an exaggerated statement. I think that the women in his life understood that they needed to be the support system, especially emotionally, that he didnt always have the capacity to have. I think if theres one surprising thing in The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt, in addition to the argument that TR is actually the product of women, its that hes an incredibly emotional person, as much as hes caricatured in history. I love Robin Williams and the depiction in Night at the Museum, but thats a cartoon of Theodore Roosevelt. Its easy to caricature him with the big smile and teeth and the hat and the cowboy, but hes a very sensitive, emotional person who feels very deeply. I think its what allowed him to empathize with people. Its what allowed him to connect with people. Thats all, by the way, a direct result of the influence of his mother, Mittie, whos been completely written off in history. Theodore Roosevelt stands over a rhino he shot while on safari in Africa. Roosevelt went on safari and an extended tour of Africa and Europe immediately after leaving the presidency in 1909. - Library of Congress/Corbis/Getty Images How a wealthy person became a populist leader WOLF: The gender inequality of the day is a major takeaway from this book. But also the general inequality. Roosevelt was born into fabulous wealth. These are people that take monthslong trips to Europe when hes a child. He is never not wealthy. But then he escapes that perception to become this populist leader. When inequality is such a big issue today, how do you view his rise from that perspective? OKEEFE: Theodore Roosevelt is not a Horatio Alger story. He does not rise from humble beginnings to find his way to the upper echelons of power and wealth in America. Interestingly, the expectation in the Victorian and Gilded Age was that those with the greatest amount in society owed very little back to the people. Theodore Roosevelt, like his distant cousin Franklin Roosevelt, was considered a traitor to his class. It was very unusual for someone of his status and wealth to run for office. Politics was seen as a dirty business, something that the middle and lower classes, that the immigrant class would be interested in, because why would you need the power of the vote? You have wealth. You have influence. I think some of that is due to the influence of his parents, Mittie and Thee (Theodore Sr.), a Southerner and a Northerner, who were able to disagree without being disagreeable over one of the most contentious issues in American memory, the Civil War. He saw them come together as a family and be interested in the unity of their family as well as the country. He did have a noblesse oblige. He did feel that to whom much is given, much is required. And I think that experience out in the Badlands of North Dakota where it didnt matter if you were wealthy; you were expected to work equally with the person alongside you. A horse in a roundup doesnt much care if youre from the East Side of Manhattan youre either gonna survive and do the work or youre not gonna make it. Connecting Roosevelt to Biden WOLF: The most gripping part of the book is your description of the circumstances around his first wife dying in childbirth and his mother dying in the same house on the same day. I was trying to quantify that level of tragedy, and the first thing that popped to my mind was the current president, Joe Biden, who lost his wife and his daughter just after he was first elected to the Senate. I wonder if you also made that connection. OKEEFE: Absolutely. Loss which no one ever hopes to experience is often the crucible of an individuals life. In Theodores circumstance, it was his mother, Mittie, after his fathers death, that said, we need to live for the living, not for the dead that you would dishonor the memory of those who are gone if you did not live a life of purpose. I think thats very similar to President Bidens circumstances, absolutely. You know, he took the seat in the Senate that then, of course, he held for 36 years, in part because it would be a dishonor to the memory of his wife and daughter if he didnt. Loss and happenstance, fate and serendipity play such an incredible role in American history. You have to look at these moments, these crucible moments, as the turning points of not just these individual political lives but how they intertwine with the fate of the nation. A new focus on 21st-century masculinity WOLF: Theres been a rise recently, particularly on the American political right, of men trying to reassert masculinity. Josh Hawley, the Missouri senator who wrote a book about Roosevelt, more recently has a book called Manhood, for instance. What do you think Roosevelt would make of that trend? OKEEFE: Its exactly what he was experiencing at his time. When Roosevelt was born in 1858, theres no electricity, theres no cars, theres no airplanes, theres no submarines. He will be the first president to go up on an airplane, to ride a car, to travel abroad while president, to go in a submarine. Everything changes, right? The society is shifting from agrarian to industrial. The technology that is coming in this age is disrupting how people feel about their sense of self and connection and community. Theres an immigration wave in the country that, in the view of many, is changing what the definition of what an American is, and theres a fierce debate about whether were an isolationist country, or were going to be a global power. Does any of this sound familiar? This all intersects with masculinity and gender roles, right? There are constant themes of masculinity. How to be a man. What does it mean to be a man. What do you have to physically do in order to show that youre a man. Hell project the quintessential ideal of manhood in societys expectations at the turn of the 20th century. But what Im showing in The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt is that he too had this incredible emotional, soft side that it was women, who were constrained by the age, working with him to achieve his goals. To your question about what is happening now, people trying to understand gender roles, masculinity, manhood instead of looking at it as a continuum, trying to sort of define it as one or the other, to me, it sounds very much like something Ive heard before, if you pay attention to history. The duality of Roosevelt in the killing of a dog WOLF: Theres a moment in the book when Roosevelt has just had a falling-out with Edith, his childhood sweetheart, who would later become his second wife. Hes riding his horse home and, in a moment of pique, shoots a neighbors dog. As I was reading that passage, I immediately thought of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who has faced serious backlash for writing in her memoir about shooting a family dog who was unruly. Obviously, the 19th century was a different time, but I wondered if you thought of Roosevelt when you read about Noem, a Dakota lawmaker. Is she not just living the strenuous life? OKEEFE: Theres a stark difference between a family pet, as described by the governor of South Dakota, and an animal running in the Oyster Bay woods (in New York) that was owned by a neighbor. But this is the duality of Theodore Roosevelt. If you go out to Sagamore Hill (Roosevelts home), to this day, one of the most touching parts is the pet cemetery, where theyve got the graves of all the different, many beloved animals that they had. The Roosevelts had a menagerie, a veritable zoo at the White House Josiah the badger and Emily Spinach, the snake whom Alice (his daughter, who was named for her mother) named because she didnt like her aunt, Emily, and she didnt like spinach, so her snake must be Emily Spinach; Algonquin, the pony who was taken up to the second floor of the White House. They had so many dogs in their home, both in Sagamore and in the White House, that the pet cemetery is filled with the names of these beloved family pets. So its incongruous with Theodore Roosevelts attitude about pets and animals, but yes, it is true that after he broke up with Edith, he was so angry that he did indeed shoot a dog on a horseback ride through the woods around Oyster Bay. An unusual parallel, perhaps, to todays stories. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Threat actors are looking for vulnerabilities to find a way into systems, accounts, and more, and it looks like they found one on TikTok. However, the company claims that the flaw has already been fixed, although it has released very little information about the issue. TikTok Vulnerability: Fixed Users have always been advised to be careful what messages they open as well as the links they click on. This can lead to them acquiring malware or losing access to their accounts, and that's what happened to several high-profile accounts on TikTok. The company said that the issue had already been fixed, although it did not disclose how many accounts were affected by it. In addition to that, a TikTok spokesperson said that they are already working on the recovery of the hacked accounts. For now, the only known impacted accounts were the ones used by CNN and Paris Hilton, as reported by Engadget. Luckily, there were no obvious changes made in the account ever since it was taken over by the threat actors. While that serves as good news, it leaves the question of why the hackers breached the account in the first place. The way the attacks worked is rather concerning, but TikTok remains silent about specifics regarding the cyberattack. The way it worked is that the accounts received a message from the bad actor. The terrifying part, the users won't even have to click on anything else. Since it was a zero-click attack, all they had to do was open the message and their account would automatically be infected. This has been used by hackers to access the accounts of other targets like high-profile government officials and journalists, although the obvious purpose for those is to gather information. It may be the case for the recent attacks as well. Read Also : TikTok Denies Data Breach Despite Hackers Leaking User Data, Source Code 700,000 Accounts Hacked in 2023 This isn't the first time that the short-form video site saw a surge in cyberattacks. Back in 2023, up to 700,000 accounts of users in Turkey were breached just before the presidential election in the country. The hack allowed bad actors to gain control as well as gather information about the users. The attack was reportedly made possible due to the site's practice of "greyrouting," which is sending SMS text messages through unsecured channels to avoid fees implemented by international telecommunications agreements, as per Forbes. Although it does save TikTok millions in costs each month and avoids guardrails such as rate limits, it does weaken the security that users can have. TikTok has confirmed the attack, although it denied previous attacks such as the one that took place in September 2022. TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek said that the company became aware of unusual activity in April that affected the number of likes and accounts being followed on some user accounts, took steps to stop the attack, notified the affected users, and helped secure their accounts. He further clarified that TikTok was not hacked as none of their internal systems were breached, and no company data was stolen. The company claimed that it did not find evidence of unauthorized content being posted or sent through direct messages. Tensions among progressives are spilling into public view after former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) waded into one of the most contentious House primaries earlier this week. Jones, a former darling of the left in the House, endorsed embattled progressive Rep. Jamaal Bowmans (D-N.Y.) primary opponent in the June 25 race to represent New Yorks 16th Congressional District, citing Bowmans position on Israel as a top reason. The move has unleashed fury from within his ranks. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) lambasted Jones, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC has rescinded its endorsement of him. The developments come as Jones vies for a seat in a different district in New York this fall. The fallout has laid bare the divisions on the left as members grapple with the thorny politics of the Israel-Hamas war in a state that could prove pivotal to control of the lower chamber. I think New York politics especially rewards a kind of calculating opportunism that Mondaire Jones has perfected, said one progressive strategist familiar with the races dynamics. Now hes kneecapping another progressive out of fear that if he doesnt, hell become a target himself. Mondaires main political concern has never been who will best advocate Democratic values, its been what Mondaire thinks is best for himself, the source added. Progressives in and out of Capitol Hill have soured on Jones, who is seeking a separate seat in the 17th District, after welcoming him into their coalition as fresh talent in 2021. He was elected as part of a group of young and diverse liberal leaders in New York who extended Ocasio-Cortezs legacy of insurgent success and helped expand progressive ranks in the House. Bowman was in the same camp that year. The former middle school principal became the first man to join the squad and has been an advocate for some of the most fervent left-wing positions among House Democrats, proving his bona fides to the progressive wing that favors ideological purity tests. While Jones never technically joined the squad, he became a reliable progressive vote and didnt hesitate to criticize President Biden after he beat former President Trump, including taking him to task at the White House over voting rights in a move that earned him credit within on the left. Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) called Jones squad-adjacent in a recent interview with Politico. In a sign of the shifting political dynamics of this cycle, Jones has pushed back strongly on that label. In an interview with CNN on Friday, he denied ever being squad-adjacent, saying he was always a pragmatist and an independent voice for my values. That favor, however, appears to have run out. After Jones made the surprise move to back Bowmans primary challenger Westchester County executive George Latimer, who is funded by AIPAC his former allies quickly turned on him. Progressives denounce Latimers campaign as a vanity effort to run Bowman out of office from his Westchester-Bronx district after he expressed criticism of the Israeli government and its militarys handling of Gaza. Latimer is decidedly pro-Israel, while Bowman has repeatedly called for a cease-fire and has refereed to Israel as an apartheid state, a term Israel supporters find offensive and inaccurate. Jones said his support of Latimer is a sign of allyship to Jewish New Yorkers, who he suggested Bowman does not embrace. I am making this endorsement to stand up for my Jewish constituents, because Rep. Bowman and I have very different views on Israel, he said in a statement after the Progressive Caucus PAC rescinded its endorsement. AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups have echoed that sentiment and have boosted Latimer, who made a personal trip to Israel to show his commitment to it. A spokesperson for AIPAC declined to comment on the race. Joness endorsement, ostensibly against his own wing of the party, came as a shock to many progressives and put into clear terms that Israel has become one of the most critical tests among Democrats following the attack by the Palestinian group on Oct. 7. Progressive leaders who considered Jones one of their own were quick to condemn his boosting of Latimer, especially as Democrats have only a slim chance of regaining control of the House and see every seat as critical to their calculus. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), the chair of the CPC, told NBC News she was disgusted by Joness actions. Several organizers convened a call with activists on Bowmans behalf, seeking to educate the public about the stakes and the strategy to keep him in office. And high-profile progressives are publicly expressing their support for him. Im not surprised that Congressman Mondaire Jones did what he did because he bought and paid for like all the other grifters who take money from AIPAC, said Nina Turner, who served as Sen. Bernie Sanderss (I-Vt.) campaign co-chair. Turner added she is pleasantly surprised the Congressional Progressive Caucus is showing a spine. Its not the first time progressives have been forced to close ranks around Bowman. At the end of last year, Bowman was censured by the GOP-controlled House and investigated after pulling a fire alarm during a vote to avert a government shutdown. Many of those who stood by him then are doing the same now. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who like Bowman is a former educator, endorsed him this week, while the United Auto Workers (UAW) and Working Families Party also backed his reelection bid. Organizers have also sought to play up Bowmans strength advocating for liberal issues, like a fair wage and working class mobility, when special interests they say continue to dominate contentious primary battles within the party. We cant keep electing people who are too scared to stand up to the billionaires, UAW President Shawn Fain wrote on the social platform X in favor of Bowman as the divisions became more pronounced throughout the week. At this point in the race, Bowman faces considerable hurdles. A March Mellman Group poll funded by DMFI, which has endorsed Latimer, shows Latimer at 52 percent support compared to Bowmans 35 percent. Other polling from Upswing Research taken the same month shows Bowman with a 1-point lead over his rival, 44 percent to 43 percent. Democrats who want to see Bowman succeed recognize the challenges ahead, with strong feelings over Israel still dictating how both candidates are perceived in the city. Sadly this is the kind of thing that hobbles progressives, and right now Bowman is facing terrible odds, the progressive strategist said. It doesnt look like hell be able to overcome this, and the end result will be yet another go-along-get-along corporate Dem warming a seat for decades. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Vladimir Putin at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum - Artem Priakhin/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Vladimir Putin has warned that Europe is defenceless and unprepared for a nuclear conflict with Russia. In a typically bellicose speech at the St Petersburg Economic Forum this week, Putin also predicted that Nato would fail to protect Europe in a war with Russia. Europe does not have a developed early warning system. In this sense they are more or less defenceless, he said, sitting on stage alongside Luis Arce, Bolivias president, and Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwes president. Putin has previously boasted of Russias nuclear arsenal but he intensified his rhetoric this week at the forum, held as Nato allies marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings at Normandy. This included using one of his first interviews with Western media to claim that he had no intention of attacking Nato, although he also said that he was prepared to arm allies of Russia with long-range missiles to strike Europe. During his four-hour speech and question and answer session on Friday at the end of the business-orientated forum, the moderator asked Putin if he should hold a nuclear pistol to the West. A Russian RS-24 Yars missile launcher during the Victory Day parade at Red Square in Moscow, on May 9 - Getty Images Europe The use is possible in an exceptional case, in the event of a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. I dont think that such a case has come. There is no such need, replied Putin. The Russian president has unnerved commentators in the West by testing missiles that can be armed with a nuclear warhead. Russian media has also talked up the possibility of the Kremlin test-firing its first nuclear weapon since 1990, a threat that Putin repeated on Friday. If necessary, we will conduct tests. So far, there is no need for this, he said. With his forces on the offensive in Ukraine, Western politicians squabbling over military aid for Kyiv and the successful purge of Russias Ministry of Defence, blamed for the botched initial invasion of Ukraine, Putin has appeared more relaxed and confident in the past month. And Russians milling around outside the main forum hall said that Putin was a hero who had saved Russia. Many were queuing to buy T-shirts branded with his quotes justifying his war in Ukraine. Although economists have warned that Russian GDP growth is premised mainly on military spending, Putin boasted that Western sanctions had failed to dent Russias economy and he was strengthening Russias ties with countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Russian soldiers training to use nuclear weapons, in the country's southern military district, in May - Russian Defence Ministry/REUTERS Positive macroeconomic trends are gaining momentum, he said. This will allow our country to keep its place among the leading economies of the world. As well as pushing his nuclear threat, Putin used the forum to promote his two daughters who gave speeches on Thursday and Friday. Maria Vorontsova, 39, is a genetics researcher; Katerina Tikhonova, 37, is a tech investor. Putin has never publicly acknowledged the two women as his daughters and this was the first time they had both attended the business forum. Russia's missile forces holding a tactical nuclear weapons drill in the southern military district of the country - AFP Analysts said that the appearance of Putins two daughters did not mean that they were being groomed for power but did fit a pattern of promotion for the children of Kremlin insiders. Ksenia Shoigu, daughter of Putins loyal former defence minister, also took part in panel events at the forum and last month Putin promoted Dmitry Patrushev, son of former Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev, to become a deputy prime minister. The rise of the princess, children of representatives of the political elite has begun, said Yevgeny Minchenko, a political scientist whos worked with the Kremlin. Follow the latest updates below 12:40 PM BST Thats all for today Thank you for following our live coverage. The key developments were: Vladimir Putin has said Europe is defenceless against nukes and that his country has many more than the continent. The Ukrainian Ground Forces reported that soldiers from the 47th Mechanised Brigade are holding back at least three Russian combat brigades on the Pokrovsk front. The Ukrainian Ground Forces reported that soldiers from the 47th Mechanised Brigade are holding back at least three Russian combat brigades on the Pokrovsk front. Lord Cameron was the victim of a hoax video call and messages from someone claiming to be the former president of Ukraine, it has emerged. Ukrainian air defence and mobile drone hunters groups shot down nine out of 13 Russian drones over four regions of the country, the air force said on Saturday. 11:56 AM BST Ukrainian drones spotted over North Ossetia 11:43 AM BST Russia says not cutting off dialogue on nuclear arsenal Russia will keep dialogue lines open with nuclear powers, but will respond accordingly if the United States deploys more strategic nuclear weapons, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said. Her comments to state news agency RIA followed a statement from Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday that the country could make adjustments to its nuclear doctrine. That prompted a speech by a White House aide who said that the United States may have to deploy more strategic nuclear weapons in coming years to deter growing threats from Russia, China and other adversaries. We did not stop any dialogue with anyone. We did not cut ties. We did not, by the way, cut energy ties. We did not cut off dialogue platforms, Ms Zakharova said. We have always declared that even in the most difficult situations there is room for dialogue ... Therefore, there is no sense in calling us to dialogue, we have never refused it. Pranay Vaddi, the top US National Security Council arms control official, made his comments in a speech on a more competitive approach to arms control. 11:21 AM BST One Ukrainian brigade holds back three Russian brigades on Pokrovsk front The Ukrainian Ground Forces have reported that soldiers from the 47th Mechanised Brigade are holding back at least three Russian combat brigades on the Pokrovsk front. Here, the enemy is trying to advance into the depths of our territory. Soldiers of the 47th Mechanised Brigade are holding back at least three Russian combat brigades, the Ukrainian Ground Forces said. With huge reserves of manpower, the Russians quickly replenish their huge losses and throw [new soldiers] into battle again and again. The fighting does not cease for a moment. 10:52 AM BST Pictured: Aftermath of Lugansk attack Rescuers work at the site of a missile attack in Lugansk, Russian-controlled Ukraine - STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images A Ukrainian missile strike on the Russian-controlled city of Lugansk on June 7 ripped through a block of flats, killing four and injuring over 40, Russia-appointed officials said - STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images 10:35 AM BST Russia jails French citizen detained on charges of collecting military data A court in Moscow has ordered a French citizen accused of collecting information on military issues in Russia be held in jail pending investigation and trial. Laurent Vinatier was arrested in the Russian capital on Thursday as tensions have flared between Moscow and Paris following French president Emmanuel Macrons statements about the possibility of deploying the countrys troops in Ukraine. The authorities accused Mr Vinatier of failing to register as a foreign agent while collecting information about Russias military and military-technical activities, which could be used to the detriment of the countrys security. They did not provide details of the accusations beyond alleging that Mr Vinatier repeatedly travelled to Russia to collect this information. Under Russian law, it is a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison. The judge ordered Mr Vinatier to be remanded in pre-trial detention until Aug. 5. Vinatier is an adviser with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, a Geneva-based non governmental organisation, which said it was doing everything possible to assist our colleague Lauren. The charges against Mr Vinatier stem from a recently adopted law that requires anyone who collects information on military issues to register with authorities as a foreign agent. Human rights activists have criticised the law and other legislation adopted lately as part of a multi-pronged Kremlin crackdown on independent media and political activists intended to stifle criticism of its actions in Ukraine. 10:17 AM BST Russia destroys three Ukrainian drones over North Ossetia, local head says Russian air defence units destroyed three Ukrainian drones on Saturday in Russias town of Mozdok in the Republic of North OssetiaAlania, regional head Sergey Meniaylo said. It was the first drone attack on the region, Russian news agencies reported. Mr Meniaylo, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said that the attack had caused minor damage and fires, and that no one was injured. The drone was aimed to attack a military airfield, he added. 10:00 AM BST Listen: Russia opens new front in war on West 09:45 AM BST Lord Cameron victim of hoax call from former Ukrainian president By Nick Gutteridge, chief political correspondent Lord Cameron has been the victim of a hoax video call and messages from someone claiming to be the former president of Ukraine, it has emerged. The Government has made public what happened to stave off any attempts to manipulate video footage of the Foreign Secretary from the communications. A statement from the Foreign Office said a number of text messages were exchanged followed by a brief video call between the Foreign Secretary and someone purporting to be Petro Poroshenko, former president of Ukraine. Mr Poroshenko served as Ukrainian president between 2014 and 2019, and has remained a prominent figure in the country since leaving office. Lord Cameron is said to have become suspicious and terminated the call when the hoaxer asked for the contact details of fellow members of the Government. It is understood that the call took place in the last few days. The Telegraph understands that he was also keen to publicise the hoax to warn other of the risk. Read more 09:42 AM BST Ukrainian men abroad can now register for military service at foreign consulates Ukrainian conscripts and reservists living abroad for more than three months can now register for military service at foreign consulates, Ukraines Defense Ministry announced on June 7. Previously, military conscripts living abroad for more than three months needed to visit a military registration office inside Ukrainian territory. Ukraine has made steps to update the legal framework around conscription to ramp up mobilization over the past year, with Volodymyr Zelensky signing a new law on mobilization on April 16. 09:39 AM BST Ukraine air defence downs 9 out of 13 Russian drones over four regions Ukrainian air defence and mobile drone hunters groups shot down nine out of 13 Russian drones over four regions of the country, the air force said on Saturday. The Iranian-made Shahed drones were downed over the central Poltava region, southeastern Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions, and the Kharkiv region in the northeast, the statement said. One X-59 Russian missile launched from Russias Kursk region was also downed. Serhiy Lysak, Dnipropetrovsk regional governor, said the overnight drone attack damaged commercial and residential buildings and also a power line. Details of the damage in other regions were not immediately clear. 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. Wendell Pierce: There are those who will do anything to destroy lifes journey for Black folks. Photograph: Kristina Bumphrey/Rex/Shutterstock The Tony award winner Wendell Pierce has alleged that he was denied a rental apartment in New Yorks historically Black Harlem neighborhood because he is Black. Racism and bigots are real, the actor posted on X this week. There are those who will do anything to destroy lifes journey for Black folks. When you deny our personal experiences, you are as vile and despicable. The 58-year-old actor said that he felt righteous anger about his treatment. Im on 2 TV series, ELSBETH and RAISING KANAN. Im filming SUPERMAN. Two years ago, I finished the fourth season of JACK RYAN. Last year I finished a run on Broadway in DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Even with my proof of employment, bank statements and real estate holdings, a white apartment owner DENIED my application to rent the apartment..in Harlem, of all places, he wrote. In an interview with CNN, Pierce went on to explain that he had taken a relative who recently graduated from Howard University apartment hunting to make sure he got a decent apartment and I was backing him up. But even after offering the unnamed landlord a years rent in advance, he was denied on the technicality that as an actor he could not show steady, consistent employment. I realized the application was designed that way to be discriminatory, Pierce said in the interview, explaining that he wanted to show the damaging affects of when bigotry is memorialized in law. Pierce who starred as the Baltimore police detective William Bunk Moreland in The Wire and as CIA deputy director James Greer in Jack Ryan later said he had brought up the experience only as an example of the insidious nature of bigotry. In May, New Yorks governor, Kathy Hochul, lit the Empire State Building to commemorate the 56th anniversary of the Big Apples Fair Housing Act and reaffirmed the states commitment to combatting housing discrimination. Hochul said that New York faces the most dire housing crisis in a generation and that she was reaffirming the states commitment to rooting out bias and discrimination in housing. Last year, the New York mayor, Eric Adams, pledged to crack down on landlords and brokers who reject apartment applicants based on how they pay the rent. But the city has delayed the implementation of an enforcement plan and slashed funding for a program meant to stop housing discrimination. According to Gothamist, there are roughly 11,000 families living in city shelters who qualify for rental-assistance vouchers but cannot find apartments. The comments from Pierce drew reaction online. One X user commented: the denial of housing with your obvious qualifications was bad enough, but for this to happen in harlem is the icing on the cake. Im sorry youve been so directly affected by this broken system. Pierce, a native of New Orleans, won a Tony award as a theatrical producer in 2012 for Clybourne Park. He was also nominated more recently for the best actor Tony and Laurence Olivier awards for his role in Death of a Salesman. (Photo : Unsplash/Alexander Shatov) A Scottish woman who purportedly inspired the stalker character Martha in the popular Netflix series Baby Reindeer is taking legal action against the streaming service for defamation, negligence, and privacy breaches. Defamation Lawsuit Against Netflix Fiona Harvey, who claims to be the woman upon whom Martha's character is based, alleged that Netflix disseminated brutal lies about her to over 50 million viewers globally. Filed in a California court, the lawsuit aims to obtain over $170 million in damages, accusing the series Baby Reindeer of falsely portraying her as a convicted criminal who served time in prison for stalking. While the initial episode of the acclaimed miniseries asserts that the story is based on real events, the end credits clarify that certain characters, names, incidents, locations, and dialogue have been fictionalized for dramatic purposes. Neither Gadd nor Harvey's real names are employed in the series, and neither Netflix nor Gadd has affirmed that Martha's story was inspired by real-life Harvey's. The Purported Encounter Richard Gadd, the creator of the series, penned it based on his purported encounter of being stalked by a woman he encountered at the pub where he was employed and has previously urged fans not to attempt to identify Martha, a character initially introduced in one of his stand-up comedy routines. Gadd himself is not listed as a defendant in Harvey's lawsuit. Netflix has pledged to "vigorously" defend the case and support the show's creator in telling his story freely. READ ALSO: Bill Cosby Files Defamation Suit Against Seven Sexual Assault Accusers Netflix executive Benjamin King stated that the show was a true story depicting the appalling abuse suffered by the writer and protagonist, Richard Gadd, at the hands of a convicted stalker during his testimony before the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee in Parliament last month. Following this statement, King was challenged by an MP, the SNP's John Nicolson, to provide evidence supporting his claims. Nicolson later remarked that journalists have been unable to find any evidence corroborating Netflix's assertion of a conviction for the woman identified as the inspiration for Martha. The Real-Life Character's Retribution According to court documents, Harvey refutes the claim that she sexually assaulted the show's creator and that Netflix failed to take any steps to verify the truthfulness of Gadd's story. The documents allege that Netflix continued to propagate these falsehoods because they created a more compelling narrative than the truth and were making more money. In one scene of the series, the Martha character is depicted as sexually assaulting the show's protagonist along a canal at night. Richard Roth, a New York-based lawyer representing Harvey, told the BBC that there was no doubt Harvey's identity was used for the plot of Baby Reindeer, asserting that he had incontrovertible documentary evidence proving that his client had never been convicted of a crime, backed by a photograph of a background check and a certificate indicating no criminal convictions on Harvey's record. Speaking to BBC News on Thursday, Harvey also agreed that her team would win the case. Harvey, residing in the U.K., states that since the series was released in April, she has received numerous death threats that instilled fear in her, making her highly secluded and isolated, as outlined in the lawsuit. During a nearly hour-long interview with Piers Morgan last month, Harvey acknowledged that she had known Gadd during his tenure at a pub in London. However, she refuted the portrayal of herself as resembling Martha in the series, who is depicted as sending Gadd's character 41,000 emails and leaving 350 hours of voicemail messages. While Harvey denied sending him anything other than a couple of "jokey banter" emails, some real comments she made to Gadd, including a 2014 tweet, are incorporated into the show's dialogue. RELATED ARTICLE: Lee Min Ho Takes Legal Action against Online Trolls for Malicious Rumors 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. New Delhi: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Seychelles Vice-President Ahmed Afif were the first foreign dignitaries to arrive in New Delhi on Saturday, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Sunday evening. Modi is set to be sworn in for a third term as Prime Minister. Other invited leaders, including Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, are expected to arrive on Sunday. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, First distinguished guest sets foot in New Delhi for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. The visit of one of our most valued partners will further strengthen the India-Bangladesh close and deep-rooted bonds of friendship." Prime Minister Hasina was warmly received by the MEA's secretary (CPV and OIA), Muktesh Pardeshi. Jaiswal also welcomed Vice-President Afif, saying, "Warm welcome to Vice-President Ahmed Afif of Seychelles as he arrives in New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers." Following the swearing-in ceremony, Modi is expected to embark on his first foreign visit of his third term to Italy for the G7 Summit, scheduled from June 13 to 15 at Borgo Egnazia in Apulia. Though India is not a G7 member, Modi has regularly attended G7 Summits in recent years as a special invitee. The formal announcement of this visit is anticipated early next week. Notably, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was not invited to the ceremony, reflecting the strained relations between New Delhi and Islamabad. A Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson commented, "We (Pakistan) do not have any comments on their (Indian) electoral process," adding that it is "premature" to discuss any congratulations before the new government is officially sworn in. In a Saturday morning statement, the MEA detailed the event, "The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers following the General Elections 2024 is scheduled on 09 June 2024. On the occasion, leaders from India's neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have been cordially invited as distinguished guests. In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan the same evening. The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision." India's immediate neighbours, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, as well as its south-western maritime neighbour, the Maldives, and Indian Ocean island nations Mauritius and Seychelles, demonstrate strong regional ties and cooperation. Mauritius has a significant population of Indian origin, further highlighting the close relations. The invitation extended to Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is particularly significant given recent tensions. Relations between India and the Maldives had deteriorated due to Muizzu's perceived pro-China stance. However, recent efforts to mend relations have been noted, with Modi thanking Muizzu for his congratulatory message, leading to the invitation being extended and accepted. NEW DELHI: The Congress Working Committee (CWC) unanimously urged Rahul Gandhi to assume the role of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha during a Saturday morning meeting. Gandhi informed the partys top brass that he would make a decision very soon. This is the first time since its ouster from power in 2014 that the Congress will secure the Leader of Opposition post, having previously failed to meet the requisite 10 per cent of total seats in the House in both 2014 and 2019. In a separate evening meeting, the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) re-elected Sonia Gandhi unopposed as chairperson of the CPP. The CWC adopted two resolutions: one lauding the contributions of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for the party's performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, and another crediting the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi for the improved results. The resolutions declared the election outcome a personal and moral defeat for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had campaigned for a mandate in his name, and thanked the electorate for placing the Congress on a path to revival. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking at the CWC meeting, emphasised the electorate's rejection of the ruling party's "dictatorial and anti-democratic ways." He stated, "People have spoken against the politics of the last 10 years, rejecting divisiveness, hate, and polarisation." Kharge also praised the efforts of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc partners, underscoring the collaborative efforts of each party in different states. "Our determination is that the I.N.D.I.A. group must continue. We must function cohesively and collectively both in Parliament and outside," he said. At the CPP meeting, Sonia Gandhi stressed the importance of holding Prime Minister Modi and the new NDA government accountable. "As members of the Congress Parliamentary Party, we have a special obligation to be watchful, vigilant, and proactive," she said. Gandhi criticised the past decade's parliamentary practices, asserting, "No longer can and should Parliament be bulldozed. No longer will the writ of the ruling establishment disrupt Parliament, whimsically mistreat members, or push through legislation without proper consideration and debate. Parliamentary Committees must not be ignored or bypassed, and Parliament will no longer be muzzled and stifled." The Congress, reinvigorated by its recent electoral performance and internal leadership, is poised to play a more assertive role in Parliament, advocating for greater scrutiny and accountability of the ruling government. Mumbai: Admitting that lack of unity among the Mahayuti constituents, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that spokespersons of three parties BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP should stop planting stories in media. Urging his party colleagues to start anew for to win the state Assembly elections, Fadnavis said it was time to speak in one voice. The BJP held a meeting in Mumbai where all party leaders urged Fadnavis to continue as the deputy chief minister. After the debacle in Lok Sabha polls, Fadnavis had accepted it responsibility and urged his party to relieve him from the DCM post. Responding to his colleagues, Fadnavis said he did not make an emotional statement. I have a clear road map and I wanted to work for the party organisation to implement it. I am not the one to run away. But I spoke to Amit Shah yesterday and he has told me to continue my work. I have already started doing my work and all of you should fulfill your responsibilities, he said. Fadnavis said that the Mahayuti should not work unitedly and not indulge in blame-game over the "poor performance" in Lok Sabha election in Maharashtra. He further said that he has also spoken to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar regarding this. Expressing unhappiness over a BJP legislator and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena spokespersons making statements against each other, he said, I have spoken to the CM over the need to stop spokespersons from planting stories against each other. Former MP Nilesh Rane had claimed that Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant did not give the lead from Ratnagiri assembly constituency for his father Narayan Rane in the Lok Sabha election. Ranes statement created a rift among the BJP and Shiv Sena. Addressing the party legislators at Mumbai BJP office on Saturday, Mr. Fadnavis said, It is not time to raise a finger against each other. It is time to take everyone together. We should speak in one voice. He also said that there is no need to give a different analysis of the results. There are complaints from each political party of Mahayuti. The leaders of that political party need to understand them and resolve them. The BJP has performed badly in the Lok Sabha election in Maharashtra, where its tally dropped drastically from 23 seats in 2019 to just nine seats. However, Fadnavis told the party leaders that the opposition won more seats by creating fake narratives, but Mahayuti can make a comeback as it got the lead in 133 out of 288 assembly segments in the Lok Sabha elections. New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu has invited Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi to form government. He will take oath as Prime Minister for a third consecutive term on Sunday evening. President Murmu appointed Modi as Prime Minister-designate on Friday after BJP chief J.P. Nadda handed her a letter on Modi's election as leader of the BJP Parliamentary Party and NDA leaders submitted their letters of support. Endorsing Narendra Modi as the leader of the NDA Parliamentary Party, TD supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu hailed him as the right leader at the right time. Reaffirming the JD(U)'s support, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that his party will stand with Modi in all his decisions. Addressing reporters in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Modi said: The President has asked me to work as Prime Minister-designate and informed me about the oath ceremony. He added that he had informed President Murmu that they will be comfortable if the event is held on Sunday evening. Modi said Rashtrapati Bhavan will work out the details of the oath-taking ceremony on Sunday, by when he would hand over the list of the Council of Ministers to the President. This 18th Lok Sabha is an important milestone towards fulfilling those dreams when the country will celebrate 100 years of independence in 2047, he said. The 18th Lok Sabha will be a House of new energy, youthful energy, and people have given the NDA government one more chance, Modi added. Earlier, on being chosen the NDA leader in Parliament, Modi said he would strive to ensure unanimity in running government and asserted that the NDA was not a combine of some parties to get power but an organic alliance committed to the principle of 'nation first'. Modi said the ruling combine was committed to the constitutional principle of sarva panth sambhava (interfaith harmony) and mutual trust was at the core of this bloc. If we look at numbers, then this is the strongest coalition government in the history of coalitions, he said, asserting that the NDA had been the most successful pre-poll alliance since its existence for nearly 30 years, out of which it has served out three full terms and was set to start the fourth. We have never lost. Our conduct following June 4 shows that we know how to digest victory, the Prime Minister said at the meeting of the NDA Parliamentary Party, and attacked opposition parties. Modi said he has been missing quality debates and participation in Parliament for 10 years and expressed hope that it may happen this time. He said he hoped the opposition leaders will be guided by national interest. They may be in opposition to us but not to the nation. I hope they will arrive in Parliament with the sentiment of national interest, Modi said. There were efforts to not acknowledge this very victory, to cast a 'shadow of defeat' on this victory. But all such efforts remained fruitless... Such things 'die very young', and it happened, Modi said. Addressing the NDA parliamentary party, Naidu highlighted the need to address regional aspirations along with national interests. Praising Modis vision, zeal and execution of work, Naidu said that Mr Modi executes all his policies with true spirit. Naidus views on regional aspirations were shared by Nitish Kumar, who, along with other NDA leaders, including JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, NCP chief Ajit Pawar, HAM(S) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, Apna Dals Anupriya Patel and LJPs Chirag Paswan, supported the proposal moved by defence minister Rajnath Singh to elect Modi as the leader of the NDA. Expressing confidence that Modi will develop India in a big way and also pay attention to Bihar, Kumar said, "We are confident that Modi will develop India and we will wholeheartedly support him every passing day All the pending work related to Bihar will be done. It is a good thing that all of us have come together and we will all work together with you... We will all work under your leadership. The Bihar Chief Minister also slammed the Opposition and expressed confidence that they will be defeated in the next Lok Sabha elections. "I have noticed that a few people have won (the Lok Sabha elections) here and there by saying useless things. They haven't done any work and never served the country. Next time you win, they will all be defeated," Kumar said. The meeting in the Central Hall also saw a lot of bonhomie as well as lighter moments among the leaders, with Shinde describing the alliance as a "Fevicol bond", Kumar trying to touch the feet of Modi, who stopped him midway, and the Prime Minister patting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on his shoulder. Mumbai: After the impressive win in the Lok Sabha polls, there is a race among the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) parties to claim credit for the success. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Friday claimed that the MVA would have been bigger had his party contested more seats. His statement is seen as a jibe towards the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, which contested the highest number of seats (21) among the MVA allies, but ended up with only nine wins. On the contrary, the Congress contested 17 seats and won 13 seats. Speaking in the felicitation ceremony of newly elected MPs including Vishal Patil, who had contested independently from the Sangli Lok Sabha seat, Patole said that the Congress wanted to contest six to seven more seats. But we were not given those seats. If we would have contested those seats, it would have benefited the MVA, he said. In the MVA seat sharing arrangement, the Sangli seat was given to Shiv Sena UBT, due to which Vishal Patil rebelled and contested as an independent. Patole said the Congress had also staked a claim on the Mumbai North West, where the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Amol Kirtikar was fielded. Besides this, they also wanted the Mumbai South Central seat for Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad. In the closest fight of the Mumbai North West seat, Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena candidate Ravindra Waikar defeated Amol Kirtikar by 48 votes. Congresss Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala said the MVA will contest the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election together and they will add more small parties in order to defeat the BJP. Chennithala said that the coalition politics is not easy. By holding discussions with all parties, the MVA was strengthened and contested elections together. We were united to defeat the dictatorial BJP government. People have placed their faith in the Congress party and MVA, he said. When asked whether the Congress party would seek seats to contest in the assembly polls as per their current strength in Maharashtra Assembly, Chennithala said that they are yet to start discussion over the assembly election. Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam, who played a key role in party's Sangli win, told the reporters the purpose of the MVA to defeat the BJP. After winning the Sangli Lok Sabha seat, Vishal Patil had already extended his support to the Congress and MVA, he said. When asked are you planning to meet Uddhav Thackeray who had openly expressed unhappiness over Congress not following the coalition dharma in Sangli, the Sangli MLA said that he has high regards for Uddhav Thackeray, who is leading the state in difficult times. "I respect Uddhav Thackeray, who is the senior leader of Maharashtra. I admire him. He is a fatherly figure for all of us. We are like his sons. Of course, we will take his appointment and go to meet him to take his blessings, said Kadam. Mumbai: Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday night called on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai. The meeting between the two prominent INDIA bloc leaders assumed significance as it came amid government formation process by the BJP-led Nationalist Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre. Banerjee met Thackeray at his residence 'Matoshree' in Mumbai. The meeting lasted for around 90 minutes. Banerjee was accompanied by TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien. Speaking about the meeting, the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party BJP is in a minority, but still efforts are being made to form the government. "Narendra Modi and his party is in a minority but they are still trying to form the government and cooking 'khichdi.' But we have a doubt that they will not cook it the right way and this will be a loss to the country and there will be political instability. Such things create danger to the country. So we held talks about what can be done in such circumstances." Raut said leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), another INDIA bloc constituent have also spoken to Thackeray. The BJP-led NDA won the majority in the Lok Sabha polls by bagging 293 seats, which is comfortably above the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Of these, the BJP alone won 240 seats. On the other hand, the opposition bloc INDIA secured 233 seats, 99 of them by the Congress. Both the Sena (UBT), which bagged nine Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, and the Trinamool Congress, whose tally stood at 29 in West Bengal, are part of the anti-BJP opposition alliance. Sufis celebrate the vine Which yields nectar to the cup Its but a metaphor, a sign, They plead with Saki to fill up The Chalice they believe is Gods Divine Unity with their soul Oh Bachchoo, calculate the odds Of Unity being beyond control? From The Must Calendar, by Bachchoo The 2024 elections are upon us in this year of world democracy. In Africa, eighteen countries go to the polls, in America fourteen, in Asia twenty-one, in Europe twenty-nine and then theres Australia and four Pacific territories. The Mexican, South African and Indian ones are over, disappointing some and causing others to declare triumphs of democracy. Ill stay schtum -- two of these are none of my business and one has to be so careful nowadays! But then I have a vote in the July 4 UK general election. The campaigns of the parties are in full flow and various polls put Labour ahead of the Tories by 20 or 17 points. The first TV debate of this election campaign between Hedgie Soongone and Unkleir Starmer, the Labour leader, took place on Tuesday. Hedgie repeatedly needled Unkleir, passing a campaigning message to the studio and viewing audiences, saying that an independent review of tax pledges undertaken by the civil service predicts that Labour would put up taxes for every household by 2,000 a year. He repeated this taunt several times with something of a challenging smirk on his face. The next morning the newspapers and channels revealed that Hedgie had been, at best, misleading the public and at worst lying through his teeth. They had discovered that James Bowler, the chief Treasury civil servant, had emphatically asserted in writing that the Treasurys civil service had made no such calculation or claim. So, even if 51 per cent of viewers thought that Hedgie had done better than Unklier in the debate, the revelation that he had taunted the latter with a lie should now widen the gap in Labours favour. Or does the British electorate want a PM with his ankle-length pants on fire? In another peculiar incident, Hedgie was being interviewed on some right-wing platform by a journalist interviewer called Piers Morgan -- widely seen as Mr Vainglory himself. These bods, talking about Hedgies vow to send illegal immigrants on flights to Rwanda, ventured into a bet. Morgan bet Hedgie 1,000 that the flights would not take off before the election. This was noted by the media. Hedgie is the richest PM Britain has had and 1,000 is probably what he pays for a pair of designer underpants. Morgan is not short of a penny or two either. Then Hedgie calls the election and says the Rwanda plan will be implemented after it. Naturally, Morgan asks for the grand which Hedgie owes him as a result of losing the bet. Hedgie shamelessly protests that he won the bet because some weeks ago, one of these illegal immigrants, whose asylum claim failed, had volunteered to go to Rwanda and the Home Office gave him 3,000 to get on a flight. Hedgie said this was tantamount to his Rwanda deportation pledge working so he wouldnt pay up. This was at best disingenuous and Piers Morgan protested in print. As I said, the one grand is as nothing to either of these punters. They should, to my mind, have taken a bet which would really contain some jeopardy. They could, for instance, have wagered that the loser would get on a flight to Rwanda and stay there with his family and perhaps even with his associates -- Hedgie with Cruella Braverman, Ugly Patel, Clair Coutinho and a few others -- and Morgan with the owners of and the presenter-colleagues on the right-wing TV channels for which he works or worked. None of them will be missed. And that, gentle reader, is enough of one loser (as Donald Wigwarm calls his opponents), and so on to the next who has, after insisting he would not, U-turnly announced his candidature for the parliamentary seat of Clacton in the East of England. This is Nigel Farage, who formed the UKIP party which advocated a stronger Brexit than Boris Johnson at the time. The Party then became the Brexit Party and later called itself Reform, its present name under whose banner Farage is standing. The Trumpeting epithet can be legitimately and literally applied to him as poor Nigel has stood in seven public elections, five for Westminster, and lost them all. His first policy announcement on entering the fray was that his party would immediately stop all immigration, illegal and, under the comprehensive statement, possibly even the legal ones. No Johnny foreigner here! He hasnt said how hed stop the wretched of the earth -- and some chancers looking for a better life -- coming over on boats. Would he get the Royal Navy or the Coast Guard to drown the boats by firing on them? Would he more humanely apprehend every boat and get the Navy to sail them off to Robinson Crusoe island or dump them on some other nations unmanned shore? Of course, closing down all British work visa and student visa departments worldwide would stop the legals coming over also. Ho hum -- Reform wont form a government. Not now, and from the evidence of the British electorate in the past, ignoring the fascist Oswald Mosley and sending the xenophobe Enoch Powell to virtual exile as a Northern Ireland MP, not ever. Elon Musk cancelled a pre-poll meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on feeble grounds and went on a business call to China instead. In doing so, he displayed intuition (aided by AI?) that eluded the domestic pollsters about outcomes in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In the end, the pollsters ate humble pie as the BJP struggled to a total of 240 seats out of 543, 32 short of a simple majority, and far below its 2019 level of 303 seats. Even in Varanasi, the Prime Ministers adopted constituency, the win margin (difference between the votes of the winner and the next best candidate) was 1,52,513 (about 25 per cent). Observers were quick to point out that just 242 km to the west in the heart of Awadh, in Rae Bareli, a family bastion passed on by Sonia Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi in this election, the win margin was 57 per cent. Pappu, as the ruling alliance sometimes derisively refers to Rahul Gandhi, seems to have come a long way. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections unleashed two tremors for the BJP. The first was the shock that the BJP is not atma nirbhar for survival. With just 240 seats versus the 272 needed to form a government, it now desperately needs the alliance partners -- principally the 16 Telugu Desam Party seats in Andhra Pradesh and 12 JD-U seats in Bihar -- to survive with a wafer-thin majority. This elevates the political profiles of both Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Nitesh Kumar within the NDA to white knights from their earlier status as junior alliance partners. The allocation of Union Cabinet portfolios will reflect this. If the BJP is to retain the core sovereign portfolios of finance, home, external affairs and defence, it will have to give up other key portfolios -- Power, petroleum and natural gas, coal and mines, IT, urban affairs and housing or railways. This will dissolve the existing close-knit, intra-party, walled pattern of functioning, with the Prime Ministers Office being the dominant driving force via a direct connect with top civil servants in the ministries. The second tremor was the structural shift in electoral preferences across states. The biggest shock was the tidal wave of support in Uttar Pradesh for the Samajwadi Party, an INDIA alliance partner, which won 37 of the 80 seats, with the BJP left with 33. The Congress was a distant third with eight seats but the INDIA alliance, with 47 seats, won more than 50 per cent of the seats. Similarly unsettling were the West Bengal results, where Mamata Bannerjees Trinamul Congress swept the polls, with 29 of the 42 seats. The BJP was a distant second with 12 seats, whilst the Congress was reduced to just one seat. Rajasthan, where the BJP recently came to power in the Assembly polls, chose to play truant in the Lok Sabha elections and returned eight Congress seats, though with 14 out of 25 seats the BJP retained its electoral dominance. Haryana also chose to divide the 10 seats evenly between the BJP and the Congress. In Bihar, whilst the NDA remained dominant with Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) polling 12 seats, the same as the BJP, the balance of power shifts away from the BJP. In Maharashtra, attempting to cannibalise its alliance partner the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) has not helped. The BJP got just nine of the 48 seats, its NDA alliance partners Shiv Sena (Shinde) got seven seats and the NCP (of Ajit Pawar) one seat. In comparison, the Congress got the largest number of seats (13) and together with its INDIA alliance partners -- Sharad Pawar NCP (8) and the Uddhav Thackrey Shiv Sena (9) -- a majority of 30 out of 48 seats. It is unwise, however, to assume that the BJPs vote bank has dissipated. It won all 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh and 25 out of 26 seats in Gujarat. In the hill states of North India, the BJP is well entrenched. Himachal Pradesh, which recently elected a Congress government in the Assembly elections, kept its options open by giving a five out of five victory for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. In Uttarakhand, the five out of five win was unexceptional since the recent Assembly elections were also won by the BJP. The BJP won all seven seats in Delhi, decimating the Congress and AAP. More importantly, the BJPs foray into the South continues unabated. In Karnataka, the BJP won 17 of the 28 seats. In Telangana, it won eight of the 17 seats, drawing level with the Congress. The Assembly elections, held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls, reflected continuity in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. But change was the leitmotif in the two larger states. In Odisha, the BJP triumphed by ejecting chief minister Naveen Patnaik, son of the legendary World War II pilot Biju Patnaik, who was chief minister (1961-63) in a Congress government. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), in power since 2000, was ripe for a drubbing after nearly a quarter century of decent but somnolent rule by Naveen Patnaik, who unbelievably, drafted a civil servant turned politician to manage the 2024 election. That the Indian political class and the electorate prefers a red line between the bureaucracy and politicians was amply displayed by the results. The BJP, with 78 seats, swept past the 73 seats needed for a majority. The BJD was reduced to 51 seats. The Congress came in third, with 14 seats. In the Andhra Pradesh Assembly polls, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the original Andhra economic reformer, early digital governance aficionado of the 2000s, and the architect of the new bifurcated Andhra Pradesh in 2014, with its brand-new capital city at Amravati, struck a century with his Telugu Desam Party winning 135 of the 175 seats, leaving the earlier ruling YSR Congress with just 11 seats. Significantly, BJP came in third with eight seats, continuing to consolidate support across all five states in the South. Management experts believe that in mergers, getting the senior executives to realign expectations is the most difficult part. This becomes worse in coalition politics, where oddballs cannot just be booted out. Cabinet colleagues, especially if they hold substantive portfolios, and alliance partners must be cajoled and negotiated with, not bludgeoned, or ignored into submission. Can Prime Minister Modi shed the President Xi style of remote, unyielding supreme leadership projected by him, retrieve his earlier collaborative inner self, and use his expertise at shaping political trends to ensure stability? The survival of the new NDA government is hostage to his personal transformation. by Steve Suwannarat City authorities crack down on a practice that remains popular despite official bans on grounds of health and hygiene. In Vietnam, an estimated four million animals end up on the dinner table every year. Concern is also heightened by recent outbreaks of rabies causing death among humans. Hanoi (AsiaNews/Agencies) Eating dog and cat meat has been officially banned on health and hygiene grounds in Vietnam, as well as China, and South Korea, but they remain popular, particularly among the middle aged and senior citizens who follow traditional pharmacopoeia. In Asia, some 30 million dogs and 10 million cats are butchered each year for human consumption. While the highest number is recorded in China, ten and four million respectively, an estimated four million dogs and cats are consumed every year Vietnam. For this reason, reports that a crackdown is underway in Hanoi is a significant development. In the capital, the authorities have issued a strict order to prevent the trade within the city limits. Such a measure is part of a three-pronged strategy that includes enforcing existing laws and regulations, encouraging cooperation between the relevant government agencies, and performing regular inspections. As a way to put greater pressure, the order resembles similar directives imposed during recent outbreaks of rabies (about a hundred) reported in about 30 locations across the country that resulted in human deaths. The initiative entails a comprehensive anti-rabies vaccination campaign that will affect at least 90 per cent of domestic dogs and cats in the urban area. Significantly, the measure also calls for raising awareness among residents of the problems that arise from living with such pets, whose contact with humans makes it possible for different diseases to be passed on. Finally, the authorities are stressing the practical aspect of ending the dog and cat meat trade, namely bolstering tourism and turning Hanoi into a more urbane and tourist-friendly city respectful of international standards for animal welfare and food safety. Ultimately, by leading the movement to end the dog and cat meat trade while emphasising the value of such animals only for companionship, the city, which usually gets little consideration, is seeking to improve its image. Several organisations and municipalities have been pushing in this direction for some time, committed to eradicating traditional practices that are not justified in todays Vietnam. The first city to do so was Hoi An, in late 2021. Located in central Vietnam, the historic city is among the country's main tourist destinations. An agreement signed with Four Paws International has allowed the city to eliminate a practice that was detrimental to its image and economy. Photo: Flickr / fredsharples 8 June 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00) By Dr. Frank Musmar Azerbaijan built the first large-scale 570,000 solar panels, which stretch out as far as the eye can see across an arid landscape an hours drive from Baku, the countrys capital. In the sun-baked hills of Garadagh, a country built on oil and gas is taking its first steps towards what it bills as a green future. Implementing green technologies has become a critical global concern as nations strive to address environmental challenges and pursue sustainable development. Azerbaijan, a developing country with a growing economy, is no exception to this need. The implementation of green technologies in Azerbaijan is not without obstacles. Limited awareness and understanding of sustainable practices among the population and inadequate regulatory frameworks pose significant challenges. Moreover, financial constraints can impede the adoption of green technologies, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Despite these challenges, Azerbaijan presents numerous opportunities for the successful implementation of green technologies. The country boasts abundant renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar power, which can be harnessed to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Additionally, Azerbaijan benefits from a young and educated workforce, which can drive innovation and entrepreneurship in the green technology sector. Furthermore, the Azerbaijani government has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development by participating in international agreements and establishing environmental policies and programs. This commitment provides a favorable environment for the implementation of green technologies and the promotion of sustainable practices. Innovation plays a crucial role in overcoming the challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities associated with green technology implementation in Azerbaijan. By fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, Azerbaijan can encourage developing and adopting new technologies that address environmental concerns while driving economic growth. Collaboration between government, academia, and industry is essential to nurturing innovation and ensuring the successful integration of green technologies into various economic sectors. Environmental Challenges in Azerbaijan Azerbaijan is not immune to the impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events pose significant risks to the country's ecosystems, agriculture, and infrastructure. These challenges further reinforce the need for sustainable practices and green technologies. Addressing these environmental challenges requires a comprehensive approach integrating sustainable practices and innovative solutions. Implementing green technologies can play a pivotal role in mitigating these challenges and promoting ecological sustainability in Azerbaijan. By adopting renewable energy sources and implementing sustainable agricultural practices, the country can significantly reduce its environmental footprint and contribute to global efforts in combating climate change. Opportunities for Green Technologies Implementation While Azerbaijan faces various environmental challenges, it also presents promising opportunities for successfully implementing green technologies. These opportunities can pave the way for the country's more sustainable and innovative future. One significant opportunity lies in the abundance of renewable energy resources in Azerbaijan. The government is blessed with ample sunlight, wind, and geothermal potential, which can be harnessed to generate clean and sustainable energy. By investing in solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy technologies, Azerbaijan can reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to the global transition towards a low-carbon economy. Additionally, Azerbaijan benefits from a young and educated workforce. The country has significantly invested in education and technical training, producing a skilled labor force capable of driving innovation and entrepreneurship in the green technology sector. This human capital can catalyze developing and adopting new technologies and solutions that address environmental challenges. Moreover, the Azerbaijani government has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development. The country has actively participated in international agreements and initiatives to promote environmental protection and sustainability. This commitment provides a favorable policy environment for implementing green technologies and access to funding and support from international organizations. Furthermore, the government's focus on diversifying the economy presents an opportunity to integrate green technologies across various sectors. Azerbaijan can foster a culture of innovation and create a vibrant green economy by incentivizing businesses to adopt sustainable practices and supporting green technology startups. Collaboration between government, academia, and industry is crucial in capitalizing on these opportunities. By fostering partnerships and knowledge-sharing, Azerbaijan can leverage the expertise and resources of different stakeholders to drive innovation and facilitate the implementation of green technologies. This collaboration can also help bridge the gap between research and practical application, ensuring that green technologies are effectively integrated into the country's infrastructure and industries. Key Challenges in Implementing Green Technologies While Azerbaijan has promising opportunities for implementing green technologies, it also faces several key challenges that must be addressed to ensure successful implementation. If not properly managed, these challenges can hinder achieving sustainability and innovation. One of the primary challenges is the limited awareness and understanding of green technologies among the general population in Azerbaijan. Many individuals may not be fully aware of the benefits and potential of these technologies, making it difficult to generate widespread support and adoption. Education and awareness campaigns are essential to inform and engage the public, highlighting the advantages of green technologies and their positive impact on the environment and economy. In addition, inadequate regulatory frameworks can pose significant obstacles to implementing green technologies. Clear and comprehensive regulations are necessary for a supportive legal environment that encourages investment in green technologies. This includes establishing standards, incentives, and policies promoting sustainable practices and integrating green technologies into various sectors. Financial constraints also present a significant challenge. Green technologies often require substantial upfront investments, which can be a barrier for businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises. Access to financing options, such as loans, grants, and subsidies, is crucial to overcome these financial barriers and incentivize businesses to invest in green technologies. Furthermore, the lack of research and development infrastructure and support systems can hinder the innovation and development of new green technologies in Azerbaijan. Collaboration between academia, research institutions, and industry is essential to foster innovation and drive the advancement of green technologies. Establishing research centers and funding research and development initiatives can help address this challenge. Another challenge is the need for capacity building and skills development. Successfully implementing green technologies requires a skilled workforce with the necessary technical expertise. Providing training programs and educational opportunities can help bridge the skills gap and equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to work with green technologies. Lastly, integrating green technologies into existing infrastructure and industries can be complex. Retrofitting buildings, updating manufacturing processes, and transitioning to sustainable practices may require significant changes and investments. Collaboration between public and private sectors and effective planning and coordination is crucial to ensure a smooth transition and minimize disruptions. Strategies for Overcoming Challenges and Maximizing Opportunities It is crucial to develop effective strategies that address these issues head-on to overcome the challenges and maximize the opportunities for implementing green technologies in Azerbaijan. By adopting the following approach, Azerbaijan can overcome obstacles and unlock the full potential of green technologies for sustainability and innovation. 1. Education and Awareness: Implement a comprehensive education and awareness campaign to inform the public about the benefits of green technologies. This includes initiatives in schools, universities, and communities to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability and the potential of green technologies in addressing environmental challenges. 2. Regulatory Framework: Establish clear and robust regulations that support the adoption and integration of green technologies. This includes setting standards, providing incentives, and implementing policies encouraging businesses and industries to invest in and adopt sustainable practices. 3. Financial Support: To ease the financial burden of implementing green technologies, create accessible financing options, such as low-interest loans, grants, and subsidies. Encourage partnerships between financial institutions, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders to provide financial support and incentives for sustainable projects. 4. Research and Development: Foster collaboration between academia, research institutions, and industry to drive innovation and the development of new green technologies. Establish research centers and provide funding for research and development initiatives focusing on sustainable practices and advancing green technologies. 5. Capacity Building: Invest in training programs and skills development initiatives to equip the workforce with the necessary knowledge and expertise to work with green technologies. Collaborate with educational institutions and industry partners to provide practical training and internship opportunities in sustainability and green technology. 6. Public-Private Partnerships: Foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to drive the implementation of green technologies. Encourage partnerships and knowledge-sharing between businesses, government agencies, and research institutions to leverage resources, expertise, and infrastructure for sustainable development initiatives. 7. Integration Planning: Develop comprehensive plans for integrating green technologies into existing infrastructure and industries. This includes conducting feasibility studies, identifying areas for retrofitting and upgrading, and providing support and incentives for businesses to transition to sustainable practices. 8. International Cooperation: Collaborate with international organizations and participate in global initiatives to leverage expertise, funding, and best practices in green technology implementation. Seek partnerships with countries successfully implementing green technologies to learn from their experiences and adapt relevant strategies to the local context. By implementing these strategies, Azerbaijan can overcome challenges and maximize opportunities for green technology implementation. This will drive sustainability and innovation and contribute to the country's economic growth, environmental protection, and the well-being of its citizens. Dr. Frank Musmar Faculty| Academic Researcher | Middle East Politics Expert | Best Selling Writer | Advisory Board President | Dissertation and Proofreading specialist | Journalist ( Member of the International Federation of Journalists) --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 8 June 2024 11:36 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) discussed several key aspects of the bilateral cooperation, Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov said on X, Azernews reports. During our meeting with Ludger Schuknecht, the Vice-President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), we discussed several key aspects of our bilateral cooperation - the strategies implemented by the AIIB in recent years and planned future measures, the Banks operational focus in Azerbaijan, joint cooperation and opportunities for partnerships within COP29, Jabbarov said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 8 June 2024 12:07 (UTC+04:00) The COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company hosted presentation on the preparations for the COP29 on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in the German city of Bonn, Azernews reports. The presentation featured information on logistics, visa procedures, accommodation, as well as Blue and Green zones. In his opening remarks, Azerbaijans Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev highlighted Azerbaijans ongoing rapid preparation process for the upcoming COP29 Conference, adding that the COP29 Operating Company reached significant progress in this regard and Baku would be ready to host this prestigious event. He also highlighted the historical responsibility assumed by Azerbaijan and the countrys intention to make a unique contribution to the climate diplomacy, noting that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared the year 2024 as the Green World Solidarity Year in the country. Chair of the COP29 Operating Company and Chief Operating Officer Narmin Jarchalova provided insight into the logistics and operating processes, including the specially designed electronic visa system and construction of necessary facilities. The presentation also featured a Q&A session. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 8 June 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00) Jakov Milatovic, President of Montenegro, has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports. The letter reads: "His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Mr. President, Allow me to extend to you, on behalf of the citizens of Montenegro and on my own behalf, our sincere congratulations on May 28th - Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and best wishes for your further prosperity and well-being. Montenegro and Republic of Azerbaijan have very good bilateral relations and substantive cooperation in numerous areas. The dynamic and high-quality political dialogue we have been continuously achieving encourages and obliges us to give new impetus to future investment and infrastructure projects in areas of mutual interest through joint efforts. I am pleased with the fact that your country will host this year's United Nations Climate Change Summit - COP29. I am convinced that you will approach the demanding preparations and realization of this very important event in the best possible way, which I will personally attend with great pleasure. In the hope that we will continue to build the best possible relations between our countries and peoples in the coming period, and in anticipation of our meeting in Baku in mid-November this year, esteemed President, please accept the assurance of my highest consideration. Jakov Milatovic President of Montenegro" --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 8 June 2024 11:05 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijans Prime Minister Ali Asadov met with President of the National Assembly of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Zorlu Tore, Azernews reports. During the meeting, the sides highlighted the importance of the Baku-hosted 13th plenary session of TURKPA. The parties underscored the special role of the Organization of Turkic States in enhancing and expanding the relations based on historical bonds among the peoples of the Turkic world. The meeting also revolved around the issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus across various domains. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 8 June 2024 14:08 (UTC+04:00) "You will represent two brothers in space with the flags of Turkiye on one side and Azerbaijan on the other." Azernews reports that these words were said by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a live conversation with Tuva Cihangir Atasever, the second astronaut in the history of Turkiye, who is preparing for a suborbital flight from the US Spaceport (New Mexico) cosmodrome. Atasever said that the flags of Azerbaijan and Turkiye will always be side by side on Earth, so they will take their place side by side on his chest during his journey to space. It should be noted that Tuva Cihangir Atasever, who is preparing for a suborbital flight from the US Spaceport (New Mexico) cosmodrome, will wear a uniform with Turkish and Azerbaijani flags during the mission on June 8. Before that, Turkiye's first astronaut, Alper Gezeravci, flew to the International Space Station on January 18 this year. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 8 June 2024 15:30 (UTC+04:00) "Today's talks with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan serve to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields," said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during a press statement with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports. We discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. We also discussed potential cooperation opportunities in the fields of construction, transport, pharmaceuticals, oil and infrastructure. We also noted the importance of the activity of the joint commission between the two countries and organizing its next meeting, noted Abdel El-Sisi. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 8 June 2024 17:09 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar al-Sharif on June 8 in Cairo, Azernews reports. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his pleasure to visit Al-Azhar for the second time and to meet the Sheikh of al-Azhar al-Sharif, Grand Imam Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed El-Tayeb during his official visit to Egypt. The head of state noted the strong Azerbaijan-Egypt relations and historical ties between the two countries, emphasizing that developing relations with Arab states is a priority for Azerbaijan's foreign policy. President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan hosts significant events to promote dialogue among religions, cultures, and civilizations, thus, contributing to interfaith dialogue. He invited grand imam Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed El-Tayeb to visit Azerbaijan. The President highlighted that Azerbaijan would host COP29 this year and proposed holding the next meeting of religious leaders in cooperation with Al-Azhar within the COP29 framework. The President reminded that Azerbaijani territories were under occupation for nearly thirty years, during which Islamic material and cultural monuments including 65 out of 67 mosques were totally destroyed. He expressed regret that a political resolution to the conflict was not possible and noted that Azerbaijan exercised its right to self-defense, ending the occupation and restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty. President Ilham Aliyev mentioned the ongoing efforts to restore mosques and Islamic heritage in the liberated areas, with five mosques already restored. He emphasized Azerbaijan's contribution to Islamic solidarity and continued efforts in this direction in cooperation with brotherly Muslim countries. The President of Azerbaijan underlined the importance of declaring the city of Shusha as the capital of Islamic culture and the events held in Shusha in this context. The head of state also said that 16 out of 17 mosques in Shusha had been completely destroyed during the occupation. The Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar al-Sharif expressed his gratitude to the head of state for this visit, and noted that the relations between Egypt and Azerbaijan are at a very good level. He hailed Azerbaijans fully ensuring its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Expressing his appreciation for the invitation to COP29, Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed El-Tayeb mentioned that he would be pleased to participate in this event. Recalling that the 2nd Summit of World Religious Leaders was held in Baku, the Sheikh of al-Azhar al-Sharif personally thanked President Ilham Aliyev for Azerbaijans contributions to the Islamic solidarity, and underscored the ongoing joint efforts to hold a meeting of religious leaders within the framework of COP29. He emphasized that al-Azhar al-Sharif is ready to support Azerbaijan in teaching the Arabic language, adding that Azerbaijani students also study at al-Azhar. Expressing his gratitude for the intention to support the teaching of the Arabic language in Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that historically, great attention had been paid to the study and teaching of the Arabic language and Islamic culture in the country. President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the existence of the Faculty of Oriental Studies at Baku State University and the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. x x x Then, keepsakes were presented. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 8 June 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, USA, has launched the "Ask Dali" project, which provides an opportunity to communicate with the artist, Azernews reports. Machine learning models such as GPT-4 from OpenAL and Eleven V2 from ElevenLabs have learned how to synthesize surrealist speech based on archival recordings and texts by the artist. Henk Hein, the director of the museum, was the first to establish a dialogue with Salvador Dali. He asked what the visitor should see, and received the following answer: "In the labyrinth of imagination opened at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, one should look for the melting clock in the painting "The Disintegration of the continuity of Memory." where time flows like a dream that defies limitations. This is not the first such practice. In 2022, the Andy Warhol Diaries series was launched on Netflix, where people have the opportunity to listen to his phone conversations with his friend Pat Hackett. Every day he would tell her how the day had gone. This was made possible thanks to the Resemble AI sound generator, which recreates the artist's voice based on real audio recordings with a total duration of only 3 minutes and 12 seconds courtesy of the Andy Warhol Foundation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 8 June 2024 19:16 (UTC+04:00) Uzbekistans trade turnover volume with Tajikistan amounted to $198.1 million from January through April 2024, Azernews reports. As per data from Uzbekistans Statistics Agency, this figure is 3.4 percent less compared to the same period last year ($205.1 million in JanuaryApril 2023). Uzbekistan's exports to Tajikistan totaled $145.8 million from January through April 2024, a 12.6 percent decrease over the same period the previous year ($167 million in JanuaryApril 2023). Uzbekistans imports from Tajikistan reached $52.3 million from January through April 2024. This figure has increased by 37.2 percent year-on-year ($38.1 million in JanuaryApril 2023). Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover volume amounted to $20.9 billion from January through April 2024, six percent greater than the previous year ($19.7 billion in JanuaryApril 2023). The largest trade turnover volume was recorded with China ($3.9 billion) during this period. Russia ranks second with a total trade turnover volume of $3.8 billion, followed by Kazakhstan ($1.2 billion). --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz D-Day Remembrance: How World War II Affected the Oregon Coast Published 6/06/24 at 4:15 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection (Oregon Coast) The grand details of World War II are varied and incredibly multi-leveled. If you're a student of history at all, this one presents the most constant stream of amazing facts and revelations; it's a never-ending supply of jaw-droppers. Even D-Day itself can yield these, which is marked today, January 6 - now the 80th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy that eventually sealed the end of the conflict in Europe. (Extremely rare photo of WWII personnel in Lincoln City, courtesy North Lincoln Historical Museum) Indeed, did you know it was a gigantic fake ghost army that helped win D-Day? Or that Pink Floyd inadvertently helped find another Nazi bunker in Berlin in the '90s? (More on that at bottom). Even the Oregon coast has multiple surprises when it comes to World War II although D-Day itself happened an ocean and continent away from here. It was World War II in general that had a profound effect on the beach towns, especially after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1942. There are plenty of well known stories about this area during wartime: the Japanese sub that fired on Fort Stevens, the bombing attempts of a plane launched from that sub near Brookings (Coastal Oddities), and the balloon bombs that went off there. However, this coastline played a major role in defensive measures that are still a bit eye-popping to this day. Courtesy Seaside Historical Museum All kinds of patrols hit these beaches. Radar and guard bases went up from Brookings through Astoria. Blimps roamed the sky and even barbed wire went up in places like the wreck of the Peter Iredale. Among the surprises: there are almost no photos of military life on the Oregon coast. That's because snapping pics of operations or bases here was forbidden for security purposes. No selfies with the big guns pointed west allowed in those days. Indeed, this reaches all the way to regular homes in the area. One home in Lincoln City's Nelscott district was used as a submarine lookout. It was until recent years a vacation rental, built in the '40s. Like many spots on this coastline, it became a home for military folks stationed in the area. However, this one was a bit different: it actually had a large gun built on its southern end, on the cliffside. That apparently gave way one day to erosion. The shroud of secrecy means there were no photos of this. Numerous homes and hotel businesses became host to military personnel including what was later the Spouting Horn restaurant in Depoe Bay. There are a couple rare photos of that, however. Life on the Oregon coast often changed drastically. Tourism dried up in most spots (although Seaside seemed to do OK at times during the war years). One of the major forces there were gasoline rations, perhaps even more so than the need to use the beaches to protect against incoming enemies. On the south coast: Unknown History: Two Ships That Were Torpedoed by Japanese Off South Oregon Coast: One aspect of note were the blackouts: these were strictly enforced in larger cities and much of the coast. Homes and businesses were forced to turn out the lights at night, lest they give any enemy aircraft a target. On the central Oregon coast, around Depoe Bay through parts of Lincoln City, army boats often checked from offshore to see if homes were blocking out their lights. Not everyone took it seriously, and the army officer in charge of the area wrote an op-ed in the local paper threatening martial law if they kept that up. There are still a few structures around from WW II, though not many. You can see those Oregon Coast During World War II, History With More Lessons to Teach and Remnants of WWII on Oregon Coast You Can Visit. Among those are the radar stations. Photo Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium One major example sits deep into the woods of Tillamook Head between Seaside and Cannon Beach. Named J-23, there was a whole base up there with a mess hall, lodging for the men and of course the big radar gear. The bunker, a few railroad tracks and some markers still exist. There's nasty bats inside, however, and it's illegal to go in there. The Mysterious World War II Bunker Atop Oregon Coast's Tillamook Head Steven Greif, Coos HIstory Museum Another one still around is on the south coast at Cape Arago near Coos Bay. This one was called Station B-28, and these days it looks like the burned out remnants of a restroom. Back then, however, these bunkers were alive with people and buzzing equipment. Another radar station can be found near Oceanside. Continued from top: Just prior to D-Day, allies needed to fool the Axis powers they were going to land somewhere else in France other than Normandy. So the U.S. and others created a ghost army of fake vehicles, tanks, a phony base and more, all activated on January 20, 1944. Called Operation Fortitude, it enlisted the help of an army of artists, including future trailblazers such as Bill Blass (fashion designer). There was even pretend radio traffic all to make Nazi surveillance think the troop buildup was elsewhere. It worked. Hitler was reportedly dumbstruck when he received word of the invasion, even in denial for a time that it wasn't where German intelligence thought it would be. In 1990, after the Berlin Wall came down, Pink Floyd was scheduled to play the newly-united city with a concert of The Wall. As excavation ensued to ready one area for the massive gig, an old Nazi bunker was found that had not been seen before. It had housed SS troops during the war, and ended up on the eastern side of the border when Russia took that area. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Scientific First for Oregon Coast: New Kind of Sunfish Confirmed at Gearhart Published 6/06/24 at 5:15 p.m. By Andre' Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection (Gearhart, Oregon) You could say, we've been hoodwinked all this time by a certain fish. (All photos Tiffany Boothe / Seaside Aquarium) Bad puns aside, the north Oregon coast's Seaside Aquarium helped make a rather remarkable find recently, when a Mola mola (otherwise known as a sunfish) washed up on the north Oregon coast beaches of Gearhart. That stranding incident spread fast on social media, and it immediately caught the attention of a researcher in New Zealand, who then asked Seaside Aquarium to get some genetic samples of it tested. Her theory was correct: it turned out this wasn't a regular ol' Mola mola. It was a hoodwinker sunfish, a Mola tecta, which science has only recently discovered has been among the sunfish populations this whole time. Marianne Nyegaard is cutting edges down under: still a PhD student, she's discovered a new species of sunfish and even has her own Wikipedia page. She contacted Tiffany Boothe at the Seaside Aquarium after spotting the Mola mola shots on Oregon's coast, some 7,000 miles from New Zealand. Youve heard of an ocean sunfish, but have you heard of the hoodwinker sunfish?, Boothe said. The photographs she saw indicated that this might not be a run-of-the-mill ocean sunfish (Mola mola) but a different species that she was very familiar with, the hoodwinker sunfish (Mola tecta). It was through her research that she discovered and described this new species of sunfish, which she published in 2017. It's been dubbed a new species hiding in plain sight, Boothe said. This one is also a first in that it's likely the largest of sunfish ever found on these shores, at over 7 feet. Previous Mola mola from 2019 Nygaard made a host of discoveries about this new species in the last ten years, which included ID'ing it via DNA, finding it was a different species of Mola mola that simply looked a lot like the others. The average person wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Initially, Nygaard assumed they were simply southern hemisphere dwellers. But several years ago it started showing up in Canada, connecting Nygaard and researchers up there and making more discoveries about this unusual fish. When this incident popped up online, Nygaard was apparently reliving those Canada Hoodwinker moments. Graphic Nyegaard: how to tell the difference Nyegaard reached out to the Seaside Aquarium to see if they would be willing to take samples for genetics, Boothe said. Staff quickly responded, took more photographs, measurements, and tissue samples. Through photographs, Marianne confirmed that it was a hoodwinker and that this may be the largest specimen ever sampled. Check that box for the Oregon coast achieving another first. Nyegaard's finds about this wacky fish and its new relative have been integral, but she's been constantly surprised over how far north it's been found, causing her to revise theories, according to various news reports. Other publications describe her combing through photos of mola mola on the West Coast of the U.S. and discovering more and more of this new fish. This fish, hiding in plain sight, has most likely been seen/washed ashore in the Pacific Northwest before but was mistaken for the more common, Mola mola, Boothe said. Not unlike the finds down under, it seems they may have been here quite a while. We dont know for sure but it is likely that its been here all this time, Boothe told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. But more research would be needed to confirm that. The creature is 7.3 feet, and it's still there for awhile. This fish is still on Gearhart beach and will probably remain for a few more days, maybe weeks as their tough skin makes it hard for scavengers to puncture, Boothe said. It is a remarkable fish and the aquarium encourages people to go see it for themselves. Hotels in Astoria - Where to eat - Astoria Maps and Virtual Tours Hotels in Seaside - Where to eat - Seaside Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Poland's new globalist prime minister has failed to stand behind Poland's soldiers who are on the front line stopping illegal aliens from invading Poland from Belarus. Working with Putin, Belarus has been flying illegal aliens from the Middle East and Africa and bussing them to the Polish border to try to enter the EU. Poland's precious conservative government built a border wall and stationing the army to guard against illegal alien crossings. When a patrol of Polish army soldiers along the border wall encountered a group of about 50 illegal aliens on the Belarus side trying to get over the wall, they rushed up to put a stop to it. One of the illegal aliens pulled a knife and thrust it through the bollards of the border wall and into the chest on the closest Polish soldier. The whole group then tried to harrass the rest of the patrol, as well as medical personnel who came to the aid of the wounded soldier. The soldier later died in the hospital. Several days later in another incident, another army patrol at the border encountered another group of illegal aliens trying to get over the border. They fired warning shots in the air from their rifles and the illegal aliens ran away. Poland's globalist Prime Minister Tusk ordered the military police to arrest the soldiers who had fired the warning shots. In that incident, several soldiers had been wounded by objects thrown by the illegal aliens and one had tied a knife to a pole and tried to stab the soldiers. Poland's former conservative prime minister had given soldiers on the border broad authority to defend themselves and the border. In next door Lithuania, its government explicitely gave soldiers authorization to use whatever level of force was necessary to keep illegal aliens from crossing over from Belarus. https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/migrant-murders-polish-soldier-protecting-border/ https://rmx.news/article/a-soldier-does-not-carry-a-weapon-to-be-a-puppet-polish-soldiers-outraged-over-prosecutions-from-the-tusk-government/ https://rmx.news/commentary/blood-spilled-on-the-border-polish-soldiers-death-laid-at-the-feet-of-tusk-and-bodnar/ Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, Texas, has signed an agreement to acquire River Crest Hospital, an 80-bed behavioral health facility from King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services. Forbes Advisor ranked Texas for the second year in a row as the worst state for mental healthcare, and behavioral health resources has been identified as the most critical healthcare need in the San Angelo area, according to Shannon Medical Center President and CEO Shane Plymell. "These findings demonstrate the urgency to make this right next step to address the behavioral health needs of our community," Mr. Plymell said in a June 5 news release. "This new addition to the Shannon Health System will ensure community members of all ages who struggle with behavioral health and substance abuse issues will have expanded access to specialized care." River Crest offers behavioral health and substance use disorder programs for children, adolescents, adults and military members. Shannon has a 22-bed regional inpatient psychiatric facility that provides behavioral health services for adults and senior adults. Both facilities offer outpatient behavioral health programs. Three details of the proposed acquisition: The addition of River Crest will help ensure a seamless transition to expanded services for Shannon patients who need a higher level of care. Specifically, Shannon said it will improve connectivity to a combined care team, implement collaborative processes and use the additional resources to provide a better patient experience. The transaction would help secure the future of comprehensive behavioral health services for the region and preserve access to local care, according to Shannon. Shannon will expand behavioral health services in the Concho Valley through facility upgrades, services, technology and equipment as well as additional behavioral health employees and providers. Phase one will add 20 beds to River Crest campus; phase two will add 20 more beds to the facility. The acquisition is expected to be completed in September, pending regulatory approval. "We have been impressed by the conversations we've had with Shannon about the current and future needs of behavioral health in the San Angelo community," Phuong Cardoza, UHS' group director for behavioral health, said. "Joining Shannon will ensure River Crest can continue to meet this critical community need and to invest in our physicians and staff who provide outstanding care every day." An Irish artists most ambitious project has had its island of Ireland debut as part of Belfast Photo Festival. Broken Spectre by Richard Mosse is the result of four years work filming in the Amazon rainforest. This immersive 74-minute film shifts between ecological narratives, from the swathes of empty land in contrast to the lush rainforest, from the indigenous communities fighting for survival to the Brazilian cowboys burning their surroundings for cattle rearing. Broadcaster Fergal Keane: People are much more willing to talk about the emotional pressures of the job Ahead of acclaimed journalist and broadcaster Fergal Keane speaking in Belfast next week, he chats with Aine Toner about his appreciation for local news and love for a local poet Fergal Keane Aine Toner Sat 8 Jun 2024 at 08:00 Poetry matters to former foreign correspondent Fergal Keane. When speaking to Review, he was in France visiting the grave of poet Edward Thomas who was killed during the First World War. Fire in the Melmount Road area of Strabane. Photo: Cop/vosa watch Derry Police are currently in attendance at a shed fire in Co Tyrone. The PSNI received a report of a fire in the Melmount Road area of Strabane. "A number of diversion points are in place, a police officer said. However, road users are advised to avoid the area at this time due to heavy traffic. "Seek an alternative route, if possible. A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said fire fighters are currently in attendance at an incident involving a shed on fire on the Melmount Road in Strabane. A spokesperson added: Fire Appliances from Strabane, Crescent Link, Castlederg, Newtownstewart, Dungiven and Omagh are in attendance. The incident is ongoing. Leo Varadkar speaking at an Irelands Future event in 2022 (Niall Carson/PA) Leo Varadkar will make a return to the public spotlight when he addresses a Belfast conference on Irish unity next weekend. He will give a keynote speech at the Irelands Future event at the SSE Arena next Saturday. Mr Varadkar stepped down as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader in April. He told the Irish News: There is no doubt that inclusive constitutional conversations are happening in a new way on this island. Safe, constructive, shared discussions will be pivotal to building our future. I have said before that there could be a united Ireland in my lifetime and participating in events such as this Irelands Future conference is very important in that regard. I look forward to not only speaking at the event but also listening to what others have to say. Other speakers at the event include the SDLPs Claire Hanna, Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald and GAA president Jarlath Burns. Also listed to appear at the event are Wallace Thompson, a founding member of the DUP, and former loyalist politician David Adams. Mr Varadkar became Taoiseach from 2017 to 2020, and from 2022 to April this year. Announcing he was resigning, the 45-year-old said he felt he was no longer the right person for the job and cited "personal and political" reasons for the decision. Mr Varadkar has spoken in the past of his hopes for Irish unity. Last September he said he believes Ireland is "on the path to unification" and that there will be a united Ireland within his lifetime. News of Mr Varadkars appearance comes a day after Alliance leader Naomi Long pulled out of the event. She blamed last minute diary changes linked to the election. An Alliance spokesperson said: Unfortunately, due to the snap election and short nature of the campaign, Naomi Long's diary has had to see a number of last-minute changes and therefore is unable to participate in this event due to other pressing commitments. The partys north Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister will instead speak at the conference. Ireland's Future Secretary Niall Murphy said: It is unfortunate that Naomi Long has indicated she is no longer available to participate in the Pathway to Change event at the SSE arena. "Irelands Future regrets that this is the case. DUP MLA Gordon Lyons said Mrs Long should explain why she ever agreed to attend the Irelands Future anti-unionist event. Irelands Future exists to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom, he said. Police responded to the crash on the Letterboy Road, Kesh. Stock photo. An 18-year-old is fighting for his life in hospital after a crash in Co Fermanagh. A second man also needed hospital treatment for his injuries. Police said they responded to the serious two-vehicle road traffic collision in Kesh shortly after 6pm on Friday. The accident involved a Silver Peugeot 207 sport HDI and Blue Honda Accord. The Fire Service, Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance all attended the scene on the Letterboy Road. Police said: The driver of the Peugeot, an 18-year-old man, was transported to hospital for life-threatening injuries. He remains in a critical condition at this time. A 44-year-old man who was the driver of the Honda, was taken to hospital for injuries not believed to be life-threatening at present. "The road which was closed for a time has since reopened to all traffic this morning, Saturday. Our investigation is now underway to establish exactly what happened. We would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dash-cam footage to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1515 07/06/24. The final rehearsal for the Kings Birthday Parade, known as the Colonels Review, has taken place in London. This year, the Number 9 Irish Guards will troop their colour on June 15 with the King in attendance. They rehearsed at Horse Guards Parade in front of an audience of 8,000 after receiving a letter from their colonel, the Princess of Wales, apologising for her absence and wishing them luck. In the letter, Kate, who is undergoing chemotherapy after a cancer diagnosis, told the Irish Guards how proud she is to be part of the regiment. The letter said: I wanted to write to you to let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonels Review and Trooping the Colour. I appreciate everyone trooping the colour this year has been practising for months and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate. Being your colonel remains an honour and I am very sorry that Im unable to take the salute at this years Colonels Review. Please pass on my apologies to the whole regiment, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw, Brigade Major of Household Division, responded in a statement: We totally understand, and our thoughts and best wishes are with Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales. Army musicians play during the Colonels Review at Horse Guards Parade (Jeff Moore/PA) We were even more determined to make the Colonels Review the best yet, for her. We are so proud to have the Princess of Wales as the Colonel of the Irish Guards. Charles, who has recently returned to public-facing duties while receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, confirmed last week that he will be in attendance and inspect the soldiers from a carriage rather than on horseback as he has done previously. During the parade on Saturday morning, the Irish Guards mascot, an Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor but affectionately known as Seamus, was led across the square by a scarlet-coated drummer. Seamus the wolfhound, the mascot of the Irish Guards, is paraded during the Colonels Review (Jeff Moore/PA) The dog was presented to the regiment as the soldiers lined up. Kate was represented at the Colonels Review by General James Bucknall, who acted as the chief inspecting officer of the day in the princesss absence. Field Officer in Brigade Waiting Lieutenant Colonel James Coleby shouted orders to the regiment while riding a white horse named Onyx. A mock-up of the royal carriage, emulating the one which will hold the King in a weeks time, arrived at Horse Guards Parade in time to reach the saluting base at exactly 11am. A mock-up of the royal carriage arrived at exactly 11am (Jeff Moore/PA) A royal salute was given and the national anthem was played in full. The Household Calvary and the Mounted Band processed around the square with the carriage. Horses marched in pairs in front and behind the carriage, with two divisions in front and two behind before the group finally filed off the parade and down the mall to prepare for the mock firing of a 41-gun salute, which will take place next Saturday. A total of 250 musicians, 20 pipers, 240 military working horses and almost 1,000 dual-role soldiers of the British Armys Household Division took part in the event on Saturday. Almog Meir Jan raises his hands after being freed (Tomer Appelbaum/AP) Rishi Sunak said it is a huge relief to see the return of hostages who were kidnapped in Hamass attack on Israel on October 7. Israeli forces rescued four captives in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, in the largest such recovery since the militants assault triggered the conflict. The Prime Minister said on social media site X: It is a huge relief to see hostages returned after their unimaginable ordeal and heartwarming to see the pictures of them reunited with their families. We will continue to strive towards an end to the fighting as well as safety and security for all. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said: News of the rescue of four hostages will be a huge relief to their families. My thoughts also with families of those still captive, and all the innocent lives affected by the conflict. We must secure the release of all hostages and end the fighting through a ceasefire deal. Labours shadow foreign secretary David Lammy wrote: Its now 245 days since October 7th, when these hostages were kidnapped from the Nova music festival by Hamas terrorists. Their rescue is a glimmer of hope in the darkness. We need an immediate ceasefire now, to get all the hostages released and a surge of aid into Gaza. Malaysia topped the list of governments asking TikTok to remove content last year, company data released Friday showed, about a month after the countrys ranking plummeted on a global press freedom index. Still, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shrugged off such rankings and numbers last week, saying that being tough against racist and bigoted content in his multiethnic and multifaith country was more important. The short-video platform TikTok received 2,202 government requests to remove a little more than 6,000 pieces of content, according to its bi-annual Government Removal Requests Report for 2023. Most of the requests 1,862 of the total came from July to December. In some cases, we will remove or restrict content reported by government agencies. We review requests made to us through the proper channels and where otherwise required by law, TikToks report said. If a request isnt legally valid or doesnt violate our guidelines or [local] laws, we will reject it. If a request violates applicable law but not the community guidelines, we may restrict content in that market, it said. In 2023, TikTok took down content mentioned in half of the governments requests based on violations of Malaysian laws. The company did not specify the legal or community guidelines said to have been violated according to each request, but added that it takes action based on its own guidelines and relevant local laws. The number of requests for content removal was 29 times higher last year than the 75 requests in 2022. TikTok did not immediately respond to a BenarNews request for details on the kinds of posts the government requested be taken down. BenarNews also reached out to Malaysias Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the internet regulator, for details on why content removal requests were five times higher in the second half of 2023 compared with the first, and 29 times higher in 2023 compared to the previous year. Neither responded. Malaysia held six state elections on Aug. 12, 2023. From October to November 2022, during the general election, the country saw a surge in hate speech and disinformation online, with hardline parties such as the Islamist PAS using racial rhetoric, studies showed. In October 2023, the communications minister said that TikToks efforts to reduce the spread of fake news in Malaysia has been woefully inadequate and that he had told top management it needed to start following the countrys laws. In April, he followed up by mandating that all social media platforms, including TikTok and Metas Facebook, tighten their policies on harmful content in a move to curb provocative posts on race, religion and royalty referred to as the 3Rs in Malaysia. Armed Malaysian troopers guard a truck of rice and other food to aid those affected by race riots in Kuala Lumpur, May 21, 1969. [AP] The three issues are highly sensitive in the country where ethnic Malay Muslims comprise 70% of the population, ethnic Chinese 22.6% and ethnic Indians 6.6%. The population includes among other religions, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians. Anwar has reiterated in recent months that his administration would not abide racism and anti-minority sentiment in any form. Press freedom ranking In May, when asked about Malaysias 34-rank fall in the press freedom index by global watchdog Reporters Without Borders, he said he wasnt worried. If you allow racism or fascism to flourish or religious bigotry to have a freehold in this country, then you must anticipate the possibility of friction, racial strife and religious disharmony, he said in a speech during National Press Day that month. Of course, we have been criticized I dont mind. It doesnt matter if you downgrade [our rank] because we are tough against the racists and the religious bigots. In my mind, saving this country and protecting the rights of the majority and the minorities is more important than getting high marks or international recognition. However, some critics have said that Anwar had been suppressing more than just content he believed caused racial and religious disharmony. Since becoming prime minister in November 2022, an opposition member had been charged under a colonial-era Sedition Act. Senior journalists and observers also accused Malaysias internet regulator of excessive control over the media by censoring content it considered sensitive or critical of the government. The regulator denied the accusations while Anwar defended the sedition charge last year saying that when it comes to matters concerning the position and dignity of the rulers, this is something we should uphold and prevent from becoming an unhealthy political discourse. Josef Benedict of Asia Pacific for CIVICUS, an alliance of civil society organizations, said Malaysia's requests to take down content should be made more transparent. While some requests may be legitimate, intervening with or removing content affects the rights to freedom of expression and privacy, and can easily lead to censorship, Josef told BenarNews. Takedown orders must be necessary and proportionate, provided for by law, and in pursuit of a legitimate aim. An academic, Benjamin Loh, said many laws needed to be scrapped or changed. The core definitions under [the Sedition Act] that serve as the foundation for 3R enforcement are vague and unclear, which is why it desperately needs reforms to curb potential abuses of power by the government, Loh, a senior lecturer in the School of Media and Communication at Taylor's University, told BenarNews. This is a little tricky, as parts of the race, religion, and royalty [issues] are indeed in need of regulation due to the presence of groups that engage in hate speech. An airfield, buildings and structures are seen in October 2022 on the artificial island built by China in Subi Reef in Spratly Islands, South China Sea. China has progressively asserted its claim of ownership over disputed islands in the South China Sea by artificially increasing the size of islands, creating new islands and building ports, military outposts and airstrips. Polling stations have closed after voters cast their ballots in three elections. Voter turnout averaged 41.91 per cent across Dublin. Coming up to 9pm in the Artane Whitehall area turnout was at 49.46 per cent, Ballyfermot Drimnagh at 42.05 per cent, in Ballymun Finglas at 30.54, and in Clontarf at 48 per cent. Advertisement Donaghmede was on 49 per cent turnout, Kimmage Rathmines was 39 per cent, and the south-west inner city at 38 per cent. Voter turnout for Cork county was averaging 26.8 per cent at 5pm, but this had increased to 43.4 per cent by 8pm. This was higher than the 42.2 per cent recorded in 2019. However, polling stations were recording large differences ranging 32 per cent in some parts of the county to 53%. Kerry was expected to hit 50 per cent by the time polls closed at 10pm, while Dungarvan in Co Waterford had already gone over 50 per cent with more than an hour left in voting. Votes were cast for local authorities, the European Parliament and for the first time voters in Limerick are directly electing a mayor. Advertisement Ballot boxes will be opened at 9am on Saturday before counting in the local elections get under way later in the day. The counting of votes in the European election will start on Sunday while the mayoral votes will be counted on Monday. On Friday evening, there were reports of a steady turnout of voters. Advertisement Party leaders including Taoiseach Simon Harris led the way in casting their votes on Friday morning. Mr Harris urged everybody to get out and have their say. Advertisement The separate elections come at a febrile time in Irish politics dominated by discussion on a housing crisis, the cost of living and migration. The coalition partnership of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party has been battling criticism domestically and on the continent over other issues including climate action, agriculture policy and defence co-operation in the EU. The eagerly awaited polls will provide political parties with concrete evidence of voter sentiment, having had to wait more than four years since the last nationwide elections. Support for Sinn Fein has hovered above 30% for a long time even temporarily reaching highs of around 35%. However, opinion polls over the last eight months suggest that support for the party is on a dramatic slide as independents eat up more of the expected vote share. Advertisement Many of the ballot papers across the elections contain a large number of independents with a variety of political leanings, several of whom have been described as anti-immigrant. Also of note, Fine Gael appears to have had somewhat of a Harris hop in the polls following the shock resignation of Leo Varadkar as leader of the party earlier this year, leading to Simon Harris taking over. Taoiseach Simon Harris votes at the polling station at Delgany National School in Co Wicklow (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA) The results of the three campaigns being decided on Friday may be instructive for the overall state of the parties and could potentially direct Mr Harris decision on when to call the next general election, which must be held by March next year. President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina cast their votes on Friday morning. The couple were greeted by staff at the polling station in Phoenix Park in Dublin. President of Ireland Michael D Higgins casts his vote in the local and European elections in Phoenix Park, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA) Meanwhile, the Taoiseach cast his votes early at Delgany National School in Co Wicklow ahead of a day of campaigning across the country. It is so important that people get out and vote, that they have their say, that they cast their ballots because of course if you dont turn up youre allowing someone else to speak on your behalf, Mr Harris told reporters at the voting centre in his home constituency. So polls are open to 10pm tonight, Id urge everybody to get out and have their say in what is a great exercise in democracy. We live in a healthy democracy and today is working proof of it. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin at the partys launch of the European election campaign (Brian Lawless/PA) Ms McDonald said today is the big day and said it was very important for people to use their vote. Speaking after casting her ballot at the polling station on Navan Road in Cabra, Dublin, Ms McDonald denied running too many candidates. No, we ran a great slate of candidates and they have all thoroughly enjoyed the campaign and (being) out and about meeting people. So today is the peoples day, please come out and vote, she said. In south Dublin, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said there is no anti-government sentiment among the Irish public. As he cast his votes in Fridays elections at Muslim School Clonskeagh, Mr Ryan said there was a queue outside the door by 7am. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said it was very important for people to use their vote (Niall Carson/PA) This is a Government thats working and my sense in the last few months canvassing is there isnt you know people they recognise the Government is working, Mr Ryan said. Theyre not happy with, rightly, a whole range of different things we need to do better. But you couldnt say out there that theres a strong anti-government sentiment. Well see if thats reflected in the count in the end. Across the island, millions of residents were eligible to vote in local elections. There are 31 local government bodies in Ireland. Each county and city council is divided into local electoral areas with a specified number of council seats to be filled in the election. In total, there are 166 electoral areas in Ireland and each of them elects a number of councillors. The number of councillors to be elected nationally is 949. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan reading his local-election manifesto (Brian Lawless/PA) These representatives are tasked with making policy decisions at local level including on planning and community development. The last set of local elections took place in May 2019 against a very different political backdrop. Fianna Fail won the most council seats overall, the Green Party made historic gains and Sinn Fein lost many of their seats. This year the three main parties Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein are fielding a similar number of candidates across every electoral area. There are also more than 500 independents standing this year, along with dozens of candidates from new parties, such as Independent Ireland and The Irish People. Below you can find the full list of all 2,171 candidates standing in this years election. Use the search bar to find candidates in your area or local authority. This year has also seen a record number of women standing for election. There are 682 women running, about 31 per cent of all candidates. There are two local electoral areas where no women are standing Corca Dhuibhne in Co Kerry, and Moate in Co Westmeath. In the 2019 local elections, 561 women ran for a seat, while in 2014, 440 women were candidates. Fianna Fail comes bottom of the class among the major parties in terms of the number of women running. Only 25 per cent of its candidates are women. Fine Gael fares slightly better with 29 per cent female candidates. Sinn Fein is fielding 335 candidates in the local election, 44 per cent of whom are women. The Social Democrats and the Green Party have an even number of men and women standing as candidates. Ireland is currently 103rd in the world when it comes to womens representation in national politics. At the local level, Ireland ranks sixth-last among European Union countries. At the same time as the local elections, EU citizens registered in Ireland are eligible to vote for 14 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) across three varied constituencies: Dublin, South, and Midlands-North-West. Voters in Limerick city and county also have the opportunity to directly elect a mayor. From now on, this vote will also take place every five years. The successful candidate will be considered the regions first citizen and will have unique executive powers around long-term strategic planning, including measures on housing delivery, road infrastructure and environmental measures. They can serve a maximum of two terms, each lasting five years. Ballot boxes are prepared for the election (Brian Lawless/PA) There are 15 candidates vying for the new job which carries a salary of approximately 150,000. The role is seen as a test case for further rollout at other local authorities in the future. Ballots in the local elections can begin to be sorted straight away on Saturday, but results in the European election cannot be declared until after all EU states have finished polling, which will not happen until late on Sunday night. Counting in the mayoral election is expected to begin on Monday. However, the entire process may well take several days to complete. View results from your area Carlow County Council Cavan County Council Clare County Council Cork City Council Cork County Council Donegal County Council Dublin City Council Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Fingal County Council Galway City Council Galway County Council Kerry County Council Kildare County Council Kilkenny County Council Laois County Council Leitrim County Council Limerick City and County Council Longford County Council Louth County Council Mayo County Council Meath County Council Monaghan County Council Offaly County Council Roscommon County Council Sligo County Council South Dublin County Council Tipperary County Council Waterford City and County Council Westmeath County Council Wexford County Council Wicklow County Council A day after voters headed to the polls in three highly anticipated elections, the ballot boxes will be opened at 9am before counting gets under way later on Saturday. Advertisement People voted to elect a swathe of new councillors as well as picking candidates to send to the European Parliament and, for the first time, some voters will be directly electing a mayor to represent them locally. Ballot boxes in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) The ballot papers for the local government elections will be sorted and counted first, before the papers in the European and Limerick mayoral elections are counted on Sunday and Monday respectively. Advertisement The count staff in centres across the nation will separate the votes which is expected to take some hours before counting them. The ballot papers are separated based on first preference votes, with spoilt votes separated from the piles. Spoilt votes are those which are deemed illegible because there are multiple first preference votes or they have been defaced with messages. To win a seat in a local authority, candidates have to meet the required quota of votes, which is calculated by dividing the total valid poll by one more than the number of available seats, and then adding one. Advertisement The separate elections come at a febrile time in Irish politics dominated by discussion on a housing crisis, the cost of living and migration. The coalition partnership of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party has been battling criticism domestically and on the continent over other issues including climate action, agriculture policy and defence co-operation in the EU. The eagerly awaited polls will provide political parties with concrete evidence of voter sentiment, having had to wait more than four years since the last nationwide elections. Advertisement Taoiseach Simon Harris votes at the polling station at Delgany National School in Co Wicklow on Friday In the intervening years since the last general election, politicians have had to rely on newspaper opinion polls to gauge the mood of the nation. The main takeaway of the 2020 campaign was a massive upswing in support for Sinn Fein, which took away almost a quarter of the popular vote. To leader Mary Lou McDonalds regret, this was unrealised potential as the party was still left in opposition after failing to run a sufficient number of candidates in the parliamentary constituencies. Advertisement Since then, estimated support for Sinn Fein hovered above 30 per cent for a long time even temporarily reaching highs of around 35 per cent. However, opinion polls over the last eight months suggest that support for the party is on a dramatic slide as independents eat up more of the expected vote share. Many of the ballot papers across the elections contain a large number of independents with a variety of political leanings, several of whom have been described as anti-immigrant. For a protracted period of time, Ireland has continued to fail to provide accommodation for all asylum seekers. There have been several anti-migrant protests across the State and buildings earmarked to accommodate refugees have been damaged in suspected arson attacks. Also of note, Fine Gael appears to have had somewhat of a Harris hop in the polls following the shock resignation of Leo Varadkar as leader of the party earlier this year, leading to Simon Harris taking over that position as well as the role of Taoiseach. The results of the three campaigns may be instructive for the overall state of the parties and could potentially direct Mr Harris decision on when to call the next general election, which must be held by March next year. Very pleased to be here this morning at St. Anthonys School to vote with family. Polls are open until 10pm tonight. I would urge you to come out and vote and to vote for Fianna Fail candidates in the Local, European and Limerick Mayoral elections. pic.twitter.com/LF9gbkoeah Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 7, 2024 Millions of residents were eligible to vote in Fridays local elections. There are 31 local government bodies in Ireland. Each county and city council is divided into local electoral areas with a specified number of council seats to be filled in the election. In total, there are 166 electoral areas in Ireland and each of them elects a number of councillors. The number of councillors to be elected nationally is 949. These representatives are tasked with making policy decisions at local level including on planning and community development. At the same time, EU citizens registered in Ireland were eligible to vote for 14 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) across three varied constituencies: Dublin, South, and Midlands-North-West. The MEPs are responsible for debating EU-wide legislation and working on the budget for the bloc. The local and European elections are held every five years. In the south west of the country, voters in Limerick city and county had the opportunity to directly elect a mayor. From now on, this vote will also take place every five years. Early voters wait for the polling station to open so they can cast their votes (Niall Carson/PA) The successful candidate will be considered the regions first citizen and will have unique executive powers around long-term strategic planning, including measures on housing delivery, road infrastructure and environmental measures. They can serve a maximum of two terms, each lasting five years. There are 15 candidates vying for the new job which carries a salary of approximately 150,000. Voting came to an end at 10pm on Friday, but the results will take days to be finalised. The role is seen as a test case for further rollout at other local authorities in the future. Ballots in the local elections will be sorted straight away on Saturday but results in the European election cannot be declared until after all EU states have finished polling which will not happen until late on Sunday night. Counting in the mayoral election is expected to begin on Monday. Even then, Ireland uses a system of proportional representation which allows voters to rank every candidate in each race by order of preference. Candidates must reach a certain quota of votes in order to be deemed elected. In the likely event that not enough candidates are above this threshold following the first count, hopefuls with the least amount of votes are eliminated and their votes are redistributed based on the further preferences on the ballot papers. The same occurs when a candidate is elected with a surplus of votes. It means the paper ballots in each election, which are filled out with pencil or pens, are sorted and counted multiple times by hand. The entire process is expected to last days. This year the three main parties Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein are fielding a similar number of candidates across every electoral area. There are also more than 500 independents standing this year, along with dozens of candidates from new parties, such as Independent Ireland and The Irish People. Below you can find the full list of all 2,171 candidates standing in this years election. Use the search bar to find candidates in your area or local authority. This year has also seen a record number of women standing for election. There are 682 women running, about 31 per cent of all candidates. There are two local electoral areas where no women are standing Corca Dhuibhne in Co Kerry, and Moate in Co Westmeath. In the 2019 local elections, 561 women ran for a seat, while in 2014, 440 women were candidates. Fianna Fail comes bottom of the class among the major parties in terms of the number of women running. Only 25 per cent of its candidates are women. Fine Gael fares slightly better with 29 per cent female candidates. Sinn Fein is fielding 335 candidates in the local election, 44 per cent of whom are women. The Social Democrats and the Green Party have an even number of men and women standing as candidates. Ireland is currently 103rd in the world when it comes to womens representation in national politics. At the local level, Ireland ranks sixth-last among European Union countries. At the same time as the local elections, EU citizens registered in Ireland are eligible to vote for 14 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) across three varied constituencies: Dublin, South, and Midlands-North-West. Voters in Limerick city and county also have the opportunity to directly elect a mayor. From now on, this vote will also take place every five years. The successful candidate will be considered the regions first citizen and will have unique executive powers around long-term strategic planning, including measures on housing delivery, road infrastructure and environmental measures. They can serve a maximum of two terms, each lasting five years. Ballot boxes are prepared for the election (Brian Lawless/PA) There are 15 candidates vying for the new job which carries a salary of approximately 150,000. The role is seen as a test case for further rollout at other local authorities in the future. Ballots in the local elections can begin to be sorted straight away on Saturday, but results in the European election cannot be declared until after all EU states have finished polling, which will not happen until late on Sunday night. Counting in the mayoral election is expected to begin on Monday. However, the entire process may well take several days to complete. The four captives rescued by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip on Saturday had been abducted from a desert rave near the border during Hamas wide-ranging assault into Israel on October 7th. One had emerged as the face of the agonising hostage crisis that is still far from over. Advertisement Noa Argamani (25) appeared in a series of videos that captured the painful trajectory of their plight. In the first, filmed by the attackers, she is being forced onto a motorbike by several men after being seized with her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, whose whereabouts are still unknown. Dont kill me, she screamed with one arm outstretched, the other pinned down. Advertisement Andrey Kozlov (Hostages Families Forum Headquarters via AP) In another video released by Hamas in mid-January, she appeared gaunt and spoke almost certainly under duress of other hostages being killed in airstrikes months into Israels massive offensive. And then there was a third video, in which she appeared in family photos in the background as her mother, a Chinese immigrant to Israel who has stage four brain cancer, pleaded with her captors to release her only child so she could see her before she dies. I want to see her one more time. Talk to her one more time, Liora Argamani (61) said. I dont have a lot of time left in this world. Advertisement On Saturday, after eight months of captivity, Israeli forces rescued Ms Argamani and three men who had all been kidnapped from the Tribe of Nova music festival, where Hamas and other militants killed more than 350 people in the worst massacre in Israels history. The rescue operation came amid a major Israeli air and ground offensive in central Gaza that has killed and wounded hundreds of Palestinians, including at least 94 on Saturday. Almog Meir Jan (Hostages Families Forum Headquarters via AP) Advertisement Less is publicly known about the other three hostages who were rescued on Saturday. Almog Meir Jan, a 21-year-old from a small town near Tel Aviv, had finished his army service three months earlier, according to the Times of Israel, an English-language Israeli website. Andrey Kozlov (27) was working as a security guard at the festival. He had immigrated to Israel alone a year and a half earlier, and his mother came to the country after October 7th, Israeli media reported. Shlomi Ziv (40), from a farming community in northern Israel, was working as an usher and had gone to the party with two friends who were both killed, the Times of Israel reported. Advertisement Shlomi Ziv (Hostages Families Forum Headquarters via AP) The Israel Hayom newspaper said he and his wife of 17 years had been trying to have children. Ms Argamani began dating Mr Or about two years ago after they met while attending Ben-Gurion University in her hometown of Beersheba and were planning to move in together in Tel Aviv, his mother told Israels Ynet news website. She said her son had majored in electrical engineering and had been hired by the international tech giant Nvidia. Yonatan Levi, a friend of Ms Argamani, described her as a smart, free spirit who loved parties and travelling and was studying computer science. He said he had met her at a diving course in the Israeli city of Eilat on the Red Sea, and that a few months before her abduction she had asked him for help navigating insurance claims for her mothers care. Hamas and other militants killed some 1,200 people in the October 7 attack and captured around 250 others, including men, women, children and older adults. More than 100, mostly women and children, were freed in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel during a week-long ceasefire last year. More than 36,700 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, according to local health officials, who do not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Israeli authorities believe the militants are still holding around 120 hostages, with 43 pronounced dead. Survivors include about 15 women, two children under the age of five and two men in their 80s. A man has assaulted Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen in central Copenhagen, local media reported. Police confirmed there has been an incident with the Prime Minister and that a 39-year-old man was arrested on Friday. Advertisement Authorities later said the man will appear at a pre-trial custody hearing at Copenhagen District Court at 12pm GMT. It was not clear if Ms Frederiksen was hurt during the incident. Two eyewitnesses, Anna Ravn and Marie Adrian, told the daily BT that they saw a man walking toward Ms Frederiksen and then pushing her hard on the shoulder so she was shoved aside. They stressed that the premier did not fall down. Another witness, Kasper Jorgensen, told the Ekstra Bladet tabloid that a well-dressed man, who seemed part of Ms Frederiksens protection unit, and a police officer took down the alleged assailant. Advertisement Outraged by the assault on the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen @statsmin in Copenhagen tonight. I strongly condemn this cowardly act of aggression. All my thoughts are with you and your family, dear Mette and hope you overcome this horrendous attack soon. Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) June 7, 2024 Advertisement Soren Kjaergaard, who was working at a local bar on Kultorvet Square where the incident happened, told the BT that he saw Ms Frederiksen after the incident and she had no visible injuries to her face but walked away quickly. The prime ministers office told the Danish state broadcaster DR on Friday that Ms Frederiksen was shocked by what happened. Politicians in the Scandinavian country and abroad condemned the reported assault. Advertisement Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson said that an attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy, while Charles Michel, president of the European Council, condemned on X what he called a cowardly act of aggression. European Union parliamentary elections are currently under way in Denmark and the rest of the 27-nation bloc and will conclude on Sunday. Ms Frederiksen has been campaigning with the Social Democrats EU lead candidate, Christel Schaldemose. Media reports said the attack was not linked to a campaign event. Advertisement It is not clear if Ms Frederiksen was hurt during the incident (AP) Violence against politicians has become a theme in the run-up to the EU elections. In May, a candidate from Germanys centre-left Social Democrats was beaten and seriously injured while campaigning for a seat in the European Parliament. In Slovakia, the election campaign was overshadowed by an attempt to assassinate populist prime minister Robert Fico on May 15th, sending shockwaves through the nation of 5.4 million and reverberating throughout Europe. Assaults on politicians in Denmark are rare. On March 23rd, 2003, two activists threw red paint on then-prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen inside the parliament and were immediately arrested. Then-foreign minister Per Stig Moller also suffered some splashes that day. Britain's Princess Kate has written a letter to the Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take the salute and wish them luck for The Colonels Review in London on Saturday. Kate, who is colonel of the regiment, spoke of her pride in them and added that being colonel remains an honour. Advertisement The letter said: I wanted to write to you to let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonels Review and Trooping the Colour. Advertisement I appreciate everyone trooping the colour this year has been practising for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate. Being your colonel remains an honour, and I am very sorry that Im unable to take the salute at this years Colonels Review. Please pass on my apologies to the whole regiment, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved. Advertisement Quis separabit. (Who shall separate (us)?) The Colonels Review is held seven days ahead of the Trooping the Colour parade which has marked the sovereigns birthday for more than 260 years. It remains unclear Kate, who is undergoing chemotherapy after a cancer diagnosis, will attend Trooping the Colour, a major fixture in the royal calendar. Advertisement The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales this morning. We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send Her our very best wishes. Quis Separabit@KensingtonRoyal@ArmyInLondon pic.twitter.com/KQUgB1RmBE Irish Guards (@irish_guards) June 8, 2024 Advertisement She appealed for time, space and privacy for her family when she announced on March 22nd she was being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer. The Prince of Wales gave a positive update about his wifes treatment during a visit to the Isles of Scilly earlier in May, saying shes doing well when questioned by a hospital administrator. The Irish Guards posted a video of the letter being read to the regiment on X saying: The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our colonel, Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales this morning. We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send her our very best wishes. Quis Separabit. The Regiment gave a round of applause after the letter was read out. Kate will be represented at the Colonels Review by General James Bucknall, who will act as the chief inspecting officer of the day in the princess absence. During the Trooping ceremony, held on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, it is understood Britain's King Charles will carry out the review of the Guardsmen and officers from an Ascot Landau carriage with Queen Camilla. The change from last years ceremony, where Charles inspected the troops on horseback, reflects earlier Buckingham Palace briefings where it was highlighted that each engagement by Charles would be reviewed and adaptations made when advised by doctors. Charles is likely to travel by carriage with Camilla during the traditional procession to and from Horse Guards Parade, and is expected to watch the Trooping ceremony seated on a dais, rather than on horseback. The colour which will be trooped past the massed ranks of guardsmen and officers will be from Number 9 Company, Irish Guards. The UK Conservative Party's Penny Mordaunt and Labour's Angela Rayner engaged in heated exchanges during the BBC General Election Debate, as they clashed over tax, NHS waiting lists, and the push for net zero. Mordaunt continued to repeat the claim made by Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that Labour would raise taxes by 2,000 if elected, prompting Labours deputy leader Ms Rayner to accuse Ms Mordaunt of lying. Advertisement Meanwhile, Ms Rayner received applause from the audience after she said former Conservative prime minister Liz Truss crashed the economy. Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner and Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt shake hands after taking part in the BBC Election Debate (Jeff Overs/PA) Despite these attacks, the pair shook hands at the end of the debate. Advertisement Ms Mordaunt told the audience: We have got to cut taxes and we have got to alleviate the burdens on business. Angela Rayners party Keir Starmer confirmed this earlier this week they are going to put up your taxes by 2,000 per working household. Ms Rayner said that is a lie and added that the Government had raised taxes to a record level. Advertisement The pair then began to shout over each other before debate host Mishal Hussain cut them off. That was terribly dignified wasnt it? Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer, who also took part in the seven-party debate, added. Advertisement The Tories 2,000 claim has been criticised, with Sir Keir accusing Mr Sunak of lying about how the sum was calculated. On reducing healthcare waiting lists, Ms Mordaunt said: There are many things we need to do, but there are two really important things. We have to keep the budget strong. We need a strong economy. She continued: Labours plans to tax your future pension, senior nurses and doctors, is going to get healthcare professionals to leave the service. That is going to lead to more waiting lists. Advertisement Stephen Flynn of the SNP watches as Greens co-leader Carla Denyer responds to Labour leader Angela Rayner (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Ms Rayner responded: Penny, thats rubbish and youve just said we need a strong economy you backed Liz Truss and crashed our economy. The studio audience applauded as Ms Rayner, a care worker when she entered politics, added: You made people like me redundant when we were in the homecare service. Ms Mordaunt also claimed Labours Great British Energy plans known as GB Energy would result in giant bills for voters. She said: Its not just your taxes that Im worried about, Im worried about my constituents being able to afford a Labour government. Angela mentioned GB Energy, do you know what the GB stands for? It stands for giant bills, and more bills are coming with the net zero plans that Labour have.